THE TOWN COUNCIL & THE TOWN'S MEETING.

Ar a meeting of the Town Council on the 15th ult., the Mayor said he was sorry he had received no further apology from Mr. Bird, on account of the attack made upon himself and the Council, at the Public Meeting, at the Peacock, (about the £800 grant to the Queen). Messrs. Jeffery and Hewlett, who helped to sharpen the edge of the Mayor's anger at the last meeting were absent. Messrs. Sharp, Walker, Williams, Groom, Lloyd, Wykes, and Marshall, were all of opinion that it would be folly to countenance any prosecution; indeed, the meeting generally concurred in the wish of Alderman Williams, that the matter should

be allowed to sink into oblivion, as far as even a vote of adjournment might perpetuate the memory of it. Another topic was accordingly introduced; and, as Mr. Barwell did not offer any opposition, it may be presumed that he has given up his avowed personal determination to go to law.

Men seldom come to wise conclusions under the influence of anger. It is true that occasionally anger is condensed into hatred; but time is a great friend to common sense: and by a noble mind a personal injury is consigned as speedily as possible to the tomb of forgetfulness. As far as some results are concerned, we think the Town Council may be thankful that Mr. Bird was indiscreet; while the party with whom for once he acted, will long deplore that he did so much to divert public attention from the leading object of the meeting. Had the most distant idea been entertained that the speech of Mr. Bird would have taken such a turn, he certainly would not have been permitted to address the assembly, either in proposing or seconding a resolution. We lament that at the close of a life of successful toil he should have sowed seed, which will produce bitter fruit in abundance. It will be long ere Mr. B. will forgive himself. The habits of a life of activity are not soon laid down. We can readily imagine that Mr. Bird is now and then restless in his retirement. He talked long before the meeting; but he outdid himself. Retired tradesmen ought to have something to

do.

away.

If Mr. Bird had continued quiet, he might by degrees, have reached some position of public usefulness. But this has passed It has been suggested to us that he is anxious for a seat at the council-table. It I will not do. We wish Mr. Bird well; but heartily trust that the lesson which he has learnt will not be lost. The council has overlooked the offence; we trust that the Mayor has: and, if we regretted that the subject was ever brought forward, or that an action was talked of, we are glad on account of all parties that the affair has thus terminated. I

THE LIBERAL PARTY IN NORTHAMPTON.

ITS POSITION, POLICY, AND PROSPECTS. No. 2.

COMPARATIVELY few the Established Church are to be found in its ranks. The Wesleyans here, are, as a body, decidedly liberal. An extremely small

persons connected with

number vote with the Tories. The ecclesiastical is destined to be a leading, if not the leading standard, around which parties will gather to battle. The ultra-Protestant spirit is strong amongst the Wesleyans in Northampton. They would neither support a man who would divert the funds of the Irish Protestant establishment to Roman Catholic use; nor for a man who would vote for the endowment of the Roman priesthood out of the consolidated fund. In this matter numbers of the evangelical dissenters would sympathise with them. We mistake very much if under such circumstances, it is not destined for Northampton to be represented by Tories, for a time; unless the Whigs and Suffragists should unite in men who would thoroughly oppose all endowments; and then the Wesleyans would probably as a body go with them.

We believe that here, as in most towns in the kingdom, the Wesleyans hold the balance. The young men in that body are likely to prove anything but more liberal than their fathers. Their ministers, as to

lics; whether they will be for the Church is another thing. They will bear no one to touch their ark. They have tried to prove that they are not dissenters; but let Popery be regularly endowed; and let us see the Church of England clergy systematically setting their faces against local preaching, &c., &c., &c., ; let coercion proceed in the villages; and then let the non-endowment, or the disendowment principle come before them, and we have hope that the Anti-State-Church men We are convinced, may gain their suffrages. however, that in Northampton, they are very far from having reached such a position. Should Sir Robert Peel attempt to endow the Irish Roman Catholics, they will support an Anti-Catholic Endowment Tory rather than a

Pro-Endowment Whig. As local political combinations depend so much on the proposals of government, it is difficult to foresee what shall be. One thing, however, we believe is certain, that whatever may be the conduct of the Wesleyans as a body, the Dissenting ministers of the town can longer be deemed Whig.

no

To this our attention will be turned next month. Still we express it as our conviction that the liberal party will be broken up.

THE PUBLIC STREETS & THE POLICE. THE state of our public streets at night, has long been a matter of complaint by the inhabitants. It is scarcely possible for respectable females to pass along any of the leading streets without being insulted, or at least annoyed. Crowds of loose young men and young women throng the Parade, Sheepstreet, the Drapery, and Gold street, especially; and language of the most filthy and disgusting character is loudly uttered. Groups by the windows of shops, and outside the windows of sitting rooms, indulge in low conversations, smoking, and sparring. We had rather that no need existed for the interference of the police, but it cannot be denied that strong reasons exist for the same. The large number of working men that read our Citizen are thoroughly disgusted with conduct by which disgrace is brought on the masses. The widening of the pavement is a good work done; but unless a larger number of more active and trustworthy policemen are employed, we shall be obliged to keep the females of our families within doors after nightfall, and even then they are not secure from the baseness of those who may choose to block the highway, and brawl beneath the windows. We are glad to hear that the municipal body are about to take the matter in hand. The sooner the better.

political feeling, are strongly opposed to the democratic spirit. It was so with their last preachers, as well as with those at present labouring here. Forming members of an ecclesiastical conclave, to which they belong, not with the people, nor by the votes of the people, they are not likely to be free from the exclusive spirit. They are associated with a system which calls into activity the minds and bodies of its members. From the local preacher and class-leader up to the president of the conference, its ministers and members have various offices before them. If there be some dissatisfied ones they go off to the Assosociation or to other communities; and, perhaps no body is therefore less likely to be quickly and thoroughly imbued with the democratic spirit than the Weslesan body. In this town the majority of their leading men have fought their way up from the ranks to their present position in society. They have somewhat of the plebeian spirit left; it is apparent in the simplicity of their address and habits. Their children generally have been trained to another standard, for the more part. From the prevalence of the ideas of lay and clerical, spiritual and temporal, religious and political, it may be seen that the church spirit. We are afraid that notwithstanding the insomewhat infects them: they read the Wotch-fluence of the teetotallers, the number of man; the literature with which they are ac- coatless, or ragged, and boisterous, drunkards, quainted is Wesleyan; they love to "dwell who reel about our streets, are more numerous alone as a people.' Their pronunciation, ca- than ever. dences, topics of conversation, all, all tell you that progression is likely to be deemed innovation with them.

Should your hopes be even deceived, not seven We say the ecclesiastical will be the lead-The righteous cause always triumphs when we put times, but seventy times seven, never lose hope. ing aspect of the coming party contests. We onr faith in it; and he shall be saved who perseknow that they will be against the Roman Catho- veres unto the end.-Truth-Seeker.

STATE OF TRADE-EARLY SHOP

CLOSING, &c. &c.

then be able to judge what opportunity he
has possessed of acquainting himself, correctly
and generally, with the parties whom he has
so unceremoniously accused of subserviency,
and, as it appears to me, of dishonesty. I do
not intend by proposing these enquiries to
enter into any controversy on the subject, (nor
indeed, should they be answered, shall I be
likely to attempt a rejoinder) but simply to elicit
explanation. If this be given, let the writer
proceed to expose any evils which may be
proved to exist amongst us, whether the ex-
Let him execute
posure be agreeable or not.
his task, however, in a courteous and christian
spirit-a spirit far different from that dis-
played in the fifth paragraph of No. 1. We
may then hope that all parties will be in-
structed, conciliated, and improved.

We have heard the most contradictory accounts
as to the state of the shoe-business in North-
ampton. Now as we should like to render
"The Citizen" a medium for improving the con-
dition of the large number of our fellow-towns-
men engaged as mechanics generally, and the
shoemakers in particular, we shall be willing to
devote a portion of our columns to trade pur-
poses. We should be glad if any intelligent
shoemaker would, for next month, furnish us
with a general view of the state of the shoe-
business-the wages which are paid, &c. &c.
We would merely throw out one suggestion,
viz. :—that no personal attacks must be made.
We feel deeply interested too in the question
of an early closing of shops. We will render
"The Citizen" a willing instrument for any
movement designed to assist those who are con-
fined for so many hours behind the counter. We
would recommend to general attention "The Clipstone, Sept. 12, 1845.
Student," the organ of the "Metropolitan Dra-
pers' Association;" which is ably conducted, and
earnestly advocates the short-hour system.

CORRESPONDENCE.

STRICTURES ON "THE BOASTED

Yours truly,

THOMAS T. GOUGH.

To the Editor of the Citizen.

(ON THE SAME SUBJECT.) SIR-It will be admitted that of all difficulties that stand in the way of human progress to the good and perfect, those which have their rise within the man are the greatest.

INDEPENDENCE OF DISSENT. No. 2." For, although it is true that nothing can be vide Page 66.

To the Editor of the Citizen. SIR-I have read with some surprise and regret, an article in your last number on the "boasted independence of dissent," in which grave charges are brought against dissenters in general, but especially against dissenting ministers. My belief is, that the writer has presented a mere caricature-a gross exaggeration of evils, which, for aught I know, may to some limited extent exist amongst us. It is possible, however, that the writer may not be correctly understood by some of us. A little explanation would therefore be of service; and by rendering his meaning clearer, would do something towards compensating for the entire absence, throughout the article, of evidence, in support of his allegations. Will he kindly tell us what he means by "idolizing the text of scripture?" What by the "visible church, out of which we are represented as believing that no mortal can be saved?"What are "spiritual savagery' " and "pious jovialism?' What are the "amusements in which we may not indulge?" Would the writer, to prevent all mistakes, specify a few? It seems we may not be "gentlemen." Is the word used to denote a man of well-informed mind, refined tastes, and courteous manners, or a man of wealth and fashion? Will he explain what he objects to in the "adoption of the same system of hermeneutics for the learned and the rude; and, what are the doctrines or rites which he styles "devilism and spiritual mummeries?" Will the writer be so kind as to tell us clearly and fully what is his meaning in these instances. In that case he cannot be misunderstood, nor others be misled. Will he, moreover, affix his name to his next contribution? The public may

more present to the judgment-faculty than the diversity of our own consciousness, yet, partly from the want of habits of introversion, partly from an inaptitude of determining the state of the mind, and still more from that foolish partiality which we all indulge towards ourselves, that field which actually lies nearest to our judgment, is the one of which our notions are the least correct. This hindrance which, in the endeavour to realise duty, every one feels, is increased and augmented in inquiries after truth; because in the former case, an external standard is given to the mind by which to measure deficiencies and estimate progress, while our attainments of truth are more dependent on the sufficiency and integrity of our judgment, particularly in moral and speculative sciences. In these it is of the last importance that we come to the subject with a mind purged from all predisposition, and humbly confiding in the God of Truth, determined to walk in the light of that lamp of the Lord shining in the innermost soul of man.

By his spiritual nature every man is born to be a living expression of vital truth.

But men are supposed to express truth more prominently and efficiently when united; hence have we churches and christian fellowship. "Holding forth the Word of Life." In so far as they serve this purpose, do they fulfil their end. In so far as they neglect this, they are unfaithful and corrupt. The Christian church has neglected this, and still does so. Pride and self-righteousness, worldly interest and the fear of man, to a great extent unfit it for its high calling.

Attached by many sympathies to a part of the Christian church-the Nonconformist which in its day has borne testimony to the sacred cause of truth and conscience, often at

the expence of all earthly good, we may well feel anxious that, at the present time it should realise its vocation, and stand forth in its measure the light of the world.

What are the influences at work contrary to this end, and how far true independence of thought and action are impeded by them, are inquiries of great moment. Sooner or later, however, they must be made, and the answers to them will show us what may be expected, in the great contest of truth and error, of the Dissenters of the present day. It is not the object of this letter to enter at all on this task, but, in connection with these remarks, it may not be out of place to notice a professed examination into the validity of the pretensions of Dissenters to a character of independence, which appeared in the last number of the Citizen. Making every deduction for the necessary incompleteness of a first chapter, enough remains to show that it will fail in giving a correct and convincing representation of the character of Dissenters in this particular. First, because it is essential that general statements should be the result of strict induction from particular qualities, such as are likely to be known to the reader, or are instanced in the page. Secondly, because to bring us to any satisfactory conclusion, the judgments should proceed critically, or according to principles, instead of dogmatically. Of deficiency under the former condition, a striking example appears in the very first attempt to fix on the subject of the enquiry a definite charge. If the reader will refer to the third paragraph of the article in question, he will see that, in support of the assertion that Dissenting mi nisters display priestism, and advance sacerdotal pretensions, two particulars are adduced, viz. :-That they "cling to rights and observances," and "idolise the text of scripture," the meaning of which is not obvious, and the relevancy, if possible, still less so. The two positive statements immediately following, alleging that "they (i. e. the Dissenting ministers) denounce the penalties of the church on every departure from their literal creed," and just below holding that out of the visible church no mortal can be saved," are directly at variance with experience and fact. Of deficiency under the second condition, the whole chapter is an instance, being, as to principle, absolute negation. The eye wanders over the page in search of some positive general truth,

but wanders in vain.

For all pertinence to the enquiry, then, this article might be dismissed without further notice. Certain peculiarities, however, so strikingly mark this singular production, as to call for the strongest reprehension. For example; the style in which the diverse modifications of religious feeling in different denominations is spoken of, and the preferred vulgarity of expression, not accidentally inserted, but

(For continuation, see Supplement.)

Printed and Published by JOHN COOKE WESTBROOK

and JOHN BROWN, at their Office, situate in the DRAPERY, in the Parish of ALL SAINTS, in the Town of NORTHAMPTON; October 1, 1845.

No. 10.

adopted as the more fitting embodiments of the author's mind on this subject. Besides this the vague and loose manner in which many habits and traits of character are spoken ofthough, perhaps, capable of a favourable interpretation—savours strongly of indifferent

ism.

We are not, for instance, told on what principle the Christian minister is to read infidel works, spend his time on the classics, play the gentleman, or throw off, if not the restraints of propriety, yet such as are judged befitting his holy calling. However much a random mode like this of treating sacred subjects, may unsettle the minds of the unthinking or the young, it will not have the redeeming virtue of enlightening the understanding, or of kindling noble and lofty emotions. It must bear the discredit of demolition without the merit of edification. Reflecting minds will be grieved to see a periodical which, with perfect freedom of thought, has hitherto combined patience, candour, and judgment, injured by the admission of an article remarkable only for the want of all three; whilst a few will attribute its insertion, to the wellmeant, though unfortunate indulgence of the editor.

I had wished to return to the main subject, but having trespassed already too much upon your limits, I will for the present subscribe myself, Yours obliged, Northampton, Sept. 20, 1845.

T. W.

WHO ARE THE MUNICIPAL BODY?

To the Editor of the Citizen. SIR-Several times I have heard enquiries made by voters, respecting the present municipal body, viz:-Who are the parties composing the corporation? Who were present when the Mayor's salary of £800 was granted? Who voted for, and who against it? Thinking it of importance that such enquiries should be answered, and as many voters are readers of the Citizen, it appeared to me desirable, as the time of election is not far distant, that such questions should be answered through the medium of your invaluable periodical. By supplying the above information in the October number, you will much oblige, Yours most respectfully, AN ELECTOR.

September 3, 1845. In compliance with the request of our esteemed correspondent, we readily furnish the following The subject of the approaching information. municipal elections will have especial attention in our next number. (See Notice to our Readers.) The Corporation consists of

THE MAYOR.

E. H. Barwell, Esq.

FOR THE GRANT.

GRATIS.

The next No. of "The Citizen" will be pub

Aldermen Sharp, Hollis, Porter; Councillors lished a few days prior to the first of November,
Parker, Hagger, Wykes, Borton, Dunkley,
Jeffrey, Dennis, Cook.

To the Editor of "The Citizen." KIND SIR,―The harvest, and my rheumatism, must be my excuse for not giving something for your paper this month. I like to hobble about in the fields. My old joints are rather stiff; and I soon take cold. The long nights and rough weather are coming on. If spared, you may depend on an account of "A Man that could never get on" for next month's Citizen. Yours in duty, and to serve, BEN BARNES.

Filsham, September, 1845.

THE BIRMINGHAM PILOT AND THE

CITIZEN.

We have observed, with great satisfaction, the progress of the Birmingham Pilot in public estimation, and were sincerely gratified in learning its thorough establishment. In common with many of its contemporaries, it has been Journal. As we may lawfully indulge in gratipleased to notice, with favour, our monthly fcation at the approval of the wise and good; and believing that our readers will rejoice with us, we make no apology for the insertion of the following extract:

"This is the best number of The Citizen which has yet appeared. It is talented, spirited, and full, The honest and rightof epigrammatic point. hearted of Northampton cannot but appreciate and esteem the Publication; and our confident hope is, that The Citizen will, ere long, appear more frequently, and in a still more influential form :-in a word, as a thorough-going, independent, radical weekly Journal."-Pilot, September, 1845.

TO CORRESPONDENTS.

on account of the forthcoming Municipal Elections. Advertizements should be forwarded by the 20th of the month.

We are glad to find that our labours are appreciated; and that not only a large number of mechanics and labourers constantly look for and peruse our periodical, but that many of the middle and upper walks of life are our regulasubscribers. On forwarding twenty-four postage stamps, "The Citizen" may le secured by persons at a distance, for the twelve months of 1815; as we have a stamped edition. Of some of the Numbers, we have but a very few copies. We rejoice that our intention of enlargement, with a more frequent appearance, gives such satisfaction. Our friends may rest assured,

that

Citizen" worthy of local and general support; every effort shall be made to render "The both for the quality of its matter, and its regularity of appearance on the first of every

month.

TO ADVERTISERS.

The extensive local and general circulation of this Journal, renders it an important medium for Advertisements, which are inserted at most reasonable charges.

ADVERTISEMENTS.

BIRMINGHAM FIRE OFFICE
UNION ST., BIRMINGHAM.
Capital, £300,000, Capital paid up, 100,000.

EMPOWERED BY ACT OF PARLIAMENT.

HE peculiar advantages of this old-established Office render it well worthy of the notice of the Inhabitants of the Town and Neighbourhood of

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The additional advantages offered by this Office

Farming Stock (free of Duty)

And with the Average Clause

Proposals, containing the further Rates and

W. R., KETTERING.-The communications of our valued correspondent were not received till the pre-Conditions, with every information respecting the sent No. was in type. They shall have due at

tention next month.

PHILO-CITIZEN.-Thanks for good wishes. We have but little space for advertizements in our pre

mode of Insurances, may be had, gratis, at the
Head Office, UNION STREET, BIRMINGHAM; or of
MR. GRAY HESTER,.
AGENT AT NORTHAMPTON.