Carlisle Patriot, 27 Nov 1824 - Local News (1)
petra.mi...@doctors.org.uk
Saturday 27 Nov 1824 (p. 2, col. 5-6 and p. 3, col. 1, 2, 5 +6)
Some of the Cockney Politicians seem to think that the Freeholders of Westmorland may be 'turned and turned' by any man of any or no political principle. Thus one of them says: "By the transfer of property occasioned by the death of Mr. WILSON, of Dallam Tower, who was a strenuous friend of the LOWTHER interest, it is thought that upwards of 300 votes will be thrown into Mr. BROUGHAM's scale at the next election for Westmorland." What Col. SMYTH's views may be, we know not; but those who calculate on the flexibility imputed in the extract we have made, will certainly find that they have counted without their host.
Committed to Carlisle gaol, on Wednesday last, by the Rev. Thomas RAMSHAY, Matthew STEELE, of Wigton, tucker, charged with stealing, on the 23rd inst. a boy's blue coat, value tenpence, the property of James SCOTT, of Brampton, coal carrier. Also committed, by Thomas BLAMIRE, Esq. as a rogue and vagabond, to three months' hard labour, Francis SMITH, he having been found wandering abroad, "and using a certain instrument and thimbles, and gaming therewith, in the King's highway, leading from Stanwix-bank to Westlinton"—an unlawful game, devised to cheat persons of their money. The country people, in general, must be aware of this, and yet, strange to say, they often play with these impostors with no little avidity.
Mr. T. LOWRY is elected head master of the Free Grammar School of Crosthwaite, Keswick.
We this week publish a list of the subscriptions towards the intended new organ in St. Cuthbert's Church: they are very liberal. The Dean and Chapter have voted, like the Corporation, Fifty Guineas.
Sir James GRAHAM, Bart. M. P. has handsomely sent Five Guineas to the Mechanics' Institute of this City. The worthy Baronet expresses his anxiety to promote the laudable object of so valuable a body of men as compose this society.
The Woodbank Calico Print Works have again become the seat of industry, under the management of HARRINGTON & Co. They commenced operations on Monday last.
The first Carlisle Winter assembly, at the Bush Inn on Monday evening, was numerously and fashionably attended—thirty couple were present, and the dancing was kept up throughout the evening with great spirit.
The Carlisle Choral Society's Concert, of Sacred and Miscellaneous music for the benefit of the Dispensary and House of Recovery, held in the Coffee-House Assembly-room, on Thursday evening, was attended by a numerous and very fashionable audience, including the Dean and his family. The Society mustered in great force: Mr. HILL presided at the piano-forte. Mr. Jacob WEBSTER distinguished himself considerably. His air from the Messiah, 'But who may abide,' and song, 'Fitz Eustace,' (verse and chorus) were deservedly applauded; and his 'Death of Nelson,' called forth a healthy encore. He also sang well in several Duets with Mr. CALDWELL, who likewise, to a good voice, added taste and judgment. Mr. GRUNDY, of Kendal, completely failed in 'Arm ye Brave,' from Judas Maccabeus; but he acquitted himself differently in a couple of Glees. The choruses were all, except one, much to fiercely sung for the size of the room: the volume of sound was absolutely distressing, notwithstanding that it contained the elements of fine melody, for many of the members have good voices, were they chastened, and better adapted to the genius of the music. On the whole, however, the effort was a creditable one in execution, and most praiseworthy in object, and merited the encouragement which it met with. Why was the usual finale of 'God save the King' omitted? On a future occasion we would advise a greater elevation of the orchestra by at least two or three feet, for the benefit of those on the back seats. The receipts of the night amounted to £21 13s. 6d.
The Carlisle harriers cast off on Monday the 29th inst. at Brisco; on Wednesday, Dec. 1, at High Hesket; and on Friday the 3rd at Baxter's Cover, each morning at eight o'clock.
A correspondent wishes us to expose to the public, the machinations of an impostor now in this city. The individual alluded to, is a tall, stout man, shabbily dressed: he has often succeeded, during the past week, in exciting the sympathy of the charitable and humane, by telling a distressing story concerning his wife and children, whom he represents as in a famishing state for want of food, and anxiously waiting his return at a certain lodging house, in the hope of his carrying back to them the means of prolonging their existence. In some places, he has represented himself as a silk-weaver; in others, as a lock-smith in search of work, which he need not long have been in want of in Carlisle. (A respectable firm in this city, being in want a workman of the latter description, sent a person to the lodging-house where he resided, for the purpose of engaging his service, when he was informed that the individual he sought after had been turned out on account of his disorderly conduct.) His importunities were truly annoying; and, when he met with disappointment, he was often abusive. After having been successful in his impositions, he retired to the alehouse, where he spent the fruits of a well-meant but mistaken charity,—and has afterwards re-commenced begging in the streets in a shameful state of intoxication. This person was observed going from door to door, asking alms, in the village of Stanwix, on Sunday last. Such impostors are often the means of arresting the arm of benevolence, when it might be stretched forth to the aid of suffering humanity, and to the relief of more deserving objects.
On Thursday last, a meeting was held at Westnewton, in this county, whereat resolutions were passed in opposition to the announced intention of placing the road from Maryport to Wigton under a turnpike act. "The Wigton people," says a Correspondent, "oppose the expensive system of turnpike, burthening, as it does, the roads with annual payments not laid out upon it—such as clerks' salaries, travelling expenses, acts of parliament, toll-houses, collectors, interest of money, and surveyors' salaries, too often consuming from 30 to 50 per cent. of the tolls, and sometimes the whole of them. It is therefore the system to which they object, and not the expense of good roads." And yet, but for this system, there would have been few good roads in England. The system, however, like all others, is liable to abuse, we dare say; and it is not quite fair to make it answerable for mismanagement. Another letter says:—"There were some things in the meeting rather amusing. Mr. CURWEN was opposed to the road from Maryport to Wigton, but favourable to that from Maryport to Cockermouth, in case a new line could be laid out. Mr. LAWSON, of Brayton, joined the meeting in the midst of the proceedings. Then Mr. C. adopted a new plan. He tried to put the matter off until another year—to make a compromise, or to get rid of the affair, at present, at any rate. But the Wigton people rejected all compromise: they stuck to their opposition to a new road from Maryport to Wigton; and Mr. LAWSON admitted that their conduct was fair and candid. So each party are preparing for the battle, subscriptions will be raised, &c. for nothing can be done without money."
[to be continued]