happy to be able to state that the progress of which were entirely consumed, although the the flames was arrested, but not till the fire extensive premises were not more than twelve had destroyed a straw stack, and part of two yards distant. The property was insured. clover stacks. The Rev. Mr Uthoff, who is The fire was evidently occasioned by an between 70 and 80 years of age, was greatly incendiary.-Cambridge Chronicle. DORSETSHIRE. agitated. He held out a five pound note to the persons assembled, as an inducement to increased exertions, to subdue the fire as speedily as possible, the note was accepted, and afterwards distributed amongst the labourers present, who amounted to about 150. They had also had a barrel of beer from the Huntingfield Arms public-house.

- INCENDIARISM. - We regret that we have this week to record another of those calamitous fires which have so recently spread alarm and devastation throughout the agricultural districts. On Tuesday night last a wheat-rick on Druce farm, near Piddleton, the property of Mr, George Jesty, was discovered to be on fire, LEICESTERSHIRE.-Sunday night a fire and it was totally consumed. Fortunately was discovered on the premises of Mr. Cart-the fire was discovered in time to prevent the wright, near Leicester, which are at present flames extending to any other property. The occupied by a worsted-spinner. The ma- fire is supposed to have been caused by some chinery was worked by steam. The whole labourers of the neighbourhood, in consebuilding was destroyed. quence of Mr. George Jesty having recently put his thrashing-machine into re-action.Dorset County Chronicle.

BLANDFORD, Tuesday Morning, 2 o'clock.

DEVONSHIRE.-A fire broke out on Saturday morning at the brewhouse of Messrs. Hare, at Stonehouse, near Plymouth. It was discovered in time to confine its ravages to a-On our way hither from Salisbury, about hayloft, where it commenced. Mr. Hare had an hour since, we saw two apparently extenlately received a threatening letter with the sive fires. One of them, we are told, was at name Swing."-Several farms have also Compton, near Shaftesbury, at which place been fired. there is an immense number of barley, hay, YORKSHIRE.-Sunday morning the ex-wheat, and bean ricks. The whole of which, tensive woollen mills of Messrs. Whitacre,I should say, from the great range of the of Woodhouse, near Huddersfield, were dis-light, was in all probability fired. The other covered to be on fire, and so destructive wasis at a place near Ringwood, and though not the fire, that the principal range of buildings to so large an extent, as we are informed here, was completely gutted, and all the machinery destroyed. It is feared that this is the result of malice, which is the more to be regretted, as it will throw a considerable number of men out of employment.

On Tuesday night last, about twelve o'clock, four stacks of corn belonging to Mr. Thorpe, of Glentham, near Spittal, were discovered to be on fire. Assistance was promptly rendered, but the stacks were destroyed. The estimated loss is 3007.

NORFOLK.-On Monday, a barley-stack belonging to Mr. Chapman, of Gatesend, near Rudham, was burnt down, evidently the work of an incendiary, but no clue has as yet been found to lead to a discovery of the miscreant.

On Monday evening, a straw-stack belonging to a small farmer at Tilney was set fire to, but being early discovered, and prompt assistance afforded by the active exertions of labourers and others in the parish, with abundance of water at hand, the conflagration was prevented extending, or a barn, several cottages, and other buildings, would in all probability have become a prey to the flames.

CAMBRIDGESHIRE.-On Tuesday night a stack of haulm, the produce of about 50 acres of land, at Dunton, near Potten, was burnt down. It was unquestionably the act of an incendiary. On Sunday evening last, the town of March was thrown into great alarm by the ringing of the fire-bells, in consequence of a fire being observed on the farm occupied by Mr. T. Golden, on Burrowmoor, near that place. Fortunately, however, by great exertions the flames were confined to some oats,

yet the consequences are expected to be very serious. So great was the consternation at Blandford, that a large party, which had assembled at an early hour in the evening, was broken up immediately on hearing of the fires, and the male portion proceeded in utmost consternation to scenes of devastation. I have forgotten to mention, that on Sunday evening, five fires were observed to be raging between Exeter and Salisbury, some of them appearing to be of considerable importance.

WALES.-TURN-OUT OF THE WELSH COLLIERS.-Wrexham, Monday. We have been very much alarmed in this part of the country during the past week, in consequence of a turn-out amongst the colliers. It commenced near Hawarden, where the men turned out for, and after a few days' delay generally obtained, higher wages. On Tuesday Sir Watkin Wynn, colonel of the Denbighshire yeomanry cavalry, accompanied by that corps, fell in with a body of the colliers, of whom they took three into custody, but these were again rescued from a cottage in which they were confined.

NEED WE WONDER! NEED we wonder at the number of persons who are abusing Cobbett for endeavouring to cause this system to be changed! Need we wonder at this, when we look at the following, which I take from the Morning Herald? Ifit be a lie,

Military Force of Great Britain for G.C.H.

PRITCHARD, C., Bath, upholsterer. WARING, J., Charles-street, Commercialroad East, ship-owner.

YOUNG, W., Rochester, coach-master.

INSOLVENTS.

JAN. 6.-DELACOUR, T. C., London, diamond-merchant.

JAN. 6.-SHAVE, J., Ipswich, innkeeper.

TUESDAY, JANUARY 11, 1831.

BANKRUPTS.

BOTCHERBY, J., Holly-bush-place, Bethnall-green, dyer.

HOP INTELLIGENCE. BOROUGH, Monday, Jan. 10. — Fine new Hops meet with a ready sale, and the supply this morning was rather abundant. Prices remain the same as this day week.

SMITHFIELD-Jan. 10,

Beef for the best young meat sells at 4s. 2d. to 4's. 6d. per stone, and the coarser meat is 3s. to 3s. 10d. per stone. Mutton, for prime young downs, is at 4s. 2d. to 4s. 6d. per stone, and Veal, for prime calves, goes off at 5s. to 5s. 8d. per stone. In the Pork trade dairyfed porkers sell at 4s. 6d. to 5s. per stone,

BURT, W. A., Christ Church, Surrey, coal-and large Hogs at 3s. 4d. to 3s. 10d.

merchant.

COHEN, G. A., Wentworth-place, Mile-end-
road, general merchant.
CUE, C., Glocester, hatter.

EVANS, G., Ketley, Shropshire, grocer.
HARLAND, H., Fell-street, Cripplegate,
livery-stable-keeper.

MEYER, H. L., Three King court, Clement'slane, merchant.

PARKIN, J., Hoylehouse-clough, Yorkshire,

clothier.

SWIFT, T., Pine-apple-place, Edgewareroad, coach proprietor.

TEALE, J., Quadrant, Regent-street, hard

LONDON MARKETS.

MARK-LANE, CORN EXCHANGE, JAN. 10.Prime picked samples of English Wheat are a shade higher this morning, but the general qualities remain as on this day week. In foreign there is likewise no variation. The supply of English grain is rather more, but still continues moderate. Flour may now be quoted at from 60s. to 63s. per sack, but the foremost quality is still quoted at 65s. but not given. Barley is in good demand, and may be quoted full 1s. per quarter dearer. Oats are also rather on the advance, and may be quoted at 6d. to 1s. per quarter above last Monday's price. White Peas are in some request, and bring rather more money, but Grey Peas are as we quoted on Monday last. Beans also are looking up, and the holders ask a trifle higher for this grain. In other articles there is no variation.

supply

THURSDAY, Jan. 13.-This day's was a most miserable one, both as to quality

and numbers. The few beasts that were ex-
hibited consisted of poor and quarter-fat
town's-end Cows, half fat and fleshy steers,
and about half a score of primish Scots;
whilst the small stock was, for the most part,
of inferior quality. This is the last day on
which a cattle market will be held on a
Thursday. The ex-Friday market will resume
its full functions next week. There were no
Milch Cows, or Sucking Calves present.-
Prime Beef, from 4s. 2d. to 4s. 6d. ; middling
Beef, 2s. 8d. to 3s. 2d.; inferior Beef, 2s. 4d. to

2s. 6d. ; prime Mutton, 3s. 8d. to 3s. 2d.;
middling Mutton, 2s. 8d. to 3s. 2d.; inferior
Mutton, 2s. 2d to 2s. 4d.; Veal, 3s, 10d. to
5s. 8d.; Pork, 3s. 2d. to 4s. 8d.-per stone of
8lbs, to sink the offal.-Supply, as per Clerk's
statement: Beasts 102; Sheep, 820; Calves,
90
; and Pigs, 120. Prices as on Monday.

MARK-LANE.-Friday, Jan. 14.

The supplies are still small, the demand moderate, and the prices the same as on Monday.

English arrivals.

4,240

4:20

PRESTON ELECTION.

PUBLIC MEETING will be held at the

A LONDON FTVERN, OR MONDAY

EVENING the 17th instant, at Seven o'clock precisely, to express admiration of the noble Conduct of the People of Preston in electing Mr. HUNT; to hear Mr. Mitchell on that subject and on the Expenses of the Election, and the objects of his Mission to the Metropolis.-THOMAS WAKLEY, Esq. is invited to take the Chair.

Printed by William Cobbett, Johnson's-court; and published by him, at 11, Bolt-court, Fleet-street.

VOL. 71.-No. 4.]

LONDON, SATURDAY, JANUARY 22D, 1831.

то

"THE KING'S MINISTERS. On the easy, the speedy, the quiet, and the ONLY EFFECTUAL, Means of putting a stop to THE FIRES, which now terrify and disgrace the Country.

L

Kensington, 17th January, 1831.

KING'S MINISTters,

[Price Is. 2d.

the remedies which I have to propose. At first thought on the matter, it will appear to be absurd to state such a proposition as this, especially after the numerous trials that have taken place without there having appeared, throughout the whole country, one single particle of evidence to give countenance to the notion that any one fire in any place had been set by any person but a farm labourer, or that any person whatsoever, except a farm labourer or farm labourers had instigated the perpetrator to the act. ScoTT ELDON (I will always when speaking of this person retain the word SCOTT) is reported to have said distinctly, that one of the county jails was full of foreigners who had been committed for these crimes. PEEL, BEFORE I proceed to point out to you KNATCHBULL, and divers others, stated, the means alluded to in the title of this as a matter of course, that the fires had paper, I shall endeavour to convince been instigated by persons going about you of these three things: 1. That the in gigs, curricles, post chaises, landaus! fires have been set by the labourers with- There was a woman in Philadelphia, out instigation from any-body; 2. That who, as a Quaker neighbour told me, the means of terror, or of punishment, are imagined herself to be a tea-pot, not calculated to put an end to the fires; stretched out one arm in the shape 3. That the fires, unless effectually put of a spout, put the other a-kimbo to a stop to, may become far more exten- represent the handle, and cried out to sive than they have hitherto been. It every-body who came near her, “Pray is necessary, first of all, that I make don't break me"! "What," said my good these three propositions; because, neighbour, "would thee have done in unless you be convinced, and heartily that case, friend Cobbett"?" Why," convinced, of the truth of them, you said I, "being a tea-pot I could have will not listen, and it is not reasonable" taken care that nothing but water that you should listen, to that which I should have gone into her in the shape have to offer with regard to the mea- "of liquid, aud that no solids should sures which I think ought now to be" have gone into her till she had washed adopted; and, therefore, the best pos- "all the dirty linen and had scrubbed sible proof that I can give of my sincere" every floor in the house;" a remedy, and anxious desire to cause to be effected by-the-by, which I beg leave to the great object stated in the title of this recommend to my readers in general, if my address to you, is, to endeavour to they happen to be troubled with wives implant this conviction firmly in your with imaginations so extraordinarily minds. strong.

FIRST, then, that the fires have been Strong, however, as the indulgence set by the labourers and without instiga- of the husband had rendered the imagi tion. You must be convinced of this,nation of this lazy she-devil, it certainly or, you will not listen for a moment to did not surpass in point of force that

E

of those persons who have ascribed of the best-tempered fellows in the these fires, or any part of them, to the world. Men that talk very much are instrumentality or instigation of any apt to do very little; and I, if I had body but the labourers themselves; ricks and barns at stake, should be and the wonder is, how any one ever more afraid of the vengeful feelings of can have entertained such an idea. For one single labourer, whose son or broa good while I believed that no one ther I had caused to be imprisoned, or was sincere in his professions upon this severely dealt with, for poaching, than I subject; but at last I met a gentleman, should be of the speeches, the writings, a country gentleman, a considerable and the machinations of all the dislandowner and land cultivator, a ma- contented spirits of London, who, begistrate of long standing and great ex-sides all the rest, hardly know wheat perience, a public-spirited man, not from peas when they see them growing, only a liberal but a generous man, a hardly know a rick from a barn, and man singularly good, not only to his certainly do not know a barn from a own labourers but to all round about stable; are totally ignorant of the state him; a considerate, a mild, and in- of the homesteads, and of the means of dulgent man; a man of sincerity and assailing them; would be frightened out veracity as perfect as I have ever known of their wits at the idea of going along to exist in man; and this gentleman, a dark lane, or over a down, by themwhile he was ready to make every apology selves; and, in short, are as incomfor the other violences, ascribing them petent to give instructions or suggesto the real sufferings of the people, told tions in such matters as the labourers me this, that, as to the fires, the would be to give instructions with repeople have certainly been instigated gard to getting up plays and farces at "to those by a SET OF CONSPIRA- Covent-Garden. "TORS IN LONDON."

Yet, so loth are you to acknow

I was astounded to hear him utter ledge; so loth are the landowners, these words. I could account for Scott the parsons, the bull-frog farmers, aye, Eldon's foreigners; for when he talked and the debt-owners too; so loth are of the intelligence coming in a letter, you all to acknowledge that these fires one could see that it was a hoax. I have proceeded purely from the minds could account without much racking of of the labourers, that you all still cling my brains for the strong imaginations of to this monstrous idea of extraneous Peel and Knatchbull and the rest; but instigation. The cause of this clinging I really was frightened when I heard is this; that you cannot acknowledge this gentlemen talking of a conspiracy that the fires have proceeded purely in London instigating the fires; and, from the minds of the labourers, within his case, I can account for the out tacitly acknowledging one of two monstrous absurdity only by reflect-things; namely, that they must have ing on the effect of the stories had some deep and irresistible provocawhich the people in the country are tion, or that Englishmen are become a continually hearing of the surprising totally altered people. There is not dexterity and cleverness, and the pro- much to choose between these two; found wickedness, that exists amongst either of them looks pretty angrily at the discontented spirits in London! If the Government which has existed for this gentleman were to dwell a little some years past. The fact is, that while in the vicinage of these surprising-these dreadful acts, if ascribed to the ly clever and discontented spirits, his mere movements of the labourers, imalarm would pretty quickly cease: he ply that they have been rendered des would soon find that if he could keep perate by hunger. This implies that his wine-decanter and brandy-bottle they ought to have had higher wages; from them, that need be his only care; this implies, that, to put a stop to the and that if he would let them have their fires, they must have higher wages; run at them, he would find them some and this implies that many millions