cease this rambling, and knock down these airy castles-may be, my outside work is finished. I must now work, and not spend my time in promises.

"It is needful that you should work also, my friends, else punishment from High Heaven will soon light upon this land; for, while I am surrounded with your sumptuous provisions this very Christmas time, there lives a subject of the Queen, in England, in prison, who sends his moans to God for help-to that God who listens where man is deaf, and answers where man disdains.

"My friends, the spirit of Infidelity has surely now done its worst. A little boy has just been thrust into an English prison, by a Yorkshire Magistrate—your neighbour Greenwood, (I blush to write it,) because he has been charged with having this winter-time (when distress is so rife amongst the poor) gone to an Englishman's house and implored the servant For God's sake to give him a bit of bread!'-It is true; that child now lies in prison, in this great Christian (!) metropolis, the capital of the land of Bibles! for THAT CRIME only! While I write, he is, no doubt, weeping, and sighing, and groaning-companying with hardened and profligate thieves! Think you that God will not bottle his tears, listen to his sighs, and avenge his groans?

“Tell me not of the strength of the police, the army, and the power of wealth-they are chaff in the Hands of God! When the measure of this nation's sins is full, He will arise in vengeance, and make the oppressors tremble! If that child be the victim of law, then is the law of England treason against God!

"Yorkshire has furnished the wretched instrument to wield that law-let her sons disclaim the man, condemn the deed, and hasten to wipe off that national crime, by seeking the immediate repeal of that inhuman, blasphemous, and infernal Act.

"I know not that I have ever trembled for my country as I did when I read of that foul deed! I never blushed for my county as when Greenwood thus disgraced it.

"You know how steadily I have ever maintained the union between Church and State. And why? That Christian principles might predominate in the Cabinet, the Legislature, and on the Bench. What says the Church of England? Let her Homilies answer. It is thus that they preach : Know this, that to help and succour the poor in their need and misery, pleaseth God so much, that, as the Holy Scripture in sundry places recordeth, nothing can be more thankfully taken or accepted of God.'

646

He that receiveth the poor and needy, and helpeth them in their affliction and distress, doth thereby receive and honour Christ their maker; who, as He was poor and needy, himself, whilst He lived here amongst us, to work the mystery of our salvation; so. at His departure hence, He promised, in His stead, to send unto us those that were poor, by whose nieans His absence should be supplied; and therefore, that we would do unto Him, we must do unto them.'

“The law of England subverts all this, and, in fact, says, Send Christ to prison. Hear her Church again :

"Let merciful alms be always with us as a garment: that is, as mindful as we will be to put our garments upon us, to cover our nakedness, to defend us from the cold, and to show ourselves comely; so mindful let us be at all times and seasons, that we give alms to the poor, and show ourselves merciful towards them.'

The law of England asserts, It is criminal to ask alms, whilst her Church teaches

"Help, feed, and succour the poor, hungry, and naked Christ, that cometh to your doors a begging.'

To give alms, and to succour the poor and needy, is a very acceptable thing, and an high sacrifice to God, wherein He greatly delighteth, and hath a singular pleasure.'

"Let us provide, that, from henceforth, we show unto God-ward this thankful service, to be mindful and ready to help them that be poor and in misery.'

“It is thus, my friends, that the Church of England, in her Homilies, being instructed by the spirit of Almighty God, teaches. Her union with the State is intended to infuse her principles into the laws; but what says the law of this now infidel State, nominally united to that Church. This is the atrocious edict: If, being poor and hungry, you dare to come to our doors a begging, aye, even in God's name, to ask for a bit of bread, we will thrust you into prison!'

"Call you this union of Church and State? It is not that union which I seek to establish and perpetuate-it is rank hypocrisy, unblushing blasphemy-it is Philosophy, Expediency, Infidelity! If the clergy will still be silent, God will soon speak!

"My dear friends, I could not enjoy your bountiful fare, if I had permitted that lad to remain unnoticed in prison! We must get rid of this accursed Covetousness, which is at the root of every liberal and enlightened' measure, or we may surely expect, as we deserve, the fiery vengeance -the 'fury' of our God!

"My mind is full of arguments, but they are needless-this truth commends itself: and so farewell.

"Commend me to all my friends-may they be united in love to God; that love which teaches its possessors' to do unto others as they would that others should do unto them.'

Eschew Expediency, cherish Truth, and act on sound Principle.-Fear God, honour the Queen, love one another. In these few words I have summed up the catechism of my life. You know that

"I am your grateful and faithful friend, servant, and 'King,'

"RICHARD OASTLER."

I must not omit the note of "my old butcher," which accompanied his good Yorkshire cheer. Here it is:

"TO MY WORTHY FRIEND, MR. OASTLER, IN THE QUEEN'S PRISON.

"Sir, I beg you will accept of this small present, in remembrance of the Woodhouse Church dinner, from your old butcher, consisting of a rump of beef, leg of mutton, and a dried tongue, for Christmas-day.

"Huddersfield, December 20, 1842."

My old friend's gift, and the mention of that dinner, were full of interest. They touched a chord which thus vibrated:

"TO MY OLD BUTCHER, HUDDERSFIELD.

"The Queen's Prison, December 23, 1842. My Friend,-Truly you are very kind. Your Christmas dinner, in remembrance of that one of Christ Church, is thankfully received.

"The recollections thus forced upon my mind are all pleasing, though some of them are tinged with sadness.

"You do not know, it is not permitted those at large to estimate the pleasures which are felt on the receipt of such tokens of friendship, by those who have, by the laws, or rather the custom of our country, been deemed unworthy of their liberty.

"I have now been absent from you some four years-more than two of them have been spent in prison-why or wherefore, no reasonable man can tell. It cannot be to enable me to pay my debts and provide for my family-it ought not to be, in a civilized Christian country, to gratify the malice of a fellow subject. I leave the custom or the law to say why it is. It is enough for me to know that God has not forsaken me, and that among those who still think me worthy of their kind regards, I may rank so many Huddersfield friends (my old neighbours), and amongst them yourself, my old butcher.' It will gratify you to know, that the pains of imprisonment are removed by such assurances of friendship as you have furnished me with-that one who knows me well, as you do, my principles and my conduct having been for many years open to your closest inspection, that you should still esteem me worthy of your friendly recollection, is a specific against the wound which prejudice and malice would inflict.

"Prisons are too often the graves of friendship. How happy am I that I can still look beyond these barriers, and in you recognize a friend.

"That dinner, of which this sumptuous provision of yours is intended to remind me, brings back to my retentive mind many associations which are pleasing-some that are melancholy.

"The benevolent founder and patron of the Church was there-the truly pious minister, surrounded by his loving and beloved congregation, (with whom I had so often worshipped,) was present the Sunday school teachers and scholars formed a part of that assembly. Amongst that company there were many who were very dear to me. Excuse me if I drop a tear (I have shed many on their account) to the memory of some who were then present, whose bodies now slumber in that churchyard.—I know that the memory of the just is blessed,' but I remember also, that 'Jesus wept.'

"I shall not soon forget the pleasures of that day. I was privileged to address that company -they were pleased to listen, with approbation, to the heart-brooded strains which my lips uttered. We did not think of prison then-of malice and oppression! Nor can imprisonment, malice, and ministerial vengeance sadden the recollection of that day,

"When you see any one who was there, tell him or her that the principles then taught have their foundations deeper than the reach of man's malice-they rise higher than the summit of man's

vengeance.

66

Believe me, my friend, the conviction which I feel, that however eccentric my course may seem to have been, my object has always been the good of my fellow creatures-the establishment of order and of peace, founded on love to God and love to man-in reverence for the Altar, veneration for the Throne, and ardent love of the Cottage-that conviction enables me, with serenity, to bear this punishment-banishment from Yorkshire, deprivation of home and absence from my old friends, with the utter impossibility of making provision for my creditors, my family, or myself. I can bear the petty tyranny of a proud changeling, called a Secretary of State, while, as an Englishman, I am bound to protest against his unconstitutional assumption and exercise of power.

"But enough on this subject—your bounty makes my heart glad-it shall also gladden others who are poorer than myself.

May Heaven reward you!-my prayers attend you—may yours be mine!

"And now, farewell. Permit me, in the best sense of the words, to wish, right heartily, to you, your wife, and family, A merry Christmas, and a happy new year.' "I am, my kind friend, yours in truth and love,

"RICHARD OASTLER.

"P.S.-Mrs. Oastler desires to be most kindly remembered to you and yours, and wishes that her thanks should be mingled with mine.-R.O."

So much for my old friends. It has pleased God, not only that I should retain their good opinion, but also to give me the friendship of others who are personally unknown to me, as the following kind letter testifies:

"To MR. RICHARD OASTLER, THE QUEEN'S PRISON.

"Landport, December 23, 1842.

"Dear Sir,- Ever since I have taken in your Fleeters, I have been anxious to send you some little memento. You have told your readers, that delays are dangerous; and as Christmas is fast approaching, I beg your acceptance of the following Christmas-box:- Almanack; tobacco; tobacco-box; tobacco-stopper, made from the copper nails of the Royal George; snuff-box, made from the wood of the Royal George; and one sovereign.

'My respected minister, the Rev. E. Dewdney, called on me this week-I was speaking to him of you. He told me he had been present at a meeting with you. I asked him if he thought a subscription could not be entered into throughout the country to obtain the amount of your release. He said he thought there had been one, and that he would now readily join in one. Mr. D. is going to head a paper for a subscription for you here, and God grant it may be well filled. I was, last evening, reading the 9th Psalm. I said to Mrs. H. I thought it very apropos to poor R.O. "When Mr. D. has given me the paper, I shall ask my friend George C

am sure he will take great pleasure in doing so.

to assist us.

I

"May the blessing of the Almighty descend on you, your partner, and adopted, is the sincere wish of

"Your friend,

"CHARLES HELBY."

That letter naturally called forth the following reply:

"To CHARLES HELBY, ESQ., LANDPORT.

"The Queen's Prison, Dec. 24, 1842. My kind, though unknown Friend,-It is indeed cheering to receive such a letter as yours, and such a token of regard as your Christmas-box. Accept my thanks and Mrs. Oastler's—they are sincere.

"Believe me, I am grateful that I enjoy the sympathy of one who is so excellent, so good, and pious, as your respected minister. I remember once I had the pleasure of seeing and hearing him, when he came to London to plead the cause of the poor, and to enter his solemn pro

test as a Christian minister against that spawn of Philosophy, the NEW POOR LAW. Be good enough to present to him my most respectful remembrance-my grateful thanks.

"Truly, my dear Sir, you are right-I do put my trust in God-He has not forsaken me-He is my refuge in this time of trouble. I know that the nations are but men, and I am sure that the needy will not always be forgotten; that the expectation of the poor will not perish for ever.

"Of course, I feel grateful to those friends who wish to effect my release. I, however, am kept, on that point, as on all others, in perfect peace. The hearts of my persecutors, and the key of this prison, are held in the Hand of my God-when He will, He can soften and turn. "Oh! how sweet, always to trust in Him! May that blessing be yours!

"Mrs. O. desires to unite with me in thanks and kind regards to you and Mrs. Helby, and also to your dear minister.

"Believe me to be, my dear Sir, faithfully yours,

"RICHARD OASTLER."

There are, Sir, other reasons than those of a personal nature, which fill my heart with gratitude to God, when I am furnished with such proofs of kindness and affection. My principles are dearer to me than life. These facts convince me that my principles are approved and cherished by increasing numbers. I must, however, at present, leave this pleasing subject.That poor beggarboy in prison lingers in my mind. I must say something to you about that blot on England.

The case of the poor boy Crookes, to which I have alluded in the foregoing letter to my Huddersfield friends, will, if I mistake not, require from you more than ordinary attention.

You have, in many quarters, advanced your reputation, by defending the temporalities of the Church against the contemplated confiscation of her property by your former colleagues, the Whigs.

You are perpetually mentioned as an instance of great disinterestedness, for having quitted office, rather than sacrifice Church property to the mendacious cravings of her enemies-nay, your excellent and pious preceptor, the Rev. Walter Fletcher, is constantly endeavouring to extenuate your failings and wanderings, by pointing to your unflinching defence of the rights of the Church.

We shall now see if your defence of the Church is only mercenary—a mere pounds, shillings, and pence interest of your own, in sustaining the abuses which disfigure her, or a sincere attachment to the principles and practice which she inculcates and commands. We shall see if you are one of that class of whom she declares, "There is neither the fear nor the love of God before their eyes; they will more esteem a mite, than they either desire God's kingdom, or fear the Devil's dungeon;" or if you are one of those who delight to "help, feed, and succour the poor, hungry, and naked Christ, that cometh to your door a begging."

It is impossible that the union of Church and State can be perpetuated, if the latter will persist in acting in direct contravention of the commands of the former. Let the State encourage the practice of the primitive graces and principles of the Church, by cherishing, instead of imprisoning the poor, or at once renounce all connexion with her. It is vain any longer to attempt to keep up the delusion to persuade the people that the State is Christian, when the laws are in direct opposition to the Church of Christ established in these realms. Such rank impiety and empty-headed folly has been reserved for these " enlightened" days.

If you permit the law to remain on the statute book, and the Magistrate to retain his office by whom poor Crookes is consigned to prison, it will be evident that you are the enemy of the principles of the Church of England, and that all the apparent sacrifices which you have made for her, have only been strenuous exertions to protect your (!) Church property from confiscation.

The people of England will wait with some anxiety to discover if the Government is resolved to maintain the union of the Church with the State, merely to use the former as a political tool for vile purposes-while they reject her sound and Christian principles, by enacting and enforcing laws which are in direct opposition to her commands.

If the Government should thus resolve, it is improbable that such hypocrisy will be tolerated by the nation—it is not possible that God will wink at such wickedness.

Be sure, Sir, the eye of the Almighty is upon Crookes-His ear hearkeneth to that child's complaint-His arm will avenge that poor, hungry beggar's wrong. "By reason of the multitude of oppressions ye make the oppressed to cry: they cry out by reason of the arm of the mighty."-" So that they cause the cry of the poor to come unto God, and He heareth the cry of the afflicted.”—“ If thou afflict them in any wise, and they cry at all unto Me, I will surely hear their cry; and My wrath shall wax hot, and I will kill you with the sword; and your wives shall be widows, and your children fatherless."-" God is not a man that He should lie; neither the son of man, that He should repent: hath He said, and shall He not do it? or hath He spoken, and shall He not make it good?". "For the Lord your God is God of gods, and Lord of lords, a great God, a mighty, and a terrible, which regardeth not persons, nor taketh a reward. Lord executeth righteousness and judgment for all that are oppressed." No man can add force to these solemn declarations of the Almighty. I am your Victim,

The

RICHARD OASTLER.

P.S.-It is well that a few entries from my "Rent-Roll" should conclude this first number of the new year.

May 7.-Mr. Richard Harling, Burnley, gave me 18.

10.-A friend, London, left me 108. 6d.

11. Mr. Atkinson, Doughty Street, brought me a quantity of sealing-wax.

Mr. Wm. Walker, Bradford, sent me 301.

12. Mr. Cleave brought me a nosegay.

13. Mr. Charles Walker, Bradford, sent me two dozen bottles of fine old

port.

Lord Ashley, M.P. gave me five copies of "Reports on Mines and
Collieries."

17. Mr. Strange, Paternoster Row, sent me a condensed report of ditto. Space forbids more.-R.O.

Printed by Vincent Torras & Co., 7, Palace Row, New Road, London.