126 St alarming character. Some of the officials have been killed by the Sikhs, and an outbreak is daily expected. The whole of the troops in the Jullunder district have been warned to hold themselves in readiness to move at a moment's notice. Indications of this disturbance were given by Simmonite in his prognostications for June, in which he says—' India news appears not to be of a peaceable nature, not even satisfactory in a commercial point of view.’
“June 27th. Simmonite further predicts ‘numerous cases of poisoning’; and it is notorious that the newspaper press has rarely, if ever, been known: to teem with such wholesale cases of poisoning as in the present month.” Following up the coincidences of predictions and fulfilments of many events of this remarkable year, the next items to be quoted from the local diarist are as follow :— “June 30th. The Bury Post, in a paragraph relating to the small-pox among sheep, states that this alarming and extending visitation of our sheep-folds was the subject of much remark at Thetford wool fair. In his predictions for the month of May — a time that the disease began to show itself — Simmonite foretells ‘ A disease among sheep.’”
Under date of July 3rd is the following :—“Edinburgh has, this day, been the scene of an ecclesiastical riot. The city clergy are paid by a local impost known as the Annuity Tax, a burden that has always been unpopular. Two upholsterers resisted this tax, and were doomed to have their furniture sold by auction, Such a proceeding could, however only be effected by the aid of the police and two companies of dragoons. This occurrence is another fulfilment of an astrological forecast by Simmonite, who for the month of July says, ‘In Scotland there will be clerical squabbles of more than ordinary importance.’” “To the above may be pertinently added that no fewer than 162 petitions, signed by 22,000 persons, have been laid upon the table of the House of Lords, complaining of the refusal to grant sites for churches in connection with the Free church of Scotland.”
“July 7th. Mr. Hume’s new Reform Bill having been debated on this day, the Times newspaper remarks— ‘ There can be no doubt that there are in this country a great number of persons in every respect worthy of the franchise, but either altogether without it, or grouped in such masses that their votes are as mere drops in the ocean. Some call the new charter Mr. Hume’s, some Mr. Cobden’s, and some Mr. George Wilson’s. Mr. Cobden says that its growth is perfectly spontaneous, and that it sprang up in a summer’s night, nobody knows how. In whatever way it sprang up, there never was a movement which was more intelligible.’”
”Now, in Zadkiel’s prediction from the two events of the sun’s entrance into Aries, and the eclipse of the moon, which happened almost at the same time, he says ‘A sudden event will occur to the Ministry, in which will be infused a more popular and democratic principle,’ and in another part of his almanack(sic), wherein he judges of the effects of the great solar eclipse of last year, he says, ‘these effects will begin to take place in England in the month of April.’ Now, it is well known that on the 10th of that month such a demonstration was made on Kennington Common as to call forth. all the energies of the Government and the military resources of the country to defeat its object. It is equally well known that the new movement made by Mr. Hume and others dates its origin from that period.“
“July 8th. Total loss of the Finn McCoul, a Scotch steamer, with a cargo of Indian corn; also total wreck of the emigrant ship Commerce, with loss of life. Simmonite predicts at this time ‘Many shipwrecks,’ ”
Before proceeding to other matters recorded in the local diary, I will add one more to the many fulfilled predictions and curious coincidences already extracted from the said diary.
“Sept. 18. The Astrologer predicts that ‘In September Ireland will again be the scene of agrarian outrages, and the question of mutual relations between landlord and tenant again mooted,” A letter published in the Times of this date states that ‘seizures for rent have been. made during the past week. The poor peasants, finding their corn gone to their landlords, their potatoes melted into rottenness, and their wives and children almost without food, have told their tale of woe to their neighbours, and a purely agrarian meeting has taken place, from which has emanated the rising and rebel encampments. Thousands of men are at this time in open rebellion, and signal fires are blazing on the top of every mountain.’
Thus the fulfilled prediction. And now I will dilate somewhat on what seems to be the principal cause of this sad state of things. At page 129 of my diary, in writing my sentiments upon the convict Mitchell, I expressed pity for his fate, and it might be inferred by any person under whose eyes it should happen to fall that I have a leaning towards those principles for which he was tried and condemned, notwithstanding my added remark that his views were not my views. I feel, however, in some measure bound to acknowledge my conviction that Ireland has been sadly misgoverned. To the too overbearing assumption of Protestant ascendency may be attributed much of that misgovernment. Because they believe, it maybe, too much, whilst we, not unlikely, believe too little, we taunt them with being idolatrous and superstitious. We accuse them of being malicious, revengeful and bloodthirsty, but we forget the bloody tragedy of Rathcommon, where the military, headed by a Protestant clergyman, murdered the peasants for refusing to pay what they believed to be unjustly demanded tithes, We say they are ignorant and untutored, but is the Irish priesthood exclusively responsible for that condition? Even in England the Protestant bishops oppose every good plan that is brought forward for the education of the people. England is hardly any better off than Ireland in that respect, there being no truly national system of instruction. I have myself heard Protestant clergymen assert that for poor children to learn the Collects, repeat the Church Catechism, read the Bible and write their own names is as much as is required. Then the Romish church ~ is assailed on account of its confessional, yet do not we hear of class and other meetings among Protestant Dissenters where confessions are made, some of which are probably less sincere, if not less prudent, than the confessions to Catholic priests. We are told that the Romish bishops and priests extort money from the members of that persuasion under the plea of granting absolution and remission of sins—a practice which I for one hold to be wrong— yet what do we find as regards money getting among the Protestant bishops and clerical pluralists? The Bishop of London, it is said, receives £25,000 a year, and spends it mainly on his own family, whilst the late Romish Bishop of Paris received no more than £1,200 per year, and spent it chiefly to relieve the wants of his fellow-creatures. Again it is recorded that poor-rates and church-rates only made their appearance coeval with Protestant ascendency, and that prior to that event the Church maintained her poor out of her own revenues. Turning to another point, I might ask — Who has done so much for the Temperance cause as the noble minded and ever active Father Matthew? He it is who has converted thousands of drunkards into sober and rational beings. Who but the Catholic priests were they that when famine and fever stalked the land of Erin, and endangered every life that came in contact, went about, administering to the wants of the destitute, and imparted consolation to the afflicted. Who — I repeat the question — were they but the Catholic priests, who although themselves sinking by hundreds, never swerved from their spiritual duties? I might also ask — Who is he but the self-denying Pope that in the midst of his splendours, becomes abstemious that he may be able to relieve as much as possible the wants of the Italians? It is the same sovereign pontiff who emancipated the Jews, while the Protestant Lords of England put their veto to the “Jewish Disabilities Bill,’ and throw it out, after it has passed the Commons by a large majority. Who was it that entered the ranks of the insurgents at the last civil conflict in Paris, and there preached the Gospel of Peace to those misguided men? It was the venerable and beloved Bishop of Paris, who stood with glorious humanity amidst those fiends of blood. exhorting them to love one another, and lamentably fell in the execution of his philanthropic mission. I will not now put the matter further, having eased my mind in (illegible text) my belief that England's misrule towards Ireland is much greater and her own inconsistencies much more. in evidence than is generally supposed that, in short, her power is arbitrary, and that the sons of unhappy Ireland have much cause for complaint.”
The foregoing sentiments were expressed, remembered, in the year 1848, since which time such changes have been effected and such concessions granted as to entirely reform more than all the abuses and evils pointed out by the diarist; and but for the unceasing propaganda of political agitators, Ireland, if not already, would soon be, in a more happy condition than that of England.
Having completed my extracts from the local diarist which pertain to the political events and curious coincidences of 1843, I will now quote from the same source the jottings on other matters, some of which may seem to partake of puerility, others as pourtraying(sic) the sentimental emotions of the said diarist, and others again as possessing originality even if not of novelty, It will be seen that the diarist was an early riser, and as such, the following extract will be appropriate.
“May 22nd. Composed the following Invitation to Early Rising:—
Attention, good folk, for a time!
I wish to convince you, ere long,
That this simple, out-spoken rhyme
Embodies a practical song.
’Tis Nature’s and Heaven's behest
Our time to be prudently used;
But often, it must be confessed,
By sluggards ‘tis sadly abused,
There’s Richard and more I could name,
In slumber waste much of their time;
I speak of it here to their shame,
They seldom get up before nine.
Their work or their studies, 'tis plain,
Neglected must frequently be;
Lost time they may try to regain,
But which they can never more see.
Permit me to warn you, my friends,
Against early hours thrown away;
For much, I assure you, depends
On early-time rising each day,
If health be your aim to promote,
At five or at six leave your couch;
To study those first hours devote,
And life will be pleasant, I vouch,
There's no other portion of day
So good tor all kinds of employment;
No other, I venture to say,
Affords such instructive enjoyment.
Let slumber your eyelids forsake,
No longer your prison house keep;
Dame Nature invokes to awake,
Then give up your sloth and your sleep !
Go with me to yonder green mead,
Where silvery-dew flow'rets blow !
There Nature's own book you may read,
And lessons of wisdom may know,
The next quotation is from under the date of June 8th, the heading of which is “A Morning Soliloquy, suggested by the Invitation to Early Rising, written on May 22nd.”
Hail, beaunteous morn ! I just awake,
Will soon myself attire;
To linger longer on my couch
Is not my soul’s desire,
The linnet sings its matin song,
The lark is soaring high;
Why should I then my sleep prolong ?
It's bonds to break I'll try,
The golden moments I will seize,
Ere daily toil’s begun,
And haste to sip the balmy breeze,
Or view the rising sun,
I'll hie me to the dewy mead,
‘Tis Nature’s fragrant bower;
And there, from cares perplexing freed,
Will pluck the op’ning flower,
Or if to study I'm inclined,
These morning hours are best;
When nought disturbs the willing mind,
The vision unoppressed,
While others pass their time away
In much unneeded sleep,
I'll henceforth early rise each day
Great benefits to reap,
Though four-score years I might attain,
Tis even then a span;
Yet many extra hours I gain
By this judicious plan.
(Extracts from a local diary, continued.) “Monday, Jan, 31. Rose at 5 a.m. Finished stock-taking, after three days fatigue. On reviewing the state of the weather for the month now closing, I find that although the temperature has been below the average, the cold, upon the whole has not been severe. The last week has been the most winterly. The wind, however, has at times been very boisterous.
“Tuesday, Feb. 1st. Rose at 7 o’clock—shamefully late! Had my usual morning walk, however, and thought out the following arithmetical problem :—
A friend in need is called a friend indeed,
Exclaimed a man who could not pay his rent,
When he was offered with unlooked-for speed,
A loan of fifty pounds, at three per cent.
To pay it back no anxious thought required
While compound interest was charged thereon;
But having cash when thirteen years expired,
Resolved to do so, ere 'twas elsewise gone.
With principal was paid the int’rest too,
And, I fain hope, with heartfelt thanks as well;
Now, as to what sum total then was due,
I'll leave for anyone, who likes, to tell.
“Wednesday, Feb. 2nd. Rose at the better time of 5.50, and before going to business set to music, as a song, the words by ‘ Constance’ entitled The Summer is Gone.
“Friday, Feb. 4th. Rose early, but forget the exact time. Finished arranging my Saxon Quadrilles for the band. Rehearsed them at the evening practice, and the playfully running part for the violoncello was much appreciated.
“Wednesday, Feb. 16th. Rose at 5.40. Revised the Song All Hail Happy Meeting, previously composed for an anniversary dinner of the Adelaide Lodge of Oddfellows, and sent it for publication in the National Melodist. [May be found on page 201, vol. 1, of that work. ]
“Monday, Feb. 21st. Being able to sleep only a very short time in consequence of the noise by coal-carts during the night while unloading colliers at the Saxon slipway, I betake myself to reading, and afterwards write the following riddle and solution :—
|
Take first your pencil, then your slate, |
 |
”Tuesday, Feb. 22nd, Rose at 6.20 a.m. While taking my morning walk to St. Leonards Green, thought-out and wrote in my pocket-book the following riddle and solution :—
Five things we make of equal height, |
 |
“Wednesday, Feb. 23rd. Rose at 8.15, after three hours repose, haying been engaged to play at a ball. Gave lessons to two pupils, and employed the rest of the day in school-work and shop-keeping.
“Friday, Feb, 26th, In addition to ordinary employment, wrote the Saxon Waltz, as a duet for two flutes, and played the same at night with Philip Hook, a pupil.
“Monday, Feb, 28th. After a repose of 43 hours have risen to make myself acquainted, &c. [This refers to the revolt in Paris, particulars of which have been already extracted from the Diary] Have, this day found a pamphlet called “Castle ostume,” an advertising medium of E. Moses and Sons clothing establishment in the Minories. It was thrust into my hands while passing that establishment in the year 1839, There is one effusion in the pamphlet entitled ‘The Fractured Knee,’ which with the requisite alterations, I have adapted to an accident which befel the overtight trousers of a gentleman while dancing a quadrille at Mr. Elphinstone’s Election Ball in the Pelham Arcade. I witnessed the ‘catastrophe’ as well as the confusion of the gentleman, who, as quickly as he could, disappeared from the scene, and left his partner to retire to a seat, amidst the half-suppressed hilarity of the company. The adapted lines are intended for recital at convivial meetings.
“Wednesday, March 1st. On looking over some old MSS I find a little melody written by myself in 1839, which was suggested to me while on board of an American emigrant ship by the peculiarly plaintive, but musical voice of the mate during the operation of heaving the lead. Since composing that melody I have found some words written by Jessie Hammond to which I have applied the music of
The Mariner's Grave.
"I remember the night which was stormy and wet,
And dismally dash’d the dark wave,
While the rain and the sleet cold and heavily beat
On the mariner’s new-made grave.
“I remember ‘twas down in a darksome vale,
And near to a deep, gloomy cave,
Where the wild winds did wail round the wanderer, pale,
That I saw the poor mariner’s grave,
“I remember how slowly the bearers there trod,
And how sad was the look that they gave,
As they rested their load near its earthly abode,
And there gazed on the mariner's grave.
“I remember a tear that there silently slid
Down the cheek of a messmate, so brave;
117 St-
