The Mysteries of London, Vol. IV — page 99: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

—t 2 THE MYSTLRILS OF LONDON. Grand Duchy of Castelcicala,—yes, and carried out too with such unequivocal success ?” “The information which your Royal Highness now imparts, gives me the most unfcigned pleasure,” said the Earl. “J had indeed read and heard of the recent grand improvements which had taken place in that Italian State where there isa Throne sur- rounded by Republican Institutions: but I was not aware—indeed, the loftiest flights of vanity never could have have suggested to mo that my views and theories had in any way contributed to tho prosperity of the Moprz Stare, as tho Liberals in England now denominate Castelcicala.” “Po convince you, my lord, how far your ideas have boen applied to the clevation of Castelcicala to its present proud eminenco,” said the Prince, “I will again refer to a passage in your lordship’s ever memorable speech, and point a few contrasts. ‘In England the poor are not allowed to have a stale in the country ;’ I have shown you that the very reverse is the caso in the Grand Duchy. ‘in Eng- Iand there are no small properties: the Jand is in the possession of a few individuals comparatively ; and thus the landed interest constitutes a tremen- dous monopoly, most unjust end oppressive to the industrious classes.’—In Castelcicala the law of pri- mogoniture is annihilated; there no man can leave his estate solely to his eldest son; it must be di- vided amongst all his male children equally, a charge being fixed upon it for the support of his daughters. Thus the territory is rapidly undergoing a process of sub-division, which admits thousands to the en- joyment of a real stake in tho country, and breaks down tho tremendous monopoly of the landed in- terest. In Castelcicala, moreover, ‘ property is com- pelled to maintain labour as long as labour seeks for employment and occupation.” What now, then, is the condition of tho Castelcicalan people? Being well treated, rendered free, and having every pos- sible avenue opened to them for the attainment of real property, ‘the working classes are not driven by their cares and troubles to tho excessive use of alcoholic liquors ; they do not becomo demoralized by being compelled to migrate from place to place in search of employment—they aro not forced to go upon the tramp, sleeping in hideous dens of vice, whero numbers are forced to herd together without roference to age or sex; they are not unsettled in all their little arrangoments to bring up their children creditably and with duo reference to instruction ;— they are not made discontented, anxious for any change no matter what, vindictive towards a society which renders them outcasts, and sullen or reckless in their general conduct.’—On the contrary, they feel settled in their condition ; they know that the cot- tage which constitutes their homo, is not held upon @ precarious tenure: they never feel the sickening conviction that if they have bread and meat to-day, they may have only bread to-morrow, and no food atall the day aftor. The industrious classes in Cas- telcicala are no longer tho mere slaves and tools of the wealthy classes: they are no longer retained in bondage—no longer kept in absolute serfdom by an oligarchy. I now pass to another subject,” said the Prince: “and here again [ rofer to the speech of the Earl of Ellingham—applying to Castelci- cala the ubservations which ho used in reference to England. The Castelci:alan industrious classes, then, ‘were ground down by imdirect taxes, in which shape they actually coutributed more to the revenue, in proportion to their means, than the rich. The only luxuries which tho poor enjoyed, and which bad become as it were neces- saries—namely, tea, sugar, tobacco, beer, and spirits, —were the most productive sources of revenue. If aristocrats reproached the poor for dirty habits, as he well Imew that if was their custom to do, he would ask them why soap was made an article sub- ject to so heavy a tax? It wasa contemptiblo fallacy to supposo that because the poor contributed little or nothing in the shape of direct taxation to the revenue, they were positively untaxed. Tho real fact was that the poor paid moro in dircct taxes than tho rich did in both direct and in indircct ways, when the relative means of the two parties ' were taken into consideration.’—Such was the state of the industrious classes of Castelcicala until their yoice-was heard in the logislative assemblies; and all taxes upon the necessaries of life were speedily removed. Luxuries alone were’ Ieft to bear tho weight of taxation —the duties upon carriages, . livery-servants, armorial bearings, hunters, racers, hounds, and foreign wines being doubled.” The Prince of Montoni paused ; and the Hart of Ellingham exchanged a rapid but significant glanco with Mr. Hatfield—for they both remembered tho time when, nineteon years previously, and when the latter lay on the bed in Old Death’s house, they had conversed upon tho best means of ameliorating the condition of the suffering millions. Ilis Royal Highness, finding that his auditors were most anxious that he should continue his ex- planations, and perceiving that Sir Jolin Lascelles had become especially interested therein, resumed his subject in the following manner :— * Theinequality of the laws, and theirincongruily, severity, and injustice towards the poor, long con- stituted a crying evil in Castelcicala, ‘ Every ad- vantage was given to the rich in the way of pro- curing bail in those cases where security for per- sonal ‘appearance was required ; but no poor moan could possibly give such security. He must go to prison, and there herd with felons of tho blackest dye. Perhaps on trial his innocence would transpire ; md then what recompense had ho for his long in- carceration—his home broken up during his abserco —and his ruined family? It was possible—nay, it often happenod that a man would lie thus in prison for four or five months previously to trial; and during that period it would be strange indeed if ho escaped gaol contamination.’—In order to remedy theso ovils, vast facilities wore afforded in respect to bail, the respectability and not the monied qualifica- tions of the suroties being considered. Thusa work- ing man may bo bailed by any two of his sssociates who can obtaina good character from their employer: this of course applies to charges of a lighter lind, heavier responsibility being required where a serious accusation is involved. But oven should an accused have to go to prison until his trial, ho is not placed in a felons’ gaol: he is not, while still untried, sub- jected to that indignity and contamination. He is confined in a building having no connexion with a prison, and termed A House of Detention. Again, the judges have the power to order a compensation to every one whose innocence transpires on trial; and I must inform you that the trial may take place as soon after committal as the individual chooses. All depends on the speed which ho makes in getting up his defence. When cciif- mitted, he is asked if he have the means of retain- ing counsel: if he prove to the magistrate that ho is poor, a barrister is immediately provided for him, The trial may como on the very next day ; (SO) 5} GIOOKS (SO) >