Fix this text
THE BULLETIN
Fix this textVol. 9.-—No. 106.
Fix this textSYDNEY, SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 1882.
Fix this textPrice—3d
Fix this textbulletin.
Fix this textSATURDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 1882.
Fix this textThe Dangerous Classes.
Fix this text“ Let me write the songs of a people,” said a
Fix this textpolitical philosopher, “ and I care not who makes
Fix this texttheir laws.” The days have now gone by when
Fix this textsongs were powerful political engines for moving
Fix this textthe minds of the masses. The modern newspaper
Fix this texthas usurped the functions of the ballad-singer,
Fix this textand has stripped the pedestal of Pasquin s
Fix this textstatue of its potent lampoons. The enemies of
Fix this texthuman freedom have no longer any care to silence
Fix this textstreet minstrels, and the latest survival of the
Fix this textold order disappeared when, on the declaration of
Fix this textwar with Prussia, excited Frenchmen chanted
Fix this textbefore the palace of the third Napoleon that
Fix this textterrible hymn, “ The Marseillaise,” which it had
Fix this textall through his reign till that moment been
Fix this textaccounted a token of revolutionary tendencies to r
Fix this textraise. ‘ Bismarck, the powerful tool of despotic' I
Fix this textrule in Germany, impounds London Punch, |
Fix this textIgnatibff, the parasite of the Russian Czar,
Fix this textblots columns from the pages even of the time-serv-
Fix this texting Times, Gladstone suppresses the publication
Fix this textof the Irish Nationalist Press.
Fix this text* * *
Fix this textBut there lingers still a remnant of the old
Fix this textstyle The influence of phrases remains power-
Fix this textful ’ Expressions retain antique meanings, and
Fix this textlag’ behind the progressive revolutions and de-
Fix this textvelopments of facts. The phrase with which we
Fix this texthave headed this article is one of these misleading
Fix this textexpressions that veil a misconception. When
Fix this textthe dangerous classes ” are referred to, the idea
Fix this textconveyed is of robbers and ruffians, loafers and
Fix this textpick-pockets, cheque-forgers and professors of
Fix this textpetty larceny. With such as these the gaols of
Fix this textevery civilised community are peopled, and the
Fix this textpurlieus of every city invested. But such people
Fix this texthave, for a considerable time, ceased to deserve
Fix this textthe distinction of their title, just as has hap-
Fix this textpened with respect to the so-called noble orders.
Fix this textThere may be still among “the dangerous
Fix this textclasses ” an occasional dangerous man, just as
Fix this textthere may be among the ranks of the nobility an
Fix this textindividual or two intrinsically noble-minded. But,
Fix this texttaking the former all round, they are distinctly
Fix this textnot dangerous. They are troublesome and annoy-
Fix this texting. and they put society to considerable expense
Fix this textin catching them at their poor shallow artifices
Fix this textand petty violences ; but they are, on the whole,
Fix this texta poor played-out lot. altogether behind the times,
Fix this textand entirely mastered by the laws. They are no
Fix this textmore dangerous to-day than wolves are in France.
Fix this textThey have the savage instinct, and would throttle
Fix this textand devastate if they had the chance. But they
Fix this texthave no chance. They are reduced to the con-
Fix this textdition of mere beasts of the chase, the sport of
Fix this textoool detectives and constables, who pursue them
Fix this textwith perfect confidence in the weapons which the
Fix this textlaw has invented. They skulk in miserable lairs
Fix this textmarked down for a day’s sport, to be enjoyed
Fix this textwhenever they have been forced by hunger or
Fix this textinstinct to harry a hen-roost or raid a fold. J hey
Fix this textdo not cause society to tremble. On the contrary,
Fix this textsociety keeps them in a constant twitter of appre-
Fix this texthension.
Fix this text♦ • •
Fix this textThe so-called dangerous classes are, in fact, a
Fix this textparcel of wretched fools, who inflict upon them-
Fix this textselves tenfold the injury that they do to society
Fix this textThey are half-witted, senseless people, who elect
Fix this textto gamble, staking their comfort and liberty, nay,
Fix this textthe whole happiness of their lives, against the
Fix this textplunder of a tradesman’s till, or the proceeds of a
Fix this textforgery for a five-pound note, in a game in which
Fix this textthe most tremendous odds are against their
Fix this textmaking a win at all. They are so far from
Fix this textbeing dangerous that they have_ become utterly
Fix this textpowerless even to hold their own. They
Fix this textare forced to live in the most wretched
Fix this texthouses of the worst quarters of the towns
Fix this textThey eat the coarsest food, drink the
Fix this textvilest liquors, and wear the shabbiest clothes.
Fix this textThey buy dearer than any other people, even
Fix this textwhen they steal, for every theft has to be averaged
Fix this textagainst the sentence which one detected crime in-
Fix this textvolves. In short, the so-called dangerous classes
Fix this texthave sunk from their bad pre-eminence to such a
Fix this textdepression, that when a depredation is committed
Fix this textby them, no man now feels a sentiment of alarm.
Fix this textThe sufferer feels merely indignation, and in lieu
Fix this textof shaking in his shoes, sends the maid-servant,
Fix this textor the office-boy, for a constable, and confidently
Fix this textoxpeots that the offender shall bo run down,
Fix this textcaptured, and oaged.
Fix this text* » •
Fix this textThe times are changed, and we with them. We
Fix this texthave dangerous classes still. But the days of
Fix this textbrute violence have gone bye. The reign of brain-
Fix this textpower has been inaugurated. It is no longer the
Fix this textman who misuses his bodily strength who is ter-
Fix this textrible, it is now the man who perverts to wicked
Fix this textends the resources of his intelligence. The truly
Fix this textdangerous classes of the present age are consti-
Fix this texttuted not of blockheads whom every constable is
Fix this textcompetent to baulk and every detective to outwit,
Fix this textbut of acute shrewd scoundrels, who cultivate the
Fix this textart of breaking every moral law while keeping
Fix this textwell ahead of formulated enactments. In all ages
Fix this textthe really dangerous classes have held the whip
Fix this textand maintained a position of vantage which has
Fix this textenabled them to chuckle at the lumbering and
Fix this textawkward attempts of their victims to escape their
Fix this textarts or to get at them to inflict retribution. The
Fix this textdangerous classes have been those who have
Fix this textmanaged to work mischief with impunity, and to
Fix this textcouple their own advantage with the injury to
Fix this textothers. They have generally been rather proud
Fix this textof their talents, and have even managed to delude
Fix this textthe rest of the world into conceding to them a
Fix this textcertain degree of deference and distinction, and
Fix this texteven of envy.
Fix this text# « *
Fix this textThe men who inflict upon the human race the
Fix this textgreatest amount of injury, while themselves
Fix this textenjoying immunity, and actually flourishing on the
Fix this textfruits of their evil-doing, are unquestionably the
Fix this textmost dangerous. In the old world, probably,
Fix this textdespotic rulers and their parasites constitute the
Fix this textmost dangerous classes, exerting as they do all
Fix this texttheir energies to repress the aspirations for free-
Fix this textdom and individual elevation, in order that they
Fix this textmay a little longer batten upon the spoils of
Fix this textothers’ industry, and sacrifice hecatombs of their
Fix this textfellow-men on the altar of their own monstrous
Fix this textpride or diseased ambition. But, in free commu-
Fix this textnities like our own, the dangerous classes are
Fix this textotherwise constituted. Here every man is free to
Fix this text■work out his own career. Competition has shaped
Fix this textitself into a material and decidedly gross form.
Fix this textEach individual strives to become richer than his
Fix this textneighbour. Not richer, unfortunately, in culture
Fix this textof mind and graces of soul, but richer in worldly
Fix this textgoods and possessions.
Fix this textThe stupidly vicious, who butt their,, clumsy
Fix this textheads against the firm structure of established
Fix this textlaw and recognised decencies, are indeed no longer
Fix this textdangerous; but supremely dangerous are those
Fix this textclever rascals who make it their study to devise
Fix this textroguish expedients against which the imperfec-
Fix this texttions of codes have as yet provided no protection,
Fix this textand which the slow development of public con-
Fix this textscience has not yet branded as infamous. The
Fix this textvicious or predatory blockhead, the ignorant or
Fix this textperverted fool, wages open war with statute law or
Fix this textrecognised morality,, and inevitably comes to
Fix this textgrief. But the clever man, of similar disposition,
Fix this textgoes into business, and, under a fair seeming of
Fix this texthonest industry or enterprise, concocts and
Fix this textcarries out the most nefarious projects. Such as
Fix this textthese constitute the dangerous classes of to-day.
Fix this textThey plunder their fellow-men by insidious
Fix this textmethods, against which it is difficult to guard,
Fix this textand for which there is no remedy. By specious
Fix this textrepresentations, dexterously conveyed so as not to
Fix this textcome under the category recognised as falsa pre-
Fix this texttences, they cozen their victims. They practise
Fix this textextortion under the guise of striking a bargain,
Fix this textand reap all the profits of usury while claiming to
Fix this textbe affording support. They undermine confidence
Fix this textand good-fellowship, till it has passed into a pro-
Fix this textverb that there is no friendship in business. They
Fix this textcarefully discharge all legal obligations, but
Fix this textmoral obligations they laugh to scorn.
Fix this text* # *
Fix this textIt is such as these who impart to modern life
Fix this textthe greater share of its bitterness. Nominally
Fix this textChristian, and frequently ostentatious in outward
Fix this textreligious observances, men of this truly dangerous
Fix this textclass have no bowels of compassion. They fail or
Fix this textdecline to comprehend that Christianity can have
Fix this textanything to do with sueing on a dishonoured bill
Fix this textor a foreclosed mortgage. To adulterate food or
Fix this textliquor, or to employ a false label, touches their
Fix this textconscience no whit, so long as the adulteration be
Fix this text“ a custom of the trade,” or the false label not an
Fix this textabsolute forgery. They take an advantage where-
Fix this textever one offers, and inflict an injury without
Fix this textcompunction, provided the one be endorsed by
Fix this textusage and the other done wholesale, so that they
Fix this textare not confronted by an individual victim. Such
Fix this textmen spread wrong broadcast and sow seeds of
Fix this textsuspicion and bitterness through a community.
Fix this textWhile the so-called “ dangerous classes ” put
Fix this textsociety to the expense of paying constables’ wages
Fix this textand the cost of gaols and public prosecutors, this
Fix this texttruly dangerous class puts the community to out-
Fix this textlay infinitely greater. It is duo to their deceits
Fix this textand machinations that no man ventures to con-
Fix this textclude any transaction of more than a trivial kind
Fix this textwithout recourse to a lawyer. There is in this
Fix this textcity an entire street occupied by the offices of
Fix this textattorneys—a class of men whose existence is a -tax
Fix this textupon productive industry, and of whom nine out
Fix this textof ten are rendered necessary merely by the
Fix this textmachinations of rogues not recognised as members
Fix this textof the dangerous classes. Few men are soured by
Fix this textthe proceedings of burglars or ruffians, but how
Fix this textfew are there whose generous impulses are not
Fix this textrestrained, and whoso natural trustfulness is not
Fix this textconverted into cautious suspicion by the pre-
Fix this textvalent practices of those outwardly reputable
Fix this textpersons who really constitute, in modern society,
Fix this textTHE DANGEROUS CLASSES P
Fix this textThe Late Hon. Patrick Higgins, M.L.C
Fix this textAfter a life of usefulness and enterprise, the
Fix this textHon. Patrick Higgins, whose portrait we give in
Fix this textthis page, has passed away in his 57th year. His
Fix this textdeath has been for some little time expected,
Fix this textaneurism of the aorta— an enlargement of one of
Fix this textthe great blood-vessels of the heart —having lately
Fix this textdeveloped with a rapidity which rendered his
Fix this textdecease inevitable. Mr. Higgins was born in the
Fix this textyear 1825, on a farm, near the romantically-
Fix this textsituated town of Sligo, in the north-west of Con-
Fix this textnaught, on an estate belonging to the late Lord
Fix this textPalmerston. Here he passed his boyhood, receiving
Fix this texthis education at the Sligo Academy, then conducted
Fix this textby an able master, who conveyed to his pupils a
Fix this textmore intimate acquaintance with the exact sciences
Fix this textthan is ordinarily attainable at a provincial
Fix this textschool. To this fortunate circumstance, working
Fix this textupon a mind naturally active and enterprising, the
Fix this textsuccess in life which has attended Mr. Higgins may
Fix this textbe in great part attributed. Farming pursuits had
Fix this textno attraction for him, and his natural bent and
Fix this textmathematical attainments early biassed him
Fix this texttowards constructive industry. All his life a con-
Fix this texttractor, Mr. Higgins’ first debut in that line wa
Fix this textmade in the neighbourhood of his birthplace
Fix this textwhere he executed several works in road-making.
Fix this textThe sphere was too circumscribed, however, and
Fix this texton the early rumours of gold discoveries in Ans
Fix this texttralia circulating at home, the young contractor
Fix this textstarted for this quarter of the globe. He arrived
Fix this textat Melbourne in 1852, and gave immediate indica-
Fix this texttion of the shrewdness which throughout served
Fix this texthim so well, by disregarding the prevalent frenzy
Fix this textfor gold-digging, and adhering to the occupation
Fix this textwith which he was best acquainted. He became
Fix this textcontractor for the construction of the Mount
Fix this textAlexander road, and was engaged on the making
Fix this textof this and other highways for five years, at
Fix this textthe end of which time the commencement of rail-
Fix this textway works opened a larger field for his industry,
Fix this texta»d in 1856 he undertook to make the lino
Fix this textfrom Melbourne to Hawthorn via Windsor
Fix this textHe next grappled with the Melbourne-Echuca
Fix this textline, running through the gold regions of Sand-
Fix this texthurst, which was one of his greatest undertakings
Fix this texton the Victorian side. In 1860 he arrived in
Fix this textSydney, and contracted for the Lithgow portion
Fix this textof the Zigzag, which he finished in three years
Fix this text(within contract time). This was his last great
Fix this textundertaking in New South Wales. Mr. Higgins
Fix this textmarried, in 1855, the daughter of Mr. John
Fix this textLynch, of Sligo, and had an only son, a promising
Fix this textboy, who, at a tender age, became a pupil of St.
Fix this textStanislaus’ College, Bathurst, where he exhibited,
Fix this textup to his sixteenth year, great vigour of intellect
Fix this textand a refined taste. His father arranged to tako
Fix this texthim to Europe (in 1872) to finish his education;
Fix this textbut, unfortunately, on their way to Melbourne,
Fix this textthis youth of many bright hopes accidentally fell
Fix this textoverboard and was drowned. His premature fate,
Fix this textlike ttat similar one that wrung from the heart of
Fix this textMilton the poetic wail of “ Lycidas,” not only
Fix this textprostrated the father with grief (the poor boy’s
Fix this textmother was mercifully removed from earth before
Fix this textthe sad mishap), but affected all who knew him—
Fix this textstudents and tutors—with profound and sincere
Fix this textsorrow. During a three years’ touj; in Europe
Fix this textand America, Mr. Higgins overcame the first
Fix this textshock of his bereavement, and roused himself to
Fix this textthe performance of his duty as a useful member
Fix this textof society. He closely observed the progress of
Fix this textevents in Spain, France, Italy, Germany, Russia,
Fix this textand America, and returned to Australia, via San
Fix this textFrancisco, in 1876, his mind stored with informa-
Fix this texttion of various kinds political, industrial,
Fix this textscientific, and social. With the capital ho had
Fix this textTHE LATE HON. PATRICK HIGGINS, M.L.C.
Fix this textIt's easy and takes two shakes of a lamb's tail!
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http://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-191506022
(1880). The bulletin Retrieved August 13, 2025, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-191506022
The bulletin Sydney, N.S.W: John Haynes and J.F. Archibald, 1880. Web. 13 August 2025 <http://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-191506022>
1880, The bulletin John Haynes and J.F. Archibald, Sydney, N.S.W viewed 13 August 2025 http://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-191506022
{{Citation
|
| title=The bulletin.
| year=1880
| section=105 volumes : illustrations (chiefly coloured), portraits (chiefly coloured) ; 30-40 cm.
| issn=0007-4039
| series=John Ryan Comic Collection (Specific issues).
| issue=Vol. 9 No. 106 (4 Feb 1882)
| location=Sydney, N.S.W
| publisher=John Haynes and J.F. Archibald
| url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-191506022
| id=nla.obj-191506022
| access-date=13 August 2025
| via=Trove
}}
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