This is the March 5, 1853 issue of THE ILLUSTRATED LONDON NEWS newspaper. It contains many more illustrations than its' American counterparts Harper's Weekly and Frank Leslie. This issue is in very good condition, the pages are flat, clean, and bright, except for some minor age spots from handling, but nothing serious, and they don't affect the engravings.  As can be seen from the list of articles and illustrations this publication contains many historical stories of the time, and reports of the issues that faced the people of Great Britain at the time.  Additional pictures are available upon request.  Please include your e-mail address.

ARTICLES:

DIMINUTION OF PAUPERISM - SOCIAL WELFARE – The annual return usually made about this period of the year of the number of paupers in receipt of relief in England and Wales, has just been laid before Parliament, and we announce with satisfaction that the number continues to decrease. (See cover engraving) 

ST. DAVID’S DAY (MARCH 1) – A poem by Mrs. T. K. Hervey, with the cover engraving drawn by George Thomas.  On the day of St. David, the Patron of Wales, the welsh gained a victory over the English.  In the battle, every man distinguished himself by wearing a leek; and the leek is still worn by Welshmen on the anniversary of St. David, in memory of their conquest.

THE LATE FRAMJEE COWASJEE, ESQ., OF BOMBAY – Cowasjee was born and educated in the strictest principles of one of the most peculiar sects, the Parsees.  He nevertheless so far subdued the prejudices by which he was surrounded as to become one of the brightest among the sphere in which he moved.  Framjee Cowasjee was the first Parsee gentleman who disentangled himself from the thralldom of his sect, and educated the women of his family.  An engraved portrait is presented.

A BURMESE STOCKADE – The Burmese force occupying the Aeng Pass is stockaded on a ridge said to be 4900 feet in height, with precipices and dense jungle on either side, thus making it nearly impregnable to the British forces.  An engraving of the stockade at Martaban is presented.

BURNING OF THE SHIP “BRITISH MERCHANT” – Fire is one of the most dangerous risks for merchant ships.  The loss of the ship “British Merchant” has been reported on her voyage from Cochin for London.  An engraving of the ship burning is presented. 

PRESENTATION OF PLATE TO CAPT. PATEY, R.N. – The Liverpool merchants trading to Australia have just testified their sense of valuable services rendered to the immigration trade by Captain Patey, by presenting him with three pieces of silver plate, manufactured by Mr. Mayer, silversmith, Lord-street.  An engraving of the three finely crafted pieces is presented.

THE ABERDEEN CLIPPER “CAIRNGORM” – The new vessel is stated to be the finest specimen of the clipper build yet produced in Scotland; and is offered as a match for any American clipper now in the China trade.  An engraving of the Aberdeen clipper “Cairngorm” is presented.

PARLAMENTARY PORTRAITS – MR. ROBERT LOWE, M.P. FOR KIDDERMINSTER – A biographic article with an engraved portrait is presented of this politician and educator.

EXHIBITION OF THE BRITISH INSTITUTION – Four engravings are represented from the paintings of the exhibition, “The Hall” (See picture), and “The Out-House” two still life paintings of fruit painted by George Lance; “A Fix – Black To Move” painted by W. Hemsley depicts a checker game between an older gentleman and to youths (See picture); and “The Wind Freshening” a seascape painted by S.D. Jackson.  Other paintings in the exhibition are mentioned in the article.

AMERICAN INDUSTRIAL EXHIBITION – The Crystal Palace exhibition of New York is beginning to attract considerable zeal into the notion of making, for display, the products of their industry known on the other side of the Atlantic.

PARIS FASHIONS FOR MARCH – Two engravings are presented with this article “The Empress of the French, In Her Bridal Costume”, and “Paris Fashions For March” which depicts two women in finely tailored dresses.  A description of these fashions is the subject of the article.

THE FANCOURT TESTIMONIAL – This characteristic Testimonial has just been presented to Colonel Charles Fancourt by the inhabitants of Honduras It consists of a handsome silver centerpiece, manufactured by Mr. C.F. Hancock, 39 Bruton-street the design consisting of trees and birds peculiar to the country of Honduras.  An engraving of the testimonial is presented.

MR. WILLIAM POWELL FRITH, R.A. – In 1846 Frith’s election as an associate of the British Royal academy was secured by the exhibition of his painting, called the “Village Pastor”, a scene from the “Deserted Village”, representing the good parson leaving the church, surrounded by his rustic congregation.  Mr. Frith may be said to excel in the representation of character and humor, but especially in the delineation of female beauty; his coloring is considered excellent, and the execution of his pieces is always facile in the extreme.

THE BROWNLOW TESTIMONIAL – A very gratifying Testimonial has been presented to the Earl Brownlow by the magistrates and deputy-lieutenants of Lincolnshire upon his retirement from office.  An engraving of the highly decorated testimonial box is presented.

ST. JAMES’S THEATRE - MR. RAVEL – The highly popular comedian earned his fame chiefly at the Palais Royal, the company of which he subsequently joined, and has remained the principal actor.  An engraved portrait is presented.

CURLING IN LANCASHIRE, GREAT MATCH BETWEEN THE LIVERPOL AND MANCHESTER CLUB – The game of Curling has been long a winter pastime in Scotland.  Of recent years when ice could be found it has also been played in some of the northern counties of England.  A spirited engraving “Curling, At Croxteth Hall” is presented. (See picture)

TOTAL DESTRUCTION OF ST. GEORGE’S CHURCH, DONCASTER, BY FIRE – An illustrated account of the fire, the devastation of the building and what it meant to the parishioners. 

OLD HOUSES IN CHANCERY LANE – Some houses at the entrance from Fleet Street to Chancery Lane have a unique architecture, and it was recently found that one was positively dated to 1611.  An engraving of a similar house is presented.

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