The Press. — London, England, 1854-12-23 00:00:00

MR. BRIGHT ON THE WAR. A THRONGED and unusually noisy meeting was held in Manchester on Monday, in order to call Mr. Bright to account for his anti-war letter lately written to Mr. Absalem Watkins. The muster of electors to whom the pacific manifesto of their member had proved most distasteful was exceedingly numerous; but, on the other hand, the Bright partisans had col lected in sufficient numbers to interrupt all regular proceedings, and drown almost every attempt at speaking by sheer clamour. This power they exer• cised without remorse, and the result was that the passions of the opposite party were excited, and the whole meeting passed off in the most "inexplicable dumb show and noise." Mr. Bright himself, though he exercised unwonted patience, failed to make bis words audible; and the repeated attempts of the Mayor, who presided, to obtain a definite decision from the assembly by the customary formula of a " show of hands," proved so abortive that he ulti mately dissolved the meeting without being able to record the result of their discussions. Mr. Bright, however, availed himself of the opportunity afforded by the proximity of the " League-rooms " belonging to his own particular party. Thither he proceeded from the Town-hall amidst an uproar of booting, and found withinside a friendly audience, who listened patiently, if not applaudingly, while the hon. member delivered the following vindication or apology for his escapade : His recent letter on the subject of the war was in reply to one from Mr. Watkins, asking him to attend a meeting to co.lect subscriptions for the relief of the widows and orphans of soldiers. at which that gentleman considered it desirable that the representatives of Manchester should be present, that he (Mr. Blight) should make a speech to explain his views on the war,lind that the meeting should decide whe ther to petition for peace or go on with the fund and sup port the war. He did not see much connection between the two. No man in England could have less sympathy than he had with the Russian system of government, and he was one of those who had received with the greatest delight the ex-governor of Hungary when he came to this eountry, and who was the most wonderful man, probably, that had visited these shores for a long time. He had not merely disliked, but be had an obsolete horror of what he considered the unfortunate and wicked step which was taken by the Russian Government in putting down the attempt of the Hungarian people to gain freedom for them selves, and he had no doubt that a great deal of the present clamour in this country against Russia had been the in evitable consequence of that false step, But should it not rather tend to shake the confidence of the people of this country as to the cause in which they were engaged, when the Czar did not fear to lay betbre the people of his capital a translation of a statement of facts such as his (Mr. Bright's) letter? He hoped the people of Russia would learn from it that there was a country—unfortunately the one with which they were at war—where, however strongly public opinion might run in one direction, and although there might be a villent clamour in its favour, yet a man might, in opposition to that clamour, and fearless of the public opinion and of Government alike, publish his own opinions to that public and to the world; and he hoped it might lead the people of Russia to consider whether they might not, with great propriety, endeavour to make their own system of government approximate more nearly to the one which permitted the exercise of such freedom. Were we all to shut out mouths when our Government made a grievous mistake in foreign policy, which might lead to consequences that not only ourselves, but our posterity would have to regret? And was he not to warn his coun trymen when he found thew running after something which would turn out to be a " and a delusion ? His opinions on the question now chiefly occu pying the attention of the country were well known, and he had stated them fully at a public meeting a year ago, as well as in the House of Commons, and whatever might have been there Raid in reply by the Minister who was supposed to know so much more of foreign affairs than any other, he had ventured upon no answer to his (Mr. Bright's) arguments. The people of this cenntry be lieved that they were engaged in this war with a noble object, but he believed the sequel would show that the war v bad no reference to the liberty of Europe or the advantage si of this country ; and we might form some estimate of its character from the character of those who were engaged in It as our allies. It was no easy matter to humble a great empire as it was proposed to "humble Russia." If there • were such a combination of Governments for the purpose ` .l of humbling this country and dismembering our empire, would not every man among 'is, who conceived it possible 1 that he could handle a musket, rush to resist the invader? 1. But now we were reduced to the necessity of engaging 15,000 German mercenaries—men who had no more moral principle than to sell themselves to slaughter anybody in any part of the world—and he should give his most decided vote against the measure which was now before the Legis lature in reference to the hiring of foreign troops. In conclusion, Mr. Bright expressed his donhts of the con tinuance in power of a Coalition Government which had shown that it had never coalesced and contained none of the elements of strength; but was ready to support that or any succeeding Government which should avail itself of any honourable opportunity to rectum tranquillity to Europe. (Loud cheers.) - - - - - IN •s is supposed, of the disorders in China, the price of opium Was fallen within the year from 1201. to 001., and the bulk of it is a Government monopoly. This will strike at least a million stet.. ante off the three millions of revenue which the Indian Government draws annually from this au...ROA I'2 THE PRESS." gala an Vella. THE defendants in the often-reported case of murderous outrage at Beulah Spa, Mr. F. It. Newton and Mr. W. A. Newton, surrendered themselves on Wednesday for trial at the Central Criminal Court. The facts of the assault upon Mr. Ker, which was so nearly proving fatal, were set forth in evidence, and the jury returned a verdict of Guilty, but recom mended the prisoner William Newton to the merciful consideration of the court. Sentence was subse quently pronounced, condemning Francis Newton to nine months', and William Newton to three months' imprisonment in Newgate. AT THE LIVERPOOL. POLICE COURT, on Tuesday, a novel system of obtaining money under false pre tences was elicited. It appeared that Richard Bell, a beer•house keeper, had been in the habit of asking captains of American ships the price of a voyage out., and, on being informed, of saying, "Well, PH pay you 21. on account." He presents an acknowledgment wriltil in pencil, and obtains the master's name in ink. When the ship has sailed he erases the pencil marks, and makes a bill out for work done on board the vessel, which he presents to the consignees, who, seeing the captain's authority, pay without demur. In this manner the prisoner had received 521. from Messrs. Bowman, Grinnell, and Co., but, on pre• senting a second bill, he was given into custody, and, as there were several similar cases against him to be inquired into, was remanded for further exami• nation. A SALVAGE CASE was tried at Melbourne, in Aus tralia, in September, to determine the amount that should be awarded to Mr. G. Mansfield, late of Lyme Regis, and now principal pilot at Shortland's Bluff Station, Australia, and the boat's crew who succeeded in rescuing 00,000 sovereigns from the ship Sacramento, wrecked at Port Philip 'Heads, on the 28th of April, 1853. The Atto ney General appeared for the plaintiff. The case lasted eight hours, and the jury returned a verdict for the boat's crew, with the following esti mate of salvage :—George Mansfield, 5,000 i. ; William Brown, 2,0001.; Edwatd Harris, 1,5001.; Edwin Turby, 1,5001.; John Summers, 1,5001.; James M'lntyre, 1,5001 ; and David Brass, capenter of the Sacramento, 1,5C01. IN THE SE OF BIRCH V. FOSTER, tried on Wed nesday in the Court of Queen's Bench, a verdict for the defendant was returned. The case was an action for libel brought by the editor of the late Dublin World newspaper against Mr. Fester, editor of the Examiner. Lord Palmerston and Lord Clarendon were examined, Mr. Birch's rambling queries pro tracting the proceedings to a late hour. THE MURDERER BARTHELEMY was finally examined at Marlborough-street Police Court on Thursday, and fully committed on the capital charges for his double crime. Subscriptions have been commenced for the widow of his victim Collard, the ex-policeman, and not less than fifty guineas obtained for her maintenance at the Baltic Coffee house alone. tong Warlat anli Ciig 3nitilignut. FRIDAY EVENING. THE Consol Market bas bee:l influenced during the week chiefly by the debates in Parliament, and the progress of the Foreigners Enlistment Bill has pro duced the natural consequences of dulness and de- pression. At the close of the previous se'nnight the promul• gation of the Austrian treaty had caused an improve ment in the quotations cf about per cent., Consols being dealt in at 02 to ex. div. On Monday the funds ruled at a decline of f per cent., closing, how ever, somewhat firmer. The last prices for the ac count of the 10th of January were 014 to j. The Ministerial declaration on Monday night, that no finan cial statement would be mode before February, show ing that Government had no immediate need of money, gave some firmness to the market next day, and established for a time an advance of fully per cent. The improvement was not maintained to the end, the prices at the close being 01 }. Yesterday the extreme weakness of the Stock Exchange was exemplified by the serious efforts occasioned by a misapprehension. The report that Mr. Gladstone intended to bring in a bill on the subject of savings banks, gave rise to an impression that the vast funds belonging to those establishments might be disturbed, and some portions of the stock belonging to them thrown upon the market, led to a decline in prices of j per cent. Even when the true nature of the intended hill came to be under stood, and it was known to be only a measure of regulation, the fall was but partially recovered, the prices towards the termination of business ranging between 911 and t. Speculation also continued dull, SATURDAY, and the principal operation consisted of the ascribing of parcels of Consols for the new Three per Cent. stock, an investment which has come into high tavola lately. To-day the market has been quiet, with a slightly firmer tone. Consols were quoted at 911 to 911 ex, div. for the 10th January. Reduced Three per Cents. have fallen to 91, and the New Three per Cents., 911. Bank Stock, 20N. India Bonds, 9s. to 12s. Exchequer Bills, 4s. to 7s. prem. ; ditto Bonds, 09i to 991. 111of1ey has been easier throughout the week, the rates on 'Change for cash being 4 to 5 per cent. on deposits of stock. Several imports of bullion have been ratified, but the amounts were ;comparatively small. FOREIGN. Little has been done in Foreign Stocks, and prices generally remain almost without alteration. Turkish Scrip upon the completion of the last instalment on Wednesday upon the original issue of 2,000,0001., exhibited an improvement. The 'perations for the account were at 61, 51, and 51; and the final quotation was 54 to 1 discount. This afternoon, prices were 75 for money, and 751 for the account of the 29th inst. Chilian 6 per cents. have been flat at 1001. Mexican 3 per cents. were 211 for both money and account. Peruvian 41 per cents. 091 to 694. Spanish 3 per cents. Deferred, 184. RAILWAY SHARES The Share Market has partaken in the dullness exhibited by Consols. Prices have in most descrip tions given way, and speculative transactions con tinue to be marked by great caution. BRITISH FIE OFFICI, 'NDS. Closing Prices. L QUOTATION. 'and.' Tuesd. Wed. Thar+ Friday. 1 - - -- -- ------._ l it 191/ ii 4 9 1‘ 11 ff l sii ixd 911 i 4 91 i lk B 1 9 1 4 1 'lly if 914 911 0-16'4 4.16/ 4 6-16 4 2.16 20ei .20 1$ *At 9 r 9 4p 7 9 4 p 4 127 S per Cent. Consols Ditto for Account 8 per Cents Reduced S per Cents Long Annuities Hank Stock, 7 per Cent India Stock, 104 per Cnt F.xoh. Bills, 2iti. per diem India Bonds, (1,000 I.) '9 93 81+ 4 6-16 i 17 4p l 9 121 BANK OF ENGLAND. An Account, pursuant to the Act 7th and Bth Victoria, cap. 32 for the week eliding on Saturday, the 16th day of Dec., 1854. 'seam nEeAnTmENT, Notes issued £27,309,84 5, Government Debt £11,015,100 Other Securities .. 2,984,000 Gold Coin & Bullion 18,369,845 Silver Bullion .... -- £27,369,845 , a127,369,8i5 BANKINO DiPARTMINT. Proprietorr'Capitaltl4,ss3,ooo , Government itest Public Deposits*.. 6.035,675 Dead WeightAn.j Other Deposits , 2,710,512 Other Securities .. 13,869.287 'even Buy & other Notes 8,330,7N0 Bills 434,434,3 M • Including Exchaquer, Sat National Debt, and Dividend A L 34,424,838 Banks. Commissioners of its. The foregoing return, when compared with that of the preceding week, ending Dec. 9, exhibits the tollowinu disown,: in the PuhlieDeposits Other Deposits Notes Tuned _.. .. Do. Reserved lscamuse of Seven-day Bills DECREASE Coin and Bullion 39,030 1ff,914 7,928 Gorernmint Securities .. DECREASE of Other Securities INCREASE Ot The Rest The amount of active circulation in Notes 419,0:i0,065 Do. in Seven-day and other 13ille 993,112 Coin and Bullion In both Departments FOREIGN RAILWAYS Antic & Rttrdm. ' liezrs. to Orates. Belgian East. J. Chorie.& Erque. Dijon & Beaulc. Dutch Rhenish East Indian Do. Extension bit. Indian Pen. Grand J. of Fra. O. W of Can.,Sh. „ 11.(2d is.) 1673 Lc.JiPis.3 c pf Luxembourg Lyons £ Geneva Madras Maria Antonia Na. Lge.(w. in) Nrthrn. of Frnce. Norw. Trnlc. Prf. Pods A Lyons Paris & Orleans Paris & Rouen Paris & Strasbg P.,Caen & Cher beo.ct Rehmnd, Uouen & Havre Royal Swedish ismbre& Meuse S. E. of France 20,032,177 14,06.-71 Mond.. iii 1 - - I - pml ti P 191 -- dial Ild mil di 94 9 48 194 5$ 41 Atlnm of France Upper lud.Scrip 'A et. Flanders.. t\atu. of Francel Thurs. Friday 64 11 3 I d d 1 1 3, 1 3 I 7" 13f {die 3f i dly 1 1 Pi 11 , 3P P P ./ 3P 163 74 101 71 dis dia p p lid par ed par Westrn. of Swits 4ealand 104— .11 /i die 7 t t ' ei Tweaday. Wednes. 6 — a Ga d 1 la a P P 31 i l } 1 ' ll i a :IP IIA t aI) P 16} 71 10 71 di, TAW par; d par; 14 6 t ' i# 41; - d 08 40 _ i 20 11 c 71 i T 1 t i._ p, - a is j3B AO 116 i 1 - I disp 20j lj I — die ;71 6 i 1161 7 6' 7 64 7 a3l 4 9 1 34 I (le 64 4 16 to p 191 4P 48 8 4 6 14 1 ,48 40 3 8 40 P —pm tOe die —r Ki _ It 1 I I Tt put. Pm pml 4 Se 4 6 et p 6 P el 7 161 P P 8i 4 • P ms Lee 7 , illir... IMINII