The Sun. — London, England, 1846-02-09 00:00:00

THE SU N, LONDON, MONDAY EVENING, FEBRV AR Y 9, 1846. ....-----, t°'letesldshiearvests since the Right Honourable Baronet's' jecte, by their adhering to protective duties.—(Cheers.) 4 co ti ll t ,' t ° office --when he knew all this fle begged to move the amendment of which he had i'l mt o a p r e d r atio r. o ; t o , u hardly believe that all these advantages were already gave notice. ‘ , „se attributed li e the Right Hon. Baronet stated, to Sir WILLIAM. lILAI 11COTE would ask per measures which he had brought mission to second the amendment moved by the Wi and carried through the House.—(Cheers.) Honourable Member who had just sat down. nthellioa,eY of these advaidaees would have taken place Ile considered the measure of the IN, , l . inister insufficient 0c,,,0b1e Lord ooposite"(Lord J. Lussell) had been when taken separately, anc , l er d i e o , s (4 t i r it u d ceive of each other the - evil of shale tkte-eei.(, [ 'ear-) Neither could he believe that large when combined. They prov.(l..eial e xoortations were evidences of the countr y 'sy ing the settlement of tl 'i mit . very House of Parlia 144:et:tee e They had seen foreign markets—the cent upon the question which in as now before them. Non. of India and of China—glutted with the He believed that, the Minister,e ti m proposing these mea n "ii other goods of this country, which sun s, had the best inter, sts of the country in view; but t otiwei I , n eu i ins ; i r d e eriu s g onie itme to he ot rid one he intended to oppose them, as o believed them pre the details of this measu g re, the first judicial to those very interests. He did not consider tetizittiauwsuhriechthhee felt bound to notice was corn. He the measures of the Minister a large, or liberal, or lin. ot , , . peaches of lusthat it was not his intention to partial scheme for carrying out the ri ci les of free ... 'loesi., the tight Hon. Baronet which he had trade,. for .he was forced to remember php that p . ro- Olt i nc ,..Y2a . ade on that question, so as to charge him tective duties were removed from some articles, whilst The h esietency on that subject —(Hear.) He knew on others a very inect:qu ite reduction had been made. As i t t ' i e a course would have no weight with the House But if he did c(eisider them impartial I wuuld be disposed . 4 1, el h g .. l ht 1-I_oo. Baronet had told them that he had to object to them, as he believed they would be a step in ;:gas zt ,"" L 's Ms principles and that he now proposed to the downward cours. He believed thai the . Legislatu . r i e t s h r e tli bee s' a i l. t i u4 t ia l w iot t l e . -hi c h he himself had passed in 1842. Baronet cnsieered that essential,.to far r r t h h e e yc l t a u s d t t w a l - t e a n t te v, - .yeerearsg.ehueldralblyeeonhps,rroydtudtvteheopf poison l'lo li k i 'lnterests of the country, h • (Mr. Miles) for one had been concealed, but it was not the less dangerous. hi not ht. r y' ' ' • A L -te er eh blame him, but he could not consent to follow But it was not impartial—it was anything but so. It and it was less so in 0, of change his opinion so suddenly.—(Cheers.) The was not so in appearance, earance, because it did Pesti ost lB 4e, he believed, had been admitted by all reality. It was not Ina s iOe t 0 h ave worked well as far as the corn-laws went. not process to take . an adequate ratio in the removal Pri eel 's.) It th cs, and as had condueed to great steadiness of of protective impositions. .if the ou g h t far as hunan calcileVon could go, he of industry were to hal? "no e, Pre( • lt had air ,. iu di p ff r e o r p en o t rtio b n ra t n o ch th e e s . s on .. ~.. s eyed theßight Hon. . labour was ex -d Baronet's ex- amount of manual labour employed in them, then that ^t t i h on e real a ,'• lincler that law the Right Hon. Baronet had department in which most manual labour es te . ' a Price of 565., as beinsr a fair price for the pended had least protection. Those branches of labour tee • 1• ' and he machinery a. ta r (Mr. Miles) woulcelike to ask the Right where d by the measure contemplated to be 1441,1410:let what price he considered a fair price for —Hear—was employed did not require any by an the Government, agriculture was left Vlat he n ce "W,—(Ghee-s.) He would be glad to know brought D id b e ee be aimed at under a repeal of that law without any protection at all. The measure cc:lntern. loss that this measure profered . such great plated was based on a misunderstanding of the whole l '?ss of p os s . o to the farmer as to compensate fur subject.—(Hear, hear.) The farmer, in comparison . with . other persons engaged in industrial occupation in his h 'enlen ~, os ti 15s. a quarter for corn, which ttehfsmupped ? Bat the Hon. Gent . leman own country, and with foreign agriculturists, was not r:i 'l ee 4 o l a r e_ e tgld that he did not consider that the in the same advantageous position. He will be found itpe(4l4l..euttritiliselsesculd he reduced bY this measure. why y lieht exposed to a very unequal pressure a taxation. He ask the Right 'he was oblieed to submit to a large amount of local expen- Ri l e i rt . Hon a . r Baronet's ar- diture which in foreign countries was defrayed at the Itteitilee4eNvereawo ? d, A9 g d h it t . the he ask what became of the general charge Hear. At that moment also he was tli ss . ;ent m,f ii g on o Ge m n i tlemen opposite with respect to the under the pressure of the income tax—under the stamp 14 4 r th l94 f ? The Right Honourable Gentleman laws. His will also be found under a weight of heavy s 'Plie • e nt one story, and Honourable Gentlemen indirect taxation in the Customs and Excise. iti s 4.te told them another. Was he not justified, then, It will be found, too, that while the 4t eltse in g Parties to hesitate before they asked for that manufacturers are able to have quick returns for the 'ki t "e, and informing the country of his conviction capital they have embarked, the agriculturist has Lo wait lie th ere was no necessity for the proposed change ? a long time before he receives any return.-(Hear.) . the si3n L' e eled that there was a vast difference between He (Mr. H.) referred to those details for the purpose of ttodt te ,: l a Produced by good harvests and cheapness considering the great question of c ompensation.—(Hear.) fat th e . 1 11 the im • of importation corn. He was afraid He could not agree with that view which would place t „ l . l cllatiZ i ght Hon. Baronet had been misled in his the country at the mercy of the foreign growers . of corn. lath :"", and had over-estimated the pros He could not forget forget that the farmers of this_ A ). la %great w hich this country had been placed. country had for the last fifty years met the wants of the ,II iinoteapthori,ty on this subject—an authority consumers cf corn produce, according to h t a n d e protection d t oheap eese., 'l lie meant Mr. Huskisson, had said which had been afforded them. He th readt e i s th. , Produced by imnortaiion of corn from ' Ministers in their Canadian policy, but he could d n . ot deist se p p/ 7 Is forerunner of scarcity, but a steady support them in a measure which would work to the is oTA Is the only safe foundation for steady and advantage of the interest of the country generally. now about to lie °le es." He (Mr. Miles) was of that opinion, Her Majesty's Ministers e tto thou , ti :r eti th ~of gl o t rn that no check should be given to the Part i power with all those comme w rci r a e l advan h ta a ges which in this country, for he con- Napoleon in the plenitudeof 'lcleeis t "° state so critical as that of being de- would have considered cheap if purchased by half the 40-ate,,ernti.P(mi foreigners for a supply of corn. victories lie had achieved. He had supported. his . Right e man _, c e. result of those measures might be thought Hon. Friend at the head of the administration, O l lld to _cAlld foretell. His own opinion was, that it upon agreeing with hisgeneral policy, but he _itsoetnheita:teve:irgehatter fluctuation in prices than had ever must on the present g -tien differ with him. s t e e:ar e n.--(1-lear, hear)—and that before long Hon. The Right Honourable th ß e aoneset,'however, should con • right of scrutinizing his mea expect to see the Right Hon. Baronet cede to his 4 0. ad Of thewhether they deserve his support, but Oi eto ere Government coming down to the sures,and judging I ti ere, hear some measures to regulate trade.— if he refuse to to them the right of scrutinizing particulate h a tit R on. •,), He believed that if the proposal of the measures, and by their doing so he is induced to throw des the effect were passed into a law it would up the Government, why the responsibility of the act Is e r ,„ UeetThank taiti-eti,)trY ; and, conseqii'entiv of reducins , the capital of the traders of was upon himself and not upon his supporters. ta ould b e 4eand enterprise • Limathe amount of English ing the House for their indulgence, he begged to further,re 'that the scheme sume his seat, seconding the amendment. It e tti ße t i k el-Ind to be of ' far greater advantage to the Mr. LASCELLES trusted the l o lou th se would extend them the grounds ee e r) e le u an to our own manufacturers.—(Hear, its indulgence whilst . he statedt 0 1 ' bees 0 could not pretend to say that he had which would induce him to support the measure of the t r : 4l 4 ti oa f a Vrntrary opinion but his belief at the Government. The Honourable Member who had 'lad • th et e it w_as that it would lead to agricultural dis- . just concluded his address seemed to think that kW ‘tesee ti . would also tend to lower wages in this the country - had attained to its present eminence in ti n, - th ilk , -- , 1 ear)—and that the working classes would consequence of the restriction of commerce. Well, m if e t m he . thPrO t p„ -e 'Ve s injured before the higher orders. If Hun. Member thought so, he confessed the Hon. psi?: igh 6al aenfetehpe Right Hon. Baronet passed the House ber had read history very differently to himse , fi . ar . he t h ee pi e ht , h torth consider free trade to be the ruli found that since the establishment of the restrictive hOls t i )-- -and , 1. Maj('Sty's Government—(Opposition system nothing but distress had existed the country. la - °ere, tnat sooner or later every interest mnst On the reconstruction of the Conservative Cabinet, it ;;•°tee:io:t-----(Hear, hear.) When they had removed was very evident what the policy was which . they . intended spl(tl,l4`ohs"t i fr u : na t agricultural produce he could not . see to pursue, and he must candidly assert that if the measure the os !'ne ot i e " the House could continue protection which had been proposed by the Right Hon. Baronet a Ilati,fultappingin;Tes(tlear hear ) He felt convinced that been brought forward by the . N . oble Lord opposite, it aniall other interests must give up would have received his unconditional support. It might . le e gati en r otecto n.—(licar.) Of what use would their be observed,. with . respect to sugar and corn especially, pro lry ran ws then be ? The greatest interests in the that the indications of the measures of the Government tteetien mast be neglected if this removal of agricultural were sufficiently evident, immediately after the present le . ' o ,ent was old take place. Where the sweeping Government had taken office. He had, therefore, no h e Kee d . toassertions to retract, and he had end, when the barriers had been pledges to . break 4, lot "yll ' he for one could not foresee, but no hesitation i . n_giving his full adherence to the policy -on -anvinved that if justice were to which the Right Honourable Baronet had thought it ts nti n e to parties, k hen t ilt ill the all protection should prudent to adopt. With regard to the course which lope a hei n e event of the present Government the Government intended t., pursue with those measures me teilj the e as t carried in..° effect.—(hear, hear.) If they he must profess his perfect . ignorance, but at the same k' )cif he we l the Noble Lord opposite (Lord J. Rus- time he must protest against anything like an unprin -144-').feit on f,e to come into power again, he (Mr. ci led change of policy. From the very first mo t 'light Honourable that the Noble Lord must outbid went . that the Government took office, the whole * did ' -i cnourahle Baronet—(Hear, hear)—or of their acts indicated the course which they C 13 'id be l not intend to do th t, he (Mr. Miles) intended to pursue. The very reasons on which ti l l ) °, 4 the Zr , t ° hear from him what were his opinions the tariff was intended to bebased, were evi- . )4 W sti , d n t t h i- e C!_ ro e t t i ,• r Let him hiin (Mr. Miles) take the case of dent in the regulations laid down in . its provisions. session, v i ,suld th ey re n . l aw League. Would they dissolve ? Numerous questions had been put, ein i - r 1 la. m erabe P r ri f vate , life ?—(Loud laughter.) to time Right Hon. Baronet with respect sess kile iae for Durham —c Il thtil lac eole egsb,taagtilon afterto the . corn or Stockport—would the Hon. laws, as to whether . it was his intention to alter the pro ') not to agitate to agitate ? rise Was he (Mr. tective duties or not. To all invariablythese inquiries the e othe if f at t e piniquestion wuld ?n u e p ar i . n ) th H ei e r Ri ht Honourable Baronet had answered it, s ) s o e re oe others of other • others that he could give no pledges, but that his conduct on . s were once sa ( o n u c l t d ioned b must be directed by circumstances. Now, he did think t h lio li ee . that detmined advocates.—(Hear ti e e h t r d bw: e itil r t e e l: similar natuHrea.wr hear.) quickly that this was a matter of considerable importance. He llo v n oca,tes.—( el-le believed that it was not the object of the Right Hon. t inguishing hight litta ext . nly , a ,,,,, d the flame . Baronet would finel that Baronet to bolster up any particular system, but that Ir._ at this free trade, aslrne whilst he fancied he it was necessary to go to the bottom of the (Hear, hear.) But when we :system of restriction. When that Right Hon. f r : r enet, ( wh . It , e t radeo_ ic i li h proposed by the alone-sidedßht on. Gentleman propounded his policy with a res s p n e ffi ct . ( Tear -e would certainly call peso Ro n 1, , hear )—if he rightly understood the dent evidence given to the country of policy which t h eir ' eve r '. e aronet he meant this, that every Euro- they intended to follow. Theee might be e- suffering and t.. g oo 2 i . oreign , nation should allowed to import distress in individual cases, but these were occurrences e urr esnoht. te tot e this country free of duty without any which followed in all such cases ; but t _ e ' 4 l • lte afeeo. 3lD- 4 advantage in return. He thou ht that the no reason why this measure should no b 'faelo t erers of this 4 4 „:-,, , d to countr would find it ht ngly carried into law.—(Hear, hear.) He was so little a, compete with foreign nations unless they accustomed to addressing this House, that he trusted t e ar, CeY reduced the wages of' their labourers— he would be excused for having trespassed on itsthat eted with) for already we were successfully corn- tention so long. But he had a strong feeling . upon is bon e q, s hy the foreign markets—by those of Ger- subject ; and while he expressed his sentiments as hehad tolstitetry, Littler:lane:l, and France—in cotton goods, in done, he was placed in the painful position of N I ry h wt In silks.— (Hear, hear.) And unless this adting a course at variance with the opinions of ntri es . some additional advantage over for e i gn and wishes of his constituents . ; .but he could N v . thi s ''t would be impossible for the manufacturers look back upon his past connexion with them with tie! hav e e h "ntry successfully to compete with them. pride and satisfaction.—(Hear, hear.) supported e n „,` heed °f her also from the Right Hon. Baronet at Lord NORREYES said that having pportecl G the IQ e °I her Majes ' t 's Government that the rice of Right Hon. Baronet at the head of her Majesty's o a hems • I kl not affect the rate of wages—(Hear hear)— vernment in all his measures for this country, as ' 44 0 en tuid r d • eintiltlrees would e it not at all unlikely that ag;ieultural well as in all his Irish policy, it was with considerable be tee si tit employed upon railways, and other regret that he now rose to express his opinions . upon tr4gere. This i f ,''r higher rate of wages than was now paid the proposition now before the House. He waited to h ttt t . the ag4rine's rn"facturer possessed great advantages hear the Hon. Baronet's explanation before he had taken r ad ,. . ulturist. He had an establishment much any course in reference to them because he .did think 1,71 le e CPted for the purposes of supervision, and he that to attack him before he ' had developed those 1 " hi uPon ear a a • all his workmen at one glance—, each measures would be unfair and unmanly, and if he (Lord . • tea th Ppointed place, and each his allotted task. What Norreys) had done so, he would stand degraded in his I L i t t e e k tl ?atinfacturer what weather takes place? What own eyes as well as in the estimation of this ~',t, Si "un if the sun shines or the rain pours down? House.—(Hear, hear.) No doubt, the letter of i i " e 'th ( 4; can we say so of the farmer? Can he look the Noble Lord the Member for London, sel ). j e Rlance upon his farm and his workmen? Is as well as other events that had taken place, had caused t e t e ' , Pin e - -et to no vicisfirudes of weather? Is he sure of a necessity for some alteration in the existing state of what he has son? Does he always the laws upon this subject. He did not expect that I,:ress,'" twelve hours' work from his la. th e Right Honourable Baronet would propose such tz)- ls: 4ll : t it i : asa ei these manufacturers do ? Can a measure. He was free to admit the diffi labour and sternly demand of them culty with which he must have made up mind for any alteration in the corn-laws, but he d itt ,,ndli w z . a el r yc hours toil ?—(Hear, hear.) Or do . they his 1172 1 1,-use to allow a reduction of two hours in their might of course avoided the difficulty to a cousiderable t ' a er.) ',Vit. as these manufacturers do ?—(Hear, extent. He might have taken a course which would have th tw ten' tt uc h might be said to show that there was opened the eyes of th e agriculturist to the position in which until the Noble Duke had had the 4 t the ` e a gricultural aed the manufacturing interest they then stood if the Right lion. Baronet had refused ( 4 1 e i v e tta zt ed e l e r y en t e h e e s which would not admit of their . bein g e• to return to potter him he would have adopted the That to the , same laws and the same principles. — Government offered to would have opened the eyes of the agbrii th, ue t ,: It would task the energies of the labourer proper course.—(Cheers and laughter.) was the *the t° ' lk•iii n st i lf protection were to be taken from course which d both'i,%rieuftnwnat advantages have the manufacturers over culturists, and would have osed enabledafar re ar he to ia t,Z . with raterence to the burdens they Baronet to have prop _Honourable a that r‘ g , st, He held in his hand a return . from tie was sorry the tu rner , retur u h e ma nufacturersp of cotton in the country. Right on. different the ii llon. Baronet was not in accordance with . f 1839. There was more necessity or that the course taken by the 70 0 ` 4 out in loundthat the amount of the work advice he gave in t° o o/ on e aud, th ~ th at th Year amounted to a trifle with Ile more than an alteration then than there was now. Was the con of the Right Honourable Baronet consistent B ,tuall : whol e e wages paid during that was 30,000, duct kli sr, s um of a mount, of the burdens amounted to the his measures in , , , e --' u " u° 'scarcely worth noticing.— a duty of Bs, per quarter, and he now qf trea ear.) hen a sum • 1e39 41 and 42. He had once objected followed *hio, to th nen he looked at the compensation went to propose a duty of . 4s. and that to be e l Oho ~ th ey anded interest for this protection by total i.- 4:4 5 ; 1 _ weresolidtion_ called upon now to give . up . that the Right Honourable Caronet had been or fors' Makin., together highways, the payment of medical wanting,. political integrity, but in po l'inef hand ee l ""gether a trifling sum of some three lineal foresight. ne He had heard his Friend, the . cone in stiti t housand pounds, spread over the l whole i Right Hon. Me i m n be h r is for Edinburgh, upbraid him with political principles • with re- Iti git e i r, d t h e t , , matinee as scarcely to_ be fe_ t.._ inconsistency d l'he e 'ion. li 4 would have been more pleased if the gar to the corn-laws. He (the Right Hon. Membr th ' were ar "et had offered them nothing at all. for Edinburgh) had charged the . Right Hon. Baronet t W• told h %he t est I nd , Y her Mejesty's Goverhment that in with declaring . his remarks, used a quotation Ils Part , e „'a colonies free labour had done much for in office. and had, during t Wo i '''' tne wo la me applicable to he 4 d n et ro—eeeneers from the Opposition.) which he (Lord Morris) thought very _ the I "would ght tha b detain the House with contrary proofs. the case, and which were simpy the words of d e Yea r fort 0 told that in the next year, or before Hid°, , ri ve , rty_ e i " Nusquani luta fides."—(Loud laughter.) If 0, ut•Leat f t the Nest India Colonies . , would He should say that if' the measure should be . carried it th e e Y vver rom tree trade.—(Hear, hear.) But, Sir, would not be carried from the conviction of its wisdom ~- eol oti; eto get free trade li w Id ask what use were or necessity, but because, seeing that the thing was extend the' cibh es „?(liea r )It hac e lno o t tl ibjec ‘ , tion toe extend the inevitable, the supporters of the Right Honourable Pro p ( 4 - 'al free tra . de „ ff h. lf they did, evi cel otlics to principlesit t the GoN f e r r e n e m did not Baronet would prefer doing for him what they would trade to the not be inclined to CO for the Noble le . ard opposite (Lord t dotco:es:l-0(1Y °O their corn y ti did they of notpropose to take John Russell). But why, supposing that h_! Fira z ath other Minister of the Crown thought fit to chang H e his it hand m ; t i"s, which the , c, all I s ' ln d " in e lo this countr in [lions should his followers change theirs ?—( ear, hear, o •"rat!t ae . ee ?----(llea.r.) -Wh y 'd' dc nth y not give greater and laughter.) Whatever might be the result_ of the t - 4 tOtl 'S to the colonies than i e the now roose- measure for the consequences the Right. Hon. Baronet motiletee uatrY.(Loud c( e ) repeal of - protective duties were advantageous should be ' responsible.—(Hear, hear.) . p e , f .,, atit.:, am , cheers.) They gave the traders,. te e 'rene e he -• manufacturers of this couutr a decided of man entlemen who preced i him ; and, looking to Mr. B. COCIIRANE could not agree in the notions t , ''c to h 'er the colonies.—(Bear hear.) If they the history of the corn-laws, le was . compelled tosay 1 th e ,ave free. trade they s l 11 • ' justice e x tend itthat he did not see any violation of principle IT of colimies also, They h iou c in ir e ..faeturers of this im 3 nt‘lst el, , 1 e e o y ot s ur , ) ml t d o n h o av l e on a ger m a ( l m lo o w r t t h e (as we understood the Honourable Member) in pp.. 4 tin aw this country.—eli q PP ~, v , e their coloeies to f orm a connection previous to the Revolution. tin.. alteration took place in thy. the present conduct of the Ministry. Protection existed . 1 - 91 The next a 0. , e They ear and cheers from the the laws tle year th a systo ey had heard the system characterised :alteration took place in 1822, and . subsequently in 1842, in 1 •17 - 3 and again in i . , e eeli,„. i n of fair play, and they were told that - when the Bill was introduced, which they were then po.i t _ - -lee Were treated! fairly,ar, hear.) , i f eof theco an d t h at t h e pros- ' called upon to overthrow . altogether.—(He , . Ile fear e R ight Ho country depended on the measure In all this e_meemfacturers of this ccuntry were t 430 ;ed that thnourable Baronet.—(lronical cheers.) arose from a breach of faith. There was another point ti-. e ' fl kh qiin e l a . there was no principle, or if there were, it Gentleman in which he differed with the Honourable gre. onte spris 0 , ;_ed,. and that it was net safe to extend who had addressed the House. It had . . been stated that ti,' s al trad e w ` niieirlividual; and he was sure time pro-- Nlerebers of Per-Fees:era had no right to support h.. ' f e l t au , ': ~.• . prove hi, fears were not unfounde ;. ' appealed to .1) is lir asu .e, unless they first er,._ Pitt t. ; . _ % ti t aie, ved u ,u_ gged to emphatically state, i had that the constituente. The . authority of Da • •IE ue was advocating the best in- m ortance was been asked, and great 1 p attached his to l Vi0n1em.i.,...• autrY, both the manufacturers, opinion. Now what said Mr. Pitt in 1798, when pro -4.12d every 1310,5 e of Dritish sti;tl. p aw • s the legislatiya ullicoll with Irela n d ? He said ~ if the question of Parliamentary confidence was sepa rated from Parliament, on the principle that it had no right to decide without an appeal to the people, they would be adopting a principle most dangerous to the state, and one of per version of all principles of political society. He could not understand such a principle. He might point to an answer to it—that the Septennial Act was passed by a House elected under a three years' system ; that the Roman Catholic Relief g Bill was carried by eV -louse returned on priuoiples opposed to that measure. It was impossible to define the limits of Parliamentary act vountability. If the principles maintained by the Honourable Gentleman who had addressed the House in favour of protection was to be acted upon, it would make that House a mere Assembly of delegates, instead of a deliberative and legisla , tive asssembly, leaving gentlemen divested of the privilege of argument and reflection.—(Hear, hear.) It would be most dangerous and derogatory to the character of that House, if it was to be held that no Member should be at liberty to alter his opinion, supposing he had seen good reason for that change. still his proposed measure , would not lower the price of wheat, what then became of the argument of the cheap loaf. There was a vast difference between cheapness produced by a good harvest and cheapness produced by importation. Mr. Huskisson had said that cheapness produced by importation was the sure forerunner of a 'scarcity. He considered that a free trade in corn would lead to greater fluctuation in price than had ever been known ; that it would be of greater advantage to foreigners than to ourselves ; that it would produce agricultural distress, and lower wages. If that mea sure passed, all other protective duties must be repealed; navigation laws and reciprocity treaties must be all swept away. Would the League dissolve if this measure passed ? or if they should, would not others riso up in their place to agitate other questions ? The manufacturers would find it exceedingly difficult to compete with foreigners unless they reduced their wage In every other item except wages, the manufacturers of this country were in every respect equal to the foreigners. The manufreturer could do without protection better than the agriculturalist, because his position was better. He could keep a closer superintendence over his work men ,than the agriculturalist. He was not de pendent upon the weather. He could secure his twelve hours' work, while the agriculturist could not, he thought teey ought not to be subjected to the same laws. The manufacturer was less burdened than the agriculturist. ,On a factory paying 30,000/. per annum wages, the burdens were only 5,0001. a year. The burdens on agriculture were , greater in proportion, and the compensation really amounted to nothing. The agriculturists would have been better pleased if the Right Hon. Baronet bad offered them nothing at all. Then with regard to sugar —scarcely had the free labour sugar been admiited, than they were told the colonists could stand a little more competition. Would not the same course be pursued wish regard to the farmers? With regard to the colonies, he would say treat them as integral parts of the empire, extend free trade to them, and do not let the manufacturers enjoy the mono poly of the colonial market. He considered that the manufacturing interest had been stimulated too much. The progress of our manufactures was really alarming, and he considered that he was best promoting the interests of the country by maintaining the present system of pro tection. Sir W. HEATHCOTE seconded the amendment. He con sidered the measure visionary and delusive, but he did not join with those who accused the Minister of acting dis honestly, although he could not but think that the shock given to faith in public men by the conduct of the Go vernment was much to be regretted. The scheme, even if impartial, would not have met with his approval,and he considered the free-trade legislation of the last2o years had produced most disastrous effects which had only been remedied by the increase of our colonial trade. Bnt the scheme was not impartial, inasmuch as it did not equally depriv all parties of protection. That branch of labour to which manual labour entered most largely was entirely deprived of protection, which protection was continued to industry connected with machinery which did least require it. The English farmer living in a country where taxation was heavy, and the money-price of articles very high, was not in a position to compete with the foreigner, and the position of the English farmer rendered it diffi cult to award to him any sufficient compensation. He could not be insensible to the danger of depending upon foreigners for a supply of food, nor could he forget that the farmers now fed a populsion three times the amount of that fed fifty years ago, or that at this moment England was the only European country possessing a full supply of food. 211 e would have supported a measure for facili tatingthe introduction of colonial corn, but the present measure was essentially anti-colonial. He would not go into the question of compensation, or any particular ques tion; for so convinced was he of the impolicy of the mea sure, that he should oppose it generally. He was not indifferent to the fate of the Ministry ; he would not transfer his support to the Noble Lord and his friends, for he differed with them even more than he did with the Right HMI. Baronet. The Right Hon. Baronet was bound to consult his sup porters as to his measures, and if, because they differed from him, be chose to throw up the Government, on him, and not on them, rested the responsibility. Mr. W. LAScELLES had watched with jealous care the course which the Government had pursued since they first came into office, and he denied that this change had been a sudden or an unexpected one. The alteration in the Tariff involved the whole principle of free trade, and when the Right Hon. Baronet had been asked if be intended to alter the corn-laws, he had stated that he did not tlien intend tO propose any altera tion, but that he would not bind himself to their main tenance under all circumstances. In every instance in which the principles of free trade had been adopted prosperity had been the result, and their experience had confirmed the theory of free trade. He, therefore, should feel it his duty to support the Government measure, however painful it might be to him to differ from many of his friends. Lord NoRREYS regretted that he was obliged not only to oppose the Government on this question, but to withdraw his confidence altogether from the Right Honourable Baronet. He had refused to pledge himself to oppose the Government measure until he knew what it was. He considered the conduct of the Cen tral Protection Society unconstitutional, and had re fused to givepledges, but having heard the Right Hon. statedhe felt bound to offer him e his power. He thought the Right Hon. Baron et opposition in not to have r e turned to power until oe ought Baronet any he bud opened the eyes of the agriculturists, by telling a Noble Duke, who had taken a great interest in these questions, to endeavour to form an ad ministration, and the Right Honourable Baronet would have found less difficulty in carrying his measure. But he could scarcely have expected that the Right Hon. Baronet, who in 1840 had objected to an Bs. duty. should now propose a 4s. duty, to end in total repeal. He did not tax the Right . Honourable Baronet with dishonesty, but with want of political foresight. If the question were carried it would be only because the House preferred trying the question by the Right Hon. Baronet, to having it settled by the Noble Lord altoge ther, for his part he doubted whether they would be better off in the hands of the Noble Lord than in those of the Right Hon. Baronet. Whatever might be the confusion resulting from this measure the Right Hon, Baronet must be responsible for it. Mr. BAILLIE COCHRANE went through the history of the corn-laws from the time of Henry VI. up to the pre sent time. He could not see in all this any question of principle, and he thought a corn-law admitted of every variety of enactments. Neither did he consider thss even upon a question of principle, it were requisite to appeal to the. people, and quoted the autho rity of Mr. PITT In support of his opinions. He denied that the House of Commons was a mere assembly of dele gates, it was a deliberative and a legislative assembly, and Members had a right to change their opinions. The question of the corn-law was one of great difficulty. It was impossible to propose an unalterable law on the subject ; indeed, whoever imagined an unalterable law was an unalterable fact. Looking to the social changes which bad taken place in the last' sixteen years—to the increase of our population and of our manufactures, 'he could not contend for an unalterable corn-law. It was necessary to alter our commercial policy in consequence of these changes, and of the. changes introduced by the Reform Bill, so as to make it in accordance with the feelings and interests of the people. The country had confidence in the present Government, and he should support the commercial alterations which they had pro posed. He believed that . there had been a great change in the feelings of the farmers of late with regard to the repeal of the corn-laws, espe cially in Scotland. The Bi g h t Honourable Baronet was neither a god or a tyrant, but he believed him to be a man anxious to do good for his country. He voted for this mea sure because he had confidence in he Miaarrit's Ministers, and because he was anxious for the welfare an d h a ppiness of the poorer classes of his fellow subjects. Mr. DEEDES could not support the proposition of her MAJESTY'S Government with respect to the corn-laws, believing that that proposition would shake public confidence, and drive the English agriculturists out of the English market. The measure with respect to corn had been revised and corrected in 1842, by Parliament. MAGAZINES—(CONTINUED.) 00LBURN'S UNITED SERVICE MAGAZINE. The article on the Submarine Propeller, or Archime dian Screw, is concluded in this number, and the writer gives us a complete list of all the patents which have been taken out for propelling vessels by means of a screw from the year 1655 to 1843. This is a very ♦aluable list, the compilation of which must have cost the writer a great deal of trouble and research. We have also a very valuable paper on the salvage of Life, Letters, and Property from Shipwreck, and a Letter from a New York Shipbuilder on naval construction, which is well worthy the attentive consideration of those in authority, as it relates to a subject which at the present moment is of vital importance to the country. These are all papers of permanent value; these who seek amusement merely will find that the present number is by no means defi cient in tales of " moving accidents by flood and field." DOUGLAS JERROLD'S SHILLING MAGA _- ZINE. " The Confessions of Richard Grainger," with which this number opens, is the autcbiography of one who, driven to desperation by the oppressions of a domestic autocrat, in a moment of passion, fells his tyra n t t o th e earth, and, fancying he has killed him, escapes, and seeks for concealment in the Babel of London. He toils on in poverty for years, and, at length, hearing that his supposed victim, who is his uncle, is still living, returns, and is reconciled to him, and eventually inherits his wealth. The following are his reflections in the scenes through which he passed during his period of probation. " I could not bear to look back upon this period of imy life, if I did not consider that it has taught me, far better than any book could teach me, some lessons for the good of others. It has taught me, sir, that men are not to be paid for their labour in money or bread only 1 The labourer re quires, uwe all require, brotherly feelings, sentiments of mutual respect, to make him feel himself a man and live as a man. Who wants an equality of earthly riches among men ? They must be poor earthly souls who would strive for such a low object. But an equality of honour and kind feeling for all who labour in the system of human existence —this is what we want—something to raise the head and en courage the heart of the poor workman, to make him feel that his fellow-men reckon him worth something. I have felt this want a thousand times, heavily, and I know I am not wrong in believing that it is the most pressing and de grading deprivation which the poor and the hard-toiling have to endure. Where is the religious law of Honour all men.' Another truth I have learned is, that to mend the thoughts and dispositions of men, you must mend their circum stances too. We are not angels. We are not sunbeams, equally pure in all places. You who look forth upon plea sant parks, from the windows of drawing-rooms, oh, it is so easy for any little book of poetry, or religious prose, to con vince you that the world is a very pleasant place—that the Maker of it clearly designed all men to be happy ; but things have a different appearance when viewed on a dull winter's day, through the paper squares of the cottage windows in Robert's Fold, and many places like it. You who distribute tracts through the miserable lanes and alleys of our towns — your purpose is a good one ; but remember that air and light, cleanliness and beauty, are God's good messengers ; and contribute your endeavours to remove the gloomy, wretched places left upon the face of the earth by centuries of thought and action bestowed upon wrong purposes. If you would have the people believe in a heaven, show them a little of it." The second of the series of " English Scenes and Cha racters " by William Howitt, is scarcely worthy of his fame. Dick Redfern, the county wag, the hero of his tale, must have flourished at least a hundred and fifty years ago, seeing that the greater num ber of Redfern 's waggeries were faithfully chronicled more than a century since by the late Mr. Joseph Mil ler. " Memoranda of Maturin," is an interesting sketch of the career of a very gifted man, to whom as yet the world has not rendered justice, and " Rome-ward Bound," is a smart satire on those very clever, chat ting smatterers, who are to be found in every nook and corner of the provinces among the squirearchy. Horace Mayhew gives us the " Confessions of an Old Picture," and we recommend it to the attentive study of all con nosieurs. And we have an admirable paper on the " Mission of the Press," which we should have been glad to have transferred to our columns had we space for it. " Juniper Hedgehog" gives us a caustic letter on war in general, and on the calling out of the militia in particular. But we miss our old friend " St. Giles and St. James," and also the " History for Young England;" and, albeit we have several excellent papers in this number ; we could well have spared some of them to have secured the presence of these, the features of this magazine. THE RAILWAY REGISTER. In addition to its usual history of the railway doings of the month, this number contains an admirable paper on the gauge question in which the relative merits of the respective lines are fairly set forth, and justly ap preciated. The writer gives the preference to the broad gauge on the scores of safety, speed, and power, and to the narrow gauge on the score of economy in the working. After elaborately stating the arguments on each side he thus concludes:— " From these statements, in connexion with the experi ments already referrec to, it may not be toe much to say that speed and power alone considered, the broad gauge appears clearly to have the advantage on its side. It may be a question, however, whether in light traffic, which local and branch traffic generally it, and will become so more and more as extensions are carried out, whether in these eases the dead weight of the broad engine may not be a serious disadvantage in an economical point of view. Upon this consideration, which we merely at present throw out as a suggestion, we doubt very much whether absolute uni formity of gauge do turn out to be desirable upon public grounds." - THE ALMANACK OF THE MONTH. By Gilbert A'Beckett. A funning, punning, running commentary on the events of the month, full of smart satire, without a particle of grossness, malice or ill-nature. THE LITERARY ASPIRANT. Our number of monthly periodicals are really mount ing up to such an inordinate quantity, that the ultimate consequences of the competition in this species of lite rature are more than conceivable—they are self-evident. A diminution in their number, and an improvement in their general tone—results that are no less inevitable than they are desirable. The Literary Aspirant, now under our elbow, bears in every respect the outward features, the outward character, and (so to speak) the outward complexion of a thorough magazine ; but we rather suspected, from the style of the index to this, its cseiaclo.ndAnfutemrbeexr,anithinaitngthtehseemcobnlatennctes,wtahsims e s r u e s l p y lc s i u o pe n rrfi e- solved itself into a conviction :—" The form was pleas ing, but the soul was wild." We have first a flippant gad-fly survey of " Brittany!' very well powdered with French phrases—a characteristic that has a faint smack of travel, with a very powerful smack of " Boyer's Dic tionary" and the easy-chair system. Somewhat of the same calibre are the " Recollections of Travel." Let the writers remember that Addison described Italy in pure English; and that, too, very graphically. Of the poetry (?) there are several scraps—one to " Moonlight." Unhappy moo nlight ! why is this silver beam so bedaubed with the soot-paint and the mud-colour of every blockhead who can string rhymes together ? Another about a " Farewell to the 'Village, which is decidedly by no " mute inglorious Milton;" and another about " Morn ing Stars I" the first verse of which calls up an unplea sant recollection of that very disgusting wormshop in Long-acre:— " Wanderers through the vault of heaven -0 ye brightly beaming stars! Tell me, have ye never striven? Never felt intestine jars?" Every one who has beheld that most loathsome shop window, with its horrible display of bottles, will see our allusion. Besides the foregoing specimens, we should say but little for the literary taste of the editor from his iibsurd eulogium upon a very excellent gentleman, but a very Holywell-street author, by name Mr. G. W. M. Reynolds. We can, in conscience, say but so much, or rather so little, for the Literary Aspirant. THE LONDON TEETOTALER. Devoted to the interests of Temperance, this publica tion will doubtless obtain a wide circulation, and more especially so from its cheapness. The proceedings of the various associations of that praiseworthy class are fully reported in its columns, and thus every one inte rested in the cause may easily obtain a knowledge of its increase and prosperity. NEW MONTHLY BELLE ASSEMBLEE. A fanciful portrait of Byron's Genevra "by Cor bould, with a smudge upon a pedestal for a statue, and a semicircular scrape of the burnisher" for a moon, forms the frontispiece to this number; it, however, is all the fashion to swallow these vagaries as specimens of art, and the engraving must not therefore be carped at. As to the staple commodity in the literary way which follows, it is of the usual standard:—stories of " Mar tyrs," and "Brides of Genoa," with half-a-dozen Italian quotations at the head of each chapter, and meetings of lovers in orange groves, and a plentiful supply of * * * * and -- --- in among the letter press, forming the principle proportion. Then come " Lines written on my Birthday, ' and stanzas to the " Sweet Star of Eve"—all very unassuming and very diluted, both in language and senti ment. There are, nevertheless, many who derive pleasure from these joint productions of satin paper, and swan-quills, and perfumed ink; we must, in consequence, not be ungenteel enough to express any decided disrelish lor the genus. Suffice it to say, the present month of the Belle Assemblo'e has an excellent assortment of this kind of boudoir fine writing ; and, for the better encourage ment of the readers whom we hay. particularised, we will mention that among the contributors are the very estimable names of Elizabeth Youatt, Camilla Toulmin, Calder Campbell, and others equally well known. The fashions for February, both pictorial and descriptive, form an appropriate conclusion to the articles enume rated. THE FEMALE'S FRIEND. A monthly pamphlet, devoted exclusively to the tastes of our fair countrywomen. It consists of essays, dis quisitions, biographical notices, and verse, and is there fore discursive. Morality and happiness are inculcated and enforced, and therefore it is well spirited. The style of composition is smart and condensed, and there fore it is readable. We refer the inquisitive to its pages. COMMONS' SUMMARY. The SPEAKER took the Chair at Four o'clock. Lord MouPETn took the oaths and his seat for the West Riding of Yorkshire. The Noble Lord was intro duced by Mr. BYNG, the Member for Middlesex, and Lord JOHN RUSSELL, and was most enthusiastically cheered. Mr. M`CARTIIY, for Cork, took the oaths and his seat. The Hon. Gentleman was introduced by Mr.O'CoNNELL. Leave was given to bring in several railway Bills. The Edinburgh Waterworks Bill was brought in, read a first, and ordered to be read a second time.: Mr. KEMBLE brought in the London and South- Western Railway Bill. The report of the Sub-Committee on the Ayrshire and Galloway Railway Bill, reporting that the standing orders had not been complied with, was ordered to be referred back to the Committee, after a short discussion. Sir H. HALFonn presented a petition from Liverpool, signed by 2,000 persons, against any alteration in the corn-laws. The Earl of MARCH presented a similar petition from Sussex, signed by 9,000 persons. Mr, LEADER presented a petition from Westminster, in favour of a total repeal of the corn. laws, signed by 73,000 persons. Several other petitions having been presented on the subject of the proposed alterations in the commercial policy of the country, among which were 103 by Lord MORP.E.TB (who was received with enthusiastic cheer ing), from various places in the West Riding of York shire in favour of the Ministerial measures generally, with the exception of that part which related to the corn•laws, of which laws they prayed the total and im mediate repeal, Mr. FERRAND asked if the signatures to those peti tions were affixed to them with the free and unbiassed wills of the parties signing, because he was prepared to prove that many of the workmen had been forced ? The SPEAKER — The Hon. Member may ask a ques tion on the presentation of a petition, but he cannot make a speech. The HON. MEMBER repeated his question, to which Lord MORPETH replied that, to the best of his belief and the entireness of his conviction, the signatures had been affixed by the free and unbiassed will of the parties signing. Mr. W. 0. STANLEY gave notice of an amendment in the Committee on the Customs' Act, to the effect that wheat should be subject to a fixed duty of 55., barley of 3s. 6d., and oats of 25., in place of the Ministerial proposition. Mr. M. Ilium gave notice of an amendment to omit in the resolution with regard to corn all words referring to'the duties payable after 1849. Several unopposed returns having been agreed to, The Members constituting the Committee on Parlia mentary Election Petitions were then sworn at the table. In answer to Dr. BOWRING, Mr. CARDWELL explained the measures whick had been adopted for the purpose of carrying out the recom mendations of the Committee on Colonial Accounts. Mr. BRIGHT wished to ask if it was not the intention that the sums levied as fines on factory owners should be fairly divided among all schools, and not as they had hitherto been, distributed at the rate of 1001. to schools connected with the Established Church to 301. to schools connected with Dissenters. Sir J. GRAHAM said that the sums were to be fairly distributed, but that he understood that few applications had been made for Dissenting or Catholic schools. Sir R. INams wished to know whether it was intended that an equal sum should be given to Church and Dis senting schools, or a proportionate sum ? Sir J. GRAHAM said that it was intended that'the sum should be apportioned to the wants of the school. Mr. LIDDELL asked if the Government was prepared to take any steps for the improvement of the juvenile population of the metropolis ? Sir J. GRAHAM explained the steps which had been already taken for the improvement and reformation of juvenile offenders in the metropolis; and stated, if it were the pleasure of the House to vote the necessary funds, ne would feel it his duty to propose further mea sures for the reformation of juvenile offenders. Sir R. PEEL explained in relation to his reply to the Noble Lord's question the other night as to his answer on the subject of the reduction of the corn duties, that he could find no precedent for the Treasury sanctioning the reduction of the duty on the receipt of the report, and that, therefore, he could not consent to any reduction on the corn duties until the proposed alteration should become law, but so convinced was he of the nececssity of proceeding with the alteration on the corn laws at once that he proposed to proceed with the measure for the alteration of the corn-laws, in preference to any other public measure, and to every other alteration in the tariff, until it should become law. In reply to Mr. M. PRILLIPPS, Sir R. PEEL said that if the debate should be ad jonrned over Tuesday, there would be no alternative but to resume the debate on Wednesday at twelve and finish it at six. The Right Hon. Baronet also explained that necessarily there must be an interval between the first and second reading of the Corn Bill, during which he might bring forward other articles in the tariff, but that he would proceed with the Corn Bill with all the speed that the forms of the House would permit. On the motion that the order of the day for the House resolving itself into Committee being read, a host of petitions on the subject of the corn-laws were presented. After the presentation of the petitions, which lasted until after six o'clock, Mr. name MILES rose to move the amendment of which he bad given notice, viz., that the House should resolve into Committee this day six months. The pro posed change in our commercial policy was a change even greater than that proposed by the Reform Bill, and on a question involving such vital interests, the constituen cies of the country ought to be consulted, more especi ally when it was considered that this Parliament had been elected upon protectionist principles. He ad mitted the failure of the potato crop in Ireland, but the oat crop and the wheat crop in that country was above the average. There was no fear of a famine. He could well underst a nd th a t th e Ri g ht H on . B arone t might feel alarm at the state of things in Ireland , but if he had watched the state of the markets he would see there was no cause of alarm. He would say if there was danger of a famine, open your ports, but he contended that there was no danger whatever of famine, and, looking at the course pursued by the Right Honourable Baronet, he could not but came to the conclusion that the cause of protection had in the Right Hon. Baronets mind been long doomed. He thought the agricultural interests of the country was entitled to moderate protection. He recollected the talent with which the Right Hon. Baronet had upheld the doctrines of protection, and he could foresee the ability with which he would control them, but he feared not because he felt that he had a large minority in that House, and a large party out of it• Three months ago the Member on the Treasury Bench supported the doc trine of protection ; and if his opinions had undergone such a change, he should have felt bound to follow the example of the Noble Lord the Member for Dorsetshire. He could not see where these changes were to lead, and if these were agreed to, greater still must follow ; changes which would shake the public credit. The Hon. Gentleman then proceeded to take a revieef of the history our commercial policy since the accession of Sir R. PEEL to office, and conded that the pros perity of the industrious classes had been owing not to the free trade measures of the Government, but to the immense increase of our railway system, which had created a demand for labour, and in in consequence of which the prices of iron h a d risen enormously—to the cessation of war in India—and to the succession of good harvests, and he believed that much of that prosperity would have taken place if the Noble Lord opposite had been in power. He denied that the amount of exports afforded a fair indication of commercial prosperity- Foreign markets were glutted with our goods. It was the home trade which afforded the finest ele ments for the calculation of the amount of our commercial prosperity. With regard to the corn-laws, the law of 1842 had worked well ; it had secured steadiness of price, and he would not con sent to its alteration. The Right Honourable Baronet had said in 1842 that 565. was a fair price for the farmer. He would like to know what he considered a fair price now. The Right Hononurable Baronet (LEFT SPEAKING.) ROBBERY AT K I NGSGATE-STREET COURT OF Ra t;EsTs.— On aturday informtion was he Metropoli t an and City poli a ce, that during circulated the ni thou g g ht hout of Tuesday last some thief or thieves stole from the above court about 4/. in silver, and about ss. in copper. The thieves were, no doubt, from the sma llness o f the sum thus obtained, greatly disappointed in their hope of plunder. Tacit CORN MARHETS. — It 13 worthy of remark that a t the 'Wakefield corn ma rket on Frida, the prices of all kinds of grain advan ced. Alread y the fa rmers, factors , an d Y millers see the emptiness of the fears which have so long Leeds Mercury. haunted them in regard to the effect of opening At a recent meeti n g of the Com missioners of the the Middlesex and Essex Tur n p ike Trust, at the ports.— Bird-in-Hand, Stratford, it was still deemed expedient to collect the tolls through their own servants, in lieu of letting them, as was the custom a few years since. It is said to be the intention of the associated mill owners of Manchester, immediately after Sir Robert Peel's measure shall have become law, to reduce the hours of fac t. tory labour from twolve to eleven hours. brightness, and hence, possibly, requires our more particular stigma We ascribe this solitary instance of partiality against a creed rather to the carelessness of the editor than to his matured purpose. Yet on this ♦ery account, more especially, we point the anger of criticism at the blot, and warn its conductor against any future repetition of the like, if he would propitiate the favour of his liberal-hearted arid liberal-minded gene ration. WANDERINGS OF A PEN AND PENCIL. Pleasant wanderings are these; and choice, sun-lipped companions are Masters Crowquill and Palmer. The pen is smartly nibbed for the nonce, and the pencil ever pointed. Though the woods be seductive for a descrip tion, the old ruinous monastic buildings which nestle in all sorts of nooks in this our "merry England" seem to offer greater attractions to the pilgrims of literature and art, and precious coifes of anecdote and millions of legend do they rake up from amongst the moss and the green stones. Then, for example, at page 168, is the veritable chamber of Alexander Pope, at Stanton Har court, the room in which he finished the fifth volume of his Homer. Think of that good reader! the very room in which our rare, dainty, music-tongued, irritable little poet hath often donned his slippers and snoozed off into a dream of Isucolics. For more particulars upon this and divers other curiosities, we commend thee to the good company of Alfred Crow quill. KNIGHT'S PENNY MAGAZINE. Though infinitely smaller, this new series of an old favourite is infinitely superior both in appearance and selection of materials to its predecessors. All readers of taste will feel themselves under obligations to Mr. Knight for an alteration so judicious, and to Mr. Harvey also for his delicate and occasionally delicious pictorial contributions. Some morsels iu this first part from the pencil of that eminent draughtsman are pecu liarly pleasing, inasmuch us they remind us of his glorious achievements in the embellishment of the Arabian Night's Entertainments : in the present case, however, to employ a quirk, it is in the embellishment of the " English Knight's Entertainment." Besides the ordinary proportion of antiquarian, or, rather, book worming matter, tales, and poetry, and reviews are inter spersed through the Penny Magazine, giving an addi tional' attraction to that deserving and popular publi cation. THE STUDENT. A serious, sober, honest serial. Partially scientific, partially critical, partially devoted to light literature. In this number there are —" A Legend of Ancient Mexico," a " Life of John Ronge," a botanical account of " Hemlock and its prop trties, with other miscellaneous contributions. And as the whole is devoted to the "In terests of Trade," it is surely to the interest of trade that it should be supported. PICTORIAL GALLERY OF ARTS. Mr. Knight here brings the first volume of this spi rited series to a conclusion; and, considering its exceed ing cheapness, it may number among the many marvels of typographical and illustrative art that have issued from the press of late years. It is an undertaking deserving of all praiso and all encouragement, as one like;y to foster a love for the higher descriptions of art among the mul titude : it forms in itself a kind of moveable " National Gallery." The frontispiece is a curiosity ;itis a copy from a piece of tapestry in the possesion of Lord Brougham, taken from the renowned " Virgin in the Chair," of Raphael. The colouring of this plate is brilliant; it is a good example of chromatic effect, at once dazzling and subdued. OLD ENGLAND'S WORTHIES. James I. (that choice bard-prisoner, in the dungeon at Windsor Castle), Henry VI. (that weak and feeble monarch, familiar more with rosaries than sceptres), Welsey (that problem of party-feeling, by one regarded as the Cardinal-virtue, by another as the Cardinal - vice of his age)—these and others, afford excellent materials for the Second Part of Old England's Worthies. The biographical condensations are . judiciously managed, and the tone of narration is admirably impartial. When completed, the volume will be an invaluable companion to our native history. CFIUI?TOIV'S LITERARY REGISTER. A fantastic assortment of queer things is the opening article of this number, not inaptly styled " The New Curiosities of Literature." It groups together nearly every superstition and "legende hoary" in connexion with the month of February : it offers us some bits of antiquarian and scholarly information of the blood baths" used by the ancient Romans for purifying the victims of Elephantiasis, or, as it is commonly called, the white leprosy. It submits to our notice some fragments from Dekker, descriptive of " moon-men," or half witted persons, with sundry other eccentric gleanings from old folios, breathing of dust and cobwebs—smelling anciently and wormeaten—a resuscitation of Sir Cor nelius Agrippa. In the after portion of the miscellany there is scarcely a single publication that has appeared within the past four weeks but what is mentioned in some sort critically. The literature altogether is su perior, and the Register deserves patronage. THE PEOPLE'S JOURNAL. Though but the preliminary jump of a new ad venturer among our monthly publications, the People's Journal bears about it an impress of health and stability, which at first is so:newhat enigmatical, until we re member that its literary and artistic contributors are equally experienced in the requisites for similar pub lication. What appears to be the most decided charac teristics about this serial is its fervid, and earnest, and paramount advocacy of the populace. Nor is this tone of earnestness, an affectation ; it bursts forth in bosom gushes, it beats with the beating of an unseen but eloquent heart ; it utters its bold ban upon oppression, it breaths a soul sigh for the noes of poverty, it points to the on comings of better and brighter things ; its general spirit is not that of morbid grumbling, but rather of a heaven-born hopefulness. These qualities, however, from their very sacredness, are restricted of course, to the serious portion of each number; the lighter littera tare abstains from the profanation of such themes—the anomalous mingling together of grand truths and flip pant jokes. William Howitt gives two rather milk-and watery estimates of Charles Dickens and William Wordsworth—men whose eulogy should not be sounded forth in staid and formal periods, but in warm, and im petuous, and unstudied tones of love. We say advisedly of love—for is that not a recompense well merited ? Have they not severally attempted to excite within our hearts affection for the Unseen and for the Seen ? And have they not succeeded triumphantly in that beautiful endeavour ?—have not their simple utterances stirred up the waters of our inner-spirit ?—and are they not each absolutely in some measure, what Shelley calls " The silver key of the fountain of tears!" by moving our dearest sympathies " up from our heart unto our eyes,"—and after this shall we not speak of them boldly, plainly, lovingly, and cordially ? For this quietude of style, William Howitt is the very anti thesis of George Gilfillan, who estimates passionately, and yet discriminatingly. Some metrical morceaux of Ebenezer Elliott ; two smart sketches from London So ciety, by Angus B. Reach, with capital illustrations, by Kenny Meadows, (the couple of waiters in the tavern scene being the very extravagance of drollery) ; with a plentiful supply of other very en'ertaing matter, form altogether a valuable and amusing magazine of more than ordinary merit, for the surprising small sum of eightpence halfpenny. So much enterprise, so much ability, so much benevolence of purposo will not surely go unrewarded or unnoticed. SPORTING REVIEW. A numerous collection of brief but capital contribu tions ; they are chiefly capital, but not all, one or two sinking down below even mediocrity, particularly a very (fortunately) short chapter, headed " A Safe Shot." It is an attempt at the graphic and conversational, which sinks to the common-place, while it taggs on to a clever engraving from a painting by Arnfield upon the same subject, like a briar to a lady's petticoat. Sweetmeat, the property of Mr. A. W. Hill, is here presented to us by the engraver of Hacker, and a worthy descendant of Lollipop he appears to be, from that limning. Scribble gives a rollocking " Day with the Pytchley," and, with some similar sprightly and roystering effusions, The Sporting Review passes muster this month with no little credit. THE DUKE 07 WELLINGTON ♦ND TEE Dovrn VOLUNTESES.—Last week we noticed that active steps were being adopted by an influential class of our young and spirited townsmen, to constitute themselves into a body of volunteers, to avoid the less noble militia service in the event of the embodiment of that corps. Puraitant to this purpose, John Hunt, Esq., town councillor, last week addressed a letter to our Lord Warden, the Duke of Wellington, re questing his Grace, in the event of the militia being called out, to allow the parties in question to act as volunteers within this ancient Cinque Port. To Mr. Hunt's letter his Grace has sent the following reply, which puts at rest the notion which had got abroad that it was the intention of the Government shortly to call out the militia : " London, Feb. 3, 1846. "Field-Marshal the Duke of Wellington presents his COM plitnents to Mr. Hunt. He has received his letter. The Duke is the Lord Warden of the Cinque Ports, and the Com mander-in-Chief of the Army ; but he is not aware that in either capacity he has legal authority to enable him to orga nise and form bodies of armed men in the Cinque Ports. He has no information upon the intention of the calling out of the militia. It has been stated that one of her Majesty's ser vants has given notice, in the House of Parliament of which he is not a member, of his intention to introduce a Bill for the amendment of the militia laws. The Duke has not heard that such Bill has been introduced. " John hunt, Esq., Dover." UNDERGROUND Roolus.—A correspondent of The Budder, adverting to the contemplated revision of the Me tropolitan Buildings Act, draws attention to Schedule K, which will render tenantless the underground apartments of nearl♦ the whole of the small houses in London, after July, 1846, without remunerating the owners for the less of rent for the same, although each of these houses has been built agreeably to the old Act, and under the inspection of the several district surveyors. Should Schedule K be not en tirely erased from the new Act at the expected revision, so far as existing buildings are concerned, some provision should be made to remunerate the owners of such property, who are generally small tradesmen and frugal mechanics, persons who ought to be assisted and not injured by Acts of Parliament. 20,000,000/. were not long since voted to re munerate the rich owners of bureau flesh whose property in the same was prohibited by Act of Parliament. ROYAL HARWICH YACHT CLUB.—William Knight, Esq., the Rear-Commodore of this club, has just received a letter from his Excellency the Danish Minister at the Court of London stating that the yachts of the club shall be free from the charges in the harbours of that country. The Harwich 'Yacht Club now contains forty-four sail, in addition to a few on the stocks ; the privilege now conced(cdvle)3n- Denmark has already been granted to the clubdby_e.l%_, other powers, including Hanover, Prussia, Hololarn_Lsl3, Portugal, &c. The Harwich regatta is fixed f . !ever pre- ARRAN.—We have received cos correspondent in the islands of Arran, the poor inhabitants of vails to an alarming extent among t i or from a that district.— Galway ilfercury. I j i a t al i n u g n t c h a at THE PROSPECTIVE REVIEW. Wholesome in its general tone, and choice in its selec tion of materials, this review augurs well for its prosperity. There is a masculine character in its composition which amounts to something short of vigour, while it enforces the opinion of its writers almost as much as mere argument would do by itself. A criticism upon the Chevalier Bausen's " History of Egypt," another of " Explana tions," by the author of the " Vestiges of Creation," and another on Theodore Parker's "Discourses of Religion," are the main articles in this fifth part. One also upon ' French Deists" is deserving of notice more for its ab stract intolerance than for its excellence of conception. It is, however, one eta n of rust amidst surrounding aolith .... THE POTATO CROP. The following is an extract from a report of the Commit.- sieners of Inquiry into matters connected with the failure 4: the potato crop : Dublin Castle,•Asn. 20, Ig4t. We have not understood it to be within , our ITovince to' sttCgest to the Government measures inveheing' i mportant' questions of policy; but we consider it not otAy' V ithin our • province, but our imperative duty, to bring, without further delay, under the notice of Government, a state Of stances which appears to us to call for immediate cetoit; tion, and in which questions of policy may be iirroys d. Two questions of very pressing nature have been under tth consideration of the board, which, for the present, have been disposed of by a suggestion that those interested in the re— spective localities shall avail themselves of the Act 1 Via.„ c. 21, which enables the Board of Works, upon certain pre- • liminaries being takes, to advance money for the execution of local works. We beg to refer your Excellency to the reports of these cases, and especially to that of Nobber, as precenting pro bable indications of that which must be expected ire very many instances to occur. We cannot disguise from (Ply selves, that the remedy we have suggested in these cases` may fail of being successfully adopted, and if adopted, may be but a temporary alleviation of the distress then prevail ing; and that numernuse cases of distress are likely to occur and some are near at hand, for which neither the Act pointed out by us, nor any other, as far as we know, in exist ence or in the contemplation of Government, can provide an effectual remedy. It appears, from undoubted authority, that of 32 counties in Ireland, not one has escaped failure in the potato crop; of 130 poor-law unions, not one is exempt; of 2,050 electoral divisions, above 1,400 are certainly reported as having suf fers('; and we have no certainty, until the receipt of more minute returns, now in progress of completion, that the re maining 600 have altogether escaped. Every variety, in point of extent of loss, and every shade of subdivision in point of locality, will be found in the re turns laid before us; and this circumstance, while it implies an exemption from widely extended mad uninterrupted loss in one continuous locality, complicates, on the other hand, and renders difficult the application of relief in the manlier apparently most desirable, by employment in labour. The poer-houses will, without doubt, he found • most im portant means of relief, and we consider it a most pfoviden tial circumstance that such an extensive resource is avaiLable against A calamity more widely extended, and more serious in its nature, thee any that has affected the Irish poor since the year 1117. We hays the satisfaction to know that the resource is still open to a very great extent, and that even in the most distressed district the poor-houses are very far from beingfull. 'We look with anxious attention to their proress towards repletion, as a strong, though not conclusive indica tion of the state of the union to which they belong. We refer, however, to the comAstbulary report of the recent oc currence at the poor-house at liens (in which union Nobber is situated), fora proof that it would be unsafe to rely upon the state of the respective poor-houses, either as a certain test of the amount of distress in the union, or as a sole re source for its relief. The ordinary expenditure for one year of the poor-houses in Ireland is about 260,0001., including establishei charges, repairs and instalments for repayment of building ; and taking the largest pecuniary estimate of the relief which their capacity would afford, we cannot consider it as at all equivalent to meet any such deficiency in the crop as that estimated. In turning therefore from this branch of resource for the poor to those afforded by existing and contemplated laws for the encouragement of public works, we are mist by diffi culties attaching peculiarly to the present emergency. In all cases of public distress, it is necessary, as stated by the Commission of 1822 (16th May), to prefer small local undertakings, where employment in labour is to be given, to those on a great scale. Works on a greater scale have a tendency t• invite an accumulation of numbers to a given spot, aid probably to disappoint the greater part of them. That which is necessary on all such occasions is pecu liarly necessary now ; the extreme variety in the extent of the potato failure, and the minute and insulated subdivisions •f land in which it prevails, lead us to entertain the greatest doubt whether any adjustment of public works can be made to meet the need wherever it may occur; and it must be met, or death from famine may be the result. Sir John M`Neill, a highly competent authority, in a d•cameit transmitted to us, estimates the distance to which the benefit of employment in public works extends at fill, miles only. (Signed) EDWARD LUCAS, Chairman. THE POTATO DISEASE. The following is a copy of the report of the Commissioners appointed by the Government to inquire into the extent of the disease in the potato crop in Ireland, extracts from which mere read by Sir Robert Peel, in his speech on the 22d ult., and which has been laid on the table of the House of Com mons by Sir J. Graham, at the request of Mr. Newdegate : " London, Nov. 15, 1845. _ Sir,— With reference to the conversation we had the honour to hold with you to-day at the Home-office, and your wish thAt our individual opinions as to the extent of the potato disease should be communicated in writing, we have the honour to make the following statement : _ _ " During oi - kr stay in Ireland, we carefully examined such official papers as were transmitted to us from the Castle; we consulted persons acquainted with the facts of the disease ; we visited the district lying between Dublin and Drogheda, and inspected varioris potato fields and stores in the counties of Dublin, Louth, lleath, Westmeath, and part of -Kildare. Judging from the evidence thus collected, and from what we have seen of the progress of the disenes in England, we can come to no other conclusion than that one-half of the potato crop of Ireland is either destroyed or remains in a state unfit for the food of man. We, moreover, feel it our duty to apprise you that we tear t.Lu to be a low estimate. "It is, doubtless, true that in some: places a much larger proportion of the crop is apparently safe ; but, on the other hand, there are districts where it is not too much to say that the crop is lost. For example, we may mention a large field at Skerries, where not more than one potato in twenty was found by us in a state which would admit of preservation ; and anothea near Oldbridge, in which, from the want of skill in the owner, all appeared to be perishing in the pits; and we have proof that these are not rare examples. " We would even add, melancholy as the picture is, that in all proability the late rainy weather has rendered the mis chief yet greater. " Of the remaining half thus assumed to be capable of pre servation, there can be no doubt that the principal part may be relied upon as food for the ensuing winter, provided the methods of storing which we have indicated are followed. But, considering the means, or rather want of means OR the part of the Irish peasant, the wptness of the climate, the disputes between landlerd and tenant, and perhaps the de spair or other feelings of the poor cultivators, we dare net venture to hope that our plans, simple as they are, will be fully carried out; and in the meanwhile more of the crop will disappear. " It is also necessary to direct your attention to tke quan tity of seed potatoes which must be reserved for the coining year, if the celtivation of the land is to be persevered in We can state that en an average one-eighth of a crop is re quired for planting the same quantity of ground; we that, in fact, only thre-eights of the crop can, in cur view, be at this moment assumed to be available as food. " There is an opinion that 'pen the whole the potato crop is this year a very large one. We regret to add that we have been unable to obtain any proof of this. On the con trary, we have seen that the crop was email, and we have it in evidence that it is below the average ; but we have also seen it to be heavy, and we, therefore, cenclude that it may perhaps be an average crop. " We are not sufficiently acquainted with the habits if the Irish peasantry to be able to state at what time the want of food from the failure of their potatoes may be first expected. —We have the honour to remain, Sir, your most faithful servants, " JOHN LINDLET, " LYON PLAYFAIR. " The Right Hon. Sir S. Graham, ➢i.P., &c." THE LATE EXTRAORDINARY VERDICT. TO THE EDITOR OF THE SUN. Sin,—lf it will net be encroaching on your valuable space, will you allow me, through the medium of your journal, to ask two questions of those enlightened jurymen, who dis played so much judgment and humanity in the case of the unparallelled monster, Captain Johnstone? The first point on which I should like to be informed is, whether a man's drinking to excess, with a view to embolden him to commit some atrocious deed, is a sufficient plea for insanity ? If so, I should advise all murderers, ere they proceed to their awful task, to take to drinking a day or two beforehand, whoa they will undergo a mock ceremony, called a trial, and be acquitted on the ground of insanity. Why was Tapping hung, who shot his sweetheart in a fit of jealousy, which amounts to nothing lees than temporary insanity?is, therihr e o wsneclo, views 8 q o u f e t s h t ieoncasle wortlhdoseaßokf thecwohnentih;rfotrhetyh etodoek hgasuldbedeenbyfruthis. l f a e n tt d e a r. nt ? Thu% trated. Y our humble and obedient servant, w t o h u s ld p o r e im en a i r t , hoebyjewcteroefentirely JUSTITIA. [AnvisaTlllma t zwT.]—Deafness and Defective - Vision Re I I i • ved . —Tbrin. heunrdi etr ef i lme e n e t t i , o ned Piccadilly, seit t in and z. South ctu tot i hecouetryfree b! post. ..39. A tle - str eet, Edinburgh.--Acoustic Instruments,—lnvisible Voice Conductors, when fixed in the cavity of the ears, are let un comfortable, tier more perceptible than having a small piece ut wool in its place. They enable individuals at an advanced age, aid of extreme deafness of 40 and 50 years' standing, instantly to joie in general conversation, and to catch the suns( of a distant low speaker at church, theatre, &e. They poir the conversation into the ears to such an extent that in the most severe eases deafness cannot be observed. Also, original Ear Cornets, French, German, and Spaaish Artificial Ears, and Improved Hearing Trumpets of every description. Many of those instruments have received the approbation of the - Reyal Society and Royal Institution of Great Britain. The newly-invented Spectacles, immediately they are placed before extremely imperfect vision, it is brought to its youthful, natural and original state. Also, Achromatic Teleseepes, Opera Glasses, Microscopes, Sec. Caution—Messrs. S. and B. Selo- ZeOnS, Opticians, are net in any way connected with a person of the same name in their immediate neighbourhood, nor in any part of the country. Te prevent mistakes, be 'autism', and Observe—Only to be had at Z 9, Albemarle-street, Piccadilly, opposite the York Hotel, and 2i, South Castle-street, Edin • burgh. [ADVERTISEMENT.] -- HOLLOWAY'S PILLS AND , OINTMENT.—A RIMARNABLE CURIE or PLIAS, FISTULAS, AND BLARINIS-DOWN.—A half-pay lieutenant, lately resi ding at St. Helier', Jersey, whose name, by request, is omitted, had for three years suffered from piles and fistula, besides a general bearing down of the most distressing natare. He had twice undergone an operation, but to no purpose, and at last gave himself up to despair. Yet, notwithstanding this complication of complaints, together with a debilitated con.: stitution he was completely cared of all his infirmities, a nd restored to the fullest enjoyment of health by Holloway's P 7! and Ointment.—Sold by all druggists and at Professor 11 , loway's Establishment, 244, Strand, London UP of th e FLAX GROWING IN IRIL•ND.— The COMM', Growth Society for the Promotion and Improyetnent o t f th e of m o F st l a favourable v i o n u rlarbelleand, reportme met of f t t ß h e o lt p *a r s o t g o r i e t s., th o e tfh 2 th B c h ert tu c i a l i. t n . y , troducing the growth of flax into the 11. of Ireland was read. The secretary sta of the acciety had visited distfioctemminon, Longford, Leitrim, I w n a s all highly these kenny, Cork, Kerrv, 3 l elig n e:t i inl : r. : : l : l l e : g t4 r gr o w i . c t u h if the tii centre the counties w o lt f iuhnre l :i centre King's and Queens land an English flax grower. they had selecte , Norfolk, in . which it was stated Mr NVarnes, 1 of flax, there c fsr o -o p ura A ble le J ., °tiliel abundant employment to women and chil growing and preparing no poor-rates in his parish. were now citi:esintx°c::er;feLdwn . — by W th e e are informed that immediately upon Sir Robert Peel's financial statement becoming known, orders hhl were as so ( been se speedily et nh e then complied oo i s s s n t e r l fromwith itt to ir b lei c t ) t ut h irini t s h tt e oo firms .s,‘,..norkt j a i t e ß i e whichl pthar accordingly r a d l i l n the gly as tte t r o great is the SeillenlCll a y v of in having gone anas inth that t t t t i l l i e ei t r )e f l o i r tn n a le n r h p a ri s c a " c . tua S ll o y been sent round for the purpose i of soliciting workmen.— Noitinghunt Review. r t ! . a l r:: " ..i , ? I , M s . : : f r : at :, : i t 1 ::: : 0 , d ; f i ,latf:nrl:l,:cienn s d i W o ii ig Che lich six He pats y OL the 1 th e itioll POI' from I s, n ;oga. frOni I.IIV ►da m Lt tho year