The Sun. — London, England, 1866-04-06 00:00:00

THE SON, LONDON, FRIDAY EVENiNG, APRIL 6, 1866, liberty. The health of Mr. Gladstone was drunk amid the most enthusiastic cheering. The whole auditory as sembled in the hall rose en masse, and for some minutes the cheering subsiding in the interior of the building was taken up by the populace without, and again and again renewed. Mr. GLADSTONE said—Mr. Rathbone and Gentle men—No adviser of the Crown and no representa tive of the people ever had occasion for deeper gratitude to a conspicuous portion of his fellow countrymen than on that occasion created by your conduct towards me personally in July last. (Hear.) You have added greatly on the present occasion to that debt which I have contracted towards you ; but I did not come here for the purpose of explain ing to you in wearisome detail the particulars of the sentinents with which your conduct has inspired me, for we have graver matters to consider. We have arrived at a critical point in the history of the nation, and I now address in you the largest con stituency of the country which has, perhaps more than any other, led the opinions—has led the policy of the last 30 glorious years. (Cheers.) I now address you at one of those moments at which it becomes us to review our position, and to consider not the past alone, but likewise the future of that country which we so love. (Cheers.) The period which has passed since I had the honour of meet ing you has not been wholly unfruitful in events ; on the contrary, the calm which has for a long time overspread the atmosphere of political affairs has been rudely dissipated by occurrences arising from more quarters than one, and we have been re minded by the many events, each of them of a serious and critical character, that we do not in the highest affairs and interests of the empire possess an immunity from disturbing causes ; on the con trary, from time to time we are prepared to see them arise, and look them manfully in the face. (Cheers.) Gentlemen, several of these causes have assumed a character of importance and pro minence within the last six or eight months that it would have been difficult to have anticipated at the time when I had the honour of meeting you for the briefest possible period a solicitor for your suffrages, and within the briefest possible period crowned with the honour of receiving them ; but the political state of affairs is so important at present, the position of those whom you specially represent—l mean the Liberalparty in South Lancashire—is of itself a ques tion so grave with respect to the future course of political affairs, that I must ask your patience while I advert briefly to circumstances. (Hear.) Since the month of July last we have had to encounter the painful question raised by that outbreak in Jamaica, which, when the first intelligence reached the coun try, cast a thrill of horror through the community. Ido not mean to say—on the contrary, I would say the very opposite—that there was no one who was prepared at once to form a deliberate and final judg ment upon it ; but, gentlemen, the nation did feel that the occasion which had arisen was one of the utmost gravity. The preservation of peace and order was in itself a fact not to be disposed of by vague and unsustained assumptions. It was one of those occasions when not on l y th e co l on i a l authorities of a particular island, and not only the Ministers whose business it was to superintend those colonial autho rities, who were on their trial before the mass of their countrymen, it was an occasion.whenEg n d herself was on her trial before thew or ld. Gentlemen' in those painful circumstances we did not hesitat e , but we endeavoured to support ourselves on the one side, and the other by our positive obligations to adopt those measures which were recommended by a full and conclusive investigation of thefacts. And, gentlemen, permit me to say that, so far as I am able to under-' stand the relative positions of the different civilised communities of Europe, I think that, alter all, the greatest of the advantages which we may claim to Possess is that everything which happens in this country or in the public in terest is sure to see the at. There is no power on earth, there is no power of the Government, there is no power of a Party, there i s no We live in times when public po wer of a class t hat can conceal facts of there is interest.graduallybeiauthority of Pu bli c . o p n in e b l u eo o t il un , formeda tribunal and confined, not an to the limits of any which try, however powe rful and however civili se d , said that, pervades the who le Christian world, and it hat, whatever be our merits, whatever be our faults, they are told plainly to the whole world. Well, gentlenien' presume during the brief period which must elapse before we receive the full result s of the I will not judicial in quiry which has been instituted i n J am not presume in any degree to dwell upon aie— I will their pro _ bable character, but I will venture to express a san guine anticipation that, not the Executive Go vern _ anent, but that the Parliament, and not only th e Parliament, but the people of this country, w i ll arrive at their conclusion upon these sad and pai n f u l, events with a full and a fair consideration of all that is due on the one hand to those in authority, and, that justice, and justice alone, and no respect to any foregone conclusion, will govern any party or any class among us in the final steps which may have to be taken with regard to the results of the inquiry ; and I do believe that, although in foreign countries when these calamitous occurrences became known there was the disposition to think that in England we should endeavour to cover the acts of those who wielded authority in the name of the Queen, I am Convinced that what has since taken place has shown Plainly to the world that no other consideration will govern the final determination of the State and people of this co t un ry with regard to the othreak in Jamaica ---- except those considerations by which we should be determined in the examination of any domestic question, whatever it may be. Well, gentlemen, besides these most deeply painful and most impor tant, but yet strictly local occurrences, we have had another strange, singular, a nd painful mani festation in the sister islan d. I advert now to that which is known by the name p h enomenon which, no doubt, e d f eri F ve e s tha i n ts ism fo ' rc a e from a foreign ag enc y and influence. But, gentle men w hen I say a f orei g n agency and influence, , to charge on the great tend, directly or indirectly, don't let it be f or one moment supposed that I in and m ighty people that inhabit the opposite shores of the Atlantic the responsibility, or any part of the responsibility, of that deplorable and calamitous manifestation. lam deeply assured that our brethren in America, that the mass of those who form public opinion in America, regard the proceedings of those unhappy persons with the same feeling of grief and the same judgment of condemnation with which you and I regard them. (Cheers.) It is but a sprinkling of persons in that great but gigantic community to whom these influences are owing. And, gentlemen, of these influences themselves what are we to say? It is impossible to contemplate them without the deepest pain. Acting upon those principles of genuine confession which lie at the root of public affairs in this country, we cannot hesitate to admit that this deplorable principle, this deplorable power, would never have come into existence had it not been for the record of past misgovernment and abuse. In the signs of providential retribution for the ills that we have endured, for the errors that we have com mitted, we derive these lessons, that in the future we must even more carefully than now endeavour to treat all our fellow-citizens—whether they be called Englishmen, Irishmen, or Scotchmen—uP°ll prin ciples of pure and equal justice--(cheers)—but that , in the meantime, we must, without hes itation, al though not without grief, use. every method, adopt every measure that may be neoessarY to maintain the authority of the land and to p reserve the peace of the country. And, gentlenaen, permit me to say, that notwithstanding thes e p ainful events, we have not been without reassuring symptoms. We have seen in Ireland, upon and unequivocal t h e occasion of this o utbreak of disaffection, suc h signs of union thy w ith the Government, pervading an d embracing ail opinions and all reli proofs of sYn 2 P a T ill venture to say never was seen before. all classes , &US, as I w ill (Cheers.) And to what have these improved symptoms been due? Why, without doubt, and without ques tion, to the conduct and temper which has guided the policy of this Government towards Ireland dur ing the last 30 years. Have we not in this state of facts the most marked encouragement to persevere in the fearless adoption of these principles, to cast aside every narrow and partial conception, to reno vate entirely all effort to make our fellow-citizens in Ireland conform in all particulars, whatever they may be, to the ideas which we think best for our selves ? These are lessons which we learn for the future. For the present it is our duty to administer with mercy, but firmness, the power of the law and to preserve the authority of the Crown over her Ma jesty's peaceful subjects. I think in what I have said I have not taken a one-sided view of the case, but have endeavoured to make due and full allow ance for those misguided men whose feelings of resentment to this country, founded upon the acts of other times, have led them into these deplorable proceedings. But, gentlemen, I cannot part from the subject without referring to one point in parti cular. We are told that Canada and New Bruns wick are threatened with fire and slaughter from the revenge of the Fenians for the wrongs inflicted by England upon Ireland ; and this I must say, that if the men of Canada and New Brunswick, who are wholly guiltless of these wrongs—be they what they may—who are not entangled in the controversy, who have no more to do with it than the people of the Sandwich Islands—if the Fenians, as they call themselves in America, are capable of the abomin able wickedness of passing their frontier and of making their impotent miserable attempts, which they will be —(cheers)—to carry desolation over these peaceful districts and among those harmless colonistS, then I say, that so far from your treating the conduct of these men—let them be Americans or whom they like--with allowance or indulgence, no more execrable manifestations of folly or guilt have ever been made in the annals of the human race from the time that it commenced its existence upon the earth. Men who are capable of such proceedings would at once by their insanity and their guilt place themselves entirely beyond the sympathy of the whole civilised world. (Loud cheers.) I feel the fullest confidence that these men who inhabit the provinces of British North America, who have proceeded from our loins, and who are governed by principles in the main our own, know well how to defend their homes, their wives, and children ; and if, unhappily, the need arose, there is no resource possessed by this country that she would not fairly spend to assist them in their holy work. (Cheers.) Gen tlemen, we have been greatly troubled in the House of Commons by one subject—a very sad one, one that I am afraid has caused you annoyance and loss, I mean the cattle plague. I don't intend to dwell v ery long upon that question. I cannot honestly say that it is one of the most satisfactory chapters in the history either of this or of any other Parlia ment. Great suffering has been inflicted by that visitation in special districts of the country. It has been my lot in Flintshire to witness some of the severity of that suffering, but I frankly own that I think that the excitement which pervaded the Par liamentary debates, and the sense which appeared to prevail in a considerable portion of the House of Commons of the overwhelming importance of the cattle plague as eclipsing every other subject of na tional interest, was in some trifling degree beyond the mark—(cheers and laughter)—but, however that may be, I trust that by degrees we may arrive at a fuller knowledge of the means by which that severe and serious visitation is to be encountered when it appears in one locality of this country or another. For the present retaining all my loyalty to the country in general, and Liverpool in parti cular, I would incline to pin my faith upon Aber deenshire. I hope there is some Aberdeenshire man present, but, whether there is or not, I am bound to record my opinion that the common sense and the self-governing energy of this country, indepen dently of all central action whatever, was during last autumn—l will not say exclusively manifested w eo as un c t e y rt o a f in A l b y erdeen, concentrated where t i h n e a la l n ar d —but was degree and g lo e rds farmers meeting together, and availing themselves of the power that had been granted by Orders in Council, met the cattle plague point b i ypo nt at every place where it came into tilt country, and as often as it came in turned it out again. (Hear, hear.) I humbly, earnestly recommend the starting of the Aberdeenshire plan, with whatever modifications may seem desirable, according to circumstances, ac cording to the merits of the particular locality, as being a really valuable and practical lessonof a most important character, which has been adopted with much beneficial effect in other portions of the coun try. These have been disturbing causes of a very serious character, but I must venture at the same time to state that the new Parliament chosen by the people of this country last summer does not 11 less competent than any of its appear at at a cessors to dispose of any question affecting the pub considerino- lic interests. lam glad to saythat, . met in Febru ary,how few weeks have elapsed since we progress has been made in the no inconsiderable work of unostentatious , but certainly beneficial, legislation. I will mention three instances during the last year. There was a transaction connected with a gentleman named Edmonds, on which I would pronounce no opinion, as his share in it is the subject of a • a; • J u —clal investigation which created considerable scandal and r a th er mythical person called John Bull ' • for it ap peared that there were many little rivulets of pu blic money with re gar d t • - o which no one was responsible, and none could tell whether they reached their desti nation at the Treasury or not. unsatis factory state of things, a ll a This was an that during the few wee k s of theam glad to tell you that pro vision has been made f or the esent session efficient and indepen dent audit of every branch of the Last year some astonishment and puhlic r evenue . dissatisfaction were caused by the disclosures of the of the law with respect to the ' pensions of legal and judicial persons, who it was found were:not:subject to rules of public control, and that in consequence considerable want of fair discretion prevailed in granting such pensions out of the revenue. I am glad to say that, with the full concurrence of the highest legal authority, an act has been passed which places the granting of such pensions under the same ' rules of control and superintendence as those which prevail in every branch of the civil service. A (more important progress, which might attract more general interest, has been achieved during the last few weeks of the present session. I refer to the passing of a measure which is called the Oaths Bill. By that measure, which we have sent to the House of Lords under circumstances fairer than any other after a century of controversy, all persons holding positions of political trust in either House of Parliament for civil purposes will be Wholly and individually released from the necessity of making any religious profession. I cannot but congratulate you on this most signal triumph that we have achieved. Mark the change of circumstances. This bill has gone to the House of Lords almost unop posed on the second reading, and only in committee by a futile amendment, which was rejected, and ion, the bill passed the third reading without any divis and now awaits discussion in the House of Lords ; and my belief is that the House of Lords will treat - u t h s a u t a ll b y i 1 l a p w p i li t h e s t thoe such u judgmenteh measures when discretion reaching w h i them h h t e m i w ith the decisive app roval of the House of Com moms. (Laughter an d cheers.) House f let us note this bill as a mark of progress in the past and a sign of encouragement for the future. In this bill the whole question which was so long contended for in the case of Jewish emancipation is at once decided by this bill ; the Roman Catholic oath is entirely removed. The Roman Catholics have long complained, and most justly, of this grievance, which placed a limit on the exercise of their indi vidual agency. This grievance has entirely vanished and become a thing of the past. This is the Act of the present year, but let me see how this matter has been treated in previous years. I give all credit to those who sit opposite to us for the manner in which they have proceeded this session. They did not endeavour to maim the bill more than they thought they had a prospect of successfully maim ing it. It is important in such matters to note the progress actually achieved ; the secularity of the Roman Catholic Oath has been entirely removed, and one common oath is to be taken by all mem bers of Parliament. Nine months ago Sir H. Cairns, one of the ablest members of the Opposition, its most accomplished legal organ, made a motion the effect of which was to retain all the peculiarities of that oath, and just before the dissolution of Parlia ment that solution was defeated by a majority of 14 or 16 only. A bill which was brought in by Mr. Monsell, who was then a private member, was sent up to the House of Lords, and it became almost im mortalised by the felicitous expressions of the high, distinguished, and justly celebrated leader of the Conservative party in the House of Lords, who said that, having got his Roman Catholic fellow-country men muzzled he was not the man to set them un muzzled. I don't quote the exact words beyond the singular word " muzzled," which is deeply impressed on all our memories, and :which I indeed recollect with a certain degree of gratitude. (Cheers and laughter.) I only refer to it in order to ask you to note the progress of one year, and to take encou ragement from that progress ; for when we are as sembled at this table in the interchange of our views and sentiments, and confirming each other in these views and sentiments, we are not engaged in an idle ceremony, but in one which is closely associated with the happiness and greatness of our country. In 1865 this bill was thrust out of the House of Lords somewhat contemptuonsly ; but we now see the change that has taken place in the short interval that has elapsed. I say that these are the signs of real progress and marked as the milestones on a road, and in counting up these political milestones you may take consolation from the past and hope and encouragement for the future. (Cheers.) I am bound to say frankly that I have been surprised my self at the facility with which the bill has progressed in Parliament—l frankly say I was not prepared for it ; I think that the obstacles might have been more serious, but in Parliament it often happens that measures are considered not only in connection with their own merits, but likewise in conneetioa with the merits, prospects, and chances of other measures impending—(cheers and laughter)—and it happened that a great subject is coming on which an important party means to rally all its strength, and exhaust all its powers of opposi tion ; it universally avoids, if it can, committing itself disadvantageously on other measures which may happen to precede it. (Cheers.) It is said that the works of good men follow them ; and therefore, in a certain sense, they may he said to do good after they are dead, but it is very seldom we can find a case of a man who is said to do good before he is barn. (Laughter.) Now, I claim that merit for the Electoral Franchise Bill. (Cheers.) The Electoral Franchise Bill did great good before it was born, inasmuch as it formed the passport to the second reading of the Oaths Bill. I trust you will not feel that there is any betrayal of confidence in any disclosures which I have made but I believe them to be of a practicable character, and not unworthy of the notice of the historian or the anatornist,if he chooses to examine the secret grooves by which conven tional and party Government is conducted; but the franchise bill has other aspects and other characters, in which it is highly requisite that we who sit in Parliament, and even you who sit out of Parliament, should consider it. I frankly o etA w fo it:thdhreteehismar importance ta o not hc e t e h f i n t k h t e h a i s t s w h e e s a w r e ili a at h a l l i t s u involves. fficientl y aware of the importance of the issues which it involves. The comparative yitou u dea narrownesssefththe the issues ei o sp f sru t e h es e se n p t ti r aa o at p ti y e a :: proposals s fa t tt e h n e d s presentLt iobeblind involved. a m vre e tdy n . in South Lancashire, I cannot for one moment hesitate to express Li a confident d i ooi e imnfndstpy: progress opinion oivgereistss w colour,thatith tendencies, years r d to this h taioshcomedimfortunes po rt t a h n e t measureti from o b u s ra e the l o p f ; a c C r t o itouymwr s w ma s e a f a n t d e i t t o in was t ro m du y ce du th ty at t m e ea ie su tr r o e d t u o ee th i e t with a total forgetfulness of every party interest, and by a rigid abstinence from any topic whi c h cou ld, by any P ssi bility, give a particle of offence. That abstinence was founded on a deep conviction of the importance of the sub ject, and upon a determination that if angry controversy was to arise, it should not be in consequence of what was done by me. (Cheers.) We have not paraded this measure as one of our stepping-stones to success, nor have we branded our countrymen who do not support it with contumely and reproval. We have been content to be dry, unimpassioned, and dull, rather than to light up flames the range of which we could neither limit nor foretel. (Cheers.) If there are gentlemen who hastily infer that on account of that studied calmness and tranquility of tone, the Government are not in earnest, 1 appeal to the character of my noble friend at the head of the Government, and to the honour and expe rience and the names of my colleagues. (Cheers.) I wish I could adequately convey to you what I feel to be the gravity of the issue. It is a proposition which ought to be commended in its moderation to all well-judging and dis passionate minds. As to the weight of authority the sub ject has been seven times solemnly recommended to the con sideration of Parliament by her Majesty. I will take the party with respect to which it might might most naturally be supposed they were free to withhold any such declara tion—l mean the party led Iby that most distinguished nobleman whom you all respect as a great Lancashire nobleman. (Laughter.) The Earl of Derby in 1858 on assuming Government declared his desire and willingness, —the willingness of a Government is the desire of a Go vernmer.t —to introduce a Reform Bill. He introduced it it was not satisfactory to a majority of the House of Com mons, he dissolved the Parliament. Upon the election of a new Parliament what did he do ? Did he retire from his declaration ? No. He said by the mouth of Mr. Disraeli, " I will do more than I have done. You censured me in the last Parliament for not reducing the borough franchise. lam ready to reduce the borough franchise." Is it pos sible to conceive anything more serious and grave in the face of this great community than such a state of facts ? Let us recollect the principle on which our Parliament is constituted. We have a limited constituency which ' amounts perhaps to 900,000. There are four and a half million of living and breathing men, citizens like ourselves payers of taxes like ourselves, bound to every civil duty like ourselves, fathers of families like ourselves, having an interest in the peace and order of the country like our selves, and in the face of these men these solemn pledges have been given, which pledges there are men who advise you to cast away with scorn to the winds of heaven. You will take no such course. (Cheers.) At all events, I humbly presume to say for myself, for my col leagues who are present, and for my colleagues who are absent, we will not take any such course. (Loud cheering.) We are like travellers who have come to a place where two ways meet our mind is made up to take one way, lot those who choose it take the other. (Cheers.) We are not willing, and no consideration can make us willing, to sub ject the Parliament, the Throne, and the institutions of this country to a renewal and an accumulation of that dis credit which they have already incurred from the miscar riage attending the history of this question of Parliamen tary Reform. We are met with an allegation which, if it be true, is perfectly sufficient for its purpose i its purpose is to overthrow not only the bill of the Government, not only the Government with its bill, but to overthrow the whole subject of Reform in the sense of the extension of the franchise—l mean the allegation which was so man fully made by Mr. Lowe. (Laughter, and cries of "Oh! oh!") He has a kind of mania on this particular subject ; but I firmly believe that Mr. Lowe is entirely honest in his opinion, ("No, no !") Let us see what his opinions are. He was understood in the House of Commons a few nights ago to have delivered this opinion—that the labouring classes of this country were totally unfit to be intrusted to any greater extent than at present with the electoral franchise. Those of the labouring classes who now pos sess the franchise wore conspicuous for three remarkable virtues. Their virtues were—ignorance, drunkenness, venality, and violence. There is a singular parallel to .his quadripartite description of the virtues of the labouring classes. The ancient philosopher held that there were four cardinal virtues, which together made up the character of the perfectly virtuous man—wisdom, temperance, justice, and fortitude. Let us contrast them with the description of Mr. Lowe. -The cardinal virtue of wisdom is represented by ignorance, the cardinal virtue of justice is represented by venality, the cardinal virtue of temperance is represented by drunkenness, and, lastly, the cardinal virtue of fortitude is represented by vio. lence. (Cheers.) But, gentlemen, as I was leaving London this morning II had the advantage of reading a corres pondence, which, perhaps, you have read, between Mr. Lowe and his independent constituency of Caine. I am almost tempted to propose an interruption in the order of toasts, and drink a health to Mr. Bishop and the indepen dent electors of Caine. (Laughter.) Don't laugh at this. They represent a really respectable portion of that consti tuency. Mr. Bishop challenges Mr. Lowe on his sweeping condemnation of the working classes, and I was so struck with Mr. Lowe's answer that I risked losing the train in order to copy it out. Mr. Lowe is the real leader of the Opposition. Mr. Disraeli has been exceedingly prudent, and no member of the Opposition has been allowed to speak except the most ungovernable and a few exuberant spirits from Ireland, but on the whole the Opposition have been reserved, because they have found on the Liberal side men ready to express sentiments more violent than they them selves were ready to give utterance to. Not one has told us what he thinks of the character of the working classes of the country. In a letter in the Times to-day, Mr. Lowe says, "I entirely agree with you, gentlemen, as to the pos session by large numbers of the masses of my fellow work ing countrymen of great prudence, self-reliance, and per severance, and, indeed, of many other qualities to which we owe the present position of England among the nations of the world." That is a very satisfactory admission, but it draws a singular picture. It states that the labouring classes who, we are told are ignorant, venal, drunken, and violent, have among them men of self-reliance and perseverance to whom England owes her present position among the nations of the world. There is an implication there that the franchise exercises a very corrupt inflaence over the unenfrancbised labouring man, and that to the u nenfranchised England owes the virtues which have given her station in the world. I find in Mr. Lowe's letter, after representing the vices of the working men, this extraordinary passage :—" I should consider it very unfair to the working men who have already achieved this honourable distinction to mix them up with others who may not have exercised the same pru dence and self-denial ;" that is to say, that they are brought out of the same category of the virtuous man whom Mr. Lowe, in the exercise of Lis judgment, describes as ignorant, drunken, venal, and violent. Is that allegation true ? What is the alternative ? Perhaps some of you have seen a notice that on Thursday, the 12th of April, when it will be my duty to move the second reading of the 'bill in the House of Commons—(loud cheering) —a motion is to be made which declares—it is not important what it declares—no man cares what it declares—l don't suppose any man knows what it declares. (Laughter.) It is not what it declares, but what it does not declare, that is the real question. It says something about intense anxiety to know what is the whole intention of the Government, as if we, without furtherreference to Parliament, were to settle the question of the representation of the people. But what it really means is this. There are few who have the courage of Mr. Lowe—courage for which I honour him, courage for which I greatly honour him, till I read his letter. There are are few men who can be induced to stand up in the House of Commons and speak in that way. The meaning of the motion is this—"We don't know how to get rid of it by direct means, and therefore we will resort to indirect means." Yet in that motion it has been thought prudent to insert a consolatory parenthesis. It says, "That this house"—l don't believe that this house will say any thing of the kind— (cheers)—" that this house, while ready to consider with a view to its settlement the question of Parliamentary representation." Gentlemen, how often do you usually in business transactions allow a man to renew a bill. (Laughter.) The measure has been considered by five Governments, and been mentioned in seven Queen's Speeches. The question now is, Is there a serious propo sal? All we can do is to step ourselves upon it. The matter will rest with the country. Whatever word we can speak,whatever act we can do, is solemnly pledged.and long ago. It rests with that public of which you form an im portant part to determine what shall be the issue. We call upon you to say whether you are satisfied with thisattempt for the seventh or eighth time to put off that which I shall best describe in Liverpool as a mere renewal of a bill. (Cheers.) But, gentlemen, this is a serious matter. 1 frankly say that during the 34 years thathave elapsed since the Reform 4.cf, the proceedings of the various Parlia ments by which you have been represented have been in general most honourable to their good faith, patriotism, and energy, but there is one dark spot on the record. I do not say on whom the blame rests. I may myself de serve a share in it which Ido not disclaim. There is, I say, one dark spot on the record, and that history will not fail to note, and will say that Parliament, which behaved well in all other things, was below its duties and its pledges with respect to Parliamentary Reform. The moderation of the proposal which we have made (for moderate we conceive it to be) was intended in the first instance to se cure these primary objects, to disarm honest misapprehen sion, and without reference to party interests to close a question which, if longer kept open, will become full of clangor—how full of danger we have had during the last tow days a familiar illustration. Until within the last few days it was the fashion to say that the whole country cared nothing for the bill. Within the last few days a gentle man—l cannot call him a wise man, but I will call him the next thing to it, a wiseacre—(laughter)—he was a special constable in 1848, but I hope that the country had special constables on that occasion of greater nerve, for he is ac tually calling out for protection to members of Parliament in order that they may go down to the house and give their votes free from intimidation. There is no pleasing them; they pass from one extreme to another with a rapidity which cannot be described ; but there is this truth in the matter, that the danger of stirring up from the depth of the slough of reproach has been left to others. We ourselves have but one duty to perform, having to abide by our programme, and to shrink from no responsibility which the demands of the country make legitimate. To do that is our only rule of action—namely, to make the success of this measure our whole and sole object, and so proposing it to ourselves to leave the issue of the cause in the hands of the great British public. (Loud and general cheering, in the midst of which the right hon, gentleman resumed his seat.) The next toast was " The House of Lords," to which the Duke of ARGYLL responded. lie observed that the House of Lords had never stood higher in the respect of the public than it did at the present moment, and he was convinced that in dealing with the Reform Bill of the Go vernment, of which he made an elaborate defence, the House of Lords would give it a calm and dispassionate consideration, and place themselves still higher in the esteem and admiration of their fellow-countrymen. The next toast was that of " The House of Commons." Mr. GOSCREN, in responding, said—After the speeches made, and the wishes expressed, I take your kindness to mean that you take an interest in the improvement of the House of Commons rather than that you are satisfied with its condition, and that you are anxious that its as sembly should be as representative as possible. I take it to be a constituted principle that it is by representation, and by that alone, that we can determine what good go vernment is. It is unconstitutional to lay down the doc trine that the country should be made happy in our way and not in its own way. (Cheers.) No section of the country has a right to force down its own idea on the sub ject, and if the country will stand or fall by its represen tative institutions, it is our bounden duty, unless we desire to change the character of our institutions and to leave the interpretation of happiness to enlightened theorists, to make the Government of the country as representative as possible. This is our principle, and this is our answer to the question they put as it was difficult to answer—" Why do you teach Reform at all ?" Well, the Chancellor of the Exchequer has touched on the question, but we are scarcely bound to answer the question, because those on the other side, we are told, were pledged over and again to the ques tion of Reform. (Laughter, applause, and " Hear, hear.") And now, gentlemen, having been converted on the Reform question, they call on us to show why we are not converted too ? (Laughter.) But there is another tack they take ; they say the House is hypocritical and not sincere on the subject. That is a favourite line of argument they take. Mr. Lowe challenged those who did not believe in Reform to throw down their false colours and do their duty to their country by breaking their pledge to their constituents. Well, that was very appropriate, because it was before the new elec tion, and before the renewal of the pledges ; but now that Parliament has sat seven weeks, and not seven years, for any one to come to the House of Commons and say " Your pledges are insecure and hypocritical, and you should listen to me," is a piece of political seduction of the most extraor dinary character, and on an extraordinary scale. (Cheers.) Well, not all are pledgedtoßeform ; this new section touches all Reform Bills, including Lord Derby's. I don't say Mr. Lowe is acting with the Conservative party ; because I don't see how he can do so, for he told us only a few days ago that he was against all religious tests whatever. How then, bravely and honestly, can he join a party which which strains every nerve to retain and perpetuate these tests ? (Cheers.) Surely, in a country proud of its instita tions, we may hold fast to the principle that there are advan tages to be derived from broadening the basis and deepen ing the foundations of the Constitution beyond those to be derived from any paternal legislation, however benevolent We may be silent on the question of justice and right. We may fall in with the whim of those who call it senti mental rant to speak warmly of the working classes, hut for whom no extravagance of expression is too wild in speak ing of the British lion. (Laughter.) We may be silent as regards the anti-democratic character of the working classes, and the claims they may have to the franchise. I believe that widening the electoral basis Will give Parlia ment a greater hold over the country, and that the ques tion may be argued on the grounds of expediency alone, for the strength of the Government depends on the faith which it inspires in the people. (Cheers.) I believe that a broade r electoral basis will create additional support to the foreign policy of the country by making a larger portion of the na tion parties to the adoption of that policy, and in all time of doubt increasing the guarantee that the action of Par liament will be in harmony with the sympathies of the great body of the people. I believe that a broader electoral basis will strengthen the efforts of Parliament on behalf of edu cation, and overcome the difficulties with which that ques tion is now surrounded. The greatest danger in this coun try is not that classes should make war on each other, but that they should be ignorant of each other, deficient in sympathy and in that confidence which is engendered by the joint discussion of separate interests. There was a time when the upper classes were ignorant of the middle classes, and when there was a great gulf between land and trade. That ignorance was removed, that gulf was bridged over by the firstßeform Bill in 1832. Should this bill become law Earl Russell will be able to say at the close of his illustrious career—" I began my work by building a bridge to span the gulf which separated trade from land. I have ended my work by building a bridge to unite labour with both." SPORTING INTELLIGENCE. NEWMARKET CRAVEN MEETING—THURSDAY , With finer weather than on any of the previous days o. the week, although a smart shower fell during the after noon, the racing of to-day was pleasant, and its character more important than oven on Tuesday (the Handicap day). The attendance was very good, and a deal of speculation rendered the various events particularly interesting. Racing commenced at one o'clock with a Sweepstakes over the Criterion Course for three-year-olds ; but of the five sub-. scribers only two animals went to the post—King Hal being so strongly fancied, from the immense form of the Dane bury stable, that 2 to 1 was freely laid on the Marquis of Hastings's colt, but the odds were as freely accepted by the fielders, who imagined that if it came to a struggle Bertie would prove the gamest. These anticipations, however, were not realised; for the latter, when called upon for a final struggle, shut up in a very cowardly manner. The principal race of the week, the seventh Newmarket Bien nial Stakes, was contested for by 11 of the 12 " coloured " on the card, the presence of The Duke, Sydmonton, and Archimedes investing it with more than ordinary interest. But even in the face of such formidable antagonists The Duke was a Very hot favourite, level money being accepted immediately the betting opened ; nor were his followers daunted by the demand for odds, and large sums were in vested at 5t04 on him. It will be soon that the race was never in doubt, as The Duke, pulling over his opponents all the way, cut down Sydmonton, the only horse who made the show of a fight, in the easiest manner, and won by two lengths. Lord Glasgow's popular colours were carried triumphantly past the post in The Sweepstakes over the Rowley Mile, by a colt by brother to Bird on the Wing, out of Rapid Rhone's dam, and the success of the " crimson and white " attracted the attention of backers to his lordship's chance in the Two Thousand, and the Maid of Masham colt, stable companion of the winner, would have been backed for The Guineas at 25 to 1, but 20 to 1 was the highest offer. The invincible Gladiateur walked over for the Claret Stakes, and concluded a pleasant day's racing, full particulars of which are appended. During the afternoon Augusto was backed for the Two Thousand at 1,000 to 80, and the Derby at 1,000 to 40, but immediately the racing concluded, a decidedly hostile movement was observable, 1,000 to 70 for the first event, and 1,000 to 30 for the Derby being freely offered against the stable com panion of Gladiateur. The following are the returns : Sweepstakes of 50 sovs each, h ft, for 3-year-olds ; colts, Bst 10lb ; fillies, Bst 61b ; winners extra. Criterion course (6 furlongs). 5 subs. Marquis of Hastings's King Hal, Bst 131 b (inc. 31b ex.) (Cannon) 1 Mr. H. Chaplin's Bertie, Bst 131 b (inc. 31b ex.) (Custance) 2 Betting-2 to lon King Hal, who waited on Bertie to half way up the rails, when the favourite, who ran very unkindly, quitted Bertie (who also ran ungenerously at the finish), and won by two lengths. The Seventh Newmarket Biennial Stakes of 10 sovs each, with 100 added, for four-yr-olds ; colts, Bst 10lb ; fillies, Bst 61b ; with certain penalties and allowances. D. I. (2 miles 105 yards). 79 subs. Marquis of Hastings's The Duke, Bst 101 b (Cannon) 1 Lord Portsmouth's Sydmonton Bst 101 b (Wells) '2 Mr. F. Pryor's Friday, Bst 10 11 ; (Custance) 3 The following also ran : —King Charming, Ostreger, Advance, Argencos, Love Apple, Haarlem, Archimedes, and Alexandra. Betting-3 to 4on The Duke, sto 1 agst Archimedes, 6 to 1 agst Sydmonton, 10 to 1 agst Friday, 100 to 6 agst Love Apple, and 100 to 5 agst Ostreger. Upon the lot being despatched Advance, Archimedes, Friday, and Syd monton showed the way, with a slight advantage of The Duke, who, in the centre of the course, headed the others. The pace being slow, the lot, with the exception of Alex andra, who dropped into the rear in the first 200 yards, kept close order to the turn of the lands, where Archimedes disappeared from the front, and The Duke, mending the pace, ran along side of Sydmonton. In the next 20Q yards Advance, who had been leading, suddenly retired, leaving Lord Portsmouth's horse in command, attended by The Duke and Friday till after entering the rails, when Cannon let out the favourite, who at once took the lead, which he retained to the end, and won easily by two lengths ; Friday a bad third ; Love Apple, many lengths off, fourth; King Charming, Ostreger, and Archimedes, at wide intervals, next ; Haarlem and Alexandra, beaten off, walked in. The Abingdon Stakes of 40 sovs each, h ft, for two-yr-old fillies, Bst 101 b each ; with certain penalties and allow ances. Last half of Ab M. 12 subs. Mr. Pardee's Fair Weather, Bst 71b (Loates) 1 Mr J. Woolcott's Blush Rose, Bst 71b (Challoner) 2 Mr. Chaplin's Problem, 9st 11 1 3 (inc 51b ex) ...(Custance) 3 Betting-5 to 4 agst Fair Weather, 11 to 8 agst Problem, and 4to 1 agst Blush Rose. The latter jumped off in front, followed by Problem with Fair Weather, who ran I very green in the rear. After proceeding about half tho distance, the three took close order, but on entering the cords Problem gave way, and a fine race home ended in favour of Fair Weather by a neck, Blush Rose defeating Problem by a similar distance for second place. Handicap Plate of 50 sovs, for three-yr-olds and upwards. A.P. (1 mile 2 furlongs 73 yards). Baron Rothschild's Guinivere, 4 yrs, 7st 71b (Peako) 1 Mr. Hughes's Melinda, 3 yrs, Est 41b (Huxtable 2 Mr. T. Stephenson's Jolly Jack, 3 yrs, sst 121 b (Gibbons 3 The following also ran : —The Lizard, La Dauphine, Duplicity, Royal Tartan, and Tambourine. Betting-7 to 4 agst Guinivere, sto 1 agst Royal Tartan, and 100 to 15 (at first sto 2) agst Tambourine. The favourite made play throughout, and won in a canter by four lengths ; Jolly Jack a bad third ; Tambourine and La Dauphine next. Sweepstakes of 50 sovs each, for three-yr-olds ; colts, Bst 101 b ; fillies, Bst 51b ; with penalties-and maiden allow ances. R.M. (1 mile 17 yards). 5 subs. Lord Glasgow's Rapid Rhone's dam c, Bst 51b(Challoner) 1 Prince D. Soltykoff's Duke of York, Bst 51b...(.1. Mann) 2 Mr. W. Morris's Ambition, Bst 51b (J. Daley) 3 Betting—Even on Ambition, and 7 to 4 agst Rapid Rhone' dam's c, who made all the running, and won easily by three lengths. Ambition beaten off. Sweepstakes of 25 soya each, for for two-yr-olds ; colts, Bst 71b ; fillies, Bst 51b. Last half of Rowley Mile. 5 subs. Mr. F. Pryor's Verulam, Bst 71b (Loates) 1 Prince D. Sotykoff's Bounceaway, Bst 71b (J. Mann) 2 Betting opened at 6 to 5 agst, but closed at 6 to 5 on, Verulam, who waited on Bounceaway till within a distance of the chair, when he got his head in front and won a good race by half a length. Subscription Plate of 50 sovs, for three-yr-olds and upwards; weights for age, with selling allowances. D.M. 7 fur. 210 yards. Mr. York's Kingmaker, 3 yrs, Est 121 b, £l5O (H. Covey) 1 Mr. Perry's Hollyfox, 5 yrs, 9st 41b, £3OO (Loates) 2 Mr. S. Thelluson's Lord Douglas, 5 yrs, Bst 101 b, £l5O (Deacon) 3 The following also ran :--Catalogue, lona, War Cloud, and Whalebone. Betting-6 to 4on Kingmaker, sto 2 agst Whalebone, and 10 to 1 bar two. Kingmaker and Hollyfoxlay in front throughout, the former winning in a canter by five lengths; Hollyfox (who ran very unkindly at the finish, and swerved across the course) defeated Lord Douglas by a head for second place. Whalebone was fourth, War Cloud next, lona beaten off. Sweepstakes of 100 sovs each, h ft, for three-yr-olds ; colts, Bst 101 b ; fillies, Bst 61b. D.M. 7 furlongs 210 yards. 6 subs. Mr. Merry's The Primate, Bst 101 b (l3. Covey) w.o. The Aske Produce Stakes of 50 sovs each, h ft, for three yr-olds; colts, Bst 101 b ; fillies, Bst 71b ; certaii allow ances. D.M. 7 furlongs 210 yards. 3 subs. Mr. Savile's Leybourne, Bst 101 b (Custance) w.o. The Claret Stakes of 200 sovs each, h ft, for four-yr-olds; colts, Bst 101 b ; fillies, Bst 51b ; the owner of the second to save his stake. D.I. 2 miles 105 yards. 7 subs. Count F. de Lagrange's Gladiateur, Bst 101 b (11. Grimshaw) w.o. Lord Stamford's Archimedes saved his stake. CAT TERICK-BRIDGE RACES.-THURSDAY The Craven Handicap of 5 sous each, with 30 added. One mile. Pedant (late Alumnus), 3 yrs, 7st 131 b (J. Snowdon 1 Vagrant, 4 yrs, 9st 41b (Bates 2 Arabia, 4 yrs, Bst 81b (W Oram 3 Dart, 3 yrs, Bst (Whiteley 4 Ceres, 4 yrs, Bst 21b (NV Martin) 5 Betting-6 to 4 agst Vagrant, 4to 1 agst Dart, sto 1 agst Pedant, 6 to 1 agst Arabia, and 8 to 1 agst Ceres. Won by three lengths ; a length between second and third ; a bad fourth. The Eighteenth Easby Triennial Produce Stakes of 10 WY'S etc 4, far two-yr-olds— wits, Bst 101 b ; fillies, Bet Betting-6 to 4 agst Pedant, 3to 1 agst Festival, 4to 1 agst Deerhound, 6 to 1 agst Bachelor, 10 to 1 agst The Count. Won by a length ; a bad third. Deerhound throw her rider. The Sixteenth Triennial Produce Stakes of 10 sovs each, for 4-yr-olds ; colts Bst 101 b, fillies Bst 61b. Two miles. Eight subs. Lord Zetland's St. Magnus, Bst 101 b ...(J. Snowden) w. o. YORK SPRING MEETING—MAY 10. Acceptances for the Great Northern Handicap of 200 sovs. in specie, added to a sweepstakes of 20 sovs each. Two miles, over the Old Course. Age st lb Regalia ... .., 4 9 0 C arab u s can • .. • 5 8 12 Brown Bread ... 4 8 9 Cathedral ... ... 5 8 7 Moulsey ... ... 5 8 7 East Lancashire ... 5 8 4 Windham ... ... 5 8 3 Raglan ... ... 67 13 Buckfoot ... ... 5 7 12 Friday... ... 47 1 Friday ......4 7 11 0 Lion Salpinctes ... ... 4 710 Dalby ... ... 57 10 Redcap ... ... 5 7 9 Success ... ... 4 7 6 Age st lb Zenobia ... 4 6 9 St. Magnus 4 6 8 Esca 3 6 6 Treasure Trove ... 3 6 5 Dubiety 4 6 4 S taghound 3 6 2 Aldcroft ... 3 6 0 Miss Haworth ... 3 6 0 Fitzroy ... 3 6 0 The Czar ... ... 3 6 0 Miss Williams 3 5 13 Cranmore 3 5 12 Savernake, by Van Galen—Vacuna... 3 5 12 Hawks well ... 3 5 11 El Cid 3 5 7 Dolan 3 5 7 Duty Free... 3 5 7 BlackPrince(J.Day) 3 5 7 Dark Agnes 3 5 7 Harry Brailsford 4 7 5 Pintail 5 7 4 Watehbox 4 7 2 Bra(lainante ... 5 7 2 Ghillie Callum ... 5 7 0 IORSES STRUCK OUT OF THEIR ENGAGE, MENTS. March 30, at 9 a.m., Robin Hood and Pas de Charge, out of 3-yr-old Biennial, Newmarket. • March 31, at 9 a.m., Contraband, Lord of Eltham, and Chesterfield, out of 7th Biennial, Newmarket. March 31, after 6 p.m., Harefield, out of New market Handicap. April 1, at 5 55 p.m., Beatrix and Alerte, out of all engagements. April 2, at 8 p.m., Mazeppa, out of 3-yr-old Biennial, Newmarket. April 3, at 9 a.m., all Mr. F. Watt's horses, out of Catterick engagements. April 3, at 9 a.m., Dutchman, out of Grand Na tional Steeplechase. April 3, at 11 15 a.m., Wild Agnes, out of her en gagements in the Craven Meeting. April 3, at 12 30 p.m., Bigote, out of City and Suburban. --- - April 3, at 12 30 p.m., Whalebone, out of New market handicap. April 3, at 12 30 p.m., Fitzroy, out of Newmarket Two-yr-old Plate. April 3, at 12 30 p.m., Vandunck, out of all en gagements. April 4, at 10 15 a.m., Roland, out of Prince of Wales's Stakes, Newmarket Ist Spring Meeting anC City and Suburban, Epsom Spring. April 5, at 2 18 p.m., Turnham Green, out of en gagements at Crewkerne. Reform Banquet to Mr. Gladstone. ------0- -- LIVERrooL, Th urs d a y Night. The South Lancashire Liberal Legislation So ciety gave a gr and banquet to th e Chancellor of the Exchequer in the Philharmonic -hall. Mr. W. Rathbone, jun., in the absence of Mr. Pemberton Heywood, the president of the society, occupied the chair, supported on his right by the Chancellor of the Exchequer, and on his left by the Duke of Argyll, Lord C. Paget, M.P., Mr. Goschen, M.P. Among the other guests were Mr. Bazley, M.P. ; Mr. H. Grenfell, M.P. ; Mr. E. Potter, M.P. ; Mr. W. Ewart, M.P. ; Dr. Temple, Sir T. Birch, Sir John Jones, Messrs. R. Gladstone, T. B. Potter, M.P., J . C. Ewart, 0. Heywood, B. H. Jones, H. Mason, T. Brocklebank, Hornby, G. Wilson, J. Hey wood, W. Blundell, L. Jeffrey, Woodruff, J. R. Jeffrey, Beloe, Bowring, Hallewell, Musgrove, J. Lancaster, J. Kirkpatrick, Col. M,Corquodale, P. Reynolds, W. Pilkington, H. Beacon, &c. Covers were laid for 600 guests, and the stalls and galleries of the spacious and elegant hall were filled with ladies, who added much to the splendour of the scene. The Chancellor of the Exchequer, on en tering the room with the other guests, was most enthusiastically received ; and Mrs. Gladstone, who was escorted by Mr. G. Melley, also met with a most cordial reception. The arrangements were most excellently carried out. The usual loyal toasts having been given, The CHAIRMAN proposed "The Clergy," and c oupled with the toast the name of Dr. Temple, of Rugby, which was received with enthusiasm. Dr. TEMPLE said that religion and politics were not so divided in this country that an humble ex- ' pression of opinion on behalf of religious freedom could not be uttered at a political meeting. The past was enough to prove that religion had never progressed towards anarchy, and every progress in religious freedom had been found to conduce to more earnest religious truth. (Cheers.) The CHAIRMAN next gave " The Army and Navy," which was responded to by Lord C. PAGET, who r eferred to the near approach of the day when he should cease to be a political character, and become simply an officer in her Majesty's service. In retir ing he hoped he might be allowed to say that the statesman they had that night assembled to honour was one to whom the navy owed a deep debt of gra titude, every benefit the service had received for the last seven years being mainly due to Mr. Gladstone. (Loud cheers.) Sir J. JONES responded on behalf of the army, and Col. APCORQUODALE on behalf of the volunteers. The CHAIRMAN then proposed the toast of the 1 evening, " The Health of our Distinguished Towns man and Political Leader, the Right Hon. W. E. Gladstone." In so doing he briefly reviewed the eminent services of the right hon. gentleman in promoting political, religious, and commercial 61b ; penalties and allowances• Four furlongs 147 yards 10 subs, 6) 1 Lord Zetland's Bumblekite, Bst 31b (J. Snowden) 2 Mr. Bowes's Rondinella, Bst 31b (W. Oram) 3 Mr. Watson's Maid of Team Valley filly, Bst Gib (Carroll) 4 Mr. Gordon's Bracken, Bst 51b .. (Morris _____ vde Betting-7 to 4on Bracken, and 4to 1 agst Bumblekito. Won by a length ; a bad third. The Milbank Stakes (Handicap) of 10 sous each, with 100 added ; winners extra. One mile and a half. 16 subs. _ _ Mr. Masterman's Lozenge, 4 yrs, Bst 121 b (Dickson) 1 Mr. Metcalfe's Savernake, 3 yrs, Est 121 b (Cameron) 2 Lord Exeter's Hobe, 3 yrs, 6st 71b (Dunbar) 3 Mr. Hart's Minnette, 4 yrs, 7st 41b (Lawrence) 4 The following also ran:—Lady of Coverdale, Gayous, Bonaparte, Douro, Three per Cent., Claros, Jura, and Antique. Betting-3 to 1 agst Minnette, 6to 1 agst Lozenge, 7to 1 each agst Lady of Coverdale, Bonaparte, and Three per Cent., and 10 to 1 agst Jura. Won by a length ; four lengths between second and third ; half a length between third and fourth. The Seventeenth Easby Triennial Produce Stakes of 10 sovs each, for three-yr-olds ; colts, Bst 101 b ; fillies, Bst 61b ; penalties and allowances. 4 furlongs 147 yards. 10 subs. Lord Zetland's El Cid, Bst 101 b (J. Snowden) 1 Mr. Bowes's War, Bst 51 b (W. Oram 2 Mr. Temperley's Bob Chambers, Bst 131 b (Morris 3 Betting-11 to 10 agst War, and sto 4 agst El Cid. Won by three-quarters of a length ; a bad third. The Bedale Hunt Stakes of 3 sovs each, with 50 added; weight for age, &c. ; gentlemen riders. 2 miles. 36 subs. 1 Mr. Milbank's Comus, 6 yrs, 13 st 21 b...(Mr. R. I'Anso n 1 Mr. Calder's Marksman, 5 yrs , 12 st 71 b (Mr. C. Boynton 2 Mr. Thompson's Bandana, 5 yrs, list 101 b (Owner 3 Mr. Cholmly's My Friend, 5 yrs, list 101 b (Mr. Leighton 4 The following also ran :—Barrister, Barometer, Charley, Neville, West Shafto, Lady Holbeck, Southern Cross, and Cragsman. Betting-5 to lon Marksman, 10 to 1 each agst Crags man and Comus. Won by half a length ; five lengths be tween second and third; a neck between third and fourth. A Sweepstakes of 25 sovs each, for 2-yr-olds ; colts Bst 101 b, fillies Bst 71b. Four furlongs 147 yards. Mr. Osborne's Rap, Bst 101 b (J. Osborne) i 1 I Mr. Osborne's Miss Lawson, B st 71 b (Whiteley 2 Mr. Brigs's Armlet, B st 101 b (Morris 3 Betting-6 to 4on Armlet. Won by half a length; bad third. The Bainesso Plate (handicap) of 50 sovs. Four fourlongs 147 yards. Pedant (late Alumnus), 3 yrs, ist 81b (inc. 71b ex.)(Carroll) 1 Bachelor, 3 yrs, Gst 81b • . (Cameron) ) 2 The Count, 5 yrs, 7st 31b (Dunbar 3 Festival and Deerhound also ran. PEDESTRIANISM. BROMP T ON. GERMAIN, OF BILLINGSGATE, AND H. B. Pursuant to articles these men had to contend at a level 120 yards ; for £lO, 15 minutes being allowed. At the third attempt they got off, Germain with a slight start, which he held up to 50 yards from home. Hard HB. came to the front, and won a good rac e b y a yard and a half. Mr. H. Woodstock, of Bell's Life, referee. ST. PAUL'S SCHOOL. The annual sports of this school took place yesterday at the West London Cricket-ground, under direction of Rev. E. T. Hudson, M.A., and having for judges the Rev. J. W. Shepard, M.A., and the Rev. J. H. Lupton, M.A. The day's proceedings wore of a very inreresting character, and the spirited manner in which the several races were contested was a subject of general remark. The sports were in two divisions, for boys of 13 and under, and for those above that age. The Flat Race of 100 Yards, Age under 13.—There were nine who started for this race ; Wood, however, won by one yard and a hal f, beatin g Williams, who was' second, the time being 13 secs. Flat Race of 100 Yards, over 16.—This was divided into two heats and a final, the first being won by Kemp by six yards ; Peck second. Second Heat.—Seaman won by a foot ; Reynoll a good second. t Final Heat.—Seaman and Kemp.—An even start was effected, hut Seaman, who took the lead 50 yards from home, won by 2/ yards. Time, 121. High Jump.—Age from 13 to 16. -This was won by G. Bell, who cleared 4 feet 1/ inches, beating five others. Flat Race, One Mile. Open.—There were seven who started for this race. Russell, who got the start, led till _.,. ~.. within 70 yards from home, when Mills, who had hitherfo remained second, put on a terrific spurt, and won a good race by 20 yards ; Russell second. Time, 5 min. 23 secs. High Jump.—Age under 13.—Lancaster won by jump- ing 3 feet ; Steele second, 2 ft. 10 in. Throwing the Cricket-ball.---Age over 16.—Peck won by throwing it 72 yds 11 in. ; Mills second, at 72 yds. 1 in. Flat Race, 100 Yards.—Age from 13 to 16.—This was also divided into two heats and a final, the first of which was won by Cowie, who came in first by half a yard; Lacey second. Second Heat.—Afterone falso start they got off evenly, but L. - White won by one yard ; Russell second. Time 13sec. Final Heat.—L. White and Cowie now came to run off for the prize, when the former won by 21 yards. Time, 11 sec. • High jump.—Age over 16 : —This was won byMills,who succeeded in clearing 4 ft. 4 in.; Povah second, at 4ft. 2 in. Flat Race of 440 Yards.—Ago 13 to 16.—There wore nine , who contested for this race, and after ono false start they got away evenly, and a good race ended in Russell winning by eight or nine yards ; L. White second. Time, 1 min. 8 sec. Long Jump.—Ago over IG.—Mills was the winner of this prize by jumping 13 ft. 6 in. ; Seaman second, at 13 ft. Throwing the Cricket Ball.—Age 13 to 16.—Lacey won by a throw of 57 ft. 10 in. Flat Race of 440 Yards.—Age over 16.—Only three started for this affair, and after a good race Peck was the winner by three yards; Townsend second. Time, 1 min. 4 sec. Long Jump.—Age 13 to 16.—L. White was the winner by clearing 12ft., beating five others. Kicking the Football.—Kelly was the winner by kicking the ball 36 yards 1 foot. Hurdle Race, Open, over 6 Plights.—Eight out of 12 contended for the prize, when Mills was the winner by 6 yards, Kelly second, and Peck third, L. White falling over the sth hurdle. Consolation Race of 100 Yards, age under ls.—West won by six yards, Tcbbitt second, and Macarty a good third. Time, H sec. Consolation Race of 200 Yards, age over 15.—Kempwon by 6 yards, Iteynell second. Time, 24 sec. Strangers' Race of 440 Yards.—Black won easily,White second, Kemp third, Simon crying a go at half the distance. Time, 1 min. ~-;~• THE INTERNATIONAL SCULLING MATCH. This affair is beginning to assume a more definite cha racter, and our American cousins are taking the matter up with a befitting spirit of national pride on the part of their hero. The Clipper, of March 21, says :—" The articles have been forwarded for Kelley's signature, and so soon as the final stakeholder is agreed upon, they will forward the specie in their hands." The Clipper anticipated the articles reaching Kelley on April 1, and considers " there will be time enough for them to be returned, either with or with out Kelley's objections, before, the time that Hamill pro poses to embark for England, so tiat the latter can govern himself accordingly if Kelley should raise objections that could not be overcome." Our champion has already given his reply to those articles, and we see no reason why the match cannot proceed. The proposition of Hamill's to have a smooth course for the match is asking too much of those precarious elements, wind and tide, and leaves us to apprehend that Hamill has no more seamanship about him than the captain of an American canal boat. Besides, such a stipulation might cause much wrangling, as the river might be smooth along one reach and rough in another. As an apprehension prevails that the appearance of remarks on the Tyne, given in the Sporting Life some weeks ago, was the immediate cause of the ridiculous proviso alluded to, we give it again verbatim et literatim. " There is a good course of five miles, but, if Hamill desires to make a certainty of reaching home again, it would bo only fair to tell him he must be an accomplished swimmer, as the Tyne above bridge is sometimes dangerous to small craft, and when Chambers and Cooper rowed the four-mile course, nearly a couple of years ago, they had to propel their boats under the surf, their heads at times being only visible. However, this is an exceptional case, and we hope if the two champions meet on the Tyne, they will be favoured with a smooth course, and the Tyne men can afford to let the best man win without showing any favour on either side." The Pittsburg Dispatch, published in Hamill's native town, refers to the above as follows :—" Hamill can not swim a stroke, and, were he to get into such water as Chambers and Cooper rowed their match in, we would not give much for his chances of winning. He has always been accus tomed to row over smooth water, and this, with the fact that if he were so unfortunate as to have his boat swamped, he would go down like a lump of lead, renders it essential that he should have a smooth course. The Tyne, it would seem, is only rough occasionally, and by specifying fair day and smooth water,' the difficulty to which we allude might be overcome. Hamill continues his usual active exercise, and has his arrangements so far completed that he will be ready to leave here in April. He is in blooming health and full of confidence, but he has no ordinary task before him, and if he succeed in accomplishing it, ho may esteem himself a most fortunate man." Hamill, it appears, is clever with the mittens, and distinguished himself at a sparring exhibition in a set-to with Bill Davis, the P. Champion. ROWING MATCH Fon.:X3o.—Wednesday, notwithstanding the fog, R. Morrison, of Richmond, and F. Willis, of Isle worth, rowed, agreeably with the conditions of the con test, from Barnes to Richmond Bridge for £l3 a side. Morrison won by more than 100 yards. COUNTRY MARKETS. MAN CHE S T ER-THURSDAY. There was a good attendance at our market this morn ing, and rather more inquiry was experienced for wheat at the full currency of this day se'nnight. Flour was held more firmly, but the demand was limited. Oats and oat meal ruled steady. In beans no change was observable. Indian corn declined 3d per qr. BURY ST. EDMUND'S—WEDNESDAY. We had a fair show of wheat here to-day, the trade for which was very flat, but no alteration iu value. Barley was very scarce at late rates. Oats, beans, and peas re main unaltered. White wheat, 53s to 565; old red, 46s to 48s; new red, 40s to 44s , malting barley, 35s to 38s ; Page's prolific bar ley, 39s to 40s per qr. Averages :—Wheat, 515 qrs, at 43s 4d ; barley, 810 qrs., 36s 61d ; oats, 15 qrs, 24s Od. BIRMINGHAM-THURSDAY. During the present week scarcely a transaction has been reported in wheat, buyers and sellers being equally indif ferent about business. Barley still scarce. Oats in fair retail demand. Beans held firmly. Peas more inquired for. At this day's market there was a short supply of Eng lish wheat, and good samples realised an advance of 6d to is per qr. Barley barely maintained its value. Oats, beans, and peas held fully previous rates. EDINBURGH-WEDNESDAY. ------ At our market to-day there was a fair supply of coon try wheat, consisting of 814 sacks, which sold at is por qr. advance. Average, the same. Wheat on the top, is Od down average, same. Barley on the top, 2s Od down average, Os 9d up. Oats on the top, is Od clown ..average, Os ld up. Beans on the top, Os Od down werage, Os 7d up. Average prices. Wheat, 44s Oil 1 Oats, 27s 10d Barley, 37s 9d 1 Beans 46s 2d Total supply and sales. Wheat Bl4 qrs sold 691 Barley 486 qrs sold 404 Oats 1981 qrs sold 999 Beans 220 qrs sold 177 Town-made flour sells as follows :—White, 40s Od ; extra superfine, 38s Od ; superfine, 36s 6d ; fine, 35s Od. GLASG OW-WEDNESDAY. ---- - The imports into the Clyde were 334 tons wheat, 148 tons barley, 2162 tons Indian corn, and 291 barrels flour ; into Grangemouth, 507 tons wheat, 358 tons barley, 36 tons peas, and 30 sacks flour. Wheat was in better in quiry, but there was not much business done. French flour was 6d cheaper. Barley was in buyers favour. Beaus, pease, and oats were 6d dearer. Foreign Nail Packet List MAILS DUE. Australia and New Zea7land,viaSOuihampton.,...,,April 19. Ditto, via Marseilles April 13. Brazil and Cape Verde. by British packet ...... May 4. Ditto, by French packet April 22. Cape of Good Hope, Ascension, and St. Helena April 23 China, Penang, and Singapore, via Southampton April 19. Ditto, via Marseilles April 13. Falkland Islands Gibraltar, via Southampton India (Calcutta), and Ceylon, via Southampton.... April 19 Ditto, via Marseilles India (Bombay), via Southampton April 13. Ditto, via Marseilles April 7. Malta, Egypt, and Aden, via Southampton April 13. Ditto, via Marseilles April 7. Mauritius, via Southampton April i 3 Ditto, via Marseillei April 7. Newfoundland 4 April 11- Portugal . • •• ..May 1. _ . . Ditto, by private ship to Lisbon. United States and British North America, by Bri tish packet Ditto, by United States packet, via Southamp- Ditto, ♦ia Cork Ditto, by Canadian packet, via Londonderry.. April 6. West Indies and Pacific (except Bahamas snd Honduras) April 13. Cuba and Mexico April 23. Bahamas, via New York. May 3. Bermuda, via Halifax April ii West Coast of Africa. Madeira, and Tenerife April 12. FATAL ILLUSTRATION OF AN EXECUTION.—on Wednesday an inquest was held at Charlton on the body of Charles H. Rowling, aged 13 years. Deceased had been reading an account of a recent execution, and was explain ing to a younger brother the manner in which the culprit made his exit and to make his representation the more striking he fastened a rope over a beam in the barn against a ladder, and placed a noose round his neck, when his foot slipped, and before the family could be alarmed he wail dead. The jury returned a verdict of Accidental Death. rADVERTISEMENT.I Holloway's Pills— Confidential Ad vice. —To all persons who suffer from bilious headaches, disordered stomach, biliousness, or flatulency, these PlllO are most strongly recommended as the safest, best, and quickest mode of obtaining ease without weakening or irritating the nervous system. Holloway's Pills are espe cially useful in bearing away excess of bile, which usually produces foyer unless remedial measures be adopted with out delay. In asthma, bronchits, and congestion of the lungs they may be relied upon for removing all danger, and by purifying and regulating the circulation they °flee" tually prevent relapses by rousing the liver'to a fair secre tion of bile, and quickly carrying it off from the systems• These Pills ward off low spirits, listlessness, and those distressing feelings often called nervous. Births. BURKE— On Easter Monday, at Marble Hill, Lady Burke, of a son. GREXNER—On the 27th ult., at her residence, Wilton" crescent, Mrs. Greener, of a son and heir. SWAINSON—On the 4th inst., at Crick, Northtunptonshire, the wife of the Rev. C. Swainson, of a son. TRATERS—On the 3d inst., at 48, Princes-gate, the resi dence of her father, Mrs. A. Travers, of a son. Marriages. MOORE—TYLER—On the sth inst., at St. Matthew's, Brea' ton, Joseph Moore, jun., Esq., of Ilydal Mount, Lower Tulse-hill, to Annie, second daughter of W. Tyler, Esq. , of Cliefden House, Upper Tulse-hill. MAISTRE—PRICE — On the sth inst., at the Chapel Royal of the Savoy, London, the Rev. W. Brine Le Maistre , M.A., of St. Aubin s, Jersey, to Louisa Georgina, widoif of the late F. L. Price, Esq., of The Great Trench , Hildenborough, Kent. Deaths. ASHBY—On the sth inst., at his residence, Staines, Tho°' Ashby, aged 80. BERTI—On the 4th inst., at 3a, King-street, St. Jarnes'ogi Mr. James Berti, aged 66. BRETT—On the 2d inst., at Hethel-hall, Norwich, Lie ut. ' Col. John D. B re tt, late Major 17th Lancers, aged 51. Duz.wYN—On the 3d inst., at Hendrefoilan, Elizabeth, the wife of L. L. Dillwyn, M.P. for Swansea. KNAGGS—On the 4th inst., at 2, Carlton-hill east, St. John's-w,ud, Win. U. Koaggs , E"l , , aged 72 . LAMETON—On the 3d inst.; at 17, Chesham-place, W 11 Lambton, Esq., brother of the late Earl of Durha%O. aged 73 London : Printed and Published by WILLIAM ANIAtEWE, of No. 112, Stra nd, Painter , at Tna SUN Office, No. 11 ' Strand, in the, Precinct of the Savoy .1n the Count/ g Middleser.--Friday, April 6, 1666. I