The Sun. — London, England, 1849-05-23 00:00:00

hope to master the difficulties of his art; and when his mental faculties have obtained their full meridian, his hhysical powers are already on the decline, and warn him that he can no longer execute his own conceptions; i e must leave the field to younger candidates, and retire nto solitute and oblivion—too often with but little to console him in the memory of the past, no comfort in the privations of the present, and scarcely a ray of hope from the darkness of the future.—(Cheers.) The great moralist, Dr. Johnson, tells us, and justly, that " Youth is the season of enjoyment„ the utmost that age can hope for is ease. Aye, gentlemen, but let us contemplate age without ease—age with its natural accompaniments of disease and pain and decaying faculties—age without the friendly hand to smooth the pillow and. the consoling voice to assuage the anguish—age bowed down by penury and indigence, with cultivated mind, polished manners, and habits of refinement, linked to squalid beggary, racked b y the agonizing doubt that the scanty pittance of to-day may cease to be forthcoming on the morrow—(Hear, hear) — aye, that the dismaatled garret may not yet be ex changed for the still more dreaded poorhouse—this, though a harrowing picture, is no creation of the fancy, but a stern reality too often exemplified in the fate of the superannuated actor, whose only refuge from suca, complicated misery is a nameless grave.—(Cheers,) Let us endeavour to reverses the gloomy picture; be, i t our task to step in between our aged brethren and their prostrate helplessness; to bring back hope to the de spairing heart, to substitute contentment fc r repining and competence for destitution,; to effect this, let U 3 press forward the growth of this fund with active zeal and untiring energy; let us set an example of liberality in our own contributions to foster and enkindle libe rality in others.—(Loud cheers.) In such a cause the smallest offering has its full weight and value.; indivi dual efforts, though weak in themselves, prodtece collec tive strength, and as the union of labour speedily rears a stately edifice, so the combination of many small sums soon amasses a mighty capital. t:Chis inst itutionmay yet be considered in its infancy, and alread y there are five annuitants supported by its resources ;and secured frown want; like the disbanded soldier on his pension, they rest from toil in humble but honourable retirement. —(Cheers.) There are many more hands extended to us in supplication, many other voices someding plain tively in our ears—(Hear, hear)—they have powerful claims, and we are bound to entertain them. Whatever may be the professional jealousies of actors (and from what profession or what pursuit in life are such jealousies excluded?) they are ever found ready to assist their poorer brethren. Those who are now dependent, while they had means, and the appeal was made, gave cheer fully; in their own hour of need let us remember this and cheerfully requite them. We cannot, it is true, bring back the manly vigour, or restore the faced loveli ness—we cannot check the unspsiring scythe of time— call up again the form that delighted the eye, the voice that chcrmed the ear, or the inspiring energy that com manded the applause—(Cheers)—but we can make glad the spirits that are now depressed in sorrow—we can repay them something for the many hours o recreation that soften the corroding cares of life—we can give peace and calm repose where'there is doubt, and gloom, and poverty--we can cause the flush of joy to mantle once again on the pale cheek from which it appeared to be for ever banished. Above all, let us remember that in thus este blishing an asylum for the worn out members of the stage we advance the importance of the stage itself ; and while we advocate the purest doctrine of Christrian (Amity we give new strength and value to the noble sciences we study to illustrate, and which the poet of hope thus beautifully eulogises, in reference to one of its most state ly ornaments:-- e ; was the spell o'er hearts Vhich only Acting lends, The youngest of the sister Arts, Where all their beauty blends ; For ill can Poetry express Full many a tone of thought sublime, And Painting, mute and motionless, Steals but a glance of time. Bat by the mighty actor brought Illusion's perfect triumphs come, — Verse ceases to be airy thought, And Sculpture to be dumb." (Great and prolor tged cheers.) I now. gentlemen, con clude with request ing you to drink "The health of the Secretary, Mr. Cullenford," to whom the institution is so much indebted; together with " Prosperity and rapid success to the General Theatrical Fund."—The Hon. Gentleman resumed his seat amid the enthusiastic ac clamations of the 'company. Son g by Miss Ransford. Mr.CULLENFORD, in responding to the toast, said he could not but feel most deeply the absence of Mr. Buck stone, to whom they had been accustomed to listen with so much pleasure on former occasions, and who would have returned thanks for the toast in much more elo quent terms than he (Mr. Cullenford) could hops to do. It was impossible for Mr. Buckstone to be present that evening; it was utterly impossible that Mr. Webster 1 1 could so alter his arrangement s as t o perm i t o f hi s at- 1 tending the festival; but he had to thank that gentleman for allowing so many of his colleagues and himself to be present. It was not the only favour they had been in the habit of receiving from Mr. Webster. From the first institution of the association up to the present time he had ever been ready to assist them in a pecuniary point of view, and in personally identifying himself with them; and he (Mr. Cullenford) was proud to have it in his power to acknowledge his kindness.— (Cheers.) It was fortunate for him (Mr. Cullenford), and perhaps more so for them, that his duty might, on that occasion, be compressed into a very few words ; it was merely to give a statement of the figures and facts in their financial account. lie had placed before them a balance-sheet, which would show every item both of re ceipt and expenditure for the last year, and therefore he eed not trouble them with reading those separate figures. He might, however, remark that there were five annuitants on the funds of the association; they had other charges specifically mentioned under proper heads; and after being enabled to do that, he was happy to say the result of the year just passed had been, after having met every charge, and every demand, they had been enabled to inerense the fund by 5431.—(Cheers.) He trusted that would be as gratifying to them to hear as it had been for himself and his colleagues to experience. Their honoured Chairman had, in terms that he (Mr. Cullen ford) would scarcely trust himself to characterise, pleaded before them the case of the aged, helpless, and infirm members of , the profession. He would not for o ne moment suffer any sentiment of his to have the chance of marring the effect that he was sure the eloquence of the chairman had produced.—(Cheers.) He had related their wants and their woes, in terms so beautiful and touching that he (Mr. Cullenford) would not trust him self to add one word to them ; but, for himself, he thanked them cordially for the honour they had con ferred upon him, and upon the institution since its com mencement. No exertions should be wanting on the part of himself or his colleagues to merit a continuance of their favour, and they would be always ready to be at their post, and to render a clear statement of their gains and losses. He most respectfully and gratefully thanked them for the honour they had conferred upon the institution.—(Cheers.) Madame Dulcken (solo on the piano)—" The Carnival de Venice."—( Encored.) The CHAlRMAN—Gentlemen, the next toast is one almost equally important and immediately connected with the last—" The Trustees of the Fund."—(Cheers.) I see at once, I shall be anticipated by the gene ral feeling of the company in the name of the dis tinguished gentleman, one of the trustees now present--(Cheers)—a name which so naturally associates itself with this toast—l mean Mr. Charles Dickens.— (Loud cheers.) Any attempt on my part to pass an eulogiuxn on the merits of a writer so well known and so universally admired as Mr. Dickens would be presumptuous and idle as " a twice told tale."— (Loud cheers.) While his name is on our lips, the many children of his rich and varied fancy rise up in review before us. His vivid creations, always true to nature, and ever tending to improve, while they amuse —(Cheers)—untainted by :mistaken philosophy or morbid discontent. reconciling every condition of life to the wise decrees of Providence—(Cheers)—and teaching us all to be both better and wiser, if we choose to profit by lessons so agreeably conveyed the sparkling wit, blended with the natural pathos, affecting the heart by turns with " wholesome mirth and salutary woe." All these beautiful characteristics of this great and accom plished writer are acknowledged by the world at large, and while they endear to us the man, have stamped his works with the seal of immortality.—(Loud cheers.) But it may not be so generally known that as a trustee he has laid this fund under heavy obligations. From its earliest establishment to this present hour his active exertions have tended to advance the interests of this institution; and I believe I am speaking the senti ments of the committee at large, when I say to him is due much of the present prosperous condition and the flattering hopes by which this institution is encou• raged.—(Cheers.) Gentlemen, I request a bumper to " The Health of the Trustees and Mr. Charles Dickens: - -(Great cheering.) Drank by the company standing, with three times three. Mr. CHARLES DICKENS, in rising to respond to the toast, was welcomed with a burst of enthusiastic accla mation. He said— Gentlemen, I hope that you will not object to a trustee with a cold, however naturally you might object to a cold trustee.—(Laughter.) I beg, in behalf of my absent colleagues, to return you their thanks for the honour you have done them, and on my own behalf to acknowledge the honour you have ren dered me. lam well assured that I express the feelings of my absent friends, no less than my own, when I con gratulate the General Theatrical Fund on the brilliant assembly by which I am surrounded, and on its being presided over by a gentleman who has a triple claim on its consideration and respect.—(Cheers.) I do not mean to say. gentlemen, with good Mrs. Malaprop, that our chairman is like Cerberus, three gen tlemen at once—(Laughter) —but I think I give utterance to a statement that will meet with the general response of this company when I hail him as gracefully seated in his right place tn-night, not only in consideration of hie own talents and his public position, but in memory of the genius of his immortal When—(Lama cheers)—and in consideration of the many fender and sweet remembrances which all England must associate with his accomplished wife.- - ( Tremendous cheers.) Gentlemen, it like some of those trustees, on an infinitely larger scale—(Laughter)— some of those legislative trustees who occasionally re fresh us with their odd vagaries elsewhere,—if, like one of those, I might espy "strangers present"—(cast --ing his eyes to the ladies' gallery)—(Laughter)--though Heaven forbid that such sharpness of my sight should be attended with the disastrous House of Commons' consequences, and by the withdrawal of the fair ornaments of oar society; but if, with the pro verbial clearness of vision of our Irish Members— (Leughter)—l might espy strangers present," I would THE SUN, LONDON, WEDNESDAY EVENING, MAY 23, 1849. appeal to them et infidently, their sex has ev haul as the best judges, whether a gentler, a better, or a truer exponent than the lad of whom I speak?—(Loud r i cheers.) Perh Ts , ger .tlemen, I may appeal to them er sitting among us at this time is e n v o e t n th to e s c a r y ow w n h . 11. 2t g her r b : ace of our festivities?—(Cheers.) In common, gi aatlerzien, both with the chairman and the secretary, I r egret - very ./ much to miss at this board to day th e pleas ant aril -" familiar face" of our treasurer. I tow r a e nt gresbl 'enough for our sakes, for I can guess that many it se ny ot ; l i r v, r faces are presenting a merry reflax to his delightful cheerfulness and mirth at this moment.— (Cheers.) . B' ' at, as a less important officer of thisinstitu tion, is .a, pleasure to me to confirm all th a t yo u h ave .c.s prosperity, and to bear admirin g testi mon y to e a trhde ° i f atience and perseverarc e with w hi c h it s mem b ers contrir jute, many of them from ve r y scan ty resources , tog'J prudential sums which are t o b e th e p rov i s i on f or h lihc.ar old age, and to exult, as I annually do, in the refu tation thus offered to the sweeping charge which has beim so thoughtlessly and unthinkingly made of the ge n'aral improvidence of the members of the theatrical pro f ession. I always consider when I hear that objection taken, that toyou who are born to the possession of a silver spoon—(Laughter)—it may not be very difficult to apply yourselves to the keeping it polished on your sideboard. —(Laughter.) But it you are born to the possession of a wooden ladle instead—(Laughter) —the transmuting it into an article of plate is a very, very difficult process indeed in this country.—(Laughter and cheers.) So much the more should we remember that it is so at a time of general trouble and distress. " Uneasy lies the head that wears a crown" indeed, in days when crowns BD many, of gold, brass, and copper—(Laughter) —are tumbling from the heads of the wearers; but the head that wears a mimic crown, the hand that grasps a mimic sceptre, fares at such a season far worse, for those peaceful and graceful arts of life go down, and the slighter monuments of social ex istence are the first things crushed.—(Cheers.) There fore, for example, if the King of Sardinia cannot get into trouble without involving the king of Mr. Vincent Cracowll's company—(Laughter)—if sovereigns and armies cannot make war without affecting the peaceful inhabitants in their theatre royal at Little Pedlington— (Laughter)—so much the more have we reason to rejoice in the continued prosperity of this institution—so much the more have we reason to rejoice over its future pro spects. Terrible, like the veritable sea-serpent— (Laughter)—according to Captain M‘Qhuaz, we are found tallying in all respects ; it is apparently bent on a very determined 'object—(Laughter) —with its head very considerably above water—(Renewed laughter) —and drawing behind it a long train of use• ful circumstances.—(Roars of laughter.) One other word on the hopes and thereby the consequences of ex tending the usefulness of this establishment, and I have done. When the Chairman made his first most admir able speech, I confess I had some doubts whether I could agree with him, but I was quite sure if we did not agree we should agree to differ—(Laughter)—but when he made that other admirable speech with reference to the fund, I was happy to find that we were agreed—l mean with respect to the restoration of the drama. I think it next to impossible but that that must come to pas, be cause the drama is founded on the eternal principles of human nature. I say it respectfully, that I don't think it within the power of any potentate on earth, however virtuous, however magnificent, however strong. either to raise the drama up or to pull the drama down. —(Loud cheers.) In this room, in Windsor Castle, in an African hut, in a North-American wigwam, there is the same inborn delight and interest in the living representation of the actions, passions, joys, and sorrows of mankind.—(Tremendous cheering.) In England, of all countries in the world, this interest is glorified and exalted by the loftiest flights of human vision, and the proudest monuments of human wit. The drama I hold to be imperishable. Reverses it may suf fer from many causes; but "Malice domestic, foreign levy," nothing, to my thinking, can root it out.—(Loud and re , iterated cheers.) Major-General Sir JoRN BURGOYNE said he felt the greatest satisfaction and &light to do honour to a gen tleman whom he held in the highest esteem and regard. In bringing before the favourable notice of such an assembly as that the merits of another individual it required ordinarily some ingenuity to make out his case. That was a difficulty which he did not labour under in proposing the health of their respected and highly gifted Chairman.—(Cheers) He felt that the bare mention of his name was sufficient to elicit an enthusiastic response from that assembly. After following Mr. Charles Dickens, he (Sir John Burgoyne) felt himself very much in the position of a celebrated orator known to fame, who once stood up in the House of Commons, after listening to one of Mr. Burke's famous orations, and gave vent to his feelings in the words, "I say ditto to Mr. Burke."—(Laughter.) He (Sir John Burgoyne) could only on this occasion emulate that flight of eloquence, and exclaim—" I say ditto to Mr. Charles Dickens." He looked on Mr. Charles Kean as an honoured descendant of the old school. He honoured the profession of which Mr. Kean was a member, and he was happy to see that the love of that pro fession continued in full force in a member of his (Sir J. Burgoyne's) own family. He did not attribute Mr. Bean's success to the fact of inspiration; he had no doubt Mr. Kean himself would confess that it had only been attained by much study and by much petee verance. His dramatic representations at Windsor Castle had established his character in a way which would never be effaced. The Gallant General, who was almost wholly inaudible in the locality assigned to the reporters, concluded by proposing "Mr. Charles Kean, and health and happiness to hiu."—(Cheers.) Drunk with three times three. The Cnatamaie, in responding to the toast, said—l am completely at a lose, and know not what to say in return for the high personal honour you have just con ferred upon mo. I seeic in vain for words adequate to express my sense of the overwhelming kindness with which my health has bean received.—(Cheers.) Sliak• spere, who understood and described every emotion of our nature, under every possible circumstance, says— " Silence is the perff:ctest herald of joy —they are little happy who can say how much"—(Cheers.) It is thus with me at the present moment. I feel deeply what I cannot utter—in simple, unadorned phrase, I thank you with truest sincerity ; and if I say less than the occasion appears to require, I must entreat you not to estimate the warmth of my gratitude by the brevity of my reply. There are matters of more import yet before us. lam anxious, therefore, to spare your thee, and to pass at once from the ungracious subject of self to one of far superior general interest. I have now to propose—" The National Drama of our Country— (Loud cheers)—that polished amusement which poetry, painting, and music have vied to adorn, and to whose service genius has devoted her most sublime efforts." —(Cries of '• Hear, hear," and load cheers.) With that toast, I beg to propose Mr. Webster, the lessee and manager of the Haymarket Theatre—(Cheers) — a gentleman whose long exertions and high position have entitled him to be considered one of the most legiti- mate supporters of the British stage—whose strict in tegrity and honourable punctuality in alt matters of business—(Hear, hear)—have made his single word as current as his bond, and whose name on the occasion of the present toast naturally presents itself in graceful and appropriate connexion. —(Cheers.) Gentlemen, I request an overflowing bumper to " Our National Drama and Mr. Webster."—(Cheers.) Drunk with honours. Mr. WEBSTER, in rising to respond to the toast, was received with cheering. He sa:d—Gentlemen, the flattering compliment which Mr. Charles Kean has paid me in associating my name with the national drama, and the warm manner in which you have responded to the toast of prosperity to that drama, fill me with honest pride and heartfelt pleasure that my labours during so many years, in catering for your amusement, are so kindly and highly appreciated. —(Cheers.) Such a compliment ought to be a strong Incentive to every member of our profession, and ought to prove to him that industry, perseverance, a true application to his art, and a provident care of his means at the commencement of his career, may insure to him happiness and com fort in his future life.—(Cheers.) When I see around me so many men of genius and talent, friends of our drama, generously lending a helping hand to— " the poor player Who struts and frets his hour upon the stage, And then is heard no more," it is a proof how much the drama is respected, and that actors have only to respect their art themselves to take their stand on a level with any art or profession in the land.—(Cheers.) Gentlemen, I feel personally grateful to every gentleman present for the high compli ment he has thus paid my profession. I can bear nay testimony, with that of Mr. Charles Kean, to the priva tions which, many of the aged and infirm members of our profession suffer, and to the inability, in very many cases, of many others to earn more than can support them from day to thy. Charity cannot be better be stowed than on those who live to please, and who must, through your bounty, be gratefully pleased to live.—(Loud cheers.) The charitable in stitutions of this country, and its metropolis, excite the astonishment and admiration of every foreigner who visits our shores. At the same time that charity hoists the flag of distress, there are thousands ever ready to lend her assistance.—(Cheers.) It seems the characte teristic of our nation, not to consider how good may be done, but to do it. Truly it is something out of the common order of nature to be born a subject of her Ma jesty the Queen.—(Cheers.) The CHAlRMAN—Gentlemen, the toast I have next to propose follows the last one in close relationship. Indeed they are both as logically and inseparably connected as cause and effect. We have drunk our national drama. It would be an unpardonable omission were we not to pay the same compliment to our living dramatists.— (Cheers.) Among the list there are di st i ngu i s h e d names sod productions of sterling merit, which will stand the test of time, and would have done honour to the proudest era of dramatic literature. I will only mention one recent play of great excellence, and I do so with peculiar feelings, for I am happy to acktiowledee how indebtej Mrs. Kean nod tnyxelt are to the author of the trife's Secret, whom I have much pleasure in now seeing near me. IWo always remember the brilliant success that accompanied the production of his play as among the must agreeable episodes of our professional career. I trust the public will be gratified with many inure of equal merit from the pen of the same ac. complisbed writer. I have much pleasure in proposing, with our living dramatists, " The health of Mr. Lovell, the author of are Wife's Secret."—(Cheers.) Mr. LOVELL, in responding to the compliment, said he had not anticipated, when he entered that room, the ex traordinary and unexpected honour which lohl been conferred upon bin). Coming from an assembly like that which he saw around him, it had really overwhelmed him, and ho was wholly unprepared to render a suitable acknowledgment of their kindness. In fact, his business IVA 3 rather to make others speak than to speak himself.—(Laughter.) H e had himself dealt so much in fiction that he felt well nigh overwhelmed with reality.—(Renewed laughter.) He received the high and flattering eulogium which Mr. Kean had bestowed upon him very much as he would a misdirected letter which had come to the wrong place.—(Laughter.) While he felt himself quite incompetent to do adequate justice to the compliment which they had paid him, he should best ex press his sense of it by endeavouring to produce some thing that might be still more worthy their approbation than the Mies Secret.—(Cheers.) The CHAIRMAN said—Gentlemen, I have to propose the professional ladies and gentlemen who have so kindly given their services, and who have so materially contributed to the enjoyment of the evening. Our best thanks are due, to all ; and to Mr. Balfe in particular we are deeply indebted for the trouble he has taken, in superintending the musical arrangements, and for the ad mirable effect they have produced under his skilful gui dance.—(Cheers.) We have all of us a right to be proud of our countryman. As conductor of music in her Majesty's Theatre, in which his great talents are universally acknowledged, the position of Mr. Balfe is one most honourable to him, and gratifying to every member of the profes • sion. It is in itself a sterling evidence of the high estimation in which he is held by his contemporaries. His beautiful compositions are before the world in in creasing popularity, whether in the private saloon, the public theatre, or the crowded concert-room.---(Cheers.) Mr. BALFE returned thanks. He regretted to state that he had just received a letter from Sims Reeves, stating that he was unavoidably detained at Exeter-hall and could not be present at the festival, as he had wished; and he regretted also that Mr. F. Lablache was singing at a con cert atGreenwich,which precluded his being present at the anniversary of the General Theatrical Fund. As for himself, he (Mr. Balfe) did not wish to detain them wi h a speech; but he would sing them a song—(Loud cheers)—albeit it was four or five years since he sung any, and his voice, like Bub Acres' courage—(Laughter) —had oozed out at his arms in conducting her Majesty's Theatre.—(Cheers.) Mr. Balfe sung a beautiful Italian air, accompany ing himself on the piano, with consummate skill, and was encored to the very echo. The CHAlAMAN—Gentlemen, we are now arrived at the concluding toast on the list, which as a matter of gallantry might have claimed an earlier place—but being reserved till now, will afford us the opportunity, to which all here will readily respond, of winding up the proceedings of the evening with marked enthusiasm.— (Cheers.) Gentlemen, I request an overflowing bumper to that beautiful and better half of the creation, without whom in truth, the real world and our mimic representation out would be a cheerless desert, " Stale, flat, and unpro fitable."—(Cheers.) Would that I had the power of utterance to give vent to the crowding thoughts and glowing feelings that so rapidly present themselves upon , this theme. I will, therefore, at once propose the " Health of the Ladies," coupling with the toast this appropriate passage, equally true as impressive, from one of our most celebrated poets— " In joyous youth what soul hath never known Thought, feeling, taste, harmonious to its own ? Who bath not paused while Beauty's pensive eye Ask'd from his heart the homage of a sigh? Who hath not own'd, with rapture-smitten frame, The power of grace, the magic of a name? And say, without our hopes, without our fears, Without the home that plighted love endears? Without the smile from partial beauty won, Oh ! what were man ?—a world without a sun. Till Hymen brought his love-delighted hour, There dwelt no jov in Eden's rosy bower I The world was sad ! —the garden was a wild, And man, the hermit, sigh'd—till woman smiled." —(Great cheering.) The assembly separated about half-past eleven o'clock. We feel much pleasure in recording the great obliga tions we, for our part, owe to Mr. Worrell, of the Adelphi Theatre (one of the stewards of the dinner), for the marked urbanity and courtesy he evinced towards the representatives of the press during the whole evening. The subscriptions during the evening amounted to 500/. Mr. Toole officiated as toastmaster with his usual address. WEST INDIA MAIL. SCITTIIAMPTON, MAY 22.—The Conway, Royal Mail Weit India steamship, Captain Clark, with the usual West India mail in charge of Lieutenant R. Percival, R.N., arrived here this afternoon, soon after two o'clock. The Conway has been two years out performing the mail service between the islands in the West Indies, and is now arrived for the purpose of receiving some trifling repairs.. Her dates of sailing were—Vera Cruz, 15th April; Tampico, 13th ; Havana, 26th ; Honduras, 12th ; Ja maica, 21st; Demerara, 18th; Trinidad, 20th; Barba does, 28th; Grenada, 221; St. Kitts, 30th; Nevis, 30th; Porto Rico, 29th; St. Thomas, 2d May; La Guayra, 6th April; Bermuda, Bth May. Th,t freight brought by the Conway consists of -320,784 dollars, on merchant; account; 315 oz. gold dust, bars, and coin; 1,5221. British coin; 149 Barons of cochineal; 6001. French coin; 2 barrels of coffee; 3 cases ♦anilla ; 27 cases cigars; 5 cases auccades; 45 turtle; and about 100 packages of sundries. The Conway brought home 81 passengers. Stations of her Majesty's ships—April 10, her Ma jesty's brig Hound sailed from Vera Cruz for England, calling at Jamaica; April 17, her Majesty's brig Helena at Vera Cruz, all well; May 8, at Bermuda, her Ma jesty's ship Wellesley, Vice-Admiral the Earl of Dun- Commander in -Chief, all well; I: ayes for Halifax; May 20, her Majesty's ship Trencombo at Halifax. Stations of the Company's steam-ships—The Thames: Bermuda, New York, and St, Thomas; Teviot, next ship home from Spanish Main; Tay: Havannah, Jamaica, and Spanish Main; Severn: Gulf of Mexico; Trent; B%rbadoes and Demerara; Reindeer; Barbadoes, St. Thomas and Northern Islands. The accounts from Jamaica are still very desponding; trade, commerce, anti, in short, almost everything con cted with the best interests of the colony being at a ,tand still. The only relief to the monotony cif events fur some time past has been the preparation by the planters of the last crop for the home market. They are sadly disap pointed in the yield of the cane ; it is considerably short of the least sanguine expectations. The deficiency is not confined to Jamaica alone, for in nearly all the other islands the same complaints exist. The slight advance in the price of the article will by no means compensate the growers for the deficiency. The islanders were much absorbed in the scheme for an alteration in their constitution. A large meeting upon the subject had been held in Falmouth, and resolu tions passed, and a petition agreed to be presented to her Majesty, praying for an alteration in the constitution of the Council of the island. (From De Cordova's Mercantile Intelligencer.) GENERAL REMARKS.—Tbe business of the last fort night has been very dull. The only articles for which anything like a demand has existed are the various sorts of pickled fish. The stock of flour is large, and we learn that large quantities have been received at Falmouth (Northside). The island notes still stand very much in the way of business, and greatly retard the operations of commerce. We cannot too often impress upon shippers the in justice and impolicy of sending on barrels of fish which are of short weight. Such unfair proceedings not only cause loss to the retailer, but make him wary and sus picious. We have not yet been vis;ted by "the seasons," though we have been repeatedly threatened with their approach by heavy clouds. They are very much re quired for all branches of agriculture. Tonnage is wanted for sugar and coffee ready to go home. FREIGHTS..—TWO first-class vessels have been taken up for London—one at 31. 53., and the other at 31. 10s. for sugar. EXCIIANGES ON LONDON.—Colonial Bank, 90 days, per cent. prem.; ditto 60 day 3, 1 per cent. prem.; Ja• maica Bank, 60 days. per cent. prem.; Commissarial Bills, 1 per cent. prem. TESTIMONIAL TO A SCHOOLMASTEIL—On Wednes day evening last, in the mayor's parlour at the Town hail, Manchester, a number of the friends and pupils of the Rev. William Giles, of Netherleigh House, Chester; met together, under the presidency of Sir Elkanah Armitage, for the purpose of presenting to the rev. gentleman, on the fiftieth anniversary of his birth-day, a splendid coffee-pot, tea-pot, sugar basin, and cream ewer, as a token of their respect, esteem, and gratitude. Amongst those present, were Captain M`Donald, pay master of the 30th Infantry; Messrs. Peter Clare, Joseph Adshead, C. F. Faulkner, William Holme, Joseph Lees, jun., Samuel Lees, jun., Edward lees, Benjamin Armitage, Elijah Armitage, Joseph Armitage, i tee iGnnist . ilnrsid,p A ewtdi f io t t e tnho r a few int ro d uc t or y o b serva ti o ns from the chairman, M r . T. F . P oll i t read the following address or , sfr m i wpi ro l ahi which was commemorativetbheef plate:ram e d—a dA gt oaa glazed e t da h s e as en o md c c b a pl s yr i e o os n ef , n w tt eh b de i c t o h mw pupils ars. dy jh a Ha n oa oyi d hi un,ofs of May, e a a na d yc sh, Puttee, eolEsf: Chester,s4eq the9rh..(, eftfor at dreßwti use s v ei tec . hph W oue ,s G p i a l e r s l 0 , u o r f in Netherleigh . on a w n a a W s h kindlyeAd r n m e s i dt grantedArmitage gy et hperels6i bdt 16th ed, supported by Captain M'Donald, paymaster of the 30th Regiment, as president, a testimonial, consisting of a silver coffee-pot and teapot, sugar basin and cream ewer, was presented to Mr. Giles by the president, in the name and at the request of a number of Mr. Giles's former pupils, to commemorate his attaining the fiftieth anni versary of his birth-day; and as a slight and inadequate, yet heartfelt token of the respect and esteem which the subscribers entertain towards their friend and tutor, for the fidelity, firmness, and great ability, mingled with undeviating courtesy and paternal kindness, with which he invariably discharged his duties towards those, while under his care, who now desire to place upon record their appreciation of the advantages derived from his tuition and example." He also read an address from the committee to their former schoolmaster and friend, and a letter from Mr. Charles Dickens, who was formerly a pupil of Mr. Giles, expressing deep interest in the object of the meeting, and warm respect and esteem f or Mr. Giles. The chairman then, in a brief addre'ts, pro rented the testimonial to the 11!,w. Mr. Giles, who re turned thanks in a feeling s p o d e Several other ad dresses were delivered during the evening by the friends or former pupils of Mr. Giles, and the party broke up about elcven o'et:elc.— Manchester Guardian. SWEEPING MOILTALITY.—The obituary of the Banffiltire Journal contains the following terrible instance of mortality in a single family:—." Died, at Middlehill, Mcinquhitter, of malignant scarlet fever, on 20th Feb• ruary, Mary, aged 6 ; on 25th February, Helen, aged 14; on 27th February, Isabel, aged 12 ; on Ist . March, James, aged 4; on 7th March, Jane, aged 2 ; on 10th March, Ann, aged 10 ; on 29th March, George, aged 8, children of William Beaton, farmer there." Whoever looks for a friend withaut imperfections will never rind what he wants.—Eliza Cook's Journal. THE METROPOLITAN FINANCIAL AND PARLIAMENTARY REFORM ASSO CIATIDN. (Continued from cur Afternoon Edition of yesterday.) Mr. ELLIOT moved an atnendmeut, to the effect that the Association should be called the Metropolitan . Parliamentary and Financial Re form Association, instead of the Metropolitan Financial and Parliamentary Reform Association, and he did so because he was quite convinced that until they had Parliamentary reform they could not hope to obtain financial reform. He wanted to see a system of home colonization and manhood representation carried out. Mr. B. OSBORNE said he had been selected to support the first resolution, but as there was so slight a difference between the title of this association and that given to it by the Gentleman who last addressed them, he could have no hesitation in seconding the amendment.—(Hear, hear.) He saw no difference Letwixt tweedledum and tweedledee—(Hear, and laughter) —and he would readily second it, though he must at the same time in form the meeting and the mover of the amendment that the council had already come to the conclusion that agitation for Parliamentary reform ought to precede financial reform.—(Cheers.) He came now to the main business of the meeting, He could not forget that the last time he stood in that room it was to eanvass the suffrages of the electors of Middlesex. Since then he had not been so much amongst them as the elec tors had a right to expect, simply for the reason given by the mover of the amend ment—that he was essentially a working man.— (Cheers, and laughter.) Ho did not work by day, but he gloried in this, that he attended to the interests of his constituents by night.—(Hear, and cheers.) He had not yet arrived at that state of political legerde main in which a man was said to modify his opinions. —(Hear, hear.) He had not modified those opinions on which they returned him to the Commons House of Parliament, and from the constitution of that House ho was not likely to modify them while he sat for the county of Middlesex.—(Hear.) It would hardly be believed that there was now no such thing as a popular party existing in the House of Commons.—(Loud cheers.) There were cer tainly true and good men in that House, but those honest and indethpentdweont h di e se g as r e ieve i l ead to them sickness and of Reform, Mr. Hume—(Loud cheers)—he was sorry to say was grievously ill; bseaey n , t b h u lt s t y a . mon T g lee great patriarch to take their seats; and the Honourable Baronet reformers themselves, Mmemmill:erws were e r Finsbury, those n f tH o ho r oe ThereleHwaMdoh e a uowr i Y ae ws l a e nao b sdfo greatn nbc e oeohn pi hnom behind the p a t h yunderstood and that at the present time nl tsah.tr_eha principlesne ( d r a scenesewa h r a e , s hk n ewn o a rw eer e distrustpar: popular eeapaxnupdel expounded that : h a d p e am te a e g hd r o r a e t in s ri y il . g e ni e) , was great difficulty on every occasion in scraping together the eighty Members who had been returned upon Liberal principles, and he did not hesitate to say, that the eighty Members who voted with Mr. Cobden, if they had thought that the vote would have turned out the Government, would have stayed away rather than have voted at all.—(Hear, hear.) Therefore, he said they should never rest satisfied until they had ap plied that gentle pressure from without which had not only influenced individual Members, but even the Ministers of this country.—(Hear, hear, and loud cheers.) He had been much amused by an account in the newspapers that a Member had sat 20 years in the House of Commons who turned out afterwards to be a woman.—(Laughter.) He would not repeat the name, but although he did not know the gentleman, and had not the honour of sitting with him in the House, he understood he was a good Conservative old lady— (Laughter)—and he had strong suspicions that his was not a singular case.—(Laughter.) Most respectable and amiable old ladies held seats in that assembly, and with a feeling natural to the weaker sex, they were fond of rank, and mistook the principles of taxation fur the principles of the Constitution.—(Laughter, and loud cheers.) It was their duty, however, to purge the House of those old ladies, and send them back to those places which they were more qualified to adorn and represent.—(Laughter.) Ile would ask whether it was fair that the Government, who had climbed to power by a popular cry, and who, as it were, had found their way into Buckingham Palace, on the shoulders of Cobden and Bright, should throw cold water upon a motion for financial reform ?—(Cheers.) How was it that they could see no wisdom except in a Lord, no probity except in an estated gentleman ?—(Cries of " Hear, hear.") In fact, he thought the tendency of the present day was to make the House of Commons a great burrow for titled rabbits.—(Laughter and cheers.) That which was called the People's House was nothing but a taxing evermachine, period. In the year 1830, when the Duke of Wellington w d h o i n c e h u ra n i d s e e r d t a h g e r m ea o t s e t r d a e m s o p u o n t t o of m taxes than h n f a h n a y d was turned out on the score of economy, and when the Whigs canvassed the population of the country, and got a majority, the public expenditure was 54,000,0001. and upwards. But there was a surplus of 1,711,000/. Let them mark that! In 1848 the public expenditure amounted to 58 , 00 0,0001.—(Shame, shame) —and the excess of expenditure over revenue—spending more than they got—was 3 , 0 00,000/.—(Shame.) Yet the interest of the debt had been reduced in the mean time. What else had they got ? An income-tax of 5,000,000. which had been laid on on false pretences—(Laughter and " Hear, hear")-1 or they were told at first that it would only be put on for three years.—(Hear, hear.) Ho re peated that the tax had been laid on on false pretences, in the time of peace. But the tax was opposed by the present Government—(Hear)—and when they came into office they turned round and coolly prepared to increase the tax to 51. per cent. last year—(Laughter)—and if they had not put their hands into their pockets, and finding a deficit, instructed their Members to speak out, they would have had an increase of the income-tax. In 1830 the estimate for the army and navy, ordnance, and miscellaneous, which nobody could explain, and nobody get at—(Laughter) —was 17,500,0031.—(Hear.) But what did miscellaneous estimates consist of? Such things as a gate to Buckingham Palace, 80,000/.—(Cries of "Shame ") and 6001. fur taking a Bishop to Jamaica.—(Great laughter.) He assured them, that though he and others sat as the comptrollers of the public purse, it would be the greatest absurdity to tell them that though they represented public opinion, that they did control that ex p en diture.—(Laughter.)l How ever, when the new Whig Government came in they felt that they must reduce the expenditure, and it was reduced to 14 ,000,000/. But what did it rise to in 1848 ? Why, they could scarcely believe that it had increased 9,000,000/. — (Shame, shame)—and the present estimate was 23,315,8521.—(5hame.) Compare that with the expen diture of 1830.—(Horrible.) But the truth was both Whigs and Conservatives were to blame.—(Hear, hear.) They got frightened at the state of the Continent, and kept up large war establish ments. But the Government said "We are retrenching, now," and they began by reducing the number of poor clerks, who had, perhaps, wives and families —they caught the small flies and allowed the Leviathans to break through. They had saved a few thousands by reducing the number of clerks; but if they were sincere in what they did they must begin at the heads of the departments. Then, with respect to their diplomatic expenses, it was enormous, but no one had a chance of being employed in the service unless he were connected with the Lord Tom Noddy family—(Laugh ter)—no man whose name was either Smith, Jenkins, or who possessed the patronymic of Buggins.—(Laughter.) It would be next to im possible to send a man with such a name to a foreign Court. The diplomatic establishment costs a r work r o k f eloBnol,o4ohoeLd;oneatfiodr m w a h o a h t ledsiad.—t(triyear.set For? The r a n e year eive d they 650h0a1. a had had no year. ambassador Hewasa very amiable atMadaridiawlhe man, but but he was withdrawn ; and it was notorious that their affairs were going on there much better because they had no diplomatic interference, and saved at the same time 6,sool—(Cheers)—but if they must have ambassadors let the Smiths, the Jenkinses, and the Bug ginses have a chance now —they, he thought, would be satisfied to do the work for 1,0001. a year.—(Hear.) 'The Prime Minister might come down to the House and say he had reduced the number of the Horse Guards, saying, " See what I have dune I have taken off some of the dead weights." Why, the Horse Guards cost 190,0001. Why, the present Commander in-Chief received 8,7001. a year, :with perquisites, whilst Lord Amherst, when Com mander-in -Chief, received only I,oool.—(hear, hear.) And with respect to the perquisites, they were as much looked after as a cook looked after the perquisites she possessed in the suet.—(Laughter.) To keep up all these taxations great appeals had been made to the warlike propensities of this country.— (Hear, hear.) A c l eve r w riter had said, in reviewing the history of the British Constitution, that it had occurred to him that if taxes were raised for this purpose it would appear that war was made to raise taxes, and not taxes levied to carry on war.—(Hear, hear.) But then they were told they had got an empire (and he could not but laugh at the assertion) on which the sun never set.—(Hear, hear.) He had often puzzled himself to know what Was that to working men.—(Cheers and laughter.) What was the remedy? To him it wasclear. They might go on bothering about financial reform and all that, but it would be no use, they must reform the House of Commons.—(Cheers.) He was astonished that the 403. franchise had not been made use of by the people.—(Cheers,) He was astonished that it had not been taken out of the dust in which it had been lying for centuries. Why, he would ask, did not the 40s. freeholders t s t t da register fo r counties?—(Hear, hear .) He trusted, if they did, they wou ld give him the bene fi t o f t h e i r votes . H e trusted that he h a d g i ven th e m a useful hint.—(Cheers.) He was so rry to say he could not rema i n l ong w i t h t h em a repo earnest of his bfeeceaques: e h o ia was votingg(going of the s e p tenn i a l A ct, th a t was going t o to r give th a e n be brought forward that evening in the House of Com mons by Mr. C. T. D'ltlyncourt.—(Hear, hear.) He trusted that this would have the effect of setting him right with many of his constituents.—(Hear, hear.) With respect to this subject many might say that they were god reformers, but this was net the proper time to bring such subject~ hu-ward. Ito could not eon :vivo a limo more suitable than the present fur m•dting flintier advances.—(hear, hear.) The people of this country had shown they wore attached to the institutions under which they lived—they had been peaceful in times far from pro s perous.—(Cheers.) Ho thought it was evident to all that the time for advancing was when the waters were not out.—(Cheers.) He felt no doubt if they per severed that justice and reason, on which their cause was based, would ensure their success.—(Loud cheers.) Mr. CLARRN, a Chartist, was reedy and willing to co operate with this association; but he could not avoid expressing his regret that many of the Liberal Mem bers had not supported the motion of Mr. Drummond, for a Committee of inquiry into the taxation of the country, though they might have differed with that goo. Gentleman's speech, The Chaitiets hitherto had been in antagonism with the middle classes, but in this instance he could promise them no such hostility would be met with. Too long had the working classes been neglected, and he was afraid they were still doomed to disappointment, since this association did not propose to abolish property qualification. If Buggins was fit to go to France as an ambassador, why surely he was qualified to represent them in Parliament. In Scotland there was no property qualification required, and as Scotland was as respect ably and well represented as was England, he could not see why the stuns principle should not be adopted by this association. He would advise those twoMem hers who had spoken, if they wished to show then sin cerity, to take good care to place themselves in opposit;on to the Ministers on all occcasions. Out of doors they recognised no distinction between Whigs and Tories — to them they were all alike—part and parcel of one great taxing machine, who were in the habit of putting their hands into other people's pockets.—(Hear, hear.) With union among themselves they might, as had been said by Mr. Osborne, ensure the en tire success of their cause.—(Hear, hear.) Mr. JOSEPH STURGE said he was an old reformer, who had arrived at the time of life when he thought he might re• tire.—(Hear, hear.) But, although he had not been in public life lately, ho could cot refuse the request of the Chairman to attend the meeting, and to speak a word on behalf of his Working friends, and to give them a word of advice. About ten years ago they wculd recollect that a great popular movement for reform was branded by every odium—that physical force principles were associated with the name of Chartist. Now as a member of the Peace Society, he would say that one of the objects which he had in advocating the prin ciple of the Charter was to show that they did not in any way connect themselves with the physical force advocates. They might as well condemn Christianity for the evils of the Church Establishment, and for the horrors of the Inquisition, as condemn those great principles which ought to be the right of every man, because some were mad enough to resort to physical force; for he thought that the right of every man to choose those who were to make laws which he was bound to obey was founded on great Christian principles. (Cries of " Hear, hear.") It was often said that they should have measures and not men, and he would now say that they ought to have honest and good men to carry out their great cause, for the people had often been deceived and deserted by their leaders in times of extraordinary difficulty.—(Hear, hear.) He had known the Chairman for some years, and he could assure the meeting that he would not deceive them.—(Cheers.) The Hon. Gentleman concluded by expressing his opinion that until they obtained universal suffrage they would not be able to attain the objects which they had in vie w.—(Cheers.) Mr. PHILLIMORE next addressed the meeting. He com plimented Mr. Clarke upon the sensible and excellent manner in which he had spoken. Those who spoke as he did could not fail to command the attention of all people of sense and patriotism; but whilst he agreed with him in much he had said, he could not forbear mention ing that whilst he had complimented Mr. Osborne upon the tenor of his speech, he had not himself spoken in that spirit. —(Cries of "No, no," and cheers.) How ever, all he wished was that each man might have a fair opportunity of stating his views, however opposed they might be to that of others.—(Cheers.) The object of the association was to obtain the suffrage for no less than 3,712,676 of the people, to give the people that which they did not at present possess; but as that number was drawn from the census of 1841, that number was no doubt much below the mark.—(Hear.) Surely, such a boon as this was worth struggling for; and they ought, therefore, to combine together, in order to remove the galling burdens which pressed so heavily upon them ; and it was the duty of none more than • the lovers of order to do so. He must remark that those who were not for universal suffrage did not question the right of every individual in a free country, if it was for their advantage and they were not sullied by any crime, to give their votes. The case did not turn upon a question of right, but a ques tion of expediency.—(Hear.) It was from those who did not know their rights, or how to use them, that the op pressors of the community had obtained their power.— (Cheers.) Let them look around and see the re volutions that were taking place in Europe. What were those revolutions ? They were, he believed, the throes of humanity and reason.—(Cheers.) He did not share in the opinion that had been expressed in certain assemblies.—(Cheers.) There was a wish to put down attempts at obtaining nationality. Let them look to Hungary and Italy as a proof of that, and then turn to France, who, to her dis grace, had refused to return to the National Assembly her truly p a t r i ot i c son, Lamartine—(Cheers, and cries of " Shame")—a man who, only twelvemonths since, had the whole nation at his feet—(Cheers)—and who did not hesitate to place his life in jeopardy to secure t he liberties of France.—(Cheers.) The CHAIRMAN then put the first resolution, embody ing also the amendment. The resolution, amended as proposed, was then put from the chair, and carried unanimously. Mr.WILLIAM2 moved the second resolution, as follows— " That, in the opinion of this meeting, the expendi ture of the state is characterised by an extravagance the most reprehensible ; that to sustain this recklesss waste an enormous amount of taxation is required, which, as now levied, presses most unequally upon the different sections of the community; that so large a proportion of the taxes is imposed upon the neces saries of life, that no economy nor self- denial on the part of the poor man can enable him to escape from those burthens ; that the effects of such a system are not only cruel, arbitrary, and pernicious towards the industrious classes, but' are calculated to produce that wide-spread demoralization and those flagrant crimes which are the offspring of poverty and distress; and that, therefore, the whole framework of taxation should be so altered as to adjust its burthens to the respective means of those who are to bear. them." The Honourable Gentleman went into some statis tics to illustrate the present unjust system of taxation. the taxation of last year was 57,000,0001., to which were to be added 23,000,000/. for local rates, making together 80,000,0001. sterling taken from the pockets of the indus trious classes. They were told that the Reform Bill would lessen taxation, but instead of its doing so the burdens had increased by 4,000,0001., while the national debt had been augmented by 40,000,0001., of which 11,000,0001. had been added since Lord John Russell had come into office. So much, then, for this taxation, which was levied upon the people to pay pensions which since the Reform Bill had increased from 4,100,0001. to 7,100,000/. Now let him tell them how these taxes were raised; on articles of consumption, such as tea, soap, coffee; on tea worth Bd. a pound the same tax was im posed as on tea worth ss. a pound, and such was the case in reference to other articles of consumption. Then the tax upon beer was just double its cost, or 100 per cent.—(Hear, hear.) What was the tax upon cham pagne and claret? 15 per cent. against the 100 per cent. on beer. Therefore, again the poor man paid seven times more on the average than the rich man. Take, again, the case of tobacco, which was esteemed by so many working man as a luxury. The tobacco consumed by the poor man was worth about 3d. per lb., but the duty was 3s. 2d. per lb., or 1,200 per cent., in the shape of duty. Now, what did they think was the duty on the fine cigars consumed by gentlemen—only seventy-five per cent.—(Hear, hear)—so that the duty on the poor man's tobacco was fifteen times as much as the duty upon the gentlemen's .cigars .— (Laughter.) Such was a specimen of the system of the taxation of the people. Then, again, the stamp duties paid by the poor was un fortunately greater in proportion than those paid by the rich.—(Hear, hear.) Notwithstanding the pressure of taxation upon every class of the community Lord John Russell had the assurance ;to stand up and state, in reply to the motion of Mr. Hume, which was not unlike the objects of this associa tion, that the middle classes were content with the ex isting state of things; that they neither wanted Mr. flume's proposed reform, nor did the working classes want the Charter.—(Laughter)—they were all content, they were all satisfied with the way in which they wore dealt with by the oligarchy that ruled them. Sir R. Peel said, when he introduced the income-tax, in 1842, " I can give conclusive proofs that you have arrived at the limits of taxation on the articles of consumption of the working classes."—(Hear, hear.) Now a man of the sagacity of Sir Robert Peel knew as well as any man how ho could extract the last shilling from the working classes. The statement was disputed. Sir Robert Peel defended it; he said they had put five per cent. on, which should have realised 1,800,000, but it had realised nothing, showing that the working classes could pay no more.—(Cheers.) Then the profits and conditions of the:middle classes were deteriorating, and the working classes were deteriorating also. Among the classes who produced all the wealth and all the luxuries enjoyed by the taxers—(Cheers)—last year 3,500,000 received relief in England and Wales, and 100,000 were sent to prisons for crimes of various degrees. Now Sir J. Graham uttered a remarkable prophecy in his remarkable pamphlet, published thirty years ago, which at the present moment was very striking. He said, " When ever the country presents the spectacle of millions wanting bread, then would the people sweep away titles, pensions, and honours."—(Prolonged cheering.) Now, what was the remedy for these evils? If any man expected any material reduction of taxation without Parliamentary reform, he imposed a great de lusion upon himself.—(Cheers.) It was contrary to all experience. Look even at the proceedings of the present session. Mr. Cobden, upon a motion for the re duction of . only ten millions of taxation, without any definite period being specified, had only 84 votes; and Mr. Hume, who proposed a small reduction in our huge standing army, had only forty gentlemen to sup port him. Ile would only trespass upon them for one mornont longer, to say that they only sought to accoin l i - plish that which Lord J. Russell promised when he intro duced the Reform Bill into the House. Lord John said I propose by this Bill that the people shall send to the Commons House of Parliament their real repre sentatives, to deliberate on their wants, to consult on their interests, to consider their grievances, to hold the purse-strings of the nation, to lay the foundation for sa lutarv•changes in the well-being and comforts of the people; and that laws shall not bo pas s ed fur the benefit of classes by men roused from their slumbers at' twelve o'clock at night to vote for what they know not.—(Great laughter and cheers.) Now, he hoped . when Lord John Russell saw the report of the meeting in the public press, that he would lose no time in sending a snbscription to qualify him a member of the association. —(Loud. laughter.) They wanted no more than that, and with less they would not be content. —(houd cheers.) Mr. SAMUEL MORLEY said, as one belonging to the middle classes heowas g}ad in having an opportunity of identifying himself with that movement, which he be lieved had much to do with the happiness of a great mass of the working people.—(Cheers.) He was con aected with a house in the City which employed con !affably more than 2,000 moo, and be was prepared to stet, e. that when food was cheapest wages were invariably higri est. During the late period of distress he thoukthii. the wauking classes had conducted themselves admirab.e ,, ,c, and thought if they continued to do so, cud unit 51 toged ier, that the higher classes would no longer he al de to starid against them.—(Cheers.) He thought they wE ire entitle d to their heartiest and strongest coueratulati , )n. He tell glad that had had an opportunity of givi ag his most hearty adhesion to this movement, and end ea yourir, g to prevail upon every one to give their sup! ion to it.- -(Cheers.) He believed that if the associa bon pursued its course with vigour and energy all the• elec tors for the counties of Engler d would be secured t o it, and afford tt`lem great aid in carrying ont their great object . Dr. LoNGSTAFF then came forward to support the re solutior . Taxation was the beginning, the middle, and the end of all conversations. With respect to poli tics, the present House of Commons,tinstead of conside ring how th ey should lighten the burthens of taxatic non the working classes, bad done all they could to fix: saxa Lion upon them, and to remove it from themselves.—(Chet rs.) Direct taxation was not popular ; why? bee Ruse he believed it was not properly understood.—(Chee.rs.) With respect to indirect taxation, that o ecuri ed in the Excise and Customs, and it was 1 throul;h them ,hat the Government had put their hands into the pockets of the people.—(Loud ch eers.) He maintained that direct taxation was the proper taxation to be placed upon the people.--(Ch eers.) When the tax-gatherer came for the taxes upt En his horses and carriages, and so on, he knew what b a was paying to the State.—(Cheers.) He would put it to the meeting whether this country would have tolerate d the tax upon tea if it had been honestly collected a t the grocer's shop door.—(Cheers.) So much for the Cus toms.—(Cheers.) He would now advert to the Es :cise. He was prepared to maintain that theiExcise . regula rions advanced the price of soap by 2id. a pound. They in terfered with the operations of the manufactures, an d it was high time that the system was changed. How was that change to be brought about ? Why, in this simple manner, by securing a change in the Perliamentery representation, and he had therefore great pleasure in supporting this association.—(Hear, heat.) Mr. WILSON said the working classes had been com plimented for their goodness, but when h e remembered. that in the last year a million of people died of absolute starvation, it did seem to him that as the working classes had evinced very little sympathy for the sufferings of Ireland, they were not deserving of compliment. (Oh, oh.) Mr. LAWRENCE HEYWORTH, M.P., also spoke in favour of direct taxation. At present 35,000,0001. were ex torted from the pockets of the pour man, and, o f course, he was therefore obliged to consume less of the articles of consumption, so reducing the productive powers of this country. A system of direct taxation would remove all this evil, and he hoped shortly to see it adopted.—(at tar.) He admired the universal suffrage which existed in France, and he thought the peace of the country and the firmness of the government at that moment solely depended upon it.—(Cheers.) But what had Fraa'ce done on the score of economy ? Nothing.—(Heat .) With direct taxation, lacevever, much might have been accomplished in that res,pect.—(Hear, hear.) Sup posing there was a direct hex of 10 per cent. in this country. would not the nobility—some of whom had 300,0001. a year—feel some reltectance in paying their quota to the tax-gatherer? ---( Hear, hear.) And if they complained, would not the working classes complain also ? Would not the working , man inquire into the way in which his money was ex pended by the State?—(Cheers.) Did they think there would be any sinecures? No, Sir, ever y man would be a. watch-dog upon the acts of the Govern meat.—(Cheers.) Direct taxation recommended itself is every light.— (Hear, hear.) Then with respect to universal suf frage, he had advocated it ever since he was able to, speak—(Hear, hear)—and if there were an universal. expression of opinion among the men of England for universal suffrage, it must inevitably be conceded to, them.—(Cheers.) He looked upon those who taxed. him, without his having a voice in Parliams .nt, as no thing but thieves.—(Loud cheers.) The CHAIRMAN then apologised for the absence of Mr. George Thompson, who was preve eted ad dressing the meeting in consequence of having to attend his duties in the House of Comm cues. Mr.. Roebuck had expressed his intention of being present, but no doubt some unavoidable circumstance bad pre vented him. He might assure the meeting, I ic.wever, that none was more sound upon the question , est issue than Mr. Roebuck.—(Loud cheers.) The resolution was then put to the meeting, and car ried with great cheering. Mr. D. WIRE proposed the third resolution—" That in the opinion of this meeeting the Commons' H 'owe of Parliament, as at present constituted, repres exits neither the population, the property, nor the industie V of the country; that the election of its Members has in nu merous instances been the result of bribery and corr op tion—(Cheers)—coercion and intimidation;—(Chee rs) --that the electoral distributions present the m in trous anomaly of a few hundred voters in some distri, is returning as many Members as several thousand cons ti tuents in other districts; that the Reform Act has totally failed to realise the expectations of the country or to harmonise with the spirit of the age—(Hear, hear) — and that therefore a large extension of the franchise, a complete independence in its exercise by enemas of the ballot—(Cheers)—a more equal apportionment of re presentatives to population—(Hear, hear)--and the limitation of Parliament to three years—(Hear, hear) — become not only measures of common justice, b ut also of prudence and safety." (Loud cheers.) Thal, cheer, he thought, would do instead of a spec eh. — (No, no.) The resolution deducad a consequence, and pointed to a remedy. Was it a fact that the Hous a of Commons, as at present constituted, represented the. population, the property, or the intelligence of i hey country?—(No.) He had only to look to the Membi tre who made up that body, and the investigations of commi it tees to deduce that the House of Commons did not do s Look at Harwich. Why Harwich, with its 120 elector 5, returned two Members, whilst the Tower Hamlets, wit.ta a population of 24,000, returned no greater number. Harwich and a number of other sirnilareplaces should be put in schedule A. What was the result of having such places as Harwich? That the electors were intimidated, because they were bribed and coerced. Like Sudbury, it had been a place of corruption from the beginning-- it fairly stunk in the nostrils—(Laughter)—it was all over corruption.—(Laughter.) This showed there must be an equitable division of electoral districts, in o: der to obtain a fair representation of the House of Commons.(Cheers.) Eighty-six Members were sent to Parliament by a less number of voters than the con-• stituency of the Tower Hamlets, and those who were sent to Parliament by such constituencies did not repre sent the people, but their own interests.—(Cheers.) Hence it was that the Whigs sought the support of those who represented pocket boroughs and their own interests; and if they looked at those who either got places for themselves or their families, they would find that they consisted of this class.—(Hear, hear.) Lord John Russell, he thought, would not even deny that the Reform Bill had failed. For the present detective state of representation there was no remedy but the better apportionment of electoral, divisions; if this were done such constituencies could not be bribed, intimidated, or coerced. They had received an excellent lecture upon political economy from Mr. Williams, who had on all occasions supported Mr. Hume, when in the House, and whom he hoped soon to see there again.—(Loud cheers.) He had told them that the poor paid in taxes seventy five per cent, more than the rich. Ought it to be endured, that those who were least able should be subjected to such a burden, whilst the wealthier classes - were comparatively untaxed?—(Loud cheers.) The reason was apparent—it was in the present syseem of election. Let them reform their Parliament— (Cheers)—extend their suffrage, equalise their electoral districts, and they would soon get financial reform.— (Cheers.) He was glad to see that the people were now beginning to be alive to the fact that direct taxation was better than indirect taxation. Who, he would ask, ought to have the most interest in the Legislature? Why, the men who paid the most to the tax. He did not ace many bankers, if any, present—(Cheers)—but they would come when they found the cause triumphant— (Cheers)—and then they would say, see what we have done.—(Cheers.) The poor man, under the present system, paid 75 per cent. in taxation, while the rich banker paid only 15.—(Cheers, and cries of " Shame.") If direct taxation was adopted, when the grocer asked for the half-crown and the 9d. which was to be paid as a tax upon sugar and tea, he would naturally be asked what it was for, and he would say for the exigencies of the state, and the party that was to be taxed would say, the exigencies o f th e state! What do you mean by that? Do you moan to carry on an unjust war to put down the rising liberties of the people—(Cheers)--by the exigencies of the state? Did they mean the keeping up an army to put down the people. Exigencies of the state! did they mean Lady A., who lived in Hampton Palace, and who could not pay taxes, and was exempt from them?—(Cheers.) They would soon provide for the exigencies of the state if they did two things—put down the spirit of war, disband their army and dismiss their navy.—(Cheers.) He was glad that the Reform Association was to embrace all classes, the Whig and Tory. Sir R. Peel had made a declaration that he could never get over, namely, that they had taxed the people to the utmost verge of enduranee. —(Cheers.) He knew that that was true, and let them take care to make him know it was so.—(Cheers.) No doubt the Whigs would one day turn round and assist them. Lord John Russell, when he felt the cold side of opposition, would again become the leader of the people. Let there be no disunion. Lot them depend upon themselves in unity. If the Chartists would join the association they would be aiding their own cause. True, the Chartists went beyond this association, but was a man who was going 100 miles beyond Bath to refuse to ride in another car riage because he only went as far as Bath? The error of the Chartists was that they had fallen into bad com pany, and there physical, instead of a moral force, had been preached. Let them now feel as he felt, and they would abandon their ill advisers and join this association. True, it did not sly that there should be universal suf frage, but itdid not say there should not. It defined exactly what was practical now, and he invited the Chartists to take this proposal as an instalment of their own plan. Th*ru was an old adage, that short reckonings made very Lees friends.—(flear, hear.) They, therefore, asked to limit Parliament to three years, in order that constitu ents might be better aequ tinted with their representa tives, and the representatives have their virtue kept fresh by the necessity of accounting constantly to their constituents.—(Cheers.) He was rejoiced at the meeting, because he saw in it the beginning of that movement which ought to have commenced and continued long ago, and he assured them, that if they made their motto, " Union among yourselves," they might bid defiance to all who opposed them,—(Loud cheers.) Mr. REYNOLDS, of weekly journal notoriety, next ad dressed the meeting. He maintained that every individual who performed the duties and bore the burdens of a citizen had a right to be represented in the House of c 913211104.9, It W 43 /Aid that property was the real qua- lification ; and the aris teeracy—and there was no more despicable nriitocracy than that which they had in England, half of them baying obtained their landed pos,: , ssions by spoliation, being descended from the Normans, and the other half by the prostitution of their anc , stors in the lime of Charles IL—said that no man ought to have a vote unless he had a stake in the country. Now he thought that a labouring man who had a salary of 13s. or 30s. a week had as much stake in the country as the Duke of Sutherland, who bad an income of 200,0001. or 300,0001. a year, because if the Duke, and similar in his situation, disliked their country, they could collect their money together and go elsewhere. But the working man could not do that.—(Cheers.) He was known as an ultra-republican —(Cheers)—and had represented 20,000 of the work ing classes of Derby in the Convention.--(Cheers.) His works had circulated more than those of others.—(A, cry of " More sh ame t o say so, " hi sses and groans, an d counter cheers.) With respect to Lamartine, he was not a representative of the people,. because he had de serted their cause.—(No, nol and Yes!) He could not see bow the ballot could be styled un•English, and unfair, when it was used in all the West-end clubs; yet a member who adopted it in his club went down to the House and denied the same right to the people. It was adopted in the army, and even Lord Cardigan would not use it unless he was shielded by the ballot-box. The proper apportionment of representation to the population was obviously based on the principles of common sense. He thought that the duration of Parliament should be limited to three years, on the principle that short reckon ings made long friends. He maintained that the earth belonged to those who were upon it, and that all ought to be satisfied before any one was allowed to live in idle ness .—(Cheers.) He was convinced that such reforms as were contemplated by this association could alone save this country from destruction. The CHAIRMAN, in putting the resolutions, deprecated the terms used by Mr. Reynolds in calling the aristo cracy infamous. The resolution was then put and de clared to be carried unanimously. Thanks were then voted to the Chairman amid loud acclamations, who shortly responded, and the meeting broke up at a late hour. THE COUNTRY MARKETS. HULL, MAT 22. Messrs. Taylor and Bright's Circular states :.•• The arrivals of the past week have been on a very moderate scale, and more firmness has been manifested in the trade than of late, without, however, any advance being quotable, or any great extent of business transacted. For to-day's market our farmers brought a moderate show of wheat, which was taken off slowly by the millers at about last week's prises. But little passing in foreign, and Is. less money taken to force business. Barley unaltered; the demand for feeding very slow, and the malting season near its close. Beans fully support our quota tions, with more inquiry for peas at late prices. There is now on the market a fine parcel of the beat white Indian corn, for sale from ship. Only a moderate business passing in linseeds and the bulk of the import goes direct to the crusher. The sale of cake is just now very limited, and.though stocks are us. important, purchases may be made on moderate terms. We have at present on sale a fine parcel of thin oblong American in barrels. Rapeseed unaltered in value, and only a single parcel on the market. Rape cakes dull and lower. With good arrival of bones the market is fairly supported. The following are the present prices of grain :- 8. 8. Wheat, English, red 42 to 44 Do. white 44 46 Dantzic and Ko nigsberg 4B 50 Pomeranian and Hamburgh . 42 44 Danish, Holstein, & Friesland 3B 42 Russian and Odessa 36 42 Oats, English Do. Danish—. Do. Friesland l6 18 Do. Russ. & Odessa 14 16 Barley,malting 24 26 Do. grinding 2O 22 Beans 2B 32 Do. foreign ...... 26 28 !Peas, white and yel. 'Do. grey 'Linseed, Black Sea , Do. Petersburgh Do. Riga &Arctingl. Do. Konigsberg a a. 25 30 24 26 39 4 1 34 39 35 37 32 35 Per ton. Linseed cakes, Hull 71580 d Do. fine foreign Do. inferior foreign 5l 5s Rapeseed Rape cakes 855 Od Tares, English OOB 005 Do. foreign 20s 2 65 Guano 6/ to 101 105 Bones, do 005 Od to 95s Od Rye meal 61 MAT 22. hort to-day, caused our millers We had no change in the IPS WIWI- The supply of wheat beiri g :o give the prices of last woek. value of spring corn. ERR QUARTS R. Wheat 3Bs to 4 8s; Barley ... Oats Ms to 2 As' Rye PER QUARTER. ;Beans ..... ,Peas. 26s to 33 1 Malt. 4Bs to 53 1 Flour, per sack AVERAGES FOR. TILE ViritiK ENDING MAY 19, 1549. Wheat Barley Oats ....... Beans. 34 „ 31s. Od. Peas ............ LIVERPOOL, MAY 22.—At this morning's market there WIC a thin attendance of buyers, whose operations in wheat were limited, and the advance note d on Friday was nearly 16 ' 4 ' Flour sold in retail parcels, at ail)out 3d per barrel higher than this day week. Oats and oatm ea l' were scarce, and colum ane d full prices. Barley, beans, and p eas all dull. There vi" ag— sale for Indian corn, at the prices of last Tuesday ; best Yellow corn sold at 35s 6d to 365, and best white 32s to 335 6d per 4801bs. day 's DALKEITII MEAL M ARKET , M AY 21 . —A t thi s market there were 166 bags oatmeal, 15 of barleymeal, and 3 of pot barley ; sales ready • oatmeal steady at lat e rates ; barleymeal same as l as t week% the pot barley was not sold. Oatmeal, per sack, of 280 lbs. l'i'irat Second Third imperial .. ... ... 2;'s Od 26s 3d 25s 64 Barleymeal, per ditto ... 20s Od 193 91 19s Od Peasemeal ... ... ... —. Od —s Od — 5 Od Flour ... ... ... ... —s: Od —s Od —2 Od Pot barley ... ... ... —s Od —s Od —s Od CORK, MAY 21.—Flour —Firsts 14 s to 14s 6d ; extra 15104 seconds, 13s Od to 1316 d; households Itls to 12a; thirds Ss to lOs per cwt. Oatmeal 13s Od to COs; Indian meal Ss 6d to 9s ; wilted meal, 10s Od to Ils per cwt. Indian corn 8' Os Od to 8/105 per ton. Bran 4/ to 4/ 5s per ton. Hay—Farmers trJOs Od to 00s; average 00s ; dealers 40s to 50s; average 46s 04 per ton. Sty avr—Farmers 21s Od to 35s Od; average 30s; dealers 35s Od to 37s Od; average 003 Od per ton. Bread—Wheaten loaf 6d to bid; household loaf 5d to sid per 41b. Fresh butter, 'Bd to 94 per lb. Eggs —3s 10d to 4s per hundred. Cottle -- Newport 16s; Lydney 17, ; Landore 16s; Best pleistb Colin 14s per ton. Tallow 43s 6d to 44s per eat. Whisky, 25 o. p., 6s Od per imperial gallon. Meal —Beef 4d to 7d; mutton ad to bid; veal bid to 7d ; pork 4d to bid ; bacon 7d to 8d ; sausages 6d Pe r lb. Hops 61 lOs per cwt. Bangor slates 3/ 2s 6d to 315 s per ton • Bark—Barbary 8/ to 8/ lOs; Valonia 14l to 01; French 7111)s; English 0/ per ton. Fleece Wool 10s to 123 per stone. Hemp 31/ to 361 per ton. Fish— Scotch herrings lis to 18s ; red ditto 26s to 28s per barrel ; Newfoundland 10/ 10, to 12/ per ton. Timber—New Memel 4/ lOs ; old scarce ; red pine 3. 1 15s ; yellow pin e 31 per ton ; d ea l s, fi rst qua li ty, 2 0 1 ; secon d quality 171 per 120. Hides—Market 103 to 14s; salted lls to 141 per cwt • calf skins lid to 2id ; market lid to 2d per lb. Potatoes, white 12d to 14d; Minions 19d to 20d; Guano Peruvian, 11/ to 11/ /Os; Ichaboe 91 pr ton ; Tar—Archangel , 193 per barrel. R &IL WAY SHAREr-MARKETS. BRISTOL, MAT 22. STOCK EXCHANGE —The only transactions to-day were in Briliel at, d Exeter Old Shares, which closed at 3S Mi. The market re ma.'ns in a very gloomy and depressed condition. LIVERPOOL, MAY 22. STO CK 'EXCIIANOE. —The Share market was very dull to-daft and closed heavily. The sales are—Caledonian, Preference, 1134 -- London and North-Western, 127 c.—Ditto, New :Quarters, 21i Manchester, Sheffield, and Lincolnshire, Preferene3, 10N Halves, 11% dis. -Newcastle and Carlisle, 95 Shrewsbury an d Chester, Preference, guaranteed 8 per cent., 15—South-Easters and Dover (No. 4), U. 13s. 94- m Am; H E.,: TER, 311 Y 22. STOCK EXCHANGE.— Thetranss , ctions to-day were as follows: Doter (No. 4), 6%—Ditto (Regis tered), 6% c.—Sheffield, Pref." . ence, 11—North Staffordshire, 5 (Us, —Leeds, Fifths, 4% dis.—Eastern Counties, S 1-16—East Lancashire, Preference, 736—Stafford and Lincoln, 14% C. dis.—Leeds, Preference, I 1 15-16. I.II.K34iNGHANL, MAT 22. STOCK Excnatioa.—The transactions to-day have been as fol lows:—London and North-Western, F Ifths, s%—Midland, 6 per cent., 123% —North Staffordshire, 5% di. I .—S.hrewsbury and Bir mingham (B.). 4 3-9 dis.—Shropshire th:ion, 535. 9d. dls—South Staffordshire, 4% dis.—York and l'iewcasth.‘. Extension, 6►34. GLASGOW, MAY 21. STOCK EXCHANGE.—The only business done in the Stock EV Change to-day was in Clydesdale Junction, at 61. Love is the embroidery of imaginstilm on the stuff of nature.—Eliza Cook's Journal. NATURAL LANGUAGE or THE HAND,S.—The hand has a great share in expressing our .thoughts and feeling s; raising the hands towards heaven, with the pal m s united, expresses devotion and sa•pplicatibuj wringing them, grief; throwing them tower ds heavens admiration; dejected hands, despair and attoitzement; folding them, idleness; holding the fingers intermingled , musing and thoughtfulness; holding them forth together , yielding and subwission; lifting them and the e yo to heaven, selemn appeal; waving the hand from us, pro hibition; extending the right hand to any one, peace , pity, and safety; scratching the head, care and perplexing thought; laying the right hand on the heart, affection and solemn affirmation; holding up the thumb, appro bation; • placing the right forefinger on the lips perpen dicularly, bidding silence.—Eliza Cook's Journal. 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On the 20th inst., at Upper Clapton, Mrs. William Lid diard, of a son. MARRIED • nc On the 17th inst., a t St. G eorge ' s, . Irais Hanover-square, f IT. R ' amadge M.D., of Clarge s - a t re -t, t o ll arr i e tt e , relict o John Carey, Lsq., of Park-fields, Staffordshire. On the 19th inst., at St Pancras, William, youngest son of the late Colonel George Furater, Royal Artillery, to Jane , third daughter of the late Robert Pringle, Esq., Ordnance §torektmper, Gibraltar. DIED. 04 the 18th inst., suddenly, in the 71st year of his age , John Oldrid, Eel., one of th e magistrates, and formerly. al derman, and on mayor of the borough of Beaton. On the 19111 init., in 111nita..vt-street, Portman-square , Sir Nesbit Josiah Willoughby, C. 8., K.C.11., Rear-Admiral of the White, aced 7 4 . On Saturday, the 1911 inst., in Cork-street, Lieutenant - C donel F. K. Limond, late of the Madras Cavalry. On the 19th inst., at Dover, Sarah, relict of the late Lavr ranee Banks, Esq., of Boys-hall, and eldest daughter of the late Joseph Sladen, Esq, of Folkestone, aged 75. On the 20th inst., at Torquay, Mrs. Julan Tyndale, of Blandtord-square, Marylebone. On the 20th inst. at the Rectory-house, Worth. Sussex , Anna Maria, relict of the late Rev. Dr. Bethune, LL.D. --- London: Printed and Published by MURDO YOUNG , of No. 112, Strand, Printer, at The Sun Office, No. 112, Strand, in the I'reciuct of the Savoy, in the conntl of Mi.tl , llesex ; Webeaky, May 23, 1849. ~~