The Sun. — London, England, 1831-11-18 00:00:00

DINNER of the WILTSHIRE REFORMERS TO LORD LANSDOWNE. On Wednesday, the 16th, a darner was given, at the Bear Inn, Devizes, by the Reformers of Wilt shire, to the Marquis of Lansdowne, Lord Lieu tenant of the county, as a mark of the estimation in which they hold his Lordship's character and ser vices, and especially as a testimony of the public gratitude for the course the Noble Marquis has pur sued with respect to the great measure of Reform. The Sheriff of the county (PAUL COBB METHUEN, Esq ) presided on the occasion, assisted by Mr. Locke and Mr. Phipps, and the dinner was served up at about half-past five o'clock. Though the as sembly was very numerous (the whole of the tickets issued having been disposed of), the arrangements were so good as to obviate the slightest confusion. The party included most of the leading persons of the country. Among those present were—Lord Andover, Sir Thomas Fellowes, the County Mem bers (Sir John Astley and Mr. Benett), Sir A. Mallets, Colonel Houlton, Major Olivier, Captains Taylor and Fielding, R N., Mr. Long, and Mr. W. Long, Mr. Thomas Moore, the distinguished poet, Mr. Talbot, of Laycock-abbey, Mr. P. Scrope, &c. After the removal of the cloth, Non nohis Domine, was sung by Messrs. Garbutt, Rowle, and Loader, of Bath, who, with Mr. Waulds, of the Bristol Theatre, contributed to the hilarity of the meeting by singing various appropriate songs and glees in the course of the evening. The CHAIRMAN then rose for the purpose of pro. posing the toast which claimed precedence of all othera—" The health of the patriotic Sovereign of Britain."—(Cheers.) The time might formerly have been when there would have been greater difficulty in putting such a toast,—when it might have required the aid of a more pompous intro duction ; but it was now only necessary to pro nounce the name of William IV.—of William, the Reformer's choice—(Cheers) —to inspire feelings in every breast that made it an easy duty for any speaker to call attention to it. The concessions to the cause of liberty obtained from other monarchs, had sprung as much from their fear as their good will; but our present Monarch had granted Reform as a s pontaneous boon.—(Cheers.) It was impos sible not to feel grateful for his paternal kindness, and they were bound to support him as he had sup ported his people. He was persuaded that if the Monarchy of England were to become elective to morrow, William IV. would be chosen to fill the Throne by the unanimous voice of the nation. — (Cheers.) The Chairman then gave " The King," which was drunk with the greatest enthusiasm. Song—" When Britons on our sea-girt shore." Toast—" The Queen and Royal Family." Song—" Love g ently whispers while she sleeps." The CHAIRMAN would next propose the health of an illustrious individual, who was an honour to the ration—who had invariably stood up for the rights and liberties of the people. It was almost unnecessary for him to name " his Royal Highness the Duke of Seseex," who might be justly styled the Prince of Befoimers.—(Applause.) The health of his Royal Highness was warmly pledg ed. The CHAIRMAN begged now to call attention to a toast in which they were all much interested, and which he was sure would awaken the most grateful feelings of every pet son present. He a as about to propose the health of their distinguished guest, the Lord Lieutenant of the county.—(Cheers.) Were the Noble Marquis not present among them, he • (the Chairman) should experience less difficulty in designating hi- character, which he must be per mitted to say, shed lustre on his class, and added dignity to the high station which he occupied,— (Applause,) That Noble Lord, from his earliest fouth—from his very entrance into political He— wes never known to adopt a line of conduct evi dencing a disposition to court the sunshine of Royal favour, or to intrigue for patronage or place. He had devoted his great talents to the extension of his country's liberty, and to the general benefit of mankind.—(Applause.) If they turned to his speeches in the House of Lords, they would show that be possessed all the qualities that contribute to form a great man ; if they looked to his bearing in a private elation, they would see it marked by urbanity arid kindness--by every thing that could make the humblest of the people feel easy in corn enunicatieg with him.--(Applause.) At a period -so critical as the present, when they heard the most virulent abuse circulated against men in power, it muet be a sufficient guarantee to them of the ground leesriess of the charges, when they saw their Lord Lieutenant, and a Member of the Government, thus assailed;--(Cheers.) The character of the Noble Marquis gave the lie at once to the assertions of the Anti-Reformers ---(eiepplause.) With respect to the conduct of the ;Noble Marquis in his own county, they all knew that in any matter of business no one could be easier of access, arid more willing to pay attention to the humblest applicant. At present the advantages they derived from having such a Lord Lieutenant were inestimable. He trusted that they should not again e ;these the distressing scenes of last year, and if there could he any security against their recurrence, it might be held to be in the cha racter of their Lord Lieutenant, for the only sub stantial security consisted in the mutual good feeling of all ranks of society ; and how was that feeling more effectually promoted than by the conduct dis played, in his various social relations, !),), the leading Nobleman of the county?—(Applause.) He did not wish to trespass upon the patience of the meet ing.; but he could not think he had discharged his duty to the meeting and the county, if he did not assure :heir Noble guest of the high respect and esteem they entertained for his character, and the gratitude universally felt for his public services and private worth. The health of the Noble Marquis was drunk with the evarmest demonstrations of regard. The Marquis of Leeespoweie, in rising on an oc casion so gratifying to him, must certainly say that his first object was to assure the meeting of his most sincere arid heartfelt pleasure for the honour they had conferred an him by their invitation, and for the favour shown to his name at the suggestion of his worthy and excellent friend, who so efficiently iiiead the office of High Shenk . for the county; but although his first object in addressing them was un doubtedly the wish to convey all expression of his emotions Arising from a deep sense of their kindness, still he must a cknowledge that it would be peat af fectation in him to countenance the supposition that they expected biro to confine himself to the simple expression of his feeilings,or that he himself content plated a restriction of the #eind. However deeply he .might feel on any other accesisen ; or at any other time, this proof of confidence As ,r.e*3.pg to him per sonally, it impressed him doubly est ,ebtee filaments f rom the particular circumstances and reente with w hi c h he was connected.—(Hear, hear.) Nost deeply s;tl he feel it as a member of his Majesty's Government'a Government engaged in conducting the progress or brie of the roast arduous and momen tous measures ever attempted to be carried into effect by arty Admieistretion—a measeee evhich they had no other motive in otekinating and supp,orting but the desire to benefit the people, and which the) confidence of the people could aloese kpable them to' bring to a triumphant conclusion. Those who had watched the progress of the public trend of late years ;nest have been sensible, that Thera existed a growing op ; ; ieM which indicated, he would Dot say the expe diency, but the necessity °fa Reform in the representa tion of the people.—(iheers.) That growing opinion became consolidated at the time of the ac c e ssion of the P - resent Ministers t o power , ar id they had deemed it right to ollect its scattered rays land one mi c ht burn with th e sa f e and one focus, that g stead) , light calculated to guide the community to a baeeen of safety. Ministers were conscious, in com- Anon Wait Al! friends el the cause, that its weakness .ey in the great variety of opinions respecting t h e retest remedy far admitted abuses. The diversity of scatiment which naturally prevailed upon this I,oint, made it just as impossible to advise a measure V relief that would eseeet the yield nr very party, as it would for mechanical ingenuity to fashion a coat that would adapt itself to the shape of every man. They felt that the only chance of introducing a measure of Reform with success lay in their be ing able to take a common ground on which all Reformers might consistently stand together; and which, whether the peculiar object of each were or were not attained in its full extent, would at least be productive of a great good to all.—(Applause.) On that consideration had Ministers produced the measure of Reform brought forward in the last Ses sion of Parliament, and on that consideration they would again produce a measure not less efficient than the former.—(Cheers.) In framing that mea sure they had in view throughout to graft it on the ancient existing institutions of the country—institu tions which it was a gross libel on the national character to affirm that they were of a narrow, contracted, resisting, or repulsive tendency, they being, in fact, calculated, beyond those of any other land, to incorporate, all the wealth, talent, and industry that gathered round them in the lapse of time, and from the addition of which they derived additional strength. He (Lord Lansdowne) was no friend to what were called new constitutions, has tily adopted without knowledge of the effect they were likely to have. His experience was not the longest, but he had seen many of these constitu tions brought forth, live for a brief space, then decay and perish, because they were not deeply rooted in the habits, feelings, and opinions of the people for whom they were constructed. They exhibited a promise of vitality, while the fever of excitement in which they originated continued; but when the un natural stimulus passed away, they, as it were, col lapsed, and made way for an influence more malig nant. They were as meteoric vapours arising from accidental combinations, bewildering the sight and captivating the imagination, but rapidly failing, and sinking into the darkness from which they came. This was not the description of light which his Ma jesty's Ministers wished to see illuminating this country. On the contrary, they wished to work on the broad and safe light of day, which enabled them to discern all objects, and allowed them to be de ceived by none.—(Applause.) Thus actuated, they had framed a measure carefully grounded on the existing institutions, seeking honestly and zealously to purge them of the abuses which had accumulated round them, and giving the possession of political privileges to as great an extent as was consistent with the safety of the State. He was aware that much of these institutions, or rather the abuses in cidental to them, was connected with the interests of individuals ; nay, more, was connected in many cases with habits and feelings, the origin of which he could not blame, however he might condemn their result. For instance, in the nomination of re presentatives by individuals, while he condemned the principle, still he was ready to admit that this accidental influence had been occasionally possessed by persons of all political parties, who endeavoured to exercise it for a beneficial end. But this, when it did occur, was only a chance, and it was not upon chance that he wished to repose the security of this empire.— (Hear.) Adverting to this subject reminded him of a remarkable incident that happened many years hack, when one of the most gifted women of the age—Madame de Stael—went to Russia on a visit to the Emperor Alexander. At the interview be tween these personages, among his first words the Emperor said—" Madam, you are coming to a country without a constitution." To this she re plied, " I am coming to a country where you are yourself a constitution." The Emperor then re joined—" Ah ! Mackin, I am but a lucky acci dent." The same remark would apply to the ex amples cited in favour of nomination boroughs. They might lie the medium of introducing men of honour into Parliament, but there was no security that men of honour would be brought in. —(Cheers.) Government, therefore, felt that the destruction of the whole of this class of boroughs was indispensa bly requisite in the measure of lust session, and they feel that it will be indispensably requisite in the measure to be submitted to Parliament. He did not wish to infringe too far upon the time of the meeting, but he might be permitted to state, that whilst Ministers, in their strenuous ende.ivours to tiring the measure of Reform safe into port, were placed in a situation of difficulty, those whom he then addressed, with the sentiments they held arid the station they filled, were also in a position not without difficulty. While they exercised the influ ence that belonged to them in their several circles, in steadily upholding the feeling by which the prin ciple of the great measure of Reform was sustained and supported, it was incumbent on them, at the same time, to moderate its action, and direct it to a safe and salutary purpose. He was not speaking his own opinions merely, nor only the decided convic tion of his colleagues, but the opinion of the gracious master he had the honour to serve, in declaring that nothing could so effectually work against the measure of Reform, or his wishes, as any thing resembling a threat to carry by force or by intimidation that, which, if carried, ought to be the deliberate result of reason arid conviction.—(Hear.) There was no need to press this opinion on those by whom he (the Noble Marquis) was surrounded, but they might le called upon to impress upon the minds of others, that the great object of Reform was the attainment of good government, and that the aim of good go vernment was to give security to property and en sure freedom of action. Those who abetted the approach to violence were the real enemies of Re form. He trusted the people would see that the Reform they sought, if it were to prove permanent, could alone be founded on fell di-cussion, and pro found conviction: —(Hear.) So prepared—so con sidered—and so attained, he was sanguine enough to hope that it would be the means of preserving to distant ages, unpolluted and unimpaired, the sacred elements of that Constitution under which they had all experienced so much happiness.—(Cheers.) The Noble Marquis repeated his deep sense of the honour paid by the meeting to himself, of the justice which they had done to the motives of Ministers, and the betiets't they had conferred on the cause of Reform, and concludeel by proposing the health of theeiligh Sheriff, whose exertions to preserve the peace of the county were deserving pf the highest praise: that peace he trusted would not be disterbed in the year .oie which they were about to enter, but that through the ;loyalty of the people, the great measure would pass unalloied by any circumstances of pas sion or confusion, whieh would only impede the march of that which they all wiehed to see proceed ing with regularity and steadiness.—(Cheers.) The health of the High Sheriff was then given with three times three. The CHAIRMAN said he never rose to address any meeting of a public or social character with the same feeling of inadequacy to do justice to his impressions under which he then laboured. Such a compliment must have been gratifying to him under any circum stances, but how much was its value enhanced from the peedi:tioo through which it had been conve y ed, arid the cordiality #,nell which it had been received I That was not a fitting arcaa fgr the display of egotism, hut he thought he ought no t ; t?eest satis fied at a meeting held to celebrate the greet cause of keir hearts, without explaining the Gorse he ba4 pursoe? with regard to Reform. On his first iatroe duction to dee ,county, as a candidate for its repre -entation, he wits the humble instrument in the rounds of the freeholders to ye!i:;ve Wiltshire from a state oolitical thraldom, us abject that. 11 of the - e elo-est boro;;1, in the kingdom.—(Cheers. vsas proud to avow A! . ,.'e gratitude due to his friend Mrs leienett, for tine 'servicee he had at that period rendered tee him and to the county; when broke forth the first dey-dawn of that light Wij,...1..! Si' S no w leradiatkng every and village. Sent to the House f Commons by Ci.:c free voice‘of the people, he emceed it pledged to eo party. He soon found that it we impossible for any honest man to :late very frequently with the Ministersof the day, and he should net shave ventured to appear in the presence of the assembly where he stood, if he had not endeavoured to urrest and expose their lee er sl ee y an d wapteful expenditure.,-(.A,pplanee.) He recollected that he was assailed with copious abuse by the writers in the Government prints of the period, especially by that enlightened sample of all printers' devils,theßight Hon. John Wilson Croker. —(Laughter.) He had not looked at Reform then as he did now. At that time be erred in attempting to destroy the many-headed monster of corruption by insulated blows, and he regretted that Sir Francis Burdett was not present among them, that he (Mr. Methuen) might offer a late acknowledgment of the superior wisdom of his views. But the same reason which led him to go no further then, would lead him to go no further now—namely, the voice of the people of England. No man could do less than vote for the Bill of his Majesty's Government, and he would say that it was the duty of every loyal subject to stand by Ministers at this important moment. — (Cheers.) He was glad to see that their county, always remarkable for loyalty, was so decided in sup. porting the present Government. If a few of their neighbours, whom they valued in other respects, held aloof from the pride of early habit, or a regard to a decent consistency, there were hopes that they might yet join their standard. lie should advise them, however, to hasten their steps, as he should be sorry to see them reduced to the shabby minority which he was convinced their side would soon ex hibit; for ere long there would not be in Wiltshire as many Anti-Reformers as would fill the blacking. van of the Hon. Member for Preston.—( Laughter.) He would now propose a toast, to which, after the satisfactory speech of the Noble Marquis, it would be presumption in him to affix any lengthened pre face. He would give" Success to Reform,the safety_ valve of the Constitution." The toast was received with four times four. The CHAIRMAN said, that after the last toast he deemed it necessary to propose the health of the great and illustrious man by whom the measure of Reform had been recommended to his Majesty, and proposed by the Parliament,—one who had devoted to the cause of liberty the strength of his youth arid the wisdom of his maturer years—Lord Grey. The manner in which the Noble Earl's administration had been calumniated was, to borrow the memo rable phrase applied to the importunity of Lt - .‘rd Londonderry, " too bad."—.(Laughter.) Nobody who had ever attended to Parliamentary proceed ings could really believe that Earl Grey sought office instead of office seeking him. The gross fa brications on this subject were the last kick of the boroughmongering faction. He (the Chairman) was no party man, but he did not think it possible for any set of men going out of office to act so in famously by the King, so infamously by the country, and so disgracefully by themselves, as a part of the late Administration had done. Suppose a gen tleman found fault with his steward, and appointed a person to supersede him, what would be the opi nion of the discarded servant if he did all in his power to injure and annoy his employer by impeding his business and mystifying his accounts? Would they not pronounce the man a rascal' After insti tuting the parallel, he would leave them to say what they pleased about the late Government.—(Cheers.) Earl Grey's health was drunk with loud and reiterated marks of applause. The health of the Lord Chancellor, proposed after a highly complimentary speech from the Chair, was drunk with similar cordiality; as were the health. of Lord Althorp and Lord John Russell. The CHAIRMAN, in proposing the health of his Majesty's Ministers collectively, adverted to the state of the country at the time when they entered upon office, and observed that they had done as much as any Government could be expected to per form. He believed that, in spite of the frantic de clamation of the Anti-Reformers, they would redeem the country from the boroughmongering curse— that abomination which made desolate. Under no circumstances would the people submit to return under the tyranny to which they were obliged to bend for years. " His Majesty's Ministers—three times three."—(Cheers.) The next toast was—" The Members for the county." Mr. BENETT rose to return thanks. The sub ject of Reform had been lightly touched upon, and he would touch it but lightly. The measure had been once defeated, if defeat it could be called ; but the same honest men were pledged to bring for ward another measure of equal efficiency, and with ten times a greater prospect of success. If the Bill had not been thrown our, it would have been emas culated in its progress, which would not now be the case. He would only urge on the people to he patient—to support the Government, and leave Ministers to take a clear course, unembarrassed by directions, in the full confidence that they would obtain for freedom another and another triumph.— (Applause.) He would not despair if the measure were again defeated, unless Ministers deserted their duty by deserting the people. The mode by which they might attempt to effect their object might nor succeed, but there was another mode through which they might succeed, although he trusted it would not he requisite to resort to it. They had been well. advised to look to the maintenance of the peace of the country, and to repress popular impatience, which was the only thing they had to fear, and which was displayed even by thinking men. He did not speak thus from any coolness to a measure in obtaining which he was prepared to fall if neces sary, but he wished to obtain it by the support of reason and public opinion, and not by teferenre to mob-violence. Mob tyranny was the worst of all, and they split among themselves; and if the Tories returned to power, what Reform could they hop e for then ? He knew that persons were striving to excite the people, by representing the measure of Reform as inefficient, and stating that from a Tory Administration they would receive universal suf frage. He was satisfied that if the Tories gained the ascendancy, they would coerce the country by the sword. After drilling the mob into soldiers, they would silence the just demands of the com munity by the force of the bayonet. He was firmly persuaded that certain people in this country wished to agitate the population of the manufacturing dis tricts, for the purpose of destroying the prospects of R-form. The thinking men all over the king dom were Reformers. Let them not, therefore, become disunited,—let them not embarrass the question,—let not any man call upon the Govern ment to create Peers, but all join in granting to the Administration that complete confidence so essential to enable Ministers to effect their object. Let them grant this confidence to Government, and if a failure was the consequence, then was their time to take the lead, and he would be ready to join them in taking it. The sentiments emanating from the present meeting,—sentiments which he knew would be faithfully reported,—were honourable to the county in the centre of which they were as sembled. For himself he begged to declare, than if they thought proper to send him to the House of Commons, he would continue to serve them faith fully until the question of Reform was carried. S'r J. ASTLEY coincided in the sentiments of his friend and colleague, and returned thanks for the ho nour paid him by the meeting. " Lady Lansdowne, and the Ladies of Wiltshire." Lord LANSDOWNE returned thanks. " 'the Army." " The i.:navy." The ..CIVVET4A:"; lied great : I ?leasure in proposing the health of an individual long 45noWn to them — universally admired and respected, and poasesSO of: genius which diffused the lustre of his name over the world—Mr. Thomas Moore.--(Cheers.)— Thoui;li ha was proud to say that he had been ho noure'd with lr °ore's friendship for above thirty years, still he did riot propcsp his health on the score of private intimacy, but as a roan whD we an ho epur to his country and his age, acid who was,above all, the pcct of liberty, and the consistent advocate of the rights of fits noive land. " Mr. Moore, with three times three." 11100 RE felt peculiarly gratified by the kind manlier in which his friend, the Chairman, had asso ciated his name with Ireland. Nothing, indeed, could imr art to him lidelier emotions of pleasure titan connectiny his 'name' with' the country of hie birth. He had intended to content himself with simply expressing his thanks for the honour they had conferred upon him, and should, perhaps, have done so, had not that been the first time it had fallen to his lot to meet an assembly of his friends and neighbours since the great question of Re form had come to be agitated,—a question which was not only arraying, on the one side or the other, for or against, all the thinking spirits of our proud empire, but whose progress Europe itself was at that moment watching with equally divided sympathies. All those who wished to keep the human mind, if not in darkness, at least in that pe numbral " bit-by-bit" light, such as came dimly from ' the distant wisdom of their ancestors—all those were now looking on with trembling solicitude lest the dreaded illumination should spread—lest the Tory propagators of their dark heresy in this country should he defeated, and the important truth evinced, that England, free England, might with safety be made free.—( Cheers.) While thus the sticklers for antiquated abuses,—'he worshippers of the rust of time,—were holding their distempered watch, with no less anxiety was every lover of rational freedom throughout Europe looking to the Commons of Eng land for a lesson in the art of moderate and cons , i • tutional self-enfranchisement, for an example of a great countryrighting its political position, without any risk of losing its balance in the effort, and giving a warn ing to bad masters of the people, without converting the people into worse masters themselves.—(Cheers.) To both these classes of observers he (Mr. Moore) would proclaim, that of the ultimate success of their present struggle for freedom there was now not the slightest doubt; that there yet might be interrup tions and delays, rendering their progress to the goal less smooth, but none that could render their arrival at it less certain.—(Applause.) It only remained, then, for the people,—and when he said the people, he meant that great mass of intelligent persons of all ranks and stations who constituted the mental power of this country, and who would, he trusted, ever guide and modulate the physical power. He referred to the Noble Lords opposite, no less than his humbly-born self, both in their distinct spheres equally forming a part of that social system in whose movements all were alike interested, and through which a light of freedom was about to be diffused, of which they would all alike participate. It only remained, he repeated, for the people to show themselves, by their moderation and self-command, worthy of the inestimable boon which was now all but within their grasp, and of which nothing could impede or delay their attainment save their grasping at too much.—(Applause.) " The principle of de mocracy," said Montesquieu, and by no one was the principle of democracy ever placed higher, seeing that he assumed virtue as its basis—" the principle of democracy is become corrupted, not only when the spirit of equality is lost sight of, but also when a spirit of extreme equality prevails." So thought the sagacious 'Montesquieu ; but there was an other authority still more to the point, and to which they would doubtless listen with fonder reverence— that of Mr. Fox. In the introductory chapter of his Historical Fragment, after giving it as his opi nion that the growing diffusion of knowledge through all the grades of British society must lead an observer to anticipate momentous revolutions, and that the House of Commons would, he con ceived, be the instrument by which those changes would be accomplished, he proceeded in these re markable words :—" How will the House of Com mons conduct itself? .Will it content itself with its regular share of legislative power, or will it boldly (perhaps rashly) pretend to power com mensurate with the natural rights of the re presentatives of the people ? If it should do so, will it not be obliged to support its claims by military force; and how long will such a force be under its controul ? How long will it be before it follows the usual course of all armies, and ranges it self under a single master ? Will this master"— but it was useless to follow the illustrious writer into those further and fated gradations which all could an ticipate, and by which, indeed, history showed that the extreme of liberty had ever led to that of servi tude, and the stormy sway of the many subsided into the monotonous despotism of one. He would che rish the hope,—for he was as little disposed to flat ter the people as he had ever been to flatter their corrupt rulers, regal or lordly,—then, that as the people of England came into possession of their full heritage of freedom, they would exhibit a readier disposition than heretofore to share that matchless blessing with others.—(Applause.) It was but too true, as the enemies of the popular voice asserted, though it came with an ill grace from those whose discreditable influence was at the root of the wrong —it was, indeed, true, that when the infant liberties of America and of France were to be strangled in their cradles, the people of England showed them selves bu' too ready to put their hands to the unholy work. Nor could he forget that, had it depended upon the people of England—he himself—one of millions as deserving he would say to be free as they were—would have stood before them in the same chains he wore when he and they first met — chains of which he feared the mark was too recent, and he too old, to be expected to outlive their recut lecsion. He would, notwithstanding, answer for his countrymen, that they would exult in the forthcom ing restoration of Englishmen to their rights, even apart from the hope of being gainers by it themselves. (Cheers.) But they would be gainers; it was im possible that it should prove otherwise. England— regenerated England—would no longer, as hitherto, shine forth, imperfectly shorn of her best beams—a sort of half-moon of freedom, with one segment of her orb shrouded in gloom ; nor could he help feel ing confidence that, under the auspices of men like his Noble Friend whom they were that day met to ' honour—one whose manly, expansive, and benevo lent spirit had no dearer ambit•on than that of see g his fellow men intelligent and happy—he could not doubt that, under such auspices, full justice might yet be done to his country ; and it might be t e o v o e , n b e h l i o s n l g o t t o t o a b n e a t o be to ay, n l o ffr s eem , ( li c e d he ie e d, I, rs.) The following toasts were drank in succession : " The Royal Yeomanry Cavalry of the county of Wilts"—" The Healths of the Lads of Suffolk and Radnor, arid Lord Andover"—" Vie Magistrates of the county"—" Prosperity to the Town of De vizes"—" Civil and Religious Liberty"—" The Stewards, who had conducted the arrangements so satisfactorily." The vocalists in attendance then sang " God save the King." Most of the company joined in the na tional anthem, at the termination of which the Marquis of Lansdowne took leave of the meeting, which broke up immediately afterwards, at ten o'clock Who but must remember with what delight he has dwelt upon the strange scenes, the wild adventures, but, above all, upon the new race of beings, described in the pages of COOK, or VANCOUVER ? Who but has pe rused with avidity the details connected with newly dis covered islands in that ocean happily called the Pacific? The singular manners and customs of the natives—their amazement on beholding their unknown visiters—the in tercourse between men so essentially different from one another, and which frequently led to the most deadly hostilities--must recur to the mind of every well-informed person. Captain BEccifEv's delightful narrative has been succeeded by Mr. STEWART'S Account of his Visit to the South Seas, which conveys the most recent picture of a portion of the globe in every point of view interesting. The estimation in which the author was held by the chiefs and natives of the various islands, has enabled him to descri4e sceroes Ircin which other travellers had been uni formly exclude 4; A few days since, whilst LCIII4 fishermen were sailing up the Lynn channel, they caught a very singular fish, about three feet and a half long and one foot and a half wide: It possesses a very unusual form com pared with any of the finny tribe ever seen there. There is neither symmetry not beauty attached to it, and from its peculiar appearance there is every reason to b e li eve it is nk an inh a bi tant of t h e se coasts. It is as broad at the tail as at the head, 'and has several large fins. The under part is soft, but the back i§ of a cru§ted nature, and sparkles like silver: hence many sailors have designated it the sun-fi s h or s ilver-tish. These, however, are only vague descripti ons , and naturalists differ m uc h as to i ts name and ev e n r vec iee,.....Slarnford 4fe teq, COURT CIRCULAR. A Cabinet Council was held yesterday afternoon at the Foreign-office, which was attended by the LORD CHAN CELLOR, Earl GREY. Viscounts MELBOURNE, PALM HR. STON, GODERICH, and ALTHORP, the Earl of CARLISLE, the Right Hon. C GRANT, Lord HOLLAND, Lord J. RUSSELL, and the Duke of RICHMOND. The Ministers remained in deliberation about four hours. The conference of the Ministers of Russia, Austria, France, and Prussia, with Viscount PALMERSTON, held at the Foreign office on Tuesday evening, did not break up till an early hour the following morning. The Buenos Ayrean Minister transacted business yester day at the Foreign-office. Prince TA LLEYRAND, the French Ambassador, left town on Wednesday for Brighton. The Spanish Mini-ter visited Viscount PALMERSTON on Wednesday afternoon, at the office of the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs. Mr. DEAN and the Hon. EDWARD STEWART (the Chairman of the Commissioners of Customs) had an in terview with Viscount ALTHORP on Wednesday, at the Treisury. Lord HOLLAND arrived in town on Tuesday night, from Brighton. BRIGHTON, Nov. 17. Yesterday Mr. ROBERT GRANT had the honour of an audience of his MAJESTY, after which the KING, accom panied by her Royal Highness the Duchess Af GLOUCESTER, left the Palace in a carriage and four with two outriders, proceeded to the Dyke, and returned to the Palace after four o'clock. Her MAJESTY did not leave the Palace during the day. Her Royal Highness the Princess AUGUSTA, accom panied by Laity MARY TAYLOR, took an airing in a car riage and four, with one outrider, along the West Cliff, as far as Brunswick -terrace, from thence to Kemp Town, and returned to the Pavilion at a quarter after four o'clock. Lord and Lady BORGHERSH, Lord and Lsdy MARY BOROUGH, Miss BAGOT, Lady AFFLECK, and the Duchess of CANNIZZARO, had the honour of being included in the Roysi dinner party last evening. The Earl of ERROL, Sir ANDRUS' BARNARD, and the Earl of UXBRIUGZ, walked for some time on the West Cliff. Among the nobility and gentry who left their names at the Palace were Lord and Lady Petre, Miss Petre, Earl and Countess of Bathurst, Lady G. Bathurst, Earl and Countess of Surrey, Countess de Molondi, Sir George and Lady Westphal, Lord John Townshead, Earl and Coun tess of Kinnoul, Lady and Miss Macdonald, Marquis of Northampton, Countess of Aldborough, Mr. and Mrs. Cunningham, and Mr. and Mrs. Stafford Jerningham. The weather yesterday was cold ; notwithstanding the drives were crowded with carriages, and the promenades numerous'y attended by the haut ton. The Earl and Countess of BATHURST, Lady G. BA THURST, the Marquis of NORTHAMPTON, and General WILLIAMS, are among the latest arrivals. The Albion, York, Bedford, and New Ship Hotels, are crowded with fashionable visitors ; at no former period has Brighton had such an influx of company. The Duke of DEVONSHIRE is expected at his marine mansion in a few days. DOVER, Nov. 17. Sailed for Calais his Majesty's packet Crusader, with his Excellency the Right Hon. Sir STRATFORD CANNING and suite, on his route for Constantinople. The usual salute was fired from the Western Heights at his Excel lency's departure. His Grace the Duke of WELLINGTON ha‘ been again here to-day, en a survey of some of the harbour works, and we were glad to observe that he was received with the most respectful attention. TIIE NEW BANKRUPTCY COURT BILL. The merchants and bankers appointed by the Lord Chancellor, together with the four Commissioners of Bank rupt, assembled yesterday, for the purpose of taking such preparatory measures as might be considered necessary to carry into operation that portion of the New Bankruptcy Court Bill relative to the selection of individuals competent to act as official assignees. After some consideration a series of resolutions were adopted relative to the qualifications which must be pos sessed by parties to fill the offices alluded to. The sub stance of the resolutions is, we are informed, to the follow ing effect—viz.:— " That no person will be eligible who is above sixty years of age. " That the persons appointed must not be engaged in any business, nor act as Directors of any public Companies, receiving salary for such duty. That each individual appointed must give security to the extent of 6,0001. ; and " That the number of applications will be reduced to 100, which will be then forwarded to the Lord Chancellor, in order that his Lordship may select the number of persona required to till the offices of official assignees." The number of applications have been very large ; but, from the determination of the parties appointed to put only the names of such persons on the list to be sent to the Lord Chancellor as are fully competent to the duty, much confidence is entertained in the city that a most efficient body of individuals will be chosen. During the absence of the Lord Privy Seal on the Continent, the Pi ivy Seal is, by command of his MAJESTY, in the custody of Earl GREY. A practice has been adopted with regard to the official returns from the Custom-house of the ex portation at the precious metals, which will assist very much in supplying correct information on that very im portant subject. The original entries are seldom accurate, owing to the custom in use of making them for larger quantities than the actual export, but to supply this de feet a periodical return is to be made of the amount of bullion really shipped. From one of these it appears, that from the Irh to the 10th instant there were shipped from London to Rottet dtm, of silver, in coin, 120,642 ounces ; of silver, in bars, 81,927 ounces ; and of gold, in bars, 10,455 ounces. Holland is the country where the chief demand for the precious metals exists.— Times. The Custom-house agents in the Long-room, to whom we alluded yesterday (Wednesday), have re ceived orders from the Commissioners to take out licenses, and give security to the amount of 1,0001., in the same way as the agents who have never been connected with the Customs. It is said that these gentlemen feel very much annoyed with us for calling the public attention to their case. In our opinion they ought to feel very much obliged. Had they acted without license, they would have been liable to a penalty of 1001. for every entry they passed.—Morning Herald. As a proof of the flourishing state of the drub swindle, we hive only to mention that camphor, which was at 80s. two or three months .ago, is now sell ing at 17/. Cijeput oil has risen from Pd. an ounce to 15s. It is astonishing that men should suffer themselves to be duped in this way. If people will keep themselves warm, clean, and sober, and tie a thick piece of flannel round their loins, the ptobability is that, even if the cholera should appear amongst us, they will never take it. We need not say that prevention is better tha❑ cure. Be sides, it is very questionable whether cajeput oil and cam phor are of any service in the cure of the disease. The majority of medical men are decidedly of opinion that brandy and laudanum are the best things to administer in the first instance --Morning Herald. The Princess LI EVEN, the Duchess de DINo, Viscount STRANGFORD, Lord GEORGE LENNOX, Lord and Lady DUDLEY STUART, Lady ANSTRUTHER, and Lady E A sr, were among the visitors of rank at the Adelphi Theatre on Wednesday evening, to witness the performance of Victorinc. Major-General yofp ot INlesegNa 1;lla. nitiaySoeffiirr:Fetir:rarC at Malta, rtere at (i present Gover nment Colonel Light among the distinguished company assembled at Brighton. u W faii .t t it ry 7 e it x T e o rc >r i , ses co t n h i e ma fu n n d e in ti g on t s h o e f S i tt u h t , en or an K t- i G ng o is vernor during the absence of Sir FILEDERICK from the isl Ind. The gallant General, who is brother to Lord Dulicarticon, since his return from the Mediterranean, has been invested with the honorary distinction of K.C.B. and K. C, H. INCENDIARISM.—On Monday last, the 14th instant, between eight and nine o'clock in the evening, two large hay ricks, the property of Mr. Jour; RAI WORTHY, at Upton Lovett, near Heytesbury, Wilts, were set on tire. They were contiguous to several others of wheat and barley, and were fired with the intention of destroying the whole , but by timely aid and great exer tions the damage cont.ned to the two hay ricks. A Noble Anti-Reformer, who was examined before a Committee on the Game Laws, gave the following testimony :—" To what do you attribute their (the home t D a fromni sd poachers) going out ?"—" Chiefly to a lawless spirit of enterprise which is rather prevalent in the county (Lanca shire) where I live." " Would that lawless spirit of en terprise be much diminished if the rate of qualification was extended ?"—" I should doubt it. I must add, that that spirit has shown itself a little in robbing hen-roosts in my neighbourhood." Shade of PANTAGAUIL, what a non seratnr. This is Tory logic...teste Lord Sitia4EzspALs. DUTCIT PAPERS. THE HAatlx, Nov. 13.—0 n the 11th of his Excellency the Minister for Foreign Affairs following communication to the Second Chamber States-General : " Gentlemen,—On the Ilth of August, just termination of the memorable days in which Euro) the reputation of our arms •o gloriously and maintained, I repaired to your assembly to inform the plenipotentiaries of the Five Powers assembled conference at London bad resolved to interfere " and Belgium—that they had assented to the . eventually to be given by France to Belgium, and cepted the offer of a fleet made by England, and Dutch army had received orders to return into our territory as soon as the French army should enter' (The Minister here detailed toe subsequent events conclusion of the armistice for weeks, and cumatances, the result of which was the protocols to 42. He then stated the substance of the between the Conference and the Dutch Pleni, tilt the 49th protocol, containing the 24 articles, to regulate the separation between Belgium and In answer to this protocol the Dutch Plen., Messrs. Falck and Zuylen de Nyevelt, say that the though recognizing the care of the Five Powers ' serve the general peace, cannot depart from the which the present negotiation has taken from its origin. They declare, however, that according instructions which they have received from their they are authorized to discuss the modifications 24 articles must undergo, conformably to the already adopted ; and to conclude and sign a trea., paration, calculated to preserve to Holland the rank the patriotism and devotedness of its inhabitants have cured it i❑ former ages, and which, in the present of Europe, it doubly deserves to retain on account loyalty, the courage, and the perseverance of the race of its inhabitants. This note was dated Nov. The Minister then stated, that while the plenipotentiaries were discussing these articles, and approaching termination of the armistice, the 50th col appeared, calling on the British Government a fleet to the Dutch coast, which was not to act the King refrained from renewing hostilities against In their answer to this protocol the Dutch pie tiaries express the astonishment and the painful sion which this protocol had caused in their which they think was wholly uncalled for, his having by no means expressed an intention of hostilities on the 25th of October. On the English Ambassador at the Hague was informed order of the day was going to be issued to the stating that the recommencement of hostilities near at hand. This order of the day apr on the 25th, before the protocol of the 24th was the Hague. This note concludes as follows: " In the present state of things, the King, why causing hostilities to recommence, has observed moderate course from which he has never devi the less bind himself by engagements with respec: eventual renewal, as nothing guarantees the the Belgians, and as his Majesty cannot ackm other Powers are authorized to restrict the right and war which every independent Sovereign • " Dated the 7th of November. (Signed) "FALCK, " H. VAN ZUYLEN VAN " Such, gentlemen, said his Excellency, are munications which I was commissioned to make assembly. My plain report will, I flatter myself, ficient to show the course of the negociations last time that I appeared amongst you. The ' conscious of having in these important circumic suited with zeal and firmness, but also with 65::14011 E i g tooo r s3;s6 !' ; the welfare and interests of the country, " _ continued co-operation of your Assembly and of nation, which you represent, to attain the great which we aim—reasonable and equitable terms of tion between Holland and Belgium, consistent ' existence as an independent nation." The King has made numerous promotions in they AMSTERDAM, N ° ol4 Actual Debt, 1 2% per cent 40% to " Amort Syndic, 4% per cent w. to v r -It" Ditto, ditto, 3% per cent. 53,y 67 Voluntary Loan, 6 per cent. Sd t 0 Exchange upon London Two Months Actual Debt, 234 per cent D A i m tt o o r , t d S i lT o d , ic 3 , 4 4 p % er p c e e r n c t e . n . t . . : ......... Voluntary Loan 6 per cent —Dutch Papers, Nov. 14. 1 t i s ti 1 our c teP ‘ ' , h i; Pi, e t tit ? he en . • Pall; Pi z " a St 1 of NovenJ tt:c.:ii;! .. ffairs mariet e e rt. , .... chamber of . 4 1 ., e4 ,;;: i ., Dent Ann' L L e n j b:: s E t viu b e r e t o o f° p!:: oo i tl4 l s k !'n . ti c 6o ,f_to l426rin ... inform you 1 5 : letao:: ssembleri je 5. Lag, .. fere better ° 2 a . .. 3 the aseief s an s t' , m, and had :,:al a o ll4i .d, and tha t , i l glees g n e b nds nto our a utrt s o •• 0 12, 4 Bo nd enter Belgi c h ..... nt events a' , It,'Zi z r..., , and other le% "". otocols No'', le m il k . :•: ..... the discus , a It% nds Plenipotea fi i 7; ----__ ...... irticles, ten and HollA lenipotentis V that the I Powers to f f :7 - -- --- -____ rom the 0, from ire :‘, NI ding to the ? bAle m their 0 , 111 ,t, i o ns whi t i t f the prior i( a treaty e,A, COu i the rank tf7 4 .l' Rk ' tants bare Pi:, —P° present 010 ---------.2 acco unt 01 . , • , of the P e r' ted Nov. o ,03 4 › ....... the respe cij o i* t i t ,'. 4 l at 1 4 , ,:les, and on, ...... the 50th Pr;ittp e , 1 , trnme nt to 1 o t 4 .. M .... 7 ,:n act so 10 0 ............ r i i d . 11 gainet ,e, , hi ri ng tch plenir te r ; '"••••!.:!..L . otk Gainful irof i , ieir S o verel , 1 ,r' 1 0 i.9i‘l e s1 1 114 :1 4(17° nf rent s 4. 0! Ci ' n the 23fir / 1 IW e , r::, f ,ipirge o i ew:ri, r t dE: m oi waereesz e a d.htdi khaot:it.eie di t :,:p l :: . j : 0 ,) ! I , p, stns io:i :la igge: I ria!in i n eeli respect to I ,4 't PI the corld' t y 4 11 fOr knowiedg e i NI ev i ls e right o f r 00 fte. gn posseel° se the er ; 4 ,t, „ ~ , o , NYEVO ) e , r eases, y , are th e i ir g, -es, ,0 make ° lila th eref myself, b e rae r 'thins sior f .lL Rent' t hueinG.otavnecereciZoiliwA heth hit model try I V, 4 rep depends u i ,ilf`ater 0 c ,nd of the v lie 'flat We Nei ! great 0 t f . pat ed .erms of geP oo , ve intent 'lif t ' n Inn re • i nt , pen )ns in th e t p ity, r.ltDAlli, I. " " d ili , ) Opp 40% to „. i t ii 65,.. to ;7 4 , , ‘ tie pea 53 % 'e7 rth r 86 t ° h ei r il nv , 'O O l 5, ov 11 72 5 - r• Iln TO THE EDITOR OF THE SUN. su t ,---Whatever may be the anxiety exhibited Reformers in London, and by the metropolitan press, as to the course which my Lord Gre pursue in order to secure the passing of the you can form but a very inadequate opinion of the feeling which the Reformers in this town and hood daily and hourly manifest. I speak the of thousands (who, with myself, have supported and his colleagues from the time they took office t`' present moment), when I say, that I am utterly at to conceive what course he intends to pursue, wha' he intends to adopt that will insure the safety of through the House of Lords. lam not so as to expect that a Prime Minister will disclose the of the Cabinet, if such disclosure would embarr: or impede the operation of any salutary measure may have in contemplation : but, Sir, is there no, which the Government can communicite to an anxious and devote 4 people one ray of hope, greatest charter of British freedom ever offered rich Government, will be secure against the of a wicked and paltry faction ? Does Lord GI so lightly of the support of the people as to consi unworthy of any the least attention in this When a great nation from one end of the emp other have come forward with the enthusiasm votedness of one man in support of his Lord+ his measures, is it justice, I would ask, should be left in utter ignorance, left in $ bordering on perfect hopelessness as to of a measure, on the success of which a peace and happiness of the country; and I the very existence of civilised society ? The done their duty nobly to Lord Grey ; they have one man at his biking ; have placed in him confidence, and are ready to sacrifice their prof lay ilown their lives in supporting him and his • while he continues the firm friend of the peop'e Sir, does Lord Grey imagine that a people so astic and so confiding can continue in this state when no corresponding efforts are made on bis ensure the safety of a measure so vital to the best of the country? What, Sir, has his Lordship the prorogation of Parliament to strengthen his • increase the number of his friends, or diminish his enemies ? The cry of the people is, "Is ' any increase of Peers from the ranks of the Has any compromise been effected with the Has any attempt been made to remove the forming Lords Lieutenants and Deputy Lieut.. (My Lord Lansdowne can find a precedent in his history for the last proceeding.) I believe, country believes, that none of these just and measures have been adopted. What, then, Sir, i 9 . ,„' f ference between the position in which my Lord 6;, stands, and that in which he stood when the Ball/I,i in the House of Lords? Fur my own part, I C o if none, nor can I divine by what means his LordshiP It to secure the Bill in its passage through the Lords' I I wise, is it politic, in his Lordship to leave the Co ui ' il this uncertain, this unsatisfied state ? If Lord incapable of carrying the Bill when he introduced 4 ,0 the House of Lords before, what power has be ac i jol since which will enable him to carry it when Ps' 1 ,04' meets again? An hundred thousand Reformers a p p' know say " It Lord Grey be sincere, he will lose O w l in availing hims e lf o f e v e ry l e gal means of ens° jl l safety of the Bill." Has his Lordship done this? +e why is the country l e ft in a state of breathless sul . if being kept ignorant of this most important fact the Bill will be inevitably lost, and I tremble to o l d! plate the consequences. I am unwilling to trust jot' further on this subject, and will conclude by itl e ed Lord Grey t o l ose no ti me i n sa ti s fying the just e sv ill tions of the country, If the l ill should pass, 4 t rtO well ; if not ( s h o uld the House of o.ninons 0 ° J , the supplies, which I trust and believe they wil l ?' v e'l f perfectly certain that ninety-nine out of every s lO . throughout the country will refuse to pay the ; 00 taxes, except by distraint upon their goods, a which they know is perfectly legeL lam :air, yours, Ne',„,o Birmingham, 140 v. 15, 1831. We have reason to fear, notwithstapa ivo ,o 6 positive announcement to the contrary which Nye f° ,, i ' te i tnada on good authority, that Parliament will not to t r the 6rst week of December. It is understood it New Bill is not yet prepared.—Morning Chron ie ‘ e ji TATTERSALL'S.--•-•A very thin att e nd; yesterday, and no business (kilo to justify a (0,71 P . odds; tve have, therefore, only to refer to our mint for the present state of the betting. litli b e ,hi, ~ e tune ez eha )I.4erea, qt e , Hi s L ibited b 4 tt nbod iolitan el ey inten(Pi to rn 14°11 S Reform hojt eof of the in a id neigh. _ A i S ellt e ,eptirq" . Upon e d Lord vihr office '" ,terty ate t he h w hat .. F tg ll ,tv of the&P,,, meritsts o wires ) 44d D9C the .! t itt. ra , s ct4 l 4 11 3e4sure, crt:l44 re no 'I A 1 , °lls oan io v d 4 '4 rpe, th' l f 4 Up t !red hY guest machil ls rd GreY ty4ll4l' it considerA 1: this re lit t l empire t i 3 Oyti o n R iastn o° shag Lord4hir r'ot uk, that t'o3 ,1 4t Ses ; in ti 0 eof to the #ll 4 , t deb ,e 6 ° e its e l [I I wil l rkl e , 0 .1 b., tEI e pe e,,,ratv have r5l: for him o' l ' l or" prop' r t P s o 4- 1 ° his Int o Pe"P'e th o ln d u• 1 le 8 „ eo tdd mate of d e, i t . >n big :tit I S best 4hy oA hip diP e d,, t I hti v hie bort o ta l l . 7 of . • c i• nuns). t o ~ ‘b„ .. Is they e 4 eo l l4 w : then Bi' ey t the 13. 11"ittl,„) the M „, „1"It ra tenan, - ,!, ' : ( 4 10 hie O d Petki cLI ieve, 4° 041 0 ,,, an and o' 'id i s :be 4 ue Sir, ellt .ord 6re ' i 'hit e Bill 0 ,, 0. at co to epeh rt, / )rdshiP d Lords. i aste r Alik a