The Sun. — London, England, 1844-05-17 00:00:00

the rei°' lution, Re did not know that he would be called on to I rendaxpedition to the Niger they had held aloof from do ee till he had entered the meeting, and lit, therefore, ! that scheme because the steamers carried arms. They would thought he should be best consulting the satisfsC.tion of the : not co- o pe r ate f or th a t r eason. The sc h eme h a d gone t o meeting by mer e ly secon di ng the resolution, which. was that : the ground, as this would also if they (lid not adopt the p r in.- n the . report just read b e pr i nted anti circulated under the' di- 1 ciple which they had then repudiated.—(Cheers.) He w as n ot rectum of the Committee, and that Geo. Win. Alexander he 1 there as the representative of any man but himself, and the requested to act. as auditor, and John S co bl e b e Sesretary, ' course which lie should recommend to the Committee was to and the following be the Committee for the year enetting, , let the question be an open question—(Cheers)—not to act with powe r t o a dd to t h eir number."—L Here follow the names ] I officially on the subject; to see if they could not reconsider Mr. GEORGE Tnoairsox then canes forward amid s t l ou d their constitution, so as to reconcile the pacific principles of the cheers., and said that, though net wholly unaccus t ome d to thi r d articie'with the provisions of the fourth. They should address public assemblies, he could, with the utmost sin- recollect that they represented the anti-slavery community of cerity and truth, affirm that he never felt a larger England. They did not represent their own subscribers amount of reluctance in presenting himself before only, and they ought to act in accordance with a public meeting th an on this occasion. He Bose with the feelings of the community at large.—(Cheers.) considerable pain, because he rose to submit to the meeting a Let them reconsider their constitution : it was a vital point. Preposition which he was bound to say was not brought be- He asked no more that day. Every lover of freedom must fore the meeting with the concurrence of those respected gentle- deprecate anything in the shape of division.—(Hear, hear.) men wh o const i tuted the Committee of the Society, and whose The sum total of his amendment, on the motion before right it was to arrange the business to which they were to di- the Chair, was that they would suspend their judg:- rect their a tt ent i on. He would state, as he proceeded, the ment, and with that suspend their action, upon this various con siderations which Moved him to discharge wh a t lie question until they had reconsidered their constitution. conceived before to be an il - ,,p era ti ve duty. He need not say he stood Mr. Thompson then read his amendment, which was to the bath , • the ii ribly with fe e li ngs o f en ti re a n d cor di a l sym- e ff ect t h at " w hil e t h at meet i ng awar d e d to the Coin he, ".:4 - rne great objects they were met to proirote.—(llear, mittee its most hearty commendation for the activity ...r.) H e wou l d refer to his past life, and would attempt no and zeal it had evinced in the cause of universal 'justification of himself from any imputation that might by abolition during the past year, yet, considering the honest possibility be cast on hi s zea l i n t hi s great undertaking. difference of opinion which prevailed among the friends of Ile was sustained by the conviction in undertaking this sub-. that cause on the subject of discriminating duties on slave ject, that no individual had a stronger desire to see the uni- and free produce, and on the propriety of a Society, which is ve . r sal and speedy ext ir p a ti on of slavery. He was also sus- restricted by its constitution to the use of those means which s Sluned by the conviction, and it was an honest and deep one, are only of a moral, religious, and pacific character, inter that he came there that morning, and was accompanied by ! feriug through the medium of Government in the question, it others, in the capacity of a promoter of peace, of union, an d o f I deem s it r i g ht t o i ns t ruc t ,any committee appointed to refrain that harmonious action by which they could best support the from acting on that part of the constitution which pledged (Meatier' now before them. They deprecated dispute, still the Society to promote the adoption of fiscal regulations tin- sno re distractio n , an d, mos t o f a ll, di v i s i on an d desertion.— f avoura b le to slave labour until the art i cles o f the Society's (Hear, hear.) They desired that the friends of emancipation constitution were re-considered." He then proceeded to say — should be one; and that if they could not see eye to eye on Let them individually abstain from the use of every article every' question of policy, and the means by which they if it was slave-grown, if they could do so, Let them recom *tumid work, they should at least find some c er t a i n and mend that as a duty to others. Let them not go to a Govern : "ld Principle of action by which they might all stand, ment whose aid they could not get in the shape of a law combined, and acting together, without any division in their without force. Let them not, while maintaining the prhi r9cils or any separation in their work.—(Hear, hear.) It ciples of liberty for one class of men, violate its sacred pun : c ' t !'d be neglecting an opportunity, which would not occur ciples to their own countrymen at home.—(Cheers.) . vain for a year, if they were not to bring before the meeting Mr. GEORGE War.ANSTEY, of Devizes, seconded theamend ,..,e_filet that there was at this m omen t amongst . the best ment. • e nds of th e an ti- s l avery cause divisions of sentiment as A GENTLEMAN, whose name we understood to be Wales, a to the policy and consistency of the Committee in inter- barrister of Leeds, here rose in the midst of the meeting, to i er ing through the medium of C 4 overnment, and by means of speak ; cries his observations were in so low a tone of voice, tem regulations, with the question of slavery.—(llear, hear.) • and the of " Come to the platform " were so loud, that p conceded for those who differed from him perfect honesty we were unable to catch one word of what he said. In the °f intention. He claimed not for themselves any larger interim, while the Learned Gentleman was making his way th;, -4 ,re of sincerity, any larger measure even of enlightenment, to the platform, Bat that possessed by those friends who differed from them. The CHAIRMAN said he would venture to suggest to the h o l d "C Conceived it most important, standing on the three- meeting the extreme difficulty in which they would be in sert ?I another year, that a n a tt em pt s h ou ld b e ma d e to as - vo l ve d if th ey s h ou ld ta k e t h e w h o l e o f i ts procee di ngs ou t k ind 41 ;tivhat were the feelings and opinions of the constituent of the course for which arrangements had been made.—(A . ICY by whose contributi ons an d vo i ces th ey were susta i ne d . V o i ce —" F a i r p l ay. ") v must take exception to that part of the Committee's re- Mr. JOSEPH STURGE would, if the gentleman who had rrt, which declared that there had been a " full and candid possession of the chair, permitted him, in a few words, en - m; a scussion of this entire subject." He was not there to com- deavour to suggest a mode in which they might fall in I t l! , ift that those who were willing to discuss this great ques- with the resolutions of George Thompson. He (Mr. Sturge) , I .on had not been permitted through the medium of the accre- conceived that the subject before them was of such immense tilted organ of the Society, to =peak to the country on the importance, and a right decision upon it of such great con aubjecn—that they were nof allowed to put forward their sequence to millions of their fellow-men, that, while he gave [statements- and sentiments, exce pt s o far as the honourable to his friends who differed from him the credit of the since- Conductor of that organ might please, in the centre of rity which he claimed for himself, he implored all present to an addition a l art i c l e to notice some portion of his speech, look at it with calmness, not under the excitement of oratory, While. the views' on the other side of the question had been but as a matter of trade. He had understood that the reso . Published in the organ of the . Society in the form of letters, lution of G eorge Th ompson wou ld h ave been differently distrib u t e d th roug h t h e length and breadth of the land. worded. Let them mark that he (Mr. Sturge) was re had no t seen i n t h at pu bli cat i on th e v i ews enterta i ned by one of those who went the full length of free trade Ylr. Blair, Mr. Anstev, and Mr. Spooner; no statements em- in all legitimate matters of commerce, but he did odying a calm elucidation of the vie ws o f th ese w h o diff ered th i nk, that if it were proper to go into the ques- L tr b Oin the Committee on thi s ques ti on. I t was however right tion now, ;he could, without any oratory, show at those views should be brought before the p u bli c th oug h th a t th e sto l en produce of the stolen man ought to b e treated e regretted he was the individual that first as stolen produce. But what he would suggest was, that the r ose to expound them, and that some indivi- amendment now proposed be adopted, with this alteration, ital of more ability th an hi mself had not done so. that they should not suspend their proceedings until a deci did not blame the m f or th e course w hi ch they had taken, sion by the Committee was come to. His objection was, that but it was vital to the Society to consider whether that was the course suggested was prejudging the question, on which .. 4 . consistent policy—whether the Society should be exclu- George Thompson himself had given an opinion in the 7, l .t r Vy of a moral and religious character. With reference to affirmative. All he asked was, that those friends who took uis rirainating duties he must remind the meeting that these his view of the question, would make that alteration in the ,• !1)1ld only be maintained with force.—(Hear, hear.) The resolution. Before he sat down he might be permitted to ._Government could not carry out any law for the exclusion of make an observation or two. The conduct of the Govern ne-grown sugar without force—the thing was abhorrent ment had been . imputed to the Anti-Slavery Society, as s ''" me feelings of those who constituted that Society.—(" No, though it were their conduct. Now, they only asserted their tlo," and cheers.) H ow wou ld suc h a l aw b e en f orced, b ut own principles as far as they could. They did not inquire OY a coast blockade an d a standing army ?—(Cheers.) What who those were that supported their p r i nc iples, if they did . l"old the la w b e f or ? T o prevent a certain article from what the Society thought right. With respect to them 'orn. ng into this country because it was produced in another selves, they never pretended to be anything but the repre i)rltrY where sl avery ex i ste d . I t was true t h at t h ere would sentat i ves of the Anti-Slavery Society, and he saw himself so arti Tne difficulty in smuggling sugar; it was too b u lky an genera lly i n th e m i nor i ty t h at w h en h e got i n t o t h e ma j or it y hut eto be smuggled. It was not the sanctity of the law, he would think himself wrong. All he wanted was to have a wn..tta i mpracticability that made it inviolable. Such a law fair consideration of this vital question. , i 7only for the maintenanceofmonopoly.—(Cheers.) Ninety- Mr. HOWARD HINTON understood Mr. Thompson to say p o " d e i :ut of a hundred of the people of this country would re- that, on receiving a pledge on the part of the Committee that to 'et the law, and think that it was no crime against God that they would consult the constituents of the Society on the lik e e vade it. But suppose it were possible to smuggle sugar revision and alteration of the clause which related to fiscal ~s _ gold, and lace, and jewels, how could that smuggling be regulations, that he would withdraw his amendment. isellnted but by cruisers and coast-guards and revenue cut- He as a member of the Committee said there was no difficulty of ' - ‘ 3 ,' (Cheers.) Would that Society make itself the agent in the Committee undertaking to consult the constituency on ( of the Government in carrying such a law into effectsubject. If they did not act fairly, they would be respon d4teera and disapprobation.) It was objected that by intro- sible to another meeting of that sort, before which he would Brazilian and Cuba sugar, and the sugar of Porto Rico, never dare to raise his voice, if there should be any interfer arettsh;gwould be an aggravation of slavery ; but he held that ence in the matter. The members of the Committee were clgreject the produce of these -.countries would be a greater present, and with their acquiescence in that pledge he trusted ravation of the evils. It was argued also that if they pur- Mr. Thompson would be satisfied, and withdraw his 40 , 4 _, 1c a sugar the produce of slave States, they were directly amendment. i;-uuraging slavery. What, were they encouraging slavery Mr. G. Tirostrsox wished to say a few words in explana theta iheY sent missionaries throughout the world? when tion. He did not wish the Anti-Slavery Committee to go to • i s . y disseminated tracts and made sacrifices perional and po- the public at large to learn their principles ; but he wished . ircal for the abolition ?—(Cheers.) How could they go to them not to impose a tax, directly or indirectly, by going to honest Government and ask for a discriminating duty to prevent the Government, in reference to fiscal regulations. So much t o es t 1 ) eople from buying that which they thought it no crime in explanation of what he had said, and next, with reference to the statement of the members of the Committee of their .A.`),illilline ?--(Cheers) do k iEserLE.mAsi in one of the galleries called out, "What willingness to undertake the reconsideration of the question, pu say about co tt on ?" h e b egge d t o sa y h e consen t e d t o w ithd raw hi s mo ti on . gtu he CIIA.IRmAN said that he hoped Mr. Thompson wou ld b e Th e amendment was then withdrawn, and the original re owed to proceed without interruption. solution put from the chair and carried. theme. G. Thostrsore resumed.—When phisg to pur- The Rev. J. BunsfErr (of Camberwell) proposed the fol.. tr g this sugar, he might be told that sugar was the lowing resolution :- 1.4 1 1ne of slave labour. He might not have known that ; " That this meeting deplore the continued' existence of pi n ,` ,Still even when he was informed of it he might think it slavery in different parts of the earth, especially by professedly pttiruet---(Cheers.) They might tell him that he would by Christian nations, which, as in the case of Brazil and Spanish ecileve:ttraindge that sugar be aggravating the horrors of the colonies, is the fruitful cause of the African slave-trade, and and of slavery. • Nevertheless, he might be in- all its attendant horrors, and in that of the United States, of the y co ° , l prefer 501. to 2 5 1 - ; and now he asked them, did an internal slave-trade of the most revolting and cruel order to it it their duty to inform a Government officer in character. them if' Preve n t hi m —(Hear, hear.) He nould ask " That deeply sympathising with the victims of slavery in in ord e as a n Anti-Slavery Society they were prepared, their sufferings and wrongs, this meeting assert their right to call iii a to prevent him from purchasing this •. sugar, to immediate and entire freedom, and emphatically call on the • to har A l i ,, a Government officer, and order that officer friends of liberty and justice, suerthroughot the world, to use (eh "'e elm , cos''u to prison. He did not believe they would.— their best efforts for the extinction of ime which has so eiDi:t . rs •s But if they did, they would be as bad in prin- long outraged humanity and religion, and . which at this (Ch - „,.,"' the men who carried on the African slave trade.— time oppresses and degrades millions of mankind. (ch —r l It was right that the negro should be free.— " That this meeting, neYertheless, sincerely r*ice in the bir eers. It was wrong to take from him his labour without steady progress of the anti-slavery cause in the United States t ern 1 but it was as wrong to tell a man who had fabricated of America, and in France, Holland, and other European na lseSt-LY,Yards of cloth, that he should not exchange it to the tions, where the friends of humanity are nobly exerting them .itie auvantage.—(Loud cheers.) Who made them the selves in behalf of the wronged and suffering slave. h i ,3es over his conscience ?—(Cheers.) They should leave That in tendering to their fellow-labourers their warm eo'n,v.to settle that with his God.—(Cheers.) They must congratulations on the present aspect of their common cause, tl ieo !nco his understanding, and then he would be with this meeting would ,cherish the hope that the agency ern (e,,,:s; but if they attempted to force him-,bandi off' ! ployed and the information diffused by them may be con lie "`l cheers.) And,now for the argumene that they would stantly and perseveringly directed to promote the imme quaaagtgravating the horrors of slavery. There`Was a certain diate and entire abolition of, slavery in those parts of their ae fo Yof sugar required for the whole Of Europe, of which respective countries, where it unhappily exists, and generally r ro ,„ r:laied Only a small portion. This sugar was brought throughout the world." • totlthe Brazils, from lndia, from Java, from Cuba, from The REV. GENTLEMAN commenced by adverting to the pla ce ' s ? , froin Sumatra, from Manilla, and from various other diversity of opinion which prevailed in the meeting on cer alaniu We ref use d t o ta k e B raz ili an sugar, b ut we went to taro subject's; but he was happy to perceive that the tite re " a ? Sumatra, and Cochin, and we - said to the people uproarious reception which he had been met with by a teod ea •: Give us you r sugar ." Th e y re pli e d, "We b a d i n - preceding speaker had ended in perfect peace and love-like Illiilli o , Lo have taken it elsewhere, but as we can get a tranquillity ?—(Laughter.) In meetings assembled for the Eendi n 4 ', . mere for it in your market, we prefer great objects of Christian philanthropy, humanity, and pa tridrhis it to England." Now, that would leave the market triotism, there might be storms upon storms, but there could laipp k they were wont to supply without their accustomed be no permanent antipathy.—(Bear, hear.) All the noise "hat'l wes ßrazil was in the habit of sending sugar there, and which they had heard was only the noise of every one trying front th o r e they doing by withdrawing the Manilla sugar to keep his neighbour right.—(Laughter.) It was the noise lip by, .se markets but creating a. void which would be filled of downright affection and warm regard. He must say, in the eo : tl 4ar from the Brazils.—(Cheers.) If it was against justice to the Committee, that before they left their room they sc ience of the people of this country to use this sugar, they agreed to all which had then been done. They must so4eVold abstain from it ; but if the nation was without a have agitation; however, about everything—(Laughter)—for defied lie- e on this subject—if it had no conscience—he theirs were the days of agitation, and it had become a habit of end . the right of this Society to go to the Government their nature.—(Laughter.) Now to what did the resolution Itlie whole i for their assistance.—(Cheers.) They were begging direct their attention? It directed their attention to a great ,atis -,,°;° question when they said, if so many more hogs- and important work. If there were any present who con 'one, i. ' sugar were produced, so many more slaves would be a are, tended that the Anti-Slavery Society should not continue to r u ne ,2 1 their native land and transported to Brazil. They exist when they had no slaves, he would remind them that thrung that which they could not prove.—(Cheers.) though this country had no slaves, slavery had not ceased to B eti g h ‘ vna prove it.—(Loud cheers.) How had they hitherto exist. The slaves which they had set free in their colonies ah 1. t o tees Put an end to wrong-doing ? Why, by the best of were but a small minority. ['here were still two and a half tie -etis-__h , c ili e , y moral means. They had relied solely on pa- millions of slaves in America, two millions in the Brazils, and 'hey 1 , 1 ,, 4 81 and if the Government had volunteered its aid, 800 000 in Cuba and Porto Rico. Let them think of six mil t!'lar " repudiated it. They wanted not the aid of the se- ' lion; of people still suffering under the lash notwithstanding hiThey7: l l .; they looked to Heaven for aid.—(Great cheering.) all their efforts.—(Hear.) What an overwhelming spectacle. e led on the Almighty.—(Renewed cheering.) There Should he now be asked what did they want with an Anti th anio n , , sae h t, those who took an opposite view of this subject Slavery Society ?—(Hear, hear.) Six millions of his fellow ha Vita ? said that not a man in England should be taxed ,‘ men wanted such a Society; and would they refuse their i",aew th 2 Was enfranchised.—Cheers and interruption.) Ihe Y aid to such numbers groaning under bondage ?—( Hear, hear.) Rem at en this question the unenfranchised were against He knew they were told that the Government had entered w e • suh 1 , re ti „ . eY knew that those who enjoyed the franchise into treaties with different Powers, with Brazil, with Spain, t ' l lli , tealll,st them.—(Cries of "No polities," " Question." and with Portugal ; but if they left such matters in the ...slat the a t WaS the question.—(Loud cheers.) They knew hands of Government, very little would be done. Govern fp (Cl iee p l at body of the unenfranchised were against them. meats cared more about remaining still in their office chairs, „ s le t ishi eed '') They knew that the great body of the en - than about exerting themselves. In order to rouse them, opt w ill were against - theta.—(Loud cheers.) They they must set the community about them, like a nest of , .1111.,. the real opinion of a large proportion of hornets.—(Laughter.) Who was to sting our own Govern that the7llarnent was against them.—(Cheers.) They knew ment into exertion if not the Anti-Slavery Society ? eh y w cY re were in a minority themselves—(Cheera)—and (Hear, hear.) But America—what were they to say to T i tt niel",, e 9Pnorted in Parliament by men who had been America ?—(Hear, hear.) There were Christian men in th 4 se 1 , 1 : Y Inconsistent on this question.—(Loud cheering.) America, who, when they visited this country, laughed at st eir w ‘ i 'D when it suited their interest to procure a law for royalty, which they called a pageant, and gloried in the free - 1, IN'es . i support, took the arguments of the Clarksons and dom of an independent republic. But they forgot that there ti, 4 ,, i 'lati o l , l l )° e' ( eting their own arguments in support of class were two millions and a half of human beings in their he sal b ' l 'ey came forward with arguments furnished own country who were left under the lash. If they liked, let cl ie • "siit 3 ,„ the Anti-Slavery Society, and in the name of them call; the crown a bauble, but he would rather see i llet. ts.) i\ t: o rolsped up the West India interet. (Loud a crown, bauble as they . considered it, on ie 11 46 atl initted nswer had been given to the question, why, if head of a free weman, reigning over a free people, auger, the produce o ifree labour States, at a than see the Declaration of Independence waved over .Chn a* Whit t ri : .. eon„ iles ,tal duty as compared with the produce of our gress by the hand of the President of a nation containing re s „7 , ho l d s ',‘ue sugar, if proffered by slave holding coun- slaves.—(Lowt cheers.) The independence of the boasted . - re. • t ied,_,,SS,. D e e refused ? That question had not been an- republic was, in such a case, shorn of all its glory, whilst itott,... h ad never This principle of refusing slave labour the halo round the crown commended it as the emblem' of a trees never been introduced before. Why slave labour milder use. of power.—(Cheers.) He then adverted to the t Was wag in the hull it was upon the platform.—(Cheers. ki t , --out their ) case of Brown, who had aided the escape of a female slave, fe tt -----(e hee persons. (Cheers.) It was round their and strongly animadverted upon the conduct of the judge in the their Is.) It manacled their feet—(Cheers)—it who commended the accused, to the mediation of the Saviour ,„,,. t e shape oefneles-7(Loud cheers)—it was in their pockets as the only means of taking away his crime. In conclusion PreQous metals—(lmmense cheering)—and he called on the meeting to continue their support on behalf ji ' l' e t s he Y were b e I Z - gro sso called upon to act upon the principle that of the Society. ciple°°lislied !Prorrdkileo Was to be excluded until slavery should The Rev. kr. KILLOGG, President of Knox College in the le th with, West reY were to be told that this was the prin- United States, seconded the resolution. He denied that the e C ahine , udians in Parliament, with West Indians slavery was a part of the republicanism of America, and de .,„i .Inost talent 1, among whom was one who had been one of pree,ated its being treated in that light. lie also assured the eta thd defendersthat of slavery in our own colonies. meeting that the anti-slavery cause was making great pro- J, tro.‘ .e- que.lt the' Premier had voted against them gress in his own country. eg 4 ; l ea ?—(L ou n ,, clf, the abolition of flogging women in Sir GEORGE STEPHEN, in moving the next resolution, said Di gs o;tud again .i 4 o. e t neers.) Why they had. had to meet that he, as an opponent of slavery, and a member of that • Pr ePosi t • he eountr just hall to app ea l t o th e religions feel- Association, should always oppose the introduction of slave -143 tern s of t 7 to aid them in opposing the pro-slavery grown produce into this country. The resolution was to the .• said about appliender men. Let them observe their argu- effect that Committees should be formed throughout the le aped put coffee._ ~.o sugar, and sugar alone. Nothing was country for assisting in the suppression of slavery. - Itierp °n t of th e ( .9ieers.) How was this ? Humanity had ' Mr. T. BUNTON rose to second the resolution, and said, as • Jeeti o s Wa.i.rio hti c _2 l Lee-pot into the sugar-bowl.—(Laughter.) they were anxious to hear Mr. O'Connell, he should not de tthen to t akin4 ,u s rlity in the coffee-pot. There was no ob- taro them ; and with respect to Mr. O'Connell he would oh tivati ea P i tal and eve -labour coffee, although three-fourths serve, that however they might differ with him in respect to ~,,h on of co,,,labour of Brazil were employed in the col- political questions, it was but justice to the Hon. and Learned lead° knew ' l ee. Would to 'that the extinctionthose men be likely to aid them Gentleman to say, that no one was more energetic or more • l a , ii . the tit aic a ? competition,,,,. of Brazilian' sugar with the sugar of In conclusion, he would only ob.serve, that his father, Sir F. . oifuost f or ti ; e u c eY o bound them. by . their interests to do-their Buxton, although not present, owing to the state of his e'sress there to • ntinuance of slavery in the Brazil s f u r ever. health, was with them in heart and soul.—(Cheers.) , r ' er( r i f . er e for tisPr‘e,test against their asking Government to Mr.'Josern STURGE said that a contribution would now be 141,,p;:n_g itche ,7 e. t . ) _ er . throw of slavery. li e obj ec t e d to the made in aid of the Society, after which their friend Mr. Da rssoufg. TlX;ritutdkecalled upon- them to prove before niel O'Connell would address them.—(Applause.) th ey . w rse to force fur V always repudiated the idea of having The collection having been made— law - to seekin Lae propagation of their opinions, and now Mr. O'CONNELL rose, and was received with the most q unl ess 8 gto have recourse to f • over n uPPorted by the s al ight h ment ? It fightrn - lit I, e not used bu • be concealed, it might be inert, it—The resolutionwhich had been entrusted to him was z_ l. iri ee ,„_ e c , , t still it existed. The sun was hot blotted' to the effect that the meeting, in common with the y d i A ilB feuds obscured his eff I ' . t rld h e "not the less exist, because u genre, and a standing great mass of their countrymen, had read with feel ti ''et them not the thunder ley saw not its bayonets s ings of indignation and horror the sentence of death ,11,1 01100 back at of its cannon.— Loud cheers.) passed upon J. L. Brown, of South Carolina, by Judge "r 0 hu e )4er y th ra• • their reports for the last twelve h le Peopl e e %ions character oftheir • years, O'Neill. He was a friend to free trade, but not to a free trade eve recourse e e were upon them, efforts. The in slaves.—(Cheers.) It was said that if the Brazilian repew to th • and lie besought them not es and Cuba sugar were admitted, it would be to this bf, nited e - .e ,rid of Government. T - eoer • I• erY kindof force,• hey had always country an advantage of 50 per cent. But was that an , _ ve ci __ . , 1 ' , ii ~. °a nin that ball PP ever) tin argument in favour of traffic with slave owners. There had a .4. .proposition WaS made to been in this country a man named Money Moses, who THE .SIIN, LONDON, FRIDAY EVENIN,G, MAY 17, 1844 would give you 501. worth of plate for 251. in money.—(Hear, and a laugh.) But was that a gain which honest men and Christians would participate in?—(Hear, hear.) He had not language to express his abhorrence of the conduct of O'Neill.—(Hear, hear.) 'What a name for such a miscreant. —(Cheers and great laughter.) He ought to leave the "O" out.—(lmmense laughter.) But the language in which his sentence was pronounced was worse than the sentence itself. He polluted the book of God. " Just heaven ! What must be thy look, When such a wretch before thee stands, Unblushing !—with thy sacred book, Turning its leaves with blood stained hands, And wresting from its text sublime His law of hate, and blood, and crime." The Hon. and Learned Gentleman, who was most enthusi astically cheered throughout his speech, concluded by moving the resolution. Rev. John ALDIS seconded the resolution, which was car ried by acclamation. The Rev. JAMES SHERMAN moved the fifth resolution. Mr. BRIGHT, who was received with immense cheering, de fended the views which Mr. G. Thompson had taken of the sugar duties, and contended that the people of America were not all guilty of participation in slavery. • The CHAIRMAN, in putting the resolution, declared his opinion that if the differential duties were done away with, the abolition would have the effect of maintaining slavery, and tromotingthe slave-trade. [the meeting had not concluded when we went to press. THE CALEDONIAN ASYLUM. (THIS DAY.) The twenty-seventh anniversary of this Asylum was cele brated this day in a very gratifying manner, by the ceremony of laying the first stone of an addition to the school, which will enable the charity to extend its benevolent efforts to the girls of Scottish parents as well as to boys. For the last few years the Directors have contemplated this extension of the charity, but having no funds available for the purpose, they were compelled to postpone it. In the course of last year. however, the munificence of Mr. Matheson, M.P. (Ashburton), who himself subscribed 1,0001. towards the expense of en larging the building, and the subscriptions on the part of friends of the charity, have enabled the Directors to carry out their intentions. The ceremony of laying the foundation stone of the girls' school, at the Asylum, Copenhagen-fields, was performed by the Earl of Zetland, accompanied by masonic forms. The Highland Society attended on the occasion. The President, his Grace the Duke of Buccleuch, and the Directors and Governors of the charity, were also present. SOUTH LANCASHIRE ELECTION. LIVERPOOL, WEDNESD x.—This day a numerous and highly respectable meeting of the Liberal electors of Liver pool was held in the large room, Eastwood's Hotel. The parties present evinced the greatest enthusiasm in the cause. Many of the gentlemen wl to have taken a leading part in the advocacy of free trade principles were present. Amongst them we noticed :- H. Holme, Esq., Thomas Blackburne, Esq., J. H. Greene, Esq., J. D. Thornely, Esq., J. B. Cooke, Esq., W. Jerome, Esq., W. 11Pliee, Esq., S. Thornely, Esq., J. Todd, Esq., J. Smith, Esq., T. S. Raffles, Esq., James Riley, Esq., E. Pilcher, Esq., W. Thornhill, Esq., W. Ronald, Esq., W. Blair, Esq., E. Baines, Esq., Thomas Harvey, Esq., It. Shell, Esq., J. B. Barclay, Esq., James Aikin, Esq., Thomas Robin son, Esq., Thomas Jervis, Esq., W. Rathbone, Esq., It. E. Harvey, Esq., Joseph Mason, Esq., C. Rawdon, Esq., C. E. Rawlins, jun., Esq., J. F. Crook, Esq., E. S. Bulley, Esq., J. King, Esq., Colonel Williams, &c. &c. Robert Ellison Harvey, Esq., was unanimously called upon to preside, amidst loud cheering. The CHAIRMAN, in opening the proceedings, said he believed they were all aware of what had taken place with respect to the forthcoming election. The news papers had pretty correctly reported everything that had occurred, and he had only to state that Mr. Brown was now in the house, and would have great pleasure in addres sing them by-and-bye if they wished it, but in the meantime Mr. Rathbone would move a resolution which he (the Chairman) hoped would meet their approbation. There might be gentlemen present who had some slight differences of opinion with Mr. Brown on political questions, but he hoped these would all be merged—the absorbing question of the present day being the free trade question.—(Loud ap plause.) ' With respect to Mr. Brown's opinion upon that subject there could not be by possibility any mistake. He went as far as most of them on that subject. In all minor differences of politics they waived a shade or two, and adopted the principles of free trade as their present popular cry. Mr. RATHBONE said the resolution he had to move was as follows :—" That this meeting highly approves of the choice made of W. Brown, Esq., as the candidate for the southern division of Lancashire, and it pledges itself to secure his triumphant return to the House of Commons."—(Applause.) He was sure he need not say much to induce them to give their hearty concurrence to that motion, not merely with their cheers, but with their votes and services on the present occasion. He conceived this to .be one of the greatest struggles they ever had in this county, for it affected not only the county, but the public generally.—(Applause.) They were going on very correctly: they said a free trade candi date should be a Liberal, such as Mr. Brown was on all other important points which they ought to see well represented in Lancashire. It was to the disgrace of Lancashire that it had been badly represented by persons who knew no thing either of commerce or manufactures. Lancashire ought to have a commercial and manufacturing man to re present it.—(Applause.) It was high time that they should redeem themselves from that degradation into which they had bees too long cast—not rolling to this side and to that side, but uniting in one strenuous and firm struggle to main tain their rights—not splitting hairs. The bark is on the rock, and which of the sailors would think of this side or of that side. Let us (said he) pull her off the rock ; not talk of this suffrage and the other suffrage, and this twaddlement and the other twaddlement. Letus struggle to put Mr. Brown into his post, and then we will talk of other matters. Mr. Tilo3l - AS BLACKBURN seconded the resolution. Mr. RATHBONE wished just to say that the suggestion, that Mr. Brown should be put in nomination, came from Manchester. That showed how little jealousy there was on the part of the Manchester gentlemen, and he hoped they would show how they felt such liberal conduct towards them.—(Applause.) The CHAIRMAN then put the question, and it was carried unanimously. William Brown, Esq., was then introduced to the meeting amidst loud cheers and clapping of hands. As soon as this had subsided, The Cliarnmare, addressing him, said he would read to him the resolution which had j us t been passed unanimously by the meeting, and at the same time he must congratulate him that there was so numerous and zealous a meeting there that day. Mr. BROWN then addressed the meeting as follows : ytr G yleoee e cur n etnyrp t a l tln e ai m o en—l cannot h e lp fe e li ng hi g hly gra tifi e d a t the distinguishedtne with3reu representative , hwhos eave honour gfri ileennfriends smh een yu rm . Hn o do Inh. had have •o connectionsot t d hl o ee n w e pleasure i sbl ruma b r he y o as the of w knowing a sympathise —a g en tl eman w h ose amiable and acims—inpalciesgrheeenlyd manners endeared him to all by whom he was known •, and, indeed, it was only necessary to have that knowledge to respectlhim.—(Hear, hear.) This melancholy event, gentle. men, has placed me in the position iu which I now stand, as a candidate before you, for the honour of representing you in Parliament. I should never have dreamt of aspiring to this honour, had it not been pressed upon me by a deputation from Manchester and the surrounding districts, accompanied by many of the gentlemen I now see around me ; and whether I may attribute it to my rani!) , or my ambition, if you please, or to both, I could not resist the temptation in their wish to confer such an honoor upon me.—(Great cheering.) I would much wish, gentlemen, certainly that you had a more able advocate of your cause; but since you have launched mo upon the troubled sea of politics, you may rest assured, that having put my hands to the plough, I will not draw back.—(Great chewing.) Gentlemen, I stand before you as an instrument to accomplish what we have all at heart — free trade.—(Applause.) 'What is free trade ? It is " an exchange of equivalents mutually advantageous to both parties."—(Hear, hear.) But let us look to the reverse. Let us look at an hossile tariff between countries which might exchange their commodities with each other with advantage to both parties. Why, it engenders jealous and hostile feelings ; it may lead, and frequently does lead, l t e h a e d , t e o ens a eq sparkuee creatingconsequence, t e ht e w h a l war.—(Hear, That is the consequence— Cheers)—taxes, which are a just punish ment for our folly.—(Renewed cheering.) War begets tax es ; taxes beget debt; debt begets restrictions.—(Hear, hear.) (Hear,hear.) Taxation.—(Hear.) These are the blessings arising from these commercial mis understandings which unfortunately exist between nations. —(Hear, hear, and cheers.) Our opponents contend, gentle men, that the landed interest bear an undue proportion of these taxes. I look upon it, however, in a very different point of view. If any of you, gentlemen, were going to buy an estate, what is the first thing you would do ? You would first endeavour to ascertain the gross rental of that estate; the next thing would be the poor's-rate, tithes, highway rates, land-tax, and such other charges as may be looked upon in the character of permanent mortgages; and any schoolboy would tell you that you buy not the gross, but the nett rental.—(Hear, hear.) I cannot conceive in what other point of view the owner of an estate stands who holds it by inheritance; and I am greatly surprised the landed interest are not aware of the incalculable advantages which com merce has conferred upon them.—( Hear, hear.) Look, for instance, at the condition of the southern district of Lan cashire. About the year 1784, when the first bag of cotton was imported, the population dependent upon agriculture was 52,000, the whole population of Lancashire being about 300,000. In 1800 it had risen to 600,000, and at this time it is I,6oo,ooo.—(Hear, hear.) I am sure there is not an indi vidual who hears me, or who will read what I say, but will say that increase has conferred an inestimable benefit upon the landed proprietors—(Hear)—and it is astonishing that they have not foresight to see that by continuing this pros perity they continue the support of their rent rolls.—(Great cheering.) It is contended also, by our opponents, that we have been prosperous in consequence of our restrictive mea sures. I know we have been prosperous, but it has been in spite of them.—(Cheers.) They lose sight of the fact that Europe and America are now at peace—(Hear)—they lose sight of the fact that both are prospering, and to a certain extent very successful rivals in other markets of the world in the manufactures which they now make.—(Hear, hear.) We certainly had advantages during the long wars which existed upon the Continent from the security of person and property which they did not there enjoy, for it enabled us to make great progress in arts and manufactures, and such advantages we might now retain if we could only liberalise our commer cial policy.—(Great cheers.) Indeed, with a liberal commer cial policy I cannot see that landlords have anything to fear from competition with any other country in the world.— (Hear.) Give us that, and we can clothe the world.—(Much apblause.) We talk of other countries leaguing against us in hostile tariffs ; but let us examine the matter fairly—let us take the United States, with which I am better acquainted than any other country. I have now in my possession some statistics of that country, which inform me that the average duties now laid upon her imports from us are 33i per cent. The duties we lay upon her imports from there are 54 per cent. ; but if we exclude cotton, which the southern district of this counts- could not do very well without, then other duties against her are 330 per cent.—(Hear, hear.) By the late tariff of Sir Robert Peel they are hardly so high-260 per cent. ; and this is " reciprocity," 33i per cent. against 260 per. cent.—(Cheers and great applause.) Upon this head 1 will be very brief, but I cannot refrain from laying before you the sentiments of one of the ablest men that this country ever knew, a man whose abilities were acknowledged by those who differed with him in their day, and history will do him justice —a man who was well qualified to wield the destinies of this or any other nation—l mean the great Lord Chatbam.—(Great cheers.) Lord Chatham says " I do not despair of my country, and I nave no objection to state what, in my opinion, would restore the kingdom to its once flourishing condition. Give freedom to commerce, and lighten the pressure of taxation, and you will have no complaining in your streets. As commerce is always a change Of equivalents, a nation that will not buy cannot sell ; and every restriction upon import is an obstacle to ex• port. On the other hand, the more we admit the produc tions of foreign countries, the more extensive becomes their demand for our commodities. Let the absurd system of our corn-laws be gradually and cautiously abolished, and allow the cheap agricultural produce of the north of Europe, and of the continents of America and Africa, to be freely intro duced, and we shall obtain an unlimited vent for our manu factures. A rigid and efficient system of retrenchment allow ing us to take off the- taxes upon salt, upon soap, upon leather, upon iron, and a few other articles of subsistence, our advantages, from position, from coal mines, and from the skill and energy of our people, are so considerable, that, were it not for unwise laws and overstrained taxation, Britain, .for ages to come, might continue to be the great workshop of the world." So thought the great Lord Chatham eighty years ago; and so think I now.—(Renewed cheers.) Before concluding what I have to say to you upon this subject, pro bably I should tell von that the manufacturing interests of the United States are now enabled to produce to the extent of 250 millions of dollars per annum.—( Hear, hear.) At one period our exports to that country rose as high as 50 millions of dollars; at present, although there is a greatly increased population in that country, our exports are little more than half.—(llear, hear.) That, gentlemen, is the result of our protective laws.—(Hear, hear.) Gentlemen, a very able writer has pictured to my mind the beau ideal of the British Constitution. The great Lord Bolingbroke says that a system of laws, customs, and usages derived from the same fixed principles of reason, directed to the same known obje c t o f pu bli c goo d , by hich a free and enlightened people agree to be governed, is, in his esti mation, what we are favoured with. That that may be accomplished under a mixed monarchy, such as we have. with its checks and balances, I firmly believe; and I trust such a Government will always continue to exist in this country for the benefit of all classes of her Ma jesty's subjects, and the country itself.—(Loud cheers.) But, gentlemen, in all human institutions lapse of time and changes in circumstances may make emendations and alterations and new enactments necessary; and should it be your pleasure that I should be your representative in Par liament, I should be very happy to lend my best aid in ac complishing those desirable ends.—(Hear, hear.) The poor laws have existed from the reign of Elizabeth; and of late great changes have taken place in them ; but in avoiding one difficulty we have fallen into another.—(Hear, hear.) The present poor-laws are, I am afraid, a grit deal too stringent and severe.—(Hear, hear.) While I would protect the poor upon the one hand from oppression and hardship, upon the other, I would endeavour to prevent:the public from being imposed upon by idleness and dissipation.—(Hear, hear.) From what I have just said upon the subject of free trade, it is not necessary, Gentlemen, that I should say more than that I repudiate all protective duties, and all retaliatory du ties whatever.—(Great cheers.) But I wish to be clearly understood upon one point, upon which, in my address, I am afraid I have not been sufficiently explicit. I do not object to duties to meet the exigencies of the State, so far as they can be laid with advantage to the country.--(Hear, hear.) lam an economist, so far as it is practicable to carry that principle out—so far as it is consistent with the raising of a revenue essential to maintain the country in the position it holds among the most powerful monarchies in the world ; but I never would be a party to placing her in such a situa tion that we should lose caste among the nations of the earth. —(Hear, hear.) I am, however, a strong advocate for main taining peace; and I would maintain peace upon any terms short of national dishonour.—(Great cheers.) I have now to ask you, Gentlemen, as a peraohal favour to myself, that throughout this contest we shall reason with our opponents with the utmost good humour—(Hear, hear)—that we should never mind their smiles or remarks, or anything else they may say against us, but treat them always as friends and gentlemen.—(Cheers.) It has just been suggested to me that my character is not understood in the world. I am, Gentlemen, a member of the Established Church, and cer tainly no act of mine shall disturb those laws which preserve the Church in its present state.—(Hear, hear.) lam not a Unitarian, though I should not consider it a degradation to be so, I assure ;you; nor am I Catholic.—(Cheers.) Mr. Brown then apologised for the imperfections of his manner of speaking, reminding the electors that 'they were only just beginning to drill him into a speaker. and concluded by thanking the meeting for the honour conferred upon him. The CHAIRMAN said they seemed all to be satisfied with Mr. Brown, and his declaration on free trade he thought would satisfy every free trader; but in order to carry out their good intentions, it would be necessary to appoint a Committee to conduct the election. Mr. BLAIN wished to put a question to Mr. Brown. Would he support the income-tax or vote against it ? Mr. BROWN said he considered the income-tax inquisitorial, and would be glad to lee it abolished.—(Applause.) He would continue the property-tax, provided it would remove or cause some of the other taxes to bear lightly upon them. a way the least objectionable.--(D ear , money,_ and he would take it in ectionable. The Government o j v A e c rn oß m s e i n n t qui m r us ed t whahreether,if Mr. Brown, as the friend of civil and religious liborty, were returned for the county, he would, on the question coming forward, vote for the emanci pation of the Jews ? Mr. Bnowx—l would.—(Applause.) Mr. JACOBS said he wished to remark that the Jews, in wishing to be emancipated, had only the desire to be of more use to their fellow-countrymen. They were now eligible to various civil offices, and he hoped that whenever they obtained their proper position in the land, the first principle that would actuate them would be not to oppress the or phan, and that free trade in all things would civilise the globe. A Committee was then appointed to conduct the election. After a few words from Colonel WILLIAms, Mr. RATHBONE rose and said, I have a confidential commu nication to make. I hear that we shall please Sir Robert Peel as well by electing Mr. Brown as by electing Mr. Ent wistle.—(Cheers, and hear, hear.) Three cheers were then given for Mr. Brown, and the pro ceedings, which were characterised by unanimity and enthu siasm throughout, terminated. PARLIAMEN TAR Y DIVISIONS. (Prom the Votes and Proceedings of:he Bower commons.) THUILDSAY, HAY 16. NAVAL OFFICERS. Motion made, and Question put, " That it is the recom mendation of this House, that previously to the preparation of the Estimates for the year 1845-46, a Plan of Retirement should be devised, with a view to render the Naval Service efficient, and of rewarding old and meritorious Officers :" The House divided : MINORITY-AYES, 28. Aglionby, H. A.—Cockermouth Maher, Nicholas—Tipperary Bannerman, A.—Aberdeen Mitcalfe, 11.—Tynemouth Barnard, E. G.—Greenwich Morrison, J Ames—lnverness Berkeley, Hon. M. F.—. Gloucester Plumridge, Captain—Feta yik,and Berkeley, Hon. H. F.—Bristol Falmouth Busfeild, William—Bradford Rots - , Captain—Westminster Chapman, B.—Westmeath Scholetield, J.—Birmingham Collett, John—Athlone Stuart, Lord J.—Ayr Dalmeny, Lord—Stirling Tancred, H. W.—Banbury Denison, W. J.—West Surrey 7roubridge, Sir E. T.—Sandw ch Esmonde, Sir T.—Wexford Co. Wakley, Thomas—Finsbury French, F.—Rosscommon Wawn, J. T.—Routh Shields Gore, Robert—New Ross Wemyss, Captain—Fifeshire Harris, E. A. J.—Christchurch TELLERS. Hatton, CaPt. Wex t ord Co.: Napier, Sir Charles— Marylebom Hume, Joscph—Montrose, &c. Nebel!, Captain—Brighton MAJORITY —NOES, 71. Ackers, James—Ludlow Herbert, Hon. S.—South Wilts Adderley, C. B.—Staffordshire Hodgson,W.—Berwick-on z weed Archdall, Cap tain M--Fernianagh Hope, G. W.—Southanspton Arkwright, George—Leominster Humphery, John—Southwark Bailey, J.—Herefordshire Hussey, Ambrose —Saliisbury Baird, W.—Falkirk, &c. Jermyn, Earl—Bury, Suffolk Barrington, Lord—Borkshire Knatchbull, Sir E.—East Kent Bentinck, Lord G.—Lynn Lawson, A.—Knaresborough Botfield, Beriali—Ludlow Lincoln Earl of—Northamptet t Brotherton, J.—Salford shire, South Carnegie, Hon. Captain—Staffbrd Lockhart, William—Lanarkshire Clerk, Sir G.—Stamford Mackenzie, W. F.—Peeblesshire Cockburn, Sir G. orge—Ripon M'Niell, D.—Argyleshire Corry, Hon. H. L.—Tyrone Co. Marsland, Henry—Stockport Cripps, William—Cire ncester Martin, W.—Newport, I. of Wigbt Denison, E. B.—West Yorkshire Master, T. W. C.—Cirencester Dodd, G.—Maidstone Masterman, J.—London Douglas, Sir C. E.—Warwick Mordaunt,SirJohn—Warwickhs. Dowdeswell, W.—Tewkesbury Inchon, Right Hon. Sir John East, James Buller-- Winchester Peel, Rt. Hon. sir R.—Tamworth Egerton, W. Tatton—Cheshire Peel, Col. Jonathan—Hunt:neck n Eliot, Lord—East Cornwall Plutnptre, John P,—East Kent Escott, B.—Winchester Polhill, Frederick—Bedford Flower, Sir J.—Thetford Pollington, Lord—Be Forman, T. S.—Bridgewater Pusey, Philip—Berkshire Gasket', James Manes— Wenlock Roebuck, J. A.—Botha Gladstone, W. E.—Newarx-on Smith, T. B. C,— Ripon Trent Sutton, C. M.—C,ambrldge Gladstone, Captain—lpswich Thesiger, F.—Abingdon Godson, IL — Kidderminster Thompson, Ald.—.Sunderland Gordon, Hon. W . — Aberdeenshire Trelawny J. S.—Tavists.o Uoulburn, Right Hon. H.—Cam- Trenon, S ir F.--Scarborough bridge University Verner, William—Armagh Co. Vivian, John Ennis —T ruro Greenall, P.—Wigan Greene, T. G.—Lancashire Williams, William—Cov entr y Grimsditch, T.—Mac c l esf i eld Grogan, E.—Dubli n TRUER ,. Harcourt, G. G. V . — Oxfordshire Fremantle , Slr T.—Buck in gham Henley, J. W.—Oxf or d s l ire Boring, H. B.—Marlborough ROYALISTS IN FRANCE. The following letter has been addressed by Henri de France, Due de Bordeaux, to those Legitimist Deputies who have been re• elected by their constituents, despite the strenuous exertions of M. Guizot and his colleagues : " I have been i n f orm " Goritz, March 19, 1844. ed, Gentlemen, of your re-election to the Chamber of Deputies and I hasten to tell you how re joiced I feel at this result, and to offer you my congratula tions. It would have been a subject of ceaseless and poignant regret to me if your visit to me during my residence at London should have been the means of depriving France of the services of such worthy defenders of her interests. I am both happy and grateful that the electors of the towns of Marseilles, Toulouse, Montpellier, Doullens, and Ploermel have done so noble an act of justice, and have so ably refuted those calumnies which were so industriously circulated re specting my visit to England, and your visit to me at London. All who came to me during my brief se jour in the English capital know full well that n o t a syllable escaped from my lips which was not couched in the form of an ardent desire for the welfare and happiness orFrance. " The sentiment of generosity which has instigated these honourable men, who do not yet participate in all our con victions, to rally around us under those circumstances, ought to inspire us with fresh hope, that the day may yet come, a happy day of conciliation, when honest 41 sincere men of all parties and opinions, abjuring these divisions by which they have been so long estranged from us, will meet together in good faith on the ground of monarchical principles and na tional liberties, to serve and defend our common country. " I renew to you, Gentlemen, the assurance of my esteem and my cdnstant and sincere affection. "HENRI. " To Messieurs Berger, Blin de Bourdon, De Larcy, De la Rochejacquelin, and De Vainly." THAMES YACHT CLUB. At a meeting of the Noblemen and Gentlemen of this dis tinguished Club, last night, at the British Coffee-house, Cockspur-street, -the - following - yachts were entered for the Grand Challenge Cup :—The Mystery, Exquisite, Gazelle, Enigma, Blue Belle, Gnome. The match will take place on Monday, the 10th of June, from Greenwich to Gravesend and back. The Mystery is the favourite. The Commodore announced that Captain Coxedge, of the Albion, had handsomely signified his intention of giving a Cup, value fifty guineas, to be sailed for by yachts of this club. . It was arranged that this match should be sailed on Wed nesday, the 10th of July, the club expressing their satisfaction at the captain's liberality. -THAMES GRAND REGATTA. At the Royal Thames Yacht ,meeting, last night, T. Mee• som, Esq., announced the Thames Regatta for the 20th, 21st, and 224 i of June. TILE MARCII or INTELLECT.—An inhabitant of the village of liavay, two leagues from Mons, in Belgium, was committed to prison a few days ago at the latter place, on a charge of having killed a woman whom he suspected of being a witch. CITY News. --In the markets lead has been heavy, but tin is in great request, and many who have asked for it haven't been able to get it. Hides are sought after, and so is one of the principle dealers, who is said to be hiding from his creditors.—Puck. THE ONLY ONE or THE KIND.—The French pipers contain an advertisement of a cross of. the Legion of Honour, which was picked up on the market-place at Donal. So that not decorated. We advise him, if he wi s h es t o ma k e a s p ee dy at present there is one man, at all events, in France who is fortune, to exhibit himself—Punch. GRAND H YDROPATHIC DEMON STRATION. - This display, which is to prove beyond a doubt what the science is really capable of, has been put off, we understand, till the arrival of the .Emperor of Russia, when an experiment will be tried upon a scale never before attempted.—runch, FINE ARTS. PORTRAIT OF SIR BENJAMIN BRODIE. We have just been favoured with the sight of an embossed medallion portrait of that eminent surgeon, Sir Ben;amin Brodie. The portrait is engraved by Freebairn from the original model for the medal which has been executed by Wyon, and it is by far the best likeness that has yet appeared of Sir Ben jamin. As a work of art, the engraving is not less deserving of commendation, and so admirably are the lights and shades managed, especially about the eye and the lower part of the forehead, that it is difficult to believe that the plate has been wrought upon a flat surface. The countenance indicates great shrewdness and sagacity, and the expression of the mouth, in particular, is that of decided energy and determination of purpose. In fact, Mr. Freebairn has preserved all the characteristics of Sir Bgnjamin Brodie's counte nance with singular fidelity, and the result is, a portrait as like life as it is possible for engraving to be. As the professional reputation of the original is widely diffiped, more especilly among medical men, we have no doubt that this admirable portrait will become speedily popular with the faculty, first, from its accuracy as a likeness, and secondly, from its su perior excellence as a work of art. CRIMINAL STATISTICS. There is deep matter for legislative reflection and inquiry in a Blue Book just issued from the Vote- office, entitled " Tables showing the number of Criminal Offenders (England and Wales) in the year 1843." These tables, which exhibit the numbers " committed for trial or bailed for appearance at the Assizes and Sessions in each county"—also the result of the proceedings, are followed by a most valuable paper or digest, prefaced by this announcement:— " The following explanations and calculations with reference to the accompanying tables, have been made by Mr. REDGRAVE of the Home-office, who compiled and prepared the tables." This docu- ment is highly honourable, no doubt, to that gentle man's powers of analysis and arrangement, but it develops a picture of the present aggregate of criminal offenders, and the ratio of its increase, which is the most discouraging that could be submitted to the British public. The contents of the Tabular Returns will be found, if not to falsify, yet by no means to confirm, the anticipations of those who augured, from the extensive repeal of capital punishment, first, a largely increased proportion ofconvictions to the number of commitments ; secondly a largely decreased amount of those crimes from which the capital penalty has been thus withdrawn. The release of jurors from the temptation to falsify their oaths, by verdicts founded, —not on their impressions of the evidence before them, but—on their reluctance to be accessory to the execution of their fellow -creatures ; and the as sumed readiness, with which they would (it was thought) convict, where warranted by evidence, in such cases—appear to have had little sensible effect in repressing this class of offences. In spite of Mr ROEBUCK'S eulogy, the other night, of factory labour• as the most appropriate and salutary employment for women, these tables supply statistics from which Mr. REDGRAVE eliminates the conclusion that "the variations on the centessimal proportion of the males to the females have not exceeded 2 per cent. in the last seven years ; that the proportion of females was greatest in 1840, decreasing slightly in the two fol lowing years, being last year 22.02 per cent., being a slight increase on the previous year ; and that in the ten most manufacturing counties, the proportion of females was 25.4 per cent. ; in the ten most agricultural counties, 15.4 per cent. only."—(P. 10.) To the same learned authority, who found matter for thank fulness and congratulation in the devotion of children and young persons to the same species of occupation, we commend this significant passage :—" The com parative ages in the ten most agricultural, and the ten most manufacturing and mixed counties, afford similar results ; namely, the earlier com mencement of crime in the manufacturing than in the agricultural counties."—(P. 9.) But Mr. RED GRAVE shows, especially by reference to the per centage of offences committed between twenty and twenty five years, that the career of crime is shorter in the manufacturing than in the agricultural districts. The returns, however, are full of ano malies well calculated to refute the confidence of less practical men in either House of Par liament, and in either of the two great parties which occupy them, in the dangerous delusions involved in some of their most favourite notions. His Grace the Duke of BUCKINGHAM may be surprised, to learn such news as this of his " model county,' namely—" In the Midland (agricultural) Counties Northampton, Oxford, and Berkshire, a decrease of crime—Bucks an increase." Mr. BANKES, who ran a memorable tilt, some time since, in honour of the abundant wages and excellent character of the whole Dorsetshire tenantry, must bear to be told that "if the Western counties, Wilts and Somersetshire, show a decrease, Dorsetshire shows an increase of crime.' But the general results are too deplorable to bC used, merely to point a passing reflection for the di gestion of political Contemporaries. "In the last year" (1843) writes Mr. REDGRAVE, "there was an increase (of commitments) of 14.1 per cent. on the whole class—every one of the most atro cious offences showing a considerable increase. In the " o f fences against property committed with violence," there was a large increase, extend ing to nearly every offence. In 1842, the in crease in this class amounted to 16 . 6 per cent.; and the past year has added 13.9 per cent. to the former great increase. " Offences against property, com mitted without violence," have decreased during the last year. " Malicious offences against property" show a considerable increase, although they had been already more than doubled in the year 1842. "For geries and offence: against the currency," which had likewise greatly multiplied in 1842, show in 1843 a further increase of 5 per cent. Here follows a painful confirmation of the views which these details are calculated to supply— It has been already shown that the decrease in the past year has fallen chiefly on the minor offences, and that there was an increase in the.graver classes of crime. This, with the number of sentences passed at the winter assize, will account for the increase„ in the face of a general decrease, of the most severe secondary punishments, and of the numbers sentenced to death, which latter exceed those in any year since the exten sive abolition of capital punishments by the Acts of 1 Vic toria. The sentences in each of the three last years are given : 1841 1842 1843 - - - Death BO 57 97 Transportation for Life ” above 15 years 9 f 15 years, and above 10 709 726 641 I, 10 years, and above 7 1,240 1,402 1,471 PP 7 years . Imptisonment above 3 years ... 1 • 71 .., 3 years, and above 2 ” 2 years, and above 1 465 464 464 ff 1 yr, and above 6 meths 2,060 2,594 2,332 ~ 6 months and under 13,212 14,799 13,477 Whipped, Fined, and Discharged ____ The capital sentences for eleven great crimes (mur der, attempts at 'murder, treason, arson, cutting and maiming, riot, &c. &c.) passed in the three years 1841, 1842, and 1843, were respectively for each year, 80, 57, 97. We are grieved to add this illus tration of the remarks which we have hazarded above as to thg hitherto unsatisfactory working of the last Act for abolishing the penalty of death in various cases. But we should observe that so noble an expe riment—that a principle which we believe to be so sound in the abstract—ought not to be condemned, even on this sort of constructive evidence, without further and more prolonged inquiry. In 1838, by the Acts of the Ist Victoria, a further and more important amelioration was effected in the Criminal Laws, and the penalty of death removed from several of the largest classes of offences for which up to that time, executions had not been unfrequent. With reference to these offences, a similar comparison to the foregoing is made, excepting only such as from their numbers wore too unimportant to afford any useful results. Average of 1835-6-7. 1843. Attempts to Murder and Maim 124 254 Burglary 293 839 Robbery Arson On each of these offences there has been a very consi derable increase, which on the aggregate reaches 109 per cent., the commitments generally increasing only 26'4 per cent, in the same time. The convictions have been slightly affected by the removal of the extreme pen a lt y, the proportion acquitted having decreased from I in 2•26 to 1 in 213. AN ORDER you Two.—The late Andrew Ducrow, the equestrian, invited his friends, Mr. and Mrs. T. P. C--, to visit the mausoleum which he had erected for the reception of himself and his family at Hensel green. Ms visitors having expressed their satisfaction at its external beauties, and the conveniency of its interior arrangements, Ducrow, kindly shaking his friend by the hand, exclaimed, in the fulness of his liberality—" Well, my dear fellow, you see there's plenty of room ; so I shall be happy at any time to give a couple of places to you and Mrs. T. P.' This, in its way, an offer of an order for two to the pit, was not immediately accepted, SUMMARY OF NEWS AND Optatton. " Who runs may read." FOREIGN. On Monday evening the King and Queen of the French entertained at dinner the Pope's Nuncio, the Turkish Am bassador, the Baden, Portuguese, and Swedish Ministers, Marshal Soult, Marquises d'Escayrac, de Lauture, and d'Ara mon, Generals Baron de Lascours and Jauin. The Committee, charged with the examination of the Bill relating to the Paris and Lyons Railroad has determined, by six votes to three, to recommend to the Chamber to adopt the line running by the Yonne, the Armanc;on, the Brenne, and tho Loze, on the ground that it shortens the distance, between Paris and Dijon, by 32 kilometres. The Council- General of the Ponts-et-Chaussees had previously adopted the same line, by a majority of 12 to 4. The National states :—" The Government is about to con ciliate the priesthood by a new concession, it being intended that the Pantheon is again to be converted to religious pur poses, by celebrating in it, on the next anniversary of the (lays of July, a funeral service in honour of the victims of that glorious week." M. 'Tiers has concluded his " History of the Empire," and was to deliver the manuscript on Tuesday to the publisher, who is to pay him 500,000£ (20,0000 for the work. The first year since the opening of the Paris and Rouen railway having elapsed without any accident occurring through the fault or neglect of the locomotive branch of the service, the Company, to testily their general satisfaction, re solved to give, at the Batignoiles station, a grand feast to all the engineers and their men. From the necessity of not in terrupting the service of the road, this was divided into two parties, on different days. The Herald°, of Madrid, states that the Spanish capital will soon be lighted with gas by the Company which has erected gas works at Barcelona and Valencia. A letter from Leipsic, in the Courrier de la Moselle, relates that at a grand concert and supper, in the evening of Sunday, the 21st ult. at the Hotel de Boulogne (the casino of Leipsic), at which about 400 persons were assembled, the inhabitants of the Rhenish provinces, who are still attached to the French, called for the" Marseillaise" in honour of their Gallic guests. Upon this, a number of persons from Berlin who were present opposed the call by a violent hissing. A row ensued, and soon became general, and as bottles, plates, chairs, and other missiles flew in every direction, many serious wounds and contusions were given and received before the tumult could be allayed. The French Ambassador in Switzerland has addressed to the Vorort a series of questions, relating to the statistics of the periodical press in that country. lie has requested an account of the charges laid upon the Swiss journals in the shape of stamps, postage, duties upon advertisements, &c., with the amounts of these imposts, and the number of the journals and other periodicals published in Switzerland, and their respective circulation. This inquiry is made, no doubt, with a view to a due consideration of the proposition made by M. Chapuys Montlaville, for the abolition of the stamp duty on journals in France. The Vorort has transmitted these inquiries to all Cantonal Governments, desiring them to return answers. LAW AND POLICE. Mr. Andrew Van Sandau, solicitor, appeared before Mr. Tw y ford, at Bow-street, to answer the complai n t o f Th omas Clarke, a clerk in the service of Messrs. Turner and Hainsman, solicitors in the Court of Review, for assaulting him. The complainant stated that on the 13th instant he had occasion to meet the defendant at the ofice of the Registrar of the Court of Review, in Chancery-lane, respecting the minutes of a case in which he was concerned. A discussion arose out of an order of the Court; the defendant at first applied the terms " knave and fool" to the complainant, and afterwards struck and kicked him with much violence. The magistrate in flicted a penalty of 51., and ordered the defendant to find bail to keep the peace for six months. At Marylebone, Henry IVellby, proprietor and driver of an omnibus running from Paddington to the Bank, was summoned before Mr. Long, by Charles Hoppey, Esq., soli citor, for unlawfully driving to the danger of passengers. The evidence went to show that on the 18th ult. com plainant and another gentleman named Needham, a special pleader in the Temple, were on the outside of an omnibus belonging to the London Conveyance Company, and that in Oxford-street the defendant crossed the vehicle upon which they were riding, thereby causing a collision which threw both the gentlemen into the road. Mr Hoppey was very severely injured. Defendant was ordered to pay five gui neas, the expenses attendant upon surgical assistance for Mr. Hoppey, in addition to 255, for damage to wearing apparel, and ss.—a nominal fine for the offence for which he was summoned. _ • At Clerkenwell, Caroline King, who was remanded from Monday last, on a charge of having assaulted and wounded George King, her husband, of No. 5, Little Warner-street, Clerkenwell, was again placed at the bar for final examina tion, when her husband attended in a weakly condition. The husband said he did not wish to press the charge. The pri soner on being discharged clung to her husband, begged his forgiveness, and they went away arm in arm in tears, and ap parently on affectionate terms. Edward George Barrington, a native of Bristol, was brought before Mr. Ballantine, at the Thames police-court, on a charge of stealing two 101. Bank of England notes, a 5/. note, and 35/. in gold and silver, from the Volunteer public-house, in Mill -place, Limehouse, the property of Mrs. Ann Blakey, a widow, and committed for trial. COURT-PELEMION.A.BLE. Lady John Russell's assembly, on Wednesday evening, in Chesham-place, was attended by the Duchess of Sutherland and the Ladies Leveson Gower, the Duke and Duchess of Bedford, the Earl and Countess of Morley, Mr. Aysford and Lady Caroline Sanford, Lady Theresa Lister and the lion. Mrs. George Lister, the Earl of Minto, LordGlenelg, the Earl of Auckland and the lion. Misses Emily and Fanny Eden, the Earl and Countess of Clarendon, Mr. Charles and Lady Georgiana Romily, Mr. and Mrs. Henry Labouchere. The Lord Chancellor and Lady Lyndhurst received the Duke and Duchess of Bucelench, Duchess of Beaufort and Lady Augusta Somerset, his Excellency the French Ambas sador and Countess de St. Aulaire, Viscount and Viscountess Villiers, Earl of Lonsdale, Lord Forester, Lord Lovaine, Sir Wm. M. Stanley, Mr. and Mrs. J. M. Stanley, Mr. Tomline, Rev. Sydney Smith, and a select party at dinner last even ing, at the Noble and Learned Lord's house, in George-street, Hanover-square. Lady Lyndhurst had a soirée afterwards. . The Hon. Colonel Douglas Gordon Pennant, M.P., gave a dinner at Ingestre House, Belgrave-square; on Wednesday evening, to Lord Saltoun and a select party. Sir George Palmer, Bart., and family, the Countess of Mel ton, Captain Mainwaring, the Count uva, &c. left London on Sunday last, by the steamer Antwerpen, Captain Jackson Miss Burdett Coutts, Captain Bristowe, Captain Cotton, Colonel Hall and family, and the Rev. Mr. Porcher, were among the passengers that embarked yesterday at the Bruns • wick Pier, Blackwall, on board the General Steam Naviga tion Company's steam-ship, Wilberforce, for Antwerp. Lord and Lady Northesk have arrived at Brown's Hotel in Dover-street. THE FUNDS-(CLOSING PRICES). BRITISH FUNDS. Bank Stock 2........... 192 Indian Stock 287 pm. 3 per Cent. fled .. 9Bs Ditto Bonds B4 pm. 3 per Cent. Cons. ........ 99 Ditto Old Annuities 3 per Cent. Bei ........ 101 Ditto New Annuities — New 3% per Cent. ..... .... 102% Ex.. 81111, 1,0001. INd 69 pm. New 5 per Cent. •.«•«..... Ditto 5001 — pm Long Annuities to expire Ditto Small 6B pm. Jan. 1860,.„.„.,.,. It 7.16 Bank Stock for Acct 191% Oct. 1859. .... ..... 12 5.16 C onso l s f or A cct 9 9% Jan. 1860............ 12 India Stock for Acct — FOREIGN FUNDS. Austrian, 5 per Cent ......... 114 'Portuguese, 5 per Cent — Belgian, 5 per Cent 103% Ditto New Ditto — Brazilian Bonds ... ..... ....... 80% Prussian, 5 per Cent Buenos Ayres, 6 per Cent... Russian, 5 per Cent llB - Chllian, 6 per Cent — Ditto, Metallic — Colombian, 6 per Cent Ditto, 1824 Ditto, q per Cent 35 Cuba Bonds, 6 per Cent Ditto, Deferred 13% Danish, 3 per Cent ....... ..... French, 51er Cent. --f —c Greek, 1825, 5 per Cent — Exchange ... ........... «.. —f. —c. Mexican, 5 per Cent Ditto, 6 per Cent., 1837....... Dutch, 2% per Cent..,,,, 60% Peruvian, 1825, 6 per Cent... 'Ditto, 5 per Cent lOO% SHARES. Birmingham and Gloucester (100 paid) 92 Bristol and Exeter (70 paid) Eastern Counties (23 paid) Ditto Perpetual, 5 per Cent., 13s. 4d. paid Great Western (75 paid) Ditto Half Shares (50 paid) ..... 77 Ditto Filths, 12 paid 2l' Harwick(Braithwaite), 2 paid i , -. • !NI __.--), I( : ' Ditto s Locke , 2)( paid London and Birmingham (Stock) Ditto Quarter Shares (2 paid) 614 London and Blackwall (16/, 13s. 4(11) 7 Londoia and South Western (411.65, 10d. paid) 854 London and Croydon (Trunk) l9 • Manchester and Birmingham 57 Midland Counties (100 paid) B9 Northern and Eastern (45 paid) North Midland (100 paid) Norwich and Brandon ( 2 paid) South Eastern and Dover (33/2s 4d paid) Ditto New Shares ( 4 paid) Yarmouth and Norwich (18 paid) York and North Midland (50 paid) 11854 York and Scarborough Branch ( 2,2 paid) ..... HAYMARKET THEATRE.—The very laughable co medy, A Cure for the Heartache, was revived last night. Old Rapid, the enriched tailor, was personated by Farren; Young Rapid, the son, had Charles Mathews for his repre sentative ; Mr. Strickland was Vortex, the nabob ; Mr. Web ster appeared in the character of Frank Oatland, Miss Julia Bennett as Jessie, Mrs. Edwin Yarnold, as Ellen Vortex, and the character of the more antiquated Miss Vortex was ad - mirably sustained by Mrs. W. Clifford. Farren was almost inimitable in some of the scenes, especiall- that wherein his son receives the ch a ll enge f rom Y oung Stanley. The con tending feelings of the affectionate father with the sense of what is due to his son as a man, were depicted with genuine feeling, and elicited loud applause. The character of Young Rapid is well suited to Charles Mathews, who continued to keep up the spirit of the scene to its full tone, without exaggeration. The comedy was received with shouts of warmth h laughter and applause, and when was g Mr. Farren to announce its repetition,greeted came dwitli a that testified how much the efforts ho had made were appreciated. FIRE AT CHELSEA.—About seven o'clock yesterday morning a fire broke out in an unfinished house, No. 4, Mark ham-square, Chelsea, which, owing to the inflammable nature of the materials in the building, spread with frightful rapi dity. Several workmen were on the premises at the time, and whilst some were endeavouring to check the progress of the flames, others were dispatched for the fire-engines. The local engines arrived first, and after them the Fire Brigade and County engines. There was an ample supply of water, amo b u u n t ta theseth nearly were and by half-past nine o'clock the fire was totally extin guished. It was confined to the premises, co mpletely gutted. The da mage done 30W., the building containing a great quantity of doors, win dow-frames,i a anom d g d s pa o as t re h kd e rfli3hfiitntgi othern ~ whichnew erections.had ben stored The fi r therein e originatedp ro r sashes,t oft: from stove and igniting premises, had ins ure d th em i n the Guardian-office some shavings. M essrs. H unt and Humphrey, the owners of the for 200/, FOREIGN AFFAIRS.—It is a common idea that the most laconic military dispatch ever issued was that sent by Cresar to the Horse Guards at Rome, containing the three memorable words, " Veni, vidi, vici ;" and, perhaps, until our own day, no like instance of brevity has been found. The dispatch of Sir Charles Napier, after the capture of Sinde, to Lord Ellenborough, both for brevity and truth, is, however, far beyond it. The dispatch consisted of one emphatic word— " Peccavi " " I have Slade" (sinned).—Punch. TIIE WEST Ismail MAlL.—Letters and news papers will be in time this morning, the 17th instant, for lkMadeira, the West Indies, Bermuda, and Venezuela, to be forwarded by the Dee steamer, via Southampton. For Bri tish North Americarand the United States, to-morrow even ing, the 18th instant, to be forwarded by the Caledonia steamer, via Liverpool, Halifax, and Boston. For Sydney, New South 'Wales, and Port Philip, on the evening of the , 31st instant, to be forwarded by the Garland Grove, via Gravesend. For Gibraltar, Malta, Greece, the lonian Islands, Egypt, India, Hong-Kong, and China, on the morning of the Ist of June, vux Southampton, by the overland closed mail to India, via Marseilles, on the evening of the 4th of June, if net detained by Government, MEETING OF THE PITMEN. (From the Tyne Mercury.) On Monday, at twelve o'clock, a meeting of the pit men recently employed in the collieries of the Tyne, and a few on the north of the Wear was held on the Town Moor, in this town. The placard announcing the meeting intimated that the use of the ground had been granted by the Mayor (Sir John Fife, Knight), of the borough. The meeting was numerously attended, there being not less than from seven to eight thousand men and women present. The entire proceedings were of the most peaceful character. Mr. MARK DENT, having been called to the chair, said that it was not with him at this meeting as it had been on former occasions—it excited within his breast plea surable emotions in having the honour as acting as chairman. We are still alive, he said, though it was predicted that we should have been by this time as a nonentily as an association ; but we am. now more powerful than when we first came out. The speaker then alluded to certain articles which had ap peared in the Durham Chronicle, respecting the pitmen, on which he said, this old hag, this Will o' th' Wisp, that before long they would let him know they would catch hold of him, and punish him for his calumny and falsehood. IWhen we started in this struggle, we said that we were determined to be fed, aye, and to be better fed, better clad, and better educated; we want all the abundance our labour was destined to create for us. At the com mencement of this struggle ne had to contend against the avarice of the coalowners and the ignorance of the people. Many of the local press were also opposed to us, but now their views are changed, and they are with us. I must now urge you to keep the peace, and give every speaker a fair hearing.—(Loud cheers.) Mr. JOHN TULIP, from South Hetton, moved the fol lowing resolution : " Resolved—That in the opinion of this meeting, we, the Miners of Northumberland and Durham, have been an ill-used cla,s of men, and we hold ourselves justifiable in ceasing from labour until we obtain an advance of wages on equitab!e terms." After reading this he said—Now my friends, man y men have insinuated that our grievances are imaginary. Now, I ask, was not our time come to resist the oppression of the masters ? I am thankful that the Miners' Association exists in England. We have met together to-day to show that we are an oppressed set of men. We have been in the school of experience, and there learned wisdom. The masters laid on the screw, but at length we reared our heads, and to-day we are free men, to-day we are no man's servants, and before we return to our employ ment we are determined to have a better agreement. We are told to discharge from .our service Mr. Roberts, as our legal adviser, and all will be well. It would appear that this gentleman is a mote in their eyes. If they wish us sincerely to accept their advice, let them destroy the cause for him, and do unto others as they would others do unto them. After urging them to keep the peace, and making other remarks, he concluded by moving the resolution. Mr. THOS. PRATT, from Castle Eden, seconded the resolution. He said that it had never been deemed that they were an ill used set of men. He said, they tell us that we have no just ground of complaint, and that we are a lazy, indolent class of men. He now declared, and without a blush, that there was not in the county a more hard-working, industrious set of men than the pitmen of Northumberland. Are we not called from our bed in the night, and required to descend into the bowels- of the earth and there risk our lives, and run numberless hazards to earn a paltry pittance for our families? But we defy their threats; we are possessed of a moral power which alone is sufficient to carry us through this strug gle triumphantly. He said that in Scotland, the men were receiving 2s. per ton, whilst in N ort h um b er l an d they were only asking from ls. 3d. to is. 4d. per ton. Mr. MITCHELL said that it was an incontrovertible fact that the peaceful demeanour of the men in this con test had gained them the g ood opinion of numb ers o f the middle classes, and spok at considerable length on the principles of the union, which, in consequence of the late period at which the meeting was held, prevents our reporting. He concluded by moving the following reso lution:— Resolved—" That in the opinion of this meeting, we have, by our joint actions and virtuous deeds, merited a great share of public opinion, and in order to maintain our ground, we pledge ourselves to keep the peace." Passed unanimously. Mr. GEORGE CHARLTON, from South Shields, pro posed the third resolution, which was seconded by CHRISTOPHER HASWELL, of Seghill : " Resolved—That in the opinion of this meeting, we, the miners of Northumberland and Durham, feel abun dantly thankful for the help we have realised from our friends, the shopkeepers and others ; and we do hereby pledge ourselves to come forward, like honest men, to liquidate all debts that may be contracted during our cessation from labour." At the conclusion of the meeting a Vote of thanks was unanimously passed to Sir John Fife, the Mayor ; and also to the Chairman, for his conduct in the chair. PUNCH'S POLICE. GAMBLERS CAPTURE EXTRAORDINARY Yesterday, the neighbourhood of our (police) office was in an extraordinary state of excitement ; it having been understood that that very vigilant section of the force, Letter A, had on the previous night succeeded in forcing an entry into a well-known house, known as Crockford's, and capturing some dozen Peers, and at least as many Commoner s of distinction, all of them un lawfully assembled for the purpose of beggaring them selves and families, by means of cards and dice. It ap peared that the house had long given great offence to many virtuous shopk ee p ers i n th e neighbourhood, and last night was selected as the happy time for the abate ment of the nuisance. , Thera were in all five-and-twenty prisoners ; amongst whom we noticed the Duke of Fourhonors, the Marquis of Cutace, the Earl of Rouge, Viscount Noir, Baron Jacques O'Spade, Sir Harry Finefinger, the Count San terlecoup, Charles Roulette, Esq., and others well known to the " play" world. The prisoners having been kept in the watchhouse all night, .did not when brought up show to the best advantage. However, true to the fine instinct of aristocratic blood, they put a bold face on the matter, and looked loftily, contemptuously around them, as they were brought up in pairs, and put to the bar, to answer for the misdemeanour. John Smith, policeman, deposed that he had the pre vious night effected an entrance into the house through the drawing-room window. Other policeipen burst in at the doors : they all rushed to the play-room, where they found the Duke of Fourhonors and the Earl of Rouge playing with dice ; the other prisoners were grouped about the table, playing a game with cards. On seeing the police the prisoners attempted to escape, but were seized. Two packs of cards (they were produced) were found the Duke of Fourhonor's pocket ' • his Grace swore. very singular oaths on being search e d. Sir Harry Finefinger attempted to swallow a couple of dice, but was prevented by Sergeant Quick grasping Sir Harry's throat ; whereupon Sir Harry spat them out upon a salver. Samuel Briggs, another policeman, corroborated the foregoing testimony. Indeed, the evidence left no doubt as to the object of all the prisoners at the time of their capture. All the prisoners were fined in the highest sum per mitted by .the statute ; and, having paid the penalties, departed homeward in their carriages. By a curious. coincidence, several lower gambling houses were entered on the same evening by the police ; and a host of their inmates taken the next morning be fore Mr. Hardwick, at Marlborough. street, who fined them accordingly. Thus, it is delightful to reflect that the same watchful spirit which is active to destroy the lower hells, like that of" the Nick, 16k, Castle-street, is no resvecter of place or persons, but breaks into Crockford s, and ca pt ures D u k es an d L or d s . Theim partiality of justice in this matter warms the heart of every true-born Britoa SERIOUS ACClDENT.—Yesterday as Sylvester, son of a visit to Sylvester,some . friends in Barnsbury-terrace, 'lslington, was Louis Esq., of Larkhall-place, Bath, at present on mount* his horse in the Islington road, the animal, a very spirited one, started, throwing his rider to the ground, and before Mr. Sylvester could extricate his-foot from the stirrup, he was dragged a distance of from twenty to thirty yards ; he was picked up bleeding profusely from some severe wounds about the head, and conveyed home in a cab in a state of in sensibility, and it was supposed his skull,wasfractured from the violence with which in his fall his head came in contact with the ground. l d o a n ) F , story at a b b e o u c a t m h i e s swuadldkeinn i u n po th n e a w h oo ug d : s a h t ag t g h y e .MIGHT AND MAIN.—Lord Charles So merse t was C te ap l lilegonae lion. "Thinking to frighten him," said the Noble Lord, " I ran at him with all my might." "Whereupon," sa id an other, interrupting, "he ran away with all his mane." " Just so," said his Lordship, MELANCHOLY DEATH.—In another column wegive an account of the proceedings at a meeting held in Dublin on Monday last, when the " Irish Metropolitan Conservative Society" determined on its own dissolution. Considering the services which this Society has performed, the termination of its useful labours must be deeply lamented, though the event will scarcely excite surprise. It arises out of what we fear is a growing feeling among those who bravely fought side by side with the present Ministers when in opposition, and hailed their accession to office as the triumph of sound principles ; it has its cause in the "apathy" of the Irish Con servatives, and this apathy, according to the chairman of the meeting, has been occasioned by the neglect of their friends by the Government and the favour shown to their enemies. Disappointed individuals will, no doubt, always be found to make a similar complaint ; but a body, numbering twelve hundred members when Sir Robert Peel acceded to office, cannot universally have been disappointed ; and we repeat, therefore, that the dissolution of the Irish Conservative So ciety can only be looked upon as an expression of disgust at that indiscriminate deference to" gentlemen opposite," which may gain an occasional cheer in the House of Commons, though the public will be slow to reconcile it with an honest and unbending attachment to principle.—Post. EPIDEMIC AMONG THE LONDON CLOCKS. —We heard from several quarters of the metropolis that the extra ordinary malady which so long afflicted the clock of St. Clement's ' has extended to several others of the church dials of London. An East-end clock, whose name we are in possession of—a clock that has for some years occupied a high position in the City, in fact, Shoreditch—has, we re gret to say, been seized with the same distressing symptoms as those from which St. Clement's clock is still slowly re covering. The unhappy dial has lost the use of both hands, and gives every indication of falling into a st a t e o f h ope l ess derangement. - 11lany of the neighbours have for some time suspected it was " not quite right," and we are sorry to say that their worst fears are now confirmed. It was painful to observe the anxiety with which several persons who appeared most interested in its fate, remained with their eyes taxed on its face, in the hope of even the slightest change, but all in vain. The unfortunate patient, however, gave no other in dication of its time having come, and no one who looked at it could, for one moment, have supposed that it was going. —Punch. LIVERPOOL NEW GAS AND COKE BILL.—The price of gas in Liverpool, which was reduced to 6s. per 1,000 feet on the Ist of April last, is, by this Bill, which received the Royal Assent on Friday last, made the maxiinuin ilk future - ^C. •