The Sun. — London, England, 1844-12-12 00:00:00

tiJ• ,tsfil 'e' -- ask him, " Will you give us such a tariff as Sir Henry Pottinger gave the Chinese—and if you will not, why did you subscribe a piece of plate to Sir Henry for doing that for the Chinese which you do not consider a good thing for the people of Eng land ?" We have a good many of the same kind of monopolists with us ; and while London Subscribed 1,0001. to this object, they have raised 3, ° 0 01. Those who subscribed form the leading men of the monopolist manufacturers, not the most intelli gent, numerous, or wealthy class amongst us, though they sometimes say they are. A friend of mine asked me lately whether I was willing to subscribe ? I re plied that I thought Sir Henry a most worthy man, far better than those who had subscribed a testimonial to him. believe," said I, "he has done excellent service to the Chinese people, and if the Chinese will send over a Sir Henry Pottinger to England, and if the Chinese Pottinger can succeed by force of argu ment (for I want no force of arms) in extracting from the stony hearts of the landed monopolists the same tariff for England our General has given to China, then I will join heartily in giving him a piece of plate."—(Loud laughter and cheering for some minutes.) Well, gentlemen, this 11 7 the way, we must come to business, notwith standing. Our friend told you something of orir late Proceedings. Some of our cavilling friends (and We have a great many of that class, bilious persons, Who not being of a gregarious character, can only hold aloof from a movement and criticise), say " this is a new movement of the League"—that is, the an nouncement of bearding the landlords in their coun ties. Now we have changed nothing, and are chang ing nothing in our tactics. We believe that every step We have taken was necessary to arrive at the Present stage of our :movement. We began by lec turing and distributing tracts, in order to create an enlightened public opinion, and we did that ne cessarily for two or three years. We then commenced ° lir operation on the boroughs ; and never was there at any time the same systematic attention, la h°nr, and expense applied to the borough registration as at present.—(Cheers.) As regards our lectures, we lecture still, only that instead of having some "lan room, three pair of stairs back, we have such „ tu atnificent assemblies as the present to address. We aye already distributed tracts. We now do so in another form, and 20,000 copies of the League paper circ u l a t e d wee kl y f or t h e l as t t we l ve mon th s . It lire penetrated and gone the round of every parish in the kingdom. In addition, we have, in obedience to "new light," proposed to disturb the monopolists in their own counties. The first objection to this cou rse is, " that's a game two can play at." I can answer that objection by saying we sit down to play b Wit h opponents who have all the stakes in their i -er nia, while we have nothing to lose.—(Hear, and "ghter.) They have played that game and won the 'unties. My friend (Mr. Villiers) had not a county rote on the last division on this motion. Now there a,re 152 county Members in England and Wales, and ▪ do not see any chance of Mr. Villiers gaining a ma- Jo if we do not win some of those seats. We nye already got him South Lancashire, the most po pulous distri c t i n th e w h o l e ki n gdom, Lord Francis Egerton sits for the county, and a very powerful 4141 , of vast property, and personally respected by all Parties. Now, I have observed, that those who attack the s Lea gue are genera ll y very un f ortuna t e . Th ere se ems a fatality about everybody who insults us N OW I mean t o men ti on h ere one o r t w o anecdotee for the benefit of Grandntamma, who looks of late mor e shadowy and attenuated than ever, but who Yet ' in a ghostlike tone, continue; muttering some thing against us. L or d P. Egerton, two years ago W hen the quest i on of the corn -l aws was b e f ore th e l "se, spoke on th e su bj ec t, and after saying a good m a ny littl e pretty not hi ngs, w hi c h go d own i n th e use from a L or d , an d f rom no b o dy e l se , wo und 11P by offeri ng us hi s gra t u it ous a d v i ce . It wa s that tv 0 ; Should b e goo d enoug h t o di sso l ve . He e rcd that advice in all kindness. Well, let an election now come on in South Lancashire, and Lord pr a b e -nel a will see w ho w ill dissolve first.—(Much th e cill 'g and laughter.) Somebody has alluded to Me mber for Knaresborough. Ile was let loose had L • itt 'lading, and in 1841 it would seem as if he what been 'ant there on purpose to bait him. Well, wh-3r " 11 5 been the fate of that worthy gentleman ? b i , that House, a large majority of which hounded W , lll , On in 1841, voted unanimously that his assertions plain-:° unfounded and calumnious. That means, in d ßnaresborough language, that he was a slan erer and a I—. I shall not use the word.—(Cheers .44 laughter.) Now, there is one other case I'll b rn ention for the warning of the Herald. Sir ' ° hert Peel, at the close of the session, when e t nd eavouring to regain the confidence of his h ° llo wers, which he would have stood on head to accomplish, thought to have a h .ng at the League, and warned us, in , • I _' usual solemn and pompous tones, that we now ; e re retardi ng th e progress o f f re e-trade, and setting Iv n h e . farnser s o f th e country aga i ns t us by the way in 'eh we attacked them. Now mark what I say. 0 ; will not be the League that will fall at the hands 00e farmers, but I predict it will be Sir Robert.— e ar, and cheers.) Well, I was saying, we have e county t o ma k e M r . Villi ers a presen t o f. I sho uld like to know whether he would like to repre -124t it himself. —(Cheers, the whole meeting standing I have heard but one opinion in Lancashire t was this, the first county we have to present him hi, should h ave th e re f usa l o f it. Th e mono p o lists pl a Ye Played their game in the counties, and they have tij e d out. With lynx-like vision they discovered on Passing of the Reform Bill the Chandos clause, as mean s of working out their end, and they made bre- r sons, uncles, aye, and to the third generation, lye -ti ers under the tenant-at-will clause, though they c es . f 1 ° More partners than you are. This they did sue and gained the counties. Now there is ",,er clau se i n the Reform Act, meant to Iyil'ent the unpr i v il ege d an d industrious, and those li' o l ihr e by their labour—l mean the 40s. franchise. o b - ) I will set the 40s. freehold clause against the u clos clau se , an d we w ill beat the Tories in the la r : tit a- You have heard how disproportionately ' e the constituency is in the rural districts, com eared dL ld 10 the t owns . W e w ill re d uce the balance, by h er acin g those in towns to qualify. How many a! ot e ' f ustian-jack e t men, who have not, I dare say, ttote!e will tell them how they will get county f ar and at a far cheaper price than they can qualify b oll 'ue city. It is not an easy thing to take a 101. N e i l' and to occupy it, which he ought to do to a tt L him to vote, but for SOL or 601., and in many th t : B3 °L, a man may purchase a 40s. freehold, De ' e l insuring the interest of his money, with the a ote wer of selling the property when he is tired of the atiti; having We are taunted by our opponents p os ,'/ing got up this agitation for middle-class pur ten-11; I discard the motive, for I do not like any our e ats eonfined to a 'class ; but I know we have in pr o i4 "glie a large portion of the intelligent and th t 7 parti ed middle classes, and I invite them to defeat toitiiandlords at their own game. Mr. Wilson has g ilt You that I have been into Yorkshire. Before the C o4 „, ef 'Tannery there will be 2,000 new votes in that W i l i"Y• I ha ve a guaran t ee . I can re ly o n it th a t it Wl 4 be d one. --(Loud cheers.) Now, I want you to M iddlesexl,, a also. In the first place, there are tfotrimghove free trade votes not on the register. In we placed 1,700 voters on the register be liria the revising barrister came round in October, iist `L . 411 th ese were induced to put their names on the 14 °11 by the intense contest in May, they having pre- Y . neglected to qualify. We are, in addition, t i'uut to urge our friends to qualify in the way I have aa c ? st eci• Our opponents say that, though we have atait this registration, they will beat us the next. I'll treh e °IIr cause to theirs (and I could not give thel. odds), that we shall be winners by sand at the next registration. Why should dlelll4 large add i tional number qual i fy in Mid asBe ln H 14lall arnmersmith, Kensington, Chelsea, , the surrounding districts (they being not ari am an: r' entary b oroug h s , an d M ary l e b one , an d West „elteadter not ex t end i ng beyond Pimlico), every house 400 at 30 1. a-year would give a vote for the county. Iv , °l' GOO of these should be on the register, and " I b e, trust, Iv „„. by next year. There are, too, many of the ' L i gh i t qualify if they wished. We have heard la ra Lodgers League. Now, I know there is a Barge cla ss f . 0 mechanics who put by' 401. or 50/. 4 54 e _ cir * I will not say a word to undervalue the pe rt 7 e : , b anks ; but by the purchase of cottage pro ea Could ensure twice as good a return for his Pi , th 4, t atuo walk up and down before his door, with ecgavie t : inn-." this is my own; I have worked for r it, and I can leave it to my children."—(Cheers.) There are many fathers here who have sons just re tehis,b niatuiity. My opinion is fathers cannot show too soon what confidence they repose in their children, and how willing they are to give them the management of property. When a man has a son so circumstanced, let him give him a county freehold, and then retain a judicious control over him. Some fathers say, " I am willing to give my son a qualifica tion, but I don't like the expense of the convey ance." Now, first, observing that none but free- trade lawyers should be employed, for obvious reas sons, I. would suggest to the son to offer to pay the expenso of the conveyance to himself. If the father refuse4come to me, and I'll pay the money.—(Hear, and lasighter.) These are the means of qualifying, which, if adopted, Middlesex will be perfectly safe at the next election. Recollect, besides, you must take care that none not qualified remains on the list. Some say to start such objections is acting like the Carlton Club. Now, if both parties agree to leave on all votes put on the register, I ugree to the proposal ; but if our opponents strike off the votes on our side, and we do not retaliate, I wonder which will win. Some one wiser than his neighbours will perhaps tell you that the land being in possession of the landlords, I they can cut up the land as they please, and qualify only those whom they choose. As Mr. Villiers has well said, their estates are not their own in many cases. Four-fifths of the parchments are not at home.—(Laughter.) But if they retained their property and wished to multiply votes, will they enfranchise the labourers ? They would like such allotments very much. The only difficulty I see in the case—judging from the accounts of Dorsetahire and Wilthshire—that one-half the body will be found in the union workhouse, and the other in gaol for poaching. No, the landlords have, if done their worst. They want money, men, and zeal in their cause. I believe we have struck the nai on the head. We never made any proposal which met with such an unanimous response from all parts of the kingdom. It took two hours to read the letters which were received with reference to our resolution from all parts of the country. We sent circulars to every one who ever subscribed to our funds, and we have everywhere been met with the same en thusiastic spirit. We have received, amongst others, a letter from Ipswich, , , saying that Suffolk might be easily gained on our plan. We do not want many counties. If we gain the more populous places North and South Lancashire, the West Riding of Yorkshire, North Chester, and Middlesex, the landed monopolists would give up corn to save a great deal more.—(Loud cheers.) Some object to this plan as not quite legitimate. We do nothing but what is prescribed by the Constitution—we can conform to the law in spirit and fact—and do so by thousands and tens of thousands if you can. There is nothing in the proposal savouring of trick and finesse. The days of factitious votes are passed. When the Low there contended Westmoreland with Brougham—the Henry Brougham of that day—(Cheers)—the con test lasted fourteen days, and votes were manufac tured in great numbers. But now there is a re gister every twelve months ; your names are hung on the church doors, - and no trick can be played as none is intended, for at such play I am sure our opponents would be sure to beat us. Again, we are asked, " Why proclaim our plans ?" We have no secrets. We know thousands who read every word of what we now say, but we are sure our op ponents will never condescend to read our proceed ings. We speak to sympathetic multitudes, whose feelings and hearts are with us. Scotland, where they tell us, if they had the forty-shilling franchise they would soon clear the Tories out of twelve counties, appeals to you. Ireland, suffering under the same limitation, appeals to you, and asks wealthy England whether, with such a weapon, she will not contend with a miserable, unintelligent, incapable oli garchy, which is governing your country.—(Cheers.) No, I will not believe it. We will cry aloud, not here alone—but from every pedestal on which we may be placed throughout the country, though there is no pinnacle like this to speak from—we will say every where, " Qualify, qualify, qualify," not simply for the sake of the industrious millions, but for the sake of the aristocracy themselves, and for the sake of their dependants and miserable serfs, the agricultural labourers ; qualify especially for the benefit of the landed interest, who, if left to their own thoughtless and misgaided conduct, will bring this country down to the condition of Spain or Sicily, and at the same time bring themselves down to the same beggary to which the Spanish grandees have brought themselves; to avert this calamity from them, the ignorant and besotted few, we say, " Qualify, qualify, qualify."—(The Hon. Gentleman concluded amidst loud and long continued cheering.) Mr. BRIGHT then came forward, and said—lt is about twelve months since I took the liberty, upon this platform, of expressing my opinion that mono polists were greatly deceiving themselves if they fancied that the return of prosperity to the manu facturing districts would save them from the con tinued agitation of the Anti-Corn-law League. I stated then, that distress in the manufacturing dis tricts aided us, by the discontent which it occasioned, but that returning prosperity did so also, by the sub scriptions which the friends of the League poured into the exchequer. Now the past year has ex hibited more than 90,0001. subscribed by the free traders of this country, thus proving zeal in the cause ; and it does something, too, to prove their continued confidence in the council of the League—(Hear, hear, and cheers) —and the increasing zeal which is now found to exist in the manufacturing counties is precisely on a par with what we have every reason to believe exists in the metropolis.—(Cheers.) From this great fact, I am led to the conclusion that the question which has been raised, and which is not merely a cry got up for factious or momentary pur poses, but is intended to sink deeply into the minds of the people, and thus become a part of their exist ence, almost of their religion—(Cheers)—is a cause which seizes as fast a hold of the feelings, as it does on the reason, of our countrymen.—(Hear, hear.) I was a corn-law repealer before I had investigated the question, and thousands of my countrymen are like myself in that respect. Our natural impulses, our natural sympathies, revolts against the barbarous proposition, that the national prosperity can be increased by a scarcity of food, and that the great masses of the people among whom we live can feed the better the scantier the table be at which they do feed.—(Hear.) But in vestigation has confirmed the opinion which, perhaps, was first held from the force of ardour, as well as from feelings of aympathy.—(Hear, hear.) Investigation bad proved to us that the effect of the corn-laws on the foreign trade of the country is most disastrous— (Hear, hear) —that it raises hostile and vindictive feelings on the part of foreign nations—(Hear)--that it closes the ports of foreign customers—(Hear)—by hostile tariffs ; that it diminishes the means of em ployment ; and diminishes the wages and comforts of the working population.—(Cheers.) It was found that our home trade was affected to a still more ruinous extent. In the district; from which we come, for we are men who might formerly have been said to have had our home in Lancashire, although we are now nearly as much in London—(Hear, hear) —in that district we find the indus trious population prostrate and suffering from the operation of the corn-laws.—(Hear, hear.) There is one good, however, which has arisen from that suf fering. The sympathy which formerly existed be tween the employer and employed has been greatly ex tended and greatly streugthened.—(Cheers.) We h a ve seen those men by whose labour the wonderful manufactures of this country are carried on, prostrate, and almost destroyed by the operation of this law—a law passed by a powerful class—a class against whose invasion of the rights of property the working people were wholly unable to defend themselves—(Near, hear) —and we, the middle classes, in reality as powerful a class—We have not stood forth as we ought to have done to defend them. We have seen our error—(Cheers) —we have seen these men strug gling against the evil necessity which was driving them to pauperism and the workhouse.—(Cheers.) We have seen how nobly they have struggled—how great was their love of independence.—(Hear, hear.) We have seen a heroism in some of those men before which the heroism of warriors turns pale.—(Loud cheers.) We came to London as our head-quarters—as the heart of the empire—es the seat of Govern.nent—to explain the cause of these sufferings. We were met by the landowners with the statement, that if the corn-laws did destroy our labourers, it was necessary to protect their labourers. We were then led to inquire into this new agitation; and further inquiry brought out more of the truth, but the whole truth will, I fear, never be known. We found that the evidence of the Government Com ! mission, the evidence of all private and impartial per suns, the evidence of all sent to the agricultural districts, agreed most singularly , in this. What ever distress had been felt in the manufac turing districts, it much exceeded that which was endured by the labourers upon those pro tected estates ; and we have found out another thing, viz., that distress on those estates is not of a temporary character, but has existed there for many years. In 1829 and 1830 the torch of the incendiary frightened the agriculturists into the raising of wages, and into some consideration for the state of the poor. In 1843 the same sad instructor was at work ; and we find them now with their wages very much depressed, and that something must be done for their relief. We have heard that more than thirty farmers stated be fore the Committee in 1836, that never within their lifetime had the condition of the agriculturists been as good as then, and that never before had they been able to obtain more wages and better employment than during that period. You have heard that the effect of this is to increase mortality. I could give you statistics to show, that precisely as the price of food increases, the rate of emigration increases from this country to foreign lands ; that the number of committals before magistrates increase in the same way; and that the number of deaths amongst the working classes increase at about the same rate. We were aided by the manufacturing districts—we are now aided by the agricultural districts.—(Hear.) We are attacking the landowners in front, and the poor starving labourers are attacking them in the rear, and this they did, at a meeting lately held at Goat aker, in the county of Wiltshire. Is there not some thing wrong when men with their wives and families assemble together by hundreds—aye, hundreds there were who could not get within the walls of the place of meeting—when women—aged women—stood up before hundreds of their neighbours to tell them of their privations ?—(Hear.) Does it bode no evil for the irded proprietors that the class amongst whom they:,the 've are in this desperate condition P la it not right that we, who know something of the cause of this state of things, and who have some influence with the middle and working classes—is it not right, I say, that we should work more than we have worked for the delivery of this country from a state of things so ;hreatening and so likely to produce permanent and incalculable mischief ? An attack thus in front and an attack thus in the rear, as the landlords have been attacked, shall we not soon see a capitulation ? (Hear, hear.) I say we shall ; but it will not be an. honourable capitulation.—(Hear, hear.) No ; for men who have basely betrayed their country—who have thus sold its dearest interests—who have thus placed the iron hoof of monopoly upon the dearest welfare of their countrymen, there could be no ho nourable capitulation—their surrender must be dis dishonourable as their conduct has been disgraceful. —(Cheers.) Now the Anti-Corn-law League asks still further the support and confidence of the coun try. You have a right, therefore, to ask what has been our past policy—whether our policy hitherto has been such as to make it likely that we shall suc ceed at some future time ? Our past policy has been peaceful.—(Hear, hear.) The landlords and mono polists have said that we have instigated to sedition and rebellion. They are false in this as on all the grounds on which they base their monopoly—we never did instigate to sedition or to rebellion. He appealed to the reason of our countrymen— to their sense of justice—and that appeal has been answered in a wonderful manner. Has our past policy accomplished anything ? I say much ; and this meeting affords me a proof of it ; and the interest which has been taken in our proceedings in the metro polis is a convincing proof of it. Look, for instance, at the City of London. You have two men returned by it who vote for the sliding-scale. You have one who prefers a fixed duty, but does not exactly see his way to vote on our side when the question of total repeal is brought forward. You have another, when he came into Parliament was said to have demon strated the great fact that the City of London was against monopoly. Now we intend, at the next elec tion, the City shall send four men to Parliament pledged to vote for free trade. The men who, by their property and station in the City, must be sup posed likely to become leaders of the free trade party, refused the honour which was tendered them. Well, somebody else must be selected to lead. We have a plan to propose. It is, that the great middle class amongst the electors of the City of London should organise some plan of intercourse with each other, altogether scorning the effort., of the monopolists, and repudiating the time-serving policy of the men who do not know which side to choose. I propose that we should take a decided course upon this question, and insist upon free trade opinion in the City of London being represented in the Com mons House of Parliament. It may easily be done. No man who goes through the streets—no man who rides, day after day, in an omnibus, or who passes along the river in a steamer, but can fail to be con vinced that five-sixths—aye, nine -tenths, of the opi nion in the City of London is in favour of the measures of the Anti-Corn-law League.—(Hear.) We will use moral means in future. The assertors of great national rights should be the very last persons to commit wrong. Of such rights we hold ourselves to be the assertors, and we would gain them, if possible, by the peaceful means which we have hitherto adopted. If you come to force in any matter of this description, why, then the struggle is decided by force, or by the chapter of accidents in the field; both.are upon a level; but keep to reason, to the sense of justice, to the consciences of men, appeal to this great, and, in the long run, unerring t r ibunal, and then every blow you give tells, every speech you make, every article you print, every fact you bring forward, is a thrust which the enemy cannot parry, and you . go , on conquering and to conquer. Why, we are winning now.—(Cheers.) Who doubts it ? The foe yields at every point—the spoiler is abashed—and it will not be long before the rout is complete. No man whom I have met with supposes it possible that the corn-laws could be maintained for any long period.—(Hear, hear.) If things were worse, we should not despair—we have never despaired yet.—(Cheers.) If we had been men who were sub ject to this feeling, we should not now be in the seventh year of the League's existence, with more determination and confidence than we ever felt at any former period. My hope is brighter than ever—my faith is undimmed by the slightest shadow of a doubt. There is everything to betoken final triumph.—(Loud applause.) He must have read very little history who does not know that liberty is triumphing. There is more liberty and more justice in the world now, than there has been at any former period. The oppressor is now cowed and abashed ; he does not come amongst us with force and violence, but insidiously and treacherously ; he wraps his chains in chaplets of flowers when he would enslave his fellow-men.—(Cheers.) Yes, free dom is Heaven's first gift to man ; it is his heritage ; he has it by charter from heaven ; and notwithstand ing the length of the struggle, it is still living, breathing, and flourishing in its strength. But bear in mind, that precious and excellent as liberty is, there are certain conditions by which alone it can be obtained and secured. You must rely upon yourselves for it. Liberty is too precious a thing — too sacred to be trusted to the keeping of another man. Be the guardians of your own rights and your own liberties. Make the struggle a matter of business—make it a question as impor tant as that of providing food for your family. What is it but this. It is the liberty to live for what we struggle ; it is the liberty to eat our bread by the sweat of our brow ; it is the liberty which was given to us by the primeval curse—and shall man make that curse snore bitter to his fellow-man ? (Cheers.) No. Instead of despairing, I have more of confidence and more of faith than ever. I believe that those old delusions, which like verminous an'l filthy rags, have disfigured the fair form of our coun try's greatness, are fast dropping away. I think I behold the dawn of a better day. We stand, so far as I can judge, upon the very threshold of a new career, when I trust it may be said that this League great confederacy of all those who love justice and hate oppression—has spread broad cast over this land a seed from which shall spring, ere long, a glorious harvest of true greatness for one country, an d o f permane nt happiness for man kind.—(lmmense cheering followed the conclusion of his speech.) The assembly then dispersed. RAPID TRAVELLING.—Last week a gentleman left London at ten o'clock forenoon, and was in Perth the next day at four o'clock afternoon. He left by the Birmingham train, went to Fleetwood on the coast of Lancashire, where steamers to Ardrossan, iu Ayrshire, wait the arrival of the train, and sail about eight o'clock the same evening. He reached Ardrossan early next morning, left by the first Glasgow train, and was in time for the morning coach to Perth; thus anticipating the mail by fire hours.—Perth paper. Viscount Gage has been on a visit to Colonel Wynd ham, at Petworth House. Tui liain.—Of the numerous compounds con stantly announced for promoting the growth or reproduc tion of the hair, few survive, even in name, beyond a very limited p er i o d ; w hil st " R ow l and ' s Macassar Oil," with a reputation unparalleled, is still on the increase in public es timation. The singular virtues of this successful invention for restoring, preserving, and beautifying the human hair, are too well and appreciated to - need much comment. The very facts of the high and .distinguished patronage it enjoys, its general use, in all countries, together with nu merous teatunonials constantly received in its favour, are au thoritiee which stamp its superior excellence and title ever all attempts of a similar nature. Being universally preferred, its consequent great demand -excites- the cupidity of un principled shopkeepers, who ven d th e most spur i ous t ras h as ' the "genuine' Macassar. Oil: whereas the genuine article is wholly the invention and property of A. Rowland and Son, and the amalgamation of its costly exotic materials renders abortive any attempt to discover its component parts—thus proving the imposition o f a ll ot h er articles bearing the title of " Macassar Oil." The genuine article has the words " Rowland's Macassar. Oil" on the wrapper. --All others are fraudnioll cou.nterreits! (L °ll4 we do 11°'t charges 33031 1// who take THE SUN, LONDON, THURSDAY -EVENING, DECEMBER 12, 1844. DINNER TO SIR H. POTTINGER. Yesterday a public entertainment was given at Mer enent Tailors'-hall to Major-General Sir Henry Pot- Unger, Bart., by the merchants of the City of London trading to China and the East Indies, to testify their high approval of the distinguished ability and zeal dis played by that gallant officer as British Plenipotentiary, in negotiating so successfully the recent commercial treaty Ti ith China. The dinner was provided by Messrs. Bathe and Breach, of the London Tavern, and was altogether of the most sumptuous character. The display of gold and silver plate oa the sideboards at the upper and lower end of the hall, the golden plateau service on the cross-table, the gigantic gilt candelabra, formerly belonging to Prince Polignac, the Marquis of Hertford, and Messrs. Rundel and Bridge, arranged on the other tables, gave an aspect of the most costly magnificence to the spectacle, while the feast itself presented a profusion of the greatest deli cacies which the most luxurious appetite could desiderate or enjoy. Covers were laid for 330. Mr. John A. Smith, M.P., officiated as chairman. Im mediately on his right sat Sir Henry Pottinger, Bart., the Marquis of Normanby, and' Lord Palmerston, and on the left Lord Aberdeen and Sir James Graham. Among the other distinguished gentlemen present we observed the Earl of Arundel, the Earl of Clare, the Earl of Lonsdalo, Lord C. Fitzroy, Lord Dudley Stuart, the Hon. G. Scott, General Farquharson, General Sand with, Sir W. Baynes, Bart., Sir T. Bouchier, Sir J. Campbell, Sir John Hall, Sir J. C. Hobhouse, Bart., Sir George Larpent, Sir D. Le Merchant, Sir William Magnay, Sir W. Parker, Sir J. H. Pelley, Sir John Pixie, Sir J. Schoedde, Baron L. de Rothschild, Baron A. de Rothschild, Count Strelezki, Chairman and De puty-Chairman of the Bank of England, Chairman and ' Deputy-Chairman of the Hon. East India Company, Colonel Malcolm, Colonel Sykes, Captain Hall, R.N., Dr. Bowring, Rev. J. M. Bellamy, Mr. Sheriff Sidney, Captain Eastwick, Mr. J. A. Arbuthnot, Mr. D. Bar clay, Mr. F. Baring, Mr. Joshua Bates, Mr. J. G. Frith, Mr. J. 11. Gledstanee, Mr. G. C. Glyn, Mr. Goul burn, Mr. Samuel Gregson, Mr. A. Hastie, M.P., Mr. F. Huth, Mr. A. Jardine, Mr. C. Kerr, Mr. W. Lyall, M.P., Mr. 3. M'Gregor, Mr. J. Mackillop, Mr. J. Masterman, M.P., Mr. R. D. Mangles, M.P., Mr. J. Mattheson, M.P. Mr. J. St. John Mildmay, M.P.. Mr. J. Horsley Palmer, Mr. J. Pattison, M.P., Mr. D. Salomons, Mr. M. Tucker Smith, Mr. Emerson Tennent, M.P., Mr. T. Tooke, Mr. Trevelyan, Mr. Money Wigram, Mr. Baring Young. After grace, and the cloth having been removed, The CHAIRMAN rose to propose the first toast, " The health of her Majesty the Queen—the model of constitu tional sovereigns—the pattern of all domestic virtues— , the admiration of all other countries—the pride and glory of' our own."—(Three times three.) The next toast was " The health of the Queen Dowa ger, his Royal Highness Prince Albert, Albert Prince of Wales, and the rest of the Royal Family."—(Three times three, followed by Prince Albert's March.) " The Army and the Navy" were next toasted with all the honours. Colonel MALeout acknowledged the toast in the name of the army. Admiral Sir T. BOUCHIER returned thanks on the part of the navy. The CHAIRMAN then rose and said, the toast I have now to give you is the great duty and business of the evening---" the health of our distinguished guest, Sir Henry Pottinger."—(Cheers.) I will not detain you long in proposing it, and I promise you that I shall not trifle with your feeling of anxiety to do honour to that distinguished name. Still custom compels me to say a few words in explanation of the causes which have brought us together this day. I am proud of the privi lege of mingling my congratulations with your re jeieings in the events which we this day celebrate. The events we have met to record will hereafter form an era in the history of the nation, and equal in its consequences the passage of the Cape and the discovery of America ; and our descendants will proudly boast that the advantages thus opened to the world have been the result of British enterprise, and been secured by British power. We are met to ac knowledge how deep a debt of gratitude we owe to that distinguished man by whom those benefits have been conferred. If it be true that the main springs of British energy and power are commercial enterprise and ac tivity—if it be true that our population is increasing with marvellous and unprecedented rapidity, and that the power of our manufacturing production is increasing faster still—if it be true that in the solution of that diffi cult problem to which these facts refer is involved the future destiny of England, what do we not owe to him who has opened up commercial intercourse with the most populous and nationally commercial empire in the world ? What do we not owe to him who has opened a market for the skill, enterprise, and activity of our manufacturing population, and given us a command in that market which it may not be an exaggeration here after to describe as being boundless as our powers of production themselves P • Who shall pretend to fore tell what effect this new outlet for the various and ever varying productions of England will have on the future greatness and power of this mighty empire ? We were once - described as " tote orbe divises Bri tannos." That is a description familiar to us as house hold words. We were separated, at least is the ima gination of the Roman poet, from the rest of the world by tempest, by storms, and what then was considered an impassable barrier. But we all know how those dif ficulties and obstacles have yielded to the energy, the gallantry, and the enterprise of that people to whom it has been granted by Providence to be the means not only of carrying civiliiation through the old world, but we may now hope will be the means of introducing knowledge and improvement to the teeming myriads of ' China. The prophecy of the English poet is now be coming emphatic and exact s when the progeny which springs from the forests of our land— " Armed with thUnder clad with wings, " Shall a wider world command, " Regions Caesar never knew " Our posterity shall sway ; " Whore his eagles never flew, " None victorious as they." —(Cheers.) We have asserted the dominion of England in regions unknown, .even to the fable and romance of ancient story—we may now, I trust, hope that the day has arrived when there is not a corner of the habitable world which shall not feel English enterprise, and shall not acknowledge English power.--(Cheers.) We have known so little hitherto of that remarkable people to which the events of this day peculiarly refer, that I believe we are as yet unable to acknowledge as we ought, all that we owe to the firmness, the patience, the temper, and the forbearance of our distinguished guest.—(Cheers.) We do not know all the difficulties which beset his path ; but we can understand and ap preciate the condnct of him who, himself a soldier, knew that the only just end of war was honourable peace, and who, in the consciousness of irresistible power, found, in the weakness and terror of his opponents, the most irresistible arguments for mercy, moderation, and forbearance.—(Cheers.) There is one other circum stance to which I wish to call your attention, and to which I allude with peculiar pleasure. I believe that the interests of England forbid all exclusive selfishness. Her interests do not stand isolated and alone. I re joice, therefore, that Sir Henry Pottinger, following the dictates of his own vigorous understanding and his own generous nature, extended to all other nations of the world whatever advantages the Chinese treaty con ferred upon his OWh country.—(Cheers.) I rejoice that if it was ever thought that England fought China for selfish and exclusive advantages, our illustrious guest dispelled that illusion and vindicated the motives of England to the world.—(Loud cheers.) Gentlemen, I now give you as a toast--" The health of Sir Henry Pottinger,"—of him who has opened the widest field to English commerce which has been given to us since the passage of the Cape—of him who has conferred on his country an inestimable boon, and raised her still higher in character and fame—of him whose name shall hereafter not only be associated with the increased power and prosperity of England, but to whom the still higher glory shall be conceded of having introduced knowledge, civilisation, and religion to so large a por tion of the whole human kind. In the name of those who have placed me here I thank him for the services he has rendered not only to the people of this country, but to the cause of progress and improvement through out the world. Long may he live to enjoy what I be lieve will be his richest reward—the grateful approba tion of his countrymen. The toast was drunk with three times three and one cheer more. Sir H. Porrieteeß, Bart., on rising was received with renewed cheering, and spoke as follows :—After the eloquent and feeling manner in which my kind friend, the Chairman, has spoken of me, I am quite at a loss to tell you how deeply I feel the compliment you have just paid me in drinking your health. Having been long in the East I may perhaps make use of an Oriental expression, " There never was a rose without a thorn ;" the rose -I allude to is your kindness—your approbation—the honour you have done me ' • the thorn, which pricks not my side but my heart, is that I cannot express adequately the feelings of gratitude I entertain. I must ask you, therefore, to remember how and where my life has been passed. I have been about 40 years absent from my native country. I hope I have always taken part in the social meetings and national celebra tions that have taken place wherever I have been : but still these have been so different from all I see here, that I may say I am almost bewildered by this display of your kindness. If therefore I fail in giving due expres sion to my sentiments, I hope you will make every allow (thee for me while I refer to one or two points. And first, I must refer to the extraordinary combination of good qualities for which the expedition to China, both in the naval and military departments, was distinguished. It is not for me, after the thanks of both Houses of Parliament have been awarded to the commanders of the nary and army, to express any opinion on their merits ; but I may say, that in every respect that ex pedition far exceeded my most sanguine expectations, even with the full belief I had that all that was possible would be done. I say, that the expedition up to Nankin was the most extraordinary event in the history of any country in the world.—(Cheers.) It surmounted physical difficulties which the Chinese themselves be lieved utterly impossible. When the Bogus forts had been silenced at the mouth of the river, by the gallantry of our troops, the Governor of Nankin, I know for a fact, wrote to the Emperor, saying he might feel quite ens), for the expedition could never reach him.—(Loud cheers.) Having paid my humble duty to the service with which I was associated in China, I wish merely to say that, with respect to matters of trade, I believe the treaty includes every thing desirable for England and for China. —(Cheers.) I am now speaking impartially.— (Cheers.) Having reflected seriously on it since I returned to Eng land I really see no point in which any amendment of importance can be made. There are some points no doubt susceptible of amendment, but on all the leading important points it requires no alteration. It is one great advantage, that it is likely to benefit England and China in the same degree.—(Cheers.) The interests of both countries are, in fact, similarly affected.— (Cheers.) A very erroneous impression went abroad, through,7l believe, some papers on the Continent, that there had been some mistake committed in the treaty. That is quite incorrect. It arose from the necessity of my making public an abstract of the treaty, while the Chinese published the whole, and a translation was made with many important omissions. Having been asked seriously whether there was any ground for the allegation that mistakes had been committed, I am happy to say that there was no cause what ever for the alarm. The establishment at Hong- Kong having been alluded to, I feel it right, on this most public occasion, to say that I look stpon Hong-Kong still as the best position for British enterprise. Unfor tunately it has been unhealthy ; but there is nothing in its appearance or situation tbat should render it so, and those who would substitute Chusan for it are, in my humble opinion, in error. Chusan is an island contain ing 60,000 inhabitants, and is situated in the midst of an archipelago, containing at least 1,000,000 i n h a bit an t s , which it would a t all times be difficult to prevent coming into jealous and angry discussions with this country, whilst our own colony is sufficient for all commercial purposes.—(Cheers.) Before sitting down, I will once more repeat my grateful thanks for the honour you have done me, and trust you will make every allowance for the imperfect manner in which I have spoken. I have a great dislike to anything that is egotistical, but on this occasion I was obliged to speak of myself more than I wished to have done.—(Cheers.) Once more, from the bottom of my heart, I thank you for your kindness. When in this great assembly I think it has met here to do honour to me, an humble individual—when I think that I am the observed of a observers, I can only ap peal to your own hearts, and trust you will believe how warmly I thank you.—(Cheers.) The Cinanxwv next called upon the company to ac knowledge the services and the merits of the naval and military forces, which were the means, the instruments of the great results produced in China. It was not now for the first time that we had to commend the navy for skill, bravery, and devotion to the interests of the coun try. It was their proud boast that those qualities were inseparably connected with the name of an English sailor. Sir Henry Pottinger had alluded to one of the most me morable instances in which all those great qualities had been remarkably displayed. It was a brave heart and a clear head that imagined even the possibility of taking a whole English fleet 250 miles up a river unsurveyed , and previously unknown. He could imagine the swell of triumph with which Sir William Parker, after all the difficulties of that passage, saw the fleet safely anchored under the walls of Nankin.—(Cheers.) Great as was the responsibility incurred—great as were the effects of success, such should be his glory, such should be their gratitude. He gave " The health of Sir William Parker and the Naval Service in China."—(Three times three.) Admiral Sir W. Pennell begged to return his most , sincere thanks for the honour which had been done to , him and the profession to which he had the honour to belong. He should never forget the flattering manner in which that great company had noticed their services in China. It was his good fortune to be associated with distinguished colleagues, with a firm and able pleni potentiary, with an active and enterprising generaL— (Cheers.) Their instructions were clear and explicit, and they were supported by the most gallant combined forces. The officers and men of all ranks, and in every branch of the expedition, whether civil, military, or naval, exerted themselves with a spirit of emulation that did them the highest honour. If merit therefore was due, it was to be shared alike by all, for all did their best.—(Cheers.) Happily, the utmost cordiality sub sisted between the sister services, and he could confi dently say, that with unity of hearts and hands British troops and British seamen would never disappoint the expectations of their Sovereign and fellow-citizens. The CHAIRMAN then proposed " The health of Major- General Shad and the military engaged in the opera tions in China," and paid a high compliment to the gallantry and discipline by which less than 9,000 men of all arms received the terrified and unconditional submis sion of a fortified city containing more than a million of inhabitants.—(Three times three.) Major-General SHAD briefly returned thanks. The CHAIRMAN the rose and said—l have now to propose to you the health of those without whose active, cordial, and constant support the efforts of those whose merits we have applauded would have been all in vain— " The health of the Earl of Aberdeen and the rest of her Majesty's Ministers."—(Loud and protracted cheers.) The reception which you have given to those words prove that you acknowledge with me how much we owe to him, who, finding the Chinese expedition begun by one who was his opponent in politics, still because he thought it right, because he thought it conducive to the interests of England, gave that policy his constant and his effective support.—(Cheers.) Let his reward be, that the Administration of which he forms so valuable a part, shall share iu the glory which the Chinese ex pedition has conferred, not only upon us, but upon those who are to come after us.—(Cheers.) I give you " The health of the Earl of Aberdeen and her Majesty's Ministers."—(Three times three.) The Earl of ABERDEEN, in rising to respond to the toast, was loudly cheered, and spoke as follows : Gentlemen, I beg to offer you the thanks of my col leagues and myself for the honour yon have been pleased to confer on us—an honour, gentlemen, coming as it does from such an assembly as this, I request you will believe is duly appreciated by us. But in making these sisknowledgments, I hope that I may be permitted to ex press the high satisfaction I feel in the privilege of being present at this most remarkable meeting.—(Cheers.) It would be strange indeed if I did not avail myself with alacrity of any opportunity publicly to declare the opinions I entertain of the abilities, the character, and the conduct of the distinguished person whom you have this day met to honour.—(Cheers.) For, gentlemen, it has been my duty frequently to express those sentiments to himself, as it has also been my morepleasing and more important duty repeatedly to convey to him the gracious approbation of bis Sovereign.—(Loud cheers.) Permit me to congratulate you that this great meeting pos sesses nothing about it of a political nature.—(Cheers.) Men of all parties and opinions unite to do honour to one who has deserved well of our common country.— (Cheers.) But, gentlemen, I may venture on this occasion—for I rejoice to meet here those with whom, although differing on many points, I most cordially and entirely concur in this-1 may venture on this occasion to congratulate a Noble Friend of mine, who pre ceded me in the office which I now have the honour to hold, as being the means of obtaining for this country the eminent services of Sir Henry Pottinger as Plenipo tentiary departure naseycoNmombule nF re commu nications od n wasifnr on m C o t h s i s no:f Henryo—r t ( u C n h a e t po e rosat. as to nt og e A r re Al ae h if o yt e u e r g t h hh from England which came into my hands, still he must have watched thewholecourse of his public conduct with the most lively interest.—(Cheers.) I have for three years been in constant correspondence with Sir Henry Pottinger, and it is no more than truth to declare that I think no mail ever arrived from China without bring ing to me fresh reasons to be deeply sensible of his merits and his just claims to the gratitude of his country. —(Loud cheers.) You may readily imagine that in a country like China, so distant, so different in almost every respect from those of which we have any know ledge, with every desire on the part of the Government at home to assume responsibility, to give every kind of assistance, to provide by instructions for all contingen cies, yet very much, under these circumstances, must always depend upon the judgment and discretion of the person who, on the spot, is to administer the instruc tions he may receive. —(Loud cheers.) I believe that there never was a man in whom a Government and the country might more safely repose confidence in such a situation than Sir Henry Pottinger.—(Great cheering.) And permit me to say that when difficulties arose, as difficulties numerous and weighty did arise, unforeseen and unexpected, by his ability, by his firmness, his perseverance, and energy, he was enabled to meet and overcome them all.—(Cheers.) Gentltmen, it would ill become me to expatiate on the various ad vantages which may be expected to arise from the suc,-i, cessful labours of Sir Henry Pottin g er. Th e y are here fully comprehended and justly appreciated. I will only repeat the great gratification I feel in the opportunity of paying my humble tribute to his transcondant abili ties.—(Loud cheers.) The CHAIRMAN—The Noble Earl who has just sat down has in some degree forestalled Ale. The next toast in rank as in justice is the health of the Noble Viscount with whom the expedition to China originated—(Loud cheers)—who drew the first instructions, and who. I am sure, whether in office or ouf of office, watched with equal interest the progress that was made, and felt equal pleasure in the successful results which attended the policy he had begun.—(Cheers.) If I may be permitted so to do, I am proud to bear my personal testimony to the unwearied pains which the Noble Lord took in the midst of the labours of a session of Parliament, distracted with ten thousand other demands on his time, to make himself master even of the minutest details upon that then new and complicated subject. I can myself recollect the deliberation and the caution which he showed before his opinion was formed. I can well recollect the fortitude of his decision, and the promptitude of action when that de cision was taken.—(Cheers.) I am sure you will all agree with me, that it would not be right to let such an occa sion as the present pass without acknowledging the obli gations we owe to him with whom the whole originated. I know you will agree with me that we must drink, with the honours he deserves, " The health of Viscount Pal merston."—(Three times three cheers.) Lord PALMERSTON—I beg you to accept my most cordial thanks—first, for the very kind and flattering manner in which you have been pleased to receive the toast which has jest been proposed to you ; and still more do I thank you for having permitted me to be present upon this most interesting occasion. Nothing can be more interesting than such a meeting of the chief men of a great metropolis like this, the greatest metro polis in the world, assembled to render just homage to the merits of a distinguished fellow-citizen, who abroad, in the performance of his duty, has conferred essential benefits upon his country, and upon every branch con nected with its interests. Such is the , occasion on which we are assembled, and you may be•sare that ex pressions of public gratitude of this kind titre not only amongst the best rewards which distinguished men can receive when they return home from theiraluties, but are amongst the most powerful incentives to the perform ance of those duties in the hour of difficulty —(Cheers.) It is also a source of gratification to feel , the truth of that which has been stated by my Noble Friend the Earl of Aberdeen, that there is nothing of a political character in the occasion of this meeting. We are here assembled, men of all shades of politics—members of that Cabinet which began the expedition, and members of the suc ceeding Cabinet, who, differing from us upon many most essential points, yet, as has been stated, felt it their duty when clothed with the responsibility of office to continue a service which was then in progress,—we are met here, not only mon belonging to all parties, but the active members of opposite parties, holding on other subjects conflicting opinions, but assembled now with one com mon feeling of gratitude to a distinguished man, to ex press to hint our warm acknowledgment for the great and important services he has performed for his country. —(Cheers.) My Noble Friend has congratulated me . and my late colleagues upon having been so fortunate as to choose so able a public servant. It was, indeed, a , piece of good fortune for us as well as for the country. — (Cheers.) But Tarn bound to say, that that choice arose from no private partialities. Sir Henry Pottinger was I pointed out to us solely and alone by the distinguished services which in a former part of his career he had rendered to his country.—(Cheers.) Though it was my duty, from the office I held, to propose the individual who was to go out as plenipotentiary, I had not at that time the pleasure and advantage even of personal ac quaintance with Sir Henry Pottinger.—(Cheers.) He was selected solely from the high character which he then bore, and which subsequent events have not only amply sustained, but raised still higher, in the estima tion of his Sovereign and the country at large. It is also a source of satisfaction that we have among us the leaders of the navy and of the army employed upon that expedition. You have already had your attention turned to the great ability displayed both by my friend Sir William Parker, and the military commanders, and I think we may say that there never was an important ex pedition the success of which was more brought about by the enterprise, the skill, the resources, the perseverance of the navy, by the gallantry of the army, and by the ability, penetration, firmness, and forbearance of the plenipotentiary, than upon the present occasion.— (Cheers.) Tho great success which was accomplished could not have been attained if all these three depart ments of the public service had not displayed the greatest energy and ability, and co-operated most cordially to gether. After complimenting the Sepoys in the Indian army for the share they took in the expedition, the Noble Lord continued—We have been congratulated on the advantages which will accrue from the conditions of the treaty, and I must say that it is honourable to England that we showed as much moderation after victory as we did ability and gallantry during the contest ; and that we did not impose heavier terms on the con quered enemy than:we had proposed to that Power before the contest commenced. When, after a suc cessful war, hard terms are imposed on a vanquished enemy, terms inconsistent with the interests and independence of the country with whom we hare been contending—l maintain that; those terms, how ever they may flatter the vanity and pride of the con quering nation, cannot, in the long run, be advantageous even to the party proposing them.—(Cheers.) But here we have the satisfaction of knowing that while we have secured to ourselves advantages of commerce, the extent of which it is difficult for any man to suffer himself to anticipate, we cannot derive those advantages from the treaty without conferring equal benefits on the Chinese themselves. We are, therefore, not only benefiting our selves, but the means of introducing civilization and commerce to the multitudes who inhabit those vast and distant regions.—(Cheers.) I shall only again express the satisfaction which I derive from being allowed to be present on an occasion like this, and how proud I feel in being one of this great assembly met hero to acknow ledge the distinguished services of Sir Henry Pottinger. The CHAIRMAN next gave " The health of the Chair man and Deputy-Chairman of the Hon. East India Company," which Mr. SIEPPAIID briefly responded to. The Marquis of NORMANBY proposed " The health of the Chairman," which was most loudly cheered, and ac knowledged in an appropriate speech by the Chairman. Sir 11. POTTLNGER proposed, in a single sentence, the next toast—" Prosperity to the City of London and the Trade thereof," which was loudly cheered. " The Last India and China Association, and success to Trade with the East," " The Liverpool and Glasgow East India and China Association," " The health of the Masters of the Merchant Tailors' Company," and several other toasts, were given. Mr. Toole officiated as toast-master, and performed his duties, as he always does, in the most efficient manner. The meeting did not break up till after midnight. On Sir H. Potttinger entering the reception-room, and before the dinner took place, Sir G. LARPENT, advancing towards the Gallant Officer, said,—Sir, on behalf of the merchants of London trading to the East Indies and China, I have the honour to present you with an address signed by seventy-three firms of this city, comprising pretty nearly the whole of the commercial houses of any eminence in town. lam desired to present this to you as a testimony of the dis tinguished sense they entertain of the ability and zeal which you have shown during the negotiations in China, during the time you represented there the British Go vernment. The gt ntletnen who have intrusted it to me feel sure that this tribute is, in every respect, deserved by you, from the admirable manner in which you dis charged the important functions entrusted to yon on that occasion. We feel, that to you, Sir Henry, we aro in• debted for being placed in the favourable position wo oc cupy in the empire of China, almost unexpected and be yond anything we could have expected. While we gladly recognise the prowess of British arms, as displayed in the contest with the Chinese, and the wisdom of the council that directed your negotiations, we feel that it is to you individually that a very large portion of the benefit we have derived is to be attributed. We feel that, by your conduct, by your activity, by the promp titude and energy you displayed, you obtained the confi dence of the whole of the European residents in China, and while you were thus enabled to bring, as it were, the whole weight of the English character to bear on your negotiations with the Chinese, you entitled your self at once to the admiration of your fellow•citizens, and had the respect paid to you of the Chinese Govern , ment. Under these circumstances, it is our pleasing duty to congratulate you on your return to your native country, and to assure you that the merchants of Lon don duly appreciate the benefits you have been the means of conferring upon them by the result of your commercial negotiations. There is another point alluded to in the address—the liberality of the tariff, and the wise and manly resolution sou formed not to confine your negotiations merely to the British empire, but to extend their benefits to all foreign nations. The libera lity that has marked the whole tariff bespeaks in an eminent degree the ability to appreciate those first prin ciples on which such a tariff should be framed, and fully realises the highest expectations that could be formed of well-directed zealous public exertions. The Hon. Ba ronet then read the following address : " TO MAJOR•GEFERAL SIR HENRY POTTINGER, BART., KNIGHT, GRAND CROSS OF THE MOST HON. MILITARY ORDER OF THE BATE, LATE HER MAJESTY'S ENVOY EXTRAORDINARY IN CHINA. " Sir—We, the undersigned, merchants of the City of London trading to China and the East Indies, take this opportunity on your return to your native country to present to you our sincere and hearty congratulations upon the happy and successful termination of the arduous negotiations intrusted to your charge by her Majesty's Government. The skill and ability with which these have been conducted have been so generally acknowledged that any comment upon them on our part would seem to be superfluous ; but the mercantile com munity cannot see a termination put to the vexatious annoyances aud imposts which formerly impeded the free course of British trade to China without feeling deeply indebted to you, Sir llenry, for the great ex ertions and care bestowed by you in bringing about so happy a result. "A treaty has been signed and duly ratified, which, while claiming no exclusive privileges for the advantages gained by British valour, nor taking any unfair advan tage of the Chinese people, has opened to the enterprise of this and other countries the immense resources of the Chinese empire. " A British colony has been founded amongst a people, though essentially commercial, yet, until now, remark ably jealous of the admission ot strangers into their country ; and four additional ports have been opened as new marts for the British manufacturer. " Without alluding further to the facilities obtained for the shipowners and trade in general, we have only to express our gratitude and thanks to you for such an able settlement ot our difficulties in China, and our hope that you may long enjoy the honours you so justly merit." In conclusion, allow me to say that it is our hope, deco rated as you aro with the honours justly deserved of your Sovereign, you will still think this public recogni tion of your services by the merchants of the City of London personally gratifying. We hope that the same liberality which has been displayed by the Chinese on one side in the arrangements of the tariff, from which we anticipate great advantages to our trade, will, as far as practicable, be imitated in this country with re ference to that great staple article of the Chinese market, tea.—(Cheers.) Sir IL POrrINGEn spoke as follows :—My Lords and Gentlemen, it is quite impossible for mo to express in adequate terms how much I appreciate the very kind and flattering notice you have been pleased to take of me and my public services. Believe me, I most sincerely and deeply thank you, and am proud indeed to think that anything I have done entitles me to receive your approbation. It is needless for me to say, after the man ner in which I have acted in China, that I most entirely concur in the views expressed in the address as to the re ciprocity of the trade with China. I look upon it that everything that is beneficial for China must be equally beneficial for England, and vice versa. There can be no difference. I received a copy of the address a few days ago from my friend Mr. John Abel Smith, and I have drawn up an answer, which, if you will allow me, I will read:— "TO TILE MERCHANTS OF THE CITY OF LONDON TRADING TO CHINA, &C. _ " Gentlemen,—l beg you will receive my wry heart felt thanks for the address which you have been so good as to present to me, expressive of your valued and flat tering opinions of the general result of my late mission to China. " To have deserved in your estimation, Gentlemen, those opinions, is to my feelings one of the most grateful and pleasing events that could possibly have occurred, and I am well aware that there can be no fitter or more able judges of my measures whilst in China than your selves ; and I am fully sensible that your approbation is spontaneous and impartial, and would not have been offered to me had you not considered that I merited it. " I rejoice that it has been my good fortune to be the humble, though zealous, instrument or removing to a certain extent the barrier which has hitherto excluded China from social and cordial intercourse with the rest of the world ; and I will only add, that I see no reason to doubt but that, the first step having been made, it will depend on ourselves and the other nations who may henceforward join in that intercourse, to perfect it in. due time. " With the repetition of my sincere acknowledgments for your kind wishes, I remain, Gentlemen, your very faithful and obliged humble servant, " HENRY POTTINGER. " 80, Eaton-place, Dec. 11." The Customs revenue of Liverpool for the past year is likely to yield npwards of 4,500,000/. sterling, a slim greater by very nearly half a million than the amount contributed last year.—Liverpool Courier. The Marquis of Salisbury had an interview with the Earl of Dalhousie yesterday, at the Board of Trade. >417,176iZe /tr,:4, - • --1 •-°-._,, 10 „„,,,, ..,:„..* . 14 ...,.. 7.. • 4 WINTER ASS ' t , •j - , - MIDLAND CIRCUIT.D C'"- ie ,7-- rfio v ,-- (Before 3 , 1 r. Justice l'Arr o_ .) ''''- 1 "'" ~., Sarah Reeves stood indicted for having., tikt WAN, 1 41 1° this county, on the 23d of July last, unlawfUllVand mali ciously cut and wounded John Hall. with the iaisiat to mur der, to do grievous bodily harm, &c. The prisoner, se usual in such cases, was variously indicted ; but the I4karyied Judge remarked, in his charge to the grand jury at tini open in, of the assizes, if in the present case death had ensued the offence would have amounted to murder. Mr. Wildman conducted the prosecution ; the prisoner was undefended. The case was similar in some respects to many which have occurred during the present circuit. Wakes constitute an annual joyous day or festival in the rural districts of this part of the country, and it unfortunately happens that the recurrence of these festivities is usually accompanied with some brutal atrocity. On the 23d of July last, Whitwell Wake took place, and amongst other persons who were guests at a public-house kept by a person named Green, were Hatl, the prosecutor, a man named Ellis, another named Sparrow, the woman Reeves (the prisoner), and various other parties. According to custom drinking. and dancing was the order of the day and the night, and the prisoner was among the party so early as three in the afternoon. At nine, according to the evidence of the police, the prisoner, a mar ried woman, whose husband resided in tlie neighbourhood, was quite drunk. About two o'clock in the morning, the party havieg then left the house, wrestling and larking commenced in the road opposite. Ellis and Sparrow were wrestling together, when Mall, apparently for the purpose of parting them, in a friendly spirit laid hold of Ellis's a rm . From what motive did not appear, but during this appa rently very amicable encounter, the prisoner plunged a knife into the side of the prosecutor, Hall; but, most 'for tunately, the intestines were not penetrated, or death must have ensued. He was the principal witness for the prose cution to-day. It further appeared that during the same morning and within a few moments of the time the prisoner committed this murderous assault upon llall, she also stabbed Sparrow and others enjoying the festivities of the wake. The pri soner was afterwards apprehended at another public-house by Holden, the constable of the district, and when taken said (producing a clasp knife), "This is what I did it with." The facts of the case were undenied, the prisoner's defence being that she was so drunk she did not know what she was about. The jury returned a verdict of Guilty with intent to inflict grievous bodily harm (not finding with the intent to murder), and The Learned JUDGE deferred the sentence. David Gosling and Georr — e Hall were indicted for burglar'. ously breaking into the house of Samuel Cooke, at Ludworth, on the 7th of August last, and stealing various articles of wearin , apparel. The two prisoners were old offenders. fhe Jury found them Guilty, and The Learned JL•DGE sentenced them to 15 years' trans portation.—llall immediately threw his hat into the body of the Court. NORTHERN CIRCUIT.—York, Dec. 10. (Before Mr. Justice COLERIDGE.) MunnEß.—lVln. Kendrew, aged 22, farm labourer, and John Kendrew, 24, shoemaker, brothers, were placed at the bar, charged, the former by the coroner's inquisition with the wilful murder of Mr. William Inchbald, at Dunsforth, in the parish of Aldborough, in the West Riding, and the latter with feloniously harbouring'and maintaining William Ken drew, well knowing him to have committed a felony in shooting William Inchbald. Mr. 'WILT INS stated the case to the jury, and then called upwards of thirty witnesses, who clearly proved, by a chain of circumstantial evidence, the case, the details of which have been recently before the public. The following additional evidence was given by the father of the prisoners :—William Kendrew said—l remember the Wednesday night before Mr. Inchbald was shot. I went to bed at nine o'clock that night. No one lives with me. My son William came to me about twelve o'clock that night. He came to the door and he would come in, but I did'nt want to take him in at that time of night. Ho said, "If I did'nt open the door he'd got a double-barrelled gnn, and he'd blow my brains out." I let him in, and he slept at my house on that night, and on Friday night next, September the 27th ; I went to work in the morning, and at night when I returned William had gone, and I never saw him again until now. I found that a new fustian coat of mine was gone then, and in its place was an old jean coat of William's. My son John, the other prisoner, brought back my coat to me. I was present when the police-officer searched my premises. The gun was found in a pig-sty. I had never seen that gun before. Evidence was adduced in support of the charge against John Kendrew, but it did not appear to be conclusive. Mr. Justice COLERIDGE sammed up at considerable length, going over the whole of the evidence, and commenting on every fact as it was deposed to. His Lordship told the jury that this was a case of circumstantial evidence, but it was quite possible that a charge might be well proved by such evidence. If they found facts and circumstances all tending one way, and fitted together so closely that not a single link of the chain was wanting or broken, there could be little doubt that such a chain of evidence would be satisfactory. It was for the jury to determine whether this was such a case. The jury retired, and, after an absence of ten minutes, re turned with a verdict of Guilty against William Kendrew, and of Acquittal as regarded John Kendrew. His LonDstitr., in a most impressive and affecting manner, pronounced upon him the sentence of death, and told him to give up all hope of earthly mercy. The wretched man appeared wholly unmoved, and left the bar in the most careless manner, exclaiming, as he went, "Thank ye, if that be all." THE SMITHFIELD CLUB. - - - - CHRISTMAS CATTLE SHOW. The exhibition was yesterday, for the fifth year, (Toned to the public at the Horse Bazaar, King-street, Portman square; and from an early hour in the morning up to a late hour last evening the entire vicinity of Baker-street and the surrounding locality /T as one continued scene of bustle and excitement. Carriages, cabs, carts, omnibuses, and other vehicles, conveying visitors from the more distant parts of the metropolis, were constantly arriving, and the entire neighbourhood presented the appearance of a fair. Up to seven o'clock last evening it was computed that between eight and nine thousand persons passed through the show, and that the number prior to its closing for the day would exceed ten thousand. At eleven o'clock in the forenoon the annual meeting of the Smithfield Cattle Club took place in one of the rooms of the Bazaar; Earl Spencer, the president, in the chair. The meeting was very fully attended by the members, and amongst a large number of distinguished agriculturists pre sent were his Grace the Duke of Richmond, his Grace the Duke of Bedford, the Hon. Captain Spencer, Mr. Pusey, M.P., Earl Radnor, Mr. E. G. Barnard, M.P., &c. The report as to the state of the affairs of the Club was read by the Secretary, Mr. B. T. Brandreth Gibbs, and was nna nimously approved of and adopted. The award of the judges with respect to the cattle, stock, &c., exhibited this year was then read and confirmed, and several gentlemen congratu lated the Club on the general excellence of the animals pro duced for competition, as compared with those of former years. An intimation was given by the Noble Chairman that it was the intention of his Royal Highness Prince Al bert to honour the Club with a visit, but that the day had not yet been fixed. It was, however, generally supposed that Saturday morning would be the most likely time. Earl Spencer having been unanimously re-elected President of the Club for the ensuing year, and the Dukes of Rich mond and Bedford, and several other noblemen and gentle men Vice-presidents, Mr. B. T. Brandreth Gibbs was unani mously re-elected to the office of Secretary. After a vote of thanks to the Noble Chairman, the meeting broke up, and the members of the Club proceeded to view the various spe cimens of cattle, at which they expressed themselves much gratified. LLOYD'S. At a general meeting of the members of Lloyd's, held at the South Sea•house yesterday, G. R. Robinson, Esq., the chairman, it was proposed, and carried unanimously, " That a special vote of thanks be presented to his Majesty the King of the French, for the valuable set of charts presented to Lloyd's by order of his Majesty ; likewise to the President of the United States for a similar presentation." It was also proposed and carried unanimously, " That a vote of 51. be given to three men for their meritorious exertions in saving the crew of the Two Brothers, Tomkins, of Lowestoff, wrecked on the Whitby Rock, 11th ult," After the special Committee for the permanent establishment of Lloyd's had presented their fifth report, the meeting separated. Dispatches from the Governors of Van Diemen's Land, Ceylon, and Malta, were received on Tuesday at the Colonial-office. FRENCH EGGS.—The egg merchants of Cherbourg are about to avail themselves of the facilities for a quirk and cheap transit offered by the railway to Londou, to import their eggs into Southampton instead of going to London. A small French sloop, the Napoleon, ar rived in the dock about two o'clock on Thursday after noon, with a cargo of about 400,000 eggs in cases, some of vthich were landed and forwarded to London that evening; the remainder were landed and forwarded yes terday.—Hampshire Independent. We area requested to state that the concluding volumes of "Lord Malmesbury's Diaries and Corre spondence," edited by his Grandson, the third Earl, will be published by Mr. Bentley, of Diew Burlington-street (publisher in ordinary to her Majesty), on Saturday next, the 14th inst., 2 vols. Bvo., with Portraits. Orders received by all booksellers. Also, now ready, and to be had of all booksellers, "Memoirs of the reign of George III.," by Horace Walpole, Earl of Orford ; edited, with notes, by Sir Denis Lo Marchant, Bart., 2 vols. Bvo., with Portraits. THE 3 "ADVENTURES" OF COL. MAXWELL (BROTHER OF SIR /MURRAY MAXWELL).—The public:aloe of IL work from the pen of Col. Montgomery Maxwell, en titled " My Adventures," will excite no less interest and curiosity in the reading public than it will among the numerous friends, family connexions, and companions of that popular officer. The " Adventures " relate to the most remarkable and stirring period of modern history —namely, the last few years of the Continental war ; and they include innumerable facts, anecdotes, and per sonal traits of nearly all the leading individuals who took part in that wonderful contest. Among the personages who arc brought before the reader, not merely " in their habit as they lived," but speaking the very words they uttered dining the author's personal intercourse with them, are the Emperor Napoleon, the Empress Marie Louise, the Pope, Queen Caroline of England, the Em press of Austria, the Archduke Charles, the King of Prussia, the Kings and Queens of Naples, Sardinia, Etruria, &c., the whole of the " Adventures".being tran scribed frein a diary kept by the author at the periods respectively referred to. ECCLESIASTICAL NOTICE. —T h e Bishops of London, Durham, Lincoln, and Ely, have given notice, that after the present year, they will require from all candidates of the University of Cambridge applying to them for holy orders, a certificate of their having pursed the voluntary theological examination. The Bishop of Norwich has given a similar notice, but his Lordship intends that it shall apply only to gentlemen seeking admission to the priesthood, and that it shall come into operation after August, 1,345. • - Poor RACE you IN.—Yesterday a foot race of 160 yards came off near the Cock Inn at Clapham, between Cheeny and Beard. Beard received two yards' advantage at the start, and the preliminaries being completed, they en tered into the contest. Beard retained the lead for 100 yards, when his opponent succeeded in overtaking him, and a spirited race ensued. Ultimatety Cheeny came off the winner, beating his opponent by four yards.