The Sun. — London, England, 1844-04-03 00:00:00

lour. sacks. - . ces la ied in tion6l ) took . It is mare, Kara ectiv o ,t and. De the IRELAND. -- REPE AL ASSOCIATION. DUBLIN, APRIL 1. i J The usual wee kl y meet i ng of the Assoc i at i on tool; ' i place to-day i n t h e Conciliation Hall, which was Crowde in every part. Mr. O'Connell entered the building at one o'clo c k , and was received with prolonged cheering. , On the motion of the Hon. Gentleman, Mr. W. S. O'Brien, M.P., was called to the chair. Mr. O'CoNNELL rose and said, there was nothing like beginning well.—(Loud cheers.) He wished they would j reserve those cheers for what he was about to hand in to • t he Association. He had the pleasure of handing in the s um or 600/., transmitted to them by the repealers of New York.---(Cheers.) He moved that the thanks of the Association be given to those parties who had for thisar noble subscription. kfTh motion h av i ng b een carried, r• e J. O'Corixtu.t. said that he had been requested to read to the meeting a very important and interesting correspondence which had taken place between the Earl of Charlemont and Lord French. The Hon. Gentleman then read the following letter:— " Charlem on t-h ouse , D u bli n, M arc h 4. ' which i " Nry Lord,—We have at this moment a lull in agitation, momentmy mind affords a favourable opportunity for an effort in the cause of peace ; under which impression I thus take the liberty of addressing you upon the subject. " I have every reason to believe that at the time of the union Mr. Pitt was of opinion that an arrangement was, even then, possible for having periodical or sof Im p eri al Parliame n t held in Ireland,sess for ions ittings such business the as might be most conveniently dispatched there, if the people of Ireland desired it. more s " What w as d eemed practical at that time must be still o at this, considering the facility and rapidity of the present communication between London and Dublin. It is ' nasowinrfrtant also to conciliate popular support to the union ) viewed with reference to the lasting interests of the public as it was then, and there appears to be a very general persuasion that occasional meetings of the Imperial Parlia- nient in Dublin would powerfully ted to do :o t "It is also considered that if the attention of the Legisla- ' tore was uninterruptedly given from time to time to the affairs of Ireland on the spot, they would be better under stood than they can ever otherwise be by those who are to legislate concerning them, and a course of measures might thus be looked for which mus tend to secure, not to endan ger, the general fabric of the empire. " Some friends with whom I have consulted on this mo mentous subject think it d esirable that these views should be laid before the Thro ne , and a draught of an address to her Majesty having been prepared for that purpose, I beg leave to enclose a copy of it to you. "Allow me to request your consideration of it, and that you will be so good as to return it to one with as little delay as may suit your convenience, with any observations that should of to you upon its subject , and, if you approve, Id of course claim the advantage of your signature to the contents. " Believe me to be, my Lord, with respect and regard. _ "To the Right Hon Lord Frenc" Your obe dient servant, " CHARLEMONT. h." The Hon. Gentleman having read the draught of the address alluded to in the foregoing letter, praying for the holding of periodical sessions of the Imperial Par liament in Ireland, and representingresence from time that the benefit p w ould be en h anced by her Majesty's t° lim e amongst h er Irish subjects proceeded to lay be ver fore the m eet i ng the reply of Lord French, who, in a -orig . letter, of w hi c h the following is an extract, stay statedi hi s reasons for dissenting from the proposition of d Charlemont:— of "my " If I have not entirely mistaken the feelings and designs ' . connt ry rnen, witwhom I am associated info r epeal of the legislative union, they require not e an king itine r rant, but a domestic Legislature —not merely a resident, but a native Parliament. They wish to have their legislation cualinitted to men whom the history of their country does not describe heredity as inveterately inimical to their rac e—as high in ry hatred to their creed. They long for libera io fr om the control of a P ar li amen t which, in the short interval I, °f 44 years, has, like a sponge, absorbed all the milk and " o rl with which the into was flowing before the union. They wish to have theirrests entrusted to a Parliament consisting of men not born in England, in Sotland, or in Wales ----not educat e d i n h abitual contempt of Irishmen—not stran gers to the names, the sites, the advantages, the require ments, and the history of the principal localities of Ireland— not trained up in the belief that Englishmen are by nature 'what they claim to be at present—the superiors, the masters, t ex clave - owners , rather than th e co - equa l s an d fellow-sub of Irishmen —not, in a word, men presuming that, be cause they walkd a street or tw of our metropolis, or whiled over some e thirty miles on a o railroad or a day coach, t hey knew more about Ireland than the men who spent their lives within her limits, and devoted their energies to her ~a , „e rv, _ic, e• No, ray Lord, believe me, an a li en am b u l a t or y as illuiY, thou h• be the terminus of its ambulacrum, c an never possess the confidence of Irishmen. The Parlia- I nent in which they will confide must be national and sym- Pathetic—it must be the product of the soil, and composed of i t he men'of Ireland—it must be Irish in blood, in accent, and ' n feeli ng ;—no othe r w ill suffer the Irish to be for Ireland, and most assuredly no other will give Ireland to the Irish:, Mr. O'C ONNELL moved the insertion of these docu ments on the minutes of the Association, and that the d most respectful thanks of the body be bestowed on Lor Free r .b -- , for his admirable letter, and to h L im ord on Ch th a i r s le o m c o e n a ! for. th kindly e, feeling manifested by It was delightful to them, looking back, as they did, with fond admiration to the Charlemont of 'B2, to find the Ch ar l emont o f '44 no t sun k in the general to to an displ a y e d b v the I r i s h no bili ty. It was delightful hirn thinking of old Irelandalthough e fell s hort of the distance to which they wished him to o g , he was in the right roa d . I t was a con f ess i on to so me extent, that they (the Repealers) were right, be cause he a d m i tted that the present system was bad ; and They could nut help regretting that his Lordship had not arrived at the only adequate remedy for the grievances of the country, namely, the restoration of their native Parliament. —(Cheers.) What cared he where a Parlia ment hostile and ungenial to Ireland might be situated ? —he cared not where such a. body met, whether in the Orkney or Scilly Isles, in London or in llublin.—(Hear.) What they wanted was a Parliament genial to Ireland-- devoted to Irish interests, and which would maintain, —(Cheers.) eternise the connexion between the two countries: — (Cheers . .) He wished that the highest in rank were foremost in work, and that the rest of the Irish no bility would join Lord Charlemont. He fellf short, it was true, of his father; for the Charlemont o 1782 would acknowledge no inferiority inherent in his country, nor would he admit that Irishmen were unfit to manage their own affairs.—(Hear, hear.) O A h I Amid the degradation there was in such an admission 1 prevailing torpor of the upper classes it was • refreshingnte to e a move in the right path by any portion of the nobility, and he trusted that their next stride would bee Irishtowards fede ralism. They should recollect that th easily manageable race, and that they had were remarkablean predilection for aristocracy when im ataedw ith the right spirit He appealed to the noble house of Caul. field to take the lead now, and he called on them to re collect that serving such a people was the noblest species of servitude. By joining their countrymen at the pre sent moment, when it was of importance to have all the Virtue and good sense of the nation with them, they would bring back all the glory which invested their fa milY in the year all cheers.) Alter elabo rhaat.e.lY Panegyrising Lord French's letter, in which he H on genius genius of Ireland spoke its true language, the il c Gentleman concluded by moving the insertion of the. orrespOndence on the minutes, and thanks to the Writers. The n o Mr o,Neinourable G en tl eman next read a letter from ,ge • . 11 , of Bunown Castle, in whi c h i t was thesug .sted that parties sh ou ld b e rece i ved into the ranks politics ',Associati on w i thout any inquiry into their or religion. He (Mr. O'Connell) was ex et.orremreelilgyieatvierse from any inquisition into either politics ; but they could not suffer any body of men :join them who were advocates of physical force, and v 'Ought to effect their own objects by tyrannising The and attempting to coerce the opinions of others. 'll Chartists had been guilty of these faults, and the Association would not suffer any person to join them Ravin they knew to be a Chartist.—(Hear, hear.) the Chartists epumerated several acts of violence of which ciludCett.rtists have been guilty, the Hon. Gentleman con- Il i ° b y s aying that when theabandoned such opi ns, and got fitter leaders tha y n they at present pos-' Ikl b! sed ' th ey might be iallowed to join the ranks of the would, without mucleill 4- ` e Pealers. If the Re out the country towns ers countenanced them now, they fefifeulty, obtain adherents through come a truly formidable part Ireland, and would thus be clear of them.—.. to keep Ireland Several sums of money having Y; but he would take care been ( Hear, handedhear.) in, to call the attentilo'nV Ur. O'Coximi. itleicreeting to rose, and said that he wished h uld advert was one w.b csonusiderable Inaportance The first so subjects of to me towhich the people of this 101 l was generally interesting to country_ he marriage question. That meant the Presbyterian been informed, in 5.% very question had been raised as he asserted that the extraordinary manner. It had were defrayed b y a ePxpenses of the proceedings C, !lurch, and he could dignitary of the Established that not hel • personagep saying that he thought mi ght Better, Afterf detaili have laid out his money much tell the the courts nof lawe proceedings which . ell proceeded to state a;ad come to a decision gnatthat length the House of Lords the effect of confirming 0 matter, which would have court below. There adverse the adverse judgment of the divided in . ere were four Lords _ their opinion, and the ' present, who were below not being reversed, judment of the court ages were invalid. In accordancewas now final, and these mar of equality (valid . persons of with those principles CProfessed, he should in all creeds which he had ever o m mittee of the Associ°ll that it b e re f erred to the they could best adva ton to consider in what man_ port to the claims of the nP" the interests and give sup brought before the Presbyterians when they were le tall attention House of "nmons Henext , to their own pro pests begged in Ireland. It would be in England and late all the proceedings in En I insufferable tediousness to go ia.te prosecution and its gan connected with the nunself to go to ond i _ results. Ile was unwilling ltnYthing fro (n. He was led not to expect „ ow m theprejudices of the • from er classes he knew mi h b middle classes—the _,. the principlesof g t e led by Chartism, but la uis thatPolitical creed he entirely yetl in he to Irelanda the upper classes were ar 7na-ving been overruled by .and to her wishes ; but 0112 in he had the highest the opinions of those for Condon respect he accordingly went .__ other act and h had never been a ny o.her act of h . 11 so much gratified by Pointed is i e ; he was most agreeably disap .. to find among the E • moat support the nglish people a disposi- I'Pread abhorr cause of Ireland —an intense and wide ?'-lt grcat one of what had occurred in this country us, anxiety for the purity of the administration of ael eut - ' d. "7 ... ! longing to have juries fairly e'er ", 'act, he had been as well received where- At he wen!. in Englandas a ger briefly .eta, . ~ 0. _ he could be in that hall. -uri ng his l nn the various occasions upon which t t p eet ,__, late visit to ißngland manifestations of re etd,"e° been shown to him `he son. Gentletufal Igo, the '‘! t° say that -' " . w'se, th e ° his heart was bin. with gratitude to tlgl a , • e good, the • p • of Dr mi. on f ° d, just, the discriminatine. -}? f4ople .;_e4sed English°riner occasions when Ireland wis op the but they h unhappily acquiesced in the injus , th e i r ,e had now taken a manly stand in favour Voice too laud to Is in this country, and had proclaimed, in • ive misttuuerstood, that they were dis- -71 it SUN. LONDON, WrDNP,SD A. 17 EVENT N!G, APRIL a, 1844 4 . . satisfied with those proceedings. It was unwisely said by a portion of the press in this country, that the sym pathy which had been manifested was merely a Whig manoeuvre ; but the assertion was obviously untrue, and he emphatically contradicted the newspaper writers who had given currency to the opinion. At the dinner in Covent-garden Theatre there were not 20 Whigs pre sent ; and there was nothing therefore more distinctly, more unhandsomely untrue, than the assertion that it was a Whig manifestation, and not a spontaneous popular movement, unconnected with party, and springing from a high-minded sense of justice—a wish for fair play and a horror of oppression.—(Hear, and cheers.) At the same time he was bound to say that the Whigs had be haved well towards Ireland on this occasion. Could anything be more honourable than the conduct of Lord J. Russell after the debates were over, and the majority of 99 declared in favour of the Ministry ?—(Hear.) Could anything be more manly and mo:e consistent with the high station and character of that Noble Lord, than his coming forward and making a solemn protest, speaking judicially, that they had not a fair trial in Ireland ?—(Hear, hear.) It ought not, therefore, to be called a Whig movement, nor ought the Whigs to be blamed for what had occurred on this occasion—they had done great service to the people of Ireland, and the Irish ought to feel grateful to them.—(Hear, hear.) There was a hearty and cordial spirit amongst a great many of the English people ; there was a disposition to see this country done justice to, and there was a great inclination to consider the repeal question. He found some persons in England who went further than he would go himself, for his violence consisted only in the expression of a determination never to cease his legal and constitutional agitation for the procurement of repeal.—(Hear.) But what benefit were they to derive from this kindly demonstration of the English people ? Much of sympathy, much of pleasure, and of gratifica tion the human mind must always experience when just and honest people sympathised. But hoW could those good wishes serve Ireland while the Parliament was packed ?—(Hear, hear.) They might, to be sure, eon.. trol some few Members of Parliament, but the over whelming majority there was against them, and there fore, while he expressed his gratification at the sympathy of the English people, still he was bound to exclaim — "Hereditary bondsmen, know ye not, Who would be free themselves must strike the blow ?" —(Loud cheering,) What chance had they of the Par liament doing anything for them ? They certainly had some chance of their doing something against them, but not the least of anything favourable, unless it might be some miserable sop in the pan.—(Laughter.) This very day, almost in a few hours after he should have done speaking, new measures would be brought into Parlia ment.—(Hear, hear.) Lord Eliot had selected to-day--- very appropriately, as it was the Ist of April—(Laughter) —to bring in two Billa, one to amend• the franchise in Ireland, the other relating to municipal reforms. The first of these Bills purported to augment the franchise, but he (Mr. O'Connell) had reason to know that it would annihilate the popular franchise in Ireland.— (Hear, hear.) The principle it went on was that of the Chandos clause, giving the votes to tenants-at-will. The English people complained that the Chandos clause had made the county representation a representation of serfs —alas ! he (Mr. O'Connell) was bound to say it was ad mitted by Lord John, as it was emphatically announced by Lord Stanley, that the object was to throw the repre sentation of the counties into the hands of the aristocracy. —(Hear, hear.) The other Bill, which related to corpo rate reforms might to a certain extent do some good. It would do away with the payment of the mass of taxes formerly necessary to entitle persons to vote, and they would now have to pay only the poor-rate, the borough -rate, and grand jury cess ; but many exist ing grievances would be increased by it. They should, therefore, continue to struggle, and should never abate their exertions until the perseverance of Irishmen in the expression of their opinions would convince Englishmen that the Government of the country could not be carried on in war as well as in peace, unless justice was done to Ireland.—(Cheers.) He asked the people of Ireland what did they mean to do? Did they mean to give up their struggle for repeal?—(Cries of " Never.") Did they mean to allow him to conduct that struggle as he pleased?—(Loud cheers.) If, so, he should, in the first place, tell them that they must observe the most un broken tranquillity and obedience to the law —that was the basis of the struggle.—(Hear, hear.) It might be said that his enemies were about sending him to prison, and he believed they were; but that/ was only an addi tional reason for peace. Oh! how delighted those who hated them would be if they could bring the people into contact with the overwhelming military force at present in the country! And let them also recollect that they were accountable beings, and that every one of them should stand before the judgment-seat of God to answer for his conduct, and for every violation of the laws of God committed by him.—{Hear.) Oh! the virtuous, the temperate people of Ireland would not, he was confident. disgrace themselves by resorting to force of any kind. And if they did, he would not for an hour remain their leader.—(Hear, hear.) After adverting to the suc cess of peaceable agitation during the struggle for eman cipation, the Hon . Gentleman proceeded to assure the people that if they persevered in their present peaceable course for twelve months longer, they would have three fourths of the people of England and Scotl-and with them, and they would be too strong to be resisted. But their efforts should be continuous, though tranquil. Should it be said, that because some of them were sent to prison, the rest were to lie down in apathy? For his own part he had formed the determination of not know ing any man who was not a Repealer, or holding - any in tercourse with him, unless he came to him on inevitable business.—(Cheers.) Some persons might blame him for this, but he really considered the man who was not a Repealer, to be a base creature, and he looked on him as a coward, if he did not wear some outward mark of being nne.(Loud cheers.) If every man who was a Repealer in '43 contributed to their funds in '44, and if every man who was not a Repeialer then became so now, the success of their cause was certain. He had called 1843 the repeal year, and he now begged leave to name 1544 the " clinching " year.—(Laughter and cheers.) When they set about praying for him, let them think not of him, but of old Ireland ; let them inscribe " Peace and perseverance " on their walls, and nothing but their own apathy could prevent their carrying repeal. —(Cheers.) After a strong appeal to the people of this country to come forward as liberally with their money during the present year as they had done during the past, the Hon. Gentleman concluded by expressing his conviction that the day of Ireland's happiness was not far distant. He cared not what became of himself if he could obtain liberty for his native land. The rent for the week, at the conclusion of the pro ceedings, was announced to be 928/. 18s. 4d., including 6001. from America; and the meeting adjourned to next Thursday week. With this preparation, they (especially women) are to sign congregational petitions, and to collect money for the necessary exp'nses of the same. "Lest absence," concludes the writer, "might have left some of you in ignorance of these arrangaments, and to stir up your pure minds by way of remembrance,' I have been advised to trouble you with this notification. " I remain, yours faithfully in the Lord, "ROBERT STEWART, D.D., " Moderator of the General Assembly." All this seems very angry and determined, but it is diffi cult for an Englishman clearly to understand against whom it can be fairly levelled. Is it against the judges? They are not charged with having done anything but declare the law. Is it against the English Legislature ? That body has not as yet shown any indisposition to re ject any the most extravagant demands of the Presbyte rian body. Presbyterianism, indeed, is not the established religion of Ireland. nor probably will it be made so. But even this is yet but conjecture. All that the Legislature has yet done has been to anticipate the sentence of the Peers, by passing an Act in the most generous haste and with the most entire unanimity, to establish all past marriages which have been solemnised under the late misapprehension. Is it against those who have brought the question to issue ? We know not what reasons Presbyterians may have for suspecting the motives or resenting the conduct of individual Irish Churchmen ; but surely the desire to keep such a question in doubt— to avoid the light—to bolster up a mistake of so painful a kind—argues great want of consideration for the real interests of those "injured females" whose battle they profess to be fighting. Surely all honest men must simply and warmly approve the determination to leave nothing doubtful on a question of such para mount importance in its bearing on the duties of the clergy, the devolution of property, and the :happiness or families. What would be thought or said of an English clergyman who first persisted in marrying his parishioners in a mode of which he had reason to doubt the validity, and then, on the exposure of his mistake, flew into a passion with those by whose deter mination the question had been probed to the bottom ? Could we avoid thinking that such a gentleman was rather more careful for his own dignity than for his people's welfare ? But it seems that the judges have found it necessary to deny the validity of Presbyteriaa orders. What this complaint means, we profess our selves wholly unable even to comprehend. The English Church and the English law acknowledge three orders — those of Bishop, Priest, and Deacon—and no more. This every child knows. IN hich of the three can the Presby terian ministers possibly want ? The office of deacon, we believe, exists among them, but is surely below the acceptance of a minister. The name of priest would be rejected with horror and indignation ; probably there are not ten ministers in the Assembly who have not, in the course of their teaching, expressly repudiated the anti-Christian title. And as for the episcopate, we know that it is the very monster against which their name, their history, and their constitution are so many stand ing and deadly protests. The Roman Church indeed has a few more orders at their service, but we presume they can hardly be anxious to be known as " exorcists" or "acolytes." And yet those who deny them any or all of these titles are accused of" pronouncing their religion not to be Christian, their members to be unbaptised in dividuals, and the acts of their worship to be unmeaning and worthless." How are these gentlemen to be pleased, or what is to be done for them ? m t h o i n n s k adjourned s o u We e o d f C notom for C the ° h o N I i l d C a y L s E last T n h i g e ht are likely to have a very pleasant Easter. What with Lord De Grey in Ireland, and Lord Ashley at home, the harmony within doors cannot be very great, and an earthquake may come any day. Sir James Graham of course resigns, if a Ten Hours' Bill is carried, or if the Lowthers are preferred in the Lord-Lieutenancy of Westmoreland. Lord De Grey resigns if he is not allowed to appoint anti-education bishops. Poor Sir Robert Peel is in a sad fix with his Jack Cades. They all require so much, and will let him do so little, that his character for power is gone, and his character for pru dence is declining. The Duke of Wellington has en sured the Irish Church a longevity equal to the union— how prudently those who remember his analogous de clarations about Old Sarum will determine. The Duke of Richmond will not stand another peels of corn, whe ther foreign or colonial. It does not matter whether Australian or from New Zealand, not a grain shall THE LAND COMMISSION. The following brief report of the progress of the Land Tenure Commission appears in an Evening Paper:— " The Commission, consisting of Sir R. Ferguson, Mr. G. Hamilton, Mr. Redington, and Mr. Wynne, were actively engaged at Belfast on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday last, in making inquiry respecting the occu pation of land in the counties of Down and Antrim. They examined at great length the agents of the exten sive properties of the Marquis of Hertford, the Marquis of Londonderry, Mr. D. Tier, and other proprie - ors, to gether with a number of occupying tenants and farmers, as well as the persons selected for examination by the several boards of guardians in the neighbourhood of Bel fast. On Thursd a y t h ey procee d e d to i nspect t h e exten sive andinteresting improvements now in progress on Lord Dufferin's estate, near Donaghadee, and on Lord Londonderry's, near Newtownards, and the draining, &c., on the property of Messrs. Andrews, at Cumber. On Friday they held their inquiry at Antrim. On Sa turday they were joined by the Earl of Devon, at Ban. bridge, and examined a number of witnesses respecting the occupation and management of land on the large estates in that neighbourhood of the Marquis of Down shire, as well as those of Lord Roden, Mr. Whyte, of Lougbrickland, and others. During the present week they are to visit Larne, Coleraine, and Moneymore. SOITTIIAMPICON, APRIL 2.--The East India and China mails, consisting of 94 boxes and 7 bags, were dispatched from this port yesterday at 4 P.M., in the Oriental Company's splendid steam-packet the Great Liverpool, Captain M'Leod, rid Alexandria. She has also upwards of 40 passengors, and a very full cargo of bale goods. The Liverpool upon her homeward voyage will proceed into the docks and discharge her passengers and cargo, and then undergo , a thorough re pair. The mails of the first of June will be taken out by the Great Western steamer, which has lately become the pro perty of the Oriental Company. The Royal West India steam-packet, the Tay, Captain Hayden, left this port to day for the West Indies. She carries out the South American and West Indian mails, the largest ever shipped from this port. The Tay has thirty-nine passengers on board, besides 1,460 bottles of quicksilver and 4,0001. in specie. The Rain bow, 500 tons, Captain Arnold, sailed out of dock, at 4 A.m., this day, for Canada, with 185 emigrant passengers. She will call at Plymouth, where it is expected she will take in many more. The next emigrant ship will sail on the Ist of May. The passengers and luggage came down on Saturday by a special train, which took them alongside the vessel. The Peninsula mail packet, the Pacha, Captain Wilson, arrived last night from Gibraltar, and proceeded into the docks, and landed her mails, which were forwarded to London by the ten minutes past two mail train this morning. Her dates are—Gibraltar, 23d of March ; Cadiz, 24th ; Lisbon, 27th ; and Oporto and Vigo, 28th. She has a full cargo of fruit, and only six passengers. MILITARY HEROES.—Mr. Field last week delivered his second musical lecture on the military service and its heroes at the City of Westminster Literary and Scientific In stitution. Mr. Field introduced the discourse of this evening by a chronological description of the various improvements in the implements for warfare, in short, tracing them from the hands of the rudest art to those of the most profound science. The costume of the army was also briefly noticed, not for getting the reminiscences of that so recently in use,• but which appears, from having left no- trace behind, to be as far removed as the buff jerkin of a couple of centuries gone by : need we particularise the powdered hair, the well-nourished queue, and the white (and tight) Inexpressible shorts of our tall grenadiers. A sketch of those hospitable retreats for dis abled veterans—Greenwich and Chelsea—and a reference to the visit to them made by the Queen and Prince Albert, ap propriately introduced a very Here's a health' to Victo r ia." good song, the words and air ornents . o f a soldier's life were b r i e fl y g l ance d at —hi s o f w hi c h we re by Mr. Field, " Tenhfreaenncihisement from all the ortlintwy perplexities of daily life—the hearty abandon of the bivouac—enlivened Liy fives, in which the narrator is often the hero of his own 1 story—and the rousing call to arms in the freshness and . beality of the morning. Mr. Fi e ld h ere i ntroduced a fine hearty 41' pbeeriug melody, "O ur h omes and nat i ve land," w hi c h elicited withusiastic e ncore . Thi s was a manuscr ipt composition by Mi. West, (SO N R 7al Academy o f M us i c . In celebrating the achiev emen t s iif our mostells,' tinguished Generals, the sad fate of Sir John Moore at Co;. ppm could not fail of notice ; and the lecture was brought to a close law a deaf sketch of the European career of the " Hero of a hundred fighti,'? and including a personal narrative, by of Hougon the,w,..armest plaudits. j ‘ l , ) of thA lirv ,, i a vo r r m s, y of . a t the d N e a ai v n y c6 „ b w i at 4 s , suchnteg :s4.fltiq mont, re; aiicl i72 en ds e t ral irehricl bad interview with Au i Mr. T Field e A Attorney-General retired y - a G with Sir Robert Pee; og Monday. come. Mr. Hutt may go out if he please, and be a fari naceous animal amongst his brother colonists ; not a taste shall the pe , )ple of England have of what their swarm of compatriots can grow. The New Zealanders may eat them, and welcome ; but as for sending such outlandish grain to the mill, or such outlandish flour to our English housewives, it must not be thought of. Sir Robert Peel may reduce the Three per Cents., and wel come.. The noblemen and gentlemen of the Anti- League Association have not - much to do with them ; but as for doing anything which has the remotest ten dency to pull down the price of true born British wheat, the time is gone by for any such concession. These things were permitted for a time, during the Peel honeymoon ; but a course so opposed to the wisdom of the squirarchy, and the new balance of power conse quent upon the Richmond treaty, is out of question. Things, in short, are approaching the annual dead lock. The schemes of Government appear before the public like the magic -lantern phantoms. This time last year there was a Factory Bill, with education clauses. Presto, the dissenting clauses were denounced, and the Factory Bill fell into the shade. The. Ecclesiastical Courts Bill fared no better, It was too good for the Tories ; this year it is too bad for -the Liberals. In 1843 it proposed some useful changes, and was worth having, of itself, although an imperfect measure. This year its changes are so valueless, that it will do more harm, by giving a sort of new lease to ecclesiastical abuses, than good, by remedying some minor grievances. It is a creation singularly characteristic of the sort of Government we live under. Sir R. Peel is supported by Tories, and so arc ecclesiastical abuses. He cannot do without the proctors, and the proctors cannot do out abuses. The public know these things, and see them. They know that the measures proposed 'by the late Government to correct those abuses were adequate and efficient. They see by the failure of last year that the Tories will not permit their chief to do so. Sir R, Peel w4s saved last yg4p from a tjefeftt on this very gill by t 4 Opposition, as he was last weep on the factory proceed, ings. He cannot, therefore, carry out his own declara tion with respect to his willingness and power to remedy proved abuses. If the unanimous opinion of mankindmeansanything—if reports of committees super added to molls of commissions, are of any avail, if there be a concentration of opii f ion aulorigst all lawyers of sound mind that the courts ecclesiastic are a nuisance—that they require changes not less than those of last year to make them endurable, and far more to crake them popular,—if the allegation of a proved abuse mean; a,nytiiirig, Sir R. Peel is bgtinci tp clo. ;;or} er thing more drastic in the way of remedy than his puny efforts of the present year to 1)41 up the old recce- "SPIRIT of the PUBLIC JOURNALS. tacks of ignoratece and stiperetition to the level of the FROM TUE MORNING PAPERS OF THIS DAY. age. He claimed peculiar qualities and peculiar in- TIMES.—A somewhat heavy storm seems to be fluences for such achievements. The House of Lords gathering in Ulster. The Presbyterian marriage ques- admired him, the House of Commons obeyed him, the tion threatens to bring no small weight of Presbyterian ' Church trusted him, the Tory party were at his feet. denunciation upon the heads of Lords Lyndhurst, Cot- Was it not desirable to have a Minister who, if he at tenham, Abinger, and all other judges and justices who tempted less, would finish everything he attempted? The public thought so. He was mede Minister by acelama have been party to the late judgment in the House of p Lords. The excieement was of course not a holy unex- tion. But the proved abuses continue :he eannot re- petted, but anything more strangely gratuitous we have move one. The Bishop of Exeter and the proctors corn seldom had occasion to observe upon. The Presbyte- bine against his ecciesuietical reforms. Lord De Grey rians of the north of Ireland have long been a very leads Oratigemen against his chief on Irish policy ; the favoured body. They have had many of the advan- squires refuse to give him corn; the West Indians insist tares without the dependence of an est on his adher ence t o th e m i n i mum o f s ugar ; Lord Ash this point (the celebration of marriages—their position ley wishes everybody to do less than the Minister; and contrasts somewhat favourably with that of the Eng- on the only question where common sense and the real lish clergyman. Observe the restrictions as to time and .itidgment of the middle classes is with Sir Robert place—the p ara phernalia of bans, licenses, and registra- Peel the Minister is beaten. We cannot tell how all tions—which surround the solemnizations of our own these things happen, but there they are:—no Chancery marriages) the penaltiee of transportation for four- reforms, in the face of enormous promises ; vast teen years, by which a departure from the pre. compensations under the name of subordinate reduc- . scribed formalities is visited on the unlucky clergy- tions; clerks in the Angean stable of that court re man—the legal obligation which was unquestionably j tiring upon the allowance of ambassadors ; a six clerk laid upon him till within the last few days, and p er h a p s richer than an Irish bishop ; three or four such per is so still, to administer that sacred rite in its full so- sonages with greater compensations than maintain the lemnity to any notorious despiser of religion and mo- exiled princes of the French and Spanish Bourbons. rality who may choose to demand such a mockery ; A glimpse into the ancient preserves of the wig and observe, we say, all this variety of necessary and mis- gown will repay most Reformers. The good old times, chievous, wise and unwise, valuable and vexatious, bat no doubt, are almost over, but we may judge what sort certainly stringent, regulations, which are enforced in of things were formerly in esse, when we see such an the celebration of marriage in the English Church ; and office as that of the Six Clerks abolished at an outlay then turn to the Presbyterian minister, who can unite as great as Jamaica costs us. The old system, however, his own people in his own way, and at his own time, and, is gone, and we shall see after Easter,, on Mr. Watson's above all, who is not bound to profane the ceremony motion, how far the compensations have been fairly or which he respects by administering it to scorners. Any unfairly, parsimoniously or prodigally dealt with. But one, we think, who regards the religious solemnity as law reForme, it appears, have not prospered under the more important than the fees by which it is attended, Peel Administration. The appointments made by the will think that the Presbyterian has indeed little to com- Tory Government have been enough to sicken the plain of in point of freedom of conscience or dignity of country with the name of law reform. Salaries have position. A grievance, however, has at last arisen. A been raised with the usual consequence, that the indivi doubt has long existed whether marriages performed by duals selected hive smaller qualifications. In respect a Presbyterian minister, between parties of whom to the Commissioners of Bankrupts, the old and experi both were not Presbyterians, were valid at law. Those enced provincial practitioners were discarded, and broken ministers, naturally perhaps, but, as the event has down Tory hangers-on preferred. Mr. Foster, of Man shown,. not very considerately, eager to extend the chester, was superseded in spite of great experience, and sphere of their services, chose to disregard that doubt, a place found for the inexperience of Mr. Phillips. Mr. and to encourage persons not members of their own Brandt, of the same district, was forgetten, in spite of communion to be satisfied with this disputable form of extensive knowledge and established powers of use marriage. At last a prosecution for bigamy has raised fulness ; and Mr. Skirrow, in spite of incapacity, the question in a court of law, and the ablest and equally established, was appointed. To the gentlemen soundest lawyers in England, including Lord Cotten- so able and so experienced compensations must be al ham, the last man to favour any extravagant claims in lotted ; how much we cannot say, but to a considerable the Anglo-Irish Church, or to cast a slight upon any extent. To the gentlemen now upon the bench large body of Dissenters, have pronounced that the law—the salaries are paid ; and it sha'l be for our readers to say ancient law of England—the law as it stood centuries how the public has gained. The fault, however, is with back, in the time of Lord Cottenham's great grand- the Chancellor, and not with the Act of Parliament. If father, and previously—did not sanction the authority he had contented himself with salaries to the amount of which the Presbyterian ministers have somewhat reek- 1,000/. or 1,2001. a year, the places would have been as lessly exercised. And now these same ministers— much sought after as legal places ought to be ; but they anxious, we suppose, to make up for their past indis- would have been sought after by persons who .did not cretion by present zeal—fly out, not against the judges want a Ten Hours' Bill, and who were equal tp their or legislators who determined the law - of past centu— situations. At present the public have an equal right ries, but against those who have been now the passive to find fault with the Tory Treasury for fixing salaries instruments of declaring that law—Lords Cottenham too high, and with the Tory Lord High Chancellor for and Abinger—against the Irish Church, " from the being contented with qualifications not high enough. mitred bigot," as one Presbyterian minister chari- They must further keep a sharp eye upon the super tably expresses himself, amidst the cheers of his animations. Every guinea paid in superannuation audience, " who misspends his time in the House of must be justified on the ground that the individual Peers, to the almost imperceptible m idge of a curate superseded was inferior to the individual appointed, that floats in the sunbeam of metropolitan patronage, or otherwise why charge the over-burdened funds of gasps for promotion in some obscure nook of the the country with unnecessary superannuations ?—why country." Presbyterians are told to "think on the superannuate gentlemen n-lio are perfectly willing bloody persecutions that their forefathers have endured to discharge old duties under a new system, and who, for these principles." They are told that " the State has for the most part, are as able, and in several instances pronounced their religion not to be Christian, their far more able to do so, than the parties for the benefit of members to be unbaptized individuals, and the acts of whom the supercession has taken place ? We contend, their worship to be unmeaning and worthless ;" and, therefore, that, look which way we will, there are as yet no finally, the Moderator of the General Assembly has results from this wonderful Administration which entitle issued an address to the ministers, bidding them to con- it to the confidence of the public. In foreign affairs it vene meetings, which he says "are to be pre-eminently gradually loses ground. In Irish affairs it gets worse devotional," but at which— and worse, losing character in registration Bills, popu e‘ In . addition to devotional services, the minister is at larity from its treatment of O'Connell, and strength from each meeting to preach or address the congregation from the the well-known inconstancy and irresolution of the pulpit, explaining to them the origin, progress, and present Premier. In Great Britain it has made no reforms state of the marriage question, and exhorting them to be worth mentioning, and some of the best attempts have fervent in prayer, and diligent in the use of every mens by been decided failures. In legislation it does nothing use which their religious rights may be vindicated and their ful, and in administration nothing well. It is without liberties secured." cordial support in_ many circles, and, eerha to its supp ps, credit ; for cordiality in such circles is never given to a Minister who has good intentions towards the people. Sir Robert reel, we believe, has fair designs, and would fax rather conduct the Government on Liberal than coer cive principles. He would far rather be a Conservative, if such a name is to be endured, than be called a Tory ; but he would far rather be a Tory Minister—ay, we fear, an ultra-Tory Minister—certainly a do-nothing and phantom Tory Minister than be without place, than continue a few more years of public life without power; of Privy-gardens, without a bridge to Downing-street; of Tamworth in the House of Com mons, to its coronetted earldom in another place. Let any one see the position of the Ministry, and doubt, if he can, another moment. Observe the iron links of the Chirchman's chain, in which he binds the reluctant hand of every friendly Government; see the fetters which bind hand and foot the Tory Minister who presumes to breathe a sentiment inimical to their views of the mys teries of agriculture ; see the doom which awaits a Liberal Minister, in the antipathy of the Tory press, Irish as well as English, to the mere suggestion of de corous clemency to the great champion of the Irish people. For our own parts we see no use in such an Administration. It keeps, no doubt, the house aired, the fires warm, the roof dry, in the absence of the spirit and energy which used to inhabit Downing-street, but more than this it does not. But what a pass have things come to, when everybody feels that Sir It. Peel can be spoken of in such a way; and what is worse, that it is the truth. ADVERTISER.—In another part of our journal will be found most interesting information from Dublin —Mr. O'Connell's appearance at, and reception by, the Repeal Association. It may be remembered, it" 'Was insinuated that Mr. O'Connell's praise of the English— his just acknowledgments of the altered tone of the great body of the people of this country since their eyes were opened by the abominable trials, would have the effect of hazarding his popularity at home. Well, he returns. He appears among his countrymen, and re minds them how unwillingly he had made his last jour ney to England; but he boldly and undisgnisedly added that he now rejoiced that he had gone, for that though the " oligarchy were omnipotent, "he was glad to say he had found a spirit of concession, and a spirit of good will so prevalent among the people of Eng land, that he heartily rejoiced at his change of determination." These sentiments—this testi mony to the truth instead of diminishing the warmth of his friends, only increased their enthu siasm towards him. The account will be read with great satisfaction and greater hope by all good men ; tor, as it is said, " war is a game kings would not play at were their subjects wise," we apprehend the power of party, or aslendancy, would soon cease to be of baneful influence to the general interests, if the people of differ ent countries can be brought to understand their own rights and welfare, to know how truly " party is the madness of many for the gain of the few;" and no longer to allow themselves to be the dupes and tools of factions. An immense deal has been achieved in a short time to enable the English to understand the Irish and the Irish question ; and hence we augur the most favourable results for the amelioration, security, and stability of both countries. Injustice to Ireland has been the grave of many an administration—and Peel and his Government, although backed by the Iron Duke, will not escape the common fate. There are black and ominous gatherings already in Downing-street ! Mr. O'Connell proposed, most honourably to himself and usefully to the cause, that it be referred to a Com mittee "to prepare an address of gratitude to the people of England." The rent for the week will amount to above 9001.—curious proof of the diminished feeling towards Mr. O'Connell for doing "justice to England." MONEY MARKET and CITY NEWS. FROM THE MORNING PAPERS OF THIS DAY. CITY, TUESDAY EVENING. TIMES.—The premium on gold at Paris is 131 per mille, which, at the English Mint price of 3/. 17s. 10id. per ounce for standard gold, gives an exchange of 25 49 ; and the exchange at Paris on London at shot. being 25 65, it follows that gold is 0.64 per cent. dearer in London than in Paris. By advices from Hamburgh the price of gold is 4341 per mark, which, at the English Mint price of 3/. 17s. 101-d. per ounce for standard gold, gives an exchange of 13 91; and the exchange at Hamburgh .on London at short bcing 13 101, it follows that gold is 0.34 per cent. dearer in London than in Hamburgh. The course of exchange at New York on London is 1081 per cent., and the par of exchange between Eng land and America being 109 23-40 per cent., it follows that the exchange is 1.33 per cent. against England. But the quoted exchange at New York being for bills at 60 days' sight, the interest must be deducted from the above difference. a perusal to f CHRONICLE.—Our attention has been directed to an article on the currency in the Foreign and Colonial t C2 ho ua se rt whoerl y Revi ew feela n i f n o t r er A e p st ri i l n , wahleichquwesiltliorney t is written by one who evinces perfect kno w ledge of his subject, and who makes the best use of his materials, placing his views in a clear and well-defined light, and endea vouring so to arrange discussion as to proceed step by step until he arrives by demonstrative means at the wished-for end. Me lap: down the proposition that the " regular fluctuation in the country circulation, which takes place at specific priods of each succeeding year, is a sufficient proof that these results are regulated by the seasons, an I not by the influence of the bankers." He, therefore, defines them to be the " laws of the cur rency," as neither caprice, nor avarice, nor ignorance, could produce such uniform effects. The following table shows the gradual falling off that has taken place in the country circulation :- 1839 1840 1841 ..,....., 97:66761::694:36 1842 1843 The Reviewer accounts for this extensive reduction by three different causes, the last of which we l e a. upon as the most powerful—namely, by the htilures of pri vate banks, by the merging of others in joint-stock baOcs, and by the arrangements made with the Bank of England by several country banks who have withdrawn their note=, and now issue Bank of England paper. The Reviewer is of opinion that unless our system of management, as respects the currency, be speedily placed upon a sound basis, a re-action will take place, and pro duce effects similar to those that occurred in the years §: -1 4 and 1§39,• We go r i g leol; nPcin the Lerneay' Rig gested in this article on the currency sufficient to pro tect the country from the anticipated chan ges , f or th e writer says he sees nothing that requires improvement in the currency of Scotland, Irelsi barong d, or th e wov i nces c t f . 1 - !gland, eNcept to admit large` companies within the limits of the Built Charter, both in England and Ireland, and placing all banks upon an oral footing with regard to the law of - partnership. He seeks no change in the constitution or government of the Bank of England, bet recommends to the Directors to adopt some principle that would save the country frcm the great fluctuations which take place in the amount of her issues. He says that " the monster evil is the increase of notes, when gold flows freely to the country," and he sug gests some remedy for this, showing, by the way, that his " laws of the currency " are not so immutable as the laws of the Medes and Persians. SUN.—Thu English Securities leave off well, Cousols being 99 to i ; East India Stock touched 2931. The Foreign Market was brisk, and Spanish Fives rose to 27 and 27 1 3 3 - ; the Three per Cents. being 38i- to 1. Mexican Bonds were 37 to 4 ; Colombian. 15k ; and Dutch Two-and-a-Half per Cents., 591 to I, being all higher, but especially the last mentioned. The additional transactions in the Railway Shares have been these—Birmingham and Gloucester were 7 ; Brighton 51 •, Blackwall 10,i ; Greenwich Preference ex dividend li- ; and Strasbnrgh and Bale Ili discount. Bristol and Exeter were 11 to I ; Caledonian li• ; Bristol and Gloucester 18 to 17i ; Edinburgh and Glas gow 15 ; Birmingham New Quarter 26 ; Manchester and Leeds Half 18+ ; ditto. and Birmingham 9 ; Nor wich and Brandon fiA• to 5 ; Northern and Eastern 12f ; North Midland Half 6 ; and Paris and Orleans 151 to 16 premium. The quotations at which three months bills of ex change were taken this afternoon, were a shade lower on Paris, frarnburgh, and Amsterdam. The following is the official return of the exports of Bullion from the port .of London for the week ending Thursday last : Silver Coin to Rotterdam B,OOO oz. 77 f 9 Hong-Kong . 8,000 „ t 9 ~ Belgium ~ Bars to Rotterdam 39,000 „ Gold Coin to Calcutta COURSE OF EXCHANGE.—(YESTERDAY.) Amsterdam CF. 12 O Gibraltar — Ditto, at sight l2 4i Leghorn 3O 65 Rotterdam 2U. 12 7 Genoa 25 95 Antwerp 26 0 Milan — Elamburgh M.B. 14 0 Venice 47 Altona l4 0 Naples 39 Paris, 3 days' sight... 25 70 Palermo, per oz ll7 Ditto 3 months ,___ Marseilles Bourdeaux 25 0 Rio Janeiro 23 Frankfort on Maine.. 122 i Bahia 23 Petersburgh, 3 Us... 364 Buenos Ayres — Berlin 7 NewYork,2ldys sight Vienna, etrec. fl. 3 M 958 Philadelphia — Trieste, ditto Madrid 364 Foreign Gold, bars.. X 3 17 9 Cadiz Uilbao 36 New Doubloons..... 0 0 0 Barcelona 36 New Dollars 0 4 9# Seville — Silver in Bars 0 4 Ili THE FACTORIES BILL. To the Right Honourable and Honourable the Metn b-.!rs of the House of Commons, the following statement of facts is respectfully submitted by a deputation of manufacturers and mill-owners, re presenting more than two hundred firms exten sively engaged in the cotton, woollen, and similar trades. Theybeg leave to say that the branches of manu facture which must be affected by any changes in the factory law supply thirty-five out of the forty-four millions of the exports of the United Kingdom, and, both indirectly and immediately, give employment to a large proportion of the British population. It is obviously of the highest importance that the mea sures designed to establish an interference with so large an amount of national production, and with the condition of so vast a number of individual pro ducers, should be based on sound and accurate in formation; but they regret to find much misappre hension prevailing in various quarters, and dangerous misstatements given to the world under the sanction of influential names. Sincerely anxious to promote and preserve the comforts of the operative, and to ad vance their condition in the social scale, they beg leave to state, that benevolence, when misdirected by erroneous representations, is almost certain to injure the objects of its favour, and they, therefore, earnestly request you to examine the evidence for the alleged facts, by which an interference with the hours of labour is attempted to be justified. The erroneous statements of which they complain, and a refutation of which they propose to lay before you, are chiefly contained in the Morning Post of March 16, arid form what purports to be the substance of a speech delivered by Lord Ashley, on moving that the duration of factory-labour for females and non adults should be limited to ten hours. Before enter ing upon the separate examination of these statements the members of the deputation have to complain that the data of many of the calculations and statistical in ferences brought forward in the speech attributed to the Noble Lord are nowhere given, and they respect• fully submit that it is unreasonable to demand assent to conclusions when the premises are withheld. How ever correct calculations may be, their results must be worthless if the measurements on which they are founded be erroneous ; and however true a statistical return may be, it can furnish no ground for inference if it be made up from partial survey and selected cases. Lord Ashley is represented by the Morning Post as stating that, besides other laborious occupations, the persons engaged in mule-spinning have to travel the following distances :—" In the mill which spun No. 14, the least distance possible to be travelled was seventeen miles, the greatest twenty-seven miles; No. 15, the least nineteen miles, the greatest twenty nine miles ; N0..30, the least twenty-four miles, the greatest thirty-seven miles ; No. 38, the least fifteen miles, the greatest twenty-three miles ; and No. 40, the least distance was seventeen miles, and the greatest twenty-one miles." This calculation is given on anonymous authority, but is said to have been made "by an eminent mathematician." We are not told whether this mathematician based his calculation on actual survey or mere guess, or on the statements of some other unnamed party ; and yet, on such feeble evidence, we find an attempt made to impeach the veracity or accuracy of Mr. It. H. Greg, whose knowledge of the processes of the cotton-manufacture is not surpassed in this or any other country, and whose character for honour and integrity is as high and unimpeachable as that of the Noble Lord to whom this speech is attributed. But, in truth, the decision of the question of distances requires no further knowledge of mathematics than is comprised in the use of a measuring tape, and a tolerable acquaintance with the four first rules of arithmetic. Now, it is obvious that the quantity of yarn spun by the mules in a given time will be the exact mea sure of the distance to be traversed by the spinner, who goes backwards and forwards nearly in a straight line. Taking the No. 30 yarn as that which is given by the author of the speech as the kind imposing the necessity of traversing the greatest distance, we have to state, as the result of our experience, that the average produce of such yarn, by a pair of mules, is from 20 to 24 h an k s , o f 840 y ar d s eac h , per spindle per week ; we have, however, heard of one instance in which the produce amounted to 28 hanks. Taking the extreme of 28 hanks, this will give a length of 26 miles and two-thirds per week, or about 4i miles per day ; and doubling this for the two frames, we find that the extreme distance travelled by the spinner is just nine miles per day. The distance to be traversed by the piecer cannot be estimated with similar precision, because it depends on the breaking of the threads ; and in good spinning it will happen that several stretches will be made in succession without the breaking of a single thread. In fact, the breakages will be few in proportion to the goodness of the cotton, and the perfection of the pre vious processes to which it has been subjected before it has been placed on the mule. It must be further observed, as is shown in the diagram, that the process of piecing or mending a broken thread of the yarn, can only be performed when the carriage begins to move from the roller-beam, and cannot be accom plished consistently with good work when the car riage has gone more than about twenty-four inches. Consequently, the " stloping" and "bending of the body to a right angle," described in another part of the speech, so far from being necessary on such yarn, is neither usual nor desirable. The nearest approxi mation we can make to the distance traversed is under eight miles in twelve hours for persons above thirteen years of age. We state this as the result not only of careful calculation, but also of actual measurement of steps paced over, and attested by Messrs. Hor rockses, Miller and Co., Paul Catterall, Son, and Co., William Taylor, of Preston, whose names we deem quite sufficient to give authority to the statement, and whose machines, it will be admitted, run as rapidly as any in the trade. Two instances havo come to our knowledge, one of eleven miles, and the other thirteen four-tenths miles, which the parties have given as the most ex treme cases they know of, whilst other cases have been adduced in finer spinning which did not reach five miles, a day. We have given the authority of our computation, and a diagram to facilitate comprehension, and we leave it to your candid judgment to deter mine between this plain statement and the unknown calculations of the anonymous mathematician. The next assertion to which we have to direct at tention is the alleged displacement of male adult labour, the substitution of that of women and children and the consequences which the author of the speech supposes to have followed from such displacement. Our answer to this assertion, or rather train of' asser tions, will be brief, and, we trust, satisfactory. Had any such displacement taken place, the number of adult males thrown out of employment must have produced a surplus of supply in the labour-market, and, consequently, the wages for all kinds of adult male labour would have fallen ; but no such conse quence has followed, and the wages for even un skilled m oo r of males, such as porters, carters, day labourers, &c., is much higher in the manufacturing than in the agricultural districts. The alleged in crease of the number of spindles, by double-decking, &c., only proves that breakages have been diminished, to a corresponding extent, by the use of superior cotton, and greater skill and expenditure in the pre paratory processes. They have not, therefore, added to the Wipe of the operative; and they have ziot i'displaced labour to any inconvenient extent, ns is , already proved by the rate of wages. We caanot see why there should be a greater ob jection to the employment of women in spinning and weaving than in knitting or sewing. The Scriptures inform us, and their authority is confirmed by the Homeric poems, that spinning and weaving have been female employments from the earliest ages. Female organisation gives a delicacy of touch which enables women to piece a broken yarn, to do a weaver's knot or thread a needle, with much greaters facility than men. A great many of the . men now employed in power-loom weaving are those who have previously been hand-loom weavers ; but young men avoid the occupation, or make use of it as a transitory employ ment, and only betake .themselves to it when the higher employments are fully stocked. So far as our experience has gone, the Lancashire women are not deficient in domestic knowledge, for the comforts in the cottages of the operatives are acknowledged by all who have seen them to be superior to those of the working classes gonerally,and are certainly infinitely above those to be found in the dwellings ofthe farm-la bourers. It is difficult to get. the women of Lanca shire to act as domestic servants on account of the lighter work and higher wages paid in the mills ; and this is the reason why so many of the domestic ser vants of Lancashire are brought from the agricul tural counties. There are so many statistical returns in the speech attributed to Lord Ashley resting. on vague and ano nymous authority, that we trust it will not be deemed disrespectful, if we hesitate in recognising them as evidence, until we know something of the sources from whence they have been obtained. We find medical evidence of ten years ago quoted as applicable to the present day ; the condition of the spinners who were brought do wn to very humiliating employments during the depressed state of trade in 1841, when twenty-nine mills were stopped in Stockport alone, and when the practice of workinc , half-time was common throughout the country, has been adduced as a picture of their general state; and, finally, we have before us the important fact, that the only one of Lord Ashley's witnesses mentioned by name in the report of the debate, was thoroughly discredited, and finally abandoned by the Noble Lord himself. We, therefore, do not feel called upon to answer, paragraph by paragraph, every assertion put forward in the name of anonymous statisticians ; we cannot tell how many of them were furnished by William Dodd, or how many observers of facts, equally trustworthy, may have catered for the array of dubious figures in the statements ascribed to the Noble Lord; but we shall show from the use, or rather abuse, that has been made of a foreign statistician, how little reliance can be placed on the anonymous collections of pre tended facts at home. The speech attributed to the Noble Lord quotes the authority of M. Villerme, to prove the tendency of the cotton manufacture " to produce coughs and pulmonary consumptions and early death." So far is M. Villerme from making this statement, or anything like it, that he strongly asserts the direct contrary. He does, indeed, att r ib u t e suc h a t en d ency to one branch ofi the manufacture as practised in France— the process of batting cotton ; but this process has been disused in England for more than twenty years; and M. Villerme himself states that the mechanical invention by which batting has been superseded, wherever he has found, it, completely obviates the evil. He also states that the same objection, but to a less extent, may be urged against another process of minor importance, that of carding; but the rising of dust and flue can only take place in an ill-conducted card-room ; in every modern mill in this country the cards are boxed up, and the dust and flue, in processes where they occur, are carried away by a revolving fan, which removes every inconvenience. 'With these exceptions, which are peculiar to France, and which scarcely, if at all exist in England, M. Villerme de clares that in all matters connected with ventilation, respiration, &c., the condition of nearly all the per sons engaged in the cotton manufacture is superior to that of the operatives who work in their own houses. M. Villerm6 deprecates legislative interference with factory labour, as of injurious tendency to the working classes. " Men may declaim on the subject," he says; " they may ask Government to prevent all evils, just as they would ask physicians to cure all diseases; but no amelioration of the operative's con dition will follow: it is not quite so easy to do good in this world as some people imagine it to be."—(Vil lerme, vol. ii., p. 343.) With this we shall conclude, appealing to your judgment whether legislation can be justly or safely founded on evidence which we have shown to be so utterly unworthy of credit. Signed on behalf of the Deputation, HENRY AS HIVITH. London, March 28, 1844. GREAT WESTERN STEAM-SHIP ',COMPANY. We publish to-day the balance sheet of the Great Western's earnings and expenses from the be ginning up to the present time. It will be seen that she has made thirty-two voyages, and has cleared on them about 33,8001. over and above her ex penses and insurance, of which 33,8001. there has been divided among the shareholders 20,3001. This is but a poor return for the great outlay which has been made, and the risks of the enterprising indi- Niduals who, to our country's honour, first solved 'the problem of steaming the Atlantic, not once, but regularly and systematically—a miserable re ' turn, indeed, for the benefits conferred on the nation. But when in England were public benefactors ever rewarded ? It would be perhaps almost as hope less to find an instance as to discover the longitude or square the circle, and infinitely more difficult to find the rule. In the case of the Great Western encouragement has not only been withheld, but competition and opposition fostered and assisted with the nation's purse. Both Whig and Tory seem, indeed, to have striven to crush the owners of this noble vessel, with a fervour which is increasing annually. Cunard's line began with an allowance of 60,000/. per annum, which was afterwards in creased to 80,0001. and now to 90,0001., while the Great Western is left without a penny of assistance to contend against such odds! How she has borne up against it surprises every one, but she has, and it is manifest to a profit, though not such as would justify the owners in continuing the contest if they could find a good market for her. There was at the end of last week a report in j town that the Peninsular and Oriental Company had bought her for 32,0001., of which it was said that 16,0001. had been paid down. It is quite true, we believe, that the Peninsular and Oriental Com pany have agreed to buy her—but the exact sum we are unable to say, though we think it is very likely to be 32,0001.—the sale, however, is not yet completed, though the terms are settled. The contest going on between this Company and the Bristol Dock Company relative to floating out the Great Britain, has created a considerable sen sation in the steam navigation world. Many roundly blame the Company for having built a vessel in a situation not to be able to get her out without a favour from another party. The fact we under stand to be, that when she was laid down it had been arranged with the Dock Company how and by what means she was to be got out, and that no difficulty whatever was anticipated up to the moment of the Dock Company making a claim, to which the Steam Company could not conscientiously submit. Then, and not before, a difficulty was started, and the Dock Company, which seems always to be governed by feeling and small reasons, were found to be intractable. An application, however, is reported as likely to be made to the Legislature, when these worthy conservators of mud and stagnant water may find it convenient to be more reasonable. By-the-bye we should like to know how it hap pens that the port of Bristol is virtually closed against the whole steam trade. Some forty years ago these docks were made, when there was not a steamer thought of, and when, indeed, sailing vessels of a much less class than now visited the port. At that time the dock gates were ample, but not for the pre sent time, when vessels have not only grown in size, but a new class has sprung into existence. To keep pace with this other ports have provided the accom modation which the march of improvement has shown to be needful. Not so, however, the Bristol Dock Company. They stand in unimproved state quo, and neither the fate of the William Miles in their crimping gates, nor the loss of the trade of the city appears to have any influence upon them. Their motto is, "these gates served the purpose of our fathers, why should they not ours ?" It is a fact, to the glory of this "do-nothing body," that there is not a Glasgow and Liverpool steamer which can get into the Bristol Docks, and only those in the Irish trade, confined to 40 feet wide ! !—Railway Magazine. DEATII OF A GIANT. —Last week Mr. Baker held an inquest at the Victory, Kingsland-road, on the body of Richard Turbox, aged 84 years. Mrs. Channess deposed that deceased lodged with her at No. 32, Tottenham-road, West Hackney. He was a pensioner of the East India Company, and was a remarkably stout man, and of extraordinary sta ture, being six feet and a half in height. Notwithstanding his advanced age he enjoyed very good health. On Tuesday morning, about nine o'clock, witness was alarmed at perceiv ing a few drops of blood on the floor of her room, which was beneath that of deceased's, and which fell through the ceil ing. She accordingly went up stairs and found him lying doubled up before the fire-grate, with his head against the bars. There was a wound on his forehead caused by a fall, and he appeared to be quite dead. Mr. Lewis, a surg,eon, was sent for, who pronounced life to be quite extinct. From the plethoric habit of deceased, Mr. Lewis attributed death to apoplexy. The wound on his head was not sufficient to cause death. Verdict—" Found dead." THE LATE ACCIDENT AT THE GLASGOW THEATRE. —We have learned with regret that one of the sufferers died yesterday morning in the Infirmary. His name was Wm. Wood, a young man 18 years of age, resident in Castle-street. It is believed that he received injuries by springing from the gallery ; but in whatever way they were got, the immediate cause of death was concussion of the brain. Three other persons were taken to the Infirmary, one of whom has since been dismissed, and the remaining two are doing well. Paper Qf Saturday. PARLIAkENTA RY REPEAL AGITATION, &c. (IRELAND). Return of all Moneys paid to Frederick Bond Hughes, Charles Ross, and John Jackson, on Account of any Communications made by them to Government relative to the Repeal Agitation in Ireland, distinguishing the Amounts paid to each; also, the Dates of the several Payments, specifying the respective periods at which they commenced; together with Copies of any Instruc tions given to the above-named Frederick Bond Hughes, Charles Ross, and John Jackson, with respect to the Duties to be performed by them in Ireland: — On the 29th September; 1843, Mr. Gurney, the short hand writer, was desired to send without delay a*Short hand writer to Ireland, for the purpose of reporting, for the information of the Government, the speeches de livered at public Repeal meetings in that part of the kingdom. Mr. Gurney, on the 20th September, selected and dispatched to Ireland, Mr. Frederick Bond Hughes, to perform this service. Mr. Gurney's charge on this account, from the period extending from the 29th of September to the 20th of October, 1843, when Mr. Hughes returned to London, is 2341. 18s. 6d. ; of which the sum of 45/. was paid to Mr. Bond Hughes when in Ireland, on account, to defray personal expenses incurred there, and has been deducted from Mr. Gurney's account. No instructions have been given by the Government to Mr. Frederick Bond Hughes. Mr. Charles Ross has received the sum of 681 foes report of the speeches delivered at the public Repeal Meeting at Donnybrook, held on the 3d of July, 1833. This sum of 681. included the expenses incurred by Mr. Ross in travelling to and from Ireland, and the in cidental expenses incurred by him while engaged on this service. Mr. Charles Ross was, on the 21st August, 1843, en gaged by the Government to report, for the information of the Government, the speeches delivered at public Repeal meetings held in Ireland from the 25th August, 1843, to the time when Parliament might assemble for the transaction of business in 1844. His remuneration for this service was fixed at 350/., exclusive of travelling and other incidental expenses. These travelling and incidental expenses amount to 55!. Total charged by Mr. Ross for reporting speeches de• livered at public meetings in Ireland, and on account of travelling to and from Ireland, and incidental expenses incurred in the performance of this service, 4731. Mr. Ross has received on account the following sums : 1843: July 10 August 24 l5O • September 25 2O November 15 3O December 10 5O 1844: January 25 5O 368 Balance due to Mr. Ross.... 103 £473 The instructions to Mr. Ross were verbal ; they were, that he should attend public Repeal meetings held in Ire land, during the period for which he was engaged, and that he should furnish, for the information of the Go vernment, accurate reports of the speeches delivered at those meetings ; and that he should take such notes of those speeches as would enable him to depose upon oath to the words spoken. No moneys have been paid by the Government to Mr. John Jackson ; nor have any instructions been issued by the Government to Mr. John Jackson. H. MANNERS SUTTON. Whitehall, March 26, 1844. A Return of the Amount paid to Frederick Bond Hughes, Charles Ross, and John Jackson, for Ex penses during their Attendance at the Trial of the Queen v. O'Connell and Others ; furnished in pursu ance of a Resolution of the House of Commons, dated March 1, 1844 : THE QUEEN V. O'CONNELL AND OTHERS. Paid to and for Frederick Bond Hughes, short-hand writer, for his attendance as a witness in this case 67 days, at 11. Is. per diem for maintenance, and 31. 3s. fur loss of time and in lieu of taking notes, Sze. during that period Expenses of journeys to and fro between Dublin and London . Paid to Charles Ross, newspaper reporter, for 37 days' attendance as a witness, at two guineas per diem Expenses of journeys to and fro between Dublin and London £2Bl 8 0 20 0 0 £3Ol 8 0 £77 14 0 20 0 0 £97 14 0 John Jackson : this witness neither ap plied far nor was paid any expenses whatsoever. WM. KEisIMIS, Crown Solicitor. Kildare -street, Dublin, March 14, 1844. COURT CIRCULAR. His Majesty the King of the Belgians arrived off Woolwich in the Princess Alice steam-packet from Os tend, soon after eight o'clock yesterday evening. His Majesty landed at the Dock-yard at a quarter past eight o'clock, and was received by Lord Rivers, Lord in Wait ing on the Queen, Captain Francis Seymour, Groom in Waiting to Prince Albert, and the Officers of the Dock yard. His Majesty, attended by Lord Rivers, entered one of the Queen's carriages and four, and took his departure for town. Captain Francis Seymour, and the Gentlemen in Waiting on his Belgian Majesty, following in another of her Majesty's carriages. The Royal party arrived at Buckingham Palace at ten minutes past nine o'clock, where his Majesty was received by the Queen and the Queen of the Belgians, attended by the Ladies and Gen tlemen in Waiting. Her Royal Highness the Duchess of Kent visited the Queen yesterday, and partook of a dejeune with her Ma jesty and the Queen of the Belgians. Sir Robert Peel had an audience of her Majesty yes terday, at Buckingham Palace. The Royal Family were taken airings yesterday _in the Royal Gardens. Her Royal Highness the Duchess of Kent, attended by Lady Anne Maria Dawson, took an airing yesterday afternoon, in an open carriage. M. Van de Weyer, the Belgian Minister, left town at twelve o'clock yesterday for Woolwich, to receive his Majesty King Leopold on his arrival from the Continent. A Cabinet Council was held yesterday at the Foreign office. The Ministers present were—Sir Robert Peel. the Duke of Wellington, the Lord Chancellor, Lord Wharncliffe, the Duke of Baccleuch, Earl of Aberdeen. Lord Stanley, Sir J. Graham, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Earl of Haddington, Earl of Ripon, Mr. Gladstone, Sir H. Hardinge, and Sir E. Knatclibull. The Council sat two hours. His Serene Highness Prince Edward of Saxe Weimar did Sir George Hayter the honour to sit to be painted into the picture of the christening of his Royal High ness the Prince of Wales. The Ecclesiastical Commission for England had a meeting yesterday afternoon, at the office in Whitehall place. The Commissioners present were the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Archbishop of York, the Bishop of London, the Bishop of Durham, the Bishop of Bangor. the Bishop of Chester, the Bishop of Ely, the Bishop of Hereford, the Bishop of Lichfield, the Bishop of Llan claff, the Bishop of Rochester, the Bishop of Worcester. the Lord President of the Council, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Earl of Besborough, Earl of Harrowby, Right Hon. Sir George Grey, and the Dean of West minster. A deputation of the Assam Tea Company, including Sir George Larpent, Bart., Chairman, Mr. R. Donnelly Mangles, M.P., Mr. Weeding, Mr. Travers, and Mr. Prideaux, had an interview with the Chancellor of the Exchequer yesterday, at his official residence in Down ing-street. Count Kielmansegge, the Hanoverian Minister, transacted business yesterday at the Foreign-office. The Commissioners for the Reduction of the National Debt had a meeting yesterday at the Treasury. The . Commissioners present were the Chancellor of the Ex chequer, the Governor of the Bank of England, and the Deputy-Governor. Mr. Higham, Secretary and Comp troller-General attended. NEW BILL FOR THE PREVENTION OF FIRE.--This , Bill contains thirty-two sections, with three schedules. The object of the Bill is to supply water engines by parishes, and to give rewards to persons engaged in the prevention of fires. It is proposed that the measure shall come into operation on the Ist of January next. There is a provision by which it is declared that the churchwardens shall pay the rewards mentioned, and then recover them from the parties, whether housekeepers or lodgers, where the fire occurred, or whose c hi mne y was on fire. In default of payment the parties may be summoned befoYe magistrates, and distress warrants is sued. The following rewards are set forth in one of the sche dules :-1. To the turncock belonging to any waterwork in • whose division of main or pipe water shall be found on, or into , which water shall first come on the opening of any plug, at any fire, in any building, a sum not exceeding 10s. 2. To the engine keeper who first brings a parish engine or other large engine, to help in extinguishing any fire, being of the required di mensions, and in good order and complete, according to the directions of this Act, a sum not exceeding twenty shillings. , 3. To the keeper of the second parish• engine or other large engine which shall be next brought, being of such - required. dimensions, and in order and complete, as aforesaid, a sum not exceeding ten shillings. 4. To the keeper of the third parish-engine or other large engine which shall be next brought, being of the required dimensions, and in order and complete, as aforesaid, a sum not exceeding five shillings. 5. But in every case in which the fire shall have been con fined to a chimney or chimneys, the rewards to be given shall be as follow :—To the turncocks and to the engine-keepers of the first and second engines only a sum not exceeding five shillings for the turncock and ten shillings to the engine keeper only. 6. To the person who first gives notice to the turncocks and engine-keepers, or anv of them of the district, - of the occurrence of any fire in such district, a sum not ex ceeding two shillings and sixpence. has j beenNsOE C felt N and l- O expressed rA CR L atE Glllt the announcedAN— . 3uh n s 0 l surprisei the Rev. Richard Corfield, M.A., rector of Pitchford and of High Hatton, in this county, and rural dean of this district,. and master of a seminary of some repute. The reported. amount of debts varies from 12,000/. to 16,000/., and no pro perty is visible to afford .any dividend to the creditors. ' Among the debts, about 4001. is alleged to be the savings of the Condover Benefit Society, for which we hope there wilt be some efforts made by the public to replace the loss by sub-- scriptions, as it is a lamentable prospect to the ag e d an d sick ' and provident poor who have yearly contributed to this fund, and fondly relied upon it as their resource before sink ing into the grave.—Shrewsbury Chronicle. CHATHAM.—Three detachments of the 58th Foot,. , stationed at Brompton, to the number of 108. rank and file,. will leave .Chatham in the course ' a lam next month for Deptford, there to embark - for New South "Wales, as convict , guards. Thirty-six men will embark on the 13th of. April at Deptford, on board the Maria Somes ; 36 on the- lbtla;en board the Barossa ; and the third draught of 36, on the on board the Angelina. About 3,000 men will be sent from , the various depots at Chatham to the East Indies, in then course of the present year, and the embarkations,,are ex pected to commence in the course of the enattiDy, ingrAtij, - ~-- V.) light Arrd• )afgh rlhigt a for Wet= -sly PaSh Net' ibota, back , yell SW. innate Eliza uebee iHblk, urora► Arrd, apart , ' :arna- Eldon, F'hils- Y. n but ressed Both d had s held 1 was ener l 4 2s 24 5s 2d; 24 5 0 elonit being ming licant finis whom ; and wino eived ing de re !xtra- nd 19 01.11° %fr. rho ion he ras ity