The Sun. — London, England, 1845-12-16 00:00:00

1. 1" 111 , Alice' er befo 0 0 en ?nee W 'ard )3° attends! Esti?. whestie e ; ) her S' ) .; of 1 '1) etb, iittegv„ a , if ter". False 1 71 led bi 1 Bowle s ' t y iohYdW ern „ IA 0 obnut - 0 ingse s ; 4 ? in P` TiYed gg ss of 014 00 01, n$ jo t ' ? 101' ae (SI. GREAT ANTI-CORN-LAW MEET- 110 ?king forward with anxiety to the arrival of the speech G TIM MULL. of the President of th e United States, which they might The L or d .. xp r o t e ttien tee e, titt',. witS dos:l:meet Mayur lot t h e Ci t y of L on d o n ti t .. I:; which he kite , F /it' C ()VC: Ilmeitt of this Conk try dill but "n PlianCe Ujill a requisition from the citizens, is ost like to face.—(llear, hear.) The United States- of respectably and numerously signed, called a public meet- America were now somewhat more extensive than they A ." for' yesterday in the Guildhall, that spacious building, were a few years ago; in fact, they had extended ell e a rn some time bef ore th e p rocee di ngs commence], became over the co n ti nen t. S uc h o f t h ese S tates as were vetted to excess. A few minutes past one o'clock the Lord situate inland or at a distance from any port Mayor came upon the platform, and amongst those who wanted to dispose of their produce to the best :.,e:Oltnpanied hi m we o b serve d Ald erman W oo d, Richard advantage.—(Haar, hear.) The St a t es h a d now a 1; hden, Esq., ALP, whose appearance was greeted majority in the Congreps, and it mi g ht be r e lied upon, W ith loud cheering ; Milner Gibson, Esq , M.P.; James that they never would meet this country upon terms of Esq, M.P. fur London; 1)r. Bowring, M.P. ; amicable feeling and mutual interest until they had free hittle Harvey, Esq.; W. D. Saul, &q. ; Ashurst, access to the m a rk e t s o f t hi s country. — ( H ear, h ear ) H e - --Norris, Esq., proprietor of the Railway Times; bad heard a great deal said about the protection of the ▪ Moffat, M.P. ; Reiltes Currie, M.l . ; - trestle, landed interest ; but he could assure that class that it i • o r: ; Wm. Willi ams , ; Sheriff Lawrie ; T. M. would be infinitely more secure an d sa ti s f ac t ory to th em It ° mann Esq. ; H. L. Keeling, Esq ; Ralph Ricardo, to have the corn-laws re p ea l e d a l toget h er an d a ll artili -49. ; Charles Perkins, Esq., &c. &e. cial prices for food.—(Cheers.) Until that be done, he At a quarter past one o'clock precisely would ask, how was the farmer to act ? How was he to , The Loap Mayon came f orwar d to the front of the tak e a farm ? What was he t o bid f or it ?—(H ear .) Platform and said—Gentlemen, I have called this meet- In fact, he knew not how to proceed while 1 2 t e' in compliance with a requisition of my fellow-citi- these corn-laws existed, for all was now et n "ns. most respectably signed, in order to afford you an fusion—(Hear)—and a confusion so great that the r"ortunity of expressing your sentiments on the ques- present Ministry did not d a re to face it—(Hear, he a r)— th at of the corn-laws. I have now only to observe but it was for the electors of London to be now serious ia tl trust you will adhere strictly to the subject for and determined in the good cause, and they might t he rest _ discus s i on o f w hi c h y ou are assem bl e d, an d I d o assure d o f success. — ( Ch eers. ) su re you that I shall endeavour to secure to every per- Mr. Wm. Ila.wes next came forward. He said he attentive who wishes to address the meeting a patient and would not detain them many minutes in observing upon o 'ntire hearing—(Hear, bear) —and trust you will the resolution, for he was certain that it would meet passionately, —(Cheers.) the discussion of the subject calmly and dis- with the unanimous approbation of the ineeting.—(Hear, hear.) He would just call the attention of the meeting • T he LoMayor's Secretary having read the requi- to the fact, that the feelings of the country had now "an, signed by 1,230 of the electors, attained such a height in regard to the corn-laws, h h e LOR D M AYOR said he would now read a letter that the P r i me Mi n i s t er hi mse lf had be en conv i nce d st had received from Lord John Russell.—(Hear.) of the necessity for their total repeal.—(Loud cheers ) i l 4 + Lordship th en read the letter, in which It was but a f ew y ears b ac k th a t they had me t i n th a t ': noble w rit e r said that the peculiar po- hall, and declared in favour of a Bill—the Reform Bill— inin which he was at present placed would pre- and the Government of the day resolved to carry it; but nt 1 4 i„,nim attending the meeting. The Lord Mayor then even that was spoiled, not by those who had originated r ucinced or introduced it, but it was spoiled in its progress through mat DILLow, who said they were met to express an the Legislature by a few interested persons, who intro on on the existing corn-laws, and he suggested duced so many qualifications into it that it was rende re d the conclusion they should come to was, that the almost useless.—(Hear.) But now that the people were 144 -haws should be repealed.—(Loud cheers.) resolved to have a repeal of the corn-laws, that repeal so would briefly give his reasons for that must be without any qualification whatever.—(Chee rs .) ~,Sqestion, I n th e fi rs t pl ace , as conve y e d i n th e Th ey s h ou ld h ave a tota l an d e ff ectua l repea l of every ' o ration he was about to propose, the principle tax upon food.—(Cheers.) The meeting was aware the Protection was bad, false in theory, hurtful to heatth Mr. Cobden was present—(Cheers)—and therefore s l i t c lass protected, and injurious to the whole commu- (Mr. II.) would not longer deprive them of the 4 ,,; in the second place, it was a bad law in its ge- pleasure of hearing him.—(Cheers.) He was a citizen tt t application, but more particularly so in the present of this county, and had been received everywhere with toof this country ; and in the third place, it operated the greatest enthusiasm and honour, for he was indeed 40 4 partial and injurious manner at most times, but now regarded as the great leader of this movement. f i , s t'e decid e dl y so w h en f am i ne stare d th e na ti on i n the M r . C OBDEN th en came f orwar d, an d was rece i ve d 7 as it now did. Some four years ago a law was with the most deafening and prolonged shouts of ap t for a sliding-scale, but what had been the result? plause. When it had subsided he said,—My Lord 4, 1 it produced the wonders promised ?—(No, no.) Mayor and brother electors of the City of London, Qpregulated the supply in a legitimate manner ? although I have been almost living in public meetings pi (), no.) Had it not turned out a total failure 7 in various parts of this country for the last fortnight, " of "Yes, it has.") At that time many honest yet it was not until I had come here and witnessed of them. differed from the sliding-scale, and advocated a force of the strength which this great move the. duty.. That opinion was thought the best adapted ment now enjoys. —(Loud cheers.) Hitherto we have li k f to the exigencies of the country. Circumstances been dealing only with the exhumation of the body fe r el tanged since then, and now lie was an advocate politic ; it has already received a goodly kick in Lanett fixed duty no longer, but for absolute free trade. shire, and a blow of no inconsiderable magnitude was ts.,Zold cheers.) He could advocate such a view in the also inflicted on it from Edinburgh.—(Loud cheers.) But t ot state of the country. But in advocating the now at length the head is in motion. I h ave now e tetleal of the corn-laws, they should do so, not as brought with me a message to you from the north o f st P t t r tY question—not as a measure to benefit one class England. They are at work there for you ; they se . e expense of another class—but as a measure well have taken a position in this groat cause, and they tei ti l l ated to benefit the great body of the corn- have no doubt that you will sustain them with t y They sought not to benefit one class honour and credit to yourselves in this great move -4 par ty. but to benefit every class of society. ment—(Cheers)—for what would this cause be with % e zvat difference of opinion prevailed in this country as out your assistance ?—the assistance of the inh a bit ants ke lib l. c omparative advantage of an agricultural or of a of the metropolis of the greatest commercial empire in th e '" wh acturine- P opulation. There were those amongst the known world.—(Cheers.) The importance of ke t i advocated the existence only of an agricul- every movement which takes place in this city is mt P°Pillation, and said it was greatly superior to a felt and acknowledged in the most distant parts th ufaeturing population ; but how absurd was it in of the civilised world.—(Hear, hear.) And let me 11 4 ,, 1 tga to entertain such a view of society. How could ask then, can laws be suffered to exist which 11,4 to back to an agricultural state of society ?—(Hear. would have the effect of convulsing the mercantile opera ef would be as easy fur a man to return to the age tions of such a vast mass of people?—(Cheers.) Why i t "uhood, as it would be for this country, advanced should we not be so circumstanced as to be at perfect %tit, sc. i 'as in civilisation, to return to an agricultural liberty to exchange the products of our industry for that o t society. But if they were to return to an agri- food which is offered to us with an open hand in aerial state of society, what was to become of our ma- every country of the globe? Who are they that *lre Lures ? Were they to be destroyed ?—(Cries of will not permit us to do this ? Oh, we 4 t -t, o ', ll( i'i') No, it was perfectly absurd, it was mon- must find them in Buckinghamshire and Essex.-- ~Nel l -4 was perfectly ridiculous to hold such an argu- (Cheers and laughter.) In Essex they had the great Essex.— Nu , 111 the present state of society.—(Great ap- protection gathering ; and they tell us that that which 4 .*) What was the question which agitated the coun- is to stem this mighty avalanche—this great movement te lt i• this moment ? It was, whether an agricultural —is to come from Chelmsford.—(Laughter.) Now he ,f il lonfacturing state of society was best ; but let could not better illustrate our position, than by taking a 4 oprund those thousands who had started this ques- glance at what they have been doing in Essex. Let us kei t hat there was a population more to be eared for, see who they have got to join them in their cause ,and kta:Pre to be feared, than either an agricultural or a what are their chances of success.—(Hear, hear.) Essex, Vtp b a cturietg, and that was' a starving population.— we are told, is fertile in wheat, and, as a friend near me tfki e - ' 4 ".) now were they to deal with them ? Would has suggested, very fruitful in calves.—(Great laughter.) •.( N . *der stop them—would curry powder feed them ? Now I believe that all the wheat the Essex people have del %D s ,_ l '°.) When first he heard of the Noble Duke's to sell comes to London. You are the customers to the was amused at it, but upon more serious Essex growers. You buy it and pay for it; and, I believe, s h• ~ leis indignation was moved, because he saw in give a higher price for it than would be obtained in any .2JI to believe that it was the intention of the other market in the world.—(Cheers.) But then you say N I Duke to excite the stomachs of the labouring you want more, and must have it. But then Sir John ` 4 ,11 - 1 : 1 ° 11 , for the purpose of making them content, Tyrrel calls some people together, and they tell tte t hq 4 jetly as possible submit to starvation. What you that there is enough for you in Essex, sht, i t 6 arguments in favour of the corn-law? Why, and that, therefore, you shall not buy any more. That L r t thew s said that agriculture was the base of society. is exactly a fair epitome of what the great mass of the et make the base as broad as they possibly could. people of England are told by the landlords of England. 141( the - extend it to other countries. It was —(Hear, hear.) But you tell them that you will buy Dtak,ehat would they do in time of war, if they re- wheat whenever you like, and that you have a right to 4 hrli et t e corn-laws ? Why, let them remain at peace, buy as much more as you can, after having got all that t hemmti ti make it for the interest of other nations to they need in Essex.—(Laughter and cheers.) These L° l ll4„, lt t Peace with them. Let them buy their corn gentlemen of Essex are rather bold, considering that ~7erica when they could not produce enough in their you are their customers.—(Laughter.) Now, it 1 3,11. • e rrY, and then America would not go to war with is the custom in the City for men of busi 13rr let us look at this for a moment. In the first ness to be courteous, and civil, and polite to • he ' by whom they are enabled to keep pshoptre Could never understand how the present system those Y Was calculated to advance the resources of the their shops open. But the Essex gentlemen are rather th„Y , or add to its prosperity. He thought the interest above their customers. There is wheat ; o be had in Ne;Proprietors must increase with the prosperity of Russia, in Poland, in Spain, and in America, but if we ii nt rY, for if there was an increase in the supply of attempt to seek these markets for a supply, in steps this - ,"eit- tt Would be necessary for the landlords to improve law and stops us, unless we pay an enormous duty.— etii )el ° Ps- Besides, when there was a great demand for (Hear, bear.) But we have been told there is enough of illeyr,Y., of food from abroad at hand, there was a ten- food in the country. One gentleman who has addressed Or t r o 7 increase the price of corn in those countries, and you (Mr. Wilkinson) said there was no scarcity in the i'utsp et re enable the growers of corn in this country to land.—(Hear.) Judging by the capacious spencer of the tat !, with the foreigu grower. Food was necessary Hon. Gentleman, there does not appear to be—(Laughter) It cstild ; ; !asses of the people, and therefore those who —judging, I say, by the capacity of his spencer, lie ap ,l s e , l 'lz it do wrong, while they do not hesitate to pears to be well filled.—(Renewed laughter and cheers.) e h to th e eapen their own luxuries.—( Hear, hear.) It No doubt the Hon. Gentleman has enough.—(Laughter.) Eta boast of Huskisson that he had expunged from There seems no scarcity there.—(Loud laughter.) Now, ante-book the word " prohibition."—(Cheers.) to all who think with this Hon. Gentleman, all who sup ty h the boast of the people of the present day that pose that there is enough because they happen to be 14 0tite ld expunged f rom the stat u t e -b o ok th e wor d we ll fill e d, I w ill sa y, w h a t i s th e o pi n i o n of those who f r ti ° l L —(Cheers.) Let the Government pass hare not so good a spencer as that gentleman appears to \ th e the repr ess i on an d th e p reven ti on o f cr i me , and h ave ? Wh a t d o th e y thi n k w h o h a ppen n o t to b e s o ti ny ; 1 1 1 1 too have taxes—as few as possible—(Laughter) well filled respecting this question ? Let those who $l;% maintenance of the State ; but let them hare no wish to know whether there is a scarcity or not go to 10s, N ' e h wouldoperate as a premium upon famine.— Bethnal-green, in the neighbourhood of Spitalfields, and In the spirit of those observations he begged hear what they have got to say respecting this momen- Il t ‘r. e t: " the first resolut;on.—(Cheers.) tous question.—(Hear.) They at least will say, 'we do t o ,,tai d -aano came forward to second the resolution. not at present get plenty of Essex bread.—(Cheers.) If that if it bad been necessary to apply talent there is plenty in the land there is no useto go 3,000 miles i t igs f:eondin g of dohstat resolution, be would not have to America for a supply ; but if there is not plenty, t, t tled Ward to - then that system which prevents the people from receiv lo ° it,;" Sr self-evident, that it carried conviction ing a supply must be an unrighteous system.—(Loud gay s a nd. therefore, it would not be necessary for him cheers.) Every law is bad, and to be condemned, that fe t tie r , ° rd in support of it ; and, indeed, the talented interferes to prevent a supply of food to the people of k ek k w ,iitlent gentleman who had proposed it left him any country —(Cheers) Now, gentlemen, with regard 4t114,, t(1 to say in addition. He begged to second the to the protective societies, of which we have heard so w* -- (Cheers.) much. They tell us confidently that there is a sufficient Q.) tt le ittlsisos; said he wished to speak on the reso- supply of corn and potatoes in the country. If this is o ° , r e it was put. He was as determined an so I wish to know what is the matter in head t, toe corn-laws as any of them, but he could not quarters ?—(Loud cheers.) If there is no deficiency in krititte t he conclusions that many ' had come to in the potato crop, what have w . e got wrong in the Cabinet? th t tlk4;o e ' le question. Had it not been for the violent —(Renewed cheers.) Daring the last session of Par ee'ru' Jilted by many of the advocates of free-trade, liament, near to the close of it, judging from appear 1604lise,"%wa might have been repealed.—(Uproar.) antes, Sir Robert Peel and Sir James Graham were re -15,1a. r ?': that such parties had materially arrested veiling in the luxurious idea that power and place were 4 t‘pt e r3 " rs "a of free-trade.—(lncreased uproar.) likely at least to last a lifetime.—(Cheers.) But now Ik t , N e i % it bed been said that at present there was a we hear that this strong Cabinet is broken up, and if there °r food in the country. He did not believe were nothing wrong about the crops, and no scarcity of *i s was .—(Great uproar.) He maintained food, what the matter can be I want to know ? (Cheers.) tad hero no no deliency of food.—(The speaker No, gentlemen, there are ominous signs in the sudden `ks Yeliir`c'PPed by a tremendous burst of hissing rupture of the Cabinet.---(Hear, hear.) I believe it is tik etti tPec t "g, which lasted for several minutes. based on some reports received respecting the crops . in I not r+ after the exhaustion of the first volley of Ireland, and in many parts of England, reports informing I , L s shouts, attempted to go on, but after several Sir . .Ro)ert . that the evil is much worse than kos L s mesisted.) any intimation the public have yet received, that Ilea taken place. Since ti r S - 7 0 4b Mavon came forward and requested the this sudden break up Llis‘ Rrt r 4i :e a patient hearing to Mr. Wilkinson. I have come i nt o this hall a g entleman has p ut r Y of N again oessayed to speak, but after the a printed statement into my hand respecting the potato several sentences, which were inaudible to crop ; and I may add, no gentleman that I . know of . is '9l▪ (' Tntediately around him, on account of the better qualified to give a statement on the question ,l`:rl) o ,,, S uoUts with which he was assailed, he stood than he is. He says, in the paper in question, that 4, 11: 7 4 .-e rev • iring amidst loud and indignant cries of the number of sacks of potatoes delivered in the port Is he °lnt" " Off, off;" 1, 0 gain sat d "We have had enough of of London during the three last months of the years of 1842, 1843, 1844, 1845, were as follows :—ln the ), ' 1 lib At own ' f 2r the A.YOR then took the sense of the meeting three months ending December, 1842, the number • le t tli "l e 3 Peaker should proceed, when the negative was 440,700 sacks ; in the three months ending Decem- L a1%% , ,,c 4 bY an immense show of hands. bet* 1843, 315,800 ; in the three months, ending De 'ti`4 de; -3 .ttlisoie then retired amidst loud and con- comber 1844, 381,800 sacks ; and in the three last I,"" y e shouts andcheers. months of the present year 1845, 195,400 sacks. Now, ~st k Ith`er th:" MAYOR having again put it to the vote gentlemen, what was the fluctuation in the price of to f sPeaker should be heard, the question met these potatoes in 1842 , 43 , 44 , 4 5. In the three forme r r • wil roer fote--namely, was negatived. of these years they ranged from 40s. to 90s. per ton. ttl e „ge or; ,"rion having bowed to the wish of the meet- In the present year the average has been from 105 . to k P • 1 > a nal resolution was put, and carried una- 150 s. per ton. I also learn from the same gentleman OM( he that of these twelve cargoes some were so bad, that they t , :s r 4 ae felt rsoN said, however trite might be the re- were cleared out to the lightermen, and given to them to ka• Peters himself himself bound to say that he felt perfectly carry away for the purpose of being converted into ma ‘41:41:41. 4 . t t h t. o do justice to the subject now under dis- - nure.—(Hear.) There was also an instance of one r tly t O l Was partly owing to natural inability, cargo, which, at the cost of 301, had to be dug out and ty,qs %Pose,. resolution touching the corn-laws.—(Hear.) have latterly been in every part of England, and I re tf?teeti, here i read a resolution to the effect, " That gret :9 say that the accounts of the potato crop coincided Ilk N ed 6 l aws, commonly called the corn-laws, bad with what I have stated regarding the port of London.— th Protection to any existing interest in the (Hear.) I believe that by 'next spring—and it is my !se i ttlttesearttthey had engendered strife amongst diffe- duty to state it—there will not be a sound potato to be *ee ) h at tha t borne, and hostility against us abroad, applied for the purposes of seed.—(Hear.) It is easy fur p.. sliding -scale had effected . none of . the our dukes and squires, maundering like old women, to tltt`r, 41 1 th e to ees itricl eliee evils that had been predicted of it.— say there is no scarcity, and to attempt to arrest the at I ts I th aW s a t were rs-) Now let them look at the conse- opinion in favour of free-trade. They can go out ere likely to result from persisting in to shoot and hunt during the day, and when they tl i qto,qe ar u n the sth of January last there were only come in they can regale themselves with venison, tON"uero to rs of corn in the market, while on the champagne, and the like dainties. With them there is O'e lin !s a superabundant supply ; but from this no scarcity not so with the people.—(Hear, hear.) 4, 3 ' taw 'le to derive tiny benefit. He would con- But these men are 14norant of what is going on in the tit 8 1 , r n _tZ_ this resolution.—(Hear, hear.) cottages upon their own estates ; and, being ignorant, .:1 3 i t) , 1 1is t r E v seconded the a lresoution ; but he deli- are unprepared with a remedy for the evil which " t 1,9 th i e t o i .*_e ations in Si) low tone that it was im • is impending. I am quite certain that before Eit he ear •However, he was understood to the fine weather of next spring sets in, that 4 4 Is ‘vil iela 4d great pleasure n seconding the resole- whole districts will be dependant on charity, w as put and carried amidst loud cheering. and in consequence will be flocking into the `; 1 14 t 4 . 14 th 4 tt ft t l s PERRINs proposed the next resolution. great cities and towns for relief; and you in this great Ztv ,:e id inater r f e ,r so t l h u e tion entrusted to him to propose city will be called on to subscribe to saVe the starving grave and serious consideration peasantry from famine. And what is the state of things in g. as well as for all persons in this country respecting the Executive of the country?—(Hear, hear.) ;;. re ad manner connected with the land. We have no Government. Sir R. Peel has taken flight resolution, he proceeded to say on the first operation of his sliding scale.—(Laughter . t(N: 111c1 ask 7 eief, eu , the people to look at the and cheers.) Though possepdng a majority of ninety in t ih . y h argil ernbarra;sing position of the the House of Commons he has ran away 1441 . 4ii r ti e e ti t t ii i ii e l y f oer t t N ' t latr Y----.. 4 " of the re.igaetion of the presto, from his own handiwork.—(Hear, and' laughter.) lb " ea r-) T' 'l' • imetry had looked about in This does not show much pluck on his part.—(Renewed or a means of escape, but laughter.) But he has not even told us what he intended had „ cart ould not shrink from the responsibility to do. On this occasion he has put on as much mystery ` u ed .—(Hear.) This country was now to the free traders as he did to the agricultural interest THE S UN, LONDON, T [TES DA Y MORNING, DECEMBER l6, 1845. when he first brought forward his altehztions in the tariff. Nobody knows what he intended to do. We only know th9t he hag run away from t‘trice—that he has lett the ship without a helmsman.—(Loud cheers.) On the first signs of danger his courage failed, and he retired.—(Cheers.) Lord debt' Russell was now called in —(This was fol lowed by loud and long-continued cheering.) We are all deeply interested in the public career of that states man; yet, notwithstanding that, I will say, as an elector of the City of London, that I wish, for the sake of our cause, that Lord John Russell was not her Ma -1 jesty's adviser, but that she should receive the Duke of Richmond in his place.—(Hear, hear.) Let him try to form a Cabinet, with Sir John Tyrrell in the Home office, and Colonel Sibthorp at the Horse Guards, and see the issue. Let them try a Protectionist Govern ment, and see what they call do.—(Hear, hear.) I am sure such an object -- such a Ministry would kill us all with laughter. If Lord John Russell undertakes the government of the country with 180 or 200 men only to vote for his measures, and support him in his position, at all events I am sure he will act in a much more dignified manner than the Minister who has ran away with a majority of ninety behind his back.—(Loud cheers.) Suppose he does accept office, and stand by the people on this question—and that he will do so I am firmly persuaded—and supposing that he is defeated by the protectionists in Parham( nt, what follows ? A general appeal to the country. In that case what will you do in the City of London ? Why send four good ones.—(Cheers.) We must have four good ones and no shams.—(A Voice here called out, "We will have you for one.") No, continued the Hon. Gentleman, I do not intend leaving Stockport till I go in for Bucking - hamshire.—(Loud and enthusiastic cheering.) With you, electors of the City of London, it must be four or none. It must not be as at present, half and half—two voting on one side and two on the other—like parties in an action, firing the half of their guns on their own ftiends.—(Loud cheers.) When the election takes place, you must do as they do in America, have a ticket for four free traders, and go the whole ticket.—(Cheers.)—Four good men must be got to re present you ; two of these you have already got ; two others you must obtain.—(Cheers.) When the time does come for taking the sense of the country, you will have to set the example. Your election takes place first, and you must make it such as will be felt in every part of the country. I know you will do it, for your registry has been right well looked after these last two years. 'With tegard to the metropolitan boroughs, I am sure they will not return any curry powder candidates, but deter mined supporters of free trade.—(Loud cheers.) Middle sex will be safe, as will also every large town in the North. We shall have Edinburgh and Glasgow; and do not for a moment think that a protection candidate will go for Bristol or Newcastle. Give us a general election, and we will carry a repeal of the corn-laws.—(Loud cheers.) We will command the unanimous voice of the Members returned from every large and powerful constituency of the country.—(Cheers.) Do the calf representatives of Essex think that they can stand in array against the power and the wealth of this great country on such a question as this 2—(Hear, hear.) If Lord John Russell stands to the principles declared in his letter, and I am sure he will, the country will be at his back. He will also have the support of a disin terested organisation at his back, who seek to obtain neither place nor power, but whose only object is to free industry—to emancipate the commercial, the middle, and the working classes from an injurious monopoly— (Hear)—and who, having once accomplished that great work,will be fully satisfied with it as their reward.—(Loud cheers.) The time has gone by for tricksters and chicanery men to deal with us. The country wants honesty and straightforwardness—an honest man to speak plainly what his opinions are—to print them and put his name to them, so that they might be brought to bear against him in future times if he attempted to vaccilate. That man we have long looked for, and we have him now. —(Cheers., Now, gentlemen, it was said by one of the speakers who preceded me, that four years ago the League would have been satisfied with a compromise. Gentlemen, I can only say, that for my own part, I would never have been a party to any compromise of this question.—(Hear, hear, and cheers.) I never looked to a repeal of the corn-laws as a matter of ex pediency, or a matter of compromise. I looked to it on the broad ground that you have no right to tax the food of the people—no right to prevent the industrious man from living by the fruits of his industry, and I say in principle we are bound to remove the corn-law, and by God's help we will remove it.—(Cheers.) But we seem to be talking of a compromise still ; for I see by the Mornina Herald—(Laughter) —I see according to that venerable authority, that if Sir Robert Peel had brought in this measure, he intended to have compensated the mono polists.—(Cries of " Oh, oh," and laughter.) And this paper goes on to say that a country which compensates slave-owners would never object to com pensate land-owners.—(Hear, hear.) Why, gentlemen, the difference is this, that we are not slaves, and do not intend to be so.—(Cheers.) I will telt,you the sort of compensation I would give them, if compensation they ought to have. They should take just that sort of com pensation which one of our city policemen would give if he traced out a lost piece of furniture—perhaps a last bit of furniture of some industrious artizan that had been stolen, and he had traced to the hands of a light-fingered gentleman. (Laughter.) The light fingered gentleman says, "I have been enjoying this piece of furniture for the last thirty years. I have been making arrangements founded upon its possession. You will not, therefore, take it away from me, without making me some compensation;" upon which the poor artizan steps in, as we will step in, and puts in the fflea of those who have been deprived of their own property for a long series of years, and says, " Compensation indeed, away with him to the police office, and let him have compensation there !" (Applause.) There is one part of the resolu tion to which I am speaking which I look to with great satisfaction, and I wish here to express my gratification t you for having passed a resolution wherein you direct, you request, and instruct your four Members to vote for a total and immediate repeal of the corn-laws.—(A. Voice, " We have not passed that yet.") But, gentlemen, it is coming, and I am sure you will pass it.—(Loud cheers.) It is the sort of language which electors should hold out to their representatives, and it is an ex ample that will be followed throughout the country, and there will be meetings everywhere of electors to instruct their representatives to vote for what is right and just in this matter.—(Hear, hear.) This is the true spirit which actuated our forefathers when they met in this hall seventy years ago, when they had to deal with the power of the great and arrogant dictation of an autocrat Ministry. To show that they did not quail before the crown of the Sovereign, look to that monument (pointing to the monument of Beckford) put up there to record an act of spirited citizenship on the part of one of your Lord Mayors when in the presence of a King. But, gentlemen, our strug gle is not with our most gracious Sovereign, she does not wish to have the interest of the people sacrificed, she does nut desire to reign over merely sordid men, she desires only to live as the Queen and Sovereign of a free and contented people.—(Applause.) No, your strug gle is not with the Queen ; it is with a section not most intelligent—not most disinterested—nor a most useful part of your country.—(Hear and laughter.) Your struggle is against a large section of the landed aristocracy of the country, whose everlasting struggles are to keep you, the people of England, within the nar rowest limits they possibly cam for the exercise of your skill and the reward of your industry.—(Applause.) They wish rather to live great amongst a little and impoverished people than to rise with the greatness and increased power of thole who will rise higher still if they will only allow claims to those beneath them.—(Applause.) Your struggle is with the mono polising landowners of this country, who are but a hand ful of men. Confront them with the people•of this country, and they are as but a cork upon the cataract of Niagara. Confront them with the millions, and they will shrink into their native insignificance. Founded upon injustice, their power will shrink from under them, and then they will forget to ask who will com pensate them. But they are not entitled to com pensation, because they will only be giving up that which they never were entitled to. They passed the bread-tax in 1815, but they never had a right to it, and it was passed under protest from the people of England. Why there are men living now, old enough to remem ber how the thousands assembled around the Mansion house to sign the petition against this tax, but it was simply against the tax. They prayed in a body the Par liament to give time to consider what its effects might be upon the nation. Upwards' of 40,000 names were put to that petition in one day. London was moved from its very centre, to oppose this infamous law. W e s a y, therefore, down with the idea of compensation—down with the idea of compromise —we go for the total, im mediate, and unqualified repeal of the corn -laws.— (The Hon. Gentleman resumed his seat amidst thunders of applause.) The resolution was then put and carried by acclama tion. Mr. P. TAYLOR moved the next resolution, which was to the following effect That our four rep resentat i ves be requested and instructed to support the re _ peal of the . corn-laws in th e C ommons House of Parliament." Whether they would all four do so he could not tell, but if they did not he trusted they would follow the example of Sir Robert Peel, and resign.—(Loud laughter.) Without mean ing to hold out any threat, he wished to commu nicate a little information to them. Mr. Cobden had told them that great pains had been taken with the registration of the City of London i n t h e last two years, and he !vas witness that there had been great attention paid to it. He was happy to sa y t h at there was not the slightest doubt that when ever an election took place, four thorough free• traders would be returned for the City of - London by a very large majority. Some gentleman said no, but the proof would appear by and by. In the spirit of these remarks he begged leave to move the resolution which he had read to them. Dr. BOWRING came forward to second the resolution, and was received with loud cheers. When silence was restored he said—My Lord Mayor and fellow-electors, I have been delighted at seeing the work of conversion going on even here. Against the first resolution three men had the courage to hold up their hands, against the second two, and against the third one. I believe now that those who oppose this resolution will not venture to show themselves at all.—(Hear, and laughter.) You have done your duty nobly and bravely to day, and the object of this resolution is to call upon those who profess to represent you in the riotise of Commons to do their duty. How delightful it is to wit ness the progress of this great question. When I see my friend appear before you who, in a spirit the most disinterested and most self•sacrificing, first came forward to orKtinise that aclmirtible work vtliose effects we now see visible in every part of the land, how little could I anticipate that here, in the City of London, his proposal could be received with perfect unanimity. How little did he expect that with one voice the people of the metropolis would now be prepared to declare that the time Fad arrived when the cere-iaws should be repealed (ewe and for ever. Whom have we convinced . ? From the Premier in the highest regions down to Punch himself.—(Laugh ter ) Everybody is now with us. The Premier is with us by deserting his friends, and we have now the secu rity that whether to-day or to-morrow, or the day after, no Ministry can long exist whose aim shall not be the total overthrow of the corn-laws. My friend has spoken of those who will probably be some of the new Ministers, but, I believe, public opinion would not be satisfied until a portfolio was in his own hands. He should be Press. dent of the Board of Trade.—(Applause.) He is the man to hold out the hand of peace and of frieted,hip to all nations.—(Hear, hear.) He is the man to teach mankind, as he has teaigh t his country - , that their interests are the interests of peace and commerce and extended trade, and to give a new tone to the character of the legislation of the land. —(Applause.) Gentlemen, I will not detain you longer. Yost ask obedience of your servants. You are the electors, and the masters, and have a right to ask it. You, in whose power the interest of the country, and the country itself, is vested, have a right to require, and you will require, that your views and your opinions should be carried into Parliament —namely, that Parliament should represent the voice of the people, and let me tell you that the voice which now echoes through England, and, in fact, throughout the world, shouts for the overthrow of monopoly, and calls out—Free trade ! Free trade for ever !—(Loud applause.) The resolution was then read, and carried unanimously. Mr. PATTISON, M.P., said they had heard the excuse of Lord John Russell for not being there, and that was quite satisfactory. Why their other two representatives were not present was best known to themselves. For himself, he had only to say that his principles were known to them all. Now, what was the case with the late Ministry? Why, they had fair weather all along, and when a speck came on the horizon they deserted their post. All they had now to do was to support his colleague, should he be called on to take the reins of Government. He could only say— for he was not addicted to long speeches—that he re quired no instruction, but was ready todo his duty on the question of the corn-laws.—(Hear.) In conclusion, he would request them to give three cheers for their inde pendent and uncompromising representative, Lord John Russell.—(The demand of the speaker was heartily re sponded to.) Mr. WANSET said he had to propose to them that a vote of thanks should be given to the Lord Mayor for his presidency upon this occasion. He had earned that honour from his having merged his private feelings in his public character. J. DILLoN, Esq., chairman of the requisitionists who had gone to the Lord Mayor for the use of the hall, said he felt bound to second that: resolution. He had waited on his ,Lordship, who mentioned to him that he was quite opposed to the repeal of the corn-laws, but, never theless, that he would not only give the use of the hall, but also would agree to fill the chair on that occasion.— (Hear and No, and some confusion.) The resolution was then put and carried with a few tokens of dissent. The LORD MAYOR briefly acknowledged the compli ment paid him ; and the meeting, after three hearty cheers for the repeal of the obnoxious restriction on food, separated. NATIONAL PROVIDENT INSTI TUTION. The tenth annual meeting of the members of the Na tional Provident Institution was held yesterday in the large room, at the London Tavern ; Charles Lushington, Esq., in the chair. Long before the commencement of the proceedings the room was crowded to excess, and at length the pressure was so great that the gallery was opened, and that also crowded. This full attendance was oviing to the circum• stance of Mr. Gosbell, one of the Proprietors, having given notice of his intention to move that the present Board of Directors should be ousted, and a new Board substituted in their place. This announcement brought up several subscribers from the country, and it was evi dent throughout the proceedings that the large majority of those present were in favour of the present Board of Directors. The CHAIRMAN, in opening the proceedings, briefly adverted to th e mo ti o n of whi c h M r. Gosbell had given notice ; and having congratulated the members on the prosperous state of the Institution, he called upon the Secretary, who read the followi ng REPORT " Encouraging and satisfactory as all former Annual Reports have been, the Directors are much gratified, on this the Tenth Anniversary of the Institution, to have to present to the members a statement of the business of the past year, far surpassing in amount every previous one, and exhibiting as the Directors confidently believe, an extent of prosperity which is unexampled in the his tory of life assurance societies. " During the past year, 911 policies have been issued, making an increase of 189 beyond the former year, and producing an annual income of 16,335/. 13s. 7d., and during the same period, the numb e r o f proposal; de clined have amounted to 113, the lives not having been deemed eligible for assurance. " This large yearly increase of business of the Insti tution has been effected, notwithstanding the competi tion it has to contend with from many new as well as old established offices a convincing proof, that th e more the benefits of the mutual principle of assurance (on which this Society is based) is known the more it is ap proved. _ _ " The total annual income now amounts to the sum o 70,8191. 14s. sd. " The accounts of the Institution, made up to the 20th of November last, have been subjected to the usual audit, from which it will appear that the capital stock of the Society on that day amounted to the sum of 241,4601. 13s. 3d., being by far the largest annual increase which has hitherto been made. "By the deaths of members since the last report, claims amounting to the sum of 21,230/. 25., have become payable to their representatives er nominees, and which have been duly di sc h arge d : th i s amount paid to the representatives of deceased members fully demon strates the benefit of life assurance, most of the members whose deaths are referred to, though in health at the time of effecting the assurance, did not live long enough to contribute more than a small proportion of the sum paid to their respective families ho are now deriving th e b enefit of the provision thus made. " The death of six annuitants has caused the sum of 1,6871. to fall to the credit of class 3. " The next division of profits will be made in Novem ber, 1847, and the Directors have no doubt that the re sult will prove perfectly satisfactory to the members. " In the early part of the year, in consequence of the large increase that had taken place during the two former years in the number of proposals, and the great accumulation of general business consequent there upon, presented weekly for the consideration of the longer l er matters t Directors, it beca me o b vious that i t was inn"- get pre s s h n g r e n u g p h o n , th ein a at s o a n t e i s w fac ee t k or ly y ni sib a l n e ner l , meeting ; and to relieve this pressure, and to afford greater convenience to persons attending , to make as surances, a second weekly board, to be held every Fri day, was adopted. In confirmation of the necessity and expediency of holding an addional weekly meeting, the Directors refer to the extraordinary increase of business since its adoption. " In conclusion, the Directors confidently trust that by a perseverance in the course hitherto pursued to in sure the stability of the Institution, and which has led to the successful results herein detailed, the members may have the satisfaction to witness a long continuance of that prosperity which h as th ro ughout so signally marked its progres s .' In answer to a Proprietor, Mr. CASH, one of the Directors, said that the Direc tors had expected that the price of Exchequer-bills would fall, and that they had accordingly been prepared to take advantage of the fall, by purchasing those securities. He assured the meeting that no more funds than were necessary were left in the hands of the bankers. The report was then agreed to unanimously. Mr. GOSDELL then rose to propose the election of several gentlemen in the room of the present Directors. He had no fault to find with the present Directors, who had done all they could for the prosperity of the Institution, but they had too much power. There were several of the rules of the Institution which required altering, and as the power of altering them was lodged in the Directors alone, he, with a view to get those altera tions made, proposed his new list. Mr. LLOYD seconded the nomination solely for the purpose of affording an opportunity for discussion. Mr. TYLER, who represented the great body of those who were desirous of seeing the rules altered, bore testimony to the honour, integrity, attention, and effi ciency of the present Board of Directors, but it was to prevent any future Board abusing their power, that he wished to see them altered, and more power given to the subscribers at large. The Honourable Proprietor, in the course of a long speech, went through the rules of the Institution, pointing out those which he considered required amendment, and concluded by moving, as an amendment, that the meeting do adjourn, in order to give the Directors an opportunity of more fully con sidering the subject. A long and somewhat acrimonious di scuss i on followed, in the course of which it appeared that the Directors themselves had already taken steps for the alteration of many of the rules. After this discussion had lasted nearly four hours, it was suggested that the amendment should be withdrawn, as the Di rectors had already taken the subject of altering the rules into their consideration. After a few words from Mr. G. TRosisosi in favour of altering the rules for the purpose of giving the general body more power in the direction of affairs, The CHAIRMAN said that he had consulted those Directors who were present, and that he thought he might say, on the part of the Directors generally, that they would be prepared at the next annnal meting to pre pose certain alterations in the rules, anal that the proposed alterations should be printed and cir culated among the Proprietors two or three months be fore the meeting. This announcement was received with loud appl ause. The amendment ani the original motion were both withdrawn. The Directors were re-elected, and a rote cf confidence in the Board of Directors carried by accla mation. Thanks were voted to the Chairman and the officers of the Institution. and the meeting separated. SOUTHAMPTON.-ELECTIONBERING MOVEM ENTS. - We unde r st an d th a t, owing to the near prospect of a dissolu tion of Parliament, Mr, Beste, of Botleigh Grange, is about to issue hie address to the constituency of Southampton, in accordance with the resolutions of the Reform Protectio n and Registration Association, and with the requisition p re . sented to him last year. From what we know of Mr. Beste, we are assured that no energy or exertion will be wanting on his part to secure the triumph of those principles which have recommended him to the Liberal Electors of South ampton.—Hampshirs Independent. - _ DIRECT LONDON AND EXETER THE PRIZE CATTLE-SHOW. RAILWAY. His Royal Highness Prince Albert honoured the Prize A very full and '.nfluemial meeting of the shareholders Cattle-Show with a visit on Saturday afternoon. in of this Company was held) esterday at the Lon; `„re Tavern, I The Prince left Osborne House, in company with her consequence el the call of the Chairm an oi the Coi n - Majesty, at nine o'clock on Saturday morning, and mittee of Ar.anagemerd, Sir Bruce Chichester, for the par- crossing in the Fairy steam yacht to Gosport, travelh d pose of he ar i ng a statement o f t h e i r a ff a i rs, and &terrain • t h ence by a special trainion the South-Western Railway. ing whet:ner the Company should be carried on or not. At the Farnborough station her Majesty alighted, and The proceedings of the meeting, which throughout was proceeded to Windsor Castle direct. Prince Albert, ex'remely stesiny one, were opened by attended by Major-General Bowater and Mr. G. E. Stir BRUCE CHICHESTER, from w hose statement it Anson, came on to Nine Elms, and arrived at the Horse e,ppeared that previous to his joining the Com- Bazaar, in King-street, in one of the royal carriages, mittee of Management the affairs of the Come shortly after one o'clock. dent c h i been carried of ca in ashare very tea t improvi- I Th e D u k e o f R i chmond, the president, Lord Port man, one of the trustees, and several of the stewards of been allotted only 28,000 had paid up th e depo s it, that the club had previously arrived, in order to attend the the produce of th ose d e p os i ts was 32,3951., that out of Prince through the exhibition. Major-General Wemvss that amount there bad been paid for preliminary ex- also reached the Bazaar about one o'clock, by appoint penses, 4,344/. 1 Is. 3d.; for engineering and surveying' ment, to meet his Royal Highness. expenses, 14,050/. ; tor law expen s es, 8,791/. 6s. ; Upon the arrival of the Prince he was received by the for advertising, 2,6391. 19s. 4d. ; for printing and Duke if Richmond and the other officers of the cl u b. stationery, 584/. ; for travelling expenses, 2361. ; ;His Royal Highness greeted both the Noble Duke and for rent, salary, &c., 557/. 15s. sd. ; for miscel- Lord Portman very cordially, and having exchanged sa lencous expenses, 1861. 3s. Id. ; to Dr. Blundell, lutetions with the vice-presidents, at once proceeded not accounted for, 512/. 10s. ; leaving a bal a nc e in hand into the cattle-yard. of only 4921. I ts. The announcement of these expenses, ; A rumour of the Prince's intention to visit the "show" and the statement of the balance in hand, created the having gone abroad, the exhibiti on was very much gmat , st dissatisf ac ti on i n t h e meet i ng. cr.: wdd during the morning, and with that which we The report of the Committee of Management having fear we must term the "customary" politeness of been read, a long and stormy discussion ensued, in the j English spectators, the very entrance to the yard was course of which several motions and amendments were densely pack e d with a gaping multitude for some time 'proposed, and it was admitt e d th at th e a ff a i rs of the i previous to the arrival of his Royal Highness. To such Company had been grossly mismanaged by the an extent did this vulgar —we will not call it "loyal " preceding Committee. Ultimately, amid great eon- I curiosity prevail, that when the Duke of Richmond led fasion, the following motion was agreed to:—" That his Royal Highness to the gate through which the Sir Bruce Chichester, Dr. Phillimore, and Mr. Cham- visitors were admitted, it required the united aid of about leers, be requested to form a Committee of Manage- half-a. dozen policemen to obtain a passage scarcely went, with power to add to their number. That more than a yard square. The Prince once fairly in the the Committee be authorist d to issue shares to I exhibition, the crowd, no longer stationary, dogged his the extent required by Parliament, with this condition, footsteps so closely, arid hemmed him in at every point in that if the necessary amount should not be subscribed so complete a manner, that it was a matter of the utmost for, the whole sum to be raised should be returned ; difficulty for his Royal Highness to observe with anything and that whatever steps can be taken without expense like comfort the points and peculiarities of a single animal. beyond the means in hand toward s placing the project And here let us remark that the crowd of whom we speak before Parliament, be so taken, and that the Committee was composed of that class for whorls the exhibition may of Management be requested to prepare a statement of be supposed to have least interest. The farmers and the accounts of the Company, and that a copy thereof butchers were most respectful in their demeanour be sent to every share and scrip holder. to his Royal Highness, while among the foremost to The report of Mr. Braithwaite, the engineer, was place themselves in direct contiguity with the Prince, read, and a vote of thanks was unanimously car- evidently greatly to his annoyance, were certain civic Pied to Sir Bruce Chi c hester, not only for his officials, whose d es i re to p l ace themselves in juxta-posi - residing over and callin g the meeting that day, tiun with royalty, had, we doubt not, more to do with but for the manly course he had pursued in endeavouring their presence at the cattle show than any other feeling. to uphold the interest of the shareholders. 'rhe bulk of the crowd consisted of that class of visitors usually abounding at popular exhibitions in London, • and observations such as—" Oh, there he is ! See how lie smiles ! He knows his own beast ; I told you he I would I"—greeted the ear in all directions. The Prince first examined, as well as the difficulties with which he was beset allowed him, the oxen in the first and second classes, proceeding thence to the sheep and pig yards ; in the latter the Prince was so sur rounded and pressed on, that several of his attendants were separated from him, and Major-General Wemyse and Mr. G. E. Anson here gave up all hope of accom panying his Royal Highness further. After walking through the gallery and inspecting the collection of implements there deposited, his Royal High ness returned to the cattle-yard, and made another effort, rather more successful in the result, to view the re rnainder of the animals. The Prince inspected minutely Mr. Fouracre's oxen, both of which have gained high prizes this year, and also Mr. Trinder's heifer, to which the gold medal was awarded. This beast has been modelled on a small scale by a young man named Walter, of Abingdon. The animal is take n i n a recum b ent pos i tion, and when the Prince arrived at that part of the exhibition, the beast was lying down. The artist was in attendance with a cast of his model in white wax, and his Royal Highness, observing it, took the same into his hand, and comparing it with the original, complimented the young man on the cleverness of its execution. We confess to an impres sion at this moment that the Prince felt more " at home " while criticising the work of art than in examining the respective merits of the oxen in the yard. His Royal Highness completed his inspection about half past two o'clock, and having thanked the Duke of Richmond, Lord Portman, and the Vice-Presidents of the club, for their obliging attention, took his departure irnmedietely afterwards for the Paddington terminus of the Great Western Railway, en route for Windsor Castle. his Excellency Count Reventlow, the Hon. H. Pierre pont, and Mr. Richard Lambert Jones, were among those whom we observed in the yard during his Royal High ness's visit. The exhibition clo=ed on Saturday night, and the ani• mals will be removed in the course of this day. FLANDERS, D UTCH, AND HAM- B URGH MAILS. THE HAGUE, DEC. 11.—In the sitting of the Second Chamber of the States General to-day, the central sec tion brought up its report on the project of law for the issue of paper currency to replace the old paper currency in cireulation in the kingdom. It appears from the re port that a great number of the Members have expressed their desire that it should be mentioned that the expla nations given by the Minister of Finance in the general Committee have been received with pleasure, and that most of the objections made in the sections to the pro ject of law are obviated by the information and the ex planations given by the Government ; so that the fa vourable opinion expressed in the previous report had been strengthened and confirmed. The report observes, that it appears that the penal does not sufficiently pro vide against the crime of forgery of paper currency ; that in the explanatory memorial accompanying the pro ject of law, Article 139 cf the penal code is quoted as applicable to this crime, but most of the Members think that it is not applicable, because when the penal code was enacted there was no paper currency in the kingdom ; they therefore think it absolutely necessary that there should be a special enactment against such forgery. The Chamber then discussed the project of law relative to paper currency, which, after a very long debate, was passed by a majority of 49 to G; the Government, at the suggestion of several Members, having added to the eighth article a paragraph against forgery. THE HAGUE, DEc. 12.—T0-day the Second Chamber discussed the project of law relative to the Treasury bonds issued by virtue of the law of April 20, 1834. After a long debate, it was agreed to by a majority of 34 to 21. In the answers to the observations of the sections on the proiect of law for modifying the ninth chapter of the budget of the expenditure (National Debt), it appears that the Government announces that it will shortly give an account of the course and of the results of the measure, the object of which was the reduction of the interest of the debt. At the same time it will lay before the States- General a project of law for prolonging the time for the issue of bonds at 4 per cent. interest. The Government is already able to give the assurance that the amount of this issue will be much less than was presumed when the law for the conversion was passed. G RONING EN, DEC. B.—The thunder-storm which passed over this city on the evening of Wednesday, the 3d of this month, was attended with several remarkable cir cumstances. Duthie. ' the day the sky w as covere d w i t h thick, dark cloud s . From seven to nine o'clock there were some showers of hail, and about half-past nine the storm came on, and a flash of lightning of the most In tense brilliancy was followed instantaneously by a tre mendous clap of thunder, with a shower of hail. It was Bared that the steeple of St. Martin's Church was struck, but it was found, on examination, that no damage was done, the sacred edifice having been saved by the con ductor, along which the lightening was seen to play for some time. lii the country about 200 sheep, terrified by the glare of the lightning and the total darkness which followed, ran wild and fell into the ditches, where they were drowned. BRUSSELS, DEC. 12.—The arrival of ships with car goes of corn continue. There arrived at Antwerp, yes terday, six ships from Odessa, and four from Marseilles. We have received: private letters from St. Thomas, Guatemala, dated the 15th October, which announce the arrival of the brig Jena. They also state that M. T. Kent de Rodenbrock, Commissioner-General to the Government of Central America, was in the colony. The sanitory state of the colony was satisfactory. BRUSSELS, DEC. 13.—The Chamber of Representa tives was engaged yesterday, and the day before, in discussing the project of law relative to the entrepots. Articles 29 to 60 were adopted, and the second vote was fixed for Monday. The papers contain numerous accounts of subscrip tions and plans for the relief of the poor, both in the cities and the country. DUTCH FUNDS.-AmsTsanam, Dac. 12. Money. Bills. Actual Debt, 2% per Cent-- .•• • • 60 603 E Mitt°, 3 per Cent .......... •••• • • 72% 73 Ditto, 4 per Cent. •• • 94% 95 Amort Syndic, 4 34 per Cent •• • • 99% 9934 Ditto, 3% per Cent ....... . • 119.0 90 Commercial Company, 434 per Cent • • 159 159 % East India Loan, 4 per Cent......... Exchange= London, at sight .....• • . 12 17 5 Two months. l2 07 5 On Hamburgh, at sight ... • 35 60 Two m0nth5......... •.• • • • 35 18 75 On Paris ...... - Two m0nth5....... -Dutck Papers, Dec. 13. HAMBURGH BORSENHALLE, Die. 12. Bills. Money. kitstrian S per Cents • •• • .... 113 Bank Shares . • • 1620 Anglo-Russian Loan 108 N inN Russian 5 per Cent., llamb. Certificate. 103% 102% Ditto Ist series Inscription ....... •. • 10414 - Ditto, Hope and Co., 3d and 4th series.. 99 Ditto, in Certificate.. ........ - New 4 per Cent., Hope and Co. •.• 91 Ditto Stieglitz ••••••••• • • • • • • • 90 89% Spanish New 5 per Cent • • •• • • ••• • • 20 3 4 2034 Ditto 3 per Cent ••• • • •••• • • • • 31 Anglo-Portuguese Loan, 234 per Cent.. - Dutch Actual Debt, 234 per Cent . 5 9 14 59 Ditto 3 per Cent. - Polish New 4 per Cent. Loan, 1844.... 83 Anglo-Danish Loan, 3 per Cent •• • 86 ssk National Bank Shares . ......... BELGIAN FUNDS.-Baussus, Duo. 14. Actual Debt, 234 per Cent .... - Rothschild's Loan, Five per Cent ........ - Loan of Thirty Millions, Four per Cent • ... - Ditto Three per Cent. Ditto Thirty-seven Millions, ditto - Ditto, ditto, 1840 .• .. •.• • • • .... 99% Ditto, ditto, 1842•........ Ditto, 1844,-. ••••• • • • • 95% Ditto, 1836.. ...... - Ditto, 1838 . . . 7434 Ditto of the Ctty, 1832 •••• • • .• • • 101% Ditto, 1843 ..... ......... • • • • Bank of Belgium. ... .••• • .. ..... -Brussels Papers. Due. 14. AUSTRIAN FUNDS.-SIENNA, DEC. 6. per Cent. Metalliques •• • • ••• • • • 4 per Cent. ditto- ••.• • • • ... 10334 3 per Cent. ditto.-- . Lean, 1834 ........ Ditto, 1839 .... Bank Shares ... Esterhazy's Loan 122 RAILWAYS. The Northern, or Ferdinand .• .•• • • • •• •• let Gloggnitz . Vienna—Milan ..... .......... 116 Leghorn ........ • ..... ................ 114% Sienna . . 99% Grosetto ...... .............. 92 Oldenburg 106 Pestoja •• • • ••• • • ......... •••••• • • • • • • •Allgametne Zeitunz, Dec. 9. A QUIRE COUNTRY.—A genuine Cockney, who had never before been beyond the sound of Bow bells, having occasion, a few days ago, to pay an official visit to the neigh bourhood of Glossop, in this county, thus describes the Derbyshire scenery :—" Huge mountains scowled upon us from all sides, and cataracts of water fell with fearful ♦elocity, while the wind howled with such terrific fury round the rugged rocks, that, imagining he was in the wilds of North America," he posted back to London with all imaginable haste.— Derbyshire Courier, _ A NomAwns FACT.—A letter may be received from Bedford at Paris before a letter from Bedford arrives at Shefford, being only nine miles from the Bedford post-office. —Bedford Mercury. EXTRAORDINARY ERUDITION.—In the window of a shop at Lockwood, near Huddersfield, is the following curious specimen of the march of intellect, copied verbatim :—" Bootee an Shoose sowld heare and Old Cloths woolesaille and retail. by J, Oldtield."—Leeds Intelligencer. STRAND SESSIONS.—A CENTENARIAN.—At the above sessions application was made on the part of a person of the name of Harris, a housekeeper, living in Holywell street, Strand, for a remission of the parish rates, on the ground of the 'applicant being 105 years of age. The col lector of St. Clement Danes stated that on account of the great age of the applicant he was relieved every quarter. The Chairman said that he could not think of taking a rate from a person so advanced in years. GOOSEBERRIES AT CHRISTMAS.—There is at pre sent growing in the garden of Mr. John M'Kay, Doura, parish of Kilwinning, a gooseberry bush which is bearing its second crop this season. The berries are well formed, though dimu • nitive ; yet, if not nipped by the chilling breath of John Frost, they promise fair to come to maturity about Christ mas, and this enable their proprietor to grace his board on that festive occasion with the unseasonable but not unwelcome delicacy of a gooseberry tart.—Ayr Adertiser. OPENnfo THE PORTS.--The Kilkenny Corporation a lopted, yesterday, a memorial to the Queen, in favour of edening the ports. The address, which is an admirable document, was agreed to unauimously.—Dublin Pilot of Wednesday. THE LATE HIGH TIDE. SHEERNESS, DEC. 12.—An event, which had well nigh proved destructive to an immense quantity of Govern ment property, occurred here last night about half-past 11 o'clock, by the rising of the tide to an unusual height, aggravated by a stiff north wester which was blowing at the time. Providentially the breeze gradually lulled ere the tide had reached its greatest height, otherwise the damage moat have th.en immense. The sea walls of the dockyard were completely overflowed, the water over the south wall rushing into the fitting basin and raising its waters to within a foot of the top of the walls. Over the north wall the sea beat furiously, encircling the superintendent's offices and boat-house, and meeting with the water rushing in at the North Camber, it floated everything in the way, dashing all the boats on the landing of the Camber, which were previously high and dry, to pieces. On this wall the greatest injury has been inflicted ; for along its whole extent, from the South to the North Camber, ume 200 yards, it has in some manner or other given way, and been separated from the embankment to the breadth of a foot in some places, and to the depth of ten or twelve feet. This is the extent of the fissure on the surface, below it is more extensive, presenting here and there deep chasms. The African steamer, which was lashed alongside the east side of the Camber, sustained considerable damage to her larboard paddle-box, but was ultimately hauled into the middle of the Camber, where she rode in safety. One of the docks, in which is the Dido refitting, was flooded by the water rushing over the top of the gates ; the other dock in this situation was not flooded, its entrance being secured by a caison. Farther to the north the sea wall on the Ordnance ground is safe, though the sea is stated to have beat most furiously on this point, which is much exposed, and rushing through the sally port adjoining, extended its waters to the Admiralty House. In the fitting basin, as may be imagined, the greatest danger was to be apprehended, but from the zealous and able management of the master-attendant, and the providential abatement of the waters, all was kept in safety there. That fine steamer, the Samson, was first hauled off from the edge of the basin and secured ; afterwards the Brilliant, Havannah, Bit tern, and Viper were secured, but a few more inches of water, and a continuance of the gale, would have landed them all on the walls. The docks opening into the basin were not flooded. The ships in the har bour and " in ordinary" stood to their moorings, and the sight by the moonlight to the spectator on the shore was grand and imposing in the extreme. Further up the Medway the water broke over the walls, and flooded the marshes and ditches in that direction, preventing all in tercourse with Queensborough by the river side. Along Ihe Thames, again, the waters heeded no embankments, but dashed furiously over the highest parts of the sea walls, deluging the low grounds as far as the Hill of Minster. The sea also broke in, and flooded the exten sive excavations going on for the new fortifications, deluging the deep fosse which is now forming along the sea-wall of the new works, long before the proper period, and doubtless much to the loss of the contractor. FEARFUL STEAM-BOAT COLLI SION ON THE RIVER. At ten minutes to five o'clock on Saturday evening. as the Emerald steam-packet was proceeding on her way from London to Gravesend, her captain (J. Pinder) ob served &large steam-vessel directly u-head of him, com ing up the river. As she approached he and his men in the bow of the Emerald hallooed out, but the steamer kept in the same track. Captain finder's order to port the helm was scarcely obeyed when the Emerald was struck on her larboard quarter just before the paddle box, by the bow of the other vessel, which proved to be the John Bull, Hamburgh packet. The paddle-box end quarter of the Emerald were stovein, and the funnel was cast down with a tremendous crash, producing a shock throughout the vessel which, in the after-cabin, where the writer of this notice was at the moment, flung the passengers from their seats, and tumbled over and amongst them the tables and everything thereon. The confusion and dismay which followed is indescribable. A rush was made to the cabin door, but the passage was blocked up by all attempting to force their way up the stairs to the deck. A cry of " Bring up the women ! Bring up the women !" from the deck, added to the alarm and confusion, but at length, owing to the self-possession of some of the gen tlemen and a few of the ladies, who made way and held back, the whole of the cabin passengers were on deck in a minute and a half after the collision took place. There the scene was terrific. The Emerald was believed to be going down. The John Bull's bow was apparently wedged into her larboard quarter, and the bowsprit of that vessel, which was over the fore-deck of the Emerald, was endeavoured to be reached by several of the male passengers of the latter. Some succeeded in getting into the John Bull in this way, and more clambered up her bows. At this time both steamers had let off their steam, and were drifting down with the tide. In their state of entanglement they came athwart the bow of a brig that lay at anchor nearly opposite Greys, but close to the Kentish shore. The collision with the brig increased the danger of the steamers, particularly the Emerald, whose larboard cabins were stove in by the brig's bow sprit, which broke off in the collision and her fore topmast fell forward with all its gear, breaking in its fall the right arm of one, and the left arm of another gentleman, on the deck of the Emerald, both of whom as it would seem, attempted to get into the brig when the vessels came in contact. The three vessels were now entangled together, and the alarm on board of each was perhaps equal. At length the John Bull fell off from the Emerald, whose anchor had now been dropped, and the Railway steamer, on her way from Blackwell to Gravesend, came alongside the brig, and the passengers of the Emerald, except those who got on board the John Bull, were taken off by her and landed at Gravesend. Two men, in the first shock, were thrown overboard, but they were picked up. Each party blames the other for the collision. The Emerald was not, it is said, in her proper track with a going-down tide, and, on the other hand, it is averred that the John Bull was not only not On the proper side of the river going up with a down • tide, but that she had no lights up. That she had no up is certain, but the evening was moonlight, and there was no and each vessel could, undi,ubtedlY, with proper management, have avoided the other. The Earl of Aberdeen left town ou Saturday afternoon fir Brighton. WRESTLING MATCH FOR FIFTY POUNDS BETWEEN DONALDSON AND WHITEHEAD. (From the Carlisle Journal.) The long-talked-of wrestling match between George Donaldson, of Patterdale, and Jonathan Whitehead, of Workington, neither men to exceed eleven and a half stones, carne off on Friday last, in a field adjoining the house of Joseph Shepherd, at Waverten, near Wigton, in the presence of a large concourse of the inhabitants of the surrounding district, among whom this sport is ex tensively practised and greatly admired. There were upwards of five hundred spectators in attendance. The match, which was for twenty-five pounds a-side, was to be decided by the best of five falls—the preliminaries of which, after a good deal of sparring on both sides for some time back, were finally arranged at the late Wig ton wrestling. On stripping, both were minutely scanned by their friends ; and from the opinions gathered from a great majority of the professionals present " Jonathan " was pitched upon as the winner ; and was consequently the favourite amongst the " betting men," who are alwa) s very clamorous on such occasions. 1. Both men entered the ring at one o'clock, and peeled off; and, after shaking hands, they lost but little time in taking hold, each seeming confident of success. Donaldson commenced by trying the swing, but was stopped; tried it a second time, with like success, when Whitehead gave the inside click, and floored him cleverly. 2. Few minut es were l ost before they had hold again. Whitehead commenced by swinging and striking his man outside with the left leg, when Donaldson, mending his hold, forced his man in sideways and cleverly swung him on his face. 3. It wits soon visible that both men had hold. 'White head made play by a desperate outside stroke with the left leg, but was stopped. He then tried his left buttock, which placed him (Whitehead) in a position from which it seemed impossible to extricate himself. Donaldson seemed to think he had his man safe ; but remained in active too long in this pleasant position, for Whitehead, by great physical effort, eventually released himself from his impending danger, to the astonishment of every be holder, and, folloe ing up his advantage with the quick ness of thought, lifted his opponent, struck him outside with the left leg, which staggered him, and, being de termined to make doubly sure, stepped across Donald son's legs and brought him to the ground by a clever cross-buttock. 4. On coming to the scratch again both men seemed anxious to be at work. Donaldson appeared more de termined than ever for a deep hold. while Whitehead evinced a careless indifference about the matter. "White head led off with the inside click, which staggered his antagonist half-way across the ring ; but Donaldson was not willing to be so easily disposed of. Whitehead now increased his hold greatly, and, no doubt, thinking all was safe, lifted his opponent and struck him outside with the left leg, but was most beautifully stopped by Donaldson, who, mending both his hold and position at one time, again forced Whitehead in sideways, and swung him completely off his legs in a most masterly style, laying Whitehead where he had laid hundreds of the best wrestlers in England, amidst deafening shouts of "Bravo, Gweordy !" 5. This was the all•important full—the one which was to decide the match ; and the anxiety evinced by all present was intense. Both men came to the scratch in a cool and calculating manner : each appearing deter mined to strain his utmost powers to obtain victory. Some time elapsed in getting hold, Donaldson. appearing determined not to lose any attainable advantage. At last it was announced the men had closed, and Donald son obtained a striking position, having Whitehead drawn into his favourite perilous grasp ; all was now considered to be " up" with Whitehead—as it was " a guinea to a shilling" in favour of Donaldson, places considered ; but Whitehead was not inclined thus to be done, and imagining that " where there's a will there's a way," roused up all his energies, and stepping in, struck Donaldson on the left leg, which set him " going." when he again stepped by both legs, and with his right treated " Gweordy" to a stunning cross-buttock, by which be was splendidly stretched full-length on mother earth—Whitehead thus winning the match, after one of the most severe and splendid contests ever witnessed. There was not even an approach to a disputed fall during the match, each being the theme of admiration by the numerous crowd of spectators. Various reasons were ascribed for Donaldson relin quishing the splendid hold he was in possession of for the last fall. He assigned the state of the ground as being slippery, which made him unable properly to keep his feet—a more general opinion prevailed that he lost confidence when firmness was most wanted. Whitehead wrestled splendidly throughout, exhibiting great tact and judgment, and was loudly cheered on winning. He is possessed of a good deal of confidence, which greatly assists the science he has so much at com mand. His victory has greatly added to his fame, by securing to him the "championship of the light weights." Donaldson wrestled much better than we anticipated, but came far short of former exhibitions. RAILWAY SHARE MARKETS. EDINBURGH, Dec. 12. STOCK EXCHANGE.-The sales are-Aberdeen, 51.-Aher , dean, Banff, and Elgin, 24-Airdrie and Bathgate, 21. 17s. Gd.-Arbroath and Forfar, 254-Ditto, Half Shares, 151.- Armagh and Portrush, 11. 153.-Ayr and Dumfries, 2/. 15s. -Ayr and Galloway, 21 55.-Banffshire, 2/. 55.-Belfast and County Down, 3L-British and Irish Union, N. 68.- Caledonian, ex new, 124-Caledonian Extension, St Os. 6d. -Caledonian and Dumbarton, 31.-Caledonian and Northern Direct, 3/. Os. &1.-Cambridge and Lincoln, 4/. 58.-Carn warth and West Linton, 1/. 1 0s.-Chelmsford and Bury, 11. 12s. 6d.-Clydesdale Junction, 191.-Cornwall and Devon, 21. Bs.-Deeside Railway, 5/. 10s.-Direct Northern, 21.- Dublin and Enniskillen, 4/. 7s. 6d. .Dundee and Arbroath, 35/. 10s.-Ditto, New, 17/.-Dundee and Forfar Junction, *2l. 17s. 6d.-Dundee and Perth, ex new, 6/. 10s.-East of Fife, 21. -East Coast of Scotland, 2/. 135.-East Lothian Central, 1/. 17s. 61-Edinburgh and Bathgate, 3/.-Edin burgh and Glasgow, ex news, 681.-Ditto, Half Shares, 151. 10s.-Ditto, Quarters, 15/. 10s.-Ditto, ditto, New, 12/. IN. -Edinburgh, Glasgow, and Dumbarton, 18s.-Edinburgh and Leith Atmospheric, 2/. 55.-Edinburgh and Leith Atmos pheric Direct, 1/. 155.-Edinburgh, Leith, and Granton, 21/. Nos.-Ditto, Preference, 18/. 10s.-Edinburgh and North ern, 3/. 10s.-Ditto, Newport, I/. 25.-Ditto, Lochgelly, 11. 9s. 6d.-Edinburgh and Peebles, ex new, 2/. ls. 6d.- Edinburgh and Perth, 44 10s.-Edinburgh, Portobello, and Musselburgh, 1/. 145.-Forth and Clyde Junction, 2/. 55.- Glasgow and Ayrshire, 701.-Ditto, IsZew Stock, 231.-Ditto, Quarter Shares, 21/. 12s. 6d.-Glasgow and Belfast Union, 21.25. -Glasgow, Dumfries, and Carlisle, 2/. 55.-Glasgow and Dundee Junction, 2/. 10s.-Glasgow and Garnkirk, 451. -Glasgow and Greenock, 211.-Ditto, New, 10/. 155.-Ditto, Preference, 2/. 55.-Glasgow Harbour Grand Junction, 2/. 10s.-Glasgow Harbour Mineral, 2/. 195.-Glasgow, Kilmar nock, and Ardrossan, 34 7s. 6d.-Glasgow, Strathaven, and Lesmahagow, 31.-Granton Junction, 21. 10s.-Great County Down, 2s. 12s. 6d.-Great North of Scotland, 2/. 17s. 6d. -Great North and South Wales, 12s. 6 1-Inverness and Elgin, 1/. 155.-Lanark and Galloway, 2/. 25.-Lanark and Lothians, 2/. I7s. 6d.-Lanie and Bailvmen a , 24 28.-Lon don and Hounslow, 2/.-London and Manchester (Rem.), 2/. 53.-London and Manchester (Rastrick), 44 IN.-London and Windsor, 14-Londe.* and York, 4/. 55.-Midland and Eastern Counties, 21. 7s. 6d.-Morayshire, 11.-Newcastle and Berwick, 111.-Newry and Londonderry, 21. 10s.-North British, ex div., 22 /Aos.-Ditto, Halves, 51. 10s.-Ditto, Extension to Carlisle, 21.-Ditto, Extension to Dalkeith, 61. 7s. 6d.-North Wales Mineral, New, 4/. 78.-Perth and Criefr Direct, 24 ls.-Perth and Inverness, V.-Scottish Central, 13/. 10s.-Scottish Central and Caledonian Junc tion, 1/. 14s. 6d-Scottish Midland, 3/.-Scottish North Western, 11. 155.-Scottish South Midland, 2L ls.-Scottish Southern, 2/. 55.-Shrewsbury and Hereford, 17s. 6d.- Shrewsbury, Oswestry, and Chester, 4/. 17e. 61-South Midland, 41. 75.-Stirling and Dunfermline. 2L 108. Bd.- Stirling and Midland, 3/. 25.-Strathern Junction, 3/. Is.-- Surrey Grand Junction, 1/. is. 6d.-Tean and Dove Valley, IL 155.-Tyne Valley, 11.18 s -Wishaw and Cattle's, 52./. 10s. GLASGOW, DEC. 12. STOOK EXCHANGE.-The sales are-Airdrie and Bathgate, 575. 61-British and Irish Union, 6 78.-Caledonian Eaten sion, 555.-East Lothi an Central, 425.-Forth and Clyde Junction, 455.-Glasgow G enera l Terminus, 71,4-Glasgow and Belfast Union, 445.-Glasgow, Dumfries, and Carlisle, 455.-Glasgow, Kilmarnock; and Ardossan, 598.-Glasgow and Dundee Junction, 45t -Lesmahagow, 5 85.-Scottish Central, 13-Scottish South Midland Junction, 403.-South Midland, 82s, 6d.-Stirling and Dunfermline, 46a. YORK, Dxc. 13. STOCK EXCIIAN9I.-The Wes are-Durham and Sunder land New, guaranteed Five per Cent., IN -Newcastle and Darlington, Brandling, 41-1 ork and North Midland Ex tension, 23 142-Newcastle anti Berwick, 9/. 18s. 91-North British, 21-Ditto, New Carlisle Branch, 2g-London and York, 314-Coventry, Nuneaton, Birmingham, and L e i cester, 2/. 4s. 6d.-Grand Union, 1 1 4-Lancashire and North York shire, 21. 25.-Manchester, Buxton, Matlock, and Midland, 31. 12s. WOOLLEN 31ANUFACTIIRE.—We have been in formed of an endeavour at present making in the borough to which, as yet, is only ' . embryo state, as been scheme, promote the establishment . o f a .n wa7llenm manufactory. Th e favourably received by the parties to whom it has bee, di fu funds can be obt a i ned. n h e a c v e e ssa ageed n to .. form a com m itt ee and ascertain • a joint-stock company of sh are at 51. each, The propo sa l whether vi t . h h e o I ri .s x t e o d ra a i t se tb b is y low sum with a view of including the larger proprietary, such an amount as will put the manufactory in operation.—llerwick Advertiser. RINGWOOD FAIR, HAMPSHIRE. —This fair, which is celebrated for its show of forest colts, was held on Thurs day. The supply was good, and a fair share of business done. Fat beasts sold readily at 4s. Bd. per stone, and some very prime bullocks were sold; milch cows ranged in price from 12/. to 14/., including small calf; and well-bred heifers front Ti. to 12/. a head. The sheep pens were small, but good ewes sold quietly. Fat pigs sold exceedingly well, and store pigs made from 255. to 30s. a head. In the horse market cart horses made 18 to 25 guineas, and colts from 15 to 30 guineas. The droves of forest colts were large; some well-bred ones were offered. They were unbroken and unhaltered, and when the purchaser selected, the Welsh horse- dealers dashed in among them, and brought the one out. They made prices varying from 41. to 14/. each ; and several pairs of ponies, well matched for colour and size, made 30 guineas a pair. FAMINE OR NO FAMINE ? —S ome o f our Conserva- ve that on tins subject. I n one ar ti c l e th e y tive contemporaries have f a ll e n i n t o a endeavourstrange t i o nc p o r n o sistency theresc th ar e c y ity pro o - f fooda w re illle n altogether )othat the in n ear t s of a he next g famine,r n d l and ests h, ri them in the countrymen at a time when famine ceed to flagellate O'Connell for . a e cc i e a pt a i t n a g_ n t g he alms of his the idea that tl in the land for all," we are unwilling to give is "plenty , face! However consoling and delig htful lerei noticed.—Glasgow Citizen. O'Connell the benefit of the little discrepancy we have ALARMING FIRE AND Loss OF LIFE. ---011 SatLIF• day afternoon, about four o'clock, a fire, attended 'with fatal consequences ton female, 85 years of age, broke out at No. 4, Bull's Head-court, Middlesex-street, Whitechapel, in the apartment occupied by a Mr. Jacobs. The fire, it is supposed, was caused in consequence of the occupier havin g by some accident fallen into the grate. The issue of a dense body of smoke, accompanied by the cries of the female, caused some parties to enter the room, when they found the poor old crea• tura completely enveloped in flames, and the flooring, cup. board door, and shelves, burning most furiously. After cow. siderable trouble on the part of the neighbours and police, the flames were extinguished, but not before the building was very seriously injured by fire and water, raid the poor old woman burnt in such a frightful manner, that the flesh peeled off her body when touched. After lingering for the space o a few minutes death terminated her suffering's. The build ing, we understand, was not insured. • Prince: en& i 2 1 i 6 t° I offer ed te d ci off os g s, 400 •70 .155, 4 5 4 ° 1 8 40 the E