The Sun. — London, England, 1850-02-02 00:00:00

.....__ _ call aeon you, then, to-night, in the name of the ge„n tleti,en who are sitting noon these benches—the rep e rtntatives, mainly, l e g lf those suff-a kg classes—l cal! li P a a Yoh to accept either alternative; you shall not gl mit of this House and misrepresent our porpos. s. -..(ae r.) Either reconstruct your co:nmercial system titan those principles favourable to British industry w hich we advocate—(licar, hear, from the Opposition) leirrry out the prinetplcs upon which you have estab ,;tri,' , l your news ystem to their legitimate consequences. ear, hear) Do not under this system, oppress " 5 IsLtl ten England,. with n the pharisaical pretence that ) w l, are adveean.s of a great politico-3cheme that ( ~ii not tolerate the taxation of a raw material— thea. "ar, hear," from the Opposition) —and suppo se; . ~ . 'a'ne time we will endure that the whole social a t L s e t i en ce of England should be founded on a system fr l ' tn°rn ing, noon and night, in every duty cf I le ' : 4 0 1 . tri Englishman, taxes the most important raw n a l et • a nation's industry,—(llvar, hear.) I ask You te-I,lot, on the behalf of myself and my friend, ih , rl " . 'eur to no abrogated laws ; they were planne. . y . tt 5 whuse subsequeat conduct certainly does not cum!, fr u ,,, 3s o l iei t e t t o our posthumous re,spe r e a t. , — . e ( p L etie e n hee te r_s night to do r ec.ionisti.) But I ilo. all justice to the land of England—(aenewe-d rater 'esrs ) — to the owners, to the occupiers, to the culla (ii( s, be f a ll the classes dependent upon land— t ar ' r )—to those mightier considerations even i eti - , : le 1 dustry of t fin " e , e man.—(flear, hear.) You . c . an no_ (waer postpone the settlement of this questro t n oe ... cm eserd Enshrine yourselves in your polticeo ( upon ° y a m 1 to ee rry re—l accept your principles, I call L'it this them to their legitimate consequences! (H er. fro ' is raw material of a natiou's industry be a us 0 - as other raw materials.— 1, —(o Hear, he a,-," from the laeP,Pi%tili'nn). Admit in its fulness, with respect "to the le ail 0 economical principle which you are extending . eeitivttotther ia v materials, and do not . permit . in the to t i 6( that raw material artificial restrictions _ Priv P i t i: va l w hen you have debarred it from the artificial tit which have hitherto been some compensation to rear es'islation ; or come forward and say frankly Ill stje, 11() P l e of Enand, " We cannot aff , o to do to lice to the landwhich we are prepared . every ot,,_ ~ rd to do as fm , 'ler field of industry. —(Hear, bear.) Tell If ttebefore tett e . 11 7 at that box to - night—(the red box on the the Treasury bench)—whether the cotton tasit 4reeriern may come here free and the earth e o_f t ija,u(l is to be en thralled. —(Cheers from the OPP is ale bre ech Conte forward to-night and tell ns "hieh aelt (f Manufacture which we will not " f T ac h il e i r t e ate, Iltiti i l w° will not stimulate, which we will not all e o x vv_ tine% ind str to send forward ti: every sr er Z fori they,productions of foreign artisans, but country clime in we of rot i° !el that this country shall only be the an _ th-- .sinaeturers arid mechanics—(Hoar, hear)— d eiZsture, while we have, according to our p la r n in d - , tad tilieuiutneipateel every branch of industry, the *.- (Ct e lend al tmo, shall be our slave and our 4144'444M cheers.) I call upon the Noble not the Itfr.rankly on this subject.—(Hear.) victLimord 5(4 41 .oe.ore suppose that this is a Do movement; partym" than to t p4t,„,11. mote convenient for a Government 41._ teat tho great principles of free trade are en raot4lnedi and that those who are embarrassing for a sia,,, e ..t with th e i r I con movements have merely Penni :h a at the ti re , h t ;ens at strike. I tell the Noble Lord - ti en ifi too 11e by fur those antiquated dogmas; Let the ques ; th e No arerious and too earnest.—(Hear, hear.) do Jitstiee to ' '4°rd—a fittin,a man—come forward and soepdpodsiltilltetrh:ttler, and ho will find plentiful, f ze in alous to country"b;Porters.—(" Hear, hear," from ia th tn e ,rule this But if the Noble Lord thinks that (la --.lon--th t b a heterogeneous der unnatural ree_tr a to , n ne aid. A a- elB to have a on the ~,er Lora - at a Conservative Privy Councillor J en a n c s obi a n nd F nuiau cheers from the Opposition)—l . tell the kill ee,t that he may maintain the Ministry but he hot ti,,,• e° Y the Tk rone.—(Renewed cheering.) -I 111 " so fi rst time that I have attanpted feebly to express .nee ,40 ii°l)„ini°ns to the House in the behalf of la (era last me with their support. I told the . . Noble I thin th at e a . st to ea that it was in the spirit t'f conciliation t i lt I c a sPts°l('•—(An Hon Monte: on the Altn - (Ileer Athg'ett.) Yes in . the spirit of conciliation in .tie se' ..el r.) Do not imagine that it is not we „Itn'lty tratircit the conciliation that we speak, because not r aiel e ; tzite opportunity of showing that we are c q 't'eto C o loose before whom others tremble.— ( o l l a 1 1 e l ttill 'el t ni tit° OPposition.) I will tell the Honourable (1 - /,, - , tr al at least this —that Ido not use intwo languages `lint / ' hn'ir)l am not afraid to the ei , ,"'Y in ether 1 er (Loud cheers.) I am say this house in things Id ° , "a " 1 et heariPgac:7said in other places which thi s 1 - I. °t ho ar in this n it u (lietar, hear.) It is not in taists'usie that i % „ -am toldhouse.—(Hear, the English Constitution t r e tt ss a °ll i i ' ll - t ' .raP.6, n n s . uf france.--7(Cheers.) If I were . to (x i i hip great trizali: ex f ists only . upon sufferance it would dustry existing upon t tilt Iltaterial obt-tt'uoed natise t " I ', h ne e l ech j'ea ti,nlr,) No l w, we have been told in thebp has from a in rival and a foreig , % AN ' t erotic! to cherish that constitution which ,13 th t 44 mote with order." "114 eunetituti want combined order and liberty. ~,,.Rtlie.ce___. notnsvhich has at to know what blanchestsr, which i l ' u t tii s e , o Z .. ut ien we hear . of hear.) il ia , tord,e.r,s,ye suffer . ance '—the constitution that the IN.' ali sa ,„,! . io O s permit only to endure?—(Hear, ti - e land of England— to brgs',.,;ft ught it was the . constitution that was per mi t 1ie ar. 7 ...... q and . deeply a de the fu i l ladle territorial co m nstitution, that did not Passion of a great t elv e s i'end ,Lues of this great and ancient monarchy ti e .4 (o ppe u h P i o t t i l the capriceß o t r l want to know how ti e .4 t o ._,ort cheers.) tori m "eti er , i.,`_u Means to maintain u this territorial do not ask him t° It Pn iltiliat, l i_ a° doesnot meal also to maintain a torp vil Itatetio te'a?—(llear.) 1, for one, lieu No, hen?—(Hear.) territorial population by peculiar u p i r a i_- ' lli,ido sYtrehusehise, which other classes of the pop . ) hse that confidence in Iteloiriet'iseisbifut:'tnictfiien; that (Elell r i .- fe l e h l u a t t a this moment all it re : justice complete and hi e! , n t---(( - , ° _ . (Cheers)--but have Fever s e „ a reg,p,-aeers.) I °pressed . the change in the law I ,',g'sttait " I ' 4l Your agricultural industry. ‘.llr,k ,or 4, ~. , 1. ..---eov__ t 3: ... 44, eior eaoment tnat a ape a more tn. R ()us, t porilous_and4 as I believe, t ed 4 that change. 114 is s ai, t4th went f all '4ll 'xPeriuie in politics never )e occurred. a break-up . e- . etes.tleee, n ,nee of industry, such life of this tree q en n•a, Mat govern the political b which e c'te r e e i e a-511 a degrad r of all the means y . h i s 44ttrYlorteowaa c- arrie l d iu tin, I believe the history of I, .. 11 14 's 0 1 4 e '' nct affo rd.—(Cheers.) I have ever f:it, and ti i ,,;' ae s ,, i , pPurtu n i ty 1 114: 41 41 Of was unity mistake greater than supposing that of expressing my conviction that fai t ea at„--.".1.1and did at any time depend for its for t ill, 00d arc lan d law whatever. What the laud re tice, but I never te eo a a ouh Tt. it require 3 now is justice, was prepared illeattae found political economist eali t :liet you 4 arid offer it.—(C f h w e t a h r e s.) burdens pe -40111), ° the 9.eThe Eno katill te a iheils)t_ortl,Behde toprestpeneadks (of those burdens t tic possessors, tor kelt !, t hat th eg class of aristocratic ls i ash e Most valuable, the most numerous, the are the h. tides, Y. end the most hard-working class Va t Ai tt Z: a of the s oil of this country, forgetting that the lath Ana are too of u prompt Ne a l e eY are the te forgetting those Lin to leave the cause of ts p . Ir e ers a e native chi, fi, Friend the mem _ it at :!l. ate:P. rtners to whom my Hon. (Vas a °runty referred to -night, and forgetting the Ite e) ~. the north and the yeomanry of the south. — a In A 8 utti 17 41 1ie11, 1 a ) we have now brought this h Ministerial ets,:st and Point — (Laughter kora . t e qaestion to h, ii th e 1 ,,._ ebeers from the Protectionists.) I can ex it ?.° t"gte from lion. Gentlemen opposite,.. for I t ' ll it,i' question has been put in a point or iew so tt, ~ taleteller demandforjustice.—(C justice.—(Cheers.) .) if l'te itl W 4. 'hat the y will find very great difficulty v h s in tisd stiiii3, mg our, t i ll 'llt r , it 3 the • • . f 4(1 41• L 'r comes forward—as ultimately he will— s and that you , -t to is Justice of your Nit 1 , 1 apQ ue'Albion to taxation claims, mwhich other li soffree`.f he admits that your property should }Ale Jeet t o r . . Ni-,e,,A3t, but _restrictions to which h t the condition of Re t 'aetry ris l 'at's, as he will say, t a no other property tta t' , Ma eri , ,tpures them—he at once admits that in the he 4 the s c ° I the country the political must interfere al l asi t T!'lere:111 principle—( an nstruct Hear, I.o4`clat),, % I ' l l to do us that •justice or to 1 0 h eaa )— d then e•- r4h ie t o s .`;' l system of the country on pri e n;ple_s ie fa n - . tlie4tl.ete,l4 the native industry of England.—(The . 1 4lnit' fromthecae his seat amid loud and prolonged terd J. otectionist party.) at , 1 ° hay • tUSSELL—The Honourable gentleman 114, Just B , t 0 . Wi l it: ll 4 w hio, , 0 .own asked ns not T t e o in misrepresent the view; but, un win g , ti 1 .': ( il l . and his friends have tils that to form 6n uld be to misrepresent . that purpose, I .i g est i n) .„ . any correct idea of it, is a thing to me he 4 Possible is oaos ~ (C heering an i t ,„ raw, and much lsughter.) 1341 , aver kill Gentleman who moved the amendment r h se r sae P' r ste and fair speech, told us s w . hat his l'a li i t 1 '441 .V . r37 P l ainly, that we should mon ider our to h ti , li teb iltn ut utl; and I understood him to be, in a very c elcsit:erati:Y Manner, laying the ground for that r - b 4 tt t n ge Of th e not askin g us immediately to adopt any ra t i a s 1 said, 14 ‘ 1 ', or to come to any binding resolution,. d th Q °II of th e 1 t 0 lay the ground only for the reconsi d e- s ce t o d s grie s i, 4eent, legislation of the country as regards that - ,, t ,'' reie 'll e tu r and commercial interests. Nothing en1w0'44%,:- 'air- —nothing could be more decided than e al l ( -, e ,! l ,ths ' t , 1 ," we, her Majesty's Ministers, er e4 l- '1 00t,`"Ekt recent legislation was sound, and that the being as, i n 't inju,,y7 benefiting the country, but doing it l'ree z.`)e ,. °ll sid, Na lt we submitted it again to be altered lle r , t est 0 , 311, ---were imm e di a t e ly prepared to op (r' edint'et. But then came the Right etli ‘ • 'erti ' li enaan the Member for Stamford d ; 1 44 "), WI ''atr e 4 ) , le complains that there is not 1.; teas s At nlPath„ h a i al n 5 l - of the i -- .7 e xpressed in the Speech for the '4ll °l-3 ' ll re (e; 'tided interest. The Hon. Member for risky ant) ity .oir a T ii ) said explicitly •i i , f,,,, nip ath . ro 01.0 has ' "'' ' ills •"Y are not what we ask f ir. What I "Your "' l l (11 Justice and ° 6 Ntr, I, soce,surcs which can show us re.- ,s,tithe,a'itirit '„',_ar.) Then came the Hon. Gentleman tin '44" d''°"'n. We have heard or another high bit e k t,r,_. illatvl7he..in another laee, who r.es,bneeyownhelnatneyre , e tei ri 'th f ir t , and in this House, in te tin,, . . than,' tha t ~I;le f uture, and by this high authority we tarn'i, I ' „ t ° Oh l - ,:ti n e t is to change the present Gover e t- b IIC C " nevv G overnment in their stead, and tt li sin ;th t e a ili suo te 4, 4, er 1, e. ,.„ 1 ion of the present House, to r, - e go % 1 , retio4 ~,;'tsraelit iu their place, and to ask for s When I heard %h e 1 1 ° on ( 1 , w, Protection —(cheers., " tilt l,tt entiein . • „t tv ',Seel Rae I en, I thought we should never „ be , *" We: ' 4o til 1 .. " n ger as to the question at issue, a o b. tc.a j ' i nß Pith ( Otte -5 v cr ' " n° "' %hat we Were - voting about—that isr e • eat put . o. to restore protection or to maintain s eet e lt) . let'. But no —the lion. Gentleman ',Mr. to tilg (4 ItO f ~ I:teukai ty Purp % ,, . w ar , (l and, a.king us not to misrepr,- i ri or ittiteltr,invoi v e 1 that purpose in such an am' , '. a lly i t , ts . Rtld a , e"....(A. laugh) —in such tortuous ex , ea, eeeale ePc.als matter .ease of justice, that it 11 1 a I ‘ n tttt wil at thsag° of the utmost difficulty to' atm t 4 'r) N einendment ie to m an.—(Cheers and support- 1 tir o ° tho se ° w, let e ile s titi rlie who me sa t h' li Gentleman, %tau 'tin such „ him, that I think . 3' ot e there are modir .ltd a piestion, either of which may be properly followed. The one is for THE- SUN, you, the independent Members of, Parliament, to say, We don't agree with all . the , expressions. of this .Ad dress; we think ore part of it. might be more: warmly worded—in another part we think you express t-so much satisfwtion. You exaggerate the prosperity that pre - veils in one place, and do not regret the <listre•s which prevails with sufficient sympathy in another; but there arc general phrases, and we mean to give our '•concur rence to the Addrese." Another course, which is equally Parliamentary and constitutional, is to say, "'The state of the country is such, and the views of the Government are so erroneou', that we cannot allow one day to pass, and we must t t once express our opi nice, and whether iu a minority or in , a majority, cell on the House of Commons to say if a t,.ystrat injurious to the best interest; of the country should be persevered in, and ask fir better legislation than it is in the power of the Government to yield." Bet the Honourable Gentleman has taken a third course—that of having an unmeaning amendmentlear, Lest., aed a laugh.) And, not being satisfied with the Address as proposed by her Majesty's Ministers, proposes to hate aa address obscure and ambiguous in its phrase?.--(No, no.) That, I cay, is the result of the Honourable Gentleman's amendment.—(No, no.) What have we been told? — (Cries of " Read, read.") I will real it presently. 'rho Honourable Gentleman says we are not rest ring protection by this proposition, and we rue not preps: ing to revert to a course ofpolicy that has 1. eon abandoned. Now in re forcing to the amendment, I must first observe as to what has been called the insult to the agricultural inter est which has been offered by her Majesty's advisers. I cannot but say, in the first instance, that nothing was further from our intention—(clear, hear)—that we have heard with great regret of the suffering and distress which exists in various parts of the coun try ; and nothing would give us greater pleasure than to be able so say that by some manner of relief that suf fering should be put an end to. The words cf the Ad dress are: —" The House sympathises with the regret with which her Majesty has observed the complaints which in many parts of the kingdom have proceeded from the owners and occupiers of laid, and bog to as sure her Majesty of the sympathy with which they hear that her Majesty greatly laments tha,, any portion of her subjects should be suffering distress; while it is a source cf sincere gratification to her Majesty to witness the in creased enjoyment of the necessaries and comforts of lifs which cheapness and plenty have bestowed upon the great body of her people." Now, the amendment pro posed is as follows:—" That we regret, however, to be compelled humbly to represent to your Majesty that in many parts of the United Kingdom, and especially in Ireland, the various classes of your Majesty's subjects connected with the cultivation of the soil are labouring under severe distress, mainly applicable, in our opinion, to recent legislative enactments, aggra rated by the pres- . sure of local taxation." I own Ido not see that in these words, except as regards Ireland, there is any material difference from the words we propose iu the Address. We :ay—(" Read, read," from t e Protectiouists)—l will not read the words again, but I have real the words as - - regards the distresses which involve the agricultural in terest. We say we sympathise with her Majesty " in learning the distress which prevails among a portion of her subjects." The amendment says there are classes, espcially in Ireland, suffering severe distress.— (Hear, hear.) But certainly there is another question raised in this amendment. It appeared to UP, much as we re joiced in an opportunity( f advising her Majesty to de clare the opinions we entertained as regards the recent commercial policy of the country, that this was net a fit time to propose that those expressions ef opinion should fall from her Majesty.—(Hoar, hear.) It has always ap -peered to us, in conformity with recent custom, Vat, as to matters of legislation with regard to which Parliament may have to give an opinion in the course of the session, it is better to reserve them on the first night, and rather to give an opinion with respect to the actual state of the country than to attribute that state to the cause of legis lation or to any acts of Governtnent. But the amendment does not take that course. It goes en to say, after declaring this distress is mainly attributable to recent legislative enactments, that this distress has been aggra vated by the pressure of locsl taxation.—(Hear.) Now, I must say that if I had thought it right to advise her Majesty to give any opinion as regards recent legisla tion, I should have advised thet in se> ing " it is a source of sincere gratification to her illajesty to witness the increased enjoyment of the necessaries and comforts of life which cheapness and plenty have bestowed on the great body of hsr people"—l should, I say, have been disposed to add that this "greater enjoyment of the ne cessaries and comforts ( f was in a great degree owing to the recent legislation ( f the Croan —(Loud cheering.) Ns,thing would have pleased me better than to bring to a test at once this question, %Outlier that le gislation was calculated for the benefit of the people or not.—(Cheers.) I did not thinleit respectful to those who entertained different opinions to do so. I was in hopes they would have brought the matter to a test. Some hive declared they would—the lion. Gentleman (Mr. Disraeli) seems to entertain a different opinion. With regard to one subje - t, however, on which he di lated at considerable length, I rather think he must have an apprehension which I should be glad ent'rely to re move. The Honourable Gentleman speaks of the heavy tax on the raw mater' , al—moaning the land of the country. I feste, he fatices that my Right Hon. 'Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer is about to propose an increase in the land-lax.—(Laughter.) Now, it is not for ice to inform the Hon. Gentleman or the House of the nature of Cabinet sectets, but with respect to the mysterious Cabinets to wWe!I the Hon. Gentleman alluded, and which were generally held every autumn, I can assure him, without ttllinfr him aiy secret, there did not issue out of those Cabinets any determination to increase by ono penny the present land tix.— (Cheers and laughter.) I suppose the Hon. Gentleman was afraid we might have a lupted a certain plan which ha 1 been much discussed out of doors, and has excited great att , ntion in the country, and which proposed a great augmentation of the land-tax.---(Cheers and laughter.) The Hon. Gentleman sorms to apprehend that my Bight Hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Ex chequer had resole I to get hold of the land for the purpose of taxation—an error from which ho might easily be saved, by considerations of the most obvious kind. I here wish to address to tho House a few brit f observations on the present condition of tl:e land of England The subject is one upon which much could be said, but I do not now propose to go into it at any length, yet I do not wish to sit down without saying a few words as to its past state, its present stao, and that which is likely to be the futture condition of the hind of England. Ten years ago I could not —nor could any man—be insensible to the fact that the population ( f this country had been greatly increasing, and was likely still further to increase; that, also, that population might, and was very likey at no distant time to Le ex posed to the rivalry of foreign manufacturers; and that the necessity of employing that population, and of sup plying it with food, was one of the highest and most urgent which the Government of thiscountry had to per form. If during any considerable portion of time it were to be without the means of productive industry, the most serious grounds of alarm could not fail to arise; and I. therefore, entertained a strong disposition to effect a compromise on the question of the corn-laws—a com promise by which protection might bo somewhat ro Need without admitting too large a quantity of fo reign corn. Such a change I did believe would not have borne too hard upon the landed interest, because I had no intention that the change should be effected at _ once, but on ti.e contrary, that it should be gradually introduced. That proposition, as we all eery well remember, did not find favour with the landed interest, but it did meet with favour from those who called for a total repeal of the corn-laws, or who, up to that time at least, were loud in making that demand. Those, I say, who were f,r total abrogation would then have been content with the proposition which I at that time regarded as a fit ting compromise on the question of the corn-laws; and then that body which the Hon. Gentleman opposite considered to be so formidable—l mean the Anti-Corn law League—would at once have, dissolved itself. If our proposition had been agreed to the League would have proceeded no further. But at the end of the year 1845 the Government of the day held that they could no longer maintain the corn-laws, and the repeal of those laws took almost immeiiate effect. Foreign corn wee soon admitted, and ne doubt a considerable sum was added to the revenue, though addition to the revenue was by no means the purpose with which the mea sure was introduced ; but some revenue was collected which proved by no means onerous to the people, and by the change thus effected the people wore enabled to goc cheap food. But the policy which we are now called upon to reconsider is one that has been tried only for a single year. Now, under what circumstances are we called upon to do this—what is the present slate of the country? If we look at the great interests cf England we shall find that they are in a satis'actory state. The main body of the people are I think to be judged, to some extent at least, by the state c f the pauper popu lation. I find, for example, that, amongst the able bodied poor, there were 30,000 fewer paupers on the Ist of January in the present year than on the Ist of Ja nuary, 1849. I find that the condition of the shipping interest is equally improved. I find that our exports in 1849 were greater by 10,000,000 than they were in the year 1848, and there can be no sort of doubt that other sources cf wealth have, during the period to which 1 rf fer, been advancing in a like proportion, and the ac counts regarding them are on the whole satisfactory. If I look to the excise, by which much cf tee comfort of the people is truly indicated, I find that the state of the excise returns shows a very decided improvement in the condition of the people. From all parts of the coun try we bear that the great body of the people enjoy the advantages of cheapness and of plenty, and are now in a much better condition than they bad been for some time previously. Is this, then, the time at which we should be called on to retrace our steps?—(Hear.) I must say that I have always considered that a great transition like this could not, under any circumstances, have been accomplishe I without some degree of suffering ; a transition from restriction to complete freedom could scarcely, under any state of things, be brought about without occasioning some degree of inconvenience, and perhaps of injury, to the owners and occupiers of land. That suffering certainly has reached them, but not in so aggravated a form as we had heard stated in this Ilouse.—(•' Oh, oh.") I repeat that it came by uo means in a form so aggravated as the repreentations made in this House would le td any one to suppose. — (Hear, hear.) I beg t f the H , .use to remember the state f paces during that uneasy and troubled period. In the year 1815 we heard the most grievous complaints. We heard them again in the year 1822; we were then told that the farmer taw t give up his land; we were told the same thing in the ear 1836 with equal foundation. Now, whet are the facts? The harvest of 1635 and the ,prices of 1836 bear some analogy ti the state cf things in the present 3 ear. Corn then felt to 365. the quarter, which was 4s. 6d a bushel under the prices of this year. But the Hon. Gentlemen repeats emphatically that there were no foreign importations within that period— that all the money then kid out in wheat was paid for English wheat. If that happened to be the case of a defective harvest, what diff erence , would it have made to the farmer, provided always that e received as much for his wheat under a system of unrestricted impart as under' one 'of high protet tion ? If the, farmer gets 40s. ftr his when?, of what itnpot'tarice wou!d it be t.? him 'whether his rival in tie market : ' camp from the - next parish or the ad joining- county, or frOin a neighbouring kingdom, or fro the ether:side of the Atlantic. It would be no matter to him with whom he competed, provided his prices remained Vie same. I have heard the Hon. Gen tleman say that in the course of the last year we have imported 12,000,000', quarters of all kinds of corn, and 4,009,000 of wheat ; that the whole has been consumed, and that the stock now is low.—(hear, Leer.) I cannot sympathise with complaints founded nom such a state of things. If the working msu gets his 1, a' cheaper, I cannot sympathise with those who complain of that ; but I rejoice that the fact is so, and I 'deice in the prospect which it offers of further and increased irn provoment. Other considerations present themselves to my mind into which I will not go at length, hut I wish shortly to tt.tt,e, that when any great branch of trade has been far a considerable time under severe reArctions, and that those restrictions become. relaxed in any degree, that tliere immediately ensues a great rush into that branch of trade or commerce, that the capital, the gee t speculative and enterprising tenlency of tl.e people of this country, ate directed into that channt I, that a great alaindanee of the article which forms the staple of that trade is produced, and that tl.e trade therefore for a time becomes less profitable. We toned that to ho the case when the South American trade was opened—when the China - market was opened at the time that the charter of the East India Company expit ed. A similar eibe is now occurring with respect to the corn trade; and n any of those who have thus en gaAted in the cern trade ate likely, I fear, to become los,rs and not gainers by their euterpri:e As to all the calculations of profit and loss that have been mace. which seem to lead to the conclusion that the prices of corn will be permanently lower than they have been during the last ten years, I have only to say that at the beginning of the change now in progress every charge was estimated on the previous condition of the trade, and with reference to the existing restriction=, but of course when the foreign corn Comes into the market the consumer would obtain his cbrn at lower price, and thus the calculations would of necessity be deranged; and the efore I think that calculations founded on the average of the last ten years cannot be implicitly relied upon, still less can any calculation be relied on which limits itself to the last six months: Mr. CHRISTOPHER said, ho made due allowance for the difference of the two periods. Lord JOHN RUSSELL resumed—Having thus touched upon the present state of the question, I ask the House—are we to t Ike the first step towards a return to the old system of protect' o ? We have been told that we must return to the system of protection; that sooner or later to that we must come ; that taking taxes off the landed interest will not do even if that species of relit f were carried :to the utmost :'possible extent—effectual relief cannot be afforded otherwise Chan by protection. The question now is not whether we shall keep up restric tion, but whether we shall change fundamentally our commercial policy. Shall we, by Act of Parliament, enable the growers of corn to obtain prices in their markets different from that which they would otherwise have been able to receive? The question certainly is one of the utmost importance and delicacy. If my Right Honourable Friend were to raise a re venue from manufactured silk. imported into this country no great body of persons would be affected by the measure. But the supply of food far the people is a widely different matter, it affects the whole body of the people—not merely the owners and occupiers of land, but the entire population, and I cannot but wonder at the attempts recently made at public meetings to limit and confine the question within such narrow bounds as some persons have attempted to set up. I observed at a recent public meeting that Lord Downshire complained that he had not teen able to obtain a majority at a re cent meeting that he had called in the county Down, because, he said, persons who had no stake in the coun try, and who had no business to be there, had intrude I themselves upon the meeting. Why, Sir, on this ques tion every man had a right ta be present and to give his opinion upon it.—(Cheers.) There is not a man, a woman, or a child, who has not au interest in it, and if you put on a duty that yo& say will raise the price of corn ls., or ls. Gd., or 2s. a bushel, every }nun would count that ls., Gd., or 2s. as something which ho had to pay for the support of his family in addition to that which he would otherwise base had to pay. Now, are you ready to face that question ?—(Loud cheers from the Ministerial bench.) Are. you ready to face the discon tent that such a proposal would occasion?—(Cheers from the same quarter.) And here lit me observe that you would be considered responsible, not only for the effect which your law would produce in raising the price cf corn, but also for any additional rise that might be caused by the seasons in this country, or that acci dental circumstances in foreign countries might produce in the present state of things. At present the price of cora may rise from 40s. to 455. per quarter, or from 455. to 502., and no man in the country had a right t 3 com plain, nor would he complain.—(Cheers.) It would be said, " Justice is done us; we have the price of corn as cheap as it could be;" and if the price of bread became dearer the people would have no right to accuse our legislation; but if we should have a rise from 40a. to 455. a quarter after we had passed a new law to regu late the price of food, depend upon it the discontent would be deep and universal.—(Chem.) The Hon. Gentleman accuses us of sneering at the landed inte rest because they complain. Now, I acknowledge their right to complain. Every Englishman thinks himself' entitled to complain. The landed interest have a per fect right to make complaints, and to utter them as loudly as they please. Well, then, in this case I am consi dering you would have complaints loud and deep enough to Parliament for having dallied an additional price to be placed upon the food of the people. Do not conceal that from yourselves. You are ready to face, and no doubt you are ready to overcome, any complaints against the established institutions of the country; and any attacks, f,r example, upon the House of Lords, as an institution not useful and beneficial to the country. I believe you would be able to overcome such attacks; but is it not wise not to put any occasion of discontent before the people, and not to raise the price of food? Look at the situation in which we have stood during the last two years. Have our institutions - been 'assailed?—have we had anything beyond the lowest murmurs from the people in general?—(hlear.) But had the general election found this question of protection unsettled, and had put it be fore the country, who shall say what subjects would not have become mixed up with that discontent, and what institutions you might not have been called upon to de fend? Let me tell you it is far wiser not to put these in stitutions thus in question. Defend them, you will tell me, you can and will, and I shall be happy to be associ ated with you in their defence. But it is the course of pru dence to continue in the policyyou have pursued, and not to raise complaints by the people that, by favouring any particular class and raising the price of the necessaries of life, you have caused a doubt to be raised of the sympathy of the Legislature with the great body of the people.—(Cheers.) If you take that course, I beg you, and through you the occupiers of land in this country, to consider our present position. I do not know a higher or a better position than that of a gentleman in England. It is Mr. Gibbon, I think, who says that he thanks God that he was born an Englishman, and that again ho thanks God he was born an English gentleman. An English gentleman in the possession ot an estate in this country is looked up to by his tenants, to whom he is able to do acts of beneficence and generosity—(lh ar, hear) —having enough business to occupy his time and enough leisure for literature and for his amusements. If he is called upon to take a seat in the Legislature he may take a part in stirring debates and thus may influence the fortunes of this country. Such a man in such a condition is snot fortunate. I say you-will do most rashly if you.risk it by the pretence of giving to a par ticular class an advantage by legislation which other classes do not ask; and which, if they did ask, they would not obtain—(ll4,ex, hear.) It that be so, I ask the House to be content with the present state of our legislation. We have made a great change which has been scum panic,' by distress among a portion of the people of the United Kingdom. If there is anything that the Hon. Gentleman opposite can suggest for the relief of that dis tress with fairness to all other classes, let that be pro posed and considered—accepted if useful, rejected if not. But do not attempt, now that the question of protection has been decided by one Parliament—now that those who have in that Parliament given their vote for the ee , truction of protection have been again returned—do not now attempt by a fresh vote to disturb that question, and to make it doubted whether your deliberations have that consistency, that firmness, and that regard to the interests of all her Majesty's subjects which it is your bounden duty to entertain.—(Cheers). at me add, likewise, that my helief is that the course of policy begun by the Legislature in 1842 by the Right Hon. Gentle man the Member for Tamwortb, and continued in sub seep:eat years, by his Administration and that succeeding to it, is to open a great course of peace and prosperity to this country and to the world.—(Loud cheers.) be lieve also that with respect to the Act passed last session f the repeal cf the navigation-laws, we have never been sufficiently shown what benefits that Act may give us.—(Cheers.) That the nations of the world should be in haste to follow you in the course you then adopted is w hat I never expected, and what I am happy to re cognise. But if you say now that you are about to go back to your former system of restriction and protection —if you proclaim that you are about to resume that which you a short time ago discarded as an injurious theory and an unjust practice, then you may expect no such benefit and advantage from those foreign powers. You may expect them to be confirmed in all their notions of the benefit of restriction. By your decision to-night you may, not only have a great influence upon the wel fare of the people and the fortunes of this great state, but you will likewise decide whether your example will be beneficial or injurious to mankind.—(Loud cheers.) Mr. COBDEN—I do not rise to make a speech, but to express my regret that the occasion has not been afforded us of discussing the question which it was ex pected would have been raised to-night.—(Hear, hear.) I came to this House fully convinced that before 48 hours had elapsed an opportunity would be afforded us by Honourable Gentlemen opposite of discussing in this House the principles at issue between Free-traders and Protectionists. What has passed in this country of late has convinced me of the desirableness of having that dis cussion, far I admit that a large and influential body of tenant-farmers in the country are under the impression that the question of protection and free trade has not Leen settled in this House. The agitation that has been going on during the last three mouths has been suffi cient to show any one who has his eyes open, that au intense feeling and belief exbtr on the part of the occuming tenants that this House is prepared to re consider the question of the corn-laws, and that an injury has been done to a poi tion of the community that this House will remedy.—(Hear.) Now, it is said that this is not a movement of holdovers, but of the farmers; that they recognise as their representatives and leaders the gentlemen I see opposite, and they believe that a large body ef those gentlemen have come to this [le am?. prepared to vindicate the princiPles they think just. Noes, I will willingly admit that so far as the Government have been concerned there has been no disposition to filter upon ,this question.—(Hear, hear) — and that there has not been tne ,lightest hesitation on their part to meet it on its merits at the very opening of the session. —(Cheers.) The ren e 4rk has been frequently made, and the Hon. Member (Mr. Disraeli) has himself alluded to it in no kindly terms, that the Hon. Member for Wolverhampton, who used to bring forward an annual mot' on for the repeal e f the. corn-laws, Lai hem put forward on this occasion to move the Address, and that the Government 'a ere prepared to offer a dis tinct negative to the principles that the Protectionist party advocated. Now, in the early part of the debate the Hon. Gentlemen opposite who addressed the House have taken a fair and candid course. They have not dealt in mystification, and they did not attempt to talk of all things except that which was before us.—(A laugh.) They said that protection was desirable for the interests of this country, and they discussed this question. But what has fallen from the lion. Member for Bucks? That Hon. Member has changed the character of the debate, and has 'altered the issue of the division, for he said that the amendment be fore the House was not a question of protection and free trade. —(Hear, hear.) The lion. Meml:er distinctly said that he was not going to discuss whether protection is to be or is not to be tee principle ef this House, and that no lion. Gentleman who voted tu-eight would commit himself to that question. Now, that was a very sorry beginning &Ler so loud a preparation.—(Cheere.) I do not know whether the farmers are aware of the position they are placed in by these decleeations. If we find a body of gentlemen in this House who agree with their leader, then we know what course they are going to take But when I find that gentlemen who address us before their leaders are prepared to take the course I have de scribed, and then that they are followed by their leader who distinctly repudiates everything that his followers have said be fore him, the farnaere must have greater acuteness than any one possesses on this side of the House if they can understand the position in which their interests are placed.—(He ar, hear.) Why, the rank and file are seeping one way, the leaders another, and their pat tisans out of doors will have to decide which to follow. The HOTS. Gentleman (Mr. Disraeli) speaks a good deal about what has been said out of doers, but I think it would be as well if he would turn his attention to the facts and arguments brought forward in this House. The Hon. Gentleman sometimes makes statements out of doors as well as other people, and occasionally intro duces a little invective and personality, though ho dis likes it so much in other people.--(Hear, hear.) I re member the Honourable Getetlemae,laving a meeting et Marlow—(A laugh)—and that ho stated at that meet ing that it was not a becoming thing in Members of Par liament to meet out of doors and discuss public griev ancei, the House of Commons being the proper arena, especially for such controversies as that of protection. —(Hear, hear.) Well, here I am, not in Buckingham shire' but on the floor of this House, ready and anxious for a discussion with the Hon. Gentleman.—(Che,ra and laughter.) The Hon. Gentleman; however, has taken up every conceivable topic except that of native indus'ry.— (Laughter.) He has talked a great deal about those who have the raw material of laud. Ido not know how often he has referred of late, but it must be at least fifty times, to the raw material of land. At Marlow, or some other place, he said the land was a raw material; but he said something more; he said ehe raw material belonged to the landowners, and that no Act of Parliament, no power could make him lower his rent—that was a ques tion be tween him and his tenant. Now, the Hon. Gentle man takes this raw material as a thing that ought to be specially indulged—that is, you must reduce the taxation on the raw material of land. But how the abolition of taxes on the raw material that belongs to the land owners can benefit the farmers is beyond my compre hension.--(Cheers.) My understanding et the case of the farmer is, that he complains his capital is diminish ing —that is, th a t the stock he has in the raw material is diminishing, and he wants us to raise the price of his produce in order that he may save this fl orating capital. But the Hon. Gentleman opposite, instead of proposing a protective duty to raise the price of the farmer's stock, gives us a quarter of an hour's discussion upon a propo sition that will reduce the taxation on the landowner's raw material.—(Cheers and laughter.) Now, I think everybody will admit, whatever teey may think of free trade or protection, that it is desirable that this question should be settled as soon as possible.—(Loud cheering.) No honest man in the country, I say it advisedly, can desire that that this question should be kept over longer than can possibly be avoided. If there be any party in this House, any individual in this House, who wishes to make protection a stalking horse to power or notoriety, or for temporary prc emineace—if it were possible any individual could have any such motive, or hoped ,to get into office for a brief period (for it could only be for a short time) by means of this question of protection, by playing with it, by pre tending to advocate protection when in his secret soul he never dreams of obtaining it in this House—l say, any ono who, for such purposes, would keep alive this ques tion, would be one of the greatest enemies the tenant farmer could possibly have.—(Chiers.) And not only so, but the greatest enemy of the country at large, be cause all have an interest, whether tenant-fermers or manufacturers, in the successful pursuit ef agriculture in this country.—(Cheers.) Now, I have the fullest confidence in every class of my fellow-countrymen, that they me accomplish anything that human beings can accomplish, if you only let them know what they have to de.—(tlear, hear.) But if you tell men, while they aro suffering from want of exertion and new arrangements, to wait with their arms folded till some other power intervenes . to do that for them which they can do for themselves, you will render the finest race in the world powerless.—(Cheers.) Ido not un deretend the tactics of gentlemen opposite, nor how the Protectionist landowners should pursue the course they are now doing. Why, they are running about tie farmers, disgusting them with their land.—(Cheers and laughter.) Do they think it possible they can carry on such tactics with success?--(Elear.) Were there ever dealers in any raw material boffin) that acted so foolishly? —(Cheers and laughter.) There is an unsavoury simile which I must not give in this House, but which they may go to Billingsgate for, that will exactly suit their case.—(Laughter.) They seem quite unconscious of the consequences to themselves. This question of free trade or protection must terminate some time; and when it is decided do not Honourable Gentlemen see that the very ' arguments they are now putting forth to disparage the land will be turned against themselves at their audit trebles with compound interest?—(Cheers.) Has there been no sensible man among them—not one clear-headed sensible being, to tell these unfortunate misguided landowners that they are doing their best to ruin themselves and their chil dren after them—(Laughter) —not only so, but that they are doing all they can te vilify those who prognosticate that some good may yet bo done by them?—(Hear, hear.) Does a worthy gentleman step out from the or dinary walks of his profession, like Mr. Huxtable— (Laughter)—and suggest so me t hi ngs that may b e done by them;or heath, does v i i carrying iae d b y on Hon. businessGea tGentlemen I e in a Leadenhall-street propose t o them how to bring in a barren opposite.—(Hear, hear.) It may he ho cannot show by he is a instantly gentleman his accounts or his debtor and creditor account that he makes money by his experiments. But what inventor ever made his tint experiments profitable? Why, the manufacturers had made their fortut 0; from the costly experiments of inventors. I really cannot understand on what rational principles Honourable Gentlemen are acting. I think that there is good reason for the com plaint that the Marquis of Granby should be allowed to go at large and run about the country—(Great laughter)—telling the farmers that their business if they paid no rent at all.—(Laughter.) I should very much like to hear some of the conversa tions that will take place at Belvoir Castle next audit day.-(Laughter.) What . I want to know, however, is, when are we to have this question discussed? The Hon. Member (Mr. Disraeli) has told us this question is not to be discussed now. Last session the Hon. Gentleman attracted my notice from the way lie evaded the ques tion of protection, the systematic, care c ul, cautious way in which he evaded it, and tried to turn the attention of the House to the taxation of the raw material. — (Cheers.) Now, I think it comes with a peculiarly bad graee from the Hon. Gentleman that he should act in such a way as this, for he has been so constantly the censor of others, whom ho accused of having led a party, while secretly convinced that that party sought objects they could not accomplish. If_ the Hon.,-Gentleman means to accomplish protection, it.must be on the merits of the question, not by sarcasm and vituperation and invective —not by the mere fireworks e f rhetoric, but by substantial facts and arguments.—(Great cheering.) He has been fairly challenged by the speech of the Hon. Gentleman (Mr. Villiers), and no question was ever more ripe for discussion in this House. I hope, therefore, ho will lose no time, hut give notice to morrow, if possible, of the time when ho will discuss the whole question, not in Buckinghamshire, but in this House.—(Cheere.) I must say I admired greatly the speech of the Noble Lord, who took a large and comprehensive view of this subject, but I think the Noble Lord was i n err or when he said an Bs. duty in 1841 would have stayed the question of entire free trade. At all events, whatever might have taken place in 1841, in 1846 a calamity occurred that must for ever have swept away all duties whatever.—(Great cheers.) I have only to repeat in conclusion my request, in the name of the farmers of England—(Loud cheers)—and for the sake of the community at large—(Hear)---that the Hon. Member for Buckinghamshire, as ho values the interest of the farmers and as he values his- own reputation, will lose no time in bringing forward the question of agricultural protection in this House.— (Loud cheers, and cries of " Question.") Mr. 11. DRUNIMOND said, as the Hon. Gentleman had avowed that he would watch, and call upon the far mers to watch, the conduct of those who had been ad. dressing them at their public meetings, to see whether they would avow in that House the sentiments they, had expressed out of doors, he begged to give the Hon. Gen tleman notice that he was fully prepared to justify every word he had uttered elsewhere, and was prepared to go into the question whenever the lion. Gentleman pleased. Though he felt that Hon. Gentlemen on his aide of the House did not require his vgis to be thrown over them, still he would take upon himself to justify their condUct as well es his own on this question. In order that the Hon. Member for the West lii3ing might distinctly un derstand the ground on which he put the question, it was this—that he ( Hr. Drummond) cared not, comparatively, for the welfare of the landlord;. that he cared not, com paratively, for the welfare of the tenant; but he accused the lion. Gentleman of sacrificing the English labourer for the sake of—(The cries of " Question" and " Divide" drowned the closing words of the sentence.) Th at was his point. The lion. Gentleman could not therefore now mistake what was the question at issue. —(Cries of " Divide.") FEBRUARY 2, 1850. Colonel THOMPSON rose, amidst loud calls for a division. The Hon. Gentleman persevered, amidst a Baba! of sounds all around him, in addressing the House. - He said it was not at his option whether he addressed the House or not; but be should do it as brit fly as the temper of the House appeared to counsel. He represented a constituency whose interests were directly destroyed by the principles advocated on the opposite side;. and the speakers of that side had furnished him with his text. The Protectionist speakers had made loud demands for justice. Ile would ask what would be thought of his side, if the people of Bradford had stated that they had mills and manufacteries which only wanted one thing to make them go on, end that was a duty on home-grown corn? (Here the discord rose to a tremen dous pitch, in the midst of which the Hon. and Gallant Member persevered in insisting on being heard, speak• ing at the top cf . his voice, and evidently enjoying the scene rather than otherwise. In a lull of the storm we caught a eulogy on the character of the Right Hon. Bat onet the Menebzr fair Tamworth, which was evidently intended to try whether the I'rutectionists would give voice to an oppwite opinion,and it was remarkable that they teeeived it eithout any mat ked attempt at iuterruption.) The Honoureble raid Gallant Member. proci eded to say he would take the assistance of a piece of history, given by a clerical wit now deceit ted.—( Loud noises from the Pioteetionlat benches.) lie would assure the House it was a better joke than had been uttered by the best of the Protectionist ()raters that nigLt —(Laughter and chi ere.) A bishop was pressed by a bet of hungry followers for food, and he cried, "Throw out to them the dinners of the D: an and Chapter."—(Laughter.) Now, the Pro tectionist claim vial to throw out the dinners of the people of Bradford—(Cheers)—and he did not see why. that should be agreed to without the stoutest possible opposition. He would now go to the consequencis which the Protectionists hid entailed on themselves by this effort to return to protection. They had laid open the sore place.—(Prodigious uproar) blanches:cc with fourte en thousand constituents sent two Members, and the Tower Hamlets with fifteen thousand, while places under the influence of the agriculturists sent two Members with three hundred. The Protectionists had reiterated their assurances that they would never give over, till they got ha*. Their chances of getting back were therefore dependent on their preserving an advantage of fifty to one in the representation.—(Tremendous out cries.) He wondered where the lion. Member for Not tingham was eclipsing himself; for if he could see him he would ask him whether this was not the opportunity to cry to those dogs of war he was reputed to have under his control, " Up guards ! and at 'em."—(An inde scribable torrent of cheers and cries with a view to drown.) All this would be carefully explained in thoie calmer assemblies which were the first workshops of all po litical combinations. He had always been opposed to that burning of the regimentel books which had taken place in one powerful association, on the accidental success which the enlightened and conscientious conduct of the Member for Tausworth had given them; and be hoped they would now see the necessity of throwing all their force into the new liue he had pointed out, of demanding the, cessation of the fifty-fold majority of the agriculturists in the representation. He thanked those who had sup.-, ported him in gaining the hearing he had had, ai4l., there were places at Bradford, and larger still else where, where any defects in the explanation of his views could be amply supplied. The House then divided, when there appeare I For the amendment ... 192 For the original motion ... 311 Majority in favour of the Address —ll9 AUSTRALIAN COLONIES BILL. Lord JOHN RUSSELL postponed the introduction of this Bill from Monday until Friday. The House adjourned at Two o'clock. LAW I N TELLIGENCE. COURT OF QUEEIV'S BENCH, Feb. 1. (Sittings at Nisi Prius before Mr. Justice ERLE and a Middlesex Common Jury.) lIREACII OF PROMISE OF DIARRIALGE-HALFRIDE V. BAXTER. Mr. James and Mr. Charnock appeared for the plain tiff; and Mr. llumfroys conducted the case for tho de fendant. Tins was an action broukht t) recover compensation in damages for an alleged breach ofpromise of marriage made by the defendant to the plaintiff. From the state ments of the L'arued Counsel for the plaintiff it ap peared that the plaintiff, Matilda Mary Halfhide, is the daughter of it:respectable tradesman, carrying on the business of a smith, in Thames -street, and that the de fendant was the steward and valet of the late Sir George Martin. The do fondant had paid his addresses for a considerable period to the plaintiff, giving her to under stand on the decease of his master he would marry her. He, hOwever, when this circumstance took place grew cold in his attentions, and, after a few months, entirely broke off the engagement, and ultimately married another female. The present action. was therefore brought. The defendant pleaded, among other thing , , a disparity of years, he being 58, and the lady 27 years of age, and an arrangement that all further communication between each of the parties should cease. The d, fondant had married a fellow-servant, who bad received by the will of Sir George Martin a sum of 50/. The defendant himself had received money to the amount of 1,000/. under the same will, and was at present the landlord of the Adam and Eve public-house, in the St. John-street-road. The mother of the plaintiff, and several other wit nesies were examined, whose evidence completely bars out the statements of the Learned Counsel. Letters wore then read which had been written by the ' defendant to the plaintiff. They were in a plain mutter er-fact style, although they exhibited au entire disregard of the established rules of orthography. Mr. 11U111FREYS having been heard on the part of the defendant, His LORDSHIP summed up, and The jury, after a brief deliberation, returned a verdict for the plaintiff—damages 150/. His LORDSUIP, of for a brief discussion, ruled that half the damages should be paid in ten days, and the residue withi❑ the usual time. RAILWAY SilAith MARKETS. BRISTOL, FEB. 1. STOCK EXCHANGE.—Tho market maintains its firmness, at improved rates. The only alterations in prices were— Great Western, Quarters, 16 .Ditto, New 171. Shares, 5% die. LIVERPOOL, FIB. 1. STOCK EXCHANGE. —The market was steady to-day, still the amount of business done has not been large. The trans actions were as follow : —Birmingham and Dudley, 5 p.— Lancashire and Yorkshire, Fifths, 71. lls. 3d. London and North-Western, 115 1 4—Ditto, New Quarters, p.— Ditto, Quarters, 1t,4 p.—Midland, 44—Ditto, Halves, 23% dis.—South-Eastern and Dover, 197/ B —Ditto (N 0.4), c. —York and North Berwick (G. N. E. Purchase), 6 per cent. till 1850, 5 lAidis. MANCHESTER, FEB. 1. STOCK EXCHANGE.—But- little business was done in our Stock Exchange to-day, and prices are lower. The transactions were as follow:—Caledonian (Clydesdale Junc tion), Preference, 7%—East Lancashire, Preference. Quar ters, 7 3-16 n.—Lancashire and Yorkshire (W. R. U.), '201., 6 15-16 dis.—London and North-Western, Manchester and Birmingham, Quarters (C), p.—Manchester, Sheffield, and Lincolnshire, Preference, 8 1 ,( 3 Ditto (Sheffield, and Lincolnshire), 41( 1 South-Eastern and Dover (No. 4), Scrip, 6% c. —North Staffordshire, 10 1 ,4 dis. YORK, JAR. 31. STOCK EXCHANGK.—The transactions to-day were as follow :—York, Newcastle, and Berwick, 16%—Ditto (New castle Extension), 10% —Great Northern, 7 MEETING OF PROTECTIONIST MEMBERS OF THE HOUSE OF COMMONS AT LORD STANLEY'S.--A very numerous meeting of Members of the House of Com mons favourable to protective duties took place on Thurs day, at one o'clock, at Lord Stanley's residence, in St. James's-square. Ws believe the following to be an accurate list (.f the gentlemen present:—The Marquis of Chandos, Marquis of Worcescr, Marquis of Granby, Lord C. Manners, Lord G. Manners, Lord E. Hill, Lord E. Brooke, Lord A. Lennox, Lord G. Lennox, Lord H. Bentinck, Lord Burghley, the Earl of March, Viscount Galway, Viscount Barrington, Viscount Newport, Vis count Bernard, Sir John JolMe, Major Beresford, Mr. B. Disraeli, Mr. R. Riackmore, Mr. P. Bennet, Mr. J. Stuart, Mr. G. A. Hamilton, Mr. E. S. Gooch, Mr. J. T. Plumptro, Mr. R. Bremritigo, Mr. J. llornby, Mr. E. 11. Baldock, Mr. C. L. C. Bruce, Mr. A. E. Fuller, Mr. R. A. Christopher, Mr. R. Spooner, Captain Vy:e, Mr. G. Arb:wright, Mr. 1). Waddington, Mr. C. W. Packe, Mr. 11. J. Baillie, Mr. W. Deedes, Mr. G. W.. Repton, Mr. J. W. Henley, Mr. E. H. Banbury, Sir H. Raiford, the Honourable 11. A. Cole, Mr. W. ',Mika, Mr. C. N. Newdegate, the Right Honourable J. t.. llerries, Mr. E. Fellows, Mr. Gwyn, Mr. J. R. Mul fins, Mr. J. Neeld, Mr. E. Wode house, Mr. J. G. Smy th, Mr. 11. B. Clive, Mr. J. Bailey, Sir R. Lopes, the Hon. Captain Harris, the Hon. C. E. Law, Mr. E. M. Muuday, Mr. G. Bankes, Mr. J. Floyer, Sir W. Verner, Captain Rushout, Mr. J. Ferrer, Mr. R. Prime, Mr. L. W. Back, Mr. W. Long, Mr. 11. C. Comp ton, Colonel Cnatterton, Mr. M. Brisco, Sir A. Hood, Mr. C. A. Moody, Afx. C. G. Du Pre, Mr. H. N. Bur , roughes, Captain Jo nes, Mr. J. W. Dod, Mr. S. L. Fox, Mr. F. Rufford, Colonel E. Taylor, Mr. R. Bromley, Mr. R. C. Rildyard, Mr. C. 0. Morgan, Mr. M. Bell, the Hon. Colonel Lowther, Mr. Joseph Neeld, Colonel Knox, the Hon. Captain Maxwell, Colonel Powell, Mr. J. M. Gaskell, Mr. T. Bate son, Mr. A. Stafford, the Hon. Captain Cotton, Mr. J. Hamilton, Colonel Hall, the Hon. A. Duncombe, Mr. J. P. Halsey,;Sir C. Knightley, Mr. 11. S. Waddington, Mr. W. F. Mackenzie, Sir 11. Meux, the Hon. W. Begot, the Hon. G. Noel, Mr. T. Conolly, the Hon. F.' Scott, Captain Somerset, Sir W. Codring ton, Colonel Bruen, TMr. G. Dodd, Mr. C. D. Adderlev, Sir J. B. Walsh, Mr. R. Richards, Mr. J. Best, Mr. M. Portal, Mr. J. F. Stanford, Mr. J . W. Knight, and. the Hon. Colonel Forrester. The Earl St. Vincent was, we believe, the only peer present at the meeting. MELANCHOLY SUICIDE IN THE CITY.—On Wednes day Mr. Wm. Payne held an inquest at the White Hart, Abchurch-lane, on the body of Mr. Joseph Ivon Win stanley, aged 58, the outfitter, of No. 54, King William street, London -bridge, who committed suicide. Mr. Buckle, chemist, of Leadenhall-street, said that the deceased on Monday last called at his shop, and pur chased ed. worth of the essential oil o f a l mon d s ( t hi rty/ drops) which he said he wanted to scent some pomaturn with. Mr. Wass, of 51, King William-street, said that he had known deceased for some time past. On Tuesday afternoon he was sent for to the deceased's house, and then heard that he was dead, and that a bottle labelled " essential oil of almonds" bad been found in his pocket. Of late he had suffered much in his mind on account of pecuniary difficulties, and ho believed he was insane. A daughter of the deceased gave such evidence as proved that her father's spirits, for many months past, had been so depressed that he scarcely knew, at times, what be did. Other evidence confirmatory of the above hav ing, been given, a verdict was returned of " Tempc s sikr y 1 insanity." OVERLAND MAIL lA (From the Chronicle.) We have received by extraordinary express vices from Bombdy to the 3d of January, and Cal cutta to the 22d of December. (FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.) BOMBAY, JAN. 3.—The Auckland arrived last night with the London overland mail of the 24th of Novembar, just as we had given up all hope of her making her appearaze, prior to the dispatch of the steamer which leaves this day for Suez. The delay seems to have arisen, in the first instance, from the breaking down ,of the steamer on the line be tween Marseilles and Alexandria, but when I tell your readers that the Auckland was no less than thirteen days on the voyage from Ader, a distance she ought to have accom e lished in nine, they will be able to form some idea of the state to which the Overland communication has been reduced, and of the necessity which exists for an alteration of the present arrangements. In England the mails may be regarded as fortnightly : here the practical effort of the system is to divide the month into two inter vals, one of three weeks, an d th e o th er o f a wee k. I believe the Chamber of Commerce has more than .once remonstrated against the plan which is pur sued, but as yet there are no signs of improvement, and the home press must again be looked to, to take up the cudgels on our behalf, and enforce, by pertinacious agitation, the reform which is so urgently required. The news by the present opportunity is rather more interesting than usual. The expedition under Col. Sir H. Lawrence, or rather Brigadier Bradshaw, for the Colonel was but the political head, has found the suppression of village disaffection, and the punishment of revenue defaulters, a rather more formidable task than many anticipated. In fact we have had some more fighting in the Punjauh, and, although our troops have come off victoriou', it has been proved that there are yet thousands in the late Seikh empire who are ready to draw the sword and shout the war cry against the Fcringhee. These operations will probably put an end to " re bellion" for the season. Unless I mistake the charac ter of the people, and the nature of their complaints, however, it-may be anticipated tha n a fresh expedition will be required almost every year to subdue insur rectionary tendencies, and overcome reluctance to dis charge fiscal liabilities. Your readers will be glad to learn that the Sikkur Itija has thought better of his absurd opposition to the British authorities, and has released Des. Camp bell and Hooker, the officers 'who were detained by him. Up to the date of the latest advices, however, these gentlemen do not appear to have actually re turned to Darjeeling. It is now confidently reported that Sir C. Napier does not intend leaving India for the present. COMMERCIAL INTELLIGENCE. REPORT ON THE STATE OF — THE BOMBAY MARKETS. FROM Due. 17 TO JAN. 2, INCLUSIVE. Bombay, Wednesday Evening, Jan. 2. Our money, market is less easy now than it has been for some time past, and there has been a slight application of the screw by the Bank of Bombay, it having raised its rates of discount and interest one per cent. There has been very little doing in Government Securities for some time pa:4, and the quotations given elsewhere may almost be considered nominal. The business done in Shares during the past fort night has not been large, but prices are maintained and the market is in a sound and satisfactory state. The business done in imports during the past fortnight has been exceedingly limited, and the inactivity prevailing at date of last report has continued up to the present time—a state of matters which has heretofore rarely happened in the month of December. Stocks being, however, light, and there having been scarcely any importations during the period under review, the prices of almost all articles have remained unchanged. In exports, some large transactions in opium Owe had effect. The market for other articles of produce Itas been dull. 4 Wtton Piece Goods—Grey Shirtings : Of these the sales amount to 7,950 pieces, at prices varying from Rs. 4 to Rs. 5% per piece. Of 40 and 45-inch widths the market is rather bare, and a pretty good inquiry for them exists. For the lower descriptions there is but little de mand, and stocks are considerable. Jacconets Sales: 18,709 pieces, at Rupees 1:7 : 3 to Rupees 1% per piece. Madapollams Sales : 12,750 pieces, at Rupees 2 3-16 to Its. 2 9-16._ Both these articles are dull of sale ; as also long-cloths and domestics, of the former of which 11,694 pieces have been sold at rupees 41 to rupees 5 13-16 per piece. T cloth—Sales, 4,301 pieces, at rupees 4 9-16 to ru pees 8 11-16 per piece. Only the heavier makes are in request. Bleached shirtings—No sales reported. The stocks of 30 inch 60 to 72 reed are very low, and they are wanted. In ferior qualities are uninquired for. In Madapollams nothing has been done. Jacconets are scarce and wanted. Do mestics have been disposed of to a moderate extent. In twilled cloth no sales have been reported, and the demand is dull. The prices of common jacconet checks, mulls, lap pets, and satin stripes, continue unchanged, and these fabrics are somewhat in demand ; as also are satin stripes. Dyed—Turkey red twilled and plain cloths, with prints and mulls, are also in moderate demand. Fancy Goods—With exception of low lappets and book muslins, almost all de scriptions of these fabrics are in moderate request. Cotton Yarn Scarcely anything has been done in yarns since our last, the only sale reported being one of 35 bales (10,500 lbs.) Mule—No. 40, annas 9-16th, No. 50, as 910, and No. GO, as 10;4, per lb. A good inquiry exists for all counts except No. 20 inferior: the numbers most required just now are 30s. and 50s. Of Water we have no s.de to report. No. 40s. are in demand : —heavy stocks of 20s. and 30s. are in the hands of importers, and in but small request. —Of Turkey red we hesr of a sale of 11 bales (2,300 lbs.) No. 40 and 50, at Rs. 1 1 / . 2 . per lb. Metals—Sales during the fortnight have been confined to copper of different descriptions at former rates, the stocks on hand being large. In the prices of other metals we have no alteration to notice. Bar iron, Swedish, is scarce and wanted, as also is pig lead. EXPORTS. Cotton Wool—The market for this staple has been dull during the past week, owing to the non-arrival of advices from home, and but few purchases have been made. The only good quality at market is Compta ; and the prices of all descriptions have declined since our last. Opium—The demand for this drug has been steady of late, and upwards of 1,100 chests were dispatched to Ch►na by the steamer Achilles on the 19th ult., although last ad vices from that market were none of the most cheering. The price is now Rs. 1,325 at Rs. 1,335 per chest for best Malwa. The proceeds of the second Calcutta Opium sale, held on the l'4th ult., amount to 306,9751. FREIGHTS. _ _ _ The non-arrival of the English mail of the 24th Nov. till this afternoon has prevented shippers from purchasing cotton to any extent, and there has consequently been but a limited demand for tonnage. Our quotations are 3/. 2s. 6d. to 31. ss. to London; 31. to 3/. 2s. 6d. to Liverpool; and Rs. 11 per candy to China. EXCHANGE. The transactions in bills on England for this mail have been somewhat large, rates having been very much in fa vour of remitters. The Oriental Bank has been drawing at Is. llqd. six months' sight, and the usual description of first-class China paper has been sold at rates varying from Is. 11Ad. to is 11 9-16, six months' sight. We estimate the amount going home by this steamer at 100,0001. Bills on Calcutta are not in much request at IA per cont. pre mium sight, and %to % per cent. discount, sixty days' sight. THE WEST INDIA MAIL. (BY ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH.) SOUTHAMPTON, FRIDAY, MIDNIGHT. - The West India steamer, Medway, has just arrived, with the mails, a valuable cargo, and nearly two millions of dollars on merchants' account. Our Jamaica news is to the 7th of January. The Island was healthy. The sugar market lower-17s. lid. to 19s. per hundred pounds. Pimento, 34d. The Rum Duty Bill had, without the ap propriation clauses, been sent back to the House of Assembly. The session would quietly terminate. The Medway's news from California is to the Ist of December. Gold still abundant. Sick- ness, however, prevails. Nicaragua accounts state that all was quiet. Vessels of war from England and Arne. rice were anxiously expected to protect interests Trade was dull at Valparaiso, and the Indians were reported to have risen, threatening the peace of Valdivia. It was rumoured the rising would be put down by troops from the Government of Chili. Insurrections were also taking place at Bolivia. Trinidad accounts are favourable, crops promising. From Antigua wo learn the weather was propitious, and the island free from yellow fever. THE UNITED STATES. The packet-ship Washington, Captain Page, arrived at Liverpool yesterday afternoon, after a very quick passage from New York, which port she left on the 10th, and waited two days below, and finally sailed on the 12th. By her we have papers .to the 11th ult. There is no news of importance. Congress was beginning to get organized, but no important business had been transacted. The steamer Alabama had arrived from Chagres at New Orleans, with 250,000 dolls, in gold and dust. The steamer Unicorn was to leave San Franciso on Dec. 10, and was expected at Panama on Jan. 1. When the Ala bama left, the Falcon had not arrived at Chagres. The Panama says that a gold mine has been dis covered on the Isthmus, on which some of the adven turers had commenced digging in preference to going to California. Scurvy and other diseases prevailed to a great extent at the diggings and in San Franci sc o. According to the law enacted by the Repu blic of N ew Grenada, free trade exist; on the Isthm us on and alter the Ist cif January. The Hungarian refugees had pr phia, where their arrival bad bees jOY• ce lebratedOedOdtowPithhilgardeeali rcent is making great strides in , - ,_The American papers s.tste.thcatatnhaedaa.nnexation meve- The commercial adtvices do not differ from those pre viously received. Thu weather was rather more moderate than when thw last steamer left. CHANC',B Or QUARTERS IN TFE CAVALRY REG'. sir:Nrs,- —2d Dragoon Guards, from Piershill to York ; 3d ditto, from Nottingham to Manchester; 4th ditto, from May c h a ster to Birmingham) and South Wales ; sth ditto, int al Birmingham to Ireland ; 7th ditto, from Brighton to P.eland ; Ist Dragoons, from York to Nottingham; 2d ditto, groin Longford to Canterbury ; Bth Hussars, from New bridge to Brighton; 11th ditto, from Hounslow to Norwich and Ipswich; 13th Light Dragoons, from Dundalk to Edin burgh ; 16th Lancers, trom Norwich to Hounslow. AMERICAN FLOUR.—A vessel just arrived from New York with a general cargo, has brought the large (plan t ity of 10,000 barrels of flour, the produce of the United V l ' atom of America. .COURT CIRCULAR. S INDSOR, FRIDAY. Tht:Queen walked out ia tb , Home Perk this mornii.g. Prince Albert went out shooting this foreimon. Nis Royal _Highness was accompani.-d by the Alarquis of Exeter, the Marquis of Doughs, and. Earl Spencer, and was attended by Lord Camo); , Colonel the Hcn.Charles R. Phipps. and Lieut.. Colonel F. H. Seymour. The Prince f Wales, Peirce Alfred, the Princess Royal, the Prin cess Ali ce , the Pr;ncess Helen; and the Princess Louisa, took their usual exercise and airings to-day. Her Royal Highness the Duchess cf Kent visited her Majesty this morning. The ro) al party at the Castle took a drive in the afternoon. Mr Majesty, his Royal Highness Prince Albeit, her Royal Highness the Grand Duchess Ste phanie of Baden, and the Duchess of Sutherland, occu pying an open pony phaeton and four; the Lady in Wait ing to the Queen, the Countess ofJersey, Lady Clemen tuna Villiers, and the C ountess Spencer, following in another pony phaeton, and the Equeries in Waiting, Colonel liuckLy and Li eutenant-Color:el the lion. Alex ander Gordon, attending on horseback. The Duke and Duchess of N,ifolk and Lady A. Fitz alan Hoc ard, the Marquis of lireadalbane, Lady and Miss Peel, arrived at the Castle this afternoon on a visit to the Queen and the Prince. The Earl of Carlisle is is also expected this evening. The royal dinner party includes her Royal Highress the Grand Duchess Stephanie of Baden, the Duchess of Sutherland end Lady C. Lereson Gowcr, the Duke and Ouches. of Norfolk and Lady A. Fitzalan Howard, the Countess Ingelhtim (Lady in Waiting on the Grand Duchess of Baden), the Marquis of Breadalhane, sh e Marquis and Marchioness of Exeter, the Marquis and Marchioness of Douglas, the Countess of Jersey and Lady Cleruentina Villiers, the Earl and Countess Spen cer, the Earl of Carlisle, Lady and Miss Peel, Baron Schrcinkenstein (in Waiting on the Grand Duchess Ste phanie of Baden), and Colonel the Hon. Charles Grey. Colonel Buckley has relieved Lord Charles Fitzroy in his duties as Equerry in Waiting to the Queen ; and Lieutenant-Colonel the Hon. Alexander Gordon has re- lieved Lieutenant-Colonel F. 11. Seymour in his duties as Equerry in Waiting on his Royal Highness Prince Albert.. Her Mrjesty will hold a Privy Council on Tuesday next at Windsor Castle. Mr. Masters Smith, High Sheriff of Kent, and Mr. George Essell, Under-Sheriff, delivered an address from the freeholders and inhabitants of Kent to Sir G. Grey yesterday at the Home-office, for presentation to her Majesty. Sir. Selby, Queen's Advocate, from Ceylon, had an interview with Earl Grey yesterday at the Colonial office. The SuL-Committee for the Exhibition of the Industry of all Nations tor 1658 had a meeting yesterday at the Board of Trade. , The Marquis of Chandos had an interview with Sir George Grey yesterday at the Home-office. Viscount Barrington had also an interview with the Right Hon. Gentleman. Dispatches from the Governors of New South Wales and the Mauritius were received yesterday at the Colo nial-office. THE ROYAL THEATRICALS. (From the Coutt Circular.) A dramatic performance took place in Windsor Castle yesterday evening, the play selected, being Sbakspere's tragedy of Julius Ccesar. A temporary theatre had been erected and fitted up in the Rubens Room, the ar rangements being similar to those adopted at the first ser!es of dramatic representations. At a quarter before eight oclock her Majesty and his Royal Highness Prince Albert, with the Prince of Wales, Prince Allred, and the Princess Alice, entered the thea- tre, accompanied by her Royal Highness the Grand Duchess Stephanie of Baden, the Marquis and Mar chioness of Douglas, the Duke and Duchess of Norfolk, the Countess of - Jersey, the Earl and Countess Spencer, Lady Peel, and the other visitors at the Castle. The Queen and Prince were attended by the Duchess of Sutherland (Mistress of the Robes), the Marquis of Bresdalbane (Lord Chamberlain), and the other ladies and gentlemen in waiting. A te'ect party had been honoured with invitations to the performance, consisting of his Serene Highness Prince Edward of Saxe Weimar, the Countess Dow ager of Mansfield and the Ladies Murray, the Dow ager Lady and the Honourable Miss I.) ttleton, Miss Pole Carew, Lady Fanny Howard, Viscount Mande ville, lion. Mrs. Charles Grey, Lady and Miss Farqu har Lieutenant-Colonel Hon. C. B. and Mrs. Phipps and Miss Bathurst, Lieutenant-Colonel F. H. and Lady Emily Seymour, the Provost of Eton and the lion. Mrs. Hodson, the Hon. and Rev. Edward and Mrs. Moore and Miss Moore, Sir George and Lady Couper, Miss, and Mr. Couper, Rev. Dr. Huwtrey, Mr. and Mrs. Grote, the commanding officer of the Ist Life Guards (Colonel Hall), two officers of the Life Guards (Hon. D. C. de nos and Lord Eliot), the commanding cfficers of the Grenadier Guards (Colonel Thornton), two officers of the Grenadier Guards (Captain Clifford and Lieutenant llurrard), Mr. Birch, and Mr. Glover. A part of the theatre was appropriated for the ac commodation of a number of the domestics of the royal household. Her Majesty's private band was in attendance in an ante-room, and played the overture and different pitces Le.wcen the acts. The programme of the dramatic performance appealed in The Sun of Thursday. HAYMARKET THEATRE. Last evening the performances at this theatr o wore I for the benefit of Mr. Archer, the box book-keeper. The attendance wits in numbers proportionate to the merits of the obliging and attentive btneficiaire,: who pro vided a varied and attractive bill of fare. Douglas Jerrold's IVell Gwynne was the first piece ; with Mr. Wcbstcr as the Merry Monarch, Miss Reynolds as the captivating beauty, and Mr. Keeley in his original cha racter of Orange Moll. After Buekstone's clever farce, The Chri,tcning, Mrs. Gore's drams, The Maid of Croissey followed, with Madame Celeste (on this occa sion) in the part of Theresa ; and the entertainments concluded with the capital farce of 7he Maid with the Milking Pail, in which Mr. Buckstone and Mrs. his willina sustained their original characters. 01,1 MPIC THEATRE A farce entitled A Dead Take-in has been produced hero with success. The two principal characters are rivals for the hand of a young lady (Miss M. Oliver). One of them is a civilian, who effects duelling propensi ties, represented by Mr. Compton ; the other is a really valiant Hussar, played by Mr. Wigan. Tho former is very unwillingly made to fight a duel with the latter, and is particularly horrified when at the report of his pistol his adversary falls, apparently dead. When the Hussar gets up again he assumes the dress of a notary, who brings the contract of marriage between his rival and his mistress, and terrifies the conscience-stricken murderer by his likeness to the deceased. An explana tion that he is a brother of the llussar is followed by a fight with swords, in which he again allows himself 'to be killed. and the remorse of the duellist is further in creased by the re-appearance of the Hustar in woman's clothes, who is loud in lamenting the death of her two two " brothers." Of course, the whole terminates with an explanation and the victory of the Hussar. The " fun" of this piece depends on the timidity of Mr. Compton, and the grim supernatural appearance assumed by Mr. Wigan as the notary. COURT OF COMMON COUNClL—Thursday a Court Raj held for the election of officers and other business. Upon the announcement of the city solicitor's name, Mr. A nderton asked that gentleman whether he intended to retire from the office of chairman of the Greet Cen tral Gas Consumers Company? Mr. Pears,n thought the question unnecessary, as be had resigned the office of chairman and director some days ago, and only waited the acceptance of his resignation by his brother director!. Mr. PeArson's appointment as city solicitor was ummi rmcfoaursrleydctoon firmed.the C o n 3 m M i s r i . o A n e n r d s e o r f t °it Sewersin o v e t d o , e x " a t a h n t t a is b d e f r u ep rr o a r l t e o s n er t e h e e sm tedin ok a e a ndThs steam-engines motion and was e si a n r g th l e " c m ity agreed to without oppositior. Mr. Edkins then moved " that the Chamberlain be directed to contribute 5001. towards the fund for female emigration." The motion was seconded by Mr. Deputy Godson, and, after some observations from Mr. Norris, Alderman Lawrence, Mr. Wire, Mr. R. L. Jones, and Mr. Blake, carried by a large majority. AI petition from Mr. Sidney Herbert, who w aspresent during the discussion, for a g r an t o f mone y in aid of the society, stood for consideration on the list, but was not entertained, as the question was virtually decided in the matter just terminated. RESIGNATION OF SIR G. IL SMYTH, BART., M.P. ^COLCHESTER, THURSDAY.—This town has vary sud denly (and very unexpectedly to those not permitted to be in the secret) been plunged into all the bustle and Sir ha s shown G. i i excitement of an approaching Parliamentary elect ion, . iacr Smyth,easeßda symptoms rt., M.l'.,w o h f o tsbiencethe effects of last a g s e and declining health, having intimated his intention of f byan imme diately retiring from his post ofrepre_semeetitiv es si s m n acceptance of the Chiltern Hundr eds. A onadsu select number of the electr wa Henry Smyth, who labou r edret that declining health under considerable regemo tion, briefly expressed h i s for noon this day in t he Assembly Rooms, when Sir had held fld' them in Parliament, which h e haor the compelled him to resign the important trust of repre sentinglong period of five-and-twenty years; and he suggested that a requisition be at once presented to Lord John Manners. Other gentlemen having addressed the meet ing, f o rmally moving the adoptio n o f t h e course sug gested by Sir Henry, a requisition to that effect was presented, and met with a unanimous adoption. A vote of thanks was then presented to Sir Henry Smyth, for his long and valuable public services. Those present then commenced signing the requisition, and nearly 200 names having been attached, a deputation proceeded to town by the two o'clock train, to carry out its imme diate presentation to Lord John Manners. ALARMIN. FIRE IN BISHOPSGATE.—On Thursday afternoon, shortly before three o'clock, a fire, which at one period threatened very disastrous consequences, broke out in the spacious premises belonging to Mr. G Johnson, a cabinet-maker, carrying on business at 28 Primrose-street, Bishopsgate-street Without. The flames originated in the first floor workshop, ar.d ob tained so firm a (hold in the space of a few minutes that the destruction of the entire property appeared certain. The engines of the London brigade quickly reached the spot, and, having been set to work, the flames were even tually extinguished, bat not until serious damage was done to the premises, and also to the valuable stock. ARRIVAL OF A STRANDED VESSEL.—The vessel Pau line Houghton, from the Mauritius, is reported as having ar rived in the West India Docks, after being got off the sands, where she had been aground near Margate, with a consi i derable portion of her cargo, consisting of sugar, molfMes, Ste. the remain* laying ban lautlei at, liargotte. I