The Sun. — London, England, 1847-03-04 00:00:00

= : ~---' i Lt a mom ent and of cool' perc uanentli ut the worl d, em WAS in i " speculators uid the snail ru, a nd sag' orritory. quentlY be ..4 el/ .oration Yes' y among tbi Dttlined. U r il y Stlrfrl Sl .* &lOUS Odl.ol Duch abditt: The IfF 3 i t sent hollaw engroll n i nt h of ttled 8,,cer,0 field vnt.ll ul moonl i g hb liens Lelo ° l d v antages 0 Pr° tee idlehii b y and General'Y lilt% ' 'ante/ Apsuni Irtsolig? irry gieov g a R e.• erception for MOP. aperior to g xy, °I ition o.fooll'ofs unds tl itg eli poiPo idv Pr ese m eo I c prove-A t iblish eu e u and is 0 0 LONDON AND WESTMINSTER B.lNii I:.e annual general rnee•ii.g of the proprietors of this the was yes,t;rday h e ld, at tie B an k in L et hb ury , f or purpose of transacting the ordinary busiiiess of the co j - , and also f u r th e p ur p ose o f su b m itti ng f or con rmat:on the election of Joshua Walker, E q., who t al been nominated by the board of directors as a director in the room of Patrick M. Stews, t, M.P., deceased ; and also for the put- Pose of appointing, three directors, in the room of Trios. Pim e"'be, Esq., David Salomons, E,n., and H. Bosanquet, Esq., Who retired by'rotation, and who, being eligible by re ap- P.eintrnent, offered themselves for re-election, and also to eon 81der the propriety of appointing two additior al directors and electing the same should such be considered necessaiy. The chair was taken at one o'clock, by D. SALOMONS, Esq., W ho, having stated the object of the meeting, cubed upon the Secretary to read the report. The SECRETARY accordingly proceeded to read the report al follows : "The directors had to commence their thirteenth annual re port with expressing their deep regreet at the death of their esteemed colleague, Patrick Maxwell Stewart, Esq., eel ell 1 1 4 . P., a regret which the were sure the proprietors would ually tmselyve The vacancy occasioned by this lamented event had been supplied by the election of 3oshua Walker, Esq., subject to the confirmation of the present meeting. :The Profits of the p as t y ear , a f te r defraying the total ex - f i ) . e u 3 e, of the establishment, tnaking, allowance for all bad and ? 4 doubtful debts, an d par i ng t h e income-tax, amounted to 51. 14 9d. Out of these profits the directors had paid ._°‘ Se ptember a dividend at the rate of 6 per cent. per rnum for the half-y ear en di n g the 30th June, and they now tr iared a divid en d at t h e same rate f or th e h a lf-year ending thBlst December. They also declared a bonus of eight etr i ngs per sh are , w hi c h was equa l to 200 per cent. upon L . Capital. Af ter t h e paymen t o f t h ese d iv id e nds and this the 12 os, making together 64,000/., there wou!d. reain out of Profits of this rear a surplus of 10,175/. 15s m . 9d. to be a dded to the " reserved fund, which then amounted to 98,424 E. 12s. ld. Tlae directors considered that the time had now arrived Tiri_clistributing the ten thousand unappropriated shares. Thep had accordingly determined to issue them to the prese.:t irl°Prietors at par, in the proportion of one to every four ares alreay held ' . The details of this arrangement would ' !tilted tot he meeting, and subsequently communicated by circular letter, addressed to each shareholder. The paid up e i s pital of the bank would then amount to the sum of ' ss°, l l ,' ° °° l -, and the subscribed capital 5,000,0001." b -e report went on to state that —" With the extended should and capital of the bank. it was desirable that there I_l4 Itlablan increase in the number of the directors. It was therefore proposed to the present meeting to appoint two members of the board. Should this suggestion be ; cle Pted, the meeting would then proceed to the election. en, duly qualified, had declared themslves eaha- Z, i e d ui at e n t i t e i v ieni and had riven the necesi•ary notices. 1 hose were Henry l. Buckle, Esq., of the firm of Messrs. J o l f oekle and Co., merchants, and John Garratt Cattley, Esq., th thrm of Messrs. C a ttley and Carr, Russia merchants. p4:ce three directors who retired by rotation were Thomas itoZ i lt ) e, Esq., Alderman, David Salomons, Esq., and Henry for l u et, Esq but being eligible, they offered themselves r e 71.. 0 .tt0n. b e f or 7 rullowing profit and loss account of the bank was laid e the meeting : '43lrient of the dividend on Sept. 10, 1846, a. J. t a b t ,.th i _e rate of 64 per cent. per annum, for P a ° half-year ending June 30, 1846 24,000 0 0 YMent of the dividend, now declared at the r ate of 6/, per cent. per annum, for the half 'blear ending D ec. 3, 1846 24,000 0 0 'rent of the bonus of two per cent., now t.,selared ••• Man " of unappropriated9B, 424 12 1 profits £162,424 12 1 k 1 anilines of _ . unappropriated profits on 31st Irecem ber, 1845 t_Prefit of th e y ear 18 46, a f ter d e f ray i ng th e ratat expe nse of management, pay i ng t h e bcoMe-tax, and making provision for all ad and doubtful debts £162,424 12 1 1311 allee of unappropriatd rofits £98424 12 1 I R Lbe balance-sheet of t the p company up to 31st , Deeember, --', Was also read to the meeting by the Secretary : 1. Dr. £. s. (To • 800 000 0 0 1,.. _, pr oprietors for paid. up capital ' l ,' the Public for deposits ... 3 280 864 0 0 ... P • ,ta the Public for circular notes ... , i," Profit on the past year 40 Rest, or Surplus Fund 88,248 16 4 £4,250,013 3 4 Cr. 938,717 10 0 .117 Government securities . . 2,676,720 1 10 r other securities... OOOOOOOO .•••• 634.575 11 6 cash in hand .C 4,250,013 3 4 „The CHAIRMAN then said that it was his duty t o c a ll up on re meeting to receive and adopt the report which had just been read. He would take the opportunity of snaking a few remarks upon some of th e it ems i n t h e report. T he f i rst part .0 which he would call the attention of the meeting was the sum made and earned by the bank during the last year, arisin from the legiti ma t e b us i ness of the bank.—(Cries g _ of " Hear, hear.") Had the directors felt inclined to go into a business of a more hazardous character, they might have been enabled to divide upon the present (ie.. caslon a larger dividend than that proposed in the report. The total earnings of the company during the past year had been 74,1751., which upon a paidl up capital of 800 , 0 001. Would be equal to about nine per cent.—( Hear, hear.) The ' , Mount of earning was during the past year Pea.. ter than it had been in any preceding year.— , t ear, hear.) The di r e c t ors h a d continued to make add i t ions to the reserve -fund, in order to insure a continuance of the Z . ° and sound mode of conducting the business of the coin 1-mb, Y,„.• Which had hitherto characteri s ed th e managemen t o f e eu airs. That reserve-fund now reached, in round mim s, to a sum of nearly 100,000/.—(Hear, hear.) This „ t. d had a r i sen so l e l y f rom t h e annual savings of the bank :va the 6 p er cent, inter es t w hi c h i t had paid to the proprie w;horai and from the legitimate tr ansact i ons o f t h e b ank. ith respect to the payment of 6 per cent, dividend, he thought the directors might have, if they wished to obtain a little temporary eclat, divided something more than that rate of interest; they thought it, however, more necessary t o have a large reserve fund to to i . fall back upon, than n ~,e r ek a se the rate of dividend et en to 7 . per cent.—( Hear.) • next part was the increase of the capital of the company. With respect to the capital of the bank, he would say that T hey bank was i nten d e d t o re p resen t a capital of 5,000,00 N. t_ 440 3 . ' began business with 1,000,000/. In the years 1836 and 'e 1841 new shares had been issued, and the directors now Pre te posed to put the apex on the pyramid, the base of which " 4 eY considered sufficiently broad, by proposing that th e . s ,„ capital of the company should be made up to the 6 ...`"' amount of s,ooo,oool.—(Hear, hear.) These new taTires would be issued at par, and the value of et e°l „ would, if they were sold in the market i i - „.,.`"e present time, realise a:profit of 50 per cent.—( Hear, e , 4 7.) He did not anticipate any difficulty in the trans --",(13 of the bank during the ensuing year, but still he had goubt but that ample opportunity would be afforded for e or e employment of the increased capital then asked of • With respect to the increase of the number ties re etors, he would say, that great responsibili- Ra s thrown upon the directors. A large capital to be tak en care o f, w hi c h was in itself Whitbytask, and a l so t h e d u t y o f emp l oy i ng that capital, f o 4 ° Was of still greater i mportance. H e th oug ht, there ofe ai? r that the pr o p ose d access i on to t h e strengt h o f t h e b oar d at would be cordially concurred in by theproprie take "(s "(sear, h ear .) Wi t h respect to t h e mo d e in which t tld itZ to a r e s d shares were to be issued , and the amount the Paid, he would inform the meeting that having come to the resolution to issue . the sto c k 1 0,000 shares, in order to complete the capital eaeh„ l th ,. the bank, ani thereby augmenting the paid-up th" o - "" from 80 0,0001. to 1,000,0001., they had resolved that te shares should be offered to those proprietors who stood Petered in the books of the bank on the 15th inst., iu the They 41; :I?eerti ;t ar o: one new share for every four shares which they that the shares should be issued at par, viz. 201. each, Et that the payments should be 71. per share on 15th April, on 15th July, and 71. per share on 15th October. of a Y i had also decided that every proprietor being the holder 1 141 rac.tional part of four shares, should, on the payment of of p re Instalment in October, stand a creditor for the amount tl4 rallm realised in the market upon the sale of such frac of t t Part, which amount would be allowed in part-payment p r e last instalment upon the shares, and in the case of a aetor being the holder of less than four shares, and en pr`iieel t wone fractional part only of a new share, such pro a..„.(9r receive the amount remiom which such ai`dlorlal part might have produced, together with the Ws, payable in September next. No interest. •"' to allowed for prompt payment, and !aterest at the of Si. per cent. would be charged if the talalments were not paid on the appointed days. The :directors had also resolved that the receipts for the instal rats should be transferable on delivery, and that the new a rea should be entitled to any dividend that . might be de . - o'l,ated. in the transactions of the bank, commetoing (in the I . st e t zly t ne t x t t. • These arrangemer,te he hoped would be satis proprietors.—(Hear, hear.) He would, there fore, l o ve that the report now read be adopted, printed, and c irculated among the proprietors. Mr. TrrE wished to know whether the directors had made alt their mind as to the amount to which the reserve fund should be allowed to reach ? He quite concurred in the pro taition to add two directors to the nnmber of the board. 2e wished to know what was the maximum number of mt Lectors allowed to be appointed to the board ? the The CHAIRM AN sa id th a t th e di rectors l oo k e d upon t h e ta ., l of the bank, as so muc h 6 per cent. stoc k , an d fund ' th ought it necessary to keep up a sufficient reserve that Meet any contingency that mi g ht ar i se; h e h ope d r th wou leave the amount othe itt lae proprietorsad ev the hands of the directors; he did not thin r k eserve that pe 4 , o uld starve the present generation for the a r : sew of feeding posterity out of the " posterity as it had been called at the last meeting. hayoaed that they would never be so unfortunate as to . e e to fall back upon the reserve fund for the purpose of tileualising the dividends.—(Hear, hear.) With respect to „Plusher of directorg he believed the maximum was 24. !Lila:7w% ::::11 b a e a l v i wished to know whether the directors gilt, that after the issue of the 10,000 additional shares, P r esent? able to pay the same amount of dividend as at Th e pa CHAIRMAX said, that as so much depe . nde l d . sriel6a contingencies of the future, it would not bc, ac it n'euto promise any rate of dividend for the future; h d be a most disagreeable thing if, in order to keep . the te r°l e which might be maele at any time by the dtie u ct, th e thePprietary, they should be obliged to fall back p , ,Jserve fund. th 41 .0.* LEVY objected to the name of " posterity fund" being oV t "ad to the reserve fund. He wished that fund to be kept ban: sec h an amount as might render the transactions of the edi erfectly secure • but still be did not see any reason eeri';'S a dividend of ' 7 per cent, could be paid, and the re i ea euk lond be kept up to a proper amount, that that dividend a dopt not b e Paid.--( Laughter.) He thought if the could realise the clearing system, the directors alight be able . to c so se t a aivideral of at least 12 per cent. upen the capital.— Nlr That was his opinion, at all events. feed altatinsta:v thought it impoi tant that the reserve oert f-1 uld not be intrenched upon. He thought that an of th e ahould be made in the salary of the clerks and officer le establishment, now that the concern was in so flourish "g a state salTsrhiee.,e_ttiittatax said that the directors had increased the l als o i n ' ti Or the clerks by ten per cent. in the last year, enc. Jo s h "e Present year. 44 4 1 1 * NYalter, Esq., Thomas Farncornb, Esq., "Henry Bo eettlevi Esq., He nry Buckell, F... 1., and J u l in O arret eoapi n were laniinously chosen di rectors of the kr, ii _ rate ofd HEAD moved that the sum of 4 5001, being at the th e .aervree; per `tanni n , b e set apart as a remu n e rat i on f or iii'KSir _ et the direct o rs. A r.%)3I.IRRELL seconded th e mo ti aa. UDSLEY thought the proposed sum too much ; he THP SUN, LONDON, TfIURSDAy MORNING, MARCH 4, 1847. iv , tild move, as an amendment, that the sum should be 3,0001. ! cr a .rum, instead of 4,5001. Alt Hos. Pstorale,Ton, whose name we could not catch, s clod, d the amendment. The CHAIRMAN said that he thought the sum of 2,5001. at present allowed to the directors, was a most inefficient sum. —( Hear, hear.) He would speak frankly, it would not be supposed that a sum of one or two hundred per year could tempt him to do anything that was unworthy of him. Be considered himself as a senior partner in a corcern where 4,000,000/. of property was to be taken care of, and more than that, it was not only to be taken care of, but employed advantageously for the interests of the bank, a n d it was th e i r constant care and anxiety that a suns of 80,000/. was drawn as profit from the paid up capital of the company, instead of a sum et 30,0C.0/., which it worth' only be worth if invested in the Funds.— (Hear, hear.) He did not think that the proposed Wm of 4,500/. was too much remuneration for the directors, espe cially as the number of the directors was to be increased. .Mr. Mattpsmtv said, that after the speech of the Chairman he should withdraw his amendment, arid would cordially support the original motion, rrovided the sum were placed is the hands of the directors to divide among themselves as they thought fit. Mr. WI Haw' proposed as an amendment that a sum of 3,5001. be paid to the directors instead of 4,500/. The CHAIRMAN said he must say that he felt considerably , hurt by the manner in which the proposition had been re ceived.—(Hear, hear.) He would, however, proceed to put the amendment. A PROPRIETOR said it was a most miserable exhibition to be squabling about a paltry few hundreds per annum to the director , •„by whose services it was that the company had a reserve fund of 100,0001., and to whose exertions they owed their present prosperous state.—(Hear, hear.) Mr. LEVY thought that the sum proposed was quite little enough for the services of such men as the directors of the compan y . He would, therefore, support the original mo tion.—(Hear, hear.) Mr. WIsHAW then withdrew his amendment, and the ori ginal resolution was agreed to. The CHAIRMAN returned thanks. The thanks of the meeting were then unanimously voted to James W. Gilbart, Esq., the general manager, and the other officers of the bank, for their zealous and active ser vices in promoting the interests of the bank. J. W. GILBAB.T returned thanks on behalf of himself and the other officers of the bank. The CHAIRMAN stated that the dividend and bonus would be payable on the 10th of March inst. Mr. M TITE moved that the thanks of the meeting be pre. sented to D. Saloman, Esq., for his able and courteous con. duct in the chair. Mr. LEVY seconded the motion, which was carried by ac clamation. The CHAIRMAN returned thanks, and the meeting then broke up. DESTITUTION IN IRELAND AND SCOTLAN I). It affords us real gratification to lay before our readers the following correspnrich.lice : " Wesleyan Centenary Hall and Mission Howe, Bishopsgate-stn et Within, London, Feb: 26. "TO THE COMMITTEE OF THE BRITISH ASSOCIATION FOR THE RELIEF OF EXTREME DISTRESS IN IRE LAND AND SCOTLAND. "Gentlemen—We respectfully take the liberty of informing you that, in the benevolent ;Arens now wilting by your association, and by others similarly engaged for the relief of our destitute fellow : jeets in In land and Scotland, the Wesleyan Methodists of this country have felt a most lively interest. That interest there is reason to believe they have rwisnl!'e,ted by indi vidually contributing in common with r!ypective neig,hb-urs and friends to the general suhsetiptions op, ned in various parts of the kingdom, as well Ls in this metropolis, for the purpose of mitigating the awful cala mity with which it has pleased Divine Providence to visit us. But in order that no available means in their p o wer might be neglected for augmenting ►he charitable funds which this exigency so largely requires, it was further resolved to recommend that congregational col lectiols should be made in all the Wesleyan chapels as soon as might be practicable. To a great extent this re.cemrnendation has been most cheerfully adopted. Collections, aided by some additional private contribu• tions, have already been transmitted to a central com mittee in London, amounting at present to nearly 13,0001. That committee has immediately proceeded in the execution confided to their discretion, to direct a first distribution of grants in nid . of several associations and other agencies which were deemed most likely to secure an efficient and impartial accomplishment of the object in view; and we have now the pleasure of tender ing to the acceptance of the British Association the sum of 5,000/., as a donation to the funds under its manage went, in the full persuasion that its operations have been, and will continue to be, judiciously and ably di re3ted, and that its influence with her Majt , sty's Govern ment, and amongst its own subordinate agents in Ireland and elsewhere, will be so employed as to pi event as far as possible the unworthy intrusion of any sects rian partialities or antipathies. and to secure to 'ufferers of every class and denomination a fair share and propor lion to the amount and urgency of their distress, of audience, attention, and relief. This respectful intima tion the Wesleyan central committee will take the liberty of conveying to the other associations or agen cies to which they may offer similar assistance for the prosecution of their respective plans on behalf of that committee.—We have the honour to be, Gentlemen, " Your very obedient servants, (Signed) " THOMAS FARMER , Treasurer. ELLIAIT HOOLE, Sub -Treasurer." " BRITISH ASSOCIATION F. .R THE RELIEF OF THE EX TREME DISTRESS IN IRELAND AND SCOTLAND. " Committee-room, South Sea House, " Feb. 27, 1847. " Gentlemen—On behalf of tha committee of the British Association for the Relief of Extreme Distress in Ireland and Scotland, it is my duty to tender to you, as representing the body of Wesleyan Methodists of this country, our grateful acknowledgments for your muni ficent contributions to the funds which are intrusted to our administration. And lam desirous at the same time to assure you of the cordial and unreserved concurrence of the committee in the generous and enlightened views expressed by you in the letter which hai accompanied that contribUtion. " The duties in which this committee are now engaged have not been undertaken by it lightly or unadvisedly. %Ve clearly perceived from the commencement the serious resp.insibilities which would rest upon us, and the diffi culties by which we should be surrounded. But we fe:II confident that the British public would exhibit a libera lity commensurate with the magnitude of the emergency, and that it would judge with kindness and consideration the exertions of those who should undertake to bear the heavy anxieties and to make the sacrifice of time, and personal engagement necessarily incident to the 'dis charge of such a trust. The communications which reach us daily from various quarters, and most especially the donation of 5,000/. by the body of ti.e Wesleyan Me thodists, and the terms in which it has been conveyed to us, afford us the most encouraging assurance that we shall not be disappointed in our anticipations. " Thus supported, we shall cheerfully persevere in our exertions, endeavouring to administer the trust re posed in us in such a manner as may best evince our deep sense of humiliation under the severe calamity with which it has seemed fit to Almighty God to visit our beloved country, and our solemn conviction that such national inflictions ought to extinguish altogether those unfortunate differences, whether they be sectarian antipathies or political dissensions, by which mankind are too easily disturbed. The field of Christian benevo- lence, so feria it depends on the example and influence of this committee, shall be preserved sacred from the intrusion of unworthy jealousies, and all the offices which arise out of sympathy with the desolate and afflicted shall be discharged by us with strict impar tiality and in the pure spirit of universal kindness ennobled into a solemn duty. " May the blessing of God accompany the efforts which are now put forth by the Government, and by by every class of the people of this kingdom, for the relief of our distressed brethren and fellow-countrymen; may ultimate good be thus extracted from present t vil, and may we all learn, in the severity of national afflic tion, the appropriate and invaluable lesson of personal humility, of mutual forbearance, of brotherly sympathy, and Christian love. "I have the honour to be, Gentlemen, " Your faithful servant, (Signed) "SAMUEL JONES LOYD. " Thomas Farmer. Esq., Treasurer, and Rev. Elijah Hool., Sub-Treasurer." SPARRING EXHIBITION IN AID OF THE DESTITUTE IRISH AND SCOTCH. As a further proof, if it were wanting, that the &tic e contributions o f their starving now gather ing fel - fraternity have " hearts that c an f ee l f or anot h er, " the corps pugilistique gave their gra t u it ous serv i ces on Monday night, a secondthroughout time,in aid Englando f t he fo for th se e charitabler low-countrymen, and to mitigate the multiplying horrors of famine. The place chosen for the volunteer display was the National Baths, in the Westminster-road, and each arena, the lesser and the greater bath, was fitted with a stage, wherein the gloved competitors exhibited their science of fensive and defensive, beneath a brilliant diadem of gas, and numerous festoons of illumination lamps. Upwards of fifty of the best known "Knights of the Knuckle " proffered their services for the "mimic fray," and though all did not, indeed could not, display, the alacrity and unanimity of this kindly demonstration does them honour. The perform ances commenced by several minor actors, who, in couples, ascended the boarded platforms, and after exhibiting in one bath passed to the other, to entertain the second company of spectators. Space forbids us more than a mere enumeration of names; yet that we cannot deny ourselves, as we consider the record of them a due tribute to the humanity and charity of British boxers. The first sets-to were between inferior artists, as the elite of the company had not arrived. Lowry and Furry, J. Smith and J. Scott (good), Neal and Martin Scott and Young Jones, Tom the Greek and Roberts, Brian and Clark, Cronan and Johnson, and three or four minors unknown to fame prefaced the principal performers. Turner (the Wychwood Forester) and M'Donald, and Stock s and Amos, elicited applause. David Hayes and Snacks (61 Leeds) made a merry bout of it. Joe Roo and T. Snow W.. lowed suit. Puttock and Fred. Mason roughed each other, and Jem Burn's dwarfs showed that science is often best seen on a small scale. Homer Howden and Cousens,Jemmy Mas sey and Young Sambo, J. Shaw and Herbert, Welsh and Barnash, Massey and Phelps, Lazarus and Johnny Walker, took their turns. Johnny, after a turn in each bath, on the suggestion of a Noble Lord, was induced to put on the mufflers a third time with the accomplished Owen Swift, inasmuch as that ex-professor was without a partner in this charity ball." A smart, and as we thought, not quite friendly rally, was the result, which ended in Johnny catch ing mine host of the Horse-shoe an awkward up hit with the left glove, which, added to a catch of the right heel on the part of its receiver, brought him down heavily on the stage. Harry Broome and Ned Adams formed a preface to the Tipton Slasher and Peter Crawley's Young 'un, who, though wanting the thews and strength of his opponent, proved himself the better sparrer, foiling the Tipton in almost every attempt; nevertheless, his agility alone saved him from many an awkward hit which must have told in the forced rally of actual combat. At the close of the sparing the Tipton stepped forward and repeated his challenge to Caunt, to contest for the Championship for 2f,o'. aside. Of this the public has heard somewhat too much, until Caunt shall be disembarrassed from present business obstscles to making a match. Caunt rf•plied; and Bendigo shortly after showed with his erewhile sot ~gonist, Big Ben. The set-to was interesting. Bendy, es o nal, ex emplifying the art of feintin g . planting, jumring 1.1 in, ducking the head, running after his man, and all the other eccentricities for which his actual contests with the Cham pion have been remarkable. Luke Rogers, Ned Painter, Hall, Savage, and many of the old and new hcitool, were present, but time forbade their being coupled or appearing. Tom Spring returned thanks, amid much applause :ruin a gratified audience, numbering upwards of 2,000 persons. Great praise is due to the committee of management for their excellent arrangemerrs. AN EXCELLENT SUGGESTION FOR THE AFFLUENT LA NT ) . — e have pleasu re i n comp l y i ng w ith the O re F qu EG W es N tof a correspondent in making known that the Rev. of unquestionable o ß o . ci G ue i s ld ti e o n o , a ra a to ro respectability Newport, County Mayo, a clergyman disclosed in the followingof has a a le d t e t p e t r ed reo t e h i extract evedsehferomme him for the relief of his perishing of the destitution of his people" people. After a description counts received from other quarters, to the grievous tic commenced a system of reproductive he saY3—" I have also approve, make it known to your house -keeping k work, which if you Gilden, anxious to take the young women-eeping friends. Mrs. from the road. works where' they we-e indiscriminately men, suggested the idea of finding the Y m em so ri n o e yel among ployment, and yesterday she began to gi ve out som o e m fl e ax t em o • spin at such a price as will meet th e i r sa d coy dition • and my plan for carrying it out is this—any person approving of the object, and sending me whatever some of m oney t h ey please, with their address, and where in London or Liverpool, a parcel will be received for them, shall, please God, receive the value of their money in towelling, strong 3 / 4 wide linen, or coarse table linen suited for servants, whatever they name; all of fine flax, hand-wove and bleached, s uc h as cannot (for lasting qualities) be bought for any price in supported in this, I will set 50 England. If lam supp 500 women to work before a fortnight, at their own fire-sides(miserable as they may be) yet freed from the many contaminations of public roads. The poor people themselves are delighted with the plan, and sixty got flax yestet day, while all the wheel-ma kers are busy preparing, and all the weavers are getting ready also —GeoactE R. GILDER, Newport Rectory, Mayo, Ireland." We have no question that many of our readers will at once respond to this call. The simplest scheme is t. ) forward a post-office order for the sum they desire to expend in this manner, giving their own address, if they reside in London or Liverpool, or, if not, the addr ess of a friend, who will receive for them the linen when forwarded by Mr. Gil den.—Hampshire Advertiser. FIRE RAISING.—A sturdy Irish mendicant applied for an alms at the house of Mr. Cairns, farmer, Broamside, in the parish of Dalgetty, Fife, on Saturday last, in the afternoon. Upon being refused, he threatened vengeance i n such a manne r as greatly to alarm Mrs. Cairns, she being tho only person in the house at the time, and it appoars that his threat was made good, for shortly after he lett the house a large barley stack was in a flame, and before it could be ex tinguished was completely destroyed. He has'as yet escaped the police.— Fifa/tire Journal. IMPERIAL. PARLIAMENT. HOUSE OF C M NS, (.3 3. The Sm.%;:ru took the Chair at Twelve o'd,ck, but it was Tw: try flutes Lfter Twelve before a k,uilicielit number of MewLers attended to constitute a Home. RAILWAY TOLLS. Mr. STRUTT move d that t h e C omm itt e e on every Railway Bill shall fix the tolls, and shall determine the maximum rates of charge for the conveyance of passengers, with a due amount of luggage, and of goods on such railway, and such rates of charge shall include the tols, and the costs of loco. motive power, and every other expense connected with the conveyance of passengers, with a due amount of luggage, and of goods upon such railway; but if the Committee shall not deem it expedient to determine such maximum rates of charge, a spe c i a l report, explanatory of the grounds of their ()misting so t o d o , shall b e made to the House, which special report shall accompany the report of the Bill.—Agreed to. Mr. GREENE moved that in order to give time fi,r the breviate to be laid on the table one clear day before the second reading, the Newcastle and Berwick Railway Bill (Cramlington and Pere- Alain and Killingworth and other branches) Bill, be read j a second time on Friday. Motion agreed to. The Hoar. GENTLEALts also moved, that the Coventry, Nuneaton, Bi rm i ngham, and • L e i cester R a il wa y Bill ; th e London and N ort h - Western Railway (Kenilworth to Berks well Branches an d Extensions, &c.) 11111 ; the London and North -Western R a il way (C oventry an d Nuneaton Branches) Bill ; and th e London and North-Western Railway (Atherstone and Whitacre Bran c h) Bill, be read a second time this day, n otwithstanding the breviatea of the same have not been laid on the table one clear day previously.—Agreed to. SECOND READINGS OF RAILWAY BILLS. On the m o ti on of Mr. SPOONER, the following railway Bills were read a second time, and ordered to be com mitted : Birmingham and Oxford Junction Railway (D:viation of Line). Birmingham and Oxford Junction Railway (Warwick and Stratford Line). Birmingham, Wolverhampton, and Dudley Railway (Stour bridge and West Bromwich). Eastern Counties Railway (Somershatu to Ramsey). Eastern Counties Railway (Lynn and Ely Railway, and Ely and Huntingdon Railway, and Lynn and Dereharn Rail way Lease). Eastern Counties Railway (Purchase of the North Woolwich Railway). Eastern Counties Railway (Maldon, Witham, and Braintree Railway Purchase). Midland Railway (Extension of the Nottingham and Lincoln Branch at Lincoln). Newmarket and Chesterford Railway (Repeal of Provision authorising the Company to use the Line of the Eastern Counties Railway). Waterford, Wexford, Wicklow, and Dublin Railway. HORSEFERRY BRIDGE. Mr. B. HAWES presented a petition from certain watermen against the proposed erection of the Hoiseferry bridge. DISTILLERIES. Mr. BROTHERTON presented several petitions complain ing of the vast quantity of grain used in distilleries, and praying the House to prevent it. Mr. SHAW presented a number of similar petitions. TEN HOURS' BILL. Sir GEORGE GREY presented several petitions in favour of a restriction of the hours of labour in factories for young persons. The petitions were numerously signed by the clergymen and surgeons of the different districts. Lord GEORGE BENTINCK pres:nted six petitions to the same effect. Mr. WAKLEY also presented a number of petitions in favour of the Factories Bill. THE FACTORIES REGULATION BILL. Mr. FIELDEN moved the order of the day for going into Committee on this Bi!l. Lord J. RUSSELL presented a pstition signed by several hundred manufacturers in L ancash i re and Yorkshire, em ploying upwards of forty thousand h ands, against this Bill; also several other petitions to the same effect. Mr. MACAULAY presented several petitions from Scot land in favour of the Bill. Mr. T. S. DUNCOMBE pre.ented a great number of petitions from the factory operatives of Lancashire and York shire to the same effect. On the motion that the Speaker do leave the chair, Mr. B. ESCOTT rose to oppose the motion for going into Committee on the Bill. He craved the indulgence cf the House, both en personal and public grounds, as he could not claim an intimate acquaintance with the trade and manufacture to which the Bill had reference, nor did he re • present a constituency that had a direct interest in the matter, still, as it was thought by many, that the question might fairly be taken up by one unconnected with the manu facturing districts, as its subject was not confined in its opera tion to one class, but had reference to the labour of the country generally, he had been induced to call the attention of the House to the subject. The Bill was one of such importance that be felt persuaded the House, before going into Committee, should re consider the vote it had come to by the arguments which had led to the same. It was now introduced under different circumstances than it had ever been before, and demanded, therefore, more especial attention. It was not introduced by some young Lord, who was ambitions to earn a name for humanity, and for the sake of popularity, but it was introduced under the auspices of the Hon. Member for Oldham, a man who had been the architect of his own fortune, and who had grown grey in the business in which he was engaged. Therefore, his being in favour of such a Bill, after all his experience, was a matter which ought not to be lightly passed by. This Bill proposed to reduce the hours of labour to ten hours a day. This was the real question. All the petitions presented to the House were in favour of a Ten Hours' Bill; no one was in favour of eleven hours. Yet this Bill, it carried at all, was to be carried by those who, as soon as the Speaker left the chair, would move that the Bill be cut down to eleven hours a day.—(Hear, hear.) Would it, therefore, be a settlement of the question ? He opined not. Nor did he think even a Ten Hours' Bill would, for if that were conceded, they would be next asking the House to consent to an Eight Hours' Bill. Some time ago, at a meeting of the factory operatives, Mr. Oastler made a speech in favour of eight hours a-day, and the whole meeting was in favour of the proposition. But even eight hours would not satisfy, and the demand would next be for a Six Hours' Bill. But confining himself to the ten hours' proposition, were the House to affirm that principle it would have the effect, he was persuaded, at once of sweeping away all the profit at present realized by the manufacturers. Take off the one-sixth, the one- eighth, or the one-tenth of the day's labour, and the result would be the numbers employed would be greatly reduced, there being no longer any profit for the carrying on of the works. And at the same time the Customs, the Excise, and trades men generally would suffer for the loss of customers. With respect to the foreign trade of the country, this inter ference seemed to him the wildest project that ever entered the mind of man. When they were competing with France and America, and th e continental nations, and on l y able to keep their heads above water—it seemed the most novel ex periment to knock off at once one-sixth of their manufac tures. Why the whole of their home consumption would not equal the amount which would be lost by this interference with the hours of labour. The Bill for crippling the ener gies of the p eop l e was also i ntroduced at a per i o d of universal scarcity. Surely this was not the time to say to the workmen, " You shall not use the se facul ties that God has given you for the p ur p ose of earning b rea d for your families." Accor d ing to their new-f ang l e d notions the working man , o instead of working for the f oo d w hi c h was now w i t h diffi cu lty to be had, even with hi s b est exertions, should amuse himself with some interesting little book—( Laughter)—or a stroll i n some public gard e n. Th e Hon. Member then quoted from a past speech of L or d J o h n Rus,en's, in 1839, to sho w that the Noble Lord's opinion was-et - hat the principle of fixing a period of labour, or the rates of wages by law, was opposed to all sound policy and common sense. He (Ur. Escott) would not ask the Noble Lord why his opinions in 18 4 7 we re not in ' unison wish ties ° o f 1839 . For the last six months the Go vernment had been tying up their hands; while thedcreein nental nations were scrambling for food, th e y ha the shortening their arm , an d now they sought to prevent working man fr om ma ki ng the natural and proper exertion to maintain himself an d his family in some degree of comfort and respectability. If Hon. Gentlemen wou ld only look to lreadv the nature of th e i nter f erence w hich hady a„ould ' taken place with regard to labour , find the best argument against the course thetyhe w ere now pursuing, for never had au Act yet been passed interfering with labour that did not create a necessity for subsequent interference. If, therefor e , th e y f ou nd through long course of legislation that this w as th e fact, it furnished, fishe the very best argument against the measure introduced by the Hon. Member for Oldbatn. The Hon. Member then proceeded to read extracts from the repor t of the Factory Commissioners, to show that the working tlie longer hours people themselves did not object to extra titre, because, hi did them no harm, they found that twhemeon_ thee vdi:,inipthm world of good.—(Laughter.) He would callieon o said a the Ilouse to the evidence of the Rev. Mr. Pickard, who that there was no difference between the comforts of factory children and any other children ; a nd the Rev M said that factory children were as well off asan. r. Fielding othe in r chil dren, but they did lot look so well as chi ldren bus banary. It was not to be expected that they would. Did the sat there Members of that House look so well havingafter engag ed seven months, as if they had just come from enjoying their leisure in shooting or hunting?—(Cheers and laughter.) He held in his hand a document, a memorial sinnno.d be• men representing three-fourths of the manufacturing interest in Lancashire protesting against any interference with the hours of factory labour, which could only end in mischief and disappointment, and stating that the responsibility of the measure would rest upon presentedpontheAl Ministry, —( dear, hear.) That memorialwams only morning, and he did think that these .iabour, o had deserved well of their country by employing so much be allowed to regu late their own hours of labour. should lie was a little misunderstood h o e n r afotrormTer occasion by the Right Honourable 11 He the m positionainrth. had never said that of the Right Honourable Gentleman rendered it necessary for him to take a prominent part in every discussion. Whathedi sa y was, that from the ktio.yr. debating powers of the Right ifon. Member, no cause that he either advocated or op. po sed could receive the full beneav°eaeYt or t a oi wheno fit of his d s ition, unless he sp oke upon it. It was necessary men of talent advo cated any measure the • 3 should speak upon it, and support it ; or if they opposed it, they should stand forward and show what they conceived to be its f a ll ac i es and evils. • - lie would once m ore urge upon the House the danger of any interference with the factory operatives, for they never could settle the question as long as the nature of the working remained the same, and they remained subject to those contingencies to, which they wer e iaow subjected. He thanked the Housesta n amendment, or its attentioiithat o to him, and h e would the House do conclude by moving, a into Committee that day six months. g Mr. BECKETT then rose, but spoke in so l ow a tone that le was for some time q uite inaudible. He thought it would I a l so a „ f some ser vice if the llon. Gentlemen „cm:,l twee pt a conditional Bill for shor t hours, for he was quite .s at i s fi ed that the working me n were perfectly since re i n their desire. to reduce the hours of labour. They had discussed the mea sure over their pots of beer and pots of ale, and he was convinced that they desired that their families, at any risk, should be freed from the unreasonable exertion which they were now called upon to mak e . Il e had consulted with gentlemen, not only natives of thi s country, but of America also, and all concurred in the belief that th e reduction of the hours of labour would be beneficial .But lie had else the testimony of the manufact urers themselves, and he Lelieved that the majority of them agree d that he change would be profitable rather than otherwise. If they took off this one hour they would take off that which was the least advantageous to the master, while it was mos t wasteful of the energy and the strength of the work e°Pe 1 • and if they granted this boon he felt assured that P the mechanics' institutions and the scho o l s o f design, which were all open at that hour of the day, Wee'd be visited— and he must do the people tire to say that they were alweys ready to avail theineelves of the opportunities which these institutions offnred. To take off two hours from the daily labour o f t h e , - War tt p , opie would, however, in his estimation, prevent the maeufse . users from competing with the manufacturers on the continent, and he believed that the House would not act so unwisely us to alter the decision to which they had so re peatedly, and of late so dscidedly come, for were they to do so they would be stultifying their legislation, and reducing the character of the Mars: ; while, on the contrary, were they t o t: k e en e l even home ' Bill, they wsuld meet the r e quir e m en t s o f t h e s y or k people without injury to their masters, and come to a satistectigy settlement of the question. Mr. WARD said that this question had bear s) frequently and so fully discussed that he should not have said a single word but that he felt his silence might be ndecen strued. Tile Hon. Gentleman who had just sat clown had stated that if the House were to come to any decision contrary to that at which they arrived before they would be lowering the character of the House and gainsae ing their own oehtions Butwheithad been the his toryof th is question underthat House? Why, when the Noble Lord, the late Member for Doi ecteltire (Lord Ashley) had brought forward this question last year. it had been negatived by a majority of ten, and yet when t was brought before the Hou , e this session—without the slightest change of circumstances, without a single new idea being thrown out, and without a single new reason being adduced—it had been cap ried by a majority of eishteen. Already there had been four decisions oil this enhject, and each was almost contrary to the other. He did not, therefore, think that the character of the House of Commons would in any way be reduced by coming to a decision different from that at which they had arrived last year, or that because they legislate in one way in the first instance and in another way afterwards. They had for years past been legis lating for the direction of the workpeople in tl:e manufacturing districts, and, whether for good or for evil, they had produced great results upon their destinies. The ques tion was now whether they should reconsider the determi nation at which they had atready arrived, and it was th e opinion of the Hon. Member who had just sat down, that if they decided upon an eleven hours' Bill they would for ever set the question, at rest. But he (Mr. Ward) believed that such a decision as that would not meet the views of the Hon. Member for Oldham (Mr. Fielden), or of Lord Ashley either. Mr. FlELDEN—Certainly not. Mr. WARD—The Hon. Member for Oldham, with charac teristic candour, said no. Nor was it at all likely th a t it would, especially as it was always described as a boon to be given to the working people, and without which of course they would not now be satisfied. But they had now come to a point when it was absolutely necessary for them to con sider whether they could safely legislate on the subject. God knew that he was as anxious for the promotion of the welfare and happiness of the working people as any man, but he great* questioned whether this was the right way to pro mote diet happiness. If it were safe, let them by all means give to the working people au eleven hours' Bill or a ten hour' or even an eight hours' Bill. Give them, by all means, if it could be safely granted, four hours for domestic enjoyment, and four hours for recreation. Give them by all means the possession of such opportunities as would relieve them from the toil of slavery, and at the same time enable them to partake of such pleasures as would exalt them in their own estimation, and induce a constant feeling of self-respect ; for if all this could be done it was plainly the duty of the House to take measures for its accomplishment; but they ought to consider well what was the safe path before they entered upon any new plans like this now before them. Ile himself stood in a painful position on this question, for he was not only opposed to a large portion of his constituency, but to several of the members of the Government under whom he served. It appeared to him by allowing this principle they would, so far as he could perceive, be only adopting the prac • tice, and indeed the principle also, of the trades unions. They combined to keep up the rate of their wages, and that alone was the object of the present movement. Did they think that any of these people would take a ten hours' Bill with only ten hours' wages? Certainly not—not a man of them. Their object was plainly-to reduce the amount of work, without at the same time reducing their remuneration. Not that he blamed them for it, for they had a natural right to protect this, their only property. He was anxious to take this opportunity of correcting an errorinto which he had fallen some months ago. He had stated that, in the manufacturing districts, a parent was prevented from apprenticing more than or.e or two of his sons to his own trade, but on inquiry he had discovered that it was only in two or three of the smaller and more insignificant branches of the Sheffield tr. de that this unnatural restriction existed. But he contended that this measure never would benefit the working classes unless they at the same time supported the amount of their wages; and if they did that, they must inevitatly in terfere with the competition of our manufacturers in foreign markets. It was of little censequence whether the article to be affected was cutlery or cotton, for just in proportion to the extent of the interference with this compe tition would be the loss occasioned to the workmen. He had now had considerable experience of the wants, the necessi ties, and the interests of the working classes in the manufac turing districts, and this was the conclusion at which he could not help arriving, especially in those trades which had to contend with the French and German manufacturers. About 73 per cent. of the articles made at and exported from Sheffield went to the markets where they would meet with these goods, and tinder what a manifest disadvantaee. then, would they be placed. If they adopted free trade in one instance, they ought to be consistent, and carry it into (very department of business.—((lear, hear.) Instead of doubting the judgment of the working classes upon these great truths, he knew that they were fully alive to them. All the sympathies of human nature must be ie favour of this measure, but common sense and sound reason was opposed to the principle of less labour with the sense pay.—(Hear, hear.) It had been trumpeted forth that this measure ought to be passed because the manufacturers had got free trade; but the House forgot that the benefits f free trade could not be obtained in a single year. It re quired time to carry out the principle of free trade, and make its effects felt in every part of the globe, and therefore it was unwise to pursue this mode of reasoning. His objections to this measure were as strong as ever they had been, and he should certainly glee his vote in favour of the motion of the Honourable Member for Winchester. Besides, the time when this measure was brought forward was most unfortunate, and inopportune. Food was dear,manufactures were depressed, trade was falling off, and yet the House was called upon to entrammel the manufac turers with the provisions of tuffs Bill.—(Hear, hear.) Wits not allow them first to recover from this depression before they ventured to try this experiment? He was ex tremely anxious to see the condition of the ope rative bettered, but he did not think this measure was calculated to effect that object, and as it was highly objectionable in many of its provisions, be must vote for the amendment of the Hon. Member for Winchester. Mr. BROTHERTON felt deeply impressed that the time had arrived when they ought to legislate upon this sub ject. The labourers were forced, say what they would, to work so many hours per day in an unhealthy atmosphere, and the time had arrived when it was necessary something should be done to remedy this state of things. If they were always to adhere to the strict principles of political economy, the functions of the House would be greatly restricted. They had already interfered with the law of landlord and tenant, the weak had mre) ai At tiadsstchttesihhotoeesiphn(dis l r ago e' Botit v on s fto o i i e gl dfm nr di es i .ee c o t ,feeg) voNtevl c rrel t t ne o dr h h rte m . with masters and apprentices; they had placed restrictions upon railways and hackney coaches, and why had they done so? Why,. because those' were exceptions to the general rule, and this question of factory labour, too, was an excep tion. Hall men were humane and just, there would be no necessity for legislation of this sort. It man was born simply to labour and lige for a given time, there would be no necessity in legislation of this sort; but man was created for higher and nobler objects than this, and in order to ensure the realisation of these objects—in order to render man more humane than he was—in order to improve the social and moral conditions of the masses, it was necessary that the House should at once legislate upon this subject. Some Hon. Members asked, why not let the matter be left to be settled between the masters and the men ? Well, had it not already been referred in that way, and what had the masters done ?—(Hear, hear.) "Why, they proposed nothing, and the workmen went on toiling and suffering as before. Hon. Members could form no idea of the sufferings of the labourers, since some were stronger than others, but still tt h li e w'e a s l e t s h thr o on r inl s gr t s. rength, and it was with view of seeing such b oye had combinations ad suffered counterbalanced severely fro b m y t htletee existing itsrtoinngg system,arm ohilsifdie:anituignnlse:fteet: law T hr he i l si r t is e ogi l w s f l i o : l ial l a ti v s t aNt e ,vora d l le i rd e r,4 t ge, h wua w e t his strongest energies to bring about a better state of thin.; s. t Honourable Members held out to the working classes that if Why, the same argument was used in 1829, when Sir R. Peel elah e itdina b eesußin i s i c n h(d a N tia t tedgi iolse,ottotsinthit:theoisnoieerseontdeeolfi:hulfn:iepeosblixclatirtereasrepinrstpsirelietiotecohdtefitafie.eparllil wteehr.Noaeveurt:l hoursdwe rendered be low 14 a day. It was then predicted that production would t '' i b o o n u s r liad not been realised, for while production had increased there had been a corresponding augmentation of wages. lie had deeply considered this question, and he was ccnvinced that it was expedient, in a commercial as well as every other point of view, to concede it to the working classes. Ile had always been of opinion that legislation was necessary, and he was glad to see a measure brought forwarel, though it was in the last hour, that was calculated to meet the expectations of all parties. He had seen women who were pregnant com pelled to labour during those protracted hours. Mr. bRIGRT— They are not compelled to work. BROTHERTON—The Hon. Gentleman said they were not compelled to work, but they had no choice, they were compelled to work.—( Hear.) He believed sincerely that the Bill would not reduce wages or injure the masters. The working classes would not be satisfied until they ob tained a ten hours' Bill. - (Hear.) Sir JAMES GRAHAM said lie bad listened to the speech of the lion. Gentleman who had just sat down with the most unfeigned pleasure, and he was sure the House had also dyne so with equal gratification, on account of one circumstance. He confessed, until he heard the statement to which he re ferred, he wee not aware that the Hon. Gelid min bad ministered, with his own hands, to his personal waists as a .) that honourable e l l GI a c c : l n i i ti nd it gec a l go l a b i nuv s o vae u r li e i r nt fl e cyl r e ii i t tg l i e l , d ip, a giri g eorei f evi r t a il e aesr e a a tap t r t: taeti r echi l p :i ta ' i lhe . te — a i r i aen. :) s) ( u tu, i r r i te e h o l a e i t , 0 1 — r t with the Honourable Gentleman on a footing of perfect cd haracter.—(Cheers.) rr l s, i . u )a n n l t dmu p us e tsr r t s y (: b n ea g dn l . : l t i3t. r t i ae s nc e i to unblemished stations nf to say, that the Honourable Gentleman had given full effect 1 to the sentiments of his youth, but it was natural that he should have done so; still he could not help observing, that the Hon. Gentleman's success, and the fact of his being a Member of that Hou se , afforded a proof that the most honourable acquirements were even compatible with the labour which persons employed in factories were in the habit of undergoing.—(Hear.) He could not, however, with great respect for the lion. Gentleman's experience, yield to the doctrine which he had propounded, that they should consent to give way to what he (Sir J. Graham) considered the prejudices of those engaged in factory labour.—(Hear, s h t e a a t r e . d ) t The e g rlelaotno questionurab l e Gentleman at issae had, as he n said t t correctly ques tion was, should they compel women and children to work twelve hours a day or not? Now he (Sir J. Graham) said i r l e li c n t g legislation, tovork weh.e restrain h large masses dworking e that that was not the questiou. — (Hear , hear.) The ques tion 'ass ay fromes of was—shouldindas working period for the purpose of earning th e i r livelihood, though they were willing to do so? Would the House put that restraint upon them? Was it wise to do so? He was perfectly willing to admit that where su c h l arge masses of the people were employed, the principles of political economy ought to be applied. The science of poli ticalin some quarters of the House to be treated m by en ind w i appeared economy a lmost with contempt ; but he had always considered that the science was not only the great rule to be observed with a view to the acquisition Iwhether their d he doubted very much, legislation (Hear) —an be found safe, if the principles of the would, in the long run, departed from. But if lee could setiely cience were much departed a departure from its principle,: his judgment 1 of national wealth, but for the equitable distribution of conduceh— ly in the particular branches of trade referred classes engaged to act in opposition to their die • he should not hesitate to,t to the interests of the working ' Haman made one observation, which Ito rates. Graham) was bound to say he thouglt (Sir James .. against the measure • but he conclusive evidence . cone to say that it did not carry the eon goleir;.ed with it which the Hon. Gentlemen wished. He asked • "s" -°ll l • I down as a principle, that to eat, to drink, would , r r e h a e l if it was to be al( I and to die, should be the lot of a large proportion to wor, r, of his countrymen? Alas! 11 (J. e Slr Graham) was grieved to s ay that such was the lot of vast masses, but truth Hon. Gen i co mpelled him to say, that the lot of labourers, not on ly in this country, I.,ut throughout the civilised wo r ld, was but eating, drinking, working, and dying. That was - -- - --- but the sum of human life decreed by the Almighty. It was a grievous truth. The lot of man was to work for his sub sistence, and were they by legal interference to make him ( fellow a life Of ease anti cenifert, or by legislation so to in terfere with and to old difficulties to hiteexistence, as to em bitter his lot ?—(Hter.) He was prepared to say, that having given his best attention to this subject, having viewed it also as a political question, he was still of opinion that ench a Bill was not required. He bad listened with attention to the statements of the Chancellor of the Exchequer with respect to the influence of the foreign trade on the revenue on former occa.sione, when labour was restricted, and its influence en the work ing classes themselves, and he was thereby warned that the adoption of such a measure was not required, and that it would, by restricting the quantity of production, seriously in jure the revenue. He had little to add to the arguments of the Hon. Gentleman the _Member for Sheffield (Mr. Ward) with reference to the effect cf such a measure on the working classes themselves. The Hon. Gentleman had made some reference to the amount of foreign exports, and stated that the exports of co ton had not materially diminished. Now, he held in his hand a paper which had been circulated that morning—( Hear)—giving an account of the trade and navi gation of the country, and containing a statement with refer ence to the exports for theyear 1846, as compared with those of 1845. It dealt with the cotton, woollen, linen. flax and silk trades. The whole declared value of exports of this country in 1846 was 51,279,0001.; of this, cotton, linen, woollen, flax and silk, constituted 37,385,f0J4—(Cheers)— being somewhese about four-fifths of the whole exports. The value of the cotton exported in 1846 was 17,726,0001., as compare,' with 19,156,0001. in 1845, showing a falling off of near 2,000,0001. sterling in the cotton manufacture alone, as compared with the preceding year. The value of linen exported in 1816 was 2,839,000/. ; whereas in 1845 it. was 3,036,006/. The value of linen yarn exported in 1845 was 1,066,0001. ; but in 1846 it was only 907,000/. The value of the wool exported the same years presented a similar result. On silk there was a small increase, as, in 1845, it was 766,0001., but in 1846 it was 837,000/. These constituted the staple manufactures of the country, and he found the difference in their declared value to be somewhere about 151. per cent., as compared with 1845. He had already said that the argument of the Chancellor of the Exchequer was wrong; he would now proceed to deal with several important admissions made by the Honourable Gentleman the Secretary for the Home Department, which appeared to him conclusive evidence against interfering with labour in factories. -He said that he would not be a party to a delusion ,that this altera tion, if adopted, would not necessarily lead to a reduc• tion in the amount of wages. In the present condition of the country, when prices were rising, and when wages had fallen, from the cessation of employment, it ap peared conclusive evidence why no interference should take place. The admission, a most important one, w as nex t that heretofore in dealing with this object they bad the c mcurrence of the masters in what they had done ; but that was not the case now, for a memorial had recently been presented to the First Lord of the Treasury in opposi tion to the measure, and signed by a large mejority of the manufacturers, saying that any interference with the hours of labour in factories could not but be fraught with great danger. The Hon. Gentleman, having exclusive sources of knowledge on the subject, from the confidential reports of the Factory Inspectors and others, stated that the health of the workers was not impaired by the labour which they were compelled to undergo. But there was another admission, which had even a more practical bearing on the subject than those he had enumerated. He considered that the concession of a ten hours' Bill would be *Aught with danger; that it would be most inexpelient, and that he was prepared to Like his stand on an eleven hours' Bill.—(hear, hear.) Now, no doubt the Hon. Gentleman the Member for Oldham (Mr. Fielden), when he addressed the House in reply, would state that an eleven hours' Bill would by no means satisfy the work ing classes, that they would never rest contented until their hours of labour were abridged to ten hours a day. Therefore the proposition of the Hon. Gentleman the Secretary of State for the Home Department, which he thought was fraught with danger, would be of no avail, as the working classes would not be satisfied with it, and would continue to agitate for a ten hours' Bill. This was a conclusive argument why they should not depart from the understanding which had subsisted for half a century without having been injurious to the interests of those concerned. By such a measure they would render it impos-ible for ma chinery to run for twelve hours. At present, by the use of relays of children, working sh,Tter hours, and by other ar rangements, the factories have been able to remedy the inju rious effects which would have arisen from former legisla tion. But what was the course which they were now invited to take P—that no consideration should influence them in permitting children to work in factories. He believed that, practically speaking, since the commencement of the present century, the hours of labour in linen and woollen factories had been limited to twelve hours. Four-fifths of the exports of the country consisted in their woollen manufactures, and one-half of the declared value of their expotts consisted of their cotton trade ; and what, lie would ask, would be the inevitable effect of an -alit-M.:meta to eleven hours upon the master manufacturers ? Why they must either submit to a diminution of their profits, or they must raise the price of their goods, or they must lower their wages, or thy must cease to manufacture.—( Hear, hear.) Could they raise the price of their goods or increase their profits ? Foreign corn petition prevents them, and renders it impossible. Unless theycease to manufacture they must lower their wages. The Hon. Member for Salford, who understood the question very well, admitted that by limiting the hours of labour they must diminish the quantity produced. But did he forget, that if the quantity was diminished the amount of wages would be materially reduced? The foreign trade and the home market would still requi.e an equal supply as at the present moment, and fresh manufactories should be built to afford it ; that, in his opinion, would be a fruitless, extravagant, and prodigal waste of capital. The machinery at present in operation was of two kinds, old and tew. There was some old machinery running for twelve hours, which did not produce a quantity equal to new machinery, which only ran for ten hours. The effects, then, of this measure would be the de struction, by Act of Parliament, of a great mass of valuable property.—(Hear, hear.) He would draw their attention to this most important part of the subject : they were about to create a reduction in the amount of wages at the very moment when, by a severe dispensation of Providence, the price of food was very high, and still con tinuing to rise—at the very same moment when, from a natural cause, the price of the raw material was enhanced from a short supply. The Chancellor of the Exchequer stated that even at present a great many mills in Manchester were working short time, and that no fewer than 2,200 hands were out of employment. Moreover, it was not the case as formerly, that the high price of food raised the price of labour. From the artificial state of society in which they lived, oscillations in trade would inevitably take place, and, as a necessary consequence, bring with them a diminution in the demand for the article, a diminution in the hours of labour. Was there sense, then, was there justice in prohibiting the labourer from working twelve hours when the state of trade allowed it, thus preventing him front saving and preparing for the time when a decrease in his wages would take place from the fluctuations in trade? He had on so many former occasions stated all the objections which he entertained to this measure that he should be unpardonable if he detained the House by again repeating them, but he was bound to say that a deep sense of public duty had compelled him stedfastly to resist a measure which he knew to be grateful to a great number of his fellow-countrymen. In looking at the question, it was impossible for him to overlook the great principle of commercial policy which had been introduced into the country. He would ask them under what circumstances they were invited to pass the measure. All prohibitory duties had been removed—the corn-laws had been repealed—the Navigation Act had been suspended. Lord GEORGE BENTINCE.—How long will they con tinue so ? Sir JAMES GRAHAM—He was stating nothing which was not a matter of fact. Prohibitory duties had been abolished; and protective duties had been so much lowered on foreign produce, that foreign manufactures were admitted and entered into direct competition in the home market with their own goods. They had established the most perfect freedom ofcomrnerce, and his Right Hon. Friend the Member fot Tamworth might well exclaim, when surveying the em • pire of commercial freedom which he had contributed so much to enlarge— " Hic ego nec metal reruns, nec Tempora pono 'moult= sine fine dedi." • —(Cheers.) The Hon. Member for Newark said that they should put a curb upon these manufactories, that they should make them feel their riders ; and that such a course would not make them the less beneficial. Was that the spirit of the Commons of England? To put a "rein and a curb, and to make them feel their riders." He hoped and trusted that the Noble Lord at the head of the Government hail no such feeling or no such de sire respecting the great interest upon which the pros perity of the country depends.—(" Hear, hear," from Lord John Russell.) He feared that the measure, if adopted, was exactly in the spirit of the Member for Newark. It would be a curb and a bridle, under which he believed the mant facturing interest would tret, and to which it would not submit. The measure would be a tax upon machinery—it would be a limit to the earnings of industry —(Hear)—it would be a tax upon wages—(Hear, hear)-- which, if it were extended to all trades, would be a burden intolerable.—(hear, hear.) It was most painful to him to resist a measure which was gratetul to a large portion of his fellow-countrymen, but with a firm conviction in the purity of his motives, he was compelled to remit his vote against the measure. Sir GEORGE GREY said, that hating expressed Ida sentiments on the measure on the second reading of the 13111, he only rose for a few moments on account of what had fallen from the Right Hon. Baronet (Sir James Graham). The Rig'tt Hon. Gentleman had stated that h tSir George Grey) had in his former speech mm e four admissions which were strong arguments again , t the present Bill. The first admission that the Right He,- nourable Baronet had attributed to him was, that the effect of the Bill would be to reduce the wages of the working classes in proportion to the reduction of time. He (Sir George Grey) had never made an admission so large. All he had stated was, that the tendency of the measure • would be to reduce the wages of the factory labourers, but not that the reduction would be equal in extent to the re duction of the hours of labour. He stated that, notwith standing the improvements of machinery, no increased exer tion could enable the operatives to do the same amount of labour in eleven hours that they could do in twelve— Vie earnings of' eleven horns would not be the same as the earnings of ten, or tl.• earnings of eleven the amount of twelve hours; I W. he never denied but that other causes would operate to keep up tl • rate of wages: the difference of years. and the varying con dition of the c.nnmercial and manufacturing markets. Though wages might be less, he had never admitted that the reduc tion would be equal to the alteration in the hours of labour made. He said there would be a !eduction, but other causes would of sate to lessen the effect of the alteration. The se , oid admission attributed to him was, that the success of the Government legislation on factory labour depended mainly on the employers,—that they bad willingly concurred in the change which was made. sow, he had never said that the employers had given their willing concurrence to the mea sure, but he said the successful result of it had arisen from the fact of the great majority of the employers of factory la bourers cc-Aerating with the operatives in carrying out its provisions. —(Hear, hear.) So far from stating that they had concurred in the measure, he said they held the same language then as now, that the abridgment of the hours ' labour would bring loss and ruin upon them. They had, he e. was glad to hear, been disappointed in that expectation, and as the warnings they had given the House aboutt interfering had not realised their forebodings, he was opinion that teh e for supposing if the Bill had passed there was reasoneverwyhi they would again be disappointed, i n ts o doubtthat, as before, they would cease all oppositieonhtaod enact ments, and concur with the operatives in carrying the law into effect.— (Hear, hear.) He had next b een represente d by the Right Hon. Baronet (Sir James Graham) as stating that factory labour bad not a prejudicial 'effect on health. In answer, must say that he 'had never made so large an admission. for twelve hours a day * When young persons laboured that their health in a factoryit could not be pre sumed:he did saywould hot . suffer. But - what was, that the returns of the RegL rar-General did not bear out the inference that large GREAT NORTH OF INDIA RAIL WAY. An adjourned extraordinary general meeting of the share holders in this company was held yesterday, at their offices, 1, Coleman-street buildings, City; H. Borrowdaile, Esq., in ,he chair. The CHAIRMAN said that the present meeting was called for the purpose of laying before the shareholders a repurt, with copies of which they had been furnished, and to obtain a vote of confidence in the directors. The SECRETARY then read the report, which stated that the directors of the company had felt it their duty to call a meeting, to submit to the shareholders the measures they had been obliged to take in consequence of a notifi cation put forth by the directors of the East India Railway Company on the 9th of November, 1846, announcing their intention of applying to Parliament fur the grant of certain powers and privileges. The report then sketched the early proceedings of both companies, from which it appeared that on the 15th of May, 1845, the pro prietors of the East Indian Railway Company registered themselves as the promoters of a company for the construc tion of railways in the East Indies. But it not appearing that this company intended to provide railway accommoda tion for any part of Upper India above Mirzapore, the pro jectors of the Great North of India Railway Company pro posed to form themselves into a company, provisionally re gistered, to meet this deficiency. But, before taking that step inquiries were instituted at the East India House to ascertain whether pledges had been given promising the line they proposed to adopt, namely, from Allahabad to Delhi to any other company, and they were led to believe that no such pledges had been given, which statement was subsequently confirmed by repeated official communications. It was, therefore, determined to proceed with the pro ject ; and on the 17th of October, 1845, an influential meeting was held at the London Tavern, when the pro moters received assurances of support. A correspondence then ensued between the provisional committee of the com pany and the Honourable Court of the East India Company, from which it appeared that the Honourable Court referred to declined carrying on any correspondence with parties in England on the subject of railways in India, the subject Ileing then under the consideration of the Governor-General of India. The CHAIRMAN said, a resolution would be submitted to to the meeting, as they had heard the report. The Sec aETAnr then read a resolution, to the effect that the board of directors should be empowered, in furtherance of the interests of the Amalgamated with any other company, or to prosecute their negotiations with the Honourable the East India Company, and that the Bill should not be proceeded with, if such should be found necessary to maintain the proper standing order of the Company before legislation. A memorial presented to the Honourable the Court of the East India Company, recapitulating some of the state ments in the report, was read at the request of an Hon. Proprietor. resolution was then p u t an d carr i ed. T he Thanks were voted to, and acknowledged by, the Chair man, and the meeting separated. STATE OF TRADE. MANCHESTER, MARCH 2.—There has not been quite so much business doing yesterday and to day as during the last week. Many of the spinners and manufacturers who have recently sold at low prices, are now asking a slight advance ; and, in some numbers of yarns, rather higher rates have been obtained ; but it has had the effect o: checking the demand for goods, which remain without alteration, but perfectly steady and firm. ROCHDALE, MARCH I.—We have had a dull market to-day, and a very limited business has been transacted at last week's prices. The wool market has also been quiet, and the manufacturers buy for immediate use only. Pikes continue firm. HALIFAX, FEB. 27.—The piece trade has been very dull to-day in the ball ; and we learn that some of the manufacturers are beginning to run short time. It is expected th•+t the failures in Hamburgh will not much, if at till, affect this neighbourhood, but that they will be felt chiefly at Bradford. There continues a slight improvement in the demand for shipping yarns, but without any advance in price. The demand for long wool is languid, and staplers are free sellers. Short wool ramains firm, the supply being limited ; but the trade is not brisk. HUDDERSFIELD, MARCH 2.—There has been consi derable improvement in our market to-day, and trade much brisker than it has been for some weeks past. The warehouses during the week have been but flat. LEEDS, MARCH 2.—We had rather a better market on Saturday last, but to-day very little has been doing. —Manchester Guardian. From the Circular of Messrs. M'Nair, Greenhow, and Ir ving, of Manchester.) MANCHESTER, Fen. 27.—From the date of our last Cir cular up to the middle of the present month the condition of this market was characterised by increasing gloom and depression, accompanied with a further decline in the value of nearly all descriptions of cloth and yarns. Since that period it has experienced a perceptible change for the bet ter, consequent upon the revival of demand, which up to this date has continued to a fair extent. Still with all this there is an absence of practical amendment, so far as spinners and manufacturers (the former especially) are concerned, whose position continues undeniably to be exceedingly unfavourable —probably more so now than it has been since the rise in the value of cotton took place, as the stocks of that article which those of them who were fortunate enough to be pos sessed of at low rates have been exhausted. Were the His tory of the cotton manufacture consulted it would scarcely supply us with a period when the margin between the cost of the raw material and the price of the manufactured article was so small as at the present time. l'rices of goods and yarns which, from the improvement in the demand, have become rather steadier and firmer, it has been stated are about the same as they were previous to the advance on cotton. This is an error; and if trade reports be of any value, they must be chiefly so from a conviction that they are records of facts. A reference to the prices current at the two periods will satisfy you that goods and yarns generally are now from 5 to 10 per cent. higher than Tile wor king ri tti f y il were at the p er i o d a ll u d e d to. of sho r t t i me h as b een cons id era bl y ex tended duri ng mills e n n g ti t r h e othe rs This des e ly T n o n n d th. So a me re establishments te inningto d haveothe closed same unless matters i mprove. necessary and prudent though are tii en b i e ng ~ is. of the ,pr,d u p a r i o g duc g t r i e o a n t , distress and suffering e amongst the operatives, whose dimi nished mut is of subsistenc e ill dearness of provisions. This S t tate further reduced by the exercises a most important influence upo4!hoeurl, earlier se tt ing )r country trade, of things necessarily - exercises sefvere which is represented to be very bad, reduction of winter has, however, prevented an spring trade. In this county we have heard of tie of many hands by retail establishments. The last advices from the United States are of a very satisfactory character as regards the trade in British nian e 7 factures, and lead to the expectation that there will be a very considerable increase in our exports thither, an expec tation which, if realised, will naturally have a most impor taut bearing upon the productions of this district. For Canada the purchases so far have been very limited; to our other North American colonies they will constitute an average. POOR RATES.—At the IVestminster Sessions, on Tuesday, Alderman Johnson, Mr. T. Pratt, and other magis trates presiding, Mr. Huggett, secretary to the Westminster Reform Association, was summoned for 21. 10s. poor rates, due upon his house, 5, Ponarby-place. Amongst other ob jections to the legality of the rate, Mr. Huggett urged that as several houses were unrated, he and those who wire rated were damnified, and that therefore the rate was illegal. Mr. Tidd Pratt observed that, even admitting the illegality of the rate, the magistrates were compelled to enforce it, leaving to Mr. 'Liggett the remedy of appeal. Mr. Rogers, the magis trate's clerk, said that on Tuesday fifteen rate payers, who refused to pay the rates, declared that they did so at the in stance of Mr. Huggett. Mr. Huggett denied that he gave such advice, and he paid the rate. THE DUKE or S O MERSET.—Tuesdgy evening, upon making inquiry of Dr. Parrott, the medical attendant of the Duke of Somerset, relative to his Grace's health, it was as certained that the Noble Duke was going on as favourable as possible, and that all unfavourable symptoms have disap peared; indeed, we may, to quiet the apprehensions of his Grace's friends, state that he is now enjoying his customary lie3lth. DISEASE IN FLANDERS.- - The Belgian j ourna l s represent the misery i n Flanders as most frightful. The Journal de Bruges says—" The mortality. already frightful, has not yet reached the horrible acme to which it ;ill qu i c kl y ' rise. The reports of several physicians prove to us that the detestable food of the people of the country creates diseases which most inevitably spread death around. More than 50 cases of dropsy have occurred in a single village:' WILD SWANS.—Some of these birds were observed Lech Eck, the week before last, by James Inglis, game keeper to Mr. Murray of Henderland, who, after watching them for three days, at last succeeded in securing four o f them. They turn out to be of the rare species known to na turalists as the Bewick swan. One of them, a very fine bird, has been presented to the College Museum , which did not possess a specimen ; another, which was only winged, was turned out on Loch Eck, where, it is hoped, it w.ll be allowed to remain, an ornament to that beautiful sheet of water.— Caledonian Mercury. ~~ manufacturing towns were more unhealthy than other large towns as, for instance, Liverpool as competed with Manchester. The Right Hon. Gentleman had also repre sented him as frightened at the denser th a t m i ght arise reen the passing of this Bill. He certainly said that in any change which they made they should proceed with caution and circumspection, considering the views of a great portion of the employers of factory labour and the excited feelings of the operatives regarding this measure; and that therefore he would prefer an eleven to a twelve hours' Bill.. But he did not say that even if they passed a ten hours' Bill there would be danger. He would vote in Committee for an eleven hours' clause, though were that rejected and the ten hours' clause affirmed, he would still consider it his duty to give the Bill in its remaining stages his cordial support. Lord JOHN MANNERS offered a few words of explana tion in answer to the Right Hon. Baronet; they were to the effect that he did not say he wished to curb the manufac turers by the Bill, but that he supported it because it would regulate the proceedings of manufacturers, and do justice to all concerned. Lord MORPETH said he was desirous of stating briefly , the vote he intended to give, because already the sub ject had been fully discussed; and he must say he had not come to the decision he had, without many misgivings. He assented entirely to the principle of reducing the hours of labour, but at the same time he thought in doing so they should proceed as cautiously as possible. He was, therefore, in favour cf voting to go into Committee, and then should H di e d m n e ot s s e h e a re re tar in Secretary), that eleven h ours; b ut h e must say at the same time, he ec a o t nfi if de t n h c e e eolfehviesn hftigenhvtaHoenla.eFaeriewndas(dthe-e feated he would support the Bill for the ten hours. The main reason for his agreeing to vote for going into Committee, was because he believed there was a point of honour involved in it, as something had been held out to be done when the restrictions on the importation of food were removed. He was further fortified in the vote he was about to give by the proceedings of Mr. Marshall, of Leeds, a gentleman entitled to every credence and respect. That gentleman had tried working eleven hours, (The Noble Lord here read au extract from a letter written by Mr. Marshall, to the effect that he had reduced the hours to eleven hours a day, and yet, though the reduction of time was 3 per cent. the reduction of produce was only % per cent.—(Hear, hear.) Whether from greater punctu ality and attention on the part of the workpeople, such was the result, and it gave them great confidence in the legislation they were about to carry into effect. He feared there was but too much truth in the statement of the Right lion. Baronet (Sir James Graham) that the lot of the working classes was only to eat, to sleep, and to die.--(Hear, hear.) Yet still he thought something ought to be done to mitigate, if possible, this state of things, and if the reduction of the day's labour to eleven hours would do so, it should have his support.--( Hear, hear.) There was a great and growing tendency on the part of the working classes to attend mechanics' institutions and read ing•rooms, and if this Bill gave greater time for such a pur pose, their legislation would not be in vain. Representing, as he did a great constituency deeply interested in the ques tion of factory labour, he would not support any measure which he believed would have a tendency to injure their prosperity; but thinking the change to eleven hours would not have that effect, after due consideration he had decided to give it his support.—(Cheers. ) Lord GEORGE BENTINCK said that the Right Hon. Gentleman who had lately addressed the House with such ability, said that this was not a Bill to limit the hours of labour to ten hours, but a Bill to prevent them giving labour to adults in factories. There was also an argument which fell from the Right Honourable Gentleman the Member for Dorchester which rather surprised him, after the course he had taken last year. When it was proposed and carried that protection should be done away with, they heard no thing of the vested rights of agriculture--(Hear, hear)—they heard nothing of the vested rights of the tenants in their long leases, but the Right Hon. Gentleman spoke of the vested rights of the manufacturers in their machinery.— (Cheers.) Hon. Members spoke of the falling off of their ex ports, and argued from thence that this was not the time to introduce a measure of this kind; but the fact was that foreign nations, with a degree of policy which this country might well copy were protecting their home manufacturers; and their policy was strikingly apparent in this, that while the cotton exports of Britain had decreased, the exports in their machinery had increased 25 per cent. The Hon. Gentleman wl.o opened that debate, asked if they were to stop at t. n hours, and he argued that they would not, because Mr. Oafeler had at some period ad vocated eight hours. Why, he would tell the Hon. Member that ten hours was the period most consistent with hmuan strength, and therefore it was that they fixed this period. But the Hon. Gentleman said that they should not interfere with labour, because in all past experience such a course led to further interference. The lion. Member argued a degree of ruin to those manufacturers from these interferences; but, although this ruin had been often threat ened, it had not yet arrivel •, and they had already reduced the hours of infant labour from 89 and 90 hours to 66 and 70 hours per week, The Hon. Gentleman had referred to the evidence of six operatives and some clergymen in favour cf unlimited lab Air. He (Lord G. Bentinck) could bring forward a host of evidence in opposition to such a principle. He would give his support to the motion for going into Committee. Mr. MILNER GIBSON was desirous of making a few ob servations before recording his rote on this question, and he would confine himself as closely as possible to the real sub ject before them. The Noble Lord bad not confined himself to the question directly before them ; he had referred to commerce, and the mercantile position of Europe, and seemed, if he might use the expression, to wish to interfere with the vested interests of manufacturers, because at some former period, the interests of the agriculturists had been affected by some measures which had passed that House. He wished to discuss the proposition on its own merits. The Right Hon. Member for Dorchester had so well pointed out the interests connected with the question, that he would not travel over the same ground. The cotton manufacture was the greatest interest connected with it, it formed nearly the half of the manufactured exports of the country, and therefore any interference with it must be carried out only after the most serious consideration. It appeared that the various opinions of the master manufacturers were re gulated entirely by the amount of time they worked their own machinery; but he must say, from his knowledge of the feelings of the master manufacturers, that they were in general opposed to the measure.- The Noble Lord who had last spoken said that the late corn-law legislation was an interference with vested rights. The corn-law was a restraint upon the commerce of the country, and therefore it ' was removed, because it could not be shown to be beneficial to the country, and it rested with those who proposed the present restraint upon labour to show that it would be beneficial. The onus probandi rested with them, and they had not shown that the restraint would be productive of benefit. He thought that any restraint upon labour was per se an evil, and in the present instance it would be peculiarly so. When they legislated for children they showed that the compulsory leisure given to them would be of benefit to them, but now, when they proposed to inflict a restraint upon adults, they had alleged no such reason. They proposed to fetter free agents upon no ground or authority whatever. As a member of the Government, he did not coincide in the opinion that this mea sure was or could be a desirable one ; on the contrary, he thought it one which ought to be avoided. They had not as yet been correctly informed how far it would be safe to go. Some proposed eight hours, some ten, some eleven and eleven end a half, and each stated that any variation from the time he stated would be in jurious. When the advocates of the measure differed so essentially in the amount of time to be allowed, he (Mr. M. Gibson) did not think that he had even the argument of authority to support this Bill. He would again observe how much the supporters of this measure varied in the arguments adduced by them its favour of it. Some sup ported it on the ground that it would cause an equal distribution of labour amongst a greater number of hands, and others again declared that they would not support the measure if they thought it would diminish the wages of the operatives. Therefore he said that his Hon. Friend, the Member for Finsbury, ought not not to be so easily satisfied that this Bill would not reduce wages by 25 per cent. It was, indeed, evident that the Hon. Gentleman was not satisfied with the precise results that might follow this measure, for he had moved for a Committee of Inquiry, but had been re fused, and he was just now as much in the dark as ever. Then another Honourable Gentleman was quite ready to allow of the reduction of wages, for he believed that a far greater benefit would be obtained than that which would be lost by the reduction, for such leisure would be granted, that there would be the opportunity for improving the moral and intellectual condition of the working people. For his own part he was quite ready to vote for this Bill, if it could be shown that it really would be for the benefit of the people themselves, for he believed that the moral and phsical condition of the working people was an integral element in the prosperity of the master-manufacturers of this country. But it appeared to him that such had not been shown ; nor could he perceive in the conflicting statements of the advo cates of this Bill any sufficient authority to justify the opinion. And they had done nothing whatever to provide for this intellectual and social improvement of the people ; for all that they desired to do was to turn them out of the mills.—(Hear.) The Honourable Member for Knaresborcugh had stated this matter could net be settled between the master and the men without legl'ation, a id yet in his speech the other evening he had alleged that so general was the feeling that the whole of the workmen would enter into a general combination not to work more th:n ten hours ,vf the day, that it would l appear, itin ,; according to his own showing , tha Then egsa i t was was unnecessary to effect the object. alleged byNewark the consequences of t the Noble Lord the Memberthe for (Lord John Manners), that one of ove-sevorking of the people, was the destruction of between fitty and sixty per cent. of the infant population of the mtatei their fifth districts before the children had arrived at t fifth year, and this he ascribed to theli Bill provide anyong absence of the 111°1h - us from their homes. But did this sufficient remedy? Certainly not; for wowld not the same likely evils be to arise from the absence of the mothers eleven hours instead of thirteen , and would there be any lees occasi on than there was now for the employment of per suns . suns to look after those children ? Then, again, it was is evidence that the loss of infantio mmufictures was fullyne life in other parts of the coun t r y where there were no s ixty per cent., and how did they get over that ? The same causes were not in operation, and yet the same results had followed, and why should they then as ribs them n to factory labour ? Then, again, the Ho nourable M e mber opposite said that lie would exclude the Bill, women altogether from and how then was the dif ficulty to be got over, and what advantage would it be to , pass the Bill at all? Another Hon. Member had stated that by shortening the hours of labour they would prevent the • of eating opium; but for this he could practice see no suffi cient reason, for as it appeared to him, the people would Le just as likely to continue the practice of eating opium as when they were obliged to work thirteen hours, instead of eleven. And as to the assertion that this excess of exer tion was conducive to the demoralisation of the people, and that it caused them to sit boosing and drinking gin in the public-houses on the Saturday afternoon and on the Sunday mornings, they had the testimony of their own advo cate, air. Harrison, who had stated that his chief reason for desiring the measure was that it would reduce wages and prevent the people from spending so much in gin, and thus aid the cause of general improvement. Then as to the assertion that this Bill would be of service in giving opportunities to the children in the factory districts, they had the testimony of their own fac tory inspector that the effect of the last Bill was to prevent the employment of children altogether in mills in Scotland, and that so far from its having been instrumental in the pro motion_ of education, it was the fact, as stated by the inspector, I that not a single school had been erected in the whole of his district for the education of the children of factory labourers. I He contended that the past legislation bad nothing to do iwith the measure before the House. The question of chil dren was not now before the House. The Bill referred to I adolescence and to adults. Drunkenness and other vices I were snore prevalent in the higher classes than they were at • that time, and the example set them had no doubt its influence upon other classes. Let them. not, therefore, claim for their factory legislation the Icreditof the improvements which were now happily pro , ! greasing in the country. efficacy of that very i not all unanimous as to the I He saw an instance of the advantages of legislation in the li fact that had been exhibited in one of the London N ee courts a few days ago, where a number of women were • „