The Sun. — London, England, 1840-03-20 00:00:00

FIVENING Mr. EDWARD TURNER moved that the name of Mr. Blewit be added to the Banking Committee. There was not one person on this Committee connected with the Joint Stock Banks of Issue. There were three Directors of private banks. The Chairman and one of the Directors of the Bank of England, a member of the Bank of Ireland, two private bankers, were on his Committee, yet no person to protect the Joint Stock Banks cf Issue. He would ao peal to the Right Hon. Gentleman en this subject, Sir T. Fremantl e , who was a Director of a Bank, and was not con nected with a Joint Stock Bank of Issue. Let the inquiry be fair and impartial, and the report would carry confidence, and therefore he mentioned that it was necessary that a Person connected with some Joint-stock Bane of Issue should be on the Committee, and he hoped the Right Hoe. 11entleman would consent to the appointment of Mr. Blewit as a Membe rof the Committee. Mr. WODE HO USE objected to the motion, and wished that the arrangements already made should not be disturbed. Mr. GISBORNE was also opposed to the motion. The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER thought he was not open to the objection of having acted unfairly on the occasion, as Mr. Connell, and other Mein. hers of the Committee, were appointed on the Committee. After a few words from Mr. HUM E, the motion was withdrawn. The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER then moved that it should be a secret Committee. Mr. HUME objected to the motion, as he wished that their proceedings should have pub'icity. The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER de fended the motion, and said that their purposes would be best attained by secresy. Mr. SMITH O'BRIEN said that the Committee was formed for the purpose of giving information to the coun try, as well as to Members of the House. He was therefore opposed to the motion. Sir R. PEEL said that, by having the proceedings of the Committee secret, a'l necessary information would vot be withheld from the public, who would learn the genera. results of their investigations, though particular details might not be made known to them. He remembered that the course now recommended to the House had been adopted on a former occasion by a Committee on Joint stock Banks. After a few words, in reply, from Mr. HUME, the House divided, and the numbers were— . For the motion 33 Against the motion 23 Majority Mr. HUME wished to know to what extent the pro ceedings of the Committee were to be secret. The SPEAKER said that as the proceedings of the Committee were to be secret, no Member of it could dis close them, and that the Committee would have the power of excluding from their publication any part of the evi dence which they might think proper. Me. HUME could only say that in that case the Com mittee would be wholly useless.—(A laugh.) It was then moved that the Repents of preceding Corn- Ill...tittees on the same subject should be referred to the said Co mmittee, and the motion was agreed to. MENDICANCY IN IRELAND. Lord MORPETH rose to move for leave to bring la a Bill for the purpose of amending the laws re lating to mendicancy in Ireland. The Noble lefore proceeded to say that the New Poor-law Guardians in Ireland had all, with two exceptions, Called on the Government to adopt such a measure as : as now proposed. The present laws relating to vag .'enY in Ireland, were, he thought, liable to much oh- Jection, becamie the clauses they contained were capri cious and uncertain in their operation, or because they were so severe as to defeat their own objects. The ex teenaepunishment of vagrancy under those laws was tdraespoitation for life, and such a punishment necessarily ilterred parties from attempting to eeforce those laws. • Q floe Proposed to adopt so much of the vagrancy laws ln England as relate to mendicancy, without following out their other _details. It was his wish to make the provisions of the Bill as simple and as considerate as the extreme difficulty of the case would allow. The main object he h a d i n v i ew was to relieve the occupiers of the soil in Ir e l an d f rom the double pressure of the Poor-rate !ass, and that regular and systematic species of mend,- encY which was known to prevail in that country. He wished to prevent vagrants from practising on those kind feelings which animated the peasantry of Ireland, and to relieve them from that fear of ill will on the part of mends. cants, or th at d read of Divine vengeance which they enter- Ri cci fired case they re f use d a id to any parties who might PPle for it. The rich in Ireland were already sufficiently protected a ga i nst such applications by their parks and their avenues, and it was the cabin which was open to the winds of heaven, that was also most liable to the visits of the distressed. He did not desire to extinguish thou feelin gs of charity which prevailed to such a large extent among the poor of Ireland, and he was happy to Say that it would not be in his power to effect such an object even though he endeavoured to do so. It was merely his wish to prevent that regular trade in mendi cancy which existed in Ireland. He did not, however, disguise from himself that many difficulties environ the Question. This certainly would appear to be an anomal yyn malting the a s ki ng o f alms a crime in a country where he poor had no legal right to claim relief. He therefore proposed not to make mendicants pun hhabic by the law till after the opening of the workhouses, and merely so long as those workhouses could not give assistance to deserving objects. He beli eved that, on the score of expediency and of the genera l welfare, some such measure es he proposed should be adopted. He did rot wish to hurry his Bill through the House without giving Hon. Members ample opportu nity of discussing the clauses, and he hoped that under all the ci rcumstances of the case the House would have no objection to agree to his motion.—( Hear, hear.) Sir R. PEEL —Does the Noble Lord mean, that when the workhouse of a Union is full, a mendicancy will be allowed, which will be prevented when it is not full 2 Lord MORPETH said the penalties of the Bill would not apply, except when the workhouse-was not full. Sir- R. PEEL—Supposin g the workhouse to be full, would a system of mendicancy be tolerated ? Lord MORPETH—In that case, no alteration is made in the law as it now stands. Sir ROBERT PEEL doubted whether there would not be difficulty on this point. And again, as to the term " disorderly begging," did it mean violence ? There was no doubt that was now illegal ; but if it implied mere dis order, he was afraid the lower order of proprietors would not be sufficiently protected from those affecting appeals to their charity, which they were always ready to exert. Lord -MORPETH said by " disorderly begging" he only meant begging contrary to the spirit of the Bill he now proposed. Mr. F. SHAW did not object to the introduction of the Bill; but he feared there would be great difficulty in working it out, especially with regard to the New Poor-law. Mr LYNCH said he should support the Bill, because he felt that it would be useless to attempt to carry the Poor-law into operation if mendicancy were allowed. Mr. M. O'CONNEL L holed the Bill would not be hurried through. Leave was given to bring in the Bill. Mejnr C HETWYND moved for returns of the name of the Master of the Free School at Sutton Coldfield, in the county of Warwick; the date of his appointment; the amount of annual salary received by him from the time of his appointment up to the Ist day of January, 1840 ; and the number of Scholars in each year, distinguishing those teho were boarders in his house, and those admitted on the F oundation. Return of the name of the present Head Master of Breewood Free Grammar School, in the county of Staffo r d ; t h e date of his appointment ; the amount of annual salary received by him from the time of his appoint ment up to the let day of January, 1840 ; the number of Sc holars in the Upper School in each year, distinguish mg those who were boarders in his house, and those who Were out-boarders, or on the Foundation. Also return of the name of the present Under Master ; the date of his ftlenointment ; the amount of annual salary received by :ran- from the time o f hi s appo i ntment up to the Ist day of to• •i 1840 ; and the number of boys in the Lower School Peach year since his appointment.—Ordered. Also, for urn of the names of the Colonels and other Officers of the following regiments of Militia in England and Wales; thehos dates of thei r severa l commissions; distinguishing t e wno have served in the Househnld Brigade, the Line, or Royal N av y ; together with the rank obtained by . Leern in any of the above services, and whether on half-pay at this time, or holding commissions in any yeomanry regi ment, if so, the date of such commission ; these returns to be signed by the Colonel or Field Officer, or senior officer of the regiment in England or Wales, and by the Adjutant of each regiment :—Cornwall, Devon (East) Flint, Hants (Nerth), Hants (South), Isle of Wight, Kent ( East), Kent ( West), Lancaster, Leicester, Nottingham, Rutland, Somerset ( let). Somerset (2d), Stafford, York (Ist West Riding), Chester, Devon ( North), Dorset. Ordered. TITHES (IRELAND). The SOLICITOR-GENERAL for Ireland moved for leave to bring in a Bill to amend an Act passed in the first and second years of the reign of her present Ma jesty, intituled, " Au Act to abolish Compositions for Tithes in Ireland, and to substitute Rent-charges in lieu thereof," Mr. SHAW considered the object of the Bill highly desirable. —Leave given. The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER stated (in answer to Captain Pechell) it was not the intention of Government to propose any measure relieving charitable institutions from those imposts incurred in erecting edifices, which were laid upon the rest of the community. The House adjourned at Ten o'Clock. i‘ , -- - - DISMISSAL OF MINISTERS. —An immense Public meeting in the Bazaar, last night, in the most enthusi astic manner, agreed to memorialize her Majesty to dismiss her present Ministers, and to call to her Councils men more de serving the public confidence, and bette r a bl e to f i ll the im portant offices of British Ministers, and also to petition both nouse s of Parliament to address her Majesty f..r the same pur tst. Mr. Proudfoot in the chair. The speakers were Messrs. B C. Pattison, J. R o d g ers, M. Cullen, Mal co l m M acfarlane, "Itihyre. Gilbert, W. Thomson, and others of our most res pectable citizens. Owing to the late hour to which the pro ceedings were protracted by discussion, we are unable to do more than give this passing notice. We promise a full and ac curate [ Amongst reort in our next.— Scots Times—lasgow Pap. p G the names men ti one d we recognize some leaders er of t he., Chartist s , b ut none o f t h e leaders of the Tories.—En. .t/ 1 , T. 1 The opera stated to have been accepted at Drury Lane Theatre previously to its close, the music of which is from the compositions of his Royal Highness Prince Albert, has, we understand, been, by desire, submitted to the Earl of Uxbridge; ?aid that Air. Matthews, after an interview with his Lordship, has agreed to produce it forthwith at Covent Garden Theatre. Mr. Be a l e , o f t h e musical firm of Cramer, Ad dison, and Beale, has taken Drury-lane Theatre, his term to commence from October next. It is in contemplation then to produce " opera" upon a more perfect and extensive scale than has ever been attempted in this country. AN ANGULAR DUEL. —At Pyrmont, in the principality of Waldeck, ac cor di ng to a journal of the country, _ a due l lately took place, in which one of the combatants stood within the p r i tc i pa li ty of Lippe, and his adversary within that t aldeck, an d one of the seconds within he kingdom of Ha '',lllFr ; the balls were aft erwar d s f ound in the Duchy of Bruns- The c affair, consequently, took place at the convergent an gles of four different states. CHURCH EXTENSION AND VOLUNTARY PRINCIPLE. A public meeting of the Friends of the Religious Free dom Society took place yesterday at the Freemasons' Hall. The audience was crowded, and highly respect able. Most of the Dissenting Ministers of eminence in London were present. Amongst them we saw Mr. Bur net, Mr. Hinton, Mr. Caleb Morris, Mr. Young, &c., &e. We also observed on the platform Mr. Plume, M.P. ; Mr. Easthope, M. P. ; Mr. Evart, M. P. ; Mr. A. White, M.P. Also Sir Culling Eardley Smith, Bart. ;J. Con der, Esq ; Mr. Boykett, and other gentlemen of influ ence among the Dissenters. The galleries were filled with ladies. His Royal Highnes; the DUKE of SUSSEX, who was re ceived with the most hearry,applause, took the Chair at twelve o'clock, and said—Gentlemen, You fitid me here again, joining you for the noble purpose for which we were congregated about this period last year. At that time I stated the motives and the principles which brought me among you ; and so far from my having found any thing to alter them, they have prompted me again to come and sanction, by my presence, the open. the candid, the honest expression of your opinions. —( Cheers.) Gentlemen, I then, perhaps, addressed you with more excitement than on the present occasion, because we were all labouring then under great political feelings, to which I gave frank expres sion at the time ; and I stated to you the numerous ideas of past events which forced themselves upon my mind. Similar feelings now crowd on my mind, when standing on this, which I must call consecrated ground.—( Cheers. ) Gentlemen, I have no doubt that you will act up to and maintain your opinions which have so often been expressed here, now that you are assembled to oppose a measure of which notice has been given, by a very worthy and re spectable Member of the House of Commons (Sir Robert Inglis), for Church Extension—a measure from which I, among many others, forcibly, honestly, respectfully, dis passionately, dissent..—( Loud cheers.) We arc not here upon religious differences or discrepancies, but upon the broad principle of the right of every man to worship God according to the dictates of his own conscience.—( Cheers. ) %gentlemen, now and then a vulgar expression finds its way in to the most elegant speech—(Laughter)—often with a great deal of force and trnth, and it - strikes me, that this is not a question of religion so much as of plain pounds, shillings, and pence (Cheers) and the best rule to observe in this, 53 with other cases, is to look at things co their fair meaning, clearing► them from the misapplication of words and the entanulements of confused ideas.---(Hear, hear, hear.) Now, Gentlemen, my situation in life has enabled me to mix with the higher classes of society; and good fortune and Divine Provi dence have enabled me also to mingle with the middle orders--(Cheers)--and with what little reading and re flection I have been able to devote to the subject, com- laining all these together, Gentlemen, I give You the re :wit. And I confess my feelings on this question have been somewhat mystified by certain expressions I have heard of in high quarters—as, for instance, that there would be no " objection to drop, from the taxes levied on all the country, a few crumbs, by way of charity, to assist the Dissenting communities." Charity .1 Gentlemen ?—(Tremendous cheering.) This is, indeed, u strange application of the term.—( Hear, hear.) Gen tlemen, I have been educated in attachment to the Church of England. For her defects—spare me !—( Loud cheers. ) I need not say that, so long a 3 law is law, it must be re spected—(Cheers)—for not submitting to law, is putting all law at defiance, and thereby endangering the safety of the State.—( Hear, hear.) By reason and by right, the truth must ultimately prevail.—(Cheers.) But now, as to this demand for the extension of the Church, let me observe that if the proposition were—if it were possible_ to remove the superabundant churches from where they are not wanted, to districts where they are, there could be no ob jection to it.—( Hear, hear.) But I object decidedly to an extension of the Church , by the erection of r, ew edifices at the cost of the country at large, and to be bur ne by the taxation of all classes—(Cbeers)— especially whi. at the necessity of such extension is not proved ; for winu it is said " such a place wants a new Church," how d, aes it want it ? Why it will turn out that the commienity who lived formerly (say in Cheapside for instance), is here abundance of Churches existed, have removed, in the fluctuations of life, to another part of the country, in the neighil - ourhood of the metropolis, where there are not Chvrches; very well, the Churches in Cheapside are not .wanted.—(Cheers and laughter.) I do not wish to take from the Church, however, what it has, I only object to adding . more to what it already possesses. The want of &lurch-room arises from the cause I have stated, and fron t the absence' of sufficient accommodation in the churches :now existing fZ•Ir the free seating of the poorer classes.— (Hear, hear, lie er.) It seems not an un fair representation. Gentlemen, that when a demand is made for a tax oh the whole commto it should be re collected that the composition of that t lorrimunity is exceed ingly mixed, e.nd that the Church of Er. bland cannot be said to compri so half the population—( Veer, hear)—while in Scotland there are scarcely fourteen .11 the Peers at tached to the I , .:irk ;_ and in Ireland the vast majority of the people are Ron tan Catholics. Whether their tenets are rig.bt or not, 1: do not here say ; I am speaking only of justice, and of at matter of pounds, shillings, avd pence.— ( Hear, hear.) The question is, whether the whole country should 'he taxed to extend a church system, from which only a part cf the population derive any benefit ? ( Hear, hear.) Noav, Gentlemen, in discussing this ques tion, while I should wish yeu not to use language which may be misconstrued into lukewarmness, I also trust you will not allow any del uonstration of feeling which would be unbecoming yourseloes, and unsuited for a meeting pre sided over by a member of the Royal Family.—( Loud and.long-cov.inued clic er ing.) Remember, that if your course is trutir, the God of Righteousness will prosper it. —( Renewed cheers.) 'rho Great Disposer of all events well knows holy to distinguith between that religion which is genuine, and that which is only adopted as a. mask— ( Hear, hear)--c‘nd, Gentlemen, it is my opinion that the pretence of religion, without its reality, is more injurious to the welfal-e of so ciety than the utter absence of it.— ( Hear, hear.) Gen tlemen, I will now only state that in all the resolutions w hich are to be submitted to you, I en. tirely and cordially .concur.—(Cheers.) Mr. HAWES then came forward to move the first resolu tion, which he said he much regretted his Hon. Friend, Mr. Charles Lusbin gton, had been prevented from moving. He congratulated the meeting on the presidency of his Royal Highness, 'who, dear as he was to civil, would now be dearer still to !religious liberty.—(Cheers.) The Le gislature had, b y the acts of Catholic Emancipation and repeal of the T, Ist Acts, solemnly ratified the principle of religious tolerati on. It was now for the Legislature to go one step further, and show that religious liberty was some thing more than toleration._-(Cheers.) Now, he opposed the measure pr :posed by Sir Robert Inglis on three dis tinct grounds ; first, that it was a violation of the rights of conscience— eis an extension of that violation which al reedy existed-- (Cheers) —secondly, that it waa based on the grossest in; histice—injustice to Catholic Ireland—to Presbyterian St etland, and to the Dissenters of England and Wales—(C peers); and, thirdly, because the neces sity for the xtenston was not made out ( Much cheering.) TI e friends of the Church seemed to over look all otht r religious communities —to unchurch every Church but their own.--(Much cheering.) They went upon tile," supposition that religion and the Church of England wereit 'entical--( Hear, hear)—which he altoge ther denied—(Q I ,heers)—for he believed with Mr. Burke, that religion cote prehended the Church—not the Church, religion.—(Ch irs.) Even admitting (which was not the fact) that tl at Church was poor—how did it become so? By the gr wisest mismanagement of her own funds— ( Ilear)—hy the most scandaloes profligacy on the part of many of her dig aitaries, by alienations of her property, un equalled by the vilest of robbers and spoliators.—( Loud cheers.) It had been stated by Lord Althorp, in a Bill for the better manae 'c:ment of episcopal property, that not more than one-sixth of fate Church lands were in her possession —that five-sixths: of her land were in the possession of her tenants ; but the Church was a bad landlord—and the be nefit to the tenant; did not compensate for the injury to the Church property. —(Hear, hear.) With respect to the revenues of the Cl ,urch---the ecclesiastical returns to Par liament were not t obe relied on. The tithes to be com muted under th New Act amounted to 5,000,0001. per annum, and ! in addition to that, 1,480,0001. had already been cot nmuted. The value of the Church leases (according to returns) was upwards of a mil lion—then the Irish Church had at least 600,000/ , and the Scotch ,:300.0001., making a gross total of more than 8,000,0001 ... —( Hear.) Certainly the value of the lay impropriatio ns ought to be deducted ; but as on the other hand he h ad 1. of included the value of the glebe lands, surplice fees, 8 :c., he believed be had understated it.— ( Hear.) And would any friend of the Church say that the advancement of religion by the Establishment had been commensurate vs ith this vast expenditure ?—( Hear.) Look at Socialism, f ot: instance. How was it that eight millions a year did not; stop it?—(Cheers.) He believed firmly that our Churc h Establishment was injurious to the cause of true religion .—(Cheers.) And as doubtless he should be exposed for that declaration to much obloquy, as inimi cal to religion, he would just give one or two reasons for the faith that was in him.—( Hoer.) In the county of Surrey, with which he was connected, there were such cases as these. —Farnham—population, 6,000 ; annual value of livings, 2,0 001. ; curate's stipend, 100/. a year. —( !lean) ' Bentley-- pal mlation, 800: living, 1,000/. ; curate's sti f end, '2B/ (Oh, oh.) Frencham—population, 2,000 ; annual re lue of living, 1,000/., Curate's salary 801.— (Shame, slut le.) In Sea-cum (something we did not catch) tha pop illation was 400—tithes were 3501,, and the Curate's stipeat 1251.—( Loud exclamations of indignation. ) In Addteisly, p opulation 700, anpual value of tithes 650/., Curate's stipen d 15/. I—(Loud critn of " Shame.") Was it not infamous, that thus the income of the Church should be squandered by dignitaries, residing far from their pa rishes in luxury and ease—leaving the work to be done by hard working Clergymen on miserable stipends ? (Cheers.) SureiV, surely, the incomes of the Clergy ought to be more equalized.—(Hear, hear.) If it should be exclaimed aga inst him that he wished to uproot the Church, he would entrench himself behind the authority of Lord John Ra moll, who, while he had been ever to Dissenters dear, as I to religious and to civil liberty a faithful friend—( C;oes - trs)—had, in reality, notwithstanding all the obloquy that: id been cast upon him—been a sin cere friend also to the Church.—( Hear, hear.) And the Noble Lord had said'. that it was more imprtant to pro vide for the spiritual wants of neglected millions than to sustain the munifi sent incomes of a wealthy hie ratchy.—(Leud chef Irs.) Let the Church, then, out of her own : superfluous resources, provide for the, required extension t of her instrumentality.— ( Cheers.) It 'had been stated tats tly in a circular from the Lay Asso ciation for the Defenc a of the Church, that the Church, like the army and navy,, should be increased with the aug mented population of the country. But would the Church, be placed on a footing wi ith the army and navy, which de fended all classes, wbich. . maintained the sanctity of every altar, awl the security or every home ?—(Cheers.) The circular also stated that: \within the last twenty-five years the army and navy bad absorbed 300 000.00 a, and the Church only 3,000,000/. --leaving nut of account the Church proper 15.—( Hoer, hear.) But multiplying the average income from that property by 25, there would result the sum of 125,000,0001., which, added to the 3,000,0001. gear is of public money in that period, would make 128,000,0 001. in twenty-five years.—(Hear, bear.) ...........,.....1 He avowed himself boldly a voluntary.—(Cheers.) He advocated the voluntary principle, believing, as he did, that it would be amply sufficient for the maintenance of reli gion.—( Hear, hear, hear.) He knew that in the borough of Lambeth, which he represented, the Chu+ch compulsory system had provided sittings for 40,0001. and the voluntary principle for GO 0001.—( Hear, hear.) And ner suaded he was, on such facts as these, that the voluntary principle must ultimately be the foundation of the religious instruction of this country —(Cheers.) He had obi creed ever since he had been in Parliament that on all questions of national improvement the Church was made the main support of their opponents, and if the Church was a party Church, it must follow the fate of party.—( Loud and re iterated cheering ) The indignation of a great people was smouldering in its might, and when the dreadful storm burst over the heads of the Establishment, perchance the Government would be swept away, which in milder times would gladly have been preserved.—( Cheers.) Let him just observe that the erection of new churches would create fresh difficulties as to Church rates--( Hear. hear)—arid that the late attempts to take advantage of the voluntary principle in the support of the new churches, had done the Church mure injury than anything else.-(Hear, hear.) Better far to have boldly adopted the principle, than take the half and half course, not knowing how to get a tax—( Laughter) —yet, fearing to rely upon voluntaryism, the Church would fall within the two.—( Cheers.) He trusted that the spirit of this meeting would spread through the country.—( Hear, hear.) Let not the Ministry med dle in religious questions—(Hear)—let the Ministry leave us, said the Hon. Member, to fight our own battles, and we will do it.—( Cheers ) Let not the Ministers interfere in the Church of Scotland question.--( Hear, hear.) Let those who began the contest fight it out.—(Cheers and laughter.) Let not the Ministry do aught to encourage our opponents and discourage us ; that is all we ask. We will do the work—(Cheers) —.We will do it temperately and with moderation, but like men.--( Loud cheers.) The Hon. Gentleman, in conclusion, moved a resolution, hold ing up the practically good effects of the voluntary prin ciple in the support of religion. Sir C. E. SMITH then came forward to second the resc lotion. He appeared there shortly, deliberately, and dis passionately to say that he entered into the present discus sion as a voluntary, because lie believed the principle embodied in the resolution was conformable to reason, and was the only principle on which religion could be main tained in harmony with the word of God.—(Cheers ) It was for this reason that he now appeared, for the first time, upon the platform of the Religious Freedom Society.-- (Cheers.) He viewed with great satisfaction the rapid erection of places of worship in this country upon the vo luntary principle. As the Hon. Gentleman who had spoken last had alluded to the voluntary principle in the county of Surrey, he might be pardoned for adverting to its effect in the country generally. Out of 11,825 churches and chapels in connection with the Church of England, 9,926 had beer, erected on the voluntary principle, exclu sive of proprietary chapels; and in London 202 churches had been erected connected with the Established Church ; while 418 had been erected on the voluntary principle. In Scotland 900,000 persons above ten years of age were in habitual attendance at places of worship connected with the Established Church, while 1,100,000 attend on places of worship unconnected with it. In Ireland 7,000,000 of persons had provided themselves with places of woe ship without compulsion. It was clear, therefore, that the voluntary principle was amply sufficient to supply the the religious necessities of the country, without compulsory measures being resorted to. He attended that meeting as a Christian, and speaking as such be felt bound to say that a Christian Church ought not to have any connection with the State.--( Great cheering.) They lived at the present moment in great and glorious times, in times when questions like the present were sure to meet with attention, and for his own part- he must be allowed to say that he thought the meeting was under the gr&.test obligations to his Royal Highness for sanc tioning the discussion of that day by his presence, and he was sure that that sanction would produce its effects on the public. The Worthy Baronet concluded by se conding the resolution, which was put by the Royal Chair man, awl declared by him to be carried, only one hand being held up against it. Mr. BAINES', the Member for Leeds, then came forward to move the second the resolution. He would endeavour, as far as possible, to adhere to the rule laid down by their Royal Chairman. Before he went into the merits of the resolution, he ought first to state what might not be palatable to all present, that he was a friend to Church Extension, bat while lie was so he begged to be understood that he was only friendly to it when it Was brought forward under the operation of the voluntary prin ciple.—( Cheers.) No one could doubt that there ought to he religious accommodation according to the wants of the people ; and the only question were, how that accom modation was to be afforded ? He (Mr. R.) was directly opposed to the opinions expressed by the Right Hon. Baronet, who had been described that day as a worthy and well-principled man, but one who acted under erroneous impressions. What would be the effect of the proposition of the Right lion. Baronet, that there ought to be pro vided for all the people full instruction and accommoda tion, according to the rights of the Established Church ? Why, the effect of it would be this—to plunge the country deeper into debt for no purpose whatever. He therefore could not conceive on what principle it was the Hon. Baronet had been induced to give notice of the motion. Supposing the resolution to be adopted, how was the money to be ob• tained ? Why, the Dissenters would have to take their share of the burthen, and thereby a tax would be placed upon them which they never ought to bear. But it had been said that a vast number of petitions bad been pre sented to the House in favour of Church Extension, Now, what was the real history of those petitions ? Why, that although there might be a great number of them, the names attached to them were extremely few, and none of those petitions had been got up at a public meeting, the fact being, that the absurdity of them was too great to en counter public discussion, and represented nothing but the cupidity of those who got them up.—( Cheers.) Ore of the declarations in those petitions was, that the people of Eng land and Wales had increased with such great rapidity, that they had overgrown the resources of the National Church ; --(Cheers.) That proposition he begged leave most positively to deny. It was true that the population of the country had increased, but it bad not overgrown the re sources of the National Church.—( Cheers.) Another proposition in the petition was, that spiritual destitution had taken place in districts that were the least capable of supplying the remedy. No doubt such things had taken place, but he would never do the members of the Esta blished Church the injustice to suppose that there was not liberality enough among them to supply the remedy.— Another proposition in the petition was that the defi ciency in the Church Establishment was a great national evil, but that it would ill become the Legislature of the country to leave it to be supplied by the people voluntarily. That proposition he (Mr. B.) believed to be exactly the con verse of truth, because he considered that, were that defi ciency wanted to be supplied, it would ill become them to supply it by putting their hands into other men's pockets. But it was said that the people at large would rejoice to see the national wealth applied to the honour of H:m who gave it. He (Mr. B.) thought that the great glory of the measure would be done away by making it compulsory, the test of its merits being in the voluntary manner in which the people would act. The Han. Gentleman who had spoken had described the effects of the voluntary and the compulsory principle ; and he might be pardoned if he alluded to its effects in the town of Leeds. In that town in 1522 and 1823, new churches were built at an expense of 33,0001. out of what was called the Million Fund ; the effect of this was, that for a length of time one of these churches was very ill attended, and it was a kind of joke among the inhabitants that one of the ministers, who was paid out of the seat-rents, did not obtain above a shilling for each sermon he preached, having to deliver 104 ser mons in the course of the year, and receiving about 51. for them.--( Laughter and cheers ) Such was the effect of the compulsory principle. Now as to the voluntary. A new church had been built in Leeds upon that principle, at an expense of 12,000/. ; it had a most numerous con gregation, and was in a most flourishing state. It was clear, therefore, that the voluntary principle was the best to be adopted. Bet then it wan said that the. Church was he poverty. What had Bishop Burnett said on that sub. Ject? He had said—" We hear mush of the poverty of the Church`; but if the revenues of it were applied to the proper means of extending religious instruction, and were not monopolised by certain dignitaries, it would be found that they were amply sullic:ent for all purposes.—( Cheers ) The Hon. Gentleman concluded by proposing. the resolu tion, which was to the effect that the meeting rejoiced in the recognition of the voluntary principle by the Eats. blished Church. Sir GEORGE STRICKLAND seconded the resolution. He was himself a member of the Church of England, and deeply attached to it, for he believed that of all the Esta blishments that ever existed in any part of the world, there never was an establishment whose principles, when rightly understood, were so mild, so tolerant, and so true. —(Cheers.) He was, and had always been, the advocate of the Church Establishment when it was properly carried out, but it ought so to conduct itself as not to give offence to the great body of the people, and it was his firm belief that one of the worst efforts it could make was to attempt to tax the people of England for its support. As had been truly stated by one of the preceding speakers, the question was one of pounds, shillings and pence. It had been said that the population of the country bad so increased as to render it impossible for the Church to supply its religious wants. He (Sir G. S.) admitted at once that the popu lation had greatly increastd, but the funds of the Church had increased in a greater proportion, and he felt no doubt that, if those funds had been properly administered, the Church would have, within itself, amply sufficient funds to clear away all that had been said about its destitution.— (Cheers.) He believed, that if the people acted firmly and temperately,.they would soon see, along with all esta blishments and sects, true and pure religion advancing for the prosperity of mankind. The resolution was then put to the meeting by his Royal Highness, and declared to be carried, only one hand being held up against it. Mr. EWART then rose to propose the third resolution. He said that he felt called upon to discuss great principles, and that he was discussing them at a most important time. The principles they were met that day to discuss were not unknown at the earlier periods of the history of this coun try, for they breathed the soul of Milton, and were illuminated by the mind of Locke.—( H ear, hear, hear.) He rejoiced to find that against Ox ford and S'r R. Inglis they had to oppose the authority opposed of Locke, illustrated so ably as it had been by the Roy a l and Illustrious Duke who was there to aid them in th e i r great work that day. It was his firm belief that those wh o yt he rich, advocated the voluntary principle were the e ri r l ea b l supporters of the Church. It had been said those by hold h , o that opp w m th i e g p bt rin h c a ip ve le, a th c ey hu w r e c r h e smupoeptthrtaed tdayolun to up v but that that could not be done by the poor. What had been done in Wales? Why in that barren region, by th a force of the voluntary principle alone, the people had found no lack of means to worship their Creator according to the dictates of their own hearts.—( Here the Royal Chairman suggested to Mr. Ewart that Mr. NPNeile, w h o h ad been lecturing against the voluntary principle, was himself sustained upon that principle by the per sons who frequented his church at Liverpool.) H e should not have taken the liberty of alluding to the sub- THE SUN, LONDON. FRIDAY, MARCH 20. 1840. ject if it had not been suggested to him by his Royal Highness, because in f ormer t i mes , i n conse quence of th e , known liberality cf his principles, he had been exposed to the hostility,- literary as well as political, of the Rev. Gentleman alluded to.—( Cheers.) The more the world became enlightened the more would freedom of opinion be established, and the more must the voluntary principle in reFgion progress. He would ask if that principle were not now pregrassing, throughout every part of the empire ? —( Loud cheers.) It was a principle in the maintenance of which they were all concerned, and he trusted that what cwr might be their theological differences, however on doctrinal points their opinions might diverge, yet on this point there would be such a conveyance of their opinions as to bring, as it were, into a focus all the rays of light to the illumination and enlightenment of the world.— ( Long continued cheering.) It would advance even in the bosom of tho Church itself—nav, it had advanced. why, even in the University represented by Sir Robert Inglis, and which had so lone been deemed the unassailable for tress of the Church of England, a tendency towards the voluntary principle was beginning to manifest itself.— ( Cheers.) The first step was an apparent difference of opinion ; next came discussion ; after that a demand for the free exercise of opinion. and then the establishment of the voluntary principle.—(Cheers.) Let them look at the schism iu the University created by the promulgationlof the doctrines of Dr. Pusey. The propagation of those doc trines had rent asunder the boasted unity of the University. The first step had been taken, and he considered this as the first dawn of the voluntary system.—( Cheers.) if such was the state of things at Oxford, what might they not be supposed to be elsewhere ?—as had been said by a very celebrated mn. If the extinguishers themselves take fire, who shall put out the blaze Hear, hear, and cheers.) He hoped when Sir Robert Inglis brought forward this question, he would be met on those grounds. This was not a lime when the people of this country would bear a revival of the principles of religious intolerance which had once been in vogue. The Church should be ware of the feeling of re-action aga inst its pretensions, which wo u ld b e exc i te d i n the minds of the people of this country, if they went on at this rate. The Clergy, by their conduct on this question, seemed determined to show the truth of the description given of them by a poet about 100 years ago-- " This mark of grace is to the Clergy given, Never to be content with this side Heaven. Frorn power to power they labour still to rise, Until they reach what last they seek, the skies." —( Loud cheers and laughter.) The Hon. Gentleman, amidst loud cheering, proceeded to propose the resolution which embodied the sentiments of his speech. The Rev. J. H. HiseoN, who was received with loud applause, came forward to second the resolution, and in doing so he must crave some liberty of speech, but while he did so he disavowed all intention of giving offence. Some gentlemen had come forward on this occasion avow ing themselves members of the Established Church, he came forward avowing himself as a Dissenter.--( Loud cheers.) It could not but be highly gratifying to the Dissenters to field members of the Established Church co operating with them in the advancement of the cause of vital religion.—( Cheers.) If in passing through the streets he should find some one putting his hand into his ( Mr. Hinton's) pocket, he should ask him what he wanted— how much, and for what purpose ?—( Cheers, and laugh ter.) He should feel inclined on this occasion to put the same question to Sir Robert Inglis.—( Hear, hear, and cheers.) If the Honourable Baronet were to reply he wanted money for the civil exigencies of the State, he would desire hi:n to take all he wanted, because being an equal sharer in the benefits of such expenditure, he would cheerfully contribute his quota ; but if he were told it was for the extension of the Established Church, he would say that not being a member of the Established Church, he would not let him take his money for that purpose. Let the members of the Established Church extend it them selvee—( Cheers)—but it would he said, oh, it is for the extension of religion. That was a species of coaxing by which their fathers bad been seduced into suffering a grant of a million of money to pass without one word of opposi tion—but he trusted that, in that respect, their sons were wiser than they.—( Cheers.) If they could be certain that by extending the Church they should multiply the Gerrards and the Noels—( Loud cheers)—the country might derive some benefit from it ; but how could they be assured that the pulpits so multiplied would not be filled by Puseys, by Hookes, and by Phillpotts ?—( Cheers)—and he believed that few Churchmen, and r,o Dissenters, would be found willing to aid in the multiplication of these nuisances.—( Loud cheers.) He felt thnt the Established Church, as a national institution, was inflicting upon him a social pressure, amounting to degradation ; that it was a social incubus—(Loud cheers)—and materially affecting his station in society. The Church of England as it stood was, and had been, a grievous hindrance to the dissemi nation of true 'religion--(Cheers.) How was it that it had produced so little of it ? Flow was it that all obstruc tious to voluntary efforts had arisen from out of the Established Church ?—( Cheers.) He was of' opinion that the progress of religion would be abundantly promoted if from that day the Church Establishment were to become an Episcopal Church in England, and ceased to be the Church of England ?—( Loud and long contined cheer ing.) The hypothesis assumed was, that there was a na tional Church co-extensive with the population, and there- I , fere entitled to be supported out of the. public purse. He would ask if' this hypothesis was of a thing existing, cr of a thing to be ; if told it was of a thing existing, he would at once demur taking the word England in its most rest. icted sense ; he mould say that the Established Church, as a matter of fact, was not the National Church, and never had been prior to the introduction of Popery. Christianity had divided the nation with Paganism—during the exist ence of Popery persecution might have brought about some thing like unanimity, and at the time of the Reformation the Establishment had been forced upon a nation of Papists —the Established Church had never been the national re ligion, and was not so at this day. Various other religious communions had been recognized by law—had been recog nized by the law, by th House* of Parliatnent, and had been recognized by the Throne.—(Cheers.) He knew that fact, because the other day as a member of that body he had had the honour of waiting on her Most Gra cious Maj-sty—( Loud cheers)—t o whom he wished long life, and God grant that she migh t produce a long line of patriot Kings.—( Loud and long continued applause.) New, if the Established Church were not the national church, it had no business to put its hands in the national purse, still less into the Imperial purse, for this money which was demanded for Church Extension was to be taken, not only fr©m England, but from the Catholics of Ireland, the Catholics of Canada and the Pagans of India, and this for the support of a Church which did not number among its members quite one-half of the popu lation of England alone. If the latter hypothesis were to be acted upon, and it was intended to coerce the whole in. habitants of the British empire to be of one religion, in order to enable the priesthood of that religion to glut themselves from the Imperial Treasury; all he could say was, he should like to see them try to do in —(lmmense cheering.) But he thought, when they knew the feeling of resistance to these encroachments, by which all were actuated, fr om th e lowest individual in the community up to the princely personage, who, to their honour, and not to his own disgrace, was that day presiding over them —( Immense cheering)—they would pause in their career —the voice which hail been raised that day would not have been raised in vain, but would be responded to throughout the country.—( Loud cheers.) lie had been told that Sir Robert Inglis had already misgivings on this subject, and he %weld say that if this motion should not be made, or if it should be made and lost, it would be lost not by reason of the inadequacy of the national funds to meet the proposed expense, but because the hosts of the Church of England had endeavoured to ride rough-shod over them, but like the soldiers at Waterloo, they had risen at the moment of the charge, determined to win the victory.—(Loud cheering.) The resolution was then put, and carried una nimously. Mr. DENSISTOUN, M. P., rose for the purpose of propos ing the next three resolutions, because he felt it the duty of every man to come boldly forward in every way in sup port of the principles of civil amid religious liberty. What • ever had been done hitherto in support of that cause, had not beer, done by the Established Church. On the ques tion of the abolition of slavery, and the mitigation of the criminal code, the Church had stood aloof, and neither of those questions would have been carried but for the effarts of the Dissenters.—( Cheers.) In Scotland the Church was placing itself in direct opposition to the law, and he for one would Lot willingly afibrd them additional means of setting the law et defiance. If the Church of England wished to uphold itself, it should merge all sectarian feel ings in an endeavour to promote the comforts of the great mass of the people.—( Loud cheers.) The Hon. Gentle man concluded by proposing the resolutions. The resolutions were declaratory of the injustice of the proposed scheme of Church Extension, of the injurious action of Church Establiahments on the interests of true religion, and of the superiority of the voluntary system, as the only system in accord:axe with the precepts of genuine Christianity. The Rev. J. BURNETT seconded the resolutions, and in so doing would strictly obey the injunctions they had re ceived from their illustrious Chairman. The best way to carry a good public object was to establish a good public schoolato procure a good public schoolmaster—(Cheers) —and to be good pupils, he hoped they had that day es. tablished a goodeo e us rights public school , u nd e ( rthe egi auspices of his Royal Highness, for time assertion of the ud r and privileges of this great empire. —(Loud often rs ) b The een cry of "the schoolmaster is abroad" had Cheers.) h sounded in their ears, and had been met only by the cry of " the Church is in danger." N. by was the Ch urc h i n danger ? Why, just because the schoolmaste r was a b road. —( Loud ( Cheers.) If the Church could secure an Act of Parliament for putting down all schoolmasters, they would not be long before they got whatever money they liked for the support of the Established Church. A hard and stern-thinking philosopher was now in the field, and gradually leading on the human mind to those ligh attainments which even in this world were destined to be its portion. They were told that this motion was to be brought on after Easter. This was rather ominous. In the Acts of the Apostles we were told of a certain mo narch, who having killed James, the hi - other of John, with deference to the desires ari d w i s h es cf the th s e " S rd t ' ste in Church of that day, had thrust Peter into prison with the intention of bringing him forth to the people after Easter.—( Hear, hear.) After Easter came, but that Divine Providence which always watched over the interests of real religion. opened the prison doers, and Peter was not brought forth to the people after Easter—(Loud cheers)—and he trusted that what would pass before Easter and during the Easter re cess, would prevent the Hon. Baronet from bringing f ort h the great body of the voluntaries for the purpose of co ercing • them after Easter. He felt himself in the same situation when called upon to give a name to this ano malous Church, as a geologist did, when, on the discovery of some strange creature, he was called upon to give it a strange name.. He knew not by what name to designate this contradictory one-million -taking, Houseeofa Commons. enacted, voluntary-compulsory - Church. — (Cheers, and laughter.) Out of doors it boasted that it numbered among its members all the wealth and respectability of the country, and yet it went to the House of Commons and tdeclared, tit enlgas it propored an Act to force the wealth and respectability of the country to support it, it must do lo the ground.—(Cheers.) They surely must be joking— f they could not be in earnest in thus maligning their own members. The fact was, they knew the system to be bad, and that the good members of their own body wou:cl not support it unless compelled by Act of Perlis ment.—(Circers. ) Religion had nothing to do with the question. What man was ever made religious by Act of Parliament ? The fact was, it was purely a financial question : they were told of the enlargement of the views and faculties of man, but the Church attempted to prevent that enlargement, and to crush those faculties. The Irish had been relieved from vestry cess. The Scotch had been relieved from ecclesiastical oppression. In Canada the clergy reserves were to be divided equally among men of all parties, and was England alone of all those countries over which Victoria wielded her generous sceptre, to be told that she had got to the full measure of her stature—that she was never to extend her faculties far ther—that the Church would stop her onward progress; and that as her resources extended her ecclesiastical chains must extend with them.—(Cheers.) Some had said they stood forsvard as Churchmen, others as Dissen ters ; he stood forward as a Briton, and as a Briton he would not submit to this. In support of these principles he was prepared to die; not wielding carnal weapons, but spiritual ones, mighty for good ; not wielding the sword of persecution, but rather falling before it ; never succumb ing to injustice, and if ne voice were raised against it, still he would raise his voice, but it should be the voice of charity ; if no hand were held up against these proposals, still lie would hold up his hand, but it should be the hand of protest.—(Loud cheers.) This proposition of the Hon. Baronet would tend to evil, that zeal to which he feared to trust, into indifference, because he would not trust it, and those who on the voluntary principle would be the first to come forward in support of the cause of the extension of religion, would stand aloof. If the Chancellor of the Exchequer were called on to bring forward the religious with the Army and Navy Estimates, the country would be up and doing in this question. Theirmeeting wouid give a tone to the expres sion of opinion from East and from West, from North and from South, and would unite the energies of all the kingdom in opposition to this grant, with the exception of the Dissenting few who attached themselves to the financial Church.--(Loud cheers,) The resolutions were then put and carried unanimously. Mr. DAVENPORT, in rising to propose that a petition founded on those resolutions be presented to the House of Commons, said that these claims of the ultra-Church party tended to make all property insecure, and that if acceded to they would not stop until they had a Church and a parsonage house at every mile-stone, with a constable at tached to the same to enforce the attendance of a con. gregation.—( Cheers and laughter.) Mr. C. G. METCALFE seconded the resolution, which was put and carried unanimously. Mr. RUNDLE, M.P., in a short speech, proposed that the thanks of the meeting be given to his Royal Highness the Duke of Sussex, for his kindness in taking the Cnair, and for the manner in which he had conducted the pro ceedings of the meeting. Mr. C. E. SMITII, in seconding the resoluticn, stated his happiness in being able to bear testimony to the Chris tian and mild manner in which this question had been dis cussed by Mr. 111'Neile, at the Hanover-square Rooms. The thanks of the meeting were then voted to his Royal Highness, by acclamation. The Duke of SUSSEX, in returning thanks for the com pliment which had been just paid him, could not retire without taking a cursory view of what had passed during the day. In the first place, thee t had heard a variety of i opri ions from a variety of persons, every one of whom had spoken fully and forcibly his sentiments as a member of the Catholic Church. He used this term Catholic in its Greek sense, the meaning of which was universal. Those who had spoken their opinions on this subject had put for ward those arguments which struck themselves most for cibly, and those arguments had been applauded by othe.s who thought them the most effective. This was all proper, and when from these different arguments they all came to the same conclusion—when putting all their votes together they found that, with one exception, they were all of the same opinion—tie could not but think that the work was well done. He was happy to have heard what the Hon. Baronet had thought it right to say relative to the tone of the lectures at the Hanover-square Rooms, because, having read many effusions of that Rev. Gentleman on a variety of occasions, he did lament to see them all characterized by that bitterness and that spirit of persecution which must be painful to every religious and moral mind which was desirous of cultivating the love of God, peace and good will toxards mankind.—(Cheers.) He was glad that an opportunity bad been afforded that Rev. Gentleman to prove that he could contain himself within the bounds of rea son and argument—of calmness and of charity, and he trusted that experience having taught him that the man ner in which he had hitherto conducted himself was not one delcule.ted to secure him a favourable reception in this metropolis —lie trusted he would not, when he went into the country, lose caste by preaching such doctrines and in such a manner as he felt he could not do before the inha bitauts of London. He had no enmity to that Reverend Gentleman—he respected the religious opinions of every man, because he would allow no man to interfere with his own—but he could not bear to see, under the garb of reli gion, opinions promulgated, suited only to the darkest ages, and brought forward solely for political purposes—conduct such as this was producing a curse to the world, and misfortune to the country.—(Cheers ) Ile felt deeply on this subject. He did not wish to enter into any theo. logical disputations, but he felt convinced that a little common-sense and common justice would sec through the gross deceptions which were attempted to be practised on this subject. There. was the question of Socialism, for instance—that was a question that ought not to be enter tained by the House of Peas.—( Loud cheers.) What was a Government? A Government was an association to which the people gave up certain of their liberties in or der to be protected. In the free exercise of certain ether liberties it was the duty of the Government to protect the people, and to preserve the public peace either by mea sures of prevention, or, if a disturbance of that peace had commenced, by putting a stop to it. Thank God, we had now a liberal Government—(Loud cheers), and when they took power, what did they pro fess? They stated that the laws they had were amply suffi cient, if properly executed ; and that they should never apply for any extension of their powers, unless something unforeseen—something that could never have beer, calcu. lewd upon, should rease—( Cheers.) Now, look at the question of Socialism. Did not the laws, as they stood, put a cheek upon it. • One of the accusations against So cialism was, that it encouraged promiscuous intercourse. Now, what was the law upon that subject? Why, that illegitimate children, although they might possess personal property, could not have any real property granted to them. On this point, therefore, there was a ready check in the law. What would a moral man say on this point? There were various opinions on the subject of religion. He considered religion to be the highest pos sible degree of morality with the additional sanction of Divine authority.—( Loud cheers.) Any honest and up. right man who lived happily with his wife, would avoid persons living in the manner of the Socialists; they would, in fact, be scouted from society. Thus the law afforded a check, and the moral condition of society afforded a check. However, it had been attempted to work upon their m'mds, that there existed some necessity for legislative measures. He was one of those who deemed that motion most officious, and most ill-timed.—(Loud cheers.) If it sought to produce under that sort of pretence an itiquis:- torial operation, that was the real object of it. If the question had been left to itself, the Magistrate might have taken order for it, and the public be none the wiser. He had not mixed much in public of late, but he heard a great deal of what was going on. Now, what had been the effect of this debate in the House of Lords? Why, one publisher of a Socialist paper, who stated that, before that debate, he did not sell more than twenty-five or thirty copies of the paper, now sold from thirteen to fourteen hundred. This statement would show how these things worked.—(Cheers.) With regard to the Education Question last year, he had fully intended to take an active part in it. Reasons, which he could not now explain, had induced him to alter his determination. He was glad to observe the dignity of language and de corousness of demeanour which had been observed through. out that debate ; and as the weapons which he must have used, had he taken part in it, could have been those of ridicule and satire, he did not so much regret his having been prevented from attending. If the question should come on this Session, and the state of his health would allow, he should un doubtedly take a share in the discussion.—(Loud cheers.) The time the motion was made, the pang which had been given him in consequence, he had never since ceased to feel. The speeches, to which he had listened with delight, were calculated to furnish matter of reflection to all ; and the sentiments embodied in the petition must work an effect in producing that which they all so ardently desired, " Glory to God in the highe t, peace upon earth, and good will to mankind." He should not consider the hours which he had spent at that meeting as ill spent time ; and he trusted they would depart in good feeling and kind disposition, one towards the other, and notwithstanding any little shades of difference, he trusted they would never lose sight of the great question. He was anxious that his opinion, with respect to religious establishments, should be fully understood by the meeting, because he believed he expressed that opinion rather dif ferently from other people. With regard to religious establishments, he considered a Church to be a religious congregation who bind themselves together in one common feeling with retard to certain opinions —who agree with each other as to certain facts, and who agree to be go verned by certain rules. So long as any one agrees in the generally received opinions of the congregation, he acts up to them, and continues a member of it— as soon as he differs from them, he respectfully makes known to them that difference, and if the congrega tion say he is in error he retires; if on the other hand any member acts contumaciously, and breaks the peace of the Society, he would be read out—that was his opinion with regard to religious congregations. He believed there were no Quakers present—he did not wish to speak disrespect fully of any member of that Society, but they all knew what was meant by a Wet Quaker—one who did not con form r , gidly to the rules and discipline of the Society. In another Society he m'ght be a very worthy man, and it did not follow that because lie ceased to be a member of the congregation that lie of o socicty should therefore cease to be a therefore let them keep their little • them selves, to be explained great occasions, let useful d' m ffe e r m ei b ic e e r s meeting houses ; but when they h n a i d et on when in their own chapels and said, that they were them recollect, as Mr. Burnett . and, as Christians end Britons, that they were Christians them l His the 1 - the platform amidst entoi- Royal Highness then left . eeting,which continued unabated Britons, they would carry the wo ' rl a d before• siastie applause of the m during his way to his carriage he was greeted with repeated the time of his progress throug h the Hall, and on bursts of applause from the b y standers. Themeeting separated - at half spast four o' c l oc k. T he table in the anteroom, on which the petiti on was laid, was surrounded by a crowd of persons waiting to sign it. A collection was made at the doors in furtherance of the objects of the meeti. g. The Earl and conntera of Essex will return to Cashiubury twit week, untill after Easter. COURT CIRCULAR. Viscount Melbourne had an audience yesterday of the Queen. His Royal Highness Prince Albert visited her Majesty the Queen Dowager yesterday, at Marlborough House. The Royal dinner party at the Palace yesterday in cluded the Archbishop of York and the Hon. Miss Har court,- Earl and Countess Cowper, Earl of Uxbridge, Earl of Albermarle, Viscount Melbourne, Lord and Lady Burghersh, Lord George Lennox, Mr. and Hon. Mrs. Hamilton, and Mr. George Edward A.tson. The Band of the Coldstream Guards was in attendance during the evening.. _ At w the Queen's Levee on 'Wednesday, Dr. JeXreys, Liverpool, President; Dr. Boisragcn, Cheltenham, Vice.. President ; Dr. Porbes, Chichester, and Mr. J. H. James, Exeter, Members of Council, presented an Ad dress of Congratulation from the Provincial Medical and Surgical Assoc i ation. These gentlemen were presented to her Majesty by Sir Astley Cooper, Bart. The Presentation, at the Queen's Levee on Wednes day, of the Address from the inhabitants of the city of York, in public meeting assembled, was accompanied by tlr. Elsley, the Recorder, and Sir John Simpson, as part of the Deputation appointed. Sir John Simpson was pre sented by Lord Morpeth. Addresses of Congratulation to Prince Albert, on his marriage, were presented to his Royal Highness yesterday at Buckingham Palace, 'by the following noblemen and gentlemen: - Lord Segrave—from the inhabitants of the City of Bristol, al so f rom t h e W or ki ng Men of the same cite ; also from the Borough of Thornbury in the County of Glou cester; also from the Town of Cheltenham; also to ac company the High Sseriff of the County of Gloucester, and Mayor and Sheriffs of the City of Gloucester. Sir Michael Hicks Beecb, Baronet, High Sheriff of Gloucestershire, accompanied by Mr. Codrington—from the County of Gloucester. Mr. David Mowbray Walker, Mayor of Gloucester; Mr. Charles James Tasker, Sheriff ; and Mr.- Henry H. Wil ton, Town Clerk ; accompanied by Mr. Hope, M.P., and Mr. John Phillpotts, M. P.—from the Town Council of the City of Gloucester. Lord. Dunsany, accompanied by the Marquis of Head fort, the Earl of Fingal!, and Mr. Corbally, M.P. for Meath—from the County of Month. Marquis of Headfort—from the Town of Kell3 in the County of Meath. The lion. E. J. Stanley—from Stockport. Rev. C. Baup, Rev. Dr. Gehle, Rev. F. Martin, and Messrs. H. W. Masters, J. Matthey, J. Bernelot Moues, and Nicolas T. Scheimers—From the French and Dutch Protestant Churches in the City of London, established by Royal Charter of King Edward the Sixth. Mr. Christopher Thomas Tower, High Sheriff of Escex, Mr. Thomas Morgan Geffe, tinder Sheriff, Lord Ray. leigh, Sir W. Cornwallis Eustace, Mr. Disney, Mr. Bramston, M. P., Mr. John Round, M. P., Rev. Henry Ducane, Rev. J. P. Wood, and Mr. Gurdon' Rebovv—• From the county of Essex. Mr. Philip Miles, M.P.—From Bristol. • Mr. Ewart, M. P., and Mr. Standish, M. P.--From • Wigan. Mr. Watford, Recorder of Maldon_.From Maldon. Sir James Douglas—From Guernsey and Alderney. Mr. John .Hudson, Mayor of East Retford—From the Mayor, Aldermen, and Councillors of the borsugh of East Retford. Lord Albert Conyngham—From the Mayor and Cor poration of Canterbury. The Lord Mayor, Mr. Alderman Harmer, Mr. Alder man Thomas Wood, Messrs. David Salomons, George Grote, M.P., William Crawford, M. P., James Pdttison, M.P., George Selson, Jodeph Robinson, Geo. Bracher, Edward Wilson, and William Henry Tayler—From the Lord Mayor,- Aldermen, and Livery of the City of London, in Common Council assembled. Sir William Somerville, 13:rt.—From the Grand Jury of Drogheda. The Lord Mayor of Ytirk, accompanied by Mr. Lowther, M. P., Mr. Elsley, the Recorder, the Sheriff; and Sir John Simpson—from the Corporation of the Ctty of York. Also from the Inhabitan:s of the same City. tilt. Hutchins, M. P., from the Mayor, Corporation, and Inhabitants of Falmouth. Mr. Arthur Pott, High Sheriff of Ccru, accompanied by Sir E'lward Knatchbull, M. P., Mr. Hodges. M. P., Sir Edmund F.tlmer, M. P., from the County of Kent. Also from Tonbridge Wells. Mr. George Byng, M. P., and Colonel Thomas Wood M.P.—From Old B rent f or d . , Dr. Jeffreys, of Liverpool, President, Dr. Boiaragon, of Cheltenham, Vice President, Dr. Forbes, of Chichester, and Mr. J. H. James, of Exeter, Member, of Council from the Provincial Medical and Surgical Association. Sir Charles - Williams, Recorder, Aldermen Long and May, and the Town Clerk—From Ipswich. Sir Edward Knatchbull, Part., M. P., arid Mr. Plump tre, M.P.—From the Inhabitants of Margate. Mr. Hodges, M.P.—From the Mayor, Aldermen, and Burgesses of Tenterden. His Royal Highness, Prince Albert, was attended by the following officers of his household :—Lord Rt Gros. venor, Groom of the Stole; Mr. George Edward Anson Treasurer; Lord George Lennox, Gentleman of th., Bed chamber ; Colonel Wylde, Equerry ; and Mr. Francis Seymour, Groom of the Bedchamber. Addresses to the Duchess of Kent congratulating her Royal Highness on the Marriage of her Majesty iith Prince Albert were presented yesterday afternocp. at Buckingham Palace, from the following places and public bodies:— Front Richmond, Surrey, presented by Mr. Selwyn, Q C and Sir Thomas Reeve. - - - Front the Mayor, Aldermen, and Bu rgesses o f I psw i c h , presented by Sir . Williams, Aldermen Long and MAy, and the Town Clerk. From the Lord Mayor, Aldermen, and Livery of the City of London in Common Hall assembled, urescrited the Lord Mayor, Aldermen Harmer and Thomas Wood, Messrs. David Salomong, George Grote, Al. P , William Crawford, M.P., James Pattison, M.P., George Selson, Joseph Robinson, George Bracher, Edward NXilson, and W. H. Taylor. Front the county of Kent, presented by Mr. Arthur Pott, High Sheriff, Mr. Plumtre, P.,the mover, Mr. Rice, M. P. the seconder, a ls o by Sir Edward Knatch bull, M P. Sir: Edmund Filmer, Al. P., Mr. Hodges, M. P., Rev. J. T. Wilgress, and Mr. Woodgate ; also from the Magistrates, Clergy, and inhabitants of Tonbridge Wells. From the Corporation arid Inhabitants of Falmouth, pi., - rented by Mr. Hutchins, M. P., and Mr. Freshtiold, M. P. From the Town Council of Malden, presented by Mr. Walford, the Recorder. From the Protestant French and Dutch Clergy in the City of London, presented by the Rev. C. Baup, Rev. Dr. Gehle, Rev. F. Martin, and a deputation. From the Society of Patrons of the Anniversary of the Charity Schools of London, presented by Lord Kenyon. From the County of Essex, presented by Mr. C. T. Tower, High Sheriff, Mr. T. M. Gepp, Under. Sheriff, Lord Rayleigh, Sir W, C. Eustace, Mr. Bransten, M. P., Mr. Disney, Mr. John Round, M. P., Rev. H. Ducane, Rev. J. P. Wood, and Mr. .1. G. Rebow. From the Provincial Medical and Surgical Association, presented by Dr. Jefferys, Liverpool, President, Dr. Bois ragon, Cheltenham Vice-Presid en t. Dr. Forbes, Chichester, and Mr. J. iI. James, Exeter, Members of Council. From the Inhabitants of Margate, presented by Sir Edward Knatchbull, Bart. M. P., and Mt. Plumptre, M.P. From the Mayor, Aldermen, and Burgesses of Tenterden —presented by Mr. Hodges, M. P. From Wigan—presented by Mr. Ewart, M. P., and Mr. Standish, M.P. From the Lord Mayor, Aldermen, and Citizens cf York, in Council assembled—also froat the Inhabitants of the City of York, in public meeting assembled—presented by the Lord Mayor of York, the Recorder, the Sheriff, Sir John Simpson, and Mr. Lowther, M. P. Her Royal Highness the Duchess of Kent was attended during the presentation of the Addresses by Ludy Fanny Howard, Lady in Waiting, and Colonel Couper, C. 8., First Equerry and Comptroller of her Royal Highness's Household. Her Majesty the Queen Dowager paid visits to the Princess Auguaa and the Duchess of Gloucester on Wed. nesday. The Duke of Cambridge visited her Majesty yesterday. The Duchess of Cambridge, accomparied by the Prin cess Augusta of Cambridge, honoured the Duke of Wel lington with her company at dinner on Wednesday at Apsley House. The Duke and Duchess and the Princess Augusta of Cambridg e , a tt en d e d b y Mi ss K err, honoured the Earl and Countess of .I,,rtey with their company on Wednesday evening at her residence in Berkeley -square. The Princess Augusta visited the Duchess of Glou cester yesterday. Her Royal Highness the Duchess of Kent did 11-. Hayter the honour to sit on Wednesday for the picture of the marriage of her Majesty. The Hereditary Prince of Saxe Coburg Gotba left Buckingham Palace on Wednesday morning on a visit to the Duke of Beaufort, at his seat at Badminton, Glouces tershire. A Deputation from the Tower Hamlets, on the subject of the .Legit Jury System, consisting of Messrs • White, John Mackey, James Hayman, William Harris, Samuel Woolfe, George Elliot, James Tanner, Peter Mellish, William Broad, George Griffiths, J. Howell, W. Colson, and Robert Elliott, had an interview with the Marquis of Normanbv yesterday, at the Home Office. Mr. Chichester, Ml. P., and Mr. Mildmay, bad inter views with Viscount Melbourne )esterday, in Downing. street. The Attorney-General returned to town yesterday, from the York Ass:vs. A Deputation, beaded by Mr. Parker, relative to the yesterday w i t h M r. Liverpool Docks, had an interview Labouchere, at the Board of Trade. The Marquis of Lansdowne had a dinner party yester day at Lansdowne House. Lord Dudley Stuart, Mr. T. Duncombe, the Attorney- General, and Mr. G. Phillippe, M, p,, had interviews yesterday with the Marquis at Normanbv. Mr. Alston, M.P., had an inte rv i ew w i t h the Noble Marquis,. at the Home Office, on Wednesday, Mr. Wood, Chairman, and Mr. Dehany, S o li c i tor of the Excise, had an interview with the Cha nce ll or of the Exchequer yesterday. His Royal Highness Prince George of Cam bridge leaves town in a few days for Badminton, visit to the Duke and D uc h ess of Beaufort, during; the sojourn o la ' of the Hereditary Prince of Saxe Coburg Gotha at that elegant seat. The Duke of Wellington entertained the Eall and Countess of Wilton, Viscount and Viscountess Mahon, and a select party at dinner on Wednesday evening a t Apsley House. Lady Dalberg Acton, daughter of the Duke and Duchess Dalberg, left the Clarendon on Wedne4lav, for Udenham Park, the scat of her son the youthful Sir J. Acton, near Wolverhampton. Sir John succeeded to the large estates of his father, the late Baronet, in the counties of Shropshire and .Staffordshire, and also to a splendid palace at Naples, which her Ladyship, as the guardian of her son, has let to the 111arquis of Sligo for six months. • The Countess of Cork continues in a.hopeless state at Marston House, near Frome, and tie.r demise was daily expected. Her Ladyship, we understand, is suffering under a I fourth paralytic seis tire. EVENING EDITIO RUSSIAN EXPEDITION AGAINST K HI VA. (From Galisrnani.) A Russian officer attached to the expedition against Khiva, writes to the 111e:taw Gazette from the camp at Emba, on January 17th, a letter from which we take the following extracts:— " Small detachments have been posted on the steppes at two points, one 315 and the other 428 miles. from the Russian fiontier. Each of these is well fortified, and is a depot for provisions and forage. At about it 25 miles from — the fast, which is called Ak Bulak, rises the plateau of the mountains which separate the Caspian Sea from Lake Aral, and border the western shore of the lake with a girdle of rocks 700 feet high, nearly perpendicular and accessible only in a few places. Springs are. to, be found only at a distance from each other of 270 miles ; affording to the traveller and his camels but a scanty supply of water, and that brackish. It is from the southern side only that one can descend into the Oasis of Khiva, which is fertile, and diversified with habitations and water-courses. The little time we had be:ore us, and the difficulty of procuring necessaries in this frightful desert, admitted of , the equipment of only a comparatively inconsiderable corps, and the more so as, on account of the want of water, the expedition could only be undertaken in the winter. The troops, therefore, have been compelled to provide themselves with numerous articles, besides fuel, which they might have dispensed with at a different season. They have required 10,000 camels for the purpose of enabling them to transport the provisions' nd ammunition. Our convoy, when on its march, occupies a space of 500 paces in length by 250 its breadth. Th e infantry and artillery march at the head,lifollow e d by the train. When they reach a defile the infantry oedupies ' the most commanding points, while the cavalry keeps order among the Kirgliis, who lead the camels. k is a singular spectacle to see this mass from a ( li s _ tance commencing .its march at the very first dawn of day. In general, six er e:ght camels are at tached in a string, each fastened by the nose. The treatment of these useful animals is one of our greateet cares - . At two o'clock every afternoon we make a halt for the purpose of allowing them and our horses to graze, and•notwithstanding the depth of the snow, they find an abundance of pasture underneath it. After bringing in the camels the Kirghis clear away theEtrow around their huts, and spread blankets for these and the 1 other beasts of burden to lie upon, for one night pat teed on the snow would render them unserviceable. W bile this is doing other men are cutting rushes, which mike excellent fuel. If they find none they mustemake ue sof the wood suppli.d f or cooking, or - bivouac the night through without fire. Under all circumstances, h ow ever, the attention paid to the comforts of the troo ?Tit; excellent. Soup is given out to the men morning add evening, and when it is extremely cold, a . drink ma ife of honey seasoned with pepper and other spices ; :aro is brandy spared. We make no other halt than etilsit which I have mentioced ; but the soldiers in turn are allowed to mount the camels, and when on their Iss ekre produce a picturesque e&et. Still the difficulties web eve to overcome are uuparalleled. Imagine us on this pail eful march, encumbered with a burdensome mass e of el‘otlaing, over a trackless waste covered n ith a thick .case: of snow. Conceive our feelings when the reveillLe soma; at two in the morning, and our pain in having to load the camels while our limbs are stiff with cold. D.u. int; some days past the thermometer has been down as. I 'ow as 34 degrees below zero of Reaumur, 4 below t be zero point of Fahrenheit, and never has been high er than l 2 below. zero, Reaumur, or 5 degrees above zer 09 Fahrenheit. But it is from the snow-drifts that Cr e suffer most. 'limy come with a violence unknown Europe, and seem to be sent to sweep all intruders Iron t the face of the land.. When we reflect that our men . have for upvarils of two months had no prospect but an arid and virgin soil, their moral and physical courage cannot be euEleiently admired. Not only has the num ber of our sick been very small, but not one of our men has been frost-bitten, and when our tents are pitched, our soldiers become full of life and gaiety, and sing the joyous airs of their native conntrf. Whatever may be the issue of this expedition, its conr,uest, over the unexampled obstacles of such r. , march of 900 miles will be cited as one of the meet , k glorious military feats of ancient and modern time. • Our correspondence with Oremburg is carried on by the. Kirghis, who travel between &; and 80 miles a-day, going singly, or at most in couples, using alternately two or three horses. They traverse the desert in the mast frightful weather, braving the wolves, and the still more savage brigands. As they can carry no fuel with them, they make a shelter for themselves at night by forniiogt cavities in the snow. Their only food is a species of cheese made of sheep's milk, which is very hard, and in. small quantities. The view of the steppes, by widish we are surrounded, is sombre and monotonous in .then extreme. Here and there near the streams are te - be sccu acme mountains totally bare, and on the plait)* a few scattered tufts of dwarfish alders or willows. He re it is that we have killed a few wild boars ; the only other animals to he found on the steppes are foxes, !, beavers, badgers, and marmots, or mountain rats, and whole legions of ni'ete. White partridges, and a tieer descript species of larks, are the only birds which persy4.. the air of this inhospitable region." Miss Emmeline Montague (late of Drury-kum Theatre) has beer, engaged by Madame Vestris for Cover. garden, and is to make her debut as• Juliet. The Duke and Duchess of Northumberland !lava left Alnwick Castle, and are on their way to town. Graces are expected this afternoon. It is said that one of the first parties given by. the Duke of Devonibire, at Chiswick, will be to the Queen:lt Court. The i\'larchioness of Lonclontletry's next slant,. is on the night of the first drawing-ro.an, and the invitationt will include the eite of the fashionable world. Tile Earl and Countess of Cardigan have left town for Dcene Park, Northamptonshire, where a distinguished party is about to assemble, including the Hereditary Print* of Saxe Coburg. The Earl and Countess of Vernlain will remain in London for a few days only, en route for Gorhanibury. Tire races annually held in - his Lordship's park will be considerably later than last year. The Earl and Countess - of Effingham intend tio leave the Grange, in Yorkshire, about the middle of AKA, fur town. The Earl and Countess of Wilton take their departure in the cours.e of the vreek to visit the Dnke al*l Duchess of Beaufort at Badminton. There will be no contest for lnvernes , •shire. The Conservative candidate, Mr. Baillic, walks over the count& Morning Poet. The Dowager Countess of Clare will hold I-Apr first assembly for the season this evening, in Belgrave-sie Alm Lady Mary Ross has an evening party, on Wed.• nesday next, in Park-lane. Viscount Loftus has arrived in town from Ely. Lodge, Fermanagh, the seat of the Marquis and Mardpionest of Ely. A Coroner's inquest was held on Wednesday evening at the Marquis of Anglesey, Bow-street, before Mr.?: Higgs, on the body of - a respectably dressed man, name tut- • known, apparently about sixty years of age. On • Tuesday the e. deceased was dining at an eating-house; as soon as he had eaten .s a mouthful he was seized with a violent fit of coughing, mull shortly afterwards became insensible. Verdict—" Died by tb r visitation of God." FIRST SYMPTOMS OF eONSUMPTION.—O, te of the first symptoms leading us to suspect that consumption . is commencing, is the extrenie liability of the patient to the te- Tient recurrence, on the slightest occasions, of a short /ley cough. At first there is no expectoration, except a little fr Day phlegm ; the breathing is slightly impeded, a sense of tight z i ess felt across the chest, and the pulse somewhat accelerated . If on repeated attacks of these symptoms we perceive the p rticnt gradually become emaciated, and the cough more traubi tegi Re on every successive attack, we have reason to conclude 1.5,, ai t these apparently slight attacks of cold are, in fa ct. tire its Ti pient symptoms of consumption. --Dr. Weatherh tad oil 14 lis eases of the Lrings. ALEXANDER AND NAPOLEON AT imesrT. —During the apparent friendship of the two Emperors ab Til sit, M. de Nov, esilow, who belonged to the Russian Chansuery, and was much attached to Alexander, approached him with an earnest manner on one occasion, and said to him ra a low woke " Sire, 1 must remind you of the fate of lour fitb er." . " tiaied:, Heaven !.' replied Alexander, " 1 know it—l se e it ; but what' would you have me to do against my destiny ?"-- Ty a e s Iti k , w , trated Life if Napv/eon. . THE ISLINGTON MuitDEß.—The three pri. soners, Gould, Jarvis, and his wife, were again broug ht b before :In Magistrates, a t H a tt on G ar d en, yesterday, for f tnination. All en , th e h us b an d of Mrs. Allen:, examilrtned e o r n the exa previou s day, made a long statement which gave no additiortal information. Some witnesses proved that tlaey had paid the de ceased house-rent previous to the day he Naas murdered. The missing blunderbuss was produced by an individual to whom tit* deceased had lent it. During the investigation Gould stout , lll tered to himself at certain parts of the evider.ce, and he leased over the box and listened with great attention to the proceed ings, as did also Jarvis. Mr. Coombe again remanded the who'e of the prisoners, hot the witnesses .were all bound over to prosecute at. the Old Bailey ter the wilful murder. The Court was most excessively crowded, awl the examination was not concluded until a very late hour of the evening. FIRE.—On Sunday evening, at eight o'clock, a tremendous fire suddenly broke out at the extensive brewery autl malthouse of Mr. Heathorne, in the Earl-street, Maidstone, which at first threatened to destroy those valuable premises.. Nothing could exceed the apathy with, which the working class viewed the conflagration—they could not b o e f i t n h d i u s c t e o d btea that lenda helping hand. We ascertained the cause they w m er e e n . ioma e n x i erted bad' a t Fire.olice lIIIr fires, i yNrsehtmoe remuneration e arns es a irsatt number itohne fi he:omf watersidethe Ben t th K e en t m in stancesme themselveslate t r e f unsoe no bly their labour and damage done to their clothin g; hence th ey haste to be iner t on all future occasions. Ther e being a haste of water, and the premises being contiguoutt to the flames were extinguished in the course of an considerable. MELANCHOLY MORTALITY.—On Wednesday }lour, 11l) lifebuduliautiii:eP.annage occasioned is very an inquest was held at the sign of the Lord Nelson, in the Whitechapel-road , on the body of Mr. Topping. On the Wednesday before Mr. Topping buried his wile, and, on the Friday following, les sister. On Saturday last he returned to town, after paying a visit to his sister at Peckham, and, though much afflicted at the loss of his wife and sister, he still appeared in toles able good health, and told his son he would stop for tea, preparatory to his going to his country residence at Leyton, stone, in Essex. While the tea was being got ready the de ; ceased leaned back in his chair, and was instantly a cetpse. Verdict—" Natural death," THE TYR' A N.—Wednesday morning an inquest was held at. Grays, Essex, on the bodies of Sheen, Smitb, Mason, and Walker, who lost their lives on board the barque Tyrian,'but no additional facts were adduced ; and the irk, after some consultation, t.djourned the inquest till next Thurs- Iday, to allow time for th, owners of the Manchester steam packet to bring forward their witnesses. tiVt ,4 ~)',447 k,,i;.'.•-; ~;~i r,~, pT,N