The Press.
London, England, 1858-10-30 00:00:00

A REFORMER'S SUGGESTION.

The action of Reformers was thus indicated by
Mr. Bright :
Now, I have a suggestion to make, which T hope some-
body will act upon. The Reformers now are more
numerous than ever they were before. Why should they
not by some arrangement have their own Reform Bill—
have it introduced into Parliament and supported with all
the strength of this great national party ; and if it be a
bill sensibly better than the bill that is being prepared for
us in Downing-street, why should we not, with all the
unanimity of which we are capable,—by public meetings,
by petitions, and when the proper time comes by presenting
ourselves at the polling-hooths,—do everything in'our power
to pass that measure into law ? I say that we are great in
numbers; that united we are great in strength ; that we
are invincible in the solidity of our arguments ; that we
are altogether unassailable in the justice of our cause.
Shall we then, I ask you, even for a moment be hopeless
of our great cause? I feel almost ashamed even to argue
it to such a meeting as this. 1 call to mind where I am,
and who are those whom I see before me. Am I not in
the town of Birmingham—England's centnil capital ; and
do not those eyes look upon the sons of those who,
not thirty years ago, shook the fabric of privilege to its
base? Not s feu of the strong luta of tbst time are now

white with age. They approach the confines of th—
mortal day. Its evening is cheered with the remembranceeir
of that great contest, and they rejoice in the freedom they
have won. Shall their sons be less noble than they/
Shall the fire which they kindled be extinguished with
you ? Why, I see the answer in every face. You are
resolved that the legacy which they bequeathed to vou
you will hand down in an accumulated wealth of freedom
to your children. As for me, my voice is feeble. I feel
now sensibly and painfully that I am not what I was. I
speak with a diminished fire; I act with a lessened force;
but as I am, my countrymen and my constituents, I trill,
if you will let we, be found in your ranks in the impen.
ding struggle.
The hon. gentleman sat down amid great cheering,
which was renewed again and again, the audience
rising and waving their hats and handktrchiefs in
the most enthusiastic manner.

Alderman Mewrox, in moving a vote of thanks to
Mr. Bright for his excellent address, expressed the
pleasure he felt in reflecting that he was instru•
mental in introducing the bon. gentleman to the
constituency of Birmingham, and he hoped be would
long continue to fulfil the duties of his present
situation.

Mr. G. EDMONDS seconded tho motion, which,
upon being put by the Mayor, was carried mind
protracted acclamations.

Mr. BRIGHT briefly acknowledged the vote, and
thanks being voted to the Mayor for his conduct iu
the chair, the immense assembly separated.

ttrapalitan.

THE ROYAL GEOGRAPHICAL SOCIETY will hold its
opening meeting for the session, at halt.past eight
p.m., on Monday, the Bth of November, at Burlington.
house, Piccadilly; Sir Ro:lerick T. Murchison, Wei.
dent, in the chair. The following papers will be
read :-1. Journey through the Mountainous Districts
North of the Elburz, and Ascent of Demanend, in
Persia, by R. F. Thomson, Esq., and Lord Schoenberg
Kerr. Communicated by the Earl of Malmesbury.-
2. Journey from Moreton Bay to Adelaide, in Search
of Leichhardt, by A. C. Gregory, Esq. (Gold Medal-
list, R.G.5.).-3. Explorations of the Murchison,
Lyons, and Gascoyne Rivers in Western Austrslia,
by F. Gregory, Esq.
THE NATIONAL GALLERY, which was reopened to
the public on Monday, the 25th inst., has during the
recess been thoroughly cleansed, and presents a
considerably brighter appearance than formerly.
Some of the pictures have been placed In more ad-
vantageous positions and better lights thrown upon
them. The days for the public admission hence-
forward will be Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays,
and Saturdays—Thursdays and Fridays being set
apart for the admission of students only. The
Vernon Collection at Marlborough house, Pall-mall,
was also reopened to the public. There was a large
attendance at both places.
THE BIRTHS of 819 boys and 846 girls, in all
1,095 children, were registered in London last week.
The death', which showed a slight decrease on the
previous week, were 1,113.
SOUTH KENSINGTON MUSEUM was visited during
the week ending 23rd October by 4,840 persons.