The Express.
London, England, 1852-01-22 00:00:00

THE EXPRESS, THURSDAY EVENING, JANUARY 22, 1852.

Cbt Court.

WINDSOR, JAW. 21.
The following had the honour of dining at the
royal table last evening:—Hi. Orate the Duke of Welling-
ton, Lord and Lady John Itumvll, the Right Hon. Sir F.
and Lady Arabella Baring, and the Rev. Mr. Birch. The
band of the Royal Horse Ouanla attended in the Castle
during dinner, and played the following selection :
oet rtor•—•• ice.ul.4o
Waits —.Bird of Paradise" Kosig,
Nelyntion—.• Vreysolints"
Yisn4- 3th Symphony
- iliac. of Nalco"
Iler Majesty's private band afterwards attended, aid
performed the following compositions
Overrule —•• Zanspe .. Beryls.
ilwirteito (Op. 43) -allegrottlipts, Tempo di
Kisumu° —Two Vining). V sad Tkilessertie,
' Mame. Minton, Day, Hlll, asd S. Mpg)
Euryantlar"
Tho Queen walked in the Home park and the Slopes this
' morning.
The Prince of Wales, the l'rineess Royal, anti younger
members of the royal family, took their usual walking and
pony esercise.
l'rince Albert went out shooting this forenoon, attended
by Licut.-geueral Sir Edward Bowater, Colonel lion. C. B.
Phipps, Colonel lion. C. they, and Colonel F. 11. Seymour.
Lord Byron and Lieut.-general Sir E. Bowater have suc-
ceeded the Earl of Morley mid Captain lion. J. Denman in
their duties of Lord and Groom ha Waiting to her Xl"jesty.
Invitations have been received by the following person•
ages, anti they are expected to arrive at the Castle to-dry :
Lord and I. uly Seymour and the lion. J. Ilernouno St.
Maur, Viscount Cunning, Sir James and Lady Graham,
and Colonel Wylde.
Lord and Lady John Russell took their departure this
morning.

Mr. Mitchell, M.P., had an interview with Lord John
Russell yesterday at his official residence in Downing-
, oerect. Mr. Benham Carter had also an interview with his
lordship yesterday.
he lion. Colonel Anson had an interview with the Chan-
, oiler of the Exchequer at his official residence in Downing-
, street on Tuesday.
A deputation from housdiolders and residents in the
district of Burnham, Somentetshire, bad an in,erview yes-
terday with the General Board of health, at their offices,
Whitehall. Thu deputation consisted of Moons. John
Gunter, George Reed, and Samuel Hobbs, members of the
Local Board of health fur the Burnham District.
Mr. it. S. MacDunnell, Outernor of the Gambia, had
an interview with Earl Grey, at the Colonial-office, yes-
terday. •

The Cambridge University Commission had a meeting
yesterday, at the official risidenee of the First Lord of the
Treasury, is Downing-street. Present The Bishop of
Chester, the Dean of Ely, Sir Juhn Herschel, thi Rev.
Professor Sedgaitk, and the Roe. W. 11. Howson (secre-
tory.)
Lord Montengle had an interview with the Chancellor of
the Exchequer yesterday. Admiral Dutidas bad also an
interview with the Right lion. Baronet.
Lord uud Lady John Russell arrived in town yesterday
from Windsor Castle.

The larque. of Lansdowne kft towu yesterday fur his
seat, liowtaal Park, Wiltshire.

Mr. Crompton will, it is stated, be the new Judge
in place of Justice Patteson.

The vacant Mastership in the Exchequer has been
filled up by the appointment of Mr. Chatfield, a
solicitor.

state of the class to which I have alluded to leave them
without it. I believe with the present amount of mental
power and intellectual capacity which we see amongst the
working classes, you could not with safety and wisdom leave
them much longer without the elective franchise. It it known
to matt of you, that certain resolutions were proposed at a
meeting held at Manchester ; that was a very influen-
tial meeting, convened by gentlemen of great res-
pectability, many of them gentlemen of great
wealth, many of them I have known for a number of years,
'lrving taken part with them in other struggles, men of
tried patriotism and of great iiifluenee. That meeting, as
I have said, pasted certain resolutions, of which I ap-
proved in spirit and in substance ; but, as most of you
know, I did nut approve of all the details. (Cries of " But
we do.") The question then area with me whether, as I
did not approve of all the details of tho Manchester resolu-
time, 1 could with consistency of principle attend the
meeting here, at which these resolutions were brought for-
ward. And I answered this question to my own satisfac- '
tion, but 1 don't know whether to yours or not, that 1
could, with consistency of principle, attend the meeting
on thugs grounds. First of all, I approve, as I said, in
spirit and in substance, of thew resolaVons, and of almost
every point in them. Secondly, I was convinced I could
with propriety and consistency attend this meeting, because
it did not seem to me to be st all necessary, when we agreed
in substance and in spirit, that there should be perfect una-
nimity of opinion iu all matters of detail, and I felt con-
vinced that if 1 candidly and freely stated the points on
which I differed with those resolutions, I should be respect-
fully listened to, while the observations I made would re-
ceive all the weight to which they arc entitled. (11.er,
hear.) Thirdly, because I thought it highly desirable that
men who differ on some of the details should meet together
and freely state their opinion., that those who went beyond
those resolutions, and these who did not go so far, ',humid
frankly state their views to each ether. This mode of diem.-
lion bad a tendency to enlargement of mind and to communi-
cation of useful awl valuable infurmat on from one mind to
another. Now, sir, I have said I do not entirely agree
sills these resolutions. But I agree with all my heart in
desiring, as I have already explained, a very largo eaten-
don of the franchise, an extension a hich will bona fide
pie to a huge proportion of the working classes of Eng-
land that franchise which they are so well qualified to ex•
ercise and to which I think they are most righteously en-
titled. (Loud cheers.) The point on which Ido not
agree with the Manchester resolutions is the client to
which it is proposed the franchise should go—that was to
the extent of household suffrage, without defining the
length of retidenee, merely stating that it should be ouch a
length of residence as would satisfy the person who had to
form tho ngiater that the residence was real and &ens
Now the view I have taken and expressed for some
years is, that we could with safety go to the extent of the
municipal franchise, making the parliamentary trenched,
co-extensive with it. (A cry of "A bit further.") My
hived says a bit further. ( leer, hear.) I was not dis-
posed to be so nice as to stop at the municipal franchise,
but to go, as my friend say., a bit further. (hear, hear,
and cheers.) But my reason for preferring the municipal
franchise I wi:l state to you in a few words. Fiesta all I
thought it desirable to adopt this franchise because it has
been actually tried in practice, and there is: a strong dispo-
sition in the people of this country to look at precedent;
this has been tried, proved to be safe, and may be adopted
with the greatest ease. Secondly, because it would bring
into the possession of the franchise a large proportion of the
working classes. I have said this ought to h.:done. (A voice,
" And we should have the ballot.") To be sure. (Cheers.)
Ile then proceeded to state. that the adoption of the muni-
cipal franchise would in Leeds increase the number of elec-
tor* from 5,000 to 14.0.10, making the increase threefold.
This he thought would show them ho was not a very timid
reformer, as the increase world give a preponderance to the
working classes. The suffrage might be further extended
afterwards, and he argued that the snore gradual the exten-
sion was, the firmer would be the constitution, of which the
suffrage formed the foundation. In conclusion, he ex-
poses d himself favourable to vote by ballot, the which he
considered indispensable; to five years' parliaments, though
he should not object to triennial parliaments ; and to the
abolition of property qualification for member... lle
hoped a large and bold measure of reform would be
granted such as the country required, and such as the
country wool., support. (Loud cheers.)
The resolution was adopted.
Mr. Alderman CAItBUTT moved the second resolution—
" That in the opinion of this meeting the elective franchise
should be widely extended and so simplified as to admit of
the easy formation of an honest register of voters ; it there•
fore recommends that the franchise be based upon occulta-
tion and liability to the poor rate, with such limitation as to
period of residence as shall be necessary to afford a guaran-
tee that the occupation is bona fide. It would, moreover,
urge the retention of the 40s. II anchise for counties, and
its extension to the owners of property of that
annual value, whether derived from freehold, copy-
hold, or leasehold tenures. The whole constituency
would thus consist of occupiers rated to the relief
of the poor and of owners of property of the annual value
of 40s. This meeting would rather record its opinion
that no extension of the franchise will make the House of ,
Commons a fair representation of the nation, without a con-
siderable change in the distribution of the electoral power.
It therefore strongly urges that, where practical and con-
venient, small and neighbouring boroughs be united, and
form one borough ; that where such union is not practica-
ble, small boroughs cease to return members, and that the
existing constituencies merge in the constituencies of the
county in which they are situate ; that corresponding to
tho extent to which small boroughs shall be united, or shall
cease to return members to parliament, new boroughs bo
created from the populous towns now unrepresented, and
that additional members be conferred on the metropolitan
and other first-class boroughs in the United Kingdom."
Mr. DAVID GREEN next addressed the meeting. lie
demanded universal suffrage, because it took away the plea
of injustice ; having that, he would have better hopes that
they would become ashamed of spending 40,000,0001. per
annum in foolish tobacco and worse drink, and spend their
money in a thousand better ways, which intelligence and
education would teach them. (Applause.) But, whilst
in favour of universal suffrage, he would accept with
thankfulness the household suffrage now proposed, and
would unite with the middle classes to get it, believing
that with it in possession the working classes would be
the better able to get all they wanted. He should there-
fore, with great pleasure, second the resolution.
Mr. JAMES HENDERSON, a working man, expressed
himself dissatisfied with the resolution not going further
than household suffrage; and, though regarding that as a
great boon, he thought they ought to declare for manhood
suffrage, and he therefore moved an amendment to that
effect.

Mr. JOHN FIRTH, a working man, seconded the
amendment.

Much discussion ensued in reference to this amendment,
a great part of the meeting evidently being in favour of its
withdrawal, and at length Mr. Ilendensn consented to
withdraw it until the resolution moved by Mr. Alderman
Carbutt had been put to the meeting. The resolution pro-
posed by Mr. Carbutt was accordingly put and carried
unanimously.
Mr. HENDERSON then again proposed his resolution
in a aligntly altered form, declaring that, while it was
politic to give the suffrage to all persons on the rate books,
it was yet the right of the people to have manhood suffrage.
He insisted upon his right to have this amendment put,
and on a show of hands being taken,
The CHAIRMAN said he was unable to decide which
had the majority—the yeas or noes. He was about to
cell for another show of hands when a further discussion
arose, many parties urging the mover of the amendiant to
withdraw at, and propose it again when the other resolu-
tions to be brought before the meeting had been disposed
of.—Mr. HENDEN,NON declined to do this, and a second
show of hands was consequently taken; on which the
Chairman declared that in his opinion the amendment was
decidedly lost.
Mr. Councillor Minium. spoved and Mr. J. C. Baa-
aarr seconded the following resolution, which was adopted
weer. con.:—" That this meeting is of opinion that the
ballot is indispensable to an honest representation, that it
would greatly repress the demobilising practices so humi-
liating to candidates, and so degrading to the electors,
which seem almost inseparable from a canvas and a
poll under the existing system; and would aid most
effectually in preventing the turbulence and riot with
which elections have hitherto been so often at.
tended. It is further of opinion that the present legal
duration of parliament is much too extended to secure
to constituencies a proper control over their representa-
tives ; it would, therefore, strongly urge the repeal of the
Septennial AM, and the limitation of the duration of par-
liaments in accordance with ancient precedent, to a period
not exceeding three ears;y and it moreover entirely concurs
in the view expressed by the Prima Minister during the last
session of parliament, that the property qualification for
members of parliamentought to be abolished."
On the motion of Mr. Councillor MOKOAN, the following
resolution, which was seconded by Mr. Councillor CARTES,
was carried unanimously That a memorial, embodying
the substance of the foregoing resolutions, be signed by the
chairman on behalf of the meeting, and be presented to Lord
John Russell ; and that it be entrusted fur presentation to
James Garth Marshall, Esq., M.P."

not acquainted with their feelings; their ways are not your
ways; look to of own interests; show by your own ex-
ample and legislation that you have an active practical con-
fidence in the measures you advocate. (Loud cheers.)
He was afraid there was a good deal of cant in England.
(Laughter.) There were men who turned the cold shoulder
to those who would amend the anomalies in our own repre-
sentative system, the infringement of the principle of liberty
that existed in this country ; and while they were shouting
at meetiugs about Hungary, Austria and Bemis, you could
not get them to take en active part in reform at home.
(Hear.) When talking to eminent Hungarians or other
foreign refugees, he wan anxious rather that they should not
press him too much as to what, titter all, we had gut here.
We talked about represeutation ; wo supported representative
institutions; but many people meant representation with
this condition, that only one man out of seven should have
a vote. (Hear, hear.) Wo are for free an 1 independent
voting ; but with this condition, that when • man records
his vote, the publication of that vote should be compulsory,
whatever his position. We talked of military power keep-
ing down civil freedomabroad ; but was England pre-
pared to withdraw its ermy from Ireland Did
it not in held/hill perpetuate institutions ;contrary to jus-
tice and common sense, maintained there by the bayonet?
(Cheep.) These were the practical matters to which
Englishmen should direct their attention, and so would
they promote freedom throughout the world. Mr. Bright
had touched on the cabiuet. It was now in what might
be called " an interesting situation," being about to be
delivered of some great reform project. (A laugh.) Whether
the new birth would be "as boy or a girl," no one could
esactly say; and therefore they must be a little forbearing
and suspend judgment. lie said the same with regard to
the removal of Lord. Palmerston. Knowing nothing, he
could "ay nothing of it. But among the red-tape school,
the old orthodox politicians, who had for years frequented
the London clulo, and who supposed themselves to be in
pianissimi of the proper parliamentary mode of governing,
there was much trouble as to the state of parties. They
spoke of it se an alarming symptom, that there was no
party capable of taking the government in case the present
party were removed from office. The old conservative
party was out of gear,—not in working order. The
tail was, as it were, separated from the head ; and
unless some combination could be come to, either
we should have n protectionist government or a con-
servative ono without protection ; great dangers, it was
said, were in store for the country; and true patriots
should endeavour to enable Lord Russell to struggle on
till thisconservative body should be put in working order ;
and then the government might be handed over, in a con-
stitutional manlier, to a constitutional opposition. (Laugh-
ter.) Mr. Ilaxlitt had explained what " a constitutional
opposition and a constitutional government" meant; they
were like two opposition coaches, making a great splash
and splutter, but travelling on the same road, amid to arrive
at the same destination. (A laugh.) That was what our
orthodox politicians now thought so indispensable—that
there should be some party out of office always ready to
take the government on pretty nearly the same principles as
the party in office. Therefore, as the protection question
had divided the conservative party, thew politicians
were afraid same new party with new principles
might find their way into temporary power, and do
what they called great injury to the country. (Cheers,)
Now his opinion was, that this infirmity of' the orthodox
parties furnished an opportunity to the people. He thought
it was nut so advantageous to have this extraordinarily
strong government, capable of setting at defiance all popular
appeals, and putting down everything that did nut tend to
support their own party view,. The people of this country
had often got great advantages from weak governments.
lie was not hurl:Ohl' very Reform Bill promised by the
present government might nut be one of the happy results
of its weakness—(" hear, hear," and a laugh)—and he
hoped and trusted sincerely that it would be such as would
enable the great body of the people to rally round the ad-
ministration, and give it that wholesome and proper strength
which was derived from the confidence of the people.
(Cheep.) Now it was difficult to find any valid argument
against k just distribution of the represeutation. He knew
there were great difficulties in settling the franchise. All
parties excluded sonic one; even universal suffrage
excluded some, and so did household suffrage, and all
its degrees of 101. and rib, rental. This made it a difficult
question, iuvolviug much detail. iut the proposal et Mr.
Bright had the aorauMge of standing upon the existing
fUutidation of the Reform Bill. It involved nu new prin-
ciple ; but by an extension of what was now in action,
would give the vote to perhaps 3,000,000 of persons. It was
simply leaving out the 101. rental qualification attached to
the householder in the Referm Bill. It was, therefore, a
very simple mode of extending the franchise. But as to a
more just distribution of representation, there could nut be
two opinions. It was a most important question, for whether
the suffrage was limited or extended, there could not be a
fair representation unless the number of representatives was
proportioned to the combination of property and numbers ;
otherwise great iojustice would be at the root of the
system. The Edinburgh Itevaic contended that it never
was " the object of the British constitution" to give repre-
sentation in proportion to property and numbers. That,
perhaps, might be, with the views some took of the British
constitution. All parties were rather apt to tell us " the Bri-
tish constitution" was on their side of the question. But he
(the right honourable gentleman) never could understand
what that British constitution" motet. All he knew war,
there had been a succession of laws in reference to the right
of voting. Undoubtedly, the Reform Act did introduce the
principle of proportiuning representation to some extent to
numbers and property ; Oceans, it destroyed great numbers
of boroughs that had few inhabitants and little wealth, and
transferred their members to Manchester and Leeds, largo
seats of population and wealth. lie hoped this Edinburgh
ReCiClO, which was sometimes held a sale guide as to what
whig policy ought to be, was not an indication of what was
to come; for its proposition was this sort of narrow plan,—
to leave in the main all the present disproportions; the
small places were still to return their members, and the large
ones to have no greater power; we were to have open voting
and to retain the 101. household suffrage, but to have a new
class of voters introduced; this was to consist of people who
possessed property other than lauded, persons who could
show that they had 501. in a savings bank, or that they held
1" shares in a valid railway " (whatever that might mean.)
And when they parted with this property, their right of
voting should cease. This plan was intended to add to the
existing electors what the " Reviewer" was pleased to term
the age of the working classes. lie (Mr. Gibson) hoped
we should have no such plan, which would he entirely in-
adequate to the feelings and advanced opinions of the times.
The chairman had gone into details about a small borough
returning two members, and a borough with a large popu-
lation returning no more. These small boroughs were not
to be considered as strictly part of the commercial popula-
tion attic country. In that a delusion lay ; and when we
had a large number of borough members, and a certain
number of couaty members, that looked a very fair
thing. But what were these small boroughs ? They were
in reality bits of counties, entirely under agricultural in-
fluence, and therefore it was not a fair argument. This
was, however, a worse anomaly—that we should have
towns of small population returning members, and other
towns of much larger population and wealth returning
none at all. There were towns in Lancashire and York-
shire, such as Dewsbury and Burnley (which had 4.5,000
inhabitants), which were as 'well entitled to members as
the cathedral town of Canterbury, or some towns in
the south of England much smaller. We might hove
the full benefit of a system of electoral districts
without attemptiug to divide the country with methodical
precision ; by adopting the old boundaries, and making the
representation correspond with the population and property
within them. If the end could be accomplished by means
the least opposed to the established feeling' of people with
respect to ancient landmarks, that would be more desirable
than to introduce novel terms, which might be supposed to
have foreign origin or associations. When the subject of
reform should be brought forward in parliament, it might be
the duty of members to move amendments, and perhaps to
appear to oppose an imperfect measure, though not in the
spirit of refusing to take what they could get, but to render
it more perfect end efficient. He hoped, therefore, every
allowance would be given for the course reformers might
feel it their duty to take in parliament. (Hear, hear.)
If the ballot were not in the government bill, without regard
to consequences, to changes of government or general elec-
tions, or disturbances of different parties, they must endea-
vour to the utmost of their power to introduce the ballot
into that bill. (Cheep.) He war glad to have that re-
sponse; because there would be a cry, when the bill ap-
peared, "Don't disturb the question, because the govern-
ment is weak; take what you can get, and at soma future
time you will be able to get more." Nuw this wee an occa-
sion—with the weak state of parties, and the disposition to
make concessions on all sides, so as to enable parliamentary
government to work decently—when opportunities would
he presented for pressing and carrying measures which,
perhaps, might not occur again. lie hoped, therefore, the
reformers would not be charged with being Marplots, or
refusing an instalment of justice ; but that they would be
held to be actuated by a desire to make the measure as
perfect as they could, and as much as they could in conso-
nance with the principle' here laid down. (Much cheering.)
Mr. THOMASSON moved that, in order to maintain the
efficiency of this association, a subscription be now opened,
and the reformers of Manchester and the neighbourhood be
urged to contribute to advance the question of perliamen-
tary reform. Ho expressed his entire concurrence with the
speakers, who had treated the subject 'so conclusively.
No great amount was required to obtain this expression of
opinion : perhaps 2,0004. or 3,0001. ; and there was a ma-
chinery of proved efficacy to apply those funds to advan-
tage. lie would leave the chairman to put down his name
for such sum as he thought proper. (Applause.)
Mr. W. RAWSON seconded the 'motion, which was car-
ried unanimously

ST. MARYLEBONE PARLIAMENTARY AND FINAN-
CIAL RIIPOIM AMIOCIATION.—List evening a public meet-
ing was held at the British Stores, New-street, Portland-
town, to consider the beet means of advocating the prin-
ciples of the National Reform Association. Mr. T. K.
I'rit2hard took the chair, and briefly explained the objects
and principles of the association, stating that the system of
reform now demanded was absolutely necessary, inasmuch
as the people were not properly represented in the House
of Commons as at present constituted. Thu house con-
tained at that moment 14$ naval and military officers. 49
placemen, 76 patrons of church livings, 22 East and West
India proprietor, 714 railway directors, banisters, 63
eldest eons of peers, 30 junior sons of peen, 47 brothers of
peers, 3 uncles of peers, and 4d commoners married to peers'
daughters; MO members constituted the majority, and 32$
the minority. The :MI members were returned by constitu-
encies with a population of 3,127,000 and 180,090 electors,
being but one-Oath of the entire electoral holly ; the 32$ re-
presented all the first-class towns with a population of nearly
29,000,000, and 900,000 electors, bring the other live sixths.
The total number of uncontested seats, and under the con-
WI of the lantUonta, was summed to bo M, which was

within six of the majority. and to this might be idled 167
contested scats which the landlords were also able t,secune.
Upon the subject of taxation, he observed that the -tisnated
amount per head ou the whole population in Eoe,;l mil was
21. 12s. 6d. In France, 11. 45.; on the Unites Stat id. ;
in Russia, 9s. 91. ; in Austria, I Is. Bd. ; and
12a. 4d. These were facts which called loudly for •ne inter-
terference of those who valued their rights and ;.rivilegeo
as Englishmen, and it was to be hoped that the
exertions of this Association would hove the effect
of removing such intolerable abuses. The following re-
solution WWI then proposed b 7 Mr. liurden 1111.. waded
by Mr. M'l/owell That, on order to ensure . efficient
and complete reform of the House of Commons, . was in-
dispensable that all CLINICS should express their opinions
with energy and determination, so that their r, presenta-
tive' in parlir.ment and her Majesty's minists may be
made aware of the sentiments and wishes of tl :Kmple."
The motion was unanimously agreed to, and was -.,.receded
by a resolution (proposed by Mr. NichOlay and •ecouded
by Mr. M'Evily) to the effect that any measure of parlia-
mentary reform which did not include the principles put
forth by the National Reform Association wotill not de-
serve the confidence and support of the peoph Several
gentlemen addressed the meeting in favour of this resells.
tion, and it was ultimately tarried. A vote of thanks to
the chairman closed the proceedings.
TUE REFORM MOVEMENT.—On Tuesday, a meet-
ing, called by the National Financial and l'arli.....entary
Association, 11,1 livid in the Exchange 11.11, Nott.ughoun,
which was densely crowded, very many others wl •• nought
admittance being excluded for want of room. . Alder-
man Knight occupied the chair. There wY re also present
on the platform, Sir Joshua Walmsli.y, ; Mr.
George 1 hompsou, ; Aldermen Cullen awl Judd;
Councillors Dickenion and E. Hurt; the Reis. G. Sy me, J.
Edwards, and J. Iluilstone (nonconformists) ; M. Booth
Eddisma ; Mr. F. Home% &e. The enthusiastic awl unani-
mous tone of the proceedings was markedly different to
those which took place ate similar meeting sum.. two yeara
ago, when the chartists proposed a counter antra. Thos
leviers of the ultra-movement at that time w, v. present
at this meeting, and supported each proposition with as
much zeal as they had previously opposed motile,