The Express.
London, England, 1848-04-06 00:00:00

PROVINCIAL.

A PLAN FOR ORGANISING THE SPECIAL CON-
STABLES in Manchester has, alter some discussion, been
matured. It is proposed that in every principal street within
the borough, a body of residents, having been first sworn in
as special constables, shall form themselves into a civil force
for the preservation of peace and order in that street.
Already. notices have been sent to the special constables of
the main arrests in those parts of the borough north of
Market-street, requesting them to call meetings for the pur-
pose of duly organising themselves: and with • view to
facilitate this, • conductor for every such street has been sp•
pointed by the police authorities pro tem., who is charged
with the duty of convening these meetings. On assembling,
they are, however, to be at full liberty to eleot any other
member of their own body as their conductor or captain.
At these meetings various subjects connected with their
organisation, training, and discipline, the mode of assem-
bling on a given signal, and the drafting off of a small por-
tion of their own body, for duty in the moveable force having
their central station at the Town-hall—are to be taken into
consideration, and the following "memoranda of subjects
to be discussed at the meeting of the special constables for
the protection of streets" have been printed, and forwarded
to each conductor pro tem. by the chief constable
1. To discuss the plan of operations for assembling quickly together,
on any disturbance takuig place. 2. To appoint a condactor of the
special force. S. To appoint a place for meeting, on the alarm of
note or disturbances, where the staves should be kept. 4. To Its upon
badge to be worn, im as to distinguish friends from foes. 5. To ar-
range what number of extra men each special constable gull bring
with tom, to aid in the preservation of the peace. G. To arrange what
number of special constables or assistants shall be drafted to the Town-
hall, to augment and aid the police tome under the justices. 7. To
arrange how the assisumm sent to the police station shall be relieved
from time to time. 8. To arrange bow the special constable. shall re-
lieve themselves from unto to time. 9. The special constables to agree
to place themselves under the directions of their leader. 19. To drill
themselves under a policesergeant, who has been in the army.
With reference to the badge in No. 4, it has been lug.
gested that, in order not only for the street special constables
to recognise each other, but also to enable them to be recog-
nised by any of the regular borough police in any affray, the
badge should be one distinguistiable whether the lace or
back of the man wearing it is seen. It is therefore proposed
that this badge consist of a large ring of Tay broad white
tape or ribbon, to be hung round the neck on going upon
duty. Besides the special constables for the protection of
their own streets respectively, there is to be a floating or
moveable force, of the youngest and most active special con-
stablea, having their principal station and rendezvous at the
Town-hall; and this body is to be in reedit% ,ss to aid,
the police in any part of the borough where their ser-
vices may be required. A meeting of the merchants and
warehouse owners was held at the Town Hall on Mondey
morning last, at which it was unanimously agreed to send
the young men employed in the warehouses to be sworn
in as special constables, and the great majority to join this
moveable force; reserving, of course, a sufficient number for
the protection of the warehouses, and to aid the special street
force. Already a considerable number of clerks and ware-
housemen have attended at the Town Hall, and been sworn
in ; and we believe the 400 mentioned as volunteers will all
be enrolled in this moveable force, and will be placed under
regular drill, and otherwise disciplined. Some of the par-
ties complain loudly of being called upon to give up their
time ; and a placard was issued yesterday, signed '' A Shop-
keeper," designating it as a base attempt on the part of the
whigs to deprive them of the right of public meeting and
expressing their grievances.
A PUBLIC OPEN-AIR MEETING OF THE UNEMPLOYED
andother working peopleof Manchester was held inStevenson-
square on Monday evening, when the largest assemblage was
drawn together which has of late attended such meetings.
The numbers were variously estimated at from 6,000 to
10,000.—The Chairman said he wen unused to address such
large meetings, but circumstances had brought him there
Over which he had no control. The working classes were
in • deplorable situation. Was it not monstrous to see six-
teen thousand people in this one city unemployed and only
employed—with but half a loaf or nothing at all ?
e 1y , not monstrous to see people willing and anxious to
work starving amidst immense wealth of their own creation
on every aide of them, in a land flowing with milk and
honey.? This was the boasted land, the mistress of the
who, it was said, had carried her victories across everr
and every ocean where a sword was lifted to oppose her ;
and what was the proud privilege of her sons when they re-
turned to enjoy what were called the blessings of peace : To
die in • ditch—to pine in a cellar or a garret. (Cheers.)
Men asked for work, and they were pointed to the work
house. They asked for the tights of citizens that they might
remedy false legislation, and they were threatened with the
dungeon. It being time they sought a remedy, be asked
them to listen to the propmitions which would be brought
before them by the succeeding quaker's, whose object was to
get a remedy.—A working-man named Nixon moved the first
resolution
That we, the unemployed working men of Manchester, in public
meeting assembled, return our sincere thanks to Mr. Maude, the ma-
gistrate, and to the Mayor of Manchester, for the kind and courtesan
manner in which they received the deputation appointed by us this
morniog, to state our grievances to them, with • view to a remedy
of those grievances, and we sineerely thank them for the intereet they
take in our welfare and their exertions to better our condition ; but
the remedy they propose is un-Englleh In sprinciple and degrading to
car character as rinnm.m • sad that we, the unemployed, in pub-
lic meetbg, are of opinion, ihat as all wealth and property springs
from our tedusby, the producer has a right to be the fist partakes I
of the fruits of Ms own labour, and that an there fa no happiness or
contentment is the homes of the poor man, neither shall there be any
in the homes of the rich; that as there is no law to protect the life, the
property nor the intereats of the poor ram, neither shall there be any
for the rich man.
lie would now tell them the result of their minion to the
mayor and magistrates, and then go to other parts of the reso-
lution. The deputation stated that they, the working men,
wanted employment. Mr. Maude said there is relief for you
lon certain conditions, and he spoke it with a good mearung,
though his words sounded better than they were relished.
For he said there was the oakum-picking shop in Tib-street
(laughter, and cries of " oh")—and that the atoneyard was
only a test of labour, every man being paid not wording to
his work, but in proportion to his family and wants. He
(the speaker) told Mr. Maude that was not the relief they
wanted—that stone-breaking was not an employment for
honest, induatrious, independent-minded men, to whom idle-
nem was s misfortune, and charity a mockery. He told him
they wanted notcharity but justice. (Cheers.) Mr. Maude told
them all that was very true, and that he believed the people
were a generous-minded and industriously.dispooed people.
lie should be very glad to see them in a better position, but
regulations for changing the condition of the people were not
in their province. All they could do as magistrates was to
see that the poor law guardians and overseers did their
duty. They told the authorities that this was net done, and
that the overseer, when applied to, insulted them, and if
they remonstrate, called in the police. The guardians
present at the interview denied this. Mr. Maude had then
asked them what remedy they euggested, and he told them
he thought it was their duty to tell the government their
wants; and the first thing they wanted was a reduction of
taxation—(loud cheers)—the neat was that the govern-
ment should open to the people the wait. land for culti-
vation, so that, other employmentlailing, they could raise
food for themselves. Mr. Maude told them this was not their
business, but belonged to the big men in London. He told
the magistrates at once that when he wanted bread he
would not go to break stones. They were told to be con-
tent, but what was there in their condition to make them
contented ? He never would be contented so long as
there was one law for the rich, and another
for the poor. Were they prepared and determined
to produce • different Mate of things t (" Yea," sad cheers.)
Were they determined to band themselves together for one
object—the destruction of a government battening on their
labour, and luxuriating in wealth at the expense of the
blood and the tears of the millions. (Great cheering). Look
how their money was expended. There was the Dowager
Queen—the wife of William the Fourth—a Queen who wee
no longer of use—she. received 100,0001. ayes (shame),
whilst Om Xing of Belgium, not able to grind enough out of
Ibis own subjects, had 00,0001., and the King of Hanover
16,0001. wrung from the hard earnings and industry of the
people of this country. (Shame). Then there were 28
millions taken to pay the interest on the national debt,
whilst working men were dying of banger. But (continued
the speaker) there shall be a change. (Loud cheers.)
All the world is changing, and we will not
be left behind. Here are we, working men ; are
II we to mart war rights and rise is the
of free meal (Cries of • yes," and dom) Then
ws get arms. Arms ought to be in the possession of every UNIVERSITY AND CLERICAL
lweeking man—not that you ass to go and shoot every person =mini
who coma near: you because you have a gun, but as the
of the
government rob you of your wages, and as 'TNT man has • r,r,47;z.rthr p"'"743;.
right to shoed a felon ;rhea he breaks into his house, you .***,, e****l * kw the main year.
have a right to shoot them who rob you. So whoa the hi-tailoring pationtsane t—in Me Panto of arts--
government robs you of your wealth or your molar, you clanks : T. I. Ilueilelet. ilsilow of Tres. On.
•••• • rieb% to shoot them. (Groat cheering.) The Nresseli niaM92lloo flea natant 11Olsesighy : the go. J.w..
Inn the nam Inds. CoOrPrnfr COL
did not trAt satiated with. talking, nor the Germans ear the 14 .7'4 lb! II 24 aI al BA. Logic, mast, and 'Assn.
Fnmar.na—thay acted like men. None of your potty mob- _ the rota send B.
bind'. and window breskinge—freedum was not won by pil. b=4lo, omi," Preara rrao
shops when they began to steal let them still EOM. ti6ch C. J. Diwy elm= De. SAWA,Aakv. ylibroir
':sing which •
it would not be criminal is poses—let Ten rd the OWTOOITP/Dt, the .reek Test ofe, New tooted.

THE ANCIENT CONCERTS.—The second concert,
last evening, was under the direction of Earl Howe, as
proxy for the King of Hanover. It contained little notice-
able matter; the programme being trade up, in a great
measure, of things thoroughly hackneyed at these concerts.
—the opening of "The Messiah," the "Sanctus," &c.,
from Mozart's first mass ; Handel's air, " Holy, holy ;" the
old hymn, "AUa Triniti beota:" Horsley's glee, "Cold is
Cadwalla's tongue;" and several others, equally familiar.
This eternal repetition of the same things, year after year,
is the besetting sin of these concerts, and sadly lessens their
interest and attraction. The eminent professor who has the
actual direction, might exhibit a little more activity and re-
search, without being much oppressed by the duties of his
office. Why do we never see the name of Gluck, except in
connexion with the one everlasting scene from " Orfeo ?"
And why should we be entertained with the threadbare .
" Sull aria," which we have over and over again at the melt
ordinary benefit concerts ? This sleepy course of manage-
ment has been followed ever since we can remember, but it
does not accomplish the professed object of the "Concert of
Ancient Music."—Mir Bassano sang Handel's "Holy,
holy " with a fine voice and true expression ;
it was, indeed, too slow, but that was the fault of the con-
ductor. Signor Salvi sang the " Lord, remember David,"
with Latin words. It was well executed, and his voice had
• its tonal richness and beauty, but it was easy to perceive,
from his reading of the air, that he is net familiar with Han-
del's music. With Mozart's " Caro immagine" he is better
acquainted ; and Winter's duet, " Con quel cochleae, lan-
' guido," sung by him and Madame Caradori Allan, was, on
' the part of both, a most graceful and elegant performance.
• The recitative and air from Peer's '• Griselda" was well sung
by Mir Birch, but its most remarkable feature was the obit-
gato violin accompaniment,brilliantly played by Mr. Biagrove.
The rtnale to Beethoven's " which concluded tke
• performance, is one of those things which ought not to be
transferred from the stage to the concert-room.

4Lbt 131ama.
MARYLEBONE.—" The Double Marriage" of Beau-
mont and Fletcher is another added to the lirt of successful
revisals by this management. Whatever its abstract merits,
the piece hos, as an acting play, many objections which are
not likely to gain it favour with that large portion of the
public who view the drama rather as a resource agsinat
ennui, and an excuse for not thinking, than as an awakener
of serious thought or emotion. Its sentiment is in fact too
high-toned and frigid to suit the ordinary run of play-going
eentibilities. With these objections the sumers of the re
usual must afford emneencouragement to the lovers of legiti-
macy; especially as that emcees was mainly owing to the
very satisfactory manner in which it was put upon the
stage, There are very few parts which can be considered
"pleasant" to the actor, but they were nearly all
sustained in a manner at least creditable. Mrs. Warner
exhibited strong and natural feeling in Juliano, and re-
peatedly drew down the applause of the audience ; and the
earnest dignity with which Mr. Graham supported the cha-
teeter of Virolet calls for nearly ;equal commendation. The
same remark will not apply to the gentleman who played
Fee rand, to whom he allotted a proportion of violence and
conventional swagger too great even for a tyrant. The cha-
racter of Maths, the warlike daughter of the proscribed and
pirate duke, however unnatural both her pride and
her passion may be, affords scope for conidereble
stage effect, of which Miss F. Vining took due advantage.
The duke himself was supported is a manner, not very re-
makable for defeat or excellence, by Mr. J. Johnstone.
The only comic characters in the play are Castruecio, the
parasite, and Vatio, the court fool ; tbey were respectively
respectably rendered by Mr. Viuleg and Mr. Webb. Poe
the rest it is only necessary to observe that the scenery and
appointments were complete and appropriate, the scene on
the deck of the vessel being particularly effective.