The Express.
London, England, 1847-01-14 00:00:00

ebt eourt.

The Queen and Prince Albert took their usual
early walk yesterday, in Claremont-park. Her Majesty and
her. Royal Consort again promenaded in the afternoon. The
Royal Family took their accustomed walks and rides
yesterday.
Lord J. Russell left Claremont yesterday morning.
A Cabinet Council was held at half-past two o'clock
yestkrday at the Foreigu•ottice. The blinistias present
were Lord J. Russell, the Marquis of Lansdowne, the Earl
of Minto, Sir G. Grey, Viscount l'almeraton, Earl Grey, the
Chancellor of the Exchequer, the Earl of Auckland, Sir J.
Ho'house, Lord Campbell, the Earl of Clarendon, Viscount
Morpeth, the !tight Hon. T. B. Macaulay, the Marquis of
C•anricarde, and the Right Hon. H. Lahouchere. The
Lord Chancellor arrived soon after three o'clock, and joined
bis colleagues. The Marquis of Lansdowne arrived in town
yesterday afternoon, to attend the Council, from his scat,
Bowood-park, Wilts. The Right Hon. H. Labouchere.
arrived in town on Tuesday night from Ireland. Lord J.
Russell arrived in town yesterday from Claremont. The
Council ant three hours.

The Ecclesiastical Commissioners for England had
a general meeting yesterday at their office inWhitehall-place.
LA PLATA.—A memorial has been addressed to
Lord Palmerston from Glasgow, signed by Messrs. Oswald,
Stevenson, and Co., 1. and A. Dennistoun, and, in all, about
eighty of the chief mercantile firms, praying, in the same
terms as the London, Liverpool, and Manch: ster memorials,
that immediate steps may be taken for the termination of
those hostilities in the river Plate, which have been, and are,
so ruinous to the interests of British commerce. To this
document Lord Palmerston replied, on the 9th instant, that
he was in communication with the French government on
the state of affairs in that quarter.

DESTITUTION IN IRELAND AND SCOTLAND.
PUBLIC MEETING OF CLEROTMEN.—Yesterday a
public meeting of clergy, ministers, and others, was held at
E seter Hall, Strand, ' to take into consideration the fright-
ful amount of distress and famine existing in all psrts of the
United Kingdom, but more especially in Ireland and the high-
lands and islands of Scotland; and to consult so to the most de-
nimble course to be pursued to miti, ate the immense amount
of privation and suffering throughout the country." About
thirty ministers were present. The chair was taken by the
Rev. G. H. Stoddart. _

The CHAIRMAN expressed a hope that their proceedings
would he characterised by a spirit of Christian charity.
The Rev. H. H. BEARDS!' moved:
That, in consequence of the present dearth of food, and the high
price of all kinds of pros idens, and the uuderstated facts that deaths
from starvation area daily occurrence throughout the united king-
dom, more especially in Ireland and the highlands and islands of Scot-
land—lt is the bounden duty of all Christians to make every possible
exertion, In order to relieve the present frightful sufferings of their
fellow-creatures; for which end the clergy of all denominations he
urgently requested to preach in favour of a general collection in their
respect:ire churches and chapels • and that, after an urgent appeal has
a/so been made to the public at lame, the ministers of the gospel of
Christ do personally visit the wealthier residents in their own parishes
and congremitions, in order to urge them to contribute to the funds so
much needed in behalf of oar countrymen suffering from famine,
sickness, and disease, from a want of the common necessaries of life.
The rev. gentleman read extracts from the letter of •
minister's lady in the south-west of Ireland, of the date of
the 30th ult., containing some harrowing detail, of the dir-
tress in that quarter, most of which have already appeared in
the papers. He likewise lead a letter from nine clergymen
in the south of Ireland, repudiating the idea that the pea-
santry were purchasing arms •, also one from a clergyman in
Skibbercen, stating that 140 deaths had occurred in the
workhouse during the month of December. The Rev. R.
Webb, of near Skibbereen, wrote that above 1,000 indivi-
duals, out of a population of 8,000, had not more than one
meal every other day. Numbers died without any one
knowing; the dread of fever preventing them from going
near each other • many were buried without coffins! If
government wavered, or did not take effectual steps st the
meeting of parliament, many of the clergy would be driven
from their risidenees ; it would be frenzy to stay to witness
the people dying off by hundreds. (Hear.)
The Iter. A. MANoIN said he had come from Ireland
last month ; he was • landowner in Tipperary and Meath
he had not received a farthing of his November rents, and
should not ask for any while the present distress pre-
vailed. (Hear.)
The Rev. Mr. BLACILIII/RNE moved :
That while this meeting expresses its deep sympathy for the suffer-
ings of the labouring dames throughout the United Kingdom, and
especially In Ireland, It hails, with gratitude and admiration, the
generous enotrlbotion• of her Majesty, Prince Albert. the Premier,
the bankers, and other benevolent individuals, for their relief; and it
would further express, apart .•rom any shade of political or party feel-
log, a ferrentand sincere desire that the leaislatme mar be able to adopt
measures effectual for the mitigation of the present di/01,s, under
the blowing of God, cakulated to avert the recurrence of similar
extreme destitution of the poorer clams
The Hon. and Res. B. Non., in seconding the resolu-
tion, said that about 170.000 persons in Scotland were abso-
lutely destitute; while in Ireland the calamity was wide-
spread, and was devouring hundreds and thousands. The
people were positively dying by inches, from day to day ;
those deaths were not only of the old and infirm, but of the
labouring class, who staggered empty and feeble to their
work, had died on their way back. Amidst all this suffering,
the patience of the people was most exemplary ; they ex-
hibited the highest virtues, and were well deserving of relief.
Let England then step forth, and show to the world what
can be done by a people professing and acting on the prin-
ciples of Christianity. Unless this were done, all that had
yet occurred was but the beginning of honors; for the
destitution, unrelieved, must continue till next summer.
Mr. A. CAMPBELL suggested that "the highlands and
islands of Scotland " should he mentioned in the second re-
solution as well as in the first ; which wan agreed to, and the
alteration was made accordingly.
The Rev. Dr. CARLISLE recommended that special men-
tion should be made in the revolution of the Society of
Friends, who were giving about 51. for each family in their
communion. This war also acceded to.
The Rev. Dr. LEIPCHILD moved:

That a committee of equal numbers of clergymen, dissenting mini.
ters, and of laymen, be appointed to take cognizance of, and record,
Information respecting the present distress, In order to submit them
fairly nod proper) to the Pohtic It large: to adopt other measures to
furtherance of the object of this meeting, such as loing a day for
simultaneous collections and prayerful internasion; and that the fal-
lowing be the committee :—The Rev. G. 11. litoddert, the Rev. Dr.
Leirchild, the Rev. Dr. Hine, C. Ccehrane, Esq., the Hon. and Rev.
B. Noel, the Rev. 8. 0. Osborne, the Rev. 0. Clarke, B. B. Cabbell,
Esq., the Rev. J. Blackburn', the Rev. J. Weeks, the Rev. Dr
Carlisle, and the Rev. J. R. Barber.
The Rev. Mr. HAZLZWOOD seconded the resolution.

Mr. C. COCHRANE recommended that ihTcommittee
should suggest to government the propriety of establishing
national granaries. He submitted his suggestions in the form
of a resolution, which was seconded by Mr. L. J. HANS tRO.
A gem leman wanted to attach a rider in favour of opening
the ports; but tile chairman thought that would give the
movement a political character. The resolution being
adopted, thanks were voted to the chairman, and the pro-
ceedings terminated with prayer.

REPEAL OF THE MALT-TAX.
A meeting of the Total Repeal Malt-tax Associa-
tion was held at Radley's Hotel, Bridge-street, Blisckfriars,
yesterday. B. Bond Cabbell, Esq , M.P., in the chair.
The CHAIRMAN, in opening the business, stated that the
object of the meeting was to obtain • total repeal of the
malt-tax, and at the same time he was most anxious to have
it understood that the society was not influenced by any
political motive, and was unfettered from connexion with
any party. He wished also to state that the society was not
in any way connected with the Agricultural Protection So-
ciety. Sir R. Peel, when he declared himself in favourof free
trade, must have intended to take off the malt-tax ; and no
doubt he was prepared to make up the deficiency which it
would occasion in the revenue. (Hear, hear.)
Gentlemen who appeared as deputations from the follow-
ing places then read resolutions which had been passed in
the districts from whence they came in favour of the objects
of the association, vie. Monmouth, Chepstow, Usk,
Abergavenny, Hampshire, Gloucestershire, Ipswich, and
Peterborough.
Mr. FILIWEN, M.P., read a letter from his colleague, Mr.
Fuller, M.P., excusing his attendance on the ground of ill-
health; but expressing his concurrence in the objects of the
meeting.
Mr. CURTIRS, M.P., also excused himself from attending, I
through the medium of • friend ; but stated lie would sup-
port the objects of the association in his place in parliament.
Mr. ELLMAN stated that a resolution in favour of the
repeal of the malt-tax, moved by Mr. Bennett, and seconded
by himself, at a meeting of the Agricultural Protection Asso-
ciation yesterday, was carried unanimously ; and, on the
recommendation of the Duke of Richmond, it was deter-
mined that a deputation, consisting of thirty members of
parliament and thirty farmers, should wait on the noble
Premier on the subject. Lord G. Rentinck stated at that
meeting that he was confident the malt-tax might be re-
pealed without the necessity of increasing the income tax,
and his lordship further expressed a desire to see the hop
duty taken off.
Mr. Saint, the treasurer of the society, stated that he
had received communications from various farmers' clubs and
anti-malt-tax associations in the kingdom, pledging them-
selves to make every exertion to carry out the objects of the
association; and the number of persons who were daily
giving in their adhesion to this great cause was unprece-
dented. (Hear, hear.) The committee had that day de-
termined to send a deputation to the great towns in the
kingdom, as they had already done in the agricultural dis-
tricts, feeling confident that they were as much interested in
the question as the agricultural body. (Hear, hear.) The
funds continued to come in most satisfactorily: and they
were devoted to diffusing knowledge on the subject of the
malt-tax.
Mr. Lsurrecout, from Hertfordshire, then moved the
fir. 4 resolution, to the effect that the emaciation having
found that the malt tax interfered with the free application
of the farmer's capital and industry, and lessened the com-
forts of the labouring classes--agricultural and manufactur-
ing—the meeting called on the farmers and inhabitants of
towns to unite in demanding the immediate abolition of so
obnoxious an impart.
Mr. TAUNTON, from Hampshire, seconded the resolution,
which was carried unanimously.
Mr. CHRETHAM, from Rutlandahire, moved the second
resolution, to the effect, that the association would continue
to act without any reference ro party politics circles,. interests.
Mr. HUDSON, jun., from Worcestershire, seconded the re-
solution, which wu carried unanimously.
Mr. Rocotrio, from Hampshire, proposed the next reso-
lution, which invited subscriptions in aid of the objects of the
association.
Mr. Setters, from Sussex, in seconding the resolution,
here testimony to the great utility of malt in the fattening of
cattle.
Major CURTICS referred to the rceent Worcestershire and
Lincolnshire elections, and blamed the formers for not exact-
ing from the candidates on those occasions a pledge to vote
for a repeal of the malt teL
Mr. TAtI?iTON begged the meeting not to forget that there

would shortly be an election for Middlesex, wheu he hoped
the agriculturists would only support anti-malt tax candi-
datee. (Cheers.)—The reso'utiou was then put ud carried.
Mr. ROWLEY, from Nottinghsnishire, moved, and Mr.
Locxx, from Norfolk, seconded the fourth resolution, the
purport of which was, that the proceedings of the meeting
should be atlveltised in such papas as the committee might
determine.

Thanks were then voted to the treasurers (Dieters. Smith
and Collyer), to the committee, and to the chairman ; after
•hick the meeting separated.

MARINE. ALLIANCE LIFE OFFICIL—At the annual
general meeting of the shareholders in this company, held
yesterday at the offices in Capel-court, an exceedingly favour-
able report was presented by the directors of the company's
affairs. A dividend of 6 per cent. was declared; several
directors and other officers who went out of office by rota-
tion were re-elected ; and the meeting separated after the
usual acknowledgment of the chairman's services.
RItYMNY IRON MINING COMPANY.—A general
meeting of shat Beholders in this company was held yesterday
at the Loudon Tavern, Mr. Wilson in the chair, for the
purpose of considering a resolution proposed by Mr. Child,
a proprietor, to alter the deed of settlement, which provides
that the division of profits shall only be made on an oversee
of five years, to that the division shall in future be made
annually, leaving to the directors the discretion of a necessary
reserve. In opposition to this resolution the board of
directors proposed that the profits should in future be on an
average of three years, as best suited to the interests ef the
company ; but after • very protracted and desultory discus-
sion, on a vote being taken, the original resolution of Mr.
Child was carried by amajority, and the meeting separated.
THE LATE GEORGE BTNG, ESQ.—The mortal re-
mains of this much-lamented gentleman will be interred in
the family vault at Wrotham, on Monday next.
INQUEST, YESTERDAT.—DF.ATII BY FlRE.—Before
Mr. Bedford, at St. George's hospital, on the body of Sarah
Winckworth, aged 19, who died from lock-jaw, occasioned
by burns sustained under the following melancholy circum-
stances :—The deceased was in the service of Mr. Layton,
Grove House, High-street, Putney. On the afternoon of
Monday, the 28th ult., she was sitting by the kitchen tire,
when her master's child, two years old, began screaming
violently, a book which it had in its hand having caught
fire from deceased's gown, on to which a spark had fallen
and set in flames. Ds-ceased having placed the child in
misty, called loudly for assistance, whien, attracting Mr.
Layton and his brother, she was by them discovered running
about in great agony, all her clothes having been burnt off
her person, with the exception of her stays and under gar-
ment, which were then in a blare. The fire being extin-
guished, she was immediately conveyed to the above hos-
pital, where she was found to be shockingly burned. The
usual semedies in such cases were adopted ; she went on very
favourably till Saturday last, when she was seized with
tetanus, of which she died on Sunday evening. Verdict,
" Accidental death."