The Express.
London, England, 1847-08-13 00:00:00

SIIAKSPEARE'S BIRTH-PLACE.

SIR, When accompanying the Archreological
Association in their recent visit to Stratford-upon-
Avon, I very carefully examined the ancient strat-
i tura said to be the birth-place of Shakspeare, and
fully participated in the feeling, generally enter-
tained, that an edifice associated with so many recollections
dear to Englishmen, ought not to be lost to the nation, or
suffered to fall into utter ruin and oblivion. But difficulties
appeared to me to present themselves in carrying out the
views of the advocates for its preservation, with the
recital of which I was unwilling to damp the enthu-
siastic ardour of the company assembled en that day
in the Town-ball of Stratford. I have therefore reserved
my opinions for what perhaps mgy be a more fit place
(should they be thought worthy), the columns of your wide,y-
circulating newspaper. The house or cottage in which
Shakespeare is said to have been born is an exceedingly frail
structure, principally of plaster, held together by wooden
framing; indeed, it is only one-hilt of an erection, which
must have been considered rather of a plebeian character in
its primitive days. To separate Us decayed fabric from its
companion, and to remove it without destruction, appears to
be impossible ; therefore, any idea of transporting it in its
integrity to America must be Abend. Without questioning
the identity of the spot as the birth-place of Shakespeare, it is
proper to consider how much of the original residence re-
mains in our day. The furniture contained in the house at
prevent has no pretensions to have belonged to the Shak-
speare family: the casements and glees of the windows are
not of the poet's time, but have been placed there at a
much more recent date ; the roof, which, in my recollec-
tion, was of straw thatch, now consiits of modern tiles,
and the plastering of the walls has no doubt been restored
many times within the three hundred years that the house
is supposed to have stood. The only parts, therefore, which
can be considered original are the old oak floors, and the
framing timbers, some of the latter of which are continued
uninterruptedly through this and the adjoining cottage.
From these considerations, I am induced to doubt the
practicability, or even propriety, of preserving the old
house in its present state as a relic ; and with the most
sincere feelings of respect, I say veneration, for the
memory of so great a genius—aright a star in the annals
of our nation—l would, with great deference to those
gentlemen who have taken up this cause, suggest that a
more fitting memorial of our inimitable bud would be the
erection of some quaint allegorical structure upon the iden-
tical spot on which he was born, formed, if practicable,
partly from the materials constituting the present old, dilapi-
dated house. The promptitude and liberality with which the
idea of preserving this venerable structure has been met by the
public, induces me to think that • fund of very considerable
amount might be raised from small contributions, which
would furnish the means of constructing • noble structure
worthy of the bard and of the nation.
With such funds in anticipation, I would presume eti'l
further, and propose that upon the site of the birthplace of
the Immortal Bard of Avon" an elegant erection should be
constructed, in the decorative style of old English, or Elite-
bethan, architecture. The form best suited to this purpose
would be that of • polygonal temple or pantheon, in the
centre of which a statue of the poet might be placed, and
around him, near the walls, a series of figures, the size of
life, representing all the principal characters of Shakspeare's
plays, with cartoons behind, exhibiting the scenes to which
the haracters refer. These figures should be of wood or
composition painted, and might with great propriety be por-
traits of the most eminent players who have filled those cha-
racters in bygone days.
Such an erection is, I think, completely,withici the means
that may be readily available, and such a novel kind of
structure, when completed and opened for gratuitous exhi-
bition, would not only form a suitable memorial of our ad-
mired bard, but also reflect credit upon the English nation.
W. N.

THE ELECTIONS.

MIDDLESEX.

Tim DECLARATIOX.—Tbe proceedings of the Middlesex
election terminated yesterday with the formal declara-
tion by the sheriffs of the exact Mate of the poll, and the
anaouncement of the good and true knights who are to re-
present the county in the next parliament. From an early
hour Brentford and its environs presented an appearance of
excitement which cheerfully contrasted with the drowsy pro--
ceedings of the two polling days. Green boughs were in
plentiful munition, perambulating bands again showed
themselves in the streets, and flags that looked as
if they had " braved the battle and the breeze "
for at least • thousand years, streamed here and
there across the principal, indeed only, street of the
ancient town of Brentford. At 12 o'clock, a procession,
consisting of Lord Robert Grosvenor's committee in open
carriages—horses, carriages, and committeemen profusely
decorated with blue and yellow ribbons—mounted free-
holiers, the " unrepresented" on foot, and a dense phalanx
of the softer sex, drafted from the neighbouring market-
gardens, started simultaneously from the Castle Inn to meet
his lordship and his friends from town, at the Star and
Garter, about • quarter of a mile distant, at one. The two
cavalcades having joined, proceeded in order to the hustings,
where they were quickly followed by Mr. Osborne and his
friends in similar array. Col. Wood arrived about the
same time, unattended, and was received with con-
siderable
cheering. The scene at Brentford Butts,
at this moment, was gay and exciting in the extreme. The '
mounted freeholders, deoorated with the colours of their
respective candidates, occupied their usual poets in the
trout, theme were flanked by numerous carriages filled with
ladies; and among the carriages and between the horses,
and s far ead wide over the external space, a dense
crowd filled w lade area of the polling ground. The
bands bad gathered all in a duster in one corner, and eon-
dorosiityingoed vigentedy, and Its various keys, " See the
Ines ONIIISI," long de all the heroes. con.
9 sad asagemei, li M Wawa their stations on the hitst-
nra( Inge, A bright sunshine over ell, all look pleasant,
and many feel exceedingly hot, aml out in full re-
lief Usenet° glades of SIMI sheriff% which occupied
a ereasaahog rem fa theivii=t has the crowd
ware waking for the badmen
of the day, anareldusuessinsat was tweeted by the
apperaam el a am dreamed la maw. Oei. Weed's bang
the prevail wham, who sabred, mounted on a may
old chair •stl by a half demo swaps, and who bowed his
acknowlodgmeatej gm the Obillit with which he wee received
with much saga vtv*, ad in the mat approved candi-
date faeltien. Ma GmddY sod several other lefts came
on the haningssed ranked tmeidgthe main preasedings.
At about a curter_ past OM ilalleffCiALLlS NM Ibrward
to =nowise the 'Mid mama Are a fur ehesseations
thanking the sectors for the plessable demerineur they had
hitheasidareved, and asking • otatkausmse of It to the end
of the peoesedings, Yr. Challis anneeneed the number to
be—Lasel Z. Cherreear, 4,944 • Mr. Gelnese, 4,176 ; Col.
Weed, SIMS ; end sued that on the two first named can-
didate the &Mu idea flukes bad Whs. (The announce-
ment was ressivell with load and general cheering.)
Lord IL. Ciacinattoa them, as senior nerabsr, proceedeite
address the conaliteeasy. He mid that he hit it to be • sir
gular beam that he should have Ira te ahem the eiestars 1
on the pressed sessidea. About eight days beim, elly bed
all met ea the same aget, hr the of cabman SO
dna asst et the leglidamits drama walla bed bees fa proem
of pararamee sear sinse. They bad mods en basset I
WOMB at Pelly—(Largkear bad hem assiamilly
mill es the high mead, in )—they
sapping the asseash.., ame
nd
makiag them need old deliver Miele vote; sad now be
supposed die mutual trim& summbled to me the
maple hessarably united mad senfortably *shied. (IVZ
sad laughter.) Es had been UM in public
eatatiftiaAvele, NM although it wee hue that six
months damn he had been elected without oppo-
action, that we owing to the peculiar abicaustancee
of the time, and that his popularity would not stead the teat
of • disputed election. His answer we, tie porkies en the
poll that day. (Loud cheers.) Thirteen times dazing the
last twenty-six years h,ad he presented idmeelf at the bar of
public °plaice, and Wrtea WINS had be had the leaser of
being returned to perlimeat. Osseo* Milo steed mead
on the poll, sad ea that memisa he wee be Goaded with
another candidate, whisk citeusinermes would pasha& ac-
count for the objection he had estertained ever limes to
coalitions. Three times within tho lest twelve menthe had
he been a candidate. He was not had of making lliga ,
but such a circumstance almost inbred him to pin him-
self to vote for mesa parliaments, If it was may to WO his
friends so much trouble. But in Ws coatedte he had notonly
been fortunate himself, but he bad brought some good luck to
other people. They would recollect that at the last occasion
on which he appeared before the electors of Middlema, his 1
proposer and esesatiar were Sir Edward Nadi limbs and
Mr. Bouveria dime dm, aso bed surfed the aged manly
of Essex b a coop* aegis, and Kr. Heave& au easaidag
for Wort w 111; sway peefrest et ampbee mem
(Hear, hear.) The lank 0 the parent eisetka did mat
make bin is the melba dopes adaidedeas. He did net
affect to be *um* of the foreasabie eiressmehmea mile
which be hat head the ormaseti amil Atli
_wee time nay
pleasurable used& be WOO id we ~ld by dr ear
sciousness of hew Mai be asnet disupgialmt the ow
pectatioos of hie veggem la MOW limit firm
bars undmisksa the intik -- he met had the Saw re-
liance es the bidelymee et Ms difeds, and sieve all,
in the divine bigwig en his vadertaking. (Hear, bear.)
Well, the contest was mew over, and this factat least was

established, that the greet county of Middlesex had spoken
out for progressive reform. (Loud cheers.) tip to the pee.
sent election it had been his duty to carry on the representa-
tion of the county in conjunction with his honourable sea
gallant friend on his left hand. They had always carried an
die war with the greatest cordiality and good feeling, and he
could now enure his honourable friend that. he paned from
him with sincere regret. (Cheers, blues, and " Don't me, e)
He was sure his hon. and gallant friend would forgive 'hin
if be said that, considering he had had ten years experience
of the men of Middlesex, he had made a great mistake in
fighting under the flag of perpetual finality. (Cheers.)
Henceforward he should have to act with his honourable
friend near him (Mr. Osborne). (Cheers, and cries of " You
have mended your company.") He must say of him that
through many difficulties and disappointments he had fought
his way gallantly to the proud petition he now held. (Loud
cheers.) Even his individuality had been called in question,
(The noble lord alluded to • placard posted extensively
during the election, on which was inscribed " Who is Mr.
Osborne I") But they had given him a famous handle for
his name, as he could now describe himself O. the member
for Middlesex. (Cheers.) And although his hon. friend
had attached his car of progress to the brood gauge of en
express locomotive, he was sere he would still find time to
attend to the business of the county. (Cheer,—" You
must get an express train too.") Express trains were rather
dangerous, and he should center% himself with expressing
the high sense he entertained of the services of
that army of unpaid supporters and canvasser' who led
traversed the county in all directions to keep the poll going
in his favour. (Hear) One word more, and he bad done.
Not long since they had summoned him to their genies
to succeed one of the most remarkable men who had OM
represented the county of Middlesex. He knew he must
suffer by comparison when named with the late Mr. Byng,
but the electors had since confirmed their first choice, and
he trusted that time would only have the effect of confirm.
ing their good opinion. (Hear, hear.) Ile should not
trespass further on their time than by bidding all present a
cordial and respectful farewell. (Loud cheen.)
Mr. OSHOUNI came next, and was received with every
demonstration of welcome. He said that in appearing
before the electors of Middlesex on that day, he did not
think he could take a better model than his hon. friend the
sheriff, because, if the language of moderation and humility
became a man at any time, it more especially became him in
the hirer of triumph. (Hear, hear.) Therefore, be for one,
well knowing the fable of the fly upon the wheel, and feeling
that it was not his own humble person that had kicked up
the dust, should not use any language of exaggerated tri-
umph, or say aught to wound the feelings of his foe.
(Cheers.) But if his noble colleague had thought proper to
thank those who had labourel in his cause, how much more
incumbent was it on him (Mr. Osborne) an humble in-
dividual, without local connexions, to thank that
gallant body of men who, in all quarters of the county,
had assisted him throughout the present contest. (Cheers.)
He must be permitted to say that in proportion to the
humbleness of the instrument was the greatness of the
triumph achieved. (Hear.) He knew it was admiration of
pricciples so inadequately represented in his person, that
had produced the present triumphant result. When he
thought of four days back, when he remembered the oppo-
nent he had had to deal with--his great respectability, his
local connexion snd standing in the county, and above all
the gallantry which would have graced a better cause—he
could not but feel the greatest surprise at finding himself in
a majority of 715. (Cheers ) If any man's head could be
turned by • triumph, surely his should be turned on the pre-
sent occasion. (Loud cheers.) But great and important as he
felt the honour to be, he was not, at the same time, insen-
sible to the great responsibility attached ; and they might
depend upon it he should never forget either the honour or
the responsibility. He felt and knew he had duties to per-
form ; and that they could beat he performed by the exercise
of moderation. (Hear, hear.) There were a few subjects to
which he felt it necessary to refer on the present accession;
because, although he could make great excuses for strong
language in an election contest, be did not think he should
be doing his duty if he declined giving some answer to some
reports whieh had been circulated to his discredit. ( Hear.)
If they bad only affected himself, he should have been
content to treat them with silence ; but as they not
only affected the great body of his supporters,
but also the great body of her Majesty's ministers,
he felt that it would be impossible to pass them
by without some allusion. It had been said by the com-
mittee of his gallant adversary that he was the advocate of
doctrines which tended to the destruction of the monarchy,
and the insecurity of the church, and that, to use the well.
worn figurative expression, he was about to lay the axe to
the root of our most cherished institutions Why, if one
man more than another felt the blessings of the limited
monarchy under which he lived, he was that individual.
if there was one man more than another who thought that
the throne of these realms had been filled with a more
gracious sovereign than at present, one more anxious to
meet the wishes of her people, again he was that man.
(Hear.) (Col. Wood made some observations.) His hon. and
gallant friend thought to catch bits on the hip, by alluding
to the sovereignty of the people. He should not shirk that
word. (Loud cheers.) He would still say. and it was no
hustings claptrap, that the sovereignty of the people wee
what the best of them must bow down to. (Loud cheers.)
When gentlemen of opposite politics, the scared dowagers of
both sexes, shuddered at the word, let them recollect that at
all their symposia, from the days of Fox downwards, the
toast bad been pledged. (Hear, hear.) But he was not
surpreed, for it bad always been a maxim with the tory
party that the great body of the people were an inferior ele-
ment in the social system. They had also been told that to
I support the ballot was to endanger the monarchy—that it
was an un-English system. True, if every elector
was as independent as his gallant adversary, he should say
that the ballot was unnecessary, because he was sure that no
screw could be placed on him, that he was too independent
to yield to intimidation, and that he would never yield to
bribery. (Cheers, and laughter, and cries of " We don't
know that.") But take a body of equally independent men,
the licensed victuallers for instance. If there were a certain
class of Middlesex magistrates who were in the habit of en-
ing licenses—how might not the screw be put on those men?
(Hear, hear.) He was tamely putting a eau if he could
prove his case, he should bring their names before the Home
of Commons, and perhaps some time or other he might have
the opportunity. (Cheers.) But for such men the only
protection was the ballot, and if the ballot was • ftT0111•
tionary system, he had the proud satisfaction of
haowing that is the year 1842 eighteen of her Majesty's
present ministers voted for it, two of them cabinet
ministers. They were Sir G. Grey, Mr. Macaulay, Mr.
Ward, Sir W. Somerville, Mr. Byng, Lord Marcus Hill, the
trossurer of the Queen's household, who was accused of
pulling down her throne, Mr. Sheil, Mr. F. Malik, Mr. Y.
Gibson, Mr. Hawes, Mr. C. Buller, Captain Berkeley,
Colonel Anson, Mr. Parker, Mr. Tufnell, Sir 1 hos. Wilde,
the present Chief Justice of the Common Pleas, and Mr. H.
Bellew, now • lord of the treasury. (Hear, heir.) Mewls
content to take a revolutionary station along with so many
ministers, and he hoped, with • little gentle persuasion, to
get his noble colleague into the lobby with him also. (Cheers
and laughter.) They had also been told that secular educe-
' don was opposed to the church. He considered that the
worshippers of Lord Stanley did not recollect that it
was Lord Stanley who, in 1831, introduced a system of
water education. Last week, also, Lord Morpeth gave his
I opinion that in a mixed nation of eleven millions of church-
men and sixteen millions of dissenters from the church, it
I would be impossible to carry on any system of educed°.
which went to instil any peculiar religious opinions. Be
(Mr. Osborne) agreed with that noble lord that the beet re-
legions,, education • man could receive was not at school, but
at home in the bosom of his family. (Hear, hear.) But
when he thought of the sudden desire for educedim
evinced by the tory party, he could not help going back
to history to see what exertions they had made to fur-
ther it. It was not until the whig revolution of 1688 that
' the public worship of dissenters was permitted, and in
1714 the tories brought in the Schism Bill. Now, what
was that bill ? It was an education bill, by which
no dissenter was allowed to send his children to a echeol es-
cept it was kept by a church of England schoolmaster. (Hear,
hear.) Great strides had been made since then ; but, had it
depended upon his gallant opponent's party, they would
have had a very abort stride in the way of education. Bat
his opponent's committee went farther, and told them the,
in voting for the abolition of church rates, he (Mr. Osborne
would be doing away with the church itself. He
that, in giving a vote for the total abolition of church rates,
he had done so because he thought he was material
stimegthening the interests of the established church and he
was Ihrligedia that opinion by finding that twelve member,
of dm prowl government, four of them in the
bed voted, in 1842, for the total abolition 91
Mi. Therefore, if he was revolutionary on the
poke,: wee Lced Palmerston, so was Mr. lAbouchare, so
were . Macaulay and the Chancellor of the Exchequer.
(Cheers and laughter.) Really, on reflection, his opponents
meet see that this cry had served its day, and that it was nu-
e fee the future to trade on the cry of " the chards is
r." The intelligence of the people had in fact reached
to such a pitch, that any appeal to bigoted feelings mould
be of no use, (Cheers and cries of What do you think of
that, Col. Wood ?") Another cry of his opponents was
" Protection to agriculture." He saw a great many farms
presoak and to them he said that they should raise the ay
of protection, but not such protection as had hitherto been
understood. The protection the farmer wanted was proalMos
for the capital he invented in the land, and there was bat
one way of securing that, and that was by an situates sys-
tem of
Col. WOOD—You'll extend that system to Ireland.
Mr. Oseoatez —His friend said they should have that
system for Ireland, but he asked his hearers were there say
distinctions to be made between the two eounuies ? (No.)
If they were real friends of the union, they mint _adenoid
equal laws and equal rights. (Cheers.) His with was the
greatest happiness to the greatest number, and his belief wee
MIX the real reform was the truest conservation. He agreed
with that great man who had said that although these
were many men of warm feelings and enthosusest
minds, who wished society otherwise constituted, still
your trite patriot was the man who was preluired to
I make the best of existing circumstances. A disposuou to
leavened) and improve was the real criterion of a liberal Duna.
' Such were the sentiments of Edmund Burke, and us those
sentiments he participated. Saving thanked his colleague
he Ids maistanos, and his oppmet for his courtesy, the hes.
mesh iwashodat *wit Malay thanking the electors,
tad withdrew amid Lei one genus] cheering.
COL WOOD came ilellllll4. C:i=ohoer for Col. Wood.")
Re ail he came there mot to with the triumph of
wpowii, not to centend idiot their principles,
comely lesetely to lay do son his arms. Rs
(assisoa, he
Mut there to othwowioloo seL) H ted and o
belled
OD *oak the moll bet imiroldo bogy of oxen
who lit tottportst Ida by ids( isle wwwwittoo. Ho
bowel do to disk Ow waft, orl isiottoodoot electors
who lad romwthad their wit la hi flavour, end surely even
their number mould be depend ripootable when he steel
that they included 2,381 good and honest pluropers ( Half.
hear.) Ho thanked hi ourable opponent for the candid

Iwo., ia winch he had conducted the content. mad itipaci.
ki midis ti A u the imputation which his pregiessr had
slit.., • bias (Col Wosot). Me smut lee's gloraessitation
is 6, keeping of the mats 104 mg he Insole& th
ese he
vernal cat its
pa, rfrigirEedingr tree 1111:rthe gen-
,eg plesur whet impartiality with
izik—awy b a bag views 0 the ailrersat onediguns
won gss raga lb impinged his *ldeal kings to sh-
ots how then utty damages whisk bad weekoned the
woo; sod from imoi who hod swami Itilllinieenselentioas
memo, he mica kr that froeita et umesissee which they
mimed ke amoeba Petals Ma Emu submit their son-
aims* tie is Si 44411114, sad then set on th
asbissi dictate thermea& ilsessisace. If they required'
oak sissben to le pihd by aaT other rule, free repro•
moms would IOW _____ease into servile delegation.
outgo) He meow about to retire into private life, and
;bomb partied sluerely wish them individual welfare and
lie should conclude by wishing that the poli-
VidlialilMatios km which Ito was about to withdraw
yield assess le the general happiness and prosperity of
tWartilroorsorr, M.P., who wallas the being
beL' a
badly called for, shortly congratulated the electors.- -
nob ware then voted to, and acknowledged by. the
didg sod the crowd dispersed in the best possible order.
nip gigganzg is the correct district polling u corrected by
lb. IMO ,
DIBTLTCY. 0001.1111111. 04110•XT, WOE..
IMPlii.
909451-41•10-*.... In
lINNL6rd.. ND
= . HS
1111
307
42t21
ammirsi
Cll
WO
575 .
420
Clty of 1.00340 MS
31de.4 US -
•=514
357
132
363

Told Ott
Marley for Lord R. Grosvenor over Mr. Osborne, 769 ;
ffn ca. Wood. 1466; of Mr. Osborne over Col. Wood, 715.
Seal number of voters polled, 7,614.

CORNWALL (WEST).

Os Wednesday, the sheriff (Mr. N. Kendall) convened
the electors of She western division of Cornwall, at Truro,
Er the purpose of electing two members to represent the
constituency in parliament The proceedings commenced
at is o'clock iii the Market-house.—Mr. H. Williams pro-
posed Mr. E. W. W. Pendarves as their representative,
which he had been for the last twenty-one years. Mr.
Ennis seconded the nomination.—Mr. Gilbert proposed Sir
C. Lemon so their member, an office which he had admirably
filled for fifteen years. Mr. M. Williams briefly seconded
the nomination of Sir C. Lemon.—The sheriff demanded if
any elector had any other candidate to propose, and on his
receiving no reply declared the hon. gentlemen duly elected
so knights of the shire.
Mr. PENDARVES tendered his warmest thanks for their
?mewed confidence. He had now represented the county
for twenty-ore years, and the period that had elapsed since his
first election had bintripgunant with as great measures as
had for a century e public attention. He had had
the satisfaction to assist in passing the liberal measures to
which he had alluded. He admitted that many of import-
ance sod magnitude were likely to engage the attention of
parliament daring the next session, winch, front press of
circumstances, were dropped by the last parliament, espe-
cially in relation to Ireland. With regard to the future, he
should look neither to the right nor to the left, but pursue a
sandy mune ; the measures of which he approved he would
suppmt, and those which he conceived to be contrary to the-
wdl-being dills people ehould receive his decided opposi-
tion. He had never neglected his duty, either in the House
of Commons or in county matters, or in bringing their local
again before the different governments. (Cheers. )
Sir Co ISLES Lesos thought that SO many changes in
men and manners had occurred in the last 12 months, that
it might be necessary for him to explain himself on the pre-
sent occasion ; at the same ti-ne he did not think himself free
tram inconsistency. The mighty changes had taken him by
surprise, although persons with political perception for some
time before might have foreseen that the horizon indicated a
movement For himself, he was cot surprised at the tri-
umph of free trade principles; his expectation had always
been that Sir Robert Peel's corn law was merely an experi-
sanitary enactment The scale which Sir Robert Peel had
proposed was too high to be permanent, and no doubt they
bad noticed that, when pressed on the point, Sir Roberts'
reply had been that he had not resolved to alter the corn
laws at that time, but that he had it in his view there could
be no doubt. The following year the change in the law
took place. He did not think it advisabk to meet the
change in any other way than by seeking arteasspamsatfisa as
the landlords. Peculiar burdens rested on lend, as shows by
certain returns made to the House of Lords on the unequal
hardens by taxation which the land had to bear, with which
he agreed in the general inference—namely, that some
compensation should be made. He might be asked, " Why
he had supported the free trade system as to corn ?" He
required the electors to look back to the rise and spread
of the Corn-law League—that it had in 1845 spread itself
all over the land. Yes, it was what it had been called, " a
great fact," it consisted of a body of men in a perfect state
of organisation, and openly threatened revolution. About
the same time, Lord Morpeth appeared upon the hustings in
Yorkshire, and avowedly professed the doctrines of the
League (and it was a remarkable fact that the same Riding
had been the theatre for the declaration of reform in
the representation by Lord Brougham, before the pass-
ing of that great measure). In the meantime, leading
men of different shades of political opir ion joined the
mighty phalanx. Then came Lori Russell's letter to the
people of London, on the necessity for adopting the aboli-
tion of the corn laws. The question then came, was he to
struggle againn such a current of public opinion, which
would
be indeed in vain, or to seek for compensation ? He
preferred the latter course. The dangerous organisation of
the League could not be contended with ; yet he must say
it kept faith honourably in its dissolution—its death wee
worthy of a better life. A belief existed among politicians
that the compensation to be arranged will be, that the
amount of poor-rate assessments on land well be divided,
• moiety being placed on the Consolidated Fund, and
the other being borne by the land ; the administration of
the poor-law funds and matters remaining in local hands as
at present. His votes had been towards the maintenance of
peam, and he thought, in reference modally to Lord Ash-
barters' s treaty, that a sacrifice should be made, if it could
be done with honour, to avoid collision and war with foreign
countries. His opinion on the Maynooth grant was, that
neither is principle nor in policy was that measure wrong.
If it was wrong in principle to vote a large sum, it was
equally fallacious to vote the smaller rum. The hon. gentle-
man then referred to the waistlines which he had given to the
Electors' Registration Compensation Bill, and to other men-
MN of a local nature to which he had given his support ;
and, finally, in reply to a question on the game laws being
proposed to him, he said that the game laws must undergo a
vely considerable alteration, but what that alterttlon would
be he could not say.
The members seyerallyexpreased their thanks to the sheriff
for g the occamon, which terminated the business
of =1 on ;7