The Express.
London, England, 1849-10-25 00:00:00

THE EXPRESS, THURSDAY EVENING, OCTOBER 25, 1849.

PARLIAMENTARY
AND FINANCIAL REFORM.

GREAT MEETING AT SOUTHAMPTON.
and enthusiastic meeting of the it he-
bitsestrrmikenipton was held at the Victoria Annuity
Ewa& es Tuesday evening, to welcome a deputation from
the National Parliamentary and Financial Reform Ar °dation,
whist consisted et Sir Joshua Wthastey, M.P. (presi4eat
Utile aseaciation), B. M. Willeos, Rm. (one of the members
for the trfroadh). sad George Thompson, Esq., M.P., the
eloqueut member fur the Tower Hamlets. The large room
gem crowded to ovateow ; the audience included a large
somber of Isoie., and hundreds of persons went away,
„Awe to gain admittance. Shortly after seven o'clock the
agmensee o; the deputation ow the platform elicited loud
ewes (Amine. They wore accompanied by a large
sambas el the ism ect iv. reformers of the teem, asampt
warm we noosed the sheriff of the borough (Mr. kisherd
Athlone), We Rem. A. Mimeos' and Thomas Morris, Mr.
Allermau Brooke,_ Conselliers Clark, Tucker, Aldridge,
gale.% Pane. Beabsea Mena, and Copeland, T. L.
Berman. Rut., fte.
Mr. Sheriff ANDREWS war called to eke chair, aad
Sisal irtnitoesse tie Weiser of the meeting.
T. L. HARMAN, Rut. (proprietor of the Hereepaleire
yettepesidese). in aem remises ow the present themeless
prof the r.pthestation its this so-caned people's house of
podiums* aed ea the steps sthery to be takes to remedy
useast;theury state of Wagee & moved the tint resolutioa,
wikk was sesmotled by Mr. Coancillor Beath :
'I That whilst this meeting is of opinion that the natimal
myendimee is extravagant, and ou.ht to be greatly reduced,
it Cisme est sit a,,y material Imhof from the present her.
deal el tesaties until the conetitutioa of the House of Com-
mons is thoroughly reformed, so se to nosier that assembly
Ia face—what it is now bat is name—the representative and
espousal of the waste and Valhi. of the people.'
Mr. WILLCOX, M.P., came forwmt,amitlet loud cheers,
to support the resolution. When lint he addressed them as
• eaudidate for the honour of representing the Wrangle is
melimaeut, he slated thee although be primmeed to gin •
were support to her Majesty's present minuters, yet be
held linnet' perfectly independent, and especially eat all
questions concerning the people. (Applause.) He
had been but a short time in the house before
he arrived at the painful c..nelusica that es all
matters connect, d with the taxation of the coestry
sad the weasel expenditure the Home of Cum
mom, es at preemie cmatituted, no more represented the
people of litnelad than it did the people of Attie& (Hear,
hear.) Nur was that to be wondered at. Constituted ass
that Loa was, it would be taxing poor haul= nature toe
highly to expect say other. Let them endue the composi-
tion of the house. It contained 'bow 90 men who might be
said fairly to ripest' t the interests of the people. Upwards
of 180 members were sitter the eons, the nephews, the won
sins, the :Wakes by manias*, or the nominees of the arts.
ocrecy—ell closelcosseeted with the army, the navy, the
chums, or these is cavil employ at home or abroad. He
was et the man to rail at the lleglish peerage. Us had
been much abreed,aad had mimed win the peerage of
lands ; and he never returned home, but, en cuesperistt
telt *untied w ith their old aobility. It was not with individuals
be warred, but with the system which rendered the House
of Commons a 'mood House of Lards, somewhat diluted. I
(Laughter and cheers.) There were two greet crying
grievances ander which they suffered—first, the burdens of
fasat,on cad its unequal apportimment ; sad secondly, the
uncontrolled sad unciatroialsle espenditure. With regard
to the first of these grievances, in the year 1799 PM
brought &mean a propositioa to levy • legacy and prelate
duty oa all teal and personal property. He was immedialely
told by his lords sod masters, the aristocracy, that Yu
persisted in his measure to tax red property, the gocerite he
peeked up his csrpis bag the better. Pitt was au estaser-
disary mad bat staving no desire to loss office, be barked
back, and man,
a duty on personal property, embeding
real property. From that time to the pteseut personal pro-
perty had paid into the exchequer 98,000,6001. sterling, while
real pmperty had not oontribu.ed one single shill ing. And
then they say, see what an enormous stamp duty we play
whoa we senator our lands. Bat are the rest of us free from
stamp daty ? Not the nest ordinary trassection of commerce
is free—we carry it imps in oar pocket—we an stamped in
everythlag—from the merchant who psys his 201. for an in-
sumacs Kamp to the humble shopkeeper's 3d. receipt stamp.
(Hear, hut ) Mr. Cobden challenged theft the other day,
that it they would m-ve for a committee to inquire how
much more they paid than others, he would second the
motion. But they knew better-'hey (leaned on the some
principle that the Irishmen at the Old B.iky declined SO he
tried heturs Ood ald his country, " Because, your hosese,
they Ic..ows too muds." (Laughter and cheers.) Oa the
question of expenditure, the category was too !rightis fee
him to allude to more than ono branch of B—
ike n tval uthenditare. In 1836 the naval ex-
peadj tire was li•tle more than two and a kaH
millioas stsline ; but from that time to this it had gem
es
gradually increasing, till last year it reached the ellea
of seven and • half million& And this was after • peace of
thirty-four years It appeared from aU this that peaae was
• moat t ;pensive thing. sad that the longer the peace the
Men expensive it becomes. If they went on in this way, he
was afraid this question would arise—whether they would
set he Waged to to to war, for the sake of economy.
(Liteghter and cheers.) Us expressed the pleasure he felt
is meeting his constituents on such an occasion, and before
be sot down would give them the simple hut sincere asset
des—the; to toe Saute of the inatutrial chums of the
ethatry is hod nailed hie Dag to the mast. The hon.
member resumed his seat amid much the. ring.
The motim IMO then put, and anted unanimossly, as
were 511 theme that followed.
Mr. C maelll..r CLatiet. moved, and Ur. W. /Amiss-nix
ascended, the a. at resolution :
That this attires; fully and cordially approves of the
principle. apes whisk the Nation! Parliamentary and Fi-
r &Biel It 1 rut Association Is based; that it has entire can
ideals is its &idiot and council, and meet heartily wel-
comes the g otlemes now present es its deintatios ; and
pledges limb to forward its objects by all legal and oonstitu.
thud m um.
Sir JOSHUA WALMBLEY, M.P., was nest tatrodund
to supping the resolutin, and was received with enthusiast:.
applause. Toe hen. gentlemen said be deemed himself sine I
pokily happy in having the opportunity of addressing that
large and iuteLigent meeting, but the more especially eo
cause he sew amongst them, forming some consider-
abla portiiin of the see. ti g, these whew counts.
IMPS a,waye gave them encouragement—these to whom
they looked for support—those who never appeared at such
meting unless they were satisfied the cause was a jest one.
(Apelauer," 11• rejoiced also to en each • large number of
the upper s'ffil middle dames present—each alarms sprinkling
oldie iedus.rious ethessameesst them. Ile rejoiced to see the
working en n present, butane it w is their interest unstop*.
Wally which the National Parliamentary Referee Association
sought to promote. (Cite's.) Another cause of rejoicing
to him was to see at the head of the [Ott ting ewe who not
only oinkd with him the esteem of his fellow-townsmen,
bat whose liberal ask, whose geaermity and political
liberality, had extended itself eo a much wider circle than
the tows of filAithan=4. (Applause.) Bat individuals
must Halt into inaip whoa compared with the great
obji ets X‘ey were met to promote. It was most fortunate'
for him these objects required no advocacy—they speak
for themselves must eloquently, most Limply, and most
plsiely. They have for their end the amelioration of
the lot of those who have long ruefully and quietly
knocked at tee doors of the constitution in vain. The tow-
eled.... of which he was the representative, sought even
banded justice far the imenfrenchised manse of the country.
(Cheers.) lie would not conceal anything from that meet-
ing. He lo ;lied to further ref 71111 than the association ad-
vocated. He 1. oked coafidently to the time when man, as
man, should enjoy the rights of manhood. (Loud cheers.)
But, whilst looking forward to this, he was willing to coo-
cede—as he trusteil every reasonable man would concede—a
litle to the prejudices cf ,then. He knew that the work-
ing classes were as tit fur the franchise es the middle dames
theune.ses. As connected with the trading and mercantile
lattices of the country, none deprecated more than they did
this constant system of agitation. Why, then, it might be
wind, no you continue to agitate ? Why, they agitated to put
down eg it I.ion. (11ser.))They agitated Manse they knew mid
felt there was at present • spirit of antagonism besween the
representatives and the people. They agitated that the
basis of their political rights might he so placed that agitation
in futon mieht COLN, and the Mouse of Commons be no
longer • mockery and • sure, but a just reflex of the public
mind. (Load cheers.) The assertion which had been re.
wetly mode by the First Minister of the Crowe, that the
people did not require sn extension of the franchise, was a
moritery and as insult to the common seems of the people.
Let him look at such assemblies as that he (Sir Joshua) was
then addrening, not only in Southampton, but all over the
country. They would try and convert him before they had
done agitating the people. Although they sought to obtain
these changes in a peaceable, quiet, and constitutional man-
ner, they were nevertheless firm, and determined
to obtain them. The people did not require po-
litical reform! Could any man who made such
an assertion have any knowledge of the great
industrial duets of this country ? What caused such a spirit
of di•content and dissatisfaction to exist amongst the masses
of the people against tie present system ? Would any one
tell him that the industrious death, who bad so earnestly
sought the trans:his/ —who had even risked incerceratios in
their desire to obtain it—did not ',gide. it? He told the 1
noble lord (J. Russell) that he calumniated the people of this ,1
great country—the middle and industrious claret. (Loud
threw.) But they had a stroager answer even than dab.
The struggles which the middle dames made for their eolith
cal liberti_a proved the value they attached to the right, and
thee enhanced the wr.ng against those who were as musk
entitled to it as themselves). (Chews.) It was his duty
state that the euned—over whisk he had the honour at
present to preside—after deep and earnest consideration, and
considering well the responsibilities which fell upon them in
arriving at ouch • &ciao., had determined not to seek for all
which many of them required, but to go format an extension
of the fraught,* as would give to every adult male occupier
of a tenement, or a part of • tenement, for whisk he was
rated, or claimed to he rated, to the relief of the peen the
right to a vote. (Cheers.) They sought also the progenies
of the ballot. (Loud cheers.) Many of Skies whom he was
addressing, he was satisfied. bad felt the mil easels oldie
want of such a measure. He bad lived is Isms asetituen-
cies, end knew the oppression that had bees eseweised, not
only aaringst the aristanney hut amongst the tall chimneys
also. For this reason they adepties of the
ballot. They also requind• Vitiation of the duration of
parliament', believing. that by good loath, after, their re-
presentatives would do their duty far better. (Hear hear.)
Again, they sought such a change in the electoral division
of the crummy es would more fairly equalise the representa-
tion. (Cheers.) And they also sought the abolition of the pro-

perty qualitutioa—(load neen)—lmeause they had we the
abolition of the property qualiticatin week well in Scathed,
and hennas intelligent me n would then bo seat to toe lions
of Common, as g teed, es able, as eloquent, and 'swell filed
for the duties of a representative as those who poseeesed U.
property qualification, but who were sem sultan by the
law whin they desired to abolish. (Cheers.) Throe quits-
Yess—these domains, might not be all that the most earnest
eshomen might require. There were those amongst the
emodation be repreesattd who thought they fell short in
their requirements; bet they were, nevertheless, seeking to
attain that which would ruse the ens malice of voters to
In millions—which would gather a large portion cf the
adult male populatioa of the country within the pale of the
evostioatioa ; and when there he hoped they would all
do justice to their fellow mew. (Load cheers.) They
sought also such • change in the representative system
ea would raise minims of their coustrymea from their pu-
✓ist degraded eondition, and enable them to hold their heads
meet is the enjot meat of their political rights. That one.
sena* part et the population should warp power over the '
other sineenutim—tax them at will—and thus leave them
is a mate of moral slavery. was a monstrous injustice.
(Gnat cheering.) 'Bat when they found this hand so far
extended as virtually to give into the hands of a privileged
few the whole control over the House of Commons; and
those to whom this metro' was given were another branch
of the legislature, who managed their own affairs oncost.
trolled by the people—the wonder was, not Chit there wee a
deep sad wide-spread discontent, bet that the people had se
beg submitted to such an anomaly. (Loud cheers.) That
it meld much longer continue was impossible. The peegle
must have control over their own affairs. Tee gieantie screen
behind wash the fraud has been perpetrated must be
thrown dews. (Tremendous these.) When he looked at the
events which heel been peeing en the continent during
the last few years, and frost what he knew of the people of
hie own eounuy, he felt no danger whatever from giving
them their civil rights. The time hid gone by when it wee
thought a people could be gov.oned reserelon. (alleza
Macy persons formerly theught that a chid could to
into good conduct, and that the people could be coerced into
ecclesiastical or political epiniuos. Look at the continent of
Europe. lied any of them turned their eyes on the people
when they had gained the upper hand—when they had
succeeded in mowing off the shackles of their hard task,
mater? What was their conduct, even when they were
believed to be less eiyilisad, less enlightened than the people
of England? Contrast teat conduct with the *zombie con-
duct of the tyrants when they obtained the upper hand.
(Hear, hem.) He would leave his audience to fill up the
void ; would prefer leaving it a Flank, rather than harrow
up their (trainee by narrating the atrocious acts of these tyrants.
They would shortly, he hoped, have an opportunity cashew-
ing their feelings on this question, on the arrival on the
cf this country of one of the noblest men on earth—
the brave and !fah-minded Kossuth. (Deafening cheers,
echoing for several minutes, welcomed the name of this de-
voted patriot.) He would not take up meth more of their
time, because he was to be followed by his on. friend (Mr.
0. Thompson), mikes eloquence touched their hearts and
understandings ; but he would brit fly refer to one or two
points connected with their representative system. And he
did not know that he could do better than refer to the very
borough for which his hoe. friend sat in parliament (the
Tower Hamlets). He represents 600,000 souls Mid 19,000
electors—there ought to be 160,000 electors. (Hear.) And
when he walks into the house another member walks in by
his side, or meets him from the opposite door, who ra-
pt...ma 160 voters and 3,000 souls. But their votes
were on an equality, notwithstanding. And the same die-
pri portion applied to property as to population. They were
willing to take an argument from their opponents, if they
could find any—they could find none who would boldly
declare they were in the snug. (Hear, hear.) Those
were to be found who would whisper them away—can them
communists, socialists, or some other "in." which they did not
like. But that would not prevent them from following on
in the course which they hed marked out for themselves;
and with the help of the people, sod the assistance of that
l.mbent tame which was lighting up throughout the
country, they most succeed. (Cheers.) The found whee-
-1 ever they went—from the Land's End to ichn Orient's
house—the working people ready, the middle classes willing
Ito assist them, and no one to oppose them. Ak, but they
bed opponents. Yes, they would have the opposition
of all the place-hunters, the tax-eaters, the locusts
who eat up the produce of the country. (Cheers.)
could but have witnessed with repugnance
of numbers of the representatives of the people.
Whoa any great question was brought before them, how was
it Wend ? -Hew aid they treat Mr. Cobden—(loud cheers)—
that great pittiot, who had rendered such material aid in
repealing the obnoxious tern laws—whose heart was with
them in this cause also—(cheers)—when he brought for-
ward hismotioa for • reduction of the expenditure ? He
did met object to a property tax, fairly levied ; but he pro
eased against the tax which suns in at the hack door—
which was laid on their tea, their coffee, and almost every
article of necessity or luxury. When a poor man pur-
chased a pound of tea he paid ls. 9yl. for the value of the
tee, and 2s. 21d. for day. That was what he protested
against. They might tax property as largely as they pinned,
bat not tel by stealth the bard earnings ot the poor
of the matey. (Loud shears.) But the question
they were met that evening to discuss was one
of • higher and holier coaracter—whether the people
of the country should be enfranchised—whether the
millions should remain in their present degraded condition ;
or in the future lift up their heads as freemen, and shake
hands ea brethren. (Loud cheers.) They ware aware that
a gnat aseohahog had been formed, and was etate.
wink, he hoped satisfactorily to the people. That
tion required their aid and support ; and he hoped thatwhen
the deputatioe had gone lieneit, they would hod that they
had mot appealed to the mos of Southampton in vain, but
that they would enlist in their ranks with them, and that
the ladies, as they. did in the And-core-law League' would
tyke an batmen in the progress of their cause. He was
happy to hear they had commenced a Freehold Load
Society in Southampton. Their otject wit by every insane
in their rowel honourably and peacefully to promote this
brut gustiest; and the Mutation of such societies was one
way of doing this—to snatch from the hands of a tor-
rionial oligarchy the privilege ot misrepresenting the
weighs is the House of Commons. (Hear hear.)
He would earnestly uric on every working man the
necessity of joining this land society ; they would Gad that
it earned with it ire own reward, in the habits of sobriety
sad (rugs icy which it woad 'eget—in the spirit of inde-
pendence and self-reliance which it bestowed—and the eon-
atiousne4 that, whist they wen aiding in this meet and
good object, and advancing the interests of their feilowonen,
they wore at the same time furthering the interests of those
lee whom they clang for support.
The Mu. gentleman was loudly cheered on resuming his
ma.
T. ruorxe, Esq. (editor of the Ilampshire beigiernient),
is an eloquent vetch, moved, and Mr. COUISHILr Munn
emended, the third resolution
That this meetiog rejoices in the belief that a good
andentanding and hearty anion between the middle and
working classes has at length beea attained; and stzenn-
gull urges all who complain of ay grievances iu the na-
tional affairs, or abuses in church or state, to concentrate
their energies in the promotion of efficient puliementary
reform, as the only ulna by which good and cheap govern-
ment, and equal justice to all classes of the people, may be
secured."

--------
Mr. GEORGE THOMPSON, M.P., on coming tirward,
was received with great cheering, and in a long and eloquent
address supported the resolution.
T. COOPER, EA., moved the next nsolution, appoint-
ing a_
num, roue and influential committee for the formation
of
a BJ•thampton auxiliary to the National Parliamentary
Reform Association, which was seconded by
Mr. J. SAUNDERS (a winking man, one of the chartist
leaden), who expressed, on behalf of the working men with
whom he was connected, their gratitude for the cordiality
that had been extended towards the working classes, and the
manly and noble manner in which the deputation bad &Ivo
sated their interests. On behalf of those working men he
tendered his hand to S r Joshua Wsleuley—(Sir Joshua and
the speaker here warmly shook hands arum the table,
amidst deafening cheers)--and pledged himself not to relax
in his efforts until the working men had obtained their poli-
tical freedom.
The Rev. A. MeL•aine moved, and the Rev. T. Moans
seconded, a vote of thaedes to the deputation, whith was re-
sponded to with thunders of asplat.sr.
Sr J. WALDISLEY acknowledged the compliment, and
moved a vote of thanks to the Sheriff for his conduct in the
chair, which was seconded by Mr. WILLCOX, and citified
with acclamation; and the immense assembly sel;arated
about eleven o'clock.

THE AGE Or CHEAP COSTETANCT..—Few things
in modern time* have been such influential agenees as the
omnibus. Their history is one of more dignity then shows
on the surface. Those social conveniences have revolu-
tionized all the chief capitals of Europe. Invented in
1827, they ruined the elder branch of the Bourbons in 1830.
The accidental upset of an omnibus suggested the first idea of
a barricade—and for a long time constituted an essential part
of the structure which changed the whole science of revolu-
tions. The overturn of the carriage was converted to the OV:r-
turn of a monarchy. Since that time the omnibus, as we have
said, has made the tour of Europe.—Among ourselves it is
a peaceful and health giving instrument. By its help
all the world is able to live out of town. Barristers,
merchants, artists, and men of letters, who formerly crowded
the narrow courts sad p~a ef Fleetatreet and Cheap-
aide, live now, by its permission, in snug suburban cottages
in Norwood, Hampstead, Potney, or Bleckheath. The
Johneons and Goldsmiths of the last age met in close courts
and stifling taverns for want of the omnibus. It is not very
many years since a single coach ran front Hampstead to
Lyndon once a day —the °huge eightern pence! A ,
man may now ride frost Charing Cross to any part of
the =barbs of London, at any minute, for a math of
the ensney. This change in the distribution of the
int abitants has tended greatly to raise the value of
property in the suburbs—and to diminish the rate of
mortality in London. Wherever a good and cheap service
of omnibus is established, rents along the rend g 3 up. As a
wousequence which might be espeeted, owners of cottages
are beginning to see the wisiom of themselves setting up
inch services where they do net already exist. Our attention
Is called to the subject by reading the report of a meeting of
owners of property—who ended their conference by forming
themselves into an omnibus company. Civilisation has hal
its triumphs of many :kinds--has built pyramids and ar-
modes, templet, and tunnels; but it has seldom achieved
anything for the eentfort end physical benefit of mankind to
surpass the class of remake which have been derived from the
isai y beat and the peony annibus.—Atherueuns.
rlit ray
HEATOWN CAsTLX II TIM HANDS or
BA1141111;Thd sykadiel awleisa, Miteheletown Castle, is
now in the peeeenies @Ms i sheeiV elleeis, together with
ell the *nig threilese, es.—CierEseesseeer.

GREAT EXPOSITION OF WORKS OF ART
AM) IN.DUSTRY OF ALL NATIONS.

MEETING AT NORWICH.
On Tuesday a meeting was held in the Gnid-
hall, 'Norwich, to rec. ire a deputation of member, 0, the
&wiry of Arts, who had been commissioned by his Royal
Highness Wine* Albert to explain his views respecting the
contemplated Eshibition of works of art and industry of all
nations. Charles Wentworth Bilks, Esq., and Capt. Ibbot-
son, were the deputation from the society. Soon after eleven
o'clock, the Council-chamber wee quite filled by the more in.
Bandied inhabitants of the city, including the mayor, S.
Signeld, Esq. ; the sheriff, R. Chamberlin, Esq. ; the
Marquis of Douro, M.P. ; Major Gen. Sir R. J. Harvey,
K.C.B ; Sir J. P. Boileau, Bart. ,• Edmond Wodeiduses
Req. . H.P. ; P. J. Money, Esq. ; H. Bolingbroke, Bey
A. Towler, Rel. •J. Seltzer, Rio. ;W. Geary, Egg. ; •
Brightwell, ; 'R. W. Bieke Req. ;0. Jay, Esq. • _
Skipper, ;A.A. H. Beckwith, Esq ;T. Bign'olds
E•q. ; J. Buts, Esq. ; R. N. Beton, Esq. • W. Matches;
Req.
Reg ; the Hon. end Very Rev, the Dean, the Rey. A. Bath
Power, Rev. J. Crompton, and a large number of other
gentlemen.
13:r J. P. BOILEAU, Bart, said he believed all were
aware that they were met that day for the purpose of no
ceiving a moat important eommunicatien in regard to the
trade and manufactures of that cite and the whole world,
tram a deputation sent byhis Royal Highness Prime Albert.'
The Mayor h.vieg called the meeting they could not do bet.
ter than to sleet him as chairman. (Applause.)
The MAYOR expressed his approve! of the objects for
wlsfeh this meeting was convened, and introduced the dere-
tegien.
If,. C. W. DILHE said he had the honour of attending
th et meeting by the direction of his Royal Highness Prince
Albert, in order to bring under their consideration the pro-
peal which be was about to submit to the government for
the establishment of a grand exhibition of the industry of
all nations. It had long been considered as strange, that
whilst England stood pre-eminent in the world for her
manufactures, she had never yet attempted a pub-
lic exhibition similar to those held in other coun-
tries. Their neighbours the French for tie last
fifty years had held similar exhibitions, which were um-
'stupid by the Directory, and continued by the Consulate, by
the Monarch oho boasted of the title of the Bourgeoise King,
and now under the President of the Republic. He needed
hardly to give a stronger proof how beneficial each exhibitions
had been considered in that country. Irony further proof wss
wanting, he could easily furnish it by simply »ferric!! to the
prise lists, where it would be found that any article the most
rewarded et any exhibition was invariably the most suocesfal,
and the most approved of, on the neat occasion. He considered
that fat alone would prove that the manufacturers them-
selves hat found it beneficial- Another proof he could give
from the circumstance that the year 1758 was the occasion
of the first meeting in Francis under the Directory, when
there were only 110 exhibitor,. New it woad be found
31906 examining the doimmenta of the French governsseat,
that then) numbers went on in an ioaessing ratio, as
in 1801, at the second exhibition, there were ,
220 exhibitors, In 1802 there were 510, in 1806 there
were 1,422. In 1819 there were 1,682. In 1833 there were
1,642, that was the only y. ass in which there had been a fall-
Mg off. In other years More had been a continued incrust'
of numbers. In 1827 there were 1,795. In 1834 there were
2,447. In 1839 there were 3,281. In 1344 there were 3,960
mad at the exhibition which had just bees closed, there were
4,494. Frame had been followed in rivalry by Belgium,
brussels, Bavaria, Austria, Spain, Sweden, and Russia,
whilst England had attempted nothing save in ho r agricul-
tural and horticultural meetings, till a few year. since, whoa
wee determined by the Society of Arts to open roams he
screpl• of months annually, In order to collect together S
small exhibition for the purpose of educating the mind of the
pablio for the great exhibition then contemplated and now
In progress of prep ration. Other attempts had been made'
by the Coomber of Commerce at Manchester and by the men
of Birmingn am, who hod made efforts of a toed nature which
were worthy of greet praise, as all could testify who had
attended the meetings. Mr. Dilke proceeded to state
lthat his royal highness, early in the summer of the present
pear; had said, that it wee his opinion the time had come
when England was prepared for that exhibition, and when
it might be proposed to hove an exhibition worthy of Eng-
land, and worthy of the world. (Applause.) In the first
instance, the pnues was anxious that the herding manufac-
turers should be privately consulted as to their views. His
royal highness bad felt that although an exhibition might
have been made successful, even if they bad not been unani•
knously of opiniou, yet their cordial co-operation could not
fail to render it worthy of the country. A deputation, so-
eordingly, had visited the principal manufacturing towns In
England, Scotland, and Ireland, and he might say there
never was a proposal received more unanimously. The an-
swer had been made in similar terms to the hollowing :
They would aeoond the effor:s of the print*, they would do all
that befitted them to do, and expressed themselves delighted
at the proposal. Ho said such resolutions 'odd not ba
otherwise then animating to the Prince. At the same time
he considered, while it was supported by the manufacturing
interest, it was also advisable that the leading inhabitants a
the various tour.s should be consulted before it was brought
ander the consideration of her Majesty's government. Wish
that view Captain Ibbetson and himself had been instructed
by his royal highness to visit that neighbourhood, and to
explain his views. In accepting that aloe they could not
but feel that they went in a very delicate position. They
were called upon to explain the views of a project en which
it was hardly decorous for them, as representatives, however
laehie, el lb royal hightises, to expatiate. They found,
laaidgeming an audience, they were bound to consider
thaeselees as representatives of the Prises, and therefore
they shut submitted a statement of hie views. The mune
he waie ut to take was simply to read extracts of the opinions
ef those who had been consulted in different puts of the king-
d sm,and he would read the prcposalaod the views of the Prince
after they had been presented to the Royal Society of Arts.
ge should couple with them certain extracts from minutes
Ii the meetings held at Buckingham Palace and o_borna
House. In the reading of them Lo was specially instructed
to call their attention to one fact—that nothing was settled.
Ihe Prince considered that nothing should be decided pre-
Sious to the royal commission. Mr. Delhi proceeded to read
the minutes of the above meetings, and extracts of evidence
of various official peruse and manufactaren in different
parts of the country, in favnu: of the prepared exhibition,
and of its being open to all nations. He also stated that
government would be asked to appoint a royal commission
for the promotion of arts, manufactures, and Industry. The
duties and powers of the commission would extend to the
determination of the pens and the objects for which pre-
miums would be offend. The society felt that the com-
mittee should nominate the different juries to award the
prizes in the various classes, as the only courso likely to give
sasidaction to Englishmen and to foreigners.
The SHERIFF (Robert Chamberlia, E.g.), upon rising,
said he felt honoured at being called upon to take part in the
interesting proceedings of that day. He had had frequent
ooportunitise of seeing the exhibition of the manufactures at
Pans, and it had been a matter of surprise to him that there
were not similar exhibitions in England. As a purchaser ci
French goods he had been enabled to judge of the import-
ance that manufacturers attributed to those exhibitions. At
these annual meetings the manufacturers were in the habit of
hiving words written upon their goods stating when they
obtained prises. He was sure they were under great obli-
gations to his royal highness for the comprehensive project
which he had started, and which was in accordance with Me
liberal tied comprehensive mind. (Applause.) He con-
eluded by moving a resolution to the effect, that the meeting
views with great satisfaction the interest which his Royal
Highness Prince Albert evince, in favour of the arts Lad
manufactures, not only of this country but of all nations, and
desires to express its opinion unanimously in favour of the
great exhibition.
Captaho MONEY reconded the resolution, which was put
and carried nem. con.
Mr. SULTZER moved the next resolution, to the effect
that the meeting was satisfied th it a Royal Commission was
the tribunal the hiost competent to give general satisfaction
in distributing the prizes which soon an exhibition offered.
The Rev. Professor SEDGWICK rose with the greatest
pleasure to second the resolution.
Sir JOHN P. BOILEAU next nalved that alocal com-
mittee be fermed,fur the pursue of corresponding with the
Society of Arts in London, and giving effective co•opera-
don in a great and comprehensive dingo, proposed to take
place in 18.51.
Mr. It. W. BLAKE seconded t'.e motion, which was car-
ried nom. con.
The Marquis of DOURO moved that the cordial thanks of
the meeting be given to the deputation from the London
Society of Arts, for their attendance that day, and also for
the comma, cations thq had made,
Idsjer-Gan. Sir R. J. HARVEY seconded the motion,
which was carried item. eon.
Thanks having been moved to the Mayor for his salons
co-operation and assistance to the objects of the deputation,
and fir his dignified and courteous conduct in the chair, the
meeting separated.

THE CHARTIST LAND SCHEME.—In • former
Herald we stated that Lingsend and Lowbands, chartis colo-
nies, had turned out come.ete failures, and we now add some
particulars connected with the actuil condition of the latter.
Last year the allottem were not called upon to pay anything
in the shape of rent, being manifestly nestle to do es, but
during 1848 Mr. O'Connor has obliged them to give 111. for
the houses and two acres attached, and 151. for the three-
acre pieces : the neat sum fixed for the four-acre lots
we have not heard. He does not prove a more beneficent
or kinder landlord than other p'eple. The schooltnaatr,
Mr. O'Brien, has nothing else to do now, as far as the estate
is concerned, than to look after the others, and am that
they do not ilea away in arrear. His occupationas &teacher "
to the children of the silottecs has long since been gone, and,
he gets his own livelihood partly, we are t yid, by teaching
music in the. neighbeinhowl. Bailiffs have been put into two
of the houses whose inhabitants were behind-hand with
their rents ; and, indeed, we ate at a loss is know how any
of them manage to pay. Very hw of them take their pro- "
duce to market—that dare not answer, and they consume
the crops themselves, taking the wheat a mile off to is." I
ground, ar.d then another half mil* to a oottaeer's oven
to be baked. The potato crops looked well upon the
estate ; but of other things the produce is scanty, because
the ground has not been matured, cr properly prepared.
The poor creature', and especially the children are some
of them very badly off for clothes, and will speedily descend
to the level of the most miserable Irish (*Hien:— Wor-
cester Herald.
The GAME LAWS. At the Suffolk Quarter
sessions, at Bury on Tuesday last, a gaol report was pre-
sented by which it appeared that the number of perms'
committed to prison in that locality foe offences under the
Game-laws, in 1848, was ninety seven, whilst in 1849 the
number had inereassel to one hundred and seven. Their
support in confinement must form a heavy item In the
county Wee.