The Express.
London, England, 1857-08-14 00:00:00

EMIGRATION FOR THE WORKING CLASSES.

Last evening a public meeting, convened by the
Metropolitan Emigration Society for the Working Classes,
was held at St. Martin's-hall, to explain the objects of the
society, and to adopt a petition to parliament for a grant for
emigration purpose& to enable the distressed mechanic to
emigrate to any of the British colonies. There was • large
attendance, composed mainly of working men.
Mr. MINTON, M.P., took the chair. He mid it was not
for him to explain the objects of the society, but he would
take the opportunity of making a few remarks upon the
subject of emigration, because those were many who enter-
;a:minions unfavourable to that which be had always re-
am the beet means of relieving the redundant labour,not
only of the metropolis. het in every pert of the kingdom.
(Hoar.) No man had a right to may that he would remain in
misery and indigence to be supp tried by his neighbours, if
an opportunity can be afforded him to go into new lands
whirls are teeming with fertility, and where, by his industry
and pereeverance, he may become nut merely a useful member
of society, but a wealthy member of society, and as indepen-
dent in hie position as any man to this country. (Hear.)
The question was, how is the needy mechanic to be enabled
to participate in these opportunities ? The English govern-
ment bad long given up the practice of imoviding WILDS for
the emigration of the working dame ; but it established
a society Pm the management of such emigration, the funds
of that society bethgsupplied from the carious colonics requir-
ing emigrants. He, however, regretted to may: that their
fends were in a very precarious state, and it therefore behoved
those who wished to leave this country to look about for some
other means to enable them to do en. He had seen and
heard what the working-men of this country bad done for
themselves by means of mutual benefit societies, building
and land societies, end the like ; but he should have liked to
pare seen more done in the way of provision for emigration.
If that had been done many who have now procured a rood
of land in this would have possessed a farm of land in soo-
ther country. He then alluded to the surcees which bad
attended the extensive emigration of the Irish people, and set
forth the advantages held out by the various colonies.
Mr. Rinowert, emigration agent foe Auckland, addreesed
moms practical remarks to the meeting, virile( them to
procure full information upon the subject before they con-
templated leaving the country. He considered it was the
duty of government to assist the unemployed working-claes
to emigrate to those colonies where labour was in each great
demand. (Hear, bear.)
Mr. ROBINKON moved—" That in coneequanc• of the
overcrowded state of the labour market, and the widiewpread
distress that existed in all parts of this metropolis hat
winter, and there being no better prospect for the ensuing
winter, it is the duty of all right thinking men to support a
ecietv the object of which is the benefit of the working
class."
A WORKING Mao seconded the resolution, which was
urled.
Col. HARTER, and several working men haring addressed
the meeting, a petition to parliament was adopted, pealing
fora government grant towards free emigration to the Britieh
colonies.
A vote of thanks to the chairman closed the peon °tinge.

TERCETIIII-411 OP SEPTON SCHOOL.

The commemoration of the opening of this cele-
brated 'school, three centuries ego, bee been obeerved this
week at Repos, in Derbyshire, with great spirit and éclat.
}lepton Seel( is full of historical recollections. Though now
simply a sitter, it wee formerly the capital of the kingdom
of Mervin, and incidents of that pried are amongst the most
remarkable of its history. Suecemively it was the site
of a tish and a Roman settlement, and subsequently
the Mercian capital and the haunt of a Duluth
army. In very early time*, too, it was the seat
of a magnificent abbey and a royal mausoleum, and to this
day of a venerable school of wide repute, claiming to be the
Alma Mater of many men of mark. The school wee founded
by Sir John Port, and some celebrated men date their educa-
tion from fteiden, including Dr. Beeworth, LL.D., F.S.A.,
author of the " Anglo-Smon Dictionary ;" Dr. Orme, meeter
of Oakham; Dr. Lloyd; the W.V. John Ashbridge, philoso-
phical writer; Dr. Stott, tho Oriental Trufessor ; Stebbiog
Shaw, the hintorian of Stuffordehire ; F. N. C. Mundy:
author of "Needwood Forest," and the "Fall Fall of Redwood ;
Dr. Heehaw Stevens; William Lillington Lewis, translator
of the "Thebiad " of Statius; Dr. Lightfoot, the great
Hebrew scholar; John Bingham, Nonconformist divine; the
Rev. Robert Whiston, so well known for his exertions to
reform cathedral routs; Major Smith, of the Madre., En-
gineers; and other. occupying loss distinguished positions,
The present head master, Dr. Pears, appointed three years
ago, has reined it to as high a standard of excellence as it
ever enjoyed in its palmiest days. The festival nominate, d
on Tuesday, by a dinner given in the evening to the old '
Reptonians. The Hon. aware Denman presided, and
the guests numbered nearly , comprising many elegy
and gentry,who had come far and near to be preaer.t on an
common which revived ouch pleamrable amortatirras. The
list of taste included, "The Memory of the Founder of the
School, Sir John Port ;' "The Governors, marled with the
names of Lord Howe and Sir John Harpur C rewe ;" "The
Heed Master, Dr. Pita;' " Dr. Peale, the late Had
Muter," "The Army and Navy;" " "AD Chairman;,
"The Secretary" (Mr. Spilabury), &c.
On Wednesday the commemoration of the founder arid
benefactors was observed. Reptor. woe thronged with
visitors, many of whom had come from a considerable du-
tutee. There was a reception of the governors at
eleven o'clock in the school-room' which has lately
been restored. Lord Howe was the only governor
in attendance. A Latin address wart delivered by Mr.
John Millieton, the, senior whole:, and a very able
Fanlai'h ate histdreso ryaofailt school, ad tz,k,r, LtePinro.,,, towlw gale-
able epochs in history corresponding with the centuries
which had elapsed wincethe founding
of the institution, and
pointed out the tdvantagee which should elll.llo from a meet-
ing of old Rwetonians like the meant. The address was
warmly app'auded. Service was then held in church; the
sermoth.s. vvm.y talented and appropriate one, being preached
s
by Dr. aughan, bead muter of Darrow, from Romans ii.,
v. 36. The church was tilled with a very attentive oont=
GM. In the afternoon 600 or 600 ladies and gen
wing teeny of the nobility and gentry of the neigh-
Were invited by the bead touter to an elegant
l dillemer ; sad about 60 non-Reptonisna were hospitably
Wed In dinner at the Boot Inn. Neither were the scholars
Mal peg parishioners forgotten , and the whole proceedings
, will log le remembered for rho pleasure, interest, sad
bilrislilsagy effordsd.