The Express.
London, England, 1861-12-25 00:00:00

THE EXPRESS, WEDNESDAY EVENING, DECEMBER 25, 1861.

CONDOLENCE WITH HER MAJESTY.

THE LIVERY OF LONDON.

Yesterday a "cosmos hall," conitieting of the
Lord Mayor. abtorsies, and COLUODOIRDI of the City of
Loudon, was held in the Guildhall. The whole of the plat-
form and • poetise of the wall behind were draped with
black cloth, lied preersted a very scrstee appearance.
The Right Has. Lord Mayor Corm who was atteeded
by the principal olio= et the caryoratkro, preridedL
The Luau MATOR, is amain( the proorediess, raid—
GesUemea el the livery, sessequance of the milmeholy
meat which has befallen our country, a rmussitios bee been
presented to me requesting me to call a common had, is
order that the Livery of the Cdy of London might have an
oppertssity el express* to our beloved Movereigo the
orspethy they feel tot bet made, the dreadful calamity
Mich she hes seders& Is penman of that regulation
URN bell be. bees soevened, and various miaow:sae will be
prepreed ead seroadid foe your caisidoration. (Hear, hear.)
Mr. CRAWFORD. M.P., said—This is me of these ems-
lees us which I think rat behoves every gaol cilia,. to lay
mists ha owe business ensagementa and give his atteedmica
bare, to signify, by ha presece, how deeply he feels the
benavenieut which her Majesty bee sustained. The Mimes
of the City of Lueders are Never backward in showing, on
all proper and It occasion% how much they sympathies with
the country in any great loss which it suffers, and still more
whoa that has has any reference to the royal family. On
mmy occesioas they have assembled within these walla to
perform duties somewhat analogous to that which we are
about to discharge to-day ; but I will venture to say that
es so former 00CRADOR in our history has any event occurred
which mu premainestly ladled fur an expression on the part
of the calaboose( London of their continued attachment to
their guess, sad the beard di sympathy for her in the sorrow
by which atm Me been afflicted. flare are perhaps present
some gentlemen who can recollect the lest time when the
Livery of London were called together under similar ea-
collates:ea 1 allude to the death of the Primess Charlotte.
But however much grad that event might ham aimed in the
mind, of the people, it yields Minutely as regard, the
uatemity of the feeling produced by that which Ms recently
o.curred. We ate met here to- day not to perform an act of
mere ceremony or cooveutionality, but to arum the 4ueen
that the expreesiess of the nation upon ate sad bereave-
mat are folly shared is by We talons. of London, au that
her Majesty may have the consolation of knowing the her
subjects se this the greatest City an the kingdom deeply and
sincerely feel her great luas. I appeal to every gentleman
who hears MO whether, when, nine days ago, he received
the eed iatelligenoe that the Prince Cowart ma no more,
the bet feeling which clung to his heart wee sot, that the
gems bed sumaiuel a lose which, however great it might
be to the nation, was to her utterly irremediable'
(Near, bear.) I am UM that, amidst the many cua.
Wafts, by which she a surrounded, and for which no
i as. knows better than heneif where to look, there are
few which she will feel more than the high estima-
tion is which her deceased hothead was held throughout
the wintry. I believe that bee Majesty will look lack in
after time. to the expremions of sumer condolence from all
quarters of the kingdom as tine of the best evidences that
can be afforded of the attachment tithe Prince by all claims
of her subjects. It would ill beetem me, sifter the mamma
in which the Prince's virtues have been dwelt upon in
every point, to campy the time of We meeting by any
observations of it, owe. I pow so other sources
of infirmities then them open to every on. else ;
but we do hear from all side* that the Prince was, not
only in every respect a babied to the Queen, and
a father to his family, but also tom, the people of England,
use of the best and safest custodians of oar public inter-
' ems. (Hear, hear.) 1 have alluded to the Math of the
princess Umbels. Mournful m that event was, it
after all memo whisk led to the 141111110 hears mated on
the throned them realms; and it we may choirs say
consolation from it in referee* to our public affairs, it is
at least this, that Unitises of Wales has become, by the
death of his father, Wrested with the responsibilities
which, in a Minn mid shape, at some tar-distant
time, he wdC be called apes to exercise in his own right.
;Hear, hear.) The essedullion which 1 ham to preps, is
to these terms:—•• TIM • loyal sad datdal addres be pm
seated to her Majesty the Quires, is term of same* and
rospoodul resdoliarmars the imassied denim ef bee Royal
Oeseist of hemmed seisery." 1 ami ewe it mesh so
further commas{ hem see to etissosed this resolution to
the corbel aid humid' amperage et every gentleman tu
tide MIL (Hess hair.)
Alderman. 0. Lawsswesseersiod the resolution, which
Mr.psi CILI. , sad tarried mesinseely.
Mr. FMusD, LE, them read the following address :

" TO TIN Q 01131.1 Non irico.uoir II&MT!.

" May is please year Majestii—Wo, your Majesty's faith-
ful rid subjects, the • t Hoe. the Lord Mayer,
a= pad commons, of City et Lowdoe, in com-
rambled, beg leave to approach your royal
preens* with fallow of deep and respectful sympathy,
to espies our smears condolence with your Majesty
es the geed addle with which it bath phased
Almighty tied to visit ilsjesty i• the death of
year isekered alai ftluN lcus Consort, his Iloyal
mar Pince Alban, sad also to express our heartfelt
end at the lose eellsh the sawn has sunnimed by the
nand el ems why placed in a petition snberdinate,
bat yet sot loos dilloalt, than that of a raga* sovereign,
.seceded ia numg the affeetioos of aIL sad who, at the
mese time, bemoaned with his advocacy all the ireful is-
leastwise ef tba country in such a manner that wherever
Were wee prepeas to be haMeeed, sericite, work to be for-
warded as his sympathetic, active, and esergetic
esmainnes wee ever to be reamed opal, and who, by his
deassmis seeduet se • bushman sad • father, Arse= the
mama sad thin the audios ad the satin.
bee with Moab , sad radomMen to the will el the
Supreme Dimon elf Evente, yet at this time el grief we
beg le mare your Majesty uf the loving and loyal sym-
pathy el your Majesty's devoted subjects, and et their
amen player that your Majesty may be gteciously map.
aerial by the Almighty, mad that it may planes Him lung
to spore your Majesty to guard your royal family, so pre-
sses to the Wien, sad aini guide the ilmotiaisa af this great
Hie bower ail glory.
um. te
warms WOOD, M. P., said--It is needless for we
is deem that this is the meet painful ;abbe duty which I
have boa mailed upon to fulfil ; sad while I feel strongly
Hen asp weeds Irma me would be inadequate to convey the
Ines and deep notiments which pervade every bean oti
the peseent earamem I eaperiesee a melenebely salideetion
in bang gerualtal le lake • pert r the mad preseedings el
We day. It has pineal the Almighty a vied this wenn
with as imparabn Ira, end it is leo ace: te
that that km hem bees in felt ,ein the
length and breadth el the lead, and has tbrown a eloped
of sorrow alike epos the cottages of the pear end humble
en
epos the marts Mr the nob and sable. Heavy es is
this disparities al Provideace, I thiak we have great
' reuse for granted, that the WeWed our gracious Sovereign
has been preserved, and Mist we are permitted Se escape
Its. whet I men enender weed have lima • still heavier
cannily. I refer to what woad have befalls Use ecantry
if It had pleased Providenee to remove the Queen from
whim w earaider all the incidence of such
aa eilleara )need, Mt Crawford, has so fully dwelt upon
the mese el ear marrow, and the feelings evinced throughout
tie hod is swami to it, that I will not detainyou by dwell.
mg upon tbe mildest, sad therefore I will caly merve to
myself the privilege el venni Ibis resolution, "That the
said address be presented I. her Manny the Queen by the
tight Hos. the lard Mayor, the slants, two aldermen,
tad twelve liverymen, in the made and at the time her
Majesty may be *mai to direct." I have no doubt that,
sympathileg an yen do with her Majesty in her &abeam,
you will isinsimmeely pas this resolution.
Xt. iincaa, in mouniise the madonna, said hs was cm.
lain that the seldom expressed not only the feeling of
every me se the ball, but the sentiment et the whole people
el (Her, bear)
The resolution was also carried with the same unanimity.
Mr. Joni erawarn moved that the address be signed by
Aldermen lames Abbas and. James Clark Lewreuce rail
twelve liverymen.
The motion wee sanded by Mr. CHARLES YOVSG, and
also carried sem. am.

Gs the meek* of Mr. ROILIZT DAVIDBO3I, *wooded by
lb. Wreak IS wee remind that the sheriffs should wait
epee Ills Owns Grey, the Secretary of State for the Home
Department. sad meertabs her Majesty's will end pleasure
as to the male sad Ham. for the preseutatio• of the address.
Mr. Joint Puttee a d they were all aware that in order
to cell a commies hell • requisition mist be presented to
the Lord Mayor, aliped by a certain lumber of liverymen.
Ile had takes upon himself the pniaful duty of preparing
that requisitiem, believing that it was their sub to
show a "ark of respect fur the late Prince Consort. He
laid painful duty, because every house he went into
was • house cif moaraiog, arid sorrow came from the heart
and league of every man be had stamen to epos We subject.
He weeseurlkid that their prayers were fur their gracious
sovereign, and that the ball reprneoted the feelings of their
brother liverymen, who membered about 10,0110. He then
=that %headdress Wbe ould written up n vellum
anted to her Majesty, and begged the livery to join
OM him in the prayer that the Queen might long live to
protect sod cherub her royal family. (Hear, boar.)
The motion wee earned ; and • vote of thanks haring, on
tuoti,,s of Mr. Towra, seconded by Mr. Fisc.tr. been
given to the Lord Mayor for calling the meeting and pre-
which ha lordship briefly acknowledged, the proceed-
lap terminated.

Majesty and the tweatry have sustained is the unexpected
demise of hie Rojo! Highness the Prince Consort."
Mr. NitAo3ll as seconded the resolution.
Mr. Dawns supported the resolution, as the senior repre•
sentative of the Australian stage now in Loodoo. The loss
sustained by the musical and dramatic arta, the fine arta,
and every other educational institution having for its object
the intellectuAl improvement of the people, by the death
of Prime Albert, could nut at present be realised. Time
alone would tell the extent of the loss.
The regolotion was agreed to unanimously.
On the motion of Mr. E. T. `SITU an address to her
Majesty founded on the foregoing resolution was agreed to,
signed by the chairman In behalf of the meeting, and
ordered to be sent to Sir C. Phipps for presentation.
A vote of thanks to the chairman concluded the pro.
moldings.

found sorrow for the heavy caliunity which, in the mysterious
providence of God, has befallen your Majesty, your royal
children, and the whole nation, in the Bodies removal of
your late illustrious husband, his Ho* Highases the
Prince Consort. We mourn deeply the loss
which has thus been sustained. We humbly beg leave to
express our sympathy with your Majesty sad your royal
house ; and we pray fervently Almighty Gad, as the God of
all consolation, that He may comfort and uphold your
Majesty in this the time of your deep sorrow, sad that He
may strengthen and preserve your Majesty for may pen,
to reign over your loving sod loyal subjects, the ishabitante
of these realms. We remember, with mournful thankhd-
nem to Almighty God, the pre-eminent gift' with which
your Majesty's husband was endowed, the sable example
which, as a Prince, as a husband, and ss a father, his Royal
Highness set to your Majesty's subjects, the blousing which
he has so conspicuously been to this ratios so your Ma-
jeety's partner, guide, and counsellor, and bis many works by
which he sought to promote its happioess sad
rity. As the Royal Scottish Academy, we op=
remember his distinguished services in the promotion of
art, and the many acts of royal and kindly courtesy by
which his Royal Highness deigned to protect the intermits
of our body. We humbly beg leave Somme your Majesty that
we shall cherish, with enduring 'Hectic, and reversoco, the
memory of his Royal Highness, sad of the psees sad math
of character by which, both in public ad in private, his
whole life was marked. We beg your Majesty will accept
of the assurances of our moat devoted loyalty and affection.
Signed in name and by appointment of the Royal Scottish
Academy, by the president and secretary, this 22nd day of
December. JOHN WATSON GORDON, President.
" DAM °MAWR HILL, Secretary."

MONEY MARKET.

To-day being Christmas-day the Stock IC xchange
is closed ; we have therefore no business transac-
tions to report.
The impression that the prospect of war has
greatly diminished has been much strengthened by
the publication of the masterly despatch of M.
Thouvenel, while the fact that it is dated as far
back as the 3rd inst., and must therefore hays now
been for nino or ten days in the hands of the Ame-
rican Cabinet, is considered a valuable guarantee
against the chance of the latter committing them-
selves to any rash course. The American houses
in London appear to be very hopeful.
There was an active demand for money in Lom-
bard-street yesterday, and little business was done
below the Bank minimum. This rate will probably
oontinue to prevail until the 4th of January is
turned.

About 88,000/. in gold, mostly Australian refined,
was taken to the Bank yesterday. This makes an
aggregate of 275,000/. since the last return.

The outgoing Bombay steamer takes as much as
264,045/. in specie, viz., 254546/. silver, and 2,5001.
gold.
The Kent, from Melbourne, with 422,0001. in
gold, has now been at sea 71 days. This is the
only gold ship known to be out,
On 'Change yesterday afternoon bills on Holland
were inquired for, while thoseon Hamburg and Paris
were rather more offered. Very little change oc-
curred in the rata, which were quoted as follows :

Ataitsrdam, S maths, 11.19* to ; ditto, 3 days,
11.17 to ; Rotterdam, 3 mouths, 11.19; to 1;
hatwerp, 3 mouths, 25.55 to 60 ; Hamburg, ma. bane%
S mouths, 13.8 to ; Paris, 3 days, 25.24 to 32; ; ditto,
3 mouths, 25.60 to 65 ; linuiltfort,on.theasins, 3 mouths,
118; to ,• Petersburg (par rouble), 3 months, 32; so g ;
Visor, ed. do., Smooths, 14.50 to 60; mesto, it. So.,
3 mouAs, 14.50 to 00 ; Madrid, 3 months. 48* to j • Oaths,
8 Tomtits, 451 to 1 ; Imihorn, 3 months, 25.70.t0 75;
Goma, 3 months, 25.70 to 75 ; Mika, 3 months, 25.70
to 75; Naples, 3 months, Mlle ; Morino, 3 mouths, 1181
to ; Swum, 3 mouths, 1181 to ; Lisbon, 90 days, 51g
to 32 ; Oporto, 90 days, 51f to 52.

_ .
As the prospect of concessions being made by
the Federal government diminishes that of a de-
struction of the Southern blockade, the price of
cotton at Liverpool has risen &boat id. per lb. since
Friday. Animation was observable yesterday, the
sales reaching 15,000 bales.
At Lloyd's, owing to the increased prospect of
peace, there is a less active business in war risks,
and yesterday's quotations are rather lower. On
ships to India and Australia the quotation is 20. ;
to China, 30s. ; and to New York., 4 to 5 guineas.
From India 30s. has been paid ; from China, 30s.
to 40s. ; and from Australia—gold, 50s. ; and wool,
35e.

The steamer North American, with the mails
from Canada and later advice; from the United
States, is expected at Londonderry to-day (Wed-
nesday). The Africa, from New York, is due
at Queenstown on Saturday, with the reply of the
American government to the demands of the Eng-
lish cabinet.

The Brighton Railway traffic return shows this
week an increase of 164/., and the South Eastern a
decrease of 1,8211.
At the meeting yesterday of the Grand Trunk Rail-
way Company of Canada the report of the directors
was " approved," and that of Mr. Watkin was re-
ceived and adopted. This gentleman was also
thanked for his services. It was likewise resolved
that the board shall appoint au agent representing
all classes, with the fullest powers, to proceed to
Canada, to continue negotiations with the govern-
ment and to carry out the re-organisation of the
undertaking. The government and legislature of
Canada are to "be impressed with the importance
of prompt action in dealing with the question of
the postal subsidy and its capitalisation as the only
practical means of relieving this concern from its
financial embarrassments."

The result of the meeting of tbe General Endow-
ment Association, held on the 20th instant at the
London Tavern, was that the report of the com-
mittee of investigation was unanimously adopted
and referred to the directors to carry out in its in-
tegrity, it being understood that they will report
again to an adjourned meeting which will take
place on the 27th Feb. The practical effect of this
resolution is to reduce the annual expenditure
from 3,0001. to a sum not exceeding 1,6001. or 12}
per oent. on the premium income, thus materially
improving the position of the association.
A general meeting of the Commercial Dock
Company is convened for the 10th January to de-
clare a half-yearly dividend.
The second annual meeting of the London and
Mediterranean Steam Navigation Company is
called for the 30th inst.

The Stock Exchange Committee have appointed
Fridaynext, the 27th inst., a special settling day in
the scrip of the Telegraph to India Company
(Limited), which is to be marked in the official lists.
A petition for the winding up of the Folkestone
West Cliff Hotel Company (Limited) is expected to
be beard in the Baoptcy Court on the Bth of
January.
The interest is advertised on the First Preference
Six per Cent. Bonds of the Northern Railway of
Canada.

The Admiralty have taken up the steamer
Hibernia for the conveyance of troops to Halifax,
or Bt. John's (New Brunswick), and the Palikan
and Ajax, to carry stores to Bermuda. The ten-
ders for Jamaica were declined.

Mews. Aveline, Macrae, and Co. were yesterday
appointevi agents for Lloyd's for Rio Grande do Sul
and Porto Alegre ; and Messrs. Rose, Duff, and Co.
spats at Berbioe.
Subjoined are the latest quotations of insurance,
gas, duck, and other shares, as given in the
last Stock Exchange list :
Insuranco.—Atiss, 111, I ; Commercial Union, 1 j ; Eagle,
71; Globe, 971 ; Guardian, 48f ; Lancashire, lf ;• London
and Provincial Marine, if ; Mercantile Fire, ; .ocesa
Marine, 101, f ; Roysl Exchange, 300 ; Thames and Mersey
Marine, 3i.
Gas Light and Coke.—London, 66 ; 701; West-
minster Chartered, 661, 74, 4.
Docks.—Loudon, 59; N ictoria, 98.
Canada—Birmuigham, 90; Regent's (or London), 221 ax
div._ _ _

i(atervrorka—Barbs, N.
Bridge—Vauxhall, 181 ex die.

TUE&DAY EVENING.

Consols, which closed on Saturday at 901 to I
ex div. for the 9th Jan.. opened this morning at
911 " buyers," and closed at 91 to ft both for money
and the account. The official business report is as
follows :—Three per Cent. Consuls, 911, 91, 4, 904,
911 ; ditto for account (Jan. 9), 911, 91, ;
Beak Stock, 234 ; Three per Cents. Reduced, 93,1,
New'ive pTeiti•rece.Pte.r gOcnr,.'lo93l,' t14;14;4t0 I,_;
div. ; ditto fur account, 1033 *, ex div. ; ditto
Four per Cent. Debentures, 143, 98* ; ditto 1884,
' • ditto Bonds, 12a.prem. • Five per Cent.
enlaced" rupee paper, 99*; 'ditto Five-aud-a-
Ralf per Cent., 1021, 103, 102.
The India Five per Cent. stock was in great
demand and rose ft per cent., leaving off at 1034 to
ex div. for the account. There were likewise
more inquiries for the rupee paper, which was
firmer.

The March Exchequer Bills were quoted 9s. to
125. prem. ; and the June, lls. to 14s. prem.
There were some sales of India Bonds at 12s.
prem.
Foreign stocks were generally firm. Turkish
rose about per cent., the Loan of 1854 closing at
781 to 79, and that of 1858 at 681 to 69. Mexican
Bonds, however, after being marked 28, left off
lower than on Saturday, at 27} to ; Venezuela
Three per Cents. have improved to 211 tof ; Buenos
Ayres Six per Cents. were firm at 88 to g°.
In the market for Bank shares the only feature
was an improvement of about U. in Oriental. Na-
tional Discount and Madras Irrigation shares were
inquired for.
The closing quotations for shares in new under-
takings to-day were as follows :—Ocean Marine
Insurance, 51 to 5; prem. ; Thames and Mersey
Marine, 11 to 11 prem.; Universe.' Marine Insu-
lt to ; London and Provincial Ma-
nfaus,l dis. ; MersantileFirs,l toll prem.; Cons-
ume:al Union Mrs, to 1 dia.

MINES.

Both the Stock Exchange and Mining Examen
are closed to-day, and no business is gain for-
ward in mining shares.

RAILWAYS.

To-day being kept as • close holiday ea Mr
Stock Exchange, we have no report to make limier
this head.

THE AMERICAN WAR AND BLAVERT.

The following is an extract from a letter dated
Philadelphia, Dec. 2 :
" Why is it that England is untrue to her time-honersi
testimonies, and fens at this eritioal time to give mesa
support to those Who ere called upon to struggle amid&
fearful wrong? I know the reply will be that the Nee*
has not as yet declared absolutely for emancipation ; hat
surely those who say this have riot put themselves is
thought in the place of the government at Washiegtes, and
imagined the fearful difficulties attendant on any ohmage
as to the lot of four millions of people degraded by
slavery. They fail to see that, even in this time of *Own-
ing, it is impossible as to so weighty a matter to prsossd
otherwise than slowly. Yet under this °amenity how meth
really has already been accomplished! Forty themes&
slaves, it is estimated, have either obtained their freedom
or have disappeared hem Missouri alone. I saw, a
day or two ago, • letter from a young man on the staff of
General lane, of the Kansas Brigade, which stated that
there were in that brigade 500 negroes mounted os bones
belonging to their former masters. The Act of Campine
freeing the slaves of those io arms against the
.govets-
meat, or giving aid to the rebellion, does in effect gipve tide
to freedom to hundreds of thousands of the
negrom. At Port Royal the blacks have come withia our
lines in great numbers, and the latest accounts state that
the determination of all who can escape to leave their
masters is continuallymeerted. It is said, too, that, so fares
the slaves are concerned, au advance into the country from
Port Royal would undoubtedly be followed by an immediate
rush of the whole population towards our camp.
" But the very fact of the war is fatal to the
inumach as it makes slave labour unprofitable.
being now worthless sea article of trade, the *Mere name
be sorely put to it to maintain their hands. As • farther
result of the war, the recapture of fugitives in the Northers
States has, of noun, wholly ceased. In all the border
slave States—Maryland, Kentucky, Western Virgin* sod
Missouri—the feeling in favour of emancipation has grows
almost as rapidly as it has in the free Slides. Leading sea
of both political at the North have declared=
for them:lie y. A New York Dem
Cochrane, he would take the slave bymithtlead, put
• musket in it, and bid him in God's name strike for the
liberty of the human raoe,' and Mr. Secretary Cameras,
who was present, fully endorsed the sentiment.
" Supposing it to be • true theory that slavery is about
to disappear here, the utmost importance attaches to any
reliable statement as to the resales of emancipation in Mee
West Indies. Happily we have each a statement in • week
published in this country within the present year —' Bemire
Ordeal of Free Labour in the British West ladies.' No-
thing could be more satisfactory than Mr. Sewell's narratives
of whet he saw and his most careful comparison of the
condition of the islands before sad since emancipation.
Every island was visited, and in the case of Jamie& I
believe every parish. The thoroughness of the book is
indeed most remarkable, and the abeenoe, too, of prejudices
or party feeling of any kind. With regard to nearly every
island but Jamaica, the advantage of the change of system.
both as to commercial results and as to the condition °Me
blank population, is established beyond dispute. As te
Jamaica, to which oue-half of the book is devoted, the de-
cline of sugar cultivation is, of course' admitted, but the
tact that this decline began long before emancipation is an
fully shown. The diass since emancipation is accoested
for, the cause being want of capital, failure of the plaster,
to pay punctually the low wags they had agreed to pay,
mismanagement of every kind by the planting interest, ail
aliseateessin. As to the whole question, however, owe ef
Mr. Sewell'e concluding remarks is, 'lf free labour be
tested by any other gauge than sugar production, its sas-
ses in the West Ladies is established beyond ell
cavil and beyoed all peradventure. If they
merit any consideration whatever—if their P=
peudenoe, their comfort, their industry, their edu-
cation, form any part of • country's prosperity
theu the West Indies are • hundredfold more proms:ow
now than they were in the most flourishing times of
slavery.' One more extract I must give you from Mr.
newell's final chapter The act of British emancipaliea
has been widely abused bat its detractors must live among
the people it diseuthielled if they would learn the vales all
which it can be estimated. Time, which develops the free-
dom which that act created, adds continually to its lustre,
and long after England's highest achievements in arts or in
arms shell have hero forgotten, this grant of liberty shell
testify to the grandeur of her power and to the magnanimity
of her people.'
"The Americans have said much in the way of censure of
England, especially of late, but a sentence like the above
ought in its measure to make amends. I am proud of the
book from which I have quoted as being the work dose at
my own countrymen. I rejoice that the vindication of that
great measure of British justice has been made on this side
of the Atlantic. It might perhaps be asked whether Eng-
land of the present day has nut faltered in the defence at
her great set of sacrifice—whether she has been steadfast as
to her belief that what WAS so clearly a deed of mercy
as well as of justice would assuredly meet its reward.
One might point to the columns of the Times and to
' Carlyle's Letter-day Pamphlets, and to the oesisiosal
remarks of your statesmen, as evidence of this unfaithful-
ness. Let me mention what was said by the represeatative
' of your Queen in this country/ the predecessor of lard
Lyons, at bis own table at Washington four yews ago, as a
further evidsuos. He maid he considered the British Act of
Emancipation a fatal error, and that it had been the ruin of
the West Indies. An American who wee present could not,
but at once milers his surprise at such a remark coining
from an Englishman, and add that in his judgment there
was no act in all her history for which England was more
entitled to honour."