The Express.
London, England, 1861-03-29 00:00:00

(Stamped, ld. Additional.) (TWOPENCE.

THE INDIAN FAMINE.
held

Hall,

public meeting was - .in the Egyptian
at the Mansion House, yesterday afternoon, at 3 o'clock,
to devise immediate measures for alleviating the distress
caused by the famine which is now prevailing in India.
The Right /ion. the LORD MAYOR presided ; and amongst
the gentlemen on the platform were the Marquis of Clan.
Amide, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Mr. R. W.
Crawford, 31. P., Hon. A. Kinaaird, M.P., Colonel Sykes,
M.P., Mr. Tito, M.P., Mr: arrow, M.P., Sir Herbert
Palwardes, Sir Edward Ryan, Mr. Vansittart, M.P., Alder-
man fialomons, M.P., Aldermen Methi, ROBIN Piaui',
balite@ Mr. W. Dent, Mr. Arbuthnot, and other gentle- I
men interested in our commercial relations with India.

The Rev. Mr. DANIA, chaplain to the Lord Mayor,
having offered up a special prayer composed for the occasion,
The LORD MATOR briefly introduced the subject, remark-
ing that be bad been requested to convene this meeting to
consider the means of relieving the sufferers from that
great calamity which bad lately fallen with unexampled
severity on the po elation of • peat part of our Eastern
Empire. He was much gratified by witnessing in thb
numerous attendance that day a proof of the sympathy
with which that object was regarded by the public, and be
was especially pleased to meet on that occasion several most
distinguished gentlemen, who were either members of her
ll•Jsety's government, or menebros of ore or the other
Roam of Parliament. The Chtocellor of the Exchequer
bad kindly undertaken to irindthe End roodution. (Mem)

Mr. Cuomo —My Lord Mayorand gentlemen, I shall
submit to the meeting a reaolution which has bees pima in
my hands, and the purport of which is as follows That
this meeting, deeply sympathising with the distress arising
from the devastating famine in the north-western provinces
of India, and being desirous of aiding the noble exertions of
the relief committee in Calcutta and Bombay in their
endeavours to relieve the dietrein of their fellow subjects
in India, now reduced to a state of appalling destitution,
feels called upon publicly to record ita sense of this calamity,
and its sympathy with their suffering fellow subjects." I ap.
Cb.udl am right in saying that this large meeting
been called at • moment's notice, but the
subject on account of which it has been convened
does not require much deliberation, and the citizens gene-
rally of London, and not least these leading penults' in all
classes and all pursuits whops I have the sath6ction of see-
ing in this room, do riot, r trust, require much time to
consoler whether they shall step foragariLand save from the
horrors of famine their suffering fellow-creatures in India.
(Cheen.) • My Lord Mayor, I cannot but be reminded by
this noble boll, in which it has been my lot, and the lot of
many I see around sue, to appear before, often and often,
bow we came to this board to share the hospitality of the
City of London in the time of many of your lordship's pre-
demeeon. We have enjoyed at the tables laid in
this ball the good things which Providence
has bounteously given for our sustenance and comfort.
May our recollections of the facility with which we our-
selves arrive at such means of sustenance and comfort,
and the abundance with which the blessings of God have
been)OUroll upon us, move every heart among us with one
thought
and one desire to do what we can for an object,
than which no more urgent or more noble one, I would
venture to my, ever was proposed to an assembly of the
citizens of London. (Mean.) I have nut come to this
place to-day because I felt that it belonged peculiarly to
me to do so, or that I had any peculiar qualification for as-
sisting you in the high purpose of this meeting, but I was
desirous that such a meeting, for such • purpose, should
not pea, by without the appearance of at least one member
of her Majesty's government—(abeers)—to testify in his
own behalf, and I am certain I may my not leas on behalf
of every one of my colleagues, our hearty approval of, and
warm sympathy with, the object for which you have called
your fellow-citizens together. (Cheers.) You are well
aware that it is not noteßvary for me to apolotn their
behalf. They have sought, or are seeking, c of air
that relief from their parlizuneneary labours which, after
all, it is not unnatural they should seek ; and I am bound
to say that I myself was minded in the execution of •
similar intention, which I very gladly postponed to attend
the' meeting. (Cheers.) My Lord Mayor, I shall not prw
same to instruct the meeting on the particular case which
has brought us here, for whatever may be required to be
said upon the subject. you will hear much better
from those who are acquainted with the particular circum-
shalom of India, and whose correspondence and constant
intercourse with those who are resident in that count :a
unwise ..aiaore ;ociii:atelnfoririailleteffl -ratomfirlffli
me to say that I find it authentically stated to us that
though the knowledge of this famine has come somewhat
auddeely upon us, yet the features of it are so bread and
so impelling that it must at once speak for itself. Fffteeu
hundred thousand human heingeos it is stated to us on
what I believe undoubted authority, have nothing under
Providence but the hand of charity totrust to to nave them
from the honors of a premature death. (Hear, hear.) That
alone, I think, is such • basis of tact, such as
ample justification for your assembling yourselves together,
such a ground for appealing to the whole people of this
country, whom on these ocouions the City of London ap-
propriately leads, that nothing that can be said even by
others better informed than myself can add much force to
the ideas conveyed by those few simple words. A million
and • half of men, women, and children dependent on
charity for the very means of subsistent*' not in the
general sense in which wo are accustomed to use them
ternm, but for the means of rescue from a horribleandother.
wise inevitable death. (Hear, hear.) The ties which con-
nect or with India are of a nature which render this
if possible still more forcible than when ire.
considered on general pounds. I confess I am
not one of those who are in the habitual belief which has
eo
widely prevailed in this country, that it is to her con-
nexion with India, and oath like connexions, that England
owes her material greatness, wealth, and prosperity. I tin
strongly and deeply conviuced that the roots of the greatness
of this country lie within the shores of these little Wards,
and not beyond them, (Cheers.) At the same time, no
man who in capable of appreciating what belongs to the
welfare of mankind can fall to see that, with whatever feel-
ings it may have been, we have undertaken immense re.
"possibilities respect to our transmarine possessions,
and we come under the conditions of a sacred trust towards
them which we cannot but disc e. (Hear.) We carry
to India, and in constantly and rapidly increasing quantities,
the productions of this county, and exchange them for the
productions of India, and it is satisfactory, even on an oar
arm of this kind, when we deplore the want of the neon.
earl means of subsistence for a portion of our fellow
creatures, to recollect that the pursuits in which the great
' bulk of the citizens of London are engaged are pursuits the
daily and inevitable tendency of which is to render the
occurrence of these great visitations more rare, and to miti-
mite their severity when they arrive. (Hear, bear.) Still
they do arrive, and on this occasion they stare us in the
face, and I ask whether on every graced, whether as men, as
plinLnthroplets, as citizens, or as Christians, we ought not
to rush forward te avail ourselves of the opportunity
which is now afforded us to relieve this distress ? (Cheers.)
For though no doubt we set • high value on our commerce
with Indut, as we do on our commerce with the world—
though that no doubt is the prevailing source of the wealth
and power of thiscountry— we have more to do with India
than to unite it in the bonds of commercial intercourse with
ourselves, valuable as in my opinion those relations are. We
have to carry to India more than wealth which our shores
produce. We owe to India a boon of which we can
never acquit ourselves by the mere exercise of
political rule, and by our sway over the millions
who inhabit that country. We must desire to com-
municate to them some better an higher gift. Often and
often do we hear of the duty—and we hear rightly and ma.
amiably of the duty and of the hope—a bright and glorious
hope—that something may be done towards carrying Chris-
tianity into India. (Cheers.) And, my lord mayor, let me
venture to say that in my opinion this meeting is no small
miwrionary meeting. (Cheers.) You have difficulties in '
making known the gospel to the multitudes who inhabit
India. You are beset by your own differences—you
are beset still move perhaps by the fact that
you exercise political authority over the people of
India, because we are liable to the suspicion that when we
attempt to teach them directly, an by that means attempt
their conversion—when we teach or attempt to teach them
the troths of the gospel, we are liable to the suspicion that
it is with political objects and ends that we engage in that
holy work. I do not state that as a reason why that work
should not be prosecuted,. but as a reason why that proseco-
t Lion is materially end seriously injured. But here you have
an opportunity to which those hindrances do not apply.
t (Hear.) There are alignments in Christian life and in Chris-
tian works which nothing can resist. The residents of
India have it in their power, each of them, to
' become a living sermon—each of them to be, as it were, an
I apostle by his own life and convenation, and by exhibiting,
in the face of the people of India, what are the doctrines of
Christianity by letting them know what are the practical
results of C'hrhtianity. (Cheers.) And if we will, on this
occasion, follow the example of that Saviour who was Con-
tent to spend His time and thought on earth in assuaging
the WOOS which beset human life, I trust we may do some-
thing to convince our suffering and afflicted fellow-subjects
that the religion we prams is indeed • religion of love,
and by means which can excite no suspicion that we are
doing, something to win them towards us. (Cheers.) My
purpose is to bear willing and cordial testimony to
the salreduess and worthies*, of the object for which this
meeting has been convoked ; and on my own behalf and on
behalf of those who, together with myself, form for a time
the administration of the country, I earnestly commend it to
, your hearty and cordial support
i and I further venture to
express a hope that this meeting s not to be the scoots-
pluihnteot, but only the and starting point of a
great work—that the wads which. uttered within these

will
oetwthanelleerripreaal,
..tbeihrdtiechett:ll:4etonmshalsrfrititlinobenDuo,te:abitnhaleelecoudiadto
national testimony, and make something like a national
within the memory of any of us now present.
Iyosiebepsr:grtailthomfee(actmoticu.ohne:moarsfuklik..)tob.inhdao
nd the country the
served that the right hon. gentleman had spoken of the
number of one million five hundred thousand Lumen beings
in India computed to be actually perishing at this moment
from the famine, and that was the estimate given at the date of
the latertpreciesintelligenee ; butfronia paper which he held
in his hand—the Friend of ladies—it appeared that the
calamity was rapidly increasing. The statement in that
paper was, that to the number which bad been previously
stated as the p pulation of the famine.struck district must
now be added three millions and • half more, • a
total popelation of seven millions and • half ; and if was
• that two millions and a half would represent that por-
tico of the population which was at present wholly incapable
of self-support, either from want of means to purchase food,
or from physical incapacity. He (Mr. Kinnaird) only hoped
that this great calamity would have the effect of ra ling the
attention of the government to the necessity of curing on
works of irrigation and other improvements in India ; for if
they had been able to extend the benefits of the Gimps
Canal veer a larger part of the country, this evil would have
been greatly diminished, if not altogether prevented. He
therefore. that the advice of a great and good MAD
Si Cotton, who lately returned
result
from lochs:
would be followed in future, for it would result in a great
saving of life. It should be mentioned, as a pies for this'
appeal to English charity, that upon some former oceuicies,
when • similar calamity betel Ireland and England, vast
ennui of money were sent from India to our relief ; and in
1841 the committee, of which be was • member, received
from Bombay alone 10,0001., besides which the eskers and
Madras governmente mat large some direct to Ireland, and
altogether he believed not less than :000/. was then re-
mitted from India to relieve the wants of our own people.
The first resolution was carried by acclamation
Sir E. RYAN said that hieing spent a portion of his life
in India, be could understand what most be the deplorable
condition of the natives of the North-West Provinces under
this &diction. lie could also bear testimony to the fact
just noticed, that the natives of India during the Irish
hmin,e showed their sympathy with us, far habit(' heft told
by an officer, that the native aepoys voluntarily subscribed
considerable sums of money amongst themselves, and sent
the money to their officers, to be remitted here to naive
the famine in Ireland. He moved the second resolution
" That in consideration of the extreme urgency of the case.
and of the necessity of adopting immediate mowarell to
relieve the misery now so unhappily existing, this meeting
moat anxiously entreats the benevolent contributions of
our fellow-citizens, and of the public at large ; and recom-
mends that enbscription hats be opened, and that all
the London sod provincial bankers receive and remit
such contributions to the Lord Mayor ; and that the amount
so collected be despatched by each mail to India." He ob-
served that the first mail to leave this country for Bombay
would go on the 3rd of next month, and he hoped some re-
mittances would be made by that mail, for the emergency
would admit of no delay.
Alderman Fume wooded the resolution, which, after a
few words from Mr. Jossa, was pastel.
Mr. R. W. CZAWFORD then moved the third resolution
That this meeting is of opinion that all the cities and
towns in the United Kingdom should be animated to co-
operate with the committee now appointed, is their efforts
to carry out the above object." -Having spent a consider-
able portiou of his life in India, and having his fortunes
still bound up entirely with the welfare of that country, he
felt a strong interest in this matter. Since an allusion bad
been made to the public works, he Wet state that be had
heard one fact with much pleasure—that the Great Gangs.
Canal bad actually been successful to a great extent in pre-
venting • great amount of distress, which would otherwise
have aoginsated the misery actually experienced at this time.
He was told that canal bad been very serviceable, by
retaining in cultivation during this great drought no lase
an extent of land than was represented by produce to the
value of two millions sterling. Such a fact should be to the
government a powerful inducement to continue to printouts
works of that nature. (Chain) It must, indeed, be re- .
membered that whatever might be done here in this case
could only be supplementary to the action of the govern-
meat itself, as the government being in India the universal
landlord, was bound to perform the duties of an owner of
the soil, Jo providing relief for such a calamity as this.
Mr. Vainness, in seconding the resolution, said
that be happened to be himself in India in the
your 181111, and then withered the horrors of a famine simi-
lar to the present. He believed that the Indian govern-
ment, as represented by Mr. Edmonstone in the North.
Western PrOViDOSI, and Sir Robert Montgomery in the Pun-
janb, was making great efforts to deal with the emergency,
but their activity was paralysed for want of money, and
responded to this Cann snob i iniddee tY dreknqjoie sib
suggested that, in order to save time, the money subscribed
should be seat out by the very next mail to Bombay and
Lahore, instead of sending it to Colonel Baird Smith by
the circuitous route of Calcutta.

The Rev. Mr. HODGSON, as he was the brother-in-law of
Mr. Edmonstooe, who bad just been named, asked leave to
express his own obligations to India; for, though but •
poor country clergyman, be had acquired a comfortable
position by two successive marriages, and both the first and
the se mod lady be married were the daughters of gentle-
men who had been enriched in India. Hu read a sentence
or two out of • letter of Mr. Edmonstone's, which he had
jolt received, and in which that gentleman said, " The dis-
tress is 110 A fearful ; may God help and succour us in
time I It it heartrending to know of this enormous dis-
tress, and that, do what we will, our efforts must fall short
of the necessity. Besides my anxiety, it adds to my work,
and it must add to the embarrassments of the government.
What with the loss of land revenue and the direct expendi-
ture of the government to keep the people from starving,
this great misfortune will not cost lass than"—• sum
whiein be (the Rev. Mr. Hodpon) thought it might not be
quite prudent to mention. (Hear, hear.)
Mr. W. Dar, who spoke next, said that in India the go-
vernment were endeavouring to do all they could, by com-
mencing public works, and giving employment to the peo-
ple, as well as by opening centres for the distribution of
food ; but it was impossible for the inhabitants of many
villages to assemble at the places appointed.
Mr. ORWSON then moved the appointment of a commit-
tee to carry out the objects of the meeting. He observed
that although the poor creatures now suffering, who were
of the agricultural clam in India, were not connected with
the mutineers, there was an impression amongst themselves
that this visitation was a judgment which had come upon
them for that mutiny. He would remind the contributors
to this fund that according to the rate of wages In the
earth-western provinces of Lodi every Si. given that day
would provide mahatma for five people for three months.
The motion, having been seconded by Mr. J. A. ARBITER-
so?, and supported by Mr. FREER, was agreed to.
The Marquis Of IMANRImane then moved that the
thanks of the meeting he given to the Lord Mayor, for call-
ing this public meeting at the Mansion-home to inaugu-
rate such an important work. He observed that they were
now called upon to give their assistance to a great multitude,
or he might rather say to an unfortunate nation of men who
were in such extreme distress from want, that they were
actually dying the fearful death of starvation ; and it was
to relieve that suffering people of India that the English
public were now appealed to by every motive of humanity
and policy, of Christian duty and justice. In addition to
these general claims, they could not but feel a heavy re-
sponsibility in this instance ; for, without saying • word of
what was political, be must remark that it was impartible
not to admit the justice of an allusion just now made to
the defective internal oommunications of that country
which was now subjected to such a grievous visitation. At
the present time undoubtedly, as Mr. Ili innaird had said, if
we bad paid more attention to the providing works of
irrigation, mash, railroads, and the Wass of transport
throughout India, it would have been easier thou be was
afraid it would now be found to alleviate the great suffering
that existed there. (Cheers.)
Colonel Sir H. EDWARDES seconded the vote of thanks—.
firstly, as he said, on behalf of the Indian people, who
mass yet unrepreseated, but whom he trusted we should
one day sea tee, if not in the English parliament,
yet in the cement of India. It was a happy sada cor-
dial thing or the Englishman to show to India that, after
having gone out there to remove the anarchy of the Ma-
Manmade° and Hiodoo powers over that land, he could
s m with the sorrows of its people. Aod, as an
' man, he thanked the Lord Mayor for saving tbi
country from a great reproach and disgrace, which we had
but narrowly escaped ; for it was at first proposed that the
ears of England should be stopped against the cry of mil-
lions now perishing ia India, and the Lord Mayor was ad-
vised that if he caned • meeting there would be no response
to such en appeal. By the course which he had taken,
with sounder judgment, this meeting had been brought
together, and its example would be followed else-
where. (Cheers.)
Mr. DALABHAR NIOROJT, as a native of India, begged
permission to thank the Lord Major and the gentlemen
who had taken part In this meeting, for their kindness in
coming forward to help his distressed fellow-eonntrymen
out there. As the Irish famine had been mentioned, and
the feeling of the people in India when they heard of it,
he could assure the English public that he remembered well
how from the highest to the lowest in Indio—front Sit
Jameetjse Jeejeebhoy
.himself down to the poorest native+
there was but one feeling of sympathy and regret. (Cheers.)
The pyoceodinp ended with an announcement that the
subscriotioadist had been beaded by Mr. Gladstone with
50/. The Bank of England subscribed 500/., the Agra and
United Service Bank, 300/. ; Oriental Bank,
SOW. • Gold-
smiths' god Mercers' Companies, 1801. each, bade; other
large gifts which will be duly advilised

This ia the last year in which the dere, of Bs-
ehelor of Arts will be conferred by the Facidtwei of Arts is
the geettkh uniceraitrea, the only degree to las in future
conferred by that faculty being that of M.A.

SECOND-HAND PIANOFORTES.
MAMMA. UAL& had Co have I Ism basortmost et
weed hand lienntoetbb by the net ...lamed wabbra. at
grotty nnltsce,l pnces.-4m. ltegalt-grort