The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1826-05-13 00:00:00

KING'S THFATRE.

flostini's Tonere(li was given on Thursday night for the I
Mat tlms this season. Madame Pasta's performance in this
opera was the foundation of her great popularity in this
country ; the announcement of it raised, the refore, a more
than usual degree of interest among the true amateurs of
the hallos Opera. The music in Tancredi is undoubtedly
of a superior order, at the shift' time that it is extremely
pleasing. Altogether it is better adapted to the English
taste than that of the other operas in which Madame Pasta
bas charmed a British audience ; hut we cannot exactly par- ,
ticipate in the opinion as to its decided supremacy among
Bossini's opere senie, and though we are among the most
forward in maintaining that Madame Pasta cannot be
otherwise than perfect in any character in which she may
appear, still we can say that we have felt the influence of
her powers in a much greater degree in other performances. ,
This, however, may he owing to the more ample scope
which pieces of a pathetic cast afford fur the display of •
her dramatic talents. The song which of cowse produced
the greatest effect was the ever delightful " 7'a-c6eareendi,"
with " Di taxa palpili." Madame Pasta's manner of sing-
ing it is different from that in which we are accustomed to
hear it sung ; and the v tr!ety of embellishments she gives
it t vtr add to it new and unexpected charms. It is almost
needless to say that it was rapturously encored. Madame
Clatarlori sang, in the charsett r of Amenaitfe, in her usually
neat and elegant style ; but although she phased caved-
inlay. the recollection of Madame de &gni.' performance
of it was unavoidably brought back to the mind, and be-
came rather unf.vottrable to her ; we say rather, because,
were the compass of Madame Caradori's voice susceptible
of greater extension, her singing would leave nothing to
regret. The other principal characters were well sustained
by Curioni and l'elleg,rini. The house was not quite so
full as we are accustomed to see it when Madame Pasta
appears—previous engagements having evidently interfered
with the Thursday's perrmance.

CITY OF LONDUN INFANT SCHOOL SOCIETY.

This Society has opened its first school in Liverpool.
street, Biahnpsgate-street. The building consists of a large
airy school-room, in a semicircular form, a class-room, and
a couple of rooms for the mistress and her assistant. A
play-ground, with a shed, for the use of the children in
wet weather, is attached to the building. The school re-
ceives two hundred children, who pay each a penny a
week : it is conducted by a mistress and one female as-
sistant. The applications for admission have bctn much
snore numerous than the means of accommodation. This
Institution is under the patronage of the Lord Mayor, the
Earl of Liverpool, the Bishop of London, and Mr. Peel,
and under the more immediate care of the Bishop of Ches-
ter (the President.) in whose parish the first school has
been opined. Considerable objection has been urged
against the system of infant schools, on the ground that
they are calculated to relieve parents prematurely from the
care of their children, and to effect an unnatural separa-
tion between them: but se apprehend that this objection
will vanish on a very slight examination of the real state
of the case. These schools only take charge of the chil-
dren during those hours when, by the necessary avocations
of the parents, their cbi:dren arc unavoidably separated
from them ; and the study difference is, that instead of the
children being either huddled together in great numbers in
te small unhealthy rooms used as dames' schools, or left
at home under the care of an elder child (who is by that
eceupatiGn detained from her parochial school), or suffered
t wander about the streets in filth and wretchedness,
they are placed in an airy, comfortable apartment, taught
habits of obedience, order, and cleanliness, and put under
that moral superintendence, which, rather than any specific
instruction, is the great object to be accomplished by these
scl,oele. A public dinner to celebrate the opening of this
school is to take place at the Albion Tavern, on the 15th
inst., at which the Bishop of London, Mr. Peel, the
Chancellor of the Each( quer, Chief Justice Best, and
other distinguished individuals, have signified their inten-
tion to be present.

MEETING OF THE FRIENDS OF MR. WARD.

Yesterday • nurnerrus and highly respectable Meeting of the
limed. of 51r. Want was held at the City of London Tavern, for
the pnrpose of taking such rteps as might be necessary to secure
has return to Parliament, as a Member fur the City of London, at
the next election.

At two o'rloek Sir Charles Price, Bart. was elected to the Chair.

Sir C. PRICE then addressed the Meeting. It was, he said,
quite impossible for him to refuse the honour which they had con.
ferred upon him, by requesting him to preside upon that occasion.
To preside over a Meeting no numerous and so respectable rarely
tall to the lot of any man, and the gratification which he felt at
being selected was considerably enhanced, when he considered that
the object of the alerting was to secure the election of that gentle.
man, to whom he trusted they were all prepared to give their most
strenuous support. (Cheese.) The country was, at the present
moment, placed in a most extraordinary crisis : and it ought to be
an object of the first consideration with the Livery of London to
s•nd to Parliament men adequately qualified to form an estimate of
the wants, and to support the interests, of the commercial classes of
the community. (Meer, hear.) At no one period of British history
was such a course more necessary titan it was at present. When
use new doctrines which seemed to pervade, and when the comps
cation to which the mercantile classes were subject, were taken into
conwideration, it was surely a matter of the highest: importance that
men should be sent to the Great Council of the Nation who were
competent to speak to the question, and to meet all circumstances
dommeteri with those interests as they might arise. (Cheers.) When
he looked to his friend beside him (Mr. Ward), he felt satisfied
that he was eminently qualified to represent them in Parliament.
(Cheers.) lie had, in the course of his canvass, met persons who
sternest to imagine that the Representative for the City should be
co.sen from amongst the Aldermen; but if circumstances were so
chervil, that merchants were not amongst die members of that
Cuter. sorely they would not sacrifice the interests of the commu-
nity by lucking to it for a Representative. If Mr. Ward were
a candide. for the gown. be would feel most happy to give him his
sapper I but when be looked to his various engagements— that he
wee a Rank Dlr cow, and an efficient Member of that body—that
he was also engaged in an extensive mercantile establishment, he
felt that he could not devote a sufficient portion of his time to those
duties if he accepted of the gown. lie would strenuously recom.
mend to she Livery Mr. Ward as a clear. sound, and independent
man, (Hear, hear),—• man not to be allured by the principles of
modern theorists, or by the furinarion of liberal principle. (Cheers.)
lie did not mean to say that he was bigotted to the ancient system ;
ho was willing to listen to any measure which promised to benefit
the enuntry : but he would not let go those principles under which
pie country had arrived at i!s present prosperity, without first in.
mating others which would better answer the purpose. Another
question which had been proposed in the course of their canvass,
was relative to the Catholic question, and sonic of the Livery had
tailed upon him rn give a pledge that he would give his support to
no measures •hieh went to granting further concessions to the
Catholics. Be (Ste C. Price) could say. shit if .31r. Ward was
deposed to grant such concessions, he should not have his vote.
(Chasers.) But hatch strongly notwithstanding that he (Mr. Ward)
should not enter Parliament tied with any pledge upon any ques-
tions whatsoever. The Livery would not be acting justly unless
they sent their Representatives to Parliament as independent as
themselves Once more he recommended Mr. Ward re their sup-
port. and he had no doubt but that by their united exertions he
would be placed high upon the pull (('heera) Ile was a man
every way qualided for the station. lie was a man as independent
to fortune as in principle; and although be was not disposed to
much too much importance to wealth, yet it wes necessary that
their Representative should be beyond the imputs.imi, under any.
circumstances, of being a political adventurer. (Chem.)
hlr. C. liaaCt..ia ruse to propose the first Resolution. It was
time, be said, to the Meeting, as well as to himself, to state (which
he seemed then he could do with the greatest truth) that the
the honour of moving the first Resolution wee totally unexpected
by him on entering the room. lie had, it was true, entertained a
hope that be would-be permitted to express his sentiments upon
the occasion, and to add Ins testimony to the worth of the Gentle.
MOO (31r.Ward). whom he hoped ere long to behold in Parliament
as their Representative. (Cheers.) lie could assure the Meeting
that in Southwark *berries% a strong feeling entertained in favour
of Mr. Ward, and he came upon that occasion to offer his
'apices, and to take any oEct, by his exertions in which he could
,fresher the object which they bad in view. (Much cheering.) The
Resolution which he held in his hand spoke an well to the purpose
etas he felt it would be unnecessary for him to do more than read
it. - (Alr. Hanley here read the first resolotion, for which
sae our advertising columns.) The Resolution contained four pro-
positions, and he would just detain the Meeting while he made
.sspit observation upon each. It was at all times most important
ytqs; run of experience should be chosen to represent the City of
lsor.don in Parliament, but mire so at the preltet than at any
AMOK period of our history. The question of free trade was still
10 bediacussed, and the Coen Laws were yet to tame before the
diesteiderction of the House of Cominons—there Were also other
insattern of deep importance, weekly and monthly occurring, which
demanded the moot serious oolusideration, and more than a common
portion of esperienee. Thiene% a quality eminently patented by
Cendidate before them—be asked his (Mr. Ward's) pardon—
t VII e
. co Candidate—he had merely acceded to the wishes of
who had called upon him to step forward. (Great cheering.)
y were candidates to him, and not he to them. (immense
shearing.) They were the Candoices, and ft was incumbent on
that to thank him for so :teddy acceding to the prays:. (Cbeas.)

The second proposition was that their Representative ought to he
man of strict integrity of principle. It would be had taste in him to
enter upon the discussion of that topic, in the pounce of his Hon.
Friend, but he could not support the proposition without being
compelled to do so. Ile hail only to refer the Meeting to the an.
'were he had given to questions which he was under the necessity
of denominating insidious. (Great cheering,) But althougb it
would be unjust and imprudent to pledge their Reprerentative,
yet (Mr. Ward) would have no hesitation in stating what he would
not do. lie would accept of no office, nor would he be lcd awify by
visionary schemes of Parliamentary Reform, nor would he be led
into a measure having any tendency to sacrifice the interests of the
country for party purposes. (Cheers.) The next proposition he
would only read—•• that he should be a man of loyalty and inde-
pendence. With respect to the last proposition he could not avoid
urging upon the Meeting the importarice of exertion. He believed
that hitherto there was no lack of exertion ; for that very day he
had met two of the canvassing parties ; and the preceding day he
had met three of them ; but lie trusted that they would not relax
in their exertions, as in that case there could be no dcebt as to the
result of the election. (Cheers-) And he should have to congra-
; imitate, not only the City of London, but the country at large, upon
I having in Parliament a person so fully competent to the duties of
such an exalted station—a person so well qualified, because un-
biassed by prejudices and unfettered by pledges. (Great cheering.)
Mr. 'l'. Wii.SON (of Walford Court) seconded the resolution,
which was carded unanimously.
Alderman C..Sauvir said, that he would have preferred having
Mr. Ward with than without the gown ; but his not having it
should not prevent him from giving to him his most cordial sup-
port. (Cheers.) After the able speeches which they had hearu, he
telt it would be impossible for him to add to the feeling in favour
i of Mr. Ward, which seemed so universal, and lie should, therefore,
cement himself with simply moving the second resolution.
Mr. T. IlawILY seconded the resolution, which was also carried
unanimously.
SIT. R. BORNADAILE moved the third resolution. lie was, he
said, one of those who had signed the requisition, requesting Mr.
%Vaud to stand forward, and he bad so signed It before Mr. Ward
was at all aware that such a thing was iu contemplation. (Hear,
hear.)
Mr. R. H. Mantrit, in seconding the resolution, begged to
make one or two observations to the Meethig. When the great
favourite of the Livery, Sir James Shaw, gave in his resignation, it
was agreed that Mr. T. Wilson should be applied to, arida deputa-
tion accordingly waited upon that gentleman for the purpose of in-
viting him to present hitnielf to the Livery. Upon that occasion a
discussion took place, sa to whether it was necessary that the Repre-
sentative for the City should have also an Aldermanic g-iwn, and
some asserted that ifs man was chosen who had not a gown, the in-
novation would be worse than the French Revolution. (Great
laughter.) Ile wished, however, to put it to the Livery. whether in
a great city like London, which was connected with the prosperity
or adversity of all parts of the world, it was right or proper that
the Corporation only should be represented in Parliament? (Cheers.)
When it was understood that Mr. Wilson wished to decline the
representation of the City, application was made to Mr. Ward, and
it was with joy he learned that he had accepted the invitation.
(Cheers.) Ile (Mr. H. Marten) was brought cap in the city of
London, and, as might be seen from his grey hairs, had been many
years a resident within it. He felt the greatest reverence for the
father of Mr. Ward, and, acquainted as he was with the worth of
the son, he was prepared to transfer to him the feelings which he
felt towards his father. (Cheers.)
The resolution was then put from the chair, and carried by accla-
mation. . . .

Mr. WARD then rose, amidst tremendous cheering from all
parts of the room. As anon as it had in some measure subsided,
he said that he was sure they must all be too well acquainted with
human nature, to suppose that he could have sat still during
the last hour, and been indifferent to the feelings which were
so warmly manifested In his favour. (Cheers.) He could as.
sure them that he felt deeply impressed with a sense of gratitude
for their good wishes towards him, which it should be his study
to prove himself deserving of. (Cheers.) When Mr. Wilson
thought proper to :esign the representation of the City, and when
application was it totsequence made to himself, he had suffered
a fortnight to elapse before he gate an answer to the invitation.
It was not that he was indifferent to the honour which was prof.
feted for his acceptance, but he entertained a hope that a tender
of better services than his own might be advanced ; in which
event he would hare declined the contest. (Cheers.) The en.
couragement which he received from a number of gentlemen,
however, became too powerful for his forbearance, and the latent
spark of ambition was kindled to a flame which he could no
longer control; and lie at last stepped forward to ask at their
hands for the highest honour which a commoner could aspire to.
(Tremendous cheers.) Encouraged by the support of such a nu-
merous and respectable body of the Livery, he could entertain ao
doubt of success. (Cheers.) He wished, however, to call their at-
tention to one subject. He had, in an unguarded moment,
given a frank answer to a letter which had been sent to him by
Mr. Slade. (Hear, hear.) That answer was not unbecoming the
character of an.honest man, but it was intended for Mr. Slade, and
not for the public. If he had had any idea that Mr. Slade had
asked the question in order to place the answer before the public, his
reply would have been, that Mr. Slade was not the organ of the
Livery of London. (Much cheering.) Had he known that the
answer was for the Livery of London, he should have expressed
himself in terms less abrupt, although the same in substance.
(Cheers.) Mr. Slade's letter referred to two objects: the one was,
whether he (Mr, Ward) was prepared to accept the civic gown,
when an opportunity should occur. To this he would explicitly
reply, that he should reject it ; not out of any disrespect, for he
felt, in common with them all, grateful to the Aldermen for the
manner in which the police was conducted—but there were other
reasons which influenced his conduct. Ile might direct the at-
tention of the Meeting to Liverpool. the second city in
the kingdom, to the representation of which no such condition
was attached. Indeed he had no occasion to go so far as Li-
verpool, for upon the last election flit their own city, no less
than six thousand voters declared that the gswn was not
essential to their Representative in Parliament. (Cheers.) He
should therefore leave the Livery to judge for themselves as to its
necessity, and he entertained no fear that they would suffer them-
selves to be dictated to by any individual. The other point was
that of Parliamentary Reform. He had stated in that letter that
lie was unfavourable to Parliamentary Reform ; but, from the
abruptness of the letter, he feared that a stronger feeling might be
attributed to him than he entertained upon the subject. lie was
by no means unfriendly to any slight alteration which was clearly
upon the side of improvement, and in such cases as that of Grain.
pound he would himself be the very first to propose that the fran.
chise should be transferred. In any case where corruption was
proved, lie should vote for a reform, but not upon mere allegations
of corruption unsupported by proof. To reform, in the general
acceptation of the word, he was unfavourably disposed, because al.
though in theory there might be better systems of representation, he
had great double as to thd practical substitution of a better than
that which the country at protein enjoyed. lie could speak of re-
form ary Mr. Canning spoke of it at Liverpool. It was a iccon-
struction of the system of representation, and there could be no
reconstruction without a previous demolition. (Cheers.) There-
fore it was that he WM unfriendly to it. The country derived great
benefits from the existing system, and he could not consent to its
demolition for the purpose of grasping at that which there was no
reasonable expectation of accomplishing. He was resolved to up.
hold the rights and privileges of the City of London. It so hap-
pened that the principle of a reform in Parliament was universal
suffrage, the adoption of which would be a direct violation of those
privileges; so that, were lie to become an advbcate for reform, he
would be undermining the interests of that very body of which Mr.
Slade was urging him to become a member. (Great cheering.) He
had to ask the indulgence of the Meeting upon the subject of the
Catholic question. It was doubtless a question of great magni.
rude, but it was also a question of great difficulty. Tice two
Houses of Parliament were at issue upon the subject. and it was
possible that evil might arise whichever course was adopted, either
by grantit.g or by refusing the concessions prayed for by the La.
thanes. In the first instance, he was mot urged to come forward
either on Catholic or anti-Catholic grounds, and he was taken alto.
gether unprepared upon the question, devoted as all his time had
been to commercial purmits. ( Hear, hear.) This was perhaps of
the less consequence, as in the House of Lords they had the advan-
tage of the learning and talent of the eminent divines who sat there,
and In the Commons they also had the Members of the two Ifni.
vera:ties. The little feeling that he had upon the subject was,
however, unfavourable to the Catholics (cheers); but still he must
decline giving any pledge as to what his conduct would be upon
the discussion of that or any other question. He considered the
Parliament as a deliberative vaembly ; it was so considered in the
Church service, which called for blessings on their Councils; but
how, he would ask, could they be considered as a delibsrative as.
sembly, if the Members were previously pledged as to their line of
conduct? (immense cheering.) He had no wish to shrink from
r his duty, but rather to ascertain what his duty was, that he might
ass duously perform it. If he did not do so to their satisfaction,
when he should afterwards appear before them, they would have an
opportunity of sitting in judgment upon him. (Cheers.) He felt
that it would be impossible for him to express sufficiently the feel-
ings of gratitude under which he laboured. He could only say
that they would remain impressed upon his heart to die latest hour
of his existence.

Mr. Ward sat down amidst loud and long-eontinued cheering.
Mr. C. BARCLAY was then called to the Chair ; and
Mr. T. CURTIS moved the thanks of the Meeting to Sir C.
Price. fir his conduct in the Chair.

_ _ ......_
Aldermsn Cox seconded the Resolution, rshich was carried by
acchimation.

Sir C. ParcE shortly returned thanLs, and the Meeting dia.
solved.

There were upwards of fire hundred gentlemen present, smongs
whom were several memitent of the Corporation ; and the greatest
enthusiasm and cor.tidcActs seemed to prevail as to the ultimate
SICC43II of Mr. Ward.

The subscription for the relief of the weavers and manu-
facturers in the counties of Lancaster and Chester, amount
to 3,3501.

William Watson. Esq. of Wittheel], was last week
admitted a FLllow of the Society of Antiquaries in Lon-
don.

Liveneoor., MAY c I.—Our cotton market has had a
good demand during the week ; pricea generally steady.
Srone aorta of Boweds, being scarce, are a little higher.
About 8,000 bap of all descriptions have bean sohl. Plan-
tation produce is dull. and salts difficult to be made, Wen
at lower prices than the I:l,:o.ders are willing to take.