The Sun.
London, England, 1864-01-08 00:00:00

Mr: Ang,erstein, M,P„ and his Constituents.

Laßit evening Mr. An2;erstein, one of the members
for "i,he borough of Greenwich, in accordance with
his ;usual custom, met a crowded meeting of his
constituents in the Lcetw.e hall, Greenwich. Mr.
B. COOK occupied the chair.

The CHAIRMAN said it was with very great plea-
sure and satisfaction that he introduced their es-
teemed member, Mr, Angerstein, to his consti-
tuents. They all knew that he was a true friend of
progress, and he was quite sure that they would
listen with attention to the hon. gentleman's resume
of the past session,
Mr. ANGERSTEIN then came forward, and was
loudly cheered. After some preliminary observa-
tion, he said the practice of the metropolitan mem-
bers meeting their constituents was a very useful
one, and calculated to do a great deal of good at the
present moment. There were gloomy clouds abroad
which, if not properly watched., might involve this
country, the highest in civilisation, in a dangerous
stolen On looking back to the time when he last
addressed them he saw abundant matter for con-
iratulation. We had been blessed with a plentiful
harvest, a harvest the like of which was seldom
known, and he was quite certain that there was not
a thinking man who had not owned to a far-seeing
and Almighty Providence his thanks for that plen-
tiful harvest, coming as it did when a portion of
the country (he alluded to Lancashire) was in great
distress. Another important fact was the arrival of
her Royal Highness the Princess Alexandra, and
her subsequent marriage to the Prince of Wales,
the heir apparent to the British throne—an event
which every Englishmen regarded with great satis-
faction. (Cheers,) Amongst the nations of Eu-
rope—he might say the world—England was
almost the clay country enjoying the blessings
of peace ; but On examining our situation, it was
almost impossible to say how long we should be at
peace. From east to west, and from north to south,
there were unfortunately indications of war, and
unless our ministers acted with prudence and judi-
ciousness the country might be involved in war. If
we looked to America, or whether we went so far
east as Japan and New Z ...eland, or so far north as
Danmark, the aspect was threatening. With re-
spect to their local affairs he was glad to see that
they were in a prosperous state. There was a pro-
spect of the Greenwich dock being carried out—a
matter of great importance to the town, as it was
intended to apply to Parliament for an extension of
time to complete the undertaking. With regard to
the Greenwich Railway it was very desirable that
there should be railway communication between
Greenwich and Woolwich, and they all felt that if
possible the railway should be carried out, and he
believed that there was an evident intention on the
part of the promoters, and of all persons interested,
to carry the matter to a successful issue. He now
came to the railway question. His colleague (Mr.
Alderman Salomons) had promised to bring the
question before the House of Commons, and he (the
speaker) would give it every support. (Hear.) He
was one of the first to bring forward the question,
and the ectioe. of the Government upon it had not
been satisfactory, as it was thought that the ques-
tion should be considered as a whole. He fully be-
lieved that they were entitled to rate government
property just as well as the property of private in-
dividuals. (Hear, hear.) During the past year
the strong hand of death, he regretted to say, had
done its work. Lord Lansdowne, Sir 0. C. Lewis,
Mr. Ellice, Lord Elgin, and others illustrious for
their name, talent, ability, and services, were gone.
The hon. member having paid an eloquent tribute
to the memory of the noble dead, continued—
The last session of Perliameat might be tilled
a barren session ; but as they had expunged from
the statute-book many laws it left them compara-
tively speaking little to do. Although he called it
a comparatively barren session, yet laws which had
existed for 600 years had been erased, modified, and
made simple. They owed a great debt of gratitude
to the noble lord who held the wooleack, Lord
"Westbury, who had been instrumental in providing
us a simple code cf laws, which he was happy to
state had received the sanction of Parliament. With
respect to the bill for the augmentation of benefices
introduced by the Lord Chancellor, that noble lord
had given up the patronage of 320 livings solely in
the hope that the monies from the sale of the next
presentations would be pieced to the credit of
smaller benefices, and thus enable the Church to look
respectable, as many of the clergy, as they were no
doubt aware, were passing rich upon A.:40 a year.
Another great bill, which was or great advactegeto
the country, especially to the suffering people of
Lancashire, the Union Relief A;d Continuance Bill.
he was glad to tell, on the authority of Mr. Farnall,
her Majesty's commissioner—and no one better able
for the work in hand could possibly be found—that
the bill was entirely a success. The object of the
bill was to raise 1120,000 out of the public funds
upon the security of the rates. I\lr. Furnall had
stated that the operatives of Lancashire had done
and were doing their best to earn the wages at the
won: which had been provided for them. In fact,
the bill was a complete success. The conduct of the
operatives under their terrible calamity was deserv-
ing of the greatest credit. It showed that the
working classes were to be trusted, and he hoped to
see, as time progressed, that they ware worthy to be
more trusted. (Cheers.) During the past year the
amount lost to the operatives of Lancashire in wages
alone was between £8,000,000 and £9,000,000,
white the oapital of the reillowners in round num-
bers was about £5,000,000. The enormous amount of
loss in wages pressed very hard upon the operatives,
and he regretted to observe that the superior class
did not show so much vitalityeas was evinced by
the lower class. There were several other bills in-
troducsd into Parliament which were lost, intro-
duced, no doubt, with a good object, but without
success. He might mention Mr. Somes's bill for
closing public-houses on Sundays. (Hisses.) He
quite agreed with Mr. Somes that the public-house
was not the happiest place for a man to spend his
Sundays, but he did not see why he should be
deprived of the liberty of doing so if he was so
inclined. (Cheers.) He, therefore, voted against
the bill. Another bill proposed to convert the
Exhibition building of 1862 into a permanent in-
stitution, and he was glad to think that the country
was not saddled with an incubus which it would
never forget. He then referred to the budget of
the Chancellor of the Exchequer, which, although
encumbered with certain proposals which did not
become law, received the general concurrence of the
house. It conferred two great boons on the country
the reduction of the duty on tea from ls. 3d. to
ls. in the peund, and the reduction of 2d. in the
pound on the income tax. Notwithstanding those
largo delhotiooss tho decrease in the revenue
amounted to less than two millions, while there was
no increase in other articles of consumption to the
extent of £1,300,000, so therefore there was only
an actual deficit of some 1800,000. With regard
to the private business of the house, a feast had
been provided for the members which he thought
would be very difficult to digest. (Hear.) In our
foreign policy Lord Palmerston and Lord Russell
had been placed in a somewhat difficult position.
Ha ever, he approved of that policy, and every
right- thinking man would do the same. It
had received the sanction of both sides of the
house. With respect to America, a policy of
strict neutrality and non-intervention had been
observed under circumstances of a most peculiar
nature. Having lamented the present struggle in
elm -erica, he expressed his ozinion that Lord Res-
. sell was able to deal with the American question ;
it was in safe hands. Oar ministers had done very
well; if they had been angels they could hardly
have done beter. However much we sympathised
for the Poles, still we could not but make matters
engaging in a war with Russia.
worse by For
Poland we sympathised, hut could not go to war for
her. With regard to the Schleswig Holstein ques-
tion, it looked very dan,4Erous, and he thought that
Denmark had been badly treated, as the treaty of
852 placed her in a position from which we had no
tight to remove her. The suggested Congress was
rightly objected to by Lord Russell. He should
like to know, suppoaieg we had joined it, and con-
sidering the state of affairs at present, when it would
terminate its sittinge. After some further observe-
tions the hon. gentleman, concluded his address by

briefly referring to various measures about to be
brought in during the ensuing session.
Having answered several questions in a satisfac-
tory manner, the following resolution was unani-
mously carried :—" That this meeting thank Mr.
An gerstein for giving them the opportunity of meet-
ing him, and desire to express their satisfaction at
his conduct as their representative in parliament."
A vote of thanks was passed to the chairman ; and
three hearty cheers having been given for the hon.
gentleman and the Queen, the proceedings termi-
nated.

The Romsey Labourers' Encouragement
Association,

B.OMSEY, Thursday.
The annual meeting of this association was
held this afternoon, and in the unavoidable ab-
sence of Lord Palmerston the Right Hon. W.
Cowper, M.P., presided. Amongst the other
gentlemen present were Sir C. Rawlinson, the
Mayer, Mr. Lordan, the ex-Mayor, the Vicar, Lieut.
A lisop, and many of the leading gentlemen of the
neighbourhood. .

The dinner given to the successful candidates
took place in the Town Hall, after which the prizes
were distributed by the Right Hon. W. Cowper,
who pointed out to the successful candidates the ad-
vantages of cultivating habits of industry, honesty,
and sobriety. /1.3 strongly recommended them to
attend a little more to the simple rules of health,
observing that there were many cottagers who had
not yet discovered that the air which they breathed
over and over again became as foul and as dirty as
the water is which they washed their hands. Many
people were not aware that air became as dirty as
water would be to drink. Many were so afraid of
admitting the cold air that they excluded the fresh
air. They continued breathing the same air over
and over again, thus sowing the seeds of disease
which too frequently termiLated fatally. The right
hon. gentleman concluded his remarks by recom-
mending those labourers who had a little more than
sufficed for their daily wants to resist the tempta-
tion of wasting their money in useless and wasteful
indulgences, and to guard themselves against those
fatal habits which too frequently deprived men of
all power of self-control, and led to their ultimate
ruin. _ _ _

At the close of the right hon. gentleman's address
three hearty cheers were given for Lord Palmerston,
and three more for Lady Palmerston.
Mr. CoWPER said he was quite certain Lord and
Lady Palmerston would be very much delighted
to hear of the manner in which their names had
been received. Nothing could have kept his
lordship away but illness, for he felt an espe-
cial interest in the success of the society, and
would be most gratified in finding that two of the
cottegers on his estates had received prizes, and that
priz,s had been awarded to persons employed on
his farm for good conduct.
A large party of the subscribers afterwards dined
together at the White Horse Hotel; Mr. Cowper

presiding.
The usual loyal toasts were given and received
with the greatest cordiality.
The CHAIRMAN, in proposing "The Army, the
Navy, and the Volunteers," said—When we cast
our eyes over the Continent, and see in every direc-
tion perplexities and difficulties, wars and rumours
of wars, we naturally look at home to see whether
our brave defenders are in a position to give us
security and peace. We see on the Continent, under
the name of a desire to deliver and promote
nationalities, most menacing designs; and there
seems to be no real ground for satisfactory security
except in the bravery and efficiency of our army,
our navy, and our volunteers. (Cheers.) Our army
have shown their prowess in recent as well as in
earlier times ; and the men who have never been
becten in a pitched battle are still fairly represented
in our existing army. (Cheers.) Oar fleet, which
has gained a victory wherever it has appeared, has
reach an amount of efficiency which it never knew
before, by means of a combination of newly-dis-
covered mechanical skill and the energy of our
sailors. (Cheers.) Our volunteers, rising as they
do with enthusiasm over the length and breadth of
the country, are the most sure guarantee that Eng-
land need never fear the invasion of a foreign foe.
(Cheers.) I know of no sptctacle more gratifying
to the English nation than the energy, the patience,
the perseverance with which the volunteers have
continued year after year to exercise themselves
for a coming day which may be, and I hope is,
'es distant, and the sacrifice which they have made
of time and amusement in order to fit them to
defend their country are worthy of all praise and
of our utmost gratitude. (Loud cheers.)
Lieutenant ALLSOP responded.
Sir C. RAWLINSON then proposed The Health
of Lord Palmerston," which was drunk with three
times three, and was followed by the same for
Lady Palmerston.
Me CHAIRMAN, in proposing the toast of the
evening, " Success to the Romsey Labourers En-
couragement Association," said—Every one will
admit that the condition of the agricultural labourer
has greatly improved in recent years. Our free.
trade policy and wise legislation have cheapened
the necessaries of life and have placed within the
reach of the labourer luxuries and enjoyments
which he could not before command. But still
there are many disadvantages and privations to
which that class is exposed, and which we all
earnestly desire to remedy. I do not allude to such
imaginary grievances as that of the tiller of the
soil not having any share in the ownership of the
land. Such a complaint as that rests on a fallacy
and a delusion. If it were possible to make the
labourers the owners of the land which they are
tiding, it would be a retrograde movement in agri-
culture. The great progress in agriculture
of late years has been due to the concentra-
tion and application of capital to an amount of land
which is sufficient to justify the favourable employ-
ment of that capital ; and it would be going back
to times of lees prosperity—it would be following
the example of countries less prosperous than Ea g
land in agriculture, if we were to aim at such an
absurd and impossible object. (Hear, hear.) Bat
in a humbler way there are many things which
might be done to improve the condition of the
labourer. It is distressing to find men unable to ob-
tain cottages in which they can bring up their chil-
dren decently. It is not the fault of the labourer
that he is not in a condition to build his own
cottage or provide one for himself. Ho is
obliged to depend upon what may be within his
reach. It is also an object of great regret that so
very few of the labouring classes are able from their
earnings to lay by sufficient to keep them in old age,
if they should not have children or relations who
will undertake the care of them. But what I desire
for the agricultural labourer is that he should have
access to healthy and comfortable cottages—that he
should have allotments of garden ground of suffi-
cient size and at a moderate rent for his own culti-
vation—(hear, hear)—that he should be able to pro-
vide a good education for his children, and have
opportunities of mental reeroation for himself—that
he should have fair wages for his work, and should
have within his reach the help which he needs in
times of sickness and old ege. (Hear, hear.) No
doubt there is amongst the agricultural labourers a
great want of skill in their special business. It has
long been a cause of regret amongst those who are
Interested in the progress of the labouring man that
he has not that amount of skill and proficiency
which i 3 so desirable. I think these associations
have taken up that peiut in a very wise and prac
tical manner, by applying to the agricultural
labourer that principle which is so much admired,
and which is so successful in the present day—the
principle of competitive examination—(hear, hear)
--for what we really do is to examine by competi-
tion those agricultural labours iu the hope of stimu-
lating them to acquire more skill, and to give more
attention to that which is their proper business in
nee. (Hear, hear.) This is the way in which the
race of horses is improved—by the competition which
takes place in our Derby and St. Leger, and country
races. When persons are really competing for
an object which they value they will apply all their
energies to the work with an animation and zeal
which they would not exert for the object alone.
Competition stimulates exertion, end this society
has certainly been very useful in stimulating
the agricultural labourer to an improved exercise o:

his tools in the business in which he is employed.

We shall have to require more skill in the agricul-
tural labourers. We see that steam machinery is

about to make a considerable change in agriculture,

es it has already done in weaving and in other
branches of industrial manufacture, and we shall

require men who are able to manage and deal with
those steam engines which are beginning to wander
over the country. I look with satisfaction upon.this
change under the aspect of its benefit to the labourer,
for the result must be that the labourer, becoming

more of a skilled artizan, will have higher wages,
and be saved from much of that dru3gery which has

to be performed by manual labour. In every walk
of industry the application of steam machinery has
_ .

raised the condition of the workman, and so it must

be with the agriculturist ; the labourer as well as the
farmer and the owner of land, will reap the benefit

arising from the application of science and skill to
the implements of husbandry. (Hear, hear.) In a
future year I think it will be well to bear this in
mind in regard to the subjects to be tested by this
competitive examination. (Hear, hear.) While skill
should be the main object to be rewarded, I should
be sorry to omit the offering of prizes for good moral
conduct; because there are a considerable number of

agricultural labourers whose excellence cannot be
tested by any single occupation, but whose merits
must be judged by the character they bear and the
satisfactory way in which they perform their duties.
By this combination we put forward both the merit
of the workman and his moral character. We com-
bine the skill and good behaviour of those persons
who are put forward as an example for others to
follow. (Hear, hear.) I think the association cer-
tainly has been of great value. Although not an
ambitious mode of benefitting the workman, it has
been practically useful, and a satisfactory mode
of attaining the object, and I think you
will all agree that in attending these meetings we
are helping on the good cause. (Hear, hear.) I
cannot sympathise with those who would apply the
rugged rules of political economy to the condition
of the labourer, and would leave him alone, let him
be independent, do not interfere with him, leave
him to the accidents of the labour market or you
will interfere with his independence. I cannot take
that view of the subject. I think that the labour-
ing men who join in reaping the harvest which
gives food and wealth to the country are deserving
of the utmost sympathy and assistance wherever it
can be given by the influential members of the
community. (Hear, hear.) Although our agricul-
tural labourers do not risk their lives for their count.
try they employ them in a useful and beneficial
occupation, and the gratitude which the rest of the
community ought to feel towards them should be
shown by doing what lies in our power to remove
the difficulties, the inconveniences, and the priva-
tions with which they are afflicted. lam suce that
every right-minded man will be anxious to do
everything in his power to improve the condition of
the labouring classes. There are cases in which
persons may do harm when they think they are
doing good, but this association shows a useful and
beneficial way of bringing public attention to bear
on the coudition of the labouring classes, and assist-
ing in the development of their good qualities by
tt.e force of public opinion. (The toast was drunk
with the usual honours.)
The MAYOR then proposed the health of the chair-
man, who briefly acknowledged the compliment,
and proposed the health of the committee, the secre-
tary, and the judges, to which toast Mr, Allsop,
Mr. Lordan, and Mr. Hunt responded.
Several other toasts of a local character were after-
wards given and responded to.

The Accident to the Steamer Anglia.

On Wednesday the official iavestig,ation into the circum
stances attending the stranding of the Atlantic Royal
Mail Steam Navigation Company's steamer Anglia, Capt.
Prowse, was opened by order of the Board of Trade, at
the Greenwich Police-court, before Mr. Traill, magis-
trate, and Captain Harris, nautical assessor. As was the
cr.se on the previous day, Capt. Biker, the other nautical
assessor, was not present in. the court, and after waiting
nearly au hour, it was agreed that the proceedings should
commence in his absence.
Mr. Sharkey appeared for Capt. Prowse; Mr. Valiance
represented the Atlantic Mail Company; and Mr. O'Dowd
was present for the Board of Trade.
Mr. O'Dowd said that the Beard of Trade had thought
fit to order an investigation into the stranding of the Anglia,
on the morning of Nov. 10, on the Black Rock, close to the
town of Galway. He was happy to say that there had been
no loss of life or property, and that the material damage
sustained by the vessel was just sufficient to bring it within
the jurisdiction of that court. The Anglia was a paddlewheel
steamer, built at Hull in 1861. Her registered gross ton-
nage was 2,949 ; deducting 1,290 tons for the propel-
ling power, her registered tonnage was 1,658. She had two
engines of 1,00) horse-power, and the ship was under the
command of Mr. N. Prowse, who held a certificate of com•
petency from the Board of Trade, and was a gentleman. of
very high professional standing and character. Her crew
consisted in all of about 130 hands. The Anglia, laden with
a general cargo, and having 140 passengers, left Liverpool
fur Boston about 7 o'clock in the evening of the 7th of
November, and arrived in Galway Bay at 6 o'clock in
the afternoon of the 9th. At that time she was off Black
Head, on the coast of Clare, taking the south and usual
channel. She proceeded steadily towards the roadstead, and
when about half-way the weather suddenly became thick
with rain, and squally. Her head was then put to the west-
ward, and, the weather continuing squally, the steamer re-
turned and anchored under the Black Head, about 50 mi-
nutes past 7 o'clock. At 2 o'clock on the mornidgof the 10th
the ship weighed anchor and again proceeded towards the
roadstead very closely. Capt. Prowse, being aware of the
difficulties of the navigation, directed rockets to be sent up,
blue lights to be burned, and guns to be fired for a pilot.
No pilot, however, offered. And with reference to this part
of the case, the learned gentleman adverted to the pilotage
clauses in the Galway Harbour Act, from which it would
appear that the ship was then in pilotage waters. He then
returned to the course of the Anglia. About 5.a.m. on the
morning of the 10th, while she was going dead slow, and
every precaution being apparently taken to secure her safe
navigation in the roadstead, the steamer grounded on a
ledge close to the Black Rock. The tide was then on the
ebb. The ship came off on the next flood, and was taken.
back to Liverpool, where it was ascertained that she had
sustained sufficient damage to bring her within. the opera-
tion of the act. From his (Mr. O'Dewd's) knowledge of
the constitution of the Court, he felt satisfied that every
justice would be done Capt. Prowse. In conducting those
inquiries, he felt that it was not his duty to express any
opinion upon the facts. No one would be more pleased than
himself if the Court absolved Capt. Prowse from all blame
in the matter, but, on the other hand, if it should appear
that he had been guilty of any default, ho was certain the
Court would not refrain from expressing their opinion,
Several witnesses were then called and examined. The
first was

put in as evidenco the report of Mr. Fibbs, the deputy•
receiver of wrecks at Galway.
•

Mr. O'Dowd said it was not usual to produce the reports
so made to the Board of trade, but, with the consent of the
Court, he would undertake to do so.
Mr. Traill said the real question to be decided was, had
Captain Prowse anted judiciously in proceeding on the
voyage without th harbour or port pilot, and, if he had
acted judiciously, whether he had acted skilfully.
It being now nearly five o'clock, the inquiry was ad-
journed.

JOURNALS, j Diet, but for the benefit of the Prince whom they
have temporarily ousted. In Holstein, however,
it is notorious that the Duchy is administered under
the protection of G-rmun troops, not for the Sove-
reign who has been ousted—namely, Caristian of
Denmark—but for a pretender, who, by the assist-
ance of the Federal troops, has been able to secure
a revolution in his own favour. Denmark may,
therefore, naturally reproach England with having;
persuaded her to relinquish a portion of her domi-
nions without having thereby secured the slightest
possible advantage. Had Denmark contemplated.
—or, more correctly speaking, had she felt assured:
—that matters would have taken their present
course, she would not have evacuated Holstein, nor
with a knowledge of what has since taken place
would England have counselled such a step. It is
now clear that Germany will not be content with
Holstein ; and if a war is inevitable, Denmark
ould have been all the stronger with that Duchy
in her possession. However, it is now idle to in-
dulge in regrets. We simply refer to the past in.
order to show that, if either Denmark or Germany
have reason to feel aggrieved by the policy hitherto
pursued by England, it is certainly not the latter
Power. We cannot therefore forbear Ex pressing our•
astonishment at the violent attacK made upon the
English Government by the Breslauer Zeitung, a
journal published in the capital of Silesia. The,
article in question is headed the" EoglishThreats,"
and the public will be surprised to hear that it is
thus the mild remonstrances adapted by Earl Rus-
sell to the Diet at Frankfort have been characterised
by our Prussian contemporary. In a recent despatch
the Foreign Secretary, as our readers are aware,
directed the attention of the German representatives
to the existence of the London Treaty, and warned.
them that " over hasty steps" on their part might
lead to serious complications. Tnis piece of advice,
which most persons will concur in thinking was
very moderately expressed, the Breslauer Zeieung
alleges has been followed by an intimation from
Earl Russell that, in the event of German troops
crossing the Eider, England would " not be able to
avoid affording the assistance requested by Den-
mark." We are not in a position to contradict our
contemporary upon this point; but if such a notifi.
cation has been made to the Diet by the Foreign
Secretary, it meets with our hearty approval. But
wherefore should Germany be indignant because
England refuses to stand quietly by and permit the
disintegration of Denmark ? Earl Russell is not,
we are told, in the same position as Herr von Bis-
mark. No, he is not ; but we cannot help observ-
ing that our contemporary has continually spoken
of him as if he were. We can readily understand
that the only idea that a Prussian journalist can
form of a Government is that of a body of men
acting in uncompromising antagonism to the mass
of the nation. It is under the influence of this notioa
that it is assumed that Earl Russell and his col-
leagues do not command the confidence of the coun-
try, and that, in the event of their aiding Denmark
to repel a German invasion, their policy would bo
disavowed by Parliament. We can only assure our
contemporary that the English:Cabinet is composed
of Ministers holding seats in either House of Par-
liament, and that their tenure of office depends not
on the will of the Sovereign, but on the approbation
of the majority of their fellow-senators. It is there-
fore, in the highest degree improbable that they
would counsel the Crown to pursue a policy which
would not be approved of by the country. If, then,
her Majesty's Ministers felt themselves called on to
aid Denmark in resisting the invasion of Schleswig
they would do so from a conscientious belief that
they were giving effect to the wishes of the
English nation.

COUNTRY MARKETS.

MANCHESTER-THURSDAY.

At our market this morning there was about an average
attendance, and, owing to a dense fog, business was much
interrupted. English wheat in fair request at is per qr
and foreign 211 to 3d per cental higher, Flour dui;, but 6d
per sack more money. Oats as before; oatmeal 6d per load
dearer. Egyptian beans and Indian corn each coniulauded
Is per qr over last week's rates: