The Sun.
London, England, 1863-09-08 00:00:00

POLISH INDEPENDENCE.

A public meeting of the inhabitants of Chelsea to
express their sympathy with the present struggle
for Polish independence, was held last evening at
the Vestry-hall, King's-road, Chelsea—Mr. Hall,
vestryman, in the chair. A deputation was in at-
tendance from the National League for the Inde-
pendence of Poland, consisting of Messrs. Beales,
Facey, Odger, Stainsby, and J. H. Taylor.
The CHAIRMAN having apologised for the absence
of the rector, the Rev. Mr. Blunt, who was pre-
vented by a pressing engagement from taking the
chair, and expressed his hearty BYmPithy with the
object of the meeting,
Mr. RABETETS, a vestryman, moved the fo!lowing
resolution :

"That the devotel and self• sacrificing heroism of the
Poles in ail their previous struggles in defence either of
their own rights or of the liberties of other nations, as well
as in their present struggle fur the recovery of the freedom
and independence of their cou'itry, entitles them to the cor-
dial affection and support of evellrY free people ; whilst the
atrocious conduct of the Russians in their past misrule and
oppression of Poland, and in the war they are now so
savagely waging for its renewed sutjup:tion, is a scandal to
Christendom and an insult to humanity.):
Dr. HARNESS seconded the resolutions, which was
supported by Mr. E. BEALES, is a iOngthened
speech, and carried by acelamatien.
Dr. LE'VISON moved a resolution approving of the
objects of the newly-formed National League for
Polish independence, which was seconded by Mr.
ODGER, and carried unanimously.

Mr. FACEY moved the adoption of the following
address to the Polish people:—
"Poles I--We admire the devoted heroism displayed by
all ranks and both sexes in your afflicted country in your
present righteous and terrible struggle for nai ional indepen-
dence. We abhor the brutal ferocity and sanguinary atro-
cities of your enemies and oppressors in the warfare they are
waging for your renewed subjugation. We earnestly pray
for, and shall heartily rejoice in. your success and triumph.
Your appeal to the peoples and Governments of Europe, as
brethren, to recognise your national and belligerent rights
to sever all alliance with the Czar of Russia as King of Po-
land, and to declare that Russia has no right to rule over
you, claims our warmest sympathy and is entitled to our
best support. We thus cordially respond to that appeal in
the conviction—a conviction forced upon us by all the his-
tory of the past, as well as by the facts of the present age—
that the re• establishment of your country as a powerful and
independent nations it is the only atonement that can
satisfy justice ane :str.Anity for the crimes of its original
dismemberment an: the subsequent cruelties to which it has
been subjected, is imperatively demanded by the soundest
policy as essential to the permanent peace and welfare of
Europe, and as a protection and safeguard against incessant
disorder and frightful convulsions, and all the lawless ex-
cesses and aggressive rapacity of armistic arbitrary power."
Mr. STAINSBY seconded the address, which was
agreed to..

Mr. J. H. TAYLOR, the secretary of the league,
having addressed the meeting, a vote of thanks to
the chairman concluded the proceedings.

HOP INTELLIGENCE.

MAIDSTONE, Sept. 3..—Hop-picking is now very general
throughout the district, and they appear thus far to come
down better than was at one time anticipated. In one plan-
tation (Mr. Buck's, Loose), no less than 2,000 bushels of
fine hops were picked on the first day (Monday), the pickers
being much in advance of the dryers. The hops, where they
are good in quantity, are also of very superior quality, and
the crop will be remunerative. We are not short of hands,
as since Friday last upwards of 15,000 hoppers have arrived
by train, independent of parties travelling by road. On
Sunday four special trains were put on at very reduced fares,
and the station-masters had, in addition, to put on a num-
ber of cattle trucks, which, as well as the carriages, were
crowded to excess, leaving no sitting space. Thanks to the
excellent arrangements made by Mr. Ragget, and the good
management of his subordinates, very little interruption has
been given to the ordinary traffic on the line.
FARNHAM, Sept. 3.—Picking has commenced, but not
generally. Some come down well, but they vary ; one piece,
for example, at Tongham, is not looking near so well as they
did a week ago.
TENTERDEN, Sept. 3.—The late rains and the genial
weather have improved the hops in this parish within the
last fortnight. Picking has commenced in some parts, and,
we hear, come down faster than was expected,
TUNBRIDGE WELLS, Sept. 2.—The hops in this neigh-
bourhood give promise of an average crop. In the best kinds
of grounds they are in good condition, while those in infe-
rior situations are getting on well. Picking will very soon
commence.

THE HOP CROP ON THE CONTINENT.—The Cologne
Gazette of Saturday se'nnight contains a letter from Nu-
remberg, dated August 21, which gives the follou log de-
scription of the condition of the hop crop in Bavaria:—
" The warm rains during the last eight days have had a
most beneficial operation on the Bavarian hop plantations,
and have promoted the growth so much that a tolerable
estimate of the crop can now be given. Spalt, Weingarten,
Moosbach, and Stirn look well, and only in the Spalt district
are some places found which have partly suffered, and can
scarcely now recover. The Hallertan growth is also good
on the whole, and promises an abundant crop. The Dollen
have for the most part sprouted there, and now begin to
ripen. The Aisch plantation, which looked moderately
well a fortnight since, has now much improved ; and the
same may be said of Hersbruck and Altdorf, at which places
the warm rain has had a particularly beneficial influence.
On the average Bavaria will have a good half crop, and
will also rejoice in hops of very good quality. The Dollen
growth will in no instance be heavy. The stock of 1862
hops is very low, and are sold at 50 to 60 florins per cwt.
Purchases of 1861 hops have been be made at from 25 to 30
florins."
The same journal also contains the following from Prague,
dated Aug. 22 :—" The business in hops of the growth of
1862 has not been so active this week. The reports as to
the new crops are favourable, as rain has fallen in several
places. Although picking has begun in some plantations,
a continuous rain may yet greatly increase the growth.
Saazer-Stadtgut are quoted at 130 to 140 florins ; ditto
Landgut, 110 to 115 florins. Auschau red hops are 60 to
70 forms ; ditto green hops, 50 to GO florins."—[The Ger-
man florin is generally estimated at is. 82., a p;iund sterling
being usually received at 12 florins.]