The Sun.
London, England, 1853-09-29 00:00:00

LONDON, THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 1853.

It is still maintained by the principal organ of
her MAJESTY'S Government that even now war is
by no means imminent, and that, after all, no
energetic measures have been taken for the trans-
mission of maritime aid from Besika, Bay to the
waters of Constantinople. Supposing these state-
ments to be accurate, then would they constitute
only additional and more damning evidence of
the incapacity of the present Administration.
Let occurrences actually prove that the Cabinet
has persisted in its old policy of timorous delays
and abject concessions, and it will not be difficult
then to decide who in this Eastern contention are
the blusterers. To suppose, however, for an in-
stant that no bolder, nobler, manlier front will
be presented by England to the Russian AUTO-
CRAT, would be, we conceive, under existing cir-
cumstances, altogether preposterous. It would be
preposterous after the energetic language addressed
to the men of Greenock by Lord J. RUSSELL. It
would be preposterous, especially preposterous,
after the panegyrics pronounced at Perth, and
afterwards at Glasgow, by Lord PALMERSTON
upon the sagacity and resolution of her Britannic
MAJESTY'S Principal Secretary of State for the
Foreign Department. Demonstrate now that no
larger powers have been accorded to Lord STRAT-
FORD, that no instructions have been forwarded to
Admiral DUNDAS authorising him to afford assist-
ance, if required, to the British Ambassador at
Constantinople—and you will effectually cap the
climax of the turpitude of the Coalition, you
will prove that the members of that Coalition
have rendered themselves contemptible as brag-
garts, after having sullied their reputation for pa-
triotism by their pusillanimity. Either the remarks
made the other day by the Leader of the House of
Commons go for nothing—in which case they would
be no less despicable than the vapourings of PA-
ROLLES—or they signify an intention on the part
of himself and his Ministerial colleagues, to lend,
at last, efficient support to the honourable inte-
rests and inalienable rights of the Turkish Govern-
ment. Either (again) the tone adopted by the
Noble Member for Tiverton, when referring re-
cently to the present occupant of the Foreign-
office, went for nothing—in which case it would
imply a disgraceful sympathy with the bullyings
of a BosAna—or it augured the display of a more
chivalrous bearing towards the CZAR on the part
of the ruling Coalition. It is obvious, there-
fore, that statements thrust, of late, officially
upon the attention of the community, have
only tended to place the Cabinet in a new, and
unexpected, and in some respects still more paltry
dilemma than any upon which it has hitherto
blundered. Another of the delectable conse-
quences of the confusion inseparable from an un-
principled political combination—another of the
happy fruits of the Coalition—another of the
blessed results of the Joint-Stock Administration.
A mysterious silence has hitherto concealed
from the public knowledge many of the short-
comings of the ABERDEEN Government. Occa-
sionally that silence has been broken. Inadver-
tently, and therefore inopportunely, words have
fallen from the lips
of Ministers which have
afforded a glimpse of the disagreements rife
among the advisers of the SOVEREIGN." Everybody
recollects, for example, how the orthodox,"
"low Church " sentiments of the author of the
Ecclesiastical Titles Bill were repudiated by the
Prime Minister in that communication to Mr.
MoNsELn, in which the former strove to conciliate
the goodwill of the Ultramontanists ! And so it
has been repeatedly, time and again, atintervals,
ever since the " travelled Thane " brought "All
the Talents " together in the same Cabinet—
effecting that miracle by the craft of compromise
and the magic of inconsistency. Nevertheless, it
had up to the last week or two been only at mo-
ments that Secretaries of State, and other high
personages in the Goverment, had broken from
the tether of their taciturnity. Until Lord JOHN
RUSSELL spoke out boldly the other day at Green-
ock, and until the citizens of Perth and of Glas-
gow were addressed by Viscount PALMERSTON in
direct allusion to the foreign policy of the Earl of
CLARENDON, the community had only listened to
a few whispered syllables of blurted disclosure
'and incoherent revelation. At length, however,
it is different. The people have listened to senti-
ments to-day which they might have hearkened in
vain for yesterday. They have heard the Mem-
ber for the City of London, the Leader of the
House of Commons, declaring that war would be
preferred by the Cabinet 'tom dishonourable pacifi-
cation. They have heard thettßepresentative of
the borough of Tiverton, the Chief. Secretary of
the Home Department, commendinguthe Earl of
CLARENDON, in so many wprds, as a rrstatesman
" who, by his independent and truly British feel-
ing, by the firmness of his mind, by the greatness
of his talents, by the clearness of his perceptions,
and by the determination which animates his con-

duct, will," said Lord PALMERSTON, " amply an-
swer and repay the confidence and support which,
I trust, and am persuaded he will receive from
the great mass of his fellow-countrymen." It is
not merely to vague words of encouragement that
the country is lending ear consequently—but to
distinct promises of energy, and to explicit predic-
tions of a more chivalrous line of policy : promises
and predictions, it will be observed, made
by two of the most conspicuous members '
of the ruling Government. Assurances of
considerable weight as coming to us from the
lips of Lord JOHN RUSSELL and of Viscount PAL-
MERSTON. It is scarcely credible, therefore, we
maintain, that the language of these statesmen
can be, as the official organ would intimate, only
" fire and fury, signifying nothing"—the lan-
guage voluntarily uttered by the Leader of the
House of Commons and by her MAJESTY'S
principal
Home Secretary. No :in spite of every declaration
o the contrary, we must believe, for the credit of
Lord PALMERSTON and his Ministerial colleague,
that the boasts of the one and the panegyrics of the
other have been justified by the transmission of
larger powers to the British Ambassador
at Constantinople, and of more resolute instruc-
tions to the British Admiral in the Medi-
terranean. Otherwise, the Coalition will be shown
to have yet more shamefully paltered with the
honour of the Crown, by meeting Russia with
words of menace and acts of subserviency—a con-
jecture which every patriotic observer must be
loath to entertain, until actual events have proved
beyond the possibility of doubt that the national
credit has indeed been thus infamously and de-
plorably compromised.

Yesterday afternoon a favourable reaction
occurred on the Stock Exchange. Up to that time
the downward tendency of the quotations of
stocks and shares still continued. It is useless to
attempt disguising the fact that a complete panic
had set in on the Stock Exchange, that sales of
public and private securities were pressed, the
holders submitting to the most serious sacrifices,
in order to obtain a present command of money,
for which, in all human probability, they should be
seeking new investments within a few weeks at
greatly advanced prices. The excitement was, in
fact, increasing, although no new circumstances
had been brought to light—no fresh authentic
intelligence had transpired to account for or jus-
tify the unreasoning alarm. A rally, however,
took place on the arrival of the Typhoon and
Marlborough from Port Philip being announced,
bringing with them nearly eighty thousand ounces
of gold, of the value of close on 320,0001. ster-
ling ; and also on the Essex being reported, said
to bring about ten thousand ounces, of the value
of 40,000/. more. It was also discovered about
the same time, that the Bears had been carrying
their operations a little too far ; and that so far
from their being an excess either of Stocks or
Shares for delivery, there was, in fact, a short sup-
ply, so that the last price of Consols was 92-i. It
was said that after regular hours there was a
slight falling off, and that transactions took place
at 92 to I.
It is to be anticipated that the Ursine fraternity
will make the most energetic efforts to continue
the excitement hitherto prevailing, and to ensnare
other victims in their toils. They will not easily
permit such rich booty to escape from their
clutches, and the readiness with which many per-
sons, during the early part of the week, threw
their property unreservedly on the market, must
encourage further attempts on the pockets of the
community. We trust, however, that the parties,
who are now fully awakened to the designs of
those desirous of reducing their purses to less
plethoric dimensions, will profit by the salutary
warnings, and preserve their property from the
grasp of the spoilers. Everything, in fact, that
has hitherto come to light should be regarded
with satisfaction—should allay rather than en-
hance their apprehensions. We should feel thank-
ful that a portion of the combined squadrons have
entered the Sea of Marmora, and there would be
additional cause for self-gratulation if we could
be assured that the remainder of the French
and English Fleets had anchored in the same
position. The real ground for alarm would be
a continuance of the strange and unaccountable
timidity and vacillation that has brought so much
contempt and dishonour on the British name,
that has destroyed our ancient prestige, and en-
couraged every puny despot to insult and injure
British subjects, and to disregard the representa-
tions and remonstrances of British diplomatists,
affording fresh illustrations of the fable of the
living ass and the dead lion. But the once ma-
jestic animal is not dead. It had been drugged
with soporifics, but, when at length aroused, woe
betide its long-eared assailants. The intelligence
that the long-continued apathy had been shaken
off, should be received with joy and satis-
faction by every manly heart in the United King-
dom, and every right-minded Englishman should
lend his aid to support and sustain the party
anxious to vindicate and retrieve the honour of
his country, in place of attempting to injure the
financial resources of England and paralyse its in-
dustrial energies. There is but one consolatory cir-
cumstance connected with the transaction, which
is, that any degree of pusillanimity will carry
with it its own punishment—that an avenging
NEMESIS will pursue the terrorists, and that they
will suffer a just retribution for their conduct, in
the losses they sustain through their unreasoning
folly.

What, we ask, is there so very formidable in
the anger of Russia—even if sustained by Aus-
tria—to produce such excessive terror--such dis-
graceful alarm ? If, according to Lord JOHN
RUSSELL, " peace without honour is no longer
peace"—if it be nothing but " a truce, a preca-
rious truce, to be denounced by others whenever
they may think fit—whenever they think an op-
portunity has occurred to enforce by arms their
unjust demands, either upon us or upon our
allies"—should we not rejoice at the approaching
termination of this iuitoward state of affairs, at
any cost ? Has not the protracted suspense been
as injurious to our commercial interests as any
war in which we could be called on to participate?
Have we not suffered as much monetary derange-
ment as if, on the first invasion of the Danubian
Principalities, we had displayed the Union Jack
in the Blaek Sea and in the Baltic, and had made
Russia deeply rue her unscrupulous and unwar-
ranted aggression ? If we lived on a volcanic soil,
should we not willingly accept permanent safety
at the expense of a present eruption ? and why
should we not, in like manner, seek a conclusive
and permanent arrangement of the constantly im-
pending quarrel—a final solution of the difficulty,
without which there can be no honourable or
endurinc, peace.
___

We have
already endured the evils of war
without its advantages ; and if we, in conjunc-
tionwith the other great maritime European
Power,
do not muzzle the greedy Bear, we shall
continue to endure similar evils to the end of the
designs
chapter. The of Russia are patent to
she
world ; they he
av
hasenever for a moment been
I disguised, and
only waited for a favour-
able opportunity for
carrying out her nefarious
objects, and pushing her incessant encroachments
to their natural termination
evz., the annexation
of Turkey in Europe to her own w dominions.
That opportunity she saw in then
accession to
office of the Coalition Government, and the
assumption of the chief place h
in the British
1
'
Cabinet by the "good and excellent ABERDEEN,"
on whose apathy, if not connivance, she fancied
she might depend, and thence the proceedings i
which have entailed such practical inconvenience '
and such enormous losses on all the nations of
Europe, and more especially on that which !
had the misfortune of being placed under !
the direction of such a Minister. That she
was not mistaken in her estimate of the
First Lord of the Treasury is unfortunately but too
notorious ; but, happily, his vacillation has been
counteracted by the steady and unflinching deter-
mination
of the British people—his apathy has !
been counterbalanced by their active energies.
Never were we better prepared for war, and, what
is even more to the purpose, never was Turkey
more ready for the final appeal to arms. In place
of being taken at a disadvantage, a better time
could not have been selected, and we almost thank

the AUTOCRAT for suffering his cupidity and am-
bition to hurry him on to such lengths, that no
further mistake can exist either as to his own
grasping and aggressive policy, or as to the
treachery and perfidy of his congenial associate—
the " RED EMPEROR."
The Porte has now numerous and well-discip-
lined troops, amply provided with all the muni-
tions of war, and burning with anxiety to be led
against the invaders of their country. The insults
of Russia have sunk deep into their hearts, are
branded in indelible characters on their memories.
A degree of enthusiasm is felt by even the com-
monest soldier, which must exercise a material in-
fluence on the contest. They will also have many
valuable allies—Poles and Magyars—victims of
despotism from many lands will flock to the
standard, burning to strike a formidable blow
against the hated tyrants who have driven them
from their native soils to wander as refugees through
every country that dares to afford them shelter
from chains and stripes—the gallows or the fusil-
lade. Are such men to be despised ? Is such
assistance to be slighted ? They will inscribe the
history of their unparalleled wrongs and suffer-
ings in letters of blood on the Calmuck hordes of
the despot to whom these wrongs and sufferings
may be mainly if not altogether attributed—drive
them from the fair provinces they have so wan-
tonly and so unwarrantably occupied, and carry
the war into the enemy's dominions until Russia
be restricted within its ancient boundaries, and
compelled to disgorge the plunder of past genera-
tions.

Meantime France and England, in cordial co-
operation, will scour the seas, until the flag of
Russia, or of Austria, if she join in an iniquitous
compact with the Northern Despot, dare not ven-
ture on any sea or ocean—nay, more, until their
ports are occupied by French and English fleets,
their fortifications dismantled, and their commerce
annihilated, What can they, or either of them,
do to France or England, more particularly when
Hungary, and Poland, and Lombardy will pro-
vide ample occupation at home, and rise regene-
rated from their ashes into constitutional States ?
We have nothing to fear but from the timidity of
our rulers and our moneyocracy, some of whom
would sacrifice at the shrine of Mammon the
liberties of the world, even of their native land,
provided they could retain their own vile pelf
without diminution or reduction.

COURT CIRCULAR.

BALMORAL, SEPT. 26.

Her Majesty and his Royal Highness Prince Albert
attended divine service yesterday in the parish church
of Crathie. The service was performed by the Rev. Dr.
Lee, of Greyfriars, Edinburgh.
Her Majesty and his Royal Highness dined at Aber-
geldie in the evening with her Royal Highness the
Duchess of Kent.

SEPT. 27.

The woods of Balmoral were yesterday driven for
deer. The shooting party consisted of his Royal High-
ness the Prince, Count Alexander Mensdorff, and Lieu-
tenant-Colonel the Hon. A. Gordon.

Her Majesty the Queen, the Prince of Wales, and
Prince Alfred were present during the drive.
The Royal dinner party in the evening, in addition to
the Royal suite, consisted of her Royal Highness the
Duchess of Kent, Count Alexander Mensdorff, the Hon.
Mrs. Gordon, and Sir George and Lady Couper.

Major-General Sir Richard Doherty had an interview
with the Duke of Newcastle yesterday. The Bishop of
London had also an interview with his Grace at the
Colonial-office.

Viscount Palmerston arrived. in town last night from
Carlisle.

NEWMARKET RACES.

Coleraine
Sabra ....

(THIS DAY.)

(BY ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH.)
SWEEPSTAKES, 5 SO VS.

TOWN PLATE.

Nutpecker
Three ran.
QUEEN'S PLATE.

Ilex

Four ran.
FOURTH TRIENNIAL STAKES.

..._. 1

Nabob
Three ran.
MATCH, 1001.—Nathan beat Little Gerard easily.
LATEST BETTING.
CESAREWITCH.
4to 1 agat King Pepin (taken—in great forge).
1000 to 60 on the field, bar one.

THE SUN, LONDON, THURSDAY EVENING, SEPTEMBER 29, 1853.

MONEY MARKET

AND
CITY INTELLIGENCE.

CITY, TWO O'CLOCK.

The sales of cotton at Liverpool yesterday were
estimated at 6,000 bales, of which 1,000 American
were taken for export and on speculation. T 1 e
market was flat and closed heavily, with prices of
American and Sara.; /d. per lb. lower. In Ameri-
can under sd. the decline is still greater. The
sales comprised 3,500 American, 200 Pernam and
Maranham at 6d. to 6d., 200 Bahia at 6-id. to
Rd., 300 Egyptian at bid. to 6d., 500 Surat at
3d. to 4Ad., and 40 Sea Island at ls. Bd. to 3s. per
lb. Railway Shares were rather firmer.

This morning there has been a delivery of let-
ters from Australia to as late a date as the 3d or
4th of July, by the ships noticed yesterday. The
greatest, anxiety prevails in circles where the
whole facts of the case are not well understood,
concerning the result of the enormous shipments of
goods not only already arrived, but known to be
on the way, and which were leaving up to the close
of last week. Upon looking over the exports, we
find that their amount was excessive until within a
few days, but that there is now greater caution and
more difficulty in getting freights. The losses will
fall chiefly, we apprehend, not upon the regular Aus-
tralian merchants, vho, having made good profits
at first, have been acting very cautiously since, but
upon a large number of private individuals, not in
trade, who have been anxious to have a "little
spec," and have seat out almost anything they
fancied might suit. In the same way, a great
number of wholesal€ dealers and manufacturers
have acted as merchants, and shipped freely.
Among them it is that the pressure, if any, will be
felt ; but no one can doubt that the ustraliantrade,
on the whole, had yielded enormous profits, and
that it is high time, in the interest of the colonies,
that a fall in prices should occur.

At the meeting of the South Sea Stock proprie-
tors, held this day, it was stated that the balance
of the Bond Debt remained at 4,5001. A long and
interesting discussion took place in respect to the
payment of those who had agreed to have money
for their stock ; but it appeared, from the state-
ment of the Chairman, that they, as trustees, could
not pay back the money without an express Act of
Parliament for that purpose. It was considered
by many present that such an act ought to be pro-
cured without delay. I Committee of Bye-laws
was chosen for the ensuing year.
The English Stocks have been buoyant, and
there is a good deal of buying back. More favour-
able accounts are stated to have been received
from Constantinople, where the peace party were
getting greater influence. Consols opened at
91/ to 92, and have since risen. to 93-k to g.
Already money stock is said to be scarcer—
a strange assertion after the recent assertions
of and abundant supply. But the truth
is that no one can ascertain in periods of excite-
ment how matters exactly stand. Exchequer Bills
have been done at Bs. to 155., and India Bonds at
3s. to 10s. prem. India Stock has been firm at 243.
The Foreign Stock Market has been more elastic.
Mexican Bonds have been 23 to 23, and Peruv;an
71 to 72. Equador is steady at 4i. Brazilian old
Bonds have been worth 100. Portuguese 4 per
Cents. are 411 Russian 5 per Cents. have been
done as high as 1141, after opening at 111. Dutch
21 per Cents. are 62 to
In the Railway Market this is settling day, and
prices have all advanced in consequence of the rase
in the funds. Caledonian have advanced 11. to 21.,
Great Western 10s., North-Western 1/. to 21., Mid-
land Norfolk 11., York and Berwick 1, and York
and North Midland 11. French Shares are better
likewise.

The Gold Mines have been very quiet, and the
Land Companies' firm. The Australian Banks are
flat.

BANK OF ENGLAND.

Another alteration has been made by the Direc-
tors of the Bank of England at their meeting this
day, in the minimum rate of discount, although
loans upon stock are obtainable at a lower rate than
the Bank has charged. The charge is now 5 per
cent.

This sudden fall is attributable to the advance in
the Bank rate.

BRITISH FUNDS THIS DAY AT ONE O'CLOCK.
(Prom the Official List.)

Business done.

3 per Cont. Consols Annuities .. 92 1i
India Stock
India Bonds, £lOOO .• •
Ditto, under £IC3O
Consols for Account
Exchequer Bills, id.

91i 3i i

£lOOO
£5OO l5 8
Ditto Small
PRICE OF FOREIGN FUNDS AT ONE O'CLOCK.
Brazilian Bonds, 5 per Cent
Danish Bonds, 1825, 5 per Cent lOO
Equador Bonds
Mexican 3 per Cent.
Ditto Account
Peruvian Bonds, 4i per Cent. 7l
Ditto for the Account 72
Portuguese Bonds, 5 per Cent., Con. 1841
Ditto 4 per Cent.
Ditto for the Account
Russian Bonds, 1822, 5 per Cent. £ 5t..... 111 14,
Ditto 4i per Cent 9si 6.
Dividends on the above payable in 'London.
Dutch Exchange, 2} per Cent. 12 Gui 1...... 621 2
Dutch 4 per Cent. Certificates

Consols
Ditto October Account

HA LF-P AST TWO.
921,-
924

THE Ch ANCELLOR OF TRN EXCHEQUER

MARKET INTELLIGENCE---(THIS DAY.)

GENERAL AVERAGE PRICES OF 'BRITISH CORN
For the Week ended Sept. 29, 1853, made up 'from the Returns of the
In, vectors in the different Cities and Towils in England and W sic ,
per Imperial Quarter.
WHEAT. !BARLEY. I OATS. I RTE. 13,TANS. I PEAS.
56s 9d I 353 9,1 I 20a 6d I 35s 7d 141 s 9d I 39s 8d
THE SIX WEEKS' AVER.AGE.

-- •
WHEAT. HARVEY. I OATS. I - RYE. I BEANS. PEAS.
57.. s Od 315 10d 21s 6d 343 5d 41s 6d 37510 d

N THE .NOICT

(From the Inverness Courier of Tuesday.)
MR. GLADSTONE AT DINGWALL.

DITTIES ON FOREIGN CORN.
WHEAT. BARLEY. I OATS. RYE. I BEANS. PEAS.
I Is Od is Od is Od Is Od is Od is Od

The Chancellor of the Exchequer was presented with
the freedom of this ancient bcrgh to-day.
The right hon. gentleman quitted Dunrobin Cast'•
yesterday, passing the night at Tarbat House—the s, at
of the Marquis of Stafford—and arriving in Dingwall at
half-past one o'clock. There he drove to the residence of
his relative, Mrs. Chisholm, and a few minutes after-
wards signified that he was ready to receive the Magis-
trates and Council. It happened, unfortunately, that
the Provost, Sir James Matheson, Bart., was detained
at Lews Castle ; but Bailie Macdonald and the other
members, accompanied by Sheriff Cameron, the Rev.
Mr. Sutherland, and several other gentlemen, proceeded
thither. They met a most cordial reception from the
right hon. gentleman, with whom was Mrs. Gladstone
and several other ladies.

QUANTITIES OF GRAIN SOLD. LAST WEEK.
Wheat, 94,461 ; Barley, 12,042; Oats, 10.f666; Rye, 548 ; Bears
1,661; Peas, 703 (patters.

Bailie MACDONALD briefly expressed the gratification
with which they welcomed him to the place, and ex-
plained the resolution to which the Council had come.
Mr. GRIGOR presented the burgess ticket, which bore
to be given in testimony of the high respect and estima-
tion entertained by the Council for him " as the sup-
porter of liberal economical principles, and as one of the
most enlightened statesmen and financiers who has
ever taken part in the public affairs of this great empire;"
and conferred upon him in the usual form the "power
to use and exercise all the privileges and immunities"
belonging to an honorary burgess.
Mr. GLADSTONE then spoke as follows :—" Gentle-
men, I accept with the liveliest pleasure, and with strong
sentiments of gratitude both the burgess ticket which you
have been pleased to confer upon me, and also the address
with which you have been good enough to accompany it.
If, as you have said, you think this occasion of my visit to
Dingwall one of interest to you, much more so is it an
occasion of interest to myself. My occupations have
been of such a nature as not to allow me to visit this
part of the country so frequently as I could have wished.
The time that has elapsed since I last had the honour of
acquainting myself with Dingwall is no less than 37
years. I have brought with me now my son, who is
much farther advanced in boyhood than I was then.
The period I have mentioned is a large part of human
life, it comprises one full generation, and most of those
whom I now address could, if I mistake not, only
have been children when I was last here. I have
watched with the greatest interest, as it was impossible I
could not but watch, the many changes which have been
effected in this part of the country since that period. It
has pleased Providence to impress this beautiful dis-
trict with signs and tokens on the physical conformation
of the country which render it easy to retain in the
memory its highly interesting features. And, so far as
the surface of the land is concerned, I have witnessed
with delighted surprise how the diligence, prudence,
energy, and enterprise of Scotsmen have been continually
engaged in making the wilderness to blossom as the rose.
I do not mean to say that these effects are peculiar to
this district ; but I am persuaded that in no part of the
country has the progress of improvement been more
rapid. The town of Dingwall itself has undergone an
entire transformation since I knew it. The houses
which at that time were conspicuous for their good-
ness have now been thrown into the shade, and every-
where we witness delightful specimens of that ac-
tivity and progress which now characterises every
part of the country. I think you are aware that
those who are connected either by blood or
recollection with the Highlands of Scotland,
do not easily lose their interest in the population, nor their
attachment to the soil. For me, the connection of my
family with Dingwall must ever be a source of the ten-
derest aid most endearing association, becaase she to
whom I owe my birth was not only a native herself, but
although removed far away for scores of years, continued
to cherish an attachment towards it in a degree not sur-
passed by any of its inhabitants. On every personal and
domestic ground therefore I cannot but feel deeply grate-
ful for this tribute of your regard. While saying this,
I am bound to mention likewise, that I cannot criti-
cally examine the opinion you have been pleased to
pronounce upon my public conduct. I ought not,
however, to omit, mentioning my admiration of the
tone and spirit in which your address is conceived. In
it you express a just and praiseworthy hope that I
and the Government of which I am a member, " may
long continue to eschew party warfare, promote safe
and progressive reform, and carry out in all the institu-
tions of the state thorough and needful amelioration."
Gentlemen, I do feel and believe, and it is a source of
no small satisfaction to myself, that the present Govern-
ment is distinguished more than many which preceded
it by coming less in contact with mere party organisa-
tion, and being less pledged to the purposes of party
warfare. It is composed, as you know, for the most
part, of men having great experience in public ser-
vice. This is my twenty-first year of public life, and
yet I am, certainly not its youngest member, but
still young, compared with those veteran statesmen
who occupy the chief places in the councils of her
Majesty. They are united by an honourable bond ;
and I may take it upon me to say that their objects
and wishes are no other than you have expressed.
I spoke of those changes on the face of the coun-
try which are palpable to the eye, but other changes,
also, have taken place, during the lapse of those event-
ful years to which I have referred—changes involving
a greater amount of legislative effort after improvement,
and comprising larger and more beneficial results than
have ever been gathered together during any period of
the same length in the history of our country. Looking
to the course which legislation has taken—setting minor
objects aside—allowing for that freedom of opinion
which, thank God, prevails in this country—and for the
differences with which that freedom must be attended,
I think we must all feel that the institutions of the
country have been working well—that they have been
working for the benefit of the mass of the commu-
nity. The steps taken may by some be deemed too
slow or too short ; but, on the whole, they have been
in what is called the right direction—the character of
the policy which the country has pursued has been
of a nature which will honourably distinguish her his-
tory, and which marks her state and condition in a
manner the most favourable as compared with those of
other nations. When Lord Aberdeen took office he de-
clared it to be his special mission—not of course, putting
other objects aside—to defend, complete, and seal that
great work of commercial reform the extension of which
has been the main characteristic of the last ten years. I
hope you think him faithful to his pledge. At this par-
ticular moment, when it is pleasing Providence to press
on other nations something like a scarcity of the fruits
of the earth, I hope there are none among those whom,
I address, who do not feel profoundly thankful for
the adoption of that wise policy, by which we have
removed every trammel and restraint on the supply
of that article upon which our population are depen-
dent for subsistence. It is the lot of man to labour
—to earn his bread by labour ; but it was a sad '
and miserable delusion, when, in addition to this pe-
nalty laid upon him in the wise counsel of God, we
undertook to interfpre and render scarce by artificial
laws the bread upon which he is to subsist. I really
must say that all who took a part in the beneficial i
work of altering those laws ought to feel thankful to the
Almighty for being permitted to share in carrying through
measures so beneficial in their tendency ; so full of bene-
volence towards the masses of the community ; and—if
I must add another motive—so calculated as that legis-
lation has been, and has shown itself to be, to strengthen
the attachment of the people to the institutions of the
country, and to confirm alike their sentiments of rever-
ence for law, their loyalty to the Throne, and their ap-
preciation of the blessings they enjoy from the constitution
under which they live. There never was a more signal
example of the advantages to be derived from the adop-
tion of wise and well-considered improvement than that
exhibited by this country. These must speak to the
mind of every public man, and recommend a pesever-
ance in that course which experience has shown to be
fraught with so much benefit. And, if other encou-
ragements be needed, they are to be derived while tra-
velling through the land from meetings such as this—
where intelligent men, chosen to represent the wants,
wishes, and interests of particular localities, come for-
ward to receive us with expressions of decided approval
and kindly overlook our many deficiencies. I trust the
effect of these testimonies will be to inspire us with a
determination to devote ourselves, so long as we remain
the servants of the Crown, with at least singleness of
purpose, and without regard to party objects, to the
promotion of the public welfare. I beg again most sin-
cerely and cordially to express my gratitude for the hon-
our you have have done me, and to express the satisfac-
tion with which I accept the freedom of this burgh which
it has been your pleasure to confer upon me, and have
listened to the wise, sound, and judicious address with
which it was accompanied.
Wine was then served round to the company—Mr. '
Gladstone drinking to the prosperity of the burgh. The
ceremony then ended, and the assembly separated.

MEAT MARKETS

NEWGATE AND LEADENHALL.—A fair average busi-
ness was transacted in these markets to-day, as follows :
Beef, from 2s 10d. to 3s 10d ; Mutton, 33 6d to 4s 10d ;
veal, 3s 6d to 4s 6d ; Pork, 3s 6d to 5s 4d per Blbs, by
the carcase.

SOUTHALL, SEPT. 21.—The supply of stock in to-day's
market was good, yet the demand was steady, at very full
prices. Beef, from 3s Od to 4s 4d ; Mutton, 3s 8d to
5s Od ; Veal, 3s 6d. to 4s 4d; Pork, 3s 6d to 5s Od per
81bs, to sink the offal.
ROMFORD, SEPT. 21.—Beasts moved. off firmly, at an
advance of 2d per Blbs. All other kinds of stock quite as
dear as last week. Beef, from 3s 2d to 4s 6d ; Mutton,
3s 10d to 5s 2d ; Veal, 3s 6d. to 4s 4d ; Pork, 3s 6d to
4.8 10d per Blbs.