The Sun.
London, England, 1865-07-19 00:00:00

Mr. Gladsto:

I have been displaced. The free constitutional sires that reduction shall be effected in that expenditure
spirit of the country requires that the voice of the they have only to send to Parliament men who sympathise
majority should prevail. (Cheers.) I lope the with that view, and the result which they wish for will be
majority will prevail in South Lancashire. (Cheers.) infallibly attained. (Cheers.) But now we are upon a point
I don't for a moment complain that it should have only was a
the thend n
blpublic
e
,allegationmadeisthis, that 65 millionsh.h
nl
prevailed in Oxford. But, gentlemen, I come now
they Government that precededxPenditur us duringwas responsible. expenditure
theyearf r
Now,
to ask you a question, whether, the
I have been how does that matter really stand ? Pay a little attention
declared unfit longer to serve the University on ac- to the dates. In the month of April, 1859, on the Ist of the
count of my political position, there is anything in
that position, there is anything in what I have said month, a new financial year began. We were not then in
office. Another Govern
ment was in office. That Govern-
and done, in the arduous office which I hold, which mentwh
en challenged
ence
and thanks
uponi
f the its
srgoem Hneral coouri
ase
vote duocftecaomlleindens
count for
e of con
is to unfit me for the representation of my native upon the ground that, discovering the inefficient condition
y. (Great cheers.) It is sometimes said, but of our military and naval establishments, they had set on
I really know not whether it is said in jest or in foot what was rather pompously called the reconstruction
earnest, that the present Parliament has been dis- of the navy ; that was in the month of May or April, 1859,
tinguished by a series of attacks upon the Consti- and it was not until June, 1859,
that we came into office. It
tution, on Church and State. (Laughter.) lam
not until July that the new Parliament were able to
wasexamine the condition of the finances. We had then before
not aware that any of these attacks have been made ;
us the boast of our predecessors that they had set on foot
if they have, they have not much fallen under my the reconstruction of the navy ; and now I make the asser-
notice or knowledge. I don't mean to say that I tion, to which I challenge contradiction, that when we
concur with every opinion that is pronounced in came into ale in 1859 we found the expenditure going
respect to the Church in the House of Commons,
of the d the
year already Estimatesof thegone by, nyoetaratfixtheed,raatnedofthr6see monthsillio
th
and he would be a very ingenious man who could
but at the rate of 69 millions a year. (Cheers.) Now I cons'
concur with them ; but Ido say, gentlemen, that we, fess lam surprised to see that some of the very persons
as a Government, and that I, as the representative who glorify themselves and take credit to the country for
of the University, have not been unmindful of our the immense energy they displayed in setting on foot the
and my duty to study the interests of the Church.
of-battle
sohfia
sn(ulmaubehrt of perfectly worthless wooden line-
(Cheers.) I admit that this is the 13pecial duty of
forgotten all these boasts—that cathilatacwtueaarllye
dith.sinksethdattowe
back
those who are chosen to that high trust, and I want with thein'to the expenditure of a former year,P° fromgowhich
to know in what respect the interests of the Church they themselves claim the greatest credit for having de-
have suffered during the administration of the Go- parted. (Cheers.) It was at 69 millions a year, and not 65
vernment and during the progress of legislation millions, at which we found the expenditure proceeding
through the last six years. • There never was a time when
which we came into office. In truth, gentlemen, the legacy
bequeathed to me as Chancellor of the Exche-
uer—s
at which the Church enjoyed freedom of speech in
qwnd m was
the degree in which she now possesses it. (Cheers.)
estlydoalvhe such a
Pe accord-opethatlenoaeonleefotf
to
01l
himthis
Her bishops and her clergy are , by his friends vast assemblage ever may h
ends (cheers andlaughter)—theleggacyy bequeathed
ing to the old formation of the constitution. It to me in the month of July, 1859, when between three and
is quite true that they do not exercise coercive four months of the year were already past, and a corre-
powers, and I am sure that they are too wise Wilding portion of money already spent, was how to find
to wish it ; but, at any rate, that freedom of speech,
noth.ellimeansf of meeting a deficiency of etween four and five
money. (Cheers.) Well, bbut then that's not all,
permit me to say, is of itself a valuable privilege gentlemen (laughter), because we are told, and told truly,
to a body which must necessarily depend upon that the expenditure did not stop at 69 millions, but in the
its moral influence ; for it cannot be• defended by year 1860 went up to 72 millions of money, nearer, I think,
mere professions, Written law, or prescriptions from to 73 millions ; but why was that ? Why, gentlemen, to
a former time. (Cheers.) If the Church of England the very same reason—we owe it to the kindness. of our
Predecessors.. (Cheers.) In the exercise of their diplo-
is to live among us, she must flourish, and she must
grow, and God grant that she may. do all by making
amna tic
ambassadorw.
c he e r andstr e
al
tayu laughter)—they tt eh China,r)— the yahnadd it t
appeared instruct
herself beneficently known in the discharge of her to them that the signing of a treaty was an operation
Apostolic offices, by the faithful custody of the word whit could net possibly be performed in a satisfactory man-
which she has received, by making her ministration ner without alarge fleet. (Cheers and interruption.) The
the friend and consoler of every man of every rank people of China, in some way or other, did not understand
of life, by causing herself to be felt by each one of thethought
necessitythat
t o
h f i s
l
a 1 a rgefleet for the
os iganbiln,ghoafvae
some treaty,
otherand
you in those actions wherein her assistance can be
Howeverarge fleet
thmautst mparyb be,3as you know, a
object in view.
available--these are the functions in which I have great disaster happened in the month of June, 1859, at the
cordially desired to promote her usefulness, these are mouth of the Peiho, under the instructions of Lord
the functions in which I believe she is growing Malmesbury, and before the present Government had as-
stronger from day to day ; and on my part, as the sumed their office, or, at any rate, had been able to take any
representative of Oxford, on the part of those who that
din isreference tC o China. (Cheers.)
£.)6 Theooo 00 of
consequence of
have been honoured with the confidence of Parlia-
hln order our
as
restorerwasthat we
had to find
position with China. Therefore, I
ment, we say we have in no respest betrayed our say that the undivided credit of the expenditure of from
duty with regard to the Church of England. But, £72,000,000 to £73,000,000, which we rose to in 1860, is
sir, there is another view conscientiously entertained. not with your humble servant, but those who preceded us
I have no doubt there is another view as to the pro- in our office. (Cheers.) (A Voice—" That's a nut for Dizzy
per mode of promoting the interests• of the Church to crack.") Well, gentlemen, since that time we have
_
of England, from which we essentially. differ. If it retrenchment. The ex-
effected something in the way of
is thought that the Church of England's interests
penditure, which was in 1860 nearly .£ t 3,000,000, is now re-
duced to, I think, between £66,000,000 and £67,000,000:
are to be promoted by maintaining some odious (Cheers.) I don't say whether that is satisfactory. I don't
stigma, I care not whether it be upon Protestant say whether it 'is all that could be done ; but I think
Nonconformists, or upon our Roman Catholic fel- I may say this, that it was something. (Hear, hear.)
low-countrymen, I disclaim and repudiate such party And now the question is—How has this been done ? And
modes of defending the Church. (Great Cheering.) here, again, read, with considerable astonish-
gain, I have . .
ment statements that this reduction of expenditure which
And I say that the misguided persons who, in their has taken place has been forced upon her Majesty's Go-
folly, would use such weapons for the purpose which vernment by motions made from the opposite side of the
they have in view are merely contributing' to defeat house. kOh, oh.) Now, gentlemen, upon the opposite
their own. dearest wishes, and are notto be reckoned, side of the house there sit many excellent, and sensible,
as far as their acts are concerned, among her friends and enlightened men. (Hear.) In this happy country all
parties, fortunately, entertain much of sound principle and
hold that the promotion of the civil-and religious selves—(hear)—and specially so when we speak, not of the
freedom of our fellow-countrymen, so far from being character of individuals, but of the action of parties.
a sign of disloyalty, is a very sure proof of that (Cheers.) Gentlemen, I venture to say, without fear of
affectionate and intelligent service which • a body contradiction, that the' influence exercised from the oppo-
like the Church of England ought to desire at site. side of the house has not
xtebepeenndinitfluuree Hnc(ed to reduce, but
the hands of her children. (Cheers.) Well, gentle-
tahnat influence
to .could be provedethe on careful examination of the re
-
Y I know
men, I will not go into details. I will not trouble you cords of Parliament. The adoption of motions and the
by arguing questions which have lately been under questions of divisions would show how, beyond all doubt,
the consideration of the Legislature—questions about the powerful influence which has been exercised from the
the qualification of Dissenters; questions about oaths 1 opposite side of the house in promoting the giving of pub-.
of Roman Catholics. These arc measures, with re- \ lieit mtooneevy to lellars.sAo,roervMe r. 11i.or Mira. C, or wiltiohevaesrbaeveannteadn
speet to which, in my opinion, a generous and conci- 1 influence not favourable,' butci ae'dverse to retrenchment.
, liatory policy is the only policy of wisdom, and, ' (Cheers.) I will give you, gentlemen, a single instance—
Iwhether I sit for Oxford, or whether I sit for South I I quote the name of the person because I quote it with re-
Lancashire, or whether I don't sit at all—(laughter) spect. Ho is an old member of Parliament, .and a man of
—I desire and I intend to act upon that policy so considerable ability—a man respected by all, one of the
long as my life shall last. (Cheers.) But now, sir, most respected members of the opposite party, whom any-
I turn to secular matters, and will niake observations
body
for i
might btead illprouti to,
h had been in
call his friend--Sir Johnl. Walsh,
for
upon one or two of the opinions that have been lately member3o or 40 years, and should know what he is about. But,
brought copiously before the attention of the public gentlemen, I tell you this. In 1861 or 1863, 'T forget'
during the election ; and, sir, I will endeavour to do which it was, Sir John thought the reduction made by the
so in a manner as respectful and considerate as I can I Government in the Navy Estimates so alarming that be
towards the feelings, not only of those who hear me, deemed it his duty to make a special speers
heard
h on the.t stuhll'echt,
but towards the feelings of those out of doors who
did on and I
not assure
stateYda the Navy Estimates,—drmyownsuch as they are
l
e
differ from me. (Cheers.) The issue, gentlemen, now were totally unequal to the wants and necessities of
which is before you I take to be this :lam a mem the country, but that the proper way to bring them up to
ber of a Liberal Government. (Cheers.) lam in those wants and necessities would be to- double them.
association with the Liberal party. I have never (Cheers.) Gentlemen, it is quite true that upon one occa-
swerved from what I conceived to be those truly sion—l think f
in, the year 1862—the House of Commons
conservative objects and desires with which I entered steptooka? in
A io
aam-ooutrof n
was maderetrenchm recommending
retrenchment. By who
whom wthasatthaatt
step life. I am, if possible, more fondly attached to the taken
tempts should be tried to reduce the public expenditure.
institutions institutions of my country than I was when as a boy That motion was made by Mr. Stansfeld. (Cheers.)' I never
I wandered among the sand-hills of Seaforth or the saw the face of Mr. Stansfeld on the benches opposite.
streets of Liverpool. (Cheers.) But experience has (Cheers.) Those who sit on the benches opposite don't seem
brought with it its lessons. I have learnt that there to me to have had any great love for Mr. Stansfeld—(hear)
is wisdom in a policy of trust, and folly in a policy
—or to have appreciated
if the services he rendered to the
cause of retrenchment, we may judge from the steps
of mistrust. (Cheers.) I have not refused to re-
ceive the signs of the times. I have observed the which they afterwards took to procure the removal of that
excellent man from office. (Shame.) Gentlemen, what I do
effect that has been produced by Liberal legislation, claim is this—that to the efforts of the Government and
and if we are told, and we are now truly told, that the efforts of their friends, and also occasionally,' I admit,
all the feelings of the country are in the best and and gladlythenadonmsiet, of
the t h
enlightened men on the Opposition
broadest sense Conservative—that is to say, that theside
. 1 read iis duen
the report of the speecht thatof
ju r has be e n
eeffected.cted Disraeli
people value the country and the laws and institu-
—and I speak of him with all the respect due to his posi-
tions of the country ;if we are told that, I say tion and talents—l read in the report of his Speech a state-
honesty compels us to admit that result has been ment that retrenchment had been forced upon Government
brought about by Liberal legislation.. (Cheers.) by motions from his side of the House. I cannot explain
that extraordinaryt,h statement, which he will have the op-
Therefore, I may presume. to say that, since the year
1841, when Sir R. Peel, who was then at the head
hereafterltZtfili:OrYOfptehreagnseofconunofondsoinif
(Applause.)
s
thinks
I fit,
really
of her Majesty's Government, thought fit to place think that. the reporter of that speech must for aoancye
me in a position in the Board of Trade whichbrought have been asleep, or some of the "heavy wet" of Buck-
me into direct, immediate, and responsible contact kinghamshire must for a moment have bewildered his
with the interests of the country, that from that time brain—(laughter)—for he must in some some way or other
onward I have not swerved nor wavered, but have hare turned inside out and upside down in the report of
striven to the best of my ability in the work of im-
the speech au assertion that had been made by Mr. Disraeli.
proving the laws and promoting whatever could tend
(Cheers.) But then, gentlemen, Igo from retrenchment to
principles, and it is very fairly said that good harvests are
to the advantage of the people, Ihave been delighted not the work of her Majesty's Government. That, gen-
to witness the progress made in their condition and tlemen, is perfectly true, but I recollect a time when in-
their growing attachment to the laws under which stead of good harvests we had bad harvests; and when, in
they live—(cheers)--every year has brought with it consequence of the miserable harvest of the year 1860, there
its reward. We have seen the result of what has was a deficiency in the
proceeds ofdid
I
the public revenue as
been done, not only in the growing wealth, but in
soun compared
doctrine that
he
that the harvests are no estimate,d hoarttheanythingwork of the
Government of the
e
growing contentment, in growing industry, in grow- Goverement ? At that time, Ido assure you, the Govern-
ing morality. (Cheers.) A blind individual must ment, and especially tho unfortunate Chancellor of the
that man be who, after having been once privileged Exchequer, were held responsible for the harvest. (Cheers
to take part in processes such as these, withdraws and laughter.) There was not a waterspout opened in the
his hand from the plough—(cheers)—turns back his heavens ;which he
and
dnot discharged utpori the fields be-
eyeneath ; from the noble prospect that is before him, and it
was
men, it is in civilization that as
dhe onlythat made
them,
a l,beaud
body o f most
what
returns to those obstructive ideas which are so detri-
excellentprogress, gentlemen,
respectable persons, who in 1860,when there
mental to the real advantage of the country and was a bad harvest, were really so much bedarkened as to
to the permanent maintenance of its institu- suppose that harvest was the work of the Government—
tions. (Cheers.) I venture to put it to this they said the deficiency was its work, so it was the same
meeting that although we may have been—l thing—see what progress they have made, when in 1864-5
mean the members of the present Government thereha
toe thened to
rbeproondofhishrveeisrdts and thus
ruth they
tiat havethe
harvest is not mademay have been—the members of a party, yet
awakened perception
by this or that Administration, but
that in associating ourselves with this work of comes as it pleases Providence to send it. (Cheers.) Well,
beneficial legislation and endeavouring to the but gentlemen, somehow or other, there is a word called
best of our power to carry it forward, we have luck, which has an immense effect upon the minds of men,
not been labouring for the mere interests of the and they say that tho Government is the luckiest of all Go-
Party, but for those of the country at largo—(cheers)—and vernments, and that the Chancellor of the Exchequer is the
luckiest of all Chancellors of the Exchequer. (Cheers.) It
when the elections have been for eight days in pro-
I may, perhaps, without impropriety be permitted to say
seems that all the circumstances of the country since we took
now,
gress, that the country in its various
divisions office have been so excessively favourable to economy, to
•
nised that truth, and ha
been pleased 8 has
rewg- saving, to moderato expenditure, to large revenue, that to
with the verdict of its pleased to seal our conduct
general approbation that source alone is to ascribed the happy state of things
I wish to set before you more particularly .
(Cheers.) But be
which exist. But now let us consider what our state has
the points upon which they are disposed to onetoma or twoke.vel of
claim been. I have told- you our friends who preceded us left us a
to confidence, on the ground that they have effected some legacy of six millions of expenditure in the war with China.
rY
retrenchment in the expenditure of the country. (Cheers.)
Now, on the other side, I have observed this answer.made, (Laughter.) Well, then, the country, gentlemen, went into
that we have not reduced the expenditure of the
countre,
, a state of great and real apprehension, whether well founded
since the year during which the party now in Opposition or not, in the year 1860 with regard to its defences, and it
were responsible---(cheers and laughter)—and their point determined to have a large expenditure upon fortifications
is this, that the expenditure of the country in that year-- for the security of our arsenals. Well, under- the measures
namely, 1858-59, was under £65,000,000, and that it is now taken for that purpose, we have spent some millions of
over .C 66,000,000, and therefore that we have not really re- Iriot.ley. However right or otherwise such expenditure may
duced, but have. increased, the expenditure of the country, L'
sierem itdself.l am not now considering. It was the great de-
wishlof tflie people of the country, and sure I am
and if wo have made a diminution of taxes it has been made,
that al
as some ingenious gentleman has stated, by taking off taxes
they wishPe people
expend
_enEdnigtland will spend their money when
but you. will admit with me it
which we bad first put on. (Oh, oh, and laughter.) Now,
was not to be consideredp a great piece of luck for the Chan-
gentlemen, let us see how that matter really stands, and be- was
of the Exch • equer. But that is not all, for besides the
fore I enter into it I will not say that I am not satisfied, as
of the navy in 1859 it set about
far as lam individually concerned. lam not satisfied that energetic administration
that remarkable work, " reconstruction of the nay "which
lowestthe expenditure of the country has yet been reduced to the
was a very favourite phrase at the time, you3Y do not
'
point consistent with its honour and security.
hear quite so much of it now. Well, • though
that is an expensive
ear T
(Cheers.) Therefore I will say this, and say it without the
descnption of amusement for the First Lord of the Admi-
Smallest doubt, that if the electoral body of this country de-
ralty, that reconstruction of the navy—that building use-

less line of battle ships, which was really an attempt at re-
construction, rendered wise and necessary by transposition
of the use of wood for that of iron in the building of vessels
which has been a most costly provision for the defences of
the country. That is not luck for the finances of the coun-
try. Well, gentlemen, four years ago by an awful visitation
of Providence which rent for a time in twain the great
republic so nearly and deeply associated with us, beyond
the waves of the Atlantic, there came upon Lancashire that
which is familiarly known by the name of the Cotton Fa-
mine. When we look back upon the Cotton Famine, and
when we consider the noble qualities that were displayed
in the times of that affliction—when we recollect how we
then awakened to the consciousness of what treasure we
possessed in the factory population of this country, we re-
cognise the wisdom of Providence in drawing good from
that which seemed to be unmitigated evil. (Cheers.) But
that is not my present point. I want to know how that
Cotton Famine was to be considered as a piece of financial
luck. I find, on the contrary, it cut down our revenue
when it was at its greatest intensity by from one to two
millions, and, beyond that, it was one of the most special
inflictions, from its special nature, to which the Exchequer
of this country ever has been subjected. (Hear.) Further
than this, I thankfully join with you in acknowledging
the bounty of Providence vouchsafed to us in the abundant
products of the earth. I don't admit the doctrine that it
is owing to luck, but I do believe that we are enabled upon
the period of a dissolution to show our faces before our
fellow countrymen, and not to blush for the financial con-
dition of the country. But the points on which I have last
been addressing you—l admit points that more or less
touch our distinctive professions as we sit on the right
hand or the left hand of the Speaker's chair—l am not
ashamed of them, I don't lament, I don't regret, I don't moan
to abandon the political associations in which conviction
has placedme. (Applause.) But I do say, and I say through
you to the people of South Lancashire, that to the Libe-
ral party of the present generation, those members
of the Conservative party, like Sir R. Peel, who preferred
the interests of their country to their place and power—
(hear)—has been committed the extraordinary grace and
favour of being enabled while they have held office, to ad-
dress themselves, and to address themselves with effect, to
the promotion of measures which ascend far above the
height and descend far below the depth of every party con-
sideration whatever. (Loud cheers.) There afe objects,
gentlemen, which belong to our common country—to this
England in which we live. (Applause.) We have around
us vast populations ; they live under that dispensation
which affects human kind, and by which we find that it is
really possible for the mass of the community to secure to
themselves abundance of the first necessaries and the first
comforts of life. We know that in this free country that
we admire and love so much, a century ago, the peasantry
were ground down to the very dust, the manufacturing
population was tainted with a disaffection that it is unfor-
tunately too easy for us to understand, and too difficult for
us to condemn. We IEIIOW that at that time few were the
labouring Englishmen who could see their wives and their
children decently lodged, sufficiently fed and clothed, and
tolerably educated. What is now the state of things?
Much may yet remain to be done. My belief is that
there will always be ample scope for all the best ener-
gies and all the best gifts of legislators and public men ; but
something, at least, we have carried. Education has
gone forth through the length and the breadth of the land.
Voluntary institutions, the best of all, have sprung up in
multitudes. Wise laws abolishing the mischievous re-
straints upon capital and labour—(hear)—have enormously
added to the wealth of the country. (Hear.) In the last
ten years the commerce of England has become nearly
double what it was. With this series of acts relating to
the material condition of the country have been joined,
as I have said, numbers of others bearing upon its moral
and social condition, and tending to set the masses of the
community free in some degree from necessary and servile
attention to the bodily wants, of the wants each day as it
arose, to that of .their higher interests, of the cultivation
of their intellect, of their position as rational, as moral, and
as spiritual beings. (Cheers.) But, gentlemen, this is no
party matter. Oh, what folly it has been that there should
be any party in the State that has allowed to its rivals and
opponents the glory of almost monopolising the prosecu-
tion of such a work. (Hear.) But how happy, on the
other hand, are they who have been perinitted to take part
in it! (Hear.) Never can Ibe too thankful that, not
owing to any deliberate choice of my own, but rather to
the circumstances in which I hava been placed, it has
been my absolute duty to enter into that beneficent work,
and to make the prosecution of it the main study and
purpose of my life. (Loud cheers.) It has been a work
felt throughout the United Kingdom—felt not only in the
United Kingdom,. but felt, I rejoice to say,• upon many a
foreign shore (hear, hear) ; and those who formerly re-
garded England with jealousy or with hatred arvnow by
degrees unlearning their ancient prejudices, and are glad
to follow the beneficent example that has been set them by
the Parliament of the United Kingdom. (Loud cheers.)
It has been felt, then, through the world, it has been felt
through the dominions of the Queen, it has 'been felt
through those islands in which we live, it has been felt, if
in any ono place more than another, in the very place in
which we stand. (Cheers.) In Liverpool, in Manchester,
it - every industrious haunt and hive of this industrious
country has been felt the impetus thus given to the indus-
try of man and the influence thus brought into play for
bettering and improving his position. (Hear.) Gentle-
men, it would be the height of arrogance in me were I to

forget that I am a young, a late, a feeble labourer in this
happy, I will say; in this holy ea,uso. (Cheers. A Voice :
"You're the bast. of 'em. 7) Many have gone before me;
many have exceeded me ("no"); but, with sincerity of
heart and purpose, I have given myself to the prosecution
of the work ; and I come before you who ' have 'known it
in its beginning, InoWn it in its progress, and its more
ripe results, and .I ask you to pronounce whether those
who have been privileged to take part in such a.work are
.or are not disabled or disqualified from sitting in the Par-
liament of England, from receiving the suffrages 'of elec-
tors of the community of Lancaster. (Immense cheers.)
The right hon., gentleman resumed his seat amid enthu-
siastic cheering, which was continued for several Minutes:
Mr. ROBERTSON GLADSTONE was loudly called, andasked
the meeting to join with him in the opinion that they owed
a deep debt of gratitude to the noble University of Oxford,
which, in its wisdom and in the superfluity of its learning,
had thought proper to dismiss a practical man from its re-
presentation.

Mr. WILD BLUNDELL, the leader of the Catholic party
in Sbuth Lancashire, addressed the meeting ; and, in
answer to repeated calls,

Air. W. H. GLADSTONE, M.P. for Chester, spoke briefly,
regretting that the University of Oxford had thought fit to
divorce itself from the link which alone was able to bring
it into harmony with the requirements of the times.
(Cheers.)
•

One or two gentlemen having subsequently addressed
he meeting, the proceedings, which had been remarkably
,nanimous throughout, terminated.

The Detention of Mr. William Moens by
Italian Brigands.

Great misapprehension appears to exist' in the public
mind as to this most distressing affair, owing to the incor-
rect accounts published by some of your contemporaries.
One leading journal has adopted as true an absurd story
published in the Union continental paper, while a writer
in a minor weekly publication, apparently ignorant of the
situation of Destum and of all connected with it, treats
with vulgar levity the terrible misfortune which has fallen
on Mr. Wm. Moens.
Having had excellent opportunities of becoming acquainted
with all the facts of the case, I venture to send you a short
statement, which will, I hope, enable you to understand
the present state of affairs.
The brigand chief who captured Messrs. Aynsley and
Moons on the 15th of May, on the high road near Paestum,
is named Mauzo Giardullo, who was captured the other day,
never had anything to do with the two English gentlemen.
Mauzo has since been joined by two other chiefs, Cerino and
Cianci, and their united bands amount to about 40 persons,
of whom five are women.
The sum originally demanded for the ransom of the two
gentlemen was 50,000 'ducats, or £8,500. It was settled be-
tween the captives by lot that Mr. Aynsley should go to get
the ransom, Mr. Moens remaining as hostage in the hands
of the brigands.

The Italian GoVernment has been making the most stren-
uous exertions to capture the brigands or to starve them
into surrender ; but to those who know the nature of the
country—.which is faithfully described in Count .Iklaffei's
book, lately reviewed in your columns--it is by no moans
surprising that the brigands continue to baffle their pur-
suers. But though the severe measures at present prac-
tised by the military and civil authorities in the province of
Salerno have hitherto failed to bring about the capture of
the brigands, they have placed immense difficulties in the

way of Mr. Moons' friends communicating with his captors.
Notwithstanding those difficulties, however, Mr. Moans
friends have succeeded in paying a large sum of money to
the brigands, who still hold out for the sum originally de-
manded, and they now see another opportunity of paying
such further sum as it is in their power to pay.. It must
be remembered that the money has to be paid in gold, at the
time and place appointed by the brigands ; that their mes-
senger can only carry a certain amount, and that he has to
pass through the'cordon of troops surrounding the district,
at the risk of his life ; that the brigands themselves are fre-
quently unable to meet their messenger, owing to the vigi-
lance of the troops; and that, when so baffled, they gene-
rally disappear from the neighbourhood for a fortnight or
so, after which nothing can be done till they make another
appointment.

Our last news from Mr. Moens was dated the 29th ult.
His position was then very critical. He wrote himself,
describing his sufferings, and the threats held out by his
captors to enforce the speedy payment of more money.
We can only trust that these wild men, knowing that their
prisoner's friends are exerting themselves to the utmost to
pay the money and to mitigate the severe measures taken
by the military authorities, will refrain from carrying into
execution the awful threats which they have uttered from
time to time, But apart from this, the most terrible danger
of his position, the miseries and hardships which Mr. Moens
has undergone during the last seven weeks are sufficient of
themselves to cause the deepest anxiety to his friends '
should his captivity be much further prolonged.