The Sun.
London, England, 1862-05-09 00:00:00

I.lfil SUN, LONDON, VRTI Y 0 EVINUNGf, HAY 9, 1862,

into action, whether it be in the high church or in
the low church, it will not long stand the shackles
which are imposed upon it. In fact the dangers
which threaten the church are infinitely greater
from within than any which we from without can
bring to bear upon it. (Hear.) This is undoubtedly
a great question, and during the last twenty years
Mr. Miall has, I say, by his writing and by his
speeches, raised up and brought together a mass of
facts which are indubitable, and has marshalled in
favour of the voluntary system a long list of argu-
ments which are totally unanswerable, and these he
has submitted to the public with a degree of
courtesy, toleration, and patience which has never
been surpassed. (Cheers.) One of the results is
this. He has created a new school, and he has
widened the current of dissent. He has, too, put
the church upon the defensive, and you may depend
upon it that when the church comes out to make a
logical defence for being a political church, it will
be as it was when the country gentlemen formed a
society for protection, and every one said, the Lord
has delivered them into our hands. (Cheers.) On
these grounds we are greatly indebted to him—we
who are members of what I may call the free
church of this country—say we of the free church
—for I do not like the name of dissent—and think
we ought to get rid of the term entirely, and adopt
that of free church. We would thus every time
the phrase of free church was used both convey
a lesson and offer an argument in its favour.
The free churches then of this country are greatly
indebted to him, and so is the cause of religious
liberty. He has raised it to a higher platform
except when it comes to be discussed on the ques-
tion of church rates. Then it is that the men who
find fault with us for being political disseliters be-
come political churchmen. (Cheers.) I am not
accustomed to speak the language of flattery ; it .
has on the contrary been my duty to severely cri-
ticise and condemn public men. It is not a plea-
sant thing to be at all times criticising and con-
demning. (Hear, hear.) It is far pleasanter to
come to a meeting like this, when we know that
100,000 persons join with us in the favourable ppti..

mate which we take of a public man. (Hear.) I
speak soberly. I admire his career, I admire his
intellect, and I honour his persistent labours in the
cause of religious freedom. Reference has been
made to his future career, but let us remember that
the time is fast approaching to all of us when there
will be no future, so rapidly is life passing away.
There will then be no prospect, but a retrospect.
When that time comes, he will have to survey a
period during which he has devoted his intellect
and labours to one of the greatest questions that
can engage the faculties of a man. He will, in fact,
leave his mark on the times, and will have done
much to promote political freedom, and the freedom
of the human soul. With these feelings—this be-
lief, and the full conviction come to after 20 years
of observation—for there is no step of his which I
have not watched with the greatest interest—l re-
joice in being here to-night to join with you in pre-
senting to him a public testimony of his labours.
(Cheers.)
Rev. HOWARD HINTON, Rev. Dr. HALLEY, and
other gentlemen, subsequently addressed the meet-
ing in terms laudatory of Mr. Miall's services, and
the proceedings terminated in the usual manner.

THE DISTRESS IS LANCASHIRE.

Yesterday, at half-past 1 o'clock, a deputation
from the provisional committee recently formed in
the City of London to raise money towards the re-
lief of the distressed operatives in Lancashire and
Cheshire, had an interview by appointment with
the Lord Mayor on the subject at the Mansion
House. The gentlemen present were—Mr W. Mor-
ley, Mr. Howes. Mr. Lycett, Mr. J. Armitage, Mr.
Cotton, and Mr. Barber, all of them partners in City
firms of long standing and repute, and more or less
identified with the cotton manufacture.
The LORD MAYOR stated that in consequence of
the recent public announcement he made after a
previous -interview with the committee, from the
bench in the justice room, he had received £1,500
or £1,600 from benevolent persons towards the re-
lief of the distressed operatives; and the time had
arrived for them to consider how he was to dispose
of it and of other contributions which, he had no
doubt, would continue to flow in. It would be recol-
lected he stated that while he was willing to be the
medium of receiving and transmitting the bounty of
the public, he could not take part in its distribution,
but would hand it over for that purpose to some
central organisation. So far no such central organi-
sation existed, but there were local relief commit-
tees in Preston, Blackburn, and Wigan, where the
distress was known prevail, and he asked the depu-
tation if they thought he would be justified in send
ing a proportionate part of the sums in his hands to
the committees in those different towns in the hope
that there would be a fair distribution of it. It was
not desirable, he thought, that he should keep the
money in his hands.
Mr. LYCETT concurring that it was not, and ap-
pearing in that respect to speak the sentiments of
the deputation, read a letter by Mr. Richard Lea,
the honorary secretary to the Wigan relief commit-
tee, stating that the number of hands entirely out
of work in that town was not less, on the 30th of
April, than 4,620, and that during the next fort-
night 2,400 more, who were then working three
days a week, would be added to the list of the un-
employed. Besides those there were 300 hands
working three days a week, and 400 six days. Those
700 were employed at three mills, which he was
informed would cease working in about a month.
On the day mentioned the Wigan Relief Fund
amounted to £3,399 odd, of which £2,600 had been
expended. The relief was distributed by six ward
committees. The number of cases then on the books
was over 1,800, representing at least 5,400 persons,
and the number must increase in the next few
weeks in consequence of the closing of mills. They
had a great many handloom weavers on their books,
who were suffering equally with the factory ope-
ratives. The amount they paid weekly in relief
was about £250, and therefore the funds in hand,
even at the present rate of distribution, could only
last about three weeks longer. The distress was
much greater than anybody who did not visit the
people as he and others did had any idea of. Every
day discovered to them cases of the most touching
and distressing character, and nothing that had
been either heard or read in London coloured too
highly the real circumstances of the town of Wigan.
Another correspondent said he had lived in Wigan
30 years, and he had never known so much distress
among the working classes. He knew several regu-
lar and consistent members of the Wesleyan society
and teachers in Sunday schools who had no work
for months, and who had sold nearly all their cloth-
ing for food rather than make application for relief
to the poor-law guardians. Mr. Lycett suggested
that £5OO each of the money in the hands of the
Lord Mayor should be sent to Blackburn, Preston,
and Wigan, for distribution by the local relief
committees.

Mr. COTTON real a resolution wbich had been
passed by the provisional committee in Loudon on
Wednesday. It was to the effect that opinions
I baying been held that the appeal to the public was
not only premature but scarcely warranted by
the amount of actual distress in the manufacturing
districts of Lancashire and Cheshire, the commit-
tee, unwilling that the generous sympathy of the
public should be prematurely taxed, and had
taken careful means to ascertain, not only the ac-
tual but also the prospective state of suffering
and want in the more popular districts of the cotton
manufacture, the result of which investigation was
that their former convictions were day by day
strengthened by fresh disclosures of privation and
want actually existing, and they felt that they
could no longer withhold their contributions, nor
refrain from an earnest appeal on behalf of those
whose present need was likely to be intensified in
proportion as the struggle in America should be
unhappily protracted. He added that in the Black-
burn district, 23 mills, employing 8,459 operatives,
had stopped working altogether, and in that of
8,108 people, had also
ePnrteisrteolyn
s2t7opmpieldl 8., employing

The Lord Mayor asked if he might understand
that he would be justified by the opinions of the
deputation as to the expediency and propriety of
his transmitting to each of these three towns named
a certain sum for distribution.

There was 4 unanimous response in the affirms-

tive, and Mr. William Morley miggested taking
into account the relative population'and the distress
in each place, that £5OO should be sent to Black-
burn, £5OO to Preston, 250 to Wigan, and £250 to
Stockport.

By the mail of last evening the Lord Mayor for-
warded these several sums for distribution by the
several local relief committees.

At the close of the interview a cheque for £lO5
from Messrs. Cook, Son, and Co. was handed to the
Lord Mayor, as were also others for £25 from
Messrs. W. and B. Morley, and £lO 10s. from Mr.
Thomas Brookes.

THE INTERNATIONAL EXHIBITION.

The French critics who are so hard on the archi-
tectural sins of the Exhibition building should go
and take a look at it from the garden of the Horti-
cultural Society, when they will see it assume a
different and very much improved appearance. The
two domes are there taken in at one view, and the
Italian fagade which runs between them has a light
and pleasant effect. We do not mean to say that
even then the building looks quite as well as might
be, but it certainly looks better from the gardens
than from any other point of view; and it is only
fair to the architect that now, even in the eleventh
hour, his strong point should be made known to the
public. Another advantage for those who have the
privilege of the gardens is, that some excellent
military music is to be heard there, every day, a
thing which the rules of the Exhibition do not per-
mit within the building.
There is a subject which is discussed daily within
the building with much animation, and to which
we think now is the proper time to call attention.
The shilling days are rapidly coming round, and
therefore it is quite time for those upon whom the
safety and comfort of the shilling public will de-
pend to take counsel as to the best means of secur-
ing both. As the articles and cases are at present
arranged, there are grave doubts as to whether the
circulation could be maintained with a crowd of,
say forty or fifty thousand people. Until now the
nave was completely blocked up, end it is in the
nave that the first pressure of the crowd will be
felt. The general opinion is that, with the excep-
tion -of some sculpture or light marginal ornaments,
it should be completely cleared, and then, with the
open platforms under the domes at each end, a great
advance will be made towards securing elbow room
for the public. Messrs. Hunt and Roskell's case
was removed yesterday, and the dressing cases, a
very large obstruction, are also en route. The cereal
trophy is condemned, and hopes are entertained
that the great telescope may also take its departure
to some more fitting locality. Mr. Emanuel, al-
though having gone to great expense in fitting up
his attractive jewel case, has, we understand, ex-
pressed himself in a most liberal spirit of concession;
and we learn further that Mr. Cole has been most
successful in his diplomacy with all the other exhi-
bitors. With respect to that gentleman, we made
inquiry as to the truth of a report which had got
into circulation, that he was about to undertake
the general management of the building, but we
could not obtain any confirmation of it in official
quarters. Mr. Cole has certainly, within the last
two days, taken every active share in the strenuous
endeavours that are now being made to create order
out of chaos, and in so short a time has done wonders,
but whether merely in a friendly capacity or as a
general manager we were not able to learn. But to
return to the arrangement of the goods. In the in-
terest of the public safety the nave must be cleared
by the Ist of June, or when the public come "at a
rush," there will be great difficulty in preserving
order. There will be danger also, and this will be
aggravated by the crowded state of the transepts
and annexes. The transept—which is devoted to
Canadian products—is like one of the great timber
yards by the water side, so crowded is it with logs
and spars and immense erections of wood, and in-
deed everywhere the same crowding is observable.
A little trouble taken now, whilst the attendance is
moderate, would make matters straight, and it is
absolutely necessary, if it be intended that the
crowds who are expected next month should see
the show in comfort and safety.
Although the weather was beautiful yesterday,
the attendance was not at all crowded, even in the
picture galleries, which since the opening have
generally attracted the majority of the company.
The May meetings, which have just commenced,
might have drawn away many of the ticket
holders, but it is obvious that people also stay
away in consequence of the unfinished appearance
of the interior. Minton's great fountain is still
hoarded round, and the pots of flowers which are
waiting to ornament its base have a hard struggle
to preserve their bloom, and even existence, amid
the dust which the workmen continually raise.
The platform upon which this fountain stands will
be when finished a favourite resort, and it is a great
pity that it should not be got ready with the least
possible delay. Walking along the nave, we were
rather astonished to perceive on looking down into
an aperture in the flooring that the ground beneath
was alive with little boys groping about on all fours
in every direction. On asking for some explanation
of this singular proceeding, we were informed that
a whole regiment of these youngsters had been en-
gaged to crawl round everywhere, and remove
everything that could possibly lead to combustion.
It was expected that many articles of value would
also be found, and the little explorers were subjec-
ted therefore to a rigorous inspection the moment
they emerged into upper air. There are several
steam fire engines of great power Within the build•
ing, and these, with the ordinary precautions, will,
it is expected, be sufficient to protect the immense
mass of property from accident.
Another enemy against which precautions must
be taken is the rain, which on Wednesday severely
tested the domes and the glass roofs of the courts.
Active measures were being taken yesterday to
make the building water tight, and Mr. Ashton, to
whom the duty has been entrusted, has a confident
expectation of making the building impervious to
future showers. Among the company we noticed
the Duke of Buccleuch, who spent a long time at Mr.
Hancock's case, and minutely inspected the Shake-
speare, respecting which his grace expressed himself
in warm terms of commendation. Lord Harris was
also amongst the visitors, and we regretted to hear
his lordship state that Lord Canning was so indis-
posed as to be yet unable to stir out, but adding, I
that one of the late Governor-General's first visits,
when health permitted, would be to the Exhibition.
The Earl of Dudley is a frequent visitor, but as a
general rule the building has not as yet received
very extensive patronage from the nobility. We
observed a good many people in the department of
the machinery in motion, always an object of inte-
rest, and never probably so much so as in the case of
the present magnificent collection. There was a
constant crowd round one curious machine, which
was said to have killed a little boy on the opening
day, and frequent groups observed the electric light,
which in another portion of the same department
was being created and sustained by a novel process.
We were informed that the Austrian court will be
thrown open on Monday next, and if it be half so
attractive to the visitors as the portrait of the Em-
press of Austria in the picture gallery, it may take
its place as one of the lions of the Exhibition.

GAME LAW S.—A return has been issued which
shows that 190,356 persons have been committed to county
gaols in England and Wales in the last seven years on
charges of felony, and states that the number who had pre-
viously been committed to the same gaols for some offence
against the game laws wcs 2,088. The numbers vary re-
markably. In Bedford gaol, out of 494 persons committed
for felony, 27 had previously been committed for offences
against the game laws; in Worcester, only 60 out of 3,654;
in Northamptonshire, 93 out of 1,263 ; in Huntingdonshire,
only 11 out of 518; in Buckinghamshire, 107 out of 1,503;
in Berkshire, only 54 out of 2,460. In Wales the return is
only 11 out of 8,122.

[A D V ERTISEM ENT.] —Holloway's Ointment and Pills.—
Continuous Suffering.—Year after year do invalids bear
bodily infirmities which could be immensely relieved, if not
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medies. Bad legs, wounds, sores, sprains, stiff joints, con.
, tracted sinews, and erysipelas, all lie within the range of
these incomparable medicaments. All sufferers, who hourly
feel that without health money and youth are little worth,
should read Holloway's directions for using his remedies,
make trial of them and they will speeaily rejoice to find
their improvement perceptible and their ailments less bur-
thensome. Many whose health through life was never
very good, having casually resorted to Holloway's remedies
for curing some local disorder, found while curing it they
[strengthened their Whole frame,