The Sun.
London, England, 1853-02-17 00:00:00

constituents saw in them qualifications, talents, and in-
tegrity, which induced them to give them their confidence.
He then touched on some of the principles for which the
Noncomformist members would contend, and among
these was the extols fion of the franchise. (Hear,
hear, hear.) He believed that when this ques-
tion was fairly adjusted, the number of Nonconformist
members would be very much greater than it was at
present. (Hear, hear.) Any reform bill which did not
deal fully with this matter, would not receive the sup-
port of the members then present. (Hear, hear, and
cheers.) They must have a reform which would not
leave the large towns and boroughs much as they were
at present. With such a scheme they could have nothing
to do. (Cheers.) They would, however, be happy to
unite with all other members of every shade, in carrying
out such liberal measures as were not contrary to their
principles. (Cheers.)
SAMUEL MORTON PETO, Esq., M.P., congratulated
the committee on the numerous and very influential as,
semblage he saw before him. He thought if such were
the inauguration of the Milton Club, they might look
forward to the happiest results. He augured, from what
he saw that evening, a most brilliant future for the Club.
(Cheers.) He could not help expressing his great gratifi-
cation at the increased number of Nonconformist members,
and urged them to guard against merging their position
as Nonconformist members, and leading the public to
believe that they had not forgotten their position as
national representatives. They had in the House of
Commons to combat with very strong prejudices. After
being so long disqualified to hold office, they
now found Nonconformists representing large constitu-
encies, such as South Lancashire, Manchester, Leeds,
Bradford, and Sheffield. (Cheers.) These gentlemen
were elected, not simply because they were Nonconfor-
mists, but their position in that respect did not deter
the constituents from electing them ; in consequence of
their identification with all that was connected with
popular progress, they were deemed eligible by the
people to seats in the Commons House of Parliament.
(Cheers.) He strongly approved of meetings of that
kind amongst themselves, as they would thereby come
to an understanding, and prevent collision amongst
themselves by the premature introduction of measures
which the majority of them would deem objectionable.
(Hear, hear.) He suggested the desirability of a cordial
and united action, and advised abstinence, for the pre-
sent, from any aggressive movement. They should con-
fine themselves to the defensive, opposing every en-
croachment of the State Church, and to promote a pro-
per feeling in the house by the frequent enunciation of
sound ecclesiastical views. (Cheers.) By this means,
in his opinion, they would be enabled to accomplish
mitelymore than by any other policy. Looking forward
to the brilliatit future which appeared before them he
saw the greatest danger in the temptation of the smiles
'the body politic, which, unless carefully guarded against,
might lead to the merging of some of their distinctive
principles. (Hear, hear.)
E. MIALL, Esq., M.P., who was received with much
applause, next addressed the meeting. He expressed his
gratification at the attempt which was being made to
unite the Nonconformist members of all shades into an
united body, for the defence of those fundamental prin-
ciples which were common to them all. While he did
not advocate an aggressive movement in the house, he
thought they should maintain an attitude of self-respect,
and firmly, though temperately, rebut the calumnies
which, though apparently levelled against them person-
ally, were really intended to damage the principles they
professed. (Cheers.) With all their gentleness they
should have the boldness to say to any Government, at
proper times, "Hands off !" (Cheers.) The rulers of
this country had hitherto dealt with Dissenters very
much as they (the Dissenters) had let them. (Hear.)
They had measured them by their estimate of themselves,
and thus they had laughed at their remonstrances, made
merry at their scruples, and pooh-poohed their complaints."
(Hear.) The time had come for self-vindication. They
must stand erect. They were no longer a mere handful,
without social influence, devoid of political power. In
the house, however, he advocated prudence without
cowardice. They would listen to all men who were
earnestly desirous to say something practical, and who
were consistent in their adherence to the principles they
professed. He concluded by appealing for the support
of the Nonconformist constituencies to their representa-
tives in the House of Commons, and sat down amidst
much cheering.
The Hon. and Rev. BAPTIST W. NOEL then addressed
a few words touching the present numerical weakness of
the. Nonconformist party in the House of Commons, but
contended that numbers were not needful to exhibit
principles. (Cheers.) He urged their members to support
every measure, by whomsoever it might be introduced,
that was really calculated to promote the general wel-
fare of the country ; and if they did this, and maintained
a course consistent with their principles, they would
fully deserve that support they claimed of their consti-
tuents.
The CHAIRMAN then proposed, " Our Divines and
Colleges," which was duly acknowledged by the Rev.
Dr. BENNETT.
GEORGE HADFIELD, Esq., M.P. for Sheffield, then
proposed "The Health of the Chairman,'.' on whose many
virtues he enlarged.
The toast was duly honoured, and appropriately ac-
knowledged by the Chairman.
Song—" The Old English Gentleman."
"Our Literature" was the next toast, and with it was
coupled the healths of Dr. Vaughan and Mr. Conder.
The Rev. Dr. VAUGHAN, President of the Lancashire
Independent College, and editor of the British Quarterly
Review, and
JOSIAH CONDER, Esq. editor of the Patriot news-
paper, formerly of the Eclectic Review, and well known
in Nonconformist literature, responded to the toast.
The " Milton Club" was then proposed by T. BARNES,
Esq., M.P. for Bolton, and acknowledged by HENRY
BATEMAN, Esq.
J. KERSHAW, Esq., M.P. for Stockport, proposed
"The Union and Prosperity of our Churches," which
was briefly acknowledged by the Rev. F. A. Cox, D.D.,
LL.D., of Hackney.
" The Press" was proposed by the CHAIRMAN, and
responded to by EDWARD BAINES, Esq., editor and pro-
prietor of the Leeds Mercury.
" The Ladies," and "The Stewards" were subse-
quently toasted, and the proceedings terminated at
twelve o'clock.

GENERAL SCREW STEAM-SHIPPING COMPANY--Yes•
terday an extraordinary meeting of the shareholders of
this company took place at the London Tavern, for the
election of two directors in the room of the two who re-
tired. R. M. Fox, Esq., M.P., took the chair. Mr.
J. Lyster O'Beirne, the secretary, read the notice con-
vening the meeting. Mr. R. W. Crawford proposed
Captain Shuttleworth as a fit.and suitable person to fill
the vacancy. He had not only the ability to fulfil the
duties, but also the time to devote to the requirements
of the office, which was an object of importance to the
public as well as themselves. A. candidate so suitable
to their purposes he hoped would be elected unanimously.
Mr. Money Wigram seconded the resolution. The
Chairman put the resolution, and Captain Shuttleworth
was elected unanimously. Mr. Pugh proposed Mr. N.
B. Acworth as a candidate for the other vacancy. Mr.
Rolt, M.P., seconded the motion, which was also passed
unanimously. A vote of thanks was then given to the
chairman and directors, and the meeting adjourned.
VERDICT OF MANSLAUGHTER AGAINST A QUACK DOC-
TOR.—Yesterday, Mr. Wm. Baker, jun., the deputy
coroner for East Middlesex, concluded an inquest at the
Sir Robert Peel Tavern, Shrubland-road, Haggerstone-
bridge, respecting the death of Mrs. Charlotte Card-
well, aged 55 years, a widow lady of fortune, lately re-
siding at No. 1, Shrubland-road, East Haggerstone,
who, it was alleged, had died from the deleterious effects
of a poisonous herb named lotelia, which had been ad-
ministered to the deceased by a person named William
Hobson Palmer, one of the agents to Dr. Coffin. At
the close of the inquiry, the foreman said that twelve
out of the thirteen jurors had agreed to a verdict of
"Manslaughter against William Hobson Palmer." The
whole of the witnesses were then bound over in the
usual manner' to prosecute at the next sessions of the
Central Criminal Court.
FATAL OCCURRENCE AT THE CRYSTAL PALACE.--
Yesterdb.y. Mr. William Carter held an inquest at Al-
leyne's Head, Dulwich-common into the circumstances
attending the death of Joseph Gibbing, aged 39, a car-
p enter, who lost his life at the Crystal Palace, Syden-
ham, on Saturday last. James Hill, a carpenter,
deposed that he was employed .on the works at the
Crystal Palace. About eleven o'clock on Saturday
morning last witness was on one of the galleries working
with deceased. They were about to put in a wooden
joist between two of the iron columns. They were on
a scaffolding erecting internally. The iron columns
were too far apart, and they accordingly placed a chain
round each and a union-screw in the middle to draw them
nearer together at the top, to make the joist fit in. The
distance between the two columns was about 20 feet.
They got the chain tight up by the screw, as tight as
they could do ; but then the columns did not come as
near together as required. Witness and deceased were
both working the screw, which was rather stiff. De-
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building on some planks used as a temporary footway,
from a height of about twenty feet. He fell flat, but
more on his head ; and when ness went to the spot
he found deceased quite insensible, and, with assistance,
took him into one of the offices of the building, where
he left him. The poor man died in the evening, his
skull having been fractured. The jury, having examined
many witnesses-for the purpose of ascertaining whether
proper caution had been exercised by the superior au-
thorities to prevent casualties, found that the death was
purely accidental.

OPENING OF THE CRYSTAL PALACE.—At a meeting
of the committee acting on behalf of the various trades
officially represented at the aggregate meetings recently
held in connection with the above movement, the depu-
tation appointed to confer upon the subject with Lord
Palmerston reported the result of their mission. The
noble lord had received the deputation with great cour-
tesy, and, after listening attentively to the arguments
advanced by the different speakers, admitted the im-
portance of the question, but replied that he could not,
neither could the deputation expect him to, give any
definite pledge as to the course which the Government
might feel bound to take upon it when it came on for
discussion before Parliament, but at the same time he
could and would promise to give it his best consideration.
He would also undertake the presentation of their
petition to the House of Commons.
SOUTHAMPTON DOCKS.—The report to be submitted
to the meeting of the Southampton Dock Company on
the 22d, states that the receipts of the half-year ending
the 31st of December have exceeded those of the previous
half-year by 3,9761. The balance in hand, after the
payment of interest on the debenture debt, &c., is
3,0751., and a dividend of Bs. per share is recommended.