The Sun.
London, England, 1831-03-09 00:00:00

SPIRIT OF THE PUBLIC JOURNALS.

The cause of Reform is advancing with steady but ac-
celerated -steps. Every pariah throughout the metropolis--
every district throughout the kingdom—is in motion :
calmly, deliberately, but determinately, the march pro-
ceeds. The moral courage of Englishmen, which never
yet failed at a crisis, is arousing itself in proportion to the
magnitude of the stake and the justice of the cause, and
victory is sure. We lately, in the third volume of Colonel
Napier's History of the Peninsular War, met with a
beautiful passage, in which the unconquerable bravery of
the English soldiery at Albuera is described in the follow-
ing strain of just appreciation and impassioned eloquence :
Suddenly and sternly they closed on their terrible enemies ;
and then was seen with what a strength and majesty the British
soldier fights. In vain did Soult, by volte and gesture, animate
his Frenchmen; in vain did the hltrdiest veterans, extricating
themselves from the crowded Columns, sacrifice their lives to
gain time forthe mass to openout on such a fair field; iii vain did
the mass itself bear up, and, fiercely striving, fire indiscrimi-
nately upon friends and foes ; while the horsemen, hovering on
the flank, threatened to charge the advancing line. Nothing
could stop that astonishing infantry. No sudden burst of un-
disciplined valour, no nervous enthusiasm, weakened the stabi-
lity of their order; their flashing eyes were bent on the dark
C damns in their front; their measured tread shook the ground;
their dreadful volleys swept away the head of every formation ;
their deafening shOuts overpowered the dissonant cries that
broke from all parts of the tumultuous crowd, as, foot by foot,
and with a horrid carnage, it was driven by the incessant vigour
of the attack to the farthest edge of the hilL In vain did the
French reserves, joining with the struggling multitude, endea-
vour to sustain the fight ; their efforts only increased the irre-
mediable confusion, and the mighty mass, giving way like a
loosened cliff, went headlong down the ascent."

such are the characteristic qualities of Englishmen,—such
are they in the field of battle against their country's foes—
such in the less bloody but scarcely less arduous struggles
for civil rights against the foes of freedom and justice.
The unconquerable mind is the same in both cases : Bri-
tish soldiers and British citizens are made of the same stern
unyielding stuff; and the phalanx of the boroughmongers
is as surely destined to fall before the determined ex-
pression of the moral will of our civic heroes, as the hosts
of Soult gave way before the irresistible right arms of our
military champions.— Times.
It is to be hoped that Englishmen, themselves engaged
with signal energy in the adoption of means for centering
perfect whatever time had impaired in their old and free
institutions, will not now withhold their sympathy from
nations whose rights have been trodden down, and their
happiness broken, not by any fault or negligence ef their
(awn, but by the atrocious cruelty of despots combined
against them, at a moment, too, when England, if not
meanly, most unwisely, looked on an unmoved spec-
tator of their ruin. We allude to the warlike and
illustrious Poles. This Government, we are aware,
cannot take up arms for Poland ; it is the more incumbent
on us as freemen, therefore, to show that our duty, and
not our apathy, restrains us from assisting them. We
owe to that fine people, and to their representative in this
country, every mark and demonstration of attachment and
applause while they are fighting—God grant they may
not be fighting unsuccessfully—the battle of civilized
Europe. An entertainment is to be given this day to the
patriotic Envoy from Poland; and the friends of freedom
.are invited to rally round the standard in such numbers,
and of such a quality, as will vindicate to foreign nations
every where the sreal feelings of this country towards
brethren, with whom, if she is separated from them by
seas and Mountains, she is firmly united in spirit, confi-
dence, and affection.—Times.

BRUSSELS.

WATIONAL CONGRESS—SiTrmo or 111ARcu 4.

In this sitting the project of law for a loan of twelve
millions, or for the sale of domains to the value of seven
millions, was discused.

M. Osy thought that before they voted subsidies the
Ministry ought to make known our political situation.
He thought the Government had isolated it.telf from the
other Powers, by sending back the protocols without the
participation of the Congress. A negociator capable of
asserting our interests with respect to the deht of Holland
ought to have been sent to London ; now the matter will
be settled for us and without us. If an intervention
not feared, why provision the fortresses on the Meuse,
s there would be more reason to fortify the provinces of
.Antwerp and Flanders. We ought to prepare ourselves
to resist France as well as the other Powers. Our affair,
have gone back instead of advancing for these four months.

11.d'Arschot was surprised that M. Osy should object
to the protest against the protocols, as he had himself
assisted in drawing it up, and had even written the last
paragraph, which was struck out as being so intemperate.
Osy did not object to the protest, but to the return
of the subsequent protocols, without communicating them
to the Gangrem_

M. Lebeau asked if it was true that the appointment of
a Regent had been notified to France only. He thought
that it should have been notified to all the Powers, espe-
(-idly to England, which seems indisposed towards us, and
which we ought to undeceive with respect to the notion
that the election of the Regent is a French scheme.
M. Van de Weyer said it was his duty to present to the
Regent, General Belliard, who had arrived that morning.
The election of the Regent had not yet been notified to any
Power, and the arrival of General Belliard is only
in consequence of the mission of the Belgic deputation
to Paris ; it was announced while the deputation was still
in the French capital, and has no connection with the ap-
pointment of the Regent. However, a report will bt
drawn up and laid before the Congress of all its proceed-
ings, accompanied by the documents received by the
Diplomatic Committee and its answers. It will there be
seen that the Government, in sending back the protocols,
has only performed the duty imposed on it by the Con-
gress: 'The last protocol was sent back six days ago._
The 13ehate on the loan was adjourned.
BRUSSELS, MARCH 5.—M. C. Le Hon is appointed
Minister Plenipott,t4
ry to Paris, and is expected to set out
to-day.

Various reports are in • !
exculation respecting General
Mellinet. It seems certain
13,10
t he was still at Maseyk at
the head of his corps the da
typterday, at three p.m.
Three officers of General Aldine corps have published
a letter in Le Vrai Patriote, in which I,:iti,eh they say, that
having beard, on their arrival at Bwr , a report that
their brave General had deserted to thetels
, wanyh,ethey
tall, they declare this absurdity to be an"ntaru with his
having left hint at three p. in. on the 3(1
expecting the volunteers to be always ready to repulse the
enemy.
The Regent has refused to accept the resignation of AI.
Gendebien as Minister of Justice and Chief President of
the Tribunal of Brussels,
GHENT, MARCH 4.—The Dutch again violated the
armistice on the 3d, by firing on our boats near Mal-
degbem. Some fighting ensued, in which the Dutch had
two killed and some wounded. _ .. .

_ .....
The peamants who have come to 'matt bbie mornirg

say, that there was fighting near Capitalewdam. The
cannonade was heard in the country. We have no official
accounts. All possible precautions are taken here,
and it is Loped the Government will send reinforcements
to the frontier. It is generally thought that things cannot
remain as they are, and that in a fortnight the places
in Dutch Flanders must be in our hands, or Ghent in that
of the Prince of Orange.
Lissow, FEB. 22.—This being the anniversary of the
auspicious day which restored to Portugal, after a long ab-
sence, the august Monarch who now happily governs us, it
was celebrated with great splendour and enthusiasm. Ili.
Malesty held a drawing-room in the palace of Akula,
which was extremely brilliant.

REFORM. MEETINGS IN SUPPORT OF

HIS MAJESTY'S MINISTERS.

.73Rf)Ft
;From thC tristol Mercury of Tuesday.)
The grain'. 'Measure of Reform, now before Parliament, is a
topic of such paramount importance, and the Intel-0.5.4., excites
altogether so unparalleled, that we feel a-Oured onriCiderS will
not be displeased with our haVing deveted.tb the subject so large
a portion of our present publieaeutrr. ‘2'.lr limits entirely prevent
our indulging in any leegtheM. remarks ; but having, with re-
ference to some of ehi anterior measures of the Administration, ,
evinced feeiftt athsappointment, and having' alsO, b,e.eit !ed to
express et: doubts of their proposing. that
.paiftyl e_tricient Re-
form which they were pledged to brie ft.:l-',,ard, we conceive it
to be due to them to state, that tte plan they have submitted to
Parliament has our.mott-k.'.Ceided and unqualified support,—that,
for bringing itfettkrd, they are entitled to the lasting gratitude
of the col,q4,—and that so far as our observation extends, the
opinions of every disinterested and patriotic Bristolian are, in the
present instance, in unison with 0ur...,W-n,
Greater unanimity, we believe, on tire, part of the ad'vocates of
a great public qitestien never before existed.
The exampl.c, tso promptly afforded h the metropolis, is being
followed by all parts •Of •Cc,',intry, and the advocates of the
measure, laying aside thtir minor differences of opinion, are
uniting to stren,trtfkn the hands of the Miffistrr ell to offer
their trihiste of gratitude to our patriot, PIK;. In this glorious
work, we rejoice that our own city 'Aal assumed the station which
her national importance tvoin assign to her. Already a public
expression of her tenements on this important occasion has gone
forth, worthy, Indeed, of being associated with that which has
emanatedfrom the capital. ,
It was only on Saturday that the intePtV.,ii holding a public
meeting was announced. OS! tlyst ,lay 'a deputation of gentle-
men waited on the Ma}-or tcquest him to grant the use of the
Guildhall for the 'ACQaMon. This edifice, however, is under-
going 5015 W tetitpbrary repairs, and it was therefore determined
that the meeting should take place in the AssemblprerMts, yes-
terday morning. The hour appointed was twelYe o'clock, when
notwithstanding some strenuous etrott'S Of the adverse party,
such a muster of the true tXientft of the Constitution took place,
as aftbrded the most Lead: 'cheering and gratifying spectacle.
On the motion of W. P. Taunton, Esq., It. ASH, Esq., was
called to the 'chair.

The CHAIRMAN said that they r pre assembled lb consider
the propriety of supporting his Majesty's, Ministers in the plan
of Reform which they had intralueed nibs the House of Corn.
mons, and they could iron bbt rejoice that Ministers had so nobly
redeemed the pleSige which they gave to their Sovereign, to Par-
, liaments flit' to the country.—(Cheers.)
Mr. MANCHEE, in rising to move the first It'soiution, said
he now stood before them them to ea p'iaimi the reasons upon
which they were called on to eopp`,Yrt the measure brought for-
ward by his Majesty's Ministers, and for which he considered
them entitled to the fullest confidence of the country. As the
Chairmen had already explained the broad features of the Mea-
sure, he needed only to refer to the argument' whith had been
brought forward by Hon. Gentlemen its th House of Commons,
in defence of the borough systems and also to the fact that i 5
out of 19 of the gentlemen tsho had distinguished themselves by
their opposition to the measure, were themselves either propri-
etors of bores/ells or representatives of them.—(Loud cheers.)—
It watt Lille that Burke first became-known by means of One of
those boroughs ; but, as soon as his talemste n.lll patriotism were
known, to the honour of Bristol he it :spoken, she adopted him—
(Applause)—but to her still greater honour, be it eternized, that
when he sold himself to the Minister, when he became a pen-
sioned apostate, she turned him out. And where did he seek
refuge in his infamy ? Why in one of those very rotten be-
roughs.—(lmmense cheering.) He kept his seat in !Tito of the
people.—(Cheers.) 'I he supporters of tPe present system had
sail, that the borough members mere the most independent mem-
bers of the House, AMA' So they were, for they represented
themselves, and the man who was his own representative, was
independent of every one else.—(Laughter.) 1 hey were quite
independent, even of the duties of Parliament, and rill!: went
to the House to vote away the money of the people, in pensions
and sinecures to their own relatives, sled to tak the people for
the support of their families: He Wokilti mention one of them
—Mr. Croker ; he would not say he did not discharge the duties
of his office, bet he Wes well paid for it ; then he had a retiring
pension, width was bad enough ; but Mrs. Croker had a pension
too, which was worse. Why, what had Mrs. Croker ever done
for the good of the country ? Nothing but to bring little
Crokers into the world, to be also provided fdr out of the
people's pockets.—(Much laughter,) Next Came Mr. Baring,
who was a Reformer till new, Wit according to the old saying,
" touch my pocket, 'touch my life." Mr. Baring says that his
election did net exceed 1501., which, considering the price he
paid at first for his borough, was quite high enough. It wag said
that this Bill would diminish the influence of the aristecracy. It
would never diminish the healthful influener er a goal landlord,
but it would effectually prevent resell leen as the Marquis of
Exeter and Duke of Nee,caslie from doing what they pleased
with their ownsee(Cheers.) Were the people their own e And
shall poor met) be turned with their families out of house and
homes to their utter ruin, for exercising a constitutional privi-
lege ?—(Never I Shame !) The House of Commons ehnuld be
the house of the people, and yet what Is it but a secOnd house of
' Lords ? The next objection against them idiot Was, that it would
interfere with the chartered rights of Corporations.—(Cheers.)
They had in this City a pretty tolerable taste of the excellency of
a close Corpnration. NN 'hat did they most desire ? a remedy of
the rhute; an acquaintance with the manner in which the funds
which telonged to the citizens at large were apprepriated.
The Corporation said they had no secrets to Weep; and yet each
member of them, on taking otijee, wts required to swear that he
would not reveal the Akins of the Corporation. They swore not
to reveal secrets, when acconlingto their own statement they had
no secrets to reveal.—(Laughter.) In allusion to the meeting
held at the White Lion, Mr. M. said that he was mortified that
Bristol should have been the only city which had petitioned
against Reform.—(Hisses) He hoped they would take a lesson
from thepast, merge allminor differencerinthenneBreat question,
date the period of their political reSerneration from the com-
mencement of the next election, and then they might be assured
that it was in their power to return two Members to Parliament
devoted Va their interests and to the interests of the nation at
large. Mr. Manchee concluded by moving the first resolution,
and sat down amid loud and long-continued cheers,
JOSEPH REYNOLDS, Esq. said, however setisible he might
be, and no one could be more sensible, of his stn,fitnesmitis take an
early or a prominent part on public Oceasiblis, he, nevertheless,
ventured to second the resolution which had been read. The
resolution, he said, in the first place, declared " That the plan of
Reform in the Commons House of Parliament, brought tnevvard
by his Majesty's Ministers, had their entire anprnbation;" and
though he was persuaded that reasons for Such an approval
would occur to the minds of all who had read and considered that
plan, yet he felt it incumbent on him to show In carat reelect it
was deserving of their approval. By it Ministtrs nad proposed
to disfranchise what had been railed rotten boroughs, places
which, if they ever were of so Tiluch importance as to be justly
entitled to the elective franchise, had, for a long time, ceased to
be so. These venal boroughs, whose elective franchise was re-
gularly put up to sale, were the avenues by which pqlitical ad-
venturers, needy spendthrifts, younger brandies of the Ansto.
cracy, and -other selfish votesselling pal-notes, nad found their
We)" Into the House of Cernits,nle, and obtained for them-
:elves or their patt'Ans :rid their dependants, sinecure places,
pensions ernoassies, &c. together with unjust and undeserved
promotions in all the civil, military, and naval departments
of the state.— (Shame, shame, shame.)--41iS Majesty's Minis-
ters had proposed to shake our 119 of these pestss that had
devoured the wealth of the nation, ands like the harnables that
cling to the bottom of our ships; had retarded our national pro-
gress in knowledge, in urOveritV, and in virtue, by opposing all
reforms, disenuraging bnprotectid merit, and lowering the na-
tional stendaiii of character—shewing by their example that
meanness and subserviency and sacrifice of principle had led to
wealth and favour; while independence, integrity, and good
principles, were either insulted and despised, Or, at least, neg-
lected and forgotten.—(Cheers.)—Mr. It then refbrred to the
abuses and anomalies in the present systeM 0t- representation ;
and expatiated on the adaptatiOn of Hie erispesed plan to remedy
its defects. The extension Of the right of suffrage, and the dis-
franchising the rotten boroughs, had been denounced as revolu-
tionary, as Orteonstitutional, as subversive of the throne and de-
struetlee of the upper House of Parliament, as uncalled for by
the people, and extending beyond their wishes—(Laoghter)--but
by whom was a Reform in Parliament tiles eppoted, and by
whom were the people calumniated Ih that House, which ought
to be the protector ef their priVileges and the guardian of their
purse ? By those Who had been placed in that House by means
of those s-ery rotten boroughs of which they complain.—(Cheers.)
And at what moment do they dare thus oppose and contemn the
voice of public opinion ? At a time when Europe was threat.
ened by the convulsions which might shake the ftiundations
of the firmest thrones, by which the Streets of Brussels
had been filled with bleed, which had covered the fields
of Poland with contending armies, when Italy trembled
with fear and Agitation from Piedmont to Naples—at such a mo-
ment did the enemies of Reform cling to their corrupt abuses '
and unconstitutional seats in Parliament, at the risk of endan-
gering the peace of the kingdom, and destreying the little con-
fidence which the people of England yet retained in the Com-
mons House of Parliament ?—Great cheering.) How different
was this reckless selfishness from the patriotic conduct of his
Majesty's Ministers and their noble friends, such as the Duke of
Medford, the Marquises of Lansdowne and Cleveland, Lord Rad-
nor, &c. &c., who, to serve their country, had thus offered to re-
linquish the constitutional influence over the elections of Mem.
bers of Parliament which their ancestors had so long held, and
ha f firmly set themselves to withstand the flagitious oppo-
sition of the horoughmongering friction, the determined ene-
mies of Reform, retrenchment, and the liberties of the people.—
(Cheers.) To such petriotic Ministers the best thanks of the
country and of posterity were justly due ; and they deserved the
firm, unwearied, zealous, but peaceable support, of every lover of
freedom and his country's good. Mr. Reynolds concluded by
seconding the resolution.
Dr. CARPENTER, in speaking to the resolution before the
meeting, described the Ministerial measure as comprehensive,
complete, uncompromising, and effective ; one which would
render the llouse of Commons what it should be—the represen-
tation of the people.—(Great applause.) The resolutions was then
put from the chair, and -carries.
T. N. SANDERS, Esq. rose to move time second resolution.
The supporters of the measure were called revolutionists, but
it was the fashion of the Tories to give nick-names to the friends
of liberty ; they had successively called them Jacobins, radicals,
and, lastly, infidels. The question was whether the measure
was a good one ; he was of opinion it was. The best method
then was to obtain it, and let the Tories call it by what name
they pleased.
Mr. VISGER seconded the resolution, which was then put
and carried.
Mr. HARE, in moving the next resolution, said that, in
common with all friends of liberty, he felt obliged to Mr.
Baillie for the candid and gentlemanly manner in which he had
supported the prayer of the late Reform petition from this city.
He could not let the opportunity pass without publicly thanking
him for his conduct.
of
pressconsiderableo of
matter
ability,M whichL `SILLS eec o n
regretd d t‘hr
ee
amr motiont
ei
and shortness of time, to do justice to. The motion was then put
nnabaledspefecrohm
from the chair, and carried with but one dissentient voice.
Mr. J. C. FITZGERALD, of Trinity College, Dublin, had
frequently that day heard the word" Revolution" stated as the
term employed by the anti-reforiners in characterizing the mea-
sures recently proposed by Lord John Russell. He would state
that there never was an improvement in art, science, or liters-
snre, much less politics, that was not termed " innovation," or
" revolution."—(Loud cheers.) The Ministers had been accused
of precipitation in introducing the Reform question ; but no other
measure of importance could be effectually introduced before the
passing of the Reform Bill. England was like a feverish patient;
the fever must be allayed before substantial nutriment could be
administered.—(Cheers.) They had often heard of the " swinish
multitude;" but the time was gone by when such phrases were
ll' fashion. Why had the cause of Reform advanced ? Because
the sun of useful knowledge was verging towards its meridian.—
(Cheers.) All grades were united. The grave erudition of the
pulpit, the splendid eloquence. of the bar, the sage researches of
philosophy, the commandilfspi influence of nobility, and the Im-
pregnable body of the pea e, were all marshalled in support of
[ freedom. The vigilance o the people was Argus-like, every eye

Must be extinguished before they relapsed again into a blind sub.
serviency to infa.tuated oppressors.
W. P. TAUNTON, Esq., barrister-at-law, defended the pre-
sent Ministry from the attacks of the opposition. It was next to
impossible to please every one ; but he had never yet met with a
measure against which so few sound objections could be raised.—
(Cheers.) Mr. Taunton concluded by, moving the fifth resolution,
which was seconded by Mr. !-la'.ratiath.
A Gentleman, ti:'riO stated himself to be a native of Shrop-
shire, but Whose name we could not learn,
in a speech of great
pith and humour, likened the.boroughmongers to rats in a war.
ren ; but the Ministers were now going a ratting, and they
intended to hunt them from their stinking holes, from Which
they had hitherto only come out oceaskinalV to roo the national
granary. The speaker then ~iitere-d into an expose of the bo-
roughs el Shrepshire, their patronages and influence. After
some tan-thel remarks from the gentleman, the motion was put
(rern the Chair and carried.
SAMUEL WARING, Esq. rose with greataileaaure to move
an address to his Majesty, exprissive of approbation and
of no less Conlin) gratititife be i,iie ample measure of Reform
brought. lwfte-e :'.e Houk of Commons on behalf of his Ma_
jest( Ministers.
Captain HODGES rose with great diffidence to second the re-
solution proposed by Mr. Waring. Long as he liatiabtrt a resi-
dent among them, now some years, hai had,n,iver a more
respectable and tairecriana a;saiiiiils brought together on any
occasion; ii •A niOrt ilnportant one Englishmen never before
I had got to deliberate. Hallowed in its object, they had a just
right to look for a Divine blessing on their efforts.—(Cheers.)
Their good and benevoent-hearted King was with them--(Lend
cheers)—he had chosen a Ministry suitabte to Ora task, himest,
uncompromising, and deternil.•tal.Much cheering.) It was
their duty to_ rally , ooth. For 'himself, he was a humble
soldier, VliOni circumstances and good fortune enabled to serve
his country's cause in a foreign land : and lie was now taking
the part of a citizen soldier, uniting with his fellow men in
rallying round the Throne and the Government, in sup..
port of the wishes of his King ~a aid. the _lityerticS of his
country...-(Loud
•cheers.) A MO IC truly patriotic Sove-
reign had isever reelned over the destinies of this country since
the days or Alfred, He might well be called the King of the
English, the Irish, and the Scotch ; they wanted.no tri-coloured
flag ; the union-jack was their vainest boast ; and whilst Eng_
land existed on the face of the globe, the name of W:lliam IV.
would be handed down from generatiani to generation, as the re-
storer of their rights, the ienovator of their Constitution.—(lm-
mense ...heeling.) He begged them to remark, that Lord J:
Riisseil, Mr. Macaulay, the Lord Advocate for Scotland, Lord
Palmerston, Mr. Hobhouse, and the other able advocates, had
all, in unqualified language, declared that Reform or revelutiOn
was inevitable. —(Loud apnlaifsea IVhht ! Should they, then,
who were the lovers Or rcate and social order, not make loud
their vekes 'ef Reform ? Even selfish reasons induced them to
(hi ; but, blessed be God, their objects were higher; they
claimed equal rights for their fellow-men, justice for them•elves,
and freedom for their country.—(Great applause.). What did the
opponents to this measure say ? Why their " frreat gun," Sir R.
Peel, with his usual caution and his trimeiing propensities, opposed
the measure; his r ry caution, and the total absence of
sound! i'aaStining in his spee:h, led him (Captain H.) to believe
that this measure could meet with but little opposition, and that
its success was certain. Then came Mr. Horace Twiss, of green:.
room nstoriety. He had not words to express his indignation on
reading what this man had said in_OppoSition to thli measure; it
ill became a man of his caste. said, " The reason why so
many right? ao.d to many interests were to be shut out was, for-
sooth, to correct the malversations committed by 'noble and in-
tellectual persons, by transmitting the right of representing
England to men notoriously of narrow habits,. to shopkeepers
and small attorneys." Mark this, gentlemen atiorneas of the
county of Gloucester. The Learned OentleMan next gave us a
quotation fret! Scripture ; but it was from the uninspired part—
he quoted from the Apocrypha. He would, leave this Learned
Gentleman with a quotation that was not apocryphal—" Verily,
he shall have his reward."—(Cheers and laughter.) Captain
Hodges concluded by seconding the resolution. ,
The motion having. beets read b:a Chairinati, a Mr.
SPENCE presented limit:elf to the meeting, and claimed its in-
dulgailee. Their enemies had spoken of revolution and of mas-
sacre; but who were to be their authors? Reform would come,
should come ; but the white clifß of Albion, the daisy-covered
hills of Ireland, or the thistle-clad mountains. of Scotland, Would
never patiently drink the blood of their Children. While they
had a patriot King,,a patriot Ministry, arid a people ready to rally
round their' both, the streets of England would never be ensan-
guined with blood. The spirit of liberty was in the camp. The
soldiers of England would never draw sword against their coun-
trymen, while seeking to obtain their just rights in a legal man-
ner ; and if it were possible they could be so far influenced, he
would tell them, in the words of Junius, that " the people had
their mothers, their ra'thei-s, and their children among them."
On Dili motion of Mr. Mills, seconded by Mr. Hare, thanks
were voted to the Chairman. Three cheers were then given for
Reform, and three times three for the King ; and the meeting
separated.

,Ith'Fi;'ll4,L b.
(From the Sheffield Iris of Tuesday.)

Yesterday at noon, pursuant to a call from the Master Cutler,
and in compliance with a requisition, numerously and respec-
tably signed, a public meeting of the inhabitants of the town
and parish of Sheffield was held in the Town Hall, and by ad-
journment, in Paradise-square, to Consider the .prOprietv oi' for-
warding to PirliaWnt a pnblic.declaration of the toff n In favciur
of the plate df Refotni, brGught forward by Lord John Russell,
and to petition that the same may pass into a law. The meeting
was the largest and, we must say, the most orderly we ever wit-
nessed.

---ESTOCII BARBER, Esq., the Master Csitler, being called to
preside, read the requisition,
,after which;
HUGH PARKEIts ,I?:sqs erdpoSed the first resolution, and
said that it Was tire object of the present meeting to support the
Government in the attempt to effect Parliamentary Reform.
Mr. Parker then enumerated the principal heads in Lord John
Russell's Bill, and stated that the Reform proposed to be made
went far beyond what the most sanguine persons anticipated, and I
must be completely satisfactory to all. Ministers had slidten them- I
selves entitled to our Support arid itl'atitild6. Theirs was no
sham Itefortn, but en 'earnest of the fulfilment of their promises.
With tl3, changes they proposed, we should have a more moral
Government, and a more moral people. Should it be urged that
manufacturing and other populous places may return Members
who may wish to press the question of Reform much further, so
as to deprive the Monarch or the aristocracy of their legiti:
mate influence in the Constitutions it shonld; at the sare'e time,
be recollectsali that a is made against the probable oc-
curreae of such a contingency, by the additional Members
given to the counties. It is one of the supreme excellencies of
the Constitution of this country, that the three estates are so
arranged as to become a mutual check against excess in any one
of them. The only thing wanted was a Reform in the repre-
sentative system ; and the time has now arrived whlsti it is no
longer safe to reflise its, The Speaker here alluded ti; the fact
that sinee it toCk fCtir Sessions of Parliament to settle the case of
East Belford, and, after all, the franchise was merely trans-
ferred from that borough to the adjoining hundred of Bassetlaw,
surely the time for Reform was come. The qualification of
voters was to rest upon property in boroughs, like Sheffield; and
While many thought the scale was too high; others thought it
was not high enough; and this seemed to strew that Ministers
had approached the true medium: Ile certainly saw in the pro-
posed arrainernent routing to prevent a person, if industrious
and virts:SMS at an early period of life, from possessing himself
of the right of taking part in the returning of Members.—(Loud
applause.)
OFFLEY SHORE, Esq. thought his Majesty's Ministers were
worthy of, our support. On this great question let the country
be unanimous in the expression of its sentiments in support of
Government, as if the whole community, were at this moment
al united; as in reality IS the re, in one Pdliti,cal Union.
Mr. PALFREYaIiaN laid It Was so singular a circumstance
to Meet a large assemblage like the present for the purpose of
uniting to thank his Majesty's Ministers,_ that really he hardly
knew how to commence what he might have to say.—(Loud
ap-
plause.) Time after time, year after year, have, the people peti-
tioned for Reform, while their, petitioni have been laid tip,in the
table silently; Or, as ettier':sise they Sisigiit, to plead the cause of
the petitioners. This is the first time that Ministers have shown
a disposition to attend in earnest to the wishes of the people, and
as they appeal to the country for judgment and support, he (Mr.
Palfreyman) trusted that the country will not be slow to respond
the sentiment which has been already heard in parliament: He
had indeed no doubt but that In et'ery town, where things are
not absolutely rotten; the yoke of the peOple will be heard in
support of the glorious measures which the Ministers have had
the courage to propoSa for the satisfaction of the country. The
speaker here alluded to some of the sentiments of Honourable
Members on this point, and said they reminded him of the con.
duct of a Mr. Anthony Henley, who, when his constituents once
sent up to him for presentation a petition, complaining of certain
things in the excise laws' which bOre "hard upon them, said he
was surprised at their insolence in troubling him aboitt the ex-
cise, he had bought them, and lie should sell them.—(Roars of
laughter.) He knew wbat.ttiess knew; that they were seeking
another purchaser, and he knew *hat they did not know, that
he had bought another place, &c. This (proceeded the speaker)
was an honest profession of that sort of independence and free-
dom of which we have heard some persons just now boast in the
House of Commons. He (Mr. P.) trusted that a dissolution of
Parliament would not be necessary ; but if it should, he hoped
that every placer-not absolutely fetterM, would dply return those
who would nfsist ullequivbcally pledge thenisesves to support
Reform.
Mr. S. BAILEY said, that the Bill before Parliament might
not be faultless ; but when it is recollected that it cuts off at one
stroke sixty rotten boroughs, it is surely such an advantage as
was never before presented by Government to the people of
England. No wonder that an expiring faction should resort to
every expedient to prevent the progress of such a measure, by
calling it a scheme of pillage and robbery; a reVoltititinary plan,
&c : for his part he cared not what names they gaVe it if they
would but let us have the thing; he would not believe its nature
was altered because it might be miscalled—it would still remain
the same, call it what they might.—(Loud applause.) As the
poet had said—
" 4. rode by doY other name would smell as sweet:"
The speaker then alluded to the cabals of opposition, now at
work to counteract this great measure; the people of England
ought therefore to be on the alert to strengthen the hands of Mi-
nisters—the whole national voice should be raised to avow that
this is a measure moid satithietory td to the fedlingS of English-
men. '1 he arguments of its opponents are the flimsiest sophis-
tries it ever was his lot to hear. AS a matter of curiosity,he had
noticed who were the speakers during the first three nights'
debates, and he found, out of twelve persons .who opposed the
Bill, that six were Members of tile very boroughs prbposed to be
totally disfranchised, and two from those which were to lose one
Member each. The speaker then read the names amidst much
laughter. This, he observed, afibrded some clue to the secret of
the opposition : but it would be unjust tp say; that all who pos-
sessed boroughs had. thiit acted ; no, there were some honour-
able exceptions, and he was happy to mention as one who had
already declared himself as willing to make the sacrifice of his
interest for the public good, our noble townsman, the Duke of
Norfolk.iss.(Lotid applittise)
The address to the King, and petition to She House of Com-
mons having been read,
Mr. T. A. WARD rose and said, it was with the greatest
pleasure he now stood forward td address the meeting. When
he last stood in that plate he had alluded to the revolutions
which had taken place in France and Belgium, and it so hap-
pened that on that very day liberty had raised its head in Poland
whether we might hereafter learn that on this day other revolu-
tions had been elle-Tied in Rome, .Madricts dr Naples, at Lisbon,
or Turin, he could not of course say, but most sincerely did he
wish that such might be the case. We were told in Parlia-
ment that constitutional governments have not been very suc-
cessful. The speaker then explained how and why attempts to
improve the Governments in Spain, Portugal, and Piedmont had
been frustrated. Mr. W. then humourously illustrated the
claims of the borough owner to compensation, by the case of a
friend of his, who having had his watch stolen and detained some
time, received a letter from a party, promising to restore it for a
certain consideration named. The Bill now before Parliament
was called by some of the Members " Russell's Purge," and they
were right, it was a sharp and nauseous medicine, but it would
do them good if they would but take it—and they would never
be in a healthy state unless, nor until they did. If the Bill were
rejected, lie hoped to see a meeting held in that place to petition
1 the King to dissolve Parliament, and the country would then send
men to the House who would not stand between the will of the
Savereign and the wishes of the people.
Mr. J. S. BRAMHALL said he should briefly call upon the
meeting to express their gratitude to Ministers for this noble
project. The boroughmongers were expiring with the malice
and energy of despair ; but still there was no ground for fear.
At this moment a Mr. IL EMERSON, who stood among the
crowd below, began speaking amidst great confusion. In at-
tempting to catch the object of his remarks, we thought he op-
posed the measure because it disfranchised what he termed the
poor working man, alluding, we presume, to the potwallopers,
&c., of certain borough towns. He also said something about
the county representation falling into the hands of farmers, with
a great deal more which seemed quite foreign to the purpose,
until the patience of the meeting was so completely wearied out
that he was hooted down.
Mr. BRAMLEY, solicitor, in rising to second the last reso-
lution, said--" Mr. Chairman and Gentlemen,—l never before
addressed a public meeting under such feelings of pleasure. The
noble and comprehensive plan of Reform introduced into Par-

liameht by his Majesty's Ministers, has almost driven me giddy
with delight ; like thousands Oftny fellow men, I contemplated
an extensive plan; but. never conceived that Ministers would
have had the courage, the virtue, the single,mindedness, to pro-
pose one so comprehensive and complete. I foresaw all the be-
setting difficulties, and I trembled lest they should prove too
strong for successful -competition ; but, thank Heaven I Mi-
nisters have nobly grappled with and overcome all obstacles,
and laid before Parliament a plan of Reform which, if car-
ried into effect, will sweep away corruption root and branch,
and instantaneously dispel , the dark cloud that has so long
enshrouded the politital atmosphere:
.(Loud cheers.) The
boroughmongers that for centuries have prayed and gorged upon
the vitals of the Constitution, paralyzed the energies of the
people, and fattened in iniquity, will be brushed away like worth,
less insects and buried in the deep unfathomable pit.of oblivion.
Already the hand of death is Upon them; their howling and la,
mentations fortn, their cry for mercy has arisen, but
the country will not hear it. The day of retribution is come,
the hand of justice is uplifted, the victims tremble in despair,
the avenging blow is ready to be struck, and all my hope and
prayer is, that it may, be struck Speedily.—(Cheers.) Gentlemen;
if this noble measure pass Into a law a new era in politics will
arise, 11=91 .will he Ole. rrloit Celebrated of years, the people will
acquire their just but long withheld rights, and the country aris-
ing from the bondage, and throwing oil' chains that have
bound her, will go on to, prosper and flourish. And to whom,gentlemen, will these blesSings be Owing? To his Majesty's Mi,
nisters. They pledged themselves to Rethrm,.and nobly have they
redeemed that pledge. Let o, then,my Mends, join hand and
heart with theM in fighting the good fight, let us show the ene-
mies of Reform that there is a spirit abroad of too pure eyes to
behold iniquity any longer, and that the great mass of the people
are keenly desirous for Parliamentary Reform, let no supineness
lay at our doors, and then, if peradventure the measure
should not.pass, We cati " Jay the flattering unction to out souls"
that we have done our duty as Men and citizens, and acquitted
ourselves before God and our country.---(Cheers.`
Mr- R. ROGERS said that, atter thirty yearS''experience in a
pretty extensive political warfare, he did not know that he ever
addressed a meeting, on any occasion, with greater satisfaction
than in the present instance. He was fully aware of the diffi-
culties which beset the subiect with *llia Ministers had to
deal; and those who knew less about it, might have some idea
of it, wb, n told that it cost this country '2O or 30000/. merely to
transfer the franchise from Retford to Bassetlaw.
M. ELLISON, Esq. seconded the resolution.
Dr. KNIGHT moved with a few brief observations, and Mr.
FISHER seconded the next resolution:
Dr, PHILLIPS followed, and spoke at some length. He
had been a Reformer more than forty years, and hardly
ever expected to see such a day as this. The Rev. Dr.
then made some humourous remarks about certain bo-
roughs without—or almost without inhabitants, to seve-
ral of which, many years ago, he had made a sort of tour. The
remarks of Dr. Phillipps Were so cordially received by the Meet-
ing, that he was rc,qheßted tit prOteedi even after (Mee or twice
atteitipting to conciudd.
'thanks to the Chairman having been voted, the meeting se.,
parated, after giving three times three cheers for the King, and
three times three for the cause of Reform.