The Sun.
London, England, 1847-02-23 00:00:00

.T RE SUN, LONDON', TUESDAY EVENING, FEBRUARY 2$ 1447.

PROSECUTION AND ACQUITTAL

OF THE " NATIONAL."
The trial of the National for the publication of an article
on December 18, relative to the Montpensier marriage, came
before the Court of Assizes of the Seine on Saturday, in the
presence of a great crowd of spectators. The charges
against M. Delaroche, the responsible ditnr, were, first,
otience against the Kiug's person ; secondly, having blamed
the Bing for the acts of his Government, thus making
hint responsible for the same. M. Delaroche having
allowed that he had authorised the publication of the
article in question, M. Gallon, the Advocate-General, ad-
dressed the jury. After an exordium, in which he laid
down the law of the case, the Learned Counsel declared
that the incriminated article had gone out of its way to
connect the recal of M. Barbet, the Consul at the
Mauritius, with the Spanish marriages. Without waiting for
any explanation from the Government, the .National had
declared that circumstance to be a shameful concession,
made to England, and attacked with every form of outrage
and violence not only the Government for its conduct in the
Spani-h marriages, but even the King himself. The Learned
Gentleman then read the article, commenting on it as he
went on, and dwelling particularly on the following phrase,
as a proof of the intention of the writer to attack the King:
" The occasion presented itself to realise a considerable
profit ; the prudence of the father of a family imposed
silence on the fears of the statesman, and the dowry was
fingered with the secret thought that at an after period
means would be found to appease the resentment of the
English Cabinet." He inquired whether there could be any
doubt that when the National used such language as this,
before the circumstances of the marriages were fully known,
and before the Chambers had given their opinion thereon,
it did not intend to reflect improperly on the King, and it
possible to excite contempt against his person ? Could
any man doubt that when the National represented the
King as wholly occupied with the desire of bringing to a
successful termination a money speculation, and only
anxious about fingering the dowry, it did not go beyond
the limits of fair discussion ? The Learned Gentleman
also referred to the expression—" We are now paying the
King's debt, and the recal of M. Barbet is the first payment
on account," and to the assertion that the marriages gave
proof of the " selfishness of a family," and were "to be
useful to the Orleans dynasty alone," as language of an im-
proper character, as attributing to the King the blame which
the National considered the marriages ought to call forth.
He also referred to the word "system," used by the.
National, as an additional proof of its intentions; and called
the attention of the jury to the declaration made in the
article, that "when France was tired of seeing its honour
sacrificed everywhere and always, it would go back from
effects to causes, would not attack the Ministry, but over-
turn the system itself." He would appeal, he said, to all
honourable minds whether such insults ought to be
permitted—whether they were not calculated to in-
spire the most detestable resolutions? He concluded
by declaring that even if no law existed to punish
such offences, the honour of the country demanded
that the head of the state should be respected ;
and it was with a full conviction that such was the opinion
of the jury that he called on it to give a verdict against the
journal in question.—M. Marie, in addressing the court in
favour of the National, declared that he considered the pre-
sent trial as one of the gravest attacks made of late years on
the freedom of the press. In the worst days of the Resto-
ration nothing worse (he said) was ever attempted. He
maintained that the National, and every other journal, had a
right to attack and overthrow every injurious political
system, whatever might be its origin. The Learned Gentle-
man then referred to the charge of making the King re-
sponsible for the acts of his Government, and reminded the
jury that for a length of time a discussion had been going
on about what was called "personal government" and
" Parliamentary government." He quoted the language of
M. Duvergier de Hauranne to show that the two ideas were
notoriously matters of public debate. The system of per-
sonal government, the Learned Gentleman observed, was not
new. In 1832 it had attempted to get the upper hand, but had
failed, owing to the firmness of Casimir Perrier. In 1837 it was
in full vigour, according to what was openly affirmed not
only in the press, but in the Chambers. A paper war on the
subject arose between the Journal des Debuts and the Consti-
tutionnel, and he could produce twenty articles from the
former journal openly treating of a famous question, and in-
sisting that "the King ought to reign and govern," thus sup-
porting the system of personal government. The Learned
Gentleman then showed that M. Guizot and M. de Lamar-
tine had openly spoken on this question in the tribune; and
then inquired whether the National was not perfectly justified
in adverting to the same question when it declared that a
bad system ought to be overturned. He maintained that the
National was fully authorised in using the language it had
done on the point alluded to. Next, referring to the offence
against the King's person, he argued that the National had
not used language in the slightest degree stronger than that
employed by the Opposition Deputies in the discussions in
the Chamber, and by a number of other journals. He de-
clared, besides, that the National, in speaking as it did of the
affair of M. Barbet, bad been neither more nor less than the
echo of public opinion. He concluded by calling on the jury
not to give a vital blow to the freedom of the press by their
verdict.

The jury, after a short deliberation, gave a verdict of ac•
quittal on both counts.

FIRE AT BURY ST. EDMUNDS.—On Saturday
night, about twelve o'clock, afire broke out on the premise,
of Mr. Oliver, grocer and tallowchandler, of Bury, and was
not extinguished until half-past three o'clock. It was
known that, among other combustibles, there was a con-
siderable quantity of gunpowder on the premises. The
adjoining premises (the Suffolk Hotel, with the long range
of gallery and stables were only divided by a lath and
plaster partition, and the hotel being full of inmates, and
several strangers, the utmost consternation prevailed. The
bankers (Messrs. Oaks and Co.) very kindly offered the
commercial gentleman to take care of their property in case
of extreme need; and everything was packed and prepared,
and the furniture of several adjoining houses was entirely
taken away. Providentially, however, with the extra aid of
one large engine in the inn yard, the fire was at length sub-
dued before it reached the gallery of the Suffolk Hotel. Too
much praise cannot be given to Mr. and Mrs. Everard,
the proprietors of the hotel, for their promptitude and pre-
sence of mind in directing the energies and exertions of their
servants, whose conduct throughout the trying night was
above all praise.
THE LATE DUKE OF NORTHUMBERLAND.—

The remains of the late Duke of Northumberland lay in
state for a few hours yesterday at Northumberland House,
Charing-cross; but although a considerable number ob-
tained admission, the ceremony was, comparatively speak-
ing, ,a private one. The large dining-room was appro-
priated for the solemnity, every portion of the apartment,
save that occupied by pictures, was covered with black
cloth. The coffin was placed in the middle of the room,
and enclosed by a state rail. It was covered at the top
a large pall of black velvet, richly bordered, and Ivhici,
displayed escutcheons on either side; resting alone on a
velvet cushion was the ducal coronet of the deceased.
The room was lighted with tapers, in massive silver
candlesticks, on either side of the railing. The outside coffin
is covered with rich crimson velvet, with gilt mountings;
on the covering are displayed the star and insignia of the
Order of the Garter, as well as the following inscription on
the centre plate :—" Most high puissant and most noble Hugh
Percy, Duke and Earl of Northumberland, Baron Lucy,
Latimer, and Warkworth, a Baronet, Lord-Lieutenant
and Custos Rotulorum, Vice-Admiral of the county of Nor-
thumberland and the town of Newcastle-upon Tyne, Chan-
cellor of the University of Cambridge, Constable of Lancas-
ter Castle and High Steward of Lancaster, one of the Lords
of her Majesty's Most Honourable Privy Council, and Knight
of the Most Noble Order of the Garter, born 20th April,
1785 ; died 11th February, 1847." The private carriages of
her Majesty, their Royal highnesses the Duchess of Kent,
the Duchess of Gloucester, and the Duke of Cambridge, and
those of several members of the nobility, it is understood,
will form part of the funeral cortege.
A REVENUE CUTTER SITNIt AT SEA.—Between two
and three o'clock on Friday afternoon, the 19th instant, the
Nimble cutter, Mr. J. P. Blundell, commander, was standing
along shore, between Berry Head and Dartmouth, in chase
of a small meek, when her progress was suddenly arrested
by a sunken rock, and caused a rapid leak ; the vessel fell
over on her starboard side, drifted from the rock, and in-
stantly sunk, in an upright position, in deep water. The crew
were saved by hastily cutting away the boats from the
tackles, but without clothes, bags, or bedding. It is said the
fatal rock is not laid down its any chart, and that the com-
mander is a zealous officer and highly respected.
FRENCH NAVY.—The following is a list of the
vessels of war which are to be launched in the French ports
during the year 1847 :—At Dunkirk, the Biche corvette, and
the Ist class advice-steamer, the Phenix. At Brest, the
Tage man-of-war 2d class; the frigates, the Perseverante,
Ist class ; and the Nemesis, 2d class ; the Faune brig ; and
the first-class steam corvette, the Caffarelli (iron). At
Cherburg, the Sane steam-frigate, and the Newton,
Ist class steam-corvette. At Nantes, steam advice-
corvettes, the Groenland, the Heron, and the Epervier.
At Indret, the Eclaireur and the Pelican advice corvettes.
At Lorient, the Ist class frigate the Vengeance; and the 2(1
class frigate, the Jean d'Arc. At Rochefort, the Ist class fri•
gate, the Renommee ; the 3d class frigate, the Ile:iopolis ;
the steam• frigate, the Mogador. At Bordeaux, the cor-
vette the Sentinelle, and the steam corvettes of the second
class, the Eumenide and the Rdquin. At Toulon the second
class frigates, the Zdnobie and the Sybelle ; the first class
steam corvette the Reland, the second class steam corvette
the Caton, the second class advice steam corvette the Sala-
mandre, and on the Seine the first class steam corvette the
Mouette.
EXTENUATING CIRCUMSTANCES? A Brussels
journal announces that an hotel-keeper and his wife having
been prosecuted for assassinating a traveller, and converting
his dead body into sausages, were found guilty with the
addition of extenuating circumstances. The French journal
the /de:/brine copies the above statement, and observes, that
no doubt the " extenuating circumstances" were that the
convicted parties were induced to commit a murder in order
to feed their fellow-creatures in this period of universal
distress.
IMPUDENT ROBBERY.—On Friday night last, some
(it is believed two) thieves broke into an oast, now used as a
granary, at Harple Farm, Debiting, belonging to Mr. Stun-
ham, by breaking a window-shutter, through means of a lad-
der. They stole about four bushels of flour made from
brown tail wheat, and two sacks, one of them marked "S.
Stonham, Debtling." On the shutter, they wrote 'frith
chalk—

" You are rich, we are poor ;
When this is gone we'll come for more."
Mr. Stonham has offered 101. reward for the conviction of
the thieves.—Dora• Chronicle.

THE ETON MONTE3I.—Ifer Majesty, it is said, is
desirous of rescinding the order for abolishing this time-
honoured institution, which once in every three years brought
the Sovereign of these realms into personal intercourse with
the Eton boys. As the question, however, is referred to
public opinion, it is necessary that some demonstration
should be made with regard to it before an alteration can be
effected; and therefore a meeting of Eton men is convened
for the ensuing week, to take the subject into consideration.
Sunday paper.

A NOBLE EXAMPLE.—Mr. Thompson, of Hope-
street, New Mill, Salford, has opened a soup kitchen for the
benefit of his hands, which is intended to be continued as long
as work is suspended. The daily distribution amounts to
three hundred and fifty quarts of soup and as many pounds
of bread, both being of the very best quality. No charge
whatever is made. Such a generous regard for the welfare
of the workine people deserves the highest commendation,
and we trust the example will be extensively followed.—
(Correspondent of the Manclieter Guardion.)
STATE OF NEWGATE.—At a Committee of Alder-
men, on Saturday, the crowded state of Newgate, from Lord
John Russell having refused to transport any more criminals,
was brought under notice. It was impossible to keep the
tried and untried in the same gaol, and more prison room
must be immediately provided. Mr. Alderman llumphery
proposed that the Borough Compter, which cost 7001. a year,
thebe
legallyd dconvictedldte contain
icn
nrt criminals. nitnhaalsr.esinle prisoner, might be allotted to,
T I
froml 'E
The Recorder said they could not
is tpo
,bwe
irfuirstihoeNr
s considered.rßom being out of the City. The matter
New UNITEDO STATES.—The
Orleans,
as;,
Liver
Lucia
Miltiades and Commerce,
ziztoL
Field, from Charleston, which were repo
the 20th of February, bring 9,209 sacks of Indite
barrels flour, Alla 12,4,3 bushels 9f paddy.

IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT.
HOUSE OF LORDS, Feb. 22.
The LORD CHANCELLOR took his seat on the Woolsack
at Five o'clock.
SUNDAY RAILWAY TRAINS.
The Earl of ROSEBERY presented a petition from
the inhabitants of Linlithgow, in favour of resuming the
Sunday railway trains on the Glasgow_ and Edinburgh
Railway.

would suggest that no one in possession of land
should be entitled to poor relief. The exact time might
be afterwards drawn, when they came to arrange the
details. If the Bill came up again with the alterations
which he had suggested, he for oae would not op-
pose it.
Earl FITZ WILLIA NI concurred with the Noble
Earl in the necessity which existed in Ireland for a poor_
law, and also in saying that great care ought to be taken
in framing it. But what he was anxious about was,
that there might be a properly-adjusted system of elec-
toral divisions and communities. There was another
point to which he wished to advert. He considered that
to throw the population of a town on a single
electoral division was not only a hardship, but
most unjust. He conceived that it would be
right to throw the burden of relieving pauperism on
unions at large, but on some districts more extensive.
lie was not aware that there were in the unions of Ire-
land any towns, at least what an English gentleman
would call a town. A great amount of the
pauperism, no doubt, was occasioned by the
system of clearing land estates in the neighbour.
hood of these towns. Now, he considered that those
persons who had caused in some degree this pauperism
should be compelled to contribute towards its relief ;
and he repeated that it would be better to throw the
pauperism of the country on districts larger than even
electoral divisions.

Lord MOUNTUASHEL said, in reference to what
had fallen from the Noble Earl opposite, that the towns
in Ireland were very differently situated from those
in England, some of those places that con-
tained 3,000 or 4,000 inhabitants were to be
considered towns. He certainly agreed with the Noble
Lord, that there was a bonus held out to the proprietors
in some districts to induce them to pursue the system of
clearing the land. The effect was that a great
burden was imposed upon certain unions. He
felt that this would press most unjustly on the popu-
lation, for they would not only have to support their own
poor, but also the destitute persons that would be thrown
upon them. He would rather the measure was ex-
tended to three years than limited to twelve months.
The Earl of RODEN had seen with great satisfaction
the excellent measures which had been introduced, he
might say so boldly, by her Majesty's Ministers for the
relief of Ireland, though he must, at the same time, say
that he was pleased to hear that the Noble Marquis had
consented to postpone the third reading of this Bill as
the delay might allow fer any improvement of
which it was susceptible. He had only two days ago come
up from Ireland, and could bear his testimony to the suffer-
ing and distress which prevailed in Ireland. He could not
but also express his great satisfaction at the other Bill
which had been introduced—he meant that for allowing
the sale of property in Ireland to pay off mortgages;
for without that he believed that all the other measures
together would be next to useless, for it was useless to
attempt to levy a tax for the relief of the poor on the
possessors of property unless they granted this relief.
Most of the entailed estates in that country are heavily
mortgaged, and if a man was presumed to have 100,0001.
a year, the great probability was that in the majority of
cases he only enjoyed a rental of 2,000/., so that, with-
out the power to divest himself.of his liabilities, they
would actually subject him to a tax, as if ho
were a 100,0004 man, when in reality he was
only a 2,0001. a year man. Then as to the great
measure for the relief of the poor, he thought that some
alterations should be made as to the extent of the dis-
tricts; for it appeared to him that it would be most unjust
to limit the unions to the extent of the electoral districts,
and in his opinion it appeared to bo better to de-
fine the districts by the size of the towns. Take, for in-
stance, a large town for a district, and then in another
part of the country combine several smaller towns into
a district, so that the population of the several districts
might bear a proportion to each other. Then, again, as
to the relief that was to be granted, he thought that
there should be some restriction to be placed upon it,
especially where the applicant for relief was the holder
of any land. In this country it would never be allowed
that relief should be given to a man who held a farm, so
long as he continued to hold that land.
The Marquis of LANSDOWNE observed that the
discussion which had just taken place referred rather to
another Bill not before the House, than to the one under
consideration ; but he thought, nevertheless, that
it would be productive of good. There had
been considerable difference of opinion, whether
the rating should fall on the union, or
the electoral division, and it was, therefore, proposed to
make this an open question for the consideration of
Parliament. With regard to towns, he was sanguine
enough to hope that a provision applicable to them would
be introduced, and which would obviate the difficulty
He wished it to be understood, however, that the clause
which had been introduced into the latter Bill by the
Noble Duke (Wellington), as to indoor relief,
would be left intact, and the new principle, what-
ever arrangement may be come to with respect
to it, would only apply to the out-door
relief proposed to be given, without food.
He had the pleasure of announcing to their Lordships,
that in order to expedite the measure which had for
amido
, absorbingr ds au hb
its object to facilitate the sale of lands in Ireland, his
Noble and Learned Friend on the Woolsack had con
sented to give his immediate attention to the Bill, and
to introduce it at an early opportunity into their Lord-
ships' House, so that it, with the other measures
bearing upon Ireland, would come together before their
Lordships, appearing to aid each other to one end—the
relief of the distress prevalent in Ireland.
The Marquis of WESTMEATII expressed his satis-
faction that the Goverment had adopted the suggestion
made by the Noble Lord not now in the House, as
to defining the case of the pauper, that no
person assuming to be a pauper should continue
to hold possession of land. He begged their Lordships'
attention shortly to a remark of a Noble Lord, that the
provisions of one of the Bills proposed ought not to
affect the holders of small tenements. He thought if it
did not, the effect would be to absorb the whole income
of the country. The intention was to give a money re-
muneration to that class of persons who had slush posses-
sions, and trafficked in land. He begged to ask, in case it
were carried out, to whom the person in possession
should surrender, whether to the chief lessor, or into the
hands of a lessee who might havesublet it? for if it might
bare he immediately
begged
the
effect g theirf
be resigned into the hands of a lessee, he himself might be
to another pauper, thereby entirely defeating their
Lordships' intention. The same remark applied to the
a pauper, ocfroonrlaf
Pitt
the
Lord LANSDOWNE then moved that the third
reading of the Bill should be adjourned till tomorrow.
cwsyohnsotseliedmein;clot,me of the country.
Their Lordships then adjourned.
icet r ew mightaunl would

IglAnlaLilWwaAyYBaßislwLLerSe.
"[OUSE OF COMMONS, Feb. 22.
read a second time'
The SPEAKER took the Chair at Four o'clock.
and ordered to be committed ;
Airdrie and Bathgate Junction Railway Amendment
and Deviation.
Ayrshire and Galloway Railway (Smithstown to Dal-
rnellington).
The followin
Caledonian Rail way (Branches to Canobie. &c.)
Caledonian Railway (Lease of Part of Glasgow, Dum-
fries, and Carlisle Railway).
Caledonian Railway (Branch across Clyde and Glasgow
Station).
Great Northern Railway (Branch to Kinn.'s Lynn).
Lynn and Ely Railway (Lynn and WOrmegay Navi-
gation).
Lynn and Ely Railway (Deviation and Lynn Docks).
Portadown and Dungannon Railway.
Wishaw and Coltness Railway (Branches to Auchin-
heath Mineral Field and Conderside).
Several private Bills were brought in, and read a first
time.
AMBERGA.TE, NOTTINGHAM, AND BOSTON,

He had since received a, report on the subject, but parts
of it related to matters which had not been officially
raferred to the inspector. He should have no objection,
however, to lay such parts before the House as imme-
dately related to the matter in question.

FOREIGN AFFAIRS.
Mr. MONCKTON MILNES wished to esk the
Minister for Foreign Affairs, whetker he had sent to the
President and Executive Council of Berne any notice
respecting their replies to the menaced interference of
the Austrian, Russian, and Prussian Governments, in
the international affairs of the Confederation, which
have been presented to Parliament by command of her
Majesty.
Lord PALMERSTON replied that her Majesty's Go-
vernment had not felt called upon to make any commu
nicatiou upon the subject.

thy of those landlords who had taken care of
their poor, and it was equally reprehensible of th >se
landlords who did not support tht,ir poor. But what
was still more reprehensible was, for Goverratwnt to
allow the poor to temain at the mercy of any landlord ;
and there ought to be an efficient poor-law to obviate
the evil.—(Hear, hear.)
Major MACNAMARA said there was not a man in
his part of the country who had not done his duty, and
as for himself he was the largest contributor in the
county of Clare.—(Hear, hear.)
Mr. STUART said that he had received a letter
from M'Leod, of M'Leod, detailing the distress of the
persons on his estate, and concluding by stating that
he had, up to the present period, supplied his tenants
with oatmeal to the amount of 51. on an average, and
that such was the fearful state of the distress, that it
was quite impossible for him to bear up under it.
The conversation then dropped.
THE BUDGET.

The House then resolved itself into a Committee of
Ways and Means.
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER rose for
the purpose of making the financial statement, and said
—Mr. Greene: Although I have little doubt but that the
importance of the subject upon which I am now
about to address the Committee would ensure the
attention of the Committee, yet I hope I shall not appeal
to it in vain for its indulgence during the statement I
am about to make. Though unwilling to shrink from
the performance of that duty which persons holding my
situation aro bound to perform, I am afraid that I am
not very able properly to perform that task.—(Hear,
hear.) I hope, at the same time, that my inability
may be considered as my excuse if I make my state-
ment as short as may be consistent with making
it as clear as possible, and confine my observa-
tions to that which is absolutely necessary,
in order to place before the Committee the
financial state and prospects of the country.
Sir, I put this further claim to the indulgence of the
House, that it is many years since a Chancellor of the
Exchequer has had to make so heavy a demand on the
Treasury, owing to the unfortunate state of the
country, and I hope it will be several years
before a similar calamity will render such demands
necessary.—(Hear, hear.) The Committee, however,
must be aware that the calamity which calls for this
demand is one which no prudence, either on the part of
her Majesty's Ministers, or of any Government, or
of any Legislature, could possibly have • pro-
vided against.—(Cries of " Hear, hear.") It has
pleased Providence to afflict not only this country, but
a great part of Western Europe, with great dearth, and
that dearth has pressed peculiarly on that part of the
United Kingdom least able to bear it. Thousands
of suffering and famishing people, chiefly in the west
of Ireland, appeal for sympathy and assistance
to this House, and I know that that sympathy and that
assistance will be extended to them. —(Hear, hear.) Sir,
if I were only to reflect on the past, or even the pre-
sent state of the finances of the country, I cer-
tainly should say that there never was a time in
which the finances of the country were so well
able to bear the demand which has been made upon
them.—(Cheers.) Gentlemen have now bad in their
hands for some time the balance-sheet of the last quarter
By it it appears that the whole excess above the re-
payments, amounts to 916,0001., and that the entire
balance is upwards of 9,000,0001. on the year.—(Hear.)
This is the first time, I believe I may say in the memory
of those conversant with these matters, that a Chancel•
for of the Exchequer has bad to deal with so large a
balance. If, in like manner, I refer to the produce
of the great articles of consumption, it would show
that the revenue derived from them has exceeded the
most sanguine expectations even of the Right Honoura-
ble Gentleman opposite, who made his financial
statement last year. If X refer to the Customs,
I find that the produce of every article
for the nine months, from April to Decem-
ber inclusive, with one single exception of those
duties which were reduced, is considerably higher than
during the corresponding nine months of the preceding
year. In like manner, if I turn to the Excise
revenue, I find that in the last year, with
the single exception of soap, which, I believe
was, owing to some accidental circumstances at the
beginning of the year, on every material article the
duty has increased—even including that branch of it on
which the Honourable and Gallant Member for Lincoln
seemed to have some misgivings—namely, post-horses.
By the return of the quarter up to the 13th of February
last, I find that there is an increase in the ordinary re-
venue, as compared with the corresponding period
of the preceding year, of nearly half a million.
We have, therefore, great reason to be thankful that
such a demand came at such a time, when we were; not
unprepared to meet it.—(Hear, hear.) At the same
time, I think we should hold out fallacious hopes
if I said we were entitled to look for a
continuance of such a season of prosperity.
Sir, I think that no person looking at the signs of the
times, can doubt that there are circumstances existing
which indicate that we may be approaching one of those
periods when a revulsion in the prosperity of the country
will occur. Such periods of calamity occur in com-
mercial enterprises as well as in the progress of
the country. Such was the case in 1825, and again in
1836, after years of unexampled prosperity. I do not
anticipate anything like the revulsion which took place
on former occasions. I see no symptoms, and I
do not think it right to cause any fear in
the minds of persons by the expression of
such a belief. I think the experience of former times
has not been lost upon our merchants and traders, and
I hear from every quarter that the trade and commerce
of the country is in a sound and healthy condition. And
I am inclined to attribute such a fact to the effects of the
measures regulating the currency introduced by the
Right Hon. Baronet the Member for Tamworth. I be-
lieve, but for the operation of that Bill, when the world
was not quite in a sober mood, we might have seen great
distress, consequent upon the mania existing for specula-
tion, and I believe that many of those who were most
adverse to the provisions of that Bill have latterly be-
come converts to the system it c ,ntains. I attach not
only these effects to that Bill, but I believe sounder
principles and sounder notions of currency were
brought into operation, and persons were induced to
pursue a more prudent course than on former
occasions. People invested their money in the con
struction of railways instead of purchasing Mississippi
stock and Pennsylvanian bonds. Great communications,
affording employment to the people and calculated
to promote the commercial prosperity of
the country, were constructed, and I am, there-
fore, convinced, that no such results will now
occur, as upon former occasions, but, neverthe-
less, it would be imprudent if we did not en-
deavour to be prepared. The present high prices
of provisions must necessarily diminish the comforts
of the people and their power of purchasing
luxuries. Sir, the high-priced food tells on the
existence of many, but it must tell upon the com-
forts of all classes of society. lam speaking now of
this country, and am not alluding to the state of Ireland.
The result of this state of things is to diminish, among
all classes, the consumption of articles of luxury. I
have looked through the articles of Customs and
Excise, and I find that, throughout the whole,
the main articles on which duty has been paid,
are articles of consumption for food. I find that
for the bygone year, ending sth Jan. last, there has been
paid in these departments 34,557,0001. for articles of
food. Of this amount the article of sugar has cost
5,530,000/. The articles of wine, spirits, tea,
and coffee, 21,787,000/. ; tobacco, 4,336,0004, making a
total of 31,653,000/. This was the amount raised
on these articles ; while, on the whole, the sum of
34,557,000/. had been raised. Contemporaneously with
the high price of provisions, there has been a high
price in the
,raw material of one of the great
staple manufactures—I mean the article of cotton.
The result has been to produce a considerable diminu-
tion of the articles produced in this department of our
manufacturing industry. I hold in my hand a state
merit of the mills employed, standing idle, or partially
employed from the 9th of January to the 3d of Februar)
last respectively. On the 9th of January last there were
ten mills in Manchester standing idle, on the 3d of Feb-
ruary, 13; on the 9th of January, 52 were working short
time, on the 3d of February, 58; on the 9th of
January there were fully employed, 113, on the 3d of
February, 104 ; on the 9th of January, 25,845
persons were fully employed, on the 3d of
February, 22,945 ; on the 9th of January, there
were working short time 11,851, on the 3d of February,
13,806; and on the 9th of January there were unem-
ployed 1,691; and on the 3d of February, 2,638.
Such was the condition of this branch of industry. Bu,
the pressure occasioned by dear provisions was not alone
confined to this country; it prevailed in France, Belgium,
Germany, and Poland ; and the effect, as might be ex-

petted, was to create a demand for bullion for foreign

purposes, and therefore to create difficulties in
the way of commercial transactions, and to limit

the enterprise of the country.—(Hear, hear.)

I find, on referring to the state of the Bank in February

last year and February this year, there are only
1,200,0001. less this year than during the corresponding

period last year. On the 13th of February, 1846, thert•