The Sun.
London, England, 1841-05-27 00:00:00

LAUNCH OF THE FORTH WAR

STEAMER

Saturday being the day appointed for the launch of
his magnificent vessel, from the building-yard. of Messrs.
Menzies, Leith, a vast concourse of spectators assembled,
greater we believe than on any occasion since the land-
ing of George IV. at Leith, in 1822. At an early hour
in the forenoon all the roads and avenues were thronged
with a dense mass of pedestrians, while vehicles of every
description crowded along the road. Every place from
which a view of this grand and truly interesting spec-
tacle could be obtained, was covered with well-dressed
persons • while the decks of three large steamers, the
Royal 'William, the Royal Victoria, and the Pegasus,
were crowded with ladies and gentlemen. Besides
these, the harbour was studded with boats and vessels
of all sizes, each decorated with flags, and present-
ing a gay assemblage on their decks ; while the
pier, and the sea-wall of the docks, were also
covered with a dense throng, all cheerful and animated,
apparently enjoying the anticipated scene. In the build-
ing-yard a stage was erected by the Messrs. Menzies,
who, with great liberality, issued numerous tickets, so
that the place was crowded in every part ; and who, by
their obliging conduct, and the judicious arrangements
they had provided for the accommodation of the spec-
tators, merit the acknowledgments of all present. The
day was fine ; and the vast throng of spectators arranged
on all the elevated positions adjoining, together with the
appearance of the ships in the harbour, presented an ap-
pearance that was singularly interesting and picturesque.
The workmen began to make their preparations about
two o'clock, and proceeded with extraordinary alacrity
immense
mass remove the various holdings by which the
mass was detained ; and about three o'clock, everything
being ready, the majestic vessel glided with singular fa-
.eility and grace into the water, amidst the firing of can-
hotii and the enthusiastic acclamations of the assem•
bled tlictteantise So skilfully were all the arrangements
combined, that not the smallest obstacle occurred to re-
tard the graceful movement by which she made her way
into the element'which was hereafter to be her home.
As soon as she began to move, Miss Colville, daughter
Of the Deputy Chairman of the West India Royal Mail
Steam Company, to whom the vessel belongs, by the
usual ceremonial of breakinr,, a bottle of wine on the
figure-head, named her the Forth, in compliment to the
locality where ske was built. Notwithstanding the im-
1110iiSe erowd of peop:.?. and the danger to which many
of them were exposed by being so near the water, into
which they mig6 have been plunged.. had any squabble
arisen, or rush takcti yhtee—no accident of the slightest
nature occurred. The Ale/gest decorum prevailed in
pier every quarter, and t;;,.^ mass of people retired from the
lathy which was in the
with an order and rebY
g......Edint,•:troh Bluing Courant.
highest degree becoming.

COMPLETE Catigsg or INsTitoCTIoN IN
THE FRENCH LANGUAGE, SO ELI tti obviat:,' all
necessity of leaving England to learn French-Notwith.
standing the numerous attempts to accomplish thigi desi-
cleraturni none can be compared with the very clever
little prog,reesiie books of Mons. Le Page (advertised
in our paper this day), which consist of " L'Echo de
t.pfirig," Gift of Conversation," the " Last Step to
vrenell," and the "French Master for the Nursery,"
which, for judicious arrangement, stand unrivalled for
the easy acquirement of this stecoraplished language.
A curious coincidence took place at the parish
church on Monday se'nnight ; two couples in the church at the
same time, being about to enter the ranks of matrimony, forgot
to, bring with them the tokens of their love, the one left on the
table wrapped up in paper, the other, on changing his waist •
coat, forgot to take the ring out of his pocket.— Cambridge
Advertiser.
6c TURN AND TURN Asour."--A college
friend of ours, when asked at a university examination
whether the earth turned round the sun, or the sun round
l'the earth, gravely answered, with considerable reflection,
'l"StiinetimeS one and sometimes the other."—.Provincial
%fttled and Surgical Jourpal, .
4--

The CHAIRMAN rose to read the resolution, but the con-
fusion and noise prevented his being heard, and during the
noise a cobbler who was in the Chartist waggon, rose to propose
an amendment, which was the signal for a scene that beggars
description, hooting, hissing, groaning, &c. At length he
was permitted to proceed, and he stated that the Corn-laws
were put on at the paint of the bayonet, and would never be
taken off but in a similar way. He then spoke of the money
laws, and declared that but for the Anti-C,orn-law League not
one of the 450 Chartists would have been imprisoned, and
Frost, Williams, and Jones, would then be at their homes.
He spoke during the greatest confusion, and concluded by
moving an amendment deprecating the Corn-laws, but consi-
dering the only paaiker for the sufferings of the people was
the Charter. A Chartist, named Capper, seconded the amend-
ment. The resolution was however carried by a large ma-
hority,—its friends cheering, and the Chartists groaning and
issing.

JoHx ASHFORD WISE, Esq., one of the Magistrates of
the county, moved the second resolution. He felt greatly in-
terested in the welfare of the Potteries, and considered that if
the object of the meeting was attained, it would be for the good
of the people, though he must say that in his opinion the Corn-
laws would not be fully repealed until there was an extension
of the Suffrage, and he would therefore gladly take an instal-
ment. He was himself a landowner, and derived every shil-
ling of his income from rents, which he admitted were at present
too high.
Mr. HUSLEY, of Tunstall, seconded the resolution in an
appropriate speech.
A Chartist, named Robinson, next addressed the meeting,
and the noise and confusion which had been great during the
delivery of the former speeches, was greatly increased ; he
however persisted in speaking about anything but the subject,
before the meeting, which he said was but to petition for the
repeal of a small and paltry tax on corn.
As it was now quite evident that the object of the Chartists
was to cause confusion and interruption, the Chairman inquired
if they had an amendment to move, and as none was forthcom-
ing, he put the resolution to the meeting, which was carried
amid confusion twice confounded—the hissing, hooting,
whistling, bellowing, from the Chartists, exceeded all that we
have before seen.

The remaining resolutions were moved, daring the continued
noise and confusion, by C. J. Mason, Esq., L. J. Abington,
Esq., John Ridgway, Esq., Elijah Jones, Esq., and Thomas
Green, Esq., and seconded by operatives ; and after thanks
had been voted to the chair, and three times three cheers were
given for Repeal of the .orn-laws, the meeting dissolved,
leaving the Chartists on the ground to amuse themselves with
their own clap-trap misrepresentationg'and sophisms.
The meeting has been productive of much damage to the
name of Chartism in the Potteries ; its unprincipled alliance
with Toryism in opposition to the immediate interests of the
people, and the brutal tyranny by which it seeks to trample
down the rights of all men, to accomplish its designs, has con-
firmed many waverers in their resistance to its demands,
swelled the ranks of the Liberals, and disgusted even the fac-
sion which employed the Chartists in their dirty work.

GREAT ANTI-MONOPOLY MEET-

ING AT CHORLEY.

(FROM A CORRESPONDENT.)
The most numerous and respectable meeting ever held in
his town took place last evening, convened by the Overseers
and Churchwardens, in consequence of a requisition they re-
ceived. Not less than four thousand persons were present,
several bands of music, banners, &c. At six o'clock, the hour ap-
pointed, the new market-place presented an animated scene,
hundreds approaching in every direction, anxious to record
their sentiments against monopoly. Throughout the proceed-
ings, although some difference existed about the means, all
were perfectly agreed that the end ought to be the abolition
of all monopolies.
RICHARD
PETER
TERth eßmi
Ti
ao f
Chartist leader,
Esq.
sw..t,?,ecEasnded
q.wbasy
called to the chair, and stated that the meeting was of the ut-
most importance, as it remained for the country to say whe-
ther they approved of the conduct of those representatives who
had lately rejected a measure calculated to increase the com-
forts, commerce, and employment of the United Kingdom, viz.,
a revision of the sugar duties. A measure that not one of its oppo-
nents denied the benefits that would arise from its adoption ; but,
forsooth, it was the produce of slave labour. Now this from
the men who had defended slavery to the very last, and only
relinquished their unholy grasp for a large consideration was,
to say the least of it, ridiculous.
RICHARD SMETHURST, Esq., moved the first resolution, and
stated that the import of slave-grown sugar was not the only
question,.as the prohibitory duty equally excluded free labour
sugar, and thus crippled commerce, placed the public on short
allowance, and injured the revenue. The speaker here paid a
compliment to Lord John Russell.
The Rev. 0. HANLON seconded the resolution, and said—
It was usual for Ministers of the Gospel to state why they took
in such demonstrations as the present. It was 'also usual to
bear taunts thrown out against them for so doing, but he was
careless whether they came from one quarter or another 4 as he
was not conscious of giving any 'man offence, atnd had yet tb
learn that in becoming a Minister of the Gospel he had ceased
to be a man or a citizen.—(Loud cheers.) He rejoiced the
time had arrived when something was proposed to be done to
relieve our suffering community. Had not monopoly lasted
sufficiently long ? He had given the questio a much attention,
and the more he considered it the more he i vas convinced it
was, opposed to justice. All trade should be lett free, unfettered
by protecting duties. The Reverend Gentl sman happily ex-
posed the wages fallacy, and declared if he for a moment
thought the measure would injure the workin;; man, he would
rather the factories were burned, and the a shes scattered to
the winds of heaven than support it ; but all e sperience showed
the contrary. He concluded by seconding the, resolution.
Mr. PETER RIGHT came forward to propsse as an amend-
ment, a want of confidence in Ministers, and stated that his
objection was to a bread-tax, and called on the parties to take
down the flag that had no bread-tax inscribed upon it, as in
supporting the proposal of Ministers they were supporting:
duty of Bs. a quarter, which was monstrous :and unjust. _
he
would support the Anti-Corn-law League in total repeal;
had support& Mr. Livesey at Preston on the subject
of
ibut
now he perceived they had deserted principle. —( Loud cries
" No.")

31i. DOUGLAS seconded the amendment.
The Rev. HENRY CLARKE stated, in sup Rot t of the original
resolution, that nine-tenths of whit Mr. R igby bad said had
no reference to the subject.
Mr. Joiner MURRAY addressed the meeting' on the necessity
of coolly and calmly considering the question,: sod, if it was just,
to support it, firmly and deliberately expressi eg his conviction
that total repeal only was full justice.
Mr. HYLAND moved the next resolution.
The Rev. H. CLARKE seconded the res. )lution, but. the
eh airman declined
pressure on the platform became so great the It it was utterly
National Anti-Corn-
impossible that what followed could be more than glanced at.
a'aated one iota
Mr. Rigby introduced the Charter, the
political discussion. Mr. Evans -of the
e.v. Mr. Lang
Ater for revenue
Anti-Corn-
law League indignantly denied that they had
4 theu,asch.,a_p_panlauded.
of their demand for full justice, an unrestri...:t
article of human food, unfettered by taxation e ed trade in the
oteetion and was loudly cheered. TI• , R
or pr - ,
addressed them at some length, and wa,4 m
At the termination a vote of thanks t
moved by R. Smethurst, Esq., secor 444 ,,'",,""rul was
and oarried.unanimously. proving th 4, IA .by
._,".4. T. Rigby,
satisfaction to all rail* 1 .00Ro!kct had giv4,,n

GREAT ANTI-CORN-LAW MEET-
ING IN THE STAFFORDSHIRE POTTERIES.
—DEFEAT OF THE CHARTISTS.
The Putteries on Monday last, the 24th instant, followed the
example of oilier populous manufacturing districts in pressing
the subjects of the Corn-laws and Import Duties on the at-
tention of Government. The popular excitement on these
subjects is becoming stronger every day. Information and
reflection have done their work with the people. - Early in the
morning the various townships were in motion, and loaves of
bread were paraded through the streets, chewing the difference
between the American untaxed loaf and theErighskman's Corn-
law bread.
Bands of music, and numerous banners with appropriate hi-
scriptions, were carried by the multitudes of repealers to the
place of meeting, where the Chartists had already assembled
with all the force which the Tories and their new allies could
bring together. A waggon was furnished them by the agent
of Squire Sneyd. A 'fury lawyer, the whipper-in of his party
for the rural parts of the borough, and some of the part.sant
of Alderman Copeland, also laboured in gathering all the eol-
hers; boatmen, and Chartists from the neighbouring country.
This wretched mass of ignorance and folly never amounted
to more than about two hundred, but being supplied with
drink they were able to fulfil the object for which they were
gathered, and in a meeting of many thousands to prevent any-
thing but their own hellowings from being heard. They were
led on by a cobbler, assisted by several orators brought by the
Tories from Derby and Manchester, one of whom was imme-
diately recognised as a well-known thimble-rigger on the Pot-
tery racecourse.
At the hour of meeting many thousand preens assembled
in Hanley Market-place, and the
Chief Bailiff, E. J. Rim; war, Esq., was voted to the
Chair, and commenced the proceedings by reading the most
respectable and numerously signed requisition ever got up in
the Potteries, addressed to him as Chief Bailiff of Hanley and
.AKelton, and observed, that in pursuance of that requisition,
and in concurrence with similar requisitions that had been pre-
sented to his brother Chief Bailiffs in the borough, the meeting
had been called. The meeting,' he said was requested by men
of various political opinions, to take into consideration the pro.
priety of petitioning Parliament for the repeal of the Corn-
laws and the reform of the Import Duties, and there-
fore could not be called a party meeting.—( Hear. )
He considered therefore that all subjects not applying to those
specific objects were inadmissible. Also that it being a
borough meeting, the inhabitants of the borough only were
competent to take a part in its proceedings ; and in conclu-
sion, requested as a favour that the meeting would grant to
every speaker an impartial hearing, and endeavour to preserve
order and good temper during the proceedings.
R. E. HEATHCOTE, Esq., late M.P. for the borough, rote,
amid great confusion, to propose the first resoluti.;n. He ob-
served that he had never witnessed so much disorder at public
meetings in the Potteries, and but for that he should have
risen with more than usual satisfaction, never having seen
under any circumstances so numerous and respectable an as-
semblage In the borough. He considered that it was the de-
sign of a gracious Providence that its bounties and blessings
should be freely enjoyed by all the human family, and that
every part of the world, however secluded, and seemingly un-
blessed, had advantages to give for the produce of other parts,
and so by mutual exchange, and unrestricted commerce, the
well-being of all would be secured. But the impolitic re-
strictions had diverted the bounteous streams of the beni-
ficent designs of Providence, and want and sorrow had
usurped the place where happiness and contentment
might abound. Mr. Heathcote proceeded to notice the miser-
able condition of the operatives, and of many agricultural la-
bourers as the result of the bad policy of our Igislators, in
passing restrictive laws, which, should the Peels and Stanleys
come into power, would still govern the nation, and went on
to show that monopoly, with its curses, or free trade, with its
blessings, was offered by the Government, and that the old fac-
tion which had ever opposed the public good, had again raised
the banner of resistance, though he (Mr. Heathcote) did not
charge the gentlemen en his right, alludin to the Chartists,
with belonging to that faction.—(Laughter.) The people, he
said, were engaged in a struggle of more importance to them-
selves than any that had preceded. He remembered the meet-
ings in that place on the subject of the Reform Bill. Sharp
was the struggle, and well the people did their duty ; and he
trusted that, as they would soon have to give a casting vote,
and, as he believed, the present House of Commons did not
represent the voice of the people, he entreated them to do their
duty, and tell the monopolists that they were determined to
have free trade. Mr. Heathcote was cheered by his friends,
and hissed by the little knot of Chartists.
F. WEDG WOOD, Esq. , grandson of the celebrated Wedgwood,
seconded the resolution.