The Sun.
London, England, 1840-11-11 00:00:00

HE P 01.ISH EMIGRANTS.

The P dish C o'nmittee have frequently assembled in
the chambers of the Guildhall, for the purpose of mak-
ing preparations:, and arrangements for the 17th inst.,
when the Giui‘ ,dhall will present a scene of almost unri-
valled splery _tour. The exertions of the citizens will
be proport'.oned to the great call upon the public hu-
manity, "ore earnest as that call has been made by the
failure of all the recent attempts elsewhere to check the
approach of starvation to those real objects of compas-
sion. The Committee look forward with warm hope
and expectation to the effort as likely to compensate in
the issue for the calamitous results adverted to.
Mr. PEACOCK, who has presided so often when we
'have had to detail the successful operations of the Com•
saii.ttee, acted as Chairman.
Lotd DUDLEY STUART handed in a list of patrons
;and patronesses, a great many of whom have pledged
themselves to attend, and all of whom are determined to
employ the few short days that will remain in
exertions in promoting the success of the noble experi-
ment in behalf of the Poles :—His Royal Highness the
Duke of Sussex, her Royal Highness the Duchess o.
Kent, his Grace the Duke of Somerset, her Grace the
Duchess of Somerset, his Grace the Duke of Hamilton,
her Grace the Duchess of Hamilton, his Grace the
Duke of Beaufort, her Grace the Duchess of Beaufort,
the Marquis of Lansdowne, the Marchioness of Lans
(Inkrne, the Marquis of Breadalbane, the Marchioness
of Breadalhane. the Right Hon. the Lord Mayor, the
Earl of Chesterfield, the Countess of Chesterfield, the
Earl of Craven, the Countess of Craven, the Earl

of Errol, the Countess of Errol, the Elrl of
Essex, the Countess of Essex, Viscount Palmerston,
Viscountess Palmerston, the Earl of Scarborough, the
Earl of Compton, Lady Charles Fitzroy, Viscount San;
don, Lsdy Frances Sandon, Lord Wharncliffe, Lady
Wharncliffe, Lord Cranstown, Lord Panmure, Count

D'Orsay, the Hon. Colonel G. Anson, the Hon. Mrs.
Geo. Anson, the Hon. Colonel L. Stanhope, the Hon.
Mrs. L. Stanhope, the Hon. Mrs. Singleton, Sir F.
Burdett, Bart. MY., W. M. Stanley, Esq., M.P.,
J. A. Smith, Esq., M.P., Mrs. J. A. Smith, W. J.
Patten, Esq , M.P„ Mrs. W. Patten, Mrs. Skinner, Ike.
In presenting the list, Lord Dudley Stuart ex-
pressed in the strongest manner the grateful sentiments
of the band of gallant but unfortunate men who once
more three themselves upon the benevolent aid of the
Corporation of London. He saw in the manner in
which that Corporation had granted the use of their
magnificent hall an assurance of success, and his hopes
were more strongly confirmed upon observing that upon
every meeting which had taken place since his petition
had been granted, the numbers of the friends of those
for whom he claimed their sympathy had increased.—
(Cheers.) It was, he confessed, with no ordinary
anxiety he contemplated the result of the labours of
a Committee, to whom the poor Poles were so deeply
indebted, and to whom, if it had not been for the
succession of disappointments to which they had been
subjected, he would not have fled for succour. But the
funds for their support were exhausted, and winter,
with all its terrors to the indigent, was at hand.—
(Cheers.) He hoped to meet in that Hall once more
a warm hearted multitude, assembled to spend one night
of elegant enjoyment and graceful hilarity, in the com-
pany as it were of benevolence itself. It should be
generally known, for it could not fail to act as a stimu-
lus, that all the attempts made since the last ball in the
City, to raise the funds nut of an exhausted and lifeless
condition, were not only unproductive experiments, but
some of them were positive losses, inasmuch as the
receipts did not equal the amount of the outlay.
The result of the former City ball, was worthy of
a great country, and a generous people.—(Loud
cheering.) He heard those expressions of approba-
tion with delight, because they were evidence of
the continued efficacy of that power and that feeling
to which the poor exiles were already so deeply in-
debted.—(Great cheering.) But however probable,
or morally certain, success might appear to those who
had the least means of appreciating the steps taken to
insure it, the only safe rule to be observed was for
every one to act as if the event depended upon his
single exertions. That was an old rule, but not an
atom the worse for wear. Modern improvement had
not yet suggested a better.—(Cheers.) Again he
would call upon the friends of humanity to bestir them-
selves. What more appropriate present could a brother
make to his sister, a lover to his mistress, or even a
father to the children et his affection, than a treat to the
Polish hall, where they could join in the same scene of
gaiety with persons of the highest rank and fashion, and
witness a display of magnificence such as only found its
equal in the courts of Princes, at the same time that
they were conforming to one of the first precepts of
their religion, and exercising one of the best feelings of
the human heart ? Nor would it tend to lessen

their enjoyment of such an indulgence, if, in the

midst of the splendid group by which they would
be surrounded, their thoughts should glance for
a moment at the condition and character of
the destitute Poles.—(Cheers.) They were heroes
who, after performing prodigies of valour in support of
what they felt to be right, had flung themselves upon
our shores for protection. They were many of them
noblemen, officers of high rank, gentlemen of great in-
fluence in their own country. In this country they are
all reduced to what Burke so emphatically called " the
awful equality of misfortune,"depending in a great mea-
sure on the precarious bounty of the public for support,
so that the power of contrast had not been wanting to
sharpen the taste of adversity to their souls.—(Cheers.)
Our fair countrywomen who loved bravery and pitied
misfortune, would not, he well knew, be slow to mark
their feelings on such an occasion.—(Great cheering.)
They would not forget that the winter was fast ap-
proaching, and that those who had often stood the shock
of battle without flinching, were appealing to them fo
protection against cold and hunger, enemies that could
not be resisted by the sword.—(Cheers.)
Mr. RICHARD GRAVES M‘DONNELL also addressed
the Committee, in a speech of strong feeling. He ad-
verted to an observation which was made in the Court
of Canmon Council, when application was made to the
Corporation for the use of the Hall, to the effect that
it was the duty of the Court to consider the case o
their own poor, before they took any steps to relieve
the wants of strangers. He would take the liberty of
remarking upon that observation, that whilst the poor
of our country had many places of refuge, our count-
less hospitals and charitable institutions for the cure of
every disease that could afflict them, and established
funds, contributed by every parish for their support,
the Polish exile had no such refuge—no such means
of subsistence. Again, though many wealthy, many
influential and high dignitaries of Church and State
were numbered among the subscribers to the funds of
the Association, it was no less true that the charity ex-
ercised by them towards their own poor diminished,
and very properly, the amount of their contributions
for strangers ; whilst the enthusiasm once awakened
through political circumstances had almost grown weak
in proportion as the sufferings of the Poles had increased.
Thus, though the list of subscriptions towards the funds
of the Association presented high names, it pre-
sented few, and the amount received was con-
sequently utterly inadequate to meet all the demands
of the Association.—(Cheers.) The Association was
obliged every week to satisfy calls made upon them of
the most heart-rending nature, by those who were suffer-
ing; from illness, and those who wished to leave the
country ; whilst it also endeavoured by leans and other
assi,tance, to enable others to earn a livelihood for
themselves. The examination of the minutes of the
Council of the Literary Association of the friends of
Poland, would show, too, that no charitable fund could
be distributed with more care.—(Cheers.)
The CHAIRMAN of the Committee, who are entitled
In zreat praise for the admirable arrangements they arc
making, and the continuing zeal with which they have
devoted themselves to the cause, congratulated the
meeting upon the cheering prospect. He calculated
immensely upon the generous advocacy of the other
sax, to whom so pathetic an appeal had been made, and
who, he knew would, through the glorious humanity of
the press of the metropolis, be informed that almost
i.yery thing depended upon their approving smiles.—
(Cheers.) No language could, ho declared, do justice
to the exertions of Lord Dudley Stuart, whose perse-
verance at all times, and under all circumstances of (115.
coin-eget-tient and depression, exhibibited one of those
rare instances of public and private virtue, which were
likely to be more praised than imitated.—(Cheers.)
The Committee will meet again to close the arrange-
ments for the ball and concert, and several of the
members will address the Chairman on what may be
expected.
It is quite remarkable that the co-operation amongst
men who are on most other occasions at variance, is, in
the Polish Bail Committee, without the slightest inter-
ruption, as if to show that harmony itself was destined
to
to spring out of the very elements of political discord.

The Marquis and
3larchion
ess of Sligo, with
the Earl of Altamont and the Ladies Browne, have ar_
rived at Naples for the winter, and have been joined by
the lion. Colonel and Lady Louise Knox. The Noble
Marquis, with his family, intend returning to this country
ca ly in May.
The Earl of Mount Fdgecurnlic arrived at
Mount Edgecumbe, hissplendid "t for the improve-
at in Devon, on Mon-
d ,y, to give some necessary instructions
Hie
Lordship joins the
mentr now going forward there.
Countess and family early in the ensuing week, at Brighton.
A correspondent at Boulogne writes that, a few
days since, a fishing-boat of that port, having picked tip at
sea one of the trunks of M. Gu;zot, which went down
with the Phenix, the crew, instead of landing it at the
(1'14,Y, tint it on shore concealed in their nets, and carried it
into the house of the owner of the boat, where the contents
of the prize were to be divided. The embroidery of M.
Guixot's coafs was destined to ornament the clothes for
the fishermen's wives, but the captors quarrelled about the
partition of their booty. One of them, to whose share
isrissiiiothing but an old pair of slippers was allotted, complained
„so loudly, that the police got wind of the affair, and next
day made a seizure, not only of the trunk and its contents,
21--- but of the owner of the boat and all his men, who are safely
lodged in prison. Before the loss of the Phenix, another
boat found a pian9 fijating at large, brought it to Bou-
logne, and sold it,

+y

<~_

REPORT OF THE WOOLLEN
TRADE FOR THE MONTH OF OCTOBER.

Nov. 4, 1840.—We have not much to boast of in
recording the transactions of the month just closed, yet
it is some satisfaction that we are not compelled, as
on too many recent occasions, to give only a gloomy
and discouraging account. Though not so brisk as
either of the two preceeding months, still October was
marked by tolerable activity, and the business done
was no doubt moderately profitable both to merchants
and manufacturer. The home market continued to
be the principal one ; as although one or two minor
foreign markets arc requiring more goods than for some
time past, the great market of export, the United
States, yet continues, comparatively speaking, closed to
our fabrics. The amount of business would, we be-
lieve, have been considerably greater, had not the appre-
hension of war, coupled with the tightness of the money
market, produced a considerable degree of embarrass-
ment, and of a further WI of prices.
Of stocks we have again to report that they are
light. Various causes have contributed to make them
so ; and we need not enumerate them, as they are
familiar to our readers who are interested in the
trade. We may, however, observe in passing, that
the proportion of the supply of goods to the demand is
not very likely to be soon in excess, and therefore that
prices will be steady. Two powerful circumstances
secure this—there is some lack of means to launch out
in the production of goods, and there is no small dis-
inclination as well. The manufacturers and mer-
chants have a vivid recollection of the downward pro-
gress of prices for two or three years past ; and their
caution, at present, bears an exact ratio to the suf-
fering and loss thereby occasioned to them. They will
do well not to forg6t the lesson too soon. It re-
quires, we think, only moderate caution to insure a
fair profit for the ensuing six months at least. We
apprehend that there remains but a small stock to be
forced on the market, and that when Christmas turns
there will be little else but legitimate production and
sale. It will then depend on the producers, by appor-
tioning the quantity they throw on the market, carefully
and guardedly to the demand, to secure a profit. The
amount of business does not depend on their prudence—
the profitableness of that business unquestionably does.
We gave an opinion i❑ July that the storm which
had swept over the trade for two or three years
had nearly spent its force ; and that calm first,
and favourable breezes afterwards, might be calculated
upon. Four months have elapsed since we gave
that opinion, and though, as we then expressed our
fears, several failures have taken place in the mean
time, and a considerable quantity of cloth has been
forced on the market, we consider that our opinion has
been borne out. Those failures we then considered
inevitable, and, with one exception, they have exercised
but little local influence. Neither do they indicate the
continuance of pressure and embarrassment in trade
generally—they are the results of past causes—the
foundering of the vessel, when the storm has passed
away. They have created no astonishment or alarm,
and have occurred at a moment when solvent houses
were doing, not their usual amount of business indeed,
but a fair business at a profit. If our belief then was
strong that we had got over " the worst," it is even
stronger now, and we cannot but think that if peace be
preserved, a more prosperous state of things will
speedily arrive. The prospect at home is certainly en-
couraging. Whatever we may think of the qual,.ity of
the harvest relatively to the wants of another pe-, the
present price of food cannot but act favourably en all
our staple manufactures, by causing an additional con-
sumption of goods, and of course a more geners em-
ployment of our manufacturing population. It w 1;! be
time enough to speculate on the extent of the c'op,
when we approach more nearly to another harvest I me,
and the probabilities of its amount can be calculated with
tolerable accuracy. A more favourable seed time has
seldom been known, and if report is to be credited,
there has never been a year in which so much wheat has
been sown as the present. To these favourable circum-
stances as to the present and future supply of the first
necessary of life, must he added the diminishing proba-
bility of a continental war. We shall greatly rejoice
when all apprehension of so dire a calamity sEall be re-
moved. We have regarded, with no small degree of
surprise, the apathy of the manufacturing classes, with
regard to this subject. Perhaps the long duration of
peace has effaced from the recollection of our older
merchants the disastrous influence of war, alike on capi-
talists and labourers ; though, we should imagine, there
are not a few who can recal the sufferings consequent on
the second American war ; and, no doubt, a large pro-
portion of the present race of merchants have entered
the trade since the last war closed ; still we cannot but
deem it strange that the sudden and alarming prospect
of war did not excite a more intense interest, and call up
some expression of opinion from the manufacturing
classes. We advert to the subject now, not in any
serious apprehension of a war breaking out ; but be-
cause we think it of great importance that the whole
manufacturing community should be most sensitive on
this point, and should watch every prognostic or source
of the disturbance of peace betwixt this country and
any one of the great nations of the civilised world,
with most intense jealousy. We fear that neither
capitalists nor labourers reflect deeply enough on the
very altered condition of the country since the peace of
1615, as a manufacturing nation ; nor arc sufficiently
awake to the wide-spread mischief which would be
caused by any great revulsion in our staple manu-
facture, or any large diversion of trade from its
wonted channels. Were they so, sure we are that i
a general expression of the public voice against war
would have issued from all the great hives of our
manufacturing population not indeed that expres-
sion of its unmixed evil and mischievousness,
and. of its immorality, which, could we mould
it, it would bear ;—but of its utter incompatibility
with the steady progression of comfort, order, know-
ledge, and national wealth ; an opinion which we are
glad to see is becoming daily more prevalent in all
society. We are not sanguine enough to hope that
the perception of the evils of war to a manufacturing
and commercial country is so general or so strong as to
render the recurrence of that worst of social ills, un-
likely or impossible ; but of this we are convinced that
a general war would bring with it such intolerable evils,
that few would remain at its close unconvinced at least
of the utter folly of war, if not of its deep criminality.
Coupling the decreasing price of food with the dimi-
nished hazard of war, we cannot but indulge a strong
hope that the ensuing spring trade will be far more pros-
perous than the two last seasons at least ; and our
hope is strengthened by the more encouraging aspect
of business in the United States. We shall be most
glad to change the tone and style of our reports, were
it only for the sake of variety ; we are heartily tired of
their gloom and monotony.