The Sun.
London, England, 1846-03-02 00:00:00

EARLY CLOSING MOVEMENT.

The fourth annual meeting of the Metropolitan Drapers'
Association was held on Friday evening, at Covent-garden
'Theatre. The attendance, in point of numbers, enthusiasm,
and respectability, vied with the League meetings._ The pit
and galleries were crowded, and on the platform we obseived
tha Right 'Hon. Lord Ashley,' the 'Right Hon. Fox Manic,
.3LP., Colonel Fox, M.P., Reverend C. Ainslee, T. A. Cone,
&c.
Shortly after eight o'clock the chair was taken by the
Right Hon. Lord Ashley, who was greeted with loud plaudits.
The Noble CHAIRMAN said, that having the honour to
preside as Chairman on the present occasion, be would, in
conformity with the established custom, proceed to address
them a few observations.—(Hear, hear.) These must neces-
sarily be as brief as poSsible, that he might not inter-
pose between the gentle Men who would address
them, .not only because 'They possessed more particular
knowledge of the ' subject than he did, but that they might
have the opportunity of hearing those Members of Pal-Ja-
n-lent whose long attendance there would be incompatible
with their duties in the House of Commons. He did rejoice
at that vast assembly congregated at such a meeting, and
assembled for such a purpose. He presided last evening
over a meeting for a similar object to the present, and he
would repeat what he said on thatoceasion, namely, that haat
a kind of parental anxiety for the movement. If he should
be deemed arrogant, he was ready. to sae-, Non nails Domine.
He was a disciple of that doctrine which said moral ex-
cellence could not exist with physical degradation. Much.
had been already done, but much remained to be accom-
plished for the object of the meeting.—(Hear, hear.) He
had with him letters from various departments of
industry complaining of this movement. But what of
that? Their object was noble and great. Their success
would be the precursor of the success of other similar
movements ; and they would accomplish what the Scrip-
ture asserted, that man goeth forth to his work
and to his labour , until evening.--(Cheers) Much
had been said on the subject before them.
It was asserted by many persons in business that mental im-
provement disqualified for physical exertion, and that those
who were emancipated would devote their time to diSsipa-
tione Now, both of these he lustily denied. Had
it been so among the operatives of the northern
districts, in Manchester and elsewhere? Had it not, on the
contrary, been found that those measures which gave increased
time for relaxation had been more effective than a Sabbath
Bill ?—(Hear, and cheers.) Now that was an overwhelming
testimony which could not be refuted.—(Hear.) He thought
that every patriot and philanthropist ought to seek to create
and promote that feeling which led to the present movement.
He would conclude by calling on Mr. Nash to read the report.
Mr. NASH (the Secretary) then read the report, from which
it appeared that a considerable increase in members, and
other features of prosperity, had taken place, which were in no
small degree ascribable to the efforts of the press, which, not-
withstanding the warfare of politics, lent its advocacy to the
present movement. Considerable improvement had taken
place since the last annual meeting among all the trades.
Among the rest, were the booksellers ; the foremost amongst
whom were Messrs. Longman and Co., who had set the
example by closing their establishment at an early hour. It
was determined not to confine the benefits of the association
to the class for whom it was originally established, but to
embrace all trades, and to carry out that object it was re-
solved to raise a sum of 5,0001. A prize had been offered
for essays on the effects of early closing, which were dis-
tributed gratuitously. Towards the sum proposed to be
raised 600!. had been already contributed, and the receipts
for the past year had exceeded the expenditure by a small
balance.—(hear, hear.) After some further observations, the
report concluded by a strong appeal in favour of the early
closing movement.
The Right Hon. F. MAULS, M.P., said that if he had the
smallest conception of having to address a meeting like the
present, he should have paused ; however, he trusted that as
this was his first appearance on the stage, he would receive
from a British audience that indulgence which was never
withheld from a first appearance. The cause they bad met
to advocate was one that, if ever a movement was entitled to
the teem philanthropic, justly deserved to be so designated.
Their object was to assist a class utterly unable to assist
themselves.—( Hear, hear.) They had earned for themselves
a name for essuaging slavery abroad ; but perhaps, as was
not unfrequently the case, they had neglected to look at
home. What had been done in their own country? Why
there they saw young men kept standing for thirteen or four-
teen consecutive hours. He would not speak of this as ex-
isting in a country of freedom. The present system was not
one of interest merely to the drapers or any other class of
society, but affected the whole social system ; for that system
was calculated, not only to send thousands to an early grave,
but destroyed their morals altogether. Let them take the
case of a youth who was brought up under pious parents, but
who was compelled to earn his living. lie was placed
at one of those establishments which opened early and closed
late, and a few months perhaps saw him destroyed in mind
and body. It was the interest, therefore, of the public to
destroy such a systetn.—(Hear, hear.) , They could not
effect that by legislative enactment, but by peaceful agitation.
..-(Hear, hear.) That agitation was not the agitation of the
demagogue, seeking to set his foot on those institutions, which
wisdom has reared.—(L
reared.—(Loud cheers.) It was in their own
power to do this. He would appeal to the ladies in parti-
cular to assist in this movement, to the success of which they
could so materially contribute. By effecting the benefit they
now sought to obtain, they would earn... Tor this country a
name as famed for morality and humanity as it was for
success in arms.—(Loud cheers.) The Hon. Gentleman
concluded by proposing the first resolution.
The Rev. Mr. HUGHES, in seconding the resolution, said
that the meeting which he attended last night, namely, the
Christian Instruction Society, which was an offshot of the
present association, refuted fully the illiberal assertion
that those whom they sought to relieve would 'not
employ their time correct) (Hear.) The Times had called
the League a great fact. He would call the present move-
ment a great fact, for it demonstrated that an oppressed
class had discovered their rights ; and as one great fact was
about to realise the object for which it was called into exist-
ence, so he would say that the present fact would yet coins
to the same termination.—(Loud cheers.) The Rev. Gen-
tleman then passed a high eulogium on the Noble Chairman,.
who, he said, was ever ready to come forward in the cause
of philanthropy, and to rescue his fellow-man from the iron
hoof of every species of despotism.—( Hear, hear.) The late
Lord Ashley was opposed to oppression. He wished to see
the name of England glorious—not for her success in arms,
nor for territorial pos.ession, but for her efforts to elevate the
character, and to contribute to the happiness of her sons.—
(Hear.) He would prefer to sacrifice the national greatness
rather than sustain it by the suffering of his fellow-country-
men.—(Loud cheers.)
J. PAYNE, Esq., Barrister-at-law, then came forward and
was greeted with considerable applause. He said he would
not occupy their attention for any length of time. There
were some persons who might say, remembering where they
then were, that the scene now enacting there was " Much
Ado about Nothing," or, perhaps, " Love's.Labour Lost ;" but ,
lie would pause awhile, and they would see that " All's Well that
ends Well."—(Loud laughter.) He, like the preceding
speaker, must congratulate them on having such a chairman
as the nobleman who presided, and with whom he had fought
many battles in the cause of philanthropy. He met with a
little quotation the other day which struck him
very forciby ; it was as follows :—" Touch the
feelings and you will obtain the heart's verdict."—(Laughter.)
As he was Just rising, a little bit of paper had been putinto
his hand, which contained this wise hint, "Say something
about money." This he intended to have done, and he had
now to inform them that a collection would be made; when,
as their feelings had been touched by the eloquent appeals
they had heard in behalf of the plaintiff, the Metropolitan
Drapers' Assistants' Association, they would return a
verdict, and damages s,oool.—(Great laughter.)
The CHAIRMAN then read the following resolution, which
was carried with loud acclamation :

"That this meeting views with deep apprehension the con-
tinuance of than system of protracted toil which is so preva-
lent in the shops and warehouses of this country; regarding
it as destructive to the bodily health, to the mental develop-
ment, and to the religious feelings of those employed therein,
and as tending to deteriorate the moral and physical condi-
tion of the nation generally."
The collection was then attempted to be made, but the
chairman said that the house had become so crowded that they
could not proceed with it at present, and it would be made at
the door. He would, therefore, call on the Hon. Colonel
Fox to propose the next resolution.
The lion. Colonel Fox, after a few preliminary obser-
vations, said that he would not detain them at any
length. He denied that those whom they sought to assist
would be likely to misuse their time. At all events it would
not be the faults of those who were endeavouring to
ameliorate their condition by continued and constitutional
agitation.

—George THOMPSON, Esq., said that he could deeply sym-
pathise with the speaker, who expressed his diffidence at ad-
dressing the meeting. He would read the resolution he had
now to propose, which was as follows :
" That this Meeting, being persuaded that the proprietors
of shops would find it to their interest to close, their
of an evening, and, therefore,. that. thet,c habitman
support
estab-
lishments earlier if the public would cease to fronquthelei tpatrhtemof
pport of the
the public of evening shopping is I.
individually. and.
of the
coLlaleteetifireoluyr, System,'
co-opst e , '
.haetree hereby t pledgesh
th.e e
ffTretls.f;
Metropoli-
tan Drapers' Association to effect its abolition by abstaining
from making any purchases after seven o'clock.
This was a practical resolution, showing them how that
they all could do something. Experience showed that no
object, based on religion, reason, morality, and philanthropy,
could be witheld, if energy were concentrated for effecting it.
(Hear, hear). The most generous philanthropists, of every
class in society, desirous for the well-being of their fellow-
countrymen, were all in favour of uprooting the evil which
they now sought to eradicate. That was an evil which stood
in their way in accomplishing every benefit for that class
they sought to assist, and was blighting their moral excel-
lence. It was not necessary, he conceived, to urge on
an assembly, like the present, not only to adopt the
resolution he had the honour to second, but to act upon it.
The great maxim of that creed in which they believed
ddpooiunntetdo
most forcibly to the present subject, namely, to
ethers as we would be done by—(Hear, hear)—and that
they were called on to assist in carrying out this great move-
ment needed little demonstration.—(Hear, hear.) If labour
brought lassitude when it was voluntary and ith a glittering
prize in view, as the Noble Chairman would tell them, what
must it be when it was forced, excessive, uncheered, and un-
remunerated.—(Leud cheers.) He won
line of observation that would lead to anythingld indulge
not in a
like hostility,
Bat this he would say, that they should prefer dealing with
those shopkeepers who closed their establishments et an early
hour, and did not sacrifice their fellow-creatures to their
selfishness. They might also go abroad as missionaries, and
say to those who refused to accede to the popular feeling,
" We like your good, we have no fault to find With
you, but that you keep your shops open too late, and there-
fore we will not deal with you any longer."—(Hear, hear.)
Thus, though they could not all be the suns of systems, they
might yield a light; and like the poor old woman in the
night, who saved the ship from wreck by the aid of her
humble lamp.—(Loud cheers.) Let them look at this ques-
tion in a philosophic view. if reading made a man learned,
and thinking wise, how could they expect, anything, but
mental degraation from those who were engaged in toil of
tke most harrassing description till ten o'clock at night?
He contended, also, that the employers were as much
interested in this movement as any others. He
would ask them if it were not better to allow those young
men whom they employed hours of relaxation at a
suitable time, instead of turning them out at midnight, to
herd with the dissipated and depraved, for all that were
respectable were in their homes at that time.—(Hear.) The
eloquent gentleman here male a forcible appeal to the ladies
present, with whom* he said the matter chiefly rested:
He did not despair of the attainment of their object speedily,
more particularly as they were assisted by the press. 11.
was glad to see that one of the metropolitan papers had come
forward with ftn artiple on the very subject now before them.
(Cries- of 'tName, name.") That journal was the .Pa'ly
News.—(Cheers.) He would be glad to see the Press now
and then take its feet off the scorching steps of politics, and
t
stray in the pleaiant Walks of philanthropy. But perhaps
stentryv_ do, I..ie
gave as much of its space as it could cow
present movement would not be itilwirtneaditentyitsre:
Pent3At of one sex, for it' would I.C‘leictsthtaot sexthe
who, as they departed at k late hour from that meeting, they
would behold in shops, amid the glare of gas, toiling away,
and the next morning with pallid cheeks and tottering limbs
at an early hour proceeding to the scene_ of renewed toil.—
, clie4r. 4w.,) The victials of this sptemf male and female

were not so much the (Avec tsof commiseration, because they
were not beheld clothed in rage and in the ether
exteriors of wretchedness, but with the forced smile
whiCh concealed deep and intense mental misery. These
were not necessary evils of their system, but were blots and
e,xcrescences on the fileeorsocio -Ile Would conclude by
calling- on them to.
..pesevere in .their efforts, which must
inevitably be croivned with success.
The Ciimmintw then put.the resolution, which was carried
unanimously • -
The Rev. Mr. DIBDLN then 'proposed, and the Rev. Dr.
cox seconded, a vote of thanks to the Noble Chaignan,
iu
doing which they passed a high
.eulogium on the Object of
the resolution.
•
The Noble CHAIRMAN, in acknowledging the compliment,
said he trusted their efforts would not cease till they In:d
relieved the females of the Metropolis,- who were sudierieg
equally with the other sex, faint the systam they. were
endeavouring to abolish.
The meeting then separated atftwelve o'clock.

SOUTHAIIPTON, MANCHESTER,
AND OXFORD RAILWAY •, • '
• - MEETING OF PROPNIEIORS.

A meeting of the Proprietors in the above-named tinder-
tiildng was held et the King's Arms, Palace-yard it 12
o'clock, on Sieturdayffor:the purposeof enabling the directors
to explain .to the company their present position. The meet-
ing was numerously attended, and the chair was taken big Air.
Muntz, ALP. the ,chairman of the Board of Directors, at 12
o'clock presisely.
The CHAIRMAN said that the shareholders had been
called tog,etherunder circumstanceS of a rather peculiar nat ore.
The' directors could hare wished that this meeting hadbeen
called for the purpose ofenabling the shareholders to say whet
line of conduct should be pursued preparatOry to the final
close of this undertaking, ; but as it unfortunately
,happened
that they were placed in very difficult circumstances, in con-
sequence of suits which had been instituted against them—
upon grounds which were true or not true—that could not
be done The directors were placed in a position of extreme
difficulty, inasmuch as they were charged with having
hitherto . misconducted themselves without having the
means of correcting or contradicting that repegt, and they
thought that they should be justified in calling the present
meeting for the purpose of explaining their conduct to the
shareholders before the courts of law had passed their judg-
ment upon them. After the directors had explained their
position to the shareholders, they would only be too glad to
bring this concern to a final close and settlement, as speedily
as possible. - As far as regarded himself, he could say most
decidedly th he wished, from various circumstances which
he would reillit to them, that he had never had taken gay
part in the undertaking. Under the present state of liti-
gation in which the company had been placed, it beceme a
serious matter to know how they should att. 'I he directors
were advised that it was quite impossible for the aerip-holders
to take any share in the close or winding up of the affair—
that in fact the shareholders were the only parties who could.
take any part in it. The directors had no wish to hide any-
thing from the company; their desire was to give as hill an
explanation as possible of the present prospects of the com-
pany. As the present was a meeting which had been
legally called, and his character , had been aspersed fel:
the part which lie had taken in this affair, he wished to
explain in a very brief manner the part which he had taken
in this undertaking. He had never taken any part In any
railroad undertaking previously, _nor would he ever have
connected himself with the present had it not been for the
circumstances which he would briefly detail to the meeting.
In' August last, he received a letter from a Mr. William
Parsons, in which that gentleman submitted to Mm a
project to form a railway, which should connect Southampton
with the North west of England and North
,Wales. In that
letter Mr. Persons infornied him that he had obtained the
sanction and assistance of many influential gentlemen in
London for the formation of such a line, and he suggested
to 'him (the Chairman) that as he was the representative in .
Parliament of ,the town of Birmingham, thrsugh which the
line would pass, his name would be of groat weight, and he,
therefore, requested_ permission to place his name ainoogve
the ditecars of the proposed undertaking. Ile repreeetited
also that there would be no competing line, and dint the
profits would be unusually great; as it would be a direct
line, connecting some of the most important towns in *g-
land and Wales. He (the Chairman) replied to that latter,
requested to be furnished with a prospectus of the under-
taking, and stating Meet - distinctly that he had never con-
nected himself with any undertaking. He was unwilling to
take any part in this, but as it was represented to him, by
the writer, that his doing so would be of service to the people
of Birmingham, he had no objection to take shares, in it if
there was no rival line. Mr. Parsons, in reply to
that letter said; that he found that lie had erred
in saying that there was no competing line, fur
since the date of his first letter, he found that there was
another undertaking of a similar description with which his
(the Chairman's) colleague (Mr. Spooner) had allowed him-
self to be connected, and with which he also took every
prominent part. On the 21st of August, Mr. Parsons again
wrote to him, stating that several noblemen and gentlemen
(including Lord Rossmore, Colonel Weetenra, &c.) had aut•
thorised him to place their names on the provisional com-
mittee. He also said that he was promised the support of
Lord Carnarvon, aad other noblemen, and that he had
an interview with a gentleman who was intimately ac-
quainted with Mr. Spooner; and other gentlemen of the rival
line, and who would succeed in inducing them to give their
sanction to their undertaking, and withdraw it from the
rival line. The next letter he received from Mr. Parsons
was dated the .26th of August. In that letter he lead been
advised to bring the present undertaking before the public ag
once, as the rival undertaking had nut beer abandoned,
and also that the line should be considered as a purely com-
mercial undertaking. He also stated that he had succeeded
in obtaining permission to add Mr. Spooner's name to the
provisional committee, and he would take the liberty of put-
ting his (the Chairman's) name at the head of the committee
of Management, requesting him at the same time to favour
him with his presence at as meeting of the proprietors as Neon
as convenient. On the 29th of August Mr. Parsons agrA'a
wrote to him (the Chairman) with an amendedpeospectus,
which he said he intended laying before the public, but in that
prOspectus the most important names on the provisional
committee had been left out. He stated in that letter thM
the rival undertaking had been brought before the
public,
_bnt that it was impossible that it cbuld
succeed, inasmuch as that which he had projected would
afford precisely the same accommodation as that contem-
plated by the other, Jine, and at the same time save the public
1,100,00 b/., and preserve what he called the hard-earned
rights of other companies. Now; the fact was, that he (the
Chairman) did not positively know, until that time, that a
rival undertaking -would be started, for had he anticipae ea a
rival line he would not have taken the least part in this
undertaking.
A PROPRIETOR—I think you had then a very geed oppor-
tunity of withdrawing from the concern, and exposing the
individual who had brought it forward as leveing made state.
meats to you which were not founded on facts, be having said
that Ibis schethe was the only one whiCh vas then existing.
I merely make that remark to give you an opportunity of
explaining the reasons why you did not withdraw.
'The Ciiammaer-Perhaps it will be saving the time of all
parties if I should be allowed to proceed with my statements
If the company think that I should not make the explana-
tion, I will not make it, but I think that I should have an
opportunity of clearing my character.—(Cries of " Go On.")
The Chairman then continued to say that he received another
letter from Mr. Parsons, in which be stated that the applica-
tions for shares were immense, that the time for applications
' would be limited to ten days, but that the directors need not
trouble themselves by applying, as care would be taken that
shares were allotted, to them. On the 6th of September he
received another letter froM him, requesting him to attend a
meeting of the company at Swindon that day, and that Mr.
Attwood had also promised his support to the undertaking
and leading him (the Chairman) to believe that the rivenel
line had been abandoned. On the 30th of September he re-
ceived a circular from the secretary, stating that each gen-
' tlenian in the managing committee had a call of 500 'shares,
and wishing to know how many he would take, at the same
time requesting that he would fill up the form that was at
the back of the letter. He did not answer that letter, nor
take any shares, as he did not consider the concern woe-
thy of any notice. On the 15th of September he had Mse
received a letter from Mr. Parsons, stating that he had
ridden over the line with Mr. Kenton, the engineer, and
had chosen' a very goOd course of country, said he also
stated that he had persuaded Mr. Rastrick to become their
engineer; that on the 17th of September there was a meet-
ing of the directors, and it was then resolved that 300 shares
only should be reserved for each of the directors..
Ile re-
membered writing a letter in answer to that, g!yein.t
rau-
thority to put his name down for 100 s"retr "Par:
wards received several communicseionsfromd
that . _
meeting
gatoef
the
eomhaeliStNtaate
aapnrclxiohniteedofchthierrnm,
fur the first time on the 26th.
lie at terwards learned, en the
agui.nolinegsatttetnildeerdtalunnigeei
Bth of October, that
.a letter of allotment for 200 shares had
been placed at the disposal of Mr. Parsons, for the expense*
and trouble he had incurred in the management of the afF '
of the company. Mr. Parsons, on that occasion, spoke tot
him, and told him that he had been refused the letter of allot-
ment, but he had at length prevailed upon the seoretary to
give it to him. The committee were decidedly of opinion that
the conduct of Mr. Parsons was
owooronsgh,aemsesh,e hasad
gritehatt t :
of consideration, and should
applyaualb
efro rresquac
ihr
eadn
aa lgl ooot ndi e nd te
aals 2,
not be given to any but a responsible party. They, there-
fore, deputed him, with Mr. Spooner, ALP., and Mr. 'Wil-
. llama, to ask Mr. Parsons to give up the letter of allotment.
Mr. Parsons, on being asked, fetched the letter, and, after
some hesitation, he gave it up, and it was, with his conseugh
destroyed.
A SHAM:IR/LEER asked if the shares were then at a duee•
count ?
.e.
The CliAialtAer said that they were not, inca that time
Mr: Parsons had brought an action agaillst several of the
gentlemen on the committee, for having deprived him of
premium that accrued on the letter, by destroying the
It,
Mr, parsons wrote to him to attend as a witness of t
transaction, expressing great regard for him, but at last.
instead of calling hinrae a witness, he fileda bill in Chancery
againgt him. After Mr. Parsons had given up the letter of
allotment a report arose that he had been through the Court
of Bankruptcy without having paid any great amount in the
way of dividend. The committee in consequence felt it
necessary to associate some persons of known respectability-
with Mr. Parsons in order to assist him. Mr. Parson ele-
jected at first, but at last consented. and Messrs. HiIA and
Heald, solicitors, were appointed. After that time Mr.
Parsons spoke so roughly to the eenunittee that,they deters*
alined that he should not be allowed to act Sri the committee-
room. Several proceedings with reference to amalgamation
with Mr. Bethel's line and the Andover line, took place sub-
sequently. The attempted amalgamation with Mr. Bethel%
line was prevented by a great difference in the levels at the
point of junction, and the Andover line failed in raising the.
required capital. Mr. Parsons had received 2501. for *is
actual expenditure, and four hundred pound. we.
effered for his services. He had refused it, and had -
placed the matter in Chancery. His (Mr. Muntz's) object
in
calling
_the shareholders together was to justify himself
their eyes, and let them know the exact state in which the
Company stood.
The SECRETARY then read the report. At
the coachesien
conduct, and
to
of the reading, Mr. PARSONS rose to justify leis
is
ecnak
a very stormy discussion ensued, Which it
place before the public.
After the recrimittiaatitonthheadsiariinseoitnioeiddeenter weeeats in,p
subsided
Mr. Muzerz said h
ssaien
law proceedings came to a dose. They
of the exact state of the Company, and it would be better tee
adjourn until the
would probably be concluded on Tuesday next.
The meeting then adjourned.

raOron NSaEtulrvdBaPyAiPtigEhßtSlast)friSoPnttThCeirlDqener.7ll that it was found impossible to get tbrongli
Rthree-quarterS of an )iour beyond the mate
time. heT number posted, EPSOlrted, and dispatched, is estitnated
'it 130,000, brelaCi viqUell '35,000 were forwarded by th's morrdng
Mails,
GREAT
forl: ntle:11:.
trThhoesetciduoltinsp;aet_chwaostsnoeiwasrpgaer
.
• LOYAL COLLEGE OF SURGEONS. -- 1' htltsday nigtd,
rei,..2o.—There was a tolerably full attendance of the C3ouncil Aille
evening, the President in the chair. A warm discussion arose on
the Subjects of the oration, and the offensive conduet of Mr, Law-
rence. A vote of censure ou the politico-medical part of the metiers
was proposed, seconded, and carried by a majority of 7tp 4, Ma " propositions" of the deputitiOnJof Associated Surgeons were alp
considered, but nothing final was sealed with respect Os thee. amit the subject is adjourned to the next 'meeting of the Conn* -41
'opinion generally prevails that Mr. Lawtence Mitt retire fr Pit
fesaloivg lift,---Lancte, t