The Sun.
London, England, 1846-02-28 00:00:00

,it wts determined to do it could effect. Bat you will probably
tell me that although•ive have this power,that we Zave not the
Mass of the people with us--rather democratic that. You never
. ard The advocate the superior claims of the working classes—
o wever, what are the evidences that the great body of the people
Ire not with us? You say that our petitions are not honestly signed.
cannet disprove that assertion • let us come, therefore, to some
Other test—let us take the old 'Saxon mode of testing opinion,
1..1 calling public meetings. Now, if )ou really are desirous of
I.o.terng democratic influence, this is the way to elevate them—
nrieg them into public assembling, let them elect their own
Chairman let them pass their resolutions, and there can be
"thing found superior to such a course for laying the founda-
Wins of public liberty.—( Hear, hear, and cheers.) Call then
Mr Mille meetings to support the corn-laws. Call one—l
challenge you to call one anywhere. It is not surely in the
Snanufacturing districts you can call them. Since the
Ara of November last there have been public meetings held in
for
large town—not the meetings of any class, but meetings
tirthe purpose of deciding whether
attice town should petition
free trade or not. I received mplaint from a gen-
teetean, that the protectionists called a meeting at
""Pd
sworth, to which only protectionists were admitted,
eahaequently the free traders had no power to interfere.
t a meeting in Haddington they led from the room, and the
er4414 was full without them.—( Cheers.) Were not these
_lidences of public opinion ?—(Cri -a of " No, no.") Then
what will teach you public opinion ? Must you be tossed in a
blanket? Must you be swept out of this house into the Thames?
them(Cheers and laughter). Why it would be giving
not to
boever to destruction if the public opinion was
tested by the course which I have pointed out.
thes Your political power is based on the 150,000 tenantry of
?Poe 4"ntrl- Let it, then, cora, to the worst ; carry on this
sition for three or four years more, and the plan that is
:eaeeer in operation—which plan is much maligned—(" Hear,
," from the Opposition )—and still much more maligned in
ofplace, because where the shoe pinches there the
of the evince the more—( Cheers from the Opposition side.
4111 e House)-1 say the plan that is now in operation will
;I'4 You to yield.—(" Hear, hear," and cheers.) We are
k,„,in.tf into existence the true old mode of exercising the
e-sohlh
,crgistitutional franchise.—(Cheers and cries of
yeah,nn • ) We are calling that principle of 500
allantiquity into existence by which we hope to countervail
e jeer new fangled innovations.—( Renewed cheers, and
and pooh'") You look on this as something revolutionary
kid Hear, hear.) I tell you you are the revolutionists
pr„ the innovators'.—(Cheers ) However, I believe it is
hi;eettihYatinderstood by the longest heads of your party that we
cheer power, and that we will exercise it.—(Renewed
Years."gt, If, therefore, you prolong this contest for four
lath' which you cannot, let the worst come, we have the
glas, we have the power, we have the money subscribed—
toolegh)— and we are prepared to meet and overcome every
thing cheers. ) You may think there is some-
tle eaceedingly repulsive to your notions of supremacy in all
, s; h„„
"I Say that the man, whether the small shopkeeper or
eat in the has the prudence to save a little money, and lay it
Year f-e'lle has
of land that will bring him forty shillings a
giro „reeehold—l say, that is the man to whom I would wish to
%eider's? franchise.—"( Hear, hear, and cheering.)
. Let it be
docre'4"sel that these matters are not of my introduction, for
tleasan can complain of my even being guilty of intro-
-4I irrelevant matter into the discussion of this question. sette:, hear.) Yotehave chosen now to say that you will not
f„. this question by fair and upright argument, by an appeal
tondo a, or by taking the sense of the House. No ; you will,
teetiontilt appeal to the country.—(Loud cheers from the pro-
esti, nth taa have given you some idea of your prospects in the
stook and I ask you how the mischief will be averted?
Of s'Ser the registration returns—count the number
Ilona i
lehrad„, is possession of the franchise, and then come down
egauiat tt candidly whether public opinion is with you or
%eat e/ws."---(Cheers and counter cheers.) So much argu-
94ertitletie as been applied to the investigation of extraneous
kru, that I shall not pursue this line of observation
nvoltit' though, indeed, the little argument adduced on the
nee.; e Side has been so fully answered—(oh, oh)—that I
OleeescassendelY
.apply myself to that branch of the question.—
Yoe e cries of 't Oh, oh," and " Hear, hear.") I tell
days,",skt, My thoughts were during the last ten or eleven
,confined to my home, and reading over your
',estigh't ~"1 Which I found many antiquated fallacies that I
tl.eocat.4 had knocked on the head seven years ago—
" Iwhy I thought that all the country was laughing
forel-'s ear and cheers.) You cry, " Are we to depend
Pelidg4"B ?"—( Hear, hear.) Now, who would think that
`l'Sderolt Ghost would have' been raised up to terrify the fee-
'eat a„'""e( [leer, hear, and a laugh.) Another clap-trap is
advance in wages will lessen the means of pro-
, throwe hread.—(A laugh.) That the land will be
lket-ws4 out of cultivation and that,
corn will be sold for 255.
t/Perre--ittl„,_ert--(G eat laughter.) Why, you forget that the
iler 'saes taker a very different view of the question alto-
th ( Hear, hear.) The working classes formerly be-
' titeag 4" wages h A rose and fell with the price of wheat; and
kill,ttleCalp,tders of the protectionist party may accuse us of
yet the epithet will not apply to the
the/Isel who introduced the present measure, for
nettsr.)-'414,w have no clap-trap motive in doing so.—( Hear,
Ioer l'n'ars if you attended less to the gossip
c
I,
of es, where you congratulate each other on the smart-
e
• LelrotOner speeches, in which you assail the Ministerial policy.
ies says attended less to these matters, and applied your-
raak!ne Deeper study of the question, you would not have
%eer, Laing the speeches you were for the last twelve nights.
• lihettiebe.ear and cheers.) With regard to the farmers, lam
thyo„3lng that many—l will admit a large portion of them are
''"at th""-(Protectioniste cheers) —because you have told them
f they Would walk headlong dawn some precipice, or that h:p Would run off with them.—( A laugh.) That is what
teat s,hke been telling them.—( Hear, hear, and " Oh, oh.")
em p„,regh they have not the strictest faith in you, they have
"ty -".w'othice to know, that if they go against their landlords
Illear it" to
get a air adjustment from them afterwards.--
Lgry eeeir, and cries of " Oh, oh.") If the landed proprie-
tetZ d to the farmers that the question was
festle,-; one, and they would. bear the farmers.
L'lttee-"e no "natter what their views on the question,
Re, e lY doubt if they would not decide in favour of free
s'ae en..--(eheers. ) But you have given them some
.hints to
stwelletrare. •
that
I --(Cries of " Oh, oh,' from the protectionists.)
VII 14," think that, generally speaking, the farmers agree in
set h PM have been telling them. I believe rents are as
eetqw as ever they we (No, no.) There is something
gild, able in all tis rei
have been remarking since the
irJ Ron. Baronet. proposed this measure, and I have
ins Zed
y attention to the point. I have inquired of
isteil;itt
spLoprietors, lawyers, and land agents, if
Nt unered any depression in value in consequence ef the
hi it k of the measure, and I cannot learn that it has.
etter:ery remarkable fact that silks have been rendered un-
Ze.a...4hilie the land is actually letting or selling at a higher
au 4' too-) The Hon. Member for Somersetshire
:osams.„olfer sixty farmers to take the land off their hands
kpting the terms, and yesterday, being the last day for ac-
ts tekr-e, °ter, he thought some of them would come
2e hot - els. Now, what is the consequence? Why,
4:e this ,nee Of them came in.—(Hear, hear, and cheers. )
toy latleeed immediately after the farmers had been told
Vote rue Was so reduced that it would not produce sufficient
!int b°' vent being paid at all. Now if thse farmers, after
iZheet, tern ao lately told that all the evils would follow which
-`eith lislr
toelseted by the protectionists, were not inclined to
(Plan etr tarries, what did it tend to prove, but that there
Veer, ir be apprehended from the repeal of these laws.—
le to letter.) Now, the opinion of a gentleman who was a
14„lske pent, said that farmers had applied to him, offering
iioaree tint land in which he was interested, and offered
trtleseroo ' fer the land, besides guaranteeing to make such
jPee tandrneota as would materially improve the value
(41„ er f OW this gentleman was a protectionist and a
of of f John Tyrrell, and is net his evidence in
hlow`m,st Hon. Gentleman's measure ? Now I should
tog to IL 4, the gentlemen, who have estates to let, are
set the he
at one-third less than they have had for them
sf iropolsaing of th is meas.ure, notwithstand the
Sri% e ensile rnent of their land by theing repeal
tisnit tweetective laws. I am sure they are not
that *ere Part with them for even one-fourth less than
treo.l4 torit tw.elve months ago. This, then, is the proof
thee, of tt,lnArY can take place as is said to be the result of
fea it that corn-laws. There is not a more monstrous case
canoes saYing, that the farmers are about to be ruined,
104 or et be said that they are willing to part with their
this asking for a reduction of their rents. I wish
ltl/44the wits question with the gentlemen who are opposed to
th% 14414't amicable manner. Let them come to the Free-
et
thern
lat lSt Manchester, and hold a public meeting, and
Ittetilest say, upon the arguments, which is
slitaitZureesure for the people. protection or free-
k hear.) Now, I shall quote the
171 -,ad tin "eke of Wellington in 1842; he is one who has
srti he aline to read works on political economy, aed what
ZSter,,,the 45: en that occasion? Why, he said if these
'Pt W.s, ef protection are for the benefit of the
itz-atkiltietrtierene be maintained • but if they are for the
them bem immediately' abol hed.•--( Cheers. )
4414 ,I4'oe're, se had now, he might say, almost agreed to lyos, be passed, with the Pr me Minister, that this measure
ll'lli:jettlsevleistsehd; d that R ght H. 0.n.. Baronet had taken
111 444 ,e Whole of the responsibility of this measure;
ieveot teat Providence would watch over the country
„et th et. its being passed—(Hear)—as this. measure of
cern laws was proposed to be carried effectually
JO* N to'oo acteff at the expiration of three years ; but
‘S.!t 1,14.1,411 hHouse and the country that they should
Ltd 74 tit then to join the Anti-Corn-law League, becauae 'etli "et en he t
ni nt 00 late.--( Hear, hear.) The Hon. Members
Litt retie the plan of buying in the cheapest market and
that Illreareasurest; but he begged to tell the Hon. Members
tsth gold earls of reconciling those differences was, to
Italr. Revs ah.en, rule of doing to others as they would wish
tts spkt:oo4l do unto them —(Cheers. )
tit* upo, said that the Hon. Member for Stockport
ts,,teoestoriss" this subject in terms which would lead any
toliel:, to tbg the House to the belief that those who had a
it% the el extended franchise had not the pleasure of
rti,4lt,;": oasis hear.) It was not the habit of the tenant
%.7 so bit or advice of his landlord, though he
Itrhuf4,-nt at the same time it was as much the duty
14,th, Nhe `hrets t giveto their workenin. The
tie te ne„.. r the,. advice
-ethletiirraee 'f,T•it on to quote passatge.3 from
toe
eeJihoews
ktittly. t flee or Ternber for Srocepor ,_ in r.
epiiiio the Hon. Member, and too illustrate the
Llw'sseit- 'ley wives upon the corn.laws had changed very re•
the that an appeal to the Sovereign, and
.what was
great le Peal ?—they obtained a majority of 90.
t:sttalleltNlNed . leader of the principle of protection
N,teritl. theirs ins
, opinions, and his colleagues have
cop the hknd eh,nlse. When persons of well-known.
Nee-kleb--'taeter came to that House and said
471 ei7o tis:,.eged their opinions, it followed as a necessary
Ztitersreeiikteste*,,t„heY Must carry a great weight with them.
11the ete lo.meY 41-4 might change the opinion of that Hou.se,
(tioCeite•ig theylnted the line of conduct they had main-
reitf,;_sYra4‘ll,„eshttld be certain whether it was confined
rilLriaPaties-,,",eis friend or whether the great body of the
.11101 - •"" tri the 'ter'ation.—
.Hear-, hear" from the
Ntedeleitee4 t ) If a rts.. ,;they were so convinced, they would be
is'e,e7to:ilthet tiresouelt• They say the people were to be
keittltt %1444ther these. The people should have been con-
is, tea. for et thpp of the change in twill con-
tleeali,lN
_Which lha.d also changed, an.d were ing to
op tse 6, '3' had struggled so intensely, and had
eses. • eh.,
long and
ele' h., eh., -.tee • so happily. It was not his
y 171 ,"I r at reat length into that dis-
lbeisso be 11,241144.5° ns prevented him, especially as the
4:08 htld Is intention to divide that night. As
kseefeer m'ad oe the situation which he had fulfilled in that
stlitlt Centhevrer gone against its sense, and he wa- aware
teseer,etein them wished to address the House, therefore he
sttesslu are,
netiee, %jot, . e .onger than was necessary to ex-
to-kt pro" induced him to give his vote in favour
Is e-91 girl tosed by his Hon. Friend the Member
;)stillatt a'4oo, pr.° would address himself for a few mi-
l4s Cara
o retsee,atio tend had made a statement bordering
,tleiederirksd to ,He charged them with having fol-
e 4, ,r.eno 04 of
the question with them, and
Vedtle Pti'l the teg the inquiry. He also said that
hd,.. not 4etsceunsuer h. ad followed
.in the same
tikiLstieh _ ne„ e him . of having broken
inlioa4ehe 4°nderee !elate he flinched from inquiry.
tliht4L, se f ff, that his Hon. Friend should have
b►pi:A for thie „-rz would say, that when a Committee
te)111, ersegat hero- pre's Purpose of enabling the proposi-
tt, His Re. tl,ie House, they had no objection to
e St 4 • ealle
ish th d repo 'getFriend had changed his
le4eiro, eit h hitb thera to follow him. He was not
, t
e it ee r
oubling the House —(Hear, hear)
114inealnetto%frshtal;.4 that liberty he endeavoured to express
a erarettriitittea:otrltie Right Hon. Baronet pro-
the corn-laws With a view to

their modification, he (Mr. Spooner) would have given his utt-
quilified assert to that proposition. He never did approve of
the present system of corn-laws. lie thought the sliding scale
was some improvement, but a fixes! duty was the only principle,
and the only rational proposition. He defined protection to
be the principle which induced them to take care, while
native industry was burdened by the taxation necessary for the
preservation of the State, that no foreign produce should be
admitted to compete with our own taxed produce,
without incurring an equal share of expense—( Cheers from the
Ministerial side)—that was the principle of protection, and that
principle should be.applied to every class of industry, and not
more to agriculture than to any other. Whatever tax was imposed
upon the country was an additional reason why the labourer
should be protected from foreign untaxed produce.—(Cries of
" Oh! oh !" from the Opposition side.) He could assure
them that he had not willingly entered on this subject ; but,
representing, as he did, a large constituency, he felt it neces-
sary to enter upon their defence in an effectual manner. The
Hon. Member for Shropshire had said that he was very happy
that some of them had read Adam Smith, and lie wished that
a great many more had done so, as political economy was now
assuming an important aspect. He would read something
from the works of the Noble Lord, as he considered him a
high authority—and he said that sincerely, for he was
high both as a statesman and as an anther. He would
now proceed to call the attention of the House to a passage.
—( " Oh! oh" ! from the Opposition.) He would read it.—
(Laughter.) The Noble Lord said " That nearly all writers
on political economy fell into the same mistake ; nations were
subject to fluctuations in their seasons of prosperity, and they
naturally looked to those persons who had studied the wealth
of nations for a remedy. Those writers had occupied them-
selves with original truths withoutentering upon particular cases."
The Hon. Gentleman went on to read from the pamphlet in
question, amidst every manifestation of impatience by the
House ; the extract, as far as could be collected from the
noise that prevailed, being to the effect that there were certain
circumstances connected with the industry of the country which
rendered, in many instances, the application of the strict rule
of political economy inexpedient and impracticable. This was
the doctrine laid down by the Noble Lord, which he (Mr.
Spooner) coincided in, and to this he would call the attention
of the Hon. Member for Stockport. The Hon. Member for
Wolverhampton (Mr. Villiers) last night gave a statement of
figures which went to show that we might have
a considerable importation of corn, and at the same
time have an increase of gold, and he referred to several years
in support of the view which he advanced.—( The Hon.
Member here proceeded to read some figures in relation to
this topic; but from the noise and confusion that prevailed, it
was impossible to understand their real purport. As far,
however, as their application could be ascertained, they were
to the effect that the increase of bullion towards the latter end
of a period of four years—that is, from 1838, during which
there was a considerable importation of grain—arose
from peculiar circumstances in our relations with America.
He could well understand this expression of the feelings of the
House—(Cheers)—and he knew too well the utter uselessness
of any individual attempting to address the House—(Reiter-
ated cheering)—unless the House were willing to hear him.—
( Hear, hear.) He respected the good opinion of the House
too well—(Cheers)—to force himself upon its notice.—( Great
cheering.) If it was therefore the pleasure of Hon. Mem-
bers that he should defer his remarks—(Cheers)—to some
future time—(Cheers)—he would do so.—(Tremendous
cheering.) He would do so in all sincerity—( Cheering)—but
he would do so, at the same time, in the hope that at some
future time he would be listened to with greater indulgence.—
(The Honourable Gentleman sat down amidst much con-
fusion, which was very considerably increased.
Mr. P. BOTHWICK rose—The Honourable Gentleman
proceeded to address the House for at least a quarter of an
hour, amidst much confusion and noise, so loud and continuous,
that it was impossible to catch the purport of his observations.
He was understood, however, to contend, in defiance of
boisterous cries from both sides of the House of " Divide,
divide," " Question, question," " Bar, bar," and " Order,
order)"—that the Right on. Baronet at the head of
the Government was mistaken if he thought the present mea-
sure would secure his reputation with posterity, for the page
of history would exhibit him as struggling for a long
series of years to form a great party, and at the very
moment when he had succeeded in this apparently paramount
and all-absorbing topic of his life, as coming forward, and in
violation of all public faith and principle, and, with one daring
and reckless blow, breaking up and shivering to atoms that
great confederation, which himself had fostered and
created, and which would be known in future
years as the powerful Conservative party of England.
He might say to the Right Hon. Baronet at the head of the
Government, "Et to Brute."—(Laughter, and cries •f
"Oh, oh.") If Caesar must fall—(Continued laughter)—
better that he fall not by his hands. It had been
better for the myriads yet to be born and go-
verned—better for the few who like him were by nature
and by God destined to govern—it had been better for the
pear* which bound the masses of mankind together, "and for
the confidence of private men—better for the human race—
(Cries of " Oh, oh," and laughter)—that this measure had
been proposed by some other hand than the one
which was nerved by its own strength, and
which was called into existence by its own will.
—(Loud laughter.) If the principles of free trade were
the principles of common sense, and if the circumstances of
this great country admitted the application of those principles
to our commercial policy, then he would say that the measure
of the Right Hon. Gentleman was the grossest insult to com-
mon sense and to the principles of free-trade that could
be possibly brought before the country. The principle which
he advocated said that protection was the bane of agriculture,
and yet the Right Hon. Gentleman was prepared to admi-
nister to the country a draught of that very poison for the next
three years.—(Cries of " Oh, oh," and great laughter.)
The Hon. Member went on to say, that Hon. Members opposite
had succeeded in obtaining the head of the Right Hon. Baronet,
but that they (the protectionists) still kept possession of his
heart. ( The Hon. Member then eat down amid great uproar
and confusion.)
Lord G. BENTINCK then rose and requested the attention
of the House for a short time while he endeavoured to answer
some of the arguments which had been used by Hon. Mem-
bers on the opposite sides of the House. There was no man
who felt more deeply than he did his unworthiness to ask that
indulgence. He bad never, since he had a seat in
that House, ventured to trespass upon their atention upon
so important a subject as the present. They opposed
the Speaker leaving the chair, net only because they objected
to the great changes proposed with reference to the agricultural
interest, but also upon the whole measure.—( Hear, hear.)
They opposed the measure which proposed an alteration in
1,100 articles, because so great a commercial resolution as that
proposed, they did not consider was required by the exigencies
of the country. It was not only that they objected to the removal
of protection from the agricultural interest, but also a removal
of protection from the silk, shipping trade, and many other
interests concerned in the tariff. —( Hear, hear.) It had been
stated in the course of this debate that Hon. -Members who
opposed this Bill would lose their character, station, and
influence with the country. He would willingly concede that
gentlemen who sat on the opposite side hail not this fear before
their eyes. They had always been the consistent advocates of
free trade; they came to that House pledged to maintain those
principles for which they asked the suffrages of the people.
When he was told this was not a protection Pailiament, he
would be glad to know on what principles it was
created. Why, was not the subject of free trade in
corn discussed over and over again when the dissolution
took place in the year 1841 ? Was it not then a
question whether we were not to have a protection of Bs.
a quarter or a higher rate of protection ? Her Majesty ap-
pealed to the people in 1841 ; and on that question of the corn-
laws— on that question he thought there could be no mistake.
The Right Hon. Gentleman now at the head of her Majesty's
Government was then the leader of the Opposition, and chal-
lenged his opponent to dissolve the Parliament. The
Secretary of State for the Home Department said it was mad-
ness to dissolve the Parliament, and he thought it was the
madness of the devil himself. He charged them with some-
thing more than the acts of the devil himself for
such a course of proceeding. His Right Honour-
able Friend raised the cry, " The Church was in
danger ;" but was it not far more exciting to hear
the cry of cheap bread, and that cry raised from the
Treasury benches ? He should like to know whether the cry
of cheap bread which they had heerd had anything to do with the
landlord question. They said that was not a protection Parlia-
ment, but what was it if it was not created on protection prin-
ciples ? The Noble Lord then at the head of the Administra.
tion, in 1841, found himself defeated by a vote of want of con-
fidence, when there appeared a majority against him of 311
against 307, and her Majesty immediately prorogued
the Parliament, with a view to its immediate dis-
solution. Her Majesty then said in her speech
that in the present state of public affairs she had come
to the determination of taking the sense of the public.
He was of opinion that the measure proposed by the Right
Hon. Baronet could net in honour be carried by the majority
of that House, returned on that dissolution.—(Hear, hear.)
They were told that a great change was to take place upon
the experience of the Right Hon. Baronet for the last
three years ; that the Right Hon. Gentleman
had been so satisfied with the result of
the reduction of duties for the last three years. He was
satisfied that the country would not be of the same opinion—
they would not be satisfied with any great change in the laws
upon a mere three years experience. The Right Hon. Baronet
said that there would be no material, in fact, no reduction at
all in the price of corn by the introduction of the
present measure. He grounded that opinion upon
what had taken place with regard to silk. He would
accept the challenge of the Right Honourable Gentleman
—he would meet him on the question of silk, and he would
also meet the Member for Sheffield on that of wool.
He would take care not to forget what had been said respect-
ing the timber duties.—(Hear, hear.) The Noble Lord then
proceeded to detail the price of wool per pound between the
years 1820 and 1824, lit in so low a tone of voice that not
a single word reached the gallery. He found from the price
of flour, as contracted for, not for one year, but for three years,
that the average price per stone in 1841, 1842, and 1843 was
3s. 7d. In 1646 3s. 2d. was the price, a price, in fact, lower
than what the average price had been on the average of three
years before.—(Loud cries of " Divide, divide," and
manifestations of impatience.) This was a strong
point to show that under a protective system the
irregularity of price was not such as had been
attributed by the advocates of free trade. He would refer
briefly to the subject of the silk trade, on which the Right Hon.
Baronet had spoken, and which he alleged had thrived under
a free-trade system, in opposition to what had been advanced
by the advocates of a protective system. The House ought to
be aware that there were three descriptions of silk : small
silk, which cost from 14s. to 20s. per lb. ; thrown
silk, from 205. to 235. ; and waste or ofal
silk, that sold for about from 2d. to 10d. per lb.
He found, that in the periods of 1815,1816, 1817, the average
quantities of silk imported into the country was 1,095,000 lbs.,
and they found, that in a corresponding period, when the pro-
tection duty was in existence, the importation was 1,970,000
ibs. showing a difference of 90 per cent. He found that the
duty averaged in the same period 750,000/.
Mr. Huskisson promised that he should place the silk trade
side by side with the cotton trade. He was not able to take the
return of three clear years, but he would take such as would
give the most favourable return to the supporters of the
Manchester school and of the Right Honourable Baronet.
He now came to the operation of free trade as regarded the
silk-weavers. He would refer to the evidence taken before
the Committee of 1831. Mr. Grabb, a silk manufacturer,
was examined. Up to 1824 the number of hands he em-
ployed was 3,394, and the wages averaged Bs. I id.
per man. In 1831 the number he employed had
fallen to 1,877, and the amount of wages to 3s. kid.
But it was not wages alone which had been reduced by the
change • for the same gentleman stated that a great number
of hands were discharged in the time, some of whom had
emigrated, while others had gone to the workhouse, and the
majority of the females to prostitution. Now was not this evi-
dence conclusive enough, and ought it not to decide the House
in the course they ought to take with respect to this measure?
—(Hear, hear.) The Noble Lord then proceeded to say, that
a few days since he presented to that House a petition from
shine silk-weavers, in which they stated, that if the duties were
taken off corn, the only result would be the reduction of
their wages.—( Loud cries of " Divide, divide.") He
apologised to the House for the manner in which
he had trespassed upon their attention, but as he
stood there as the advocate of a great body, whose
interests had been attacked, he hoped the House would extend
to him their indulgence, although he was not able to address
them in tha same able manner which those who were accus-
tomed to address them were capable of doing.—(Cheers.) The
Noble Lord then continued to say that silk weavers would be

reduced 3d. per yard if this measure passed, and ho wou as
what reduction in the price of food would compensate those
poor men for that reduction in their wages ?.--( Cheers. )
He believed that the labourer would be better off with his old
wages, and wheat at 70s. per quarter, than with cheaper bread
and lower wages.—(lronical cheers.) He maintained,
despite the cheers of the Honourable Members opposite,
that he would be better off with wheat at 455. per
quarter, and with his present wages, than the reduction
sought by the present measure, and the consequent
disproportion in the reduction of wages.—(Hear, hear.) He
recollected an address delivered by the Secretary of State for
the Home Department, though he had now changed his opinions,
in which he laid down the proposition not to be disputed, that
the rate of wages must sink with the reduction in the price of corn.
The Right Hon. Baronet tells them as a reason for introducing
the measure, that distress in Ireland was very great, where the
people were starving in the midst of a superabundance
of provisions.—(Cheers.) The farmer, he said, was
without a rearket, and the labourer was left destitute,
without employment. That. was the picture drawn of the state
of Ireland by his Honourable Friend, showing that it
was truly destitute. During the three years, amidst the ruin
of manufacturers, the distress of landlords, the insurrection
of the pc pulace who were without employment and without
bread, as the Right Hon. Baronet said, the prosperity of the
country increased notwithstanding, and he (Lord Bentinek)
liked to see productive industry sacrificed to unpro-
ductive wealth as little as the Right Hon. Baronet. With
respect to the speech of his Honourable Friend the
Member for Wolverhampton, he should say it was
not a speech overflowing with professions of kindness.
They had been taunted on that side of the House that they
dealt in reviling phrases against Hon. Members who had de-
served them on the present occasion, and that they had ad-
duced no arguments in proof of the justness of the position
which they assumed. Now, after the speech of his Hon.
Friend who sat beside him, after that admirable speech, he
thought they might be exempted from so inapplicable
and undeserved a taunt.—(Cries of " Hear, hear.")
(The Noble Lord was at this moment so inaudible that
not a word could be distinctly heard in the gallery.
The loud and repeated cries for a division, varied
by the counter-cries for art adjournment, completely
drowned the Noble Lord's attempts to be heard.)
The Noble Lord continued to read extracts from returns he
held in his hand, in reference to the state of food in Scotland,
by which he contended it appeared that the people of many
districts in the neighbourhood of Glasgow had much improved
their condition, and had adopted the use of flour in many cases
for that of oatmeal. The Noble Lord representing the city
of London—(Cries of " Oh, oh I" from the Ministerial side of
the House)—he had not offered to say anything to change
them (the Opposition)—he was going to show them that there
was no danger of a famine. He would refer them to Leith.
They would recollect that the authorities he was about to quote
were rather suspicious. They were the corn circulars sent
forth by the corn dealers for the benefit of the trade. The
circular he would refer to was dated the 17th December, 1845,
and was from Leith. It stated that as regarded the diseased
potatoes, if they were properly scored and dried they were not
unfit for human food • and there was reason to believe that
the failure would not be so great as was apprehended.—(" Oh,
oh 1" from the Opposition.) This was an important fact, as
in consequence of this rumoured scarcity, it was proposed to:
change the commercial policy of this country. The circular
went on to say the corn crops were in general good, and the
failure of the potato crop had given such an impulse to the
market that they were so completely choked that room was
not to be found for any more gram, and a considerable portion
of the expected arrival of corn would have to be
sent to other ports.—( Cheers from the Ministerial benches.)
He had a letter from Liverpool which stated that the cry about
famine was all a mistake, for that at the time there were not
less than 200 warehouses in Liverpool which were as full of
grain as tliey could hold.--( He r, hear.) He would now go
to Ireland.—( Great manifestations of impatience, and cries
of " Divide, divide.") He was going to show there were no
grounds for what had been stated in relation to the potato
crop. Five weeks ago the Hon. Member for Somerset
(Mr. W. Miles) moved for a return of the price of
potatoes in all parts of Ireland, and yet up to the present day
no return had been made.—( Hear.) The Right Hon. Baronet
had taunted them (the protectionists) as not liking the subject
of the potato failure in Ireland; but to that he would beg
leave to say, for the Hon. Friends around him, that what was
distasteful to them was not the Hon. Baronet going into
details on that subject, but his not telling the whole
truth. That was what was distasteful to them.—(hear. )
They had been told of a certain merchant going down to the
country, surveying the crops, and reporting that the appear-
ance of the potatoos was black; and they had heard of a letter
from a party in Yorkshire, named Wood, as to the state of
the crops there. On the latter point, if the fact was as stated,
it would not have been concealed from the Government, by
the Hon. Member for the West Riding, who seconded
the address to the Crown. But what had that Honour-
able Gentleman said, in the course of the present
debate? He stated that there were no grounds
for stating that the potato crop had failed in Yorkshire.—(Hear,
hear.) He would now return to Ireland.—(Cries of " Divide,
divide.") The Right Hon. Baronet had read the accounts
respecting the potato disease from inspectors of police, and
others, in various parts of Ireland ; but why, he (Lord George
Bentinck) would like to know, did not the Right Hon. Baronet
receive reports from the lieutenants of counties, especially
from the lieutenants of the counties of Down and Carlow ?
If his Hon. Friend, the Member fir Derby, were in his place
he would ask him what communication he had made to
Government on the subject of the potatoes? And he would
refer to the opinions of a man whose testimony was entitled to
as much weight as any in England or Ireland—a man of
the most masculine understanding —of the most
business habits—whose knowledge on every subject was
as extended as any authority he could refer to, and whose evi-
dence on this subject that side of the House would most wil-
lingly listen to—heimeant Lord Besborough, who had taken the
greatest pains to ascertain what was really the truth
with regard to the disease of the potatoes in Ireland.
He (Lord Bentinck) should like to know what report
had been made to her Majesty's Ministers by that nobleman.
He (Lord Bentinck) could inform the Right Hon. Baronet
that what they on that side of the House were dissatisfied
with was that they had not been told both sides of the ques-
tion. He did not know what was the information the
Right Hon. Baronet had received, hnt he had himself taken
some pains to ascertain what was the real state of
things—and he saw in the House a short time ago 'the Hon.
Baronet the Member for the county of Antrim, and- he also
could tell the House that he had taken great pains—and he
could assure the House that there was no danger of famine.—
( Hear, hear, and cheers from the protectionists.) He had
taken occasion to write to an Honourable Friend of his
in the county. of Roscommon, to inquire into the result
of the inquiry instituted by Government, and he informed
him that after all the recommendations of all the professors had
been tried, suoh as kiln-drying the potatoes, using tartaric
acid arid other experiments, they found that, after opening
the pits, the potatoes, which the professors had con-
fidently promised to cure, were all rotten—(Cheers from the
protectionists again)—while those that had been placed
amid
_quick lime were sound and healthy. He could assure
the House that there was no such thing as a
potatoe famine in the county of Roscommon.
In Tipperary there was not a single diseased potatoe, and in
Queen's County the potatoes were 234 d. per stone. Money
after all was that which told the truth in this country.
tie had an opportunity of consulting the Marquis of Clanri-
carde upon the subject of the potato disease, and that Noble-
man assured him that it was greatly exaggerated. The Noble
Marquis himself had grown about 140 acres of potatoes,
which it was true were bad, but the disease could
not have been discovered in them had they not
been tested. The Noble Marquis also told him that
half the mischief had been created by the Govern-
ment Commissioners, and the various professors who were
sent over to Ireland, for they advised the liftsng of the potatoes
before they were ripe, notwithstanding that common sense must
have suggested to them that they would rot before they could
be used. They were told that there were 4,000,000 of the
Irish people on the brink of famine, and he wanted
to know what provision her Majesty's Ministers had
made for the wants of these 4,000,000 of people?
If report was true, there were no more than 100,000 quarters
of maize in Ireland, and that was food that was not fit for
people, but for cattle. The duty:on wheat was 17s. per quarter.
He apprehended that the Right Hon. Gentleman never in:
tended to feed the people of Ireland upon wheat. He be-
lieved that 100,000 quarters of oats were imported from Ireland a
few months ago; and he asked whether common sense would
not have dictated the purchase of Irish oats in Ireland for the
relief of the people. He found that the duty on oats, which
was six shillings per quarter on the 23d of October last,
had, in consequence of the false reports of famine,
slided down to three shillings on the 22d of November.
The Duke of Wellington stated in his place in the Upper
House, that when corn rose to a certain price there was a pro-
vision in the existing corn-laws under which the ports
would open themselves. He also admitted that there was
a great loss in the potato crop, but it could not be
said that there was a deficiency in the food of the
people of Ireland. He (Lord Bentinek) believed that there
were oats enough in Ireland to feed the entire population of
that country. He considered that the accounts of the potato
crop had been greatly exaggerated, and he did not believe that
there was more than one-fifth of the potato crop in Ireland
destroyed ; and, under these circumstances, he did not cone
cider there was any necessity for an alteration in the existing
laws.--(" Hear, hear,"frona the protectionists.) He never knew
a Government who presumed to make such great changes, and
who gave so little reason for the adoption of those changes.
He had been 18 years in that House, and it was no pleasing
task to address it, and he did so on that occasion because
he considered it his imperative duty. With respect to
potatoes, he found that the average price for the last ten
years was not more than at present, and with that
fact, how could it be said that there was a famine ?
If it were necessary, in consequence of that asserted famine, to
import wheat into Ireland, why did they not at once pay
ouvilditbhe
thonelyettahkeirng?
itthe
fsreovmenteoenne shihllainngds dtuoty,
It was his intention to go into many other matters, but in
reacseiviet wit
consequence of the hour—( Cries of " Go on")—he would pass
over some of them. But they had been challenged to show
any argument in favour of protection, and he was pre-
pared to show that the produce of the country had
outstripped its consumption; he was prepared to show that by
evidence which could not be doubted. They had been
told that protection was the bane of agriculture; he
was prepared to show that the contrary was the fact.
He (Lord G. Bentinek) was prepared to show by evidence laid
before that House, that up to the year 1821, the soil
of England only produced 17 bushels per acre.
Now there were three millions of acres of land in Ireland, and
fifteen millions in England, which could be brought into culti-
vation, and that being the case, how could it be said that the
country was not capable of produ ing sufficient food for the
population. Was it not beyond all contradiction that
this country produced more corn for a far more
smaller population than France for a greater population.
He had shown that Frenchmen were capable of earning more
wages than Englishmen, and yet not do so much work. He
had shown also that the state of agricultural improvement in
this country was very superior to that of France, and yet
that France was able to compete with England ; and he had
likewise shown that even in America, with all her disadvantages,
she was able to compete with England in the colonial market.
( Here the Noble Lord became inaudible for some time in con-
sequence of the loud cries of " Oh, oh," and groans from the
Opposition.; Ii they took 2,000,000 quarters of corn from
foreign countries instead of from our own country, the result
would be that they would throw from 5 to 800,000
persons out of employment. (Prolonged " Oh's" from
the Opposition.") The Right Hon. Baronet had said that the
inevitable result of the repeal of the corn-laws, would be to
throw from 500,000 to 800,000 persons out of employment. If
they applied the principle to the duties on tea and sugar,
they would then do good by admitting articles which
did not compete with any of our home produce.
Why not import, for example, the produce of China in that
manner, instead of charging on tea at the rate of 250 per
cent, which tax was imposed on the labouring population
of this country. But the way they acted was to place high
duties on the produce of those countries that encouraged
the manufacturers, and cringed and bowed to those
countries that took the greatest pains to exclude our manu-
facturers. Do you, therefore, deserve any consideration in the
course you have taken ?—( Loud cries of " Divide, divide," and
great manifestations of impatience.) Certainly they were not.
When the Right Honourable Baronet came down to that
House to usher in the session, which, whether it
was to be for good or evil, had a tendency, at least
n the estimation of the Honourable Members oni

40.:,
they might` at least be certain that under such circumstatcev
they would vote as their duty to their consciences, and their
constituents dictated. They had been told that they were a proud
aristocrcy. They were proud, but they were only proud in tile
chastity of their honour, and if they bad turncd out the Whig
Administration in 1841, they did it in highrnindedness, and
with a pure desire to further the interests of the country.
Strangers were then ordered to withdraw, and the Reuse
divided, when there appeared—
For the Motion
For the Amendment 240

MAJORITY FOR
MINISTERS - -S
97
The other Orders of the Day were then disposed of.
The House adjourned at a Quarter past Three.

THE SEIZURE OF AN ENGLISH
VESSEL BY THE PORTUGUESE.
The ship Duke of Cornwall, which arrived on Thursday in the East
India-dock from St. Helena, has brought home the crew of the brig
Lady Sale, of Liverpool, which was seized on the coast of Africa by
a Portuguese man-of-war on suspicion of being MLA out for the
slave-trade.
The Lady Sale belonged to the respectable house of Charles Hors-
fall and Son, of Liverpool, and was chartered for Rio Janeiro mai
Congo, to get oil of palm and ivory, but had net been able to obtain
either, and was on her way to Ambrez to ship a cargo of copal, when
she was boarded by a Portuguese rnan•of-war, and seized, in conse-
quence of her having on board twenty-six casks of water, severil
Lags of rice, a copper, and some bars.
The Portuguese authorities, however, condemned the vessel, and
the matter has been taken up with some spirit by the Liverpool mer-
chants. The crew of the Lady Sale were detained for some time by
the Portuguese, and afterwards sent to St. Helena. Tho authuritles
of St. Helena sent them home in charge of an officer of the English
navy, who left the Duke of Cornwall three days ago at Deal, and
nothing has since been beard of him. The owner of the Duke of
Cornwall waited upon Mr. Braierip, at the Thames l'olice-
court on Wednesday, and requested his interference. The Magis-
trate referred him to the superintendent of the Thames division of
police, who declined taking the men into custody unless some specific
charge was male against them. The owner of the Duke of Corn-
wall declined making any charge against the crew of the Lady Sale,
and said they had been sent home as passengers in this ship in charge
of a mate in the navy,
who quitted her at Deal. The owner was only
anxious to be released of the men, for whose passage he was to re-
ceive 1501 from her Majesty's Government. Mr. Evans, the
superintendent of the Thrunes division, communicated the arrival
of the eleven men to the Board of Admiralty, and also to the Com-
missioners of Police, but received no authority from either party
to arrest the crew of the Lady Sale. Indeed neither the Admiralty
nor the Commissioners knew anything of the matter. On Thursday,
on the arrival of the. Duke of Cornwall in the dock, some parties
connected with the ship requested Mr. Evans, jun., an In-
spector of Thames police, to take the men into custody, which
he refused to de unless some tangible charge was made. The
crew of the Lady Sale still remained on board the Duke of Corn-
wall, and are very anxious for some officers to take them into cus-
tody, and that the question as to the legality of their detention should
be tried. It is expected they will leave the ship this day, and put
their case into the hands of a procter or attorney, unless the Board
of Admiralty order them to be taken before a magistrate. No wit-
nesses have been sent to Englaed to give evidence against the eleven
seamen. It is rumoured that the mate, who had charge of the men,
has either lost or mislaid the papers intrusted to him relating to the
seizure of the Lady Sale, cud that his non-appearance at the Admi-
ralty is owing to that cause. Several gentlemen went on Thursday
to the Thames Police-court and inquired after the crew of the Lady
Sale, and were much surprised to had that no order had been given
to remove them from the Duke of Cornwall. They expressed a
strong opinion of the illegality of the seizure, and came prepared to
bail the men if they had been in any legal custody. We believe a
strong representation relating to the seizure and condemnation of the
Lady Sale has been made to the Portuguese Ambassador by Lord
Aberdeen, and the ease is likely to become a matter of discussion in
both Houses of Parliament.

COUURT CIRCLAR.
The Queen and Prince Albert, accompanied by the Prince of
Wales and the Princess Royal left Buckingham Palace in a carriage
and four, at half-past eight o'clock yesterday morning, for Osborne
House, Isla of Wight. Their Royal Highnesses Prince Alfred and the
Princess Alice, accompanied by the Dowager Lady Lyttelton, fol-
lowed in another carriage and four. The Equerries in Waiting,
Major-General Wemyss and Major-General Sir Edward Bowater,
occupied a chariot and four ; and the Countess of Mount Edgecumbe,
Lord ,-leorge Lennox, Colonel Bowles, and Dr. Prtetorius, followed in
another carriage and four,

Her Majesty and her Royal Consort were conducted to their car-
riages by the Maids of Honour in Waiting, the Lord Chamberlain, the
Master of the Horse, Lord Glenlyon, Sir Henry Wheatley, Colonel
Drummond, Colonel Arbuthnot, and Colonel Wylde.
A party of Light Dragoons formed the escort from the Palace to
the terminus of the South-Western Railway, at Nine Elms. The
royal party left by a special train for Southampton, en route to
Osborne House.

Major-General Weinyss has relieved Colonel Arbuthnot in the
duties of Equerry in Waiting to the Queen ; and 3lajor-Goneral Sir
Edward Bowater has relieved Colonel Wylde in theduties of Equerry
in Waiting to his Royal Highness Prince Albert.
At the Queen's Drawing-room, on Thursday, Mrs. Stewart was
presented to her Majesty by Lady Gardiner, and Mrs. Gurney
Barclay was presented to her Majesty by Mrs. Stewart.
Her Royal Highness the Duchess of Kent has appointed Captain
the Hon James Murray (of the Scots Fusilier Guards) to be one of
her Royal Highness's Equerries.

Her Royal lllhness the Duchess of Kent visited the Duchess of
Gloucester yesterday, at Gloucester House.
Her Royal Highness the Duchess of Kent, attended by Lady
Fanny Howard and Sir George Cooper, Bart., honoured the per-
formance of the French Plays with her presence last evening.
A Cabinet Council was held yesterday afternoon at the Foreign
office. The Ministers present we Robert Peel, the Duke of Buccleuch, the Earl of Haddington, Sir James Graham, Mr. Secre-
tary Gladstone, the Chancellor of the Exclietiuer, the Earl of Ellen-
borough, the Earl of Ripon, the Earl of Dalhousie, the Right Hon.
Sidney Herbert, and Use Earl of St. Germans. The Council sat two
hours.

Sarim Effendi, Ottoman Ambassador, accompanied by Mr. Agop,
Secretary Interpreter, transacted business yesterday at the Foreign-
office.
Prince Castelcicala was present at the debate in the Howse of
Commons yesterday evening.
The Duke of Wellington left town on Thursday afternoon fir his
seat, Strathfieldsaye, Hants.
Sir Walter James had au interview with Mr. Secretary Gladstone
on Thursday, at the Colonial-office.
Mr. Mark Ph lips, Mr. 13rotherton, M.P., Mr. Milner Gib-
son, M.P., and a deputation of retail beersellers of Manchester, had
as interview with Sir Robert Peel yesterday, at his official residence
in Downing-street.
Her Majesty's Honourable Corps of Gentleman-at-Arms held their
first mess dinner at the Thatched House on Thursday. Mohan Lal
and other distinguished guests were present.
Lord Somers, Sir Benjamin Brodie, and a deputation from Reigate,
had an interview with the Chancellor ()tithe Exchequer yesterday. at
his official residence in Downing-street. Mr. Dean, Chairman of
the Customs, had an interview with the Right Honourable Gentle-
man on Thursday.

GENERAL AVITABILE.
The East India Company hays jest dispatched to Naples a mag-
nificent sabre for presentation to this gallant *Meer and firm and
faithful friend of the Company and British Government. On the
upper part of the scabbard is placed a gold shield, bearing the follow-
ing inscription :—" Presented by the East India Company to General
Avitabile, in grateful recognition of the eminent se.yices rendered
by him whilst Governor of Peshawur, in co-operatic; with the Bri-
tish troops during the limitary operations in Atli anistati." The
sword..is accompanied by the following letter from the Chairman of
the East India Company:—

" East India House, Feb. 4, 1146.
" Sir,—l have Row mach satisfaction in conveying to you the
sword which, in the fulfilment of the intention already announced,
the Court of Directors of the East India Company desire to present to
you, in testimouy of their crateful sense of your eminent services.
Allow me en tkis occasion to offer my congratulations to you on
receiving a permanent record of the sentiments which the Court
entertain ; and let me add the expression of th, gratification which
it affords me to be the medium of transmitting to yon this testi-
monial.

.• I "
Gene "
HENR Y WILLOCK."
Generale
thevitabile honour to be, Sir, your very obedient servant,
A."
The services rendered by the General at the time our troops passed through the province of which he was Covert:or were highly
important. His treasury supp:ied them with money, his stores with
munitions of war, and even guns and elephants to convey them to the
Kyber pass ; and his splendid hospitality to our officers was upon a
scale so large that few, except those who were partakers of it, can
save any idea of its magificence. We were informed by an inmate
of his palace that 180 have dined there in one day, and that from SO
to 120 were the usual number. Two large and splendid silver orna-
ments were presented to him by the officers of the army of the Indus
and of Candahar. But not only by these who derived benefits from
him have those benefits been acknowledged, the King of the French
presented to him a gold vase and salver, and his own enlightened
Sovereign, the King of the Two Sicilies, appreciating the brilliant
and noble career of his gallant subject, has conferred upon him the
Order of St. Ferdinand and Merit, in a box set with diamonds, and
the rank of General. The Governors-General of India, Comman-
ders-in-Chief, and a host of other officers in command, have testified
the efficient services rendered by him to other armies ; and it is with
great gratification, that at this peculiarly favourable moment, 'lmme-
diately after reading the news from India of a splendid victory, we
are enabled to record the flattering acknowledgment by the East
India Company of services which, upon a fernier occasion, so eiree
tively assisted our gallant troops when marching to the chastise-
ment of a treacherous and ferocious enemy, and to the restoration of
the honour of the British arms.

TRfEthEe pavement
and The
A ASsSfoceliaAtiTolii°foNr EpOroilmoCtinLgßithilN
the improvementGT
ITHE
S
o
and the cleansing and draining the streets of London, and other large
cities and towns, celebrated for the second time the anniversary of
its formation by dining at the London Tavern, Bishopsgate-street,
on Thursday evening. The attendance of the supporters of the Society
was numerous, and consisted of persons from all parts of the town,
over whom his Royal Highness the Duke of Cambridge presided
There were also present most of the original supporters of the Society,
viz., Mr. C. Cochrane, the president (who is understood to have
made from his own purse the most liberal advances of money to
carry out the objects for which it is formed) ; Lord Robert Grosvenor,
Lord James Stuart, General Sir Henry Pynn, Messrs. D. Salomon,
R. Lambert Jones, Edward Brewster, Silk Buckingham, Luke J.
Mansard, &c. The musical arrangements were under the direction of
Messrs. Newton, Sporle, Genge, Crouch, and Edney, assisted by Miss
Thornton ; and Mr. Toole attended to give out the toasts and preserve
decorum. The'ustial toasts were drunk with the honours, and ap-
propriate songs were sung by the vocalists. The health of the
Royal Chairman called forth the long and loud cheers of the com-
pany, for which his Royal Highness acknowledged his grateful feel-
ings. Shortly before ten o'clock the Duke retired, and Lord J. Stuart
took the chair ; after which, Mr. Cochrane, Mr. S. Buckingham, and
several other gentlethen, addressed the company in advocacy of the
objects of the meeting, and the result was a list of liberal contribu-
tions, amounting to upwards of 7001. Notwithstanding this display
of liberality on the part of the subscribers, it is very problematical
whether their zeal in favour of cleaning pavements and streets does
not exceed their discretion. As all housekeepers are taxed and as-
sessed somewhat heavily in their respective districts to the expenses
of cleaning the streets, and are, moreover, liable to heavy and pe,
remptory penalties for suffering any accumulation of snow or
filth belbre their doers, ft would seen that the energies of a pri-
vate society to do the duty of well-paid public flinctionaries and
the great mass of the inhabitants of cities and towns is un-
called for ; and certainly if a society were formed for rousing
the contractors to do their duties, it would be a more effec-
tive mode to employ its funds for enforcing penalties for their neglect,
than to coax them into the performance of them by models of muck
machinery, or the distribution of birch brooms to paupers. These
amateur experiments have hitherto been productive of little or no
benefit ; and, indeed, one gentleman who addressed the meeting ad-
mitted that the streets of Paris (in which no society as this exists)
were better cleaned than those of this metropolis. What has yet
been done, though it may show that the promoters are actuated by
good intentions, shows little beyond it. Street cleaning, in so large
a city as London, is a national affair, and can be little helped by a
few scores of gentlemen dining together, and making speeches, how-
ever eloquent, over their wino and dessert. That the state of the
streets is execrable is not to be denied ; that ample funds are col-
lected for keeping them in proper order is also undeniable ; and it it
high time that some more effective measures than voluntary contri-
butions to shame those whose duty it is to see to such things into the
performance of their duties, were ad opt ed
MUNIFICENT BEQUESTS.—By the will of the late
Rev. Henry Campbell, of Conley, near Uxbridge, the following cha-
rities will, upon the demise of his widow, become entitled to an equal
participation in the sum of 15,0001., viz. :—The Hospital for Con-
sumption and Diseases of the Chest; the Church Missionary Society;.
the British and Foreign Bible Society • the Society for the Conver-
sion of the Jews ; the London Missionary Society ; the Religious
Tract Society ; and the Society for the Sa r •PP e..sion of Cruelty to
Animals. The deceased gentleman, who has left so striking a proof
le of Philip the uncp Rose vof his benevolence, was the founder
and Honorary Secretary to the Hospital for Consumption.
THE LEAGUE QUARTIR OF A MILLION FUND.--From
many places no list of subscriptions has been transmitted, or will be,
till the local committees transmit the collection of the first instalment
thereon, so that probably the total amount really Subscribed exceeds
180,0001.—Mancheer Guardian.
The colonelcies of the 7th Hussars, the 55th rofot,
and 15th Foot, are at present vacant,
General Sir James Kearney, K.O It.: General Sir Wm. H. Clinton,
G.C.B. ; and Major-General Sir Robert H. Cale, G.C.E.
IMPORTANT POST-OFFICE NOTICE.---MAIL TO NEW
GRANADA DISCONTINUED.—TeStCr lay a notice was posted at the Ge•
moral Post-office, St. M
artin's-le-Grand, with reference to the mail
to New Granada, which would have been dispatched on the 2d inst.
It is as follows :—" The arrangements made In August last for dis-
patching a second mail in every month to Santa Martha will be dis-
contiaued from this date, as the Government of New Granada has
failed to provide a vessel for the conveyance of such mail from Ja-
maica. Only one mail per month will for the future be made up for
New Granada, viz., on the morning of the 17th of the month."
THE REPORTED CRUELTIES TO P— n
LISH PRIESTS.—
The Journal de Bruxelles states, that the man who made the report
respecting the escape of the 97 Polish priests from Siberia has bees
arrested at Valenciennes, by order of the Prefect du Nord. The
Police. it appears, have ascertained that his statement is entirely de-
void of truth—that he Is no priest, and never was at Tebolsk (from
which place he states he made Ills escape) in his life.
NORTH NOTTINGHANSHIRE.—This division will not
for the present, be contested. It is thought, wider all circumstances,
not worth while now. The nomination take, place tomorrow
(Saturday), when Lord Henry Bentmck (a averse speaker than Mr.
Houldswertk, the present Member for that division) will of course
eturned.