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

BENTLEY'S MISCELLANY.

- -
Mr. Maxwell, as author, and Mr. Leech, as artist,
open the present number with a continuation of "Brian
O'Linn." Mr. N. A. Wells follows, with an amusing
account of a month's residence at Madrid; and then we
have a paper of sterling historical value frein the pen of
D. W. C. Taylor, entitled "Chesterfield and his Times."
The following passage, with which the paper concludes,
is a estimate of the character of Chesterfield:—
"His own character was factitious; and he therefore re-
rs. of others as artificial, and he set about
garded the charaCte
their examination as if habits of mind were subject to the
same laws as costume and dec;:ratiou• The world was to Min
a huge masquerade ; he played the part of the most accom-
plished diplomatist of the French and fastionable sehool.
There was calculation in his frivolity, and intense i;;ltishness
in all his actions. lie was an actor in a drama ; and Le:
whole ambition was concentrated, not in the success of the
piece, bnt of that special portion which it was his choice to
maintain. Systematic frivolity, the sacrifice of principles to
appearances, a contempt for humanity, an opinion that men
were instruments to be employed and women creatures to be
deceived, a heartless indifference to all the obligations which
can arise from sympathy and affection ; such were the ele-
ments of the philosophy which Chesterfield professed, and
on which he stedfastly acted.
"A great philosophical experiment was tried by the states-
man whose career we have been contemplating; the selfish
theory of morals as preached by Hobbes, and practically
expounded by Rochefoucauld, was tested in actual life, with
every advantage it could derive from elegance, grace, end
refinement, contrasted with a grossness of prevailing manners•
bordering on brutality. How did it succeed ? There is no
more lamentable failure in our history. Chesterfield never
gained a triumph. Baffled as a statesman, disappointed as a
politician, super-attenuated as a leader of fashion, rejected

inion
, deprived of all social and
his ex„:ni.i.te tuessalents served only to
as a litera
(1:,5
erye
ahiirrreetf,i
ici
sunshme appears in is is dark carter—liiS
royalty in Ireland; but this owed itA brightne,s to his tem-
,norary abandonment of his system. In Ireland he was corn.
pealed to grave affairs; for the vices of Dublin were too
gross, and its dissipation too brutal to be enjoyed by a man
of refine:nent ; he was far from the gaming-tables of St.
James's, fri;_rn the saloons of royal mistresses, from the levees
of heirs apparezn, from the circle of Lady Yarmouth, and from
the intrigues of a_re royal closet. T.L7."." ciretwnstanced, he
laid aside frivolity to adopt utility, and thus sight months
of contradiction to his own principles form the redeeming
epoch of his life."
It is not often that we meet with a paper of such
sterling character in the pages of Bentley. The " Out-
pourings" of D. Canter are continued, but the wine is
getting low and vapid. The present libation is an out-
pouring of twaddle. The next paper, " The Last Days
of Riego," by Mrs. Romer, is a spirited contributioi
to the romance of history, and affords another illustra-
tion of the truth of the aphorism-that truth is
stranger than fiction. In addition to the illus-
tration of " Brian O'Linn," we have a beau-
tiful engraving by Cook, from Sir Joshua Reynold's
portrait of the Countess of Cork, accompanied by an
amusing sketch of the life of that indefatigable Lion-
hunter. We have the Tipperary Hall (a by no means
unsuccessful imitation of the Noctes Ambrosiam) and
the " Zoology of the Gent.," by Albert Smith, an excel-
lent paper, full of genuine satire (as contradistinguished
from lampoon) sparkling with wit, and not wanting in
wisdom. We hope Mr. Albert Smith will continue his
popular zoology.

LONDON, MON!! AY
_EVE' NG 11 2, 1846.

COURT CIRCULAR.
The Queen ant Prince Albert, accompanied by the
Prirwe of b%° al, s, Prince Alfred, the Princess Royal,
and the Princess Alice, and attended by the Countess of
Mount Edgecumbe, the Dowager Lady Lyttelton,
Colonel Bowles, Major-General Wemyse, Major-General
Sir Edward Bowater and Dr. PI etorius, arrived at
Osborne House at twenty minutes past twelve o'clock
on Friday from town. Her Majesty and her Royal
Consort drove out in an open carriage in the afternoon.
The Royal children were taken in the pleasure grounds.
On Saturday the Queen and Prince Albert took their
usual early walk on the sea-beach. The Prince of
Wales, Prince Alfred, the Princess Royal, and the
Princess Alice, were taken in open carriages to the
beach for their accustomed exercise. Her Majesty and
her Royal Consort took an airing in an open carriage
iu the afternoon.
Yesterday morning, the Queen and Prince Albert, and
the Ladies and Gentlemeu in waiting, attended Divine
Service, in Whippingham. Church.
The Royal Family were taken airings in the pleasure
grounds of Osborne Flouse,
The Duchess of Kent left town at half-past nine o'clock,
on Saturday morning, for her residence, Frogmore House,
near Windsor. Lltr Royal Highness returned to
Clarence House. `,,;t. James's at six o'clock.
Their Roy Highnesses the Duchess of Kent, and the
Duchess of 'Gloucester, attended Divine Service yester-
day 1-norning, in Grosvenor Chapel, South Audley-street,
-LAO y Fanny Howard was in waiting on the Duchess of
Kr int.

I man of the day. Tilt faith in Peel which animates the
'Change of London, ha: an influence, greater or less, . in all
•-.i.
ty. A
iew Cobdens may use siperor to this indiscriminating idola-
try, but Peel is the mai of the great inoney-making ; inte-
rest. On the other hind, he is the man of the mt sabrity
among the landownersand relics of the old borough :-rnon-
gering party, who see lie necessity of confoi ming to tl ie new
state of society. Owing to these circumstances, he is a Pis'wer
in himself. The Liberals of all shades, see more or -less
clearly, that he is engaged in a duel with the old gian t of
4cred-boroughmongerinc, and that the forces of the cg qn-
batants are not very unemal. The talk of standing out lor
higher principles, and failing back upon Peel in the event of
a defeat, is mere grimace and affectation. With half-a-dos en
it may be earnest : but the mass have made up their mir ids'
to close with his offir. ':'he Protectionists feel this, and. feel
that the game is up with them. The sharpest sting tl ley
have yet felt, was on the first night of the talk on Mr. Milt is's
amendment in the Home of Commons, when they were al-
lowed to rise one after another to vent their spleen, no. •one
thinking it worth while to reply to them. Even under- -.lbis
provocation, their tone was querulously despondent anal et al-
sciously feeble, not robAstiously indignant. They niter ed
their complaints with the bated breath and wVisperit
sg
humbleness of bondsmen. They deprecated personalities--
speaking all the time from purely personal motives--from an
awkward conviction t; at they are very assailable. The
landed interest will be fund as completely paralyzed in its
own exclusive house as in that where it has of late years
been bearded by a strong and growing minority, now a ma-
jority. The Duke of Wellington is doing his work admirably
He invites his malcontents one by one to personal interviews;
puts them under a disadvantage by asking them to ex:plain
why they oppose a measure which lie professes to think ad-
mirable; allows them to flounder on from depth to depth in
the chaotic inanity of their own minds; and dismisses them
labouring under the amazing reflection that they have not '
been able to advance onevalid argument against Peel's reform
and ready, after a few days' uneasy self-worry, to acf4ulean e
in it from utter helplessness.
The measure, we have little doubt, will pass both RCA? .es
without any dissolution. And then a general electio,,, cs
sn-
not be vary far distant. If there are men in the tour:try ho
entertain clear practical notions of admanistrative politics,
who are moved by ambition to take part in public busirtin,
and sufficiently affluent to be able, to devote themselves to
the pursuit without compromising their independence, at
that general election they will have a rare chance of succes.s. If there are constituencies really independent if party; and
anxious only fbr good government, they will be on the watch
for such candidates. In choosing men for the next Parlia-
ment, it is not the pedantic formula 3 of political creeds, but'
practical views of administrative reform, and an earnest de-
termination to spare no exertions to realise them, that
ought to be looked to. The first and second Reform Bill
Parliaments have pretty well broken up old parties, the
third may show us the formation of a new one, adapting its
practice and professions to the new balance of politica '
power."

DOUGLAS JERI?OLD'S.

Although Juniper Hedgehog is silent during Mardi,
and although the editor's excellent story of " St. Giles
and St. James" is again postponed, this number is equal
in other respects to any of its predecessors. First and
foremost, " The History for Young England" is once
more introduced, and brings us to the reign of John
" Lackland," with its usual epigrammatic style of narra-
tive. " A Plea for our Climate" is good—thoroughly
good ; it is sagacious, well-toned, and novel in every
particular. We would transcribe it entire, did space
permit—here, however, is its conclusion :
"By our ability to remain out of doors, without risk or in-
convenience, more hours per day and more days per year in
England than in almost any other country—by our exemp-
tion from whirlwinds, tornadoes, earthquakes, siroccoes,
simoens—by our escape from seasons of ceaseless rain, cease-
less heat, ceaseless cold—by our longer and more healthy
lives—by the heroes and heroines whom our skies have bent
over—by the harmless glories of our majestic woods, the rich
greenery of our fields—by the fruits we eat, the flowers we
smell, the birds we hear, the beasts we have and the beasts we
hare not, and the inoffensive reptiles we possess, and the offen-
sive reptiles we do not—by all these considerations on all these
grounds, I call upon tke reader, even though an easterly
draught be chilling him, or a London fbg be blinding him,
or a sudden rattling shower be destroying his hopes of a
pleasant walk before dinner, to bear those little inflictions in
good humour, to look upon them in the light of slight
drawbacks to the general excellence, the general healthful-
ness of the climate of Great Britain."

" The Masquerade of Society," " A Plea for the
World belew Stairs," " Old Misery the Miser," the
" Uses of Fools," and other contributions, are brim-
ming over with a shrewd knowledge of mankind, and an
ardent longing for the regeneration of all classes— a
spii it which is so admirably and unaffectedly incorpo-
rated with this periodical. A paper entitled " The Press
and the People," is too meagre for a theme so immense
and important. We cannot convey our sentiments upon
this subject better than by quoting some opinions of our
own, recently published elsewhere, upon
" THE NEWSPAPER PRESS OF ENGLAND.
" The magazines, the reviews, the serial romances,
and the prodigious bulk of newspapers, form at once the
chronicle and the phenomenon of our own immediate
times. Through their medium, the doctrines of our
thinkers are promulgated throughout the world, and
obtain the widest circulation. Through them, very
frequently, a mind is awakened to its destined impulse,
as with a flash of electricity, at the beck of the wand of
that invisible, but potent and terrible magician—the
press—that mighty engine, whose silent but indomitable
voice penetrates the uttermost limits of the globe, vivi-
fying with its inexorable eloquence the germs of inte-
grity and independence; at one moment branding some
petty charlatan with its playful but irksome scorn ;
at another, warning a despot iu some distant laud
of the epoch of his doom. Much, indeed, would our
predecessors marvel at the vigour, the copiousness, the
diffusion, and the inexhaustible energies of this new
creation. Summoned into being by man's instinctive
thirst for regeneration, the press is simultaneously sus-
tained by, and sustaining, the liberty of' intellect and
action—it is at once the tyrant and the embodiment of
republicanism, the tyrant over individual domination, the
fosterer of universal freedom. With its emissaries ever
on the alert, and scattered throughout the various terri-
tories of the earth, stimulated to novel exertions by an
ever-present spirit of competition, roused into new de.
veloptuent by the ceaseless alterations of society, the
press, as a monitor of the populace, is ever increasing
in its influence, and strengthening in its strength. But
that such should be the case cannot create astonishment,
when it is remembered that its vitals are the amass-
ment of many thousand minds—that it stands forth
the representative of human intelligence—that it
is the creature of the logi,ian, the analyst,
the politician, and the philosopher. Occasionally,
without question, this being rebels against its own
creator, as in the instance of America, where, nourished
in its malice by the moral turpitude of the social system,
and given up to the most licentious abandonment, it
pollutes the commonwealth by its baleful presence, and
rules it only as a very demon would. There, a great
nation is at length becoming conscious that, like another
Frankenstein, it has warmed into existence a creature of
hideous aspect and of horrible capacity--a monster which
now constitutes its greatest misery—one that, unless
annihilated, may ultimately prove its downfall. The
characteristic, however, which is most conspicuously
visible in the newspapers is that of their rapidity of giving
information ; nothing is more significant of the present
age than this quality in our daily literature.
A volume, yet damp from the pressure of the
type, is elaborately dissected on the very even-
ing after publication; before a bandage is yet
adjusted over a broken limb at the hospital, the accident
is detailed in every journal ; while the actress is still
engaged in removing the rouge from her countenance,
a criticism on her performance is being set up' by the
compositor ; the orator at a public assembly, on resuming
his seat, has the first portion of his address thrust into
his hands already printed, with the intimation left
speaking,' at its conclusion. 'These circumstances would
have savoured of black-magic to our progenitors ; but
society has become habituated to their recurrence, and
no longer regards them as miraculous. For our own
part, however, we never perceive the broad-sheets of our
newspapers, yet reeking from their passage through the
labyrinth of the printing-machine, without an internal
exclamation of, Honour to the Press !" Honour to the
manes of Guttenberg !'"
The foregoing is some slight exposition of the marvel
so mincingly treated upon in the present number of
Jerrold's Magazine. A " Winter Scene," by J. Scholes,
is au exquisite piece of blank verse, which lack of space
alone prevents us from reprinting. Most of the other
articles are of value, and the whole collection is worthy
of its editor's supervision.

A deputation from the Waterford and Limerick Rail-
way Company had an interview with Sir James Graham
and the Chancellor of the Exchequer on Saturday. The
deputation consisted of the Earl ofClare, the Right Hon.
D. R. Pigott, M.P. for Clonmell ; Mr. Thomas Wyse,
M.P. ; and Sir Henry W. Barron, M.P. for the city of
Waterford ; Mr. A. Stafford O'Brien, M.P., Alderman
Thomas Hughes, Chairman of the Limerick Railway
Company ; Mr. Charles Biancorn, Mayor of Clonmell,
Mr. James Power, M.P. for Wexford ; Sir Thomas
Esmonde, M.P. for Wexford ; and Mr. Vignoles, Engi-
neer-in-Chief.
The Hon. Mr. Scott, M.P., had an interview with
Mr. Secretary Gladstone on Saturday at the Colonial•
office.

The Earl of LiNcoln arrived in town on Saturday
morning.
Sir Robert Peel had a dinner party on Saturday at his
residence in Whitehall-gardens.
Mr. James M'Queeu had an interview on Saturday
with Mr. Secretary Gladstone.
Mr. Dean, Chairman of the Customs, had an interview
with the Chancellor of the Exchequer on Saturday at
his official residence in Downing-street.
Dispatches were sent off on Saturday evening from
the Colonial•office for the Governors of the West India
colonies. Dispatches were also sent off on Saturday for
the Governor of New South Wales and the Governor of
the Cape of Good Hope.
The Duke of Wellington attended the early service
' yesterday in the Chapel Royal, St. James's. Pra) ers were
read by the Rev. Dr. Wesley. The sermon was preached
by the Rev. H. Finch. At the daily service the prayers
were read by the Rev. J. C. Haden, the lessons by the
Rev. G. Repton. The Bishop of London officiated at
the communion service, assisted by the Rev. Dr. S.eath
and the Rev. J. C. Haden. The sermon was preached
by the Bishop of Oxford. The anthem was "By the
waters of Babylon" (Boyce). Mr. Turle presided at the
organ. The Marquises of Granby and Queensbury,
Lords Cawdor, St. Germans, Colville, De Manley,
Farnham, E. Bruce, Palmerston, Canterbury, Foley, W.
Graham, and Morpeth ; Ladies St. Germans, Somers,
and Palmerston, were among the nobility present.

COWES, ISLE OF WIGHT.
(FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.)
ARRIVAL OF HER MAJESTY, PRINCE ALBERT,
AND THE ROYAL CHILDREN, AT OSBORNE
HOUSE.

The Royal Family and suite landed from the Fairy at the
new landing-place in Cowes Harbour, after twelve o'clock this
day. On approaching the harbour the Royal yacht was
saluted by the batteries of Cowes Castle and the Royal Yacht
Squadron House, all the foreign ships hoisting their flags to
compliment the Queen.

The farmers of the Isle of Wight are quite in ecstacies at
the Duke of Richmond and Lord Ashburton having declared
" that hares were vermin, and alike injurious to the crops of
the tenant and the trees of the landlord." It is calculated
that a farm of 500 acres keeps at least 1,000 hares, which will
eat as much as 200 sheep, at 17s. 6d. each, or one sheep to
5 bares, at 3s. 6d., ... £175 0 0
Waste caused by hares in feeding equal to 14 43 15 0

218 15 0
Every hare on a farm eats and wastes the value of 4s. 6d.
at :least, and every rabbit costs the farmer at least 2s. per
annum. If the farmers could get rid of the game, they
would not be much concerned about the corn- laws.

NORTH NOTTINGHAMSHIRE
ELECTION.
THE NOMINATION.

MANSFIELD, SATURDAY.—This morning the nomination of
Lord Henry Bentinck and Lord Lincoln, as candidates to
represent North Nottinghamshire in Parliament, took place
in this town, according to previous official announcement.
After the usual formalities, Lord Henry Bentinck was pro-
posed as a fit and proper person to represent the northern
division cf the county in Parliament.—(Long and loud
cheering.)
W. H. BARROW, Esq., of Southwell, seconded the nomi-
nation.

T. BAILEY Esq., of Basford Hall, addressed the meeting,
and concluded by nominating the Earl of Lincoln.
Mr. PARKINSON (amidst the general clamour)—As a friend
of Lord Lincoln, I ask you whether you do this with his
Lordship's sanction and authority.
Mr. RiaLET—I can tell you that it is by Lord Lincoln's
knowledge that I appear hear.
Mr. PARKLNSON—I press for an answer. I ask you if you
have his Lordship's authority for him ?

The SHERIFF put the question, and Mr. Bailey replied that
he had answered it.—(Continued confusion.)
Sir T. WHITE—I ask you if you have his sanction to nomi-
nate him here. _

Mr. BAILEY—It is with the knowledge of Lord Lincoln.
The UNDER-SIIERIFF—Has Lord Lincoln authorised you
to nominate him ?—(Cries of "Answer that.")
Mr. BAILEY, with much vehemence—l will not be beaten
down by any one. I stand here as a freeholder, to nomi-
nate any fit and proper person to represent the southern
division of this county in Parliament I choose, even though
he be at the end of the earth. I will not be tied down
by any unconstitutional declaration.
Mr. PARKINSON said, if Lord Lincoln had given his
sanction, he had broken his word.—(Hear.)
Mr. BAILEY—But I offer him as a candidate.—(Great
confusion.)

Mr. PARKINSON—But remember what Lord Ashley said.
—(Hear, hear.)
Mr. BAILEY—I care not what Lord Ashley said and did.
(Groans.)
Sir THOMAS WHITE and the SiTERIFF begged for order.
A voice—Let him empty himself of his speech; that's
all he wants.—(Laughter.)
The UNDER-SHERIFF expressed a hope that Mr. Bailey
had Lord Lincoln's sanction for the steps he was taking. His
Lordship had not said a word about coming forward to him.
Mr. BAILEY—I don't wish to give unnecessary trouble. I
have put Lord Lincoln in nomination, and I will bring him
in.—(Long and loud cheering, and great uproar.) Yes, I
repeat, I will bring him in.—(Ironical cheers.) It was not
necessary, he would say, in answer to an exclamation that
Lord Lincoln would not come himself, that the general
should come himself. It is unnecessary. If we succeed, it
will not be the first time a subaltern has led on his cohorts
to victory.—(Cheers.) We knew we had a phalanx of
wealth and of power to contend against, and we did not
attempt to break ground until we were sure of winning the
contest.—(Loud cheering and uproar.)
Mr. GEORGE MOLINI COWLEY seconded the nomination of
Lord Lincoln. He expressed his confidence that the free-
traders formed the majority of the elcetors, and that the
election would terminate in the return of Lord Lincoln.
(Cheers and signs of disapprobation.)
Lord HENRY BENTINCK then presented himself, and was
received with loud cheering. He could not but apologise
for having been forced upon their attention ; it was, how-
ever by no wish of his own ; there were many difficulties at
first in his path to be encountered, but now they had been
smoothened away, and the manner in which their leaders
had abandoned them ought to call forth their utmost ever-

gies to secure his return.—(Hear, hear.) Twenty years'
discussion and experience had laid before them all the argu-
ments on the great question of protection; and they were
much indebted to the present Ministers for some of the
strongest arguments that could be used against the arguments
of their now new allies, the League.--(Hear, and applause.)
His Lordship continued to address the meeting in this sense
for some time. At length he said he did think that, if
the measures of Government were passed, all the land in that
division of the county, from Arnold to Bawtry, would be
thrown out of cultivation, and would again become nothing
more than an extensive rabbit warren. - (Loud cries of "Hear,
hear.") When he called to mind what had recently been
done in the House of Commons, in spite of consistency, he
could not bele but think that something was seriously wrong.
—(Hear.) Now these weak, ratting Ministers, were found
to be truckling to every wild cry of the League, and refused
to offer any resistance to the cry of the Papists; it had be-
come their duty to take their affairs into their own hands.
Their proceedings, hitherto, had plainly indicated their future
intentions, and it could not but be observed—

The confusion here was so great that the Noble Lore's
voice could no longer be heard. During the whole of his
speech much noise had existed, but now a wild and general
cry arose in the town that was almost deafening to those in
the Hall. Exclamations of the division, a dissolutien of
Parliament, &c., were very frequent, at which the protec-
tionists turned pale and still. At length a large placard was
held up to one of the windows announcing a majority of 97
in the House of Commons for Sir Robert Peel's measures.
This intelligence was received with repeated rounds of
cheering by the free-traders, during which the Noble Lord
ceased speaking.
Lord BENTINCK at length resumed, and after some further
remarks and disturbance, concluded.

Mr. BAILEY called for three cheers for the majority of 97,
which were given in hearty good style by the free-traders,
and reiterated by the vast crowd outside.
Each candidate was then put to the vote, when a vast ma-
jority of hands was held up in favour of Lord Bentinck.
A poll was then demanded by Mr. Bailey for Lord Lin-
coln. _

-ivote of thanks was passed to the Sheriff, and the meet-
ng terminated at half-pat twelve.
The greatest excitement prevailed in the town.

---------
PETWoRTIL—THE POTATO BLIGHT.—We are sorry
to report that the young crops of potatoes are effected with
the same disease as the crop of last year. Mr. M'Ewen,
Colonel Wyndhon's gardener, has taken up from the frames
some of which had thrown up shoots 18 inches above the
ground, the tubers being nearly large enough for the
table, and has found them affected to a very
great degree, so as to preclude all chance of
their coming to maturity. The haulm has for some little
time shown the effects of the disease, being covered with
dark brown spots, and in parts dying away. Mr. M'Ewen
has tried some seed planted out of doors, and found on eta-
mination that where the shoots were_ advanced two or three
inches, although they bad nut appeared above the ground,
the disease had made visible inroad, the shoots being in many
instances quite rotten; and he says he bas not a doubt that
the whole crop will be destroyed.--.Eirighton Gazette.
A CoNTRAST.—In Nottinghamshire the Duke of
Newcastle thrusts his son out of Parliament (for a time, at least),
and (for a time only, perhaps), the Duke of Portland thrusts his .
son into Parliament. What a "Duke-ridden " county is Notting-

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 observed
thn Right Hon. Lord Ashley, the Right Hen. Fox Maule,
M.P., Colonel Fox, M.P., Reverend C. Ainslee, T. A. Coxe,
L.L.D., &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 gentlemen 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 Parlia-
ment whose long attendance there would be incompatible
with their duties in the House of Commons. 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 that occasion, namely, that he had
a kind of parental anxiety for the movement. If he should
be deemed arrogant, he was ready to say, Non nobis 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-
tion. 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.—(l-ear, hear.) After some further observations, the
report concluded by a strong appeal in favour of the early
closing movement.
The Right Hon. F. MASSLE, 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 had 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 assuaging slavery abroad ; but perhaps, as was
not unfrequently the case, they lila 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. He 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 system.--(Hear, hear.) They could not
effect that by legislative enactment, but by peaceful agitation.
—( Hear, hear.) That agitation was not the agitation of the
de.nagogue, seeking to set his foot on those institutions, which
wisdom has 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 for this country a
name as famed for morality and humanity as it was for
success in arms.—(Loud cheers.) The lion. Gentleman
concluded by proposing the first resolution.
The Rev. Mr. HUGHES, in seconding the resolution, said
that the meeting which lie 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 correctiv.—(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 corns
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 &cm 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. lie 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
he 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 put into
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 5,000/.—(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 that 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 Hon. 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 diffidenceon hat
had e
ad-
dressing the meeting. He would read the resolution
now to propose, which was as follows:
"That
of:hops wthoisuldMfieentdinigt,
rpinrstueraedsetdtethealteetehetphreoiprreisettaohr-s
o
lishments earlier if the public would cease to frequent them
an evening, and, therefore, that the habit on the part of
tobetinhgei
the public of evening shopping is the main support of the
'Late Hour System,' hereby pledges itself, individually and
collectively, to co-opdrate with the efforts of the 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 net necessary, he conceived, to urge on
an assembly, like the present, not only to adopt the
Trerelgruteaiont
max
himadefththeatheorneoeudrintoWsheiccohntditebyuhtetulievatceodt
doupooi:teitd.
namely,ear,hea r
and untothat
most forcibly to the present subjelli,
ethers as we would be done by—
out this teat they were called on to assist in carrying
move-
ment needed little demonstration.—(Hear, hear.) If labour
brought lassitude when it was voluntary and with 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.—(
line
uonf eorbast
ee
rdv. JoLnetuhda cheers.t
would
l)eadlltoe
awnoyutlhdinngo th inked
hostility,
But this he would say, that they should prefer dealing.with
those shopkeepers who closed their establishments at 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 degradation 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 made a forcible appeal to the ladles
present, with whom he said the matter chiefly Tested.
e did not despair of the attainment of tht ~.ojeci. speedily,
more particularly as they were •
isred by the press. He
was glad to see that oi,^ ^
vt the metropolitan
rt' 1- the subject now before them.
forwardf. wi t_t
Tr alce on very papers had come
News.—(Cheers.) He would be glad to see the p
‘..,ries of' "Name, name.") That journal was threessDnaoilwy
.
philanthropy. But
do. The
But perhaps It
and then take its feet off the scorching steps of politics, and
stray in the pleasant walks of
gave as much oefnittswsop.reas
it could
limited in its effects to the
erenselitt
one sex,
for it not
would ultimately reach that sex
who, as then departed at a late hour from that meeting, they
would beho d 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.—
(Hear, hear.) The victims of this system, male and female