The Sun.
London, England, 1846-07-29 00:00:00

einniTiA

loNpoN, WEDNESDAY, JULY 29, 1846.

It does infinitely more than indicate the abolition of
restrictions upon slave-labour - sugar, and the re-
moval of all invidious distinctions between foreign
and colonial products. It tells the people as plainly
as though the very words were uttered—" Relax
none of your efforts to promote the spread of en-
lightment upon all legislative topics ! Persist in that
discriminating agitation for reform—whether civil,
municipal, religious, or commercial—which you have
evinced so conspicuously of late years ! Continue
manfully and peacefully to plead to your rulers for
, the erasure of every irksome and injudicious enact-
ment from the statute-book ? Proceed courageously
' and hopefully upon your new and glorious mission
—avoiding any of those detestable appeals to
violence which have so often proved destructive
to your ancestors, and which, if resorted to by
yourselves, would prove equally pernicious and
inefficacious—proceed upon that wonderful mission
of reform, which has already commenced so wonder-
fully, reason your guide and moral force your
weapon, and your success is certain. Your voice
will be obeyed ; your rational demands will
meet with a rational compliance ; and every
unsightly and poisonous weed will one by
one be rooted from the Constitution !"
That is the
_language virtually Addressed to the peu-
lation of Great Britain by the present Houses of
Parliament. That i 3 the language of wisdom, of jus-
tice, and of benevolence, which no man of liberal edu-
cation, or even of merely common sense, will for a
moment doubt. It is language, moreover,
eminently worthy of this extraordinary age, and
such language as will be listened to with the most
benign sentiment of satisfaction by RICHARD COBDEN,
in his seclusion amongst the mountains of Wales.
The majority of 130 verifies the remark of that
patriotic man that although the body corpo-
rate of the League were dissolved, its spirit
would survive and diffuse itself over the
surface of the whole earth. The spirit of the
League has survived its dissolution : it lives in the
Hall of the Legislature, though the great head of the
association has retired from that august assemblage.
Now that we possess proof positive of the accept-
ance which awaits the Ministerial measure, it becomes
interesting to observe the line of conduct pursued
by the different leaders of the House of Commons.
It
,becomes even more than interesting—it becomes
'of 'the utmost importance. From their behaviour
upon the cpccasion of the first development of the
principles of the RUSSELL Administration we may
rationally deduce the prospects which exist in regard
to the acceptation of those principles, and the stability
of that Administration. Of the stability of the one
in office, or of the popularity of the other among the
principal portion of our statesmen, no single doubt
can now exist: the representatives collectively have
sanctioned both by a majority of very nearly two
to one in a House of exactly four hundred.
The ex-Prime Minister has pronounced himself in
terms the most magnanimous, declaring himself re-
solved to renounce all considerations of rivalry, to
waive all previous distinctions of party, to for-
get all personal influence, to quell all indivi-
dual ambition, for the purpose of ensuring the
prosperity and happiness of this great nation.
By giving such a splendid evidence of disinterested-
ness and patriotism, Sir ROBERT PEEL will render
the gratitude of his contemporary countrymen per-
►nanent, while he will assure to his name that noble
and beautiful immortality for which it is well
known his heart yearns with so much
ardour. He is the passive Minister-maker of
the House of Commons, the Parliamentary Earl of
WARWICK; and by continuing to use that eminent
and enviable authority, with this admirable forbear-
ance and discrimination, Sir ROBERT will acquire
both the respect of the present' generation,
and fame from posterity. Lord Joust RUSSELL,
on the other hand, has declared himself ready to
continue in office only so long as he can do so with
the utmost independence, and by expressing himself
in that dignified manner has ensured for his Adminis-
tration the esteem even of its antagonists. Of
the healthy and hopeful character of the
principles of the RUSSELL Cabinet, we can-
not give a more explicit exposition than by
transcribing a few sentences delivered by the Prime
I Minister himself—sentences which contain great ora-
-1 torical beauty, and which display very eminent and
statesmanlike abilities :

gauge throughout the kingdom is in contemplation.
We sincerely trust that such may be the case,
and that what has been most justly termed,
not only an inconvenience, but a great
national misfortune, may be got rid of by every prac-
ticable and just means. No time should be lost in
directing the closest attention to the subject, for
every day thrown away must materially increase the
difficulty and expense in effecting the required
alterations. Our consideration must not be devoted
merely to the present time, or to the means of
diminishing the existing inconvenience. The persons
entrusted with this subject must look considerably
in advance, and with a prescient eye regard things as
they will be in some few years, when all the require-
ments of the people will be fully met and provided for
by an abundant and ample railway accommodation.
If the evil of a break of gauge at the present moment,
when it occurs but in a few places, is felt to
be a serious public grievance, how greatly must
it be increased when the points of contact
are multiplied considerably. Something will then
be necessary, and our children will have a fear-
ful expense and great labour entailed on them by our
apathy and carelessness. 'We confess that when the
minute of the Lords of the Privy Council of Trade
was brought forward, in the early rat of June, we
approved of the recommendations contained therein,
greatly preferring them, as we still do, to those con-
tained in the report of the Gauge Commissioners.
We thought the course they suggested more advisable,
and for the public good, than the entire reduction
of the broad gauge to the same scale as the narrow,
by which a stop would be put to the improvements
we may reasonably hope for in the progress of a
system which is universally admitted to be as yet in
its infancy. Such a proceeding would be the pro.
nouncing of a ne plus ultra, a laying down of the
principle, ". Thus fur shalt thou go and no
farther ;" and we, therefore, gladly hailed any
proposition likely to prevent or stay so injurious a de-
termination. It appears, however, now to be con-
sidered by practical men, competent to form a sound
opinion on the subject, that all the advantages of the
broad gauge could be obtained by the establishing of
an intermediate gauge, say of six feet, which would
not be open to the objections urged against
either ""of the extremes, and 'would present all

" Sir," said Lord JOHN RUSSELL, " the Honour-
able Gentleman also made some very curious re-
marks as to the general policy of this coun-
try, and the experience he has derived from
what he has observed with reference to our
practical history ; and his observations, he said,
led him to the conclusion that this country
had always retraced its steps. I must say a
more extraordinary discovery, and one more
unexpected, at least by myself, could not have been
made.—(Hear, hear.) No doubt there may have
been particular cases in which Parliament has repealed
its own Acts, and cases in which reasons may have
been found to modify some parts of a system ; but
that this country has ever gone back, after it has
adopted an improved system, and thrown aside the
fetters of a prejudiced age, to errors which had be-
come exploded, I entirely deny, and I say it is not the
characteristic of the history of this country.—(Cheers )
I do not refer now to what occurred in those times of
violence when the Throne and the Parliament were
scattered by the decisions of a House of Commons,
which, with usurped authority, governed solely by
the sword ; but, speaking of those days when we had
anything like regular government, after the restora-
tion of the house of STUART, I think there can be
nothing more apparent, nothing more clear, nothing
more beautiful to the reader of history, than the
progress which this country Made, and the deter-
mination with which she kept, the conquests of
reason.— (hear.) In those days personal liberty
was not safe, and the freedom of the subject
was exposed to the will of the Sovereign, but the
Habeas Corpus Act was passed in order to remedy
that state of things, and I ask, has the country ever
retrned its steps in that respect ?—(Cheers.) Have
we ever since that period said that the personal liberty
of the subject should exist at the will of the monarch?
—(Cheers.) The Revolution next took place—the
Bill of Rights was passed—have we ever repealed
the Bill of Rights ? Has any one ever proposed the
restoration of the dark and slavish political system
which prevailed in the days of CHARLES 11. ?—(Hear,
hear.) The press was then under a censorship ;
it was set free; and I ask has any one pro-
posed a restoration of the system from
which the press was then relieved ?—(Loud
cheers.) At that time the Dissenters were im-
prisoned for preaching religious doctrines which they
'believed to be true., . The Act .of Toleration was
passed, and they were relieved from the injustice
under which they laboured. Has the country gone
back to persecution ?—(Hear, hear.) Has it re-
traced its steps in this respect ? In these days is it
punishable for men to do and preach what they be-
lieve to be the will of GOD ?—(Hear, hear.) Sir, the
country has not retraced itssteps in these respects, but
with regard to the proceedings of later days—with
regard to that great Act in which Mr. WILBERFORCE
took so great a part, the abolition of the slave-trade,
has there ever been a proposition made in this House,
or in the other House of Parliament, to have the
slave trade restored ?--(Hear, hear.) I might allude
to many other measures, if it were not likely to cause
a difference of opinion amongst the Members of this
House, but, with respect to the progress of religious
liberty, I would remark that we have now in this
House Protestants, Dissenters, and Roman Catholics,
persons of different shades of religious belief, and I
do not suppose that there is any Member of this
House who would wish to change that system by re-
restoring the religious disabilities and disqualifications
which formerly exiAcd. This is my opinion, and I
say, Sir, that my conclusions are exactly the opposite
of those of the Hon. Gentleman.—(Hear and cheers.)"
Those sentiments should teach the people to confide
in the wisdom of the new Government, and it should
convince them that they are realising, not merely the
importation of cheap corn and cheap sugar, but that
they are incorporating the principles of free trade for
ever and for ever with the Constitution of Great
Britain.

A magnificent majority of one hundred and
thirty' has negatived the amendment of Lord G.
Bcwrnicx. From that most decisive result of the
division may be drawn many consolatory and en-
couraging conclusions. That sweeping majority is
tantamount to a direct vote of thanks to her MA •
JESTY'S Ministers. That majority is an assurance
that the obnoxious differential duties are doomed.
Tbat majority is a token—a most brilliant and em-
phatic token—that the great crusade in behalf of
fri e trade will be carried triumphantly to its consum-
mation. For all these very comprehensive reasons
ve rejoice. sincerely in the enlightened spirit which is
di9,l:ived In. the National House of Representatives.
it spelt ito the people ofEngland words which should
quell theiran.xieties, alleviate their sufferings, stirtiu-
.
iiLippigil tLea; couteati"L

The Break of Gauges Bill was last night read a
second time in the House of Lords. From the obser-
vations made by several Noble Lords, it would appear
that the present measure is intended to be only tem-
porary, and that soine great and comprehensive
ataggo 0,446140. taii# .iiiigutiaki et

their favourable features. If it were possible to carry
such a project into execution, with any reasonable
amount of expenditure, we think it would be an ill-
judged and unwise economy on the part of the Go-
vernment to hesitate about the undertaking. It
would be manifestly inequitable and unjust to
compel companies, who had obtained the sanction of
the Legislature, and had acted in strict conformity
with the powers thereby conferred on them, to under-
take a great expense for the public benefit. If it
he considered so important to the public to apply a
remedy to the evil, that remedy should be at the ex-
pense of the public, who are to be the parties prin-
cipally benefited thereby. We doubt not that the
companies themselves would contribute to a part of the

expense proportioned to the value of the alterations to

themselves. The matter could easily be arranged on
a fair principle, between all parties. The speech of
Earl GREY leads us to hope that the Government, of
which he is so prominent a member, will turn its
earliest attention to the subject. Ile says, " that it is
absolutely necessary that something should be done
without one day's delay ;" and afterwards, " that he
could not help thinking the present arrangement,
as to the gauge of railways, very imperfect. The
Commission had recommended measures which
would go to perpetuate the break of gauge, but he
should not be satisfied with any permanent arrange-
ment which did not do away with that evil ; and he
thought there were many reasons in favour of an
intermediate tiauge. A Commission appointed
in 1838 had recommended its adoption in Ireland,
and many engineers, not taking a strong interest i►,
any existing railway on either the broad or narrow
gauge, had stated, upon reasons which appeased to him
exceedingly good, that an intermediate gauge would
be attended with very great advantage. Mr. CUMTT
had stated that at no very great expense it would
be practicable to alter the present gauges to an inter-
mediate gauge. The Commission of last year had
dismissed that suggestion in far too summary a
manner." There- is much justice in these observations,
and we hope that his Lordship will devote a part of
his attention to the subject. Mr. CUBITT, it
will be recollected, strongly advocated the supe-
riority of a six• foot gauge ; he thought that
would be the best, but that anything from
five-and-a-half to six-and-a-half feet would form
an excellent gauge, as six or eight inches over the
narrow one would give a gauge wide enough for
all practical purposes of machinery of locomotive
engines and carriages, and, if extended beyond six
feet, you would get into difficulties of another kind,
namely, cost, and weight, and weakness of the
machinery. He also thought that the increase to
six feet could be effected on the narrow
gauge lines, without any alteration of the
existing funnels, he says, "I have taken the size of
loads and vehicles which now pass on the narrow gauge,
and which are sufficiently large for any gauge what-
ever practically, and these things all now pass with
safety. I take the large Post-office carriages on the
London and Birmingham Railway, which appear to be
big enough for any carriages whatever upon any
gauge ; and taking certain loads which they

carry to be sufficiently large, so long
as you keep the centre of the two
roads the same distance apart, and the size of the lads
restricted to what it has been at present, the altera-
tion of the gauge would make no difference with regard
to the tunnels and bridges, or anything." The entire
evidence given by Mr. CUBITT before the Commis-
sioners will be found well worthy of perusal, and will
carry with it much weight and authority. One
word more :—Should the public interfere in any
manner with the existing railways, we trust
that an electric telegraph may be placed on
every line throughout the kingdom. It has been
fully tested on the great lines on which it has been
adopted ; by its means intelligence may, in a few
_moments, be conveyed throughout the length and
breadth of the land. Its universal adoption would be
hailed by all as a great national benefit.

An imperial ordonnance has been issued by the
Emperor of AUSTRIA, permitting the Jews in
Hungary to redeem, by the payment of a sum once
paid down, their yearly taxes for leave to reside and
carry on business. In five years all special duties on
the Jews are to cease.

The Provisional Government of Cracow has applied
to houses in Cracow and Hamburgh to raise a loan
of 2,000,000 florins.
_ _ _

The Railroad Commission of Hanover has adopted
the propmal of the Government to grant a credit of
11,000,000 thalers for the construction of a railroad
from Hanover to the frontier of the electorate of
Hesse, and no doubt is entertained that this will
be confirmed by the States, and carried into
execution.
ws.
Madrid papers of the 22d have arrived.

The Ministerial journals represent the conspiracy
at Pampeluna as having had extensive ramifications,
that,the conspirators had attempted to seduce the
troops in Catalonia, and that their plan was to sieze
Pampeluna and St. Sebastian, to facilitate the entry
into Castilla and Galicia of the Spanish refugees in
Portugal, and to get up an insurrection in Anda-
lusia.

It was rumoured that the King of the BELGIANS
had urged upon Don ENRIQUE the necessity of re-
signing all pretensions to the hand of his cousin,
and of withdrawing himself from the Progressista
party. Don ENRIQUE peremptorily refused to adopt
his advice, and immediately afterwards left Brussels
for Holland.

The Herald° states that the Government has ac-
cepted the proposals of Messrs. EASTHOPE and Co.
for the construction of a railroad from Cordova to
Seville, and has authorised them to proceed with the
necessary works.
MADRID BOLSA, JULY 22.—The Three per Cents.
were done at 34i for cash ; the Five per Cents. at
21i; the Debt without Interest at 62 ; the Shares of
the Bank of San Fernando at 390; and those of
Isabel at '2lO.

We have received the Paris papers of Monday.
- _

The Opposition papers still harp upon the Pritchard
indemnity, but, as the Debats justly observes, they
only do so because can never again becume a source
ataxiaty. "Phi gest4aki" say§ the Journal deg
. ,

-.• •

THE SUN, LONDON, WEDNESDAY EVENING, JULY 29, 1846.

ebats, " that if the Pritchard affair could still con-
stitute a question of war or peace, they would not
then be so noisy." . .

On Monday the electors of Lisieux gave their an-
nual banquet to their member, M. Guizo.r. The
speech of M. GurzoT on the occasion, which will be
found in extenso in another column, is one worthy
alike of the author of the " History of Civ ilisation,"
and of the Minister of the Napoleon of Peace.
Eloquent, philosophical, statesman-like, it is a pro-
duction which will be treasured up as a manual to
be studied by constitutional statesmen, and as an au-
thority to be referred to in all matters relating to the
polity of constitutional governments.
According to the Courrier Francais France has
just acquired an important establishment in Africa.
The King of DAHOMEY has ceded to France the
town of Nehida, one of the most commercial towns
on the west coast of Africa, and Vice Admiral
MONTAGNE DE LA ROQUE has placed a garrison in the
fort.

The Paris Hippodrome was burned down on Mon-
day morning.
The Liuret, of Orleans, of the 25th, says—
" Another fall has taken place in the works
of the Vierzon line. The tunnel, which fell
last winter, hai again given way ! The fall extends
for a distance of thirty yards, and a coon lerable
number of workmen have been buried under the
ruins ; how many is not known, but three dead
bodies have been taken out, and it is feared that
others have perished. About twenty have been ex-
tricated without further damage than being severely
bruised."

Algiers' papers of the 21st have arrived. They
give a long account of the proceedings at a dinner
given to M. SALVANDY on the 16th, by the in-
habitants of Algiers.

The Akhbar states that ABD-EL-KADER had left
az-el- Ain, and joined his Deira, on the upper
oulouia.

The Three per Cents. closed on the Paris Bourse on Monday
at 831 35c. ; the Five per Cents., 121f.75c. ; the Orleans Rail-
road Shares, 1,276 f. 25c. ; Rouen, 987 f. 50c. ; Havre, 701 f. 25e. ;
Great Northern, 708 f. The.; Avignon, 8871. 50c.; Vierzon,
618 f. '75c.; Bordeaux, 548 f, 75c.; Boulogne, 4621. 50c.;
Troyes and Montereau, 370 f.; Paris and Strasburg, 4861:
25c.; Tours and Nantes, 5001. ; Paris and Lyons, 510 f ;
Spanish Three per Cents.(36.
The following are the quotations for the new lines:—
Lyons and Avignon, Delinitives, 4851. ; Bordeaux and
Cette, ditto, 480 f.

MARSEILLES, JULY 23.—Marseilles and Avignon, 855 f.
Northern, 697 t. 50c. ; Paris and Lyons, 500 f.

BUSINESS BONE IN FOREIGN RAILWAYS AT THE
LONDON STOCK EXCHANGE, JULY 28.

COBDEN TESTIMONIAL.

(13-Y. EXPRESS.)

Direct Bombay and Madras, lA—Dutch Rhenish, 6 —Luxem-
bourg, 1 —Northern of France Constituted, 13 % —Orleans and
Bordeaux, B—Over Yssel, dis.—Paris and Lyons Constituted, 5}:2
--Paris and Strasbourg Constituted, 4!s—West Flanders, 3}:a.

LIVERPOOL, WEDNESDAY MORNING.—The New York
packet ship Waterloo, Captain Allen, arrivei at Liver-
pool last night, with dates to the 11th inst. inclusive,
but they do not contain any news of importance.

131:ITOL, WEDNESDAY MDIZNING

• Yesterday evening, pursuant to a,:vertiseme -.t, a meeting
of the members of the Bristol Auxiliary to the League was
held at the public rooms, Broadmead, to carry out the reso-
lution of the general body with reference to the dissolution.
or rather suspension of the operations of the League, and to
promote the subscription towards the " Cobden teAi-
monial."

GEORGE THOMAS, Esq., chairman of the Bristol Ccm-
mittee, presided, and expressed his regret at the abseixe of
Dr. Bowring,, M.P., occasioned by his necessary. attendance
at his post in the House of Commons upon the
contemplated division upon the Sugar Duties question. The
Chairman, during his address, took a general view of
the operations of the League, and in appropriate terms
alluded to the part which Bristol had taken in the matter.
He particularly impressed upon the members of the League
present that their labours were not yet fully accomplished,
and that, therefore, the League was not finally dissolved.
Occasions might arise, circumstances might transpire,
which would require that the energies of the League
should be put forth in all their power. Their
work, hitherto so gloriously carried out, would not be cot.
summated till 1849, by which time, if not properly watched
and checked, the Protectionist party might introduce some
measure which would completely subvert the object which
the League had in view; therefore the League was not yet
completely defunct ; it slept awhile, awaiting the period, if
such should arise, when its energies may be kgitimately
called fOrt h.

THOMAS DAVIS, Esq., merchant, of Bristol, read a
very elaborate repori, drawn up with extreme care,
and, we may add, cobsummate judgment. Topics
of general interest were adverted to, were commented
upon, were disposed of with a masterly hand. Those
of a more local character were dilated upon just as mat-
ters required that they should be, and no more ; no elaborate
display—no over-weening compliments, hut honour to whom
honour was due was liberally yet eloquently paid. The
Committee's allusion to the efforts of Richard Cobden was
that which might be expected His unwearied efforts—
his great personal sacritices—his untiring energy—his
zeal, his ability, his devotion, called forth almost universal
commendation, whilst, at ttie same time, the forcible yet
simple way in which lie propounded his arguments fascinated
his bitterest opponents. [From want of space, it is impos-
sible to follow the report through all the topics embraced
therein.]
RicilAnD COOTES, Esq., moved the adoption of the report.
which was seconded by ELIJAH BARIVG, Esq., merchant, of
Bristol.

IlAinfAN VISGER, a merchant of Bristol, in seconding the
motion, recommended the meeting t o attend to the registration
courts. Sir Robert Peel once said that the battle of the Con-
stitution was to be fought in the registration courts. He
hoped that the free-traders would take a lesson from that,
and not neglect their battle were alone it could be fought.
Mr. JOSIAH Huxv, a farmer of Gloucestershire to a very
great extent, next addressed the meeting. He had advo-
cated the repeal of the corn-laws, from a belief that they
were inimical to his own interests, but more particularly
because he considered they were essentially unjust. It had
been supposed that the landed interest would be materially
affected by the repeal of those obnoxious laws—the impost
upon labour—the tax upon commercial industry : that
interest might be affected, but it would not be injured ; and,
in his opinion, no better proof than that existed in the cir-
cumstance that the landowners, so far at any rate as had
come to his knowledge, had abated one jot of their rents ; on
the contrary, he believed that rents were rising.—( Hear.)
Ile believt d that the repeal of the corn-laws was the best step
that could be taken to advance and promote even the interests
of agr culture. Ie his opinion hitherto the agriculturists had
been trusting to a broken reed. The firmer had been trust-
ing to the corn-laws, but to show the fallacy of reliancEs
upon principles so utterly untenable as those by which the
corn-laws were at tempted to be upheld, he would inform the
meeting that no landowner would take a tenant tor his farms
unless he could have his full amount of rent, nor would he let
a mill unless he could do it upon what he considered equitable
terms. The question as to the remuneration of farm-hAbourers
had occupied a considerable portion of public, and he might

say practical, attention. The lion. Memb'er for East Somerset,
who stood high in esteem fnr his judgment and business-lik,

habits, was mistaken in his ide.isup,ni this sulj, et. He had
maintained that • it' the price-4 wheat were reduced, a pro-
portionate reduction in wages must. fbllow. He ( Mr.
Hunt) as •a' member of the agricultural world,
would say, -in reply, "N 3 such thing." In the face
of the repeal of the corn-laws wages had risen con-
siderably—(Cheers)—and they were at that time higher
in the agricultural districts than they had been for the last
thirty years.—(Loud cheering.) The great demand for
labour in the agricultural districts had caused the scarcity.
That demand, great as it was at present, would go on increas-
ing, and the result he hoped, would be that the industrialclasses
would reap a great advantage. As to the League, he must say
that from some of itsfet.ding menThers, and ii•ore par•icutarty
born Richard Cobden, fie had received more in.truction than_
from soy other quarter its tie world; and he wa: sure that
the instruction emanating therefrom, whether front the
general body, or from Richard Cobden in particular,
had been productive of much good to the
labourer, the tenant -farmer, and the landlord—wit Less
James Adam Gordon.—(Cris sof Hear, hc.!r.") It would
always be found that the supply and demand would
regulate the scale of wages as they did everything else.
The independent tenant-farmers would survive the shock—
those who were not under the thumb of their landlords
would be able to succeed, and those who were shackled
must endeavour to free themselves.—(Cheers.) Under such
landlords as Earl Ducie, Mr. Bergough, and others,—
innumerable he could mention—tenants were happy and con-
tented. Why should not such a state of things be extended
over the whole of the agricultural territory of Britain?—
(Cheers.) Reverting once more to the corn question, he
must say that, so far as his experience went,
there was to be found amongst the farmers the
utmost indilierence as to whether the present or the
amended system of corn-laws existed. On the Exchange in
Bristol he had heard but one sentiment, which was, that
they (the corn growers) were now prepared to manufacture
food for the people, and not drive the natives to have re-
course to either Russia or the Polanders for subsistence.

EDWARD Salmi, Esq.. of Sheffield, next addressed the
meeting. In general, though very pleasing and attractive
terms, he advocated the claims of the Anti. Corn-law
League, and defended its policy. He particularly referred to
the registration, adverting to the calamity which befel the
West Riding of Yorkshire in particular, and the
country generally, when Lord Morpeth was re-
jected at the election in 1841, and contrasting it with
the present aspect of affairs, liberal and enlightened prit.-
ciples being in the ascendant, triumphing over those of in-
tolerance, bigotry, and consummate self-interest. The
speech, which was one of considerable length and marked
ability, was_ listened to with general attention, and received
with hearty applause.
The Rev. G. ARMSTRONG attracted the attention of the
meeting with one of his characteristic addresses—forcible in
argument, eloquent in language, powerful in declama-
tion, yet merciful towards a fallen foe ; exposing the
errors of the past, pourtra) ing, in glowing colours, the
advantages which will result from effective well-timed
measures for the future, the Reverend Gentleman car-
ried with him the feelings, the sympathies, the affections of
his audience. But when, in his own peculiar way, he brought
his extraordinary mind to bear upon the efforts, the ser-
vices, the labours, the anxieties, the responsibilities of
Richard Cobden, the effect was electrical, the
company rose en masse, and did honour to the
heart and eloquence of the speaker, whilst they
mauiiested their adoration of the distinguished
individual who was the subject of so much eloquence. We
cannot follow the Rev. Gentleman through his most inte-
resting address; all we can add is, that it was listened to with
breathless attention, excepting when some brilliant allusion
to past victery compelled, the company to respond
to it with loud cheering.
After one or two more speeches a subscription was set
on foot, and, I believe, is very liberal; but, at the time of
closing my parcel, I cannot give you the exact amount.
The usual vote of thanks was passed to the Chairman, and
the meeting separated.
I am credibly informed that, in a few weeks, there will be
a grand banquet in Bristol to celebrate the triumph of the
League. Earl Fitzhardinge, Earl Ducie, the Hon. Grantley
Berkeley, Mr. C. Berkeley (the Member for theeity ), and Mr.
F. 11. Berkeley, with a brilliant company, are expected to
attend.
A subscription avas"opened, headed by George Thomas,
Esq., for 100/., Wm. Tothill, 1001., Ed. Thomas. 501. Se-
veral other sums were mentioned • and it is expected the
contribution from Bristol will exceed 1,000/.

RAILWAY COMMITTEES
(THIS DAY.)

HOUSE OF LORDS.

Room D.

This Committee met to-day, at eleven o'clock, the Earl of St.
Germans in the Chair, when the consideration of the clauses of the
GLASGOW, DITIV/IMIES, AND CARLISLE
Bill was entered upon.
Mr. Burke, the agent of the promoters, brought up several clauses
that had been drawn up by the Caledonian Company, and which the
two comp mies had mutually agreed to.
Mr. Sergeant Waasiollest then proceeded, on behalf of the Caledo-
nian Company, to propose the insertion of a clause, which, if adopted,
would still leave the Bill as it now stood up to the point at Gretna.
This clause had a twofold object—that of giving efficient accommo-
dation to the district which it required, and at the same time to give
a partial protection to the Caledonian Company, which it could not
be denied would be seriously prejudiced by the construction of the
Nithsdale line. The cause, it would be observed, gave the Caledo-
nian Company power, under certain conditions, to purchase the por-
tion of the Nithsdale scheme between Annan and the Caledonian main
line. If this were agreed to, the break between the two companies
would take place at Annan, instead of at Dumfries. There could
be no doubt that Annan would be a much more convenient position
for a general terminus, while it would be a means of protecting the
through traffic of the Caledonian Company against competition.
Arrangements of the kind he proposed were not uncommon ; he
believed that similar conditions of purchase had been introduced into
about SO or 90 miles. He believed it was done in the case of the
Glasgow and Garnkirk Railway, who, in altering a portion of their
line that affected the Monkland and Kirkintilloch, gave the latter
the power to purchase the altered portion of the former. He sub-
mitted the clause as the only mode of doing justice to a large com-
pany, whose capital was jeopardised by the passing of the present
Bill.
Sir THOMAS riniaars said he had carefully followed the Learned
Gentleman' and he could not hear a single reason why the proposi-
tion should be entertain, d. It was substantially raising the question
which had been decided yesterday after a most patient and deliberate
consideration on the part of their Lordships. They had decided that
the Nithsdale line should go up to Gretna, while they at the same
time decided that the Canobie branch more properly belonged to the
Caledonian Company. He weuld not go on to argue the question,
but, after the investigation, leave it with confidence in the hands of
the Committee. It was the last attempt of the Caledonian Company
to prevent the construction of the lice.
Mr. Sergeant Witestonam denied it was raising the question of
yesterday, but rather to give effect to that decision. The only
aifference proposed was, that the Caledonian line should be worked
by the Caledonian•Company, instead of by the Ayrshire Company,
and on the same terms if required, while at the same time the public
interest would be fully provided for. The whole object sought was to
protect the vested interests of the Caledonian Company from
jeopardy, while the shareholders of the Nithsdale line would be
placed in no worse position than they were at present.
The room was then cleared for the deliberation of the Committee.
It, about halt an hour the parties were called in.
The Luautztaai intimated that the Committee had come to the fol-
lowing resolution :—" That the Committee is prepared to sanction
the insertion of a clause requiring the Glasgow, Dumfries, and Carlisle
Company to grant a perpetual lease to the Caledonian Company, on
their obtaining statutory powers to acquire the same, of fiat portion
of the line which lies between Annan and the Caledonian Railway,
subject to the same conditions as those which the Glasgow and Ayr
Company are empowered by this Bill to purchase in other parts of
the line, in the event of their non-amalgamation with the Glasgow,
Dumfries, and Carlisle Company."

VETERAN.—CoIoneI Le Berton, formerly aide-de-
camp of Marshal Masseua, died at the Hotel Royal des In-
valides, on Thursday last, aged 92.
Viscountess Newport was sufficiently recovered, yes-
to WU GAWP 61106

IMPERIAL PARLIAM EVI'.

(THIS DAY.)
HOUSE OF COMMONS.

The House met at Twelve o'cl.cl:.
ALL SOULS' COLLEGE (OXFORD) ESTATE BILL.
On the motion of Mr. ESTCOURT, the standing order
No. 134 was suspended, and this Bill was read a second time.
-MONMOUTHSHIRE RAILWAYS (No. 2) BILL.

On the motion of Captain FITZMAURICE, this Bill was
read a second time.
LORDS' AMENDMENTS.

The Lnrds' amendments on the following Bills were read
and agreed to:—The London and Birmingham Railway
(Coventry to Nuneaton), and the North \Vales Railway.
SALTHOUSE EMBANKMENT.
This Bill was read a third time and passed.
COURT OF COMMON PLEAS.

The ATTORNEY-GENERAL gave notice that he would
bring in a Bill to-morrow for the purpose of opening the
Court. of Common Pleas to all members of the legal pro-
fession.