The Sun.
London, England, 1834-12-06 00:00:00

course of these new Ministers will be favourable to reform
or not.—(Hear.) All that we know of the persons is, that
the Duke of Wellington has strung upon his single sword
all the seals and insignia of the principal officers of the
State—(Reiterated cheers)—all that we know as to `..'ne
principles to be adopted is, that according the news-
papers he is said to have seen a-great P dnit-DireCttir, and
a Member for the City, and to nveamurza them that he
is favourable to Reform.:—.(llcar, and a laugh.) Now,
gentlemen, I own that I am surprised that the single indi-
cation, that he is to be Minister instead of Lord Grey or
Lord Melbourne, -should have produced such a change in
one who, for fora- years, has opposed all Reform.-4 Cheers,
and tremende;us shouts of "We won't have him.") I con-
fess this ioterview between the Bank Director, and the City
Member, and the Duke of Wellington, puts me in mind
of thrt scene 'in Richard 111., when Richard, anxious to
put the crown upon his own head, is discovered standing
Between two clergymen—(A laugh)—and when the Duke
of Buckingham, who was his favourite and partisan, pointed
him out to the Lord Mayor, in the pious attitude in which
he stands, exclaims—

" There stands his Grace between two clergymen."
(Milch laughter.) Now, it would not answer their pur-
pose for any great encouragement for reform, if we were to
F.CC the Duke of Wellington so placed—(Laughter)—but,
for the present purpose, two Bank Directors will answer
that end. His Grace is favourable to reform—he must be
favourable to reform—
" There stands his Grace between two Bank Directors l"
(Cheers and laughter.) Now, gentlemen, I have explained
to you, as correctly as I could, the course 1 adopted in re-
lation to the measures in which I have. taken a part. With
regard to other measures, called or believed to be popular,
I must in fairness say that -my vote has been recorded
against them. One questie,-.1 that was brought forward and
supported with much ahliity, was a motion for an alteration
in the Corn Laws, the admission of foreign corn at a
low rate of du*
,-.4 Hear, hear.) Gentlemen, lam not
one of thoso who think very highly of the advantages
which are given by those laws to the landed interest and
the fatTriers.—(Hear hear.) But I do think that the
landed interest and the farmers are unduly burdened ;
and while I see those burdens so great, and their inte-
rest so depressed, I will not try the hazardous experiment
of an alteration in the corn-laws.—(Long-continued cheer-
ing)—therefore that motion had my opposition. I also
must say, that I have given my opposition to motions
for carrying further the Reform Bill—for introducing
Triennial Parliaments, and the Ballot.—(Hear, hear.)
Gentlemen, it has been the fortune of the late Ministry, in
pursuance of their pledge to that effect, to make very large
retrenchments in the public expenditure.—(Continued
cheering.) The result has been, that in the course of the
four years of their powor, they have been able to reduce
taxes of some importance ; for instance, that upon coal
carried coastwise—the duty upon candles—half the duty on
soap—the whole duty upon inhabited houses—to the
amount altogether of five millions a year ;—(Cheers.)—
and that they will leave in the Exchequer as large a sur-
plus of income over expenditure as when they came into
office. Gentlemen, I know not whether or not we may ex-
pect a dissolution of Parliament, but I can only say,
that
after the conduct I have pursued, and with the sentiments
I have expressed, I shall await calmly and confidently your
award for my conduct.
A simultaneous burst of three hearty cheers greeted the
Noble Lord at the conclusion of this address.
The meeting was subsequently addressed by Colonel
SEALE, M. P., STANLEY CAREY, Esq., H. STUDDY, Esq.,
and other gentlemen, but nothing of interest was elicited,
excepting a general declaration that they would ask no
pledges of the Noble Lord, but support him to the utmost.