The Sun.
London, England, 1860-01-17 00:00:00

THE SUN, LONDON, TUESDAY EVENING, JANUARY 17, 1860.

SPAIN AND MOROCCO.

(Rom the Correspondent of the Times.)
CAMP DE LA CONDESA, COAST OF MOROCCO,
THREE LEAGUES FROM CEUTA, JAN. 4.

Last night passed quietly, and, contrary, to ex-
pectation, with only a sprinkling of rain, on the
ground whence I despatched my letter of yesterday's
date. At six o'clook this morning sleep was ba-
nished from every eyelid by the shrill clamour of
the diana, and as soon as tents could be struck and
baggage loaded the Spanish expeditionary army
was again on the move. Sixteen squadrons of
cavalry—a brigade to which the name of a division
is given—were among the first troops to advance,
for we are going to ground on which that arm was
likely to be required. First came the two squa-
drons of Princesa Hussars, weakened by their
Nazar
ssi dons charge upon the Ist inst.; then four of
Cuiraers, who have wisely left their cuirasses in
Spain ; then several squadrons of Lancers. The
whole of the horses were in excellent condition.
The squadrons varied in strength from 85 to 120
sabres. The order of march of the whole army was
somewhat extended, considering the nature of the
ground and the fact that close to our right there
was a chain of hills, rising into mountains, of which
the enemy might have availed greatly to annoy us.
But the Moors did not show themselves, and we
reached the place on which it was intended we should
pass the night, at about a league from our last camp-
ing place, without the slightest molestation, almost
without seeing an enemy. The Spanish standard,
which marks head-quarters' camp, was planted on a
fiat close to the sea ; on rising ground, a sort of
downs, before and after reaching the level in ques-
tion, the army was to pitch its tents. Beyond, that
is to say south from our position, there is more low
ground, covered with water in great part, and for
some distance from the sea inland. This swamp or
shallow lake is known as the Laguna ; between it
and the sea is a narrow way, along which, I believe,
we shall next march. From near the head of the
Laguna a barranco (glen or ravine) runs back
towards our rear, nearly parallel with the sea, and
on our right flank. With a few cavalry and infantry
skirmishers on his front and on his right, General
O'Donnell advanced to reconnoitre the ground in
advance of our position. It is open and fiat for a
considerable distance; in the middle rises the Monte
Negro, from the westward. side of which the Moors
have withdrawn the little camp yesterday seen
there, and have established a much larger one fur-
ther off, at the foot of the range of mountains which
there form the horizon, in a well chosen position,
from which they can either advantageously assail
our advancing columns by a movement to their
right, or retreat with facility should they deem it
advisable. The number of tents is not easy to esti-
mate at that distance, as their white forms blend
with and mask each other; but, after careful exa-
mination and comparing notes with other observers,
I do not think there can be much less than 250,
which implies the presence of a considerable force,
as theirs are not tentes d'abri, but on a much larger
scale. A small body of cavalry was discernible on a
low ridge not very far in our front. Our infantry
occupied the brow on one side of the narrow valley
or ravine above-mentioned, and especially, at the
southern extremity of the hill, just before it dips
rather abruptly into the plain, possession was taken
of a douar or Moorish hamlet, consisting of a few
wretched huts—gourbis—formed of branches, and
having behind them a piece of ground enclosed by
an apology for a fence, and which bore faint traces
of cultivation. These poor habitations stand among
masses of stone and afford excellent cover, whence
the Spaniards could fire without much chance of
being themselves hit. Northwards, proceeding
along the edge of the ravine, parties of skirmishers
establish themselves, supported by battalions and
by two or three squadrons of light cavalry. Just
over the brow in front of the camping ground a
battery of mountain artillery was so placed as to
command the plain on the right of the lagoon.
Then began a very pretty skirmish. The Moorish
sharpshooters advanced, in no great strength, from
the direction of their camp to the entrance of the
barranco, up which they spread themselves, ex-
changing shots with the Spanish infantry above.
These having the high ground and good cover suf-
fered very little, and probably inflicted heavier loss
on the enemy. The latter, however, had an ulterior
object—or rather they were sent as a decoy. Some
shells, pitched into certain wooded and suspicious-
looking spots, routed out of them group after group
of horsemen, until the Moors, seeing that we stuck
to our position and did not advance, and that their
scheme had failed, no longer attempted concealment,
but showed on all sides, and the country in our front
swarmed with them. They had lain in ambush,
hoping that the feeble attack of their small body of
infantry would draw on their opponents to be cut
up by their horse. They were completely disap-
pointed. For some time they continued moving
about the level, occasionally retreating hastily as a
shell fell near them, then again advancing, but for
the most part keeping out of the range of our guns,
until at last they altogether retired, and the fire of
the infantry, intended only as a snare, slackened
and died away before dark. Our loss in the whole
day was trifling. I believe it did not exceed 20
killed and wounded.

While this went on, an interesting spectacle to
lookers-on in our front, Gen. Prim was keeping
vigilant watch in our rear, for it is quite within the
probabilities that the Moors were merely entertain-
ing us and fixing our attention on one side while
they sent forces through the mountain gorges to
attack us upon the other. They did not do this, how-
ever, and up to this hour (10 p.m.) we have been as
quiet as if we were encamped outside Madrid. The
utmost vigilance is necessary, and is doubtless main-
tained, in presence of a wily foe, well known to be
addicted to night surprises. While the skirmish
was going on to-day, with only a very few troops
engaged in it, whole battalions were busy forming
intrenched camps, throwing up parapets com-
posed of stones, earth, and branches, so as to
form an effectual obstacle to any sudden onset in
the night-time. For the construction of such de-
fences nothing could be more favourable than the
surface of the country hereabout. It is covered en-
tirely with brushwood, the chaparral before men-
tioned, and strewn with blocks of stone of all sizes,
from that of a common paving-stone up to masses
which it takes two or three men to lift. Most of
these are partly bedded in the earth, and, when dug
or wrenched out, whole families of scorpions run
about, until crushed by spade or heel. The soil
thrown up from an inside trench serves to cement
the pile of rocks and branches, until, in an extra-
ordinarily short time, by the combined labour of
many hundreds of men, large spaces are enclosed,
in which thousands encamp. We have need of all
these precautions, for we are now fairly away from
our Ceuta lines, communication with which by land
could be kept up safely only under strong escort.
The post from camp is no longer despatched by land,
but by a steamer from the point of the coast close to
us. In short, we have started upon our adventure
—20,000 rcen in a country of 8,000,000 of enemies.
and with a hostile army of we know not what
strength in our front, flank, or rear. It will require
the utmost prudence to get us safely through to
Tetuan without very heavy losses, but that pru-
dence will, we have no reason to doubt, be displayed
to the extent required. That our progress must be
slow is quite clear. We have to cut roads for our
artillery as we proceed, and it will be strange (and
the Moors will show themselves worth much less
than their reputation) if we have not also to expend
one or two days in cutting our way through an
obstinate enemy. Everybody is surprised at our
having got so f7ar with so little fighng- But theworst
is:probably to mme. Our next march will be a trouble-
some one. The army will have to defile along a nar-
row cause wiiT between the lagoons and the sea, and
debottcher fro: n it near a mountain, which affords the
enemy an extellcut position. If they do not profit
by it, and i make the Spaniards pay heavy toll, it
will be evid 'ent that the Moors, although brave, are
utterly igrn rra nt of the art of war, even as it is
understood arid practised by some races. as little
civilised as tk ,emselves. I have little doubt that we
shall get to Tetuan. Gen. O'Donnell has hitherto
shown hi tr
.self cool, prudent, and patient, and there
is no
gro (Jnd for supposing
that those qualities, so

valuable in the General of an army situated as this
one is, will abandon him when most needed.
But it will very much surprise me if we reach
Tetuan without losing some 2,000 or 3,000 men at
least. As some set off to this probable loss by the
enemy's fire, the army is more healthy than it was.
Movement and occupation seem to have had a good
effect, and to have diminished cholera. At least, I
am told of a division in which there was only one
case yesterday, and of another in which there were
but 16. The wind has risen a little, not inconve-
niently so, and the nocturnal cold and damp have
much diminished. The country we are camping in
is sandy, and covered with aromatic shrubs, which
scent the air and give perfume to the water we drink,
which, upon the whole, is pretty clear, although
now and then we fall upon a muddy stream or well.
The army is abundantly rationed as regards both
bipeds and quadrupeds. The ration of barley was
diminished for a few days, owing to the difficulty
of transport, to about 711 b. per horse, but it is now
again 101 b., and, moreover, for the last three days
very good pressed hay has been issued. Besides
this, the horses piqueted in the chaparral are con-
tinually nibbling at bushes and herbs, upon which
they seem to thrive, some of them having actually
improved in condition since we left the camp in
front of Ceuta. It is true that our marches are
very short, mere promenades, but many of the offi-
cers' horses got a good allowance of work, for O'Don-
nell is very active, and frequent reconnaissances
are the order of the day. As regards the men, I
fear they are almost too well rationed, for there is
a great deal of waste. They get an abundance of
everything, and bread and biscuit are thrown
about in profusion. They want a week's short
commons to `teach them the value of the stale frag-
ments one now sees littering the camp, and which
the French, in their hungry days in the Crimea,
would have gathered up with delight. I say
nothing of the windfalls which form pleasant addi-
tions to their regulation allowance. Tozday they
caught 10 or 12 Moorish oxen, which had strayed
down from the mountains, and were bagged by our
soldiers. I have heard that two or three of the
said beasts bore a suspicious resemblance to animals
lately seen in our own farmyard (a dozen of cattle
marches with the army) ; but on this head I can
say nothing of my own knowledge. What I can
depose to is the great number of rabbit hunts that
have been going on for the last three days. All
the country from the Ceuta lines hither is one great
paradise of rabbits, or must have been so, at least,
until sporting and carnivorous Iberians came into
it. Sweet herbs, fragrant shrubs, and a light dry
soil, are attractions which one cannot imagine any
rabbits so self-denying as to resist. Accordingly
the whole place swarms with them, and they are
daily run down, caught by the hand, rolled over
with stones or knocked upon the head with sticks,
to an extent which must cause much mourning in
the burrows. Every now and then ono starts up
in the middle of the tents, which is the signal for
an immediate abandonment of every sort of occu-
pation, and a race of whole battalions after the un-
lucky fugitive. If it runs to earth there are picks
at hand to disinter it, if it doubles it finds arms
everywhere open to receive it, and if it goes straight
a-head it might as well jump into the pot at once,
for the Spanish ranks are formed in its front and
impervious to its charge. There are also immense
numbers of partridges in this region and they seem
unused to be shot at, for they spring up under our
horses' feet and depart with a deliberation bespeak-
ing long impunity. But as we have neither shot
nor fowling-pieces, and have not yet learned to
bring down a bird upon the wing with a Minie
bullet, the partridges are likely to remain for the
benefit of any sportsman who may be tempted to
come hither in their pursuit when the present strife
is over, and peace restored to Mauritania.
I am informed that the Spanish loss in the action
of the Ist of January was 500 men and 75 officers
killed and wounded. The Hussars lost 17 men and
9 officers. You will observe the very large propor-
tion of officers to men, tending to prove what I
believe to be the case—that the former are doing
their duty well and displaying much gallantry in
leading on their soldiers.
The whole of to-day's proceedings were of a na-
ture easily observed and comprehended, owing to
the comparatively level and open nature of the
ground over which the Spaniards moved, the
skirmish took place, and the Moors displayed their
forces. On the lines of Ceuta, owing to their extent
and conformation, one could observe but little at a
time. When you were watching a fight upon the
right, another, and perhaps one more important,
would begin upon the left, and before you could
ride four or five miles up and down hill, and over
rough ground, to get at it, the combat would again
have become most interesting upon the point you
had abandoned. One could see but portions of the
contending forces, and general movements were
difficult to observe. Yesterday, on the other hand,
everything was descried without difficulty. The
first movement of the columns, the march of the
several divisions across the bush-covered downs,
the advance of the skirmishers, the taking up of
positions by masses of infantry and batteries of ar-
tillery, the advance of the Moors from their camp
and outposts, their evolutions in the plain and final
retreat, were all distinctly visible to good eyes, .or
through a moderately powerful field-glass; From
the high ground on our right front, where the 3d
division is now encamped, it was easy to watch the
restless movements, the wheelings and scamperings,
of the Moorish horsemen, not a few of whom were
evidently very well mounted. When the rifled 4-
pounders began to pelt them, they showed in num-
bers frOm their ambuscade, and there was a mani-
fest anxiety to get out of range. The possession of
artillery gives the Spaniards an immense advan-
tage over their opponents, who evidently enter-
tain an unconquerable dislike to round shot and
shell. As yet they have had experience only of the
mountain guns, and of the fire from the ships, which
latter—notwithstanding the precision we are told
it exhibited the other day against the Tetuan bat-
teries—has often been anything but good; but they
have never stood before that, when it was tolerably
directed. When the rifled 12-pounders are brought
to play upon them, it is thought they will be con-
founded by their range and precision of fire. Some
of the light mule-borne guns have frequently made
very good practice. Yesterday a white-draped
Moor, mounted on a fine black horse, was curvetting
somewhat in front of his comrades, and evidently
thinking he was displaying a good deal of valour.
Discretion would have served him better. A shell
pitched right upon him, burst as it struck, and
when the smoke and dust dispersed, horse and rider
had disappeared, though it is presumable their frag-
ments might have been collected in the neighbour-
hood.

JAN. 5.

The night has passed quietly, and the weather,
most fortunately for this army, continues fair, al-
though rather windy, with occasional slight
showers, and apparently not settled. I regret to
learn, upon further inquiry this morning, that the
cholera, although it has diminished in the two divi-
sions above referred to, continues unabated in the
others, and the general sickness in the army re-
mains much as before. Things ought soon to mend,
however, if the present weather lasts. It is neither
cold nor wet, and the wind sweeps away fog. The
army is abundantly rationed, and we are no longer
upon clay. There is no accounting, however, for the
caprices of cholera. Frequent change of camp ought
to contribute to sanitary improvement, for when we
remain long in a place the ground gets dirty, and evil
odours arise, in great measure from want of suffi-
ciently strict surveillance with respect to cleanliness.
I read in one of your medical contemporaries some
gloomy predictions as to the health of the Spanish
army in Africa, in which, among other visitations,
the antietion of frostbite is foretold. Considering
that frost is scarcely known in this country, and
excites surprise when it appears in the very mild
degree in which alone it ever does appear, I think
the Spaniards may be considered safe in that respect.
front.
It is believed that Aluley Abbas, the Emperor's
brother,
commands in person the forces in our
fnt t is
amounted
were
said took nbaoebwohunot
rt
sh2ea four o
mst
oeno mlernd fiveo days
of
n ot
whom
a
say
o t ge
cavalry, ,
loerosyo,
because it appears to me tohartetghuelatrermon.isaninisaaptpiolii-i
inappli-
cable. There seems n
among those I have as yet !seen ; ley move

about in groups, small and large, without any
order or military appearance. They may be well
mounted, good horsemen, and skilled shots and
swordsmen, but it is difficult to imagine them with-
standing for an instant the charge of European
'squadrons. Their use seems to be rather that of
mounted riflemen ; they advance at a gallop, fire
their long guns, and as hastily retreat. The general
opinion in this camp is, that they will never risk an
encounter with the Spanish squadrons. Whether
this opinion be or be not well-founded, a very short
time will probably show. We are stationary to-
day on the spot where we last night encamped,
while the road for the next march is being made or
improved, but to-morrow we expect and hope to
move on, and it will be strange if we have not some
fighting upon that day or the next. The Moorish
camp is still where it was yesterday. It is believed
there is another out of sight, behind Monte Negro.

The post now leaves by a steamer from off our
camp in the evening, and starts from Algesiras for
Madrid at daybreak, which somewhat lessens the
long time it has hitherto taken for letters hence to
reach you. The time is still long enough, and,
when possible, I shall try to avail myself of the
boats from Gibraltar to Southampton.

MR. EDWIN JAMES AND THE
ELECTORS OF MARYLEBONE.

A meeting of the electors of Marylebone was
held at Hall's Riding School last night, for the pur-
pose of hearing an address from Mr. Edwin James,
explanatory of his views upon political questions.
On the motion of Mr. Wild, M.P., the chair was
occupied by Sir James Duke, M.P.
The CHAIRMAN, in opening the business of the
meeting, said that he had given all the support
which was in his power to Mr. James when he first
came forward as a candidate for the borough, be-
cause he thought that he was a man eminently
qualified to represent Marylebono. He was happy
to say that their honourable and learned member
had not disappointed the just expectations of the
large body of electors whom he represented. He
felt confident that the meeting would applaud the
course taken by Mr. James in coming forward pre-
vious to the meeting of Parliament, and explaining
his views upon some of the important subjects
which would shortly occupy the attention of that
assembly. (Cheers.) Since he had been in Parlia-
ment Mr. James had voted for the abolition of
church rates, for the motion which turned out the
late Government, in favour of the ballot, against
the continuance of the Statute Law Commission,
and the proposal made in the bill of the Lord Chan-
cellor for amending the procedure of the Divorce
Court, by enabling the judge to hear causes in se-
cret. (Cheers.) He had, therefore, very great
pleasure in introducing Mr. James to the meeting.
Mr. EDWIN JAMES, who was received with great
cheering, said—Gentlemen, a year has not yet
elapsed since, in this very hall, I solicited the
honour of representing this constituency in Parlia-
ment, and I then made the statement of my politi-
cal principles, which found favour with the majority
of the electors of this borough. I come forward now
to ask you whether I have violated any of the
pledges which I then made, or have sacrificed your
interests in any way. (Cheers, and cries of no, no.)
It has been said, with a view of disparaging metro-
politan constituencies, that the member for
Marylebone is the slave of the borough which he
represents. I beg to give the most emphatic denial
to that statement. (Cheers.) Since I have had the
honour of representing you I have never received
anything but assistance on matters on which it is
essential thoroughly to understand the local in-
terests of the borough. Anything like dictation
has never been attempted, and my constituents
have never put upon me that insult, nor do I believe
they ever would. (Cheers.) I entertain a very
high notion of the relation which exists between
representatives and their constituencies. As your
representative I owe you my unwearied industry,
and all the toil which I can bring to bear upon
your 'great interests. I owe you my most unremit-
ting exertions, my loss of repose, and everything
which a member can bring to bear upon the great
political questions entrusted to him. But my en-
lightened judgment is my own, and I should be but
a base flatterer to you if' I were to sacrifice for one
moment the judgment which providence has en-
trusted to my care. (Cheers.) lam responsible to
my conscience for it ; Ido not derive it from you ;
I do not owe it to you, but I do owe it to you to
bring to bear upon every question an unswerving
and honest integrity, and in that I will never de-
ceive you. (Cheers.) A member of Parliament is
not sent to what is called the united collective wis-
dom of the nation as a diplomatic member of a
congress, to wait for every telegram which brings
him instructions for his guidance; but I am sent
there, endowed with your confidence, to exercise
the best of my judgment unfettered and unre-
stricted, and that I believe to be the true relation
between a member of Parliament and his consti-
tuents. (Cheers.) Having said this much, allow
me to state the reasons why I have thought it my
duty to ask you to meet me at this most anxious
crisis of public events. I represent a very large
constituency, and it is impossible that I can
be iu close correspondence and communication
with all my constituents as nearly and as closely
as I should desire, and many of my supporters must
be content to judge of me by my public conduct in the
House of Commons; but I shall ever feel it my
duty to meet my constituents and discuss with them
the great and paramount questions which may
affect the public weal. (Cheers.) Lord Palmer-
ston has announced that Parliament is about to meet,
and that great and important questions will bo pre-
sented for consideration. Perhaps no time was ever
more important to the welfare of England and of
Europe than the present. The revolutions of ages
are thrust into the periods of weeks, and no skilful
designer of the kaleidoscope could ever present the
extraordinary phases to which continental polities
are every moment changing. Upon domestic ques-
tions we have matters of infinite and of deepest im-
portance to the country to consider. With respect
to the last session, the review of it is exceedingly
short. The late Government introduced a reform
bill, which was found to be so clumsy, and such an
utter failure as regarded the real interests of re-
form, that the bill was condemned, and another
Government was afterwards formed. Two of the
most distinguished members of the late Govern-
ment dissented from the measure, and the bill was
scouted with derision by the country. A new Go-
vernment was-subsequently formed, which I should
call a composite Government. There is a large
section of able men in it, able administrators, able
debaters, extremely clever men in the executive de-
partments, who have been obtained from what was
called the Peel section—Peelites as they are called.
There is also a certain section of Whigs in the Go-
verment. I remember to have seen, in passing
along the Strand, an enterprising hairdresser who
announces that he is able to supply " wigs so natural
as to defy detection." (Laughter.) There is a toler-
ably good section of Whigs in the Cabinet, and
there are some others who are supposed to be Re-
formers—rather strong Reformers—and some who
aro supposed to be not Reformers. We shall see, I
suppose, what will be the result of their delibera-
tions on the Reform Bill, when that measure,
which is now under the incubation of a com-
mittee, shall be hatched and brought for-
ward. (Laughter.) When the present Govern-
ment was formed, I took the liberty of
asking Lord Palmerston whether it was his
intention to introduce a Reform Bill in the then
session, and his answer, most courteously given,
was, that owing to the short period during which
he had occupied office, it was not reasonable to sup-
pose that such a measure could be introduced in
that session. That, 1 think, was a very reasonable
answer. (Hear.) Leaving the past session, we
come now to consider what is to be the future of the
coming session. Never was Parliament called to-
gether at a more critical time of public affairs. That
which is probably most rife in many minds is the
subject of continental politics. That is a question
which assumes 83 many aspects from month to
month, and from week to week, that it is impossi-
ble for any man to predicate from one hour what
may happen in the next. Europe was startled with
the war which was proclaimed with Austria on the
Ist of January last year. The Emperor of the
French, who had proclaimed the axiom that his
empire t
that
tiepaealeywao:s peace,
thousands
making
opturoso
ap nwo
dua
snr ofdf
Italye d
an
f he
idea.monstrous
War
ment
was
w
livesre
e from h
were sacrificed,
e
Alps
t
with the
idriatic. The peace of Villafranca was ar-
ranged, in which the Emperor agreed to restore
dukedoms of Italy to Austria. Then came the
of Zurich, and then came that for which the
Emperor
treaty
the ttahh tde
tuk
warmest sympathies—the libera-
tion of Central Italy. (Cheers.) And though it
endangers his throne, he has hurled defiance at
religious bigotry, and proclaimed that, as far as in
him lies, he will carry out the great plan for which
he embarked in the great war—viz., that Italy
shall be free from the Alps to the Adriatic. (Cheers.)
The sudden proclamation of that war, the statement
that he was not arming, when it was known that
he was merely waiting until the snows had melted
from the Alps to march his army into Italy ; all
these statements, and all these acts of the Emperor,
naturally created great anxiety and great distrust
on the part of the people of England. I will
not call it fear, for England never fears. (Loud
cheers.) What I have advocated, end what
I shall ever advocate, is, that England shall
keep herself free from all complications in con-

tinental affairs. She has more dignity in her
isolation and separation from the complications
of Europe when she expresses her sympathy for
the liberty of Italy, and should not embark in any
treaty in conjunction with other Powers on this
question. England is, I say, in a proud position
when she thus acts, for she will be, and must be,
consulted in these matters. (Cheers.) We have
then had the allocution of the Pope to the Emperor,
and we have had in return the Emperor's letter to
the Pope. (A laugh.) When we are told that the
government of the Papal States by the Pope is so
paternal, so liberal, and so good, why do they not,
I would ask, withdraw the French and Austrian
bayonets, and leave the Italians to settle these
questions between themselves? (Cheers.) If that
Oovernment be so paternal and so good, the Pope
reigns over Roman Catholics, let them settle the
question among themselves. Let the bayonets and
troops be withdrawn, and cease to support the most
withering despotism that ever oppressed the human
species. (Cheers.) There is no necessity for Eng-
land entering into any political combination for
the purpose of settling matters which the people of
Italy could do for themselves if they were per-
mitted the opportunity. If the Pope be, as he
assumes to be, the Vicegerent of Heaven, why then
his kingdom is not of this world—(cheers and
laughter)—and let him decide between himself and
his Romvn Catholic subjects how long that species
of government is to continue. But another new
phase of Continental matters has just overshadowed
Europe. We have heard to-day the startling and
pleasing intelligence, for the advancement of civi-
lisation and enterprise, that the Emperor is con-
templating the introduction into France of the
great principles of free trade. (Cheers.) I have
reason to think that much of this result, which I
trust we are not anticipating in vain, is due to that
sincere apostle of free trade, Mr. Cobden—(cheers)
—who has devoted his leisure hours—time wrung
from sickness and indisposition—to the advance-
ment of civilisation and the carrying out of
that great principle of free trade which has been,
if not the salvation, at all events a great ad-
vantage to the commercial interests of this great
country. (Cheers.) That mighty magician, the
Emperor of the French, who deals with every-
thing in so mysterious a manner, and in a mode
which no man can anticipate, has, as the Emperor,
the power, by the stroke of his pen, of accomplish-
ing for his country that free trade for which, with
our representative institutions, we had been strug-
gling for for years against vested and class inte-
rests. The Emperor of the French has at once ac-
complished this, as it were, by the mere dictation of
his will. I believe that this course of policy will
inaugurate a brighter era of peace and goodwill,
and that increased commercial intercourse will turn
swords into prunning-hooks, and tend to hring
about the peace and civilisation of Europe, and
unite France and England in a material union far
stronger than by keeping up great fleets upon the
one side and threats of huge armies on the other.
If the Emperor of the French is prepared to carry
out that policy sincerely he will do much to put an
end to that anxiety and distrust which by his re-
cent acts he has caused to the people of England.
(Cheers.) Another subject which will occupy, no
doubt, a considerable share of the attention of Par-
liament is the Chinese war. We are about, con-
jointly with France, to send an expedition to China.
I am rather inclined to think—as the lawyers would
say—that this question of the Chinese war must
cause a little embarrassment to her Majesty's pre-
sent Government. We all remember that when
Sir John Bowring's Chinese war —I call this one
Mr. Bruce's war—(a laugh)—was discussed, several
members of the present Government took very de-
cided views upon it in opposition to Lord Palmer-
ston, who was then at the head of the Government.
In February, 1857, there was a motion made by Mr
Cobden, and seconded by Mr. Gibson, who is now
a member of the Cabinet, " That this house has
heard with concern that the papers laid upon the
table of the house fail to establish sufficient grounds
for the violent measures resorted to at Canton in
the late affair of the Arrow." That motion was
carried by a large majority, and Lord Palmerston
dissolved Parliament. The present Chancellor of
the Exchequer supported that motion, and said that
China deserved sympathy and justice at the hands
of the English pc ople. Lord John Russell supported
the motion, and said, " If you talk of the prestige
of England, away with prestige if it is to be ob-
tained at the sacrifice of justice." Mr. Sidney Her -
bert voted against Lord Palmerston on the ques-
tion, Mr. Cardwell did the same, and six members
of the present Government on the justice of th!
origin of that war. Upon this subject it will be
my duty to watch narrowly the debate, and to give
my soundest and best judgment, and give, as I
always will give so long as I have the honour of
being your representative, an honest and indepen-
dent vote on the subject. (Cheers.) It is true that
the soldiers and navy of Great Britain suffered an
outrage at the entrance of the Peiho, when Mr.
Bruce went, as I think very unnecessarily, to force
his way as ambassador to Pekin. Ido not mean to
say that the prestige of England may not have
suffered in consequence, but of this I am sure, that
we shall be asked to spend' millions in this expedi-
tion ; but fortunately, in the case of a Chinese war,
that country is dealt with differently from other
countries, for, as the lawyers say, we make them pay
the costs. (Laughter.) Questions of finance will
occupy a considerable degree of attention. The in-
come tax expires in 1860, the tea and sugar duties
also expire. We shall no doubt have them both re-
imposed, but it will be the duty of the representa-
tives of the people to watch narrowly the action of
• the Government upon these great questions. There
has been a rumour that a committee appointed to
inquire into the defences of the country has recom-
mended an expenditure of ten millions for our de-
fences. -If I should be the only man in the house to
object to this enormous expenditure, I will go into
the lobby to vote against such an enormous expen-
diture. (Cheers.) We trust, and her Majesty
trusts, in something better than fortifications, made
with all the corrupt and flagitious jobbery which
such works would of necessity involve. The Crown
rests, and the safety of the country rests, upon
something better than brisk and mortar fortifica-
tions—l mean upon the fidelity and loyalty of the
volunteer corps, which are everywhere forming
in this country. (Cheers.) If a stranger or
foreigner were passing down our channel, and
were to ask why is not such and such a, place
upon your coast not fortified, I would be proud as a
member of the House of Commons to have it said,
the freedom and safety of the country, and of her
Majesty's crown, depends upon something better
than fortifications—the devotion and loyalty of the
people ; and there is no necessity to impose an
enormous amount of taxation for fortifications of
that kind, but rather to repose upon our fleets,
which we support with liberal votes, and the loyalty
and devotion of the people; and, reposing upon
these, no foreigner will ever dare to set a hostile
foot upon our soil. (Cheers.) The attention of Par-
liament will also be occupied by the consideration
of measures of legal reform. The laws of insol-
vency and bankruptcy, and the state of the criminal
law, are a scandal and disgrace to a civilised and
commercial people. The administration of the
army is another subject of deep importance. It is
positively shocking to a civilised community that
the system of purchase should be allowed to con-
tinue. I want to see every man have the oppor-
tunity for rising in the ranks of the army as he
does in the ranks at the bar. (Cheers.) I wish to see
the system done away with which keeps back
talent and energy if they do not become the para
sites of power and official authority. I want to see
the army open to the people of England, who never
grudge the money which is voted for it, but who do
object, and that most strongly, to that maladmini-
stration of its affairs by which the country is scan-
dalised, (Cheers.) The last question to which I will
direct your attention is that of Parliamentary Re-
form. (Cheers.) A committee of the Cabinet is
sitting upon the Reform Bill which is to be intro-
duced in the coming session. These are the merest
rumours, for I have not the slightest authority to
tell you Cabinet secrets, and perhaps never shall
have—(a laugh)—but, although I hope for the
best, I think they will have some little trouble in
agreeing to a Reform Bill. And I will tell you
why I think so. Lord John Russell announced
during the debate upon the vote of want of confi-
dence in Lord Derby that the Reform Bill which
he would advocate would be a borough fran-
chise of £6 rental, and a county franchise of £lO
rental. I cannot, however, but remember that there
is an extremely popular member of the Government,
and a more able man does not exist in the House of
Commons as a financier and as a debater—l mean
the present Chancellor of the Exchequer. He voted
to keep Lord Derby in, and when he was out im-
mediately joined the Government of Lord Palmer-
ston. In the debate on the Reform Bill of the late
Government, Mr. Gladstone made a speech to which
I listened with attention and surprise, in which he
advocated the retention of every rotten borough
upon grounds which were merely a repetition of
the arguments used by Mr. Croker in the debates
ot 1830. Mr. Gladstone may no doubt concede his
opinionbutmeasurei f on the
hot :eele
does
disfranchisementnm
oitlihneotm
disfranchisea y rof
es a
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n tyh aotf boroughs,atnhye
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sstmoy
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olbis
snmoea
mcnoioondfecutktpcnih.eaooti
lryguiupacbclmeayi tdkne
:ebnnhcootaeait. •
substantial
übreug iboe(ecuasdl
trinh.satetanrwehnytriiidss.
al
.1 be considered as a
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tlCte hlaeesdeu rrisne. )0f
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nex next
) constantT heco
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oo
ne
of agitation, and if a measure is proposed based
upon the qualifications mentioned by Lord John
Russell, I will give it my support. (Cheers.) [A
voice : How about manhood suffrage ?] I think
that such a bill should be accompanied by a large

measure of disfranchisement, and I think it would
not be complete without giving to those who occupy
lodgings the right of voting. And if that does not
form part of any measure which may be introduced,
I will use my humble abilities to bring forward that
question in the committee on the bill. Tho principle
of a lodger franchise was admitted in Mr. Disraeli's
bill, and a very proper provision it was, and one in
which I cordially concurred, though I think the
status of the qualification was fixed too high at
eight shillings a week as rental. I think also that
the rate-paying clause of the present act should be
abolished. I know that at the last election I lost many
votes because some of the electors had paid their rates,
which had been fraudulently carried away by the
collectors. This is a hardship which I think ought
not to exist. (Cheers.) There aro abundant opportu-
nities for enforcing the payment of rates without
having recourse to this kind of pressure. One word
with respect to the right of voting by ballot. I
moved for the appointment of the commission into
the proceedings of the election at Gloucester ; but I
did so upon the distinct understanding that if the
country incurred the expense of that commission, ,
something was to be dene by the Government in
the event of the report showing malpractices; and
one of the first questions which I shall put to the
Government is what course of action they mean to
take upon the reports of the commissions at Wake-
field and Gloucester? (Cheers.) Acts of the most
unblushing bribery have been brought to light in
these inquiries, and some people said, " Oh, look at
your new constituencies"—for Wakefield was a con-
stituency created by the last Reform Act—" if you
have an extension of the franchise you will have
still more bribery." I deny it. (Cheers.) I say, that
if you have larger, reasonably larger, constituencies,
and give them the ballot, that, in my humble judg-
ment, will be the best remedy for corruption.
(Cheers.) But I put this upon still higher grounds.
I admit that there are voters venal enough, unedu-
cated enough, and base enough to sell their fran-
chises ; but let us take higher ground. When you
have a committee sitting in Ryder-street, St.
James's, to purchase venal voters, great facilities are
afforded for these corrupt practices. Let the fault,
I say, rest there, for there is the origin and source
of the evil. (Cheers.) Why, there is hardly a duty
discharged by any number of men in this country
which might not be to some extent corrupted if the
same sort of process were resorted to for the purpose.
We have sometimes 40 or 50 jurymen assembled in
Westminster-hall every day; but suppose there was
a committee sitting in Ryder-street, or somewhere
else to discover who were venal jurymen and whom
they could bribe. They would be sure to find out
some, and no institution would be safe under such a
state of things. The evil is, after all, not so much
with the constituencies as with those who make it a
business to consider how they may be able to bribe.
Bribery cannot be prevented by act of Parlia-
ment, but it may be by the good sense and
feeling of the country, and if it were to come
to be considered as dishonourable for a
gentleman to bribe at elections as it is to
cheat at cards, that would do more to remedy the
evil of bribery at elections than anything else. I
believe that a well-considered Reform Bill, so far
from being dangerous to the country, would be of
the highest advantage. It is a law as inevitable as
the laws of motion which guide the universe, that
as man's intelligence advances it is natural they
should aspire to increased political rights. There
is no danger in this. _ (Cheers.) lam not one of
those who desire to set class against class. I believe
such a course to be a great mistake. We must have
in this country the aristocracy of birth, the aris-
tocracy of wealth, and the toiling and labouring
million. But my desire, instead of setting one class
against the other, is that they should move, as they
may by a proper adjustment of political relations, in
one harmonious whole, imitating, at a humble dis-
tance, the great firmament, where He who made it
has decreed, though one star differs from another in
degree of glory, they shall all roll on to the advan-
tage of the world and to the wonder of creation.
But that there must be progress—rational, intelli-
gent, reasonable progress—and in this there is no
danger—l most firmly believe. The civil institu-
tions of England, founded upon the experience and
wisdom of ages, have lasted, and will last. The
hurrioane which sweeps over Europe, and shatters
dynasties and thrones, only serves to prove their
greater solidity; and amidst all this you will see
that our glorious institutions will survive, and when
dynasties and churches are swept away, they will
exist, august and immoveable,"when the others lie
in heaps of ruin around us. The hon. and learned
gentleman resumed his seat amid loud and pro-
longed cheering.
Mr. MITCHELL moved, and Mr. Ross seconded,
a resolution to the effect that the meeting declared
its unabated confidence in Mr. James as the repre-
sentative of the borough of Marylebone.
The resolution was carried. unanimously, as was
also a second one, proposed by Mr. WHITMORE,
thanking the hon. member for attending the meet-
ing and affording an explanation of his political
opinions.
A vote of thanks to the chairman brought the
proceedings to a close.

DREADFUL OCCURRANCE AT A FIRE-
WORK ..VANUFACTOR Y.

THREE PERSONS SERIOUSLY INJURED.
Yesterday evening the utmost excitement and
alarm were created in Regent-street, Lambeth-walk,
in consequence of a most dreadful accident taking
place at the well-known firework manufactory of
Mr. Darby, situate in the above-named street. From
inquiries made the following may be relied upon as
a correct account of the shocking affair. It would
seem that between four and five o'clock an alarm
was raised that the premises were on fire, which
soon spread, so that the adjoining residents to Mr.
Darby's premises were in the greatest state of ex-
citement. Messengers were despatched at once for
the engines, and the utmost confusion and alarm
prevailed, for it was generally feared that a dread-
ful explosion would take place, and a dense body
of smoke at the time was rolling over the house. In
a very short period the brigade engines from the
Waterloo and Southwark-bridge roads, under the
superintendence of Mr. Henderson, chief officer
of the D division, arrived, quickly followed by the
engine from Messrs. Hodges' distillery, as well as
that of the parish ; and a powerful body of
the firemen, under the direction of Mr. Henderson,
entered the building. At this time an im-
mense concourse of persons assembled, heedless of
the danger they were exposed to, but the police
kept. the vast crowd from getting too near to
the premises. The mains of the Lambeth Water
Company gave a plentiful supply, and the
fire was ultimately extinguished in the workshop
at the rear of the premises, where it originated.
The firemen, however, discovered three of the
workmen employed in the workshop to be in: a
most dreadful condition, so that they were obliged
to be conveyed to Guy's Hospital enveloped in
blankets.

Mr. Henderson made the following report :--
" The timber shed, about 24 feet by 12 consider-
ably damaged, :and three workmen dreadfully in-
jured, caused by spontaneous combustion. There
was no gas used in the shed, and the premises were
uninsured. The names of the unfortunate men in-
jured are—Thomas Darby, aged 22 (son of the
owner of the premises) ; Frederick Watts, aged 18 ;
and Peter Bean, aged 27."

Mrs. Darby states that she was near the shed
at the time of the occurrence, and the three unfor-
tunate persons who were engaged in the shed in
the preparation of coloured fires for the theatres
under the supervision of Bean. Suddenly the co-
loured fires ignited, it is believed from friction, and
they were thrown to the ground, the place in-
stantly filling with smoke. Bean was the first to
be rescued, and the two others were soon after
taken out—the flesh on their hands and faces being
almost burnt off. On being received into Guy's
Hospital they were promptly attended to by Mr.
Buggard, the dresser, and Mr. Bancart, house-
surgeon, and everything possible was at once done
to alleviate their dreadful agony. Thomas Darby
;ar
ms,
back, fearfully burned about the head, face,
back, and other parts of the body ; and the injuries
of the two other unfortunate persons are equally
serious. On inquiry last night it was ascertained
from Mr. Hilton, under whose care they are, that
they remained in a very precarious condition. The
sad occurrence has cast a gloom over the vicinity
in which it took place, all thee sufferers being much
respected as sober and steady men.

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