The Sun.
London, England, 1867-01-28 00:00:00

Mr. Bright, M.P., and his Workpeople.

The Manchester papers of Saturday publish full
reports of the proceedings of Mr. Bright's work-
people on Friday at Rochdale ; and the accounts
enable us to supplement the report given in our last
impression with some further details. The object
of the address, which we subjoin, was to refute the
charges brought against Mr. Bright as an employer
of labour, by Mr. Pope Hennessy, Mr. Garth, M.P.,
and other members of the Conservative party. The
firm of Messrs. Bright Brothers, in which Mr. John
Bright is principal partner, is engaged in the manu-
facture of cotton and carpets, and employs about
1,200 hands of both sexes. With hardly an excep-
tion the whole of these partook of tea on Friday
evening in the Public-hall, and after tea a meeting
for the presentation of the address was held. The
chair was occupied by Mr. James Tweedale, one of
the oldest workmen in the Messrs. Bright's employ-
ment. Mr. Bright occupied a scat on the chairman's
right, whilst Mrs. Bright, Mr. Thomas Bright, Mr.
T. B. Potter, M.P., and Mr. GoHwin Smith occu-
pied places in one of the galleries. Invitations had
been sent to Mr. Garth, Mr. Cave, and one or two
other gentlemen who have made themselves conspi-
cuous by their attacks upon Mr. Bright, but none
of these invitations were accepted.
" Field House Milli, Rochdale, Jan. 25, 18G7.
"To John Bright, Esq., M.P.
" Honoured Sir,—We, the workpeople employed
by the firm of which you are the head, desire to con-
vey our entire sympathy with, and our sincere re-
spect for you, under the malignant slanders which
have been urged against you as our employer. We
feel impelled by a sense of duty to take this oppor-
tunity of declaring to you that all the reports which
have been circulated against you throughout the
country are entirely false. They have been made
and written by parties who, to make political capi-
tal, have attacked, in an unscrupulous and base
manner, your private character. We are well
aware that the consciousness of those attacks being
untrue will be sufficient to uphold you in the dig-
nity to which you have attained. Your conduct, as
our employer, has been such as to meet our entire
approval. You have always endeavoured to im-
prove our moral, social, and intellectual well-being.
As a public character, your best endeavours have
been to raise the great wealth-producing class to
the full right of citizenship ; and we take this
opportunity of saying that your public acts have
invariably met with our approbation ; and we pray
that your valuable life,
as an employer and a states-
man, may long be spared to your family' and coun-
try, and at last you may meet with the great and
just, and be welcomed as a good and faithful ser-
vant.

" Signed on behalf of the hands in your employ,
"JAMES TWEEDALE, Holler Coverer, Chairman.
"JOHN BRIEULEY, Warper, Secretary.
" THOMAS FIELDING, Mechanic, Treasurer.
"MARK KERSHAW, Carpet Weaver, Chairman.
"JAMES MALONEY, Pieco Looker, Secretary.
" THOMAS JACKMAN, Carpet Printer, Treasurer."

Mr. J. SHAW, carpet weaver, in moving that the
address should be presented to Mr. Bright, said the
meeting had been called for the purpose of giving a
denial to the slanderous attacks that had been lately
made on their employers. The people of Rochdale
did not require to be told that Mr. Bright's private
life contained in itself a complete answer to the
charges that had been circulated. (hlear, he..r, and
cheers.)
Mr. GEORGE INonam, overlooker, in seconding the
motion, said the workpeople of Mr. Bright had met
to express sympathy with their universally beloved
master. He felt that although he had the eloquence
of a Burke, or the pen of an historian, he could
never do justice to the character of that great and
good man. (Applause.) It had been said that Mr.
Bright possessed a narrow and selfish mind but
they could give that a complete contradiction. He
was a kind and generous master, and if his name
did not flourish at the time of the cotton famine,
with thousands of pounds attached to it, as my
Lord Derby's did, that was not to say that his purse
was never opened. Mr. Bright's private purse was
always at the disposal of the poor. (" Hear, hear,"
and cheers.) And it was not by the people of Roch-
dale alone that Mr. Bright was beloved. Ile well
remembered at the great demonstration at Man-
chester, when his noble master stepped on the plat-
form and received an ovation of the most remark-
able description, the band striking up "Should auld
acquaintance be forgot," the tears welled in his
(Mr. Ingham's) eyes, and his heart bounded
when he considered that the man to whom so
much honour was being done was his master,
(Cheers.) The meaning of the tune was well
known. The people of Manchester knew that they
made a" mistake in rejecting Mr. Bright as their
member—(hear, hear, and loud cheers)—and they
were anxious to make all the amends in their power.
(Hear, hear)

Mr. Y. WHITTAKER, carpet weaver, supported
the resolution. It had been stated that a notice had
once been posted in the Messrs. Bright's mills " No
Irish need apply." To that he was able to give a flat
denial. (Cheers.) Again it was said that Mr.
Bright was disliked by his workpeople, and that
he had been hooted from his mills. He could
onlyisthat when Mr. Bright entered his pre-
mises saya came amongst those whom he employed,
the most kindly feeling existed between them, and
that in no place that he was aware of was so tho-
rough a confidence established between employer
and employed. (" Hear, hear," and cheers.) He
earnestly hoped that Mr. Bright's life might be long
spared, and that when he had finished his course
here below he might hear the still small voice saying,
46Enter thou into the joy of thy Lord."
The motion was also supported by Mr. B. Old-
ham and Mr. Mark Kershaw, and was carried
amidst loud and continued cheering.
The CHAIRMAN, in presenting the address, said he
did so with feelings which he could not express.
Ever since he was a little boy, in 1822 or 1823, he
had worked for Mr. Bright, and he was still working
for him. He (the Chairman) had suffered much
sickness and affliction ; he had had to use crutches
for years, and he had never been without a meal's
meat. (Hear, hear.) Mr. Bright had been like a
father to him, and if every one whom Mr. Bright
had treated in the same manner was to come before
the meeting, they would have no end of speeches.
(Applause.) Turning to Mr. Bright, the Chair-
man said—lt is with the greatest respect for you
and your brothers that I give you this address.

LISTON IN TRAGEDY.--LiStoll was, in early man-
hood (says Mr. Timbs, in his " English Eccen-
trics"), in the counting-house of a merchant in Birchin-lane,
when, upon a summer's excursion into Norfolk in 1801, the
accidental sight of pretty Sally Parker, as she was then
called (an actress in the Norwich company), diverted his
inclinations at once from commerce, and he became stage-
struck. Happily for the lovers of mirth was it that he took
this turn. Shortly after he made his dibut on the Norwich
boards in his 22d year. Having a natural bent for tragedy,
he choose the part of Pyrrhus, in " The Distressed Mother,"
to Sally Parker's Hermione. We find him afterwards as
George Barnwell, Altamont, Clermont, ecc. ; but as if na-
ture had destined him to the sock, an unavoidable infirmity
absolutely incapacitated him for tragedy. LT his obstacle
is explained as arising from illusions which haunted
him in consequence of the solitary reveries to
which he was addicted in his early youth. Their effect
upon him is thus described.] In the midst of some most
pathetic passages--the parting of Jaffier with his dying
friend, for instance—he would suddenly be sraprised with
a fit of violent horse-laughter. While the spectators were
all sobbing before him with emotion, suddenY.y ono of those
grotesque faces would peep out upon him, and he could
not resist the impulse. A timely excuse once or
twice served his purpose, but no audience could be ex-
pected to bear repeatedly this violation o 2 the continuity
of feeling. He describes them (the illusions) as so many
demons haunting him and paralysing every effort. It is
said that he could not recite the famous soliloquy in
Hamlet," oven in private, without immoderate fits of
laughter. Ho waver, what ho had not force of reason suffi-
cient to overcome, ho had gcod sense enough to turn into
emolument, and determined to make a. commodity of dis-
temper. He prudently exchanged the buskin for the sock,
and the illusions instantly ceased, or if they occurred for a
short season, by this very co-operation added a zest to his
comic vein ; some of his most catchin g faces being (each
expressed it) little more than transcripts and copies of
those extraordinary phantasmata.
GAME AND THE STORM IN PERTHSHIRE.—Deer
scattered considerably during tho recent storm, and grouse
were beginning to suffer since the heavy falls of snow, but
fortunately the frost after the snow was not so intense as
before it, so that the birds were onahi,ed to get at food to
some extent. It is said that they fed tc an unusual extent
last autumn on grain, and some keepo •s aro afraid that in
consequence of this they will not come through the winter
SO well as they wixtla vtlacrwitic have cis one.

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HER MAJESTY, &c•

OSBORNE, Jan. 26.
The Queen drove out yesterday afternoon, accom-
panied by Princess Christian and the Duchess
d'Auniale.

Her Majesty and Princess Beatrice walked and
rode on ponies this morning.
Princess Louise, Prince Leopold, and Prince
Henry of Prussia walked in the grounds.
Prince Arthur drove out, .attended by Major
Elphinstone.

The Duke and DucheEs d'Aumale, attended by
Aidlle. Clinchamp, left Osborne to-day for Twicken-
ham.

Their Royal Highnesses crossed over to South-
ampton in the Royal yacht Alberta.

General Peel had the honour of dining with the
Queen and Royal family yesterday. He left for
London this morning.

Sunday.

The Queen, accompanied by Princess Christian,
drove out yesterday afternoon, attended by the
Dowager Duchess of Athole.

Tho other members of the royal family walked in
the grounds.

Her Majesty and their Royal Highnesses Prince
and Princess Christian, Princess Louise, Prince
Arthur, and Princess Beatrice attended Divine
service this morning at Whippingham Church.
The Rev. George Prothero officiated.
Mr. R. B. Morier arrived at Osborne yesterday,
and had the honour of dining with the Queen and
royal family.

THE PRINCE AND PRINCESS OF WALES.
SIX-MILE BOTTOM, Jan. 25.

The sport afforded his Royal Highness the Prince
of Wales yesterday by General Hall, over the
Larke's Hall part of the estate, was of a very ex-
cellent description. Upwards of 400 head of par-
tridges, besides some little ground game, fell to the
seven guns.

This morning the Prince of Wales, with General
Hall, the Earl of Leicester, the Earl of Dunmore,
Lord Ifuntingfield, Captain Bateson, and Major
G. H. Grey, went out partridge driving on the
Westley side of the estate, and enjoyed some first-
rate sport.

The visit here was terminated this evening, the
Prince of Wales, attended by Major Grey, leaving
Six-Mile Bottom by a special train at about 20
minutes to six o'clock, which, after stopping a few
minutes at Cambridge and King's Lynn for the
purpose of changing engines, reached Wolferton at
20 minutes past seven.

SANDRINGIIAM, Jan. 26.
Their Royal Highnesses the Prince and Princess
of Wales, attended by General Knollys, Major
Teesdale, Major Grey, and the Marchioness of Car-
marthen, attended Divine service at Sandringham
Church this morning. The Rev. W. Lake OnslOvv,
rector and private chaplain, officiated and preached.
The Prince and Princess of Wales, with Prince
Albert Victor and Prince George and suite, Will
1-ave Sandringham House to-morrow and return to
London by special train, having terminated the
winter visit to Norfolk after a stay of more than
three months. It is expected their royal highnesses
will revisit Sandringham about the middle of April
for the Easter holidays.

THE COURT.—it is understood that the return of
her Majesty and tho Court to Windsor Castlo will be the
beginning of a somewhat gayer season than usual.— Wind-
sor and Eton News.

DEATH OF TILE COUNTESS OF MAYO.—We have to
record the death of the Countess of Mayo, which
occurred on Saturday last, at Edgohill, Sydenham. lier
ladyship was the only daughter of the Hon. John Jocelyn,
son of Robert, first Earl of Roden, by Margaret, daughter'
of the late Right Hon. Richard Fitzgerald, of Mount
Offaloy, county Kildare. Her ladyship, who was born Jlll7
31, 1801, married Aug 3, 1820, the Earl of Mayo, by wit"'
she leaves ioouo —the Right:Hon. Lord Naas, M.P. Secre-
tary for Ireland ; and six other sons, and a daughter, Lady
Margaret Bourke.

DEATH OF THE COUNTESS (DOWAGER) OF JERSEY.
—We have to announce the sudden-death of Sarab,
the Countess Dowager of Jersey, which occurred on Satur-
day night at her ladyship's town residence in Berkeley-
square. We are informed that after a cheerful dinner, and
to every appearance in excellent health, the countess,
shortly after ten o'clock, went to her dressing room. In a
few minutes the household were alarmed by a violent ring'
ing of her bell, and, on an attendant going into the apart-
ment, the countess said she feared she had broken a blood
vessel. Medical aid was isimediately obtained, but to no
purpose, for her ladyship expired shortly before 11 o'clock.
DEATH OF SIR JOHN V. SHELLEY, BART.--We
have to announce the death of .Sir John Villiers Shelley}
Bart., who died at an early hour on Saturday morning at
Maresfield Park, the family seat in Sussex. The deceased
baronet wits the eldest son of Sir John, sixth baronet, by
Frances, only daughter and heiress of Mr. Thomas Wino'''.
ley, of Brockholes, Lancaster. Ho wall born March 187
1808, and married Aug. 13, 1832, Louisa Elizabeth Ann'
only child of the Rev. S. Johnes Knight, of Henley 1144
county Salop, rector of Welwyn, Harts, and vicar of All"
hallows, Barking, by whom he leaves issue an only
daughter. At the general election in 1841 he was an un-
successful candidate for the Eastern Division of Susses.
In July, 1852, he was elected to the House of Comment'
for the city of Westminster, and sat for that city uP
to the dissolution in 1865. The late Sir John, v;b°
was educated at the Charter House, was the author
of some political pamphlets. He succeeded to the
baronetcy on the death of his father ix March,
1852. Shirley, in his "Noblemen and Gentlemen a
England," makes mention of this family as follows:—"
Al-
though there is no doubt of the antiquity of the House (/'
Shelley, the accounts of the earlier descents of the family
are very scanty. Originally of the county of Huntingdon
the Shelleys are said .to have removed into this county
(Sussex) at a very early period. But the earliest mention,
we have in history of any of this family is of John and,
Thomas Shelley, who, following the fortunes of Richert'
11, were attainted and beheaded in the first year of Howl
IV. The remaining brother, Sir William Shelley, not be;
ing connected with the followers of Richard 11. retained
his possessions, and was the ancestor of this family, WJI
in the reign of Henry VI., by a match with the heiress °
Michelgrove of Michelgrove, in Clapham, was seated at
that place, which continued the residence of the Shelleys
until the year 1800, when it was sold, and Maresfiell beci
came the family seat." The patent of baronetcy wasdate
May, 1611, and formed the last of the 20 first created, and
of which five still exist, not merged in peerages. Sir Job°
lays claim to the ancient barony of Sudeley (in abeyance
since 1336) as representative of Alice Belknap, one of the
co-heirs. The late Sir John was lieutenant-colonel of the
46th Middlesex Rifle Volunteers. By default of male WO
he is succeeded in- the baronetcy by his brother, the
Frederick Shelley, rector of Beer Ferris, Devon, born la,
1809, and married in 1845 to Charlotte Marie, daughter o'
the late Rev. H. Hippis'ey, of Lamborne ?lace, Berks.
REPRESENTATION OF STROUD.—STROUD, Satur-
day.—This scattered borough is quite in a ferment of elf
tion excitement consequent on the position taken up P.,),
some of the Liberal party in opposition to Mr. Ilorsroa
The new candidate, Mr. Winterbotham, has issued a Yore
lengthy manifesto, offering himself as a candidate "in the
prospect of an early dissolution of Parliament," and to
challenge has been answered by Mr. Horaman's friends s.,
viting that gentleman to a public dinner, which is to cod,„
off before the meeting of Parliament. Mr. Winterbotbn
in his address, declares himself "a warm and unbesitati;
adherent of Liberal principles and the Liberal party.' be
enters at length into the question of reform, and saYsbe.
should have supported the •bill of last session, and he ty
lieves "there is hardly a section of the Liberal Pro
honestly in favour of reform who could not accept 3 0
franchise as a present settlement of the question." 11°003
not prepared for either the ballot, or universal or inenbpe
suffrage, but is favourable to Mr. Locke
county franchise. Mr. Scropo has issued a denial ot
intention to vacate his seat for the borough.
"tee to
DR. LIVINGSTONE.—Mr. Horace Waller writes
0e
a contemporary as follows Perhaps the follovV,
extract from a letter I have just received from fr. pitt
at Zanzibar, may interest those who feel anxious ae
Dr. Livingstone. It is dated December 1. ll° 13350raeclf
'No news of Livingstone since the Sepoys -retur 13,
A
unless a report that ho had interfered with an uich
slave caravan can be taken as such. The letters 11;00
must have accompanied the Sepoys have notdo-
delivered as yet, so that this mail leaves without anil
finite news regarding his expedition.' Some re
ruoursto:a
crept into the papers of late speaking of misfortunes lis
come to Dr. Livingstone. As one who, with otberlv,suid
East Africa, has been killed over and over again, I all
urge the doctor's friends and well-wishers to diebelie
o n
o :
•
side-wind tales. The interested and fertile ireagniessts
s
an Arab, or the lying capacity of a Portuguese half'
s s-
under tropical influence, would make the fortune °La to
sation novelist. On one occasion I have had to
minute details of the doctor's death whilst waiting for jo
on the Shire. We receive the saddest accounts of the
L crow of the fillAY9 trade at Zanzibar."