The Sun.
London, England, 1858-04-05 00:00:00

POLICB INTELLIGENCE.-April• 3.

CLERKENWELL.—The Rev. Dr. Worthing-
ton, Trinity Chapel, Gray's-inn-road, and two
other clergymen belonging to the district and parish
of St. Andrew's, Holborn, attended to support 34
summonses taken out at their inwance against de-
faulters in the above palish who had not paid their
tithes.

The first case called on was that of Mr. Tilley, who,
after showing that there were different sums put
down in the summonses to those charged him in the
collector's notices, said he did not wish the case
stepped on any technical objection, but should like
to ask what substantial benefit he got for the money
ho paid for tithes. He objected to the payment on
conscientious principles, and considered the law for
their support both iniquitous and infamous, and
should always come to that court to hold the law up
to the contempt of the world.

Mr. Corrie-LAre you the owner of the house, or
do you hold the proprty upon lease ?
Defendant—l at present rent the house, but I
am about taking it upon lease.
Mr. Corrie—Then, would it not be as well that
in the contract you wake you should take into con-
sideration the sum you would have to pay for
? Suppose some of the money you paid went
for the purpose of paying some one to sing psalms
to some idol ?

Defendant—That is a question for me and the
landlord, and I think it is quite irrelevant to the
present matter. Ido not recognise the church at
all, and should like to know what equivalent I get
for my money.
Dr. Worthington—You can go to church, and
the money is for the support of curates and other
expenses in connection with the church.
Defendant—But why receive the fees through
such an iniquitous course ? Why should I be called
upon to pay for what I never use or receive ? Do
you think that the rev. gentlemen who receive my
money in the shape of tithes would like to pay me
.for hats they never had. (A laugh.) They would
protest, and say they never received any hats, and
on the same principle I protest and say that for the
money I pay I receive no benefit.
Mr. Corrie said he should under the present state
of the law have to make an order for the payment
of the sum demanded, but as the collector had
made a mistake in the amounts he should not order
the defendant to pay the costs.
The defendant said he would at once pay the
money, but he should like to know whether it was
proper that one of the officers should call upon him
i❑ a half muddled state to get him to so tle the
matter, and to tamper with the persons who had
summoned him.
Mr. Corria asked who the officer waq..

Turner, the gaoler, said he, knowing the expense
the parties would be 'put to, had called upon them
to settle the matter.

The defendant said that two years ago Turner
called upon him to settle the matter. He did not
think it proper that the officers of the court should
call upon parties to induce them to settle matters
instead of allowing them to come to that court to
have justice. As far as he was concerned, he should
always oppose the paying of tithes.
Dr. Worthington, in an excited manner, said it
was a disgrace to all Englishmen to oppose such a
law which was the oldest on the statute-book.
The defendant said it was a disgrace that the
church should not support the poor, which they
were bound to do.
The matter then terminated.
The other suramonses were then adjourned in

- - Mollineux, one of the City detectives, said he WO
in the house on the morning in question, but none
of the parties robbed had complained when the pri-
soner left. He took the prisoner into custody on
Thursday afternoon, after he was discharged from
the Marylebone police-court, on a charge of being
in Mr. Wall's (a City merchant) room, at the Great
Western Hotel, for the purpose of committing a
felony.
Mr. Tyrwhitt said he certainly could not detain
the prisoner, for there was no one present who had
lost the notes. Whenever other evidence was forth-
coming the prisoner could be taken again.
The prisoner was then discharged. His name,
it may be mentioned, is not in the present year's
Law List.

WORSHIP-STREET.—Conrad Dupin, a sturdy
foreign mendicant, of athletic proportions, was
charged with having violently assaulted Mrs.
Marianne Smythe, the wife of a gentleman residing
at Kingsland.
The complainant, who presented indications of
severe personal violence, stated that while proceed-
ing towards her residence on the previous afternoon,
she was stopped by prisoner, who addressed her in
broken English, and with a piteous'whine, soli-
cited relief. Feeling satisfied, from his general ap-
pearance, that he was not a deserving object of
charity, he declined to assist him, and endeavoured
to pass on, but was instantly intercepted by the pri-
soner, who placed himself in front of her, and sud-
denly substituting the choicest Billingsgate for his
mild-spoken foreign phraseology, imperatively de-
manded some money. She was greatly alarmed at
his outrageous conduct, and hastily stepped into the
road, endeavouring to avoid him, but was imme-
diately foliowe 1 up by the prisoner, who again
reviled her with the most scurillous epithets, and
ultimately struck her repeated heavy blows about
the face and head, which loosened three of her
teeth and partially stunntd her. Her cries for
assistance attracted the notice of some of the passers-
by, who protected her from lurther ill treatment
until the arrival of a policeman.
Hopper, N 358, said that on reaching the spot
prisoner was given into his custody by the lady,
who was bleeding from the mouth, and after a re-
solute residence he was conveyed to the station.
On his arrival there, he described himself as a per-
secuted foreign refugee, who had only recently
arrived in this count!), ; but he was well known
to the police as a sturdy beggar, who had infested
;ho streetsfor the last two years.
Mr. Hammill severely animadverted upon the
brutal and lawless conduct of the prisoner and
ordered him to be remanded for the attendance of a
Mendicity officer, whose evidence was necessary to
complete the case.

SOUTHWARK—Reuben Hickox, a general
dealer, residing in Alma-road, Bermondsey, was
charged with committing violent aisaults on Mr.
Thomas Wooley, and Mr. Henry Mitchell, in a third
class carriage of the London and Brighton Railway,
while in transit from Brighton to Loudon.
Mr. Wooley said he was a telegraph superinten-
dent, and resided at No. 11, High-street, Man-
chester-square. On Goo 1 Friday he went to
Brighton by excursion-train, and in returning to
London, just as the train was about to enter the
first tunm-1, he saw theprisoner suddenly jump up
from his seat opposite, with a thick stick in his
hind; which he struck witness with on the head.
The blow was so violent that it smashed his hat in,
and had that not been very strong he must have
been injured seriously. Witness seized hold of
him, and wreattd the stick from him, and held him
down, but he was S) violent that he nearly over-
powered him, and attacked another gentleman who
was in the same compartment. They, however,
kept hold of him until they came to the Three
Midges station, when he was removed to another
carriage by the guard, On their arrival at the Lon-
don-bridge terminus he was given into custody.
Witness believed that in the struggle the prisoner
had a knife in his hand, as on examining his coat he
found two or three cuts in it. He would not swear
he used a knife.

Mr. Mitchell, a clerk, residing in Counter-street,
Borough, slid he was in the same compartment,
and he saw the prisoner attack last witness with
a stick just. as they entered the tunnel. He
went to Mr, Wooley's assistance, when the prisoner
struck him also and seized him by the throat. He
then heard some one say, "Look out he has got a
knife in his hand," and then they overpowered him,
and held him until the train stopped at Three
Bridges, when he was removed. On the arrival of
the train at London-bridge he struck witness again
in the presence of a police-constable.
Mr. Henry Drapper was also in the same com
partment, and he saw the prisoner lay his stick
about right and left. He was like a madman, and
caused
.considerable excitement amongst the
passengers. He had evidently been drinking to
some extent. Witness saw the assaults committed.
In answer to the charge the prisoner said he had
been most cruelly treated by the three young men,
and was suffering severely from the injuries inflicted
on him.

Mr. Burcham told him that it serred him right.
From the uncontradicted evidence of those three
respectable witnesses it was clear that he had acted
with great violence in the railway carriage, and
without the least provocation attacked two persona
with a stick. In endeaviuring to restrain him he
committed further viAence, and caused the injuries
to be inflicted on himself. The public travelling in
railway carriages must be protected atrainst such
ruffians, therefore he should fine him 565. or three
weeks for the first assault, and 50s. or three weeks
for the sec md, making altogether 5/. or six weeks
hard labour.

THE FAIRY PRlNOE.—Because young ladies are bred
in humdrum country towns, do you suppose they never
indulge in romances Because they are modest and
have never quitted mother's apron, do you suppose they
have no thoughts of their own ? What happens in spite
of all those precautions which the king and queen take
for their darling princess, those dragons, and that im-
penetrable forest, and that castle of steel ? The fairy
prince penetrates the impenetrable forest, finds the
weak point in the dragon's scale armour and gets the
better of all the ogres who guard the castle of
steel. • Away goes the princess to him. She knew
him at once. Her bandboxes and portmanteaus are filled
with her best clothes and all her jewels. She has been
ready ever so long. That is in fairy tales, you under-
and—w here the blessed hour and youth always arrive,
the ivory horn is blown at the castle gate ; and far off in
her beauteous bower the princess hears it, and starts up,
aalnwdakyßnorewasdy. Lookthattherel
hisowthtehe giants' heals tumble offright champion. He is
as, fslchion in hand, he gallops over the bridge on his
white charger 1 How should that virgin, locked up in
that inaccessible fortress, where she has never seen any
man that was not 80, or hump-backed, or her father,
know that there were such beings in the world as young
men ? I suppose. there's an instinct. I suppose there's
a season. I never spoke, for my part, to a fairy prin-
cess, or heard as much from any unenchanted or en-
chanting maiden. Ne'er a one of them has ever whis-
pered her pretty little secrets to me, or perhaps confessed
them to herself, her mamma, or her nearest and dearest
confidante. But they will fall in love. Their little
heart] are constantly throbbing at the 'window of ex-
pectancy on the look-out for the champion. They are
always hearing his horn. They are for ever on the
tower looking for the hero. Sister Ann, sister Ann,
do you see him. Surely 'tie a knight with curling
mustachios, a flashing cirniter, and a suit of silver
armour. Oh no ! it is only a costermonger with his
donkey and a pannier of cabbages. Sister Ann,
sister Ann, what is that cloud of dust ? Oh it
fl is only a farmer's man driving a ;ck of pigs frommar-
ket. Sister Ann, sister Aun, who is that splendid w-r-
-rior advancing in scarlet and gold ? He nears the castle,
he chars the drawbridge, he lifts the ponderous hammer
at the gate. Ah me, he knocks twice 'fis only the
postman with a double letter from Northamptonshire.
So it is that we make false starts in life.—The Viivi-
sti Ins, No. G.

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consequence of the officer who served the whole of THE BALLOT—MEETING AT .HERTFORD.
the summonses not being in attendance.
William James Stuart, aged 29, described on the
police-sheet as a solicitor, residing at 50, Dale-
street, Liverpool, was charged on suspicion of steal-
ing, in the parish of St. Andrew's Holborn, three
51. Bank of England notes and 9/. in gold, the
moneys of Mr. William Wood, hotel keeper.
The prosecutor in this case is the proprietor of
Wood's Hotel, Furnival's Inn, Holborn, and he
stated that the prisoner went to his house on the
night of the 24th of last month, and put up at his
hotel. The next morning, between seven and eight
o'clock, the prisoner left the house, and shortly
afterwards some gentl,men complained that they
had been robbed during the night ; one of two Si.
notes, and another of a 51, note and some gold.
On the 22d of January last the prisoner first came
4,-,9 his house, and then a gentleman lost something.
As he (the prosecutor) had to make good the loss,
when iLT prisoner came the second time Mollineux,
a was sent for, but he did not-
arrive until de
tee
ilcOnieeo;/clock in the morning. The prit
soner, however, had his breakfast before the rest o
the lodgers were about, and left the house, cone.
quently the presence of the officer was of nu avail.
He h.oped a remand would be granted to trace the
notes, and to have the gentlemen present who had
lost them.

(From the Hertford Mercury.)
On Thursday evening a public meeting was held at
the Town Hall, for the purpose of hearing a deputation
from the Society for Promoting the Adoption of the
Ballot. The attendance was numerous, and included a
large party of Tories, some of whom had evidently deter-
mined, if possible, to prevent the speakers from obtain-
ing a hearing, Mr. Joseph Newman was called to the
chair.
The CHAIRMAN said, the subject of the ballot bad not
been fully discussed ; and he had taken an active part
in inducing the deputation from the Ballot Society to
come down to Hertford, with the full belief that the
more the subject was brought under discussion, the more
friends and supporters would the ballot system obtain.
The opponents of the ballot should have an opportunity
of addressing the meeting, if they chose to do so, and he
hoped that every speaker would have a fair and impartial
hearing. (Rear, hear.)
Mr. E. C. WHITEHUBST (vine-chairman of the
Ballot Society) then rose to address the meeting. He
said we had the happiness to live under what was
called a representative Government, and the whole
theory of the constitution was this—that each one of
the people of England was present in Parliament by
his representative, consenting to the taxes he is
to pay and the laws by which he is to be governed.
That was the theory, but what was the fact 1 Every-
body did not possess a vote, and many of those who
did possess the franchise possessed it more in name
than in reality. It was computed that not more than one
man in six possessed a vote, and therefore there was
great need of an extension of the franchise, which was
admitted by the leaders of all parties. But, perhaps,
not more than one in six of the electors was free to vote
for the man he thought best fitted to represent him in
Parliament, for there were so many influences at work
to prevent a man from freely and conscientiously exer-
cising the franchise. That being the case, the mere ex-
tension of the franchise would be of very little use ; and
the practical conclusion which he desired to bring before
the meeting was that no extension of the franchise
would be satisfactory, and really increase the free power
of the people, unless it was accompanied with the sys-
tem of voting by ballot. This was a question not to be
settled by loose or random assertions, but it was a
question of fact ; and he would read to the meeting
some extracts to show that it was admitted by various
parties that there were a very large number of persons
who were unable to give their votes freely and honestly,
without regard to the wishes or feelings of their land-
lords, their customers, their creditors, or. their em-
ployers. He 2,would first read the confessions of a de-
feated candidate for the county of Leicester. This gen-
tleman was a Tory, and an opponent of the ballot. He
said, "I contend it is contrary to the spirit of the
British constitution that a few large landed proprietors
are to combine together to return any one they choose
for a constituency that cannot be called a very small
one." That gentleman seemed to think that landed
proprietors might choose a representative for a
small constituency, but he (Mr. Whitehurat) differed
from him on that point. The defeated candidate
went on to say that he had received communica-
tions from tenant-farmers stating that if they could
have done as they wished, he would have been
returned at the bead of the poll. At the last election
for South Northamptonshire, the Tory candidate, who
was elected, in returning thanks, said, "Let me first
return my thanks to those 1983 voters who have brought
me in as their representative ; and next those vet -rs who
gave me their good wishes, but said they could not vote
far me." He then went on to il:ustrate the undue in-
fluence which had been used, by saying that while at
one of the booths he sa s a voter, who had promised
him, vote for Lord Henley.
Mr. BLACKABY (a shoemaker, formerly as extreme
Radical—latterly a Conservative) —Tne question—the
ballot.
Mr. WHIM:MST—I am afraid the gentleman who—
A. VOICE—Take no notice of him, Sir ; he's a lu❑a-
tic. (Lcurl cheers and laughter.)
Mr, BLACKABY—I believe—(interruption, laughter,
and cries of " order")—l did not intend to insult the
speaker; I simply called his attention to the questio❑
before us. If he wants to go from Land's End to John
fr'Groat's to tell us what is the meaning of he ballot,
then lam a lunatic. (Laughter.) But, sir (addressing
Whitehurat), I will wait till you have done your
rhodomontade, then I will answer you. (Laughter.)
Mr. WHITEHURST —I promise that when I have
finished my remarks, which the gentleman calls rhodo-
wonted°, he shall have an opportunity of addres-ing the
meeting as long as the meeting choose to listen to him. I
shall go on to show that various forms of nrirnidation
prevent the people of this country from recording
their votes at elections freely and independently ;
then, that the ballot would cure the evils of intimi-
dation ; and lastly, notice some of the objections
to the institution of the ballot And I can
assure the gentleman who interrupted me that I mean to
go from Caithness to Cornwall, to show that wherever
there is an election, a large number of the electors are
coerced.—Mr. Whitehurat then proceeded to quote
various authorities to show the prevalence of intimida-
tion in some form or other, when he was interrupted by
some of the Tories ; upon which he said he should like
to know what was the objection to the balot entertained
by those'who interrupted him. Did they deny the exist-
ence of coercion and intimidation ? Did they think the
ballot would not cure that evil ? Was it wrong to vote
in secret I
Mr. G. &resole—lt's wrong, most decidedly wrong.
No man ever had a right to vote, unless he voted openly.
Mr. WHITRHURST—Then it comes to a question of
secrecy. I will answer that presently ; but first I will
fasten your attention to the question, whether the ballot
would prevent intimidation. (Loud cries of " Yes,"
"No," and interruption.)
The CHAIRMAN said there appeared to be a large num-
ber on each side of the question ; but he begged the
meeting to give the gentleman who was addressing them
a,fair cpportunity of expressing his views.
Mr. BLACKABY rose amid laughter, hissv, and in-
terruption.
The CHAIRMAN called hi'n to order.
Mr. BLACKABY—I will be beard.
The CHAIRMAN—Give me your name, sir.
Mr. BLACKABY—My name is Blackaby, sir. (Lough-
ter.)
The CHAIRMAN then put it to the meeting whether
they would hear Mr. Blackaby or Mr. Whitehurat. The
meeting decided by an almost unanimous show of hands
to hear Mr. Whitehurat.
Mr. BLACKABY —I am addressing you, sir, ae the
Chairman. (Interruption, hisses, and cries of " Turn
him out.") •
Mr. HOWARD COLEMAN said if Mr. Wbiteher•t
would confine himself to the question of the ballot he
should be glad to hear him ; but he must not be sar-
caetic and personal in his remarks.
Mr. WHITEHURST was about to proceed with his re-
marks, when
Mr. BLACKABY again rose' and said—This subject I
appreciate more than anybody in the room ; but I want
elucidating on the subject. I don't want to go from
Land's End to John O'Groat, because this question
is eimple in its substance. (Laughter, interruption, and
cries of "order)." I maintain, to all intents and purposes.
(Renewer! interruption.) I made use of the word rhn-
domontade—and so it is, for rhodoreontade means stuff.
(Loud laughter.) And of course—(interruption, during
which Mr. Blackaby sat down.)
Mr. WRITEIIE:MST—I assume now that those gentlemen
who are opposed to the ballot acinkt that intimidation
does prevail, and I will grapple at once with the ohjec-
tion stated by the gentleman on the lefthand side of the
room (Mr. Simeon), He objects to the secrecy of the
ballot. What is there wrong in secrecy I We are in
the habit of doing nearly things in secret. We are in
the habit of excluding the interference and prying of
our neiehbours in affairs which we think they have no
right to interfere with. We seal our letters when we
send them to the post, aid no ono has any more right to
know what his neighbour's vote is than he has to open
his letters on their way to the pest. What do you want
to know how a man votes for ? if you want to turn
him out of his farm, or put an execution into his house,
then you may want to know how he votes. But other-
wise, why do you want to know how a man votes ?
Mr. SIMSON—You never will know if ho votes in
secret.

Mr. WHITEHURST—ExactIy, nor should you. Just
as I would prevent a man gong to my banker's to know
what balance I have there, so I would prevent him
from knowing how I vote. I ask you again—Why do
you want to know how a man votes
A Voice—So as to put the screw on. (Loud laughter.)
Mr. H. COLEMAN-Is not the screw put on before he
votes ? I have known it put on by the Whigs in this
town. Don't be too bard on the Tories.

Mr. WHITEHURST--I believe it is the regular praotice
of all parties—Tories, Whigs, and Radicals—to put on
the screw. I believe that wherever there are men who
have power of controlling voters—whether bankers,
attorneys, the millewners of Lancashire, or the land-
owners of Hertfordshire—that power will be used to
force a man to vote in a particular way, or to punish
him for giving an honest vote, contrary to the wishes of
those in whose power he is. Now, then,
c Mme back
to the question of secrecy. Are there no other persons
in this country who vote in secret ? The members of a
Court Martial, at the commencement of the proceed-
ings, take an oath not at any time, or on any acoount, to
divulge the vote or opinion of any member of the Courc
Martial. You know the opinion of the whole Court
Martial, just as you would know the result of a whole
constituency ; but you don't know how each member
has voted.

Mr. BLACKA.BY—Becaus6 their dead are evil.

Mr. WIIITEHURBT—T.tie gentleman quotes Scripture ;
but I will remind him that the man who votes in secret
may, if ho chooses, proclaim how he has voted, and may
" sound a trarnpet before him as the hypocrites do."
(Laughter, and interruption.)
Mr. BLAOKABY—I suppose when you made that
retwirk—(interruption)--I consider when you make a
personal remark upon one individual in a rneetiug,
yea in9nit the whole body. I want to know whether
you intend that remark to reflect upon yourself or upon
this body ? If you were a wise man—(interruption), I
won't be put down. If you are a gentleman confine your-
self to language that is cot insulting to any community,
Mr. WHITEHURST—I meant t i apply the remark to
whom it is applicable, and there is an old saying—those
whom the cap firs let them wear it. (Cheers and laughter.)
Mr. BLAOKABT then sat down, observing—' If you
make any more personal remarks, I shall rise again."
(Laughter.)
Mr. WHITEHURST—The ventleman has closed his very
eloquent remarks with the word that we often see

on hatehments—"Resurgaw," I shall rise again
(Laughter.)

Mr. BLAOKABY
_immediately started to hie feet, amid
roars of laughter, follo.Ned with hisses. He said—l

pledge myself only to make one more remark, and I wilt
leave it in the bosom of that gentleman. (Laughter.) I

will quote one passage—and that is from one of the most ness. Solomon told him tha', and therefore he knew it.
celebrated poets that ever lived. (Interruption.) The But he must ray that, whenever a man ot up gentleman has has made remarks upon me because lam a sate a political question, it would be wise of himto to steer
plebeian. (Laughter) Mr. Blackaby ghee began to clear of any International matter. (Loud laughter.) He
repeat the lines in a pompous, oratorical manner, which did not }mom why people laughed. There was a very
was thoroughly appreciated by the meeting. With up- good iaying—"Focls laugh, and Wise teen keep their
lifted arm, and solemn tone, he proceeded. The con tenance." (Renewed laughter.) He hoped he should
passage is—
" Did I unjustly seek to raise m fame be excused making these personal remarks ; but he felt,
On the piled ruins y as an individual, that he had been personaly attacked.
(Loud laughter and interruption.) Hannah Moore --
He dared Ray his remarks would go through the publio
the poet or the poetess. She said , papers, but that did not daunt him for a single moment.
"Did I unjustly seek to raise m fame—
I These were rude remarks, hut net personal. (Laughter.)
Y Mr. FOSTER then addressed a few words to the meet-
(Laughter, and cries of "order.") I pledge myself to ing, in opposition to the adoption of the ballot. He finish with this expression. Hannah Moore said—
" Did I unjustly--. characterised it as en-English, and as calculated to pre-
vent voters from taking that interest in
politics which
(Renewed bursts of laughter.) If I wait for a week—
they did now, and which it was important they should
with all the shorthand writers here—l will finish it. continue to take. If the ballot was adopted a man
The gentleman thought proper to make a remark upon would give his vote and go home and think no more
me because he thought I was a plebeian—that is a about politics till another election ; but now men were
humbly-born
always talking about politics, and thus erroneous opi-
nions were corrected, and right conclusions arrived at.
The experience of the working by ballot in a new coun-
try like Australia was not a criterion fur us ; but we
should rather look at the working of it in such countries
as France and America, where the result was anything
but desirable. He concluded by proposing an amend-
ment, to the effect that it was not desirable to adopt the
ballot.
Mr. H. COLEMAN seconded the amendment, and said
he was quite satisfied that the people of Hertford were
too Independent to require the protection of the ballot.
Mr. Newman had been in the town but a short time,
but he was a remarkably busy little body—(a laugb)—
both in parochial and other matters. He did nob tb-
jet to that, however, for if a gentleman saw evils in
society, it was quite right of him to try to rectify them ;
but if Mr. Newman thought they were going to have
the ballot forced upon them, he was quite mistaken.
(Cheers.)
The CHAIRMAN said he was glad to hear that Hert-
ford was so pure as not to need any improvement. But
he must say, although he had been only at Hertford a
short time, he had heard something about 14 daps'
leases. (Cheers, laughter, and hisses.)
The amendment and motion were them put to the vote,
and the chairman declared that in his opinion the show
of hands was slightly in favour of the ballot.
This announcement gave great dissatisfaction to the
opponents of the ballot, some of whom declared there
were four to one against it, and others •aid there were
two to one. To us the numbers appeared to be so nearly
equal that, without actually counting them, it was im.
possible to decide which bad the majority. After a little
uproarious pr )testing against the announcement of the
division, the meeting quietly dispersed.

"Did I unjustly--
(much lan'eter.) It is worth hearing, and I will have
it out. It's only four lines. I say again—now don't
made a noise this time. (Renewed laughter.) I will
finish with these four lines. I say again—l wish you
would bear it. (Great laughter and interruption.)
The CHAIRMAN in erposed, and said such disorder was
not creditable to Hertford.
Several rersons called out that they had better hear
Mr. Blackaby's poetry and done with it, so that Mr.
Whitehurst's speech might be continued.
The CHAIRMAN then requested the meeting to restrain
their mirth and listen to the poetry.
Mr. BLACKANY then proceeded, and delivered himeel
of the following lines, the meeting with difficulty hold-
ing in check the risible faculty which had been so
strongly exciter] :
" Did I unjustly seek to raise my fame
On the piled ruins of another's name ?
Nay ! I would scorn as hell the invidious lie—
Such foul deceit—such base hypocrisy."
(Loud laughter.)
Mr. WHITEHURST—The gentleman of the poetry did
me a grievous iejuetice when he represented me Re having
trampled himidown because he was a plebeian. I assure
him that no such idea ever entered my mind. On the
contrary, so far from taking him to be a plebeian, I took
him for one of the aristocracy. (Laughter, and cries of
" Oh," and " What a bad judge you must be.") And I
was reminded, not of four, but of two lines—
" What can ennoble fools, or sots, or cowards ?
Alas, not all the blood of all the Howards."
(loud laughter, and a cry of "Haven't you another four
lines, Blackaby ?") Now then, let us drop this personal
question and come back to the ballot. The Legislature
of this country have given the officers of Court Martial
the protection of secret voting, becan.e they are depen-
dent for their promotion on the goodwill of their higher
authorities ; and it might chance that if a man had
given a vote (honest though it might be) displeasing, to
the military authorities, his promotion might be stopped
and his career blasted. And I ask, on behalf of a large
body of electors of this country, that they may be pro-
tected by secret voting from any evil consequences to
themselves or their families from the exercise of their
vote. Cabinet Ministers carry on their debates in secrecy.
The newspaper writers, who exercise a great power over
public opinion, who form and control public opinion, who
maintain ministers in office, or write down and put them
out of office, are unknown. And just as I ask, on behalf
of the independence of the press—which is necess try to
the good government of the country—that the writers
may be protected by secrecy, so, in order to maintain
the+ independence of the electors and the independence.
of Parliament, I would ask that the elector should vote
in secret. I heard a gentleman say just now that no man
ought to vote who can't vote openly. But when you say
that, you are finding fault with the constitution of the
world. There ought to be no gaols and no lunatic asy-
lums, but while there are thieves and lunatics you must
have such places. Men ought to be independent, nut
they are not, and the majority of them never will be
while society is constituted as it he Men ought not to
exercise despotic power ever others, but they w li do it,
and therefore I say let the voter be protected by secrecy.
Mr. H. COLEMAN—No man ought to be ashainee of
his vote.
Mr. WHITEHURST—I grant it, and perhaps you would
say no man ought to be ashamed of the balance at his
banker's. I ask you why you eleoulii wart to know h
a man votes any more than what balance he has at his
banker's.
Mr. Sniesore—Because the one is a public matter, and
the other is private.
Mr. WHITEHURST—I grant that the exercise of the
vote is a public duty ; and for tnat reason, give a man
the protection of the ballot, so as not to make him sin
agaiust his public duty.
Mr. He COLeMAN asked Mr. Whitehuret to mention
any cases in Hertford in which voters had been made to
vote contrary to their wishes and opinions. •
Mr. WHITEHURST said he was a stranger to the place,
and therefore could not mention instances ; but he had
no doubt coercion prevailed here as elsewhere.
Mr. H.
,COLEMAN —No it don't. I always vote as I
like.

ANOTHER HRAVY GALE ON THE NORTH-
BAST COAST, AND I OSB OF LIFE.

On Saturday advict-s at Lloyd's furnish a list of
serious casualtie4 which occurred on the North-east
coast, during a heavy gal-. on Thursday and Friday
mor..ing. It commenced from the northward, and
veered io the N.E., blowing heavy squalls, with
rain, and causing the sea to break on the beach
with great fury. _

Between Fla- mborough Head and the Tees, the
weather was exceedingly bad, and several vessels
w, re driven ashore. A sad catastrophe happened
off Scaroorough on Thursday morning. A boat in
which were several men, sill posed four or five, was
observed by the coast guard to be endeavouring to
make for the karbour. The gale was at its height,
and a very heavy sea was running. The boat had-
approached within a mile or so of the shore. when
it capsized, and all the unfortunate fellows who.
were in it perished. Later in the day, the boat was
washed ashore, and on a piece of wood at the stern,
was found the name of " Robert Hudsen." The
unfortunate men are supposed to have formed the
crew of a coasting ve-sel which fouudered during
the gale. None of the bodies as 37, t have been cast
up. The boat is about ten feet in length, and-is in
the custo.ly of the receiver of droits for the district.
On 'he same morning, near the Tees lighthouse,
the schooner Kingfisher, Captain Patterson, from
the Tyne, was driven ashore ; and at Staithes, in
the neighbourhood, another, the Steerwell, belong-
ing to Whitney, sank.
The most serious, loss, however, as regards the
extent of property, was the wreck of the London
and Newcastle screw steamer Rosedale, Capt. Wood,
un the Lon2scar Rooks, near Hartlepool, on Thurs-
day morning. In the course cf the night and Fri-
day morning she went to pieces, and her loss is
valued at 20,0001. She was bound to Newcastle,
and, it is statqd, was in charge of two pilots.
She had almost reached the Tyne, when she
was driven back by the gale, and was endea-
vouring to run into Hartlepool harbour when
she drove on the rocks. The life-boat was
i,ot out, and succeeded in rescuing the crew
of the ill-fated steamer. It is reported that the
plots d.d not keep her in the proper Cannel, but
the whole of the facts will be gone int) at au in-
quiry which the Board of Trade have directed.
The R sedale was built abotit three years ago, and
was the property of Messrs. Palmer, of Newcastle-
upon-Tyne.

Mr. A. GREEN—No, you don't.
This observation led to a little bantering between Mr.
Coleman and Mr. Green, in the course of which Mr.
Coleman remarked, "I can vote as I like, but you
can't."
Mr. WHITERUBST —Mr. Coleman has made the ad-
rniesioe. He says he can vote as he likes, but Mr.
Green. can't. (Loud laughter.) Let us imagine the
ballot is instituted at Hertford, what would Mr. Cole-
man be the worse ? Would he be less independent than
now I He would be just as able to vote as he thinks
proper as he does now. And would not Mr. Green,
whom Mr. Coleman points out as the victim of coercion,
be in a better position ? (Laughter.)
Mr. H. COLEMAN—Re is the only man in Hertford
the ball it woulii suit.
Mr. WHITEHUNST—I am willing to take that admis-
sion, because if there is only one man in the borough of
Hertford who wants the proteo ion of the ballot, I say
that man; would be better off, and all the others would
be none the worse. (Interruption.) How could they
be any worse off ?
A Voice—Tnere would be no bribery. (Laughter.)
Mr. WHITEHURST —Mr. Coleman, upright and proud
in all the Cont-ciousness of his integrity, c mid go forth,
and proclaim with a trumpet—
Mr. COLEMAN—I should have you for the trumpet, for
a better mouthpiece I don't know. (Loud laughter.)
Mr. WHITEI3I7RST—But my sympathies are with Mr.
Alfred Green, who is the victim of coercion, according
to Mr. Coleman's account. (Laughter.) I have not
yet heard it denied that coercion at elections does pre-
vail, or that the ballot would prevent coercion, and I
have yet to learn why any man is entitled to know how
another luau votes. (Cheers.)
Mr. G. STAVELEY, of Victoria, then came f tr Nerd to
address the assembly. He said he bad been a a resident
at G—elong, in Victoria, for some years, and had had
frequent opportunities of watching the operation of the
system of voting by ballot, there adopted, The result
was that, though at the first averse to the secret mode
of voting, he became a thoroegh convert to it, after see-
ing its g oi effects. A transparency, illustrating the
mo le of voting adopted in the colony of Victoria. was
then exhibited, and explained by Mr. Staveley. At a
bench in the polling room sat the returning officer, the
poll clerks, and scrutineers. Tue voter approached this
bench, and it having been ascertained that he was quali-
fied to cote, r-ceived a polling paper, upon which the
names of toe candidates were printed, from the poll
clerks. He then retired into a recess, provided with a
desk and writing materials, where he could not be
seen, and striking out the names of the p reoi.s he
did not intend to vote for, carried the paper back to the
bench, and deposited it in a I,cked box, in which there
was a slit for the purpose. His vote was then recorded,
and he returned borne. At the close of the poll, the
papers were taken out, and examined in the presence of
the returning officer, the poll clerks, and scrutineers ap-
pointed by the candidates. The result was perfect
secrecy. No one knew how a men voted, and nobody
now asked a man, beosuse he was unable to give them
any proof on the subject. The mode of voting in Vie, one
had led to the discontinuance of all canvassing, white
was now useless, and of treating, bribery, and intimi-
dation, which were useless also. A candidate now had
to be content with addressing the electors, and taking
what means he could to make his sentiments known.
What had been done in Victoria could be done in
England ; for there men were not Russian, or French,
or American, but Engl eh, Irish, and Scotch. Mr.
Staveley concluded his address by quoting the Opinions
of eminent men in Victoria, and of Victorian news-
papers, formerly opposed to the ballot, who were now
of opinion that it was the best means of taking the votes
of the citizens.

The more northern coast appears to have expe-
rienced as severe weath.-r. The accounts from St.
Andre s state that en Thursday morning it blew a
terrific gale, almost amounting to a hurricane, from
N.E., with hail and sleet. Ou the previous night
the fine ship the Sutlej, almost a new vessel, nearly
800 tons burden, commanded by Capt. Grant, bound
for Me!bourne, with a valuable general cargo, was
wrecked at the mouth of the Tay harbour (Dun-
de:-). She was endeavouring to put to sea, when,
from some unfortunate ciicums ance, which the
account does not specify, she struck on the Tay bar.
with such violence that she speedily filled, the offi-
cers and crew being obliged, fur the safety of their
lives, to abandon her in the ship's boats. At the
flood the ship was carried ashore near Ranerston,
where she became a wreck. She belonged to the
port of Dundee, and hart as will exceed 20,0001.

Cow= v M.ancets.

In answer to 4 question, Mr. STAVELEY said that, if a
man could not read, he might get the Sneriff, who was
sworn to secrecy, to strike out the names of toe persons
for whom he did not vote from the voting paper. There
was, however, a law by which, at the end of five years,
persons who could not read would' be deprived of the
privilege of voting.
Mr. J. L. FOSTER asked what protection there was
against any tampering with the voting papers.
Mr. STAVELEY said there was no opportunity whatever
for tampering with the papers without the concurrence
of the returning-officer, the clerks, and the scrutineers,
which was not at ad a probable event. Each scrutineer
would look after the interest of his own candidate, and
that would prevent any tampering with the papers. Im-
mediately after the close of pie poll, the numbers are
ascertained, and the papers sealed up and sent to the
Government officers. lir order thatlliete cros.v be no doubt
as to the genuint3riess of the papers, the sheriff is obliged
to sign every one of them before they are given out ;
they are:then counted out to the returning-officer in
fifties, and he has to account for every one of thew.
In answer to a question from some one in the body
of the room,

Mr. STAVELEY said the papers were numbered, by
which means the Government officials might be able t
asc-Tiain how any person voted ; but the numbering was
not an essential part of the sptetn, and in To-mania
the papers were not numbered.

Thu CHAIRUAN then made a few observations, in which
he expressed himself strongly in favour of the ballot, and
rPferml to the scenes of disorder and drunkenness which
were witnessed at ll,rtford on the Occasion f the last
municipal election. He concluded by proposing a reso-
lution to the effect " that this meeting desires to recJrd
its convicion that vote by ba,;ot is necessary."
Mr. BLACKABY then rose and said—lt was now
an open qua-tion, and as he neither courted the
smiles nor feared the frowns of any one, he should ex-
press his opinions freely. The chairman bad not o:Jur-
teously reflected on aft creditability of the voters of
Hertford, at the Municipal election especially. He (Mr.
Blackaby), was not quite bore that anything disorderly
or discreditable °centred, but if it was so, both sides were
alike. He thought, under all circumstances, when a
man got up to advocate any cause, it was wipe to steer
char of personalities. He knew his wisdom wai foolish- 1

LEICESTER-APRIL 3.

At our corn market to-day there was a small supply of
wheat, which sold at an advance of IP. per quarter, good
white making 4' a. and red 465. pet quarter. The trade in
barley ruled dull, and List week's rates were maintained.
Beans in small supply, and is per quarter dearer. Oats
were scarce audio. higher.