The Sun.
London, England, 1859-05-30 00:00:00

READING.

(in Thursday the 19th inst. a public meeting of
tht inhabitants of Reading was convened by the
Mayor, for the purpose of taking into consideration
the expediency of forming a rifle corps for the
borough.
The MAYOR (Mr. C. J. Andrews), opened the
proceedings by stating that he had received a re-
quisition, very numerously and respectably signed,
desiring him to call a public meeting of the town
to consider the best means of promoting the forma-
tion of a volunteer corps of riflemen. He then
proceeded to make a few remarks on the advisability
of such a step, which were received with much
applause.
The Rev. T. V. FOSBERY moved the first resolu-
tion :

" That this meeting being of opinion that in the present
aspect of public affairs it is desirable to form volunteer rifle
corps for the defence of the country, determines forthwith
to form a volunteer rifle corps for the borough of Reading."
The rev, gentleman then spoke to the following
effect :—I am by profession, as I hope in heart, a
man of peace, and that is the reason why I am here.
You all know that that town is the most quiet and
peaceable which is best patrolled by police. Let us
have a police force with rifles in their hands to
keep the peace against foreign invaders. lam ad-
vocating a matter which should be very close and
very dear to avery Englishman within the seas that
flow around and guard our coast. Many will re•
eollent what the volunteer corps did in the early
part of this century. They were not called upon to
fight, but they prevented invasion. Had we not
then shown a firm and determined attitude of de-
fence, invasion would have come upon us. This
resolution speaks of the aspect of public affairs, by
which we mean the hostile attitude which the
great nations of the Continent have assumed to-
wards each other. We cannot say, when once the
flame of war is kindled in Europe, how soon it may
blaze up on our own coast. The tides of war sway
hither and thither. We live opposite to an inflam-
mable neighbour, and though we are at present
very good friends with the French people, yet if we
would remain so we must make such a relation im-

perati.ve. It is impossible to disguise from our-
selves, when we see an Imperial autocrat swaying
the destinies of the French nation, that the tide of
affairs may turn at any moment, and an invasion
may be attempted upon our little island home when
we least expect it. That being the case, it is clearly
our duty to take all human means to avert such a
calamity. I know there are many who say that it
is a very wicked thing under any circumstances to
oppose those who oppose us. That we ought to
be men of peace and allow the tide of invasion
to sweep over our land without offering any re-
sistance at all. I say that such a principle is con-
trary to. the teaching of God, to the constitution of
the heart of man, and to human nature and expe-
rience. War is a fearful and a dreadful thing, but
there are things worse even than wex—cowardice is
worse, national dishonour is worse. The land we
from our forefathers have received in trust, we to
our children will preserve or die. Let this be our
motto. But let us not boast ; the enthusiasm of the
platform is easy and costs little. We know, how-
ever, that there are at our doors 450,000 gallant
soldiers under arms, every man burning to wipe
away the memory of past defeats, with one at their
head the prestige of whose name recalls an era of
unparalleled brilliancy. French generals have al-
ready specified the way in which a lesson might be
taught to England which she should not soon foi-
get. But this much I dare to say, that if ever a
foreign foot be planted on our sacred soil; if ever
the ring of the rifle of the Chasseurs de Vincennes.
be heard upon these shores, terrible as the first re-
verse.i be, they may yet chance to learn that
British Chivalry oid not breathe its last at Sobraon,
or Goojerat, or Meanee, or Hyderabad, and they
may yet be taught that there is something beyond
the raw hysterics of a transient e2r.eitement in the
spirit of sqf-sacrificc which we have learnt from our
Masder's Cross. •

The Rev. Mr. Fosbery resumed his seat amid
long and vociferous cheering.
Mr. J. B. MONCK seconded the resolution, and
referred to the Government order respecting the
formation of these corps, stating that, in his opinion,
the example of the Government of 1804 should be
followed, and the arms and accoutrements supplied.
Mr. G. PALMER (an influential member of the
Society of Friends) opposed the formation of rifle
corps, which, he considered a warlike and provoca-
tive step, and not at all called for by the present
aspect of public affairs. There would be plenty of
men forthcoming when they were actually required.
Mr.:CATcuPoor, thought it a pity that, while the
whole nation had expressed itself in favour of
neutrality, we should exhibit a spirit which might
create unpleasant and unkindly feelings abroad.
(Great disapprobation.)
Mr. PONTtN hoped that the Government would
supply the arms, so as to enable the working classes
to join.
The resolution was then carried with five dis-
sentients. •

Dr. WELLS moved the second resolution to the
effect that a provisional commtttee be appointed in
order to confer -with the Lord-Lieutenant of the
county, to raise a puolic subscription for the pur-
poses eontemp fated by the meeting, and to perform
all other nec (Ifni acts. In the course of an able
address he repdied to Mr. Palmer's, objections, and
made a long ezqilana.tory speech as to the state of
foreign affair s and the necessity of the present step.
Mr. Monti Is seconded the resolution which was
carried unanimously.

A vote of thanks to the Mayor was proposed,
carried by aoel amation, and suitably responded to.
The meetini; then broke up.
The platfog at and hall were densely crowded with
all classes.