The Sun.
London, England, 1857-09-11 00:00:00

NORWICH.

Yesterday a meeting of the citizens of Norwich,
convened by the mayor in consequence of a very
numerously-signed requisition, was held in the
Guildhall "for. the purpose of taking into conside-
ration the best means of affording relief to the suf-
fering Europeans in India whose lives have -not
been taken by the native mutineers, but by whose
conduct they are rendered entirely destitute."
Mr. R. Chamberlain, the mayor, took the chair,
and was supported by the Lord Bishop of Norwich,
Sir Wm. Forster, Bart., Sir R. J. Harvey, Sir S.
Bignold, Mr. J. H. Gurney, M.P., Professor Sedg-
wick, the Archdeacon of Norwich, and a large num-
bsr of the leading inhabitants of the city and neigh-
bourhood. It was the most numerous and the most
influential meeting which has been held in Norwich
for many years.
The MAYOR, in opening the proceedings, read a
letter from the Lord Mayor of London, inviting co-
operation in the work of assisting our suffering
fellow-countrymen and countrywomen in India.
He remarked that the Lord Mayor had expressed
a hope that the towns throughout England
would follow the example of the city of London.
That Norwich would be among the first to render
the assistance required, he (the mayor) bad not the
shadow of a doubt. (Hear.)
The Hon. and Right Rev. Dr. PELHAM, Bishop
of Norwich, rose to move the first resolution, which
affirmed that the meeting, regarding with strong
feelings of abhorrence the mutiny among the native
troops and the cruelties they had inflicted, expressed
its warmest sympathy with the sufferers in their
distress, and while trusting to God for their deli-
verance, approved of the suggestion for raising funds
for their immediate relief. His Lordship remarked
that throughout the length and breadth of the land
there was not a person who did not feel the deepest
interest in the events which were now going on in
India, and which had burst so unexpectedly upon
this country. For centuries England and France
had been looked upon and had looked upon one an-
other as hostile countries ; but now a step had been
tak©n by the Emperor—an addition to many acts
of friendship be had performed—which showed that
he considered there should be a reciprocity of in-
terest between the two countries; that there should
be a co-operation and harmony which would form a
strong contrast to the state of things in times gone
by. (Hear.) The remarkable man who was placed
at the head of that great country had sent over at
the earliest moment the munificent donation of
1,0001. towards the relief of our suffering fellow coun-
trymen and countrywomen,—an act of kindness
which he was sure the people of England would
not soon forget. (Cheers.) He (the bishop) be-
lieved that the moral influence of these united sub-
scriptions would be very great, and that it would
tend very greatly to strengthen the arms of the
collected forces we were sending out in putting
down the rebellion, showing, as it did„the sympathy
not only of this country, but of foreigners with the
sufferers, and their horror of the conduct of the
mutineers. He believed it would also tend very
materially to strengthen the Government of India
in the critical circumstances in which it was at pre-
sent placed.
Mr. R. SEAMAN, sheriff of the city of Norwich,
seconded the resolution and banded to the mayor a
cheque for 501. in aid of the subscription.
The resolution was carried without a dissentient
voice. _ _

Mr. J. H. GURNEY, M.P., moved the next reso-
lution, which expressed an opinion that, though
the East India Company would make a liberal pro-
vision out of their funds for the relief of the exist-
ing distress, there would be many sufferers unpro-
videi for who would have a strong claim upon the
generosity of the English public at home, and that
a committee to collect subscriptions should there-
fore be formed. The hon. gentleman announced
his intention of subscribing 2001. towards the fund
—an announcement which was received with loud
cheers.

The Bishop of Norwich subscribed 251. towards
the fund, and nearly all the gentlemen who were
on the platform followed his example.