The Sun.
London, England, 1861-10-24 00:00:00

THE SUN, LONDON, THURSDAY EVENING, OCTOBER 24, 1861.

PUBLICATIONS.

TIIE NEW NOVEL,
Novready, at all the Libraries, in 3 vols.,
THE HOME AT ROSEFIELD,
By EDWARD COPPING,

Also now ready, in 3 vols.,
COUNTY SOCIETY. A Novel.
Hurst and Blackett, 13, Great Marlborough-street.

Just published, a new edition, with additions, price 55., cloth
FALLACIES OF THE FACULTY. Dy Dr.
DICKSON. Contents : Chronometry of Life in Health
and Disease—Unity of Disease—Medical Systems—Chrono-
thermal System—Homceopathic and Hydropathic Systems --
Legitimate Medicine, so called : its plagiarisms and veranta-
tions—Alleged ge in Type of Disea—Blood-letting
and Count Cavour Ch—an Londonthe Medical Practice se
: its corruption's
and collusions—&c.,
London : Simpkin, Marshall, and Co., Stationers'-court ;
and all Booksellers.

Price Sixpence, or Post Free for Seven Stamps,
INDIAN RAILWAY AND INDUS FLOTILLA
GUARANTEES, examined and found to be delusive,
with extracts from the Official Contracts. Second Edition,
with an enquiry into the validity of Debentures. 137 JAMES
MILLS, London : Mann Nephews, 39, Cornhill.

THE PRESENT DISTRESS IN TRADE
fully explained in J. GROSSMTTH'S
" GOVERNMENT UPON FIRST PRINCIPLES."
The cause is there predicated of the monetary difficulties ex-
perienced in 1860. The Crisis is at hand. Anxiety in bus.
nese has now become the grim torture. Purity of motive.
intelligently exercised, must animate all Governments, or all
is lost, All denominations of Constitutions are carefully
examined in J. Grossmith's "Government upon First Prin-
ciples."
Kent and Co., Paternoster-row.

Just published, price 25., free by post, 2s. 4d.,
ON
SPERMATORRHCEA.
By F. B. COURTENAY, M.R.C.S.E.,
And formerly Surgeon to the Metropolitan Infirmary for the
Cure of Strictures of the Urethra.

" The aim ;the author is to present a common-sense view
of the Causes, Nature, Consequences, and Treatment of this
Disease, as also to free these questions from the Professional
Fallacies, the Popular Delusions, and the exaggerations of
Quackery by which they have hitherto been surrounded, to the
destruction of the health and happiness of thousands. These
objects are discussed in a common-sense and highly practical
manner."—Medical Circular.

London : H. Bailliere, 219, Regent-street:

BANK OF DEPOSIT.
(Established A.D. 1844.)
'No. 3, PALL MALL EAST, LONDON.
Prospectuses and Forms for Opening Accounts sent free
on application.
PETER MORRISON, Managing Director.

THE INDUS STEAM FLOTILLA
The Directors are prepared to receive applications for
DEBENTURES, at par, bearing interest at 5 per cent. per
annum, guaranteed by the Secretary of State for India in
Council.
The Debentures are for five years, and may be renewed for
a further term of five years, at the same rate of interest.
The Debentures may be converted into Indus Steam
Flotilla Capital Stock at the option of the holder.
THOMAS BURNELL, Secretary.
Indus Steam Flotilla Office, Gresham House,
Old Broad-street, Sept. 25, 1861.

ARGYLL ROOMS.-GREAT SUCCESS!!-
... The Band and Musical arrangements under the direc-
tion of M. BOULCORT, Conductor and principal Cornet. In
addition to the Laurent Valse, Strauss 2uadrille, and novel-
ties of last week, A NEW POLKA, by M. Boulcoutt, the
Solos performed by him and M. Greebe. Admission is.--
Manager, M. P. Grenet.

MR. ALDER MAN SALOMON'S AT

G.REENTVICLE

Last night Mr. Alderman Salomons addressed a
meeting of his constituents lat Greenwich. The
meeting was held in the Lecture-hall, and was
numerously attended. Dr. Purvis occupied the
chair. _ _ _

Mr. Alderman SALOMONS commenced by giving
an account of his stewardship for the pas., year.
The late session (he said) had been called a barren
session, but it FS as nothing of the kind. It was, on
the contrary, a session of hard work, and witnessed
the passing of 134 public and 249 private Acts.
The latter included many railway and other bills,
which, interfering with important private interests,
required minute and laborious investigation; while
among the former might be enumerated the new
bankruptcy and insolvency law, the Act for the
abolition of passing tolls, the Irremovable Poor Bill,
and the abolition of the paper duty. He admitted,
however, that the late session was barren of what
might be termed great measures, but then it was to
be remembered that almost all the great questions,
whether in Church or State, had been settled. It
might be said, indeed, that only one great question
remains for discussion in future years—the question
of Parliamentary Reform. Ministers had been
blamed in some quarters for not bringing forward a
Reform Bill in the late session, but in that they were
not wholly without excuse. At the last general
election many members of the House of Commons,
himself among the number, were elected on the ex-
press understanding that they would do their best to
carry a Reform Bill. In the first session of the new
Parliament an attempt was made to pass a satisfac-
tory measure, but it soon became evident there was
no party in the House of Commons strong enough
for the purpose. The truth was, he believed, that
in the absence of a severe pressure from without all
attempts to carry a Reform Bill must necessarily
fail, and he was not surprised that Ministers should
have resolved to abstain from bringing forward any
such measure until it was called for by the people
in a voice not to be mistaken. (Hear, hear.) In
the late session the House of Commons had sanc-
tioned a very heavy expenditure. He regretted
that the people should be so severely taxed, but it
was absolutely necessary, in the present state of
Europe and the world, that our naval and military
establishments should be maintained on a large
scale, We had no wish—far from it—to interfere
in the affairs of other countries, but we must not
lose sight of the fact that all our neighbours were
armed, and that it consequently behoved us, as a
simple measure of self-defence, to provide ourselves
with sufficient armaments, especially at sea. As an
auxiliary to our army the Volunteer force, which
now amounted to 170,000 men, could not be too
highly prized ; and, although he had no fears of in-
vasion, he readily admitted that the public spirit
shown by so many of our young men was worthy
of every commendation. He was afraid that next
session would not witness any great reduction of
taxation. All he could say, for his part, was that
he would be watchful and would endeavour, as far
as he could, to promote economy. (Hear.) But,
perhaps, the most important question which now
agitated the public mind was the civil war in
America. It was impossible at the present
moment to say how that deplorable struggle
would end. Of one thing, however, there could
be no doubt—it must inflict serious injury
upon this country. Last year our trade with
America amounted in value to 174,000,000.
We imported cotton, corn, tobacco, and other mer-
chandise to the amount of £44,000,000, and we sent
to America, in return, goods to the amount of
£30,000,000. That prodigious trade was now dis-
turbed, and the result was a great deal of distress
and no small amount of loss. Manchester was
threatened with a dearth of cotton, and although,
judging from our experience in the case of corn and
other commodities, he believed that a good price
would always secure a supply of the article re-
quired, yet there could be no doubt that if the
Northern States could prevent the cotton of the
South from being brought to market the conse-
quences would be severely felt in our manufacturing
districts. France was in the same position with
ourselves ; she was equally dissatisfied with the pre-
sent state of things, and it was even reported—he
teknewhaainldg
gn
toeo
ttd
Eoi
snnt
ugwrl
bah
nat
dth
eat üba
johocoikrnai thdy—
iemo thfhteha t if the
ewsoouultdh edEronmpspooen
some-
ports.
toes:
Itba e
made.y wea
entirely
t onto
enool
ybou enrnehoe hoped that no such attempt would be
sawn i
neutral,
ea
o,r andintereststh the
shouldot requiredh er .
refrain t
(il e ahra
ft
rh
owe e
from
r .) shouldH takinge
believed that when Lord Lyons, very early in the
dispute, inquired
was wh
sentether a
any interference would
be acceptable, he away, to use a popular
phrase, with aoeat hien shaihis
t ehaberru.nt ,
ports
ttsh
oughte sam entai
not to
Our plain duty,
then,bwloasde non-interference;
the
eblockade
be a mere paper blockade. The Americans had
always strenuously protested against paper block-
ades, and they could not complain of us if we
now insisted that the Southern ports should
not be closed except by an effective blockade.
(Hear, hear.) The hon. and learned gentle-
man then turned to the question of Italy, and
expressed his belief that if the Italians were left
to themselves Rome and Venice would in no long
time form part of a great Italian kingdom. It was
difficult to understand what the policy of the Em-
peror Napoleon really was, but we knew that he
generally yielded to pressure, and a strong expres-
sion of public opinion could not fail to have a power-
ful effect upon him. For our own part, we could
not do better than continue the policy we had
hitherto pursued—a policy of good wishes, but of
non-interference. (Hear, hear.) The hon. member,
reverting to home affairs, remarked upon the plenti-
ful harvest with which we had been blessed, and
observed that our people, if not fully employed,
• were happy and contented, knowing that if trade
fivtuated It did Pv from naturAl causes, and not

from any interference on the part of the Govern-
ment. In the next session of Parliament the great
object would be to increase the Nvea lth and pros-
perity of the country and to insuro its safety. The
House of Commons ought, above all things, to
occupy itself with measures of pc ace. All such
measures would have his most cords ill support, for
in no other way, ho felt assured, could he act up to
his pledges or promote the interests :of his consti-
tuents. (Cheers.)
A vote of thanks to Mr. Alderman Salomons, for
his unremitting attention to his Parliamentary
duties, terminated the proceedings.

LORD JOHN MANVERS-ON THE PRO-
GRESS OF CONSERVATLS2I.

The annual dinner of the Conservatives took
place at the Corn Exchange, Leicester, on Tuesday
evening, when Mr. Alfred Cooper pres ided. There
were also present Lord John Manners, Lord
Curzon, and Mr. E. B. Hartopp, members for the
county ; Mr. W. U. Heygate, member for the
borough, and Sir F. Heygate, M.P., and Mr. G. W.
Hunt, M.P.

Lord JOHN MANNERS, on rising to respond to
the toast of " The Members for the County," was
loudly cheered. He said,—Mr. Chairman, ladies,
and gentlemen,—l am certain that none of my col-
leagues nor myself is vain enough to suppose that
the reception you have given to this toast is due to
our individual merits, but that it is owing to your
anxiety to express to us, as representing the county
of Leicester, the hearty sympathy which the town
and trade and commerce feel for those who live
outside its walls. (Cheers.) I trust you will be-
lieve me when I say that our unanimous presence
here to-night—unanimous it would have been had
not illness compelled our wofthy colleague, Mr.
Packe, to absent himself at the last moment from
your demonstration—is rendered simply as a proof
of the deep and heartfelt sympathy which we, re-
presenting more particularly the agricuLtural classes
of Leicestershire, feel towards the trade and com-
merce of Leicester. (Cheers.) Your admiral repre-
sentative has told you that he, for one, regards as
of little moment the old party Shibboleths, and
that he thinks that the time has come when mode-
rate men of all moderate parties may combine to
support the time-honoured institutions of our native
land. Well, gentlemen, so far as the Liberal party of
England is concerned, I believe it to be unfounded,
as well as the remark which is sometimes made that
there is in these days no difference between the prin-
ciples of contending parties, and that those time-
honoured institutions are as safe in the keeping of one
party as in that of another. Ido not believe iv the
trnth of that assertion, and I will give you the
reason why. It can only be true so long as what is
called the great Liberal party is unfaithful in office
to the principles which it professes. (Cheers.) Also
for a moment, we see the heterogeneous elements of
the present Cabinet restrained by the influence, it
may be, of their chief ; or it may be, as I believe,
by the influence of the public opinion of England.
(Cheers.) What should we do if we trusted only to
that abeyance of democratic principles for the
future ? A foreign convention, a domestic distress,
or the unsatisfied ambition of a single individual
may change the whole current of Liberal Govern-
mental policy ; and then we should find those in-
stitutions which we prided and honoured handed
over with easy indifference to the Radical revolu-
tionst, or the Chartists, by those to whom we had
unwisely and foolishly committed their sacred
keeping. Therefore I, for one, cordially agree in
the policy which last session sustained our efforts
to defeat successfully each attempt which was made
to revolutionize some one or other of our time-
honoured institutions. I do most cordially rejoice
at that movement which, year by year and month
by:month adds a unit to the Conservative moiety of
the House of Commons. (Cheers.) Therefore have
I for one rendered myself here this evening, with
the utmost pleasure and delight, to join you in con-
gratulating the borough of Leicester in having so
able and so faithful a representative as you have in
Mr. Heygate. (Cheers.) I hold it to be of the
utmost importance that out of doors every effort
should be made to restore the determinate and ab-
normal state of political affairs upon which Mr.
Heygate has so ably dilated. I call it abnormal; and
why do I call it so ? Why, gentlemen, two years
ago a Government was formed on what was
called the broad-bottomed Reform basis, and the
country was led to expect not only violent measures
of Parliamentary Reform, but a series of dangers
in the relations between Church and State. What
has been the result ? You may sum up the result
in one word,—" Nothing." (Laughter.) But how
has that negative result been brought about ? Why
what history does the last session of Parliament
present ? We had week after week some individual
member of the once great reforming Liberal party
bringing forward his nostrum for the destruction of
some one of our time-honoured institutions; and
how was that met by this Government, in which
we were told that moderate Coservatives of England
might repose implicit confidence ? Why, it was met
in this fashion—that the minister rose in his place
and delivered a series of most excellent and philo-
sophical reasons why the reform, as he called it, or
the revolution, as we should call it, should not be
adopted ; and then, when the division bell sounded,
walked meekly and tamely into the lobby in the
rear of the revolutionary member whose measure he
had denounced. (Cheers.) In such an assembly as
this, and with such a feeble voice as mine, you will
agree with me that all speeches are worth very
little; but I think you will agreed with me that
speeches of the description I have mentioned are
worth less than nothing—(cheers)—and that if we
are to look to the security of our institutions in
Church and State, we cannot as honest and as wise
men repose confidence in those who make such
speeches, and then give such votes. (Cheers.)
Therefore do I, for one, attach the utmost import-
an :e to every isolated election which takes place ;
and therefore do I, for one, rejoice at the signal
triumph which moderate 'Conservatives ob-

tained last winter in this your most important
town. Allow me to ask why that which was done
so successfully and so triumphantly in Leicester
should not be done in other midland towns. Why
should not that Conservative element and that Con-
setvative feeling which I am convinced exists in
boroughs like Northampton, Nottingham, Derby,
and Coventry—why should not that be called out
and stimulated to successful exertion by the glori-
ous triumph which you have achieved in Leicester ?
(Cheers.) I do not feel that we are celebrating here
to-night any narrow local triumph, but that we
are stimulating, or it may be calling into existence
that Conservative fire and that Tory spirit which
has sent to Parliament a member from the great
centres of manufacturing industry in England—
members who shall respect and support the institu-
tions of the country. (Applause.) I think we may
all assume that the time is singularly precious to
such a movement as I have ventured to indicate.
Two years ago the friends of our institutions in
Church and State were, some of them—l never was

—in something like despair. It seemed impossible
to resist the torrent of Radical Reform, and it seemed
impossible to resist the onslaught of the leaders.
Our institutions were to be Americanized, and the
Church was to cease to be the Church of the nation.
(Hear, hear.) But in these two years what a change
has occurred ! I do not wish to allude more parti-
cularly to the lamentable events which are now
progressing in the United States. I may say this,
that from one end of England to another there is a
determination that our institutions shall not be
hazarded to the risks and dangers which have fallen
upon the institutions of the United States. (Cheers.)
It is not necessary to confine our remarks or to su-
perscribe our vision to the United States. There is
another great Republic in America—l mean Mexico.
Half a century ago every Liberal in Europe heard
with delight the release of Mexico from what was
called the wornout tyranny of Spain. What is
new the condition a that ao-otglod flourishing Re•

public ? Why, we are told—l am afraid, on good
authority—that we, the public of England, are to
be at the expense of fitting out a costly ex-
pedition in order to do something to bring the
Republicans of America to a sense of decency
and justice. (Loud cheers.) My firm persuasion
is, though I never was in Mexico, that there is
not a sensible Mexican alive at the present moment
who would not willingly at this instant exchange
the Monarchy of Spain for the Republicanism of
Mexico. (Laughter and cheers.) Such being the
state of affairs, it is a matter of the greatest satis-
faction to be able to say that never since the de-
struction of the Conservative party in 1846 was that
great party so unanimous, so harmonious, and so
united within the walls of Parliament as it is at the 4
present moment. (Cheers.) And I think I may
add that that harmony, that union, and that cordial
understanding which prevails within its walls is
met and responded to by the confidence which is
felt in our leaders without the walls of the House
of Commons. A signal proof of the truth of that
assertion of mine occurred in your borough, and
that proof has been followed up by victory after
victory in all the important counties and cities
which have since had the opportunity of register-
ing their electoral votes. The county of Cork, the
great division of South Lancashire, and other places,
have shown that they agree with you in the confi-
dence you have reposed in the leaders of the great
Conservative party, and in their determination no
longer to trust the safety and the maintenance of
our great institutions in Church and State to the
haphazards of, it may be, the ill-concealed delight
of those who professed what are termed Liberal opi-
nions in England. Well, gentlemen, I fear I have
detained you too long. (Voices—" Go on.") I may
say that I have come here regarding the festival
not so much as a triumph of onripolitical party over
another in the borough of Leicester, but much more
as a triumph of those moderate Conservative prin-
ciples which I am satisfied are permeating more and
more the electoral mind of this great kingdom from
one end to the other, and I regard this great festi-
val as an incitement and inducement to other neigh-
bouring constituencies to go and do likewise.
(Cheers.) Certain lam that so long as in the great
centres of manufacturing industry such an assem-
blage as this can be produced to support Conserva-
tive principles, and to rally around our institutions
in Church and State, that, however for a time un-
principled combinations may place in office hetero-
geneous politicians, those time-honoured institu-
tions of our land will not be handed over without a
struggle, and a successful struggle, to philosophical
pedants, or to the more avowed inroads of political
demagogues. (Cheers.) For my own part, I beg
leave to return you my most grateful thanks.
(Cheers.)

BUCKS AGRICULTURAL ASSO CIA TION.

AMERSHAM, WEDNESDAY.

The annual meeting of the Bucks Agricultural
Association for Amersham, Chesham, and adjacent
parishes, was held in this town yesterday. In the
morning there was a ploughing match, and in the
afternoon prizes were delivered to cottagers for
roots, and to farm labourers for length of servitude,
and for the cleanly and tidy condition of their
dwellings. In the afternoon the members of the as•
sociation dined together at the Town-hall, under
the presidency of Mr. T. Drake, master of the Bi-
cester Hunt. There were also present the Hon. W.
U. Cavendish, M.P., Mr. T. T. Bernard, M.P., Mr.
W. Lowndes, Capt. Parkinson, Mr. G. Carrington,
Mr. J. W. Howey, Mr, J. Hale, the Rev. J. King-
don, rector of Amersham ; the Rev. C. Lloyd, chap-
lain to the Bishop of Oxford; the Rev. J. Graves,
the Rev. T. Evetts, &c.

The presence of Mr. Disraeli had been expected,
but on the morning of the meeting the following
note was received. from the right hon. gentleman :

"Hughenden Manor, Oct. 20.

" Dear Sir,—lt is a great disappointment to me that I am
prevented having the pleasure of attending with my friends
at Atnersham on Tuesday next. I should fed much gra-
tified if the committee of your society would permit me next
year to offer a prize of £6 for some act of meritorious ser-
vice or labouring skill. I would leave the details to their
better judgment, but would presume to express my wish
that, if they were so kind as to sanction the suggestion, that
sum should not be divided. I enclose a check for £5.--I
am, dear Sir, yours, &c.,

4,8. DISRAELI."
The customary loyal toasts having been duly
honoured,

The CHAIRMAN proposed " The Army, Nary, and
Volunteers."

Captain PARKINSON in responding, said he had
no reason to find fault with the army, save with re-
gard to its numerical strength, which he thought
might, with advantage to the country, be consider-
ably greater than it was at present. He was glad to
see, from the recent order of the Horse Guards, that
we were likely to have a real light cavalry force—
the men proportioned to the horses. Hitherto the
love of obtaining fine men had been allowed to pre-
dominate, and the result had been that the men
had been too heavy for the horses; indeed, he had
seen in the light cavalry men who might with ad-
vantage have been draughted into the Life Guards
or the Blues—an anomaly not to be witnessed in
any other country. He approved the steps which
were being taken to promote military education; but
with regard to the officers, he thought it would be
of great advantage to the army if the aristocratic
element were altogether wanting in its composition.
Mr. LOWNDES next gave " The Health of the
members for the County and Borough of Aylesbury."
Mr. CAVENDISII, M.P., in acknowledging the
compliment, referred to the condition of the agri.
cultural labourers. He said—All Sou have to do is
to treat them well, and you will find in the end
that they will treat you well. Only provide them
with good comfortable cottages to dwell in, and you
will soon see that they will take a pride in keeping
them clean and tidy. Give them good wages, and
they will work well for you ; but I never knew
anybody yet who was prepared to work for nothing.
Pay them properly, and when a pressure comes—
when you have your harvest to house quickly, or
any other emergency arises—you will find they are
ready to give you a turn, and to study your inte-
rests as well as their own. (Cheers.) lam afraid
I cannot advocate tho celebration of harvest-home
suppers, which have found some favour in other
quarters. I tried it myself, and the result was by
no means so satisfactory as could have been desired.
Unfortunately there was no church near where I
could first assemble my labourers before they sat
down to supper, and the consequence was that I
was not so well able to keep them together as other
landlords may be in neighbouring parishes. My
harvest-home was a very unfortunate affair. The
husbands came down and had some supper and beer,
and I am afraid they had far too much of the latter.
I was obliged to give up all idea of entertaining
them again at the close of the harvest, and I now
do it in another manner. With regard to the meet-
ings of these local agricultural associations, I think
they do a great deal of good, whenever you are ca-
pable of preserving order downstairs. That, how.
ever, is not always clone, and then they do more
harm than good. Very recently I went to a meeting a
little before I was expected, and I found the utmost
disorder and confusion. Agricultural labourers
were fighting, and the amount of drunkenness going
on in various parts of the premises was quite
surprising. lam afraid, if such things are allowed
to continue, you will find that instead of benefiting
the labouring classes your annual gatherings will
affect them most prejudicially. Your '
socie.yhere
awards money prizes to cottagers and to labourers
for long servitude. I think it would not be without
its advantages if the society would take a hint from
others in the immediate neighbourhood, and, in-
stead of giving mere money prizes, would give the
labourer some medal or memorial which he could
hang up in his cottage, and point to with pride as
thaving been given to him for his good conduot and

PRICE .4d.
STAMPED ....sd.

onef
my
offa father's
(gte no
re
dr a
cl
he
ehsahrname t, es . )
s h
e(
pHheearra. )s
,00b
tnaei n oe
memorials the other day. It is merely a printed
card, but he is more proud of it than if he had re-
ceived ten times its value in money. In point of
fact, he experiences the same feeling as the soldier
who glories in attaching his medal to his breast to
show that he has won it. (Cheers.) It is much more
valuable to him than the money it would be worth,
even if it had cost ten times the amount, and he
takes a pride in displaying it. It is precisely the
same with the agricultural labourer, who is de-
lighted to show to his friends and neighbours a me •
morial of the esteem and respect entertained for him
by those above him. (Cheers.)

The CHAIRMAN remarked that so far as the soldier
was concerned, it would not appear that he attached
as much value as his hon. friend Mr. Cavendish sup-
posed to the medal awarded to him, if any opinion
could be formed from the number of them which
were exhibited for sale in the pawnbrokers' shops
in the metropolis.

Mr. CAYENDISU said the medals which found
their way into the pawnbrokers' shops were not dis-
poeed of by the men to whom they were awarded,
but by their friends and relatives after their death.
A soldier who had received a medal for any action
in which he had been engaged had never been
known to part with it for any consideration. He
knew that fact from the very best authority.
(Hedr, hear.)

Mr. BERNARD, M.P., also responded to the toast.
Adverting to the condition of the homes of the cot-
tagers, he said he entertained a strong impression
that no improvement would be effected except by
legislative enactment. They must cut at the root
of the evil, and it could only be done bx the 'Legis-
lature. It was of no use laying down plans for the
improvement of the dwellings of the labouring
classes unless there was some legislative enactment
by which those plans could be carried out. When
they met at a social meeting like that it was " Hail,
fellow, well met ;" and they were quite ready to
talk about the question, and to assert their anxious
desire to do what was right towards the men they
employed. But the moment they came to consider
how they should carry their good intentions into
effect they came to cross purposes. One found that
it was inconvenient to alter the existing state of
things; another, that it would interfere with his
property ; and the consequence was that the evil
remained uncorrected, and nothing was done.
(Hear.) It was too much the custom in the present
day to make the willing horse bear all the burden,
and, in his opinion, it was only by legislative enact-
ment that they could properly apportion the burden
generally. (Hear.) By legislative enactment, and
by legislative enactment alone, cottages would be
made more creditable to the landlord and more com-
fortable for the labourers who occupied them.
(Cheers.) He thought the subject was one of the
greatest importance, and he trusted that before
long it would occupy the consideration of Parlia-
ment. No one who was acquainted with the agri-
cultural districts could entertain a doubt that the
morality of cottage life depended very materially
upon the character and condition of the homes
supplied to them. (Hear, hear, and cheers.) One
of the advantages of this country was that th•
people were a contented people, willing to follow
the regulations laid down by those above them, and
being perfectly contented and satisfied with the
station which Providence had allotted to them.
They had no ambition to aspire to a higher posi-
tion, and, in his opinion, it was to that feeling the
country was indebted for a great part of the pro-
sperity it enjoyed. (Hear.) They were all aware
that at the other side of the Atlantic the people of the
United States were all at sixes and sevens. Nobody
would serve under anybody, and the consequence
was that there was nothing but disorder and con-
fusion. From the very earliest history—beginning
with Scripture history—it had been shown to be
essential that there should be followers as well as
leaders. No man lost one atom of his independence
in following another placed above him either by the
accident of birth or by his superior intelligence.
They followed :him because they knew he was
honest and patriotic, and would guide them in the
path of honour and prosperity, and because by so
doing they merited and acquired the esteem and re-
spect of their fellow-men. (Hear and cheers.) With
regard to what had fallen from Mr. Cavendish in
reference to harvest-homes, his (Mr. Bernard's) ex-
perience had been somewhat different. He had only
recently attended one at Waddesdon, where up-
wards of 1,000 persons were present, and he never
saw any meeting go off with greater propriety or
greater enjoyment. There were, however, no
spirituous liquors, and no beer. There was
nothing but tea to drink and bread and butter to
eat. He was himself a great friend to har-
vest-homes. He liked to bring people together
for the purpose of expressing their thankfulness to
the Almighty for His goodness to them. They all
knew what a poor creature man was by himself. It
was nonsense to talk of one man being better than
another; he was only better because he took more
pains to be better. It was their duty to take pre-
cautions against the evil propensities of human
nature, and one of those precautions was to avoid
the distribution of intoxicating drinks among the
agricultural labourers, who had not sufficient
strength of mind to resist them. When his hon.
friend gave his next harvest-home, he (Mr. Ber-
nard) trusted he would convert it into a nice tea-
party. (Laughter and cheers.)
Several other toasts of a local nature having been
given, the proceedings terminated.