The Sun.
London, England, 1857-05-21 00:00:00

_ .
The General will perform in the .Sussex gall, Leadenhal-street,
rt eanmont Institute. Peckham, Croydon. Stoke Newington. Ken-
'lngton, &c , as adverti,ed. He performs Whitsun-week at Brighton.

ROYAL ARGYLL ROOMS.-LATTRENT'S
CASINO, Great Windmill-street, Tiaymarket.—Great sec-
eess of the Romanlff Waltz and the Lancers, every eveninz, with
Laurent's Grand Orchestra of Forty of the first artistes of London.
Principal Cornet-e-niston, M. Ron!court. Door. (men et half rest
et ht, commence et nine. The Lancers will be danced at half-pa 4
'en. Admission One t billing.

DR. KAHN'S MUSEUM, 4, Coventry-street,
Leicester-square. Programme:—Lectures by Dr. KAHN,
..,(18113', et 3 o'clock. on highly' interesting and instructive Tonics; end
MEXI F.R.O.S, F.E.S.. as follows: At half-nast 1 —The
filebomena, Curiosities, and Philosophy of the Sense of Sight At
.I—The Great Tobacco Controversy. At half-past 7 —The Food we
i,att its Use*, Preparation, Adulteration, and Digestion. The
31u.entn contains 1,000 Models and Preparations, and is wholly
unrivalled in the world. Open daily, for Gentlemen cn+,. from 10
tilt 10, Admission, One -Wiling. Catalogues, containing Dr. Kahn's
Lectures, gratis to visitors.

ROYAL SURREY GARDENS.—Repefitim
of ELLTATI—T he public is vilest respectfully informed that
in consequence of the unprecedented d"mand 'or places. and Ih^ vast
number or persons who were unable ti ahtain admission to witness
tol"nild performance of ELLT VI on Monday last, it will be
'"I'IIATED on MONDAY, the 25th init.—Admission, Is.

OYAL SURREY GARDENS. -
JULLIMSI CONCERT'', and engagement o' the popular
oeslist, Miss Vinning.—TO-D AT, TR URSDAY, May 21, and dur-
lng the week, a Grand Weil and Instrumental Concert, conducted
Y M. Jullien: several favourite songs by Miss -Winning ; an entirely
new and original modelled Picture, by DanSoll, entitled, "Fabric
Land ;" and a most brilliant Pyrotechnic Display by Southhy.
W. Cooke will introduce his talented troupe of Eqestrians and beauti-
ful Stint of. Horses. An effective Brass Band will perform during
the afternoon; and various novel amusements are dispersed through-
Mit the grounds, including the Stalactite Caverns. Dioramic Views,
Photographic Gallery, &c.—Doors open at 4. Admission One Shill-
ing. Reserved seals, stalls, and private boxes may be secured at
Jullien's, Regent-street ; and Keith, Prowse, and Co.'s Cheapside.
Omnibuses in attendance at the c,ose of the serformances to all
Parts. The only autherlsei Programme to be bad in the Gardens,
Price One Penny.
N.B.—Repetition of " ELIJAII " on Monday next.

IVER. W. H. RUSSELL'S Personal Narrative.
—AFTERNON SERlES.—Willia's Rooms, King-street,
St. James's.

Saturday Afternoon, May 234,
Thursday After-eon. May 28th,
Monday Afternoon, June Ist.
To commence at 'three o'Clock Subscription to the Series. One
Guinea. Single Tickets, 10s. 6d. each. Cramer, Beale, and Co..
201, Regent-street; Mitchell's, 37, Old Bond-street ; Sams', 1, St,
James's-street.

ROYAL AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY OF
ENGLAND.
The GENERAL IMERTING of Members will be held at the
Society's House, in HanoTer-square. on FRIDAY, the 22d of MAY,
at 1l o'clock. JAMES HUDSON, Secretary.

ROYAL HOTEL. SHEFFIELD.
TO BE LET, with immediate Possession, that
First-class Hotel at Sheffield, called the ROYAL HOTE r.,
.tfith the Tap, extensive Stabling, and premises attached thereto.
Plc above is worthy the notice of any spirited party. The present
nlant has been highly successful during his tenancy, and is leaving
„"eIY on account of having taken to a larger concern in another
to he had of GEORGE EADOH, Valuer, Old
'l4Ylnarket, Sheffield; or to LYAS BISHOP, the present Proprietor.

SECURE INVESTMENTS.—Messrs. R.
RORLEY and Co., 4R, Threadneedle-street, Sworn Stock, Share,
and Mining Brokers, will be happy to forward a list of carefully selected
echrities, paying good di videnth, to those who may favour them with
their relr business, and to advise tem on the safest mode of inve.ting
capital. Business transacthed in the Enzlish Funds at 1-16th
r r cent.. and in all Stocks, Railway and Mining Shares, on the most
peeas,nable terms. A selected list of dividend-paying (from 12 to 20
r cent.) and progressive mines to be had personally or per letter.

R ANK OF DEPOSIT,
No. 3, PALL-MALL EAST, LONDON.
Established A.D. 1844.
artieS desirous of INVESTING MONEY are requested to
`..!Mine the plan of the Bank of Deposit.
tationros
rpectuses and Forms for Opening Accounts sent free on appli-
.

PETER MORRISON, Managing Mentor.

IVRWICH UNION REVERSIONARY
INTEREST COMPANY.
...OTICE IS HEREBY nthGWEN hat the ANNUAL GENERAL
~___""RETING of the Proprietors of is Company, will be held on
uESDAY, the 30th June next, at one o'clock, at the Company's
ice, No. 23, Lincolns-inn-fields, at which three of the Directors
and the Auditors will go out of office.
The Directors and Auditors so going out of office are eligible for
re-election, and will offer themselves accordingly. Any qualified
roietor intending to become a candidate. or to propose any other
Person duly qualified
for the office of Director or Auditor, must,
fourteen day. for
the date hereof, a intention to become a candidate, or the nagimgneifYandinpwlirtieteinogf eitherabode
of the candidate to be proposed.

HENRY NORRIS, Secretary.
23, Line°lo'a-inn-fields, 20th gay, 1857.

ECONOMIC LIFE ASSURANCE SOCIETY,
6, New Bridge-street, London.
Chairman—HENßY Parnmatcx STEPHENSON, Esq.
Deputy-Chairman—Rol:max BIDDIMPH, Esq,
AnvAwrAcEs
Mutual Aasarance.
The lowest rates of Premium on the Mutual System.
The whole of the Profits divided every Fifth Year.
An accumulated Capital of .. .. 41,575,000
Daring its existence the Society has paid in Claims.. 1,455,008
Ileversionary Bonuses have been added to Policies to
the extent of .. • • • • • • • • 890,000
The la.t bonus, declared, in 1854, averaged 671. per
cent. on the Premiums paid, and amounted to • • 397,000
rollcies In force •• 7,437
„ • ••
~,,The Annual Income exceeds . • •• ••
. .• 210,000
next Division of Profits will be made In 1859.
laTgurances effected prior to 31st December,lBs9, will participate
tre Division of 1863.
to•rosPeletuses and full particulars may be obtained on application
ALEXANDER MACDONALD, Secretary,

.2'reehold and Leasehold—Southwark, Enfield, and London.
BE SOLD, pursuant to an Order of the
beard High Court of Chancery, made in a certain came " Shen-
kir ,„,°- Shepheard," with the arprobation of 'the Vice-Chancellor
4..lll.ehard Torin Rlnderalev. the Judge to whose Court the sad
7.18 attached, by Mr. PETER BROAD, at the Auction Mart, in
~eutY of London, on TUESDAY, the 9th day of JUNE, 1857. at
EsfP'nelsely, in Eight lots, the several Freehold and Leasehold
laou 'ell hereinafter mentioned, viz: :—Fonr Freehold Dwelling
bold7p numbered 1,2, 3, and 4, John-street. Southwark ; a Free-
ease (divided into three tenements) situate, Baker-street,
Iteli.J.l; a Freehold House, with Garden adjoining, called "The Six
Ito'„ %me side, Enfleld ; Leasehold House, with Shop, No.
rao'+,Xford-street ; a Leasehold House, with Shop. leo. 68. Qnsd-
stre'et4egent-stri.et ; a Leasehold House, with Shop, No. 3, Bruton-
Nnd-street ; a Leasehold House, No. 15, Little Marylebone-
-411,4' a Leasehold Nouse, with Shop, No. 417, Strand. -The pre-
lag t,..'11,13, be viewed, by leave of the tenants, one fortnight preced-
hai a sale, and printed particulars and conditions of sale may be
t4rarla.tis of Messrs Cameron and Booty, I, Raymmd-hmld ngs,
; of Messrs. Julius and Cameron, No. 19, Bucking-
rtej, Adelphi, W.C. ; of Mr. J. G. Nick, No. 11, Gray's-Inn-
rtsbu: "-0 ; of Messrs Bennnt, and Paul, No. 1, Size-lane, Beck-
; of Mr. C. M. Collett, 26, Bedrori-place' Southsr..rk-
fw rroad,
r. at the art; and of Mr. Peter Broad,
No. 28, Poultry. E-C-

YSICAL DISQUALIFICATIONS, GENERATIVE

•A--
)frewI'ICAPA.CITY, AND IMPEDIMENTS TO MARRIAGE.
,Arlandmproved Edition, enlarged to 196 pages, illustrated by 100
post,
Coloured Engravings on Steel, just published, price,
rkte bY s.,
Flit SILENT FRIEND : A Medical Work
ettee, en the physical exhaustion and decay of the frame, from the
cliteilLOr solitary indulgence, infection, and the injurious cense-
iton.".. from the use of Mercury ; with observations on the obliga-
tlo4 uf marriage, and directions for obviating certain disqnalifica-
-20. ir„3' ff. and L. PFRRY and CO., Surgeons. Sold by J. Allen,
atd on'rwiek-lane, Paternoster-row; Sanger, 160, Oxford-street ;
Tt ,-„ru,oo, 146, Leadenhall-street, London.
ithr,RDIAL BALM of SYRIACUM is employed to renovate
44 Tel .."41red Powers of life. Its action is purely balsamic ; its power
biqt3,-Ageratlng the frame in all cases oi nervous and sexual de-
hero ',,ubstinate glects. impotency, barrenness, and debilities arising
;Uee 'eaereal ex esses, has teen demonstrated by its unvarying
tie:r la thousand of cases. Price 113. per bottle, or four quan-
, Thennne for 33q which saves 11 s.
fitic re'rINCENTRATED I)ETERSIVE E. SSENCE, an
any of
va,.41,1,, 3', for purifyinn• the system, and is recommended for any of
forMs of secondary symptoms, such as eruptions on the
rtlsH,‘"`ellea on the head and face, enlargements of the throat,
furula I threatened destruction of the nose, palate, &c.
Is purely detersive, and its beneficial influence on the
°f Is, 4 undeniable. Trice I is. and 335. per bottle, also a saving
ttlai PURIFYING SPECIFIC PILLS constitute an effee-
Uf the ,`,713' in all cases of gonorrhcea, gleet, strture, and diseases
Sem b:try organs. Price 2s. 9d., 4s. 6d , ant 11s. per box.
440, L.,.;."'arelaY and Sons, Farringdon-street ; Darby and Gosden,
NY, IV. Sutton and Co., 10. Bow-churchyard ah.eetTvards,
p„„ ",, St. Panrs-churchyard ; J. Sanger, 150, Oxford-
liarding anl ietrichsen. 63, Oxford-street ; Butler and
kedic;e' k,heapside ,Prot and Harsant, 229, Strand ; and all
more throughout the United Kingd am.

zco tro l'ok Cow RE PILLS NOR ANY OTHER
ravi.,, .TIPATION, INDIGESTION, DYSPEPSIA, - epee N,
aaeram, AsTNNA, CONSUMPTION,
R-
aroups,IBCIILNIOEtTS, AND
jtJ CrThBARRY'S dl' • HEALTH RESTO e mons A_ND DEBILITY.
eithir
test i -",* REVALENTA ARABICA FOOD saves flftyatnidmeths
consen other rernedies, and cures the above complaints
_
i 1,.., chitty, heartburn, nalpitsttion of the heart,
010,, reflects, such as hemorrhoidal affections, Eatulensehy.,addacisthenez
ti,,lft, neuralgia, deafness, noises in the head an
I las emu-
nervdouears,,, p
tio'or pf the stomach and between the shoulders, erys Pt
,c;oibia,
.11.4. r the skin, impurities and poverty of the blood. ains at
after°Y• Ileumatism, gout, nausea and 'sickness duri
go..._e,atlllg. Or at sea; low spirits, spasms,
ePilePtic
fits, spleen,
ug pregnancy,ss.eon
Dor_`.;4l. debility, inquietude lessness, involuntary _
e,
1, uoy, delusions,
~_4lYrirs, tremors, dislike to society, unfitness for study, loss of m -
vertigo blood to the head, exhaustion, melan-
he,,Y, groundless fear, wretchedness. It is, moreover, the
tor:;4 food for infants and invalids generally, as it "year
got lltaid on the weakest stomach, nor interferes with r
atm r oral diet, but impar% a healtby relish for luech and (brine ,
to t,.. tstores the faculty of digestion and nervous and muscular energy
NI
ohaost enfeebled. Supported by testimonials from the celebrat-
vey7bfessor of Chemistry Dr Andrew Eire, Dr. Shorland, Dr.Har-
Rtalrt
wee
Campbell, Dr. Gattiker, Dr. Wurzel*, Dr. Ingra Lenrd
other e Decies, the Dowager Countess ofCastlestuart, ands,,o. 0
thi„wefi-known individuals, whose health has been restored by
In vauricl and economial diet, after all other means had been tried
A. e for many Carsd all hopesofreeevery ttban loned.
'tkal7Bi3 by the celebrated Professor of Chemistry Andrew Ure
.R.S., &c., &c.
" London, 24, Bloomsbury-square.
a,,.,,T. i'c'Thy certify, that having examed Du Barry's Revalenta
~,...olea I find it to he a pure vegetable Farina, perfectly whole-
e,,,'L,ceaSilY digestible, likely to promote a healthy action of the
tr,ni h and bowels, and thereby to counteract dyspepsia (Indiges •
uo), constipation, and their nervous consequences.
ANDREW thra, M.D., P.R.S.. &c., Analytical Chemist,"
Ukase by the Emperor of Russia.
•..- Russian Consulate General, London, Dec. 2,1847.
I, ',llle Con Russian
has been ordered to inform Messrs. Barry
it's harry end Co., that the Revalenta Arahica they had sent to his
thea.lestY the 'Eperor has by imperial permission, been forwarded to
Minister of the for
eri,al.Palice
S'iltablY parared forpall clitriaties; and with full instructions. In
canisters, lib Is 9d; 21b 4s 6d; slb Ils , 121 b 22s ; super refined
t'ticalltY, bib Gs • 21b lls ; 51b 223 ; 10lb 33s The 101 b and 121 b cards-
.,r_a are forws.rded carriage free, on receipt of Post-office order.
~;41rY Du Barry arld Co.. 77, .Itegent-Atreet, London; Fortnum,
;Tatson, and Co.. purveyor tto her Majesty, 182, Piccadilly . also at
~,,o Graceeburc-street ; 330 and 451, Strand ; 4, Cheapside ; l;a,
io_rnhill 49, Bishopsgate-street 55, Charing-crou ; :51, Upper
axerltreet ; G 3 and 150 Ovord-str et.

Tile Third Edition. Just Published, price Sc., by post, free, ss. Gd,
ON TRITE FALSE SPERMATORRFICEA,
with the View of distinguishing the Imaginary from the
Real Sufferers under this disease, and Correcting of wide-spread
Errors in relation to their Treatment and Cure.
Translated from the German of Dr. PICKFORD.
"Dr. Pickford is known to English readers by his frequent practi-
cal contributions to German medical literature. This is the first
time, he informs as, that he has addressed himself to the nou-medi-
-011 reader. We trust this may not bo the last, if he shall detect any
'ber equally flagrant evil which it may be in his power to cor-
rect."—London Medical Gazette. "The tribe of quiet Sympathisers,
and 'Medical Friends,' are mercilessly exposed : and if this hook
imild find its way into the hands of those who suffer from the com-
plaint of which it treats, we are satisfied that many hundreds would
be caved much needless suffering of body and mind, and what is of
less importance, though it is that which the quacks moat prize—
much moneY......This volume is well qualified to pot an end to the
empirical system of treating Rpermatorrhma, and to place the treat-
ment noon a more rational and obriolozical basis. It is, therefore,
ikely to do tomb good."—Medical Circular.
London: H. Hanlon', 219. Regent-street.

TO the SPORTING WORLD. DEER-
STALKING and GROTTSE-SHOOTING.—The unde,signed
is at 24, l'rewer-street, Regent-street (in a line with Glasshouse-
street), with all the necessary CLOTHING for deer stalking, grouse-
shnotlng, salmon-fishing; and some new and beautiful Tweeds, for
town wear, &c. Plaids, Tartans, Socks, Winceys, &e. A large
sto'k of the famous Highland Cloaks, for town and country use, and
for Deer-stalking. The favourite Flora McDonald Cloaks for Ladies,
in all the best colours.—Rooms open from 2 to 6 o'clock, until 10th
July, when McD. returns to Inverness.
London, May, 1857. D. MACDOI7GALL, of Inverness.

UNITED UNIVERSITY CLUB.__
The ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING of the Members of
the United University Club will be held at the Club-house, on
THURADAY, the 28th of May.
The chair will be taken et 3 o'clock, precise'y. -

By order of the committee,
CAMILLUS FAWSSETT, Secretary.

TOZEMYS COPAHINE, or SACCHARATED
CAPSULES. approved of by the french College of Physician,
sa,cessfally administered in the Paris and London hospitals, and
acknowledged by them to he the best remedy for a certain disorder.
(Sae" Lancet" of Nov. 6, 1552.) A copy will he forwarded on appll-
catlOn.—Price per 100, 45.6 d. : 50. 2s. 9d. To be had of the inventor,
CIARRIEL JOZEATT, French chemist, 49, Haymarket, London,
and ill the principal chemists.

CHWEP PE'S MALVERN SELTZER
L. J WATER, manufactured by J. SCHWEPPE and Co., the sole
lessees of the Holy Well, possesses all•the celebrated properties of
the ls'azsatt SCHWEPFt'S SODA, MAGNESIA, POTASS
WATERS and LEMONADE, are manufactured as nsaal. Every
Bottle is protected by a Label with their siznature.
SCHWEPPE and CO.,
Manufacturers of Soda, Magnesia, and Potass Waters and Lemonade,
London, Liverpool, Bristol, and Derby.

lALT and Co.'s EAST INDIA PALE and
►-3 BURTON ALES. BREwFatr—BURTON-ON-TRENT.

STORES :
Flungerford-wharf.
LIVERPOOL .. • ...... •• 72, Henry-street.
MANCFIESTER .. •• •• ...... 37, Brown-street.
SHEFFIELD . 12, George-street.
BIRMINGHAM ... Old Court-house, High-street.
BRISTOL.. ....
DU8L1N.....,
EDINBURGH ........ Porthopetoun Warehouse.
GLASGOW St. Vincent-place.
These Ales, in Casks of Eighteen Gallons and upwards, and in
ottle, obtained from all respectable Bottlers.

COMMERCIAL RAILWAY OF RUSSIA.
RIGA TO DUNABITRG.

NOTICE OF CALL OF 44 PER SHARE.

The Directors beg to announce that call of 41. per share on the
present shares issued by the company, is hereby made ; and will be
payable on or before Saturday, the 6th June, at the Banking Howes
of Sir S. Scott, Bart. & Co., No. 1, Cavendish-square, and the Lon-
don and CotuityJcint Stock Bank, Lombard-street.
It will be necessary to present the Scrip at the time of payment cf
the Call ; and subsequently to present it (together with the Bankers'
Receipt) for indorsement at the offices of the Company.
This Call, together with the 11. already paid, will carry interest
from the date of payment, at the rate of 5 per cent. payable half-
yearly in London. Riga, and St. Petereurg.
The present Call has been already paid on the shares taken in
Russia.
The subsequent Calls will be extend'.d over three years, thelargest
portion being required in the 2d and 3d years.
By the Statut,s of th. Company the Directors are empowered to
accept Par/villa from the Shareholders in anticipation of Calls ; but
it is necessary that those Shareholders who are desirous of availing
themselves of this privilege, shotdd .ignify their intention of so doing,
and to what extent, by letter addressed to the Secretary. interest
at the rate of 5 per cent. per annum will be paid half-yearly on all
such payments.
The present Scrip Certificate of 1001. will he exchanged for the
four Scrip Certificates Of 201. each, as soon as possible after the pay-
mart of the Call.

As the Pirectors have no means of asce•taining who are the pre-
sent holders of the Scrip. no furthPr notices will be sent to the original
allottees. exeept at their personal request. Every publicity, how-
ever. will be given of ail notices, by the usual mode of advertise-
ments.

By order of the Board,
J. W. w ,RRE TYNDALE, Secretary.
17, Gracechurch•street, Dior.day, May 18th, 1857.

APPETITE AND DIGESTION IMPROVED.

. f EA and PERRINS' WORCESTERSHIRE
/ SAUCE imparts the most exquisite relish to Steaks, Chops,
'ad all Roast Meat Gravies, Fish, Game, Soap, Curries, and Salad,
and by its tonic and Invigorating properties enables the stomach to
perfectly digest the food.
The daily useof this aromatic and delicious Sauce is the best safe-
guard to health.

.....
Sold by the proprietors, Lea and Perrins, 19, Fenchurch-street,
London, and 68. Broad-street, Worcester; also by Messrs. Barclay
acid Sons, Messrs, Crosse and Blackwell, and other oilmen and tiler-
.!.hants, London ; and generally by the principal dealers in sauce.
IT.B.—To guard against imitatioas, see that the names of "LEA
and PEItEINS" are upon the label and patent cap of the bottle.

OANCEIt HOSPITAL, London and West
Brompton.—Secretary's Otlice, 167, Piccadilly.—This Tnstitu-
ion has been established exclusively for the treatment of the poor
sffficted with cancerous diseases. Out-door patients to attend at 167,
Piccadilly, on Tuesdays, at 2 o'clock. In-door patients are admitted
at the Brompton Esta)dishrnent, for one month, and for a longer
palmd if recommended by the medical officers. The number of per-
sona under treatment as in or out-door patients have averaged for
the ]tat three years about 400 cases each year. Since the foundation
of this Hospital ,In 1851, 1,799 poor persons, suffering under every
form of this dreadful malady, have received the benefits of this
Charity. A Weekly Board manage Its affairs, and every informa-
tion connected with the Institution may be obtained on application
to the Secretary. Contributions to enable the Committee to continue
this ereat work of benevolence are urgently solicited, and may be
paid to William Loxham Farrar, Esq., the Treasurer, 66, Lincoln's-
Messrs. COutts and Co., Strand ; and at the Secretary's
1
Offices, 167, Piccadilly.

By order.

W. J. cocKERrLL Secretary.

OYAL FREE HOSPITAL, Gray's-inn-road.
Patron—The QUEEN.—Founded 1828.
The sick poor are admitted on their own application alone; no re-
commendation is required.

During the past month the following number received the benefits
of this Charity, either as out or in-door patients. on their personal
application:—

Week ending 7th February 2,095
Ditto 14th February .. •• • • 2,351
Ditto 21st February • • 2,650
Ditto 28th February :• •

Total in February •• .. • 9,986
f which 3,379 were new cases, tho remainder (still under treat-
ment) having been admitted previously.
The clergy of all denominations have unlimited access to the
p Went&

Trel 7y expenses are inevitably incurred in affording such exten.
sive relief. The Committee, therefore, earnestly entreat the aid of
he public.

The management of the Hospital is in the hands of 30 Governors,
yearly elected from the general list of subscribers, at the Annual
General Meeting in January. A Board is held every Thursday, at,
4 o'clock (Rev. J. B. Owen, Chairman), to conduct the business,
sind
when any subscriber may attend, if so disposed, the Board being at
'll times desirous of receiving suggestions or giving explanation.
The Hospital is not endowed, but is wholly dependent on volun-
tary contributions and legacies, which are received by the Treasurer,
'Olin Masterman, Esq., M.F., Nicholas-lane; also by Messrs. Coutts
Co. ; Drummond and Co. • Berries and Co.; Ransom
ret.eott, Grote, and Co. ; Sn'aith, Payne, and Co.; Glyn and Co. ;
Jones. Loyd and Co.: Barclay and Co. ; Denison and Co.; Williams,
nucerafor, and Co. ; Overcnd, Gurney, and Co. ; Nisbet and Co., Ber-
,-,treet ; Masterman and Co.; and at the Hospital.
Clothing for the destitute patients will be thankfully received.
By order. I. B. OWEN, M.A., Chairman.

The two Conservative members for the countyof
Bucks yesterday dined, according to ancient cus-
tom, at a farmers' ordinary, with a laxly of their
constituents, at the Anchor Hotel, Newport Pag-
nell. The company comprised nearly 150 agricul-
turists and other influential gentlemen connected
with the northern part of the county.
It will be seen from the subjoined report of the
proceedings that Mr. Disraeli availed himself of
the opportunity afforded by the occasion to enter
into a lengthened exposition of his views on the
present aspect of public affairs. The chair was occu-
pied by Mr. E. Greaves.
The usual loyal and patriotic toasts having been
given, the health of the two Conservative members
were duly proposed and enthusiastically received.
Mr. Du PRE, in virtue of his position as senior
member, was the fit st to respond, and addressed the
company in brief but appropriate terms.
Mr. DISRAELI was received with loud cheers. He
said : Mr. Chairman and gentleman,—l should
have, been quite satisfied to leave the acknowledg-
ment of our sense of your kindness to us to-day to
my colleague, Mr. Du Pre, between whom and
myeelf, since we have both been in the service of
the county, there has always existed entire sym-
pathy, and from whom, whenever the affairs of
Buckinghamshire have been concerned, I have
always received cordial co-operation and assistance
—had I not been afraid that it would appesrelike
affectation on my part were I to suppose that on
this occasion you would expect me to remain alto-
gether silent. It is some time now since I had the
honour of meeting you at Newport Pagnell and in
this room, and the interval that has elapsed has
been eventful even in this country, where events
must necessarily, succeed each other rapidly. Last
night, or I may say this waning, for it was nearly.
2 o'clock when the House Of Commons was break-
ing up, a very great personage invited me to to call
upon him to confer with him on a subject of deep
moment. and I told him that it was not in my
power to wait upon him as I could have wished, be-
cause I had to meet my constituents, with whom I
was to have the honour of dining at a farmers' ordi-
nary at Newport Pagnell ; upon which that great
personage observed, " Good God ! what can you
say to them ?" (Laughter.) Gentlemen, this is the
solution of the inquiry of that eminent personage.
I have kept my engagement to meet a body of my
constituents, and I am now about to do that which,
in the opinion of one of the most experienced judges
of such matters, is regarded as, probably, the most
difficult task that could fall to the lot of any man.
Now, that great personage, although he has re-
ceived all that the favour of the Sovereign and the
confidence of the people,could bestow upon him in
his distinguished career, and although he has also
been a county member, never had the honour of
representing the county of Bucks. (" Hear," and
a laugh.) That I believe is the only honour he has
never achieved. If he had ever been a member for
this county he would have known that it is not diffi-
cult at any time to address a bedyof men who from
their habits, and the traditions they have inherited
from their forefathers, have always taken an in-
terest in political questions and in the government
of the country. (Hear, hear.) Therefore although
I address you at a moment when public excitement
is not very rife, still, as is my custom—as is always
the custom of your members—l wish to speak
to you with candour and without reserve on
subjects of national interest and importance ; and
I know that I shall receive from you that sym-
pathy and attention which may be expected from
a body of gentlemen who do not, on occasions
like the present, look to the mere claptraps of
tavern rhetoric, but require from their representa-
tive a frank and manly declaration of his opinions
on the great topics which interest them. (Hear,
hear.) When we last met in this room some five
years ago you were suffering from that unrestricted
competition to which the industry in which you
are all engaged was, by' a great and unexpected
commercial revolution, subjected ; and it was then
a great question whether you would be able suc-
cessfully to pass through that ordeal. Much confi-
dence, in which I shared, was felt at that time in
the energy and skill of the British farmer ; and,
speaking now in the presence of a British—of a
Buckinghamshire farmer—who has reduced the
steam-plough to successful practice—(hear, bear)—
I do not think I was wrong in the expectations I
then entertained from the high qualities of the cul-
tivators of the soil. But it is not to revive the con-
troversy between unrestricted competition and
protected industry that I have adverted to this sub-
ject. While that great and ever fierce controversy
was going on, a vast revolution was taking place from
natural causes, and, perhaps, by Providential in-
terposition, which, in fact, baffled all the predic-
tions and all the calculations hazarded on both sides
of the question. What effect the gold discoveries
of California and Australia have had on the for-
tunes of England and of the world is a subject
which engages and perplexes the minds of the most
eminent men in this country. Yet the question is
one which we must not neglect to consider. I
have no doubt myself that directly, by stimulating
the consuming power of the world and producing
new markets, and more powerfully, though indi-
rectly, by causing and creating the great works
now being prosecuted in every part of the globe,
these discoveries led to those high prices which
have for some years prevailed in all articles, and
have tended to counteract the effect of the legisla-
tive
changes which we feared. I don't mean to say
that the railroads of England, for example, are
owing to the discovery of the precious metals in
California and Australia • but the railways of
France, Spain, Austria, and particularly of India,
are solely due to that cause. It may be said if we
attribute such beneficial consequences to the unex-
pected increase of the capital of the world, that it
is difficult to reconcile such results with the high
rate of interest on capital which now prevails. Of
course, on such a subject all opinions must be given
with due humility, but it is my own belief that
these apparent inconsistencies may be reconciled.
I have no doubt, and never had any doubt, that
the tendency and ultimate result of the gold dis-
coveries will be to diminish the rate of interest on
money. At the same time we connot conceal from
ourselves that the enterprise of the human race has
outrun the increase of capital which has taken
place ; and, although by that enterprise a great
stimulus has' been imparted to the consuming power
of the country, occasioning the present beneficial
influence on prices, still a high rate of interest for
capital has simultaneously occurred. I have no
doubt, however, that as events proceed, we shall
find a natural result ensue, and that while you ex-
perience this advantage from the prices of all the
articles which you produce and consume, you
will also combine with them that much re-
duced rate of interest on capital which I
think is the inevitable consequence of those
gold discoveries which are probably destined
to produce a greater effect on the history of this
country and of the world than anything that has
happened since the discovery of America. (Hear.)
I have referred to these points because they have a
very material connexion with the position in which
you were placed when I last hid the honour of ad-
dressing you. Nor can I conceal it from myself—
although, no doub-, there may be some groat strain
on the country in the interval—although, no doubt,
there is required in private enterprise great pru-
dence, and in the public expenditure great economy
—that the position of the nation in consequence of
the recent discoveries of the precious metals has
become one of a sound and healthy description. I
cannot doubt that the ultimate effect of all this must
be to increase the prosperity of this country ; nor
do I believe that either in ancient or modern his-
tory there ever was a nation more happily placed
than England is at present, or that had a future to
which it might look forward with so much satisfac-
tion. (Hear.) Well, if this be a true and fair view
of our situation, it is certainly very remarkable
that this is the moment in which we hear so much
of approaching political changes, and that it should
be at a time when the great body of the people are
satisfied, contented, and prosperous, that we should
hear of great impending innovations in our political
institutions. (Hear.) [t becomes us at the present
moment well to consider the position that we now
occupy, and what may be the course which it will
be our duty to take should these changes be pro-
posed. (Hear.) I shall take the liberty with the ut-
most brevity of which the nature of the case admits,
to state my opinions on this subject. lu fact it
would be a mockery for one who holds the import-
ant post of your representative to meet you here
to-day and not revert to what seems to be the con-
sequence of the last dissoluti on of Parliament—
namely, that in due time, and when our rulers
think fit, we shall be called upon to consider great
changes in the political constitution of the country.
With regard to Parliamentary Reform I would pre-
sume to say this—that I have no prejudice's in
favour of the existing system, which was brought
into operation in 1832. I believe when that great
change took place its conception was not altogether
exempt from the spirit of faction. (Hear.) I have
always thought, and always expressed nay belie

' that when the reform of Parliament was brought
forward in 1832 it was not framed
with a just re-
gard to -the interests of t'uose connected with the
property and the cultivation of the soil. I think
also, although this is a very minor point, that in
arranging the boundaries of boroughs and many
other matters there was all that job' ing, contriv-
ance, and tuanceuvre which are, probably, inevit-
able when such a measure is prepared by a political
party so circumstanced at the moment of effec'ing
the change as to be irresponsible. But, though I
have held that opinion, I have also thought that
political change, unless called for by a political ne-
cessity, is, in a country like England, a great social
evil. And I have looked always—no,, I believe,
without reason—to the reme &al agency which would
be exercised on some of the arrangements that might
have. been very factiously brought about by the
good sense and common feeling of Eaglistimen—in-
fluences which would, in the long run, tend to . emove
some of the evils and'alleviate some of the injustice
which are now pretty generally acknowledged to
mark the settlement of 1832. But, although I be-
lieve there is no feeling whatever in the country in
favour of what is commonly called Parliamentary
reform ; though I think I may sly that the Parlia-
mentary reformers in the present day are only to
be found in Parliament; yet, when you look to the
position of the question, and find that the Prime
Minister has acknowledged—no matter what may
have been the cause of his decision—that it is his
intention next year to introduce a measure of Par-
liamentary reform, leaving it probably, to public
opinion in the-interval t 6 give a° tone as-to what the
character of that measure maybe, I think we.should
be totally negligent of our duty, quite unworthy of
the privileges of Englishmen, if we passed such an
occasion in silence, and did not attempt, by calm
consideration and by inves•igating the merits of the
case, to arrive at some conclusions that may guide
our conduct when we are called upon to act-. Now,
although for the reasons I have assigned I am un-
willing that the present system should be disturbed
—although I think political change the greatest of
all social evils in its consequences—although I may
not be prepared, &Rd yet it has been announced in
some public journals of the greatast eminence that
lam, with a Reform Bill of my own—(laughter)—
I am not prepared', on the other hand, to say that
if the Minister on his own responsibility bring for-
ward a measure of that character, I will not give to
it a candid and sincere consideration on its merits.
(Hear, hear.) There is great discussion at the pre-
sent day as to what is the proper element of repre-
sentation. Some tell you that population is the
element of a representative system ; others tell you
property is the proper element ; a third party tells
you that property and population should be taken
together ; and a fourth tells you that population
and property always go together, and cannot be

sepatated. But f think there is one element in a
representative Government which is still more im-
portant than even population or property. I mean
prescription. (Hear, hear.) An old European
country, and especially England, obeys the autho-
rity to which it is accustomed. But no country of
the antiquity of our own, no country where so arti-
ficial a system of society and of credit exists as in
this, ever can sustain perpetual changes of Govern-
ment, and will always have a bias for obeying the
authority which is traditionary. (Hoar.) There-
fore, supposing the Minister next year brings for-
ward a scheme of Parliamentary reform, I shall,
though adverse as a general rule to political change,
give to his proposition a candid consideration ; I
shall ask myself whether the proposition which he
makes is one that is calculated to concede that jus-
tice which I think has been hitherto denied to your
claims, but which I would not have disturbed society
by demanding, and yet which, if by the act of the
Government themselves the country is called upon
to investigate the question, I think it the duty of
the classes connected with the land clearly and
earnestly to place before the Legislature. Let me
illustrate my meaning by an instance. The popu-

lar idea of Parliamentary reform may be fairly
stated in this manner. A gentleman who is a Par-
liamentary reformer takes a small borough—for
example. Buckingham or Wycombe—and he says,
" Here are two boroughs with a constituency of
300 voters each, and here is the city of Manchester,
in the county of Lancaster, with a population of
300,000 inhabitants, but with only two members,
or the same number, in fact, as the little boroUgh
of Buckingham. What injustice ! What anoma-
lies I It is absolutely necessary that we should dis-
franchise Buckingham or Wycombe, and transfer
its two members to Manchester." And it is asto-

nishiug how plausible this proposal sounds, and
how easily it is credited even by those whose inte-
rests are not involved in its adoption. But, gen-
tlemen, if you come to anomalies, I should like to
know whether there are none in our representation
infinitely more striking than this very popular in-
stance drawn from the small boroughs with only 300
constituents. I have a note here which is very brief
but very pregnant. Take, for example, the county
of South Cheshire, with la population of 206,000.
There is only one town there, the city of Chester,
centaining 28,000 inhabitants—it returns two mem-
bers, while the countycontains 178,000 inhabitants
and yet returns Only two members. Thus the
county of South Cheshire, with 178,000 inhabi-
tants, returns the same number of members as the
city of Chester with 28,000. I could go through al-
most every county in England and show the same
anomalies. The subject is one on which it is of the
utmot importance that the'people of this country
should have the most accurate information, and that
inwardly
digest theyshould learn, mark, and
digest during the next nine months, so that when
the proposition of the Government, or of any Go-
vernment, is made they should be able to form a
sound opinion upon it. I meet every day of my life
men who are called Conservatives in opinion—fair
and honourable men, who probably have not had
time to examine this question, and who often say,
" There are unquestionably great anomalies inthe
present system. Why, the little town and the great
city return the same number of members. Surely,
you must disfranchise the little towns, and give the
agar;
borf!'ngarfloiarmwearndt7lret
seats to the greatcities." I am not opposed to every
ary
measure
form
nk
it probable that
any scheme that is introduced must do more justice
which any Minis-
terto the claims which, I think, are not properly
treated. But this is the point which I wish to press
upon you, because it is upon it that yonr future
conduct must depend. It is, that if we are to have
a new scheme of Parliamentary reform, these claims
ought to be admitted. Perhaps you will pardonme
if I put before you a few more facts. There is the
case of North Cheshire, with a total population of
249,000 inhabitants, and with the two great towns
of Macclesfield and Stockport. Well, the twotowns,
with a population of 93,000 return four members,
while the rural population consisting of 156,000
returns only two. Is not that an anomaly as striking
as that presented by the small county town and the
large manufacturing city ? Another remarkable case
is that of the county of South Derby, which has
only one large town, and a total population of
166,000. The town of Derby, with 40,000 inhabi-
tants, has two members, while the rural population
numbering 125,000, has but two. Is not than an
anomaly? (Cheers.) Again, take the county;, of
North Durham, with a total population 0f272,000,
and having fourtowns, viz. :—Durham, Gateshead,
South 'Shields, and Sunderland. The town popula-
tion numbers 136,000, or exactly the same as that
of the county, and yet the towns are represented
by six members, whils the county has only two.
Perhaps I ought to apologise for giving you a sta-
tistical lecture, particularly in this hot weather.
(No, no, and laughter.) But really we live in very
remarkable times. I recollect no instance of a Prime
Minister dissolving Parliameat, and after a general
election coming down to the new House of Com-
mons, and saying his first important measure will
be to reform and reconstruct them—(laughter)—
but that as he has not made up his mind how to do
it he will take a year to consider of it. I don't wish
to criticise the future policy of the noble lord, but
I think we should be the greatest idiots in the
world if we did not take the opportunity of in-
structing ourselves on this question, so that the
noble lord may have the advantage of the expres-
sion of the opinions of Englishmen upon it, which
may influence his measures ; and. if his measures
• are not influenced by the just views that we are at-
tempting to maintain, at least when his scheme is
brought before us we shall be able tO criticise them
-with that power which must accrue ft= a complete
knewledge of the subject. (Hear.) You will,
therefore, feel that I am only doing ir y duty as
your representative at this important crisis in laying
these facts before you. Well, I come to the county
of West Kent, which has 400,000 inhabitants. Its
four great towns are Chatham, Rochester, Maid-
stone, and Greenwich, with an aggregate popula-
tion of 169,000. These towns return seven mem-
bers, while the rural population, numbering 228,000,
returns only two. That, 1 think, is another ano-
maly. (Hear.) I take, next, Lancashire, that great
county which has exercised so considerable an in-
fluence on your fortunes and on the legislation, arid
even th'e history, of this country. 11-orth Lanca-
shire has a population of 460,000. Its four great
towns are Blackburn, Clitheroe, Lancaster, and
•
Preston, which, with a population of 10,000, re-

turn seven members to Parliament, while the rural
population, comprising 316;000, only returns two.
I come next to that great centre of manufacturing
industry, South Lancashire. It has a total popu-
lation of 1,500,000, or as large a population as
Denmark, and almost as large as that of Holland.
Its towns contain one million iuhabitants, and re-
turn 15 members, while the remaining half-million
in the county return hut two. Really, when we
are going to have a Reform Bill, and when it is the
opinion, not indeed of Lord Palmerston—because
he has kept that discreet silence on the subject
which usually characterises him—(a laugh)—but the
opinion of those reformers who are egging him on,
that .the measure to be introduced is i o reduce the
influence of the landed interest, and to increase the
power of the towns, I think the time has come
when we ought to meet and let the country knew
that we have investigated the subject and have
some clear understanding upon it, and that if we
are to have a new Reform Bill—which, if the coma-
try wants it, I shall not oppose—let it at least be*,
based on principles more just than those established
in 1832. If, however, we are to form any opin'ou
from the expressions of those who are called the
leading reformers of the day, we are to have a new
Reform Bill, which is not to redress the injustice of,
1832, but to aggravate it. In order to convince
you that the instances I have quoted are not iso-
lated, but only samples of what prevails through-
out the whole arrangements of 1832, let me give
you one or two further illustrations. East Norfolk,
containing a population of 250,000; returns' two
Members, while the town population of Norwich
and Yarmouth, numbering 100,000, returns f
Then, there is the case of Yorkshire. The East
Riding contains a total population of 220,000. Hull
and another town, with 94,000 inhabitants between
them, are represented by four members, while the
remaining 126,000 of rural population have but
two members. The great West Riding has a popu-
lation of 1,300,000 ; its nine great towns, with a
population of half a million, have 16 mem-
bers, while the rural population 800,000 is
represented, as usual, by two. members.
-What I want the agricultural classes to do at
the present day is, not to place themselves in the
unfavourable position of saying on this or on any
other great rublic question that they are opposed
to all change. That is always a difficult position to
occupy under any circumstances, but it is an impos-
sible position when the Government of the country
come forward as the advocates of change, and on
their responsibility, which ought to be deeper than
that of any common man, and with their know-
ledge of the facts of the case, which ought to be
more accurate than that of any common man, tell
you that a great change in the representation of the
country is required, and that they are prepared to
propose it. Do not put yourselves in the position
of opposing abstractedly every reform thus intro-
duced, but make yourselves masters of your case,
and lay it down as a condition that, before you as-
sent to it, the change shall be founded on principles
of justice. I am convinced that if you conduct
yourselves in that manner and are supported by
correct information, you may safely appeal to that
sense of fairness which pervades the great bulk of
the people of this country ; and you may be sure
that no change will take place in the Parliamentary
constitution of England,'which is conceived in such
a spirit of hostility to the landed interest as the
measure of 1832. I know it will be sail that there
is a fallacy in the observations that I have addressed
to you, and it is not impossible that the words
uttered in this room may be the subject of cavil and
criticism. Now, so far as I am concerned, I speak
to court criticism. Ido not come down to meet
you, my best and earliest friends, merely for the
pleasure of seeing you here, but that I may do,
something to maintain your interests and support
your rights. lam prepared for this answer to my
observations, and I am going to discount it, as it
were, before it is made. it will be said that I have
merely taken the population represented by the
towns, and that, on an hypothesis that is perfectly
unjustifiable, have assumed that the rest of the
population is a rural and county population,
whereas there is an immense number of people
who live in towns who are not represented. It
will be said that I have included these persons in
the figures that I have given in order to delude my
constituents of Newport Pagnell. I will meet that
answer—the only answer that can be given to the
statistics which I have laid before you, and which
are taken from the authentic and authoritative tables
of the public census. I have taken the trouble to
investigate the number of inhabitants of this coun-
try who live in the unrepresented towns, and I
shall place before you one of the shortest and most
pregnant documents ever read on this all-important
subject to a body of Englishmen. I have taken
England proper as the subject of my illustration
for the obvious sake of simplicity. In Ireland,
Scotland, and even in Wales there are varieties of
franchise and diverse arrangements respecting the
boroughs, whereas throughout England the fran-
chise is similar and the political incidents of the
boroughs are exactly the same. The example I
shall give is on a scale so extensive as to be per-
fectly conclusive on the general question. There
are 144 county members in England, and they
represent a population of 9,777,000, which
gives one member of Parliament for every.
67,883 inhabitants. There are 319 borough mem-
bers, representing a population of 7,14 t,OOO, which
gives one member for every 22,384. I shall deduct
the population of the unrepresented towns, which
are supposed to be represented by the county mem-
b.7.rs. Their population is exactly 1,000,000. There-
fore the 144 county members will repre.:en't
8,777,000, which gives one member for every 60,8691
persons ; while the 312 borough members will re-

present a population of 8,144,678, giving one mem-
ber for every 25,535. So that when I have rectified

the balance -and thrown into the boroughs what they

have no right to have, the case stAnds thus—that
you have one member in the counties tor every
61,000, and one in the boroughs for every 25,000.
Are not these important facts? And when we are
told that there are to be new reform bills framed

according to the opinions of the leading reformers
of the country, with a view to diminish what they
call the undue preponderance of the landed inte-
rest, are we to take no steps to make our position
known ? And when England may be called upon
to decide in some moment of passion on some Par-
liamentary reform, brought forward perhaps for the
purpose of confirming a party in power, ought not
these facts to be well driven into the convictions
and conscience of the political mind of England ?
You would be acting a suicidal part if, knowing
quite well that a reform bill. was to be introduced
in deference to the opinions of those who think that
the classes connected with the land have too much
political power, you were not to awaken the coun-
try to the real state of the case as I have reveilod
it to you. (Hear, bear.) Indisposed, therefore,
as I am to disturb the settlement of 1832, still, it a
great political change is contemplated and intro-
duced on the responsibility of the Minister of the
Crown, 1 shall give his proposition a dispassionate
consideration, and endeavour to vindicate the in-
terests which I think have been so long injured.
(Hear.) I have only one remark to add on the sub-
ject of Parliamentary Reform. So coolly is it as-
sumed by Parliamentary reformers that any change
in our representative system must diminish the in-
fluence of the landed interest that you meet per-
sons every day, and persons, too, regarding them-
selves as by no means violent reformers, who want
to alter the county franchise. They are for adopt-
ing a reduced franchise that will curtail the legiti-
mate influence of the landed interest by admitting
into the county constituencies persons unconnected
with that interest. That, I think, would be a most
impolitic course. Whatever plans of Parliamentary
reconstruction may be proposed, we ought to adhere
to the great distinction which has always prevailed
in our constitution, and which was adopted after
grave consultation in 1832—namely, thatwe should
acknowledge the franchise of the towns to arise out
of occupation, and that of the counties out of the
ownership and cultivation of the soil. It is impos-
sible that any sane an can conceive the project to
increase the county constituencies, which have al-
ready fewer members and a larger popWation than
the boroughs, and at; thesametime not fo deal with
the borough constits tencies. Than such a proposal
nothing could be mot ie monstrous or unsatisfactory.
It aggravates the injustice and increases the very
political evil which of fight to be redressed. If there
is to be a change in the electoral body, it ought to
be an increase in the constituencies of the boroughs.
lf, therefore, you calm ly consider this question
with especial reference the position and influence
of the land, nothing cout d be more unjust, absurd,
and anomalous than then themes of reform hitherto
propounded. (Cheers.) I shall now leave that
which is put forward as thy' question of the day. It
is hardly necessary for rr_tel to trouble you at any
length upon other topics. There is one subject,
however, upon which I the ink the people of this
country ought to be prepar, id to come to a definite
losition whic.ti the esta-
opinion, and that is to the
esta-
blished church is to maintain '• in their constitution.
(Hear.) I do not. mean to enter into the contro-
versy which has arisen with respect to the parties
which exist in the Church of England. There never
was a period when these pa rues did. not mare or

less prevail, and although one thing cannot be de-
nied—namely, that there never was a time when
one of these parties was predominant that its pre-
dominance was not injurious to the church, it must
still be candidly admitted by all dispassionate men
that the competition, if I may use the expression,
betw'een the two parties which have now prevailed
in the church for more than two centuries has on
the Whole been beneficial to this country. While,
on the one hand, what we familiarly call " low
church" has.chedked the advance of priestly domi-
nation, on the other hand, what we call " high
church " hss saved us from the consequences of
latitud lime ian practices. lam mself in favour of
that via media which the most eminent prelates of
this country have ever since the Reformation main-
tained and upheld. (Cheers.) I desire to see a full
and complete ecclesiastical establishment on the
ba-is of a true Protestant faith ; but, at the same
time, I wish to see our ecclesiastical policy main-
tained in its spirit and truth. The question, how-
ever, which is now rapidly advancing, and which
the people of this country will be called upon to
decide—l believe even in this Parliament—is not
whether you shall have what is celled "high
church" or "low church," but whether you shall
have a national church established in tie's realm,
forming an important part of its political constitu-
tion. This question you will very speedily be called
upon to decide when tin subject of church-rates is
brought before you,—a question the discussion of
which it has for many years been convenient to
nvade, bit which, you may depend upon it, 'before
12 months have passed, will in the consequence of
its settlement be one of the utmost importance to
this country. I have brought to this subject, I
believe, as calm a consideration as any man can.
well command, but I cannot conceal from myself
that the movement against church-rates is a politi-
cal movement. I have arrived at that conclusion
from facts which are before'tis. They are these:—
By the law of England, as it at present stauds, no
church rate can be levied without the consent of
a majority of the rate-payers, and I should
suppose that it is a distinguishing characte-
ristic of Englishmen to defer always to the sense
of a majority. It is therefore clear that a church-
rate cannot be levied in any district unless there
is a predominant opinion in its favour. Now,
how do we find that the law practically acts
We have before us returns from the 12,000
parishes into which England is divided. In how
many parishes, do you suppose, according to the
last returns, church-rates have been refused ?
Why, only in 600 out of the whole 12,000. When,
then, we find under a law so liberal in its concep-
tion that the opinion of the majority absolutely de-
cides the question of, assessment, that only 5 per
tent. of the 12,000 parishes—and those, of course
situated in large towns—have availed themselves
of the privilege of withholding a church-rate, it is
impossible for me to accept as a grave conclusion,
that this institution—if I may so call it—as it now
exists, is opposed to the feelings and convictions of
the people. It is, however, impossible to deny
that in this question, left as it is, atid perhaps
wisely, to the decision of the majority, is involved
the whole question of a church establishment.
Even if the majority had a conscientious objection
to the payment of church-rates, and you were called
upon to terminate them, you would have to decide
the great question whether you would maintain an
establishment or not. Circumstances, however,
have not come to such a point as to place us under
the painful necessity of weighing the advantages of
an established church against the general convic-
tions and sentiments of the Community. It is clear,
however, that every objection urged against church-
rates might be equally urged against tithes, 'and
might even be carried to a greater length. If the
conscientious objection of indtviduals is to be al-
lowed to prevail against the maintenance of a na-
tional institution, I am at a loss to understand how
any national institution of this country is to be
upheld. It has happened that by negligence in
the public mind, and its failing to see what impor-
t tsnt questions were involved in that of church-
rates, the subject has assumed an importance which
cannot be exaggerated, and it is one that must be
brought to a public and Parliamentary solution. It
is not possible that during the present Parliament
the opinion of the house and of the Government
should not be taken on• that subject, and therefore
it bec enes you upon this question, no less than
upon that of Parliamentary Reform, to make up
your minds as to what you will change and what
yen will maintain. You cannot allow this matter
to go any longer as it is. If you wish to uphold
the institutions of your country you must take your
side upon this subject, for, although he was attacked
for it by his support,rs, Lord John Russell never
spoke more soundly than when he said that all our
institutions were at stake in the settlement of this
question. One word upon the institutions of our
country. lam in favour of progress, in favour of
the political, social, and intellectual progress of
this country. I think that any man who is the
Minister of England ought to pursue the policy
which, in his opinion, will make the people of Eng-
land the freest, happiest, and most enlightened
people in the world ; but I am also, and have
always been, of opinion that this result can only
be obtained by maintaining and deferring to our
ancient institutions. There are many well-meaning
men who are enamoured of the American institu-
tions and of those of our great colonies. They say re-
sults of great value are obtained without the
influence of the institutions of this country of which
we are so proud, and to which 1 hope we may still
remain devoted. There is, however, this difference
between our country and those to which I have re-
ferred. In the old countries of Europe, and espe-
cially in what we are proud to call "Old England,"
you cannot make any great change without de-
stroying, whereas in Australia or America nothing
is destroyed, but everything is created. What
would be the consequence of destroying our ancient
institutions ? There have been old countries of
Europe which have tried that experiment, and
whet is the result of their experience ? Destroy a
monarchy and you will have a royalist party in the
country. Change a dynasty, and you will have a
Legitimist party. Subvett a church, and you will
have an ecclesiastical party. Put an, end to au here-
ditary nobility, and you will have a large body of
proprietors discontented with the state of affairs.
What are the consequences of this? Civil war and
constant revolutions. England cannot afford to
have a civil war ; England -cannot afford constant
revolutions. If an old country like this, with a sys-
tem of credit like ours, lost a period of her history
in internal struggle or revolution, would she not,
when she again became tranquil, find that other
countries—such as that an the other side of the At-
lantic—had outstripped her in the race ? As long
as we are faithf d to ourselves—as long as we im-
prove but do not destroy, it is impossible to pre-
dict to what heightof prideand power England may
attain. I will not refer to the 30 years' war of the
Rosss, the like of which may never again occur in
England—l wilt take the war of the great rebellion.
If we underwent political revolutions such as some
of our neighbours have experienced during the last
50 years, the position of England at their termina-
tion would not be that which she at present occu-
pies. She might become tranquil, the people might
find themselves free and in the possession of much
physical enjoyment, but she would no longer, as at
present, be a first-rate State. Shewould not be the
ieading Power of Europe. She would become what
Sweden and the other Scandinavian States are att
the present day, and the result of irapr.,ve.mailena_
effected by destruction would be to lower thersi ,
as
ence of our country instead of to
dac
fibsco mpu b
aih the
might be done by deference to,• an
mainte-
agency of, our present institution:,
position. I have
nance and elevation of our present
thought that the eminent person who asked me
what [ should say to my constituents-es should with
your indulgence receive an answer, and I hope that
what I have said may be productive of some advan-
tage, and may lead my constituents and others of
the people of England to ponder well on the aspect of
affairs during the interval which shall elapse before
the changes with wi hich we are threatened are pro-
posed. I want to induce what in old days was called
"the landed interest "—I do not mean merely or
mainly the 'squires, but the occupiers and cultiva-
tors of the soil—dispassionately to review their
position. We live in a period when those who wish
to be respected must respect themselves. You will
not-have your rights conceded, you
.will not have
your fair and legitimate privileges maintained, if
you yourselves, not knowing your own case, are
silent and prepared to submit to any unj est arrange-
ment that may be proposed. Men suffer injustice,
not onl feom the ignorance of those who injure
them, but also from neglect of their own interests.
I am quite sure that if the case of the land had been
fairly put before the Parliament of 1832, it is so
strong and so full of elements which command the
interest of Englishmen that a very different arrange-
ment would have been made. Understand 'that 1
am not for a moment attemPting to revive a quarrel,
now long forgotten, between ourselves and the
great centres of manufacturing and commercial in-
dustry. Ido not grudge Manchester, Liverpool, or
Bradford, or the. great towns of Lancashire and
Yorkshire, their representatives. lam glad to see
them in the House of Commons. lam quitewilling
to e,dmit that if they can eate,bligi a claim it ought