The Sun.
London, England, 1868-11-27 00:00:00

A CONSERVATIVE ON THE SITUATION.

Sir Bainald Knightley, Bart., M.P. for South North-
amptonshire, made a noteworthy speech at a banquet at
Northampton a day or two back. He first referred to the
Reform Bill, saying that the lowering of the franchise had
been on the whole a Conservative measure. Next, speak•
ing of the Irish Church, he was afraid that the English
Church would be the next to go. " But when the Irish
Church question is settled, then Mr. Gladstone's diffi-
culties will commence. It may sound like a paradox, but
it is perfectly true that his strength is his weakness. Let
me explain it. You are acquainted with the old saying of
having more pigs than teats.' At the present moment,
I believe, in the Liberal party there are thirty-
five gentlemen who imagine themselves fully com-
petent -to hold Cabinet appointments, and as there
are only twelve Cabinet appointments to be disposed
lof, it is clear that for every gentleman who holds
office there will be two disappointed, and they will
be very anxious for another shuffle of the cards, in, order
that they may have the opportunity of getting where
true genius will be properly appreciated. You hear of
the great and united Liberal party. It is a great one, but
it is not united. There are two distinct sections—the
moderate or aristocratic portion, and those who arc very
advanced and democratic. Merely take, for instance,
two names with which you in this town are well
acquainted. Mr. Bradlaugh and the Duke of Grafton
both call themselves Liberals, and yet I should think
there are no two men who are further opposed to each
other. But it may be said they are not in the House of
Commons, and are not likely to come in contact. Take an
instance from the House of Commons itself. Take Lor4
Grosvenor on the one side and Mr. Bright on the other;
and you will find that those two men agree scarcely on
one point. And if, as I hear is to be the case, Mr. Glad;
stone intends to form his Government from the extreme►
section of the advanced Liberals, he will disgust the men
of the more moderate portion ; and if he also proceeds to
carry out the revolutionary programme which Mr. Bright
has enunciated, he will frighten them out of their
wits. Then I think it may be possible that the
moderate men of both parties may unite
together. There are rumours that Mr. Disraeli is about
to retire to the purer and more elevated atmosphere
of the House of Lords. I hope it ie true, for he has
always been an impediment and a stumbling-block to the
union of the moderate men of the two parties. lam not
speaking wildly or loosely as of a thing I know nothing
about. Two-and-a-half years ago there was very nearly
being the combination of parties to which I refer. lam
speaking of the time when Earl Russell retired. I know
what was going on then, and I am very well acquainted
with the negotiations that then took place, and I have
no hesitation in saying that if Mr. Disraeli bad been
in the House of Lords, or if he had been in heaven or
anywhere else than where he was, that coalition would
have taken place, and a strong and a firm Government
would have been formed. That chance was lost, but some
other time we may be more fortunate. My only hope is
that some coalition of that sort should take place, as with
so small a minority the having a Conservative Government
again is almost hopeless."

The Queen has, on the recommendation of the
Premier, granted a pension of £lOO per annum to the well-
known authoress, Mrs. S. C. Hall, iu consideration of her
long and useful services.

THE HOUSES OF PARLIAMENT AND THEIR
APPROACHES.—Large numbers of men have been engaged
during the last few days in making ready the Houses of
Parliament and their approaches for the reception of the
newly-elected members, who will assemble on the 10th
proximo. The House of Commons has been thoroughly
i
cleansed, but no material alterations in the arrange•"
ments have been made, and, notwithstanding rumours t
the contrary, the seats remain just as they were, an
Ministers and Opposition will face each other as before, a
the Speaker's table. All the approaches have been cleaned
and decorated, and some arrangements have been made
in the lobbies which will conduce much to the con-
venience of the members, especially in their consulta-
tions with constituents and others during the sitting of
the House.

CHARGE OF MANSLAUGHTER.—Mr. Richards,
deputy coroner, has held an inquiry, at Bethnal-green,
respecting the death of Mrs. Ilantitth Clifford, aged 33
years, who expired from the effects of frightful injuries
inflicted upon her during her accouchement. The deceased
was the wife of an eating-house keeper, carrying on
business in Bethnal-green-road. The person whose con-
duct is impugned is Mr. Thomas William Popplewell,
who describes himself as a member of the Royal College
of Surgeons, residing at 53, St. Peter's-road. The medical
evidence laid before the jury was that of Mr. G. B.
Phillips, of Spital-square, divisional surgeon of police,
who described the serious nature of the injuries inflicted.
The jury returned a verdict of manslaughter against Mr.
Popplewell, and the coroner made out a warrant for his
committal to the Central Criminal Court for trial.
THE FRENCH COTTON TRADE.— The imports of
raw cotton into France in the first eight months of this
year amounted to 83,482 tons, as compared with 74,196
tons in the corresponding period of 1867, and 96,236 tons in
the corresponding period of 1866. American cotton was
imported into France in the first eight months of this year
to the extent of 38,708 tons, as compared with 33,963
tons in the corresponding period of 1867, and 39,767 tons in
the corresponding period of 1866. The imports from the
United Kingdom were 17,827 tons in the first eight months
of this year as compared with 17,297 tons in the corre-
sponding period of 1367, and 30,767 tons in the corre-
sponding period of 1866. The value of the whole of the
raw cotton imported into France to the 31st of
August this year was 28,372,357, as compared with
£7,42.6,31S in the corresponding eight months of 1867,
and £4,40,253 in the corresponding eight months of 18CG,