The Sun.
London, England, 1844-05-13 00:00:00

PORTUGAL.

SOUTHAMPTON, MAY 11.—The Peninsular and Oriental
Company's steamer, Lady Mary Wood, Captain E. Cooper,
arrived this morning at five o'clock from the Peninsula,
bringing all the mails. Her dates of departnre are as fol-
low :—From Gibraltar, May 3 ; Cadiz, 4 ; Lisbon, 7 ; off
Oporto, 8 ; Vigo, 8.
Ships of war lying at Gibraltar—Locust steamer, and Ame-
rican frigate Plymouth. Lisbon—Her Majesty's sh►p Al-
bion ; French brigs of war, Argus and Volage. Vessels
passed off—Exchanged signals with the Company's steam-
ship Oriental, being to the southward and westward of Cape
Espichel, under all canvass, steering to the southward. The
Company's steam-ship Pacha arrived at Lisbon with the
mails from England early on the 7th. Specie on board—
Twelve packages of specie and bullion, full cargo of fruit, and
eleven head of cattle from Vigo.
The Great Liverpool arrived at the Motherbank early yes-
terday morning, where she is performing quarantine. She
will be here on Tuesday.

SUICIDE OF A YOUNG FEMALE.—On Friday. Mr.
Baker held an inquest at the Crown and Anchor,-Luke-
street, Mile-end New-town, on the body of Martha
Miles, aged 18, a fringe-maker. Arthur Strahan, of
20, Luke-street, trimining-maker, said deceased had
worked for him for the last twelve months, and was
sometimes very gay, and at others much depressed in
spirits, and would cry for hours together. Latterly she
used to have severe fits, during which she would
scream violently, and exclaim, " Oh, master, hold my
eyes, keep him from me," but she named no one.
For the last fortnight she was not able to manage
her work, and she attributed her fits to fright,
caused by having seen a woman thrown out of a cab.
Susan Crewe, a fellow work-girl, said she bought a skip-
ping-rope about three weeks since, and when deceased
saw it she said, " Ah, that rope had many a head in it,
and it will soon have another.' About three o'clock on
Thursday, witness saw deceased at work in her room,
and she was crying at the time. Soon afterwards she
was missed, and witness thinking she was in a fit, went
in search of her, and at length found her, hanging by the
neck from a rafter in the water-closet, by means of the
skipping-rope. She raised an alarm, and Mr. Byrne,
the landlord of the house, came and cut her down, and
Mr. Burchett, the parish surgeon, having been called in,
pronounced her quite dead. Verdict " Temporary
insanity."
ABINGDON ELECTION.—We have received com-
munications from several correspondents for which we
are obliged, announcing the return of Mr. Thesiger on
Saturday for this close borough. The return is a matter
of no consequence, and about which there could be no
doubt, though there may be some doubt about the con-
sideration. This is one of the rotten boroughs that some
how or other escaped destruction in the general sweep
made by the Reform Bill.
THE CUSTOM-HousE.—The Commissioners of Cus-
toms, with the approval of the Treasury, have at length
brought out their scheme for the landing-waiters' and
searchers' department in the port of London. Two
offices of a new denomination will be created, with the
style and title of Inspectors-General of the Waterside
and Warehousing Departments. An addition of three
new officers will be made to the number of landing-
surveyors. The six classes of landing-waiters remain as
heretofore. Another rank of officers has been estab-
lished, subordinate to, and under the orders of the land-
ing-waiters, but superior to the lockers and weighers.
This class consists of sixty persons, to be chosen by the
Board of Customs, from the most experienced men
among the lockers and weighers, and to be called
Superintendents of Locks and Warehouses. The num-
ber of lockers now employed will by this arrangement
be reduced from 183 to 120, and the number of weighers
from 220 to 180. Messrs. Howe and Kendall, who have
been for some time acting as superintendents of the
landing department, have been appointed the inspectors-
general, with salaries of 7001. per annum each. The
selection of officers for promotion to the additional land-
ing surveyorships is not yet decided. This arrangement
will, no doubt, prove beneficial to the service, as far as it
goes ; but the frauds which have been perpetrated in
the Customs arose principally from the want of a suf-
ficient controlling power; and the addition of five persons,
viz., two inspectors-general, and three landing surveyors,
is completely inadequate to effect any material and salu-
tary alteration in the old and ineffective system.—
Observer.

REDUCTION IN THE HOURS OF - LABOUR.—A re-
duction in the hours of labour has commenced at one of
the principal cotton mills in the town of Preston, that of
Mr. Robert Gardner. The mills commenced running
only eleven hours a-day for five days in the week, and
nine on the Saturday, the understanding being that if
there was a reduction in the amount of work pro-
duced, the hands would submit to a corresponding
reduction of wages. For the short time that has
elapsed no correct opinion of the result of the ex-
periment can be formed, but we are informed
that for the first week—that is, up to Saturday
evening—the wages of the weavers were only a half-
penny per head below the average of the last three
months, during which they had worked twelve hours,
and that of the spinners one shilling per head below the
same average. The arrangement has been interrupted
during the present week in consequence of a break-down,
by which the engine was twice stopped, and the hands
have to work twelve hours, till the lost time has been
fetched up.-81ackburn Standard.
DRURY-LANE THEATRE.—Miss Clara Webster, who
is one of the most popoular danseuses of the day, takes
her benefit at this theatre to-night, and offers to her pa-
trons the never-tiring opera of the Bohemian Girl, the
grand scene from Lucia di Lammermoor, by Signor
Salvi, the finale of La Sonnambula, by Madame Castel-
lan, who made a great impression in it last Thursday
evening, and the Ilevolt of the Harem, with Meddle. Lu-
cile Grahn. The private boxes and dress circle are al-
ready most fashionably taken.

THE LABOURING. CLASSES.
A numerous and most respectable meeting was
held in Willis's Rooms on Saturday, to take into
consideration the propriety_of forming a society for
the improvement of the condition of the labouring
classes. Lord Ashley was called to the chair. Among
the noblemen and gentlemen on - the platform we ob-
served Lord Chelsea, the Bishop of Salisbury, the
Hon. W. Cowper, M.P., Mr. Slaney, M.P., Mr.
Colquhoun, M.P., Mr. Monckton Milnes, M.P., Mr.
Fielden, M.P., Mr. Bond Cabbell, Mr. Thomas Car-
lyle, the Hon. and Rev. H. Osborne, the Rev. H.
M‘Neile, the Rev. Mr. Burgess, the Rev. Mr. Buller,
&c., &c.
he Noble CHAIRMAN briefly stated the purposes
for which the meeting was assembled. It was to
take into consideration the propriety of forming a so-
ciety for the improvement of the labouring classes.
The condition of the labouring classes in many parts
of the country was truly distressing. The society
which they were that day met to establish contem-
plated three great objects ; first, the improvement of
the dwellings of the poor; second, the extension of
the field garden, or cottage system; and, thirdly, the
introduction of the friendly loan societies, which in
many parts of Ireland have been found to produce
the most beneficial results. They were come to a
period in the history of their country when they must
attempt to do something for the amelioration of the
condition of the labouring classes.—(Cheers.) He
was ready to admit, that what they were about to
attempt was only an experiment; but, being ba.ed on
Christian principles, they had no reason to be ashamed
of it, or to doubt the result.

The Rev. H. M'NEILE, of Liverpool, then rose to
move the first resolution, which recognised the de-
sirableness of establishing a society for the improve-
ment of the condition of the labouring classes. If the
poor have their wants it ought always to be remem-
bered that they have their feelings also.—(Hear,
hear.) Attempts were made to poison the minds of
the poor, and to inspire their breasts with feelings of
hostility towards the upper ranks of life. Naturally
they had no unfriendly disposition towards the rich.
If they would regard the poor with friendly feelings,
and treat them kindly, they would entertain andmani-
fest a grateful sense of the kindness shown them. If
landlords would only cultivate an acquaintance with
the poor • on their estates, they would do them the
greateft service. The poor had understandings, rea-
son, and conscience, as well as the rich, and they were
the heirs of immortality. Contrasted with these attri
butes and this high destiny, what availed splendid
furniture—luxurious living—horses and hounds—
the contests of Senates—the dignity of Cabinets—and
the cold-blooded abstract theories of philosophers?—
(Applause.) The poor man was spoken of in Scrip-
ture as the brother of Jesus, the child of God, and
the heir of glory.
Mr. COLQU nouN9 .1 M.P seconded the resolution.
_ - - -

He differed from the Noble Chairman on one point.
They were not about to make an experiment. The
principles on which they were about to proceed had
already been tested, and had been found adapted to
accomplish the objects they had in view. If the
poor man, as had been remarked, was treated with
kindness by the rich it would be like throwing a
golden bridge of affection over the gulf which has
too long separated them, and the result would be a
glorious future.—(Cheers.)
The resolution was then put and carried unani-
mously.
Here Captain Ackerly rose in the body of the
meeting and attempted to create a disturbance, but
was speedily put down.
Mr. SLANEY, M.P., then rose to propose the second
resolution, which referred to the best means of carry-
ing the views of the society into effect. There was
distress in many parts of the country.—(Cries of " In
all," from Captain Ackerley.) Not in all ; for there
were parts of the country in which, even among the
poorer classes, there could not be said to be anything
approaching to want. Still there existed the deepest
distress in many parts of the country, especially in
great and populous towns. Much of. the distress had
its origin in over-population. Within the last thirty
years the population of England had doubled, and the
consequence was that many places were over-crowded
with human beings. lie thought the proposed
society was calculated to do great good.
The Rev. Mr. BULLER, of Birmingham, seconded
the resolution. He knew cases in Birmingham in
which whole families had not more than one penny
for each person per day wherewith to procure the ne-
cessaries of life.—(Hear, hear.) Such a state of
things must behighly dangerous, and unless some-
thing were done to lessen the miseries of the lower
orders there would be some outbreak before a long
period had elapsed. It was to the dreadful destitution
which existed in the rural districts—for there also
deep distress existed—that the incendiary fires which
had of late been of such fearfully frequent occurrence
were to be ascribed. He had lately been in Suffolk,
and found that whole families of the poor were living
on pigs' meat—that is, a coarse kind of bread_
made of the bran usually given to the pigs to
feed on. In the district of Birmingham in which he
laboured there were 10,000 persons, and yet among
all that number there were not seven families who
were able to keep a servant. He concurred in all
that had been said regarding the good results which-
were sure to follow from the cultivation by the rich
of an acquaintance with the poor. He was sure that
a visit of kindness to the poor would do more good
than all the sermons of the clergy, though they were
to preach from June to January. It was of no use
to preach the Gospel to persons who had not got their
breakfast. He warmly approved of the objects of the
society, and would at all times give it his cordial
support.
The resolution was then put and carried.
The Rev. R. BURGESS, of Chelsea, in moving the
next resolution, approving of the plans the society
meant to adopt, addressed the meeting at some length.
Two years had elapsed since the House of Commons
had published its report respecting the sanatory con-
dition of the poor, and yet nothing had been done. It
was consequently a matter of fair inference that Par-
liament did not contemplate doing anything. Hence
the necessity of voluntary effort to improve the phy-
sical and social condition of the poor. Without being
aided in their labours by some such Society as this,
they (the clergy) would preach to the lower classes
in vain. He (the Rev. Mr. Burgess) entirely dif-
fered from an Hon. Gentleman (Mr. Slaney), who
pprooecredteod m, when he
over-population.
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200,000,0001. annually, and it might be assumed that,
returns
adding the incomes varying from 501. to 1501. per
annum, there was at least another 100,000,0001. on
which that tax would have had to be paid if it had
been imposed on incomes above 50/. ; so that here
was an annual income of 300,000,0001., and yet,
notwithstanding the magnitude of the sum, the deep-
est distress extensively, prevailed, owing to the
unequal distribution of our wealth. The Rev. Gen-
tleman then proceeded to specify various instances of
extreme want and sickness consequent on that
destitution, and concluded by expressing his cordial
approbation of the society.
The Hon. and Rev. H. OSBORNE seconded the re-,
solution in a very able, eloquent, and feeling speech,
when the resolution was put and carried.
Mr. Monckton Milnes, the Hon. W. Cowper, and
Mr. Leonard Horner having shortly addressed the
meeting, the following noblemen and gentlemen were
appointed vice-presidents of the society :—The Duke
of-Manchester, the Earl of Shrewsbury, the Earl of
Eldon, Lord Morpeth, Lord Ashley, Lord Sandon,
Lord Grimston, Lord Howard, Lord Henry Chol-
mondeley, Lord Sondes, Lord Kenyon, Lord Cal-
thorpe, Lord Rayleigh, Lord Leigh, Lord Barring-
ton, Lord Teignmouth, the Hon. William Ash-
ley, the Hon. William P. Cowper, Sir Thomas
Baring, Bart.; Sir Thomas Blomfield, Bart.; Sir
Brook W. Bridges, Bart. ; Sir Arthur de Capel
Brooke, Bart. • Sir Digby Macworth, Bart. ; Sir
William T. Pole, Bart.; Sir W. Edward Parry, John
Hardy, Esq., M.P. ; and R. Brinsley Sheridan, Esq.
The following list of subscriptions towards the
funds of the society were announced :—The Earl of
Eldon, 2001. ; the Earl of Shrewsbury, 25/. ; Lord
Ashley, 50/. ; Lord Viscount Barrington, 251.; Lord
Calthorpe, 501.; Lord Teignmouth, 101. 10s.; Sir
Thomas Baring, Bart., 100/. • John Dean Paul, Esq.,
100/. ; Alexander Gordon, Esq., 100/. ; R. B. Sheri-
dan, Esq., 1001.; William Gregson, Esq., 50/4 Charles
`Dixon, Esq., SOL ; Enoch Durant, Esq., 501.; John
Labouchere, Esq., 50/. • Samuel Graves, Esq., 50/. ;
the Hon. W. Cowper, 25/4 David Lyon, Esq.,
251.; Henry Blanchard, Esq., 20/. ; Sir Brook W.
Bridges, Bart., 251.; John Bridges, Esq., 10/. ; the.
Right Hon. Lord Howard, 10/. ; and Messrs. Grisell
and Peto, 1001.
Lord Ashley having been elected president of the
society, and a vote of thanks given him, the meeting
separated.
•

FATAL ACCIDENT AT HINDLEY.—On Thursday
last] some men were engaged in felling a large oak tree
by the road side, near Mr. Walker's factory, Hindley,
three miles from Wigan. They had so far progressed in
their work as to deem it necessary to attach a chain to
the tree, in the opposite direction from the road, to
prevent its falling into it. About two o'clOck in the
.afternoon, however, the chain broke, and the tree, which
is of an unusually large size, suddenly fell into the road,
burying beneath its branches several persons who were
present. One boy was killed upon the spot ; another
was very seriously injured, and an old man named John
I 011erton, had his head dreadfully cut and bruised, and
was otherwise seriously hurt; . •