The Sun.
London, England, 1844-01-05 00:00:00

THE VICTORIA STATION

is approached from Hunt's Bank, by an inclined
plane, like those of the Manchester and Birmingham
and Liverpool and Manchester stations, in Man-
chester. This road commences at the Irk, just above
its confluence with the Irwell, and below the court-
yard wall of the Cheetham College. To give it greater
width, the bridge oval. the Irk has been considerably
widened ; and the road, which rises 1 in 20, is 50
feet in width, the carriage-way being 34 feet, and the
flagged footpaths each eight feet wide. The ascent
has been much facilitated by the late Manchester
Police Commissioners having raised Great Ducie-
street and Hunt's Bank, to the extent of four
feet above their former level. On arriving at the
level of the railway, which is about the centre
of the edifice now being erected for the booking-
offices, refreshment and waiting-rooms, &c., the
passengers for the Leeds line proceed forward
in an easterly direction on the level (towards
York-street, Cheetham Hill Itoad), to the easterly
or higher and further wing of the building, to the
booking office, and thence to the departure plat-
form of that line. The platforms, and of course the
offices, assigned to each Company, are those nearest
the direction of their respective lines—the Liverpool
being to the W., and the Leeds to the E., of the
centre of the station-house. The line of demarcation
between the stations of the two Companies is very
distinctly marked on the rails, by double lines of
turn-tables, nearly adjoining; the one being the
limit of the Leeds, and the other that of the Liver-
pool, Company's station, and each set of the tables
being for the respective Companies to pass off their
spare carriages to the sidings, outside the north
boundary wall.
We may just notice here, that the engines of the
Liverpool trains will not come forward to the station,
but will cast off upon nearing the bridges over the
Irwell and Ducie-street, and then, from the rear,
push the train forward over the bridge with sufficient
impetus to send it to its destination, while the engine
returns. There are to be four lines of rails over the
Ducie-street Bridge.
The station, by which we mewl the lines with their

sidings, turn gables, and arrival and departure pltit,
forms far both Companies, is, we believe, the largest
in England, surpassing evm the at Derby in point o
extent. It covers a distance from 111frit'; Bank to the
Ducie Bridge of 852 feet, with an average width of
130 feet; having five main lines of rails from end to
end, three of which are appropriated for the main
lines, and two are sidings. In addition to this there
are other sidings, which may hereafter be used for
goods ; and the departure lines for the two railways
are also sidings, on the south side of the other rails.
To the length of 700 feet from Great Duck-street, the
station is covered in with an iron roofing, erected In
three compartments, the centre one being 59 feet 6
inches span; that on the north side, 28 feet; and that
on the south side, 26 feet 3 inches. This roofing, with
a length of 700 feet, and an entire width of about 114
feet, forms the largest extent of railway rooting
in the kingdom, being little short of 80,000 square
feet of iron roofing. This immense roof is supported
by the north boundary wall of the station, and by a
number of iron columns : and the south side is pro-
tected by a similar wall, forming also a retaining wall
for the approach road from Hunt's Bank. The walls
bounding this approach road are surmounted by orna-
mental cast-iron railing, instead of stone parapets.
The coup d'ced of this splendid avenue, viewed from
either end, is very striking. The interior of the roof
is not left bare, as in some railway stations; but be-
neath the slates the whole has been neatly boarded,
and the joints of the boards covered with johs, so that
in no case can wet penetrate into the tion, while
its appearance is much improved by this wooden
ceiling. During the duy, the station is well
lighted by skylights in the roof; and during
the night, by a series of gas lamps, fitted
with burners for the new light, formed by a
radiating combination of the flat flame burners,
invented by Messrs. Hall, of King-street: The
skylights are glazed with Chance's patent glass,
which is a strong, thick, and cheap glass, in panes of
about four feet in length by one in width, two of
which in length include the extent of the skylights
from the ridge downwards. We understand that Mr.
Hall's gas-lights were adopted after various experi-
ments with different arrangements of burners, it
being believed that they possessed the greatest illu-
minating power from the same quantity of gas.
They consist of a number of radiating tubes, like the
spokes of a carriage-wheel, perforated with orifices
for the flat flame burners. Of these lights there a:e
fifteen within the covered station, a large one opposite
each booking-office, and several others round the
boundary wall down to Hunt's Bank. Connected
with them is an arrangement of the utmost impor-
tance for such establishments as railways. One central
tap at the station regulates and adjusts all the lights
there, both along the railway and approaches, and
also within the several booking-offices, waiting and
refreshment rooms. When 'a train is arriving or de-
parting, the fullest illuminating power is required and
used; but, in the intervals betweeirthat and the next
departure or arrival, the smallest modicum of light is
sufficient, and a single turn of the tap will reduce all
the lights to any required degree. This will of course
be the means of considerable saving in the consump-
tion of gas.
. .

All the arrival and departure platforms are, as at
Derby, on the same side of the rails; viz. on the south
side, or that nearest the approach ; so that there is no
necessity to cross the line. The arrival platform for
the Liverpool line is between the station-house and
Ducie-street, and to this there is a covered way for
carriages; one-half of the southerly roof projecting
over the arrival platform, so as to protect the
passengers effectually from the weather in getting
in and out of the carriages. The platforms are
very large and convenient. That in front of the
building is 24 feet wide (of which each Company
occupies half), and this is continued towards Liver-
pool, past the west end of the building, to the length
of 184 feet, by 12 wide; being, in fact, a con-
tinuation of the Liverpool departure platform. To-
wards Leeds the platform is continued for 120 feet,
by 12 feet wide ; being also a continuation of the
Leeds departure platform. The length of each de-
parture platform is about 320 feet. The total length
of the several arrival and departure platforms exceeds
a thousand lineal feet. At each end of the station
(that for the Leeds line is a little beyond the Leeds
arrival platform) is a place where horses and carriages,
for conveyance by railway, going to or arriving from
the east or west, may be embarked or landed on the
level, with every facility ; and near, are series of turn-
tables into the sidings, which are on the north side
of the main lines. On that side of the station these is
also to be a large covered shed, to and from which the
sidings will convey spare carriages. There will still
be some spare ground there for building warehouses, it
necessary. The arriving passengers who prefer walking
to their destination, instead of going along the approach
road, to Hunt's Bank, may descend a flight of steps
near the line, which saves the detour into Great Ducie-
street. Connected with the station, we must notice
a very ingenious and useful apparatus,—

THE TELEGRAPH.

The Directors of the Leeds fine have caused to be
put up Messrs. Cooke and Wheatstone's patent elec-
tric telegraph, extending from the Victoria station to
the top of the extension, at its junction with the main
line at Collyhurst. A set of four iron wires (coated
with zinc, to preserve them from rust) extend from
beneath the York-street Bridge (Ducie Bridge) to the
Collyhurst station, and connected with them are four
copper wires, extending under ground from the York-
street Bridge to the offices of the Victoria station.
There are three telegraph stations, viz., at the Vic-
toria station, beneath the York-street Bridge, and at
the stationary engines, near the top of the extension
line, Collyhurst, at each of which is an apparatus,
consisting of a dial with all the letters of the alpha-
bet, a pointer, and a handle for moving it, so as to
point to any letter. The uses of the telegraph, as at
present in contemplation, will be threefold-Ist. To
give the signal, from York-street, when the train
is attached to the endless rope, to the fixed
engine to commence drawing the train up
the incline ; and also to communicate from
the junction to the York-street Bridge, when a train
is arriving. 2d. To communicate from the Victoria
station to the locomotive engine-house, so as to
specify whether any and what engines are wanted,
&c.-3d. Generally to communicate intelligence and
directions between the Victoria station and the
junction with the main line. The zinc-coated iron
wires are carried along the parapet-wall of the rail-
way above ground, all the way from York-street
Bridge to the summit of the extension line. One wire
only is required for the signals to the stationary en-
gines, and the other three are for general communi-
cations. These wires, at each point of support, rest
upon earthenware uprights, which are non-con-
ductors. They pass round pivots, so that they can be
tightened, if they become too slack. It will, doubt-
less, be necessary to have a code of signals prepared,
expressly for railway purposes, as the ordinary
method of communicating—spelling the words, by
making the pointer touch each letter in succession—
would obviously be too tedious a mode for the short
distance of 2,300 yards. If each letter singly repre-
sents a certain signal or direction, those most con-
stantly in use, then combinations of two letters would
supply all the less frequent signals that could possibly
he required, were they many thousands in number.—
We must now notice

THE STATION-HOUSE,
which is placed on the centre of the south side of the
station, and has two fronts ; the north to the railway
and the south to the carriage way on the approach, and
facing also the hack of Cheetham College. This hand-
some building, designed in what is termed the Roman
Doric style, is only one story in height above the
ground, and is about 266 feet long by 36 feet in width.
The material used in its erection is a description of
wall stone, much used in the West Riding of Youk-
shire, though we believe this is the first instance of its
use for building in this town or neighbourhood. It is
procured at Brighouse, and is usually called " parr-
point" (pierre-point); it is, in fact, a flagstone, broken
into small blocks, which are of uniform and good co-
lour. The westerly half of this building, and indeed of
the whole station, will be occupied by the Liverpool
and Manchester Railway Company ; the other half, to
the east, is now in use by the Manchester and Leeds
Railway Company. Approaching the south front of
the station by the inclined plane, the visitor finds him-
self opposite its centre, which projects a little from the
line of the building, and in which is the refreshment
saloon for the first and second class passengers, with
ladies' waiting-rooms, &c. This centre presents a
frontage of about 60 feet ; the refreshment saloon is
lighted by handsome circular headed windows, with
stone pilasters and dressings, and surmounted by an
elegant cornice, about the centre of which is to be
placed a large clock. To the right and left respect-
ively are the booking-offices of the two Companies,
having entrances under a covered way, supported by
brackets nine feet six inches long. 'The substitution
of these four pillars is an improvement in convenience
as pillars are often in the way of the doors of cabs or
coaches drawing up, while these brackets leave the
whole of the covered way clear. At the east and
west ends of the building are the offices and the resi-
dences of the station masters, which project to the
same face as the central portion of the building, with
handsome doorways and cornices to correspond. A
parapet surmounts the whole length of the building.
At the extreme east end of the building is the private
residence of Mr. Hall, the station master of the Leeds
Company ; it being thought desirable on every ac-
count to have some officer of trust resident on the
station. his business office adjoins, having a window
commanding a view of the line to the York-street
bridge, so that he may see arriving and departing trains.
Internally, the large central refreshment room is
of the dimensions of 40ft. Sin. by 22ft. 2in. It con-
tains also a space for a bar, &c., 40ft. Sin. by lift.
Sin. This room will have two entrance-doors, both
from the railway platform ; one for the Liverpool, and
the other for the Leeds passengers. This saloon .
for the first and second-class passengers, only. A
door at each end opens into the ladies' waiting-rooms,

ke.., that at the east end for the Leeds passengers,
and that at the west for the Livtrpool passengers.
These waiting rooms have also doors of egress direct
to the railway platform. The saloon itself will
be the gentlemen's waiting-room. This room is
lighted br two handsome candelabra, fitted up with
Mr. hail g .IiRW and brilliant gas-nghts. Adjoining
the bar, and connected with it, is a small room
fitted with boiler, &c , to contain anything required
for immediate use. Below the booking-offices, on
the basement story, is a large coffee-room and chop-
house of similar dimensions, approached by some
steps from the railway platform. It is fitted up on
the London plan, and bells are placed in it so as to
indicate the starting trains to the guests, who, as
they dine, may see the bell ringing for the Leeds,
Oldham, or Liverpool train, as the case may be.
Adjoining it, on the same (basement) story, are va-
rious kitchens, fitted up with cooking apparatus, hot
hearths, ovens, as well as the sculleries, pantries, wine
and spirit cellars, ale and porter stores, &c. We un;
derstand that the whole of the establishment for pro-
viding refreshments, including both the refreshment
saloon, the coffee room, and all the kitchens. &c., has
been taken by Mr. Vantini, the proprietor of the
Euston-square Hotel, at the Birmingham Railway
terminus, in London, and of the North Euston Hotel,
Fleetwood. Mr. Vantini has also taken the New
Palatine Hotel, adjoining the railway station ; and
both it and the railway establishment here are to be
placed under the entire superintendenoe and ma-
nagement of his partner, Mr. Maurighey, late the
manager at Mivart's Hotel. Superior cooks, baker,
brewer, &c. are engaged, and the establishment is to
be in the first style of elegance and comfort. Between
the upper refreshment-room and the wings, are
the large and convenient booking-offices; there
being two for the Leeds Railway Company, viz. one
of 50ft. lin. by 22ft. 9in. for the first and second class
passengers. This division is made with a view to
separate all the passengers as nearly as possible into
two equal portions, so as to facilitate the booking, the
press• of which is always great in the last few
minutes; and there being more third-class passengers
on this line than of the other two classes together.
The clerks' office is one large room ; but the booking
windows are on opposite sides. Between the hooking-
offices and the parcel offices, which adjoin on each
side, there is a waiting lobby, and other conveniences
for second or third-class passengers. Amongst these
is a separate waiting-room for third-class female pas-
sengers. Beneath Mr. Hall's house, in the basement
story, are rooms for the porters, in which to wait and
take their meals, during the hours of attendance mt
the station.

GENEIIAL PASLEY'S INSPECTION.

On Friday morning last, Major-General Pasley,
the Government Inspecter of Railways, was met at
the Victoria station by Messrs. Henry Houldsworth,
Chairman of the Board of Directors, Robert Gill,
Managing Director, William E!twistle, Deputy
Chairman, and Gooch, the principal Engineer of
the Company, for ttAft, purpose of inspecting the ex-
tension line, prier Wits opening. A special train
was provided, consisting of an engine and tender and
two carriages, which, although they have been in use
on the line for some months, we believe have not yet
been fully described. We may, therefore, briefly
advert to their construction here. Both these car-
riages are constructed from designs of Mr. H. Houlds-
worth, and are intended chiefly for summer use. The
Tourist forms one apartment, with Et high dais occu-
pying the centre third of the floor from end to end.
On this dais are placed at intervals two seats, backed
by others, in all 16 on the dais. On the lower floor
there are five seats on each side, which turn up, And
then leave a passage all round. Four other seats ate
in the corners, making a total of 14 on the lower floor,
the occupants of which, wherueated, do not at all ob-
struct the view of those seated on the dais. The car-
riage is thus capable of containing 30 passengers.
Besides the windows at the side, there are wooden
slides in the covering of the roof, which, when drawn
down, open wire-gauze ventilators, which let in the
air, without admitting those draughts which are some-
times so injurious in the second-class carriages. For
this application of wire-gauze we believes patent has
been obtained. The dais is fitted up with carpets,
&c. ; and each end of the Tourist is lined with looking-
glass, and has small ventilators for winter use. The
other carriage, named the Gondola, is somewhat dif-
ferent in construction. It has open ends, like " stand-
ups," from which doors open into a small but elegant
saloon, each side of which is occupied by a sofa,
covered with crimson velvet, and capable of seating
six persons. There is a let-down seat within each
door, so that this little centre will seat a party of 14,
who may have greater freedom of movement than in
the ordinary railway carriages, and may, from time
to time, walk out into the air, either in front or rear
of the saloon. In this carriage, we believe, General
Pasley and the Directors, and gentlemen we have
named, proceeded at ten o'clock on Friday morning
from the Victoria station to the top of the extension
line, whence the General walked back to the station,
not on the rails, but under the arches of the viaduct,
inspecting them as to solidity, &c. Again ascending
to the Victoria station, he there inspected all the
buildings, the approaches, the turn-tables and rails,
and then again proceeded, by means of a locomo-
tive, to the place where the stationary engines are
fixed. Having inspected them, and the works of
this part of the line, the General next expressed
a desire to see the working of the Old!'am branch,
wh!ch, as many of our readers are aware, being an
incline from the main line, ascending 1 in 27, has
been worked for some time by means of a counter-
poise, which descends a parallel line as the train
ascend 3, and thus overcomes all the resistance of
weight, which otherwise would render it impossible
for a locomotive to draw a single carriage up the
_ _ _

.....
General Pasley expressed himself very well satisfied
with the solid and substantial character of the works
generally, and gave the usual sanction to the Company,
to open the line at any time. The extension was ac-
cordingly opened, as we have stated, on Monday last.
All the establishment of clerks, booking-offices, por- _
ters, &c., connected with the passengers, was removed
to it from the Oldham-road Station, on that day ; the
Oldham-road station being still used, but for goods
only; and the business offices of the Company, the
secretary's offices, board room, &c., will still continue
at that station, and not be removed to Hunt's Brink.
There is ample convenience and accommodation at
the Oldham-road station for storing large quantities
of goods. The line is there carried over the streets
at a considerable height; but, by means of a double
hoist (one half ascending as the other de ends), easy
access is obtained to the level below; tit hoist being
capable of raising or lowering a waggon of goods, of
from eight to ten tons' weight. The arches below the
line arc admirably adapted for warehousing purposes,
and the Company has also a considerable quantity of
land adjoining, great part of which is laid with rails
•in various directions, to facilitate the receiving and de-
livering of goods, loading and unloading the waggons,
&c. Altogether, it is computed, the Company pos-
sess at the goods station not less than eight acres of
land, all applicable to the purposes of the goods
traffic. At and around the Victoria station, notwith-
standing its centrality, the Company possess no• less
than about thirteen acres of land, laid out as we have de-
scribed, in approaches, in the line, &c., and sidings,
in the various offices, arrival and departure plat-
forms, &c. • a part only lying between the carriage-
way and the river Irk, being as yet unappropriated,
except that at one point, nearly opposite the centre
of the station-house, a foot-bridge has been carrie
from the carriage-way, across the low ground and
over the river Irk, so as to give an entrance into
Long Millgate, just by the end of Mr. Richard
Roberts's mill, and near Todd-street. This, which
may he regarded only as a temporary means of ap-
proach and outlet for passengers to and from that
quarter of the town, is fast approaching completion
If, however, a proposed improvement be carried out,
which would continue the carriage-drive from Hunt' s
bank, nearly in a direct line to Ducie Bridge, thus
forming a very desirable junction with the Cheets-
ham Ilill road—the means of access from that
suburb, not only to the railway, but to the
Exchange, and the lower part of the town
generally, would be very greatly improved.
' While mentioning proposed improvements in
connexion with the extension line and the Victoria
station, we may notice that the Liverpool Railway
Company have liberally consented to erect a foot-
, bridge alongside of the railway bridge they are about
to throw over the Irwell (which is to be iron, of one
arch, 120 feet span) ; and the inhabitants of Greengate
and Strangeways will thus be furnished with the
means of free and ready communication. Another
bridge over the Irwell is also contemplated, at a point
opposite the Palatine Hotel. This is proposed to be a
bridge both for foot passengers and carriages; and
already estimates have been made of the cost (said to
be about 4,0001.), towards which 3,0001., it is stated,
has already been subscribed by the authorities of
Manchester and Salford, and Mr. Samuel Brooks,
the owner of a considerable portion of the land ad-
joining the river on the Salford side. These va-
rious improvements, if carried out, will greatly
change the appearance and character of that entrance
to the town, which, from being proverbially the
worst, is likely to become the best and most direct
road in point of convenience, and the greatest tho-
roughfare
in point of traffic; combining, us it will,
• the greater part of the carriage communication from
the New Bury Road and the Cheetham Hill Road, •
together with much from Salford, and the whole of
the arrivals and departures by the LiverpOol and
Manchester and Manchester and Leeds Railways. We
understand that the distance from the station to the
andManchestertobe Exchange494yards.been found
The Victoria Station, though a joint one for the use
the t
of the two Companies, has been entirely executed by
the Leeds Company, who have
beoereecid nhe ee
r, shuei t e
ap-
proaches, p o
ma-
nagement
p orffiocaecsh,esa,ndsccco. tripTlteeclwhtlotelewhoralsis f ti,
hteed
un l t
and superintendence of Air, Gooch, the

i

principal engineer of the Company, and reflects the s
greatest credit on him, on Mr. Forsyth, the assistant-
engineer (who has had the personal supervision of the
greater part of the work,), and on Mr. Thomas
Brogdnn, the contractor for the whole of the works of
th 9 station and approaches.
We understand that the omnibus establishment of
the Company, which was quite necessary while the
passenger station was in Oldham Road, is now con-
siderably reduced, being limited mainly to the omni-
buses plying between the Victoria Station and the
present station of the Liverpool Railway, in Liver-
pool Road. We believe, however, that omnibuses
from the principal hotels will ply to and from the
Victoria Statiou, at small charges. Every accommo-
dation will be given to the pubic, in the requisite
supply of coaches, cabs, &c., which will be allowed to
stand on the carriage-drive of the approach, just
without the gates of the station, a certain number
being admitted within the gates before the arrivals of
the trains.
On inquiring at the station yesterday morning, we
learned that the new half-hourly short trains to Miles
Platting, & c., had filled very well throughout the
day, and that no accident of any kind had arisen to
mar the satisfaction of a successful opening. We
learn that the stationary engines and endless rope are
not yet in operation, though quite perfect. The trains
(hiring the day were taken up the incline by two en-
gines, which drew twelve carriages with case. Each
train has with it a loaded, small, square waggon,
called the brake waggon, which is provided with a
brake so powerful as to be thereby enabled to stop
the train at any part of the incline, in case of acci-
dent. Thus there is no accident that could take
place, eve❑ the breaking of the endless chair), or the
Thilure of the statioeary engine, that could cause more
than a few minutes' delay. -
To some extent connected with this station, flank-
ing the entrance to the inclined approach to the
railway from Great Ducie-street, is an edifice of con-
siderable size, erected for the proprietor, Mr. Robert
Gill, by Mr. Bellhouse, from a design by Messrs. I.
and J. P. Holden, of this town. It has beet•, named
the Palatine Hotel, and stands on the site of the
College Inn (formerly the Castle Inn), and the ad-
joining land between the College wall and the
street. This handsome 3.1):1 capacious structure pre-
sents
a frontage towards Great Ducie-street of 110
feet, and a semicircular return front along the ap•
proach to the station. The style of its architecture
is what is called the early Italian, or Romanesque ;
and the whole of the front is constructed of the
same material as the station-house—the Pierre-joint
stone—which has a very good and pleasing effect.
fri conclusion, we may express our gratification at
to large a portion of this important line of railway
junction and communication being effected within the
town—indeed, so near the very heart of the town—
Tet at so comparatively ainall a sacrifice of valuable
property. The centrality of the Hunt's Bank Sta-
tion, and the advantages we have adverted to, will be
the more striking when it is considered, that
(when the Liverpool junction is finished).. it
will be the point from which the transit from
this town will be commenced. on the following
-railways :—Manchester and Leeds Railway and
thence to Selby and Hull; also by the junction with
the great eastern lines of railway from London north-
ward to Scotland ; with the North 'Midland and its
extension southward towards Birmingham, Derby,
and the midland counties ; and with the York and
• .North Midland line to York, Newcastle, and Edin-
burgh. The Manchester and Bolton Railway, with
its continuation to Preston and Lancaster. The Liver-
pool -and Manchester Railway, with the Bolton branch;
the North Union to \Vigan and Preston, -and thence
to Lancaster, Carlisle, and Newcastle, and the north-
western line to Scotland.

FREE TRADE SOIREE and MEET-
ING AT BOLTON.
A splendid soirde and meeting, in aid of the great League
Fund, took place at the Temperance Hall, Bolton, on Wednes-
day night. Mr. Cobden, M.P., Colonel Thompson, Mr.
11. R. A:Moore, and Mr. W. Evans, attended as a deputation
trout the League, and, on making their appearance on the
platform, were greeted with loud and long continued plaudits.
11r. Henry Ashworth and Mr. Edmund Ashworth, members
the Council of the League, were also present. The meet-
ing was crowded; there was at least a thousand persons
present. The chair was taken by 'l'. Gregson, Esq., Mayor.
Colonel Tnomesoer first addressed the meeting. He said
to show the enormity of the corn-laws, to show their monstrous
injustice, they might be compared to a law which should be
passed to put an end to the wine trade with Portugal, in order
that wine might be made from grapes grown in our hot-
houses at home. He said the thing was perfectly practicable,
and would, no doubt, for a time work well for gardeners,
joiners, and glaziers; but would the community stand it?—
(Cries of " Hear, hear.") Yet the law for " the
-protection of British industry" as it was called,—
Laughter)—was jest such a law in effect. Such a law could
not stand ; the agriculturists themselves began to see that, and
were preparing to give up the game.—(hear, hear.) It was
true, that a small knot of foolish men in Essex the other day
made a feint of establishing a counter agitation to put down
the-League; and, to show how much in earnest they were,
*hey got one 501. towards it.—(Laughter.) But nothing had
been heard of this Anti-Anti-Corn-law League since. If they
have not given it up, they seem to be ashamed of their cause;
and when people became ashamed, and began to despair of
their cause, depend upon it that cause would not last long.
Mr. COBDEN next came forward, and was received with
loud cheers. After passing a high eulogium upcn Colonel
'Thompson, in this cause, whose efforts, he said, had been
directed to the subject long before either he or his friends
were alive to its importance, he said he did not come there
to argue the question that night. He thought the people of
Bolton, after the suffering, destitution, and misery to which
they had been so recently subjected, did not want convincing
of the impolicy of the corn-laws. Why no class of men, even
those of a certain party;in politics, but had long ceased to believe
that the corn-laws were for the good of trade. But then they
had another reason for holding aloof from this agitation; and
a few of them might be seen coming out of their mills when
the question of repeal was proposed, and shaking their heads--
heads never very remarkable fur the quantity of brains in them
(Lateihter)—and these men said, " Oh, it may be very well
for us that the corn-laws should be repealed, it may snit the pur-
pose of those who have mill property, hut what is to become of
the agriculturists ?"—( Laughter.) Now these were a fair
sample of the sort of men, and their wisdom, who prided them-
selves on having stuck to their [arty and opposed repeal. These
poor creatures had got a notion into their heads that it was im-
possible for all classes to prosper at once—they thought one
class must of necessity flourish at the expense of another, and
their saying was " turn and turn about."—( Laughter.) Why
these men were absolutely to he pitied. The agriculturists,
for whose benefit it was pretended the law was passed, were
going a-head of these usen.
,The League had already the
oldest and best families of the aiiseccracy, the largest and most
wealthy landowners with them—the Fitzw illiams, the Spencers,
the Ducies, the Bedfurds, the itaduors, and the Grosveners.—
( Cheers.) Yes, they had and would have the best of all
classes with them ; they were fast flocking round their standard
—every day brought with it an accession el strength ; and
having obtained the assistance of such men as these, what need
they care about the rest? Mr. Cobden wrnt on to speak of
'other topics, and addressed the meeting for nearly an hour,
irequenay /elerrepted by loud and long-cuntinuest bursts of
cheering.
Mr. R. It. R. Mooax next addressed the meeting, detailing
the proceedings of the League hitherto, and the course pro-
posed for the future. He concluded a powerful appeal to the
meeting by showing the futility of all the attempts yet made to
l•ounteract their agitation, from the calumnies of the press
which attributed to them the turn-out in the manufacturing
streriets of last year, (town to the nailing of their tracts on
barn-(hors, and the burning isf them by a veracious clergyman
in Isis church at Norwich, who declared to his congregation
*. that they smelt of blood''—acts which, in-lead of answering
the end intended, but stimulated licoplis's curiosity to read
them.— ( Apjeause.) He then announced the following sub-
scriptions, as already received in Bolton, and as intended to
beret the subscriptions in the room .
Messrs. Callender, Bickham, and Cross (double their sub-
scription of last year), 2001. ; Alessrs. H. and E. Ashworth,
2001.; Messrs. J. R. Barnes and Son, iOO/. ; Messrs. Robert
and Jos. Lord, 501. ; Mr. Thomas '1 homason, 1001.; Messrs.
.Arrowsmith and Sons, 501.—Total, 700/.
Subscriptions immediately began to flow in from the body of
the Icons, and Mr. Moore announced the following :
Messrs. J. Crook and Son, 50!. ; John Cutler (or Cotterill),
Alarket-street, 21. ; Collected by ditto, I 2s. 6d. ; Joseph Had-
dock, I/. ; John Barnes, It. ; Baxter, Blackburn-street, I/. •
Hervey and Southwark, Si. ; \Valiant Barlow, bs. ; Joseph
Arrowsmith, 10/. ; .1. and J. Brierley, 1(0. ; Thomas Kirk-
bara, ss. ; James Shuttleworth 10s. ; George Mee, Ss. ;
John Mitchell, Ss. ; and an immense Lumber of names put
down for small sums.
Sir. Moorsx announced at half-past ten o'clock that the
subscription in the room had reached to 505/. 4s. 9d., making
with the 700/. to head the list, a total of 1,205/. 4s. 9d. The
anwiuncement was received with loud cheers.
After votes of thanks to the Chairman and to the Deputa-
tion, the meeting separated.