The Sun.
London, England, 1845-12-13 00:00:00

ril/E MiNISTERIAL

Chancellor if Lord John Russell succeeds in collecting
around him C:ose friends on whose character and talents
he relies to form a Government.
The Earl of Auckland is expected to arrive at Eden
Lodge to-day from visiting Viscount Melbourne at
thockett

4. The reform of alitVC3 in Ireland, especially the
monstrous abuses in the registration at stem Open e-hich
the Conservative Opposite :u had had ne less Orin nine
victories in the fleuse of Commons Over the Wieg Go-
vernmeet), and the strengthening of the law in that
country so as to check outrages and tuteertnart rues ti rigs.
These, ii e say, were the four principal points that
were looked forward to le) Sir Robert Peel eperty as tee
probable censevences of giving him as Minister a steady
and strenuous support. As to the first point, that of the
restoration of the revenue, it was accomplished by the
reedy consent of the wealthy classes to yield up seven
pence in the pound of their incomes to the exigences of
the State. The Minister had no merit in this. The
plan of restoration was perfectly obvious. The only
thing wanting was the consent of the income-owning
class, and that was readily given. Sir R. Peel's friends
performed their part faithfully enough, but how did he
perform his ? Upon the remaining three points he
completely threw them over. He did not maintain the
protection of British industry. Every step he took
after lie became Minister was in precisely the opposite
direction. Ile induced his friends to give up a consider-
able part of the protection which British agricultural
produce enjoyed. They assented, though they din
not like what he was doing. Still, out of deference
to him, they first gave tip part of their incomes as tax,
and then in deference to his representations surien•
dered a part of that protection which was understood to
be of importance to the value of honied prep! rty. And
as to Ireland, what can be more disgraceful than the Mi-
nisterial acts whether of omission or commission. The
fraudulent registration which Sir Robert himself had de-
nounced as fraudulent—against which he had voted in
nine divisions, that monstrous abuse still continues, and
not the slightest step has been taken for remedy of it,
though Sir Robert Peel has been upwards of four years
a Minister. When he was leader of the Opposition he
denounced the fraud which gave to the Whigs their ma-
jority ; when he was Minister he did nothing to abolish
the fraud, and there it is still, to be again taken advan-
tage of by the Whigs. The leader who has acted in this
way ought no longer to he regarded as leader by the
Conservative body.
'TIMES.—The-resignation of Sir Robert Peel's Cabi-
net presents some points of moral interest, which more
than make up for its want of decided bearing on the do-
mestic policy of the country. So little is now the actual
and immediate change from a Conservative to a Whig
Administration, that the greater part of the nation will
recognise no more than a substitution of names, and the
official elevation of some score noblemen and gentlemen
in the places of some score others. As for principles,
we are probably not far wrong when we expect fewer and
less serious novelties from a thwarted Whig Ministry,
than from a Conservative Premier, who could any mo-
ment command the assistance of his foes to the discom-
fiture and disgrace of his friends. The transition, there-
fore, is very easy. Never was the nation more gently
let down into what we were once taught to believe was
an unfathomable gulf of misery and error—the abyss
of Whig misrule. Yet, if we mistake not, the pre-
sent will ever be noted as one of the most remarkable
and instructive passages in the history of British poli-
tics. It is not yet four years since Sir Robert Peel
found himself at the head of a Government and of a
party to all outward appearance the most powerful and
the most united that British Minister ever had to work
with. Never were so many elements of power brought
into so strong a combination. Aristocracy and people,
agriculture and commerce, offered themselves freely into
his hands. Nor were the peculiar auspices of his advent
into office less favourable to the most unswerving confi-
dence and the most exalted purposes. All was unity,
expectation, and zeal ; for the splendours of the new-
born Government were contrasted with the dark foil of
a calamitous and worn-out Whig Administration. Under
that ill-fated rule all had • latterly gone wrong. The
fortunes of war, the elements of the sky, and the subtle
springs of domestic prosperity •had all turned against
them, and given even an aspect of failure to such benefits
as they had really conferred on the country. Commerce
had declined, the harvests were deficient, manufacture
was idle, the artisans were. starving, the Treasury
was in arrears, Canada had rebelled; the West Indies
were impoverished and disaffected, Caubul was thrusting
us out, China was unpunished and unpacified, the
United States were sympathising with oar enemies and
trespassing across our borders, France was offended and
menacing. In a word, there was not one sound and
healthy spot, not one redeeming feature, either at home
or abroad ; nor was there any hope of better times, ex-
cept that hope which always remains at the bottom of
the human breast, that when things are at the worst
then a better day is at hand. Out of the depth of such
a darkness dawned Sir Robert Peel. From that gloomy
crisis the reaction has been great indeed. Hence a suc-
cession of fortunate occurrences, and, as respects a con-
siderable portion of the Ministerial policy, successful
measures. Not to look below the surface, and viewing
Sir Robert Peel's Administration as it will strike the
eyes of the world, we must ascribe to it more than
the average of human success. His good fortune has
appeared especially in those points in which his
predecessors had been most signally unfortunate,
so that an admirer would probably describe his
career by simply reversing the features of the pre-
vious era. What, then, is it, all the world will ask,
and posterity aver cease to inquire, which, after so
brief and bright a career, compels Sir Robert Peel to
yield his post to his baffled, ruined, disgraced, and dis-
heartened predecessors? Why does he himself spon-
taneously return to them an ascendancy which they
have been utterly unable themselves to regain? Why
set up a prostrate rival, and inscribe once more on the
tables of the State names which no one section of the
public dares or remembers to uphold? There must be
some great and extraordinary reason, going far deeper
to the heart of things than any of those which the histo-
rian has usually to assign in his tale of Ministerial
vicissitudes. The answer must be, that the Ministry of
Sir Robert Peel involved from the beginning an abuse
of social confidence, and a violation of political
truth. It was founded on suppositions which Sir
Robert Peel has found, and happily also felt, it im-
possible to maintain. The chief of those suppositions
was the duty, and, as implied in that, the possibility and
the expediency, of agricultural protection. That
which was then the most powerful and united party in
the nation brought him into power as their patron, ser-
vant, and friend, pledged to prosecute their interests and
obey their behests. Such, on the whole, in the leaning
t.f their hopes, the conclusion of their judgments, and
the inclination of their belief, was what they expected
and trusted to receive foom Sir R. Peel. For that un-
derstanding they had not indeed perfect and conclusive
grounds. They had no more amount of real grounds
than what ninety-nine men out of every hundred usually
act upon in the common affairs of life. They had not
grounds which would stand a cool, dispassionate, and
disinterested inquiry. But they had grounds which, in
conjunction with the circumstances of the time, were suf-
ficient to sway the judgments, to secure the attachment
and confidence of ordinary men. There existed, and
was allowed to exist, an universal impression that the
Conservative leader could and would procure for the
agriculturist a higher degree of protection than was to be
expected from his competitor. The result shows that tin-
pression was unfounded. Hence the ruin of the Conservative
Ministry. It is true Sir Robert guarded his position. He
reserved his opinions and his independence. While
parading with all the pomp of rhetoric the gaudy
structure of Conservatism, he was quietly laying the
foundations, in all his speeches and addresses, of a
mere liberal policy. Nor was this done unobeervedly.
While he pleaded for confidence he excited suspicion.
While asking all the affections of his snpporters, it was
evident his own were divided. The Premier tried to satisfy
himself anti
,the country, and repudiate his supporters
and friends. His scheme failed; and much as we may
regret that any one should fail who proposed what we
really consider a blessing to the country, we are re-
signed to an event by which that blessing is dissociated
from political deception and personal ingratitude. We
see in it one lesson more to d good acts by good, fair,
and open means. But it would be useless and unjust to
deny that the agriculturists themselves have been parties
to the commission of a dishonesty, as they now most
assuredly will be to its punishment. They are not the
mere dupes that their advocates wish us to suppose.
They well knew the urgency of the popular demand, the
growing necessities of the case, and, above all, the half-
smothered, half-whispered convictions of the Conserva-
tive leader. Notwithstanding these notorious facts, they
still thought to bind to their own hard service a man
whom they knew enough to insult with continual sus-
picion. They resolved to make Sir Robert Peel their
slave, at the evident risk of tempting him to be untrue
to his country, and the still more evident certainty of
rendering him untrue to himself. They chose one whom
they denounced, and proscribed the known leanings of
one whom they thought wise and good enough to be the
head of their party. If they have been deceived, it is
they who have compelled the deception, and helped to
make the deceiver.

FROM THE MOENING PAPERS OF THIS DAY.
CIIII.ONICLE.—Tht: mere time that we have to
at the po-iturc in which affairs are placed, tl;e more p,,r-
plexing does the conjuncture appear. Tie calaws; by,
stander cannot attempt to solve the problem without
speedily appreciating the difficulties which meet the
practical statesman in every course that suggests
The truth is, we have been so completely taken by sun
prise that we have not yet become aware of our satia-
tion. No ono feels sufficiently the extent of the mis-
chief. The shell which Sir Robert Peel has flung into
the country has yet in truth to explode. A heavy re-
sponsibility is thrown on all who are called upon to act
in this emergency. He would be tearfully culpable who
should allow his eagerness to engage him in any polity
which he does not clearly see the way of bringing to a
successful issue. We are happy, therefore, to find on
the part of Lord John Russell no indications of such an
eagerness to form a Government, as indeed his known
prudence and patriotism forbad us to anticipate on his
part. The policy of bringing forward good measures
for rejection is one which rarely becomes a minister,
end would be wholly inexcusable now. We should feel
the deepest regret at seeing any statesman, in whom we
have been accustomed to place confidence undertake the
Government of the country without a moral certainty of
being able at once to carry the repeal of the corn-law.
Such certainty could at present only result from an as-
surance of being cordially supported by a considerable
body of those who have hitherto been separated from us
by party distinctions. No doubt the end might, and, if
all gentler means fail, must be-attained by the mere force
of an excited public opinion. An appeal to the country
on the question of the corn-laws might, and probably
would, even at present, return such a House of Cernmons
as wouki triumph over the resistance of the House of
Lords. But we must confess that such an excitement as
would be needed for this purpose is what we would
greatly deprecate. From the necessity of having re-
course to such means of carrying our point, Lord
John Russell has a right to expect that he should be
relieved by the support of all who are convinced that
the present corn-law must be repealed. The person from
whom he has a right to expect the most ready and un-
equivocal assistance, is the Minister whose sudden aban-
donment of his post has placed the country in this per-
pl. zing and critical position. Nor is this support to be
obtained by any compromise of that clear principle on
which Lord John Russell pledged himself to act in his
memorable letter to the electors of London. His worst
enemy could not now suggest to Lord John Russell any
course more fatal to his character and influence than any
compromise which would continue the existence of the
corn monopoly. If the responsibilities of Government
are to be devolved on him, the Government must be con-
ducted on his known principles. If it is to be conducted
on other principles, let its responsibilities rest on those
who either will undertake to uphold the existing
monopoly, or deem that it should only be tampered
with and modified. After all, the first step towards secu-
ring the settlement of this most difficult question is to
come to a thorough and immediate understanding of the
principles on which all parties are prepared to deal
with it. While we remain in doubt as to this point, it
is impossible for any man to determine what practical
steps should be taken. Now, with regard to Sir Robert
Peel, all is still uncertainty. We know only that he and
his colleagues have resigned because they desired to
deal with the corn-law in some way in which the Duke
of Wellington disapproved of their dealing with it.
This tells us nothing as to the real nature of the change
which Sir Robert Peel intended to propose. A portion
of the press would have us believe that he meant to
sweep away the corn-law altogether. From another
portion we learn that he has never intended to aban-
don the principle of protection. While these doubts
are allowed to hang over his conduct and inten-
tions, he subjects himself to the suspicion of repeating
the c curse by which he is accused of having ori-
ginally acquired power—of committing himself to
no definite policy, making use of all parties, and
leaving the country in the dark as to the policy by
which its fortunes are to be decided. Surely we have
had enough of this already; all parties have had enough
of it; we must not permit it to be practised again. It
comes to the old triad of alternatives, in which Sir
Robert Peel delights. If he means to stand by the corn-
, laws, let him make it up with the Duke, and go on with
his old Ministry. If he is for free-trade, let him give in
his adhesion to Lord John Russell, to whom he advised
her Majesty to entrust the business of forming an Ad-
ministration. If he and the majority of his colleagues
have some middle course of their own, they have at pre-
sent the majority of the House of Commons, and must
get rid of the Duke, and on their own responsibility pro-
pose their own substitute for their own sliding-scale.
But if he should prove to be unmindful of his duties, it
is the more imperative on Lord John. Russell not to
place himself in any position which may lower his high
character—it is the more important that he should refuse
to accept the name of power without the means of carry-
ing his policy into effect, or evan to purchase some por-
tion of power bfa compromise of principle.
HERALD.—Whatever may have been, or are, our
opinions of Sir Robert Peel and his colleagues, the Con-
servative Cabinet has ceased to exist, and their opinions
will only remain as matter for explanation in their places
as private Members of Parliament ; but of the fact that
Lord John Russell is at this time the confidential adviser
of her Majesty, we cannot pretend to speak without the
greatest alarm and disgust. Is not Lord John Russell
the man who within these few weeks has published a
manifesto declaring his adhesion to the wildest visions of
the Anti-Corn-law League ? Has he not proclaimed
himself the champion of a total and immediate repeal of
the corn-laws ? This alone would be sufficient ground
tor us to call upon our agricultural friends to be up and
stirring ; and to discriminate between their open and
avowed enemy, and the man who, though even in error,
he may think it necessary to make some alteration
in these laws, is yet ready to accompany that al-
teration with friendly, and as he believes ade-
quate, compensation. As to Lord John Russell, the
agricultural interest cannot fail to look upon him as
their bitter and uncompromising enemy. We have not
the slightest doubt that Sir Robert Peel, if he think a
change in the corn-laws to be now inevitable—a state of
things which we cannot view in the same light—would
accompany it with other measures likely to diminish the
abruptness and intensity of so vast an innovation. A
total and immediate repeal, such as the Times an-
nounced a week since, we looked upon, and still look
upon, as a monstrous fable—the atrocious fabrication of
that mischief-working print. We would entreat the
.lonservatives to recollect that the corn-laws are not the

(From a Correspondent of the Chronicle.)
LIVERPOOL, FRIDAY.—Some diffi,,ulty seemed to be
generally expected by most mercantile] men here, to
arise in obAruction to Sir Robert Peel and his policy
with regard to the corn. laws, and it was always con-
sidered that the great impediment would be the Duke of
Wellington. The announcement that the Duke would
propose the repeal in the House of Lords was never
credited to any extent, particularly when men considered
the relations in which his Grace stands towards all the
Tory party in the great landed aristocracy.
It is impossible to describe the scene whieh took place
on 'Change yesterday afternoon, when the morning papers
arrived with the news of the Cabinet having tendered their
resignation to her Majeqy. The papers uslally arrive
about a quarter-past three o'cicck, but on this occasion
-they were delayed, in consequence of a strong wind im-
peding the progress of the railway tram, till about five
or tell minutes past four. Scarcely any of our mercan-
tile men had left, and when the papers did arrive, intense
anxiety was manifested to know their contents, it being
assumed that detention was attributable to some political
cause. The rez.ignation, as we have just said, produced
most extraordinary excitement. The fr‘e- traders were
in extacies. The Tories utterly dumbfounded.
This morning, when the evening papers arrived, a
similar scene took place ; and the intelligence that her
Majesty had sent for Lord John Russell, gave universal
satisfaction. An immediate dissolution seems to be ex-
pected by all parties t n the great question of free trade
in corn ; and aid:lough it is premature to state anything
very positively, we are assured by one of the leading
Lib,ral politicians here, who is an eminent merchant,
that two candidates will assuredly contest this Tory
borough, on free-trade principles, with Lord Sandon and
Sir Howard Douglas.
Some of the more old-fashioned Tories are very bitter
against Sir Robert Peel. They talk about his betra3 al
of his party in anything but terms of mildness, and the
Duke of Wellington is, just now, made much of by them.
Everybody confesses that the Conservatives, here at
least, are breaking up as a party. There are but few
ultras among them, and the majority are becoming con-
vinced that it is better to unite in promoting our material
interests than to contend for speculative points on useless
questions. The retirement of Sir Robert Peel on this
question will complete the utter wreck of what remains
of that once formidable party.
The news has had some effect on the cotton market
to-day, but it has been principally to suspend operations.
The sales were 4,000 bales at the prices of yesterday.
At the Corn Exchange wheat was firmer, but there was
TIO change in prices.

only basis upon which the Conservative party was
framed, or the sole principle upon which gond and wise
men unite to defend our institutions at d the monarchy.
To the friends of the Church, but, above all, to the
Protestants of Ireland, we beg leave to point out the se-
rious position in which this great change involves them.
l hey were affronted because Roman Catholics obtained a
share of vacant places—they were full of resentment when
Sir R. Peel determined on giving an additional en-
dowment of Maynooth; no breach of principle—at most
but a foolish squandering of some thousands of pounds,
an experiment which could not make the Roman Catho-
lic priests worse, and which might elevate their tone and
improve their education—they were displeased because
Sir R. Peel would not aid them by subscription out of
the public funds for the support of a system of education
exclusively their own, a measure which would have
paralysed all the good—little enough, some say—in the
national system, but which subscription would have been,
at most, but a small addition to the funds of the estab-
lishment, and of the nnraerous and wealthy landowners
of Ireland. These were their grievances, their loudly-
resented affronts; but how stand they now? Instead of
declaiming against a paltry grant to Maynooth, let them
prepare for assaults, frequent, reckless, and embittered,
on their church establishment. Instead of a passing smile
to some Roman prelate, let them look for the invasion of
Trinity College, and the opening and desecration of all its
ancient and most valued privileges; and instead of a stray
place here and there, conferred on a Liberal or a sus-
pected Precursor, let them reckon on seeing all the pa-
tronage, lay and ecclesiastical, of Ireland, bartered for
the foul support of the demagogue who is the curse of
the empire, and their sworn and deadly enemy. We
again ask, who is Lord John Russell ? Was he not a
party to the Lichfield-house compact ? Who are his
friends ? Are they not those statesmen who in the
very last session of Parliament pledged themselves
deeply and irretrievably to the utter destruction of the
Protestant Establishment in Ireland, and to substitute
n its stead, and in all its possessions, the worst form of
modern superstition—a Romish priesthood ? Some
persons may, perhaps, look upon Lord John Russell as
a model of consistency ; but if the League and the
manufacturing interest would take advice from men
impartially friendly to every British interest, we
would entreat them to recollect that Lord John
Russell who, after having declared that any shortening
of the hours of factory labour would cut up British in-
dustry by the roots, was the very same individual who,
within the short period of eighteen months, was found,
for the sake of popularity, not from sonscience, voting
with the very men whose opinions he had so decried.
Above all, we would entreat every class and rank—we
would entreat those who are attached to our free but
limited monarchy—we would entreat the friends of the
Church and of solid religious education—we would en-
treat those who place their dependence upon a wise
financial administration—we would entreat those who
are friendly to a European peace, and who dread a war
with America (not from any fear of defeat, but for the
interests of humanity)—we would entreat them one and
all to bear in mind the deeds and miedoings of Lord
John Russell.
POST.—The noblemen and gentlemen who have
hitherto considered it their duty to give a general sup-
port to the views of Sir Robert Peel, and to regard him
as their leader, should now earnestly consider the
position in which they stand, and come to a decision as
to their future course. We need scarcely avow our own
distinct opinion that they are not only fully justified
in taking a complete farewell of the leadership of Sir
R. Peel, but that they are bound to do so by a sense
of what is due to justice, to reason, and tohonourable
feeling. Our opinion, however, is only worth at-
tention, in so tar as we can show it to be founded
in good sense, and supported by a fair consideration
of facts and circumstances. We proceed, therefore,
to argue the case, observing, however, the brevity
which is needful in the columns of a newspaper.
We shall not now enter upon a history of the
events of the session which preceded the formation of
;he Peel Ministry. Any one, however, who will recal
them to mind, cannot fail to agree with us, that there
were four principal points which the triumphant Con-
servative party fully expected to be accomplished by the
pew Administration. These were-
1. The restoration of the finance.,;, so as to make the
revenue at least equal to the expenditure.
2. The protection of British industry-, and especially
of agricultural industry, from these dangers with which
it hsd been threatened by the fixed duty schemes, or
free-trade doctrines of tha Vi pigs.
3. The modification of the Whig poor law, and the
amelioration of those harsh regulations in which poverty
appeared to be regarded as crime.

MINISTERIAL MOVEMENTS.
(From the Herald.)
Yesterday Lord John Russell, immediately on his
return to town from having an audience of her Majesty,
was waited on by Viscount Palmerston, the Right Hun.
Francis T. Baring, and several of his political friends.
Viscount Palmerston remained a considerable time
in private consultation with Lord John Russell.
We have reason to believe that Viscount Melbourne
does not contemplate joining his former colleagues in
the Administration, if Lord John Russell should succeed
in forming one, as his health will not emit of the fatigues
naturally attendant on official occupation.
The Marquis of Lansdow ne arrived at Lansdowne
House last evening, from Bowood Pork, Wits, iu com-
pliance with a request, it is said, from Lord John
Russell.
The Earl of Clarendon, the Right Hon. T. B. Macau-
lay, and the Right Hon. Henry Labouehere, are expected
in town hourly, the former from Grove Park, and the
latter from Came House, Dorset.
Last night the Marquis of Lansdowne and several of
the late members of Viscount Melbourne's Government
congregated at Lord Monteagle's residence, in Brook-
street, and it was nearly one o'clock when the party
separated.
We understand the Marquis of Normanby may be ex-
pected home from Italy at the earliest possible time,
information having been forwarded to Florence appris
in.' the Noble Marquis that Lord John Russell had
Cen summoned to form a new Administration, and Lug_
in,' his Lordship's speedy return to this country.
'Vise:Alta Murpeth has b.-en written to, and (muse.
quently may be expected to arrive in a few hours from
lwe
circumstances Government i t
for
Castle Howard.
absurd. ‘ s t
° 413 Under dpe rrr thea mumme off favourable nt
s t
Lord John, some days must elapse before any authentic
list of the projected Ministry can appear.
It is, li,wever, positive that Lord John Russell has
accepted the responsibilities of forming a new Govern-
ment by her Afujesty's command, and that Viscount
Palmerston will be Secretary of State for Foreign

Affairs.
We can also state that Lord Cottenhana will be Lord

Pr E svN.,LosDow,,SATZETADAY,,EVENING,,.pECEMBER 13, 16405

TH.I!: SMITHFIELD CLUB.-

The forty-keventh anniversary festival of the above
club was celebrated last evening at the Freemasons'
Tavern. _ _ _

The Duke of Richmond (the newly-elected president)
ocetipie.l the chair. His Grace was supported by Sir
Harry Vernr:y, Sir Charles Clarke, Colonel Wood, M.P.;
Mr. Pusey, M.P.; Colonel Sibthorp, M.P.; Capt. Shaw,
and about 140 members f.f the club, among whom we
observed Mr. Webb, Mr. Umbers, Mr. Milward, Mr.
Druce, Mr. W. F. Hobbs, Mr. C. T. Towers, Mr. Tat-
tersall, Mr. 11. Gibbs, Mr. Trinder, Mr. Stokes, Mr.
Chamberlain, &c.
On the removal of the cloth, and after the usual loyal.
toasts,
The Noble CHAIRMAN Called on the assembly to drink
to the memory of their late president (the late Earl
Spencer), not only as a distinguished member of the
Smithfield Club, but as a country gentleman, and an
honest, just, and upright man.
The toast was drunk in solemn silence.

The Noble CMAIuMAN next rose to propose a toast,
which he said might justly be termed the toast of the
evening—viz. " Success to the Smithfield Cattle Club."
The attend ence at the festival that evening was a seas-
factory proof that the Club had lost nothing of its po-
pularity, mid he thought there could nut be a doubt that
the exhibitions got up under its auspices had tended in
a very great degree to improve the stock of cattle in the
country.—(hear, hear.) He was free to confess that he
knew but little of cattle hitn =elf, but lie had understood
from those who were geed judges, that although there
were many good beasts in the present show,
there were not so many as there bad been on some
former cccasions. If he could claim any knowledge of
the respective merits of stock, he thought he knew some-
thing of short-woolled sheep, and he must certainly say,
that in the course of the fifteen years during which he
had been a member of the Club, he had never seen a
better show of that class of animals.— (Hear, hear.)
It might be thought by some that he made this
remark in consequence of having gained the second
prize himself on the present occasion, but he could
assure them that it was not so.—(Hear, hear.) He was'
happy to find that the competition in South Down sheep
was extending itself beyond Sussex. They had long had
a formidable competitor in Cambridgeshire, and this
year they had been beaten by a Berkshire man.—
(Cheers.) It was clear to him that the successful can-
didates on the present occasion had profited by what
they had seen at previous exhibitions, and therefore he
thought the Smithfield Club had proved itself of great
service to the agricultural interest.—(Hear.) There
was another point he might mention in commendation
of the Club, and it was this—that it formed a field of
neutral ground, into which party politics could never
enter.—(Cheers.) Each member could there meet his
brother farmer without the slightest fear of any party
strife, entering into a fair competition with the sole view
of carrying out the highest possible degree of improve-
ment in the breeding and rearing of stock ; and when
they returned to their respective counties, he was sure
they could not but feel with him that much good had re-
sulted from the establishment of the Club.—(Elear.) The
Noble Duke concluded by proposing " Prosperity to the
Smithfield Cattle Club."
The toast having been responded to with great en-
thusiasm,
The Noble CHAIRMAN proceeded to read the judges'
awards, presenting the prizes to the successful candi•
dates. Having gone through the award, the Noble
Duke gave " The Healths of tne Successful Competitors
in the Cattle Classes," expressing a hope that, as they
had proved "so good" in their cattle, they would not,
on a future occasion, be " so bad" as to absent them-.
selves from the anniversary feitival.
The respective candidates present having returned
thanks,
Mr. PUSEY, M.P., rose and said—lt falls to my lot to
propose " The Health of the Duke of Richmond and the
other successful Competitors in the Short-wool Sheep
Classes."—(Loud cheers.) Although the Noble Duke
is our new President, his Graze is no new acquaintance
to many of you, -and, therefore, it is not for me to in-
troduce him on this occasion. There can be no doubt
that it is a great advantage to have at our head a
Nobleman of the highest rank in the country, and one
who unites to that rank a character which endears him
to all who approach him. Such a Nobleman is your
newly-elected President.—(Cheers,) In my opinion, the
Duke of Richmond sets a bright example to his com-
peers. There was an old monkish saying which ran to
this effect, "To work is to pray." I think the aristo-
cracy of the country should follow the example of the
Duke of Richmond, and set their heads to work to for-
ward the interests of agriculture.—(Cheers.) There is
one more observation I wish to make, although I fear
that in doing sot shall be in some degree betraying
private confidence. I have been informed, that when
our Noble President is residing on his property in the
Highlands, he is always to be found at any hour from
seven in the morning until seven at night, riding about
and looking over his farms, not for the purpo e of finding
fault, but with the view of discovering how money may
profitably be expended, and the condition of his tenantry
improved.—(Cheers.) Deeds are better than words ;
and, therefore, I shall not trouble you with further pre-
face, but at once propose " The Health of him whom we
are proud to call our President, his Grace the Duke of
Richmond."—(Cheers.)
The toast having been drunk with every mark of en-
thusiastic feeling,
The Noble CHAIRMAN rose and said—Gentlemen, I
can assure you that nothing in this life gives me greater
pleasure than to be surrounded by a body of the farmers
of this country ; and that pleasure must ever especially
be dear to me, when, as now, they take occasion to
honour me with the expression of their confidence.—
(Hear.) Gentlemen—l have attended the festival of
this Club (with one exception, when I was prevented by
a domestic affliction) every year since my election as a
member. I joined the Club because I thought it calcu-
lated to be of great service to the country. I need
scat cely remind you that it was from opinions expressed
in this room that the Royal Agricultural Society of
England took its formation.—(Hear, hear.) I have on
some occasions been fortunate enough to obtain the first
prize, and sometimes the second, and sometimes my
stock have been only commended by the judges. I have,
however, always recommended perseverance, and I am
sure I may appeal to you all as to whether I have not
invariably been satisfied with the awards.—(Hear).
This year I have been beaten by Mr. Webb, of Cam-
bridgeshire, and also by a Berkshire friend. I shall do
my best next year, and I think I may venture to say that
if my competitors do not produce some very good sheep
indeed, I shall carry off the gold medal for 1846.—
(Cheers and laughter.) I assure you I feel very deeply
the great honour you have conferred on me, by electing
me to succeed your late esteemed president, and I can-
not adequately express the debt of gratitude I owe you
for the distinction.—(Hear, hear.) Gentlemen, in refer-
ence to what my excellent friend, Mr. Pusey, has said,
I certainly am in the habit of taking every opportunity
of meeting my tenantry. I take no credit to myself for
such a course ; I consider it my duty to do so ; but, at
the same time it would be wrong in me to say that I do
so on the ground of duty, for it gives me the greatest
possible pleasure to meet my tenantry at any and every
time.—(Loud cheers.) Gentlemen, I fear I shall
not be of any great service to the Club in the office
you have been pleased to place me, but if I can
show younger landlords than myself how they ought
to live—that it is to their advantage that they should
co-operate with their tenantry, and converse with them
as a part of their own family, and that if they do so
they may attend every agficultural meeting and market
in the country, and always be well received, perhaps
this will be something.—(Cheers.) I need not further
enlarge on the great importance of the landlord and the
occupier being on good terms. They both row in the
same boat, but the tenant cannot improve his farm un-
less he is backed up by the landlord ; nor can the land-
lord,
get on unless supported by his tenant.—(Hear.)
The Noble Duke, in conclusion, said no language could
express the debt of gratitude he owed to the agricultural
interest, and, thanking the company very sincerely for
the manner in which they had received his name, his
Grace sat down amid loud applause.
Mr. Webb and Mr. Harris made appropriate acknow-
ledgments ; and the other portions of the prize list hav-
ing been gone through, the healths of the " Stewards,"
the " Honorary Secretary," Mr. T. B. Gibbs ; Mr.
Gibbs, " the Father of the Club," and other routine
toasts, were subsequently proposed, and duty acknow-

ledged.
The Duke of Richmond and several other gentlemen
retired shortly after eight o'clock, but the general party
did not separate until a much later hour.
At the adjourned Committee meeting held at the
bazaar yesterday morning, the Duke of Richmond occu-
pied the chair, supported by Earl Ducie, Mr. Pusey,
M.P., and several other influential members of the club.
Oa the motion of Mr. H. Gibbs, it was agreed that at
all future " shows," a prize of 101. (money or plate)
should be awarded to the feeder of the best Scotch,
Welsh, or Kerry ox or steer; that the second prizi for
the best long or short woolled sheep should be increased
from 5/. to lot.; and that a gold medal should be offered
for the best IN ❑ of pigs in the exhibition, the reason for
the latter being, that the Committee were of opinion
pork was of the same importance to the poorer classes
as beef to the richer members of the community.

RAILWAYS AND A DISSOLUTION OF PARLIAMENT.
—The change of Ministry which has taken place within the
last few days is likely, in the opinion of many, to result in a
dissolution of Parliament. We would fain hope not. The
delay which would thus be interposed in the consideration of
the muititudinous railways now awaiting the fiat of the legis-
lature must in many, very many, instances prove fatal. Our
pages are not political, and therefore we need not go into the
cause or causes which may render a dissolution expedient.
Perhaps, however, we may venture to say that the postpone-
ment, for a few months, of the settlement of the great com-
mercial question would be more than counterbalanced by the
results of an early and a satisfactory adjustment of the rail.
way or industrial question. We trust,k-therefore, that Mem
bers of all parties, should the present House be again con-
♦ened, will agree in expediting, as much as possible, the pro-
gress of railway business; and be content to postpone to a
future day those contests for power which, under the altered
aspect of affeirs, are certain to be neither few nor feeble.
Railway Record.
THE RIVER PLATE...--LIVERPOOL, FRIDAY.—The
following was posted in the Underwriters' Rooms to-day :
" Buenos Ayres, Oct. 4.—The operations of the English and
French squadrons are continued.' They have taken Pay-
sander, Sori...nl, and Mercedeo, and the expedition is pro-
ceeding up the river to Salto, where it will have no diffi-
culty in opening a communication with General Paz, who is
supplied with arms, ammunition, and money, and will, it is
supposed, immediately commence operations. Some vessels
from up the river came in sight yesterday, and, in attempt-
ing to elude the blockade, were taken by the boats of the
blockading squadron. It is reported that the English troops
brought to Monte Video by her Majesty's ship Resistance
have landed at the Ramo."

The storm in the Channel on Thursday was very
severe, and must have caused much damage. The Calais
steamer, with the mail for Dover, left at the usual time, but
was driven ashore soon after leaving the harbour, and be-
came a complete wreck in a few hours.

•,
DiE SME RI SM.
MR. SPENCER T,--HALL'S LECTURES. -
On Wednesday end d'hursda.y evenings, in the last
week, Mr.'Hall delivered decturez at the Court-house,
in Warwick. On both of these occasions the audiences
e ere large and highly respectable, although it had been
anticipated that experiments in mesmerism would at-
tract but very litttle or no attention in this place :
but Mr. Hall had announced that he should operate
upon several inhabitants of the • town, and this fact,
we apprehend, might have been the cause of
many being in attendance, to witness his experi-
ments. At all events there were many, and it was
evident that the majority came as unbelievers. On
the lecturer commencing his address, explanatory to
the subjet, the utmost attention was paid to all his ob-
servations, and at, the close he was greeted with much
applause.—On Wednesday evening, the chairman w.:s
the Rev. Dr. Meeson (who a few years ago practised as a
physician in London), and on Thursday evening that
respected physician. and eminent man of science, Dr..
Lloyd, presided. Thus; our frequently-expressed wish
that respectable medical men would preside, and see fsir
play," was fully realised. With respect to the experi-
ments, on each occasion, We are in every way justified
in saying they were unusually satisfactory, for Mr. Hall
first operated upon a most respectable youth, residing
in the town, whose integrity is beyond all possible
doubt ; next upon a little boy in the service of Air.
Cooke, the bookseller,—a boy whom he had never seen
until the very evening of his lecture ; and next upon
*neither lad, who came for wlrd from among the audience
unexpectedly,—and who had never before heard a
lecture, or seen a mesmeric operation. In etch case the
integrity of the party was wholly undisputed, and then -
fore the audience watched the effects produced by the
mesmerist with great attention and interest. Those effects
were astonishing to every one, and we really do believe
that many sceptics were amazed, if not convinced. To
say this, is but speaking the plain truth, even though it
may be doubted or ridiculed. Our very limited
space will not allow us to detail the experiments, and we
must therefore be content to give the simple outline of the
fact that they created universal astonishment among the
audience. Of course no attempt was made at that won-
der of all wonders, clairvoyance. Mr. Hall, however,
avowed his perfect conviction of its practicability.
We may claim some excuse if we appear to be satisfied,
more than previously, with Mr. Halt's oporations in our
town ; for the fact is, that two of the three cases of
strangers being operated upon by him here, were par-
ties from the Advertiser establishment. At the close
of the two lectures Mr. Hall expressed a de-
sire that a few gentlemen in Warwick would
form themselves into a committee, for the pur-
pose of investigating the subject of mesmerism, and de-
clared his readiness to aid them, at any time, by making
experiments in their presence. On Thursday even-
ing. after the lecture, Dr. Lloyd, in a very brief ad-
dress, observed that he had attended many lectures on
the subject, and had, after attentively observing all his
various experiments—occupying together about four
hours—he must say, he had never been more entertained,
or listened to a more fair and candid explanation of the
lecturer's objects, feelings, and conscientious convictions,
than on that occasion ; and he thought Mr. Hall justly
entitled to the thanks of the audience for the lecture he
had delivered, and for the interesting experiments he
had brought before them.—(Great applause.)
Thanks were then voted to the respected Chairman,
and thus closed the evening.— Warwick Advertiser.

RAILWAY SII RE MARKETS.
LIVERPOOL, DEC. 12.
STOCK ExcHANGR.—The sales are—Birkenhead, Lanca-
shire, and Cheshire, 35' p.—Buckinghamshire %
ter and 'Birkenhead, ••45—Dit`to, 20/. Shar6,
—Derby and Crewe, ' p.—Edinburgh and -GlaS-
gow , Half Shares, 814 p.—Edinburgh and Perth, 1 p.—
Grand Junction, New Quarter Shares, 134—Ditto, 401.
Shares (L.M.), 521,4—Great Western, Half Shares, 851
Goole and Doncaster, par--41uddersfield Canal and Railway,
4% p.—Liverpool and Leeds Direct, 1 dis—Liverpool, Man-
chester, and Newcastle Junction, 1% p.—Liverpool, Orms-
kirk, and Preston, 1% p.—London and Birininprim,Tifth
Shares, 1934 p.—London and Manchester (Remington's), 1
dis.—London and York, 1% p.—Leeds and Thirsk, 2% p.—
Manchester Midland, and Great Grimsby, Ai p.—Manches-
ter and Leeds, Fifth Shares, 10% p.—Manchester and South-
ampton, % p.—Matlock and Midland, 1% p.—Midland,
20/. Shares, 12% p.—Newcastle and Bernick, 6 p.—North
Staffordshire, Ms. p.—Sheffield and Manchester, Quarter
Shares, 6N p.—Ditto, ditto, No. 2, 55A3 p.—Ditto, ditto
No. 3 (scrip), 31/4 p.—Trent Valley, 14% p.—West Riding
Union, 4%—Belfast and Ballymena, par.—Dublin and
Galway, 4 dis.—Dutch Rhenish, 2 p.—Paris and Lyons
(Laffitte), ls. 6d. p.
MANCHESTER, DEC. 12.

STOCK EXCHANGE.—The sales are—Blackburn, Darwen,
and Bolton, 7—Dudley, Iron Bridge, and Shrewsbury, 1%—
East Lancashire, No. 2, 10—Exeter, Yeovil, and Dorchester,
23/4 Fleetwood, Preston, and West Riding Junction, 235. 3d.
—Leeds and Thirsk, 10%—Manchester, Buxton, and Mat-
lock, 725. —Manchester and Birmingham, 70—Ditto, New
Quarters, 83/4—Manchester and Bury Atmospheric, 18s. 6d.
—Manchester and Leeds, Fifths, 111,4—North Staffordshire,
995. 6d.—Nottingham and Mansfield, 2%3—Preston and Wyre
Extension, I—gheffield and Manchester, Quarters, No. 3, 6
—South Eastern and Dover, 35.
YORK, DEC. 12. _ _ .

&root Excum{GE.—The sales are—York and North Mid-
land Extension, 23%—Newcastle and Berwick, 10—North
British, Dalkeith, 514—Ditto, ditto, New, s%—Ditto, New
Carlisle Branch, 2 V3—London and York, 3X—Grand Union,
114—Manchester, Buxton, Matlock, and Midland, 3%—
North Staffordshire, 4%.
SHEFFIELD, Ds.c. 12.

STOCK. EXCHANGE.—The sales are—Midland, 40/. Shares,
1734==Preston and Wyre, 32—Grimsby Railway and Dock
Extension, 5 lA—Boston, Newark, and Sheffield, 2 —London
and York, 4—Sheffield and Lincolnshire, WA—York and
Carlisle, 2%.

HULL, DEC. 12.
STOCK EXCHANGE.—The sales are—Great Grimsby and
Sheffield, Quarter Shares, 4—North British. Carlige, I%—
Axholme, 2%—Dudley, Madeley, and Iron Bridge, 1/. Ils.
6d.—Grand Union, 28s.—Hull and Barnsley Junction, 38s.
—London and Birmingham Extension, 11,4—London and
York, 3'ci —North Staffordshire, 41. 12s.—. South Midland,
4/. 9& 6d.