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

PRINCESS'S THEATRE.

Donizetti's Grand Tragic Opera of Lucrezia
Borgia was produced at this theatre on Saturday
evening, with all that completeness and attention to
the business of scene for which the management of
the Princess's is celebrated. The story of this opera
must be already familiar to every playgoer. It has
been frequently represented at the Italian Opera, and
adaptations from Victor Hugo's tragedy, from which
the libretto of the opera is taken, have been brought
out at most of the minor theatres. The following is
the cast at the Princess's :—Don Alfonso (Mr. Bur-
dini), Genarro (Mr. Allen), Maffio Orsini (Mr. H. P.
Grattan), and Lucrezia Borgia (Madame Eugenia
Garcia). The opening scene, of the night festival in
the gardens of the Palace of Barberigo, at Venice,
was exceedingly beautiful. The stage was filled with
maskers attired in various magnificent costumes-4n
the distance was a beautiful moonlight view of
Venice, while in the foreground gondolas were seen,
passing and repassing. The name of Lucrezia is ut-
tered by one of the revellers and all are terror-struck
at the name of the death-bringing beauty. The ro-
mance, " Hear me relate my story," was beautifully
given by Mrs. Grattan. The sound of music is heard
from the palace, and all enter it, except Genarro, who
overcome with fatigue, sleeps upon one of the benches
in the gardeni; a gondola arrives, and Lucrezia lands
from it ; she wears her mask ; turning, she perceives
Genarro • she approaches him, and implores the bles-
sing of fleaven upon the sleeping youth, and, in the
beautiful air, " In my breast what strange emotion,"
gives expression to her feelings of love for Ge-
narro, and of horror at the detestation, in which, on
account of her crimes, she is held by all the world.
She leans over him fondly. Her husband, the Duke,
who has been watching, appears at the back of the
scene, and vows vengeance on Genarre. She again
approaches the sleeper, and kisses him on the fore-
head. He starts up and detains her, and in the im-
passioned air, " Pray, be content," declares his love
for her. She listens to him enraptured. He tells
her he came to seek a mother whom he knew not,
yet who had watched over him with the most anxious
care; whose letters he treasured up and wept over.
She is affected to tears by his story, and bids him
love that mother ever. The revellers enter and in-
terrupt them. They beset her. She begs Genarro
to save her; but when he finds she is the Borgia, he
spurns her from him with horror. The scene of the se-
cond act is laid at Ferrara; we are in the great square,
before the great palace, which bears on its portico the
arms and name of Borgia. The Duke and his attens
dant enter; and in the cavatina, " Tremble, e'en now
the tempest is gathering closely round thee," the
Duke declares that the morrow's sun shall be the
last thatlhall shine on Genarro. This cavatina was
carefully and effectively given by Burdini, who was
much and deservedly applauded. The Duke and his
attendant retire, and Genarro and his companions
enter. He loudly expresses his hatred of Lucrezia,
and, with his sword, he erases the letter from the
name above the family arms, leaving the word " orgia."
They fly, alarmed at what may be the consequences
of this bitter jest, and Genarro retires to his house.
The scene changes to the Duke's palace. Lucrezia
demands vengeance against those who have insulted
her. The Duke promises that the culprit shall die,
and orders the prisoner to be brought in. To
her horror Lucrezia perceives Genarro. Her
lofty spirit is huriibled to the dust—she frames ex-
cuses for him. Genarro was not guilty of this
wrong. He boldly avows that the deed was his, and
his alone. She prays the Duke to spare him—she
kneels to him in vain—the Duke taunts her with her
love for him, and gives her choice of whether he
shall die by poison or the sword. In this scene we
have the duet, " Tremble no more, I pray," which,
was finely and expressively given by Madame Garcia
and Burdini. She chooses the poison. The Duke
announces to Genarro that he is pardoned, and asks
him to drain a friendly cup, which the. Duchess her-
self will present to him; and then follows the ex-
quisite trio, " Ah, dare not to save him !" which was
beautifully. given by Madame Garcia, Allen, and
Burdini, and rapturously encored. Ile drinks the
poison, and the Duke leaves them. Then comes the
finale, " Through veins cold hemlock juice is creep-
ing," admirably given by. Allen and Madame Garcia.
She implores him to swallow the antidote which she
presents to him. He refuses, believing that she would
fain poison him. She conjures him', in the name of his
mother, to ,believe her—he takes the antidote—she
shows a secret passage from the palace, and implores
him to leave Ferrara without delay. The acting of
Garcia throughout the whole of this very trying scene
was beyond all praise.. It was evident that she was
suffering dreadfully from nervousness, but her very
apprehensions imparted a degree of impassioned reality
to her acting which carried her triumphantly through,
and she has added another laurel to her wreath by her
Lucrezia Borgia. In the opening of the third act we
have the beautiful air, " The light of love," which
was given by Allen in the most exquisitely tasteful
manner • nothing could exceed the pathos and tender-
ness, which he infused into this delightful air—he
was encored as a matter of course, and repeated it
with, if possible, greater feeling. Then came the ban-
quet scene with Orsini's spirited ballad, " What
though she whom you love may .deceive you." This
ballad, which is exactly suited to Mrs. Grattan's
voice, was rapturously encored. Lucrezia enters—
she has revenged herself for the ball at Venice, by the
supper at Ferrara. The revellers are all poisoned,
and the doleful chaunt of the priests, who are in
attendance to shrive them are heard without. To
her horror she peceives Genarro among the guests.
She orders all to retire, and is left alone with him.
She implores him to take the antidote—he refuses un-
less there is sufficent to save his friends also. He
draws his dagger, and rushes on her, reproaching her
with her crimes. " Hold, rash one," she cries, "it
is thy own blood that thou would'st shed." Horror-
strtiolc at finding that he too is a Borgia, the dagger
drops from his hand. She implores him, for his mo-
ther's sake, to drink the antidote. He asks
his mother's name. "My remorse, my fright,"
exclaims the agonized Lucrezia "do they
not • tell her name ?" Staggering from the
effects of the poison, he falls, and in his dying
moments discovers that he is the son of Lucrezia
Borgia. The Duke enters with his attendants, and
taunts her with her love for Genarro. "He is my
son—dead—dead—before my eyes," exclaims the
agonized Lucrezia as she throws herself on the life-
less body of her victim. Madame Garcia, Allen, Mrs.
Grattan, and Burdini, were all called for, and received
with the loudest applause, bouquets and wreaths
being showered on the ladies ; and Walton announced
the opera for repetition four times a week, amidst the
unanimous applause of one of the most crowded
houses of the season. The choruses were admirably
given, thanks to the excellent drilling of Mr. W. L.
Phillips; and the orchestra, directed by Schirra, and
led by Loder, did full justice to the music. The
Marriage Certcate followed, in which the Keeleys
kept the house in a roar. The evening's amusement
concluded with the splendid spectacle of the Megic
Mirror, with Mrs. Grattan as the Prince, Paul Bed-
ford as the Premier, and pretty Miss Floyd as the
Princess.

SECONDARIES' COURT.—An action was tried in this
Court on Friday, before Mr. Potter,, in which the plain-
tiff, a chandler's-shop keeper named Seeger' residing in
West-street, Mile•etkl, sued Gibbon, the defendant, a
pensioner in the East India Company's service, for
101. Bs. 7d., for goods sold and delivered. The defence
was that they were supplied to a woman who lived with
him as his wife, but was not so. She had borne him
children, who, as well 'as herself, went by the name of
Gibbon, but he denied his liability for the debt. The
Secondary, however, put another construction upon the
law, 'and informed the defendant that the judges had
held that when a man cohabited with a woman, and al-
lowed her to assume his name, he became responsible for
debts contracted by her for actual necessaries. The
jury took the same view of the law, and gave a verdict
ft,r the plaintiff.

THE

THE THREE HUNDREDTH ANNI-
VERSARY OF THE PUBLICATION OF
THE COPERNICAN SYSTEM. .
On Saturday, the 30th December, a meeting was held
at the Chambers of the Literary Association of the
Friends of Poland, to commemorate the above event.
A great many Poles, as well as distinguished friends of
Poland, were present. Among the latter we noticed
Lord Dudley Stuart, the Hon. Colonel Leicester Stan-
lisps, Colonel Watson, the Rev. Dr. Worthington, John
Wood Esq., Chairman of the Excise ; Professor Ber-
nays, of King's College ; W. D. Saul!, Esq., member of
the Astronomical Society ; Dr. Gardner, Thomson
Hankey, &c. &c.
Lord D. STUART, having taken the chair in virtue of
his office of Vice-Presidrnt (the President being absent),
shortly explained that the objects of the Association
were of a literary, political, and charitable nature, and,
although circumstances had for some time compelled it
to devote nearly the whole of its attention to the latter
objects, still .that it was not unmindful of the farmer,
and when any opportunity arose of attending to the first,
it gladly embraced it. Many of the Poles having ex-
pressed a desire that the present year, the three hun-
dredth since the work of Copernicus on the solar system
was first printed, should not be suffered to elapse without
some public notice of that event, the present meeting of
the Association had been called. It would give an
opportunity for refining the absurd attempt which had
been made of late years to deprive Poland of the honour
of counting Copernicus among her sons. It was no
wonder the Voles should be anxious to repel such an in-
justice. Spoliated and oppressed, they had nothing left
them but the proud recollections of former glory.
Tkese—ands one thing more, hope—alone remained
to them. May .that hope, said his Lordship, be one day
fulfilled to the utmost of their wishes.
Colonel SZTRMO then read a paper which ho had pre
pared for the occasion. He gave an online of the state
astronomy was in at the age of Copernicus. Entering
upon the Copernican system, he extolled its superior
merits in application to geography, navigation, and espe-
cially in its legitimate province, astronomy, where it has
paved the way to the vast discoveries in the succeeding
three centuries. He dwelt upon the sensation the great
work of Copernicus produced in Europe after it appeared
in print, and mentioned the singular fact that the first
copy of it the astronomer received when on his death-
bed, and died on the same day. He had bestowed on it
thirty-six years, and published it only at the solicitations
of his friends. The lecturer refuted the notion of Coper-
nicus being a German as absurd, it being of recent date,
and unsupported by any historical document. Not one
word is said by his biographers, ancient and modern, in
confirmation of it. Copernicus was born in 1473, at
Thorn, which was a town of Regal i, e. Polish Russia.
That province formed at his ago en integral part of
Poland, and continued for 300 years after him to belong
to that kingdoin, until the first partition of it in 1772.
Besides, the father of Copernicus was net a native of
Thorn, but settled there as a citizen of • Cracow (Civis
Cracoviensis). Copernicus acquired the rudiments of
Greek and Latin in his native town, and completed
his studies at the University of Cracow, at that time
celebrated for mathematics. The most eminent of the
professors there was Albert Brudzewski ; the astrono-
mer was his pupil. His life •was considered by the lec-
turer under manifold aspects. He described him as a
student at Padua, where Copernicus was graduated
doctor of philosophy and medicine, and in his character
as professor of mathematics at Rome ; as a recluse,
after his return to Cracow, when maturing his. great
astronomical system, mid, subsequently, in the character
of a priest and a canon of Warmia ; as the ad-
ministrator .of the demesnes of the Bishopric,
and as an opponent to the Teutonic Order in
Prussia, whom . he considered as foes to. Poland and
aliens to the Prussian people ; as a nuncio to the Polish
Diet at Grandentz, and calculating like Newton, debated
money currency, and proposing a plan to the States for
reducing it to an uniform standard in the whole kingdom;
as a physician administering medicaments to the
peasantry, by whom, on that account, he was worshipped
like a deity (ut numen quoddam) ; as a civil engineer
who constructed hydraulic machines for supplying the
town with water, and so forth. The sketch he gave of the
astronomer's posthumous fame was not less interesting,
and having, i
n a tour through Prussia, himself visited
all the places where Copernicus resided, he minutely
described the house, and the interior of it, where the
philosopher was born, and the observatory, where he
made his observations. In the portraits he had seen of
him he discovered a strong resemblance to Roger Bacon ;
and mentioning the representation of Copernicus on the
ceiling of the Picture Gallery at Greenwich, with the
firmament over his head, and. his solar system in his
hand, he said—" Nowhere could a fitter association of
Copernicus be made than in that place of England's naval
glory, and in the very asylum of the seafaring men who,
on their voyages to distant , regions, might be said to
hang on the abyss and to tread on the stars." Colonel
Szyrmo added a description of the inauguration of the
bronze statue of Copernicus (by Thorwaldsen), which
took place at Warsaw, in 1830, and at which he was
present.
Several excellent and interesting speeches were then
delivered by Colonel Watson, the Rev. Dr. Worthington,
Mr. Wood, and others, who expressed their admiration
of the discourse which had been delivered by Colonel
Szyrmo, and their full concurrence in his views ; and
thanks having been voted to that gentleman, and to Lord
Dudley Stuart, for his 'conduct in the chair, the meeting
separated.

SUN, LONDON, MONDAY

POSTSCRIPT POLITICAL.
(From Tait's Magazine for January.)
In the modern Politician's Calendar, the month of De-
cember might aptly enough be termed the Guessing
Monti. It is then, and up to the meeting of Parliament,
that all sorts of rumours and conjectures are set afloat ;
that feelers arc thrown out by party organs, and tubs
are launched to amuse the whale ; while every new day
demolishes the lie of yesterday, and spreads its more
novel fahrication. According to one late rumour, the
Whigs and Tories arc to coalesce,. order, we presume,
that a strong Government may show a bold face to the
country and the Anti-Corn-law League, and save as
much of the wreck of " Landlords" Protection" as is now
possible. Other reports make the Whigs and Radicals
fraterniz., but forget to say for what purpose. Cer-
tainly not to carry a fixed duty on imported corn,
and make a fluid stand upon the grand Russell prin-
ciple of Fine/sly. Everts, quite as extravagant, hint at
Sir Robert Pei! being about to become a total repealer !
Ia the midst of these contradictory rumours, whether
circulated by the quidnuncs of the Clubs, or by editors at
their wit's end for a new idea, and fond of being imagined
in the secrets of tins Government or the Opposition, we
.may mention a Cresh report that has more of novelty to
recommend it, with quite as much probability as any of
those which have enlightened or amused the public dur-
ing the currency of the guessing month. It is whispered
in " high circles," that it is understood to be the inten-
tion of" a great personage," on the first hitch, which
cannot be very far distant, to send for Earl Spencer, who
lately made so emphatic a declaration for Free Trade,
and against_ fixed duties, sliding scales, and all the other
apparatus of monopoly. We do not see that the love of
retirement, or any consideration of self, could absolve
Earl Spencer from obeying the commands of his Sove-
reign in the contemplated emergency. He will, no doubt,
receive ample powers to form a broad-based and really
Liberal Administration ; fitted to meet the exigencies of
the times, and calculated by ability, integrity, and moral
influence, to gain the support and win the confidence of
every class of citizens. It is, however, believed that Earl
Spencer will on no consideration accept of office. But is
this a conjuncture in which a good man, with the power
to serve his country, can conscientiously decline the
responsibilities of place, on the mere plea of disinclina-
tion ? Or, if determined against place, then the new
and anomalous office of Director of the Cabinet, and
umpire of public affairs, held at present by the Duke of
Wellington, may be vacant ; and it cannot be more un-
constitutional when held by a peaceful, sagacious, and
Free nude Earl, than by a warlike and Conservative
Duke. If ever there was a time when, leaving factious
motives and party interests to those that like them and
thrive by them, enlightened and unanimous councils
and energetic measures were required, it is now ; and
from what party administration, whether represented Sir Robert Peer or Lord ohn *Russell, can the
nation rationally hope fur what it urgently requires ?
These rumours and speculations may seem.idle enough
and perhaps they are so ; but not so the pertinent
question, That if Sir Robert Peel be not the man who
is either to work out the salvation of the commonwealth,
or even to lend a helping hand in finishing what the
League have all but accomplished without, or in spite of
Whig or Tory help or opposition, who, then, is that
man ? Where arc we to look for hint ? And if. none
such be found in the Whig cr Tory ranks, the next
question is—Does the country possess none of Abe
desired material ? Is there not intelligence and
virtue sufficient in its own bosom to guide its councils
and to save itself ? In the heart of the people
of America and of France, the rulers of France
and America are looked for and found. So, .we
presume, it is expected to be in Ireland, should that
country ever become an independent kingdom. England
alone, though nearly all its science, knowledge, business,
talent, and enterprise,, are to be found among its middle-
classes, must be governed exclusively by its aristocracy;
by Whig and Tory alternately, as of hereditary right !
When the Queen shall verify the above rumour (for
which we do not vouch), by sending for Earl Spencer to
aid her with his advice as to how a new Government may
best be framed, we anticipate that " Honest Lord Al-
thorp" will act upon the simple and true principle of,
in every case, recommending the man best adapted for
the office,; that he willto illustrate our opinion—point
out Mr. Rowland Hill for rostmaster-General, as infi-
nitely the best choice that could be made; and Mr.
M'Oregor, Mr. Cobden, or Mr. Grote, for the Board of
Trade. Either Mr. Joseph Hume or .a reformed Sir
Robert Peel, might make a very fair Chancellor of the
Exchequer. We are. not so sure of Joseph Sturge, a
man of peace, succeeding Lords Palmerston and Aber.
deen as Foreign Secretary ; but are next to certain, that
Lord Dunfermline would be pointed out as Lord-Lieu.

tenant of Ireland. We, however, merely enunciate the
principle on which the. new Ministry might be formed,
and do not pretend to enter into details. Nor do we
give currency to these rumours merely to raise a foolish
laugh ; but in the sober assurance, that official appoint-
ments must be made on this principle, before there can
be either peace in Ireland, or prosperity in England.
In speculating upon changes in the Administration,
or of Lord John Russell taking, for a time, the place of
Sir Robert Peel, no one appears to 'get farther than the
hackneyed idea, that, as a matter of course, the Whigs
must come in ; because Sir Robert Peel has lost the
confidence of the middle classes, and is distrusted and de-
serted by the High Tories. No one seems to believe the
Premier possessed of that moral courage, of that confi-
dence in himself, and that strength of purpose which, by
arousing the enthusiasm of the country, might make the
day of his apparent defeat the birth-hour of his ultimate
_ _ _

triumph. Xi;..l yet so timid is dishonesty, that some. of
the Whigs seem in trepidation lest the manoeuvring Sir
Robert should once more- forestall them, by all at once
giving effect to his " abstract principles." However this
may be, Sir Robert will assuredly not stoop to pick up
the abortive Whig " fixed duty." That is now repu-
diated by everybody but Whigs. They need not be
alarmed for Sir Robert's manoeuvres here.

Whatever becomes of his Tories, the majority of the
electoral body will support any Minister who, nailing his
colours to the mast, declares for total repeal. Less will
satisfy no member of the League. That Association ha
not, we would hope, in the opinion of the nation, per-
formed its work so badly, that it must all be done over
again at some future period, in order to get rid of the
fermentive dregs of the iniquitous impost, the eight or
five shilling duty. If the principle of a tax on the people's
food, for the protection, as it is called, of the land-
owners, be recognised, and retained in any shape, what
shall prevent its increase ? We have had half-a-dozen
changes of sliding-scales and corn-laws within the last
thirty years ' • and what is to give security against other
changes and increase in the amount of duty ? What
shall prevent what is eight shillings this year from be-
coming sixteen shillings in another, or twenty-four shil-
lings in a third Besides the effect of free trade can
never have scope for development while any vestige of
duty or restriction remains. The League have not
surely, as we said, done their work in so loose or slovenly
a way, that it may be all to do over again in another
generation. We are not afraid of this ; but then the
next" settlement must be final. " If Sir Robert Peel

has mirage to be the Minister that will manfully prt
pose the. only ndmissible terms of 'final settlement,
there is, we believe, a spirit in the country that will
bear him out. But he has not. It is mere folly to look
for it. Will Lord John Russell, then, sometime between
this and next Easter, looking to the triumphant progres-
sion of the League7-to its geometrical progression—
screw his courage to the 'proper pitch; declare, like Earl
Spencer; for the total repeal of the corn-laws, and also
for the abandonment of the income-tax; and, instead of
finality, 'take up-the suffrage where Lord Durham left
it in the lurch eight years since? This is surely not
much. This is not asking anything either impracticable
or visionary; !Ant it is moving onward—and that mere
Whigs never will do. Sir Robert Peel has of late been
fully more liberal—so far as a flourish of fair words at
agricultural meetings goes—than, for example, Mr. La-.
bouchere. Both gentlemen tell the farmers in substance,
that since landlords cannot hope much longer to squeeze
rack-rents out of the people (the agriculturists included),
the farmers must contrive to squeeze them out of the
soil; • for " rents must be maintained.". _ _

We have no spirits at this time to speak of Ireland.
We anticipate a protracted and irritating trial; and, if
the Government has the rare good fortune to obtain a
verdict, a grand stroke of graciousness and magnani-
mity, in the pardon of, at least, the principal culprit (if
he should ever be even sentenced) ; and then England
and Ireland will stand on no better terms than before.

THE LATE Loan LYNEuocit.---We understand
that intimation was sent to the relatives of the late Lord,
that, if it would meet their wishes, or not be inconsistent
with the intentions of the deceased, his remains would
be deposited in Westminster Abbey. However deserv-
ing of this honour, and however gratifying such request
was to his surviving relatives, it could not be take* ad-
vantage of, as, we understand, hisliordship bad ex-
pressed on his death-bed a decided wish to be buried
beside the ashes of his long-lamented wife, which lie in
Methven church .yard. With a view to this, his Lord-
ship, some years ago, caused a piece of ground within
that place to be inclosed for a family burying ground.—
Perthshire Courier.' _ _ _

A few days since an inhabitant of Bampton, sent a
man in his employ to get change for a sovereign. The
servant proved a rogue, and never returned again, but
found his way to this Gown, where he set about spending
the cash. Whilst in a public house drinking, he had his
pocket picked of some of the stolen money, and detect-
ing the thief, he gave him into the custody of our active
Inspector Samuels, on a charge of robbing him. In the
meanwhile his master had traced the delinquent to Tann-
who soon
foundton,
andhi
m hadou
given into
custody charged with purloining his master's property.
The owner of the sovereign eventually declined to prose-
cute, and the knave, in gratitude for his escape, refused
to appear against the mnn who had abstracted a portion
Of the stolen coin from his pocket. Thus two rascals
have escaped from the hands of justice through mistaken
kindness.—Somerset Gazette.
__ _

.........—. .....
TilE Inisti POPTJLACE.—The Irish are a very re-
ligious people, and have all kinds of pretty pious saluta-
tions always at hand. If they pass people at work in a
field the regular form is "God bless your work," and
the answer " Save you too. If one praises a person or
even a thing, or more especially a child, one must never
forget to add " God bless it, fur praise always seems
suspicious to an Irishman, and, unless accompanied by
an invocation of God's blessing, it appears to him to in-
dicate a desire either to possess it oneself or to destroy it
by calling towards it the attention of fairies and bad
spirits, who are always upon the look ont for what is
beautiful. An Irish mother would rather hear a
stranger say, " What a nasty, screaming, disagreeable
brat your child is," than " What a charming little angel
you've got there," unless he instantly warned off the
bad spirits by adding " God bless him." As they never
forget to ask a blessing, they are also most diligent in
returning thanks. "Thanks to the great God,'" is a
phrase often in their mouths, and certainly I believe in
their hearts also. They often utter this, thanksgiving
even when speaking of a misfortune, as " I've lost my
poor dear little child, thanks to the great God."—Hull
Advertiser.

MORNING, JANUARY 1, 1844.

THE FRENCH KING'S SPEECH.
(OPINIONS OF THE PARIS PRESS.)
The Journal des Debuts, a Conservative paper, has the
following remarks :
" The Ministry of Oct. 29 has fulfilled in a manner
equally complete the second part of its mission. Hav-
ing re-established the finances of the country, it has a!so
re-established its alliances, and has made peace and con-
cord abroad the bases of industry and prosperity at
home. It is with sincere satisfaction that we see more
than ever confirmed that alliance which was the first
object of the foreign policy of the Government of IS3O.
The spontaneous testimony of friendship and respect
which the Queen of England came in person to offer to
the King of the French has greatly contributed to calm
those passions which had unfortunately been awakened,
and to re-establish between the two great' constitutional
nations of Europe a community of views dictated by a
community of principles. It is in vain to cry out against
alliances of principles, and preach alliances of• interests.
In times like ours interests flow almost always from
principles, and are rarely separated. It is in the interest
as well as in the principles of France that the moderate
and wise ideas of liberty on which her institutions are
founded should extend, be consolidated and firmly fixed
around her—it is in accordance with her interests as well
as with her principles that she should have on her fron-
tiers constitutional countries like those of Belgium and
Spain. We are, therefore, made happy by observing
France anti England resume with common accord the
work they began in 1830 for insuring the maintenance
of peace, and at the same time the regular development
of liberal institutions. It is an honour to the Ministry
of October 29 to have substituted for the antagonism of
the two great and free countries of Europe a commu-
nity of intentions and exertions, which, without touch-
ing their mutual independence, tends to the advantage
of those nations which the more naturally court their
alliance and support. Thus have the two Governments
united sincerely and disinterestedly to aid Greece in or-
ganising her revolution, and in creating for herself free
institutions. Thus, likewise, will they act with cordial
concurAnce towards substituting in Spain, for the sepa-
rate interests of France and of England, the interests of
Spain herself, and those of the young Queen, for whom
the King yesterday declared his solicitude in such affect,.
ing terms. It was impossible to witness without emo-
tion the noble and anxious inquietude testified by a
Prince who has been tried and approved by all the vicis-
situdes of life, all the perils of royalty, for a young female.
his own great-niece, entering at an age so tender her
grand and redoubtable destiny."
The Presse, which is also a Conservative journal, does
not bestow unqualified praise upon the speech, for on the
main point it differs entirely from the Debats. •This
journal, after admitting that peace was never on a surer
basis—an admission rather at variance with its avowed
distrust of England—and expressing a hope that ad-
vantage will be taken of this fact to effect reductions in
the war department, says :
" The passage in which the King speaks of the sin-
cere friendship which unites him with the Queen of
Great Britain, is a delicate allusion to the visit to Eu.
We wish to see nothing more in it. France and Eng-
land are forcedly rivals ; and this rivalry, far from be-
coming weaker, tends, on the contrary, to an increase by
the force of things, and in despite of man. A cordial
understanding between the two countries cannot be of
long duration. The past is the guarantee of the opinion
which we express."
The Globe takes a general review of the speech, which
is described as alike honourable to the Government and
confounding to the Opposition. The Constitutionnel
finds nothing to admire in the speech, except the correct
way in which it has been put together. It censures
especially the intimation that the influence of France
will be exercised towards the settlement of affairs in
Spain and in Greece, and advises the Government to
abstain from anything so imprudent and impolitic, as
making itself responsible by intervention for the events
which may occur in those countries. Our Contemporary,
in observing that this intimation is founded upon the
assurance of co-operation and friendship on the part of
England, expresses its doubts of the sincerity of this
friendship, and asks what proof the English have given
of its existence. They have neither done justice in the
affair of the Marabout, says the Constitutionnel, nor given
way in the question,of the right of search. The Consti-
tutionnel regards the announcement of an Education Bill
as very vague, and fears that the Government, in de-
claring that it will act up to the letter of the Charter as
regards freedom of instruction, intends to make some
concession to the Church party. The Courrier Francais,
in reply to the speech, addresses the King as follows :
" Sire, France is not less sure of peace than order.
She dreams neither of disturbance nor of war. What
she at present chiefly aims at is the peaceful development
of her natural influence in the affairs of the world. The
chacun chez soi is excellent, but if there is no permission
to look out, or even speak from the window, the chacun
chez soi becomes a prison. Our diplomacy does not
hold its place in the councils of Europe. A universal
peace has left us in a state of isolation, the European
concert is only a fiction, and our credit has descended so
low in the East that we could neither get our protec-
tion accepted for the affairs of Servia, nor obtain a just
satisfaction for the insult at Jerusalem. France, in
taking possession of a constitutional Government, has
deceived our preconceived notions. We had considered
it in a state of slumber, and we had lulled to sleep its
Sovereign. The former has roused up before the other. In
the midst of the grave events of Spain, young Isabella 11.
no doubt merits all our solicitude, but if the affectionate
interest which your Majesty evinces towards a Queen of
your blood is Worthy of the head of a family, France
is profoundly touched with the fate of a neighbouring
nation, which seeks, through sanguinary trials and dark
intrigues, its liberty mid a government. Nations also
have their consanguinity. Each of them has its own
peculiar physiognomy, its private mission; and all at-.
tempts to model Spain on France suggested by an exag-
gerated dynastic feeling would be an error, perhaps a
grave fault. May the harmony between England. and
France on • this Spanish question be sincere I A per-
sonal friendship between your Majesty and the Queen of
England would be, in two constitutional monarchies,
only an insufficient pledge of this sincerity. Our hopes
rest on the cordial understanding of the two Govern-
ments. We hope also that the Ministry has made use
of this good intelligence to enter on negotiations relative
to the right of search, free for the future from all ap-
pearance of weakness or folly. At this price confidence
would again spring up between the two nations, and 1840
would be effaced."
The National has the following :
" A word relative to the King's speech. It has been
remarked that it has been tolerably correctly written,
which does not always occur in documents of this kind.
Coldly delivered, it was coldly listened to. A single
phrase had the power of exciting a certain movement in
the assembly—that referring to the hope of re-establish-
ins, the equilibrium between the expenses and receipts.
Was the murmur a sign of hope or incredulity ? For
our parts it appeared to us, that it could very clearly be
thus translated : A fine long time we have been told
the same thing !' Besides, the speech says nothing of
what some persons expected to see. Thus no allusion
is made to the Legitimist journeys to London. The Mi-
nistry desired, it is said, to engage the discussion on this
point when deliberating on the address. On second
thoughts, it judged it better to wait, confiding perhaps in
the cordial understanding which exists between the
Queen of England and the French Government, to get
the Pretender removed before any discussion took place,
if indeed the Legitimists and the Ministry, should make
up their minds to attack each other at the risk of hear-
ing unpleasant truths on both sides. Of the dotation for
the Regency not a single word. Must it be inferred
that no law is to be presented to the Chamber`on this
point ? We cannot say, but what is certain is that
the Ministry does not yet know what to determine on,
and that it is anxious to previously feel the ground
with the Deputies lately come to Paris. M. Guizot,
we are assured, is determined on one point—
that whatever may be resolved on, he will not
make the dotation a Cabinet question. In fact, it would not
be prudent to risk the Ministerial existence of a man like
him in such a question, and the same prudence which re
frains from raising up the glove insolently thrown down
by the Legitimists, here again inspires M. Guizot per-
fectly well. Of all the subjects which attract public at-
tention, only one is touched on in the speech from the
throne, and that is liberty of instruction. The Govern-
ment says that a Bill relative to secondary instruction
will satisfy the wishes of the Charter respecting liberty
of inst ruction, by maintaining the authority and influence
of the State over public education.' We do not very
well know, be it remarked, what those wishes are. The
Charter is the law of laws ; it prescribed order, but has.
no wishes. But in fine, the wishes, since wishes there-are,
are about to be fulfilled, and that by maintaining the
authority and action of the State over public education.
That is very well, and exactly what we desire ; but it
remains to be seen what will be done with this authority,
and in what sense this action will be directed—how the
State, represented by M. Villemain, will impress on edu-
cation a unity of doctrine. We esteem the University
highly, but if it be not reformed, if a soul be not given to
this body so well disposed, no result will be obtained.
The speech ought, therefore, to have indicated some line
of improvement in this respect. It does not do so, and
no doubt MM. Guizot and Villemain hadgood reasons fur
not speaking of them, and,therefore, it is not from them that
France expects the means of giving a strong and moral
direction to the rising generation. We have pointed out
a part of what is not found in the speech. As to what
it does contain, cur remklers have no need of our assist-
ance to help their memory. We are at peace with the
whole world, and the interior prosperity of the country
is unceasingly. increasing. Our sailors pillaged by Eng-
lish—our workmen at Lyons working fourteen hours a
day to earn their bread—our faubourgs containing
100,000 indigents—our farmers worn out by taxes and
usury, are.a proof of the latter fact. Every one is aware
of these truths, and it was not worth while to bring the
King to the Palais-Bourbon between 20,000 bayonets
drawn up in line, to make him pronounce such words."
The Commerce says :
"In its totality the speech is remarkable for an almost
total obliteration of the ministerial policy, for which
there is substituted a certain affectation, and, with a
constancy that never fails, the individuality of the King.-
The word I prevails throughout. This remark has
been universally made, not only in the public gal-
leries, but amongst the official auditory seated on the
benches of the Chamber. Great curiosity was felt to hear
the paragraph relative to the dotation, and the allusion
to the journey to London. The dotation has remained
quiet under the modest covering of its demi-mystery ;
and as to the journey to London, a good deal of predis-
position would be required to perceive an aggressive in-
tention in the phrases which terminate the speech, by
the often repeated declaration of fidelity and devotedness
to the service of France. It was, however, observed that
this phrase, as well as an expression introduced into the
paragraph relative to Spain and Greece, had an air of
resemblance with the words pronounced by the pre-
tender of the elder branch. He had said at Londoh,
the monarchical principles and national liberty;' and the
speech took for its motto, the rights of the throne and
public liberty.' The two formulae, as may be seen,

e,;~„`

were much the same. In other respects there is no al-
' lusion whatever to foreign policy, either with respect to
results or even hopes. We are merely informed that
Greece has effected a revolution, that Spain is the
theatre of grave events, that Sardinia has signed a
treaty of commerce with us, and that the Prince de
Joinville has married a sister of the Empror of Brazil.
Most certainly, no reproach can be made to the
Ministry for the novelty or rashness of these
affirmations. However, we may remark that, with
respect to the treaties of commerce, it has been for-
gotten to say whether they were to be submitted to the
sans tion of the Chamber, and yet this was, we think, a
case in which to pay public homage to the rules of the
repres,.ntative Government. England had necessarily to
occupy a prominent, position, in a document expressing
both the politics of the system and that of Guizot.
The Teech confirms, on this point, all that the pr.,- as
had revealed of the harmony which existed between the
Governments of London and Paris with respect to the
affairs of Spain and Greece, but the conditions of this
harmony ought to have been told us. On what bases is
it determined ? Is it on a respect for the mutual interest
of the two contracting parties, or have we agreed, on
this occasion as on many others, to follow in the steps of
England ? Do we, in fact, agree with her merely to do -
what she pleases ? That is the question, and we consider
it a doubtful one." •

The Siecle has a very few lines on the speech, and
these are chiefly in reprobt.tion of the hint of iWcrven.
tion thrown out as to the affairs of Spain. The Quoti-
dienne and France express disapprobation generally.

GREAT FREE TRADE MEETING
AT LEICESTER.
WEDNESDAY, DEC. 27.—This meeting "came off" on
Wednesday night last, in the Theatre leoyal, Leicester ;
and the attendance was such as in every sense to justify
the anticipations and hopes of the friends of free trade
in this part of the world. Pit, boxes, and gallery were
crowded.
Amongst those immediately supporting the Chairman,
{Thomas Paget, Esq., of Humberstone), were—Richard
Cobden. Esq., M.P.; Colonel Thompson, R. R. Moore,
Esq.; Henry Rawson, Esq., (the Secretary of the Anti-
Corn. law League), as the deputation from the League ;
E. Dawson, Esq., of Whatton House ; Isaac Hodgson,
Esq., of Kirby Frith ; Richard Harris, Esq.
Mr. PAGET took the chair amid loud applause, and
having briefly introduced the business of the meeting,
stating, during his address that he was a landed pro-
prietor, and that there were others at present as deeply
interested in land as himself,
iiARRis, Esq., (Mayor), proposed the first resolu-
tion, and Mr. JOIIN BIGGS. proposed the second. Both
were carried by acclamation.
Mr. W. PARKER (one of the Secretaries to the Work- •
ing Men's Anti Corn -law Association), presented
complimentary address, from the working men of Lei-
cester, to Mr. Cobden, with upwards of 4,000 signatures.
The CHAIRMAN now introduced Mr. Cobden to the
meeting.
Mr COBDEN'S appearance in-the front of the platform
was the signal for tremendous applause from all irirts of
the house. Some disturbances which occurred in the
gallery interrupted the first portion of his speech. Upon
it partial cessation he remarked : I will tell you what
Parliament can do for you—and all that it can do—let
you alone—(Hear, hear, and loud applause)—and iqhey
should ever interfere between you and your employers,
with the view of regulating trade and the price of labour,
they will do the greatest harm that can be done to you.
—([lear, hear, and one or two marks of dissent.) What
you want is freedom of trade.— (" No," was here loudly
shouted out from the same quarter where all the dis-
turbance of the evening proceeded from; it was followed
by a tremendous peal of laughter from the 'rest of the
meeting.) Why, there is a slave for you (exclaimed Mr.
Cobden.)—(!dear, hear.) You go forth to fight the
French, and the Russians, and the Americans on the
bloOdy main," and you are wont to boast of your
prowess there. Ido not say that I am fond or approve
of such barbarous contests- far from it ; but 1 will say
that if Englishmen are equal to them in this, they are
fully equal to them in the frame and the loom and the
workshop.-- (Loud cheers.) You have natural advan-
tages which they have not in any country which I have
ever visited; and if you have but the liberty to exchange
the products of your industry for the luxuries and
comforts of other countries, England would be, and
ought to be, better off than any other country on the face
of the earth.—(Loud applause.) I have said that Eng-
lishmen ought to have perfect freedom of trade, and
ought not to ask Parliament to fix their wages of labour.
Ifyou do allow them to do so, I should not wonder if
they were to fix theta much lower than you now get.—
(" They can't.") Now you say they can't—l think I
beard somebody say this could not be done ? Stop one
minute.—(Hear, and laughter.) The majority of the
House of Commons are landlords—and what do you
think of the sort of wages these landlords give in their
own peculiarly protected counties?—(Hear, hear.) I
have been among them lately, and have learned some-
thing of the matter. I have invariably found that the
further I go from the tall chimneys of the large manu-
facturing towns, the lower are the wages.—(Hear, hear,
and "No no.") I can prove that this is the case, and
here are my facts : I will convince you of the truth of
what I say. I have been through Cheshire, Stafford-
shire, Gloucestershire, Worcestershire, into Dorsetshire,
Devonshire, and Wiltshire ; and I found that the further
I got into Dorsetshire the lower were the wages:—
(Hear, hear.) In Wiltshire, too, they are getting but
6s. and 7s. per week.—(" That is more than we get
here," was exclaimed from the gallery, " a man and wife
and five or six children won't get that.") Now the
argument I was going to draw from this fact was
this : that if the majority of the House of Commons
be landlords connected with these purely agricultural
districts, and fix the wages of labour for the work-
men of Lancashire, as- they have done for those of
Dorsetshire and Wiltshire, the workmen will be worse'
off than they are, now.—(llear, and cheers.) It has
been roundly asserted that the Anti-Corn-law League
wish to throw the land out of cultivation ; that is.false.
Free trade in corn 'is the only way to improve its culti-
vation ; and this is only improving agriculture by coin-
petition.—(Hear, hear.) You cannot have' improve-
ments in draining, and cropping, and ploughing without
two horses, without calling more cepital into existence in
connexion with agriculture.—(Hear, hear.) Go into the
Lothians and into Norfolk, where farming is carried on
in the best manner, and there you will find the labourers
the best paid ; but go into the other counties of which I
have spoken, and there you will find the labourers the
worst paid ; and the land in the worst condition.—
(Hear, hear.) And now we have agricultural societies
meeting every year, and almost every month, and calling
out for improvement in farming most strenuously,
calling out for the use of guano and other new manures,
under-draining, &c. ; and why is this ? Simply because
they are afraid that the Anti-Corn-law League will
carry out their plans !—(Loud cheers.) They themselves
admit that this is the case !—(Cheers.) And if all this
comes from their admissions of their fears, what may we
not hope for when we have obtained free trade:—
(Cheers.) There was Lord Stanley lately at Liverpool
speaking of the necessity of draining more—of using
thousands of tiles ; but if you go through Lancashire
and Cheshire, you will find that millions of tiles are ne-
cessary, and might be used with the same advantage and
profit as we derive, from mining.—([fear, hear.) Yet this
is in a district where manufactures arc carrying on to the
best advantage.—(Hear.) And why is this ?—the men
in the country are the same race of men as those in the
towns. Because they have applied to them a species of
protection.—((tear.) Mr. Cobden here paused to ask
what "protection " was, and what were its fruits, a s
shown in the instance just referred to. It is that which
every man who has left the nursery ought to be ashamed
of.—(Loud cheers.) Yet the men asking for it are
stout farmers and wealthy landowners! lam not so
stout (he said, and nobody would think of disputing his
word!) but I will have none of it.—(Loud cheering.)
Protection! It is the same protection as that which the
sparrow-hawk affords to the sparrows—it picks their
bones while it protects them.— (Renewed cheers.) It is
a narcotic drug, which sends them to sleep.. They are
told that their landlords will go up to Parliament and
protect them, and they, therefore, need not exert them-
selves. Mr. Cobden concluded with expressing his ear-
nest hope that the working-classes would not be so blind
to their own interests, and act so contrary to the dictates,
of common sense, as to oppose the repeal of the corn-laws
and the attainment of free trade ; and sat down amidst
loud and prolonged cheering.
Colonel TuosinsoN was then introduced to the meet-
ing, and was received with several rounds of hearty ap-
plause. Ile said—l stand here in a similar situation to
your respected chairman. I was born -could I help it?—
(Cheers and laughter)—the.son of a landowner; and if
icould not help it, I theretore am bound to have a great
deal of the landlord's feelings and interests. Now, there
are those who say that no man should stand up for his
own interest, except those who legislate for their time
and on this matter.—(Hear, hear.) After one or two
qualifying and satirical remarks upon this doctrine—ono
more frequently preached than practised—the Colonel
proceeded to see how the matter of protection stood as
regarded himself in the character of a landlord. If I get
6001. a year from my land, where I should have got but
:cool. but for these laws, what have I to do with that ?
" it was not I that did it."—(hear, hear, and laughter.)
But somebody must suffer for it ; and am I to suppose
that lam all this the richer for this ? that I am a
gainer in the end ?—(Hear, hear.) Have I not four
children to support and put out in t'ie world; and what
possible chance have I got to enable them to support
themselves without coming back to me ? Time was when,
in the memory of man, a person could make money on
his farm, and leave it to his children—some may have
that luck now, but I do not feel that that is likely to be
the case with me. If I send them to be lawyers, there
is nothing to be done in the profession—doctor—or tier-
gymen—it is all the same thing.—(hear, hear, and
laughter.) All professions are one rstecked, and are
(bliged tai run one against another fur small profits and
incomings, so that they eat one another up. Those who
have money must spend it without the hope of increasing
it. If my children commit the folly I have done, of in-
creasing an already overrun population—(Laughter and
applause)—what is to become of that third generation is
what I take care not to look into.—(Laughter.) Farmers
may educate their children in their own profersion, but
they cannot m ike more farmers than there are. They
must, therefore, either split those farms into smaller por-
tions, or send their families into rcmo:e quarters of the
world, from which very few ever come back.--(Hear,
hear.) That this is the state of the ease we know,
as we have examined into it. An intelligent son
of a Scotch farmer entered into an inquiry as to' the
ono farmer's son
he
In
the farm ; the others had
sthonescaasiel daughtershad
I:l°kh nasdoi Ist:-
uno
cnicnoe
efedaacirdllyt'ihilieisfeff.aartmhl
enerras
gone to the East Indies, the West Indies, Canada, or
Australia. The daughters had married in the same way ;
one was a farmer's mile, and the others were either not
married t 4 all, or had gone abroad with their husbands,
as it was their duty to do.- -(Hear and laughter.) Is
this a state of the community in which men would de-
sire to live ? is theke a luau among the lauded elassof

GREAT FREE TRADE MEETING
AT DERBY.

Sm;ett-%,_

who is born with brains—whick people keep, unless
they allow them to be guzzled out of them—(Laughter
and applause)—who will say, "I hold up my hand
against the removal of this state of things ?" Who will
~ay, " Whatever you do, do not remove that " ' Keep
s you are." "We love it." "We like it." "We will
not alter it, and we stand here to prevent others from
doing it." Ido not know that they have any monopoly
of common sense or reason--(Hear and laughter)—yet
I am sure they will stand up in great and important
numbers to declare that they are the greatest sufferers
by these evils, and will be the first to endeavour to re-
move them.—(Hear and applause.) Now, turn to the
manufacturing classes, and I would fain ask those who
sre in the habit of reasoning, what interest they can
prove they have in preventing the extension of the trade-
by which they individually live? Why, if I were to pro-
pose that any of our dragoon guards should be posted as
sentinels over the workshops of Leicester, to prevent
'hat was made from being carried abroad or sale, men
would say I was a military tyrant. Now what difference
,loss it make whether this is done by a man in blue or
rei, or a Custom-house officer?—(hear, hear, and laugh-
/en) Why, a difference of this kind; suppose that men,
instead of being paid in money, have taken a quantity of
stockings; or suppose there is 116 dispute on the division,
and the question is, Where shall we sell them? There
are forty-five millions of Russians who would take them
;f we would take what they have got in return; let us
take them there. Somebody stands up and says, "No
selling stockings there, because they will give you four
bushels of corn for the same quantity for which we will
.4ive you half a bushel here."—(Laughter.) Is it any
good the having a sentry placed on the workshop? If
not, demand that the sentry shall be removed. If you
were on shipboard, and the stock of provisions or
water was small, no amount of wages would have any
effect upon that stock ; and what is the consequence if
you are stopped from procuring provisions from abroad?
—(hear, hear.) Wages can neither be ground into flour,
nor kneaded into peck loaves.—(Laughter and applause.)
Exactly in proportion to what is allowed to come in,
must be what the industrious classes get—the richer
always take care of themselves, and you would do the
ante if you could.—(Great applause.) Do not hinder
,s from trying to make it so —to do this for you.
Just see, if you had a good trade and good wages,
k.liether you would not be able to bring to account those
'hat harm you, getter than now.—(Hear, hear, and loud
,pptanse.) There are men that are willing and anxious
go away that cannot but assist you ; go with them ;
,i.ake no contract, but sell yourselves after, if you like.—
hear, hear.) Leave to chance and to the future what
"'mall come out of their conduct, but take care that your
•.onduct does not bring you into the field with empty
t Jmach3, which always make dizzy heads and weak hands.
--(Hear, and laughter.) Try what the chance would be
,f comforting yourselves into action.— (Laughter and
ap-
dause ) Every man knows that I am nobody's enemy.—
Hear, hear, and applause.) I have endeavoured to take
:;,at road which should be fur the good of everybody.—
Hear.) No man can say that I have got or mean to
et anything unjustly. I have always walked in the
ay that seemed to me the best for the community at
•Tge,‘--(Applause.) If there is any part of it that I
ave cleaved to more than another, it is that of the opera-
, i ve and the poor.—(Applause.) I have not troubled my
'.cad with inventions for making the owners of tall
liinneys taller than they are, but I have cared for those
:'ho worked below them.—(Applause.) If other classes
nould be benefited too, God forbid that we should be so
',veal: as to lose what is good for ourselves, for fear
• 6inebody else should be benefited at the same time.—
Great applause.) Allow me to thank you for the
:.!tience with which you have heard ine. I take the
itserty of begging that you will give me credit for the
ntentions I have mentioned ; and I leave you, begging
vou to Five these things your cool attention. The Gal-
lant Colonel resumed his seat amid loud applause, which
'acted for same time. _ _

The meeting having been addressed by Mr. R. R.
!ioore, the list of subscriptions, amounting to 8081., was
read, after which, with a vote of thanks to the Chair-
man, the assembly separated.

The great free-trade meeting was held in the Lecture-
hall, Derby, on Thursday evening, on which occasion
about five hundred (males and females) partook of tea,
provided by Mr. Earp, of Sadler-gate Bridge. The
I,Treatest order and decorum prevailed. The room
_had
been tastefully decorated for the occasion with flowers,
evergreens, banners, &c., and when lighted up and the
company seated, had a most pleasing appearance.
Among the company - were many farmers from the
neighbourhood, and some of the principal gentry, manu-
facturers, and tradesmen of the town. Robert Blurton,
T:sti., of Smallwood Manor (a landed proprietor and
practical farmer) occupied the chair.
The CHAIRMAN, in opening the business, said, he had
been a corn-law repealer all -his life, and he felt quite
ashamed that the hard-working population of this coun-
try should have to pay any part of what they work for,
for the purpose of putting it into his pocket.—(Cheers.)
Colonel Thompson, Mr. Cobden, and Mr. Moore, then
addressed the meeting in long and able speeches.
Mr. COBDEN, in the course of his address, remarked,
:vith regard to the word " party," he would take the bull
by the horns. They were a party, but no one could say
with justice that they were a political party.—(Cheers.)
'lie challenged any of their opponents to say whether he
ever did one party act, in Parliament or out of Parliament.
—(Cheers.) The Tories do not claim him.—(Laughter.)
The Whigs do not claim hiss—though some of them
VI jab they could.—(Renewed laughter.) No man could
say that the Anti-Corn-law League, since its first esta-
blishment, had ever swerved a hair's breadth from the
object of attaining an immediate application of the prin-
ciples of free trade.—(Cheers.) He cared not whether the
rsfpeal of the corn-laws were carried by a Tory, Whig,
or Radical Government. Ile would as soon see it car-
ried by Sir Robert Peel as by Lord John Russell ; but
w hether Sir Robert Peel or Lord John Russell were
their opponents, the same high motive would ac-
mate the conduct of the League, who would not
:novo to the right or to the left to suit any party
-embination, or any man whatever.—(Much cheering.)
lie and one or two friends—certainly never more than
three—had gone to these county meetings without a single
acquaintance—with no influence to back them, and
with nothing in their favour but the force of argument
and the justness of the principles which they advocated ;
and yet in every instance except one—that of Hunting-
don—(Laughter)—they had overwhelming majorities in
tavour of free trade.—(Loud cheers.) Nay, more—
though many of the farmers whom he had met differed
with him on some points, there was one on which they
were perfectly unanimous. He put it to them whether,
.ender the corn-laws, with a given amount of capital—
,-ay 3,oool.—whether they upon an average of cases had
made as much money, and were as prosperous as the
tradesmen of the county town ; and he never heard a
t;issentient voice from any of them—they all said, " No,
arming is the worst business that is carried on."
At the conclusion of Mr. Moore's address, the sub-
ription cards were handed round the room, and in a
!lota time the sum of 9601. ss. 6d. was announced as

,aving been subscribed—including the handsome sum of
siel. from Messrs. W. G. and J. Strutt, loot. from
T-essrs. I3oden and Morley, and a number of other sums.
'he announcement of the sums elicited reiterated cheer-
.tg. The subscription last year was about 400 i. The
;:ecting then separated.