The Sun.
London, England, 1845-11-17 00:00:00

THE SUN, LONDON, MONDAY MORNJ_NG, NOVEMBER 17, 1845.

DRURY-LANE THEATRE.

had all her stores surveyed and delivered, she was paid off
into ordinary this day, two of the men suffering from
the effects of the fever, having been previously dis-
charged to sick quarters. We have heard it stated that
Sir William Burnett's solution (chloride of zinc), which was
latterly used in cleansing the Eclair, has been found a valuable
disinfecting substance. Lieutenant Harston is to be immediately
promoted to the rank of Commander. The Eclair is to remain at
her moorings with open hatches, and without the usual ship.keepers,
for seine time.

Mr. Vincent Wallacv's long-promised opera was pro-
duced at this theatre on Saturday evening. Great ex-
pectations had been raised with regard to this opera,
and we are rejoiced to state that they have not been dis-
appointed. Mr. Wallace i 3 a musician who would do
honour to any country. Like Balfe, and Rooke, and
" all the better brothers," Mr. Wallace is a native of the
land of song. and poetry, and eloquence, and imagina-
tion, " Green Erin." He was nurtured in that land of
melody, and having perfected his musical education, he
travelled in the United States, from whence he passed
to Mexico, an' then became thoroughly imbued
with the spirit of Spanish melody. He arrived in
England last season, and has already acquired high
fame as a flautist and a pianist, and on Saturday he proved
himself a most accomplished and thoroughly educated
musician. 'I he title of his opera is Mariiana, and the li-
bretto is a version of the well-known Don Ccesar de Bazan ;
and so closely has Mr. Fitzball, the author of the lib, ttio,
clang to his original, that we are spared the necessity of
describing the plot. The opera is scene for scene iden-
tical with the play. The overture is thoroughly Spanish
in its composition, full of abrupt transitions, and is, what
overtures seldom are, a fitting introduction to the opera,
of which it forms an essential part. It is the work of
a thorough musician—a perfect contt apuntist—of a man
who knows exactly the capabilities cf every instrument
iu an orchestra, and knows how to develop those capabi-
lities completely. Rich, musical, perfectly, nay,
elaborately, instrumented, it is one of those composi..
Lions which are a study to an artist. There was one
sostenuto movement in it which struck us particularly
beautiful. It was such a movement as Corelli might
have written and scored bad he lived in these days of
brass instruments. The combination of the stringed and
wind instruments was exceedingly artistical, and if Mr.
Wallace were to follow out the idea of that movement, he
might become the founder of a completely new school
of instrumentation. The following was the cast of the

opera:—
Charles the Second (King of Spain) Mr. Borrani.
1)on Caesar de Bazan Mr. W. Harrison.
Don Jose de Santarem Mr. 11. Phillips.
Marquis de Montefiori Mr. H. Horneastle.
Lazarillo
Alcade Mr. Morgan.
Captain of Guard Mr. S. Jones.
Noble Mr. Burt.
Boatman Mr. New.
Soldier
Old Man Mr. Butler.
Marchioness de Montefiori ... Mrs. Selby.
• Maritana (a Gitana) Miss Romer.
The opera opens with a gipsy chorus and a rotnanzs,
which was very nicely sung by Miss Romer. Then fols
lows some dialogue, after which we have another romanza
from Miss Romer, which is, perhaps, the most artistically-
constructed piece of music in the opera. It commences with
a very simple harp symphony. Upon this simple basis is
constructed a beautiful melody and a most elaborate
accompaniment, but still throughout the whole is heard
the simple harp symphony, the centre around which all is
grouped, the string running through the pearl chain of
melody and harmony. This romanza, " I hear it again—
'tis the harp in the air," is a composition of which any
maestro might be proud. This is followed by an
angelus, and then comes a duet, admirably given by
Miss Romer and H. Phillips. The next song is a
spirited cavatina given to Don Caesar, to which Harri-
son, who seemed out of spirits and out of voice,
scarcely did justice. Then comes a concerted piece
between Don Caesar, Lazarillo, the Captain, and the
mob ; after which comes the gem of the opera,
the beautiful chorus, " Pretty Gitana tell us,"
which is an exquisite composition, and which was
admirably sung by Miss Romer and the chorus. This
is followed by a concerted piece, which forms the finale
to the first act. The second act opens with a beautiful
air, " Alas ! those chimes so sweetly pealing,"
it hich was most tastefully and feelingly sung
by Miss Poole, and which elicited an unani-
mous encore. This was followed by an aria by
Don Caesar, concleding with a trio by Don
Caesar, Don Jose, and Lazarillo, which was well
given by Harrison, Henry Phillips, and Miss
Poole. The cavatina, " Yet let me like a soldier
fall," was evidently written for Harrison, and ..Ir.
Wallace has certainly taken his measure accurately,
and fitted him to a nicety. Then came a ballad, the
words " by Alfred Bunn, Esq., at the request of the
author and composer," which, as far as the piece is con-
cerned, is a hors d'ceuvre, but which, being suited to the
powers of Mr. H. Phillips, has been introduced to
make the part of Don Jose a better part- for that
gentleman, and which introduction we can easily
excuse, inasmuch as it is a beautiful melody, and
is exquisitely sung by Mr. H. Phillips. Then
follows a drinking chorus, by Don Caesar and the
soldiers, and the scene concludes with an ensemble by
Don Caesar, Maritana, and tho chorus. The second
scene of this act is laid in the saloon of the Marquis
Montefiori, and opens with a chorus of ladies ; then
follows a dance ; and then comes a fine recitative, " Hear
me, gentle Maritana," which was superbly given by Bor-
rani, and which was followed by an aria, " The mariner
in his barque," hardly worthy to follow such a splendid
composition as the recitative, but which was also most
effectively given by Borrani. A lively quartette between
Don Caesar, the Marquis, the Marchioness, and Don Jose
succeed, and is followed by the finale to the second act. The
music of this act, although beautiful in parts, is, as a
whole, scarcely equal to that of the first or third acts.
The third act opens with a recitative and air by Miss
Romer. The air, " Scenes that are brightest," which
forms one of the themes of the overture, is a delicious
bit of melody, and was deligtfully given by Miss Romer.
It was enthusiastically encored. Then comes a bravura
air to a march tune, spiritedly given by 11. Phillips, and
then a concerted piece by Don Caesar and the King, well
acted by Harrison and Eorrani. Then follows a gem—
the duet, "A stranger here," by Miss Romer and
Harrison. The last movement of this duet, " This
heart with bliss o'erflowing," is exquisite. It
was beautifully sung and beautifully instrumented, and
its repetition was called for as a matter of course. A her a
short orison by Maritana, then follows another duet " Pity
oh! sire," well given by Miss Romer and Borrani; then
comes a cavatina by Don Caesar, " There is a flower that
bloometh," which gave rise to almost a row in the
theatre. It was sung by Harrison, and at its conclusion
there was much applause, and many persons called for
its repetition. This call was vehemently opposed by
others, and for ten minutes Harrison stood bowing to
the audience, doubtful as to what he was to do ; the
ayes eventually carried it, or rather a compromise was
entered into, and he repeated the last verse. Then came
the finale by all the characters, and the curtain fell
amidst loud applause from all parts of the house. which
was crammed to suffocation. Mr. Wallace was called for,
and received with all the honours ; and the principal
performers were also honoured with the usual ovation.
This opera is evidently the work of a thoroughly ac-
complished—nay, more, of a very learned musician.
Mr. Wallace has shown himself worthy of the fame
which had preceded his avatar. Maritana is
an elaborately instrumented scientifically constructed
work. Mr. Wallace takes the whole orchestra
within his grasp, and plays upon it as though it were
one instrument. This opera is not only excellent in
itself, but it gives promise of more excellent things to
come. It contains the germs of future triumphs—it will
neither be the last nor the greatest of Mr. Wallace's
works. We look forward to the future career of this
maestro with much interest, for he may if he gives his
genius fair play, become the founder of an English—a
national—school of operatic music. The time is come.
The man will not long be wanting. Will Mr. Wallace
be that man ?

SHREWSBURY AND HEREFORD

AILW AY.

A new prospectus of this Company, which is under the
sanction of the Great Western Company, and of which Sir
Robert Price, Bart., M.P., for Hereford, is Chairman, has
just been circulated. The prospectus states that a consi-
derable portion of the line will form part of the Worcester
and Porolynllaen line, for which the Great Western Com-
pany are also to apply to Parliament next session, and that
shareholders in the Shrewsbury and Hereford Company are
to be entitled to advantages in the Worcester Bald Port-
dynllaen Company. The following passages of flia pro-
spectus will also be satisfactory to the shareholders :
" That the community are fully alive to the importance of
the line, may be inferred from the fact, that there is scarcely
the usual amount of opposition from the proprietors alang
its course.

" The entire plans being now in the hands of the engraver,
it is matter of certainty, and not of conjecture, that the line
will be executed under the average expense, and consi-
derably within the advertised capital of the Company:
throughout the whole of its course there are no engineering
difficulties; in fact, with the exception of Dinmore-bill, it
may be stated to pass through a continuous valley, and.
affording gradients which will ensure quick travelling and.
less than average working expenses.
"A deposit of 10 per cent. has been called for, as rendered.
necessary by the new standing order of the House of Lords;
and the Committee are able to assure their shareholders that
every condition required by the standing orders of both
Houses, to enable the Company to go to Parliament in the
next session, is, or will at the proper time be, complied with."

SPIRIT of the PUBLIC JOURNALS. I of voting in counties to the possession of a forty-shilling free-
mom Tilit MORNING rArEus OF SATVRDAY. ! hold, which any one who can invest a suns of fifty or sixty
TIMES.—Sir Robert Peel certainly is a man for a show. pounds may purchase. Such a purchaser becomes, in
Ile is a very presentable Premier. Whenever the public every point of view, moral as well as legal, as
fully entitled to the franchise as the purchaser of
drama supplies the opportunity of an effective scene, there he
is at his post, " property" and all, in high spirits, and good an estate of ten thousand a-year. It is the mere rev-
working condition. He has never the least objection to take ing of disappointed faction to call such a franchise
a faggot or fictitious vote. It is no such thing. The
his part in a tableau representing the national history, even if
real possession of a certain property is the. sole condition
the reality should have had time to get rather stale. Tam- .
prescribed and contemplated by the law for the enjoyment
worth is the place where he comes out moat freely. In that
provincial firmament he stare it with an overpowering pre-
of the right of voting. A hundred pound rent-charge from
digality of splendour. The character in which he is just
a landed proprietor to his son or dependent, when the transfer
.
•
now astonishing the natives is that of the Prince of naviga-
A fifty-pound tenantcy-at-will, where the occupier dares not
pen te know the contrary, one w is merely nominal, is a fictitious and fraudulent qualification.
tors. So well does he act the wart that
certainly conclude that that if one did not hap-
t , call his soul his own, is a good qualification in point of law,
j though it is destitute of every characteristic which proves
the Trent Valley was the very first railway in the world,
property to be a test for choosing legislators. But the forty-
and Sir Robert the Columbus who had first suggested the
bold adventure. The spirit pervades the scene. Every- I shilling freehold, which the industrious tradesman or mechanic
thing around expands into heroic dimensions. Tam-
may purchase with his savings, is a good and honest qualifi-
cation. It marks, as far as an can,
and y such qualification the
worth becomes the pole-star of our earth's admiration,
presence of independence, frugality, and intelligence, the
the very pivot of human affairs. All England and
! right of voting which it confers is a legitimate reward and
Ireland, from Manchester to London, from Dover
1 useful stimulus to the efforts of men who possess those quali-
to Dublin, from Glasgow to Southampton, converges to the
1 great centre; railroads and post-office direct thither their ties. We trust, therefore, that wherever there is a great
town population it will use the means at its disposal to re-
the metropolis of trade on the other, make their dutiful ap-
streams; the metropolis of government on the one side, and
dress its own grievances. The method pointed out by Mr.
Cobden is simple, practical, and unobjectionable, and the
preaches; the Trent spreads its riches around; and in the
alarm which it has already excited in the ranks of the Pro-
middle of all things, culminating over the whole civilized
world, stands Sir Robert Peel. We will secure our seats in tection party should encourage us to adopt it. as rapidly and
the great amphitheatre, and take care to miss nothing of the completely as possible.
POST.—It is very satisfactory to find that in one iin-
show. The railroad itself is a good one. It is a natural line.
portant agricultural county no grounds exist for alarm with
It does for those two great lines, the London and Birming-
respect either to the grain or rotate crop. We have on more
ham, and the Grand Junction, exactly the same service that
Oxfordestreet East (if that is its name) does for old Oxford-
than one occasion stated our impression that on both these
street and Holborn. It makes them one. It also follows the subjects there had been much of exaggeration; and we re-
natural valley of the Trent; and rivers, which have lost the joice to find, on the autboiity of practical men, that in Essex
the crop of wheat and other grain (with the exception of
only use which Brindley could discover in them, have now
nothing to do but to indicate lines for railways. But the oats) is an average one, and that the produce has been well
railroad is a very third-rate character in the present perform-
got in ; whilst as a set-off against the partial failure of the
ance—no more than "Wall," or the Moon, in Pyramus and
potatoes we have the fact that so much larger a breadth of
Thisbe. It is only part of the " property." So we will I land than usual was planted this year, as to go far in the way
confine our attention to the principal character. The of compensation for the falling off occasioned by disease.
Premier decends, not from the clouds, but from
We feel little doubt that the state of things ascertained to
the steps of his carriage, and treads the favoured soil
exist in Essex will be found much more general throughout
which, under his auspices, is to become the world's new
the country than has lately been supposed; at all events it
centre. It is with real concern that we discover he is lame. would be well to know what are really our prospects of a
Some people offer the vulgar solution that it is the gout. We supply of food, and we think that other counties ought to
=mot believe it. The grandeur of the occasion suggests a
follow the example of Essex in this as in other matters re-
mere ;mysterious cause. The corn-laws and " political lating to agricultural questions. Reports from committees
friends" are at the root of that sore. That is the fatal sting. of the various agricultural protection societies might very
Th ere is the serpent which has bitten the Pbiloctetes, who, easily be drawn up; and we feel assured that the affect
helpless as lie is himself, yet holds the fated instruments of would be to remove from the public mind a great deal of un-
OlEr common deliverance.. However, to what's before us, necessary anxiety. The Essex report to which we have
Next to Sir Robert Peel, the most remarkable object in the alluded is in these words:—
"Your Committee, finding the enemies of British agricul-
lield is a wheelbarrow, bearing of course the same propor-
tion to the common specimen as the Premier does to coin- tore were anxiously propagating. a report that the country
was on the very verge of a famine, have instituted inquiries,
moon men.
44A very handsome mahogany navigator's wheelbarrow in order to,ascertain the probable produce of the late harvest,
was prepared for receiving the turf, which was to be dug by and the state of tax potato crop in the county of Esser, and
th e Right Hon. Baronet; it was designed by Mr. Holmes, they confidently press their belief that in the county of
of Liverpool, and was richly carved ; it bore on each side Essex an average crop of wheat and other grain (with the
of it the arms of Sir R. Peel, with his motto—" Industria." exception of oats), has been produced and well secured ;that,
The spade appears to have been still more idealized. It consequently there is no ground to apprehend any scarcity of
was fitting sceptre for a railway king. So great an anxiety food for the sustenance of the people. In addition to this
was -felt that it should be worthy of the occasion that the ar- gratifying result of their inquiries, they would also add that
tide first made was rejected. We should like to know why? from the lateness of the harvest not morethan eleven months'
It is not usual for Sheffield to yield to its Warwickshire consumption will be required from the present crop.
rival in matters of taste. Did the original spade contain " Your Committee are of opinion that the potatoes will give
any offensive emblems—one of those mystic wheat-sheaves about half the usual yield per acre, but this will in a great
which procured the summary rejection of a splendid measure be compensated by a larger breadth of land than
velvet waistcoat after it had actually adorned and coin_
usual having this year been planted, and an extra quantity
forted the Premier's bosom? However that may be, Bir- of turnips and other vegetables grown.
mingham was snore successful, and supplied a beautiful fabric, " Your Committee beg to observe that the present price of
representing the conversion of the shield of war into the wheat barely exceeds the average of the seven years preceding
spade of peace, and modern industry crowning ancestral the year 1835, upon which the Tithe Commutation Act was
based; and that, notwithstanding the clamour that has been
honours.
"The spade originally intended for use on the occasion was raised, the price scarcely exceeds the average avowedly con-
manufactured expressly for the purpose in Sheffield, but upon templated by the framers of the existing Act that governs
being inspected by the Committee appointed to attend to the importation.
" g •
arrangements, it was not approved by them, and at a very Your Committee, takin all these circumstances into con
sideration, cannot but congratulate themselves that their
late period Messrs. Elkington and Co., of Birmingham, were
requested to make one in electro silver plate, which they efforts, in conjunction with those of other societies, have not
succeeded in finishing in time. The metallic part of the been exerted without a corresponding benefit, as from the
spade is in electro-silver, and shaped somewhat in the form returns that have been made, it will be found that this coup-
of a heraldic shield, still preserving the characteristics of a try, under the system of protection and encouragement given
spade. On the front are engraved the arms, crest, and to agriculture, is at the present time, by the blessing of Pro-
motto of the Right Hon. Baronet, with the following in- vidence, less liable to suffer from scarcity than any of the
scription underneath :-..' The works of the Trent Valley Rail- Continental States; and your Committee are satisfied that
way from Stafford to Rugby were commenced on the 13th the advance that has taken place in several descriptions of
day of November, 1845, on which occasion the first sod was grain since last harvest has arisen more from the demands of
turned by the Right Hon. Sir Robert Peel, Bart., 3.1. P., upon those Continental States than from any deficiency of our
lands in the parish of Tamworth, and county of Stafford,' growth.
and on the reverse the official seal of the Trent Valley Rail- " Your Committee ha ee the fullest reliance that the
way Company, together with the names of the Chairman, framers and promoters of the present corn-law will not be
Mr. Edmund Peel, the Directors, Engineers, Solicitor, and intimidated into measures that would produce effects so
Secretary, &c. The shaft or tree of the spade was formed ruinous that they cannot be contemplated without the
from a piece of old English oak, the upper part dividing into deepest apprehension ; for, if confidence should at this time
two branches, forming the handle, appropriately carved with be destroyed amongst the cultivators of the soil, the inevitable
oak leaves, acorns, &c., and highly polished." result would be to deprive the agricultural labourers of em-
The Chairman of the Company, Mr. Edmund Peel, is quite ployment, and to inflict distress and suffering on every class
alive to the importance both of his railway and of his illus- of the community."
trious relative. "The nation," he said, "was now looking In the latter part of this document we have a remarkable
to him (Sir Robert) with the utmost anxiety, but with the practical commentary on the senseless cry that has lately
utmost confidence "—an amalgamation of alarm and re-
prevailed in favour of opening our ports for the admission of
pose which will pass the fusing powers of Hudson him-
foreign grain. What supply could possibly be looked for
self, or even of the ingenious compounder of her Ma-
from people who are, at the present moment, supplying in oig•
k of their own harvest ?
jesty's Ministry. The confidence Mr. Edmund Peel feels marets the deficien
HERALD.—Somecy of our Contemporaries, in default of
in his railroad, happily for the shareholders, is considerably
other grievances, have been complaining of the metropolitan
less alloyed with anxiety. On this point he speaks with a
improvements, wide streets, fine shops, plate-glass windows,
very comfortable degree of assurance. In fact, we must con-
&c., &c., &c. Now we can see no great harm in all these.
fess he goes a little beyond us; he says, " I believe that
It costs little more to build a handsome house than an ugly
there is little doubt that Tamworth will be the centrical stn-
one, or to build houses regularly than to huddle them to-
tion of England, and I have reason to expect that the post-
office will be placed in this town." As for Sir Robert, it is
gether in disorder • and as to wide and straight streets, they
quite delightful to see him with his spade and his wheelbar- must be acknowledged a general convenience. Laudatol es
temperis acti as in some sense we are, we must defend from
row. If he does not handle them very dexterously, his mind
is in the work. He is to have the toys for his private amuse- the charge of innovation the taste for building handsome com-
ment, and evidently appropriates the railway into the bar- mercial houses. There yet remain simnel noble mansions in
gain. It is the Premier's own. " I have given," he sa e the most mercantile part of the City, and eve nin the desola-
" a cordial support to this undertaking." ye' tion of Bethnal-green and Spitalfields there stand the re-
" I gave it that support from a sincere belief that it was mains of dwellings that might well have accommodated a
calculated to be beneficial to this district, in ton; interests of peer, though it is plain they must have been occupied by
which I must take naturally a warm concern ; but I sup- persons engaged in trade. In proportion to the extent and
ported it also from a conviction that the success of this wealth of the metropolis it probably has now a smaller num-
undertaking would be condecive to the public welfare. I bar of fine shops and tine counting-houses than it had two
thought the public welfare would be promoted by establish- centuries ago ; for, after all, how few are the fine streets
ing a more direct and immediate communication between the compared with the extent of this overgrown city ? They
metropolis on the one hand, and Dublin and a great part of are the more noted, because, being the principal thorough-
fares, they present the strongest motive for decoration, and
Ireland on the other; between the metropolis and the west
of Scotland ; between the metropolis and that great coin- are most frequently traversed. The denouncers of fine streets
mercial and manufacturing district, of which Liverpool and and fine shops, however, take a line of argument that requires
Manchester are the capitals. It is probable that on the coin- to be considered with a little attention. The fine wide
pletion of this railway, Dublin will be brought within, in streets, say they, are made at the expense of the dwellings
point of time, 14 or 15 hours of London—that a letter posted of the,poor, for whom no other place is provided. This is,
to some extent true, though not to any very great extent,
in London in the evening of this day can, be answered from
Dublin on the morning of the day but one after—that is to for probably the number of the dislocated poor does not ex'.-
say, that Dublin in respect to post-office communication will ceed a few thousands. and the evil—for though a small and
transitory evil, still an evil it is—has some compensating
stand exactly on the same footing as this town stands on at
present. There is every reason to believe that Manchester advantages ; among these advantages we must count the
will be brought within six or seven hours of London. I said breaking up of several fomites of disease and vice. For our
part, though we do not agree with the Times that distemper,
on a former occasion that it would be brought within eight
demoralisation, and. death, are the proper and desirable drains
hours, and that statement was received with incredulity. I
of a metropolitan population, or, rather, because we do not
am sure I am not guilty of any exaggeration when I say
agree with the Times in this respect, we cannot weep over
that Liverpool and Manchester, at probably no remote
the exenteration of St. Giles's, ore sigh at the threatened fall
period, will be brought within six or seven hours of London.
It was in the conviction, therefore, that great public benefit of Field-lane and Saffron-hill. To remove the poor from
such styes, even at the cost of a little inconvenience to the
would result from this undertaking that I gave it my warm
and unremitting support." poor themselves, can be hardly regarded as a serious injury.
For our own part, we think Sir Robert might prophecy One of our Contemporaries calls upon the Government to
more very safely. That London and Manchester are not af-
interpose in this matter. But what can any Government do
ready within five hours is owing to the disgraceful bungling in such a case ? Here we have two millions of human
of our railway system in that very part of the country where beings compressed within five or six square miles
it ought to have been the best. We are involved in a lab built over with bricks : is a Government to say—
y-
" You must not let in light and air upon this living fur-
rinth of railroads, and it is as much the Premier's fault as any
other man's that we have not more direct lines. The lines nave. You must; continue to preserve your stiff ac-
cumulations of wretched dwellings until they shall create a
between London and Manchester are only of the same mile•
pestilence that will soon provide house-room enough for you
age as the very circuitous line between London and Exeter.
all ?" This no Government will dare to say, or be wicked
The latter journey is performed every day in four hours and a
half. We may safely, therefore, go beyond the Premier, and enough to meditate. The metropolis must be permitted toexpand as it has been expanding; and within the last twenty
prophecy that Liverpool and Manchester will be brought
years the metropolis has extended locally in a ratio far be-
within four or five hours of the metropolis. The
rest of Sir Robert's egotism—and there is quite yond the increase of population, enormous as that has been.
Still comes back the question of the dwellings of the poor.
the usual amount—is of a more venial, because It is quite true, as stated by the complainants to whom we
more sentimental, character. We pass it, and can
refer, that the labouring poor cannot, without great expense
only notice with sincere approbation his advice
of time and labour on the part of many of them, take up
to the directors to make their carriages, especially the devoted
their abode in the remoter suburbs. It will not answer for
third class, more comfortable and humane. The comfort of
a labouring man to lodge at a distance of from four or five
the public will, at last, we hope, become a condition of rail-
miles from the proper place of his, labour. Upon this con-
way monopoly, or an item of railway competition. One good
sideration we have long suggested the erection of what we
thing the Premier did say, and as the air of Tamworth seems called " labourers' barracks" in the central part of the City.
favourable to boldness of thought, and to candour of expres. And we have shown that the erection of such barracks might
sion, we quote it for the benefit of those free trade allies with
be made a profitable speculation, though estimating the rent
whom the speaker must before long stand or fall :
of a single room at no more than one shilling-and sixpence
"We must always admit that the passage of a railway a week. Such barracks we have little doubt will arise,
may be productive of some individual and partial disadvan- sooner or later. Meanwhile, we see other elements
tage—that some inns may have reason to complain of the of improvement approaching, that will, we think, go
loss of their traffic, and some retail dealers of the diminution a great way to make room for the poor of the metropolis.
of their trade. It is impossible to deny it—it is impossible Take the range, north about, from the West India Docks to
not to regret that that is the case; but what is it but saying Chelsea, and; survey the myriads of neat streets of small
that for the great body of the community you have substi- houses that have grown up within a few years along the line
tuted a cheaper and better mode of communication, and of the Blackwell Railway, at Horton, Islington, Somers
given them access to wider markets."
Town, CamdenTownePortland Town, Paddington, Bayswater,
If Sir Robert does not perceive the obvious application of Kensington, kb. &c. Make a corresnding circuit on the
this sentiment to the most important problem of the day, he ' south side, and you will find a proportionate amount of neat
is, to use a a poetic license, the dullest of his hearers.
small houses in neat streets. Within the entire circuit are
CHRONICLE.—In our notice of the Birmingham dinner many such streets and many such houses of a little older
yesterday, we could only refer to one or two of the many standing. Now here, we predict, will in a few years be found
striking points in 11Ir. Cobden's admirable speech, but it was ample accommodation for the labouring poor, not by re-
v speech abounding with matter of the most stirring kind,
moving them from, but by even bringing them nearer to the
and one which will assuredly awaken a response in the heart
and mind of England. Mr. Cobden's oratory may be said to scene of their labours. The process by wich this prediction is to
be fulfilled is simple, and, in our opinion, certain. All men love
be all bone and sinew. There is no waste or surplus matter
about it. It is pervaded by a spirit of life and energy which the fields better than the streets, and to occupy a cottage and
garden rather a numbered in a small street. It is
imparts freshness and interest to the most familiar things.
the economy of tithanme necessary house
to a close attendance upon
Mr. Cobden disclaimed argumentation on the merits of the
business which determines a great proportion of the present
general question, and in doing so expressed the sentiment of
inhabitants of London to remain where they are. But let
the nation. The reasons for and against the corn-laws have us suppose the termini of all the railroads to have found
done their work, and may be laid. on the shelf. They are, their way into the heart of the City, and the clerk or menu-
like arguments on the question of religious toleration, of his- facturer at his own home, who now has his residence in
torical interest merely. Qpinion is settled as generally and
Walworth, Horton, or Clerkenwell, will be just as near his
as decidedly as it ever can be by mere discussion. All that place of business, as regards time and convenience, anywhere
remains is to bring legislation into harmony with it, and this at this side of Edgeware, Barnet, Croydon, or Richmond. This
is a mere question of time, and of the strength and tactics will cause an immense emigration of the humbler middle class
of adverse parties. For a brief space within the last just that class whose retirement will make room for the la-
month, Mr. Cobden, like all the world, cherished the
bouring poor. There is one order of the community whom we
delusion that the end was at length come, have not enumerated among those whose emigration we antici-
He, too, suffered himseisi to imagine that " Peel was the pate. We speak of shopmen and shopwomen. Whenever good
man." But that dream over. Sir Robert is the same sense and humanity, nevertheless, shall be so far successful
man he always was—great on small occasions, and small on
as to enforce a' much earlier termination of the hours of
great ones; oracular and decisive upon a question of aim-
shop business, these, too, will be among the emigrants, and
peting railways, but dubious and procrastinating in the not the least interesting or the least happy of the retiring
presence of a great conflict between opinion and institutions,
body. At present the only railroad which approaches the
and without a particle of that resolute temper which might
centre of the City is that which debouches at London-bridge,
settle all by one bold and skilful stroke. Peel, it is clear,
and from the vast population that has accumulated upon
is not the man." Fortune opened to him a splendid pros- Blackheath and its neighbourhood, and in the direction of
peck, a little dangerous and difficult perhaps, as the openi
Croydon, one can calculate with some approach to certainty
to great things are apt to be. He surveyed the perils andnlE the prodigious drainage of people from every
heart faileehim. It is not of such stuff that heroes and metropolis when all the railroads east,
deliverers are made. The man who would liberate the south, shall have found their way to
its
centre.valsV do not
commerce, and sweep away the nefarious impost from the exaggerate extravagantly indeec if the
remodie laced
bread of England, must be ready to tell the Duke of Wel-west, ialite north,
must
exceed four or five fold the number of pocis displaced by
lington and Lord Stanley to do their worst, and to trust him- the beauty, corn-
those improvements that add so much t
self, with entire reliance, to the indomitable spirit of that peo-
fort, and health of the metropolis.
pie with whom, as Mr. Cobden truly said, the Duke of Wel-
ADVERTISER.—The tribute paid the other day to the
lington " never yet entered into a contest in which he was
net beaten." The great work which Sir Robert Peel Member for Wolverhampton, was one which that gentleman
shrinks from doing is one that he will be obliged, before long,
most justly deserved. There is not. te be found in the ranks
to see done. " Some one else will have to do it," and the of the corn-law rspealers, a single individual who has
man will not be wanting when the time arrives. That time laboured more zealously or unremittingly in the cause of
cheap bread and free tra(hie,aud assuredly no one surpasses
will be when the intelligent middle classes of England show
him in the consistency.dweint 'Tet which he has advocated that
themselves resolved to carry out their own principles. The
cause. Ever since he . ti: himself with the anti-mono-
contest has become a mere trial of strength between them
polist principle, Mr. Villiers__ has boldly and uncompromisingly
and a portion of the landed aristocracy ; and it continues
maintained his views.. Opposition did not daunt him, nor
only, so long as the overwhelming powers of one of the
did the still more discouraging circumstance of the apathy
parties are suffered to lie dormant. The upholders of corn-
of pretended friends, divert him from his purpose. For seve-
ral years he stood almost alone in his championship of the
laws now hold their ground through the forbearance or the
anti-corn-law. cause. To his annual motions and speeches
inertness of their opponents. They are like a spaniel snatch-
ing a bone from a lazy mastiff ; the prey will not be dropped
in opposition to the corn monopoly, is in a great
until the saucy robber feels the teeth of the plundered owner
in his flanks. Mr. Cobden is right in saying that theprotection- measure
cause 0 f ascribed the encouraging aspect which
supporting aristocracy will not give up their privileges without a the corn-law repeal now presents. It is fitting,
therefore that the services of such a man, now that the
struggle. Every hour of the struggle maydo them mischief, and in
the fight for the bread-tax far more precious advantages will question is evidently on the eve of being carried, should re-
be endangered if not sacrificed ; but still the struggle will go ceive
.e demonstration which took place at Birmingham, on
to bring it to a conclusion. Mr. Cobden, therefore, and the some acknowledgement from the country generally.
,Ii
on. The people will have to manifest their strength in order
The demonstration
must have boon highly gratifying to Mr. Villiers.
League are right in concentrating their attention and their 1 The expression of the sense which those present entertain of
efforts upon the Parliamentary franchise. The counties in
1 his services in the cause of corn-law repeal, was not, like
which our great towns are situated may all be won, and
many votes, of a complimentary kind, passed at public meet-
their accession to the principle of free trade would be deci- 1 ings, a mere matter of form. It was honest and sincere. The
sive in Parliament. The divisions of counties, for instance, 1 assemblage felt what they expressed. And, it is right to add,
which surround London, Manchester, and Birmingham , they but expressed the prevailing feeling throughout the
might, by the process which Mr. Cobden describes, be rely- ! country respecting the services which the Member for Wol-
dered strongholds for free trade. The law annexes the right ' yerhampton has rendered to the cause of an unrestricted