Star.
London, England, 1830-02-06 00:00:00

MR. O'CONNELL'S SPEECH.

Mr. O'Con rose from one of the benches close to
the Opposition side, and began by observing that be did Dot pre-
sume to think that either redress to the people es instreedon to the
House could follow from the few observations be bad to make on
the present occasion. The people bad sent him to that House to
do his day ; and in the discharge of It be would now, as st an
times, fearlessly express his sentiments apse the state of the country.
(Hear.) In addressing himself to the speech from the throne, there
were Do terms which the language supplied that he considered too
harsh for It. However, as coming from the Soveteign, he was
boend to respect it—es connected with the Noble Duke at the
head of his Majesty's Government, and with the Right Hoe. Gent.
opposite. he was disposed to treat it with courtesy ; bat when he
considered its contents, be felt warranted in stating that any thing
so little consistent with a wise Government, or with the womb
which ought to be given to a Monarch ruling ow a great and free
people, be bad never ID his life seen, nor could any thing more
preposterous possibly be conceived. If this Speech were de-
livered in France, with its new Institutions, did any man suppose
that It would be tolerated there? If it were delivered In Americas
did any man suppose that it would be endured? Let the House
only look at the powerful and able exposition of publk affairs given
by the President of the United States to a people who enjoyed the
fulness of freedom, and compare it with the few meagre and jejune
words which this Speech contained. Let him then ask, If they all
ID that House were what they ought to be, the virtual Represents-1
tives of the pimple. whether they would tolerate such a prodoetiomi
for an instant ? (Otters.) What were the opening words of this
Speech? It stated that his Majesty received from foreign nations
cordid assurances of peace and amity. Why, to be sure be did,
for such representations were always made up to the very mo-
ment when war was declared. (Hear, hoer, and laughter.)—
It then went on to inform the House, that the Russian war was at

an end. What an important discovery !—(A laugh.) They were
told that nothing was determined respecting the relation of this
country with Portugal. But why was nothing determined? The
Speech did not say why. Was it because there wee any doubt as
to the character of Don Miguel? Did any man doubt his usurpa-
tion. or that he endeavoured to cement the structure of hie usurped
throne with blood ?—(llear, hear). lf, then, Don Miguel was
such a character. and that not the slightest doubt existed as to the
fact, why was he tolerated in Portugal? They were told by Ow
Right Hon. Gentleman that the distress was only partial; but was
that the cue, or was not the contrary quite notorious to every
body? Was it not even admitted in the most explicit manner by
these who supported the Address? One Hon. Gentleman said she
distress was general, another said it was extraordinary, and • third
said it was overwhelming.—( Loud cries of hear, hear.) After this,
could any doubt exist of the distress being general? But the Illabt
Hon. Gent. seemed to intimate that in Ireland there was &three
no distress, while the exports from some pans of that country,
affected the agricultural interest ben. It was, Indeed, passing
strange how the landholders of Ireland eould be so well off when
there was such a mass of misery around them. He knew In
Ireland of 7,000 registered persons who had but threedreff
pence • day to drag on existence with. and that plusses was
now exhausted—(Hear.) The lint collection made for the poor
in Dublin, under the auspices of the Lord Mayor, sessented
only to the paltry sum of 5t5,500, and every shills of It sus
gone long since, while a second collection was set es hots
not met with the desired success. How cruel those 1a 11i wine
be who could enjoy so much prosperity themselves and witness suds
scenes of bean-rending distress in every quarter wherever the
turned their eyes. Bet let not the Howse be deceived; Int net
Hon. Members suppose for a moment that the condition of the
people in Ireland was such as the Right How. Gentlemen would
lead the House to suppose. He (Mr. O'Connell) was intimately
acquainted with three provinces In Ireland—Monster. bringer.
and Connaught—sod he could state, from his own knowledge, that
in each of these provinces the greatest distress was experienced.
lie bad heard? moreover, of a plate in the North of Ireland where
the rent of the poor man was paid by the sale of the blanket and
platelet. The Hour most admit. with him, that the state of
Leland ought to have been introduced is the Speech, and net
Merely noticed by the Right Hon. Gentleman is a parenthesis.
The Right HOC. Geotleman protested against any alteration being
Bede in the currency ; bet he (Mr. O'Connell) contended that it
wield be utterly impossible for the Right Hon Gentleman to keep
she pledges be had given by any other means than by reduction
of taxes to a considerable amount. Instead of .000,000,000 of
taxes, which were now paid in a gold currency, the Right
Hon. Gentleman must come down to £15,000,000 or £00,000,000.
Reform was urgently called for in every department. They most
reform the law. which was now • piebald thing, than meld
not be defined. There was one system for Chancery another for
Cannon Law, and another for Civil Law. In fact, nothing could
be more jarring or discordant than the state of the law as it now
stood. nor could any thing be more oppressive on the people. He
owed his thanks to the right bonoorable gentleman the Secretary
be the Home Department, who had broken dews all impediments
to legal reform. and was determined to carry it into effect. fie
treated. however, that this reform would be sompkte, and that a
pest deal more would be done than be heard was intended. It
was not by making additions to the number of Judges, nor by any
measures of that description, that legal reform could be brought
about with any prospect of public advantage. No. it ought to be
a reform of a very different character. He thought, for instant*,
that all special pleading ought to be abolished, and one uniform sys-
tem of law adopted. Bat what were the causes of the distress that
prevailed at this moment ? Was it to be ascribed to any want of in-

dastryott the part of the people of Tana? Not for t►ey were

generally allowed to be a most industrious and persevering people.
Was it to any want of intelligence on their part? No; for they

were known to be a ckver and intelligent people. Was k to any
want of economy in the management of dm& afairs ? No; for
they had the character of being a cautions and prudent people.
What, then, was the num? It was not its the people themselves,
it was only in misgovernment. He would put kto the house who.
that it was consistent with the prineipks of wise government or

good, policy to be continually vary the standard of ealve/
The right has. sublicense would rest upon the standard eileaf MS
11611 basis ; but bow mossy changes sod fluctuations bad taken piece
since with regard to the homes of the country. Hope continually
disappointed turned to despair; but if the &Asp of the people
were allowed to have as outlet. and that they were allowed to use
gentle companies with the house, then be would say that the
bout* must, and would. yield, and that • salutary reform woad
be the consequence —(Hear, hear.) Talk of • reform of the game
laws—his answer was, abolish them altogether. Why were they
suffered to exist? Talk of alterations in favour of the people—his
answer was, "above all things, see bow far the state of the repre-
motadon Is sock that the people shall sot say that it is this house
which Mitts distress on them." If the people were fairly represented I
theta there could be no just ground of complaint on their part; but
if there was a notorious milk carried es in boroughs ? if cos,'
two, three. or more pudes connected with such boroughs attached
themselves to the Moister, the milldam thus gained by the Mi-
Dieter could not puree satisfactory to the people, and eventually
could prove of se avail. He now openly avowed that what he
most anxiously looked forward to was. thorough Radical Reform.

He had come forward on this occasion to make his profession> of
pnUtical fakb. and to do the work of the people. Ae would sup-
port the Ant asneadineat, and If that was misdeed. then he would
Nippon the soteadnont of his Hon. Frkad the Member for
Sweater& If both amendments should be negatived. their his in-
tendon was to propmst a resobitke to the effect that, distress befog
admitted to vain, sod that nos frost say task of the people, k wee
the first duty of the Howie toquire bow acme perownent systems
of relief mightmightbe adopted. Hainv
. dame this, It was his meat la.
kenos to move that the House should sit from dap to day.
to discover so effectual reatedy. He bad new ealy to it
the ileum would pardoa him for hieing so long
lasksisenae.—(liear. hear.)

M its

MR. OWEN.

TO THE CONDUCTORIR LONDON PRESS.

GarrLewes—Having finished the addresses which
appeared to me necessary to arouse public attention to
the lamentable errors and consequent evils of the present
system, previous to the development of the cause of, and
remedy for, the existing distresses within the British do-
minions; permit me to return you my best thanks, for
the liberal manner in which you have met my request, in
publishing them to the world.
I am aware, that in so doing, you have run the risk
of immediate pecuniary loss, in consequence of the prin-
ciples which my feelings of duty compel me to advocate,
being directly opposed to the most deep-rooted prejudices
and apparent interest of your subscribers. In no instance,
however, have I ever made an open and honest appeal
to any public body of men, without being responded to
by feelings of kindness and generosity ; proving to me;
that human nature, whenever it shall have justice done to
it, by being placed in circumstances congenial with, and
not opposed to it, will always exhibit every kind of ex-
cellence, as well as its capability of attaining in this life
a high state of rational enjoyment.
Your obliged servant,
ROBERT OWEN.

49, Bedford &furs, Feb. 4, MO.
Wednesday last a Meeting of the National Society
took place at St. Martin's Vestry-mom. There were
present—the Bishops of London, Litchfield and Coves-
try, Carlisle, Lendaff ; Rev. Dr. D'Oyley, Rev. H. H.
Norris, Rev. R.Lendon, Joshua Watson, Eq. J. Twining,
Esq. J. Trimmer, Esq. and W. Cotton, Esq. Grants of
mosey for the erection of Schools were voted to eight
places, amounted in the whole to 7901. The Schools
four laces were also received into the Union.
A Court of Inquiry was held on board his Majesty's
ship Hyperion, by Captain John Hayes, C. B. of
the Ganges, and Capt. the Hon. G. Elliott, of the'Vie-
tory, on Lieut. George Percy Rosenberg, by order of the
Admiralty. We understand it to have been instituted at
Lieut. Rosenberg's request, in consequence of the unex-
pected termination of the trial of John O'Dare, who was
acquitted of intent to murder him, in direct opposition to
the charge of the Judge. It will be satisfactory to Lieut.
Rosenberg's friends to learn that the Court declared itself
perfectly satisfied with his conduct, and entirely acquit
him of any imputation of oppression or harshness
towards John O'Dare. The result is highly compli-
mentary to Lieut.Rosenberg.—Brighton Paper.
Doves, Fan. I.—Last evening, immediately after
the French packet bad landed her passengers, one of
them was followed to the Gun-hotel by Kobus, the
police office, who, after inquiring politely as to his health,
said he believed he had the pleasure of seeing Mr. Hob-
ass, to which the latter replied, that his name was Tay-
lor. No matter, said the officer, I have something
for you in my pocket, and producing a pair of ruffles
(handcuffs,) attached them in an instant to the wrists of
the stranger, and told him he was his pritener upon a
charge of felony, and must be committed to Dover-
gaol for safe custody. It is understood that the prisoner's
name is John Hobdes, and that be was suspected to have
been guilty of embesslement at one of the post-Offices
near Brighton, and his name advertised in a recent Has
and Cry. Ruthven had been waiting hie arrival for more
than a week, and set off with his prisoner for London this
morning.
Several licensed victuallers, carrying on business in St.
Margaret's and St. John's parishes, Westminster, incon-
sequence of the prevailing distress which abounds in their
neighbourhood, have, for the last few days, made large
quantities of excellent soup, which they hive given away
to their fellow-creatures, who have been in want of a
meal at this severe season of the year • an example, which
perhaps if followed generally by other trades, might in a
great measure alleviate the sufferings of the poor, many
of whom are now suffering the most dreadful privatises,
sooner than be compelled to ask for parochial relief.
The roads for 20 miles around Bury are in a worse
'sedition now than they have been during the winter.
Idy the partial thaws, succeeded as they have been, at
intervals, by sudden frosts, and causing unequal disso-
lution of the snow, the wheel tracks have become deeply
rutted, and the passage of vehicles not only much im-
peded, 'but rendered dangerous. Passengers have bad
great difficulty in keeping their seats on the top of the
coaches, and one woman was actually jolted off the
rams coach on the road from London. There has like-
wise been great destruction of the springs of the lighter
carriages. The coaches come in here three and four
hours behind their ordinary time.—Bury Herald.
The state of the weather at the Scilly Islands has bees
unusually boisterous and severe. On the 13th the master
and crew of the Gallego, Savage, from Boston and Fayal
to London, which was totally lost at Fayal on the 15th of
December, arrived there in the Gilbert Ruggles. During
the prevailing easterly winds many vessels have sought
sad obtained shelter at the Islands, to the mutual advan-
lege of all parties. On Tuesday morning the brig Hope,
Nelda, master, was wrecked near St. Martin's, die
day mark on that island having been mistaken for the
lighthouse on St. Agnes. She dropped her anchor,
but was driven on a rock and went to pieces. About 100
casks of palm oil, 300 elephants' tusks, a box of dollars,
and some other articles of the cargo, have been saved by
the exertions of the islanders, who have behaved with the
utmost kindness and hospitality to the captain and crew.
Before the ship went down, a boat containing a Dutch
officer, his lady, a black boy, and others put off for
the shore ; but before she had cleared t1;4) vessel, the
_ _

mainmast of the brig fell upon and crushed the boat to
pieces, by which the officer, his lady, the
_boy, and one of
the crew, were drowned Western Luminary.
DESTRUCTION Or RENDLESHASI HOUSZ, SUNFOLio
SY FlRR.—About half peat ten o'clock, on Tuesday
night, a fire brought nut in the conservatory of this
princely mansion, which quickly extended to the elegant
suite of rooms, td the whole of the basement *tort.
The conservatory is warned by flues which pass under
the suite of rooms, and to this circumstance the sad

catastrophe is to be attributed. Lord and Lady Rea-
dlesham and family are at Paris, and the steward and
three female servants were the only persons in the house;
the former had retired to rest, having previously looked
round the premises, and the fire was discovered by the
housemaid, as she was going to her chamber ; she in-
stantly alarmed the steward, and the great bell in the
tower was rung, which brought the gamekeeper. toge-
ther; but such was the intensity of the domes that it
was immediately 'parent that to prestrve any portion of
the mansion was impracticable, and the efforts of all were
directed to remove whatever was portable. By great ex-
ertions the massive plate, box of deeds, and jewels, some
of the costly books, and furniture, were taken out,
though much injured. Two fire, engines arrived from
Wickham ; but from the severity of the weather, water
could not be procured in sufficient quantity to be of Air-
vice. In about two hours the roof and the tower fell,
bat the blase was most terrific, and when the morning
dawned; nothing but bare walls and half-consumed beanie
and rafters remained of this splendid mansion. The da-
mage, we are told, is computed # 100,0001. no part of
which 4 haired.

TOTAL DESTRUCTION OF THE ARGYLL

ROOMS BY FIRE.

Last night, about half-past ten o'clock, a fire broke
out in the kitchen of the Argyll-rooms, which is situ-
ate under the eastern wing, or grand concert room.
Three engines were rapidly on the spot ; but, owing to
the frost, and the plugs being stopped by the snow, it
was a long time before any water could be procured.
The first plug that was opened was that at the corner
of Maddox-street. The attempts to open the plug at
the corner of Little and Great Argyll-streets were vain ;
but water was procured from a plug in Argyll-street,
about fifty yards nearer Oxford-street. This delay in
procuring water was most unfortunate ; for the fire was
discovered so early, that, had water been procured, the
fire might have been extinguished with scarcely any
damage. Several valuable pictures, in splendid frames,
were anxiously removed from the rooms to the oppo-
pite houses in Little Argyll-street. It was a quarter
to twelve before water could be procured, by which time
it was evident that the flames would overcome all op-
position. The fire spread through the great concert
room, in spite of the wind setting north, and at last the
flames communicated to the room facing Regent-street.
The splendour of the sight exceeded every thing
we ever witnessed. The view from Portland-place,
through the portico of All Souls' Church, was extremely
picturesque. A splendid light was thrown on the chapel
in Regent-street, and when the dome of the Argyll-
Rooms became ignited the conflagration was splendid
beyond description. The long roof of the Rooms was
in flames, whilst immense volumes of smoke burst from
the windows, and the scene was the must grand of Its de-
scription that has been witnessed in London for a very
long period. The engines were now in full play, and Braith-
wait's steam engine was most efficient. The New Police
presented the finest specimen of an organised body. A
spacious area was presented to the play of the engines ;
improper characters were removed, and with less violation
of decency than we ever witnessed. A part of the Guards
were present— a remnant of the old system. They were
unnecessary, and we never saw a finer specimen of the
superior power of a civil body over the military. The
superintendent of the police showed great tact, and with
respect to this body nothing could be better. At twelve
the roof of the room facing Argyll-street fell in ; but so
far from smothering the immense flames underneath, in
an instant the volume of fire burst forth with increased
magnificence. There were seven engines playing on
the building, not one of which could reach the roof.
They were pouring through the windows. The anxiety
was for the adjoining houses ; and when the flames
appeared through the house of Mr. White (next door
to the Argyll Rooms), and the volumes of smoke were
curling over the next house, Mr. Schneider's, it was
apprehended that the fire would extend to the Circus,
in Oxford-street. It was not until two o'clock this
morning that the fire was on the decrease. A spacious
building, like the Argyll Rooms, had such an immense
body of burning rafters, that it was almost impossi-
ble to subdue the fire. Amidst this at once splendid
and dreadful scene, it was extraordinary to witness
the removal of musical instruments, some of them
extremely valuable, which were removed from the be
to the area, which the police preserved from thieves.
An immense quantity of music caught the flames, and
was driven about presenting a volume of fire—beautiful,
if we could forget the property destroyed. The property
in organs and other musical instruments consumed in dp
building must have been very great ; but perhaps tite
most singular sight imaginable was the burning inst.-
meats seen through the flames from Regent-seeet.
It is evident to us that the system of the Fire-offices
needs some generalisation like that of the police. Thele
wanted a unity of action. If a little of the water thrown
away bad been properly applied, the fire would not have
extended to the western part of the building; and cer-
tainly not to the injury of Mr. White's house, in Regent
street. We believe that Mr. Schneider's house was
greatly injured, which decidedly might have been pre-
vented.
We understand that the building, and Mr. Welch's
property contained in it, are insured in•the County and
another Fire-Othce ; but to what amount we have not
ascertained.
We heard that the conflagration was occasioned by the
carelessaess of one of the men engaged on the building
not properly extinguishing • fire.

DIED.

At Batb-bouse, Leicestershire. Load Viscount Tainviortb, only
son of the Earl F
At SprinkeU, N.B. Sir John Heron Maxwell. Bart.
At Ware House. Ugborough. Job's Widdrcombe, Esq. aged SC
one of the atom respectable agriculturists of the county of Deese.
In Salary. East Indies. aged 46, lAesst.-0.14 James Taykw. of
ids Majesty's 48th Regiment.

NEWCATS AND LRADKNHALI. MAKKEIA Feb. 5.
Beef ... ..... 3. 2d to 41 Od Veal ... ... 44 $4 CO 59 45
I Mutton ..... St 2d to 51 4.1 Pork ... ... 3. 241 TO 46 461

PRICES or HAY *No STRAW YRSTERDAY.
ST. JAMBS'S. WNITSCNAITL.
Hay 41 00s Od to SI Oos Od Hay 21 5. to 41 101 Od
Omer 3110. Od to A S. Od Mow 51 Os to 51 10% od
Straw 91 41 Od to 11 Ss Od &raw 11 16. to 21 0. Od

. PRICE OF LEATHER.
Best Dressing Hides
Common Ditto 1441 to tstl
__ _

Crop Hides, 33' to 401bs for cutting 144 10 164
Ditto 46 to 501 be l6d to 124
Calf Skins, 56 to 4011se ......
Ditto 50 to 70Ibe
Ditto 70 to 80Ibs ... ..
Small Seals, Greenland) ...,.
Tanned Horse Hides ... ... -
Spunk& Hers Hides .... ..........

PRICK OF HOI

?A. 5.

New miners. NEM PAO%
Kent ...... 140 s to Ms I Kent
Susses
Bases 136 s to 168 s Bases 126 s to 147.
Farnham One lel. to 131. 1316—Seeped% 91. to 104 10.
Old Duty hid at £39.886.

PRICK OF OIL.
Rape Oil. brews, 411. Os. refined, 431. es.
Unwed OH, 101. Oa.
Wasted Oil Cake at the per thousand, 111.
Rape Cake. per toe. SI. 0.. to tN. Os.