Star.
London, England, 1830-09-21 00:00:00

MR. CORBETT'S LECTURES.

Mr. Cobbett delivered his Sixth Lecture last night to the working
classes, at the Rotunda, Blackfriar's.toad, which was as fully attended
as on the former occasions. Before entering on the subject of his
Lecture, he animadverted in sarcastic terms on the observations of
one of the Union Hall police Magistrates, regarding the illegality
of his (Mr. Cobbett's) proceedings, in demanding two-pence for ad-
mission. He insisted test the Magistrate added ingratitude and au.
dacity to the insulting iemarks attributed to him, for he received a
thumping salary, which was paid from the pockets of the labouring
classes. Even the Parson Magistrates, in the twenty counties in which
he had delivered lectures, knew more of law than this magistrate bad
exhibited. There was such a law ; but, thank Gon, it was not now in
existence. Physicians and surgeons were allowed to take money for their
lectures, and parsons. too, received a little money for theirs—(immense
cheering.) Oh ! they cried ; but it is a shame to take a penny out of
the poor man's pockets, to hear a political lecture. He proceeded to
say, that if people would not take the trouble to walk a short distance
to sign the petition which he had drawn up. they disqualified them.
selves from being relieved from the taxes. The objects they contem-
plated in the petition were materially aided by concurrent dream-
stances in other parts of Europe. With regard to the events in Bel-
gium, he (Mr. Cobbett) considered that this debt had been the chief
cause of producing them. It was here said that our debt was
contracted for the good of the country, that it was done to pro-
tect it from anarchy, confusion, and atheism. In Belgium,
however, the debt arose from the Emperor of Germany in 1793 having
creditors in the country, and his Imperial Majesty then consented to
cede that portion of his territory to the Prince of Orange, on condition
that the population should pay the debt which he himself bad con-
tracted. He next alluded to the French debt, which was a remnant of
the subjection in which the old tyrants of France formerly kept the
country. They allowed the tyrants whom they had just driven from
the throne, the enormous income of 140,0001. a.ycar. If he was a good
man, why drive him away ? If he was a bad one, why take the money
out of the labouring classes? The present unsettled state of the people
of France arises from the resolution of the people not to pay theamount
of their debt. He contended that the Chamber of Deputies did not
I represent the opinions of the nation at large • and that if we had
reform, and still had to pay the taxes which are imposed upon
us at present, we would be as discontented as the French.—
He considered that the appointment of Talleyrand as .Ambassador to
this country was a convincing proof of the hollowness of the existing
French Administration. He then entered into the history of the Na-
tional Guards of France, and described the system of taxation imposed
on the French in the shape of the Draft; R: unit. Mr. Cobbett then
impressed upon the meeting that they should petition the Parliament
to do away with the national debt by an Act of the Legislature,
which was the only way they could hope ever to see it wiped of,
and the surest way never to have such another incurred (cheers), and
said their cries should be " William the Fourth and Reform !"
(great cheering). It was right too, when the question of reform
comes forward, that the House should know that ZOO,OOO men awaits
its decision outside the walls—(Cheers)—by the way it is rumoured
that the Duke means to bring down something respecting this said
reform, and that he is to be opposed by the Aristocratic and Whig
party ; but let the Duke go on, and he will have thent (the people)
at his back, and they, he promised. will do the job--(Cheers)
and do it, too, without bloodshed, without disturbance, and with.
out that nonsense which is now distinguishing other nations. (Immense
cheering.) Mr. C. concluded his lecture, which was heard through.
out with intense interest, by stating to the meeting that he will, on
Thursday evening, if he has strength, and they have patience, layebefore
them a complete history of the Church, with all its shines. That ise-
'sense Co'ouus, he continued, of overgrown and pampered wealth.—
Tremendous cheering, which lasted for several minute., followed this
announcement, and the meeting separated quietly. well satisfied with
the sentiments they had heard, which, it was manifest, were the echo
of their own.