The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1840-10-27 00:00:00

LIVERPOOL QUARTER SESSIONS.

The general Quarter Sessions of the Peace for the borough
of Liverpool commenced yesterday, before JAMES CLARKE,
Esq. Recorder, in the Sessions House, Chapel-street.
The following gentlemen were sworn upon the grand jury :
Henry Ashton, Esq., Foreman.
Gaven Brackenbridge Thomas Todd
Daniel Campbell William Grace
James Gibson Carter Thomas Grundy
Charles Holland Joseph Crossley
John Jones Henry Moore
David Lamb John Holgate
Robert M•Andrew Lewin Mozley
Edward Moon William H. Robinson.
Adam Newman
The CLERK OF THE PEACE having read the royal procla-
mation for the suppression of vice, profaneness, and immo-
rality,
The Learned RECORDER proceeded to deliver the charge
to the Grand Jury. He said the great sources of all crime
were ably pointed out in the excellent proclamation just
read. It was very proper to call in the aid of the police to
detect offences against the laws, but if we did not attend to,
and remove the fruitful sources of crime mentioned in the
proclamation, we were making no progress at all. The calen-
dar,'he was sorry to say, was extremely heavy ; and to his
great regret, he observed, that nearly one third of the crimes
for which the parties named in it would have to be tried, were
referable to intemperance and to intemperance alone. There-
fore, whilst we were spreading police all over the country—
which was very proper, and which he trusted would be found
very useful—let us recollect that that would be a poor break-
water against vice, and a very weak means for the suppression
of crime, unless we adopted the valuable advice of the royal
proclamation. The town of Liverpool, he thought, from a
public meeting lately held. was of the same opinion, and that
religion, and that sobriety and virtue, were the best, and in-
deed the only effective instrument for the suppression of
• crime. It was delusive and nugatory to look to any other;
and we .should only defeat ourselves if we adopted merely
human means for that end. The learned gentleman con-
cluded by stating that the Grand Jury would find no difficulty
in any of the cases, as they were all of an ordinary descrip-
tion ; and after promising the assistance of the court, if they
should find any difficulty, he dismissed them to their labours.
The trials commenced shortly afterwards, but nothing of
interest had occurred up to the rising of the court.

The calendar contains the names of 120 persons for trial
on charges of felony, 9 for misdemeanours and assaults, and
one mint case, making a total of 130, the investigation of
which we apprehend will occupy the bench the greater part
of the week.
It appears from an examination of the calendar with refer-
ence to the amount of education, that there is more ignorance
amongst the prisoners now waiting for trial than has been
the case for many preceding sessions. Of the 130, there are
78 or considerably more than one half who may be classified
under the head of being able to read and write imperfectly.
but at least one half of whom cannot write at all. Their
ignorance therefore, will be better conceived by the reader
than described by us. There are only seven individuals out
of the whole number who have the capacity to read and write
well ; but the most startling fact is that forty five, or one-
third of the prisoners have never been taught either to read
or to write. Neither the youngest prisoner who is a girl aged
15, nor the oldest who is a man aged 74, have ever learned
either one or the other ! Moral principle must necessarily
be very low when such destitution as this prevails in the very
elements of knowledge.

Bell's Life in London, of Sunday the Ist of November,
will contain an accurate list of performances of the two-year-
olds during the present year, with a reference to their future
engagements ; together with full particulars of the great fight
between Caunt and Brassey, (on the 27th inst.)and the Fancy
Fair at Newmarket.—The price of Bell's Life in London is
fivepence, published in time to rend by the railwaysearly on
Saturday afternoon.

THE SOUTH LANCASHIRE
GRAND CONSERVATIVE ASSOCIATION.

On Friday evening last, this splendid festival was held at
the Conservative Hall, in Newton, when a great number of
the Conservative gentry of the Southern Division of the
County were assembled. At three o'clock the railway trains
from Manchester, Liverpool, Preston, Wigan, Lancaster.
and Bolton, severally brought up their respective additions
to the company.
A band of music was stationed on the green in front of the
Legh Arms Hotel, where the company chiefly congregated
until the hour appointed for the opening of the hall.
The room presented much the same appearance as usual,
being neatly, but not gorgeously, decorated. A number of
blue and white flags, the conquering colours of the South
Lancashire conservatives, were ranged round the walls; and
the banner of the society, the banner of the Liverpool Trades-
men's Conservative Association, and the royal standard,
were displayed in favourable positions. Over the chairman's
seat was the blue silk ensign of the society, with the imperial
crown in the centre, on the rose, shamrock, and thistle, and
the motto, " Queen and Constitution in Church and State."
There was also the inscription, " The Conservatives of SoUth
Lancashire. May their principles and their numbers grow
with their growth and strengthen with their strength." On
either side were two small royal standards, each of them
bearing the inscription, " Lancashire Election, 1837. The
Hon. B. Wilbraham, 7645 ; the Right Hon. Lord F. Eger-
ton, 7822." The flag of the Liverpool Tradesmen's Conser-
vative Association, over the principal entrance, exhibited a
figure of Britannia, with the motto, " Our Free and Glori•
ous Constitution in Church and State, Queen, Lords, and
Commons." The magnificient royal standard belonging to
the Liverpool shipwrights was placed over the northern en-
trance, with the motto, " For God, our Queen, and our coun-
try." A long table ran along the eastern end of the room,
and eleven other tables extended in parallel lines to the west-
ern. All of them were filled about half-past four, when the
noble chairman, Lord Sandon, and the other principal guests,
entered the room, and were greeted with loud cheering.
There were upwards of six hundred gentlemen present.
At the centre table we observed the chairman, the Right
Hon. Lord Sandon ; to the right, the Right Hon. the Earl
of Wilton, Hon. R. B. Wilbraham, M.P., Sir Richard
Brooke, Bart., the Hon. and Rev. Horace Powys, John
Ireland Blackburne, Esq., M.P., George Cornwall Legh,
Esq., Edward Cardwell, Esq., Dixon Robinson, Esq. ; and,
to the left, the Right Hon. Lord Francis Egerton, M.P.,
Sir John Yarde Buller, M.P., John Wilson Patten, Esq.,
M.P., the Rev. Jonathan Brooks, the Rev. Dr. Molesworth,
Cresswell Cresswell, Esq.. M.P., J, Plumbe Tempest, Esq.,
Thomas Bright Crosse, Esq., Elias Chadwick, Esq. In
other parts of the room we noticed Wm. Hulton, jun., Esq.,
John Clare, Esq., T. Wagstaffe, Esq., John H. Kearsley,
Esq., Edward Kearsley, Esq., James Aspinall, Esq., Richd.
Dawson, Esq., Geo. H. Lawrence, Esq., A. Smith, Esq.,
Raymond Houghton, Esq., John Sheppard, Esq., Chris.
Bushell, Esq.., Tinne, Esq., Sir Thomas Brancker, Win.
Townend, Esq., J. S. F. Greene, Esq., J. B. Wanklyn,
Esq., M. T. Sadler, Esq., R. C. Sharpe, Esq., J. Crossley,
Esq., John Waddington, Esq., John Barker, Esq., S. Bar-
ker, Esq., S. Holme, Esq., E. S. Kearsley, Esq., Thomas
Kearsley, Esq., &c., &c.
The Rev. JONATHAN BROOKS, A.M., rector of Liverpool,
having been called upon by Lord Sandon, asked a blessing
in his usual brief but impressive manner.
The cloth having been withdrawn, and " Non nobis Do-
mine" sung by a party of vocalists from Manchester, the
important part of the business of the evening commenced.
The CHAIRMAN, in rising to propose the first toast, was
received with loud and enthusiastic applause. When it had
subsided be said—Gentlemen, whether encouraged by the
smiles of the court, or put in front of the battle for the
crown unaided by the favour of the prerogative, the first
toast of every good conservative will ever be the Queen of
England. (Loud cheers.) I therefore give as the first toast
" The Queen," and may we at least never be called upon,
by the fashion of the day, to endeavour to repeal the union
which happily exists between her Majesty and the duchy. I
give you "The Queen—Duchess of Lancaster." (Three
times three, and loud applause.)
Song—" God save the Queen." The lines
" Confound their politics,
Frustrate their knavish tricks,"
were loudly applauded, as usual at these meetings. All the
company joined in the chorus.
The CHAIRMAN then rose and said—Gentlemen, I have
next to give you the health of the amiable, accomplished,
and excellent young prince, who is the consort of our Queen,
and of whom everything we have yet seen gives us reason to
hope the highest qualities. (Cheers.) I beg leave to give
you " The health of Prince Albert." (Drunk with three
times three.)
The CHAIRMAN then said—Gentlemen, when I allude to
the private virtues and public and private charities of the
Queen Dowager, (tremendous cheering,) I am sure I need
say nothing more to recommend your attention to the toast
I have to propose—" The Queen Dowager, and the rest of
the royal family." (Nine times nine and one cheer more.)
Glee—" Hail, Star of Brunswick."
The CHAlRMAN.—Gentlemen, the next toast I have to
propose to you is that of " The Army and Navy." (Hear.)
For many a long year their services have made the proposal
of that toast no other than an expression of gratitude for the
many services we have received at their hands. (Applause.)
Song and chorus—" Come if you dare." (Applause.)
Major TEMPEST, in returning thanks, said—My lord, I
feel confident that when called out against the enemies of
their country, the army and navy will support the character
they have invariably enjoyed. (Cheers.)
The CHAIRMAN then rose and said—Gentlemen' I have
now to propose for your acceptance a toast which I have no
doubt will call forth your warmest gratulations ;-1 mean
" Prosperity to the Established Church of England and Ire-
land." (Great cheers.)
The Rev. Dr. MOLESWORTH, vicar of Rochdale, respond-
ed to the toast, and was received with loud cheers.
Sir JOHN YARDE BULLER, M.P., rose to propose the next
toast, which was, " Success to the South Lancashire Con-
servative Association." (Loud and protracted cheering.)
Glee—" With a jolly full bottle."
WILLIAM HULTON, h.sq., jun., responded to the toast,
and was received with very loud cheers.
Sir THomAs BRANCEER then, by permission of the chair-
man, proposed the health of Mr. Hulton, the father of the
association.
Mr. HULTON, jun., returned thanks. . _

,
The CHAIRM AN next rose and said—Gentlemen, I call on
you to receive with honour the toast of that branch of the
constitution to which we owe that, at this moment, we are
enabled to rejoice in a meeting like the present; for if the
House of Lords had not stood forward in the hour of danger,
to protect the ancient liberties of this country, we should at
this moment have been labouring under the yoke of a tyran-
nical democracy. (Vehement applause.) With these few
observations, I call on you to drink prosperity and duration
to the House of Lords. (Tremendous cheering.) And you
will allow me to give with that body the health of the distin-
guished nobleman who sits on my right, and who represents
that body on this occasion—Lord Wilton.. (Drunk with nine
times nine, and one cheer more.)
Lord WILTON rose, and the cheering was renewed and con-
tinued for several minutes. When silence was restored he
spoke as follows :—Gentlemen, it is with sentiments of the
livliest gratitude that I rise to acknowledge the toast which
has been given, and which has met with such unequivocal
marks of your favour and consideration, and though I cannot
take to myself personally any share in the reception with
which this toast has been received, yet I cannot but feeka
sense of conscious and becoming pride from the considera-
tion that I belong to, and that I am a member of that august
assembly whose course of conduct has met with the entire—
the complete—the unanimous approbation of, an assembly
such as the present. After describing the position main-
tained by the House of Lords during the last ten years, his
lordship concluded by observing—Gentlemen, the person,
that illustrious man whose health I have been deputed to
propose, and to whom I have had occasion to allude in the
early part of my address—it is—l need net name him, for it
is a name that live in the heart of every Englishman—it is a
name that will live in the heart of every. Englishman so long
as memory holds its place—it is a name so entirely bound up
with every feeling of national honour and national grandeur
that we all look up to him, and not only we, but I am con-
vinced those opposed to him in politics also, for they, as well
as ourselves, view him as the incarnation of our country's
glory. (Great cheers.) I have to apologise to you for taking
up so muck of your time, but I am sure I cannot conclude
better than by proposing that health which will be received in
the hearts of all who hear me—the Duke of Wellington.
(Tremendous cheering for several minutes.) I may be al-
lowed, I trust, to give the word on this occasion. Are you
ready gentlemen? (Vehement cries of " Yes, yes.") Hip,
hip, hip, hurrah. (The toast was drunk with nine times
nine and one cheer more, which was was followed by the
chorus " Fill, fill the cup.")
JohN I. BLACKBURNR rose next, and said—Gentlemen, I
beg to propose a toast : it is the health of our noble chair-
man. (Great cheers.) Gentlemen, I shall not pass any en-
comiums on my noble friend's political life, which it so well
deserves. That life has been long before you, and I will
leave it to speak for itself, but I need scarcely tell you that,
as member for the borough of Liverpool, his friends there
duly appreciate his conduct. (" Hear, hear,"
.and renewed
cheers.)—[lt would be impossible to convey an adequate
description of the enthusiasm with which the toast was
drunk, and the noble lord's name received. Several of the
company stood upon their seats and waved their handker-
chiefs. triumphantly over their heads, while the cheering was
most deafening and long-continued.]
The CHAIRMAN rose to reply, and his appearance was the
signal for renewed applause. He attempted more than once
to proceed, but the cheering was so deafening that a syllable
could not be heard. At length, when silence was in some
degree restored, he said—Gentlemen, I am deeply affected
by this instance of your kindness. To a very large portion
of this assembly I am a perfect stranger, but to one portion
of this assembly indeed, I believe I am not a stranger. [The
cheering at this period was as enthusiastical as before, re-
newed by the conservatives of Liverpool, who sat at the
upper end of the room, while it was re-echoed from all the
other parts of the building.] I think I may say that I rightly
recognise in the cheers from one quarter of the room the
same enthusiasm which has cheered me in trials as well as
triumphs—for every day of trial was a day of triumph—and
which, I believe, are in concert with devout attachment to
the throne, the church, and the constitution, with the gene-
ral feeling of this great country. (Cheers.) I feel that I
ought almost to apologize for being here among you. (No,
no.) When it was first proposed to me to accept this high
and honourable post, I asked myself what right I had to ap-
pear among the gentlemen of Lancashire ? but when I was
•
reminded of the position I held in the borough of Liverpool,
I thought I might throw into the scale the deep interest that
that borough has in the prosperity of the soil and manufac-
tures of the county, for to the prosperity of none is the bo-
rough of Liverpool indifferent. (Hear, hear.) I am glad in-
deed to see that the feeling of conservatism is not slumbering,
in the county of Lancaster, and I confess I am not surprised
at it, for whether we look abroad or at home, there is nothing
around which would induce us to be less attached to our own
principles. When we see country after country unsettled
and disturbed, and when we see that some of those countries
are paying the penalty of difficulty and intestine commotion,
I think we may say that we who have an ancient constitution,
combining liberty and order, have no reason to depart from
conservative attachments. (Cheers.) But when we look at
home, and see what has resulted from the changes we have
made in our constitution, however justified they may have
been in the opinion of many, and in those changes I have had
my share, but when we see those changes have had the effect of
creating wild disorder and speculation, and when we see that
when we unsettle any part of the framework of society the
door is opened for further change ; I confess I do not think
that our attachment to that form of the constitution as it now
remains is likely to be disturbed. If our attachment to our
constitution is not impaired, surely the reasons for our being
under arms are not impaired either. (Cheers.) Have we a
government in which we can place confidence for the defence
of our constitution? Why, confidence applied to the present
administration is a mockery. (Hear, hear, and vehement
applause.) I certainly know not the man who has confidence
in them, except themselves, and I doubt much whether they
have confidence in one another. (Hear, and great laughter.)
When my hon. friend on my left, Sir John Yarde Buller,
brought forward his motion for want of confidence last ses-
sion, in order to ascertain whether the house had confidence
in them, how was he met ? Did they meet it in the way Can-
ning met a similar motion ? Was he satisfied with a negative ?
No; but he appealed to the House of Commons on the sub-
ject. But did the present administration pursue the same
course; or did they dare to ask the house whether they ap-
proved of their conduct ? No, gentlemen, but they asked for
the negative, in which every one might agree, who was not
prepared to adopt their successors? (Hear, hear, and cheers.)
But who has confidence in them ? Not the House of Peers—
not the clergy of the established church—not the magistracy
(unless the new magistracy have been moulded to it)—not
the landed gentry—not the manufacturing, not the commer-

cial interests—in short, I know not where or to whom they
could apply for confidence. (Hear, hear, and great cheers.)
What are they ? When we express confidence we must know
in whom we confide. Is it, then, their principles of this year
or of last, or of one night or of another, that we are to place
confidence in ? Do we know in the approaching session of
parliament what shall be the course pursued by hr majestys
government on the great questions which agitate the nation ?
If any one believes that he understands that course, why is
the question so often asked by their own supporters? You
do not ask us what we think of the ballot, or universal suf-
frage ; but it is asked in every radical journal at the commence-
ment of every session, " Do you think they will give way on
such and such questions, or will they barter a little more of
the ancient principles of the constitution to keep themselves
in place ?" or in that miserable 'position which they call
power ? (Hear, hear, and laughter.) Gentlemen, they have
no principles at all. (Great cheers.) The only reason why
they are supported is, because they have no principle. (Re-
newed cheers.) Why, their own supporters tell them that
they give them their support because they think they are
composed of " squeezable materials," and because they think
they can make them act at any time on their own principles.
How can we have confidence in men so circumstanced ? and
I boldly appeal to you for the reply—what confidence ? (Ve-
hement cries of " None, none," and cheers.) Gentlemen, it
is impossible that men of this quality can command the esteem
or the confidence of this great empire. (Tremendous cheers.)
They may for a little longer carry on their trimming line of
poltcy, doing as little mischief as they can ; for I will do them
the justice to say, that I believe they do not wish mischief
for its own sake, and I farther believe, that in their hearts
they are just as good conservatives as ourselves, because they
think that the only means of safety is attachment to the mo-
narchy and attachment to the established church ; but then
the misfortune is that they won't act on these views, whereas
the true conservative is he who acts firmly on his opinions
whenever called on. (Hear, hear, and cheers.) How can
we have confidence in men who pervert the magistracy of this
country to political purposes of the worst kind, and who daily
with him who would dismember the empire ? Why, it is
only two years ago since they offered to that man the highest
seat on the judicial bench, whose whole life was passed in
showing his wretched countrymen how they could break the
laws. (Hear, hear.) I have gone more generally on this
occasion into the feelings which naturally arise at meetings of
this kind than I had intended ; but it is impossible to meet a
body collected from every part of this county, so full of
wealth, commerce, and manufactures, not governed and
swayed by corruption as torie3 are said to be—(a laugh)---but
honest men—men able to act in the spirit of their own opi-
nions, representing the rising prosperity and expanded intel-
ligence of England, and those who may appeal from Caesar to
the multitude, and from the immediate councillors of the
crown to the well-ordered judgment of the people. (Cheers.)
Gentlemen, I thank you most kindly for placing me in the
chair, and for the kind manner in which you have drunk my
health. The noble lord here resumed his seat amidst the most
enthusiastic cheering from all sides, which was followed by the
Glee—" Life's a bumper."
Colonel TEMPEST proposed the next toast, which was "the
health of Sir Robert Peel and the Conservative Members of
the House of Commons." (Drank with three times three, '
and one cheer more.)
Catch—" Mr. Speaker, though 'tis late."—(Applause.)
Sir J. YARDE BULLER responded to the toast.
The CHAIRMAN said—lt is not agreeable to speak of gen-
tlemen in their presence, more especially when those gentle-
men are connected with oneself, one by very close relation-
ship, and the other by friendship. But I cannot neglect my
duty so far as not to give, amongst a body of conservatives,
" The Members for the Southern Division of Lancashire.
Enthusiastic cheering.)
Lord FRANCIS EGERTON rose to acknowledge the toast,
and was greeted with an enthusiastic burst of cheering. He
said—My Lord Sandon gentlemen, I know not, gentlemen,
how my bon. colleague may construe the language of that
cheer which still rings in my ears : he may perhaps assume,
and justly too, that it savours of something of gratitude and
respect, justly and hardly earned by assiduous, recent, and
faithful services. For myself, I will say no more on that
topic immediately concerning myself, than this, that it tells
me even of something more, of kindness, excuse, indulgence,
and consideration for absence arising from circumstances
over which I believe you all know I have no control. (Hear,'
and cheers.) Gentlemen, that topic I will pursue no further.
In rising to address you on this occasion, 1 cannot but com-
pare it with the former opportunities that I have had of ad-
dressing you in this room, and on similar occasion, and,
gentlemen, I must own, that before I came here I was
disposed to expect, to some extent at least, that that com-
parison might be an unwelcome one for me to state, or for
you to listen to. For it was natural to suppose that, having met
here on former occasions during great excitement, we might
meet, if not with diminished spirit, at least with considerably
diminished numbers. lam happy to find, from what I hear
and see from authority, that that circumstance is not the
case. If it had so turned out, I confess I should have seen
no reason for despondency, or scarcely for disappointment.
We have not now immediately before us one of those great
battles which, as electors of this county, we have called upon
to fight. We have not now before us the prospect imme-
diately of any particular question of peculiarly exciting inte-
rest, respecting which we have to expect an early and imme-
diate contest; and on these grounds I own I should neither
have felt surprise nor disappointment, if some of those, pos-
sibly whom I have seen and gladly seen here before, bad been
absent on this occasion. 'slut if had felt any despondency of
that description, I think a remedy of easy application might
have revived my spirits. It was said of a learned and eminent
member of the House of Commons, who had devoted the
greatest portion of his life to the study of its rules and prac-
tices and of its journals, when that individual had the mis-
fortune to faint in the lobby of the house, that he was,
revivad by the application of a volume of the journals et
the house to the pit of his stomach. (Great laughter.)
Now, if on the occasion of this meetinr, I had been likelr to
have felt extremely unwell, I should have called on you to
let me smell at a copy of the registration list of South Lan-
cashire. (Cheers.) lam convinced if that remedy had not
revived me, the prescription might have been improved with
the addition of many similar ingredients from neighbouring
counties, from our own boroughs, and from, I may say,
nearly all parts of the kingdom. (Cheers.) It might be ex-
pected from me on this occasion that I should do asis some-
times done, that I should endeavour to present to you some
prospect of the difficulties which we might have to contend
with, and with some account of the nature of the difficulties
to go through in the session of parliament not now very
remote. I confess I should feel extremely diffident on un-
dertaking any task of that description ; for, as the noble
lord has stated from the chair, it is absolutely impossible for
me or any man to predict the precise course we are to follow
whey we have to meet a ministry composed like the Presen„f-
-1 am as ignorant as the noble lord himself of their lo;„
ss's"-
ples ; I am as ignorant as man can be of their intentions.
and I defy any man to predict, on almost any question of
vital interest to the country, what their course will be. For
they have pursued a practice, when opposed by the conserva-
tive power, that power which has been truly described as
having rallied in this county—they have a practice of recruit-
ing their exhausted strength by having recourse to the
resource of open questions, which positively disables anl-
- But there is another thing of more serious importance;
and that is, that even the most important considerations 0,
our national and domestic policy are now almost lost sight
of and swallowed up in the more difficult and less easily un-
derstood question, that of our foreign policy. Now with
regard to the questions involved under that denomination,
they are usually treated as forbidden matter in the House of
Commons ; and I must admit that it is not a subject with
safety or discretion to be discussed in that assembly or anl
other. But I have met amongst the other accusations with
which the conservative party are accused—l have been sur-
prised and astonished to meet an accusation in one of the
daily papers, which is, that the conservative party have an
anxious desire for one of the worst of human calamities--
an extensive foreign war. It is not for me to state the pros-
pects of such a calamity. We are now in circumstances in
which those prospects are affected by every letter and every di-
plomatic correspondence that comes two or three times a week
from Paris to London. We know not, day by day, whether we
are advancing or retreating from the prospect that is before
us ; and, under these circumstances, it is not for me to state
any opinion as to the possibility of that dreadful calamity.
Gentlemen, I have said I really cannot form an opinion on
our future prospects; it is impossible. I don't know what
questions the government may please to keep open, and what
they may please to keep shut. I don't know whether they
may make the repeal of the union a measure for the next
session of parliament. It is perfectly true that a man whose
I believe to be of honour and integrity—Lord Ebrington--
has declared his strong objection to that measure ; and has
stated that he will take the patronage of the crown from an,
who support it. As far as he is concerned, no doubt he will
act fairly and honestly, and perform what he has stated ; but
if he had just added that he would not invite Mr. O'Connell
to dinner, it would have been to Mr. O'Connell and most of
his hearers nearly as formidable a threat as the other.
(Laughter.) But what is advanced in this does not enable
us to form any calculation of what will be done with the
government in the House of Commons. I have never heard
better speeches than I have heard from Lord John Russell
in defence of the interests of the church, or in defence of the
bishops, and I have seldom heard better reasoning against the
ballot ; but yet that is a small satisfaction to me when Lord
John Russell, and perhaps another member of the govern-
ment, votes in favour of the bishop and against the ballot,
and several of the other ministers vote against the one and in
favour of the substitution of the other. (Hear, hear.)
Therefore on this subject—on the future measures of the
government, I must really crave your indulgence and excuse.
I change the subject, and conclude what I have to say, 11
proposing a toast for your acceptance. , I have sometimes had
the support and assistance and co-operation of a large class
in this county. It has been my lot to go successfully through
two very arduous contests in this county. It has been mY
duty to endeavour to secure the support of all classes of per-
sons, of all religious persuasions, of the inhabitants of this
county. I must say, that generally speaking, with man/
exceptions, for which on public and private grounds while
am very grateful, that I and my principles have found very
little support from protestant dissenters. I have no doubt
that this opposition was consistent, and far be it from me to
shackle the exercise of the franchise ; but I may be allowed to
express on behalf of those who differ from me on this subject-
matter more than gratitude when I have desired support from
them. And this I must say, that from no quarter of the
county, have I received a more prompt and gratifying and
honourable support, I will not say to myself, but to the prin-
ciples of that good government which I think I maintain, than
I have found from some of the gentry of the Roman Catholic
persuasion. (Great cheering.) I trust, gentlemen, it was
honourably asked. lam sure it was honourably and franklY
given ; and I have no hesitation in proposing to you as a
toast, which I am sure you will drink with the same feelings
which actuate me in naming it—viz., the healths of Sir John
Gerard, Mr. Trafford, Mr. Scarisbrick, and the catholic con-
servatives of the county. (Immense cheering.)
The Hon. R. B. WILBRAHAM, who was labouring under
severe indisposition, experienced, as usual, a most cordial
reception. He said—My lords and gentlemen, indulgent as
I have always found you when I have had the happiness to
meet you in public assembly, I must beg to claim your spes
cial consideration this day. I have merely to say, that in
what fell from my eloquent and noble colleague, when be
said he was at a loss to account for the cheers with which the
toast had been received, I could riot concur. I assure you
that I felt not a little vain in thinking that any part of that
applause was designed for me ; but I am fully alive to the
advantage of having my noble and right hon. friend for a col-
league, and that the chief share of right belongs to him.
Every day, gentlemen, that passes over my head, I see greater
reasons to rejoice in the principles which I adopted from mY
childhood, and which induced your hard exertions in my be-
half, and enabled me to speak from the position in which I
now stand. I do congratulate you that this association is
daily and hourly increasing in numbers, importance, and ex-
cending its influence, and it still preserves its original spirit
and activity. I trust that it has now arrived at that pitch of
strength that we may fairly dare our opponents to conic for-
ward, and test their power with our own in this Protestant
county. lam deeply sensible, gentlemen, that during the
last session of parliament I was unable to attend to my pub-
lic duties so closely as I could have desired ; but when I
state that this arose from domestic affliction and personal ill-
ness, I am sure I need offer to you no further apology.
could add nothing of interest to what has been so ably and
eloquently expressed to you already this evening, and win
therefore conclude by simply rettlrning you my best thanks
for Your kindness and attention. (Great applause.)
The CHAlRMAN.—Gentlemen, I am sure that in proposing,
to you the next toast, I need only mention the names of
Lord Stanley and Mr. Wilson Patten for the purpose of iv
curing to it a cordial reception. (Cheers.)
Mr. WILSON PATTEN responded to the toast.
The Cn AIRMAN then proposed " Lord Lyndhurst and the
Conservative Members of the Bar."
CRESSWELL CRESSWELL, Esq., M.P.. rose, and was re'
calved with cheers which threatened to be interminable.
He said—Gentlemen, these are the reasons for which I think

it equally my duty and my privilege to return thanks for the
honour which you have done in the toast proposed to you by
my Lord Sandon. The first is that, although lam not the
only conservative member of the bar present, yet I am by
far the oldest. The other is that, as a conservative member
of the bar, 1 was first introduced to the society of Liverpool,
which conferred upon me that high honour which alone has
_given me anything like a claim to an invitation to this great
and splendid meeting—a position which I hope, by their fa-
vour, long to hold in this county. (Prolonged cheering.)
And, gentlemen, as I am returning thanks for my Lord
Lyndhurst, and not in his presence, I may perhaps be excus
0 if, even at this late hour, I trespass upon your attention
for one or two moments, while I mention to you what my
observation of that noble lord's career has been, and what
title I think he has to your esteem and respect. The first
position in which I made the acquaintance of that noble lord,
was when lie filled the office of the first law oelicer of the
.eown, and I can say, from my own personal observation of
him at that time, that, as there was no advocate who, in
Westminster-hall, more eminently and forcibly advanced the
interests of his clients, or who so scorned to take an unfair
advantage of an adversary, or who showed more kindness and
courtesy to the juniors of the bar, advanced from that posi-
tion to the condition of the second equity judge of the king-
dom ; he there discharged the duties of his office equally
honourably to himself and beneficially to the public. It has
been his lot to be tried in various stations more severely than
judges haxe usually been ; for, after having filled that high
office, he was made lord high chancellor, and then sat as
chief baron in a court, administering both common law and
equity—a court, too, in which he had to decide various mat-
ters between the crown and the subject, and between them
no judge ever held, as a judge can hold, the scale of justice
ore equally. (Applause. Advanced again to the high office
of lord chancellor, I say it without meaning to draw any com-
parison between him and others, no one has filled that office
with more satisfaction to those whose causes he had to ad-
_ mister : most unquestionably no lord chancellor could ever
be actuated by purer motives, by a more anxious desire of
promoting those objects only deserving of promotion, and of
forwarding the justice of the country, than my Lord Lynd-
hurst. (Cheers.) Allow me, in the name of Lord Lynd-
hurst and the conservative members of the bar, to thank you
for the honour which you have conferred upon them. I trust
that, always professing the same principles which have led to
your
applause, any temptation held out to them will always
111 to produce any effect more than it has done, and that you
will always find that body of men who have studied the prin-
Fples of the British constitution prepared to uphold it as they have ever done. The learned gentleman sat down amidst
Prolonged cheering.
The CnaittatAN 'then gave " The conservative candidate
for
the
oetrnty of Chester." (Loud cheers.)
toast. L CORNWALL LEGH, Esq., rose to respond to the
Thead met ry
with a ve hearty reception.
AssociationsßAlnstAN then gave " The Operative Conservative
On
the throughout the kingdom. (Loud applause.)
cries e Chairman announcing the toast, there were loud
s for Mr. Holme, and after a considerable interval had
elapsed, during which the cries were repeated,
Mr. HOLME rose amidst loud cheering. He said—When
I had the honor of accompanying your lordship to this mag-
nificent banquet, I had no more idea of taking any part in
its proceedings than I have of interfering with the internal
management of the affairs of China; but as, by the uncivil
partiality of the friends around me, I am brought on my legs,
I do not hesitate to say that I feel deeply indebted to the
operative classes, and admire the stand which so many of
them have made in defence of conservative principles. (Ap-
plause.) And although it would have been more consistent,
had there been one of that valuable body present to have
responded to the sentiment which has been so cordially re-
ceived, yet, as there are none present, the conservative me-
chanics shall never want an advocate as long as the power of
speech is left to me. (Cheecrs.) There is one subject, my
lord, which deeply affects the classes for whom I appear, as
well as the whole of the trading classes, and although it was
eloquently, and by some speakers, most elegantly alluded to
last evening in Liverpool, it has not yet been touched upon
to-night, and as I have been in some degree compelled to
speak, I trust your lordship will bear with me for a few mi-
nutes whilst I mention in connexion with the toast, the all
absorbing question of—How these millions are to be educated,
and what is our duty as churchmen towards them ? (Hear.)
The attacks made of late years on the Church of England
have at length awakened us to a sense of our duty—they have
brought thousands out of their seclusion who would not have
appeared had not danger threatened, and these have enabled
Us to newly rig our almost dismantled ship, they are supply-
itig us with ammunition, and cheering us onwards; and I
speak as a churchman when I say, that I for one, sincerely
hope these attacks may continue, until no part of the beauti-
ful landscape of Britain shall be traversed, without there
being visible a temple erected to the glory of God having a
resident minister, who shall have the superintendence of a
scriptural school, and shall authoritatively tell to the loftiest
,as well as the lowliest of his faith, that man's first duty is to
his God and Saviour, his next to his country and his neigh-
bour. (Applause.) Without any of the adventitious dis-
tinctions of birth, without any of the influences and advan-
tages but those which flow from honest industry, the trading
Portion of the community at this moment wields the destinies
of this mighty empire, and humanly speaking, the destinies
of the world. And the national welfare demands that this
iroPortant body should be educated not only on scriptural
Principles, but also in those scientific acquirements which
are in the present day so necessary, to enable our beloved
Country to maintain her position, and long may she maintain it
amongst the nations of the earth. And yet, nay lord, science
in itself is but a passing meteor, an empty glare. Its corrus-
cations may amuse and delight, but they can neither warm
nor cheer. (Hear.) To be truly valuable they must be con-
nected with religion ; for whoever would separate scientific
from religious education, must surely suspect the immorta-
lity of the soul, and desire to rob man of his high and
heavenly destiny. (Cheers.) As well may we expect a stately
tree to resist the sweep of the hurricane if we cut away its
root, as we may expect man, however scientific, to resist the
temptations, and to overcome the trials and difficulties inci-
dental to human existence, unless his principles are based on
the unerring Rock of eternal truth. (Continued cheering.)
If the latitudinarian schemes now so industriously dissemi-
nated, were to become universal, society would be a wilder-
ness of tempestuous waves ready to engulph our free
Institutions; but pour on those waves the holy oil of true
religion, and their heaving will be assuaged, and they will
become the means of spreading both knowledge and wisdom
ta°„ae7emankind. (Cheers.) Christianity, my lord, is not of
is-e-rin"t_'h nature, for it is diffusive—it breathes all atmospheres,
f naTi "races all.nations, and would fold in its arms the whole
princyh„cif man. (Cheers.) Connected with this vivifying
end thatWe wish to see science flourish, and it was for this
Lord Stanley yesterday laid the stone of our Colle-
giate Institution, which is especially intended for the trading
Classes. I take this opportunity of expressing my hope that
the people of Manchester- will speedily follow the example
set them in Liverpool, and that a similar institution will soon
be founded there. Tell me not of difficulties, they may he
surmounted. One of our excellent rectors feared we could
not succeed in Liverpool, but the attempt was. made, the
application was responded to, and yesterday the first stone
Was laid ; and in reference to popular education, I hope that
that institution is only as the first streak of light which gilds
the mountain top, and gives presage to a bright and glorious
day. (Loud cheering.) I call then on the people of Man-
chester to make the attempt. It will be to the shame and
disgrace of the churchmen, that the dissenters can erect a
College in Manchester for educational purposes, and that
they will not, for if they will only try they will succeed.
(Hear, hear.) Mr. Holme made a few other observations,
and concluded amidst loud cheers by thanking the meeting
in the name of the operative conservative associations, which
he hoped might increase till their numbers were equalled by
their loyalty.
[We have been induced to give the above speech at length,
in consideration of the important truths which it embodies.]
_Lord FRANCIS EGERTON then proposed " Mr. Clarke, the
Vice-Presidents, and the District Secretaries," with thanks
to them for their exertions. (Loud cheers.)
Mr. GEORGE CLARICE, one of the churchwardens of Man-
chester, to whose public spirit and devotion to the interests
of that town the people are greatly indebted, responded to
the toast.
The CHAIRMAN then gave " The Lancashire Witches."
Drank with three-times-three and one cheer more ; after
Which the company separated.