The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1848-08-01 00:00:00

STATE OF THE PROVINCES IN GREAT
BRITAIN.

As might be expected, the spirit of the disaffected, and
ignorant, and rash portions of our large English towns,
especially those that are " manufacturing," has become
evinced by sundry insubordinate demonstrations. We
trust, however, that the generally loyal and manly spirit
of the inhabitants of this island will be sufficient to arrest
any attempt that may be made to disturb the tranquillity
or endanger the lives or the property of any of her ma-
jesty's subjects. The accounts we have received from
Manchester. Leeds, and Birmingham, sufficiently show
the excitement alluded to, but it is perfectly clear that the
malcontents, though largely mischievous in purpose, are
miserably diminutive in numbers,that their attempt at local
disorder may easily be crushed, and that the attention of
the country need not be thereby withdrawn from the
major seditionists in the sister kingdom, who will proba-
bly require a larger measure of coercion before they be
quailed.
On Wednesday evening an attempt was made to fire a
factory in King-street, Bolton, belonging to Messrs. Pow-
nall and Lomax, and in consequence of this and other
symptoms in other quarters, the Mayor of Manchester
addressed a circular to the mill-owners and proprietors of
that town, to the effect that as the confederates had de-
clared " their determination in case of any disturbance to
create confusion by attempting the destruction of mills
and other property by fire," he and his brother magis-
trates request they (the owners) will " take all the pre-
cautions in their power, and especially during the night."
The Mayor adds, that though the authorities will ever be
ready to afford all the protection within their power, direct
protection can only be given by individual watching on
the part of the proprietors within and around the building.
He concludes by counselling them to dissuade their work-
people from joining assemblies in the street, and to ap-
prize them of the injury to their own interests as well as
all others that must result from the insane conduct of the
clubs, if they be not restrained. Shortly after the issuing
of this circular, a fireman in the employ of Messrs. Wat-
son and Co , Eagle Quay, observed a suspicious-looking
man about their premises, and after watching him had him
followed by the police. He had thrown away a piece of
paper which was found to contain a small quantity of gun-
powder, and some lucifer matches were found upon him,
but he by some means escaped.
On Friday morning, a proclamation was issued by the
magistrates of Mancnester, to the effect that illegal clubs
had been found in the town ; that large bodies of armed
men had assembled, contrary to the public peace; that
they would put them down with the co-operation of the
well disposed ; that they looked for aid to the great body
of the working classes. honest in purpose. and sound in
principle, as their faithful allies in upholding that entire
security of person and property in which all were inter-
ested, but which was peculiarly essential to the welfare
of those whose subsistence depends upon their daily la-
bour; that trade, if unmolested, would revive, and that it
was the duty of working men to discountenance all illegal
associations, to separate themselves from the disturbers
of the public peace, and to remain quietly at their lawful
occupations, except their services should be required to
assist the authorities in repressing attempts for the de-
struction of property and the creation of disturbance.
The proclamation concludes by requesting all persons,
in case of disturbance, to go to and remain at their homes,
so that they may not be amenable to the consequences of
becoming accomplices.
Captain Woodford, chief constable, and Captain Shep-
pard, assistant chief constable, of the Lancashire County
Constabulary, have made efficient preparations amongst
their corps, for the preservation of the peace, in the event
of any attempt at outbreak being made in the country dis-
tricts. On Friday the town was tranquil.
On Wednesday afternoon, at Edinburgh, Mr. Archi-
bald Walker, and Mr. James Cummings, with some
others, were arrested on a charge of a very general charac-
ter, comprising attendance at illegal public meetings, and
for addresses delivered on those occasions of an excit:
ing nature. The houses of these persons have been
searched, and documents of a very suspicious nature have
been seized and carried away. An examination of the
prisoners took place, but it was of a stric ly private cha-
racter. After the examination, Rankin, Cummings, and
Walker were committed to gaol, and the other parties li-
berated on bail. Bail was offered for the others but re-
fused. A great demonstration of sympathy is talked of by
the more active chartists.
At Birmingham, on Tuesday evening, the inhabitants
of the Bull Ring were much surprised by the sudden and
unexpected appearance of a number of Chartists and
Repealers, who had marched in procession from a meeting
in the People's Hall, Lovelady-street. The meeti►►g was
not called by any public announcement or demonstration,
and would seem to have been the result of some secret
organization. The numbers have been estimated by
some at 2,000 ; others say less ; but there were at least
800 present. On arriving at the Bull Ring they com-
menced groaning and cheering; and before leaving, an
announcement was made of another meeting.
In London, on Tuesday evening, a public meeting of
the Irish repealers resident in London took place at the
theatre, in Milton-street, Cripplegate, for the purpose of
organizing repeal clubs throughout the metropolis, similar
to those established in Ireland. Several hundred persons
who were unable to gain admission congregated in front
of the theatre. The police were on the alert. The chair
was taken by Mr. Kenealey. A good deal of seditious
language was employed by several of the speakers. so
much so that the chairman had to call them to " order"
repeatedly; threatening to adjourn the meeting if such
language were not withdrawn, as he was neither desirous
of becoming a victim himself in the dock of Newgate, nor
any of those around him. The speakers, however, would
not be restrained by the advice of the chairman, and the
latter, therefore, adjourned the meeting amidst the most
tumultuous uproar.
A meeting of Irish Repealers and Chartist sympathisers
was held in the Vicar's Croft, Leeds, on Thursday even-
ing ; but the professional Chartist lecturer, who talked for
two hours, uttering only tame things, was listened to by
not a very numerous auditory.
At Preston, yesterday evening week, a man named
Baker, an itinerant Chartist, delivered a sort of harangue,
to a congression of chiefly foolish young men, on " the
way to national wealth, and the curse of an aristocracy."
He dealt in wholesale abuse of all the higher classes of
society, and said he was for the annihilation of royalty,
&c., &c. ; and thought it would be happy for the people
if they had a thorough democracy in place of an over-
ruling aristocracy. He was not very warmly received.
Last Wednesday, a mob of about 400 persons marched
through the streets of Bolton, eight or ten abreast, and
then, giving groans and cheers, separated. No speeches
were delivered, but several of the leaders used military
words of command, " Fall in," " Quick march," &c.
It is said that torchlight meetings of the Repealers and
Chartists are to be held.

NORWICH UNION LIFE INSURANCE SOCIETY.

The members of this society held their annual general
meeting, in their offices at Surrey-street, on Thursday,
the 29th ult., the recorder, Isaac Jermy, Esq., president,
in the chair. Among the members present were—Major-
General Sir R. Harvey, and J. Wright, Esq., vice-presi-
dents ; the directors, Dr. Evans, T. Steward, Esq., G.
Durrant, Esq., J. Neave, Esq., J. H. Barnard, Esq., &c.,
&c.

After having read the resolutions of the former general
meeting, the secretary, S. Bignold, Esq.. read the adver-
tisement calling the meeting, and laid before them the
following accounts :—lst. The annual cash account of
the receipts and disbursements of the society, from the
Ist July, 1846, to the 30th June, 1847. 2d. The account
of the capital of the society, as the same stood invested
on the 30th June, 1847. 3. The account of the liabilities
of the society, as the same stood in life policy contracts,
and annuity contracts, on the 30th June, 1847. 4th.
The society's mortality table, for the thirtieth year, end-
ing 30th June, 1847. sth. An account of the new busi-
ness for the last twelve months.

The PRESIDENT then rose and said, he was anxious to
make some comments on one or two points. Every
director, as well as himself, must feel so serious a respon-
sibility in the administration of the affairs of this extensive
society, must at all times render them alive to the inter-
ests and welfare of the institution. It appeared, on an
inspection of the annual balance sheet now before them,
that the increase of capital in the year amounted to
£97,080, a result, he thought, of a most satisfactory na-
ture; and although the number of policies issued during
the last year was greater than in the preceding year, yet
the amount of new business showed a slight decrease.
This might be attributable to the distress that had lately
prevailed, preventing persons availing themselves as largely
as usual of the benefits of life insurance. Another cause
to which it might be attributed was the additional caution
of the directors, especially by his friend Dr. Evans, in the
addition of fresh lives. He considered that although the
increase of members might be thus slightly checked, still
it. would, in the long run, answer well for the prosperity
of the office. The society's investments was another point
which occupied the greatest attention on the part of the
directors. These were improving yearly in soundness,
and realised interest. An additional half per cent. on
many very extensive investments had been established
during the past year, ,he advantages of which would in
due time accrue to the society. In conclusion, Mr. Jermy
stated that the directors would be happy to give informa-
tion on any subject which the members might desire to
have explained.
Mr. ROBERT HARVEY thought that one unerring proof
of the society's increasing prosperity was most apparent in
its low rate of mortality.
Dr. EVANS was convinced that the great safety of the
office depended on the caution exercised in admitting
lives, a caution he was ready to assist by all the means in
his power. He hoped that it would always be the aim of
the directors, to render the society sound and prosperous,
by particularity in admitting lives, rather than to court
business indiscriminately.
Mr. 11. STEWARD, of Yarmouth, made some inquiries
regarding the accounts which had been read, and stated
that the reports of the condition of the society which bad
been laid before the meeting were, in his opinion, highly
satisfactory, considering that 414 policies had been granted
during the past year, he thought that considerable pro-
gress had been made in new business, which would tell
well for the prosperity of the office on an examination of
the state of its affairs. He had great pleasure in moving,
" that the position of the Norwich Union Life Insurance
Society, as evidenced by the accounts now read, is very
satisfactory to this meeting, and fully entitles the society
to a continuance of that support which it has hitherto re-
ceived from the public; and that the best thanks of the
members are due to the directors, for their great care and
attention to the society's interests at large."
The Rev. J. BAILEY had paid great attention to the
proceedings of the day, and placed the greatest reliance in
the soundness of the principles on which the society was
based. He felt much pleasure in seconding the resolu-
tion, which was carried unanimously.
The PRESIDENT, in acknowledging this vote of confi-
dence, felt convinced that the directors would continue to
do their utmost for the affairs of the society, and urged on