The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1846-07-07 00:00:00

SIR ROBERT PEEL AND MR. COBDEN.

(From the London Record.)
We cannot but think that Sir Robert Peel might have
paid a compliment to Mr. Cobden, without doing it in
such a manner as might seem to approve of the constitu-
tion of the League, and of the system of its agitation, as is
the reasonable inference from the right hon. baronet's
speech of Monday night.
When Lord Anglesea was recalled from Ireland, and
said in his parting address to the Romanists, that his ad-
vice was " Agitate, Agitate, Agitate," every man of sense
denounced the filly of the exhortation, coming from the
lips of a retiring Viceroy, and only palliated his conduct
by the recollection that he was fitter to charge at the
head of a regiment of hussars than to govern a nation.
But Sir Robert Peel must be regarded in a very different
aspect, and we cannot but feel that his panegyric is fitted
to stimulate the ambition of future agitators, and to call
into existence a new swarm of would-be Richard Cob-
dens.

It cannot be forgotten that Sir Robert Peel at one time
entertained a very different opinion of Mr. Cobden, and
thought that he did not always "appeal to reason." No
one can overlook the fact that when Mr. Drummond was
aFsassinated by one who designed the bullet for Sir Robert
Peel, the premier spoke in such a manner of Mr. Cobden's
addresses to the great Anti-Corn• law meetings, as seemed
to intimate that Mr. Cobden was morally responsible for
the attempted murder. Great was Mr. Cobden's indig-
nation, but so unsatisfactory was Sir Robert Peel's ex-
planation of his meaning, that it was not until che pre-
sent session that Mr. Cobden expressed himself satisfied,
that the imputation was withdrawn.

But it is not to any private feeling between Sir Robert
Peel and Mr. Cobden, that we now look. We look to
the fact that Mr. Cobden, not by appeals to reason merely,
but by a powerful organization, meant to overawe the le-
gislature, has for many years laboured to carry the repeal
of the Corn-laws. Could the creation of fictitious votes
be styled "an appeal to rea,o.l ?" Could the preparati-
ons on foot for supplanting the county constituencies be
regarded as an "appeal to reason ?"
We regret that Sir Robert Peel should have used such
language in regard to Mr. Cobden, although we are free
to admit the great talents, the indefatigable industry, and
the comparative moderation of that eminent agitator.
We admit that amongst agitators he is entitled to a high
place, but still he was an agitator. And it would have
been quite as suitable if Sir Robert Peel, as he has now
concluded his labours in favour of the abolition of the
Corn-laws with a panegyric on Richard Cobden, bad
closed his great effort on behalf of Roman Catholic
Emancipation with a laboured panegyric on Daniel
O'Connell. Richard Cobden and Daniel O'Connell are
both unconstitutional agitators, although we freely admit
that as between them, the palm of truth, integrity, and
principle, must be awarded, net to theselfish, blustering,
equivocating mendicant of Ireland, but to the more self-
denying and truth-telling Leaguer of Stockport.

TIRE VALUE OF LAND AND SIR ROBERT PEEL'S
MEASURES.—Our readers will remember we ventured a
few strong thoughts last week on the subject of Sir R.
Peel's new and decisive measures in respect to the corn-
laws; and as they may now be accounted as fixed and set-
tled, it may be a good time to pursue our remarks in re-
spect to its effect and its consequences. That portion of
the community whom Mr. George Robins has designated
those " who ere more frightened than hurt," will do well
to mark, learn, and inwardly digest the short commen-
tary with which we purpose to illumine our sceptical
readers. The cry hiss been, and still continues, that the
produce of the soil must now be so deteriorated, and the
tenantry everywhere so out of heart, that ruin and the
Corn Bill are become synonymous terms with the agricul-
turist. Now let us dispassionately, and with fairness and
impartiality, look to the value of this random shot fired
off by the Corn-law League to frighten good men out of
their reasoning faculties. The consequences about which
the Dukes of Richmond and Buckingham have alarmed
themselves so much, at length seem to have arrived at
fever heat. They proclaim, first, the fearful fall in the
produce of the soil, indeed, to so low a scale as not to af-
ford a remunerating price to encourage the honest farmer
to toil while he has such a dismal prospect before him ;
and then they go on to remark that of necessity all those
good men and true must become ha'f.ruined, and give up
their farm to a balder class of successors, but necessarily
at a lamentable discount on the rental. It shall be our
business to oppose facts to the suppositious cases—these
inventions—these sallies of a disorganised brain. In our
recent observations we told the public nothing bad yet
occurred that could guide our reason as to the important
If—if land had been or had not been depressed by Sir
Robert's measures. We then said, in an addenda, that
nothing of much importance had yet been in the market,
and that we must wait patiently before we decided for
George Robins's long aenounced sale of the pet estate in
Warwickshire, the Willen Hall estate. Before we arrived
at a conclusion—we premised that this would be a safe
criterion whereon to build our hopes or fears. Well, the
eventful day—the long-looked-for 16th of June arrived in
due course, and now let us candidly look at the result.
The rental of this compact property is exactly £1,550 a
year, to a tenantry without leases, and who have paid the
rent for ten years without a murmur, or one solitary
guinea of arrear. The estate is one of the most compact
in Warwickshire, the soil most congenial for money get-
ting—the dairy farms not surpassable—it ne a
wr ley
say all
tithe-free, and with this, the grand desideratum, it is
extra-,varochica. It may be urged Men this is hardly a
fair case from which to draw a just result, but
with the French farmer "toute au contraire." It is the
very thing to open our eyes, as the result will show—Mr.
Robins, in surveying this estate, in order to arrive at a
sound knowledge of its annual value, suggested that it
would bear an additional £l5O a-year extra rent. Now
to show that they have throughout been giving a fair price,
they declined to pay anything in addition, consequently
the sale must le viewed as one indicative of its real an-
nual value. Well, then, now is the time to see what was
the determination of the tenantry. It must be remarked
that every one asked for a lease, fearing a new landlord
would add 10 per cent. to their rent, and this was not
conceded. All were willing to pay the same, but no
more; but their countenances, however, showed but too
plainly their fear at separation. Thanks to their fortu-
nate stars, all is right (as will presently be seen), and they
continue in their uninterrupted happy state of occupation.
And now for the great resu:t —the Auction Mart was filled,
and only by considerable capitalists. The rental, it has
been stated, is £1,350 a year exactly. And now for the
proof of depression ; now for visible signs of the ruin
brought on the agriculturist by Sir Robert Peel ; now for
the uncertain tenure of land. Hear this, " Oh, ye of
little faith!" and especially those who delight to find a
hole in the system of our talented and highly-gifted Mi-
nister, whereby to cavil. Poor people l—their fate and
valueless opinion is fast approaching to become manifest.
The first cff, r made was £40,000., but it is known that
Mr. George Robins, ever since his memorable sales of
Lord Ormonde, in 182 i (which he sold for 500,000
guineas), has adopted the system of always selling in
orf.
yuinemasa,desothitshaotffehre
(thewtas
agent
obliged
theto ask
Earl
increase—his bidding—to guineas. That was cheerfully
done, atad then commenced the pleasing task of competi-
tion. Soon it was discovered that Creesus, the head of
all banking, establishments, was in the field ; be bid cau-
tiously, but still like a buyer; then came James Mellor,
Craven)Wh t c k n e
tos
who
Esq. (one of the rich tenants be it known), and bid with
much earnestness and spirit, opposing the other rich dons,
until he reached 48,000 guineas, when he retired from the
Irace, and one more bidding of 100 guineas, made in favour
of Lord Craven, succeeded in possessing him of this
prize, at 48,100 guineas, or £50,905. Mr. Whickens,
who bid for his lordship, then very opportunely told all
the tenants that his lordship valued them too highly to
let anything separate them, and promised leases at the
heimagined,present rent, b
ut
it
s accordingoul
would
to
be theirver y
difficulto wn wishes.
todescribe
The
joy
it.
that this declaration diffused on their countenances may
In conclusion, let us see what a fearful reverse in value is
to be laid at Sir Robert's door. The rental now (and to
be continued) is £1350 a year, and the price given 14
Lord Craven is 331 years purchase. When this fact be-
comes known, as it must do, what will the alarmists sal
to this ? Facts are exceedingly troublesome things to
deal with ; they are not quite so easily controverted as as-
sertions are made. In this case facts must prevail; and
if there be a shadow of a principle or liberality among
their disappointed army, let them now confess their
faults, and ask of Sir Robert to forgive them. It is a
proud refutation for him, after the abuse and misrepre-
sentation he has been subject to ;land without envying
him this just tribute to his bead as well as to his heart,
we wish him very many years of happiness to enjoy the
splendid result of his well imagined and well-digested
plan.—The Sun.
11 Inn SHERIFFS, "SIXTY YEARS SlNCE."—There is
a tradition on the Oxford Circuit, that Sir F. Buller once,
met at the first assize town with a very unsophisticated
Jtue Sheriff',dpgpeity bluntly
carriage, f de u
n me t ai
nd
whetherae
rd ofy
made
hisad e
lieLo
bu Lordship, d
oes
nsh
ei pa ,s
syllable
lesl
anl he
bal
efi waso,oei.
g(wt
(the
eot owohritsh
fide) as they had been so often fobbed off with Sergeants
in those parts? When satisfied on this important particulars
he took his seat aside of the Judge. A grave severity on
the countenance of Mr. Justice Buller occasioned some
misgivings in the mind of the Sheriff; who expressed
fear that he had unwittingly done something wrong. 1:
is certainly," said his Lordship with a smile, against
etiquette on these occasions for the sheriff to take )315_
seat fronting the horses, unless,"—he put his hand on the_
gent leman, who was starting up—" unless invited by tbt
Judge, as I now invite you." Craddock tells a s'ory of i;
learned predecessors encounter with another Sheriff, e°
unamusine. The world was not then so highly refined aa
at present. After the usual opening of common topics'
such as the roads and the weather, the High Sheriff Waa.
to feel himself a little more emboldened, and ventured to
ask his Lordship whether, at the last place, he had gone
s,
to see the elephant? The Judge, with great good humcans
replied, "Why no, Mr. High eriff, I cannot say thatt:,
did; for a little difficulty occurred; we both came in
~a
town in form, with the trumpet sounding before us,
there was a paint of ceremony to be settled, which go"'
visit first."—Townsend's Life of the Judges.
BEES.—Proverbial as the industry of the bee is, A,
should think that there are few parallels to the followiti
—A cast of bees was lately presented to a gentlemaa
Cockermouth, which, in the short space of nine si,a,Ye;
produced 2811bs. of fine, rich honey, the whole of ssu,:. a
was taken without destroying more than about hasis
dozen of the industrious tenants of the hive.—Car •
"

Paper.
THE FAME OF HOLLOWAY'S PILLS IN THE 0-11113.'1
HEADACHES, dimness of sight, deranged stomachs,
disordered livers, as likewise in restoring strength at!
vigour in debilitated constitutions, is so great that even in
the East Indies the different castes of natives are takillt
but little other medicine than these famous Pills. °?
native agent, in the presidency of Bombay, sold, latell
retail, fifty-three dozen boxes in fifteen days. The extrir
ordinary cures performed by those pills, when all oche'
means Fail, is truly wonderful. Females will and this
most admirable medicine.