Monmouthshire Merlin

MIDDLESEX RBro&M BtNKEB. The grand reform dinner to the Members for the count! (Messrs. Uyng and Hume) took place on Monday, at Drury lane Theatre. The arrangements made for the occaflion were upon the most extensive and most liberal scale-neither cost nor labour was spared, and when the appointed hour of din- ner arrived—when the guests were seated and the spectators assembled—the managers cf the feast might well be pardoned a feeling cf priue and self-gratulation when they witnessed THE Sp'endid result of their activity and care. The Chairman was seated at a cross table immediately upon the proscenium on the O.P. side, extending to ihe verge of the orchestta on the one hand and to the point of the first VRIFCG on the other, Three other tables, devoted tc thx; accommodation of the more distinguished guestf, r?.n across the front of the stage in im- mediate opposition to that occupied by the Chairman and the COUNTY and city Members. On the right, the raised and boarded pit presented an array of five tables one of a horse- shoe shape, running all lound below the dress circle and in- closing four others, stretched lengthwise across the erea be- tween the orchestra and the boxes. On the left, twelve tables of ample dimensions carried the visitois back t'óthe extremity of the stage, and beyond these a number of other tables, placed in the passages and ante-rooms connecting the wings with the gteen-room and dressing-rooms, furnished the means of accommodation to many who were not fortunate enough to obtain a seat in closer proximity to the chair. The tables were spread out for 1,100 persons, a vast number when the limited extent of the house is considered, but utterly con- temptible when compared with the multitude who would have been present if sufficient space could have been procured for Ihem. The body of the house needed of course no new or temporary embellishment to add to the splendour of its ap- pearance but the arrangements upon the stage called for a display of taste, and we are bound to state that the call was well responded to. From the proscenium backwards the tables appeared to be spread beneath a rich and costly tent, illuminated with many lamps, and btaangatthe extremity with jets of gas representing the initials of the King and the floral emblems of the three united countries. Above the heads of the guests floated a number of banncTs inscribed with various mottos, such as Byng and INDEPSFLJMFLC^ HVME and Independence," Hume, the Friend FEW) Advocate of our Rights," The People and their Richfc," '• The Tri- umph of the People," The Triumph of J^inciple," AND many others of a like description. The band of the Cold- stream Guards was placed in the slips on the O.P. side, and a set of glee singers occupied the slips opposite. The com- pany began to assemble at about half-past four o'clock, and at the same time the boxes began to fill with ladies. In less than an hour the house was completely crowded, and it would be difficult to imagine a more magnificent spectacle than was then presented. Seldom, perhapt, within the same building have there been assembled so many loyal and manly hearts, surrounded by so much of feminine elegance and beauty. It was true that the tables presented a host of po- tent allurements but many a sidelong glance showed that the four dazzling tiers of boxes, in which no male obtruder was allowed, possessed attractions stronger than the best vintage or most skilful cook could supply. Some delay arose in consequence of the non-arrival of the Chairman (Lord Russell, eldest son of the Marqness of Ta- vistock) and for a time his place was occupied by his uncle, Lord Wm. Russell; but before the dinner was concluded, Lord Russell arrived, and was received with a shout of wel- come. Air. Byng sat on the light of the Chair, Mr. Hume on the left. Amongst the persons of distinction present were the following Members of Parliament :-Sir Ronald Ferguson, Col. lhompson, Messrs. Pattison, Crawford, Cirote, Wil- liams, Ward, Charles Buller, Warburton, T. Duncombe Wakley, Clay, Ewart, Tutk, Bisli, Sir S. Whalley, Lynch, Wilks, B. Hall, Serjeant Talfourd. When the dinner had been concluded, Non Nobis Do- mine was sung by the professional gentlemen present. The first toast was The King," which was drunk with all the honours and great applause. The Queen," with three times three. Air, The light of other days." The Chairman-I have now to propose the health of the Princess Yictoiia. (Cheers.) As heir apparent to the throne I hope she will justify the expectations of tht people. (Great cheering.) The toast was drunk with the utmost enthusiasm the company rising and renewing their rounds of applause. The Chairman had next to call upon the company to drink to the health of another member of the Royal Family—one to whom they owed very much of loyal attachment and re- gard, not only on account of his own personal character, but also because he had ever proved himself the firm, uncompro- mising friend of the rights and liberties of the people. (Cheers.) He proposed to them to drink the HEALTH of the Duke of Sussex. (Cheers.) I he toast was drunk with three times three, and many ad- ditional rounds of applause. The Chairman next proposed the Army and Navy, the brave defenders of the country, might they ever prove the best defenders of her liberty. (Loud Cheers.) The toast was drunk with three, times tKree JTTTD followed by Rule Biiiannia." Ift Sir Ronald Ferguson returned thanks for the Army. Captain Dundis on the part of ilie Navy* assured the company that, of that brave body, who were ever ready to de- fend their country against foreign enemies (and never more ready than at present), at least one-third was comprised of those who had been designated as aliens to this country. (Great cheering.) Lord William Russell rose amidst much applause to pro- pose the next toast. He said, I propose to you with cordi- ality, and I am sure you will receive it with the same, The Sovereignty of the People." (Greit cheering.) The toast was drunk with rapturous applause. After a short 'pause, the Chairman said-It now becomes my duty to propose to you a toast, to which I feel strongly my own inability to do juslire-I mean the healths of the members for the county, Mr. Byng and Mr. Hume. (Rap- turous applause.) Of Mr. Byng, whose whole life has been devoted to the public service of his country, to the cause of reform, and to the promotion of civil and religious liberty (cheers)—whose highest ambition has been to servelthe peo- ple honestly, faithfully, and diligently (cheers)—and who has succeeded in that wish to the full satisfaction of his con- stituents and the whole of the county, for half a century. (Cheers.) Mr. Byng is now the father of the House of Commons (cheers)—with the proud consciousness of having steered the even course of patriotism from the earliest period of his publtc fife to the present moment, and of having in the w.orsl times dared to assert the freedom of mankind. (En- thusiastic cheering,) Of your other member for the county, t, his useful and active popular life (great app]AUSE)—his un- ceasing efforts.in the public cause, his indefatigable industry, are so well known by all, that it would be presumption in me to attempt to estimate them. (Cheers.) I will, therefore, without further preface, propose to you to drink The healths of your representatives, George Byng and Joseph Hume, Esqrs." The toast was received with the most enthusiastic applause, the company lising from their seats and continuing to cheer for many minutes. Mr. Byng, in returning thanks, entered into a brief re- view of public life, and continued thus :-The Reform of Parliament achieved under the Government of Earl Grey has more than compensated me for all the toil, trouble, and anx- iety that I have had in representing you. It has been the means of introducing other useful and needful reforms-a re- form of the corrupt Corporations of England and an aboli- tion of negro slavery.—(Cheers.) Thus, as far as England is concerned, with the independence she now possesses, 1 am perfectly satisfied but not so with regard to Ireland. (Great cheering.) Ireland must and will have justice. (Re* iterated cheering.) I have been taunted and asked, What do you mean by justice 1" The question is easily answered. I say; Ireland must be put upon an equal footing with Eng- land in evejy respect. (Great CHEENN^ILJJHAT be done, we cannot expect her attachment, nor are we wortly of re- ceiving it. (Continued cheering.) Gentlemen (taid the venerable Member, with strong emphasis), so certain am I that Ireland must and will receive justice, that were I ten years younger, I might hope to see it. I might hope to see the time when no questions should be asked whether a man were an Irishman or an Englishman, a Roman Catholic or a Protestant.—(Loud and long continued cheering.) Having stated the number of years 1 have served you, I cannot ex- pect to serve you many years longer. (Cries of We hope you will.') If I were to study my own feelings, I certainly should wish to retire. (Ciies of no, no.') But I will only add, that if you cannot find a candidate professing the same principles as myself, and attached as strongly to them, I will then submit to your wishes, and consent to die in har- ness. (Enthusiastic cheering.) Mr. Hume then rose, and was received with the most en- thusiastic applause. W hen tile cheel ing had subsided, the hon. gentleman addressed the assembly in the following terms:—My lord and gentlemen, I cannot hope to make so great a claim on your consideration as my hon. colleague,who can number only a quarter of a century in the public service but I have endeavoured to make up for the deficiency by working double tides. (Loud cheers and laughter). The applause with which you received the toast given by Lord W. Russell, "The Sovereignty of ihe People," was most cheer- ing, and the proposition of such a toast does honour to the family of that noble lord. (Cheers.) The Russells have suffered in the cause of freedom. Gentlemen, the present meeting I look upon not as intended to flatter the feelings of any particular individual, but as one intended to promote a agreatpubtic principle. (Loud cheering). The people of England, from one end of it to the other, are looking with the greatest anxiety to the course which is to he followed by their representatives in the next Session of Parliament,—whether they are to reap the full benefit of, and have all those fruits which they flatieied themselves were lobe obtained by, a Re- form of Parliament or not 7 I have stated the triumph of principle on the part of my hon. colleague, but althouoh he can number many years of public service beyond what Thave seen, yet in my short time events have occurred, which neither he nor I ever expected to witness. There i* only this differom q between him and me—,he iiayt he if, satisfied with Iho Heform lHiI, I am net. (EntbmlaiMie ebseri.) I ,'1" pleased with what we have obtained since 1830, but T ask you, is that any lcason why we should not ask for more ? (Long continued cheers.) The present occasion is one of immense importance it is a crisis for good or for evil and it is on that point that I am most anxious to address you. (Hear, hear.) I have reason to believe that we shall pro- gress. Every hour tells me of the triumphant progress of the good intelligence and sound knowledge of the country. We have arrayed against us a great, a combined, a most influen- tial parl^—a party who, for a century past, have fattened on the spoils of government—(tremendous cheers)—who have grown rich on the public taxes, and have acquired such no- tions of their own importance by long possession, as to look down on you and me as so many licentious innovators, whom they have denominated by all sorts of names. But it is be- cause they have unjustly held what they never ought to have had—it is because they have held what their title deeds will not suppoit (cheers); it is oti that ground that 1 am anxious, radical reformer that I am (tremendous cheers, and much laughter, amidst which the close of the sentence was inau- I wish with all my heart we had only two terms of designa- tioii-tliat of reformers and anti-reformers and I have no doubt we shall before long come to that. We shall then be reformers of various shades, proceeding some to one extent and some to another; but there is no reason upon earth why should not all agree upon general principles (here the com- pany expressed their assent by prolonged cheering) in oppo- sition to the Tories. (Renewed cheers.) I cannot conceive how any honest man in the country can hesitate as lo the course he shall take on the question of supporting the reform- ers or the Tories. (Hear.) As to the Tories, what have we to expect from them? We are told by the Right Hon. Baronet, the late Tory premier (loud laughter), nay, gentle- men, do not interrupt me (renewed laughter), for it is im- portant to regard what has fallen from the lips of the Cham- pion of Conservatism as to the course the Tories will pursue, the views they entertain, and the anticipations which they indulge in with respect to their own future fortunes. (Hear, and laughter.) He lells us, in a tone of confidence, that he expects very soon to regain that station from which he was so signally rejected. (Laughter.) lie prophesies that that will be the result of the ensuing session. (Laughter.) He prophesies—I beg the attention of gentleman to this—a second time success to his party from the disunion of the re- formers. (At this announcement the cries of hear, hear" were most earnest and long continued throughout the assem- bly.) You know that the government of my Lord Mel- bourne was dismissed in no very courteous manner in No- vember, 1834, and you know that the Right Hon. Baronet, the member for Tamworth, presided over the ephemeral go- vernment that succeeded. You know also that the Right Hon. Ba-fonet, with all the acquirements and talents he pos- sessed, endeavoured to sustain, single-handed, his station. Yes, he mo&t'unquestionably was left to act single-handed in the House of Commons, to maintain his situation • but you all likewise know that we, the reformers, held together and expelled the Right Hon. Baronet from office. (Immense cheering.) Ou what ground, then, I ask, can he expect a second time to attain office on account of the differences aiising between the advocates of reform 1 I have only this to say, that I believe a gross misunderstanding has gone abroad as to the differences between reformers. (Loud cries of" Hear.") I believe that it will turn out that the Right Hon. Baronet has prophesied a second time in vain, and that he will not benefit much from whatever differences may be among reformers. I know no reformer, however ultra he may be, who is not determined to keep out the Tories if he can. (Loud, long, and universal cheering.) We have nothing to expect from them but evil (Iond cheers), while we can have nothing from a liberal government but good. (Long-continued cheering.) With respect to the policy pursued in the last Session of Parliament, I need say but little. Every one knows that a stop was put to the progress of legislation by the impediments thrown in the way by one great branch of the Constitution. The question therefore arises—what is to be done to remedy that serious evi) ? or, how long is the nation to tolerate that suspense of legislation ? If I call your attention to the change of policy which is con- templated to he pursued in the ensuing session of Parliament as compared with the last Session, I think every man will peiceive that it is of the greatest importance. It appeals that Sir Robert Peel is to change his policy altogether. In the manifesto issued by the Right Hon. Baronet from Merchant Tailors' Hall, nothing more was claimed by him than a fair trial. Give us," said he, a fair trial, and we shall be prepared to encounter the Reformers. (Laughter and cheers.) You must carry your measures bv the registration. Look to your registries see that your men are ready for by the Members of the House of Commons must the fate of the country be determined." But what does he say now ? Find- ing that the registration is against him, notwithstanding all the votes his party has gained, he now tells them fairly and frankly, I will not submit to a tyrant majority." (Loud cheers.) It is most important that every Reformer should look to this. Sir Robert Peel is now throwing himself into the hands of Lord Lyndhurst; and not only is he prepared to reject and dispute the authority of that tribunal which, in my hearing in the House of Commons, he admitted was the only equitable and constitutional tribunal for deriJing the question pending between the Reformers and the,Tories, but before the great assembly at Glasgow he changes his tone, refuses to accede to any one of those propositions by which he formerly declared himself ready to abide, and now declares himself one of the Lyndhurst and opposing faction, and a staunch upholder of the Peers. (Tumultuous cheering, and cries of All the better.") And i, too, say it is all the bet- ter, because now the matter is out. (Cheers.) We bad no- thing but hypocrisy before now we have the truth. The cloven foot is in view. And now comes the question, What course ought the Reformers to pursue? Sorry am I to say that there are too many Tories in the House of Commons. But there they are, and we must deal with them in the best way we can, and the only way in which we can deal with them effectually is by union (cheering), and by giving up our own petty differences. (Renewed cheers.) 'The trial is coming. Is it to be the few or the many who shall conquer? (Cheers.) You may shut your eyes and be unwilling to look as you ought to do at the real slate of the case. But I lell you that what is now going on in this country is a struggle between aristocracy and democracy—whether the few shall rule for their own benefit and advantage, as they have so long done, or whether the affairs of the nation shall be managed by the people through their representatives. (Cheers.) We are now arrived at that period-at tlitt crisis. The tug of war is commencing, and we have to determine with ourselves whether we are to fight or yield. (Cheers.) I say on this occasion my voi ce is for war. (Cheers and laughter.) Ge- nerally speaking, 1 am against all war; but really this is a struggle-or call it war if you please-which has already be- gun, and must be most seriously looked to by the people. (Cheers.) We have arrived at that period when an e: ror in our proceedings may turn all to evil. It is a period, there- fore, requiring from us the coolest and gravest consideration. (Hear, hear.) I presume we are all agreed that a Liberal Government should be kept in office. (Here the company rose, and gave several distinct rounds of cheers.) I have no hesitation in stating that I have great confidence in my Lord Melbourne. ( The cheering was renewed.) Now, gentle- men, my Lord Melbourne never was a great Reformer. [ have known him a great many years, but one very important advantage which he enjoys is, that he has risen with the times. (Cheers.) I wish I could say as much of all his colleagues. (Hear, hear.) But I am willing to hope they will see the necessity of adapting themselves to the opinions and feeling-, of the times. Manyof them, I know, are as fully radical as I ever was, and what I want them to perceive is, that the time is now come when they ought to be aiding and assisting in the great cause lhat is now pending in the country. I wish not to see the whole labour and burden on Lord Melbourne alone, in whom, I repeat, I have great con- fidence. It is; therefore, to be considered how that Noble Lord is to be continued in office, while ihe cause of Reform is made to advance. I am aware lhat there are many anxious friends of the Government who apprehend that the difference of opinion which exists among the Radicals will tehd to break up the present Government, and afford an opportunity to the Tories to step in. The Tories declare that the Court is with them, that the Peers are with them, that the clergy are with them, tint the magistracy is with them, and that the squire archy is with them. Why, I will give them all these, so that you give me but the people. (Loud cheers.) They say much more (and it is too true)-" We have the army with us, we have a Tory commander-in.chief, a Tory Secretary, the lieutenant of the Duke of Wellington, managing evtry thing." It is too true, and the friends of freedom have no chance in the army they have no chance of promotion at all and I tell Lord Melbourne that his voice ought to be raised against so unconstitutional and so unjust a proceeding. (Cheers.) Now, in order to please the people, my opinion is, that we should proceed to complete the Reform Bill. What is it the people ask the Ministers to do? They say give us the power of exercising the franchise honestly. Un. less you protect us against all the influences that are capable of being exerted over us in the disposal of our votes, it is too much to expect that we should sacrifice our property and the interests of our wives and families for what, after all, is but a contingent good to us. You cannot ask us to put in jeopardy our immediate existence for a remote advantage. It Is ("fuel to do so, and therefore we ask you to give us the ballot. (Here the company rose, and gave several rounds of cheers.) Let us have open questions. (Loud cheers.) I should he sorry—perhaps I should even risk the existence of a liberal administration—if 1 were to press them to adopt this or that particular measure. That is not the course which it would be wise for us to pursue. But let the government hear the objections that may be urged against, and the teasons which may be advanced in favour of that measure let these come fairly before them and the legislatuie, and then let the coun- try decide. (Loud (lieeis.) I want nothing but constitu- lional reform—1 want to complete the Reform Bill. When that bill was introduced, we were told that there should be no constituency below 300 but, in consequence of the mo- ney-paying clauses, and the other vexatious qualifications, some of the constituencies have been actually reduced below 200 and, for want of the ballot, these places have become mere nomination boroughs, This is not whet ought to be allowed, We want aJarge extension of lha piiociole, and I m Giu'ioas iliai w« 9hoai4 fairly Uy wJieiliei a liouseitold suffrage would not succeed. (Loud cheeiing.) t do entreat and hope that no quarrel which may be raided about this ca- binet question or that, will be allowed to interfere with that which I conceive to be the most important question of all- ihd diffusion of education amongst the masses (clieers)-the establishing of a general system of education, by which we shall remove the only objection that Sir Robert Peel himself maltes against power being entrusted to the people. To this part of the subject I add no more and will, therefore, advert to another topic. The time is arrived when a clear under- standing must be come to with the House of Lords. (Loud cheering for some minutes.) It is impossibte that one housa of Parliament can be allowed to stop all legislation. Many remedies for this evil have been proposed, and I am about to add another to the number. I am disposed chly to look at a temporary remedy, and I think there is no difficulty in find- ing a very efficient one, to which those objections cannot be made which have been urged against several of the schemes suggested. Let us not attempt to affect a change unless it can be done with safety. Great prudence must be exercised in whatever course may be taken. At the same time, I am certain that a very considerable change must be made before long, otherwise we shall have to submit to the domination of the few over the many. I will only repeat, let those who are anxious to maintain a liberal government be prepared at the same time to give up each in his turn that which may in- terfere with their general objects; but let the Administra- tion in their turn also give up something. Meet us and go with us. If they do not, it is impossible the people can be satisfied. Let his Majesty's evil advisers become convinced that the people are not with the Administration, and away must go Lord Melbourne. (Hear, hear.) After all the favourable expressions I have used towards his Majesty's Ministers, they must believe that if they do not go on with us and give to us those open questions which we feel to be paramountly due to the public, they must not, I say, think that we are going to do injury to them, if as public men, bound to perform a public duty, we should feel ourselves im- perative^ called upon to adopt a course different from that whicb-lthey themselves migbH|hink fit to pursue. (The Hon. Gentleman sat down amidst the most enthusiastic and pro- longed cheering.) Mr. Byng then rose and gave the health of" The Reform- ers of Middlesex." Three times three. Mr. H. Weymouth, on the part of the freeholders of Mid- dlesex, returned thanks. Mr. Wm. Clay, M.P., in proposing "Lord Melbourne and his Majesty's Ministers," (which was received wilh loud cheers) said—1 say, without fear of contradiction, that in the four sessions of the Reformed Parfiament more great measures of real and practical improvement have been passed into laws than can be cited in any period-I will not say of equal length, but of TEN times the length-since the Revolution of 1688. (Cheers.) I am slow to believe, gentlemen, that the people of England are unmindful of these things. (Loud cries of hear, hear.) Still less do I believe that they are or they have been, as hastily asserted to be, indifferent whether the ministry be displaced and succeeded by a Tory Govern- ment. The people no doubt are tranquil. The Tories have a monopoly of agitation. (Applause and laughter.) Indeed there is a very odd and somewhat amusing change lately as to the region in which political excitement exists. In my early days it was always the people—the mob, as they were termed —who were disturbed. It was at meetings of Operatives at Spitalfields or Manchester that violent language was held; but now it is the masses are tranquil (hear, hear), and the upper classes are disturbed. (Cheers and laughter.) I pro- test the most turbulent class of the community at this mo- ment is the Tory Aristocracy (great applause), and if at any meeting language of a dangerous and almost seditious kind is used, such as drawing the sword, civil or otherwise, ac- cording to the discretion of the speaker, against the constitu- tional power of the majority—ten to one but it is a meeting of Tory Peers, and squires and reverend gentlemen (laughter and cheers) most of them with two or three livings a piece. (Much applause and laughter.) Let, however, these well- dressed agitators not reckon too much on the calm altitude of the people. (Cheering.) They are tranquil, but their tran- quillity is not indifference (loud cries of "hear, hear")— it is the repose of conscious strength—it is the slumber from which the giant will awake refreshed (long continued cheers) -it is the pause of the mighty river, which seems to sleep in the bosom of the lake, until it again precipitates itself on the obstacles that oppose its onward course. (Cheers.) And now, gentlemen, I will conclude with the expression of a hope, in reference to the statesmen who are the subjects of our toast -a hope which I feel assured will not be disappointed—may they never forget that their sole reliance is on the people, (Tremendous cheeiing.) Mr. Grote, in proposing "Shorter Parliaments, and pro. tection to the freedom of the suffrage," said-allow me to translate this toast into my own language, and to express the same sentiment in phrases by which it is more commonly known-Triennial Parliaments and vote by Ballot. (Cheers.) I have laboured earnestly and assiduously to enforce the ne- cessity of the ballot, and it is my firm purpose to re- peat the proposition in the Session now at hand. (Hear, hear, and cheeis.) It is most gratifying to me to recollect the growth and expansion of this important question during ,.Ltie last few years—from an unnoticed theory, to a mighty "ft" overruling article of the Rffformet's political creed. I accept the past progress as an earnest of the future. (Hear, hear.) 1 trust these two important questions, Ballot and liiennial Parliaments, will be brought forward in the next Session of Parliament, under more favourable auspices, and with inere;t,ed support. (Hear, hear.) After urging the neiessily of Ministers making these open questions, Mr. Grote continued :-Gentlemen, it is neither my duty nor my dis- position to appear as the unqualified panegyrist of the past acts of the Ministry but there is one department of their administration which stands so prominently apart from the remainder, and deserves such prominent commendation, that I should be guilty of injustice if I left it unnoticed—I allude to the government of Lord Mulgrave in Ireland. (Cheers.) The spirit of justice, impartiality, and beneficence in which the Executive Government of Ireland has been conducted since the appointment of Lord Mulgiave forms a memorable en in the chronicles 01 that distracted country. (Cheers.) I cannot wonder that every man of liberal principles, Eng- lishman as well as Irishman, is proud of this glorious page in the history of the Whig Ministry slillless can I wonder that a long-oppressed and warm-hearted people like the Irish are grateful to excess for their emancipation from the tyranny of a faction, and disposed to forget every other consideration in the eagerness to preserve Lord Mutgraveattheheadof theii affairs. (IleaT, hear.) Gentlemen, there is one more topic on which 1 would gladly say a few words. If the mi- nisters desire to maintain the esteem and confidence of the body of Reformers, they will abjure at once and for ever the fruitless project of trying to conciliate the House of Peers at the expense of their own Consistency, as well as of their duty to the people. (Cheers.) For my part, I know but of one satisfactory remedy, and that is, a complete reform of the Heieditary Chamber. (Cheers.)' Mr. H. G. Ward, M.P., rose amidst loud cheers to pro- pose the next toast. The toast he had to piopose was Justice to Iteland." (Loud and long-continued cheering, the audience rising from their seats and prolonging the ap- plause for several minutes.) Up to the present time Ireland had had rights withheld from her which no government would ever have dared to have kept back from the people of this country. (Hear, hear, hear.) The principle acted upon up to the present day was to preserve and promote the interests of the minority, and this was to be effected by reducing to a state of degradation the bulk of the Irish nation (cheers), and what was the justification for this ? Why, the worst of all pleas, namely, the plea of a difference of religion. (Hear, hear, hear.) Jle protested against acting upon such a prin- ciple in the name of Christianity and Protestantism, which, when it was rightly interpielcd, meant the right of free judg- ment on religious matters. (Loud cheering.) Mr. Hall, M.P., said, I am called upon to propose to you a toast, but before doing so I trust I may be permitted, as my honourable friend the Member for Finsbury did, to express the gratification (hat I feel in being able- to- altend here this evening. Weare met here for the purpose of doing honour to your representatives, in one of whom you see a man who for years before many of us were called into existence ad- vocated the same principles which he consistently adheres to, co 11 0 t and which had animated a majority of his fellow-subjects. lie has lived to see a reform of the House of Commons, and God grant that he may long live, with faculties unimpaired I' and with energies unweakened, to assist in the attainment of all those benefits of which the Reform Bill has held up to us just and reasonable expectation. My noble friend who now fills the chair has described your other member as one who, uniting strict integrity with perseveiing industry, devotes his time and his talents to promoting the political liberty of his countrymen. It must indeed be gratifying to him to witness this assemblage, met together for the purpose of paying just tribute to his exei lions. If he hears of reaction in Middlesex, let him distegard that assertion, and bear in recollection the the meeting of this evening-if he is threatened with oppo- sition, let him rest assured that those who supported him on former occasions will again rally round him and hail him as representative of their county. But gratifying as this meet- ing must be to your representatives, and rendered not the less so by the society of those whose presence must give a charm and influence to our proceedings, it ought to be a source of exultation to all Reformers for at this moment when we are about to enter upon a new session of Parliament, in which the comparative strength of the several parties composing the House of Commons is about to be tried-it must, 1 say, be a source of gratulation to all to find that the first city in the empire is now identifying herself with the interests of the many, and giving an earnest of the political intentions of her inhabitants. It might be in the recollection of many, that when the clauses in the Reform Bill giving representatives to the metropolitan constituencies were under discussion, they received the warmest opposition from the Tories. They pre-, dicted that which has come to pass they feared that meetings of this description, combining all grades of Reformers, would take place, and that these meetings would give a tone and character to others which might be held in tfie provincial dis- tricts. Their prediction has been verified in part, and I hope that the tone and feeling wliieb have manifested itself this evening will h« extend^ 59 tha jemoteit pail* of the empire, Il I»M bsea tiid by S&M, ;hat we are on lite eve of an eveaiful crisis, if those whohotd that opinion me^if ttiat we must soon arrive at a crisis rejileie with.great and extraordinary events, I agree in the proposition but if they say that because eventful it must necessarily be fearful, I cannot coincide in that allega- tion I speak as onejof those Reformers who desire to see every abuse expunged, whether it exist in the list of statutes, or is to be found in the catalogue of pensions and I say, that whether we have much to expect and hope for, we hay. nothing to fear but delay, which can alone be obviated by our own united exertions. We find ourselves in the position that the Lords will not yield to the House of Commons, whilst the Representative Assembly will most assuredly not bow to a less responsible one. If, then, the proceedings of the one $re stultified by the conduct of the other, hy whofliv* is the question to be fihally decided 1 If an appeal is made lo the people, have we, who hold the opinions I have de- scribed, cause for fear? Will the people continue to com- plain, and yet hesitate to act? I know that their power is limited, and that their franchise is circumscribed, but if they use the one and exercise the other to the utmost of their present abilities, they must soon attain the benefits derivable from real and searching reform. jflLoud cheers.) I cannot, however, but feel confident, that if those who ought to lead us in the crisis will pursue a determined line of conduct, much of the difficulty may be overcome, and much of the delay may be aveited. But if the ministers are not in a mass prepared to support us in those great questions which are considered of paramount importance by many who have given them an honest and disinterested support, let them at least release from their allegiance all those who are so po- litically connected with then* that they cannot do otherwise than act up to the biddingofthe Cabinet. (Cheers.) If they cannot join us in the repeal of the rate-paying clauses of the Reform Bill, let us have the advantage of the votes of those who are favourable to our views—if they cannot coincide with us in the repeal of the Septennial Act, let them not resist us and if they cannot join in with us in our desire to throw a protecting shield over the voter, who is frequently made the perjurer of his own conscience by the heartless and uncon- stitutional exercise of atuhoiity on the part of those who would annihilate him for his honest advocacy of the cause of civil and religious liberty, let them at least, as far as they are concerned le4ve the-great question of the ballot uncontested -let them not, by adding their weight to the already power- ful influence of our opponent, defeat us for the time, for they may rest assured that we shall return again with fresh de- mands, rendered more determined by the delay of the ques- tion, which will in itself be tendered more invulnerable by its agitation (loud cheers); but let them leave us to fight the battle with our sworn political opponents, and, if beaten, let us be beaten only by those who have given the new name of Conservatism to the perpetuation of abuses, and who, de- sirous of having it supposed that they have laid aside the ancient garb of Toryism, would still continue to advocate the cause of the few, and direct their energies to the political an- nihilation of the many. (Great applause.) I do not desire the ministers to compromise any principles they may severally entertain, but if they will not merely leave these great ques- tions open, but will at the opening of the session cast down' the gauntlet of defiance to the Tories, and throw, themselves upon the people. (Loud cheers.) The people, in justice to themselves, Will then defend their cause, and vindicate the rights they gave." They will rise again pre-eminent, and should we be plunged in the turmoil of a dissolution, the country will receive them with open armi, and the spring of the new year will be glad- dened with the same political enthusiasm which spread itself throughout the country in the autumn of 1832. But in the dark cloud which threatens the present aspect or public af- fairs there is one bright ray which ought to give us some de- gree of hope and consolation. (Cheers.) Although the House of Peers comprises a majority who have arrayed them- selves in open hostility to the people, and who, as if infatu- ated, are content to follow, in silent and submissive lowliness, one whose recklessness of conduct may possibly lead them to their own destruction, it yet contains others who, trusting not to their numbers, but the goodness of the cause which they uphold, pursue a far different course of policy, which, whilst it calls for our admiration, is equally entitled to our thanks. (Cheers.) I shall propose to you The health of the Libe. ral Peers of Great Britain and Ireland," and I shall prefix to that toast the name of one who is not less illustrious by descent than he is noble in his actions. (Cheers.) I well remember that when petitions were pouring into the Htase of Lords from all parts of the kingdom in favour of the lie- form Bill which had been first introduced into the other House of Parliament, seeing the first Peer of the realm, being himself at that time one of the greatest borough proprietors in England, get up in his place, and, after expressing his approbation of the principles of the Bill and alluding to his own boroughs, say, These, and ten times tuore, would I give up, because I know that this Bill is calculated to pro- mote the general welfare of the people." (Cheers.) Whilst the conduct of the Noble Duke is fresh in our memory and receives our grateful acknowledgments, it will be muter for ihe historian of afterlimes, that it wns the Duke of Norfolk of the present day who, immediately on the removal of those civil disabilities which the narrow-minded bigotry of the times bad so long imposed upon him and his Catholic bre- thren, voltin'tariiy tendered a resignation of all ius*jP.&r1ia- mentary patronage, and demanded reform in the representa- tion of the peepJe.—Toast. The Duke of Norfolk and the Liberal Peers." (Great cheering.) A variety of other toasts succeeded, after which the com- pany separated.

PRICES OF STOCKS. FOUR O'CLOCK. Friday Sat. Mon. Tues. Wed. Thurs. FOUR O'CLOCK. Friday Sat. Mon. Tues. Wed. Thurs. Bank Stock 210 208 208 205i 20-fi India Stock 260j 260 259 2.V8 259 2SS 3 per Cent. Consols 9oj 89J 89} 89i 8QJ 8Vi Old 3J per Cent 99i 99* —~ S per Cent. Reduced Ann. 90J 9«i 9.U Vol 90jf 8»J 3i per Cent. Reduced 98j 9S| 9S| 98fc »0t t)s| New per Cent 98j| 03J 98i 98j 07J India Bonds '21s. p. 22g. pi 22s. p.:20a. p. 18*. p. IBs. p. Exchequer Bills 25s. p. 25s. p. 24s. |>. 25s. p.}22». p. 22t, p. Consols for Account 90i 8!>f 90 80& 89j 89V Long Annuities 15j 15 15 ll§ ) £ §

COUNTRY MARKETS. Monmouth, Saturday, Jan. 21.—Wheat, per quarter, Im* perial measure, 64s Od to 00s Od Barley, 39s 4d to OOs 0d Oats, Os Od to Os Od. Bristol, Junuary 24.—Wheat, per quarter, 61s Id Barley, 36s 6d Oats, 24"s lOd Rye, Os Od Beans, 44s Od Peas, 00s Od, BI'eOO1l, Tuesday ,January ¡"Wheat, per bushel, Imperial measure, 7s 6d to 8s 2d Barley, 5s 3d to 5s 6d Oats, 3s 3d to 05 Od Malt, 00s Od to 45s Od Peas, 6s 4d to 6s 9d Beef, per lb. 5d to 6d Mutton, 5jd to 6jd Pork, 5d to Od Butter, fresh, 14d salt, ll £ d to IsOd.—Fat pigs 8s per score. Hereford, Jan. 1\.—Wheat per bush. Imperial Measure, 7s 9d to 7s lod-i Barley, 4s 9d to 5s Od; lleans, old. 6s 8d to 7s Od ditto, new, Os Od to Os Od Peas. 5s 9d to Os Od Vetches, Os Od to Os Od Oats, 3s 6d to 4s Od. Gloucester, January 21.—Wheat per bushel of 601bs. 7s 9d to 8s 2d Barley per Imp. Quar. 39s Od to 42s Od Beans, per Imp. bush. 6s 4d to 6s 6d Oats, Imp. Quar. 26s Od to 34s Od Peas, Imp. Quar. 46s Od to 54s Od; Malt, Imp. Quar. 46s Od to 62s Od Fine Flour per sack of 2801bs. 50s to 52s.

PRICES OF SHARES AT BRISTOL. CoMMERCtAL RoOMS, BRISTOL. WEDNESDAY EVENING. Paid, Price per Share. Bristol and Exeter 5 31 a 3i Bristol and Coal-pit Heath 50 42 Eastern Counties 2 If 2 Great Western Railway Company 30 42 43 London and Greenwich 20 20 2q TaffVale 10 9 10 Bristol and Gloucestershire 2* If 21. Birmingham and Gloucester 10 84 94 Cheltenham and Gt. Western Union 1\ 6 6i Grand Connection. 2| 2 £ 2 £ London and Birmingham 75 143 145 London and Southampton 30 ». 22 23 Leaden and Brighton 5 8i 8i Ditto (Rennie's) 3 If 2 Liverpool and Manchester 100 215 Leeds and Manchester 5 12 13 Bristol Coal Gas 20 37 38 z.- Oil ditto o. 25 26 Bristol Union Insurance 10 10 lOt General Steam Navigation Company. 13 25J 26 West of England and South Wales? 1A lrt DistrictBank$,u 1J*U National Provincial Bank 2.5 25; 1 he Share Maiket remains in the same inactive state as for some days past, and the transactions are very few. Prices, generatly, are a shade lower.

PRICES OF SHARES AT LONDON. No. of Shares. CANALS. Price per Share. 1005 Brecknock and Abergavenny.1501. sh. 100 600 Glamorganshire, Averagecost,.172i.l3s4d. 230 2409 Monmouthshire 100/. sb. 200 533 Swansea 100/. sh. 220 3762 Severn and Wye & Railway.Av. 35/. sh. JOINT-STOCK BANKS. V 10,000 .frank of Birmingham 50/. sh. lOi. pd. 10 000 Birmingham Bank 50/. sh. 5/. pd. 30,000 London & Westminster.. 1<)0/. sh. 20/. pd.20*a20ai 25,000 Liverpool.. 100/. sh. 10/. pd. 50.000 Manches.&LivcrpI.Disct.. \ool,sh. 15t.pd. 20,000 l\Ianchesler.IGOt. 5h, 251, pd. 25,000 1\10 nmouthsh,& G lamorgamh., 20L.sh .5l. pd. 20,000 Provincial Bankoflreland.. 100/ sh.25/.pd. 20,000 National Baiik of Ireland..50/.sh.l2j/. pd, 10,000 1'\ ationa1 ProvinI.Eng1and.. 100/. sb.251. pd, 80,000 North&Cl. Bk.of England, .10/. sh.all pd, 20,000 North and South Wales,,20/.sh.2/.lis. pd. 10,000 Gloucestershire..50/. sh. 10/. pd. West of England and South Wales i District. 20/. sh. 10/. pd. i 20,000 Wills and Dorset 15/.sh. 7 £ pd. IIIO V RAILWAYS. 9500 Birmingham and Gloucester 5/.pd. 7500 Bir., Bris.,&Thames Junction. 20i'.sh. l/.pd! 660 Bristol and Exeter 100/. sh. 5/. pd. 350 Cheltenham 100/. sh. 7500 Cheltrn. Gt. Western ..100{. sh. 211. pd. 14,000 Ciieltm., Oxford, U Great North of England »•«•!>• M..1W. pd. *2^,000 Orsat Western««!>••<• 100/.#i». UM