The Principality

FUAXCE. SPEECH OF VICTOR HUGO BEFORE COMMITTEES OF THE ELECTORS OF PARIS. "A month ago, I ti-ioiiglit it my duty, out of respect for the electoral initiative, to abstain from personally offering myself as a candidate, but at the same time you will recollect I de- clared that, the day when danger threatened the National Assembly, I would present myself. Danger has appeared. I present mnelf before you (applause). z, A month ago, one of you proposed to me this question, which I received with pain, 'Jf it should come to pass that mad men dare violate the National Assembly what think you must be done?' I received, I repeat, the question with pain, but I answered without hesitation on the spot, 'all must arise as one man, and' (these were my words) 'crush the insolence of dictators under the sovereignty of the nation (bravo). [That which I declared a month ago, three hundred thousand armed citizens have performed a fortnight ago (ap- plause).] Before this event which is a crime, and which is a catastrophe, to offer myself as a candidate was but a right, and a right may always be refrained from, To-day it is a clutv, and a duty cannot be forsaken. To forsake a duty is to desert. You see I am no deserter (loud applause). Since the period of which I am now speaking, in some few weeks, the confused outlines of political questions have become clear; events have suddenly revealed with a provi- dential light the inmost meaning of all thoughts, and at the o present moment our situation is one of a luminous simplicity. There are no longer but two questions—life or death. On 11 or.e side, there are the men who wish for order, liberty, peace, family, prosperity, work, credit, commercial security, flourish- ing industry, the happiness of the people, the greatness of the country—in one word, the prosperity of all as consisting in the well-being of each. On the other side, are the men who wish for the abyss (sensation)! There are the men who have for dream and for idea, to embark France on a kind of Medusa's raft, where they would devour each other while waiting for the tempest; and the night (bravo! bravo pro- longed movement)! I have no need to say to you that I am not among those men: that I shall never be so (no, no, we know it). I shall strive in the front to my last breath against those bad citizens, who would impose war on France by tumult V emeutej, and a dictatorship on the people by terror. They will always find me there upright before them as a citizen in the tribune, or as a soldier in the street (acclamations). You know what my desire is. I hsve spoken it but a few days since. I have spoken it to the whole country. I have said it with all my convictions in my soul, trying to bring forth from the heart of all honest men the word which each one thinks, but no man dares to utter. Well! that word I have spoken. My choice is made; you know it. I wish for a Republic, which shall be an envy to all peoples, and not a Republic which shall be a horror (prolonged Z, bravos). I for my part wish, and so do you, a Republic so noble, so pure, so honourable, so paternal, so peaceful, that all nations shall be tempted to imitate it, and to adopt it (bravo). I wish for a Republic so holy and so fair, that when men compare it with all other forms of government it shall cause them to vanish away by the comparison alone (very good). I wish for such a Republic, that all nations beholding France shall say 'not only how great is she! but may also say'how happy she is' (applause)! Be not deceived -on this point, and I would that my words could pass beyond these narrow walls, and perhaps they will pass beyond them, the propagandism of the. Republic is its very life. For a Republic ever to establish itself in France, it must establish itself out of France and for it to establish itself out of France, it must make itself accepted by the conscience of the human race (bravo, bravo) You know now the bottom of my heart. My whole thought I might include in one word that word is this, a strong hatred of anarchy, a tender and deep love of the people (enthusiastic and unanimous applause). I add this and all that I have written, and all that I have done in my public life is there to prove it, not a page has issued from my pen since I have reached the age of man, not a sentence has issued from my mouth, which is not in accord with the words which I speak here this day (cries of it's true). You well know, you my friends, my colleagues, my brothers, T am to-day the man that I was yesterday, the de- voted advocate' of this great popular family, which has suf- fered too long-the thinker-friend of the workers, the worker- friend of the thinker (bravo) the writer who desires for the labourer not the alms that degrade him, but the work that honours him (good). I am the man who yesterday defended the people in the midst of the rich, and who to-morrow would defend, if necessary, the rich in the midst of the people (fresh applause). It is thus that I understand, with all the duties it comprehends, that sublime word which to me seems inscribed bv the hand of God himself above all nations in the eternal light of the heavens, FRATERNITY (pro- longed cheering). [The above excellent translation of Victor Hugo's speech is from the pen of an esteemed friend. We are sure our readers feel deeply interested in the perusal. It is a speech such as a man of highest patriotism and genius could alone utter. We scarcely know which to praise most, the dignified boldness of the man or the good sense and chaste- 21 ess of his speech. The English press at the present-time teems with the terrific details of the late insurrection, and pro- phecies of the downfal of the Republic.- They bury all the peaceful aspirations and the high-minded resolves of all the true-hearted Republicans, and give prominence to-the odious and abominable designs of the anarchists, and endeavour to connect in the minds of our people the evils of Socialist prin- ciples with the workings of Republican institutions. On this account we have the greatest pleasure in directing the atten- tion of our readers to the above speech, which we believe to 'B-? a truthful exponent of the views of the vast majority of tile French Republicans, [

1 SPAIN. Madrid journals of the 12th instant Hare arrived. Not content with having- a quarrel with England on their hand, the Madrid Government are. it appears; desirous also cf embroiling themselves-with France. The Espmut is furious to-day- at the idea of the French authorities venturing to search Queen Christina's palace at Paris, and also the residence of the lately appointed. Spanish Consul, Senor Griinaldi, who, though not a Spaniard, has Been preferred to that office for former services rendered to that lady. The Paris letter of the Eapercmza speaks of Senor Grimaldi as being' compromised—and deeply compro- mised—in a process about distribution of funds to the insur- gents of Paris, and it may be inferred that whatever he has done has been in compliance with instructions of some kind. The Montemolinists in Catalonia and Arragon continue to •yain ground, and it is now admitted by the most ardent supporters of the Madrid' Government, that if Cabrera is not'speedily put down the affair may become serious. The Montemolinists were for six hours in possession of Gracia, Montemolinists were for six hours in possession of Gracia, one of the suburbs of Barcelona. A M-ontemolinist guerilla, band has been formed in the mountains of Toledo, and several young men have left Madrid to join It. Several Montemolinist bands have appeared in Estremadura. Cabrera was near Olot on the O;T;. A detachment of thirty infantry and a squadron of the Principe Cavalry have gone over to the Garlists, taking- with them their arm;, horses, and accoutrements. The insurrec- tion in Navarre is every day gaining strength. Letters from San Roque and Valencia speak of the em- barkation of upwards of one hundred political prisoners from AWecivcs for Ceuta, and state that another train of the same number left Valencia on the 7th in the Blasco de Garay steamer. Senor Sanchez Gata, ex-political chief of Sara- gossa, was among the number. The Infanta Josefa has caused her marriage with Senor .GualL of Rente, which had given so much offence to the 'Queen, to be annulled. The ex-husband has been arrested. In the Basque Provinces the Monte-molmists have obtained several advantages, On the 13th, they surprised Colonel Iriarte between the villages of Epinal and Biscarrete, and fotd him to take refuge in Epinal, with the loss of several of his men killed, and more wounded. There were four hundred Montemolinist infantry engaged in this affair besides cavalry.

FJlANIvF() RT.—TIIE GERMAN PARLIAMENT. In their sitting on the 14th, the German Parliament took t into consideration the letter of the Hanoverian ministry to the Estates of Hanover, dated July 7. In this communication it is stated "That the King of Hanover, moved by the personal qualities of the Adminis- trator, is induced, on that account, to recognize his election, although the form and purport of the resolution of the National Assembly was well calculated to have caused him to follow an opposite course of conduct." The concluding paragraph in this letter is to the effect- That his Majesty declares, in case these proceedings do not lead to a happy result, but should proceed in the limita- tion of the independence of his kingdom to a pitch beyond bearing, his Majesty could not consent to remain in a posi- tion in which all possibility of advancing the welfare of his country was denied him." The Hanoverian Deputies in the German Parliament protested against this proclamation. A long discussion ensued, in which the King of Hanover's course of conduct was inveighed against in the strongest terms, and at last Wydenbruck's motion was carried by a considerable majority—viz., that the National assembly resolves, the Provisional Central Executive Power shall immediately demand from the King of Hanover a distinct acknowledgment of the law for the establishment of a Cen- tral Executive Power for Germany." The house shortly afterwards adjourned.

IRELAND. THE QUEEN'S VISIT TO IRELAND.—The Dublin Evening Post holds out a hope that the Queen may visit this country after the prorogation of Parliament. GOVERNMENT PROSECUTIONS.—The ill-advised proceed- ings adopted by the law officers of the Crown in the case of Mr. Darby M'Gee, of the Nation, and Mr. Hollywood, one of the Club emissaries, have, by gross mismanagement in Z7, some quarter, been rendered altogether nugatory, and both these gentlemen are now left at full liberty to ply their vo- cation Z, until the spring- of 1849, unless in the mean time j they prove themselves 0 to be such arrant fools as to come under the range of the Attorney-General's long guns by uttering of seditious speeches within earshot of green-coated reporters.- Tiines. TRIAL OF MR. MEAGHER FOR SEDITION.—A letter from Limerick, dated Thursday, and published in Saunders' of this morning, says:—" Yesterday (Friday) the Limerick county grand jury assembled, when a bill of indictment was sent before them, charging Mr. Meagher with a misdenea- nour; and they announced that they had found a true bill.' Mr. Meagher was then called upon for his recognisance, which he entered into in Dublin on Wednesday, to appear and abide his trial at these assizes. Sir Colman O'Loghlen, as counsel for the traverser, applied for a copy of the indict- ment, to which he would be prepared to plead in the morn- ing. The counsel who appeared for the Crown made no ob- jection to the application. It is not at all probable that the trial will go on at the present assizes. Mr. Meagher will Z, exercise his right to traverse in prox. until next assizes. DUBLIN, JULY 15.—The Nation and the Irish Pelon ap- peared as usual to-day; but the sale of the latter by the news venders was prevented by the police. A notification appeared yesterday cautioning the newsvenders against selling felonious and seditious papers," as they would thereby render themselves liable to prosecution. The sale, of the paper did not take place to-day at the Felon office, as usual; but copies were to be had in other places, where the newsvenders and others contrived to obtain as many as were required. The Nation,-however, was-on sale as usual. SLIGO BOROUGH ETECTION.-O wing, it is said, to the interest of Lord Palmerston being thrown into the scale of Mr. John Patrick Somers, there is every probability of the Repealer winning the -day. At half-past three o'clock on Friday, and within one hour and a half of the poll being closed, the numbers stood thus :—Somers, 91; Ball, 79 j Hartley, 77. THE MURDERERS OF MAJOR MAITON.-Roscommon, Thursday, 5 o'clock, p.m.—You will be glad to learn that the Attorney-General's exertions at these assizes to bring Z, the persons guilty of the murder of Major Mahon and the Rev. Mr. Lloyd to condign punishment promise to eventuate most successfully and that the class of jurors summoned to attend the Crown Court are amongst the most respectable in this county. After twenty- gentlemen were challenged by the prisoner's agent, one of the murderers of Major Mahon, Patrick Hasty, was yesterday convicted of the crime, under an indictment for conspiracy, eleven of the jury being Ca- p 0 tholics, and only two jurors put aside by the Crown. To- day's proceedings will most probably close with the convic- tion of Thomas Commins, an accomplice of Plasty's. Except Mr. Smith O'Brien and two or three minor agi- tators, all the leaders of the Revolutionary party are now under prosecution, either for felony or sedition. Mr. Tho- mas P'Arcliy M'Gee, one of the writers for the Nation, and .L Mr. Edward Hollywood, have been arrested and admitted to bail, charged with uttering seditious speeches at a club meeting in Round wood, county Wic-klow, on Sunday, the 2nd inst.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE PRINCIPALITY. SIR,—Do you know that the editor of the Silurian is in a pitiful condition ? lie has the vanity to think that his lines go to all the earth, and his words to the ends of the world." Poor man, I never saw the, glitter of his steel against me until I saw your remarks in my defence. Yet lie gratuitously assumes that, as he has assumed other things. Some" one has been so kind as to send me the Silurian of last Saturday, in which I find a leading article upon, you and me. Dear Mr. Editor, we are important folks or else the popular journal could not condescend so much. Will you allow me, from pity, to reiterate what the editor has yet failed to see, though it has been before him in plain English ? and, if you please, I will be the antipodes of Jesuitism, for some folks in our very learned towns can- not see the difference between argument and Jesuitism." May 27, the editor said that the aggregate assembly of the Calvinistic Methodists made a decided stand against any- thing like a vote of censure on the Commissioners." This is falsehood the first, upon my own personal evidence. I hope there is no Jesuitism" in this style. In the Silurian of the same date, he said that, the "monthly meeting at Llanfihangel Nant Bran" had given a lesson (to) the public," and the lesson was the signing of the memorial in question. The Rev. D. Charles denied that any such memorial was adopted by the monthly meeting. I ask, who are we to believe, Mr. Charles who was at the meeting, or the editor, who, I suppose, was not at the meet- ing P Of course I believed Mr. Charles. There are no laws of evidence against my doing so. The editor found it con- venient to attack me, whereas, he should first of all contra- dicted Mr. Charles. Upon Mr. C's. evidence I repeat my former assertions against the editor. I challenge him to disprove them upon the same evidence as I had, If he replies that Mr. C. did not say that the memorial was not there; of course not; for what had he to do with anything but what was adopted by the monthly meeting. Suppose, for instance, if the editor could not have substantiated that some one had a letter to Mr. Symons in his pocket in the same place, and that he should then talk of the. monthly meeting as being responsible for the sentiments of that; what would the public have judged of his fitness for his office, in connexion with the Silurian ? Yet in the face of all argument, and the positive assertion of Mr. C.,the editor has the audacity to head his article, in last Saturday's paper, The PRINCIPALITY and tljjp Llanfihangel memorial." If lie was deceived by some lover of Government grant, I pity him. Let him come forth manfully, and acknowledge his error and mistake. It will do him ten times more credit than to trouble the readers of his elegant' paper every week with Parturiunt monies, nascitur ridiculus mus" I Let the Breconians be plain men, and get out of the mist. Let not one say this, and the other that, as if they were too cowardly to appear in their true colours before the world. There will then be no bustle about what is a fact, and what is not. And I for one shall respect them for courage, though my opinions may differ. If this is not sufficient to convince the editor, I shall take no notice of anything he may write on the subject. I remain, yours, MC., Haverfordwest, July 17, 1848. E. DA VIES. [Mr. Davies and ourselves certainly are very important, personages, if we may judge from the Silurian, The matter in dispute is really between Mr. Charles and our learned brother of the broad sheet. Let them decide whether the memorial in question is a connexional or private document, We also remind the editor that the educational leading- arti- cles which have lately appeared in his journal are suspected not to be his. Has he any objection to say yes, or no ? It is a serious matter if he allows the editorial dignity to be assumed, in order to conceal from the public the author of anxious plannings" in favour of State Education.—ED.]

THE ATTORNEY-GENERAL.'—We understand that this emi- nent legal functionary has just been served with a writ, in an action for penalties incurred by alleged bribery at the Horsham election, to the amount of £ 10,,000-. Three .eminent counsel are retained.,ancl. the cause, we are told, will be tried at the next summer assizes for Sussex.—John Bull. YIIE JELECTUESS OP BAVABIA vras killed, on ttio 23rd. 01 Juno, bv the overturning of her carriage, as she journeyed from Munich to Vienna. At some distance from Wasserburg, the carriage was ascending a steep hill, when a heavily-laden wag- gon, which was coming dovin without the drag being put on, overpowered the horse which was harnessed to it, rolled down the hill, and falling against the carriage, overturned it, and the Electress was. killed 011 the instant. M. GUIZOT.—Some dissatisfaction has been caused by the attempts at Oxford to pay marked honours to M., Guizot, A newly ^appointed chair of Modern Languages was destined for him; but judicious friends advised him to "decline the honour. A degree was, but even that was waived,—and the desire to distinguish.him was forced to find a vent in-noisy plaudits.. M. G uizot is probably the greatest lec- turer in Europe; and thare may have been some travelled members of Convocation, who, regarding him as entirely divorced from politics, sincerely wished to pay homage only to the man of learning. But the obvious and paramount motive with the Oxford herd was, forsooth, to manifest discontent at the Republicanism of France, by honouring its last antagonist. Old Toryism still lingers at Oxford.. But this attempt at unqualified expression has produced a corresponding reaction many stanch" Conservatives are moved to displeasure by a step "so indecorous and foolish; hence the failure of the attempt. The feeling that promoted it, so far from being national, can scarcely be called loci.il; it is the sentiment of an expiring clique.—Spectator.

STANZAS. (ORIGINAL.) I memory of Miss M. A. Jones, daughter of the Rev, W. Jones, Theological Tutor, Stepney College, who died 29th. June, 1848. Though this amiable child was not thirteen years old when she departed this life, yet she had for some monlis previous been admitted a member of the Baptist church, Sheppard's Barton, Frome. In this, and in many other virtues, her youthful conduct was most exemplary, and throughout worthy the emulation of maturer heads. Byr oedd hyd ei bywyd bach, Ocs fer,-Ow! be sy fyrach!" SHE is no more Her spirit pass'd away, Through the bright portals of the realms above, To blessed mansions where continual day Shines on the fountains of eternal love. Ah youthful saint, although her pleasant smile i Delighted many, she is gone before- Fond hope oft whispered, she will live awhile, But sorrow tells us now, she is no more! 0 fairest flower ere the hand of care 1 Had laid its withering touch upon thy stem, Ere aught of earth had nipped thy blossoms fair, Gon bore thee off a bright unspotted gem ..< Now thou art planted by the tree of life, There in immortal bloom thou shalt expancl, ;■ And crystal streams, that flow with melody rife, For aye shall dew thee in that happy land, That happy land by feet seraphic trod, There thy sweet soul has found a halcyon resty, ■■ And, with the golden-winged host of God, Thy harp now tunes the anthem of the blest No gloomy doubts, no sad, distressing fears Can e'er invade thee in-those regions bright, No more the darkness of the vale of tears, The great iiiiveil'd Divinity is thy light. "Why didst thou not, dear Margaret, stay below To'gladden us here with graceful smiles and love? Thou wert too beauteous for this world of woe, Thy heav'n-lovecl innocence suited best ateve: Angels are meet companions to thy youth, And raptur'd souls are thy lov'd sisters now, Thy pure mind dwells with celestial Truth, And virgin meekness wreaths thy gloried brow. Tell me, young sister, was it He that erst i Did conquer death, first weleom'd thee to bliss, Or did He leave thy sainted mother first To hail thee there and give the greeting ldss ? A mystery tliit,-iio heralcl hence can run, Though science soars' from star to star to roam, And swift Philosophy courses with the sun, Yet, they can never reach the spirit's home 1 1 0 blessed home! 0 land of pure delight! Land of the golden harp, the crown and palm Here our sweet child of earth did take her flight On angel's wings to everlasting calm. Then thou, the father of so young a saint, Restrain thy grief, and curb thy sorrows wild, Rather let joy be heard than sad complaint, Think what an heiress God has made thy child July 8th, 1848. 1. E.

CHILDREN IN WORKHOUSES: Return showing the number of children in the workhouses of 614 unions local acts and Gilbert's act, in England and Wales, OIl Thursday, the 18 th. day of March, 1847. Boys, GIULS. ITotal Children ——— — of', in the Under [3 Yrs 7 Yrs.i Under 3 Yrs. 7 Yrs, Boy* Workhouse. 3 Yrs. old & old & Totals 3 Yrs. old .&old &Total? apd old. undr.7 upwds old. undr.7 upwcis; Oirls. Illegitimate; 'their mo- thers in the workhouse,. 2,462 1,432 1,213 5,107 2,399 1,291 1,204 4,894 10,001 Illegitimate; their mo- thers not in the work- liou-,e 175 660 2,134 2,969 196 534 1,538 2,250 5,222 Children, of widows who are in the workhouse. 213 446 1,246 1,905 184 463 1,225 1,872 3,777 Children of widows who are not in the workhouse 31 169 1,001 1,201 18 133 633 784 1,935 Children of widowers who are in the work- house 29 155 559 743 17 123 447 58i 1,330 Children of widowers who are not in the work- house, 36 109 431 576 36 109 364 50f 1,085, Children whose father and, mother are (lead 10.0 668 3,416 4,178 106 612 3,613 4,331 8,509 Children do- serted by fa- ther 457 725 J,S09 2,991 455 S60 1,592 .2,707 5,G9S,„ Children de- sorted by mo- ther 48 196 592 836 51 151 512 714 1,550 Childnnde-, sertedbylioth parents 50 201 534 785 35 160 430 625 1,41 C Children whose father is transport- e d or suffer- in g imprison ment for crime 93 202 538 833 93 181 474 75S 1,586. Children whose resi- dence in the workhouse is J caused by the bodily or mental infir- mity of their father or mo- ther 134 240 634 1,017 125 219 552 896 1,913 Children oi able-bodied parents who are in the workhouse 526 665 1,071 2,262 488 65! 1,101 2,240 4,503 Children of able-bodied parents who arc not in the work- house IS 102 54] 661 31 91 446 56S 1,229 Children not falling within any of the above classes 81 159 481 724 101 166 442. 709 1,433 Totals J 4,456 6,138 16,194 26,788 4,340 5,544114,565 24,449151,237 Note.—The above doss not include the whole of England and, Wales,, as 23 unions have no workhouses, and some have made no returns. Poor-law Office, June 29, 1848,' GEQ, NICHOLLS, See.

Tim LADY GODIYA PUOCESSION AT COVENTRY.—This ancient procession was renewed this year at Coventry, and was cele- brated in the presence of a vast number of spectators. Some of the papers'give the following account of the proceedings:- In various parts of the town had been erected triumphal arches of great height, otnaaj^ented with flowers and evergreens and of which verdant materials wreaths were suspended across the public thoroughfarcsip-, many other places. Many private houses were also similarly decorated in front. The cavalcade started at eleven o'clock, headed by Mr. Wombwell's elephant bearing a castle, and thus forming a living and literal represen- tation of the City Arms of Coventry. The sagacity and docility with which the creature threaded" its way in the midst of a dense throng through the streets for four hours was truly remark- able. Madame War toil's performance of Godiva was regarded as highly satisfactory. She was attired in a close-nfting elastic- silk dress, of pinky-white colour, entire from the neck to the toes, excepting the arms, which were uncovered; over this a simple white satin tunic, edged with gold fringe, completed her riding habit. Her only head-dress was the perfectly unartifieial and not very profuse supply of glossy black hair, simply braided in. front, and hanging dawn, slightly confined behind. Mounted on a milk-white steed, a clever equestrian, and maintaining a. pure demeanour, she was repeatedly cheered in the course of the route. Mr. Wartogs,. her husband, rode a short distance il3., the rear, as Edward the Black, Prince, clad in a suit of mail." Now, we put it to our readers if such an occurrence as that of a woman riding almost in a state of nudity, through one of the meanest villages in Wales, would not have raised a cry of universal indignation throughout the land ? But here in » large English town the authorities permit a scene which must outrage the decency that ought to prevail in a civilised commu- nity, and the cries against it from the English press are few and far between, We have no wish to raise an untl-Ellghsh cry on account of this procession, but we have a right to expect that the papers which so dolefully deplored the ignorance Of Wales a few weeks ago, would have denounced such an outrage on civilisation and morality/in lid-measured terms.' We are happy to find that the Standard of Freedom has not permitted; j this outrage to pass uli.rebuk.ed,.