The Welshman

HOUSE OF COMMONS, MONDAY, MAY 3. Mr. Carter took the oaths and his seat for the borough of Tavistock, and the Solicitor-General for East Suffolk. On the motion of Mr. A. Hamilton, a new writ was ordered for the borough of Harwich, in the room of the Solicitor-General, who had accepted the Chiltern Hundreds, and had been since elected for East Suffolk. That part of the Queen's speech having been read which referred to New Zealand, on the motion of Sir J. Pakington, the Right Hon. Bart. rose to move for leave to bring in a hill to grant a representative constitution to the colony of New Zealand. The Right Hon. Baronet passed a high eulogium on the intellectual and moral character of the native population, upon whom it is proposed by the bill to confer equal rights and privileges with the Europeans. The colony he proposed to divide into six provinces, each with a superintendent, subject to the Governor-in-Chief. Those provinces would be subject to. a Central Government, with only one Legislative Chamber, whose members would be elective. The elective franchise, to which natives residing within the provinces would be entitled, he proposed to confer on all persons possessed of a jEoO freehold, or occupation of leasehold property for three years while in towns a house at £10, and in the country one at JE:5 a year, with a six months' residence, would give the qualification. Having concluded his sketch of the proposed constitution to be given to the colonists, he put it to the house whether it was not one of those necessary measured which the Govenment was bound to carry this session ? Sir Robert Inglis thought that provision should be made for giving the island the benefit of religious institutions. Mr. Gladstone commended the proposed scheme generally, and thought it a measure which should not be longer delayed. Mr. V. Smith thought that notice should hare been given of the postponement of the orders of the day for the con- sideration of this subject. Mr. Hume complained that the Government had not explained their principles of colonial policy. Sir W. Molesworth supported the bill, upon the principle thara representative government was better than none at all, which would be the case in this instance, if the bill was rejected. Mr. F. Scott, Mr. P. Howard, and Sir E. Buxton sup- ported the bill. Mr. Adderley criticised the bill, objecting to the nomina- tion of the members of the council. Lord J. Russell, Mr. Aglionby, and Colonel Thompson expressed a general approval of the measure, and after a few words of explanation from Sir J. Pakington, leave was given to bring in the bill. On the order of the day for going into committee on the Militia Bill being read. Mr. Cobden moved, as an amendment, that a return of the effective force of the Royal navy on the 1st of March last be laid upon the table, and that the consideration of the bill in committee be postponed until after the production of such return. Taking exception, on the grounds he stated, to the division upon the second reading of this bill, and adverting to the numerous petitions and meetings against it, he insisted d-poq his right to provoke a reconsideration of the question, and to urge the opinion, entertained out of doors, that our navy ought to be sufficient to protect the country against an invasion. From the only source to which he had access, he found that we had 500 vessels of war, building, in ordinary, or afloat. He could not ascertain the real amount of our naval force at home but he thought there was great waste in keeping large ships of war upon distant stations, under the pretext of protection of our commerce. If we were really in danger of an invasion, why should 19 vessels of war be kept in the Mediteranean ? But the danger was ideal. There was no instance of a war between two great nations without ample warning and time of preparation and it was improbable and inconsistent with the interests of the ruler of France to suppose he would depart from the recognised principles of international usage. Mr. Cobden urged the difficulties of conveying over an invading army, especially in the face of a steam fleet larger than could be furnished by the whole continent together, as well as the military facilities provided by our railroads. He did not believe, he said, that any man of common sense out of the House had more apprehension of invasion now than two years ago but if the country was really afraid, let our ships be brought home before we were made a military people. The amendment was seconded by Mr Anderson, who dwelt at some length upon the resources to be found in our mercantile steam navy. Mr. Stafford, protesting against Mr. Cobden's mode of explaining away a majority of that House, replied briefly to his arguments and, with respect to the amendment, which he opposed, observed that it had been repeatedly brought forward, in different shapes, and it had always been held that to grant such returns would be highly detrimental to the public service. Mr. Corry, though he agreed that the question of our military defences against an invasion should not be separated from that of our naval force, could not concur with Mr. Cobden that a militia bill ought to be postponed until these returns were furnished. From a comparison between the navies of England and France, their respective force and distribution, he inferred that we should not trust exclusively to our ships for the defence of our shores. It was for this reason that he supported a militia bill, which he preferred to an increase of our regular army. At the same time, he hoped that a respectable squadron of ships of war would be maintained on the home station. Mr. Carter, in a maiden speech, supported the motion lifting up his voice, he said, the first time in that house, in favour of peace and against the large establishments, which had been too long kept up. Mr. Boldero said, the amendment pretended one thing and meant another. The information could be got from the Navy List the real object was delay. He examined various suggestions auxiliary to the bill, and assigned several reasons why the regular- army should be increased by 10,000 or 15,000 men. Mr. Bright maintained that the object of the motion was not delay, but to place before the House facts which would enable it. to decide upon the expediency of any further ex- penditure upon our military establishments. The bill, he contended, was hostile to the industry of the country, inju- rious to freedom, and there was no interest which the country cared for that would not be prejudiced by a militia, unless it was proved to be absolutely necessary to the safety -of the country. If there nu a new danger, when was it ? Had the people of France or their ruler shown any symptom of a wish to pick a quarrel with us ? The French people approved of their present ruler because his policy afforded a security for repose, which would not last an instant if he declared war with, or attacked piratically, this country, for which he could have no motive, while the motive of self- preservation would sufifce to hold his hand. No case, therefore, had been made out for the bill, which grew out of a panic, the worst possible ground for legislation. Mr. Whiteside, in replying to Mr. Cobden and Mr. Bright observed that no apprehension was entertained of the French people, who might be satisfied with their ruler but it was, as declared by Mr. Pitt in defending the Militia Bill of 1802, because the French were essentially a military power, and that power was centred in one man. He vindicated with great spirit and animation the policy of this measure, which was, he said, essentially peaceful, and intend- ed solely for self-defence. Mr. Rice had voted against the second reading of the bill, but that motion having been carried by two to one, he re- commended that the amendment should be withdrawn, in order that they might in committee endeavour to get rid of the compulsory clauses in the bill. Mr. Macgregor moved the adjournment of the House, but the motion was negatived by 291 against 68. The proposition being still pressed, the Chancellor of the Exchequer gave way, and the debate waa adjourned until next day. The other business having been disposed of, the House adjourned at 1 o'clock. I TUESDAY, MAY 4. I The Speaker took the Chair a few minutes before Four o'clock. The Merthyr Tydfil Waterworks bill was considered and agreed to. A number of petitions were presented against the Militia Bill, and the Maynooth grant. Mr. W. Williams presented a petition from the hand-loom weavers complaining of distress, and praying the House to establish a system of home colonization. The Chancellor of the Exchequer gave notice that on Monday next he would ask for leave to bring in a Bill to assign the seats vacated by the disfranchisement of Sudbury and St. Albans. Mr. Slaney then rose to move for a department, Standing Committee, or unpaid Commission, to consider, suggest, and report from time to time, preventive and remedial measures to benefit the social condition of the working classes, and for removing legal and other obstacles to their improvement. The Chancellor of the Exchequer interposed. He thought it was understood last night that the adjourned debate on the Militia Bill was to be taken the first thing this evening. Lord J. Russell was also of that impression, and appealed to the Hon. Member to give way. Mr. Slaney said as this was a subject in which he took a deep interest, and as it was not probable that he should have another opportunity of addressing Parliament he must go on unless Government would undertake to give him some futm day. The Chancellor of the Exchequer said he could not pledge himself to give a particular day, but he would take care that Hon. Gentlemen who had motions on the paper to- night should not be placed in a disadvantage by giving way. Mr. Slaney said, under these circumstances, he would consent to postpone his motion if other Hon. Members would do the same. Mr. W. Williams said, though he was opposed to the Militia Bill, he would give way to the adjourned debate if the Chancellor of the Exchequer would fix a day for him within this day fortnight; otherwise he should feel it his public duty to proceed with his motion. The Chancellor of the Exchequer observed that the Hon. Member's motion at the early part of the session stood first upon the paper, but on being called upon he was not in his place.—(Hear, and laughter.) Therefore he had lost a good opportunity through his own fault. He (the Chancellor of the Exchequer) acknowledged that a day sitting, at 12 o'clock, might be had recourse to under extraordinary cir- cumstances to facilitate business, but Ministers had some- thing else to do besides attending the House, and it was a great tax upon their time to attend the House on Wednes- day in addition to discharging their other duties. To fix a day for the Hon. Member would not be courteous to the Hon. Member for Shrewsbury, who had so courteously ac- ceded to his suggestion. He could not give a pledge, but he hoped to be able to place the Hon. Member in an equivalent position before the close of the session. Mr. Walpole also urged the Hon. Member to withdraw his motion, which he eventually did. THE MILITIA BILL.—ADJOURNED DEBATE. I The order of the day for resuming the adjourned debate on this Bill having been read, Captain Scobell argued that the command of the sea gave the nation which possessed it, ample means both of attack and defence; and he suggested, if the apprehension of invasion was real, that an addition should be made to our navy of 24 large steamers, to be manned by 8,000 men from line-of- battle ships, a class of vessels unfit for the purpose and that steamers should be distributed along our coasts; this, with the completion of our harbours of defence, diverting to that object the sum required for the militia, he contended, would secure England against invasion, with the present means of France. Sir H. Verney, without underrating the efficiency and power of our navy, insisted that it was absolutely necessary to be prepared if an enemy, by any misfortune, should effect a landing. He denied that a militia was, as had been alleged, hateful to the people of this country, and he disputed the estimate given by past speakers of military morals. Mr. G. Berkeley supported the measure as a most consti- tutional one, and as providing a most appropriate force. Sir De Lacy Erans explained some statements he had made, which had been misunderstood, and reiterated his opinion that our regular military force had been underrated, and that of France over estimated. He argued that the French available army did not amount to more than 100,000 fighting men, without allowing for indispensable garrisons; he did not believe that the French could spare more than 30,000 men for foreign service. He still thought the force proposed to be raised an illusory one; but of the two bills he pre- ferred that of the late Government. Major Beresford, in reply to Sir De Lacy Evans, showed from official returns that he had exaggerated the amount of regulars we could bring into the field to repel an invasion; that the infantry and artillery numbered 34,143, or, deduct- ing one-fifth for non-efficient, and adding 7,750 pensioners, 34,280 rank and file; that 28,000 must be deducted for garrisons and dockyards, which would leave available for field service only 6,280, and adding 4,284 cavalry and sappers and miners, 10,564 rank and file only to meet an invading force. In the present feeling of the House, an increase of the regular army could not be maintained, whilst in point of expense, 15,000 regular troops would cost E600,000 the first year, and E525,000 afterwards, whereas the estimate for the whole cost of the militia was only E350,000 the first year. There was every chance, he ob- served, that this species of force would prove very available, and so far from its superseding the regular army, it would be, as it had been, a nursery for it. Mr. Macgregor opposed the bill, conceiving that a militia force was unnecessary, looking at the state of the continent of Europe, where all the military Powers were diminishing their armies under the pressure of financial embarrassment. Our home force might be augmented by 12,000 troops from the colonies, whilst our steam and sailing ships of war would defeat the naval armaments of the world. If an additional land force was required, it would be better to increase our regular army. Sir F. Baring could not vote for the amendment, first, because he objected to the returns moved for on the grounds assigned by Mr. Stafford. That, however, was not the real question Mr. Cobden had avowed that his object was to defeat this measure. The real question before the House was whether our defences were sufficient; and his opinion upon that point concurred with the opinions of the present and past Governments. He admitted that it was the interest of every country to remain at peace he might admit all that bad been alleged by Mr. Bright; yet he was afraid he could not derive much consolation from his assurance that it was impossible that France could have any notion of invading us under any circumstances; and he would much rather rely upon the fact that we were in a situation to defend ourselves. Mr. Hume supported the amendment, the adoption of which, he admitted, would postpone the bill, which it was his object to do until the unfortunate panic had subsided, the ground of which be had sought in vain when the first bill was introduced. In common with Sir De Lacy Evans, he considered that the disposable military force of France had been exaggerated, and our own resources for defence, military as well as naval, under estimated. He endeavoured to show from figured statements that we had a force far greater than England ever had, and, as he maintained, greater than it ought to have, there being at present not less than 180,000 men in arms, regulars and irregulars ready for service. Mr. Chartths expressed his astonishment at the self-con- I fident manner in which Mr. Hume and his friends pr='. gated their opinions upon military matters, as tif they possessed a monopoly of professional knowledge. He (Mrt Charteris) had not the same confidence in his own judgmen; in these matters, upon which he deferred to military men. and he believed, moreover, there was a strong feeling in the public mind that our defences should be made more secure. He hoped, therefore, that the House would go into com- mittee on the MIL Mr. Mitchell denied that there was any indisposition on the part of the House to grant an increase of our regular force, if necessary; if, therefore, an augmentation of our military defence was called for, it should be done by an addition to our standing army. He should give his deter- mined opposition to this bill, which, as he alleged, would work gross injustice and oppression. Mr. Cowper observed that very high authorities, French as well as English, had declared that invasion was not physically impossible or improbable, and the Duke of Welling- ton had required 150,000 trained troops to make the defences of the country secure. Although he had full con- fidence in the valour and skill of our navy, he would rather not trust to one mode of defence. There was much in the bill of which he did not approve, but be supported it in order to obtain an addition to our land defences, thinking that thereby he should beat maintain the interests of peace. Mr. Clay said, the first question was whether there was any danger of invasion, and he believed this country never was so far from such a danger as at present. The second question was, supposing there was any reason to fear such an event, was this the best method of defence, and he had not heard any one who pretended that it was. Lord Palmerston, having been alluded to frequently during this debate, could only in reply to these allusions, meet assertion by counter-assertion, and opinion by opinion. Mr. Cobden and Mr. Bright considered that an invasion from France was an impossibility, and that, therefore, it was the height of absurdity to make any provision of defence. He, on the contrary, thought such an event possible (to use no stronger word), and that it was our duty to guard against such danger. The country would judge between them. If he was wrong, and his advice was followed, at all events the country would he safe. If they were wrong, and their ad- vice was followed, the country might be ruined. They, who were conversant with peaceful arts, but knew nothing of war, or of the means by which it might be incurred or resisted, despised all professional authority, and wished to lull the country into a false security. They rejected all English authority. He (Lord Palmerston) had heard and believed an opinion expressed by a very high foreign authority, the late King of France, who, since his deposition, declared that his generals had undertaken, in the event of a rupture with this country on the Tahiti question, that in a week they would be in London. He respected all opinions and con- victions when they were sincere, and he found such opinions and convictions stated in a pamphlet he held in his hand. The Pablo lord continued. This ia a pamphlet ably written, and ¡ in iii after serious reflection, the principle ia laid down, tit* t it is contrary to the Christian religion to do violence to any man, even though he may be an enemy, Sir, the object of this pamphlet is to show that it is the Christian duty of this country to be conquered by France (cheers and laughter). The pamphlet, which bears the title of The Rifle Club; or, The Duty of Soldiers" (a very odd duty), is an amusing dialogue supposed to take place between two gentlemen. One of the speakers in this dialogue paints in vivid colours the result of an unopposed invasion. He says, I grant you 250,000 men from France may come over to this country." He says They will come unopposed." Then, it appears, hey will take possession of London (laughter, and cheers). They will seize the Bank of England (not to find, I hope, the £ 180,000,00, supposed to be lodged there) (laughter and cheers). They are to live by contributions from the citizens (renewed laughter)—the parliament is to be swept away (laughter)—the courts of justice are to be abolished (laugh- ter)—the French general will issue edicts (laughter)—a new parliament will assemble, to consist solely of Frenchmen (laughter)—the Code Napoleon is to come in the place of the law of England-the Sovereign is to live like a private individual in Scotland (laughter)—and, finally, the government of this country is to be annihilated, and the administration of affairs to centre in the invading army (loud laughter and cheers). But," says the other gentle- man in the dialogue. what will that signify ?"—(hear, hear, and laughter )-" we shall go on working our mills" (loud ministerial cheers, and laughter). We shall stand behind our counters and sell our wares in our shops." (cheers.). People must eat-tbey will want clothing-we shall supply their wants-and shall go on making money" (loud cheers, an ? laughter.) One might say to these gentle- men, if that event shoul? ever happen, what has been described by the poet- Sic vos non vobis mellificatis apes. Sic vos non vobis vellera fertis oves." (laughter and cheers.) It will be for them to take care that the wolves did not eat up the sheep (renewed laughter and cheers.) But, sir, the pamphlet goes on to make a state- ment which I think will astonish the house. The gentle- men in the dialogue first speak of an ambush, but thqn go on to say that, awe-stricken, this country, without applying for assistance to Austria, Prussia, or any other power, would deliver itself into the hands ofthe foe-but that in the course of time, and after some fifty or more millions sterling had been remitted to France, the French would be so terribly ashamed of their position-so utterly ashamed of the very ridiculous situation in which they had placed themselves, that they would leave the country to its own resources (laughter). Nay, so deeply are the French people to be impressed with the absurdity of their situation, so much more susceptible will they be than ourselves, that they are to otter to send us back the LOU,000,000 sterling which they have taken from our bankers and our trades- men (loud cheers and laughter); but that we are glo- riously to refuse to accept it (cheers and laughter.) Sir, I firmly believe this pamphlet to have been written in seriousness and sober earnestness (hear, hear)—not wholly in ridicule (hear, hear, and oh, oh). My hon, fiiend (Mr. Cobden, we think), may laugh; but if he will read the pamphlet, he will find a tone of sober seriousness about it which convinces me, at all events, that those who wrote it belong to that very party at whose instigation much of the opposition to this measure has been offered (cheers). Then, sir, the house and the country have to determine between two alternatives. The one is whether they will, as required by the party from whom this pamphlet emanates, voluntarily submit this country to the conquest of France, as a just atonement for this country having engaged in war (for that is the ground taken by these gentlemen) (hear, hear); whether parliament and the country will consent to be the victims of the system of submission recommended by those who I must contend have offered an organised opposition to the measure before the house (hear, hear, and cheers); or whether parliament and the country art still so safely wedded to ancient notions of independence and self- vindication that they will meet the foreign invader, and provide such timely means of defence, that if invasion should ever menace this country it shall be successfully resisted (loud cheers). Mr. Wakley regretted that the noble lord, gifted as he was with such gigantic powers of intellect, should have so fallen from his position as to have quoted such detestable trash as he had just read from a pamphlet, (oh, oh). He (Mr. Wakley) strongly suspected that this trash had been published in a lunatic asylum, and he recommended the noble lord to pay a visit to it, for he would admire the insti- tution and the persons he found in it (oh, oh). Surely there must be something going on in the great Whig family to induce the noble lord to act in this manner; it was only matter of wonder, however, that it had held so long toge- ther, considering the heterogeneous and extraordinary materials of which it was composed. But why had not the noble lord acted upon the opinion of the Kin;; of the French, and increased our army in 1844, if it needed augmentation ? There could be no misunderstanding the cheer with which hon. gentlemen opposite had received that passage of the blockhead pamphleteer in which he spoke of the work- ing of the mills" (ironical cheers.) But there had been something potent in the working of these mills for they had ground a party of Protectionists into a party of Free Traders (Oh, oh, and Laughter). Hon. gentlemen might make wry faces, for the operation was no doubt torturing, but they had confessed as much (oh, oh). The budget was one proof, and the workers of mills had accomplished the transformation. (Loud cheers.) The honourable gentleman continued. You (pointing to the opposition benches) must not repudiate the mills, nor your master, Richard Cobden-a greater man than any of you (oh. oh). Why. I am sure no hon. gentleman opposite con- siders that an offensive remark. I say that Richard Cobden is one of the greatest men who ever lived, and you are his disciples (oh, oh). I expect a great deal of effrontery from hon. gentlemen opposite but do not be ungrateful to that great man, your mentor, Richard Cobden (oh oh). They had examples enough to show the evils arising from arma- ments. Did they believe the liberties of any country were safe that had large armaments ? Soldiers had brains and no country was safe that relied upon armed men. He complained that hon. members on both sides of the house had been pointing out all the nooks and creeks by which a foreign foe could safely reach and land in England. But they had really no fears on the subject. They knew that the population would rise as one man and defend the liberties they held so dear, and the Sovereign they loved so well. The government must know that they would not get skilled me- chanics to enter the militia-they would not leave their work to take a shilling a day—they would get none but the farm labourers, and after a few days' training they would send them back much worse than before. If they were so wealthy —if free trade had given them so large an amount of spare capital, why should they not, instead of expending it in put- ting instruments of death into the hands of the people, ex- pend it in educating them ? He believed that the bill would be found as mischievous as it was unpopular, and he should give it his most strenuous opposition. Col. Thompson likewise opposed the bill as unnecessary; the danger which once existed had passed away, and premo- nitory symptoms would always warn us of its approach. Mr. H. Drummond said he would be able to show before he sat down that if the pamphlet quoted by the noble lord was another Punch, there were more Punches in the house (great laughter). That would probably add much to the live- liness of the debate, and he was sure they would receive the announcement with satisfaction that the printer was a can- didate for the city of Perth (loud laughter). He regretted that the noble lord, the late head of the government, had not produced something better after six years than this half- hatched egg, and given them some better means of defence. The Militia Bill was not applicable to their present position, but it was the only one their rulers brought before them, and they must either vote for it or reject it, and go undefended. He agreed with the hon. member for the West Riding that there might be a better distribution of their forces. He did not think they required troops in the north, and suggested they ought all to be moved down to the southern counties. There was no occasion for troops in the large manufacturing towns to trample on the people (a laugh). Nay, if the hon. gentleman would enter into a treaty with the President of the French to enter the Mersey instead of the Thames, he did not know whether he should not vote against the bill. He was not sure a small invasion would not do them a great deal of good. They were in a condition like that of the overgrown spoiled boy, when all wished that somebody would give the fellow a good licking. He thought it would do the country a great deal of good to get a good licking (great laughter.) If an invading army appeared, he believed these mills, which had done such wonderful things, would soon cease working. Now (said Mr. Drum- mond) they were a very rich people-they bragged of their wealth-but they were thought much richer than they really were. And they advertised the fact that they did not intend to defend themselves. Why, their refusal to do so was just as much as to say to the French, Come over and {plunder us, for we shall not resist" (hear, hear). Lord J Manners urged the House to reject the amendment. If this mitigated measure were rejected, the old Militia Bill must come into operation. Lord J. Russell could not vote for the amendment, think- ing that, as the House had affirmed the second readine of the bill by a large majority, it should go into a consideration of its clauses in committee. He objected, however, to the for- mula put by Lord Palmerston, that by voting for this bill Ihe country would be safe, and by voting for the amendment it might be ruined. His (Lord John's) whole objection to the bill was comprised in this, that it did not make us safe; that it did not provide the defence which the country required. He, however, thought it better that the bill should go into committee, though he had no sanguine view of its being made an efficient measure, and it was probable that next session a better system of defence might be devised than either this bill or that of the late Government. Upon a division, the amendment was rejected by 285 against 76. A second division took place upon the original question, that the Speaker leave the chair, which was carried by 219 against 85. The House then went into committee upon the bill; and, after a sharp and protracted discussion, the Chairman reported progress, and obtained leave to sit again on Thurs- day. The House adjourned at 20 minutes past 2 o'clock. WEDNESDAY, MAY 6. I The Speaker took the chair at twelve o'clock. Several petitions were presented in favour of the Tenant Right Bill, and also against the Militia Bill, The adjourned Debate on The Tenant Right (Ireland) Bill was resumed by, Mr. Conolly, who strongly opposed the bill as being a com- pulsory interferance between the landlord and tenant, and calculated to take all power out of the hands of the landlord in the disposal of his own property. Mr. Monsell contended that the laws with respect to the letting of land in Ireland worked so very badly that they called loudly for a remedy. He supported the bill with a view to Dlace the Irish tenant in some measure on the same footing as the tenant of land in England. n-. -g Lord Naas admitted that the principle of compensation was to be found in the bill, but be denied it was its leading feature. On the contrary the principle of compensation appeared to be introduced byway of a peg on which to hang other principles of a most mischeivous tendeney. One of the most objectionable of those principles was that the tenant was to be assumed to be the"posi;essor of everything, and that the landlord was to be deprived of everything, and have even the amount of his rents settled by a compulsory arbitration. It was in fact the bill of the tenant league, which was banded together for purposes which if successful would lead to the total disorganisation of society in Ireland. Mr. G. Moon strenuously supported the bill. Mr. Reynolds strongly supported the second reading of the bill. The question was one which exercised an almost vital in^uence on the social condition of Ireland, and parliament must interfere with respect to it, for the people of Ireland had loudly proclaimed that they would no longer submit to the present system. The Hon. gentleman said he would agitate the question and make it one for the hustings until it should eventually compel parliament to deal with it. Mr. Napier intimated that he had a bill in preparation upon the subject of the relations between landlord and tenant in Ireland, which would stimulate the agricultural interests in Ireland, without at all trenching upon the rights of property, which he would never consent to invade. Mr. S. Crawford denied that the bill had been brought forward for electioneering purposes, and was surprised that such an imputation should be thrown out against him. As he was anxious the house should divide, he would not enter into the question then, but if the house would allow the bill to go into committee he wou[d then undertake to answer all the objections which had been made against the measure. The house then divided, and the numbers were- For the second reading 57 I Against it 167 Majority. ——110 1 The bill was someijuently lost. I The house then adjourned.

THE CAFFRE WAR. 1 PLYMOUTH, Monday, May 3. The merchant-ship Maidstone, Captain Nash, from Cal- cutta, which left the Cape of Good Hope on the 17th of March, has landed a passenger here. Her accounts from the seart of war are seven days later than those by the Agincourt, on Saturday. Colonel Yarborough, of the 91st, has been slightly wounded; Ensign Hibbert, of the 91st, wounded; Capt. Branley, of the Cape Corps wounded; and 26 soldiers of the 91st and 74tb Regiments killed and wounded. These casualties occurred among a patrol who had suc- cessfully attacked some Caffre kraals in the Waterkloof, and who were themselves attacked on their return (as usual by combined Caffres and Hottentots). This affair occurred between the 1st and 17th of March. Sir Harry Smith left King William's Town on the 4th of March, with the intention of attacking the enemy's fast- nesses. His forces were divided into three divisions, and con: listed of the 73rd, 60th Rifles, and the 43rd and 12th Lan- cers, Artillery, levies, &c.

AMERICA.—ARRIVAL OF THE AFRICA. I LIVERPOOL, Sunday Morning. By the Royal steam-ship Africa we have advices from New York to the 21st ult. She brings 107 passengers and 3,000 dollars in specie on freight. The Africa sailed from New York at noon on the 21st, and passed Sandy Hook at 1 35 p.m. with a fresh southerly breeze, and during the greater part of her passage ex perienced S. and N.E. winds. She passed Cape Clear at 5 20 a.m. yesterday, and was abreast of Holyhead at 10 50 last night. At 12 40 a.m. she received a pilot, and at 4 a.m. slowed engines at the bar to wait for water. After a detention of about two hours and 30 minutes she set on full speed, and arrived in the Mersey at half-past 7 o'clock, having made the run in 10-1 days mean steaming time. The New York papers state that expeditions in search of gold were all the rage throughout the United States and Canada, and that companies were organizing in St. John, New Brunswick, and Halifax, Nova Scotia, for the purpose of proceeding to Australia forthwith. A steam-boat had been lost at Nashville, with 16,000 dollars in gold dust on board, belonging to a returned Californian. The New York papers contain the following, in answer to the challenge from Mr. Mare to Commodore Stevens, of the New York Yacht Club, to try the speed and bottom of the American yachts once azain in the British seas :— "I regret it will not be in my power to accept the pro- posal of Mr. Mare, as 1 have at present no intention of visiting England again the ensuing season, nor can I learn that any of the members of the New York Yacht Club in- tend doing so. For myself, then, I must beg leave to decline the invitation of Mr. Mare to meet him at Cowes. You have the America in your waters, and when Mr. Mare builds a yacht of superior speed and with comforts and accommodations (but which from his apparent estimate of them, I presume he has not seen) excelling those of the America, we shall be most happy to give him a trial for the sum he mentions, whenever he will do us the favour of returning the visit I had the honour of paying the Royal Yacht Squadron at Cowes. I should fear the repetition of a visit unreturned might be deemed an intrusion, or want of etiquette. With the hope that yourself or Mr. Mare, or some other of your en- terprising yachtsmen will put it in our power to return the many courtesies and civilities received during our stay in England, U' I remain, yours, &c., "JOHN C. STEVENS. "To Samuel Trescott, Esq., member of the Royal Western Yacht Club." Late advices from Ecuador state that the Government was preparing to repel the attack of General Flores, and had addressed a circular to the diplomatic representatives there, advising them of its intention to treat all persons who may be concerned in the invasion as pirates. Private letters state that the force under Flores had not landed, but was hovering around the coast. The accounts also mention that the expedition would probably succeed, unless the Swedish frigate stationed at Guayaquil aids the Ecuadorean Government. The force at that point was too weak to cope with that of Flores; and judging from the unsuccessful effort to hit the English steamer Lima, he was safe from the cannon balls of the Government forts.

THE PUBLIC HEALTH. I We learn from the Quarterly Return of the Marriages, Births, and Deaths, registered in the divisions, counties, and districts of England, that the return of Marriages is not complete; but the defects are inconsiderable, and approxi- mative numbers have been supplied from the records of pre- vious years. The general results of the Return are satisfactory the marriages exceed the average number, the births are above, the deaths are below the average of the kingdom. 90936 persons were married in the last quarter of the year ending December 31st, 1851. In England the greatest proportion of marriages is always celebrated in the months of September, October, November, after harvest; and the numbers in the last season not only exceeded the marriages in the previous quarters of 1851, but those in the corre- sponding quarters of previous years. Allowing for increase of population, the proportion of marriages was slightly less than in the autumns of 1845 and 1850, but greater than in any other autumn since 1842. One in 58 of the persons living was married in 1851; or there was one marriage to every 117 persons living. The marriages increased chiefly in London, Cornwall, Gloucestershire, Worcestershire, Warwickshire, Rutland- shire, Nottinghamshire, Lancashire, and North Wales. They declined in the Southern, South Midland, and Eastern counties in Wiltshire and Devonshire, Cumberland, West- moreland, and Monmouthshire. The increase was most striking in Reigate, Croydon, Maidstone, East Ashford, Faversham, Brighton, Falmouth, Taunton, Bristol, Glou- cester, Wolverhampton, Birmingham, Derby, Preston, Hull, Durham. The rate of marriage was high but stationary, or slightly declining, in Liverpool, Manchester, Leeds; and Sheffield. The births of 161776 children, born alive, were registered in the months of January, February, and March 1852. The number greatly exceeds the average of the sfason, which is generally the most prolific of the year. So many births were never registered before in the same time. London, the West Midland counties, Yorkshire, and the Northern coun- ties exhibit the greatest .excess over their ordinary average. As the births registered were 161776, the deaths 106682, an addition is made to the population in 3 months of 55094 persons. It is the natural increase. During the same period an army of 57874 emigrants sailed from the ports of the United Kingdon at which there are government emigration officers; 51999 of them sailed from three English ports; 2438 from London, 1798 from Plymouth, and 41763, comprising an indefinite number of the Irish people, from Liverpool. 1399 emigrants sailed from Glas- gow and Greenock 4476 from Irish ports. The average price of wheat during the 3 months was 40s. 10d., or 4s. higher than it was in the last three months of 1851, when more wheat was sold. The quantities of wheat and wheat flour entered for home consumption at the chief ports of Great Britain rapidly diminished in the three last periods from 91040 to 47986 and 27540 quarters weekly. The price of potatoes at the waterside market, Southwark, was 70s. a ton, and ranged from 3s. to 4s. a hundred weight. The average price of mutton by the carcase ranged from 3d. to 5d. and has scarcely varied for 9 months, The price of the inferior beef rose from 3d. to 31d. The average price of consols was 97 i. The mortality of England is highest in the winter quar- ter. Notwithstanding the peculiarities of the weather, the mortality in the past winter has been considerably below the average of the season. The annual rate of mortality in the winter quarter of 1852 was 2-364 per cent., which is less by 0-111 than the mean annual rate of mortality in the 10 previous winters. To every 22 deaths in previous winters, after allowing for increase of population, there were 21 deaths in the past winter, during which, as Mr. Glashier has shown in his valuable account of the meteorology, the tem- perature was 3 degrees above the average. The health of the districts comprising chiefly small towns and country parishes was considerably above the average standard; the towns exhibited less Improvement, and lost a fourth part more of the population by death than the country districts. The deaths in Monmouthshire, & North Wales, were below, in South Wales above the average of corresponding quar- ters. Scarlatina prevailed in the lower Dart of Shirenewton. Chepstow, where the land is low and marshy. In Cardiff the births are considerably above the average. The deaths also exceed the average. The Registrar remarks that the rapid increase of the population of Cardiff, and the influx of labourers and their families induced by the large works in progress in that town, may in part account for this excess. Typhus has much prevailed, and has par- ticularly affected the healthy labourers coming into town in search of work, and going into the over-crowded and in many cases already infected lodging-houses. The easterly winds during the last 6 weeks have not been favourable to health. The population of the town of Cardiff has increased 60 per cent. since the census of 1851.

DARTMOUTH.—Mr.Lindsay met the electors of this borough, and, in replying to an attack upon him by a Tory elector, gave the following interesting account of his fortunes:— He should be the last to mention a word about himself had he not been taunted with falsehood. He was told he was a mere commonplace shipbroket-God knew he was commonplace enough onoe; he was the architect of his own fame, and he hoped no one would despise him on that ac- count. (Cheers.) He was but a young man now, and at the age of 14 he was left an orphan boy to push his way in the world. He left Glasgow to find his way to Liverpool with 4s. 6d. only in his pocket, and so poor was he that the captain of a steamer had pity on him and told him that he would give him his passage if he would trim the coals in the coalhole of the steamer. He did so and thus worked his passage. He remembered that the fireman gave him a part of his homely dinner, and never had he ate a dinner with such relish, for he felt that he had wrought for it and earned it, and he wished the young to listen to this statement; he had derived a lesson from that voyage which he had never forgotten. (Cheers.) At Liverpool he remained for seven weeks before he could get employment, he abode in sheds, and 4s. 6d. maintained him, until at last he found shelter in a West Indiaman he entered as a boy, and before he was 19 he had risen to the command of an Indiaman. At 23 he retired from the sea, his friends, who when he wanted assistance had given him none, having left him that which they could no longer keep. He settled on shore—his career had been rapid, he had acquired prosperity by close industry, by con- stant work, and by keeping ever in view that great principle of doing to others as you would be done by. (Cheers.) And now, instead of being a commonplace shipbroker, he would tell them that at 35-lor he was no older—what was the amount of business which the firm which he had estab- lished, and was at the head of and the acting partner in transacted. During the last year alone their charters executed amounted to upwards of 700, and this year it bids fair to be larger. The amount of their insurances was E3,000,000 sterling; they had shipped, as contractors, up- wards of 100,000 tons of coal, and upwards of 150,000 tons of iron. They had imported in the famine year, as brokers, 1,500,000 quarters of corn. (Hear hear.) Then, as to the next cnarge, that he was no shipowner, ana ata not own a ton of shipping. In consequence of this statement he had been induced to copy out a list if the ships in which he owned a proportionate rate, and was managing owner of a a large and high class of British built ships. He then read a list of 18 vessels, besides steamers and others, ranging from 860 to 310 tons burden, the total tonnage being 21,000 —the largest portion of which he owned himself, and was manager for the whole." (Loud cheers.) A telegraphic despatch from Carlsruhe announces that the hereditary Grand Duke Prince Louis of Baden has declared of his own free will, that he renounces for ever the succession to the ducal throne in favour of his younger brother.

THE INAUGURATION OF THE RUTLAND I STATUE AT LEICESTER. The inauguration of the colossal statue of the Duke of Rutland in the Market Square at Leicester, took place with great pomp on the 28th ult. We notice the occurrence chiefly because the statue is from the atelier of Mr. Edward Davies, the celebrated sculptor, whose statue of General Nott graces our town, while his talented busts of the Lord Bishop of St. David's and the present Lord Dynevor de- corate the Shire Hall. It appears (as narrated by the Leicester Journal) that there has seldom been a more enthusiastic affair than the inauguration of the Rutland Statue, which took place in the presence of 50,000 people, and amidst the most imposing circumstances. A grand procession of the Freemasons, subscribers, inhabitants, &c., was formed, and headed by the Duke of Rutland's band, marched to the Market Square, where the statue was veiled and surrounded with evergreens, flags, and garlands. The full masonic ceremony of inau- guration was then performed, the Masters of the different Lodges, sprinkling the pedestal with corn, wine, and oil, as emblems respectively of plenty; cheerfulness and joy; and prosperity and happiness. Sir Arthur Hazlerigg, (who officiated as President of the day) then said :— Mr. Mayor-I have now the pleasure to inform you that our work is done and in the name of the Committee and the Subscribers, I hand over this Statue of our revered Lord Lieutenant to the keeping of the good town of Leicester. Trusting that it may remain for ages as an ornament to the Town and a memorial of the personal esteem in which His Grace was held by all classes feeling assured, as I do, that whatever differences of opinion on political matters may exist, we are all agreed in the hope that His Grace may be long preserved to us in health and strength that the wel- fare and prosperity of the ancient house of Belvoir may be perpetuated, and its honours transmitted through every generation." Sir Arthur then sat down, while the cheering, loud and long continued, testified how thoroughly the vast assembly concurred in the sentiments he had uttered, and silence being obtained- The Mayor replied as follows:—" Sir Arthur Hizlerigg and Sir Frederick Fowke, Mr. High Sheriff, and Gentle- men,—I beg, on behalf of the Town Council of this Bo- rough, to convey to you the very high satisfaction which they feel, on receiving at your hands so great an ornament to the town, as the Statue now about to be unveiled. I am sure that I am only giving utterance to the unanimous feeling of the Council, as well as that of the inhabitants of Leicester generally, when I express a hope, that the excel- lent nobleman in whose honour we are now assembled, may long be preserved in the possession and enjoyment of those universal sentiments of respect and esteem, which have dic- tated the proceedings of this day. I think I may further venture to assure you, that the authorities of the town will ever deem it to be one of their most pleasing duties to pre- serve with the utmost care the beautiful specimen of art which you have confided to them, so long as it shall remain in their custody." Then the Provincial Grand Master gave orders to remove the veil; this was the thrilling moment;—the assistants took eir station at the posts of the screen, two at each corner, and while the screws were withdrawn, and everything prepared for the fall of the veil, the Band played The Fine Old English Gentleman." The Marshal now resumed his baton, and two trumpeters stepped out of the ranks, waiting his orders to sound. Once more he walked round the Statue, seeing everything in order, then raising his baton, the trumpets rang out loudly, and in an instant the huge structure that had hidden the Statue from view, fell at its base in ruins. Then such a cheer arose as shook the very firmament, the noble Statue seemed to rise out of the ground, with its hand stretched out as if addressing the vast multitude, the likeness was absolutely electrifying-it was the Duke of Rutla?td-face attitude! figure! Those who saw the Statue in the Great Exhibition, with a dark background, and on a pedestal a yard high, can form no idea of what it is, they must see it now; now, in its proper place now, on its fitting pedestal. With the clear sky behind, and the bright sun in front, it is a noble Statue! We have said so before, and we say it again,—but we will not linger here, the Statue, as one of the speakers at the dinner remarked, can take its own part, challenge criticism, and command admiration. Now, then, the veil was gone, a mere mass of ruins, a debris of flags, laurel, timber, &c., lying at the base of the pedestal;—Who thought or cared about it ? Men's eyes were twenty feet higher, to the face of the Good Old Duke- we give him the appellation of the poor around, unskilled in courtly phrase—" THE GOOD OLD DUKE," and cheers, were heard on every side, in order and out of order, and apparently without end. But when the appointed fugleman, Tom Moxon (we can't call him Thomas, or Mister; he is Tom, and he shall be called so )-when, we say, Tom Moxon jumped on the platform, and, hat in hand, led the cheering, and brought it into time and tune, then it was glorious- three times three rang out at the pitch it seemed of fifty thousand lungs, until the one cheer more showed that they could cheer louder still. After several gentlemen had addressed the meeting, the procession moved off the ground in order, and the multitude entered within the barrier and inspected the statue at their convenience. A splendid dinner took place at the Three Crowns Hotel, Sir Frederick Fowke in the Chair. We need hardly say that after the usual loyal toasts had been duly honoured, the health of the Duke of Rutland was drank amidst the most vehement enthusiasm. The health of the Chairman elicited a similar demonstration of respect. Sir F. Fowke returned thanks-He was certainly overwhelmed with feelings of gratitude for the honour they had done him. He thanked God, though above the age of three score and ten, that he had a voice to thank them heartily. He little thought that at the time of life at which he had arrived he should have met with such cheers, which much soothe the paths of life. He should feel happy if he had done his duty in the ceremony of that day. In onclusion he would propose a toast. He had near him a gentleman to whom they were indebted for the excellent likeness of the Duke. When he saw the statue in the Great Exhibition he was rather disappointed, no doubt it would show to some disadvantage in being placed on a low pedestal, but when the veil was removed on that day, he was de- lighted with the aspect it presented. (Cheers.) There was such an expression in it, that he could fancy the man himself was placed on the pedestal. He felt sure that the skill of the country would be proud to look at it, and to use the words of a connoisseur, he was sure that the statue would have as much fame attending it as any statue in England. (Cheers.) He could congratulate him (Mr. D.) on its beauty, and he felt sure it would cause him great fame, and future ages would give him credit for its accuracy." The Chair- man then gave the health of the sculptor, Mr. Davis. Tre- mendous cheering displayed the estimation in which the sculpture's abilities were held by the company. Mr. Davies, in acknowledging the toast, said-Mr. Chair- man and Gentlemen,—This is indeed a proud moment for me, since the honour you have done me in drinking my health bids me to know that in the work I have produced I have had the good fortune of securing your approval. I am, gentlemen, well-very well-aware that diversity of opinion on the subject of the Statue may have been ex- pressed; but with regard to difference of opinion I have at any rate the pleasure of knowing that I have escaped the application to myself of the moral of the fable of the Old Man and his Ass," because, although it may be true I have not satisfied the ideas of some, yet it is abundantly apparent that I have had the good fortune of pleasing many. I say that to me the pleasing fact is placed beyond all doubt by my being invited to take part in the gratifying ceremony of to-day, and by the flattering way in which my health has been proposed and received. Gentlemen, allow me to ob- serve that when I reflect that the Statue I have produced has been considered and accepted as worthy to, represent the illustrious object it is intended to pourtray—I mean his Grace the Duke of Rutland, a nobleman not less pre-eminent by reason of his birth and fortune than by the possession of those numerous virtues which have endeared him to the affections of the whole county, nor should I be wrong in saying the whole country-I have indeed reason to be proud But, gentlemen, I call upon you all who hear me to declare by your voices, whether such a nobleman as he is requires to be remembered or thought of by means of the adventitious aid of either marble or metal; for does not his Grace live in the recollection and affection of you all by reason of his patriotism, his benevolence, his charities? (cheers); and when it shall please the Almighty Disposer of events to call him and all of us here present to his and our last ac- counts, will not that truly good nobleman live in the recol- lection of your children and your children's children ? (Cheers.) Having thus expressed my feelings for the honour you have done me, not only in confiding to me the execu- tion of the work in question, but also for drinking my health in connexion therewith, permit me to assure you that I shall never fail to remember it with the liveliest feeling of grati- tude. (Applause.) Conviviality was continued until a late hour, and all took their departure perfectly satisfied with the events of the day. We should mention that such was the anxiety evinced in the surrounding district to be present on this occasion, that special trains arrived from Rugby, Derby, Nottingham, Burton-upon-Trent, Melton, &c., which brought in upwards of 1000 visitors to the town.

LATEST NEWS. WELSHMAN" Office, Friday, I I o'clock. PRICES OF RAILWAY SHARES ON THURSDAY AFTERXOON.¡ -South Wales 35; Great Western, 92? TaffVale, ?151. LATEST PRICES OF THE FUNDS.—THURSDAY ATERON. ?? I'll —uaun OLOCK9 ZIUA ) per venl. lveuucea, ui,, 6 per Vent. Cons., 99; New 31 per Cent., lOO; India Bonds, IN THE HOUSE OF LORDS last night, no business of importance was transacted. IN THE HOUSE OF COMMONS, two clauses of the Militia Bill had paseed through Committee when our report was despatched. DEATH OF MR. ALEXANDER MACKAY.—It is with sincere regret that we record the death, on his way home, of Mr. Alexander Mackay, the author of the Western World," and lately the Commissioner to India of the Manchester Chamber of Commerce. DESTBUCMIVE FIRE IN THE ROYAL YACHT FLEET IN COWES HARBOUR.—About ten o'clock last Wednesday evening the schooner yacht Titania, of 100 tons, the pro- perty of G. R. Stephenson, Esq., was discovered to be on fire. The exertions of the engines were principally directed to the saving of the Talisman cutter yacht, belonging to Cap- tain Smith, and a schooner yacht belonging to Mr. O'Shea, in wnich they were successful; but the Titania, the competi- tor of the celebrated America, was completely burnt out. The gunpowder was found to have been protected by the magazine from both fire and water. Her valuables are all destroyed; even the plate is all melted down. The fire is stated to have been occasioned by the over-heating of the flue in airing the cabins ftiid furniture. WORCESTER AND HEREFORD RAILWAY.—On Wednesday, after a protracted inquiry, and opposition on the part of the Great Western Railway and other interests, the Committee, consisting of Mr. Childers, Colonel Peel, and others, passed the preamble of this Bill, promoted by the London and North-Western Railway, for making a line from Worcester to Hereford, with branches to theicity of Worcester, to Malvern, and to Ledbury. The Bill also takes powers to enter into working arrangements with the Midland and London and North-Western Companies, to whom it will give access to and communication with the districts of South Wales. The estimated cost of the line is £ 220,000. The Parliamentary and other expenses of prosecuting the Bill for this line are said to amount to between £ 40,000 and 950,000. The screw steam-ship Great Britain, Matthews commander, sailed from Liverpool on Saturday for New York, amidst the cheers of thousands of persons assembled on the pier-heads to witness her departure. She took out 180 passengers.

We cannot insert, or notice in any way, any communication that is sent to us anonymously; but those who choose to address us in confidence, will find their confidence respected. Neither can we undertake to return any manuscripts whatever.

The government Militia Bill has passed safely through a second ordeal. Mr. Cobden's motion for a return bhewing the strength of the Royal Navy has been de- feated by a majority of 209. and the measure has sailed into Committee-not a safe harbour by the bye, for we anticipate that there the full strength of the opposition will be felt. Mr. Cobden's argument is a very feasible and attractive one-that before we provide more soldiers we should place our navy in a commanding position, and in an efficient condition. We must really rely on our wooden walls to guard us-that is Mr. Cobden's sentiment. But the House of Commons will 'not join therein, and perhaps it is the more reluctant to do so, that Mr. Cobden has boastfully shown that the majority voting against him really represents a minority of the constituencies of the wealth and of the industry of the Country. But judging from the tone of the debates and the defiant partizan spirit displayed, we do not inticipate that ministers will press their measuse to a third reading. They are ashamed of its imperfection and incongruities.

The Chancellor of the Exchequer has at length given us his budget. That and the speech which accompanied it are one long paean to Free Trade and Free Traders. And the figures of the estimate, as well as Mr. D'Israeli's figures of speech, tell the tale of praise. Mr. D'Israeli's budget is the one Sir C. Wood had prepared before leaving office, but Mr. D'Israeli unhesita- tingly adopts it. He estimates the Expenditure for the coming year at £51,163,979, and the total income at E48,983,500, so that he commences his finance experiences with a deficiency for the year ending April, 1853, of £ 2,180,179. On this state of affairs he reasons very na- turally and very appropriately. We cannot, the Chancellor of the Exchequer assures us, enhance the excise or customs duties, for the wish of the country is rather for their remission. Besides, l.e adds, the reduction of 10 millions of indirect taxes during the past 10 years has had the effect of making the country more prosperous and the people more contented. The work to be done in that direction will, therefore, be rath er after the model of Peel and Wood than according to the rating dogmas of Mr. G. F. Young and Sir Fitzroy Kelly. We cannot restore protection for any interest or to any class of merchandise—the country has pledged itself to free trade and base would be the man who attempted to reverse so benign a policy,"—is the burden of Mr. D'Israeli's song Then what is to be done ? Mr. D'Israeli answers —" Re-impose the Income Tax." We must do Mr. D'Israeli the credit of stating that though he declines to restore high customs and excise duties, he is not blind to the inequalities of our present system of direct taxation. He agrees with the Committee upstairs, who seem inclined to report that a system of Direct Taxation should have no exemptions. In its wholesale exemptions (taxing only 400,000 out of 3,500,000 houses) Sir C. Wood's House tax is an inconsistent and futile impost. Therefore Mr. D'lsraeli prefers to re-impose the Income Tax for one Year only, awaiting the chance of being in office next year jo re-arrange and re-model our whole system of taxation. The only absurd and inconsistent portion of Mr. D'Is- raeli's speech are the laudations of the free-trade policy, for they come with peculiarly ill grace from him—and his omission of all mention of relief for the agricultural interest. But we leave the agriculturists to settle their own differences for themselves, merely congratulating our readers that the new Chancellor of the Exchequer declines any attempt to unsettle the existing state of things.

Mr. Disraeli is not so impracticable a man as some of his recent proceedings would lead one to suppose. There are redeeming features in his character. He declares that he will not controvert an impossibility. He will not sail against rapids. The St. Lawrence has proved fatal to mariners, therefore he will not stem its torrents. Peel did nothing so foolish and though Disraeli once abused and ridiculed and tormented Peel, he now selects him as the worthiest model, and his policy as the soundest, and his practice as the wisest. Disraeli is a Peelite That there is wisdom in resignation no one will deny. The man wise in his generation is he who accommodates himself to the circumstances and the facts which surround him. Thus did Peel, and so does Disraeli. Prometheus endured what he could not avert. Disraeli does not try to avert that which the country has endured." The free trade policy is chained to the state, and Disraeli adopts the yoke as one that is irrevocable, and declares that it is a bon- dage which has produced good fruit, and which he must therefore perpetuate. Disraeli is wise in his generation. But Mr. Disraeli is only one of a host of converts And propagandists who have been slow to assure us of the change that has come o'er their spirits. The Protectionist Cabinet is a set of banded free traders; and through their leader in the House of Commons they avow as much. They are of one opinion as to the inequalities of the Income Tax-and they believe that no more may Excise and Customs Duties be enhanced. Protection to the farmer is, in their new eco- nomy, a Will o'the wisp which has already led them into so many bogs and pitfalls, that they abandon it as they would an enemy who designed to lead them out of the path of vir- tue and truthfulness. Distressed landlords and clamouring tenants are now but a pretty fiction, which is thrown aside in the full manhood and seriousness of office, and which may no more divert the Cabinet mind from the real and tangible things which come before it. The Derby Cabinet is, of necessity, and by confession, a free trade Cabinet Does the disappointed partizan doubt our construction of recent acts and recent avowals ? We refer him to the Budget of the Chancellor of the Exchequer, and to the speech by which it was introduced. We refer him to the hearty cheers which came in lavish streams from the opposi- tion, and to the approving and complimentary phrases uttered by Sir C. Wood, Mr. Hume, Mr. Gladstone, Mr. Bright, Mr. Labouchere, Lord Robert Grosvenor, Mr. C. Villiers, and Mr. Muntz. These gentlemen joined in a chorus of congratulation, and accepted Mr. Disraeli's budget and speech as warm tributes to free trade. Mr. Hume certainly told the ministerial followers that they looked glum" —but Sir John Tyrrell denied the imputation, and only Col. Sib- thorp, (the unlicensed buffoon of the Commons) hinted at any thing like a breach of faith. The great country party is not only reduced to subjection, but it is fairly converted to the policy of the country. To believe otherwise would be to belie the proceedings of Friday last in the House of Commons. Thus the die is cast, the course of future events is sealed. A change so radical as that which we have noti- fied cannot but be the harbinger of other changes. The personnel of the Derby ministry needs strengthening, and the material was at hand awaiting the word which should I permit a coalition. Conservatism will henceforth be a different practice to what it has been in the past, and its professors and leaders will also be re-arranged. Now that I the Protectionist difficulty has been abandoned, nothing I I remains to prevent the accession of the Duke of Newcastle, Messrs. Gladstone, Sidney Herbert, and the other of the I intellectual Peelites from re-joining the party of which they were once among the leading ornaments. Lord John Rus- sell's rash opposition to the Militia Bill produced the first avowal of a desire to be reconciled, and the abandonment of Protection has rendered the junction of Peelite and Derbyite as feasible as, for party purposes, it was pre- viously desirable. There will undoubtedly be some defec- tions from the Conservative camp, on account of the new light which Mr. Disraeli has cast upon the group-but whither will the seceders go ? The gain to ministers will be more than counterbalancing—and thus we shall soon have another strong free trade party, founded upon the total wreck of that which, under Sir Robert Peel's guidance, only foundered. The fact is a singular one to contemplate —that there will be the Derby-Disraeli and Peelite free trade party, the Russell free trade party, and the Cobden free trade party. Yet to some extent will each of these have diverse aims and divided interests. Mr. Disraeli would have done something if he had only procured a knowledge of the fact who is who ?" he has done much in assuring to us the knowledge that the elect of Buckinghamshire and other shires have given up the stale professions respecting native industry—he has done still more in shewing us that he is not pledged to stand still-that what is good and safe in Radicalism, and what is not used up in Whigism, he will adopt. His account with the farmers and the landlords —the Newdegates and the Bookers-be will have to settle on some future day. Hitherto we have been puzzled to know under what rank to class Lord Derby, Mr Disraeli and their followers. Now that they give us an inkling of their purpose, we find that after all, it does not seriously differ from our own or from that of the ministry whom they ejected from office. Yet do each form a distinct party, each having jealousies and ambi- tions of its own. If principles thus assimilate, why should not their professors coalesce ? But friendly legislation, unanimity of purpose, are a consummation which, we fear, statesmen will never realise. "Men, not measures party, not principle" seems to be their never ending and never disgraced motto. When Mr. Disraeli's impractibility shall have witnessed one other improvement, and Lord John Russell's anxiety to return to office for office sake, shall have been abandoned, and Lord Derby's gross inconsistencies and prejudices shall all have been swept away, we may look for a greater amount of unanimity. Mr. Cobden's abandonment of absurd financial schemes would also help to hasten the day. But as well ask the lion to lie down with the lamb as expect humanity suddenly thus to revolutionize its nature, and statesmen thus unanimously to abandon their preferences and pre- judices.

CARMARTHENSHIRE. THE CHANCELLOR OF .THE EXCHEQUER'S unexpected Free Trade speech on Friday night has naturally enough elicited comments from all the metropolitan Press, and in order that our readers may gather the present tone of public opinion, we have inserted in our fourth page extracts from most of the leading metropolitan journals, which, we doubt not, will be perused with interest. The London Gazette of Friday last, announces that the Queen has been pleased to appoint Lieutenant-Colonel, George Rice, Lord Dynevor, of the Royal Carmarthen Regiment of Militia, to be one of .her Majesty's Aides-de- Camp for the service of her Militia Force, with the rank of Colonel in that force, vice Lord Dinorben deceased. Her Majesty has, at the same time, been pleased to direct that the said Lord Dynevor shall take rank as one of the Senior Colonels of Militia immediately after the Junior Colonel of Her Majesty's Forces. In consequence of the incautious insertion of a paragraph in two of our local contemporaries, an absurd rumour pre- vailed last week that General Somerset had been killed in action at the Cape, and that the 48th Regiment, recently arrived in South Wales, had been ordered forthwith to proceed to the scene of action. There was not the slightest foundation for the paragraph in question, and it has since been contradicted by the journal which first published it. PARLIAMENTARY DIVISION.—Mr. Cobden's motion in respect to the Government Militia Bill, on Tuesday night, was supported by John Evans, Esq., Q.C., Sir B. Hall, Pryse Loveden, Esq., David Morris, Esq., John Williams, Esq., and W. Williams, Esq. In the ministerial majority were-Crawshay Bailey, Esq., Joseph Bailey, Esq., T. W. Booker, Esq., D. A. S. Davies, Esq., Viscount Emlyn, Howell Gwyn, Esq., W. B. Hughes, Esq., C. Morgan, Esq., A. Richards, Esq., Lord James Stuart, C. R. M. Talbot, Esq., Sir G. Tyler, Bart., Sir J. B. Walsh, Bart., and Col. Lloyd Watkins. LITERARY DISTINCTIONS.—UNIVERSITY OF GLASGOW.— Amongst those who have this year honourably distinguished themselves at the above University, we are glad to see the names of two of our countrymen opposite to some of the most important prizes. In the senior Latin class, the gold medal, which is the highest badge of distinction, was, almost without a dissentient voice, voted Mr. William Roberts, son of the Rev. Daniel Roberts, of Dowlais, and lately a student at the Presbyterian College, in this town. That in the senior Greek class was obtained by Mr. J. H. Jones, of Closygraig, in this county, also a late student at Carmarthen College Mr. Benjamin Williams, of Mery Vale, near Narberth, also obtained a high prize in Logic. THE COMPTON TESTIMONIAL.—We are glad to learn that the subscription in favour of Mr. John Compton, for so many years mail-guard on the Gloucester and Pembroke road, progresses favourably. David Morris, Esq., M. P., has with his accustomed liberality, added his name to the list, with a donation of JE5, and numerous other gentlemen have also subscribed proportionately. As it is desirable to close the subscription at as early a period as is practicable perhaps those who intend to aid in promoting the testi- monial, will signify their intention promptly, in order that the sum realised may be handed over to Mr. Crompton as a token of the respect which his conduct has engendered during the long period of years in which he has officiated as a Government servant in this part of the country. LEAD MINES IN THE VALE OF TOWY.—Doubtless many of our readers were surprised last week by our announce- ment that the foundation-stone for an engine-house had been laid near Cystanog, on the property of W. Bonville, Esq., on which to erect a steam-engine for working the silver-lead mine recently opened, under the denomination of the Vale of Towy Silver-lead Mine. It appears, however, that not only has this mine been opened, but its success has embol- dened other proprietors to commence a second, upon the property of Lewis Morris, Esq (adjoining that of Mr. Bon- ville) which is to be called the Cystanog mine. The work upon this was commenced on Wednesday last, under the management of John Edwards, Esq., of London, and his SlIperintendenaptain J osepll Gilbert. As soon as the necessary deeds are signed, which it is anticipated will be in about a fortnight hence, a number of additional hands will be employed. There is every prospect that these minee will be must successful, as already from 200 to 300 tons of silver-lead ore have been shipped from the Vale of Towy Mine at Llanelly, the last cargo comprising no less than 80 tons, and now that a steam engine is about to be brought into operation, no doubt the workings will be more remu- nerative. It is not a little significant of the disgraceful state into which the navigation of the river Towy has been allowed to become, that although the mines are only distant about a mile and a half from Carmarthen Quay, Llanelly,— which is 18 miles distant,—is selected as the shipping port for the ore. We trust, however, that the resumption of these mines, which it is said were abandoned 80 or 90 years ago, will be beneficial to the neighbourhood, and remunerative the projectors. THE WEATHER.—After the genial rains which charac- terised the exit of the month of April, May has set in with fine spring weather, although occasionally a cold wind has cautioned us that a few bright days do not bring a sum- mer." The cuckoo',s pleasant note has been repeatedly heard within the last week, and nature everywhere is clothed with her brightest of garments. A few slight thunder-claps were heard in this neighbourhood on Tuesday evening. The fruit-trees were never more luxuriantly clothed with blossom than at present, and there is every reason to anticipate that unless a blight should unfortuitously set in, there will be a most abundant crop of fruit and vegetables of every description. Our Pembrokeshire Correspondent writes as follows We are glad to note that the weather is now become more mild and seasonable, several refreshing showers fell during the past week, which were hailed with delight, ve- getation generally being previously at a stand. The prevailing opinion is that the Spring-sown crops have already received some injury from the want of moisture, nevertheless the young wheat does not appear to have suffered from the drought, its present appearance being most healthy." CARMARTHENSHIRE ADJOURNED SESSIONS. An ad- journment of the Quarter Sessions for this County was held yesterday, when there were present *-D. Prytherch, Esq., in the chair, H. Lawrence, Esq., M.D., and Capt. Lloyd, Dolhaidd. The Treasurer's Accounts were audited and passed, when it appeared that the receipts amounted to E5274 18s. 2d., whilst the disbursements had only been £ 1445 2s. 7d., leaving a balance in hand of 93829 los. 7d. but the Treasurer explained that of this unusual amount he expected to be immediately called on to pay E2500 towards the expenses of erecting the Joint Counties Lunatic Asylum, which would have the effect of leaving him nearly penniless at the next Sessions. The Police Accounts was also audited, amounting to 91070 lis. 2d., of which a balance of JE515 15s. lOd. remains in the Treasurer's hands. The Court was then adjourned until a fresh sum- mons shall issue. CARMARTHEN POLICE.-On Friday last, the Mayor, E. H. Stacey, Esq., and J. G. Philipps, Esq., attended, but there was only an affiliation case for disposal. On Tuesday last, the Mayor committed Ann Awbrey, the incorrigible," to the House ot Correction for two months, for her old offence of drunkenness and disorderly conduct. REMOVAL OF A CONVfCT.-Mary Blake, the convict who was recently reported as attempted to be liberated from custody by a fellow-prisoner, was safely removed on Monday, and left at the Millbank Penitentiary by Mr. Stephens. COMMITTAL TO THE COUNTY GAOL.—David Jenkins, of the Ferry Side, was on Wednesday committed to Gaol for 6 months by Capt. D. Davies, in default of finding sureties to keep the peace towards his own son, who swore he was afraid his father would do him some mischief, as he had declared he would kill him. SOUTH WALES RAILWAY.—On Friday a special meeting of this company took place at the Great Western Railway station, Paddington, for the purpose of taking into con- sideration the draft of a bill now before Parliament to ena- ble the directors to construct new railways to Milford Haven and at Newport, and to purchase Pembroke Ferry, and also to abandon portions of the lines from Fishguard and at Haverfordwest, and for other purposes; Mr. Talbot, M.P., in the chair. The advertisement convening the meeting having been read, the secretary read the bill, and a resolu- tion was proposed by the chairman and seconded by Mr. Vivian, M.P., approving the measure and authorising the directors to concur in any amendments or alterations which might be required during the progress of the bill.-Major Court requested to be informed as to the meaning of the compensation clause in the bill ?—The solicitor replied that it was intended to benefit parties whose property might be injured on the lines.-inlaior Court inquired whether the line was finished from Swansea to Gloucester ?-The Chair- man replied in the affirmative,-A proprietor wished to know the amount of capital which the. directors were au- thorised to raise under the act ?-The Chairman said the amount was E177,000.-The resolution was then put and carried, and a vote of thanks having been passed to the chairman, the meeting separated. CARMARTHEN MONTHLY MARKET.—The usual monthly market was held in this town, on Wednesday last, when there was a good demand for all descriptions of stock, but not a very large supply. Prices may be said therefore to have ranged high, and were about the following average :— Cattle, 4£d. per lb. (sinking offal), mutton, 6d. per lb., and lamb, 6d. per lb. ABERGWILLY FAIR was held on Wednesday last. The shew of cattle was very small, and owing to the scarcity of grass occasioned by the long drought they were generally in very low condition. There was not much business tran- sacted, and no alteration in prices can be noticed. FAIRFACH FAIR.—This fair was held at Llandilo on Wednesday. The supply of horned cattle was rather above the ordinary quantity for this fair, and prices were good. A large fair is expected here on the 14th instant. LLANELLY.—A committee has been formed and a sub? scription set on foot to purchase and piesent W. Chambers, Esq., of Llanelly House, with his portrait, to be placed in the Town Hall, as a memorial of his uprightness, integrity, and kindly disposition during the long number of years in which he has been an active magistrate for this county. It is believed that Mr. Thos. Brigstocke will be the artist lb. Chambers will select.