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from the Sikh infantry arrayed behind their guns, that in spite of the most heroic efforts a portion only of the entrenchments could be carried. Night fell while the conflict was everywhere raging. All through the night the Sikhs made attempts to dislodge our troops, but," continues the Commander-in-Chief, "with daylight of the 22d came retribution. Our infantry formed line, supported on both flanks by horse-artillery, whilst a fire was opened from our centre by such of our heavy guns as remained effective, aided by a flight of rockets. A masked battery played with great effect upon this point, dismounting our pieces, and blowing up our tumbrils. At this moment Lieut.-General Sir Henry Hardinge (the Governor-General, who volunteered to take second in command) placed himself at the head of the left, whilst I rode at the head of the right wing. Our line advanced, and, unchecked by

the enemy's fire, drove them rapidly out of the village of Ferozeshah, and their encampment; then changing front to its left on its centre, our force continued to sweep the enemy, bearing down all opposition, and dislodged the enemy from the whole position. The line then halted as if on a day of manoeuvre, receiving its two leaders as they rode along in front, with a gratifying cheer, and displaying the captured standards of the Khalsa army. We had taken upwards of seventy-three pieces of cannon, and were masters of the whole field." An attempt made by the Sirdar Tej Sing, about two hours later, to regain his position, was checked by a movement to attack both flanks at once. number returned as killed in this engagement was 694; wounded, 1,721. Prince Waldemar of Prussia took part in the first day's action, and distinguished himself for his coolness and intrepidity. The number of British troops engaged was set down at 20,000.

The

22.-Mr. Macaulay to the Secretary of the Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce :-"You will have heard of our attempt to form a Government. All our plans were frustrated by Lord Grey, who objected to Lord Palmerston being Foreign Secretary. I hope that the public interests will not suffer. Sir Robert Peel must now undertake the settlement of the question. It is certain that he can settle it. It is by no means certain that we could have

done so.

For we shall to a man support him; and a large proportion of those who are now in office would have refused to support us. On my own share in these transactions I reflect with unmoved satisfaction. From the first I told Lord John Russell that I stipulated for one thing only-total and immediate repeal of the Corn-laws; that my objections to gradual abolition were insurmountable; but that, if he declared for total and immediate repeal, I would be as to all other matters absolutely in his hands; that I would take any office, or no office, just as suited him best; and that he should never be disturbed by any personal pretensions or jealousies on my part. If everybody

else had acted thus, there would now have been a liberal ministry. However, as I said, perhaps it is best as it is."

22.-The Astronomer-Royal writes to the Times:-"I have this day received from Professor Encke, of Berlin, a letter of which I subjoin a translation. There appears to be no reasonable doubt that the object to which it relates is a new planet. As it is highly important that observation should be made without the least possible delay, I request that you will have the goodness immediately to publish this in your paper." Next day Schumacher writes from Altona ::- "Professor Encke has got an observation on the 20th inst., which enabled him to calculate the orbit of the new planet-of course only a first sketch; but, however, sure enough there can be no material difference. The planet belongs to the family of the four small planets, and has in its revolution the most likeness to Juno. The discoverer, Mr. Hencke, of Driessen, had left the name to be determined by Mr. Encke, and he calls it 'Astræa.'

The Duke of Buccleuch to Sir Robert Peel :-"I see clearly the position in which her Majesty is placed, and the only alternative left to her in the event of your failure. I perceive the disastrous consequences that must ensue, and also the present critical state of the country. Under these circumstances I feel it to be my imperative duty to my Sovereign and my country to make every personal sacrifice. I am ready, therefore, at the risk of any imputation that may be cast upon me, to give my decided support, not only to your administration generally, but to the passing through Parliament of a measure for the final settlement of the Corn-laws,"

23. An important meeting of the League was held to-day in Manchester, when it was resolved to raise a fund of a quarter of a million sterling, for the purpose of promoting their principles in the present national emergency. 60,000l. was intimated as subscribed before the meeting broke up. There was one subscription of 1,500/., twenty-two of 1,000l., one of 700/., and eighteen of 500%.

25.-Bursting of a tank, containing 250,000 gallons of water, at the Liverpool and Harrington Water-works, Sussex-street, Liverpool. The tank was a new one, and in process of being filled, when two sides of it gave way, bringing down a dwelling-house adjoining. Five lives were lost, eight injured, and much property in the neighbourhood destroyed.

26.-Sir Robert Peel to Madame de Lieven:-"I resume power with greater means of rendering public service than I should have had if I had not relinquished it. But it is a strange dream. I feel like a man restored to life after his funeral service had been preached, highly gratified by such condolence on his death, as I received from the King and our valued friend M. Guizot."

27. Colonel Gurwood, editor of the "Wellington Despatches," commits suicide in his lodgings at Brighton, by cutting his throat with a razor. He was found dead by the landlady of the house. At the inquest the jury returned a verdict that the deceased had destroyed himself while in a temporary state of insanity, caused by mental relaxation.

29. The two Misses Cushman appear at the Haymarket Theatre as Romeo and Juliet.

An express, in anticipation of the Indian Mail, reached London in twenty-seven days from Bombay. This unprecedented feat was accomplished by the Morning Herald in cooperation with the French Government, the object of the exertion being to demonstrate the superiority of the route by Marseilles over that of Trieste, recommended by Lieut. Waghorn. In copying the news the Times remarked :-"For the first time since Oct. 1840, we have been anticipated in the publiWe are cation of intelligence from India. more proud, however, of our defeat than of our most remarkable success. We have spared no expense, and no exertion, but we would not barter English interests for intelligencewe would not purchase M. Guizot's favour by slavish adulation; and if success can only be won at such a price, we are well content to copy, as we now do, our Indian intelligence from the Morning Herald."

31.-At a meeting of the Royal Bucks Agricultural Association, the Duke of Buckingham said he did not wish to conceal from his hearers his opinion that the agricultural body in this country had the power, if they pleased, to defeat any attempt that might be made to repeal the Corn-laws. He looked on this question truly in a national point of view, and he could not view but with dismay the privations and the troubles likely to be inflicted on the country should the Corn-laws be repealed. At Warwick, on the same day, Mr. Newdegate carried a resolution, testifying against the fallacy and mischievous reports of a deficient harvest, and affirming that there was no reasonable ground for apprehending a scarcity of food, or that corn, under the protection of the existing law, will maintain a price more than sufficiently remunerative to the producer, or beyond what the industrious classes can afford. At the different agricultural meetings held about this time, the conduct of Sir Robert Peel was severely censured.

1846.

January 2.-In the official lists of the restored Peel cabinet, Mr. Gladstone takes the place of Lord Stanley as Secretary of State for the Colonies.

3.-The Lord Mayors of London and Dublin present addresses from their respective

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5.-New regulations issued by the War Office, designed to improve the condition of non-commissioned officers and privates who merited distinction for good conduct.

7.-Died at Malta, in his seventy-seventh year, John Hookham Frere, author of the Whistlecraft jeu d'esprit, and a contributor to the Anti-Facobin.

10. A parliamentary paper of 540 folio pages issued, consisting of an alphabetical and numerical list of the names of all persons in Great Britain who subscribed towards the railways of last session, for sums less than 2,000!.

12.-On receiving the freedom of the City of Glasgow, Lord John Russell took the opportunity of observing that "the question of the Corn-laws was now in the hands of Sir Robert Peel. I know no more than yourselves what his proposition may be, or how he has agreed with the remaining colleagues with whom he differed, and who have again consented to serve under him; but of this I am fully convinced that if Sir Robert Peel wishes his measure to be safe-safe to propose and safe to carry-it must be formed on broad and extensive principles."

14.-Explosion of fire-damp in the Black Vein workings of Risca Colliery, and loss of thirty-five lives.

The authorities of the parish of Windsor having claimed to rate Flemish Farm occupied by Prince Albert, he resisted the demand on the ground that it was royal property in royal occupation. The case was submitted to eminent legal authorities, whose opinion entirely supported Prince Albert's view. Upon this the parochial authorities presented an address, admitting the non-liability of the farm, apologizing for the observations which had appeared in the public prints, and soliciting his Royal Highness's consideration to the hardship inflicted upon the parish in consequence of the exemption of so considerable a property. The Prince informed them that he now felt himself at liberty to take the course which was most satisfactory to his own feelings, and to pay as a voluntary contribution a sum equal to the rate which would have been annually due, had his legal liability been established.

15.-Monster meeting in the Free-trade Hall, Manchester. Mr. Cobden, in the course of one of his most able arguments for immediate and total abolition, said:-"Whatever course is proposed by Sir Robert Peel, we, as Free-traders, have but one course to pursue.

If he proposes a total and unconditional repeal we shall throw up our caps for Sir Robert Peel. If he proposes anything else, Mr. Villiers will be ready, as on former occasions. I am anxious to hear now, at the last meeting before we go to Parliament, that we occupy as much an isolated position as we did at the first moment of the formation of the League. We have nothing to do with Whigs or Tories. We are stronger than either of them; and if we stick to our principles, we can beat them both."

15.-The Overland Mail arrives with intelligence from Calcutta to the 7th December. The Sikhs, it was reported, were making hostile demonstrations on the banks of the Sutlej; but it was not thought they had any serious intention of encountering the British forces in the field.

20. The Irish Commission of Inquiry report that "It appears from undoubted authority, that of thirty-two counties in Ireland not one has escaped failure in the potato crop, and of 130 Poor Law Unions not one is exempt. . . That which is necessary on all such occasions is peculiarly necessary now. The extreme variety in the extent of the potato failure, and the minute and insulated subdivisions of land in which it prevails, lead us to entertain the greatest doubt whether any adjustment of public works can be made to meet the need wherever it may occur; and it must be met, or death from famine may be the result. John M'Neill, a highly competent authority, in a document transmitted to us, estimates the distance to which the benefit of employment in public works extends, at five miles only."

Sir

Departure of Rev. J. H. Newman from Oxford. "On the Saturday and Sunday before," he writes, "I was in my house at Littlemore, simply by myself, as I had been for the first day or two when I had originally taken possession of it. Various friends came to see the last of me-Mr. Copeland, Mr. Church, Mr. Buckle, Mr. Pattison, and Mr. Lewis. Dr. Pusey, too, came up to take leave of me; and I called on Dr. Ogle, one of my very oldest friends, for he was my private tutor when I was an undergraduate. În him I took leave of my first college, Trinity, which was so dear to me both when I was a boy and all through my Oxford life. Trinity had never been unkind to me. There used to be much snapdragon growing on the walls opposite my freshman's room there, and I had for years taken it as the emblem of my own perpetual residence, even unto death, in my University. On the morning of the 23d I left the University. I have never seen Oxford since, (he writes in 1864,) excepting its spires, as they are seen from the railway."

21.-The Daily News, a new Liberal organ, commenced under the editorial care of Mr. Charles Dickens.

22.-Parliament opened by the Queen in

person. The Royal Speech contained these sen. tences: "I have had great satisfaction in giving my assent to the measures which you have presented to me from time to time, calculated to extend commerce, and to stimulate domestic skill and industry by the repeal of prohibitive, and the relaxation of protective duties. I recommend you to take into your early consideration whether the principle on which you have acted may not with advantage be yet more extensively applied." The failure of the potato crop in Ireland, and the crimes against life and property in that country, were also touched upon in the Royal Speech. In the course of the personal explanations which occurred during the debate on the Address, Sir Robert Peel said: "The immediate cause of resignation was the great and mysterious calamity which has befallen Europe-the failure of the potato crop. But it would be unfair to the House if I were to say that I attached exclusive importance to that particular cause. I will not withhold the homage which is due to the progress of reason and to truth, by denying that my opinions on the subject of Protection have undergone a change. Whether holding a private station, or in a public one, I will assert the privilege of yielding to the force of argument and conviction, and acting upon the results of enlarged experience. It may be supposed that there is something humiliating in making such admissions. Sir, I feel no such humiliation; I should feel humiliation, if, having modified or changed my opinions, Í declined to acknowledge the change for fear of incurring the imputation of inconstancy. The question is whether the facts are sufficient to account for the change, and the motives for it are pure and disinterested. Nothing could be more base on the part of a public man than to protect himself from danger by pretending a change; on the other hand, nothing could be more inconsistent with the duty he owes to his sovereign and country than if, seeing reason to alter his course, he is precluded from that alteration by the fear of being taunted with it. . . I may, without irreverence, be permitted to say that, like our physical frame, our ancient constitution is fearfully and wonderfully made' -that it is no easy task to insure the harmonious and united action of an ancient monarchy, a proud aristocracy, and a reformed House of Commons. These are the objects which we have attempted to accomplish, and I cannot think they are inconsistent with a pure Conservatism. Power for such objects is really valuable; but for my own part I can say, with perfect truth, that even for these objects I do not covet it. It is a burden far above my physical, infinitely beyond my intellectual strength. The relief from it with honour would be a favour, and not a punishment. But while honour and a sense of public duty require it, I do not shrink from office. I am ready to incur its responsibilities, to bear its sacrifices, to confront its honourable perils;

but I will not retain it with mutilated power and shackled authority. I will not stand at the helm during the tempestuous night if that helm is not allowed freely to traverse. I will not undertake to direct the course of the vessel by observations taken in the year 1842. I will reserve to myself the unfettered power of judging what will be for the public interest. I do not desire to be the Minister of England, but while I am Minister of England I will hold office by no servile tenure. I will hold office unshackled by any other obligation than that of consulting the public interest, and providing for the public safety." Sir Robert was frequently cheered throughout his speech, especially by the Opposition, and when he sat down the applause was long and almost universal.

23.-Bryan Seery tried at Mullingar, before the Lord Chief Baron, for discharging a loaded gun at Sir Francis Hopkins, on the night of the 18th of November, 1845. Sir Francis, in the course of his examination, distinctly identified the prisoner as the person who fired the gun, and whom he afterwards caught by the throat with the view of securing him. He was

sentenced to be executed. On the scaffold, Seery raised a crucifix, and in a calm, loud, and steady tone, declared that he had neither act, part, hand, or knowledge of the crime for which he was about to suffer. His funeral was attended by an immense mob, who considered him the victim of oppression, and even spoke of him as a martyr.

26.-Price of bread in the metropolis, 9d. to 10d. per four-pound loaf. Wheat, average, 55s. 7d. per quarter.

27.-Sir Robert Peel explains the commercial policy of the Government. On the great question of the Corn-laws he proposed a total repeal at the end of three years. From the passing of the Act, and until the 1st of February, 1849, the maximum duty to be 10s., exigible when the price is under 48s., and to fall a shilling with every shilling of rise in the price till the price reaches 535., when the duty was to fall to the minimum of 4s. The duties on barley and oats to undergo an alteration proportionally the same; all grain from British colonies to be admitted free of duty, and maize or Indian corn to be admitted, immediately after the passing of the Act, at a nominal duty. Other articles in the tariff under the heads of articles of food, agriculture, manufacture, and miscellaneous, were dealt with, to the amount of several hundred, in the way of duties repealed or reduced. In the matter of compensation to the landed interest, the Premier proposed a consolidation of parish-road trusts, an alteration in the law of settlement, transferring the burden from the parish of the pauper's birth to that in which he had an industrial residence of five years last preceding his application for relief; the payment from the Treasury of one-half the cost of medical attendance

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on paupers; and the removal from the local rates of the expenses of criminal prosecutions, which were to be defrayed in future by an annual parliamentary vote. Because," concluded Sir Robert, "this is a time of peace, because you are not subject to any coercion whatever, I entreat you to bear in mind that the aspect of affairs may change; that we may have to contend with worse harvests than that of this year; and that it may be wise to avail ourselves of the present moment to effect an adjustment which, I believe, must be ultimately made, and which could not be long delayed without engendering feelings of animosity among different classes of her Majesty's subjects. From a sincere conviction that the settlement is not to be delayed; that, accompanied with the precautionary measures to which I have referred, it will not inflict injury on the agricultural interest-from these feelings I should deeply lament, exclusively on public grounds, the failure of the attempt which, at the instance of her Majesty's Government, I have made on this occasion, to recommend to your calm and dispassionate consideration these proposals, with no other feeling or interest in the ultimate issue than that they may, to use the words of her Majesty's speech, conduce to the promotion of friendly feeling between different classes-to provide additional security for the continuance of peace-and to maintain contentment and happiness at home by increasing the comforts and bettering the condition of the great body of the people.""

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26. Battle of Aliwal. In consequence of the movements of Sirdar Runjoor Singh, MajorGeneral Sir Harry Smith was ordered to advance with his brigade from Dhurrumhote towards Loodiana, which he effected with some difficulty and loss. He was here reinforced by Brigadier Godby, and afterwards by Brigadier Wheeler, the British troops on making the last junction taking up the abandoned position of Budhowal. Sir Harry Smith now determined to attack the enemy, who was distant about six miles, drawn up along a ridge close to the village of Aliwal. After deployment," writes Sir Harry, "I observed the enemy's left to outflank me: I therefore broke into open columns, and took ground to my right; when I had gained sufficient, the troops wheeled into line; there was no dust, the sun shone brightly. These manoeuvres were performed with the celerity and precision of the most correct field-day. The glistening of the bayonets and swords of this order of battle was most imposing, and the line advanced. Scarcely had it moved forward 150 yards, when at ten o'clock the enemy opened a fierce cannonade from his whole line. At first his balls fell short, but quickly reached us. Thus upon him, and capable of better ascertaining his position, I was compelled to halt the line, though under fire, for a few moments, until I ascertained that by bringing up my right, and carrying the village of Aliwa! I could with great chiect

precipitate myself upon his left and centre. ... The enemy, completely hemmed in, were flying from our fire, and precipitating themselves in disordered masses into the fords and boats in the utmost confusion and consternation. Our eight-inch howitzers soon began to play upon the boats when the débris of the Sikh army appeared upon the opposite and high bank of the river, flying in every direction, although a sort of line was attempted to countenance their retreat, until all our guns commenced a furious cannonade, when they quickly receded. Nine guns were on the edge of the river by the ford. It appears as if they had been unlimbered to cover the ford. These being loaded were fired once upon our advance. Two others were sticking in the river; one of them we got out; two were seen to sink in the quicksands, and two were dragged to the opposite bank and abandoned."

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29. At a large meeting of the workingclasses in Edinburgh to petition against the Corn-laws, a small body of Chartists attempted to change its character by proposing resolutions expressive of their hatred of the Anti-Corn-law Leaguers as a set of deep, designing, moneymongering rogues.' It was (said one speaker) "a fiendish caper" of the League to interfere with the decrees of Providence in having permitted the potato crop to be visited by disease. What the working-classes wanted was bread free to all who were starving, and at prime-cost to those who were only partially employed. The most offensive of the party were expelled from the room, and the original resolutions carried with enthusiasm.

30. Mr. Cobden addresses a letter to the farming tenantry of the United Kingdom, urging upon them, that as the present was, beyond all comparison, the most favourable moment ever known for abolishing the Cornlaws, it would be for their interest to press for that repeal at once instead of having it deferred for three years.

31.-Protectionist meeting at Tamworth. A resolution was carried, declaring that Sir Robert Peel had forfeited all claim to public confidence, and that he ought to be called upon to resign back into the hands of the electors the trust which he had so greatly abused. subscription was also proposed to promote the return of a sound and confidential man to represent the borough in Parliament in place of the right honourable baronet."

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February 4.-Riots at Inverness occasioned by the shipments of potatoes for the south.

5.-The Select Committee of the House of Commons report that for the purpose of facilitating the despatch of railway business it is expedient that a portion of the bills should commence in the House of Lords; and that among those to be taken there, Irish railway

bills should have preference, as they might afford early and increased employment to the people of that country.

5. The Times publishes brief accounts of the victories of Moodkee and Ferozeshah, received in anticipation of the India Mail by way of Trieste. The news reached Bombay on the 3d of January, about noon, when the mailsteamer, Victoria, had left the harbour. She was signalled to return, and took the important despatches on board. The journey afterwards was thus described by the Times: "The mails arrived at Suez on the 19th of January. They were then conveyed by the ordinary means across the Desert, and reached Alexandria on the morning of the 22d. The Austrian steamer, Impératrice, was there in waiting, and departed at noon on that day with our despatch for Trieste. She arrived at Dwino near Trieste, where her mails were landed on Thursday the 29th; and late that evening the courier, who carried our despatches, and to whom we are indebted for most strenuous exertions on our behalf, left Dwino en route for Ostend. His first point was Carlsruhe, whence he hoped to obtain a steamer down the Rhine to Bonn or Cologne ; but so extensive was the inundation that no captain could be prevailed upon to undertake the voyage, and he was compelled to post onwards, encountering all the difficulties which flood, snow, and rain could interpose, until he reached the Belgium railroads. By this means he reached Ostend, and thence coming to London, succeeded with rare intelligence, although not speaking a word of English, in reaching our office without a moment's delay. arrived at 6 o'clock, and had thus performed the journey from Dwino, under every imaginable difficulty, in some hours less than six days."

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6.-The Bencoolen wrecked on Taylor's Bank, Holyhead, and thirteen of the crew, including a pilot who had newly boarded her, drowned. The remaining eight reached Liverpool in a small boat.

7.-At the dinner of the Buckinghamshire Agricultural Society, the Duke of Buckingham said he hoped they would be able to alter the measure of Sir Robert Peel or so cripple or defeat it, that it would not become the law of the land. "You may rely," he continued, "that I shall be at my post with the Duke of Richmond to defeat, if possible, this measure, or do it all the harm we can."

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9.-Died at his residence, Lower Grosvenorstreet, aged 60, Henry Gally Knight, M.P. author of several works on medieval architecture.

10. Battle of Sobraon, and final defeat of the Sikhs. Beaten on the Upper Sutlej, the enemy continued to occupy his position on the right bank. "Our observations," writes the Commander-in-Chief, "coupled with the report (101)

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