than almost any Minister of our time. He might add the industry and affection of millions to the wealth and strength of the empire. "But if he should fail; if he should prove himself to be the agent of a timid and selfish oligarchy rather than the Prime Minister of the Crown and of the people; if he should not dare to do these things, which in my conscience I believe he knows to be necessary; even then we will not despair, for there is growing up in England, and I hope in Ireland, a party so strong and so numerous, that by and by it will leave out only the pauperism at one end of the scale, and, it may be, the titled and the privileged at the other-it will include almost the whole people." 4.-The Gazette contains the names of the Royal Commission "for the Promotion of the Exhibition of the Works of all Nations, to be holden in the year 1851.' The Commissioners order an inquiry as to the best mode of introducing the productions of colonies and foreign countries, the best site, the general conduct of the Exhibition, and the distribution of the prizes. A meeting was held in London on the 25th to raise funds. 7.-Revolt in the workhouse of Barham Union, near Ipswich. A number of young men discharged from farm labour about Christmas became riotously disposed and broke into the master's office, demanding more food. They afterwards destroyed all the furniture they could lay their hands on, and were only overpowered when a strong body of constables made their entry into the house. 8.-Died, at his residence, Pentonville, in the 49th year of his age, Lieutenant Waghorn, R.N., an intrepid traveller, and originator of the overland route to India. 9.--The King of Prussia's Message, relating to certain alterations in the Constitution, presented to the Chambers in Berlin. The most important articles, relating to the formation of a hereditary Chamber and the creation of a special court for the trial of political offenders, were agreed to, with slight alterations, on the 30th. The Turin Chambers vote the ratification of the treaty of peace with Austria by 112 to 17. A meeting in connexion with the Financial and Parliamentary Reform movement held in Aylesbury, to receive Mr. Cobden, who, in a speech at Leeds, had challenged the Protectionists to meet him in their own stronghold to discuss the question of Protection and Freetrade. Mr. Cobden was proceeding to illustrate his views on the relation between landlord and tenant by reference to the management of his own small estate in Sussex, when he was interrupted by cries of "How did you get it?" "I am indebted for it," he answered, 66 to the bounty of my countrymen. It was the scene of my birth and my infancy; it was the property of my ancestors; and it is by the munificence of my countrymen that this small estate, which had been alienated from my father by necessity, has again come into my hands, and enabled me to light up afresh the hearth of my father where I spent my childhood. And I say that no warrior duke who owns a vast domain by the vote of the Imperial Parliament holds his property by a more honourable title than I possess mine.' When the vehement cheering produced by these words had subsided, Mr. Cobden proceeded to describe the course he adopted when he first visited the place after it came into his possession. 10. A disorderly Protectionist meeting held at Stafford. The farmers mustered about 400 strong, and the townspeople still more. Lord St. Vincent moved that Lord Talbot take the chair; and in the course of a speech used expressions which raised shouts of disapprobation. Before long, weapons were in use on both sides, and the townsmen were ejected from the hall. Exasperated by this defeat, they attacked the windows and scoured the streets for increased numbers to burst open the hall doors. This was ultimately accomplished, and the fight renewed with increasing asperity in the inside. An address to the Queen, praying for a dissolution of Parliament, was carried in dumb show amid a shower of missiles. Lord Talbot and others were severely hurt, and the farmers were finally compelled to seek refuge in the hotels and railway station. Meetings marked by a similar spirit of disorder took place at Stepney, Lincoln, Northampton, Penenden Heath, and in various counties in Ireland. At Reading the Marquis of Downshire, who appeared among the Protectionists, shouted out, "I am an Irishman, and ask only fair play for all parties. I attended a meeting the other day in the county of Down, where arguments and common sense were put down by a mob, and where, I am sorry to say, we-the respectability-could not get a hearing. I am sorry to say we were entirely beaten; but don't let yourselves be beaten now. I am the last man in the room to appeal to physical force; but I declare to you, if there is any more row, I'll head some eight or ten farmers, and turn them out." The fighting hereupon became general throughout the hall. Several were hurled off the seats with violence, and kicked en passant to the door by the furious Protectionists, who, it was observed, generally wore stout boots, and produced therewith a most unpleasant effect. They latterly succeeded in passing their own set of resolutions. The Enterprise and Investigator again leave Woolwich to proceed to the Polar Seas, in search of Sir John Franklin. 11.-Ellen Bright, the Lion Queen, killed at Chatham by a tiger which she was exhibiting in the menagerie of her uncle, Mr. Wombwell. The brute was beaten off by one of the keepers, and the unfortunate girl removed from the stage, bleeding profusely and life all but extinct. The coroner's jury expressed a strong opinion against the practice of entering the dens of wild animals. 12. In the Central Criminal Court, Lewis Joel, jeweller and bill-discounter, sentenced to ten years' transportation for forging a bill of exchange in the name of Lieut. Clements. 14.-At Killarney a fire broke out in a building known as the College, used by the guardians as a workhouse hospital. Scarcely had the flames in one portion been suppressed before they broke out in another called the Brewery, used as the dormitory of a multitude of children. The doors and windows were fastened, and the only ready access was by a loft through which the flames were pouring with great fierceness. The police and multitudes of assistants made extraordinary efforts to drag forth every one of the children and their nurses; but, when they had nearly performed their perilous task, the rafters of the loft gave way, and twenty-eight were instantly killed and as many more severely injured. 17. Meeting of tailors in Exeter Hall to petition Parliament with reference to the slop and "middle" system. In answer to a deputation of Ulster Catholics, who waited upon the Lord-Lieutenant with a memorial desiring the dismissal of all the Castlewellan magistrates, and demanding that the authors of the Dolly's Brae outrage should be brought to justice, his Excellency said that he could not properly recommend to the Lord Chancellor the dismissal of these magistrates. They were not personally implicated in the transactions impugned; they acted on their own judgment and responsibility in rejecting the informations, and they should not be removed merely because they declined to abide by the opinion of the law-officer of the Crown. 18.-Admiral Parker, in command of the British Mediterranean fleet, blockades the harbour of the Piræus, the Greek Government having refused to satisfy the claims made by Mr. Finlay, a British subject, for land appropriated by the Crown in 1836, and by M. Pacifico, a Jew, for damage committed to his house and furniture in a riot, at Athens, on the 4th April, 1847. There were also various claims made on behalf of the English Government, in consideration of the ill-treatment of certain Ionians at Pyrgos and Patras, and for the islands of Cervi and Sapienza, on the ground that they formed part of the Ionian Islands, and therefore belonged to England. A meeting, called by Mr. Cobden, held in the London Tavern, to protest against the negotiation in this country of the new Russian loan of 5,500,000/, given out to be required for the completion of the railway from St. Petersburg to Moscow. Mr. Cobden moved a resolution, which was carried unanimously, declaring that the real object of the loan was to replenish the Russian treasury, exhausted by the Hun- ma 22. In the Court of Exchequer a jority of the judges confirm the decision of the Court of Queen's Bench, declaring the legality of the church-rate levied at Braintree by a minority of the parishioners. In the month of July, 1841, at a vestry meeting called for voting a rate for the repairs of the parish church of Braintree, a motion was made for a rate of two shillings in the pound, and duly seconded; an amendment was then moved, and carried by an immense majority, denouncing all connexion between Church and State in general, and against church-rates in particular. After this the majority of the parishioners left, and the churchwardens and others of the rate-payers carried the original resolution without opposition. When the inhabitants heard of this result, they resolved to oppose the rate, and on the churchwardens commencing proceedings in the ecclesiastical courts against the plaintiff in error, the latter moved the Court of Queen's Bench for a writ of prohibition. The writ was granted, and on the return to it being argued, the court gave judgment, approving of the proceedings of the churchwardens, thereby affirming the_validity of the rate voted by the minority. From that decision the case was brought into the Exchequer Chamber, on a writ in error. court which now gave judgment was divided in opinion. Baron Platt, Justice Cresswell, Justice Maule, and Baron Alderson, were of opinion that the repair of the church fabric was a duty which the parishioners might be compelled to perform, and that the minority could make a rate if the majority refused to do so. Baron Rolfe, Baron Parke, and Chief Justice Wilde dissented. The 26.-Died, at his residence, Murray-place, Edinburgh, in his 77th year, Francis Jeffrey, a senator of the College of Justice, and long known as the most prominent of British critics. Died, aged 71, Adam Oehlenschlager, Danish poet and dramatist. 28. At a Rutland Protectionist meeting Mr. Cheetham said :-"The phantoms of ruined farmers must haunt the sleeping pillow of Sir Robert Peel. Knowing how much he was execrated, he must really move about in Even if Sir Robert Peel fear and dread. should ever have a majority again, he dared If he was in Sir Robert's not take office. (Here position, he should be afraid of the poniard and the dagger; and so he had a right to. the speaker was interrupted by loud cries of "No! no!") He should be sorry to say what he did not feel, but he thought he was justified in saying what he had, seeing what a narrow escape Peel once had when he was not so He believed that much execrated as now. Cobden and Peel were travelling the same road. (173) Peel, he was informed, had a strong grudge against the aristocracy, because one of them in the House of Lords once called him a weaver's son. Sir Robert Peel's son need not be afraid of being called a weaver's son or a weaver's grandson, but he would be called 'the traitor's son."" Mr. Stafford, M. P., made the best apology he could for this language: he was sure Mr. Cheetham meant no harm, but his words might be misinterpreted. The usual Protectionist resolutions were passed. 29.-Great tide in the Thames. At Wandsworth the streets were inundated, and the fires in the gas-works extinguished. 30.-The Aborigines Protection and Peace Society holds a meeting at the London Tavern to petition Parliament for the total and immediate abolition of the practice of awarding headmoney for the destruction of pirates. 31.-Parliament opened by commission. The Royal Speech referred to the amicable settlement of the dispute between Russia and Austria on the one hand, and Turkey on the other, concerning the Hungarian refugees; to the negotiations with foreign states rendered necessary by the relaxation of our Navigationlaws; the loyal welcome received by her Majesty in Ireland, and to the complaints proceeding from the owners and occupiers of land. With reference to the cholera, "Her Majesty is persuaded that we shall best evince our gratitude by vigilant precautions against the more obvious causes of sickness and an enlightened consideration for those who are most exposed to its attacks." A Protectionist amendment to the address was negatived in the Lords by 152 to 103, and in the Commons by 311 to 192. The French Government concede to Brett and Co. the right to establish an electric telegraph line between France and England, by a submarine wire across the Channel. February 2.-Mutiny of a native regiment at Umritza, Bengal. The mutineers were all seized before they could possess themselves of their arms piled on the playground, and placed in confinement under the guns of the fort. 4.-Disturbance in the St. Martin district of Paris, caused by the Socialists trying to prevent the cutting down of the trees of liberty. The troops were called out, and a few lives lost. 5.-M. Drouyn de Lhuys, on behalf of France, one of the powers guaranteeing the independence of Greece, tenders to Lord Palmerston the good offices of his Government in procuring a satisfactory adjustment of the disputed claims. Lord Palmerston accepted the offer with an acknowledgment that England would prefer owing such satisfaction to the friendly intervention of France rather than to the continued employment of force. This arrangement was ratified by notes exchanged on the 12th. Baron Gros entered on his special On the mission at Athens on the 5th March. 21st of the following month, in a conference on board the Inflexible, he expressed his deep regret that he had been unsuccessful in his negotiations, but still offered to continue his services, in a non-official capacity, between Mr. Wise and the Greek Government. The claim was settled on the 26th on the basis of the payment of 180,000 drachmas, to be distributed by the British Government to the dif ferent claimants, and 150,000 drachmas as securities, to be handed over to the British Government, to meet such claims as M. Pacifico might succeed in establishing against the Portuguese Government. The papers relating to this latter claim were alleged by M. Pacifico to have been destroyed by the riot in which he otherwise suffered. 5.-In moving the second reading of the Ecclesiastical Commission Bill, the Marquis of Lansdowne explained that its principal object was to separate the financial from the ecclesiastical duties of the Commission, the former being referred to two paid and responsible commissioners-one appointed by the Archbishop of Canterbury, and the other by the Crown. A hurricane of a severe and destructive character sweeps over the greater part of the kingdom. The pressure throughout the afternoon was from 9 to 11 lbs. on the square foot; but at six o'clock it suddenly rose to 17 lbs., being the highest pressure experienced at Lloyd's since the wind-gauge was set up. The shipping on the coast suffered severely. 6. Mr. Hawes moves the reappointment of a Select Committee to inquire into the grievances complained of in connexion with the administration of the government of Ceylon. Mr. Hume censured Ministers for the cruelties they permitted to take place on the island, and charged them with doing everything in their power to cover the excesses of Lord Torrington. Mr. Disraeli proposed to add an additional clause to the motion, condemnatory of the manner in which the Government had evaded the understanding arrived at last session for the production of witnesses from Ceylon. This was negatived by 140 to 68; and Mr. Bright's motion, that four witnesses be examined by the Committee, by 109 to 100. 7. In a discussion on Hungarian affairs, in the House of Commons, Lord Dudley Stuart observed that he was not satisfied Turkey was powerful enough to protect the refugees, for Austria was unscrupulous; and attempts had already been made by persons with Austrian passports to destroy Kossuth by poison. Lord Claude Hamilton said, with much warmth, FEBRUARY 1850. that he believed this charge to be a base calumny 7.-Altercation in the House of Commons between Mr. Horsman and Lord John Russell, arising out of charges made against the Government by the former in a letter to his constituents. On the 11th, by the mediation of Lord Ashley, satisfactory explanations were made. 8. Mr. Baron Parke gives judgment in the case of Ryder v. Mills, involving the question whether factory owners were liable to a penalty for working women, or young persons The under 18, on a "shift or relay system." learned Baron pronounced the system not to be illegal. 11.-Assassination becomes so prevalent within the city of Rome, that General Baraguay-d'Hilliers is compelled to issue a proclamation prohibiting the carrying of knives found or stilettoes. "Whoever shall be with such arms about his person, shall be instantly shot." 13. At a meeting held in Willis's Rooms, to condemn the Government scheme of education, and attended by several bishops and noblemen, the Rev. Dr. Biber said :-"It was averred by the Privy Council that the only Gospel taught at Kneller Hall Normal School was that which was comprised in the moral agencies relied upon by the Poor-law Commissioners for the elevation of the poor. him who sought to introduce such a Gospel into the education of this country he hesitated not to say, without any personal feeling, 'Let him be accursed;' and he believed that the events which would be witnessed by the next two generations would fully justify the use of such language." Of 15.-In a Committee of the whole House Lord John Russell entered into a detailed account of the origin of the distress which called for the advances made to Irish Unions. He proposed to consolidate the 4,483,000l. still unpaid, and to allow forty years for its gradual repayment. In order to release from their liabilities ten distressed Unions in which the workhouse property had been seized for debts due to contractors and others, he proposed a further loan of 300,000l. The resolutions were agreed to. announcement: 16.-Concluded in the Court of Exchequer the case of O'Connor v. Bradshaw, being an action for libel raised at the instance of the member for Nottingham against Mr. Bradshaw, proprietor of the Nottingham Journal. The libel was contained in the following "The subscribers to the 'National Land Company,' and the admirers of Feargus O'Connor, Esq., M.P. for Nottingham, who has wheedled the people of England out of 100,000l, with which he has bought estates and conveyed them to his own use and benefit, and all who are desirous to witness the final overthrow of this great political impostor, should order the Nottingham Journal, in which his excessive honesty, in connexion with the Land Plan, has been, and will continue to be, fearlessly exposed." The defendant justified his libel by calling witnesses, who exposed the illegality and commercial failure of the National Land Company. The plaintiff answered with witnesses from the management of the company, who laid bare its affairs, with the object of showing that at the worst Mr. O'Connor had been an honest though erring philanthropist. The jury found for the defendant, adding that the plaintiff's character stood unimpeached as regarded his personal honesty. 18.-Lord Stanley brings forward his charges against the Lord-Lieutenant and the Lord-Chancellor of Ireland, for their official conduct in regard to the collision at Dolly's Brae. He spoke for three hours, accusing the Government of tyranny and injustice in dismissing any of the Castlewellan magistrates for refusing to receive the information, and at the same time omitting to take any steps afterwards to get the information sworn to. He was replied to by Lord Clarendon, who hoped that his attendance in Parliament would not be considered a precedent for a Lord-Lieutenant appearing in the House in person to answer attacks upon his administration. At the close of the debate the papers moved for were ordered to be presented. On 19. Mr. Disraeli moves for a committee to revise and amend the Poor-laws, for the purpose of affording relief to the agricultural classes. He proposed to defray the expenses known as establishment charges out of the general revenue of the State, which would relieve local taxation to the extent of 1,500,000/, and to defray from the same source rates levied by the Poor-law machinery, which had nothing to do with the relief of the poor, as also the entire cost of relieving the casual poor. the second night of the debate Sir Robert Peel characterised Mr. Disraeli's scheme as a plan tending to stop confidence in public credit, and he would consider its adoption a most precipitate and unwise act. He had been charged with acting treacherously towards a What reason (he asked amid certain interest. loud cheers) could he have for such a course? Lord H. Bentinck accused him of having (175) a pecuniary interest in supporting the funds as against the land. Lord H. Bentinck should, if he wished to speak the truth, have exactly reversed his statement. He then defended himself for his course upon the Cornlaws-a course which, he said, he believed to have been his duty to God and his country, and of the wisdom of which he was more convinced than ever. Protection never could be revived; and the landed aristocracy would one day see that the abrogation of protection had established their, just influence more firmly than ever. Mr. Gladstone voted for the motion, though he protested against the supposition that it involved a reversion of free - trade policy. The debate extended over two nights, and resulted in a division rejecting Mr. Disraeli's motion by 273 to 252 votes. 21.-The Building Committee of the Great Exhibition Commissioners select a site in Hydepark for the structure. 23.-Died, at Edinburgh, aged 67, Sir W. Allan, R. A., President of the Royal Scottish Academy. 24. The Peninsular and Oriental Company's steamship Indus arrives at Southampton, having as passengers the two heroes of the late Indian war, Lord Gough and Major Edwardes. They both received a warm welcome from the citizens. 25.-Discussion on the order of the day for going into Committee on the Irish Parliamentary Franchise. The chief feature was the extension of the franchise to all occupiers of land to the amount of 87. per annum, adopting the rating as the ultimate standard of value. Various amendments were proposed, but mostly rejected by the Commons. The third reading was carried by a majority of 254 to 186. In the House of Lords the qualification was raised to 157., the Ministry being defeated by a majority of 72 to 50. A 127. qualification was finally accepted, as a compromise, by both Houses, and the bill thereafter passed. 27.-Treaty signed at Munich between Austria, Bavaria, Saxony, and Wurtemberg, to effect a German Union under a federal directory of seven members, a federal representative assembly of 300 members, and a federal tribunal. 28. Mr. Hume's motion on the subject of Parliamentary Reform negatived, after a short debate, by 296 to 242. March 5.-Mr. Slaney's motion for a Standing Committee to report on plans "for the social improvement of the working classes" withdrawn after a short discussion. The first completed tube of the Britannia Bridge across the Menai Straits opened with triumphant success. The last of 2,000,000 rivets used in making the tube was driven in by Mr. Stephenson. Experimental trains afterwards passed through at a slow speed. 5.-Lord Campbell takes the oath as Lord Chief Justice of England in room of Lord Denman, retired. 6.--In the course of an adjourned discussion on the second reading of the Marriages Bill, Mr. Hope said if this measure passed it would be necessary for the Legislature to recognise old marriages which had been contracted in violation of the present law. No fewer than 280 clergymen in various parts of the country had made up returns showing that they knew of 269 marriages within the prohibited degrees. Of these cases 178 were marriages of the deceased wife's sister; the remaining 91 cases were marriages of persons standing in the relations following:-Marriages with a brother's widow, 41; own aunt, 6; own niece, 19; wife's daughter, 6; own half-sister, I; father's wife, I; brother's wife's daughter, I; son's wife, 2; uncle's wife, 3; wife's niece, II. The marriages with the wife's sister were "almost without one exception" in the upper and middle ranks of life; and the other marriages were mostly in those ranks. In one of the marriages with an uncle's wife, the parties were a clergyman and a peeress. The cases of marriage with the aunt and the niece were those of tradesmen, yeomen, and farmers, generally men of substance. A lieutenantgeneral in the army married a lady, and then her aunt; subsequently a third lady, and then the third lady's niece. It was visible from these cases, said Mr. Hope, that the grievance was not one that pressed especially on the poor. The second reading was carried by a majority of 182 to 130. 7.-The Times announces the determination of the Government to abolish the office of Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland. Lord John Russell repeated the statement next night in the House of Commons. Meeting in Exeter Hall to welcome Dr. Achilli on his escape to this country from (as was said) the dungeons of the Inquisition. The crowd was so great that several subsidiary meetings had to be held in the adjoining rooms, Dr. Achilli appearing at each in turn. 8. Mr. Cobden submits a resolution to the House of Commons :-"That the net expenditure of the Government for the year 1835 amounted to 44,422,000l.; that the net expenditure for the year ending 5th of January, 1850, amounted to 50,853,000/., the increase of upwards of 6,000,000l. having been caused principally by successive augmentations of our warlike establishments, and outlays for defensive armaments; that no foreign danger, or necessary cost of the civil government, or indispensable disbursements for the service in our dependencies abroad, warranted the continuance of this increase of expenditure," and "that it was expedient that the House should take steps to reduce the annual expenditure with all practicable speed, to an amount not exceeding the sum which within the last fifteen |