16 JANUARY 1847, Page 3

zcbt Vrobinces.

The form of electing a Representative for East Worcestershire was gone through on Monday, at Droitwich ; when Captain Rushout, a Conservative -and Protectionist, was returned as successor to the deceased Mr. Barneby.

The election of a Representative for North Lincolnshire, in the room of Lord Worsley, took place at Lincoln on Tuesday. -The Whig candidate, Sir Montague Cholmeley, was returned without opposition. In answer to some . questions put by Mr. Boucherett, Sir Montague avowed himself a Pro- tectionist; and that he was against any pecuniary grant to the Roman Ca- tholics. In his speech to the electors, the new Member reiterated these . opinions. Though not hoping to equal Lord Worsley, he thought he should . make a tolerably useful Member of Parliament. He promised opposition to Government in favour of the farmers; and would vote for the repeal of the Malt-tax in preference to the duties on tea; but he could not disguise from himself the difficulty of dispensing with so large an amount of revenue. Ue was a friend to religious liberty, but not to the Popish priesthood.

The Earl of Lincoln arrived in Manchester on Monday, and next morn- ing he was received at a private meeting of the committee to promote his election. On Tuesday evening he met his supporters at a crowded meeting in the Corn Exchange. Alderman Nield presided, and several influential gentlemen were present. Lord Lincoln spoke at great length, and with much frankness. He ,,began by accounting for his appearance before the electors; distinctly dis- claiming any voluntary movement on his part, and imputing it entirely to .deference for the Manchester constituency. He proceeded to vindicate himself from the charges, on the one hand, of having opposed all reform, and on the other, of being destructive in his tendencies. He enlarged on the signal benefits, financial, commercial, and moral, of Sir Robert Peel's Tariff reforms. If asked whether that policy had been carried far enough already, he would say that he thought not; and setting aside political dif- ferences, he would heartily support the present Ministry in the extension . of free trade—of course, having due regard to revenue.

He touched upon the proposals to reduce the Tea-duty and repeal the Malt-duty. Ile doubted whether the Chancellor of the Exchequer had the power to spare the 5,000,0001. produced by the Malt-tax; and distrusted ,even Lord George Bentinck's capacity to invent a scheme imputed to him, of finding a substitute for that tax, which should press less heavily upon -the community. The reduction of the Tea-duties stands upon a different 'looting— "I know that great difference of opinion exists among extremely well-informed mercantile and commercial men with regard to the effect of a reduction of the Tea-duties upon the revenue; and, having regard to that consideration. I do not now commit myself upon this question by any promise to you. I shall be most -anxious to hear what the Chancellor of the Exchequer himself is prepared to do . on this point: I shall indeed greatly rejoice if he finds it within the compass of :his duty to confer this great boon on the labouring population of the country. I feel that China itself has a great claim upon us. ..I cannot forget that Sir Robert Peel adopted the principle of repealing customs-duties without any corresponding relaxation from other countries. Hitherto, certainly, we have not been met quite in so corresponding a spirit as we might have anticipated, although there are in- dications of a coming change; but that most benighted country China at once placed her tariff on the most liberal footing. Anything which increases our trade with China must have a most beneficial effect on the manufactures of this country." On the subject of education, observing that men's minds have undergone a great change, Lord Lincoln argued vigorously and effectively to show .the insufficiency of the voluntary plan; and quoted statistics proving the , gross ignorance among such classes as come under the cognizance of pri- son-officers—

The late Government brought forward a measure on the subject in 1842 or 1843. It raised a great opposition, and had at least the beneficial result of giving a great impetus to voluntary exertion: the Church of England raised more than 100,0001. The Dissenters also raised a considerable sum. But these are not efforts of a kind to be undertaken periodically. "I doubt whether in a lifetime ..many amongst us will again see two such large sums raised for similar objects. And what has been the result? I firmly believe that the result of the expendi- ture of these two large sums of money has been only to make still more apparent the great deficiency that exists in the education of the people of this country. Great as these efforts have been—benevolent as were their objects—the effect has yet been but as a drop in the ocean. Great good, no doubt, has been effected; but .ten hundredfold more remains to be done. Do not suppose I underrate individual exertion; or that I should wish to see everything conducted, as in other coun- tries, by the efforts of the Government. Quite the reverse: I believe there is scope for each. All I mean to say is, that I am convinced that individual exer- tion is not sufficient, and that the State must step in, in order to the suppression of crime, by the most legitimate, benignant, and enlightened course—that of ex- tended education."

Lord Lincoln adverted to the letter which he had received from the Reverend Hugh Stowell, asking whether he would pledge himself to oppose further concessions to the Romish Church. He altogether objected to the term "concessions," and also to the vagueness of the question. He saw no national objection on the score of religious conscience to the payment of the Roman Catholic clergy; and on the score of expediency such a mea- sure appeared to him to be wise, politic, and just- " Looking at the condition of the people of Ireland—having taken a great deal of pains to inform myself on the subject—having made most anxious inquiries during a tour in that island—having thought and reflected on the matter for Many years past—I have come to the conclusion that it would be politic, wise, and just, if menus could be found, to pay the Roman Catholic clergy. I do say, that it is not only a painful but an improper position for the ministers of religion to be placed in—those whose dutyiLis to counsel the weak, to reprove the wayward, to objurgate the licentione—it is cruel that these men should be placed under the temptation of pandering to the prejudices and the vices of their flocks with a view to their daily subsistence. It is of the most viael importance to this country that the teachers and pastors—those who lead these people—should lead them in the path of sobriety, of loyalty to the Crown, and attachment to this country; and I do believe, that in order to attain so great an object, it would be an import- ant national benefit to place in an independent and honourable position the Roman Catholic clergy of Ireland. I know the strong religious objections which existin this country. I know that a very considerable portion of the Roman Catholics themselves in Ireland do not like the proposal. Seeing, then, these great objec- tions, I know how difficult it may be to overcome them: I know it may require a lapse of time and an alteration in public opinion, which I certainly do anticipate will take place upon n th point before it can be judiciously considered. I know that that is the opinion of the leader of the present Government, and that he is not likely to propose it; but at the same time' I should not do my duty if, enter- taining these opinions, I did not explain them frankly and fully." On the subject of the Ten-hours movement, Lord Lincoln at once avowed himself adverse to Lord Ashley's (now Mr. Fielden's) bill— He did not so much disapprove of what had already been done by the Legisla- ture; but there is a wide difference between legislating for infants and for adults; and he never could perceive how theorists could make out that the powers of pro- duction might be diminished without diminishing wages. "If at this moment— and I am afraid that probably it will soon be in operation to a greater degree— many manufacturers are obliged to work short time, in consequence of a deficient harvest and the increased price of provisions, bear in mind that you may see a re- vulsion similar to that f 1843. You may have a plentiful harvest throughout the world; you may see the mills again hard at work; and I ask you whether it would be wise, either as regards the producer or the consumer, to deprive the workman as well as the manufacturer of the increased advantages which increased labour for a short period might bring to both?" After some explanation respecting his Health of Towns Bills, which had provoked objections to detail in Manchester, he touched upon the present state of Ireland- " I am convinced that a crisis has arrived in the affairs of that country which requires More wisdom and more boldness than perhaps ever was required from any Minister before, in any state of a country. I believe that on the exercise of that wisdom and boldness, in the now ensuing session, will depend much of the future welfare and happiness of our sister country; and I am sere that, under such circumstances, and with such feelings, you would consider that I should grossly neglect my duty if by one word I could prejudice or impair or render more difficult those measures which the Government may be likely to introduce upon that subject. I will forbear to touch upon any disputed topic. I will say nothing about the Poor-law, the cultivation of waste lands, or any other reown- mendations which have been proposed, and are likely to be submitted to the Legislature. I think it would be more becoming in me to be silent upon those points. I shall ever be found an advocate for a liberal policy towards that country; I shall be found an advocate for the granting to Ireland an equality with this country in all civil rights. I mean such an equality as the peculiar and altered circumstances of the two countries may enable us to grant. Don't imagiee I mean any subterfuge by the last qualification : I mean simply that the different positions of England and Ireland may require different legislation, as the different circumstances of England and Scotland require different legislation with respect to them. But as regards all substantial merits, I do wish to see legislatioa hence- forward conducted towards that country in the same spirit in which we legislate for England and Scotland." In conclusion, Lord Lincoln invited questions; and in reply to several, he made some further declarations. He avowed that he would not vote next session for the total and immediate repeal of the Corn-laws; for the Ten-hours Bill, for the Ballot, for Electoral Districts, or for the equalisa- tion of the Stamp-duties. He would not undertake to remunerate the Irish Roman Catholic clergy out of the funds of the Established Church in Ireland, as such a course would be fruitful in bickering and discontent. An elector asked whether he would support a system of national educa- tion, unshackled by the trammels of sectarianism? Lord Lincoln answered, that this was a question of far too general a nature to be answered in a tangible and distinct shape: he could only say, he was most anxious that any promotion of education by the State should be national in scope, in object, and in effect.

Resolutions were unanimously adopted by the meeting, avowing satis- faction at Lord Lincoln's declaration of opinions, and directing thatsahe canvass in his favour be prosecuted with all possible activity.

Mr. Ward paid his annual visit to the electors of Sheffield on Wednes- day. In the course of his speech he made a positive announcement re- specting the Ten-hours Bill. "I shall go to the House of Commons this year to see the Ten-hours Bill carried. I say this on a higher authority than my own, and believe that Lord John Russell will give some modifles- lion of a Ten-hours Bill his support."

The ironmasters' quarterly meetings began at Walsall on Tuesclay; others were held at Wolverhampton and Birmingham on Wedn,4day and Thursday. The attendance was not large on either occasion; best the resolution to adhere to present prices, passed by the masters who met at Wolverhampton on Tuesday sennight, was maintained.

It gives us great pleasure to announce' that in several villages la the neighbourhood of Cambridge, the farmers have at length raised the wages of the labourers Is. and 2s. per week, in consequence of the rise of almost every necessary of life.—Cambridge ilxivertiser.

We observe that meetings have been held in various parts of the country to gather assistance for the sufferers in Ireland: we have reports from Bir- mingham, Liverpool, and Exeter.

The Ely and Peterborough Railway, which branches off from the Eastern Counties near Ely, was opened for passenger-traffic on Thursday. The line is thirty miles long, and connects the Eastern Counties with the North- western Railway. Considerable difficulty was experienced in forming./.1sis line where it runs in the vicinity of the Wash.

The Liverpool Ezpress reports that arrangements are nearly matured for opening a Theological College at Birkenhead, in connexion with the Pa- rochial Aid Association.

A church-rate has just been refused at Brighton. A two-days poll re- sulted in a majority of 340 against the imposition. The rate would have produced about 1,500/.

The Leeds Intelligencer mentions that a fourth conversion to Romanian has just taken place in that town. The new convert "is the son of Mr W. Bruce, wool-merchant in Leeds and the grandson of Mr. Baines, tin senior editor and proprietor of the Leeds, Mercury. We believe be has beer educated as a Dissenter—an Independent. Ho has just completed a tent of clerkship with Mr. N. Compton, architect; and was understood to In engaged as the architect for All Saints' Church, the design for which, how

*Ter, was to be furnished by Mr. Haigh. Mr. Bruce and Mr. Haigh have both lately attended divine worship at St. Saviour's."

A horrible accident happened at the Weybridge station of the South-western Railway on Saturday night. Mr. Clifford Elisha. the schoolmaster of the

Chertsey Union, was a passenger in the last carriage; he intended to stop

at Weybridge, but seems not to have noticed the arrival of the train at the station; when, however, the engine began to move, he became aware that

he was about to be carried beyond his destination; he opened the door, and

jumped out. It was thought that he had alighted in safety. After the train had gone, a groaning was heard; and on examining the rail by the side of the platform, Elisha was found on the point of death. The unfortunate man had

fallen between the wall of the platform and the carriages, and had been dragged along for some distance. The body was horribly mutilated; the left leg and thigh were torn away from the hip, while the right leg was broken in three places and the foot nearly separated: the brick-work for twenty yards was besmeared with blood.

An inquest was held on Wednesday. A passenger with the deceased stated that he appeared very abstracted; he took no notice of the arrival of the train at Weybridge, but when the engine was in motion, he asked, "Is this NVeybridge? "

and immediately got out of the carriage. The passengers then heard a shriek, but could not alarm the guards in order that the train might be stopped. The night was dark and windy. One of the Jury expressed an opinion that there was not light enough at the station: Mr. Stoehr, the manager of traffic, promised that that should be remedied. A verdict of" Accidental death" was returned; the:Jury adding that no blame attached to the railway servants.

A woman has been killed at Higham, between Gravesend and Rochester, her apron having been caught by the spindle of a threshing-machine which she was feeding: she was whirled round several times, and dreadfully mangled.

Two more deaths have been added to the long list of fatal casualties by fire- damp within the last few months. Seven men descended the Genwen Colliery, Llanelly, and began working; soon after an explosion occurred; and two of the men were killed, while the rest were burnt. This disaster is said to have been caused by one of the deceased men having taken a naked light into a part of the mine which he had been warned not to enter except with a safety.lamp.

Worth Park House, near Crawley, the mansion of Mr. Joseph Montefiore, the merchant, was burnt down on Monday night. Mr. Mont, fiorst had been staying there on Sunday and Monday, and left the place for town on the afternoon of Monday. About ten o'clock at night, the diningroom was discovered to be in flames: there bad been a large fire in the grate of this room, and it appears that a beam in the chimney had ignited. The flames spread rapidly; a few of the more costly and portable articles of furniture were rescued, and that was all; for there being no engine near the place, and the Reigate one not arriving in conse- quence of a misdirection, there were no effectual means of checking the conflagni- tam, and it raged on until five o'clock the next morning, when nothing remained but blackened walls. The people gave what assistance they could with eagerness; Mr. Montefiore being much liked in the neighbourhood, for his kindness and bene- ficence.

Two poaching affrays have occurred in Sussex. At Plaishley, near Ticehurst, some marauders encountered three keepers; a poacher fired, shot a keeper in the arm, and then rendered him insensible by a blow on the head. This ruffian was SWUM L At Barcombe, near Lewes, a battle royal took place between fourteen keepers and ten poachers: the smaller number had the best of the conflict.

The Leeds Times states that the acquittal of the three men who were charged with a double murder at Barnard Castle was in great part owing to the repug- nance of some of the Jury to consigning the accused to death—the jurors them- selves have avowed this. Two of the prisoners, Barker and Raiue, have been re- committed to prison, apparently charged with the robbery of Yates, the man sup- posed to have been murdered.

Since the recent excitement caused by the death of a girl who was imprisoned by a Proctor at Cambridge, there have been several disturbances at night; the mob rescuing females who have been arrested by the order of the Proctors. Twice last week these riotous proceedings were renewed; the mob succeeding in their object on both occasions, and hooting at the Proctor and his men.

An inquiry took place on Monday at the West Derby Workhouse, before Mr. Aus- tin, the Assistant Poor-law Commissioner, into a complaint preferred against Wil- liam Tristram, a relieving-officer. The complaint was, that through Tristram's no gligence, a labourer named James Parks, residing at Edgehdl, had come by his death. Several witnesses were examined; but although a very painful tale of suffering was elicited, there did not appear to be very strong reason to inculpate Tristram. The man seems to have ched from asthma.