e robinces.

Mr. Summers Harford, who has just lost his seat for Lewes through the decision of an Election Committee, has been invited by the electors of Brighton to stand as the " Liberal " (that is Whig) candidate ; and he has accepted their invitation. The other candidates are, Lord Alfred Harvey, a Tory, Mr. Nicholson of Fenchurch Street, a Radical, and Mr. Brooker of Alfriston, a Chartist.

Sir C. F. Williams has resigned the Recordership of Ipswich, which he has held for fifteen years ; during which period he greatly improved the administration of justice, by holding four sessions in each year instead of two, the former practice.

At a special meeting of the Waltham Agricultural Society, on the 23d, it was resolved, after a long investigation, that Mr. Richard West- brook Baker, the High Sheriff of the county of Rutland, had been guilty " of having misstated the age and keeping of his red steer, exhibited at the Waltham Show in September 1841 ; and that, in accordance with the regulations of this Society, Mr. Baker be expelled."

The farmers and agriculturists who are accustomed to attend the market at Reading, held a public meeting at the George Inn on Satur- day week, to make a demonstration against the Government Corn-law measure. Mr. J. Haslam, who was unanimously voted to the chair, spoke in this strain-

" Should it be said that Sir Robert and his colleagues had the country with them ? ("Hear I " and cries of " No, no ! ") Were they satisfied with the measures proposed ? (" No, no In If they had felt hitherto that they had not been sufficiently protected, did they believe it likely that they should be protected now ? ("No,no !") He felt certain that the contemplated reduc- tion would be most injurious to them in its results. They were told in this town, a short time ago, by their County Representatives, who came down with the view of ascertaining their opinions upon the subject, that it was a Govern- ment plan and must be carried ; that it was useless to oppose it, because, if they did, they would be only throwing themselves into the hands of others, from whom they would get something which would injure them more; and hence a sort of assent was obtained. Now, he considered that this matter was bucked in the onset, no opportunity having been actually given them to state their views. As Sir Robert's plan was propounded on the Wednesday, their Representatives came down and met them on Saturday ; so that, in fact, no time had been given them to consider its details, while he had no doubt, that nine-tenths of those who assembled on the occasion did not even know what the new measure was, or at least were unprepared to give an opinion upon it. Was this, then, a fair proceeding; and would they be satisfied with the conso- latory assurance, Oh, you must either have this, or you will lose Sir Robert Peel !" ("Na, no ! ") He would ask then, was Sir Robert of more import- ance to them than their wellbeing as farmers ? " • The measure had been brought forward by Sir Robert ; and the Conservative Members, for- getting all the pledges made by them on the hustings, had given it their sup- port ; although, had Lord John Russell been the originator of it, they would undoubtedly have scouted it from their consideration, seeing that it would not

afford that security to the farmer which he required. The result of all their exertions had been to place themselves entirely in the hands of a powerful party, with a majority of 90 or 100, by whom their interests would seem to be altogether disregarded : bound hand and foot, they were about to be sacrificed at the altar for the love of power and place.

Mr. Clowes complained of increasing poor-rates, which kept pace with the reduction in the price of labour ; and of having, under the commutation, to pay a high tithe with a low price of corn. Mr. W. Clarke took up the story begun by the Chairman— Lord John was ousted, and, through the suffrages of the people, Sir Robert Peel was reinstated in power ; when, to his utter astonishment, a measure was propounded, which, for himself, he would not accept in preference to the Ex- Minister's proposal of an 8s. fixed duty. To tell him that the British farmer, or landowner, shackled as he was with 52,000,0001. of taxation about his neck, was on fair ground to compete with the German serf, whose labours were un- impeded by expense, and who never knew even the taste of a glass of grog or a drop of malt-liquor—to tell him that he was able to vie in the cultivation of the soil with a people who were thus situated—men who, as he had been told, were assembled together two days in the week, called "fast-days," and fed upon a quantity of oatmeal and thaw-bacon like so many pigs from a trough—to tell

him that the British farmer, who had stood the brunt of the day, could com- pete with them, was an absurdity too palpable to be believed. He lamented the condition of the serf, and should like to see him elevated to that of the farmer; but God forbid that the farmer should be reduced to a level with him.

He found another contrast for Sir Robert Peel— In looking back to the days of Pitt, when that great and celebrated states- man imposed a property-tax upon this country, and when he was assailed by friend or foe with reprehension for so doing, it would be observed that, with that wisdom for which be was renowned, he said, " I will make the back bear the burden." Instead of reducing the price of land, as the present Premier was doing, he said, "I will double the value of your property ; I will throw the paper currency in." So that, in fact, a man felt so little of the change, that he hardly knew whether he was paying 20/. of taxation or not. Mr. Clarke was then but a young man, but he could recollect that taxation was no object at that time.

Resolutions were passed unanimously, condemning the proposed alteration of the Corn-laws as injurious to the farmer and landowner, and not beneficial to the manufacturer and labourer ; expressing the regret of the meeting that the majority of the House of Commons should relinquish the principle of protection ; and directing a petition against the plan to be presented to the House of Lords.

A meeting of North Lincolnshire landowners and farmers took place at Stamford, on Tuesday, to discuss the propriety of requesting the Sheriff to call a county meeting to petition against the new Corn-law, the Tariff, and the Income-tax. There were present, Mr. Charles Chaplin, Mr. Henry Handley, Mr. Christopher, M.P., and several leading agriculturists of the county. The Honourable A. L. Melville took the chair. He said that the Tariff would inflict more positive injury on the agricultural interests than the Corn-law : if some parts of' it were carried out, he did not see how the farmers could continue to cultivate the soil. It was therefore time that the men of Lincolnshire should consider the steps to be taken to avert the evils which threatened them; but be cautioned them to avoid political discussion.

Mr. Christopher explained to the meeting, that the Corn-law measure must be taken as a whole, and rejected or accepted entire ; and it be- came them to consider whether they would incur the consequences of rejecting it—

If by any chance the whole of the measure should be rejected, a Govern- ment less favourable to agricultural protection would inevitably come in; and it became a question whether they should choose a protection fluctuating from 20s. to Is., or a fixed duty of 8s.

That part of the Tariff which related to the duties on live stock would be infinitely more injurious than the Corn-bill-

This part of the Tariff was so unfair and unequal, that it ought to be strenuously opposed ; but the question which presented itself was, limo could it be opposed effectually ? Before he left London, he had heard that it was the intention of numerous representatives of England, Scotland, and Ireland, to hold a meeting in the Metropolis, and represent to the Government the utter impossibility of carrying the proposed measures into effect without inflicting the most serious injunes on the interests of their constituents. A remon- strance might have its effect with Sir Robert PeeL He thought this meeting at Lincoln might perhaps render aid, by appointing. a committee with power to call a public meeting, and to confer with the meeting in London. The Lin- colnshire committee could sit in Stamford and communicate with his noble colleague (Lord Worsley) and himself, and by that means satisfy the Executive Government of the country that its measures were calculated to be productive of evil to them. He had had a conversation with the Duke of Richmond in the House of Lords, who thought it possible that, if strong efforts were made to impede the Tariff, some alteration would be conceded.

Mr. Handley rejected the idea of sitting in secret and communicating with any party : he would have the county speak out. He twitted Mr. Christopher with not pressing his amendment in the House of Commons for 258. instead of 20s. as a maximum duty on corn. He moved a re- quisition to the Sheriff to call a county meeting for the purpose already mentioned.

Mr. Christopher defended his conduct in not pressing the amend- ment—

He was urged by the Duke of Richmond himself on no account to press the amendment of which he had given notice; and he was pressed by a number of friends, because if he persisted in it, it would endanger the stability of the Go- vernment, and prepare the way to power for one allied with the Anti-Corn-law League ; and therefore, if he did not serve them, he would not endanger their interest altogether. It was for this reason that he exposed himself ; and he did not know one who would have supported him, except his noble colleague, if he had pressed his amendment.

Mr. Christopher would attend the county meeting, if they decided on calling one ; but an unanimous remonstrance would have more effect with the Minister of the Crown than a county meeting, supposing that county meeting to get into a squabble, Mr. Greetham of Stainfield said, as an industrious man, he must confess that with the measures of Sir Robert Peel he should be unable to meet the landlord, the labourer, and the taxgatherer. He had origi- nated this meeting, feeling that honesty and industry would no longer protect him from ruin, with Sir Robert Peel's measures.

Ultimately Mr. Handley's motion was rejected ; but it was arranged that a special messenger should be despatched to the Sheriff to ask him to call a meeting on Monday ; and the Sheriff has done so. A meeting was held at Honiton, on Monday, to oppose Sir Robert Peel's measures; and a resolution in that sense was moved ; but an

amendment was carried, expressing perfect confidence in Sir Robert Peel's Administration, and attributing the national embarrassment en- tirely to the late Ministry. In the excess of their triumph, the Minis- terialists set the church-bells a-ringing.

A public meeting of the merchants, shipowners, and tradesmen of the port of Sunderland, was held in the Commission-room at the Ex- change, on Saturday, for the purpose of taking into consideration the

alteration in the Timber-duties proposed by Sir Robert Peel. The meeting was convened by Sir Hedworth Williamson, the Mayor, in

pursuance of a requisition signed by the members oiforty influential firms; and it was very numerously attended by the leading commercial men of the town, of both political parties. Sir Hedworth took the chair. Mr. John Spence, who is described as the most extensive im- rter of wood on the Wear, expressed the strongest dislike of the isterial proposition. If it were carried, he said, several hundreds of vessels would be thrown out of the North American trade, and thou-

sands of British sailors would be left to perish or to seek employment in foreign countries. A deputation from Liverpool had recommended to Sir Robert Peel a gradual reduction of the duty ; that on square timber to decrease from 52s. ad. in 1842 to 31s. in 1847, and that on Colonial timber from 10s. to Is. In the North American trade, the tonnage of' British shipping amounts to 800,000; in the Baltic trade, only to 272,236 ; while the foreign shipping engaged in the latter trade amounts to 935,416: hence, he argued, the reduction on the Baltic timber would only benefit the foreign shipowners. He moved a resolution in accordance with his view ; and it was seconded by Mr. Charleton. Mr. G. Storey, a shipbuilder, totally dissented from Mr. Spence : he said that two or three individuals in Liverpool and Glas- gow were principally interested in the North American trade, and they brought timber in vessels built in America free of duty. He thought that the change would benefit the British shipowner in the course of two or three years. Mr. Henry Tanner, a large shipowner, contrasted Sir Robert Peel's plan with that of the late Government- " They proposed that 10s. per load should be taken off the duty on Baltic timber, and 10s. imported on that imported from our own Colonies. That pro- position, which Mr. Spence has never noticed, would have been productive of serious injury to every class, and especially to the shipowner. I do think, that although this [the Ministerial] measure may cause a little inconvenience at first, it will ultimately be productive of great good. I am very glad that deals are to be charged duty in the same manner as timber, according to their cubic contents, because it will cause a demand for a great deal of labour in this country, [by causing more solid timber to be imported, and thus giving em- ployment to convert it into deals,l and that is what we are in want of at pre- sent. Gentlemen, I should never think of denying the great importance of the carrying-trade, and I should wish to forward it in every possible way : but I regret to state, that, of late years, a very great proportion of the timber brought into Liverpool and Glasgow has been brought by ships built in America, built of untaxed ,wood, and manned by sailors who have run away from British vessels; theowners of the latter being obliged to pay exorbitant sums to infe- rior men to navigate their vessels home. This is a heavy evil, and one which is yearly increasing, as every shipowner who hears me will admit, to our great loss and detriment. These vessels have for the last few years brought to Liver- pool and Glasgow two-thirds of what we ought to have been bringing. The fact is, that the present distressed state of that interest is attributable princi- pally to over-production; and a very great quantity of the materiel for this over-production has been brought over by these identical ships to our ruin. Gentlemen, I am very glad to see a measure brought forward, which by ad- mitting Canada timber at a nominal duty will put an end to a system like this. Mr. Spence says that the timber will be brought in foreign vessels. Now I --knew Tery well, gentleman, that we have lost the Baltic trade altogether ; but I must say, that I anticipate no material increase in the importation of Baltic timber, because when the Baltic merchants find that we have taken 10s. duty r;ff, they will clap 10s. on directly. We know this by our experipice in regard to hemp, flax, and tallow. I shall be borne out by parties in the trade in say- ing that hemp is dearer than when it was subjected to a high duty. I think, then, gentlemen, we have nothing to fear from the loss of the American trade, because the timber from our Colonies must still be in extensive demand, and because the Baltic timber will be so little cheaper ; and though there may be a very great loss for one or two years, that ultimate good will be the result." Mr. Tanner moved as an amendment, " That this meeting declines to interfere with the duties proposed by Government on the importation of Foreign and Colonial timber." The amendment was seconded by Mr. Ord, who said that the new scale of duties would place the shipowner in a very good position ; and supported by Mr. J. J. Wright, a solicitor. Mr. James Hartley, a glass-manufacturer, said that the great change in the commercial tariff should be viewed as a whole— In the trade with which he was connected, they at present had a protection of 6s. per hundredweight ; by the proposed measure their protection would be altogether annihilated—the foreigner would come into the country with glass at parallel duties to the British manufacturer. Under these circumstances, he looked at the whole tariff, and he found a reduction in timber (an article of great consumption for packages) and other alterations which would tend to counterbalance the disadvantages under which he should labour. The amendment was then put, and carried, with the dissent of none but the mover and seconder of the original motion. Meetings to protest against some parts of the Ministerial project have been held in various places. The master tanners, carriers, boot and shoe manufacturers of Newcastle, the Bristol master boot and shoe- makers, and the Brighton master and journeymen shoemakers, have condemned the changes in the Tariff affecting their interests. At Red- rtath, the lords and adventurers in Cornish mines have met and formed a committee to cooperate with the Cornish Members against the pro- posed alteration of duties on foreign metals and ores. The coal-pro- prietors of Swansea have memoralized Sir Robert Peel against the coal- _tax. The Income-tax has been the subject of condemnation in Roch- dale, at a meeting attended by Mr. Sharman Crawford, the Member for the Borough, Mr. R. R. Moore, and Mr. John Bright. The Ipswich Express says that in Norfolk petitions against the Income-tax " have, in almost every district, been numerously signed by the clergy, gentry, farmers, and occupiers of land." The Braintree Farmers Club have appointed a deputation to wait on the County Members to represent the propriety of voting against the Tariff.

The Council of the Anti-Corn-law League have issued an address to the electors of the United Kingdom against the Income-tax ; warning them that they will be called upon to disclose their circumstances to official inquisitors, in order to pay a tax which is imposed to uphold monopolies.

The Leeds Parliamentary Reform Association have issued a second

L.1

address to the merchants, manufacturers, and operatives of the West Riding of Yorkshire, on the present state of the political world. The address is couched in the most general terms, and bears, more than any document recently issued, the character of a thesis on abstract questions. Those addressed are told that they are powerless in the councils of the nation ; and then follows this curious passage- " Yet even in the memorable debates that havejust occurred in the House of Commons, the mighty cause of truth and justice has made a signal advance. The supporters of monopoly have been forced to come down into the arena of fair discussion, and there have been overwhelmed by the searching and crushing logic of truth. Disheartened, vacillating, overawed, even in the moment of the triumph of arbitrary power, they felt that their cause was doomed. "In the financial measures of the Peel Government, there is the same un- willing acknowledgment of the force of public opinion ; and the result is a strange medley of tolerably liberal reform in some things, together with the obstinate retention of abuses in others. They are liberal in timber, but not in sugar. They are guided by just principles in laying a portion of our taxation on the realized property of the country—that is a measure which would de- servedly command public approbation : but they mix up this Property-tax with an Income-tax, which would be an additional burden on the over-taxed industry of the country, by means of the most vexatious and unequal impost that can be devised. A tax on realized property of 5 per cent would have been a bold and a wise measure : the Income-tax of 3 per cent is a weak measure, an unjust impost on industry ; and if it ever become law, will not long be endured. " Far be it from us not to welcome just principles of taxation and of com- mercial policy, proceeding from whatever quarter, and however limited in ex- tent. Every one of these concessions on minor points brings out into stronger relief the folly as well as injustice of the monster monopoly of food, that is still tenaciously retained."

In the remainder of the paper, the operatives are told that " that sys- tem of intolerant opposition to all political opinions that do not entirely coincide with their own, coupled with suspicion and hostility towards all classes but their own," is " at present the chief source of weakness to the cause of the political and moral regeneration of the mass of the community"; the middle class are exhorted "to shake off their danger- ous apathy "; the acquisition of knowledge is recommended as the qua- lification for political power ; the merchants, manufacturers, and opera- tives, of the West Riding are exhorted to temperance and charity ; the union of middle and working class in Reform Associations is pointed out as a means of originating Educational Associations; and as a mode of securing political independence and a higher tone of political moral- ity, it is recommended that the system of personally canvassing Parlia- mentary electors shall be abandoned and discountenanced.

The Chartists had a procession last week, as a prelude to the cere- mony of laying the foundation-stone of a pillar about to be erected by them to the memory of Hunt the Radical, in the ground adjoining the Reverend James Scholefield's chapel, in Every Street, Ancoats. The procession formed in Stevenson's Square at eleven o'clock, and thence proceeded to Ardwick Green, to meet Mr. Feargus O'Connor. Having visited Salford, and passed through several of the principal streets of this town, the procession halted in Every Street ; and as many persons as chose to pay a penny each to see the ceremony were admitted into Mr. Scholefield's chapel-yard. The stone was laid by Mr. O'Connor, about half-past two o'clock ; and he afterwards delivered a long oration to the bystanders. All passed off quietly. A great number of flags and banners were carried in the procession, and some of the inscrip- tions were any thing but complimentary to the Whigs and the late Government —Manchester Chonicle.

At the Cambridge Assizes, on Saturday, Richard Jones was indicted,, on the accusation of William Large, for bribery at the election in 1841, when Mr. Manners Sutton and Sir Alexander Grant were opposed by' Lord Cosmo Russell and Mr. Richard Foster. Jones offered a 10/. note and a sovereign to Large if he would vote for Lord Cosmo Russell and Mr. Foster. Large promised his vote ; but at a second interview, he stationed some one to listen to what took place when the money was given, and Jones was taken into custody. Seven 10/. notes, three 51. notes, ten sovereigns and a half, and some silver, were found in his possession, with a printed copy of the registers of voters for the borough of Cambridge, and a memorandum-book with a list of voters' names, among which that of Large was inscribed. Jones's real name was found to be Hart. The counsel for the defence charged the parties concerned with having fabricated the accusation, and con- tended that the affair was but an ordinary case of canvass. Jones, however, was found guilty. Another indictment against him stands over to the Summer Assizes ; and the sentence was deferred. On the application of his counsel, the money was given up to him.

At the Ruthen Assizes, on Wednesday, Williams and seven others were tried for a riot and assault at the last election for the Denbighshire Boroughs ; when 'Captain Biddulph was the Liberal, Mr. Townsend. Mainwaring the Conservative candidate. Some of the out-voters had, on former occasions, voted on the Liberal side; but at the last election they received orders from their landlord to vote for the Conservative. On the day of election, as a party of these out-voters were proceeding to give their votes at the polling-place in Denbigh, sixteen of them were stopped by Williams and the others, and kept locked up at the quarters of the Liberal party until the foil had closed. It was proved in evidence that no violence was used, nor were there any symptoms of rioting. The Jury returned a verdict of " Not Guilty, and the costs of the prosecution were refused by the Judge.

At Liverpool, on Monday, William Hoyle and John Mills, two boys of thirteen and eleven years of age, were indicted for attempting to set fire to the cotton-mill of Mr. Charles Haigh, at Spotland, near Roch- dale. On the night of the 15th February, the mill was left safe ; but on the following morning, some cotton-down which had collected on a window-sill inside the mill was discovered to be burnt ; and on search- ing, a lucifer-match was found, partially burnt, which appeared to have been thrown in through a broken pane of glass. Fortunately, the cotton-down was damp, so that the fire did not extend. Some foot- marks were observed outside which corresponded with the nailing of Hoyle's wooden-soled shoes. He confessed to having thrown the match ; and said that Mills had brought a bottle of oil of vitriol to pour over the cotton, which was put behind a door. The bottle was found there. There was no case against Mills. Hoyle was found guilty, but was re-

commended to mercy, on the ground that he had been the tool of some persons of riper years. Sentence was deferred.

At Kingston, on Thursday, a lady named Wright recovered 751. damages from Mr. Davidge and another, lately proprietors of the Surrey Theatre, in compensation for injuries which she received in the fall of a platform slightly raised from the pit, and not properly secured ; upon which she had stepped during a very crowded performance. She broke her leg in two places, and was confined to her bed for nearly three months.

At Liverpool Police-office, on Tuesday, Mr. John Orr M'Gill, de- scribed as a handsome, gentlemanlike young man, Dr. John Osborne Quick, Richard Jones, Margaret Jones, James Wormand Rogerson, and Jane Clayton, were examined on a charge of abducing Miss Crellin, a person of some property. She had not long before accepted the ad- dresses of one Martin, but had broken off the match on his demanding that half of her property should be settled on him ; and she paid him 2501. to buy off his threat of proceedings for breach of promise of mar- riage. He afterwards turned out to have been really a Dr. Copeland, and a married man. On one occasion, she was prevailed upon to spend the day and night at the house of Mr. Rogerson ; where she met a party, of whom Mrs. Jones, a charwoman and lodging-house-keeper, was one : the party went out for two days on various excursions, and there seems to have been a liberal use of brandy and champagne. At this party she met M'Gill, and they wanted her to marry him at once : but she refused unless her property were settled on herself. She instituted proceedings against Martin, to make him refund the money which she had paid. One day she was induced to go to the house of Mrs. Clayton, a lodging- house-keeper, with whom she had lodged, on the assurance that Martin was waiting for her with 150/. of the money ; and there she was made to drink a liquid containing some dark stuff: she remembered nothing further, until she found herself, next morning, at Gretna Green, in bed with Mr. M'Gill and Mrs. Clayton ; and she was then told by Dr. Quick, whom her screams brought into the room, that she was married to M'Gill. The case was adjourned till the next day, and then again adjourned.

A disturbance was created at Stockport on the evening of the 33d, by a party of soldiers belonging to the Sixty-first Foot, stationed in that town. The Police had frequently had occasion to bring some of the soldiers, who are chiefly Irish, before the Magistrates for disorderly conduct ; and on Wednesday two of them, Coghlan and Killroy, were charged with committing a cowardly assault on a policeman ; when Killroy was fined 40s., Coghlan being discharged. The soldiers de- termined to wreak their vengeance, if possible, on the Police ; and up- wards of fifty assembled together shortly after seven o'clock on Wed- nesday. week, armed with bludgeons and bayonets. They traversed the principal streets of the town in search of the Police, who kept out of their way. They visited several public-houses, however, ill-treated the inmates, and broke all the pots and glasses they met with ; crying out, " Where is your police now ? " In their way through the town, they hurt upwards of fifty individuals, some of them seriously. After having had possession of the town about an hoar, they retired in a body to the Barracks. Soon after the commencement of the disturbance, numbers of wounded persons crowded the Police-office ; and the Mayor and other Magistrates were shortly in attendance, swearing in persons to assist the Police in restoring peace. Before this force could be got in readiness, the soldiers had gone to the Barracks. A broken bayonet was found in one of the streets, where the soldiers had seriously wounded several persons. The soldiers were confined to the Barracks on the following day, and the peace of the town was restored. It is said the authorities have communicated with the Secretary of State on the affair.

A luggage-train overtook a coal-train near Syston, upon the Mid- land Counties Railway, on Monday ; and the collision destroyed many of the carriages, threw others off the line, and upset the tender of the coal-train. The stoker of the coal-train was killed on the spot. An inquest was held upon the body on the following day, when a verdict of " Manslaughter " was returned against Hilton and Taylor, the drivers of the engines attached to the luggage-train ; who were forthwith com- mitted on the Coroner's warrant to take their trial at the next Assizes for the county of Leicester.

At Manchester, on Saturday, the Amphitheatre belonging to Mr. Batty, the Ducrow of the North, in Great Bridgewater Street, was burnt down. The horses were saved, with great difficulty. The fire extended to several surrounding buildings ; but in them it was speedily extinguished. This is the second amphitheatre that Mr. Batty has had destroyed by fire within the last five years : the other was at Glasgow.