Vrouiutial.
New lines of steamers are to start from Milford Raven; one to Cork and Galway, another to Lisbon, a third to the Brazils. The Lever Corn'. pany is at the head of this enterprise. On Saturday, a number of per- sons interested in the matter dined together on board the Pacific, in the harbour. Among them was Mr. Roebuck, who, called up to acknow- ledge the House of Commons, made a political demonstration, very cha- racteristic of the orator. After praising the House, he said they would soon have to decide whether they would put faith in the present Govern- ment.
"And what is looming in the future ? It is that which I have seen during my long political life, now extending over more than twenty-six years, ever combining with the most violent professions of public policy and regard for the public interest the most intense consideration for private emo- lument, which is held out for us in exchange for the present Government. (Cheers.) I know well the meaning of that cheer from my friend, who is a supporter of the present Government, and who is glad of anything which may be said in their support. But here I am perfectly neutral, and I asked myself, what am I to do ? You have led me into this—I did not wish to speak tonight ; but you have led me into these matters. We have to choose upon the 7th of June whether we shall have Lord Palmerston or Lord Derby for Prime Minister. That is the question which the House of Commons will have to decide. I see before me the Members for Galway and Merthyr Tydvil, who will be found in the Opposition camp when that decision is come to. And I, in what camp shall I be ? I shall be in the camp of the people of England, and that camp I sincerely believe to be opposed to Lord Palmerston. (Cheers and cries of " Bravo.") Oh; there is no 'bravo' in it. It is a miserable contingency : it is like the war in Italy—whichever side is uppermost mischief must come. (Cheers and laughter.) What amI to do ? I am a poor independent Member, and have to choose between one aide or the other, and I say that the least mischief may come from not changing the Administration, and, what is more, I believe that we shall succeed in preventing that change. (Cheers.) I know that there has been a combination, I know that Cambridge House has gone down to Pembroke Lodge, and that the ladies have met. I know that peace has been made, but England has been forgotten. The only consideration which is regard-0
is that of the parties themselves, but as an independent Member my con- sideration is England, and for England's sake--I say for God's sako—don t choose Lord Palmeniton. (Cheers.) I know well what I shell encor_nter .1)7 saying this. I know perfectly well there is no party so admired GI! use of calumny as the Wing party, and everything that car unmy can devise, or that lying can supply, will be adopted by that party. I full well understand the case, and Use words I am empleying, and I believe that the result will be, as I now predict, that the House of Commons will not change the present Administration in consequence of that hurried compact which is now pretended to be made between Lord John Russell and Lord Palmerston. (Cheers.) Lord John Russell has in time past so far demeaned himself as to take advice from me, but upon the present occa- sion he has carefully abstained from that course, and not one word have I heard either from him or his followers of the new compact made at Cam- bridge House. I have found that Lord Palmerston is false and hollow, and that as to his being a Liberal, what his own Solicitor-General, Mr. Stuart Wortley said at the late West Riding election, when some person called him a Liberal, Don't be too sure of that,' applied to that noble lord. I was sure of it once, lam dispossessed of that belief, and I am convinced that the great enemy of the Liberal party is now to be found in Lord Palmer- ston, and upon that ground I will oppose him. I have opposed him, and, God willing, we shall be successful. (Cheers.) . i . . . My object s to vindicate what I believe will be the course of the House of Commons. I cannot believe that that House will so far forget its duty and forfeit its power over the people of England as to return into the coun- cils for the Government of this country one so utterly inefficient as Lord Pal- merston. I was told by very high authority, before I left London, that Lord John Russell and Lord Palmerston had made up their differences, that Lord Palmerston was to be Prime Minister, and that Lord John Russell was to serve under him. In the present condition of things I think that would be a great mischief. Lord Palmerston's appearance as First Minister of the Crown would be throughout the whole continent a torch of war. War I object to, and I believe that England cannot gain by going i to war with any Power on the continent. Our great interest s peaoe. Let others tear themselves to pieces ; let France and Aus- tria fight as long as they please ; but England should look on quietly if they wish to destroy themselves, and should only be opposed to any Power which may be thoroughly victorious. Suppose Austria was to be the con- queror, what would be the result ? Why, that Italy would be what she has been ever since the world began—at the feet of some other Power. Look back either into ancient or modern Italy, and there is not to be found the sign of any self-government in any part of that country. Arts, no doubt, flourished in the middle ages, Italy was great, and the wonderful intellect of her people made her great, but the differences among the people were always great, and prevented united action and government. Take the other side of the picture. Suppose France victorious what would you have ? You would have Frenchmen governing Etruria, ROmagna, Naples, and Savoy I know that Kossuth with his wonderful eloquence, and others of his friends, will say that I am wrong, but time will show that I am right. Time has thown that over and over again in my past life. When I began life men said I was mad ; they join me now." (Cheers.)
The non-electors of Birmingham entertained the borough members, Mr. Bright and Mr. Scholefield, at a dinner in the Town Hall, on Tuesday. The viands were cold ; there was a table for the teetotallers ; and the re- past was in all respects in accordance with its objects. Mr. J. A. Lang- ford took the chair. All the loyal toasts drunk, then came the toast of the evening, embodying the thanks of the non-electors to their advocates Mr. Bright and Mr. Scholefield. Mr. Bright spoke for an hour, and ex- pressed his peculiar views on the subject of the franchise, the wicked- ness of war ; the benefit that would have accrued to the country had the non-electors been enfranchised in 1789—we should not have had a great war "condemned now by every man living " ; he plumed him- self on thu adoption of his views of neutrality, views he was almost stoned in the streets for advocating in 1854; and was severe on the folly of asking for more ships and soldiers, of having useless yeomanry and militia, and of inviting peaceable civilians to become mar- tial heroes. Ile pointed out that the non-electors were not invited to volunteer ; and hoped that they would meet again in better times when the clouds of war had passed away. Mr. Scholefield also spoke. He advocated the immediate exclusion of the Government from power as the first duty of the Liberal party.
"I read one day some remarks made by Mr. Roebuck on the subject I am now referring to. He says Well, Lord Derby may be a very indifferent Minister, but keep Lord Derby or anybody else you like, and don't take Lord Palmerston.' Now, I am no follower of Lord Palmerston,—I am no follower, that I know of, of any political leader, my allegiance is to the great Liberal party of this country, and I know of no other allegiance. But, I say that if the great Liberal party has confidence in Lord John Rus- sell or Lord Palmerston, or both united, and can obtain security from them that their Government shall not be a mere family party, and if these noble Lords will give us, as I trust they will, a Reform Bill which will be satis- factory to the people of the country, then I am not to be deterred from giving support to those leaders by any such reasons as Mr. Roebuck has as- signed, but would do so in the endeavour to obtain our rights. (Cheers.) But if, as we are told, these noble Lords cannot agree, I shall deeply regret their absence of patriotism when the country requires their services. But I hope the Liberal party will say to them' Stand aside, and let other men who have not such quarrels, and who have higher principles and higher patriotism, take your places.' I have no fear of the absence of leaders—least of all when I have a colleague in my honourable friend. I am quite sure this country will accept tomorrow any man frankly and honestly desirous of promoting the principles of progressive reform. We are not limited to Lord John Russell or Lord Palmerston ; there are other men, my honourable colleague is one, whom the Liberal party will follow. But I have no wish to sacrifice those men who have passed their lives in the service of the people, and only ask them to come forward, and they will have the support of the Liberal party." Both the speakers very emphatically preached the doctrine of neu- trality-.
The Liberal electors of the West Riding celebrated the victory of their representatives, Sir John Ramsden and Mr. Crossley, by giving a ban- quet to them on Monday in the Leeds Town Hall. In the after dinner speaking Sir John Ramsden said that union had been the cause of that success.
"Many of my friends whom I have met today and on late occasions have put to me this question,—' When you go back to London, what do you mean to do with Lord Derby ? ' (Laughter, and a voice : " Upset Mm.") They reminded me that the Derby day- is approaching very near—and that is an occasion to which all Yorkshiremen look forward for sport. (Laugh- ter.) Well, gentleman, when the question is put to me, I can only answer it by asking another question, and that is, is the Liberal party in the House of Commons prepared to follow the noble example which the West Riding of Yorkshire has set ? (Loud cheers.) Is it prepared to exhibit that entire unity of purpose to which we have owed our success ? If it is, then I have a very shrewd suspicion that not many days will elapse before the same calamity will overtake Lord Derby's Government in the House of Commons which not long ago befel his unhappy candidate on the hus- tings of the West Riding. (Loud cheers.,'■ Do not, gentlemen, let us dis- guise from ourselves the weakness and the dculties of our position. I, myself, as a member of the Liberal party of the House of Commons, bare felt very strongly that the position of thatparty, possessing as it lately did a majority of 100, and representing as it kill does the opinions of the coun- try upon all domestic questions, but yet leaving the Government of the country in the hands at a feeble minority, was a shame and a discredit. Such a state of things cannot but paralyze the action of any party, and must throw uncertainty over every future movement, I fear, therefore, that no prophet can foretel what will be our course-in theamw Parliament. Every- thing that we hear is, I fear, mere rumour. We hear about amendments on the address, about votes- of -censure on the dissolution, bout exacting pledges on reform, and about all the other various means Of ejecting a Go- vernment. But whether these are true or not I, for one, must confess I am utterly unable to say. But there is one rumour which I am prepared to contradict on ray own authority. It was stated a few days ago 111 sonic of the London-journals—and the statement derives authority and importance from having been copied into the most influential organ of Liberal opinion in this county—that the leaders of the Opposition had decided that in the second week of the session a- motion of want of confidence in the Government was to be brought forward, and that I had been selected to second that motion. Who those so-called leaders may be who have done me the honour of bring- ing my name so prominently forward I have not the slightest notion. can say it has been done without my concurrence. No such proposal has ever been made to me ; and if it were to be, I should feel it my duty to de- cline it ; and for this reason, Iconsider that that Member of the House of Commons who takes upon himself to propose to Parliament to dismiss a Ministry in order to justify such a course should be able to assure the House of Commons that he sees his way to the foundation of a more lasting and stronger Government. Now, gentlemen, I moat say, and I assure you I say it with the deepest regret, that in the present divided state of our leadership. I do not see my way to any such result?' On the foreign question, Sir John said that England, having little sym- pathy with France and Sardinia has none for Austria, "To enlist the influence of England on the side of Austria in this quarrel would be a crime which would cause every man in England to rise at once and hurl from power the Government who dared to enlist our strength or our influence on the side of tyranny or wrong. (Loud cheers.) But, gentlemen, I have not much fear of the course we shall take in foreign affairs,—the voice of the country has spoken too strongly and too powerfully for that." He was therefore for neutrality.
Mr. Crossley's speech chiefly referred to matters personal to himself, interesting to the men of Leeds, but not of general interest.
The Town-Council. of Swansea agreed in March to a resolution in fa. r your of the appointment of a stipendiary Magistrate, and fixed the salary. at 600/. per annum. They also recommended Mr. Daniel Evans, a bar, rister on the South Wales circuit, for- the post. The Government har the right to appoint the Magistrate, but. Mr. Sotheron E.steourt said that the recommendation of the Council would no doubt be acted on. IAA week, they were surprised,, to hear that Mr. Estcourt had revised his, opinion, thinking that an. "inconvenient precedent" would be ester. blished were the Council's nominee to be appointed. The Mayor of Swansea is of opinion that Mr. Estcourt will not appoint Mr. Evans, because he is a member of. the Reform Club ; it is a political mays.. The whole Council is indignant, and talks of rescinding its resolution.
A mother murdered her son on Monday evening, at Oldbury, under the influence of a fit of insanity. Mrs. Forster, the wife of a collier, slept in the same room with her husband, two daughters, and son, the last a boy of ten, to whom she is said, to have been vehemently at- tached, more so, indeed, than to any of her other children. At daybreak, on Monday morning she stole from her husband's side, and getting a razor, came to the bed of her sleeping boy. The youngest child, a girl of eight years, woke at this moment, and seeing her mother with the razor screamed in terror. The father and eldest daughter started up and rushed to the mad woman, but too late ; the boy's throat was cut nearly through. The father seems to have been paralyzed with horror ; the daughter to have seized her mother's right hand. With the energy of madness, however, the unhappy woman tore it away, cutting her daughter's fingers to the bone. Forster, beside himself apparently, rushed down stairs and broke open the front door calling wildly for help. The neighbours hurried in but met the mad woman on the stairs, with her arms extended and the blood streaming from a wound in her throat. Her husband seized her-in his arms and held her till a surgeon came. The surgeon sewed up the wound, and the woman was taken to the hospital ; but it is not likely she will recover.
No decided result was arrived at by the Coroner's Jury appointed to investigate the Ledbury murder. After a protracted examination of wit- nesses, they came to the conclusion that the unfortunate housekeeper was wilfully murdered by "some person or persons unknown" a candid acknow- ledgment that they had failed to make anything of the case. Mr. Masefield, his son, and all his clerks were questioned elaborately one after the other, as were the gardener with whom lodged Jones the accused clerk,the barmaid who supplied him with beer, and the man who picked up a packet of silver coins ; after which the jury decided that they knew nothing about the matter.
The investigation before the Magistrates is still proceeding, and Jones is in custody.
In connexion with the Ramsgate mystery, some further facts have been brought to light during the past week. The English detectives wrote to the police in New York, and made inquiries concerning: the mysterious German. They learnt that his real name was Friedrich Mattern,_ that he used to live in New York with two brothers named Jacob and Heinrich, and worked as a journeyman butcher also, that working at a sausage- making machine some fourteen months since he lost two fingers, a fact which leaves no doubt as to identity. The paper found near the dead man will probably prove to have been written by his brother; but the new facts do not tend materially to solve the mystery. In connexion with the Ramsgate mystery, some further facts have been brought to light during the past week. The English detectives wrote to the police in New York, and made inquiries concerning: the mysterious German. They learnt that his real name was Friedrich Mattern,_ that he used to live in New York with two brothers named Jacob and Heinrich, and worked as a journeyman butcher also, that working at a sausage- making machine some fourteen months since he lost two fingers, a fact which leaves no doubt as to identity. The paper found near the dead man will probably prove to have been written by his brother; but the new facts do not tend materially to solve the mystery.
I suicide of a painful kind has taken place at Shomcliffe. Thomas George Keogh, a Lieutenant in the City of Dublin Militia, was arrested on Saturday night by order of his commanding officer. The precise cause of the arrest has not been explained, but there are ominous stories afloat about a stolen 50/. note, and debts from the Lieutenant to the Regiment. However this may be, he was on Sunday morning found stretched on his bed struggling and alive but insensible. In. a very short time he died, and at a subsequent post mortem examination of the body, prussic acid was dis. covered in the stomach. The jury returned the conventional verdict of "Temporary insanity."
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