Vrunturial.

The Conservatives of South Wilts have found a candidate for the seat vacated by Lord Herbert of Lea. No fewer than 1200 electors have signed a requisition to Lieutenant-Colonel Bathurst, son of Sir H. Bathurst, of Clarendon Park ; and he has consented to stand, asking the electors for their votes " as Conservatives " but his conservatism does not go the length of the adoption of Mr. Disraeli's cry of "No Surren- der" on the question of church-rates. He is for any measure which, while ameliorating the law of church-rates, does not deprive the Church of her proper dues. Colonel Bathurst makes "the vindication of the independence" of South Wilts a prominent point in his address.

Mr. Grove is determined to carry on the contest with Lieutenant- Colonel Bathurst ; and, although the requisition to the Conservative was signed by 1200, nearly one-half the constituency, it is nevertheless said that Mr. Grove will win.

There are now three candidates for the vacant seat at Leicester—Mr. Heygate, Conservative ; Mr. Harris, Liberal ; and Mr. P. A. Taylor, Radical. Thus the Liberal party, with an undoubted majority, is di- vided ; and a Tory stands a good chance of representing Leicester.

The Liberals of Bolton.have called upon Mr. Thomas Barnes to become a candidate for the seat vacated by Mr. Crook.

The Hop Duties Repeal League held a large meeting at Canterbury on Saturday, Sir Brook Bridges in the chair. Lord Holmesdale, Mr. Dodson, Mr. Beresford Hope, made speeches in favour of the object they are leagued to obtain. The watchword is "in the name of Free Trade, total and immediate repeal ; " the tactics those of Mr. Cobden , and Mr. Bright. The managers of the agitation call for money and petitions ; and propose to " canvass " the House of Commons. But to be successful imitators of the original leaguers, they must step over the boundaries of Kent and Sussex, and go down into Lancashire.

The Members for Leeds attended a meeting of the Leeds Chamber of Commerce on Wednesday, and, at the request of the gentlemen present, made speeches. Mr. Beecroft touched upon the Bankruptcy question, and recommended that the hands of Government should be strengthened, that an efficient measure might be obtained.

His advice was that they should tell the Government what it is that the public interests require, and leave it to the Crown lawyers to find out the most apt machinery to supply their wants. What they require is, as it seemed to him, to sweep away existing anomalies, and then, in substituting new provisions, to keep in view the great principles upon whieji the law of bankruptcy was originally designed. All admit that it is a disgrace to the mercantile code of trading England that there should be one law and one tribunal to deal with debtors who are traders, another law and another tri- bunal to cleat with debtors who are not traders, and a third law and a third tribunal to distribute among their creditors the effects of deceased insolvents. The remedy is to apply one law to all, and to make all amenable to the same Court ; but opinions differed as to what ought to be the law and the Court. The great principles of a good law, however, are to enable the cre- ditors to realize to the best advantage the assets of an insolvent, to prevent concealment, to upset preferences, to divide the assets speedily, equally, and economically, and to release the honest and punish the dishonest debtors.

Mr. Baines occupied himself with pronouncing an eulogy on the French treaty ; and the Chamber passed a resolution applauding Mr. Cobden "for his indefatigable labours in this cause."

Manchester seems at last to have awakened to a sense of the danger in which she has been long placed by an obstinate adherence to one main source of cotton supply. On Tuesday, a large meeting was held in the Town-hall, called by the provisional directors of the Cotton Company (Limited) ; the Mayor presiding. The first resolution, moved by Mr. John Cheotham, regretting the disturbances in America, pointed out the evils that would arise were there a failure of a due supply of cotton. He wished the meeting to adopt the principle that we ought not to depend mainly on one source of supply. To do so, is contrary to the rule that influences the trading class in all other cases. The stock of cotton on hand has not exceeded fifteen weeks' consumption on an average of eight years. The question must no longer be trifled with ; and he re- commended that they should at once set about enlarging the area of supply. Mr. Pender put forth the same views— The history of cotton-growing in America was the greatest possible en- couragement to us to ""o-ahead" likewise in India. Seventy-fiveyears ago, labour was imported into America to grow cotton, under Anglo-Saxon direction. With the same energy and facilities in India, we might hope for the same results in a much shorter time, considering the extent of land only requiring to be tilled, and the amount of labour that only required encouragement. He believed that the agency requisite was not so much a cotton-growing company /18 a banking company, which should offer facili- ties at fair rates to growers of cotton, and that Englishmen should settle in India, availing themselves, as we did in this country, of such banking faci- lities, and dealing fairly with the native for his cotton, paying him accord- ing to the quality. At the same time, it should be borne in mind that our exports to America were falling off, not only through the present distur- bances, but from the large increase of manufactures in that country. In the same way, other countries were actively competing with us. We were bound, therefore, to look out for other markets, and if India could supply England with cotton, she could be paid for it in our manufactures. If the present drain of gold to pay for cotton was to continue, it would bring about a state of things which would materially alter the value of property. This cotton question was, therefore, to be looked upon as one of self-preser- vation.

Mr. Bosley, M.P., expressed his regret that "the trade " did not sup- port him when, three months ago, he urged them to promote measures for an enlarged supply of cotton. For more than twenty years he had urged upon them the necessity of providing as many sources as possible. Lancashire ought not to be dependent on the contribution of capital from sources independent of its own rich treasures— From Lancashire and from Lanarkshire there should arise a firm phalanx of individuals not only determined to retrieve their position, but to vindi- cate the rights of the Negro. We had never obtained any great benefit for the trade of this country without organization. By that means, we re- pealed the Corn Laws, and broke down the monopoly of the East India Company. In other countries, also, we might see organizations at work to anticipate us in obtaining cotton. Yet, with such ample proofs of the ne- cessity of organization, we had among us men who said the law of supply and demand would abundantly provide us. If our production of cotton manufactures was to go on increasing at 10 per cent per annum, and our exports at 2t per cent, where should we obtain markets if we neglected to make use of such immense capabilities as those of our East Indian posses- sions ? Some great effort must be made on the part of the trade to support those Members of the House of Commons who contended for the regenera- tion of India. Why should not we also make an effort to introduce labour- ers into the Australian colony of Queensland, whence excellent cotton could be had ? He was quite sure that the Government of the country was perfectly willing to assist the trade iu increasing the supply of its raw ma- terial. It would be with the greatest ease that 260,000 Chinamen with their families (perhaps a million of people), might in the course of a comparatively short time be removed from the Chinese Empire to our Australian posses- sions. In the course of two or three years, we might by some strenuous ex- ertions produce a crop of cotton equal to 2,000,000 bags in the year. Re- viewing these and other suggestions, lie took heart, and felt that we had the power to help ourselves if we had but the courage to do so. If, in connexion with some effort to supply cotton, whether from India or Australia, 1000 men in England would advance 10001. each, this capital of 1,000,0001. would be but a trifling contribution from a trade in which was invested something like 200,000,0001., and their raw material would thus be insured at a very cheap rate indeed. The meeting adopted the resolution, and subsequently two others ; one declaring that the emergency demands " that prompt, liberal, and ample support should be afforded for the formation of a powerful Joint Stock Limited Liability Company, to promote an increased cultivation of cotton, by offering to purchase it in India, Australia, Africa, or other countries; and that a capital of 1,000,0001. sterling, in shares of 10/. each, should be raised for this purpose ; and the other recommending "operations without delay." Among the speakers was Dadabhai Naoroji, a Parsee merchant, who spoke with great animation, and recom- mended the removal of those obstacles which obstruct supply.

The present commotion in the United States lends additional interest to the annual meeting of the Manchester Chamber of Commerce, which was held on Monday. Mr. Edmund Potter, the president, after drawing an unfavourable contrast between 1861 and 1860,—with money 4 per cent dearer, the prices of corn, cotton, labour, all advanced,—commented on the decrease of the import of British goods into India, which he cal- culated at 20 per cent. He condemned the 10 per cent Import-duty levied in India ; but he did not think we could yet lay much of the de- crease at the door of that impost. With respect to cotton supply, point- ing out that the troubles in America would lessen the supply, he said that " our own community" [meaning Lancashire?] might take some blame to themselves for now having to face that appalling calamity. " The only practicable source of relief seems to be India." The secre- tary read a letter from Lord John Russell on the uncertainty of the cot- ton supply, and offering to place at the disposal of the manufacturers those Consuls who reside in countries which offer a prospect of imme- diate supply ; Lord John thinking that the Consuls may be able to ascer- tain what amount of cotton could be obtained in answer to a sudden demand. Mr. J. A. Turner, one of the city Members, said, " India is the only country to which we can look with confidence for an adequate supply of cotton ; " but Sir Charles Wood, in place of the East India Company, does not seem to be much more to be relied on than they were. Mr. H. Ashworth condemned the excessive military expenditure of the Indian Government, and declared that this country has made a. very ill-judged choice of its Civil servants in India. The Chamber adopted a resolution expressing its desire that " the new Board of Direc- tors" should give special attention during the coming year to the finan- cial and commercial affairs of India.

A " Reformatory Conference " has been sitting at Birmingham ; Sir John Pakingtou in the chair. Among those present were Lord Shrews- bury, Lord Calthorpe, Lord Lyttelton, Mr. M. D. Hill, Mr. &hob:field, Mr. Spooner, Dr. Guthrie, Mr. Hanbury, Dr. Miller, the Reverend G. M. Yorke, Mr. Barwick Baker, Miss Carpenter, and Mr. G. W. Hast- ings. The circular calling the Conference laid down the following " principle "— " The welfare of the society requires that all its members should be edu- cated. Therefore, it is the duty of the State, both as regards society in general, and each individual composing it, to provide education for those 'who cannot obtain it for themselves. This duty is recognized by the State, since it provides education for those who are in gaols and reformatories, and therefore come compulsorily under its care, and for those who are thrown on society for support—i. e., paupers. The same duty exists, but has not been discharged by the State, towards children who are not as yet either crimi- nals or paupers, butwhose natural guardians will not, or cannot, provide for their education. It is the object of the Conference to lay before the Execu- tive Government and the Legislature, as a .eonsequence of the principle above stated, the imperative duty of its providing education for this portion of the community."

but the educational requirements of all the poor would be properly attendedto. The charge upon the Education department, it appeared, while this grant to the Ragged Schools was in existence, was 27,0001. a year; but, in conse- quence of withholding that grant, the amount was reduced to 55001., and Mr. Lowe boasted that a saving of 22,0001. had been effected. lie trusted that no one there would think the sum a large one for the purpose ; but in the view he had long entertained as to the mode in which education should be assisted by the State, he felt certain that the day would come when, if this centralizing system of doing everything from an office in London were adopted, the amount of that national grant would become so great, that the Chancellor of the Exchequer would raise his voice against it. Already had this been seen in the course pursued by Mr. Gladstone, who was the first Chancellor of the Exchequer to openly speak against the grant, although others had not liked it a whit the better. But when they considered what had been done by these Ragged Schools, was 22,0001. or even 27,0001. at all too large a sum to spend out of the State funds in their support ? Mr. M. D. Hill spoke in favour of a State provision for the education of children. The Reverend Mr. Bache, Unitarian Minister, made a bold

stand for the efficacy of Voluntaryism. Dr. Guthrie brought up the re- sults of his large experience in Edinburgh to show the beneficial effects of the Ragged School system on the juvenile population.

The resolutions adopted declared that the State is bound to "insure mans of education for all children" whose parents are too poor or too ignorant to provide it; that the Government grant does not reach the neglected and morally destitute ; that the Ragged Schools which provide for them cannot permanently stand by voluntary aid alone ; and that it is the duty of the State to give liberal financial aid to such schools, availing itself, as in the case of Reformatories, of that voluntary effort which is an essential condition of success.

In the evening, the Conference met and confirmed the resolution adopted in the morning. Dr. Guthrie made an animated, humorous, and instructive speech, showing what has been done in Edinburgh and in other parts of Scotland, where the establishment of Ragged Schools has been attended with the most complete success. 'He invited the meeting to go with him to Edinburgh,—"paying your own expenses, mind,"— and there he promised to show them what respectable men and women have come out of the Ragged Schools.

"I'll tell you, now : when they were getting up banquets to the soldiers of the Crimea, and to all the grand Members of Parliament, we thought we'd give a banquet to our ragged bairns, who had fought as great a battle as any Crimean soldier; and far harder, too. All of a sudden, the thing was resolved on ; all of a sudden, the thing was done. We have them, you know —these ragged school scholars that were—cutting down the forests in Ame- rica; we have them herding sheep in Australia ; we have them in the Navy; and—what d'ye think ?—there was an odd thing in this way ; we had a competition among boys in the Navy, and the ragged school boys carried off the highest prizes. We have them in the Army, too. Just the other day, I bad in my drawing-room one of my ragged school scholars. What was he doing there ? ' you ask. Well, he was just standing beside a very pretty girl, dressed like a duchess, with an enormous crinoline, and all that. (Loud laughter.) There he was ; and on his breast he carried three medals. He had fought the battles of his country in the Crimea ; he had gone up the deadly march to Lucknow, and rescued the women, and the children, and our soldiers there (Cheers); and I was proud of my ragged school boy, when I saw him with his honours. (Renewed cheering.) Well, as I said, we resolved to give a banquet ; we furnished one of our best rooms, and had it brilliant with gas, and laurel, and ivy, and the coral- beaded holly—and the quantity of tea and toast ! It isn't to be told. We just sent away through Edinburgh, and in a day we got 150, all doing for themselves. I was master of the ceremonies. So I heard a great rush of feet—I was standing at the door, you know, to receive my company, and I could not believe my eyes when 1 saw the succession of good-looking re- spectable young men, and the succession of comely, virtuous-looking, happy young women. A girl came up, smiling, and she said, You will remember me, Dr. Guthrie. This is my man.' And then a great, big, honest-looking, burly fellow came up, and he said, You will remember me, Doctor. This is my wife.' And they filled that room. I never saw a more respectable company ; and how they laughed and sang ! And we prayed, too ; we prayed, and we gave them good advice. I never spent a happier night—no, not in the greatest, noblest house I was ever in—than I spent when I entertained my ragged school children. Well, that is what we have done ; and what we have done in Edinburgh has been done in every town in Scotland. We hear of Reformatories. I was at Paisley, speaking of ragged schools, a fortnight ago, and the Sheriff was there, and he spoke, too. He said that ragged schools had been the blessing of the town of Paisley. They bad, he said, built a reformatory for reform young criminals, and they could not get a tenant for it—the ragged school at Paisley had caught every child before he went over the precipice, and there was a reformatory to be let.' (Cheers.) And if the work goes on there will be prisons to be let—the prisons will be in the happy condition that the prison of a town in Fife that I passed through was in. I was passing by the prison, when I heard a fiddle play- ing, and I asked a man what was the meaning of a fiddle in a prison. Oh,' he said, There's nobody to put into the prison, so they have made it a dancing school.' " (Cheers and laughter.)

The schools of art in connexion with the Committee of Privy Council on Education, are now 84 in number. They are said to thrive very well "in large towns," but it is difficult to establish them and keep them up in a flourishing condition in the smaller towns. Nevertheless, Mr. Wil- liam Cowper, conscious of the risk, attended a meeting held in Hertford on the 18th, to establish a school of art in that small town. He regards drawing as " an important branch of public and popular education," and not as a mere accomplishment. He, therefore, offers to the artisans of Hertford, the means of obtaining useful training in drawing in return for the small payment of two shillings per month : and for similarly small payments children and adults of both sexes may attend morning classes. The power of drawing accurately is of great service to all me- chanics, and of very great service to some. Then, drawing, develops the habit of observation, and cultivates the taste. "I believe," said Mr. Cowper, "that the remarkable way in which our English china has got ahead of the French and German china, is very much owing to the fos- tering aid of the School of Art at Stoke-upon-Trent " Mr. Cowper moved, and Sir H. Farquhar seconded a resolution, declaring it desirable to establish a School of Art at Hertford.

Chatham and Rochester are at present somewhat unpleasantly situated. Burglarious soldiers steal through the streets at night and commit rob- beries. In consequence, it is said, of leave being too readily granted, the worst characters find abundant opportunities for the indulgence of their crimi- nal propensities. The attention of General Eyre has been called to the facts Where are the patrols ? In the convict prison at Chatham, there has of late been such an amount of insubordination, that several of the ring- leaders, old offenders undergoing severe sentences, have been removed to Pentonville and Millbank. At one time, a serious outbreak was appre- hended, but authority prevailed, and order is restored. The " lifers,' and ten years' penal servitude men, were the originators of the mutiny.

The Leeds Magistrates, have sent one Purchon, a schoolmaster, to prison for two months, to his great astonishment. He had committed an " aggra- vated assault" upon a pupil nine years of age, that is, he beat the child unmercifully because the little thing "laughed at, and irritated him." The Magistrates very properly remarked that a man who could act in that way is " unfit to be a schoolmaster."

The "tamping" of grenades and fusees in our military laboratories is always a service of danger. A highly combustible composition is rammed down with a copper rod ; and, if rammed too roughly, it explodes by concus- sion. The carelessness or inexpertness of an engineer caused an explosion in a workshop of the engineers at Chatham. One of the men fired the com- position he was ramming in a fusee, by giving it too many blows ; the fire caught the loose composition, and finally a mass of gunpowder, in a barrel. The explosion wounded more than a dozen men, some severely, but killed none on the spot, shook the whole building to the foundation, blew one side out, and rolled up the lead on the roof.

A boiler exploded at Wolverhampton, killing two men. An inspection of the wreck showed that " some of the appliances were of the most primitive and dangerous kind, and the men who had the engines in charge lament- ably ignorant of the duties they had undertaken to perform."

The Coroner's Jury, sitting to inquire into the cause of the accident on the Shrewsbury and Hereford Railway, when two women were killed, have had the courage to append a recommendation to the verdict of "Accidental Death," which goes to the root of the evil. The Jury recommend that "the Shrewsbury and Hereford Railway Company do use a better quality of iron for the tires of the wheels of their rolling stock ; " and that they Should provide a communication between the driver and guard.

Additional evidence respecting the explosion in the Rises colliery con- tinues to be taken. John Thomas, a miner, said that there were three or four yards of gas in his stall on the morning of the explosion. Derrick, the fireman, had deposed that he visited this place, and found all right ; if Thomas speak truly, Derrick could not have done so, or could not have ob- served the gas. Thomas said he did not report the presence of gas, as he should have done, from a fear of being "sacked," but he admitted that he had never known a man to be discharged for reporting the existence of gas in the pit. Thomas Phillips also said that gas escaping from "old work- ings" sometimes filled his stall, but on the morning of the explosion it was clear. Not long ago, Derrick had exploded the gas in the next "head- ing ; " English, the other fireman, refusing to do so, because " there was so much gas about that it was dangerous." Other witnesses have given evidence tending to show that the pit, con- trary to previous reports, was in an unsatisfactory state, in consequence of the arrangements for adequate ventilation being out of order. Doors were open which ought to have been shut; and hence the air escaped into the upcast shaft too rapidly. Gas was abundant, and the stalls and ways were very irregularly examined, according to these workmen.

Two witnesses, however, who worked ;near Thomas, state that they did not observe gas in the pit, but Thomas, reexamined, maintains his first statement without shrinking, and a personal examination of the pit, gal- lantly made by Mr. Brough, showed that the witnesses who contradicted him are not wholly to be relied on.