ebr Country.
There was a meeting of the Birmingham and Midland Reform As- sociation on the 18th, "to consider the alarming state of trade through- out the kingdom, with a view to averting the evils which its continuance must inflict upon the industrious classes." Mr. Muntz, Mr. Salt, Mr. Hadley, Mr. Douglas, and other gentlemen, addressed the meeting. Resolutions were passed, declaring that a number of workmen in Bir- mingham had for some weeks past been out of employ altogether, and others working half time; that it was vain to hope for a remedy or preventive of such evils, while the interests of the industrious classes are so imperfectly represented as they now are; that in order to bestow on the industrious classes the influence in the councils of the nation so essential to its permanent prosperity, the duration of Parliaments must be shortened, the vote by ballot established, the property qualification abolished, representation made co-extensive with taxation, and a pro.. perty tax substituted for existing imposts. It was also recommended, that the Reform Association should assume the old name and badge of the Birmingham Political Union, and, as soon as the names of four thousand persons were enrolled, that a public meeting should be called.
A public meeting in favour of Universal Suffrage was held by the working classes of Manchester on the 24th ilia. Petitions to Parliament were adopted.
In consequence of the quiet state of Manchester, a number of con- stables, whose services had been called in requisition, have been dis- charged, but a troop of dragoons, who had been stationed in readiness at -the Police-yard on Tuesday, have not, we believe, returned to the 'barracks.—Manchester Times.
We are sorry to hear of a serious failure in Keswick—the house of Messrs. Thomas Banks and Co., valencia manufacturers. A consi- derable number of workpeople will be thrown out of employ by this misfortune.— Westmoreland Gazette.
At Leeds, Halifax, Bradford, Huddersfield, Rochdale, Bolton, and Wakefield, trade t .eitinues to be very dull.
The house of Barker and Co. of Nottingham, largely engaged in the American trade, stopped payment on Monday. A letter from Nottingham, dated on Tuesday evening, says-
" We have for nearly three months been suffering severely from want of Work for the operatives. Stocking and lace frames, which are for the great Part productive of the staple portion of our trade, are now nearly out of work; and in consequence thousands of hands are out of employ. This afternoon, about 2,000 unemployed hands have been visiting the bakers' and butchers' Shops soliciting chalky: their imposing appearance intimidated parties to give them what they demanded. Some principle seemed to guide the leaders of the mob, for, on one baker only giving a penny loaf, it was proposed to throw it through his window. The suggestion was immediately adopted. Another taker on giving two half-stone loaves, was most vehemently cheered."
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