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Leader (1850-1860), 19th July 1851, Edition Town of 2, Page 675

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      M . Blanqui , though not a stranger tj > the ceconomics of Socialism , is much too devoted to Free-trade to drop even a hint directly in favour of the principle of concert ; but this last paragraph which We have quoted , only , in our estimation , is a fun her proof of the necessity for such a Federal Union of the Nations , based upon international concert , as will insure that amelioration of the lot of the greatest number , not only in each nation , but in all , what M . Blanqui so ardently and earnestly desires . 'It is impossible to get rid of the alternative , Protection or Freetrade , and a long course of commercial prosperity and real national greatness , is equally impossible under either . We respectfully put it to the Hector and Achilles of Protection and Free-trade whether the ends of each would not be answered by a frank adoption of the Principle of Association .

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      PUBLIC FEASTS AND SHOWS . The gaiety of the year 1851 in England is almost unexampled , in history . Feasts , balls , shows of all kinds , international gatherings where Europe and America and Asia fairly shake hands , pass by in gorgeous succession . Besides which we have had regal and civic revelries . The Queen gave the final Grand State Ball on Monday . Seventeen hundred invitations were issued . The whole affair was gay and magnificent even for the Palace of Buckingham , and only eclipsed by the celebrated bal costume . The City tried to give another ball on Wednesday . Sir Peter Laurie criticised the barbaric festival on Wednesday week rather severely in the council . He said he was obliged to declare , from what he had observed , that although the corporation could get up a dinner in an unrivalled style they could not get up a ball at all . ( "gear , hear ** and laughter . ) The ball of Wednesday was for a charitable purpose , and a kind of supplement to the regal ball of last week , as the decorations had not been removed .

      Last week Mr . William Brown , M . P ., rivalled the Lord Mayor in point of culinary luxuries , and surpassed him in felicity of conception . Both gave magnificent entertainments , but Mr . William Brown bethought him of feasting his friends on board the mail-steamer Atlantic . Early on Saturday morning , the invited guests arrived at Liverpool by special trains , the foreigners having free passage . These guests were composed of the Royal and Foreign Commissioner * , the Executive Committee , and others connected with the Exposition . A pleasure-trip and sight-seeing excursion then took place ; among other things the America , just leaving with the mails for

      New York , was inspected ; and thence away to Birkenhead and Woodaide . After faking a peep at the Atlantic , the company went on shore , returning again at five o ' clock to partake of the grand banquet set out in the dining saloon of the ship . The dinner is said to have been unexceptionable . When that important operation had finally terminated , and the ueual regal toasts hod been given , the Chair man proceeded to make special reference to the more prominent of his guests . And as they were assembled under the American flag , ' The

      President of the United States " appropriately followed on the heels of royalty . Mr . Davies , the American charge des affaires , responded in a brief speech , full of kindly feeling for the " old country , " and a vindication of the honour of his own . He would say to those ¦ who were sceptical of the wealth of America , " Come to Liverpool ; " look into her docks ; think of the quantity of British merchandise brought up in the United States ; even the ship in which they were was American . Their show at the Exposition might be meagre , but their show at Liverpool was anything but meagre : —

      " And when they had looked at all those things , they would say—it might be vanity for him to suggest it' See what the descendants of Englishmen have accomplished / ' { Loud cheers . ) And he thought also that they would then respond to the cordial wish of every American , that the good relations now established between the two reat branches of the Anglo-Saxon race , England and the United States , may long continue to increase and be strengthened . { Much cheering . )" Lord Granville , the orator of the Royal

      Commissioners , thanked Mr . Brown for the toast he had proposed in their honour . He eulogized the merchant princes of Liverpool ; and he was particularly dolighted with the happy idea of dining in the middle © l Liverpool on what he might call American ground , itetming to local subjects , he spoke of the intimate relations he had with Liverpool as Vice-President of the Iloard of Trade . Among other things ho alluded to the Gunpowder Bill : —

      At this moment there was a bill before the House of J ^ ords , relating to the removal of the gunpowder stores irom the immediate neighbourhood of Liverpool . He woult , he rmah enough to Bmy wnether it wtlB reMon . aoie or unreasonable in the town- of Liverpool to object thoSrhn ? blHt * of bdnB bl ° ™ « P- { Laughter . ) He thought it would perhaps be better not to dwell too much on the topic , lest be should alarm some of their guest * 32 . U ght i ut * " ia the hablt of -ojowning in « o « - " ^•• neighbourhood . ( Laughter ) " * to * 2 vu I ^ . » vriUe sat down M . Zohrab spoke w n « Foreign Commissioners / ' in a neat and brief

      speech in English . Mr . Cole responded , on behalf of the Executive Committee , to a toast in their honour . He had a secret to reveal , which was , that to Mr . Brown we owed in great part the Exhibition , and then showing that Mr . Brown had been an active and zealous coadjutor of Mr . Rowland Hill in obtaining penny postage ; and as penny postage * ad so materially assisted-the Royal Commissioners and the Executive Committee in carrying out their plans , he thought he might say that the existence of the Exhibition-was in great measure owing to the former exertions of Mr . Brown . There was another fact he wished to state . The Belgians made letter-boxes of

      their street-posts . Why could we not do so ? " We had an axiom in this country that one good turn deserves another ; and as he thought we owed the Exhibition in a great measure to penny postage , and as penny postage had still a good many points to realize , he would state what the Exhibition would return in favour of penny postage . He had to tnnounce , as he considered legitimately proceeding from the Exhibition , that an association nad been formed to carry out the spirit of international communication and concord by introducing a cheap universal rate of postage . ( Cheers . ) The remesentative of France , Baron Dupin ; the representative

      of Russia , M . de Berjue ; and the representative of Austria , M . Wolowski ; and Lord Ashburton , Mr . W . Brown , and others ; had engaged , each in his own country , to promote this most desirable object , and to impress on their own Governments , and on all Government * , the advantages that would arise from perfect freedom of international communication by means of letters . ( Cheer * . ) Each of the gentlemen- who were here the representatives of foreign countries , and who had engaged in this matter , would { carry back to his own nation an earnest desire to forward the good work of friendship already begun , by means of a sure and facile mode of letter communication . ( Cheert . )"

      Dr . Herman , acknowledging * ' the jurors , " said , "in the working of the juries he had seen the display of that quality which had given England her greatness—untiring energy in the concentration of will and skill upon a particular point . " Mr . Brown then proposed a set of sentiments which constituted the most distinguishing feature of the gathering : — " ' Success to the undertakings of all men of letters and science , engineers and mechanics , whose heads and whose hands have added immeasurably to the social comforts of mankind . ' ' Peaceful Commerce—may it ever flourish , to carry religion and civilization into the remotest corners of the world . ' ' The armies and navies of the great nations of the earth—may they ever meet as friends , not as foes , to cooperate for some great public good . ' * The world's commercial fleet—may it continue to navigate the ocean , free from war ' s alarms . '"

      These sentiments were briefly spoken to by M . Wolowski ( France ) , Colonel Johnson ( United States ) , and M . Leucisca (• Sardinia' ) . The whole speechmaking wound up with an address from Mr . Brown in acknowledgment of his onn health proposed by Lord Granville . He spoke chiefly about the material progress of Liverpool . The best thing , he said , consisted in the suggestion of a new name for the Exposition—" The Palace of Peace " : — " In the reign of Charles II . they had but fifteen vessels sailing from the Mersey , the total tonnage of these being only 2 / 560 tone . In the time of Queen Anne their vessels had increased only to the number of 170 .

      The number of retsels they now . could boast of every gentleman had an opportunity of ascertaining in the course of that day . ( Cheers . ) In 1756 their dock dues only amounted to £ 2200 , in 1801 they had risen to £ 28 , 000 , and , last year , they amounted to £ 230 , 000 . Their docks now covered between two and three hundred acres , and had been built at a cost of £ 10 , 000 , 000 . ( Cheers . ) In 1700 the population of the whole county was but 170 , 000 . Lancashire , now , had a population above 2 , 000 , 000 . The increase in Liverpool itself had

      been even still more remarkable . In 1700 the population was only 6000 . In 1801 it was 78 , 000 In 1861 it was about half a million . ( Cheers . ) In 17 G 0 it took four days to go by coach from Liverpool to London . In 1851 Liverpool was only six hours distant from London ; and not more than ten days" distance from New York . ( Cheers . ) Commerce had effected this , and all that had followed this . He believed that commerce was , in this country , suggesting new international relations in the world ; and he hoped that the new spirit would be daily strengthened . ( Cheers )"

      The whole company went ashore nbout nine o ' clock , and were entertained for the rest of the evening by the Mayor of Liverpool , in the Town Hall .

      Ihe Royal Agricultural Association held their annual exposition of implements and cattle , in the Homo-park , Windsor , on Monday last . The Queen and Prince Albert left town , ond proceede d to Windsor Castle , for the purpose of attending the show . It is reported to have been moro than usually successful in the live deportment , CBpecially in " Southdowns , short-horns , Hcrefords , mid pigs . " One grnsier , Mr . Webb , of Cambridgeshire , carried ofF seven prizes for Southdowns ; but the implement show was Hot so great as usual , owing to the best implements having been sent to tho Exposition in Hyde-park . Tho show continued on Tuesday , concluding on Wednesday with the customary dinner , ore which tho Duke of Riohmond presided , and at which Pxinc © Albert was the most distinguished visitor . He responded to the toast of his own health

      and that of the Queen . He gave them a hearty welcome to the Home Park , and he contrasted the 44 encampment" of the society with the meeting of the barons on Runnymede : — " They came then clad in •??»» . - * u u iance and warhorse . Tot appear in a more peaceful attire , and the animals you bring with you to the meeting are the tokens of your successful cultivation of the arts of peace . ( Loud cheers . ) King John came trembling amongst his subjects , unwillingly compelled to sign that great charter which has ever since been your birthright . ( Great cheering . ) Your Sovereign came confidingly among her loyal and loving people ; she came to admire the results of their industry , and to encourage them to persevere in

      their exertions ; and the gratification which the Queen has felt at the sight of your splendid collection must , I am sure , be participated in by all who examine it . Cheers . ) " He drank " Prosperity to the Royal Agricultural Society . " The remainder of the speeehmaking consisted of a similar interchange of complimentary toasts ; the Duke of Richmond proposing " The Foreign Ministers ; " and M . Van de Weyer , Belgian Minister , who responded , naming " The Duke of Richmond . " In proposing 44 Agriculture , Manufacture , and Commerce , " Lord Portman eloquently pointed out how the three were linked together , and exclaimed : —

      " All in that unity they admired—all in that unity they respected ; but he felt , as he believed they all did , as the child loved his mother best of all , so they all loved the earth . ( Great cheering . ) They loved it as their first love ; they loved it as the source whence they sprang ; and they regarded it , after the cares and sorrows of the world were over , as their last home . ( Cheers . )" Mr . Lawrance , the American Minister , proposed 14 The Mayor and Corporation of Windsor ; " and Mr . Mites , M . P ., " The Stewards of the Yard and the

      Judges of the Show ; " and , these being properly acknowledged , Lord Ashburton , in a remarkable speech , named " The Agricultural Labourers . " Deprived of the labourer they would be like a general without his soldiers ; and he elaborately traced the inter-dependence of man upon man : — " And jet there were those who thought lightly of the labourer , who called him rude and boorish , who made his ignorance a byword . They said he was uneducated because he knew little of things which did not concern his own calling , but , above all , because he was taught to do , and he was not taught to talk ; because in this land , where we ch » ose members of Parliament by their talk and Cabinet Ministers by their talk , a false test of ability ,

      a false test of knowledge , a false test of education , had been setup , and by this false test the labourer had been judged . But it was not by this test , it was not by his words , that they should judge him . Let them try him by what he did , and not by what he said . Let them try him by what he knew of nis own business , not by whath * knew of his neighbour's . Put a plough into his hands ; he could not define a straight line like others taught by rule in set forms of speech , but he could run a farrow mathematically exact between its extreme points , though they might be as distant as eye could reach . Was there no education there ? Did they hold that only to be education which was to be gained in books ?—that only to be knowledge which was the development of abstract rules and general ideas ?

      He enumerated the kinds of natural knowledge in which he eaid the labourer was skilled ; and yet , he added , the labourer was held to be a boor because he could not talk . Whatever they might approve in Parliament , they had never chosen their shepherd for his talk . " They judged the agricultural labourer by what he could do , they loved him for his honest worth , they reverenced him for his sagacity , for the genius of his instincts ; and now , when they were met together in this

      high festival , with the magnates of the land , with the distinguished in arta and literature of the civilized worldnow that they had expressed their loyalty to the throne , their respect for the illustrious Prince , their patron and the patron of all that elevated society—now that they had expressed their gratitude to their distinguished guests for their presence , to their especial leaders and benefactors for their services—they find no toast so satisfactory to their judgment , ao grateful to th < ir feelings , us the toast of the labourer even though he could not talk . "

      It will be remarked , that no cheers followed this extraordinary serifs of observations . Perhaps the gentlemen present , the chief of whom could talk as well us Lord Ashburton , did not tuke his remarks either as a compliment to themselves , or to tho labourers . The last noticeable toast was , " The Sister Societies of Agriculture , " intrusted to Mr . Evelyn Denison , M . P ., and the point to be remarked chielly , was tho uproarious and hearty cheering which greeted the name of "Lord . Stanley—tho Earl of Derby , " mentioned in connection with the origin of the uso of Kuuno as a . manure . M . Van de Weyer in bin speech , had said , the " red boxes" of the diplomatist now , instead of containing ' despatches , " of ten held onlyremarks upon the agriculture and stock of . England . Upon this Mr . Donison humoursly commented : —

      " One advantage had resulted to uh from the visit of a distinguished foreign Minister thin avuuing . They have been led Into some State necrets . ( Laughter . ) Those mysterious boxea , those sealed l >« g » , which issued forth with so much solemnity from the bureaus of Ministers , big , as they supposed , with tha fate of empires , they now

      Untitled Article

      Jin * 19 , IB 51 . 3 g »* Utajlit . 675

  • Citation
    • Leader (1850-1860), July 19, 1851, page 675, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse-os.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/l/issues/vm2-ncseproduct1892/page/7/