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Northern Star (1837-1852), 14th November 1840, Edition 1 of 1, Page 6, Untitled Article

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      Untitled Article

      SIS WILLIAM MOLESWORTH O * THS WAS 9 UESTION . The wilb of Leeds were last week placarded with Bills , in which . &p - Wiffina Molesworth called ntxm $ ? S ^ " * , me 6 t Wm on Saturday , in the g othlMYird , to enable him to Uy before them 5 ? ^ SfSlT *? v iinpeadiI 11 ? w ^ ft ""* . At twelve o dock , the hour appointed for the meeting , tfa *« we ™ bat few people in the yard ; they , however , gradually increased in cambers , and it SJL ^ ft ^ , ^ ***• *» from 4 . ° W to 5 , OtC present . SirWilliam entered the yard about twenty HEL 5 * . % time , aocompxnied by several members of the Fox and Goose Club . None of the bi £ foxe . were present , though there were large flocks of geese , frhe whig , took no part in the ISP" ?? ** " ""© etingi though young Mr . Edward < . tne Q , ueen-groaner ) , and others of the clique , were passive reectaiors .

      Mr . Councillor Bcttket was called to the chair , and after briefly stating the object of the aeeting , inteodnced Sir William Molbstfobth , who wa » loudly « heered : he ipoke as followa : — Fellow-Citizsxs , —I am delighted to see ao many persona net together on the present ooearion . I addreia yon wide * feelings of the rtrongett excitement and emotion . I -wish to speak to yon , not aa a politician , Bot as belonging to any particular sect or party , not as being a Badieal , Whig , © r Tory , but as an Englishman , and more than an Englishman— a dtiaen of © Tifised-Europe . I implore you to listen to me with similar feelings , to cast aside all passion and prejudice and as mea of common sense and plain understandi ** ' to reflect tiw critical

      on prewnt state of onr f oreiim relation * , - Tfaert U immediate danger of a European ^ ar , and < if the most disastrous kind , aamely with France . The mere thought of soch an erent fills my mind with horror , when I reflect on the massacre of ftouaiKbrf my fellow-beings-the destruction of fa ^ aTrffa ^ bty _ 4 k T ^ erp iiditnreoftreasure--the ttoeas * of taxation— the augmented misery of the verbnretaass-the Tile feelings of national antipathy —and the atop to aB improTement , which must earae from each a war . Ton win readily acknowledge that J * en tpstt and civilised nation , like this , UaW toe whole of European society , it ought to beatlTto Z ! £ ZTLFL ?*™ - »~<* . *» « *> inT tt

      of which history may approTe , and which may aflbrd Mpte ^ pentationfor theeTflmcKTed . lt e « St to tat cImw of the human race , are clearly concernedTand that , it orty njsheaths the sword i > the aaered eauWof ^^ l ^ L ^ ^^^ ^ tematiTecan be adopted ttat to nut 1 into such a quarrel merely for the sake cf some ^ entte aad petty interest , or mSW tt ! w ^^!^"* * ^ PMSicm ' *» * " 8 «» St affi which a nation can eommit , and for which it would Jfa ^ ti * curses and execrations of mankind : Sere eoaflaence , independence of thoughtand free insUtn

      , . BatooM ; aadihose wars hare done boaoHrto humanity jLSL'ZF *'' hoWOTBr ' * °° oftea the pSS ^ utes of irresponsible rulera , the Tanities , inSa a ^ iS £ ^ ? 1 mtriStte l &ctions ' "d thelia . Sfv v ^ * ° * diptonacy , haTB coTered the earth JithhaToc and desolations thaae wais harebeeJS fP ^ ^ « " species , and almost degraded it below the brute creation . Kow , let me adTyS . whtt i . the character of the impending contest ? I put SI question to every mu in this meeting what are we wo ^ fd ^ vflJ ^ . 102 , " y ^^^^ Tre ^ « TiS b S considered i « P <« ible , TThat mighty ?! 2 h as Uken place in

      S JSI . ^^ ^ ° Eu ^ to ten thousand can giTe me an answer ; or has a inn state , them to you as briefly M I can . 1 / . coun-^ v ^ T , ttoeett 0 mnd ^^ f «> m this-in-Aabned by , half-ciTiliaed people-strangers to usTn ianjuage race , and religion-and morettan that for tsentunes the fiercest enemies of our race and nSSonwitn whom we have comparatiTely but little inter course and trade—in that country a rebellion has taken place . The leader of the rebellion , a . man of superior energj and understanding , and attached to . European errilisation , has wrested from his Sorereien certain proTinces . By so doing , he does no wrong to US—he injures none of oar fellow-eitiaen *—he do « not

      diminish our trade : on the contrary he has the strongest ¦ . desire to eoltrraie onr friendship , to cherish osr com- tQeree , and to facilitate onr communications with India . Why then should we interfere with him ? Why fake part against him ? Those who would justify such * n interference say , that it is to be feared , lest in this j contest between the Sultan and the Pasha of Egypt ' < 8 > e two parfet to whom I am referring ; Russia should i fcterfere , and seize Constantinople ; and that tiie consequences-would be a European war . In order , it is I aid , to aTert the calamitieB of such a war , England has i formed an Alliance with Rassia and other Powers ; and ' ilie object of that Alliance is to determine what portion I f the Ottoman empire Bhall belong to the Sultan , and ! 'what portion to the Pasha of Egypt Thus in fad

      we hiTt ; aoumed the . WTereignty of that empire , and tie right of managing its internal affairs . A most monstrous assumption ! a most unnecessary meddling with matters that do not concern us : Hare we not econgh to do at horns , without invoWng ourselTea ih the brails of other people ? Are oar financesin so nourishing a condition—are the working classes » o happy and so contenteJ—are our agricultural population so highly educated—are our laws so excellent—and so well administered—are trade and commerce and manufactures hi so prosperous a state—in short , hare we attained that point of unsurpassable excellence , both physical and moral , that we have really nothing to € 0 at home , and in order to aToid idl ^ nass , must nndertete the SoTenunent of the Ottoman empire , and

      subdue its rebels , and define its boundaries ? 0 , most ! absurd attempt ! Would that it were only absurd ! By acting in this manner , we haye offended France , ! who is not included in the Alliance which I haye mentioned ; and who considers that she is as well acquainted as we are with fee affairs of the Mussulman—has an equal light "With ouaelTes to determine the boundary of the Ottoman empire—an equil interest in concerns which are not her own—an equal obligation to preserve the peace of Europe by going to war—in short , in eyery seepest an equal claim to be equally absurd ¦ with ourselyes . We cannot deny her right Everything we can allege in fayour of ours , sfce can allege in faTeitr of hers . Reason cannot deride between the two part ies , because both are equally irrational . Tee

      • onsequence is , that we are on the eye of a war with that country . For what ? The only pretext that Las eyer been assigned , or can be assigned , to justify our interference in the affairs of Turkey is , test Russia should interfere alone , and tats possession of Constantinople . I will assume that the possession of Constantinople by Russia would be a * great a calamity as some persons supposethat the yast extent of its territories would contribute to-its strength instead of being a source of weakness , and that its power anS resources would augment in proportion—that its scanty population , scattered oyer interminable wastes , "would suddenly become as dense and wealthy as that of England er France—that its wild hordes , " differing from one another in language ,

      race , and religion , would cordially unite together as a civilised - community , and readily obey a central authority distant some thousands of milea—that all its internal dissensions shall oease for ever—that its government , which was on the biini . of dissolution at the death of Alexander , shall be established on a solid and undisturbable basis . I will suppose , in additioi to all this , that , despising eyery law of human interest Russia shall prohibit our commerce , refuse all inter ckange of commodities -with , us , sad exclude us fron the ports of the Black Sea ; and that when by the * strange means it ha * rapidly acquired a high degree 0 wealth and prosperity , it shall seriously commence th conquest of civilised Europe . All these , and man ; other suppositions , equally absurd , I will take fo

      gran ted . as being the inevitable consequences of the ! acquisition of Constantinople by Russia , I will take i this for . granted in order to justify the fears of those j who dread such an event , and who consider that it is ' necessary to avert it by every possible means . I now I ask , bate we adopted the wisest course to defeat the Tiews of Russia ? On the contrary , is not our policy i the absurdest thathumaningenuity could have imagined ? We have formed an alliance with Russia , whose interests are hostile to our own . We have lost the alliance of France , the only European power who has an interest equally -strong and a desire equally urgent with ourselyes to prevent the occupation of Constantinople by Russia ., Who does not perceive , that every -wound inflicted on France by England , or m > . Bngland by

      France , must be a source of rejoicing and exultation to the Northern Barbarian , —an obstacle removed from Ids path to Constantineple ? As the fox in the fable , when the lions had disabled one another , seized the ^ rey for which they were contending , so Russia , more Wily than the fox , urges us on to mutual destruction , in the hope that when our forces are exhausted , she may cany off the prey we w « uld save from her grasp . O , miserable folly ! It is said that we interfere in the flairs of Turkey in order to avert the remote possi bility of a European war , and the immediate consa 4 uences of our actions is a European war . Can there be a mere pungent satire on meddling diplomacy , fchun ttiis ? The question may be asked of me , Are then the affiiirs of Turkey of no importance to England ? and is

      t Russian to be permitted quietly to occupy Constantinople ? I answer , by no means . I answer , that tiietrue policy of TJngimd is to abstain from interfering im the afiaixs of other nations , and to insist -that a s riznQar policy * han be adapted by the other powers oi Burepe . This policy is in accordance with reason and Justice . - For , what right have we , or any other nation . to interfere with the internal concerns of a foreigr people * It can only be on the pretext that it ifl foi their advantage , or for our own . It cannot be foi their advantage ; because it la utterly impossible for xr to posses ttat local and intimate acquaintance witl Huox afiaixs , which would make us competent judges «* wiM * is nost fox their biaefit A nation may be 1 ftad js 4 p fltifa own . iatezette , bat it murt be a _ fe

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      better judge of ther iown interests than any other nation can be . If they choose to be ill-governed , can we improve their condition by misgoverning them from a distance f If they prefer a despotism , can we compel them to live under a constitution ? If they are fit only for slavery , can we force ttem to be free ! Norisitforow advantage to interfere in the domestic concerns of other nations . An history , and especially of the last half century , abundantly confirms this position . But omitting from my consideration the disastrous wars , the laxiah expenditure , and the enormous debt , Which have been occasioned by our fruitless meddling with concerns that are not our own , I will take higher grounds , and observe , that in the relations of nations , as in those of individuals , the best practical precept

      is " Do unto others as you would be done by . " Now , I atk , how would you like Russia or Prussia , France ' or Austria , to interfere in our internal affairs , and by a congress of diplomatists assembled in London to ) decide on our domestic concerns ; and , for instance , on the plea that it is possible that the peace ef Europe might be endangered by the dismemberment of the British empire , to Insist on putting down O'Connell and the repeal agitation in Ireland . If ones the right « f interfering in the domestic concerns of other nations be admitted , there is no limit to the application of that doctrine ; there is no domestic qnertion which might not become the subject of foreign interference . The fearful consequences of such a doctrine are so selfevident and striking , that no momentary or seeminc should induce

      expediency us to adopt it for an instant or to consent to violate the all-important principle of the independence » f every nation in the management of ita internal affairs . Nor even does temporary expediency require at the present moment that this principle should be violated , in order to preserve Constantinople from the Russians . On the contrary , as I have already partly shown , and will still further prove , the best means of averting that danger is by itrenuously insisting upon the principle of not interfering in the private concerns of other nations . In my humble judgment , the language which England should hold to Russia Withjegard to Turkey , should be to thU effeot England should say— " We will not , either with or without your assistance , take upon ourselves to manage the

      concerns of the Ottoman Empire , We cenfeas that we are necessarily unacquainted with the interests , wants , and habits of the Mussulman people . They may be bad judges of their own interests , but they must bo infinitely better judges of these interest * than either you r we can be , who are so distant fr « m them , and whs are strangers to them in language , manners , nee , religion , and institutions . We cannot pretend to settle their internal disputes—to decide by whom they ought to be governed , or by whom ttey would be less oppressed , whether by the Pasha of Egypt or the Sultan of Turkey . It is no concern of ours , nor of yours , whether the territories of the Pasha are bounded by the desert , or embrace a portion or the whole of Syria , or extend beyond the Taurus , even to Constantinople ! It is matter to

      no ua , nor to you , whether Acre , or Beyrout , or Aleppo , or Damascus , or the Holy Cities , or whether Constantinople itself be misgoverned by the Porte er its rebel vassal . These are strictly domestic concerns of the Ottoman Empire , in which we have no business to interfere . Our interference will only pw > - Tent the settlement of these questions , which Must be accomplished by the inhabitants themselves of that empire , in order to be permanent If they be merely settled by our interference , with the cessation of that interference they will arise again , either in the same or in another shape . Therefore , our interference , in order to be useful , must be lasting ; or , in other words , we must assume to ourselves the Tirtual oovereignty of the Turkish empire , and for ever . This we are not prepared to do , or so foolish as to attempt Nor ( let us

      t say to Russia ) will we permit you to make such aa attempt If you presume to interfere in affairs which are not your own , and menace Constantinople , France , united witii England , will compel you to desist By holding this language , the peace of the world would be preserved ; Constantinople would be saved from the dominion of the Russian , and France ao 4 England would again be closely allied . For all that France demands at the present moment is , that the Snltan and the Pasha of Egypt should be left to settle their disputes by themselve * if therefore England were to proclaim the great pri »« ples of not interfering is the domestic concerns of other nations , that principle would be recognised by France , and our exaaple must be followed by the other European powers * la making these observatisstt , I do not intend to attack the Secretary of State far Fowura Affairs . I estreat

      you again , not to considea this ssbject as a party « pestion , or as tending to place on * w other party in power , bnt as involving fe » greater and more important interests than any connected wish the names- of Whig or Tory . I do not accaign the personal conduct of Lerd P&lmerston in his . negoeisHeos , but I call in question the propriety oi interfering at all ia the Internal aJair » of the Ottoman Empire . I do not ak whether lo * d Palmerston , or M . Thiers , have rigbtlydetermmed what ought to b » the limits-of the dominions of the Pasha « f Egypt , tat I contend that neither of them h& » any business to attempt w > settle such a » question . In reading their dispatches 1 have been , struck with the ingenuity displayed in th * ir statementoaud counterstatementB ; I have- found it difflcult eithee to

      to decide between their arguments ^ or attach any great importance to those arguments -, but my mind has been filled with the deepest sorrow and amaasment , -when I liaTe reSected that on these y erbai and trifling controversies depends the friendship or enmity of the two mightiest natians in the universe - and that in the = hands of these two mtn is placed the great question of war or peace . Sorely there must be sometliing wrong in the arrangement , which , in two- countries possessing representative governments , and where the people are said to be not an insignificant portion of theruling pewer , intrusts such important , such vast and uncontrolled power for evil to a single individual . Hitherto the question of peace and- war , and diplomacy in gener al , has been considered , to be almost a

      personal afiair of the monarch , and said to be a part of the prerogative . Can this doctrine , which has- already cost the people so much , be still maintained , in the nineteenth century I And will the representatives of France and England permit it to be maintained ? 1 hope not I appeal from the ministers to the people of this country and France . I « all upon them , to disregard the blunders of their respective Government * , and to interfere for the purpose of wiping oat all misunderstandings between two nations , who ought to be friends . "Words cannot express my horror of a war with France , or the important which I att 2 £ h to tie preservation of friendly relations with thai country . In saying this , do not misunderstand me ; do . not suppose that , as an Englishman . I have the bli ^ btest

      apprehension for the honour and success of my country in any struggle in which we maybe compelled to embark . Never was England better able to carry on a war than at the present moment Never were the resources of the people greater . Never was victory more certain . Some persons , indeed , have attempted to deny our strength , and have represented our naval forces as weak and feeble . Tbo 3 e representations , 1 know , are utterly false , and the persons who have made them are animated by the worst motives . I denounce them to ! you as miserable and contemptible wretches , who I have forgotten they are Englishmen in their base j eagerness to further party objects . 1 hold them up to I public execration and Bcorn as the vilest detractors ef , their country . I repeat , that both by sea and land , we are

      powerful enough to bid defiance to any one , and to maintain our position as one of the greatest of the European nations . War is not to be dreaded by ua for any fear of defeat ; but triumphs and victory are to be deplored in so unhappy and useless a struggle . Consider I beseech you some few of the consequences of such a war . Let us look at it in the narrowest point of view , aa a question of mere expenditure , omitting all the higher and nobler considerations which ought to influence us , but whica perhaps would produce leas impression on our practical understandings . Passing by the injury which will be done to our commerce and manufactures , I ask you to remember -what was the cost of the last European war . It frequently exceeded forty millions a year . Kow calculate , I beseech you , the great and

      excellent objects which might be obtained for such a sum of money . For less than forty millions we might have the best system of national education in the world ; a school in every village , —a schoolmaster permanently endowed , —every child in the country taught to read and write , and carefully instructed in his moral and religious duties . Consider what an extraordinary and beneficent change this would make in our social and political state . How much better , how much happier we should be if , instead of throwing away forty millions in swords , soldiers , guns , gunpowder , and the other instruments of war , we were to put a schoolmaster in every hamlet , and a school-book in the hands of every child . Again , for the same sum applied to the material improvement of the country , what

      rpagniflcent and useful buildings might we not erect ? What noble docks ! What excellent harbours ! What extensiye lines of railroads , connecting together the remotest portions of our kingdom ., every -where spreading commerce and industry , and augmenting -wealth and happiness ! Or , suppose that the cost of a single year ' s war were directed to the relief of our surplus population—to the diminution of competition in this densely peopled country—were applied , for instance , to emigration—to the sending out of a portion of our suffering population to the colonies of the Southern Seas With the sum I have mentioned , two millions of our ' fellow-subjects might be conveyed to Australia , In a few years a mighty empire would spring up , inhabited by a prosperous and industrious people , from whom we might derive by commerce an incalculable tribute of wealth , far greater than we ever have received from the

      East or West Indies . Each and every one of these great objects , and iwmnTumtMft others of equal importance , might be accomplished with the expenditure of a single year ' s war ; and all of them together for the cost of a war of a few years' duration . But if , instead of applying it to these noble purposes , we were to take the ^ phule of the -vast wealth that we should lavish in such 1 contest , and were to cast it into the profoundest depths of the ocean , or were to collect it , into one enormous funereal pile , and were to consume I it before the face of astounded nations , it would be better far than to devote it to the purposes of execrable war . Gracious God ! are we rational beings ? Do we vaunt our superiority over the brute creation , and attribute that superiority to our intelligence and power of calculating consequences ? And yet do we only employ the prerogatives of reason to lire in a more bestial manner than any beast For they combat not ,

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      save for food , shelter , and protection , and meddle qpt with others when not interfered with ' themselves } whilst we go about seeking causes of dispute in the remotest wnen of the earth , and caanot behold a quarrel , without thrusting ourselTea in the midst of it ; and longiig to partake in its attendant misery . Being deeply convinced of the correctness of the views which I have just stated to you , I hare been anxious to ascertain whether they meet with your approbation ; and I have felt it my duty to call you together in order that I might know whether , as your representative , I might with your consent protest against war with France . The manner in which you haTe listened to me , and the approbation which you hare expressed , induce me to hope that you are as aTerse to war as I

      am . I am delighted , therefore , that - tins meeting has taken place , and feel cenfident that it will produce th » most benefieial effeeta . Some few persona were opposed to a meeting , « n ' the grounds that it would do more harm than good . I hare listened with respect io the arguments of those gentlemen , but I have been unable to attach any mportance to their arguments . According to them , the expression of a wish on the part of the people of England for peace , would encourage the French to make greater demands than they do at present This I utterly disbelieve . I ask you if , on a similar occasion , the French were to hold out to you the hand of peace and friendship , would you take a mean advantage of their kindly feelings ?

      Tou answer , you would not Nor will the French ; for they are as high-minded and generous a people as we are . The best mode of dealing with the French is by showing that the people of this conn , try have a strong feeling of regard for the people of France . The French complain , sad not unjustly , of our apparent indifference to them . They say that for the last ten years France and England have been closely allied : that to their last revolution we are indebted for the Reform Bill ; that without that revolution some of our most important cities , Leeds amoagst the number , would neither have had representatives in the House or Commons , nor local Belf-goyernment ; that we owe them a debt of gratitude ; which our Ministers have ill repaid by suddenly quitting their

      allianoe , and uniting EDgland with Russia and the rest of the Holy Alliance , in opposition to France . This conduct has angered and imertifled them ? -, and , when they found the people of England were silent and seemingly careless of their alliance , they became doubly indignant and angry . Hence the fierce outbreak of passion which has lately taken place in France . The best means of calming these feeling * of irritation on the part of the French , is by the people of England assembling and declaring their desire of a strict alliance with that eountry . It is under the influence of these views that I have presumed to call you together , to entreat you to declare your wish for friendship with France , amd to advise the other great towns of England to

      follow your example . It is also said that suoh meetings u the present one , might embarrass the Government in their negotiations . Is not this the language of despotism and hatred to free institutions ! Undoubtedly , whenever the people interfere and call their rulers to account , it is excessively embarrassing for them . But then are we to permit our rulers to involve U 8 in a disastrous war , without raising our voices against it ? We assemble and protest when we disapprove of laws or taxes , or when we desire a change in our institutions ; are we then only to remain silent when the greatest interests , when the destinies , I may say , of our country are at stake ? What is the use of a constitutional government—what is the use

      of representation , except to give utterance to the opinions of the people f And how can a representative k > ow the opinions of his eonstituents on an extraordinary occasion like the present , if they remain silent ? I ask you to infona your representatives of your wisbea . I ask yen , an you . or are jrotf ' -nvt opposed to a European war , the duration of which none can foresee ? A European war once commenced , as there i » no reason for its commencement , so there will be no » e for its termination . With the continuance of war national jealousies will be eacited ; national antipathies will be aroaBed . In the nnmerona contests whieb- will take place , tie alternate vUUriea will only exche the combatants to redoubled

      exertionsihe defeated will desire to reveage themselves—the victor to maintain-Ms superiority . Th « English will swear taat one Britoa 1 is equal to three- Frenchmen ; and tie ignorant , and'infuriated , andstugid multitude , wild with passion aztd prejudice , will respond to the ary , by exclaiming '' War ! war ! war ! " On tha other baud , the- French will appeal to their national glory , honour , ao * renown—wiK « count over the battles they gained agaiost allied Europe , forgetful ho- » noble was the cause of that struggle in behalf of aational independence-, freedom frcm . tyranny , and of 9 » lf-regeneratioa > they will lash tioraselves into extzsrvagant fury by calling : to mind erepy combat witb England—ev ^ ry injury done to thea-by England , frora . the time of the NormaD to the evoto-be-laniented restoration of ttie

      Bourbon—from the battles of Cressy sad Poictier * to ttjo fatal field of Waterloo . Who can ^ foretel the t » minateon of such a war ! When theihell-houndsiof strife turn once let looee , who will undertake to enchain them again in their infernal abode , till . they are sated and glutted with slaughter ? Are thes » not harrowing and dreadful thoughts- ] Consider , I entreat you , v **> they are with whom we are about to ootumeace tins hateful and abominable conflict with . A noble snd generous people , our equals in the arte- and sciencM , equally attached with ourselves to libertyaad free institutions , desirous of good government , longing for soifiinprovement , unsurpassed by any nation . in power , bjm ! when united with us , capable of resisting , the worldan arms . Tiey are at the bead of . European civilisati * o

      —the best type of thafe civilisation , our- equals in ail respects , in some , perhaps , our superiors . D « es aot nature point them out as our dearest and neaneet allies ?—ought not similar interests and wants to link us together in indissoluble friendship ? Have we not the sanifr great task to accomplish—1 » . further the progress of . civilisation * and to improve the human race ? Is- it not 3 miserable , am execrable , and accursed policy , which woulvl sow diswnBion and discord batween us , and strain our energies- to mutual destruction and massacre J One of the greatest Of our statesmen has foretold that , at no remote period , a war must arise in Europe , which would be a war of opinion , in which liberty wouldihave to contend against tyranny , and free institutions must enter the £ * ld of battle against despotism . Now if such a struggle wew to take plae 9 , on which side , I ask you , ought Englaad to be found ? With Russia and the despotio powers of Europe , with the Tartar , the Hun , and the Barbarian ,

      or with Prance , freedom , and civillaatwni ? - I pat the question to you , andr await your answer ^ Yo » reply ¦ with France . This 1 expected of you . 'Bhen is not every injury that we do to France , or that Pran * 8 does to us , a gain to the cause of the despot—a source of rejoicing- and exultation to him and hi * minions ? Let England and France think well of this , and forgive one another if in aught they have mutually oSended . We are but men , and so are they , subjecbto-all the weaknesses and infirmities of human nature ,, liable to b » led away by passion and prejudice , and * in a moment of anger and excitement , to say and do many things of which ceol rtSection would repeat Let there be n& false pride between us to keep us . apart Nations , ualike individuals , may make proffers of friendship without any suspicion of meanness ; the noblest and ¦ wisest is the one -who takes the Erst step in the path o : conciliation—the worthiest of the name of a great and civiliied people .

      The Honourable Baronet was frequently , during ths ^ delivery of the above eloquent address , loudly and repeatedly cheered , and when he put it to the meeting , whether they were in favour of a war with France , a loud indignant " no , no , no war with France" SOB through the meeting . Mr . Cummins then came forward and was received with loud cheers , and briefly proposed the first resolution" That this meeting fully and cordi illy sympathises -with Sir William Moleswortn in hiB denunciation of war , and most earnestly desires to co-operate witb him in an ; means for the maintenance of a firm and honourable peaee . " .

      Mr . John Heaps was received with laud cheers , and in seconding the resolution , said , he acquiesced in almost all Sir William Moleaworth bad said , but would just notice what he said about our being prepared for war ; he thought that they were in too much debt already to think of going into another European war . ( Cheers . ) If Sir William Molesworth , or any one else , could prove to him that they could get out of debl by going into a war , he thought that would be the best justification of war . ( Loud cheers . ) He -was an enemy of all war , and he never heard yet of a war that could be justified . He hoped the time was come , when nations will be so wise that war will be a game that neither kings nor ministry dare play at ( Loud cheers . ) They must diffuse amongst themselves , and support , the principles and feelings of kindness aud charity , and extend them throughout the world . ( Loud cheers . ) He cordially seconded the motion made by Mr . Cummins . ( Loud cheers . )

      The Chairman then put the resolution to the meeting , when an immense forest of hands appeared in support of it He then put the contrary , and not a single hand was held up , and it was declared passed unanimously , amidst the loud entering of the meeting . Mr . Chbistophbb Heaps was received with cheers in proposing the next resolution , and said—He hated war and war-makers of all sides and sorts . ( Cheers . ) They might depend on it if they were engaged in another war , it was not those who got up the-war who would have the piper to pay . ( Loud cheer *) It would fall on tha industrious classes . ( Very loud cheering . ) Those who got up the last war pledged

      their lives ana fortunes on the cause . They managed to save their lives , they increased their fortunes , and they trebled their rents . ( Loud cheers . ) It was the industrious on whom the burden of the last war fell . ( Hear , hear . ) Whatever they did , they should avoid and detest war . War brought misery of all sorts , and the misery was not over when the contest was over . It deprived the i&orer classes of cheap bread , it deprived them of a great part of the necessaries of life . Therefore , they should protest against war . War , whether commenced by one class of governors or another , they should set their faces against it ( Hear , hear . ) The people of France , he regretted to see , evinced a warlike disposition . He was very glad that no such feel-

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      ing _ prevailed with them . He trusted the people of France would be brought to a better state of feeling , when , they saw the people of England evincing a eon * dilatory spirit —( cheers )—and anxious to cultivate the arts of peace rather than the bloody and brutal arts of 'war . He trusted that they would support those views which Sir Wm . Molesworth had iso ably brought forward . ( Loud eheera ) He then moved : — - " That it is the decided opinion of this meeting , that the people of England ought to be more closely allied with the people of France than with any other European nation . And that this meeting would deeply deplore and condemn any course of policy , which in any way would tend to sow dissension between France and England , and would behold a war between the two nations with horror , as being one Of the greatest calamities which could befal Europe . "

      " That a humble address be presented to her Majesty , deploring the contest in which her Majesty ' s forces are engaged on the coast of Syria , and beseeohing her Majesty to make use of all honourable means to bring that unhappy quarrel to a speedy termination . " Mr . Robinso * seconded the resolution . The Chairman then put the resolution , which was tarried unanimously and with loud cheers . Dr . SMii . BS .--There ia a certain phrase which has been in general use during the last two or three years" base , bloody , and brutal" ( cries of " the Whigs . ") It is very unpleasant to use hard words . We came not here to use hard words , bnt soft words which should " turn away wrath . " ( Loud cheers . ) But if there be any policy which is more "base , bloodyand brutal "

      , than another , it is that which would plunge us into a war with one of the most civilised nattana on the face of th « earth ( cheers , ) in which would be lavished , it might be , oceans of blood and millions of treasure . Why were there here so few of what were termed the leaders of public opinion in Leeds ? We were told that the Ministry would be damaged ! Now the question was not whether any Ministry would be damaged , but what weuld be most conducive to the promotion of peace , and accordingly to express our opinion boldly and fearlessly . ( Loud cheers . ) The question involved not so much the interests of the Ministry as the interests of the people . And therefore let the people speak out It was full time that the people took up this question , involving as it did the lives and properties of our

      fellowcreature * . These lives and properties * had too long been committed to the hands of those who had no sympathies with the people ( hear , hear , ) and whose Interests were opposed to theirs . ( Hear . ) We must proclaim a new policy , and demand that our Government shall preserve peace between us and the people of France We are told , forsooth , that by so doing we shall " letin the Tories . " What are wo now doing , but actually letting in the Tories . ( Loud cheers . ) Have we not gone back to the old Holy Alliance policy of the despots of Europe ( hear , hear , ) when they armed themselves to crush the rising liberties of the people ? Have we not gone back at least to the point from which we started ten years ago , when ,

      by so unanimous a movement , wo drove the Tories from power , and carried the Reform Bill ? ( Hear and loud cheering . ) We are letting in the Tories because we are permitting our Ministers to get us into a war of which the Tories are certain ere loag to assume the management ( Hear , hear . ) It is only by the unscrupulous policy of the Tories that any European war could be successfully carried on . Any expression of opinion , therefore , which should check Government in its present course , ia the duty of the friends of freedom , progression , and enfranchisement , and this duty was that which they wero performing on the present occasion . ( Cheers . ) The question was now between enfranchisement and non-enfranchisement—between

      retrenchment and lavish expenditure—between national waste and national economy—between education and ignorance—between religion and savagery—between morality and civilisation , and all tbe powers of destruction , rapine , and plunder . ( Cheers . ) They might , perhaps , have beard th « story of a certain eloquent recruitiag aerjeant who ^ . on a certain occasion , was holding : forth to a crowd of admiring rustic * about what a * glorious and noWe thing was war ;; when a witty and -wise old soldier standing near esstiajmed , holding : » p his wooden tog , " And behold tha end of it ! " ( Laughter . ) Now , nations who go to war ought to know that there is also % national wooden leg ^ The people 06 this country were now paying upwards of twenty- millions of pounds per annum , as the oost of their last aontlnental battles- we are now overloaded with taxes , we are burtheoed with an iniquitow corn

      tax ; every measure of improvement has been obstructed ,, and the hands at the enemies of liberty have been strengthened by the results of thaU war . What a miserable national wooden leg is this to- stand upon ! ( Lead cheers . ) It was not enough that * the people and the press of England declaimed agaixst the exciting and furious language of the French nation ; but they ought to make advances towards them « f amity and friendship , aud thus-endeavour to throw- oil upon the troubled waters of public opinion . In that spirit he proposed that an addteea should go front * that meeting to the people of Franae , which he would , aow respectfully submit to the meeting . ( Cheers . ) The address was-then read , and is & » follows : —

      TO-THE PEOPLEOF FRANCE . Peofle of . France ! For the la « t ten years our respective nations-bave been closely-allied in friendship , and that friendship , so advantageous to both countries we hoped and believed would be lasting . Now , however , it seems that these hopes are is . danger of being blasted , and that Krance and England are about to cosrunence a dlsaatrouo-and deplorable conflict . What , we . ask of you and of our fellow-countrymen , are the two mightiest nations ia the world going to * war about ? T&b answer of ous Governments is , that a quarrel has-taken place between two seini-barbaBiansin a remote oocner of the earth ; , and that the English Government has interfered oa one side , and the

      French Government is aboujs . to interfere on the ,- other side . Thus-war between us ia-to be the consequaaee of the unnecessary meddling of oar rulers ia affairs-which concern neither you nor us . Tiius for a dispute in . which neither the people of France . nor of England have the slightest . interest , we are to-be compelled to ab-ughter one another , to destroy our-flourishing comiueocd , to ruin our . txade , to incur vast debt , to burthen our people with enormous taxes , to put a stop to alL internal improvements , to excite the ; vilest feelings of notional antipathy and hatred between us , to let loose the hell-hounds of war , and to . aover the earth with fury , havoc ,, and desolation . Ajad all for what )? To determine whether the Sultan of Turkey or the- Pasha of Egyyti shall possess a faw leagues more or less of territory , *

      Can , it bo possible that , the people of Erance and England will quietly submit to such a proceeding , and will permit their ruiuss to involve tham . in war for so- uasignificant and unworthy an objati ? As a portion of the English people , we protest against it in the name of reason and . justice . We call * upon our fellem-aitizens to imitate our example , and . tc denounce wac -with you . A a Snglishmen we entertain the kindliest feelings towards you , and think that we oughi to be more clooaly . allied with you , than with aay other European nation . As inhabitants of this borough we are deeply indebted to you . For to your last revolution we owe the Reform Bill ; and thus that we possess representatives in the British Parliament , and enjoy selfi-government Without that revolution , we should have had no voice amongst the Commons of England—jw > one whom we could instruct to demand peace and friendship with you * .

      Influenced by these feelings , we de » ply deplore and condemn any polisy which tends to saw dissension and discord between France and England- ; or which would ally us unnatural Vy with the Nortnew barbarian , instead , of with tbe rai * t civilised nation ef the earth . We should behold a war with you with the greatest horror , as being one of the worst calamities which could befal Europe . W » hold out to you the hand of peace-and friendship . We call opon you and the people of England to disregard the blundaring of our rea ^ sctixe Governments , and to decree thai there shall be friendship between U 3 » and for ever . We confidently believe that you will respond to these sentiments . We are convinced that you are ef far too generous and noble a nature to suppose that in these proffers « f friendship we are actuated by any unworthy or ignoble motive—by few or any servile , feeling . Of such sentiments two great nations of equal power , like France and England , are utterly incapable ,

      It is not because we are afraid of your strength , or you of ours , that we ought to be friends ; but because the interests of Franoe and England are the same—their institutions similar—their people equally animated by an ardent love of freedom , and superior to all others in the arts , sciences , and refinements of life—because in power , whether by sea or land , they are unrivalled by any European nation , and when united are capable of resisting the world in arms—because they have the same duties to perform towards the human race , for to them is confided the noble task of carrying on the progress of civilisation , and of improving the moral and social condition of mankind ; and , lastly , because nature has placed them close to one another , as if the God of nature had decreed them to be indissoluble friends . War between two such nations , we therefore pronounoe to be execrable and impious . Mr . GREEN seconded the adoption of the address , which was then put and carried unanimously , amidst

      loud cheering . Mr . Cummins—It was observed by their friend , Dr . Smiles , who he was sure they would be glad to see on all occasions , and to receive with smites—( laughter )—that be regretted that those who were usually the leaders on those occasions were not present ; but he thought there was no need for suott regret—they were not now the leaders of opinion in tiie town—the real leaders were present . He thought they might very gracefully carry out their functions by following them . ( Cheers . ) He had now to propose to them what every man among them had thought before ne uttered : — •' That this meeting , looking upon Sir William Molesworth ' s efforts upon this question as a bright illustration of his consistency in principle , do hereby offer him their best thanks for his services as their representative . " ( Loud cheers . ) Mr . John Heaps second the motion , and proposed three times three for Sir William Molesworth .

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      Three times three cheers were then given with great enthusiasm by the immense multitude present , and one cheer more . Sir William Molesworth was again received with cheers , and said—Gentlemen , I am excessively obliged to you for the flattering manner in which you have received the last resolution . ( Cheers . ) I assure you nothing can give me so much pleasure as to receive those marks of approbation from persons whom I esteem and respect so much as I do my constituents of Leeds . ( Bravo , and . loud chewa . ) Gentlemen , with respect to my public conduct in the advocacy of the principles which I stated to yon when I first became yeur representative —( hear)—I think I may assert that I have faithfully and fearlessly adhered to those

      principles . ( Hear , hear , and . loud cheers . ) That I am the same uncompromising Radical as ever—( Loud and long-continued cheers )—that I decjare myself to be , that I am still as favourable to the extension of popular rights and privileges as I ever was ( Loud cheers . ) And as long as I retain my energies , so long will I continue to use my best energies in support of the , popular cause . ( Loud cheers . ) I have called you tofether from a conviction that it was my duty to exhort you to use every means in your power to prevent war , as I feel convinced that once engaged in war , there will be a stop to all internal improvement ( hear , hear ); there will be no hope for augmented popular institutions for many and many a long year . ( Hear , hear . ) We shall be thrown back at least half a century

      by an European war . ( Cheers . ) I am glad to find that you approve of my conduct . Much has been said to dissuade me from addressing you on this occasion , but I was firm to my purpose , and determined on my course of conduct . ( Loud cheers . ) I was decided to know the opinions of my constituents , and if I found that they did not coincide with those opinions I have expressed , to come forward and resign my seat ( Loud and repeated cheering . ) You are satisfied . ( " We are , we are . " ) You have gratified me more than words can express ( hear , hear ) , and I cast down the gauntlet of defiance to those that any mcQ meetings as those can do any injury to our cause , ( Loud cheers , ) Gentlemen , I now thank you again . Permit me , in termination , to move the best thanks of the meeting to our worthy Chairman . ( Loud cheers . ) Dr . Smiles seconded the vote of thanks to the Chairman , which was carried unanimously . Tbe Chairman briefly thanked them , and the immense multitude then dispersed . . _ . _ . _ M ...

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      ATROCIOUS CRUELTY . The Times has very properly devoted more than three columns to the report of an inquest which was held upon the body of an old woman , who died at Jjjjeusing ton under circumstances which are disgraceful to the country . The poor creature was actaaUy starved to death . She was in a horrible state of disease . The dropsy , with which she was afflicted , had burst and gangrened her leg . She bad nothing to eat , and no medical assistance . She was allowed shelter in the hut of a poor woman , with whom her daughter lodged , but she had no bed to lie upon , because all the-inmates of tbe hut lay together , and the poor old wretd » could not be allowed to sleep with them on account of the horrible state of her disease .

      Ike parish surgeon was begged to look at h « r while she lay in this state upon the bare floor . After some grumbling , he consented to > go up stairs . He wa » at the door of the cottage when be was called up . He saw her state , he said she could sot recover , he heard that her desire was to go into tbe workhouse , ia order that iha might obtain the luxury of a bed to die in ; yet , instead of sending her off instantly either 1 x > the workhouse or to a hospital , iastead of seeing himself that the poor creature was taken into the workfteuse and properly attended to , whattdoes the reader suppose he did ? He told the daughter to call upon him that night or the next morning—io ia not clear which *—in order tbati he might recommend She case to the relieving officer , and he threatened the woman who had allowed the unhappy wretch to shelter her diseased body under her roof thai the should be imprisoned / or three monthsfrr harbourittcbavti persons I

      This horrible case of human suffering occurred almost within sight of a Royal palace ; aad yet we are told by fat-headed ; brainless idiots , who write in the Quarto *^ Review , that the peor are wanting in reverence for tbe rich . By heaven and hell , we caniSgure to oursel ves ao case in any other country in the world where th * r ich are referenced as they are here . In any otber Rociety than that of England , after six such cases a » this , there would not be a rich stan left in the lawk The woman- died while the surgoon was goingthrougb the formality of applying to the relieving-officer , and while the relioving-ofiicer -was sending his order to tbe parish undertaker to Bend a cast to take the okl woman to the workhon 3 e . When he got there h * found that she had already become a subject for his professional attentions , and that before she could be removed she must be put into a coffin .

      The surgeon who had opened tbe body after th * - Coroner had got scent of the affair and had ordered th * corpse to be disinterested , found nothing but about a teacupfull of dark liquid in the stomach . " The body was little mooe than bone and integument all over . v He never saw a body so emaciated .. He did not find ** particle of fai * This was thfr evidence of the pc «* woman who was . threatened witb imprisonment by the parish doctoi for giving tho-starved woman shelter : — Catherine Kf an sworn . — "I reside at No . 4 , Pembrokeplace , Kensington , and have a nurse child in uddilijtt to one of my-ovra . I have known the deceased about two months , , or rather better . I r * nt one room , aad the daughter of the deceased resides .-with me . Deceased came to see her daughter , and , seeing she was ill , I-

      gave her house-room . I had no beti for her , but I gave her the floo ?> to tie on . She paid ae > thing for it Sko grumbled that she had a swelling in her feet , but she went out every day to get a few halfpence from her huBband uatil the Saturday before-she died . She wo * then too ill '»< leave the room , but lay and sat on the taro boards . Sko had nothing underr her , and she com * plained of the- hardness of the boards , and that her sides were- soto in consequence .. Could not tell what food she got when she was ovtt . On the Saturday morning deeeaoed had a little dry bread and some tea . Did not agply for any doctor te attend deceased on . the Saturday , nor did the daughter . On that day deceased could standis . little with the aid of a stick . About one o ' clock on Saturday gave the deceased a very seiail piea of tread mnd meat , as I he&bul little to spare . Do not knowix » tkether sh « had anythinatafterwards . "

      A little dry bread and some tea , and a very , small piece of bread and meat—the oharity of a poosvereaturehesaeU pinched by famine ? This -waa twe . days before she-died . She could bane had nothing , more that de $ , for she was unable t » go out . " She complained of a pain , in her right leg . About six o ' tlatk on the Saturday evening deceased ' s daughter catnehome from her work , but I was not present . I have bob one bed , in which , Ii and deceased ' s daughter , with th » two children , slept . The daughter .- wished her motlrer to sleep in the bad , but it would aet hold her . " - We-are told by the daughter that , on account of the frigltfful state of the leg ,, she could not be- admitted into this family bed , in which four persona already sleptk The daughter earned a shilling a day when in teerjc , but often she says that three shillings a week is as . much aa she can » nnfc « .

      Oa Sunday it appears-that the unhappy , wretch was too . much starved to be < able to eat even when it was offered her . Oa the Sunday moaning following tha deceased was very poorly indeed . Her daughter got her an egg , but she did not like the- , taste of it . She then again complained of pain in her leg aud up her thigh . I did not see her leg . On tbe Sunday I saw M » Wright , one of the union doctors ,, go into a house opposite , to see one of his patients , apA I set one of the cjiildren to watch when he came oat . The child did so , and I spoke to him and asked him to be so kind as . to come up stairs , and see a very poor old woman who had got a bad leg . Mr . Wright at first stood considering , saying "Oh , it is no busin&s of mine , as you have no order , " and then he went up stairs and looked at the deceased ' s leg . I asked Mr . Wright if he would be kind enough

      to give me an order to get the- deceased into the workhouse ; to which he replied , ha knew nothing about it , as he tea * afraid Mr . Maddest uxttdd give me imptristm ment fat keeping such a penon in my house , if I wmt to him . M » . Wright then went down stairs , and I followed him , and asked him again to give aa order for the deceased ' s admission , when he told me to come to him about six ( t'clpck that evening , when ho would see about it . I , however , did not go , as in less than ten minutes Mr . Madden , the relieving-offioer , came into the room , and said Mr . Wright had mot him , and had sent him to see deceased . The daughter was present both when Mr . Wright and Mr . Madden were there , and she was afraid he would not take deceased into the workhouse if he knew she was the daughter , so she wished to be denied to him . She had heard Mr . Wright speak about imprisonment . "

      This sensitive Mr . Madden found out that the daughter had denied her relationship , and he told the jury he was so shocked at her unnatural conduct , that ho could think of nothing else . " He said it was a cruel thing for a child to deny her own parent" " I then came away , very indignant at the daughter denying her mother . " " I was very much hurt at a girl denying her own parent , and took very little notice of anything after that" Virtuous Mr . Madden ! He thought little of a poor old creature dying of starvation and

      disease ; but be went into a fit of virtuous hysterics at the idea of a daughter saying that her mother was not her mother . We need hardly explain that the object of the girl was to get her mother into the poor-house ; and the only reason why she denied the relationship was for fear that when the soft-hearted Mr . Madden heard that she was earning a shilling a-day , he would insist upon leaving her mother upon her hands . « Wnat a ftpecimen of spotless and indignant virtue is this , softhtarted relieving officer . Relieving ! officer . Mrs . Ryan goes on to

      say"I begged of Mr . Maden to take the deceased into tbe workhouse . I told him deceased had no bed to lie on , and that she anxiously longed to lie on a bed . I do not recollect what deceased said to Mr . Madden . She was very weak and ill , and was sitting on a chair . I told Mr . Madden deceased had nothing but the floor t » lie on , when , on finding the daughter bad denied

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      herself ) he ran down stain in a passion . I ran down after him into the road , and told him what Mr . Wright had said about imprisonment , when ' Mr . Hadden said a prison was good enough for me , as I bad no business to keep such a person as the deceased in the housa I again pressed him to take deceased into the workhouse when he told me to come with toe deceased ' s daughter to him at ten o ' clock on Monday morning . That wai about twelve o'clock at noo £ " At noon , on Sunday ,. Mr . Madden ¦ tands in toe midst of these horrors . He rushes down stairs , in hi » virtuous passion , and he tells the woman to come fo him for an order of admittance at tea o ' clock on the following mowing—tumiy-two hour * after .

      What could the man expect would OCCUT fa thOM twenty-two hours t What could he believe WOSM happen to this starving woman in the meantime I la the course of nature she must die . The five persons who lived in one room , and slept in one bed , and who bad already , spent upon her the three shillings which the daughter , had saved ia order to- buy honelf a pair of shoes , could not give her either comforts or neoeeaarle The tragedy must , in the nature of things , be complete before these twenty-two hours had passed over the head of the comfortably-virtuous relieving ( Mast . Hero is the catastrophe : — ¦ :

      " On the Monday morning we wont to Mr . Madden , leaving a child six months old with the deceased , a neighbour promising to see to them both . Had given deceased before that the mattrass off my own bed , as she was very bad , and l * fi her tittinff up , and leaning against a mipbourd . We waited at tbe workhouse for the arrival of Mr * Madden until just before eleven o'clock , when he came and gave me an order for the deceased ' s admission into the ¦ workhouse . She was to be removed there in a cart belonging to a person named Hunt , the union undertaker , living in Church-street . I got back home about twelve o ' clock , havmg delayed not more than a quarter of an hour or twenty minutes , when on entering the room we found tbo deceased still sitting in the same posture as when we left her , but quite dead . " . ..- ¦' .

      Good God ! Imagine the scene . The dying , emaciated creature sitting up upon a mattrass , and leasing . against a cupboard , two infant * only in the room with her ! Tbe disinterested poor woman who had given her belter , gone to tbe great Mr . Madden , crying tJl the way for fear of being imprisoned for the crime of having befriended the emaciated , dying woman f And this occurs in England—this occurs within sight of a palace ! How long—how long will a Go * tufite these horror * to exist t Why stays the thunderbolt , while such fearful crimes are being committed ?— £ s- » tirirt .

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      ^^ —^ K ~ , MYSTERIOUS ROBBERY OF TWO BAG * OF GOLD , TALUED AT £ 4 , 000 . On Friday information was communicated to- tho Thames Police , of the loss of two bags of Portuguese gold cone from the Wilberforee steam ship , during her late voyage from Lisbon to London . The Wilberforee , Hull Btesnvship , was chartered about five weeks ago , by the Peninsular and Oriental Steam Navigation Company , in consequence of two of their vessels having been laid up for repairs . Before the ship left Lisboa sixteen bags of gold coins were snuggled on board , the-Portuguese Saw prohibiting the exportation of themoney of tha- country . The whole- were given over to > the charge of Mr . Smith , the supercargo of the vessel ,, who is an old and confidents ! servant of the Peninsular

      and Oriental Steam Navigation Company . He deposited fourteen hags-ia the lazaretto under the saloon or principal cabin in > t&e after run of the ship , and delivered two others into-the charge of the cautain . On Tuesday morning the ship arrived at Black wall , and Mr . Smithhaving some business to transact ashore , directed the mate to transfer the bags of gold from * the lazaretto intothe captain ' s coMn , and informed him that be would find fourteen bags . After the supercargo had left the steamer the mate removed the gold as-he was directed , but instead of fourteen he only found twelve , which he locked up in the aaptain ' s cabin . On tbe following day , when the supercargo returned to thei Wilberforee , the loss was made known to him ; and Mr . Hartley , the wharfinger of the-Dublin Steam-wharft St Katherine ' a ,

      to whom the gold was consigned , after removing the remainder of the gold to the Bullion-e&ce in the Bank of England , sent for James Lea , the police-officer , formerly of Lambeth-street , who has been superannuated , and who , it will be recollected , was-the person whobrought to justic * the Caspars , Moaey Mosea , and others , for stealing the gold dust Lea's suspicions were in the first instance directed towards Mr . Smith , the supercargo , wt » left the vessel E * ifour o ' clock on Tuesday afternoon , and did not return until ene o ' clock on Wednesday . I * a questioned him on the subject of his absence , and he said he was compelled to leave the ship upon her arrival upon very important business , which appears to bo the case , and gave Lea an account of all the places he had called at from tke time he left the ship at Black-nail until his return * -whieh Lea ascertained to be correct . On Friday at noon Mr . James

      Ewns , the superintendent of Thames Police , Fogg , Croucher , and Evans , jun ,, inspectors of that establishment , and Lea , mot at St Katherinato Steam-packet Wharf , and on tbo arrival of the Wilberforee froai Blackwall , went oat board and instituted a rigid inquiry into the circumstances of the robbery . . It appears that great neglect had taken place . All tt *> stewards anS their -assistants had access to the laaarette , arid t&e ' ' ¦ bags of gold had not been locked up or deposited in a box or chest , but carelessly placed on a shelf . In consequence of the larga quantity of coals aot on board the Wilberforee for tha voyage a gwd desi < lf ' e 1 irgo . « s stowed away aft , and the bulk he *^» Sje * tttaf ; tto laaivette from the-rafter hold yra * £ mm * & - t » - the operation of slowing away gffofla- ^ ' i . 3 , - ' /¦ . consequently , frequently passed 0 iro v ^ r ^ -Ifea It also appears- that the Wflbor- ¦ £ ? / -fa ?? . Falniouth , at anchor , one night « n ' ' 4 Pr > * P ^ and the crew wero allowed ? . tj £ > jgfc \ . dQMDf' : V them might have > temoved ^ tfjjijp ^ , Cmtbb

      lazirette and disgosed of the propjetty tc c ; ieof the Jew dealers or others at Falmoutli . TfiO « cew were questioned by too officers , but nothing whatever Was . , elicited from tbtm . The captain ' s cabin was merely secured by a caramon padlock after the mate had deposited the geM there ; and the superintendent , openly censured the carelessness and laxity displayed * in the transmission of such valuable property from , Lisbon to London . The gold in one bag consists of ' coins termed j size of a sovereign , with a female head . Each bag wasof the value o £ f £ 2 , 000 , and consigned to Mr . Hartley , who was so great a loser by the-celebrated gold-dusb robbery ; but 1 it is right to states that no blame can beattached to any of the servants , of that gentleman , a * the robbery was effected before toe gold was given into the charge of the wharfingers .

      The office ** were actively pursuing their Inquiries yesterday , and suspicion rests- » n several individuals . It may be gerh&ps necessary te state , that every ship belonging to the Peninsular and Orientlal Steam Navigation Company if fitted up with a bullion room , to which no . oae can obtain access-but the supercargo , and in which , freights of gold aro- usually deposited ., The Wilberfonoe was only chartered by the Company-fba one voyage , aa « l there is no bullion room on board . She has been , much crippled by , her Mediterranean ) voyage , and left St . Katherine'a Jbr Hull on . Friday , 'with passengers , when it was . found that the Wilberforce , which had been chartered for another voyage to Lis » on , was not in a fit state to paoceed on such a long voyage , and the two vessels exchunged cargoes . This loaning the Vivid Mt Blackwali on account of the Jbninsular Company for Falmoutth , where she will take in the Lisbon . Kail , and saili in the course of to-morrow .

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      Sreat Western Railway . —It is oalculated that the Great Western Railway will be opened to Hay-&rae Bridge , three miles from Swindw , by about the 5 th of December . Refugees in Paris . — During the last week the government called upon the prefect of police to make a return of all the Polish , German , Italian , and other refugees in Paris , with a ssccinct statement of the social position and political sentiments of each . ¦ - The Mammoth Iron Steahsb . at Bristol . —A gentleman who has recently seen the immense iroa steamer building By the Great Western Steam Ship

      Company at Bristol , informs * 8 that she will register about 3 , 000 , but that her actual tonnage will exceed 3 , 600 tons , or about 600 tons more than any ship ever built . Her engines , tee hear , are to be of 1000 horse power , and it ia confidently expected that the average * voyage across tbe Atlantic will be reduced to ten days . She will carry a vast spread of canvass , so that in all probability the engines will frequently be at rest . In consequence of the adoption of Smith ' s Screw Propeller , this stupendous ship , the greatest experiment in steam navigation ever made , will , we believe , be able to pass the present locks at Cumberland basin , and discharge her oargo in Bristol harbour .

      NOVBL AN » EXTRAORDINART PHENOMENON . —A «« cident has led to tho discovery that the steam which escapes from the boilers of steam-engines in Many cases developes or gives out great quantities of electricity . About a fortnight since , the engind-mau at a stationary steam-engine on a railway in the neighbourhood of Newcastle , happening to-have oue hand in a copious jet of steam , which escaped from af t accidental aperture in the boiler , whilst he app lied his other hand to the lever of a 8 » f > ty -valve , experienced an electric shock . This l « d to the discoverr that electricity was given out by the steam with great rapidity , and might bd collected as from a

      powerful electrical machine , it has been ascertained , moreover , that the phenomenon does not arise from any circumstance ? peculiar to the bouer in which it was first ohae / ve < ii for in many other boilers , whioh have sine ? ' been tried , jtbesteam m been found to- develop / ' electricity very co piously The subject is beintc ' followed up here by efP ^ fj meats , and has bae a brought under the notice 01 some of the moat f jiinent scientific men of the aay It is not unlikely that the newly-discovered pne-

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      6 THE NORTHERN ITAR ,

  • Citation
    • Northern Star (1837-1852), Nov. 14, 1840, page 6, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse-os.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/king-y1kbzq92ze2710/page/6/