324 
THE GARDENERS CHRONICLE. 
[May 13, 
his inability to do justice to the subject, he yet referred to his past 
exertions, at a period when the public mind was not alive to it, as 
the apology for doing so now, in preference to others who might 
be able to render it more justice. The subject might, indeed, be 
said to be exhausted, and so it ought to be, for the arguments 
used on former occasions were as weighty then as now. t 
great change had now passed over public opinion on the question 
ious circumstances had contributed to 
however much underrated 
act was passed to keep corn between 54. A 
with the plea that it was mainly for the benefit of the agricultural 
labourer. The present condition of the corn-market was | he 
reply to i din public opinion, 
and its final abrogation but waited the sentence of the Legisla- 
TUART seconded the motion. P ‘ 
GLADSTONE opposed the motion as one impolitic 
last year, and doubly impolitic this year. The Corn-law of 
last year was in the nature of a contract, and without a 
frank expression of error in having passed it, or a change 
of events producing a corresponding change in those results 
which were then thought to be ruinous, any alteration would 
‘anadian Corn Bill 
—Mr. V. 
of the engagement then & 
it Com Bill had not yet obtained a fair trial; and the effect 
a very lon} 
it was impossible for the Government to entertain, or to hold out 
the hope of ever hereafter entertaining; that the existing law 
had quite fulfilled the expectation held out when it was proposed ; 
and that should the Government assent to such a motion, they 
‘would convict themselves of the grossest imbecility, and, in the 
face of the world, declare themselves unworthy and incompetent 
to conduct the affairs of a great nation.—After some remarks by 
Mr. TRELAWNE fa h ion, Mr. CarisToPHER 
opposed it, and denied the assertion that the farmers were 
inclined to a repeal. He sai tin agrecing to the changes of 
y.—The adjourned 
Mixes, who argued that the repeal of these laws 
prepared to take their stand against farther concession; and the 
ination of the 0 maintain the present law 
gave him confidence.—Mr. Warp contended that under the state 
had delayed too long. Had we begun a sy: 
1815, we might have commanded the trade of Europe. 
tion to general reasonings, the honourable member went into 
detail on the condition of Sheffield; and called upon the House to 
ff the people by wise and timely conces- 
sion.—Sir C. Narizr, Sir G. SrricKLanp, Mr. Gisporne, Lord 
Howick, and Mr. WaLLacz, subsequently spoke in favour of the 
motion, and Mr. FirzMAurice, an r. BAILLIE, against it.— 
Mr. Co.aunoun denounced the system of free trade in corn, 
which had been described as a panacea for all the evils of the 
country, as one which would ruin the agriculturists, endanger 
the fundholder, reduce prices, and produce a confusion more 
universal than any which this country ever witnessed.—Lord 
Howick adhered to his opinion, that the best course was to 
impose on imported corn a small fixed duty; not because he 
was an advocate of protection to agriculture, but because he 
thought it would be the best compromise between conflicting 
i d duty would not sensibly affect prices, 
would be competent for 
prepared, if no one else w 
in lieu of the present sliding-scale. The course of Sir R. Peel 
Bracxsronse said that if he were to imitate Lord Howick, and to 
vote for the motion, it would be to go into committee, not to 
obtain a moderate fixed duty, but higher protection to agriculture 
than it at present receives. e was glad to learn from Mr. 
Gladstone’s speech that the Government were now repudiating 
free-trade doctrines, and were prepared to support the agricul- 
tural interest, the depression of which was now acknowledged. 
He admitted that free-trade doctrines were spreading amongst 
the farmers, and he regretted it; but this was owing to the con- 
duct of the Government, which led them rather to wish to see 
the end at once, than to die by inches. They were also deeply 
disappointed by being abandoned by the resident gentry, who 
had pledged themselves at the last general election to protect 
them. ie farmers of the country were now beginning to act 
for themselves; and though the Government had silenced Sir 
Edward Knatchbull and the gentry, they would not long be able 
to control the yeomanry.—Mr. WALLACE praised the honesty of 
Mr. Blackstone’s speech, the like of which he had never heard 
from the ministerial benches. For himself, he was a straight- 
laws, if a little time were allowed; the slovenly agriculture of 
England would be cured, if the farmers were compelled to exert 
themselves more, in order to pay their rents,—The debate was 
again adjourned. 
the conduct of Baron Gurney, and designated the hon. Member 
for Finsbury as ‘‘the Prosecutor-General and self-constituted 
Judge of Judges.”—After some remarks from Mr. Hume, Mr. 
Sergeant Murpuy, and Mr. Hawes, the motion was withdrawn. 
The adjourned debate on the Corn-laws was resumed 
BorTuwick, who opposed the motion. 
absolved Sir R. Peel from all concurrence in that deception.— 
After some observations in favour of the motion from Mr, 
Wricutson and Mr, Marstanp, and against it from Mr, R, 
Parmer and Mr. Darsy, Sir E. Knarcusutr defended himself 
from the charge of having deserted the cause to which he 
view 
Friday.—The adjourned debate on the Corn-laws was begun by 
Mr. Brotherton, who spoke in favour of the motion. Mr. Humn 
nd Mr. W. Buakexry also spoke in its favour, and Mr, HAMPDEN, 
Capt. GLapstonzg, Mr, Benet, Sir J. Tyre.t, and Sir W. James 
against it. After some remarks by Lord Worstey, Sir R. 
Peet declared his opinion that the subject was exhausted, 
He stood by the principles on which the late changes had been 
framed ; but in doing so, he had no concealed intention of 
repealing the Corn.law, and h 
mediate alteration. 
he would not cot 
make declarations for the sake of conciliating political support. 
—The adjournment of the debate was then moved, and a_ ver. 
noisy scene ensued, which ended in a division giving a majority 
of 385 to 94 against the adjournment of the debate. Mr. W. O 
Sraniey, however, repeated the motion, which was again nega- 
tived by 273 to 80. r. Ewart then moved the adjournment of 
the debate, being the third motion to effect that object. Lord J. 
ANNERS moved the adjournment of the House, but after 
another stormy scene, it was ultimately agreed to adjourn the 
debate to Monday. « 
—=—————— 
CITY: 
Money Market, Friday.—Consols left off at 963 to 
for money, and 96} for account; Three per Cents. 
Reduced, 953 to $; Three-and-half per Cents. Reduced, 
1012 to Z ; New Three-and-half per Cents. Annuities, 102 
to % Bank ; Stock, 180 to 1; Exchequer Bills, 62s. to 64s, 
Metropolis and tts Wicirity. 
British and Foreign Bible Society—The annual meet- 
ing of this Society was held last week at Exeter Hall, 
Lord , Bexley in the chair. On the platform were—the 
Bishops of Winchester and Chester, Lord Morpeth, Lord 
Teignmouth, Mr. Plumptre, M.P., anda large body of the 
clergy. The Rev. Andrew Brandram read the report, 
which was of great length, and gave a detailed account of 
the Society’s operations. During the last 23 years no 
less than 1,600,000 copies of the Holy Scriptures had 
been distributed in France through the instrumentality of 
the Society, and within the last twelve months 135,841 
ad been circulated there. In Germany a very large dis- 
tribution of the Scriptures had taken place. The pro- 
gress made by the Society in that part of the world was 
highly satisfactory. In Wurtemberg the number of copies 
distributed last year was much greater than on any pre- 
vious year. 20,000 copies had been granted for Hanover. 
57,000 copies had been distributed in Italy. The report 
went on to state that very determined opposition had been 
given to the Society’s friends in Belgium ; notwithstanding 
which, 12,546 copies had been distributed in that country 
during the last year, being 3,000 copies more than in the 
previous year. russia the Society was prospering. 
The committee had recently received a letter from 
Chevalier Bunsen, inclosing a remittance of 100/., as a 
donation of his Majesty the King of Prussia, in addition 
to his annual subscription of 25/7. 400/. had been received 
from Van Dieman’s Land; and amongst the subscriptions 
was that of the Wesleyan Methodists’ Society for 1,000/. 
In Stockholm, 19,935 copies had been distributed in the 
Swedish, French, and other languages. 15,970 copies had 
been sent to the Swedish Bible Society. From 
Petersburgh a very large number of copies had been dis- 
tributed in the various local languages ; 40,000 families in 
Finland had received copies of the Bible. In Spain, con- 
siderable opposition had been experienced. In Greece, 
8,428 copies had been distributed last year. In Mytilene, 
4,470 copies. 60,000 copies had been forwarded to Cal- 
cutta during the year. The report adverted to the vast 
prospects which had been opened in China for the exer- 
tions of the Society, and proceeded to state that very 
urgent demands were made by the natives of New Zealand 
for the Holy Scriptures. 2807. had been received from 
Tahiti towards the funds of the Society. Three editions 
of the Scriptures had been printed in Mexico since 1837. 
A large number of copies had been distributed in the 
West Indies; and during the past year 100 new Bible 
Societies had been established. The total amount re- 
ceived during the year, applicable to the general objects 
of the Society, in subscriptions and donations, is 
39,8212. 1s.; received from sales of Bibles and Testa- 
ments, 52,2877, 12s. 3d.; for drawbacks, 3677, 3s. 5d. 
Total amount received from all sources, 92,476/. 2s. 8d. 
The number of Bibles and Testaments issued from the 
depository at home have been 727,830, and from the 
depots abroad 254,230; total, 982,060. The total num- 
ber of Bibles and Testaments issued since the commence- 
ment of the Society in 1804 was 15,020,994, 
British and Foreign School Society.—The thirty-eighth 
annual meeting of this Society was held on Monday, at 
Exeter Hall, Lord John Russell in the chair. The hall 
was filled to overflowing with a large assemblage of both 
sexes. Amongst the company onthe platform, were Earl 
Fitzwilliam, Lord Monteagle, the Rev. Baptist Noel, 
Colonel Fox, M.P., Mr. Hindley, Esq., M.P., &c. In 
opening the business of the day, Lord J. Russell called 
the attention of the meeting to the death of the late Duke 
of Sussex, whom he warmly eulogised as a man who had 
rendered himself eminently useful in the promotion of 
every species of public improvement, and had also con- 
tributed much to the success of the Society by the 
countenance and support which he invariably yielded to 
it, He then went on to observe that this was a time 
when great principles were in jeopardy. There never was 
a time in which it was so desirable to stand by and sup- 
port these principles as it was now. Looking back at 
Ca 
times when it was thought dangerous to educate the poor, 
and when it was thought necessary that the teaching of 
Scripture should be accompanied with the teaching of the 
church catechism and liturgy, he would congratulate the 
meeting that the present age was one 0 more liberal 
cast—when men thought far differently upon these im- 
portant points than they were wont to do. For himself, 
he thought that in teaching the Bible in schools, the 
Bible should be taught alone, leaving it altogether to the 
ministers of religion to expound its particular signification. 
This was a principle which rose superior to every other 
principle, both in its justice and liberality, and also in its 
applicability to the present condition of the people of 
England. He earnestly hoped the proceedings of the day 
would show that they were all determined to adhere to 
those principles bearing upon the important question of 
public instruction which would tend to render the rising 
generation good subjects while here, and fit them for the 
reward of goodness and virtue hereafter. The noble chair- 
man was several times warmly greeted during his address, 
and sat down amidst great applause. The secretary then 
read the report, and entered into a detail of the financial 
affairs of the Society, which it appeared were favourable. 
It stated that the appearance of the schools throughout 
the country connected with the Society indicated improve- 
ment, and that the practicability and usefulness of the 
system on which these schools were founded were proved 
by continued experience. It also adverted to the edu- 
cational measure introduced into Parliament by Sir James 
Graham, the spirit and tendency of which it condemned. 
The Society had watched for the past year, with anxiety, 
the movements of Government in respect to education ; 
and whatever might ultimately be the nature of those 
movements, the committee trusted that no amount of aid 
which the Government might grant would ever induce the 
Society to compromise in the smallest degree the great 
principles which have regulated it from its institution. 
everal of the noblemen and gentlemen present then 
addressed the meeting, and resolutions in favour of the 
Society were unanimously carried. 
London Society for promoting Christianily amongst the 
Jews.—The 34th annual meeting of this institution was 
held a few days ago at Exeter-hall. The attendance was 
very large, every available spot in the room being occu- 
pied. Sir. T. Baring, Bart., presided, and was supported 
by Lord Ashley, M.P., the Marquis of Cholmondely, 
Mr. Plumptre, M.P., the Dean of Salisbury, &c. The 
report stated that the number of conversions had been 
much greater during the past than any preceding year, 
and seven fresh missionaries had been appointed to foreign 
countries. The subscriptions and donations amounted to 
25,0662., being an increase of 366/. over those of the year 
preceding, and leaving an amount, after defraying all 
expenses, of 9,5002. vested in Exchequer-bills, and 2,4560. 
in the hands of the treasurer. The Society had issued 
during the year, 1,830 Hebrew Bibles, 2,056 Hebrew 
copies of the New Testament, 3,023 copies of the Book 
of Common Prayer, with large numbers of the Penta- 
teuch and a variety of tracts. The Socicty’s missions 
had been most successful in Jerusalem, Beyrout, 
Hebron, Smyrna, Poland, Cracow, Prussian Poland, 
Berlin, Konigsberg, Frankfort, Brussels, Holland, and 
Strasburg. Missionaries, however, are still required 
in Russia, Austria, Persia, the north coast of Africa, 
China, America, and New South Wales. The mission in 
London and the Hebrew College were likewise in @ 
flourishing condition. The King of Prussia had presented 
the Society with a donation of 1002, and had become an 
annual subscriber of 25/. The chairman alluded to Dr- 
Bowring’s attack on the Bishop of Jerusalem, and said 
that the Society had received a donation of 507. in conse 
quence of that speech. On the motion of Lord Ashley, 
the motion was adopted, and several resolutions in accord- 
ance with the principles of the society were subsequently 
®& Colonial Church Society.—The annual general meeting 
of the members of this Society was held last week at 
Exeter-hall. The attendance almost filled the room: 
Captain Sir Edward Parry, upon taking the chair, said 
that in opening the proceedings it could not be necessary 
for him to urge upon an assembly like the present the 
value and importance of those objects which the Society 
was formed to promote. It appeared from the report that 
in Nova Scotia the Rev. Mr. Richards had, during th? 
past year, visited many places where a minister had never 
before been seen, and held church services. ‘The accounts 
from Prince Edward’s Island were of an encourag!? 
nature, Mr. Brooks, the agent, having distributed many 
tracts, and the churches being attended by large cong?’ 
gations. The Cape of Good Hope had not been forgotten 
by the Society ; ministers were already there, and churches 
and chapels, each capable of accommodating 500 persons 
were building. The colonists, it was confidently expecte t) 
would contribute liberally to their support, as the Societt 
did not confine its beneficent labours to the Englishmal 
but gave them to the Dutch, Hottentots, and Malay® 
After alluding to the satisfactory state of affairs in othe 
parts of the colonies, the report stated that Mr. Godltey) 
the minister at Chantilly, had been withdrawn in cone 
quence of the removal of the majority of the English yes ; 
dents since the death of the Duke of Orleans. 
Harding daily read prayers to the British and Ge 
residents at Lyons. In reference to the home proce 
the committee stated that agents had visited t . 
towns of England, Ireland, and Scotland and had a 
blished many auxiliaries. The income during thei 
amounted to 3,225/. 16s. The Society paid pat 
attention to the selection of the persons they sent abr 
The Rev. C. Yorke moved, and the Rev. Hugh ae i 
seconded, the adoption of the report, which was ca? 2 ‘tie 
Royal Academy.—On Saturday the members 0 their 
Royal Academy gave their anniversary dinner a by 2 
apartments in Trafalgar-square, which was attende! el 
numerous assemblage of guests, among whom were zt other 
members of the Cabinet, the Foreign Minister’, a 
