108 
THE GARDENERS’ 
CHRONICLE. 
[Fes. 18, 
in the motion. He had himself been accustomed to go up rivers 
and storm batteries, and be knew what it was; and he must say 
‘the noble Lord’s own friends the greatest differences prevailed on 
that he 5 by Sir W. Parker 
in navat history.—Sir G. Sraunron and Mr. Hume wished that 
‘ir H. Pottinger’s name had been included; and Sir R. H. Inenis 
desired that the House, in voting thanks to those who were the 
agents in obtaining peace, should not forget their gratitude to 
Divine Providence, for the blessing which secured it.—Si! 
Pere declared his cordial concurrence in the general praises of 
our officers, To Sir H, Pottinger he had before paid his tribute 
oepepianse: He wished it had been i 
uaint the House, that the Government, 
sensible of Sir H. Pottinger’s high services, had offered to him 
latever official employment in China he might be willing to 
undertake, with the assurance of their entire confidence in him. 
The vote was then passed.—Mr. MAcKINNON moved for leave to 
introduce a bill prohibiting interments within the limits of 
towns. A pamphlet, he said, had been put forth, accusing him 
of a wish toinjure the Dissenters, i 
few acres situate in the heart of large towns. r 
exempt certain suburban cemeteries from the operation of the 
Dill. The principle of his measure must sooner or later be car- 
ried, though he felt that there was a good deal of difficulty in 
the details.—Mr. Humn seconded the motion. The measure was 
very important to the health of the poor, and would require the 
best assistance of the Government to uphold it against probable 
opposition from private interests. The attention of Government. 
to the whole question of drainage was urgently needed.—Sir J. 
Grawam approved the principle of the bill, bat had great doubts 
about details. Careful inquiries were row in progress on the 
part of Government; but as no measure had yet been digested 
by them, he would not oppose the introduction of this bill. 
Hoping, however, ashe did, for further information which might 
enable the Government, perhaps in this very session, to bring 
forward a measure of its own, he must decline to answer for its 
co-operation in the present bill, As to drainage in general, he 
intended to th i ofa issi 
of science, for the purpose of fully considering and advising 
upon this matter.—Some objections were made Mr. Hawes 
and Mr. Escort, but Mr, MAcKINNON, with the utmost disposi- 
tion to attend to any remedy proposed by Government, declared 
his intention to proceed with his own bill for the present. Sir 
. Cray, Dr. Bowring, an re HILIPS, endeavoured to 
dissuade him, but he persevered, and leave was given to intro- 
duce the bill. 
The house then proceeded to the adjourned debate on Lord 
Howick’s motion respecting the distress of the country. This 
y Mr.Ewarr. He laid before the 
the purpose of showing the increased competition which our 
manufactures have now to sustain from those of the Continent, 
janufacturers to produce ata cheaper rate, by 
a reduction in the duties on raw materials—namely, the duties 
of Customs and Excise—and by a diminution in the price of 
food. He pressed, therefore, for the repeal of the Corn-laws; 
and expressed his hope that Sir R. Peel would not long be abl2 
to resist that repeal,—Mr. LippEvt apprehended that this motion 
was neither more nor less than a question of con! 
confidence in the Government. denied the assertion that 
no part of the existing distress was owing to the Poor Law; on 
the contrary, that law had most grievously increased the rates. 
Lord Howick had argued that the one thing needed was a larger 
field for commerce. ‘o doubt such an extension was desirable, 
but there was great exaggeration in the calculation of its advo- 
tes. He would not now enter upon what was not the proper 
question before the house—the question of the Corn-laws. 
that head he was satisfied with the declarations of Sir R. Peel. 
It was in vain to assail that right hon. baronet’s character either 
by insinuation or by direct attack; the gentlemen of England 
and support him by their voices and 
) 
the Agriculturists in the Minister, and affirmed the existence 
of considerable distress in his own county. But, if the house 
should go into committee on this distress, would any 
remedy be found there? He feared the result would be 
mly a Corn-law debate; and he should therefore, though 
from those with whom he usually acted, 
oppose both the motion and the amendment.—Mr. G. 
thought that much of the evil complained of would be 
neutralised by a judicious system of emigration to the colo- 
nies. n opposition to Lord Worsley, he maintained that 
the agriculturists were satisfied with the conduct and declara- 
tions of the Premier, and with the Corn Law as it now stood. 
The main cause of distress was the unconstitutional agitation of 
the Anti-Corn Law gue, which had brought about the dis- 
rv. DISRAELI 
ul and prosperity pro- 
moted by the cultivation of friendly negotiations with European 
and other nations. ion of the 
of 1840 with France, would do more to prevent distress than 
anything which could be looked to from America, and mutual 
ndour and frankness would remove any feeling hostile to the 
treaty that might exist in France. He should not bind himself 
to the present Corn Law, or make adhesion to a fixed duty or a 
sliding scale the test of his political consistency, but would sup- 
port no proposal which, in his belief, would remove from the 
it i its p d in the country.—Mr. 
Ross recommended the adoption of a fixed duty, commencing at 
eight shillings a quarter, and falling by gradations of a shilling 
yearly.—Mr. B. Hope condemne rd Howick’s motion as 
futile and unnecessary, and attributed the distress to over popu- 
lation and over luxury. F 
On the motion of Dr. Bowrrne the debate was again adjourned, 
‘ednesday.—In answer to Dr. BowRinG, S . Puen stated 
his fear that there could be no doubt of Col. Stoddart and Capt, 
Conolly having been murdered by order of the Ameer of Bokhara, 
and further added, in justice to the Emperor of Russia, that 
whenever British subjects were in danger, he had exercised all 
the influence in his power for the preservation of their lives. 
‘¢ adjourned debate on Lord wicK’s motion was then re~ 
sumed. Bowarine described the great distress prevailing in 
Bolton, which he attributed to the restrictive system. If haste 
were not made, legislation would be too He only wished 
that the Premier and the Vice-President of the Board of Trade 
would give effect to their own words, and put in practice the 
free-trade principles which they professed. While the Members 
of that House were revelling in luxury, would 
of the terms of the Chinese treaty.—Mr. Sruart Wort.ey con- 
demned the inflammatory language of the preceding speaker, 
and denied that the Corn Laws were the cause of the dearth and 
Mr. Escorr did not see how the noble Lord’s motion could lead 
to any result that would relieve the wants of the people, Amongst 
the subject of the import duties. The Opposition were calcula- 
tin, issatii amongst agriculturists and others out of 
doors to getup acry against Government. He (Mr. Escort) 
would trust no Prime Minister who would utter so foolish a 
saying as to pledge himself against change in the provisions of 
any particular law—the Corn-law for instance; but it woul 
quite as great a folly to go on unsettling in one session what 
had been so'emnly settled in the one preceding. 
r. C. Woop supported the motion as one rendered necessary 
by the state of the country. The enormous increase of pauperism 
and insolvency in Leeds and elsewhere, the falling off in wages 
the increase in the proportion of deaths, and the spread of dis- 
tress in the agricultural districts, proved that a state of more se- 
vere and general pressure was never before known in this coun- 
try. Allhe wished Sir Robert Peel to do was what the latter had 
formerly required the then existing Government to do—to give 
a pledge to provide a remedy for the distress. The distress of 
our mannfacturers was mainly owing to the falling off in the 
foreign demand, and the remedy for this was the removal of 
the restrictions which bygone ignorance had imposed upon com- 
merce. The diminution inthe consumption of wheat, as exhi- 
bited by returns from various places, showed the frightful state 
to which the people were reduced. In many ways the reverses 
of the manufacturers fell heavily on the agricultural interests, 
and in these facts lay an additional argument for the repeal of 
theCorn-law. There was a growing feeling among those con- 
nected with the land that a fixed duty was preferable to the sli- 
ding scale. Let the intentions of Government be fairly avowed. 
The people ought to know why the principles enunciated last 
year, if good in themselves, should not be applied to sugar and 
other articles. The object of the present motion was to call on 
Government to go forward with the course they had begun, 
ir J. GRanAn said that the present motion was destitute of 
heart as well as of aim. He admitted that a great falling off in 
our commerce demanded the attention of the Government and 
the Legislature; but the i the people should 
pause before they held up the condition of the country as one of 
tdi hus, in iction of one assertion, returns 
exhibited a positive diminution instead of increase in the amount 
of mortality in al r great ing and i 
towns. An unsound system of credit was amongst the causes of 
our present difficulties; and, under the unhealthy influence o; 
fictitious credit, there had been an extraordinary increase in 
mills and machinery, But though the influence of that state of 
things was not yet over, there were indications of improvement, 
and a gradual increase in the demand for employment. 
changes which hat 
the commercial legislation of this country; and though sugar 
had not been included, on the distinct principle of maintaining 
our faith, in the face of the world, on the subject of slavery, yet 
the price of that article had slightly fallen, stocks were increasing, 
and demand was improving. He admitted the great importance 
of our commerce, and the necessity of providing for our increas. 
ing population by extending the field for their employment; and 
none were more interested in this than the landed interest. But 
the utmost caution was requisite in measures affecting that 
interest; otherwise agri mig] d to manu. 
facturing distress, and the greatest and most wide-spread misery 
result. He cited Colonel Torrens and Mr, M‘Culloch in support 
of his argument; and contended that no law that could be de- 
vised could prevent speculation in corn, for that depended on the 
nature of the seasons. It was the duty of a statesman to apply 
principles to particular instances; and though not setting up the 
home against the foreign market, nothing could be more disas- 
trous to the manufacturing interest than sudden changes in the 
domestic econom: is country. Mr. Labouchere had said 
that when the regular pilot did not undertake to carry the vessel 
i ven direction, a chance passenger might 
t it was requisite, in the first instance, 
‘udder; and if the Oppo- 
sition sought a change in the administration, let them frankly 
ayow their purpose, and try the issue of the question. He con- 
cluded by a general defence of the measures of the Government, 
and anticipated the rejection of the motion by a commanding 
and decisive majority.—After a few words of explanation from 
ALLACE, the debate was adjourned. 
Thursday,—After various inquiries on matters connected with 
the general business of the House, the adjourned debate was re- 
sumed by Mr. Pergr Borrawicx, who compared the risks and 
profits of agriculturists with those of manufacturers, and severely 
censured the Anti-Corn-law agitators. overnment were 
doing what Lord Howick wished them to do, applying restrict- 
ively the principles of free trade.—Sir C. Narrer said the distress 
was now more severe than at any former period; but the cause, 
as well as the remedy, was involved in mystery. The enormous 
duties we levied on Portuguese wines, and other produce, caused 
that country to retaliate. Weimposed a duty of 700 per cent. 
on Portuguese wines, and was it reasonable to complain because 
Portugal laid a duty of a 100 or 150 per cent. on our manufac- 
tured goods? Again, with regard to the sugar question, he did 
not see why the interests of the entire country should be sacri- 
ficed to the West India proprietors. in the subject of the Corn- 
law, he wished the Government would come to a compromis 
duty.—Mr. B. Cocurane felt 
.-) 
ry; but he 
total and instant repeal of the Corn-law would be pi 
uncertainty, and a tottering Government with firm principles 
was preferable to a strong Government with vacillating ones. 
He did not suppose that permanence was necessary to any parti- 
cular law, such as the present one, which aimed at keeping corn 
between 54s. and 58s. the quarter. ut he hoped that the Go- 
yvernment would inspire a feeling of stability and secure it.—Mr. 
VILLIERS remarked, thatin all the indications of the state of the 
country there was much ground for alarm. Why did not O- 
vernment carry out the principles it professed? The best part of 
the new tariff was the change in the timber duties, but the re- 
ductions of duties on the necessaries of life were only made to 
meet new taxes. Within the last 200 years there had been about 40 
different Corn-laws, which showed how badly they accomplished 
their object. Why did not the Legislature administer the true 
remedy to the depression of the people? He would not conde- 
scend to answer the charges brought against the Anti-Corn-Law 
League, which he considered was doing a service to the country, 
and could not be put down except bythe c justi 
was a miserable mockery 
to think a motion like this could give any relief.—Mr. Muxtz 
thought the motion was not straightforward enough, but some 
inquiry was necessary. e Premier had deceived no one; for, 
before coming into office, he stated that no legislative measures 
would cure the distress. He (Mr. Muntz) thought they ought to 
adopt one of two courses—repeal the Corm Law, or alter the 
value of silver.—Sir J. HANMER objected to the motion, as not 
sufficiently specific, but hoped the House would extend com~- 
merce, and give up the policy of protection.—Mr. P.M. STEWART 
supported the motion, and condemned the sliding-scale as 
main cause of the general distress.— ‘OLQuHoUN thought 
over-production had principally led to the depression of the 
manufacturers, an i i 
I’, Barine denied that the state of the commercial world had 
been settled by the tariff. Could parties calculate on the exist~ 
ence of the present duties? And if they could not rely on per- 
manency for even one year, was it not silly to talk about unset- 
tling things? The farmers had no confidence in the present law, 
which, it was universally believed, could not stand. In the me- 
lancholy state of the country he must protest against the con- 
duct of Government in refusing inquiry.—The Cuance.nor of 
the Excurauer replied generally to Mr. Baring, and opposed 
Lord Howick’s motion, as calculated to deccive and disappoint 
the people, The debate was then adjourned. 
Friday.—After the Excheqner Forgeries Bill had beer 
second time, the adjourned debate was 
Hay, and continue 
ATTWOOD, 
m read a 
resumed by Sir A. L. 
r. Buacksronr, Mr. M. Pitnies, Mr, 
Lord F, Eorrron, and other Members. Mr. Conpsn 
would have it by resigning his office 
should be held responsible individually, and the electoral body 
would force him to do them justice.” A scene of at excite- 
ment followed this speech, an ir R. Pex, amidst immense 
cheering, and with much solemnity of manner, called the 
attention of the House to Mr. Cobden’s declaration that he held 
him individually responsible for the distress of the country. ‘ Be 
the consequenees,’’ he said, ney may” (the cheering was 
here renewed with increased vehemence) * never will I be influ- 
enced by menaces to adopt a course which I consider inconsist- 
ent with my public duty.’—Mr. Connen here interrupted the 
right hon. Baronet, aud denied that he had said that he held him 
individually responsible, but he was met by loud cries of 
did, “You did ;” snd some time elapsed before order could be 
restored. Sir R, Pern then proceeded at great length to show 
that the present motion could not alleviate the sufferings of the 
adverted toa report of one of the League meetings, at which a 
Dissenting Minister suggested the drawing of lots to take Sir R. 
Peel’s life, and called the attention of the House to Mr. Cobden’s 
threat that if he (Mr. Roebuck) took a particular course 
in this debate, a mission from the League should pay a visit to 
Bath.—Mr. Corpxzn, (amidst great uproar, during which the 
Speaker had to interfere, said that he had warned Mr. Roebuck 
in friendship, that ‘if he interfered with the League, he would 
et into trouble at Bath.” Lord Howircx replied on the debate 
generally, and the House divided, giving for the Motion, 191; 
against it, 306—Majority against it, 115 couse then ad- 
ourned at a quarter to 4 o’clock this morning. 
TY. 
Money Market, Friday.—Consols closed to 95 to } for 
Money and Account ; and at 95} to } for the new Account 
(April 11); Three per Cents. Reduced, 953 9 
Three-and-a-half per Cents. Reduced, 1021 to 
Three-and-a-half per Cents., 1012 to 
Metropolis and tts Wicinritn. 
The Weather.—The frost has returned this week with 
increased severity, and Wednesday was beyond doubt the 
coldest day of the season. The weather-up to 12 o’clock 
on Monday night was exceedingly variable, and slight 
showers of rain fell at short intervals throughout the day. 
On Tuesday morning a marked change in the tempe- 
rature took place, and the thermometer fell to two 
degrees below freezing point. The wind blew steadily 
from the north-west, and the cold became more intense 
as the day advanced. In the evening there was a fall of 
sleet, and the night set in with every prospect of a hard 
frost. On Wednesday morning the thermometer stood as 
low as 26 degrees, and all the ponds in the vicinity of the 
metropolis were covered with ice. On Wednesday the 
ornamental waters in the Regent’s Park were completely 
frozen over in the narrower parts, and several gentlemen 
amused themselves by skating during the day, though the 
ice was, as may be supposed, very thin. The round pond 
in Kensington-gardens, and the water in St. James’s 
Park, are now covered with thick ice. The lateness of 
the period at which this sudden change of the weather 
has set in almost precludes the possibility of its continu- 
ance. The severe frost in 1814, when booths were erected 
on the Thames, ended on February 14th, the day on 
which the present frost commenced. 
The late Gales.—The sacrifice of life and property at 
sea during the last six weeks has been without parallel in 
the history of our mercantile marine. Upon reference to 
Lloyd’s books and other authentic documents, it appears 
that the total number of vessels lost during the hurricane 
on the night of the 13th ult., was about 180, and that the 
number of persons who perished with them amounted to 
not less than 453. On the coast of England 154 vessels 
were wrecked, andj190 lives lost ; on the coast of Ireland, 
vessels were‘lost, with 104 lives; on the coast of Scot- 
land, 17 vessels were lost, with 39 lives ; and on the coast 
of France four vessels and 100 lives were lost. The 
value of the vessels and cargoes have been roughly esti- 
mated at 585,000/.—the vessels at 405,000, and the 
cargoes at 180,000. On the three following days after 
the 13th, numerous other wrecks occurred, to the extent 
of nearly 60, the losses on which were upwards of 240,0002. ; 
this, with the others, making a total of 825,000. To this 
is to be added the great loss of vessels that occurred in 
the storm of Friday and Saturday weck, the particulars of 
which have not been fully ascertained. 
The Temple Church.—The choral service introduced 
at this church when it was lately opened after the restora- 
tion of the building, was unexpectedly suppressed on Sun- 
day week by order of the Master, the Rey. C. Benson. 
The immediate consequence of the change was so great a 
diminution in the number of the congregation, that the 
leading members of the bar have presented a memorial to 
the benchers, from which we extract the following passage: 
—‘ Your establishment of a complete and effective choir 
is In such perfect harmony with the recent architectural 
restoration of the church, and in such full consistency 
