ENGLISH NEWS.

Auckland Times, Volume 2, Issue 56, 6 February 1844, Page 3

ENGLISH NEWS.

“ The state of the nation is fearful. We have, on the one hand, a multitude sinking under all the weight of poverty, and goaded to desperation by the pressure of unmerited woe; and on the other, we have a few accumulating boundless wealth, whose gorgeous splendour mocks the pallid misery of the many. The tendency of all the economical measures of recent ministers has been to augment the wealth of the one, and to increase the poverty of the other, of these classes ;

their effect has been unfairly to accumulate, not judiciously to distribute, wealth. The consequence has been boundless discontent, which has led to open and secret organizations of persons whose views go far beyond redress of grievances, and whose measures would lead in their progress to a fearful revolution, which would augment the evils it is pretended they would cure. ; and whilst nothing is done to redress the real grievances ot the people, demagogues and agitatois are allowed to play upon their passions, to appeal to their feelings, to rouse their hatred of all above them by unfounded and injurious calumnies ; and to tevive, in all their antagonism to social order, the worst principles of the Jacobins of the last century.’— Extract from Phocions Letter to Sir Robert Peel, in the “ Bucks Herald Aug. 19. 1843.

[From the Sydney “ Weekly Register.”] By the Herald, from Greenock, we have English news to the 7th of October. The Queen and the Royal Family were well. Her Majesty* after remaining a few days in England* upon her return from France, proceeded on a Dip to Belgium, where she remained a fortnight, visiting Ostend, Bruges, Antwerp, and Brussels, Her reception was as enthusiastic as it had been in France.

Pa liament stood prorogued by proclamation to November 14. It was not supposed, however, that it would meet before January. The Grand Duke Michel of Russia was in Loudon, and had been received with every demonstration of respect. Preparations for his reception at Windsor Castle were being made on a magnificent scale. Alderman Magnay had been elected Lord Mayor of Loudon for the present year. Alderman Sir Mathew Wood, Bart., died on the 28ih September. He had sat for the City of London in nine successive Parliaments, extending over a period of not less than a quarter of a century. man \\ ood, there was a vacancy in the representation of the City. The candidates were Mr. Thomas Bating, conservative, and Mr. Paltison, radical. Colonel Malcolm had arrived in England with the ratified copy of the peace with China.

The Southern Exploring expedition had reached England, and Captain Ross was received with great distinction. The disturbances iu Wales continued to an alarming extent. Much property had been destroyed, and two murders had been committed. There had been several serious riots in Ross-shire, the populace having on some occasions by force prevented the induction of ministers in place of those who had left the Church of Scotland and joined the new Secession. The agitation in Ireland continued unabated, notwithstanding the Queen’s speech, and a report was in general circulation that the ministry had at length resolved to put it down by force. The result was much dreaded by all parties.

Father Mathew has terminated his Lon don mission. In his farewell speech he stated that he had administered the pledge to nearly seventy thousand persons, in the metropolis. He had held a large demonstration at Norwich when the Lord Bishop was present. The following extracts from his lordship’s speech are alike worthy ol admiration and imitation.—“ My coming here this evening, gratifying as it is to my feelintis, L may nevertheless say, was attended with some hesitation and doubt. 1 know that my being here, and taking this step, will be to expose myself to oblo quy, and to everything which parly misrepresentation—to all the odtum which party malevolence may think fit to invent. 1, however came not here unadvisedly, 1 saw the effect before I came, and here 1 am to abide by the corisequences. This is a cause in which it is my duty, urged on by the inward dictates of my conscience, called upon me to be here in its support. It was the Spirit of the Almighty which dictated to me that I should go pu in support of this cause of honesty and virtue, and which is so well worthy of it. And now, revd. sir, and friend from another island, allow me to greet you (addressing Father Mathew, who rose amidst enthusiastic applause ) t I meet you not as a Roman

Catholic priest. I differ from your creed ; and I candidly and openly avow it in your presence, and before this great assembly that I am hostile to it. But, reverend sir, i meet you here in a more noble and comprehensive character I meet you here, not as a priest, but like myself, a Chrslian brother, [The right reverend prelate here crossed before the chairman, and extended his hand to Father Mathew, which was cordialiy grasped and shaked by the latter, amidst the most deafening cheers of the assembled thousands ] I meet you, I repeat it, as a Christian brother, upon neutral ground, where all denominations of Christians may delight to visit and unite together in a common and holy cause. I have watched your conduct, sir, for many a year, I censured you in public nay, may I uot add, abused you l have watched your proceedings. The public reports upon which I founded those attacks I subsequently discovered to be founded in malignity and falsehood. The result was that 1 appealed to you as a Christian and man of honour, to let me know really how the case stood. You answered me most nobly and honourably, and I believed you. 1 abused you, sir, no more. 1 felt that some apology was due from me for the wrong 1 had done you, and here 1 am to receive you. Men of Norwich, citizens of this ancient town, to you 1 address myself, [Here the Bishop took Father Mathew by the hand, and led him forward.] 1 call upon you to receive this wanderer upon a Sacred mission ; give him a Christian welcome, for he comes to do a Christian work. [Here the vast assembly rose.] I trust you will not be led away by the ribaldry I have alluded to. Receive him in that spirit of honest Christian charity which, as Englishmen, you are bound to do. Aid him in carrying out this work of temperance, which will be the means of maintaining England as it ever has been, first and foremost amongst the kingdoms of the world. You will then do that which is a duty to your Queen and to your country, and finally do your duty, towards that God who made you, and right rev. prelate here sat down, evidently deeply affected. Trade continued to improve, and was brisker than it had been lor some time. In both the cotton and woollen manufactures there was the greatest activity. Wool had still a tendency upwards, still we have hopes that there will be a and further increase.