'tbe tirobintes.

Mr. Disraeli met a large party of the influential freeholders of Bucking- hamshire on Wednesday, at the Anchor Inn, Newport-PagnelL Having been introduced by the Reverend A. Chester, Mr. Disraeli proceeded at once to explain his political sentiments. For this purpose, he took up the proposition set forth in his address, that the characteristic of the present age is the struggle between Popular principles and Liberal opinions; a paradox which he explained—

For example, it was " Popular principle" which led to the enactment of short time; while " Liberal opinion " was adverse to interfering with labour. It was a Popular principle to support a united nation against a corrupt Court, as in Por- tugal; while in that unhappy country the depository of Liberal opinions was that very corrupt Court. Popular principles taught to encourage the industry of our fellow subjects; but Liberal opinions made no difference between the industry of our fellow subjects and foreigners. Again, it was a Popular principle that a na- tional church should be an independent church; it was an undisguised Liberal opinion that a national church should be a stipendiary of the state. Popular prizt-

ciples meant that England should be governed by England; whereas Liberal opi- nions meant that England should be governed by London. That Toryism which he had always professed—that Toryism which he learned from the writings of great men, from Bolingbroke and Chatham--that Toryism which he discrimi- nated entirely from the sham opinions and sentiments which had been prevalent of late years—wasfonnded upon Popular principles; as Whiggism was established upon Liberal opinions. He had been told that there was great apathy among the electors of the county. He could not conceive what was meant by apathy in a free country. They ought not, however, to be apathetic now. Looking at the financial position of the coun- try, they would see that these were not times for apathy. In less than twelve months the Income-tax would cease; Mr. Cobden would pull down the Excise; and Parliament would have to revise the whole financial system of the country. There must be a large plan; which he felt assured could only be based on mode- rate Customs-duties. That led to the duty on Corn. Reconstruct your Customs- duties, and the principle of protection reappears in Parliament. But what would be the condition of the agriculturist? Suppose a balanced state of parties to be the result of the next election: with only a little majority, the Whigs would not dare to renew the Income-tax; they would look about to get four or five millions some other way. If the agriculturists were apathetic, might they not say, as Walpole said long ago, " That is the sheep we should always shear.

Mr. Disraeli wound up by telling his hearers, though with some circumlocu- tion, that it was necessary for the agriculturists to organize, and return him to Parliament as their representative. In reply to a question from an elector, Mr. Disraeli said that he was op- posed to the State endowment of any priesthood; but on minor questions touching the Roman Catholics he claimed a discretion.

Mr. Levi moved a resolution, which was carried, that Mr. Disraeli was eminently qualified to succeed their late Member.

At a numerous meeting of the electors of North Essex, on Saturday last, Mr. Gurdon Rebow made an avowal of his principles. His address proved him to be a Whig of the Finality school, and the friend of little safe "reforms." As a son of the pure Protestant faith, he was adverse to any endowment of the Roman Catholics. Mr. Saville Olney, of Braintree, a Conservative who seeks to fill the place of Mr. Round, was present, but did not address the electors, in consequence, as it is stated, of indisposition. Sir John Tyrell avowed his intention to stand again, and to help Mr. Olney to the other seat. In reply to a question, Sir John replied, that no man who was a friend to Sir Robert Peel should have his support. The meeting separated without agreeing to any resolutions.

Mr. James retires from the representation of East Cumberland; and Mr. W. Marshall, the present Member for Carlisle, is likely to become a candidate.

Mr. John George Shaw Lefevre, the Speaker's brother, has issued an address to the Senate of Cambridge University, as a candidate to represent in Parliament the place to which he " owes whatever may have been useful in his past life." Mr. Lefevre's professions are characterized by great moderation—

"My official occupations, which have withdrawn me from political controversy, have taught me moderation, by enabling me to appreciate and respect the good qualities and motives of public men of all parties. I think it right, however, to declare that my political opinions are in accordance with those of her Majesty's present Government; whom I shall gladly support in the fulfilment of the pledges which they gave on entering into offic.e, to take the best means of preserving our valuable institutions, by addressing themselves to sound and practical measures for the improvement and elevation of the social, moral, and religious condition of the people.

A meeting of Cambridge electors took place on Friday last, to hear the Honourable W. F. Campbell propound his principles. Mr. R. Foster pre- sided. Mr. Campbell avowed his " repugnance to the protective system," and his adherence to the Ministry in their " lofty path of social reform." His chief object for animadversion was the endowment of the Roman Ca- tholic Church; which " ill-supported and inauspicious scheme" he con- sidered to be the peculiar system of Sir Robert Peel and Lord Lincoln- " Catholic endowment is the only system with which they can be formally as- sociated; and it would be rash to doubt, that, as a party, they are cordially and conscientiously attached to it. It would be rash to doubt, after the elaborate and eloquent discourse of Lord Lincoln, that if that distinguished statesman (of whom, of coarse, I speak with respect, to which his reputation as an orator and his suc- cess as a financier entitle him) was returned to power the endowment of the Ro- mish Church in Ireland would be plausibly proposed and strenuously carried. But what a grave fact is this for the consideration of the middle classes!" From these errors Mr. Campbell is happily exempt. " I rejoice to be able, with a knowledge of the views those writers have prescribed, to declare myself on this question in concurrence with the middle classes, the Dissenters, and the Esta- blished clergy of the country; who, I trust, will vigorously ask of candidates that decided negative upon it which no cautious and reflecting Liberal will have the slightest scruple in conceding, and which I wish it to be understood before inquiry on your part that I unequivocally give you. In short, gentlemen, unless a person is master of a most profound and variously. complicated problem, he cannot be en- titled to defend the endowment of the Romish Church. The refined middle classes will inquire, have Lord Lincoln and Sir Robert Peel, distinguished as they are by knowledge and attainments, mastered it? It is not enough to show in an elabo- rate and polished period what the most ordinary reader of periodical reviews could tell them, that apparent good would be derived from such an inconsistent and in- congruous arrangement." " The middle classes will inquire, have they settled the preliminary question of how Romanism ought to be regarded by the Christian Church?—for a new view must be discovered as a basis to the startling system they present to us. Have they settled how Irish Romanism ought to be regarded by the British empire, when it renounces the vocation of a missionary power? Have they diligently sifted all the different modes of grappling with it, and de- liberately resolved that payment is the wisest? Have they mastered the rela- tions of the civil and religious power in the abstract, which in this country they propose to readjust? Are they able to draw a clear and satisfactory distinction between the joint endowment of Romanism and Protestantism, and between the joint endowment of the Christian and Mahometan religions?"

Mr. Campbell's elaborate explanation seems, however, to have failed in clearness; for immediately after his sitting down, an elector inquired- " What is your opinion of the endowment of the Catholic clergy ? "

Mr. Campbell—" Probably that gentleman was not present when I so distinctly stated my repugnance to such an endowment. Neither do I believe it will ever be brought forward, unless Sir Robert Peel be returned to power." The show of hands was all with Mr. Campbell.

The Bridgewater branch of the Protestant Alliance have catechized Mr. Thomas Dyke Acland. They ask whether he will pledge himself to sup- port the Proteatant.constitution, and to oppose any further endowment or encouragement to the Church of Rome, on the ground that " it is un- seriptural and contrary to revealed truth." Mr. Acland frankly declines to give any such pledge—.

He is faithful to the" constitution "; but that" constitution " is no longer ex- clusively " Protestant." Catholic disabilities now form no part of the consti- tution. Real safeguards to the National Church ought to be maintained, but merely nominal and vexatious laws might be altered with advantage. Mr. Ac- land will never willingly take any step to give "encouragement " to theChurch of Rome, or to any other religious body not in communion with the Church of Eng- land; but it does not follow that in dealing with public money., as a Member of ths House of Commons, he is to disregard the claims of those with whom he does not agree; and be cannot admit that the Roman Catholics are to be singled out foe exclusion from that State assistance which is accorded to other Nonconformists. The case of the great body of the Irish people, who never acquiesced in the Reform- ation, demands a peculiar and considerate regard. It may admit of doubt how far legislative provision for the Roman Catholic clergy is the best means of im- proving the condition of the people; but if such a plan be proposed, Mr. Acland wishes it to be understood that he will not feel precluded by a paramount re- ligions principle from giving the question a fair consideration.

The liberality of these opinions, and of those avowed by Mr. Dickenson when similarly interrogated, has offended some portion of the electors of West Somersetshiro; and, taking advantage of the opening, the Honourable Pleydell Bouveric has come forward as a candidate. His address avows his political opinions to "be in accordance with those of the present Adminis- tration"—he describes himself as a follower, though not a servile follower, of Lord John Russell.

The appearance of an address to the electors of Brighton from Mr. William Coningham, has brought out addresses from Captain Pechell and Lord Alfred Hervey, in which they affirm their adherence to their former principles. Mr. Coningham advocates the improvement of the moral and social condition of the people; retrenchment in public expenditure; reform of the representative system, by extension of the franchise, shorter Parlia- ments, vote by ballot, and repeal of the rate-paying clauses; civil, religious, and commercial freedom; and sanatory measures, particularly as respects intermural burials. Mr. Coningham also contemplates an assault at the useless pageant of the Viceregal Court in Ireland. Mr. Wilshere has announced his retirement from the representation of Yarmouth; and Colonel Anson is about to be invited to stand for the borough. At Worcester, Mr. Rufford, the Chairman of the Oxford, Worcester, and Wolverhampton Railway Company, and Mr. Sergeant Glover, have de- clared themselves candidates for the seat which will be vacated by Mr. Bailey; who retires to seek another for Brecoushire. There is a movement in Birmingham to set aside Mr. Spooner, and replace him by Mr. William Scholefield; but it does not seem certain that Mr. Muntz will cooperate. Mr. Joseph Sturge addressed a very large meeting in the Leeds Music Hall, on Thursday week; and answered a fire of questions so satisfac- torily, that the meeting declared him a fit and proper candidate for Leeds; pledging themselves to use their exertions to return him.

Mr. Gaythorn Hardy, a son of the late Member, has offered himself to the Bradford Tories.

After a careful scrutiny of the returns sent to him from Colchester, Mr. D. W. Harvey declines to become a candidate for that borough.

Mr. Bailey retires from the representation of Worcester; and Mr. Ser- geant Glover is announced as a candidate on the Conservative side. It is formally announced that Sir Fitzroy Kelly will come forward for Shrewsbury.

The present Member for Newcastle-under-Lyne, Mr. Buckley, has an- nounced his retirement. The candidates are Lord Howard, Mr. Jackson of Birkenhead, and Mr. Christy.

There are indications of a sharp contest for Windsor. Lord John Hay, one of the Lords of the Admiralty, has declared his intention to offer him- self. His committee, and those of Colonel Reid and Mr. Neville, are or- ganizing.

Mr. Hampden retires from the representation of Great Marlow.

The Salt Chamber of Commerce had a meeting at Northwich on Satur- day, to promote total repeal of the East India Company's salt monopoly. The resolutions passed at this meeting complained that the Bengal Go- vernment, at five days' notice, had reduced the rates at which they sell their own salt, in a greater proportion than they reduced the duty on British salt; and the chairman was directed to enter a formal and energetic pro- test against the continuance of the manufacture and sale of salt by the East India Company, as being inconsistent with the terms on which they hold the government of India, unjust to the natives, and a serious impedi. ment to the trade and manufactures of this country.

Fever is on the increase at Birkenhead: nine new cases were taken to the hospital on Tuesday.

At Oldham, a frightful instance of the virulence of the disease has oc- curred. James Schofield, son of a working man, died on Saturday morn- ing; in a few hours afterwards the mother, and on Sunday forenoon the father, expired.

A disposition to food-rioting showed itself last week in Somersetshire, and in Cornwall. It has been checked by the fall in prices. One curious, effect is recorded: owing to the stoppage of the bakers' operations at Wells, people with money in their pockets could not get bread; and all were fain to eat their loaves hot.

Sir T. D. Legard, in consideration of the scarcity and high prices of pro- visions, has advanced the wages of his agricultural labourers at Ganton four shillings per week; namely, from 12s. to 16s.— Yorkshire Gazette.

We hear that Sir W. A. Ingilby has just issued an order to his numerous tenantry at Ripley, permitting them to kill all the hares and rabbits they can find on his estates. This act of generosity on the part of Sir William will be hailed as a great boon by many of the tenantry, especially in Ha. verah Park; some of whom have suffered a loss of from 201. to 301. per an- num by the noxious animals. The feathered tribes are to remain un- touched.—Harrogate Advertiser.

A curious charge of forgery has been investigated at Manchester. Adolphus Schutz, a German, obtained a " credit circular" on English houses, for 2,0001., from a Vienna bank; he also got possession of two blank circulars, which ho saw lying on a desk at the banking-house. When be arrived in England, by means of one circular he obtained 1.9001. from a London house, and on the strength of another document 1,8001. from a Manchester firm. He embarked with his booty in an American ship at Liverpool. The sailing of the vessel was delayed frost want of water in the dock; the fraud was discovered, and the man was arrested. When taken before the Manchester Magistrates, the persons who preferred the charge against Schutz admitted that they could not tell which circular was the

forged one. some one must come from Vienna to prove that The Bench stated, that if no one appeared from Vienna, theprisoner must be set at liberty. Schutz confessed that ho had taken the blank forms at Vienna, but with no evil inten- tion; he had been robbed on his way to England, and had then committed the forgery. He was remanded for a week.

A destructive collision took place on the North-western Railway, at Wolverton, OD Saturday night. The down mail-train for Liverpool, consisting of nineteen carriages of various descriptions, started at its appointed time, a quarter before nine o clock in the evening, from the Euston Square terminus, and was due at Wolverton at fifteen minutes before eleven. The train was heard approaching the Wolverton station at its proper time, and was regularly signalled by Policeman Fossey, who was stationed at the bridge six or seven hundred yards on the Lon- don side of the station. The signal indicating that all was right for the train to enter was hoisted at the station; but, to the astonishment of the officers at the station, the train turned off into a siding, instead of coming onward down the main line; and in an instant after a fearful crash was heard. Many. persons has- tened to the spot, and it was found that the train had run into a train of waggons laden with coals. The official report says—" The buffer plank of the engine only was damaged. The leading carriage was the Liverpool parcel-van, and the second the Manchester parcel-van; both are uninjured. The next was a second-class carriage, also uninjured, and the passengers unhurt. Following this was another second-class carriage; the fifth from the engine was a second- class also. This carriage appears to have been lightly loaded; and, from the momentum of the train and reaction of the buffers of the leading carriages, it was lifted up on its end. The next carriage was a second-class, being the sixth from the engine; and on this the lamentable effects of the concussion were felt in the death of seven male .persons. The carriage was found under the one which was lifted up, and the injuries appear to have resulted entirely from the iron-work of the under framing. The carriage itself is broken to pieces; and although the lead- ing carriages show marks of the collision, with the exception of the parcel-vans, the whole mischief appears to have fallen on the fourth and fifth carriages." The seven persons who perished were either found dead or they died shortly after. " The most singular circumstance," says a reporter, "connected with the deaths of these unfortunate persons, is the appearance of their bodies, so unusual in cases of railway collision: with the exception of a few slight scratches and bruises, none of the bodies exhibit crushing of bones and other marks of violence; scarcely any blood is to be seen about them." They appear to have died from suffocation. Several other passengers were hurt, more or less. The way in which this destruction was caused was extraordinary. After the Policeman Fossey had exhibited the signal, he ran to the siding, and turned the points, by which the train was guided off the main line. On being asked his rea- sons for this strange conduct, the only explanation he gave was, that he after- wards thought it was not the mail-train, but a luggage-train, and he wished to secure its safety. This statement, however, was very much doubted, as the man had been employed by the company at his present duty six months; and the Su- perintendent of the Wolverton station immediately gave him into custody.

When the train entered the siding it was going at a rate of ten miles an hour. So soon as the divergence from the main line was perceived, the engineer reversed the locomotive, the breaks were applied to the tender, and the guards applied their breaks; but the momentum could not be checked soon enough.

• There was much difficulty in ascertaining the identity of the sufferers. It was surmised on Monday that their names were as follows; and on Tuesday all had been owned but Mr. Smith—" Mr. John Simpson Sherratt, of Lichfield, formerly Secretary to the Lichfield and Birmingham Railway Company; Mr. T. Makinson, a graduate of Magdalen Hall, Oxford; Mr. J. Clifton, silk mercer, who was on his road to Leamington ; Mr. J. B. Rattray, of the firm of Keay and Rattray, of the tily Bank Foundry, Dundee; Mr. Miller, Honorary Secretary to the Ragged School, held at 107, Broadwall, London; Mr. Cope, a young gentleman, ap- parently about twenty years of age, who was on his way to Wolverhampton; and aldr. Henry Smith, a remarkably fine man, who, from the ticket found in his pocket, is supposed to have booked himself for Birmingham." A Coroner a Jury met on Monday. It viewed the bodies; inspected the scene of the disaster; at once adjourned to Friday; and then again adjourned till Tuesday next.

A post marten examination of the bodies has discovered that some of the Sufferers had sustained fractures of the limbs; but the gorged state of the blood-vessels of the head showed that life was destroyed by suffocation—the sufferers having been so crashed together that respiration was instantly stopped.

In September last, the Reverend H. W. Starr, of Northampton, who was mak- ing a tone in North Wales, left Carnarvon to ascend Snowdon; nothing more was heard of him, and there were suspicions that he bad met with foul play. Within the last few days, however, the mystery has been cleared up by the discovery of his remains. He had fallen down a tremendous precipice, his body lodging on a shelf; and it seems partly to have hung over the gulf; for portions of the skeleton were found on the ledge, and part in the dry bed of a torrent which ran below. Nearly all the articles and property that he had with him have been found; and what is missing has, no doubt, been carried away by the torrents.