Inc Sittropag.
treme mildness of the seasen, the budding of flowers, the swelling of
fruits, and various other symptoms of Spring, more becoming the soft and tearful April than her sullen and gusty sister January. We were
smit with the laudable desire of proving to our readers and ourselves,-- for we had some small doubts on the subject,—that old mother Winter had been scared away by the Cholera a month before her usual time ; when, lo as we opened our eves on the works of men yesterday, we perceived dimming ourbricken landscape, ten thousand times ten thou- sand flakes of fast-falling snow ! This waking reality, we need not say, put to flight our dreams of budding trees and pairing birds, for one week at least. The drift passed away as the day drove on, but it left the streets comfortless, the atmosphere raw and cold, and nothing toler- able in the wide region of sun and sea-coal but the fireside.
At the National Union, on Wednesday night, after some preli- minary discussion on the propriety of calling a special meeting to con- sider of the Anatomy Bill, it was resolved that all such members of Parliament as choose to attend the meetings of the Union, shall be considered, pro tempore, members, and be allowed to speak, though not to vote. On this hint, Mr. O'Connell, for whom it was meant, spoke at some length on the question of how far, in their zeal for a better Irish Bill, the Irish members might feel inclined to throw impediments in the way. of the English Bill. The honourable member had spoken on this subject before, immediately after coming over ; but the senti- ments he expressed on both occasions are the same, and one report may suffice for both occasions. He said— The English people had greatly mistaken the Irish, if they supposed that the Irish members would shrink from their duty in endeavouring to diseencumber them from the trammels in which they had been so long held, and which the Irish have beheld with egad sympathy and chagrin. At the meeting of the Irish Political Union iu Dublin, there was indeed onemember who spoke of withdrawing support from the English Re- form Bill, till a pledge of mutual support fin a similar bill should be given to the Irish by the English; but to this Mr. O'Connell decidedly and immediately objected ; aud alter he had so spoken, there was that one, and only that one, who stoat opposed to supporting. by every means in their power, the English Reform, whether the Irish were or were not granted. He did not certainly approve wholly of the English Sill; tbr he did nut thick it went to that extent it might, or seemed practicable, as well as fair and just. Every man in England is taxed more or less, and every man paying taxes. of whatever kind, should have a vote in the taxation, or in those who imposed the taxation on him; and every man who is liable to be called out on any service, should have a vote in the election or choice of those who possess the power of that liability. Ile was, therefore, a friend to universal suffraNt Echecring] and to short Parliaments, and he considered it necessary that the tight of voting should be protected and secured by ballot. So far, then, as these three went, he considered the English Reform Bill scant— and his objections to it were not wholly theoretic, but were founded on common sense.
Mr. O'Connell then took an animated survey of the evils oppressing the English people—particularly denouncing the national debt, which, he said was a debt the Government incurring it owed to the people, rather than the people to them. Ile then referred to the nomination boroughs, which would be blotted out for ever, and to the voice of the people, which would be substituted in their stead—so that the power that would thus be obtained would place them in a situation more promptly, and powerfully, and peremptorily to demand the rest. Of the debt of freedom owing to the land, they would thus obtain, as their dividend, about fifteen shillings in the pound—but it was to be looked upon solely as a first instalment. He next referred to the conversion for the better of sentiments on every subject, particularly political—from the blood-recorded dreams of witchcraft and conjuring, scarcely more titan a century past, to the anxious aspirations and demands of late for freedom and justice—from the iron grasp of cauo- nizeil absurdities, whose talons were now relaxed, and melted into lead by the but breath of public opinion, to the unshackled and unhesitating demands for Reform, mid public and personal justice. He and every member sympathized with Euglaud, and would use every energy in support of their exertions in the grand cause of Reform. The English people should consider, when first the measure was introduced, although there was a majority of English and of Scotch members against the first Bill, there was a majority of Irish members to be found for it. This also was a circumstance he trusted would gain the confidence and merit the gratitude and mutual support of the English people—indeed, it had already partially receinsl its desert; for every Irish member who had so voted for the measure was again returned on the dissolution of Parliament, and every member who had voted against it was kicked out without ceremony or re- spect. lie then noticed the attempt of Mr. Shell to disfranchise one or more of nhe Euglish boroughs denounced, and confer the right on onc of the Irish counties or boroughs; but lie was happy he had undeceived his elocinent and patriotic hien!, who non-, with him, was willing to extend the franchise in England as fir as possible, and to consider the Irish Reform wholly on its own basis, and without an endeavour to de- prive tiny part or place in England of what might be considered its right.
This is all good, and in the best possible spirit. It will be duly ap- preciated.
The North-Western Metropolitan Union held their usual weekly meeting on Monday night. Colonel Jones was in the chair. Mr. Webb read a notice of motion for next Monday, "for a petition, pray- ing the Legislature to pay off the National Debt, by issuing Govern- ment notes not bearing interest." It was afterwards agreed, on the re- commendation of Mr. Savage, that this question and Tithes should form the business of a subsequent evening. Mr. Murphy read a petition against the Special Constables' Act, complaining strongly against the Act and against the New Police as a disguised military body. The petition was adopted.
A general meeting of members of the Law Institution was held. on Tuesday, at their building in Chancery Lane, for the acceptance of the charter of incorporation recently granted in their favour to Messrs. Adlington, Brundrett, Frecre, and Tooke. The charter was read and accepted by an unanimous vote of the meeting ; resolutions of thanks were passed to the Chairman and the Committee of Management; and the members adjourned, apparently highly gratified by the acquisition of the charter and by the handsome and convenient building which is intended to give efficiency to its object. The hall and library are ex- pected to be opened shortly for business.
An adjourned meeting was held on Tuesday at St. Saviour's Church, Southwark, to take into consideration the propriety of destroying " Our Lady's Chapel." It was moved by Mr. Weston that the chapel be pulled down; and, after a very stormy discussion, the motion was earned. The concurrence of another Vestry meeting of the parish, as 'well as the sanction of the Bishop of Winchester, must be obtained before the resolution can be carried into execution.
At a meeting held on Tuesday in the parish of St. Martin, it was proposed to adopt the provisions of the act of Mr. Sturges Bourne relative to the regulation of the poor ; the proposition was adopted by s majority.
A petition. is about to be prepared in Faringdon, praying the Legis- lature to restore the duties on leather and candles, as not the slightest benefit is likely to arise to the consumers in consequence of their re- peal ; the prices, indeed, are rattler advanced_ Tha-Dtps and tbe Crispins alone can unravel the paradox.—Devizes Gazette. [We are sorry that candles have not become cheap at Faringdon ; the good people there are evidently in great want of light.] A Court of Directors was held on Wednesday at the East In House ; when the following commanders took leave of the Court, previous to departing for their respective -destinations—Captain Alexander Chrystie, Thomas Coutt,s ; Captain Thomas William Bar- row, George the Fourth, Bombay and China; and Captain T. Larkins,. Marquis Camden, St. Helena, Bombay, and China. Captain A. F. Proctor was sworn into the command of the ship Windsor, consigned. to St. Helena, Prince of Wales Island, and China.
A meeting of subscribers to the proposed Southampton and London- Railway took place on Monday, at which it was stated that the estimated expense will be 880,0001., and 150,0001. had already been subscribed.
We understand that the Rotunda in Blackfriars Road, which ham long been devoted to the purposes of Radicalism and Infidelity, has recently been purchased by a lady of distinction, in order that it may be appropriated to the education of the poor, and other benevolent objects. — World.
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