Two hundred and fifty Tories of North Lancashire, members of
the Conservative Association, dined together at Preston on Monday, Lord Skelmersdale in the chair. In proposing " Church and State," his Lordship expressed his disapprobation of the recent changes in the Constitution. The Constitution of the British empire had lately undergone a good deal of what he must call " tinkering." (Loud cheers and laughter.) Whether the alterations that had been effected in it would make it better or not, he was not prepared to say : he hoped it might, but he feared that it would not. The last great change that it had undergone had introduced popular influence to so great an extent that he feared it would never recover the elistieity which it had formerly possessed. He might be wrong in his enticipations of the future, but he had been a politician for upwards of forty years, and he could not say that he looked on the recent changes with satisfaction. A great many Tory toasts were drunk amidst uproarious cheering; and that came the health of Lord Stanley's correseondent, Sir Thomas Hesketh. Sir Thomas, in returning thanks, elluded to Lord Stanley's letter, declining to join the Club, and expressing disapprobation of them. With the greatest deference to the feelings of his noble friend, he would proceed to notice the correspondence that had passed between himself and a noble relative of their respected Chairman at the for- mation of the Association. lie felt assured that the letter which gave rise to that correspondence was relaten in an unguarded liner, and was likewise sure diet his Lordship was in his he-art, notwithstanding the sentiments which he had ea-pressed, a warm and fires Conservative. Though perhaps slightly digifring .front them in heart, lie would be the last Man in the world to derogate from the prerogative of the Crown —to endanger the safety of the laws and institutions of the State—or to infringe the rights and liberties of the people. Sir Thomas added, that he had formerly felt, with his Lordship, that political associations were objectionable ; but be could not conceal from his mind that these were times when every man who loved his King, his religion, amid his country, was bound to step forward and unite in a firm end irresistible phalanx, to rescue from threatened destruction the Monarchy, the Church, and the lest bulwarks of Britain's happiness. This rigma- role was vociferotnly applauded. Lord Skelmersdale slid that the conduct of Lord Stanley (his son-in-law) proved hint to be a Conser- vative. On the Municipal Corporations Bill le took just the course that could have been wished—proposing several amendineuts of im- portance—soine of which were accepted, and some rejected. On the Irish Church Bill he took a straightforward and manly course—voting as became a person who showed that he was willing to leave office at any time rather than consent to touch the property of that Church, or in any way to co upromise his principles. .,Ir. Wilson Patten and 3Ir. Bootle Willie:ham delivered strong- Tory speeches. Mr. Patten declared, that although he was not a member of the Association, yet the principles embodied in the declaration of the Society were Ms. " If any persons doubted that such were his opinions, he scodel assure them they were; and if they ;till doubted, he would declare, only that the words were too solemn]: r the occasion, they were So help me God P " (Great cheering.) In justice to Mr. Patten we should send that he spoke towards the close of the evening, or perhaps he would not have thought it necessary to back his solemn assurance by an oath.
The anniversary of the formation of the Northamptonshire Con- servative Association was held at Peterborough on the -24th ultimo. Two hundred persons sat down to dinner. The panics of twenty " distinguished" guests are given—lice/re of them being clergymen. The most interesting fact, however, which the chronicler of their proceedings records, is, that " the dinner consisted of the substantial productions of our soil at this period of the year."
The members of the West Worcestershire 'Tory Association dined together on Wednesday- week. Mr. John Brown Was in the chair ; and the chief orator was Mr. Pakiugton, M.1'. There was a goodly sprinkle of parsons and led-captains at the table.
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