of feeling and of opinion during the last few weeks -I allude to Mr. 's propositions,-I say that it was (6 a one-barrelled measure," having only one intention in it-the increase of the poor rates. I voted against that measure, I voted against it last year, and I did so this year, and I am going to explain to you why I did so. Now, allow me to say this, before I go into that subject. I stand here to night, by the kindness of the Parishioners of

to put before them my ideas and opinions; if you believe those ideas and opinions to be wrong, the time is close at hand when you can vindicate your ideas and your opinions. I do not want to sail under false colours. Rather be it to me to haul down my flag with honour, than to keep it flying under false pretences. To me, gentlemen, the issue is not so important; I can retire into public life, and enjoy the private pursuits I have been accustomed to; and, if thrown out, I can fall back on them without feeling one shade of resentment, without feeling one pang of regret. Therefore, I say, it is better that the Parish should understand me and that I should understand the Parish. I voted against Mr. -s' one-barrelled affair, and if you again return me I should do the same. But remember, as I said in the year 186—, so I say now in the year 186—, I am not opposed to a fair, a true, and an honest Removeable Bill. Do not let my opponents take advantage of my words; they are exceedingly clever and adroit, but their cleverness sometimes becomes folly, and their adroitness cunning. I say that, as I was in 186-, so now am I an advocate for a fair, a true, and honest Removeable Bill. Do you ask me to pledge myself to details? Details! Where is the party that is agreed on details? But I was in favour of the Union

Chargeability Clause, and I appeal to my friend, Mr. (who is one of the Guardians of the Poor), whether that is not a measure for the relief of the Poor? Hitherto you have had your close parishes trying to oust the poor people therefrom, and to prevent others from coming into them. Gentlemen, I was one of those who gave to that measure the strongest support, believing that it would tend to the happiness of the poorer classes. If I should have the honour of being again returned to the Board of Guardians as your representative, I should go with a determination to do my duty,-with a determination to obtain a settlement of this vexed question, and, if there were no other solution of it to be gained, I would even gain it at the risk of

I feel that in doing this I should be adopting the consistent line of politics,-that I should be doing that which I believe to be for the ultimate benefit and welfare of the Poor of England. If you can find me out a more simple, a more efficacious plan, I am quite willing to adopt it. I have voted in every measure for the strictest economy, and I believe that the time must speedily come when a reduction of our expenditure will take place. I shall now pass on to the event coming on within the next two or three months, and say at once it is my intention again to solicit the suffrages of the Parish of As I said in 186—, so I said in 186—, and so I say in 186-, my motto will be "Economy and Justice !" I will not be one of those who will give up to party what was meant for mankind at large, and it is some satisfaction for me to know that during the last week or ten days Mr. the extreme advanced Member of the has advanced that motto. What I said in 186and what a number of persons objected to at that

Party,

time, is now proclaimed from the high estate of itself as the true principle upon which every Liberal Guardian is to go to the Board-room. I hope they will stick to their colours. I do not think they will; party spirit runs so high that I do not think they will have strength to resist the temptation; but, if they do so, I shall be glad to meet them with the same motto, but with only this distinction, that mine was written in 186—, their's in 186-. Well, Gentlemen, I must draw to a close. I had many other things to say, but I fear I shall be tedious, and it is wearing into the night. I shall simply say this,-if you choose to elect me again I will do in the future as I have done in the past. Gentlemen, if you do not choose to elect me again I can retire into private life, and I do not suppose I shall be much less happy. But there is one thing which, whether beaten or not, you will be able to say, and that is that your present Member of the Board of Guardians and future candidate has violated no pledges, falsified no hopes, and broken no promises-that he has not by clap-trap arguments, or insincere protestations of services, sought to gain a fleeting popularity; but that he has, on the other hand, by acting independently, by following a straightforward line of conduct, and by strict attention to his duties, endeavoured, not to gain this fleeting popularity, but the calm, steady, and steadfast respect of those whose esteem and respect is alone worth having. Gentlemen, on behalf of the Directors and Guardians of and myself,

I thank you,

"Affliction's sons are brothers in distress,

A brother to relieve, how exquisite the bliss."-Burns.

"To be poor, and to seem poor, is a certain method

Never to rise."-Goldsmith.

GENTLEMEN.-The next toast is one in which we are all more or less interested, inasmuch as we in a great measure derive our existence from the trade of the town; in point of fact, the prosperity of is our prosperity, and its success our success. Who then should be more desirous that the Town and Trade of should continue to prosper than the inhabitants thereof? I feel then strongly fortified in my position, having the assurance of a hearty response from all, and knowing that it will be only necessary to mention my toast. I charge you then, gentlemen, to fill high and drain the cup to "The Town and Trade of

Toast. By the Vice-Chairman.

"THE TOWN AND TRADE OF

MR. CHAIRMAN AND GENTLEMEN.-The next toast has fallen to my lot, and, without being guilty of hypocrisy, "I wish it had been placed in abler hands." The toast which I have to propose, and which I am sure will meet your hearty approval, is "The Town and Trade of For many

years past I have been in the habit of coming here annually, and am therefore cognisant of the many improvements which have been made, not only in

the town, but in the business premises of several of the tradesmen; and these are sufficiently indicative of its and their prosperity. May both continue to flourish ;-in fact, one cannot advance without the other; and in giving the toast to you I shall couple with it the name of Mr.

MR. CHAIRMAN AND GENTLEMEN.—I have had a toast placed into my hands, which I shall have the honour of proposing. It is "The Town and Trade of -" I consider that a proud position has been conceded to me in entrusting me with that toast. I sincerely hope that prosperity will attend the Town and Trade of In former years I was in the

habit of visiting the town of
and, with the
greatest possible delight and pleasure, I was delighted
to have the pleasure of meeting my friends of this
place;-kind and true friends many, very many, I ̧.
am happy to say, have proved themselves to be

"A generous friendship no cold medium knows,
Burns with one love, with one resentment glows;
One should our interests and our passions be,
My friend must hate the man that injures me."
Pope's "Homer."

I have travelled in the most beautiful parts of the 'world, but I have always returned to this town with the utmost amount of pleasure. I have had a great Ideal to do with the tradesmen of

and I have always found them the most upright men I ever had business transactions with in my life. This town is visited by everybody. There can never be another

owing to its close proximity to