CORN LAWS.
ALTON (HANTS).—This town has been for some days in a rather unusual state of excitement, owing to the operations of the Anti-Corn-law League. On Tuesday (market day) two addresses were delivered in the Town-hall and market-place to large audiences, and it was then announced that such was the increased interest felt in the question of free-trade that the Town-hall would be inadequate to contain the audience expected to hear Mr. Sidney Smith, who was to lecture on Friday. To meet this difficulty Mr. Abram Crowley most handsomely agreed to accommodate the public in the large malt house of his extensive brewery. At half-past six o'clock on Friday by far the largest assemblage ever seen here, embracing by the best computation from 1,500 to 1,800 persons, met in the malt house, which was provided with seats, with a reserved gallery for ladies, of whom a number attended. Mr. Smith lectured for up-wards of two hours and a half to a most orderly and deeply attentive audience, and concluded amidst great cheering. Three times three cheers for the League concluded the business of the evening, when the large assembly dispersed in the most orderly manner.
GODALMING.—FREE TRADE.—Mr. Sidney Smith addressed a large audience, on the subject of the corn-laws, here, on Saturday evening, in the British School. Some friendly discussion took place in the course of Mr. Smith's address, betwixt the lecturer, a French gentleman, an extensive farmer named Marshall, and his clerk, on the subject of the silk trade, and the wages and comparative value of labour in England and on the continent. Mr. Smith so entirely convinced the meeting of the correctness of his views, that the audience became impatient of the statements of his opponents, and he had to interpose to procure for them a hearing. Mr. Smith proceeds to Midhurst on Tuesday, Petersfield on Wednesday, and Arundel on Thursday.
FARNHAM.—A meeting was advertised to assemble at the large room of the Goat's Head, Farnham, but when the hour announced arrived (half-past five), it was found necessary to adjourn into the open air, when Mr. Sidney Smith, addressed them from the top of a stage coach, the most convenient rostrum the emergency could provide. The expositions of Mr. Smith were received with marked attention and approbation, by the whole of the meeting, which included nearly all the farmers and tradesmen of the neighbourhood, and were repeatedly cheered. There could not have been less than two thousand five hundred persons present, and the proceedings occupied above three hours.
(See also
14-Aug-1843
05-Aug-1843)