The Express. — London, England, 1848-03-08 00:00:00

ii. -- --- "II formed a species of alliance, and have resolved to' place themselves "at the head of the true middle class, and thereby resist unreasonable demands." The following is the answer given by the King of Wurtemberg to the deputation who presented the address: The communication of the deputation of the states of the 29th February affords me the agreeable oppertunity of re turning them my sincere thanks for the sentiments of fidelity confessed by them in the midst of the circumstances in which we are now placed. The confidence or my people, w hich the deputation him again Riven me the assurance of; has been tried by me, during a long lapse of years; and I trust I shall not be deprived of it at the decline of my life. Through out my whole reign I have constantly endenvoured to study the n. cessities of the times, and to act conformably to them. I shall remain faithful to this principle to the end of my career. In presence of new events, and nu consequence of which the interests of our dear country might be endangered, one single feeling animates nay mind ; namely to show myself worthy of the name of a German. Every measure conducive to the unity, welfare, and strength of Germany shall find in me a most zealous pro tector. May this sentiment also animate my people ! May all citizens, wbstt ver be the difference of their opinions, join in this one point, that, above all, it is necessary to give proofs of their love and devotedness to the common country, and sot to present to foreign na tions the spectacle of discord between princes and po pulations, of internal trouble, and agitations. I shall always willingly accede to those wishes which result from the necessities of the times, and the accomplishment of which, after a mature and impartial examination, may appear to me to be useful to my people. As to what con cerns the ilvires expressed iu the address presented by the present deputation, I have, in my ordonn once of Yesterday, granted that which has for its of ject the liberty of the press. I trust that my people will avoid abusing this right, for that is always the most dangerous enemy to liberty. A pro ject of law is now ready fur the execution of the 23rd section of the constitution, concerning the right of carrying arms; it must bo presented to the states, and shall be as soon as they are assembled. I have, moreover, ordered that the question relative to the forma non of a civic guard shall be immediately taken into consi deration, and that the result shall be communicated to the states. Meanwhile my ordonnasces of the 13th of May, 1817, relative to the establishment of guards of safuty, can still be maintained in vigour. The painful situation of the I lower clay-es of industry especially grieves me extremely, and I will do my utmost to come to their assistance ; but the means I can employ base their limits. I shall ever receive with pleasure all plans which may tend to this result. After what has taken l lace up to the present moment I need not declare that I shall always protect national industry against foreign industry. The deputation of the states are well aware that projects of law have been presented to the states relative to the re-purchasing of land taxes and feudal rights. A deliberation of the states upon the ordonnances of the 12th June, 1832, relative to the holding of political assemblies is in view. f shall snake my resolution on this subject known, when the 9uestion has been maturely ex amined. I beg the committee of the states to rem ive the assurance of my good-will.—Stuttgard, March 2. (Siguea) WILLIAM. Letters from Leipzig of the sth inst. state that the deputation sent from thence to Dresden to have an interview with the King, demanding the reforms which we have already mentioned, viz., liberty of the press and modifications in the representative system, reached the capital on the 2nd. The King received it kindly, but said that he could not give an imme diate answer to the petition, but would return one as soon as possible. The deputation was anxiously ex pected at Leipzig, on ita return on the 4th ; but, as it bad not arrived on the evening of that day, the peo- ple assembled at the railway station to wait for it. It did not arrive during the night, and the people vented their spleen by giving a charivari, and break ing the windows of the house of Herr Brockhaue, one of the members of the Saxon states. Accounts from Carleruhe state that on the evening of the 2nd, a fire broke out in the hotel of the Minis ter of Foreign Affairs. The furniture and papers were saved. There is no doubt that the fire was the work of an incendiary. Attempts at incendiarism were also discovered in other houses, and threatening letters bad been addressed to several landlords. Numerous patrols were kept up by the inhabitants. A letter from Manheim, dated March 1, says: The news of the concessions granted us by our government has created a very lively feeling of joy ; and the inhabitants have preyed that they well know how to appreciate so great a benefit. From 1,500 to 1,800 persons went this morning to the railway. Several ladies distributed tricoloured scarfs— black, red, and gold. Crowds of the people parade through the streets, singing, and wearing tricoloured scarfs. Measures have been taken to preserve tranquillity. It is hoped the civic guard will be organised immediately. - - - A ptiblic meeting was held at Frankfort on the 3rd inst., in order to draw up a petition to the Senate, urging it to grant popular concessions similar to those given in Wurtcmberg, Baden, and other Ger man states. Amongst those concessions complete religious toleration is included. The Doke of Nassau has returned pod-haste from Berlin to Wiesbaden. He immediately decreed the liberty of the press, publicity in courts of justice, religious freedom, and the establishment of the jury system. These " concessions" were loudly but peace ably demanded by the people and the army. Iklay was dangerous; refusal destruction itself. Hence the hasty and comprehensive "concessions." A change of ministry is expected. lip to the 3rd inst. business continued to be suspended on the Frankfort Bourse. Letters from the Hague, state that the royal arms in front of the French embassy have been removed, and that M. de 13retenil, the secretary of that lega tion, who by the departure of M. do Bussieres is now at the head of the embassy, has given in his adhesion to the French republic, and has also followed its orders respecting the abolition of titles of nobility. It appears by the Handelablud that the garrison at Nijmegen will be reinforced, and that in the various barracks the soldiers are very busy making prepara tions for fortifying them. The Effecien Societeit which transacts business on Sundays, issued no quota tions of the fonds on the sth. The Provisional Government has issued the follow ing proclamation : . . ofdiers, citizens of the canton of Neafchatel,—The Ist of Match will be an era in the history of our country. By your energy and resignation you have acquired eternal claims to the gratitude of your country. You have delivered your country from a foreign yoke. In a place where, till now, your national character has been misunderstood, your con. duet will have the effect of conciliating the affection of the real friends of their country—of those who would forget the past, and offer their support to the realisation of a better future. Fellow-citizens,—The people of Neufchbtel have at last re.conquered their rights ; the republic has been proclaimed, sod henceforward we are no longer two countries. To-day the federal flag hoots ou the towers of your castle. A pro- visional government has been named ; a national assembly will be convoked,and the people of Neufchatel, called to govern themselves, will record their constitution. Let all the citizens lead their aid to the Provisional Government, its members well understand the responsibility . they assume. They will know how to act with energy, and in fulfilling their duty without hesitation they will render themselves worthy of the gene rous people who have chosen them. When their labours shall be terminated, they will lay down their power at the feet of the people, the real sovereign, happy to have conGi bated to found a new era of liberty. Citizens, be united ; forget past discords, and seek but one end—the prosperity of our common country. Let every one be without alarm ; property and persons will be respected everywhere, good order prevails, and in a short time affairs will resume their usual course. The Provhional Government will have mrderetion for its motto, but it will know how to cause the people and their rights to be respected. BRUSSELS, Idaaen 6. M. De Lamartine'e diplomatic manifesto has been perused here with much attention, and has given rise to feelings of satisfaction. Provincial papers of all shades of opinion concur in statir.g that whilst the Belgian people are very ami cably disposed towards France, they are determined to remain Belgians. One influential journal, how ever, the liberal Liegeoi<, very openly blames the Bel gian ministry for not having warmly and cordially expressed its sympathy for France; and for having in very reserved and Jesuitical terms recognised the existing form of government in that country. The journal adds that the statement made by the Belgian cabinet respecting its communications from and with the French Provisional Government was such a one as might be expected from Metternich or the Czar. The great question of the day just now in Belgium is the procuring of employment for the working classes, and the whole attention of the " authorities thes be" is engrossed with that truly weighty subject. tsereral cities in this country have forwarded depu tations to the government in order to solicit pecuniJxy advances, as it is found all but impossible to get bills discounted. The government has been obliged to refuse acceding to several applications, but has thought roper to advance the sum of 300,000 francs to the Hank of Flanders (Ghent)—a sum which will now enable it to discount to the amount of 600,000 francs, is it holds 300 railway shares of 1,000 francs each, which it can turn, or get turned, into cash or give as ircurities. The leading bankers and merchants of Cheat have signified their readiness to take, as here 'lore, the notes of the above back, which is mainly held by English capital. An atelier de eharite, or .eral workshop, has been opened at Sleydinge, Ghent. This establishment is open for old peo- ple and the indigent sick, for orphans and for the un occupied poor. Each inmate has an opportunity of following his or her own trade. The atelier is sup ported by the profit of the work carried on in it and by voluntary contributions. Large quantities of clothing have been already distributed amongst the poor of sixty rural communes in the two Flanders. The subscription for the needy classes in those pro vinces still continues, and the army has already given very liberal sums. The Liege bank has declared a dividend of 38 francs per share, besides adding 20 per cent. of the profits to the reserve fund. The Mrssager da Panel, an orangeiet journal, has become a republican one, and seems to think that that form of government is not impossible in Belgium. The same journal strongly urges the government to show its attachment to reform by more energetical measures than those it has already announced, and to dismiss those functionaries who are connected with the retrograde party. Many of your readers will doubtless recollect the name of M. de Potter, who played a very conspicuous part in the events which preceded and followed the Belgian revolution. That gentleman has just issued a species of manifesto, expressing his opinions re specting the duty of Belgium under existing circum stances. After proving that this country already possesses all those great guarantees of liberty which France has just obtained, and stating that he was a Belgian republican in 1830, he contends that even if it were fouud necessary to upset the monarchical system freely chosen at the above period, the time for taking such a step had not yet arrived. The Duke and Duchess of Saxe-Cobourg have left Brussels for their states. It is asserted that before proceeding to Cobourg they will have an interview with the Duchess of Orleans, at Ems. MADRID, FEB. 2s. The debate in congress on Saturday was one of the stormiest and not the least important of the session. The Paris news of the 22nd and 23rd, telegraphed to Bayonne, and sent on by expresses, stole in among a crowded attendance of members and strangers, drawn to the house by the expectation of a hot debate upon the mayor's water-pipe edict. It was very soon clear that a hot debate there would be, although not upon a municipal question of whitioever magnitude. Symptoms of snappish irritation between the oppoall,g ranks, about points of indifference in the desultory busuaess that opined the sitting, 'hewed that explorive mat ter; beneath the surface sought vent; and vent it found ere long, in a subject of all others the most apt to add fuel to the inflamed mood which prevailed on both sides of the house. The question of nothing less than tho legality of Espartero's regency came to be raised thus : the committee of petitions reported on a petition presented by Don Jose Bartoli y ' Ortega, commander of infantry, that the military officers comprised in the amnesty should be restored to their rank in the army. Figueras, minister of war, mentioned ' what the government had done to relieve the amnestied officers, and said that it was not the fault of ministers that all hag nut been replaced, it having been impossible as yet to examine all their in , mortals and antecedents, and many had been found disqualified by misdemeanours not political. In alluding to the promotions granted in the le months of Espartero's regency, the minister characterised them as null and void, for having been conceded in glens po inAadil, an expression which impugned the legitimacy of the acts of the regency. This was the signal for onslaught. Lucerne, having been minister under Espartero, put a bminal question to the government—Did the ministers consider or not legal the acts of the government to which he had belonged ? Ile would take no shuffling answer; he wanted a plain yes orno. . . . . . Sartoriva made a speech in answer, which, front the trick he has caught of aping the pedagogue tone of poor M. Guizot, produced the extremert impatience in the opposition, which burst into violent demonstrations of scorn and wrath, uhen, at the end of his speech, the borne minister avowed that he did not scruple to declare that the government held all the acts of that period to be illegal. The greater part of the minority immediately demanded turn to speak, all at once. The president wielded his bell like a town crier his voice was drowned in the uproar. The tumult subsiding, he began setting down the names of those who wanted to speak : and I believe that if he had gone through with it, his list would have contained the whole house. Sartorius then said, " All the majority demand turn to speak." The opposition answered with one voice, " and all the minority." A scene of great confusion en , sued ; the benches of the right shouting that the declaration of war was accepted. Lujan, speaking on the progresista side, resented the manner in which he was called to order by the President. Ho then proceeded to state the facts. Toe insurrection of '43 was concluded. The Queen was de clared arrived at majority ; and, in the plenitude of her prerogative confirmed, by decree of Nov. 27, the promo Lions granted by the regent. The only posterior act which could affect the question was a royal order suspending and regulating, but by no means annulling, that decree. To this Sartorius replied that the cabinet of '43, which suc ' ceeded the conquered government of the regency, annulled its acts. Pidal spoke next. He was pleased to find that the progresistas had thrown oft the mask and by the mouth of Senor Grease declared open war against the cabinet. He ' had always predicted this ; and as it set parties in their true plate, he was glad it had come to pass. But how was is that this war had suddenly been declared to-day for the first time? The government had committed no new offence. All was qniet : no question had been started which could move the opposition to assume such a decided attitude of hostility all at once. He therefore presumed that the springs of the change were not altogether unconnected with important events which had taken place in another country. As to the legality of the regent's government, there was no getting out of the position fixed by Sartorius. Senor Lujan asserts boldly the affirmative. Espartero's government may be legitimate in his eyes ; but let him look right and left on the benches about him, he would see men there who had fought against that government, and invalidated its acts. Martinez de la Rsa played, rather unhappily, with some conceits about Achilles, the wooden horse, and winds from beyond the I Pyrenees, adding no argument worth notice. Narvaea ex plained how it was that it had been found impossible to carry into effect the royal decree which revalidated the pro- motions. Many of the officers promoted by the decree of the regiment had passed to the division commanded by Asydroz. Many of the captaina.general had not been aide to form the lists required by Espartero, with a view to these promotions, in consequence of the re. gent's decree not having reached them till long after it was issued, Zurbano was one of these. While Minister of War he (Names) bad desired to Garry through this basinces, and had asked for the papers; but the difficulties were such that he was obliged to give up the task. The lists of the captains general were the only data to proceed upon ; and the officers whose names were gown in these had the greater portion of them taken part in the insurrection. This was a sample of the confusion which occurred : There were two Counts of Reus—Prim and Zurbano ; which was to have the title? At the end of his speech . Narvus noticed the allusions made to the events of France in these words: The government declares that whatever line the minority think to adopt, in consequence of these events, the ministry will not depart one jot from the system of impartiality, tole ration, and conciliation which it proposed to follow from the beginning. But, if the peace which the country now enjoys should be unfortunately disturbed—if the attempt should be made to intimidate the government by demonstrations of forge—if an appeal were made to seditious tumults and bar- ricades—if, finally, abdication should be sought to be forced I upon the Queen, or any other sort of violence imposed—the government would repel force by force ; and, in proportion as it is now tolerant and conciliatory, would then become severe and energetic, till revolutionary attempts were stifled. The Siglo says :—" It appears that the Spanish liberals are preparing a grand banquet to solemnise the reforms that have been effected in the Italian states. With this object, they will ask leave of the political authorities, which it. is to be hoped will set no obstacle to the fulfilment of this patriotic desire, seeing that no law exists to prohibit pacific swam bliss." The Siglo is by many suspected of playing a false game under liberal colours to hurt its assumed party as much as possible. Thus it mooted, at its first appearance, the question of the notional militia, which was the main source of division among the progres:stas. Therefore, an announcement of the kind mentioned, coming from such a quarter, is to be regarded with distrust. A meeting was held last night by the progresistas to deter mine what line they should now take. Last eight a cabinet council was held to deliberate on the course to be pursued. The wife of ()lungs died on Saturday, and was interred yesterday. COLONIAL. NEW SOUTH WALES.—We adverted on a former occasion to the extraordinary clause introduced into the Masters and Servants Act while passing through the Le gislative Council of this assembly. The letter, from which we now subjoin an extract relating to this matter, is dated Sydney, Nov. 9, and was written by a perfectly unbiassed party in the unreserved confidence of private communication. We feel, therefore, the justice of its remarks may be relied on " I mentioned in former letters that Mr. Benjamin Boyd had imported some South Sea Islanders for shepherds. They were sent to the Murray, and were doing well when the government, aided by a few in the council, passed a law (without precedent) to prevent the Masters and Servants Act applying to them. This had no sooner been passed than the white labourers made the interior most uncomfortable for them, and by a well organised combination in iuced them to abandon their occupations ; and when Mr. Boyd's superin tendents applied to the magistrates, they were told that in consequence of the Masters and Servants Act they had no powers to interfere. Many of them have come to Sydney, and will be employed in the shipping, where they arc more useful than white hands. The object of the Colonial Secre tary was to keep the monopoly of immigration in the hands of the government, who are acting the part of the dog in the manger, and neither import labour theinsels ea nor allow an other persona to do so. It is supposed that a p ersonal feel ing on the part of the Colonial Secretary (for he and Mr. Boyd are not on terms with each other) had a good deal to do with the paseiag of the set, and as it is repugnant to the law of England I hope Lord Grey will disallow it." JAMAICA.—The Morning Journal advances new bold claims in behalf of the sugar colonies ; and we should belie our feelings did we say we disliked its tone. The sugar dunce are, however, dear to Chancellors of the Exchequer ; but some medium course maybe devised. Let the horning Journal meanwhile tell its own tale Without entering into the question whether, C9undeling the con. THE EXPRESS, WEDNESDAY EVENING, MARCH 8, 1848. Mike of the British Wort India Colonies, and the slave roger-pro dueling countries, the former ought to be brought within the category of free trade, or forced to compete with the latter, or there are any peculiar circumstances which nurrant their being excepted from the epersUonof the policy laid dawn by the government in reference to the commerce of the nation, we contend that the period has arrived whea her Majesty's subject. in the teem Indira may fan ly and remon ..... uld ebbs to be treated as her Majesty's auhjecui In Diehard rte . with respect to the introduction of their products Into the mealWa the mother country. The opportunity is now promoted terneesent and the British public to declare the inhabitants at Wm la MY Needs and colonies entitled le the same advantages as Oa WAWA eats at the counties of England, and we trust the repramlathis at the farmer will not fail to press this matter with all the Iwo and to which it is entitled, until the admission or asiiimalsa e a rc t at i g and distinctly made. Leaving out of new every splodge couneeted with the free-trade policy, and admitting the right of Oa government and parliament to pan such laws, and declare sera Me- Whom, with respect to the nude and commerce of the nailed, le NM be deemed necessary or expedient for the public henetlt,we, of and the inhabitants of the Went India colonies generally, put= urge our claim to he treated AS English farmers, and to carry the produce of our lards and labour into the English markets, un fettered by any Unmet whatever. The question which the British parliament will have to decide, or ought to be coiled upon to deride, is not whether the West Indies should have protection, or be exempt from competition with foreigner., but shall be recognised and treated ea Integral portiens of the gnat British empire. And the question is an important one. It is worthy of a greet parliamentary struggle, and if urged icon the broad basis of right and justice., cannot camera fully be resisted. The London journals and the West India committee will compromise the character end interest of the colonies if they fail to take up this high ground and to maintain it in parliament. And see tell them that no revocation of protection—no exclu-ion from the category of free trade—no expedient to preserve vitality in the colonies for a short time, with a certainty of recurring prostration nothing indeed short of the full and free admission of their right to send their produce to the Br iUsh markets free of any impost what. ever will satisfy their inhabitanta or insure their prosperity. Thu is not the time to quibble ab cut distinctive sugar and coffee duties, or to enter into lane and tircramo details to show the cost at obi& one or the other am be produced, or to :measure the elect amount of duty whieh is necessary to place to upon • fasting with the Cubans or Bra zilians. It forma no part of cur duty to explain m whet respects fo reign nations are superior to us, either In the quality of their land, the nature of their machinery, or the command of labour; or what is necessary towable us to compete with them in the markets, not of their country, but of our own. We will institute no comparison between ourselves and them. It is derogatory is us, and discreditable to the, English governmel and na. . . dust b du ao. — Our duty m b poTi7;ihe eSnnfitlonei agricul turists of the mother.country, sod to say, we claim to be treated as they are. The comparison must be with them, and not with !Spaniards or Brazilians. When we Mall have ceased to be British subjects—to till Brittah sod--and invest British capital in the growth mad manufacture of our products—and not till then ought we to be compared with, or treated as, foreigners. It is our boast that we are the former, and remaining such, and yielding to no pert.. of her Ila}esty's subjects in loyalty and affection, we cannot doubt that our claim to be relieved of all donee or imposts not levied (IND the pro- ducts of English farms or land* will be admitted. This to what the West India coloniee require, and it is what the British houses of parliament moat grant, if they desire to preserve those dependencies of the empire. for there are always in London. as in Paris, enough of dissolute and idle perms for the nonce to be found to form Bach an assemblage, and the time for putting it down having arrived, I think that object may be effected without the interference of another force, but that of public opinion, if thus expressed. I suggest that if every well disposed person will but eschew Charing. cross and its neigh bourhood as a means of thoroughfare, as they would a place invested with the plague—if they will but go half a mile round to avoid the locality, then in twelve hours it will be deserted by those whose only object is a row, with a view to the commissioa of breaches of the peace, either from mere vanabondising wantonness, or to enable their confreres, the pickpockets, to reap a rich harvest from a gazing multitude, whose curiosity takes the place of their better reason. Leave the locality to the pasession of the powers that be, and those who go there for unlawful purposes. Taboo Charing-cross and the circumferaice of a quarter of a mile round it, and the result is certain.—:due A Loonait.os. —Tuesday night. SANITARY ReeialtM.—A meeting of the clergy, convened by circular, was held yesterday, at the house of the National Philanthropic Asa - relation, 40, Leicester-square, to take measures in furtherance of the above object. The Rev. M. W. Lisignan having taken the chair, Mr. Charles I Cochrane male a few observations, and the Rev. Mr. Fletcher thee moved, and the Rev. Mr. Sprenger seconded, ' • reselutioa for the appointment of a committee, which was compeed of a long lea of clergymen, the Bishop of London being requested to name a chairman. The resolution was carried, and it was intimated that Mr. Cochrane bad granted the used the rooms in which they then met for the meet lags of the committee and the transaction of their general ' business. The proceedings then terminated. RIGGED SCHOOLS.—Last evening the supporters ' of the Ragged School in George-street, Limon-grove, held their annual general meeting in the theatre of the Literary and Scientific Institution, Edwards-street, Portman-square. Lord Ashley, M.P., was in the chair, supported by Lord Sandon, M.P., and most of the neighbouring clergy. The report stated that the district in which the school was situate was inhabited by a dense and increasing population living in a state of gross immorality. During the short period of ten months 28 young persona in that district ware convicted, of whom 14 were vents aced to various terms of imprisonment, and the remainder were transported for seven years. Out of 50 persons, only five attended divine worship. Since the establishment of the school there had been a marked ins. prevenient in the behaviour of the children in the vicinity. The average attendance during the year had been to the dee, school, boyr 80, girl* 60; to the infant school, 281 ; and to the Sunday evening school, 216. The annual subscriptions for the support of the school amounted to oaly 901., and there was a debt upon the institution of 1001. On the motion of the Rev. J. Walpole, seconded by Lori Bandon, the report was adopted. Several resolutions were then I paned, and thanks having been voted to the noble lord in the chair the meeting separated. THE THAMES TUNNEL.—Yesterday the annual Renee"' meeting of th e proprietors in this undertaking was ' held at Bailey's Hotel, Bridge-street, Blackfriars, for the purpose of receiving a report from the directors, the re-elee- ' tion of directors, &e. The chair was taken at 1 o'clock I by Mr. Benjamin Hawes.—The Secretary, Mr. Mason, read the advertisement by which the meeting was ronvened.— The Chairman stated that the meeting had been called par. suant to the act of parliament. A formal report was not considered necessary. The tunnel was in excellent order. As far as this grand work was concerned the proprietors must be proud of it. There was no dividend yet to be declared. The directors, after ' twenty-five years of anxiety and labour, would have liked to give a dividend, but as some fought for glory, the original subscribers to the tunnel had the right of saying , that they commenced and completed what was at first con- eidered an impracticable work. The accounts for the past year having been read, the Chairman, in reply to questions, ' stated that the number of persons who bad passed through the tunnel in 1847 was 9513,347 against 1,010,573 in 1846. The tolls, dtc. , received in last year, were 3,9931., land in 1846 4,2101. A deficiency had been discovered in the late clerk's accounts. The Guarantee So- ciety had paid the amount claimed from them, and the directors had made up the rent; so that the company had lost nothing by the defalcations of the party referred to. The re-election of the director' who have gone out by rota tien was proceeded with. Mr. J. Nolloth was elected in the room of Mr. B. Hawes, jun., resigned. Thanks were re- , turned to the directors, and the meeting adjourned, the Chairmen having previously remarked that there had been a distinct offer made to the director. for the purchase of the Tunnel for railway purposes. Should, as was anticipated, the North Kent line be formed, the tunnel would be re quired, as the engineering difficulties were email. A divi ' dead then might be expected. REDUCTION OP POSTAGE ON LETTERS TO AND Fklo , l NEW GRANADA.—Her Majesty's government having ' concluded a convention with the republic of New Granada for the reduction of postage upon letters and newspapers conveyed between this coantry and New Granada, on and after the 16th instant the provisions of the convention will come into operation, when the rates of postage will be as follows : Upon letters passing between the United Kingdom and any port in New Granada, whether in the Atlantic or Pacific, an uniform rate of Is. the half ounce, 2a. the ounce, and so on in proportion. Upon letters passing between the United Kingdom and countries or places in the Pacific, via New Granada, an uniform rate of 2s. the half ounce, 4s. the onnee, and so on in proportion. The postage upon letters despatched from the United Kingdom to New Granada, or to countries or places in the Pacific via New Granada, must be paid in advance. British newspapers duly stamped and posted in the United Kingdom, addressed to New Granada, and New ()median newspapers, printed in the language of New Granada, and posted in that country, addressed to the United Kingdom, when forwarded by packet direct, will not be liable to post age. When such newspapers, however, are transmitted by private ship, they will be subject to a postage of Id. each, which must be paid in the United Kingdom, both on their receipt and despatch. BIRTHS AND DEATHS IN LONDON.—The regis trar's report for the week ending Saturday last, March 4, conveys the satisfactory news that the mortality has at length declined surly to its ordinary average. The deaths daring the seven days numbered 1,114 ; the average of five winters being 1,107. Typhus, scarlet-fever, and small-pox are however still unusually prevalent. The number of births during the week was 1,376. In addition to the usual weekly table, the Register General yesterday issued a, sum mary for the year 1847. This presents, at one view, the re lative fatality of different diseases, and shows the number of persons who fall victims every year to the various maladies enumerated. One very prominent fact is the large number who die from consumption and other diseases of the respiratory organs. Every week 310 deaths are caused by affections of the lungs—the bane of our island. It may be regretted that the registrar has no means of as certaining, and of showing how many of these affections are the inevitable result of our damp and changeable climate, and how many are caused, aggravated, and ultimately rendered fatal by neglect of sanitary regulations—how many cases of consumption have arisen from deficient nu. triment and scanty clothing amongst the poor, and from tight lacing, aendentary habits, and late hours amongst the rich. Next, after the chest, we find the nerve. ranging as the seat of the greatest amount of mortal disease. In this class convulsions and water on-the-brain destroy the greatest number; and these, it should be remembered find most of their chief victims amongst the children of the poor. Apoplexy stands next in power for evil. It kills on an average 23 persons a week. Disease of the heart we find claiming 31 victims; dropsy, 22; debility, 22; atrophy, 18; cancer, 14; small-pox, 18 (and it should be noted that the persons who die othis disease ere genendly returned as "not vaccinated ") ; =sales, 30; scarlet fever, 34, and hooping-cough, 35. The deaths from violence—from hanging, drowning, poison, want, cold, burns, scalds, and in other painful ways—each week in London average 30, or more than four every day. After carefully scanning this return,—this balance-sheet of death's doings amongst two millionsof city people,—it scarcely causes surprise to find that the Londoner, surrounded by so many enemies to life, seldom dies placidly of length of days. Under the he ading of " old age," we find but 81 out of 1,031, the total average deaths front all causes. A COOL COUNCIL.—At seven in the evening the party repaired to the audience-chamber, leaving their arms behind them • for they felt that any effort from five Euro peans [Mr. irooke and four others) to defend themselves against so ninny hundreds, would be unavailing, and that more would be gained by a show of indifference. They landed at the platform ; and the barge, in which were Lieut. Baugh (since dead) and myself, was ordered to lie on her oars abreast of the audience-chamber, and to keep her six• pounder, in which there was a fearful dose of grape and canister, pointed at the Sultan himself during the whole of the interview. It was an anxious time: the audience. chamber was filled with hundreds of armed men, in the midst of whom were five Europeans dictating to their Sultan. The platform outside was crowded with the wild and fearless bliunts : not a native in the city bat was armed to the teeth and anxious for the fray. We, on our parts, were well prepared for fearful vengeance ; the barge was so placed that the assassination of Mr. Brooke and the Europeans would have been revenged on the first discharge of our gun by the slaughter of hundreds; and its the main street lay the steamer, with a spring on her cable, her half-ports up, and guns loaded to the muzzle, awaiting, as by instruction, for the discharge of the gun from the barge to follow up the work of death. The platform ad. mated one of the steamer's guns to look into the audience chamber, the muzzle was pointed direct at the Sultan, a man held the lighted tow in his hand. Every European on board had his musket ready loaded, and matters assumed a serious appearance. From where I was on the barge, all appeared hushed in the audience-room. I could see the prime minister, Muds, and Budruddeen, as they rose in turns to speak. I could perceive by the motion of their lips they were talking, but not a sound came to our cars. This state of things lasted about half an hour; and then there was a slight stir, and Mr. Brooke and his party marched towards us through the crowd of warriors. By dint of threats he had gained his point. The Sultan had signed a treaty, by which he bound himself to respect the British Rag, to make over to to the island of Libman, to destroy the forts on Pulo-Cheremon, to discountenance piracy, and to install Muda and Budruddcen into offices becoming their birth and high rank. I have since heard Mr. Brooke remark, that considering the natives were well aware that our guns were directed against them, the self possession and coolness shared by every one of them were worthy of admiration. They never showed the slightest emotion ; their speeches were free from gesticulation, and even their threats were conveyed in a quiet, subdued torte, and everything was carried on with all the calmness and , deliberation that might be expected at a cabinet council at ' St. James's.—Mari _ Borneo THE CASE OP WRIXON.—Sir,-011 the recent trial of this prisoner at the Central Criminal Court for embezzling moneys of the Society of British Artists, have forth. prosecu lion evidence which, I lament to say, was misunderstood, and repered not merely to my own injury, but (which I feel the more deeply) to the injury of my brother artiste 'enmity, and particularly of the members of the Society. lam re ported to have admitted having copied one of my pictures at she exhibition, and then sold the copy for the original ; and that this was a customary practice with artists. It is to the latter part of the mischief that I wish firstly and emphati cally to address myself. I beg to state most distinctly and ,solemnly that I dui not intend to convey any such impel*. ken. What I meant, and what I believe I said, was, that it was a customary practice with artists to repeat their pictures, and I added that this was the practice of the old mestere as well as the modern. But I deny entirely that I intended to state it to be the customary practice of artists to copy a picture and sell the copy for the original. It appears, how ever, that it was so understood and reported and therefore I respectfully implore you to convey in your columns my emphatic disclaimer of any such imputation, from which I feel most anxious to relieve my brother artists. As to my own solitary, and, as I admit, unfortunate case, I beg to state the real facts, which, rather unfairly, I was prevented from giving when under the extraordinary cross examin i kon of 'the prisoner's counsel. A gentleman purchased at the exhibition a picture of mine for 17 guineas, through the me:inns of the prisoner Wrixon. Subsequently another gentleman wished for a repetition of the picture, which, at Wrixon's suggestion, I consented to make for 10 guineas. On completing it, the duplicate appeared ao much better than the original that Wrixon observed to me that it would be but fair to let the first and more munificent purchaser have it in pr. Terence, and requested me to consent to his (Wrixon's) making the substitution. In an evil moment, and without reflection, I unluckily yielded. This is the simple fact. I offer not a word in extenuation for my folly. I should not, en my own account merely, have troubled you even with this; but when it is made to appear that I alleged this to be a practice with artists, I beg again to importune your giving my solemn denial of having intentionally con veyed any such untrue imputation. And I distinctly declare that I never knew anything of the kind done by any other artist. I never was so silly as to commit myself, except in this one instance, which would not have occurred but for the suggestion of the prisoner, as being the fairest course. It is plain that the substitution could bring no pecuniary or other bent tit to me. Both purchasers were caualty strangers to me ; and the whole affair was done through the medium of the prisoner Wrizon. I could have had no interest in com mitting any fraud.—Geo. STEVINK—March 6. Flee.—Tug CROWN TAVERN, KENSINGTON.—Yes heyday morning, at an early hour, a fire, resulting in the total destruction of the Crown Tavern, and the partial demo lition of several other buildings, occurred in High-street, Kensington, and which was nearly attended with a sacrifice of life. Mr. White, the landlord of the tavern, was awoke ' br hearing the alarm in the street, and, upon opening his bedroom door, he found flames mounting the staircase. He immediately aroused his family and domestienbut so fiercely was the fire burning, that none of the parties were able to get down the stairs. Fortunately, Mr. White procured a rope, by means of which he lowered his family and servants out of one of the back windows, and, eventually, he sue. ceeded in effecting his own escape, but not until the flames had penetrated the nrom in which be was standing. Had the parties remained five minutes longer, every one must have been burned to death. Upon the arrival of the firemen they found that it was useless to attempt to save any portion of Mr. White's property, they therefore exerted themselves to cut off the further progress of the flames. Whilst so engaged several of the men nearly lost their lives, for all of a sudden the front wall of the tavern fell into the road, com pletely stopping up the thoroughfare, and forcing in the front of Mr. Boidings linen drapery warehouse on the oppo site side of the road. Tree side fronts of the houses adjoin ing the Crown, on either side, also fell into the street. The firemen, however, nothing daunted kept to their posts, but notwithstanding that every one exerted himself to the utmost nearly three hours elapsed before the flames were extinguished, by which time the tavern was totally de stroyed, and the premises severally occupied by Mr. Allen, carpenter, Mr. Turpen, working cutler, Mr. Worthington, Mr. King, and Mr. Bordon, were all partially demolished. With two exceptions the sufferers were insured. The origin of the outbreak is unknown. IRELAND. MCRLIN, MARCH 6. The tenant•right agitation is assuming a formida ble character, and if not counteracted by satisfactory legislation may lead to serious consequences. The only movement which could " send the peasantry of Ireland to the mountains," is this tenant-right excitement, which agitates with greater or less force every county In Ireland. A monster requisition appears in the local papers convoking a meeting in Meath for the 15th. At the head of the list appear Mr. Sharman Crawford and Mr. Corbally, M.P., and a long file of baronial repre sentatives. In Belfast the influential farmers of Down and Antrim held their meeting on Friday, but the expression of opinion was interrupted by the con duct of a hot-headed idealist, named Rea, who im ported his views of tenant-right from the United Irishman, and proposed the establishment of rifle corps. The farmers retired in disgust, and left Mr. Rea the enjoyment of his silly triumph over common At the Repeal Association, to-day, there was a loud burst of enthusiasm for the French revolution. Mr. John O'Connell harangued at great length on the events of which he had been a partial eye-witness, and panegyrised the revolution in the highest style. His reception was very warm, notwithstanding the mistake committed in his late letter, " To the People of Ireland," which brought him into temporary dis favour with the too ardent sympathisers. The main business done was the adoption of the " address " is sued on Monday last by the committee. The rent for the week rose to 100/. The provinces still contribute their flow of sym pathy to the French revolution. The local papers indulge in strong leaders, but none has gone so far as to adopt Col. P. Roche Fermofs strategic prin ciples, or the rifle corps of Mr. Henn Reilly. In the Freeman of this morning appears a letter from. Mr. Morgan, solicitor to the corporation, whose name is identified with the Clontarf meeting. He it was who originated that terrible placard, denounced by Mr. O'Connell, which suggested the distribution of the populace into squadrons and sections—a movement which so powerfully alarmed the government of the day and led to the state prosecutions. In his last, Mr. Morgan spurns the idea of petitions to parlia ment. He suggests, instead of that old delusion, the immediate convocation of all the parishes in Ireland, and addresses of congratulation to the Provisional Government of France. "Are we afraid or ashamed —or both?" is his portentous interrogatory. As to the specific demonstration of the metropolis he goes beyond the Clontarf movement, and suggests, as follows, a gathering from both county and city of all men between 16 and 63 on Patrick's-day, at some central point ; thence a solemn procession to the Rotondo, headed by the Lord Mayor and corporation in their official robes, followed by their constituents, according to their wards. The trades of Dublin to form around Stephen's green with music and banners, and take up the line of march after the rural and urban volunteers ; " the corn and coal porters to keep order along the route." After the Rotondo is reached, an address of " fra ternal greeting to the Provisional Government," and then, if you will, a " memorial to parliament for im mediate repeal." The whole is to be wound up with " a declaration of right to an independent legisla ture," to be inscribed with the name and residence of every man determined to struggle for its attainment, and to be enrolled as a national guard to defend the soil and liberties of Ireland." Lord Clarendon has just perfoinned an act of gene rosity and clemency, which, it is to be hoped, will be fairly appreciated by the peasantry of Tipperary. Forty persons, confined in the prisons of the north and south riding for agrarian offences, have been dis charged, and suffered to return to their families and occupations in the commencement of spring. The Tipperary Ree Prey; acknowledges the kindness of the noble earl, and augurs the best results from his unexpected favour. The Countess of Clarendon is untiring in her ex ertions to promote the Irish poplin trade. She has given orders to our most celebrated manufacturer to supply, from her own designs, a gold tissue dress, to be worn on St. Patrick's irght, and to be called the "Clarendon poplin." Her ladyship has also ex pressed an anxious wish that all of her sex, who honour the festivities at the castle on that occasion, should appear in the beautiful manufacture of their own country. A third candidate appears in the field for Kinsale, on the repeal interest—Mr. : 4 .l.Namara Cantwell, an intelligent and popular solicitor, who conducted the defence for Dr. Gray, Richard Barrett, and Tom Steele on the state prosecutions. The Kinsale fisher men, however, are not remarkable for the sacrifices they ever make for country. Vrbt Court. Viscount Palmerstoa had an audience of her Majesty yesterday at Buckingham Palace. Captain Fitzgerald had an interview with Earl Grey yesterday at the Colonial-office. Admiral Sir C. Adam had an interview with the Right Hon. E. Strutt yesterday. Mr. Beckett, M.P., had also an interview yesterday . with the right hon. gentleman, at the office of the Commissioners of Railways in the Board of Trade. A deputation of the iron trade of South Stafford- shire on the Health of Towns Bill had an interview with Viscount Morpeth esterday, at the office of her Majesty's Commissioners of Woods and Forests, in Whitehall place. The deputation consisted of Lord Ingestre, lion. C. Villiers, Mr. Thorueley, Hon. E. Littleton, Alderman Copeland, Colonel AIMS, Mr, Sparrow, Mr. Philiip Williams, Mr. Ward, and Mr. Barker. Despatchee were sent off yesterday evening ff from the Colonial office for the governors of Ceylon au Hong. Kong. Front last night's Gazeoge. LORI) CHAMRERLAIN'S-OFFICE, FEB. 18.—Prince Albert will, by the desire of her Majesty, hold a levee at St. James's Palace, on behalf of her Majesty, on Wednes• day, the 22nd March inst., at 2 o'clock. NVIIITEnALL, MARCH 6.—The Queen has been pleased to appoint It. T. Kindersley, Esq., to be one of the Masters in Ordinary of the High Court of Chancery, in the room of Sir O. Wilson, Knight. FOREIGN -OFFICE, MARCH 4.—The Queen has been pleased to approve of Mr. C. F. Jaritz, as Consul at Cape Town fur hia Majesty the King of Denmark.—The Queen has also been pleased to approve of Mr. J. E. Naylor. as Consul at Liverpool for the republic of Peru. COURT OF ALDERMEN. Yesterday a court was held for the despatch of public business. WINDOW-RILEARINO.—AIderman Wilson called the atten tion of the court to the fact that window-breaking had much increased and that the spirit of mischief had inermwed along with it to a disproportionate extent, for the delinq uents broke the most valuable windows when their object of being locked up in prison could be gained by smashing windows in the same houses of comparatively no value. For instance, in his ward, on the day before, a pane had been broken which coat 951. lie trusted that a clause would be intro duced into one of the bills to be brought into parliament by the government calculated to remedy the evil by making the offence, upon repetition twice or thrice, punishable by trans portation for seven or fourteen years. The suggestion was eventually adopted. Tax PRISONERS IN OILTSI•OR-STREET COMPEER.— Alderman Farebrother presented a petition, signed by several risoners, confined for various offences in the Giltspur-street ompter, applying for an increased allowance of meat. The petition was drawn up by a fellow, who had been fiequently I brought before the magistrates upon charges of " bilking" taverns and public-houses. The petition was referred to a committee. . . . Suess Cass.—Mr. Field, jun., of the firm of Field, Son, and Bayley, attended the court relative to the complaint made against him by Mr. „Horatio Folliott Nelson, at the last Court of Aldermen. Mr. Nelson was also in attendance, but the learned counsel for the com plainant and respondent were both engaged in cases in the courts of law A solicitor appeared upon each side.— Mr. Field put in a statement of the circumstances con nected with the transactions in Wexford, Waterton], and Valentia shares referred to in the complaint Up,* against then of Mr. Horatio Folliott Nelson. Upon the part of the complaining petitioner, application was made to adjourn the case until counsel should beside to attend. Mr. Field, however, earnestly entreated the mem bers, for the sake of his character, which had already suf fered by the statements made against him, to take the matter at once into consideration.—The court was soon afterwards cleared, and, after a short deliberation, the aldermen came to (as we were given to understand) the almost unanimous resolution not to put the bond of Mr. Field, jun., in force.— The respondent was called in ; the doors were opened, and the Town Clerk read the decision of the members, which was to the following effect. " The court, considering the circumstances of the case, do not think it necessary to put your bond in force." DISTURBANCES IN TRAFALGAR-SQUARE. On this subject we have received the following com munication, ; the second is a complete answer to the first : Sir,—A great deal of silly, unmeaning disturbance has been goiog on throughout the afternoon at Tratalgu.square, between the police and a promiscuous multitude. What the object of either party could be seemed a mystery to the spectators. I heard generally amongst respectable parties, who were standing as spectators, bitter complaints against the officiousness and the injudieious display made by the police ; and it was frequently repeated, that if the police had never come, the crowd would havespeedily melted, but their arrival and interference caused bad feeling. Whether this be correct or not I shall not say, as I did not see the commencement of the fray, and could make no sense out of the movements or countermovements either of the police or of the mob. But this is not the point I care mach about. Here seems to be the serious part of the affair. lam told a public meeting had been convened in Trafalgar-square ; that the commissioners of police had de elated it would be illegal ; that in consequence of this de claration the meeting was not held; and that the subsequent tumults arose from the police trying to clear the square. I am only speaking from the reports on the soot ; but it be comes you, and your other sincere and earnest fellow labourers in the cause of freedom, to look narrowly into this case. I have as little sympathy as I believe you have with the party who I understand convened the meeting; but here we have two serious questions that ought to be more distinctly settled than I have ever yet seen them. 1. What are the distinctive qualities that render • public meeting legal or illegal in this country ? 2. What authority have the com missioners of police to declare certain public meetings ille gal ? and upon what grounds did they declare that this one was so ? Insignificant as the occasion seems, I think it right to suggest that a clear definition should be demanded as to the test of the legality or illegality of public meetings, and also as to the authority in such matters possessed by the police com missioners. Whether they admire or despise the getters-up of this meeting, Englishmen should look very sharp after any attempt to interrupt their liberty of meeting.—NOTA. B min.—Monday afternoon. Si it,—When - Mr. Cochrane was informed that the holding of a public meeting in the open air (he having tried noose cessfidly to have it held in the first instance at the late Crown and Anchor; and secondly at the Freemasons' tavern) within one mile of Westminster Hall during the inning of parliament was illegal, why did he not adjourn it to a lace 'icy beyond that distance (he might have gone to Coveat garden market, it appears, by the act, the scene of his former triumphs) ? He had sufficient time and opportunity for so doing, instead of issuing a placard at one o'clock in the day, saying the meeting would not take place, when it had already assembled. An hour's notice would have been suffi tient, and " padding the hoof " would have been no punish ment to the majority of his assembled auditory composed as it was principally of those who to see a " mill " —not • " wind" of that ilk would go ten times that distance, on finding a protesting " beak" or parish " Bumble " interfering to prevent its " com , ing olf "on the proposed scene of action ? Why did not Mr. C. direct his " Tom Oliver" to take the ropes and stakes elsewhere ? It would appear that, having raised his " Frankenstein," there he left him to play his pranks at plea- sure reckless of the consequences that might ensue. It is all very well to say that if the police had not interfered all would have gene off quiet:v ; but the time and place demanded that tae assembly, constituted as it was, should disperse. The business of the day !sad been abandoned, a rival body had had its say, and Mr. Reynolds, the speaker of the new occasion, had been escorted in triumph to his hotel, or " two pair back," in Wellington-rtrott, as the ease may be. Again to-day hat this disgraceful acne been renewed, SCOTLAND. The students of Mariscbal College, Aberdeen, have elected Lord Robertson as their lord rector; the other candidate brought forward was Mr. Disraeli, M.P., but the learned poet had a majority over the novelist legislator in all the nations. A good deal of interest was excited by the contest, and so elated were the supporters of Lord Robertson at their success, that they procured the aid of the band of the regiment stationed in the town, and, in true academic taste, paraded the streets in triumph. Glasgow is the only other Scotch university where universal suffrage pre vails in rectorial election. In Edinburgh the lord provost is rector ex officio; and possibly the want of the elective franchise in the metropolitan institute so im prisons the exuberance of the ingenious youths sport ing within its quadrangle, that snow-ball and other extemporaneous kinds of rioting is resorted to far letting off the pent-up steam. Tex Br.a.miN's Acr.—Mesars. Macgregor and Heinle, the members for Glasgow, have been solicited by their consti- Weals to bring in a measure amending the law by which no seaman is allowed to hare recourse to self-defence unless his life is in danger, the object being to prevent the recurrence of Puch cases as the late mutiny on board the James Campbell. PROVINCIAL. LANCASHIRE. -----.-- TIIE LIVERPOOL BANKING COMPANY.—Yesterday the annual meeting of this company (which a few months ago suspended payment) was held in Liverpool, Mr. George Rsmsden in the chair. The liabilities declared at the meet. ing held in November last were about 400,0001 ; and the re port now submitted showed that up to the 12th of lebreary this amount had been brought down to rather less than 100,0001. On the motion of Mr. Ward, seconded by Mr. Johnston, it was resolved to appoint two auditors to examine the accounts and report on them to an adjourned meeting. Mr. Edmund Ward and Mr. J. W. Coward were romt• nated ; and the meeting was adjourned till Monday, the 3rd of April next. LITERATURE. RIPIIATI:11 Prophetic Almanac for 1848. The Times and Morning Chronicle have been pro- pounding with most exquisite sell complacency the ories explanatory of the causes which have restored the Comte de Neubly to the calm shades of private life. With all due deference to these sages, we may be allowed to remark that they are, like the Seotchman, " wise &bin' ban'," while a philosopher, whose poll tical wisdom is about equal to theirs, foretold the ' event, besides detecting its causation. Yes, Raphael, the astrologer of the nimteenth century, predicted in October last the overthrow of the late King of the French, and accounted for it by a theory at least as tenable as that maintained byeitker of the authorities we have named. According to Raphael, the stars have done it all, and the Ulysses of the great modern revolutionary epic may put in the same plea in miti gation of his errors, which the poet has assigned to certain fair sinners— When weak women go astray. Their stare are more in fault Man they. " The sun suffers eclipse," says the mystic sage, " while joined with Saturn, and Jupiter halts in his celestial career through Cancer, as if to ponder on impending woes. These highly-fraught configura tions are tokens of the vacation of a throne, and, d may be, the annihilation of power in a family." The prophecy, it is true, indicates the month of March as the time of these catastrophes ; but perhaps the stars, like mortals, hare invented an electric telegraph for communicating the decrees of destiny, and astrologers have not yet learned to make allowance for the increased celerity with which their celestial messages reach our earth. The warning voice was repeated more than once. What we have quoted relates to the month of March. Among the vaticinations of the brumal quarter (21st December to 20th March) we read : " There are symptoms of an outburst of the general voice in favour of some alteration or innovation, and an em broilment no-way beneficial to those classes whose advantage lies in the maintenance of ' things as they are." And in " the Nativity of Louis Philippe " we are told that this year " Evil will manifest itself among the family of Louis Philippe, and derangement in the rich fortunes of the house of Orleans." Nay, more, " The figure before me is of a martial cast, showing a determined reliance upon armed forces for accom plishing his (Louis Philippe's) plane." And, finally, " Paris, with its many citadels, may witness struggles as violent as those that in destroying the kingly office opened a vista wherein we may trace successive phases and usurpations of power, and of which Louis Philippe is the termi nating point or figure." And all this the ex-King and his minister might have known in October last " for the small charge of half-a-crown," whereas ignorance of it has cost the former a whole one. Let it not be said that the fore knowledge would have been of no avail against des tiny. The sage Raphael assures us, on the contrary, that "The heavens invite or dispose to good or evil, but do not compel to either." Surely since events have set their seal of corroboration upon Raphael's prescience, his Prophetic Messenger Will be Ordered for every government office: bound up in the Foreign-office with the Almanac de Gotha ; at the Admiralty, with the Nautical Magazine ; and at the board over which Mr. Strutt presides with the Railway Guide. A propos of this latter de partment, we learn from Raphael with mingled pleasure and regret that, in the autumn quarter, " the moon applying to Jupiter" prognosticates that " the prospects for the great interests involved in railways are more favourable ; improved manage ment and fewer casualties are among the desiderata which will become evider.t during the interval under notice." Not to flatter Jupiter and the Moon, we expect at least as much assistance in these matters from their conjunction as from the conjunction of the wise men in Whitehall. To put Dawning-street on the alert, we need only hint that in the month of June " Jupiter quartiles Herschel," and " the Sun and Saturn bear the same hostile relation," foreboding that " a great politician, or magistrate, suffers in person, or vacates his official seat." Our first fear was for Lord Palmerston : in our mind's eye we saw him prostrate before Mr. Chisholm Anstey. Bat, on second thoughts, the per sonal suffering appears to point to Lord John's influ enza ;:and this view is corroborated by the concluding sentence of Sir Robert Peel's nativity :—" In my judgment he will be found leading public opinion in financial matters ; ahiaing forth when crime arrive, which less experienced and far-seeing statesmen will fail to combat successfully, and thus, in all probabi lity, again be called to assume the helm of state." Our readers will believe us that our very first dip into futurity, after our faith in Raphael had been confirmed by the late events in France, was to inquire after the prospects of financial reform. During the summer quarter, we are happy to learn— " unexpected propositions tending to a more equal system of taxation will emanate from the ruling powers: . The summer quarter does not com mence before Lad7.clay, but as the French revolution broke out before it was due, so may this reform of taxation. Mr. Bright had better be on the alert with his motion about legacy and probate duties, or the ministers, who so quickly gave up the main feature of their budget, may forestal him, and grant his request before he makes it. gin Drama• - - DRURT-LANE THEATRE. —M. Junin, haying finished his opera season, has opened this theatre u a circus, having imported the whole equestrian troupe from Frenconi's Theatre at Paris. Last evening was their first night of per formance. The theatre is well fitted up for an entertainment of this nature. The arena, or circle, is in the centre of the house; end the pit and stage form two spacious amphithe atres, which, as well as the boxes, were crowded spee tators. As to the entertainments, they were much in the style of Astley's, but without any dramatic representation, though there were one or two clown,' who cracked jokes in French and broken English. There was first a series of gymnastic exerthes, by a troop of voltigeurs, similar to whet we see at Astley's ; and these were followed by a succession of male and female equestri ans' riding round the circle, and performing a variety of cats of agility and address. Some of these, especially by Fanny Stanley, 2ddlle. Emmeline Lambert, and Male. Coralie DucA, were graceful and beautiful, as well as surprising. The most distinguished of the lady performers is Mdlle. Caroline, who rode a magnificent horse round the circle, and, without the performance of any feat whatever, made the most elegant exhibition of horsemanship (or horse womanship) we have ever witnessed. A little boy named Loisset received enthusiastic applause ; his exploits, performed a":. tremendous speed, being marvellous from their boldness and the apparent ewe with which be performed them. A quadrille and a waltz, danced by four ladies and four gentle. men on horseback, were also exceedingly pretty and greatly applauded. There was a sort of comic interlude, in which one of the performers acted the part of a large B razilian &IA with surprising but rather disagreeable fidelity, and one of the smallest of 'dwarfs made his appuranoe--also an object more curious than pleasant. This performance was dull, and spun out to an insufferable length. On the whole, how ever' the entertainments gave the greatest satisfaction to the crowded assemblage of spectator; and this enterprise pro• mists to be very successful. UNIVERSITY AN ! ) CLERICAL. C►YBRIDOE.-CLYIX Scaol►tul, Ruacren MARCR 8. —R.,Day, King's; R. Elwyn, Trinity. GLOUCESTER CATHEDRAL.—An order in council appear, in last night's Goalie, authorising the purchase of the leave of cer tain premises adjoining the engem end of Oknoester Cathedral for the purpose of improving the precincts of that edifiew The tueds are to come from ► sum si 2,03/1.. Three per Cents., sow stthding t 3 the credit of the dean and chapter in the toots of the Accountant-ilealeal of the Court of Chancery. THE NETT CHURCH, tie SHEPHERD'S WALE, MOETON, woo yesterday cthagerated by the bishop of London. Its metes has teen paid for from the Metropolis Churches Feed. This structure will accommodate *hew. 1,000 persons to the we end aisles (theme P