The Express. — London, England, 1851-02-07 00:00:00

FRANCE. PARIS, TRCIVIDAT I stated yesterday that Louis Napoleon had re nounced the idea of a national subscription. It seems certain today that a change has taken place in the intentions orthe President, and that the scheme will be promoted by the government with all the energy possible. The committee on the notation has appointed M. de Mornay president, and M. l)ruet-llcavatur p eerv tary. The report will be presented with as little delay as possible. M. Creton, it is said, would propose an amendment interdicting the appeal to a national subscription. M. Combarel de Leyval is ex pected to be appointed reporter. The report is ex pected to be presented to-morrow, and the debate to commence on Monday. The bitter terms in which the organs of the coali tion speak of the projected appeal to a national sub scription, give some colour to the report concerning the intended amendment of M. Creton. But I am informed it is not likely to be made. The simple rejection will be proposed. Piseatory has been appointed reporter on the notation BiIL Some members voted for M. Bare. To-morrow an important debate will take place in reference to a proposition which excites much atten tion in relation to the revolutionary aspect of things brought about by the coalition against the govern ment. 'Phis is the motion of MM. de Tinguy and Desmarets for authoriting the Councils-General to bold extra ordinary sessions, and to take ordain mew. mires independent id the central government in cane Paris should become the theatre of serious events. The Mountain is strongly opposed to this measure, which will not meet tither with the support of the 286, aimed as it is by the legitimists against the suppmsed di-sign of proclaiming tho empire. But it will be supported by the party of MM. Thiers and I send you a complete report of the debate in the bureaux on the 'Motion. The main arguments of the opposers of the bill was the haeknied one of M. 'riders, that the lbstation changed the nature of the institution of the presidency. The /ending argument oa the other side was, that the election of Louie Napoleon had given a stamp to the institution of the presidency completely at variance with the notions of the Constituent, which had made so parsimonious a provision for the President. (Me is curious to know the sort of conscience with hilt the organs of M. Miens and the legitimists van deny the existence of a coalition, when the com psssitiun of the committee on the ikdation Rill proves the systematic exclusion dell who voted against the amendment of St. Heuer, the 286, as they are called; as if it were not obvious to the simplest intelligence that such a result could only have been procured in the 15 bureaux by the Mountain and the legiti mists and the niers fraction of Urleanists playing into each other's hands. Eae k burvaux consists, at its maximum, of :,o members. Say that 45 were presit, an even distribution gould give 1$ fur the party of 286 which support the government, 15 for the Left, 9 for the legitimists, aml 3 for the party of M. 'fliers. It is therefore clear that if every fraction had voted only for its own colour, the elections would have been in favour of the government. But the majority of the committee consists precisely of that party whisk is least numerous in the Assembly, namely. the 58 followers of M. Thiers, so that a more glaring cane of coalition never existed. Three kgitimists, Drurt-Desvatut, Desmarea. and Pidoux were chusen in three of the bureaux ; and, to return tlw compliment, Rum representatives of the Left, Grvvy. Salvia, and lkie were elected in three others. As to the Orlcanist members of the committee, tiny have not been taken generally from the doubt ful shades. We must phus , at the head, M. Bare, 111 C (1111 , t0r, the zealous defender of M. Yon, M. Croon, the author of the proposition relative to the nsall of the banished royal families; M. l'iscntory, the founder of a meeting devoted to thorough-red thleanism; M. Chainholle, the herald of the Per manent Committee in the war against the President of the Republic; M. de Mornay. the paladin of the regency, who expressed his indignation, in a full assembly, at the constitutional scruples of M. Thiers, deviating that be would not have remained at Clare mont if iu his pre-sine a different title had been given to the Count do Paris to what he held in France. The funds were sensibly affected to-day, by the unfavourable composition of the committee on the flotation, and the bitter opposition which this sign V lump. against the geceniment. The Fives, which were at first 'maintained, by considerable purchases, at the closing quotation of yesterday, declined after wanls 34k., closing at Mfr. .50e. The dcbutes of the Assembly to-day were entirely de void of interest. M. Fkintayra developed, in a long speech, his 'notion for substituting a tax on capital fur the wind, or duty levied at the gates of towns upon articles of consumption : After a speech of commen . Purace extent frn; M. Leon Fauchc:r, the motion was throat' out. The house then passed to the discussion of bills tending to place eertun buildings at the dis pssal of the Ministry of War fur barracks and hovitals. The Queen's speech is generally noticed in the Paris press with favour, and the moderation with which the Pawl question is touelied upon is praised. But the Dolmas foresees that this mildness will not be reflected in the debutes of the parliament. The nary., says that the manifesto of Wiseman proves that the eatholics will be the first to support a Inca sum fur maintaining the rights of the crown and the independence of the nation, neither of which aro menaced by an organisation of the catholic hierarchy. It observes, also, that the determination expressed to maintain unimpaired the religious liberty of England is ambiguous, and applicable to protestanbi, and thus loses the value which it would have in the eyes of catholic., if it were a clear declaration in favour of the maintenance of the principles of emancipation. The Minister of Finance announces that no peti tions to the government will receive attention which are not written upon stare rd paver. It is rep . orted that MN de l'ersign• y, Nicuwer kerke, and Itacioechi, three intimates of the Elysee, will succeed to three of the colonelcics of the Na tional Guard, vacated by the resignations which en sued upon the dismissal of Gen. Changarnier. Yesterday the Bureaus examined the petition of M. do hi Croisette for authorization to prosecute M. Ney de la Moseorva. The majority of the com mittee appointed are favourable to the petition. HOWUBIL PARIS. Pm 6. Pot Ileasy. 97 IS 94 11111 91 MI ML ell N IS 33 3 per Co.ent 1 per Cents 3 per Cents. New Los., . I per Cents. Do .. 4 pee Cents. ili Esstssage ea [modes: at si t, 714 074; 0 0 dips , 94 10. Belgian, 3, MO lOl Hooey. Nspkis Bette. le le Marty. D o. , lief.— ... Soma Lea; 1430 ... lltj ... 4 Do. Si lll4O ... Tnism f1ay....., ... Ptsdnsont 3p. Cast 11.1 00 ... Bank Siam ........ 2119 .. Bur Itsl.—Versailles (eight Desk), 173; ditto (lift lank )), IGS. Paris arid Orleans, 875; Paris and Rouen, MO ; Rouen and Barre. 278 75; Marseilles and Afignoll, 19-5; Strasbourg and Bale, 158 75; Centre, 410; Orleans and Bordeaux, 401 25; North 476 2.5; l'aris and Strasbourg, 366 25; Tours and Nantes, 250; Montereau and Troys.s. 97 30 ; Dieppe and leaunp, 220; Bordeaux and Tate, 40. rOSill r ss 30 • 117 51 1 ton 4-i 37 M . Ili 53 1111 le 116 Ai MK MN 96 40 ... . ... MATIRTP, Jaw. 31.—Three per Cents., 341 ; after Bola*, 34 3-16 cash, 341 paper. Four per Cents., 12t. Five per Cents., 13; after Bobs, 13 paper, 12 13-16 cash. Cou pons, 71; after Holm, 7} cash. Psurives, 4; after Bola, 4 cash. Bank of 3t. Ferdinand, 961. Elehange on London, 60.6.1 ITALY. ROMAN STATES. Our Roman correspondent, writing on the 31st of January, states that General Gemesn had threatened the city with martial law, fur which various motives are adduced. The abdication of the Popo was very generally rumoured. Attempts had been made on l the part of the Roman priests to hare the Swiss pro testant chapel at Florence closed. The Pop e had named the new state councillors in an edict, the substance of which, together with two others on the municipality and carnival, is given. No masks were to be allowed. On the 26th the Niagara's band sacked the city of Forlimpopoli. The annual meet lag of British Academy had been held at Rome. Mr. Sheil arrived at Florence on thy 26th. r AnnMALTY, FED. 6. APPorSTMENl4.—Bost sasin (Imp Wilson and Carpenter Thomas Fuller, to Um*. GERMANY. Berlin correspondence of the 4th inst. states that Count Sponnek, the Danish agent, had left Berlin for Vienna on that day. Letters from Vienna of the 2nd contradict the statement of the Vienna papers respecting the al lege•d dangerous condition of the Count do Chambord. The count is slightly indisposed. The Vienna papers publish the financial statement for the third quarter of 1830. The deficit is 19,000,000 florins. BOSNIA. An encounter has taken place at Mostar, in Herze govina, between the:Turkish troops and the insur gents. The latter were defeated. It is, however, stated that the Seraskier will not commence his operations before the spring. It is likewise asserted that the Herzegovina is to be incorporated with Bosnia. Benttu, Fan. S.—Voluntary Loan, 1064; New Loan, Four-and-a-Half per Cents., 1004; National Debt, 844; Commercial Marino Society's l'resuium, 129; Dank Shade, 97. VIENNA, Fee. 4.—Firs per Cent. Metalliques, 961, Four-and-a-Half per Cents., 811. Hank Shares, 1,166. Eachange on LOllllOO, 12.42. COLONIAL. CAPE OF GOOD HOPE. We have received the Graham's TOWS Journal of Dee. 7. Having referred to the "imminence" of a Kaffir war, it gives the following on the incite of the frontier: From received by us since our last issue, there does not apps-ar to be the smallest abatement of the excitement which then prevailed. On the contrary, so alarming are the reports from all quarters, and especially from those most intimately acquainted with the K atfirs and their movements in Kaffirland, that the farmers along the whole line from Graham's Town to the Orange River are adopting every means in their power against surprise, and to secure their property against a sudden outbreak by the adjacent tribes. AU the Hocks and herds of the residents of the Fish River, Konap, and Kat Rivers, have been driven back, the whole country towards Somerset, Graff-Reinet,and Cradoek, being in numerous parts literally covered with the sheep, cattle, waggons, and horses of the retreating inhabi tants. The scene is alike instructive, impressive, and affective, while it is quite certain that the lees will be, even under the most favourable circumstances, immense. The case is aggras ated by the fact that this is the commencement of the shearing n, the very period to which the pains taking flock-master looked for the replenishment of his ex- haustcel finances. Comparatively few have fallen back towards Uitenhage, the great bulk moving off to the north ward, to the districts mentioned. A few of the more substaatially-built dwelling-houses along the border are still occupied, and will he defended in the event of attack, but the greater number have been totally abandoned, many waggon-loads of furniture, &c., passing into Fort Beaufort daily, while their gardens and corn lands, in some places with the standing crops, have been left a prey to the ruth less vagabonds by which the country, wheu thus deserted, in fested. This inevitably he This precipitate movement on the part of the farmers is, as above stated, attributable to a variety of rumours of an alarming character, which it bas been our aim to trace to the foundations ou which they rest. Many of them are great exaggerations ; but still, after making every deduc tion, enough gremains to convince every reasonable person that matters have reached a crisis, and that war with all its horrors would he preferable to the state of anxious uncer tainty in which the border inhabitants now live. From the information afforded to us, we gather that the prime agents in getting up the existing excitement in Kaffirland are San /lint and his chief councillor Anta, the latter a man of athletic frame, and who pixosevies great influeuce over the mind of his chief. The policy of these two men has been to unite the different Kaffir tribes in hostility to the white man. In this they have so far succeeded, as that Kreili, and Ma poem, the Tambookie chief, arc fully committed to their and in the event of war will, it is affirmed, on hesitatingly join them, though there are tome of Kreili's couucillors who do not afford it their countenance. At present the must Kaffirs under Unshala and l'ato are quiet. The latter has openly declared his adhesion to the colony, and there is no reason to doubt his sincerity, but the former is not so explicit. As yet he is passive, but the slightest move either way may decide him. His faithful adherence to the colony at this moment would be most opportune—his defection in an inverse ratio disastrous. We are glad to re mirk, that the report of the British Commissioner residing with him is favourable, and leaves the hope that Utuliala sees his true interest, and will not forfeit his allegiance to the British Crown. _ ..... . The eo-ealled prophet, tmlanjeni ' is another strong fea ture in the present tan. We have heard him spoken of in terms of contempt as a tor, a fool, a madman, a knave. But no matter what may be fis true appellation, one thing is quite certain, namely, that at this moment he exercises un bounded influences over the Kaffir mind ' • that his word is implicitly believed, and his commands unhesitatingly executed. Some are led to believe that he is the mere puppet of the war party, and if so, then the parties are certainly entitled to high credit for having hit upon an expedient, which has been successful to on extent bordering on the marvellous. There is evinced great method in his madness, and the most Ruble design in his apparent folly. The command has gone forth from him, that the Kaffir, are to slay and cat ; they are to slaughter cattle if they lose them, but at all events, whether they have them or not, they arc to slaughter. This command is obeyed with alacrity. Feasting is the order of the day throughout the length and breadth of Kattirland ; frantic dances form the interlude, and in this state of excitement those subject to it, and especially the young men, are ripe for any mischief, and at a word would rush into danger and revel in the com mission of the greatest camases. We hose had the best means of ascertaining, that at one small trader's station on the borders of Kaffirland, no less than 500 cattle hides had been purchased within the past two mouths, as many as 30 hides having been purchased in one day. It is suspected too, that Hermann', the Kaffir chief living within the colony on the Blinkwater, is not merely cogni sant of all these doings in Kaffirland, but that he is deeply involved in the treasonable and treacherous designs upon the colony. This surmise about,' not be hastily indulged, and especially as no overt act is brought home to him i which can give it warrant. liermauu.s, in the two last wars, approved himself to be a zealous partisan of the British forces, and if abuses exist among his people, those abuses are as clearly attributable to our own remissness as to any bad feeling or evil design on the side of the other party. This matter must not be trifled with, nor is it the moment to indulge in crirnination, which, after all, may not be based in absolute fact. Hermann,' may be made the instrument of much good to the colony; and, if proper countenance he shown, and efficient support given ham by the government, be of immense service its the general defence. It is affirmed that he can at present com mand the services of 300 fighting men, actually residing on the lands assigned to him, but at is thought that besides these he can influence two or three hundred more beyond the border, and thus bring into the field a force of the greatest moment, either for good or evil, to all concerned. In the meantime, pending the return of the governor, the colonists and the authorities aro not altogether regardless of needful preparations for the worst. At Alice and Fort Beaufort a voluntary organisation has taken place, and at Graham's Town a rifle corps is being funned, besides an association under Mr. Stubbs, who, during the last war, commanded the well-known " Sporting Club," which earned for itself a reputation for courage and activity un surpassed by any body of men enrolled at that period. A large body of F'ingots, now dwelling along the frontier line, are also, it is said, prepared and willing to take the field on the first sound of alarm. These will, we doubt not, do good service in any operations which may take place across the border, and especially in the moun tainous region now occupied by the rebel chiefs. The Rat River inhabitants will, we may suppose, defend their own possessions, and will doubtless be found, as heretofore from their position and habits they always have been, most va luable auxiliaries in • frontier war. etc Court. WINDSOR, FIB. 6. Her Majesty the Queen, with the Prince of Wales, drove out this morning in a pony carriage, in Windsor wk, accompanied by his Royal Highness Prince Albert on horseback. Lord Charles Fitzroy was in attendance. The younger member of the Royal Family took their usual airings. Viscount Jocelyn and Professor Sedgwick are expected to arrive at the Castle to-day on a visit to the Quern and the Prince. The royal dinner party at the Castle this evening will include the Duke of Cambridge, the Princess Mary of Cambridge, the Baroness de Speth, Viscount Jocelyn, Major-General and Lady Isabella Wemyss, and Professor Sedgwick. The band of the Gold stream Guards will be in attendance and play during dinner. Her Majesty's private band will attend and per , form in the evening. The Duchess of Cambridge and the Princess Mary left Kew on Wednesday on a nsit to her Royal Highness the Duchess of Kent, at Frogmore. A deputation from the enemies, solicitors, and proctors of England and Wales, consisting of Mr. Edward White, Mr. D. S. Beckett, Mr. William Wuodroofe, Mr. John Clayton, Mr..l. E. Walters, and Mr. M. Claybon, bad an interview with Sr George Grey at the Home-office yester day, to present an address to her Majesty against the recent papal aggression , signed by upwards of 6,000 members of the profession. Major Bl:o-kall, M.P., had an interview with Earl Grey yesterday at the Colonial-office. A deputation, headed by Mr. Hodges, M.P., Mr. Fuller, M.P., and Mr. l'rewcn, M.P., had an interview with the Chancellor of the Exchequer yesterday, at his official resi dence in Downing -street. The Duke of Roxburghe had an interview with Sir George Grey yesterday, at the llome-office. The Cambridge University Commission met yesterday at the residence of the First Lord of the Treasury, in Downing -street. Present, the Bishop of Chester, Sir J. F. W. Herschel, the Rev. Professor Sedgwick, and the Rev. W. 11. Bateaux (Secretary). Sir Richard Bulkeley had an interview with Sir George Grey at the Home-office yesterday. The Ecclesiastical Commissioners for England had a general meeting yesterday at their office in Whitehall place. Despatches were received yesterday at the Colonial-office, from the Governors of the NN est India Islands. The Judicial Conunittee of the Priii Council sat yester day. The lords present were Baron Parke, the Chancellor of the Duchy of Cornwall, the Judge of the Admiralty Court, and Sir Edward Ryan. An appeal from Canada, "The Quebec Fire Insurance r. Molson and St. Louis" (part heard), war resumed and concluded. A Cabinet Council was held yesterday afternoon at the Foreign-office. The ministers present were— Lord John Russell, the Lord Chancellor, the Mar quis of Lansdowne, the Earl of .11into, Sir George Grey, Viscount l'ulmerston, Earl Grey, the Chancel lor of the Exchequer, Sir Francis Baring, Sir John Hobhou.se, the hurl of Carlisle, the Bight Hon. Henry Labouchcre, the Marquis of Clannearde, and the Hight lion. Fox Maule. The council at one hour and a half. REPEAL OF THE WINDOW TAX. DEPUTATION TO THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER. Yesterday the delegates selected by the various parishes in London, in which meetings have been held fur the purpose of promoting the repeal of the window tax, assembled at the Marylebone Court-house, previous to wait ing, according to appointment, as a deputation, on the Chancellor of the Exchequer. Mr. J. A. NICHOLAY, the chairman of the committee, presided. Mr. J. WILLIAMS, M.P., said he hoped that in their interview with the Chancellor they would not digress into other matter, and that they would not propose any other tax as a substitute, but would insist ou an unconditional repeal. (Hear, hear) Mr. WYLD, M.P., said he understood it was to be com municated to the Chancellor that if this tax were not re peakd they should atop the supplies. (Hear) Some preliminaries were then arranged, after which the mi mliers of the deputation got into cabs and other vehicles, which were waiting to convey them to their destination. There were altogether fifty or sixty vehicles, and on the outside of many of them large placards had been affixed, bearing the inscription--" Unconditional Repeal of the Window Tax." The procession, which reached from Re gent-cirrus to Maryleboneslanc, then slowly wended its way down Oxford-street, Regent-street, and Whitehall, to Down ing-strect, where the deputation was reinforced by the addi tion of another body of delegates from Lands th. The Chancellor of the Exchequer being engaged with another deputation on another subject, the delegates were shown into the official residence of the First Lord of the Treasury, where Sir Charles Wood joined them shortly after their arrival. Altogether the deputation consisted of more than two hundred persons, who inconveniently crowded the very large room into which they were shown, and as they could not all obtain a view of the speakers, some of them stood upon chairs. Besides the delegates there were also present Lord Duncan, M.l'. ; Sir B. Hall, M.P.; Mr. J. S. Buncombe, M.P.; Mr. Wakley, M.P.• Mr. Wyld, M.P.; Sir W. Molesworth, M.P.; Mr. W. Williams, M.P.; land Mr. J. Williams, M.P.. Lord DUNCAN, addressing the Chancellor of the Ex chequer, said he had been nquested to introduce one of the most numerous, and he believed one of the most respectable deputations that had ever waited upon any Chancellor of the Exchequer; and the reason why he had been selected to introduce them was that it had gene rally fallen to his lot to bring forward in the House of Commons the motion for the repeal of the window tax. Ile believed that the gentlemen in this room had, many of them, been elected as delegates, and that they represente d & wide-spread feeling against the window tax. lie believed that that feeling was not confined to the metropolis alone : he believed that it pervaded other dis tricts. He would not take up the time of the right bun. baronet by now entering at length into the arguments far the repeal of this tax. lie had often brought forward this i subject n the House of Commons, and he had given notice of bringing it forward again on the 15th last. He should therefore not go into the arguments now ; he did not con sider it necessary. It had given him and others the greatest satisfaction to see that government had reduced taxation, and to the liberal policy they were pursuing he believed the excellent state of the finances was in a great measure to be attributed. It had given them the greatest pleasure to find that the abolition of the duty on bricks and the reduction of the duty on stamps last session, had not that effect in diminishing the revenue which might have been expected ; and they did not think that the government could apply the surplus better than in repealing the window tax, which would relieve almost all classes of the community. He did not know whether the right hon. baronet had directed his attention to the crystal palace, but he was quite certain that if it were assessed to the window tax, the amount charged in respect of it would be enor mous. (A laugh.) He saw a proposition in the newspapers that very day to cover the Royal Exchange with glass. They might rely upon it if that was put in operation while the window tax existed, it would be found to be rather more expensive than had been calculated upon. lie was really much encouraged by the manner in which the right hon. baronet met his motion last year for the re peal of this tax. He believed it was the unani mous opinion of them all, that no sanitary measure could possibly have any effect till this odious tax was taken off. (Hear, hear.) It would give them the greatest satisfaction to find that the government, of which he was an old sup porter, had determined to take off this tax, and that the right hon. baronet should be the Chancellor of the Exche quer who should have the honour of relieving the country of a tax which was laid on in barbarous times, and which ought no longer to he continued. The noble lord concluded by placing in the hands of the right hon. baronet a list of the speakers who it had been agreed upon were to address him. Upon the whole, then, deeply as we must regret the ne cessity for hostilities, there is nothing to occasion dismay at the present aspect of our affairs. What we most fear is a protracted warfare; but if the colonists come forward promptly and enter upon the task imposed upon theta with the cool courage of men who arc determined to succeed, the object may be speedily attained, and a lesson taught to the disturbers of our repose, the salutary influence of which will be felt, not merely on the borders of the colony, but throughout the wide regions of South Africa. The same paper says : It may be satisfatory to know that every possible exertion is making by the of fi cer commanding Fort Beaufort, Lieute nant-Colonel Sutton, for the defence of that locality, and for the keeping open the communication between that point and Graham's Town. Patrols are ordered by him to tra verse the whole line of road, and we are persuaded that nothing will be wanting by him which unwearied teal can effect to guard against surprise and afford the inhabitants support and defence in the event of need. At present, with the exception of a few petty thefts, there are no overt acts that can be construed into open hostilities, or which are cal culated to make an impression that the line of road in ques tion may not be travelled as usual. A court-martial had been sitting at Graham's Town, during the week preceding the departure of our present advises, on Capt. Wemyas, late paymaster of the Cape Mounted Rifles, who stands charged with fraudulent defalcation to a serious amount in his public accounts. "The charges (says the paper already quoted) are of so grave a character, and the evidence at present so crushing, that it is not thought desirable until the close of the ease, and the defence is made, to enter upon detail." The Port Elizabeth papers give an account of the death of Dr. Chalmers, long a much respected resi dent of that locality. Mr. GREEN said be had the honour to be deputed by a large and influential parish, namely, the parish of St. Mary, Islington, which paid a large sum of money to the window-' tax. They did not complain of it, however, only as a mat ter of pounds, shillin and pence, but became it was the parent of disease, and engendered crime. Mr. W. WILLIAMS—If you will promise to repeal th tax, you will save yourself the hearing of 200 speeches. Mr. J. WILLIAMS—ShaII we make that a condition and Pay no more about it ? (" Hear, hear." and a laugh.) 'The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER.—You know perfectly well that if I intended to do so I could not say it. I hope the gentlemen will be as brief as they can, fa I ought to be in the Cabinet at this moment, and there is really nothing to be said upon it that has not been already said by Lord Duncan in the House of Commons. CffILD POISONZD WITH On. of Antoxpe.—Yes terday an inquest was held by Mr. Carter on the body of a child, sped 2 years, lately living in Princes-street, Vauxhall. Its mother had kept essential oil of almonds in the house for the purpose of scenting pomatum. The infant obtained metes to it accidentally. and swallowing a small quantity, died in a short time. The jury retuned a verdict of acci dente/ death. Mr. GLEESON , who w•s deputed from St. James's dwelt on the inequality of the tan, saying that houses inha bited by the poor paid window tar to the amount of 26 per cent. on the rental, while the houses of the nobility paid only 1 per cent. Mr. NICHOLAT, the chairman of the delegates, re marked that government had stated times out of number that the tax was indefensible in principle, and the people considered that the time had now arrived when they ought, in fairness and justice to be relieved of it. This movement, which originated in Marylebone, had spread like wild-fire through the metropolis. Mr. FRASER, churchwarden of St. Pancras, urged the importance, in • sanitary point of view, of abolishing the tar. lie was glad to admit that the present govern ment had shewn themselves desirous of improving the sanitary condition of the people, but as- long as I the window tax remained unrepealed, ho should doubt their sincerity. Mr. WHITMORE, also a medical practitioner, followed, corroborating Mr. Framer's statements as to the injurious effect on health of shutting out the light. Mr. FREETH, one of the Marylebone delegates, spoke of the Cli= ti o; )f th th e e tax Esehe i r l i ' lga er trialteire. He - gined that, after this interview with him they should re turn to their homes and lot the matter teat, he we. much mistaken. Ni. JAMES NELSON (from St. James's) mid they had came there to state that they . would no longer submit to this tax. It was an unjust tax, seeing that of tho 1,800,0001: which was raised by it only 300,0001. was paid by the aristocracy, and that out of 3} millions of houses only 480,000 were taxed. And it was • wicked tax, because it shut out light and air. They had ono than also to state that they would not submit to a THE EXPRESS, FRIDAY EVENING, FEBRUARY 7, 1851. commutation of this tax. They would have it scratched out of the statute-book. Kr. GEORGE, churchwarden of St. Ann's, said he re presented • large pariah Westminster in w hichi this tax bore on them with great inequality. The were 21 houses in St Ann's-court, each rated in that parish at vat. • year, and 14 houses in Soho-square each rated at 1171., and both these properties paid the same amount of window tax. There were three houses in St. Ann's-court which were rated at GU, which paid ISt. Is. 2d. for window tax, and two other houses in the perish which were rated at 3461. which paid fur window tax 141. 2s. 10d. Mr. ROGERS, of dircs's,u7gca the cruelty of this taz on the poor, instancing one house in Fletcher's-court, in which, to save the tax, windows were closed, and five out of six of one (Limn', living in the house died of cholera. Alter a few words from Mr. TAYLOR, who represented St. Andrew's, Holborn, there were loud cries for Mr. lltuicombe. Mr. T. DUNCOMIIE, M.P., stepped forward and said be was not aware that it was necessary he should say any thing on this occ.ision ; but he was glad that the Chancellor of the Etcheqtnr had had an opportunity of hearing the sentiments of their constituents. As to stopping the sup plies, he held out no threat. It was not possible fur three or four members out of more than 600 to do so, and he did not think it advi‘able to hold out such threats. Ile knew that his right bon. friend could not say what course he should take, but he hoped he would give them a distant hint that this tax was defunct. Mr. WALLEY, M.P., said he hoped the Chancellor of the Exchequer would clearly understand what the feeling was out of doors by the feeling manifested in this room, and he would also see what had been the condition of those un fortunate members who were prevented by indisposition from attending in their places in the House of Commons last session, and voting for the repeal of this tax. He could tell the right hon. baronet this—that if this tax was not repealed the metropolitan members must be repealed. (A laugh.) His hou. colleague unfortunately laboured under indisposition which presented him from attending the meetings. He (Mr. Wakley) had had the good fortune to attend tome of them, and had received a good dressing—ca laugh)—and he could assure him that in reference to this tax, it was not admitted at all that a man had a right to be ill. The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER here rose, and with some difficulty obtained a hearing, the cries for Mr. Wyld being so loud and so general. \% hen silence was in some degree restored, he said the cabinet was sitting, and it was requisite that he should attend it. He had listened, he hoped, with great attention to the gentlemen who re presented the metropolitan districts, but he thought that it was really occupying time unnmessarily to hear the mem bers, as they could express their sentiments in the House of Commons. Sir B. HALL, M.P., raid until his name was called he had no intention to speak, and he would now suggest to the deputation that as they had now said all that could be said', on the subject the greatest satisfaction would follow if his right hon. friend would be kind enough to give them some intimation of the course he intended to take, if he could con-intently do so. (Renewed cries of " Mr. Wyld.") Mr. WILD, M.P., remarked that the Chancellor of the Exchequer had assumed this to be merely a metropolitan movement ; but it was a movement which had extended over the whole of the country, and in the borough which he represented this tax was felt to he most oppres‘ise. There was at this moment an organisation going on which, it' this tax were not repealed, would cause great inconvenience to government, and impede its operations. (Cries of •' Moles worth.") SirW.MOLESWORTII was understood to say he would rather nut take up time by going into the matter now. His coustituents were extremely anxious for the repeal of the tax, and if the Chancellor of the Exchequer could repeal it he should vote for its repeal. The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said, of course it was perfectly impossible for him then to state the course he should take, and it would be highly inconvenient for him to give the slightest intimation of what'. he intended to do. It was a subject that had been brought before him in various ways. Mr. Nieholay, the chairman of the committee, had been in communication with him, and, of course, his most serious attention hail been directed to the subject. It was not for him to say any snore. (A voice : Oh," and cries of " Order.") If his friend there was impatient, he must remember that it was perfectly in consistent with the duty of the Chancellor of the Exchequer to give the slightest intimation beforehand of the course he intended to take. Ile hail Olin notice this week of making what was called the financial statement at an earlier day than had ever been known. Ile should make it to-morrow week, and therefore any impatience there might be would not have to be long tried. His determination would then he known. The gentleman opposite to him (Mr. Nelson) had made a very eloqueat sla•ech to-day, and had put into his (Sir C. Wood's) mouth words which he could only say he did not remember to have used. He was glad to see so large a deputation, and he heal now only to express his thanks for the tune and temper in which the business had been con ducted. The deputation then withdrew. SUSPECTED MURDER OF A WIFE BY HER HUSBAND, AT TODMORDEN. Our York correspondent says :—Grent excitement was caused iu York ou the morning of Tuesday last by u rumour being spread abroad that a gentlemaidy-looking man had been apprehended by the police on a charge of having murdered his wife, at Todmorden, by administering poison to her. The report was verified at noon, by the prisoner being taken down to the Guildhall, where, before the Lord Mayor and T. W. Wilson, Esq., he was charged, by the name of John Cooper, wall having, on the 2nd of January last, murdered his wife, Jane Cooper, by the means above stated. Little or nothing, however, transpired there, for the ac cused had been brought up only for the purpose of Mr. ' Chalk, the superintendent of the York police, asking for a remand until Thursday , which was granted ; the prisoner, who asserted his entire ignorance of the crime imputed to him, having - a request also of his complied with, viz., that he iu the meantime might be allowed to consult with a professional adviser. It in stated that Cooper was formerly bead assistant at Lincoln Grammar School, and that since then he has re sided at Stanfield-hall, near Todmorden, which is on the Yorkshire side of the border between that county and Lancashire, where he conducted a boarding-school for young gentlemen. He is about 30 years of age, and married a Miss Ripley, of Tockwith, near York. Ilis own parents reside at Kirk Hanunerton, near this city. lh has been married about four years, and has two ctn . '. ren—one about six weeks old, and the other about two years. In the latter part of December last his wife gave birth to their second child, and she died on the 2nd of January last. The remains of the deceased were brought to Bilton to be buried among her relatives, and Cooper had remained in this neighbourhood since. Some three or four days ago, suspicion arose that Mrs. Cooper's death had been caused by foul means, and thin suspicion resulted in an application being made to the comfier, J. Wood, Esq., of this city, who un Tuesday last opened an inquiry at Raton, which stands adjourned until Monday next. The result of the inquiry, as far as it went on Tuesday, was, that the coroner issued his warrant for the exhumation of the body of the deceased, with a view to in analysis of the contents of the stomach. With respect to the apprehension of the husband, we find that police-sergeant Heap, from 'Todmorden, came to York on Sunday last, it being supposed that Cooper would arrive on business on the following day. The superintendent of the York police was consequently communicated with, and he having taken steps to search fur the accused, it was found that he bad arrived at York, and that he had taken opine residence at the Black Swan Hotel, in Coney-street, wiuro he had represented himself as a clergyman wishing to obtain a marriage license. On Monday evening Cooper attended one of the Wesleyan chapels in this city, and, hasingbeen followed about from place to plate by an officer in undress, be was finally apprehended between ten and cloven o'clock at night on a warrant issued by the Lord Mayor. As in all such cases, a motive for alleged murder has been 'eight for ; and the one assigned is that the accused has been on very intimate terms with the daughter of a Wes- leyan minister at Alfonl, in Lincolnshire, to whom he was =doss to bo allied. Tax SAILORS' STRIKE.—On Tuesday evening last the seamen held a meeting at the Victoria Rooms, Hull, which was numerously attended, for the purpose of sending a deputation to the north to concert the best measures to be taken to obtain a retiree' of the grievances of the Mercantile Marine Act of 18.50, and to discuss other measures. Mr. Thos. Holmes was called to the chair, and, referritftr to the Food effect which had attended the lest strike in Hull while at lasted, exhorted those present to carry out entirely what they had well begun. Captain H. Oliver remarked that there could be but one opinion entertained as to the ne cessity of sending a deputation to secure a right under standing between the seamen of the various ports. It was very desirable that no illegal or violent measures should be adopted by the men during their present agitation, for when heretofore this had been the case it had always tended to defeat the legitimate objects sought for. He concluded by moving the following resolution : •As it is desirable that a perfect understanding should exist be tween the master mariners and seamen of the eastern and nortaern ports of Great Britain as to the best method to be pursued to obtain redress of the grievances of the Mercantile Marine Act of 18.50, and to prevent any illegal or violent messares being resorted to—which desirable objects are not like', to be effected simply by the public press • it is there fore desirable that a deputation be sent to the n orthern ports to confer with the seamen there on the subjects now at issut."—Mr. W. H. Christie, after denouncing the navi gation laws, went on to state that the system of register tickets wan a complete failure, for he or any other seaman could now buy one at any time for a couple of shillings, so that :he tickets were no protection at all to the shipowner or bench to the seaman. He expressed his opinion that if the present laws stood, there would be more desertion from Britih ships at the North American ports during the pre sent year than there bad been for the previous twenty years • and concluded by seconding the re Solution, which was adopted. —A letter was read by Mr. Christie, from the seamen of Shields, which stated that they were in a fair wayto gain their objects, and that they bad the good wishes of at the shipowners. It was next resolved that candidates be firthwith nominated, two of whom be elected by the committee, and sent to the northern porta without delav, for the Purposes mentioned in the tirst resolution. In reply to Captain Budd, who seemed to repudiate a strike for wages, Mr. Christie and others endeavoured to convey the impression that there was really, as far as the men were concerned, no steam." The proceedings, which were conducted throughout with the greatest decorum, then ter minated.—Basfern Counties Herold. COMMISSION OF LUNACY. THIS DAY. This morning a commission of lunacy was opened at the Sheriff's Court, Red Lion-square, before Mr. Commissionerßarlow, respecting the state of mind of Anne Howson, a widow lady, agid 75, residing at No. 6, Woburn-place, Rtlwll . :!quare. _ Mr. Shiapter appeared as counsel in support of the com mission, and stated that the lady, who had been of unsound mind for the last six or seven years, was possessed of a large fortune. Her husband's death, on the 6th of January last, had rendered these proceedings necessary, and they were taken with the concurrence of all the relatives, who con sisted of a sister, aged 84, two neices, and a nephew, the latter being in India. The unfortunate lady had entirely lost her memory, and was unconscious of a severe disease in her foot, or of being attended by a surgeon on that amount; she believed farthings were sovereigns, and had been known to receive them as such with great glee at a game of cards with Dr. Thompson, her medical attendant. During her husband's life-time she appeared to be ignorant of his name and asked who he was, and since his death she declared that he was still living, and she imagined that her age was but 30. She was frequently very violent and abusive, and was in the habit of making grimaces. Evidence was given in support of this statement, and the unfortunately lady, who was present during the inquiry, roughly objected to ask or answer any questions in an intelligible manner. She pertina ciously refused parting with a bag of farthings, an swering as follows :—" I shan't let you sec them; look after your own property. I can't trust you with one; but you may conic and look." (She here stood up and counted the farthings on the table of the court). " I know you will steal them ; the men are all thieves and wretches." (Look. ing round the court, " I never saw such a set of thieves in my life. My God ! here's a court of justice." - Upon the nutbrtunate lady leaving the court the jury re turned a 11214/1111110US verdict of " Unsound mind." POLICE INTELLIGENCE. THIS DAY. BOW-STREET. llRtrAt, Brookman, a journeyman baker, was charged with assaulting Ann Shannon. The complainant, whose face and eyes were considerably swollen and bruised, and who appeared to have been most severely ill-used, said, with evident reluctance, that for some time past she had been living with the prisoner as his wife. Latterly he had behaved in a most brutal manner towards her, beating and ill-using her without any provocation. On Tuesday night lust, when he came home from his work, she said, "1 ou arc late, Fred." lie replied, with an oath, that he would let her know, and immediately struck her a violent blow upon the face, which severely cut her mouth. She endeavoured to conceal herself behind a door. lie fol lowed her, and after knocking her down kicked her about the bead and body until she was covered with bruises. Ile also nearly strangled her, by placing his hands round her throat to prevent her screaming. IN'hen he came home last night he again repeated his ill-usage. lie knocked her down upon the stairs, and kicked and beat her until her screams brought the assistance of a police constable, w h o took him into custody. The witness, who cried bitterly during her examination, added that the prisoner took her from her home, and she was now deprived of all means of living, unless she was supported by the prisoner. She did not wish to hurt hint, but hoped his worship would bind hint over to keep the peace. A constable of the F division said, he found the prisoner standing over the girl, beating and kicking her in a most barbarous manner. Her screams could be heard for some distance. Tyrrel, the gaoler, mid that this was not the first time the prisoner had been placed in the docl for ill-treating the girl. Mr. Henry would nut bind the pri , oner over to keep the peace, as that would be• no punishment to him, but to the persons who became seturity fur him. The conduct of the prisoner towards the prosecutria was most cowardly and barbarous. lie fined him the full penalty of di., or two months imprisonment. The prisoner was lucked up in default. WESTMINSTER. Cir ROE or M .1:OITA VG TITER.-11. Panrtadine, a sawyer, who was remanded from yesterday (as stated in another column), on suspicion of having caused the death of Eliza Ann Barrett, was this morning re-examined. W. Watson was at the Besaborough Arms when the pri soner went nut to speak to a friend. The deceased followed, when the prisoner requested her not to follow him, and on her refusal to remain, struck her in the a tem ich, and went out. lie did not hear her say anything, but saw her with her head lying on the table. i:hortly after he risked her what was the matter, and she replied that she felt very had, and he fetched her some brandy, which she drank. The prisoner took her home about an hour afterward+, when she seemed in great pain. She did not blame any one. Mary Ann MacFarlane said she was barmaid at the Besshomugh Arms. She was in the kitchen, when she heard a groaning in the tap-room, and went to see what was the matter. She saw the deceased, who said that Dick had kicked her, but he replied, " No ; I pushed you." Wit ness eat her clothes to allow her to breathe freely. She was given some warm water and also some brandy. She left the house with the prisoner, and said she was in great I agony. She was certain that deceased said prisoner had kicked her. Edward Barrett, the father, stated that his daughter was 21 years of age. She had known the prisoner fur twelve months. She told witness, the day after the occurrence, that she had been struck on the previous night. Ile spoke to her no more, for, when he next saw her at night, her lips quivered, and she died. Mr. G. Pears, who made a post-mortem examination, thought that a blow had accelerated death. The depositions having been read, the prisoner was com mitted for trial. ST. MARTLEBONS SAYINGS BANK.—The annual meeting of this institution was held yesterday, at the ottke, No. 76, Welbeek-street, Cavendish-square ; Sir James John Hamilton, Bart., in the chair. It appeared from the report that the progress of this bank during the past year had been of a satisfactory description, 2,466 new deposits having been made in the last year. 21,110 deposit accounts remained open on the 20th of November last, of which 16,104 held balances averaging less than 31. Os. 3d. each. The sum in the hands of the government on the 20th of November, 1850, as per receipt from National Debt Office, signed by Sir A. Spearman, and laid before the meeting, was 321,775/. 84. led. That in the hands of the treasurer, Sir Claude Edward Scott, Bart., whose acknow ledgment was likewise produced, was 1,3631. 15s. 11d. There remained in the hands of the actuary, 401. 19e. sd. Total, 323,1801. 4s. 2d. The balance due to depositors at that date was 322,43/1. 3s. 11d. Showing a surplus of 7481. Os. 3d. The balance due to depositors has since risen, to 328,3371. 13s. N. PROPOSED SCIIOOL OF DESIGN AT WORCESTER. —One of the most numerous and respectable meetings we : have ever witnessed at Stourbridge assembled at the Corn ! Exchange on Monday last, at one o'clock, to consider the best means of promoting the success of the proposed School of Design for that town and district, the nucleus of which has been established there for some years in the drawing class belonging to the Mechanics' Institution. Through the representations of Mr. Foley, M.P., the government has recently been induced so far to recognise the great im portance of this manufacturing district as to award a grant of 1001 per annum in aid of the establishment of a local School of Design. Lord Ward presided, and the meeting was addressed by the chairman, Lord Lyttclton, ion. and Rev. W. 11. Lyttelton, Messrs. Foster, Clarke, Scott, Wil liams, Arkroyd, tte. A resolution was adopted pledging the meeting to use every possible exertion to promote the establishment of a school at Worcester, and a committee was appointed to carry out this resolution. It was also resolved that subscriptions be opened at the banks, for the purpose of raising such an amount as will induce government to extend its aid to the proposed institution, and the meeting sepa rated. FATAL STEAM-BOAT ExELOSION.—About a quarter wt seven o'clock, on Wednesday morning, while the Plover steamer was lying at the steam-boat wharf, Glasgow, one of her bffilers burst with a fearful explosion, tearing up the greater part of the deck, and throwing down both funnels, one of which fell overboard into the water. The explosion took place a few minutes before the hour adver tised for the Plover's departure for Bowling, to which place she was plying regularly, in connexion with the Caledonian and Dumbartonshire Railway. In addition to about twenty steerage passengers, seven cabin tickets had been issued to passengers, but there is reason to believe that none of these had gone on board. The Plover had two boilers and two funnels placed fore and of boilers being about half way above thu deck. The explosion occurred in tho aft boiler, and it is to this providential circumstance that we may attribute the escape of the steerage passengers. Had the explo sion taken place in the fore boiler, the less of life must have been fearful. We regret to have to add that the fate of some of the hands was not so fortunate. The engineer who was on deck at the time the explosion took place was so fearfully injured that he died in a few minutes after being carried to the Infirmary. One of the firemen, who was be low, was also severely scalded and cut, and lice in a very dangerous state. Several others of the hands arc also slightly hurt; and a passenger, the only one whom we have ascertained to have sustained any injuries, had a finger broken and his head cut. Shortly alter the accident, the Plover was towed down to the bottom of the harbour, where she was examined by the fiscal and police authorities, hut we understand the vessel will be thoroughly examined by practical and competent engineers before any official report is issued. In the course of the day divers, with a bell, were procured, and the shattered funnel was lifted from the bed of the river. Other pieces of the vessel were also picked up. To give an idea of the force of the explosion, we may state that some large pieces of iron and wood were thrown into the adjoining streets, a distance of upwards of 600 yards. The Plover is the property of the Mesas. Burns, owners of the ill-fated Orion. ONE OP THOSE OUTRAGES which tarnish the cha rade? of Tipperary nu enacted at Kills*, near Temple more, on Sunday night, the rietireq being Timothy Whelan, an industrious farmer, and his two sons. It appears that Whelan and family were alarmed by the barking of tho dogs, and one of them opened she door to dissever the canoe, when six men, armed, rushed into the house, commented beatittg the inmates in the most cruel manner, and did not desist until they left Whelan and-his two soli• wOtering in blood. IRELAND. Dents, FOIL 6. The Queen's speech appears to have satisfied all parties here. The protestants arc content with the aennance that Ireland will not be excepted from any measure brought in by the government on the " Papal aggirssion" question ; and the Roman catholics, on their part, seem to be re-assured by the expresaion of her Majesty's determination to maintain religious liberty unimpaired. All feel quite satisfied that there was no room whatever left for an amendment. We had another remarkable instance last evening of what may be done at the present day in abridging distance by dint of special engines. The London morning papers, with the important debate of TllCelm day night, having been despatched from Ewdon square, at 25 minutes to 6 yesterday morning, reached Holyhead at a quarter to 1 p.m.; left that port after a delay of half an hour, arrived at King ston, per the Scotia, at sh. 45m., and were distri buted in Dublin ut half-past 6, that is, in less than 13 hours from the time of their being despatched from Euston-square. The Calabria sailed from Cork on Tuesday morn ing for America, with the heavy cargo unshipped from the Atlantic, and an American mail. It is said that her charter for tronveyance of the cargo is 3.0004, while that of the Atlantic was 4,200/., leaving a balance in favour of the owners of the Atlantic at 1,2001. The writ for Dungarvan was reecived in town yesterday, and it is understood that it was des patched to the country last evening. It is said that government wishes to expedite this election us much as possible, with the hope of taking the tenant.- league party by surprise. Mr. Norton, the Whig candidate, has not yet addressed the electun.. Extrisiox OF FLAX CULTICATION.—Account9 from the southern and midland counties give • most en couraging representation of the energetic arrangements for extension of flax cultivation and the establishment of ma chinery fur the preparation of the fibre. in Cork, I.:ntee.elt, Tipperary, Kilkenny, King's and Quo'. 'is comities, eni siderahle quantities rf build are in course of preparation, scutchingmtills are in progress of erretitm on the bans of the Suir, Nom, Darrow, and other riven.. The Marquis of Lansdowne, Lord Ashbrooke, Lord Dc Vesci, Mr. Wilson Fitzpatrick, and otlnv proprietors, are al•,ut erecting ttax mills on their estatos fur the accommodation of their tenantry. CHANCERY REFORM.—A public meeting. convened for the purpose of forming a local committee in connexion with the Chancery Reform Assoviation, svas held at the Assembly Rooms. Rath, on Wednesday. In ern:venue:tau of the scanty attendance, owing to the want of publicity to the meeting, and the inability of Lord Erskine (who was to have presided), to attend from recent domestic atitictions. it was not deemed advisable to proceed to the adoption of resolutions. After a few preliminary remarks from the chairman (H. Lawson, Esq.), upon the importance of chancery reform. ('apt. De tigumarer, R.N., explained thee objects of the association, and dwelt upon the abuaes of the Court of Chancery, after which Thos. Fengusson, Capt. Phillips, 11. Lawson, Esq., then. Daulsency, Dr. Dillon, and Capt. De Saumaree, undertook the duties of a preliminary conunittat., to call a meeting at some future day. ' lug PAPAL ACGRESSION.—HERTS COI - STY 'MEET ING. Yesterday, a meeting of the inhabitanta of this county was held in the Corn Exchange, Ilertfonl. tee take into consideratieen the recent aggressions of the pep,. of Rome; the high sheriff in the chair. The Earl w• proposed the first resoletion, declarrig that the appointment of a Roman catholic hierarchy, with territorial ales, is an illegal interference with the prerogative of the Queen, The noble earl observed that in the resistanese shown by the people of Enzland to the recent conduct of the Pope there was nothing whatever of bigotry or persecution. Up to the present moment, the que.tion could not be regarded in a religious point of view; but if these riggressiona should be pemisted in, it might possibly become a religious question. Ile had no desire to see a persecuting spirit prevail ; the people of England did not want persecution; all that they desired was to he protected from aggressions which, if per mitted, leftist eventually deprive even the members of the Itonitin catholic chore lt of the civil liberty they enjoyed. The Itev. Mr. Redding, a nonconformist minister, aeconeled the resolution, which pa...eel unanimously. Sir W. 11. nth cote moved the vested resolation : "That it is the duty of every loyal subject to resit these aggressions on the icert of the Pope of Rome," which was carried unanimously, :es was also a motion for an address of thanks to her Majesty for the gracious manner in which she has conveyed to tho country her resolve to maintain inviolate the rights of her crown and the national independence twined all eto roach mends. Petitions to both hours of parlieumott having Iwen adopted, the Marquis of ttalsthury proposed that mimes of them and of the address to the Queen be forwarded for sig nature to the market towns throughout the county. This motion was also carried, and the meeting separatml, giving three cheers for the ttorca. THE PROPOSE]) NEW CENTRAL CATTLE MARKET. —The locality of Cheapside has been more than usually astir during the last few days in consequence of the exhibi tion of the model of the proposed market by the Central Markets Association. At least 25,000 of the publie have visited the exhibition within the last week. In the centre of the room (which by the way is far too small for the pur pose) stands a handsome model, about six feet sleare. of the markets proposed to supersede Smithfield and Is ewspite. On the walls of the building are plans, diagrams, and eleva tions of the various accessories to the scheme, namely, lodging houses" for the poor who may be displace' by the improvements, baths and washhouses, and a fountain for flushing the markets. The exhibition is constantly open to the public during the day-time without charge. It is to be regretted, however, that the crush is not more effsrtually prevented, though the police do all they can to prevent the anconvenience which might arise from the admission of im proper characters. STEAMBOAT CoLLNION AT PORTSMOITTIL—WO have to record anothe r effect of the reckless rivalry pursued by the old pack.A company against the new, which we greatly fear will not be brought to a close until a serious loss of life shall terminate the desperate struggle. On Mon day evening last, as the Prince of Wales, Captain Beasley, was returning from Ryde for the last voyage, at about two miles from that town, the Albert was descried making her way from Portsmouth. When the Albert came first in sight she was to the left of the Prince of Wales, and Captain Beasley, in order to avoid the possibility of a collision, steered so much to the eastward as to cause a passenger to remark what a singular course they were pursuing to enter the harbour. As the Albert neared the Prince Capt tin Beasley hailed her, put his helm a-port, which ought also to have been done by the Albert, instead of which she came direct towards the Prince. Captain Beasley immediately . stopped his vessel and backed her, and the consequence of but prompt and active measures was that the force of the collision was very much lessened, and instead of striking the Prince on her side, came across. her bows, to the severe injury of her self. The alarm on board was indescribable, as the pas sengers feared they were going to the bottom; but, after some difficulty, they were all taken on board the Prince of Wales. The passengers for Portsmouth were then con veyed to their destination, and those for Ryde were after wards taken there by the Prince of Wales. The Albert, severely injured, was shortly brought into harbour.—J'orts mouth Guardian. _ _ THE I.IvERPOot POWDER MAG42r.eis.—Consider able exeitem nt was manifested on the Liverpool Est-bongo on Wedne.day forenoon, when it became known that a sloop, loaded with gunpowder, had been on fire during the previous night. No damage, it is true, ensued ; but it is one of the most convincing proofs that could possibly be noted, that, as at present constituted, the Liverpool maga zines are unsuitably situated, and the occurrence which has just taken place more than ever convinces us that the go vernment should lose no time in applying the proper remedy. MERDERS BY CUTTING A COLLIERY During the past week the police of West Bromwich were engaged in investigating an occurrence which there is toe much reason to fear will justify the heading we have given this paragraph. We allude to the circumstances under which two men, named Richard Gricc and David Richards, and a lad 14 years of age, named Thomas Riley, met with a premature and dreadful death. They were em ployed in a pit near Hill Top, belonging to what iv known as 'Wedniebury Old Field Colliery, and in the occupation of Richard Morgan, Esq. At an early hour of the morn ing of Friday week they got into the skip fur the pur pme of descending to work, but when they hail got about 30 yards down tho shaft (which is 90 yards deep) the rope snapped, and the skip and its live cargo fell to th e b o tt om . The boy was killed at once, his body being absolutely shat tered to pieces, while the two men were injured in so dread ful a manner as to render it a matter of impossibility that they could survive. They lived, however, fur two or three days. On the rope being examined, it was apparent beyond the least doubt that it bad been cut nearly through by some sharp instrument. Inquests on the bodies were commenced by George Hinehliffe, Req., but no evidence was taken, and the inquiries were adjourned for the purpose of for warding information to the Home-office.—Worcestershire Chronsck. A " ItEcEmm"DETECrEn.—On Wednesday, John Hanford, a silversmith, carrying on business at Ilminster, was brought up in custody at that place, charged with re ceiving stolen goods from a convict now under sentence of transportation Wilton gaol. During the past twelve in many burglaries have been perpetrated, and the in habitants have become so alarmed as to be almost afraid I. keep anything of value in their houses. One of the gang was at length detected in the act of committing a burglary, and was sentenced to ten years' transportation. It appeals, that before and after his conviction, he made pichdiselo . . sines as led to the approbationOf Salford, who was charged with receiving a top coat, a frock coat, and a pair St trosname t from Jones Jones, in or about the month at October LA, knowing tt gerd deeded the charge. commlation of Tenons bt. EMT:t i ta n theb mea ns 11 it . years, and that that person sold to him were stolen, in many particulars by was committed tor trial the remota have been stolen. Ham. s. The convict Jones deposed lb 116 burglaries, and to the disposal of Oil ,an of Hanford. done. stated that bit of Wading with H wins :non was well aw . R e. Jones's wit. • other witnesses •• vial on all the 41 ' •,".! 14 \ *vi IFS -5' Offe