The Express. — London, England, 1851-01-31 00:00:00

Ll' REFORM.-PUBLIC MEETING. Yesterday a public meeting, convened by the Matwry Reform Asthdation, sod which was pretty ammo sisody 'needed, woo held at the Hall of C0[66101104 Thread ssediostreet, far the purpose of heath g statements as to the Shoes of the Court of Csassely, sad of adopting neolstioas NWT* anew, Lord Iseinsa, the provident of the ano iistbsn, is die ear. Tbs s.bii CHAIRMAN, la semesseing the proceedings, obi be bat bad an opportssity at former inestlap of es. lo gliag the aosedeoce that he entertained of the ssesem, sod use distant, be Doped. of the greet object of their sesticia• ties. flue wag one great man who, wore he an opposes's, would indeed have bees a powerful os•—one of the grooms lawyers in this estary, and, is additiJs to that, oar of the slows' men in ft—St Edward Banden—vebe had writtea a letter to the MOW regarding the Chasten primers. He believed it could be shown that there wen minas" eves is that great ma's letter. He alleged that they might get oat of prime. But might they aot wish to stay there, because baving been deprived of their all by the Court of Chem:wry, they wished to stay in prison, having so where el , ' to go. He bet nothing to say against Sir Rdward Series, aid Si' Edward Sagdvn tied welkin to say agsiset the eve veiation. He stained him bestow be wad not say anything against them, and if be weld sot embody c0,,1d. He WOO Meiji:lod to think that if be (84 E. Bugles) could ho would ; and he had a right to suppose so, e s as was 1044 up to f or that purpole. He trolleyed H a Edward Segdes was with them, and that he would say eo when the use came. MT. it W. WES I'ON, one of the seastariss this read several letters which tad been received from gentlemen who ]@(had been Mated to attend. One was trona Mr. Hume, P. wto said . _• " I canto' be in London on the day sp petaled, ar I would wised with great pleasure to add my sloe Sae cry for the reform Of the Court of Chancery, I woold rather say for the shelties of the oppreasive and de emedn proceedings of that court. ea the slate of New York has des lately. We know the expense of means to which we are subject for the support of the government, and, h eav y a , tab h a rts is, yet it Wilt in its bearing on us simpered to the winos„ the Court of Chancery, which always keep is empties. ery quests submitted to ft for &Maks ire yeas, sad, is messy eases, destroys the whole property asimitted to its sere ; sad thither, often destroys , the lives has Inigeste by sextet,. I hope the meeting ' will be effective es, sad that the lately ap pointed commission to umpire ism the defects of the Cost of Chancery may be urged te aselente its as to enable parliament in the ensuing !Mien to =T seas whole subject into consideration." Mr. BAGS field, M.P., wrote that his engagements would not permit him te be la Loodon before the 4th of February, otherwise he should have had great pleasure in attending the seeds& and oath s& that " tartly the present state of the Court of Chases must brow pablie indignation." Litters were also reed from Lou I D. Stuart. M.P. ' Mr. Milner Gibes, M.P., Sdr B Had, M P., sad Mr. Jacob Bell, ex- wing their enmities ea the assn of previous shipments Mr. Griefs likewise read a letter from Mr. 8. Hicks, of Bath, relating to his own eve. It stated that kin late idea, Mr. Cowles Hicks, died in 1836, worth upwards et 200,0001. besides leaded preperty. The estate w throws beta Chaseery, sad theugh - his kiln had been dead mon than tee pane he had set sees sae olegle shilling ander the will. And this was • friendly nit, The sate wee sely thrown into Chasm ea account of a liability of 2,6001 he sinless yeses, the MS *llan Mon mists in Wales, which had been was settled lee 18,0004 Bat the wit was not settled, and they were sow waiting ter the Master's Seal report, +tech had been overdue for dues years. ( hear.) Mr. W• mon added that the) gestlentan was the brother of U. Rev. Mr. Hicks, who is cone/queues of the delay is this suit threw @itself from the thee of Bristol some time see end wee destroyed. The neat letter he would reed was from Mt. Ciress, el Jersey, who Bald that he had Seaside d that his ems was as simple that it would not occupy time or eases much specs. He wee therefor. Rids dtogo to the Court of Chancery in Del 7; bet been he got out of it his resumes were 'attested. and his heart was almost broken. He had she essayed • Idler nom Mr. Carr, who suoseribed 41. to the Nisei ans. ( Hear, heir.) Me. CHALLON RR, of Leek, •soliciter, rose to move the fiat reseionin. He was thoroughly disinterested is his elleseary of Chancery stone, baviog sever been a saffser though as • solicitor he had received a essiodemble slain.% of costs. (" Htwr " and laughter.) He sly Wel in connexies with the Court of Chancery was the ice of OUI. teas. gest on the publication of a pamphlet, in which he expo.ed the *bases of that court. Be levi sent copier of time pamphlet to the pretest Mr. Justice Telomrd; to Mr. Whawly. leader of the Oxford Circuit; to Mr. Co per, tit C., of the Chancery be:; to Mr. Bright, Sir J. Sosuly, me present Attorney Geaaal, the late Sir It. Peel, Lord Laagdale, and others, all of whom expressed their opinion that the time for Chancery reform had come. (Heir, bear.) He would now advert to the system of the Court of Clumsy, from which it was utterly impossible, however excellent the judges, however demos the hesi tate, the sceicators, and the stators to bring • suit to • speedy toiesicatioa, to extricate easel( without great delay sad great smote. (Hear, bear.) He would bring before the meeting a case whisk IMO within his own 'expenses TM ease .114 teat of • person who had loess left • legacy of 4013 i. out of • real estate. The only question in depute was whether it was den or ant—thee se party Isis It was paid, the other pasty denying that it was. A bill in Cisme, we. Wed ; and, as • consequence, all the parties who bad the moat remote interest in to matter, though not Selig any Interest in the suit, were called before the court. Les children and infants were subpinnsed, and obliged to pat in answers. (. Hear, hear," and laughter.) No leas than seventeen answers were pat in, and at the end of a year the Vice-Chancellor referred the matter to the gassier to inquire how ii;ought to be decided. The plaintiff then pat forward a sent of facts, the defends% replied to that statement of facts. Est* party then tiled an affidavit, whisk wee merely going ever the same ground as the state mint el fame. Inc master adjourned the case for • fortnight, but It went on for two years, and at length tee decided that on looking at the matter the executor of some executor who had no interest is the suit had not been made a party, and the whole case had to be aimmeneed di memo. (Hear, hear.) The oestrus* woo, that the 3001 had ties spent three times over, and then the lawyers and the parties came to • sosinromise. (" lies, hear,' and laughter.) In e •nsequence of this case he felt it to be is duty to come forward to add his feeble voice in order te point out suck revolting injustice. (Hear, hear.) The resolution which he had to propose was es follows : " That the Court of Chancery, which palpate to be an isatitution foe the edentaistratioat of equity, and the relief of the subject suffering under wrong, is an instrument of intolerable oppression ; that its excessive delays and gamesome exactions are of the sat flagrant and chmatrose tharaeuir, and that its maintenance in its resist elms is • diagram to the country." Mr. blNUlitt geconded the resolution. Ile said that the pelmet sawing had been held in the City of Loudon he• same the council of the association were anxious that the metropolis should come forward to support the objects they had in view. (Hair, hear.) He believed that all those persons who were untortunste enough to get into the Court of Chancery would gladly second the elate of the sisociation, but they likewise desired the support 00 the public, any of whom might at any moment become the victim of the Court of Chancery, if drawn taco its seam. ( Hear, hear.) Mr. 6 RYAN, who spoke from the body of the room, said the resolution was all very well, bat the statements in it were as old as the hills, and the abuses of the Court of Chancery were known to be as old as the Court of Chancery itself. etc always understood that the gentlemen of the lariat been the upholders of the abuses of that court, but le was died to see now that the lawyers were so ashamed of their profession. But he thought they ought not only to reform the Court of Chancery but the other court* too. There was as much need of reform in the Court of Queen's Bench se there was is the Court of Chancery. He thought they ought to simplify the whole of the law of this Maur. The resolution was then put end usanimously agreed to. Mr J. LORD (barrister), proposed—" That the Chan cery Rots' Association has strong claims to public coati. demo and support in the course it is Minas to inform the public salad upon the enormities by which the equity jade diction of the Court of Chancery Is assumed, and to suits • strong and genera timed he a sweeping reform of that court, whisk MO MOD declared by • repletion of the Hone. Of CONWAY SO be 'nothing better than a mystery of Iniquity sad a standing cheat,'" Now, when he Teed over this ilalilation, he certainly objected to the latter part as being at Ism peculiar ; but when he looked further, and found that that was not an menden made by the noble chairman, er of the meeting, or of Sea rle but that it was a reiteraties et the untiments of the Hoes, of Cosmoses, IN felt that it same with greater weight this earthier ha mesa es to them es this question. He Seed an assedees of as aspiring yews barrister, with, having got to the end at • shammy sit of see ••e years' duration, ease hams med doestled with great joy sad satiefectios the ceded the meet* hi father-in law. The father in.law,begiever, *sly eased roved and said, "You eiespletott,it wee by mime of that salt that I mew gestated • panelist the mean I gave to your wife ; sad U you had sea as sesta' se I has bean, sad 'sows ent mesh side to butter year bread, you would has made thee Chancery suit • met of isheritance to your children. (" Hear. bear," sad Ineghts) Mr JOHN HOUGHTON, et Brougham Hall, Berkshire, memided the readaties. He bad been far the last 96 yeses connectedwith property, and knew essething d taw abuse of the Cost el Cindery. If they wanted to have • reform el these abuses the people mime Sidi themselves, for what Mora had ever yet bes weird except by the people ? (Hem, hear.) Why should they blame Lord. Brougham or say one else whilst they sated by themeless without lifting up • band against the shiest (Hear, hear.) They must have tonnage net enly is the city of Lauds but la the provincial taws; they must speak as one sea fres one end of the country te the ether, and seat not Net 001alla till the soestrous abuses of the Court of Chancery were redreesd. ?he resolution wee this pat end serried usaimously. Ms. ALFRED B. RICHARDS listed the third mole. UGC It seemed be rim te bean Smite the British public to sump to Shad the Cost of Chases. flies hear.) He magratelstsd the suietig on the advise w hich had ham made by the present question—ea mimosa whisk was be el great degree owing to the szegtigps el the semelatios. The restates he had to propose woe That, although Ai meeting highly value the assestethe twined by any members of the prolusion if the leek MIMI UMW their aid is gaming out the °biases of the Moon &Om Associatios, It does sot believe that the ammo, sollymb. tioa of Chancery will aver be effected by Os silos of the legal profession skis; sad this meeting fieffeesenellem that the conduit of Si, Itersed Studs, in his sigh le divert sablet Sloane& from the esetiescies af tbsys‘birp Cheese,. by an BEM sPlaimbla d the l.4.,;:r. the isaitions devises et soda pliraisior left Is the nabool ilwayis Wog reprebbodbbe The CHAIRMAN Mid that be objected t the latter part of the resolution. Mr. BATLEY said ►e wad sot mend the resolution is Ile present Wm. Tits resolution wee t►en autaselad by etzikirg oat all the words after the words " legal profusion alone." Mee. COBBETT, who sat ea a front bench (mica the chair, here got up sod said: I sea only say that Sir Edward Surdas did not see my husband in the Queen's Beneb. His statement is not tree so regards my husband; it is entirely kiss. (Hoar Mr. CARPENTER, Sinritary to lb* Ateedation, said that ►s °said ethos positively that though Sir E. Suedes world have the pablie to believe that be seen the 24 Chancery prisoners, I. saw bast 10 of these; that toms of these threat themselves as lila notice ; sad that he refused to hear what some of them had to say. (" Hear, hear," " Quite true.") Mr. BATLEY semnded the resolution. This was a mighty abuse, sad required a 'eighty remedy. The MUDS they were met to promote was not No smelt the imam of the mum as the can,. of the widow and the tat►erlsm, and he trained It would prosper mit deserved. The resolution was then put, sad like the former ones, nathimmisly pared. Mr. CARPENTER said that was the last resolution ; but, perhaps, ►is lordship would allow him, in the name of the council who were present, to propose that the meet ing ghoul Tatars his lordship thanks for his kind ness is presiding that day, sad for his very generous mid efficient services as president of the Association. Mr. SINGER seconded the resolution, which pawed with acclamation, and the meeting then separated. REPEAL OF THE PAPER DUTIES. DEPUTATION TO THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER (YESTERDAY). Pouliot to the resolution of the previous day, sad as stated in last evening's F,sprese, a dept. tattoo of paper manufacturers, publishers, and others interetted in the production of paper, proceeded from the Kit es Arms Hotel, Palace-yerd, to wait on the Chancellor of the Exctieqaer, at his official residence is Downing-street. The deptatalen was headed by Mr. Crompton, sad consisted of Mr. Berthwick, Mr. Chutes Dickens, Mr. C. Height, Mr. Chambers, Mr. Seddon& (Birmingham), Mr. Towle (Oxford), and the various other manufacturers of paper who had attended the meeting of the previous day. Mr. CROMPTON opened the proceedings by briefly reca pitulating the arguments advances In his speech of the pre mium day (reported in the Eapren), and strongly urged the repeal of the duty on political, social, and fiscal grounds; showed how the number of paper mills was gradually diminishing, and that the Americans were sweeping off all oar rags, and becoming our opponents in the sate of paper in colonial markets. Our best workmen were gradually departing for America, and the fact was that If some relief were not afforded the paper trade would be utterly destroyed. Mr. CHAMBERS (Edinburgh) read to the Chan cellor of the Exchequer the resolutioas sgresd to on the pre vious day. Mr. C. then detailed his own peculiar hardship in being "bilged to atop the publication of the " Miscellany," and added that i• The Papers for the People" must soon share; a similar fate ; although in both cases the circula tion was immense, all the profit vanished in the shape of paper duty. Mr. C. KNIGHT followed, briefly repeating his ergo meats of the previous day. Mr. TOWLE drew a pathetic picture of the ravages which the paper duty had caused among the mills along the banks of the Oxfordshire rivers. He was in fact the only pepermaker lest in the county, and could not have kept his ground but for other resources. Mr. BALDWIN showed, as on the previous day, the hard sills whim all trades in Birmingham. especially the papier made trade, suffered from the tax. He feared that gradually E.,gland would lose the finer descriptions of papier man f altogether. (Mr. Baldwin here produced his specimens, which Btr C. WOOB ezunined. and ailed one or two questions as to their asbus.)_ Mr. C. DICKENS said be lied one remark to make on the Mersey aspect of the ease. It wee his conviction, from what he saw every day „that by curtailing the amount of money available for authorship in cheap publications they were actually confer ring a boon on those infamous puhlicstions to which allusion had been made, as If they were the glory of the country, instead el its greatest seams. That wee in fact their ease. They ilia not went literary matter of a better clue, because they did set want to pay for it. Speaking to • Chancellor of the Exchequer he supposed be must treat this as a question of fiance, and be weal , ' seated, that while we knew what the duty lidded, we did not know what it cost in the way of immorality and degradation. From what he saw with his ewe else, from what he read in gaol reports, be was firmly convinced that immoral cheap publications were the root of all the crime of this country. Therefore , be would suggest that there was little gained by this tax except odium, but he could not go so lan as to give it pre ' esdeace of the window tax. Of the two he would prefer the repeal of the window tax, but would suggest that perhaps both might be repealed together. (Laughter.) • Mr. CROMPTON then laid on the table 95 memorials, with 11,949 signatures, adding that if necessary they could ' be obtained from all pans of the kingdom. After a few words from Mr. 811118 (Bingley) and Mr. COLLINeIIw), the latter pennant st two petitions, The C HANCELLOR in the EXCHEQUER said that of course ha could give them no intimation of what he in tended to do, but was very mach obliged for the mode in which the deputation had been conducted. Hs expected during next week to hive deputations from almost every description of tax payers In the cauntry, and it would be only lair to hear them all before he finally made up his mind as to future arrantentents. The deputation then withdrew. DEPUTATION ON THE PATENT LAWS. REPEAL OF THE WINDOW TAX. Yesterday a deputation, consisting of Messrs. Jo eeph Dobbs, Joseph 11,er, James Cotten, James Loog, Edw. Moyle, William Brown, and Joseph Barnard, waited by appointment at the How Office on Bir George Grey, to present a memorial to the Queen for an amendment of the patent laws. This memorial, it was stated, had within a short space of time been signed by 600 of the skilled mechanics of Lambeth ; their trades and addresses being attached to their signatures. No signatures but those of workmen in regular employment were received, sad no mere labourer had been allowed to alga his same; the memorial being emphatically styled the memorial of skilled mechanics. Other documents of the Mine character are, it appears, in coulee of signature in the metropolis, and a combined movement for this practical reform has been set on toot amoag the mechanics of Sheffield, Birmingham, Man chester, and other manufacturing districts. TILE REV. W. J. E. BIISMETT'I FAREWELL TO ma P•11111110141118.—Mr. Bennett's "letter," consisting of 246 goodly pages, has just appeared. It is divided into three parts: a general statemeut of the case, correspondence with the bishop, and answer to objecions. The latter division is strictly polemical ; in the two former the writer endeavours to prove that the contest with the bishop was not one of forms and practices, but of principles, and shows by reference to the charges and sermons of Dr. Blomfield, that those principles were learned from him. Mr. Bennett complains that the bishop has placed his cooduc' in so false and injurious • point of view, by insisting that he, in his mum spondeme, was merely rebutting certain practices. He en deavours to show that ttuee practices were the legitimate offspring of principles which the bishop himself approved. Mr. Bennett complains bitterly of the efforts of the press to bring the ceremonies of St. Barnabu to the bar of public *pinion, and awards to the Doily News an copula share of censure on this head. As against the bishop, Mr. Bennett sap, " What I have especially to complain of Is, as I jest emerved— 1 The great haste, and I may say im portunity, with which as event eo important in its issue was hurried tor +ad. 2. The ungenerous way in which ad vantage wan taken of representing to the world a one sided version of what had bees said and done. 3. The ungenerous way in which the time was selected of forcing me to an ileac, namely, the time of violence under mob law. 4. 'The continued imputation of motives, such as Runanising, copying Rome,' adopting • practice 'toe. oases It is Hamm,' and the like. 5. The violation of my whole intention in the correspondence, which was meant to be private and confidential, as between a priest and his bishop. This last source of complaiat is indeed the Crudest, for without that, the rest c..uld not have followed. li•far to the bishop's letter to me, dated January 18, 1847, the first correspondence which passed between us on a con troverted point. You will there en that the bishop uses thins words ' With respect to your proposal of printing tho eara 'pondering which has taken place, and which on my post km been strictly private, I think it, oa more than one agesuat, objectionable. The private communications of a Meng with his clergy ought not to be handed about amongst Ode peepth' If I kad thought of publication, I should Ism ended myself more carefully in many Sharp that I bmi said. I should not have set forth to the whole staid selint I there had said In confidence. My idea was, that the Whop would privately notify to MO how I could no logger justly remain where I ms, we serve ander his episcopate, and so I might have sought sons quiet way of retiring. It never entered into my mind that all would have bees thus, at a moment's amine, plunged into the columns of the Tweet, with a leading article attached to h. Then are my grounds of complaint. Whether they see just or not, whether they will bear me out entirely I mama tell. I shall say nothing farther on this had, only, dissig it ever be my lot men to be plated under episcopal enpubwedesce, I shall be more wary I. the manner of my eorrespwaisace." The dread of pubis) opinion returns again and eon la the ". latter." At page 220,1dr. Monett defines the " public" to consist of " unbelievers, Jews, dissenters, and every kind of eatodly sad profane men." It would appear to be the writer's intention for the present to remain in the oostmassim of the church of Basked, but his language is vuy undecided. He says, "we most, is In Paul's case, abide la the ship,' althea& it be • wreck. I say not for ever, for we know not how Sevin and terrible the danger may be anon, so that absolute safety would compel we to throw oasesl•es into the wide MUT, end go, we know not when; bet Imy art us yd." RAILWAY ACCIDIFf IN TEI Box TUNNEL.—An widest ocourred yeatseday to one elute down trains on the Great Western line. flume repairs were going on in the Boa tassel, end by some mama the serriage no off the line. The Molter wee thrown of the swiss, sad besides receiving Mho seven sestsmiess ern Maass enameled Ma the dawn wind. width essertheely severed his thumb, The Ws us dunked la the awl Moss two hours. THE EXPRESS, FRIDAY EVENING, JANUARY 31, 1851. IRELAND. Deems. ism. 30. The Lord Lieutenant held his first levee for the season yesterday. Among those who attended the general levee were the Right Hon. the Lord Mayor. Marquises : Conyogham, Westmeath, Drogheda. Earls: Fingall, Clancarty, Charlentont, Howth, Desert. Viscounts: Monck, Monntmorrie, St. :Lawrence, Gott. Lords: Edward Chester, Walter Butler, Killeen, Talbot de Malahide, Avon more, Bellew, Dunasadle, Baron de Rohe°. The Most Rev. Dr. Murray, R.C. Archbishop; Very Rev. Dr. Meyler, Chaplain in attendance. Bishops: Tuem, Limerick, D. and Connor, Meath, Cork. Archbishop Cullen has issued a pastoral spinet secret societies a circumstance which affords the most convincing proof that the rumours of the receot extensive spreading of ribboniam in some of the northern districts were perfectly well founded. The pastoral is addressed to the Roman catholic clergy of the archdiocese of Armagh. Toe Shy° Constitution asserts that a petition will positively be presented against the return of Mr. Cuseley Higgins. The prospectus of a Galway Transatlantic Packet Company is announced, with a capital of 600,0001., in shares of 101. each. MESSRS. STEPHENSON, of London, one B clergy man, the other a lawyer, and the third a landed proprietor, are the company by whom 20,0001. is lent to the Limerick Corporation.—Limorick Chronicle. CAPTURE OP SUPPOSED RIBBONIIEN IN DUN-1 DALIC.—On the night ot Monday last, sub-inspector Hill, accompanied by head.constable Scott, sergeant Carrolan, constable Campion, and other of the police force, went to • public house in Bridge-street, in which they had reason to suspect • Ribbon lodge was held. Having cautiously sur rounded the home, they made an entry, and succeeded in arresting eleven men, some of whom had documents of a various nature is their prosession. The panties were In two rooms, eight in one room, and three in another. They were immediately handcuffed and marched to the count gaol, where they now remain awaiting an invettigation.—Nesory Examiner. SAILORS STRIKE IN THE NORTH.—During the week the agitation hes extended to Hull, and a pretty general strike has taken piss. there. The grievances stated are a resent reduction of wages and the operation of the ship ping offices, the latter especially being looked upon with hatred. As far ac Hull is concerned, the Mercantile Marine Act may be regarded as the principal grievance complained of ,by the men, for the wages there are notoriously higher than at other ports. The provisions in the act for the forfei ture by the sailors of one day's pay for swearing, one day's pay for not being shaved and washed on Sundays, one day's pay if found washing their clothes on the Sunday, and one day's ply by the cook if he has not the dinner reader for the . . . . new at the appointed time, are looked upon u vexatious regulations, to which the men are determined not to submit. On Tue,day evening, a meeting of the seamen, convened by placard, was held in the Apollo-rooms, Paragon•street, for the purpose of taking into consideration the present low rate of wages given to seamen, and also to petition the board of Trade with respect to the shipping offices. There were upwards of 200 seamen present, and the admission was strictly confined to those who could produce their register tickets. The chair was taken at "even o'clock by a seaman, who nide, seed his "mates" on the objects of the meeting, end reed to them an account of the strikes in Sunderlaud and Saields„ in which places the seamen obtained the wages for which they struck. (Cheers.) His advice was, there fore, that they should follow the example of the seamen of Sunderland and Shields, and agree together to a certain sum, binding themselves not to accept lets. I (Hear, bear.) He then suggested that they should fin, as their lowest pay, the sum of 31. per month and small stores, or 31. Se. without, for foreign voyages. Alter addreues from other seamen the meeting was ad journed. As yet the seamen have not manifested any die orderly tendencies, and, on conversation with the Iseders 01 the agitation, they express themselves very desirous that no acts of violence should be committed by any of the men on strike, sad that their proceedings should be temperately though firmly conducted. Oa Wednesday, however, it was rumoured that some compulsion was about I be exercised towards the crew of the Two Simon emigrant ship, moored in the Junction Dock, Dentin Wilberforce monument. This vessel was destined to sail for New York on Thursday, and than men who engaged at the reduced scale of wages were threatened by oVen who had joined in the strike that they would not be allowed to proceed on the voyage. In coon queues of this alleged threat policemen were applied for to protect the ship, but no attempt at violence was made.— Eastern Counsel Herald. On Thursday morning some 200 or 300 men assembled at the Stipping.office, and the shipping master (Mr. ll.Corlass) pointed out to them the absence of ail reason in most of their complaints as to the operation of the Mercantile Marine Act. it appears that the main objections urged by the seamen are towards a list of 22 regulations, not included in the general act, but specifying a number of offences on the part of the crew, and instituting fines for such off. nets. These Goes consist of the forfeiture of from one day's to a month's pay, according to the nature of the offence. Many of theregulations are no doubt of a trivial character kinds, for instance, as that providing for the forfeiture of a day's pay for not being shaved and wished on Sundays), and in the ' hands of a master litigiously inclined they might be made the instrument of considerable annoyance to the crew. The fact, however, ,has been overlooked by most of the men that these regulations are permissive only, not compulsory; that their enactment upon a v,.yage requires the consent of both owners and teamen,without which they are not valid. T►en it is complained by the men that they are sop Jett to the payment of Is. upon the signing of articles and upon discharge; but the fact appears to be, that there is an absolute saving ef fected to the tailors. Formerly a stamp upon signiog articles cost them Is. ; now it only amounts to a nominal sum. Then the payment to crimps was generally 43. or fis. upon engagement; but this is now done away with by the operation of the office,. Again, in the case of any dispute between master and men after the voyage, it used to be a matter for adjudication in a police-court, involving to both parties law expenses to a considerable amount, added to the coat of providing an attorney ; but now all this is avoided by the settlement of disagreements as to wages by the ship ping master. These points were explained to the men on Thursday, apparently to their satisfaction, and, in most in stances, to their surprise, for among the sailors here, as no doubt at other ports, meat ignorance prevailed on the sub. jest. TaE GLASGOW AV:lanai:lX SOIREE.—The annual soiree of the Glasgow Ashen mum was held on Tuesday night in the City Hall, which was densely crowded. His Grace the Duke of Argyll occupied the chair. and made a lengthened speech, which was followed by others from the Earl 01 Eglinton, B.r Joke Maxwell, the Lord Provost of Glasgow, the Lord Provost of Edinburgh, Sheriff Allison, Sheriff m. Campbell, Esq, A. 8. Logan, Esq., Walter Cram, Gordon, isq., &a,—SWUM Press. PROPOSED SOCIETY TOR THE PROTECTION OP EXIGILLNTS ow LiviarooL.—A meeting of a most interest ing character was held yesterday, in the Clarendon Rome, Liverpool, with the view of making preliminary arrange meets for the establishment of a society whose objects are to be the protection of emigrants from imposition, by giving them suitable advise as to the but mode of proceeding. Vim. Brown, Esq., Id P., occupied the cheer, and Mr. Law rence Beywonh, M.P., was also primal, together with a number of Influential gentlemen connected with the town. The first reeolutios, mot ed by Mr. Lawns°, Hey worth,M. P., was to the effect that a requisition be got up and presented to the Mayor, urging him to call a meeting for the purpose of estahlishing the society. Some onnversation took place with regard to the necessity for the formation of an emigrants' home as a portion of the scheme; bat it was deemed expe• dint to keep this matter in abayaace until the fate of the bill to be brought before parliament, in relation to the subject. could be ascertained. The meeting wee rendered I interesting from the presence of Mr. Frederick Harshen, the proprietor of the Emigrants' Home at Plymouth, aid' who, it appears, has come to Liverpool with the view of establishing, if possible, a similar institution in this town. Indeed he is already in treaty for the lease of premis's capable of accommodatirg seo persons, and which, with alterations, can be made available for the accommodation of twice that number. Mr. Marshall was requested to put himself into communication with the committee here on its formation. STARVATION AND DEATII AMONG TUE OTIMLAND EMIGRANTS To Cazaronxia.—A letter in an American paper, dated Truckee River, Emigrant Road, Monday, Sept. 30, gives the following account of the fate of emigrants on the road to California; " I have now been upon this horrible road more than one month, dining which time I have wit neesed every grade of busman suffering and misery. Too often have 1 seen families, who from ell appearances had been brought up in the enjoyment of every luxury, feasting upon the earns's* of dead oxen. Captain Dunces, of Michigan, stated to me a few days mince, that the best toad he ate for sixteen days was a faithful dog that had followed him from home; that he need him as long as he Gould, but finally killed him to prevent starvation, and divided the mast among about twenty men. I have seen hundreds so weak that they reeled and staggered as they walked along the road. Saw one man from St. Louis on Humboldt river, a few days since, lying by the aide of the road in the last agonise of death, mooed by starvation. Have just reached this point, after • ten days' journey up Humboldt Raver where I found many persona without one pound of prov ision, although four sid WWI from Sacramento City. ad what makes their situation worse,they have suffered (rem starvation until they are so weak they can scarcely walk. These people have been robbed by chef:idiom even to their blankets , although the nights are cold and chilly, and it requires two or three blankets to keep a man comfortable, _yet m h z . l s of these people have neither blankets aor oats. The Indians are very numerous, becoming very bold, and are killing the emigrants daily. They wawa thenieelves in the thickets and ravines, and fire upon the emigrants as they pees; those on toot, being too weak to carry their guns, fall an easy prey to the savages. The Indians have takes a great deal of 'cock flan the emigrants, and ars oinsequently well mounted ; and by picking op the dreams thrown away by the weak and exhausted, they are also well armed, which makes them far more dangeroue than they have been at any previous period. Many believe these Indians are headed and lad on by white eon, whose object is to secure the seigraars Noe. lECLARATION OF VISCOUN l' DUNCAN. An aggregate meeting of representatives of the several parishes comprised in the City and Liberty of West taunter took plain lut evening at the Vestry Room of St. James's, Piccadilly, for the wpm of adopting maimed for prentring "the total and immediate repeal of the window duties, without the substitution of any other tax." The attendance was numerous, comprising churchwardens, overseen, vestrymen, and others, from the following parishes James's, St. Paul's, Covenugarden, St. Anne's, Soho, and St. Illary.bratzend. Mr. WK. DEESIN, senior churchwarden of St. James's, presided, and it having been reeolvi d that a deputation should be appointed to wait on the churchwardens ol the parishes inn represented at the meeting, Viaeount DUNCAN, who was loudly cheered, said—lt is quite uansoemary for me to trouble you with any arguments for the repeal of this tax. In the days of 6 r Jibe Hobbouse and others it had bean denounced, both in B'. James's sod in other of the metropolitan pariahs,. The tours, I intend to panes on this question is open and straightforward ; I shall certainly renew my motion for the repast of the window tax at as early& day as I can. (Cheers.) It is my intention to bring forward a motion for the total, ininudiater l and complete repeal of this ohne:ions tax. (Hear, ham) Aced when I regard the state of the national finances, I sal happy to say that I perceive they are now in such a WAN that I can no loopy be met with the only objection that was ever brought forward—the impossibility of repealing it nada/ the peculiar circumstances of the ; for as we have so large a surplus,l do not think there is anything to which thin surplus could be applied with more satisfaction to theisublis than to the repeal of the window tax. (Meer, bear.) I man' be permitted to take this opp.rtuuty of making a few ob servstions with respect to certain words which have falba from other hon. members of the House of Commons. Very lately, at a meeting at Bradford, my friend Mr.. ', Cobden stated that is his opinion the window tax was sot the first tax on the list that meet to be repealed, and he expressed his belief that it tall only and exclusively upon the higher and middle clams, et the community. I think then words must have fallen from my hon. friend rather hastily. (Hear, hear.) If he will take the opportunity of investigating the subject he will I be inclined to agree with me that that tax don not fall only upon the higher and middling, hat also presets moot un equally upon all clouts of the community, and that all would be benefited by its repeal. (Hear, hear.) This very day I tot k the trouble to walk as far as the Crystal Palace now building in this metropolis. Now the first question I should lite to ask in my place to parliament is whether that Crystal Palen is to be subjected to the window tax. (Hear, bear.) If it is, I realty should like to know how much will have to pay foe it. (Applause.) If it Is not, I should then like this question answered—whether other persons may not be permitted to build crystal palaces as well as the Royal Commissioners. (Cheers.) I am well aware that in the manufacturing districts a great number at persons are exempted from this tax. Now, I could understand why ,i 1 it is to be imposed at all, the siatufscnarers should not pay equally with other persons ; nor why, if it is to be maintained, it should not be placed on the shoulden of every man in the community. (Hear.) It is the numerous exemptions which have bean made (rem time to time in favour of large interests that have canoed the tax to press so unequally on different claws. (Hear, hear.) I have repeatedly brought forward this 'object in the House et Commons, and have never received any answer at ell satisfactory why the tax should not be repealed, except the financial difficulties. Toole have fortunately ceased ; and I do not think there can be a more auspicious moment for agitating the question than the present. (Cheers.) 1 gins me the greatnt satielaction, having only arrived in this country yesterday from the continent, to find the iahabitants 01 the metropolis so actively engaged. I have received communications from many other puts of the kingdom, and I am happy to say that the agitation on this subject is not confined to the metropolis alone. If you gentlemen oat of doors will exert yourselves, and press this questionoa the attention of your representatives, I am quite cosylased that when I bring it forward, whoever may be in the government, or however I may be opposed, I dull not be opposed successfully. Mr. ANLEY stated that it the window tax was repealed he should reduce his rents on those houses for which ha paid the tun. (Hear ' hear.) lie was certain this example would be Uy followed. The CHAIRMAN stated that the members for Finsbury. Lambeth, Westminster, and other metropolitan boroughs, were piedged to stop the supplies if the window tax was not repealed. (Cheers.) Mr. NELSON stated that of the 1,800,0001, produced by the window tax, only 390,0091. was paid by the upper classes—a proof that it pressed unjustly en the middle and lower. There was an annual addition of 6,009 houses to the metropolis, which did not pay the window tax, the mijority of which were unfit for human habitation. He moved the thank' of the meeting to Lord Viscount Duacau for his &Madames. Mr. WILKINSON wooded the motion, which was car ried amidst great applause. Viscount DUNCAN briefly acknowledged the vote, and in a highly complimentary speech to the outman, moved a vote of thanks to that gentleman. The mating then adj ,arced. MISTAKEN IDENTITY. PARDON OF MR. OOLDSMID. It will be recollected that Mr. John Goldsmid was tried at the last Middlesex Sessions before Mr. Serjt. Adorns, fur an wash alleged to have been committed by him on George Tideman, an excise officer, and after a trial which occupied a considerable time, found guilty and sentenced to an imprisonment of three month.. Immediately after the trial Milers. Lewis, of Ely place, who deluded Mr. Gold amid, having, from the instructions they ha received, felt confident of the innocence of Mr. Goldsmid, proceeded to obtain evidence in addili in to that given at the trial, with the view of laying the whole body of testimony before Sir George Grey. Assisted by the efforts of Mr. Goldsteid's family, and numbers of his friends, his solicitors pro duced fifteen declar►tions upon the subject, and for warded them to the judge who tried tte unlucky defendant. While this was in the possession of Mr. Serjeent Adams the innocence of Mr. Goldsmid was placed beyond all doubt by the appearance of Wm. Hogging, the person who had, as was stated, committed the assault, earl who came forward to take upon hinuieif the responsibility and to relieve the individual erroneously charged from the imp•- tation against him. Mr. Serjeant Adams, immediately upon hearing the etatement of Mr. Goggins, and Messrs. Lewis ►aving reduced that statement to a declaration on oath, addressed the Secretary of State for the Rome Dep►rtment. sad the result was that within half an hour of the presents. lion of the document yesterday Mr. Goldsmid was liberated from custody with a tree pardon—the pardon being of course • mere form, but necessarily arising from the fact that the verdict of toe jury was "guilty." JERSEY OYSTER FISHERT.—A modification, long wished for by our fishermen, in the limit of the duration (it being at present from September 1 to April 30) of the mystery fishery, is on the point of being realised. By the treaty which was concluded between the Engiish aad French governments, the fishery after the Ist of May woo inter dicted, May being precisely the month most propitious for dredging, and consequently most profitable to the fishermen, It now appears that the authoritiee of Granville and the fishermen of the two countries have agreed to petition for the revision of the treaty, in order that for the tutus tne oyster fishery may commence October 1, and terminate ktay 16. During the spring of 1860, the number of Jersey boats employed in the fishery was 70, and 1,120 tone, manned by 360 men; of English boats, 119, of 2,898 toes, manned by 623 men—a total of 189 boats, 4,018 tone, 983 men. The quantity of opines caught was 105,000 tubs, which fantod 13e a tub—or 16,7501. !In the autumn of the name year, 140 Jersey boats, of 640 tone, manned by 200 men ; of English bona 40, of 640 tons, 220 men. These eighty boats caught 19 200 tube, which told at 2s. 6.1. per tub, or 3,4001. The total produce of the oysters dredged in the spring and autumn of 1850 being thus 19,1501.—Jersev Chronicle. THZ TEtiraaaocs CAUSE IN EDINBURCL—Tbe &odamwe says A sane took place last night in South bridge Hall, and in the street opposite to it, which threatened for some time to end In a disturbance of the peace. A Dr. Robertson has been lecturing for some nights put in this Hall, which is opposite the ,C.illege ; and it would seem that his lectures have been of each an mare' de scription as to induce large numbers of the students to attend (or amusement. The lecture on Friday night was to be fie the subject of the temperance case; and, although the admission wee sixpence each, the hall was crowded with students. some time before eight o'clock, at which hear the lecture was fixed to take place. Dr. Robertson collects the cash at the door, as well as delivers the lectures; and when he was engaged in the former of these duties, the students vote/ one of their number into the chair. This Indianan seemed qualified, in an eminent degree, to rule " the fierce democracy ;" for, when the time arrived for ,the commencement of the lecture, he stilled at ones the discordant elements around him by a wave of his stick, and with profound gravity Intro- duced the doctor to the meeting. The doctor desired to know the wishes of the audience before he began. Would they have • lecture on temperance, or would they prefer one on the other aide 01 mune, the chairman's services I were again called into requisition, and he put the question' , to the meeting in proper business style ; end the response at once wee to have a lecture condemnatory of temperance. The doctor accordingly put the temperance MS. into his pocket, and brought out the more congenial one, which he cons ' menced to read amidst such • perfect Babel of confusion that not one word of it could be heard. Sundry little episodes occurred to relieve the discordance, annagst the I more noticeable of which was a tussle between ' the chairman and the lecturer, which aided in I the latter being pushed over. It did sot ap pear to have been • very serious affair, however, for the lecturer was soon on his feet again, and he ' and the chairman shook handy', and became, If possible, mill greater friends than before. This noisy fuse sees sollectod a crowd in the street opposite the hell; and the Woman of I mischief were mach increased by sundry basins of water being thrown from the windows of the hall um the per. I eons on the pavement below. At this juncture the lights in I she hall were extinguished: and, in the minion which pu t vatted, the lecturer contrived to get away unobserved. A . aember of the students followed his example, and dime who / remained good-busouredly brought the nig ht's diversion to s a goes by staging a song, at the of which the crowd outside, amounting to not Ism than a thommul oc Mews hundred penesse, began gradually to disperse. Rain inteittgenct. SPRING CIRCUITS. NOWOLIL—Jude.: The Right Hon. lair John Jervis, Lord Chief Judaea of the Common Pima, end the Hon. Mr. Justice Srle.—Buck ingbanutalre, Monday, March 10, at A lesbury. Bedfordahlre, Thurs day, March 13, at lledfetd. Hun ire, Monday, Hank IT, at Huntingdon. Cambridgeshire, Wednesday, Muth 19, al the County Court of Cambridge. Norfolk. Toothy, Huth 13, at the Lilt). of Norwell. Llty *Mondial, de nee day, e the Gitildball oldie city. Tuesday, April 1, at Bury It. Edmund's. Noentaan--Judges : The Hon Mr. Justice Creswell and Mr. Harem Platt. Northern divider' of Lanaahlre, Monday, February 17, at the Carle, at Lancaster. Westmorelaad Thursday, February SO, at Appleby. Cumberland, Saturday, February 13, at Cathie. Northonabulaod, Wednesday, February 16, at Newcastle. Toward Neirmartle, the same day, at the mane place. Durham, Monday, Muth 3, at Durham. Yorkshire, Saturday, March la, at the Castle of Trek. City of York, the same day, at the Guildhall of the City of Yak. Seeders Dlviike of Ismeashin, Saturday, March n, at . - . : the Bon. Mr. Baron Alderson and Mr. Justice Coleridge. Rollandshlre, Tinuorley, February 27, at Cattiest. Nertheaptcaohlre, Friday, Merin Le, at Northampton. Lincoln shire. Wednesday, shared 3, at tee Odds at Lincoln. enyotlhatoln, the same day at t e Guildhall at Lineal& Nottinghamshire, Tuesday, March 11, at Nottingham Cottle. Tows or Nottingham, the same day at the same place. DerhysMre, Thursday, March 13, at Derby. Leicesterehire, Wednesday, March le. Warwickshire Coventry Divi sion, Friday, 'larch 21, at Coventry. Warwick Division, Saturday, March ft, at the Cattle, at WsreC* Thu days on the Dotard and South Wales Circuital are not yet dually dud JUDICIAL COMMITTEE OF THE PRIVY COUNCIL.—YznannAr. HIPARI LORD LANODALI, MIL BADON PAaaa. THD RIONT HON. SIR BTAPHIN LVANINOTON, AND IDE LORD MN. SIR ETAN. The Judicial Committee of the Pliny CouLd assembled this afternoon, according to special appointment, and pro ceeded to deliver the subjoined judgment. It will be in the recolliction of our readers that the arguments occupied the attention of the council five days during the late sitting*. BRATNI AND EDWARD/ 0. BATH'S —JUDGMENT. . . . . Dr. Lushington deliveredthe judgment in this case, was an appeal from the Prerogative Court, and arose out of the last will and testament of Mr. William Brayne, of Shrewsbury fn the county of Salop, deceased, bearing date the 26th of Doe ,1844, and was promoted by the executors named in that will against Emma Bather, one of the resi duary legatee named in • prior will made by the decease d bear ing date 23rd Sept. 1844. He died possessed of considerable property amounting in valise to the sum of 30,0001. It ap peared that the testator's nearest relatives, and next of kin, were • nephew and two niecm, the children of • deceased sister, but he had also another relation, though in a more remote degree, namely, the Rev. Edward. Bather, the Archdeacon of Salop, and he had other relations further remote, namely, the nine children of Mr. John Bather, who was formerly the Recorder of Shrewsbury. The testa mentary papers before the Prerogative Court were, a will Wiring date the 23rd of September, 1844, and another paper purporting to be also • will bearing date the 26th of December, in the same year, about four days therefore before the tutator'e decease. The due execution of the former paper was not denied, but, on the contrary-, was fully ad mitted; it was in reference to the latter paper that the question before the court took its origin. The appellants. it appeared, had married two nieces of the testator, and were theexecutore named lathe will ixeeuted on the 26th Dec., while Mies Bather was one et the residuary legatees named in the will of the 23rd of September. The executors of the last mentioned will were the Rev. Edwd. Bather and Mr. John Bather! By the will of the 23rd ot.Septemter the great bulk of the property of the testator was given to the members of the Bather family—namely, the nine children of the late Recorder of Shreasbury, in various proportions, by specific devises and bequests, and a comparatively small portion was given to the more immediate relations of the deceased. By the latter paper (the will of the 26th of De cember) the greater part of the property was given to the testator's two nieces, Mts. Brayne arid Mrs. Edwards, end the interest of the Bather family under the will was reduced to the sum of 5,0001., of which 1,0001. was given to Mr. John Bather, the second son of the late Recorder, and 4,0001., 6001. each, amongst the other sons and the four daughters, of which the family consisted. The will of September was prepared by Mr. How, a solicitor of the town of Shrews bury, where the deceased resided, and that will was attested by that gentleman and by one of his clerks, Mr. Atkin. The .111 of December was prepared, it was stated, by Mr. Ed mund Harper, a clerk to a stationer end sccountant, and attested by him and Mr. E award Edwards, • bookbinder, who also keeps • public-bona,' called ,the Bull, in the town of Shrewsbury. The original will of the 23rd of September was, it was alleged, der Toyed by the direction of the testator after the execution of the second inetrumeet. Toe draft of that will, however, partly in the testator's own handwriting, together with some alterations made in it by Mr. How, was proved by that gentleman to be an exact .opt or in 'abettor. the sera. as the will executed by the deceased on the 23rd 01 September. The testator was seized at the beginning of the month of September wish that illness which terminated fatally. He was afflicted with a disease in the leg, wnich led to erysipelas, terminating in mortification, ma he was afterwarde,at the an d of the month, removed up 'stairs, and it then was that his niece, Mrs: Katherine Edwards, was called to attend him. According to the representations made the testator, at some time before the lo.li of December, dictated to Mr. Edwards instructions for the preparation of a sew will, and these instructions were aiterwards communicated to Mr. Edmund Harper, with direction to pr. pare • will from them. The particular grounds suggested for this alteration of purpose on the part of the deceased were, first, the outcry raised in the town of Shrewsbury at the disposition which it was well known he bad made of his property in favour of the Sather family. It was surged that the testator was induced to alter his intentions in regard to the disposition of his property principally by reason of the exhortations and re monstrances made to him by a clergyman named Itoge non, whose ministry he occasionally attended. Other circum stances were said to have occurred, and that the gossip of the town of Shrewsbury had been communicated to the testator. He was stated to have been • man extremely sensitive, and therefore it was supposed that an outcry raised in the town might have had the effect of inducing Jim to alter his will; and it was stated that he was heard to say, " The Bathers are q' Ming about the disposition of the property." Another ground was suggested as a reason for the alteration uf the will, namely, that the Bathers looked coldly upon Mrs. Edwards, and that they did not pay that attention to her which the testator thought she ought to receive from them. It wet alleged that the testator said to Mrs. Edwards, " Do the Bathers speak to you, and take notice of you ?" and upon Mrs. Edwards replying " No, uncle," he said, " It shell be none the better for them." Looking at the character which the twitter sustained through life, the learned judge in the court below was of opinion that these circumstances were not likely, even if they did occur, to have made any permanent impression on his mind. Mr. Edmund Harper gave the following account of the execution of the last will, which took place on the 26th of December. Edward Edwards came into the room. I forget which it was, but I know that either Mrs. Brayne or Mrs. Edwards had told me lust before that he had been sant for and was expected every minute. Immediately on entering, he went to the bedside end asked the deceased how he was, and 1 heard deceased say, so he shook hands with him," Oh, Mr. Edwards you are come," sod he then said, " I have got my will, and I want to execute it. I wish you," speaking to us jointly, "to witness it." Mrs. Edwards, thereupon, reached • paper out of • box which stood on • chair near the bed ; the paper was placed by him on the bed in front of the deceased, and I then recognised it as the very document which I had so prepared and written out. Mrs. Edwards and Mrs. Brayne then raised the testator up, and he was supported in • half sitting half lying posture, by the sofa pillow s pieced behind him. Edward Edwards then made some remark to the deceased as to the reading of the paper. I cannot be quite positive whether he said, " Has it been read ?" or whether he said, " shall it be read ," but it was one of the two, and the deceased immediately said," It does not matter ; Kitty has read it to me, and it is all right. 1 have signed many wills as witneu without having heard them read." Edward Edwards thin said, " But with your permission, air, I would rather read it." Ido not think any further observation was then nude ; but Edward Edwards then took up the will and read it clearly arid distinctly from beginning to end. We were close to the bedside and I held the candle for him. The deceased appeared to be attending to it, and mast have heard ft all, but he did not make any remark whatever at the time. It appeared to me as if his sight was not very good. I also observed that he did not appear to have the free use of the Segue of his right hand. The third finger and the little finger seemed to be doubled under. The deceased then, quite of his own accord and unassisted, made his mark (a cross), and said, without any dictation or suggestion by anybody, "This is my last will and desire, and I wish it to be carried out." Edward Edwards then took up the will and handed it to me and requested me to write the deceased's name against the mark, and the deceased at the same in stant said " Mr. Edwards, sign first, he is always first in • good cause." This I understood as meaning (which I am sure it did) that Mr. Edwards should sign his name se witness before I signed mine. The will was then placed upon • small table, just at the foot of the bed, rather at one corner, es Out the deceased could and did see all that passed. I added his name to the mark or cross. What I wrote was, " The mark of William Brays's," and then Edward Edwards signed his name as • witness, and then I signed mine, each In the presence of the other and of the deceased. Edward Edwards then banded the will back to the deceased. The gemmed then, addressing Mrs. Ed wards, raid, " Here, Kitty, take care of this • it is but justice to my sister's children." Mrs. Edwards then took it, but I do not know what she did with It. The deceased then said, " Where is the old will ? let that be destroyed." Mrs. Brayne th id e t u h p ou ro g d h uc n e o d t a op pe e Le i r i p or h. L d fu e u rt d e Er' s w i o n h m s t pec e e h o ' t n ed e :h y y t fin m te e t , ap Tiai l pe b e e r t. lili eh rO e : n to on h l a y te spi t k ell fro th m ewg general appearance. Ido not know what became of it, or whether it was or was not destroyed. The deceased requested see to be seated, and then sold ! " My motive for sending for you, Mr. Edwards, is that 1 wish you to be witness to my will. I have made one will, but it is unjust to my sister's children. I have been doing a great deal far the Bathers. I have been serving them all my lifetime, and have done little or nothing for them (meaning, es I understood, his sister's children). If you were to see the Bathers' letters and my hook, which I have given to Kitty, you would find it so." The learned judge in the wart below said the only queen= to be decided was whether the evidence given by Mc Edward Edward., and Mr. Edmund Harper, the two attesting 1114011114111 to the will, was saffistient to outweigh ell the probabilities of the sue, and all the declared Intentions of the testator with reference to the will of the 23rd of September ; he was of opinion that it was not; and he, accordingly, pronounced fftoclitiogetbroie:itinentrisaittimetvidahgeeiniwlewitirdoslodlalfl,ga.ptheitijToui:diriteeiranivhetewhe,y;belwieteoloshioritboyowthftht;ifiinamet.thettihiacoeizPtwrlitethehd hones the commentedete...fwgpd. Dece mber e tker tl y upon, .b:Cosht than r e i • -huge EQUITY COURTS.—Yzettapsy. !crone Tux Loan CBANCILL•II. His lordship made mime in surreal unopposed lunriMo petitions, which stood over from last Friday, and then precluded with the further hearirg of two appeal.—opental on Weenneday—iar Menzies v. COnnor"—• case oflong and oompllowed litigation between the: mistress and annuitant of a Mr. Connor, deceased, against his widow and adminis- Matrix. The real and only question la the appeals was, whether Mrs. Menzies should have sedan oats awarded to her by Viee•Chanceilor Knight Braes. Mr. Wirers and Mr. Kerslake; Mr. Bacon, Mr. J. W. Prior, Mr. J. Russell and Mr. Anderson, were heard on that queetirm. The Lord Chancellor reserved his judgment. COURT OF QUEEN'S BENCH.-TESTERDAT. Smuts* at Baxao.—Baroa, Loan CAl:pati, ILL Jurics Cots- tiros, Amp YL Jurrtcm Wooing TUB QI7IBN O. Till POOR LAW COMUISSIOXI22I. CRYTIORABI.. . _ Mr. Peacock, QC., in this emu had obtained a nle, eall lag upon the poor law commissioners to show cause why • writ of certiorari should not be issued for the purpose Of bringing into this court en order which they bad made in respect of the parishes of St.Oiles in-the-Fields and St. George Bloomsbury, which parishes were united for certain purposes by a lead sot of parliament. The order which was cem paned of gave the directors of the poor the power to ap point the inferior parochial officers of these two parishes without the approbation of the vestrymen, and it only required that the consent of the poor law board should be given tot such appointments. This, it was conteaded on the part of the vestrymen, was contrary to the provisions of the local act of parliament paned in reference to these two parishes. The Solicitor-General, Mr. Crompton, and Mr. Tomlinson now showed cause against the rule, and argued upon the authority of the cue of " The Quin o. The Inhabitants of Brighton" (3 Queen's Bench Reports) that the Poor Law Commissioners had acted upon the authority of the Pour Law Act, which, and the order made under it, could not be af fected by a local act. Sir F. Kelly and Mr. Cowling, in support of the rule, con tended that the commissioners had not the power to repeal the act of parliament, or any express provision in the act, and had power merely to control or direct officers in the dis charge of their duty in the execution of the poor laws en trusted to them ; but while they had power to control the officers, they had not by the act power to dismiss them. The order, too, with respect to the appointment of officers was bad, for it took away from the vestry the appointment of officers which the legislature had vested in them, and con ferred it on those who by the act were made subordinate officers. The order therefore was bad in part, and it bad in part was bad in all. The Court took time to consider. BAIL COURT.—YESTERDAY. Ex PARTS THY Rk.V. OZOHOI ROUNSPIELD. Mr. James, Q C., mused for a mandamus commanding Mr. Commissioner Law to hear the appication subs Rey. George liounsti4d, and grant a rule to show cause why a Testing order made in his we should not be rescinded according to the provisions of 1 & 2 Victoria, cap, 110. It appeared the Rev. George Roun.field had, on the 31st Oat., 1638, filed a petition under sec. 36 of the Insolvent Act, and upon the filing of the petition the usual vesting order was made. There was only one detaining creditor, a person of the name of Drury, who was paid in full, and the insolvent discharged. There was no schedule filed, no hear ing of the case, and no adjudication, but the vesting order remaintd, w hichl vested ail the insolvent's el ate to the assignee. The petitioner having been entitled to lauded property of the value of 12,0001. and a living in De vonshire of the value of 4001. per annum, which have been told, wishes to know that the sums received for them have been properly applied. For this purpose an application was made to Mr. Law for an ord. r to annul the vesting order, under No, 37, by which it is provided "that when such vesting order has been made on the petition of a creditor, it shall be lawful for the court, if it shall seem just and right, but not without proof made to the satisfaction of the said court of tho consent of the petitioning creditor, to make an order declaring much testing order to be null and void." An affidavit of the detaining creditor was produced, declaring his consent. The commissioner required Mr. liounefield to prepare a list of all his creditors, which be did, acd on the 24th January made a further application. The commieeioner, however, refused to interfere, and made some observation to we effect that he could not understand the meaning of the act ; and nothing leas done. Toe applicant is therefore wituout remedy; he can get no account, aor can he take possession of his property ; be cannot present to the living in Devonshire, when the neat vacancy occurs; and ha has been lea a legacy which he cannot ieceive, on account of this vesting order, though there is no creditor before the court. Mr. Justice Erle—Yuu have convinced me that yen have no remedy except by mandamus, but you have not shown any legal right to that. 'foe discretion of granting the order you require is vested in another tribunal "if it shall seem just eau right," but suppose that tribunal does not think it just and right Mr. James—!f the commissioner had heard the matter out and had adjudicated, that would be a different case ; but here there has been no adjudication. . . Mr. Justice Erle—The nine of demarcation is very clear u to when this court wall and when at will not interfere by mandamus. Mere the commissioner entered upon the cue, and did not decline jurisdiction. I have a very strong opinion, but if you thick you con prevail in the lull court, you may withuraw your application hers and make it there. Application withdrawn. REGINA IP. JUSTICES OF BMW:MOUTH —APPLICATION TO ENPUILCS ♦ CUUNCH RATE. Mr. Wales moved, on behalf of the churchwardens of the parish of St. Mary Magdalen, Bridgnorth, fora rule calling on the justice, to show cause why they should not issue warrants or distress to enforce payment of a Boor rate. The question involved was the validity of the rate. It appeared that in March, 11150, it being considered necessary to make a rate, notice of a vestry was given, and • meeting held, at which, after parting the churchwardens' accounts, the subject of the rate was discussed, and an estimwe pro duced, showing that 604 was required, and a rate of ,sd. in the pound proplsed. An amendment wee then proposed of Id. in the pound, which, according to the estimate of property in the parish, would only have produced 7i. The cnairman asked whether the proceeds of • farthing rate would be sufficient for the purposes required, and, being told they would not, he refused to put the amendment, and the original proposition was put and carried, the disseutients refusing to vote. The justices refused to issue distress war rants, upon the ground of the alleged irregularity in not putting the amendment. It was now contended that the Case was not distinguishable from " Gosling v. Veley." Rule nisi granted. Ex PANTE THE Rev. GEOROS CLAILILEON.—LI BEL AGAINST • WEBLIYAN Sir F. Theaiger moved for leave to tile a criminal informa tion against John Kaye, the proprietor of the IVelleyan Times, for a series of libels contained in several numbers of that paper. It appeared by the affidavits that the Hey. O. Cl.rkson had been for 30 years en. of the accredited minis ters and preachers of the Wesleyan Society. That in the year 1846, a girl of the name of Charlotte Irons entered into his service, and continued therein till May 31, 1860, when she left, and shortly afterwards he received informa tion that she was pregnant, and charged him as the father of the child. He immediately employed a so licitor, and made a communication to the Wesleyan Conference, upon which the customary mode of inquiry was adopted, and a statement was revived from the girl. On the 9th of September there appeared among the notices to correspondents in the Wesleyan Times a notice as follows: " We have heard some rumours respecting Mr. Clarkson ; we know not on what fouadation they rest. The matter ought, we think, to be cleared up." This was followed up by an article on the 16th September, headed "A Delicate Case, ' and of which the following are parts : " Ti. Wee. Igen conference, or rather the dominant party, has more than once been charged with popish practices in treatine, ea venial. sins committed in flagrant violation of the law of God. • • • • At this moment rumours are rife in the midland counties respecting • superintendent who attracted to much attention to himself before coots rues by his severities towards the relorriten that he must not be surprised if, against his will, he become the object of disagreeable attention. We forbear mentioning his name at present, though it mast eventually become known in connexion with a charge than which few accusa tions would be more injurious to the character of a Christian minister. His accuser is a young woman, formerly in his service, but at present in circumstances which incapacitate her from any active occupation—in a word, she has become a mother without the sanction of matrimonial alliance, and she constantly affirms that he who was her muter is the father of her child." Again, on the 18th of November another article appeared " Ever since the conference, one of the largest and most im portant circuits in the connexion has been under the co- puturate of a person who (not to mince the matter) is more than suspected—is directly charged—with being the father of a bastard child. Some weeks have now elapsed since the birth of the child, and we have the means of knowing that so far as physical cdrcuesstances are concerned, the un fortunate mother is perfectly well able to app ar before the proper authorities and make a depoeition as to the paternity of her offspring. . . . It may be objected that these lasts have not been established before a legal tri bunal. We admit the objection, while we deny its force. The facts ought to have been in mdeac• ere now." Shortly after this the case then came oa before ! the insgistrates, on an application to affiliate the child. Mr. Clarkson attended, and the girl was examined, witneues called to corroborate her testimony, but the megistrides stated that the case had broken down on the girt's own statement; and though Mr. Clarkson's counsel said he had witnemes to call to contradidt the statements of the girl, they intimated that as the caw had entirely failed, they could not go into the facts on the other side. On the 2nd December, a long article appeared in the Wesleyan Tunas upon the trial, stating that the case was dismised on a technical objection, for want of corroborative evidence. That u the 'tatter stood, It was unsatisfactory to both parties, that it had been stated that witnesses were thee to speak to Clarkson's character, and that it was pity they were net called. Oa the 9th December, two advertisements' appeared la the paper calling for subscriptions on behalf of the girl, headed " Inns. v. Clark eta," and cants' her an 1' fared parson. A leading aside was inserted upon the subject, again smarting that the case was dismlaud on a techn'eality. Those libels were continued in pepees of the 9th, 16th, and 23rd of December, and 13th January, intimating that Mr. Clarkson hadsbirked inquiry; whereas, in truth, he was anxious to submit to the closest inquiry, but there was no possibility of i t Zsellmtpr ir undertake the Investigation; and in , Clarkson's character is Wog meet Inj .Ipf • the efficiency of Ws ministry impaired. 11,0 Owe la sot the slightest truth In the having given any grounds "Wow n ""lir 4440 .ISWAN !~ ~~ ~ j 1 II i I~ k il l