The Express. — London, England, 1853-01-12 00:00:00

HE ELECTIONS. OXFORD UNIVERSITY. OXFORD, Trzsosy. result of the seventh day's polling has added two mere to Mr. Gladstone's majority, making it 113. It t l s bun decided that the Twit cm be kept open woes day.. The friends of Mr. l'ereeval (for committee a a ppears he has none) have stated, in a handbill issued this alma?, that " the poll wul be kept open for another week. ELEVEN O'CLOCI. G:s !O no 756 643 rti.c i;nrity far Gladstone ALLIEIt TO TWELVE O'CLOCK. GlEagan° 761 l'aceval Majority for G!ad.tone WILVE O'CLOCK. .... Gladstone - _ 773 6i4.1 !'nasal Majority for Gladatono lll UCAlf,Tric - FA , t oNS O'CLOCK. Vcrceral Majority for dimlitone (4.:ALTISK.PAST TWO OCLOt K. iladstone SO3 l'erceral 143;nrity for (I:vlstune ll2 4 t {;;(Elll'AliT THREE o'cLucii 6;adstoat Bl7 l'orceval ____ Majority for Gladstone ll2 HALF -PAiT THILEE O'CLOCK. 61adstone S29 Ferrer:a Mojotity for Gladstone llO FUIB V . CLOCK. C. , tr,no 839 730 Pireeval Xa;ority for Glnestono lO9 rive U.CLOCK. Glio.*.tocc 739 rercetal Majority for Gladstone Amongst the friends of Mr. Gladstone who recorded ths.r votes to-day were—The Begins Professor of Modern Illitory, the Lord Bishop of Brechin, the Right Hon. S. Lushinkon, Rev. 0. Howard, Rev. L. E Begot, Mr. F. U t yrick, M.A., the tier. the Dean of Carlisle, W. E. Jelf, 8.0., Mr. E. Vernon Harcourt, W. N. Darnell, 8.D., Rev. W. J. Copleston. Amongst those of Mr. Perceval were Viscount Lewisham, the priecipal of St. Mary Hall, J. Burrows, 11. D., Rev. Van. 11. L. Menet, 8.D., J. C. Brower°, D.C.L Join V. Hayes, Rev. Harry Les, W. D.C.L., Itev. N. W. Stowert. SOUTH WILTSHIRE. SALISBURY, TVZSDAY. The appointment of the Right Hon. Sidney Her btrt to the office of Secretary at War having rendered vacant the representation o: the southern division of the county of Wilts, the High Sheriff fixed this morning for the election consequently rendered necessary. For some days wt it had been currently reported that the lion. Grentley Berkeley would clime forward in opposition to the Secretary at War; bat last night it was definitively announced that no opposition would be offered to Mr. Herbert's re-elec tion. All the preliminaries were conducted at the Town Hall, and at a few minutes past eleven o'clock Mr. Herbert, accompanied by a numerous body of friends, proceeded to the hustings. Mt. ALLIANDER rowm.t. proposed the Right lion. Sidney Herbert. It would be uo slight gratification to that division of the county . to know that it had returned a man of talent and integrity, who had been appointed to a high office in the government of the country. Mr. J. H. Jxcons seconded the nomination. The Urr nan-S neuter having declared the hon. gentleman duly elected, Mr. S. litaßtliT proceeded to address the persons assembled in explanation of the course which he had pursued since his p revious election. He then reviewed the sets of the Derby-Disraeli administration. and stated that knowing the high character of the Earl of Aberdeen, who has been called upon to form the new government, when he (Mr. Herbert) was called upon to join that ad ministration he felt little difficulty, for he had little faith in the principle of the nub episcopari. At the same time be must say, that although he was not unac quainted with the sweets of office, he knew that he had many eujeyments of private life to give up, and many personal comforts to sacrifice. Such sacrifices he was per fectly ready to make, if be could be of any service to his country. (Hear.) The party to which he was attached had long held an isolated position, but they thought that the time woman when, by collecting their forces, they might coalesce with those with whose political opinions they were to • certain extent identified. The government was now formed, and the gentlemen around him coned as well judge as him elf what it was competent to achieve. They had, in soma respects, a difficult task to perform. The founda tion that was laid for the material prosperity of this country in I°S6 was now rendered fixed and permanent, despite of the exertions of the 53 cr 56 members of the House of Commons who still held on to protection. Such a thing as aprotectionist was now hardly to be seen out of the House of Commons. They bad this advantage over their predecessors In office—that they had not appealed to the country to find • policy for them; they had found a policy settled for them and they should call upon the country to assist them in supporting it. They would continuo to adhere to free trade principles, and not unly to, but they were determined to extend them, because they knew that they were wise, just, and beneficial. (Hear.) - Talk about their not being en united adminiitration! \Vhy, all the ministerial addresses that had been issued showed their deep attachment to the institutions of the country, while they were determined to promote sound reforms. They did not hold various creeds —those who represented counties holding one creed, while those who presented themselves before borough consti tuencies professed another; they were decided upon prin ciples which they themselves originated, and which they believed to be true. (Hear, hear.) He might be allowed to say that with respect to the question of reform, they should seek from the country time to give it a patient and deliberate conaideration. He was not one of those who wished to abolish our ancient institutions, but still he thought they ought to be so modified as to adapt them to the circumstances of the times. (Hear.) He wished to see education extensively spread amongst the people. He thought that to the prevalence of education was to be attri- bated much of the peaceful spirit which had of late years prevailed amongst the people, and of that increased moral feeling which was perceptible in every direction. The people of England were generous and liberal, and must be governed in a generous and liberal spirit. Governments have spoken in fear of the people, and when governments spoke in fear of the people it was not unnatural that the people should fear the government. Fear was not the right principle to pre vail between the people and the government. He hoped that whatever reforms they might have to make they would be guided by a firm attachment to the constitution of the country. In promoting education there were many did. tellies to encounter on account of the religious conviction of England. There were countries in which education had been earned further than in England, hut with less success, because religion was not connected with it, and he wee convinced that without religion edu cation could have no tasting foundation. (Hear, hear.) He wished to see the Chards of England predominant in this country, for he had a deep attachment to that church. Be wished to see its usefulness extended, its dicieney ineremed, and all Its abases removed. At the same time that be professed his deep attachment to the Church of Ending—which was his church and his creed— he wished is give fell toleration and liberty to all other fel= cs eele, flee he wee not one of three who thought that the of deb penalties ever tended to the advance ment of religious tenth. (Hear, bear.) Religion flourished most where peeeseatios was unknown. For himself, he wield make se peenisse, and would not bid for popularity. Be wadi esdesteeer le do his duty in the situation he het tees gelled spa le SU, and wen at last he sheathed Ms mud le treated be sight have the satisfaction of re that, to sems =tent, he had been humbly instru nsiellntin pressetlig the benefit of his country. Tho right hon. gentleman sandalled by proposing vote of thanks to the ender-sheriff foe the manner in which he conducted the election. The t:suru Sumner acknowledged the compliment, and the proceedings terminated. CHRONOLOGICAL OR ARITHMETICAL COINCIDES- Frenchman lately communicated the following tatter curious calculations to an English friend Fall of 'lobo/duce 1 Fall of Napoleon lBl5 1 8 1 5 ILL of Char:es X lB3O 1 8 3 0 MI Os os Pa Fan of Duke of Orleans 1 8 4 2 Fall of -? 1847 It is considered that the death of the Duke of Orleans by a fall sealed the fate of the Orleans dynasty even before the flight of Louis Philipp e; because the duke was so much beloved, that bad he been alive ho would have been ac cepted as iing on the abdication of his father, Louis Phi- The Builder. THE ACCIDENT ON THE LONDON AND NORTH-WESTERN RAILWAY. THE ADJOURNED INQUEST. OXFORD, TCZCDAT. This morning the adjourned inquest upon the bodies of the unfertunate persons whose deaths were occa sioned by the late calamitous occurrence near this city, was resumed at the Star Hotel, before Mr. Brunner, the cam- Per. Mr. Thompson, solicitor, attended to watch the pro ceedings on behalf of Joseph Kirsch, the guard of the 5.30 passenger train from Oxford. Captain Bruyares, the superintendent of the company, was recalled, and in answer to the foreman and other mem bers of the jury, raid—l consider that it was a safer and better plan to use one line for the regular traffic between Islip and Oxford, and the other for the coal and ballast train•, than to have hail points on this side the tunnel, and to have transferred both descriptions of train from one line to the other. Pilot engines are used when there is no tele graph, but not where the telegraph is at work. There is a telegraph between Bicester and Winslow, as well as be tween Islip and Oxford. Mr. Blott, the stationmaster, has been in the employ of the company thirteen or fourteen years. He was stationmaster at Wolverton during the Exhibition, and no accident occurred under his manage ment. Indeed he was proapited to Oxfcrd on account of his steadiness and efficiency, and the confidence of the company in him has iu nowise been shaken by what has occurred. (Witness then put in a plan of the line beta et n Islip and Oxford, and described what was the practice wick regard to working the traffic over that potion of the line.] - A Juror—What is the average time a coal train occupies in travelling between Islip and Oxfard ? Witness--Thirty minutes. The table shows tkat they arrived at Islip at 4.50, and at Oaf.rd at 5.20. The Coroner—We shall require evidence ea to the cause of the delay of the coal train. It has teen given in evi dence that the coal train arrived i 0 minutes too late at =etchley. 111 r. 11lott—The time occupied by the coal train in pass ing between Islip and Osford is as follows :—Deeemeer 17m, 23 minuet.; thib, 27 min. ; 20th, 20 min.; 21► t, 29 min.; 22nd, 25 min.; 23rd, 2. min.; 27th, 25 min.; 30;h, 21 min.; 31st, 19 min,. ; January lot, 20 min. The ave rage of the whole is 23 minutes. I wish to explain a per lion of the evidence I gave on Thursday. After I go. up to the scene of the collision, I returned to Oxtonl, and took a fly to procure medical assistance. In the meanwhile I sent my cluk, Robinson, to the Oxford-road to stop the down train, and then I followed him myself to the Oxford- road. John Lee, engine -driver, recalled.—l brought the coal train from Bletchley. I cannot exactly say what was tale cause of the delay tram Bletchley. I have a printed thee table for the coal train. It was light when we started from Bletchley. Our orders arc to light the lamps at sunset. They were all lighted at Bicester. My own lights on the engine were lighted. My lights were a green one in front, and on the side of the tender ; a white one and a red one en the other side. I can't speak a! to the brake lights. I gut off my engine at the Oxford-road, and I saw the title lights on the tender of the first engine, and my own lights, but I can't speak to the iights on the brak,.. I did not go in front of the tint engine, and can't say what lights it had. Watts was the brakeaman. When I saw the brake first alter the accident there were no lights upon it. I saw a blue light on the left hand side of the brake, as the train was ;using between the Weenie-cite tunnel and the spot where the accident oc cured. lam quite sure it was not a policeman's light, but the light of the brake. The guard has a hiuid lamp, but it was not that I saw, because, if it had been, it would have been tither a white, • red, or a green light, and the light I saw was a blue one. A sudden collision will put out the lights. When we started from Bletchley we had three engines. There is a very steep incline towards Winslow, and we generally have an extra engine there. I was well acquainted with John Tarry, the engine driver. His home is at Bletchley, whore I have also lived for a twelvemonth. I never saw Tarry " fresh," and I have never known him reported for any irregularity. By Mr. Small (who appeared on behalf of the friends of Tarry)—l saw Kinch the same evening after the accident. I asked him if he knew where Watts the guard was ? He told me that he was gone up the line to stop the " through " train. I asked him how they came to start the train before we arrived. He said, " We were deceived; we thought that when the ballast train arrived it *ILA the coal train, and I said, ' All right, Jack ; let us go.' " He said no more. The guard gives us the order to stop a train, and he can explain the mum of any delay. Richard Brooks—l am employed as a supernumerary po liceman on the Great Western Railway. I have been la the employ of that company far two years. On Monday week I was stationed on the level crossing called the She riffs-bridge, where the two railways arc clues to each other. My duty was to keep people off the line. I was sitting is my box when the 5.30 p.m. train on the Loudon and North Western Railway started out of the station. I heard the beat of the engine anal thus knew that it had started. I was looking,towaris Wolvereote at the time, but as the train approached (as I thought) very fast, I got up out of my box to look at it. I saw it coming at very considerable speed, end the engine was beating very hard at the time. After the train had passed on, looking up the North Westere line 1 sow the coal train coming in the opposite direction from Wolvereote. I saw the light from the fire-box, bat did not observe any lamps in front of the engine. I beard a whistle directly after from the coal train. I heard nue from the passenger train. I was stationed not a quarter of a mile from where the collision took place. I saw only the light frames. engine, and I ran to the spot the moment the accident happened. I also walked up our line as far as the coal train to see that our rails were clear. The lamps en the brake were burning properly at that time. There was no green lamp on the front of the first coal train en gine, or I should have seen it, and held up my lamp to the passenger train—that is, if the passenger train had not already passed. I saw the ballast engine come into the Oxford station. I have been stationed at Sheriffs-bridge crossing for the last three months, and have seen the 6.30 p.m. train leave Oxford, and the coal train come in on the London and North Western Railway. The 5.30 p.m. train from Oxford has been very regular, but the coal train has not been so much so. Sometimes it would come in before the 5.30 train went out, and some times after it. Had there been • green light on the coal train, I should have seen it, and should have stopped the Passenger train, as I knew that the coal-train had am come in. It I had shown a red light, 1 believe they would have paid attention to it, because I should have gone on the other (the London and North-Western) line to show my light. I have no instructions to act for both lines. I saw the ballast-train conic in before the 6.30 passenger-train went out. The level crossing at Sheriff's-bridge extends over both the Great Western and the London and North- Western lines. Wm. Rainey, policeman on the North-Western Railway —My box is between the station and the Swing - bridge; and from it I can see the trains started from the platform. I can also see them past the Swing-bridge, and until they get to the engine -shed, which is about 40 yards further. The line then carves to the right, and then the engine shed intervenes. I can see the trains from my box when they stop at the ticket platform, to which every train coming to Oxford must go. On Monday night I saw the ballast engine come in at about half-past five. It came on the down line. I cannot say whether it stopped at the ticket platform. It was on the bridge when I saw it, and it then turned off as if to go on the siding. It had • white light. I saw it go towards the engine -house, but I cannot tell whether it went en the siding. When I saw it I was sure it was not the coal train. Liter this Pargett, the porter, came and asked me if the coal train had come in, and I said no. He then went back towards the ticket platform. He had come from the station. He did Rot go moo than six or seven yards past my box before he returned, and went towards the station. I knew then that the 5.30 train had not started. I have a red signal lamp which I can an in case of danger. I had that lamp with me on Monday night, trimmed and lighted. I am aware that it has been usual to detain the 6.30 train until the arrival of the coal train. Ido not communicate with the ofilos clerks or the telegraph clerk as to the starting of trains from Islip and Oxford-road. The only means I have of knowing of the arrival of the cud train is by seeing it at the ticket platform. When the coal train adorer on the down line, the up line is free for traffic. I saw the 6.30 train start on Monday sight week. I was then at my box ; and I knew that the seal train had not arrived. 1 showed my red lamp, but I was not aware that there was any danger ; for I did net know that the coal train was on its way. 1 exhibited my light as the 5.30 train passed, because the red signal was ep at the bridge. I always show my red light when the red light is on the bridge. I have been at my box seven month,. I never knew • train start before while a red right was on the bridge. It was the practice for the treias to whistle before starting ; and if all was clear, a green light was turned on at the bridge, and the trains then left. The green light remained until the train had passed the bridge, and then the red light was turned on again. The first time I saw Hayes, the foreman porter, was after the train had left. He told me to turn on the red light and to stop the train if I possibly could ; but the train had already gone over the bridge. Hayes then told me that the coal train had not come in. The train as it passed me was going much faster than usual. I showed my red light again, and Balled out, but it was then of no use. My duty is to see the train out and in, to see that all is right between the bridge and the station ; and to shunt coals. I went on up the hue to the place where the accident occurred. One er two or the porters were there before me. Hayes ran up with me. By a Juror—The red light was on the bridge, and I showed my red light. The engine whistled and then it paned me ; and alter it had gone six or eight yards beyond me, the engine whistled again, and then the green light was shown. The engine left the station in the face of my red light and the danger light at the bridge—a thing I had o.ollot known it do before. By Mr. Thompson—Whea I showed my light the driver was blowing off his steam. I can't say whether he saw my light, for the train was enveloped in • cloud of steam. If they saw my light it was the duty of the driver to have stopped, and of the guard to have put on his brake. Francis Cooper, of Summertown—l am in the employ of Mr. Ilyton, the contractor for the weeks on the London and North Western Railway. On Monday evening week, between five and six o'clock, I was is the lane between Hayfield's Hut and the Portmeadow Bridge. Just as I bad reached Rackham's Corner I heard a train coming out from the station. It was going very fast, and I caught a glance of its lights through the trees. It had white lights In front. I also saw the coal-train approaching ; and it had a green light in front of the buffer of the first engine, and a white light on the side of its tender. I don't recol lect seeing any lights to the second engine. I was first asked to come here and state what I have said about these lights on Saturday last, by Mr. Smith, the foreman of the THE EXPRESS, WEDNESDAY EVENING, JANUARY 12, 1853. M. departreest He asked am if I saw the coal-train, and if I had seen any lights upon it. I told him what I hive just said. Mr. Hester (who appeared for the cempany) here inter posed, and objected to the coroner cross-examining the w it neas as if he disbelieved his testimony. The Coroner—As judge of this court I hate a right to express the opinion I entertain of the witness ; and I tell you candidly that I do hot believe him. Mr. Washer (a juryman)—Hear, hear! No more do I. The Foreman—l think it right, on the other hand, to say that I feel no doubt as to the credibility of the witness ; and I consider it only justice to say as much. Clecrge Dates, a policeman on the London and North Western Itailway-1 am stationed at the Oxford-road. I was on duty last Monday week, and I remember the coal-train coining dawn. It arrived at the Oxford-road at 5.15, and it left four tons of coal. It stayed from five to seven re:Lutes. I attend to the telegraph; and I was going to send a message t t Oxford that the coal train had left, when my mate, James Wilson, said ho had done so. I was on tier peinisnent way when the coal train arrived. It had two engines. They had both green lights en the buffer ;lacks, and white side lights on the tenders. They were burning, and plain to be seen. The brake-van had three lights —one on each side and one at the end. If the lights had cot been on I should have inquired the reason, but I had no rcasen to do so. The proceedings were then adjourned for two hours. Shortly after four o'clock, the examination of witu.ases was resumed, Pad Joseph Kinch was next called.-1 am a guard in the employ of the North Western Railway. I was guard to the 5.30 trails which left Oxford on Monday week. It AS my duty to give directions for the starting of the train. That Ulan did not start till 5 37, in consequence of the coal train which had left Islip nut having arrived. Mr. Blot, the station master, came on the platform, and informed zee that the coal train el left Islip nearly half an hour, but that we could not go until it arrived. lie then went into Lie race, end I did not see him again before the train started. He did not say that if the coal train was sighted we might go. In the course of two or three miuutes afterwards ' I went to tete driver Tarry, ani told him that Mr. Blott had informed me that the coal train had left Islip nearly half an hour, and that we could sot go until it had come in. I did not get upon the engine, but I stood on the platform with my hand upon the hand rail of the engine while I spoke to Tarry. This was after iyes had looked at the tickets. I was not tasking to Tarry more than a minute, and then I walked down the platform towards my own brako. Whilst going down the platform, I kept turning my head to lo.k at the signal on the swing bridge. The red signal was on. I know that it is my duty tto start a train while that signal is sheen. I went epain to Tarry, and netted him for his tickets, which I emits t , ..e habit of making out for him, because he is no scholar. Those are tickets of the arrival and departure of his train. Ile said, " I have not cot thrut ; I will give them you in the morning." I then said, " All right," and walked down to my brake. I had not been there more than a minute, or a minute and a half, before Tarry opened his wli , -tle and started. I was on the platform when he o; iced his whistle, and I got into my van. I had given no directions for starting. I did not at first know whether he was going on, or whether he was merely drawing out of the station over the turn-tables to attach something. I did not know whether lie was not obeying some signal of the porter, in order to attach something. If that had been the case, it would have been put on behind my brake. I saw Hayes and another coming towards vi with lamps is their hands. They were between Ilaireey's hut end the station. I was about to call out to them to know the reason why we were going, on but Hayes called out to me. I could not exactly understand what he said, but I heard the word " ballast," and I concluded that he meant that the coal train had not come in. I directly pot on my brake. That would not make any noise that would hava alarmed Tarry. I kept hold of my brake till the accident occurred. The train was a light one, and that did not retard its speed. On the contrary, Tarry quickened the pace of the train. I exhibited my red light, which was all I could do to com municate with Tarry. I saw the red light at the bridge, and I saw it changed. I also saw Harvey's light after I had passed him. I saw the ballast engine on this side the bridge on a coal siding. I amid not have suddenly re leased the brake, according to rule 21, and shown my signal light at the same time. I had to put on the brake on the near aide, and to shove my lamp on the off side, owing to a curve. I first saw the coal train when it was about a mile off, and I tlid all it my power to communicate with the driver. I did not at any one time release the brake suddenly, so as to cause ajerk, according to rule 21. The rule says that " this operation repeated several times cannot fail to attract the notice of the driver ;" but there was no time to do that. I considered, under the circumstance, that my red lamp was the best signal, and I could not give both at once. There was not a minute or a minute and a half—or two minutes, at the outside—be tween the time I first saw the coal train and the collision . (The distance was 73 chains, or 1,606 yards.) I was in the van at the time of tho collision, but I do not recollect how I got cut of it, or what became of me, or anything that happened to me that night. Ido not recollect being on the lino and speaking to Lee. I don't remember seeing Lee that night. I have Lome slight knowledge of being con veyed to Oxford-road station in a carriag e or omnibus. I believe there was a policeman in the carriage with MO as I was taken to Bletchley, but I do not remember Carrier being with me. I have wine slight recollection of seeing Mr. Blott at the Oxford-road station, but I do not recollect him speaking to me. I was dreadfully hurt on the left side of my head, on the thigh, on my arm, and my back. My injuries rendered me insensible or nearly so. Ido not remember Mr. Elea corn iest to me and asking me how I came to start, nor de I re member him telling a person in the carriage with me to take notice what I said. I cannot tell whether I said I wished, or die not wish, to go home that night, or anything that I said. Had Tarry been looking forwards or back wards he must have seen either the coal train or my red light. I had known Tarry 7 years and he was, as far as 1 knew, a perfectly steady man. I year, never started the train from Oxford without a whistle. I did not say to him lts all right, go on." Ile could not have misunderstood me when I said " All right," with respect to the tickets. I have at intermediate stations started trains by saying "Go on." I expected to have had further instructions from Mr. Blott, and I should not have started without hav ing seen or heard from him again. I generally go to him myself before starting. I was looking for the signals in order to see if the line was clear. If I had seen the green light I should have gone to Mr. Blott, and asked him if I might go on. As soon as the coal train is in the red light is changed, without waiting . for the wbistle. The whistle is sounded before starting irrespectively of the lights at the bridge. I heard on the very day of the accident a porter (Those Gilbert) tell Tarry that a warrant bad been taken out against him for assaulting the wife of a public-house keeper. On Sunday Tarry's wife Cann to my house, but my wife did not tell her that I was at home. The woman said she was afraid to go home, and Inspector Inglis went to the house with her. I believe that she apprehended violence from her husband, because he was drunk. The driver would not have to make up any time in consequence of being seven minutes too late. Never heard Tarry sae that he would have a smash. At a quarter past five on Monday I ran over to a public-house to have a glass of ale, and • gentleman asked me to drink out of a pint. While I was there Tarry came in. I left kiss there. He seemed as usual. He was " larking," and threw half a pint of ale at Mr. Lacy, who is the son of the contractor for the tune nel. Never had occasion to make the signal mentioned in the 21st rule. No doubt it would make a jerk in a longer train, but not with such a light train as we had. I have severs' times stopped a tram with my red lamp. I once ran over the tops of the carriages to the driver in a case where a grate containing a pig, packed with straw, had taken fire. I could nut have done so in this case. There was not time. By Mr. Thompson—l was insensible all night, and am still under medical treatment. It is the duty of • driver frequently to look back, and especially when he passes • place where a policeman is stationed. Had Tarry done so, he would have seen Ilairvey's light or mine. I have a tes timonial signed by Captain &swum, which I received fed my good conduct on the Peterborough line. By a juror—l will swear that I did not say to Tarry, " She's in: it's all right, Jack; go on." In answer to a juror, Mr. Dockray said that from Wolveroott Tunnel to Os, ford, a distance of 21 miles, there was not after dark • single servant of the company to detest any obstruction that might be laid on the rails. In the daytime there were plate-layers in gangs of three or five to every two miles. William Elliott, of Bicester, police offieer—l was at Ox ford on Monday week. I went with Kinch from Oxford to Bicester after the accident. Mr. Blott asked him how he came to be on the engine. Kinch said, "I beg your I pardon—l was never en the engine at all." Mr. Blatt then asked him how he came to start, and what were the orders he hed given him ? Kinch said, " You told me that thermal train had started 25 minutes or half-an-hour, and that when she came in sight I could start. I saw an engine coming in, and I said to Jack, ' She is in, put on the whistle ; she is in, all's right, go on.' I saw the greet light on the bridge ; and shortly afterwards I saw the en gine, which was the Fairy ballast engine. I immediately put on the , brake, and held it till the collision took place. Blott requested me to notice these things, and so did Car rier. Kutch seemed to have been hurt very much, but I considered that he seemed to know what he was saying. This conversation lasted from five to ten minutes. Kinch was helped into the carriage. As soon as I got home I made a memorandum of the conversation in my pocket book. Mr. Blatt seemed flurried, and Kinch seemed confused. By Mr. Thompson—Kinch travelled from Bicester to Bletchley by himself. I did not think it necessary that any body should go with him. lie seemed rather better at Bicester. 1 gave him some weak brandy and water, because 1 thought it would do him good. I have been summoned to attend here, by a telegraphic message, by Mr. Small (the solicitor ou behalf of 'farry's family). William Carrier, engine driver—l brought the 4.45 pas senger train from Bletchley to Oxford on Monday, the 3rd inst. That train stopped at Islip in consequence of the accident to the 6.30 train from Oxford. I afterwards brought on my train to the Oxford-road station. While I was there K inch was lea into the station from the omnibus, and put into a first-class carriage to be taken home to Bletchley, Ile appeared to have been badly hurt and was rather low-spirited, but I think he knew what be was say ing. I spoke to hint and he answered me sensibly. I heard Mr. Blatt say to him " Kincb, what did Mr. Hayes say to you ?" Kinch replied, " I don't know, but I know he said something." Mr. Blott then said, " I told you, Kinch, that you were not to start till the coal-train arrived, and that it had left Islip half an hour." Kinch said, "Yes, sir, I know you did, and I told Tarry; and then I saw the hallaseengine come down, which I took to be the coal-train. I said, " There she is, Jack; open your whistle, and go on. The whistle was • blown twice, the green light was shown at the bridges, and we started. As somas I saw it was the Fairy, and not the coal train, I put on my break, and never loosed it till the coal train pitched in. That is all I heard him uy. I did not make a note of the conversation, and I now speak from memory. Kinch appeared to be conscious of what he was speaking. 1 asked him if any of them were killed ? lie said, I believe fire out of the six servants of the company have Leen killed, and lam the only one left alive." I then a-ked him if Jack Tarry dead? and he replied; " Yes, be was cot all to pieces . " Mr. Blott appeared to be more agitated than Kinch. Mr. Watts, beakesinan—l was with the coal train. We left Bletchley at 10 minutes last 3, with two engines, and an extra ono to Winstow. We reached Bicester'safe, and it was light till we got nearly there. We lighted our lamps on the way. They are blue and red. We stopped at Islip. They were all lighted before we reached that place. We stopped at the Oxford-road. It is my duty to start the tram at each station. Ido that by showing my white lamp. We were going at the rate of five or six miles an hour when I saw the train approaching us. As soon as I was sure that it was a train meeting us. I put on the brake and laid fast hold of it to save myself. The colli sion then took place, and I was thrown inside the break. I was not much hurt. Both my lamps were put out in the collision. I immediately went forward to see what had occurred; and I saw Kinch near his own brake. I lighted my hamllarap from his, and I asked him why he had come there to meet us ? He replied that the green light was turned on at the bridge, and he gave Tarry orders to start. He appeared to be very much shaken, but I be lieve that he knew what he was saying. I then went back to protect my own train. I went back through the tunnel in order to prevent another train running again in to us Lee called atter me, and said he wanted a hammer to release a woman who was under the engine. I returned with Lee, and they I found that the woman had been extricated. The case was proceeding when our despatch left. THE ALLEGED ROBBERY OF GOLD DUST AT RIO. PORTSMOUTH, JAN: 11. John Gore, second mate of the Lady Flora mer chant ship, was brought before the Gosport bench of magistrates on Saturday, on a charge of having stolen a large quantity of gold (lust from the above-named ship during her detention at Rio Janeiro, where she hid put in for repairs of damages sustained in her voyage from Port Phillip to England. The presiding magistrate at the hearing of the case was Captain Samuel; and Mr. Binatead and Mr. Low, attorneys of this place, appeared in it—the first-named for the prosecution, and the latter fur the pri soner. Captain Penkeath, ot the Lady Flora, prosecuted. The depositions taken before the British consul at Rio, J. J. C. Westwood, Esq., were produced, and from these it appeared that the chief evidence against the pri soner was to the effect that having been guilty of mutinous and disobedient conduct on board the Lady Flora, ho was taken before the consul on that charge, and that in the investigation of the facts of the case circumstances came out which appeared to implicate him in a serious robbery of gold dust. These circum. stances were contained in the evidence of a passenger on board the Lady Flora named Bryant, who deposed to the prisoner having asked him to participate in a robbery of some of the gold forming the cargo of that ship. lle at first consented to do so, but subsequently declined. He, however, he said, saw the prisoner break open the lazzaretto on board the vessel and take out a box of gold, which he broke open with a hammer and chisel, when tile contents were found to be three bags made of leather containing gold dust. Bryant took ono of these bags in his band, and concluded its weight to be about 91be. The only corroboration to this story of Brvant's was the evidence of another passenger, who said Bryant had tol t him the tale of the robbery shortly after it was committed, but that he (Bryant) was at the time in a state of intoxica tion, which was frequently the case with him, he being subject to deiriuns tremens. Another passenger who was alleged to be implicated in the robbery had effected his escape from the Lady Flora, by jumping overboard, and so getting clear off, although he was fired at from the ship. A quantity of jewellery was, however, left behind by . him, and this was seized by Captain Penkeatb, on suspicion of being the property for which the gold dust had been bar tered away at Rio. The consul placed the prisoner on board a man of war there, from which he was transferred to her Majesty's steamer Plumper, and brought to this port ! a fortnight ago. Captain Samuel now committed the prisoner for trial at the Hampshire assizes, on the depositions forwarded home from the consul at Rio. RESPITE FOR THE CONVICT BARBOUR. The execution of James Barbour, convicted at the York Assizes of the murder of Alexander Robison, was fixed for Saturday last, but, as was stated in the Daily Jews of Mond iy, it has not been carried out in coast.- qnence of the arrival of a respite from the Home-offioe. Ike death warrant was received on Friday, but the same evening the following communication was received from the Home Secretary : " Whitehall, Jan. 7, 1853. am to signify to you the Queen's commands that the execution of the sentence of death passed upon James Barbsor, now in the Castle of York, be respited for seven days from the day appointed for his execution. The prisoner must be expressly informed that this respite is granted only far the purpose of affording time for making further inquiries into the case. I am, sir, your obedient servant, PALMERSTON. " To the High Sheriff of the County of York." On Sunday morning the Mayor of Sheffield (W. A. Mat thews) received the following : "Whitehall, Jan. 8, 1513. " Geatlemen,—l am directed by Viscount Palmerston to transmit to you the enclosed statements respecting the case of James Barbour, a convict under sentence of death in York Castle for murder, whose execution has been respited until Saturday the 15th instant, and to request that you will take immediate measures for investigating the circum stances therein set forth, and communicate the result to me at you earliest convenience, for Lord Palmerston's infor med.:in.—l am, Gentlemen, your obedient servant, "The Magistrates, Sheffield." "H. WADDINGTON. The letter from the Home office enclosed three documents. First, a memorial on the prisoner's behalf; second, a " con fession" made by the prisoner, exculpating himself and eriminating M.Cormack ; and third, a long letter from Mr. Geo. It. Dickson, of Bury. Immediately on receipt of the abovo communication from the Home-office, the magistrates, through the mayor, directed Mr. Raynor, chief constable, to send intimations to Mr. Branson, solicitor for WCormack, and to Mr. S. W, Tumor, attorney for Barbour, that the magistrates would as to receive any evidence that could be offered is support of Bar es confession, or in proof of Ms innocence. Parties have been engaged in allosieg evidence, which will be laid before the tangle lealkla =clay (Wednesday). M'Cormack has made dis liking= Implicating Mr. - Dickson and a relative of Barboor's la = attempt to induce him to leave the country before the trial. He states that money was first offered to him, and when that did not avail, intimidation was resorted to. The inquiries already made prove Ill'Cormaek to have been at the Reindeer for two hours before and two hours after the murder. The investigation has brought out facts utterly inconsistent with the truth of Barbones statement. THE VICAR AND VESTRY OF ST. PANCRAS. Yesterday, at a fully attended meeting of the board of directors of the parish of St. Pancras, 11. Farman, Esq., in the chair, the report of a committee appointed to inquire into all the circumstances connected with the Rev. Thames Dale's gratuity of 601. per annum, for the supply of books to the inmates of the workhouse, was received. The report stated, that, in the month of February, 1818, 'promise was made by the Rev. T. Dale to supply books to the value of 601. per annum, for the general use of the in mates of the workhouse, the promise being made in consi deration of the appointment of the Rev. E. Fitzumuriee to the chaplaincy of the workhouse. Mr. Dale had discon tinued the gratuity, on the ground that his eccle sisatioal connexion with the workhouse was legally determined. He, however; was still willing to provide books strictly educational from the lists of the Christian Heowledge and Religious Tract Societies, and with the residue of the 601. he would supply emigrants from St. Pan cras with religious and useful works. The committee, in the report, expressed their surprise and regret that the vicar should repudiate his promise en the ground that the eccheiastical division of the parish now legally determined his connexion with the workhouse, and stated that they could not conceive that he was either legally or morally abeteved from his promise. Mt. Churchwarden BILLETT moved the adoption of the report. lie said the vicar gave the OW. in consideration of his being relieved from the duties of the workhouse by the parish engaging a chaplain at 1601. per annum. The eccle siastical division of the pariah was brought shout by the vices for his own personal aggrandisement, and the poor of the parish derived no benefit from it, but were to be deprived in sickness of the consolations of religion. By the division itself the vicar had acted unjustly by taking the best portion of the parish—with a population of 10,000 souls and monopolised the two hotels near the railway statiai, which legally belonged to Mr. Judkine's district. (Hear, hear.) The vicar portioned to the district clergy incomes of from 1001. to 4001., while his own could not be less than 1,8001. per annum. lie also, in his writings and on the platform, did all in his power to bring the vestry into disrepute. (Hear.) ' Mr. Kiestee seconded the adoption of the report. Mr. WILLWt considered the charges made against the ' vicar unfounded and unjust, as they were made against one who was not only liberal but indefatigable in the care and advancement of his fellow creatures, and one who had done much for the parish. Attu some further remarks from several members of the board, the report was adopted, with one dissentient, and a copy of the report ordered to be sent to the Rev. Mr. Dile. ChEEVELEA IRON WORKS.—We deeply regret. to sorounce that a most disgraceful outrage was committed in this locality during the last week. Oa Sunday night the Presbyterian church, lately erected for the accommodation of the Scotch overseers and workmen at the mines, was maliciously set on fire, sod partially consumed We be lieve there cin be no doubt that the fire was the work of aa inoendiary.—Sligo Chroxick. HEALTH OF LONDON DURLNG THE WEEK. The official report says:—The total number of deaths registered in the metropotitaa districts in the week that ended last Saturday was 965. In the ten correspond-' ing weeks of the years 1843 52 the average number was 1,145, which, if ratted in proportion to the increase of popu lation during these years, gives a mortality of 1,260 for the present time. Therefore the deaths returned last week ex hibit a reduction of 295 on the estimated amount. The present return showy that 487 males and 478 females died last week. and of these deaths 432 occurred under 15 years of age, 319 at 15 and under 60 years, sad 209 at 60 years and upwards. As regards the causes to which the 965 eases are assigned, the epidemic class numbers the largest proportion, namely 206, though this falls below the average of corresponding weeks ; and the next in numerical results are " diseases of the organs of respiration," to which only 174 deaths were referred last week. The mortality et the latter class is lower than in any corresponding week since 1840, the numbers in this period ranging from 183 to 429, and is less than the corrected average of the ten corre sponding weeks by 124. The 174 deaths are thus distri buted :—To laryngitis, 4 ; bronchitis, 93 ; pleurisy, 5 ; pneumonia, 52 ; asthma, 11 ; other diseases of the respi ratory organs, 9. Phthisis, which stands in the tubercular class, also exhibits a comparatively low mortality, there being 104 deaths ascribed to it (all of which except 9 oc cured between 15 and 60 years), while the corrected ave rage for the week is 147. Of the fatal cases of epidemics 2 were caused by smallpox, 11 by moults, 66 by scarlatina, 35 by hooping-cangh, 7 by croup, 1 by thrush, 18 by diarrhcca, 2 by dysentery, 4 by influenza, 3 by infantile and remittent fever, 13 by typhus, 4by puerperal fever (besides 3 others from diseases inci dental to childbearing), 1 by rheumatic fever, 7 by ery sipelas, and 2 by syphilis. In the cast sub-district of Islington, at 4, City-gardens, on 3rd January, the son of a biro-dealer, aged one year, died of "scarlatina; exhaustion." This house (says Mr. Butterfield, the registrar) is never free from disease ; for the last twelve montns scarlatina and small-pox have ex isted without interruption. The drains are bad. In Brampton, at 1, Farmer's-place, on 6:11 January, the daughter of an ostler, aged 5 months , of " dentition (3 weeks), hydrocephalus, pertussis." Mr. Stone, the regis trar, says The informant complaiued much of the bad smell pervading the house front defective drainage. This is the fourth child that has died in Farmer's-place since March last. The row consists of only six houses, the whole of which are in a state highly prejudicial to the health et the poor occupants." In the Camden Town sub-district, at 1, Paradise-row, Pancras-road, on 3rd January, a general dealer, aged 50 years, died of "dysp epsia, atrophy (6 months), diarrhaia, peritonitis (7 days). Mr. Hull, the registrar, writes as follows " This place is one of the most disgusting in my district. It is inhabited by cost:Tmongers and persons of ' that class, who arc very dirty is their habits, and increase the filth which naturally attaches to their various callings by their carelessness. The open space in trout of their dwellings is strewed with ashes, oyster shells, stinking fish, decayed vegetables, dung, and every descriptien of matter injurious to health. Mr. Sutherin, the district surgeon,' has done all he can by advice and remonstrance to remedy the evil, but without effect. It was here the cholera broke out, and if it should again make its appearance there is no doubt it would produce very settees effects in the neigh bourhood. It is much to be lamented there is nu sanitary board in the parish." On Gth January a merchant, aged 46 years, dice of " car buncle." On 4th January a pensioner at Greenwich, aged 75 years, died of "old age; anthrax (2 months), disinter:ea, (12 days)." At the neyal Hospital, Greenwich, seven pensioners died between the 2nd and sth January inclusive, at the average ago of 74 years. Last week the births of 724 boys and 715 girls—in all, 1,439 children, were registered in London. The average number in eight corresponding weeks of the years 181,5-52 was 1,407. At the Royal Observatory, Greenwich, the mean height of the barometer in the week was 29.455 in. The mean temperature of the week was 4-5.3 deg., which is 0.7 deg. above the average of the same week in 33 years. The mean daily temperature was much above the average on every day of the week. It was highest en Sunday, when it was 48.9 deg., or 12.6 deg. above the average, and on the fol lowing days the excess was successively 7.7 deg., 11.3 deg., 9.7 deg., 7.2 deg., 11.4 deg., and 8.3 deg. The wind blew from the south or south-west. The amount of rain that fell in the week was 0.71 in. The difference between the dew point temperature nod air temperature was 5.8 deg. CITY SEWERS COMMISSION. Yesterday a court of the gentlemen connected with the Commission above named was held in the chief office at the Guildhall. A large number of the Commis sioners attended. Deputy Praeocit took the chair at 12 o'clock precisely. The minutes of the former court, of the nth December, having been read, and allowed to have been entered cor. reedy, a variety of applications of a personal character were made. REPORTS OP THE INSPECTORS. Mr. G. WALTER complained or tho neglect which had occurred in the Ward of Farringdon Without as to the removal of dust front the houses of several of his con• stituents. Several other Commissioners said that the case was pre cisely the same in the localities they represented. The CIIAIRMAN hoped that in all.such cases the inhabi tants would formally complain, is order that the offending [contractors might be punished. NEW CANNUN•STREET WEST. Mr. PAINTER, one of the Inspectors of Pavements, re. ported that the New River Company had laid down a main for their water service, after the opportunity given to them for doing so by the alteration of the width of Cannon-street West had taken place, and after the roadway bad been made good and a portion of it paved. Mr. H. L. TAYLOR remarked that this was a serious complaint. The inhabitants of that neighbourhood had suffered most materially in their business in consequence of the delay which had occurred. They were still subject to loss, and additional expense was pending, for, in conse quence of the alteration of the level cf the &tract, they might expect to have to pay considerable :sums in order to meet the views of the Improvement Commissioners. He thought a strong letter should be written to the New River Com ry, remonstrating with that body against their conduct the matter of the pipes being laid after the new street moe partially repaved. Deputy Ilovr conceived that it would be sufficient to check any farther evil of the kind, if a notice of the neg lect was given to the New River Company. To [mimed wert upon their conduct in this respect was, he considered, useless. In connexion with this subject, Mr. Clunie, a baker, of Watling-streetAprayed for an improvement in the tho roughfare of this identical locality. Deputy Lee= said he believed that lowering the level of the new street had done great injury to the inhabitants. The SURVEYOR then said, in reply, that it was almost Impossible under the circumstances for the officers and the contractors to do more than they had done to facilitate the sewer work in the line of the new street. Upwards of one thousand loads of earth had been removed, and an equal number of loads of new material had been brought into the new street. The sewer could not be completed until the arches were erected, and as they had employed the con tractor for the erection of the sewer, who was at present recognised as the contractor to the Commissioner for Sewer Works (Mr. Crook)—who, by the way, in such works was bound to commence the same within 24 hours' notice—he (the surveyor) thought no course could be better adopted, nor likely to be of so much advantage to the public. Mr. T. H. HALL, the Chairman of the Improvement Commirion, remarked that the weather had been most un propitious of late for works of this description, and that it would be well for them not to be hasty in forming conclu sions as to the delay being unnecessary before they viewed the question as a whole. (Hear.) In a very short time they (the Improvement Commissioners) would put into the hands of the Commissioners of Sewers another portion of ground (now being cleared) from Bread-street to Old Change; and he had no doubt but that the work would be as quickly performed as possible. After some discussion, arising from a question put by Mr. Humphreys as to the desirability of advertising for new contracts for the works named by Mr. Hall, the con- venation dropped. DIRTY STATE OP THE CITY BTILEETS. One of the contractors for the cleansing of the streets was fined for neglecting to cleanse the streets in his district. There was a complaint of five streets not being properly cleansed, or rather that the filth swept up was allowed to remain by the side of the road for some hours. 'amerced in the penalty of 101. Another of the contractors was fined 81. fora similar breach of contract. It was alleged in opposition to the complaint in this case that the neglect had taken place on what is called the " boxing day " (i. e. in this case tho 27th of December last), and that the men having left without leave, no parties could be procured to do the work. Mr. G. WALTER said that if the contractor had only gone to the City Soup Kitchen and Hospice at the end of Victoria-street he would have found two hundred men ready and anxious to obtain employment. Ile could aver that the state of the streets upon the day spoken of was most disgraceful. Other fines for the non-removal of dust and sweeping mud down the gulley shoots were then levied to the amount of ten guineas, the parties holding the contracts being se verely admonished as to their conduct in all respects as to their engagement with the commissioners in suture. It is only just to say that so far as the district of Mr. Mortimer, the inspector (the south middle division), goes, that that officer reported as follows :—Mr. T. Rook, con tractor—" The rakers' work during the recces has beta per formed attentively in this district. To obviate the necessity of working upon Christmas-day the district was cleansed on the:previous night, and the work finished by 9, a.m. A portion of the men absented themselves upon the ' Boxing day,' but their places were tilled by other men. On the whole the work has been done with less difficulty than is usually the case at this pen al of the year, both by the sca vengers and the dustmen in my division." Attcr the transaction of some further business the com missioners adjourned. ROYAL BANK OP AusTß,U.la.—Yesterslay an application was made in this matter to settle the terms of some items disputed by the official manager in the account of Aus Messrs. Smith, Campbell, a sednd Co., the late agents in tralia, who had been supered. The Master refused the application, but directed that the agents and Mr. Dun can Dunbar, their surety, should be summoned f or can • mutation at the neat meeting. THE COLONIAL BANK. The thirtieth half-yearly meeting of the proprie tors was held yesterday, at the London Tavern; Mr. C. MmatrAT, in the chair. Atter ti,e usual preliminaries, the Secretary read the fol lowing hslauce-sheet Dams. Circulation Deposits and other liabilities 1,029,739 6 6 l'aid-up e tpital Fuud to natet bad debts l'rutit ASSET% £1.a2,767 19 7 Specie Due to tho bank in the cclokies, on bills discounted and purchased, including those past due 689,776 1 9 Due to the bank in the ecPuties, on cub ereuits and current accounts Due to the bank in London, on bills re . 146,307 13 3 750,749 9 9 mittenl, c t+ll at bankers, &i Bank ino..iscs ..nd furniture, iu L radon and the eolcuivs £1,522,7671) 7 _ . The followicg was the repot of the directors : " It is satisfactory to the directors to present to the pro prietors a statement which opoin exhibits an increased amount of profit; and they have pleasure in adding that the accounts of the halt year just concluded, as far as they have been received from the branches, give reason to anti cipate that its results will he quite as favourable as that of the provioue corresponding half-year. With reference to dividend the directors recumcncnd the proprietors, not withstanding the steady increase in profits, to adhere to tho prudent course suggested in the report of January last; for although tile collections on account of the old doubtful deficiencies continue to be fully equal to the expectations of the direct , rs, the amount to be made good is still huge. They therefore propose again to divide per cent.. tieing at the rat.; el 3 per cent. per annum on the paid-up capital of the corporation, out of the prodg of the half-year ending 30th June, Mi . !, amounting to 17,2811. 18s., which will require 7,5001.. leaving 9,7811. 18s. to be added to the fund to meet bad debts, thereby increasing it to 108,445/.151. 7th" The CIIIIRMAN said he had not much to add to the report. Tin increased amount of profit was not large in itself ; but it should be borne in nand that it was an in crease upon the increase of the previous half-veer. In tact, in the last five consecutive half-years there hid been LI gra dual improve:au.: : a state of things which could not bo otherwise than satisfactory. It was, too, a real bona fiik increase; the lassie haying been entirely provided for out of the receipts of the half-year. The directors had se rioudy considered the sulject of dividend, and were una nimously of opinion that the time had not yet arrived for an increase. The SUM to he made up was still v..ry large; and they must not bigot that there was a time of trial coining fur the West ladies, inasmuch as during the next ightecn months what remaiued iu the shape of protective dieio would disappear, atuountiug to a considerable per cottage upon the value of West India pro ouco. Under ordinary circumstances this might be very serious matter for them; but tho directors hoped that in the present state of things, it would not much affect them. The discoveries of gold and the increased trade consequent thereupon would probably, by increasing consumption, mitigate the evils of a course in which it had seemed right to parliament in its wisdom to persist, notwitlistandieg all the representations of the colonists. The board thought, therefore, that the time had not yet arrived for changing the dividend; but they trusted it would not be long before they would have the satisfaction of telling the proprietors that they felt themselves in a position to propose an increase. On the motion of the Cualitaiats, the report was adopted unanimously. A resolution was then carried for dividing W. 103. per cent. for the half-year ending 30th June, 18.2, being at tho rate of 3 per cent. per annum, payab . .e on and arm the ' ' . - 17th instant. . . . The retiring directors were re-elected, and Mr. Which chosen as auditor in the raoin of Mr. Robarts, who retired. The proceedings terminated with a vote 01 thanks to the chairman. B/LNKLNG INSTITUTE. The ordinary monthly meeting of this institution took place Mat evening at the Had of Commerce, Thread needle-street. B. Oeiveine, Esq., M.P. in the chair. Mr. LLON i Lan read a paper on the state of the mer cantile, maritime, and bankruptcy laws of the United King dom, in which, after dilatine upon the present uncertain stets of our mercantile law, its diffusion over numerous statutes, its dependence on various and oaten conflicting decisions, its consequent complications, and the different practice and customs in different parts of the United King dom as contrasted with the broad, cettain, and well-under stood principles on which in some foreign countries it was based—he proceeded to explain the advautages of " limited liability " partnership, by a reference to the law of Franco (which, however, in mauy respects, coped/illy in the inter ference of government, was tar worse thou that of this country), America, and other mercantile nations. He spoke also of the difficulty in settling partnership dif ferences, the expense and delay consequent upon a reference to the Court of Chancery, instead of, as in France, by • reference to a court of arbitration constituted for the pur pose, the went of a power in all partnership Sims to sue and be sued in the name of one of the partners, as in Scot land, the essential difference in the mercantile law of the two countries generally, and the desirability of making it ma'am. In the law of bankruptcy the systems of England and Scotland were directly opposed, the mere fact of the bankrupt crossing an imagivarygeogmphical boundary ren dering it necessary for the creditor to enter upon a new pro cess with which he was wholly unacquainted. That branch of mercantile law which most especially required amendment and consolidation was that relating to shipping and marine insurance, which, as it steed, appeared really intended to confuse those whom it was meant to govern. In the cola nice, too, there was equal diversity and consequent uncer tainty, some being subjected to French law, as Canada, others to the Spanish law, as some of the West India Islands ; others, again, to the Moslem or Hindoo law, as the East Indies ; others to the English law, C 6 Australia. The object of the mercantile community should be to make the law uniform in all countries over which the crown of England had jurisdiction. He advocated the establishment of Chambers of Commerce for the cheap and expeditious determinatiot of mercantile questions, but admitted that it was doubtful how far they could be brought into operation in the absence of a codification of mer cantile law, which was the first thing necessary He suggested, however, the. until such codification was effected much good would be done by a judicious selection of juries in all such questions—that woe, that they should be composed of persons whose education and occupations would enable them to decide in accordance with law and custom, so far as it was generally understood by mercantile men. If this country led the way in establishing a clearly defined mercantile code, he had reason to believe that con , tinental countries, especially Austria and Prussia, would be ready to follow our example ; and that in the end the mer cantele community in all parts of the world, which formed in point of fact one family, would carry on their operations under one universally understood and admitted principle of r international commerce. Mr. GILMOUIt (a barrister) remarked upon the difficulty of assimilating the mercantile law of Scotland with that of England while a complete separation of law and equity existed in the one country and not in the other. ; Mr. GILBART stated that the great number of statutes and . difference in our laws might he accounted for in some Inca ; sure by the great number and variety of our mercantile transactions. He admitted, however, that it would be a great advantage if the same system prevailed in all parts of the United Kingdom. Atter some remarks from other members, the thanks of the meeting were accorded to Mr. Levi and the chairman, and the business terminated. CITY OF LONDON HOSPITAL FOR DISEASES OF THE CHEST. Yesterday the annual meeting of the governors of this charity was held at the London Tavern, the Lord Mayor in the chair. The retort stated that there was every cause for satisfaction and thankfulness as regarded the progress of the inatitution. The donations and subscrip tions received during the year amounted to 5,5731., making, with 3,1111. in hand at the close of the last year, the sum of 8,6861.; of this amount 1,7311. had been laid out in defray ing the current expenditure ; 5,850/. had been paid on as of the new building, leaving a balance of 1,081/. in favour of the institution. There was an increase of 1421. in the current expenditure, as compared with last year, but there was more than a commensurate amount of benefit conferred. The number of patients admitted during the year amounted to 3,626, being an average weekly attend ance of 633, brine an increase of G 5 in the weekly attend ance over last year. It was expected that the hasping would be ready fur the reception of patients by next slid summer. Up to the present time there hail been expended on the erection of the building the sum of 9,0111., and the committee had been able to meet all demands as they be came due without withdrawing the sum of 500/. invested in the funds after the first festival in 1819. 6,000/. snore would be required to complete and tit the build ing fur the reception of patients, whe.ll, it was hoped, would be provided by the same generous sympathy which had heretofore been extended to the cha rity. The committee could not take upon them the respon sibility of increasing the current expenditure by the recep tion of in-patients without having a larger income from annual subscriptions, which amounted to SW. The com mittee acknowl_dged their obligation to Earl Granville and Mr. S. Gurney, who contributed 5001. to the hospital, and to the various officers of the Charity. The CIIAIUMAN impressed on the meeting the necessity of supporting an institution which had done so much good. lie should be ready at all times to contribute his effo - tts to promote so valuable an object ; and he was sure that at the present time, when there was such general prosperity, the public, and the City of Loudon in particular, would come forward and relieve the committee of all responsibility as to the means that would be placed at their &spud to com plete the good work. He begged to inform them that Lord J. Russell would preside at the next anniversary festival. The report was then adopted on the motion of Mr. Lambert Jones, and the various officers re-appointed. A vote of thanks to the Chairman concluded Cie ba.si nets.