The Express. — London, England, 1851-12-02 00:00:00

THE STAMP-OFFICE VERSUS CHARLES DICKENS'S . HOUSEHOLD NARRATIVE." JUDGMENT. The Court of Exchequer was exceedingly crowded yesterday morning to hear judgment delivered in the cue of " The Queen T. Bradbury and Evans," the question being whether the publication called "The Household Narrative of Current Eventi" comes within the meaning of the news paper sump act, and is thereby liable to the duty. As will be seen by the subjoined judgment, th ree of th e judges, in. eluding the thiet Baron, decidect fur tile detcodauts, and only one (Baron Parke) fur the crown. The non-liability of the " Household Narrative " to the stamp duty is there fore established; Baron Martim—l em of opinion that the defendants are I entitled to the judgment of the court. The question on which the judgment depends is whether a publication called " Household Narrative in subject to the newspaper duty implied by the statute 6 and 7 Wm. IV., e. 76. The publication is • paper which eantains public news. It is printed and published in London tor sale for less then 6t1., and contains not more than two sheets, and in published in parts or numbers at intervals exceeding twenty-sin days. The first statute which imposed • duty upon newspapers was the 10 Anne, c. 19, see. 101. The subject upon which the duty wan imposed was declared to be " newspapers or paper." containing public news, intelligence, or occurrences which (within a limited time therein mentioned), should be priuted to be dispersed or made public." This statute ex pired, but the duty continued to be imposed by several subsequent statutes on the subject, as the duty con tinued to be described by the sane words. The oo (kit. ill., c. lfi.i, which was the statute imposing the duties whichlimmediately preceded the present existing statute 6 and , Win. IV., e. ;6, mule use of the same identical language as that used in the statute of Anne. The ordinary understanding of the word " newspaper " in a publication containing a narrative of recent events and occurrences, published regularly, at *bort internals from time to time, and Ibat the publishing at short intervals has been aloe). deemed essential in ender to constitute a newspaper, is evi dent from the eireumetince that the Anneal 4.vister, which professes to be published shortly alter the 31st of December in every year, and coutaine Ma account of all public events and occurrences up to that day, has never, I believe, been supposed to be subject to the newspaper duty, and yet it INI:111s to be no way dietinguisbaule from a news paper, except in the greater internal between its publica tion. Now, what is the interv. I within which • paper must be published in ordar to eonstitute it u newspaper, i- obvi ously a matter quite indefinite and uncertain ; but, in my opinion, so far us stamp duty is emicerueil, this uncertainty was removed, and was intended so to be, by the statute 00 Geo. 111. and 1 Geo. I V., e. ti. By this etatute ' after reciting the pamphlets and printed papers contenting o bservations upon public em ate and occurrences tending to excite hatred to the gyps ernment and coustitutionos hicli had lately been published in great numbs n, mud at se ry small price , , it was enacted that all pamphlets or papers containing any public news, intelli gence , or occurrences printed fur sale and published pe riod:rally at intervals not exceeding 26 days, when the pamphlet or paper should not exceed two sheets, ur should be published fur :ale for a less Plllll than 64., should be deemed and taken to be newspaper., and he subject to the solar duty or stamp as newspaper. ; and, although this part of the st auto L repealed by the 6 & 7 Wm. IV., c. 76, this enactment is re-enacted iu the schedule. Now, if the ar gent, at ou behalf of the Attorney-General be well founded, these enactments were altogether unnecevsary, for if a paper published at intervals exceeding 26 days be a newspaper subject to duty, such a paper published at in terim:, hen than 26 days would neceasarily be one she,. list it ws ins to me that these enactments are and were meant to be a legislative declaration of what shall be deemed and taken to be n.wspapers within the stamp laws, mom ly e papers containing public news, published at in. I Servals nut esetediug 26 days ; and iu my opinion no publication is to be deemed a newspaper liable to stamp duty unity it he published at au interval of, or lc. than, 'A; dap, notwithstanding it professes to contain the news or occurrences of the day immediately preceding the publics ban. This view scents to me to 1*- confirmed by the 4th section tit) Geo. 111. and 1 Geo. IV., which, in my judg ment. point out the distinction intended by the leg islature to I. made between papers published ut intervals of 26 day. and papers publislied at a greater interval. By this section it WAS enacted that pamphlets and papers containiug public newts, intelligence, or occurrences, printed for side, and public led periodically, at intervals exceeding 26 days, • not exceeding two sheets, sod publielied for sale at a le, price than 241., ehoutt be published on the first day of every calendar month, or within two days before or alter that day, and at no other teem; and any person publisioug such pamphlets at any other time was subject to a penalty of 21.11. Now the Iloasd.uld Nur retire falls preei•ely within the above description, and if it. liability to stamp duty had arisen before 6 & 7 Wm. IV., e. 76, pawed, I should have thought it was nut sub ject to duty within f.es Geo. 111., Wall 60 Geo. 111., and lieu. IV., but was subject to he regulation contained in the 4;h section above. mentioned. 11 this he the correct view of the law anterior to 6 & 7 Wm. IV., c. 76, and which 1 believe it to be 1 have no difficulty in holding that there is no duty payable by virtue of this statute. Thu act was to reduce• the duty on newspapers, and I am quite satisfied that no paper, nut subject to duty baron: that act, either was ur was intended to be subjected thereto by it. For the above reasons 1 am of opinion that the de knelanta are entitled to the judgment of the court in the:r favour._ Ilr. Baron Platt stated that this was an information filed I by the Attoiney-Lieneral, which merged the de tendatit with knowingly and wilfully publishing and printing a aewspuper ou paper not property stamped, by which trey had rendered themselves liable to • penalty of An., under the ilth and 7th Victoria, chop. 76, see. 11. The learned judge having described the nature and character of the publication in question, stated that the question Mr the tie- • of the court was, whether it woo chargeable to the nes vaper duty. The schedule referred to in the act was doubtless obscure, and calculated to raise great doubts a. to the proper construction of the statute. But, in his opinion, those doubts were dispelled on a review of the several sta two* which, from the statute 10th Anne downwards to the 6th and 7th William IV., had imposed duties on news papers' and au examination of the language there em ployed by the legislature when dealing with this subject. The le.uceil juelge then minutely reviewed and discussed tl.e Vanilla statutes, and concluded by expressing it to loc opinion thut the IlouseAold Norrostdec did not fail within the definition of a newspaper, according to their previsions. It was to be remarked th it the statutes imposing this duty nowhere presented the words " ma_azines.' "reviews," or "register." The ntlemares Moyenine had been for a long series of years earned on and published at intervals exceeding 26 days cat as this work was, and had never been sought to oc treat. d as a newspaper liable to duty, though its contents closely resembled those of the publication now under dis enionon. On the whole, his lordship (who was very iudni- tinctly beand by us) was clearly of opinion that the legiala tare, in all these statutes, meant to treat as newspapers liable to duty those publications only which continued sin account of recent events and occurrences published periodi cally at intervals less than ',X days, and of a certain price and size, within which predicaments the Household Narns lire did nut full. 11 this were nut so, the Quarterly Iterier, which gave a summary of events up to the day of publica tion, would become liable to newspaper duty under this act, and every single copy would require to be stamped. It ap peared to bins to be utterly preposterous to suppose that the legielatare intended to impede the newspaper duty on pub lications w hich were put birth and printed at intervals greater than 26 days, 11.10 he wax therefore of opinion that the defendant was entitled to the judgment of the court. Baron Parke—l think that in this case the crown is enti tled to our judgment. The question turns on the true meaning of the first and third of three Chinni in the sche dule of 6t 7 Will. IV., c. 76. According to the nibs laid down in " Due d. Mansfield v. Diamond" (4 Barnwell and Creswell, 243) the tax canuot be imposed on the subject except by words clearly showing the iuteutiun of the legis lature to do so. But 1 think that the terms used in that act of parliament ere sufficiently plain and show the inten tion of the legislature clearly enough, especially when read in connexion with thine of prior acts uu the same subject The duty, by the 6 & 7 Will. IV., c. 76, schedule A, is im posed on any paper containing public news, intelligence, or occurrence*, printed in any pert of the United Kingdom, to be clansmen and made public. This is • repetition of the definition of • newspaper contained in the !datum tint int postai the duty, 10 Anne, e. 9, section 101, in the subse quent acts inerdaing the duty, and in the acts 44 Goo. 111., c. tal, and nn (leo. Il 1., C. Ike, for the consolidation of the manila duties. If theseprovisions had been stated alone in 7 the schedule of the 6 &Will. IV., c. 76, there would have been no doubt that the publication in question was a news paper. The statute does nut enact that if it contain public news, intelligence, or occurreuees aliment exclusive of other matters, it shall be deemed a newspaper; it it had, it is ob vious that the enactment would have been avoided by adding an anecdote from ancient history, or some other matter. On the other hand it dues not provide that it it contain any aces it shall be deemed a newspaper, otherwise an hiato rical or literary work might be so considered, which con. ' tinned some narrative of a very relent event—the " Law Magazine," fir instance, which contains a summary of the I events of the last quarter. The enactment uses ire team "containing news," by which it is to be understood • pa- I per whose main or general object is to give the public in- I formation as to recent events. Upon referring to the paper in question, • printed copy of which is annexed to the case, I have no doubt that it would tall w ithin the definition of • newspaper. But it is contended that the sub sequent enactment neutralises and limits the previous de- Annum, and that nothing is a newspaper under the statute, except that which answers both definitions. The subse quent clause is as follows: " And also (words clearly cuinu lative not restrictive) any paper containing any public news, intelligence, or occurrence (or any remarks or observation thereon), printed in any part of the United kingdom fur sale, and published periodically, or in parts or numbers at intervals not 'acceding 26 days between the publication of any two such papers, parts, or numbers respectively, shall not exceed two sheets of the dimensions hereafter api citied (delusively of any cover or blank leaf, or any other leaf upon which any advertisement or other notice shall be printed), or shall be published for sale for a less sum than 6d. exclusive of duty by this act imposed thereon." This claims is taken, with some alteration, from the 60 Geo. 111. and I Geo. IV., e. 9, which is avowedly fur the purpose of restraining the publication of papers upon political subjects published in great numbers and at small prices, and therefore makes them liable to the stamp duties which they were not before. It proyide that, from and after 1U days after the passing of this act, all pamphlets and papers containing any public news, intelli gence, or occurrences, or any remarks or observations thereon, or upon any matter in charch and state, printed in any part of the United kingdom, published periodically, or THE EXPRESS, TUESDAY EVENING, DECEMBER 2, 1851. NATIONAL PUBLIC SCHOOL ASSOCIATION. COUNCIL MEETING. Yesterday morning a meeting of the council of this association was held at the rooms in Cross Street, Manchester, preliminary to the great meeting adver tised for the evening, at the Cara Exchange. The chair was taken by ALEXANDER HENRY, Em., M.P., and among the gentlemen present were Richard Cob den, Esq., M.P., the Right lion. T. Milner Gibson, 11. P., George Combe, Esq. (Edinburgh). R. N. Philips, Em., Vi Harvey, Esq., J. C. Dyer, Esq., Rev. Dr. Davidson, Professor of Theology at the Lancashire Inde pendent College, L. Schwabe, Esq., J. C. Dyer, Esq., and other leading members. The CHAIRMAN said—Recent events, as all present must be aware, have rendered it highly probable that Manchester, as it commenced the educational con flict, is destined to be the field out while it ' is to be finally settled; MI we have therefore felt : anxious to enjoy the countenance and support, and to have the advantage of free personal intercourse with members and Cetera* of the amocietion residing in more distant localities. In consequence of the origination of an educational scheme fur Manchester and Salford, based upon I principles essentially different from thme of the National School Association, the attention and operations of the executive committee have been more confined to this Mew diate district thee they would otherwise have been. But, I notwithstanding these local claim, the exposition of the ° principles of the association in various and remote parts of the country has not been neglected, the lecturers of the as eociatien having addremed numerous meetings since the general council last suet, in various counties from Northern berhinal to Hampshire, and from Lancashire to Suffolk. l It is gratifying to be able to state, that the indications of public opinion on the education question evoked at these meetings have been of the most encouraging nature. the principles of the association have been, in numerous instances, cordially and generally ap proved on their first promulgation. It must be borne in mind, however, that the time has now come when mere pas sive sympathy with the principles of the association will nut serve the promotion of its o.uects. It is absolutely neces sary to success that its friends, in all parts of the country should exercise the utmost possible activity on its behalf. Leis activity must be mauitested iu the open declaration of their attachment, iu the promulgation of our pthiciples in their respectives spheres, and especially iu einployiug ale quate means to let the !louse of Commons know their opinions, by having ready, and sending at the opening of the next session of parliament, as many and as numerously signed petitions us possible in favour of the plan of the asso ciation. To those ends personal effort and pecunitry con tributions are necessary, and it is not uttremosiable to expect that the friends of the association will, in ev, ry lo cality, contribute, both energetically and (reel), to what ever extent its important aims may require. Dr. DAVIDSON then read a paper of great length, iu which the voluntary and the Manchester and Salford local systems were described, and the objections to them pointed out by him, and the lending features of the National Public School Association were explained and vindicated. the liev. W. M'KEItitOW, of the United Presbyterian Church of Scotland, moved a vote of thanks to Dr. Devitt son for the valuable paper he had read ; which wee seconded by Mr. GEOItUE COMBY., of Eiliuburgh, and adopted. slew Rev. W. F. WALKER, of St. Jairlt..* Church, Oldham, moved:—" Appendix to clause 6, sec. 3. That ecituuts already iu existence may become free schools under the direction of their present or future 11111111.41 tr., and re ceive per week fur each scholar educated in them. Pro vided—l. That on inmection they tire found in a satisfac tory condition. 2. 'Phut the inculcation of doctrinal reli gion' shall not take place iu them between the hours of and in the morning, and and in the after uom. 3. That the attendance of the scholars on tae ' in culcation of doctrinal religion' shall nut be cumpuleory. 4 That the ' inculcation of doctrinal religion' shell not be a part of the duty of the teachers under this system. 5. That no part of the school payments derived from the rate shall be directly or indirectly applied to ' the inculcation of doc trinal religion.'" The Rev. F. TUCKER, Baptist, seconded the resolution. Mr. COBDEN, M.l'., on rising, aas received with much cheering. He said-1 am not sure that this proposition re quires any additional support, fir 1 urn not aware that any one is going to oppose it. I was not present when it was agreed to or recommended to this meeting, but FO far as I am able to judge from a hasty inspection of the clauses, the y appear to me to be melee ctionable, and calculated to meet objections, where they have been made against us. 1 always had an impression that under the National Public School system you would make use of existing schooltrounis. I said very early in the controversy that although we had not at first purposely let forth that we would rent or buy eeisting schoolrooms, I was of opinion we should tits ays be able to do that, in the same way as a corpuration ' which is going to establish, for instance, new water works, or gm works, take powers in its act to buy the old plant or old machinery. I coosider that we should be enebled under the national school system to take powers to rent or buy existing schoolrooms. I never contemplated such a work of wealth as is implied by constructing new schoolrooms, while ethers are necessarily rendered void by our opera tions. (Hear, hear.) But l see this propoeition, which we aro now called upon to discuss, goes a little further, and it says, you will be prepared, where schools exist, and good school masters are provided —you will be prepared to pay for the education of children in such places, out of the public rate, provided only that you have a guarantee that phe education is muse—that is, that the secular education is good,—and provided also that the inculcation of doctrinal religion shall be set aside tor particular times and seasons, and that there shall be no compulsory attendance at that doctrinal teaching by those children who are not of the denomination to which the school more immediately belongs. (Hear, hear.) Now, I don't see any difficulty about this ; and, in fact, I say this is a provision which must be practically carried out in the local plan, if it is ever to become a working system ; because you must have a time mentioned fur doctrinal reli gion to be taught, as well es for anything else that is to be taught, provided it is a well-conducted school. If you go into any large school and ask, you find it is consi dered necessary, to ensure the regularity of the school, that the boys 'tumid know when, at what parti cular hour, particalar studies will go on ; and it is necessary, if doctrinal religion be taught, in any school, under this system or any other system, tt must be set apart for a particular time, that it may be known when it will engage the attention of those present. I see no difficulty, therefore, about this; in fact, it must be a part of any system. But we go further than the local ' party, inasmuch as we do not process to pay the meter for the teaching of religion at all. If he set apart a time for the teaching of religion, he must not consider he is receiv ing wages from the public rates during the time he is so engaged. Well, really, I don't see how anybody who has a religious conscience at all, and who has made up his mind to prefer one religion, or one doctrine of the Christian reli gion better than another, should ever wish to pay people for teaching other temple's children a different religion. I do be lieve our friends of the local society in Manchester will tied they have not got over their religious difficulties at all, but have merely packed them up and sent them to us in London to consider ; and they will find us more incompetent to deal with them than they aro in the Town-hall of Manchester. (Hear, hear.) But I honestly believe the gentlemen connected with the local plan-1 speak more par eularly of the laymen connected with that plan—because I have not been brought into contact on the subject with any of the clerical gentlemen connected with that movement ; but I believe the laymen—those I have had the honour of meeting, and hearing their views on the subject —are sin cere, and disinterested, and earnest in their desire to over come the difficulties that 1M in the path of giving to the people of this district agood secular education. And lam convinced, if these gentlemen find the way in which we proceed with our association is candid, fair, and honour able to them, and they fail (as I predict they will fail), and should find themselves involved in difficulties, greater even than we have been iu the National l'ublic School Association, I do believe a large body of those who are now associated with the local plan will, under these contingencies, if they should arise, be disposed to co-operate with us for what, aster the passing of this re solution, will be essentially the same object. I beg to sup port the proposition that you have made. (Cheers.) After a few remarks fmm the Rev. Dr. BRAM), Mr. T. MILNER GIBSON, M.P., addressed the meet ing. He said it appeared to him that the appendix which was proposed to be added to clause 6 was calculated to re move some of the prejadizes, and to calm some of the ap prehensions which had arisen since the first proposal of the scheme of the National Public School Association ; and, whilst it was calculated to remove those apprehensions, it did not, as it appeared to him, deviate in the slightest degree from the principle upon which the National , Public School Association was founded; that whilst a fair I concession was made—he would not call it a concession— but whilst a fair consideration was given to the views of others, they had not in doing so made any compromise of the principle on which their society was founded. (Ap plause.) Now, that appeared clear to him, and he would Just observe that ho did not think those apprehensions un warrantable on the part of the voluntary associations. It would be retuning into a great extreme to say that, because religion was taught in a school, the parties concerned in the teaching of that religion had not it in ' their power to teach secular knowledge. Its had great pleasure in supporting this appendix to clause 6, and thought it a very considerable improvement on the original plan. (Cheers.) After a few words from Mr. SIMPSON, of Edinburgh, approving of the resolution, it was carried, and the pro ceedings terminated. HIGHWAY ROBBERY.—BRISTOL, DEC. I.—A dar ing highway robbery, attended with considerable violence, was perpetrated on Saturday evening at Keynsham, near this city. As Mr. Samuel Parker, of Lodge k arm, was re turning home, when close to his (own residence, he was sud denly set upon by three fellows, aimed with big sticks, who knocked him t o th e groun d, b ea t hi m till h e was In sensible, and then decamped, having plundered him of three sovereigns and • half and come silver. Mr. Parker managed to give the alarm. An immediate pursuit was made, and three men, named William Merrick, John Neal, and Stephen Neal, were taken into custody and carried before Mr. Meynors, one of the magistrates for the county of Somerset, who has remanded them far further inquiry, as there is reason to believe they are coucernul in many other daring hi4iiway robberies with violence which have lately occurred. Sown EASTERN RAILWAY—Gross Trailic Receipts for week ending November 29, 1651 ; 10,2381. Bs. ; ditto November 30, 1850, 9,3561, N. 45. Increase in 1851, 8821. 21. Bd. katn iintelitgence. Maulslay never executed it. The total numb. r of shares applied for and allotted was 12,6 A The company were however unable to obtain a satisfactory contract from go vernment for carrying !he mails ; and in January, 1819, at a meeting of the shareholders, a•. which however it did not appear that a sufficient number hail attended, it was re solved that the company should be wound up, and a call of 21. per share far ex-muses was made. The call not having been made, the dir e ctors applied to the court under the Winding-up Act, and on the 4th of May, 1819, an order for winding up was made. The Master had placed the names of Messrs. Maudslay on the list of contributories in respect of 1,900 shares. Messrs. Mauddav thereupon moved that the certifi cate of the Master might be discharged, and that it might be referred bark to the said Master to review his report or certificate. The Vice-Chancellor held that they were clearly entitled to be removed from the list of cunUibutories ; hence the present appeal. Mr. Itolt and Mr. Hetherington, for the appellant, con tended that the ci spondents were undoubtedly subscribers at one time, and they had not subsequently ceased to be subscribers. There could not be u conditional acceptance. They became subscribers atter the enarter teal liken ob tained, and the company, therefore, to a great extent form. d. JUDICIAL CONINIITTEE OF THE PRIVY COUNCIL.-1 E*TERDAY._ PILLSIXT—LORD I;linhvTomrßirelt, sit au t. Rrar JaNNIUI UM, AND Sot EI.WAID MUM BURNS AND OTHERS O. FINNEY.—TIIE CASE OP Till EVROTA.—CoLLIsION.—JCDONP.NT. This was an appeal from a decree pronounced on the 15th day of June last by the Judge of the Court of Admiralty in * cause of damage, which had been instituted in that court by the owners of the American barque Charles It act lett against the principal owners of the steams/thin Europa IThe collision between the Charles Bartlett and the Europa occurred between half-peat three and four p.m. on the 27th of June, 1819, and the lamentable effect was that the Charles Bartlett went down almost immediately after the ' two vessels came in contact, with 136 of her passengers and crew. The collision took place about 7.50 miles west of Cape Clear. It was represented on the part of the Charles Bartlett that the place where the collision occurred was in &direct track for outward and homeward bound vessels. to and from nearly all points of the continent of America, and a great concentrating point fur both. On the part of the Europa it was contended that the idea of a great con centrating point in the middle of the Atlantic for vessels going to and (roan this country to the continent of America was palpably absurd, anal that, although latitude 50 . 48 N. Is as the u.usl track of steam ships proceeding to and from this country and British North America, or the United States, yet that was two or throe degrees north of the usual truck of eailine vessels. The Charles Bartlett was stated to have been of the burthen of 3113 tone, and to have been manned by a crew of thirteen baud, exclusive of her runs tcr, which was represented to have teen a sufficient corn pleinent. This, 'however, was denied ; and it was con tended that she ought to have- had seventeee or eighteen hands at least. At the time of the collision a moderate breeze was blowing, and there was also a dense fog, so that the Veftat could be seen from each other at a very short distance only. The precise extent of that distance was in dispute, inasmuch us it was represented on behalf of the owners of the Charles Bartlett that the Europa was seen immediately previously to the collision at the dis tance of about four hundred yards. On the part of the Europa it was alleged that in the then state of the weather the Europa could not have been seen from the Charles Bartlett at a get rater distance than from 150 to 200 yards. Bdh vessels immediately prior to the collision were going through the fog at fall speed, the Europa about twelve knots an hour, and the Charles Bartlett between five and six knots an hour, the latter vessel having all sail set except studding sails, mainspencer, and fore royal, but including her main royal suit mate' topmast stay sail. Ae regards the speed of the Europa, it was alleged to have been unjusti fiable in the then state of the weather. It was contended on the part of the Europa, that considering the place where the collision occurred, namely, in the midst of tin' Atlantic, ant that she was one of the vessels employed iu carrying her Majesty's mails and deepatche betw, en Liverpool and North America, it was not incumbent en in r to hare slack ened her speed, particularly as in croseing the Atinutie they frequently encountered loge of long duration . lf, however, the speed of the Europa was unjustifiable, that of the Charles Bartlett mew have been much more so. Fire actions have been instituted against the Europa on behalf of the crew of the Charles Bartlett. The first question was, was the Europa to blame for going twelve and a half knots an hour during a fog, which it was admitted to have been, in the locality silicified. Secondly, whether site was to blame fur not having an adequate watch; thirdly, was there any neglect in the engineeriug department ; fourthly, whether the order given to starboard, which it was admitted woe an erroneous order, was tar was not carried into execution, so ao to produce any eliict. The fifth was a-general question, namely, whether the collision was the consequence of this state of things, and whether it might hare been avoided, if due caution h ad been taken by thirse on beard the Europa. The questions which were pot in the court below were, firstly, was the Charles Bartlett to blame for want of a good het-eat ? secondly, wa. she to blame in nut having heard the Europa sooner ? The Court of Admiralty said, "We have come unanimously to the following determination, that no rate of militia by 'steamers, or other vessels, can be said absolutely to be dangerous ; whether any given rate is dangerous or not must depend upon the circumstances of each iueividual case, as to the state of the weather, the lo cality, and other similar facts. That the rate of twelves und-a-half knots an hour iu a dense fog, in the locality where this securreuce took pities', must be attended with mere risk than a slower pace, but, Resuming that it might be accompliehed with reasonable security end without pro bable risk to other vessels, such rate of going could not Ise maintained with such security except by taking every possi ble precaution against collision ; had precautions were not taken by the Europa ; firstly, she had not a sufficient look-out, secondly, we think that uo proper arrangement was made as to the ' engines ; thirdly, Is cause nu person was placed to ei port to the engineers the enters as to the engines; fourthly, because no second person was placed in the wheel-house; fifthly, that the order to starboard the helm was erroneous. Wu are of opinion that if proper precau tions hail been adopted, this accident might have been avoided, and that the collision took place for want of the proper precautions. With respect to the Charles Bartlett, we are of opinion that a good look out was kept Olt board ; that she discovered the approach of the Europa as eosin as cireurnstenees would admit; that she misstated all proper measures to avoid a collision, by ringing the bell and putting the helm to part; therefore I must pronounce lag:duet the Europa in this case." it was from this judg ment that the present appeal was made, without hearing the leatiwd counsel who appeared fur the respondents. The council decided that the judgment of the court be low must be affirmed. Mr. Bethell and Mr. Daniel, contra, urged that the ap plication for shares was not to the preliminary ..s.ociation, but in the company then formed, and he did not authorise the former to pledge his credit. Tho Lord Chancellor postponed hi+ judgment. Ntooso:‘ r. LLOYD. No one having appeared to prosecute this appeal, it was dismissed. IN UN NORTH OF ENOLAND JOINT-STOCK BANKING CoMPANY RI PARTE AIMITILONO. This appe:dwSsdismi;sc;ll;ith;;;;;reauLo7l. iN KE ST. 6EOEOE'. STEAM PACKET COMPANY EX PARTE CROPPEK.—COOTS. This was an appeal. from; decree OfWC..Chancellor Sir J. Knight Bruce on an application for a vlerence to the Master to tax solicitor's costs in obtaining the insertion of cerium clauses in the Winding-up Act. The Vice•Clian et:ll°r refused the application on the ground that the Windiug-up Act being a public statute the noble of the company ought not to be applied to such a purpose. Mr. Roll and Mr. Selwyn were heard for the appellant ; Mr. Bacon and Mr. .1, V. Prior for the respondents. lii. lord hi, took time to coustiler htsjuitgmeut. IN NS TION roa "'AHEM. CORN'S IIEFUSED. _ ....... Mrs. Cobbett applied fora writ of Italica, corpus to bring up the person 01 her husband, William Cobhett, now a Chancery prison( rin the Queen's Prison. Thu anplicant stated that a few d 'pi ago a similar application had b, en made to the Court of Queen's Bench, and refused, on tiva ground that the court had no right, to interfere, and that application should have been made tJ 10146111 p the Lord. ancel lor. A lengthened affidavit was put in. 11 is lordship, luting looked over tho affidavit, remarked that it insufficient, and refused to grant the liabeai. TIZTOIIr. or no 1111 BLACKE LAMB. The Master of theTit;ill;gaivittilgin;at in this our. The question arose on the construction of the will of Georg° LIMO). By an indenture of the 11th Nov., 1816, he hail too power of appointing a sum of 3,0001 , and this power he ex ecuted by a will dated 21st Feb., IS2I, in favour of his six daughters, in sixth shares, fur their respective lives, and ho specially reque oust that each of his six children " would not sink into or spend their respective shares, but would leave the Palau to their respective children, and if they had no children then to leave the same so that their shares might go in the same way that his general estate WAri litilited." the question was, whether the words of the bequest amounted to a direct appohitment in favour of the grand children, or whether they created a trust in favour of their children. In the former cane there wair notemy doubt but that a case of election was raised. It they did not create an appointment, then it was a case of u man making a devise which he had no power to do. Ile considered dint the curio came within the principle laid down in ",Carder ond Bowl e s," that %here the donee mode a condition invonsistmt with the power vested in him, this super:Oiled condition eas simply void. Thu bequest to the six childten was therefore absolute. IN HE THE GLAMORGANAHME AND MONMOUTHSHIRE BANE. These petitions were mentioned, and, tfter ,onnc diseu4- pion, upon the sugge.tion of the Muster ut the 'Lute., were) ordeml to stand user till 11'etInead:ty week. COURT OF QUEEN'S BENCH.—YE.sTERnAr. SMINOB AT Nl4 1111171 AT WATIIAATIM—IiTIFJUX LOUD CAW. LFLI. Aso ♦ SI.CIAL JVIT. INDICTMENT FOR CONSPIRAC Y. TUE QUEEN V. ALLETNI AND UTIIER. EQUITY COURTS.-YESTERDAT. 11:T1E ., 64 It I Loom iminut Te■ 41111 CPANc!' Lon. TILE DUNE or LEEDS o. 1.01/1) APAIIEUST.-ILSECSIL TO TRANSFIX CAUSE FAUX Tug UMW; JUSTLCES' COUNT. -COUNSEL AND JUDGE. Mr. Stuart applied to have this appeal cause, which was set down for hearing before the Lords Justices, transferred to his lordship's paper, on the ground that Lord Justice Sir James Knight Bruce had bees of counsel in the Cause WOW years ago. Mr. Bethell, in opposing the application, acid if the Tea ' son assigned was a valid one there were very few causes in the courts of equity in respect of which similar applications might not be made, sad the paper of the Lords Justices would soon be barren of causes. It was true that some years ago the Lord Justice Bruce bad been counsel in the case for an injunction to restrain from selling certain leases of mines. The proceedings also bad reference to a question of compensation for waste. The first part of the rase, in reference to the injunction, had been abandoned, and in the ot her, which now formed the subject matter of appeal, the Lord Justice had never been counsel. But, irreepective altogether of that consideration, the learned mead submitted that no such application could be l i entertained, except at the request, or by the consent of, the judge himself. Should the present application be este- I Ilished as a precedent it would be attended by the most serious inconvenience, particularly considering the recent elevations of learned persons who had enjoyed so large a practise at the bar. The Lord Chancellor said if any innovation were to be made on the lung established practice it should only be on very stronr grounds of necessity, as it would make a very mate rial alteration in the administristion of justice in these courts. It might be that there were eases in the paper in which Lord Justice Knight Bruce had formerly been retained as counsel at the bar ; but there must be a strong ground of necessity to sanction an application, which would he laying the foundation fur a great many similar applications. If objections were made on the ground that substantial justice could not ho obtained (an opinion which he most certainly did not entertain) to a judge sitting in a cause in which he had been counsel, he (Lord Truro) might observe that the person for whom the judge had formerly been counsel ought, if anything, to be more afraid of the result than his opponent ; for, assuming that there was to be any leaning one way, the bias, from a natural feeling of caution, would rather, he thought, be against the former client than other wise, just as in the case of a man referring a. cruse for arbitration to his friend, if that friend is an honest man, tho person appointing him will probably have more reason to fear the result of over. caution against a feeling of partiality of friendship than in the arbitration of a stranger. In the present ease, the learned judge had long been separated from the bar, and very probably had forgotten all about the merits of the points in dispute; besides, it was shown that he had never been counsel in respect of that part of the cause which formed the subject of the present appeal, though that was not material to the decision of the point. The interest of the party, and what was of more importance the general ad ministration of justice being in no way in jeopardy, he could not grant the present application. Mr. Bothell asked for the costs of the application. The Lord Chancellor—l think not, it is the first time we have had the question raised. Ix RI INDIAN AND ACSTILALIAN MAIL PACEET COMPANY, EX PANTE MAVDSLAY.—CONTEIBUTURY.— PROVISIONAL COMMITTEE. This was an appeal from a decree of Lord Cranworth (then Vice-Chancellor Rolfe). In 1846, a chartered com pany was projected for establishing a line of steamers be tween England and India, with an extension to Sydney. The royal sanction was obtained in May, and the charter passed the great seal on the Gth Aug. 1817. This charter inter alia directed that the nerson therein named, and all others the members for the 'time being of the said company, should within one year from the date of the charter execute a deed of settlement as therein mentioned ; and it was further directed that the company should not begin business until the deed should have been approved of as therein men tioned, and certified to the President of the Board of Trade by at least three of the directors of the company that at least one-fourth of their capital of 1,000,0001. (in ‘lO,OOO .hares of 201. each) had been subscribed for, and that at least one-eighth hal been paid up. On the 10th of August, 1847, Messrs. Maudslay, Sons, and Field, engineers, applied for an allotment of 1,000 shares in the projected company. On the lith of August they wore informed that 1 1,000 shares had been allotted to them, and at the same time they gave a written engagement to take the 1,000 shares, the document further stating "And in the event of your maturir.g your plans with the government, we take it for granted that your directors will carry out the views you expressed to Mr. Fitzpatrick to the effect that we shall receive a due share of your orders, and also be at liberty to re duce the number of shares now subscribed for." Some correspondence ulterwardr took vice between Messrs. Mandslay and Mr. Yates, secretary to the committee, from which it appeared that Messrs. Maudslay olijectcd to take shares unless they had work allotted to them, and also pro posed to take only 500. The deed of settlement was pre- Min December 1847, and executed by twenty share ein bolding 1,080 shares, or 21,6001., but Messrs. —Jam, This was au indictment against the defendsots Itchier Alicyne, )I'Geacht• Alleyne, and Captain D.ireey— for conspiracy and fraud, in obtaining from the prosecutor, Robert Blairly, by Use pretences, and abo by con spiracy, very large sums of money, to the amount of 7,300/. Mr. James, Q.C., Mr. Bramwell, Q.C., and Mr. Hawkins, appeared for the prosecution; and Sir F. Thesiger, Mr. I I um frey, Q.C., Mr. Temple, Mr. lluddlestone, and Mr. Suer, fur the defendants. Mr. Hawkins haring opened the counts of the indictment, it appeared from the statement of the case by Mr. James that the prosecutor, Mr. Kennedy, who is at present an ensign in the East India Company's ',rake, and is 2d years of age, was in 1813 in the Queen's ~wire, when he joined the 7th Regiment of Foot in Canada. On Id. voyage thither he met the elder defendant, James Holder Alleyne, who was then a captain in the army, but had now left the service. The other detimilunt, M'Cleachy Alleyne, had also been a captain in the army, but was now a barrel mama facturer in Bermondsey ; and the defendant Durcey was also a captain in the army. When the prosecutor went to Canada, he was only 19 years of age, and on his voyage he made the acquaintance of James Holder Alleyne, to whom he stated that he was a person of considerable expectations, front which time that defendant fastened his acquaintance upon him, and never lef hint until he had obtaineal Irma him 12,000/. The prosecutor, who was the son of Lieut.-col. Kennedy, and grandson of Sir Robert Blair, on the death of his mother became entitled to 20,0001. He was induced to gamble in Canada, and lost large sums of mousy to the defendant, Holder Alleyne. In 1816, ho returnee to this country, when his regiment was quartered at Hull. Mr. Holder Alleyno also came back, and finding out the prose cutor, told him that he had bought a niaro of an English dealer, which he named Pigeon, that she was a fat trotter, and he induced Mr. Kennedy to make certain bets with him of 100/. that the mare would not trot 12 miles within the hour; 2001. that she could not trot 13 miles within the hour ; 4001. that she could not trot 14 miles; 800/. that she could not trot 13 miles ; 1,6005. that she could not trot 16 miles; and 3,2001. that she could not trot 17 miles within the hour. And thine were further beta of 500/. that she could not trot 14 miles within the hour, and 3001. that she could not trot 15 miles within the hour. The wager was to come off before some day named in January, 1817. There had been some pretended betting between Holder Alleyne and Ducey, who was pre sent—M.Geachy Alleyne, Ducey, and the prosecutor having been officers iu the same regiment ; and this pretended bet ting induced the prosecutor to make the wager in question. Now, he should prove that the mare was an Ameritaut, uud nut an English, horse, and that her name was " Fanny Jenks;" American horses being well known fur their trot ting powers. The day approached for the match ; and he should prove that the mare was lame at Cheltenham—that she was attended by a veterinary surgeon, and could not have trotted five miles an hour. The defendant Holder Alleyne was advised to compromise the wager ; instead of which, knowing that the mare was lame, he represeuted to the prosecutor that he was sure to lose the wager, it; she could trot the distance with ease, and urged him to pay the money, at the very time she was under the care of a veterinary surgeon. Upon the representations made to him the prosecutor paid 7,3601. to Cept. Holder Alley or. Mr. Kennedy sent an order on Sir John Kirkland and Co., his agents, for the amount payable to Captain Holder Alleync, who, it appear+, gave his brother Captaiu WGeachy Alleyne 2,8501. of it; another brother, now a clergyman, Joseph Lowe Alleyne, who was present when the buts were made, 1,6511. ; and Lieutenant Davey a sum of 1,0001. Of the fortune to which the prosecutor had become entitled, namely, about 20,0001., from twelve to thirteen thousand pounds had found their way into the pocket of Captain James Holder Alleyne in payment of bets, and Mr. Ken nedy, quite a young man, was obliged to leave the army. He was then recommended, by the same defendant, to b u y _ . Sir Tattoo Sykes, a race horse, for 4,0001., and having given a bend for that amount to the defendant, he was eventually sold up ; when, through the interference of his uncle, ho obtained a cadetship in the East India Company's service. Ile was obliged to proceed to India within three months, which accounted for the time that had elapsed between the transaction complained of and the indictment. The prosecutor had married in India, and had only recently returned to bring the defendants to justice. Ito should have to call before them a person called Coyle, who had been convicted of forgery, on the evidence of the two Alleynes, the defendants, the prosecution having been commenced only after Coyle's name had appeared on tho back of the bill of indictment found against the defendants by the grand jury at the Old Bailey. Atter detailing the rest of the elitist:me, the following witnesses were called : Robert Blair Kennedy, examined by Mr. Bramwell—l am the prosecutor in this case. 1. 11.01 tho son of Lieutenant- Colonel Kennedy, and g- and-on of Sir Robert Blair. lam 26 years of age. My father died in January, 1836, and my mother died in September, 1816. 1 was educated at Sand hurst College. Alexander hl'Ocaehy Alleyne wags fellow student. In 1843 1 obtained my commission as ensign in the 89th regiment of Foot. I went out to Canada, in the Britannia, to join it. Holder Alleyne was one of my fellow passengers. lie was a lieutenant in the 62nd Light Infantry. in parts or numbers, or at intervals not exceeding 2G days between the publication of any two such pamphlets, parte, or numbers, where any of the said pamphlets or papers, parts or numbers respectively, shall not exceed two sheets, or shall be published for sale for a less sum than 6i., meal- sively of the duty by this act imposed thereon, shall be deemed and taken to be newspapers within the true intent and meaning of the statute 68 Geo. 111., c. 78, and ether statutes, including 5-5 Geo. 111., e. 18.. I cannot suppose , that an enactment clearly meant to extend the limits of taxation should be introduced into this act, 6 and 7 ; Wm. IV., for purposes of narrowing them, especially after another clause, which extends th e tax to papers containing only or principally advertisements, nor does the language used bear that construction. The words used arc, " and also any paper, &e." A news paper is therefore net merely a paper containing public news, &c., printed to be dispersed and made public, an in definite term, which cannot mean either exclusively news or any news, for the reasons before given. Ana therefore I think any paper containing any public news, intelligence, or occurrenie, or any remarks or observations thereon, print el fur sale, though its main or general object may not be to give intelligence of recent events, and though it may not be to be dispersed and made public after the usual manner of newspapers, or within the meaning of those terms, provided it be published periodical's or in numbers, at in tervals nut exceeding 26 days, where any of the parts or numbers shall be testa sheets or leas, ur shall be published for sale for less than 61. The object clearly was to extend the duty to some other publications than those telling within the first clause. These enactments thus read toge ther are clear enough, and perfectly consistent. Three de scriptions of publications are newspapers. First, a paper w ho+e main object is to give news or intelligence of recent events, and which is printed to be ilieperstal unit made public. Secondly, any paper printed weekly or uftencr, or at intervals not exceeding 26 days, cant iiniag only or principally ad vertisements. Thirdly, any paper which contains any news, intelligence or occurrences, or any remark+ or observations thereon, :hough its chief inject be nut the giving of news, of recent events to the public, or any remarks on such sew., if it is printed fur sale and published is any way, provided sueli publication is at intervals of 26 days or less, and if such paper iv two sheets, or leas, or if each paper is published for sale at lees than Cd., and though such publi cation may possibly nut he construed to be a dispension and making public, in the say that a paper is, whose main uta ketis to give public news. The publication in tint *non is not within the last clause, because published at greater in tervals than 26 days, but it is within the first, beam.° its general object is to give the public intelligence of recent occurrences, and is therefure liable to the 'lady. But it is said that the word " mat" is indefinite, and that the legis lature could not have intended 4. lease tilt- term nada:tined, and that the most reasonable construction is that the legis lature intended to define, not by pruviaing that bottling should be news that was continue,' in papers publish"' at greater intenale than aa days. I cannot think that the legislature if it had any intention to define the word "news," would not have adopted clear language to effect that pur pose, and would have faxed the titan: alter which events were not to answer the description of news. For instance, all events that have occurred more than 26 days ago. There is nut a word to indicate any such intenti o n in the clause, awl it cannot be guppy-eel that they meant to adopt a defi nition which would make th- same event or occurrence a matter of recent occurrence or new., if narrated in a daily or weekly papa r, but not if contained in a monthly paper published the same day, or the day after the occurrence. They certainly have nut flied tiny period after ',bath events should cs...e to be deemed news ; and, prabalay, they thought it unnecessary that they should do ao. Pro trably the experiment would never be tried, of publishing a 'leper whore general object should lie to give a narratiso of fact, which had all oecurrel more than a given period —say a month before. I ant therefore of . pinion that the crown is entitled to our judgment. Sir F. Pollock.—This is an information for penalties under the 6th and 7th William IV., chap. 76, and the quo, tiou is, whether the publicatinn called the" limpid:tail Nar rative " is a newspaper within the meaning of the act, and liable to be stamped a+ such. If it be, the deb admits are liable to penalties for having issued it without a stamp, and the crown is entitled to oar judgment ; if it be not, then the defendants are entitled to our judgment. The question is not free from doubt, and especially I say so attar hearing the Tit./ that my brother Parke hats taken ; but neither the arguments of the counsellor the crown, nor the judgment of my brother Parke has e satisfied me that this pablication is liable to he stamped as a isewapaper, and COlR sequt ntly, our judgment, in my opinion, ought to be for the defendants. The material part of the statute is schedule A (there is, however, no °the r schedule) which con tains a definition of newspapers. It save: "The following shall he deemed and taken to be newspapers chargeable with the maid duties: 1. Any paper containing public news, in telligence, or occurrences, printed in any part of the United Kingdom, to be dispersed and made public." This explana tion does not differ mach from what is found in the first statute that imposed a duty on newspapers, viz., 10 Anne, chap. 19, sec. 101, and which continued in force till it was repealed by the present statute. The language of that statute is—'e Anal for and upon all newspapers or papers containing public news, intelligence, or occurrences which shall be printed in Great Britain, to be dispersed and made public." Whatever the statute tif Anne meant, the statute of William means, and neither more nor leas. I say not more, lyceum: by its very title the statute of William IV. is an act to reduce the duty on newapipera, and its prcinnble recites that it is expedient to reduce them. It must, there ' fore, be taken that the new duty was imposed; and it; there. fore, this publication, the " Household Narrative," would not hale been liable to a stamp duty before the 6th anal 7th William IV., it is not so now. sow the 13‘11 George 111., chap. 9, passed in 1109, an act to subject certain publica tions to the duties of stamps upon newspapers, by the flint section enacts that all pamphlet, and paper. containing any public nein, intelligence, or occurrence-, or any remarks or observations thereon, or upon any matter in church or state, printed in any part of the United Kingdom for sale, and published peritelically or its parts or numbers at inter vals not exceeding 26 days between the publication of any twee such pamphlets or paper., parts or numbers (the size is then alluded to) not exceeding two sheets, and (the price) a 1.,. sum than 61, exclusive of duty, shall be deemed and taken to be newspapers within the meaning of the 30th G a wp 111., chap. a s, and other statutes imposing duties upon and regulating the publication of newspapers ; and in the Ith section it notices paniphleta or paper* containing any public news, intelligence, or occurrences, or any such re maraa or observations as aforesaid, printed fur sale an/ pub lished periodically, or in parts or numbers at intervals ex ceeding 24 days between two number.. not exceeding two sheets, at a leas price than fal. ' • and it does not make them liable to stamp duty, but enacts that they shall be published on the heat day of every calendar month, or within two days before or after. It appears to me th.e. this is a legislative recognition that a paper pub lished at greater intervals than 26 days has not the charac ter of a newspaper, though it may be a chronicle of events brimming up its narrative to a very recent period ; and I thank, as the Motichuld Norrafirs is publish,' at intervals exceeding 26 days, it would be difficult with that statute , befere us to say it was liable to duty under that act. If it was not then, for the reason already given, it is not now. A reference to some other publications may illustrate this. . If Mr. Macaulay were, to-morrow, to pub oh a continua , lion of his history up to last Saturday, its news would be as recent as that of any of the Sunday papers, but , in the opinion of every one it would not require a . stamp. So the annual registers, if published in the first , week of the new year, are not is the nature of news . papers, and do nut require a stamp. Some of the monthly , magazines laave been purely literary, at least many of their numbers are so, bat several of them contained regular monthly statements of births, marriages, and deaths, bank . ruptcies, commercial intelligence, and the proceedings of , both houses of parliament while they sat, yet they are notoriously unstamped, and no claim that I am aware of i has ever been made upon them for the payment of duty, or , of penalties for its nonpayment. Ido not see in any of the , statutes any distinction between a publication chiefly or . wholly consisting of intelligence and one containing such , intelligence mixed with other matter, nor do I find anything . about the main object of a publication ; and I cannot, from i the distinction between the two expressions, " containing news " and " containing any news," come to the concha , mien at which any brother Parke has arrived. Looking, , therefore, at the whole course of the statutes on this sub , jot, I think it has been considered by the legislature that , • certain infrequency of publication gives to a periodical , the character of a chronicle or history, and not that of a . newspaper; and, however it may afford useful information, as it is not likely successfully to compete with the daily or : weekly papers, it has not been rendered liable to the stamp , duty. An interval of more than 26 days is what I think , the legislature has fixed as the criterion. If the interval . be 26 days or less, it is a newspaper ; if it be more, it is a chronicle, or history ; and the whole question turns on the distinction between news and history, which has, I think, , been settled by the legislature. For these reasons, I agree , with my brothers Platt and Martin, that our judgment ' must be for the defendants. NEW MONEY ORDER OFFICES.—The Postmaster- General has announced that Winchburgh, county of Lin lithgow, NIL haeiug been constituted u post town, the office there will bo opened for the issue and payment of money orders on and after the Lt December next, on which day the i-sue and payment of money orders will cease at Kirklistou end Vphall, in the sumo county. Lyd bey, Gloucestershire., having also been constituted a poet town, will on and from the lit December become a major money order other, instead of a minor office as at present. , i On the same day the of ioos at Dowlair, tilainorganshire ; and Mayfield, Sures, will be opened as minor money order , offices. On the lith December, Wadebridge, Cornwall, will be oned as a minor money order Mike. Tug ROYAL 80CIETY.—The anniversary meeting I, of the members of the Royal Satiety was h e ld yesterday afternoon, at the apartments of that learned body at Somerset-house. The Earl of Rosse, the president, came expressly over from Ireland to take the chair. There was an exceedingly largo ctendance of the Fellows of the Society. The report of the proceedings of the council during d the Last session having been read, the Cowley I me dal were awarded, and also the Royal m e d a l. The President (the Earl of Rome) delivered them to the respective successful competitors. The cus tomary ballot for the election of the e council for the ensuing year was then proceeded with, when the president (the Earl of ROW)), the treasurer (Col. E. Sabine, 11. A.), the secretaries (Mr. S. H. Christie, M.A., and Mr. Thomas Bell), and the foreign secretary (Captain W. IL Smyth, R.N.), were re-ejected. Thu members of the coun tit were then elected. Alter a very interesting re-anion of those immediately connected with this distinguished learned society, the Earl of Rosso, the vice-presidents, and mem bers of the council, and a select party of the Fellows, ad journed to the Freemasons' Tavern to celebrate the custom ary :Anniversary dinner. REFORM MEETING IN LAMBETH. Yesterday evening a meeting of the electors and other inhabitants of the borough of Lambeth, Summoned by the council, and in furtherance of the objects of the Lambeth Parliamentary and Reform Association, waa held at the Horns Tavern, Kennington. The chair wan 'occupied by W. Wituams, R.q. M.P., and on the platform were Sir J . Wallasley, M.P., Mr. Thompson, M.P., Mr. J. William., M.l'., Mr. R. Cooper, Mr. Ap.lry Pellatt, and several others of the leading mem bers of the Association. The CHAIRMAN, who was loudly cheered in opening the proceedings, expressed himself tench gratified to see so large an assemblage of the reformers of Lambeth present . This was the first time that he had had the pleasure of meeting them since the Lambeth Parliamentary and Finan cial Reform Association had done hint the honour of elect ing him to be its president. (Hear.) He had in the first in stance to announce to them that he had received a commu nication from Lord Dudley Stuart, stating that he would have been there but was prevented by indisposition. and Mr. Locke King would have been present also but was out of town. They were assembled on the present omit- PIM on a most important question—viz., to determine what measure of reform they deemed sufficient for making the Howie of Commons a true representation of the people. The notice in the bill calling the meeting was this, " to consider the best moms of obtaining a full and efficient reform of the House of Commona." (Hear, hear.) In his opinion nothing short of the prineipl s adopted by the Lust beth Parliamentary and Financial Reform Association would satisfy the eountry—(hear)—those principles being the granting of the suffrage to every occupier of a house, or a part of a house, who has paid rates (or twelve months ; the reduction of the duration of paeliaments to three yearn —(hear, hear)—the protection of the voter by means of the ballot—(hear, hear)—the total abolition of all the small boroughs throughout the kitatdom—(hear, hear)—an entire reconstruction of the parliamentary districts, and the total abolition of the money qualification of members. (Cheers.) These principles, extensive as they were, were still but a compromise between the opinions of two classes of reformers. (Hear.) There was ono class, and a very largo class, who went beyond those principles—and another class, a large elms, though out so large as the first, who did nut go quite so far. (Cheers.) Ile considered that those priuciples which, after mature deliberation, hail been fixed upon as those of the association, by none of the leading reformers of this country, including between fifty and sixty members of parliament, were a fair neutral ground on which every class of returners might meet without sacrifice of any principles the/ professed. (Hear, bear.) And if those principles should he adopted and become law in all their integrity, he hail not the small tat doubt they would be foand perfectly ancient for the purpose of nuking the douse of Collll4oll* a roof represcii tatiou of the people. Hut without a perfect union of both neither the working nor the middle close would be strong enough by itself to carry any really useful mea s ure of re form. They must eonlially unite together, and put their shoulders,to the wheel, and then no power on earth could withhold that measure of reform they might deem necessary for Lie peed government of the country. (Hear, hear.) Everybody was asking what the new reform bill was to be, but nobody seemed able to answer the question. There were many rumours about disunion in the cabinet, hut nobody could tell them what measure of reform was to be brought forward. If it were only s hill to whitewash the corruption which had been briught to light, every honest reformer in the house ought to smut such a mockery and insult ; hut should it he a measure founded on the principles of the Ref am Association, they would support it as tending to place the institutions of the country on a solid and immovable foundation—viz., on the cauteutment and affections of the people. (hear.) . . Sir J. WALMSLEY, M.P., rose to tauve the first re solution, expressing satisfaction that the government had at last come to the conclusion that reform of the House of Commons was absolutely necessary, and the necessity for cheers and n^n-electors to use their utmost endeavours to impress on the government and upon their representatives that they were fully alive to the abuses that exist, as being the only means of obtaining a large and comprehensive measure. Ile observed that to the reformers of Lunbeth and the metropolis they on ed the bUCCLIS of the association of which he had the honour to be the president; and if the means placed at the disposal of the association had not enabled them to do all they could wish, it had enabled them to do much good, in bringing the cause of the people before them from one col of the kingdom to the other. The chairman had told them that the association called upon them to unite fur a practical measure of reform. Meer.) But let them not be mistaken what that nicasarif of reform was. He believed there was some mistake; and he believed so from what he had heard front the chairman since became into that room. A rote-paying franchise ! Away with it. (Much cheering.) They - had asked for a rating suffrage, but what did they mean by that ? They meant to take the parochial assessment, hut no rate-paying clause. (More cheering.) If they submitted to a rate-paying clause, they would be precisely where they now were. (Hear, hear.) They couid not then appeal to the hundreds of thousands and millions of the people if they (tho association) went for rate-paying clause, fur where would be the relief to them in that caw? (Hear, hear.) What they were going for was, a household or home suffrage--a suffrage under which every householder, every occupier of a house, or part of a house, should have a vote, whether ho paid rates or not. Let that go forth if it was not already fully understood lie had always hitherto thought it had been fully under stood. He asked no working man to unite wits him ter anything Inc Mr. AI'SLEY PELLATT seconded the resolution. He condemned the truckling of the Whigs in times past in re ference to church rates, parliamentary reform, and other popular measures, the result of which was the disappoint ment of the people, and the increase of corruption and ex travagance, and a system of legislation whereby we were lawyer-ridden on the 0110 hood and liscal-ridden on the other. Ho spoke highly in favour of municipal goverumeut as opposed to the system of centralisation. Mr. WEBBER also supported the resolution, and stated that ho believed that no honest man could be a minister unless he was hacked up by the people out of doors. Mr. M'LEOD, as an old reformer, advised them to look with suspicion on anything comiug from Lord John ' Russell or the present House of Commons, which was essen tially a middle class assembly—though if the promised re form were a good measure, they of course would be fools not to take it. He believed the contoured changes in the cabinet —the introduction of inert of talent (for such nincompoops SS the whigs were not in the country) —were for the purpose of thrusting an ineffective measure of reform down the throats of the country. lie wanted no measure which would give justice to only a portion of the people ; and no measure would satisfy him which would not give the suffrage to every intelligent man in the country. (Hear, hear.) Mr GOLDSMITH thought they should be satisfied with nothing else than the whole suffrage—universal suffrage. (hear, hear.) The resolution was put and carried. A person in the body of the meeting, who said ho was a lodger and a working man, asked how he was to obtain the franchise upon the principles of the association? Mr. SLAr K said, the principle of the law was that th lodger did in effect pay rates in his rent; but it would com plicate the affair very much if the tax-gatherer had to apply to every lodger in cock house, or that a separate re gistration of lodgers should be prepared, and Mr. Hume so framed his resolution, that the parish books should be made to do the whole of the work, instead of having an unneces sary number of expensive functionaries to collect the tax from and register the lodgers separately. Mr. Slack con cluded by moving a resolution : " That this meeting being fully impressed with the importance of an extensive and immediate alteration in the electoral law, in order to ensure the future stability and wellbeing of our country, and to prevent the repetition of such disgraceful prucecdiugs am have lately taken place in the House of Commons, and in some of the provincial boroughs, feel fully convinced that the only mode by . which that can be accomplished, is by embodying the principles of this association in the statute book of this realm, and with this view that a petition be presented to the House of Commons by our honourable members, embracing Mr. Hume's motion, as the least amount of amelioration with which the people will rest content." Mr. 1.. DOL LTON seconded the resolution. Mr. O. THOMPSON, M.P., also spoke in favour of the resolution. Reform was now, he believed, inevitable, the public mind hiving become convinced that it was impera tively required. It was admitted on all hands that there must be a concession of parliamentary reform, and with that question of parliamentary reform was linked all re.- : forms—civil, ecclesiastical, and political. The choice, how -1 ever, was not between the scheme of the association and that of those who would go further, but between theirs and a much less comprehensive measure. (Hear.) If he thought there was a chance of success he would go the en tire length of the concession of the franchise to all. (Hear, hear.) Hut that was not the question. The rincy l l o e , s e of the emaciation had been found to be only on which they could unite the middle and working classes as one in the movement ; and, whatever might be his individual opinion as to the extent to which they ought to go, he subscribed to them as the only practical solution of the difficulty, He feared no at ° tempt to circumvent them in the ballot or triennial patina . meets, but he did contemplate within 49 hours or less the ' possibility of the framine of a measure less comprehensive I than was advocated; by the association, unless they were I united to resist it. The scheme of the association, though it did not, perhaps, meet the abstract justice of the case would emend the suffrage to every man who had a home ; it was essentially a home suffrage. The resolution was carried, and a petition founded upon it adopted, and after a vote of thanks to the chairman, the meeting separated. CORK AND PASSAGE RAILWAT.—The eleventh half-yearly ordinary meeting of the above company wan held at their office, us Cork, ea Friday. The chairman, Dr. Lyons, presided. The statement of capital meount showed the diabenements and receipts up to the Zith October, 7651. Tie total disbursements sieve 6s. Id., and the total receipts 132,2934 13s. 6d., leaving • credit to the capital amount of 3,7351. 7s. sd. The half yearly revenue account showed a total expense of 5,11137. 16s. 11d., among which were for omnibus expanses, 2301. 16s. Bd., and locomotive expenses (coke, 2701. es. Id.), 6591. 10s. 4d. The receipts for the half year were frame 251,100 passengers, 3,97,1. Is. 6d., which subscriptions andl interest raised to COWL 13s. 5d.; the amount to credit Issit April was 1,816/. Its. 3d., =Akins a total of 5,877!. 7s. M. The cash in bank to the credit of the half-yeuly account was therefore 7661. 10s. 6d. The report was unanimously adopted. L i s ! A A A, 01