The Express. — London, England, 1853-09-12 00:00:00

th e Ll isi 111 g OTCTUIII t i t ; whilst the note by whith Count Nesteirole announced to ltesAid Pioche that " within some weeks lie troo; s would receive tie order to pass the fron tiers the empire," was dated the 3h: Msy, and his is 13 iron Brunnow, in which he 1 , 31.1 th it, if the l'erte did not sign l'rinee nehikoirs note within a week, esuntinz from the reception of his owe by Resehid Paella, the Emp , •ror " woul•1 give orders to his troops to occupy the Principalities," bore the dste of the let of Juno." It re►u:ts, evidently, from that which preeetlee that the B•etish fleet has not been sent into the waters of 'turkey out of thorteard of the vinsideretions submitted to her ,jute's government by the cabinet of St. Petenburg,and that th^ di ci-ion to occupy the Principalities had been taken by the Ruosian oovernment on the eve of the doper tare from London of the instructions directed to Viscount Stratford de Iteileliite. And that decision we say, had been taken beeause the Russian government coal,' not seriously, even for a moment, entertain the h.epct to see the Porte give its adhesion to tile dam's" " without variation" (Loa eaures sou rJrtante), which respect for its proper dignity and the interest of its security had, a very tow day, before, im posed on it the obligation to d.aline . Nevertht leis, Count lieseolrutle asserts, in his circular despatch of the had July, that the presence of the English and French fleets in the Bay of Bnika bar, above ail, provoked and entirely ju.ti. fled the oceup Oinn of the Prir.cipalities ; he pretends that these Rots are almost in view of the capital, that they are Lordly 'lrro miles, i :ant, and that the inarit:=e occupation by the.e fl-ets of the ports and waters of the Turkish do- minion, could only to counterbalanced by a military occupa tion on the part of Rustle. Bet her Majesty's government must protest against that ▪ nine in the most forcible terms ; they d.ny the exist ence of any similitude between tho position of the united fillet. in liesika Boy and that of the Russian armies in the l'rincipalities. The Sects have the same right to anchor at &tiles as they have to moor in every other port in the Mediterranean. By their presence in these water, no treaty is transgressed, no territory is violate 1, no principle of the law of nations is di-regarded ; the independence of the Ottoman Empire is not menaced by it, and, assuredly, is ought not to to a motive of drones to Russia, on the con trary, the occupation of Me Principalities by Russia con stitutes • 1/0101.011 Of MC territory of the Sultan, and of Me special treaty conceiniuy Ma' part if his dominions: it osestitielas MI infraction of the princaptes of the lam of notions, and an net of direct h.ntilitie against the Seaton, to which he would Aare the right to respond by • declaration of war, and • requisation to the allied squadrons to adman to Constantinople for lur defence. That occupation con stitutes, in hue, an act so dangerous, considered as a pre cedent, and an act so violent on the part of a powerful state against another whose very feebleness ought to he its protection, that is has excited throughout all Europe senti ments of alarm and reprobation. To admit that there 'l ists any resemblanee, or that there could be established with reason any comparison whatever between the position of the English and French guts without the Danlanelles, and that of the Russian armies within the Principalities, is evidently insposable. It is with profound regret that her Mejesty's government sees itself in the necessity of expressing their opinions with respect to the recent invasion of the Turkish terri tory; but they think that in abstaining from doings* they would bare been wanting in their duty, and would render more difficult, in future, their intervention for the defense end =sentiment.* of treaties, which constitute the interna tional law of Europe, and the only effectual guarantees of the I peoce and el the rights of nations. The inigerings which the occupation of the Principalities meat occasion to the inhabitants will be, doubtless, alk rioted by the Russian yotrensmera taking upon Wulf all the weight, of that occupation. Having so many times and at such length discussed the demands addressed by Russia to the Sublime Porte, it does not appear to me necessary te dwell upon the other passages in Count de Nesselrodo's circular despatch, which, indeed, contains no new fact or argument in favour of his demands. I mar, however, *sprees the conviction of her Majesty's government that the cabinet of St. Petersburg is altogether in error la assert ing that the Porte is little disposed to satisfy the just demands of Russia, or that it seeks to evade the engage, meats made with her. if that imputation were true, leer Majesty's government would not have failed to use all the Influence they posse to induce the Porte to recognise its engagements suitably. But the "geveriessent Us too store k aneleire of stici violation of the engagements in pier not on the pert of Turkey, thaw they hare of those sew onerous arbitrary acts of the Ottoman government by which, as it is pnimuied, the rights of the (keels church have been violated, and which have menaced arts to overturn the order of things sanctioned by tame, and so precious to the orthodox church. Russia demands, in favour of her co-religionists in the Meet, the strict status qua, and the maintenance of the pri- Tileges which they Vase enjoyed under the protection of their sovereign. but Cwust Seaselrode dispenses entirely Leith. the explanation ns what manner that statist qvo has been diata•brd—!au thou privileges hare been its paired—what complaints have been made —tchat weeny, hare remained unredresscil. Her Majesty's government has the knowledge of but one offence committed by the Turkish goeetnnont egainst Russia, and that offence has been repaired to its satisfaction, with the consent of Prince Menchikoff, at the same time that the last finnan by which the Sultan confirms the privileges and immuaitin of the Greek Church, was received with greet gratitude by the Patriarch at Constantinople. Where, then, are the rums which, as the Count de Nesselrode marts, will justify, in the eyes of impartial Europe, the position taken at this moment by Russia ? Count de Nesselrode adds that Russia, thanks to its geo graphical situation, and to its treaties, possesses virtually the right to protect the Greek Church is the Rest. If it is to, and if that right (whatever may be its nature and extent) is not internr,.ted, it is Russia that puts its ex istence or its validity in doubt, by striving to constrain the Porte to new engagements. If the ancient rights exist, and if they are respected by Turkey, Russia has no motive he complaint against Turkey. But if Rosen seeks to give • greater extension to its rights, then Turkey, as its side, ha the right to examine closely the nature of the new de. muds, and to refuse such of them as are incompatible with its independence and its dignity. Iler Majesty's government receives with sincere nth lattice the new assurances that the policy of his Imperial Majesty, as well es the interest of Rusin, requires the maintenance et the order of things existing in the Rest ; and es the interests of Turkey render it seeteesary for it to Awes its engagements towards Ramis. her Majesty's iiinierounent fatte► themselves that Russia wilt not wish (6y eatimetnering in actual ciresessehenoes to insist spore sissause that the Porte ought not to admit) to prolong a crow which may render intuitable eoiesersencee that &rope km solvent en interest in awake,. Too ate authorised to read this despatch to Coast Nueelroste, and also to give • copy thereof to his easel tesey.—l an, Ite., (Signed) CLARX24DON. :be Court BALMORAL, [lvry 9. Her Majesty drove yesterday towards the Ballo& thole, attended by ths Duchess of Wellington and the Hon. Mary Bolus'. Prises Albert went oat deitr-stalkim. The (house party yesterday MOWN the Duchess of Ent, Count Alexandir lltoodorg sod 81z George and Lady Cooper. Sere. 10. .._. .. .... Bar litejeety and Prinee Albert were present yesterday at the Watering (or salmon in the Des. la the evening the Duchess of Kent, Count Alenadsr Mosidart Lady Augusta and Lady Frances Bruce, joined the royal diner party. Despatches were received hen the Oove►bor. of the West Coast ef Africa, en &tastily, at the Colonial•ottice. ADDRESS TO LORD J. RUSSELL.—The Town Cesacil of Greenock have T eed , on the suggestion of the PIOTC•t, to take advantage Lord John Rossi:ll's being in the neighbourhood to present him with an address for his emineat public services. OrrICIAL ArrottrrwEsTs.—Mr. R. B. D. Mossier is appointed an unpaid attact.6 to her Majesty's mission at Vienna, in the room of Lord Boyle, wise has resigned. Mr. Setward J.neph Dailey is appointed a member of the Legis lative Council of Ceylon. Sir Or.oRGE OSBORN and family, Sir E. T. Drake, and Admiral Kelly were among the passengers who *mead at the St. Katharine Steam Wharf on Saturday morning by the Gener.il Steam Navigation Company% eteanrship Panther from Ostend. QUEEN CHRISTI:I*ot Spain, and a party of sixteen, visited Morn. Tusaaarl's establishment last week. Her Majesty expressed her approbation of the skiU and teat* displayed in the execution and disposition of the various groups exhibited in this museum. Baron Brunnow, and party, also visited this exhibition on Friday last. DEPARTURE OF THE AFRICA.—On Saturday afternoon the British and North American Royal Mail Hteam-altip Africa, Captain William Harrison, sailed from the Money for New York, with the usual mail, for the Western continent, 110 passengen, and • very large cargo of general merchandise on freight. Her mails were car ried out is charge of Lira:. Ward, R.N., Admiralty agent. FALL OF A HOUSE IN TILE STRAND. • INQUEST ON THE KILLED. We continue our report of the proceedings pub lished in the Express of Saturday. W. Sbrimplan, the carpenter. was recalled. lln deposed —I have been engaged on the work 4 K tu.g on n.-at to the house that has fallen. I was employed by Mr. Lucas, the builder, of the Belvidere-road. 1 went there about eight weeks sm. I was then sent to remove the hoarding fur ther out into the street. That is the boarding r mail the works on the rite where some houses had been pulled down and new buildings were being erected. I don't know how many houses there had been there. I was employed to put up shore, to the house, No.lBl The directions were given by Mr. Abraham, the head surveyor. I believe he is the surveyor to the Duke of Norfolk. Ile directed me to put up a couple of shore-, as he said he wanted tn have every ! thing We. After th.,t Mr. George Rowe, the deceased, can.e as clerk of the work., and took the charge out of my hands. Mr. Rowe said Mr. Abraham ordered him to have more shores put up, and we put up three mire double shores. The first two I put up were at the cm), of the house ' nearest the Strand. The distance between them was about 10 feet. Thq top shore was 40 feet long, and the lower one about 30 feet. There were altogether tire of the double shores and three 'Melo ones. The shores were all about 10 or 12 feet apart, equidistant. It was about three weeks after I put up the first two shores that I put up the others. The first were put up shout FIX reeks ago. The timber used was solid lucid sound timber, and in every way suited for the pullers... I have been • carpenter and joiner all my life, and have had considerable experience in framing of eifferect kind.. and I am quite satisfied the shoring in this case was sued •ient. Ily Mr. Carr (the juror)—What was your foundation? The ground was all in when I went. Whet was your ight of wall ? A mut 50 feet. What was the distance from the foot of the shore to the base of tho wall ? About 14 or 15 feet, so that the shore, which was 30 feet long, would reach up the wall about 21 feet. How far above the lower shore did you spring with the upper chore ? About 4 feet. That would reach up about 3.5 or 36 feet? Yes. Did you think that high enough? Qui:e high enough. I There would be about 16 or 20 feet of wall above the -bore ? Yes. Did you needle the shores ? Yes, about seven inches into the wall. Not through the wall ? No. The cruse piece against which the shores were pinned was of ordinary deal, 9 inches by 3, and ■bout 14 feet long. and about 15 feet long. Was the wall sound ? The wall garnered to be an old wall, and was very render, and it would not have been desirable to needle through. The mortar had not much strength. Were you under any ap prehension of danger yourself? Not • lilt, or I should not have been at work under the wall as I was. I was at work sneer the wall, within two or three yards of it, when I heard the crack and it fell. Mr. Rowe was there too. We both ran, but he stumbled and fell down. When I heard the crack I looked up, and saw the wall sinking. It fell out about 12 feet from the top, and then it alt came down together. I was digging at about two or three yards from the wall at the time—that is within the base of the shores. By another of the jury—Wit had dug down below the footings of the house about 18 inches in one or two places. We thought the shores sußcient, end I found that my shores stood to the last, until they cr.cked by the weight of the falling house. There were shores at the back end of the house looking over the Thames, to the short wall, that cracked sad same part of which fell on Tuesday. That wall was made secure. I can't say whether that wall was an 18-inch or a li-loch wall. It was not connected with the house as far u I recollect. It was the wall of the back building. I put in solid wedges to prevent the shores frees shifting. The foundation had been dug out below the fon lisp of the house No. 184, in two or three places, for distances of, perhaps, 18 inches or two feat, for the purpose of levelling the foundation. The foundation was sand and gravel. By tha Foreman—l can't say whether there were two or three of those holes dug. By another Jurymau—The wall bulged out at the back. Shores were put up. I cannot say that the holes we dug did not weaken the well. I should certainly say it would not do it any good. 1 was a little alarmed on tr.e Tuesday when some earth from the back wall fell, but we soon shored that up and got it all right. The whole of the rubbish fell into the hole we were digging for the founda tion of the new house. It was by Mr. Bowes direction we dug the holes below the foundation of the party wall. He know that we had dug as much as 18 inches below the footings. There wes no slip of earth on the Wednesday that I saw. I must have seen it if there had been any. The only slip was the one I have spoken of that marred on the Tuesday at the back. That was but a little bit of earth fell—about a eirt-load. lam not aware that Mr. Angell, the district surveyor, has ever had hie attention called to the state of the wall. I saw him on the premises at all to my knowledge. By Mr. Hawkins—l can't say exactly when the hole* were made below the foundations. Tbry were dug about two cr three days before the house fell. They were dug by Brown. By Mr. Bodkin—There bad been some house removed, and the materials taken away from the site where the new building was being erected. We dug for the foundation of the new premises, and in doing so we frond that in some places the party wall of the next house (No. 184) did not c. me down so low as the level of the foundation we were digging, but that in other parts it did. We put in jack shores at the part where the wall same down to the foundation to carry those parts that did not. I was up with a plumb line on the roof of the house (No. 184) three days before the accident. Mr.l Rowe was below at the time testing the wall by the line. We found that the wall was not more than an inch or two out of the upright. I dropped the line at each end of the wall, back and front. Mr. Rowe was quite satisfied, and said there was no danger at all, Mr. Abraham was back ward and forward every day to see the progress of the works. He expressed no fear about the wall in my hear ing. He made no complaint of the shoring. I believe Mr. Rowe was a man of great experience. He was about 60 years old. Mr. Lucas, the gentleman who is carrying on the building, war not there during the few days immediately preceding the accident. I den% know that he was out of town. I had orders from the yard to sand for anything we wanted—and whatever we sent for we received immediately. Those directions came from Mr. Stevens, the chief clerk of Messrs, Lucas. Mr. Rowe also told me not to stand for any expense to make the adjoining building secure. The wall where the earth fell our from was not the party wall of the house, and had nothing to do with it. It was merely what is called a party fence wall at the back, enclosing what had been the yard. That wall was fourteen feet high. The yard was covered with a lead fiat. - - By Mr. Can—There were no struts OT supports placed inside the cellar of No. 184, nor any support or shores of any kind whatever inside the party wall to resist the pres sure from the wedging up of the outside shores. A Juryman—lf they bad put struts instils the wall to support it at the base, it would never have bulged out. John Bush, of 3, Mill-street, Lambeth, master carpenter sad builder—l was called in by Kr. Thompson to examine the party wall about twelve months sine. That was to amertala whether it would be reqaisite to pail down the party wall when the new houses Were bent. I afterwards accompanied Mr. Thompson to Mr. Abraham's °See, and made • verbal report to Mr. Abraham's clerk as to the state of the wall. Tho wall was • one and a half brick up to the top. I stated to the clerk that u the new one was to be an extra first rate, it might be built without pulling down the party wall, is Mr. Thompson had a great objective to that on account of the injury it would do to his trade. Mr. Abraham wished for Mr. Thompson's leave to pull it down, which I gave them in writing. They stated they would all pull It down if they could get the sanction the diarist sineeere to use it, but they would underpin it, endwise it to the hip of the new hones. At that time it we. listemini to ben shimmy§ in the party. I have ex amined theism's Wheels or 20 times since at Mr. Thoutp seals sensemt. The bet thee ea Tuesday lest. There was reeding to Whets any settlement up to that day at two &sink, Width was the time I examined it. But 2=Mid me that there wee a very slight crack in the se alike. Kr. Thompson called me into the but prelleer. eel Awed me the wall at the side, which be reel Mr. Rowe bad told him was to he taken down and ro bed,. There was a bole in the wall which was covered with canvass. At that time the ground was excavated 4 or 5 feet below the brickwork under the foundation of the I wall of the perkier, but not under the wail of the main house. Mr. Rowe told me he was going to build a2l brick wall up to the first floor joists. The reason they were going to pull down the parlour wall was that it was out of the line of the wall of the house to some extent. The wall of the house appeared sound, and I mw no Indication of its giving way. By a Juryman—My attention was never directed by Kr. Henderson to the stove being forced out of the An-place in the first door, and there being a neck in the wall. I am not aware that Mr. Thompson called in any other per son. Ido not know if any of my men had their attention called to this projection of the fin-place, or the crack in the well. Tim Juryman—l hava it on good authority that either you ee some one of your men were informed of the circum stances I have stated by Mr. Henderson. Witness—l had no men but paperhangers there, and he would hardly have spoken to them upon that subject. I never heard of the circumstance myself. Examination continued—The party wall was about 32 feet deep. There was a double stack of flues in it. By the Coroner—l wss not aware that the wall had been plumbed. I con , ider the wall was safe. I have been ten years a builder cm my own account. By the J —Mr. Thompson was not fearful that the wall fall. His apprehension wss that it would be pulled down, and his business interfered with. Mr. Bowe' said on Saturday that he wondered Mr. Thompson would not have the wall pulled down, as it would give him a foot more of room. I told him what Mr. Rowe said, and he replied, "What is the use of a foot of room to met I will sell them a foot of my shop now if they wish ; I have more than I want." If the party wall bad been pulled down and rebuilt, the expense would have fallen on Mr. Smith. I saw the shoring. It was sufficient until they dug below the foundation. Thea certainly there ought to have been thorn inside. The Coroner—Then it is your opinion chat the shoring was not Jufficient, and that there ought to have been shores inside 2—Certainly. By a Juryman—l was to have gone to the premises by direction of Mr. Thompson again yesterday or to-day. By the Coroner—l wu satis fi ed that the back parlour wall was insecure, and a part of it was down when I went there last, but that would not affect the main wall in any way. I think the cum of the accident was the givirg way of the floors, and the lower part of the wall failing and bulging out, which it would do on account of the shores resting only spinet the upper part. Hid there been shores runder the timber j o i s t s b e l ow , I d o no t thi n k th e acc id en t .01(1 have bajspeued. As it w ar , f o r want of support the wall bulged out helm the point whets the raking shorn supported it, and c ame d own , an d o f cons, the upper part followed it. The witness surgeated that the rubbish should he cleared away, in order that the depth to 'which the eound..tion hats been dug below the footirgeoi the rutty won might be asc( ruined. Mr.*. Mendenon recalled. The last time I was in the I hone was en Tuesday evening at about 7IA lock. I occu pied the first An.or front and buck, and the top flour front and back. I had lived there ever since April, 18.51. I had for some time notice,: a crack in the front wall of the house, exactly at the angle where the front wall and the party unite. That crack had been getting worse ever xneo the digging fur the funadation of the next bona commented. On To( sdav last it W4l so deep that I put my band into it up to my knuckles. 1 complained tohlr. Thompson frequently, and he said there was no danger. The last time I complained was about a month ag i. I tint entertained tears when the work began at the next premises in October last, and I took lodgings in Albert-street, where I twit my property, and carried on my business for three months. On being assured that the house was safe, I returned. I have noticed the crack in the wall ever since they began taking away the rubbish, and there was a crack right along the top of the ' room on the first &see ales, and another in the room shove, which the rain used to beat throintli. I was alarmed, and mentioned my fears to Mr. Thompson, and also toe gentle man whom I believe to be Mr. Abraham. (This gentleman, Mr. Abraham, who was present, explained was his principal clerk). I was always assured ,that all was safe. Mr. rsoruppon paid the Purveyor had examined the premises, and reported that there was no danger whatever. I think the house might have stood fur many years had they not commenced digging so near to it. On Tuesday last I thought it seemed worse, and some persons who came in to have their portraits taken spoke of the strange vibration in the house. There is of course always a vibration in the houses in the Strand, more or lees, arisicg frum the heavy teethe, but the vibration at our house increased very much of late. I became very much alarmed, and was about more than once to remove all my property. The Coroner intimated that it Will necessary to adjourn the inquiry, and he thought it would be better to do eo at once, and in the meantime be should like to have the ground cleared out and a plan of the property prepared. Mr. Hawkins thought it would be desirable to appoint one or two independent surveyors to examine the place, and to report as to what M their opinion was the cause of the accid( at. The Coroner had no power under the act either to order such an examination to bo made or t• pay the gentlemen who made i Ho could allow expenses according to the scale fixed for the psymeot of witnesses, and those expenses were jealously watcoed by the m4tstrottes at quarter mis sions. _ Mr. Bodkin, on the part of Merin. Lucas, observed that thou gentlemen were most anxious to further the inquiry In any way they could. Their sole object was to elicit the truth. Mr. Ford, on the part of the Messrs. Smith. was quits ready to bear the expense of employing one, two, or three surveyors, to be named by the coroner, so desirous were they for a full invoitigatien. Mr. Abraham Litinsated that he should be quite ready to give evidence upon any occasion on which he might be called upon for the purpose. After some consultation as to the meet convenient day for resuming the inquiry, it was decided that it should he adjourned to Monday week next, and it was ordered that in meantime the ground should be cleared, a plan of the premises should be prepared, and that two or more sur veyors should examine and report upon the cause of the accident. THE EXPRESS, MONDAY EVENING, SEPTEMBER 12, 1853. BIRMINGHAM BOROUcill PRISON. • ELEVENTH DAY. BIRMINGHAM, BATuzDay. This morning the inquiry was reaumed ; the commissioners having seam transferred their sittings from the Queen's Hotel to the gaol, for the purpose of examining priaossen on the spot. The case of a little boy named Edw. Plant who, it had been alleged, had been punished with extraordinary severity, was part gone into. With reference to this boy it had been averred that he mitered the gaol in good health ; that In a short time, in consequence of the punishment he received and the de privation of food, he was redaeed to a state of great ex haustion, in fact to a mere skeleton. This prisoner was brought up from his cell to the room in which the eommissionen sat ; he is very little for his age (l 4) ; at first he cried very much, and was manifestly afraid that further punishment awaited him. Mr. Welsby took the boy by his side, and presently made him assured that no harm was intended ; then the following was elicited from him :—" I came into the gaol about a year sine, for picking pockets. I had been here previously, and when I came in the second time, I was punished fer something I had done in my cell before I left at my first imprisonment, but which they did not then find out. Before I was tried at the sessions, I was sentenced to fourteen days without my bed until ten at night, without gas, and without seeing my friends. I remember being put in the punishment jacket. I forget what it was for, but I was strapped to the wall, and had the collar on my neck. I had that punish ment for three days and a half; on one day from ten in the morniag until ten o'clock at night. The other two days I was let down at sir at night. On these days I had half a pound of bread in the morning before the jacket was put on, and half • pound at night after it was taken off- The jacket hurt my arms and chest very much. I was in pain all over." Capt. Williams—l see by the book that he was punished when he was " for trial"—for defacing furniture in his cell —three days bread and water. This was in October. Then is another punishment of a similar character in November. Mr. Webby—Did the governor sentence you to be punished ? Witness—Yes. I drew a nun on my elate. Mr. Welaby—Surely that never could have been con verted into damaging cell furniture. Capt. Williams—The entry as to the October punish ment is " wilfully marking and defacing cell furniture." Witness—l n damaged the furniture in any ether way than by scratching my slate with a nail. [The learned Chief Commissioner in suitable terms warned the poor little outcast, who, hardened in sin as he has become by the severity of his treatment in this prison and the sad neglect of his infant life, promised with many tears and sobs to behave better hereafter. The other por tion of his examination elicited the fact that from the severity of hi punishment and the deprivation of his food, he became extremely ill—he was put upon better diet and is fast recovering.] Brown, one of the warders, was next called. He de posed that he had put the boy in the punishment jacket seven times; that he was deprived of his bed and left in the dark as often, and that he had worked at the crank for as long a period as he had himself stated. Mr. Blount, the surgeon. was examined by Dr. Baly in reference to his treatment of the prisoner, but nothing int' portant wee elicited from him. I The Bev. Mr. Sherwin corroborated all the evidence as to the state to which the boy was reduced by the punishment be reatved. . . . _ salsohnester, admitted that he had reported ell OD In Plant's last admission to the gaol that be a slate when he was there on a former oc :112 he which he had not been punished ; and he ad that his notion of prison discipline was that prisoners retams ni tba j os ao n l should be punished for undiscovered prima they were last its inmates. This wham poodased a slits which a boy named Taylor had damaged by scratching into it his copy, "God has fed me." Capt. Williams asked—la that a copy in frequent use hero ? Witness—lt L. - . . 641. it ? Did it newer occur to you that a prisoner is not liable for punishment for any offence committed before be left the gaol in the event of his again being sent them for another offence ? Witness—l should have thought lapse of tuns would have made no difference ; but I am responsible for punish ments. I simply thought it my duty to bring these cases before the governor. Prisoners frequently do damage the day before they leave the gaol ; and I have known one in stance, at least, of a punishment being indicted on their re turn to it. . _ _ . . Dr. Baly—When ths boy was punished for Inj uring the slate, had be been tried, or was he " for trial t ' Capt. Williams referred, and ascertained that at the date of the punishment the boy was " for trial." Lieut. Austin, the governor, was examined in reference to this matter, and he stated that he never had inflicted punishment for the offence described by Wood, under such circumstances. He remembered (he said) a boy being brought before him for damaging his slate, but he simply admonished him. Wood, again recalled, said that bin impression u to the fact was unchanged, notwithstanditig Mr. Austin's denial of it. Bartley Kearney, another prisoner, was then examined. Ile detailed the cruelties practised towards him, as they appeared in the Express from the evidence of the wit nesses of them. Thts boy's story of himself is a truly pitiable one. He said—l am not sixteen years old, and this is the eighth time I have been in gaol. I have had the punish meat jacket on from seven in the morning till ten at night. The put my breakfast into my mouth by bits at a time, and I have had as many as three or four buckets of water thrown over me at ono time. I had a note to go to Mr. Ellis's Reformatory School, but my father wanted me to work instead. Its unnecessary to repeat the story of the use of the pile in capturing this prisoner in hie cell, and the indignities practised towards him. Ile repeated them all in the course of his examination. By his own showing he hue been a very bad boy—not at all mended by all the cruelties practised towards him in this gaol. Cotterill, sen., the warder, was recalled. lie underwent a very curious and searching rumination. i Capt. Williams asked him—Do you know a woman named Lee. the mother of a prisoner iu the gaol ? Witness—l du. Capt. Williams—Have you ever seen that woman? Witness-1 have; I was passing her house "with a friend," and I was called in. Capt. Williams —Who was your friend ? Witness—l am not sure; it might be my wife, and it mi k .ht be my wif o ' s s i ster. Caps. Williams—Did Mrs. Lee give you anything? Wi , nese--She inquired ab9ut her son : I told her he was doing vo-y well, and just as I was going away she put half-' iverown into my hand. Mr. Webby—What was that for? \Vitness—lt was to get same brandy for myself. I sup pose a return for my kinduem in telling her about her son. Capt. Williams—Did you ever receive any other money from this woman ? ..--- Witneu—Occe afterwards I received two shillings from her. It we, quite against my will. Capt. Williams—What was that fey? Witness—l thought it was out of friendship. The money was forceal into my hands after I had refused it. Capt. Williams—Was it given you to procures mutton shops fur the man and take them to him in the gaol ? Witness—Certainly not. Mr. Welsby—Did you resist taking the money ? Witness—l did. Mr. Welsby—But ultimately you took it? Witness —I did. Mr. Welsly—Then your ♦irtue yielded at jut. Wi•n.•ss—l think there was not much virtue in the transaction. Capt. Williams--Well, we think that. Are thus any other parties from whom you have received money ? Witnen—No; I refusal it in Dodson's case. Capt. you swear that you have not received money from other persons under similar circum stances ? • • - - Witnes.—lll tell you if you'll refresh my memory. Capt. Williams—Can't you tell us without your memory being refreshed ? Wigs/se—lf you don't refresh my memory, I must swear that I haven't received money from anybody else. TREATMENT OF THE FEMALE PRISONERS. Ann Jenks, the deputy matron, wee examined on the subject of the punishments inflicted on the female prisoners. This witness stated that she remembered prisoners being put on bread and water and handcuffed in Capt. Macon°. chis's time. Once saw a woman strapped to the railing in the central hall. The straitjacket was put on female pri soners occasionally in Capt. Maconochie's time, but only in cases of great violence. The use of handcuffs had been dis• continued since Lieut. Austin became governor, but the strait jacket was much more frequently used. Had known women contiued in the refractory cell, and their gas and bed taken from them till tea o'clock at night. Hail seen a woman strapped to the wall since Mr. Austin became governor. Capt. Williams—Who pats the straitjacket on the female prisoners 7 Witness—The chief warder. Capt. Williams—What, a man ? Witneu—Yes. Capt. Williams—Have you ever seen buckets of water thrown over a female prisoner? Witness—l have beard that than has been. Capt. Willisms—How long since? Witness—Half a year. Capt. Williams—Who did that? Witness-1 believe it was the matron. The woman was making • great noise, and it was done to frighten her. Dr. Baly—Are the female presoners, while in the strait jacket, kept in the dark in their cells as late as nin' e at night itn ? W ess.—l have known it as late as that. . . Mr. Webby read from the punishment book a long list of sentences of the punishment awarded to female prisoners. They were mostly of this character—. Three days bread and water "—" dark cell "—" punishment jacket " " nine days bread and water," &c. With reference to this last, the witness explained that after " three days bread and water," there was always a day's interval of this infliction. Witncu further deposed—That she had known women kept away from chapel as a punishment. The discipline had been relaxed during the lut three weeks, and the women had not behaved worse In consequence. Remem bered that in Captain bfaconochie's time the women were released from their handcuffs as soon as thi.y were quiet. Mary Jordaa, a first-clan warder, was next examined. She said—l remember buckets of water being thrown over a female prisoner. There were three or lour buckets. It was done by the matron by order of the governor. I be lieve this prisoner was afterward,' in the lunatic asy:uut. I remember seeing a prisoner named Miller strapped to the wall. - The matron professing to be " seriously indisposed" and unable to appear before the commissioners, they retired to her apartment end examined her in prints. We were afterwards informed that this woman admitted that she had drenched a female prisoner as stated by the two last witnesses, and that it was dens by the governor's orders. After this the commissioners visited the juvenile ward of the prison and inspected the creak labour cella. This in spection and the inquiries it led to occupied until five o'clock, at which hour the inquiry was again adjourned until Monday. BARNSTAPLE BRIBERY COMMISSION. WHOLESALE PERJURY BY WITNESSES. BARNSTAPLE, FRIDAY NIORT. The commissioners proceeded with the inquiry this morning. The first witness examined was the late member, Mr. It. Bremridge, solicitor, who said—l was first elected for Barnstaple in 1847, when my majority was between 60 and 70. At that election no money was spent for illegal purposes by me, but I cannot say what was done by others. When the dissolution was contemplated in 1862 I had de termined not to offer myself again; in fact, I would not have stood In 1847 but for the wishes of the party. In the mouth of January, 1862, when In Lon don, I received a note from Sir W. Fraser rectum ting an interview with me, and he accordingly called upon me at my club—the Parthenon. Bir William requested to know my views with respect to the representa tion of Barnstaple, and I told him I thought of retiring upon account of my business. He then said he had pur chased some property In the neighbourhood, the possession of which, I said, would no doubt give him a locus standi in the borough. Bills advertising the sale of the property were published, referring inquirers for particulars to our firm, among others, but we were not agent' for the sale 1n any way. To this hoar I don't know what sum was asked, nor what the purchase money tactually was. Sir W. Fraser asked me what would be the probable expenses if he be same candidate ? I answered that it was impossible to say, as it mast depend upon the nature of the contest. If the contest were sum—meaning if improper practises were resorted to—it would cost 1,60 W., but would not probably exceed that sum. Of course the expenditure of 1,6001. most be known to necessitate improper practices. lam not aware that any smaller sum than 1,60 W. was mentioned. I don't think tHrW.Fraser expressed any surprise when I mentioned the large sum of 1,6001. I think he only wished to guard himself against an unlimited expenditure. I never seellett to Sir Willem that the 1,60 W. could only be spent If Mewl practices were resorted to, but, unequivocally, it wee my own impression. I contemplated ao illegal expenditure or bribery at the time, but being asked suddenly, by a gen tleman, the extreme sum which he would be tolled on to spend, I mentioned 1,6001., knowing that sum could only be spent illegally, but not contemplating bribery at the time. I believe the subject of improper practices the mind of air W. Framer at the time. I don't think the interview lasted more than a quarter of an hour, and we parted without any decision as to his coming forward. He wished to know, in the event of my retiring, if I could not waist him, and I told him not without first consulting the electors. I never brought forward a candidate in my life. The Chief Commissioner here intimated that there were reasons why the examination of Mr. Bremridge should be suspended for a few minutes, and requested him to lean the witness box. Mr. J. Oaydon, silversmith, then alsPenreff In the witness box, and expressed a wish to correct his evidence of the pre ceding day. He admitted having assented to the entry of his name " for anything which might be passing after the election" by his relative, G. T. Gaydon, although he per sistently denied it on Thursday. He still, however, adhered to bit statement, that his brother Henry had received the whole sum of 141. paid to witness by G. T. Gaydon for his own and his brother's vote ; but after a prolonged and pain ful scene of equivocation, and intimation, of an indictment for perjury from the Chief Commissioner, heAdmitted that he had 61. for himself, "like the rest." Tke Chief Commissioner told the witness, at the close of his examination, that although be might possibly escape an indictment for perjury, no certificate of indemnification could be granted to him. The examination of Mr. Bremridge was then teamed, as follows :—I next saw Sir W. Fraser in Barnstaple, after it was known that Lord Bbrington was coming forward in consequence of the retirement of his brother. I had pre viously received a communication from the conservative party in Barnstaple (who did not like the borough being handed about from one of Lord Fortnum', sons to another) requesting to know my views with regard to bringing for ward a second conservative candidate, and they sent me the same time an estimate of the result to be expected in ' such a case, as follows--Brenuidge, 431; second conse.re a . tire candidate, 441; Lord Ebrington, 347. I then informed them that Sir W. Fraser was desirous of coming forward, and after consulting with some friends in London, I also determined upon again offer ing myself, came down to Barnstaple an address accordingly. At the same time j wrote form Sir William Fraser of what I had ilsoe, ring too l, place in February, and shortly aftenro: r d s a reqn i s i tion was forwarded to Sir W. Fraser, who emu at once to Barn tr : t o of t he a it town h P e rP e c mayorlre. requisition to Steal. Fraser, staple, and met me there. The they sent off the mayor s'lid returning threw so much consternatic, n i nto the radical camp t h at officer to London, to bring Lord Ebringtor Barnstaple —a proceeding rkwTwithehreerrodewseptevaaotedtntoolikil partisans, which I bt the conduc t thoughtcohn end nu v de e engeletPoLPeitselorloifkn; an active part otherwise, which I thought deserving of con siderable reprehension. I saw Sir W. Fraser again in April, at the Carlton Club, when be ti.ad " It must be thoroughly understood that my expenses must in no care ea: , •ed 1,5001." I never spoke to him on the subject of cor rupt ',metiers in my life. Atwr se es .:, further statements from Mr. Bremridge, Mrs. Drake JePcsed that two or three days after the election s h e h a d "hind delivered" to her by Mr. Woolaeott, her husband having voted far Bremridge and Fraser. George Ili-cokes, freeman, haci 10s. • day offered to make himself active in canvassing for rd Ebrington, but de dined. Voted ha Bremridee and Fra-vri and afterwards had 61. given to him by Mr. Clements. John Davis, householder, voted for Lord Etaingtn in oonsequence of an offer of SI. from Mr. Channon ; but never got the money, nor asked for it. On the polling day, told Mr. F. Oaydon of this offer, who offered to pay 71. 15s. for half • bullock, which w it ness (b y trtle a hu'cher) had just bought, it he would vote for Bremridge and Fraser. John Gaydon, freeman, relieving officer, was • butt:her at the time of the election. Was not on George Tits Gay don's list of " Gaydons," but voted fur Dremridge and Fraser. Offered the last witness to pay (or half a bullock (71. 165.), which they had bought between them, if he would vote on that side. Witness got 71. 10s. for his vote. Did not consider it was for his vote at all, as he worked quite as hard as acme who gut 201., and had to stand brandy and water with some o f th e voters to "get them sweet. ' Had 301. from Mr. Featherstone on the nomination and polling day, and 6'. the Sunday after. Mr. J. Channon, roc •lled, stated that this offer of 51. to the Teter Davis was only • joke, and must have been so regarded by Davis himself, as they had met weekly ever since, and the sublet , had never been mentioned between them. Believed Davis to be too respectable a man to take a bribe. George Kendall, freeman, voted for Bremridge and Fra ser, fur whom he had a canvassing book. Had 6f. after the election from Mr. J. Marsh, but considered it was for his services. Had to look atter the twelve Apoledere voters, and told them on the election day they should be satisfied after they had voted. lied nothing to do with paying them, but got 61. afterwards for himself. humerous witnesses were examined, with a view to proving treating upon the part of Lord Ebrington, after which the conimissienen adjourned. [The painful impression created this morning by the exa mination of Mr. J. Gaytlon, silvenmith, became considera bly heightened immediat e ly after war d s by the general pre valence of a rumour that another of the " Gaydons," named Thomas, a freemen, nearly 80 years of age, by trade a mason, had just cut his throat through fear of being sum ' moiled before the commissioners, his name having been given in on the list of his relative, Mr. George Tite Gay don, as having been laid 61. fur his vote on behalf of Breen- ridge and Fraser—he having sworn positively before the committee of the House of Commoas that he had received no money in consideration of his vote. Inquiry verified the feat; but it appeared that the poor man was discovered in time to avert an immediately fatal result to his rash action, and it is thought that he will ultimately recover.] SATURDAY NIGIIT. The principal evidence given to-day was se follows : Henry Graydon freeman, living in London , came down to vote at the last election, having previously understood from his brother that he would get his expenses. Felt so pek fectly satisfied of this that he voted without making any in quiry on the subject. Had received 161. for coming down. Yesterday received a letter from his brother John giving him an aocaunt of what pasted in the court on Thursday. The letter was destroyed. It told him to uyhe had received 141. from his brother, which witness positively had done, but not all at one time. His brcther told him to come and say that he had received eleven 'gns in a paroel, having received three from his brother before that. Since the com mission opened, his brother had sent him another 61. The money was nut last week before his brother knew he would be examined. His brother wrote to witness to say it would be awkward for him to be known to have received money for his vote, and to ask witness whether he would take the 61. as if the whole of ,tbe money had been given for him at first. Witness agreed to do so. There was no understand ing that witness was to repay the money and he did not intend to do so. Witness had previously received 101., 41. for his expenses, and 61. for his vote. Mr. Ed. Bouchier Seville, solicitor, in partnership with Mr. Bremridge, acted as agent for that gentleman during the elections of 1847 and 1852, but was not a voter. Called meetings at two public-houses in February, 1832, to get the requisition signed, and opened those houses for the Conservative party. At the King's Arm., the voters who attended were all tradesmen, and at the Angel what were called 't outsiders," and of a drunken character. The outsiders had no politico ' but always held back till a late hour before they voted, and the Ang,l was the house which they g e lly used. Betore Mr. Bremridge and Sir W. Fraser came down for the purposes of the election, about 1201. or 1401. had been expended for drink. Witness had no authority, but had no doubt that whet he did would be ratified by Mr. Bremridge. Almost all the publio.houses in the town were so opened, for when either electors or publicans came and bothered witness to stand treat he gave them money to get rid of them. The second day after Mr. Bremridge came down, witness told him what he had done, and Mr. Bremridge was excessively annoyed, and begged him to stop it at once, and gem notice that they would be answerable for nothing further. Believed the Golden Fleece, one of Lord Ebruig ton's house', was open every night at that time. Knew a good many people assembled there, but not who paid for what was drunk. Mr. Bremridge placed 6001. at his dis posal, without directing as to how he was to spend it, and witness could not say what was the object of Mr. Bremridge in giving him so large a sum. Witness paid the expense* of the public entries, &c., and gave money to every man who applied for it with anything like a reason. Oa the night of the nomination witness nude out a result of the pelt as he anticipated it, and showed it to Mr. Bremridge. It gave for Mr. Bremridge 397 —Mr. Brearidge polling 395, Sir W. Fraser 406 (the number which he actually polled), and Lord Ebrisgton 336, his lordship polling 332. Late that night Mr. Potter and Mr. Marsh came to see Mr. Bremridge, and witness fetched him to them. Did not hear what passed, for he was tired, and went to sleep, but believed they wanted Mr. Bremridge to give them the cue as to the tactics of the following day ; whether, in fact, there was to be any bribery. Witness woke up as they left the room, and went nut with them, when they said Mr. Bremridge would spend no mons'', and they thought the election would be lost. Witness after wards walked home with Mr. Bremridge, who said, after some conversation "If you find money is being spent, I should not mind lighting them with their own weapons at en expenditure of 1,0001. for one seat, and 1,6001. for two." Nothing was said about who was to have the one seat, nor about where the teary was to come from. The ChiefCommissioner—Well, but you must have had one eau, as there was only one candidate on the other side; what, then, could be your object in spending 1,0001. for what must be yours? Witaess—l suppose it was thought thetas the other side would be spending money (for we were only to spend in Vast event) we must spend too, or we should law our cha ! renter is the borough. The Chief Comrausioner—Yes, but you would lose the seat, you know. Witness—Yes, I lose caste. The Chief Commissioner—l suppose you wanted to re cover the character which you had lost at the previous election. (Laughter.) Witness—Yes, I en so. Examinationres After the conversation with Mr. Hiewuridge witness went to Mr. Marsh's rooms, and found a good many of their supporters there. Told them to get tisk sappers and go to bed. Did not tell them that any maim was to be spent next day, as it might have been eMeillteet. Went again to Mush's about half-past 10 next wassia& being wont for. Saw Mr. Petter, Mr. Marsh, sad Mr. T vele told him that a man upon whom they had depsidel plumped for Lord Ebrington, and they drew the kahrenee that bribery bad then commenced on the op. who db. Witness said, " If that was the case, and the elhee piny believed they had no money, he'd let them see NU lbw - had some." Told them not to pay any more time 43 1 :4 went away to get some money. Went to his MTN be had 4201. in sovereigns left out of the 8001. r. te Wm by Mr. Bremridge. It was not unusual to ate 400 sovereigns in their office. Put about 200 sove reigns in his pocket, and carried them to Mr. Petter. Did not count the sovereigns as they were in packets, but only opened them to show that they were gold. Mr. Young said something about 64. or GI. a vote, but witness did not intend any money to be given that day, but only to show that it might be known they had money. An hour after wards got a maw from a man named Greenslade that he wanted some money particularly. I sent him 201. A ft er the poll was over Mr. Petter toil witness that he bad not a penny left out of the 2001. Witness was also told by two or three voters that " Tom So-and-so " had been ;raid, and they thought it very hard that they had not. The next day witness no sooner his foot In the street than he was attacked r am voten at every lard, who said that " Dick, Tom, and had been paid, and that they would be paid likewise Sr they would split upon Dick, Tom, and Harry." Witness lbw made up kis mind that a sum of money sufficient =ll expenses should be put into the hands of Me, •':' Marsh, and Young, and at once went to the • .._,_ • n• Mid dr . ew 1,1001., which he gave to Mr. Young. T' . " lay Mr. Young told him it was not sufficient, awl " w o p n _ e xt give him 2001. more. On the following Mond 4: witness bard that several hungry men were still any , t ak ed, ""..., anatiolttaehab°. that ge ntleman, eMinthtleentan.nmetolre.dzi/dtwhraso.ußgwhrenivteerrydidgme angry,avirthain g t p h ai ! d d 'B :bfin in e .0 1 1::: mone. Altogether witness received from Mr. ' A.S . , t h e 2,187'., in addition to which Mr. Bremrido^ . I hrernriag•. those at •;ae polling booth, a printer's big' . himso*, pa id Ma. S s :ilter expenses. Witness did ... Ole:tout 361., and A d lti g a e t ' 5 election e omw.ey was spent for illegal purr , - net believe that any expenditure i w tu u re owing war then to 18,17. B e li eve d Mr. Brent , ' . Ales by Mr. I3remridge in about 2801. The purity pledges given by the o f should be no filer.; .mndidates on both sides, that there ma rath n e , r an ec't tU.- election no prom expenditure. Believed that at the last ..e of money was given by any authorised ... the 1,8001. had been spent in " hush money" t . ~an bribery. ".enry Weedon, householder end eating-house keeper, ' stated that about twelve Appledore voters were sent to his house on the nomination and polling day, and that for their entertainment he afterwards received 101. from the committee of Brenaridge and Fraser. He also had applica tion for expenses from three voters named Smith, who re fused to vote without being first paid. Witness went to Mr. Patter, at Mr. Marsh's, about it, who gave hi m 151 ., telling him the expenses of the Smiths would be 51. eac h . Whilemention n ti oa he u w this witness a ess be u in, but seeing him there went away w ith out com i ng in whene war re perso nonwthditheMr. . m m Pettey,hite nem saw Mr. Bremridge go into the rosin. Witness did not mono for fear he should connect Mr. Bremridge persmally with the treating. Mr. Bremridge begged to assert most distinctly that this statement was entirely false. Mr. Weedon repeated it was his imp ' , in that the person who looked into the room was Mr. Bremridge ; and he was certain that lie saw Mr. Bretnridge waiting in the landing when ho left the room, although he might have entered the room elterwards. Mr Bremridge, however, adhered to his denial. Adjourned till Monday (this day). - - WAGES MOVEMENT IN VIE MANUFACTURING DISTRICTS. In the cotton districts the operatives continue rest lett, and there is every probability in the pretest position of the trade, • hen orders for the first time are less pres,ing and growing slack, that the masters will he 'gain induced to resist their demands. The attempts of the masters to form counter-unions are becoming more successful. though titer the course taken during the Stockport strike, es hen mmiters in other districts enticed hundreds of hands away by offering higher wages, there is naturally a good deal of jealousy. In and around Preston more than two thousand looms are at a stand. At Manchester about 6,000 of the looms and 2,000 of the hands engaged in the manufacture of " domestics," are standing, on account of a strike having occurred. One firm has agreed with its hands upon terms which will be equival. of to 10 per cent. advance, and two firms have compromised for 6 per cent. Os Thursday the hands of Mr. Wan. Morris, both in Man chester and Salford, struck, and are still out. Mr. Morris offered to pay them on the Stockport list of prices, but they refuted and preferred wasting both time and money in attempts to drive hint to their terms. Mr. Morris spins the yarns of which hie cloths are manufactured, and the throstle-spinner-, who have received one advance, de mand a second of about 5 per cent. The mule spinners continue at work at the advance previously obtained. We have spoken of the unreasonable character of the demand thus made, which is for 10 net seat., and without any re ference to the gains of the master; and, looking at it from another point of view, it listen to be quite as muck un called .for, when the remunerative character of the domestic Manchester weavers is considered. At the old wages, the chairman of the turn-out weavers and his wife, employed by Mr. Morris, have avernged fur the last three weeks 345. 4d. net wages; and another man awl ilia wife, who were anxious to stop at work (and who might have been continued at their looms, had not Mr. Morris thought it prudent not to keep them while the dispute lasted), have averaged 38s. 3d. per week for the last four weeks. Other workpeople have been paid is proportion, an-1 yet they strike when they know that their employers are not clearing money, and indignantly refuse the prices which are paid in a town similarly situated to Manchester. The power-loom weaver 1 of Ashton-under-Lyne having requested an advance of 10 per cent., their employers have returned the following answer :—'• In answer to the address of the weavers of Ashton-under-Lyne and Dukintield, their employers have to reply :—let. That the weavers are quite wrong as to their main fact. Manufacturing is not in a prosperous condition, it bring very doubtf u l w h et h er , a t the prevent moment, almost any kind of cloth can be made out of yarn bought at the market price, so as to leave any thing but a bare profit; and whether, in many kinds, the manufacturer has not great difficulty even to save himself. 2nd. The employers beg to remind the weavers that when, in the year ISIS, reductions of wages very generally took place in other neighbourhoods, no reductions were made or attempted in this. But the master manufacturers of Ashton under-Lyne and Dukinfield emphatically disclaim any wish to pay their weavers lower rates than are paid in other districts, meeting them with the same kinds of cloth in the lame market ; and if their weavers can show that this is really the case, they are prepared to meet it at once by proper concessions. They have, however, reason to believe, that, even after the re cent advances, this is still a well paid neighbourhood ; and the weavers ought to have the good sense to perceive and feel, that it cannot be for their own best interests ultimately that a permanent disadvantage in the price of labour should be esta'alished against this district as compared with others, that a check and discouragement to the extension if manu facturing industry should be given here, whilst a stimulus is presented to it in other places." At Fairfield the strippers and grinders in the employ of Messrs. Christie, have struck work for an advance of wages. They had an advance of 81 per cent. about a fort night ago, and now want what will make the total 191 per cent. 'the rest of the cord room hoods have turned out in order to compel the firm to give the demand,—not asking any advance themselves. The recently farmed association have taken the matter up, and a meeting has been called for next Tuesday to consider the question. At Wigan the notices of a number of factory hands for an advance of wages having expired on Wednesday, with out any satisfactory result from their employers, the mustered in great strength on Wednesday evening, and about eight o'clock proceeded in procession to Medley, at companied by a band of mnsie. As they rolled on they gathered strength, and such a crowd of human beings has not, it is said, crossed Amberswood-common since the plug drawing affair. They returned about ten o'clock, all peaceable and in good order. Messrs. Taylor's female reelect are to lead the movement by asking for an advance of one penny per score knots. and the other hands at the same wills are to come out in succession. Of course the stoppage of the card-room will bring all oat. Since the violence noticed in these columns on the bands of Messrs. Whyatt and Sons, dyers, by turnouts, an attempt has been made to burn down their premises, and the firm have offered a reward of 601. for the discovery of the offender. TRH SHOEMAKERS' STRIKE IN DEVORPORT.—On Wed nesday, the day following the meeting of the journeymen shoemakers, noticed in the Daily News of Thursday, the masters in the trade met, agreeably to the amendment adopted at the meeting of the men, and after four hours' deliberation, in the course of which they went through the various descriptions of work, agreed to advance the rate paid on every article, the increase amounting on the average of the whole of the several sorts of work to 121 per cent. This decision was submitted to the men at the adjourned meeting in the evening. It was discussed for several hours, there being some difference of opinion as to whether it should be accepted or not. Eventually, however, a reso lution of "no surrender" was adopted, and we believe at nearly one o'clock in the morning Isle. Baxley, the chair man of the masters' meeting, received a message from the men, stating that they had rejected the proposal. On Tues. day evening the masters again met at Sheall's Crown Hotel, a placard having been issued during the day, invit ing all the wholesale dealers to be present. There was a large attendance. The entire scale of prices was again re. viewed, and after some slight alterations in favour of the men, the masters came to a unanimous decision to abide by the rate of payments submitted to the men on the previous evening. Several new hands, strangers to the locality, have been engaged by the wholesale masters, and will take on on Monday. Mr. Heed has been in the habit of paying 701. as wages on Saturday nights. Last week he paid but 101., and this week we believe his wages will amount to much less than that. We have seen a letter sent to one of the wholesale shoe makers in this town cancelling an order previously given for 30 dozen of women's summer beots. The strike of the men prevented the order being executed in time, and as the season is advancing the goods, if now forwarded, would probably remain in the hands of the customer, who is a London tradesman, until next year. Somewhat about 151. would have been paid in labour in the making of these boots, and the money ere this would have been circulated is the locality amongst the trading community. Without de siring to express any opinion as to the demands of the men, who, we suppose, are the best judges of the value of their labour, we may say that it would be greatly to the benefit of all parties and to the trading interests of the fowls, if an amicable arrangement could be entered into. The masters, we believe, have offered to meet the demand half-way, which offer the men have refused, and stand out for the advance claimed. This the masters consider they cannot grant at the present time, when the leather market is rapidly advancing, but agree to accede to the full in creased scale at a future period, when leather shall fall in price. Thus the matter rests. Tho men seem determinedly united against the employers, and many of the best work men have during the put week been sent off to the large manufacturing towns, through the means provided them from the " assistance fund," to seek employment. BRITISH ASSOCIATION FOR THE ADVANCE MENT OF SCIENCE. -- HULL SATURDAY.. I Last eveu;. n g after our parcel was dearit,, ,ea, Professor r 2hillipa delivered an address to ay... audience about 80", in number, in the saloon a : 0.- stitute the enbject being ' l Mechanics' In gao' Of YOTILS hi " . e physical geography and - .T mGrning wereA, B (Sa an tn d e rday tee , SECTION A.—XATHEX ATICAL AN D PHYSICALSCI ENCE. a ) the only sections committee held sittings e. Professor Phillips read the report of th pointed at Belfast in 18.52, to inquire into the v oy a i e d character of the moon's surface as comp:red with that of th ‘ e„euit; he aim made some etwervations on pligifograpla w.a moon. Dr. Buist read an ex „ e di,,,,_ I ?veer on the current! of the Inds seas.-J' Inprr:Ltssaofr Istokes read € :':"Aintunicstione has Sir David Brewster on the optical Phenomena and crystalisation of and twrmaline, titanium, and quar t z w i t hi n mica, amethyst, topaz ; also or. the production of crystalline structure L t o crystallised powders by compression and traction. W. J. M. Rankin, Esq. read a pape r on • proposed baro meter pendu'un" for the regi.tration of the mean atmos pheric pressure during long periods of time; also, on a general one of an oscillatory theory of light. SECTION O.—MECHANICAL SCIENCE. The Rev. Dr. SCORESBY delivered an address on " Rail way accidents and their prevention." A vote of thanks was accorded to the lecturer. The Rev. FRANCIS STATHAM read a paper on the same subject, and also r ece i ve d t h e thanks of the section. The President's dinner was held in the spacious hall of the Railway Rotel on Saturday evening. TUB PRIVY COUNCIL.—By RR act of last reseion the registrar of the P r i vy C ouncil is empowered to ex amine witnesses on oath, an d t h e registrar of the Council mai appoint a person to act for the registrar in his absence. THE POOR-LAW ACT.—The act for charging the maintenance of poor persons on unions in England and Wales is continued by an act of the late session to the 30th September, 1851, and to the end of the then next session of Parliament