The Express. — London, England, 1847-10-25 00:00:00

STATE OF THE REF COUNTRY.-CURRENCY ORM. Another meeting on this subject (convened by the Currency Reform Association), was held in the town-hall, at Birmingham, on Friday night, fur the purpose of consideting the propriety of presenting a memorial to Lore John Russell, aro ,' ' g hislordship to adopt some as for the relief of t he p resent commercial distress. Many thousands of persons w ere pronto and so great was the interest excited that the s otiseging attention of the audience was preserved until 11 o'clock at night. Mr. Ald. Wristoo presided. Haying adverted to the amount of misery and mischief resulting from our present monetary system, he said such a crisis had arrived that it be came the duty of every man who bad the welfare of his menu,: at heart, to do everything in his power to mitigate the effects of the distress melee which the country was now offering. Since they held their meeting a fortnight since, oteemercial affeirs had gone gradually worse ; solvent houses lied been compelled to suspend payment ; ruin wee entering their very doors, and no precaution whatever on the part of individuals could resist it. And it must be borne in mind that the merchant and manufacturer could not suffer without the operative feeling it even in an increased degree. All closes were bound together hy one common tie if one por. tion of the community suffered, all must (eel the calamity. Mr. Joists IlAtmow then nee and moved the adoption of the memorial, which appeared in the Daily News of Thurs day laSt. it was unnecessary for him (he said) to enter into details as to the present state of trade in any of the great com mercial towns of the kingdom. There was no doubt about the mischief; neither was there a doubt of its haying been produced by the engine currency system. 1 Hear.) Some people said, where was the money gone ? The answer was easy—it was sent out of thetountry to pay for foreign pro duce; and the consequence WY that we were left without a sufficiency . to carry on the commercial concerns of the country. Sir Robert l'eel had told the people of Liverpool that he deeply sympathised with them for the unhappy con sequences arising out of the existing commercial deprewion. That might noon anything or nothing. The question Was — was he mowed to make such • change in our system as would enable them to meet their engagements ? (Hear.) The merchants of this country had imported produce largely from the American markets. Against this, bills had been drawn on the supposition that a certain range of prices would continue. These bills were taken into the large discounting houses, to be broken up into small manes; but this could not be effected, because. by the force of circumstances, the Bank was no longer able to said them. (Hear.) Last April they sent • petition to parliament, setting forth that unless the currency system was altered, so ae to make it sufficiently expansive for the increasing oommenial transactions and requirements of the country, things must come to a stand-still. The result showed that they were correct. Let them look only to the erratives of Manchester for proof of that. The next ques ta= then was—How is this devastation of property to be stopped? Could it be on the bullionist principle, or by an Whereto° to our present system ? It WAS perfectly clear that it could not. It had been said that the Birmingham system was one of inconvertibility : he asked whether the present system was not one of that character? (Hear.) Could they convert their goods into money under existing circumstances? (A shout of "No.") They could not. Not only that ; bat they had large orders in their houses for America, which it was impossible for them to execute, because these bills to which he hail adverted could not be broken up or converted into money. (Hear.) There had been a gradual diminution in the eireulatlin of the country since September, 1846, to the extent of from two to three millions—nut a very considerable amount in itself, but considerable when the amount of credit which it sustained was taken into consideration. (Hear.) Such were the results of this most pernicious system, which made hooest and industrious men paupers on the parish. (Appian:, ) They had in the cabinet, opposed to any altera tion of this system, Sirechorles Wood and Earl Grey; and they 1 ad slightly in tone favour, L ird John Rusaell and Lord Palmeri:on ; but, as had been wittily said by Punch, be (Mr. Marl iw) was afraid that Lord John was not quite strong 'Gough for his place. (Hear and laughter.) And although he did not agree in many things with Sir Robert reel, he believed that, as far as commercial affairs were con cerned, the right hon. baroact would be found to serve them better than lord John Russell. Certainly the latter was unfit to hold hi, high position unless he adopted such mea sures that all classes of the community were able to procure for themselves the beef, the beer, and the bread, which were essential to their very existence. After some other observa tions of a general character, Mr. Harlow concluded by sub mitting the memorial to the meeting. Mr. I'. C. S.ate, a large manufacturer, seconded the adop tion of the memorial. This (he said) is our fourth meeting within the last four months on this very subject : at the first you would not come to listen to us at all ; at the third you were beginning to feel the pressure, and you came in larger numbers; since then, the tragedy has proceeded—the misery has been working its frightful results, and here you now arc in thousands. thank God at last alive to your inte- rests. (Applause.) Here I see all classes—all denominations in Birmingham united, and to my mind it is a conso- lation to tied that when the interests of humanity are concerned; when the lives of millions are in jeopardy, the heart of England is still sound and can still :eel for suffering. (Cheers.) Now the masses of England are awakening—rulers shall be made to tremble, and the oppressions they have inflicted upon us shall be swept away. (Cheers.) Here my friends, I shall ask you to make a sacrifice. I tell you that the day is coming when we must once more aasemble not in thousands, but tens of thousands. Every hammer must cease to ring, the beating of every anvil must be stayed, your wrongs must be loudly proclaimed, and you mutt your selves procure their redrew. (Tremendous applause.) In 1820, your friend Thome, Attwood—still dear to our hearts I trust—(cheers)—forewarned you and foretold what would come to pass. Everything he predicted has come to pass ; the tragedy has been enacted ; the bill of 1819 has been carried out, and million, of your countrymen have perished. (Cheers.) Are we then to stand idly by; we men of the hardware trade, are we to suffer this state of things to con tinue ? Shall we sit down by such treatment as the Liver pool deputation experienced ? Shall we allow Lord John Russell to send us back here quietly with any such trumpet/ and no-meaning reply, as, " Gentlemen. I have heard with the deepest attention your statement, and have to assure you it shall have the most eerious consideration of her Majesty's government ?" (Laughter.) Those words of courtesy' won't dp for us. (Bear.) We shall say, "What, my lord ! Do you mean to tell us that the people of Eng land are t) perish ? Shall we stand by and see that ? No : I we shall go to the Queen—God bless her !—and we shall tell her our tale of the distress and the misery that stalks abroad; and we shall tell her that her minister is not strong enough fur his place." (Applause.) We'll show to the world that we of Birmingham are as strong as we were in days long gone by but not forgotten, and that we will not suffer our fellow-countrymen to be trampled upon. (Immense cheering.) They tell us it cannot be helped : I say it shall be helped. (Cheers.) We will have the bread, and the beef, and the beer for the people. That is the sort of liberty I have been struggling for all my life; many of you know that. I have told you before to-day that the end of liberty is but to protect the people: for that I have fought; that is the principle I have ever proclaimed. (Cheers.) Now, the usurers tell you that you do not under atand-this question. I say you do understand it, and we will make them understand it, too. (Hear) All their object has been to make money so scarce that they might have the full control of it ; and then they control all aorta of pro perty—they control labour, and they starve you. (Hear.) Why, it was only the other day that a man went to one of these usurers—these Jews—with a hundred thousand pounds' worth of railway bonds (good securities, mind you), and he said, " I must raise money on these ;" " Ob, but," says the Jew, " these are hard times,—l can't lend ; I tell you what I will do, though, I'll buy the bonds;" and the scoundrel takes the advantage of the scarcity of money which he him. self has been the means of producing to exact the utmost farthing. The Jew repeats, " Money is hard to get,—it is very scarce, but I'll give you 75,0001. for the bonds;" his customer hesitates, and then the usurer put on the screw ; he said, " If you don't take that, you shan't have any;" the man was forced to submit, and so (continued Mr. Salt) this Jew cleared 2.5,0001. by this one single transaction, and to the ruin of his neighbour. (Cheers, and cries of " shame.") They tell us we don't understand the question ; we under stand this, that by the bills of 1810 and - 1844 the grossest acts of fraud and injustice have been consummated. (Cheers.) You shall thunder on these men--they shall and will shrink back, and they shall be made to disgorge their ill-gotten spoil. (Much cheering.) The very moment the Bank pats on the screw there's death and destruction ; once let them diminish the amount of money in circulation, and they diminish your wages; ten millions of gold has been ex ported for corn, and ten millions of notes have been with drawn from your circulation. What's the use of haring the bread in the baker's shop if you have no money to buy it ; and very . soon you will have none, for the present amount of distress is nothing to that which there will be full soon? (Hear.) But what are the tears and miseries of the people to the men who have reduced us to this state of distress? They are nothing so long as they thrive. (Hear.) Is it not revolting to the feelings of a man—it is to mine—to think that the laws of England cannot protect the people from starvation, that good wage , ' cannot be obtained for good labour, but that the wives and children of its arti sans should have to beg in the streets, or accept the miserable pittance of soup, as I have seen in this ve , y town, instead of their subsisting comfortably on the honest earnings of industry? Who brought about this state of things but the money-mongers? They abolished the one pound notes, the things in which you were paid, sad they sutstituted gold, of which they knew there was not a sufficient quantity, and from that hour your misery and our ruin were inevitable, and not only yours but all of no. (Cheers.) Do you then, I say, be true to your selves—be true to the principles which your friend Thomas Attwo—t --elaimed to you years ago, and I promise you ••• 0 . • tat you than again t: trltteOpOnt, ea . .7".• soma • 'are and that the laws of England shall be made for the people. (Chem.) Until we have enough money to employ all the labour of the country we'll thunder at the government ; we will again put ourselves at your head: do you rally around and support us; we will tell the ministers that they are your streams, and if they then refuse to listen to us, backed by you we shall know bow to act. (Cheers.) We will show to the operatives in other parts of the country that the people of Birmingham are as strong as they were of old; we will carry hope into the hearts net only of the merchants, but the meoufactunn and cottnn.spinners of Lancashire and York shire; we will be heard in such a meaner that our voices shall produce an effect—the voice of the people shall be the salvation of the nation. (Tremendous cheering.) Mr. Councillor BALDWIN, a paper-maker, moved the fol lowing amendment: That whilst thin meeting fully admits that the enhancement of the value of money by the enactment of Peel's bus did, without an equi table odjtotment, defraud all persons having to pay taxis and heed "NN W-mese% it considers that to depreciate the currency at this dis tinct of time would, to a great extent, be a nimitnr Injunloc tu an 1 1 4 7 . 1 e thrt , tion and therefore, instead of tamperieg with the este =eatery mum :a thing always dangerous and always to be deprecated), would rather leek relief In a lama and permanent reduc tion M Menthe. In the course of his speech, Mr. Baldwin contended that in proportion as the bank notes had been reduced in amount, provisions had risen, and that the means of the people to procure them had as gradually diminished ; and he insisted that the mw of the people would never 'offer whilst there were plenty of provisions in the country, and those at a low rate. The meeting signified its disapprobation of this sentiment, and the speaker went on to argue that wages in this country did not rise in proportion as money increased. He admitted the distress which existed at the present time, but (he arid) he wanted to see a good and substantial remedy applied, whereas to increase the circulation would only be putting off the evil day a little longer. He would have the church property applied to the liquidation of the debt, and he declared further that it was his opinion an excess of speculation had produced much of the misery under which they were suffering. Mr. 4092P11 CORBETT seconded the amendment. Mr. Enfilta4D TAVNTON, a retired merchant, supported the adoption of the memorial. The perfection of currency wu ateadinea and security • that could not be at present, because Sir It. Peel b a d baied it on gold, and that must in evitably leave the country in • time of war or famine. Out of the forty millions of gold in the country we had last ten millions, but what was that in proportion to the capital ? and yet in consequence of the absurd system in operation, the (rightful effects produced were every day mote apparent. On the 7th of May, 1844, Sir It. Peel stated in the House of Commons, in suboatting his new banking measure, that in fixing the price of gold at 31. 17s. 101 d. an ounce, it was simply in relation to the 'gala, which it bore to silver at itie. 2d. an ounce, whereas he (Mr. Taunton) was prepared to show that the real value of gold u compared with the price of silver was 41. 2a. Bd. The real cause of all our distress and of our losing ground was, that we were not on a par with the standard of value in other nations. If they would only open the Mint and allow the public to coin silver for themselves, charging • per tentage, be pledged himself that in a month there would be as much coined as would let us all right again. Mr. J. Masow, an operative, delivered a long speech in support of the views expounded in the memorial. Mr. MANTEL, another operative, supported the amend- ment in a long speech, which was, however, impatiently listened to. . . Mr. Muerz, M.P., was greeted with much applause. The bon. gentleman commenced by observing that toe last time he addressed them on this subject (scarcely a fortnight eines), he told them they were not half punished enough, or they would be more alive to their own interests; not bemuse he wished to see people suffer, but because he was certain it was inevitable. The pressure there was, and the difficultias theca were, were chi;dish compared with what they would be if the law was carried out. (Hear.) The question then was, as to the best means of obtaining a remedy. The amend ment which had been proposed might be all very well, but how was it to be carried into execution? (Hear.) They all remembered the fable of the rats and the cat—they couldn't destroy the eat, so they would put • bell or. her ; then came the question as to how the bell was to be got on. (Laughter.) The fable was applicable in this case—here they were living under a system of govt rnment which had existed for a great many years in England ;—a series of laws had been enacted, some of them very bad, no doubt, but by them, certainly, society had been so knit together, and such • system had grown up, that it would be impossible to think of uprooting altogether these evils at mu without that which he, of all men in the world, would be very sorry to see—a revolution. (Hear.) It might bo all very well to talk of the glory of such things, but of one thing he was quite certain, that if such a sad catastrophe were to happen in this country, every one more or less would suffer. (Hear.) He loved freedom as much as any man—more than a good many perhaps, and he wasn't altogether insensible to glory ; but such glory as would arise out of a revolution, he for one would do anything in the world to peevei.t ever being experienced in this country. It might be all very well to talk about such • thing as an equitable adjustment ; but how was it to be done ? They might go back for 110 years, and how in the world was it possible to pay to everyone inte rest in proportion to the money lent ? What scale was to be adopted ? The thing might be all very well if it could be carried out, but it was morally impossible it ever could be. (Hear.) Cobbett knew that well enough, although he talked so much about it; and he supported Sir Robert Peel's bill only because he had such a spite against the whigs and such a spite against the tories that he .hoped by doing so be should pull down the whole party. (Hear.) Mr. Cobbett was a man of great talent undoubtedly, but ho was also very daugerous, because he gratified his feelings and prejudices at any expense. (Hear.) Something had been said about their not all un derstanding this question. Why, it was not necessary they should ; so as the majority did that was sufficient, and ad versity would make • good many understand it, and bring a good many other people to their senses. (Cheers.) They had got rid of the corn law, that had helped to hold up the money law ; they hod managed to stand together ; but now one was gone, the other, like a drunken man, could not stand alone. (Hear.) So long as the corn law was in ex istence working against the money law, they managed to keep up something like an average price of corn of GOs. a quarter; now the former was gone, and under ordinary cir cumstances, the average price of wheat would probably be 345. or 355. a quarter. (Hear, hear.) This ques tion—important as it was—was no more mystical than any other, if it was looked at without prejudice; for his part he had always dour so, and he had condemned the system, although it was quite clear that it was to his in terest the present state of things should continue for a while; because if he chose to take a largo amount of capital out of his trade, as perhaps some day he might be disposed to do, and to invest that money in land, if the present state of things continued he would get it so much the cheaper. However he never had been particularly selfish, and he didn't think he woe likely to be. (Hear.) The other day they had been told, in a particular journal, that Birmingham would have everything sacrificed to keep up the continued construction of new railways. Wu there ever so foul a charge made in the world, and so little foundation for it? I (Cries of " It's only the Times . again.") I could not sit quietly down under such a mass of misrepresentation ; and, as your representative, disposed to do my duty by you, I wrote to the paper setting forth the facts. (Hear.) Well, they attempted to answer me ; but in the very first sentence they said that I was an honest man. I hope I am. (" You are.") Now was there ever an odder way of confuting a man's statement, and showing his dishonesty, than by de claring at the very outset that he was an honest man? But look at the facts. Until very lately there never was such a thing as a railway carriage made in the town ; no iron rails are produced here; we are not interested in their produc tion ; we are not interested in the Mishima of the iron trade and the high wages paid ; quite the contrary, the master men have been sorely prejudiced, and not able, in consequence, to compete with foreigners. (Hear.) I know articles of manufacture of which immense quantities used to be exported, but the trade has been utterly lost in conse quence of the circumstances to which I have referred. (Hear.) Was there free then a viler and more undeserved stigma cast upon a great trading community ? (Cries of " Shame," and " Nobody believes the Times.") For 30 years (continued Mr. Kuntz) this system has kept yon like a toad under • harrow ; you no sooner got from under one spike than you were under another ; no settled state of pros perity ; it was only when you had been able to re lease yourselves from the full effects of the system that you had a temporary prosperity. They say that all will be well when _ you have returned to a Wady state of things. What do they mean by that ? l)o you want such a steady state of things that you shall have scarcely sufficient to keep your wives and children from the workhouse? (Hear.) I told Six Robert Peel that it would be impossible for him to carry out his measure without inflicting • more terrible amount of dis tress on the country than had ever before been known. (Hear.) For thirty yearn now I have been constantly watching the working of this system. I never yet was wrong in my own affairs ; I sold at the wrong time ; and when all my neighbours (some of whom laughed at me) have been periodic al ly feeling the effects of these panics., 1 have been always perfectly easy. (Hear.) How is it, then, that I am not competent to give you advice on this important question ? (Hear.) Why should you prefer those who have not had one-hundredth part of the experience that I have ? (Hear.) They tell in that we are not all agreed. We are all agreed at least that thin is • rascally system ; and that it gives the money-mongers the power to rob you ' of the value of your industry. (Hear.) Something had been said about the ill effects produced by the bill of 1819 having passed away ; he, on the other hand, was pre pared to show that theylsad not half nor a quarter peened away. (Hear.) And if he saw beforehand the miseries and the calamities that were approaching, and did not advise people of it, should not he be an secessory before the fact ? (Hear.) He cared neither for the whigs nor the tories, no more than he did for any other old women, and so he spoke out plainly and truly. (Hear.) There went the gentlemen calling themselves the political economists; what had ever they done for the people? Why, this: they had taken care to fill their own pockets whilst they were crying opt eter nally against everybody else for doing so. (Cheers.) liut (continued the hon. gentleman), when your wives and your children are starving for bread, as they will be if there is not an alteration, you will come here in ton times the num bers you have done to-night to listen to us. (Hear.) I say that our last resource is in the crown, and the man who in existing circumstances slights the crown is prepared to do more than I should like to see. (Hear, hear.) The large failures which have recently taken place will, before long, produce endless small failures; you, the artisans, will inevitably be thrown out of employ, and your families will be reduced to starvation. (Hear.) As for borrowing gold from Russia—it's ridiculous; it would only patch up the thing for six months ; and then you would be worse off than ever. I told the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was coming de months ago. He said it would be all right soon ; but you see the pressure is greater than ever. and yet th!: refuse to take a tingle step, becalm the law will not allow teem. (liver.; versos., ::::71; is the Use of a government ? I would not give twopence for it if it was not prepared in such an emergency to take the power on itself, and run the risk of an indemnity. (Hear.) But if they won't do this, why not call parliament together at once (Much cheering.) They want to take the chances of a re turn •f what they call prosperity but are we to take the chance of hopes which cannot be realised? I say that minis ters are bound to call parliament together ; and, if they are not prepared to submit measures which shall relieve the na tion from its frightful condition, they are bound to retire and snake way for better men. (Hear.) Olin you possibly conceive anything worse than such • state of inanity as that which now characterises the conduct of the government It may be said, " who are we to have nest ?" I don't mind who we have. I am of opinion that circumstances always produce men; and in this dilemma we shall not have a diffi• culty. (Hear.) The present government not only refuses to take means to relieve our distress, but it prevents others; if the ministers will not listen to us, we will go to the Queen, and point out the means by which the distress of the cowl try may be alleviated.- (Hear.) Yen have put the earl before the horse in first repealing the corn laws: you mist put the horse before the cart before you can get right again. If this is not done, in spite of yourselves you will have to undergo all the horrors of a revolution. (Much cheering.) Mr. StoomEn, M.P., next rote, but it being then nearly II o'clock, the hon. gentleman said that he should neces sarily be brief. He came there (he said) to join them in the expression of an opinion with reference to the present state of the commercial concerns of the country ; and having done that he would confine himself to the task of congratulat ing them on the fact that they were all there acting in unity ; that the people were at last determined to speak out and not to leave it to soy of the currency doctors, as they were celled. lie reminded his auditory that he had told them months ago whist would be the consequence of a large exportation of gold upon the circulation of the country ; that it would have the inevitable consequence of throwing thousands out of employment, and that the most frightful misery would be the result. As an abstract principle he admitted that free trade was right ; but that it could not co-csist with out present mosey laws. He admitted that reduction of taxation would be a remedy, but that was not the way to proceed under existing circumstances; it must be • work of time, whereas thousands of the people were on the point of starvation; and what was to be done with them whilst they were going through the slow work of reducing taxation ? (Cheers.) If they had had a government pos sessed of any moral courage, the thing would have been re medied before now • inst. ad of this, however, they had a Chancellor of the Rxchequer who was a mere double of Sir Robert Peel's, sticking to that right hon. baronet's bill as true as an echo was true to the sound from which it emanated. Haying declared that it was the duty of the government to hear the voice of the people through its representatives, the hon. gentleman concluded by declaring that he fully con curred in the memorial. (Chien.) The adoption of it was then put to the meeting, and car ried, only one or two hands being held up fur Mr. Beldwin's amendment. It was further resolved that Messrs 'Montt, M.P., Spooner, M.P., ScholeSeld, M.P., the Ms> or of Birmingham, T. C. Salt, J. Harlow, and J. Mason, be appointed a deputation to wait upon Lord J. Russell, to present the memorial ; and that the deputation be also directed to communicate with the Li verpool deputation, which lately waited on the First Lord of the Treasury ; and that, in elm they cannot sueceetl with Lord J. Russell, they do immediately seek an interview with her Majesty the Queen. Our correspondent remarks, in conclusion, that the almost painful interest excited amongst the artisans in the course of this protracted discussion, and the vast numbers of them who thronged the ball, afford a convincing proof that they are at length beginoing to be sensible how deeply their for tunes are mrolved in this important ours , ion. The whole of the speakers were listened to with remarkable attention. FOUR CHILDREN KILLED BY THEIR MOTHER. A murder was committed in Birmingham on Saturday morning, under circumstances o; appa;ling cha racter. It appears that about four or live months ago, a widow named Ann Wilkes took a little shop in Cheapside for the sale of cieArs. She was a person of about thirty-fiee years of age, of agreeable manners, and waa evidently one who bad seen better days. She had (sue children, three boys and a girl. On Saturday morning a little boy, who lives near the spot, wt.o was almost a con stant companion of Mrs. Wiikes's children, remarked to his father that her shutters were not down. A Mr. E awards who felt an interest in the poor w,.maa, and had been a regular customer, spoke of the circumstance to several ifleAhebroura not ic e b w u a t . i t t a ken being of still at it thato u t e e as . o Iy E e, ani t s o , however, feeling a little uneasy, made inquiries respecting Mrs. Wilkes, when he was informed by some that she had removed all the things on the previous evening, and bad left the house. This was about tin o'cl ick. Not believing that Mrs. Wilkes would leave in that clandestine manner, he pushed the outside shutters a little to ono side, and saw the cigar boxes in the window ; he tound that the cellar grating was fastened, and what confirmed him in his opinion that the family bad not left, he saw that the key wu in the door lock. y this time it was eleven o'clock, and Mr. Edwards, de termined to see what was the matter, procured a ladder, and although dissualed by a crowd of bystanders who were kick ing at the door to rouse the sleepers, he put it up against the window of the first floor, which he found unfastened. He opened the window, and entered the room. No ono was there. A recess, separated by curtains from the rest of the room, was explored, but still none of the inmate' were seen. A large crowd, which had collected in the street, callel out to him to proceed up stairs. Ile advanced a few steps up • narrow dark stair, end at the top o scene of unheralded horror presented itself, although the whole truth was not apparent at the first glance. Oa the floor, near the door, lay Mrs. Wilkes, in • large pool of blood; beside her lay her youngest child—both with their throats cut from car to ear; and beyond them, in one of two truckle beds, there was sufficient light to disclose the other three children steeped in their own blood! Horror-stricken, Edwards rushed from the room to the window, calling out to the assembled crowd, "My God ! they are all murdered !" This was about 12 o'clock, and a police-constable, who happened to be paring at the time, mounted the ladder and got in at the window to the assistance of Edwards. They again proceeded up stairs. when it was found that Mrs. Wilkes, whom they thought was dead, was breathing, and they immediately turned their attention to her. They raised her up, and, with the assist ance of Mr. Archer, surgeon, of lligbeth, bandaged the wound. Although she seemed to have been unconscious before, she recovered a little, and strove with desperate energy to tear the bandage from her throat. In this she was prevented, and a car having been procured, she was conveyed to the Queen's Hospital. A message was immediately despatched for the ',pittance of Dr. Sands Cox, who was promptly in attendance. It was found that the injuries she had sustained were of a very serious kind, and that, although none of the principal arteries had been cut, yet the windpipe was divided in such a manner as to leave it exceedingly doubtful whether the un fortunate woman will recover. On visiting her shortly after her admission to the hosp ital, she presented a very painful spectacle. She appeared to be quite conscious, and evidently in much agony. During the time the wound was being dressed she seemed inclined to speak; but all attempts to articulate, with a wound is her throat through which she breathed, and which gurgled with blood nearly to suffoca tion, wore perfectly unavailing. Meanwhile information had been conveyed to Mr. Ste phens, chief superintendeet of police, who lost no time in proceeding to the spot, and placing constables in possession of the home, at the same time taking the precaution to place a padlock upon the door leading to the apartment in which the crime was perpetrated. In the room where this murdered family were found were discovered two razors, apparently new, and employed for the first time in this melancholy work of destruction. About three o'clock, on proceeding to the house, our reporter found it surrounded by an immense crowd of people. The shop is a small one ; there were very few articles for sale in it, these consisting chiefly of a few pipes, three or four half-boxes of cigars, and some empty cigar boxes, placed in the window for show. Everything wore an air of poverty, certainly, but al of cleanliness and industry. On proceeding to a room on the first floor one of the first objects which attracted attention was a:Bible, lying on the-table, to which it would appear that the unfortunate woman had been referring, as in another room was found a transcript of the dates of the birth of her children, extracted from a register, which was on its first leaf. The room was scantily furnished, though it had an air of comfort which even confusion did not altogether destroy. . . But it is impossible to describe the scene which the heti chamber presented in which the murderous deed was per petrated. At the foot of a low truckle bed, lay the body of the youngest child, a boy, dressed in his night clothes. He seems to have been taken from the bed, where be lay with his mother, set on his knees on the floor ' as if in the attitude of prayer, and his throat then cut. He had fallen toward on his face, and died. In the bed next the window lay two brothers and a sister, also in their night dresses, which, as well aa the bed-clothes were covered with blood. They were all on their left sides, and appear to have scarcely felt death. The girl, apparently, died first; the second eldest boy died next ; but he hod, it would seem, been awakened from his sleep, as the first gash had been made too low down, and before the second stroke had been made he had struggled. The eldest boy was half out of bed, with his almost dissevered head resting on a chair, as if he had started up in his agony. Their countenances were calm as if they slept, and, indeed, there stems every rerun to be lieve that the mother had risen from her bed, murdered them as they slept, and then attempted to terminate her own. So far as we have been able to ascertain no reason can be assigned for the commission of the deed. Rumour assigns it to poverty, as the mother had been heard to complain that she could make no money ; but, although no money and but little food were found in the house, there were many articles which did not indicate positive want. It has also been reported that she was desirous of getting the overseers to take care of her children while she went to service ; but this they refused. The names and ages of the children, as appears from the register of their birth in their mother'. Bible, are John Henry, aged 12; Mary Jane, aged 8; Wil liam Charles, aged 6 ; and Frederick George, aged 1. The last time Mrs. Wilkes was seen was about 10 o'clock on Fri day night, when she complained to a neighbour that she was nearly tired to death washing the children ; and it was evi dent that she had bestowed great pains upon them, as they were remarkably clean when discovered. It appears, also, that she had even carefully pared the nails of the children before putting them to bed. There was nothing peculiar ob served in her manner at the time. IRELAND. DUBLIN, OCT. 23. The third edition of the Weekly Register contains . tr.e 12nr.sr....us inislugcnee wet a re=q: has arrived from Pope Pius, condemning in the most emphatic language the Irish Colleges Act, and reeom mending the catholic prelates to establish a college on their own resources. _ _ . Garryfine is still the camping ground of turbulence. All the disaffection and idleness of Limerick flock to that sacer mons as a common centre. Hitherto a popular demonstration was followed by dispersion. Tho monster meetings left behind them no visible trace when the chairman had departed. Now, it is all different. The Garryfine legislators threaten a permanent session. Already they have been: five days gathering and shouting. On Friday the horn went round, the general council assembled, and, to give greater ccitit to the proceeding, fired the furze brakes on tke summit. The military and police were at hand. After a promenade among the potato fields and orchstrds they disbanded. In another part of the county, the congeners of the Garryfine boys plundered the house of their own parish priest, the Rev. Mr. Ryan, one of the most active and benevolent clergymen in the south of Ireland. The swim, of all this disorder is the absence of all employment. The landlords had better look to the evil in time. Govern ment contributes its fair proportion to the remedy. The Clare Journal announces that the board of works has directed the couaty surveyor to prepare estimates of the amount necessary to complete the unfinished roads, classifying them as improvements of existing roads, new roads of unquestioned utility, and where the utility is local and limited. The two first are likely to obtain the favour of the board. The Clare deputation then has gained at least one half of its object, CONDUCT Or TRH CATIIOLIC CLIDLOY.—The following communication has been addressed to the Right Rev. Dr. Kennedy, Bishop of Killaloe, by Mr. Redington, relative to the conduct of the Roman Catholic clergy in maintaining public order: Dublin Castle, Oct. 20, 1847.—My hating been brought under Isla Itteelleners notice that the Roman catholic clergymen of Broadford and O'Callaghan's Mills have not only on • recent 006‘81011 used the moat praiseworthy exertions to deter the people In thme districts from assembling in large numbers for the ostensible object of making known their glievancee— but, 00 the other hand, have counselled • more temperate and becoming mode of making known their wants to the govern ment; the Lord Lieutenant gladly scads himself of this opportunity of commending the course pursued by those reverend genUemen, and of expressing to your kedehlp how much such conduct contri butes to aid the executive government in its attempt to maintain peace and order. lit. Excellency desires to communicate, through your lordship, to the clergymen referred to, hls thanks for the osune they have pursued; and to minces how samible he is of the import ance of thus receiving the euppert of the Roman catholic clergy to maintaining that tranquility in which the interesta of all dames are equally involved.-1 hare the honour to be, my toed, your obedient •ermnt. T . N. Raninoron,_ The !tight Rev. Bishop Kennedy, he. CULTIVATION OP FLAN.—MEZTINO AT BANDON.—Mr. Marshall, the active representative of the Belfast Improve ment Society, established a sixth branch of that flounshing institution in the old seat sof the Irish linen trade at Bandon. The meeting was held at the Devonshire Arms, on Tuesday lest, which was numerously attended by the gentry and weavers. A number of ladies forming a committee for the promotion of industrious habits among the poor were also present. The member for the bor . ugh, Viscount Bernard, took the chair. His lordship nrocceded at considerable length to review the causes which should stimulate all classes to vigorous co-operation, and concluded thus What deterred the mpitanst from attempting to revive the culture of flu W. the fear that Ireland should never be able to compete with kngland ; and what they wanted to ebosertow wee, that, If In were cultirated upon an estensive scale, they would have • market ready for it ; and that the Flax Society of the north of Ireland were willing to recommend the purchase of any quantity that could be grown in that part of the country. All that would be required was, that the fire should he properly grown, and afterwards properly prepared for that market, so that they could get rid of the prime obiectioa of not havinr a market. Let them consider the quantity of flax annually impel led into Ireland, the ca'culation was about merely thousand Pine, and the value of the flan required amounted to nearly 3,000,0004 About 335 acre. of ground were required under the culture of flax to produce that quantity; and, looking to the great amount of land throughout the whole of this extensive winery lying Waste, Or imperfectly cultivated, they must roe that it would grow a large portion of that supply; benatting not merely the far mer ald the number of astriculturai claws employed in every step of the prone', but benefitting also parties in the town, those who should be engaged in al:tipping it to the north of Ireland, and adding be hoped to the prumenty of the whole country. (dlean) He I trusted that the necessary exertions for promoting the national object which they bad met to tooter would not be confined merely to Mufti resident in the country clientele, but that the citizens and mer chant, of Cork would participate in their labours. Delbert contri buted its share of capital, and provided milts where the dun Wan pro. perly prepared ; and from the merchants and citizens resident In Duet they ought to rent ive that co-operation which was needed. It would be shown to thereby Mr. Marshall that the flax crop was a remu nerative one, and while adverting to this point he might introduce a statement which be bad lately seen of a model farm of Lord Calcdon's— MOIJEL FAR.M.—CROP. _ . Produce of 1.1. ;;;;;be CM 19 76 Tole 140 bc0,17. of bulb, at 81. per bush. 4 6 8 LaO 14 h EXPENSES. 5 bush. aced la 16 6 Weeding Pulling, rippling, steeping 4 6 4 T•:hing out of steep, spreads, Lilting and tying .... ..... - ........... -.... &cinching 4 9 4j .Cl 6 b 66 Profit X 44 10s. 9d.—or £29 10a. 10d. per English acre. It only remained for him (Lord Permed) to urge upon that name. roue, important, and respectable meeting the great advantage of their endeavouring to stimulate the country to the culture of this crop, and of endeavouring to Lay the foundation of the future pros perity of that neighbourhood. Mr. Marshall then proceeded to state the origin of the Bel fast Society, and the good it had accomplished. The objec tions to the crop and their refutation then followed. With regard to the assistance to be expected from the parent society, it would send to West Carberry an agricultu rist, who would give every information as to the preparation of the crop in spring and in autumn, and would also supply models, for the purpose OT showing how the flax should be dressed for market. After some further observations, Mr. Marshall stated that he had prepared a return founded on ob servation, which the landed proprietors were bound to look to. In West Skull the people of that electoral division had only 96 days' provision •, in East Skull, 120 days; and in Kilmore, only 73 days.—Other gentlemen followed. A committee was • then appointed, and a resolution adopted, that the following noblemen should be invited to become patrons , .—The Duke of Devonshire, Earl of Bandon, Earl of Cork, and Earl of Shannon. The Chairman sou appointed president. THE KILMACT/10M•S MESTING. —The member for Mid dlesex, Mr. Bernal Osborne, has addressed the following letter to N. Power, Esq., M.P., relative to the monster meeting to-morrow : Newtown-.inner, Clenmel, Oct. 19.--Sir: Understanding that you are to preside eta public meeting, advertised to be held at Kil macthomae, on the nth instant, " for the purpose of establishing a tenant league t a secure the rights of the occupying tenant, with due to regard the just righta of the landlord, and also to petition the legis lature on the same subject," I take the liberty at addressing yea in your public capacity, as chairman of the proposed meeting, em well as member for the county of Waterford- Approving el ;be teem et lbc above requirdtion, sad trimming a entile baleavet In the county of Waterbed, I sincerely regret that go agempt has yet been made by the promoters of the waging to obtain the co-operation of the landlords of this Midst In this attempt to accomplish so imp. - rtant an object es the 1044111 sent of , the relations between landlord and tenant, whereby the "jai rights^ of both parties:night be consulted, and some prOttiPli Mills Mined by mutual agreement and COPICOOMMI, the question of leinsteight might he settled on an equitab!e basis. As it is, any reseligkes agreed to bv a meeting of "tenant-farmer alone" will necemerlylbe was as Partial an 1 oneeided, and leave the question of " as unsettled as before. I take it for granted the cgiliemlie admit the interest of the landlord and tegent to be idea eselligegnowell wisher to vivid/anon would arra theignoranee of one ismagieet the prejudices of tbe ot her. I regesethily eraggardthe preggiely of your exerting your indorse*" the genigansesetof the inastingees. refuel for the 24th, with the Amer Wiles a meeting of the pries interested in the eubject, he thersef delding on the reels.. dons to be proposed " Tommie et the occupying ' with due regard to Umlaut *lift fit Imailied.^ in my bumble opinion a just system or “tubei=for gregislusit the principle that equitable beim mg to tenants who by their I nvesimathir implial or baser shell have enhanced the valor of the land, amt aged preputy enistere which hed hitherto remained entieselesid age gig be armed by legu enactment to the tuseittp re el. dual elm bets. tended to the fermented' imglemil end IludgeL tinniest mimes for the settlement el this ensegon ; at the mime liera, Inmost hip remarking that the emllefaa ad interest et a bmga pushes of ear relloweenntrymem, sob seo soigne Maras air Imeamln as tho not to be aSerkehed at Hapreperd conniption et "Imelhiglle la lie rat =flat= nibs of lmm dltehaltM lehmer, whose miler glee lime le all nrocerW and as ageelki elle to the welts et bib .leggerer aired "liner mil of Wastin begatemeet the ma i &tics of the dare druid met be unties ea the wastwthth." only by ell ieth sea a they etatre behlthe gesterda i r evening, leanings...me apgaggi theing,e.m.. opine that yea to she putty to Ws YamYt expraelea of my eentiments, I Yee is berth le b servan atar t, Balza Osao c. —To Miele ninth lark.tritilibiegg, Weird. RYPlATiterr.—Westmeath has takes 0110•0170140 lead in providing employment for the able-bodied peer. At • meeting of the proprietors and tenants of the Wliodown electoral district, it was remelted ; That it appear+ that be illse Markt them in ler elerbeeted persons, likely to remain poweamity Elam *oldster, who would Mee NOM le rd Y 4 Iteleg na rry d about one perms Wee Idol urea Met ft wear le Men =Air dplc, that, sa the mite that, mid genii beam be he shared by landlords ell reetiele. Weed Sind they sheeVe. equally derided totem Om be implimat ilskasswarsly, each landlord will le sepethe le lad impleemet Ire ea tau mu, selected from the show seekher, tr ma 111 l I. aurae be pi►~ wee., fa the mei, Ihs stenthe ; sad that every eiseplir et bra ( whether laelsed er merest) will be ezpeetel b ties sea emu ma he as seelb. fir every twenty as try him, being la the emu memelien Meet to each 100 ma. kr Erman STILTS 07 TO C 017171117. —The Newark Owirredirele of this meenieg says met a night games but sheep peoltry i vegetables, dec., Ni stolen in large quantities the two Ormond,. Whole families, it add', have no apparent means of subsistence but plunder, and they would rather die than go into the workhouse.—The Leinster Express gives an unfavourable ace)unt of the anti-rent and rate progrem in the Queen's County. That journal says "Wo have been informed that in several parts of this district a disinclination is manifested by loins of the small farmers to pay their estate or rates. Various devices have been put in practice. We have heard of such things as scotching ' corn by night, and remaking the stacks as if they still contained valuable grain. Another barbarous murder hu been committed in Longford. On Monday night a young nun named Quigley, was murdered by his own brother. The deceased slept between his two brothers, when on the night in question the fratricide rose and despatched his bro ther with a blunt instrument. He has been committed for trial. In the same county an attempt at murder was made on Mr. James Shaw. Returning from Ballymahon, in a tax-cart, with his servant, he was fired upon by three men. The ball only slightly took effect, glancing off from the shou. , der.blade. Mr. T. is a small land-agent, and lately had been ejecting some tenants at the Moats quarter unions. THE EXPRESS, MONDAY EVENING, OCTOBER 25, 1847. SCOTLAND. The following is the memoriEalmlsternad e n d , O to crr b . e 2 p 2 re . mated to Lord John Russell by the merchants of Glasgow, at the approaching visit of Lord John, for the purpose of being installed as Rector of the University Your mensoriallets view with the meet serious apprehension the distressing paellas to which the whole commerce tad rumaufactures of the country are retuned; the deity increasing difileulty with which commercial houses, perfectly solvent, and even the rno4 valuable securitiesavallable in settling their obligations, and the danger which must arise from the number of our operutire population thrown out of employment and deprived of their ordinary 141%.114 of subs steam. Tour memorialists admit that the prevent severe pressure on the money market ernes, In some measure. from over-trading, especially in the construction of roues" which have aborted eo nip pa- Woof the available capital of the watery; but u commerce gene rally le not la as miteelthy slate, and as the railways mast ulti mately be prolimelse et pest national benefit, your memorialists look forwent mai.. I a Factual metiwation of *mildewy, to a revival ef nerdy egl M the re-employment of labour, provided ha maisees erne eispled to alleviate the difficulties under which every hem* ef keit zetiestactores is at present &prow& =ewe 1111014 enskimmementa may be, in some measure, 11 . die IMPrethat extent of our national under- Mien sal • mereity of available capital, and a =Mee et ewe the natural consequence, your memo- ' am OM the intensity of the prevaure has been by the legislative restriction. imposed upon C i alt e r y aaa ether beak. of Owe, by the auto of 18114. Tem mematesimellist the convertibility of Bank-notes to be an MINN alement of as sound per currency, end "Ola he Yaw the of the win of the realm of met mg aossequeners to the in terests of aB elms ea beam mg et Me salami credit abroad. lieldlap thine apps, yew memehilehe severthelees respectfully remmemell the empemigi et the Irk Mt et ISM ma an issue of mormill helm by _the la* of limbed es memires that would Mete ream goalinil ellewhee IM exhthig Femme, with. D ort 'arab* the WNW at the seamy to my dears of de pree.iation. In self-elevation' Glergow is progressing, if the success of its Atbelditin is to be regarded as a crite rion. The number of subscribers is 1,400, and the daily increase is from forty to My. In addition to the usual adjuncts of such establishments, the Glas gow directors contemplate the formation of a gym nasium and baths. Should all go well, it is also contemplated to rent a park a little way out of town, for the practice of archery, cricket, &c. ; and at the same time mix the duke with the utik by forming parties to pleasant scenes within easy distances, and obtaining frequent admittance to the Botanic Gar dens, &c. The board of supervision has been attempting to improve the character of parochial inspectors, and has sent out a general inspector to decide as to their quali fications, and it is said that several who have not come up to the required standard of Efficiency have been suspended._ Partaking of the general prosperity of Glasgow, the Clyde ferries have been let for the current year for 1,603/., being an increase on the previous year of 4451. ATTEMPT OF A SOLDIER TO SHOOT HIS SEIIGEART.— On Thursday night an attempt to commit an atrocious crime was made at the Glasgow cavalry barracks, of which the particulars, so far as known to us (Herald) are as follows: It appears that an artilleryman, named Michael Hatton, had contracted ill will against Sergeant Wright, of the same service, who had had occasion mere than once to check him for irregularity, and yesterday Hilton was performing extra drill for some previous misconduct. While so engaged, he ultra leave to retire temporarily behind the barracks for some necessary purpose, which was granted ; but instead of doing so, he went to his room, there threw off his belt, and loaded his carbine with powder and ball. Hatton then pro ceeded to the apartment in which Sergeant Wright was seared with his wife anti family around him, and levelled the carbine, which was believed ts be at half-cock; Out at this moment the bombardier who had been suiscrinteuding the man's drill, followed him, and wheeled his body right round before there was time to draw the trigger—thus in all probality saving the sergeant's life. The man WY imme diately secured and lodged in the guard-room, and no doubt • searching iavestigstion will immediately follow. PROVINCIAL. LANCASHIRE._ TUE MONETARY PRESSURE—PETITION TO TIER MAJESTY. —Perhaps no better proof could be given of the prevalence and severity of the pressure in Liverpool than is afforded by the fact that a public meeting of the bankers, merchants, and traders of that town is about to he held for the purpose of adopting the following petition to the Queen, in the event of ministers persisting in their refusal to do something for the relief of the country. The Mayor is to preside at the meeting : iinroman prince. The humble petition of4l7UncienigTedhuskere, merchants, trades's, and others, inhabitants of Llverpool, showetb,—That your petitioner. humbly beg to represent to your Majeaty the ruin with which theoonimerce, manufacture., and industry of the country are threatened—trade is paralysed, manufactures to a great extent stopped, and the labouring dames thrown out of employment. Your petitioner. have in vain wished the stridence of your Majesty's minis. ten to restore conlldenee and allay theuniversal alarm which prevails, and they now venture to approach the throne with full cosigdenoe in your Majesty's POile'tude for the welfare of your people,and praying that your Majesty will be graciously pleased is summon the lat ure to meet for the purpose of deliberating on the alarming aondition of the country, and of devising measures fur restoring coalidenee. Your petitioners feel assured that unless remedial measures be speedily Wonted, the social condition of your Majesty. subjects will be impaired to such an eaten: as to jeopardise the national credit, and lead to scenes of unheard-of calamity and disorganisation. The revenue of the country for customs, excise, and income tax is threatened with Peritittil diminution. The mind those classes on which the tabour of the country depends must inevitably lead to 'swims means of obtain ing that food winch can no longer be procured by honest Industry, necemitating the service of the military force to repress the excesses of a maw of people driver; to desperation by impending want. And your petitioner will ever pray, he. The intended meeting, which will be held in a day or two, is looked forward to with the deepest interest in Ltverpool. —Observer. ADVANCES ON PRODUCE. IN INDIA.—A memorial to the directors of the East India Company, praying that linty to abolish the practice of advancing money to mer chants in India, on hypothecation of produce consigned to England, was agreed to at a meeting of the directors of the Manchester Chamber of Commerce, on Thursday last, and was despatched to London by post on that day. GOVERNMENT INSPECTION OP SCHOOLS.—It will be remembered that one of the most prominent features of the recent minutes of council, is a provision for the appren ticeship of pupil teachers. Such boys or girls as are thought by the managers qualified for the office are examined by the inspector appointed by the committee of council, and, if found competent, are apprenticed to the maeter, and receive a stipend from the government. The supporters of the Lower Mosley-street Schools, says the Manchester Guardian, recently applied to the committee of council for the extension of this privilege to their boys' school; and the inspector, J. Fletcher, Esq., accordingly attended on Wednesday to con duct the prescribed examination. As the minutes have excited so much interest, and the attraction of no velty as yet attaches to the actual proceedings under them, a brief notice of Mr. Fletcher's visit may not be unacceptable, Ten boys had been selected by the master for examination ; but it was only proposed this year to appoint six pupil teachers. In order to give the inspector a better opportunity of judging of the beam of the school, all in the first class, which contained between 30 and 40 boys, were examined. They first read a geography lesson, selected by Mr. Fletcher from one of the Irish school books, en which they were afterwards questioned. They next parsed a few sentences, and general questions on grammar were put to them. Their knowledge of geography was then tested, and they appeared well acquainted with its general features. Arithmetic followed, going as far as the rule of three and practice. The examination in these subjects having been concluded, and pronounced to be most satisfectory, all the boys were dismissed, with the exception of thole for apprenticeship. To them Mr. Fletcher then =i s short fable, and they wrote down what they remem bered of it, in a style which, in the judgment of the inspec tor, did them great credit. They were next tried in dicta tion; and, after some further exercises in grammar and arithmetic, the examination closed, basing occupied upwards of five hours. Mr. Fletcher selected the six whom he thought most promising, remarking that all had acquitted themselves most honourably. Two of these boys were considered suf ficiently advanced to enter at once on the second year of their preparatory studies ; and their term of apprenticeship will accordingly be tour instead of five years. The number of scholars (the average attendance being about ISO), would have admitted of the apprenticeship of another boy ; but it was thought better to: reserve a vacancy to be filled up next year. Mr. Fletcher met the committee on Thursday morning. The inspector expressed to the committee the very great pleasure which his visit to the boys' school had afforded him. He said be had for some years regarded it as the pattern school of the place, but he found it decidedly improved since he last saw it. He remarked that the system which the government wished to introduce generally—that of provid ing experienced monitors to assist the master—had long been in successful operation in this school, which showed how much it was in advance of such institutions generally. Of the infant school (containing about 200 children), which he had also inspected, Mr. Fletcher's praise was more qualified ; and ho offered some euggestions for giving it increased efficiency, which received the immediate went of the committee. The gut's school Mr. Fletcher reserved for a subsequent visit- The members of the committee present expressed to Mr. Fletcher their sense of the great benefits which would be conferred on the schools by his periodical as his constant experience of various systems of teach ing would enable him to point out defects, and suggest im provements, which had escaped their attention. FATAL BOILER EXPLOSION.—A boiler explosion, which has already resulted in the death of four persons, and so severely scalded four others that not the least hopes can be entertained of their recovery, occurred on Thursday morn ing last, at New Hay, near Two Bridges, about two miles from Rochdale. The premises in connexion with which this accident occurred arc well known as the New Hay mills, and were occupied by Mr. Samuel Berry as a woollen manufactory. They were three stories high, and com prised two portions, known as the old and the new mill, about 120 feet in length and 36 feet wide. Both steam and water power were employed to drive the machinery, the steam-engine and boiler being situated at the extremity of the building. The buildings in the whole formed three sides of a Kmiec, the fourth being the end of the new mill. The mace thus left was partially covered by a roof supported by pillars end formed a favourite place of congregation for the children of the mill during their leisure time; and on the morning in question, about half past eight o'clock, seven or eight of them were playing there, when the boiler exploded with a fearful noise, and in an instant the whole of the out premises were reduced to ruins. The children instantly rushed to the door to escape, but the door had been driven inwards by the force of tht explosion, and it was some time before it could he opened. When that wan accomplished five of the children came out meet frightfully scalded. They were removed to some of the adjacent houses, medical aid sent for, and everything that humanity or surgical skill could devise was done for the sufferers. The total number of the parties injured is eight, of whom John Leach, aged 56, a scourer, after linger ing in agony for a couple of hours, expired. Jane Taylor, aged 11 years, died at a late hour on Thursday night ; Thos. Clegg, aged 11, died at half-past nine on Friday morning ; and Thomas Sutcliffe, aged 10 year", expired at twelve o'clock on the same day. The names of the other parties in jured ore:—Edwin Clegg, James Wolfeaders, end Platt, rpin pe n c e t r i , v a el bo y about 4 u 3 t y t e h ui irte o en f iw ye e ars ; when the explosion occurred, and fell with the floorings. ohfeawgeatiafundthjeohinoißen.nlfie;dh,olip Leach, it appears, was sitting near the fire.hols, and wa exposed to the full force of the steam. At present it is im possible to state how the explosion occurred, but the general opinion is that it was occasioned from an imperfect supply of water. An inquest was commenced on Saturday. YORKSIIILLE. Fl RE. —At Wakefield, on Saturday, the premises of Yews. Lake, bone and cake crashers, were destroyed by fire. No life wu loft ; but property valued at 2,400 f. was destroyed. The building .7:tips:rd. ALLEGED FORGER'EiBY A SITAREBROKER.— 011 Saturday. information was received in the metropolis by the electric telegraph. from Sunderland, that a aharebroker sad commission agent of that town had absconded, after com mitting forgeries to a great amount. 1,8001. is already die. covered, and that is not considered one half the sum total of his delinqaencies. A handsome reward has been off,:red for his capture, which the detective police are using every exer tion to effect. THE PANlC.—Theeioppage;iiiie Newcastle, Sun derland, and Shields Union Joint-stock Bonk, on Thursday, produced, as was anticipate., a severe rue yeses rrl.y en the Northumberland and Durham District Bank. Long before the hour of opening, a crowd of p rsons were assembled about the door, eager to obtain the golden realities which base such a powerful charm fur all. The managers of the bank were, however, prepared for the panic, and continued to meet the claims of all comers with unabated retdineu, till the hour of clueing. Amougat the tradesmen, merchants, and manufacturers of the town there is the strongest confi dence in the stability of the bank ; and though ninny of them at present must necessarily be subjected to much in convenience from the stoppage of their usual banking accom modation, yet, much to the credit of these classes generally, a readiness wu evinced in every way to lessen the pressure. —Gateshead Observer. __ SUSPENSION OP THE NEWCASTLE UNION BANK.— The change that may occur in banking Miairs in a few months is illustrated by the following report. The bank had branch establishments at Alnwielt, Der.ick, Durham, North Shields, South Shields, and Sunderland, and has always had the appearance of being a very prosperous concern, having never, vs believe, since it became a joint stock bulk, divided less than 10 per cent. per annum. At the annual meeting of the shareholders, held the 25th of July lost, Who following re port was presented by the directors, and adopted by the meeting : The net profit of the past !Ter, after paying all current expenses and the income tea, and placing a sem to the bad ,l bt account, &moan!. to 20,5081. 6s. 7d., on which the directors paid a dividend at the rate of 10 per cent. per annum for the half-year ending 2let amber, 1846, and they now recommend a simile dividend to be de. elated to the 30th June, 1847. The directors also recommetal that the surplus, after paying the dividends, amounting to 5,265/ G.. 7d., shall be added to the guarantee fund, which will then amount to 60,4441. 15s. ltd. otwAtu Winding the general restriction on tradm the business of the hank hoe increased. and has been of that legitimate character as to shard the prospect of wantinued advancement. HAMPSUIIIK. ---- --- CONFLAGRATION CAUSED BY A FIRE BALLOON.— On Friday evening a fire broke out in the eaten-ire farm yards, homesteads, and preolie s, the property of Mr. F. It. Lacombe, one of the board of guardians for Asielm r. The range of buildings denominated Wilderness Farm occupies an area of several hundred feet, and, at the time of the out break, there were housed and stacked, in and around the farm-yard, two large wheat stacks, three stacks of barley (the produce of upwards of 25 acres), one pea rick, two doublet barns full of unthrashed produce, besides other property in live stock, and outbuildings stored with agricultural imple ments. A workman in the employ of Mr. Reynolds, env rier, had been engaged in the latter part of the afternoon in making a balloon for a boy, the son of his master, which balloon, at seven in the evening, was hit ited by the igniion of a quantity of spirit, and then despatched upon its aerial voyage. At that time the wind WWI blowing strongly from the north-west, taking the fragile machine over toe upper part of the town, in the direction of the new church, situate at the top of the High-street. In passing over the tower of the edifice it struck one of the pinnacles. It then turned over, became one mass of fl ime, and, in felling, alighted upon Mr. Los combe's premises, which are situate within a few peed* of the church. The flames extended with extraordinary rapidity. As soon as it was po•sihle the engines were brought to the spot. Before this could be effected, however, the large barns adjoining the stack-yard and the whole of the stebli s were oa fire, and the flames mounted so fearfully, and progressed with such rapidity, that but slight hopes were eats ra'ned of preserving any portion of the property. The atteu'ion of the parties engaged was now directed to cutting off any commu nication of the flames with the neighbouring streets, many of the houses iu which are covered with thatch. Happily, about S o'clock, the wind veered round to the south-west, so that the houses in Marlborough-street and New-street were saved, the flames bring drives in the direction of a large rookery, adjoining the farm on the opposite side. Hero several stately elms, which have for many years given pie turesque beauty to the immediate neighbourhood of the Wilderness, were placed, and in a short time the devouring element reached them, leaping from bough to bough, while the rooks flew about in every direction, uttering, as they hovered over the flames, the most discordant cries. Many of the birds fell dead into the burning man beneath them, and several of the trees were consumed. The lives of several persons were jeopardised by one of these treks (under which, a few momenta before, at least 50 persons were congregated), falling with a loud crash. The further progress of the flames in the direction of the ad joining streets and the church was finally checked by the discharge of large bodies of water upon the intervening property and the pulling down of some small houses. The vicarage also had a very narrow escape from destruction, also the extensive tanyards of Mr. Mortimore. By midnight all danger of the further extension of the fire was at au end. At the time of the accident, Mr. Loscombe, the proprietor, was attending the market at Whitchurch, seven miles from Andover, from whence he observed the glare of the lire. Being impressed with the idea that the conflagration was in the vicinity of Andover he hastened home, and when he arrived within the borough boundary he found, to his utter consternation, that his own farm was on fire. The damage is calculated roughly at several thousand pounds. THE MONETARY CRISIS IN SOUTHAMFTON.—The Hants Advertiser of Saturday says : " It is but just to the large mercantile and trading hrms of Southampton, that we should notice the mischievous, though happily unfounded, reports that have crept into circulation affecting the stability of establishments of long standing, and of individuals of abundant means to meet their engagements three-fold. The banks of the town have acted with considerable liberality wherever required, but in no case have their judicious and valuable services been improperly asked ior ; and we believe we may point to Southampton as singularly favoured at this extraordinary period of monetary pressure. Business seem' to have been conducted with a provident forethought which has rendered the storm that has shattered so many old esta blished houses in London and other ports, comparatively innocuous in Southampton." fine arts. THE NEW ART-UNION PRINTS. The London Art-Union has just put forth the prints due to the subscribers fur the year ending the 31st of March last. The collection (for such it really is) consists of two line engravings—. The Last Embrace" and " The Neapolitan Wedding," engraved by Frederick Heath and Charles Rolls, after pictures by T. L wigs, ILA., and seven engravings in outline after seven of the best rejected cartoons in the recent competition fora pre mium of 1001. offered by the Art Union " for an original pio ture illustrative of British History." The engras iota after Uwins are very good Art. Union prints, and very tolerable priumeiler's prints. So much of Mr. I.lwine . excellence con sists in colour, that the engravers have found a difficult task in catching the real merits of his style, while the prineipal defect of the artist—his want of expresaion—has out b.en bettered in the transfer from canvass to steel. In short, we have nothing more than a very pretty, though tame, pair of prints, welcome enough, no doubt, to many of the rah scribers, who know no better, and who receive something for their money; but encumbrances rather than additions to the portfolio of the educated collector. The outlines are after designs by G. Scharf, W. B. Scott, W. P. Salter, J. N. Paton, B. Corbould, Marshall Claxton, and E. Armitage. There is little to admire ha them, not enough, we should think, to induce the committee (one of the best good-natured committees we can call to mind) to offer another 5001. for such a collection, or for such a picture as Mr. Selena, tae suc cessful competitor, has painted for the money. AND CLERICAL. Ostrow), Ocr. 24.—1 n the convocation to be holden on Tuesday next the nomination by triturator et the Taylor Imitation of M. bet as French teacher, and 41. Friderokelf r Germso teacher, on that foundation, will be submitted to the been.. Also for the purr of electing a fellow oo the kmadatian of Males Finer, Esq., ui the room of Mr. Rogers, late fellow of Oriel College, resixoed. The fellowandp la tenable for 10 ram, with in marl stipend of rt. The perm elected must be a cormberof the rivalry, and if not a barrister at the time of Ws election he must become one within a year afterwards. The curators or the Taylor Institution, with view to the nomination of a professor of 1210/k1 n FairoPean tonsures on that foundatlon, request that all testimonials from gentlemen desirous at being candidates for the oilae may be rent. on or before the let Dea neat, toil. Ur. Dr. Blies, registrar of the university. The impair= list, just published, =tains 144 names. CAMIIRIDOB, Om. 23.—At a congregation holden to-day the Rev. G. T. Drifilaid, ILA., of Bresetiose Coll., (Ilford, irav adf. milled ad rundeln grads... At the mine congregation all the graces (which were published in this paper of Friday; passed the ornate. Pazytove EXAMINATION, Michaelmas Term, 1848. Al!free, John's ; Reber, Calm; Biekersteth, Trinity; Bud, Christ's; RhYdli. TN?: Bond, Trinity; Cayley, Trinity; Connell, Corpus; F:versilleld, John's; Frank, Trinity; Gee, John's; Gill, Conine ; GM don, Trin. H.; Harvey, Queen's; Hicks, John's; liwortii, hlagd.; • Hooper„ Trinity; ; Howard, Tin.. H.; Howard, John'.; Halbert, Peter's; Hutton, Trinity; Keene. Trinity; ICall, Carl.; Haight, Queen's; Leeward, Queen's; Law, Corpus; Itansel, Trinity; Ma son, Pemb.; Marae, T., Jesus; Nunn. Jima ; Parry, Peter's: retry tnth.• Peek, Peter's; PresWn, Queen's; Ralph, Trinity; Soutt, A., Trinity; Bbuldhasa, Trinity ; Pidebottom , Trin. IL; Smith, Trinity; Trougluon, Queen s;' Turnbull, Johns; Vansittart, Sidney 8. ; Vivian, Trinity; Ware, rel. n's ; Wtoeldon, John'. i Wood Christ's; Wyvill, Jews; Yeoman, Trio. 11. The l'rofesi.or of Modern History (Smith ha. Herr I. Lichtenstein teacher of the (iceman to this ardversity. Br. Paysn'o CoLLioa.—Tku3 funeral of the late master (IN. Hodgson) took place on Frklay ; it wax atteeded ly the master. of the cultism (the kilos. being pelf-heam•ii ' b. W k*-41 ' the Maeters of Clare, Neabroke, Ulric's, Trinity, Kninase Soren and DOWD the colleges; Bc. The body w In a vault in the elm of the college. Dr. Hodgson • and'ell al kit k - B•in ',tea, Cumberland, and , war educated ; ami mor i. ,1 ,4 ,11 i School, Carlene. The nomination .or the Frirlsy next. ~ ,„,.....' iiip . ~_„ . . I'd TIMMY CoLLEoz. — The p rior for the ..D€w ...., _ 0 been adjudged to Alfred Barry. ..r. ..,"'" Os post), Ocr. 24.—The lord bishop of the d' 'gni .' PS a sermon this morning. at the parish chunk of St. . .'ll4l ' '' . Z city, in ski of the fund for budding area endowing 'AI , 4 . Headiarcia Qum,. The tonection unmated to 611. 'l risat'.!.. , " le ...,~