The Express. — London, England, 1848-01-18 00:00:00

whether the consent of the Court of Queen's Bench to o entertain the question, shown by granting the rule nine for • mandamus, lies been celebrated as a triumph by those who have been so mercilessly defeated up to this point in each successive attempt at resistance ; bat it may be useful to state concisely both the nature of the advantage which they have gained and its probable extent. In granting a rule nisi, or in other words issuing an order which is to be obeyed, unless cause is within a proper time shown to the contrary, the court has of course expressed no definitive opinion on the legality of the course pursued by the vicar-general and his as sessors. It is very possible that the counsel oppooldts Sir F. KELLY may produce precedents or a:gum* which will satisfy the Queen's Bench that the op weers at Bow Church had no locus standi, or right to be heard: but in the meantime it must be said that in entertaining the question the court has to a certain extent dissented from the confident overruling of the arguments of the advocates for the opposers by the learned civilians who represented the archbishop. It was a wise rule of the late Chief Justice TINDAL, that a case should be allowed to try itself. It would have been safer and more satisfactory to allow the motion of the opponents for a hearing to discuss itself, so far as to listen to the arguments on the other side. The flagrant and ostentatious absurdity of the proceedings at the confirmation was certainly not a proof that they were illegal ; but it assuredly raised a re asonable sus picion that there was a want of technical accuracy in the proceedings; and it called for peculiar astuteness in the presiding functionaries to find out some method of reconciling the formalities which they were called upon to celebrate, with the actual state of the law. Before Sir F. KELLY had made his motion, we had intimated an opinion in this journal that Dr. BURNABY and Dr. LUBHINOTON bad overstrained the absurdity of the existing law. We endeavoured to show that a meaning might be given to the proclamations and citations practised from time immemorial. without in any way affecting the act of HENRY VIII., or any other law which guarantees the royal supremacy. If it is assumed that the confirmation is intended as a security for obedience to the preliminary require ments of the law—if the archbishop is supposed to hold a court to satisfy himself that the person presented as the lord elect or inchoate bishop really holds that character, there is nothing either in the act of HENRY VIII., or in the Clergy Discipline Act quoted by Dr. LUSHINGTON, to prevent him and his officials from giving a hearing to opposers who may possibly pro pose to controvert those essential facts. It seems not impossible that the rule may be made absolute, and the ecclesiastical officials compelled to commence the proceedings de noro on this exclusive ground. It is true that Sir F. KELLY'S argument went far ther. Ile moved upon affidavits stating that the deponents believed that Dr. HAMPDEN'S doctrines were unsound ; and he supported his application by ingenious reasoning on the meaning of the word con firmation. The act of HENRY VIII., according to his reasoning, required the archbishop to perform, not a single ministerial act, but a complicated duty involv ing judicial functions, as far as the ancient custom bad attached them to the ceremony. We do not antici pate that the court will adopt this view. Confirmation may be a complex notion involving many separate conditions to complete it ; but we cannot understand how a mandate of confirmation can be obeyed, until all these conditions have been fulfilled, including the most essential act of all—the ratification of the election. If there are judiial duties included in the act ef con firmation, the decision of the judge is forestalled by the law ; and whatever opinion he may form, he must carry out the intentions of the act by obedience to the crown. Whether the individual presented to him has been duly nominated, and in fact elected, he must consider before he can know that he has jurisdiction; but when this point is disposed of he appears to us to be "fondue oliciojudicialt," and to have only a minis terial duty to perform. In support of this view we may remark, that the act directs the archbishop or the bishop, whom the crown may at pleasure substitute for him, not only to confirm but in the same clause to consecrate, the bishop elect. Sir F. KELLY will have some difficulty in showing thut consecration is a complex duty, involving judicial functions. This, we think, is the true answer to the claims of the opposers to bring the bishop elect to a sort of trial for heresy. Dr. Lesniscroe's argument from the Church Discipline Act, seems to us scarcely as con vincing. By that statute (3 and 4 Vic., c. 86) a certain mode of proceeding against clerks in orders is provided; and it ie enacted by a clause to which the learned assessor more immediately referred that no criminal proceed ing shall hereafter be taken against any clerk in orders except under the set. But before we can apply the prohibitive clause to the proceedings at a confirmation, there are two points to be established, which present some difficulty ; one, that a bishop elect is a clerk in orders, within the meaning of the act; and the other, that the anomalous investigation aimed at would be in the nature of a criminal proceeding. We do not believe that either of these questions could be answered in the affirmative. The Discipline Act is, as a penal law, to be construed strictly ; and it provides in every case for the punishment of a clerk orders, through the instrumentality . of a bishop. We do not believe that Dr. HAMPDEN is at this mo ment subject to any bishop ; nor do we think that the archbishop, if he was to investigate, the charge of heresy , would possess any more criminal jurisdiction in the matter than the officiating minister of a parish, when he listens to an objector who forbids the banns of marriage. It may not, perhaps, be generally known that the man date under which the archbishop acts might have been directed to any four bishops in the Queen's do minions. Will any one maintain that the prelates so named could have formed a court with a power of holding criminal pleas ? If not, or if Dr. HAMPDEN is not a clerk in orders within the meaning of the act, no jurisdiction previously possessed by the arch bishop can be barred by it. That he possesses no jurisdiction, we have already endeavoured to show on distinct grounds. We by no means regret to see any proof that the courts of common law exercise an efficient supervision over inferior courts and ministerial functionaries. If the officials of the archbishop have made a mistake, a mandamus is the proper remedy. The effect of it will be, if it issues, to replace the proceeding s at the point where the error occurred. The Queen's Bench give no directions or advice to the functionaries whom they compel to perform their duty, as to the manner in which they shall execute it. They tell a Court of Quarter Sessions or a corporation to do some duty which they have declined to do ; but for the mode of doing it they hold them responsible. If the arch bishop is directed to hear the opposers of Dr. HAMP DEN, he will bein no degree precluded from refusing to enter into the alleged heresies of the bishop elect. It is to be hoped that in a matter of so much public im portance the Queen's Bench will take the case out of its ordinary turn in the crown paper, that the conse cration may be proceeded with without unnecessary delay. We can hardly attribute to the poeers who in- s truct Sir F. KELLY any great zeal fo op r the authority of the Courts of Common Law, or any of that enthu siasm which lawyers may not unjustifiably feel for the preservation of logical consistency in the most techni cal fictions. Yet we confess that it is difficult to know what other objects they hope to attain. Do they seriously think that the cause of the church would be greatly ad vanced, even if the alleged errors of Dr. HAMPDEN were regularly brought before the ultimate authority for religious truth in England, Sir HERBERT JENNER FUST ? That eminent functionary some years ago gave a decision to which Dr. HAMPDEN refers with characteristic complacency. The minute philosophers who conduct the protestant and Puseyite controversy, were absorbed at that time in the great stone altar question of St. Sepulchre's, at Cambridge. Pro testantism and wood, catholicism and stone, were at issue. After many learned arguments the ecclesiasti cal judge discovered some rubric or canon which enacts that the piece of furniture in question shall be placed in any part of the church which shall seem good to the or dina ry. " Here, " said the judge, de righted to find a reason for a decision," is a proof that the proteetants are right. Altars or communion-tables are evidently intended to be moveable. Wood is move able—stone saysirs of a fixture. I decree, therefore, that St. Sepulchre's Church shall have a table of timber." We do not see why those who cared about such a question should not be satisfied to let their religious faith rest on such an authority. But it will scarcely satisfy those who have a real enthusiasm for the idea of a church. It is strange that the opposers will not discover that even if they could get a trial, the decision mast be against them. The only two persons who of all that have taken part in the controversy, confess to having read the Bampton Lectures, Archdeacon HARE and the re-tractarian Bishop of Duos% declare that Dr. HAMPDEN is orthodox—a oonclusion which in our humble sphere we have not unfrequently advocated. Do they wish to see an opportunity given for opposi tion to future appointments P They should remember that what *crapulous clergymen do now, publicans and sinners may carry out hereafter. Mr. Got- TISEIDOK has as good • locus stondi as the respect able persons whose names appeared in opposi tion to Dr. HAMPDEN. The crown will, at any rate, not be controlled. It can issue a commission to any archbishop and two bishop., or to any four bishops within the Queen's dominions, in England, Ireland, or the colonies, instead of to the Archbishop of CANTER BURY. Dr. WHATELY, Dr. STANLEY, and Dr. M AL TBY might have been appointed to hear the charge of heresy ; and the opposers would have been orally informed by the Archbishop of DUBLIN that they were "a set of pettifogging attorneys." The opposers, by incurring thehostility of their future diocesan, show that they disregard their own interests. Wor e wished that they showed as strongy their re gard to the best interest s of the church l of the state. THZ BXPRES6, TUESDAY EVENING• JANUARt 18, 1848'. We have acoonats from Montreal of a very harsh, and, so far as we are able to judge from the state ments which we have received, a very unaccount able step taken by the authorities of the United States Poet-office department. The most distinct narrative of the affair that we have yet seen is con tained in a memorial of the Montreal Board of Trade, presented to Lord ELoIN on the 22nd of December last, which will be found in another column, under the head, Canada. It will be seen from this preface that the version of the story of which we are at pre sent in possession is es parte: and our remarks are offered of course with the necessary reservation. The English mail of the 19th of November only reached Montreal on the 13th of December, and the delivery of letters was only completed about mid-day. The next regular despatch by the post-office was on the forenoon of the 14th, and letters sent by it could not, in the ordinary course, reach Boston until after the 16th, the day on which the steam-packet for England was to sail. Under thee, cireamstaaces the bankers and merchants of Montreal employed a special messenger to forward to Bastes the letters and parcels containing bills of exchange, valuable securities, and specie, which, in consequence of communications from their English correspondents, they were anxious to transmit to England without delay. "This was done," says the memorial above mentioned, " with the distinct understanding that all postage and other impede to which such letters, parcels, and packages might be lawfully subject in the United States, should be duly paid by the mai -1 manger; and your memorialists declare their beliet that no fraud to the detriment of the government at the United States, nor evasion of any postage' se other dues, was ever contemplated by the parties concerned, or by the bearer of their letters." The first post town within the frontier of the United States on the route pursued by the messenger is Highgate. At that place, the memorialists assert, the messenger went direct to the post-office, and tendered to the deputy-postmaster the postage on all the letters in his charge ; offering, at the same time, to comply with all legal requirements for their immediate and expeditious transmission to Boston. The deputy r declined to take the responsibility upon rm il tett e but encouraged the messenger to promd. to Burlington, saying he might be able to ar ran g e for the payment of the postage there, and that at all events no impediment would be offered to his return. It is asserted in the Montreal Gazette that the mes senger had this interview and explanation with the deputy-postmaster at Highgate before he ventured to convey the bag with the letters, &c., into the United States territory. The messenger, on the strength of the assurances he had received, proceeded towards Burlington, but was arrested before he reached it, on a writ from the go. vemment of the United States. He was taken to Burlington with the letters and parcels committed to his care, which were refused to be forwarded not withstanding his reiterated offers to pay the postage, and every expense that might be incurred in their carriage to Boston. Three addition writs were served upon him during his detention al , and so much time was lost in procuring the required bail (2,000 dollars), that it was impossible for him to reach Bos ton in time for the steamer. There was nothing for it but to carry the letters and parcels back to Mon treaL We are free to confess that in this strange transac tion the post-office authorities in Canada appear to us not free from blame. We remember to have read in timations, in the Montreal papers received by the mail which arrived at Liverpool on the 30th of December last, that the merchants and bankers had availed themselves of the services of a private mes senger, the post-office having retailed to despatch a special express of its own. Considering the anxious crisis which had then occurred in the mercantile world, and the impossibility of answering letters from England, or transmitting funds or secu rities by the return mail, unless by a special express, we are decidedly of opinion that the Ca nadian post-office by this refusal grossly and shame fully neglected its duty. Waiving, however, that general consideration, there can be little doubt that had the express despatched from Montreal to Boston been in charge of an accredited post-office servant, the American authorities would not have ventured to conduct themselves towards him as they appear to have done to a private individual. We are willing to give the American officials im plicated all the benefit that they can derive from the plea of suspicion attaching to a private individual, who alleged that he was engaged in performing what was properly the duty of the Canadian Post-office. Even with this allowance their conduct, if correctly described in the memorial of the Montreal Board of Trade, has been utterly disgraceful. The crisis they knew was an anxious one : the ruin or preservation of half the traders in Montreal might, for aught they knew, have been trembling in the balance. No in jury could have accrued to the United States from receiving the bag from the messenger at Highgate, sealing it, and t: ansmitting it so sealed, to be delivered at Boston to the English mail went, all postages and expenses being paid. Yet, instead of adopting a course so easy, in circumstances which would have irresistibly ap pealed to men of common humanity, they laid a trap to bring the messenger within the range of their penal laws. He was told at Highgate, before the Were had crossed their frontier, that no arrange ment could be made before he reached Burlington; that he could safely venture there—no obstruction would be offered to his return. Yet, before his back was well turned, the writ for his arrestmeat was made out, and despatched after him in such hot haste that it overtook him when only two miles beyond St. Alban% And after he had been carried a prisoner to Burlington, one, two, and three additional writs were in succession served upon him. What possible motive could there be for such superfluous steps? Unless there was a malignant desire, by protracting the detention of the messenger at Burlington, to ren der it impossible that, in any circumstances, the letters should reach Boston in time for the mail packet, it is difficult to imagine one. If the story told at Montreal be true, it is not easy to escape the inference that a trap was laid to inveigle the mes senger into a position where he might be accused of an attempt to defraud the American revenue, and that the shameful juggle was kept up until it was certain that the attempt of the Montreal merchants, to take prompt steps for confirming their credit in England, had been frustrated. The prayer of the memorialists, that the transac tion we have detailed be brought under the notice both of the Imperial and United States governments, cannot but be granted. This unaccountable caprice by which, at a period of grave monetary embarrass ment, the houses connected with Canada might have incurred serious loss and discredit, must be probed to the bottom. An ample and satisfactory exculpation, or an ample and satisfactory amends, are the only alternatives. We have already adverted to a sin of omission on the part of the Canadian Poet-office, which may have afforded a pretext for this apparent outrage. We will net attempt to palliate a sin of com mission on the part of the imperial post-office, which, by rankling in the American mind, may have provoked to the extraordinary treatment of the Montreal messenger. We allude to the imposition of a double postage on letters brought to this country by the American Ocean steamers, against which Mr. BANCROFT (see the document in another column) has protested. There can be no doubt that in this matter the conduct of the British post. office, though apparently defended by Lord PAulta- nos, ha bean narrow-minded and shabby in the I extreme. Ths United States government was entitled 1 to implies what rates of postage it pleased upon letters conveyed by the American steamers from New York to Sou tham p ton. The British go vernment, in common fairness, was only entitled to add the . postage from Southampton to the place of destination in England. The English Post-offioe had, in fact, little to fear from the competition of the American packets with our own as letter carriers; but even if it had, the interest of the general commu nity in Britain would have been promoted by the Post-office being put upon its mettle by such competi tion. There is, we know, a very strong and a very just sense of indignation in the United States on ac count of the paltry conduct of the Poet-office here. Bat shabbiness acting within the law is no excuse for retaliation by treacherously trepanning a man into a breach of the law, as was done in the case of the Montreal messenger. Besides, the trick was played at the expense of individuals who' , have no control over the English post-oflice, no par . tieipation in the offence it has given, and at a time when generous minds would have abstained from attacking even the real offenders, and in a more legi- mate We have little fear but that a just and manly view will be taken of this affair by the government at Washington. At all event., should regard to the impending presidential election seduce the American cabinet into any undue subserviency to its canvassers in office, we rely upon the right feeling of the mer chants and general community of New York and throughout the Union, for a fair judgment of the conduct of officious officials. We confidently anti cipate that justice will be done to the parties at Montreal. At the same time it is as well to remind the British public, that this disagreeable incident affair affords an additional—an irresistible motive—for the immediate and speedy completion of the railway from Halifax to Quebec. AMERICA. The papers publish the following protest of Mr. Ban croft, American Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenpotontiary in London, addressed to Lord Palmer ston, on the subject of the late order issued by the Bri tish Postmaster-General, levying double postage on all letters conveyed in American mail packets from the United States to the United Kingdom, and from the latter to the United States. It is said to be the only document which, of all the papers for warded by Mr. Bancroft to the state department, was considered proper for publication, consistent with the I public interest, pending the negotiations with England. The undersigned, Envoy Extraordinary end Minieter Plenipoten tiary of the United Staten of America, had the honour on the IVA of July last, nod more fully on the 16th of Amnia last, to roam oar. lures to V iwount Palmerston, her Maya'''. principal Secretary of state for Foreign Affairs, for a postal arrangement between the United Nista and tie United The undereigned hen this day re. caved Fran 10101100NOISIMIT-General a memorandum upon tle le be semillseldsied to his government. Pending the tbaii . slaws of the two parties should he . the uWessIPM IBPMed that the order No. 9, issued ydgOsowelPotableYpaael 1047, by which a dieerlmimillm able rootage Is levied oats labors conveyed in American ma packets from the United Mateo to the United Kingdom, and from the United liing,lorn to the United States, continue% to be enforced. The free Mtn nurse by letter between more than fifty millions of whore mother tongue is the English, and of whom nearly one-halt/I: P et =the saes ride of the Atlanta, Is of such moment to general can meror, international Mende/11p, private affection, and to the condition and nemesia of the cultivated world, that even a temporary restriction of that freedom may well demand the menus attention of all who desire ta cherish relations of amity between kindred nations. it in therefore with deep regret that th e undersigned feels himself com pelted to preterit rasing the pcet-ofilee order in question. I. As the act of a department of bee Majesty's government, with out the warrant of a MUM statute. It is very true that Lord Palmendon, In bin note of the 27 th Angst , following skitter which he had received from that dexartment, In that "the act of the 3rd and 4th Victoria expressly declares that all letters ast weighing more than half an ounce. which shall be trans mitted by Ve poet between the United Kingdom and the United States el Medi America. Patti be ehisrpable with en uniform rate of one eking; end the 7lst action at the eons act el udingw tat the ea set the put ' shell la uadostood nudi hes =eg Wore by raid beats? But the declarations al law to Midi Lod Palmessts• seem. Vastly relate to the British peeks' ardsa. sad do bat rupiahs Os duties of British postage. Great Britain might as well, by set of pialameat, regulate the duties of paelsee witioin the United States, as sedate, be act of parliam boata ent, the en rates chargeable for ecavermee in American packet upon the great and common highway& the intim.. And if the schedule referred to la its nee ease mentioned is to he applied to American picket beets, the Post-olkie order in question contravenes the act, for It Dna a 'record postage when one had reedy been been paid ; thus making the rate charged betwera the United States and the United Kingdom, two shillings for what the act referred to declares Mall bnt erre uniform rate of one shilling. Or, did the British legielature wriouly Intend by law to trends excluelvely to its own exchequer the whole return for the casket terns of foreign nations sending packets to her ports The suppoation that parlia ment can have s ob ntended, is not to be entertained ; for that inten tion would have een inconsistent with equit aml with internal rights. In confirmation of the opinion that cu rb woe not the inten tion of the legislature, the undersigned appeals confidently to Lord Palmerston himself, who was at that time one of its members, and to his colleagues of that day In the ministry and par lament 11. But even if the letter of the act of 3rd and 4th Victoria, C.lll. 96. should seem to anthoriee the imposithm of a awrlmlnuting double [notate, the undersigned would Mill protest against the Pastedlice order In quell 41, an of a meet unfriendly character, contrary to the principles of perfect reciprocity which should govern the portal ar rangements between the countries. Lord Palmerston is well aware that the act alluded to is not mandatory, but that • diecretlon reels with the Lords of the Treaeu, or any three of them, with regard to fu application. The Post-office order to which the undersigned hoe already called the attention of her Melenty'a government, assumes, therefore, undeniably, the character of an executi v e act not re q uired by law. The degree of nnfriendllnees which has been manifested will appear, from comparing the rata charged on the American mails brought in the American paket to Southampton, and forwarded from Southampton to Havre, with tau which the tish government &eked and accepted from the American 'averment, for the conveyance from 804011 to St. John's, In Canada, of their closed mails brought In British pack eta to Breton. A special entrust conveyance fur the ode purpose of transporting that mall was established by the MUMMA government; and nothing more than a rate of 2;d. for a ningle letter of half an ounce, or about Gd. the ounce, net weight, was demanded fora mail thus exclusively instituted for that service : and the Britieh post-office, for conveying the American closed mile from Southamp ton to the French chore, a distance tree than half an great an the dis. tame from Boston to St. John's, with no mantel speed, and in the least expensive manner, erects four franca, or nearly seven fold the sum paid to Anicriel fur more than twice the service. 111. The undersign I further promote against the poet-office order in question, not only no illegal and unfriendly, but oleo an unpre cedented. It le true Lord Palmerton explains "that the United States is not the only country to which the above mentioned act hair been no applied, but that on the contrary, the regulation by which packet 'rootage is charged upon letters and new•papere Gene In foreign packets hid been invariably acted upon in to letters conveyed by the mail packer; of all foreign coun 'UTZ Now, there are but two milieu bead.. the United States which convey letters to this island by their own mail packeta, vu.: France and Belgium. " All foreign countries" referred to by Lord Palmerston can therefore be only France, Belgium, and America. Ili "the above-mentioned act" even been "o applied" to the mid packete of France' When and where was it "no applied?" When and where wee double postage levied on a French mail packet? The under- Mimed has not by diligent inquiry been able to dmonver that the above-mentioned rate wan ever "so applied" to the mail packets of France. Or, is it to Belgium that the above-mentioned act was " applied?" It may be that oar, on a line of mail packet' of Belgian, what Lord Palmerston calla the ordinary rates of ship letter postage may have been levied through mistake, because the boats were not taken to be mall ;meant ; but if so, the error committed wan readily acknowledged and rectified. But Lord Palmerston in "ni~ts that the rites of pac ket portage, and not the ordinary rats of chip letter portage " are chargealsie upon letters con veyed by the American government packets, under the act above mentioned; and Lord Palmerston pewee& to nay that "the last occasion on which thin regulation won oo eyelid' happened in 1614, when the Belgian government, haring estabitehed packet. to run twice a week between Dover and (Jetted, letters conveyed by those packets were ordered to be charged with precisely the tame rates of postage which are chargeable upon letters conveyed by British mail packets " This statement Is made by Lord Palmerston with great precision; bet the undersigned, in reply to hie inquiries in respect to it, in informed, that "the Belgian packet boats eel not begin to ply between Ostend and Dover till the month of March, 1846, and that no difference has ever arisen between the two countriea in reference to letters treneported by these packet boats." Besides, her Majesty's postmaster-general has himself informed the anderidgned, that the ow order in question is • novel application of the Mee errta 11=1 eight years "once. And the undersigned begs Lord Pal merston to believe that, aa her Majenty'n government have never imposed double poetise to the injury of any notion but the United Stater, to the Patuffiee order in question duds in striking contra, with the welcome given to AMlif LAO ktters from American packet horde by other nation. of Europe. IV. The undersigned further protests against the order in quails, u inconsletent with the spirit of the convention of 3rd July, lai.s, "to regulate the commerce between the territoriis of the United Stater and hie Britannic Majcety," which convention provide. that •' no higher or other duds or charges shall be imported ••• • in the ports of any of his Britannic Majesty's terntorip- in Europe, on the vessels of the United States than shall be payable in the same poem our British easels," and further, "that the cilium of the United States • • • • Mall pay no higher or other duties or charges on the importation or ex 'relation of the carpi. of the mid newels than shall be payable on the 831110 articles when or exported in the most favoured European ra tions." The undersigned is here condemned to ark, if the few shillings which have been thus far exacted, need which conenne to be exacted, by the British poet-office, as ma rates upon letters which it did not bring over sea, are a compensation for the creation of I even temporary impedimenta in the way speakingia nodal, sod scientific correspondenoe between nation. the same Is sod bound to amity by the highest considerations of regard l' n o g r ua ll ammercial freedom. The underoigned, notwithstanding . lils hillast notes to Lord Palmerston on this subject have failed to obtain ndirms, could not wawa the continued exaction of double postage sabtters conveyed by American steamers without entering his pro- ' Ines Meantime, he is-ever reedy to contribute his efforts towards aunisting, without delay, with her Majesty's government a portal semeesment, which shall place the mail service of the two countries is the imam of reciprocity. The undersigned units Dimwit of this eingingle renew to Viocount Palmerston the assurance of hie &Win- WiNfousideretton.—kSigned) Game Barr eeor r.—United States 90, Eatonatquare, Oct. 22, 1817. A communication had been received at Vera Cruz from the English Secretary of Legation, Mr. Thorn , ton, covering a protest from Lord Palmerston, the British Minister of Foreign Affairs, protesting against the forcible levy of taxes on English, residents in Mexico for the purpose of aiding to support the war. These levies were made six months since, and paid by the English residents under protest, since which they have appealed to their government for protection. We have already noticed the arrest of Gen. Worth, by the order of the Commander-in-Chief, at Mexico. With regard to the arrest of Colonel Duncan, the Union publishes the following. It seems that in the first instance General Scott called the attention . of certain officers of the army to an old-established regu lation to the effect, that private letters or reports, relative to military marches and operations, are fre quently mischievous design, and always disgrace- J army. 'may are, therefore, strictly for ; sad any officer found guilty of making each Jet for publication, without special permiosion, or Xplacing the writing beyond his control, so that it finds its way to the press,, within one month after the termination of the campaign to which it relates, shall be dismissed from the service. And he states his in tentions in general orders to enforce this regulation. In the same general order be goes on to say : As yet but two echoes from home of the brilliant opera tions of our arms in this basin have reached us, the first in a New Orleans and the second through a Tampico newspaper. It requires not a little charity to believe that the principal heroes of the scandalous letters alluded to did not write them, or specially procure them to be written ; and the in telligent can be at no lots in conjecturing the authors — chiefs, partisan', and pet fsmiliars. To the honour of the service, the disease (pruriency of fame not earned) cannot have seised upon half a dosen officers (psesent), all of whom, it is believed,lelong to the same two coteries. False credit may, no doubt, be obtained at home by such despicable self puffing. and malignant exclusion of other., but at the ex pense of the just esteem and consideration of all honourable officers who love their country, their profession, and the truth of history. The indignation of the great number of the latter and cannot fail, in the end, to bring down the conceited and the envious to their prop.? level. The letters alladed to by General Scott, says the Union, as " the echoes from home," are a letter signed " Leonidas," and another letter which appeared first in the Pittsburg Pont, was thence trans ferred to the Union, and the whole then appeared in a Tampico pacer, in which General Scott first saw the letter. Upon the publication of General Scott's orders, given above, Lieut.-Col. Duncan came out promptly in the North American with the following frank avowal of his connexion with the " Tampico letter," so called. According to the North American, the" Tampico letter" was " compiled from two letters written by officers of the army in Mexico to a brother alai, in Pittsburg, for his eye alone." But read what Col. Duncan has to say of it : Mexico, Nov. 13, 1847.—T0 the Editor of the NortA American. -- ▪ herewith present a copy of the "Tampico letter," shame- Meted se " esendalosis." "despicable,' "malignant." Iffe-, Is gene ral orders No. 949, published in the of Star of this morning. To the end that the true character of this litter may be known, I de sire that you republish It in your paper and that be or my bro ther officers may innocently safer for • publicatiou so okeoxious, I hereby publicly aanowiedge myeelf to be Ito author. The substance of itl communleateikTrom Tacubaya loon utter the baales, in • private letter to • friend in Pittsburg. The statements in the letter are known by very many of el this army to be true ; and I cannot think that the publicattat of troth b tem likely to do violence to Individuals or the service than the suppression or paver sloe of It. Justice to Om Worth (who is evidently one of the "heroes" painted at is order No. 349) requires me to ashes that kaksaw nothing libitiver of my purpose to write the leakerlneemegMas war Si It . bees written till on its way to he deutleadem; beam, saw, WARM he know, directly or indirectly, even the purport er eras NM weed, or syllable of it, till be law it In print; and he isomer immennt of my design to nuke this declare tion, which I door I mei the letter unprompted, and on my own teapousibility.—Very reepeetftilly, your obedient servant, Janes Du MAN, Brevet Lieut.-Col. U. N. A. After the publication of this letter Colonel Duncan was placed under arrest, and subsequently General Pillow was arrested, and next General Worth. The North American is of opinion that General Pillow was not arrested on account of the " Leonidas" letter, but on the followMg grounds : There has been another arrest—that of General Palow— one of the chiefs before named ; but not, as appears, on ac count of the letters of which he is the hero. We hear gene rally that the cause was this: General Pillow, having taken exceptions to the finding of a court of inquiry, which find ing has been approved by General Scott, addressed a paper relating to the matter to the Secretary of War, through the Commander-in. Chie f, pre servin g a copy, which he avowed, in • letter accompanying, he had sent (or would send) directly to the Secretary at Washington. This transaction is judged to be a contempt ; and for the so-judged contempt General Pillow is arrested. Not understanding the techni calities of the case we are not advised whether part of or the whole transaction is regarded as the contempt but that is immaterial. • COLONIAL. BRITISH NOltTli AMERICA. CANADA.—Oar dates from Montreal are to the 24th of December. The elections were in progress through out the province, but the final result was still uncertain. The Montreal herald, the organ of the old tories, had come out against ministers ; the Montreal Gazette, their most efficient advocate, still clung to the title of " conservative party." The following appointments by the governor general were gazetted on the 18th of December :—The Hon. J. A. Macdonald to be commissioner of crown lends, vice the Hon. D. B. Papieeau resigned; the Hoa. F. P. Brunesu to be a member of council, and to be receiver general, vice the Hon. J. A. Macdonald ; J. E. Turcotte, Esq., to be a Queen's counsel, and to be solicitor-general for Lower Canada ; 0. R. Govan, Esq. , to be supervisor of tolls on the St. Lawrence canals west of Lachine. These appointments would seem to indicate that ter ministers continued to receive surt—haps additional support—on the one hand from a p porti on of the French party, en the other from the more liberal and intelligent of the old tory party. At this distance, however, and at this early stage of the contest, 1t would be rash to form a decided opinion. The proceedings in the new provincial parliament will show. The event of the fortnight is recorded in the following me morial of the Montreal board of trade, and the introductory paragraph of the Gazette : The following memorial to his Excellency the Governor-General, was presented to him on Werinealay Mat, by a deputation of the Board of Trutie. We understand that, in • cenvereatMn which en sued on the occasion, his Excellency xpreesed his willingness to sup. port the prayer of the memorial. and that he was fully alive to the inconvenience the public sustains, in not being able, under the exult ' lag postal arrangements., to answer their letters by return packet. On It being suggeeted, that poseibly by tee employment of an express to • Halifax, at the latest moment, aiming letti•re only, sufficient time would be gained to Mace the desired facility within the reach of the community, his F.seellency was pleased to state he would M Mately smasmunieste with the PostmasterZeneral on the subject The Memorial of the Montreal Board of Trade humbly slowed, : Thal° consequence of the unusually late arrival in Montreal, of the English mail of the 19th of November, it became impossible for the mercantile community, and others resident in this city, to reply to the important advieee received by that mail in time sufficient for the re turn mail steamer, except by the employment of ex extraordinary expecte to Boston. That the English mail reached Montreal only on the 13th instant, and that the delivery of the letters was completed only about mid-day. That the next regular Post-office despatch of letters hence to Boston, was on the forenoon of the 14th instant, and that letters sent by such despatch could not, in the ordinary course, reach Boston until after the lath, the day of departure of the mad for England. That under these circumstances, several of the bankers, merchants, and other citizens of Moutreni, availed themselves of the servicat of • special messenger, to whom letters, parcels, and pack ages, eontaining bills of exchange, valuable securities, and specie, to a large amount were intrueted, with the distinct understanding that said other imposts to which such letter; Puce* and a me n rge ta night be lawfully subject in the United States, should be duly paid by the messenger, and your mcmorialiste declare their be lief that no fraud to the detriment of Me government of the United States, nor evasion of any postages or other dues, was ever contem plated by the partite concerned, or by the bearer of their letters. That on arriving at Highgate. the first poet-town within the United States, the meseenger went direct to the post-office there, and ten dered to the deputy-postmaster, Mr. liorrick, the postage on all idlers In his charge, offering, as your memorialiets are informof theed end believe, to comply with all other legal requiremeata said deputy.postraaster, for the immediate and expeditious tram:Males of the said letters to Borten. That this offer Was refused by the postmaster at headHighate, whe permitted the messenger to pro ceed on his way, saying able to arrange for the payment of the spoilage at Darlington ; at all events, that no impediment was likely to he offered to hie return. however, about two mile beyond St. Albans, he was arrested on a writ from the government of the United States; was taken to Bur lington, and there detained with the valuable property in his posers; sem, notwithstanding his reiterated offers to pay the postage and ex penses of carrying his letters to Boston through the agency of the reenter mail contractors; that, further, three other wnte having been served on him, in the most vexatious end annoying manner, so much time was occupied in procuring the required bail, amounting in ell is 2,000 dots., that it became imputable to complete his journey to Baran. 1n time to meet the steamer. It la not easy to estimate the consequence. of this detention, involving the most serious came mance. to the merchants of Montreal ; and probably causing, at this period of mon etary embarmeameat in England, serious loss and dis credit to the houses connected with Canada, and whose remittances have been so arbitrarily detained by the authorities of a nelebbosring state, In intimate and friendly relations with this peovince; and whom mercantile intercourse therewith rendered a system of mutual acammodatlon essential to the interests of both. Your memorialists can hardly impose that this exhibition of authority, so uncourteously levelled against the interests of the city of Montreal, in the person of an individual intending noviolaties of theta+, will be sustained by the United States government, from whom your memorialists confidently expect acts more in accordance with the enlightened and commercial spirit of the age ; and your memorialists are duiposed to hope that this reptversitalloa of facts will satisfy the United Mats e government that, no infraca n of their laws being intended, the mercantile community of this city bee been treated with undue harshness in a circular from the United States Foat-odice department, dats - d the 2nd Met., and signed C. Johnson. imputing to it illegelity of conduct, discourtesy, and disregard of national rights. Whet efore your memorialist. hum bly pray your Excellency will bring the foregoing circumstances under the pence of both the imperial and Unitot States Governments, and adopt such other measures in relation. thereto as to your Excellency may seem meet. and your memorialists, as in duty d, will ever pray.—Ammew SHAW . Vice-president of the Montreal 'feu dal Trade; ' Facto alex A. WILLSON, Secretary., We regret to learn that private letters from Montreal speak despondingly of mercantile prospect. " Times con tinue truly awful here," says one, " and the best men in Canada are driven into corners, while many who are quite solvent are obliged to ask renewal of accommodation." A circular (dated Dec. 23), inclosed in the letter from which this sentence is quoted, states: The business done during the last fortnight ban been en a very limited scale. la flour, wheat, and other grain, oatmeal, beef, and butter, we have no transactions to reoOrd.—Pork There has been • so me bagasse done; each isle, however, at a reduction upon the former OM. Sales have been made at cargo 7 dole. • prime, 9 dole. ; prime mese, 11 dole.; mats IS dole.; but these ra tes cannot now be o b ta ined.—Ashes : There is little or nothing doing.—Exchange : Pri vate is held at 14 to 14/ per cent premium, 90 day; and 30 day hills on London have been add to-day at 15 per rent. premium. The in quiry for unexceptionable bills is good. The banks are not drawing either on England or New York. For private thefts OD New York 31 per cent premium seesawed to-clay but refused. GENERAL LYING-IN HOSPlTAL.—Yesterdsty the annual meeting of the governors of this institution was held at the hospital, York-road ; Mr. Mellor in the chair. It a ppeared that a balance of 1071. remained in the treasurer's hands en the last quiuter ; and that 445 out patients, and 289 in-patients, had been attended during the year. It was resolved that a deputation should wait on the Earl of Shaftesbury, to request him to act as president of the cha rity. The vice presidents, committee, and auditors of the past year were re-elected, and votes of thanks pared to them and the medical attendants for their services. Much inconvenience having resulted from one of the rules, which allows to a person subscribing one guinea the privilege of sending in one in-patient, it was agreed to refer the rules for the admission of patients to the committee. A vote of thanks was passed to the chairman, and the meeting sepa rated. RAILWAY COMMUNICATION BET vr GREAT BRITAIN AND THE EAST INDIES BY WAY OF TRIESTE. The regulations proposed at the conference on the 3rd Dee. last, of the deputies of several of the German rail ways and of the Austrian Lloyd's, respecting a regular cum • munication between Great Britain and the East by German railways, have now been confirmed. The two main points are—the expediting of travellers and that of couriers of the Austrian Lloyd's. According to the first, travellers from Lonlon to any transmarine place, yid Trieste, or vice versa, may pay the total coat of their journey and luggage for the whole route. On making the payment the traveller is furnished with a travelling book, valid for themselves alone, which contains as many individual coupons as there are railway administrations along the route, and this travelling book is available for the term of two months. The second point, the expediting of the couriers of the Austrian Lloyd's between Trieste and London, and vice verso, is effected by means of extra trains twice a month, and which shall be ready to start, at latest, two boon after the arrival of the telegraph, or written despatch, announcing the approach of the courier, and shall lie kept waiting in readiness, if necessary, 48 hours. These extra mins are to consist of two carriages and one luggage waggon, and, besides the courier, are to convey as many passengers as the space of the carriages, aid the stipulated --vddity, will admit of, na ely, one German mile in ten rbt court. WINDSOR. MONDAY. The Queen and Prince Albert, accompanied by the Prince of Wales and the Prin cess Royal, arrived at the Castle in a carnage and four, at eight minutes before five o'clock this afternoon, from Clare mont. Four carriages and four followed, conveying Prince Alfred, the Princess Alice, and the Princeu Helena ; and alio the Countess of Desert, the Earl of Morton, Mr. George Edward Anson, Mejor-General Bowles, Major-General Wemyss, and Captain the Hon. A. H. Gordon. A party of the royal regiment of Hone Guards, commanded by Lord G. Lennox, formed the escort of the august party. Her Ma jesty was remived at the royal entrance by the Hon. Miss Paget, one of the maids of honour in waiting. Mr. Matheson had an interview with Earl Grey yesterday at the Colonist-o ffi ce. Sir Edward Codrington transacted business on Saturday at the Board of Trade, with the Secretary to the Royal Commission for inquiry into the Merchant Seamen's Fund. Despatches were received yesterdayat the Colonial ofßee from the Governor of Canada, and also from the gore r non of the other North American provinces. Despatches for Sir Harry Smith, Governor of the Cape of Good Hope, were sent off yesterday evening from the Colonial.offlcc. 1 The Right l lon. Edward S trutt, chief commissioner of railways, arrived in town yesterday front Kingston Hall, Derby. ACCOUCTIEMENT OF 11ER MAJEBTY.—We under stand that Protease,: Simpson, the discoverer of chloroform, has received intimation that his services, in conjunction with Dr. Locock, her Majesty's physician.accoucheur, will be required at Buckingham Palace on an approaching inte• resting occasion. Professor Simpson leaves Edinburgh for London some time neat month, in order to be in attendance on her Majesty.—Edinburgh IVitness. MECHANICS' INSTITUTES. A meeting of the society for the promotion of the religious, moral, and intellectual improvement of the mea employed in manufactories, was held yesterisy evening at the Freemasons Tavern. Letters having been announced from Lord Radnor, Lord Robert Grosvenor, and the Rev. Mr. Christmas, excusing themselves from attendance, on the ground of domestic calamities in their respective families, Dr. LANIESTEE was called to the chair, who opened the proceedings by an address, enlarging upon the advantage which extended intellectual improvement would con fer upon the working classes—classes who were at present practically excluded from the numerous so-called Mechanics' Institute* that now existed — institutes whose members almost entirely consisted of persons in a superior condition of life to the mechanics, whose benefit had been contemplated by Dr. Birkbeek, the benevolent founder of ouch institution'. It was asserted by many, that to enlighten the working classes was only to ren der them discontented with their condition. But this was a fallacy. Hewers of wood and drawers of water there must alwas be, but the hewer of wood would never be the more ddiscontented y tented from the possession of a knowledge of the prin ciples of mechanics that should facilitate his labours; or the drawer of water, from knowing something of hydraulics, that should lighten his toil. The object of the society was to ex tend throughout the country, institutions really constituted of working men, and the affording to them lectures en she elements of knowledge, moral, religions, and intellectual, and the use of museums, libraries, &c. The secretary, Mr. AUSTIN, read a report exhibiting a satisfactory progress on the part of the present society, which, in the course of a twelve month, had established ' numerous auxiliary institutions, and had delivered lectures and distributed books and publications with the happiest effects. Several caries were adduced in which, by the efforts of the society, drunken and dissipated mechanics had been rendered worthy members of the community. , Mr. W. D. OWEN, in moving that the report be printed 1 1 and publahed, ear n estly called upon all present to exert ; themselves in a lding members to the society. The Rev. .1. A. &setae seconded the resolution. As an encouragement to those who heard him not to be deterred by any difficulties that might present themselves, he gave them the example of Mr. Roscoe, in founding the Liverpool in stitution, now one of the most flourishing in the country. Mr. Roscoe having determined upon his good work, and got seve ral noblemen and Ft4ntlemen to promise their attendance and aid, advertised a public meeting at which to originate his institution. The day came for the advertised meeting, and the hour, and the hour after : Mr. Roscoe was present, but no man came to aid nor even to hear him, so he voted him self into the chair, and moved his first resolution, and se conded it, and put it. and declared it unanimously carried; and so with the second, and then he vacated the chair; and next day his resolutions were advertised—" Agreed to at a public meetiag," and the institute was declared to be formed, and it was formed, and it grew and flourished. Let but all those present exhibit similar determination of purpose, and their great object would be attained. A minister of the Christian gospel, he hailed these institutions as emi nently calculated to promote the extension of re l*ious feelings and conduct among the labouring population. He had no fear for religion from the extension of enlighten ment ; be felt that the more enlightened men were, the more deeply they inquired, the more they would be con vinced of the truths of that Christianity whose prevalence was so calculated to elevate man in the social scale,—to ren der him a better citizen here, as well as to make him a citi zen of the world hereafter. The rev. gentleman eloquently inculcated the example of Sarah Martin, the sempstrese of Yarmouth, who by her firm singleness of Christian purpose, and her untiring self sacrifices, had effected during twenty years so much good among the prisoners in the gaol of Yar mouth. The resolution was adopted unanimously. Mr. Nisnarr moved the cordial thanks of the meeting to the clergymen and others who had given the use of school rooms. &e., for the purpose of lectures, or who had them selves delivered lectures in promotion of the cause. Mr. AUSTIN seconded the motion. As an illustration of the fact that the existing mechanics institutes are of no prac tical benefit to mechanics, he mentioned the circumstance that before he, with several others, set about the originating of the present society, of 1,000 men employed, like himself, at Messrs, Mandalay and Field's factory, only one was a mem ber of any mechanics' institute, though the Westminster Institute was close at hand. The motion was unanimously adopted, and the officers for the ensuing year nominated ; the president being the Earl of Radnor, and the vice-presidents, the Earl of Ducie, Lord Robert Grosvenor the Bev. Baptist Noel,Sir Francis Lswley, Bart, Viscount Ebrington, the Bishop of Norwich, the Rev. Henry Hughes, M.A., and Colonel Buckley. Mr. HOPKINS, a member of one of the auxiliary institu tions established by the society, moved the thanks of the meeting to the chairman. The motion having been warmly / acceded to, the meeting separated. the PROVIDENT CLE SOC R lAKS' MUTUAL BENEFIT ASTION. The annual meeting of this society took plate yesterday evening at the London Tavern, Mr. R. H. Jones in the chair. The (trot business taken was the reading of the report, from which it appeared that the state of the society had been one of gradual progresaion from its forma tion down to the present day. During the last year, although one of heavy commercial pressure and epidemic ' disease, the number of policies effected was 417 for an amount of 84,7401., contrasted with 374 for 69,2001. in the preceding year. The rate of mortality had been unprecedently small, for up to the end of 1846 five deaths only had occurred, mains claims to the amount of 6001., and this, too, in the face of the Registrar-General's heavy returns; while, during the last year, the amount paid was only 1 per cent. on the amount assured. The fiat division of profits would take place in 1848, the necessary documents being at present in the hands of the actuary. Depuations had been sent from the society to the great provincial towns, • and the most beneficial effects had resulted from these visits. In Liverpool, Maechester, and Birmingham, many had joined who, previously to the visit of the deputation, had not been aware of the existence of the society. By toe balance-sheet, it appeared that the funded property had in creased to 10,5001., independent of the guarantee fund; the amount of income front premiums and interest on stock being about 6,8001. The report concluded with recommending the four outgoing managers for re-election. The question that the report be adopted was put and unanimously agreed to. A remuneration of 3001. to the managers for their labours during the last year was also put and unanimously agreed to. The next business taken was the election of four managers, in the room of four going out in rotation. The outgoing managers, Messrs. Isselin, Jordan, Maitland, and Sawtell, were eligible, and offered themselves as candi dates for re-election. There were also two new candidates, Messrs. Parry and Reid. The first four candidates having been duly proposed and seconded, Mr. CoLEstAx and Mr. BELL earnestly suggested that, in obedience to the evident feeling of the meeting, all other ' candidates should withdraw their pretensions. There was not shadow of doubt as to how the election would go, and a ballot would only result in much loss of time and incon- lenience. Mr. Rein, as one of the new candidates, wished to maks one or two observations. Ile had not entered into the ens.test from any feeling of opposition, but hearing that a ta. • coney had been created by the death of Mr. Lloyd, h e h ad thought that much benefit would accrue from the infusion at new blood into the management. Most of the ;mu fti managers were connected with the heart of the City, sod bed their connexions there; but why not extend the operations the eotiety to Paternoster-row, and even more direant ties 1 (Meer, hear.) As a printer he thought he might he able to extend the consexions of the society in quartess where it was at present but little known. It was such dhe had described, and no pirit of factious opposition, that had I indUced him to otter himself as a candidate. Mr. Lanisatr proposed, and Mr. 3013PY seconded, rh o nomination. Mr. Psrry, the other candidate, was proposed by lb. WOOD and seconded by Mr. Toots. Mr. lISSELIN, bdure going to the ballot, claimed a fen minutes of the attention of the meeting. lie quit e proved of the rule which obliged four of the managen to is. sign, and he thought that the association should exercise it s veto on those retiring, provided their conduct had been open to sensure. But as that conduct had met with genteel sp. probation he did not think that any just reason had I * , li e v u ei i i ls fo o r f e t t e ctinl e m ty e , n . :ffhaciinhaditcwoemyeerfa&iitlitarey ejected ell tks 1 1 one, be hoped it would be himself, being the least desersk l e of their officers. . _ Thanks h►ving been voted to the medical officen and the local agews, the ballot was proceeded with, and resulted 4, the re-election of the retiring managers by large majorities, the new candidates polling only 26 and 21 respectively. The re elected officers returned thanks. Thank. were voted to the chairman and secretary, and the atettips separated. REPEAL OF THE WINDOW TAX. A meeting was held last evening at the British Hotel, Cockspur-street, to consider the propriety of forma i ' a metropolitan and provincial association, for the pu obtaining a repeal of the window-tax. It was convened by a circular emanating from several gentlemen who had for yearn advocated such a measure, and who conceived th e e the present was a most important time for pressing upon the government the justb e and necessity of repealing a tax whidt - wan unfair and impolitic, and that any sanitary measure as. accompanied with tne repeal of the window duty would be defective and unsatisfactory. Mr. C. LUSIIINGTON, M.P., on being called to the chair (in the absence of Sir De Lacy Evans, who was expected to fill it), having explained the object of the meeting, observed that it was most satisfactory to perceive how widcapread, earnest, and intense an interest the sanitary question hada. cited in the public mind. (Hear, hear.) The rich had opened their eyes to the necessity of remedying those mime and lamentable evils which were a disgrace to this meteor,. lie and all large towns ; evils which immediatily affected the poor, but which indirectly fell upon themselves, and be • was happy to be able to say, that while they iv; re on the am side receiving a willing co-operation from the poor, they were obtaining on the other a moat praiseworthy assistance from her Majesty's government, more particularly free Lord Morpeth, who had evinced a humane and noble desire to see those evils fully al d effectually removed. (Ilea.) Mr. III:Goan% the secretary, read a number of &pals& from gentlemen in various large towns, all of wh in ex. press. d their concurrence in the object of the meeting, M. eluding one from Sir B. Hall, M P., who promised to support a measure for the repeal of the window tax in parliament, as essential to sanitary reform. Mr. WYLD, M.P., proposed the following resolution: That the window tax is unequally imposed, falling most heavily upon the trading and productive clameri; that it re,train. the , t yd,.." of the country, and obstructs the progress of architectural =min merit. That, excluding light, arid preventing due ventilation is dwellings, it tends to encourage debits of uncleanliness, to engender the must fatal diseases, and to impair the health and strength of r.ll elansea, especially the labouring poor. He conceived that they had a strong claim upon the present government to repeal the window duty, because the adminie tration, of which Lord Althorn was a member, pledged itself to that effect. It was a tax which pressed most heavily on the middle and working classes, and considering that it was now universally admitted to be necessary in a sanitary point of view, it eould not and ought not to be upheld far purposes of revenue ; as in the case of the measure oft' free trade in corn, revenue must not be looked to, but the question be regarded only as expedient or necessary for the public good. (Hear, hear.) He found,with regret and surprise, that the entire attention of the sanitary commissioners had been directed to the state of the sewers, as if that alone was the cause of sickness and malaria. On reflection, however, he recollected that windows were taxed and sewers were not, and in that fact he thought he could see the reason why the commissioners made no mention about the necessity of plenty of light and free ventilation, which medical men de clared to be as essential to health as good sewerage, &c. Mr. HEALY, in seconding the resolution, quoted the re. port of the committee of delegates appointed to collect infor mation, showing that the windows of London tradesmen paid a higher rate of tan than those of the nobility. The resolution having been unanimously adopted, Mr. SAUNDERS, of Bath, moved : That an emaciation be now formed to be called " The loadan and Provincial Union for the Abolition of the Window Tax," for the par. port of obtaining, by every legal means, the total and immediate talon of that obnoxious tax. He observed that Bath, with a population of only shoat 50,000, paid a larger amount of window tax than any ether town in England, except London and Liverpool. It was a melancholy thing to see every second window inmost of the fine houses in Bath blocked up, and the artist called upon to do the duty of the architect. Ile felt with a character in the Pickwick Papers, that " it was a humbug to say that every man's house was his castle," so long, at least, ax the. window. tax remained unrepealed. (Cheers.) Dr. SIMPSON, in seconding the resolution, informed the meeting amidst much cheering, that he had it from Dr. Southwood Smith himself, that he had told the government that sanitary reform, unaccompanied by a repeal of the win. dow-tax, would not be worth a button. The resolution was agreed to; and, on the motion of Mr. J. GEORGE, seconded by Mr. IIocKEN, a committee was sr, pointed to carry both resolutions into effect, whereupon the meeting separated. ROYAL NAVAL BENEVOLENT SOCIETY.—The ningl quarterly meeting of this society was held yeeterdry at the 'Thatched House Tavern, St. Jameseestreet. Sir C. Millais presided. A slight interruption was caused, when the pro.a cuttings were about to commence, by the appearance of Mks Hoare, the lady whose claims against the society have ra cently involved it in so much expensive litigation. It was understood that Miss Hoare attended for the purpose if making some statements or explanations in reference to his case; but it being a rule of the society that no pence ad being a member should take part in the proceedings, ohs was requested to withdraw, and did so accordingly. Thu business was then proceeded with. The minutes of the lest meeting having been read and confirmed, the secretary read the statement of accounts for the lest quarter, and also that for the year just expired. The former accout showed the following totals :—Receipts, 1,2391. 18s. ; upon ditute, 6211. ; balance in favour of the society, 6181. lfe. The receipts for the year were 3,1511. 3s. 3d. ; and the sr penditure, 2,5301. ls. 7d. ; which left a balance in favour of the society of 6211. Is. fkl. The present amount of funded property was 34,7191, 17e. 95. A discussion ensued with reference to the law expenses, consequent upon the proceed ings taken against the society bcommitteey Miss Hoare. It had beta suggested at a meeting of the at Devotiport that s circular should be sent to every member, requesting him to give one-half of a day's half-pay, in addition to his usual annual sub.cription, in order to defray the expenses. It wee agreed, after considerable discussion, that the suggestion be adopted, with the addition that any further coatributica towards the ohj. ct would be thankfully received.—Captain Dickeason exert s.ed his willingness to contribute 201. towards the fund —Captain Sherwin then brought forward a resolution of which he had given previous notice, to the effect that after the public business of every meeting had been gone through, all persons not being members of the leociety, including reporters, should withdraw, in order that the names of the parties receiving donation should not go forth; and in addition, that it should be understood among the members that ell discussions relating to the applicants should be considered strictly confidential. Captain Dickenson, Captain Segue, end several other gentlemen opposed the resolution, as being totally unnecessary, inasmuch as the names of the recipients of donations had never been pub lished in the newspapers, nor had the members themselves been guilty of any serious breach of confidence. The feeling of the meeting appearing to be unanimous on the point, the resolution was withdrawn.—On the motion of Captain NO the sum of 3001. was then voted towards the liquidation of the law expenses caused by the prosecutioa Miss Hoare's claim. Captain Bague rive notice of a motion for the purpose of making some altera tion in the office arrangements of the society. -Captain Dickenson also gave notice of a motion to withhold the bens fits of the society from the relatives of non-subscribers. This concluded the general business, and the committee then pro- ceeded to the consideration of the claims of the applicants, of whom there were 97, the amount to be distributed being about 3501. BalTioti ORPHAN ASYLUNI.—The election of seven candidates for admission into this excellent institution took place yesterday, at the City of London Tavern, Bishougate street. The polling by proxies commenced at 12 o'clock, and closed at three. The Lord Mayor took the :hair aft* the poll was declared to be clued, when one of the directors read the report, which stated that there were at present in the asylum at Clapham rise 84 children, of whom 10 boys and six girls had been elected during the past year. The re port stated that a falling off in the life and annual substni tions had recently taken place to the extent of 4311. 3s. ba• during the past year. This may partly be atuibutahle ta the circumstance that there was no anniversary dinner during the year 1847, when a good collection is generally made. This, however, would not be the case during the year 1848, for the Earl of Lincoln had generously offered to preside at the dinner, and it was hoped that a ou.terous sad brilliant attendance would be the consequence. The report further stated that there had been added to the funds of the asylum the sum of 1411. 19a. collected after sermons preached on behalf of the asylum in June and July, 1847. In con clusion, the directors called attention to the very high price of provisions during the past year, and lamented that theg funds only enabled them to elect 7 of the 27 candidata o n the list. The report, having been adopted, was orderea to be printed. The Lord Mayor then proceeded to distribute the rewards which had been bestowed upon they ouths of both sexes who had conducted themselves well subsea to their quitting the asylum. Several of these young peoPla had received this honourable testimonial three and foal times. The sum of 1421. 16s. was aonounced to . be co the amount of subscriptions received during the m anna; ve's. Thanks having been voted to the, Lord Mayor, the following names were announced as thane of the s uccessful candidates :—W. A. Ilarding, J. Reynolds, T. A. Wait" J. Chambers, Catherine Hesse, J. Ball, and C. D. Showell. The numbers having beenannowned, the meeting separate& reicrio.B.4o:uswforoesge,pobonossuasii,6orc,e. i:ig.atteegthaoeneliotatassiHanihati.:ip_sianthwa..oo4o.i.istioptere iptaagbairit.,t,i,lol.l.:etE.oo.zit.thii„..y:,:tedtefni.oedypoedo.e.f.•,aehen.sodhb..heylii.i.,.,rr..tht..A.th,edia...a,aidroefftt.itrd.coaripec.oit,,,Lad.aktr,vm,...h,w4t....,.i..f.,::.hiroes..oidemsr...et.ilf:.l.lß.eiho..ee.tiasor.r.re.:::::as:.Y.s_ule. jiseerbeek, among small s . d e eirecen, or own servants . 1, , We added to en moome-i t canine., would inane a Tonight justly ask, is the 0301, per annum only, t. g am who conducts a bun . employ above a few hun.) eased income of 4001. o• eal of 8,0001. or 10,0001. the inequality of taxation shopkeeper (myself) anti contains about 1,600 acr• i rsage,: window, or mar t o wer, who occupies 4 , 1 for a saddle h0r5e.......... .. 10 per oent. ............... .. 111 this a fair mode of ta- sewed taxa, an estate p.. one tax payer to the an.. ..-Hallfax, Jan. 14. t w TRICKS e'eeleue, brought €e dopdheo,"o sp:g T iadorewnhset ap,i departing Coroner 1,,,,:i such explanations nectb .teeuc ow A iiiyheheindcseot hd t rra,ii:tti,. u • ~,,,p,.. ~ N. rail. ~. hseht. - . :t. ii,:titti etvtiloe,t, . . Western Railway Com practice of requiring uxton-square ',rennin 4 previous to the starti , pann do suffer from gathered from the fact, yielded 601. from pas. without tickets, and t.) e doubt, well considered t the vigilance of the r • Railway Record. SUICIDE 01 , SIR .1. may, Bart., died by his. day morning, at his in • grave-square. For se atilt he appeared depr, deceased appeared some between 11 and 12 o'cl eeen of him until ahortl leg, when his valet was arms. He went up-rai on entering the roon , h his master lying he h. blood and lifeless, hit. li double barrel holster p cared, was lying c.,) , :e dently been dischai ;c i gentlemen were pror • p death to have been i. s of deceased, who rest le the m elancholy even!, hemation was conve . .e. for Middlesex, in wi s hold an inquest on , INQUESTS, YES , - Ei cram Tata:mute. - -B Preveststreet, City r' aged 37, a commen Al recently, been a man o of very heavy petunia became exceedingly drink. A abort . • which is said to h Sion, and although n • to entertain an erron be reduced to pc ver pint of brandy, awl a hon. Of course he be • Nest morning (Satin bad left the room, ',nil the deceased was foun frightfully shattered. r STAnTLING DUICOvE By Mr. Payne, at mined for the tbi a newly born female bet, upon the arrival one of the servan , s, carriages, discover , ' a under the seat, awl ts • he opened it, and fou born female child. T the head, and the um. —Mr. Mead, the su.• but they were quite tery of the case.—V but by what meal., a evidence to prey( " "CA The inquest . u engine driver, who the collision a two king was held la(te for West Surrey. at Dalrymple, their a • tanager; Mr. f: .. • pertment ; and !Ir. The jury having Mr. Dalrymple, • . wore in a poeiti .n r He had wished to 1 Fleming, the engi train, who were n i gistrate, had re - . quiring you to --iv f I here on the pai -. o rymple : Not 11. at : The Coroner • h a called together .o o with the death 3: " played on the 'o s sudden and v .1 a trains, a posse' re is been overtaken a n L i id le Cr n means of tray it, it tors to take es •• at their p as eenge w he to lay down a , in ' n, of their serve, ts ha to adhere to t ha Similar. It it. Only to m n rea NI and sobriet -. y bad no wish 1 o • which he kn. w P. ion London new-pa of whether the •ie lice an accident v hi Ka It hand, an sin It was scar, • 1 Mt- if any of th. c. his proved to ha .e • ?to - would be thr r those nts, g ui er— . ing He di not t bled to cone! .e yen two persons eve ask London map a a be brought he od te' a, seemed, to tieotk, had refused. illy come fleet's& ;ton I in Filtration on th should take boys after obtain;. : e re- en 4.- . ease, he alto .1. The jury t lie le to er iA an outhou aPPeared te .. lin rally latter being •• the l an di ng b et ., al to n a t ure of . i and tAneous. ( were exami . else Mr. Davi d f the t ched worth, wh( 1. one of the e • con- Company .. I price time t, Sou unt their pt •n il o on eill to we came to a 1 e derstood, of bs of head out of -Dun detained lo•i tently minutes." wools fool another gen • e the company, , tan- he n tad Re • sent t h e ;enrol the train. and nigh . alloy,, t, line t aw ., owelL directed t 1 rated --Air