The Express. — London, England, 1848-01-08 00:00:00

1. -- usouraiog they had, or at least appeared with black ribbons or black gloves. Fram the windows ef a great many shops, hotels, and private houses in the line of the procession, tri color flags were displayed, with eaream. rs in black crape; and similar marks of respect were profusely exhibited in different parts of the town. " Shortly after twelve o'clock, the mournful eort. , ge en tered Dreux, the hearse being followed by their Itoyal High now the Duke do Nemours, the Prince de Joinville, and the Duke de ?dente. naier. lu the course of a few minutes the troops, officials, ,aagiitratee, and clergy, funned themselves into procession, and proceeded through thetown to the royal burial place. The hells of the royal chapel and of the town churches tolled mournfully as the fun. red cort, , ge wended its way with " sulemn step and slow" to its destination. The crowds the , ugh which it pissed regarded it with reverential sympathy, and without any of that vulgar curiosity which is too often exhibited on such melancholy occasions. "The preparations made in the royal chapel were of a remarkably simple character. The pillars, near the princi pal altar, were merely covered with black velvet, orna mental with silver, and the places set apart for spectators were only &emitted with plain black cloth. The walls were not covered. In the centre of the chapel, facing the great altar, was a catafalque, of simple yet elegant construction. It was la black velvet, with dettorations in silver, and the initials A. 0. were inscribed on different+ pens of it. At the top was the coronet of a royal princess, from which hung a veil of black crape. The whole was surmounted by a canopy in royal edict and ermine, and surrounded by a multitude of wax lights. Facirm the altar chairs and cushions were placed for the royal family. The outside of the chapel had no decorations at all, unless two black hang ings on each side of the entrance, with Vie princess's initial, on them, can be called so. When the procession was within about a hundred yards of the chap I, toe Queen, the Queen of the Belgians (who only arrived at Dreux a few Lours before), the Duchess d'Orleans, the Dachess de Nemours, and the Duct en of Saxe-Cuburg.Gatha (Princes+ Cienientine) entered the chapel. They were all habited in the deepest mouraing,with long black radii. It was remarked that the Queen appeared as if she had been wCA " A few minutes afar the hcerso arrived within a short distance of the chapel. The Xing, who had been waiting in the vestibule c f the residence, then advanced towards it, accompanied by his Royal Ilighness the Duke of Saxe-Co burg-Gotlet, and when the cotiin way renewed preceded it into the chapel, the princes joiaing Lim Ili. Majesty was in a plain bleak suit, with a black paletot. The King appeared in good health. notwithstanding the bitter sorrow which he baa felt, and still feels, at the lust of his beloved sister. His Ma jesty, thaug a he mutt have suffer. d actrely, was enabled to maintain perfect calmness. The King, Queen, princes, and princess.% having t %ken their phem in front of the altar, and their respective suites., the different MLA ds and other per sons having occepied the holy of the ehal.el and the reserved sent', the solemn service of the dead was commenced. The Archbishop of Paris and the Bishops of Evercux, Versailles, and Mau took part in different portion+ of the service, which was throughout of that thrilling, affecting, and awe inspiring character for which the Cath• lit Church has en deavoured to make it remarkable. The royal party seemed borne down by etiliation, and it was observed that the King scarcely removed his eyes from his prayer-book daring the whole lime. . . . ".liter a consilerabla portion t the religious ceremony had been Cone through, the body was rern,red to the vaults beneath the chapel. The lie n., the Duke de Nemours, the Trines de Joins'lle, the Duke ;le Mentpensier, and Duke of Sace.Coburg.Goths, followed it with every outward mark of the moat profound respect, end they were accompanied by most of the eminent personages of their suites (tern the bAy of the chapel. The Queen and the Princesses remained in prefer before the alto. When in the vault the remaining prayer. ut the church were said over the body, the usual psalms were chaunted, and the ceremony of casting earth on the collie and sprinkling it with holy water was gone through. When the earth was thrown on the coffin the King appeared to feel great emotion, but succeeded in quickly recovering himself. iiis Majesty then bent over the coffin, and with great solemnity kissed it. " On the return from the vaults of the King and the princes, who were accompanied by the clergy, some more prayers were said, and the .mournful ceremony was then brought to a close, after having occupied about two hours." TILE LOSS OP THE AVENGER AND HER CREW. The arrival of the Malta mail adds some informa tion to the scanty intelligence already received respecting I this fearful disaster. It is believed that the Avenger must have gone to pieces immediately she struck. How she got in that locality, PO far out of her course to Melte, is one of the important questions which a statement from a survivor alone eau solve. Reference to Norie's new chart of the Me- i diterraneau shows the islaud of Gallia laid down N. by , W. S W., 7 leagues from Cape Serrato, on the coat of the Regency of Tuns., and is in let. 37 deg. 30 min. 50 fee. N., and long. 8 deg. 64 min. W. The Soy, lie rocks are 13 miles ; distant us the W. by S. from the west end of (Wits. They are two email socks, lying a mile and a half apart, with deep water all round them. Oa the south-western rock are four fathom., Lut ou the other there is much leas water; they are, therefore, extrein.ly dangerous, and any ship striking them with a heavy sea on would immediately go to pieces, with little chance of the crew being saved. A Neapolitan schooner arrived this morning, Dec. 28, from Tunis, bringing news of the loss of her Majesty's steam frigate Avenger, 6-30.h.,r5., power, at 10 o'clock p.m. of the ' evening of tie 20tb inst., on the Oalita rocks. The most I melancholy part of the story is the supposed loss of all the crew except Lieut. Ronk.* and three seamen. These arrived safely in Tunis on the? ith lust., in the launch, which, when it left the ship. had sia men, the lieutenant, and doctor. She was, , however, capsized near Biz ertaw n the doctor and three men ' out of the six sunk to rise no more. The Arabs gave the sue. ' vivors every paysible assistance. Faint hopes are, however, yet entertained that more of the ill-fated crew may be ulti- ! stately saved by boats or on spars, but at present the above is all the news that has reached this island. On the news of , 1 the accident reaching Tunis, the pacha immediately sent out ships to afford assistance to the distressed seamen ; and the French consul despatched a steamer which plied between ' Tunis and Store. On the news of the disaster reaching Malta, Rear-Admiral Sir Lucius Curtis, Bart., immediately despatched the Hecate steam-ship to the scone of the melan choly event." The following is from the Malta Times, 28th of De cember :—" When the vessel struck upon the rocks laid down ou the chart two boats were instantly lowered, one con tainicg Lieut.itooke, the surgeon, eecond master and 5 others, who hoped to be in a situation to render assistance to their companions; but the sea runn:og high, they were driven out to a hopeless distance, from which they saw the vessel thrown upon her beam ends, with the sea making clear breaches over her. Tho violence of the weather drove the boat ashore at Bizerte, and, in the attempt to land, she was swamped, and only four persoas beside Lit ut. Rooke reached the land. Some friendly Arabi rushed through the surf to rescue the poor fellows and, carrying them on their backs, provided them with refreshments and the means of getting to Tunis, from whence the news wag despatched to this place. The French authorities lost no time in despatching aid to the scene of the wreck, and it in to be hoped that the remaining boats' crews are in safety. The melancholy news was brought by a Tuscan brig schooner, the Bella Maria, which arrived this morning with Lespatches for the admiral. The following letter from our Malta correspondent, though little differing from other accounts, will be found interesting: MALTA, Dec. 29. In consequence of the strong southerly winds which have blown f some days, the French direct steamer from Mar seilles did not arrive until the 28th. Early the same morn ing a schooner arrived from Tunis, bringing us the melan choly intelligence of the total loss of her Majesty's steam frigate Avenger, and all her officers and crew except three seamen and the third lieutenant, who were saved in a boat. From a letter written by Lieut. Rooke to Admiral Sir Lucius Curtis, it appears that the Avenger, whilst going upwards of 11 knots an hour, struck at 10 P.M. on the night of the 20th on a reef of rocks to the south-eastward of the island of Oalita. Orders were immediately given to lower away the quarter-boats. In one of these were the third lieu tenant Rooke, the surgeon, purser, second master, gun ner, and three seamen. The wind at the time blew a heavy gale from the S.W., end the sea ran so high that the found it impossible to approach the vessel, over which the sea was breaking tremendously. After great exertion,and finding their endeavours fruitless, they bore up for Galita, but in an hour or so the wind shifted to the N.N.W. and blew so hard that they were driven on the Biserta shore, where in attempting to land the boat got into the surf, upset, and only Lieutenant Hooke and the three seamen were saved, and they owe their existence to some Arabs, whe rushed into the waves and drew them on shore. The Arabs took them to their hut, dried their clothes, and gave them some milk. As soon se they could walk they act out for Biserta, where they were kindly received by the authorities, and the English vice-consul procured them a boat of the country, in which they embarked for Tunis ' and arrived on the night of the 2 3 rd. A report being made to Sir T. Beide, he applied to the Bey for assistance. A Tunisian brig of war and several small vessels started instantly for the scene of the ship-, wreck, and the French consul promised to send the Lavoisier, French steamer, immediately she arrived, which was hourly expected, from Algiers. Sir Thee. Reade immediately chartered the Tuscan schooner Bella Maria' for Malta, with the news. At noon on the 28th, H.M.S. Hecate, having taken on beard such hawsers and stores as may probably be required, started for the wreck. The rocks on which the Avenger struck are supposed to be the " Cani," or Dog rocks, the highest of which are about ten or twelve feet above the level of me sea. In heavy N.W. gales the sea breaks all over them. If the ship held together many may yet be saved. Otherwise there is but little hopes. The last view that Lieut. Rooks had of her, through the darkness of the night, she appeared to be high on the rocks, and on her broadside. By the French steamer, which arrived this morning from France, Leghorn, and Naples, we learn that Admiral Parker left Borne on the 14th, and Leghorn, with the fleet, on the 21st, supposed for the Gulf of Spezia. Naples was quiet. His excellency, the governor, will hold a levee on the Ist January. MR. MACREADY AND TUE READING OF " ANTI GONE" AT WINDSOR CASTLE.—This eminent tragedian was first applied to to reed the tragedy of " Antigone " befor e tier Majesty and the Court at Windsor Castle on New Year's Day. Mr:Macready, however, having very respectfully de clined the task, Mr. Bartley was next applied to, and con sented to undertake it. We understand that Mr. Maeready would have had no objection to have read before her Majesty any drama which might have been selected, of a tragic character, provided it was not interspersed, as in the case of `Antigone," with music and choruses. gbe Court. WINDSOR, FRIDAY.—The Earl of Aberdeen, the Earl and Countess Delawarr, the Earl of Auckland, and the Right Hon. William and Lady Caroline LasceLes left the Castle to day.—Lord and Lady John Russell are expected to arrive at the Castle this evening on a visit to Her Majesty. The Royal Dinner party at the Castle this evening will include tho Duchess of Kent, Lerd and Lady John Riusell, the Lady in Waiting of the Duchess of Kent, Baroness de Spetb, and Colonel the lion. C. B. Phipps.— Her Majesty's private band attend in the evening at the Castle. position to compete with the other company, more espe pecially as there was a clause in the Imperial Company's con tract which gave them the power of refusing to renew their contract it the mains of another company were laid down. Some modifications bad been made in the i r report by the gas committee ; and as Mr. CET, the chairman of that committee, was present,7he would call upon that gen tleman to make a report of what had been done since the last meeting.—Mr. Carr said the report which had been sent back to the committee contained a clause which it was impos sible for the Western Gas Company to carry out—namely, to comph to their works throughout the whole 60 miles of that pariah within one year. It was true the amended report extended the time to 4 years, but there were additions made I which were very stringent—namely, the 15,0001. penalty' was adhered to, with an addition, that for any breach of con-' tract all the pipes of the company should be removed. Ile, u chairman of the gas committee, entirely disagreed with this report, as be considered it was clogging rather than aiding competition in the article of gas. Mr. CUT read the report which he had originally proposed in the vestry,' making the penalty only 5,0001., and giving the Western Company the privilege of entering into a contract to light es much of the parish with lens as they could by the expire tion of the present contract with the Imperial Company, on the 31st Dec. next, and to light the remainder with naphtha, or some other substitute. In the course of his remarks, Mr. ' Can stated that he was assured that the gee could be supplied at a much cheaper rate than at present. as in the Wakefield House of Correction it was made at the rate of 3 id. per thousand feet.—Mr. Gomm expressed his regret that a me dium course bad not been adopted between the two report', and suggested the appointment of a committee for that pur -1 pogo. Ile expressed his regret that the Western Company did not conic fairly before them and openly state what their view' and intentions were.—Mr. alichie defended the committee in making their report stringent, and expressed his conviction that if the Western Company were honest they could not object to its terms,—Mr. Beacon de. dared that the question was one which affected the private consumers, and he told the vestry that they bad no nght to prevent them having the benefit of competition, and they did to at their peril.—Mr. Bell contended that the vestry had a right to satisfy themselves that the Western Company were a amide company before they admitted them. Its was not at all satisfied on that point, or on the superiority of their gas. It was resolved, ' That a sub-committee be ap pointed to consider the two reports read by Mr. Carr, with • view of preparing an amended report to be submitted to the vestry." The meeting then separated The Duke of Cambridge visited the Duchess of Gloucester on Thursday, at Gloucester House. The Judges, Queen's Council, &c., will not meet at the Lord Chancellor's residence in Park-lane on the first day of Hilary Term (Tuesday next). The noble and learned Lord will take his seat in Court at eleven o'clock on that day. Lord and — Lady John Russell left town yesterday morning for Richmond. Lord John Russell proceeded from Richmond to Windsor Ca,tle on a visit to Her Majesty. The Right Hon. H. Labonchere left town yesterday for Brighton. The Right Hon. T. Milner Gibson, Vice-President of the Board of Trade, arrived in town yesterday. Despatches for the Governor of the Mauritius were sent off yesterday evening from the Colonial-ollice. APPOINTMENT IN PRINCE ALBERT'S HOUSEIIOLD. —Dr. Meyer, a medical practitioner of tousiderable repute in Germany, has been appointed domestic physician to his Royal Highness Prince Albert. It is understood that, at times, the prince consort labours under an affection of the lungs.—The situation of one of the yagbers in the household of the prince, rendered vacant by Mr. Lawley being ap pointed a rags of the presence to her Majesty, is not in tended, at present, to be filled up. [From hut 'might's Gazette.] LORD CHAMBERLAIN'S OFFICE, lAN. 7. Orders have been issued for the court going into mourning on Bun chy next, the 9th inst., for her Irate Majesty the Arch- Dodson; of Parma. And on Suaday, the 16th inst., the court to go out of mourning. - - WHITEHALL, JAN. 6.—Tho Queen has been pleased to appoint De. John Scott to be one of her Majesty's Physi• clans in Ordinary in Scotland, in the room of Dr. Andrew Combe, deceased. WurnuALL, JAN. I.—The Right Hon. Sir Thomas Wilde, Knt., Lord Chief Justice of her Majesty's Court of Common Pleas at Westminster, has appointed •Zlwin Clarke, of Longton, in the c aunty of Stafford, gent., to be ono of the Perpetual Commissioner. for taking the acknowledgments of deeds to be executed by married women, under the act passed for the abolition of fines and recoveries, and far the substitution of more simple modes of assurance, in and for the county of Stafford. WAR OFFICE, JAWARY T. 4th P.—Gent.-Cadet W. T. Baker, from the 1:1. MU. College, to be em'., without pur., vice Strote, app. to the Plot F. 99th P.--Lieut. I. K. Cooper, to be 'AUL, vice M'Lerle, who magus the adjutancy only. 61st F. --Lieut. T. P. U. Fitrmaon, to be cant, without our., wire Bligh, doe.: Ens It. Greg, to be limat, vice Fitnaisyer ; Kne. J. O. M. Snarly, trom the Mb 1., to be one., rice Oreig. faith F.—Kos. R. Sexton, from the 2nd West India Reg., to be ens., vice Farrington, app to the Pith F. 911th F.—Lieit. 4. A. ti.reet, to be crept, without pur., eiCe Tares.- Mojer Grime, dec. • Ens. C. IL Frevon, to be lieut., Bice Strut; Ent. D. M. Farrington; from 94th P., to be eon., via. Friesen. Sod West India Rea.—it. Grigg, gent., to be ens., without pur., vice Sexton, app. to the Nth F. Ceylon Rifle Reg.—See. Lieut. C. C. Grantham, to be first lieut., without por., vie Drake, dee. ,• See. Lleut C. E. Kingsmill, to be grit lieut., without pee., vice Grantham, wtk. app. Aus been MCC.; K. S. C. Milers., gent., to be ace. Ueul., vino KingsmilL RI. NortimmiLindComp.mien—Lt. W. t. Wiry, from h.-p. l9th Lt. Drag., to be lieut., vice Meson, prem.; Eno. M. Petrie, tube lieut., by pur., vice Weep, who ret. ; T. Johns, gent., to be out, by pur., vice Petrie. 110,PITAL STAYI.—E . A. Jenkln, gent., to be asitst..surg. to the force,. ADMIRAI.TY, Dec. I. Corps of RL Mariam—dm. Lieut. F. C. Knight, to be first lieut., vico Burney. ADMIRALTY. Der. 30. Corps of Royal Marino.. —Gent. Cadet C. R. Parke, to be 'krona tient ; Gent. Cola J. Y. lloUand, to be second lieut. ; Gent. Cadet N. Msensmara, to be emend lieut.; Gent. C..det J. F.. Lock, to be second lieutenant. ADMIRALTY, JAN. 4. Corps of Royal Marlin.—Lleut..CoL A. 11. Gordon, to be col. sec. com a vice T. Peebles, dee.; Brev,Major .1. 1. Willett, to be lieut.-col., rice Gordon, prom. ; First Lieut. It. M. Curry, to be rapt, vice Willes, prom.; Lieut. F. E. Budd, to be first lieut., vice Curry, prom.; dec. Lieut. T. Q. Meade, to be first lieut. PROPOSED NEW ROAD PROM LAMBETH PALACE TO V•exstaz.L.—At a vestry meeting of the parish of Lam beth, held yesterday, it was resolved " That a committee be formed for the purpose of waiting upon the Commiisionere of Woods and Forests to sr ggest the contemplated improve manta, by opening a new line of road (tom Vauxhall to Lam beth Church, and otherwise promoting the sanitary state of that unhealthy vicinity, and to take their advice as to the best way of raising the neoeesary funds ' APPLICATION OF CHLOROFORM IN TETANUS.—A man-servant in the household of Lady Dorothy Elisabeth Palk, the Rectory, Enfield, cut off the tip of his thumb. In en days trismue (locked jaw) came on, attended with diffi culty of swallowing, resembling hydrophobia; in three days more tetanus sot in, affecting all the muscles of the body with painful spasmodic contractions and extreme rigidity, the head, neck, and lower extremities, being bent bnckwards. In this case Mr. Asbury, her ladyehip's medical attendant, saw that death must take place in a few hours unless some powerful remedy were applied with success. Mr. Asbury determined on chloroform, with purgatives. The first appli cation was on the second day of tetanus, when sleep was procured for eighteen minutes; the third slay it was applied twice, and procured sleep fur twenty minutes each time. The chloroform has since been admiuistered daily with the same success for twenty-four days. The young man can now walk alone and masticate feud. The chloroform vapour was also applied to the wound, when, in two minutes, the thumb (being stiff and extended) dropped into the plim of the hand. The vapour was also appli. dto blistered surfaces on the back with equal success. THE MURDER OP MR. RELLCITAMBERS.—A respite has been forwarded by Sir George Grey, Si cretary of State for the Horne Department, for M'Coy, one of the parties under sentence of death in Rewrite, for the murder of Mr. Bellohamben. With respect to Sale, the law will take its course. The execution is fixed for Monday morning. THE HOUNSLOW FLOGGING CASE.—It maybe re-. membered that, at the inquest held by Mr. Wakle y, M.P (Juue,lBl6), on private White. riddle ith Hussar., who died in consequence of the severe flogging which be received for some military fault, and which was the direct cause of the barbarous custom of flogging in the army being much miti gated, privates Cooke and hlatthewseu gave such testi mony as was believed would expose them to the caprice of the "Martinets" of their regiment. A subscription to pro. cure their discharge was commenced, but the sum thus raised, amounting only to 431. Is. 4,1., not being sufficier t to effect that object, the hon. member fur Finsbury (Mr. Wesley) generously made up the required sum (501.) from his own private purse, and the men were discharged from the regiment on Saturday lase Cooke is now in Landon, seeking employment on a railway. FIRE AT ROTHERHlTHE.—Shortlybefore one o'clock yesterday morning a considerable destruction of property by fire occurred in Swan's-lane, Rothcrhithe. Tree fire ori ginated in ranges of carpenters' chops, and showed a light for miles round the metropolis. In a short time several of the brigade engines had been brought to the spot, but it was n, arly half an hour before the danger to surrounding dwell ings had ceased, by which time a large amount of property, including the viols belonging to the workmen, was destroyed. On Thursday eveuing even thing was left apparently safe. The proprietor only is believed to be insured. THE INCOME AND PROPERTY TAE.—A report is prevalent that when the Chancellor of the Exchequer brings forward his budget fur 1848, it will be found that the government intend to increase the income-tax from 7d. in the pound to five per cent.; excepting only those whose incomes are less than 1001. a year. It is stated that there are good grounds for believing that this arrangement has been determined upon. LONDON I)ocsis ComrANi.—Yesterday the half yearly general meeting of proprietors was held at the Dock house, New Bank-buildings, Mr. Cattley in the chair. The secretary read the report, from which it appeared the num ber of 10. del ships from foreign parts which entered the London Docks during the six months ending the 30th Nov. had been 988, measuring 260,792 tons. The number of beaded ships which entered the docks in the corresponding period of 1816, was 703, mounting 181,136 tons. The amount of earnings during the six months ending the 30th Nov. had been 229,1441. ss. 4d. The amount of earnings in the corresponding period of 1846 was 209.1661. ss. sd. The expenditure for the six months ending 30th Nov. was 132,2871. 15s. sd. . • in the corresponding period of 181 G, the expenditure was 118,1871. 3.. 7d. ; the amount animism-tax being included ln che expenditure. to toe increased expendi ture, about 5,0001. consisted of an increase in the payment of taxes. From the statement annexed to the report it appeared that the income exceeded the expenditure by the sum of 96,2721. 9s. lid., out of which the dinetors recommended a dividend of 21. 103. on the company's stock, amounting to 90,957/. los. 2d. From the balance-sheet, it appt aced that the balance standing at the credit of profit and loss was 390,2381. 10s. 9d., from which there was to be deducted the amount of dividend, leaving a balance in favour of the com pany of 209,2801. 15s. 7d. Of the balance thus remaining the sum of 189,0941. 9s. 21, consisted of outstanding charges due to the company on goods in the warehouses. The stock of Roods in the warehouses on the 30th of Nov. last was 113,835 tons ; at the corresponding period of last year it was 112,105 tone . The amount standing to the debit of new works was 96,8111. Os. lid., which included the outlay for the new vaults recently ere cted at the West Quay, and the cost of a new steam-engine, which had been erected for the purpose of increasing the supply of water in the docks, an object which had been satisfactorily accomplished. Looking to the large balance standing at the credit of profit and loss, the directors recommended that the sum of 75,0001. should be transferred to the credit of the account for new works, whereby the balance of the latter would be reduced to 21,8111. ss. lid. The new warehouses were well occupied. and had already been the means of materially increasing the company's revenue. The report concluded by stating that the directors bad every reason to be satisfied with the portion of the trade of Landon which found its way to the London. docks, and they trusted that by a continuance of the accom modation and security which they had the means of afford ing , the docks would contiuue to enjoy the confidence and favour of the commercial community.—Mr. Ward mid that, before the report was received, he wished to know from the , chairman whether he had any objection to take a legal opinion ' as to the legality of transferring the income of annuitants as capital on account of the new buildings. He thought it was most unjust towards the annuitants to adopt such • course. The Chairman said he should be sorry to see the property of the company wasted by taking a lawyer's opinion. No legal opinion could make them ucclerstand their affairs better than they did at that time. When he took kis seat as chairman, the proprietors received a dividend of only 2/ per cent. per annum, whereas they were now receiving 2i per cent. half-yearly. The proprietors themselves were the best judges of what was to be done with respect to the an nuitants, but he would remind them that the result which, he had mentioned would not have taken place if improve ments had not been made in the works of the company— they would not be receiving 96,0001. instead of 36,0001. (Hear, hear.)—A proprietor said there could be no doubt as to the expediency of extending their accommo dation ; and, with respect to the question of le gality, the chairman had long sines stated that in kis opinion the directors were not acting illegally in transferring confusiona r that pu rpose .— u and—L pro Wilson n f credittteug: t it o w f o p u r l u d fi ant! only t lead to ex pense to take &keel opinion. The report was then rt ceived. A dividend of 21. 10s. per cent. on the company's stock was declared ; the income-tax of all the eerrants of the company being paid for them. In reply to a question by a proprietor, the chairman stated that the directors alone paid the income tax from their salaries. It was then proposed and carried unanimously, that the directors should also receive their sala ries free from income-tax. A resolution for transferring 75,0001. to the credit of new works, was carried, Mr. Ward dissenting. After a short discussion, the remuneration to the chairman, deputy chairman, and treasurer was raised respectively to 3001. and '2501. a year. Mr. Juliette was Wednesday a director. The dividend was declared payable on Wednesday next. A vote of thanks was then pored to the chairman, after which the meeting separated. LICENSED VICTUALLERS' ASYLUM—Yesterday af ternoon the annual meeting of the supporters of this institu tion was held in the London-bridge Tavern; Mr. H. B. Button, governor, in the chair. The report for the past year, which was very satisfactory, stated that the subscrip tions amounted to 1,7521. ; the ball realised 811. 45., and the fancy fair 1281. Is. 44. The gross receipts reached 2,2841. 9s. 11d. ; and the expenditure left a balance of 31. 13s. 9d. The funded property, including 2,0001. with Messrs. Reid and Co., and Messrs. Calvert and Co., at 5 per cent., was 0,2001. During the year six deaths occurred, and five inmates were elected. The report was adopted, the officers for the ensuing year were elected, and thanks being voted to the officers of the past year and to the chairman, the meeting separated. Sr - "IX OF GAS IN MARLTEDONE.—LaIt INQUEST—ALLEGED NEGLECT OF A ME DICAL OFFICER. An adjourned Inquest was held roterday, at the Gun Tavern, Croydon, on the body of Elizabeth Hopkins, aged 32, who had passed as tke wife of John Howard. The fart meeting took place on Tuesday last, when the man, Howard, pr .ved haven" on Tuesday afternoon, the 23th ult., his wife being at the time in hourly expectation of her con finement, applied to Mr. Seneca/ale (who, in conjunction with his partner, Mr. Bottomley, holds the ffice of parochial medical officer to the Croydon union) to come mid see the deceased. Mr. Berncastle asked him if he had an order for his attendance from the relieving officer. The witness replied that he had not, that he had always employed his own doctor before, bat he was not then at home. Mr. Berncaatle did not attend as requested, and the deceased was subsequently delivered of a dead child by Mr. Dale, who was assistant to Messrs. Fletcher and Neville, surgeons, of Croydon. Mrs. Arthur, a married sister of the deceased, proved having applied to Mr. Berncaatle to attend the deceased at five o'clock on Monday, the 27th ult. She told him her sister was so bad who expected every moment would b• her last. Mr. Berncaatle a.,ked if she had an " order." Wit ness told him that she had not. lie came to Ee deceased. and remained with her about forty minutes. After he had left the deceased got worse, and begged witness to go and get some doctor as she was sure she was dying. Witness went to Mr. Berncastle and premised that it she could obtain no " order " his charge should be paid, but he declined to visit her eider again. Witness subsequently went to two other doctors, Mr. Westall and .Mr. Henley; but both of them re fused to attend—the former alleging as his reason that he would not take up a case begun by Mr. Berneastle. She afterwards went to Messrs. Fletcher and Neville's, who e assistant (Mr. Dale) attended and delivered deceased. The inquiry was then adjourned for the purpose of allow ing a post martens rumination to be made. Yesterday the first witness called was a child, aged 13 years, daughter of the deceased, who said that on the night ot Mon day the 27th ult., about half-past nine o'clock, her mother sent her to the relieving officer (Mr. Smith), at the work house, for a " medical order." Mr. Berncastle was with her mother when witness left home. On applying to Mr. Smith, he told witness she could not have " an order, ' as fur father was in constant work. Witness explained that her mother was near her confinement, but Mr. Smith would not grant her the " order," and she returned. Mr. Berncastle, on hearing that she could not obtain the order, said, " How is that ? " He went away shortly afterwards, and returned at noon on the following day, after having been twice sent for. At half-put six o'clock on Tuesday evening witness went to Mr. Berncaatle, and telling him that her mother was a great deal worse requested him again to come and see her. Mr. Berncaatle put his bat on and said he would come, but he did not, and witioes saw him no more until after her mo ther's death. On Tuesday morning, about ten o'clock, wit ness went a second time to the workhouse to endeavour to obtain an " order" from Mr. Smith. Witness was taken into a room where several gentleman were seated round a table. She was informed by her father's master, Mr. Ed wards, one of the gentlemen present, that no " order " could be given. Anne Richardson, married sister of deceased, proved hay ing been called in to ace her on the Tuesday morning. She was then very bad, and witness went to fetch Mr. Berncastie. She told him that her sister was in need of his help, and that she would be really obliged to him if he would come directly. He said he would. Nothing occurred between them at this time as to the payment, or the necessity of having an " order." Witness returned to her sister, and remained with her about i three quarters of an hour, when, as Mr. Berncastle did not come, and as the deceased got worse, she went back to the workhouse, and begged him to attend. He then accompanied witness. ts asked deceased if die had an order. Sbe replied that she had not, but that if she could not (Nails one she would pay him for attending her. In a few moments after wards he addressed witness angrily for having fetched him twice from the workhouse, and ordered her to leave the room. Witness went home and returned about three o'clock. Mr. Berncastle had then left. The deceased continued to get worse during the evening, and about eleven o'clock ex claimed," Oh, Clod ! is no one coming to help me 1 " She rose up in bet at this time, and endeavoured to assist her self. Witness remained with her all night. She was deli vered about half-past two o'clock on Wednesday morn ing, by Mr. Dale.—A Juror: Do you, as a mother of chil dren yourself, think your *later's life might have been saved had she received proper medical assistance ?—Wit ness (emphatically) : I do. Jane Baker, who lived next door to the deceased, and was sent during her illness, corroborated the evidence of the Tlii Supt.). preset. _, evening a meeting of the parochial com mittee of ratepayers last witness, and said that if the deceased had had proper ma d St. Marylebone took place at the Westmorland-rooms, sistanee she might have got safely through her trouble. George-street. Manchester-square, for the purpose of con- W. Smith, relieving officer, corroborated the evidence of sideriag the report of a committee appointed to watch the the child as to her application for a medical order, but stated proceedings of the vestry with regard to the admission of in addition that he had explained to her the necessity for the Western Gaslight Company into the parish. Mr. Henry her father to apply personally if he required it. She said Charles Wilson presided, and observed that the vestry, as a ber father was at work ; and on witness explaining the cir body, were anxious to see competition in the parish with cumstances to the board of guardians, they rejected the ap regard to gas as well as in anything else. They had shown lication.—By a Juror : I have a discretionary power in cases this by sending back the report again to the committee. similar to the present, to grant medical orders ; but lam They were desirous that they should not place themselves compelled to be guided by the circumstances of applicants. in difficulty with the Imperial Comp an y until the y were I had known Howard to have been in constant work, receiv fully assured that the Western Company would be in a ing 171. per week, for some years, and I did not think his cam one in which I ought to grant an " order." I was not aware that the family were in distress, or my opinion would have been different. The parochial medical men are not bound to attend in cases similar to the present unless they have an order. Without an order their attend. anee is optional. I thought that, looking at the peculiar state of the woman, had her condition been explained to him, he would have granted the order. — By Mr. Ostnes It has frequently happened that our medi cal men have given their attendance without an order, and n such cases payment is always allowed. The present would have been a race of that kind. Mr. Berncaatle did not tell me the deceased's ease was one that required an order, or I should have immediately given one.—By Mr. Richards: The board of guardians having refused an " order," Mr. Derneutle, as their officer, was not " paro chially " bound to continue his attendance on deceased. Mr. T. A. Dale said he was an assistant to Masers. Fletcher and Neville, surgeons, of C.:fordo°. On Tuesday night, the 28th ult., about twelve o'clock, witness was apphed to by Mrs. Arthur to come and see her sister. Ascertaining from applicant that deceased was a patient of Messrs. Bottomley and Bernaistle, witness went to the gulinription club, where he tumid those gentlemen, and jocosely remarked to the latter that it was too bad to be called out of his bed to attend ether people's patients, adding that he ought to go end see the deceased directly.—Mr. Bottomley interposed, and said that as the parish bad granted no order, Mr. Berneastle should not go. Witness said the woman was Mr. Berneastle's patient, and he ought to go. Mr. Beracastle said she was anybody's patient, and that witness might go if be liked. Witness rejoined, if he went, tke parties must pay. Mr. Bernautle said they could pay, although they might have no money just then. On leaving the club, witness asked Mr. Berneastle what sort of case it was. Ho replied, " Oh, give her a dose of a isle, and it will soon be over." On reaching the deceased's house, wit nese found her sittiogon the silent the bed in every exhausted state. She complained loudly of having been neglected to long. The child was dead, and, in witness's opinion, had been so for many days. The deceased suffered very much, and nature seemed nearly exhausted. Witness believed that de ceased ought to have been delivered before he saw her, and thought that nay person acquainted with the progress of her case, would have been justified in using instrumental aid to relieve her. After leaving the deceased, witness did not see her again until Thursday morning, between eight and nine I o'clock, when he found her partially delirious. She died I two or three hours subsequently. Mr. Neville had seen her on the previous day.—By a Juror : Touching the question of payment for attendance on a patient, was sure Mann. Fletcher and Neville would not have acted as Mr. Bern castle was described to have done. Mr. Neville (of the firm of Fletcher and Neville) said he visited the deceased on Wednesday, and found her in an ex- I cited and highly dangerous state. He prescribed for her. He did not expect het.demise would have been so sudden as it proved. Mr. Nevilie added, that he had made a post nsortem examination of the remains of the deceased. He had opened the chest and abdomen, in which he found suf ficient to account for death. The held he had not opened. The Coroner regretted this circumstance, and quoted acme heard at the late aerie sin Lancashire, where, owing to a medical man not having made a complete examination of the body,several parties indicted fur felony had escaped conviction. He thought that in a cue so serious as the present, in order to do justice to all parties, it was most desirable that the fullest examination should be made. lie would therefore suggest an adjournment, in order that the decea,ed's head might be opened and examined. The jury assented to the view taken by the coroner, and the proceedings were adjourned until Tuesday next. THE EXPRESS, SATURDAY EVENING, JANUARY 8, 1848. IRELAND. DUBLIN, JAN. 6. The country papers give a distressing account of the quantity . of civil and criminal business at the quarter sessions now in progress. The processes which once counted by hundreds, now run up to thou sands. In one poor district 5,000 services have'' taken place. Side by side with this symptom of dis organisation the ejectment lists ran up a heavy score, and the heavy condition of the docks completes the disheartening picture. There was a meeting in Longford yesterday, to adopt measures for the defence of Mr. Fox's seat against the petition of Mr. Lefroy. The landed pro prietors attended in large numbers. The chief busi ness transacted was the establishment of a fund, which was liberally filled up. Each subscriber paid down one-third of his subscription, which is considered adequate to the " present contingency." The poor-law commissioners have agreed to a ge neral revaluation of the city of Dublin. This will greatly contribute to the relief of many of the rate payers, on whom the burthen falls unevenly and injuriously. The Caotlebar Telegraph calls attention to the dif ference of expenditure in the workhouses of Castle bar and Swineford. In the former the cost of main tenance of each pauper is le. 01d. per week, and in the latter, ls. 11d. The first being under paid guardians, it is inferred that the balance is in favour of the unpaid. The difference may bo easily ac counted for by two facts-Ist, that Swineford is nearer an import market, i. e., Ballina; and, 2nd, that the poor are better fed ender the vice-guardians. STATE OF THE COUNTRY. Outrages on property and person continue throughout the south, though, happily, to-day the personal violence recorded has not in any inst time terminated in loos of life. The County bears its crop of these criminalities. A few la,y• Lo pas Ly ..f .1.1•• ....-...ppusred brfOre the residences of several gentlemen near Shinrone, in this county, and demanded food or work. Amongst other per sons thus visited was Mr. French, of Caergort Park, an active and improving landholder. He assured them he had as many men employed as he could find work for, but he stated he would endeavour to obtain admission for them into the workhouse at the next meeting of the board. The men were not satisfied at this, and proceeded to drive away thirty of his sheep. A party of the police pursued them and they abandoned the property. The drainage of the river Brusna, in this county, which has been stopped by the recent freshes has thrown a great many labourers out of employment. The practice of sheep stealing, the local journal states, is very pre valent in many parts of this county. Arrests of accused and suspected persons are frequent, and the gaol of the county contains 94 prisoners. In Limerick the same state of things continues. There are two cases of conspiracy to murder mentioned in the Limerick Chronicle. One was discovered by the ruffian who was paid to commit the assassination—the fee was to have been 31. 10s.—but who denounced the parties to a magistrate, of course for a further fee. The intended victim was a Mr. Boland, residing in Clare. to the second case mentioned—that of Mr. Congreve, of Mount Congreve, Waterford—he escaped, by withstanding an inducement held out to him to place himself within r:ach of the assas sins. The arrests proceed with great rapidity, and while the commission is proceeding, parties are being made amenable for murder and other crimes. Two men have been arrested in Limerick charged with the murder of Mr. Watson, who was beaten to death sonic time since near Killaloe. Two persons named Madden have been arrested for the robbery of Mr. Coffey, payulerk. Meantime, the social duties are not all in abeyance while justice is attended to, for the Knight of Glin is employing 300 men daily under the land improvement act in Limerick county; and in Clare, near the city of Limerick, one gentleman has applied for 15,0001., under the same act, while the Board of Works has under taken to complete the works on the road between that city and Ennis. The Limerick papers mention the cue of a mer cantile concern in Limerick which paid 3001. a year rent, now let at 1501. a year without fine. There were shipped from that port last week 14,300 quarters of oats and 8,880 guar ten Indian corn imported tar home consumption. A letter in the Limerick paper announces that " the boys " are piling their arms and transmitting them from the proclaimed districts to friends in those places not under. the provisions of the life preservation act. SCOTLAND. EDINBCROH, JAN. 6. The following is a correct statement of the changes consequent on the death of Sheriff Speirs. Mr. J. Thomson Gordon becomes Sheriff of Edinburgh, Mr. A. Davidson, Sheriff of Kincardine, is to succeed Mr. cordon as Sheriff of Aberdeen, while Mr. J.Craufurd, now an advocate-depute, is to be appointed Sheriff of Kincardine. A " navvie" riot, of rather formidable character, has taken place at West Calder. The operations of the Caledonian Railway, in that neighbourhood, having been completed, an extensive discharge of workmen took place, but, before leaving, the Irish portion re solved on inflicting punishment on the English and Scottish labourers in the village. Accordingly the belligerents, to the number of between 300 and 400, entered West Calder and attacked the inhabitants in discriminately, but the latter, accustomed of late to guerilla warfare, confronted the invaders, and although with the aid of friendly " navvies," the de fensive was only half of the opposing force, the assailants were repelled, and retired with the view of renewing the charge at night, with a reinforcement of the undischarged, who would then be off work. But in the interim a detachment of cavalry was pro cured from Edinburgh, and peace restored. Some controversy has been excited in the north about Lord Ward's refusal of free church sites. As extenuating his ordehip's conduct, one party asserts that " there are only SI free adherents on his pro perty." Another rejoins that " when the established clergyman last preached at Glengarry, his audience, including all the elders and schoolmasters, amounted only to 13." It is also stated, in a letter to the Inverness Courier, that " the Rev. Mr. Chisholm (Roman catholic) has frequently made application for a site whereon to build a chapel for the convenience of his flock in Glengarry, bat his exertions on this bead have proved hitherto as unsuccessful as those of the free-church missionary." The town council of Perth have, by a majority of 14 to 4, resolved to peti tion parliament in favour of granting sites. At the last meeting of the free presbytery of Edinburgh notice was given of the following overture : ‘• It is humbly overtured by the Presbytery of Edinburgh that the General Assembly while prosecuting her own educa tion scheme, shall use every effort to render u efficient and as generally available as possible, the existing public provi sion for education in Scotland, whether in colleges or schools, by endeavouring to procure the amendment or abolition of those acts of parliament which, In consequence of a:perver- Rion of their original design, are understood to give an exclu sive control over the colleges and parish schools of Scotland to the existing church establishment; as also to secure such other reforms of the existing system, especially in regard to the branches taught, the mode of appointing teachers, and their suitable remuneration and government, as are not only proper is themselves, but manifestly required by the altered circumstances of the counll7." The Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce has agreed to petition for road reform. It was stated in the course of the discussion, that one miller in the imme diate vicinity of Edinburgh paid 130/. a year for tolls on corn sent for grinding. 800,000/. per annum was also stated as the expenses of toll collection in Eng land and Wales. The chamber further resolved to take vigorous steps for equal privileges with Glasgow in regard to the post transmission from the west of England, Glasgow being 24 hours earlier than Edin burgh. The lesser postal exigencies of the capital is the reason assigned for this differential accommoda tion, _but from returns obtained it has been ascer tained that about 12,000 'more letters per month are delivered in Edinburgh than Glasgow, but how the two places stand in regard to intercourse with the west of England has not been stated. PROFESSOR SYME.—A public dinner is to be given to this gentleman on the 4th of February, on the occasion of his leaving Edinburgh for London. The chairman and croupier are to be the presidents of the colleges of physicians and surgeons. MELANCHOLY DEATH.-011 Friday evening a young woman residing in Charleston, Paisley, had dressed herself for a bail, and was iu readiness, waiting the arrival of her partner, when her mother wanted some member of the fa mily to go out on an errand. The young woman, notwith standing the entreaties of her friends, persisted in going, and she was heard exclaiming, as she kit the house, that she would be back in time to go with her lover to the ball. The young man arrived, but waited in vain for her, and after waiting for about an hour he left the house under the im pression that he had been deceived. All this time the pa rents of the young woman were in ■ state of considerable anxiety, which waspainfully increased u the morning broke without any intelligence of her. It occurred to some of the friends, who by thu time had assembled, that, is her hurry she might have taken a shorter road along the banks of the Glasgow, Paisley, and Johnstone Canal, and the night being dark, might have fallen into the water. Search was ac cordingly made in the canal, where the body of the unfor tunate young woman was found. late a commission aent, at Manchester and Rochdale, but who is a native of liradford, was charged with having, at various times, forged bills of exchange.—Mr. J. Greenhalgh, tinplate-worker, Drake-street, Rochdale, deposed, that in the former put a the last year the prisoner called at his shop, and ordered four cisterns to be made for his master, who kept some chemical works, at Wakefield, and whose name he represented to be Mr. John Fcarne Gee. The order was completed at the latter end of March, and on the 9th of April Mr. Greenhalgh sent his account, which amounted to 201. 3.. ; it was sent to Mr. Gee, at Wake field. On the 12th of April the prisoner called at Mr. Green balgh's house, and presented a bill of exchange, bearing date 26th January, 1817, drawn by John Sedgwick, Bristol; upon William Paamore, commission agent, fnr 281. 145., payable three mouths alter date, at Cuuliffe, Brooks, and Co., bankers, London, bearing the st ye ral endorsements, John Sedgewick, Bristol ; William Marsden, corn dealer, Manchester ; J. F. Gee, and others, which he offered as pay ment for the cisterns, out of which he would want el. lle. Mr. Greechslgh said he would rather be paid in Bank of England notes; however, on loekiog over the names on the bill, he observed William Marsden, Manchester, written with red ink. The prisoner representt d him to be one of the family of Marsden+, form: rly of Littleborongh, and to be the person who married Mr. Hoyle's daughter, corn dealer, Rochdale, and on that account he took the bill, paid the difference, U. I is., allowing 3s. fur discount. The bill was afterwards returned as bong a bad one, and Greenhalah had paid the amount far it to the District Bank.—Mr. Marsden, of Manchester, corn. deahr ' being sworn, said he had not signed the bill, the name was not his handwriting, and he had never seen it until the 20111 of Dr:ember last, when Mr. Greenhalgh pre sented it to him in Manchester. Mr. J. F. Ore, of Wakefield, engaged the prisoner to he hie agent in Lanca shire, in September, 1848. He then resided in Rochdale, but in January, 1847, he went to reside in Fog-lane, London road, Manchester, whore he confirmed for a short time, and then absconded.—Mr. It 'bees, of the firm of Helgate and Roberts, solicitors, said he had several tharges of a similar nature against the prisoner, made by respectabie persons. It appeared Mr. Roberts was not fully prepared to go into them, sod the affair dropped fur the present.—Mr. Hunt, solicitor defended the prisoner, and complained bitterly of parties ioterfering.—After the durcesitions had been read over the prisoner was folly committed for trial at the next assizes.—Mr. Hunt said be should not apply for bail fur the prisoner's appearance, because it had been refused when he we; committed a fortnight ago.— On particular inquiry, our reporter ands that the pr isoner, William Lonobottorn, bee tinged bills during the last e.ghtetni months, on his late • mpl-sycra at Wakefield, to the amount of 5001.; also paid Mr. Gee 19 forged bine, amounting to 1,2261. Its. Respectafie tradesmen at Cirencester, Glouces tershire, Bradford, Hochilsle, Manchester, and other pieces, have also receive d hills from him, to a very lar.,e amount. It is generally thought he was intending to abscond, but on the lit of May last he (the pranuer) fell nut of his pig, and sou so injured, that ho was taken to the Manchester In firmary; alter that he lett, and a reward was offered by various tradesmen for his apprehinvion. He was first ap prehended at Bing] v, near tiretford, m Sepensher last, and was committed to lerk assizes for trial. At the assizes he was discharged, owing to a mistake in the dyne/hi seas or indictment. It is said that there are about twenty other charges to be brought against him. PROVINCIAL. THE FIRE IN 31R.64alaSTONE'S 'WAREHOUSE, which we mentioned yesterday, was subdued after burning the upper story and the root. The flames did nut extend down to the property in other storks, from the immense DWELLINGS OP THE HURAL Pouti. — An application floods of water which were poured into them. The build ing and goods are fully insured, but the precise amount we was made to the magistrates, in petty ...shins at Lutter could not, at the late hour at which we are writing, mom- worth, on the 30th use, ,by the clerk of the beard of guar tain. The origin of the fire is a mystery. Sugar, figs, end duns of the Lutterwereit Union, for the assistance of the raisins are not very inflammable matenals, and there will, magistrates in the abatement of the nuisances contigucus to no doubt, be a strict inquiry into all the circumstances. The the greater past of the dwelling. of the poor people in the warehouse is very substantially built, but having been village of Walcot. It was stated on the authority of the erected before the system of fircproofiug was so generally surveyors, who had impeded the dwellings of the paupers, adopted, the Mime, beams, and flooring arc of wood. Iron that they were in PO unwholesome a state from want of outer doors, cat-heads, &0., were added, however, after the Prole rdreinage, the sceumulation of ON<llliVe matter, and passing of the lire Prevention Act. the tearfully crowded state cf the buildings, that typhus A SHIP ON FIRE IN THE VICTORIA DOCK.—About fever, which is now very rife amongst the inhabitant', was five o'clock on Thursday. and in the midst of the bustle con very much aggravated by those causes; and it appeared from sequent upon the fire in Union-court, intimation was given answers given to inquiries of the magistrates by Mr. Speck mail, the district medical officer, who was in attendance, of • fire on board a vessel in the Victoria Dock. The fire brigade and fire-engines started immediately for the dock, and, that little permanent good could he e tpeeted unless some on arriving there, discovered smoke issuing in dense volumes of the cottages were pulled down, a - el a ereeter quantity from the forehold of a barque lying on the east side of the of pure and whelesame air could be obtained tor the dock. The vessel proved to be the Clutha, Capt. Fergus, remainder. It also appeared that many of the cottages which had arrived only on Wednesday from Charleston, full had been originally built for coalh se.es and workshops, to the beams with cotton, and the deck also crowded with but as the population increased these buildings had been large bales of the same article. It was deemed advisable at converted into dwelli ng s ;thus, from time to time, increasing their number, until a dear of pestilence and filth, scarcely to since to remove the vessel to the west side of the dock, and there an ineffectual effort was made to subdue the be exceeded in any of the worst class oi the Irish villages, has been the consequeLce. It was suggested to the bench, flames. The barque was then taken into the lock of that as the revisiuu of the red cut out ter the removal of the Waterloo Dock, the water of which was immediately nuisances did not appear to bi sufficient to remedy evils of so lowered for the purpose of grounding the vessel. This being accomplished, the barque was scuttled, several frightful and extensive a character, acme good might pro bably be obtained by the angistrates representing the cir wereholes having been made in her bottom. Whilst they cumstances to the rivulets of the property, 'A ho, it was stated, able, the firemen stood upon the deck with branches from two fire-engines, and poured water down the fore- did not reside in the neighbourhood, and we re probably hatchway, but the heat became so intolerable that they were unaware of the painful situation of the poor upon their at length compelled to retire, and steed on the quay, where estate.—The bench directed their clerk to prepare a state they continued their efforts to subdue the flames. In order ment, in accordance with this suggestion, to be forwarded to that no portion of the water might be wasted, holes were the landowners; and the boucle a.su directed the parish made on the deck, so that it might run into the hold. The authorities forthwith to scour the brook and cleanse the lire appeared to be near the upper deck, and therefore the drains, and pros ide lime for purifying the dwelling-houses. water coming in at the scuttle hales had little or no effect. LINCOLNSHIRE. It was only by the streams from the engines that the flames BURGLARS AND FOOTPADS appalr to be doing were prevented from bunting forth. The volumes of enn,ke much mischief, creating greet alarm to Lincolnshire. The were immense. Fortunately there was no wind. The origin following outrages he's been reported:—On Wednesday of the fire is, of course, at present • mystery. With the ea- evening last, a man who travels with a cue of jewellery was ception of the lanterns used by the customs officers in ruin- stopped about half-way between Long Sutton and Gedney, waging the vessel, no fire has been on board since the Clutha on the turnpike road, by two meu ' who attempted to rob docked. him. After a violets , struggle he succeeded in making his THE ANNUAL CHRISTMAS PARTY OP THE MAN- escape, and proceeded to a constable at Long Sutton, with cit maim Mircuaracs' INSTITUTION took place in the Free- whom be returned to th.- spot, but the men bad disappeared, trade Hell, Manchester, on Thursday evening, when a series and have not since ben heard of. In the contest he lost his of addressee were delivered by some of the gentlemen pre- case of jewellery and a bag, bother which were found on the neat; among whom were E. Armitage, Esq., Mayor of road.—A most daring hie -glary was committed, at a late hour ,alanchester ;J. Heywood, ' Bigot). M.P.,_: J. A. Turner. Ent; on Monday night lest in this house of Mr. J. Ogden. trotter. C. Townely, Esti. of Townely ; and W. It. Wood, EN. At o f 011. w.. rear or tire eullimit, supposed to be railway intervalsbetween ' the speeches, some of the old Chas labourers, entered the house with bludgeon., and alarmed mummeries and ceremonies were represented by SOMA of the the family by threatening to murder every person about the younger members of the institution, in a large open space in place, unless they were peaceably allowed to carry off the the middle of the hall, amongst which were the procession of booty tkey had come fir. Reeistance being thought by the the " Yule Log ;" the presentation of the " Boar's Head i" inmates to be danger en, the villains were allowed to proceed the presentation of the " Wassail Bowl;" and the procession with their plunder. They got posse-sion of about 201. 16s. of " Old Father Christmas," who appeared surrounded by in half-sovereigns, silver, and copper, from Mr. Ogdeu's cup his numerous children, Plum-puddiug, Cake, Mince-pie, &c. board ; 5/. worth of Coburg dresser, 5011 u. of tea, seven silver In this procession appeared Old Snapdragon and his mum- teaspoons, a quantity of cheese, and et!;:r articles. They men. Afterwards there was an attempt to establish a modern likewise stele from the breeches pocket of J. Pridmore (son- Christmas custom, in the " procession of the seasons." The in-law of Mr. Ogden) two 51. notes, 111. in gold, and 30s. in processions were all marshalled by the " Lord of Misrule." silver. The ruffians entered his reom, and finding the whose ludicrous efforts "to preserve order, by taking the breeches by the bedside, helped themselves. Before surest way to cause diaorder," occasioned great laughter. leaving the premises they discovered some wine and At ten o'clock the seats, &c., were all cleared away to make spirits ; with these they regaled themselves, coolly room for dancing, which terminated the proceedings of the walking off when they had enough, as though they evening. About three thousand persons were present. had been upon a friendly visit to the family.— Duriug the proceedings Mr. A. Turner, in the absence of M". Long Sutton has for the lost few weeks been infested by Cobden, the president of the institution, made the following loose characters. Several petty thefts have been committed statements relative to the present state of the institution : and one or two instances of highway robbery have occurred: " They had pissed through a year of great trial, he might All persons have been warned not to be out alone late at say, to all of them. The year 1847 had been one of difli- night, as there are men, supposed to be thieves, prowling culty, trouble, and anxiety, and, as one of the members of the about on most of the roads leading to the town. Crime is institution, he had called that day upon the managing dime- rife also in the parishes and hamlets around Wisbech. tor to inquire whether those disasters, disappointments, and Every day we hear of sheep-slaughtering, fowl-steeling, and misfortune., which had attended many institutions and pri- granary-robbing. On Saturday lost, we (Stamford Mer vete establishments, had also visited this institution ? The cw'y) accosted an eccentric farmer who, some time ago, answer he received had gratified him exceedingly. He gave up his occupation in llelbeach Marsh, to settle down in found that whilst, to his knowledge, many institutions in the neighbourhood of Upsvell, Norfolk. " Well, Mr. B—, this twin (both educational institutions and institutions for bow do you like your new residence? You must be very social improvement) had suffered much, and had round some dull without your neighbours." " Dull, in ! I don't want difficulty in meeting the demands upon them, the Mecha- neighbour.," was the answer. " The folks about me do nice' Institution had been flourishing during the year 1847 make a neighbour of me—they keep fetching my corn and beyond all precedent. (Cheers.) Now, how was this? He con- my fowls, and last eight (Friday se'ntlight) they fetched ceived it to be because the public of Manchester—the laden- one of my sheep !"—At Beowick, near Chatteris, trial public—believing this institution was calculated to con- four ruffians broke into the dwelling house of a fer great benefit upon their children, had made it a point farmer early on the morning of Thursday, the 30th that one of the last items in which they would attempt to ult. and after many threats obtained possession of 321. economise should be that connected with the education and —As Mr. John Melbourn, of Upwell, was returning home advancement of their children. The institution had been alone late on Christmas night from Wisbech, when near obliged to resort to no curtailment of expense* beyond the Mr. Bird's barn, on the Emneth road he perceived two men economy which they usually practised : there had been no walking in the middle of the road, whu parted as be drove reduction of the ordinary means of furnishing either Matrix- up . just SI he was passing them, and bath snatched at the ton or amusement. They had once thought they were reins, which they missed : the driver pulling up the reins doing well if they could number 1,000 members, and for suddenly both men were knocked down, and the wheel many years they did not exceed that number, as an average; passed over one. When Mr. Melbourn had passed he turned but last year they nearly approached 2,000 ,• and he had now round and saw the other man helping up the injured one, the gratification of tel the meeting that the number of who called out lustily. A whistle was new heard, and a members had reached 2,100. The institution furnished large bull dog sprang from the hedgeside and ran after the means of education such, he believed, as no other insti- gig for some distance.—On the same evening • man servant tution in the neighbourhood offered : the library had of Mr. Edwards, of Bardolph Fen, was stopped in Lang continued to increase, and, such was the demand for hora's-lane, Outwell, by a footpad, who demanded his books, that the deliveries amounted to nearly 500 per money, and struck him a violent blow on the head with a day, or nearly one per minute. Thera were upwards of stick ; but the servant, being a little elevated by drink, thirty classes in active operation ; and, he thought, when turned upon the robber, and soon became the possessor of gentlemen or ladies had friends visiting them who were the cudgel, and ran off with it. anxious to see the " lions " of the city, they might, without ESSEX. presumption, after they had visited the mills and great in- ASSAULT UPON A POLICEMAN.—At the Chelmsford dustrial establishments, bring them to the Manchester Jan. Me chanics' Institution in the evening, as deserving of special anassault Quarter Sesaions, homas 6, George Edwards was indicted far notice, and show them how the same individuals who were upon T Brown, No. 39 5 , of the metropolitan stationed Balking.—Mr. at B king Mr. Hyland appeared to con engaged in adding to the national wealth and comfort were police,dct the prosecution, which content and even anxious afterwards to store knowle doge and G. Grey - was instituted by order of Sir Upon being arraigned, prisoner, by the advice of cultivate their own minds. This was no mean institution in his counsel, pleaded guilty. The policeman stated the facts point of funds and income .' the directors had the mana g e ' of the ease, which recently appeared in our columns, and in meat of an income exceeding 4,0001. per annum, the whole of which was devoted to the improvement, instruction, and prising entence the chairman said—Whenever police amusement of its members. The Saturday evening con- men connected with the metropolitan force behaved perly=pro her Majesty's government punished them with the carts during the put year had been highly successful ; up- retest severity, and the object of the magistrates wards of 600/. had been expended upon them ; they had at- was to protect those public officers in the execution of tracted overflowing audiences ; and music of a high charac ter had been brought before the members by their instru- their duty. He was so to see a man receiving so rry a character before the court for such an offence , mentality. The news-room, libraries, and all the depart-which- aood it was very clear he committed in consequence merits of the institution had been well supplied during the of being into • • of • taken custody upon suspicion ste ding a year, and there was an increasing attendance on every rummer. He thought it was very fortunate the prisoner one of them. Under these circumstances, at the was not there to answer for the muruer of the policeman, for close of the year, they had endeavoured to lay . considerable doubts were at one time entertained of his re -1 aside their graeity for one night at least, to enjoy the co ery and had he not been a healthy man inflammation 1 good old practice of keeping Christmas, which be thought 1 they were on very good spirits to enjoy under all the circum- • would have resulted in death ; had the prisoner been so ar -Ithough h knew there must be in thatassembly stances, e be who had individually felt the pressure of the times. He eon- the metal offence and suffered the extreme penalty of the gratulated them on having the mayor present on this occa- cowardly law. He i was anxious to express his' opinion of this very y a assault, no vocation whatever having been given limn as their president, and took the opportunity of alluding to the peacetulness which had characterised the people of by testes, they felt it right to mark the seem they entertained of the policeman, ant vocation consulted his brother magis- Manchester during the period of severe diatress through the erase assault prisoner had committed by inflicting upon which the town had been passing, and attributed that altered . • nun a very severe punishment, which he trusted would be demeanour of its inhabitants, under such circumstences, in a a warning, not only to the prisoner, but in the neighbour great measure to the advance of education and to the en- hood where the offence was committed, so that they should lightenment of the popular mind by the instrumentality of • celled a• . not be again upon to inflict so severe a punishment institutions like their own, which had taught them that any person for a similar offence. The police in the neigh periods of pressure would recur in spite of human laws, and bourhood of London behaved themselves in a very creditable that at all events those around them and in authority amongst C manner, and he wished it to be known that in cue of any them were not to blame. He denied the assertion that ra. on assault committed upon them he should either deal with ligion was net taught in mechanics' institutions : he owned 'se offenders summarily, or probably send t hem to the that sectarianism was not, but the higher precepts of Chris- sorter sessions to receive severer punishment . He trusted ti anity he contended were taught, and taught in that best of a punishment prisoner would receive would deter the in. all modes—practically." habitants of the neighbourhood from attendance at beer- A WHOLESALE FORGER.—At the petty sessions, shops, where they became inflamed and excited, and under Rochdale, on Wednesday last, before Messrs. Wm. Chadwick the influence of drink committed offences of this nature. — and Henry Kelsall, magistrates, and • crowded court, 1 The prisoner was then sentenced to twelve months' bard Win. Longbottom, aged 34 years, of respectable appearance, labour in Ilford gaol. LEICI 1