The Express. — London, England, 1853-08-13 00:00:00

head, three persons, with ropes placed round their necks by approved functionaries, were swung into i ,ity. Great Britain was looking calmly for the rea:ist•ion of the promised review of the mor row. hlle three human beings were being strangled. 'fbcse are the bare facts, and we hove no iatention to tound any theory on them, or to enter into any present discussion upon the propriety of capital pu n:elinie iits. Society has decided that certain crimes hill; be punished by the extinction of life. If society owes this duty to itself as a matter of self-preserva tion, the consequences of adopting such a conclusion ineolve the corniative duty of not allowing the punishment to act as an exciting cause to the commission of such crimes as those for which the punishment is decreed. Now if, in the infliction of a penalty, the criminal becomes an object of sym pathy, the whole morale of the system of punish ment evaporates. Sympathy with the criminal induces a toleration of tho crime. If you cannot invest the punishment of death with any solemnity, aholish it, or you elevate your criminals into martyrs. Now do these remarks apply to the cast of one of the executions to which we have alluded—that of JOHN ItosEars at Caruarvon ? The whole of the arrange ments connected with carrying out the last sentence of the law with respect to this man were of a nature to excite indignation and a feeling of the ludicrous, rather than tear or horror. The execution was to have taken place on a scaffold outside the gaol, which abuts over a slate yard. The tenant and the landlord of the place in question, however, objected to this, and the authorities had no resource but to execute their man within the walls. As an execution however is intended to be a great moral loam], it is necessary that the public should be apse tater' of the same. But as stone walls are pee- verbially impervious to right, there appeared to be an insuperable difficulty in the way of carrying out the whole intention of the law. The authorities, however, were not daunted. It was, the report tells us, finally decided that the execution should take place within the walls, and be public only to the extent which a large opening therein would admit. In plain terms, the legal extinction of the life of a man, necessary as a great public lesson, was to be looked at through a "hole in the wall." The arrangements were adapted to the exigencies of the case. The scaffold was small, and only capable of accommodating seven or eight persons. Oat of this number, however, only three could be seen through the aperture—the culprit, the executioner, and a philanthropic gentleman of the name of Witmer, who had been very assiduous in conveying spiritual consolation and instruction to the prisoner. The religious service was unheard. The appearance, at the aperture, of the three individuals occasioned a start of horror and a shrill cry amongst the specta tor. The grotesque horror of the sight was enhanced, says the reporter, by the strange appear ance of the hangman, with his head covered by a peculiar black head-dress. "There," he conti nues, " within a small aperture of a few feet were the busts of the two figures seen, the one in the foreground waving his hands and making motions of agony and woe, the other darkly looming from behind in a costume as hideous as any age which fancy could suggest." These disgusting fesPl tures of the care were heightened by other circus. stances. The executioner was a young man—inexpe rienced as it would appear, for the knot was tied on the mcrong smile and above the ear, so that, though the full was above four feet, the spine was not broken, and death did not ensue until after minutes of convul sive struggle. What effect can the sight of a punishment of this kind have upon the spectators? Ridicule, horror, and disgust, may have been excited, but surely not solemn thought, or aversion to crime. Nay, in so far as sympathy with the criminal on account of the tor tures inflicted upon him was aroused, the natural aversion to the crime might be supposed to be diminished. There are only two grounds upon which the rationale of capital punishment can be argued—the vindication of the majesty of the law, and the moral effect that the sight may have upon the spectators. Both these were lost sight of in the execution at Cimarron. The vindication of the majesty of the law could not be affected by putting the criminal to unnecessary torture—the moral effect could not be produced spun a populace oscillating between sympathy and ridicule. If we are to preserve the punishment of death is our legal code, let ue invest it with all the solemnity which the violent extinction of life demands. Let it be surrounded with all the circumstances which can impress the spectators with a due feeling of the awful nature of the eight which they are witnessing. If it is found that this cannot be effected is sight of the universal public, do away at once with publicity in the ordinary acceptation of the term. Institute proper legal witnesses of the exe cution, they being sufficiently numerous to satisfy the full needs of the came. Give due guarantees that the sentence of the law will be put into execution, but take care that your ordinary arrangements are not such as to defeat the very end for which your penal ties are established. Until this is done it will be found that the hanging of a Jonx Ronr.irrs is only planting the seed for a crop of future ROBIATBEIL The execution of one murderer may be the very sour* of the occurrence of unnumbered murders to come. INDIA MAIL. 'MAT. The Indian mail arrived Dm at one o'clock to-clay (Friday). SOUTH AMERICAN MAILS. WV' r, SATURDAY MORNING. The Severn has arrived. Her dates are--Buenos Ayres, July 2 ; Rio Janeiro, 15 ; Lisbon, August 8. Pias, with battalion, paved over to the town on the lit of July ; a small contingent of troops have ar rived from Urquiza from the Upper Province. The blockade was raised, the whole of Urquiza's squadron having pained over in favour of the town. Co. and his officers were paid one hundred thousand pounds. Coe is coming to England. Business, owing to the blockade at Buenos Ayres being raised, was almost stopped at Monte Video. Bi the Severn steamer, we find that the transac tions in Exchange at Rio de Janiero had been exten sive, two hundred and ninety thousand pounds hay ing been passed on to London, and large amounts for Paris and Haratnirgh. Freights at Rio had de clined. The money market was easier. The political news was unimportant. The provinces were quiet, and the treasury well filled. The Finance Minister was busy establishing the National Bank. The railway at Petropolis for seven miles w opened. At Pernambuco and Bahia trade was didL Pro visions quiet. __ __ H.M.S. Dedelua, with tnaanre from the Pacific, sailed from Rio, for England, on the 13th of July. TtsCANT.—A letter from Florence, of the 2ad, in the °psalms of Tarim. dates that meeker plaided trial at also *WW I elfb hag wale of M. Ifmelnl, with t e r s : tea ap almommee etermar, has taken plate them. 'fbe meet misused them all te forty asses' laysimasst Ida labser as Vol um. FRANCE. PARIS, Flunky EVENING. Important news relative to ti.e Eastern qt.estion has reached Paris to-day. According to a telegraphic despatch received this morning by the government, the Porte accepts, without any modification, the note of the four powers. To this intelligence, I ' however, is appended a notification of great I moment, which will give rise to various niter pretations. The tiultan appears to have added to the arrangement of Vienna that vital stipulation ! which the powers had not the spirit to make for him. It is stated in the despatch, as given by the. government journal the Petrie, that the Sultan will send an ambassador to St. Petersburg, bearing his ad hesion as soon as the Emperor of Russia shall have' ordered his army to withdraw from the Principalities. This is evidently only a civil way of saying that Russia having been in the wrong, must wake reparation in the first instance. It re-opens the whole question. The Sleets of this morning stated that Turkey had tome to this reso lution, and the Bourse was a few moments uneasy in consequence. The news, however, was strenuously denied and generally disbelieved. It has evidently been kept trick by the government till after Bonne hours, and is now not given in the form which its importance deserves. The Estcyette has received a warning to-day for the money article in its yesterday's number, " which, besides false news, contained calumnious imputations against high functionaries of the state." The article in question said that the group of" bears," who habi tually got their information from the court, were taken by surprise by the news from St. Petersburg published in the Moniteur of Sunday last. It insinuated that M. de Persigny had concealed the intelligence from M. Fould, and that Baron de Rothschild was greatly amused at the discomfiture of the latter. The comparative liberty which the press has for some time enjoyed will very likely not last long. Several recent articles have given great offence. The Usurers, the Assemble, and the &vele, have all received private admonitions within the last few days, and I understand the Siecle about to be prosecuted for an article relative to servants' " livrets." From the monthly returns of the Bank of France it appears that the metallic reserve has increased about of a million in Paris, and 3 a million in the departments. The discount accommodation has di minished in Paris 21 millions, and increased in the branch-banks 71 millions. The advances on French Rente have diminished in Paris a million, and in creased in the provinces; of a million. The advances on railway shares have fallen off in Paris 1 a million, and in the branch-banks notquite 4 of a million. On the side of the liabilities, the notes in circulation have increased 18; mill'ons in Paris, and diminished 3 millions in the departments. The account-current 'tit the Treasury has declined 11 millions. Ordinary assseato-current have fallen off 73 millions in Paris, and have increased 11 miilions in the branch-banks. The whole amount of the metallic reserve is at present 4791 millions to 634 millions of notes in circulation. It will be remarked that the Bank has added a new item on the side of its liabilities, namely, I the levying of a small duty on the safe keeping of securities of all kinds, which its clients may think fit to entrust to it. This plan has been already adopted with beneficial effects with respect to their railway shares and bonds by some of the principal French companies. To-day the market for public securities has been active, prices have advanced, closing with firmness, and having an upward tendency. The Three per Cents. for cash have established an improvement on yesterday's clueing prides of 20c., and for the account 23c.; the Four-and-a-Half per Cents. for cash and for the account, each 20c. Bank Stock is un changed. The closing prices are :—For cash : Three per Cents., 80f. 30e. ; Four-and-a-Half per Cents., 104 f. 50c. For the account : Three per Cents., 80E 30c.; Four-and-a-Half per Cents., 104 f. 60c. Bank Stock, 2,835 f Credit Foncier Bank shares have not undergone any change, but Credit Mobilier are 7f. higher. They closed, Credit Foncier at 740 f., and Credit Mo biller, 871 f. 50e. The railway market has participated in the buoy ancy in Bentes, and the shares of many Hues have improved in value. Northern. have risen 2f., Paris and Orleans 18E, Lyons to the Mediterranean, 12f., and Rouen and Havre 2f. Paris and Strasbourg and Western of France are unchanged; but Paris and Lyons have fallen 6E, Paris and Rouen SE, and Bor deaux and Cette 2f. The following are the closing prices :—Northerns, 895 f. ; Paris and Orleans, 1,235 f.; Paris and Strasbourg, 980 f. 25c.; Paris and Lyons, 935 f.; Paris and Rotten, 1,0991. 30c.; Lyons to the Mediterranean, 7941.; Western of France, 760 f. 50c.; Rotten and Havre, 514 f. 50c.; Bordeaux and Cette, 848 f. PARIS. THURSDAY BURRING. The trial of the persons implicated in the secret society called "La Lig= Federal.," came on yester day before the Tribunal of Correctional Police. It will be recollected that, on the Bth May last,' search was made at the house of M. Jeanne, the printseller, in the Passage Choiseul, and that, amongst the papers seized, were several indicating the existence of the society in . question, and some which led to a belief of a conspiracy to which the name of Com plot de Vincennes, has been given by . some of the journals. Twent-two persons were implicated in this affair, but on ly eleven were sent to .prison— namely, Mazy, Barbotte, Bicard, Bong= de la &ache, Dappatis, Rapier, Alvarez, Salver, Bataille, and Jeanne. Four of the accused are absent—viz., Dubuisson, Baguet, Couturier, and Bourguia. There were several other amused who bad been released on bail. Oce of these is M. Piegard, the father-in-law of M. Proudhon. The charge against most of the accused is that of having belonged to a secret 'minty. Two are amused of having distributed foreign journals; six of having had illegal pcsses- Eon of arms and ammunition; two of having distri buted seditious writings; and one—namely, M. Jeanne—of having exhi bited for sale, prints, em blems, &a., without authorisation of the Minister of Police, and of having carried on the business of a bookseller without license. The proceedings occu pied the greater part of yesterday and to-&y, and stand adjourned till to-morrow. GERMANY. MARRIAGE OF THE CROWN PRINCE OF BELGIUM. izscmic riaisaaArm.) VIENNA, W*DNISDLT BYRNINO. The ceremony of the marriage by procuration of Marie Henriette Anne, Archduchess of Austria, with the Duke of Brabant, took place this evening, at six o'clock, in the chapel of the chateau of Schou brunn. Monsignor Raoscher, Archbishop of Vienna, officiated. After the ceremony there was a gala re ception in the Grand Gallery. All the members of the corps diplomatique and all the court came to pre sent their felicitations to her imperial highness. SPAIN. A letter from Madrid, of the Bth inst., received by express, states that the Gazette contains a royal de cree, ratifying the concession, of railways already made. M. Balamwea had left for Paris. TIIE EXPRESS, SATURDAY EVENING, AUGUST 13, 1853. THE FETE OF NAPOLEON. The following a the aloud programme for the Me of kloaday, the 15th, whisk, from the extensive pre parations aow I. progress, bids fair to be one of the most splendid that has taken pine law essay yeses :—" 811 voes el Whoa will be fired at the Invalid's, at as o'clock la the sessalleg, and will be meats& at els o'clock in the ma les. In He Naves of the mese*, the aspen end mem bers of the DIIIMISSZ de Bilealseace will distribute provi sions teas pew of 6111 twelve arrondissements. The NM will take_pleee thweesiosed the day ainialtineenaly in the Champrity.fen the Chimp de-Mare, sad k ths Pan been Ilekt-Anteke and Bony. Military asebeetres will be suelesedi In different parts of tbe Chaemeillyeks. in the Champ-do-Man. hem three to Wilma her, the ar name of Hippodrome win give a of the • Ptak et the CU* el Cield; by haremendlip and oedema terhinnensen Press hal peat dm to six the pow hem= of tie hapedel Theatre of tl+e ei Ve will sussed these of the ilaredmeen end will the wean of wry puimatime th bells& At dye W i = lia l t ellederd Wilke's& la his knees Mai eske down with the peeeirate. AA kb mien end ef Paris panto salmis epedesies will he pediment es the Pike Wal kable' and at the Baran dn Tram Alas Cocagns will be emoted at both Ikea At two °Week &IMMO:4w reprematations will take place at the Thd. re Fran canoe, Opera Comique, Oymnaae, Porte Saint Martin, : Vaudeville, Vaal ie, Palais Rays', Galli, Ambigu, and at the Cirques de l'Empereer and de l'lmperatrice. From three to aia o'cluell there will be boat races and regattas en the Seine between the Pont des Invalides and the Pont de line, and at the same time jousts will hate place at Berry. From pig o'clock to eight in the evening there will be a concert in the garden of the Tuileries op posite the Pavillon de l'Horloge. In the evening the 1 garden of the Tuileries, the Place de la Concorde, and the grand avenue of the Champs Elyse.* as far so the Ber -1 riire de l'Etoile, will be illuminated with coloured lamps. The Cours-la-Reins, and the Allie d'Autin will be like. wise illuminated. The basin of the Rood-Pool in the Champs Elvin will be covered with a large globe, surmounted with a large luminous eagle. The triumphal arch at the top of the Champs Elysies will be illuminated with gas, and in the centre will be placed the Cross of the Legion at Honour in bright illumination, surruundid with a variety of variegated lamps. The Hotel-de-Ville, dressed out with fi igs and trophies in the day-time, will be illuniinatad by night. The Barrike du Tti)ne, the Place Valhubtrt, and all the public edifices, will be illuminated. At nine at night three diiiplant of fireworks will be given, one on the Place of the 11.atiere du TrOur, the other on the basin of Berey, and the third on the esplanade of the Invalides. This latter will represent the apotheosis of the Emperor in the Temple of Immortality. The ascent of a balloon, carrying the letter N, surmounted with a crown, will follow the bouquet, titer which the dome of the Invalides will be lit up with Bengal lights. gpt Court. OSBORNE, Acorn: 12. Her Majesty returned to Osborne last night at a quarter pent 8 o'clock, alter the Naval Review. Toe Crown Prince of Wiirtemberg, attended by Baron de Ikrlicbingen and L.rd Charles Fitzroy, joined her Ma jesty yesterd ty from L radon, on board the Victoria and Albert, and returned to London in the evening. The Duke of Cambridge also returned to London, after witnessing the Review. The Grand Duchess Catherine, attended by her Lady in Waiting and M. de Chroustchaff, also joined her Majesty in the Victoria and Albert yesterday, and returned to Ryde about 7 o'clock. Sir James Graham and the Board of Admiralty were also present in the royal yacht during the Sir James Graham has left Osborne, and Sir Jame' Clark lett for London this afternoon. A deputation from the Screw Steam Fishing Company, consisting of Mr. Saunders, Mr. Croker, Mr. Morgan, Mr. French, and Mr. Beancone, bad an interview yesterday' with the Right lion. E. Cardwell, at the Board of Trade. Mr. P. F. Little and Mr. Parsons, from Newfoundland, had an interview with the Duke of Newcastle yesterday, at the Colonial-office, to take leave. A deputation from Rochdale, on the subject of the Roch dale Improvement Bill, consisting of Mr. Heaton, solicitor, I Mr. Livesey, and Mr. Taylor, had an interview with Lord Stanley of Alderley yesterday at the Board of Trade. The deputation was introduced by Mr. John Cheethain. Captain Hall and Mr. Montagu Gore had an interview with the Right lion. E. Cardwell yesterday at the Board of Trade. -•--. Despatches were sent yesterday' from the Colonial-olio to the Governor-General of Canada. THE SMYTH FORGERY CASE. COMMITTAL OF DR. SMITH ALIAS SMYTH. (FROM 001 COnSZIPONDIINT) GLOUCESTER, FRIDAT. The examination of Dr. Smith alias Sir Richard Hugh Smyth, on the charge of forging &number of documents for the purpose of proving his alleged title to large estates in Gloucestershire, Somerset, and Wilts, was brought to a close at nine o'clock last night before the Rev. Dr. Jenne, Master of Pembroke, and a magistrate for Gloucestershire. The inquiry was conducted at the County Prison, where the prisoner has been confined ever since Wednesday afternoon on the charge of perjury on which Mr. Justice Coleridge committed him. Mr. Gray appeared to conduct the prosecution. Ns counsel or attorney now appeared for the prisoner. No lees than eight witnesses were examined after our report was despatched last evening. Mr. Robert Cocks, jeweller, of Oxford-street, gave details of the prisoner's application to him to engrave fabricated jewellery. Mr. Cocks was croa,-examined by the prisoner and said the Bandon crest was copied by him from a book of the peerage which he showed to the prisoner. When the prisoner brought the miniature to him he ordered him to put at the back of it a rim of brass, and to make good a part of the frame which had been broken off, instructing him to do the work in such a manner that it might look as if it had been done 60 years. After it was done the pri soner complained that it looked like new work, and wit ness then did something to it to give it an older ap pearance. Mr. John Roberts deposed that he was for forty years clerk at Messrs. Mill's Bank, at' Bristol. Was well an. (minted with the writing of Sir John Smyth, and believed the signature " John Smyth," appended to the document "A" (the deed of 1822) was not his genuine signature. It was not at all like Sir John's signatare in 1822, but looked like an imitation of his writing about the year 1846 or 1847. The signature " James Abbott ' he did not think was that of James Abbott, the steward, as set up. He knew Abbott's writing well. Mrs. Edwards, widow of William Francis Edwards, who died in September, 1846 (and who was represented as en attesting witness to the deeds of 1822 sad 1823), deposed that the signatures were not those of her deceased husband. Mrs. Honor Dobson, whose husband (he died last year) was represented as another attesting witness to the throb. gave 'bailer testimony as to her husband's writing. She et one time thought the signatures were like her buslmadre, hat not so now. One of the signatures wee spelt with tete b's. Her husband never so signed his name. Noah Crook, of Bath, deposed that he went to schen to the prisoner in 1814. The prisoner was then knows as Thomas Provis, and witness never knew him by las other name. The prisoner (his schoolmaster) had a mak on his neeko-a scrofulous kind of mark—he believed on the right side of his neck. He had no doubt the primer was the man. He was then about 24 years old. [The peP toner has just such a mark upon his neck es the wham described, sad this is the mark by which he was khans& as having been under sentence of death in Usimereer imi for bone stealing.] Ann Heath, daughter of John Provis, of Wanahrthm, and aged 62, stated that her father had two sons by Ne wife—John and Thomas. Her brother Join was the eldest, and the prisoner was her brother Tana. Ith aver entirely lost sight of him. Ors ass samba whoa the prisoner called on her, he asked hie Is he bit have the likeness of his brother John. that haw, except by hearsay, that he had assumed the am of Dr. Smith, until after her father's death. Remembered, was about 13 years of age, aceempanying her &WM Bat► ea the occa sion of the prisoner's learns's. He son tins GAM Thomas Provis, and was married to Ass Whitish. ♦ eon of thee marriage named Frederick comae aathaelly to her father% He is sines dead. Crossimarnined by the prisoner—Had heard that prisoner (Thomas Provis) had been in Ilehester gaol for horse•eteel p ing, and did believe that that Thomas Proofs, who was se in Boaster gaol, Thomas Provis who was married at Bath, and the prisoner was the same person. Believed he was bora in 1792. Mr. W. Rawood, clerk in the Prerogative Court of Can. tsrbury, produced the will and codicil of the late Sir Hugh Smyth, dated July 19, 1814, and, in reply to the prisoner, expressed his belief that it would have been impossible far a person to ►ave taken impressions of the seal and :signs tare of the will while it was at Doctors'-commove. This cloned the examination of witnesses. The prisoner then, having been cautioned by Dr. Jesse in the usual manner, made a statement to this effeet—that being unprotected by legal advice, he did not feel himself ' justified in entering into any explanation respecting any of the circumstances which had been deposed to, except that be stasidered that the proofs in support of the ille gal of the documents had not been in the present in- Maas proved by any evidence, nor the facts of the drew fag, signing, or sealing by him of the deeds, or of his pas seam of them, except of the document marked " 13 " (the deed of 1823), and considering the evidence given before the Judge of the genuineness of the signatures not being onspowered by the testimony of the witnesses examined Mew the magistratesjhe left the matter to the magistrates' essiietetion. He declared himself not guilty of the ebeepa, and if he was committed on the charge of absolute and punitive forgery he should consider himself unjustly committed. The prisoner was then family committed for trial ea the charge of forging and uttering the documents ; and so ended this strange cam. IluxnAßY.—The Augsburg Gazette stab" on the authority of a letter from Petah, that M. Fan, the former Provost Marthalof Comorn, has hanged himself in his cell in the military prison at Peeth. The reason given for his suicide is that as be was accused of having participated in the well known Comets plot of lut year, the object of which was to liberate the political prisoners and to get pos. erosion of the fortrem. It appears that he laid violent hands on himself fa order not to be obliged to compromile any of hie sestatplitee by hie ententoes. ANOTIIER ELECTION FOR THE OFFICE OF SHERIFF. Yesterday a Common Hall was held for the elec tion of a fit and proper person to serve the office of Sfieriffi of London, and jointly with Alderman Wire the office of Sheriff of Middlesex, in the room of Mr. Joseph Turnley, who had refused to give bond to serve the office upon being elected. At two o'clock the Lord Mayor accompanied by the Re corder, Aldermen Wilson, Lawrence, and Farncombe, and attended by the Sheriffs, Mr. Secondary Potter, the City Solicitor, Mr. Firth, of the Town Clerk's Office, and other I officers appeared upon the hustings. The meeting of the Livery consisted of a few persons who seamed not to care • straw about the proceedings. Here and there was to be seen one of those dirty fellows whom the carelessness of the corporation has elevated to the dignity of sheriff manufac turers, and who are of course ready to take the necessary hints from their acknowledged leaders in all affuirs con nected with the election to expensive or lucrative office. The BECOUDaIi came forward upon the hustings, and stated in the usual terms the occasion upon which the Lurd Mayor had summoned the livery. Mr. Puma. (the secondary) then read the names of the gentlemen whose names stood upon the list for the office of sheriff. The were Mr. Henry Muggeridge (alderman), Mr. John Thomas Norris, and Mr. George Appleton Wallis. The two first names, although long known in the City, appeared, upon being put up on the hoard, not to be known at all in the Hall, while the name of the third gentleman, who, we believe, never showed himself on the hustings be fore the day of his nomination, was received with 1 all the rapturous accompaniments of merited wel come and recognition. All hands were held up in favour of Mr. Wallis, who was immediately declared to be the successful candidate, and upon being called upon to come forward and announce his acceptance of the office, advanced to the front of the busting., and in an excellent and emphatic voice addressed the meeting to the following effect:—" Fellow citizens, you are perhaps somewhat sur prised that I should be a candidate for the office of sheriff. I assure you that such was not at all my intention, that I would not have contemplated any thing of the kind if I had not found that the shrievalty was hawked about the' City, and that it was put up for purchase and sale. (Hear, bear.) Finding that such was the case I determined that the livery should have it in their power to elect • man who would not support the system of jobbery, which has so long prevailed, and which will now very soon receive its death-blow. (Laughter, and cries of " Hear, hear.") I shall be proud to serve in the office of sheriff. I mean to perform the real duties of the office. I shall have no gold coaches—no gentlemen behind covered with lace—(laughter)--but I shall do the business in such a manner as will satisfy m respectable fellow-citizens that office my object in taking the was to serve them, and not to support the continuance of the gewgaw exhibitions which have so often been substituted for the performance of the essential duties of the office." (Cheers.) The Lord Mayor and aldermen having returned from the Council-chamber, to which they had retired during the election, the result was formally declared, and the Common Hall was dissolved. EAST INDIA HOUSE. Yesterday a special general Court of Directors and Proprietors of the East India Company was held at the company's house, Leadenhall-street, for the purpose of further considering the bill recently introduced into parlia ment far the future government of India. RIM/ELL ELLICE, Ertl., chairman orthe Courtof Directors, presided. The CHAIRMAN iaformed the court that they were called together to consider the amendments t►at had been in• troduced into the bill in the House of Lords. He regretted that their petition had been attended with so little success, bat congratulated them that the clause istrodaced by Sir John Pakington in the House of Commons with regard to the salt duty had been rejected by the House of Lords. (here was one amendment recently introduced which he thought they ought to direct particular attention to— namely, the alteration that had been made with regard to the signatures to despatches, sad which gave the power to the Board of Control or their secretary to sign the des patches and forward them. To that the Court of Directors strongly protested, and he thought it would be advisable to read to the court the correspondence that had taken place between the President of the Board of Control and the di rectors on the subject. Mr. LEWIN, before the correspondence was read, begged to call the attention of the court to the fact that there were only seven proprietors present. The notice calling the court had evidently been seen by very few, and under the circumstances he did not think they could properly discuss this question at present, and suggested that the court should be adjourned till a future day. The CHAIRMAN observed that there would be no use In calling together a court after the bill had been read a third time and passed. The SECRETARY read the correspondence between the Court of Directors and Sir Charles Wood. The first letter called attention to the forty-fourth clause, which materially interfered with the due administration of the affairs of India, the tax which had ►een so tampered with being one of the principal sources of their revenue in that empire. They felt 'wrongly and forcibly that this was an interference effectually calculated to impair their responsibility, and trusted the matter would be taken into consideration by her Majesty's ministers, se that it might be withdrawn from the bill. The CZAIRMAN—That clause, I have the satisfaction of informing the coon, has been expunged by the House of Lords. The next letter, dated the 10th inst., was then read by the secretary, and referred to the note which prohibited any despatch being forwarded until it had received the signature of the directors, and which had been abrogated by a proviso in the bill empowering the Commissioners of the Board of Control or their sec re tary to sign and forward despatches. He earnestly protested agitnst any enactment which would interfere with the government of India by the East India Company, and whisk would be the effect of the proviso alluded to, it retained in the bill. The CHAIRMAN said the bill would be read a third time in the House of Lords that night, and the only farther proceeding would be to-morrow (this day), when the House of Lords would be called in to take into consideration the law amendments, and the bill would in all probability be some the law of the land the following day. There was therefore no time to be lost, and any adjournment would be worse than useless, and only make them the laughing stock of the public. The bill still upheld the principle of the doable government, and although the Court of Proprie tors bad lost something of its privileges sad power, he trusted they would be induced to accept the bill ; and he should now, with the sanction of the Court of Directors, move a resolution to that effect. The hon. gentlemen eon eluded by moving the resolution, which set teeth *it whilst regretting that the petition that bad been to the House of Lords had not been attended wirtti:tde sired success, the court concurred in the views and opinions of the court as stated on the 19th ult., regarding the bill for the fume government of India. Mr. Liwiw roes to propose an adjournment. He thought it was disrespectful to the Court of Proprietors that no sufficient notice had been given to them of what was about to take place that day. I The motion for adjournment was negatived, and on the original resolution being then put, Mr. Lawrie rose to move another amendment to the effect that the bill being adverse to India, and not doing justice to the The of that country, they do refuse their swat to it. The stetson was not yet passed into law, and they were justified is refusing their assent to it until that had bees done. . &ptlnDoVuson seecoded the easeaduient, whirl was then put and negatived. The original resolution _premed by the Court of Di rectors was then pat mad agreed to, end the court ad journed. MELANCHOLY ACCIDENT AT PORTSMOUTH:A de plorable accident occurred no Thursday night, at the George Hotel, Portsmouth. A Mr. Powell, a solicitor, it Chichester, had left a small leather case at the George k the morning, whilst he went to witness the review • the cue containing a double barrelled gun, the stock sep arated from the barrel and one barrel being loaded. On return. ing in the evening and asking for his cam, a waiter, named White, proceeded to bring it down to him. In the crowd, however, by some means the case fell on the door, and the hammer striking in doing so, the gun went off, and the new tents were lodged in the unfortunate waiter's head. He was killed almost instantaneously. Another person, Mr. ;mlirei, at inss;Trti,liiiussex,alaire'ceiiiisoro. very serious wounds in the hand, but Is in a fair way of escaping any fatal results. An inquest will be held to-night, oa the decoued, White. SHOCKING ACCIDENT MOM GAB EXPLOSION.— On Tuesday night an accident of a very serious nature, and likely to prove fatal to a female servant of Mr. Harris, silversmith, residing at South Hap, was occasioned by an explosion of gas. Some workmen had been em ployed at the house doing repairs, which required them to interfere with the pa-pipe and burner in a drawing room; and notwithstanding that Mr. Harris, on leav ing home for business in the morning, had given strict injunctions that they should take the utmost precaution in preventing on escape of gas, on the removal of a lamp, it appeared that his orders were neglected; for on retiring to bed, desirous of seeing all soh in the room, he and his servant entered for that purpose, the latter preceding him with a lighted candle. They bad scarcely passed the doer when they were conscious of the escape of a considerable quantity of gas ; bat before they could with draw the flame of the candle had counanaleated with it, and a frightful ezplosion took place, shattering all the windows and a door. An alarm was immediately given, and • policeman was soon in &Mende/Wenn misted by some of the neighbours. Mr. Harris bad, fortunately, re calved bat little iqjury ; but the poor girl was found en veloped in dunes, which the peliesmen could only arrest by promptly stripping off her clothes, at the risk of burning his hands. As soon as possible, surgical aid was called ; but the sufferer was so ,dftilly burnt that it was fond necessary to convey her on a stretcher to the United Hos pital, where she lies in a dangerous state.—Beth Chronicle. AUSTRIAN FINANCE.—The advice. from Vienna embrace a remarkable statement of the downward course of Austrian finance since 1846. It appears that the deficit each year from that period has been in sterling ea follows namely, 706,0331. in 1847, 4,611,0641. in 1848, 12,190,5801 in 1849, 6,344,7331. in 1850, 8,222,363/. in 1861, and 6,344,7331. in 1852; making a total in six years of 34,481,2601., or an average of 6,743,6101. per annum. There seem, also, every probability that the difference between menu and earediture will be equally diseotsousia 1863. LONDON AND NORTH WESTERN RAILWAY. Yesterday, the half-yearly meeting of the prvrie ton was held at the Euston Terminus; General ANSoN, , in the chair. After the usual preliminaries, The CHAIIIILLN opened the proceedings in a congratu latory speech, concluding as follsws : Ever since I have been connected with the company I have felt the deepest interest in its prosperity. But it is nothing but the highly flattering opinion entertained of me by my brother directors that would have induced me to take the position I have occupied at their board daring the past year. That connexion is now about to be severed. Still, I shall look to all the intelligence that may come out to me from this country with the greatest interest as to the pro gress of your affairs. (Hear.) And I hope that, some day or other, when I return to this country, I shrill have an opportunity of resuming my connexion with the company. Than that nothing would give me greater satisfaction; and I take this public opportunity of telling my brother direc tors that I feel deeply indebted to them for the assistance which they have given me whilst I have presided over them as their chairman—assistance without which I could nut have attempted to perform the duties which have devolved upon me. Of the officers of the company also, I must say that during all my experience, which is not a short or a blight one, in public life—fur I have filled many important situations—l have never found more able assistance than I have on the part of those with whom I have been connected in carrying on this great undertaking. And, above all, let me name my honourable friend on my left, our depur chairman—an invaluable I your rty . colleague as I have no doubt he would be invaluable in any other un dertaking which chanced to have the advantage of his ser vices. Lastly, gentlemen, I thank you, the proprietors of the company, most sincerely for all the kindness I have ex perienced at your hands. I shall never forget the confluence you have reposed in me, and believe me that it will be to me the source of the highest pleasure and gratification if at any future time I rind that any services of mine are of use or value to you. (Loud cheers.) In conclusion the bon. gen tleman moved the adoption of the report. The report, together with the accouots,was then read, for which see 'Urns: of August 6. Mr. PIEUREPOINT, a director, said he could not allow the farewell speech of their gallant chairman to pus with out comment. He was perfectly certain that he spoke the sentiment of all his brother directors around- him when he said that it was a matter of the deepest regret to them that guy were about to lose his hon. friend. (Cheers.) It was impossible that any person could have conducted the affairs of that enormous concern with more credit to himself, or with more advantage to the proprietors, than he had done. (Cheers.) His services were beyond all price, and of course no one was more fully aware of that than th oee who had hail the pleasure of acting with him. (Hear, hear.) Let him go where he might, he would bear with him the kindest and beat wishes of his colleagues. (Cheers.) Mr. HARMAN EAULE, another director, said he could not help adding his testimony to that of Mr. Pierrepoint. Having sat for 2.5 years at the boards of the several divi sions forming this great confederation he could declare that for intelligence, fur aptitude for dealing with various sub jects, many of which were quite foreign to his previous occupations, and for mild and gentlemanly bearing in the midst of the differences of opinion which unavoidably arose, the gallant general was unsurpaued by aay of his prede- Demers. (Cheers.) Mr. Loom after expressing his concurrence in the feel ings expressed towards the chairman, said on a former occa sion he had asked for a statement with regard to the ex penses of the locomotive establishments at Crewe and Wolverton ; and he was then told by the chairman that the whole subject should receive the careful consideration of the board. On looking through the report he did not find a single allusion to the subject. He would mote that the auditors should be requested to inquire into the matter and to report upon it to the next meeting. Mr. TITS did not consider the auditors the proper parties to inquire and report upon such i sie+- ject. lie rose principally, however, t., say that he thought the time ha d come when the narrow gauge companies should unite against the Great Western Company. Ile thought nearly the whole country had now come to the conclusion expressed some time ago by ;Mr. Locke, that the broad gauge was a national curse— (laughter)—that it led to an absurd outlay and to great public inconvenience. (Hear, hear.) The government was now against it, and he had heard four cabinet minis ters declare that in their opinion the broad gauge ought not to be extended. The fate of the broad gauge bills seemed also to point in the same direction. The time had surely come, then,wben the represeotativesof property to the amount of nearly 60,000,0001. should do something to put an end to the evil; and he believed they might rely on the assistance of the government. The only way to meet the difficulty was to take up the broad gauge from one end of the country to the other. (Laughter.) One of the hest railway statists of the day waist opinion that this might be done for 10,000,0001., and he could not imagine a case in which that amount could be more wisely spent. (Laughter.) Full justice might be done to the broad gauge proprietors by paying them off; and it would be easy for the government to raise 15,000,0001. for that purpose, by offering • guarantee of 3 per cent. Lord Hardinge had declared that it was of great importance that the troops should be conveyed to all parts of the country on the same gauge, and that any extension of a mixed gauge was • great political mischief, and in that opinion Sir James Graham, Mr. Sidney Herbert, and Lord Palmerston cos. cuffed. (Hear, hear.) Mr. G. C. GLYN hoped the proprietors would not allow their minds to be much occupied by the statements of Mr. Locke with regard to the locomotive power. Since the subject was first introduced it had received the most minute and careful investigation at the hands of the committee who now had the joint management of the department, assisted by two very able engineers, not connected with the line, and if their report were not considered sufficient, further inquiries would be instituted. He had no hesitation in saying, however, that the increase did not amount to ear thing like what had been stated. Mr. E• ti (chairman of the locomotive committee of the northern division) said the question as to the engines was not a subject which could be satisfactorily discussed at a general meeting. Dividing the number of pounds sterling by the number of miles run, the cost of the engines on the southern division was 13d. a mile, and on the northern di vision the cost was Bd. • mile. But these figures did not represent the true difference. He did not deny that there was a difference, and that the lighter engines used on the northern division of the line would not do the work u well as the heavier engines used on the southern division. But there was a difference in the expense of working on the two divi. dons. For instance, the coat of coke in the south was Me., while in the north it was only 14s. Then the northern engines ran 3,000,000 of miles in the half year, while the engines upon the south part of the line ran only 2,000,000 of miles; and it was a well-known fact that the larger the number of miles ran the smaller was the expense of the fixed charges per mile. He did not mean to say that the difference of sd. per mile might not be diminished to some extent, but no thing like the saving indicated by Mr. Locke could be MIMIML Mr. Locia was satisfied with the explanation which had bus given by Mr. Glyn and Mr. Earl, and was perfectly MOON to leave the matter in the handsel the directors. Dlr. HADLEY complained of the loss occasioned by the branch lines which, he said, was greater than was stated in the amounts by the amount of the interest on the capital originally invested in them by the company. He com plained especially of the loss upon the Buckinghamshire branch, and the expense incurred at the station at Bir- sningham. The Cssomas, in reference to the observations of Mr. Hadley es to the loss on the Buckinghamshire line, stated that that lees was only too fairly shown in the accounts. They expected, however, that the junction line they had °Mused this year between the Oxford, Worcester, and Wolverhampton, with the Buckinghamshire line, would greatly improve the prospects of that part of their property. The line they esocuded in getting was not so good as they would have had by the Triag route, bat it would be valuable as beinging the mineral districts of South Wales in connexion with the eastern part of the country. With regard to the station at Birmingham, they had been com_peUed to alter th e plans to meet circumstances. Had they carried out their plans they might have found, after they had spent their money upon them, that parliament might have given the benefit of the accom modation their station afforded to some hostile company. They could not tell that parliament might not to-morrow give the Shrewsbury companies power to extend their stations at Birmingham. With reference to the con ference, he thought the Great Western had no reasonable ground for rejecting the proposals of this company for uni form rates. He would now put the resolution that the re port be adopted. The resolution was put and carried unanimously; u was also a resolution declaring a dividend at the rate of V. 10a. per cent. for the half-year. A resolution was then pared confirming the arrangement with the West London Company, and another authorising the directors to purchase certain shares in the Coventry and Nuneaton and the Birmingham and Leicester lines. The audit committee for the ensuing year wee appointed, and one or two other formal resolutions having been agreed to, Sir C. Sims suggested that a committee should be formed to consider in what manner the proprietors should testify their respect and obligation to the chairman on hie retirement. Mr. LOCKS proposed that the matter should be left in the hands of the directors, and he was confident the proprietors would moles* in whatever the directors determined upon. (Cheers.) A SHARISHOLDIR seconded the proposal, which was cas tied unanimously. The CHAIRMAN said he could add nothing to what he had alreadyeaid. He should be always sensible of the kind manner in which he had been received on all occasions, and espesially on this last octagon in which he had the honour of meeting them. The meeting then separated. 1 METROPOLITAN COMMISSION OF SEWERS. Yes terday, a return to parliament, obtained by Sir John Shelley, M.P., was printed of the names of the officers and persons now employed by the Metropolitan Commissioners of Sewers, the offices they have held and now bold, the salaries I paid, the data of appointment and the duties discharged, and attendance of each Commissioner of Sewers, at each meeting of the commission from the let of January, 1862, to the 7th alt. The return extends to 14 folio pages. The secretary has 8001. and 1001. in lieu of apartments vacated by him. There are fourteen commissioners and only one is paid. There are a great many persons in the employ of the wenrafetiosen, and their name are set forth, with the amount of salutes. IRELAND. Duni*, Ara. 12. The writ for a new election for Cork was received in that city yesterday, and the election may be ex pected to take place about the middle of next week. On Wednesday evening Mr. Beamish attended a meeting of the liberal electors, and gave a satisfac tory explanation of his principle s . C o l one l Chatter ton is also carrying on an active canvass. The dejeuner given by the directors of the newly opened Killarney Junction Railway to the Lord- Lieutenant and the Countess of bt. Germans, at Killarney, took place on Wednesday on the beauti ful grounds of the Royal Victoria Hotel at Killar ney, the entertainment being given under marquees erected in view of the lakes, and in the midst of some of the most charming scenery imaginable. Mr. J. Peonefather, chairman of the railway com pany, presidtd, and among the diatinguishi.d per sons present whose healthy were proposed were Judge Halliburton and William Dugan. The following official note conveys the refusal of the government to remit any portion of the sentence on Mr. Wallace, of the Angfo Celt, now undergoing imprisonment for articles which appeared in his paper on the Six-mile-bridge affair. It is addressed to the secretary of the deputation by whom the memorial in Mr. Wallace's favour was presented: Dublin Castle, Aug 5, 1953. Sir,—With reference to your letter of the 25th ult transmitting a memorial on behalf of Zochariali Wallace, a prisoner in the gaol of Cavan, 1 am directed by the Lord Lieutenant to acquaint you that, as regards the offence fur which Mr. Wallace was tried, and the sentence under which he is imprisoned, his Excellency has not seen any thing, in his consideration of the case, which would justify his interference, particularly as he is assured by the Lord Chief Justice of the Court of Queen's Bench, that eviry Circumstance of mitigation which could be urged on behalf of the prisoner was heard by the court before pronouncing sentence, and that it was the result of the unanimous judg ment of the court, after duly weighing and considering all these circumstances. His Excellencywould regret that the prisoner's health should suffer from - the elf( et;of his sen tence; but 9n reference to the proper authorities on that subject, he finds no grounds to apprehend danger from further confinement. I sun, air, your obedient servant, Taos. B. LAILCOM. SPORTING. LATEST BETTING AT MANCHESTER. FRIDAY. _ _ _ Most of the subscribers having returned from North Staffordshire there was a pretty good muster this morning, but betting was anything but brisk. Since our last quota tions the only horses backed with spirit have been Cetshaw, Pantomime, and Lord-Lieutenant for the Eber Handicap, and fur the St. Leger the only horses backed have been the favourite and Cineas. "-- EBOR HANDICAP. 6 to 1 aget Catspaw (t) 8 to 1 Adine (t) Bto 1 Lord Lieutenant (t) 8 to 1 Pantomime (t) 9 to 1 Bing of Tramps (t) 16 to 1 Newminster (t) 20 to 1 Red Lion (t) 100 to 6 Lord Fauconberg (t) BT. LEGER. 60 to 50 on West Australian (t) 7 to 1 eget Cineas (to 5011 DERBY, 1854. 8 to 1 agst Autocrat (t) 22 to 1 Ortolan° (I) 25 to 1 Hesse Cassel (t) 1000 to 25 cby H.Platoff tut of Infidelity) THE EAGLE INSURANCE COMPANY. Yesterday the annual meeting of the proprietors was held at Radley's Hotel, New Bridge-street, Black friars ; Mr. W. A. PRACOCIL in the chair. The CHAIRMAN said the directors were very happy to meet the proprietors upon the present occasion, especial,' as they had a very good report to make to them. That re port (which he would at once call upon the actuary to read) would speak far better than he could hope to do. (Hear.) Mr. JELLtcos then read the report, which wee as follows: "The directors are gratified at being enabled to submit to the proprietors the following very satisfactory report made by the company's auditors. (The auditor's report was here read, from which it appeared that the income of the year from new premiums was 8,3171. 3s. 6d., from renewal pre miums, 90,3281. 19s. 5d.; and from interest, 38,3861. 9e. Id. The claims ,were 64,2371. Os. 6d., and the amount allowed for surrender of usurances, 1,6371. 4e. 3d. ; the expenses, 6,1011.85. 5d.; and the total assets 768.5961. 10s. 9d. exclu sive of the value of the assurance premiums.) It wil l seen by this report that the new business of the year has con siderably exceeded the avenge of the last five years, while the claims are less by 4,1721. 19s. 2d. than they were, one year with another, during that period. The expenses, owing to certain charges incidental to the recent divi sion of surplus are somewhat greater this year than pre viously. The total income of the year is 137,0311. 118.11 d.; and the total outlay 91,858/. 18s. 6d. There is therefore a surplus, after payment of all demands and making provi sion for every claim ascertained at the time of making up the account, of 45,1721. 13e. 6d. It will be remembered that the balance of the surplus fund was last stated to be 153,0391. 4s. 9d. This is now increased by the operations of the year to 198,2111. 18s. 3d., subject, of course, to such changes as may be found to arise when a re-valuation of the company's assets and liabilities shall be made. The directors have had occasion to sell out some stock to provide for certain investments, and they are happy to say that it has realised, as will be observed, 7,9431. Os. Bd. more than it cost. Looking upon this as so much interest received during the year, the assets at the commencement of it, viz , 738.8841. 17.. 11d. may be considered as having yielded on the average 61. 38.11 d. per cent. The assets, as they stood on the 30th June last, were invested as follows : Per an. or per cent. £146,820 14 6 in government se curities, yielding £4,739 17 11 £3 4 7 342,674 13 9 mortgages 14,013 3 6 4 110 231,426 111 life interests 12,733 14 7 610 0 12,007 1 0 reversions 35,767 19 8 unproductive..., 1768,696 10 9 £31,967 1 8 £4 3 2 And the mean rate of interest yielded is as will be seen 41. 3s. 2d. per cent. per annum." The CHAIRMAN moved the adoption of the report, which was seconded by Mr. Trut.oze of Ditchburne, and carried unanimously. Mr. JAMBS GASCOIONS LINDE, the retiring auditor, was then reelected. _ . Mr. BARNARD moved a cordial vote •f thanks to the chairman and directors for their exertions on bebelf of the company. He congratulated the meeting up , m the pro gress they had made. Their affairs were in good hands, and he was sure that if any further improvement were possible it would be attained. (Hear, hear.) Mr. Laiarrorr seconded the motion, which was carried unanimously. The Cuaismear, having acknowledged the compliment, proposed a vote of thanks to their excellent officer Mr. Jel licoe. (Hear, hear.) Mr. JELLICOI returned thanks, and a similar compli ment was then paid to the auditors. It was acknowledged by Mr. Allen. It was then announoed that the usual dividend of five per cent. would be paid in the second week in October, and the meeting broke up. A LIFE RISKED AND LOST FOE SIXPENCE.—A few days ago a party of young men were swimming some dogs in a pit, called Crowther 's-dam, at Stockport, when one of the animals became entangled in some weeds. The owner offered 6d. to any one who would release it, and • man named James Massey accordingly went in and swam to the spot, where he became himself entangled amongst the weals, and sank beneath the surface before any assist ance could be rendered him. The body was not recovered till 4 o'clock neat morning. The pit was about 8 feet deep, and was so remarkably filled with a network of weeds that it was madness for any one to enter it. A sailor, who was a good swimmer, had ventured in before the deceased, and had only released himself from the entangling 'weeds by resolutely biting them in two when they crossed his hands and arms so as to impede his escape. The deceased has left a wife and family. An inquest was held on the body before Mr. 0. 0. Rutter, deputy county coroner, when the jury returned a verdict of " Accidentally drowned." CHANGE OF EMBEZZLEMENT.—At the Liverpool police court yesterday, Thomas William Riley, a clerk in the office of Messrs. McClune sad Tamplin, general ship brokers, was brought before Mr. Nicol, charged with em healing several sums of money. The prisoner was in the habit of collecting accounts for the firm, and on the 30th of May he received the sum of 91. 4s. from Messrs. Francis Robinson and Co. ; on the 29th July he received 111. 17s. Ild. from Messrs. Fitssimoni and Co., for which no entry had been made ; on the Ist of July he received 161. 16s. Id. from Messrs. Paterson, Dunn, and Co., for which only 121. ls. Id. had been accounted for. On Wednesday, the book-keeper having drawn attention to some omissions in his book, he left the office, and did not again return. He was appreheded on Thursday evening, when he ad mitted having appropriated the money to his own purposes, but supposed if he could refund the amount it would be all right. When asked for his defence he stated he had nothing to say. lie was fully committed for trial. APOTHECARIES' HALL.—Names of gentlemen who passed their examination in the science sues practice of me dicine, and received certificates to practise, on Thursday, August 11: Alfred William Stocks, Salford ; Robert Austen Allen, county Tyrone, Ireland; John Fos, Weymouth, Demi. AUSTRIAN ITALT.—The Venice Gazette, of the 4th, publishes a sentence pronounced on the 27th ult. by the court martial of Treviso, coademning a nobleman named Antonio Rinaldi, to one month's arrest, and a notary, named Antonio Fontana, to fi ve weeks of the same punish ment, the former for having drawn up, and the latter for having attested, a protest of costs and damages for the se questration of the property of Oniga Rinaldi, an exiled nobleman, a tallith' to IL Antonio Rinaldi.