The Express. — London, England, 1851-02-25 00:00:00

accomplished. Vanquished by Russia she would become Russian; but we are persuaded that on the day when Germany shall rise Russia will lose the conquests of the last two centuries, and sec her Euro pean vocation ended. COLONIAL. WESTERN AUSTRALIA. Swan River journals are to hand to the middle of October. They .upply a few items of news. The viarterly returns of the Western Australian Bank get the liabilities down at 16,2871., sad milieu at 24,754/. It was generally current in the enlony, that a despatch from Earl Grey had been received, complaining of the governor's withdrawal of a detachment of the miFtary from head suarten to Charm pion Bay. The system of concentration is applied univer sally by the Colonial-office, without reference to the capa bilities of the country for supporting a crowded population, and without refer , bee to its being an agricultural or a pas toral district. Western Australia being essentially a pas toral country, and therefore one which encourages rather the dispersion of the settlers than their close congregation, it is necessary that as its population and stork increase, fresh pastures should he discovered. The country esplored by Sir George Grey opened fresh pa tures. Before any of the aettles could avail themselves of this tract for pastoral purpose*, the worming party of a company interested in the lead mine on the Murchison River became the plenum of the district. The natives were known to he ferocious, war like, and dangerous, and on petitioning the governor a de tachment of military was sent for the protection of the miners. This step on the part of the governor tended greatly to develop the resource. of the colony, but has been disappeared of by Earl Grey. An idea was generally pre valent in the Australian colonies that about 8,000 convicts would he forwarded to the Swan, which, if correct, would be *tympani's., by an ant salon of free emigrants. A de tachment of the 7Jth Regiment, under the command of Lieutr nant Elliott, has Man stationed at IltutoMs Island, for the security of the guano, pearls, lc., against any at tempts made to carry off cargoes of these products without payment. It is said an attempt will be made at the convict establishment to grow cotton, to order to ascertain the fit ness ..f the soil for the growth of this plant. Should the experiment lw successful, the advantage to the colony will be considerable. _ _ _ NATAL. The Nfital /filmes' and Natiel Independent of ter. 5 and 0 have been received, from which it is evident that things were progressing favourably. The emigrants which had arrived by the Devonian from I.iverpool, and by the Emily from London, were 'settling on the river lllovo, south of Pieter maritzburg, on a property called Ilarmony. Bich mond and Byrne had been founded as villages on the same river. The government had laid out a new village on the Upper Umganie, and 23 lots (of an sere each) ha 1 been sold by public sale at prices varying from la to 2111. earl l'inctown, between lrerhan and Pietermaritzburg, wax increasing in favour. The town nectiona consisted of a plot of land 132 feet by 981; and 20/., payable in cash and nix mouths and twelve months, was readily paid. The seicrul villages of Vcrulcm, lee., which are on the roast, north of the port, are also increasing in importance, and arrangements had been made for ginning and p.ickiog cotton ut D'Urban; and these arritizsment. would 41.0 he curried out at Ventlem, lticliniontl. Pita loan. and Pietermaritzburg. A requisitioa hail horn signed to convene a public mciring ait IrCrluin. for the purpoor of forming a 11111 l ; and the 10th December had been ap pointed by the naidunt magistrate. Harbour regu lations were about to be adopted. There are some very favourable letter. publoilled, giving statistical sr...unto. of airrieultural prouvran. The fillovring is the account at the revenue and t zpenditure to thiolier 31 'Crouse. Erpeaditara. 1818 1817 1818 1819 1840 21,818 811 .... 16,915 19 3 etrt*NTY CorRT4 EITEMAION.—Lord Brougham's hill to licit the jurisdiction of her Mnjesty's Court of Bank ruptcy, to abolish the Courts of Bankruptcy for the country &strict., and to give to the judges of the County Courts jurisdiction in m titers of hon.kruptev, hal. just been printed and laid befits/. the house. The Lill proposes to restrict the eommissionerw of the Court of Bankruptcy to caws in abash the trader in any matter of bankruptcy, or the peti tioner in any mutter of arrangement, or the trader debtor in any matter of trader debtor summons, shall have m ochl or eirrital on business for sic months immediately posssling the time of filing the petition or issuing the sum mons. within the city of London. or within the counties of It. drool, necks. Buckingham, Ewes, Bert', Kent, Middlesex. Surrey. and Susses. It will abolish the district Courts of Bankruptcy, and give to the judges and deputy judges the sane jusest , etion, power, and authority 11.1 es 1ri.0.0 to the Conti Ilankroptcy in all eases wherein the trader, petitimer, or trader-debtor shall have resided OW' where than as above mentioned. The judges and deputy judges earh singly to he and form a court for every purpteo• under this net, 7 & S Viet., e. 70, and "The Bank rupt Law Conotlitlation Act, 1849." l'etitions will be filed and prows sited in London. or at Birmingham, Bristol. Cambridge, Carlisle, Carmarthen, Chester, Exeter, lards, Liverpool, Manchester, New castle. Northampton, Norwich, Nottingham, Oxford, rlynkinattl, Pig •tion, Sh. , itield, Shrewabury, Southamp ton, Stalford. or Worcester, except when otherwise in the Consoltil ohm Art, 1819. provided. If the peti tioner. Re., dual not huve resided or carried on business for nit months as 11111.1.0`, the petition is to hi filed in the Court of Bankruptey. The country commissioners and registrars ..„ will contaue • Sao • 44ionera * and registrar* of the Court of Bankruptcy; and commissioners si t 01,•10 shall be judge, of county court*, dc. The number of qualified registrars to lw amsfinted judges will depend upon the opinion of the Lord Chancellor. The number of the commissioners of the Court of Bankruptcy now acting in London will be reduced to three, as vacancies may occur; and further vacancies will belßbd up from the country. The chief registrar will I. appointed by the Lord Chanceller, anal to hi. duties will also appertain thole of the offices of clerk of enrolment, in liankruptey, and registrar of meetings. There arc to be a ('hies' Registrar and three other registrars. As vacancies recur the official assignees in London will be reduced to sin in number, and assignees acting in the country trans- Penal to county court.. The clerk of enrolments and re gistrar of meeting., or any usher or any other officer of the Court of Bankruptcy which may be abolished, may make a claim for compen.ation; and in the event of any °WK., r being disabled by infirmity from performing his duty, he will he entitled to CLAIM an annuity equal to two-thirds of the amount of hi. salary. The act is proposed to come into operatien ma the 11th October next. The annual sav ing anthipated would be 66.1701. Under the Bankrupt Law Consolidation Act, 1810, a saving of 6,1001. has already been effected, BtNtal'ET tw.s EGAux.--Last evening a festival, devrilied ae above, took place at the Ilighbury Barn TaVellit, to celehrote the anniversary of the European re volution" of lath. The guests numbered, it was said, about 700 persons, of whom a very . small proportion were English, the great majority consisting of Germans, Coles, Hungarians, Italians, and Frenchmen. The room was de tweeted with npublicall flags, each bearing an inscription commemorative of some achievement in political warfare. The walls were inwribi4l with the names of various social re form, ra indifferent parts of the continent, and atone aide • tri bune was erected us er w Inch were suspended nags bearing the worde..Ripolilique Dlmoeratique, Socials, Universelle,"&e. Token, of democracy and socialism were displayed throngh out the room, and many of the costume, of the misers were such as to suggest recollections of the days of the meet ardent republicenism. At the close of the banquet several g, utle meu auecusaively ascended the tribune, mad reed IW. porta from the representatives of democracy in various eintinental states ; and amongst those gentlemen was M. Louie Blanc, who was greeted with loud applause. The reports wen. all received with loud tokens of approbation, and various speech," followed, in which the principles of I dentocrary were most energetically asserted. With one or two reception. the speeehes, a.. well as the reports, were delivered in the language. of foreign nations, La Belle France being in the 11.C.m41.1nry. By way of contributing some relief to the mans .41.1141.1 part of the entertainment, a few songs were sung Illustrative of the principles of republican iv dependence. During these performances the enthusiasm of the guest. wan excited to its utmost pitch, and the convey- Illation which took place in the intervals between the ca rious wens* in the " programme " was of such a nature an to testify to the sincerity of those who had come forward on this novel occasion to advocate the cause of " Liberte, Egeliti, Fraternici." Ax Exxernox Alt PEsyrt.—A Saxon, named Mendel, was a fortnight ago condemned to death by the Criminal Court of Pugh for having, in 1843, murdered his meter, a watArnaker of that city. The execution was fixed few the 28th ult. and the municipal authorities deter mined, but it nut known fur what reason, to revive an old mutton' of exposing prisoners condemned to death during three days preceding the execution. Accordingly, Blendcl was placed to the vestibule of the prism, behind a strong iron railing, and the public were admitted. But the crowd was so large. that an could not obtain beetel; and the muni aipolity, io consequence, had the extraordinary weakness to eider that, for three days, the wretched man should be paraded for an hoar and a hall in the squares and principal etreev of the city. On the day of execution, upwards of 20,000 persona assembled around the scaffold, which was en , Ved in the square of the Town-hall. The executioner and hie assistants were drunk. They attached the rope wend the man's neck, and then hauled him up to the beam ; but, as this did not cause strangulation, they pulled violently at other ropes. Still death did not ensue ; and, ashen, the thief executioner went up to the man by means d a Ladder, and seated himself on him, with a leg over each shoulder. This broke the neck ; but, for a quarter of an hoer before breathing his last, the wretched criminal suf fered atrocious agony. The populace pelted the executioner, and it was with the greatest &acuity they were prevented from tearing him to pieces. lELEPT—NOWIT AsstAANCE COIIPANT. A call of 31 per sham is proposed to be made on such of the share huldprs as are included in clam one and two of the list of oenthistdosies of this company. THE MINISTERIAL CRISIS. THIS DAY. This morning Lord Stanley was again summoned to Buckingham Palace. A letter from the Queen reached the residence of the noble lord at 11 o'clock, and his lordship, in obedience to the command, immediately proceeded to the palate. The noble lord had a long interview with her Majesty. Vbe Court. Lord John Russell had audience yesterday of her klniesty at Buckingham Palace. The Queen and Prince Albert walked yesterday in the gardens of the palace. Prince Albert rode out on horseback yesterday morn ing, attended by Lieutenant-Colonel the lion. Alexander Gordon. The Prinee of Wales, the Prince Alfred, the Princess Royal, the Princess Alice, the Princess Helena, and the Princess Louisa, took their accustomed pony and walking exercise yesterday. Prince Arthur wee taken en airing yesterday. The local committee for NV, stminster of the royal coot mission for the Exhibition of the Industry of All Nations had an interview with Earl Granville yesterday at the office of the Board of Trade. The members of the com mittee present were Messrs. Smedley, Lavanchers, Hunt, Garry , Lewis, Mann, and Crnee. The Oxford University Commission met yesterday at the official residence of the first Lord of the lreasury, Down ing -street. Present—The Bishop of Norwich, the Dean of Carlisle, the Master of Pembroke, the Rev. 11. G. Liddell, J. L. Dampier, Esq., the Rey. Professor Powell, the Rev. 0. H. S. Johnson, and the Rev. A. P. Stanley (secretary). Mr. John Wood, chairman of the Board of Inland Revenue, had an interview with the Chancellor of the Exchequer yesterday, at his official residence in Downing street. — Dc;patches were received yesterday, at th.• Colonial-office, from the governors in Canada and the other North American colonies. Despatches were sent off from the Colonial-office, yesterday, to the governors of Ceylon and Hong Kong. The Marquis of Lansdowne and the Chancellor of the Exchequer hart interviews with Lord John Russell, yester day, at his official residence in Downing-street. MINISTERIAL MOVEMENTS. Lord John Itussell received Viscount Palmerston other and in-misers of the late cabinet at an early hour yesterday morning, at his lordship's private residence, in Chesham-place. lord John ltussell sulneenently pro ceeded to Buckingham-palate, and had an interview with her Majesty. The Chancellor of the Recheirer ha• eontmeneed to re move from his nNirial resid.•nre in Downine-street. Various articles of private furniture were removed in the course of yesterday afteniison. Letters have received from the flight lion. W. E. Gladstone. announcing, that he will arrive in town from Paris on Wednesday morning. The Marquis of Clanrirarde had an interview yestenlay with Viscount Palmerton._ . . _ Lonl Stanley nevired visits in the enure of yesterday from Mr. Disraeli, Mr. Forties Mackettrie, and other leading members of the protectionist party. The Chancellor of the licehf neer visited Earl Grey yes terday, at his mansion% in Carlton House-terrace. Sir George Grey also visited the noble earl. The three ex ministers hail a long ermsultAtion. Sir LIMA arehain ri.itsl the Earl of Aberdeen at noon Yesterday, and remained in consultation with the noble earl for more than two hours. At S o'clock last evening her Majesty addressed a letter to the Earl of Aberdeen. commanding his lordship's pre sence at the palace at 9 o'clock. Thi. was the first letter written by her Majesty to. the noble earl since the resigna tion of furl John Russell, the firmer communications to his lordship having liven written by his Royal Ilighnass Prince Albert. _ . At 9 tirlork the Earl nt Aberdeen proemled to the palace to have an interview with bee Majesty. Lord John Russell and Sir James Graham arrivt d at the palace about the 'AMC time, and joined the noble earl at the conference with the sovereign. THE MINISTERIAL CRISIS. The Morning Ifrrahl Says : We could understand a crialition between the Graham party and the Grey Reef ion of the cabinet, excluding Lord John Itussell and Lord Palmerston ; but what is proposed —that which alone, it own., the Queen has sanctioned—is the continuance of Lord John Russell an Premier. It is impossible to conceive a coalition founded upon a more odious oblivion of all past pledgee than that which is sug gested. To have Earl Grey and Lord Palmerston in one cabinet is bad enough ; hut how, with the recollection of the debate on foreien policy of last July, can Sir James Graham and Lord Palmerston meet at the same council board ? With what fare can the notoriously Puseyite Mr. Sidney Herbu•rt look upon the Premier, who denounced his crosses and genuflexions as superstitious mummeries? It is not merely personal differences that will embarrass this heterogeneous collection. What are they to do with the papal aggression? Will Lord John Resell eat his protestant words, or Sir James Graham and Mr. Herbert gulp down their popish predilections ? Nom riensaly those who are still by courtesy termed l'eclites are opposed to any legislation on the subject. Sir J. Graham was as ready to form an alliance with the Greys as he is now to set under Lord John Russell. If the new cabinet could be formed, would they agree to support Lord John Russell's bill—or would Lord John Russell agree to abandon it? Lord Clarendon, it will be seen, arrived in town yesterday, and has been busily er.gagell with Sir James Graham. Is he to be brought into the cabinet to sit at the table with the men against whom he has been notoriously intriguing ? Is he, let us ask, to introduce into ministerial life any of those Dublin associates whom he has honoured with u confidence so munificently rewarded ; or is he, after coming over here on the special invitation of, we presume, Sir James Graham, to be sent bash like one of old " to his own phice ?" And let us suppose these difficulties all over come—the conflicting claims arranged, the snarling.; of Grey to be silenced, and the growlings of Graham to be suppressed—Lord John Russell to com promise upon religious matters by going to St. Barnabas with Sidney Herbert in the morning, and with Fox Maulc to Dr. Cumming's in the evening —how does all this alter the ministerial position ? It surely mud have occurred to the acute mind of Lord John Russell that with all the shifting of ministers the eabinet will not have gained a single vote. If Mr. Disraeli's motion were repeated to-morrow, there would be certainly no greater majority in their favour than Id. We question whether even the favour that will attend that most eminently popular individual, Sir James Graham, will really bring to the Patin of administration one single vote. It is votes iu the house, not ministers in the cabinet, that Lord John Russell wants. In fact the Premier's dif ficulty may be said to consist as much in too many ministers as in too few votes. It is an indifferent way of mending this to multiply the one without increasing the other. New commissions to officers form but a poor expedient. when the army wants sadly to be recruited in rank and file. These are, no doubt, the difficulties that have struck the mind of the Premier. PCBLIC INCOME. AND ENCENDITCRE.—Yesterdny a return to the House of Commons, was printed of the net income and expenditure of the United King dom fur the last nine years. it appears that in five years out of the nine the income exceeded the ex penditure. In 1842 the excess of expenditure over in como was 2,139,9841. ; and in 1813, 2,421,776/. In 1844 the excess of income over expenditure was 2,005,427/. • in 184.5, 6,342,4361. ;in 1846, 2,380,8001. ; in 1847, 2,765,.1911. In 1848 the excess of expenditure was 3,092;2(151.; and in 1849, 280,3771. The excess of income over expenditure in the year tidal the sth of April last, amounted to 2,538,6011. ATTEMPTED EOC.tPE 0? A NCS.—A public meeting was held on Thursday evening, at the Assembly Rooms, Lower-pavitinent, Nottingham, pursuant to • requisition by the body of Freemasons of the borough. Dr. Clarke, chairman, stated that • female, confined in a nunnery ad. joining the Homan catholic church of St. Barnabas, Derby ! road, Nottingham, • few days since, endeavoured to effect her escape, but was observed by • person who retails milk in that part of the town, and she was again immured within the con vent. Brother Tomlinson proposed that • summons should be applied for from the borough magistrates, calling upon Dr. Mulligan, on any other priest, to appear before the heath, and show cause why females should be incarcerated within the convent after they had expressed • wish to be liberated. Seconded by a gentleman named Jones, and carried nem. con. It was stated during the discussion that between 30 and 40 females are now in that convent, 8 or 10 only being Sisters of Mercy or noviciates, on probation for two years ens they take the black veil. It was finally moved by the chairman that the meeting should stand ad journed to Saturday evening, and that, in the meantime, a petition should be prepared fur general signature, calling upon her most gracious Majesty's ministers to add a clause in tho bill about to be brought before the House of Com mons against the recent papal assumption of power to abo- Leh all nunneries and monasteries now existing in the United Kingdom of Great Britain. Seconded by Brother Wynn. sad carried unanimously. Tho meeting then W- I journed. Tug RIOT Al ORE VT YARMOUTIL—The Milos held • meeting on Saturday night. It was of very short duration, and it was determined to persevere in having • public demonstration or procession on Tuesday next. In consequence of this the troops have had orders to remain is the town, as the authorities are determined to prevent it. It is reported that one man has died from injarim received in the riot, and that another had his finger cut off by a sol dier, whilst attempting to seise thu bndle of his hors* DRAM BT TILE RAND OP A WlFE.—Yesterday Mr. Baker held an inquest at the Princess Royal, Paul street. Finsbury, on the body of Wm. Dear, • pplasterer, aged n. It appeared • that on the night of Saturday week last deceased was sitting at supper with his wife, who was holding an infant of tire months in her lap. The child cried when deceased slapped its head. The mother seised the first object that came tv hand, which happened to be • fork, and either threw or thrust it at him, penetrating the back of his hand. The wound swelled, an abscess Iformed, and fever supervened, of which the man died. The jury returned • verdict of " Manslaughter against the vas," who was thereupon committed. THE BUDGET. OPPOSITION TO THE BUDGET. PARISH OF ST. LUKE. Last evening a general meeting of the rate payers and inhabitant., of this populous parish took place, at the British and Foreign School-room, Cowper-street, City-road, " To consider and determine on the propriety of petitioning the legislature against the proposal of the Chancellor of the Exchequer, to substitute an unjust, odious, and unn house tax, in lieu of the window duties, and to tartnin other steps thereon as may he deemed advisable ; also, to consider and determine on the propriety of opposing a re newel of the income tax." There was a numerous attend ance. Mr. J. TARPLEE, churchwarden, having been unatti mously called to the chair, stated that 16 membersof parlia ment had been invited ; from 11 of them letters had been received regretting their inability to attend on account of the important business in the house. Those letters were from Mr. Mowatt, Mr. T. Duncombe, Lord Duncan, Lord D. Stuart, Mr. C. Lusliington, Sir De Lacy Evans, Mr. Wakley, Sr B. Hall, Sr James Duke, Mr. W. Williams, and Mr. B. Osborne. _ _ . . . . Mr. PHILLIPS regretted that the minister bad not lis tened to the voice of the people and proposed an unqualified repeal of the window tax. His proposition was in effect— . I will give you a shilling, but you must give me nine pence back." (Cheers and laughter.) He moved a resolu tion declaratory of surprise and indignation at the proposal of the Chancellor of the Exchequer, and calling fur a total repeal of the window duties. Mr. HORNE seconded the resolution. At this stage of the proceedings, Mr. Waklcy, M.P., and Sir James Duke, M.P., appeared on the platform, and were loudly greeted. Mr. IIORNE proceeded to contend that all useless offices ought to be abolished, and that men of real ability should be selected to till offices of responsibility, and not youths fresh from college, who had no idea of business. Mr. PALLISER supported the resolution. He expressed his belief that the fate of the government had been precipi tated more by the voice of the people expressed out of doors than by the hostile vote of the house on the county franchise question. The existing surplus had not arisen from any reduction, but from 'itemised productiveness of the taxes ; hence, in giving any portion of it up, the Chancellor of the Exchequer was only restoring what he had plundered the people of. (Hear.) Let the unproductive crown lands—the Dunhy of Cornwall—be sold to pay the debt as far as they would. go. Let them also sell the church property, which was public property. (Cheers.) Taxation would then dwindle away like a Scotch mist before the rising sun. Sir JAMES DUKE, M.P., said he had great pleasure in attending this meeting, which he was enabled to do by the early adjournment of the house. He joined most cordially in giving his support to the repeal of the window tax with out any substitute. He should oppose any government that male such a proposal. (Cheers.) Mr. N IC HOLAY, of Marylebone, regretted that ministers had given them so much trouble, but he hoped they would get rid of Wood, at all events. lie cared not who was in power so long as the people were united in speaking their sentiments. (Cheers.) Mr. WAKLEY, M.P., was loudly cheered on rising. He said he had bean always zealous if not able in the service of his constituents. For the last two years he had not been able to attend regularly, and he was much flattered by the forbearance that had been extended towards him. He found lie had given displeasure to two parties; to one, because he had been ill; to another, because he had got well again. (Cheers and laughter.) Of the latter he would only say, he hoped he should never have less of their hostility. (Hear, hear.) They were now assembled for ever to get rid of the infernal window tax, to protest against the imposition of a house tax, and to consider whether the incomo tax, in its odious and detestable form, should be continued. (Hear, hear.) These were trifling evils in comparison with the monster evil, the source of these grievances—the defective and mock representation of the people in parliament. (Cheers.) The votes of himself and his colleague, repre senting perhaps 300,000 individuals, might be neutralised by those of the representatives of a borough with 200 or 300 electors. (Hear, hear.) This ought not longer to be tole rated. So long as he had health and strength he would strain every nerve to place the people in their proper posi tion. (Cheers.) The resolution was then put and unanimously agreed to. Mr. DALE moved that a petition to the House of Com mons should be adopted, and that Mr. Wilkie. ,v M.P., should be requested to present it, and Mr. Duncumbe, M.P., to support it. (The petition prayed fur the total sad uncon ditional repeal of the window tax.) lie knew two houses at the west-end, of the rent of 901. and 105/. ' which paid no window duty, but which would be taxed 101. by the house tax. (Hear, hear.) Mr. CHRISTIE seconded the resolution. Mr. WAKLEY, in reference to the request that Mr. DUI1C01111)C should support the prayer of the petition, stated that his hon. colleague was at present suffering from severe indisposition, and had been so ever since he had attended a public meeting . a fortnight ago. Ile felt pain in thinking that any man in Finsbur)• could east a reproach upon him; no honest reformer would do this. (Hear, hear.) Mr. SIIILLIBEEIt moved a resolution declaring that while the needful revenue for the exigencies of the state should be fairly levied, it was the duty of the meeting to use every means to defeat the attempted renewal of the in come tax, which, from its partial, unequal, and unjust mode of assessment, ought to be forthwith abolished, by reason of its having been adopted fur a temporary emer gency. Mr. BRISCOE seconded the resolution. Mr. I'ALLISEIt said he had been surcharged every year —first 100/., and afterwards 150/., although business was no better—the only reason alleged being that he had enlarged his counting-house, though in fact he bud done nothing of the kind. Ile suggested the formation of a society to expose the proceedings of the income tax commissioners. Mr. NORNIAN, while admitting that the income tax re quired alteration, counselled the working classes not to aid in its removal, or they would be saddled with indirect taxes to make up the deficiency. (Cheers.) Instead of clamour ing against the income tax, let them strive to increase the franchise, which Mr. Waklcy had told them was the one thing needful. Working-men had not the income tax to pay; they ought to sympathise with those who suffered from its inequalities: but he prayed for blessings on the bead of Sir Robert Peel for having laid the foundation of a system of direct taxation. (Cheers.) Ile moved an amendment declaring that the inequalities of the income tax were a less evil than indirect taxation, and expressing a hope that direct taxation would become the main source of the revenue. Mr. POMEROY seconded the amendment. Mr. GLADDING said the object was to obtain a modifi cation, not a repeal, of the income tax; and regretted the attempt to introduce discord. The amendment was in reality no amendment. After a conversation, the amendment was put, and, on a show of hands being taken, there were 90 in its favour and 113 a g ainst it. The original motion was then put and agreed W. Mr. STARLING moved the adoption of a petition. praying for the repeal of the income tax, and declaring that no ministry was entitled to the confidence of the people who did nut undertake to enlarge the elective franchise so as to secure a full and complete representation of the people in the Commons house of parliament. (Cheers.) Some other resolutions were agreed to, and the proceed ings closed with a vote of thanks to the chairman. THE EXPRESS, TUESDAY EVENING, FEBRUARY 25, 1851. THE GREAT EXHIBITION. WARD OF ALDERSOATE. Yesterday a meeting of the inhabitants of this ward, convened by Sir Peter Laurie in compliance with the request of a deputation to the worthy baronet, was held at the City of London Literary and Scientific Institution, Al dersgate-street. A spirited appeal had been circulated throughout the ward, declaring it to be the duty of the public, now that the revenue will allow it, without danger to the efficiency of our institutions, or without risk to the public creditor, to insist on luring the tax on windows re moved, even should its abolition be attended with the re moval of the most peddling Chancellor of the Exchequer England ever knew. The meeting was exceedingly well attended, and unanimously passed resolutions condematory of the window tax. Ma. Beremerr A Sooren Hisnoe.—it is rumoured that as soon as the Rev. W. J. E. Bennett has completed his arrangements for resigning the incumbency of St. Paul and St. Barnahas, Pimlico, he will be elected bishop of the united dioceses of St. Andrew's, Duakeld, and Dunblane, in the episcopal church of Scotland. The Right nee. Dr. Torry, who has held the bishopric during the last forty three years, intends resigning active duty in the church, and the whole of the presbyters (with whom in Scotland the election of bishops rests) are said to be in favour of Mr. Bennett. The diocese of St. Andrew's may be said to be one of the principal into which the Scottish episcopal church is divided, inasmuch as it is the only one that can boast of a regularly endowed cathedral, with dean, canons, and other ecclesiastical officers. The cathedral, which is situate at Perth, and which was recently opened with much ceremony and solemnity, is dedicated to St. Ninian, and choral service is fully carried eat. The right MIT. prelate who is about re tiring has been in holy orders seventy years. It is probable that the Rev. R. Eden, who has recently been elected bishop of Moray and Ross, and Mr. Bennett, will be conse crated at the same time. The new bishop of Moray and Roes does not intend resigning his ecclesiastical p referment in England, at all events for the present, as the Pluralities Bill does not affect dissenters in Scotland, of which class the Scottish episcopalians are of course considered. A SERIES OF FATALITIES. —Yesterday morning the three following accidents occurred almost simulta neously in various parts of London : Thomas Ryan, med 46 years, a labourer employed at the New London Gas works, Vauxhall, was engaged in the upper part of a newly-erected building, when he missed his footing and fell with great violence to the ground, sustaining extensive fractures of the spine. He was removed to Goya Hospital, where he expired in great agony shortly after has admission. —Richard Balm, aged 21, a porter in the service of the South Western Railway Company, was at work at the Waterloo terminus, and while crossing from one side of the line to the other was crushed between two carriages which were caused to meet by the unexpected advance of an engine. The poor man's body was squeezed Hat between the buffers. He was immediately extricated and removed to St. Thomas's Hospital, but no hopes whatever were en tertained of his recovery —At the London Docks it was discovered, at an early hour, that one of the night watchmen was missing. After diligent march with drags his body was discovered in the Wapping basin, near the swing bridge. Tl 6 METROPOLIS BUILDINGS BlLL.—Yesterday the bill brought into the House of Commons by Sir George Grey to amend the Metnepolitan Buildings Act was printed. It contains no fewer than lt6eleusea. SALE OF SEASON TICKETS. An important circular bas been issued by the Royal Commissioners directed to all persons likely to re quire season tickets. It will be observed that on Wednesday next the office at the house of the Society of Arts will be opened for the sale of these tickets. The following is a .opy of the circular ; am directed by the executive committee to for ward_ you the scale of charges which has been fi xed on by her Majesty's commissioners for admission during the Exhi bition. lam instructed to say that the council of the So ciety of Arts having placed their rooms at the disposal of the commissioners as a central office, it has been decided that the sale of season tickets shall take place there ; and the executive committee will therefore be obliged by all letters and applications for season tickets being addressed to " George Grove, Eq., Society of Arts, Adclphi, London." The pnce of a season ticket fora gentleman is 31. 35., and for a lady 21. 2s. The first issue will commence on Wednesday next, Feb. 28. All applications by letter must be accom panied by a post-office order, made payable to " George Grove, Esq., Charing-cross post-office," or an order on any London banker, crossed with the name of Messrs. Coons. Upon receipt of the money by Messrs. Coutts, the tickets will be forwarded by the post.—l sin, Sir, &c., M. Dimly WYATT, Sec. SOCIETY FOR PROMOTING THE AMEND- MENT OF THE LAW. A general meeting of this society was held last evening, at their room, in Regent-street. Mr. M. D. HILL, Q C., presided. The lion. Henry Fitzroy, M.P., and Mr. Wm. Mac pherson were balloted fur, and unanimously elected members. 781CFRINCIIISEMINT OF COFTHOLDS. ..... On the motion of Mr. VA` ereTART MEALS, it was re ferral to the real pmperty committee to consider and report whether it was desirable, or otherwise, that the enfranchise ment of copyholds should be compulsory. UNION OF LAW AND ECIZITT. The CHAIRMAN intimated that at the next general meeting, on the 10th of March, Mr. Trower will deliver a lecture to the society on the union of law and equity. This would not bind the society to any opinion on the subject, but he was sure they would all be glad to Dear the opialtuu of one who had devoted so much attention to the question. _ _ LAW OP PATENTS FOIL INVENTIONS. - A very elaborate report, prepared by a special committee, on this subject was laid on the table. This document took a very luminous view of the whole *question. The right purpose of a law of patents was the general benefit of the state, by inducing persons possessed of the requisite faculties to direct their time and enargies to making and maturing inventions of general utility. The most obvious way of effecting this object was to secure to inventors the fruits of their talent and industry, by giving them a property in their inventions. This, in a modified form, is the course that has been adopted, and which the committee recom mend to be continued. The report then proceeded to con sider the actual state of the law of patents, the steps now necessary to be taken to secure them, and the practical operation of the law as regards inventors and the public. The committee remark that not wily does the law of patents appear to be faulty in substance, but the mode of obtaining a patent is troublesome, tedious, and vexatious, while the expense is very great, and, being a fixed amount, has no regard to the different value of the inventions con cerned. On another important point they remark that one serious annoyance at present, both to in ventors and the public at large, arises from the want of a good system for keeping, arranging, digesting, and publish ing the records relating to patents, and for rendering them readily accessible at all times, so that it may at once be seen what inventions have already been made in any department, and which of them are still protected by patents. With respect to tho proposed improvements, the com mittee remarked that the evils to be remedied are of such magnitude, and so interwoven with the present system, that nothing short of athorough change can produce the de- sired effect. It might not be wise in the first instance to go so far in some directions as experience may ultimately prove to be safe and expedient ; and there were other mutters which they thought might be left wholly for future legisla tion. They propose that the present mode of proceeding in obtaining a patent be wholly discontinued, and, for the removal of the manifold inconveniences, various modes were suggested. Alter a long discussion, in which various gentlemen ex pressed their views in detail, it was resolved, that the debate ou the adoption of the report should be adjourned till the general meeting on the 24th of March. the select committee was at the same time instructed to communicate with the various committees now sitting in the metropolis and provinces on the patent lows to procure as much in formation as possible before resuming the discussion. PATENT LAW AMENDMENT. A public meeting was held last night at the Wile Savage Inn, Ludgate-hill, on the subject of the Amend ment of the Patent-laws ; the mom was crowded. General Sir DE LACY EVANS, M.P., having taken the chair, Mr. tiTOCKER rose to move the first resolution : "That the present state of the patent laws is extremely defective, and the same requires complete revision and amendnient." With respect to the measure about to be introduced into the Howie of Commons for the temporary registration of inventions he had no faith ; and had not sent in applications for space to show his inventions to the extent he had wished, because he did nut expect that government would give him the protection he was entitled to. lie had no Midi in the vague promise of government to grant protection. Me. ATKINS seconded the resolution. lie had no doubt that the present patent laws would before long lw totally repealed. 1 Mr. EGGERS stated that he was not one of the party called radicals, but he could not help corning forward to assist those who were so cruelly oppressed, as those were who came under the machinery in operation for granting patents. If inventors were only true to themselves the evils of the system would be put on end to t for no govern ment could stand against a movement for so good a pui rr l COFFEY moved the next resolution—" That this association and meeting are glad to find from the reply of Sir George Grey to the question put by General Sir De Lacy Evans in the Douse of Commons that a hill to amend the patent laws is to be introduced. But, unless the said bill embody the following provi sions, it will not be satisfactory, vii.: —l. that the legal recognition of an inventor's property in his own invention be obtained in the first place ad interim, or provisionally, at nominal cost, upon the simple applica tion of the inventor; and in the second place, complete letters patent (or otherwise) obtainable in a ready and inex- Native manner." The speaker stated that ho had kept hack his inventions from the Great National Exhibition because there was no protection for his inventions there. Mr. CAMPION seconded the resolution. Mr. WESTON spoke to the resolution. What was most necessary to be obtained was protection till an inventor could carry out his views, which a poor inventor often found it necessary to do by the assistance of men of capital. Mr. SHEPHERD moved the following resolution : "That the present judicial proceedings for deciding ques tions relevant to patent matters are expensive; and, as they donut come with in the means of the general bodyof inventors, unjust. And that better protection against infringements and piracy must be adopted, to which end scientific and practical judgment must be introduced and used, and, if found desirable, a special and duly qualified tribunal ap pointed, where summary and certain justice may be ob tained. And that, unless the bill to be brought in by the government embody these tpoints, the mere cheapening of patents will not materially improve the condition of in ventors and patentees." He said that patentees wanted a proper tribunal for trying questions, and it must not be at the expense of the patentees. If a robbery was committed the delinquent was punished at the public expense, and so it should be with the infringement of a patent; and on trials it was requisite that the questions should be tried by men who understood them. Mr. THOMPSOSI;;;ded the resolution. On trials re specting patents, he said the lawyers must be thrown overboard, end the questions decided by men who under stood the matters submitted tb them, in the same way that collisions at sea were decided by a competent body. Cata logues must also be published yearly of all inventions which had been made during the year. Several other gentlemen having spoken, the resolution was put to the meeting and carried unanimously. A petition, embodying the above resolutions, was also agreed to. PARLIANEN"TART PAPERS D 3 INDIA A.ND HONG KONG. GENTEAL POST -OFFICE, PEW, 1851. On and after the Ist of /Larch next, printed votes and pro ceedings of the imperial parliament and of the colonial legislatures may be transmitted by the post between the United Kingdom and the East Indies or Hong-Kong, ria Southampton (subjeet, however, to all the existing regula tions and restrictions), at the following reduced rates of postage, viz.:—For any weight not exceeding 40z., Id.; exceeding 40z., and not exceeding Soc, 2d. ; exceeding Soz., and not exceeding 120 z., 3d. ; exceeding 1205., and not exceeding 160z.,4d.; ands* on in proportion, viz.: for every additional 4oz. in weight above the weight of 160 z., en additional rate of Id., it being understood that any lesser weight than. 4oz. shall be charged as 4oz. This postage, which is entirely British portage, and does not include the rate chargeable for conveyance in India, must, in all came, ' be paid in advance. HULL AND SELBY RAILWAY.--011 Saturday, the 22nd instant, the half-yearly general meeting of the Hull and Selby Railway Company was held at the officer of the company, in the new station, Hull, Richard Tottie, Eaq., Chairman of the Board, in the chair, for the purpose of receiving the report of the directors, and electing two direc tors and an auditor in place of those retiring. The report stated that fur the past half-year ending Dec. 31, 18 50 t there was a net balance at the credit of the company of 33,2461. 45., and after payment of interest on the quarter shares to the Ist instant the directors recommended a divi dend to be declared of 21. 7s. on the whole or 501. shares, and 11. Ss. 6J- on the 251. or half-ahares, subject to the deduction of the income t ax , p a y a bl e on th e 26th instant. The net amount of interest on quarter shame and of the dividends was stated to be 30,2901., leaving • balance of 2,9561.40. in hand as • reserve on account of the clainamade by the York and North Midland Company in respect of the interest on tells paid out of capital raised for the Brid lington branch line, as explained in the last report. This claim had not been finally adjusted, but the directors ex ' petted it to be so In • short time. LAW INTELLIGENCE. THIS DAY. COURT OF QUEEN'S BENCH. BITITROII A? NA[ PRIV. AT -lberoam Lo Cams= ----- MID ♦ COUXOII JURY. WOODS V. THODUS.-ACTION FOR FALSE Ii Mr. M. Chamber, Q.C., and Mr. Metcalfe were counsel for the plaintiff; and Mr. Knowles, Q.C., and Mr. Field ap peared for the defendant. This was an action brought by a carman, who sued in forma pauperis, against the superintendint of the Iron gate-wharf, Th ames-street, to recover compensation in da mages for false imprisonment. It appeared that on the 25th of last May the plaintiff went to the Irungate-wharf with a cart to fetch some paper. After he had left the wharf he was brought hack and given in charge for Ptcal ing some paper. Upon this charge he was taken before Mr. Yardley, the magistrate, at the Thames Police-court, and, after I a remand, was committed for trial at the Old Bailey, and was finally acquitt«l. The defendant having refused to say that be had not reason able cause for giving the plaintiff into custody, the present action was brought. . These facts hiiving been duly proved, Mr. Field, in the absence of Mr. Knowles, addressed the jury for the defendant, and contended that his client had tern justified in the course he had taken. The plaintiff had been seen on the afternoon in question coming from under his van with a canvass bag, which had something bulky in it, which turned out to be paper. Upon this bag the plaintiff was seen leaning, in such a manner as to hide it from sight. The plaintiff was also seen talking to a person who had no business at the wharf, but was in the habit of hanging about the wharf. The paper which was found in the canvass bag was disco vered by the foreman of the wharf to be part of a quantity of paper that was about;to be sent to a stationer's. Under these circumstances, he (Mr. Field) submitted that the de fendant had reasonable and probable cause for giving the plaintiff into custody, and, therefore, he was entitled to a verdict. Evidence was then given on behalf of the defendant to prove the facts which the learned counsel had stated in his speech. Mr. Chambers having replied, Lord Campbell summed up, and The jury immediately returned a verdict for the defendant. Lord Campbell then said he much regretted that eases were so often brought before him in which the plaintiff sued as a pauper, as it was a ease of hardship upon defendants in actions like the present. It was no reason because a person was acquitted of a charge that he should bring an action against the individual accusing him, thr the purpose of vindicating his character. He (Lord Campbell) did not blame the gentle men at the bar who certified, because they were bound to certify on the facts laid before them, and he was sure no gentleman at the English bar would certify when there was not good cause for bringing the action. Mr. Chambers observed that the remarks his lordship had just made ought to be, and he hoped would prove very useful. REPRESENTATION OF BEDFORIESIHRE.—YuntgreIft3r the High Sheriff attended at the shire hall, to declare the state of the pull, and he Linnoune..l the numbers as follows : for Col. Gilpin, 1,562; _for Mr. Houghton, 458. He there upon declared Richard Thomas Gilpin, Esq., duly elected ; and the two candidates having briefly titian:well the electors, the proceedings terminated HARWICH ELEcrios.—Mr. Crawfordisa candidate for the representation of this borough, vacant by the eleva tion to the peerage of Sir John Cam llobliowie. Mr. 11. T. Prime") also is expected to offer himself. ROYAL COLLEGE OF SERGEONS.—The following gentlemen having undergone the necessary examinations Mr the diploma, were admitted members of the college at the meeting of the Court of Examiners on the 21st inst.:— Messrs. W. J. Broedwater, Cannon-street-road, St. Gen 's in-the-East ; W. C. Beale, Kennington : A. D. W hite, Winchester, Hants ; E. Bishop, Kirkstall, Yorkshire ; W. F. J. Turner, Horton, Gloneostershire ; J. Brady, Dews bury, Yorkshire • J. D. Baker, Gakhill. Somerset ; J. Roulston, Ilelperisy, Yorkshire; C. King, Hon. East India Company's Service, Bengal; T. J. Valiance, Stratford, Essex; and W. 11. Sheehy, St. John-street-road, Islington. At the same meeting of the court Mr. S. R. Potter passed his examination for naval assistant. COLLIERY EXPLOSION AT BYRNLEY. TIMER Lives Losr.—A painful occurrence, terminating in the haat of three lives, took place yesterday morning at the colliery of Messrs. Vulgate and Cardwell, Burnley. Soon after the hands arrived at the bottom of the pit, a number of those who worked in what is called the lower bed, proceeded thither ; some two or three hundred yards from the shaft, one of them, named Thos. Stephenson, having no nil in his lamp, took a lighted candle in hie hand and put the lamp in his tub. His cousin, Henry Stephenson, begged of him not to take the candle in his hand, hut it was of no avail. Thomas rushed on. calling those who remained behind, cowards. Some find air coming in con tact with the lighted candle immediately ignited, and caused the death of the said Thomas Stephenson (who has left a widow and two children), John St, phenson, a youth, and Henry Weatwell, an unmarried man. Henry Stephenson, who strove to prevent Thomas from taking the candle, nor rowly escaped with his lifr. He is much burned, as in also a person named Nicholas Thompson, of whose recovery there in scarcely any hope. Several hours elapsed before the bodies could be found, in consequence of the foulness of the air, though many attclityls were made to find them. TOE MERCANTILE MARINE ACT.—MEETINO OF SEAMEN AT SHADVVELL,—A very numerously attended meeting of the sailors of the port of London was held last night at tho Albion Tavern, High -street Shadwcll, for the purpose, as stated in the advertisement, of taking into con sideration the best means to be adopted to relieve them from the grievances they . now labour under, in consequence of the unjust restrictions Imposed upon them by the present Mercantile Marine Act. Mr. J. Smith was called to the chair, and in a long speech enumerated the complaints usually made by the opponents of the Marine Act. Subse quently it was resolved to petition parliament for the repeal of the act, and a committee was appointed for making the necessary arrangements for that purpose. TUE BRIGADE OF FOOT GEARDS.—The usual half yearly change of quarters of the Foot Guards will take place about the 7th of neat month, as fellows:—Grenadier Guards, Ist battalion, battalion, from Portman-street to Altrinehr. stet 3rd from the it:MU to Windsor; 2nd battalion, from Chichester to St. George's Barracks. CoN. stream Guards—let battalion, from Windsor to the Tower and 2nd battalion, from St. John's-wood to Wellington Barracks. Seats Fusiliers-Ist battalion, from St. George's Barracks to Portman-street; and 2nd battalion, from Wel- lington Barracks to St. John a-wool CAVALRY MOVEMENTS THIS SPRING.—The fol• lowing regiments of cavalry arc in April next to change their quarters:-2nd Dragoon Guards, from York to Man chester; 3rd ditto, from Manchester to Birmingham; 4th ditto, from Birmingham to Doodah(; Ist Dragoons, from Nottingham to Brighton; 2nd ditto, from Canterbury to Dorchester; 6th ditto, from Dundalk to Edinburgh; Bth ditto, from Brighton to Hounslow; 11th ditto, from Nor wich to Nottingham; 13th ditto, from Edinburgh to York; 16th ditto, from Hounslow to Manchester. POISONING BY BEETLE WAFERS.—Mr. Wakley, jun., held an inquest yesterday at the King's Mead, on the body . of a child nine years of age. The deceased was play ing in the streets with other boys, when, seeing some bright red wafers lying before the doer of an oil-shop, they tasted them, and subsequently ate some. All the lade were taken ill, and deceased, who had eaten mare than the others, died. The wafers contained red lead, and the symptoms of the boy's illness were those which ordinarily follow poison ing by that metal. The jut 7 returned a verdict of acci dental death, with an admonition to the tradesman from whose shop the wafers had been incautiously swept. • • , STATISTICS OP BANK RUPTCY.—In Lord Brougham's bill for the extension of county courts jurisdiction some interesting information is given as to the number of bank ruptcies from the year 1813. In the year ending the 11th of November, 1813, there were 658 bankrupts in London and 712 in the country, making 1,370 ; m 1844, 596 in London and 511 in the country, making 1,107 ; in 1845, 611 in London and 529 in the country, making 1,140 ; in 1846 there were 706 in London and 787 in the country, making 1,493 ; in 1847 there were 824 in London and 892 in the country, making 1,716 ; in 1848, 850 in London and 1,080 in the country, making together 1,930 ; and in 1849, 613 in London and 731 in the country, making 1,314 making in the seven years 10,100 bankrupts, consisting of 4,8.58 in London and • ,242 in the country, being an average of 694 a year in London and 749 in the country, or 1,443 bankruptcies a year. In the year ending the I Ith Nov. last there were 412 in London and 425 in the country, making 837, or a falling off in the year as comnared with the average of seven years 282 in London and 324 in the country, or 606 a year. ST. PAUL'S CLOCK.—I send yon the following ex tract from Easton's " Human Longevity," London, 1799 : "James Hatfield died in 1770, aged 105. Wu formerly • moldier : when on duty as a sentinel at Windsor one night, at the expiration of his guard, he heard St. Paul's clock, London, strike thirteen strokes instead of twelve and not being relieved as he expected he fell asleep; in which situa tion he was found by the succeeding guard, who soon after came to relieve him ; for such neglect be was tried by a court-martial, but pleading that be was on duty his legal time, and asserting, as • proof, the singular circumstance of hearing St. Paul's clock strike thirteen strokes, which, upon inquiry, pored true—he was in consequence soquitted."— AWN' waif Queries. SOMPLETION OP TUE PARIS AND AVIGNOW Rattway.—On Saturday the parliamentary committee charged with the duty of watching over the introduction of new bills into the chamber took into consideration Messrs. ißanet and Laborde's proposition relative to the completion and working of the railway line from Farb' to Avignon, and the construction of the line from Moulins to Roanne. According to the tenor of this proposition the line between Chalon and Avignon will be constructed by a company of English contractors. The same company will also construct the branches to Air and Auxerre, and will furnish the necessary material for both lines. These works will oast, it is expected, 200 million francs. This sum will be paid in rental at par, or in bonds at See per cent. A French company of lessees will undertake to work the line between Paris and Chalon and its branches under • forty years lease. This company will engage to repay the 200 millions paid for construction, so that at the erpiry of forty years the state Will eater into possession of the line without having incurred any cost. The same company will further advance, besides the 200 millions just referred to, a further sum of from 30 to 40 millions, with which it is intended to construct the lino from Moulins to Roaring. M. Betting do Lansastel has been named reporter on this proposition. THE CLERGY RESERVES IN CANADA. Mete the Doily Nem.) THE abandonment of the clergy reserves in Canada! to the absolute disposal of the provincial legislatige, 4 is a wise act on the part of the Sezretary of State for the Colonies—a wiser act than his lordship seems to be aware of. In Lord GREY'S despatch on this subject, which we published yesterday, and also in the despatch of Lord ELGIN to which it is an answer, regret is expressed that the subject should have again been brought under discussion. This regret arises from the mistaken notion that the discussion of a grievance is more to be deprecated than the grievance itself. The renewal of the discussion of the clergy reserves in the Canadian legislature, is a proof that the grievance is still felt, and that discus sion will not be allowed to cease until it is removed. Lord GREY may rest assured that the concession he has advised her "MAJESTY to make was indispensable to a continued good understanding between the mother country and the colony, and may therefore dismiss any regret he feels in making it. It is true that the clergy reserves in Canada have ceased, since the imperial act 3 & 4 Vic., cap. 78 was passed, to present the same obstacles to the develop meat of the resources of the colony and the tranqui lity of the public mind as formerly. Originully they were as great a nuisance as could well be imagined. In addition to the strife they stirred up in conse quence of their being viewed as an endowment of a church from which the majority of the population dissented, they absolutely prevented the progress of settlement. Large blocks of land were granted to the established church, which it had neither the will nor the ability to turn to profitable account. 'Thom blocks were so interspersed among the lands open to general settlement, that they effectually . prevented the opening up of the necessary communications by good roads between the settled districts. The la mentably slow progress made by Canada, as compared with the United States, previous to the government of Lord DURHAM, was more owing to the clergy reserve! than to any other of the abuses that pre veiled Si. the colony. This evil has to a great extent been remedied since tl4 passing of the Act 3 & 4 Viet., cap. 78. Under that act the clergy reserves have been thrown open to sale and settlement, provision being made foe the distribution of the proceeds among the clergy of the established churches of England and Scotland. Since the time that it was passed, settlement in Canada has made rapid progress. On the borders we have reason to believe that Canada still (in ap pearance. at lewd). lags behind the States; but. in the interior, we have the most unsuspected testimony that thecae of the former country is quite equal to that o the latter. But the distribution of the funds from the salo of the clergy reserves has continued to be a fertile source of irritation and discontent in Canada. Of 723,332 souls which the last census gives us the population of Upper Canada, only 239,661 arc even nominally connected with the churches of England and Scotland. Of 678490, the population of Lower ' Canada, according to the last census, only 70,229 pro ' fess to belong to these communions. Of a popula tion of nearly a million and a half, little more than one-fifth is allowed to derive even apparent advan tage from the mule of lands held in trust for the bene. fit of the whole community. We confess that in ordinary circumstances wo question both the wisdom and the justice of placing the waste lands of a colony at the disposal of the local legislature. Either by conquest or discovery. these territories have been acquired at the expense of the mother country, and vested in the crown for tho benefit of the aggregate community of the whole' empire. Lands granted in private; property are, and ought to be, nt the absolute disposal of the colonists ; but waste lands are common property, to which the inhabitants of Hamp shire have an equal title with the colonists. We would, therefore, prefer seeing the administra tion of colonial waste lands entrusted to the central government of the empire, as it is in the United States. But it is now too late to discuss this with regard to the present question. The clergy reserve excepted, all the ungrnntcd lands in the colony have been placed at the disposal of the local legislature. The exception is made, not fur the interest of the whole community, but for the (supposed) benefit of two churches (or rather of their clergy). '!'ho wisdom or justice of this preference is a question which con cerns the Canadians alone. The inhabitants of the rest of the empire have no interest in it, no right to a voice in its decision. The waste lands of tho colony haying been given up to the local legislature the clergy reserves ought clearly to follow the desti nation of the rest. The only consideration that could warrant a mo ment's pause before assenting to this conclusion re lates to the rights of living individuals. We believe that the claims of those who arc now in eoyment of incomes derived from the funds realised by the sale of the lands in question might safely have been left to the sense of justice of the Canadian legisla ture. But the House of Assembly, in their address to the Crown on the subject, have wisely precluded any doubt or hesitation on this score by pledging themselves to the continuance of these ine,omm tot We lives of the parties by whom they are received. I Far: tlitEV * 3 etch is, however, of MOTO COMO quence,on account of the reasan it assigns for the abandonment of the clergy reserves to the free dis pusal of the local legislature, than even on account of the effect it will have in assuaging local asperities and removing an impediment to a continued good understanding between the colony and the mother country. " The question," says the noble Secretary of State for the Colonies " is one so exclusively aftbeting the people of Canada, that its decision ought not to be withdrawn from the provincial legislature, to which it properly belongs, to regulate all matters concern ing the domestic interests of the province." "It has therefore appeared," continues the noble lord, " to her Majesty s government, that it would be im possible for them, consistently with the principles on which they have always held that the government of Canada ought to be conducted, to advise her Majesty to refuse to comply with the prayer of the Address of the House of Assembly.' This is a sound and excellent principle, and of much wider application than to Canadian affairs merely. It is to be hoped that her Majesty's government hold that the government of all our colonies ought to be con ducted on the principle which they take to regulate their conduct towards Canada. It is to be hoped that it will not be lost sight of when the representa tions of the South African colonists respecting their projected constitution come under consideratiint Its observance with regard to Canada is simple Justice and sound policy; its neglect in relation to other colonies would be oppressive, and the extreme of political folly. BENEVOLENT INSTITUTIC N OT JOURNEYMEN TAl- LOlM—Yesterday the annual meeting of the members of this institution took place at the Freemaaone' Tavern—Mr. Edeney in the chair. The report stated that more than 1,1001. had been distributed in pensions during the year, and there had been a considerable acquisition of new sub scribers. The amount of capital now pommeled by the insti tution was 14,7741. 18s. 10d.,0f which 14,0931. 31. Id. belonged to the permanent fund, leaving a balance in favour of the re lief fund amounting to 6811. 16e. 9il. Three additional pensioners were that day to be elected, making the total number 63. Since the foundation of the institution 112 had been placed on its funds. The asylum was in a moot satis factory condition, and the board fully expected that in July next they should be in a position to recommend a further election of pensioners. The receipts for the past year were 3,3331. 17s. Bd. After the adoption of the report a resolu tion was passed to the effect that a petition be prevented to the Queen praying that her Majesty would grant to the in stitution a charter of incorporation. The meeting then as partied. - CLIARING CROSS BRIDGE COMPANY.—ThC bill of this company whereby it is proposed to raise a further sum of 40,0001. to pay off carious sums of money is declared to have complied with the standing orders. The bill recites that the company have raised under their acts 80,000/. and bor rowed 21,000!. which have been applied to the purposes of the undertaking, and that the additional capital is to be raised by the creation of preference shares. COAL DUTIES OP LONDON AND WESTMINSTER. — The bill to amend the present acts of parliament relating to the vend and delivery of coal' in London and Westmin ster and certain parts of the adjacent counties, and to allow a drawback upon coals conveyed beyond a certain limit, and which has passed the committee on standing orders, provide' that a certificate of the quality sad quantity of sea-borne coals is to be given and registered tithe coal market on the arrival of every ship, and there is to be a penalty of 10IN. en persons opposing the weighing of wale. Railway companies are to be allowed the duty on 600 tons of coal, used by , engines within twenty miles of London district and there is to be a drawback per ton on sea-borne coal taken beyond thirty miles of the general post office by shim canal, or inland navigation. Monthly returns en to be made to the coal market committee. I