The Express. — London, England, 1867-01-04 00:00:00

4 SUPPLY OP FOOD TO TEE PEOPLX The council of the Society of Arts have passed the following resolution :—" That a committee be ap pointed to inquire and report respecting the food of the people, especially, but not exclusively, t h e working claws of the people ; and that having regard to the publications of the Privy Council and other documents which illustrate the defective amount of autriticius food available for the population at large, the said coimnittes do report re specting the resources which are or might be rendered available for the production, importation, and prefer- V 141 0 ,1 of substances suitable for food, and for improv ing the methods of cooking in use among the working dares." In accordance with this resolution, • committee has been appointed, consisting of the followi gentlemen, who have con sen t e d t o serve : The Ri ght Hon. 11. A. Bruce, M.P., chairman of the com mittee; the Right Hon. C. R. Adderley, M.P.. E. Akroyd, M.P., Joha Bell, Professor Bentley; W. H. Bodkin. easistamtejudge ; Harry Chester, Hugh C. Childers, Rev. W. 1.. Clay, the Right Hon. W. F. Cowper, M.P., Lord Be Lisle and Dudley, W. Ewart, M.P., It. I 'idling II anbury. M.P.. C. W. Hastings, William Hawes, John T. Hibbert, M.P.. Chandos Wren Hoskyns, Lord Henry G. Lennox, M.P., W. H. Michael, Lord Robt. Montagu, lif.P., W. NewmArcb, F. 11.8., F. Parish ; Sir Thomas Phillips, Q.V., chairman of the council. F. S. Powell. Read. M.P., G. Sclater-Booth, M.P., the Earl of Shaftesbury, Benjamin Shaw, Sir James Kay Bhuttleworth, Bart., W. T. McCullagh Torrens, M.P., Thomas Twining, James Ware, Edward Wilson, C. F. Wilson, F.R.S., Rev. C. Wright. At the first meeting of this committee, which took place recently, Mr. Hugh C. E. Childers, M.P. in the chair, there were present Lord Robert Montagu, M.P., ; Mr. W. Ewart, M.P.; Mr. F. S. Powell, M.P.; Mr. Harry Chester; Mr. Benjamin Shaw ; M r . J o h n B e ll ; M r. G. P. Wilson. F.R.S. ; Mr. F. Parish ; Mr. Edward Wilson ; Mr. W. H. Michael ; Niel the Rev. C. Wright. Mr. HARRY CHESTER, having been requested by the chairmen to open the proceedings by an explanatory state ment, commenced by saying that when he moved in the council of the Society of Arts for the appointment of this committee, to investigate the very grave and dif ficult questions with which it was to deal. he was well aware that they could not be satisfactorily dealt with except by a committee selected with more than ordinary care, and presided over by a chairman more than ordinarily capable of guiding them by his ex• perienee and wisdom. He was happy to s.y that the composition of the committee left nothing to be desired ; and that the chairman of the committee, the Right Hon. Henry Austin Bruce, M.P., was singularly well fitted for his post. The subject of the food of the people bad for some time past occupied the attention of the council of the society and the circumstances of the present day made it more than usually expedient to take some more definite action upon it. They were all aware that the Privy Coun cil and other public authorities had published statements showing that the peopleof this country were insufficiently fed ; that there was a great want of su ffi c i en tl y nutr i t i ve food. This was not merely a question of humanity and charity ; it was a very grave national question, vitally affecting " arts, manufactures. and commerce, " and the very sources of national strength. The tint thing was to see clearly in what directions this committee could usefully act, and what it must necessatily avoid. Nothing must be done to inter fere in any way with the operation of the laws of poli tical economy, nor with the natural action of trade ; but the Society of Arts might in this, as in other matters, do vod service by ventilating the eubject, by collecting and distributing information, by repeatedly calling attention to the principal needs and the best suggestions fur supply. ing them, by offering medals and premiums for requisite inventions of improved processes, and generally by bnng jag the resources of science to bear on the wants and difficulties of those branches of arts, manufactures, and commerce which are concerned in the production, im portation, preservation, and preparation of articles suitable for food. Hi s hope that this was a subject with which the Society of Arts might usefully deal had been greatly encouraged by the cordial manner in which those noblemen and gentlemen who had beea invited to serve on the committee had responded to the invitation. The moot lively interest had been expressed ,• and the two or three who bad declined to serve had given sufficient reasons for so doing. It would no doubt be observed that, with the single exception of Professor Bentley, a member of the council, there were no medical men on the committee. This arose from no inability to appreciate the importance of medical knowledge and experience in such a matter, nor from any unwilling. ness on the part of the medical profession to assist the committee. From many of the most distinguished members of that profession the heartiest offer' of assist ance had been received ; but the troth waa, that the medical experts were so numerous, and perhaps the dif ferences of opinion among them were so considerable, that, if any were invited to serve on the committee, it would be invidious to select a few, and not desirable to appoint many, for this might give too professional a character to the committee ; it was therefore resolved to seek their assistance rather as witnesses than as judges ; and to invite them to state in writing :or vimi voce the results of their knowledge and experience. The committee had been promised a great devil of very valuable assist ance of this kind by many distinguished members of the profession. It would be very important .to give the utmost possible publicity to the proceedings of the com mittee. and to the suggestions with which it might be favoured. He hoped that henceforth for some months, every number of the society's weekly journal would contain some publications from the committee, so that the subject might be kept constantly in view. The society had more than 3,000 members, and a large num ber of institutions and local educational boards in union with it. To all of these the journal was sent regularly and it would also be sent to each member of this committee, whether • member of the Society of Arts or not. He suggested that the co-operation of the principal medical journals, and of the press generally, should be invited. Slips of what the committee proposed to pub lish in the society's journal might be sent simultaneously to all such journals as might be willing to assist in venti lating the subject. The Board of Trade was in possession of a vast amount of valuable information upon points into which they would have to inquire ; and he was authorised by Sir Emerson Tennant to say that all such information, and all such assistance as that board could afford, would be moat cordially afforded to the committee. The Secretaries of State for Foreign Affairs, the Colonies, and India, would doubtless assist the committee by circulating queries among her Majesty's ministers and con suls, governors, and other functionaries, respecting articles suitable for food, or modes of preparing it, which might be useful to this country. The Acclima tization Society had already received some valuable infor mation of this kind through the Fomign-office, and he was sure that that society would readily place it at the dis posal of this committee. The subjects of inquiry might be said to be of almost unlimited extent, and it was desirable to indicate at the outset afew great divisions of the subject on which it might be most useful at first to enter. It would not be well to enter upon such branches of the sub ject as we calculated to excite popular prejudices such, for example, as the introduction of horsefl esh as an 'article of food for the lower classes The committee were aware that this was a subject of great interest just now at Paris. It might or might not hereafter become popular in this country, but at present the mere mention of it would tend to excite an uncontrollable prejudice against the committee. There were four great subjects with which be thought the committee might advanta geously begin to deal:—Meat, fish, milk, cook ing. The first great principle, he had almost said, of Christianity as well as of political economy appeared to be that all the world should be kin, that each part of the world should contribute to supply the wants of the nest. The home supply of meat for the population of these islands was not nearly sufficient for the due sustenance of one-half of the population. Tim supply of live cattle from foreign parts could never be equal to the want. Fresh meat in the natural condition could only be procured from foreign countries to • limited extent, that is, from neighbouring countries, and in favourable weather. On the other hand, millions of tons of beef and mutton were wasting in distant quarters of the earth ; and science wail required to devise means for so dealing with that beef and mutton that commercial enterprise might he enabled to bring it to this country in a condition suitable for food. This was an object of enormous importance. It had long occupied the atten tion of the Society of Arts In 1853, when delivering the centenary address, as chairman of the council, he (Mr. ('hester) had alluded to it, and asked why Australia should export only the wool and tallow of the sheep, and not the mutton itself to the hungry manes in this country. Of late years no session had passed without the society taking some measures to call public attention to this sub ject. Almost every patented and other invention for pre serving meat had been described, and many of them had been exhibited in the society's great room. In 1863 the society had offered a medal and a prize of 701., provided by the liberality of Sir W. C'. Trevelyan, a member of the society. Various claims had been submitted to the council, bet no award had hitherto been made ; and he understood that the council would be glad of the assistance of this committee in making the award. To this important point, then, their attention would be turned at once. They saw daily advertised not fewer than three different kinds of extraetsss rarni.s, all claiming to be Liehig's extrodels. He believed that there was not much doubt as to which of the three was the genuine article ; but the committee might cause them all to be analysed, and mightgive the results to the public. So much attention bad lately been given to the importance of preserving and increasing the supplies of fish, that be need merely to indicate that subject as one which would abundantly reward inquiry. Mr. Evart, and other members of the committee who flourished in the ante-railway period, most remember the immense vans, with high wheels, that used to bring fish daily to London from the Kentish end Suffolk ports. They were thought to travel at • wonderful rate, and they were called into ex istence by the Society of Arta, which had offered medals and prMee, sea otherwise excited a spirit of enterprise "for the better supplying of the metropolis with fish. " The better simply of milk was a vital question. He did not now allude to that fearful source of mortality among the infant poor, the deficiency of breast-milk. Me alluded to the fact that, as a general rule, the working classes of this country, even in dairy districts—and perhaps more there than elsewhere—were unable to procure the milk diet which was necessary to the growth of healthy bodies. In some districts there was an absolute insufficiessy THE EXPRESS, FRIDAY EVENING, JANUARY 4, 1867. et milk ; in others there was an abundance of it, but it was turned into butter and cheese, and the poor could get none to drink. He believed that the Ladies' Sanitary Association had published some useful sugges tions for dealing with the latter case ; and, if so, the Society of Arts might with advantage give additional publicity to those suggestions. There was plenty of kind feeling in England, but people did not always know " how to do it . ' It had struck him as somewhat unfortunate that, while the supply of milk, as milk, was insufficient for the wants of the people of England, such large quantities of English milk should be converted into cheese. Cheese, of course, was • valuable article of food, very nutritious to those who could digest it ; but cheese might be brought from a distance, while milk could only be consumed, as milk, within a very limited area. Mr. J. C. Morton in his paper on " London Milk," last tea. anon, had stated that the quantity of milk consumed by the three millions of London people was less than half the amount that, according to a good standard of food, they ought to consume ; also that this was true of a very wide extent of agricultural populations ; that the transit of milk by railway was injurious to it; and that consequently country-raised milk was worth leas per gallon in London than London-raised milk. He gave a table showing the milk-consuming rate of various populations, and it appeared that in Devonshire the quantity of milk consumed was considerable greater per head than in any other English county. Could this superiority be a result of the common Devonshire prac tice of preserving the milk by clotting it? He thought that the Society of Arta might usefully press on the railway companies and milk producers the great im portance of improving the present very unsuitable milk vans on which that delicate and valuable commodity was now savagely transmitted to the metropolis. He thought also that the Society of Arts might offer its medal and a valuable premium for the best method of preserving milk, so that it might be sent from greater distances than at present. Much milk, which was now necessarily converted into cheese, because it could not be kept from spoiling as milk, might then be more bene ficially and profitably consumed as milk. Mr. Foster had told him of a French invention for the preservation of milk ; and said that he bad tasted some milk thus preserved for three years, which was perfectly sweet, and could not be distinguished from fresh milk. The committee would do well to acquaint itself with that invention ; and if it were open to any serious objection, the society might do good service by offering a medal and a valuable prize for a better method of preserving milk. He knew that, after all, the commercial prin ciple, the hope of gain, was the best stimulus to inven tion ; but all experience showed, the experience of the Society of Arts proved to demonstration, that these offers of medals and prizes bed useful effects. To this day the medals granted at the Exhibition of 1841 were paraded in advertisements of all sorts of articles that were offered for sale ; and this was done not merely by petty chspnien of no reputation, but by tradesmen and manu facturers of world-wide eminence. An article medalled by the Society of Arts was sure to command a market. On the subject of cooking he would not say many words. The committee well knew how deplorable was the cooking among the lower, indeed among all but the highest, classes in this country. A valuable paper had been read and well discussed before the Society of Arts on the admirable system of " Cooking Depots," introduced at Glasgow by Mr. Corbett. That was one of the greatest boons that bad been conferred on the working-classes. The same system had been introduced successfully at Manchester. An attempt had been made in London, but unhappily without success. He believed that it had failed, so far as it had failed, from no inevitable causes, from no local pecu liarities. There seemed to be no reason why the same system should not be carried out, on • very extended scale. in London as elsewhere ; and the committee might do • good work in collecting and collating experience on the subject, and in calling attention to it, until a second Mr. Corbett should arise with wisdom and energy enough to acclimatise the Glasgow product in the metropolis. The committee might also represent to the Committee of Council on Education the great importance of providing instruction in cooking for the poorer classes. This surely was a subject well worthy of the notice of her Majesty's inspectors of schools. This was • matter which the Society of Arts had long regarded as important. In the society's great scheme of educational examinations, designed to encourage the education of adults among the working classes of both sexes, domestic economy held a prominent place. In that subject the Dean of Hereford was examiner. In his out line of the examination for 1867 were included " the nu tritious properties of food, animal and vegetable ; modes of cooking, &a. ;" and • benevolent member of the coun cil, Mr. T. Twining, had taken measures to supply a nye tematic course of lectures to the work t ing classes in differ ent parts of London. Having particularised these four great subjects of meat, fish, milk and cooking, he would not longer detain the committee, though he was aware that there were an almost infinite num ber of other useful subjects which might be =fled. There were, for example, the great cereal vegetables of various kinds, as well as fruits, little known, but capable of being much used in this country, and that scandal of civilisation, the adultera tion of food. He would now propose that the chairman, Mr. Bruce, should be supported by two vice-chairmen, who might take the chair in his absence or at sub-com mittees ' • and he would move that Mr. Childers, M.P., and Mr. Benjamin Shaw, • member of the council, be the vice-chairmen. _ _ _ The motion baring been seconded was carried unani mously... . . . The - following gentlemen were then appoiated a sub committee to collect information and materials, and gene rally to prepare for the transaction of the business of the committee when it shall meet in February, viz.:—The Right Hon. Henry Austin Bruce, M.P., chairman of the committee ; Mr. Childers, M.P., and Mr. Shaw, vice chairmen • Professor Bentley, Mr. Harry Chester, Mr. Michael, Mr. Consul Parish, and Mr. Edward Wilson. A general conversation respecting the objects of the committee, and its modes of proceeding, then followed ; in the course of which Mr. Michael described an invention for preserving milk which he thought successful. The milk was dried in oscillating vessels, and in that state was easily transportable, and might be kept for a long period. This method had been successfully adopted at Lord North brook's, and was about to be introduced on a large scale at Zurich, in Switserland. . . . Mr. HARM' CHESTER said that probably that invention was little known and, if it were really valuable, this com mittee might direct attention to it ; but all plans for drying milk were somewhat elaborate and costly, and what he had principally in view in his remarks on milk were means for preserving it, not during long voyages, but during ouch brief periods as would allow milk in its natural state to be sent to London, for example, from greater distance. than was pesnbleat present. Mr. HELL said that, reinemberingthe caution which they had received against running foul of popular preju• dices—he would say nothing about edible snails, though the committee knew that many drooping lives had been saved in foreign countries by the use of that singularly restorative diet. He hoped, however, that the great families of molluscs would not be entirely overlooked by the committee, and he drew attention to various other articles much used as food on the continent, but little known in these islands. Mr. SHAW enlarged on the great importance of the ob ject for which the committee had been formed. He said that, from his conversations on this subject with many medical men of eminence, he felt assured that any material improvement in the diet of the people would show itself unmistakably in their health and strength ; and would not only enable them to react better than at present the attacks of cholera, typhus, and other epi demics, but would diminish sensibly the mortality from consumption, heart disease, and other maladies which were in a great degree the consequences of an imperfect nutrition. The committee then adjourned. A SEAMEN'S DEPOSIT BANK AT LIVERPOOL.— Seamen's savings banks have been for some time in opera tion at the various ports, but the Board of Trade have now established at Liverpool an experimental deposit bank, which, it is believed, will be found highly advantageous. No interest is allowed, but a seaman can at coos deposit any amount, and withdraw it at a moment's notice, so that there is now no excuse for his trusting it to the care of people whose only object le to plunder him. When a sea man is going upon a voyage he can have his money trans ferred from the deposit bank to the savings bank, and then interest allowed at the rate of 3 per neut. per annum. COLONEL AICROYD AND THE CHURCH RATE QUES TION.—CoIoneI Akroyd, M.P. in speaking at the annual meeting of the Halifax Church Institute on Monday even ing, said that with respect , to the proceedings in parlia ment in reference to the church, the only matter of any importance was the Gladstone compromise on the church rates difficulty. That compromise was not very thank fully received by the church generally, and one could hardly he surprised at the cold reception ; for though it professed to retain much of the machinery fur levying church rates, still by abolishing the legal power of the enforcement of payment, it in point of fact rendered church rates little more than voluntary subscriptions. The church rate question, however, was mourning another phase. The question had been suggested to many who had been ad vocates for the repeal of church ratee—what was to become of the church property—in whose hands would be invested the ownership if church rates were abolished! The theory now was that the parish churches were the pro perty of the parishioner. of the districts. If, however, everywhere were abolished the power of levying church rates, into whose hands would be surrendered the care of the church! Mr. Buxton, who bad been an advocate for the repeal of the church rates, had admitted the difficulty of the question. Then in some cases there might be in • district a majority in favour of ritualism—persons with strong tendencies towards the Church of Rome, who might carry the property into the hands of a section of the church. Then the question must present itself to dis senters—were they prepared to give up their share of the church property—were they willing for the sake of avoid ing church rates to allow the confiscation of the property to the churchmen of each parish; to give up their future claims and rights and those of their posterity! The new government might deal with this question and obtain a settlement. Nevertheless all must admit that the church ratequestion was surroaadad with difficulties. SURREY SESSIONS (Before Mr. Penrhyn, Deputy-Chairman.) George Victor, alias Byles, 28, was indicted for stealing two pads of herrings and a basket containing three turkeys and two geese from the London-bridge terminus of the London, Brighten, and South Coast Railway Company. Mr. U. Moir appeared to prosecute on behalf of the rail way company. The evidence in the first case showed that on the even ing of the lath of November twelve pads of herrings were brought to the station and placed on the luggage platform, to be forwarded to Henry Daley, a greengrocer, &c., of I Croydon. The prisoner was seen hanging about the lace, and shortly afterwards he removed two of the and had them labelled for himself, telling the porter t at they had been left there for him. The ten pads of herrings were duly forwarded and received by Daley, but the other two were not, and the prisoner was not seen again until he attempted to steal other property. In the second case the prosecutor, Joseph linger, also a greengrocer, of Cloydon, said that on the evening of the 118th ult. he took a basket containing three turkeys and two geese to the same station, and left it on the luggage platform, near the weighing machine, while he went on an errand. On his return he wasinformed that they had been removed, and be found the prisoner in custody. William Pillbeam, luggage clerk, in the employ of the company, said that he was on duty neer the weighing machine on the night of the 18th ult., when the prosecutor brought the basket and left it there. A little while after ' that he saw the prisoner remove the basket and ask one of the porters to label it for him to Croydon. Witness went rap to him then, and said, " That's not your basket—it be , longs to Rigger." Prisoner replied, " It's mine ; H only brought it to the station for me." Witness told him auer be should not have the basket until Nagger returned, when be endeavoured to get away from the station. Mr. Carpenter, the superintendent of police of the Brighton Railway Company, said he bad been looking out for the prisoner a long time on suspicion of stealing parcels from the platform, and on the night in question be met him hurrying out of the station, followed by Pelham, and took him ito custody. He had been twice bdore con victed of felony. Verdict, Guilty. " ' Sentence, seven years' penal servitude. Sleanor 'lathier, 20, was indicted for stealing a quantity of linen and china, the property of her master, Mr. Arthur Newton Turner, of Pembroke villas, Penge ; and Oeorfte Pulner, 28, a carrier, was charged with re ceiving the same, well knowing them to have been stolen. Mr. Sharp prosecuted ; and Mr. Lilley, instructed by Mr. Edwin, defended Fulmer. Sergeant Capon, of the M division, said that about half. peat eleven o'clock on the 3rd ult. he met the male prisoner carrying a bundle in Russell-street, Bermondsey, and on being asked what it contained, be said, " Only some table linen that was given to me by my woman, who bought it." Witness took him to the station-house, and on searching the bag he found it to contain a number of diaper napkins, a tablecloth, a china cup and saucer, two plates, one tum bler. and other articles. At his lodgings be found four similar plates and other china cups and saucers. From information he afterwards received, be took the femaleinto custody, when she said she was very sorry for what she had done. She did take the things and give them to the male prisoner as bought property. Witness found in her box a towel, some sugar, starch, and black lead. Pro'eetutor a7iid risone: Hat fi eld was one of his servants, and he had seen t he male prisoner at his house. On re ceiving information from the sergeant he missed the china and linen produced. The towels and napkins were marked " S. A. Louron," and were his property. He did not give the female prisoner any of the things, and she had no business to give them away. He had received an excel lent character with the female, and always believed her to be an honest well-behaved young woman, and strongly recommended her to mercy. The jury acquitted the man, but found the female Guilty, with a recommendation to mercy on account of her wevious good character. The Chairman sentenced her to six months' hard labour. quenee of his throwing • light into the Post-office box might not only have been the destruction of the letters. but the burning of the house. LAMBETH. Richatq Rolls, a young 111111 of respectable appearance, who has been empoyed for eight years at the Crystal Palace as cellarman and barman, was placed at the bar before Mr. Elliott for final examination on a charge of stealing a gold watch and guard chain, of the value of 25 guineas, and three coats of the value of 81., while the tire was raging at the Crystal Palace on Sunday last. Beiween the hours of two and three o'clock on Sunday last, Mrs. Chart, a respectable female, accompanied by her husbend and Mr. Lambert, a lodger in her house, were admitted to the Crystal Palace as shareholders, and an alarm of fire having been raised a few minutes after, Mr. Chart threw off two coats, and Mr. Lambert one, with the laudable intention of aiding in extinguishing the flames, and handed them to the care of Mrs. Chart, as well as their hats and umbrellas. Mr. Lambert also handed to the lady his gold watch and guard-chain for her care. In about three quarters of an hour after Mrs. Chart became much alarmed on hearing that the wild animals were about to be turned loose, and appealed to the prisoner, whom she believed from his appearance to be in the employment of the company, to show her the way to the gardens. The prisoner said, " I have some article/ of my own which I do not know well what to do with," but he placed something on the table, and took Mrs. Chart towards a staircase which ap parently led into the gardens. While on the stairs, how ever, be stopped, and, saying " this is the beat we down," took the lady down a flight of stairs to a dark cellar. They proceeded to a door that was closed, and Mrs. Chart, becominA alarmed, exclaimed, " This can't be the way lam sure ; and rushed back. She had net got more than a dozen yards when she was overtaken by the pri soner, who, seizing hold of her cloak near the throat, said, " I must have that watch and these coats." He then laid hold of the hand in which she held the watch, when she cried " Murder !" as loud as she could, but he took the watch, chain, and coats from her. He also said, " I must have this chain also" (the chain she was wearing at the time), but she said he should not, and, still calling out, struck at him, and rushed along the passage to get away from him. For the defence Mr. Bertram, who with Mr. Roberts, is contractor for the refreshment department, said he had known the prisoner for about eight years, and during the whole of that time he had borne an irreproachable cha racter. He was first in the service of Mr. Staples, next in that of Mr. Strange, and during his term as cellarman,and latterly he was in the position of barman, in receipt of large sums of money, and he (Mr. Bertram) had always placed the most implicit reliance on his honesty. Amelia Jocelin, an exhibitor at the Paiute, to whom the prosecutrix and prisoner were perfect strangers, said that the former, in telling her about the robbery shortly after it occurred, told her the property had slipped away from her as she was going out to the gardens. Mr. Elliott admitted that the testimony was somewhat conflicting, and that there was some difficulty in dealing with the case. He, however, committed the prisoner for trial, but consented to take bail in 100/. . . Thu sum Mr. Bertram at onceconsented to becomebound in for the prisoner's appearance at the sessions, and the prisoner was at once Liberated. f3OIITHWARK. Henry Williams, s young man, was brought before Mr. Woolrych for final examination, charged with assaulting John Stroud, and being concerned with another not in custody in stealing a valuable silver watch from him in the Blackfriars-road. The prosecutor said that on Christmas night he had been spending a few hours with a family party at Walworth, and between six and seven the following morning was re turning home with hie wife and other friends. When they got to the corner of Great Charlotte-street, and were shaking hands, all bidding good bye to each other, the prisoner and another young fellow rushed before them. The prisoner seized witness ander the chin with one hand, while with the other he snatched his watch and broke it from the guard, and before he could recover himself the prisoner passed it to his companion, and ran across the road. NS Unitas pursued him, and caught hold of him near the Surrey Chapel, when they had a severe struggle. A constable came up at the time, and he gave the pri soner into custody. His companion managed to make his escape with the watch. Mr. Woolrych asked him whether the other man did anything to him? He replied that when he first caught hold of the prisoner the other man tried to prevent him, but seeing the constable approach he made off with as much speed as possible. Soon after that the prisoner said, " I have not got your watch, but I know who has, and I known it was yours you should not have lost it." Mary luard said she was with the last witness when the prisoner and another man rushed between them, and the prisoner seized the prosecutor by the neck with one hand, and snatched his watch with the other. After that he passed the watch to the other man, and they ran across the road. Pollee-constable 62 L said he heard cries of " Police " on the morning in question, and on proceeding towards Surrey Chapel he saw the prisoner and prosecutor strug gling together, and the latter gave him into custody for assaulting him and robbing him of his watch. He told witness that he had not got the watch ; the other man had got it. The prisoner denied the charge altogether, and declared he never made use of those observations. Mr. Woolrych committed the prisoner for trial. SERIOUS CASE OF POISONING IN NORFOLK. Yesterday, before the Docking bench of magis trates, four persons named John Grief (51), Susan Grief (51), Mary Grief (27), and Sarah Grief (23), were brought up on a charge of poisoning two if not three illegitimate children, at Shernborne, an adjacent village. The pri_ soners John Grief and Susan Grief are husband and wife, and Mary Grief and Sarah Grief are their daughters. The legitimate family of the Griefs consists altogether of twelve children, of whom eight are living at home. The names of the children supposed to have been poisoned are the Alfred Grief, who was five years and six months old at time of his death, and who died Nov. 6, 1866 ; Ann Maria Grief, the child of Sarah Grief, who was fifteen weeks old at the time of her death, sad who died April 13, 1866 ; and Jemima Grief, the child of Mary Grief, who died in 1860. The bodies of the children Alfred Grief and Ann Maria Grief have been exhumed, and an abundance of arsenic has been found in them ; as regards the third child, Jemima Grief, the result of the chemical analysis isnot yet known. The children, although illegitimate, appear to have never been affiliated, and it may be added as an illustration of the immorality prevailing in the family of the Griefs, that Sarah Grief has had another illegitimate child, which is still living, while she is now again enceinte and near her confinement. The death of the child Ann Maria Grief appears to have excited no suspi cions, but the case was different when Alfred Grief sickened and died in November. This child was taken ill on Saturday, November 3 ; on the Sunday he was better, and on the Monday he went to school, but he was sent home in consequence of being very ill ; he continued to grow worse until about 1 a.m. on the Tuesday, when he died. The poor little fellow seems to have vomited green matter, and a green foam was also observed about his mouth ; these symptoms of arsenical poisoning, of course, provoked remark, more especially as no medico l man had been called in, although the parish doctor might have been sent for without any expense to the family. Sub sequent inquiries showed that the child Ann Maria Grief bad presented similar symptoms, and had died without the attendance of a medical man. John Grief, the mile prisoner, carries on the occupation of a sheep dresser, a business requiring occasionally the use of arsenic, but when he was interrogated on the subject he denied at first that he had an arsenic in his possession. He made this state ment on t he 19th of November, but arsenic was found in his house notwithstanding. The male prisoner also stated that whenever he had any arsenic he was careful to keep it locked up in his " coffer," but the arsenic discovered was not found there, but on the top of the bed in which the prisoner and his wife slept. The wife, Susan Grief, had also denied having any arsenic in the house. The male prisoner is understood to have endeavoured to make it appear that be had left some bottles about containing a mixture which be had turd in his business, but these bot tles, when found, were under the stairs, and quite out of the reach of any one. There were a few drops in the bottles, containing a mixture of tar, soft soap, and arsenic, but the poison was not in the state in which it was found in the bodies of the children, in which it was detected pure and simple. The male prisoner was arrested November 26, and has since been in custody in Norwich Castle. Susan Grief and Mary Grief were arrested on the 22nd of November, and Sash Grief on the 6th of December ; the female prisoners have been in Wymondham Briiiewell, and were brought up from there yesterday, while John Grief was brought up from Norwich. The prisoners all denied, when arrested, that they knew anything about the matter. Sergeant Nose, of the Docking division of the Norfolk police, applied yesterday for a remand ; and no opposition being offered by the prisoners, the application was acceded to, and the accused were again remanded to Norwich and Wymondham. When the case is again gone into, it will be completed so far as the magisterial inquiry is concerned. It is perhaps right to state that although the narrative given of the case is derived from official sources, some of the details have not yet been deposed to on oath. IMPORTS AT LIVERPOOL DL'RINO 1866.—During the year 1866 the duties received at Liverpool, from the ship and the warehouse, amounted to 2,885,969/. In 1863 the figures were 2.785,0661., showing an RICTISAIS in the year 1866 of 100,8731. [Advertisement.] How.ownr's Pnse.—Worn oaf Sufferers may hope for remedy from times purifying and strengthening pills, atter physic and physician hake failed to effect a cure. In all disorders of the stomach, irregularities of Lie bowels, derangement of the liver, and diseases of the kidneys, these pills will be found specially useful In re-inelituting order and restoring health. Hollovray's Pills clear sway otetructions, remove poisonous particles from the blood, secretions and system generally, give purity and regularity to the circulation, tone and power to the stomach, energy and vividness to the brain. Holloway's Nils can be confidently recommended as restoratives of constitutions shattered, broken by excessive mcm tel labour, intemperance, Inordinate indulgence, or the various lordships which make the young old man. THE FATAL OAS EXPLOSION IN LEATHER LANE. After our report lett yesterday, Thomas Westbury said he lived next door to the house occupied by Luigi Magni. He returned from work shortly before 6 o'clock on the 22nd of December, and in a few minutes afterwards heard the explosion and the falling of the next house. He then got out of the window of his house just as No. 5, which he occupied, was also falling. There was no gas in his house and the explosion must have taken place at No. 4. la did not smell the gas in the street before he went in, nor did be see any men worlung there at the time. His landlady had her leg broken - by the falling of the house. George Knight, • warehouseman, residing at Na. 9, Little Walnut-street, said that while sitting in his parlour about six o'clock on the 22nd of December he felt a shock as if something had fallen on the house. He immediately went out and repaired to the scene of the explosion. There was a strong smell of gas in the street, and shortly after his arrival the debris took fire. About one or two minutes elapsed from the time of his feeling the shook and the of the house No. 4. When he reached Summers street he saw no light in the houses Noe. 4 and 5, which fell After the houses had fallen he saw a great sheet of light in the front of the ruins of No. 4. James Chaney, a plumber, residing at 18, Baek-hill, Hatton-garden, was next examined. He said he was at his shop door at six o'clock on Saturday week, and heard the explosion. He went to Summers-street, which he reached when No. 4 was falling. Last Tuesday he exa mined the gas pipes at No. 4, and found the pipe between No. 4 and the street lamp defective. The pipe had been dis connected previous to his going there. It was decayed and there was • hole in that part of it which ran under the street. The pipe was produced for the inspection of the coroner and jury. Mr. Humphreys said the pipe was blocked up before the explosion, and had consequently no connexion with it. The witness, in reply to Mr. Merriman said he had not seen the meter or the main which was in direct communi cation with the house. Inspector Potter, of the U division of police, deposed that he had taken steps to examine the gas pipes at tuns men-street. After the last inquest he communicated with the parish authorities for the purpose of having the pipe which led from No. 4 to the street opened. He now produced a piece of pipe which was attached to the new main. He had also a long piece which was attached to the short one, and the thin end of which we, connected with the house. When he reached the scene of the explosion he saw dame issuing from a vent in the pipe to which he had just re ferred. He saw another piece of pipe (similar to one produced) sticking out close to the house. Mr. Humphreys said the three pieces of pipe completed the entire service. Inspector Potter said he had unsuccessfully endeavoured to find the meter. In reply to the coroner, he said the leakage from the pipe or main would go into Basini's cellar. In answer to Mr. Humphreys be said the officials of the Chartered Gas Company had given him every facility while he was making the necessary inquiries. Thos. Damson, 11, Radnor-et:est, St. Luke's, said he I was a service layer in the employ of the Chartered Gas Company. He reconnected the service of gas in Summers street on the 22nd of December. He saw the pipes which supplied No. 4, and he believed them to have been per fectly good. He did not see the piece of pipe which had been disjointed from the main since the explosion, and which was immediately connected with the cellar. The coroner requested the witness to inspect the piece of pipe in question, and say if he considered it gate. The witness complied with the direction of the coroner, and said he did not consider the pipe safe, nor would he have allowed it to remain in the cellar if he could have reached it. He was quite sure he did not injure the pipe while laying on the new pipe. He would have gone into the cellar had he not been told by a boy that he could not go in. The coroner asked if he was aware of the cause of the accident? The witness replied in the negative. Mr. Merriman asked why the company had put on new pipes' l The witness said the circumference of the new main was too large to admit of the possibility of a connection with the old pipes, but in other respects he believed them to have constituted a good house anew. In answer to further questions, be said he tested the meter and found no leakage. If he had smelt gas he would have taken steps to procure admission to the cellar. In reply to Mr. Humphreys, he said the end of the old pipe was perfectly sound when he joined the new pipe to it The part of the old pipe that was broken would have been in tbu wall of the house. Seeing that the two parts of the old pipe which was disjointed were perfectly sound, he came to the conclusion that the whole of the pipe was so. The meter was in a box. under the ground floor win dow of No. 4. _ _ _ _ _ Luigi Basini was recalled, and stated that the deceased, Pietro Basini, to whom Damien said he had spoken, did not speak English. Re saw Damson connecting the pipes, but ho was in a position to swear that from 2 o'clock till 4 o'clock on the day in question Damsel' did not enter his house. In answer to the coroner, he stated that while Damsell was endeavouring to join the pipes he saw them shaking. The coroner at this stage of the proceedings suggested the advisability of an adjournment. The inquiry was accordingly again adjourned. FATAL ACCIDENT TO A MARRIAGE PARTY.— THREE MEN DROWNED.—In the north of Scotland a raper. stitious belief prevails that it is dangerous for • bride groom, after the proclamation of the banns, to venture on a journey by sea, and a number of cases have occurred within the memory of the present generation to strengthen the belief. On Wednesday, the 26th ult., a melancholy accident took place near Lerwick, which will doubtless be regarded by the tithing population of Shetland as corrobo rating this superstition. Tuesday week a marriage, party left Lunnasting inafithing-boat intending to proceed to Lerwick, at which place the marriage was to take place. The wind was unfavourable for the party proceeding further than a harbour in the north of the pariah of Tingwall, and there the boat was taken for the night. The bride and • sister of the bridegroom, the only females in the boat went on shore and travelled on foot to Lerwick. On Wednesday morning the men prepared to complete their journey in the boat. Sail was set, and all proceeded well until they had advanced some distance to the south of Rovy Head, when the boat was caught by a squall, thrown over, and imme diately sunk. In the boat were the bridegroom and his brother, two brothers of the bride and the owner of the boat. The accident was observed by the crew of another boat, who hastened to render antistatic*, but the two hea then of the bride were the only persons saved, the others having disappeared almost as soon as the boat sank.— Scotsman. ANOTHER TRADE OUTRAGE. —A COAL-PIT FIRED. —A disgraceful outrage has been committed by some unionist miners at the Pineton Colliery. During the last few weeks several unionists have been discharged from the eollie and this has caused • very bad feeling to exist in the n eig hbourhood . Early on Saturday night it WWI dis cover that Pit No. 2 had been set on tire in no less than four places, and that • tremendous conflagration was raging. Prompt assistance was obtained, and an attempt was made to extinguish the flames, but all exertions up to Wednesday night proved fruitless, the fire at that time, however, being completely got under. A great mass or coal has been consumed, and large walls—the pat titione of the pit—have fallen down, and the mine now lies in a state of almost inextricable confusion. We may state that when the fire was at its height the heat was so in tense that hard flinty rocks were made red hot. The loss to the proprietors of the pit will be very heavy. A re ward of 501. has been offered for the discovery of the per pstistors of the outrage. THE SOUTH STAFFORDSHIRE IRON TRADE.— BIRIONGHAN, JAN. 3. —The adjourned preliminary meet ing of the ironmasters of this district was held here to day ; Mr. William Barrows in the chair. There was a large attendance, and after • brief discussion a resolution was unanimously passed to reduoe the price of manufac tured iron 20s. per ton, the wages scale to be lowered 10 per cent., and the puddles to be reduced la per ton. The furnace-men are also to have notice of a corresponding reduction. It is believed that the men will look at this matter in a rational way, and accept in a proper spirit reductions which the exigencies of the trade have brought about. There are always people to whom • trade strike is a source of profit,or who, bring mischievously diaposedoire ever intent upon fanning into life a contentionof that kind ; the bitter experience of the past will, it is hoped, be sufficient to induce the men not to be led aside from their true in tercets, however unpalatable the course determined upon to-day may be. A meeting of the thin coalmasters is to be held forthwith, at which the reduction of the men's wages in that branch of the trade is to be discussed. THE CATTLE FLAW:YR.—Yesterday's official re turn shows that in the concluding week of the year 1866 the prevalence of cattle plague showed • tendency to in crease. During the week ending 29th December 9 attacks are reported to have occurred in Great Britain, being an excess of 3on the previous week. Three fresh outbreaks of the disease took place, the number in the week pre ceding being also 3. One hundred and eighteen healthy cattle were slaughtered from having been in contact with infected animals. The attacks reported are for the fol lowing 2 petty sessional divisions, viz. :—Yorkshire (East Riding) South Holderness, 4 cows and 4 calves ; end Market Weighton, 1 steer. The number of animals attacked since the commencement is 253,807, and 52,646 healthy cattle have been slaughtered to prevent the spread of the disease. A VaNgerata PARTY. —On the day before Christmas-day the Rev. Mr. Judd, curate of St. Paula, Cambridge, entertained 12 old ladies, his parishioners, to dinner and tea, and provided them with other good Clint. appropriate to the season. Their united*ages amounted to 1,000 years ; but the venerable dames managed to spend a very merry afternoon notwithstanding. Du BARRY'S DELICIOUS REVALEIFII. ARIHICA FOOD cures dyspepsia, indigestion, cough, asthma, consnmptioe, debility, constipation, dlarrhas, palpltedon, nervous, bilious, liver, and stomach complaints, Cure No. elkel3.--.• /tome, July IHM—The health of the Holy Father is excellent, sines, abandoning all other remedies, he has oosened " =2 mairel,y to Du s Food, end Ids Holiness mane mules this excellent food too hlehly."—Gmettede NUL Do berry end Co., No. 17, Itegent-ettest, London, W. In Use, at is. ltd.; Es. ad. Ms, FM WM.. ena—adverthisimeat. Piloted aati Padilla.* by WabioN Lab Hosis, f o. S. Loolbardairsot. to lba City of Loadra. renter, at tho mom la Lombard -airs* fa tits Pouliot of Whiterlam-- 111.1 DAY, 111117. THE POLICE COURT& BOW-.STREET. James Dennis Maloney, Late clerk to Mr. R. Jones, soli citor, 5, New.inn, was brought up on remand, charged with stealing two sums of ss. each from his master. The learned magistrate declared that during the interval of remand he had been considering-11 matter, and had come to the conclosion that the c harge amounted to one of forgery, for which o ff ence it would his duty to com mit the prisoner for trial. The facts are these :—On the 15th of December the prisoner was sent by his master to issue several writs of summons, one in an action hi which Mr. fitephanos Xesos was defendant, providing him with money to pay the fees for the lame, being ss. on each writ. The prisoner's duty was to have these writs issued at the writ department of the Record-office, 'damped with the seal of the Court of Queen's Bench, and nodoubt with regard toall the writs but the one he did so. But the writ or pretended writ against Mr. Kenos having subsequently passed into the hands of another clerk who was instructed to have it served, he noticed that the impression of the seal was reversed. This led to inquiry at the Writ-offiee,when it was found that no such writ had been issued. It seems that the genuine seal is impressed in blue ink, which remains damp for • few minutes, and thus enabled him to transfer the impression, though somewhat faintly, to another form,whioh of course had never been stamped at all. In another instance the same trick bad been resorted to, but so clumsily executed, that the genuine impression on the writ which had actually been issued had been nearly obliterated in the proems, and the attempt had been made to improve its legibility by " touching it up" with pen and ink. Altogether there had been five instances in which the pri soner had committed the same fraud in each case for the Name sum, sa. The prosecutor was desirous of exhibiting every possible leniency towards the prisoner, and would have been satisfied that the offence should be dealt with as one of larceny, which the learned magistrate would have power to dispose of summarily, but Mr. Flowers held that it was clearly a forgery, with which lie could not deal sum marily under an circumstances, and being • counterfeiture of an official sea l, it was far too serious a matter to be so treated, even if it came within the limits of his juris diction. _ _ The prisoner was prepared to plead guilty if the cans could have been dealt with at this court, but finding that be was to be sent to the Central Criminal Court, he elected to reserve his defence. He was accordingly committed for trial. MARYLBSONE. Mr. Sullivan, the sanitary inspector of Paddington, at tendsd before the magistrate to ask him to condemn two pads of fish which were in a putrid state. He maid this was not a case where he had erred the fish, but where Mr. Davis, of Woodchester-street, Harrow-mad, and Mr. Kers lake, of Moscow-road, fishmongers, had waited upon him to show Lim how they were imposed upon by the whole sale tradesmen of Billingsgate. They had to take the pads without their being allowed to inspect them. The magistrate inquired if they paid for fish in such a state. Mr. Kerslake said they were compelled to. The prac tice of the market was, that when the boats arrived a pad was opened as • sample. The salesmen then put up the pads to auction, and nu one was allowed to Inspect them. A crowd of sometimes 30 or 40 would get round, and so the pads were knocked down to the highest bidder, and he had to pay for it at once and carry it away. As they all wanted fish, the bidding was very spirited. The magistrate—Do they not warrant the fish? Mr. Kerslake—They do not. Mr. Sullivan said—Mr. Knox once advised the buyers to proceed against the City authorities if they would not ' reimburse them for fish in such a state, and bought under such circumstances. Re had written to the solicitor to the City Sewers Commissioners, and received the follow ing reply : "Church-mutt-chambers, Old Jewry. " Sir,—Your letter addressed to Dr. Letheby has been handed to me by him. I have well considered the matter therein referred to, but I cannot advise the Commissioner, of Sewers to prosecute the salesman, se if th-y did they could not possibly procure a conviction. Salem's In Bd. liar sell the packages of fish directly the j arrive, sarirp L ie only being opened and seen. All fish sold is, how ever, subject to the examination of the inspectors ap pointed by the corporation, and the usual course is for each examination to be made, and the fish, if unsound, ' condemned, the money paid being thereupon re ' turned by the salesman to the purchaser. It is • practical impossibility for either to see the fish at the time of sale, and the purchaser is protected as I have stated above. In this case the purchaser removed the fish from the market, and it is clear he can have no claim on the salesman, having accepted the fish ; nor can any liability attach to the salesman, as he could have had no knowledge of the state of the fish, which the purchaser did not have examined by the persons authorised for such purpose.—Your obedient servant, A. J. E.true, soli citor to the Commissioners of Sewers. "The Sanitary Inspector, Vestrybell, Paddington." The matter dropped by the magistrate ordering the fish to be destroyed. William Pretty, a childi seven years of age, brought be fore Mr. Arnold two or three days ago for throwing a light into the letter-box of the New-street, Vincent-square, Post office, and who wee then given over to his friend., yes terday again appeared. Mrs. Shopland, who was absent on the previous occa sion, proved seeing the boy throw a lighted inciter match into the box. Smoke then issued from the opening, and she immediately went into the l'ost-othoe and called at tention to the circumstance. Mr. Osborn, solicitor, on behalf of the Post-office autho rities, said that, had the offender in this instance been of a more advanced age, they would have felt it their duty to have pressed the matter, which they were most cer tainly bound to do on public grounds, as there had bees recently two or three cases of a similar description. With so juvenile an offender as this they must leave the matter entirely with the magistrate. Mr. Arnold said he did not think he could dispose of the case at all, as such a child could not be dealt with by law as a responsible person. He then handed the accused over to his of for wholesome correction with a birch rod, pointing out to him that he should use his beat ender yours to keep his out of mischief, and that the acme- MARKETS. TALLOW.— THCR,DAY The market was firm to-day. Spot, 441. GI. to 44a. 9d. ; January to March, 44a. 6d., " bayou ;" March, 46e. to 45a. 3d.; April to June, 45a. 3d. ; June, 45a. 6d. ; October to Deoember, 46a. 9d. to 465. ; December, 46a. 3d. t o 46a. 6cL 001TON.—Lrvimmool., JAN.3.—Our market opened quiet, but closes steady at yesterday's prices. Estimated sales to-day, 15,000 bales, including 4,000 speculation and export. 3,000 American, 14d...t0 16401. • 600 Peruse., ko., 144 d. to 17141. ; 50 Maranham, 160 0 . 0 to 16ed. ; 100 Maosio and Bahia, 134 d. to 151 d. : Eriptom. 16d. to 19d. ; 100 Smyrna, 12d. to 13d. ; 10,100 Burst, Bid. to 131 d.; Madras, 104 d. to 128 d.; Bengal, Scinde, Bid. to 10d. ; China, 11d. ; 250 Peru, 16d.; fair Dhol lamb, 12141.; fair Oomralruttee, 12141.; fair Broach, 121 d. ; fair Bengal, 94.; fair Egyptian, 17d.; fair Pernain, 16d.; Y idsM Bowed., 1514. to 1.1.; Middling Orleans, 15g. WOOL AND WORSTED.—BRADPORD, JAN. 3.—The first market in the new year opens with a very cheerful tone. There is more inquiry for wool, and staplers are more firm in their quotations. The demand, however, is principally for good bright-haired hogs. Wethers rather neglected. The stocks in band are smalL The bulk of the wool remains in the hands of the growers, who bold out for higher rates. The hardening tendency of the past few weeks is still manifest to-day. The state of worsted yarns is differently reported according to the experience of spinners. Rome say they have clone more business, while others state they have received no orders ; some holding out for an advance, while some would be glad to meet the buyers. Upon the whole, there is more disposition to operate, but the higher rates sought tend to restrict business. The foreign trade continues good, but the orders given are only smalL The demand for the continent is slow and drag ging. There is rather more inquiry for good super 30's; but much business has not been the result. Some small orders have been placed in other sorts. Rather more business has been done in carded yarns. Spinners quote higher rates and prices are firmer. There is great quiet ness in the wool market. The present cold weather has come too late to be of any benefit to the home merchants. The warehouse. are extremely quiet ; in fact, quieter than they have been at the same period for many years past. The foreign demand ia a little better. Some mer chants, who have held over some orders from the old par, are placing them to-day. The aggregate amount of busi ness, however, is small. The American houses are almost out of the market. The only trade that keeps op is in figures for Mina. The trade in heavy goods is dull. In consequence of the steadiness In wool and cotton prices are firmly maintained. LACE AND HOSIERY. Noproctrati, J. 3. There is again a slight improvement in the demand for plain and fancy nets and curtains, notwithstanding another rise in the price of yarns, which compels machine holders to restrict making as much as possible. The home trade shows better symptoms as also the Indian, German, and Canadian market', but the orders are at present very small, just to assort stocks. The sudden rise in yarns has somewhat checked operations in the h • trade. There is, however, a fair amount of orders on band at the old priers, and the workpeople are kept pretty well employed. —Nottingham Journal. CORN.-Britirinanan, JAN. 3.-At this day's market there was a fair supply of English wheat which sold at Is. per qr. over last week's rates. Barley maintained its value. Oats fully as dear. Beans and peas Is. per qr. cheaper. Ihrvirss. JAN. 3.-Our supply today, both of wheat and barley, was very small, owing to the difficulty experienced in getting the corn to market, and the attendenoe was also much smaller than usual. A brisk trade, however, was done in wheat at an advance of 6d. a sack-both old and new samples making 345. Barley is also le. per qr. higher; and the same may be said of oats, beans, and peas, all of which note an advance. Best white wheat ? 33a. to 345. Od. ; best red ditto, 33a. to 34a. Od.; ditto new white, 325. to 33.. 6il. ; other sorts, 245. to 29.. ; barley, 475. to 54e. Od.; beans, 235. to 28s. 6d.; peas, 19s. to 225. ; vetches, 21s. to Eli . ; rye, 16a. to 17s. ; fine dour, 48s. to 525. ; best seconds, 44a. to 48s. MANCHESTER, Jan. 3.-Our market this morning was very well attended. Wheat and flour were more readily saleable at the currency of the preceding week. Oats and oatmeal likewise brought fully late rates. Beans met a slow sale, English at the prices of this day se ' n night, and Egyptian at an advance of 6d. per qr. Indian corn wee la. per qr. dearer. NEWARK, JAN. 2.-Supply of wheat small. Trade good, and choice samples were Is. per qr. dearer. Barley was in better request, and late rates were slightly ex ceeded. The value of oats was very firm. Beans quiet. EDINBURGH, JAS. 2.-As compared with last week, wheat was 2a. 3d. down on top, and 11d. up on average. Barley was Is. up on top, and Gd. up on average. Oat; were 9d. up on top, and 6d. up on average. Beans were 6d. up on top, end la. 9d. up on average. Wheat, 525. to 665. 9d. ; barley, 32a. to 445. ; oats, 6d. to 33e. 3d.; beans, 395. to tea. 6d. CATTLE—Mammalian, JAN. 3.—We received a good supply of beasts both in number and quality, awl there was a fair demand at lower prices. Sheep in moderate supply, trade slow at Tuesday's prices. Calves a short supply. Fat pigs a large supply ; demand fair. Beg. Bid. to 71d. ; mutton, Bd. to 9d. ; veal, 7d. to 4.1. per lb. ; bacon pigs, Ba. to 9s. ; and porket, Bs. Bd. to 9s. Saisrot., JAL 3.-We had • very short supply of beef at our market to-day, and it was scarcely rudiment for the demand, which was rather brisk, with an active trade for anything good at rather firm prices, best descriptions realising from 665. to 68a., and secondary from 625. to 655. per cwt., but the majority of those on offer were of au indifferent quality. The supply of sheep was also some what limited, and trade was brisk, at rather high prime, best wethers realising from 81.1. to Bid. and in some cases 98. per lb., and ewes and secondary descriptions from ;Ad. to Bjd. per lb. All on offer quickly changed hands. 'flie supply of milch cows is just now rather large, and as they are in little demand prices are very low, from 161. to 18/. being an average figure, but inferior descriptions changed hands at • considerably lower figure. Pigs are still selling at low prices. There were no horses in the market. NOTTING HAW, Jas. 2.-There was a rather short supply of beasts, which was most likely owing to the weather ; prices were for beat quality from Bs. Mi. to 95., and for second quality from Bs. to Bs. 6d. We had also a very meagre show of sheep, indeed the smallest number there has been lately. Beat quality realised from Bd. to BAd. per lb.; and for second ditto from 7d. to lid. wee given. Porket pigs fetched from tie tid. to 7s. ; and &mon pigs were asked at from 6s. to Ga. Cal. Veal was sauce at 9d. per lb. Statement of stock at market :-Saturday l'igs, 170. Wednesday : Sheep, 400 ; pig, 1. EDINBURGH, JAN. 2.-The number of cattle this morn ing was 346, being 113 head more than on this day sennight. Prices were much the cams as than of last market. Top price, 10s. ; current, 9s. to ;Is. 6d. ; mid dling and inferior, Hs. to 84. lid. per stone. The supply of sheep was less than on this day week, the number being 2,846, or 1,038 fewer. Sales were readily effected, at prices considerably higher than those obtained at last market. Top price of the best mutton, Bjd. ; current, Bd. to 80. ; ewes, 7.1. to 70. per lb. Fed pigs brought re. to lie. 6d. per stone ; six to eight weeks old ditto, 7s. a head. Numbers in market :-Fat settle, 346 ; store do., 147 ; milch cows, 18 ; sheep, 2,846 ; pigs, 100. TRAFFIC RETURNS. ILAILWATIL 111709 Pah- Mar- Ts T 0419, open. mongers. ehasdhts MIL Week ending Oct. 17. Great :loathers of India 79 613 712 1,111 747 Week ending Nov ltsdraa—houth West !Ana 492 North Welt Line. 153 Week ending Dec. IL. Grand Trunk of Canada 1377 9,964 16,304 26,161 36,443 Week ending Dec. 21. Dublin sad Beath ..... SS 109 100 $69 391 Week ending Dec. 33 Great Gluten' of Belgium 1,211 5,077 6,310 6,991 Week ending Dec. 29. North Baiter. 12201 17,647 68062 70,919 70,132 Pembroke and Teaby 27 119 Week ending Dec. 30. Belfast and County Down 44 511 172 084 863 Bristol and Exeter l34} 3,417 1,271 6,692 8,243 North British 8,507 8,213 1,191 2.194 MUM. 24A.ERIAGEB. AND DEATHS. BIRTHS. BEYANT.--January 1, et VTyiani,iiOrthumberland, the wife of R. It. Bryant, Esq., of a 11011 UlCKSON.—January 1, the wife of 8. Hickson, Esq., Linden House, Hon:soy-lane, Ilighgoto, of a son. NEWTON.—Jaswary 1, at Upper Caning-street, Liverpool, the wile of J. B. Newton of • son. ORB.—January 1, at Vest Hoe-terrace, Plymouth, the wife of Captain A. Orr, of a daughter. suuTEß.—Jaaasry 1. at Bolaise-road, St. John's-wood, the site of Mr. W. !Outer, of a daughter. ILLIASISON.--January 1, at Copley-MI, Cheshire, the wife of 8. Williamson, Eaq.. of • sou. MARRIAGISS. - BIC RD—CR AIG. —January I, at Brace, Shrewsbury. by the Rev. H. Bather , T. A. Burl , Esq., of Ilurcot, ithropshire, to Agnes Wallace, daughter of the late Rev. J. Craig, of S e vers II ill.house. Shrewsbury. CILAPPLE-11.001101.—January 1, at Christ Church, North Brit. too, Arthur Frank, son of the late C. H. Chapple, Yaq., of the Home-office, to Marian Eudly, daughter of the late G. V. Roger,, Esq.. of Faruluun, Surrey. WIIITE—SMITH.—January 2. at the Church of Bt. Mary, Alder wry, London, by the Rev L B. White, F. M. White, Esq.. of flessex-place, Regent's, park, to Altos Mary, daughter of the late R. firalth, Esq., of triuhdford-street, Itaaaell-squate. pIiATHB. -- ARICELL--.liustiary I, Louisa. the daughter of Mr. W. Aricell, of Upper FYtvo7. reef . W., aged 15. COX WELL—January 2, in George-street, Ilanoveroquars, Marl Elizabeth, wife of C. R. Colwell, Esq. CUM MI NO.—Jannary I, at Blandford.place, Regent's-part, Mrs. Sara? Cumming, aged 72. . MKenningtoa.perk, W. I. E L ; r isauary 6 1 6 : at Bedfordatreet South, Liverpool, Ano, daughter of the late W. Nevelt, Lg.