The Express. — London, England, 1850-02-04 00:00:00

FRESH DISCOVERIES IN THE ARCTIC CIRCLE. coNTINUATION OF TH ENCE . E OFFICIAL CORRE SPOND 0 We Msjestre Discovery 86;p Plover. Wiwi,- Pet.insula. Hotzebec -sound, Sept. 26,1F49. (Reetived Jan 21.1850 ) -- • - I. si r , —Having had no opportunity of oontmuni wino with Ores' lititain sines my last report to my Lords itatnissionees of the Admiralty, dated August, 1848 at w Ja bs (Sandwich Islands), I have the honour to acquaint • (albeit ladships' intormation, with the general pro i„,o of her Majesty's ship under my tommusd up to this per vel m ut filllsg up water sad laying Is s Meek et fresh pro. vegetables, th, I sailed from Wash. (Auuggusestt 23, Isi• si with the N.E. trade wind. whisk 1 sareied t) geacb .. hl till the 3rd of September, at which tuns I had the parallel of 36 deg. N. and 171 deg. W. i ri s this date I cantinuen to hUM a course to the a 4 : ( (. owlish such impeded by northerly winds), is order tyat w the even. of meeting with westerly made, as I Lad Seen led to aspect, 1 aught have the passage ; 4, 41 0 the Aleutian Islands under my Ise. Oa the ..7th et S. ptember 1 had the satisfaction of knowing by the ett,t'e reckoning that 1 had passed the latitude of Attu, the k eeternm.st island of this group, thcisgh trona the pro and foggy weather no indicstion of my cep r r t cold to otoccot d, beyond a slight discoloured irresguire tit the tea, which had been first noticed on the .t. a ea which clip l rotownesd to rAnd, bat found no t ., glide Sal of ()ashes, in lat. 61 deg. 19 mi.. N., log 171 deg s min. E. •A. I had new obtained toundings, and having observed f„, a .4y or two past a bright yellow Wick , extending from ,g . E. by E , I kept the de, p.sea teed constantly going, w ykl Asa as the stft kOeti.ber) 170 fathoms, gradually de maw., :ram that day tiel tie Island al St. Laurette* wet Nen. cults 13 h. from the 23ed of September I etperiinced a succession o f rsul a sad light winds. wi h uequent squalls of allele. rats too . airs from N.W. and N. 8., sad otesei nal , aa tt, the weather being almost mestantly thick sad kith frostiest falls of ram, and subsequent to the • t ttr..tcr, veleta the temparatert had fallen perms. dcg. of Fahrenneit, sleet and snow pre- 11n 3. the 131 the Island of Si. Laurence was made oat, ..'eared with snow, misty: its app:stane• to be with with the delakatious oa Os* Admiralty :twig of likstlag's Sera; Iv. t, seiner with the' fernasddl by Admiral Lula. Womb Cap sinterraasiely mot having resetiad no. la As 6.::ec • / " 1 7.1 is the rethells.tla wind again wend to t.% rmiticerd to blow Iran that router, increasing in 1: -. lanai ate night, and, co:withstanding the mien, st t:. of the ciliate of the watches, found un the 16th :we. to the southward of my position on the previous ..1 'terra! sties to leeward of the South Cape (Asia .:..r. tretes.l otweatherinu Cape Chaplin, as I expected. :Cr Tt41.1 thus totally urtquillitled to ccntand against w .c.t. rs vin i nd a strong current sane/ to the south. Sur. Lit in some oonaideratle degree there • . g..rt), I kit the necesaity of seeking shelter t Lea. wht:st still is ay power, rather than remain . . s• twin ,ash nafavoszatia circumstances. I accord- ILO calve to at 7.21. , a.m. in a by on the S.W. cent of r... qua to ilia eolith and west, at a distance of tour .r m t!.e Lad t in ftllehllrea to take immediate ad gastaf, ass Unusable circumstaane that might 0011 r. Mr. A../ us (-teond master) was despatched to es .31.ar intientatin which I otnerred, hiring the sppear st,ri • t Leer, who en his return repotted the existence of c e.:‘, • arbcar with sate anchorage, protected ['oaths k., • ieug .ow se:t. la the meantime • menhir of natives eau :! t. slap, from whore I undentood that 1 could (~;.r.., ntiy procure a supply of water near the anchoreee by Mr. M .rtin. I en • d in on the following day, as I sr.hored at 9.43 p.m. in 20 fathoms water the wind ben .a Ito test at north-teat. the •21th, Midis( the direction and force of the wind t. :ottani*. tte temperature of the air to fail as low as 13i sad the sea-water to 284. I deemed it prudent to too tne vpiaos of the offics re as to whether en codes. te. rotted to the northward should be made (these oku.eot I lava the honour to simian), which I beg to rata were ettctly in accor?anoe with my own sentiments, viz., th.t .: wools! bs better to remain in this secure herbJur ft.r t.e venter that wake a useless attempt to proceed north •tert.. rah& probability of being unaole to regain my &d -ui sgssas ywiti,e e from which 1 could send out overland ex;•etiree,..t. sad en account of the advanced meow to foes tts c..-o.' of wistarias teen in Petropsulaki. I there hre .:eternised that, should no favourable change take tote the Atli, to sel eta convenient spot in which to i..,.:.0 IL:p to the winter. - - • .. the 14rd a still further reduction of temperature took the upper put of the harbour was reporutt freezing d lsrge mans of ice formai/ during the eight about tit in tosisequince of which, sitar a personal sII.OIIIIr t..,~ et or. Ma., h.silyour possessing maze advantages, I re toc.vs4 ti.ither on the 2itn, anchoring at 3 p.m. in seven funints. The her'-our to which I had nowremoved communicated with the lap r one by an opening a mile wide, furmiug a basic lain miles long and sae and a half in breadth, sun. routded on ever) side by lofty mountains, except to the southward, where it was separated frm the sea by a tract of low land and an extensive lagoon, and having deep water at the eutrauce and middle, with good anchorage oa sea aide close to the limes. Oa the low land at the south was a native mtilement of seven huts, to which belonged a large :.era of reindeer, frees which I hoped from time to time to e"*.oin supplies of fresh meat considering it, however, safer ter the ship on account of the force and prevalence of the tor-rust windy, as well as the probability of the ice drift .r et. used aa the whole better to be at a hide distance from a tau; .e whose friendly elispadtion was not yet eatablished, I rrmoeed to the sorb side of the harbour on the 25th, and :L., soared the ship for the winter on the 28th (October). From the 29th the people were employed in dismantling the strip. leaving nothing but the lower rigging over the muthe building a huhu of mese for the convenience of won,kg the f wge, drying clothes, he., end bossing the ship in, LA which was completed by the Bth of November. liarisg this time ice was continually forming around, and inquest:4 broken up by squalls and strong north-east nit..a, so tau the ship was not finally horn in until the I"tu, er hen the crises were ant enabled to visit as along e,: 'he ship in their el ages, drawn by dogs. h will now be ceeemary for me to intone their Lord shine of the friendly intertune I had succeeded in esta "..-rring wk it, the different tribes of natives near my winter ',..reel. They at firm appeared to Morale about coming • e"eri, 'net on making • few presents end allowing some ro be carried on with them, they gained confides's, • . - a...) far as to enter the ship readily when invited to do • • .cfr careful as all occasions to guard agaiut treashery put, on account of the warlike and relentless .or . attaChid to *lt; Poo sol;fol am; cosotoiioosto Itarir g the months of November and December the ship wee 4.1 v visited, not only by those in the vicinity, but also : j otters from a distance along the coast and inland, by my :rt.:course with whom I was enabled to satisfy myself that thry were not only peeeeful, but disposed to be actively tr.,e.d.y towards myself and the officers and men under my ',emend. The first difficulty was to gain some knowledge of the linguae, to which all the officers applied theawlves wivt staprieing snorer, so much so, that in the early part of th. mar I was enabled to send them in different directions with the confident expectation that they would be able to 11110 Nettearld inquiries as to whether say vessels answ ring to the description of her Majesty's ships Erebus mad Terror hod melted any part of the coast, or been wen during the past yea by any of the natives. " Un them expeditions every officer in the ship (except Mr. Francis Las, acting second master, lee) took his turn, itep'mying throughout • persevering energy in enduring fatigue and hardship, as wall as firmness and discretion in t~o:r intercourse with the natives, which I cannot sufii !,..ntly commend, which condact I sincerely trait will meet their lordships' approbation, and tend to their future ad rencement. Or these hardships I can confidently speak front sty can experience in travelling on !even! occasions on a sledge in heavy snowdrifts, with the thermometer at 30 deg. below MO. 'The following account of a party which left the Ship in February will be read with interest, I think : Having understood from the natives that there was to be men the remains of a wee! near East Cape, bat the time of the ship's wreck I could not make out, to gala move certain information of which I seat Mr. Wm. H. Hooper, 'Wag mate; Mr. Henry Martin, second mas t er; sad IS,. William H. Moore, master's assistant, with two native /sides who were familiar with that part of the coast, and 1.1,011 wham I could confidently depend, giving them three. lions to proceed is ha as they found the natives friendly, and it practicable to twos' the straits and visit Kotzebue Sound, La an no account Feebly to trust themselves among tribes w.th whom their guides were not familiar, or were in any s dinbtful of. Oa the mooed day of their journey, when a'.uut i 7 miles from the ship, they were overtaken by a via lest snow storm, by which their program was mach impeded, and, from the thickness of the weather, all idea of the direction in which they had travelled b ecame lost, and at nightfall the guides confessed they knew not where they ware aad that they most wait for dear weather, whisk mita be expected with the 'moonlight. On the sewed day the guides were in some degree re-assured, and again pro d:tried, but at night found themselves as ignorant of their seams as ever, and • third day waa passed ia the same miumer. On the fourth day Mr. Martin, from the fast of WO' having been for the greater part of the time on the axis', having once only been on the land, whisk they ima reeptiblp lost, judged that their wandering lied been made in arc circle of mo d erate e extent. propesed, from hie Ito" of the coast in a previous journey, to attempt remehiarZ place they had last left by the aid of his pocket aoapam, to which Mr. Hooper readily agreed, and in the evenin g,w kea the weather cleared a little, they hod the heitrielos to lad that a merciful Providence had bought them oat of their difficidnas, when to every appals:saw they were cat off from " holm. The alight view of the lend they obtained in. ' , weed their exhausted frames mad stimulated then to trek n trti'as, by which they palmed Ilog-wreask (Cape Chaplin OE the charts) beior• denims, est In. " It would Le impomiltde for me to diatribe their suffer iv. ha m cold, fatigue, ead weal wf fin, with the mow and daft Witham its way beneath the hide of their garments, " 4 there gradually shaming, peasileaktd their nadir &disc %u rade/ Mr these Moore, ma the iag to add So t their heir nuke snight of imposers, 'we , wiled with s viol en t bowel compliant, whit* coatiaued 10 , day they reach e d the village, a t whir& he mired hteraily more died than alive. fie hod aemplaimed also of aid feet, which were now found not trona, bet eempletely "oiled as high se the Maw, whisk In the teem of the night, by the kind airman. M the natives, wen restored to their natural temperature, bat many weeks elapsed before mutation and the power of voltatery motion were re. establithed it the right foot sad nide. I remind a litter from Mr. Hooper by the beads of a treaty same, divirt • detail of their program, tad es a strong dam to be permitted to procees, leaving Mr. to return to the ship as soon as his Megalith would pernalt, whish I granted, seeding a farther supply el provisions, and providing for Mr. Moon's lamediets return to the ship. Mesas. Hooper sad Martin conflated their journey es far as to get a view of East Cep!, beyond which may meld not go, as the tribes to wtkb their guides belonged were as feed with those far ther to the earthward. I had the plaints of receiving thee on beard la geed health, after ea absence of sia weeks, and by tbrit 88coust (sired that so far as they went the na. tins were hiradly um ell o lI hu , ONO whom they plaid the information that seam eneldwalis limo ego a vessel, with ens mar. bed hem else so the meek which was understood to have bees wrecked se Ike Amastheaside, wham hasten. (raw is still to be 'eft ea the beta. " Whilst these jou7neys were Wag performed, the sheer videos on board and the duties d Me alp were 000deeted by Lieutenant Williams A. R. Lee, and the other oilcan, airier toy own direct superintendents, ; and at intervals Mr. Martin, assisted by Mr. Hooper, nude • rung of the place in which I had secured the ship foe the winter, which OM. netted with Mr. Martin's and my own abeetvations on the coast to the westerari), will, I hope, give a tolerably correct representation of theme shone, sad, when asiociated with magnetic observation on every attainable point, will, I tram, nett their lordships' approbation. " Among the internal arrangements of the ship those for the lost:action and recreation of the crew, according to the elms* set by Ceptals Sir William Parry, were not omitted, and I gladly availed myself of the proffered ser vices of Mr. J. Simpson, ayistant.surgeon ' and Mr. John J. Lindiey, clerk in charge, i s con ducting a school for reading and writing, and getting rep plays and stampterad s, lor their amiaiesent and pastime to the long dreary nights of winter. " Lion after my arrival in Emma'. Harbour (the name which I have given to the pima in which I wintered), I was fortunate enough to primes a supply of reindeer's &eh from the Wives, and saw large herds of these animals near the village, when I hoped to procure further supplies, and In this I was not uhinietely disappointed, though the unwilling. I woof them people to barter large quantities at a time. and the distance to which they were obliged to drive the fiche I l ia search of posturer wallet the land appeared entirely covered with snow, considerahly reduce.' the quantities that might have Men under other carcuinstaaces obtained. To wards the month of March I tnerifore readily weeded to the wish of • chief, who had come from a great distance with the caress.. of 12 reindeer, ire return for a shi t 's musket, which I did not doubt their lordship's would approve of, coined. ring the advantage arising to the ship'. company by a change of diet. In the beginning of April, Indies that the sea edge of the is began to break awl.. 1 est about lining the ship for sea, which was completed in the him weather of that month, and on the 22nd of May, when the floe* bad been broken as far u the f tch of the sea would reach, I deemed it neoea eery to commence cutting the ship out of the remaining Net tle*, which aoyeared filed by two opposite points of land a mile and a quarter astern of the ship. The ice was found from five to six feet thick, and cutting oat seemed a for midable operation for so small a crew, but the officer. and men set to work with such alacrity, and carried on with such p-r.everance, that notwithstanding interruptions, occasioned' by enowatorcas, the work of cutting a canal of 2,000 yards in length, was completed in twenty-two days, and on the 13th of June 1 had the pleasure of Fleeing the Plover re. trued from her icy cradl e , and at anchor in the clear water of the harbour. " he ship being thus free, and thoroughly refitted, as far as my means would permit, and filled up with water of Excellent quality, my eeparture was delayed by balling winds and calms, ton: on the 15.11 gained the outer anchor. age by towing and taking advantage of the ebb tides. Here again I was mortified to find the prevailing winds westerly and S.W., and driving • heavy and close pack of ice in on the coast end outlet of the anchorage, which was rendered the more annoying by receiving frequent reports from the natives of two chips being oft Caps Chaplin, on board of whicti they had not been allowed. Although I considered it toe early to the season to expect her Majesty's ship, Herald, I felt the neeseeity of assuring myself as to what 11111611 they might belong, and for this purpose, SA riot& as I discovered there was nom tot a bast to nu ke her way between the coast and the peck, I sent Mr. Henry Martin, second muter, in the gig, to gain information regarding them, try whose account I ascertained that one skip, which he boarded at amber, about 20 miles to the northward of us, was the Tiger American whaler, Brewfter master, from China. Mr. Martin also reported that the vet .1 bed been detained by streams of lee in the straits northwards, but so far as he could observe the sea was clear between the Island of Se. Laurence and the main, that the other vessel seen was the Tiger's consort, also a whaler, sad that a heavy pack was set does in 'bore, to the distance of 10 or 12 mils east of my present anchorage, be tween which and the beach he frequently found insufficient room for the boat's oars to pull in clear water. " After several attempts to get the ship to sea, and having personally examined the extent of the pack from the top of a neighbouring promontory, I was at length successful, with • breeze at :LE , which drove the ice to the distance of a mile off shore, in rounding the S.E. cape, and anchored alongside the Tiger, on the south side of Cape Chaplin, on the Ist of July. To guard against delay an meeting the Herald. I took the precaution to purchase from the master of the Tiger some bread, and a small quantity of salt meat, which were of superior quality, and almost European prices. " The wind continued at N.E., varying from a light to a reet-topsail beers-, but by working in shore on the west sine, and anchoring occasionally, I was enabled to get as far as the bay of St. Lawrence, but found the vessel totally in capable of weathering East Cape whilst the wind contiuued adverse. At this place I was detained several days, but had the good fortune to obtain • supply of reindeer's flesh, and on the llth of June I sailed, favoured by a W.S.W. breeze, which carried me to Chamisso Island, Kotzebue Sound, where I anchored on the 13th. Here I first got intelligence of the Herald having visited the Straits (September, 1848), and immediately set about prep:sung the boats to start the first favourable opportunity. - - "On the Lllowmg morning I despatched two boats (pinnace and gig), Lieutenant William A. IL Lee in the one, and Mr. William H. Hooper, acting mate, in the other, victualled for 70 days, with instructions to Lieutenant Lee to make the best of his way to the Mackenzie River ; but they had not go: out of signal distance when her Majesty's ship Herald hove in sight, and they were recalled. On the 16th Lieutenant Pullen joined, and Lieutenant Lee was discharged for puaage to join the Asia. After neeiving as much provisions as 1 could conveniently stow, it was determined by Captain Kellett and myself to proceed to Wainwright Inlet, from whence the boats should be again despatched, examining the coast as the ships 1 passed up, fur the purpose of finding some ware win ter quarter for the Plover, which was scoudingly done, and on the 17th left Kotzebue Sound, sad on the afternoon of the same day were joined by Robert Shedden„ Esq., in his schooner yeekt Ms Nancy Dawson. Not finding any spot in which to place this ship to the southward, we arrived off Wainwright lolet on the 26th, and after examining it, and being satisfied she clubd not be got in, the necked boats of the skip, with two whalen, were sent away under the com mand of Lieutenant Pullen, accompanied by Mr. William H. Hooper, acting mate, and Mr. Henry Martin,_ second muter. (A copy of my instructions to Lieutenant Pullen I have the honour to inclose.) The two shim:with the Nancy newton, weighed, and proceeded in company with the baste, and it was my intention to bate gone as tar as Point Barrow, bad not the wind hauled round N. 8., whip we lost sight of the bud (26th). We then stood on to the northward and westward till the following day, when we fell in with the pack, =don the 27th observed as appearance of land, ex tending from N.W. b. N. to N., and the drift its to oe covered in may parte with mad and shells. Ravin now reached the latitude 72 deg. 61 min. N., and long. 164 deg. 28 min. 30 secs. W., with the pack stretching from N. W. to N.N.B. ' without an opening to the northward, and feel. lag satisfied we could not penetrate further north to join the boats without hampering both vessel', we determined to on. tarn to Weise:right fah t, reexamine it, and try, if pond t4e, to place the Plover there for the winter, off which place we arrived on the 31st of July. Oa the morning of the let of August I again visited the inlet, and, much to my disappointment, found I should have to lighten the Plover too much ; and it was fortunate the attempt was not made, for in the evening both ships were obliged to weigh and stand off the land, the wind opining up strong from the S.W., sad continued to blow from that quarter for several days, during which time I experienced the utmost anxiety, from the tact that the ship would do nothing. The current setting to the N.B. and the wind hard from the S.W., for some coasiderable N. 8., I saw no hope for her bat the beach. I beg to call their lordships' para. euler attendee to may position, as noted on the track chart for the time referred to. Oa the 11th I arrived off Cape Lisburne, where it was appointed the two ships should meet; but not finding her hen proceeded on my way to Clumieso Island, as I did not Lampert' justified in keeping this vessel on the coast during the prevalence of the heavy B.W. winds. On the following day, Aug. 12, the wind incrusied to • gale from the westward, and it was only by gaming a press of canvass that I was enabled to weather Point Hope, and then, with the loss of my port bower author and • length of chain, which I was obliged to slip ; the stopper and gear, although new, being carted a wa y by a heavy sea, which struck her on the bow. " On the afternoon of the IGth I arrived off Chemist* Island, and I immediately commenced to search for a nook in which to put the ship, bat regret to say I found none which I considered safe for the winter ; but determined to place her ander the south side of Choris Peninsula, u being the only spot, in my opinion, where she could lay, which was accordingly done. " I now took advantage of the opportunity to and *party to &cholla Bay, and succeeded in getting some fond teeth, horns, &c., but not as many or so large as I should have liked to have presented their lordships. If no opportunity offers to enable me to send them, it is my intention to keep that on board till my arrival in England. I also took up the flour and beads buried by Captain Beetly ; the II fur is la en excellent ma te _ of pussuratiat—a much so as to be eatable. I ha to krirmi • email keg he their lordships' laspailan. The aamsraseur Mild as Pa ha bland we the an. ushers/Maly, maids ts Irk having so directions as to spot Mae it M. " I also famed • party sad want up the Bucklaad River the *Mass of a bou t 70 miles, where we were unfortu nately stepped by • etyma rapid of shout a quarter of • mils lug. FNMA OS Shen time I was able Wipers On my Vint I mid dr so man than establish • most friendly feeling abr the salves; so much so, that same of them have Wok fem Wee Olin SO Ko.zobao Soui.d, to be near us Ming *a water. "Os Os Shit of Aulmt t s leboonsr-yasht Mazy Daw son, with her mar, Milan padien, in., arrived with Mr. Martin, rand master, and one of the decked boats. Here I beg to say th at I Mnicet sofdidently thank Mr. aka des foe kk kiadneas and attention on ell oinasiens to the boats of the expedition. Mr. Martin reports having left Ideate Pullen and Mr. Hooper, with the two whalers, chest 60 miles to the eastward of Point Barrow, and that the, had every prospect and hoped to be et the Mackenzie in a few days: I am tkuvfore daily and anxiously awaiting their return. Mr. Martin also reports that the wets r is exceedingly shallow off sad about Bison Bay, and that although the summer has beet a laths favourable one in every 'tappet for a vessel eonds., tbrothch, yet the depth of water neeksary is wanting. This, together with the N.B. current, and the prerelease of B.W.wieds, readers the N.W. ; usage, in my opinion, decidedly unattainable. Although every opportunity has been taken ad-en tape of to gala information front the natives as to flu John Franklin and his party, I regret to say that our ls boors bars been as yet auttneeseful; bat I trust long ere this reaches Ragland both he and his expedition will have arrived. " fiejr to inform their lordships that as soon as the is breaks up to admit of my proceeding to the northward, I shall do so, making my way back in sufficient time to be at Chemise° when the Herald anivis, " I beg also to inform their lordships that I am provided in *ver y respect with Provisions. elope, &c. tor my whole complement, up to the and of July, 1850. " I have now, in ooaclueion, to express -to their lordships how much I feel satisfied with the csoduct and unwearied exertions of the @Moen and men under my command ; and I most earnestly beg to call the attention of their lordships more particularly to the three following ofticers—Mr. Henry Martin, second muter ; Mr. W. 14 limper, acting mate and Mr. Jelin J. Lindley, elerk in charge; end trust their lordships will grant them the promotion they so much deserve. if I have the honour to be, "Sir, your moot obedient servant, "THOMAS B. L. MOORS, COlllll/411d•L "To the Secretary of the Admiralty, &a." " Her Majesty's Brig Plover, Charts Peninsula, Kotsehus Sound, Sep. 27, 1849. "sir,—TM time having arrived for the departure of her Majesty's skip Herald for the southward, I beg leave to take advantage et opportuaity to cell to the notice of the Lords Ceounissioners of the Admiralty the senders of the several *Mars undermentioned, vb. Mame. Martin, Hooper, and Lindsay ; and at the same ti me to convey my opinion of the value I attack to their services during the last season. "Yee advantage derived from the *nations of Mean. Haver and Martin, in performing the various overland ex peditions during the inclemency of such a season, I feel sure their lordships will appreciate., as well al the equally praise worthy exertions of the third officer named above (Mr. John J. Lindsay, clerk in charge), in acquiring a knowledge of the language as ter as was practiabl•, which greatly facilitated the communicetion of our different expeditions with the natives of the country, and by which means much useful information was obtained. " For the teases I have shove stated, I feel confident in placing these °Moen' conduct before you for their lordships' informatics, that they may receive the advancement to which I am mere their lordships will admit they are entitled. " I have the houour to be, sir, your most obedient ser vant, "T. E. L. Mona., Commander. "Captain Honry Kellett, C. 8., Her Majesty's ship Herald." (To be continued.) Vbe Court. WINDSOR. FEB. 2. The Royal Family took tl cir usual walking and pony exercise this morning, in the grounds adjacent to the Carle. Her Royal Higbee,' the Grand Duchess Stephanie of Baden, ace ompanied by the Marquis and Marchioness of Douglas, and attended by her Limy in Wafting (the Coun. teal Ingelheint), and a Geotle man in Waren (Baron S.threinkenstein), le:t the Curie this morning. The Marquis of Breadalbane. the Marquis end Marchioness of Exeter, the Countess of Jers , y end Lady Clementine Villiers, the Earl and Coniston Spencer, and the Earl of Carlisle also took their departure to-day. Lord Edward Howard, the Right Hon. Sir Robert Peel, and the Bev. Dr. Philpott arrived at the Castle in the after. Doe& The royal dinner party this evening included her Royal Highness the Duchess of Kent, the Duchess of Sutherland and Lady C. ILeveionGower.Lidy Fanny Howard, Baroness do Spet hthe Doke and Duchess of Norfolk and Lidy Addis* F . . Howard, Iced Edward Howard, the Right Hon. Sir Robert and lisely Peel and Miss Peel, and the Rev. Dr. Philpatt. The band of the let Life Guards attended during dinner. Her Majesty's print. band afterwards performed in the Castle. FEB. 3.—The green and Prince Albert took their umul early cuorning walk. The royal (anti y took their usull airings this morning. Her Majesty and his Royal Highness Prince Albert, ber Royal Highness the Princess Royal, her &Neely's visitors, the ledge and gentlemen of the court, and the domestic household, attended divine service in the private chapel this morning. The Rev. Dr. Philpott preached the sermon, the Hon. and Rev. G. Wellesley reading the prayers, Their Royal Highnesses the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge visited the British Institu.ion rit Fridev. Tn. Bake of Cambridge visited Iler Unlit Highness the Dachas of Ologoester at Gloucceter-house. A Cabinet Council was held on Sttarday afternoon at the Foreign•othoe. The ministers prisent were Lord J. Rivetll, the Lord Chancellor, the Marquis of Lansdowne, the Earl of Mint*, Sir George Grey, Viscount Paßoonton, Earl Grey, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Sir Francis Baring, S.r John Hobbou,e, Lord Campbell, the Right Hon, H. Labouchere, the E rl of Carlisle, the Marquis of Clanriearde, and the Right lion. Fox Maisie. The council net three hours and a half. The Cabinet Ministers afterwards dined in the evenirg with the Marquis of Lansdowne (Lord President of the Council) at Lansdowne-house; the noble marquis having Invited the ministers, end also the great officers of state of her Majesty'. household to settle the roll of sheriffs for the present year for the different counties of England and Wales. The Lord Chamberlain was the only great officer of state present at the meeting, the Lord Steward and the Muter of the Horse being oat of town. Mr. C. Gpville and the lion. Willism Bathurst, the Clerks of the Privy Council also dined with the noble marquis. Her Majesty and his Royal Highness Prince Albert, and the youthful members of the royal family, according to present arrangements, leave Windsor Cattle on Monday next, the 11th instant, for Buckingham Palace, for the sawn. A large and distinguished circle will meet at the Castle on Friday next, to witness the dramatic perform ance.. We undentand that her Majesty and court will not visit Osborne until after the Queen's accouchement. MARRIAGE IN HIGH LINE.—The nuptials of Lady Olivia Montagu. only daughter of the Duke el Manchester, with Lord Ossulston, M.P., only eon deb* Earl and Coun tess of Tankerville, were celebrated with much festivity on Tuesday, at Himbolton Castle, the ducal east in Hunting donshire. The marriage solemnity ww performed by the Rey. Thomas Ainsworth (the Vicar of Kimbolton). in the private chapel of the castle, the whole of the guests at the ducal seat attending at the ceremony. In the bridal train were six beautiful young ladies, the bridesmaids, all in uniform costume. They were—Lady Julia Hay, the Miawa Steele (two), the Hisses Heinle (two), and the Hon. Hiss Wrottesley. Shortly after the solemnisation the noble bridegroom arta his fair bride left the castle, amidst the warm eongratulations of their friends, for the Marquis of Abercorn's seat, the Priory, at Stamm, Middlesex, for the lionsymoon. THE EXPRESS, MONDAY EVENING, FEBRUARY 4, 1850. LAW LIFE ASSURANCE SOCIETY. On Saturday the annual general meeting of this society took place at the office, in Fleet-street. C. R. TURNER, Req., in the chair. The eximtlings commenced with the election of Mr. aeoTner as trustee of the society, in room of the late r. ri ru ur stios Coltman. The ACTUARY then read the report for the last year, from which it appeared that the state of the funds was as fol lows: General balance for the year 1848, 3,285,138(13..9d. ; receipts during the year 1849, 401,2021. 9s. 3d. ; total, 3.668,3411.3 e. Payments during the year 1849, 283,8141.7 e. 9d. Total general bele s, being the amount of the assets of the society on the 31st of December, 1849, 3,402,7261. 15e. 3d. The report having been received and adopted, Mr. BEDHAM then gave notice that at the neat meeting of the proprietors he should bring forward a motion that the provisions is the deed of settlement, and the present laws relating to the society be altered, so that in future the quali floation of each director should be the holding of 30 shares in the capital stock of the company, and insurances on his own life and on the lives of others to the amount of 3,0031. Mr. CLARKSON said he attended the meeting to-day under the impression that the proprietors had some reason to complain of the course pursued by the directors in ad vancing large sums of money upon Irish property ; and he had intended to make some observations upon the subject, with a view of ascertaining the real position of the society. He felt, however, so thoroughly satisfied—as he was sure every gentleman around him felt—with the statement which had been volunteered by the chairman, that, instead of say ing what he otherwise might have said, he begged to propose that the cordial thanks of the meeting be presented to the chairman and to the board of directors ter the care and ding/ones with which they watched over the interests of the easisty. A vote of thanks having been pared &Nordin gly, the meeting separated. CEw LAVl.—Petitinhe to both haws of parlia ment he,. been numeresely signed in Lincoln, praying that the juriedisties of the Canny Courts may be extended to assess laveiviag liww amounts than 201., including nits determinable is the Cunma Law, Equity, end lierlesiastr cal Clouts, Charities, &c. Another est of petitions represents that where the Courts of Benknipley are distant from the rendes.* of the debtor and hie areditors, evils occur of the same nature ae presented themselves in the instant* of debts under 204 reviously to the eatehlishment of the new County Conti • and the "etidOCS runnel that as aporoortate reale v may be found In the extension of the jurisdiction of the County Courts to all eases whore the probable moot of the hancruE . sca.. not UL'it:CS C.: MA U. or 4004., and where the resident's of the bankrupt is at an Inommaient dirtearetroll a court.—Liteoas Merewy. RAILWAYS. • • LONDON AND BOUTIC 18118 TERN. The Ohnomittee appoiated at the 'pedal general meeting held OM 28th day el November Ma i to malaise the question °lanai, and le ememeeent is a report to the shareholders, the tan they shall deem best ter presuriag sad establishing an etsashe audit, *ad also aterh ether =saws' as they may think awsotial Ise the protection °, the interests of the diem holders, ham armed their report, I. whir& they sal: Datil within a very meat period, railway ~ieton .remto have left the mare astral of their the haat tf the dram" nod to hen heated th e qualm of audit es a essendary and am important matter ; sad it may be I,ty eat that. until had been eatdiod in the ohne prepetelsse, lad alearg 1218111148 hod at length bass adopted err seethingt ems sem of audit, the &rectors pommel plastieally the orie astral of the affairs of the sempmin whiels they rsepsaively presided ; and it is believed that railway audit is aril ash** se this deicription el latsams. In theme el the Saadi Wishes Oenapery, the appoint ment at ani seeker aminateil by the shareholders was seresuir 'Wadi by the amens; we believe that to that reednaties and endowment are swing the impoventent in the immehl atatenesses of W I :FL and the better ap pessimism of its maks by the and we have had as dlilleefity l n arriving as conclusion that any mem sr audit to be effimpuve should be wholly indepen dent at the dironting body. In thkeiew we were unanimous. and, allivegli some of the members of the committee still Mende Wes, opinions in favour of a government audit, the majority were unwilling to incur the risk of sanctioning in say degree what to them appeared the dangerous prin. ciOe of government interference with • commercial under taeg. W juepoee as a system of audit 1. That there shell be two auditors appointed by a majo. , rity of shareholders , one auditor shad be a shareholder. Z. That the auditors shall have the fullest and most emilmited pewee of requiting the production of all accounts, bosh; vo.ebeee, and other documents necessary for the edu giddies, net ally of the balance - sheets and of the current ha& semmate, but explanatory of the whole financial of the aompany SM. That either auditor, if he finds it necessary, may em plZha =demi accountant or other assistant 1110 moat, to be effective shall be coatinuous:; but the audible. stall audit and rep ort the accounts halt yearly to the abereholden. This report, with the amounts, shall be printed and circulated among the shareholders seven clear days before the hall-yearly meeting ; and, sheuld any citation arise between the auditors and directors, or between the auditors themselves, repenting the application of the company's funds, or of the mode of stating the accounts, slob question shall be specially named in the report, and rc ferrets to the next meeting of abareholden. 6th. That it shall be competent for any number of pro- prietors holding stuck or shares to the value paid up of rut leas than one eighth of the xsal paid up capital of the com pany, within two months after any meeting where such ac counts shall have been passed, to appoint two of their nun.- ' ter for the purpose of making a special examination of the said accounts and balance sheets. Toe auditors so specially appointed shall have the same power of examination in every respect as is granted to auditors appointed in the ordiu.iry course ' and they may, if they see lit, obtain the aid of a pro fessional accountant (or of a public acc.uutsnt, should go. vernment have then specially nominated any persons tor such purposes) ; and the report of such auditor, or accountants so appall:amid shall be brought Delors the next general, meeting of the shareholders, and submitted to their determination. 6th. That the hall-yearly accounts and balance sheet shall be kept as nearly am may be on a plan uniform with those of other companies; but the auditors may change such form at any time, reporting their reasons for the change at the next hallos/fly meeting. 7th. That no director, solicitor, officer or servant of the company shall be allowed to vote either in his own right or as proxy to any shareholder, on the passing of stsiounts, or for the election of auditors. lith. That the fumes of the directors and auditors, with their addresses, be published along with all statements of amounts. 9th. That the salary of the auditors shall be sufficient to remunerate them fur a continuous audit. It must not be supposed, however, t7hn the establishment of an efficient audit will curreet all the abuse which have con- tributed to the present great depression of railway property ; that depression is owing to a variety of Muses ; and in adds. tion to an efficient audit, we believe that it will be necessary to obtain other important changes before it can be said that the interests of the sharehol-en are sufficiently protected. The most perfect system of audit can only expose an evil ; it may not be able to cure it. Bat by the sisnult.neous application o: those measures, which we feel it our duty to recommend for your adoption, we strongly hope for the speedy restoration ot confidence in the honesty sue efflaency of railway management. We casino', however, refrain from expressing our opinion, that to the supineness of the shareholders themselves are due many inegularities,wh kb. by a fairly diligent use of the powers tney alreauy posses', might hare been prevented ; and now that the opportunities for speculation are lessened, and the business of the company is likely to be limited to the merely commercial management of its affairs, we trust that at least borsafirle holden of stock will see the necessity for exercising their rights on all mitten in which it is evident their Intel esti may_ be so vitally a ff ected. We believe that, with due regard to the interests of the company, the ahareholden should possess the additional powers and protection set forth in the resolutions which follow: 1. That on or before the 7th day of January in every year, there be printed and ready for delivery a list of the names and *addresses of the proprietors (distinguishing by some mark ! those who are qualified for a seat in the direction), registered up to the list December then last past, to be sold to any proprietor requiring the same at a reasonable price. And further, that accurate lists of persons entitled to vote shall be made up on the 30th June, as well as on the 31st December, in every year. And no person who than have acquired shares subsequently to the making up of such lista, shall in virtue t t such shares be entitled to vote at the next ensuing meetings of the company. 2. That for the future no holder of share capital having a guaranteed or prefsrentisl dividend shell have a right to vote in respect of such capital so long as such guarantee or preference exists. 3. That no proxies be issued at the expense of the com- Palqi That the secretary be required to prepare a list of ponies as they may be sent in, which list shall be open to the inspection of any shareholder. 5. That the existing byalaw as to sending in proxies be altered from two clear days to forty-eight hours in accord ance with the Companies ' Clauses Consolidation hour, 6. That a bye-law be introduced, giving to any mover or seconder of a resolution the right of demanding a poll thereon. 7. That the remuneration or salary of the secretary and trcasurer, as well as of the auditors, shall be determined by the shareholders. 8. That there shall be prepared and open to the inspection of any shareholeer for ten days before and fourteen days after every half-yearly general meeting, a list, giving the names, offices, places of employment, and salaries (chain , guishing the other emoluments or perquisites) of every indi vidual is the company's service on the 30th of June and 31st of December previously, who may be in the receipt of 1001' ' per anaum or upwards. 8. That shareholder have mean at all times to the follow ing documents : —The classification book of traffic ; the weekly statement and summary of traffic, with a comparative state ment for the previous year ; all nib of parliament under which the eompany claim powers ; all reports, accounts, and resolutions of the company glace its formation, and to the book containing the abstract of all transfers of shares. It is thought desirable to remind the shareholders that they 'heady possess the power, under the 124th and 132nd classes of the original act of the London sad South Western Company, to inspect at all times the names of the pro- prietors, with the number of shares they hold, and the amount of subscription paid thereon ; and also a statement of all receipts and disbursements oa account of the railway. In retires co to the latter pert of the first recionimende;ion . restricting the right of voting to those persons who shall appear oa the register on the dOth lane and 31st December, the proprietors will perceive that we are desirous of protect. ling the knells:le holders sgainst the praetios (often adopted) of obtaining above immediately before a general meeting, in order to vote or speak on a party qaestion. Such & practice tends to unsettle the pursuit of that steady policy which can alone make investments of this kind mite, and it leads more over to inconsistent, and often to opposite decieloas on the same questions, by which all confidence in the deliberations of the proprietors is destroyed; we do not think it too ni mit to expect from a shareholder that he shall have been in pos• session of his shares six weeks before he exercises his right of voting on them. With regard to the second recommendation, the share holders will see that we have treated the holders of gun ranked or preferential shares in the same light as the law now treats bondholders. We see no sufficient difference between the two descriptions of property to entitle the holder of guaranteed shares to a right of interfereace, from which the bondholder is excluded : and in the ce.e of the South Western Railway, both are so fee removed from the eventuality which would make interference necessary, as to leave no reason to doubt the propriety of the course we re commend. There may be many instances in which the guaranteed shareholder, as well as the bondholder, may hishave interest placed in imperil but these, in your ow, are too remote to justify present : with the free action of the ordinary shareholders. As to a 'huge in the constitution of the bard. We are of opinion that the board, as at present constituted, is too numerous. The company's act of incorporation fixes the minimum number at twelve, to with* it ought, we think, to be at woe redused. We believe, however, that for the proper management of your railway a much 11311111 a number would be sufficient. We are desirous et seeing more indi vidual responsibility than at pr exists, and also of bringing the acts of the principal oaken more directly be fore the shareholders, in order that the latter may also judge of the thaw of the ma who are, in het, the real managers of their pr ; and we are aho de sirous of seeing as much as pond the mechanical working of the railway performed by contract, and the personal en peryWon of the board limited to those parts of the manage ment to which the system of contracting may not be appli cable. We are of opinion that is ap eitsaisel emeatisa, ha elu=t4locomotive powe 1111MININNISO of portersge—in sheet. the elliese oldie esespany—might be advaniepeesly placed ander ma mma. We are led to this esmilairm kola the belief that the mover semevidee of • railway retakes mere esmidned and &skive astio• than a large board of dkeslon, as et prow seassitated, fa capable el afford* ; awl Om dr kaowlelp whisk is weary kw a a ambling s bit Cs= On predict yet extensive »denials, in many beenches of , expenditure, is In man y mesa, too limited, to secure a prompt compliance with its wishes. It will be perceived, that In such a stilts of things the directors must rely for any efficient retrenchment on the judgment of their officers, who, as we have shindy stated, are too far removed from the observation and criticism of the shareholders to make them foal such an amount of respond bility em would secure their seldom and energetic aid in any change which the interest of the guereholdets mietilognand. There are doubting many memben of existing Weeds who panes sufficient information to enable them to' exercise a strict watchfulness over the operations to which we have alluded, and who could fors a tolerabl accurate estimate of the neesseity for continuing or dimin i shingcertain items of expenditure; but those members en not allmerana, and they share only in the duties and responsibilities of the general bond by whom they are necessarily often controlled. Moreover, the infrequency of the attend anoss of direeton, and the general feeling of freedom from individual responsibility, tend strongly to produce en amount of inactivity and relaxed discipline in the entire staff as must necessarily lead to fatal rants in the management. The operation of patronage exercised by a large board in a com paratively smell railway is another evil arising out of the present system ; and the shareholders will not fail to see how very prejudicial its action man be on the officers of a com pany, and how much the difficulties of procuring retrench ment by reducing the number:of persons employed,ue in creased. To prevent giving offence to the patton, abuses are permitted to continue, because there is no sufficiently strong inducement to get rid of them ; and so long as these antagonistic elements exist, no substantial economy Can, we believe, be permanently effected. Uader then circumstances we would strongly recommend the system of working the line es much as ponible by con tract ; and that in any lessened, their qualifications increased, and the remunera tion to each made commensurate with the increased respon sibility of his position. Since, however, the number of directors cannot at present be reduced below twelve, we have thought it better to recommend the proprietors to limit the beard to that number, desiring at the same time to express an opinion that, in any future application to parliament for any pur. pise, powers should be taken to reduce the minimum num ber from twelve to five. We further recommend— I. That every dinctor shall, at and for twelve months previous to the time of his election, and during all inch time as he shall continue a director, possess in his own right at least 2,0001. of the consolidated non-preferential stock of the company, or unguaranteed shares in the undertaking on which that amount shall have been paid up. 2. That any present or future director or auditor may at any time be removed from office by any general meeting of shareholders, specially called for that pitmen. 3. Ttat directors arcing out of office by rotation at the general meetings in February, or any other period, shall not be re-eligible until the first general meeting in theiensuieg year. 4. That immediately after information of the death or resignation of any director, or of his ceasing to be a director by any other cause than that of going out of office by rota tion, notice thereof shall be given in a Ltndon morning newspaper, and in a railway paper. 5. That it any director be in arrears for any call or calls for five calendar months, his office shell become vacant, and be shall thereupon cease to do any act as a director. On the subject of free passes, about which some remarks have been made at several meetings If the proprietors we are of opinion , that the system of granting them has been heretofore carried to an objectionable extent, and we recom mend the proprietors to limit general free passes to the directors, auditors, and principal officers of the company. In reference to those occasional ones granted to persons employed in the service of the Company, or who may be supposed to be promoting the Company's interests, the com mittee would leave to the Directors the fullest discretion ; but we would recommend that all passes, whether occasional or otherwise, should be properly registered, and the register open to the inspection of the auditors. We are also of opinion that the practice of passing parcels, &c., by the railway trains to and from the directors and others, without charge, is objectionable, and recommend such practice to be strictly limited to despatches on the Company's service, which should be superscribed by the officer forwarding the same. It is not the direct loss sustained by the Company which induces us to bring these apparently trivial matters to the notice of the shareholders. We feel that such practices are chiefly pernicious, from the bad example they exhibit to every person engaged in the service of the company; and we casein look for rigidly honest discipline in a widely spread executive, so long as it is known that such practices are adopted by the directors themselves. With respect to the outstanding liabilities of the company, both as regards the lines finished and unfinished, we think they should be immediately ascertained, and a detailed statement thereof made to the shareholders; acd, due re gard being had to these liabilities we think that the capital account of the company should be forthwith closed, and all future payments on account of such liabilities presented in detail with the half yearly report to the shareholders. In connection with this subject we desire to call t` e attention of the shareholders to the unsatisfactory position of the company in respect of the various lines of railway, and undertakings In which it holds an interest in shares, by loan, or otherwise, and of which it may eventually become lessee; and to recommend that this company's auditors be ?squired to examine toe accounts and expenditure on each ; and that as noun those railways or undertakings on which any further liabilities exist, a full and aeperate examination of the emanate be made in each case by them, or by an se ' content specially appointed by them for that purpose. In eon:lesion, we take the liberty of again repeating our conviction that any system of audit or management must depend in a great measure for its efficiency on the steady watchfulness of the shareholders themselves. If they do not take some pains to rotect their property, they have so right to complain of reduced prices and diminished dividends; nor can they with justice pretend to excuse themselves by throwing the entire blame on those in whose hands they may place their interests. If they agree in the propriety of these recommendations, let them at once enrolee on making them a part :of the constitution of the company ; and, to avoid failure, let them at all times exercise a mini and vigi lant control over their affairs, and thus secure that which constitutes the most important part of any system—an honest, vigorous, and energetic executive. The advantages to tie gained ere well worth the effort ; but should we be disappointed in the expectations we have formed of the pro prietary body, we can see no alternative but that of govern. ment interference and control. Tuosess J. Hsu, Chairman. YORK, NEWCASTLE, AND BEILWICIL.—It is currently rtt monied (says the YorksAireman) that Mr. George Leeman inteatis to reei4u the chairmanship of the line at the next halt yearly meeting. WALISPIELD AND BARNBLET.—We hear that this single line of railway hu suffered considerable damage during the late thaw, by the embankments giving way, and muck delay has occurred to the trains in consequence of the slips. On one occasion the train due at Wakefield at noon, did not arrive until 11 o'clock at night, and the passengereto Bares. ley had to be conveyed in hackney coaches by road.—Leeds Mercery. NORTHEEN COUNTIES UNION.—A requisition has been presented to the directors by shareholders holding 20,0001. of stock, calling upon them to consider, at the next meeting, the propriety of reducing by 10s. per share the amount of We last call, end of returning it to the shareholder. SUBSCRIPTTOIIS FOR THE RAT EXHTBITION OF Invuecity.—The committee appointed to organise and col lea subscriptions for the Great Exhibition of LidoAry of all Nations, consists of Lord Granville, Mr. Alderman Thomp son, George Drew, and Francis Fuller, Fares., who met daily at the Board of Trade. PARLIAMENTARY AND FINANCIAL REFORM.—A muting was bed on Wednesday, at Taunton, when it was proposed, seconded and umutimOusly carried, that " This meeting do form itself into • society, to be called the Taunton branch of the National Parliamentary and Reform Assotistion.' "—Somerset Gazette. THE REPRESENTATION OF WINDSOR.—The elec tion of a representative for the borough of Windsor, in the room of Lord John Hay, is fixed to take place on Widnes. day next. Mr. Hatchell, the Solicitor-General for Ireland, has issued an address to the electors, in which, after atatiog his determination to present himself ass candidate, be claims their suffrages, as having been always a zealous advocate of civil and religions liberty—and a supporter of all laws which tend to unfetter trade and promote industry. He also pledges himself to promote economy and retrenchment in every department of the state, and to advocate an equalisa tion of taxation. Thl success of the learned gentleman is almost certain, but there are rumours afloat of the appear ance of a candidate on protectionist principles. MP.. FERRAND AND THE GAME LAWS.—This gen tleman, whose gams furnishes employment for the lawyers and magistrates at Bingley at every fortnightly meeting„ on Tuesday charged no less than four persons with pursuing game, with respect to three of whom he himself was the only witness.—Leeds Mercury. LAUNCH OP ONAOR TUE NORTH AMERICAN MAIL Sreamens.—At Greenock, on the Slit ult., there was launched from the building-yard of Messrs. Robert Steele and Co., the British and North American mail steam ship Asia. This is the largest vessel belonging to the company, or that has yet been launched from any building.yerd in the Clyde. Her length is 265 feet, breadth 37 feet, and tonnage 2,226 tone, n.m. Her model is much whisked by competent judge., and she le expected fully to =stain the reputation' which the vessels of the Cunard line have achieved for the rapidity and punctuality of their voyages across the Atlantic. COTTON SERD.—The American line of packet ship Prince Albert, just arrived in the docks from New York, has brought us three packages of irAton seed, consigned to order. Although the importations of cotton in a raw state from the United States are of so numerous and extensive a character, the importation of the seed is not of common occurrence; and, for whatever purpose the pretest arrival of the article may have taken place, it is of interest. . [Adverbsemenq—A DANGEROUS CASE OF ERY SUMAS, ATTENDED VTR SWILIANO AND RPLAIDIATION, MID eve HOLLOWAR PILLS AND OUVllNT.—Extziot of a letter, dated East Kw, span*, Limoinshire, Oct. 8,124 b I beg to announce to you a meet wonderful awe wrought upon myself by your pills and hutment. I had a very severe attack of erysipelas in my right foot and mole, with swelling and inglamtnation to an alarming extent. I was unable to more without the assistance of crutches. I °moulted an eminent physician to no purpose. however, in less then two woks, by the nae of your ointment and pale, 1 was cured, to the our of ell who knew me. (Signed) Josses (bum. a former."— M et = Undo& ell Mtleglota, and it PIWIOSOf holloware establishment, 244, Don•nr. Fss. 2. The meeting of th e corporation yesterddy was con verted into one of those disgraceful civic broils, which have of late brought so much discredit on that body, and render its approaching reconstruction eo desirable. The Lord Mayor, surrounded by all the paraphernalia of office, took the chair some time before the usual hoar, resolved to hold his place not withstanding the judgment of the Queen's Bench, by which his name was erased from the bargees roll ; and the leaders of the conservative party were equally determined to oust him, if possible, from his position, and to elect a new Lord Mayor in his stead. B,th parties came prepared for • row, and tte public seemed well aware of the circumstance, for every available part of the house was thronged to excess by strangers, and patine were placed at the doors to keep off the crowd. As might be expected, a scene of tumultuous and unseemly confusion followed, a I town councillor named Walker taking the lead, by giving some directions, out of order, to the town clerk. The following dialogue ensued : Lord Mayor—l require sou, air, not to give icetraetions loth, town clerk. Mr. Walker—l require you, dr, to leave that chair, which you have no right to occupy. Lord Mayor—l give notice to Councillor Walker, that while I occupy this chair, whether legally or not, I will in sist on order being observed. lam responsible for my acts. Mr. Walker-1 also desire that order and the rules of the house be observed. I doe't think you have any right to be there at all. tiorailaior—l call upon ycu to obrrve order, and take off your hat when you are addressing the chair. Mr. Welker—l will do no such thing ;I am not address ing the chair ; you bay* no right to occupy it. Lord Mayor—l now reouire you to obey the decision of the chair. I desire you, sir, Mr. Walker—l &dr; you, air. I don't recognise you as the chairman. isortilia — yor . —l dsaire you to sit down and take off your hat. _ __ Mr. Walker—l tell you I will not ; I tell you again Ido not reoognise your authority. Mr. M'Kenna—l call Mr. Walker to order. I hope your lordship— Mr. Walker—There is no lordship here; nor is there a legal chairman to address. Town Clerk—Allow me to read the minutes. Mr. Walker—l ask you, Mr. Town Clerk, is there a legal chairman. Wo cannot proceed legally if them is not ; and I say there is not. You are not to— Lord Mayor—l again call you to order, CouncillorWalker. I require you to take your seat, take off your hat, and allow the business to go on. Mr. Walker—l tell you I will not sit down. I don't re cognise you as chairman. There is no head to the corpora tion at present. After much time being consumed in this style of compliment, the Lord Mayor was at length able to address the assembly; and did so at great length, reading, in the course of his speech, an tpinion which, he had obtained from the Attorney-General, to the effect that the office of mayor did not, under the cir cumstances, become vacant, unless Mr. Reynolds resigned or was removed by a quo warrant° ; and that neither he nor any deputy that he might appoint in curred the penalty of 60!. for their o 6 cial acts. Mr. Reynolds stated that he relied on this opinion, and was resolved to act upon it; the confusion was re newed with fresh violence, Mr. Walker and some of his friends insisting that there was no chairman, and that the council should proceed to elect one. The Lord Mayor was again ►bout rutting the motion for the election of a new Lard Mayor, when Mr. Welker said—l put no motion to the chair, for there is no chairman here, sir. The Lord Mayor—l call you to order. addreis me as "Sir." Mr. Walker—l will address you no other way. (Great clamour.) _ You .hell r.ot The I..rd Mayer—You had better not repeat it. Mr. Walker—l had bttter not repeat it. I wil; repeat it, and I tell you, sir, that you had better not threaten me. (Renewed confusion, biases, and shouts of "Put tarn out.") Mr. Ferguson—My Lord Mayor, I submit that unless Councillor Walker respects your official position, he should not be lac ard her.. Mr. Walker—Oh, I must be heard, my dear sir, whatever you may think. (Coclusion.) Alderman Hudson—And, if I am not heard, nobody else shall be heard here to-day. (Great clamour and hisses.) Alderman Keshan—l rise to order. Alderman Hudson (raising his voice to the highest pitch) s►id—Not all the men in this council shall prevent me from speaking. (A scene of the meat indescribable centurion ensued, the speaker attempting to pr teed, and the =clog persisting in cal:ing him to order.) Alderman Keshan—You have spoken three times to the subject. - Alderznsa liwison (again speaking at the top of his voice) —No man here shall put me down u long u (The remainder of the sentence was drowned in the noun and co Melon occasioned by the &tiara tone of the speaker.) The violence of the scene continued to increase, and in the midst of it the Lord Mayor declared the assem bly adjourned, it being previously understood that the question at issue, namely, the Lord Mayor's right to his office now that be is no longer a burgess of the city, should be submitted to the law advisers of the corporation. The Evening Post of the day gives the following in its commercial article: Our accounts continue satisfactory respecting the general tendency to improvement in various parts of Ireland, whilst, at the tame time, there are canny districts in the south and west in whi..l he effects of the recent famine are to be witnessed in the great extent of pauperism, and the continued difficulties amongst all claues. But, takiog the country altogether, there are, certainly, manifest indications of a change for the better ; there is more of confidence in business transactions, and the condition of the humbler classes is decidedly better than at nny period since 1845. Bishop Cantwell, in a letter to the Tablet, states that he has over a thousand pounds a-year at his die for the use of a catholic university, should one be established in this country. The Tipperary Vindicator gives the following ac count of a desperate and heroic encounter with an attempted assassin : Monday evening, about 4 o'clock, as Daniel Bayley, Eq., of Moorock, near Ballcumber, was proceeding alone from Clara to his residence, he narrowly escaped essusination from a man tamed Digan (one of his tenantsl. When Mr. Bayley arrived near Digan's house, a shot was tired at him through a hedge, but, fortunately, missed him, as he was driving in his gig et a smart pace. He at once jumped out and pursued the assassin, who sought safety in flight. After a pursuit of nearly a mile through fields, he succeeded in overtaking him, though encumbered with a heavy overcoat. The assuain again presented his gun, pretending he hal loaded it during the chase; but his pursuer, nothing daunted, rushed at him, when Dig= made a furious stroke of the butt end of the gun at Mr. Bayly, whish he guarded with his arm, and then clued with his antagonist, and succeeded in bringing him to the ground. The assassin being a strong, able-bodied man, seized him by the cravat to choke him, but he by a strong effort, gained his feet, and dragged his intended murderer to the public road, when Digan's friends, attracted by the cries of " murder," from a girl who saw the struggle, gathered to the place, and Mr. Bayley ;seeing it fruitless to attempt bringing him any further, was obliged to let him go. bet kept the gun as a trophy of gallant achievement. Before liberating him Mr. Bayley called to the driver of a bread cart, which was passing at the time, desiring him to hurry on and send out the police, but they did not come. THE Fox CV:M.—The noblemen and gentlemen members of the above political club, dined together for the first time this season on Saturday evening, at Brooks's, St. James's-street. The members present were—the Earl Fitawilliam, the Earl of Zetland, the Earl of Stratford, the Earl of Charlemont, Vicouet Ebrington, M.P., Lord De Manley, Lord Sudeley, Lord Marcus Hill, M.P., the Hon. Col. Geo. Anson. M.P., the Hon. Geo. W. Fitawilliam, 11. P. the Hon. E. Lloyd blostyo, M.P., the Right lion. Edward Ellice, ALP., the Right Hon. Sir Robert Adair, the Right Hon. A. Rutherford, M.P., Sir M. J. Cholmeley, Bart., M.P., Sir R. Heron, Bart, Messrs. J. H. Langston, M.P., B. A. Sanford, R. Alston, Gibson Cud& M.P., F. Dundee H. F. Stephenson, R. B. Stephenson, and A. W. Roberts._ MR. HU3fE ON THE SCOTTISH POOR-LAWS.—Mr. Hume, in writing recently to • gentleman in this quarter, says of the Poor-laws—" The Poor-laws hers, as well as in Scotland, will, I fear, have a very injurious effect upon the population of the country. I can only say, that I did all in my power to prevent the act for Scotland being passed ; but only seven of the members for Scotland joined in the oppo sition. I was against working men underlol. or 601. wages being taxed for the poor, and anticipated the injurious effects that the law would have upon the population. It was a hasty and crude meuure, and was pissed without availing ourselves of the experience of theibad effects of the Poor•law in this country ; but I entertain an anxious hope that the law will be amended in the next session of par liament—at which time the obeerntions of all who have given the subject consideration ought to be brought forward. —Arbroath Guide. ME NAVIGATION LAWN:—WIIO'S AFRAID ?•—• Sometimes whole volumes are spoken in a word or two ; and such seems to have been the cue last week, at a sale of ships at the Three Indian Kings inn, in Newcastle. Two vessels were sold, the property of the late Mr. John Hunter, viz., the Eleven, of 263 tons, (which cost her late owner, eight years ago, 1,5001.1, tor 1,4001.; and the Tom Bowline, of 302 too (which coat him 1,7 001 . about twenty years ago), for 1,3001. Both, we understand, had realised consi derable profits for their late proprietor ; and we rejoice to think that their continued ability to do so, even under the change trom fettered trade to free, which is deemed so un toward in entain quarters, has been significantly admitted by their present purchasers, who deserve good luck for the good seample they have set to the more timid of their order. —GatosAsad oAferocr.