The Express. — London, England, 1850-12-28 00:00:00

ht erairtiso. TO COBAISPONDENTS. bboordoesento hsteado4 lee *MI User," Lood L os tax polar, "ma ot tho Odboo. 10 , lloavorlowtroos s by Two o'cl oes ock on time HIGH wxnrs AT LONDON BRIDGE!. Tins DAw—alaraM M. 00........Ahme5e, KC Ha. Twassaow—MitaTis& ll Lib. Ma- — .. ...Allsrasco. Ilk. Lim. -- LONDON, &dTUNDAT. DECEMBER 28. Ina year is rapidly eiseiag in upon us : to-day is the lut l a y of its last full week. It is a time at which usually mew' minds revert with something of regret to recollections cf the past. We close one it ' s accounts with the world, not without looking bark with glances more or Ism regretful to losses some.aiotd, hopes that have been crossed, opportoniths aka Lees escaped ea, and misfortunes that it has been otar I A to suffer. nose who commit, however, the pnblie pulse, as it is beating at this present, will And that the hearts of a those who torn with the most regretful recolleo tiun to the events of the past, are beating high with hop ful expectation of the future. It will long be a rimtuifeence is this realm of England how joyfully mill turned from the shadows of VA to greet the promised sunshine of the great year '3l. fcw•n sever wu a year welcomed in with more sui- guitte expectation.. In every craft and trade some thing seems to be astir to meet its anticipated dr inandis Not a warehouse in London but has exhibi tion articles on sale; not a manufacturer, great or em►ll, who has not some production to which he is diroting his attention, with a view to perfect it air display to all the world. Tile papers were tilled yesterday with acceounla of holiday amusements. Theatres were represented to be throesed, and all London seems to be on travel through the world in the exhibition rooms of the va rious Pi , ramas. But, looking at the state of public titling, it in no way surprises as to find that, after ail, the building in Hyde-park is the best frequented exhibition in the town. AU day long there are crowds in and round about it. It is now so near completion ;hat all its proportions and characteristics may be judgt d of. In a few days it will be handed our to the lteyal Commissionen—a perfect palace, surpass ing anything that entered the imagination of the gt nii in the fairy tale to erect in obedience to the whir of the lamp. "fr.ree months have scarcely elapsed since the pro ject for erecting this palace in Hyde Park was de nounced by a section of the press, and assailed almost from the woolsack. Ridicule and invective have been employed in vain. Behold! here the palace @meda— l' building dedicated to the peaceful arts and in dustry of all the nation'. The detractors of the project are now numbered among its advocates, among those Mho are endeavouring to profit by its advantages and (pportunities. Their ignorance bus been enlightened: but years will probably elopes ere the public will enter the building in llyde Park without reflecting tin the opposition it encountered, and the attacks to which all concerned in it were subject. It has not been without great exertion on the part it mon who have devoted to this work time not only es:table but difficult to spare, that this great result has hien successfully achieved. Bat the feeling with which, at the commencement of the new year, this wondt rful fabric will be taken possession of by its proprietors, will, it may be hoped, be calculated greatly to encourage their exertions. Much remains to be done. All the zeal of the local e)mmittees is still required in this ser. lice. But they have only to look around to see tan' new opportunities and new means of assistance are hourly opening to them : new channels of com munication with the public, new means of obtaining information from it. It will mach lighten their labour,, aid their difficulties to avail themselves liberally of these resources. All who are looking forward to the year '5l may congratulate themselves upon the same opportunities. 'll4 commercial industry of England is receiving an irrlii.hie of no ordinary character. It is open to every el of enterprise to communicate with his fellow- Eel. in a way in which he never was enabled to com mui.ints before. The rivalries of private dealings, unnatural jealousies of trade, party spirit, and i hostilities, restrict, under ordinary ciretim many opportunities of which men of enter. are desirous to take advantage. Bat in •.1 there for once will be a common ground G. which all may meet free from public as from private differences. One vast field will be open on which all men miy enter without unduly jostling tfteir neighbours: one common topic will engage at tention, with respect to which, though there may be isrious shades of opinion, there can be but one com mon object--an object of national interest of the beat a , will as of the highest order, for whilst it is national R is every man's own. ! • We understand that metropolitan tioneical inetru stets will occupy about 3,400 feet at the Eskibition. Them well be various specimens of organs from the various Lne.l on builders; among the rest there will be one pow ie church organ, containing upwards of eighty " 0 1 4 . with s independent pedal organ upon the .rgle tit. The cut of this instrument will be several , tioeseed pounds. There will also be an iateststing lustros stet, designed by Cols P. Thompson, 11. P.—en enharmonic '.4 se—the object of which is, by minute subdivision of the W. 1., to attain a perfect intonation. The Ingenious colonel ••• slop exhibit an seharmastie guitar, the design of w►ich vAnmshat similar. No clam of musical Instruments will, we to f;t:boonseprssentsd. 4 mien be expected, pianofortes ". 0. most numerous. Is this iistssitwost tits foot eminent luwufmturers an extras,/ t►eir utmost powm to exemplify , pertoril of native instruments. Tenors will Ds Mrs iwprovemnits ea►ibitsd, both as regards tons sad l eitlamst. Thu aam►a of sa►ibiton, it is anticipated, old us . )tint to *boat snotty. kit T_ imil la Oa .■ No Plik Ins of rw isfs c is t i OS" liiii.... itiVi s Os " , 001 It. 061 millet kai" penSATURDAY Akimbo= will b. pablioked, ' THE EXHIBITION EXPRESS, rz• Of • DAILY KOUINO DOUILI Paris, PRICE FOURPENCE, ircritr rosins INTOILIUTION ZILATIVI TO TEI GREAT EXHIBITION OF 1851, Ts mulcts. inuttatroas PILOSPICTS, INTIWDIRD ClON visvg, ♦kl&801E131T 4 , APPILIANCti, PlOOll3llll, PUT AID TIITVIAL THE enorm ous lumber of woos interested it the t , n t, c om,on Orem Ethibities of die World's ladestry bitterto had no satisfactory representative fa the r r ...—so Paper soffieently leer, and with enrclanimn geopreill'll.lr e coo ab to pup sad exemplify the forthcoming g s ,,,,.‘taui with fulness worthy of so grand an suet—the ef the "EXPRESS" have determised upon ms s, miry Saturday afternoon, a double sheet of that r e ae, to coat ,in the fullest and latest information relative so the Eshisitiao, together with a mass of other matter e n-fp - Able to the multitude of persons interested tither as Gravest and Local Committeemen and Secretaries, Msabsrs of r f Oiriati&l Travelling Clabs, Eshibitors, Friends of g i aNtors, Rivals of Exhisiton, anti the cull larger and g oer ci•ele of thou who are to be the huodreds of thousands et Vaitras to the ofdetropolis during the forthcoming Con. re`' tf lodustry all Nations. In addition to emorytking relative to ti • ll:peados, this Ruble SUM will give tireeral News , sad will, moreover, especially attend to nil' Could Rime* In Literature, &Sena, and Art. On every al..yeseept Saturday the price of the EXPRESS will be Tbreepease, se kotoupfore. ADVERTISEMENTS. The area* valise of the tt EXHIBITION EXPRESS " II s medium. most be evideat to advertisers. Al. sly riteskrats mast be at the Of lee is Whitsfrisn at es tolort Eight in the Evenimr of each Friday, es secure la. Mini .11 vn the tuesber of the following day. THE EXPRESS, SATURDAY En/TING, DECEMBER 28, 1850. BANQUET TO LOCAL SECRETARIES. TO THR IDITOR OP TIM Sta,—One of the remarkable features of the vast operations in connexion with the Greet Exhibition, is the amount of gratuitous service which tau been cheerfully spent upon it. The labours of the Royal Commissioners and the Executive Committee will Meet with their just and sufficient reward in the honours with which they will be attended, and which will inevitably be heaped upon them by the digui bales of every great civilised community; but the comparatively obscure labours of the honorary seem taries of local committees will be unregarded, if a movement be not made at once to ware their jest recognition amongst the cheerful body of men who have rallied about the Prince Consort. With whom would this movement fitly originate ? Surely, with that class which will be err deeply indebted to then —the exhibitors of England. la no other country, perhaps, on the face of the earth, would it be panel° to find so many men ready to devote their time to the elaboration of this great idea—to set aside their private interests, and to tare their undivided attention to the great public cause, without regard to personal vanity—without a hope of personal advantage. In the energetic labours d the local secretaries, more than in any other division of the vast machinery now in full motion, I diners that faithful enthusiasm which has net suffered the popular favour to abate, but which has gone on steadily, invigorating in every quarter of the globe that honest, pride of country which may beim ceived as the basis of the success of the Great Ls &lstria! scheme. These modest efforts must results their full mood of public favour. While chaplets press the brows of the more eminent authorities, let. at least, a stray laurel-leaf or iwo fall at the feet of the honest, unrequited workers. Let them have a direct public acknowledgment on the part of thorn whose industries they have marshalled to Hyde-perk, of the fidelity and energy with which they have performed their duties. How and where may this seemly tribute be paid ? Why not invite them to a grand banquet in London, and appeal to his Royal Highness Prince Albert to preside on the occasion? Why not, directly the list of English exhibitors has been made public, make a direct appal to this great body, and is the name of gratitude vs quire of them this public acknowledgment of their obligation to the secretaries of their respective dr tricts? I apprehend that such an appeal would meet with unanimous support front the body in question. I apprehend that the higher authorities connected with the Exhibition would be happy to participate in such an ovation. Perhaps the time beet suited to such a demonstration will be that immediately fol lowing the date of the tranmission of British goods to the Hyde-park building. Then the labours of the local secretaries will be lightened; their chief res ponsibility will have been dismissed, and they will all be concentrated in London. By whom should the expense of each an entertainment be borne? Surely by that body which has received the gratuitous Ber -1 visas of the local secretaries—the exhibitors of Ragland. As 1 have before indicated, the obligations which this body will be under to the local secretaries will be Sr so vague or indefinable character; on the contrary, ft will be "broad and plain"—tangible and heavy. Better, therefore, is it that it should be paid by volunteers than that they should be forced by the pressure of public opinion to do that which is 00116IDOEI decency they are bound to perform. There IL a wide difference between the sentiment which prompts a generous recognition of service, and that which wrings a niggardly acknowledgment of obliga tion from an unwilling hand; and it is to this difference that I would particularly point the atten tion of those who value that cordial spirit which line animated the gratuitous services of some of the greatest scientific and manufacturing authorities in the world. J. THE EMPEROR OF RUSSIA. TO VIII EDITOR 08 TJIM BIPIIIII. Sir,—A report having become widely circulated, to the effect that the Emperor of Russia has taken my house dories a great part of the year 1851, I shall feel obliged by your allowing me to contradict the report through the medium of your columns ; and, at the same tune, I beg leave to state that I am wholly unacquainted with its origin. I remain, Sir, emir obedient servant, JOSEPH ELLIS, Proprietor of the Star and Garter. Richmond, Dec. 28. Although up to a few days ago the contractors felt oonfident that they would be able to perform the terms of their contract u to the time of completion, they have found that the shortness of the days and the multiplicity of details have mastered them; and accordingly they have been onapelled to make an application to the Commissioned for an emulsion of time, which, it is hardly nocomary to add, was readily granted. Indeed, they had a right to ntra time in consequence of the iaterference of the Building Committee with the original plan contracted for. On New-yoses.dey, however, the building will, no doubt, formally par into the bands of the Commissioners, who will thenceforward here the exclusive control of the admission of visitors. Notwithstaneiog this unavoidable and expand delay in the completion of the works, the Society of Arts will hold their meeting on the list within the building, the last day on which it will be within the power of the contractors to pay this society a graceful com pliant. On this occasion the company will meet in one of the Commisionere offices, and hear a lecture, from Pro fessor Cowper, of King's College, on the varies' matters of Kisses which the building illustrate. These proceediegs were finally data mined on by the misty at a private meet leg hale on Thursday last. Sbe Court. WINDSOR, PlieraT, Doc. 2/. The Queen walked this morning in the Slope.. The Royal Penally took waking and pony exercise in the grounds around the Castle. Prince Albert went out hunting this morning, attended by Lieutenant General Sir Edward Bowater and Colossi Boone*. The Duke and Duchess de Nemours and the Prises de Joinville are expected to arrive at the Coeds to-day on a visit to the Clasen and the Prince. A deputation from the Metropolitan Sanitary As sociation had an interview with Lord Seymour yesterday at the elle' of her Majesty's Comaissionen of Woods aid Forest, in Whitehall-pliee, on an Amendment of the Nal mom Removal and Contagions Diseases Prevention Act. The deputation coasieted of the Bev. Charles Hume, M.A., Rector of St. Michael, Wood-street; Mr. W. Heger., bar rister-at-law; Mr. H. P. Roche, barrister-at-law; W. H. Brown, M D. ; and the Honorary Secretaries, vis., Hey. K. W Lulea., M.A.; Rooter Garin, M.D.; and Adolphus Berman, M.D. Mr. Derby attended at the Home-office yesterday to present through Sir George Grey an addrees to her Majesty from the Inhabitants of the parish of Horton and Wyrazdesbury, la the county of Backs. Also from the town of Colubroa sad its vicioitv, on papal aggression. (Prom ImtniebPs Gamitel: LORD CLIANDRRLAIN'fI:OFFICD, DEC. 27.—Notiee is hereby given, that the works at Windsor Castle monocled with the state apartments being now completed, the state apartments will be open to the public, as heretofore, from the let of January MIL The state ap artmentsi in Windsor Castle will be open gratuitoally to the public, on Mondays. Tuesdays, Thursdays, sad Fridays. The Lord Chamberlain's tickets may be obtained is London (gratis) of Messrs. Paul end Domini@ Colarighi, Printarilers, No. 14, Penman Eat ; of Mr. Moon, Printeeller, No 20, Threadneedle-street; of Mr. Mitchell, Bookseller, No. 33, Old Bond-street; of Meows Ackerman and Co., Printaellers, No. 96, Strand; 'ado' Mr. Wright, Bookseller, No. 60, Pall-mall; of whom also guide bouts may be obtained, for one penny each. The tickets are available for one week from the day they are issued. They are not transferable, and it is contrary to her Majesty's command that payment for, or in reference to, them be made to ant person whatever. The hours of admission to the state apartments are—frost Ist April to 31st October, between eleven and four; sad from Ist November to 31st March, between eleven and three. AYLESBURY ELECTION. ATLI/DUST, FRIDAY EVINIIIO.—At the clou of the polite. peahen were, (or— bit.. Calvert 1 Mr. Houghton LONDON AND NORTH-WESTERN RAILWAY, The directors of the London and North-Western Railway. pressed u they are by the public and the Prot onic*, are determined to bring the question between them• selves end the drivers to an end. They have expressed to the men of the southern division their desire that all who choose to remain in their service should do so; but on the other band, they have stated, as the following notice will show, that those who are not satisfied with their position will be allowed to leave on signifying their wish to do ea. A copy of the notice subjoined haa been given to each of the drivers and firemen upon the southern division; and those who express any desire to quit the line, or are diesatisficd with their position or the company's regulations, will motive notice to quit the services, and will be replaced by new hands, who are offering themselves in considerable numbers from other lines of railway. "LONDON AND NOITH-WIISTIRN RAILWAY. NOTION TO THE ENOINI MUTSU AND 11111111 IN OX Till SOUTHERN DITLSION. " The present stets of suspense so to a strike ought not longer to continue. If the men on the southern division, having no grievants magi,. own, elect to leave the company's envies, the diem t:n must at ones carry out their plass of tempor arily reduc ing the number of trains, and putting on the new band. whom services are now available. The directors most of course continue to reserve to themselves the right to make, lrom time to time, any repo. 'scions necessary for the sale end certain workiog of the but, though they have no intention whatever. unless the men force them to do so by these threatened strikes, to alter the regulations now in force as respects the southern division. . . . . "Each man is therefore called upon to state whether he wis►es to remain in the service of the company, under the existing regulations; if he does, the directors hope to be ►ble to retain him; if not, notice must be given to him that his services will not be required after 14 days. " The directors did not wish to act harshly, but the re quiresemiS of the public sad the government service will not allow them longer to be subjected to the present state of uncertainty. " The directors recognise the manly and straightforward course taken by a ►arge number of the men ; and they hope to show them that they have consulted their true interests by the conduct they have exhibited. THOMAS " Chairman of the Locomotive Coramittee,Southern Division. (By order) " hl•ax linleli, General Manager. " General blanager'ootlice,Easton Station, Dec. 27,1850." COMMERCIAL TRAVELLERS' SCHOOLS. The half-yearly meeting of the directors of this institution took place this morning, when the follow log report was read and adopted : The completion of, another twelve months bring the board of management and the life govanors once snore toge ther, and from the nature of the report which the board have te present, the meeting (like the happy season in which they assemble) is one of congratulation and joy. True, the year has been one of some anxiety and of mach labour; bat the reward which usually attends persevering effort in a good cause has not been wanting to the labours of 1860. For, although the board have not succeeded in all their effo rts to the utmost extent of their desires, they have nevertheless met with • measure of success which will largely compensate the friend, of the institution for all the exertions and sacrifices they have made. The first and principal object of interest to tke governors generally will be, doubtless, the bulletin, fund. To this point, therefore, the board of management would first address themselves. Daring the first half-year terminating Dec. 18, the sum received for this especial purpose amounts to 2,2411., nuking the total amount of the building fund 7,6071. Of this sum no led than 5.3611. have been received within the lest twelve deaths. It might reasonably have been expected that whilst extraordinary and, upon the whole, such very successful efforts were being made for the building fund, that the ordinary income of the society arising from subscriptions would, to some extent, fall off. The board were not without 'their minis (tiring* in this respect. Bet they are happy to announce that their fears have not been justified. On the oontrary, instead of a diminution, there has been an actual increase in the manual aulweriptioce to the society during the past year. The number of children in the institution at the present time is 100; the eleven to be elected this day will increase that number to 70 boys sad 41 sire, mails( together 111 scholars. The premises at Winstead will then be so completely filled that by no device will It be possible to introduce more than five or six additiosel children. Five boys will during the next six menthe; and in June next it will be possible, just possible ' le admit 10 or 12 children, and then every available corner asineek in the bidding will be fully occupied. But the bend of management scarcely think it compatible with prudes= said safety so to crowd the institution. Without enn the many inCOLITTURSCIS Wising from an OT buildiog, the board would remark that, in case of •SW tagioas disorder breaking out amongst the deism, time would be no span rooms into which the afilastefi cents be removed, to separate them from the rest of the establish. meat. As regards the education of the whalers-4bn board feel, if possible, a deeper interest than ever 'on this all important sahjec.. At the bast halt.yearly court * it was re. PRESIDENT FILMOBI AND THZ EXHIBITION.— ported that the then master, Mr. Hammond, was about di it was expected that the President of the United States withdraw from the institution, to enter on another and • wou ld b e amongs t th e mum p s t o mas h L oa d., h e 18,51 , wider sphere of labour. To obtain a suitable successor to but the following Utter, addressed to Mr. Still, of Man- Mr. Hammond has proved a matter of no little difficulty. To have procured an o schoolmaster, capable of going aunty', dissipates the nzings•Osa of Wt Plunon , mechanically thressg r t ina ge routine of school duties, Washington City, D. C., United States, Du. 1, 1860. would have been a task of easy accomplishment. William S. Still, Esq., Manchester. My dear Sir,—l hare But the board of management, under a deep eonvic tbe honour to acknowledge the receipt of your kind letter tion that the future interests of the scholars are almost dependant on the native of the education of the Bth ult., through Mr. Randall, expressing the hope wholly they reeeive in the institution, felt that in the appointment that I may visit the World's Fair in London in May o f a sc h oo l master a serious duty devolved upon them, which mast, sad souring me that if I do so I shall receive • ought net to be discharged in • bully oe perfunctory meaner. esedial welcome from my countrymen in England, and They were anxious to select a gentleman who might tendering me the ho s pitalities of your own home whilet not only be qualified in regard to classical and general I remained at Manchester. Previou to the death information, bat wbo, at the same time, possessing the power of communicating knowledge, being apt to teach, and of lay lamented predecessor I had anticipated the fond of his vocation, weal apply himself with vigour to gem=of visiting Logsdon at the time of the feu, the very drudgery of his eft*. After great pains and bat I deem it now impoilible to leave my dada duties much unavoidable delay, a selection has been made which here is every reason to believe will fully justify all (core; and your kind letter ceasesa still deeper regret at the care and deliberation which have been exercised. my disappointment. Were it possible for me to be absent While speaking on the subject of education, it may be well kr such a length of time, nothing could be more gratifying to mention a fact which no doubt the governors will hear than to accept your proffered hospitalities. I well recollect with pleasure. One of the boys has arrived at that age meeting you and your lady in the fall of 1837, and should when, by the tidied the charity, no can ho longsr remain se to s scholar he the establishment. Bat the board are happy be extremely happy to renew the acquaintance. kidepen - add that this yea* has so far profited by the instruction bat of that, I have always felt a strong desks to visit Crest he has received, his eMninments for his years ate so good, Bettaio. Its soil is dude ground to Me, and I should be and his cesdael se imnaleptiesable, that, on the SONISIBROS ma t h a ppy t o b e a bl e t o make a perusal comparison be. of Mr. Smith, the arenlaw from the British and Foreign awes the leading men of that country and my own, and to 1341001 Society, Is hee,,_heea,..___,__Aelmed advisable to appoint him en Iry far we have improved upon the political institu- :1 1 " I b l : ta l o t L au r a a r um=2,_na_ • T_Ti_ennat. s .....7_ hi tt ism, of the mother country. But this must be deferred till e e ," li tt le ac7st. as T .,7: 4 ; w iz L'" g i ve "7 , T ag '" tb ' e M ere `` mow convenient season. —Accept my thanks foe your maintenance of the raids desesmwee whisker impoint ' Madam ; remember me most cordially to your lady, cad moot win involve. In eldlethies. tho lewd Wadi WWII my that the pad . 111111111Mee ted r=eset wadi of the believe me truly yours, MILLARD FILKORR." society should lefillt the lOUs of the establishment to THZ COLLIERY ACCIDENT AND LOU Ole LIFE AT continuous 'nudges Oh ilii What. lad at the taw due houtow—Tee inquest ou the bodies of the sufferers by ought to excite guilts& to Oa prism Parades,* who dea • Valuable iafcgmation ea this subject may be obtained the ex plodes at the Middle Darya Mine, Aberdare, is boo hitherto guarded the runa gaml rams iallealla. sad from Kr. Urilag's book, a the Law of Patents la Foreign the paddle of the mood souk, has temisate* by a em without whom hum pesiesse, Imam Ihnilhasghte sad Coutrlea diet se• Assidestal th." Imam tea= halltut and autrahles. LAW INTELLIGENCE. THIS DAY. COURT OF BANKRUPTCY. Arms Ni. Oommeacana FOXISASSUSI Poway or TRI Comm TO DucaLaos tx CAA. or Cox. TIKPT. Mr. Linklater said he had to apply to the court to order the disebarge of a bankrupt, under the 20,51 h section of the new wt; but the eirmunstencea of the cue were somewhat peculiar. The bankrupt, Chu. Stephens, had carried on bull. sew es • builder, at Gravesend ; he had oome before this court in 1848, end in September of that year had obtained pro tottiou from Mr. Commissioner Gmalburn, which extended until the 22nd of February following. Notwithstanding this protection he had been arrested in Deeember 1849, under a warrant issued b_y Mr. Espinaue, Judge of the county court , at Gr a y ness& The protection was shown to the officer of the county court when be tome to execute the warrant, but he had thought flt to disregard It, and the bankrupt was still in moody. He now applied for his dischavre. Notice of the application had been given to the detaining creditor, Mr. Cobham, and to the high bailiff of the court who had him in custody; and they were now in attendenes. The only part of the ease which could present aoy din:lenity was, that the warrant under which Stephens had boon arrested was in the shape of an attachment for contempt of the county court, in not duly attending to a judgment summon" that had been issued. It appeared an order had been suede on the bankrupt for the pay anent of a certain debt, and in oonsegnence of his default in paying cute of the Instalments, a judgment summons had been Issued, requiring him to muted and show cease why a warrant should not be issued against him. Failing to do sn, the warrant was issued for contempt of court, but it was in truth a commitment for nonpayment of this debt and costs, and thus came within the scope of the discharging section in the Bankruptcy Consolidation Act. A similar case had been brought before Mr. Commissioner Harold. A bankrupt named Bennett was in custody wider an attachment from the Court of Chancery, ostensibly for contempt of court, but in riality for the ncn-payment of costs, anJ the learned COMMlS "toner held that though the attachment was in form for contempt of court, it was in reality for the non-payment of *debt ; and he therefore made an order for the bankrupt's discharge, holding that the cue came within the description of ^ any debt, claim, or demand, ' in the words of the statute. Here the commitment, though avowedly for contempt of the e)unty, mart, was in reality for the non-payment of a debt; and, therefore, the bankrupt being protected, was entitled to an immediate discharge. Mr. Cnbhant, who said he bed been the plaintiff in the action, and also the trade assignee under the bankruptcy, wished the ease to be adjourned. His Honour said the cam of a prisoner mast be heard im mediately. Mr. oUbbam said the commitment had taken plus two years ego, and the bankrupt had only obtained his protect don a fortnight since. The Commwaimer—Are you the petitioning creditor ? Mr. Cobham—Yee. The Commisaioner—Why you hit this poor m►n every way; you hit him when he le down, and that is not fair. First, yes sue him in the county court, then you take out a fiat, and then you take him in execution. I have not the slightest hesitation upon the point that a contempt of court by non payment of costs is a debt. Mr. Lucas (as 'miens curb)—There is a decision to that effect by Mr. Jus.ice Paulson, in what is known as " the Qteen's aroona's The Conisnissirner —O6, it is moth older than that. Mr. Lueas—But that decision was on this very act—ths S sill Debts Act. The Commissioner—As a general rule, a certificate from this curt discharges from the payment of debts, and con tempt of court is not distinct from thee. lam clearly of opinion thst this proceeding ought to have been suspended till the court had decided whether the bankrupt was en titled to his protection or not. If not, then under the statute you would have been restored to your remedy. But after coming to this court as petitioning creditor, and being appointed assiines, then to take your further remedy in the county CJUTt, and that, too during an adjournment at your own suggestion. was en extremely harsh proceeding. Mr. Cobham said be was in error in atatiog that he was the petitioning creditor ; it was a mistake ; he was not se. He was a creditor to the extent of 5001.; but the partner who had made him bankrupt did not appear on his balance sheet. The Ciremissilo , r ?—I shall make the order for his dia. sharp. lay only doubt is so to the necessary form, and that arises out of a case before Lord Eldon, is which the question arose as to what form of order would be a proper indemnity to the offiosr. THE PATENT LAWS. (hem the Daily Nam) Tie evils of oar present system of patent laws are • generally admitted, and the need of some practical remedy is felt so urgently, that we shall resist the temptation of filling up the outline we recently leld before oar readers with any further detail of twos" hardships and frivolous vexations which torAtitamo stitute the great aggregate of wrong now perpetrated by three laws against the rights of inventors. We take the broad fact that the man who has devoted, It may be, years of time, labour, and money, to the preparauon and completion of some new and useful invention, is further compelled in this country to make a payment of nearly 3001. before be can obtain an effectual legal title to the sole use of his invention for • limited period in the British empire. TM. is the first and principal item in the charge which British inventors have to bring against the British Ingislatore. - Let us see how this matter stands in the legislation of foreign states; in France, by the law of 1844, the duration of patents is decla red to be for five, ten, and fifteen years, and the tax to which each patent is liable is fixed, as follows :-500 trance (201.) for a patent of five years; 1,000 francs (401.) for a patent of ten years; 1,600 francs (601.) for • patent of 15 years. The payment of this tax to be effected by fixed annual sums of 100 franca (41.), under pain of forfeiture, if the patentee suffers the term to expire without discharging it. It will be obvious to all that these regulations ire an immeasurable improvement on oar own. With re- gard to the propriety of the terms of duration, and of the exact some fixed upon as the total amount of the tax, there will of course be much difference of opi nion ; we think there ought to be none as to the principle on welch the payment of this amount is distributed over the whole period of the duration of the patent. The small sum which, upon this prin ciple, would constitute the first payment, can scarcely operate as a discouragement to invention, even in the very poorest. If the invention be a practically . useful one, the assessment of the same sum yearly during the continuance of the first period for which the patent is granted cannot be felt as a hardship; while, it it be so successful as to lead its author to an application for an extended term, there seems nothing either unfair or oppressive, in demanding an increased ratio of taxation ass consideration for the concession by the state of a further enjoyment of exclusive right. Another very valuable feature about this prin ciple of assessment is, that by requiring an annual payment on pain of forfeiture of the patent right, you do much towards clearing away that accumulation of imperfect and abortive, patents, which, incapable as they are of being prac tically worked to any useful purpose, are yet capable of being employed—and in unscrupulous hands very frequently . are employed—as engines of oppression and extortion against bona file inventors. Upon our own system, where the whole cost of procuring a patent is comprised in one outlay, the number of {Yu impracticable patents is very great, and the instances are not infrequent in which the meritorious heventor has been harrassed with an infringement sett, or forced into a compromise by having suddenly bsssght to bear upon him one of those abortive risme. whose title is sufficiently lax to coin peeltend his own project, or whose specification is se drawn as to give a colourable pretext for the threat of ruinous litigation. By seeming an annual tax on the holders of patent rights, and enforcing its payment under penalty of forfeiture, you would rapidly clear away the lumber of speculative or un seseeseful patents, without giving any fair ground of complaint to the bona fide and successful inventor. The Austria* law of patent., established by a de ems of 1832, though lees liberal and enlightened than that of France, is, on the whole, far in advance of oar ewes ; and the total amount to be paid in the Austrian dominions for the concession of a patent right for the turn of fifteen years—the utmost the law allows—is 440 florins, or about 461. By the original decree one half of this amount was to be paid on the first appli cation for the patent, the remaining half to be dis charged by fixed payments at the commencement of each ensuing year of the term. By a recent ordinance the whole must now be paid on demand ing the patent. For the reasons already in timated this change in the law is to be regarded as a retrogression, but even after making every allow son for the very different value of money in the two conatries, it must be admitted that the difference be tween 461. and 3001. leaves an important balance in favour of Muftis. The minimum of cost is that attained in Prussia, where a patent right for the term of eight years may be procured fur an outlay of not more than 11. The seventh article of the Prussian ordinance of 1815 on this branch of the law provides that " in order to encourage industry there shall be no duty payable for a private patent. The sole expenses shall be the incidental ones and of the stamp." In Rolland and Belgium the charge for patents is, for five years, 131. ; for ten years, 26/. ; for fifteen years, 621. ; and for the payment of each of these sums ' a period of two years is, in practice, allowed from the commencement of the grant. Between the laws of Spain and Portugal in this respect the differ 'ace is very great. In the former country the sum of 101. is payable for a five years' patent, 301. for one of ten years duration, and 601. for one of fifteen : the money, too, must be paid, and the patent claimed, within three months from the date of the petition. In Portugal, on the other hand, patents are procured with very great facility, and at an expense very little exceeding 11. per annum during the period the patent runs. In the United States the charge for a patent of harken years is 30 dole., or 61. 10..., to a native or tallest ; 300 dole., or about 641., to foreigners in and 500 dots., or 1081., to a subject of Great rr li t ir afo. ; This increased charge is avowedly imposed as a principle of retaliation, in consequence of the high charges exacted in Great Britain. From this rapid review of the actual mount of 'taxation imposed in various parts of the world, on the concession of the patent rights, it results that Great Britain enjoys the distinction of demanding about six times the sum exacted in those countries where the right is &area, and more than a hundred times that which is imposed where it is cheapest. That for which the Frenchman pays 601. in instalments spread over fifteen years, and which the American purchases for a single payment of 61. 101., costa the Englishman in hard cash very little short of 300.. This is bad enough, but the case by no means rests here. The Frenchman, in return for hie payment, has as admirable system of registration, and a publication by the state of all speciications. In addition to this, the Americans have published a list of all their patents from 1790 to the end of 1849, and have printed for gratuitous circulation 136,000 copies of the " Annual Patent Report" foe 1847. It reads like fable to one accustomed to official doings in England, bat is in truth sober statistical fact, that after paying all expenses a hind of 40,0001. has been accumulated in America by the fees paid ou patent registrations. The first thing, therefore, to be done by those who would reform the patent laws in this country, is to cut down the present enormous scale of charges, and spread the liquidation of whatever amount shall be fixed upon as a fair sum to be paid by applicants for patent rights, over the whole period of time for which the concession may be granted. The proposal made by the committee of the Society of Arts upon this head is: "That registration of inventions should be ob- Linable for a period of one year, on payment of fire pound., and should be renewable for four periods of five years, on payment of ten pounds at the first re newel; of twenty pounds at the second renewal ; of fifty pounds at the third renewal; and of one hun dred pounds at the fourth renewal." The total sum which, upon this plan, would be payable for the con cession of a patent tight, for the term of twenty-one years, is 1851. It may reasonably be doubted whether this sum is not considerably too high. It may also be deserving of further consideration, whether, with a view to the speedier extinction of abortive patents, it might not be advisable to divide the total amorist flied for the whole term, into equil yearly mese manta, payable on penalty of forfeiting the conceded I right. This appears a simple and unobjectionable mode of effecting en object, which, is "many of the continental codes is 'ought to be attained, by provid ing that the pateat right shall become extinct, if not pat into practical operation, within a certain fixed period after it is applied for. Whatever slight difficulties however may arise as to matters of detail, them can be no di fference of opinion as to the general policy of a great and imme diate reduction in coat : with a view to the interests of numbers amongst our most gifted artisans who, in the hope that the Patent Laws would be impended during the Exhibitiou,are understood to have devoted their time, labour, and money to the construction of models, it is essential that somethiog should be done speedily. Why should not her Manterr, by order in cooncil,at once remit the payment of those fees which are now demanded in the Signet and Pettybag offices P This might be done before the wembliog of parlia ment; directly parliament meet., let a measure be submitted to It for establishing a court of registration with a small scale of fees, at all events for one year. Some such steps as these might be taken to meet the immediate emergency; but no partial proceeding mast be allowed to interfere with the great duty of • total revision and reconstitution of the whole law. ;0 - CE - ED - IN - 011 VHDER THE ARILANOZIERNTCLACSES.' An epplication was made to his Honour, in the case of • bankrupt, who're name did not transpire, for a return of the 101. stamp-duty payehle on a petition. The circumstances were these:— The bankrupt had come before the court on hie own petition, which could only be done where the party was in posteseitn of assets sufficient to pay five shilling in the pound on the whole of his debts. It turned out that this was not the case, and the proceedings, as far as the petition of the bankrupt himself was concerned, were nullified ; but a creditor, having taken up the matter within the period specified by the new act, obtained an adjudication. The application was, that the stamp duty paid by the bankrupt on the criuinal petition should be returned to him The Commissioner said this was one of a class of bane ruptci e which the legislature evidently meant to discou rage,—those, namely, where • petition was filed without any intention of proceeding under it, but merely to hang it out to the creli•ors rat favorers', and so, perhaps, induce than to accept • composition. He was glad to see that the Lord Chancellor, by his jidgment in a late ease, had very pro perly condemned this elate of cases. Entirely concurring in that judgment, be should make no order in this case. POLICE INTELLIGENCE. THIS DAY. BOWBTRBET. TEE WEEKLY CHNONICLEi7IIIICY 41.—This moraine Mr. W. U. D Ile, one of the propriaton of the Weekly Chronicle, attended before Mr. H.nry, to answer the charge of usaul , init Mr. Robert Walter Rowel, who ta also a pro prietor of the some paper. It will be remembered that Mr. Russel took out summons, against Mr. Doyle sad Mr. Dillow. foe assaulting him. The parties all attended, and Mr. Henry migrated the pro. priety of • settlement being made. lie proposed that a banister should be appointed so arbitrator, obtain • rule of court, and bind all the persons in the dispute to abide by the award of the arbitrator. Mr. Ballantine, who then appeared for the prosecutor, said such as arrangement could not be made, and it wax resolved th,t the charge should be investigated. To day Mr. D )yle attended, but Mr. Dillon was absent. Mr. Doyle maid he received • letter from Mr. Roust the previous evening, stating that it was not his intention to appear spinet him. Mr. Henry asked if an amicable settlement hail bees —.r. made. Mr. Doyle said he WWI sorry to state that no arrange- ment had been made that would settle all disputes in the partnershi; , . Mr. litnry observed that it was a great pity his amps. tions were not acted upon. Mr. Doyle said he and Mr. Dillon had endeavoured to effect each an arrangement, bat without success. Mr. Knurl, the prosecutor, was then called in the usual way, and no answer being made, Mr. Henry dismissed the summons against the parties. Mr. Dole then 13ft the court with his friends. NIGHT LODGINGS FOR 1851. TO THE 111DITOE OP THE EXPRESS. Slll,—lncomparably u our friend Mr. Punch has delineated the " coming event" and struggle for elbow room, I think I can offer an improvement on II " double- bedded cheat of drawers," in suggesting the plan of " state rooms ' similar to these with which all are so familiar who have paid their 301. or 401. for • trip across the.A.tianuc. The great object on board ship is to gain the utmost amount of comfort in the smallest possible apace, and few ' would believe, till they measured their rooms, how many very comfortable sleeping berths • adddlingvized house would aflard, and I don't see why house state rooms should he so very much more objectionab'e than ship state rooms, but, on the contrary, I believe they would be found much more satisfactory. 'Eve', we will say, one common sired room, 18 feet long, would afford from eight to tea berths (upper and lower), a long table in the middle of the room, with &seen for each lodger, and camp stools, and pegs, and two or three looking.glaases, and jugs, basins, and tumblers, would conipri*e all the revisits*. No one intoxicated should be allow d to enter the house ; no beverage allowed but hot coffee; and, as on board ship, • steward should be within cell during the night. A state rooms proprietor might also insist upon satisfiedm as to respectability, and prepayment for a night ticket (numbered). Ventilation might be secured is any extent by renwial of glam panes and substitution of finely perforated z:nc. In first-rate state rooms few would object to pay 3s. 6d. per night; second clan ditto, Iv 6d. ; third elate, Is. 6d. • fourth class, 9i. to Is. These last would • he like the rough ;teenage berths is the emigrant ships; and for the rut, I can give no better advice than for parties I liking the idea, and wishing to speculate, to go down to the ; doeks, look about them, and consult an experienced ship carpenter. T. THE RECENT COLLISION ON THE EASTERN COUN TIES RAILWAY.-Our pollee »port contains the committal of William Lloyd, engineer of the Norwich express train on the night of the accident, for trial on a charge of violating the precautionary rules of the sompany by too rapid driving. Yesterday James Hofield. driver of the Enfield down train, was apprehended and taken before Mr. W. Cotton, one of the county magistrates of Biwa, and after evidence of inns. tious driving had bun remised, committed to Ilford Gaol, bail having been refused. It was in this the fleet collision imputed to liotteld, that so muck Wary wu done to the pewiengera. COMMISSIONS SIGNED BY THE LORD LIEUTENANT - " • or BOILIBINTIIHIII. — Captain W. F. Knetebball to be Lieittenan•-Coluithl ; Lieutenant J. G. Mogg to be Captain ; Garnet J. B. Paget to be Lieutenant ; As4ftint-flargeoa F. Cram to be fiergene; W. IL Brew, Gam, to be Arnaud. , Bargees, to th e North Beaune{ Geilmeat of Yeomanry Garal7.—Gaatife.,, THE MANUFACTURING DISTRICTS. MANCHESTER, Du. 27. AMUSEMENTS.-PRIVATE THEATRICALS. We hale the usual round of Christmas entertain ments—the theatre his its pantomime for the juveniles, the Free Trade Hall its canoed& for the lovers of music (the unrivalled Jullien being the caterer), with no end of tu- I parties, soirées„ dtc , to say nothing of the lees public parties given at the mechanics' and literary inst'totions which not only every large town, but Unseat every village in the manufacturing districts, Gan now bout of. So far as I hays been able to learn, the working people, after another year of good trade, have not bean less able or disposed to indulge in the usual seasonable hospitalities and enjoyments ais Christ. nue than they were last year. I had the plea.ure of forward ing you some account at this period last year of the interesting reasions between minimum and workuople which charac terised the neighbourhood, and we do not appear to be going back in this particular.,But what willeome of jour readers say to factory operatives being indulged in the luxury of private" theatricals ? We hear of them at Windsor Castle and Wo- been Abbey as expensive indulgences for royalty, aced for the favourites of fortune who move in tee higher circles of society; but the workpeople of Messrs. John and Thomas Ribber; cotton spinners and manufacturers at Hyde, were not only permitted to enjoy a similar privilege on Saturday evening last—they went even a step beyond this : they had anew drew& produced expressly for the occasion, the author being a member of their employers' family. A friend has written me an account of the event, entering into soma other interesting particulars connected with Messrs. Hibbert and their workpeople, which I thiuk will be read with so much interest, that I quote it ent:re. He says: "Among the more interesting celebrations which have marked the present Christmas in this district may be men tioned the private performance of an original historical play, by Josiah Ribbon, E•q , at Hyde, an extensive manufectur 12.11:age near Manchester. The author is the brother of . John and Thos. Hibbert, the extensive minutes t/TM, whose family have been connected with the neigh bourhood for some generations, and whose name it is impos sible to mention without bearing testimony to the almost eternal interest they exhibit in the welfare and happiness of their workpeople. As a proof of this it may be mentioned that the firm about ter, years sines erected at their own sole net a large concert hall, capable of accommodating from MOM 600 persons, to enable them to carry forward on a seespetent scale the musical exhibition of their workpeople. Is addition to this they engaged the services of an eminent musical professor of Manchester, who goes over weekly for tbe;marpose of training the bad and chorus, consisting ex elusively of the workpeople of Messrs. Hibbert, and now numbering together upwards of 120 performers. There is also an elementary class, composed of the younger persons employed in the mill, from which any vacancies in the band and chorus are nitylied, and such is the honourable spirit of emulation induced by the liberal conduct of the Mewa Ilibbert, that the number of applications for admission is continually increasing .beyond the means of gratification, The only qualifications for admission are competent musical skill, general good conduct, and puoctual at tendance on practising nights and at rehearsals.— Thanks to the ex , ellent training they receive, and to their own enthusiasm, the bend and chorus are pro nounced:by competent mu sical judges equal to anything of the kind in the provinces. Tics ‘• Creation," the e. Messiah," the " Elijah." and other works of the great composers have been produced and executed (twisted, of course, by principals from London and Manchester) in a atyfe of excellence worthy of those immortal works. The musical library is already most extensive and complete, and the Messrs. Hibbert exhibit in all things a determination to make the excellence the performers have already attained a stepping atone to a higher degree of merit. The public performances are attended by most of the opulent nu:Dili. ain the neigh bourhood, and by the workpeople of Messrs. IlibberL With a new also to promote the innocent end cheerful recreation of their workpeople, the concert room is opened weekly by the proprietors for dancing, and Mr. John Hibbert invariably attends to see that tvrrything is con ducted with due propriety and decorum. In addition to this, schools have been opened, where a sourd and strictly secular elementary education a riven, and to which the . . workpeople are expected to send their children if slily wish to remain in the service of the firm. Baths also have been opened at a minimum charge, not only as a means of preserving health, but in - bskislf of the truth of the sentiment of the poet that Even from the body's parity the mind receives a secr.t sympathetic aid." With reference to the performance of tee play, it adds this: " A number of gentlemen in Manchester having read it, and formed a good opinion of its merits as an acting play, obtained the consent of the author to produce it in his native place. The title of the play is. ' The Baron Fitssrdern,' the scene the ancient kingdom of Mercia ; and the period one anterior to the union of the Hi plarthy under one monarch. The story opens with the extraordinary preparations naskiog by the Baron Fit:arden to entertain the Prince of Mereia, with whose daugbtet or supposed daughter (Eudora) the heron is anxious to form a matrimonial alliance for his son (Alfred)as a means of retrieving the fallen fortunes of his house, impaired by the teal It hospitality of himself and his predecessors, " His steward remonstrates with him on the further extent to willObiheexpenditure to to be carried, and predicts the ruin of the baron if the preparations are continued. This excites the fury of the baron, but the steward is Relieved 1 rout his embarrassment by Ethlincla en adopted child of the bevAt's, who had been found in infancy at the gates of the castle, who offers him some jewels which bad been found euspented round her neck. They are pledged with a Jew, who recagnises among them the private signet of the Prince of Moms. Of course this signet, which the Jew does not fail to carry to the Prince, is made one of the principal means of elucidating the plot of the drams. The Prince, eighteen years prior to the perioi at which the drvma opens, had been called to guard his Welsh frontiers. On his Return be found his consort bad paid the debt of nature, after giving birth to a daughter. Her maid (Lauriso) had become the wife of a gips,' chief (Dram), who la revenge for great injuries heaped upon his race by the sta•e, induced her to substitute for the infant P , iOCIMI the child of a aim woman. lawiza, touched compunction, leaves the princess et Ms gates of Fezarelen Cull., where she s found, and Imam the founding Ellalenda. "The details of this piece of villany come out in a scene where Draco state' his wife, and the daughter le restored to her father. To save the quondam Princess, Eudora, from *a scorn which would follow the dircavery of her real montage, Draco kills her, at.d, finally, also himself. There ia an underplot, of which the Lore of Alfred for the foundling Et Minda forms the chief feature, but she has steadily, from motives of gratitude to the Baron, turned a deaf ear to the solicitationsof her lover, though 'fishy entertaining for him an ardent attachment. The disclosure, however, which forma the main incident of the drama, foreshadows the happy con summation of their hopes. "The play has what is cot pontesed by every drama, a moral, which is thus pointed in the concluding lines spoken by the Prince in allusion to the late of Draco and Eudora u he remit of bad laws : A boon this for ruler.; and its truth b e reproach to us, who now behold • Imbarom law, begetting barbarous mime. Ile it our drat resolve to wipe this blot Item Yenta'. code. No longer let the law Peewit* the man, whatever be his ram, Hie country, or his creed, who breathes the air Of our free state. Nu! kt It bid him welcome, And yield him ample tokranoe, As heaven cloth yield to all of us. " Then us one or two anachronisms in the play, bat the plot is simple and natural. The performance took place on Saturday evening last in the carmen room, in which a stage, I scenery, &a. had been erected, and though none of the actors ' were to the eutinned cheering, a compliment meat justly due to the latzinsic merits of the composition. The choruses, of which time we three in the drama, were admirably sung, and the esunnuneraries, of which there were a large number, and wM were exclusir ly mill hands, performed the parts sedised them with infinite spirit and nest. It is impouible to ley whether the author, stimulated by the sauna of the play on this occasion, may entrust it, to better actors on a more eaten& d stage, but whether he due so or not, the occasion of its production will long be remembered in Hyde, the inhabitants of which foal a par donable pride in the fact that the Christmas of 1850 was distinguished by the performance of a play written by a townsmen, who's work was also il:ustrated by residents in the district. Facts like these prove that the drama is yet instinct with life, and managers sad actors have only to act worthy of their vocation to secure a higher appreciation for themselves and their art." REPRESENTATION OP GLABIOROANSHIRE. A meeting of the members of the Protectionist Club waa held et Bridgend last week, at which reeoltvious were passed, in 1 which the club pledged themselves to support Sir U. Tyler, 1 K.C.8., in the event of a vacancy in the representation of this county by the anticipated resignation of Earl D . 1 We t Swansea Herald) have not heard what Sir George's opinions are in refer. nos to the leading political questions of the day, but we believe that the gentlemen assembled on the octagon (including some who wars not members of the club) expressed themselves satisfied with the replies given by the hon. gentleman to the various queries addressed to him. A rumour having been extensively circulated in this district that the respected member (or Swansea, J. H. Vivian, Esq , had been solicited by some influential parties to offer him self for the representation of the county, that gentleman's friends, in the abeam of the boo. member, have suthorirsd an announcement that no considerations would induce him to sever the ties which have, for so many years, existed between himself and the constituency of Swansea and its contributory boroughs. FATAL ACCIDENT ON LOCHLEVEN.—A very Melan choly occurrence took plane on the afternoon of Friday week en Lochleven. Two boys, ono aged thirteen, the other fourteen years, were amusing themselves by sliding on the loe, about thirty yards from the edge of the Loch, at the Jarale Dyke, when the ice py• way, and both were drowned. Several skaters saw the sec-Went, but they could not render emistance, as the lee at that spot, being oely of one night's frost, would not bear them. The boys were seen to rise to . the Barka several times, sad one of than had nearly simalsd his maps. lie got on the ice, and was crawling mhos **other boy seised hold of hie Riot and palled fi l a mi ta eon. Sash has left a widowed father and a widowed mother to lament their lONS, sad both move la the humbler walks of Ws. Their bodies were *gag In about as how after the ossarreass,