The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser. — London, England, 1825-12-27 00:00:00

THE NEW EXCISE LAWS. :The Act of the 6th Geo. IV, cap. 80, for granting a re . Assail duty on British sp . , and regulating the trade of andd tillers dealers in spirits, corms into full operation on I th of Jaauary next, And as many of its enactments are eta novel and important nature, an abstract of the principal euntents will no doubt be acceptable. The new duty commences from and after the ath of January, and is Is. per imperial gallon on all spirits made la England. and the same duty on all spirits manufactured i ts &oda nil or Ireland, and imported into this country. Tim spirit to be of the strength of hydrometer proof, or, if exeeeding cr falling short thereof, to pay in proportion. . It being impeasible to ascertain the strength of sweetened spirits with the hydrometer, it is enacted, that all such spirits imported shall be deemed to be of the highest . alpee of strength at which spirits can be made, and shall Isrp ilaty accordingly. • The laws relating to the internal management of dis tilleries next follow, but as they are not genera}ly interest ,isg.thsty may be passed over. The most important altera tion emteista in the charging the duty on the actual quan tity of spirits produced, and not as heretofore upon 'the wort put into the still. • No r. etllier, or retailer of spirits, receiving any quantity .J spirits nut exceeding SO gallons, shall break bulk or add :.try watt r thereto, or in any way alter the same, or tap or ellen any of the packages in which it is contained, until the proper officer of Excise shall have taken an account of the strength and quantity of the same. And for this purpose Notice is to he given to the officer, and if he does not attend withlu two hours after receiving such notice, the dealer is lo be at liberty to open the packages, without being subject to the penalty of 200/. otherwise provided. This clause, if strictly construed and acted upon, will vu'iject the dealer to much inconvenience, as it is not alone necessary that he should leave a notice at the place where the proper officer is usually' , to be found, but it is also ne cessary that two.hours should elapse after such officer re c,king the notice, which possibly might nqt be for many Hours after the original leaving of it. The strength of all spirits emnpounded with syrup seed, &c. must be marked on the packsges containing the same. Itio spirit of this kind, excepting shrub, to be sent out by the rectifier, of a strength exceeding 17 per cent. under proof. No spirits of wine to be sent out of any less strength than 43 per ceht. above proof, and dealers receiv itia the same to keep it in a cellar, or place apart from all other spirits, Penalty for inixiig the same with *wine or spirits, 200/. Na dealer to send out any spirits exceeding in quantity one gallon without a permit, and such permit to specify the kind of spirit, and the actual strength of the same. If the permit does not truly state the•atrength, the spirits to be forfeited, and the dealer subjected to a penalty of 100/. 'This is an important clause to the public, who will in future know exactly the quality of spirits they receive. It is also provided, that if any quantity exceeding one gallon be delivered without a permit, the same shall be come forfeited to the buyer, and the seller incapacitated from recovering due same, or the value thereof, in any court of law whatever. The evidence of the buyer is to be . admitted in proof of this fact. All and every person or persons whosoever who shall have in his, her, or their custody, any quantity of spirits exceeding eighty gallons, shall be deemed to be a dealer, a:11 subjected to the survey of the Excise, and to all penal a'es. regulations, and forfeitures to which such dealers are iitble. This clause is very severe on persons laying in a stock for their own consumption, and will subject them, besides much inconvenience, to an annual expense of 101. for a dealer's license; at least such should seem to be the meaning of the clause. No dealer to keep or sell any plain British spirits of a strength.exceeding twenty-five per cent. above proof, or below seventeen per cent. under proof; nor any corn pouti ied spirit, excepting shrub, of a greater strength than seventeen per cent. under proof. All spirlis sold or sent out contrary to this regulation to be forfeited, together with the casks containing the same. Britian and foreign spirits to be kept in separate vaults or places. Penalty for mixing the same, loot. Dealers to he at liberty to reduce foreign spirits by admixture with water, in the presence of the officer, to the strength of seventeen, per cent. under proof, but not lower. • No retailer shall bo, directly or indirectly, interested or .concerned in any distillery, &c. Penalty, 2001. This is an effectual blow to the projected Distillery :Company, to be formed by subscriptions among the licensed Either of the parties to any offence under this Act shall h acquitted of his share of the penalty on it•.forming .against the other.—Precious morality this! Armed persons opposing the law, or violently reselling offenders, or assaulting officers, informers, or witnesses, to be 4eemed guilty of feluny, and may be transported for 'seven years. Any constable not executing this Act on receiving notice so to do, to forfeit, on conviction before a magistrate, 20/. • OTILANGIC COXDAT BETWEEN A HAWK, ANOTHER HAWK, AND A MAN.—Some days sitice the attention of •• respectable farmer in Kingston was attracted by an un common noise in the air, which he soon discovered to pro 'reed from a couple of hawks at a considerable height, apparently clinched fast to each other. The farmer re mained watching their movements for some time, when, to •lils astonishment, they fell into a small Brook, where they remained still unwilling or unable to break their holds, until the "elger eyed" farmer, armed with a lonely club, proceeded to the creek, where he found them engaged in a aniotte war, first one and then the other below the surface of, to them, an unnatural clement. The farmer, perceiving from their apparent hardihood that they were likely to be some time in taking life, and fearing their escape, die 'patched them without ceremony, supposing that they had 'taken twice the worth of their lives from his hen-coop a then time previons.--Wilkesharre Democrat (United States paper). A Curie roe Lear xess.—On Sunday morning last, !luring the hours of divine worship, the constables and . police officers, attended by a party of special constables, perambulated the streets in the vicinity of St. George's road, for the purpose of repressing those breaches of the peace and violations of the Sabbath which are somewhat too common in that uproarious neighbourhood. Amongst °trier places to which their attention was directed was a • cellar, where a party of Irish were having a prette regular sera of a row ; arid on the constables entering the piece to restore peace. they soon diecoveied that the good company they beheld had not assembled without sufficient cause. :.The fire-place was evidently constructed to receive a still •Itbd, •though that useful utensil was not to be seen, yet the presence of half a dozen white herring barrels, filled with ..erseh, a number of bottles of different sizes standing about, and a powerful smell of whisky diffused through the at mosphere of the cellar, produced an irresistible conviction tiat the place was one of those where the great solace of • lie is manufactured without the aid of the exciseman ; and . then the Putlaudersbad come for the purpose of procuring a modicum of whisky at a more reasonable price than if • it had pazsed the Customs at Liverpool. The constables • ;linmeiliately set themselves to work, and demolished, with . cut remorse, all the implements of this illegal manufactory. They then all departed, with the exception of Worthing • .-ton, one of the beadles, who lingered behind the others to make thaervatione. As he looked rather curiously about ../,;m, his attenties was attracted by a woman who eat, ap parently on a low stool, before. the fire, and who appeared to regard his motions with more than ordinary anxiety and • italieittole. Suspecting that she was concealing something, Ite. went to her and desired her to rise? on which she re : plied, " and its me that you want to get up, is it ? Me, that hive got such a bad hip, that I can't get up, nor sit • down myself at all at all." Oth, true it is, every weed -af it," added a rough-headed Irishman ; " if rill touch '• lon/ you'll have a grate big docther's bill to •Ptiv ; for her very bail."--" I sea sorry for it," said ‘Vorthington, • ". but I'll help her up very gently ;" and be raised the .irocaaa upon her feet with all the tenderness imaginable, *hen he was rewarded for his humanity, by finding • thit, instead of a noel, she had been stun*. upon a great battle full of whisky, which! no sooner made its appear ance than she eCected a seemly retreat. quite forgetting the ailment in her hip, and iVorthingtmecarried off his prize au triumph.—Manchester Guardkut. THE "CLERICAL WING." The following speed) wss delivered before the Com mittee appointeti to draw up the Resolutions for the late Meeting of R•muni Catholics at Carlow, by the titular Bishop of Kildare, Dr. Doyle, in reference to the part which he took regarding the Clerical Wing, while on the Deputation in London : Mr. CHAIRMAN-1 wish to hear read the terms of the Resolu tion which is now being discused: as having t ntered the room only a few minute. ago, I was lcd to infer from the observations then fall , Meg from my learned and much respected Irked. 111r.O'Connell, that something was about to be done, whereby the resolves of the Ca tholic Bishoett would appear to be opposed to the evidence given b them before the Committees of Parliament. I was led to think that you were about to adopt a Resolution which some Bibleroan or Fanatic could use, in order to show that the Catholic Prelates were inconsistent within themselves. But as the Resolution now real is not a Resolution of the Catholic Bishops. but of the Leineter Meeting—a Meeting coneiatirg of the Nobility, Gentry. and Lay people, with some admixture of Ecclesiastics—even tf it were opposed to our testimony, it would not follow that the ['mimes were inconsistent wilt themselves. But there is not any opposition whatever between the Reeolution which you, Mr. Chairman, have emoted to be read, and the evidence to which reference has been made. As I was informed, before I entered the room, that frequent mention had been made of my came, and of the assent which I was supposed to have given to the measure now under your consideration, I feel tnrelt called upon to give such explanation, with regard to that measure as may serve to remove from the minds of the gentlemen here present any minfinception under which they may labour, or into which they might be led. Ido so with great reluctance, on account of my aversion to appear in the tumult of popular meetings ; but I do so, as I feel myself called open in some measure to vindicate my own character, and that of the Prelates with whom 1 co-operated. 'When Mr. O'Connell observed that I assented to a provision being made by law for the Catholic Clergy in Ireland. he has only said se, I am well mauled, with reference to my evidence given in London ; from that evidence it appear., that if our emancipation could not be ob e taint*, upon any other terms, I would aecepr of such provision, pro. riding it did not trench upon the liberty orindepentlente of one Church; but that if left to my own choice, I would prefer receiving my support from the people for whom I laboured. Upon this de claration of urine there is no room for doubts ; I only wish to ex plain those circumstances which will nerve to place it In Its pm. per light. When we arrived in Landon, we found that the bill for your emancipation was in progress; that the ftceJont to which you had so long and so justly aspired, and for the at tainment of which you had made such powerful exertions, wan for the first time placed, perhaps, within your reach. We saw that an ecclesiastical arrangement was about to be annexed to it, which, if we directly opposed, we would take upon ourselves an _awful responsibility—inasmuch as your opponents, yetis friends, and yourselves, would attribute to such opposition on our part the failnre of the Bill for your relief. %Ye saw your numerous Depu tation in London, and your still more trumeroaa Association la Ireland, (for the Association was still a legal body), both silent with regard to these arrangements, and that if we approved of the measure in question, all the consequences of your defeat would rest upon our heads. We saw that a pit was dug for us, and our duty was to seek how to get beyond it without falling into it. (Hear. To this point I confess I applied all the energies of my mind. The several documents which came before me, and all the information furnished to me, clearly proved that the Reginin Donnni, and nothing but the Regions Domini, was the precedent, the:torm, and the model, by which the provision for the Catholic Clergy was to be fixed an d regulated. On my return from one of the Commit. ten of Parliament, I fumed fully my opinion on this matter to my colleagues, and I then ree.ilyed, eontegnieoute, if mach a plan were pro. ceeded with, that I Would denounce it to the country, and seek among the Irish people at home some support in resisting it. Before I would have recourse to such a mode of proceeding I thought it my duty to do every thing in my power to avoid the consequences which would then ensue ; and to the exertions of the Bishops alone it is owing the basis of the measure was altered, and a resolution taken that the provision should not emanate from the bounty of the Crown, but be (minded on a law, anti secured by it. This principle was adopted and set forth In the Resolution which passed the *louse of Commons. The next object to be attained was, that time should be given to the Prelates and Clergy anti people of Ireland to deliberate on the measure. This was also gained ; whereas it was agreed that the proposed arrangement for making the provision could not be settled or proposed to the Legislature untii the following year. A whole year then was given, that all the prelates in Ireland might consult their clergy, the clerg7 the people, and then the pr ilates assembled decide upon the whole merits of the project of the law. What may opinion was I de elated in London to my brethren ; I repeated it since in Dublin-- I may have sometimes mentioned it in private conversation; but it was this—that if the prelates approved of a provision ema nating from the Treasury, if the Ministers of Christ were to he paid by tine Minister of State for dispensing the Mysteries of God, in that case that I would not create dissension amongst them, but that sooner than my hand should be soiled by it, I wuuld lay down my office at the feet of him who conferred it, for that if my hand were to be stained with Government money, it should never grasp a crosier—or a mitre ever afterwards be fitted to my brow.-- (Loud and continued cheering.) This was and is my heal deter mination. But as the principle or a legal provision intglit be ap. proved of ; as I did not know but the Catholic Prelacy might ac. cede to an arrangement such in substance as that which was lat terly contemplated, we thought it our duty to render it as salutary as it was possible for us to render it. We therefore suggested many improvements, and excepted to some things that were objectionable in what was submitted to our consideration. But as I intended, if ever the matter came before the bleb Prelacy, to object to the ac ceptance of any provision emanating from the Treasury, I wished to justify myself from all liability to an imputation of bad faith. I was anxious that I should not hereafter be reproached by some person on the part of Government saying, " In London you gave us to understand that you would accede to this arrangement, and now, having obtained your Emancipiztion, you refuse to do so." To be free, then, at all times, from snob a reproach, I give in, through the only channel by which communications reached us. or could be made, a contre poke, a copy of which I now hold in nay hand, and by which at all times I would be willing to abide. If we gained the principle of having the provision to be made by law—if we also gained a year for deliberation in Ire. land, tipm the merits of the arrangement; by this counter pro. jest, I also gained for my own vindication, should it be necessary, the power and right of saying, "I never acted with bad faith ; I agreed to the% principle of a legal provision —I am ready to abide by that agreement, but here is a copy of the only plan upon which, as I long since conmiunicated to you, I can approve of that princi ple being carried into operation. Agree to this, and I am ready to meet you ; if you adopt any other, 1 shall not create dissension; I will retire, but I will not agree to what you propose." Tide, Mr. chairman, is the explanation I offer of the assent which I gave in London to the measure on which you are now deliberating; this is the vindication (if I be obliged to vindicate Myself) which offer of my conduct. I hope that I crave satistied this Committee of the punty at least of my intentions, and that I have sustained that character which I have always been anxious to maintain—the character of an upright and honest man.—(Great cheers.) As to the Resolution 'which has been read, I know there is a division of sentiment about its adoption or rejection; I shall not throw the weight of my opinion, whatever it may be, into either scale ; it is my ditty rather to withdraw, and beseech tire God of Peace to banish all dimensions from amongst you.—llere the Right Rev. Prelate withdrew, amid the warmest and most heartfelt testimony of esteem and admiration. COACH ACCIDENT. We regret to state that the mail which left London for this town (Manchester) on Monday evening was overturned. Oa its leaving Woburn, where it had just changed hawses, shortly after midnight, the hostler, we arc told, went to the horses' heads, mad took hold of the haroese, for the purpose of starting their, in con sequence of one of the leaders appearing bent on taking n wrong turn. This having been prevented, the matt, supposing they would then proceed steadily, left his hold, when instantly they dashed across to the opposite side of the road, the driver being quite unable to restrain them ; and the wheels coming in contract with sonic large stones at the edge of the footpath, the coach, which was fully batted both inside and out, was thrown over. The coachman and guard, and two o the outside passengers, were thrown to a con siderable distance, but not materially hurt. As soots as they had got up, they found that one person, the third outside passenger, had fallen with the coach upon him. The inside : tassenge r s having been extricated, the coach was immediately raised, and the un fortunate sufferer lifted up and carried, by two of his fellow travellers, to the house of a neighbouring surgeon. Ile complained much of his chest, and requested to be bled immediately. Unfor tunately, however, the injuries he had received were too severe to admit of cure, and he died a few hours after the accident. The de ceased, we understand, was Mr. Isaac Ahlett, lately of London, but some years ago In partner in the house of Messrs. Creswell, Ablett, and Wright, of this town. We have heard it said, but do not vouch for the fact, that the neck of a mare, to whose unmanage &Menem this lamentable catastrophe was owing, had been so galled by the collar, on former journeys, that it was quite raw, and that the pain the poor animal was suffering had caused that unsteadiness to which this most unfortunate event is attrihatable. Whether this were the case or not, the occurrence of the accident affords us the opportunity of remarking how important it is, that the cattle used for a coach which travels so last as the London and Manchester mail should be of known steadiness, not young things put into the harness without any previous breaking. or without having been tried by running in slower coaches. We would add also, that if the mare's shoulder was sore in the way it is said to have been, it was inexcusable to torture her, and at the same time risk the lives of the passengers by putting her in horns:sm.— :Wane/sorter Guardian ACCIDENT TO THE LORD M•roae OF Thrill.' N.—An ac cident happened to the Lord Mayor yesterday morning, about ten o'clock, but we hope it was not attended with any serious results. As his Lordship, accompanied, by a gentleman, was driving down Dawson-street, the Coachman, in consequence of the density of the fog, did not perceitt a large hole in the street, where the pavement was dis placed, until the coach was prelihated into it. His Lordship was enabled to proceed in rrison's hotel, near which the accident occurred, but the coach was smashed in several parts. This accident is the more to be regretted, as his Lordship has been in a very.dclicate state of health for ROM time.—Morning Register. THE BRITISH PRESS. POLICE. GUILDHALL. James Lee, a well.dreasec youiiirilan7wart charged before Mr. Ald. Lucas yesterday with breaking into a warehouse occupied by Mr. Crook, the auctioneer, of Skinner-street, in Sencesi-lane, jo that neighbourhood. About eight o'clock on Naturelty evening, Dillon and Mauchin, two of 11r. Ilrook's men, wcnt to deposit in the warehouse a wagon load of furniture, which had been taken under an execution by the Sheriff, and brought from St. John's Wood. On reaching the door, which was usually secured by an ordinary lock as well as a padlock, they found it standing a.lar, and Dillon ran over the way to a baker's ahem with a view of obtaining a light, while Mauchin kept gaard at the dc'or, In a moment the prisoner rushed out, and Mauchin demanded to know what he had been doing ? Without making any reply, however, the prisoner ran off, through New castle-vtreet into the middle of Fleet-market, where, being pursued with a hue and-cry, he was taken into custody. Mauchin deposed that he never lost sight of the prisoner from the moment, he came out of the warehouse until he was secured, and the officer produaed a quilt, stolen from the premises, which had been found upon the prisoner's person, as also a skeleton. key, a phosohornt-box, with matches, and wax candle complete, and about 10s. in silver. Dillon had left the premises all see about five o'clock In the afternoon, and from the weight of the articles removed from the upper part of the warehousasto the street-door, ready to he hoisted into a cart, it seemet clone the prisoner must have Lail an.ac corn-ince. who has escaped. The.prisoner, who otTered no defence at present, was remanded for further examination. W. Ferrer, collecting clerk to Messrs. Watson aril Co. whole sale laceinen, Gutter.lane, was charged with defrauding his em ployers. The prisoner had been in their employ about eight years, with a handsome salary, and upon a discovery that he had not ac counted for certain aunts of money he had received, he absconded a few days ago. and Charles llerdstielti, the officer, was employed to apprehend him. Ilerdafield prowled about the primmer's dwel ling house, at Holton. to little purpose, until twilight on Christ ina* morning, when being satisfied from some circumstances that Ferrer 'was at home, ha told a milk-woman who was passing, that mime milk was wanted at that house ; the woman knocked, the doer was opened, the officer rushed in, and the prisoner was found hiding himself in an attic. Mr. Burnside, of the firm of Wanton and Co., produced a book containing two entries in the prisoner's handwriting, that he had re ceived, on the 6th October, 391. Bs. of Mr. Gitflin, of Leicester. square, and on thcl7th November, 501. from the same gentleman. Mr. Griffin was then called, who proved that the payment to the prisoner on the former day was OIL and on the letter 631. ss. 31r. Watson said he was generally resident at their factory at Nottingham, and that the prisoner liati never accounted, at the tine or since, to him or any of the Nem, for any otheL amount than he had entered in the hot • pi. . . . The prisoner offered no defence, and was committed for em. bezzling the money he had not accounted for. DOW-STREET. Thomas Spring Rice, Esq. M.P. arrived at the Peacock at Is lington, on Saturday night, by one of the northern coaches, and basing called a hackney coach, he saw his luggage safely deposited and ordered the coachman to drive to his house In Upper Baker_ street, Portman-square, On his arrival there, the lion. Member paid him his fare, and left him to deliver the luggage to his see vistas. The coachman, however, kept, whether wilfully or not can only be matter of inference, one trunk back, and drove away with it. This trunk contained, among other property, 3051. in so vsreigna. The Hon. Gentleman, on missine the trunk, gave in. formation at this office, and Salmon, an officer of the establish. went, commenced an inquiry, and in the course of a few bourn, he ascertained where the coachman was to be found. He took him into custody, and he at one confessed that he had the trunk, but declared that he did no: discover it fur some time after he put Mr. Rice down, and that It was his intention to return it. Salmon got possession of the trunk, and luckily found the contents In slate quo. The coachman underwent a private examination before Sir R. BIRNIE yesterday, and the time (four days) within which it is imperative on u hackney coachman to deliver at the Hackney Coach Office any property Its may find, not having elapsed, and he per. slating in his statement that his intention was honest, he was din. charged. Mr. Rice liberally rewarded Salmon for his services, and spoke in high terms of the a:tivity of that officer. In consequence of the anticipated press of business from the holy days, Sir R. Rirnie took his seat yesterday on the bench at an early hoar. Whether, however, a dislike to sl)ending "a mercy Christmas" at - the wheel contributed to keep the more disorderly in check we know not, but certain it is that only one night charge, and that of a most trifling nature, was entered on the books. 'I he vacant space in front of the Chief Magistrate was at length occupied by three agriculturists lately arrived in town to see the lions. iVho has not heard of Mr. Cross, the far-famed successor of the (Ohl that we could truly say) immortal Polito? Did ever bump. kin yet pass Exeter change, and view the portraits of the stupen dous elephant and the magn Wield animal as coo aray pith the unfortunate Muster Munro with • indifference? The trio in question at least had more taste. So great, indeed, was their ad. miration, that all their senses seem to have been absorbed in the sublime contemplation. rendering them utterly unconscious that the elbow of one of the party had made its way through one of the panes of a glover's shop window, nor would they now believe the fact. though Mr. Emus, the shops an, deposed to it on oath. His \Worship, however, was more easily persuaded, anti having ordered the party to make up the damage among them, dismissed the case. Sir Rtcumm, in the course of the morning, took occasion to observe, that in consequence of the report that appeared in the papers respecting the necessities of Mr. Smith. who was driven to seek refuge from the inclemency of the weather in St. Martin's Church-yard. he had received a communication front a society calling itself the Guardian Society, offering to afford assistance to the unfortunate gentleman if they could ascertain where he was to be found. The worthy Magistrate added, that he would with pleasure subscribe his guinea in tuillieratice of so praiseworthy a design. HATTON-GARDEN. • Mary Hussy, an Irishwoman, was yesterday placed at the bar, charged wilt inflicting sundry blows on Ann Cain, with an intent to murder her. • Ann Cain was brought forward, and appeared in so low and weak a state, that she was accommodated with a chair, but still she was so weak that her words could not be heard, and consequently was placed claae by` the side of the Magistrate. She then de. posed to the following effect. :—I live at No. 7, Margarct.row, Bur ton-crescent. Last night, at about'eleven o'clock, I came home from work. The prisoner lodges In the same room with me, and I found her there with her sweetheart. After some conversation he parted with her, and I went to bed; and in about half an hour afterwards she commenced abusing me, saying that I had taken away her sweetheart, for that he admired me more than he did her, and then commenced her attack upon me. I did not know what it was she struck me with. Previous to the sweetheart going, the prisoner said she wanted some tea, but I said it was too late. This was the substance of the complainant's testimony. The landlord of the house and another witness gave evidence confirming this statement. The complainant had been conveyed by the landlord to the Middlesex Hospital, but no person from that place was in attendance yesterday. A quart pewter pot was pro duced, covered with blood, with which it was said the wounds were inflicted, and one witness swore to having heard the prisoner say that she Would have the life of the complainant. The landlord stated. that he was present when the wounds were dressed, and that they were of a very dangerous nature. The Magistrate, under these circumstances, remanded the pri soner until Saturday next. MARYLEBONE. ROl3ll FRY AND ATTLIaPT AT it C 1.716 . —Yesterday Patrick Riley waV charged with robbing Mr. Mart. builder, of No. 16, Doroat-square, and Martin Maguire and John Afacuire, with attempting to rescue him, and aloe with violently &moulting the wa.chmen. Benjamin Smith stated that he beard, at 1 o'clock on Sunday morning, the cry of stop thief, and pursued the prisoner Riley down Little York-mews, where lie was stopped by a gentleman named Day, who succeeded in throwing lain down, and witness coming up, a number of Irishmen rushed out from a part of the Mews and assailed him. The prisoner Martin Ma wire wrenched the stick out of his hand and struck kim a violent blow on the head, and with such force as to cut through an oil-skin cover, his hat, and leave a desperate wound on the head ; he con tinued his blows until witness was covered with blood, and but for the timely assistance of Sergeant Boyd and another watchman, was certain he would.hare been murdered. Witness here showed the wounds he received, which bore out his statement to the full; at last some person comiug up, the prisoners were secured, after making a desperate resistance. Sergeant Boyd stated that lie took Riley Into custody with wood in his possession, who told him be had it given him. by Mr. Marr, of Doeset.square, but on inquiring of Mr. Mare if he thought the property hie, lie replied he believed so, as he hut lost a quantity of the same kind of stuff, but denied any knowledge of the Prisoner. On their way to the watchhouse the prisoner Riley threw down the wood and ran down York-mews, ant on his pursuing him he was assailed by several men, who rushed out train a mews. Martin PA ignite shouted out " beat their eyes out." Witness was then knocked down, but recovered himself; he received several blows front ail directions, until the timely aid of the inhabitants rescued him. Ile was covered with blood, on his arriving at the, watch. house, from the wounds he received. A Mr. Day coroborated the testimony of both the witnesses, and stated that a more brutal assault he never heard of. Mr. Mars. deposed that he never gave the prisoner Riley any wood ; he had worked tor him for some time, but at present he was not In hie employ. The prisoners asserted, with many protestations, their Innocence, when— Mr. RAW/ANSON said that it was evident, by the confession of Riley, that he robbed Mr. Mar t , aad it was a l so p rove d t h at t h e two lilaguires had attempted a rescue ; he should therefore remand Riley until iVednesday, next. and should require good bail for Martin and John Maguire, themselves in 50/. and two securities in 201. each, and he should request the Parish to prosecute for the assault on the watchmen. MARL BOROUG H-STRE ET. Yesterday, amongst the charges which are so usual at this sewn of the year, four tint-rate Corinthians were brought train St. George's watchbouse. They were not only arrived in the utmost splendour of dress, but were Inviter adorned with a gorgeous dis play of rings and jewellery. On being desired to stead against the bar, these heroic patricians,—for they were indeed scions of no bility, as sell as commanders of the pretorian bands,—ranged themselves with the greatest indifference, pulled out their handker chiefs, and holding them at their chins, gave notice, with a loud laugh, that they were ready to meet any charge that might be made agsmst them. Damon, • watchman. deposed that on Saturday night, between eleven a n d twelve o'clock, whilst he was in Old Bond-street, en deavouring to persuade two girls of the town, who were much in liquor and melting a riot, to go home, the defendants came up, and said to one el the females, " here is a shilling for you, if you will go along quietly," Om as she, instead of so doing, began mak ing a greater noise, witness was forced to use his physical strength instead of his rhetorical powers to move her away. This mode of proceeding, however, appeared not to Wee with the gallant and chivalric notions of the defendants, who began to assault hint by pushing him about, and at length knocked him down with his own stick. Finding himself thus attacked, he seized hold of one of the gentlemen, whom he pointed out, but who, although a Peer, was now contented with the humble nadie of Smith. After repeatedly calling out for assistance, he finally obtained it, and escorted the whole party to the watchhouve. lie could not, however, swear which was the person who aeivally assaulted him. This evidence was corroborated by another watchman. ‘l'ltilvt the two guartilima of nubile order were giving their tes timony, the four defendants were laughing aloud. One of them, who .gave the name of Pinchard, kept distorting the muscles of his face, as though he was practising to grin through a collar. Their derri,ce was, that they were pmreeding down Bond-street, /then they beheld the watchman handling the females In a very improper manner, which came(' them to remonstrate with him; but, on their honour, they pre , csted that they never touched him. A gentleinsti then came forward, and stated that he was present during the whole of the time, and that neither of the defendants touched the watchman t as for pushing hint down, it was quite false; the tact was, the watchman had been drinking too freely. Mr. ROE, the sitting Magistrate—Do you intend to say that neither of the persona charged pushed or struck the watchman ? To this question the volunteer witness would not give a direct or proper answer. Mr. Rite therefore - pat him upon his oath, and having severally pointed out each defendant, asked whether that gentleman had not assaulted the watchman. To each interrogatory the witness answered " certainly not." " Well," exclaimed Mr. Roe, you have exonorated your friends—therefore they are dis charged ; bur before they leave the office. I shall desire them to give their names and addressee, that the %Watch Committee may call nu them if necessary, to substantiate the charge of drunken against the watchman. This was quite unexpected, and the patricians having fur a few minutes consulted together, gave their names as follows:—Mr. Piockard, Mr. Smith, Jr. Bray, and 3;r. Elwin—and to such humble name.' they added suitable places of abode. Unluckily for Lord alias Mr. Smith. it was roam bat:i that only a feie, weeks since he was charged with a similar often e at St. Oiles's watch-house, on which occasion he gate his name as Bergo is , • atutent of medicine. No notice, however, was taken of the circumstance. ILTNION.HALL. - - ..... The day after Christmas-day is always one of great bustle and confusion at this office, in consequence of the numerous charges for drunken and disorderly conduct, lodged at the d ifrerent watch houses in this extensive district, over which the Maglatrates have a jurisdiction. Yesterday Mr. CHAMBERS was for a considerable time occupied in hearing charges of this nature, most of which he decided by Inflicting a penalty of ds. to the King upon the drunken defendants. Subsequent to the night charges a man named Jflffird If was placed at the bar, having been apprehended on Christmts-day with a placard affixed to his breast, upon which was written, in large characters, the following sympathetic appeal to the feelings of the passengers : " Three hundred miles have I travelled within a fortnight in search of employ, but was unable to get any. Walking such a distance, anti being in want of victuals nearly the whole of the time, has reduced me to such a weakly state, that I am now unable to work. I have a wife and two small children depending on my exertions. We are nearly reduced to a state of starvation. This induces me to appeal to those who can feel for real distress. Any person thinking there is the least deception may satisfy themselves by taking the trouble, and I will either accompany them home or give them my direction." Gale, the held], of St. Saviour's parish, stated, that the prisoner was one of the moat -rank imposters about town. He had for a considerable time receivad assistance from the pariah until his tricks ofdeception were discovered, when he absconded altogether from that side of the water, leaving his wife chargeable to the parish. Subsequently his haunts were discoverell to be in the neighbourhood of the squares, at the west end of the town, where he excited commiseration by the same methods he now practised. He was apprehended and committed to gaol as a vagrant on two different occasions, but t:te punishment of the tread-wheel, it ap peared, had not conquered his propensity for the life of a mendicant. The beadle added, that on this last occasion the prisoner once mote ventured into his old quarters with•the above placard, when he was espied by some of those who knew his character. Upon discovery, Watson endeavoured to get rid of the paper enumerating hie misfortunes, but he was disappointed, and at was produced as evidence against him. The ptnioner stud that he was an afflicted man, and therefore could not work like others. lie was necessitated to beg alms, otherwise he would starve like a dog, for the little assistance he had front the parish would not keep body and soul together. The beadle, in contradiction to thil assertion, stated that Watson was as sturdy a vagrant as any rhat infested the streets the me tropolis; and as a proof of his capability for industrious pursuits, if his mind sere inclined that way, instanced u tact that occurred a short time since. They (the parish authorities) were on the look. out for the prisoner, in consequence of his deserting Isis wife. lie MRS traced• to a house in St: tales's, out of which he jumped through the first floor window, closely followed by a constable, who was not half nimble enough for Watson, who esceped by sts ptrior strength and agility. " Sure'y," added the beadle, " such a character as this deserves punishment." It was visible enough that the prisoner was a great imposter, and that he was not labouring under the slightest bodily infirmity. The Magistrate, therefore, observed that tie should again commit him for three months to hard labour at Brixton, for begging ; and added, that at the expiration of the sentence, should he again resort to his old tricks, upon his apprehension, he (dlr. Chambers) would return his conviction to the Sessions, at which the *parish officers would he enabled to prosecute, and the Court had it in their power of coinnsitting the prisoner as an incorrigible vagrant for a term not exceeding twelve months. The beadle said Mat she officers - of his parish were desirous of punishing such an imposter for the sake of example. Watson was then committed. RAIL-ROADS AND CANALS. As the great battle between rail-roads and canals will soon be fought in Parliament, it may nQt be improper to make ourselves fully acquainted with the merits of each party, and see if the rail-roads have as strong grounds for protection now canals are in use, as canals had when the carriage of the country was in the hands of wagoners. For this purpose it is necessary to inquire the various rates charged by wagons and canals, and also the intended amount that Parliament will be required by the rail-road companies to sanction; and as a line from Lyndon is con templated through Birmingham to Liverpool, we will en deavour to settle our own, as well as the minds of all classes, •particularly of those persons who will possess the power of giving or denying this great public boon. Goods are now charged from Liverpool to London, by wagon, twelve pounds a ton, and they are delivered on the sixth day; by canal they are charged four pounds, and delivered on the Bth, 12th, and IGth day, depending greatly on the quantity of goods which the Marquis of Stafford's fiats have to remove betwctn Liverpool and Runcorn, as well as being afterwards conveyed by slow or fly boats—we see the charge is two-thirds less by canal than by waggon. The proprietors of the Darlington rail-roads eatry goods for one halfpenny per ton per mile: this, added to th ree halfpence duty, gives twopence per mile for each ton, including locomotive power and wagons; the line of rail road surveyed front London to Liverpool is 192 miles, or one pound twelve shillings; thus we shall have almost as great a diminution from the expense by canals in conse quence of this irvention, as canals gave us over the old conveyance by road-wagons and pack-horses, besides the certainty of delivery on the second day, an advantage of immense importance, if we may judge front the circum stance of the Manchester and London vans always being loaded, though they charge sixteen pounds a ton, and de liver on the third day, when the same goods might be delivered by fly-boats On the seventh day, at r charge of four pounds. _ _ _ Tlie fact that as speed by rail-road is increased, expense is decreased, must be borne in recollection; this arises from the saving of the engineer's time, the coals consumed being the same, Tradesmen of every description will appreciate thc be nefit likely to ensue from their being enabled to travel in the same train of wagons with their goods, either to sell or after having purchased them, particularly country dealers in wines, spirits, London porter, grocery, &c. &c. &c. and goods subject to mixture with water, either from design or accident. The East India Company's ships Lowther C title and Buckinghamshire left Anjtcr fur China the 15th August, and the Bombay on the following morning. It is generally known that the new weights and mea sures will cane into operation the Ist of January next, but as the duty on several articles is to be levied on the new standard after the sth of January next, an order in Coun cil, dated 13th Dec. provides that, from the let to the 6th of January, the duty, &c. shall be levied at a rate equi valent to the new standard. SPORTING INTELLIGENCR. TATTERSALL'S. MONDAY, DEC. 26, There was very little betting on anything but the MA ? , f which The General is getting up apace, while, on the other ho t Bolivar has retrograded several panic There will not be en v % decisive in the St. Leger betting till the nominations &reit*, which will be next week, and for which great anxiety is felt. DERBY. 22 to I agat Zuleika 21 to 1 apt Twatty 23 to I agst Rowena 25 to 1 apt Sophist 2b to 1 &gat Pranks 25 to I agst any other as. 0 to 1 agat Monarch IS to 1 agat The General 13 to 1 agat Tredrille 20 to 1 asst Gramarie(taken) 20 to 1 agat Advance 20 to 1 apt Bolivar 7 to 1 apt Mignionctto 8 to 1 ogstP•twn 9 to 1 apt Moses • 12 to 1 agst Henry 13 to 1 agsi Elizabeth 14 to 1 apt Parasol 15 to 1 agat Bo.pee, le to I mat 2uatirti e 20 to 1 apt orel ST. L: 71 to I eget Bedlimits 9 to I apt Crusader IS to 1 apt Belzoni 20 to 1 riot Alonateh 20 to 1 apt Barataria 40 to 1 apt Barefoot Metcalf, a groom, in the employ of Capt. Brook Sufliesi started yesterday at Lewisham, to run 12 miles in 72 minutes start we never recollect to have been accomplished. The ' travelled over two miles and a half of goo d groun d . without spar, , and be,performed his first 2 miles and a h a lf i n 14 minutes 40 e tc . the second 14 min. 44 sec., the third in 14 min. 56 are., fAirtk, 15 Min. 2 sec., and the remaining 2 miles in 12 min. II sec., whorl by . 27 seconds. The first 10 inilea it will b e seen was done in 51 MM. 22 sec. The pedestrian, who is 22 years of age, and 5 fa t ti had been two months is training. The match was for two hanthe sovereigns. MARKETS. CON EXCHANGE. DEC. . The arrival R of When this morning MONDAY was but , molera 2o te ; tie oi d nevertheless continues in the same dull state we hare noticed late, and even the finest runs can scantly be got otrat last s ee k , prices, whilst all below this standard are from 21 to 33. perqamt. cheaper. Malting Harley nearly maintain s our l ast quotation,tu the fine grinding qualities are lower. Beans are again cheape r wit's a very limited sale ; and Pease of both sorts hare declined i •alue front Is. to 23. per quarter. We are moderately aup p u e with Oam at present, hut the trade is in an exceedingly dull sale and the sales made are nu worse terms. Flour remains at our 11 quotation. GUILDFORD, DiecEsThi. 1 Wheat per 1. 141 0, to 181 Os Rye - I/ 181 to 21 1) Nestditto . 01 Os to 01 O s Barley . 11 141 to 21 a Oats per qr. 11 6s to 11 15s Beans . 21 6. to 2112 Old ditto - 01 Us to 01 Os Grey Pease 21 6s to 21;2 PRICE ()F I EiiiYß- TownMade,persaek.bia to 611,1 Norfolk and Stockton Ato 13 Seconds - Ws to bbs I Bran, per 9r. -11 s to 12 Euex and,Suffolk, on Pollard, Foie 16s to tin board ship .481 to Ws PRICE OF BRE AD. The highest price of Bread in the Metropolis Is 10d. for d•l 41b. Loaf. There ate Bakers who sell fr om id. to 24 d. b elow t' rate. SMITHFIELD, MONDAY, DEC. 2ti. The change for the better in money transactions, and the fin weather, have entirely dissipated the gloom whi c h h ung over th market on Monday last. I n t h e course o f t h e week, as we amid pated, the beasts turned out to lalitigton and other places Mill neighbourhood all found customers ; and thi s morn i ng , t h e supply being very short, we had a brisk demand for every thing—Beet at an advance of 24., Mutton al 44., and Veal of full W. per stone,' with the msrket cleared on those terms. We have not had so abort' a supply of Mutton for several years past. The Pork trade eon. inurewithout alteration ; but at Barnet 6s. Is a current price for the dairy-fed qualities. Beet - .1% Od to as 2d Veal . Mutton - 45 Od to as .14 I Pork Lamb Os Od to Os Od MEAD OP CATTLE TUIS DAY: Beasts, 1,104 Sheep, 0.870 I Calves, 62 j Pigs; 70 HA V-MA 11K ET. Hay (Old) . 4/ 10s 04 to 41 17n 64 Inferior - . 51 7s 6d to 41 Ss 04 • Clover - Al Os Od to al is Cd Ditto (Inferior) . 41 Os Od to 41 17s fal Straw - 11 113 s Oil to 21 Os Od 45 8d to 6s 21 45 Od to bs Bi NEWOATE AND LEADEN,' ALL—(By the Carcapo Beef -& Od to 4s 4d I Veal . Is 04 to 54 4:1 Mutton . 3s 04 to 4s 44 Pork - 48 04 to 43 Ea Lamb Os Od to Os 04 PRICE OF POTATOES, DEC. 26. . bl 106 Od to 131 04 Od per too. • It les Od to 3/ la Od - 41 lOs Od to 5/ 01 Od Kidneys . °enables and Shims . Marsh Champions PRICES OF HAY AND STRAW. ST. JAMES'S. WHITECHAPEL. Hay - 7Oi Od to 103. Od Ray - 70. 0,1 to 100. 0: Ditto(New) —a Od to —a Od inferior - —a Od to —a 0, Clover . 72s Gd to 1203 Od Clover . tiOs Od to 120 , Straw . Od to 428 Od Straw -34 s Oil to 42- PRICE OF HOPS, per cwt. DEc.2ll. POCKETS. DAGS. Kent . 181 Os to 18/ IRS Kent . 151 108 to 101 IY Sussex . 151 its to 18110. Sussex - led 0. to 15/ 0. Essex Ifil 0. to 171 171 Essex - 151 10. to 171 U. Farnham, fine 231 On to 251 Os—Seeonds 201 Os to 221 0. PRICE OF RAW FAT, ref Stone of alb. Price by Tallow (as stated by the Tallow Mellen), 2s Ed PRICE OF CANDLES. Vic price of good Store Candle iniiseretiiiShops is as follows: Candles, per dozen . - 6s 641 to 7s Moulds - - - 8s 6d PRICE OF TALLOW Town Tallow - 41. Od Yellow Russia . 39s Id White ditto . ♦2s Od Soap ditto . 381 Od Melting Stuff -35 s Od Rough Ditto 23s Od SOA p. &c. per 112!b. Yellow Soap Mottled - Curd Graves Good Dregs - 74$ (I 1;21 Ot C6s Oc 22s Oc es fit IDES. Best heifers and Steers, Ordinary . 2s 01 to 2s 4, per stone .268at03s Id I Market Calf (each) Os Ot Middlings . 26 4d to 26 id RAW SHEEP SKINS. Sheep Ss Od to 4s fid I Lambs• 2s Od to 3s 0,1 PRICE OF LEATHER. Best Dressing Bides Common ditto Crop Hides, 35 to 381bs, Ditto 40 to 451131. Ditto 45 to Nibs. Calf Skins 33 to 401bs. Ditto 45 to 551bs. Ditto 55 to 751bs. Sinai! Seal Skins . Large ditto Tanned Horse Bides • Spanish ditto - . 180 to 2ld 15d to I7d 154 to 160 17d to IRa 19d to 204 18d to 25d 274 to SU 22d to 25d 19d to 2ld 16.1 to 18d 12d to Lid Eld to 18d - - COAL MARKET, DEc.26. hips at Market. - Skirt Sold. Price. 111 Newcastle . 63/ . 32. 34 td 39s 6d 41 Sundeslaall 27/ - 3 l. 3l. Od to 414 Od . . CLAs SI c EttinntriOrt.—The young Gentlemen resident at the West End, who have returned to the enjoyment of home and holidays, will find a dente treat provided for them by their friend Junin, of flonchatreo, whose exhibition of gum-paste mo delling this year gives a most animated and accurate representation of a passage in Grecian History, with which we presume them perfectly conversant—" Leonidas, the intrepid Lacedamonian General, and his devoted Spartans, at the celebrated Pass of Ther. mopylar." In pointing the attention of our young friends .to this new specimen of the talented artist's abilities, we reckon on their gratitude, convinced that they must feel considerable pleasure in seeing all their own youthful imaginations may have depicted of this memorable event so ablyembotlied, and so vividly represented as it s is in the present exhib iti on. The extensive triune on which this model is fixed is an I constructed as to turn on a plot, for the gratification o' the nobility and gentry, who, not wishing to mingle in the dense crowd attracted to the front of Mr. Jarrin's shop, may be sure of having their curiosity fully gratified by the most polite attentions within. BIRTHS. On the 21st inst. at Highgate, the lady °flames Wade, Esq. of a daughter. On the 24th inst. 31ra. Shaw, of Ely-place. of a daughter. ➢CARRIED. At Sunbury,. on the 21st inst. Augustus Lernoult Esq. to Julia Maria, eldest daughter of the Res. W. L. Fm thorn's, of that place. On the 19th inst. at the chapel of the British Embassy, Fade, George William Lefevre, M.D. to Frederic' Cheering Fraser, daughter of Colonel Charles Eraser, of the Honourable East India Company's service. DIED. On Sunday morning, at his residence, Mecklenburgh-squ re, Thomas Cotton Esq. On the 23d inst. at her house In Foley-place, Miss Crohcr'ne w Bi On the Inst.2 o 4fthotiiu.street ham , s ageds7. Su i. sl ia r r e ) !l c ct b rLt_ .....,... he late cks,Eag. N HIGH WATER AT LONDON BRIDGE THIS PAY. Morning. 28 min. after 0.1 Evening, 44 min. alte_.=ll.o. Printed at THE BRITISH PRESS Office, by J. W.CanzTurt, 181, Strand, and published by R. CAN NON, IMO PiailL ,EGrlt. 1 ~~ G r" ; 1 pad igth ; - I A ISt or 0 A Age if t, ,pan A 1 'la