The Sun. — London, England, 1862-02-10 00:00:00

TILE VOLUNTEERS. At a meeting of members of the First City of London Engineers, held t,t the City of London National Schools, White-street, Finsbury-pave ment, on Tuesday evening last, it was. determined to form an Artisan Company, to be composed of the trades authorised for the Royal Engineers—viz,, carpenters, joiners, cabinetmakers, masons, brick layers, plasterers, smiths, engine fitters, mill wrights, coopers, painters, tailors, collar-makers, miners, draughtsmen, &„ - c. Members of these trades will not pay an entrance fee, and will be pro vided with the uniform and accoutrements on ad vantageous terms to suit their convenience. It was also decided to accept the services of a volunteer brass band organised under Mr. Sluishman, late bandmaster of the Bth Hussarf. A special general meeting of the members of the London Scottish Rifles was held on Tuesday, at the Scottish Corporation-hall, Fleet-street, Lord Elcho, the commandant of the corps, in the chair. On the motion of the chairman a resolution was passed empowering the council of the regiment to alter the rule with respect to the entrance fee, it having been proposed to abolish the entrance fee altogether. On Saturday the 10th company of the 4th City of London Rifles proceeded to Rainham for ball practice, and, notwithstanding the extreme cold ness of the day, some excellent scores were made. Lieutenant Ebsworth has gone to Hy the for the purpose of undergoing the course of musketry in • struction. Colonel Sykes, the commandant of the 4th, has decided that his regiment shall not take part in the contemplated sham fight at Brighton on Easter Monday, upon the ground that they are not sufficiently efficient. This has occasioned much disappointment among the Islington companies (formerly the 7th Middlesex), who were present at the review at Brighton last year, and received honourable mention for their efficiency. On Saturday a handsome building erected by Capt. Rucker, 26th Kent Volunteers, at Vanburgh park, Blackheath, from his own funds, at an expense of upwards of £2,500, was publicly opened in pre sence of a large concourse of spectators. It is a handsome and substantial erection of red brick, over looking the wide expanse of the heath from its /northern extremity. A large bas-relief, represent ing the White Horse of Kent, surmounts the door way. The fine hall, which occupies nearly the whole of the interior, is within the walls 100 ft in length by 53ft in breadth, the roof in the centre being 38ft above the ground. No pillars or props of any kind interfere with the floor, which thus extends over the whole area,, without any obstacle to the free move meats 'of the corps at drill. The brick walls are Whitewashed inside, a row of projecting bricks form ing a notched cornice at the top. Eight massive principals support a handsome wooden roof, the upper part of which is covered with sheets of glass, by which the room is lighted. Altogether, the architecture is most appropriate, and at once sug gests by its style of decoration the purpose to which the hall is dedica.ted. On Saturday the gay appear ance of the building was heightened by the ever. greens and banners with which the walls were deco rated, Era the large body of Volunteers and spectators who for the first time assembled under the roof. Viscount Sydney, the Lord-Lieutenant of Kent, took the chair, and opened the proceedings with a brief speech, in which he referred to the great success of the Volunteer movement. Lord Holmesdale, M.P. for West Kent, proposed the first resolution, to the effect that the meeting approved the Volunteer movement. He was seconded by Alderman Salo mons, M.P. for Greenwich, who dwelt at some length on the effects of the Volunteer movement in increasing the influence of England abroad. Gene ral Sir Richard Dacres, Commandant of the Wool wich Garrison, proposed a resolution to the effect that the value of the Volunteer force depended on its permanency. He enforced the im portance of drill, and as a means of drill under our humid and changeable atmosphere, the erection of such halls as that presented to the Volunteers of Kent by Captain Rucker. He did not approve of teapots being awarded as prizes for rifle shooting. He thought that a medal, which could be hung up, was a better gift, and that the remainder of the funds should be bestowed in the purchase of knap sacks, tents, and other requisites. The resolution was seconded by Admiral Hamilton. Mr. Anger stein, M.P. for Greenwich, proposed, and Captain Buckle seconded, a resolution to the effect that the building is one of a kind eminently calculated to give permanency to the movement. The Rev. Mr. Soames moved, and the Rev. Mr. Selwyn se conded, a resolution conveying the thanks of the meeting to Captain Rucker, who, at his own ex pense, had erected the drill hall. Captain Rucker, who was received with great enthusiasm, returned thanks, and expressed a hope that the building would tend to promote the success of this great movement, in which be took the deepest interest. The meeting closed with a vote of thanks to the chairman. The Volunteer Corps of Essex, after the compa rative inertness of the winter, have already com menced active operations. A handicap rifle match between the 3d Essex Artillery and the Stratford and Plaistow Rifle Corps, has just taken place. There were 28 competitors, who fired 10 rounds each, the winners being Quartermaster-Sergeant Brownfield, Artillery, 15 points; Ensign Thurgood, Plaistow Rifles. 14 ; Private Croncher, of the same corps, 14. The Witham Corps, under Ensign Blood, and the Tendring, under Captain Cardi nell, attended divine service on Sunday last. An amateur theatrical entertainment is about to be given on behalf of the Dunmow Rifle Corps band. The annual meeting of the Rochford Corps has been helii. The corps is in an efficient state, martially and financially. The receipts had been £l9O 9s. ld., and the expenditure £l7O 3s. 6d., leaving a balance in favour of the corps of £2O 59. 7d. A large muster of the corps afterwards dined together. A grand Volunteer demonstration, in which all branches of the service will be repre sented, is contemplated upon the Essex coast, near Southend, towards the close of the summer. In Suffolk a butt for the long range for the Hales -worth company is nearly complete, the targets being fixed and marker's hut begun, so that the corps will shortly be in possession of a range of 600 yards. The Saxmundham Corps held its annual meeting in the course of last week, Lieut.. Colonel Schreiber presiding. The receipts for the year were reported to have been £l5B, and the expenditure £l6l, showing as adverse balance of £B. It was resolved, however, notwithstanding this deficit, to admit effective members in future without payment ' of the 10s. 6(1. hitherto insisted on as an entrance fee. At the close of the meeting Lieutenant-Colonel Schreiber inspected the corps, the members of which were put through the manual and platoon and a few company movements. 'Mr. J . W. Cheney Ewart, of Boddington-hall, Leicester, and F , -stop-Lodge, Norfolk, late Captain of her M a j esty ' s Body Guard,' has just ' accepted the First Lieut enancy of the first bat tery of the Yar mouth Volunte er Artillery. In consequence of the resignation of p , h4 ston, who s about to leave England for Norway, i Mr. A. Watling has been I `lcted unteer ensign of the 2d company of the Yarmouth ol Rifles. Several matters E re l p y o c rt o e r d p f s r h om as Cambridge shireeemdma and the fens. T y h b e e company drill and bayonet ex erc i se in the in Co ell" exchange. On Wednesday a handsome challenge cup, presented by the the ladies of Wisbech and the neighbourhood, was competed for by 15 members of the corps formed in the town, and the prize w as won by Private Tunnacliffe, who made 17 points. Shouting was conducted at ranges of 200, ow, and 7eo yards, five rounds each. The cup will be shot for again in September, and if Private Tunnacliffe is again successful it will become his property ; but if another member of the corps makes the highest score the prize will become the subject of a fresh competition nest year. The Cambridge Corps had a monthly prize competition in the course of last reek. The shooting was 200 and 300 yards, and Drum-Major Ling made the highest score. As, however, he had preciously taken a prize he was dierrialified, and Surgeon Hall was awarded the first prize for the greatest number of hits, and Private Bull the second, for the greatest number of points. In another match for a short Enfield, pre sented by Colour -Sergeant Hall, the distances being 500 and 600 yards, Sergeant Puller was the winner his score being 13 points. The officers of the 2d battalion of thatuorganshire Volunteers met at Cardiff to ascertain the opinion of the body on several matters, The first question considered was whether the battalion should join the proposed Volunteer review on Durdham Downs, Bristol, and it was decided, after speeches from Captain Bruce, M.P., and other officers, that the battalion should attend the review, should there be no Glamorganshire meeting. It was stated that the total number of effective Volunteers in the Rifle Battalion had risen from 735 in October to 835 at the present time—just 100 in three months. It was agreed to set on foot a battalion fund for defraying the travelling expenses of the Volunteers to bat talion or brigade meetings. Much discussion took place on the subject of the uniform, and a prevail ing opinion was expressed in favour of adopting the red in preference to green or gray. Captain Bruce, M.P., thought he was not betraying confidence in intimating the intention of the Government to further assist the Volunteers beyond finding the cloth for uniforms at first cost. At present, how ever, the Government could not see their way clear. A man might be given a uniform, and after lie had had it a very short time he might give 14 days' notice and quit the service. However, he might say that be knew it was the intention of the Government to afford additional assistance at an early date. The question of presenting the volun teers with cloth would be considered early in the Parliamentary session, and he (Mr. Bruce) would not fail to press upon the Government the necessity of affording every encouragement to the volunteer movement. Subsequently a resolution was passed in favour of adopting a red uniform. The annual meeting of the members of the 4th Wilts Rifle Volunteers (Chippenham) took place a few days since. The financial statement showed that, after discharging all liabilities, a balance re mained in the treasurer's hands of nearly £l7. The chairman announced that, in addition to a challenge cup, the following prizes would be competed for — viz., a silver cup of the value of 20 guineas, as a prize for the best aggregate scores at 200, 300, and 500 yards ; a silver goblet, for the best aggregate scores at 200 and 300; a chased silver goblet (the latter for competition exclusively among the officers of the Chippenham corps and the Colne and Woot ton-Bassett sub divisions) ; a Kerr's rifle, with second barrel of small bore, value 12 guineas; a short Enfield five-grooved rifle, and one or more other prizes. The S windon Rifle corps is in a very disorganised state. All the officers have resigned, and it is feared that the corps will have to be disbanded, unless some gentlemen in the neighbourhood will take greater interest in it than is at present mani fested. Mr. B. Haworth, father of the commanding officer of the East York Volunteer Artillery Brigade, has presented a silver cup to be shot for from 32- pounders.. The firing will be held consecutively at Whitby, Scarborough, Filey, and Bridlington, at a not less range than 1,300 yards. Adjutant Symons is to be the referee. The 3d North York Volun teer Artillery commenced a contest on Saturday last for a silver cup given by Lord Londesborough. The day was so unfavourable that the contest was shortly adjourned, but the corps reassembled on Monday and eompleted the shooting. The ranges were 100, 200, and 300 yards; at each range five shots per man. The highest scores were Sergeant- Major Taylor 22 points, Sergeant Stewart 22 points, Corporal Waite 20 points, and Private White 20 points. The tie between the first two was shot off twice, Sergeant Stewart eventually winning the cup. THE GRJ?AT PYT_HONFss AT TILE ZOOLOGICdL GARDENS. Among advertisements to seekers of amusement, one from the Zoological Society has probably been observed by our readers. It announces that at the society's gardens " the large python may be now seen incubating her eggs." We confess that this advertisement somewhat surprised us; for, having recently read in the trent;Rp nn rpptil.. pubnahod in the last edition of the Encyclopaedia Brztannica, that "no reptile is known to hatch its eggs," we ware not prepared for an announcement from the Zoological Society so directly in opposition to that of the author of this recent treatise, which is sup posed to be a high authority on reptiles. True, herpetology has by no means kept pace with other sciences, many important features still remaining obscure ; yet, Vf e thought that the question of reptiles hatching their eggs had been as firmly settled as that all ophidians are oviparous. But from the days of Pliny, who tells us that young boas feed on cow's milk, and that they are indebted to this mythical connexion with the bovine family for their name, mighty serpents, worse " than fables yet have feigned, or fear conceived," have always been subjects of mystery, and it is not, therefore, any very great wonder that opinions should differ respecting the hatching of their eggs. The Pythoness which has suddenly become a cele brated and interesting character in the great London world, where almost daily some event or person is elevated to a prominent position only to be put aside when a new wonder appears, is one l i of the large varieties of the great boa family. It was born in West Africa, and has been 11 years in the gardens, during which period it has thriven well, waxing yearly in strength, girth, and length, until now it is a very giant among the serpents in the Zoological Society's collection. It is better off than many animals in the gardens, which live in single blessedness in their narrow prison -houses, for the great lady Python, has a husband. We must say, however, as will be seen presently, she does not seem to derive any great comfort from his society. It may be that, becaus€ her mate is much less than herself, she regards and treats him with contempt. He is a dwarf compared to her, being a kind of reptilian Brummell, toying, as it were, with peas while his wife eats scores of animals. She has gorged ten full-grown rabbits at a sitting, or coiling rather; and on the last occasion trat we saw the interesting couple at their dinner (provided every Friday at the fashionable hour of 7) she stowed four rabbits in her elongated maw in an amazingly short time (how many more followed we know not), while her husband not only turned away from a rabbit, but was absolutely insensible to the attrac tion of a dainty duck which quacked provokingly under his very nose. Do not, however, suppose that the male serpent is puny or powerless. Waterton himself, who came forth from a cavern with a boa encircling him with its muscular coils, would have succumbed under the grip of such a teptile as this. We only wish it to be uLder t-tood that he is small compared to the Pytho ness. The great egg-laying event occurred four weeks ago. The plethoric condition of the serpent occasioned uneasiness. Some supposed that she had bolted a stray blanket ; it was considered whether something might not be done to relieve the great reptile, when she excluded, as w ell as the keeper can estimate, about 100 eggs. These, enclosed in a white leather-like substance, ere about the size of those of a goose, the majority of a dirty-white appearance, connected by a mem brane. Among them are two small red eggs, and many are indented, probably by the great pres sure of the serpent's body. It is remarkable that this prolific exclusion of eggs, which might be sup posed to have exhausted the animal, and conse quently excited hunger, . has had apparently an opposite effect. A t all events, the reptile has not broken fast for 23 hours, her husband having mean while indulged in occasional rabbits. Indeed, the sight of th ese an i ma l s , pl easan tly provocative at other seasons, seemingly only irritates the Pytho ness : a f ew d ays s i nce, an unsus p ec ti ng rabbit having fri s k e d near her ladys hi p, s h e s t ra i g ht wa y seized it by the throat and cast the affrighted beast. savagely f rom her. And on more than one occa ,,ion, whe n h er husband, doubtless actuated by pro per pater na l pride how and feelin g , approached his wife in order t o see domestic matters were going on, she has, to use the keeper's words , shouldered him away with on e o f her g rea t co il s , s h ow i ng plainly that -by thu s giving him the cold shoulder she prefers performing h er matern a l aa duties unas sisted. Once, and once onl y , h the keeper seen her absent from her interesting incubatory opera tion, and then, before he could get ro und to the back of the '....atte to have a better view of the eggs, 6he was on them again. In fact, she much resem bles an old hen with a brood, puffed up by mater nal pride anti conceit, and is in a highly exciteable condition—spiteful, too, according to the keeper, for she has struck more than once at objects outside the glass which have irritated her. Though she does not eat, she drinks freely 1 but as water is near her, she is not obliged to leave her eggs to assuage thirst. Having communicated these in teresting particulars, the keeper kindly went round to the back of the cage, opened the door, and re moved the blanket cautiously. There, true enough, in direct opposition to the non-hatching theory, was the mighty Pythoness in great coils,— _ _ " Fold above fold, a aurgy maze, her head Crested aloft," not a whit attenuated by her long fast, while beneath the lowest coil were bunches of eggs, some plainly visible between the folds of the coil, others, as the keeper said, being only partially seeta th cohse• qnence of their being overlaid by the serpent's body. Some of the eggs were of a dirty-green white, decomposition having probably taken place; a supposition strengthened by the odour emanating froth them and also from the serpent. The removal of the blanket, though effected most quietly, imme diately excited the Pythoness. Her head, which was lying on the topmost coil, in the best position for observation, was suddenly raised ; she became restless, darted out her long qaivering tongue with great rapidity, and would have struck the keeper had he not re-covered her with the blanket and put an end to her irritation. It will be interesting to watch the result. Immediately opposite the Pythoness's cage is a lively member of the viper family, which was hatched in the gardens in 1860 from an egg; and we understand that a boa was born in Paris from an egg hatched by the female. Thus the Zoological Society may reasonably look forward to an increase of its interesting collection of reptiles; and though the Fellows are not probably particularly desirous to have an accession of 100 Pythons to their stock, yet a few lively baby Pythons would undoubtedly be an important addition to the attrac tion of their unrivalled gardens during the ensuing season, when our metropolis will be crowded by sight-seeing visitors. We trust, however, that, apart from this financial consideration, the society will take care that the Pythoness shall be carefully and closely observed while she is incubating.— Athenteurn. Tilt SIJN, LONDON, MONDAY EVENING, itnntrAltY 10, 1862, THE GAS QUESTION. (From the Observer.) Now that Parliament has met, the gas companies and their opponents ate girding themseltes for the fight; fbr fight it will be there is no Mistake about it this time. Vor once the companies have an ah tagonist, in the shape of the City Commissioners of Sewers, Who is able to eon:Tete With theM. The companies have succeeded hitherto, situply becainte they had unlimited funds at their command, and by an arrangement they mutually agreed to pay the expenses pro ratti, and they charge them upon the unforttinate tonsfimets *hi) had dated to oppose them I but now the case is widely different. The City Commissioners of Sewers can expend what sum they please, and can fall back Upon the ratepayers. In the last contest it was hot so. Sir John Shelley undertook the cause of the tonsumets and fought the companies almost single-handed; althbtigh several of the metropolitan parishes subscribed,and were represented by delegates, he had to bear the brunt of the contest. The money was given grudg ingly by some parishes, mid absolutely refused by others, and therefore, with inadequate funds and a divided council, it was much to the credit of the honi member for Westminster that he succeeded as he did. Now, however, the case wears a widely different aspect. There are funds ad libitum, and, moreover, the Parliamentary support which gene , . rally attaches to any proposition connected 'With the City of London, and which was not afforded on the last oceasion, will not be wstiting, The com panies have taken a fatal step by so directly and suddenly showing themselves in their true colours. Common ppidente , shotild have taught them to bide their time in repaying themselves for Patliamehtaty expenses. If they had allowed a year or two to elapse before they raised the price of gas, in all pro bability the cohithittee of delegates appointed to watch the gas question would have been dissolted, and all their organisation at an end. But so strong apparently do the companies imagine themselves that they think they are able to set all ordinary precaution at defiance, Their error, however, they were not long in discovering, and it is firmly believed that, in the reopened investigation into the supply and cost of gas to the metropolis, which is about to take place, they will find themselves placed in a very invidious position. They seem entirely to have overlooked that among the records of both Houses of Parliament are to be found the shorthand writers' notes, not only of the evidence given, but also of the speeches of counsel, and the pledges made by them and the Parliamentary agents. When the coming investigation takes place, of course these little records will be brought up before them, and the committee of the House of Cemmons will receive a practical lesson as to the difference between pledges given and pledges fulfilled. It will be easy to be shown that in almost every instance the com panies have strained the powers given them by the act to the utmost, and that the specious promises made by them have been almost wholly disregarded. The- City Commissioners of Sewers are well aware of this, and are prepared to meet them in' fair fight; and, as far as it appears at present, it seems difficult to understand what defence can be made before the committee of the House of Commons, supposing it to be constituted during the present session as it was during the last. It is true that they will have the assistance of the ablest counsel whose bervices money can purchase ; but even with all their ability, acuteness, and plausibility, it is very much doubted whether they will be able to wipe off the accusation of breaches of faith with the promoters of the last act. By a reference to the law reports, it will be seen that the City Gas Consumers' Company have a legal right to increase the price of gas. By their original act they were bound to a maximum of 4s. per 1,000 feet. No Bonner was the Act of 1860 passed than they contended that it overruled the i r own act. Th e company therefore raised the price, .but as the con sumers considered that the new act did not empower them to increase the scale of charges, some of them declined to pay, in order to raise the question. This has been now determined. The Lords Justices have decided that the second act overrides the first, so that until fresh legislation takes place, the con sumers have no other course open to them, and must pay whatever the comp e nsation may demand. The bill of the City Commissioners of Sewers will be proceeded with as early as possible ; but it will be many weeks before it comes out of com mittee. Every opposition that can be brought to bear will be offered by the companies against the bill, but their effbrts will be principally directed to the insertion of insidious clause, which, primafacie, may, appear trivial, but which, taken in connection with other clauses, may be most pernicious to the consumer. This was the case in the last bill. When the act received the royal assent it was believed that the consumers had gained a great triumph, and the companies professed to having been biaten— althongh, at the same time, they know practically they had obtained greater powers than before. Their great success was the legaliving of thc dictriot ing system, which conferred upon them an absolute monopoly. The consumers from that moment were bound hand and foot, and now or never is the time to relieve themselves from the thraldom under which they are placed. If the consumers will not find money they can hold public meetings, and thus give moral support to the promoters of free trade in gas. The City Commissioners of Sewers require every assistance. It is not because they are a power ful body that they ought to bear tke whole brunt of the fight. The city forms but a very small por tion of the area of the metropolis, and the City Com missioners of Sewers, if they do not receive sub stantial support from the rest of the metropolitan districts, may possibly feel themselves justified in only obtaining legislation for the City proper, which they represent, and then further legislation would be required, and further large sums be sunk in Parliamentary expenses. Of the ultimate result there can be but little doubt. The companies may succeed even now in baffling the just demands of the consumers; but they may rely upon it that they will be allowed no respite until they are prepared to act in an honest and liberal spirit towards their consumers. The days of monopolies are over—in fact, the word ought to be struck out of the dic tionary, for even the most bigoted Tory that exists must admit that it is impossible to check the cur rent of free trade, and the supply of gas cannot be made an exception. TILE " 7IPPLING ACT." The case of Ogden v, Heywood was heard on Friday in the Salford Court of Record, before Mr. Sergeant Wheeler, LL.D., and it excited consider. able interest. Mr. Holker appeared for the plain tiff and Mr, Torr for the defendant. The action was brought to recover £39 19s, the balance of an account owed by Mr. Peter Heywood, a retired grocer, residing in Patricroft, to Mr. Wm. Ogden, landlord of the Wellington Inn, Eccles. Mr. Holker stated that the original debt was £43 19s lid, but that amount had been reduced by one or two pay ments by the defendant. The accoant began in Feb., 1861, and closed on the 17th of the following June. The plaintiff said that the defendant was in the habit of visiting his house; and on several occasions he stayed there day and night. De fendant was a bachelor, about 40 years of age. The greater portion of the amount claimed was for spirits which the defendant had either consumed or given to persons who might happen to come into the house. In March, 1861, the defendant stayed at the Wel lington several days, and all his ordinary refresh. ments, with a large quantity of liquor, were sup plied to him. March 26 an account for £9 Os. id. was rendered, and the defendant paid £2, and pro mised to pay the residue. About this time the de fendant was paying his addresses to Mrs. Birch, a widow, who kept a draper's shop in Eccles, known as the London House. In April he stayed at her house three days, but she was then married to a man named Taylor. During these three days he supplied the defendant with £6 19s worth of spirits, principally gin. The Judge—When he pro mised to pay you, was he sober or drunk ? Witness —Well, I have never seen him sober, as I know of. Mr. Holker—l believe be is rather an intemperate character. The Judge—l dare say your client knew that well enough. In cross-examination the plaintiff admitted that one of the charges for £1 4s 4d was for a single dinner and spirits. In addi tion to the company in the house, Charles Smith, the waiter, used to have a glass of grog as often as he fetched liquor for the defendant and his friends. On this particular occasion the spirits alone came to £l. The items were entered in a memorandum book, which had been destroyed. On the 4th March the defendant's bill for the day was £1 is 6d; on the sth, £1 58 6d; and on the 9th, 18s sd. This was a fair sample of the whole account. On the 18th, 19th, and 20th April, while the defendant was staying at the London House, and when £6 9s worth of liquor was charged to him, the spirits were fetched from the Wellington by Sarah Gre gory, who at that time was servant to Mrs. Birch. Since then Saran Gregory and Mrs. Birch had mar ried two brothers, named Taylor. The gin was or dered in Peter Heywood's name, and as many as 22 or 23 pints were fetched in a day. The Judge—l should think that quantity would have made the whole village drunk. (Laughter.) Ajuror—Am I to understand that you made 20 deliveries of gin in one day on the defendant's account ? Witness— Certainly, I have. The Judge expressed his sur prise that the counsel for the defence had not pleaded the 24th George 11., cap. 40, sec. 1, or what was generally known as the " Tippling Act." Sarah Taylor, the servant before alluded to, corroborated the last witness's evidence as to her fetching the gin. She always did it by Mr. Heywood's order. She went so often that the factory girls in the streets used to hoot after her. Portions of the spirits were drunk in her mistress's bedroom, to which the de fendant had free access. The Judge—l hope there are not many such widows in Eccles. The witness further said that she had never seen the defendant sober. Her mistress's husband was from home while the defendant stayed at the house the three days. Her mistress used sometimes to indulge rather freely ; and the night before her marriage she was drunk. The judge gave the counsel for the defence permission to aster his plea, and take advantage of the act he had quoted. He did not do this in mercy to the defendant, for a more disreputable man he had never seen in a court of justice. In fact, the whole of the parties concerned were involved in equal shame and disrepute, if, indeed, there was any shame in them. He would make; no terms at all, but alter the plea as a matter of public justice. Mr. Torr, in addressing the jury, observed that the land lord of the Wellington, shameful and disreputable fellow as he was, must be paid for the board, lodg ing, and beer the defendant bad had. It was for them to assess the amount. The defendant him self was put into the box, but his answers were very indistinct, both as regarded utterance and substance. The judge, in summing up, severely censured the conduct of both the plaintiff and the defendant. He regretted that such a low state of morality existed at Eccles, or, indeed, in any other civilised com munity. He believed the habit of drunkenness was at the root of nearly all the mischief in life; and if it could be got rid of, thero would be an amount of happiness introduced into society, and a degree of respectability, ccmfort,and domestic peace, to which thousands of families in this land were now perfect strangers. The jury retired, and upon their return gave a verdict for the plaintiff; damages, £lo. tlf anchester Guardian. TWO MEN DROWNED IN A DIVING BELL. For a number of months past operations have been carried on by the Clyde Trustees for the blasting of the rock at Elderslie, which is so dangerous in the navigation of the river. These works have been conducted with much rapi dity and comparative safety ; but on Wednesday afternoon a most unfortunate accident occurred, by which two of the men employed there have been suddenly deprived of life. It appears that these men, who arc named respectively Hector M‘Pherson and Hugh Cempbell,had been working in No. 1 diving-bell for two hours in the afternoon in ques tion; and at five o'clock, while under water at a depth of 22ft , and engaged in slinging stones which had been blown off the rock and hoisted on board the bell, the pipe which supplied them with the necessary air from above suddenly burst. In one instant the water rushed in with such velocity that they must have been carried to the top of the bell. To escape was impossible, and in a very short space of time the poor fellows must have died, if that were possible, both from suffocation and drowning. This me lancholy accident created a great deal of excitement among the other men employed at the place, who did all they could to render assistance to their unfortu nate comrades, but without avail. An immediate search for the bodies was made, but it was not until about half-past 1 o'clock yesterday morning that Campbell's body was recovered. The efforts to regain MiThers on's body have as yet been unsuccessful. Tke cause of this unhappy catastrophe has been the subject of considerable remark. The mind naturally refers, in the first place, to the state of the air pipe, the rent in which, created by the bursting, is 4 inches long, and about 12 feet from the pump. We are informed that, though the pipe was it was consid ere d su ffi c i en tl y strong for the purpose. pretty thin, purpose.The whole subject is under judicial investiga- Um—a/opt') Berag HORRIBL AIURDER. The Court of Assizes of the Vaucluse, sitting at Carpentras (says Galignani), has just been occupied during three days with the trial of a farmer named Leonard, for the murder of his wife and two chil dren under horrible circumstances. The following are the principal facts of the case as shown by the evidence and the prisoner's confession. About one o'clock in the morning of the 21st October last, a farmer named Bonnaud, residing in a lone house in the commune of Pertuis, was awakened by cries of help, uttered by some person in the yard in front, and on going out he saw a man dressed in shirt and trousers only, both of which were stained with blood, and who said that he had just escaped from the hands of persons who had attempted to murder him. Bonnaud recognised this individual as a far mer named Leonard, whose tonse was at some dis tance across the fields, and immediately got his horse and cart to convey him home to La Thuil liere, where his family usually lived, though they had another farm at Martelly, where they also some times resided. On arriving there, however, he found the house closed, and could make no one hear, so he drove off to the hospital at Pertuis to obtain assis tance for the injured man, who bad been wounded by a gun or pistol-shot behind the ear. The surgeon observed that the sides- of the wound were burnt with powder, but could not find any trace of wadding or ball, As soon as Leonard was able to give explanations, be stated that he had been working with his wife and children the previous day at the farm of Martelly, and that he was just getting his cart out ready to return to La Thulliere when he was shot by some one from in side the house. He fell, and remained insensible for some time. As soon as he recovered his senses, he had with difficulty dragged himself to Bonnaud's andfa farm to children obtain he help. What had become of his wife did not know. The gendarmery were at once info rme d o f L eon ard's statement, and two men were sent to Martelly to look after the wife and children. On arriving there, they found the outer door open, and the rooms full of smoke, while in the middle of the bedroom lay a smoulder ing heap, from which the smell of burning flesh proceeded. On examination the bodies of the woman and her children were found, cut in small pieces, and half carbonised. If the falling of the roof had not partially smothered the fire the house must have been entirely destroyed, and scarcely any trace of the crime would have remained. The surgeon's doubts as to Leonard's statement respecting the manner in 'which he received his wound excited suspicion that he was the murderer of his wife and family, and had inflicted the wound on himself with a pistol. Having been taxed with the crime, he at last admitted that, aggravated by something his wife said, he struck her a blow which killed her; that he afterwards murdered the children, and set the house on fire. In his remorse for what he had ; done he then attempted to kill himself, but failed. Circumstances, however, were soon discovered ; which proved the murder was premeditated, and ; that his object was to obtain the sole possession of a piece of land worth about 2,500 fr., which belonged to his wife and her children, and which he had already attempted to mortgage without her consent. The evidence was conclusive against the prisoner, who w as found guilty by the jury without extenuat ing circumstances, and condemned to death. The execution was ordered to take place at Pertuis, near the scene of the crime. " We learn that on the 25th ult. an illustrative little book, purporting to be a lecture on vesico vaginal and recto-vaginal fistula, delivered in May, 1861, in the neighbourhood of St. George's Hospi tal, London, by T. Spencer Wells, Esq., F.R.C.S., surgeon to the Samaritan Hospital, &c, and re printed from the British Medical Journal, was left as a gratuity at the George Hotel, Buxton, by the author ; as some documents forwarded to the College of Surgeons, of which we subjoin a copy, will show. (Copy.) " George Hotel, Buxton, 26th Sept. 1861. " This pamphlet was left last Tuesday evening or the following morning with the' boots' of this hotel (by Mr. Spencer Wells), to be placed in some conspicuous place, and was accordingly exposed by him on the post-shelf at the hotel, where ladies of all ages, and gentlemen, and other people, go to seek for letters. We, the visitors now assembled here, especially those with us, cannot but express our indignation at so revolting a violation of de cency, so flagrant a disregard of social privileges; to say nothing of so quackish as well as indelicate a mode of advertisement. Such a means of notoriety among professedly orthodox practitioners is very sickening. " We hope this reproof will have the effect of preventing the extension of so demoralising a sys tem of publicity. " W. ANDROS (President), R. J. GRIFFITHS, C. POLIIILL, S. S. BRITTAIN, GEO. W. EVANS, AUST. ODLING, CHAS. MITCHELL, 8.A., R. EVERS." " Copy of the Letter of the Landlord of the Hotel, addressed to the Visitors, thanking them for their Protest against the course adopted by Mr. Spencer Wells. "George Hotel, Buxton, Sept. 26, 1861. " Gentlemen,—l am much obliged to you for the course you have taken, as I fully concur in the sen timents you have expressed relative to the indecent pamphlet by T. Spencer Wells, F.R.C.S.,' &c., London, which was handed to the boots' (to be laid where it would be seen!) by a person who left this hotel, in company with two other visitors, on Wednesday morning, and who, I have reason to be lieve, is the author of it. I also conclude he is known to the medical gentleman forming one of your num ber, as *he left Lila cuiliplhucuta for him' wt dartin g to Chatsworth on his way to town.' The pamphlet to which you have appended your protest will there fore be transferred to that gentleman, with a copy of this letter, and an intimation of your expressed opinion that it should be forwarded' to the College of Surgeons, of which it appears the author is a fellow. "The ' boots' was of course not aware of the con tents of the book so handed to him, and therefore did as he was directed. lam not aware that such an obscene publication has ever before been left ex posed at this house; and in order to prevent a repi tition of such a disgusting and discreditable an oc currence, I have given strict orders to my servants to bring at once to me all such pamphlets and ad vertising papers which may hereafter be left with them.—l have, &c., "E. LEES, pro WM. LEES. " To the President and Gentlemen of the Dining-room and Drawing-room." To the above the editor appended the following note : " We have deemed it necessary, in the course of our duty, to publish this correspondence, inasmuch as we are informed it has been forwarded to the council of the Royal College of Surgeons for its con sideration. What that body may decide with re• ference to it we shall hereafter know; but as we cannot believe that Mr. Spencer Wells, who is the ostensible editor ofa medicaljournal,would intention ally offend public decency, some explanation of this occurrence is absolutely required, in vindication, not only of his own sense of propriety, but of the character of the profession." Mr. Webber's name did not appear among the guests who signed the document, but he sent it and the other papers to the Medical Circular, together with a letter of his own, making further charges against the plaintiff, and also transmitted them to the College of Surgeons. The plaintiff afterwards received a letter from the College of Surgeons, call ing upon him to explain the statements, and take the earliest opportunity to vindicate his character, suspending their own judgment upon the matter until they knew the result of the present trial. The Lord Chief justice observed that the College of Surgeons had acted with the greatest discretion and judgment in suspending their decision until this case had been tried. Mr. Phinn said he believed that the accusation made by the defendant was actuated by professional rivalry, and commented upon the :njurioas effect it was calculated to have upon a professional man like the plaintiff. Mr. Huddleston said that if Mr. Wells gave an assurance that the learned counsel's version of the sending of the document was the true one, the de fendant, under his advice, was ready to withdraw any observations he had made upon the plaintiff. The Lord Chief Justice—lt i; a matter in which I do not feel justified in interfering. _ _ Mr. Phinn—l think it is due to Mr. Wells that the case should be investigated. Mr. Thomas Spencer Wells, the plaintiff, was then examined in corroboration of the learned counsel's statement. He said he received six copies of the pamphlet by the post, and he presented them all to medical men. His account as to the one given to the defendant was as follows—l said to the "boots," "Do you know Mr. Webb r, the doctor ?" He said he did, and I said, "Give him this pamphlet with my compliments." Mr. Parker said, "Do you know Mr. Webber's room ?" and he said he did. Mr. Parker then observed, " You had better take it to his room." I and my two friends then left the hotel. On the day on which the Medical Circular was published-9th of October—l heard first about thepamphlet. Within a day or twoafterwards I re ceived a letter from the College of Surgeons calling for an explanation of the charge against me. I did not distribute other pamphlets in the course of my journey, Cross-examined—The pamphlet has not been withdrawn from circulation. I only had 150 copies printed for private circulation and I have some left. There was some medical conversation in the smok ing room. There are plates in the book which would make me desirous that it should not be left about in a public hotel. I should have been exceed ingly annoyed if I had known that it had been exposed in a conspicuous position. It is not a book that I should wish a lady to take up. Th ere i s , however, nothing obscene in it. The Lord Chief Justice—There are no more illus trations than are necessary for scientific purposes? Witness replied in the affirmative. The Lord Chief Justice—l suppose if the book had been intended for general circulation instead of entirely for professional men, you would not have shown what you have done ? Witness—i would not. The book is utterly use less for general circulation. The public would not understand it. Mr. Huddlestoa—l suppose you were in a hurry When the jest arrived or you would have put the look for Mr, Webber in an envelope ? Witness—Yes. Cross-examination resumed—l have not seen the " boots" since. I certainly did not tell hint to place the pamphlet where it might be seen. Mr. Robs, the editor of the Medical Circular, the plaintiff's two friends, the secretary of the College of Surgeons, and other witnesses were then called. Mr. Sadler said that at the hotel Mr. Webber said to him " If Mr. Wells had said of me what I have said of him I would not speak to him again." Mr. Trimmer, the Secretary of the College of Surgeons, said that Mr. Webber had been elected a fellow, but he had declined to sign the bye-laws. He be lieved he had before been black-balled. Mr. Huddleston did not call any witnesses, but addteased the jury iu mitigation of damages. He said the defendant was quite content and desirous to retract anything he might have rashly said or written about Mr. Wells, and to tender him an ample apology. Up to the time of the trial he had never been asked to apologise, nor offered any ex planation of the circumstances under which the pamphlet got into the public room, and if Mr. Wells now assured him that he never intended it to appear there he was prepared to make the repara tion he had mentioned. From the carelessness of the " boots," perhaps, the pamphlet, which was cal culated to shock the sensibility of modest and un professional persons, was found in the room, and created very great disgust among the visitors. The defendant thought it had been placed there by the plaintiff as an advertisement of himself, and, indig nant at such conduct, took the course which was now complained of, and which he (the learned counsel) now admitted was unjustifiable. The Lord Chief Justice, in summing up, said the action was brought for a very serious libel, because if the plaintiff had, as alleged, placed the pamphlet in a conspicuous place in the hotel for toe purpose of advertising himself as a medical man, he ought to be expelled from all decent society. He had no alternative, therefore, but to challenge his accuser in a public court of justice, and to vindicate his character from such a charge. It now appeared that the accusation was destitute of the slightest shadow of foundation. The defendant said that, having heard Mr. Wells' account, he was iTady to withdraw all he had said and apologise, and it vas suggested that with this Mr. Wells ought VI be content, and allow the matter to drop. He could suppose that the defendant, from a momentary feeling of indignation at the plaintiff attempt ing, as he imagited, to advertise himself by means of the pamphlet, at the risk of offending the modesty of female relations in the hotel, might honestly have taken the course he did ; but it would have been more fair and generous to a brother practitioner to have first given him an opportunity for explanation. If Mr. Webber had appeared in the box, and explained Low he came to be the party to promote the circulation of the docu ments, there would be considerable force in the learned counsel's observations; and he (the learned judge) could not help expressing his great astonish ment and regret that any consideration whatever should have induced him not to offer himself as a witness upon that point, The defendant had chosen to trust to the last word of an ingenious counsel rather than to his own version of the matter, honestly and straightforwardly given in the box ; he thus left himself open to the serious imputation of foul play on his part in stimulating parties to engage in a course of action injurious to the cha racter and position of a brother medical man. It was for the jury to say with what animus and object he published these serious and grave charges. If they believed he had preferred them with malig nant, sinister, and bad motives, they could not suffi ciently mark their sense of such conduct, but on the other hand they thought he had acted honestly, though rashly, they would deal with him in a very different manner, although in any view of the case it was impossible not to feel that the defendant's conduct was open to severe censure. The Foreman, after the jury had been a few minutes in deliberation, asked if there was any in formation as to the position in life of the defendant. The Lord Chief Justice said it only appeared that he had retired from practice. The jury, after being locked up for about a quar ter of an hour, returned a verdict for the plaintiff— damages £3OO. HANCOCK V. CASE.—SLANDER. This was an action for slander. The parties resided at Liverpool, and the words spoken had reference to some shipping matters. Mr. Sergeant Shee and Mr. C. Russell were coun sel for the plaintiff, and Mr. Brett and Mr. Aspinel for the defendant. . The Lord Chief Justice thought there had been a mistake between the parties, and that they ought to come to some terms. The defendant's counsel said the defendant never intended to make any imputation against the plaintiff. Mr. sergeant Shee said the case must gn jury, as no full and complete apology had laeen made. - - The jury retired at five o'clock, and returned into court at seven, and gave their unanimous verdict for the plaintiff, with damages 40s. The Lord Chief Justice—What say you, gentle men, en the question whether the statement was made bonafideor not, and also on the question whe ther it was a privileged communication of not ? The Foreman—Eleven of us are agreed, my lord, that it was not a privileged communication, and it seems perfectly impossible to expect that the dis seatient juror will agree with us on the point which your lordship has put. The Lord Chief Justice—Then, gentlemen, you must retire again. They accordingly retired, and after some further time spent in the consideration of tin questions, they added to their verdict the expression that the statement was not privileged, and that it was made mala fide. Verdict for the plaintiff accordingly. COURT OF PROBATE AND DIVORCE. (Before the Judge Ordinary.) TIIWAITES V. THWAITES. This part-heard case was resumed this morning, when Mr. Karslake, Q C., for the defence, denied that his client had ever treated the petitioner with harshness. The learned counsel then called _ Mr. Thwaites, the respondent, who said that when he married the petitioner he had a business as a dentist, at Bristol, which yielded him £3OO or £4OO a year. He denied that he had kicked his wife itt bed. She once told him to get up to the child, and, being half asleep, he made a movement of impatience and accidentally touched her with his knee, but she made very little of it at the time. Had never struck her while his son Willie was at the breast. Remembered showing her in 1856 two £lO notes and three or four sove reigns, which he said ho had been able to save towards George's education. She seemed pleased. Had met her that day on her return home from the country. Did not fire pistols that night, but did go into her room at two in the morning. Had been told by the nurse that Mrs, Thwaites had ordered two of the children to be placed in her bed, so that witness might not sleep with her that night. Was highly excited about it. Went out for a walk, but returned at 11. Remained in the drawing-room reading or writing till two. Then went up to her, and tried to take the child from her side to put him into another bed. There was a struggle, and witness ultimately left the child with her. Did not kick her or pinch her, or pull her hair, or pull her out of the bed. Boxed her ears in 1856 for calling him a liar ; but remained on friendly terms with her at that time. Remem bered once taking a letter from her which she was writing. She shut the lid of her desk down upon his hard, but he did not strike her a stunning or stinging blow on the head, or any blow at all. Once at supper she had called him a liar, and he touched her face with the mustard spoon, which he happened to have in his hand. She was always irritating him, and he had once intended, to destroy his life. tie fired a pistol in a dresser in his work room ; his wife then came rushing down, and he said, " Thank God, Minny, I have not done it." He had taken her teeth out simply because they required to be extracted. Her gums were tender after that. Took chloroform to a great extent, owing to worry of wind. Was in debt when he married. Four days after the wedding the peti tioner expressed a strong desire to have a diamond ring. Refused to let her have one because he could not afford it. After her father's death ahe bought one with money which he had left her for mourning. Was exeessiv annoyed at her for doing so, but she excused herself on the ground that her sister had also bought a ring like hers. It cost £l3. After that she made a list of mourning whi c h would have come to £35. Told her he could not let her have the articles, The day after she came down to him and said, "Hear what I have to say. Unless you give me £3O for mourning only, I w ill expose you to all the world, and that will ruin you." Made her not the slightest reply. Sh e repeated the same threat on the day follow ing. After that she refused to take her meals with witness, and confined herself to her bed room. They did not speak at all for three months, In November, 1860, she came down and said, "You shall hear me speak—l will tell you somethinF." Merely said, "Now Minny dear, don't quarrel." She replied, " Dear, indeed ! dear, in deed!" Then she began abusing witness and also the servants, whom she called "harlots" and ''kept women." Once while the children were at dinner s he came up and b egan abusing him. Sh e said, Willie dear, I'll help you to apple sauce." As her object was only to annoy witness, he told her to leave the room. She refused to go. Tried to force her out, but did not succeed. In the struggle she might have touched the clock outside the door. On the occasion spoken to by witness's son she had burst into the room while he was talking to him. 'rook up some clean water and threatened to ,`hr ow it in her face, but put it down without doing so► and left the room. She followed him, and he tried to put her out. Dared say that her arms weje bruised. His own hands were scratched. Took up the water a second time, and again put it down. At last he threw it in her face, saying, " Well, if you will, you must; and if that won't do, I'll give you a bucket-full, for I won't be insulted in my workroom." Nothing had been said about dirty linen on that occasion ; but there had been some talk about it on the evening before. Did not call up the servants, but they had come up hearing the noise. Mrs. Thwaites kept the house till after she took to her room; but at last she sent down a list; of things, with a message that if he did not supply them she would go to law. After that witness man aged the house himself. Her conduct was constantly abusive ; but witness never sanctioned any rudeness on the part of the servants towards her. Never sent her hard and gristly pieces of meat for the pur pose of annoying her. She had e xactly what the rest of the family had, and that without stint. For months she had a pound and a half or two pounds of beef every day to make beef tea with. ,She had also jelly regularly for a month or six weeks while she was ill. Till 1858 she had an tAllow ance of £36 a year for clothes. After that a friend of his asked her if in his present circum stances she would take £2O. She said sbe would not have less than £3O. Up to 1858 witness's position had been improving, but it had then began to fall off, and £2O was more than he could afford. In 1858 she sent him word that she had been obliged to borrow a warm cloak, whereas she had at that; time the very same cloak, to the best of his belief, as she had worn in the court. Never called her a. bad woman except once, when she said she would take her little daughter, who was ill, and expose her to the magistrates. Did tell the laundress, Tovey, , that the petitioner must be out of her senses ; but had been informed at the moment that she had allowed his son George to cut the banisters. The list of clothes sent after her to Mr. Welsh's was made out with the aid of the two servants. It was a correct list; and though some of the things were worn there was an ample wardrobe for a person in petitioner's condition. Sent her everything that belonged to her, except a locket, which he kept for his daughter. Witness's practice had seriously diminished ; and after his wife left he gave up his house and went into lodgings. Had never threat ened to poison her, or said that he had a subtle poison which would destroy life without leaving a trace. She never said that she locked her room because he had so threatened her. Her room was never locked with witness's consent. At the close of the witness's examination in chief the court adjourned. LAVIN TELLEGEN tE,• FAO: COURT OF QUEEN'S BENCH. - - - Sittings at Nisi Prius at Westminster.—(Before for Chief Justice Cockburn and Special:Jury.) 'WELLS Y. WEIMEIL—LIBEL. this was St action for libel, in which both par ties were medical men. The defendant pleaded not guilty. j , Mr. Phint ,and ,Mr. Day were counsel for the plaintiff; and Mr. Htiddleston and Mr. Joyce con ducted the case for the defence. Mr. Phinn said the plaintiff, Mr. Wells, SW a stirgetifi and a fellow of the College of Surgeons, residing in Grosfentir-square, and practising as a consulting surgeon. He was head surgeon of the Samaritan Hospital, which was devoted eidliithely to the treat/tient of diseases incident to women and children, and until the end of 1861 he acted as editor of the Medical lima. The defendant, Mr. Webber, was a surgecin practising at Tunbridge Wells. The present action was brought by the plaintiff to vindicate his character, in consequence of some very serious aspersions cast upon it by the defendant. In the early part of last year the plain tiff delivered a lecture at the Samaritan Hospital on a new mode of treating fistula. It was pub lished in a medical journal, and being well received by the profession, the plaintiff was indticed to re print it in the shape of a pamphlet. In September last he made a short tour in Derbyshire in corn pany with two friends, Mr. Parker, a manufacturer at Barnsley, and Mr. Spencer, a surgeon in the same tovrn, They happened to go to the George Hotel, Milton, and while there the plaintiff met Mr, Web ber at the table d'hote. He had known him before but a coolness existed between them in consequence of the plaintiff not taking tip the defendant's cause in the Al edical 'limes in a differentie he bad with the council of the College of Surgeons, who had re fused td cleat him a fellow. He, hwy. - ever, spoke to the defendant, and he and his two friends passed some time afterwards with him in the smoking room. Next morning as the plaintiff was waiting for the omnibus at the hotel door, with his friends, with the inten tion of taking their departure from the town, iiio post arrived and brought him several copies of his pamphlet. He thought it would be an act of politeness to present a copy to Mr.lirebber, and he called the " boots," and giving him one requested that he would take it to that gentleman. He then left Buxton, and thought no more of the matter. On the 9th October last he was astonished to see in the Medical Circular of that date the following correspondence "MR. SPENCER WELLS AND THE VISITORS AT THE BUXTON HOTEL. " TO THE EDITOR OF THE MEDICAL CIRCULAR. THE _RUSSIAN BANK FORGE.RIE.v. The inquiry into this matter was resumed at the Mansion-house on Saturday. It has already been stated that three of the accused persons (Reichberg, Horwitz, and Josephson) stand com mitted for trial. The proceedings are now against the two other prisoners. Rosenberg and Kauffman Weber, who were apprehended at Birmingham, but as it appeared that one of the other prisoners, Reichberg, was concerned with them in Birming ham, he was also placed at the bar and included in this charge. Mr. Corder, the engraver at Birmingham, was recalled, and said that all three prisoners came to him while the work was proceeding, and when he inquired why they wished it to be done in Eng land, Rosenberg said that the punishment was much greater in Russia than in England, and if found out they would be liable to be hanged or sent to the wilds of Siberia for life. He said Weber wanted to have a larger share in the profit than the others, and he proposed that they should turn round upon Weber and the others, and give information to the Government. At this time witness was in communication with the police. A man named Tobias used to come frequently with the prisoners, and they referred to him as being concerned in the affair. At one time Tobias gave instructions as to some alterations to be made. Wit ness had made impressions of the work, and the prisoners examined them by the aid of a powerful eye-glass. Weber generally acted as interpreter. He said that Reichberg had plenty of money, and that he had two or three thousand pounds' worth of diamonds in his possession. They also said that the people of Russia were very ignorant, and they could not read what was upon the notes, which were frequently in circulation for years before they came into the bank. This witness was suujocted to a severe cross-examination by Mr. Lewis. It appeared that the witness bQa bocu iiisuivent auout Tour yeaus agu, and. that he had on several occasions been in custody for minor offences, such as being drunk and breaking windows, but nothing - was elicited to dis• credit his evidence. He said he had never com pleted a perfect note for the prisoners. All the money lie had received from them was two sove reigns, and he ceased doing anything in the busi ness shortly before Christmas, and he kept in his possession all the plates and other materials that were necessary to support the charge against them. The prisoners were then remanded. COUNTRY NA RR", .5. . - YORK- FEB. S. We had an improved supply of wheat to-day, and farmers readily obtained full prices. A quiet demand was experi enced for barley, and late prices the turn easier. Oats were a large show at previous rates. Beans were slow of sale, but a greater show Wheat, red sBs to 61s I Oats 22s to 26s White do .62s to 66s 1 Beans 42- to 48a Barley .32s to 37s 1 Peas ..,„—s to —s Malt, 66s to 68s per qr. ; rye, 36s per qr.; flour, 463 to 49s per sack. NORWICH—FEs. 8. Wheat to-day was in tolerable supply, and the prices o f last week were supported. A smaller quantity of barley than of late, which brought late currencies for the finest qualities. White wheat. 62s to 668 I Red wheat 58s to 625 Malting barley... .38s to 398 I Chevalier barley 37, to 380 New d 0.......... 37s io 39s I Oats.. to —s Flour, 42s 6d to —s Od per sack from the miller. NORTHAMPTON—FEB. 8. At this corn-market to-day the supply of wheat was rather better. The tone of the trade firm, and the prices for best sample s higher ; inferior in buyers' favour-46s to 60s old, and 67s to 62s new. A steady business in barley-- malting 32s to 375, grinding 29s to 31s per qr. Oats in moderate show, at previous prices—quoted at 20s to :4s per 24 stone. Beans, old, 38s to 458 ; peas, 36s to 450• Rye, 378 to 425; malt, 70s to 74s ; flour, 40s to —s per sack. NOTTINGHAM—FEB. 8. There was a tolerably good show of wheat to-day, and the trade ruled rather dull—prices being for most sorts at last week's rates--white, from 47s to 71s ; red, 42 s to 65 5. Barley in steady demand malting, 34s to 40s; grinding, 31s to 335. Oats were steady, at 24s to 355. Beans were Bold at 39a to 50s per qr. LEICESTER—FEB. 8. The supply of wheat to-day at market was moderate. Trade quiet, late prices being supported. White, 64s to 683 —red, 53s to 64s per 36 stone. Barley was in fair re quest, grinding, 30s to 325; malting, 34s to 38s per qr.; oats, 24s to 35s per 24 stone. Beans at high prices— new, 40s to 42s ; old, 43s to 48s per 38 stone. Fine flour, 46s I Seconds, 448 I Thirds, 42s per 20 stone. [ADVERTISEIIIENT.]—HoIIoway's Ointment and Pills.— Rheumatic and gouty affections soon yield to the soothing inflence of Holloway's medicaments. After fomentation, the Ointment only requires to be well rubbed on-the affected part to lessen inflammation and to subdue the throbbing pain. It leaves behind neither swelling, stiffness, or lame ness. By carefully attending to the instructions folded round Holloway's remedies, recent pains in muscles, joints, or sinews, may be readily overcome, and mobility be restored in chronic cases where rigidity had resulted and the patient seemed maimed for life. In scorbutic, scro fulous, consumptive, and dropsical habits, Holloway's treatment is followed by the happiest effects. It rectifies any foul or perverted state of the humours, and acts as au excellent restorative. BIRTHS. BETHUNE.—On the 6th inst., at Chulmleigh Rectory, North Devon, the wife of the Rev. G. C. Bethune, of a son. ButoN.—On the Bth inst., at 75, Victoria-street, West minster, the wife of Robert J. Biron, Esq , barrister-at • law, of a son. NOVELLL—On the 7th inst., at 69, Grosvenor-street, Gros venor-square, Mrs. Novelli, of a daughter. MARRIAGES. LEWIS — MITCHELL—On the Gth inst., at St. James's, Louth, Robert Benjamin, the eldest son of Robert Lewis, Esq., 17, Maddox-street, London, to Jane, eldest daugh ter of the late Richard Mitchell, Esq., of Louth. PALMER—MATTHEWS.—On the 6th inst., at Sporle, Nor folk, Walter Orbell Palmer, jun., Esq., of Southacre, Norfolk, to Susan, second daughter of the late Thou3as Matthews, Esq., of Sporle. DEATHS. BELLASIS.—On the 7th inst., at Windermere, Major G. H. Bellasis, aged 53. CAVAN.—On the 7th inst., at Tunbridge-wells, Lydia, Countess Dowager of Cavan, aged 78. ConLsox.—On the 6th inst., at Asherne House, near Dartmouth, George G ulson, Esq., aged 84- ELLMAN.—On the 3d inst., in London, the Rev. Henry J. Ellman, rector of Carlton, Beds., aged 62. FINDEN. — On the 7th inst., George Fred. Finden, Esq., aged 69. ORTON.—On the 4th inst., the Rev. Francis Orton, D.C.L., vicar of Hope, Derbyshire, aged 64. VAux.—On the 7th inst., at Barfield Lodge, Hyde, John Vaux, Esq., aged 89. LONDON : Printed and Published by MURDO YOUI\ G of No. 112, Strand, Printer, at Tne Sox Office, No. 112,Strand in the Precinct of the Savoy in the County o f middlebeit uonclay, February 10, 1862. 3 ),