The Sun. — London, England, 1858-02-18 00:00:00

IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT. 110 1 JSE OF COMMONS.—(YZSTEBDAY.) The Snuazu took the chair at two o'clock. PRIVATE BUSINESS. The following bills were read a second time and ordered to be committed :—Allendale Stinted Pasture ; Birkenhead Improvement Commissioners (Gas and Water) ; Blackburn Railway ; Manchester Poor ; Sel kirk and Galashiels Railway ; Stockton and Darlington, Wear Valley, dcc., Railway Companies Amalgamation ; Warrington and Stockport Railway (Capital) ; and Chester Gas. LEAVE OF ABSENCE. On the !notion a Mr. E. ELLICE , leave of absenc e was given tuSir Joseph Paxton on aceount of ill health. PAPER DITTY. Sir J. DIME presented petitions praying for a re peal of the paper duty. QUARANTINE. Mr. C. FORESTER moved for a copy of the returns received from the British colonies of the number of ships placed in quarantine, and of other particulars relative thereto, in each of the ten y ears ending the 31st of December, 1854 ; also, for a copy of or extract from a despatch from Governor Sir George Grey to the Secre tary of State for the Colonies, dated November 7, 1857, on the subject of the military force in New Zealand dur ing his a dministration of that government ; and, for a copy of or extract from a despatch from the Governor of Bermuda to the Secretary of State for the Colonies, inclosing a report from the commissioners appointed to inquire into the first appearance and spread of yellow fever at Bermuda in the year 1856.—Ordered: ECCLESIASTICAL RESIDENCES (IRELAND) BILL. Mr. NAPIER moved the second reading of this bill, the object of which was to improve the law with respect to ecclesiastical residences in Ireland, which at the pre sent time was in a most unsatisfactory state. The bill was urgently called for by the clergy, who complained of the injustice inflicted on them, by being compelled to pay more than their fair share for the repairs of their residences, after theyhad been condemned by the proper authorities. If the house consented to the seeond read ing of the bill, he did not intend to proceed with it until after Easter, by which time the bill would be printed, and in the hands of members. Sir G. GREY bad no objection to the second reading. He thought the hon. gentleman had adopted a wise course in not proceeding with the bill until after Easter. The bill was then read a second time. CHURCHES (IRELAND) BILL. Mr. NAPIER moved the second reading of this bill, which was to provide churchyards to certain churches in Ireland. He intended to adopt a similar course with this bill as the former one. The bill was read a second time. CHURCH RATE ABOLITION BILL. Sir J. TRELAWNEY, in moving the second read ing of this bill, said he regretted that the conduct of the bill had not fallen into abler hands. He trusted that in the discussion which was likely to ensue they would be influenced solely by argument. It had been generally thought that church rates were a tax on pro perty, but he had consulted with a gentleman of great legal knowledge, and it was his opinion that church rates generally could not be considered a tax on pro perty. . Then, again, the law with respect to the levying a rate was in an extremely unsatisfactory state, there being no less than five objections to the form of levying a rate, which might all be urged in the ecclesi astical courts, and such being the case he thought that I neither Churchmen nor Dissenters wished to see the present unsatisfactory state of the law longer continued. The hon. gentleman then referred to the Braintree case, and detailed the different appeals and re-appeals which cha racterised the whole of the law proceedings connected with that case, and contended that the present state of the law urgently called for amendment. He thought that all parties anxiously wished that the present un seemly contests should cease, and that there should be an end put to these disgraceful discussions. At cer tain vestries, stormy debates had taken place with respect to levying church rates, and also whether they should be expended in such items as washing the clergy. man's surplice, or whether there should be two or three bottles of sacramental wine. (Hear.) If the voluntary principle was adopted there need be no fear that churches would fall into repair. The system bad been tried in the borough, in which he represented the happiest effect. The church there needed repairs, and he knew a gentleman, a dissenter, who gave 251. towards that object, and a sum sufficient having been raised the repairs were carried out, and the church was now one of the handsomest buildings in the country. No one thought of asking for a church rate in Tavistock— the idea was quite exploded. (Hear.) The principle of the abolition of church rates had been already adopted in Ireland by the abolition of ministers' money. (Hear.) Last year the noble lord promised to bring forward a bill, but this year he wound adeptitation round his finger and dismissed them without any answer. Then, while the doors of the church were grudgingly and illiberally shut, the dissenters threw open the chapels and invited all to eater. The cathedrals had lately been thrown open, but it was exceedingly difficult to erase from the minds of the working-classes their struggles with the beadle for a small space of cold stone. He thought that the churches ought to open every day, that short services should be read, and that religion should be made an every day thing, instead of, as now, being reserved exclusively for Sundays. (Hear, hear.) such being the case, the working classes would not be confined for a number of hours listening to idioms which were evory day broken through in private life. (Hear, hear.) He thought that if the churches were opened as he had mentioned, and facilities were given to the working classes to visit the parks and museums on the Sunday after the services, a great deal more would be done towards extending the influence of the Church than had ever before been ac complished. The hon. gentleman having again urged on the house to put an end do the heartburnings between churchmen and dissenters by abolishing church rates, resumed his seat by moving the second reading of the bill. Gen. THOMPSON seconded the motion, although he looked upon the present bill merely as a feeler to try the power of public opinion, as it contained no provision for the pecuniary loss which would be entailed on the Esta blished Ohurcb. He thought the deficiency should be made good by the imposition of a land tax. Lord ROBERT CECIL opposed the motion, and moved that the bill be read a second time that day six months. The noble lord, at some length, stated his reasons, and said he thought it extremely hard that the Church of England should be called upon to collect her revenues by voluntary contributions, and that he looked upon this bill as the first blew towards dividing the Church from the State. Sir A. ELTON thought that the abolition of church rates would be attended with the best possible results, but he did not wish to see them abolished without some remedy being afforded by the State towards the repairs of the church. He thought the same plan adopted by the State towards schools should be extended to the church. (Hear, hear.) Mr. E. BALL said he did not think there was a single question that caused se much jealousy, heartburning, and disgust, as the "horrible" question of church rates, the compulsory payment of which sva3 most obnoxious, and did more than anything else to keep up bitterness between dissenters and churchmen. He cordially sup- ported the bill. Lord STANLEY thought the noble lord who moved the amendments had gone too far in setting forth the rights of a majority. It was the first time he had ever heard that a majority could do no wrong. He appre• handed the rule of Government was that the majority were entitled to tax the whole for the benefit of the Thole. The noble lord had quoted a return showing how many parishes had accepted church rates, and how small a number had refused, but he had entirely passed over an important item in the statement. The return which he had quoted included only where the rate had been re fused. • refusal must be preceded by a demand, and the noble lord had passed over the large and increasing num ber of places where no rate had been demanded, because it was well known it would be refused. Considering the present law was untenable, he had no choice left but to support the bill. Sir G. GREY said he could nit agree to the abolition of church rates without an equivalent, nor could he oppose the bill on the ground stated by the noble lord who moved the amendment. What he suggested as a compromise on a former occasion he now again urged—namely, that they should recognise the abolition of church rates, wherever they had been abolished for a certain time by the inhabitants, and that they should relieve the individual consciences of those who diff ered with the Established Church, by exempting them f rom payme n t o f c h urc h ra t es , b u t a t the same time they should not be allowed to have seats in the vestry, nor take part i n also sugg,eated thatany ecclesiastical business. Ile landowners should charge their estates to limited amount to church rates. Under the circumnes he should feel it his oppose the bill, and, if th introduce a measure embod e duty to measure was rejected, to thia suggestion. Mr. HOPE addressed thyainlf 1 1 1 :, !,e araidst loud cries of Divide." He opposed the ° Mr. GARNETT supported th L b " Tne CHANCELLOR of thee EikLend nr.l was Secretary of adopted it if the suggestion of his hon, sa.;.l State for the Home Department,' would bring about a practical solution of theupleeititYa.s He thought the house ought not to look an unmeaning proposition. In his opinion, upon it was adopted, the best effects would without d ou b t f ollow. Mr. SLANEY said he should reserve hie vote for the measure the Government intended to propose. Sir J. TRELA.WNEY having replied, The house divided, when there appeared— For the second reading Against it Majority for the second reading--53 The announcement was received with loud cheers. The bill was then read a second time, and ordered to be committed this day fortnight. The house then adjourned. [ADVICRTISEMEXT.]—HoIioway'g Pills Wonderfully indisputable Remedies for the Cure of Bad and Old Wounds. — lf these medicines are used accor e fn th e directions given with them, there is no wound, bad to bld JET, or ulcerous sore, however obstinate or long standing but will yield to their healing and curative properties: Numbers of persons who have been patients in several of the large hospitals, and under the care of eminent our• goons, withost deriving the slightest benefit, have been cured by Holloway's Ointment and Pills. For glandular swellings, tumour, scurvy, and diseases of the skin, there is no medicine that can be used with so good an effect —Sold by all radicine vendors throughout the World, and at Profeaor Holloway's Establishment, 244, Strand, London. TELE SUN, LONDON, THURSDAr EVENING, FEBRUARY lB, 1 e 58. MIDDLESEX SESSIONS, Feb. 17. (Before Mr. Creasy, at Westminster.) Edward Hunt, 19, and Matilda .Etuglies, 30, who surrendered, were indicted, the former for stealing 16 lbs. of copper nails, value 155., the property of Charles Tibbett and another, his masters, and the latter for feloniously receiving the same, knowing them to be stolen. Hunt pleaded guilty, and Hughes was put upon her trial. Mr. Platt appeared for the prosecution ; Mr. Sleigh for the defence of Hughes. Tie evidence against Hughes, whose husband keeps a marine-store-shop in Shadwell, was, that the nails were found in the shop, and that she acknowledged hiving bought them from Hunt. Mr. Sleigh made an able defence for Hughes, contending that she bought the nails in the absence of her husband, that she was entirely ignorant of the nature of the business, and did not know that she was doing wrong. He ()ailed a number of very respectable witnesqis, who deposed to her having always borne an irreproachable character. Mr. Creasy summed up, and The Jury, after a short consultation, found the prisoner Hughes not guilty. Mr. Creasy, in sentencing Hunt to three months' hard labour, said he hoped that punishment would have the effect of inducing him to refrain from dis honesty in future. _ _ James Roberts, 19, and John Dalton, 27, were convicted of having stolen two cw t. an d upwards of lead, the property of the " Masters, Wardens, and Assistants, of the Guild, Fraternity, or Bro therhood, of the most Glorious and Undivided Trinity, and of Saint Clement, in the parish of Deptford Strond, in the county of Kent." (The Trinity Corporation.) Dalton surrendered. Mr. Creasy sentenced Dalton to four months' hard labour, and Roberts, who was known to the police as a bad character, to eight months. George James, 20 years of age, was convicted upon the prosecution of the Associate Institute for Improving and Enforcing the Laws for the Protection of Females, of an atrocious assault, with most distressing consequences, upon Elizabeth Jane Brown, a child only two years old, and sister a a young woman be cohabited with, in Christian street, Whitechapel. He was sentenced to hard labour for two years. TRIAL OF THE ROYAL BBITIBII BANE DIRECTORS. COURT OF QUEEN'S BENCH, GUILDHALL, THE QUEEN Y. BROWN AND OTHERS. FOURTH DAY. [Th e follow in g appeared in SUCCOIIiTO editions of Vie Sun of yesterday :—] The trial of the information against the directors and manager of the Royal British Bank for conspiring by false pretences to defraud the shareholders and cus tomers and the public, was this day resumed. The same counsel appeared as before. Mr. Paddieon's examination was resumed. A letter from Cameron to Brown, dated Nov. 26, 1855, was put in and read. It detailed the state of Mr. Brown's account up to that period, and asking for a liquidation of the balance. It stated that previous to Mr. Cameron's departure for Scotland, in January, 1855, the amount was 23,9051. ss. 3d., which, on his return in May had been increased to 74,539/. Is., owing to cer tain amounts having been transferred from Mr. Walton's account to Mr. Brown's, and that at the date of the letter it amounted to 77,5981. Ys.2d. Mr. Cameron in that letter called upon Mr. Brown to provide additional security and take means to liquidate the debt. In December following, Mr. Brown wrote to Mr. Cameron, inclosing him a draft for 1071. odd to be placed to his credit. In October, Mr. Cameron wrote a letter to Brown, urging the necessity of insuring and registering the ships; and Mr. Brown's reply, on which was a memorandum in Cameron's haudwriL.ng, %las that the matter had been arranged. On the 20th of November, 1855, Mr. Owen gave notice of a motion for the appointment of a committee to investigate the convertible securities, which was seconded by Mr. L. N. Valiant ; at a subse quent meeting, held on the 4th of December, when the defendants were present, Mr. L. N. Valiant seconded the motion, and Mr. Esdaile, Mr. Stapleton, Mr. M'Cloud, and the general manager, were appointed the committee. On 17th December a meeting of the committee was held, when Mr. Stapleton, Mr. M'Cloud, and the general manager were present. Mr. Brown's securities were examined, A valuation of them was made in a tabular form, which was produced. He believed the pencil marks on them were upon them when they were presented to the committee. Some of them were in Mr. Cameron's handwriting and others Mr. Walton's. Mr. Huddleston proposed to read the valuations of the ships held as security by the bank. Lord Campbell—Whose valuation is it I Mr. Paddison said he always understood it was Mr. Walton's. Mr. Huddleston then read the valuation, Mr. Paddi son examining the original. The ship Hornet was 1.287 tone, and was purchased in July, 1854, for 18,3501. There was expended on her 3,5001.—t0ta1, 21,850/., and the present value was entered in pencil 15,0001., and again 18,0001. The Magdalena was 870 tons. She was purchased in May, 1853 ; cost, 4,750/. ; there was expended on her 3,5041.—t0ta1, 8,200/. ; present value 5,5001. and 8,000/. The witness, in answer to questions, said that some of the pencil figures, showing a lower valuation, had been placed on the list since its produc tion before the security committee. Evidence was then called to prove the writing in pencil was partly Mr. Walton's, governor of the bank at that time. A Juryman said he saw a mistake of 10,0001. in a copy of the list produced. Mr. Atherton said it was a deduction made in the Court of Bankruptcy relative to vessels in the list not mortgaged to the bank. A Juryman—The difference still exists after that explanation. Mr. Huddleston then read the; statement. Helen Lindsay, 544 tens, cost 6,500/., expended on her 1,5001., valuation in pencil 6,0001. and 7,0001.; Hero, 455 tons, cost 4,5001., expended on her 2,0001., valua tion in pencil 4,8001. and 5,500/. ; Ambrosina, 437 tons, cost 6,6001., expended on her 1,000/., valuation in pencil 6,0001. and 5,5001. ; Ocean Wave, 347 tons, cost 6,6001., expended on her 1,5001., valuation in pencil 5,0001. and 6 , 0001. ; Bride, 396 tons, cost ' 2,700/. expended on her 1,2501., valuation in pen c il figures 2,8001. and 3,200/. ; Wasp, cost 2,5001., expended on her 1,4001., valuation in pencil 1,500/. and 1.8001. Rosy Brown, cost 3,000/., expended on her 1,500/., valuation in pencil 1,6001. and 2,200/. ; Caroline Brown, 112 tons, cost 2,0001., expended on her 400/., valuation in pencil 1,200/. and 1,7001. ; Young Morgan , 135 tons, cost 2,1001., expended on her 500/. valuation in pencil 1,600 1 . ' and 2,000/. Madonna, 126 tons, cost 1,100/., expended on her 3501., valuation in pencil first sold, and in the other 1,450/. Mr. Walton initialled the whole of the account, which gave a total of cost of the ships, 82,8501., and the valuation first 52,5001., and the other 65,8501. Mr. Paddison was then examined on the freights. Mr. Linklater was then called to explain the mistake discovered by a juryman. He said he had not discovered it before the paper was put in that day. It might have been brought to his recollection some time since, but he could not say. Mr. Paddison was recalled. He stated that on. the 17th December, 1855, a court was held at which a reso lution was adopted stating that whereas Humphrey Brown, Esq., M.P., was indebted to the bank in a large Qum of money secured to the bank on several ships, and whereas it appeared to the committee the securities now held were insufficient, it was necessary to realise them ; and whereas Mr. H. Brown had offered to give additional security by mortgages over real property, and an assignment on a ship called the Severn, it would be for the advantage of the bank to sell them forthwith, and that consequently the broker to the bank be: directed to sell them for the benefit of the bank as they came into port, and render an account to the bank. Mr. Brown, on receipt of a copy of this reso lution, repudiated this decision on the part of the com mittee, remarking that they could not place his affairs is tho hands of other persons without leading to the most awkward revelations in reference to the bank. A very voluminous correspondence was then read, relative to the details of Mr. Brown's account of the attempts of the bank to realise his securities, of an unin teresting character. At an interview with Brown and Cameron in the pre sence of Mr. Paddison, Mr. Brown stated that he bad not received the Hornet's freight. Messrs. Buchanan and Brown, of Liverpool, had informed the bank before, in answer to an inquiry from them, that they had paid Mr. Brown TOOL, the amount of the freight.. After Mr. Brown had left, Mr. Cameron said to Mr. Paddison, "how painful it was to find such a man as Mr. Brown so committing himself to falsehoods." A letter of Mr. Brawn's, acknowledging the receipt of 5001. on the Hornet's freight from Messrs. Buchanan and Brown, of Liverpool, was put in and read. Mr. Atherton said—That, my lord, is the whole of Mr. Paddison'e proof of Mr. Humphrey Brown's debt. Several letters were put in on the part of the respec tive defendants relative to Mr. Brown's debt, and their conduct in reference to it. Mr. L. Winterbottom, of Stroud, an officer of the Gloucestershire Bank, was called. He stated that in 1850 Humphrey Brown opened a drawing and discount account with the bank. He was at that time conducting a silk throwing business at Tewkesbury. On two occasions the bank took mortgages of the ships the Rosy Brown, the Bride, and the Severn. On the Rosy Brown they received 985/. ; the Bride, with the freight, 1,715/., and the Severn 1,021/. In December 1854, the balance against Mr. Brown was 0,5541. Mr. E. James objected to the reception of that evi dence, as showing knowledge of those mo r t gages . Lord ' Campbell said that if it could not be carried further it had better be withdrawn. The evidence was withdrawn accordingly. Cross-examined by Mr. Huddleston—The bank ad vanced 4,0001. to Mr. Brown in December, 1854; out of that 2,6001. were paid over to the British Bank. The Gloster Bank held in addition to the ships, mortgages on several distinct properties, estimated to be worth 17,0091. but they realised lees. In 1851, 1852, and 1853, Mr. Brown was reputed to be rich. He was member for the borough, a magistrate, and had twice filled the office of mayor. He was on one occasion a carrier, and afterwards traffi c t a k er , an d f urn i s h e d re ports lmon to the House of Commons. Re-examined—He knew of no security being given to the Royal British Bank. All Brown's securities had been realised, and there was still a balance due to the bank of 5,000/. By Mr. Atherton —Mr. Brown was bankrupt in 1831 and 1835. By Mr. Huddleston—He did not know if the first was superseded, and that he paid 20s. in the pound on the latter. Mr. Wymark deposed that in September, 1855, he sold the Madonna for 950/., and in May, 1356, he sold the Young Marquis for 1,7651.: he paid the proceeds over to Mr. Brown. - He was instructed by Mr. Brown and the Gloucester. shire Banking Company to sell the Rosy Brown. A paper was put in on which was written by Mr. Brown, " say nothing about the sale of Rosy Brown, or certain parties will want me to pay the proceeds over to them, H. B. Sir F. Kelly objected to the evidence. It did not bear on the conspiracy, but rather that Mr. Brown was de ceiving his brother directors. Lord C trunbell said he did not see the materiality of the evidence, and it bad better be withdrawn. The evidence was withdrawn accordingly. Mr. Ridley, ship broker, deposed that he sold the Ocean Wave by auction at Lloyds on s:h March, 1857, for 3 ,5751. ; and on the same day the Hornet was sold for 5 ,6271., and the Helen Lindsay was sold on the 25th Ju1,1857, for 3,200/. f‘ ,. 34 ,r„. Wyniark was recalled.—He sold the Ambrosio& „,,‘ ,O Ol but he could not state the date. es.r. Ridley . J eraem , recalled and cross-ex mined by Mr. E. Londe The Hornet wise sold to Mr. Greenhouse, a the Ambrosias R oyal n nlr i ch. t Witness did not know if the o ffi cial assignee had been offered 10,0001. for her. The ships were sold in the n ame of the owner, and by direction Gf British Bank. He sold Mr. Brown the n February, 1854, for 6,160/. It was p roposed to call evidence to show previous mortgage of the shiptsdwhen the money knowledge of theec mor tgages to its being received, was advanced. defendants.laßm r:.i. AthertonenJamesee 8 . enroetberaolulgshutchhoemvied unless e t evidence . c , th the aldhe.woulwd Evidence was then given of the sale of the shi a . that at th e ti me of the sale ships had depreciated from m an d to 34 40 r. p vir er a e l t e o n n t : son of the late governor, r, said th at he dn his fath er ' s i f , and his father h a d li quidated the w ' debt of 60,000/. Th e amount was for I father commenced retiri ng th e bills befosrceoull'its,cie hie and the witness had since th a t event retired athe remainder. His father valued the ships for the bank. He was a man of great experience in shipping matters. Mr, Paddison recalled—He did not believe the bank knew of the previous mortgages on the ships till Aug. 6, 1856, and the bank stopped on Sept. 8, 1856, and after Mr. Cameron had left the bank. Brown always represented to the bank the ships were on the voyage, and on their return they should be realised. _ . _ _ _ The Crown then proceeded with the debt of Mr. Oliver, of Liverpool. Mr. Paddison was called and examined by Mr. Ballantine. He read the minutes of the different board meetings relative to Oliver's accounts, at which the defendants were present. It referred to the advances to be made and made to Mr. Oliver ; the subsequent offer of a composition of 3s. 4d. in the pound. At aboard meeting, held in February, 1855, Oliver's deed of trust was produced, and a resolution was passed that the seal of the bank be affixed to the deed. On the 6th of March, 1855, at a meeting of the directors, the gover nor explained that be had consented to the guarantee of Mr. Walton in respect of a bill drawn by Oliver or Johnson for 4,2351. 17e., and which was approved of by the board. On the Bth and 26th Dec. there were entries explaining the manner in which Oliver's missing bills were found, and also a correspondence with the solicitors of Oliver's trustees, offering to refer the dispute about the bills to Mr. Bacon, of the Chancery bar. Mr. Geo. Anderson deposed that he was a clerk in the Royal British Bank. Mr. Oliver kept an account at the bank. On 13:h October, 1854, he made out an account of Oliver's obligations to the bank, which he handed to Mr. Crawford, the accountant. The account commenced on 17th May, 1854. A long discussion ensued as to the admissibility of the list as evidence, without evidence being first given that the past due bills book, containing the original entries, were laid before one or more of the directors. Lord Campbell ruled that the books were admissible as evidence to show the part each defendant took in the proceedings. Mr. Sergeant Shee said it bad not yet been proved that either of the defendants were members of the past due bills committee. Lord Campbell said he would put aside the list, and have the entries in the books read. Mr. Atherton called Mr. Paddison to prove who were the committee from the commencement of Oliver's trans action, which commenced in the early part of 1855. Mr. Paddison then proceeded to read the names from the minute book, which was a very tedious process, and Sir F. Belly having taken some further objections to the dates to which Mr. Paddison's entries referred, when Lord Campbell said, Mr. Atherton, don't you think some better arrangements could be made for getting at the names ! Mr. Atherton said, that if he bad known the names would have been required he would have had a list of them made oat. He could get it done by to-morrow morning. Lord Campbell (warmly)—lf the objection be per sisted in I will adjourn the Court till to-morrow morning for that purpose. The Court was accordingly adjourned at 20 minutes past 3 o'clock. SPORTING I N TELLIGENCE. NOTTINGHAM SPRING MEETING. WEDNESDAY. The Innkeepers' Plate of 25 sous, added to a Handicap Sweepstakes of 3 sous each. One mile. Mr. J. Parker's Martha, 3 yrs, let 1015 ...(Fordham) 1 Mr. T. Cliff's Prince's Mixture, 5 yrs, 7st leib (Snowden) 3 Ms. Barling's Earthstopper, 6 yrs, Bst 71b ...(Coulter) 3 Betting-2 to lon Prince's Mixture, 4to 1 each apt Martha and Earthstopper. A good race in, won by a neck ; same distance between the second and third. The Forest Plate (Handicap) of 50 sous, for all ages. Winners extr a . T.Y.C. Mr. Craven's Yeller Gal, 8 yrs, 6st 71b - (Edwards) 1 Mr. J. Osborne's Silica, 3 yrs, sst 121 b ...(Cballoner) 2 Mr. Saxon's Woodmite, 3 yrs, sst 121 b ...(B. Cooper) 3 The following also ran :—Blewbury, Queen Lilly, Peter Flat, Maggie Lander, and Lady Aintree. The betting opened at 2 to 1 agst Peter Flat and closed at 10 to 1 eget him, 3 to 1 agst Yaller Gal, 4 to 1 agst Silica, 5 to 1 agst Queen Lily, 10 to 1 each agst B!e's bury and Woodmite. Won cleverly by half a length ; a neck between the second and third ; and a head between the third and fourth ; good fifth. Selling Stakes for all ages of 5 cove each. Straight half mile. 3 subs, Capt. Saville's Steeple, 4 yre, (201), Bet 41b...(We11e) 1 Mr. Pall's Cerisette, 5 yrs (201.), 11Ib (G. White) 2 Betting-5 to 2on Steeple, who won by a neck. The Great Annual Hurdle Race Handicap of 5 soya each, with 50 added ; the second to save his stake ; winners extra. About two miles and a half. 17 subs. Mr. Barber's Miss Harkaway, by Sir Tatton Sykes, 5 yrs, Pet 121 b (inc. tilb ext.) (Green) 1 Mr. H. Edwards's Border Chief, 6 yrs, 9st 121 b (Watling) 2 Mr. Andinwood's Little Yeoman, aged, lOst (Greave-) 3 Englemere, Glautius, Nicholas, and Hindley also rar. Betting—Even en Miss Harkaway, 5 to 1 each agst Nicholas, Englemere, and Hindley; 10 to 1 agst Border Chief. Won easily by a length and a half; same distance between second and third ; a length between third and fourth ; the other two were beaten off. The Hunt Cap of 30 soya for horses not thorough-bred, &c. Winners before starting, extra. Jockeys, 141 b extra. Mr. Harrison na Little Wonder, aged, 12st 71b _ _ (Peers) 1 Mr. H. Edwarda's The Miller, 6 yrs, 13st 71b (Grimmer) 2 Mr. Lambert's Brunette, 5 yre, 12at 21b ...(Harris) 3 Old Toro, Weethorpe, and Whaley also ran. Betting-2 to 1 agst Little Wonder, 7to 2 agst Whaley, 8 to 1 agst any other. Little Wonder came in alone. Before the race an objection Wad lodged against him en the ground that he is a thorough bred. LATEST BETTING. LIVERPOOL STERPLECHAIR. 11 to 1 agst Little Tom (taken freely) 100 to 8 aget Knight of the Shire (taken) 15 to 1 agst The Brewer (taken) 15 to lagst Lough Bawn (taken) LUDLOW SPRING MEETING. Weights for the Corporation Plate. About 5 furlongs. Forfeits to be declared on or before Monday next, Feb. 22. If the highest weight accepting be under 95t, it will be raised to that weight, and the others in proportion. This condition also applies to the Weston Stakes, the Stewards' Cup, and the Ludlow Handicap. Age et lb Leamington Polinoodie 5 7 12 Lambourne . 4 7 3 Welharn Peter Flat 5 6 11 Raven 4 6 10 Forget-me-not 4 6 9 Elfrida Eardrop 4 6 5 Preetbnry 5 6 1 Yeller Gal 71b _ _ _ Age at lb Queen Lily Plague Royal Silica Maggie Lauder Lady Aintree King David Peeress Lizzie Darling Satinatone 3 5 2 HeBe, by Herbalist 3 5 0 Magnus Troll Kilaby Nelly 3 4 6 Lady Nelson Esperance 3 4 5 extra) 3 6 1 Toffey Amorous Boy Martha (in. 71b ex.) 3 5 10 Fashion 4 5 9 Salmon Weights for the Weston Handicap. About one mile and quarter. Forfeits to be declared as for the Corporation Plate. Age'at lb Leamington .... 5 9 2 Vandermulin (inc. __ _ Age st lb Toffey 4 5 11 Martha (in. 71b ex.) 3 5 9 Salmon Queenstown 3 5 5 Queen Lily Peeress Happy Prince Thornhill ........ T. P. Coolie 3 4 9 Blewbury 3 4 7 Nally 3 4 7 Lady Conyngham 3 4 6 Esperanee 3 4 6 Chaperon Vrow 3 4 5 71b ex. Polmoodie 5 713 Lambourne Landami• 4 7 3 Barbarity Queen of the South 5 6 7 Elfrid a Eardrop 4 6 5 Shirah Baronage Honeytree 3 6 12 o. by Alarm, out of Plush 4 511 Weights for the Stewards' Cup. About one mile. For feits to be declared as for the Corporation Plate. Age et lb _ Age at lb Leamington Polmoodie Knight of the Shire a 7 5 Maggie Lander 3 5 5 Lambourne Welhanx a 6 13 Pla.gueßoyad 3 5 4 Pater Flat 5 6 13 Broadlands Queen of the South 5 6 10 Queen Lily 3 5 4 Eardrop 4 6 6 Lady Aintree' 4 5 3 Elfrida Shirah Woodman, late Ly- Lizzie 3 5 2 mington ... a 6 2 T. P. Cooke Laverne 5 6 1 Lady Nelson ...... .. 3 4 7 Baronage 4 6 1 Nelly 3 4 7 Toffey 4 6 0 Apollo . Prestbury A morons Boy YallerGall(in7lbex) 3 5 12 Kilsby . 3 4 5 Martha (in 71b ex) 3 5 10 MagnusTroil Salmon Weights for the Ludlow Handicap. About one mile an 1 three-quarters. Forfeits tp be declar,l by Monday next, Feb. 22. Age st.lb. Age at.lb. Leamington Vandermulin (incl Baronage 71b extra) 5 8 9 Sunbeam Special Licence 4 7 12 Queenstown 3 5 4 Dnlcamara ...... .... 4 7 4 Broadlande ...... Laudamia 4 6 12 Peeress Romeo The Dope 4 6 10 Thornhill Bay Hilton Barbarity Elfrida Woodman ( late Lady Conyngham 3 4 5 Lymington) Honeytree 3 5 12 f by Jericho—Divi- Nougat The Avenger 4 5 11 Esperance 3 4 5 Weights for the Handicap Hurdle Race. !About two miles and a quarter, over nine flights of hurdles. Forfeits to be declared as for the Ludlow Handicap. Age st.lb. Knight of the Shire a 11 0 Sluggard Baud Boy 4 10 2 Chester Minerva Teddealey .. . n Walterstow ..... R.Erreillee Little Davie Zig Zag ... . . ......... a 9 9 Age Ilia , . Boadicea Heads or Tails Toddy a 9 7 Sweetbriar a 9 6 Woodman 6 9 6 Sans Culotte 4 9 5 Red Rose! a 9 5 Brompton Perseverance a 9 0 Geneva .„ 3 8 2 P RECH OF VINCEIVT _PEKE, ESQ., LATE MEMBER OF THE VICTORIA LEGISLA TION, AT TAUNTON. VINCENT PrKB, Esq., was received very warmly. He said he was not present to interfere in the slightest degree with English politics. He should not dictate to the people what should be their franchise, or how they should use it. He was present to give them a plain statement as to the practical working of the ballot in the Australian colonies. He was there to speak of that working because it was not patent to all. (Hear.) He must say that it appeared to him rather remark able that the English public bad not arrived at a political position to appreciate bet ween o p en 0 voting and ballot voting, and to see the efficiency of the latter principle. Hence, he found many good and wise men—men of superior intellect and discernment—viewing . the ballot as th roug h a f og , and beholding in it an imaginary. monster. (Laugh ter, and hear.) Let himhimask them to view the question calmly and consistently. It was nothing for them to say that the ballot o r an y o th er p l an of reform had been introduced and advocated by men whose characters they dis a pp rove d. Th e richest gold in Australia was often grasped by the rudest hands, but it did not lose any of its virtue and was not the less precious on t h a t accoun t . (Hear.) Therefore, if there was any virtue in the ballot—if they found any power in it that protected them in voting, be trusted they would accept it for its intrinsic merit. (Applause.) In judging the ballot, they must not Judge it pe r se b y it s ef f ects in some other countries. In France, f or i ns t ance , the ballot had lost its virtue, and exhibited little more than a forgone conclusion ; whilst in America, although the system was working well, there was a great laxity in those salutary and necessary checks which ought to accompany it, and the absence of which opened the door to chicanery and bribery. Those, however, were l oca l ev il s ; th ey did not belong to the principle. Most of them, doubt less, remembered the celebrated ballot-box dis closures in California, and perhaps they blamed the ballot. Let them, however, ask themselves the cause of the evil, and they would find it was the want of a registration—one like the English—with out which there was no safety against the evils spoken of. He did not wish to boast of Australia, the country of his adoption ; still he felt a love for it, and he could safely affirm from his own personal knowledge that the ballot in Victoria was free from the abuses that characterised it in other countries, and that it had secured to the elector everything he could desire, and had done away with bribery and intimidation. He would, with their permission, explain the mode in which the ballot operated in Victoria. He must at the outset presume that every year all persons entitled to vote saw that thew names had .been duly enr o ll e d on th e reg i s t er f or the district in which they resided. [Mr Pyke here introduced a large diagram cf the polling-place.] Let them suppose, he proceeded to say, a contested election to be at hand, and that the polling day had arrived. The elector is supposed to enter a room framed off from the rest of the polling booth. He passes up the room, and enters a door on the left, and there finds himself in another compartment, in which is placed the ballot-box on the top of a table. It is staring the elector full in the face, and is in full view of the scrut i neers an d return i ng officer. Behind the ballot box sits the returning officer and poll clerk, and around are other gentlemen, termed scrutineers. These are agents of the candidates, who each appoint one. Their duties are-Ist, to prevent unqualified and unregistered persons vot ing, and 2d, to record the num b er o f vo t es po ll e d. For this purpose each is provided with a certified copy of the electoral roll. When the elector enters the room he goes up to this table, and the returning officer demands his name. " John Brown," says he. If there is more than one John Brown, he adds his residence and profession. Each scrutineer refers to the roll and find John Brown's name, and against it the number 1832, that being the order in which he stands on the list. A tick or mark is then placed against his name to indicate that he has voted. Then the returning officer, having first ascertained that John Brown is the person whom he represents himself to be, and that he possesses the same quali fication as when registered, bands him the ballot paper. This paper s a fac simile of which I hold in my hand, contains on the face the names in full of all the candidates. On the lower right-hand corner of the back is the returning officer's signature, and on the upper right hand corner is a blank "No.—" which is filled in with the elector's number "1832." Then John Brown goes into a screened recess or niche, of which there are several in the room, pro vided with pen, ink, and blotting-paper, and strikes out the names of the candidates to whom he ob jects. He then folds the ballot paper so as to con ceal the nature of his vote, exhibiting the returning officer's signature to the gentlemen around the table, and finally deposits it into the cleft of the ballot box. The meeting would see by the Victoria system of voting that, whilst it was a secret mode of voting to the elector, it was also sufficiently public to prevent any deception, and acted as a check against the evils apparent in the open mode of voting. (Hear, hear,) Whilst the American system of vote by ballot allowed each candidate to provide his own tickets to the electors, whether Whig, Democratic, and so on, the Australian system did not alloy any candidate to issue a single voting paper. They were all issued by the govern ment and countersigned by the returning officer. The American system allowed the possibility of the s r y et s u te r m ning hada officer acting wron g , b u t th e Australian complete check aga i ns t anyt hi ng of the sort. In Victoria the voti ng p apers were counted out to the returning officer as carefully as if they were bask notes, and that officer had to make a return to the Government in the presence of the scrutineers!, none of whom could know how the elector voted, for they so ac t e d an d reacted upon each other that nothing like f rau d cou ld occur without collusion with every ma n i n t h e room. In case an elector cou ld not read, there was a pro visionshould be made is the act that the ret urn i ng o ffi cer allowed i to go into the ro om w ith hi m and strike out the names be did not wish to vote for. But that allowance would work itself out, because the law enacted that any man who could not read or write after a certain period should not be allowed the exercise of the elective franchise. But he might observe that at present the returning officer was sworn to s e crecy as to how u ne d uca t e d (gear, hear.) At the cl o se o f th e poll electors the voted.th the in the pre sence o f the scrutineer, adde d up the numbers of names ; the ballot papers wer e t aken out of the b ox , pl ace d upon the table, and counted out to ascerta i n t h e exact number, so as to see whethe r th ey t a lli e d with the number of elec tors that lad p o ll e d . That process havi beenreturningg g officer, duly performed, the returning I nf t o h br e e Rr n oo u bf m i avlineotre s, Polled—so many for smith, die., each candidate. The officer re cording The result of the p oll w as then record e d, an d th e officer sdeclared othe m a nn many ballot papers were sea led up and placed in the ee se Tecate parcels,which were labelled "ballot papers used," " ballot papers not used," and "ballot papers not is sued." They were then sent off in charge . of a proper officer to the Clerk of the Parliament at Victoria in case there should be any question raised as to any particular return. He did not k now w h et h er h e bad made himself suffici▪ ently understood. If not, he should feel happy to answer any individuals any question they might thi▪ nk fit to put to him. (Ap plause.) ) P • He felt that the meeting would agree with him when he said that it was someting congratula tory to the inhabitants of the Antipodes to have been the first to succeed i n i ntroduc i ng the b es t and most perfect mode of voting that had as yet been framed. .(Applause.) Th e b a ll o t was a distinct act from the original coninitution of Australia, and English statesmen had had no voice whatever in its framing. The colony of Victoria had no one to thank for the ballot but his friend Mr. Nicholson, Mr. Medly, and a few colleagues. (Applause.) They might naturally ask how it had worked. He was prepared to answer that question. (Hear, hear.) He had only rec en tl y l eft the co l on y, an d he hesi tated not to assert that its success was entire and thorough. (Applause.) It not only far exceeded the expectation s o f i ts warmest suppor t ers , b u t it had also, from the capital way it had been found to work, won over many of those who had no doubt honestly and conscientiously opposed it. (Ap plaus-.) The ballot ought not to be looked upon with party spirit. It was like a two-edged sword, that cut both ways, for it not only protected the poor man again s t t h e un d ue i n fl uenc e of those above him, but it also protected tie rich and inde pendent electors against the fury of the mob ; and perhaps at elections they had sometimes specimens of what that was. (Laughter.) He wished to state that, because some people looked upon the ballet as a democratic measure. At the last Melbourne election the ballot had actually proved itself a truly Conservative measure and a great friend. The ministerial candidates were pursued everywhere by the populace : they were not allowed to address meetings ; and had open voting prevailed this would no doubt have prevented the return cf the members of the Ministry. They, however, voted by ballot, which allowed every one to record his v o t e w it hout molestat i on or intimide tion ; and the result was, that ministers had a de cided majority. How was that? Because tbe elec tors were sheltered from popular clamour and out rage, and allowed to vote quietly. (Applause.) lle might also add, that netwithstandiug the force and the inflammatory c h aracter o f co pular feeling, not one single instance of disorderly conduct occurred during the polling day. He thought that being allowed to vote peacefully and quietly was not one of the least important features in vote by ballot. (Hear.) That must be most gratifying to all lovers , of order, however much it might "disappoint the Rowdies." (Applause.) So quiet was the election conducted in this district, that one Irishman said to him on the polling day, " Oh, sir, this is as dull as a funeral !"—(laughter)—the people all look as if they were going to church, instead of the poll. There is no fun at all. (Renewed laughter.) But he would leave it to the meeting to say what sort of fun the man meant. In Australia now the poli tical duties of the citizens were discharged in a calm thoughtful way ; and no one would imagine that a closely-contested election was going on. At the outset it was true that many of the colonists urged that the reasons brought forward in England for the ballot were not applicable to Victoria, because of the differences that existed between the electo ral law in the two countries ; and they maintained that it was not required. He must confess that at first he was of that view, but when be thought of the large class of people that required protection, and when he thought of the outrages that had been perpetrated in Melbourne, he felt convinced that the ballot would be a boon to all. (Applause) He remembered being taken quite by surprise when Mr. Nicholson said to him, " Mr. Pyke, lam going to put a notice in the paper for the introduc tion of the ballot." He had heard that the old mem bers were divided, and Mr. Nicholson said he was certain of carrying it if the "diggers" were in favour of it. 1-le(Mr. P.) replied that the " diggers" would carry it ; and he was the first member to present a petition in its favour, as the representative of Old Forest Creek, from the " diggers." The sequel was, that the ballot was carried, and the Ministers resigned. Mr. Nicholson was sent for to form a Minisitry ; but, having found that many who voted for it did so considering it an open question, he de ' dined the honour. The Minist ers th er efore re turned to office ; but they would have nothing to do with the ballot, and the whole onus of carrying it out was thrown upon the ballot members. Mr. Nicholson at once set to work, framed the ballot clauses, and the work was successfully carried cut. (Applause.) Shortly afterwards came the general election, and amidst the credulity of friends and the sneers of opponents the success of the ballot was admitted as decisive, and the press raised its voice in its favour. (Applause.) He believed that almost every newspaper in the colony spoke in its praise. He would with their permission read the opinion of the Melbourne Herald, dated Sept. 11, 1856 :—" At the date of our last summary, the Upper HOUS3 elections were pending, and the utmost public interest was excited as to the result. The polling for the Central Province (Melbourne and suburban districts) came off on the 26th ult., when the blot was tested for the first time in the colony, and operated in a manner which not only satisfied the expe.itations of its most sanguine advo cates, but actually won over as converts some of those who were previously its most determined op ponents, both in and out of the Legislature." (Ap plause.) The next extract he would read to them was from the Melbourne Argus, and had reference to the Kildare election. It was as follows :—" The polling for the two representatives to serve this district in the legislative assembly took place yester day, and passed off with the most exemplary good order and quiet ; indeed, with the exception of all the dead walls iu the neighbourhood being covered with placards in all the colours of the rainbow, a stranger in the district, accustomed to election scenes in the old country, would have exhibited some amount of incredulity on being told that an active election contest was proceeding. Not a single complaint against the working of the ballot, or of any under hand or unfair practices reached our ear during our visits to the polling places. The excitement which prevailed during the day was anything but active, so far as we could observe by the collections of persons about the booths ; but at the close of the poll considerable interest was manifested in the result." He (Mr. P.) might also add, that the re turning officer for the Kildare district was an op ponent of the ballot, yet that gentleman after the close of the poll, on behalf of himself and his assis tant officer, bore willing testimony to its favourable working. The Herald of Sept. 27 also said :—" To the silent operation, the ballot must undoubtedly be attributed, in a great measure, the freedom from disturbance and popular turmoil which has charac terised the election proceedings. Viewed in its so cial aspect, secret voting may be considered to have proved itself as successful as it certainly has in its political effect. With only very few exceptions, the demoralising intrigues which are often put in operation at elections have failed to produce those results which in other times, and under a different order of things, would have followed. Even is those instances where indirect influence was re sorted to, the efficacy of the ballot was proved by the notoriety which suchpractices at once acquired." At the South Melbourne election, the following were the words of the returning officer, on declaring the poll :—" I hope one day all will bei in favour of the ballot, for the ballet never will be overturned. (Cheers.) The report of its successful operation here will go home and strengthen the hands of the popu lar party in England, who are working towards the same end." He thought it was quite unnecessary to continue those extracts. Since his arrival in Taunton he had been asked about a statement that had appeared in the Times, and which was professed to have been copied from the Adelaide Despatch. He had never heard of the paper in question till he saw it quoted in the Times, and for his part he thought it was a kind of myth. He knew Adelaide well, but he certainly must say he did not know the Adelaide Despatch, and he never heard of a colonist that knew of such a paper, till the Times discovered it among some old papers. (Laughter.) There was another subject in con nection with the Times. That paper said some time since, in commenting on the ballot in the pro- As th f e o y r t, f_ w m oi at with gi ßill, htst e r ) a —nd concomitants h T i a c m h h e sofe said, hoped political jug. has lowered the character of every com munity into which it has been introduced." He which he could point to his adopted country. The gdtraptioieisesgre,,ihYbdn'taclitßl:loyeeo Reform denied that assertion, and in proof of Times was—what should he call it—the great cha meleon of the day—proverbial for its fickleness and recklessness of assertion. It had long since failed to le td, and now it only followed in the wake of pub lie opinion. It was like the weathercock, indicative of the wind. (Laughter.) Let the voice of the people of England be once raised in favour of the ballot, and the Times would then discover that it was a good measure. The charge brought forward by the Times against the ballot was a very grave one,— "The ballot has lowered the character of every com munity in which it has been adopted." That was a grave charge, or would be if it could be substantiated. With regard to the term "political j ugglery," he was at a loss to know what that implied, if it implied anything at all. He considered that the charge of jugglery could be retorted upon those who gave the people the shadow of the franchise and withheld from them the substance. (Applause.) With regard to the ballot in Belgium and America, he considered that these countries must vindicate its operation themselves ; but for the country to which he had the honour to belong he was proud to say that the operation of the ballot had rendered brute force of no effect—it had destroyed bribery, corruption, and intimidation, and had obliterated those disgraceful scenes recorded in th e bl ue -b oo k s of a Parliamentary 'Committee. (Applause.) H e had, he must confess, spoken warmly on behalf of his adopted country, but upon the aspersions that had been cast upon it by the Times tie felt bound to speak his mind. (Applause.) Although a colonist, he could not forget he was an English man—(applause)--yes, an English citizen. He knew from experience that when a colonist beheld the brave and time-honoured banner of Old Eng land floating bravely over the southern colonies, his heart warmed towards it and the land that gave him birth. (Applause.) Whatever her enemies might say to the contrary, he could fearlessly assert that the colony of Victoria contained as loyal, as trustworthy, and as warm hearts as any portion of her Majesty's dominions. (Laud applause.) What must be said, then, of those papers that scattered broadcast the seeds of animosity, distrust, and, ho was going to add, re b e lli on b etween the parent and the child—betwee n the mother country and her colonies ? (Great applause.) He thanked the meeting sincerely for the kind attention it had paid him. For his own part he could assure them that it afforded him the sincerest pleasure to address a Taunton audience—which pleasure was enhanced, if possible, by the fact of his being a native of So mersets ire. (Loud cheers.) W. E. GILLETT, Eici. —May I be allowed to ask what time elapses between the deposit of the ballot papers and the sealing them up by the returning officer. Mr. PYKE —The box is placed upon the table, and at 4 o'clo:tk the ballot is close]. The papers are immediately taken, and not a man is allowed to leave the room until the papers have been added up by the returning officer and the other officials, and sent off to the clerk of the Parliament by a compe tent officer. JERSEY AND GUERNSEY MAILS.—On the evening of Saturday, the 20th hist., and on the evenings of every succeeding Thursday and Saturday, additional mails will be made up in London for Jersey and Guernsey, for conveyance by the packets rhich at present run to those islands from Weymouth, on the mornings of Monday and Friday. Additional return mails will be conveyed by the packets at present leaving Jersey and Guernsey, for Weymouth, on the mornings of Tuesday and Satur. day. —By command of the Postmaster-General, ROWLAND HILL, Sec.—General Post.office, Feb., 1858. AMERICAN MAILS.—The Cunard steamer Europa sails from Liverpool for New York on Saturday, with the mails and passengers. The Liverpool letter-box closes at 10 a.m., with late fees at 11, and on the i n di ng• Stage at 12. POLICE INTELLIGENCE.—Feb. 17. BO W-STREET. The summonses taken out by Mr. Bodkin, counsel for the Crown (under Lord Campbell's act for the more effectual suppression of the sale of obscene representations) were heard before Mr. Henry. In the first case the defendant, Sidney Powell, who was charged with having in his possession a number of stereoscopic slides of an indecent character, contended that they were for academie and artistic purposes. He had been for many years connected with artists, and had sought their advice as to what really constituted a❑ indelicate pie , ore. Thes3 were single forms, and could not he more •bjectionable than the exposure of living models in our schools of art. However, he had no wish to deal in them if they were considered improper. Mr. Henry said there was no analogy whatever lathe two instances. These were reps esentatioes of low, vulgar obscenity—attitudes which only the coarsest minds could suggest They were clearly within the meaning of the act, and must be destroyed. Mr. Bodkin requested that his worship's order might stand over for a week, in case the authorities should think proper to indict the defendant, in which case the slides produced would be required as evidence. In the two other cases, the defendants (Mr. Bush and Mr. Hilli er were ch arged with selling obscene pipes, tobacco-stoppers, pouches, &c , of which an immense stock had been seized by the police. Mr. Lewis, jun., who appeared for both defend ants, contended that the act did not apply to the sale of pipes, "pictures, prints, and drawings," and such " representations" being expressly specified. Moreover, the whole of the property had passed through the Customs (having been imported from France), and if objectionable, why were they not detained The same decision as in the former case was pro nounced. Mr. Ben Caunt, the celebrated pugilist, and landlord of the Coach and Horses public house, in St. Martin's-lane, attended before Mr. Henry, in consequence of the receipt of a paper purporting to be a summons from this court. Mr. Caunt stated that he had received through the post the paper he now produced, requiring him to appear to answer a charge of conspiring with Pierri, Orsini, and Alhop, to assassinate the Em peror of the French, and also of keeping secreted in his house a quantity of combustibles intended to be• used in the attempt. He was fully prepared to answer the charge, and to produce the articles al luded to, which were only squib cases, left at his house for safe keeping by a firework maker. Mr. Henry assured the applicant teat the docu ment he had received did not emanate from this court. A summons would have been served by the officer of the court and not by post. The whole matter was a hoax. Applicant thanked his worship and withdrew. WESTMINSTER.—MARTIAL I ..NDIGNATION.— William Harper, a private iu the lat battalion of Grenadier Guards, was charged with seriously wounding and injuring Thomas Crouch, antther soldier; It appeared from the evidence of Police-con stable E'owle, 228 B, that late on the previous night he was on duty in York-street, Westminster, when he observed the prisoner, another soldier, and two women, all of whom had been drinking freely, coming towards him. They were then joined by Crouch, who was in plain c!othes, and who pretended that he wanted to enlist into their corps. This led to some wrangling amongst the party, to put an end to which witness told the pri soner and his companion in regimentals, that Crouch was already a solder belongir,g to the 2d battalion of their regiment. The prisoner repu diated the notion of a five-feet-live man having any thing to do with what he ,designated " the dandy regiment,' and tb illustrate his superior physical power, caught Crouch round the wai , t, lifting him up, dashed him down on the ground, by which he was seriously wounded on the forehead, and became insensible. He was intoxicated. A. certificate having been produced showing that Crouch was unable to attend owing to the injury he had received, the accused was remanded for a week. BRITISH SUBJECTS ♦ND FRENCH PASSPORTS. Two applications were made by parties wishing to go to France, under the new regulations at the Foreign-office, which, with reference to Briti s h subjects or foreigners na uralised, state that "Passports are granted to persons who are either known to the Secretary of State, or recommended to him by some person known to him, upon the application of any banking firm established in London or any part of the United Kingdom, or upon the recommendation of the mayor or chief magistrate of any corporate town in the United Kingdom, or any magistrate or justice of the peace.' Mr. Paynter, having had the respectability of the parties desirous of ob•aiuing the passports clearly proved, gave them the required roc immen dation, the form relating to which had to be made out by the clerk of the court, but stated that there must be some misconception respecting the matter. Ho should have much pleasure in giving the re quired recommendation to any one whom he knew, but he must positively decline to do it as a matter of general rule. The Court, be apprehended, would be crowded with applicants from the Foreign office for such recommendations, and he must de cline to make them part of the Court, because they were not a matter of police-court business, and would occupy time which should be devoted to it. Applicants might go to other magistrates besides those sitting at the police-courts of the metropolis. MARYLEBONE. PURCHASING EXCURSION TICIETS.—CAUTION TO THE PUBLIC. --- James • M'Aulin, described as a cabinetmaker, living i n Baldwin-street, City-road, was charged bef ore Mr. Broughton, by Inspector Matthews, ef the Londin and North-Western Railway Police, with having, under the following circumstances, attempted to defraud the company. Evidence went to show that on Saturday hat there was au excursion train from Liverpool to London, the passengers having the privilege, for the low charge of 12s. 6d. for the double journey, of returning to Liverpool yesterday, at ten in the morning. Pecliian, a detective officer of the com pany, saw the defendant and another man in con. versation together, and knowing the illegal tr,.ffic which was being carried on with regard to the sale of excursion tickets, he kept close watch upon the defendant, whose companion hastily left him, and he observed him go on to the platform. The in sfector received from him a return ticket, and he took his seat in a first-class carriage. Peeriart then came up and communicated his suspicions to Mr. Matthews, in reply to whose questions defend ant admitted that he had not come up from Liver pool, and alleged that he had purchased the ticket for 18. Gd. of a man by whom he was accosted at the entrance gate. He was then given into cus tody for attempting to defraud the company of 378. Gd., the amount of fare by first-class to Liver pool. On being asked what he had to say, he admitted that he was wrong in buying the ticket, and ex pressed his regret that he had done so. He was fined 205., or seven days' imprisonment. CHARGE OF FRAUD AGAINST A RECRUIT.-- Henry Drummond, a costermouger, was charged with having defrauded Henry Harwood of ls. The complainant, who belongs to ihe Rifle Bri gade, stated that he went into a fried-fish shop in Bell-street, Lisson-grove, and there enlisted the prisoner, to whom he gave a shilling. He after wardss tut he would hive noth ng to do w ith soldier ing, and as he refused to restore the money he was given into cust“dy. Police constable 241 D said t' at the prisoner ad mitted to him that he taken the shilling, adding, "But the old man must not think he is going to nail me for all that." The prisoner, when asked by Mr. Broughtor, what he had to say, replied, " I did not mean to take the money. It was no fault -of mine, for he slipped the shilling into my hand. I offered to give it him back." Complainant said that hundreds of idle fellows were pursuing a similar system of fraud, and get ting clear off with their shillings. _ The prisoner here said he would be a soldier, and upon that assurance he was discharged. Re then left the c )urt with the complainant. ROBBERY BY 1 FEMALE. —A y oung woman , name d Anne Mead, who described herself as a shoebinder, was charged with having on the previous day, be tween 5 and 6 o'clock, stolen from the doorway of Mr. Johnson, draper, &c., Edgware-road, a roll of flannel containing upwards of 40 yards, and valued at about 21. Some evidence in support of the charge was gone into, and as the attendance of another witness was necessary in the case, the prisoner was remanded till Wednesday next. W ORS II IP-STREET. —DOCI-STEALING..-- Wm. Plater and William Taylor, the former describing himself as a weaver, and the other as a spinner, were finally charged before Mr. D'Eyncourt with stealing a valuable Newfoundland dog, the property of A. C. Pierre. The dog, a very fine animal, was produced in court by the prosecutor, who stated that its pecu liar excellence c o ns i s t e d o f rare qualities as a theatrical, or performing dog. He greatly prized it, and the favourite was kept in his yard un chained. Thomas Dupree, a servant of the prosecutor, stated that at eleven o'clock on the morning of the 10th instant, he saw the animal safe on the pre mises, but missing it shortly afterwards, and mak ing inquiries, went in pursuit of the two men, and came up with the prisoners. Plater was whistling to the dog, who closely followed him, and threw down a piece of prepared liver. Taylor was slightly in advance. When given into custody they uenied all knowledge of each other. Inspector Langdon, N division, said be had Taylor in custody at this court in April, 1851, for a similar off , nce, with another man whom he be lieved to be Plater. Th4t man was committed for trial, and Taylor fined 101., or three months' im prisonment in default. Both prisoners reserved their defence, and were fully committed for trial. CHARGE OF MANSLAUGHTER IN A WORKHOUSR.-"' James Moulton, a powerful looking young fellow, a pauper belonging to St. Olave'a Workhouse, Sou' hwark, was hroftht before Mr. Burcham for find examination, eharged with causing the death of William, au elderly man, an inmate of the same workhouse. It appeared from the evidence of another pauper that about six o'clock, on the evening of Saturday, the 6th, the pi-inner, deceased, and several others, were in the Old Man's Hall, and the prisoner teased him by calling him " Yorkee," a name he did not The prisoner, howev er , continued to bother him, and at last the old man got into a passion, and attempted to strike him. The prisoner pre vented him, and struck him a blow which caused him to fall. He recovered himself shortly after wards, when they all went into the supper room, and then the deceased fell down in a fit, and never recovered. He died on the following Thursday. Mr. J. I. Macintosh, the medical officer of St. Olave's Union, said that on Saturday night, the 6th inst., he was called to see the deceased in the infirmary. He was insensible, and suffering from compression of the brain. He attended him until Thursday afternoon, the 11th inst., when he died. Witness had since made a post-mortem examina tion of the body, and he found a large quantity, of coagulated blood on the right side of the brain, which was sufficient to cause death. Witness had no doubt it was caused either by a blow or a fall. Police-constable 223 M said he took the prisoner into custody, and on the way to the station-house he said that. the deceased struck him first. Mr. Raynor, the master of the workhouse, said that the deceased was a very quarrelsome man, and he bad had considerabl e diffi cu lt y w i th him. The prisoner knew his temper, and ought not to have annoyed him. Since the last examination an an - quest had been held at the vestry-room, and a ver dict of manslaughter returned. The defendant, who denied striking the decased, but said they both fell down together, was fril l l' committed to Newgate for trial for the man slaughter- Country idaniets. BDINBURiIa BAY AND STRAW MARKET F2ll. 15. Supplies of all kinds these last six days large. Oat straw, from 7s Od to 104 Od per kenaple of 16 stone trop ; wheat do., 6s 6d to 7s Od ; barley do., 6i 6d to 6 1 6d. Hay from 10d to 12d. EDINBURGH MEAL—Fn. IA There were in the market today 111 sacks oatmeal, •aob weighing 2801 b imperial, which sold at 33i Od and --e• DALKEITH MEAL MARKET—Fa,. 11 There wer e i n th e mar k et to-day 24 bags of oatmeal, oof barleymeal, and 0 pot barley. Sales tall. Oatmeal, p er sac k of 2301bs First. I Second. Third. Barle imperial ymeal, per ditto Peasemeal, p er di tto - : Odd 11 41° Flour, new, per ditto.... --s Od --s Od —s o 4 Pot-barley, new, per ditto -1 Od s Od -11 V. DUBLIN, FAL 16. Whits wheat, 26s 61 to 28s Od ; red ditto 23. Od to 2 68 6d. ditto new, —s Oil; barley, malting, 13s to 18s Od; ieg, 1 to —8 ; oats, o ld, 11 4 Od t o 14 s; ditto, n ew, Od to —a Od ; oatmeal, 14, to 15s Od; bore, new, 14s to An Od ; rape d, 23s Od to 25s Od per brl ; bakers' floor, 16 : Od to 20. Odper owt ; lonian corn, 311 at to 333 Od 104 480 lbs. COAL KAKI Price■ of Coals per ton a ICT.—Fics. 15. the elose of the market s. d. Bell's Primrose ll 6 Howard's West Hartley Netherton 14 6 Bebside's Hartley 14 6 Morpeth West Hartley 14 0 Walker Primrose Ward's West Hartley _l3 6 West Hirtley Grey's 13 t Tanileld Moor Butes 13 0 Welland, ;so. d. E. . Riddell Eden lO v - .if Cassop t Framwellgate l5 RenEfh Hall 15 14 i l Northumberland Hraddyll . 17 ' 6 , Hatton lB South Hetton 18 Lambton 18 e 61 Barton li Wharnoliffe 14 " Haswell 18 6 17 i Keiper Grains ........ I T$ Tees ,G2—Sold, 117. Wal%end, &c Acorn Close l6 I Kelloe 17 0 Russell's Hetton 17 0 South Hartlepool l6 6 Tinndon 17 0 Whitworth l5 0 Ships at market, _ [ADVIRTISEMENT.}—A Double Map of Prussia Gratis._-- Sunday next, each copy of the DISPATCH will be accompanied by a superb coloured Double Map of Prussia, most accnratelt delineated, and a coloured Map will be issued every vreeL gratis, to form the most perfect and useful Atlas ever pub lished. The back numbers of the Atlas aro kept constantly ou sale, so that the work may be made complete. The price of the pt the es t)o6 D sc i t s r d a i : Tt c iai n en i tF s pr — iad u rat n ys s tm oe a fvte hu p ei e n d kg , n s eg d clld . imo s n t o a um m sa p a ty e d ub,. d ( e t go f received m o r r e n s i n b iga f . Office, 139 Fleet-street, London. BIRTHS. BAILEY—On the 17th inst., at 26, Lim:toll:is-inn -Olds ' Mrs. Arthur H. Bailey, of a son. Dixorr—On the 15th inst., at Lee, Lint, the wife of .1. Dixon, jun., of a son. HUGHES—On the 14th inst., si Kimmel-park, the Fl °ll. Mrs. Hughes, of a daughter. MACDONALD—On the 6th inst. , at&nee Pan, F r , the 11l Mrs. Mactionslel, of St. Marti n ' s , and Rossi@ Castle, a son. 0 MARRIAGES. BARTLETT—GODIIARD—On the 16th inst., at tib• Barn. boo, Kensington, Alfred Durling Bartlett, 15"13,d. Abingdon, Esq.. to A nn , on ly daughter of GO' lard, Esq., of Kensington. fwir to* DE GREY—KENYON—Oa the 16th inst at to Church, Fli t s hi re the Hon. Brownlo w De 1514 1' of Emma, daughter of the late George Kenyons , Cefn, near Wrexham. DEATHS. BARBER-- On the 16th hist , suddenly, Henri Bs Esq., of 36, Fenchurch-street, City, and Lowet NY" ham, Kent, aged 76. ter BRYDGES—On the 15th inst., at Lee Priory, near CO GS bury, Sir John Egerton Brydges, Bart., Esq., BONE—On the 13th inst., at Edinburgh, Hugh -Pum—ol, Es +, M.D., Inspector-General of Army Hospitably 6. 81. COTTERILL-- On the 14th inst., at the Rectory, Norfolk, Joseph Cotterill , M.A., 3 4 years rector o f e• parish oc Biakeney, aged 7s. ; H A CK—On the 14th inst., at Torquay, James Beek, -.J.' aged 71. S td well, LE MAIRE—On the 16th inst., at 3, Benefield-road , S well, Mrs. Le Maire , aged 82. ' - - LONDON : Printed and Published by 1811:711D0 YOII No, o f No,. 112, Strand, Printer, at The Sum °lli tgoil 112, Strand, in the Precinct of the Savor, in t hi °- of Middlesex, Thursday, February Iti, lath