The Sun. — London, England, 1858-04-05 00:00:00

THE NAVIGATION OF THE DANUBE. (From the Times Correspondent.) CONSTANTINOPLE, MeetcH 16. Long before the last war, indeed ever since the Russian occupation of the mouth of the Danube, complaints reached Europe about the daily dete riorating state of the navigation, which was attri hutable°to the negligence, or rather policy, of this Power. It was remembered that while the Turks were in possession of the outlets of the river a uni form depth of 14 feet was maintained over the bar at Salina, which had become the main, if not the only channel, frequented by vessels of commerce - since the beginning of this century, when the St. - George's branch, formerly used, underwent a great deterioration. In the time of the Turks every vessel going out of the river was obliged to take a rake in tow over the bar. This contrivance and occasional dredging produced the desired result. The Russians kept two dredging machines, but they were almost always out of order ; while the obligation for vessels going out to take a rake over the bar fell altogether into disuse. No wonder that the blame of the accumulation of sands over the bar was thrown upon them. Recent surveys and the examination of the whole question by Captain Spratt and the engineers . attached to the commission have shown that, if the Russians were perhaps not altogether guiltless, the deterioration was a steady, inevitable result of the - action of the winds and waters, over which neither - Muscovite power nor however great we might suppose both, had any control. It is the steady advance of a river delta in a tideless sea which has to be dealt with at the mouths of the Danube—that is, one of the most difficult questions of hydraulic engineering, which has never yet been satisfactorily solved. As the object of the commission is to effect a last . . ing improvement, it was above all necessary to understand thoroughly the local conditions of this advance, in order to work with, instead of against, these causes ; to choose the channel which is least exposed to these deteriorating influences ; to help the river in discharging the large quantity of so luble mud which it brings down with it to the sea, and thus keep a channel open. The fullest explanations on this subject have been given to the commission by Captain Spratt, RN., who in 1856-57 spent the greatest part of the summer and autumn on the coast, and in the different branches of the river. As the subject is one of great public interest for England, as well as Europe in general, I will give you the main results of his observations. The movement of matter along this as every other coast is the result of the seas and currents, accord ing as one or the other of these influences is pre vailing. On a coast exposed to an open sea of wide extent the prevailing winds and the waves caner d by them have naturally the greater effect. The best proof of this on the Danube coast is found by the great changes which take place at the bars after every strong gale. The prevailing winds on the west coast of the Black Sea are from the north and north-east. Easterly gales oceur less frequently, and south-east are even rarer. The greatest wave will therefore come from Odessa and Kieburn, 150 miles off, and strike on the lower part of the Kilia delta and on Sulina. The question now arises, how will this wave movement affect the formation of the banks? Neither branch of the river brings down coarse material, only fine sand and mud. The con sequence is that at the mouths, and on either side at a short distance, the banks are composed of river sand and mud, combined with river and sea shells, but at a mile or two from either month, and along the whole coast from Dniester to Kustendje, the banks are white sand and broken shells, the sand being derived from pounded fragments of the vast bed of sea shells that are annually produced on the shallow bottom of this coast, and cast on shore by every gale. The prevailing north and north-east gales, striking in full force the lower part of the Kilia delta, tend to carry a large portion of the mud and sand brought by the southern mouths of it down to Sulina, and, indeed, on examination, it has beenfouud that nowhere on the whole delta have the shallows increased so rapidly as between the Kilia and Sulina. The Russian surveys of 1830, compared with those made last year, show au in crease of 11 mile in the direction of Sulina. While the sand brought down by the lower mouths of the Kilia thus fills up gradually this b-sin, the coarser matter, being thrown on the Suliva beach, tends to consolidate it, and the dry edges becoming more rapidly formed, they keep the smaller stream within its limits, and obtain a better scour. This accounts for the bar at the - Sulina being in a better state than any of the other branches. But, as the prevalent winds are diagonal to the coast, the coarse matter has a tendency to be moved from the shallows in its vicinity to the south-west, and, on inspection of the chart, this is found two miles below Sulina, where a succession of high sand bills extend till within a shot t distance from the St. George's mouth. This is likewise the explanation of the greater proMinence of that part of the coast. Prom these observations the inference must be drawn that the delta makes the greatest advances wherever it is most fully exposed to the action of the wave movement, which is from the four southern mouths of the Kilia down beyond the If any additional proof was required for showing which way the delta is forming, it would be found in the soundings. All along the part of the coast ex posed to this great wave movement the 20 fathom line is at 15 to 20 miles from the shore, while north and south of it it is at 3to 4 miles. Any works, therefore, made within that rayon would be soon absorbed by the gradual advance of the shal lows. The southern mouths of the Kilia, which are in that rayon, are so deteriorated already that they are out of the question ; but, as the Sulina is likewise exposed to the same influences, it must share sooner or later the same fate. Neither the northern or Ochakoff mouth of the Kilia branch nor the St. George's mouth is so much exposed to these external deteriorating influences. At the St. George's the coast has scarcely ad• vauced since the Russian surveys in 1830, and only a small portion of the drifts of Sulina and Kilia reach it, and that mainly by shore surf ; but a large portion is blown on its northern beach in high sandhdls, so that soundings show at St. George's, as well as to the north of it, 20 fathoms in 3 to 4 miles. This shows that the St. George's increases mainly by its own deposits. The Ochakoff, which is the northernmost mouth, except the insignificant Belgorod, falls in beyond the northern margin of tee wave move . ment, which is deprived of a part of its originating force by the projection of the land about Cape Bolaban before it reaches this mouth. The wave thus intercepted expands, and strikes, accsrding to a well-known law, with diminished force laterally. The proof of thi s is found in the fact that north east gales always bring an east-north-east swell at Ochakoff. No shore movement of any force, therefore, takes place at this mouth by the prevalent north-east gales. This is damaging to the Ochakoff mouth as a natural condition, as the deposits brought down by the river settle down about it, but it is in favour of its artificial improvement in consequence of the slow advance and the smaller cost to keep pace with. Besides this the works would be less exposed to the action of the waves, consequently more econo mical. These reasons have induced Captain Spratr, to pronounce for th© Kilia. The Commissioners themselves are divided between the two other - branches of the river. France, Russia, and Prussia advocate the Sulina, England, Austria, and Sar dinia the St. George's branch. The Turk has not pronounced yet. Etch party has given in its plans,—Mr. Hartley, the chief engineer of the Commission, and Mr. Wer, an Austrian engineer, advocating the St. - George's, and Mr. Nobiling, chief engineer of the hydrotechnic waters on the Rhine, in f avour o f t h e Sulina. The difference between them lies in the money question. The whole Commission is agreed that the St. George's branch is the beat channel, but those who advocate the S ulina do so because they fe ar th a t t h e wor k s a t the St. George's bei ng on the largest river will be too expensive, and con sequently oppress the navigation which is to pay the interest of the outlay. Two systems are advocated for removing the bars at the Danube's mouth ; first, by dredging and raking ; secondly, by running out piers to contract the river's current. The first of these methods is strongly advocated by long residents in the country and by some engineers as a cheap and efficacious mede of obtaining a greater depth. The members of the Commission and their engineers reject it unanimously as an adequate mode of removing the obstacles at the mouth of the Danube. The Com mission gave a trial to the dredging and raking system last summer, but the result was not satis factory ; two months' work did not show a gain of more than six inches, and this during the most favourable time, when the current was strongest, consequently best able to carry away the mud and sand stirred up by the rake or dredge. The rake • made from sixty to eighty trips a-day over the bar, as much as might have been made, in a month during the old Turkish regim e . If it answered then, it was, according to the opinion of the Commissioners, from the different formation of the shoal at the mouth. The sea bottom at pre sent before Sulina has a slope seawards of 1-100. In 1829 it was as great as 1-30 in the 20-30 feet soundings ; all this has since filled up. Another evil of the raking system is that it must cease just during the time that it would be most required—that is, during bad weather ; it is ;then that the bar receives a fresh accession of matter THE SUN, and consolidation from the sand and shells driven on it by the waves ; any good, therefore, that the raking system may have done in fine weather is speedily lost, and before vessels can pass the rake must work again. Therefore, to produce a suffi ciently permanent effect, the engineers of the Com mission are all of opinion that piers must be carried out into the sea, which shall confine the current increase its velocity, and which, at the same time, will be directed upon the bar. Thus the bar will kept removed, and kept clear of the scouring action of the current. It is true that it will be again formed outside in deeper water, but then the piers must be extended according to the filling up of the bottom. It was with this system of piers in view that the engineers of the Commission made their estimate, and choice of channel. The difference between the Sulina and the St. George's party lies in the differ ence of their estimates. Mr. Nobiling, the Prussian engineer, estimates the opening of the northern or Kedriles mouth of St. George at 1,600,000 ducats, and for further works which he considers as indis pensable such as tracking path up the river, the rectification of the Olinka channel, &c., 1,400,000 ducats—in all 3,000,000 ducats, or 1,500,0001. ster ling, while at Sulina he thinks 1,100,000 ducat., or about 550,000/. sufficient. According to Mr. Hart ley's estimate the proportion between the expenses required for each branch would not be greater than 4to 3, that - is, 1,000,0001. at St. Georges, and 750,0001. at Sulina ; at each mouth, then, the cost of further advance would be 1051. per foot forward. The difference in these estimates is in some mea sure to be attributed to the fact that the Prussian engineer prefers to use stone throughout, while his English colleagues proposes to revet the banks with timber piling, protected by " pierres perdues" at the foots for such distance as he hopes that the banks will form behind his piers into dry land ; thenceforward he is for stone works, after the usual fashion. _ _ Thus the question stands for the present. In comparing the results which wouldfollow, accordiug as one or the other channel should be decided upon, we find—First, that the bottom at Salina would fill up one-half sooner than at St. George's, the slope being in the former 1-400, and in the latter 1-150. The 5 fathoms line is in Sulina at 1,700 yards, and at St. George's at 1,200 ; the 10 fathoms 2,500 at St. George's, and 6,000 at Sulina. Secondly, in the St. George's these would be an entrance 1,150 feet wide, at Sulina only 600. The St. George is a broad, deep river, navigable throughout, so as to admit of any development of commerce, especially steam navigation. The Salina must, even after the •ontemplated improvements, remain a narrow, tor tuous channel, hardly sufficient for the wants at present. In the St. George there would be a noble port close to the entrance ; at Sulina the most dis mal crowding and want of room, so that in case of the least accident or obstruction the traffic is stopped altogether. All depends on the question whether the navi gation will be able to bear the heavier outlay re quired for the opening of the better, larger, and safer channel. I have said in one of my former letters on this subject that if anything is to be achieved, the European Powers will have to take the money question into their hands, and it seems in such a case the interests of all those Powers at any rate who have a large trade with the Danube would require that the best channel and the most complete works should be adopted, even at the risk that the first heavy outlay should not be repaid without overburdening the navigation. ASSIZE INTELLIGENCE. OXFORD CIRCUIT. —GLOUCESTER, April 3. (Before Mr. Baron Channell.) FORGERY BY A SOLICITOR. Dennis Trenfield, attorney, was charged with forging a bond for the payment of money, with intent to defraud Robert TimLrill and Edward Dupre, at Winchcomb, on the 17th Feb. 1854. Mr. Cripps prosecuted ; Mr. Cooke defended. The prisoner appeared in a very precarious state of health, and was allowed to sit during the trial. He wore a bandage under the throat to cover a wound, which had been caused by an attempt to commit suicide while the prisoner was in London early in the present year. The prisoner up to the present year had practised the profession of an at torney and solicitor at Wincbcomb in this county, and had always been considered a man of repute and high character in his prifession. In the begin ning of the present year he became embarrassed in his circumstances, and in consequence of what hap pened then, parties who had dealings with bin looked to their securities. Mr. Edwards, lately steward to Lord Suclely, held a bond for 2001., on which he had advanced that sum on the represen tation of the prisoner in 1854. The parties purport ing to . sign the bond being Mr. Timbrill, son of Archdeacon Timbrill, and the Rev. Mr. Dupre. Both these gentlemen admitted that they had bu•4i ness with Mr. Trenfield, but declared the signatures to the bond were forgeries. Hence the present prosecution. Mr. Edwards, a retired farmer, of Hale, deposed that in Feb., 1854, the prisoner applied to him to advance a sum of 2001. He said he wanted it for Mr. R. Timbrill, a son of Dr. Timbrill. He also mentioned the name of Mr. Edward Dupre, a clergyman living at - Temple Guiting. Witness agreed to advance the money, and about a week or fortnight afterwards he met the prisoner at his office, and gave him a cheque for 2001., receiving es security the bond produced. Some time after the prisoner came to his house, and wanted to see the bond. After looking at it he returned it 'o wit ness, saying, " Oh, it's all right." Witness had re gularly received the interest up to Feb. 1857. Cross-examined—When the prisoner first ap plied to witness to advance the money, he said it was for Mr. Timbrill, aid that Mr. Dupre would join him in the bond. I knew Mr. Dupre and was satisfied. He said the ytaing man (Mr. Timbrill) was in difficulties. Prisoner had paid me interest on other moneys, but had also paid me this sepa rately from other moneys. The bond was put in as evidence, and read. It was in the usual form, and was attested by the pri soner. Mr. F. H. Harvey, clerk to the Winchcomb Union, and in 1854 was clerk to Mr. Trenfield—Tlie body of the bond produced is in my handwriting. I don't recollect filling up the bond, but have no doubt that I filled it up by Mr. Trenfield's direc tion. I had been his clerk about eleven and a half years and the signature of the attesting witness was Mr. Trenfield's. I believe the signatures " Ro bert Timbrill" and " Elward Dupre" are in the handwriting of Mr. Trenfield. Cross-examined—Recollect Mr. Timbrill staying some time at Mr. Trenfield's, when the sheriff s officers were after him. The Rev. E. Dupre, of Temple Guiting, proved that the signature, Edwd. Dupre, to the bond was not in his handwriting, and that he had never au thorised any one to sign the bond. Never heard of the existence of the bond until the present year. Cress-examined—Mr. R. Timbrill is my brother in-law, and got into difficulties with his Cambridge creditors. Mr. Trenfield, about 1853, was in diffi culties. Remembers being at the Gray's inn Coffee House some time in 1853, when some money was handed to Mr. Timbrill by Mr. Trenfield. Did not sign any bill or note for 3001., as surety for Mr. Timbrill, at that time. After that meeting at the Gray's-inn Coffee-house I had received some small sums from Mr. Trenfield, which I handed over to Mr. Timbrill. In April, 1854, handed over 351., as a balance of 4001., to Mr. Timbrill. I went to an insurance office in London to insure Mr. Timbrill's life in 1853. If Mr. Trenfield had asked me to sign a bill for 2001. for Mr. Timbrill I should have done so. One day, when I met Mr. Trenfield in the street, at Winchcomb, he said to me, " I think I shall be able to release Mr. Timbrill from his diffi culties, for I have borrowed 2001. from Mr. Ed wards." From recollection I think this was some where about 1854. Ho never said anything about a bond, or of having put my name to it. Mr. Robert Timbrill, of Beckford, deposed—l am a son of the Rev. Dr. Timbrill. The signa ture to the bond produced is not mine, and I never authorised any person to put my name to it. Crosi-examined—l got into difficulties at Cam bridge like other young men, and applied to Mr. Trenfield t o relieve me from my difficulties. I was living for some time at Mr. Trenfield's house. Was !n Wiltshire in September, 1853, and correspond ing with Mr. Trenfield, and applying to him for loans of money. Looking at the letter produced, I suppose I applied to him for a loan of 4001. I don't know what my debts were. My father knew what all my debts were. I got 2001. from Mr. Trenfield—not quite 2001. (Reading a letter handed to him.) By this letter I suppose I had. Can't tell how much sh , .rt of 2 001. I had b efore the meeting at the Gray's - Inn . Coffee-hous e , Sigma' a note for 1001. at Mr. Trenfield's office in 1853. Went to Worcester in 1804 in the name o f Wilki n. Did not sign a note for 3001. in 1853 to the best of my knowledge. Have paid the 1001. note since Mr. Trenfield's difficulties. Cross-examined—l did receive some money at the Gray's-inn Coffee-house, which was sent by my father. Proof was then given of the payment of the cheque for 2001. given by Mr. Edwards. Policeman Smith proved that he apprehended Mr. Tienfield in London. He was in a bad state of health, and could not be removed for three weeks. His jaw was broken, and there was a bullet in it. [The prisoner had attempted to com mit suicide while at au hotel in London.] In the defence Mr. Cooke did not deny that th 3 names of Messrs. Dupre and Timbrill had been put to the bond by the pritoner, but he submitted tat the prisoner considered hehad sufficient autho rity, in his endeavour to settle the affairs of Mr. Ti m b ri !ll, to pnt their names t o the securit y without h .tl Y specific authority from the parties themselves. The prisoner, having received letters from both Mr. Dupre and Mr. Timbrill, was we l l acquainted with their signatures ; but he had made no attempt to imi?'ate them. The act uo doubt a most indiscreet one, but he not having had a final settlement with Mr. Ti.*brill had not had the op tli:4l bond, as was intended portunity of paying off . in to be done when that settlen:ent took place. It would be a question for his lords: 111P how far a per son in the prisoner's position was authorised. es to the affiixing the signatures of the two p.,7`rtl bond. His lordship, in summing up, told the ji:27 it was for them to decide as to the fraudulent intent of the prisoner in the transaction. The prisoner was found guilty, and being called up, in answer to the usual question, said—l hope, my lord, you will be favourable to me. I hope, gentlemen of the jury, you will recommend me to mercy ; pray do. Baron Channell, addressing the prisoner, re minded him that a few years ago this was an offence punishable by death, but although that was not now the case, it was one of a very serious character; more especially when committed, as in this case, by a person occupying a position in life like him. As an attorney and solicitor, people put great confi dence in him; and he believed that, with regard to the great body of gentlemen belonging to that profession, that confidence was not abused. But, 1 / 4 unhappily, many cases had lately occurred in which persons in the position of trust and confidence had been guilty of that of which he (the prisoner) had just been convicted. When cases of this descrip tion were proved, and proved as clearly as in this instance, against persons of the character of the prisoner, it was necessary that they should be severely punished. His lordship then sentenced him to ten years penal servitude. The prisoner groaned, and was then assisted from the dock. WESTERN CIRCUIT.—DIVIZES, APRIL 3. The learned judges attended divine service at St. John's Church yesterday morning. The courts opens(' at one o'clock. (Before Mr. Justice Crowder.) John Darson, who bad pleaded guilty of burgla riously entering the mansion of the Earl of Suffolk and stealine , a number of valuable paintings, was sentenced to seven years penal servitude. James Lidderdale, a surgeon, on bail, was in dicted for the manslaughter of Im. Mason, at Tit combe, near Great Bedwyn. He pleaded not guilty. Mr. Cole and Mr. Coleridge prosecuted ; Mr. Slade, Q.C., and Mr. Poulden defended. The prisoner was surgeon to the Great Bedwyn district of the Hungerford Union, in which the pa rish of Titcombe is situated. On Dec. 26 last the deceased, a labouring man about 60 years of age, was seized with a disease of the prostrate gland, and on the 27th the prisoner was sent for to attend him. Mr. Lidderdale did not attend until the fol lowing morning, when he g:ve him some medicine and left, instead, as it was contended by the pro secution, of affording relief by passing a catheter into the bladder. The deceased was not visited again for three or four days, and he still complained of great pain from retention. At that time the pri soner did attempt to pass a catheter, but failed. He left more medicine, and then went away. On Jan. 2 a daughter of the deceased went to the pri soner and told him that her father was still in a very bad state. He made one or two visits after that, but made no attempt to afford relief. The last time ho saw deceased was on Jan. 8, and on the 12th another urgeon named Medhurst was called in. Mr. Medhurst, however, declined to interfere, and on the 13th Mr. Shield, the surgeon of the Hungerford Workhouse, was directed to attend. He got the deceased out of bed, placed him against the wall, and attempted to pass a silver catheter, but it caused so much bleeding and irritation that he was obliged to withdraw it He then introduced an elastic gum catheter, and drew off three or four quarts of urine. The deceased was got back into bed, and after drinking a small quantity of gin, was seized with a convulsion and died. Mr Shield was examined, and gave it as his opi nion that deceased died from the shock of passing the catheter. Ho could not have lived 24 hours under any circumstances. There was, he said, gross negligence in leaving such a case three or four days ; and he gave it as his deliberate opinion that the prisoner ought to have used a catheter when he was first called in. Mr. Carden, surgeon, of Salisbury, who assisted the last witness in making a post mortem examina tion, said he found the prostrate gland as large as his fist, and he had no doubt retention of urine Lad ing on for a considerable time. He diet n agree with the last witness that death arose from the shock of passing the catheter. He had never heard or read of such a case. There were on record instances of death having arisen from draw ing off the urine. He would not have used a cathe ter if the deceased was, as Mr. Shield had stated, in extremis. Mr. Slade made a powerful address on behalf of the prisoner, contending that as the death of the deceas.d was caused by the act of Mr. Shield, the charge of manslaughter against the prisoner could not be sustained. The learned counsel then called Mr. Medhurst, who said he perceived no symptoms of danger when he visited the deceased the day before his death. He was not then suffering from retention of urine. The catheter ought to have been passed when the deceased was in a remmbent position. At this stage of the proc ee di ngs , th e f oreman o f the jury was seized with an epileptic fit, and there being no chance of his resuming his duties, his lord ship directed the jury to be discharged. Mr. Cole, after consulting his learned friend, Mr. Coleridge, said he would withdraw from the prose cution. Ho hoped the investigation, even though it bad gone no further, would be productive of a beneficial result. POLICB INTELLIGENCE.-April• 3. CLERKENWELL.—The Rev. Dr. Worthing ton, Trinity Chapel, Gray's-inn-road, and two other clergymen belonging to the district and parish of St. Andrew's, Holborn, attended to support 34 summonses taken out at their inwance against de faulters in the above palish who had not paid their tithes. The first case called on was that of Mr. Tilley, who, after showing that there were different sums put down in the summonses to those charged him in the collector's notices, said he did not wish the case stepped on any technical objection, but should like to ask what substantial benefit he got for the money ho paid for tithes. He objected to the payment on conscientious principles, and considered the law for their support both iniquitous and infamous, and should always come to that court to hold the law up to the contempt of the world. Mr. Corrie-LAre you the owner of the house, or do you hold the proprty upon lease ? Defendant—l at present rent the house, but I am about taking it upon lease. Mr. Corrie—Then, would it not be as well that in the contract you wake you should take into con sideration the sum you would have to pay for ? Suppose some of the money you paid went for the purpose of paying some one to sing psalms to some idol ? Defendant—That is a question for me and the landlord, and I think it is quite irrelevant to the present matter. Ido not recognise the church at all, and should like to know what equivalent I get for my money. Dr. Worthington—You can go to church, and the money is for the support of curates and other expenses in connection with the church. Defendant—But why receive the fees through such an iniquitous course ? Why should I be called upon to pay for what I never use or receive ? Do you think that the rev. gentlemen who receive my money in the shape of tithes would like to pay me .for hats they never had. (A laugh.) They would protest, and say they never received any hats, and on the same principle I protest and say that for the money I pay I receive no benefit. Mr. Corrie said he should under the present state of the law have to make an order for the payment of the sum demanded, but as the collector had made a mistake in the amounts he should not order the defendant to pay the costs. The defendant said he would at once pay the money, but he should like to know whether it was proper that one of the officers should call upon him i❑ a half muddled state to get him to so tle the matter, and to tamper with the persons who had summoned him. Mr. Corria asked who the officer waq.. Turner, the gaoler, said he, knowing the expense the parties would be 'put to, had called upon them to settle the matter. The defendant said that two years ago Turner called upon him to settle the matter. He did not think it proper that the officers of the court should call upon parties to induce them to settle matters instead of allowing them to come to that court to have justice. As far as he was concerned, he should always oppose the paying of tithes. Dr. Worthington, in an excited manner, said it was a disgrace to all Englishmen to oppose such a law which was the oldest on the statute-book. The defendant said it was a disgrace that the church should not support the poor, which they were bound to do. The matter then terminated. The other suramonses were then adjourned in - - Mollineux, one of the City detectives, said he WO in the house on the morning in question, but none of the parties robbed had complained when the pri soner left. He took the prisoner into custody on Thursday afternoon, after he was discharged from the Marylebone police-court, on a charge of being in Mr. Wall's (a City merchant) room, at the Great Western Hotel, for the purpose of committing a felony. Mr. Tyrwhitt said he certainly could not detain the prisoner, for there was no one present who had lost the notes. Whenever other evidence was forth coming the prisoner could be taken again. The prisoner was then discharged. His name, it may be mentioned, is not in the present year's Law List. WORSHIP-STREET.—Conrad Dupin, a sturdy foreign mendicant, of athletic proportions, was charged with having violently assaulted Mrs. Marianne Smythe, the wife of a gentleman residing at Kingsland. The complainant, who presented indications of severe personal violence, stated that while proceed ing towards her residence on the previous afternoon, she was stopped by prisoner, who addressed her in broken English, and with a piteous'whine, soli cited relief. Feeling satisfied, from his general ap pearance, that he was not a deserving object of charity, he declined to assist him, and endeavoured to pass on, but was instantly intercepted by the pri soner, who placed himself in front of her, and sud denly substituting the choicest Billingsgate for his mild-spoken foreign phraseology, imperatively de manded some money. She was greatly alarmed at his outrageous conduct, and hastily stepped into the road, endeavouring to avoid him, but was imme diately foliowe 1 up by the prisoner, who again reviled her with the most scurillous epithets, and ultimately struck her repeated heavy blows about the face and head, which loosened three of her teeth and partially stunntd her. Her cries for assistance attracted the notice of some of the passers by, who protected her from lurther ill treatment until the arrival of a policeman. Hopper, N 358, said that on reaching the spot prisoner was given into his custody by the lady, who was bleeding from the mouth, and after a re solute residence he was conveyed to the station. On his arrival there, he described himself as a per secuted foreign refugee, who had only recently arrived in this count!) , ; but he was well known to the police as a sturdy beggar, who had infested ;ho streetsfor the last two years. Mr. Hammill severely animadverted upon the brutal and lawless conduct of the prisoner and ordered him to be remanded for the attendance of a Mendicity officer, whose evidence was necessary to complete the case. SOUTHWARK—Reuben Hickox, a general dealer, residing in Al ma - roa d, Bermondsey, was charged with committing violent aisaults on Mr. Thomas Wooley, and Mr. Henry Mitchell, in a third class carriage of the London and Brighton Railway, while in transit from Brighton to Loudon. Mr. Wooley said he was a telegraph superinten dent, and resided at No. 11, High-street, Man chester-square. On Goo 1 Friday he went to Brighton by excursion -train, and in returning to London, just as the train was about to enter the first tunm-1, he saw theprisoner suddenly jump up from his seat opposite, with a thick stick in his hind; which he struck witness with on the head. The blow was so violent that it smashed his hat in, and had that not been very strong he must have been injured seriously. Witness seized hold of him, and wreattd the stick from him, and held him down, but he was S) violent that he nearly over powered him, and attacked another gentleman who was in the same compartment. They, however, kept hold of him until they came to the Three Midges station, when he was removed to another carriage by the guard, On their arrival at the Lon don-bridge terminus he was given into custody. Witness believed that in the struggle the prisoner had a knife in his hand, as on examining his coat he found two or three cuts in it. He would not swear he used a knife. Mr. Mitchell, a clerk, residing in Counter-street, Borough, slid he was in the same compartment, and he saw the prisoner attack last witness with a stick just . as they entered the tunnel. He went to Mr, Wooley's assistance, when the prisoner struck him also and seized him by the throat. He then heard some one say, "Look out h e h as go t a knife in his hand," and then they over p owere d hi m, and held him until the train stopped at Three Bridges, when he was removed. On the arrival of the train at London-bridge he struck witness again in the presence of a police-constable. Mr. Henry Drapper was also in the same com partment, and he saw the prisoner lay his stick about right and left. He was like a madman, and caused .considerable excitement amongst the passengers. He had evidently been drinking to some extent. Witness saw the assaults committed. In answer to the charge the prisoner said he had been most cruelly treated by the three young men, and was suffering severely from the injuries inflicted on him. Mr. Burcham told him that it serred him right. From the uncontradicted evidence of those three respectable witnesses it was clear that he had acted with great violence in the railway carriage, and without the least provocation attacked two persona with a stick. In endeaviuring to restrain him he committed further viAence, and caused the injuries to be inflicted on himself. The public travelling in railway carriages must be protected atrainst such ruffia ns , therefore he should fine him 56 5 . or th ree weeks for the first assault, and 50s. or three weeks for the sec md, making altogether 5/. or six weeks hard labour. THE FAIRY PRlNOE.—Because young ladies are bred in humdrum country towns, do you suppose they never indulge in romances Because they are modest and have never quitted mother's apron, do you suppose they have no thoughts of their own ? What happens in spite of all those precautions which the king and queen take for their darling princess, those dragons, and that im penetrable forest, and that castle of steel ? The fairy prince penetrates the impenetrable forest, finds the weak point in the dragon's scale armour and gets the better of all the ogres who guard the castle of steel. • Away goes the princess to him. She knew him at once. Her bandboxes and portmanteaus are filled with her best clothes and all her jewels. She has been ready ever so long. That is in fairy tales, you under and—w here the bless e d h our an d yout h a lw a y s arr i ve , the ivory horn i s bl own at the cast l e gate ; an d f ar o ff i n her beauteous bo wer th e pr i ncess h ears it, and starts up, aalnwdakyßnorewasdy. Lookthatthere l hisowthtehe giants' heals tumble offright champion. He is as, fslchion in hand, he gallops over the bridge on his white charger 1 How should that virgin, locked up in that inaccessible fortress, where she has never seen any man that was not 80, or hump-backed, or her father, know that there were such beings in the world as young men ? I suppose. there's an instinct. I suppose ther e ' s a season. I nev er s p o k e, f or my par t, t o a fairy prin cess, or heard as much from any unenchanted or en chanting maiden. Ne'er a one of them has ever whis pered her pretty little secrets to me, or perhaps confessed them to herself, her mamma, or her nearest and dearest confidante. But they will fall in love. Their little heart] are constantly throbbing at the 'window of ex pectancy on the look-out for the champion. They are always hearing his horn. They are for ever on the tower looking for the hero. Sister Ann, sister Ann, do you see him. Surely 'tie a knight with curling mustachios, a flashing cirniter, and a suit of silver armour. Oh no ! it is only a costermonger with his donkey and a pannier of cabbages. Sister Ann, sister Ann, what is that cloud of dust ? Oh it fl is only a farmer's man d r i v i ng a ;ck of pigs frommar ket. Sister Ann, sister Aun, who is that splendid w-r -rior advancing in scarlet and gold ? He nears the castle, he chars the drawbridge, he lifts the ponderous hammer at the gate. Ah me, he knocks twice ' fis only the postman with a double letter from Northamptonshire. So it is that we make false starts in life.—The Viivi sti Ins, No. G. [ADVERTISEMENT.] _Holloway'. Pills an Astonishine, Remedy for Giddiness in the H. ad.—Mr. Newton, druggiat, Hull, states in a letter to Professor Holloway, that Mr. John Ware, residing in Stabbß-buildings, West street, Hull, has been afflicted with giddiness in the head off and oa for the last 20 years, and though h e t r i e d many things during th a t l ong per i o d, yet he found little or no relief from them ; at last he was induced to try Holloway's pills, from hearing so many encomiums passed on their virtues, and, wonderful as it may ap pear, he is perfectly cured, and now enjoys better 11, , altb than ever he did before, thanks to Holloway' s Pills. Sold by all vendors of medicine, and at Prefes• sor Holloway's Estab!iahment, 244, Strang, Landon, consequence of the officer who served the whole of THE BALLOT—MEETING AT .HERTFORD. the summonses not being in attendance. William James Stuart, aged 29, described on the police-sheet as a solicitor, residing at 50, Dale street, Liverpool, was charged on suspicion of steal ing, in the parish of St. Andrew's Holborn, three 51. Bank of England notes and 9/. in gold, the moneys of Mr. William Wood, hotel keeper. The prosecutor in this case is the proprietor of Wood's Hotel, Furnival's Inn, Holborn, and he stated that the prisoner went to his house on the night of the 24th of last month, and put up at his hotel. The next morning, between seven and eight o'clock, the prisoner left the house, and shortly afterwards some gentl,men complained that they had been robbed during the night ; one of two Si. notes, and another of a 51, note and some gold. On the 22d of January last the prisoner first came 4 , - ,9 his house, and then a gentleman lost something. As he (the prosecutor) had to make good the loss, w h en iLT prisoner came the second time Mollineux, a was sent for, but he did not arrive until de tee il c On i e e o ;/ clock in the morning. The prit soner, however, had his breakfast before the rest o the lodgers were about, and left the house, cone. quently the presence of the officer was of nu avail. He h.oped a remand would be granted to trace the notes, and to have the gentlemen present who had lost them. (From the Hertford Mercury.) On Thursday evening a public meeting was held at the Town Hall, for the purpose of hearing a deputation from the Society for Promoting the Adoption of the Ballot. The attendance was numerous, and included a large party of Tories, some of whom had evidently deter mined, if possible, to prevent the speakers from obtain ing a hearing, Mr. Joseph Newman was called to the chair. The CHAIRMAN said, the subject of the ballot bad not been fully discussed ; and he had taken an active part in inducing the deputation from the Ballot Society to come down to Hertford, with the full belief that the more the subject was brought under discussion, the more friends and supporters would the ballot system obtain. The opponents of the ballot should have an opportunity of addressing the meeting, if they chose to do so, and he hoped that every speaker would have a fair and impartial hearing. (Rear, hear.) Mr. E. C. WHITEHUBST (vine-chairman of the Ballot Society) then rose to address the meeting. He said we had the happiness to live under what was called a representative Government, and the whole theory of the constitution was this—that each one of the people of England was present in Parliament by his representative, consenting to the taxes he is to pay and the laws by which he is to be governed. That was the theory, but what was the fact 1 Every body did not possess a vote, and many of those who did possess the franchise possessed it more in name than in reality. It was computed that not more than one man in six possessed a vote, and therefore there was great need of an extension of the franchise, which was admitted by the leaders of all parties. But, perhaps, not more than one in six of the electors was free to vote for the man he thought best fitted to represent him in Parliament, for there were so many influences at work to prevent a man from freely and conscientiously exer cising the franchise. That being the case, the mere ex tension of the franchise would be of very little use ; and the practical conclusion which he desired to bring before the meeting was that no extension of the franchise would be satisfactory, and really increase the free power of the people, unless it was accompanied with the sys tem of voting by ballot. This was a question not to be settled by loose or random assertions, but it was a question of fact ; and he would read to the meeting some extracts to show that it was admitted by various parties that there were a very large number of persons who were unable to give their votes freely and honestly, without regard to the wishes or feelings of their land lords, their customers, their creditors, or . their em ployers. He 2 ,would first read the confessions of a de feated candidate for the county of Leicester. This gen tleman was a Tory, and an opponent of the ballot. He said, "I contend it is contrary to the spirit of the British constitution that a few large landed proprietors are to combine together to return any one they choose for a constituency that cannot be called a very small one." That gentleman seemed to think that landed proprietors might choose a representative for a small constituency, but he (Mr. Whitehurat) differed from him on that point. The defeated candidate went on to say that he had received communica tions from tenant-farmers stating that if they could have done as they wished, he would have been returned at the bead of the poll. At the last election for South Northamptonshire, the Tory candidate, who was elected, in returning thanks, said, "Let me first return my thanks to those 1983 voters who have brought me in as their representative ; and next those vet -rs who gave me their good wishes, but said they could not vote far me." He then went on to il:ustrate the undue in fluence which had been used, by saying that while at one of the booths he sa s a voter, who had promised him, vote for Lord Henley. Mr. BLACKABY (a shoemaker, formerly as extreme Radical—latterly a Conservative) —Tne question—the ballot. Mr. WHIM:MST—I am afraid the gentleman who— A. VOICE—Take no notice of him, Sir ; he's a lu❑a tic. (Lcurl cheers and laughter.) Mr, BLACKABY—I believe—(interruption, laughter, and cries of " order")—l did not intend to insult the speaker; I simply called his attention to the questio❑ before us. If he wants to go from Land's End to John fr'Groat's to tell us what is the meaning of he ballot, then lam a lunatic. (Laughter.) But, sir (addressing Whitehurat), I will wait till you have done your rhodomontade, then I will answer you. (Laughter.) Mr. WHITEHURST —I promise that when I have finished my remarks, which the gentleman calls rhodo wonted°, he shall have an opportunity of addres-ing the meeting as long as the meeting choose to listen to him. I shall go on to show that various forms of nrirnidation prevent the people of this country from recording their votes at elections freely and independently ; then, that the ballot would cure the evils of intimi dation ; and lastly, notice some of the objections to the institution of the ballot And I can assure the gentleman who interrupted me that I mean to go from Caithness to Cornwall, to show that wherever there is an election, a large number of the electors are coerced.—Mr. Whitehurat then proceeded to quote various authorities to show the prevalence of intimida tion in some form or other, when he was interrupted by some of the Tories ; upon which he said he should like to know what was the objection to the balot entertained by those'who interrupted him. Did they deny the exist ence of coercion and intimidation ? Did they think the ballot would not cure that evil ? Was it wrong to vote in secret I Mr. G. &resole—lt's wrong, most decidedly wrong. No man ever had a right to vote, unless he voted openly. Mr. WHITRHURST—Then it comes to a question of secrecy. I will answer that presently ; but first I will fasten your attention to the question, whether the ballot would prevent intimidation. (Loud cries of " Yes," "No," and interruption.) The CHAIRMAN said there appeared to be a large num ber on each side of the question ; but he begged the meeting to give the gentleman who was addressing them a,fair cpportunity of expressing his views. Mr. BLACKABY rose amid laughter, hissv, and in terruption. The CHAIRMAN called hi'n to order. Mr. BLACKABY—I will be beard. The CHAIRMAN—Give me your name, sir. Mr. BLACKABY—My name is Blackaby, sir. (Lough ter.) The CHAIRMAN then put it to the meeting whether they would hear Mr. Blackaby or Mr. Whitehurat. The meeting decided by an almost unanimous show of hands to hear Mr. Whitehurat. Mr. BLACKABY —I am addressing you, sir, ae the Chairman. (Interruption, hisses, and cries of " Turn him out.") • Mr. HOWARD COLEMAN said if Mr. Wbiteher•t would confine himself to the question of the ballot he should be glad to hear him ; but he must not be sar caetic and personal in his remarks. Mr. WHITEHURST was about to proceed with his re marks, when Mr. BLACKABY again rose' and said—This subject I appreciate more than anybody in the room ; but I want elucidating on the subject. I don't want to go from Land's End to John O'Groat, because this question is eimple in its substance. (Laughter, interruption, and cries of "order)." I maintain, to all intents and purposes. (Renewer! interruption.) I made use of the word rhn domontade—and so it is, for rhodoreontade means stuff. (Loud laughter.) And of course—(interruption, during which Mr. Blackaby sat down.) Mr. WRITEIIE:MST—I assume now that those gentlemen who are opposed to the ballot acinkt that intimidation does prevail, and I will grapple at once with the ohjec tion stated by the gentleman on the lefthand side of the room (Mr. Simeon), He objects to the secrecy of the ballot. What is there wrong in secrecy I We are in the habit of doing nearly things in secret. We are in the habit of excluding the interference and prying of our neiehbours in affairs which we think they have no right to interfere with. We seal our letters when we send them to the post, aid no ono has any more right to know what his neighbour's vote is than he has to open his letters on their way to the pest. What do you want to know how a man votes for ? if you want to turn him out of his farm, or put an execution into his house, then you may want to know how he votes. But other wise, why do you want to know how a man votes ? Mr. SIMSON—You never will know if ho votes in secret. Mr. WHITEHURST—ExactIy, nor should you. Just as I would prevent a man gong to my banker's to know what balance I have there, so I would prevent him from knowing how I vote. I ask you again—Why do you want to know how a man votes A Voice—So as to put the screw on. (Loud laughter.) Mr. H. COLEMAN-Is not the screw put on before he votes ? I have known it put on by the Whigs in this town. Don't be too bard on the Tories. Mr. WHITEHURST--I believe it is the regular praotice of all parties—Tories, Whigs, and Radicals—to put on the screw. I believe that wherever there are men who have power of controlling voters—whether bankers, attorneys, the millewners of Lancashire, or the land owners of Hertfordshire—that power will be used to force a man to vote in a particular way, or to punish him for giving an honest vote, contrary to the wishes of those in whose power he is. Now, then, c Mme back to the question of secrecy. Are th ere no o ther persons in this country who vote in secret ? Th e members of a Court Martial, at the commence men t of the proceed ings, take an oath not at any tim e , or on any acoount, to divulge the vote or opinion of any member of the Courc Martial. You know the opinion of the whole Court Martial, just as you would know the result of a whole constituency ; but you don't know how each member has voted. Mr. BLACKA.BY—Becaus6 their dead are evil. Mr. WIIITEHURBT—T.tie gentleman quotes Scripture ; but I will remind him that the man who votes in secret may, if ho chooses, proclaim how he has voted, and may " sound a trarnpet before him as the hypocrites do." (Laughter, and interruption.) Mr. BLAOKABY—I suppose when you made that retwirk—(interruption)--I consider when you make a personal remark upon one individual in a rneetiug, yea in9nit the whole body. I want to know whether you intend that remark to reflect upon yourself or upon this body ? If you were a wise man—(interruption), I won't be put down. If you are a gentleman confine your self to language that is cot insulting to any community, Mr. WHITEHURST—I meant t i apply the remark to whom it is applicable, and there is an old saying—those whom the cap firs let them wear it. (Cheers and laughter.) Mr. BLAOKABT then sat down, observing—' If you make any more personal remarks, I shall rise again." (Laughter.) Mr. WHITEHURST—The ventleman has closed his very eloquent remarks with the word that we often see on hatehments—"Resurga w ," I shall rise again (Laughter.) Mr. BLAOKABY _immediately started to hie feet, amid roars of laughter, follo.Ned with hisses. He said—l pledge myself only to make one more remark, and I wilt leave it in the bosom of that gentleman. (Laughter.) I will quote one passage —and that is from one of the most ness. Solomon told him tha', and therefore he knew it. celebrated poets that ever lived. (Interruption.) The But he must ray that, whenever a man ot up gentleman has has mad e remar k s upon me because lam a sate a political question, it wou ld b e wise of him to to steer plebeian. (Laughter) Mr. Blackaby ghee began to clear of any International matter. (Loud laughter.) He repeat the line s i n a pompous, oratorical manner, which did not }mom why people laughed. There was a very was thoroughly appreciated by the meeting. With up- good iaying—"Focls laugh, and Wise teen keep their lifted arm, and solemn tone, he proceeded. The con tenance." (Renewed laughter.) He hoped he should passage is— " Did I u n j us tl y seek to raise m fame be excused m a ki ng t h ese personal remarks ; but he felt, On the pil e d ru i ns y as an individ ua l, t h at h e had been personaly attacked. (Loud laught er and interruption.) Hannah Moore -- He dared Ray hi s remar k s would go through the publio the poet or the p oe t ess. She said , papers, but t h at did not daunt him for a single moment. "Did I unj us tl y seek to raise m fame— I These were ru d e remarks, hut net personal. (Laughter.) Y Mr. FOSTE R t h en a d dressed a few words to the meet (Laughter, and cri es of "order.") I pledge myself to ing, in op pos iti on to the adoption of the ballot. He finish with this exp ress i on. Hannah Moore said— " Did I unj us tl y--. characterised it as en -E ng li sh, and as calculated to pre vent voters fro m t a ki ng that interest in politics which (Renewed burst s o f l aughter.) If I wait for a week— they did now, and which it was important they should with all the shorthand writers here—l will finish it. continue to take. If the ballot was adopted a man The gentleman thought proper to make a remark upon would give his vote and go home and think no more me because he thought I was a plebeian —that is a about politics till another election ; but now men were humbly -born always talking about politics, and thus erroneous opi nions were corrected, and right conclusions arrived at. The experience of the working by ballot in a new coun try like Australia was not a criterion fur us ; but we should rather look at the working of it in such countries as France and America, where the result was anything but desirable. He concluded by proposing an amend ment, to the effect that it was not desirable to adopt the ballot. Mr. H. COLEMAN seconded the amendment, and said he was quite satisfied that the people of Hertford were too Independent to require the protection of the ballot. Mr. Newman had been in the town but a short time, but he was a remarkably busy little body—(a laugb)— both in parochial and other matters. He did nob tb jet to that, however, for if a gentleman saw evils in society, it was quite right of him to try to rectify them ; but if Mr. Newman thought they were going to have the ballot forced upon them, he was quite mistaken. (Cheers.) The CHAIRMAN said he was glad to hear that Hert ford was so pure as not to need any improvement. But he must say, although he had been only at Hertford a short time, he had heard something about 14 daps' leases. (Cheers, laughter, and hisses.) The amendment and motion were them put to the vote, and the chairman declared that in his opinion the show of hands was slightly in favour of the ballot. This announcement gave great dissatisfaction to the opponents of the ballot, some of whom declared there were four to one against it, and others •aid there were two to one. To us the numbers appeared to be so nearly equal that, without actually counting them, it was im. possible to decide which bad the majority. After a little uproarious pr )testing against the announcement of the division, the meeting quietly dispersed. "Did I unjustly-- (much lan'eter.) It is worth hearing, and I will have it out. It's only four lines. I say again—now don't mad e a noise this time. (Renewed laughter.) I will finish with these four lines. I say again—l wish you would bear it. (Great laughter and interruption.) The CHAIRMAN in erposed, and said such disorder was not creditable to Hertford. Several rersons called out that they had better hear Mr. Blackaby's poetry and done with it, so that Mr. Whitehurst's speech might be continued. The CHAIRMAN then requested the meeting to restrain their mirth and listen to the poetry. Mr. BLACKANY then proceeded, and delivered himeel of the following lines, the meeting with difficulty hold ing in check the risible faculty which had been so strongly exciter] : " Did I unjustly seek to raise my fame On the piled ruins of another's name ? Nay ! I would scorn as hell the invidious lie— Such foul deceit—such base hypocrisy." (Loud laughter.) Mr. WHITEHURST—The gentleman of the poetry did me a grievous iejuetice when he represented me Re having trampled himidown because he was a plebeian. I assure him that no such idea ever entered my mind. On the contrary, so far from taking him to be a plebeian, I took him for one of the aristocracy. (Laughter, and cries of " Oh," and " What a bad judge you must be.") And I was reminded, not of four, but of two lines— " What can ennoble fools, or sots, or cowards ? Alas, not all the blood of all the Howards." (loud laughter, and a cry of "Haven't you another four lines, Blackaby ?") Now then, let us drop this personal question and come back to the ballot. The Legislature of this country have given the officers of Court Martial the protection of secret voting, becan.e they are depen dent for their promotion on the goodwill of their higher authorities ; and it might chance that if a man had given a vote (honest though it might be) displeasing, to the military authorities, his promotion might be stopped and his career blasted. And I ask, on behalf of a large body of electors of this country, that they may be pro tected by secret voting from any evil consequences to themselves or their families from the exercise of their vote. Cabinet Ministers carry on their debates in secrecy. The newspaper writers, who exercise a great power over public opinion, who form and control public opinion, who maintain ministers in office, or write down and put them out of office, are unknown. And just as I ask, on behalf of the independence of the press—which is necess try to the good government of the country—that the writers may be protected by secrecy, so, in order to maintain the+ independence of the electors and the independence. of Parliament, I would ask that the elector should vote in secret. I heard a gentleman say just now that no man ought to vote who can't vote openly. But when you say that, you are finding fault with the constitution of the world. There ought to be no gaols and no lunatic asy lums, but while there are thieves and lunatics you must have such places. Men ought to be independent, nut they are not, and the majority of them never will be while society is constituted as it he Men ought not to exercise despotic power ever others, but they w li do it, and therefore I say let the voter be protected by secrecy. Mr. H. COLEMAN—No man ought to be ashainee of his vote. Mr. WHITEHURST—I grant it, and perhaps you would say no man ought to be ashamed of the balance at his banker's. I ask you why you eleoulii wart to know h a man votes any more than what balance he has at his banker's. Mr. Sniesore—Because the one is a public matter, and the other is private. Mr. WHITEHURST—I grant that the exercise of the vote is a public duty ; and for tnat reason, give a man the protection of the ballot, so as not to make him sin agaiust his public duty. Mr. He COLeMAN asked Mr. Whitehuret to mention any cases in Hertford in which voters had been made to vote contrary to their wishes and opinions. • Mr. WHITEHURST said he was a stranger to the place, and therefore could not mention instances ; but he had no doubt coercion prevailed here as elsewhere. Mr. H. ,COLEMAN —No it don't. I always vote as I like. ANOTHER HRAVY GALE ON THE NORTH BAST COAST, AND I OSB OF LIFE. On Saturday advict-s at Lloyd's furnish a list of serious casualtie4 which occurred on the North-east coast, during a heavy gal-. on Thursday and Friday mor..ing. It commenced from the northward, and veered io the N.E., blowing heavy squalls, with rain, and causing the sea to break on the beach with great fury. _ Between Fla - mborough Head and the Tees, the weather was exceedingly bad, and several vessels w , re driven ashore. A sad catastrophe happened off Scaroorough on Thursday morning. A boat in which were several men, sil l posed four or five, was observed by the coast guard to be endeavouring to make for the karbour. The gale was at its height, and a very heavy sea was running. The boat had approached within a mile or so of the shore. when it capsized, and all the unfortunate fellows who. were in it perished. Later in the day, the boat was washed ashore, and on a piece of wood at the stern, was found the name o f " R o b ert Hudsen. " The unfortunate men are supposed to have formed the crew of a coasting ve-sel which fouudered during the gale. None of the bodies as 37, t have been cast up. The boat is about ten feet in length, and - is in the custo.ly of the receiver of droits for the district. On 'he same morning, near the Tees lighthouse, the schooner Kingfisher, Captain Patterson, from the Tyne, was driven ashore ; and at Staithes, in the neighbourhood, another, the Steerwell, belong ing to Whitney, sank. The most serious, loss, however, as regards the extent of property, was the wreck of the London and Newcastle screw steamer Rosedale, Capt. Wood, un the Lon2scar Rooks, near Hartlepool, on Thurs day morning. In the course cf the night and Fri day morning she went to pieces, and her loss is valued at 20,0001. She was bound to Newcastle, and, it is statqd, was in charge of two pilots. She had almost reached the Tyne, when she was driven back by the gale, and was endea vouring to run into Hartlepool harbour when she drove on the rocks. The life-boat was i,ot out, and succeeded in rescuing the crew of the ill-fated steamer. It is reported that the plots d.d not keep her in the proper Cannel, but the whole of the facts will be gone int) at au in quiry which the Board of Trade have directed. The R sedale was built abotit three years ago, and was the property of Messrs. Palmer, of Newcastle upon-Tyne. Mr. A. GREEN—No, you don't. This observation led to a little bantering between Mr. Coleman and Mr. Green, in the course of which Mr. Coleman remarked, "I can vote as I like, but you can't." Mr. WHITERUBST —Mr. Coleman has made the ad rniesioe. He says he can vote as he likes, but Mr. Green. can't. (Loud laughter.) Let us imagine the ballot is instituted at Hertford, what would Mr. Cole man be the worse ? Would he be less independent than now I He would be just as able to vote as he thinks proper as he does now. And would not Mr. Green, whom Mr. Coleman points out as the victim of coercion, be in a better position ? (Laughter.) Mr. H. COLEMAN—Re is the only man in Hertford the ball it woulii suit. Mr. WHITEHUNST—I am willing to take that admis sion, because if there is only one man in the borough of Hertford who wants the proteo ion of the ballot, I say that man ; would be better off, and all the others would be none the worse. (Interruption.) How could they be any worse off ? A Voice—Tnere would be no bribery. (Laughter.) Mr. WHITEHURST —Mr. Coleman, upright and proud in all the Cont-ciousness of his integrity, c mid go forth, and proclaim with a trumpet— Mr. COLEMAN—I should have you for the trumpet, for a better mouthpiece I don't know. (Loud laughter.) Mr. WHITEI3I7RST—But my sympathies are with Mr. Alfred Green, who is the victim of coercion, according to Mr. Coleman's account. (Laughter.) I have not yet heard it denied that coercion at elections does pre vail, or that the ballot would prevent coercion, and I have yet to learn why any man is entitled to know how another luau votes. (Cheers.) Mr. G. STAVELEY, of Victoria, then came f tr Nerd to address the assembly. He said he bad been a a resident at G—elong, in Victoria, for some years, and had had frequent opportunities of watching the operation of the system of voting by ballot, there adopted, The result was that, though at the first averse to the secret mode of voting, he became a thoroegh convert to it, after see ing its g oi effects. A transparency, illustrating the mo le of voting adopted in the colony of Victoria. was then exhibited, and explained by Mr. Staveley. At a bench in the polling room sat the returning officer, the poll clerks, and scrutineers. Tue voter approached this bench, and it having been ascertained that he was quali fied to cote, r-ceived a polling paper, upon which the names of toe candidates were printed, from the poll clerks. He then retired into a recess, provided with a desk and writing materials, where he could not be seen, and striking out the names of the p reoi.s he did not intend to vote for, carried the paper back to the bench, and deposited it in a I , cked box, in which there was a slit for the purpose. His vote was then recorded, and he returned borne. At the close of the poll, the papers were taken out, and examined in the pr esence o f the returning officer, the poll clerks, and scrutineers ap pointed by the candidates. The result was perfect secrecy. No one knew how a men voted, and nobody now asked a man, beosuse he was unable to give them any proof on the subject. The mode of voting in Vie , one had led to the discontinuance of all canvassing, white was now useless, and of treating, bribery, and intimi dation, which were useless also. A candidate now had to be content with addressing the electors, and taking what means he could to make his sentiments known. What had been done in Victoria could be done in England ; for there men were not Russian, or French, or American, but Engl eh, Irish, and Scot c h. M r. Staveley concluded his address by quoting the Opinions of eminent men in Victoria, and of Victorian news papers, formerly opposed to the ballot, who were now of opinion that it was the best means of taking the votes of the citizens. The more northern coast appears to have expe rienced as severe weath.-r. The accounts from St. Andre s state that en Thursday morning it blew a terrific gale, almost amo un ti ng t o a h urricane, from N.E., with hail and sleet. Ou the previous night the fine ship the Sutlej, almost a new vessel, nearly 800 tons burden, commanded by Capt. Grant, bound for Me!bourne, with a valuable general cargo, was wrecked at the mouth of the Tay harbour (Dun de:-). She was endeavouring to put to sea, when, from some unfortunate ciicums ance, which the account does not specify, she struck on the Tay bar. with such violence that she speedily filled, the offi cers and crew being obliged, fur the safety of their lives, to abandon her in the ship's boats. At the flood the ship was carried ashore near Ranerston, where she became a wreck. She belonged to the port of Dundee, and hart as will exceed 20,0001. Cow= v M.ancets. In answer to 4 question, Mr. STAVELEY said that, if a man could not read, he might get the Sneriff, who was sworn to secrecy, to strike out the names of toe persons for whom he did not vote from the voting paper. There was, however, a law by which, at the end of five years, persons who could not read would' be deprived of the privilege of voting. Mr. J. L. FOSTER asked what protection there was against any tampering with the voting papers. Mr. STAVELEY said there was no opportunity whatever for tampering with the papers without the concurrence of the returning-officer, the clerks, and the scrutineers, which was not at ad a probable event. Each scrutineer would look after the interest of his own candidate, and that would prevent any tampering with the papers. Im mediately after the close of pie poll, the numbers are ascertained, and the papers sealed up and sent to the Government officers. lir order thatlliete cros.v be no doubt as to the genuint3riess of the papers, the sheriff is obliged to sign every one of them before they are given out ; they are : then counted out to the returning-officer in fifties, and he has to account for every one of thew. In answer to a question from some one in the body of the room, Mr. STAVELEY said the papers were numbered, by which means the Government officials might be able t asc-Tiain how any person voted ; but the numbering was not an essential part of the sptetn, and in To-mania the papers were not numbered. Thu CHAIRUAN then made a few observations, in which he expressed himself strongly in favour of the ballot, and rPferml to the scenes of disorder and drunkenness which were witnessed at ll,rtford on the Occa s i on f th e l ast municipal election. He concluded by proposing a reso lution to the effect " that this meeting desires to recJrd its convicion that vote by ba , ;ot is necessary." Mr. BLACKABY then rose and said—lt was now an open qua-tion, and as he neither courted the smiles nor feared the frowns of any one, he should ex press his opinions freely. The chairman bad not o:Jur teously reflected on aft creditability of the voters of Hertford, at the Municipal election es p e cially. He (Mr. Blackaby), was not quite bore that anything disorderly or discreditable °centred, but if it was so, both sides were alike. He thought, under all circumstances, when a man got up to advocate any cause, it was wipe to steer char of personalities. He knew his wisdom wai foolish- 1 LEICESTER-APRIL 3. At our corn market to-day there was a small supply of wheat, which sold at an advance of IP. per quarter, good white making 4' a. and red 465. pet quarter. The trade in barley ruled dull, and List week's rates were maintained. Beans in small supply, and is per quarter dearer. Oats were scarce audio. higher. LONDION, MONDAY EVENING, 5, 1858, NOTTINGHAM—ArIin 3. At our Corn Exchange to-day, there was a small show of wheat, and a good attendance of buyers. The trade ruled active. at an advance of ls. per quarter ; floe white samples realising 503., and red 463. per 35 stone. There was rather less barley on offer, and in better condition. The demand was limited, at the quotations of last week, superior malting samples making 39e., and grinding 30s. par 30 stone. t ►ats were scarce and dear. In beans there was an advance of is. per quarter. NORWICH-APRIL 3. The corn trade has continued depressed in this district during the last few days. The local markets have been genera.lly dull, and at Bury St. Edmunds there was a reductio❑ of 2s. per quarter in wheat. Here to-day there was no further decline. The attendance was thin, and the supply of wheat rather small ; in the basiness done, trade was dull at last week's prices. The supply of barley con tinues, as usual, to fall off as the season advances ; here, to-day, the samples offered were taken off at about former rates. In other grain little change. White wh-at, 47s to 49s ; red, 41s to 43s ; barley, 32s to 41s. ; flour, 29s Od per sack; beans, 40s to 445; peas, 42s to 435; oats, 28s to 30s. DALBEITH GRAIN MARKET —APRIL 1. Qrs. Best. Current. Inferior 185 Wheat 49s 01 39s 20 127 s Od 551 Oats 34s o,i, 27s 70.... ..... 24., Od 3iio Barley 3Bs Od 33s Ad.:i 45 Peas & beans 41s 6d _ 422 6d HADDINGTON GRAIN MARKET—APRIL 2. wuzAT. BARLBY I OATS, BEA N -. 46. Od 374 Od 335 04 46s Od -—-•— - - First.. Second 4ls 6d` 33s 6cl i 28s 5d i 42 2d Third 37s Od 1 27s Od 115 s 6d 343 Od Total quantity of wheat in market, 309 qrs., 302 sold OP barley „ 499 qrs ., 471 so ld PP IP oats s; 357 qrs., 34; sold P PP PP beans PP 122 qrs., 105 sold ' AVERAGES PER IMPERIAL QUARTER. Wheat, .1. 1 6 1-12ths 1 Barley, ...11. 13 6 2-12de Oats, ... 11. 8 5 0 12ths i Beans, 21. 2 2 6-12tts BIRTHS. at 31, Ovington-square, A A C r li o B E n U p T t T o —n the ethe wife ed of Samuel uelrehbutt, Esq., of a son. BAYER—On the 2d inst., at Surbiton-hill, Mrs. J. S. Baker, of a son. EYRE—On the 2d inst., the wife of the Rev. C. J. Phipps Eyre, rector of Marylebone, of a daughter. MANRIAGES. ie ..i. 1 BEETON—BROWN —On the 2d init., at Chriird nil Lisson-grove, M r . Thos, Boeton, of Fenohtuct-svieet, to Maria, second daughter of the late Mr. J. Brown, of Haleaworth, Suffolk. GORDON- FOSKETT—On the 16th ult., at Walcot Church, Bath, Joh❑ Gordon, Esq , one of the Masters of the Court of Common Pleas, to Maria Jane, eldest daughter of the late Henry Foskett, Esq., Captain loth Hussars. DEATHS, dr eo(w)nnet the 31:;- ja4" .pC.a,thaanrdinLe,addyaLugohuitsear AGNEW—On the 3Allnuelctv: if3tartia,rims, R f trn S Ee l i ,v r y A, A La n tg t_ € i BA A° at 27, Thurloe-square, T. ESTCOURI—On the Ist inst., the Rev. Matthew Hale Est court, of Long Newnton, Wilts, aged 39, second son of Baruew,ll, Esq , a., , ed i 2. the late Rev. E. W,,, Estcoult. 3introN—On the let inst , at Belmont, Torquay, Herbert Alintoo, E . -q., late of Hart's-hill, Stoke-upon-Trent, aged CG. WHEATLEY—On the Ist inst., at 43, Charles-street, Ber keley -square, Lady Wheatley, relict of Major-General Sir Henry Wheatley, Bart., G.C.11., C. 8., aged 77. LONDON : Printed and Published by MURDO YOUNG of No. 112, Strand, Printer, at The Sun Office, No. 112, - )ttand, in the Precinct of the Savoy, in the county of Middlesex, Monday, April 5, APRIL W Evi Aft and Pit, Ito, ME Ada iatr nun corn Bac Act duct MO? Mr. The ♦ate Roos in m half- No form! No No No Maw No gent] NIC( Th prem Th loam these easel have Prea E both Comi Wido ,t.oz loans Assu of gr. I:] Hello+ Last polio eUrri annu the of gr Emp