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

LONDON, MONDAY EVENI THE NA VIGATION OF THE DANUBE. (From the Times Correspondent.) CONSTANTINOPLE, MARCH 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 butable'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 Sulina, 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 a ltogether guiltless, the deterioration was a steady, inevitable result of the action of the winds and waters, over which neither Muscovite power nor ill-will, 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, R.N., 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 caused 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 t 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 mouth, 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 been found 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 an in creme of 12 mile in the direction of Sulina. While the sand brought down by the lower mouths of the Kilia thus fills up gradually this basin, the coarser matter, being thrown on the Sulina 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 hills extend till within a short distance from Mao St. George's mouth. This is likewise the explanation of the greater prominence of that part of the coast. From 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 Sulina. 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 vanced 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 sandhills, 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 month, except the insignificant Belgorod, falls in beyond the northern margin of tl , e 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, according to a well-known law, with diminished force laterally. The proof of this 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 Spratt to pronounce for the 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. Rich party has given in its plans,—Mr. Hartley, the chief engineer of the Commission, and Mr. Wex, an Austrian engineer, advocating the St. George's, and Mr. Nobiling, chief engineer of the hydrotecbnic waters on the Rhine, in favour of the Sulins. The difference between them lies in the • money question. The whole Commission is agreed that the St. George's branch is the best channel, but those who advocate the Sulina do so because - they fear that the works at the St. George's being - on the largest river will b e too ex p e nsive, and con sequently oppress the n avigation which i s t o 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 curren*. The first of these methods is strongly advocated by long residents in the country and by some engineers as a cheap and efficacious mode 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 gays 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 regime. It 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 1.400. 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 m os t required—that is, during bad weather ; it is ttteu that the bar reseitei a fresh ROCeB62II of matter ASSIZE INTELLIGENOR. OXFORD CIRCUIT.—GLOIICESTER, 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 Timbrill 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 tbroat 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 Winchcomb in this county, and had always been considered a man of repute and high character in his profession. 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 him looked to their securities. Mr. Edwards, lately steward to Lord Sudely, 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 busi 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 Golfing. 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 as 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 to 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, amd. that Mr. Dupre would join him in the bond. I knew Mr. Dupre and was satisfied. He said the young 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—The 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 " Edward 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. Cross-examined--Mr. R. Timbrill is mybrother 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 400/., 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. He never said anything about a bond, or of having put my name to it. Mr. Robert Timbrill, of Beckford, depo'ed—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. Cross-examined—l got into difficulties at Cam bridge like other young men, and applied to Mr. Trenfield to relieve me from my difficulties. I was living for some time at Mr. Trenfield's house. Was in Wiltshire in September, 1853, and correspond ing with Mr. Treufield, 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. Trentield--flot quite 2001. (Reading a letter handed to him.) By this letter I suppose I had. Can't tell how much shert Of 2001. I had before the meeting at the Gray's-inn Coffee-house. Signed a note for 1001. at Mr. Trenfield's office in 1853. Went to Worcester in 1854 in the name of Wilkin. Did not sign a note for 3001. in 1853 to the beat 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 chepte for 2001. given by Mr. Edwards. Policeman Smith proved that he apprehended Mr. Trenfield in London. go was in a bad state - of health, and could not be removed ,for three weeks. His jaw was brokeni and -there - was a bullet in it. [The prisoner had attempted to coin= mit suicide while at an hotel. in. London. In the defence Mr. Cooke did not deny that the names of Messrs. Dupre and Timbrill had been put to the bond by the prisoner, but he submitted TR* SIJN,I and consolidation from the sand and shells driven the prisoner considered hehad sufficient a nd consolidation it by the waves ; any good, therefore, that the rift y, in his endeavour to settle the affairs of Mr. raking system may have done in fine weather Ti mbrill, to pnt their names to the security vr ithout any specific authority from the parties is speedily lost, and before vessels can pass the rake must work again. Therefore, to produce a su ffi - ft iemselves. The prisoner , having received letters ciently permanent effect, the engineers of the Com- fi .one both Mr. Dupre and 'Mr. Timbrill, was well I mission are all of opinion that piers must be carried attquainted with their signatures ; but he had made out into the sea, which shall confine the current no' attempt to imitate them. The act was no doubt increase its velocity, and which, at the same time, x raost indiscreet one , but he not having had a final will be directed upon the bar. Thus the bar will sotilement with Mr. Timbrill bad not had the op kept removed, and kept clear of the scouring action pc u-tnnity of paying off the bond, as was intended of the current. It is true that it will be again to lass done when that settlement took place. It formed outside in deeper water, but then the piers wolaid be a question for his lordship how far a per mast be extended according to the filling up of the son to the prisoner's position was authorised in bottom. affiix tug the signatures of the two parties to the It was with this system of piers in view that the bond. engineers of the Commission made their estimate, His .lordship, in summing up, told the jury it and choice of channel. The difference between the was fc , r them to decide as to the fraudulent intent Sulina and the St. George's party lies in the differ- of the prisoner in the transaction. ence of their estimates. Mr. Nobiling, the Prussian The i lar isoner was found guilty; and being called engineer, estimates the opening of the northern or up, in alas wer to the usual question, said—l hope, ICedriles mouth of St. George at 1,600,000 ducats, my lord, you will be favourable to me. I hope, and for further works which he considers as indis- gentlemen of the jury, you will recommend me to pensable, such as tracking path up the river, the mercy ; pray do. rectification of the Olinka channel, arc., 1,400,000 Baron Ohannell, addressing the prisoner, re ducats—in a 113,000,000 ducats, or 1,500,000 1 . ater- minded him that a few years ago this was an offence ling, while at Sulina he thinks 1,100,000 ducat, or punishable by death, but although that was not about 550,0001. sufficient. According to Mr. Hart- now the case, it was one of a very serious character ; ley's estimate the proportion between the expenses more especially when committed, as is this case, by required for each branch would not be greater than a person occulpying a position in life like him. As 4to 3, that is, 1,000,0001. at St. Georges, and an attorney and solicitor, people put great confi -750,0001. at Sulina ;at each mouth, then, the cost donee in him ; and he believed that, with regard of further advance would be 1051. per foot forward. to the great body of gentlemen belonging to that The difference in these estimates is in some mea- profession, that confidence was not abused. But, sure to be attributed to the fact that the Prussian unhappily, many cases had lately occurred in which engineer prefers to use stone throughout, while his persons in the . p•sition of trust and confidence had English colleagues proposes to revet the banks with been guilty of that of which be (the prisoner) had timber piling, protected by " pierres perdues" at just been convicted. When cases of this desorip the foot, for such distance as he hopes that the tion were proved, and proved as clearly as in this banks will form behind his piers into dry land ; instance, against persons of the character of the thenceforward he is for stone works, after the usual prisoner, it was necessary that they s sentence hould be fashion. severely punished. is lordship then d Thus the question stands for the present. In him to ten years' penal servitude. comparing the results which wouldfollow, according The prisoner groaned, and was then assisted from as one or the other channel should be decided dock. we find—First, that the bottom at Sulina would fill up one-half sooner than at St. George's, the slope being in the former 1- 4 0 0 , 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 I 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 Sulina must, even after the contemplated 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. WESTERN ClRCUlT.—Dzvrzes, APRIL 3. The learned judges attended divine service at St. John's Church yesterday morning. The courts opened at one o'clock. (Before Mr. Justice Crowder.) John Damon, who had pleaded guilty of burgle riously entering the mansion of the Earl of Suffolk and stealing 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 Wm. 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 gave him Borne medicine and left, instead, as it was contended by the pro secution, of affording relief by passing a catheter ' iuto 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 he saw deceased was on Jan. 8, and on the 12th another furgeon named Medhurst was called is. 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. He could not have lived 24 hours under any circumstances. There was, be said, gross negligence in leaving such a case three or four days ; and ho gave it as his deliberate opinion that the prisoner ought to have used a catheter when he was first called in. Mr. Cardell, surgeon, of Salisbnry, 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 had been going on for a considerable time. He did n)t 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 deceased 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 recumbent position. At this stage of the proceedings, the foreman of the jury was seized with an epileptic fit, and there being no chance of his resuming hia 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. e hoped the investigation, even though it had gone no further, would be productive of a beneficial result. consequence of tl:e officer who served the whole of 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 5/. Bank of England notes and 9/. in gold, the moneys of Mr. `William Wood, hotel keeper. The prosecuter in this case is the proprietor of Wood's Hotel, Furnival's Inn, Holborn, and he stated that the prisoner wont 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 gentlemen complained that they had been robbed during the night ; one of two 5/. notes, and another of a 5/. note and some gold. On the 22d of January last the prisoner first came to his house, and then a gentleman lost something. As he (the prosecutor) bad to make good the loss, when the prisoner came the second time Mollineux, a City detective, was sent for, but he did not arrive until one o'clock in the morning. The prit soner, however, Lid his breakfast before the rest o the lodgers were about, and left the house, come quently the presence of the officer was of nu avail. He hoped a remand would be granted to trace the notes, and to have the gentlemen present who had lost them. Mollineux, one of the City detectives, said lie was in the house on the morning in question, but'none of the parties robbed had complained when the pri soner lett. 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 followed 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 stunned her. Her cries for assistance attracted the notice of some of the passers by, who protected her from further ill treatment until the arrival of a policeman. Hopper, N 358, said that on reaching the spot prisoner as given into his custody by the lady, who was bleeding from the mouth, and after a re solute resistance 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 country ; but he was well known to the police as a sturdy beggar, who had infested the streetsfor the last two years. Mr. Hammill severely an;madverted 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 Alma-road, Bermondsey, was charged with committing violent assaults 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 London. Mr. Wooley said he was a telegraph superinten dent, and resided at No. 11, High-street, Man chester-square. On Good Friday he went to Brighton by excursion-train, and in returning to London, just as the train was about to enter the first tunnel, he saw the prisoner suddenly jump up from his seat opposite, with a thick stick in his hAnd, 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 wrested the stick from him, and held him down, but he - so violent that he nearly over powered him, ,a attacked another gentleman who was in ilas eta sOnipsArbnont. They, ttowerverc, kept hold of him until they came to the Three Bridges station, when he was removed to another carriage by the guard, On their arrival at the Lon don•lmidge 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, acid 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. %Vooley's assistance, when the prisoner struck him also and seized him by the throat. He then heard some one say, "Look out he has got a knife in his hand," and then they overpowered him, and held him until the train stopped at Three Bridges, when be was removed. On the arrival of the train at Loudon-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 served 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 persons with a stick. In endeavourins , to restrain him he committed - further violence, and caused the injuries to be inflicted on himself. The public travelling in railway carriages must be protected against such ruffians, th ere fore he should fine him 50s. or three weeks for the first assault, and 50s. or three weeks for the second, making altogether 5/. or six weeks hard labour. THE FAIRY PRlNCE.—Bacause 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 hinz est once. Ileashandboxes 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 stand—where the blessed hour and youth always arrive, , the ivory horn is lilown at the castle gate ; and far off in her beauteous bower the princess hears it; and starts up, and knows that ';here is the right champion. He is always ready. Look ! how the giants heads tumble off as, felchion in head, he gallops over the bridge on his white charger ! should that virgin, looked 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 I suppose there's an instinct. I suppose there's a reason. I never spoke, for my part, to a fairy prin cess, or heard as much from any unenchanted or en chanting maiaeo. 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. Bet they will 'fall in love. Their little hearts 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 'tis a knight with curling muatachios, a flashing citniter, and a suit of silver armour. Oh no ! it is only a costermonger with his donkey and a pannier of cabbage's. Sister Ann, sister Ann, vhst is that cloud of dust? Oh, it is only a farner's man driving a fl 'ols of pigs from mar ket. Sister Ann, sister Ai_ n, who is that splendid w r rior advancin in scarlet and gold He nears the castle, he clears the crawbridge, he lifts the ponderous hammer at the gate. tsh me, he knocks twice ! 'Tie only the postman with a double letter from Northamptonshire. So it is that we make false starts in life.—The tiargi nizns, No. 6, [ADVERTISEMENT.] —Holloway's Pills an Astonishing Remedy for Giddiness in the IL-ad.—Mr. Newton, druggist, -Hull, states is a letter to Professor Holloway, that John Ware, residing in Stabb-i-buildiugs, West street, 11011, :las been afflicted with giddiness in the head off and ea for the last 20 years, and though he tried many things 'luring that long period, yet he found little or no relief from the 6; 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 health than ever he did before, thanks to Holloway's Pills. Sold by all vendors of medicine, and at Profes• sor Holloway's Establishment, 244, Strand, London. POLICE INTELLIGENCE.-April 3. CLERKEN WELL. —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 instance against de faulters in the above parish 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 stopped on any technical objection, but should like to ask what substantial benefit he got for the money he 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—Are you the owner of the house, or do you hold the property 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 make you should take into con sideration the sum you would have to pay for tithes 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 tha 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. Comic 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 in a half muddled state to get him to settle the matter, and to tamper with the persons who had summoned him. Mr. Corrie asked who the officer was. Turner, the gaoler, said he, knowing the expense the parties would bo 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 offic:‘rs 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 summonses were then , adjourned in 1858. NO,. AP RIL THE.BALLOI:--MEETING AT HERTFORD. (From t,se 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 had 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 tie hoped that every speaker would have a fair and impartial hearing. (Hear, hear.) Mr. E. C. WHITEHURST (vice-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 ono 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, bat what was the fact? 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 vote; freely and honestly, without regard to the wishes or feelings of their land lords, their customers, their creditors, or their em ployer;. He ',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. Whitehurst) differ-a 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 vas 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 voters who gave me their good wishes, but said they could not vote fel. me." He then went on to it ustrate the undue in fluence which had been used, by saying that while at one of the booths ho saw a voter, who had promised him, vote for Lord Henley. Mr. BLAOKABY (a shoemaker, formerly an extreme Radical—latterly a Conservative).—The question—the ballot. Mr. WHITEHURST—I am afraid the gentleman who— A VOICE—Take no notice of him, Sir ; he's a luna tic. (Loud cheers and laughter.) Mr. BLAOKABY—I believe—(interruption, laughter, and cries of " order")—l did not intend to insult the speaker ; I simply called his attention to the question before us. If he wants to go from Land's Ead to John o'Groat's to tell us what is the meaning of the ballot, then I fun a lunatic. (Laughter.) But, sir (addressing Mr. Wbiteburst), I will wait till you have dune your rhodomontade, then I will answer you. (Laughter.) Mr. WHITEHORST —I promise that when I have finished my remarks, which the gentleman calls rhodo montade, he shall have an opportunity a addressing the meeting as long as the meeting choose to listen to him. I shall go on to show that various forms of in'irnidation prevent the people of this country from recordieg 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. Whitehurst 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 kno w what was the objection to the badot entertained by those who interrupted him. Did they deny the exist ence of coercion and intimidation? Did they think the ballot would not care that evil ? Was it wrong to vote in secret ? Mr. G. SnlSON—lt's wrong, most decidedly wrong. No man ever had a right to vote, unless he voted openly. Mr. WIIITEERMST—Then it comes to a question of secrecy. I wit], answer that presently ; hut fir,t I will fasten your attention to the question, whether the ballot would prevent intimidation. (Loud cries of " Yes," " Ne," 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 opportunity of expressing his views. Mr. BLACSADY rose amid laughter, hisses, and in terruption. The CHAIRMAN called him to order. Mr. BLACKABY—I wld be heard. The CHAIRMAN—Give me your name, sir. Mr. BLACKABY—My name is Blaokaby, sir. (Laugh ter.) The CHAIRMAN then nut 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. Whitehuret. Mr. BLACKABY—I am addressing you, sir, as the Chairman. (Interruption, hisses, and cries of " Turn him out.") Mr. HOWARD COLEMAN said if Mr. Whitehuret would confine himself to the question of the ballot he should be glad to hear him ; but he must not be sar casticand personal in his remarks. Mr. WIIITEHLMST 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 simple in its substance. (Laughter, interruption, and cries of "order)." I maintain, to all intents and purposes. (Renewed interruption.) I made use of the word rho domontade—and so it is, for rhodomontade means stuff. (Loud laughter.) And of course—(interruption, during which Mr. Blackaby sat down.) Mr. WHIT RIIIIRST —I assumo now that those gentlemen who are opposed to the ballot adrint that intimidation does prevail, and I will grapple at once with the objec tion stated by the gentleman on the leftband side of the room (Mr. Sims*. lie objects to the secrecy or the ballot. What is there wrong in secrecy ! We are in the habit of doing many things in secret. We are in the habit of excluding the interference and prying of our neighbours in affairs which we think they have no right to interfere with. We seal our letters when we send them to the poet, and no ono has any more right to know what his neighbour's vote is than he ha' to open his letters on their way to the post. 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 he votes in secret. Mr. WHITEHIII:ST—ExactIy, nor should you. Just as I would prevent a man go:ng 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. li. COLEILAN--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 hard on the Tories. Mr. WHITEHURST—I believe it is the regular practice of all parties—Tories, Whigs, and Radicals—to put on the sinew. I believe that wherever there are men who have power of controlling voters—whether bankers, attorneys, the millowners of Lancashire, or the land owners f Ilertfordshir.3—that power will bo used to forco a man to vote in a particular way, or to punish him for gi•ing an honest vote, contrary to the wishes of those in whose power he is, Now, then, I c +me back to the question of secrecy. Are there no other persons in this country who vote in secret ? The members of a Court Martial, at the commencement of the proceed ings, take an oath not at any time, or on any account, to divulge the vote or opinion of any member of the Court 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. BLACICASY—Because their deeds are evil. Hr. WHITEHURST—The gentleman quotes Scripture ; but I will remind him that the man who votes in s ecret may, if he chooses, proclaim how he has voted, and may " sound a trumpet before him as the hypocrites do." (Laughter, and interruption.) Mr. BLACKABY--I suppose when you made that remark—(interruption)--I consider when you make a personal remark upon one individual in a nieetine, you inmlt 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 Mau—(interruption) I won't be put down. If you are a gentleman confine your self to language that is riot insulting to any community. Mr. NV URST —I meant ti apply the remark to whom it is applicAble, and there is en old saying—those whom the cap fits let them wear it. (Cheers and lauehter.) Mr. BLACKABY then sat down, observing—i'lf you make any more personal remarks, I shall rise again." (Laughter.) Mr. WHITEHURST—Tim rnentlemo.n has closed his very eloquent remarks with the word that we often see on hatchments--" Resurgarn," I shall rise again. (Laughter.) Mr. BLACKABY immediately started to his feet, amid rears of laughter, folio Ned with hissee. lie sai.i—l pledge myself only to melee one more remark, and I. will leave it in the bosom of that gentleman. (Laughter.) I will quote one ps.ssage—and that is fr im one of the most celebrated poets that ever lived. (Interruption.) The gentreman has made remarks upon me because I am a plebeian. (Laughter) Mr. Blackabv 41:10 , , began to repeat the lives in a pompous, oratorical manner, wb lob was thoroughly appreciated by the meeting With up lifted arm, and solemn tone, he proceeded. The passage is— " Did I unjustly seek to raise my fame On the piled ruins— (Loud laughter and interruption.) Haonah Moore is the poet or the poetess. She said— " Did I unjustly seek to raise my fame — (Laughter, and cries of "order.") I pledge myself to finish with this expression. Hannah- Moore said— " Did I unjustly---.. (Renewed bursts of laughter.) If I wait for a week — with all the shorthand writers here—l Tvi!l finish it. The gentleman thought proper to make a remark upon me because he thought I was a plebeian—that is a humbly born individual.—(Laughter.) But the poet said--- • "Did I unjustly-- (much laughter.) It is worth hearing, and I will have it out. It's only four lines. I say again—now don't make a noise this time. (Renewed laughter.) I will fini.h with these four lines. I say again—l wish you would hear it. (Great laughter and interruption.) The CHAIRMtN in erooseri, and said such disorder was not creditable to Hertford. Several r arsons culled 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. BLACYAZY then proceeded, and delivered himsel of the following lines, the meeting with difficulty hold ing in check the risible faculty which had been so strongly r-xcite - I " Did I unjustly seek to raise my fame On the piled ruins of another's name ? Nay ! I would scorn as hell the bvidious lie— Such foul deceit—such base hypocrisy." (Loud laughter.) Mr. WiiirrEnußsT —The gentleman of the poetry did me a grievous i• justice when he represented me as 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 I") Now then, let us drop this personal question and come back to the ballot. The Legislature of this country have given the officers of C .urt Martial the protection of secret voting, becau-e they are depen dent lor their promotion on the goodwill of their higher authorities ; and it might chance that if a man ha , l 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 cone,quences 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 behai of the independence of the press—which is necessary 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 indepen&nce of Parliament, I would ask that the elector should v , te 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 tuna ice you nau , t have such places. Men ought to he independent, +mt they are not, and the majority of them never will be while society is constituted as it is. Men ought not to exercise despotic power ever other, but they w 11 do it. and therefore I say let the voter be protected by secrecy. Mr, H. COLEMAN—No man ought to be ashamed of his vote. Mr. WHITEHUBST—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 should want to knowhiw a man votes any more than what balance be has at his banker's. Mr. SllASON—Because the one is a public matter, and the other is private. Mr. WEITEHURST—I grant that the exercise of the vote is a public duty ; and for that reason, givo a man the protection of the ballot, so as not to make him Ein agaiust his public duty. Mr. H. COLIEMA.N asked Mr. Whitehurst to mention any cases in Hertford in which voters had bean made to vote contrary to their wishes and opinions. Mr. WHITEHURST said he was a stranger to the place, and theretore could not mention instances ; but he had no doubt coercion prevailed here as elsewher,.. £lr. H. COLEMAN—No it dou't. I always vote as I like. Mr. A. CrlttEN—No, you don't. Tins ouservatiM ied to a litt , e ba , ltering between Mr. Coleman and Mr. Grego, in the course of which Mr. Coleman remarked, "I can vote as I like, but you can't." Mr. WEIITHIIMIST —Mr. Coleman has made the ad mission. He says he can vote as he but M:. Green can't. (L iud laughter.) Let us imagine the ballot is instituted at Hertford, wha:: would Mr. Cole man be the worse ! Would he be less independent that. now I He would be juit .s able to vote as be think, proper - as he does now. And would not Mr. Green, whom Mr. Coleman points out as the victim of coercion, be in a bet ter position I (Laughter.) Mr. H. COWMAN—He is the only man in Hertford the ball,t *Out , ' suit. Mr. WHITEHURST--I am willing to take that admis sion, because if there is only one man in the borough ef 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 3 A Voice—There would 'be no bribery. (Laughter.) Mr. WHITERMIST —Mr. Coleman, upri 4 ht and proud in all the cou-ciousness of his integrity, c mid go forth, and proclaim wits, a trumpet— Mr. COLEMAN—I should have you for the trumpet, for a better mouthpiece I don't know. (Loud laughter.) Mr. WRITEHURST—But my sympathies are with Mr. Alfred Green, who is the victim of coercion, according I to Mr. Coleman's account. (Laughter.) 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 man votes. (Cheers ) Mr. G. STAVELEY, of Victoria, then came f r erard to address the assembly. He said he had been a a resident at Ge elong, in Victoria, for some years, and had bad frequent opportunities of watching the operation of the syei ern of voting by ballot, there adopted. The result was that, though at the first averse to the secret mode of vying, he became a thorough co avert to it, after see iug its g od effects. A tran--pareocy, illustratin g the me le of voting adopted iu the colony of Victoria. was then exhibited, and explained by Mr. Staveley. At a b-nch in the polling roam sat the returning officer, the poll clerks, and scrutineers. Toe voter approached this bench, and it having been ascertains-t that he was quali fied to vote, received a polling paper, upon which the names of tie candidates were printed, from the poll clerks. He then retired into a recess, provided will a desk and writing materials, where he could not be seen, and striking out the names of the p reohs he did not intend to vote for, carried the paper back to the bench, and deposited it in a lecked box, in which there was a slit for the purpose. His vote was then recorded, and he returned home. At the close of the poll, the papers were taken out, and examined in the presence of the returning officer, the poll clerks, and scrutineers ap pointed by the candidates. Tne result was perfect secrecy. No one knew how a msn voted, and nobody now asked a man, because he was unable to give teem any proof on the subject. The mode of voting in Vice.iria had led to the disountinuarice of all canvassing, which was now useless, and of treating, bribery, and intimi dation, which were useless also. A candidate now bad 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 Lig' eh, Irish. and Scotch. Mr. 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. In answer to a question, Mr. STAVELET said that, if a man could not read, he might get the Sheriff, who was sworn to secrecy, to strike out the names of the 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 all a probable event. Each scrutineer woull look after the interest of his own candidate, and that would prevent any tampering with the papers. Im mediately after the close of the poll, the numbers are ascertained, and the papers sealed up and sent to the Government officers. In order that there may be no doubt as to the genuineness 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 them. 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,rtain how any person voted ; but the numbering was not an essential part of the system, and in Ta-mania the papers were not numbered. The CHAIRMAN then made a few observations, in which he expressed himself strongly in favour of the ballot, and referred to the scenes of disorder and drunkennesswhich were witnessed at Hertford on the occasion f the last municipal election. He conc luded b y p ro p o sing a reso lution to the effect "that this meeting deeirer to ree ,rd ite convic . ion that vote by ballot is necessary." Mr. BLACICABY then rose and said—lt was now an open question, and as he neither courted the smiles nor feared the frowns of any one, he should ex press his opinions freely. The chairman had not cour teously reflected on the creditability of the voters of Hertford, at the Municipal election especially. He (Mr. Blackaby) was not quite sure that anything disorderly or discreditable occurred, b u t i f it was so , both sides were alike. He thought, und er a ll circurn,t a ncee, when a man got up to advocate any cense, it was wise to steer clear of personalities, lie knew his Wisci!:;!! 3 l. l _Tal foolish* noes. Sol omo n told him that, and therefore he knew it. But he must say that, whenever a man got up to advo cate a iiraifcal qu-stiornit would be wise of him to steer deal of any internati .nal matter, (Loud laughter.) He did not know why people laughed. There was a very good ,ayi g— " Fouls laugh, and wise men keep their con- teoa cs." (Renewed laughter.) He hoped he should be ex used ~ , a ki“g these personal remarks ; bu , he felt, A. a . that he bad *been personally attacked. He dared ay his remarks would go through the public but rhai; oid not daunt hint for a single moment. These were rude remarks, hut n t personal. (Laughter.) Mr. FOSTER then aildrp,sed a few wcrds to the meet ing, in oopo-ition to th, adoption of the ballot. He characterise(' it as tin-English, and as calculated to pre vent voters from taking that interest in p ditics which they did now, and which i , was important they should continue to take. if the bailot was adopted a man would give his vote and go home and think no more about politics till another election ; but now men were 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 noun ' try like Australia was not a criterion for 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 tilt , effect that it was not aesirable to adopt the 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 be was e remarkably busy little body—(a laugh)— both in parochial and other matters. He did not b j,ct 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 th.uAt they were going to have the ba , tat forced upon them, he wa3 quite mistaken. (Cheers.) The CHAIRMAN said he was glad to hear that Hert ford was sv 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 days' !eases. (Cheers, laughter, and hisses.) . The amendment and motion were they put to the vote, and the chairman declared that in opinion the show 01 hands wa.. slightly in favour of the ballot. This announc-went gave great disga•isfaction to the opponents of ttie ballot, some of whom declared there were four t.> one against it, and others aid there were two ter one. T., us the numbers appeared to be so nearly equal that, wy.i.out ac ually counting them, it was im possible to :ecide which had the-majority. After a little uproatiou- pretesting against the announcement of the division, the meeting quietly dispersed. ANOTHER HEA FY GALE ON THE NORTH EAST COAS AND i OSS OF LIFE. On Saturday ad.viers 'at Lloyd's furnish a list of serious casualties which occurred on the North-east coast, during a heavy gal.- on Thursday and Friday morving. It comwencrd from the northward, and veered to the N.E., bl6wing ht avy squalls, with rain, and causing the sea to break on the beach with great fury. Between Flamborough Head and the Tees, the weather was exceedinAy bad, and several vessels were driven ashore. A sad catastrophe happened off Scarborough oil Thursday morning. A boat in which were several lieu, su:posed four or five, was observed by she coast guard to be endeavouring to make fir the harbou , . Tee gals was at its height, and a very heavy ,ea was running. The boat had - approached wi:hin a wile or so of the shore when it capsized, and all the unfortunate fellows who wet() in it perished. Lwer in the day, the boat was washed ashore, and on a piece of wood at tho stern, was bound th name of " Robert Hudson." The unfortunate men are supoo , ed to have formed the crew of a coasting vessel which foundered during the gale. None of the bodies as r t have been cast p. The boat is about ten feet in length, and is in the cus , cnly of the receiver of iroits for the district. On r ho same morning, near the Tees lighthouse, ' the schooner Kingfisher, Captain Patterson, from ' the Tyno, was driven ashore ; and at Staithes, in toe 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 Loudon and Newcastle sere w steamer Ros-dale, Capt. Wood, ; ~n the Lorivsoar Rocks, near Hartlepool, on Thurs day morning. In the course cf the right and Fri day morning she went to pieces, and her loss is valued at 20,0001. She was bound to Newcastle, and, it is statad, was in charge of two pilots. She had almost reached the Tyne, when she was driven back by the gale, and was endea 7 vouring to run into Hartlepool harbour when • she drove on the rocks. The life-boat was tot out, and succeeded in rescuing the crew of the ill-fated steaitier. It is reported that the plots d d net keep her in the proper (kennel, but , the whole of the facts will be gone intit at an in quiry which the Board of Trade have directed. The R sedale was built about hree years ago, and was the property of Messrs. Palmer, of Newcastle- . upon-Tyne. The wore northern coast appears to have expe rienced as severe weath r. The accounts from St. Andrews state that on Thursday morning it blew a terrific gale, almoet nnaoia”ting to a hurricane, from N.E., with hail and sleet. On the previous night the flee ship t heSutlej, almost a new vessel, nearly 800t.insburde , i, commanded by Capt. Grant, bound for Me!beurne, 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 circumstance, which the account does net specify, she struck on the Tay bar with such violence that she speedily filled, the offi cers and crew being obliged, for the safety of their lives, to abandon her in the ship's boat s . At the hood the ship was carried ashore near Ranerston, where she became a wreck. She belonged to the port of Dundee, and her 1. ss will exceed 20,0001. Oountr v lYlarxets. LEICESTER-APRIL 3. At our corn market to-day there was a small supply of wheat, which sold at an advance of le. per quarter, good white making 44. and red 463. pet quarter. The trade in barley ruled dull, and last week's rates were maintained. ; Beaus in small supply, and Is per quarter dearer. Oats were scarce audio. higher. NOTTINGHAM-Ann 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 is. per quarter ; fine white sauuple•e realising 50a., and red 465. 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 395., and grinding 30s. per 30 .tone. a Jets were scarce and dear. in beans there was an advance of is. per quarter. NORWICH-Aritn 3. The corn trade has continued depressed in this district during the last few days. The local markets have been generally dull, and at Buty St. Edmunds there was a reduction of 2s. per quarter in wheat. Here to-day there W:114 no further decline. The attendance was thin, and the supply of wheat rather small ; in the business done, trade was dull at last week's prices. The supply of barley con. tinues, as u sual, to fall off as the season adv ances ; h ere , to-day, the samples offered were taken off a t a b ou t f ormer rates. In other gr.dc little change. White wh 47s to 49s ; red, 41s to 433; barley, Vs to 41s. ; flour, 29s Od per sack ; beans, 40s to 44s ; peas, 42s to 435; oats, 28s to 30i. DALKEITH GRAIN MARKET—APRIL 1. Qrs. Best. Current. Infet lot 185 Wheat 49s Od 551 Oats 34s Od. 27s 70.... ..... 24 Oa :_iiCi Barley 3Bs Od 33s 3~d 45 Peas & beans 41s 6d 4!s 64 HADDINGTON GRAIN MARKET—APRIL 2. WUEAT. BARLEY I OATS. ssANs. First 4G4 Od 373 03 1 333 Od I 464 Od Second 4ls 6d j 33s 6cl 1 28s 5d 142 2,1 Third 37s 03 I 27s Od I 15s Gd I 344 Od Total quantity of wheat in market, 309 qrs., 302 .01a barley „ 499 qrs., 471 sold oats ,; 357 qrs., 346 sold beans P. 122 qrs., 105 sold n r AVERAGES PER IMPERIAL QUARTER. Wheat, -/. 1 6 1-12ths Barley, ll. 13 6 2-12t10 Oats.... 11. 8 5 0 12ths Beans, 21. 2 2 6-12 the BIRTHS. ARCIIIIIITT—On the 2d inst., at 31, Oviugton-squa•e, i.rumpton, the wifo of Samuel Archbutt, Esq., of is son. BAYER—On the 2d inst., at Surbitou-hill, Mrs. J. S, Baker, of a son. EYRE—Ou the 2d inst., the wife of the Rev. C. J. phitms Eyre, rector of Alarylebono, of a daughter. MANR !AGES. BEETON—Bnowx—On the 2d init., at Christ Church, Lisso❑-grove, Mr. Thos, Beeton, of Feuchurch-street, to Maria, second daughter of the late Mr. J. Brown, of Halesworth, Suffolk. GORDON- FOSKETT—On the 16th ult., a t Waloot Church, Bath, John Gordon, E sq , one o f the Masters of the Court of Common Pl eas, to M ar i a J a no, eldest daughter of the I.te Henry F os k ett, Esq., Capta loth Hussars. in D EAT US. AGNEW—On the 31st Jot, at Paris, Catharine, daughter of Sir Andrew Agnew, Bart., M.P., and Lady Louisa Agnew, aged one ye ar. BARNEW A LL— On the Ist inst., at 27, Th urloe - square , T. 13T03r ue the Ist inst., th e R ev. Matt h ew H a l e Est court,, of Long New nton, Wilts, aged 3t, second son of the bite Rev. E. W. Esteo ul t. o n Z- 1 1 ' o Esq , aged i 2. E s Ms D the let i ns t , Belmont, Torquay, Herbert E3q., late o f H art ' s -h il l, S to k e - upon -T ren t, WHEATLEY—On th e l e t i ns t ., a t 43 , Ch ar l es - s t ree t, Ber keley-square, L a d y Wh eat l ey, re li ct o f M a j or -G enera l Sir Henry Wh ea tl ey, B art., 0 . C.H., C . 8., age d 77. talt:FitN Minton, LONDON : Printed and Published by MITRDO YOUNG of No. 112, Strand, Printer, at The Sun Office, Nc. 112, Strand, in the Precinct of the Savoy, in the count/ of Middlesex, blemish April 6, 1848„ I n qt ,l th 4 Oe ser Fo 1k p,stc loan lish( bag Poll( curl' gine, the of g