The Sun. — London, England, 1829-04-10 00:00:00

SPIRIT OF THE LONDON JOURNALS. The Irish Disfranchisement Bill passed through the Committee of the Lords last night, and will, with its companion, the Catholic Relief Bill, be read a third time this night. There was nothing worthy of peculiar notice in the discussion on the Bill; but ) previous to the Committee, the Earl of Claticarty exhibited a disposition which had the merit at least of eliciting some candid and spirited remarks from the Duke of Richmond. The proposed discussion on the silk trade has 'been, on the representation of Mr. Vesey Fitzgerald to Mr. Fyler, postponed until Monday next ; but we perceive with much pleasure, that it is not the design of his Majesty's Government to yield to the •unreflt st ing cry against (at least) a moderation of the duties. On the motion of Mr. Lennart', a Committee was last night appointed to consider the law of patents for inventions. The subject is an important one, and we think an inquiry may serve to remove a great deal of prejudice and erroneous opinion. Without at present discussing the justice and expediency of the principle of the privilege conferred by law on patentees, we may state, t'nat the persons now le gally invested with the power of granting or re fusing patents, ere not by any means the best qua lified to 'Lecide questions of mechanical science. There. i4l),,hing in the studies or the' office of At "aikney or Solicitor-General which can peculiarly fit a man to appreciate the exact merits of a power loom, or a spinning-jenny,—of a steam-engine, or a priming-press.—Tinter. Having already submitted some remarks upon the necessity of reducing the present silk duties, and on the striking circumstance that the British motufactu ters themselves, having failed in their senseless cla mour for a prohibition of foreign silks, have adopted the more reasonable policy of petitioning for a reduc tion of the duties, we shall now do little more than point attention to a paper in this day's journal, on the - t!xtreme tardiness of the English throwsters in per belying how their own interest is identified with a di- Minution of the import duties on Italian silk. Of the latter article a certain portion is required to mix with that of India, and for the finer fabrics a large ipantity of it is indispensable. If, then, in order to make goods that will sell, we stand in present need tit the thrown silks of Italy, it becomes quite obvious that the foreign thrown is an instrument for getting off The thrown silk of this country ; and that any dis couragement of the foreign throwster tends to the general contraction of the silk trade, and to a fall in the demand for English thrown silk, as a branch of it. As a proof that a reduction of the duty on thrown silk does not work a disadvantageous increase in the importation of the article, it is stated that in 'the year 1824, when the duty was 7s. 6d. per lb., the thrown silk imported was 452,00011 Y., or one-eighth the wink quantity (raw and thrown included) ; whereas, after a reduction of the tax to 35., the im portation of thrown silk was 435,0001bF.., or one tenth only of the entire importation. From this fact also may be inferred, how much the aggregate amount of the raw material imported into England had been extended since the reduction of the duties, and how greatly the manufacture must have in creased. The English throwster'is sure of having the whole of the importation of . India silk to him ; because, from India, none but raw silk is im ported. In five years, ending with December, 1828, that description of silk•has amounted to more than 7,000,0001b5. ; and of 11,000,0001b5. brought from Italy during the same period, not one-fifth was throWn. The British throWster then, as we con eive, has little cause to murmur at past reduc tion.; in the tax, and as little to fear from future ones.—lbid. Before going into a Committee laSt "bight; on the Disfranchisement Bill, some objections were stated by the Marquis of Lansdowne to the measure's being retrospective. One of the reasons " which made him desirous that the measure should be gradual rather than immediate, was a consideration of the state of the population of Ireland; and in this opinion he was joined by other Noble Lords, who were best ac quainted with the political state of that country. 1 was one of those (he added) who thought that the population of Ireland was much too great for the means of subsistence in that country. The effect of the measure for the creation of the forty. shilling free holders in that country had been to raise the popu lation beyond its natural and proper limits, and that, too, for pm poses which had not the least reference to the interests of the people themselves, or the in crease of their industry and comforts, but for objects of a widely different description. The effect of that measure was to operate as a stimulus to the landlords to crowtl their estates with forty-shilling freeholders, who were entirely dependent on them, and whose votes at elections they could command at pleasure; and one reason achy he dreaded the effect of this mea sure, in as far as it was retrospective, was, that it would operate as too strong a stimulus the other way, and form a temptation to the landlords to re move the population too suddenly from their estates —a kind of re-action which was already in operation. It was one pf the most difficult things which a land lord had to encounter in the present state of Ire land, when lie wished to diminish the number on his estate, for the sake Of improvement, to ascertain where and how the people whom he might be desi rous to remove could be accommodated ; for he must be a man, he would not say of strong, but of iron nerves, who could turn out great numbers from his estate, without kno;ving where they could be harboured.—(Heir, hear.)—lt was no answer to say that these people had teases, for the leases of the greater portion of these forty-shilling free holders formed no protection whatever, for they were entirely at the mercy of their landlords ; and it certainly required both great , judgment and. delicacy in the landlords in removing the superabundant population on their estates, although they had unquestionably tlse legal right so to do." With us the very circumstances stated by the Noble Marquis would be an inducement to wish the Bill to have a retrospective effect; for, if the great evil of Ireland be this superabundant po pulation, whatever causes this excess of population should be grappled with immediately. The evil of Ireland is the circumstance stated by his Lordship, that any man should have the power of " turning out great numbers from his estate , without their knowing where they could be harboured." While Such a state of things is sanctioned by law, Ireland must continue to be disturbed. This is worse, far worse, than the state of things in Russia, Poland, or any country where slavery exists;' for duce the people cannot be turned adrift on the world. They have a home. The Irish have none. Good God only think of a law allowing a man to call thousands of beings into existence on his estate, and then, ivithout ceremony, passing sentence of extermina tion on them, by clearing his estate .of them, they not knowing where to lay their 'heads. If we wish that life and property should he re spected, we must cause the law to respect life and property. The poor creatures so detruded be take themselves to the lex talionis—the only law to which they can betake themselves. No State ought to place any object in competition with the lives of the people, without a sacred respect for which there can be neither order nor tranquillity.— The remedy which the exigency calls for is not the continuance of the forty-shilling freeholder system ; but the imposition of poor-rates, which would com pel the Church to contribute part of its enormous wealth to the relief of the poor,,and, would compel the owners of estates to. think of the improvement of the people as well as of the improvement of their estates. The Marquis of Clairicarde observed, in illustration of the remarks of Lord Lansdowne, " Most of the freeholders held under-leases, and as the Noble Man:leis (Lansdowne) had justly re rataked, :wereirittler pecuniary obligations to .their landlords. In-Ireland there was what was called a running_pde r -hywhich was. meant, that the te nant WO ball a rear's rent in arrear. To compel bits to pay_ thar...twrgctr would, be his ruin, and he int4kall_wher were:4o4%4oi , and no doubt be:: turned . otit by ejettment. covenants foFhiis -protection were /seldom inserted, and the • - suffering would he general and extreme. On the ground of humanity only, it behoved the. House to reflect before it adopted this Bill. The Irish peasant would be driven from his home—a home which he cherished, although not replete with luxuries; and compelled to -seek a living in a foreign country, either as a beggar or a bandit. Some Noble Lords had complained of the invasion of England by the lower order of Irish; but if this Bill were passed, the evil would be increased as far as related to this c fruntry, .and it would be extended to others." Now We have only to observe, that we do not believe in the practicability of any general expulsion of the lower Irish from their possessions; but, at all events, s:)me other remedy is required for such an evil than the perpetuating a system which creates a super abundant population. Make the land chargeable with the poor, and we will answer for it they will take care the population do not become redundant.— Morning Chronicle. POLICE INTELLIGENCE. MANSION-HOUSE. .luhn Edwards, the waiter to a public-house in the parish of St. James, was brought up, charged with being the father of an illegitimate child, to the support of which he ilid not at all contribute. A young woman, who resided in the neighbourhood in wh;cl, the defendant was a waiter, swore that she used to go to the house for beer, and that the defendant was parti cularly civil and attentive to her. At last she found that all this kindness and politeness had a bad object, for hav ing had occasion to ask him to marry her according to pro m;se, he refused, and afterwards having asked him to sup port their child, he was in that respect also minus. The Loan MAYOR—WeII, defendant, what do you in tend to do? This poor girl has lost her situation and her character by you, are you disposed to act like a man of honour to her? Defendant—l am, my Lord, ready to marry her ; but if I did so without a portion, perhaps I should bring more obligation upon the parish. If the parish or your Lordship will set her off with a little property, we'll begin the world together—if you don't, what can we do? 111 marry her any way, if you choose, but then we must starve in the midst of our family, and what good will that do ? The Loan MAVOR said, that if either parishes or Ma gistrates complied with requests of that nature, they would be nothing better than couple-beggars. Defendant—l only ask what will just make us comfortable. I have lived long in the parish as master of the house I am now waiter in, and they won't do any thing for me. I was landlord long enough to entitle me to something. Mr. Holder—Well, you must get bail to answer for your providing for your child. The city is not to pay for your children. You must send for two of your old customers to hail you. Defendant-31y customers ! You might as well tell me to get strangers to bail me. Mr. Nobler—What ! Are not you, who were a land lord, able to induce any of your former friends to answer for you? Defendant—Not one. I took the wrong course. I gave them credit one after another, and they soon left me. If ever I have a house again, I shall know how to keep my friends about me. A licensed victualler stated, that it was the fact, that the unfortunate waiter bad been reduced from a sporting landlord to his pr esent state, by giving tick to his customers. who, when they found that he was soft, introduced several other., until they all introduced him to the Gazette. The Loan MA cox a,iid , that the case was a caution to all publicans, who were to be less excused than other people for giving credit, inasmuch as people who incurred debts of that kind were less likely to pay than those who ran other scores ; tor di ink was sure to make people forget.—( Laughter. ) The parish expressed their willingness to take the smallest sum possible for the support of the child ; hut the waiter declared it was wholly out of his power to find one of his old friends.—(Laughter.)—He was then re manded in default of hail. GUILDHALL. Mr. Chaplin or Chapman, a, schoolmaster in Great Prescot- street, Goodman's-fields, presented himself yester day, before Mr. Alderman SCHOLEY, to require hint to administer the oaths of allegiance and suprendacy to him, hear him snake a declaration that he believed the Scrip tures, as commonly received among Protestant churchea, contained the revealed will of God, and that he received the same as the rule of his doctrine and practice ; and also to witness his subscribing to the declaration against Popery ; all which the statute (52 Geo. 111., c. 155) prescribed as a qualification to become a preach, r of the gospel. Mr. Alderman SCHOLEY inquired of the clerk whether the law did not require Lino to investigate, in the first instance, the fitness of the man for the duty—hie education, character, and means ? " No, Sir," replied Mr. Payne, " the law is silent upon that head. It only says, that any person who shall teach in any congregation with Out taking and making the oaths and declarations, shall be liable to certain penalties." Mr. Alderman SCHOLEY—Then any person whatever may qualify for a preacher? Clerk—Yes, Sir. The Magistrate asked the applicant what particular tenets he professed?—The applicant said he was a general B iptist. Magistrate—What have you been brought up to? Ap plicant—l aul a schoolmaster. Magistrate—Do you teach boys and girls ? Aprlicant —Boys only, Sir. Magistrate—l dire say you will laugh at what lam going to say, but I would have you be cautious how you attempt to influence the mind.; of the youth who come to you for instruction. Do not persuade them to your chapel. Applicant—Sir, I always leave the parents to decide what platies of worship their children shall attend. Magistrate—Have you any congregation, or any chapel in view? Applicant—l expect to succeed the Reverend Mr. Evans of Islington. Magistrate—What income have you ? Applicant—My income is derived from my school. Magistrate—l suppose you will undergo some ordeal— some examination before you are permitted to try to preach ? Applicant—No, Sir—none. Magistrate—lndeed and pray how will you derive a remuneration for your services? Applicant—From the contributions of the c..ngregation. Magistrate—Well, as you have expressed your deter mination not to interfere with the opinions of your pupils on points of religion, and in the hope that you have duly weighed the importance of the charge you are taking on yourself, I wish you success. The applicant then went through the requited forms. BOW-STREET. Yesterday an elderly gentleman waited upon Mr. MlN situr.r., and stated that as he was passing along Fleet street, near Temple-bar, about half an hour before, he was hustled by a group of well-dressed men, and robbed of his gold watch and a valuable diamond pin. He was so de ceived by . the appearance of the men, that he considered the obstruction he had met with as merely the effect of ac cident, until he discovered his loss which he did a very few minutes after the robbery took place. Mr. Milisne Li, expressed his astonishment that a rob bery of so daring a description could have occurred in such a crowded thoroughfare, and in the middle of the noon day. He referred the gentleman to the Mansion-house or Guildhall, as the robbery occurred in the city. MARYLEBONE. Yesterday, Mrs. Margaret Carr, of No. 51, Great Titchfield-street, Marylebone, was charged by Catherine Hyde, Marchioness Broglio Solari, with an a , sault. The complainant occupied apartments in the house of the defendant, and it appeared that on Wednesday the de fendant entered them abruptly, and demanded satisfaction of her Ladyship respecting some expressions used by her, which were offensive. A warm dispute ensued : the Mar chioness attempted to expel the defendant, and she, by re sisting. left the marks of her fingers upon the neck of the Marchioness, and for this the Marchioness sought redress. Her Ladyship was very diffuse in opening her case, and Mrs. C Ire made her impatience evident by repeatedly in terrupting her. At length Mr. GRIFFITH interfered, and desired her to hold her tongue. A foreigner who lived opposite to the parties, heard very much cry of murder," and saw the marks afterwards upon the neck of the lady, but could not say how they were occasioned. A maid servant saw the struggle: the Marchioness tried to force Mrs. Carr out of the room, and Mrs. Carr took hold of her neck to prevent it. Mr. GRIFFITH told Mrs. Carr she had no business to enter the room of the complainant without her permission, and she ought to have made no resistaue when she was desired to leave it, and.she must, fled bail. " Bail ! bail! hem ! hem !" said Mrs. Carr ; I'll go to another place for justice She is a false deceitful woman. I never struck her in all my life ; and as for you, Mr. Grif fiths, you ought not to —" Her sentence was cut short by her friends, who hurried her away to the clerk's office, and there became bail for her To koep the contending parties as far apart as po,t i the Marchioness was let out at the opposite door, and as she went away, she told the Alagistrate that Mrs. Carr was called " Crazy Jane s among her neighbours. LAW INTELLIGENCE. COURT OF CHANCERY AFRIL 9. WARD OF THE COURT.-Mr. TRESLOVE stated that this was a petition presented by Mr. Russell, confined in the Fleet for a breach of the order of the Court, in running away with and marrying a Ward of the Court. 'The petitioner prayed to be released from confinement, and undertook to make such a set tlement of the lady's property as the Master should direct. SUGDEN, cs Counsel on behalf of the guar dians of the ward, was instructed to present a coun ter-petition. This was one of the grossest cases of this nature which ever came under the eye of a Court of Equity, and punishment was loudly called for. It had been proved that the prisoner, previous to this unfortunate alliance, was not worth a shil ling, and had contrived to acquaint himself with the fact of this young lady's fortune; he had intruded himself into a house in which this young lady was to pEss the holidays, under pretence that he had fallen from a coach and hurt himself. Having formed a sort of intimacy with the mother of the young lady, he returned to London, and placed himself again within the rules of the Fleet Prison, where he had formerly been residing. He then managed to avail himself of the benefit of the Insolvent Act, and thus, for a time, freed himself, the young lady having, in the interval, been at school. He then went to the house in which he had first seen the young lady, and to which she re turned in the ensuing vacation. His absence was accounted for by his stating that he had not reco vered from his accident, and that he had been con fined in consequence. After various negociations and contrivances, with which the Court had already been made acquainted, he persuaded the lady to elope with him to Gretna theen. The Learned Counsel hoped that, at least, that part of the prayer of the prisoner's petition which asked that the lady should visit him in the prison would not be listened to. Surely a gaol was not the place in which the unfortunate young lady should be suffered to be in troduced. The LORD CHANCELLOR stated that be had a perfect recollection of the facts of the case, bearing out completely Mr. Sugden's statement. The set tlement should be immediately prepared ; and, when executed, he would consider what coarse ought to be pursued towards the prisoner. As to the inter course with the wife, his Lordship tkought he had no right to controul it. It was incumbent on the Court to prevent such intercourse while the validity , of the marriage was in question; but now the ter had reported that it had been duly celebrated, the power of the Court had ceased. The case was ordered to stand over until Saturday. MURDER. At the Naas Assizes, on the Ist instant, iJ'm. Maeloughlin, Esq., and his mother, 11fi•s. Elitabeth C'ofey, were tried for the murder of Richard Coffey, the husband of the latter. The deceaseJ, who was the second husband of the female prisoner, was a farmer, and lived at Fearn cross, near Naas-bridge. The male prisoner had been in the civil service of the Irish Government, and lived on a retiring pension with his mother and Mr. Coffey. Some difference soon tuok place be tween Coffey and Macloughlin respecting property, and Mrs. C,,ffey, it appeared, had taken part with her son. Coffey was much addicted to riquor. On the evening of the 13th of October, he wa. brought home in a state of intoxication, having fallen into a ditch in the neighbourhood of his house. i , ext morning he was found by a maid-servant lying on the floor of his bed-room, covered with blood, and his skull fractured. He was quite dead. We have no room for the evidence, which was of great length and entirely circumstantial. There were strong grounds of suspicion against both pri soners, but the facts proved against Macloughlin were so decided, that the jury returned a verdict of guilty with respect to him, and acquitted his mother. Mr. Macloughlin had been for a long time known in Dublin as one of the most dashing young gentle men in it : he held for some time a situation in the Treasury-office of the Castle, and was distinguished at several of the private parties in that city by his devoted attention to the ladies, with whom he was a great favourite, and not unfrequently their denoted champion. Mr. Macloughlin was particularly well known by his exploits on the fifteen acres, being a celebratei shot, and a " man of honour," according to the duellist's interpretation of the word. It is not many years since this gentleman had a quarrel with Mr. O'Meara, respecting some ladies, whom he considered to have been insulted by that gentleman : a duel ensued, and Mr. Macloughlin was wounded severely, and it was for some time apprehended mor tally. But the unfortunate man was reserved for a different fate. He trade Ho confession. EXECUTION. The following account of the execution is from the Meriting Register : NAAS, APRIL 4.—The execution was appointed at two o'clock. The mother of Macloughlin, Mrs. Coffey, who was discharged immediately after the trial, was per mitted to visit her son on Friday, when the inter view between them was deeply affecting. She tottereJ into the cell, sobbing loudly, and crying out, " William, William, my poor William !" Macloughlin approached, and shook her by the hand, saying, "It is all well, mother." The unfor tunate woman was so overcome by her feelings, that she swooned away, and was insensible for a few minutes. On her recovery, the turnkey intimated that the time allowed for her visit had expired, when Nlacloughlin said, " Give me the last kiss, mother." He placed his lips upon her cheek, and then turned round, putting his handkerchief over his eyes. As she departed from the cell, he said, in ra ther a subdued tone, " Mother, may God Almighty forgive you!" At five minutes before two o'clock the convict left his cell, accompanied by the Rev. Mr. Es. monde, the Rev. Mr. Doyle, and the Sheriff. In the room adjoining the drop, his irons were struck off, and his arms were pinioned. During this time he prayed most earnestly, and ap peared to be almost regardless of what was passing He advanced to the drop with a steady step; hold ing a yellow pocket-handkerchief at his breast, be tween his hands. Whilst the executioner adjusted the rope, he still prayed aloud, and just before the drop was let down, he ejaculated, " Have mercy on me, 0 Lord." He fell about two feet, and gave one convulsive heave, but scarcely stirred after. Some time after the execution a post mortem examination took place, with a view of ascertaining the situation of a ball which Mr. Macloughlin re ceived in a duel with Mr. O'Meara on the 12th of January, 1822. They fought twice is this week, on Monday morning in the Phoenix Park, where they exchanged shots, and on the Saturday follow ing near Lord Charlemont's demesne, when they secondfired 'two fire, s Macloughlinhotsea each, seriously, bothb o e inl; wounded on the , and, as it was at the time supposed, mortally, the ball having entered the right ilium, one inch below the crista. When Sur geon Kerin, who attended Mr. Macloughlin, eame tip, he found him standing, supported by his friend Mr. Bailey. At first the situation of the wound was uncertain, but it was soon ascertained by the gushing of blood from his trousers. He was then laid on the ground, and the wound examined. The surgeon was able to introduce his finger, to its fullest extent, into the wound, feeling the edge of the bone rough through which the ball had passed. Mr. Macloughlin asked if he was mortally wounded; the surgeon answered that the wound was a serious one. Again Macloughlin repeated the question, and the surgeon repeated his answer, requesting the patient to ask no more questions. At this time Macloughlin was aware that his antagonist had been wounded, and he added, " Where has Mr. O' Meat a been hit ?" Some person in the crowd answered, "In the same place." Then Macloughlin, in a tone and manner, and with the feelings of a man that der,erved a better fate, said—" I hope he is not in agony as 1 am.!' The unfortunate man was then removed '4 ,, , • ...... into town, where he remained for several weeks in imminent danger, attended by the Surgeon- General and surgeon Kerin. lie at length reco vered, but the ball was never extracted. The know ledge of this circumstance caused much curiosity amongst the profession in Dublin, and gieat curiosity was manifested to ascertain the place where the hall had been secreted. The wretched man himself, since his conviction, appeared to be aware of this fact, and stated his willingness that an examination for this purpose should take place ; but expressed his anxious hope that no further dissection should be made unnecessarily. The examination of the body was conducted by the county surgeon (Mr. Tom linson), assisted by surgeons Corr and Charleton.— The principal object of the inquiry was to ascertain the situation of the ball, and for this purpose the surgeons directed their attention to the place where the wound had been inflicted. The external orifice of the bone, which was of considerable thickness, was found to be completely ossified ; but the internal one remained partially open. Notwithstanding the closest investigation, for a consideraMe time, no further trace of the ball could be discovered. DISAPPEARANCE OF A CHILD. For the last few days an investigation has been going on at Union-hall, relative to a male child, about four years of age, suspected to have been kidnapped from the neighbourhood of Greengate gardens, Hackney-road, the residence of its parents. Two women, named Mary Simmonds and Sophia Floris, are in custody, and have undergone several examinations. The lost child's mother, a respectable woman, named Eliza Siddys, appeared to be almost broken hearted since it has been missing. She stated, that, on Saturday last, her little boy, while at play in the street where they lived, had ,strayed away, between two and three o'clock on that day, and not withstanding every inquiry had been set on foot as soon as the child was missing to gain intelligence on the subject, no tidings were heard of it during Saturday until late that evening. One of Mrs. Siddons's neighbours, a Mrs. Pratt, having occasion to go over into the Borough, on her return, and on proceeding up Fish-street-hill, she was accosted by Mary Simmonds, who introduced herself by request ing to be allowed to accompany her as far as she was going in that direct on, on account of it being then late. Mrs. Pratt perceiving that she was a young fe male, and that she was anxious to walk with her for protection from insultoconsented,and they proceeded on together. As they were walking along, Mrs. Pratt mentioned the circumstance of one of her neigh bour's children having been lost that morning, upon which, Simmonds having previously stated that she lived in Bethnal-green, expressed her satisfaction at meeting Mrs. Pratt, and immediately proceeded to give an accurate description of the lost child, and the clothes it had on at the time, adding that a Young man, a cousin of her's, residing at Bankside, had picked up a child in the street, such as she had described, on Sunday afternoon ; that it said its name was "Georgy," and complaining of hunger, her cousin had given the little fellaw.some bread and beer to ap pease its appetite. The description Simmonds had given of Mrs. Siddons' child was so perfectly cor rect in every particular, that Mrs. Pratt, convinced it was the same, besought Simmonds to tell where her cousin had taken the child after having given it re freshment. In reply to the request Simmonds pro mised punctually to see Mrs. Siddons the next morn ing. The next day Mr. Siddons and his wife waited at home, anxiously expecting the arrival of Simmonds according to her promise, but she did not make her appearance, and on subsequent application at the workhouses above-named, no tidings were heard of the child. On the Monday following, the parents of the child, accompanied by Mrs. Pratt, proceeded in quest of Simmonds to Bethnal-green, and after considerable difficulty discovered her abode, which was at a low brothel. When they got into the street, Simmonds was in conversation with two men, near her door, and the moment Mrs. Pratt saw her, she went up and rebuked her for not call. iag at Mrs. Siddons's according to her appointment, about the child. During the conversation, the two men turned on their heels and walked away, and then Simmonds said—" Yes, it's all right ; but I did not like to speak about the child before the two men." The parents of the child then insisted upon being taken to the person whom Simmonds repre sented had picked up their child on the day it had strayed from home. Simmonds acquiesced with their desire, saying, that her cousin lived at Bank side, whither she led them, but after a fruitless search in that place, no such person was known, although Simmonds pointed out a house, and de clared that he resided there. From the extraordi nary circumstance of Simmonds having described the person and dress of the lost child so accurately, without any individual having given.her intimation on the subject, site was strongly suspected of having been concerned in stealing the child, and under all the circumstances, was conveyed before the Ma gistrates of Union-hall, (Messrs. Chambers and El yard ), who have spared no pains in sifting the affair to the bottom. On the way to the Office, the other prisoner, Sophia Floris joined Simmonds, and her sub sequent conduct relative to the affair, justified her de tention, us having been concerned in the charge. This woman, on being placed in confinement before the examination, was overheard to advise her fel low-prisoner to be cautious what she said when in the presence of the Magistrate. " Mind," said she, " and say that I was with you the whole of Satur day, and that will clear you." During the investi gation, Simmonds prevaricated so much that there was no believing a word she uttered. Both the pri soners have been remanded ; and although every means have been adopted to discover what has be come of the child, no clue as yet has been disco vered of its fate. The following is a description of the child alluded to in the above account :—His name is George Siddons, he has two marks upon his back, near the loins, is of a pale complexion, with light hair and blue eyes; he was dressed in a blue cloth frock and cloth legs to his trousers of the same colour, and had neither hat or pinafore on when he went from home. An Italian Messenger was sent off from the Colonial office yesterday evening, with despatches for Sir FREDERICK ADAM, the Lord high Commissioner of the lonian Islands. The Messenger also took despatches from the Earl of ABERDEEN and from the Admiralty for Sir puuretrinv MALcoLsr, the Commander of the British naval force in the Mediterranean. Baron BuLow, the Prussian Minister, and Count LUDOMF, the Neapolitan Minister, had interviews with the Earl of ABERDEEN, at the office of the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs. Sir H. Swint, the Member for Colchester, h as , we hear, expressed, like Lord WitictinsEa, his intention of quitting Parliament. Sir Wit.Ltax• YouNn, the new East India Director, is a candidate to succeed him. Mademoiselle SONTAG is expected to arrive in this country by the first of next month. Yesterday was the anniversary ofthe death of the great Lord BACON, 1626 ; and of Lord LOVAT being be headed on Tower-hill, 1741. SOCIETY OF BRITISH ARTISTS. —The sixth Anniversary Dinner of this Society was held on Wednesday at the Freemasons' Tavern, Mr. D. Knists.tisn in the chair, supported by Lords Do It HAM and QLSWORCHY, Mr. LUMLEY.S.,vILLF, Captain PARRY, and several other patrons of the Fine Arts. the festivities of the evening were kept up with spirit till a late hour. On Tuesday Sir HARCOURT LEES, of Dub lin, had a private audience of his Royal Highness the Duke of CUMBERLAND, at his Royal Highness's apart ments at St. James's Palace, on the Bills now pending for thl admission of Catholics into Parliament,. &e., at w hich audience Lord ELnoN was present ; also on the folloWing day Sir HARCOURT had another audience of the Royal Duke. Now that ROWLAN D STEPHENSON'S retreat has been ascertained, it is to be presumed that no time will be lost in bringing him to justice. IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT. HOUSE OF LORDS.-(LAST NIGHT.) The LORD CHANCELLOR took his seat at Five o'clock. Mr. DENNIS and others brought up a private Bill. Mr. C. PALLMER and others brought up another private Bill. Colonel ARBUTHNOT and others brought up a pri vate Bill, and also the River Tee Bridge Bill. Sir W. HEATIICOTE and /Abets brought up the Tunbridge Road Bill, and three other private Bills. Several Bills went through various stages. Lord CLANCARTY gate notice that he should move to-morrow for certain papers respecting the imprisonment of Mr. /Eneas M'Donnell in Ireland. Lord HARROWBY objected to the interference in the progress of the most important measure that had ever come before the House. If it were neces sary that this person's case should come before Par liament, it was quite evident that this was the worst time that could be chosen. Lord CLANCARTY should not press it, if it interfered with any thing at present before the House. The Duke of WELLINGTON said the Noble Lord had intimated his intention to him, and he had said he would give every opportunity to the Noble Lord to make his motion. The Noble Lord then stated to him he was quite sure it would not take up much time. It was his (the Duke of Wellington's) intention to give what he considered satisfactoty reasons for the refusal of these papers. Lord CLANCARTY would make the motion immediately if such grounds existed. He under stood there was a certificate of a physician, stating that this person's life would be i n danger if he were kept longer in prison. The Marquis of LANSDOWNE thought it im possible, after what the Noble Lord had said, to hesi tate going into a discussion on this, if it were moved to-morrow; and the Noble Marquis (Auglesea), now absent, would probably be inclined to state what he had to say on the subject. Under these circum stances he (Lord Lansdowne) thought it advisable. The Duke of RICHMOND most decidedly ob jected to the production of these papers. The Noble Marquis (Anglesea) was prevented attend ing at the House to-day from illness. He (the Duke of Richmond) knew nothing of the Noble Mar quis's conduct in Ireland, but certainly it was one of the great prerogatives which he then enjoyed, as representing the Crown, to grata mercy as he pleased, without giving his reasons for so doing to any body. Lord CLANCARTY considered that he ought to make the motion now, and have it disposed of. The Duke of RICHMOND complained of this. He thought it unjust to the Noble Marquis, who was absent. If the Noble Lord made his motion now, he (the Duke) should move that it stand over till Monday, on the ground of fair play. Lord FARNHAM considered it perfectly in the power of the Noble Earl who spoke last to give what notice, or make what motion he pleased, at any time he thought proper. Lord G ODE ItICH considered it would be better to defer it until Monday. Lord CLANCARTY had been informed that he should be breaking in on the proceedings of the House by moving this motion to-morrow. It was only on the ground of economising their Lordships' time that he proposed making it now. If the Noble Marquis were ill, he was the last person in the world who would riot show every possible cour tesy. The Noble Lord then gave notice that he should make the motion on Monday next. Lord FALMOUTH observed that the name of a Noble Earl (Eldon) had been put upon the list to day for the purpose of presenting a petition from Liverpool. He had received a note from that Noble and Learned Lord to say that he should not be here in time to present it, but begged, through the mediur of him (Lord F.) to ask permission of the House to present it to-morrow, observing at the same time, that he should occupy but a few minutes of their Lordships' time.—(Hear, from the Duke of Wellington.) The `Duke of RICHMOND presented a peti tion from a borough in Westmoreland, against further conces9ion. Lord GODERICH had a petition to present from the same place (Liverpool) that his Noble and Learned I•riend had given notice that he should pre sent one to-day. That Noble Lord having been pre vented from presenting his petition to-day, he thought he should a►ct with more fairness to him if he were to abstain presenting the counter-petition from the same place. But lest it should delay the House going immediately to the discussion of the third reading of time Relief Bill, he should retain this pe tition in his hands until the Noble and Learned Lord was in the House. _ _ _ Lord LIMERICK presented petitions from the Catholics of Carlow and other places in Ireland, praying for the removal of Catholic disabilities. The Marquis of LANSDOWNE presented a pe tition from Bridport, praying their Lordships to carry through the Bill for the removal of Cat helic Lord MANSFIELD presented two petitions against the Catholics. Lord WINCHILSEA presented petitions from Protestant Dissenters of different parts, praying their Lordships not to grant further concession. One of the petitions presented mas from a Mr. Stockdale, praying that officers might be appointed to present petitions; from some informality it was withdrawn. ...The Duke of WELLINGTON presented a pe tition from the colleges of Ossory and Dublin against certain clauses in the Relief Bill. Lord KING presented a petition against the Dis franchising Bill. The Duke of SUSSEX presented a petition from .the_ Rev. George Armstrong, Cross-John, County Down, in favour of the passing of the pro posed measure for the relief of the Catholics. The terms of the petition entirely accorded with the sen timents of the Royal Duke, and therefore it had his hearty support. Lord BEXLEY presented a petition from a place near to Renfrew, Scotland, signed by one thousand of the most respectable individuals, against the proposed measure. Whatever might he done with respect to other parts of the united Empire, the petitioners prayed that their Lordships would protect Scotland against the admission of Roman Catholics to legislate upon motions affecting Scotland, which they contended would be in direct violation of the Act of Union. Lord CLIFDEN presented a petition from Wa terford against the clauses affecting the monastic in stitutions. Lord TEYNHANI presented two petitions against the Disfranchising Bill. Lord KENYON presented four petitions from parishes in Carmarthenshire against further con cessions. FREEHOLDERS' QUALIFICATION BILL. The Duke of WELLINGTON moved the Order of the Day for the committal of the Irish Free.; holders' Qualification Bill. .The Marquis of LANSDOWNE expressed his wish to state, in a few words, how he felt with re spect to this Bill, before their Lordships went into the Committee—a proposition, however, to which he did not mean to offer any opposition. He did tict concur entirely with either of two Noble Friends of his—one of whom had supported it solely on the ground of its connection with another m easure ; an d another on the ground of its own me r it s . Il e sup ported it on its own merits as far as it was p ro sp ec ti ve , but he certainly had considerable difficulty in support ing that part of it which vvis retrospective. In as far as it was prospective, it depended entirely on considerations of public policy, and he had no doubt that it would, in . that view, be extremely bene ficial ; but in as far as it was retrospective, it pro ceeded on the principle of a penal measure.— The mode in which the elective franchise in Ire land was condUcted, as far as tlie 40i; freeholders were concerned, was, to be sure, a matter of notorie. ty ; but some much more distinct and precise ground/,' ought to be lahl before one could,with perfect satin . faction, deprive people of their vested rights rights which were indeed of little value to the great !nag s of forty-shilling freeholders, but which still must: affect the rights of many by whom those rights have been fairly acquired, and honestly exercised. He di g not, however, mean to say that be would oppose the Bli on this ground under all circumstances,. but merely that he had a difficulty on this point. line" ther reason which made him desirous that the ies sure should be gradual rather than immediate,. %cal a consideration of the state of the population of Ire' land; and in this opinion he was joined by 00 ° Noble Lords, who were best acquainted with th e political state of the country. I was one of thes e who thought that the population of Ireland was much too great for the means of subsistence in that country. The effect of the measure for the creation of the forty-shilling freeholders in that country had been to raise the population beyond its natural, and proper limits, and that, too, for the purpose' which had not the least reference to the interests of the people themselves, or the increase of their dustry and comforts, but for objects of a widely (lira ferent description. The effect of that measure Wail to operate as a stimulus to the landlords to crow ° their estates with forty-shilling freeholders, who were entirely dependant on them, and whose We" , at elections they could command at pleasui_e; and one reason why he dreaded the effect of this measure, in as far as it was retrospective, was, that, it would operate as too strong a stimulus the other way, and form a temptation to the landlords to re*. move the population too suddenly from their estate!t• a kind of re-action which was even already in Ppe' ration. It was one of the most difficult things which a landlord had to encounter in the pre' . sent state of Ireland, when he wished to diminish the numbers on his estate for the sake . of improvement, to ascertain where and how the people whom be might be desirous to remove' could be accommodated; for he must be a man, he would not say of strong, but of iron nerve', who could turn out great numbers from his estate wide' out knowing where they could be. harboured.---' (Hear, hear.)—lt was no answer to say that these people had leases, for the leases of the greater por tion of these forty-shilling freeholders formed ne protection whatever, for they were entirely at the mercy .of the landlords; and it certainly required both great judgment and d e li cac y i n t h e landlords in ren.oving the superabundant p o p u l at i o n on their estates, although they had unqu es ti ona bly the lega l right so to do. He h o p e d, h owever , that the, good sen.e an d goo d f ee li ng o f t h e l an dl or d s woul d prevent them from yi e ldi ng to th e i n d ucemen t, fro,'" this or any other m ea s ure , to turn out t h e people without great caution and cons id erat i on , f or t hese people felt this in the light of an act of banishmen t ' and it ought to be remembered that they were the population of the country, and, as such, entitled t' 9 . the care and attention of the landlords.—(He r t ' hear, hear.)—But this apprehension, to ge ther wit h the other reasons which he had stated, would hale, formed in his mind a strong objecti on t o th a t part r the Bill which was retrospective, were it not that lie was very averse to insist on any objection that might staid in the way of the attainment of .that settlement of the great question which was now °n the eve of completion. Their Lordships would, what might appear to b e mos t o bj ect i ona ble in be sides, have an -opportunity of amending hereafter the measure. With respect to that part of the Bill which related to the Assistant Barristers, he ad mitted that the power entrusted to them was vet/. great, but at the same time he did not know how the matter could have been otherwise better av ranged; but at the same time he hoped that thji subject would be further considered at a futtge riod by his Majesty's Ministers, with a view to s• modification of these powers. The Marquis of LONDONDERRY said a • feA words in explanation of his statement as to the maw ber of the ,freeholders. Earl BATHURST was of opinio o n f , i :ha m t sure of this descripti on was necessary to aeconipani itrhseelof,thbeer a g d r m ea it t te m d e t a b s a u r re s ; om t:l e th .p o a u r g rs h, considered by b e rather ohiectionable. As to the effect On the pop' lation of the country, it would have none, except r° deprive many of the poorer people of th e poorer of voting; but as to their landlords,_ they would be exactly in the same situation as before. But. 17 difficulty was, that, without a measure of this t i l ic the great measur e for th e s e ttl e m en t o f t h e Cl t ': ° ,l E Question wo u ld h ave th e e ff ect o f pro d uc i n g a '1,„; 13 - excitement in t h at country . A t t h e fi rst e lect' for Members of P ar l iament a f ter t h e R oman Cati' °- - lies should become eligible, if the forty-shilling . tO r holders remained, th e Catholic candidates would os' turally look to them for support, and greater exCitr ment would be produced than could otherwise y e reasonably apprehended. In 170 the Roman. CO ) ; lies petitioned to be admitted to freeholds of 204,1 0 ,'" this was rejected ; but in the year following : ..Pe forty-shilling freeholders were created, without.s4 serious opposition from the great landlords of the South of Ireland. The Protestants obtained byirel' 66. of the increase in the numbers of freeholders, al though those freeholders were Roman Catholics, a greater degree of influence : they overwhelmed.the Roman Catholic interest by those votes. The con sequence,itsiem t dt had ltat been fe t n u c rn e e s d c hi a c fc h ai t i l i l s e Protestants t p tll:c ie n s t t : ainthd hada ! d i d b o e r e d i d r : a e r y t o o l devol ved into of i t t h , e it h u a ll t s ul s neces'lof the n rid to pass this Bill, by which both parties Woulo e . protected, and the remaining grounds of dissensio! l . removed. The Marquis of LANSDOWNE explained, The Earl of HADDINGTON referred to Wha t had fallen from him on this subject on a fornier R ight and repeated that he objected to theprineiple,O u to the preamble of the Bill. He did not mein CP say that the measure would operate injurii4lY: ln Ireland; but its beneficial operation did not.reirP, Y " , his objections. The Earl of WICKLOW agreed that the retro spective part of the measure was. highliobjecti ° ": able; and he should have thought the jection to it insurmountable, but for the-urke P a t necessity for the measure. If the Itiffi7:o!'!` . ling freeholders were allowed to exist fora time, an inducement would still be held to the Roman P a ' tholic agitators in Ireland, people iteciisterned.,to public speaking, to endeavour to force thernSeli# in o Parliament ; they might avail .themselVe .of that short period to accomplish the purpoie'irithii.:Pl s them had in view. He did not say that any-Objec don would arise from - their introduction into: J .o e House of Commons, but it would be a most serto_ts evil to the forty-shilling freeholders, upon necks these agitators would mount to. the,olije4, their ambition.—(hear, hear.)—Much had bete" said on these discussions as to the condUct 43(01 forty-shilling freeholders at the last election, 'Bou particularly for the county of Clare. I can means (said his Lordship) coincide in the CondenOr tion of them ; and I will add, that I think the coildto of the Roman Catholic Priests no more brijusi, - .ll or , tnore illegal, than the conduct of the proprietor( the soil.—(Cheers.)—On the occasion to - which , i allude, the forty-shilling freeholders, exereised; fo r the first tittle, the privilege of forming a judgtiOt; because, although they did ,not carry, that !exer,Oje a to the extent of deciding between two rival. e;to i 7 dates, yet they did undertake to decide ,for; tbeir selves whose dictation, with relation to. titeit% vote , they would servilely follow.—(Hear4-4-For- the purpose of protecting the forty-shilling freeholder' —of preserving the peace and tranquillity of Ireland, . and of establishing a just and equitable mode of el f' don, I feel disposed to waive the great 'objehtl oll I feel to the principle of the Bill,ind:tO aidopriPll e , • it stands. • - • The Duke of RICHMOND—I tippreherkd that I could vindicate my ieti - sti!ice.' 05 this tiqbirt e ‘: speech of every Noble lAA - who' • fit V our. If I had not.previoosly:tinin • on The subject, the'speeek ior . "* . iy ; tlblliel(• ` ' 11 1 r the President of the-Cottkii;tibuld have convinced <