The Sun. — London, England, 1846-02-26 00:00:00

RAILWAY COMMITTEES. (YESTERDAY.) Sub-Committee, No. 2. DIRECT LONDON AND MANCHESTER. (Continued from our Afternoon Edition of yesterday.) This allegation was the 371st; and Mr. PETIT said, he proposed now to make a great sweep, ank proceed to the 481st allegation, which stated general inaoluraey in the books of reference with respect to the names of the owners and ooeupiers of land along the line. The specific allegation was, that there was an omission of this nature with respect to four fields, three occupation roads, Pec s in the parish of Tutbury, the property of Sir OssNald Mosely. The Committee found that in this case the standing orders had not been complied with. There was a similar allegation, which was not pressed. It was also alleged that no notice was given to the clerk of the peace for the parish of Meshaim, in the county of Leicester, through which the line proposed to pass. Mr. DYSON objected, on the ground that the allegation was not sufficiently specific to enable the promoters to meet it. He also denied that the line would pass through the parish in question. Mr. Grundy was examined to show that the town of Packington, through which the line proposed to pass, was partly in the parish of Meshaim, that lie occupied property under Sir Charles Hastings there, and that he had not been served with notice. Section 41 on the plan was partly in the parish of Meshaim, and of Packingten. He paid poor rates for the field in question to the collector of poor-rates of Packington, which went to the poor of the township of Packington. Did not know whether he told Mr. Brock, when he went to show him the boundaries of the two parishes, what was the boundary of the parish of Meshaim. llr. Hughes (solicitor to Sir Charles Hastings) cornr?- bcrated the evidence of the preceding witness as toth t pesi he tie n of Packington with respect to the parish ofMeshaim, ich was a notorious fact. Paid chu rch-rates exclusively to Meshaim. A party holding prop ert y in the township of Packington paid church-rates in Meshaim. One-third of Packington was in Meshaim, and the property referred to Was in the parish of Meshaim. The Committee found that the standing orders in this case had not been complied with. The next allegation was, that in the plans deposited with the clerks of the peace for the counties of Middlesex, Chester, &c., and in the books of reference there was a dis crepancy, inasmuch as the property, No. 16 A, in the parish of Banbury, was not described in the latter as plantation ground. This allegation was admitted. Several other similar allegations were abandoned. The next allegation considered was that the pages on the books of reference did not correspond with those in the books of reference, which was sustained. Mr. Parry said he had now come to the last allegation, N 0.514, which was similar to the preceding allegation, which he would not press. The next petition considered was from the Marquis of Anglesey for which Mr. Thomas appeared. The first allegation was that in property 107, in the parish of Stapenhill, there was no application in writing, which was not sustained, as well as another allegation to the same effect. It was alleged that in No. 40, containing three houses, that the standing orders had not been complied with, which was not established. The petition next alleged that No. 41, the property of the Marquis of Anglesey was not mentioned in the book of re ference. The property was proved to belong to the Marquis of Anglesey, and the Committee found that in this case the standing orders had been conplied with. There was a similar allegation with respect to the property marked 42, which was not sustained. The next allegation was, that in No. 17 the right owner was not stated, which was not sustained. There was a petition from Mr. Landon, which contained a similar allegation respecting No. 19. From the evidence it appeared that the ground in question had been let out for grazing, and that some of the parties who had cattle there had been served with notice instead of the occupier, Mr. Landon, who held the land from the Mar quis of Anglesey. The Committee found that the allegation was sustained. The remaining petitions were abandoned. The CHAIRMAN announced that the standing orders had not been complied with. EDINBURGH, GLASGOW, AND DUMBAR TONSHIRE. The Committee proceeded to consider the petition of the promoters of this undertaking. The object of the Bill was to construct a railway from the Edinburgh and Glasgow Railway, to connect Glasgow, Dam barton, and Hellensburgh. The extent of the line was twenty-six miles, and the capital 300,0001.. Mr. Pritt appeared for the promoters, and Mr. Graham in suprort of the petitions against the Bill. The formal evidence was then heard, from which it ap peared that the amount subscribed was 467,0001., of which 23,3501. had been deposited, being one-twentieth of the sum subscribed. There were sevqal petitions against the Bill. The first considered was from the trustees of the Luss district of the Dumbartonshire roads, which alleged various non-compliances with the standing orders. It was alleged that there was an inaccuracy in the plan de posited with the clerk of the peace at Dumbarton. Mr. Prism' here objected to the plan in question being used, and the Committee decided to proceed on the plan de po sited at the Private Bill-office. The petition alleged that a turnpike-road near Ardrop was not marked, which was not sustained. There was a similar inaccuracy alleged in No. 31, on the plan—the railway crossing the road twice, which was not marked. The CHAIRMAN said, that from the plan it appeared that in one case the crossing was marked. Mr. GRAHAM said that there was no mention made of the second crossing in the notice served on the trustees. The CHAIRMAN said the Committee found that in this case the standing orders had not been complied with. It was also alleged that no copy of the plans and sections had been deposited with the schoolmaster at the west side of the river Leaven, which the Committee would not en tertain. 'Rio next petition was from the trustees of the Yoker dis triA of Dumbartonshire, alleging that the distances were not marked in miles and furlongs on the plan deposited in the sheriff's office, which was sustained. There was a similar allegation, which was not sustained. It was also alleged that there was an inaccuracy on the datum line in the same district, which was sustained. There was another allegation to the same effect, which was not sustained. It was also alleged that in No. 111, in Old Kilpatrick, which was to be crosse.l the pro posed railway, the mode of crossing was not shown. The allegation was not sustained, the Committee being of opinion that the road in question was not a public road. There was a similar allegation respecting No. 72 on the plan, which was sustained. This was the last allegation in the petition, and the case was postponed. Parliamentary agent, Mr. Pritt ; solicitors, Messrs. Hunt and Co.; engineer, Mr. Miller. The Committee then adjournad to twelve o'clock on Friday. Sub-Committee, No. 3. (Continued from our Afternoon Edition of yesterday.) WELSH MIDLAND. The Committee then resumed the hearing of this case. Mr. Ellicombe appeared for the promoters of the Bill, and Mr. Burke for the petitioners against it. The whole of the day was occupied in discussing dis crepancies of a minor character on the plans and sections, and examining and cross-examining Mr. Sidney Hall, the engineer of the line, and Mr. Samuel Hughes, of Westminster, the engineer for the opposing parties, in relation to each point. Several of the discrepancies were admitted to exist on the plans and sections deposited on the 30th of November, and the petitioners, with the aid of their engineer, sustained a few allegations which affected both the plans and sections deposited on the 31st of December, as well as those deposited on the :;oth of Nov. In the course of the day a question arose, as to whether a party who was not. immediately interested, either by occu parley, possession, or otherwise, in a piece of land omitted in the hook of reference, could appear before the Cons mittee to complain of such an omission. It was urged by Mr. Burke that discrepancies in the plans, sections, 0: books of reference were open to the objection of the gene ral public, while on :he other hand, it was contended by Mr. Ellicombe that only the plans and sections were liable to be objected to by the general public; and before a party could complain of omissions in the books of reference, he must show that he was in some was' connected with the piece or pieces of land alleged to be omitted. The Committee decided that they would reserve the point until it had been discussed in the Committee of Chairmen of Committees. Mr. BURKE suggested that as most of the allegations of the petitioners had reference to the plans deposited on the 30th of November, it would be better, as the promoters had aban doned those plans, for them to rely on the case of the Mon mouth and Hereford Bill, and go into the Committee on standing orders on the corrected plans deposited upon the3lst Decembmw. liitinMtely it was determined that the engineers on both sides should have a meeting to determine what allegations should be admitted, and what should not. The Committee, however, remarked, that there was al ready sufficient evidence before them to justify their report ing to the Committee up stairs that the plans and sections deposited on the 30th of November were defective, and contrary to the standing orders, in so far as they did not show a datum line, or a fixed point, and that the plane and seetionsr deposited on the 31st of December were not duplicates of those deposited on the 30th of November, n evertheless the C omm itt ee were rea d y t o t a k e ev id ence t prove that the plans deposited on the 31st December were correct. The Committee then adjourned till Friday at 12 o'clock. Su b - Committee, No, 4. This Committee did not meet to-d a y un til 2 o ' c l oc k, hav ing adjourned to that hour a t their rising yesterday. The members were Sir W. ileathcote (chairman), Mr. and ' Mr. Shir Colibell, ley. Mr. Leigh, M r. Acland, Mr. Hope Johnstone, There have been added to the list thirty-seven Bills, the whole of which are for Irish railways. DONCASTER, WeIiCEPXELE, AIM LEEDS. This Bill, which was adjourned from yesterday in order that the original estimate of expense might be produced by the engineer, was called to day, but the parties not being prepared to go on, it stood over. GLASGOW AND LPAST UNION. The CHAIRMAN stated, that in respect of the 14th and 15th allegations of the petition, which were under consid eration when the Committee rose, an error was made in the an nouncement 'that the alle g ations were overruled. It should have been stated that the 14th was confirmed, and the 15th overruled. Several allegations as to minute differences between the plans and sections having been read, and witnesses having been examined in support of and in answer to each, The CHAIR3IAN said that the Committee would not report upon these allegations until they should ascertain what the practice was, and whether it was usual to report such slight discrepancies or not. Mr. WEBB, on the part of the petitioners, said, that slight as these discrepancies appeared to be—being in some in stance?;' only 1-20th of an inch on the paper—they might lead to very great inconvenience; and Mr. CONNELL, for the promoters of the Bill, urged the im possibility of having the plans and sections alike in such mi nute points. The other allegations of the Bill were then proceeded with. of deviation alleged that in several parts of the line the limits ing the objection were withdrawn. The CNasxaux observed that it was not ncessary to mark the limits of deviation if it was ou r d ot intended to take the land included in them ; b u t if it c be shown by the books of reference or other papers th at i t was intended to take the land, the omission would become a non-compliance with the otauding ordero. TILE SUN LONDON, THURSDAY FVENING, FEBRUARY 26, 1845. THE LACE TRADE WITH SPAIN. ' A meeting of considerable importance to the trade of Nottingham, convened by a circular signed by Mr. T. Herbert, mayor, was held this morning at the Ex change Hall, and was attended by about forty of the principal merchants and lace manufacturers in the neigh bourhood. The MAYOR having taken the chair, proceeded to read the following letter, explanatory of the purpose for which the meeting had been assembled:— " TO THOMAS MAYOR.HERI;RTib,rtSItg.ar,,Jan. 11 , 1346. " Sir,—We take the liberty of addressing you by this poet, to call your attention to the article we have just sent through the medium of our friends, Messrs. Duclos and Carron, for publication in one of the Nottingham papers, the object of which is of the greatest interest to every one concerned in the Nottingham lace trade, as it shows that by the prompt exertions of the heads of the trade there is yet a great probability of securing the admission of cotton lace into Spain, where, through the blindness of its Government, that article has always been prohibited, although not an inch of any description, whether plain or figured, ever was manu factured in the whole kingdom. " In calling your particular notice to a subject of such deep importance to the prosperity of that branch of the trade, we beg to solicit your co-operation and support to the measure we propose, of calling a general meeting to address a memorial to the Spanish Government, and petition the British Ambassador at that Court to sup port your cause. If you should decide on adopting this step, our Mr. Ponder (who is already personally known to his Excellency, and has had several interviews with members of the Board of Trade, and has very lately sent • variety of samples of the article for their inspection) offers his service as the representative of the trade, or will join any deputation you may send to Madrid to carry out this object. Waiting with anxiety the result of your decision, we remain, Sir, your humble servants, " J. PONDER and CO." Mr. Wm. Felkin stated that he had also received a similar letter from the same firm, and expressed a strong opinion as to the desirableness of promoting the trade with Spain, especially as the British Government was giving indications of a wish to increase the intercourse with foreign nations. He suggested that a memorial be sent to the Board of Trade, to request them to instruct the Ambassador at Madrid to use his influence, now that the Cortes were revising their tariff; and he (Mr. Filkin) doubted not such a course would have a most beneficial effect. Mr. THOMAS WAKEFIELD said that the greatest diffi culty in satisfactorily arranging this question would be found in the smugglers • for the contrabandists would most certainly do their best to prevent any disturbance of their " vested interests." The smuggling system was carried on to such an enormous extent, especially on the northern frontier, that it would be well to memoralise the Board of Trade to request, through the Spanish ambas sador, the government of Spain to use their utmost exer tions to put down the nuisance. Mr. W. CHEETHAM fully concurred with Mr. Wake field's last remark, and considered that the Government of Spain would do a most politic act in getting rid of the smugglers, by which they would not merely serve the trade, but would also destroy a class of men that ought never to have been permitted to exist. The Spanish Government, he thought, ought to be much obliged to England for the opportunity she had now furnished them of making this salutary clearance; and in grati tude ought to show themselves ready to permit a legal trade. At any rate, if they omitted this opportunity, it might be long before such another would offer itself. Mr. STEEGMAN said that it had been stated that there were no machines in Spain ; that was not correct, for there were eighteen engaged in the silk trade at Barce lona, where they were used as a sort of cover under which to smuggle cotton goods. He was sorry to state such a discouraging fact as that there were machines in Spain, but he did not believe the small quantity of goods eighteen of them could make would at all affect the Not tingham trade. Mr. W.s.xEerzu) then moved the following resolu- tion:— " That it is desirable that a memorial should be pre sented to the Board of Trade, representing the im portance to the manufacturers of Nottingham and its vi cinity, that there should be obtained the admission of cotton goods into Spain ; and that the Board of Trade be requested to impress upon the Noreign.office the de sirableness of this object. That a memorial be sent to the Foreign-office, praying for the accomplishment of this object ; and that a deputation be appointed to com municate with the Board of Trade and Foreign-office, and to take such steps as they may deem expedietn to promote the object in view. That Mr. Felkin, Mr. Da clos, and Mr. Reymann be appointed the deputation." Mr. W. CHEETHAM seconded the resolution, which was curled unanimously. Mr. FELYIN moved and Mr. CHEETHAM seconded a motion, that a memorial to the Board of Trade, founded on the foregoing resolution, and signed by the Mayor, in behalf of the meeting, should be adopted, a motion which was agreed to unanimously. Thanks were then voted to the Mayor, and the meet ing terminated. It was also alleged that a certain turnpike-road passed by the proposed line, was described in the plans thus— "turnpike-road, level and unaltered, the railway to pass under. Height of arch 18 feet," while, from the sections, it appeared that the railway crossed the road on an embank ment of 31 feet. It was represented that this was merely a clerical error—the word " under" being . substituted for " over," and that it was not calculated to mislead. Mr. WrnsTER admitted that it was clearly a clerical error, and that no one could be misled by it. Ile, therefore, with drew the allegation. Several other allegations having been disposed of, the Committee decided that the standing orders were not com plied with. DONCASTER, WAREFIELD, AND LEEDS. This case again came on, and was finally disposed of, th Committee deciding that the standing orders were complied with. WEXFORD, CARLOW, AND DUBLIN 3ITNCTION. This is a Bill to form a line connecting the Southern and Western Railway (station at Carlow) with the town of Wexford. The length of the line will be 46 miles, and the cost is estimated at 420,0001. Sir John M'Neil is the engineer, and Mr. Smith is the Parliamentary agent. This was an opposed Bill, there being seven petitions against it. Messrs. Hunt and Co., appeared in support of six, but in respect of the seventh, that of Patrick Burns and others, no appearance was made. The six supported petitions were :--l. That of Thomas Poun der and others. 2. Of Sarah Gaublere and others. 3. Of Thomas Greenhan. 4. Of John C. Sparrow. 5. Of Herbert Hall and others. 6. Of Michael Kerne and Sarah Wheeler. The first allegation—of the petition of Thomas Pounder, and six other persons, was, that the notices served on them were so served on Christmas Day, and that no such notices were served on any other I day. _. . . _ _ _ in support of this allegation, the petitioner Thomas Pounder was called. Ito stated that he received the notice on Christmas Day, but could not say that no notice had been subsequently served, though ho had received none. The agent for the line, Mr. Smith, said that the allegation wise not proved, as to this petition, as it wise not shown that no notice had been subsequently served. The Committee were of opinion that evidence ought to be given to show that a notice had been served after Christmas Day. Mr. Smut said, that if the Committee would reserve the point, he could produce a witness to prove that notices had been served after Christmas Day, on the seven petitioners. Five other petitioners proved that the notices were served on them on Christmas Day ; and one of them, Mr. Thomas Gaubiere, said that he was present when a notice was served on his brother, who was one of the petitioners, and that this notice was served on Christmas Day. The Committee were of opinion that the allegation was not answered. BELFAST AND HOLYHEAD ATMO SPHERIC. An application was made on the part of the promoters, to with draw their Bill, which was agreed to. The Committee then adjourned at Five o'clock. Sub-Committee, No. 5. THE LONDON, SALISBURY, AND YEOVIL. JUNCTION (BASINGSTOILZ TO YEOVIL). (Continued from our Afternoon Edition of yesterday.) Thenext allegation was, that John Green the younger, was described as the owner of certain property in the county of Dorset, marked No. 3 on the plan, while the Rev. John Goldsbow was and is the owner, the said John Green being only the occupier. This allegation was found not proved, and Mr. Venables said he was happy to say that ended the case. The CHAIRMAN then announced that the standing orders were not complied with. GLASGOW, niutitunan, AND NEILSTON DIRECT (BRANCHES TO THORNIE-BANS, HOUSEIIII.X., AND HURLET). This Bill was opposed by petition of the Earl of Glasgow, complaining of non -compliance with the standing orders. Mr. Dimms, of the firm of Dimms, Dunlop, and Hope, ap peared as Parliamentary agent against the line, and Mr. G. H. Long appeared for the promoters of it ; and the soli citors were Messrs. Campbell and Lenants, Glasgow. The capital was 150,0001., and the estimated cost 150,0001. Amount subscribed, 86,250/. ' The Committee decided that the standing orders were corn plied with on the Thornie- bank, Househill, and Hurlet branches, and then proceeded to consider the Paisley branch of the said line. The first allegation was, that the book of reference deposited with the schoolmaster of the parish of Paisley was not a copy of the book of reference, inasmuch as property described in the book of reference in some instances was arable land, when it was not so. The objection was not entertained. The next allegation was, that the height of certain bridges described in the book of reference did not correspond with the copy deposited with the parish schoolmaster of Paisley, and were not marked in plain figures. In this instance the Committee were of opinion that the allegation was sustained. The next objection was that the names of several lessees were not contained in the book of reference through which the branch railway was proposed to pass, and that they had not received notice of such railway, although they were, and are, owners of some of the land through which it was to go. After some considerable time spent the agent withdrew this objection, and the Chairman stated that the standing orders were complied with except in one case. GLASGOW, PAISLEY, AND GIZEENOCIE (BRIDGE OF WEIR. BEANcR). • The object of the petitioners for this line, is to construct a branch railway from the Glasgow and Greenock lines to the Bridge of Weir, the estimated cost of which is 60,000/. r. VENABLES appeared to oppose the Bill, and the first allegation raised was, that in the parish of Kilbarton there was a carriage-road not shown, or the height or span of the bridge proposed to be constructed on another road not marked or described truly on the section. The Committee decided that the standing orders were not complied with in those cases. The next allegation was, " That the datum horizontal line was not properly marked." The Committee found that the standing orders were not complied with. Mr. VENABLES next proceeded to prove that the parties who signed the subscription contract were not liable, inas much as two gentlemen bad not given their proper address. The Committee decided that the standing orders were not complied with, and it being then ten minutes to five ad journed until to-morrow, at twelve o'clock. Sub-Committee No. G. This Committee resumed its sittings at twelve o'clock this day. Present, Captain Jones (in the chair), Mr. Pakington, and Mr. Deedes. WEST LONDON EXTENSION AND IM- PROVEMENT. Certain documents relating to this Bill, from the Private Bill-office, not being forthcoming, the Committee ordered that the case should be postponed until Friday. SOUTH WALES. The promoters of this line not being prepared, this cage was also adjourned until Friday. WOILCESTER AND POET DYNLLAEN. The object of this line is to construct a line of railway from Worcester to Port Dynllaen. The length is 150 miles; the estimated cost 2,700,000/, anti the amount paid into the hands of the Accountant-General is 2,025,000/. The engineer is 1. K. Brunel Esq. ; the Parliamentary agents, Messrs. Burke and Co. ; and the solicitors, Messrs. W. and W. Hunt. The hearing of this case was postponed, and tho Com , mittee then adjourned until tw o'clok on Friday. SOUTEI WALES RAILWAY. The second half-yearly meeting of the proprietors of this Company was held at ono o'clock yesterday, at the Great Western Railway Station, Paddington. , Charles Russell, Esq., M.P., in the chair. The advertisement convening the meeting having been read, and the seal of the Company affixed to the register of proprietors, The CHAIRMAN proceeded to address the meeting. He said, when the directors had the pleasure of meeting the proprietors in the month of November the Company had just passed through that feverish and unhealthy state of railway speculation in Ni 14 lell so many futile projects had their origin. It was then impossible for them to foresee how many of these projects would arrive at a state of matu rity so as to affect that Company. They had since ascer tained that upwards of 46 schemes were projected in the prin cipality of Wales alone, a district through which they would remember they had the greatest difficulty, at no distant period, of carrying their line, although it was projected to pass through the very heart of the mineral and manufacturing districts of the country. Out of these schemes only 15 had survived to undergo the test of a Parliamentary investigation, and several of them would be unquestionably beneficial to the South Wales Company. At the last meeting the Com pany agreed to support some of these lines; they now sug gested that they should give their assistance to a line from Sandford to Tenby, which was projected by the independent Company. It was obviously to their interest to support this line, as it would facilitate intercourse with the south of Ire land, particularly towards Wexford ; and as it could not fail to bring a great accession of traffic to their line ; for the same reason, it would be to their interest to support the Wa terford, Wexford, and Dublin, and the Cork and Waterford Railways. For the improvement of their lines, it was necessary to seek the sanction of Par liament for the branches and deviations enumerated in the report. But the most important feature in the Bills which they had introduced into Parliament was the applica tion for power to complete their line of railway from Chep stow to Standish, including the passage of the Severn. The object of crossing that river was now under the consideration of the Admiralty, and it would therefore be advisable not to discuss the matter at that meeting.—(Hear.) Gentlemen, (he proceeded) we have encountered an unexpected obstacle —an obstacle, however, which cannot long be permitted to form an obstruction to our proceedings. I allude to the report which has been presented to the Government by the Gauge Commissioners, in which they recommended that the four feet eight inches and a half, or narrow gauge, should be declared by the Legislature to be the gauge which shall be adopted on all the railways now under course of construc tion, and hereafter to be constructed in Great Britain. The directors have intentionally avoided all allusion to this ob ject in their report. The question is too grave and too deeply affects the most important private interests, and the largest public principles, to be discussed in warmth or in haste, and the directors do not, therefore, think it quite ripe for discussion. For the same reason I shall abstain from making any observations on the question. I could not, in deed, venture to embrace in the compass of a short address to the proprietors a subject of such magnitude and such importance. It will, however, be the duty of the direc tors to enter into a full, calm, and dispassionate review of all the facts and all the reasonings which have been adduced, either in the report of the Commissioners in the evidence which Was given before them, or in the experiments which they witnessed. Gentlemen, I had always a positive assurance-- an _eas e mance which has been confirmed by the discussion w in h took place in the House of Lords last night —that the Go not allow the Legislature would e investigation and consideration of Commissioners. toi terminate with the report of the and if such a consideration give to that report the report concludes, subject the investigation and the entertain a shadow of a unfair, the biassed, and the viol t en recom mendations with which that l a o tisfied that they must themselves fullest and completest consideration ; n do b i e th given to it, I for one cannot not only a large expenditure of money and iitpracticable Tat they must reject the capital as involving not only a breach l o a f t under which you were invited into pri "zes but upon the pretext of personal, enter vasutinwvasoltveinegf public .e faith, local, and trivial inconveniences, which have' grossly been magnified, which I, perhaps, should more a pretext; for the real cause a ap prehension say have been . created for this purpose. C an you have any doubt that it is prehensi comparison of the 'on has been the want of an approximation of the broad to the narrow gauge, and a e t 1 com petition which will necessary resultbetweenwomtastugbees. I feel satisfied that their recommendations say entirely subversive of all which they involve, but as been re jected, not only on account of the important private interests ful which can be made, in this wonder . the improvements which have invention,made, and still t is country, is still in its infancy, and is destructive of . compe . tition, and the advancement of the railway system in la whether in the form of power, accommodation, safety, or in the redaction of charges, so that, instead Q( Wag berteAcial, it will prove deeply detrimental both to the social and com mercial interests of the country. Gentlemen, this question might, perhaps, in the estimation of some, cause us to pause in our proceedings ; but I am not of that opinion, as . - I am satisfied - that a determination must be come to at an early period.—(Hear.) Some disappointment perhaps may be felt at the delay which had occurred in the con struction of the line ; but when they considered that they did not obtain their Act until the 4th of August, that a great portion of the summer and winter months had been devoted to surveying, that the line with branches was 210 miles in length ; that they bad had a great deal of wet weather, which rendered the eonstruetion of embankments and deep cattings an unusually heavy task, they would perceive that no time had been lost and he could assure the proprietors that all the energies of the directors and of the engineers would be exercised to facilitate the works, and that no delay which could possibly be avoided would take place.—(Cheers.) The Hon. Gentleman then called on the secretary, Mr. Armstrong, to read the report, which set forth that the Company had applied to Parliament for an Act to empower them to construct a branch of about five miles in length, to the town of Haverfordwest ; for a short but important branch into the town, and to the Quays of Swansea ; and for two alterations in the main line of about twelve to thirteen miles each in length, as well as two of much less extent, and to make several deviations •, the first was between Carmarthen and Kidwelly, which would much improve the gradients, and diminish consider ably the amount of works, and particularly of tunnelling; in all which respects the original line at this part was com paratively defective. The distance would be increased by about three miles, notwithstanding which the engineer con sidered the advantages very decidedly in favour of the proposed deviation. The second was in the immediate neighbourhood of Swaim*, which would raise the levels over the river at Swansea, 'for the benefit of the navigation. The third was about thirteen miles in length. between Neath and Cardiff; the distance would thus be shortened three miles, and the crossing of the shifting sands of Newton be entirely avoided. It would connect a coal field, which is about to be extensively worked. On the Newport and Monmouth Branch a deviation is also proposed of no great extent, for the improvement of the line near Usk. In coming before Parliament again for the eastern portion of the line, which was dropped last year in the Committee of the House of Commons, the subject of the crossing of the Severn has been carefully re-considered. The importance of this crossing near the point originally proposed, appeared to the directors and engineer undiminished ; and he had ac cordingly prepared Parliamentary plans of two modes by which it may be accomplished—the one by a bridge of larger dimensions than that proposed last year, and the other by a tunnel, as suggested by Mr. Walker, the engineer, in his re port to the Admiralty. Several short branches were pro posed into the Forest of Dean. Upon those parts of the line not immediately affected by the proposed alterations, all the preliminary steps have been takes for staking out the line, purchasing the property, and commencing the works ; be ginning as usual with those which will occupy the most time. Te the east and west of Swansea, and thence to Neath, as well as east and west of Newport, 'contracts have been adver tised for. The accounts made up to the end of the year showed a balance of 75,590/. 3s. ld. in favour of the Company The CHAIRMAN then proposed the adoption of the report, which was seconded by Dr. Bowmxo, M.P., and carried unanimously. In reply to several questions, The CHAIRMAN stated, that if any circumstances should arise of which they were ignorant with respect to the crossing of the Severn, a special meeting of the proprietors would be called, in order to discuss them. There must, however, be a special general meet ing of the proprietors before the Bill went to the House of Lords, at which the subject might be discussed. The following directors, who retired by rotation were then re-elected :—James Alston, Esq. ; Sir J. John Guest, Bart., M.P. ; Stephen Lewis, Esq. ; Colonel High Owen, Abel Lewis Gower, Esq., who retired from the auditorship, pursuant to Act of Parliament, was also re-elected. A vote of thanks having been passed to the chairman and directors, the meeting separated. LONDONDERRY AND ENNIS KILLEN RAILWAY MEETING. The half-yearly meeting of this Company was held yester day at their offices, No. 5, Church-passage, Guildhall, at one o'clock, at which, in consequence of the resignation of Mr. Ferrers, Mr. G. G. Frith presided. The seal having been affixed to the deed of settlement, and the minutes of the previous meeting having been con firmed, The CHAIRMAN stated, previous to the reading of the report, that he had great satisfaction in assuring the meeting that the works were in a forward state, and he believed he might say, before the next half-yearly meeting, the whole of the line would be in active operation. All the sleepers, rails, and other necessaries, were already con tracted for, and a great portion of those required for the read yet unfinished, were already on the ground. The engines were now in the possession of the Company. The report having been read, The CHAIRMAN said that before moving the adop tion of the report he begged to inform the meeting that the directors, feeling the claim of Sir John M'Neil exhorbitant, they had offered a certain sum, which was rejected ; they had then proposed to leave the matter to arbitration. Neither of these propositions being entertained, the directors had no alternative but to defend the action which Sir J. bl'Neil had brought against them, and he had great pleasure in stating that the verdict had given a much less sum to that gentleman than the Company had at first offered to him. He (the Chairman) had only to observe that on the trial there occurred a great deal of personal feeling against Mr. Tyrrel, the solicitor to the Company, who had always been a faithful and ju dicious ally. The report was then moved and adopted, and the Chair man called on Mr. Leathern who was entreated with the progress of the work. Mr. LICATHAM ' after defending the conduct of Mr. Tyrrel, stated that the whole of the course of line was admirable aid likely to draw a great traffic from the intercouree with Dublin. The proprietors in Ireland were perfectly satisfied with the conduct of the direction in London, and the Irish proprietors were quite ready to follow the routine laid down for their conduct. He was quite ready to answer any ques tions which might be put to him.—(Cheers.) It was then carried that the common seal of the Company should be affixed to the register of the shareholders now produced. Mr. Vennißurr said that, as time was valuable, he should make but few observations, and he was the more inclined to de so in tho present state of the money market; but yet he felt that Do concern could go on profitably without any efficient direction, and that no direction could be efficient where the members were not to some extent remunerated for their services. He therefore begged to move— " That the sum of 800/. be voted for the use of the directors for their past services, together with the thanks of the proprietors for the care, attention, and energy observable in their proceedings, and particularly for their judicious economy in the conduct of the business of the Company, and that a sum of 8001. be annually allowed for the use of the directors until the works be finished." Sir R. FERGUSON, in seconding the resolution, regretted the difference that had occurred between the engineer and the Company. Had more time been given to Sir John M'Neil to survey the line he believed that many raistakes would have been avoided, but yet, under the circumstances, the beat conclusion that could be come to had been obtained. The early period at which the line would be opened must be very satisfactory, and the present depression of the shares was but a temporary matter. Before the resolution was put Mr. SNELL, jun., begged to inquire how many directors there were? The CILUEMAN—There are ten, which, makes 801. a year each. Sir G. STEPHENSON, before moving the third resolutior, inquired whether there was any intention of applying to Government for a grant of money ? The CMAIRMAN-At present there is not any such inten tion. Sir G. STP:PIIENSON, believing that the motion was only reasonable, moved— " That an annual sum of 607. be allowed for the auditors of the Company." Mr. WRIGHT seconded the resolution, which was carried without dissent. Mr. SNELL inquired what was the highest and what the lowest amount of each call, and what were the intervals be tween the several calls ? The SECRETARY—Th. 3 highest amount of each call was 51. per share, and the intervals were three months each, ac cording to the Act, but the reduction of that amount would depend upon the discretion of the directors. A SIIAREIIOLDLR suggested that the directors should con sider the state of the money market in deciding upon the amount of the last call. The CHAIRIIAN stated that the works were in progress, and therefore it was desirable that the money should be got in as speedily as possible, as the efficiency of :the works was the chief consideration. Sir R. FERGUSON thought that a number of small calls would be less injurious than one of weighty amount. It was then decided that the calls should be as expressed in the report. Sir J. J.N. It. Campbell was then elected a director. Sir J. N. R. CAMPBELL, in returning thanks for his election as a director, stated that he felt peculiar satisfaction in the allusion to his connexion with the Oriental and Peninsula Navigation Company; and in speaking of that connexion he felt bound to state a statistical fact not generally known by Englishmen, and that was, that three-fourths of the ca pital in that Company had been provided by Irishmen, and that four-fifths of that required for their navigation generally came from the same source. He felt happy in his connexion with the present Company. Sir John Campbell having been called to the chair, Sir Robert Ferguson moved the thanks of the meeting to the Chairman, and the meeting separated. THE MORMONS. The Warsaw Signal, of the 12th of January, pub lishes what follows :—" Just as our paper was going to press, we received the intelligence from Nauvoo, that the Lord has accepted the temple, and that the long promised endowment, for which the saints have been so long preparing, is now being received. This endow ment consists in an abrogation of all existing marriages, and every good saint is at liberty to cast away his pre sent wife, and take any other who may suit him better. The consequence is all Nauvoo is in commotion, and the saints are running about, perfectly wild with excite ment. The reason why the Lord concluded to endow his saints in this singular manner was because some husbands were willing to go to Oregon, and their wives objected, and vice versa ; so, they being mismatched, the Lord concluded, to prevent difficulty, by giving all will ing ones a chance to select new partners for the expe dition." The Jacksonville Journal says the Go►ernor of Illinois has refused to permit the State militia to execute the warrants against the twelve elders, for counterfeiting United States coin, until demanded by the President of the United States. A writer in the St. Louis Reporter asserts that the elders have been guilty of high treason against the United States, in entering into a league with the Indian tribes against this government, at the sug gestion of English agents now in Nauvoo, and that their project of emigrating to California, or Oregon, was sug gested by the British Government, to which they have bound themselves. He says there is abundant evidence to warrant the arrest and examination of the twelve on a charge of high treascin as well as counterfeiting. 0. P. Rockwell, who was charged with an attempt to murder an ex-governor of Missouri, obtained the lawful w Amos ith Daviepp i stol n n h t a h n e d late wh i exch ange leh new of partnerp partners. e e r n s .. . k of door,ll went to the residence of Davis and stood at R' t t e hic'e r ef e e d the house and took from it suc h furniture as she desired. This was in open day - light, and in the face of the whole city.—New York S un. Sir Joseph and Lady Charlotte Copley arrived at Farrance's Hotel, Belgrave-street, yesterday, Fro m th e i r seat, Sprotborough, near Doncaster. ECCLESIASTICAL COURTS. The origin of these Courts is to be traced as far back as the time of the Norman Conquest. William granted to the Church by charter, authority to hold Courts of her own order. This was done in part payment of an obligation he owed to Rome, for having mate rially, if not wholly, gained bim the English throne. By this fatal concession, the Church became in this country, as in other parts of Europe, a sovereign so ciety. The mitre was placed on a detached and higher pedestal than the Crown. Superstition at that time exerted a giant authority over every part of the com munity. Men stood aghast before an impiously cunning tyrant, priest though he was. Nor could they do other wise than quail, when they believed that in one hand he held the key of the kingdom of heaven, the gate of which he could open or close at pleasure; and at the same time knew that, within the folds of his vest, be had secreted a two-edged sword, sharpened to the keenest possible point. The philosophy of their origin is, therefore, to be traced either to the credulity inspired by superstition, or to the fear induced by apprehension of danger. had it been only one court, concentrated in one place, it would have been more easily controlled ; but with s . its own, Rome contr i ve d to scatter them iner p y The lord of th e manor—the rector of a parish—the archdeacon of a district—the bishop o f policy ev ec d the diocese—the archbishop of a province —wer e a ll peculiarly its allowed to hold these Courts. It is not a little singul it that, at that time, there was not any possessed by the Crown—so artful was the device of Rome to draw all other parties towards herself ; and then to drag the sovereign in their train, and do homage to " the Servant of Servants." Of their extent and diversity the reader will form some idea, when informed that there are Courts styled Peculiars—that is, wholly exempt from the jurisdiction of the bishop, bat:capable of exercising the powers of the higher Courts. Arehdeacons' Courts, having, in some instances, concur rent jurisdiction with that of the bishop ; and in others, altogether an independent authority. Diocesan Courts, in which the bishop is the sole authority ; the judge and all the other officers in which he appoints and can re move at pleasure. Provincial Courts, belonging to the Archbishops of Canterbury and York. The Arches' Court, or court of appeal from inferior jurisdictions—the great court of appeal being the Judicial Committee of the Privy CounciL These aro the designations ; now for their number : There are of Provincial and Diocesan Courts 36 79 of Bishops' Commi ssar i es l and Episcopal l4 of A A r r c c h e d p i a i s c c o o n p a a l D P e e a c c u o l n i a divided s l a n d sub D in e to aconal 37-87 11 o f 91 Royal ll Prebendal If 88 285 Rectorial and Vicarial 63 Manorial Of Other Peculiars l7 Total — 372 Such is the array of Spiritual Courts scattered over England and Wales. Let us now look at their jurisdiction. This extends to a great diversity of subjects. Testamentary ques tions, with all their varied and important results are within the scope of their adjudication ; and form one, if not the chief source of their constantly increasing revenues. Matrimonial matters they adju dicate. Religion, with all its transcendant im portance, falls within their province. They decide what is or is not heresy. They can punish for immorality. They can cite Churchmen for not having had their children baptised, or not attending public worship. Rectors can drag unfortunate men through their precincts, who may ring church-bells without per mission. They can fine, imprison (for the third offence) for life any person whatever, who shall speak a word in derogation of the Common Prayer Book, "or any part thereof." No inconsiderable portion of these and other powers have been usurped. That, for instance, relating to testa mentary matters. The Ecclesiastical Commissioners in their report say, "that in administering Testamentary Law, the Ecclesiastical Court exercises a jurisdiction purely civil, and in name only ecclesiastical." This re port is signed by the present Archbishop of Canterbury, and five bishops. As is invariably the case, usurpation induces many and oppressive wrongs. Such are con tinually arising out of what the Archbishop calls his Pre rogative. It is this. If a person dies and leaves 5/. in two or more dioceses—or within two or more peculiars (and these are sometimes restricted to single parishes) probate or administration, must be taken out of the Pre rogative Court of Canterbury. Should it through mistake, or the ignorance of the parties at the time, be obtained from any inferior Judge with whom the right did not be long, the probate or administration would be so much waste parchment. Every act of the representative, acting under such authority would be void. The receipt of money—the payment of debts —the grant of a l ease would go for nothing. N a y, more : if a minor son or daughter of the deceased had married by li cense with the consent of the. executor, such marriage would be voidable, as having been obtained under an instrument that was ab milk) void. Cases often occur in which wills are demanded by th e Prerogative Court, after they have been proved, in consequence of bona notabilia having been dis covered. All the expense and tr ouble a re then to be re-incurred. And this ext ends to all per sons, Irishmen, S‘ l otchmen, colonists. Even f oreigners, having shares in an English ra ilwa y or canal— having effected a life assurance, a branch office of which may be Episcopacy. Is this righteous ? Is it to be endure d ? in Ireland England—are o r all compelled the principal office y towards a Would it be tolerated in any other department of English jurisprudence ? Shall it remain in the nine teenth century, the dishonour of the Church, perpetra ting the most manifest injustice, and the reproach cf the nation tolerating the absurd folly?—West Brief*. REVIEW OF THE BRITISH CORN TRADE DURING THE PAST WEEK. The present position of the Wheat trade is perfectly anomalous ; we have the positive assertion of the Prime Minister, and other Members of the Cabinet, whose means of gaining information must be regarded as un deniable, that so great a searcity of food exists in a por tion of the kingdom as to thyeaten absolute want before two months can pass over ; still prices of Wheat con tinue from week to week to retrograde. If the expectA alteratioa in the corn-laws had been a recent proposal, there would be less reason to feel surprised ; but the repeal of the enactment of 1642 has been looked upon as certain for more than three months, and the value of Wheat has already been reduced—in anticipation of the change—about 10s. per qr. It is true that there are up wards of a million quarters of wheat in bond in the kingdom; but, on the other hand, the tone of the advises from most of those countries from whence Great Britain usually draws her supplies of Foreign Wheat are of a character which render it extremely doubtful whether a similar quantity to that now under lock here could be secured without paying very high prices, the greatest scarcity prevailing over a large portion of the continental Europe. Notwithstanding, however, the Ministerial de claration, that before the month of May the extent of our wants will have made themselves felt, and, in fact, that the greater part of Burope is already suffering in consequence of the deficiency of the last harvest, not the slightest disposition has hitherto been manifested by capitalists to make investments in Wheat. We think we are fully warranted in saying that this is an anomalous position of affairs ; the explanation is, however, not very difficult. The tightness of money, and the impossibility of obtaining the usual accommoda tion, have rendered all mercantile men cautious of entering into speculations ; and the same reasons have caused parties who purchase for actual consumption to conduct their operations on a more restricted scale than in ordinary times. The demand has, therefore, for weeks past been confined to the supply of the immediate wants of the millers. Neither merchants nor manu facturers of Flour kold any stocks of importance of English Wheat ; indeed, beyond those interested in the million quarters in bond, the farmers are the only holders. What proportion of the last crop they have still on hand—whether it is less or more than at the corresponding period in ordinary years—we have no means of ascertaining. On this the future range of prices, in a great measure, hinges : for should the sup plies from the growers at any period fall short of the quantity required for consumption, a rise must follow, there being no stocks in the hands of other parties to fall back upon. Up to the present time, however, there are no symptoms of the expected advance ; and so far from any improvement having taken place, the trade has been even more languid than before, at the principal pro • Tindal markets. The few parcels of fine free Foreign Wheat on the market have been at full prices. The high pretensions of holders have been unwillingly complied witk by buyers, but the absolute want of good old for mixing his enabled sellers to realise quite former terms for the best Dantzic, Rostock, and other favourite sorts. Inferior descriptions of Foreign, of which the bulk in granary (free) consists, have been totally neglected. The operations in Bonded Wheat have been on a restricted scale. Small purchases of the finer sorts have been made by the millers (to be released by cer tificate) for immediate use at high terms ; but no dis position having been manifested to speculate, few cargoes have changed hands. There has, however, been less pressure on the market ; and good Dantzic and fine red Baltic could scarcely have been bought on as easy terms this as the preceding week.—Mark-lane Express.. REVIEW OP TEE FORFIGN CORN TRADE. The advices from the North of Europe are of no in terest this week ; indeed, whilst so little difference exists as at present between prices of Corn in this coun try and abroad, we cannot expect a very interesting correspodence. The continued dull accounts from Gnat Britain do not seem to have produced the least effs et, holders generally feeling convinced that, sooner or later, England will require supplies which it may not be easy to furnish. Letters from Dantzic of the 14th instant, state that scarcely any business had been done there since that day week, and that the quotations remained nominally unaltered. The advices from Poland respecting the scarcity of food, and the consequent suffering of the people, had in no degree improved ; and it was the general impression that the supplies of Wheat down the Vistula would be unusually small in the spring and summer. From Stettin we have advices of the 14th February. Holders of Wheat were then very firm, but no foreign orders having been received, the actual transactions had been unimportant. Few merchants were willing to enter into contracts to ship the best Wheat below 495. per qr. free on board in spring, and for secondary sorts equally high prices had been insisted upon. At Rostock a good deal of business appears to have been done, orders having been received there from Hol land and Belgium. Wheat was quoted 48s. to 505., Rye 355. to 365. 6d., Barley 245. 6d. to 255., and Oats 18s. to 18s. 6d. per qr. free on board in spring. From Hamburgh our prices reach to Tuesday last. On the spot nothing whatever had been done in Wheat for export, ar.d from outports only a few thousand quar ters had been contracted for, to be shipped from Wis mar and Rostock in spring. The prices paid had varied from 48s to 50s. per qr., according to weight aud qua lity. In Spring Corn the transactions had also been un important. From the Mediterranean the news is equally uninte resting as from the Baltic. Letters from Marseilles, of the 14th instant, state that a falling off had taken place in the demand for Wheat on British and Belgian so connt, and that the transactions of the week had been entirely of a local character. From Genoa we learn that the Sardinian Govern ment had issued a decree reducing the duty on Wheat received by Sardinian vessels from 6 Jrs. to 4 irs., and on that received under any foreign 11 ag from 9 Irs. to 5 lrs. The reduced duties to remain in force till June next. As the papers and letters brought by the steamer from America were delivered on the day of publication, we ware unable to take much notice of their contents in our last number. It may therefore be as well, on the present occasion, to state that the rather dull accounts from this side had influenced prices of Flour and Wheat, and that a decline in the value of both articles had taken place at several of the principal ports of the United States. At New York, on the 31st of January, good Genessee Flour was freely offered at $5 561 c. per barrel, and about 9,000 to 10,000 barrels had been sold during the preceding week at that price. The shipments of Flour from New York, from the let to 27th January, had consisted of 64,358 barrels Flour, 45,391 bushels Wheat, and 87,876 bushels Indian Corn.--Mark lane Express. INDIAN CORN and BUCK-WHEAT. Maize, or Indian Corn, is a plant commonly cultivated in the warmer parts of the world, where it answers a purpose similar to that of wheat in more northern coun tries. It is the Zea Mays of botanists a monoecious grass, of vigorous growth, with stems not more than two feet high in some varieties, and reaching the height of eight or even ten feet in others. The leaves are broad, and hang down from large rough sheaths which sur round the stem. The male flowers grow in loose, ter minal, compound racemes, standing clear of the leaves ; the females are arranged in numerous rows on a spike, which is wrapp©d round by several folds of sheathing bracts, which press upon the grains and give them the flattened figure they eventually acquire when ripe. Each grain has a long thread-like style, which projects beyond the enveloping sheaths ; and as there are some hundreds of them upon each spike, the whole form a long tassel, which looks as if made of silk. The ripe grains are regularly arrayed one over the other in rows, are compressed at the sides, flattened at the apex, and of various colours. There most common colour is pale yellow ; some are white, some party-coloured, and there are varieties with blood-red and even purple grains. A plant generally bears two full ears, the grains of which vary greatly in number some of the largest ears in Ame rica contain at least 800 grains. It seems that there is a particular line on the conti nent of Europe north of which the maize does not thrive. To the south of this line, which passes through Nancy, formerly the capital of Lorraine, in France, it has in a great measure superseded wheat and rye as the common produce of the land. The bread made from maize is not so palatable as wheat or rye bread; but by mixing it in certain proportions with wheat it makes a very pleasant food, In the United States of North America Indian corn forms almost the only bread oaten by many of the people; and in the slave states it is the only bread that the negroes eat. It is not, however, in the shape of baked bread that maize is most generally used in Europe, but in boiled messes and soups, as peas are with us ; it is not only the ripe grain which is eaten, but the ear in every state, from that of a green vegetable to an unripe corn. It is boiled, stewed, and baked; it is a substitute for cabbage or green peas in its early stage; and is used in some wa y or other to its complete maturity. Nothing can be better than ripe maize to fatten hogs or poultry with; and the young stem cut down quite green gives one of the best and most abundant varieties of green food for cattle. All animals are fond of maize, especially horses, pigs, and poultry ; it gives the flesh of the last two a pecu liarly fine flavour. The most profitable way to use maize in fattening animals is to grind it into meal, and mix it with warm water into a pottage ; and, for horses, to soak it twenty-four hours in water before they are fed with it. In the dry state it is so hard that it wears their teeth, and in young horses is apt to produce blindness by the exertion of the muscles of the jaw in chewing it. One of the most important uses of maize in Europe is to sow it thick to be cut green as food for cows, oxen, and sheep. In a proper climate there is no plant which gives so great a mass of green food as maize. The produce is most abundant and nutritive. The largest varieties should be chosen. The seed may be sown in drills in April, and in September a crop might be mown, which would give ad mirable fodder for every kind of cattle. It is said to exhaust the land ; but what will not exhaust it, more or less, with much nourishment ? Maize will well re pay the manure which may be required to restore the humus that it has consumed. If it is sown early, a second crop may be raised the same year ; for it does not spring up like grass, after being cut. Where the land admits of irrigation the gro w th of the maize is most rapid and luxuriant. The time to cut it is when the male flowers are just appearing out of the sheath in which they are enveloped in the early stage of their growth. It may be dried into hay, and will keep good for a couple of years ; but in this state it must be bruised or soaked when given to cattle, as the stems get very hard in drying ; they may, however, be cut, as the cane tops are in the sugar plantation.. Buck-wheat is said to be found wild in Persia. The cultivation of it, according to some authorities, was in troduced into Europe by pores of the muse/dere ; accord ing to others, the Moors introduced it into Spain from Africa ; and hence it has in France the name of bled sarrasin. The name of buck-wheat is a corruption of the German bush-weizen, which signifies beech-wheat, from the resemblance of the seed to that of the beech-tree. It is called wheat, because, when ground, it produces a fine farina, which resembles that of wheat in appearance. The botanical name of the genus. Polygonm, is taken from the angular form of the seed, and the specific name, Fogopyrnm, from its resemblance to beech-mast. Buck wheat grows with a strong, herbaceous, cylindrical, and branching stem, of a reddish colour, about two feet high. The leaves, which are ivy-shaped, are placed alternately ou the stems. The flowers grow in bunches at the end of the branches, and are succeeded by blank angular seeds, formed of four triangles, being thus nearly regular tetranedrons. The plant is an annual, and the flowers appear very soon after it is out of the ground. They continue to blow and bear seed in succession, till the frost destroys the plant. Being a native of a warm climate, the smallest appearance of frost in spring, while the plant is tender, entirely destroys it. The cultivation of buck- wheat has never been very extensive in the variable climate of Britain_ It is not so well adapted to cold wet soils as to warm sands; nor is it so certain a crop as oats or barley on lands which are suited to the growth of these grains. For countries where there are very poor light lands with a hot dry climate, unfavourable to the growth of oats, and not rich enough for barley, buck-wheat is a great resource; and without it, many tracts •f poor land would scarcely be capable of supporting a population. As a principal crop, therefore, it is confined to some parts of the south of France and other countries similar in soil and situa tion. Ao a secondary and occasional crop, it often occurs in Switzerland, Germany, and especially in Flan ders, where it enters a regular part of their varied and complicated rotations. Under particular circum stances, it might be introduced with advantage into many parts of England where it is now unknown. The only counties in which it is cultivaied to a moderate ex tent at present are Norfolk and Suffolk, where it is called " brank." If a small patch of buck-wheat is oc casionally met with elsewhere, it is, in general, mainly for the sake of encouraginggame, particularly pheasants, which are extremely fond of it. Buck-wheat as a grain may be given to horses, in stead of oats, or mixed with them. No grain seems so eagerly eaten by poultry or make them lay eggs so soon and so abundantly. The meal, when it is ground, is ex cellent fer fattening cattle and pigs. The flour is fine and white, but from a deficiency in gluten does not make good fermented bread. It serves well however for pastry and cakes ; crumpets made of buck-wheat flour eaten with butter are a favourite dainty for children in Hol land. A hasty pudding is also made of the flour with water or milk, and eaten with butter or sugar. THE POTATO DISEASE. (From the Gardner's Chronicle and Agricultural Gazette.) In the official report on the potato crop, by the late Irish Commission, dated Nov. 7, 1845 seel p. 767, 1845), is the following paragraph :—" It has also been ascertained by actual experiment that potatoes, though diseased, will grow and produce apparently healthy plants." Nevertheless the Commissioners thought it imprudent to recommend the employment of such po tatoes " except by way of experiment ;" thinking, no doubt, that the evidence in their favour was inconclu sive. We greatly regret to state that the event has jus tified their caution. We are now in a condition to an nounce positively, that although diseased potatoes will produce plants which for a few weeks appear to be healthy, yet that they will not remain so, and that dis eased sets will perpetuate disease. It was stated at the meeting of the Horticultural So ciety, on Tuesday last, that it had been for some time rumoured that the new potato crop was again attacked in forcing-houses by the old disease; that these rumours had become so frequent as to cause strict inquiry to be made into their truth ; and that the result of that in quiry was a confirmation of the reports alluded to. Po tatoes were produced from Mr. Barnes, gardener to Lady Rolle, at Bicton, in which the disease had mani fested itself in a manner not to be mistaken—first, by the appearance of a brown gangrene on the haulm underground and in the neighbourhood of the old tuber, and next by rotting blotches on the leaves. These po tatoes had been planted in the autumn. In the month of January "they were as strongly and evenly above ground as I ever saw a field of potatoes in May," are Mr. Barnes's words. The disease was remarked upon taking up a portion for transplanting to a hot-bed for forcing. Of the samples produced to the meeting of the Horticultural Society, one, and much the worst, was the produce of " rather badly affected tubers;" in these the whole of the underground haulm was already gangrened and brittle. Another sample, from tubers supposed to have been sound, also manifested the symptoms in putrifying blotches on the leaves, accompanied by the underground gangrene. In addition to this Devonshire evidence, it was men tioned that plans in the garden of the Horticultural Society, examined the previous afternoon, were found in the same state, the underground haulm having already begun to decay in blotches. It was added that these plants were also obtained from diseased tubers, planted for the express purpose of watching the progress of growth. No trace of fungi could in their instance be discovered on the decaying spaces, after the Most careful examination of some hours' duration ; but a white mouldiness had manifested itself on the stems sent up from Bicton. But this is not all. Upon examining more carefully the young potatoes formed by the diseased sets, we found still further evidence of latent mischief. Some of Mr. Barnes's potatoes had formed tubers and roots without haulm or foliage ; they are what are called in Cornwall " Bobbing Joans." In one of these the brown colour on the walls of the cells, the earliest symptom of disease, was already appearing in numerous minute places, in the very centre of the young potato (this po tato became black after twenty-four hours' exposure to the air); others were decaying on the surface, and one of them had already rotted away. We now, therefore, warn the public that diseased sets will produce a dis eased crop. Not a shadow of doubt remains upon that point. But, unfortunately, this intricate question is not settled by such an announcement. On the contrary, a far more serious consideration remains behind. Can we regard the sound (?) potatoes saved from the diseased fields of last year as fit for seed? It may be rash to venture upon any prediction concerning so wholly unknown a subject ; but, nevertheless, the interests involved in this question are snmighty, that we must be content to bear the reproaches which may be poured upon us if .re hazard an opinion which the result may not confirm. We venture, then, to declare thus early that great doubts exist as to the fitness of seed of apparently sound po tatoes from diseased districts. That the remaining potatoes of last year's crop are in an unusual condition is certain ; they are more excitable ; they will sprout much quicker than is cus tomary ; at this early period potatoes are found in a state of advanced growth when the pits aro opened; and this has taken place much beyond what can be ascribed to the peculiar mildness of the season. In fact, the old tubers of last autumn began to grow in a few weeks after they became ripe, or what seemed so; an event unknown in previous potato culture. Why this is, we know not; nor shall we embarrass ourselves with inquiring whether it is owing to this or that chemical peculiarity. It may be very true that the potatoes have formed unstable casein instead of stable albumen; or some other explanation may be more correct. For us, it is enough to know that the vitality of the potato is affected. The living principle is changed; of that no doubt can exist; and such being the case, it is much to be feared that the disease of last year will continue to appear until, or except where, the original constitution of the potato is recovered. But we would not sound a note of alarm upon mere speculations. We grieve to announce that we have now before us evidence that confirms the view we have ven tured to take. Among the Bicton ptatoes above alluded to, was one which the most practised eye would, we think, have pronounced sound ;. its skin was clear, its texture uniformly pale yellow, with no tendency to change colour when exposed to the air ; and its surface had not a blemish, with the exception of a small very narrow short streak on one side, which seemed to have been the scratch of a fork. This potato pushed vigo rously ; its main stem is half an inch in diameter ; it must have shown all the symptoms of the most robust health ; and yet gangrene has attacked the haulm just above the tuber, and the usual blotchings have appeared upon the loaves. This potato plant is unequivocally diseased. We will suppose that some trace of disease could have been found in this potato, by cutting it into thin slices, though we have failed to discover them by that process. Admitting this, yet it is perfectly clear that if healthy potatoes can only be discovered by such a process, the crop of next season is doomed wherever sets from diseased fields are employed. We therefore warn the country, in the most emphatic language that words are capable of conveying, to think well of what is coming—to plant no potatoes to which suspicion attaches ; and, if sets from uninfected dis tricts cannot be procured, to crop their land with some thing else. There can now be no doubt, that in the ab sence of such precautions, there is no security for the potato crop of 1846. Siace writing the above, we have received confirma tion of our worst fears. Mr. Errington, gardener to Sir Philip Egerton, at Oulton, in Cheshire, writes, that in a garden near him " the early kidney potatoes in frames are totally destroyed." He adds, that he " saw the frames last week, and the stems have mortified from the leaves downwards, exactly as they did in the open fields last September." Mr. James Cuthill, of Camberwell, informs us that Mr. Hale, a market-gardener at Ware, in Hertford shire, has had his early potatoes attacked with last year's disease ; that "half his crop, amounting to about sixty lights, is gone l" that the plants " were looking well, and were about eight inches high, and all at once they were attacked." Mr. Hall, florist, Stockwell, saw these potatoes, and authorises Mr. Cuthill to say so ; the owner was dusting them with lime. We have received a sample of potatoes from Mr. Mill burn, of Thorpfield, near ISittsk, just taken out of the pits, and "quite sound as far as he can judge," in which, indeed, there is not the smallest outward sign of decay, and yet we find every one marked with the disease upon cutting into them. We are also informed that the forced potatoes at Colonel 'Wyndham's, at Petworth, have proved to be diseased, although great care was taken in picking out what appeared to be sound sets. Of this last case, however, we have no certain knowledge as yet. DEATH FROM EXTRACTING A TOOTH.—Yesterday morning, Mr. Howling, of John-street, Tottenham-court-read, died in consequence of the extraction of a tooth. It appears that he fastened some silk ronod the tooth, it decayed, r. I'-:end of en Thursday last, extracted it with the oy pulling it violeilay. The consequence was tkat a small blood-vowel was ruptured, whick no surgical aid eould stop. T h e 419es000d Wall only twenty-six years of Ago. THE ROBBERS OF SPAIN • is Of all the countries in Europe, Spain is the/ one . in which the ancient, classical, and once universal sYste_A of robbing on the highway exists the most uucha With us these things have been much altered; Sria_luh what England was sixty years ago, with Hou nslow-ne nnd and Finchley-common; what Italy was very 'Wilt may be again next year. Robbery in other countries has y i e lded to inerel l , population, to more rapid and more frequent intef eu tbs munication. The distances in Spain are very g re at ' es high roads are few, and are carried through long of uncultivated plains, "dehesas," through desert ed to ; dispeopled districts, "desplobados," a term more coolud. in Spain, as in the East, than viliage is in En ewo Andalusia is the most dangerous province, and it n ,„„ , always so. This arises from the nature of the con o 0 from being the last scene of the Moorish struggle/ s e o us o f from being in the vicinity of Gibraltar, the great f e k . o , smuggling, which prepares the raw materials for e u n T et, ditti. These evils, which are abated by internsni g ess o and the continued exertions of the authorities, i c r s „ rt s with troubled times, which, as the terspest stel e s w oo the stormy petrel, rouses into dangerous • worst prtions of society, and creates a sort of civil • chexia, which can, only be put down by Pea c t e :. I of° strong settled Government—blessings which, ens' ule so long been denied to unh a ppy Spain ; rnean tiut s soli handbook of Spain can be complete, without gifi oftbe account of the different classes and organ robber system—the alphabet and rudiments of st,, cf ling conversation while on the road. The antiquiviy. the system which has been detailed in the Quart e „ r4l oo view (cxxii. 9.) to which those about to visit '-'s; s ills de Ronda, and the wild country between ; Ily 0 and Granada, will do well to refer, espec-Ild regards " Jos6 Maria," who so long hel w ig illation o !. disputed rule in those parts, and whose O re long remain in the mouths of those whose Igir~yo about robbers. First and foremost come the "or the robbers on a large scale ; they are a int lad ; ell t i ganised band from eight to fourteen in nilaw`,"' o o, armed and mounted, and entirely under the cc)- 03 dil s of one leader. These are the most formidable ; of er they seldom attack any travellers, except Wit to ssiit whelming forces, and under circumstances of am and surprise, when every thing is in their favour, fol ante is generally useless, and can only lead t o sar, accidents : it is better to submit at once tO t'asje mons, which will take no denial, of " WT I - 40 " boca a tierra," down, mouth to the emit]. so tho who are provided with such a sum of money Itsel robbers think, according to their class of life, 0 04; ought to carry about them, are very rarely il l filr a frank, confident, and good humoured surrender, 0 1/ rally, not only prevents any bad trestmel,”6oo; secures even civility during the disagreeable or : . 0, pistols and sabres are, after all, a poor dot so' Cribb said, when compared to civil ff°_,T•oci:f deeds. The Spaniard is by nature high-breusieo,, " caballero," and responds to any appeal to 'roe which his nation has reason to be proud : notroj, do ing those moral securities, if only by way tm e ' e d assurance doubly sure, an Englishman w ill 10 0 when travelling in exposed districts, to be,Psoll o l with a bag containing fifty to one hundre",.koll which makes a handsome purse, feels heavy is h l- bri and is that sort of amount which the Spea l ",4 l ; s . thinks a native of this proverbially rich countrY,`"etosfr have with him on his travels. He has a remarksib' a ipit estimating from the look of an individual, his e ,, ( c i olit v o &c., how much ready money it is befitting hi he rest to have with him ; if the sum be not enough, t r tu win severely the depriving him of the regular sPei t ' m blirs. he considers himself entitled by the long- e 5 ",„, ( 01 usage of the road. The traveller who is unr ; "; s 010r, together with cash, is generally made a sere,r e „. - of " pour encourager lea autres," either by beeti%:lol o A „ dole palo," or by stripping to the skin, " d e •l ei- r.Wt cueros," after the fashion of the thieves of old, ne e , sst l i• The traveller should be particularly careful . 00 1° ,• watch of some kind, one with a gaudy chain 14e d aro best suited ; not to have a watch of some kin scoo,si the traveller to more certain indignities than b e stit:‘ filled purse. The money may have been ePe e lser t y absence of a watch can only be accounted for 10 1 , meditated intention of not being robbed of it, Ic "laedron" ec n,iders as an unjustifiable attelef.r.,. fraud him of his right. It must be said, to the be ' sg el; the Spanish brigand, especially those of the h i g that they rarely ill-use women or children, n er seoiie commence firing or offering violence unie e ..„ 4 1 .00,0 The next class of robbers—omitting soils et ',sr tinctions, such as the "salteadores," or to t he tk i e d persons who lie in ambuscade, and jump out :.;","/ Sy o ll prepared traveller—is the t' ratero," "the 11- 11 0 P, held in contempt, but is not the less dangetono• oe brought regularly up to the profession, en ti nns ) sei o yeti but takes to it, prore nata, of a sudden, c`", - ;,,5, ;‘)I robbery, and then returns to his pristine voes"" 01 often on the arrival of a stranger, two or th ree t see:s ill-conditioned, worst classes, get up a ro bber) . n o!' , s t day, for the special occasion, according to th;01 1 1 , 0 1 la occasion hacs el lodron. The raterillo, o r 019 is a skulking footpad, who seldom eas e l Off ' l o° single and unprotected passengers, who, 1 s . robbed, have no one to blame but theraselfteei'eori man is justified in exposing a Spaniard to t„,h e ,,, osP li of doing a little something in that line. I 'loo4 with his sheep, the ploughman with his P OO , O ll vinedresser amid his grapes—all have thei r g for o lo 6 ostensibly for their individual protection/ 110 hey means for assault and battery against those i. wosit other defence but their legs and virtue.—T h e of Spain. l (1C THE ROYAL POLYTE-- fi INSTITUTION. st° The directors of the above establishment , ri rs ilt° o ll usual good taste and judgment, have erected f` r, a large gallery for the purpose of testing the Ci t ioPV very beautiful contrivance, which is now el hi c o ler" for which a patent has been granted to Mr' f peg, America. This model is for the purpose ° d ill" and descending inclined planes on railways/ s li u d VAN will completely do away with deep cuttings ° jo s °Poi and that too without the aid of stationary elbsifts of the contrivances at present resorted to. ur, siderable saving in the outlay is effected , 03 4 some instances to as much as 150,0001. P ' 1 0 pending upon the surface of the count which the railway passes. The arrangeo3„o" merely of a number of horizontal rollers Vi c 10 , between the rails of the gradients, and es ti' s screw placed underneath, and travelling ° lt o, r o s,,r, motive. While running upon a level ploi ll r ie o l4 l at rest, and the power of the engine 1 9 el osu'orsa ordinary cases—namely, by the adhesion of at 0;o wheels to the rail—but the moment it arri v i e ltediti of the gradient the drawing wheels are a rt%,4 rails, and the whole power of the steam ¢°) ri the screw, the thread of which being in ate;/ tween ,the rollers, enables the engine t e , s 4 i0 7 41 1 :0 gradient, no matter how steep. Themo" - n 0,0 11 , g a large scale, the rails being about 70 feet 10 r1 7. 4 0 1 the form of a regular curved arch, some Plat 11 consist of gradients rising one in six, or W shfiustOpt feet per mile ; yet, with this fearful og little locomotive ascends and descends, dr e u sro l 24; two passengers with apparent ease. certainly does credit to the inventor, and e we "' he will meet such rew a rd as thi s . 1 111 ' 61- el ) to insure. t he The Lord Chancellor gave a dinner te e , iitU r Ministers, yesterday evening, at his r eside street, Hanover-square. METROPOMTAN BENEFIT SOCIET: - , the s a 44°I ,e 1:10fi'#0 1 On Monday evening the fifth anniversary t, fer, e er k ic) this valuable institution was celebrated at su'' l l,lo . ,, John of Jerusalem, Rosomond-street, Clerken,f_tte o pr, v . 7; seventy gentlemen sat down to a substantiljllsr,.B2 l reflected great credit to the worthy host. gr• presided as chairman, and was supported bl c obet .ar s land, Phillips, Bowles, Ridley, Hunter, end, s ; s tes e the usual loyal toasts had been drank, the v:fe , ' in a neat speech, the " Metropolitan .v een : or der" After which, Mr. Phillips sang the " Ivy G n r t acknowledged the great assistance tot he )fit ▪p▪ e'cor from the auxiliaries. " Proserity he b e evby scribing to the institution," was replied t° oo o ° t o VA who expressed himself pleased at the elec t a ort Oa Of; mittee. The healths of Lord Robert Gr°_,... e - bitifi' ti: man, deputy chairman, Mr. Ridley, the poor' eV,I t Gilbert, the collector, were respectively P oe s i ter 1)„61 , , verally responded to, amid much all i t i oc t b .. „o e ,q, " Foresters,' " Loyal United Friends, 0 tArbt., " Druids," " Old Friends," and all or", e il o f es" t s %Or Funds." Mr. Buckland proposed the be,L f eet ° c •et il i e, excellent secretary, for his unceasing ettu — o siogde. e 'ser.s from the different orders the right of beVasery t a ft sr' for the benefits of the institution, wh, lc r e ts Jo: o il"; exertions, he successfully carried ; Mr. ace ' l2 ' itlovveily ceived with great enthusiasm. After 01 boo fibs restored, Mr. Cole returned thanks for the te to,oo, sof and t 0; and expressed himself ever ready to Pr °l Zsife s t .,. / tioqist i P his power the interesting object of th e `-.0- o P gi- aO Y -s 4 it pleasure it afforded him in receiving flit' ; th e i peif committee in carrying out the combinatio lin orse_..a Several songs were sung in the course ? 1 :, en terw company broke up at a late hour, hi g u ' • of . proceedings. 01 ,0 s s (eV fsor dhio O ulg n neh: t til l : i c e .: l . th inst., at Backford Hall. Cheste r ' ' eq (e 11, t ile i i l. 13th m .p in „et of, aatdramargkh.tc:rrie.Rs:enll3t, . Stock-K:lr°. 11' 1630;5r, , Wiltshire,dauglater. the 16 oy , 0 0: t t h he e 2210stthiininu:stt.t.,..,aattartiteAyt,leidnec;eriy1,elye,OGf light,iot ces tershire, it. 0 (1,1 a .. ()Op Aires, i a t t i il l ii i e e : 2 . of a daughter. of 1 1 0P the I I" PC ° H o use, the lady t el e , the o rre l4ll , Esq., of a son. of I• leu 2 F a oord, Hon. Com Tiortr°6,,ten's e'l' 23d inst., at the Warrick -villas!, . f a datig.. ( titi 00 On the 23d inst., Mrs. J. RPosbneY;tss,SeerLiceyeito:mifrifi: $ef.01,,441, re On the 234 inst., at Great Yarmouth, th e , c ife Oa the 234 inst., at Queen's -road, Mackenzie, of a daughter. the 41 1 ' Edwards, of a eon. if ° l' i f ;" rtet , 3 if ARRIED. t0n..0,00, ~., ou o f, On the 24th inst., at St. Mary's , BrYalroy cherMl ,oe A s bald Yonng, Esq., of Quebec , Ch" Th eO h. Canada , W so .re. s o, ~ u tsr of Richard Norman, Esq., of Bryanstot,?-nocer-(lh. le , On the 24th inst., at St. George's, Ttaughter of 6.- _ ef Ingham, Esq., M.D., to Fanny, second . tiO t Lumley, Esq, 4 04 • WED. calf ' gr.' ~ ) 1° re th e On the 14th inst., in Dublin, Miss Moo _./.001, , 0 / of Thomas Moore, Esq., the poet. ,;„estonoel tote Brighton, On the 20th inst., ht Surbiten Lodge,.!'"",;', Smith' 4 ., rs . 3(1 . 5 , ,_.sf garct, wife of Captain John Rennie Mfiad.i.ord, On the 20th inst., at Stoke, next C , 1 rzh il°"' th 316 the late Lieutenant J. Smith, R.N. ~,- ( ~nne a) , On the 21st inst , at Bath, AllnCr w ife ' late Governor r onang. On the 21 toilt., at Clapliain-r , ..__veth O. Plow, Esq., U.S.A., F.R.A.S. ors- L „, t . ~,,, e, i 1,6" .1P On the 21st inst., at Clapham-terra(' S. Mori o re, relict of the late T. Pedley, EAPI. , street, I'deitorl-e4 qty On the 22d inst., in Upper Wimpo!.._,rect, 0) __ tine On the 23clinst., in Upper Chadwen 0 , ,tail , Fee anr e, Elizabeth Harriett Shaw. Do rset -5 g o f the On the 23d inst., in Milton-street, _ aaDte r 3,4 , of the Rev. A. R. G. Thomas. d surc i,ing d v eil' On the 23d inst., Beatrice, 0( ' "ef'n il l Wilts . ,rolley, J. M. Be of Leigh HOll5O, .or 0 _ _, r. b. ,_ ~- 1 1. On the 24th list ., Elizabeth, wife 4 ),- ___ , o, 1 4 --- --„, or :.,,,ef place, Brixton. ___ --- --- .,ol.ll l L" t ue , "isiv' TVIIP ° ', a, io io London : Printed and Published by A N- 112, S t-I. o l'oo' Strand, Printer, at Vie Sun OfileN.ioo,o, of ate guy ay, La tke County et . 4 " . 2,6, 1646. lo Stay, the dengliter rr,Aci 'v "That Election qualified their des 4 aYs betz The ei In order the ensul for four 3 did that l ion, 43 I r r a, t, tko hell 11 ,,oUis o f Avow al( EN T he It' Coo .' - T The ch amiss "°., 21, 4 :80 3 11 1' 41 ; roa Gffiees of Nor' , cone .....,........ T ° i1it..... 1 11 t 11 g( eensi Of th e Dr( 1 11 Z r kl4t . t t , O N , r tt, tte h r - wit th ° l 11 4Z‘,. u Lt ': '44 mar %` t k 3 titr 44`Nt to 41,- 111 6 4' ,ZZ Q.kika