The Sun. — London, England, 1837-04-13 00:00:00

tl, .teficiency of their equipments ; and the third the want of competency in the persons who were intrusted with the command. The remedy proposed was the establishment of a board of superintendence similar to that of the Ad rsaralty. The Bill proposed that ships during the time of building should be subject to a survey, and again on going to sea to ascertain and report whether their construction vas good and that they were sound and sea-worthy, pro perly supplied with stores, and commanded by competent officers. Sir E. CODRINGTON seconded the motion. The Hon. and Gallant Member presented a petition from Shields, signed by 407 seamen in the merchant service ; in farOP:r of the measure. Mr. ROEBUCK wished to know whether, as the Bill Vas one for taxing the subject alluded more especially to the 18th clause), it should not originate in a resolution of a Committee of the whole House ? He also put it to the Speaker whether that informality did not destroy it ? The SPEAKER said that the clause should, undoubt tdlY, have been preceded by a resolution of the whole House in Committee. The ATTORNEY-GENERAL thought that objec tion fatal. The Bill should be withdrawn. Mr. ROBINSON wished to know whether the Go vernment had any measure on the subject to substitute in its place? Mr. P. THOMSON was of opinion that the clause in question should be first voted in a Committee of the whole House. After a few words from Mr. ROEBUCK, Mr. HOME, and the F. AKER, the Bill was withdrawn. COUNTY RATES BILL. Mr. HUME then rose to move the second reading of the County Rates' Bill ; and in order that the measure Might be understood by the public, he begged to explain the principle of it. That principle was to substitute for the magistrates, who now levied and appropriated the County Rates, a body of persons chosen by the rate-payers them selves. At present the rate-payer s of counties bad no controul or check over the individuals who imposed and appropriated the rates ; for they were not permitted to see the accounts ; and it appeared they could not claim a sight of those accounts as a right ; for it had lately been decided in the Court of King's Bench, after hear ing the case for several days, that the rate-payers had no right to inspect the accounts. He (Mr. Hume) proposed, that the rate-payers shoUld themselves elect a Board, consisting of twelve or twenty, or some such number of persons, who should have the levying and appropriating of the rates. The Bill, in other words, only proposed to place the rate-payers in counties on the same footing as the rate-payers in boroughs were placed by the Municipal Cor poration Bill, than which, he conceived, nothing could be ie : er e fair or equitable. He was sure that no plan could give greater satisfaction to those who paid rates. He thought it imp-ortant that the rate-payers should have some such cheek or control over those who had the appropriation of their tool ey. In the county of Stafford, where a plan simi lar to that he proposed had been in practice for some time, the reduction in the amount of rates had been great indeed. HQ submitted, therefore, whether there should not be an Unifor m law of the same kind throughout England. He repeated that counties ought to be placed on the same foot 50' as Eoroughs. It had been objected by some to his Bill Board that a new ought not to be appointed, but that the Board of Guardians would be the fittest persons to impose and appropriate the rates. He (Mr. Hume) t hought that this would be most injudicious. He thought the Po or -l aw G uar di ans h ad enough of work on their ''ands with ou t anyt hi ng a ddi t i ona l . T o appo i nt them in the proposedcase would be to load them with duties incom- Patible with the performance of their present duties. At, the same time if the House would permit the Bill 14 go into Committee, he would have no objection to ; 1 0 Y alter a ti ons i n t h e d eta il s. U n l ess the rate-payers a ve a control over the appropriation of their money ther e can be no economy or good management. He (Mr. Hume) thought the Bill so important, and that the im- Prevenient it would effect would be so great, that he re gretted Government itself had not brought in a Bill similar to the present ; it would hav e a dd e d great ly t o t h e i r popu hrit.Y. If the House approved o f th e p r i nc i p l e o f t h e B i ll, all be asked was that they would allow it to go into Com mittee, where the details could be modified in any way that might be deemed best. Before he sat down, he begged to correct a mistaken notion which had gone abroad on the 64 :eCt. It was objected to the measure, that the object of it was to appoint a rural police. Nothing could be farther Irom the intention of the Bill. All he wished was, that a Force should be appointed to afford the necessary protection to the property of the country. The measure, therefore, Was not open to the objection which had been urged against it. The Hon. Member then concluded by moving the second reading of the Bill. Mr. ALSTON said his name bad been annexed to this measure, as if he had approved of it, without his consent. Mr. HUME said that was the result of a mistake. The Hon. Member, when last year presenting a petition on the subject, expressed himself favourable to the principles of the measure. When he (Mr. Hume) brought in the Bill, he was told by an Hon. Member that the Hon. Gentleman `Mr. Alston) was in favour of the measure, and therefore be had put his name to it.—(A laugh.) The thing, it would be seen, was the result of a mistake, and he (Mr. Hume) hoped the Hon. Gentleman would be satisfied with the e 4 planation. Mr. ALSTON said that,in his opinion, the good effected by the Poor-law Amendment Act would be completely neutralized if the Bill should pass. Mr. G. KNIGHT should have supported the Bill if it was one of indictment against the Magistrates of the .county of Middlesex, rather than against the Magistrates of every county in England. Colonel WOOD contended that the details of the Bill were so anomalous and unsuited to the - proper government of county business that the House ought not to adopt it. Sir JOHN WROTTESLEY should be better pleased if this measure had been taken up by the Government. Something, however, must be done, and therefore he would v ote for the second reading. He would suggest some alterations in the Committee. Every rate-payer should be allowed to inspect the accounts. He disapproved of that Part of the Bill which provided for the appointment of a Board of Delegates. The Board of Guardians under the Poor -law Bill might do the business. A . Sir E. KNATCHBULL said that the Bill was an in- Lactrnent against the magistrates of England, and he was surprised to hear the Hon. Baronet who spoke last say he "id support it. There was no complaint against the I)unty rates in Kent. The Hon. Baronet was much mis taken, if he supposed the Board of Guardians would add `43,,Vieir other labours that of managing the county rates. toe magistrates of the county which he had the honour represent were most anxious to reduce the rates as tionsFlt as possible, that t he bad succeeded. He had no n natio n in saying that the effect of this Bill would be to add 3 h „ ,000/. or 4,000/. a year to their amount. Any such -.ma ser e was entirely unnecessary in the county of Kent. „2 -4 td EBRINGTON, although he approild of the Than t' o f the measure before the House, was opposed to 4n Y of its details, and with a view to its beiug modified in Committeer, he would vote for the second reading.—( Hear.) n ot W ILMOT could not support the Bill. He did object to the county-rate payers having some control -vet th e e . co etrit _ xPenditure of the funds to which they so largely It or _ unted, but, in his own opinion they already had much e control t han the H ouse was aware o f . B y th i s B i ll the whole of the oft that expenditure would be taken out of time hands tore gistracy. In his own county, out of an expendi over 154000ut 20,0001. ay ear, the rate-payers had control iOO/ .t. tes • °I f ormed . , e ( th E e lltiCK said that if an opinion were to be M eMber principle of the Bill from the language . of Hon. ci wh B ,°ne would be led to suppose that it was a prin heao 1 " Was now for the first time heard of.—(Hear, efficient What, he should like to know, had been the most with th _way of making those responsible who were entrusted el e t . exPenditure of money raised by taxation ? Why, Whiecllve_.reprsentation.—(Cheers.) It was the principle bo ruu Ztained in that House, and in the counties and almost ec-ery(Hear.) It had been said that in every county gentleman was a magistrate. Gentleman! tt tion was , a g e ntleman ? In E ng l an d, it see med the de cheers.) °I gentleman was a rich man.—(Oh, oh, and Hear, hearntY magistrates were a great nuisance the, hear)—tted actuated by party purposes filled the vfith poor wretches.--(Cries of Order," from hi s oubseprosition benches.) Let Hon. Gentlemen reply to terrupt Yati"s when he had concluded them, and not in if the y could b A s FY eould.—( y cr es of " Order." Let them answer him (agtstracyT• Hear, hear.) He repeated that an unpaid Order.) ve ha as a curse to the country. (Oh, oh, and b t . sort of Magistracy, experience told them, 4i c i ev st e n ri : Vico obtained the confidence of the people. The and it shoo was already driven from the towns, (R emy ear: soon hbe chased from the counties also.— th e e __ ) un ties ? It . sv t,:vetrheethe towns in comparison with stronghold of thecounties which formed the ,ould support the 7 ,„ . as readin g o f the Bill, because i t based upon a system of wheer s .) re presentative responsibility.— E• BULLER testesproested against a Bill that, under de county , attempted to get rid, by wind of so vital a question as that of the appoint if 811j,st___he Magistracy of the county. For his own part, ommwere top ass, he would respectfully lay his ission at the feet of his Majesty, and ask to be re• feel from furth er filling a situation to which he should ' ee t u b r e . couldtr not, under these circumstances, be entitled. B ilit w NG said as he objected to every clause of the to ould be more candid and explicit for him at once vote as „ •inn the p_ arts of. ngland the-Ho second reading.—(Loud cheers from Of use? ) He did not think the magistracy o ught to e disgrE:ced in the manner which Lord STANLEY said that it was not his intention to enter into the merits of the subject, although he enter tained a strong opinion with regard to the Bill, and the principle which it involved. It went to affect the whole domestic polity of the country, civil and criminal, and that was the first time he had heard it stated in the House of Commons that a question of such moment, one that ought to have come direct from his Majesty's Ministers—(Hear, hear)—Ministers calling themselves the Government of the country—(Cheers)—was to be proceeded with while they absented themselves, in order to avoid expressing, as they were bound as Ministers of the Crown to do, their opinion as to the effect of the plan, and their views with regard to the jurisprudence of the country. The Bill, he contended, involved highly important matters, and therefore it was that he thought the Noble Lord the Secretary of State for the Home Department should have been in his place. It' the subject had been unimportant why had the Govern. ment appointed a Commission ? Why had they required the Commissioners to make a repo ttupon exp'a n their views ?—( Hear, hear.) What was -the- answer which the Under-Secretary of State, there being no Cabinet Minister present, gave to this question ? Why, he said it was a mere matter of finance. Uthen, it were a matter of finance, why was not the Chancellor of the Exchequer in his place ?—(Cheers.) The question was either of para mount importance or it was not ; but, if it were, ought not some influential member of the Government to be present. They had heard that the Report of the Commissioners had been presented to the Horne-office. Now what was the Home-office —what was the duty of that department ? Was it not to w a t c h over the magistracy ; encourage them when right, contr o l th em when wrong, and vindicate them in the proper discharge of their duty before the public ? (Cheers.) In his (Lord S tan l ey ' s) mind, when a serious charge, affecting the char ac t er o f the magistracy was brought forward, his Majesty's Government ought to be present, and say whether they were prepared to sanction it. Surely this would he the proper and manly course. But then they wished very conveniently, upon some future occa sion, to have it in their power to say—" Oh, we entertained our own opinion upon the matter ; but the d ec i s i on reste d in the h ee d s o f th e coun ty magistrates themselves, and nobody can wonder at the result."—(Loud cheers.) The only mendier of the Government who had ventured to ex press an opinion was the Under-Secretary for the Home Department : and in what he had stated he had cautiously guarded himself, for he had gone no further than saying that he thought th e pr i nc i p l e o f t h e Bill was a goo d principle, and one of which he approved. He objected to the prin ciple of the Bill. They had no evidence before them that . the Magistrates o f E ng l an d h a d f a il e d i n t h e di sc h arge o f their duties. In his conscience he believed that they most efficiently, and advantageously, and usefully, discharged their duties.—(Cheers.) This Bill, from one end of the country to the other, would be taken to be a slur upon the Magis tracy of England. Looking at this Bill as involvihg a principle affecting the entire a d m i n i strat i on o f j ust i ce, h e could not consent to its second reading. Major BEAUCLERK was sorry to have heard the Noble Lord state that he did not consider it decent for his Majesty's Government to be absent on this occasion, and particularly when the Noble Lord did not know what this Bill would disgrace them. As far as his own county (Middlesex) was concerned, he could safely say that their accounts were quite perfect, constantly subjected to exa mination, and in themselves an evidence that the county money was never ill-expended.—(Hear; hear.) Mr. MILES would oppose this Bill, as well on its prin ciple as with respect to its details. Mr. SHAW LEFEVRE also opposed the Bill. He differed in toto from the observations which had fallen from the Hon. and Learned Member for Bath. If the Hon. Member said the county magistracy were a " nui sance," he (Mr. Lefevre) would say that he believed the only instance in which they were, or could be so, was when the magistrates were popularity-hunters.--(Hear.) Mr. LENNARD should support the Bill. Ile was far, however, from bringing any charge, on the ground of extravagance, against the magistracy ; but be at the same time did think it a great evil that they should have in their hands the distribution of such a sum as 600,000/. a year, without the people having any controul whatever over the expenditure of so immense a fund.—(Cries of " Ques tion, question," " Divide, divide.") Mr. TULK, concurring in the principle of the measure, and notwithstanding he thought its details would admit of very considerable alteration and improvement in the Com mittee, he should give his vote for the second reading. While he said this, he could not help expressing his re gret that his Hon. Friend had brought forward so com plex a measure.—(Renewed cries of " Question," and " Divide.") Mr. JAMES—Agreeing as he did in the principle of this measure, and without denying that its details were sus ceptible of very considerable alteration, should support the motion of his Hon. Friend the Member for Middlesex.— (Renewed cries of " Question," and " Divide.") Mr. GOULBURN must express the regret which he felt at finding that a Bill of such vast importance as that had been left in the hands of an individual Member of that House, instead of being, as he contended it ought to have been, brought forward by his Majesty's Government.— ( Hear.) He thought the Noble Lord the Secretary of State for the Home Department ought at least to have been in his place, to state to the House the opinion which his Majesty's Government entertained on the subject. It could not be forgotten that the Government had appointed a Commis: ion to inquire into the subject of county rates so long back as two years ago, and that the Commissioners had made their report at the express desire of the Govern ment. That report and this Bill had been referred by the Government to the Quarter Sessions of the different coun- tics, in order to obtain the opinion of the Magistrates upon the subject t.—(Cries of " No, no.") He held in his hand a letter from an official party connected with the Quarter Sessions o f one coun ty t o - Lord John Russell, acknow ledging the receipt of the copies of the Report and Bill. Mr. HUME rose to order. It was truer that he had re quested tl-.e Noble Lord the Secretary of State for the Home Del utment to send copies of his Bill to the clerks of the diffi rent quarter sessions, but the Noble Lord hav ing decline d to do so, he (Mr. Hume) himself caused co pies to be forwarded. Mr. GOULBURN continued—At all events, in the instance to which he referred the Hon. Member for Mid dlesex had been anticipated ; but be that as it might he (Mr. G.) concurred with the Hon. Gentleman the Mem ber for Hampshire, that, the Commissioners having made their report to the Government, with the Government it rested, and with them alone, to say what effect such a measure was likely to have on the administration of justice throughout the country.---(Hear.) He now saw the Hon. Gentleman the Under Secretary of State for the Home Department in his place, and he hope , ' to learn from him what the siews and opinions of the 13rovernment were with respect to this Bill.—(Hear.) Disapproving of the mea sure in principle, as well as with respect to its details, he could not, for one, consent to its being read a second time. The Hon. Member for Middlesex told them that this was not an official but a financial measure, that 'it would not affect the administration of justice. Now, was that the fact ? What was the provision with regard to sheriffs? Why, that, although they were to be responsible for the custody of prisoners, they were to have no charge of the gaols.—(Hear.) The whole of the rules and regulations for the government of the gaols were so be made by the council board, as were also the arrangements with respect to the appointment of constables. This, therefore, was not a financial but an official measure, because it was clear that it would materially affect the administration of justice. The Hon. Member for Bath had said that the people of England had no confidence in the Magistracy. If that were the fact, how did it happen that it was from among the Magistracy that they selected the persons who repre sented their feelings and interests in that House ?—( Hear.) The Honourable Member for Malden supported this Bill on the ground that taxation and representation shotdd go hand in hand. Did the Hon. Gentleman forget that the greater part of this 600,0001 distributed by the magis trates arose from taxes imposed not by them, but by Par liament, and that although the magistrates distributed it, they had no discretion in the matter beyond following the course pointed out to them for the purpose by the Legis lature ?—(Hear, hear, bear.) For one, he never would concur in any proposition for making the magistracy an elective body. Lord WORSLEY was not surprised that this Bill had been brought in, for he believed that the people of this country were desirous that some such change as was pro posed to be effected by it should take place. Mr. E. STANLEY approved of the principle of the . Bill. When the Noble Lord opposite (Lord Stanley) brought in the Bill for the regulation of grand juries in Ire land, he by that measure recognised the principle contained in the prev-ent measure ; because he admitted that a certain number of rate-payers should be selected to sit as associates with the grand jurors on the financial business of the coun tie s. called, therefore, upon that Noble Lord to ex tend the principle of his measure to England. The people of England had a right to have some voice in the constitu tion of that body who were empowered to levy taxes on them, and direct their expenditure. The magistrates of England were the only irresponsible body in the country, who had the power of levying a tax and controlling its ap propriation. But he had yet to learn, that because an Hon. Member voted for the second reading of a Bill in support of its principle, he was therefore pledged to all the details of that Bill. No doubt there were some details in the present Bill, to which he could not give his assent ; but this by no means prevented him from supporting the second reading ; lie was therefore somewhat surprised that his Hon. Friend, the Member for Hertfordshire, should have moved an amendment that this Bill be read a second time that day six months, when in the strongest language he declared that he recognised the principle that taxation and representatio n were co-equal. Mr. HUME replied—Many Hon. Gentlemen had ex pressed their approbation of the principle of the Bill, but at the same time said that they dissented from many of its details. He regretted that those gentleman had not more specifically pointed out what their objections were. The Noble Lord the Member for North Lancashire (Stanley) was opposed to the principle of the measure ; but this did not trouble him (Mr. flume); for he had heard the Noble Lord advocate principles, while sitting on the Ministerial side of the House, that were worthy of a man of the most liberal opinions ; and he had heard him since he had been in Opposition express sentiments as hostile to the liberties of the people as the bitterest Tory could do. He (Mr. Flume) did not entertain a doubt that he should witness a similar change in the Noble Lord's opinion, even with re spect to this measure, all in due time. Hon. Gentlemen on the other side accused him of having drawn up a Bill of indictment against the magistrates of the country, but they did not refuse acting as judges in their own cause. He would address those Hon. Gentlemen thus : You who are arraigned, you who have a bill of indictment drawn up against you, rise and leave the House. Mr. FOX MAULE said, that - the Right lion. Gentle man had stated that the Home Office had caused copies of this Bill to be sent to the Quarter Sessions of the different counties ; but all he could say was, that the Right Hon. Gentleman's assertion was the first intimation he had re ceived of such a fact.—( Hear, hear.) He did not, how ever, believe that the Home Office had used any influence one way or the other on the subject, and, as the Govern ment regarded the matter as a mere local measure—(Cries of" Oh, oh !")—they declined to interfere, on the ground that as the Hon. Gentlemen on both sides of the House were magistrates, it would be best to leave them to decide it among themselves.—(Renewed cries of " On, oh," laughter, and " hear, hear.") It certainly appeared to him that the Bill related only to a financial arrangement, but as he did not think himself called on to enter more at large into the subject, all he would now say was, that it was his intention to vote for the motion of his Ho nourable Friend (the Member for Middlesex), because the measure involved a principle of which he approved, namely, that all those who contributed to the rates should know how their funds were applied.—( Hear, hear.) While he said this he must also state that there were many parts of the Bill to which he had objections. He regretted the ob servations used by the Hon. Member for Bath, and thought it ought always to be remembered that nothing was more injudicious than remarks which tended to bring those in whose hands the administration of justice was placed into contempt. The House then divided. The numbers were— For the second reading B4 Against it Majority The Bill was consequently lost. The Freeman's Admission Bill was postponed till Wed nesday se'nnight. COURT OF SESSION BILL. The House then went into Committee on this Bill. Sir W. RAE expressed his disapprobation of the • con duct of Ministers, who—in appointing to the office of Chief Clerk of the Court of Session—had passed over the four Clerks of Session, who were superseded, on retiring pensions. He was quite surprised that this opportunity of saving the public money bad been neglected. The LORD ADVOCATE and Mr. FOX MAULE defended the appointment. Mr. Napier bad been invested with the office in question solely because he appeared the person most competent to fill it. Mr. A. TREVOR, seeing that, contrary to the under standing, a discussion had arisen on this measure at this late hour of the night, moved that the Chairman report pro gress, and ask leave to sit again. The motion being agreed to, the House resumed. WAYS AND MEANS. The CHANCELLOR Of the EXCHEQUER hoped that Hon. Members would not object to the House going into a Committee of Ways and Means, for the purpose of taking a vote to cover the Supplies already voted. The House having gone into the Committee, The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER moved, that to make good the Supplies already voted to his Majesty, there be granted a sum of 8,000,000. 7 . out of the Consoli dated Fund. The motion was agreed to ; and the House having re sumed, the report was ordered to be received to-morrow. SHARES IN RAILWAY COMPANIES. Captain C lIETWYND gave notice, that on the 21 of May he would submit a resolution on the subject of Mem• bers of that House holding shares in Railway Companies on Committees. THE LATE ACTION IN SPAIN. Capiain BOLDERO gave notice, that he should to morrow move "for a copy of any letter from Lord John Hay, containing an account of the co-operation afforded by the seamen and marines under his command to the troops of the Queen of Spain on the 15th and 16th of March, 1837. Also, for a copy of any report received by the Master General of the Ordnance, Inspector -General of Fortifications, or Commanding Officer of Artillery at Woolwich, as to whether any casualt:e3 have occurred in the detachments of Royal Artillery, Royal Engineers, and THE SUN, LONDON, THURSDAY, APRIL 13, 1837 might be the cause or the reason of their absence.— (Cries of " Oh, oh" and cheers.) He certainly thought that before the Noble Lord ventured to use such language he ought first to have inquired the cause of the absence of which he complained.—(" Oh, oh," and laught Ir.) When in office the Noble Lord himself had often been ab sent on impoitant occasions. —(Cheers, and counter cheers). He did not mean to make any attack upon the magistracy. He believed on the contrary, that there were many honour able and high-minded men amongst them. He happened to be one hiniself.—(Roars of laughter.) He hoped Hon. Gentlemen at the other side of the House would excuse him, when he said that their laughter rather showed the want of a proper knowledge of the English language than anything else. He had heard with surprise the declaration of the Right Hon. Member for Cambridge, that the magi stracy had, in the discharge of their duty, given perfect satisfaction to the people of the country. The Right Hon. Gentleman perhaps meant the rich; hut he (Major Beau clerk) said that the people of the country generally did not entertain that opinion. Their interference at elections (as we understood the Hon. Member) was against the people. He did not agree with the Hon. Member for Bath in all the charges that he had made against the magistracy, but he thought that a magistracy chosen in the manner pro posed by this Bill, would be sure to discharge their duties in the most useful and honest manner. The people of the country would never be contented, until they had in the magistracy men of their own choice. Mr. EWART deprecated the attack made upon Mi nisters for their absence that evening by the Noble Lord (Stanley), and thought that those who advocated the mea sure brought forward by the Hon. Member for Middlesex had an equal right to complain of the absence of the Right Hon. Baronet the Member for Tamworth (Sir R. Peel), and of the Right Hon. Baronet the Member for Cumber land (Sir J. Graham.) He could not boast of having any peculiar acquaintance with magistrates, but he had seen enough of their proceedings to convince him that the con duct of the magistrates in the administration of the county funds was not what it ought to be. Whether the present House of Commons would pass this Bill he knew not ; but of this he was perfectly satisfied, that if it did riot, another House of Commons would feel it necessary to pass a mea sure founded upon exactly the same principle. Mr BROTH ERTON said that although the Bill was unpopular in the House, yet he should cheerfully give it his support ; at the same time he wished the machinery for carrying its vinciple into effect were more simple. Mr. BENETT observed that notwithstandin g the Hon. Member for B a th h a d a tt ac k e d th e mag i s t rates o f England, yet neither he nor any other Hor -Gentleman had adduced a single proof in support of those attacks. He regarded the principle proposed to be introduced by this Bill to be entirely a new one, and considered it to be altogether un called for, as he believed the people of this country were perfectly contented with the existing controul over the magistracy. An Hon. MEMBER, whose name we conld not learn, begged to say, in reply to the Hon. Member for Wltshire, that so far from the principle embraced by the present measure being an innovation on the Constitution, it was, in fact, a principle in strict accordance with it ; for what he would ask, was more Constitutional than that taxation and representation should go together ? This was the prin ciple of the Bill, and he was therefore decidedly in favour of the measure. All the control which the people could have over the magistrates was that which was to be de rived from the publicity of their proceedings. This was one of the objects of the Bill ; for the supposed control de rived through the medium of the courts of law was per fectly nugatory. He believed that the Hon. Baronet the Member for Warwickshire had borne testimony to the unsatisfactory manner in which country business was trans acted by the magistrates, and had even declared that the Bill of the Hon. Member for Middlesex did not go far enough. Sir EARDLEY WILMOT admitted that he had said that the Bill of the Hon. Member for Middlesex did not go far enough ; but he begged to explain the sense in which he had used those words. He felt that if the Bill were carried to the extent which the Hon. Member for Middlesex wished it to be, it would entirely destroy the judicial power of the Magistrates. An Hon. Member had said that in that event he should resign the commission, and he (Sir E. Wilmot) said the same. It was in that sense that he had declared that the Bill did not go far enough. He lied never complained of the Magistrates shrinking from responsibility ; but what he did say was, that after the financial business of the session was over the Magistrates generally went away and left the judicial busi nsss to the Chairman. Royal Suppers and Miners, employed on the coast of Spain and under the orders of Lord J. Hay, having reference to the above-mentkned actions on the 15th and 16th ult." The other Orders of the Day were disposed of, and the House adjourned at a Quarter-past One o'Clock. PARLIAMENTARY DIVISION. COUNTY RATES BILL. (From the Votes and Proceedings of the House of Commons, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 12. Order for Second 11 , ading read ; Motion made, and Question proposed,—" That the Bill be now read a second time :"—Amend ment proposed, to leave out the word " now," and at the end of the Question to add the words " upon this day six months :" —Question " That the word' now,' stand part of the Question :"—The House divided:— MINORITY-AYES, 84. Attwood, Thos.—Pinningham Bail, Nicholes—Clomnell sannermart, A.—Aberdeen Raring, F. Thornhill—Portsmouth Beauclerk, Maj , r—Fast Surrey Bernal, Ralph—Rochester Bewes, T.—Plymouth Blake, M. J.—Galway Brady, Denis Caulfield—Newry Bridgemati„ Hewitt—Ennis Brocklehurst, J.— Macclesfield Brotherton, J.—Salford Buller, Charles—Liskeard Buller, E.—North Staffordshire Ilulwer, 11. L.—Marylebone tbilwer, E. L.—Lincoln Chalmers, Patrick—lnverbervie Clay, W.—Tower Hamlets Codrington. Sir E.--Devonport rravrford, W. S.—Dundalk Crompton, S.—Thirslc Dalmeny, Lord—Stirling Dundas, Hon. J. C.—York Ehrington, Visc.—North Devon Elphinstone, Howard—Hastings Fergusson, Right Hon. R. C.—Kirk cudbright Grattan, Henry—Meath Grote, Gcerge—London Hall, Benjamin—Monmouth flandley, Henry—Lincolnshire flawes, Benjamin—Lambeth Hay, Sir A. L —Elgin ilcathcoat, J.—Tiverton ctor, C. J.—Peterstield flindley, Charles—Ashton Holland, Edward—Worcestershire Hume, Joseph—Middlesex hitt, W. —K ingston-upn- Hull James, \Villiam—Cumherland Laintiton, H.—North Durham Leader, John T.—Bridgwater Lerhard, T. B.—Maldon Lushington, Dr.—Tower tlaml. Lushington, Charles—Ashtu:ton Lynch, A. I-! —Galway 11firjoribanks, S.—flythe Marshall, %V.—Carlisle Marsland. Henry—Stockport Maule, Hon. Fox—Perthshire Murray, Right Hon. J. A.—Leith O'Connell, Daniel —Kilkenny O'Connell, John—Youghall O'Connell, M. J.—Kerry O'Connell, Morgan—Meath Ord, W.—Newcastle-upon-Tyne Palmer, General—Bath Parker ' John—Sheffield Parrott, Jasper—Totness Peas ,, Joseph—South Durham Pechell, Captain—Brighton Potter, lt.—Wigan Rippon, C.—Gateshead Roebuck, J. A.—Bath Rundle, John—TavistOck Russell, Lord C.—Bedfordshire' Beale, Colonel—Dartmouth Smith, R. Vernon—Northampton Stanley, E. John—North Cheshire Strickland, Sir G —West Yorkshire Thompson, Col.—Kingston-on-Hull Trelawney, Sir W.—East Cornwall . froubridge, Sir T. E.—Sandwich Tulk, C. A.—Poole Turner, \V.—Blackburn Walker, R.—Bury, Lancashire Wallace, Robert—Greenock Warburton, H.—Br idport Wars, H. G.—St. Albans Wason, Rigby—'p wich Whalley, Sir S.—Marylebone Williams, William—Coventry Williams, W. A.—Monmouthshire inning ' H. J.—Worcestershire Wrottesley, Sir J.—Staffbrdshire TELLERS. Villiers, r. P.—Wolverhampton Ewart, Wm.—Liverpool MAJORITY. Alford, Viscount—Bedfordshire Al , ager, Captain—Surrey Arbuthnot, Gen.—Kincardineshire '—NOES, 177. Hotkarn, Lord—Leominster HoxPird, P. IL—Carlisle Hughes, W. if—Oxford Inglis, Sir IL if—Oxford University Irton, Samuel—Cumberland lennyn, Earl—Bury, Suffolk Johnstone ' Sir J. V.—Scarborough Johnston, Andrew—Cupar Tones, T.—l: , ndonderry Co. Kerrison, Sir Edward—Eye Knatchbull, lit. Hon. Sir E.—Kent Knight, H. G.—Nottinghamshire Knightley, Sir C.—Northamptonsh Lees, John Frederick—Uldham Lefevre, C. Shaw—North Hants Lemon, Sir Charles—West Cornwall Lennox, Lord J. G.—West Sussex Lennox, Lord A.—Chichester Lowther, J. H.—York Lygon, bon. Colonel H. B.—West Wor estershire Manners ' Lord C. S.—Leicestershire Ilaunsell. 'l'. P.—Northamptonthire i Miles, Wm.—East Somers. tshire Mordaunt, Sir John—Warwickshire Morgan, C. M. IL—Brecon Mostyn, Hon. E.—Flintshire Neeld, Joseph—Chippenham Neeld, John—Cricklade Nicholl, J —Cardiff' Norreys, Lonl—Oxfordshire , Packe, Chas. Wm.—Leicestershire Palmer, EC—Berkshire Palmer, George—Essex Parker, Montagu—Devon Parry, Sir L. P. J.—Carnarvon Patten, J. Wilson—Lancashire Pemberton, Thomas—Ril.on Pigot, RobertL-Bridgenorth Polhill, Frederick—Bedford Powell, Colonel—Cardiganshire Praed, W. Mackworth—Yarmouth Price, Samuel Grove—Sandwich Rae, Right [lon. Sir Wm.—Bute Reid, Sir J. Rae—Dover Richards, Richard—Merionethshi: e Rickford, William—Aylesbury Ross, Charles—Northampton Ryle, John—Macclesfield Sandon, Lord—Liverpooll Sanford, E. A.—West Somerset4i re Scott, Sir E. D.—Lichfield Scott Lord John—Roxburghshire Sheppard, Thomas—Frome .Sibtliorp, Colonel—Lincoln Sinclair, Sir G.—Caithness-shire Smith, A.—Hertfordshire Somerset, Lord G.--Monmouthshire Stanley, Edward—Cumberland Stanley, Lord—North Lancashire Stewart, John—Lymington Sturt, Henry Charles—Dorsetshire Talfourd, Mr. Serjeant—Reading Thomas, Col nel—Kinsale ThoMpson, Aid.—Sunderland Trevor, Hon. Arthur—Durham Twiss, Horace—Bridport Tyrrell, Sir J. T.—North Essex Vere, Sir Charles B.—Suffolk Vesey, Hon. Thomas—Queen's Co. Vivian, John Ennis—'Truro • Vvvyan, Sir R. R.—Bristol Walpole, Lord—Norfolk Walter, John—Berkshire %Vest, John Beatty—Dublin VVeyland, Major—Oxfordibire Wigney, J. N.—Brighton Wilbraham, Hon. B.—La - cashire Willilans, It , 'bert—Dorchester Williamson, Sir H —North Durham Wilson, Henry—SuffUlk Wodebouse, Edmund—Norfolk Wood, Colonel T.—Breckni,ckshire Worsley, Lord—Lincolnshire Wrightson, W. B.— Not thallerton _ Wyndham, Wadham—Salisbury Yorke, Eliot T.—Xambridgeshire Young, Geo. Fred.—Tyncmouth Young, Sir W —Bucks Ashley, Hon. H.—Dorchester istley, gSir Jacob—West Norfolk ilagot, Hon. W.—Denbighshire Bailey, Joseph—Worcester H. D.—Honiton , all Our, Thomas—Orkney Barclay, David—Sunderland Baring, H. IL—Marlborough W. B.—Winclieste'r Birtieby, Job —Droitwich Beckett, It.ght Hon. Sir J.—Leeds Bell, M.—South Northumberland Benett, J.—South Wiltshire Borkelcy, Hon. C.—Cheltenham Bethel', li..=East Yorkshire Itlackhurne, I. J.--Warrington Mack,tone, W. S.—Wallingford Bolder°, He:oy G.—Chippenham :oiling, W.—Bolton Bort h'iviek, Peter—Evesham Bowls, G,rge Itushout—Evesham iiradshaw, .T i"nws —Berwick Bramston, T. W.--South Essex Bruce, C. L. C —lnverness, &c. Bul:er, Sir J. Ya-de—Devonshire Burrell, Sir C.—Shoreham Byng, George—Middlesex Campbell, Sir H.—Berwickshire Canning, Right Hon. Sir S.—King's Lynn • Cavendish, Hon. G. H.—Derbyshire Cayley, E. S.—N. Yorkshire Chandos, Marquis of—Bucks Chaplin, Colond—Stamford Chetwynd, Capt. W.—Staffbrd Chichester, Arthur—Honiton CRve, Viscount—Ludlow Clive, It. H. South Shropshire Codrington, C. W.—Gloucestershire , Colborne, Ridley—Wells Cole, Lord—Fermanagh Compton, FL Combe—Hampshire Cooper, E. J.—Sligo Co. Corry, Hon. H. L.—Tyrone Co. Cowper, Hon. W. F.—Hertford Cri ps, Joseph—Cirencester Dirlington, Earl of—Shropshire Dillwyn, L W.—Glamorganshire Eastnor, Viscount—Reigate Eaton, R. J.—Cambridgeshire Egerton, Sir P.—Cheshire Egerton, Lord Francis—Lancashire Elley, Sir John—Windsor Elwes, John Rtyne—Essex e;steourt, 'l' G. 11.—Oxford Univ. Estrourt, 'l'. Junior—Devizes I ector, John Miner —Dover Ferguson, Georg —Tianit'Shire Finch, G.—Stamford Flonher, Jahn—Elarnp•hire Folkes; Sir William—Norfolk Follett, Sir W.—Exeter Forb.is, Wilhim -Stirlingshire F. - ematitle, Sir T.—Buckingham Gaskell, J. M.—Wenlock Geary, Sir William—Kent Gladstone, T.—Lticestcr 41aos'one. \V E.—Newark-on-Trent Gordon, Hon.W.—Aberdeenshire Gor'..g. IL D.—New Shoreham iouthern, Right Hon. H.—Cam bri ge University Gonlourn, Mr. S , .rjeant—Leicester Greene, T. G.—Lancashire Gr m , ton,Vi , count—Hertfordshire Griinston, Hon E. H.—St. Alhan's Flak., li. I3.—Gloucestershire II: Ilford, Henry—Lei 2estershire Harcourt, Geo. Simon—Bucks tlar,-ourt, G. G.—Oxfordshire I lirland, W. C.—Durham Hawkcs, Thomas -Dudley .-fares, S;r E.—Donegal eu Lord—East Sufthlk lho-bert, Hon. S.—south Wilts ; Jerrie, (light Hon. J. C.—Harwich Hinee, .John Hodgto.l—Newcastle. upcu-TyEe Hope, H. T.- 'I ELLE as. Alston, Row Tertfordsli ire Wilmot, Sir J. E.—NVarwickshire —Gloucester The following are a List of t Tuesday evening, on the Third Reform Bill : :he Membera who paired off on Reading of the Irish Municipal FOR. Anprstoin, J.—Greenwich Baldwin, Dr.—Cork City B idkin, John .lames—Galway Brabazon, Sir William—'loco Buckingham, J. S.—Sheffield 13urao:1, W. W.—Weymouth AGAINST. Caleraft, John Hales—NVareham Longtield, Richard—Cork Co Mandeville, Vise.—Huntingdonshire Lopez, Sir Ralph—Westbury Somerset, Lord I , l—Cirencester Ilinde, John Hodgson—Newcasle upon-Tyne Ker, David—Downpatrick Price, Richard—New Radnor Dugdal; W. S.—Warwickshire Hill, Sir Rowland—Shropshire Chishohn, A. W.—lnverness-shire llouldsworth, T.—Nottinghamshire 9urton, Henry—Beverlev Clive, Edward B.—Here fo r d Chil(Lws, John W.— Malton C .111er, J.—Plymouth Conyngham, Lord A.—Canterbury Cookes, 1' H.—Worcestershire Denison, J. E.—South Nottingham. shire Finn, W. F.—Kilkenny Co. Fitzsinr3n, N.—King's Co. Forster, C. S.—Walsall Stormont, Viscount—Norwich Conolly, Edward M.—Donegal Cartwright, W. R.—North Nor. thainntonshire Peel, E.—Newcastle-under.Lyme Egerton, W. 'Patton—Cheshire Smyth, Sir Henry—Colchester Corbett, 'l'. G.—Lincolnshire NVelby, Glynne Earle—Grantham Jackson, Mr. Serj.—Bandon tsridgc Halve, J.—St. Ives Liocolii, Earl of—South Notts Johnstone, J . J. IT —Pinafries.shire Trevor, Hon. G. IL—Caermarthensh Beresford, Sir John—Chatham Wynn, Sir W. \V. —DenbighOire Ruslibrooke, Colonel—Suffolk Gore, Ormsby—Salop Gisborne, T.—North Dorbyshire Grosvenor, Lord R.—Chester Golly, John—Pontefract I I eneage, Ed want—Grimsby Heron, Sir R.—Peterborough Jep:ison, D. o. —Mallow Lister, E. f.anlifre—Bradford •llilton, Lord—Mallon Oliphant. Laurence—Perth Price, Sir R.—Herefordshire Thomps,n, P. B.—East Yorkshire Vivian, Major Charles—Bodmin Weinyss, Captain—Fifeshire Westenra, Hon. J. C.—King's Co. The following are a List of the side Members absent on the Liberal Mullins, F. W.—Korry Musgrave, Sir R.--Waterford I North, F.—Hastings 4 O'Brien, W. S.—Limerick Co. O'Connell, Maurice—Tralee Pendarves, E. W. W.—Cornwall Scholefield, J.—Birmingham Spry, Sir S. T.—Bodmin Stanley, Hon. H. T.—Preston Strutt, Edward—Derby Vigors, N.—Carlow Co. White, Luke—Longford Wilkins, Walter—Radnorshire Wilmot, Sir J. E.—Warwickshire Barham, John—Kendal Beaumont, T. W.—South Northam- Berland flowring, Dr.—Kilmarnock Churchill, Lord C.—Woodstock Denison, W. J.—West Surrey Dobbin, Lemard—Armagh Evans, W. De Lacy—Westminster Grey, lion. Colonel—Wycombe Heathcote, Sir G.—Rutlandshire geathco'e, G. J.—Lincolnshire Ingham. IL—South Shields Knox, Hon J.—Dungannon M.Leod, IL—Sutherlandshire A melancholy and fatal accident happened on Tues day last to Mrs. Deverell, of Frankley, the widow of the late Mr. John Deverell, who has led the life of a recluse since the death of her husband. One of the servants passing the door of her chamber perceived a smell of fire, but knowing that Mrs. Deverell kept her door locked and bolted, lest any one should intrude on her, an entrance was obliged to be made through the window, when the unfortunate lady was found quite dead, having been suffocated by the smoke arising from the bed having caught Wiltshire Independent. The workmen have commenced with activity to clear away the sand from the Amsterdam, a Dutch East Indiaman, stranded on the coast of Hastings. The crew mutinied, having, it is said, the plague on board, and ran the vessel aground on a Sunday morning, in 1749, during very fine weather. It was a ship of 997 tons, is 151 feet long, and 38 feet across the beams, and had a general cargo of cutlery, glass, and china, with ten tons of copper, and a considerable quantity of quicksilver ; and, it is added, some two or three cases of specie ; it mounted fourteen guns. An old man here, now 97 years of age, remembers the circumstance, and his testimony i s hi g hl y i nterest i ng in a geological point of view, as it shows that the vessel was run into the midst of a muddy ground, covered, he says, with sedges and reeds; and this cir cumstance, in immediate connection with the submarine forest extending along this part of the coast, gives us some good data from which we may judge of the encroachments of the sea in stated period.—Brighton Gazette. On Tuesday night week, between the hours of eight and ten, the son of Mr. Richards, of Bailey, a small vil lage, about six miles from Gravesend, went out into the back premises to see that all was right, prior to going to bed. There he saw three men with their faces disfigured, who rushed towards him, and he retreated to tie house, but, being closely pursued, the door was-forced open, and one of the men followed him into the kitchen. Mr. Richards, jun., was about procuring his gun for defence, when the ruffians discharged the contents of a horse-pistol at, his head, which totally blinded him, and dreadfully mutilated the whole of his face. After this the robber gave a loud whistle, when the two others came in,. one of whom stood sentinel with a loaded pistol in his left hand against the breast of Mr. Richards, sen., while, with a drawn cutlass in his right hand, he threatened Mrs. Richards and family, consisting of two young lads, violently exclaiming that, if either of them dared to move, death should be their portion. In the meantime two of the men went up stairs, and commenced ransacking the drawers. The ruffiva keeping sentry bel ow ro bb e d M r. Ri c h ar d s, sen., o f about .50/., after which the villains made their escape. Mr. Richards, jun., is expected to recover from the effects of his wounds. COURT CIRCULAR. The Duchess of Kent entertained a large and distinguished party at dinner yesterday. The Duke of Cambridge returned to Gloucester House, Park-lane, on Tuesday afternoon, from Windsor Castle. The Duchess of Gloucester entertained his Royal Highness and the Princess Augusta at dinner. The Duchess of Kent has directed that 1001. be paid in her name and that of her Royal Highness the Princess Victoria, for the relief of the distressed weavers in Spitalfields. The Prince of Leiningen visited the Princess Augusta yes terday, at her residence in St. James's Palace. Rosenhain, the pianist, who has just arrived in this country, had the honour of performing at her Royal Highness the Duchess of Kent's yesterday evening. Mr. Stevenson, the American Minister, transacted business yesterday at the Foreign-office. A Cabinet Council was held at three o'clock yesterday after noon at the Foreign-office. It was attended by Viscount Mel bourne, the Marquis of Lansdowne, Viscount Duncannon, Lord John Russell, Viscount Palmerston, Lord Glenclg, the Chan cellor of the Exchequer, Earl of Mint°, Sir John Hobhouse, Lord Holland, Mr. P. Thomson, and Viscount Howick. The Council sat an hour and a half. In consequence of the lamented death of Lady De L'lsle Reshid Bey has thought it proper to postpone his two remain ing dinner entertainments from Monday, the 17th, to Monday, the 24th instant, and the one of the 24th instant to i'llond iy, the Ist of May next. FASHIONABLE INTELLIGENCE. ARRIVALS. Lord and Lady Wynford, in Harley-street, Cavendish square, from their seat, Lecsons, Kent; the Hon. and Rev. Samuel Best and Mrs. Best, at ditto, from Hampshire; G. Wood, Esq., in Bond -street, from Southampton ; the Rev. Alexander Cotton and Mrs. and the Misses Cotton, at Mar shall Thompson's Hotel ; Robert Raikes, jun., Esq., Mrs. Raikes, and family at ditto; James Walker, Esq , at ditto ; Sir John Walsham at ditto; C. J. Richards, Esq., at ditto; R. Jenkins, Esq., Mrs. Jenkins, and family at ditto ; the Dowager Duchess of Montrose at Richmond Hill ; Sir Henry Paulett, Bart., of the 2d Dragoon Guards, at Long's Hotel, from a tour ; Lord Redesdale, in Harley-street, from Moreton in-the-Marsh. Gloncestershire S;r William and Lady Foul's at Mivart's Hotel ; Lord Ward at ditto ; Lord Cranstoun, at the Clarendon Hotel, from a tour; the Earl and Countess of Albemarle, in Berkeley-square, from Newmarket ; .the Earl and Countess of Hardwieke and family in New Norfolk-street, from Wimpole Avrington ; Lord and Lady Gardner at Bute House; the Earl of Macclesfield, in Conduit -street, from Sherborne Castle ; the Marquis of Headfort, in Jermyn-street, from Dublin; the Earl of Harborough, in Clifford-street, from Stapleford Hall, Leicestershire ; Count O'Brien de Lacy, of Angustow Palace, Grodno, in Dover-street, from the Conti nent; the Hon. and Rev. F. Hotham, Mrs. Hotham, and fa. mily, in Somerset -street, from Suffolk ; Mrs. Otway Cave and family, and Mrs. Henry Murray, in Park-lane, from Tunbridge Wells ; Mr. and Mrs. Ayshford• Wise, in Cumberland-street, Portman-square, from Staffordshire. DEPARTURES. George Ormerod, Esq., Mrs. Ormer - od, and family from Marshall Thompson's Hotel ; John Royd, jun., Esq., and Mrs. Royd from ditto; the Rev. Dr. Archdall and Mrs. Archdall from ditto; Col. Wa'ton, Mrs. Walton, and family from ditto; Horace St. Paul, Esq., from ditto ; ‘ the Rev. C. Erie from ditto; James Moss, Esq., from ditto. UNIVERSITY INTELLIGENCE. ORFORD, APRIL 10...--In a convocation holden this afternoon, it was unanimously resolved to affix university seal to a petition to the Upper House of Parliament, against Lord Radnor's proposed motion for a commission to inquire into the several colleges and halls. We believe that, with perhaps a single exception, every college in the university has forwarded a petition against this unnecessary and intrusive proposal of the Noble Earl's, for presentation, in most instances by the visitors of the respective societies.—Morning Paper. LONGFORD ELECTION PETITION. The Committee met yesterday pro forma, for the agents on both sides to exchange lists of the objected votes at the It to election. It appeared that Mr. White polled 619 Mr. Fox Majority The petitioner; object to 490 votes of the sitting Mem ber's poll, of which 243 are for undervalue. The votes ob jected to on the part of the sitting Member are 200, but tho principal class is for invalid registry under the Reform Act. The petition contains numerous allegations, the chief of which is that of intimidation. The Committee ,adjournqd to this day at 11 o'clock. Counsel for the petitioners, Mr. Harrison and Mr. Wrangham ; for the sitting Member, Messrs. Thesiger, Austin, and Robinson. The Duchess-Countess of Sutherland will give her first grand dinner after the recess, this day, in Hamilton-place. the Earl and Countess of Donoughmore have ar• rived at the Saeliville Hotel, Sackville-street, front Palmer ston, Dublin. The Duchess of Beaufort had a select party at dinner, on Tuesday, at St. James's-place. Her Grace left town to-day for Hampton Court to visit Lady Anne Curling Smith, her Grace's mother. The Duke of Norfolk entertained the Bishop of Killaloc and Clonfert and a distinguished party at dinner, Tuesday evening, in St. James's-square. The iVla:quis of Lansdowne gives a grand dinner to-day at Lansdowne House. The Hon. Mr. Westenra had a dinner party and as sembly yesterday. Die Earl and Countess of Minto have a grand dinner party at the Admiralty, on Saturday next. Earl de Grey gave his first grand dinner in St. James's.squae on Monday evening. Lord John Russell has issued cards for a dinner par y on Saturday. Lady Burghersh still remains, an invalid, confined to her room. We learn that the Countess of Lincoln, daughter of the Duke of Hamilton, is seriously indisposed. The Earl of Lincoln arrived in town on Saturday, but was recalled to the seat of his father, the Duke of Newcastle, where Lady Lincoln was staying. The Duke of Devonshire arrived in town on Tuesday on horsehick, and is in excellent health. The Viscomte de la Itochefacault, who has married the daughter of Sir Coutts Trotter, Bart., was a widower, and has three chi.dren by his first marriage, the eldest of %thorn, a daughter, is in her 16th year, and much admirod for her grace and beauty at the Court of the Tuileries. Lady Ward, accompanied by Lord Ward, her son, is expected at Mivart's Hotel, from Dudley Castle, Stafford shire. The Duke de Palmella has left England, for Paris, after a tour of the principal watering places and spas. The arrivals in town within the last few days have been exceedingly numerous ; and most of the West-end bottle arc said to be " booked full." Yesterday a Court of Directors was held at the East India House, when the thanks of the Court were voted unani mously to Sir James Rivett Carnac, Bart., Chairman, and John Loch, Esq., Deputy Chairman, for their great application and attention to the affairs of the Company during the past year. Yesterday a ballot was taken at the East India House for the election of six Directors, in the room of Henry Alexander, Esq., William Stanley Clarke, Esq., John Shep herd, Esq., John Thornhill, Esq., Francis Warden, Esq., and Sir William Young, Bart., who go out by rotation. At six o'clock the glasses were closed and delivered to the Scrutineers, who reported that the election had fallen on William Astell, Esq., William Butterworth Bayley, Esq., Russell Ellice, Esq., Richard Jenkins, Esq., Campbell Marjoribanks, Esq., and John Masterman, Esq. A petition in favour of household, suffrage is now lying for signatures in different places in the borough of Bradford. On Tuesday last, a petition, with upwards of 1,000 signatures in favour of household suffrage, was forwarded from South Shields, to Mr. H. Lambton, for presentation to the House of Commons. The Earl of Yarborough has, unsolicited, sent a do nation of 201. to the Mechanics' Institute of this city Lin coin Gazette. Great complaints have been made of the horrid state of the Factory in St. Bat°lab's and the lodging-houses in St. Swithin's. We are told that the fetidness arising from the pent-up atmosphere and the want of cleanliness is such as to be almost overbearing.—Lincoln Gazette. On Friday last, the Earl of Fife ordered a liberal supply of coals and brushwood to be distributed among the most necessitous of the poor of Banff, which, doubtless, will prove a very seasonable relief in this inclement weather,— Edinburgh Courant. A public meeting of the inhabitants of Elgin was held in the Court-house there, on Thursday, when it was re solved to open subscriptions in aid of the funds for the,relief of the destitute inhabitants of the Highlands and Islands of Scotland. When the Bishop of Exeter on a late occasion an nounced that' he had brought with him to the House two ounces of cheese, a certain Peer, who is said to be a Com moner in his jokes, whispered, loud enough to be heard on the Woolsack, that " he hoped it was Cottenham." Colonel the Hon. F. W. Grant of Grant, M.P., has generously given 10!. to the Kirk Session of Forres, and 5/. to that of Birnie. MEMOIRS OF A PEERESS ; OR, THE DAYS OF Fox.—This is certainly a very singular work—a clever com mentary upon the pages of Wraxall, or rather An able chronicle of all that Wraxall has forgotten. The rcverse of the tapestry sometimes preserves its colouring more vividly than the tapestry itself; and we confess we prefer the sparkling sketches of Fox, Burke, Sheridan, and all the other gay associates of the Prince of Witles, dashed off by the " Pcercsr," to laboured portraits of graver importance. A more remarkable picture of society was, perhaps, never presented to the public than by the all-revealing hand of the authoress of these Memoirs, whoever she may be. We understand that the No-Popery people have made arrangements for the exhibition of Maria Motik in Exeter hall, and that that personage is on her way to this country, and maybe expected in a few days. SPORTING INTELLIGENCE. NEWMARKET CRAVEN MEETING—YEsTEED4 F. Sweepstakes of 200 sovs. each, h. ft. 7 Subs.. Duke of Cleveland's f. by Emilius, out of Marie, received forfeit.. Sweepstakes of 100 sovs. each, h. it. for foalsof 1834. R.M. 3 Subs. • Lord Chesterfield's c. by Priam, out of Octaviana, re?,eivecl for feit from Lord Lichfield, and Mr. Mills withdrew his stake. • • Match, 200, h. ft. T.Y.C.—Lord Suffield's c. Caravan, by Camel, out of Wings, Bst. 71b., received Lord Lichfield's f. by Emilius, out of Ada, Bst. 21b. Handicap Sweepstakes of 10 sovs. each. T. Y. C. 6 S Th s . Colonel Peel's Castaway, 5 yrs, 9st i'avis 1 Lord Egremont's Helga, 4 yrs, 7st. 51b Duke of Richmond's Havildar, 4 yrs, 7st. 101 b Lord Chestel - jeld's Marchesina, 3 yrs, 6st. 31b Mr. GI eatrex's f. by Tarrare, 3 yrs, 6st. 31b General Grosvenor's Laod:ce, 3 yrs, 6st. 71b ti 5 to 2 ag,s+. Havildev, 3 to 1 agst Castaway, 7 to 2 agst Marche sina, and sto 1 apt Helga. Won by ';,wo lengths easy. Sebzcription Plate of 50 sovs. snch. T. Y. C Mr. Sowerby's St. Luke, yrs, Bst. Colonel Peel's Vulture, 4 yrs, Bst. 71b Mr. Bird's Ledshank, 4yrs, est. 71b Mr. Wigrara's Shereen, 3 yrs, 7st ... Sir S. Graham's Avon, 3 yrs, 7st 2to 1 on Vulture, 10 to 3 agst Redshank, and 4to 1 on St. Luke. Won by a length. The Column Stakes of 50 soya. each, p. p. R.M. !h.?. Subs. Lord Exeter's Troilus, Est. 21b Colonel Peel's Garcia filly, Bst. 41b Lord Exeter's Velure, Bst. 41b Mr. Cooke's Norerove, Bst. 71b - 4 Two lengths.-2 to 1 on Troilus. Match, 3CO each, h. ft. D.lll.—Lord Lichfield's Elis, Est. 71b.. (J. Day), beat Colonel Peel's Sl - ne, Bst. (Pavis),„in a canter.-5 to 2 on Ells. (Further pa r ticulars of Tuesday's Races.) Race.—The Drummer made tanning from beginning to end, and won h a center, by ten lengths. Longinus threw Robs_ son before starting, and then the lad who was put up on Robinson's refusal to ride so dangerous a bade cut a n..etched figure in the race. Second Race.—Champion appeared to have the race in band nurly all the way. Lord Chesterfield's colt r unning in difficulty for more than a quarter of a mile, and whiling by a head, right on the post, by dint of gameness and whipcord. Tuesday's Rirldlegworth.—Troilus took the lead at a od pat e, defeated his ovonents in an attempt to go by him at the bushes, and won cleverly by a length, Grisetta beating Colonel Peel's colt by a neck. Oatlands.—Turban went away in front, and cut out the work at the top of his speed to the bushes, where LUck's All took up the running at as good a pace as he could make it. Alfred and Florestan laying well up ; the latter waited until a few lengths beyond the Duke's Stand; when he ran by the' grey, with Alfred at his quarters, increased his advantage as he approached the end, and won very cleverly by a length. DERBY BETTING. Previous to the Tuesday's Riddlesworth 10 to 1 was betted several times agst Lot d Exeter's lot, and 40 and 50 to 1 apt Troilus ; the latter's success had some influence on the price against him, as will be scen from the following list of the odds at the close of the evening :- Bi t to 1 as Colonel Auson's Jereed—taken 10 to 1 agst Captain Gardnor's Bened'et—taken 10 to 1 agst Mr. Greville's Mango—taken 10 to 1 agst Lord Jersey's Achmet—offered 14 to 1 apt Mr. S. Stanley's Rattrap—taken and afterwards offered 15 to I apt Mr. Osbaldeston's Mahometan--offered 20 to 1 agst Lord Exeter's Hybiscus—taken 20 to 1 agst Lord Exeter's Troilus—offered 20 to 1 agst Lord Suffield's Caravan— offered 23 to 1 agst .Mr. Sadler's Delender—taken 25 to 1 apt Mr., Bowes's Mickle Fe"— offered 25 to 1 ag,t Lord Chesterfield's Se obs—offered 30 to I agst Mr. Wrefurd's Win!o‘-'a a—taken 30 to 1 agst Duke of Rutland's Sl:ght colt—offered 33 to 1 agst Mr. Edwards's Bequest colt—offered TWO THOUSAND GUINEAS STAKES, T. P. 2 to 1 on Achmct apt Troilus—taken, not p.p. Arrivals—Dukes of Portland and Rutland; Marquis of Exeter; Earls of Chesterfield, Lichfield, Verulam, Orford, Jersey, Albemarle and Suffield ; Ladies Alice Byng and Alice Peel ; Lords G. Bentinck, J. Fitzroy, Berners, Villiers, and Miltown ; General Grosvenor ; Sirs D. Baird, J. Shelley, and L. Glynn ; Colonels Anson and Peel ' • Captains Byng, White, Gardner, Pettit, and Clive ; Messrs. C. GI cville, C. Wilson, Hawker, Worrell, Irby, Thornhill, Portman, Walker, Nor. manby, Stenehewer, Batson, Pa: a S. Stanley, Cooke, M. P., Houldsworth, M. P., Crominion, Dolphin, Waddington, New ton, Foulis, Sowerby, M. Campbell, &c. Departures. —Lord Albemarle, Hon. Colonel Hanson, and HAI. Captain Byng. 31rnn 1 Newmarket, Wednesday Night Dram 10 :o 1 ast Mr. Greville's Mango—taken 10 to 1 asst Colonel Acson's Jer - ced 10 to 1 22st G p:ain.pa , •drer's Beaedict 10 to 1 asst Lord Jeiscv's Aclimet 15 to 1 agst Mr. S. Stanley's Rai-trap 16 to ,1 agst Lord ENete;•'s Troilus 20 to 1 asst Lord Exeter's Hybiscus 20 to 1 zgst Mr. Bowes's Ilickle Fell 25 to 1 agst Lo Exete,''s Mirdenelles 33 to 1 asst Lord Ch:Aertield's Critic 40 :o 1 ag,t Lord E:eter's Achian—taken THE OAKS. 6 to 1 cost Lord Exeter's Velure 6 to 1 P . -;st Loyd Vaeuna. 9 :o 1 P,st Mr. Egerio—taken TiiE 7011,.:LAND HANDICAP. 4to 1 a2;Lt Lyn:: Llchticld's Elia • 5 to l asst Lord E3recoont's Hock io 1 27st Mr. Dawson's Locomotive—taken 8 io I ogs t Mr. Mo.;tytt's Bit (thine 9 'o I pgst Mr. Walke_-'s Gipsey 10 to 1 a;st Mr. J. Day's Venison The King's Stag Hounds will not hunt again this season. THE INDEPENDENCE of CIRCASSIA. (From the 42d Numb,ir of The Portfolio.) The pretensions of Russia to the eastern shores of the Black Sea necessarily affect collectively, individually, and relatively, the whole of the European States, since the possession of the Caucasus by Russia would not only be a violation of the Euro pean compact entered into at the Congress of Vienna, but it would completely overthrow the balance of power which that compact was intended to preserve, as the only rational basis of general peace. The boundary of Europe on the Asiatie side was understood, at the period of the Congress of Vienna, to he according to the then existing treaties, which limited the ex►ent of the Russian empire—the Kuban River. Russia herself, in declaring war against Turkey, in 182 S, st ited to all Europe that " the advantages of the stipulations of Turkey with the Cabinet of St. Petersburg, and of the fundamental Treaties of Kainardgi, yassy, and Buf;arest," ha l been " the placing the existence of the Porte, and the i►►tegrity of its frontiers, under the protection of the law of nations." In all the subsequent engagements between the great Eu ropean States, the stipulations of the Treaty of Vienna, how ever scandalously they may have been violated on the part of the despotic Powers, in the invasion of Sardinia, Naples, and Spain, have been invariably appealed to, even by them, as tl e only basis which could consolidate the repose of the warld. Russia herself, whilst appealing to her allies to intervene in pacifying the East, founds her application on the necessity ut adhering to the stipulations of the Treaty of Vienna. The only event which has directly tended to increase the territorial power of England, beyond the limits acknowledged at the Treaty of Vienna, was the spontaneous offer of the Greek nation, in 1823, to place their independence, and even their political existence, under the absolute protection of Great Britain. The connivance of Austria and France on the side of Tur key against the Greeks, at the time when that heroic people were contending against the armies of Turkey and Egypt, and against the fleets of the Sultan, Mehemet Ali, and the Bar bary States, would probably have justified England in an inde pendent line of policy. But a religious respect for the faith of the treaties subsisting between herself and Turkey, and all the European Powers, allowed of no hesitation in the course which duty prescribed on that interesting occasion. But, whilst imposing upon herself the rejection of the most flattering offer ever act made to a foreign Power, England, by the very fact of making that sacrifice, acquired and exercised the right to impose on Russia a similar renunciation on her part of any interested views in the arrangements for the paci fication of the East. Under any other explanation than this, what can be the meaning of the Article in the Protocol of the 4th of April, 1826, by which England and Russia bound each other "not to seek in that arrangement any increase of territory, nor any ex clusive influence, nor advantage in commerce, fJr their sub jects, which shall not be equally attainable by all other na tions?" Was it not with a view to uphold the Sultan's interests tl at England intervened in the affairs of his empire? and was not the ambition of Russia to make the Greek question the pre text of a separate war with Turkey on her owa account the origin of the union of England with Russia, for the purpose of binding her to seek no aggrandizement at the expence of Vurkey? The geographical position of Russia, Turkey, England, and Greece, still more strongly elucidates this point. England, as protectress of the lonian Islands, is the nearest neighbour of Greece—Russia was the next neighbour of Turkey. Tho Article has no meaning at all, unless it means that England pledied herself to Russia, to Europe, and to Turkey, to seek "no increase of territory" in the Medi terranean, on the condition that Russia should seek " no in crease of territory" on her side of Turkey—viz., the Black Sea. We offer this remark merely to show that, even if, as Rus sia mendaciously asserts, Circassia had belonged, either de jure or de facto to Turkey, on the 4th of April, 1826, Russia could not subsequently have extorted it from Turkey, witlicut violating all her solemn obligations to Europe, and her special compact with England. Even in examining the instructions of the Russian Cabinet to its own agents, we find the assertion that the Protocol of the 4th of April, " far from weakening the general alliance cemented by the transactions of Vienna, Pari,z, and Aix la Clivelle, far from changing the policy which had gained twelve years of peace to Europe, had given additional strength to it ; that it infiinged no treaty, subsequent to 1814 ; that it preserved the integrity of the Ottoman empire, by giving to it a new guarantee." A man named Woodhead, about 22 years of age, was found on Thursday morning week, nearly frozen to death, in a field near the Mountain, Queen's Head, Northowram. Medical assistance was immediately obtained, but death shortly ensued. The deceased was going home, at a late hour in the night, in a state of intoxication, and roused the family of a neighbour, desiribg to be let in ; but the inmates, conceiving it to be merely the annoying vagary of a drunken man, refused him admittance.—Halifax Express.