The Sun. — London, England, 1846-04-03 00:00:00

et the enemy's army formed two sides of a right angled triangle," Sir Henry Smith being placed between them on the shorter line. 1 will make the matter more clear by reading an extract from his dispatches.—(hear, hear.)—He says, " the enemy thus had ran encortipestai with a powerful force, and I, y therefore, gradually with drew my infantry and cavalry in the direction of Loo dianah, in the liven time exp , cling to see the approach of that force of the army, being one regiment of cavalry and four regitn , nts of infantry." That was the force at Looodie.nah. They then made a vigorous attack - . The grour.d was very sandy, and therefore difficult to 1130;ve in. " The enemy," he says, " moved on me in the neighbourhood of Loodianeb, but my wing moved 'with as much steadiness with the cannonade as if they were on parade— (Cheers) —native as well as British." (Loud cheers.) The movements of the cavalry were under Brigadier Cureton.—(Cheers.) Ile said, "It was the most pi,rfect thing I ever saw, end one which I could not expect."—(flear, hear) Now, Sir, difficulties were such that it is plain that the successful termination is to be attributed to the sl::11, valour, arid high character of this commander.—(Cheers.) It was necessary that all his energies should be used, and he has proved, by his use of those energies, how faithfully he has served his country—nothing could make him despond.—(Loud cheers.) Sir, of the battle itself I will not speak. The victory was complete. It is so well described by the Gallant Commander that I will not go further into it. Arad, Sir, Want have been the services of that Gallant Officer ? These events add a new lustre to his narne.—(Cheers: j Ile was at the capture of Monte Video. H e - was at the capture—at the attack that was made on Buenos Ayres. He servCal in the Penin sular war ; he was at the battle of Vimiera. and at the battle of Comma, Tie was at the action of Ciudad Roderigo. and at Torres Vedras. He was at the battle of Salamanca, and at the battle of Vittoria. He was at the battle of the Pyrenees, the battle of Toulouse ; Le was at New Orleans, and at Waterloo.—(Cheers.) Sir, what a series of gallant services—(Cheers) — and how rejoiced I am to find that there should be an opportunity through these signal services, of bringing before the view of a grateful country a long life of military exertions such as these. After he had achieved that signal success, for which we are about to give 'aim our especial tha.uks—after he had driven back the enemy across the river, he instantly re turned to join his commanding Officer, Sir Hugh Gough. He arrived on the Bth, two days before the signal victory was gained under Sir Hugh Gough, and Sir 'Henry Hardinge. For his services, for the victory Which he gained on the 28th, I propose that there should be a distinct and separate vote, and that there should be another vote for the other, not more glorious, perhaps, but more important victory which he afterwards gained. But, Sir, again I will not weaken the effect which the recital of that victory, as detailed in the dispatch of the gallant officer by whom they are written, by any attempt to detail their contents. But I will say this of the fellow -countrymen of the Generals of that gallant army—l will do them the j us ti ce t o sa y, that they are familiar with them.—(Cheers.) Sir, it is right at the time to do justice to the bravery of the enemy with whom we had t') c witend. After the successes gained over them on Dec. 18 and 21, they had so far recovered that undaunted courage which had distinguished them as to come again into the field, and to expose them. selves again to the force of the British army. Sir Henry Hardinge, speaking of them, says—" Such was the bravery of the enemy, that they took the bridge which they had formed, and in the m iddle of the river disdained to seek for quarter." Sir, I will not enter into details of the battles on the tenth. The House is aware that our gallant army obtained a complete and eiiinal victory over the Seikhs whose loss was eitormous—that after the ex hibition of great talents they were driven across the Sutlej in great numbers, and that the British army, crossing at places lower down the Sutl -j, and crossing at the point at which the battle was fought, united with the forces which had so crossed, and marched towards the capital of the Seikh territory. Sir, thus in a period not exceeding seven weeks, from the day San which the incursion was made into our territory, the enemy have been signally defeated in every action in which they encountered. In every action the British were successful. In those engage ments not more than one-third of the forces were Europeans, but the example they set was worthily fol lowed by the native troops. Four ‘ticeeseive deseera'e battles have been fought in which the British name hai been sustained by the commanders and men of every regiment— (Cheers)—and without any imputation on the British arms. We were not influenced by any grasping desire. The attack was made upon us in a time of profoued peace. Those who took no part in the engagements have, since the defeat of their enuntrymen, frankly admitted what was the object which they had in vie* ; they thought that they could overthrow the British army in consequenee of their artillery, and formidable infantry and cavalry. They expected to be enabled to over come the two detachments of the British force which were sta tioned at the two extremes of the line —Ferozepore and Loo dianah--and having overpowered them, to have been en abled to march into Delhi, and than a successful attack wonid have shook the allegiance of the Indian soldiers and our own European troops. That was the object they had in view. There was no breach of truce, but they admitted that if they were defeated by the British, that they would receive con solation, because their army was mutinous, and that they should toot regret their dispersion and annihilation by the British. Sir, for successes so gained, in consequence of conflicts so boldly conducted, I cannot doubt there will be au universal expression of gratitude on the part of this Honse.— (Cheers) There is nothing, Sir, to sully the glories of those victories. I do hope that that which has been effected will long be a state of quiet and peace. There will be, as the re sult, a general conviction of our power —a conviction of the superiority of the British arms that will assure us a long en joyment of that state in that country, and the application of all our efforts to the improvement of the native resources of India. —(Hear, hear.) Anticipating that this may be the last war—hoping that it may be so, and that we may now direct our attention towards the improvement of the resources of that country—in that anticipation this House will, lam sure, refer to some events and some circumstances which may fill the heart of every subject with joy and gratitude.-- (Cheers.) Sir, the two commanders of that army, the Governor-General of India and the Commander-in-Chief, have, through these operations, set the example of cordial concert and harmony.—(Hear.) There was an entire forgetfulness of themselves.—(Cheers.) And it is this circumstance which has greatly contributed to these successful and glorious results.—( Cheers.) All punctillios were sacri ficed.—(Cheers.) Sir Henry Hardinge consented to serve as second in command.—(Cheers.) There was not a suggestion offered by Sir Henry Hardinge which was not joyfully accepted by the Commander-in-Chief. Sir, anticipating that this may be the last occasion upon which I shall have to perform even the gratifying duty of proposing a vote of thanks, and return ing public acknowledgments for victories in India, and a public expression of my admiration of the bravery and gallantry of our India army, I will, with the permission of the House, refer to some documents. Since I entered this House I have had put into my hands a letter from Sir H. Gough to a private friend, which was never intended to meet the public eye, but which does him so much honour that I am sure the House will permit Me to read it. He says— " It is now with pride and with pleasure I inclose you a copy of my dispatch, detailing one of the most splendid and decisive victories upon record—the Waterloo of India. I have entered so fully both into detail and commendation in my dispatch to the Governor-General, that it would be impossible for me to enlarge upon a subject embrac ing the warmest feelings of my heart. Policy, however, precluded me publicly recording t. my sentiments on . e s p l endid gallantry o f our f a ll en ft or to retard the acts of heroism displayed, not on ly individually, b u t a l most collec tively, by t h e Seikh Sirdars and army ; and I declare, were it not from ade conviction that m y country's got re quired th e sacrific e , idceould have wept to have witnessed the fearful slaughter of so military a . body of nien.— ( Loud cheers.) Never, in th b e e p ew ag . e osfignalltyrrytmhi;iory, has the hand of an All theßeing eets,ted ; to Him, therefore, be gloryi we, as his instru r m " ea ts, feel the prides.—(Loud cheers. ) But I cannot pass over too strongly record— facts which, whilst :they add lustr e t n o n tlseni,:at l ive army, afford as its head, inexpressible pride p l easure —(Loud to me, oarmies were - cheers.) For upwards of a month, when the men of their own colour in close front of one another, notwi.hstanding t he numerous temptations held out to our sepoys by and religion, namely, greatly increased pay, f rom 7 to V' ru pees a month, and immediate promotion, I had but three deser tions from this large force.— (Continued cheers.) Nor should I omit to mention, as a proof of the high state of discipline of this splendid army, that trade has been carried on unreservedly since we crossed the Sutlej in the several Seikh town s around which our divisions hare been necessarily placed for the procurance of water, and the same confidence has been shown as though we were in one of our longd established, provinces ."—( Loud cheers.) Sir, continue d the Right Hon. Baronet, the example set by these galla nt officers, who thought not of their personal interest or safety, but whose thoughts were exclusively directed to their coun try's honour and the safety of the army, demands the highest admiration.—(Loud cheers.) Sir Hugh Gough, in speak ing of a young officer, relates acts of devotion, which I am proud, through the medium of the British House of Commons, to publish to the world.—( Hear, hear. ) Sir, while we are awarding that praise, let us not forget the example set by that Commander-in-Chief, who thinks fit se to praise those under his command.—( Cheers.) On all occasions there was the most perfect understanding and discipline oh served ; and it was that example, no doubt, that influenced the conduct of the men acting under their command. lam sure, Sir, the House will permit me, whilst giving utterance to these expressions of gratitude, to mingle my feelings of deep regret at the loss, the serious and sorrowful loss, that has been sus tained.—(Hear, hear. ) I had on a former occasion to lament, and enlist the sympathy of this House, when referring to the memory of the gallant General Sale, who was known to most of us, and not alone known, but admired and beloved—( Hear, bear)—and now, Sir, I have to lament the loss of several officers of the most gallant bravery. The first I will name is Sir Robert Dick, an officer long distinguished for his great personal bravery.—(Hear, hear.) He entered the service in 1802, accompanied the army to India in 1807, where he was present at the taking of Moodkee. In 1809 he accompanied the Peninsular expedition , an d comman d e d t h e secon d batta lion o f t h e 42d Regiment, during the siege of Cuidad Rode rigo. He was also present at the battle of Salamanca, where he likewis e commanded a batt a li on o f th e 42d R eg i ment ; b ut at length he has fallen, bravely f a ll en . O n th e same d ay f e ll another gallant of fice r, Lieutenant-Colo ne l T a yl or , son o f Lieutenant -Colonel __Taylor, of the 20th Li g ht D ragoons, w h o also f e ll gloriously. —(Hear, and cheers.) Alas, Sir, how many there are there, who, in these brilliant victories, have lost friends and relatives, with whom almost their lives were bound up. a l m os t i daily it is my lot to meet with one. a Noble rd w o had the misfortune to lose a gal lant son—l alleodre Lordatoganan Fitzroy Somerset, who has to de plore the loss man, who, had he lived, would have supportea the gallant r g of his father's name. Sir, I wish I could do justice own feelings, by naming many of the illustrious men wohomhyai,ietdistinguished themselves in this glorious victory, but the is so great—( Hear)-- that I should prefer the injury of ' o altogether rather than read the entire list to th e m h i ll a lo i n n s g e. the S m i r , when I es_taken a distin view the names of those who gnished part in these single victorie hear)— murtaith satisfac the names of Sir Henry S m i t h_j i h e e a n I see of General Packe, and many others, I recollect creden tials that those illustrious men received their tials under the auspices of the Duke of Wellington,—ria Sir, it does add, in my opinion, a new lustre to his P.) immor tal renown—(Cheers)—to see men who have been brought in his school, and who have profited by his experience.—(Hea, hear.) Sir, I would speak with equal praise of those wh , have no+- had the i mme di ate h em fit of having served under him .° Those offieers in the Company's service who may not have been brought up under the immediate command of the WO' of Wellington, have still had an Opportunity of 'ing be the memory of the victories which he achieved in India --(Hear, hear.) At d when they have witnessed the victories of the battle of the Shtleis they will recollects lesson that wee taught by men who had served immediately under the Duke of Wel lington; and, therefore, though they have not served immedi ately under the Duke of Wellington, they have still had the benefit. of his experience. In the battle of Assaye, the ex ample of his reoderation—his valour and devotion to the inte rest of his country—his regard for all, whetl -, er European or otherwise, is one. which is worthy of emulation. It is possible at this moment—indeed it is more than probable—that the Noble Duke of Wellington has reserved fur him in another place an opportunity of bearing his grateful and wil hng testimony to the merits of those gallant men. It will be his consolation that, through his example of valour and military skill, his patriotism, and his devotedness to the interests /of his country, even when we shall have lost him in the ordinary course of nature, will be imitated by brave and worthy men, capable, like him, of maintaining the honotar and reputation of the country. These men will be the bul warks which will never fail us against our enemies, and who will always, like the Duke of Wellington, be prepared to make every effort in a just cause, and yet to set so glorious an example of torbeatance, enduring valour, and desperate and reckless courage, when circumstances of a desperate nature require the exhibition of such a quality. And I hope, that through a succession of men whose principles are formed In such a school, this example will descend to posterity, and in a righteous cause render this great and glorious country lm pregnable against the assault of an enemy. I must now cep, elude by moving that the thanks of this House be to Sir Henry Sa.ith, and to the troops underr kis e .. - . , inman d . Sir JOHN CAM HOBHOU't said that he considered it a very great distinction to permitted to second the motion of the Right Hon .ronet, and he assured the House that, after the able a ff e cting appeal made by the Right Hon. Gentle it would be superfluous in him to do more than in a very few worsts explain what the House had to consider when it paid this tribute to the Gallant General t,nd the troops under his command. General Smith, as the Right Hon. Baronet said, had, by this action, maintained the glory and character of this country, an d by thi s g re at achieve ment had contributed to the subsequent success which is to form the subject of a second motion for a vote of thanks this evening by the Right Hon. Baronet. He would take the libe?ty to observe, that never in the annals of Parliament was it the good fortune of a Minister to propose two votes of thanks on the same evening on two such splendid victories as the present. While that Gallant Officer spoke of the deed; of those who were under him, he made no allusion to his own exploits, thereby showing that his modesty was equal to his vaitittr. It was, as the Right Hon. Baronet had stated, in his right band he held the sword, and with the same hand he also held the pen. As was said of a great character of antiquity— "‘ Eadem animo scripsit quo bellavit." Allusion had been made to the Governor-General, and perhaps he (Sir J. Hobhouse) might be excused for saying a few words with respect to that Right Hon. Gentleman. It was a great consolation to the Members of that House to dwell over the statement of the Right Hon. Baronet with respect to the Go vernor-General. They had mingled with him in discussion, and he had won the esteem—however, he might have differed with them in opinion—of those with whom he had, happily for them, ever come in contact. There was something like Roman grandeur in that Right Hon. Gentleman step ping from the floor of that House to command great and mighty armies, and performing deeds which were sufficient for a life, and to immortalise any man. Sir Henry Hardinge, from the 17th December up to the time they were speaking, had performed exploits and achieved con quests that would illustrate the life of any commander. —( Hear. ) He hoped, with the Right lion. Gentleman, that this might be the last triumph which they should have to record. He could nut help concluding by saying, whether it was the last or not, they should still remember with gratitude and pride that an officer so well known for his abilities in that House was equally distinguished in the field, ani that he more than up held the renown which he previously obtained. He most cheerfully seconded the motion of the Right Hon. Baronet. The SPEAKER then read the resolutions, which will be found in another column, under the head Parliamentary bu.iness. Mr. C. RUSSELL said the House would remember that on the last occasion the House passed a vete of thanks to the army in India for the victories at Moodkee and Ferozeshali, a petition was presented by the Hon. Member for Durham (Mr. Bight) from the town which he (Jlr. Russell) had the honour to represent—Reading—and that a very just rebuke was contained in that petition on the Right Hon. Baronet at the head of her Majesty's Government. He had received a request from the inabo ants of that borough, through its mayor and magistrates, that he would express their regret, and he might add their shame, that such a petition should have been presented, and the as-umpti , m that it emanated from them They had easefully examined that petition, and found attached to it the names of many women and school children, together with the names of many persons who were hardly able to write; and besides, several of the signatures were for.zed, and many of those whose names were attached to the petition had indignantly denied that they had signed them, showing that this was another instance of palming fraudulent petitions on the House.—(Cries of "Oh ! oh I") He had been re quested to discharge a duty imposed upon him by his constitu ents, and he trusted the House would allow him to do so. He had been requested to state that there was no town in her Ma jesty's dominions more cordially rejoiced at the victories achieved by our arms in India, and more desirous to concur in a tribute of praise to the gallant troops by whom those victories were obtained. It would be presumptuous in him to attempt to swell the just panegyric which had been passed on the gallant army in India. He had held a commission in that army for many years. Sir ROBERT INGLIS entirely agreed with the latter part of the speech which his Hon. Friend had just delivered. He congratulated the Hight. Hon. Baronet on the opening por tion of the dispatches, which ascribed to Him to whom alone praise is due, the glorious result of our arms. He wished to follow up the opening remarks of the Right Hon. Baronet, and especially to call attention to the dispatches of Sir Hugh Gough. The Hon. Baronet then briefly alluded to the dis patches which had been transmitted after the victories of Blen- beim, the Nola, and Trafalgar, which all equally acknowledged the interference of a superintending Providence in obtaining the victory, and the Right Hon. Gentleman instituted a com parison between those dispatches and a recent dispatch of Sir H. Gough. Lord JOHN RUSSELL would take this opportunity of expressing his cordial co operation in the vote of thanks which had been proposed by the Right Hon. Gentleman. He had never known an instance where a vote of thanks had been pro posed with greater feeling than had been evinced by the Right Honourable Gentleman on the present occasion. Perhaps he might be permitted to say there was no person connected with Sir Henry Hardinge, either by political ties or private friendship, who could feel greater gratification than he did at the issue of the recent transactions, and the high honour which he had obtained. Let him say further, with respect to Sir Hugh Gough, that he was glad to see a native of Ireland add another laurel to the wreath which Irishmen had wrought. He felt great satisfaction at the glory which the British arms had obtained ; their achievements had been altogether un equalled. The disordered state of the Punjaub rendered it necessary for a prompt interference of the British army. From the manner in which Sir Henry Hardinge had con ducted the affairs committed to him, there was no doubt he was entitled to the highest distinction. if the utmost prepa ration had been made with a view to suppress the disturbances in the Punjaub, there could not have been a more brilliant series of successes than that which had attended our arms on a sudden call. He begged leave to express his cordial concur rence in the motion. Sir DE LACY EVANS entered into a general defence of the military operations which 'Sir Henry Smith had thought proper to adopt in the recent conflict on the banks of the Sutlej. He did not think there existed a victory on record, which equalled this brilliant achievement. He knew full well what were the effects of unjust criticisms, bath on officers and men, and therefore would refrain from entering into any par ticular details. He knew of no achievements in the annals of history which equalled in brilliant execution that which had disi inguished the brief career of the Governor-General of India. Sir Hugh Gough has been the successful Commander in-Chief during two wars. and h€ believed that there scarcely existed an example, with the exception of the illustrious Coln•• mender-in-S. hiet of the English army, when in the space of two years so many gallant victories had been obtained. Sir H. DOUGLAS did not precisely agree with the Hon. Baronet in regreting the sacrifice of human life which had occurred in the recent battles, as without that sacri fice the victory would not have been achieved. The Hon. Baronet then read a letter giving a geogra v hical description of the scene of action, and the natural difficulties which the face of the country presents to the march of troops, as well as the many other difficulties arising from other causes which the British troops had to encounter, and concluded by declaring that a more tremendous or crowning victory for the future peace of the country had never been achieved. Mr. BROTH ERTON said that, but fur the speech of the Hon. Member for Reading, he would not have risen to say one word upon this subject. But lest it might appear like pusillanimity upon his part if he gave a silent vote upon this question after that speech, he had risen to say a few words in defence of those principles of peace of which he was an advocate, and which he was always ready to vindicate. He had been waited upon a ehort titne ago by a number of friends, who requested him to declined to present a motion to this House which might not appear to be i ( aecordanc e with the wishes of the House, and as he did not wish to do anything that might have the appearance of at temptinghis gratitude time to interferewiththe lof unacom ty the House, have anything to do with it.—(Hear, hear.) At he had of those who the same h i e should say that his heart was as warm and had s lad ull as that of any other man, for the conduct ceuntr y. _ ( Hear, hear.) acts for the general benefit of the with the name of e r e e r iig ) ion, for he looked upon war as the therefore, he did not thinkßut he did not wish to mix up war ever a country could be visited with, and, greatest scourge that the blessing of God on such it right for this House to implore Lord HOTHAM said e hoped actl' he should be pardoned by the House if he availed himself of the opportunity which his o a u n s d e ngave promisedhi f for a few observations on seatth ialreadys in subject been disposed disposed of in a masterlyeyshould be few, for it had i d t l i s e riiant manner by Treasury. t These the most con the Right Hon. Baronet the First Lort; L o w procedings in India had been characterised b to satisfactoryno sumate ability and skill, and nothing could be More than the conduct of the troops. It was also gratifying that the gallant officer who had achieved so much honour for w himself and the British arms, Sir Henry Smith, had had the advantage of having served five years under the command of the Duke of Wellington in the Peninsula, where he dis played a remarkably quick perception, ardent zeal and devo tion, and the most undaunted r esolution—( Hear, hear)—and to those qualities might be attribu ted the si g nal s u ccess which has carried his efforts in India. —( C heers. ) With these few observations he begged to say that this proposition was one which had his most cordial approbation and support.—( Hear.) Mr. HUME said, that before this resolution was passed, and passed he hoped it would be unanimously, he 'wished to say a few words. He was sorry that the policy of war had been introduced into this question, for they had now before them merely a proposition of the Government.—( Hear, hear.) He would also wish to say a word in reference to the native troops. The Right Hon. Baronet opposite had stated that two thirds of the army in India consisted of native troops; and he (Mr. Hume) would say, that he had had some experience of them in a small way, and he could add that no men in any army were more remarkable for their bravery, loyalty, and fidelity.—(Hear, hear.) In his experience of them, he could say that in many instances bribes had been offered, but in no case had any of them been known to desert.—(Cheers.) He was sorry that the forms of the House prevented them from taking notice of them in the way deserved, but he trusted that the East India Company would do their duty by them,—( Hear, hear.) With result to what had been said about the grasping character of the Governor-General in India, he could only say that in the present case not the least honourable trait in the conduct of Sir Henry Hardinge was his forbearance.—( Hear. ) The SPEAKER then put the question, and the House de clared unanimously in favour of it. VOTE OF THANKS TO SIR HENRY HARDINGE AND SIR HUGH GOUGH. Sir R. PEEL—It is unnecessary for me to trouble this House with any observations on the motion which I am about to lay before it, sod which proposes that the thanks of this Home should be given to Sir Hem y Hardinge and to Sir Hugh Gough. The Hon. and Gallant Officer must have misunder stood if he thought that I meant to imply that Sir Henry Smith had sustained any revere. lam most anxious to pay a d”.erved compliment for the action which preceded the late de- CIFI V .OtI. So far from intending to apply the term " re- I said that he had extricated himself from his difficulties vvith singular d exterity, and that justice had not been done to his conduct. .1 was most anx i ous to s how that previously to the storms vi ctory which he subsequently gained, be bed ex. TEE SUN, LONDO frieated himself from great difficulties, without any stipportor I reinforcement, with consummate skill With regard to the Hon. and Gallant Officer Sir Hugh Gough, I shall to-morrow have the satisfaction of communi cating to his sera that her Majesty has been gra ciously pleated to confer upon him the honour of the British Peerage, for the gallant example he has set.--(Loud cheers.) I trust that his family will be prepared to accept for him this distinction which be to strongly deserves. I may, perhaps, be allowed to take fah; opportunity of bearing Pablie testimony to the valour shown by the Presto ,n Prince Waldemar ; and I may also be permitted to plaCe upon that record of this debate, the words which ray Gaiiant Friend, Sir Henry Hardinge, Speahs of him. He says that the army was ho noured by the presence of Prince Waldemar of Prussia, and two noblemen of his suite. They were present at Moodkee, Ferozeshah, and also at a third action. They did net con tent themselves with a distant view of the action, but were in the middle of it, and caposad to every danger. I may also be permitted to sepply an omission in not having borne sufficient testimony to the conduct of General Gilbert. There is in the eoursc of these dispatches the highest testimony borne to the eondact of this haeve commander, and also to all the other officers *ho were engaged on the day when the late battle was faatight. Sir H. Gough speaks of General Gilbert in the highest terms, and says, that he has not words to express his afaatitude to him, not only for his zeal and activity, but also for his intelligence. And I have referred to this document, in order that we might have the opportunity of placing also on the record of this discussion the opinions of more competent judges than we are in these matters. Sir DE DACY EVANS said that either he had imper fectly expressed himself, or he had been misunderstood, with reference to some expressions which he had alluded to as having dropped from the Right Hon. Boronet on the subject of the motion for the vote of thanks to Sir Henry Smith. He did not maintain for a moment that the intention of the Right Hon. Baronet was other than that which was obvious to the whole House. He merely, as a professional man, objected to a word, of which he, in that capacity, might be more cognizant of than the Right Hon. Baronet. The Right Hon. Baronet had communicated that the honour of the peerage was to be conferred on Sir Hugh Gough, and he did not in the least doubt tbat the announcement was gratifying to the House; but he wished to say that, on his part, his gratifi cation would be great if he had communicated that the British Peerage was to be conferred upon Sir Henry Hardinge. His Honourable Friend, the Member for Montrose, bad alluded to the moderation of the Governor- General, in his operations, and seemed to doubt whether he had not been too moderate. He ( Sir De Lacy Evans) con ceived that no part of the conduct of the Governor-General was marked by more wisdom, judgment, and sound policy than his conduct after the late victory ; and he believed that the line of conduct adopted by the Governor-General, would be most conaucive to the permanent power of the British in India, and to the well-being of the people who were more or less connected with us. He wished also to call the atten tion of the House to another circumstance. Sir Hugh Gough had, in his dispatches, in the warmest and most set terms, alluded to the brilliant conduct of no less than twelve brigadiers in his army, and particularly to the conduct of brigadiers Stacy and Cuerton. He confessed that he did not see why the precedent of the names of these twelve gallant officers being inserted in the vote of thanks should not be admitted. In this case the ordinary rule might be departed from, and the names of men so distinguished might be inserted in the vote of thanks. He would call the attention of the House to the fact, that during the last war, no less than fifty briga diers had been included in the Parliamentary thanks, and yet these twelve gentlemen were to be an exception. Sir R. H. INGLIS said that he wished to refer for one moment to the generous suggestion made by his Gallant Friend opposite. That suggestion would have come with grace and propriety from any one, but the suggestion of the honour to be conferred upon Sir Henry Hardinge came from him very appropriately. If the Right Honourable Baronet should, in his discretion, think fit to make such a recommendation to her Majesty, it would meet the grateful thanks of the House (Hear, hear.) The conduct of General Thackwell should not, on this occasion, remain unnoticed, as his conduct during the late action had been peculiarly deserving of admiration. Sir R. PEEL—This suhj et has already been spoken of, but in older to prevent the po.sibility of any doubt upon it he felt it necessary to say that beiore these dispatches had been one single hour tinder the consideration of her Majesty, she intimated her wish that the honour of the British peerage should be conferred upon Sir Henry Hardinge and Sir Hugh Gough. With regard to that gallant officer Colonel Taylor, before these last dispatches reached England it was determined to make him one of her Majesty's aids-de-camp, but the account of his death had intervened. The motion was then unanimously agreed to. THE ORDERS OF THE DAY. Sir JAMES GRAHAM, after a few words which did not reach the gallery, intimated his wish that the orders of the day should be postponed until to-morrow (this day). He should move the first reading of the Preservation of Life in Ire land Bill at five o'clock. INTERMENT IN LARGE TOWNS. Mr. MACKINNON said that he wished to ask the Right Hon. Baronet the Secietary for the Home Department whe ther he aas prepared to take any steps on the motion he (Mr. alackifinon) was about to make ? He brought the subject forward at the suggestion of the chairman of the Committee appointed to take the subject into their consideration. Last year that House came to a resolution that the nuisaace of in- terment in lane towns deserved the serious attention of the Legislature. He was how induced to apply to the Right Hon. Baronet to ascertain whether it was the intention of her Ma jesty's Government to take any steps in accordance with the re commendation of the Committee of the House, the recom mendation of the Commissioners, and the resolution which the House came to nn the subject during the last session of Parlia ment ? He wolld ask whether, in the event of his bringing forward this motion, it would have the countenance and sup port of the Grove: nment ? He would wait for the answer of the Right Hon. Baronet previously to proceeding with the motion. 'sir J. GRAHAM said that the House would remember the resolution alluded to by the Hon. Member, which was carried in opposition to his (Sir J. Graham's) strong remonstrances on that occasion. He certainly did admit the great importance of the subject, and he was bound to say that he was prepared to take some steps on the motion for leave to bring in this Bill. He should cordially support his Hon. Friend in the introduction of this measure, and give it every consideration in his power, and do his best to aid him in preparing the measure, and to further any suggestions that might be made on the subject. He was happy to receive his Hon. Friend's assurance that he was now going to take the right course, and bring forward a substantive measure with regard to this subject. Mr. MACKINNON said that, after the observations that had fallen from the Right Hon. Baroaet, it would be unneces sary for him to call the attention of the House to the measure, and to enter into any sliscu sion upon it. He would only say that be felt great difficulty, as an individual member of that House, in bringing forward a measure of this great importance. He was in a very peculiar situation in being compelled, as a private individual, to bring forward this motion, but he bad recommendations from nearly every town in the kingdom, pre-sing him to come forward with this proposal, and he would, therefore, endeavour to do the best he could. He was sorry to see that a feeling had gone abroad in this country, that it was the opposition of the clergy which prevented the Right Hon. Baronet from entering upon this subject. He was satis fied, from what he knew of the clergy generally, that as a body they were anxious to promote this measure ; and he confessed that one of the chief inducements which had led him to bring forward this measure, was to exonerate the Church and the clergy from any attack, in consequence of certain observations which had gone abroad. This opposition did not originate from any of the legitimate members of the Church, for he believed that one of the reasons which had prevented the carrying of this measure before, was the great difficulty in legislating upon it. The only way to make a Bill on this subject effective would be to enable every town to apply to the Privy Council by petition, and to allow a sort of inspector, who would see that the nuisance should be abated. He hoped that the first an.l second reading of this Bill would be unop posed, and after the second reading it could be referred to a Committee, who in the course of their labours might be able to submit many valuable observations en the subject to the consideration of the House. Under these circumstances, there fore, it was unnecessary for him to enter into further particu lars. There were Hon. Gentlemen present who could assist him in submitting this Bill for the aparobation of that House. He should also have the assistance of some of those Hon Gen tlemen in Committee, and by that assistance he trusted to en able the Howe to adopt such measures as would seem neces sary to carry out that important subject. The Hon. Member concluded by moving that leave be given to bring in a Bill to do away with the practice of interment in the metropolis and in large towns. Mr. HUNIE considered that some step was absolutely ne cessary to be taken on the subject. The great difficulty in legislating on such a question as this was the Church. He re collected that, in 1805, the Spanish Government framed a decree, after a Committee of Inquiry had investigated the matter, that no interments should be made in walled towns. The Government and the House bothered themselves often with matters of very little importance, while they refused to forward measures like the present, that were imperatively required. Sir JAMES GRAHAM would not offer any opposition to the introduction of the Bill, but would reserve himself to a very early stage of its progress. It was not requisite to go into the main question then, only he would say that the Church was not the only interest that was concerned in the present Bill, as the Dissenters of the metropolis, and other Large towns, had burial-grounds within their precincts. Leave was then given to bring in the Bill. LECTURE AND READING-ROOMS. _ _ Mr. DUNCONIBE rose in pursuance of a notice he bad given to ask leave to introduce a Bill to amend an Act passed in the 39th year, Geo. 111., cap. 79, commonly called the Corresponding Act. By its provisions, lecture and reading rooms were required to be licensed by a magis trate, or else any person receiving or paying money at the door was liable to a heavy penalty. This was provided in the 15th clause of the Act ; and, according to this, there was scarcely a single lecture-room, reading-room, or mechanics' institution, in the country, that was not liable to a penalty of 201. for receiving money at the doors. A case happened last year at Hull, whe r e a person, for standing at the door of a lecture-room and charging money for admission, while a lecture was going on, was fined twenty pounds. The decision of th e mag i strates on t hi s occasion wasunder brought the consideration of the Court of the p ena lt y of Queen's Bench, when the infliction was affirmed. The Court decided that the penalty ought to b readiug-room, m e epcatlid.• There was not a single lecture room,country, not licensed by a mechanics ' or literary institution in the for charging money for admiss' magistrate, that the door-keeper of, 1001, and those who paid the ien money, was not liable to a penalty of recently moved for a return of to a fine of 201. He had Middlesex and Surrey, which we re not licensed, in the cou n ti es o f been produced. When it was , it would be s een t but ha it had not were free from the pena lt y . H e restricted the few that there might be less trouble in fur nishing them. in order were often Shakesperian readings in the Argyll-rooms, and every party who officiated there in taking money or in paying could be subjected to a fine..—(Hear, hear.) Not only was it so here, but every house in London that permitted a lecture, or discusssion, or any public meeting to take place, was subject to the same penalty. The case which had occurred at Hull had impressed upon his mind the necessity of bringing the subject under the consideration of the House, in order to protect institutions where lectures and readings took place, and also to protect benefit societies, which were placed in a very awkward position by the operations of this law, the clauses relating to corresponding societies inter fering with the operations of the latter; and the object of the Bill he had prepared was to do away with the restrictions of such societies by the operation of the corresponding clauses of the Bill now inexistence, and to remove the penalties inflicted under the provisions of the present law, relating to unlicensed rooms. The Hon. Member concluded by asking leave to in troduce the Bill. The ATTORNEY-GENERAL would not offer any opposition to the introduction of the Bill. The Honourable Member had stated several grievances under the existing law, but as it stood he (The Attorney-General) considered it served in many instances for the great protection of the public. Great danger might arise if the law requiring the licensing of rooms was done away with. He would watch the Bill clotely, and he would see whether it was objectionable or not. and would regulate his conduct in relation to the Bill accordingly. At present he would not pledge himself to any partieu , ar course. Mr. HU 4b: said the great protection of lecture-rooms was publicity. If any person was free to enter, there could be no danger in any thing that might be done within. They bad got rid of many old things, and they should get rid of these pnaltiei among the rest. He hoped they would have free trade in debate as *ell as free trade in Other thingS. In answer to some ob serva ti ons from Mr. WATSON, which were inaudible in the gallery, Mr. DUNCO3IBE said that the Bill did not apply to Ire land at present. Leave was then given to bring in the Bill. THE PORT OF LIMERICK BILL. Mr. t. O'BRIEN postponed the motion of which he had given notice, respecting the port and harbour of Limerick. IMPRISONMENT OF FACTORY GIRLS. Mr. T. DUNCOMBE rose to call the attention of the House to a petition presented by William Scott, chairman of a public meeting held at Dundee, complaining of the illegal treatment and imprisonment of six factory girls. Judging from the alle gations of the petition, he had rarely known a case of greater hardship. Four out of the six girls were fatherless and un protected, and in the present case they were opposed by many leading persons in Dundee, manufacturers, great and powerful merchants, bankers, and shipowners, and others engaged in trade and commerce—many of them great and liberal men— great free traders, too, who had subscribed 6001 . to the Anti- Corn-law League.—(Loud cries of "Hear , hear," from the Protectionists.) It was against these powerful parties that he asked for justice on bhalf of these poor girls. The oldest was 20 years of age, and the youngest was between 14 and 15, and they had been in the service of the Mess's. Baxter, of Dun dee, ever since they were nine years of age. During that period not one of them had been guilty of the slightest offence or neg lect till then. And what did it amount to? It appeared that those girls were earning from ss. 6d. to ss. 9d. per week ; and iine of the flats or stories of the factory, having obtained a rise of wages, they asked for the same; the amount additional sought by them, being but 3d. per week. The request not having been met, on the 27th of October these girls left the factory at the dinner time, and did not return that evening, though they should have returned at two o'clock. The next morning they returned to work at the usual hour. About five o'clock that day, they were apprehended by four men, and taken to a pri vate office, where they were kept till nearly twelve o'clock. Instead of then being taken before the public Court and examined, they were taken to another private office, at which there were present but one magistrate, and Mr. Baxter and his overseers. They w ere told to sign a paper , and two of them, who co u ld wr it e , did 33, while the other four attached their mark. They were then taken before the magis trates, and being shortly examined, after Mr. Baxter had whis pered something into the magistrate's ear, they were sentenced to 10 days' imprisonment, with hard labour. In all s , milar cases of this kind, for leaving work for any number of hours, the usual penalty was to deduct a fine equal to the wages of the time lost and half as much more. But instead of deducting the fine of one and a half time, these girls were sent to hard labour for 10 days. And what said Mr. Baxter to this ? He said that combinations and strikes prevailed, and that something was necessary to keep them in check. But because this was so, was Mr. Baxter to take the law into his own hands? Through the exertions of an Hon. Member near him (Mr. Hume), the combination laws had been repealed, and these parties had a perfect right to combine and strike if they thought fit ; and admitting the rules of the factory to be such as re presented, the only penalty that ought to have been inflicted was the taking cone and a half wages for the time lost. But this abstraction out of the miserable wages of ss. 6d. per week did not suffice. But they also complained that not a single person was allowed to approach them while in confinement, to prepare them for trial. One of the girls had a brother, and when they were before the justices he tried to get in, but was not allowed. One of the other girls had some sisters. Two of them came to the door of the justice-room, and asked for permission to see their sister, but they were repulsed from the dour, and told that it they did not go about their business they would be tried and imprisoned too. Was that a fair trial, he would 'ask ? He would ask the question of the Lord Advocate. Would' he say that this was a fair trial ? He was certain that the Lord Ad vocate would do no such thing. The Messrs. Baxter stated that cases of a similar character had occurred before in Dun dee. He (Mr. Duncombe) had made inquiry, and he had as certained that no factory girl had ever before been imprisoned under the same circumstances. Imprisonments, indeed, oc curred when sailors deserted from ships about to sail from port, because in that case a distinct contract had been broken, but here there was no contract. The penalty for leaving the factory was the fine of a time and a halt, and if they intended to leave altogether they had but to give a week's warning before they did leave. He asked again what sort of law was this ? The Messrs. Baxter stated that they pi titioned on the same even.. ing, and got a warrant, on which the parties were apprehended. That was not according to Act of Parliament. It was not according to Act of Parliament that a petition should be sent to the magistrates by a servant—that servant merely stating that such petition had emanated from such and such parties. The Act of Parliament said that the magistrates or justices of the peace should be authorised to grant warrants on complaint made on oath by the parties with whom the servants had con tracted, but these girls had had no contract at all with the Messrs. Baxter. They had entered as servants from week to week, and there was no considerable doubt on the minds of legal gentlemen whether the Act did not apply only to servants employed and en gaged by the year. He (Mr. Duncombe) could not find that the flax-spinners were included in the Act, but Gentlemen from the manufacturing districts, and he saw many around him, could inform the House, whether in any one instance one of their factory operatives could be taken before a magistrate under circumstances like these. He was sure that they could not cite one instance. He would say that this was a most monstrous and cruel sentence, for it was notorious that these girls were selected and picked out from the rest, because they were father less and unprotected. One of these only had a brother, and yet he had been refused a dmittance into the justice room. He had a statement in his hand of the miseries endured by the mothers of those girls who were existing by their labour, but he would not detain the House by referring to it. A complaint was made to the Lord Advocate of Scotland, and he instituted an inquiry into the circumstances. If the Lord Advocate would give him the result of his investigation, what was called a precognition, he believed, in Scotland, he would be willing to forego his motion for a Committee, but the Lord Advocate said that although he was willing to give up the names of the justices—to give up the warrants and the other papers connected with the apprehension of the girls—yet he could not give him his own investigation, because such a eourse was altogether unprecedented. The Messrs. Baxter asked for every inquiry ; and as the Lord Advocate refused to give hire ( Mr. Duncombe) the papers he required, he would give the Messrs. Baxter the opportunity of disproving the statements he had made. He therefore moved for a Select Committee to inquire into the allegations in a petition from Dundee, com plaining that Jane Bennet and other factory girls were illegally imprisoned. Mr. DUNCAN begged to second the motion. He believed that when the investigation should have been gone into, it would be found that the Messrs. Baxter, in stead of being the cruel and oppressive masters they were represented to be, would be found to have uniformly acted in the most kindhearted and liberal manner towards their work-people. The Honourable Member also brought a charge against the justices of the peace in Dundee. If this Committee was not granted, an impression would go abroad among the working classes that the case was prejudged, because their opponents were rich men, and they themselves were poor. He (Mr. Duncan) had often acted as justice of the peace along with the gentleman who had tried this case, and he could only say that no kinder-hearted gentleman, or more just magistrate, existed. He was also intimately acquainted with the Messrs. Baxter, and he had great pleasure in assigning the best motives to all their actions. Previous to his leaving Scotland a meeting had been called of the working classes in Dundee, which in that petition was stated to be a meeting of the inhabitants. A deputation from that meeting called upon him relative to the trial and sentences upon these girls. He ( Mr. Duncan) stated, that as it had been a judicial investigation, he had no right as Member for the Borough to take cognizance of it ; but with regard to one part of it, he felt that it was his duty to call the attention of the Lord Advocate to it. That portion was the refusal to admit the re latives of the girls into the justice-room. The Lord Advo cate instituted an inquiry, and he found that that order did not emanate from the Court, did not emanate from the justice, but arose solely from the ignorance of the door-keeper. He (Mr. Duncan) intimated to that deputation that the Lord Advocate had taken measures to prevent any obstruction of the virile kind again, and he trusted that this would prove sa tisfactory. He held in his hand a letter from one of the par ties interested in the case, and whose name was adhibited to the petition of the girls—that person's name was John Craig ; and to the same person he had, as he had already stated, written on the Bth of February. The first notice that he had of the matter not being settled was the presentation of a peti tion from the inhabitants by the Hon. Member for Finsbury on the other evening. He had also written to the Lord Pro. vost, and he had received a communication in reply, stating that the Messrs. Baxter and the justices concerned in the case were men incapable of abusing their power. Then it was stated that the Messrs. Baxter were great shippers, and that they exercised an influence over the smaller merchants of Dundee, and that, therefore, they would find individuals to ad vocate their cause. He (Mr. Duncan) had as warm a feeling for the working classes as the Hon. Member for Finsbury had. It had been also stated that these five girls had none to advo cate their cause. Now, how stood the matter? He held in his hand an extract from the books in the Messrs. Baxter's office. He found that the girls, whose five names were in that petition, had been in the employ of the Messrs. Baxter for many years, and that their ages were not, as stated by the Hon. Member for Finsbury. He found that the girl Miller had entered on the 4th of April, 1837, and that she was then registered thirteen years of age; that Barnet entered in Sep tember, 1838, and was thirteen years of age ; that Roys en tered July, 1838, and was thirteen years and five months; that Downie, the leader, entered in 1836. and was thirteen years of age ; and Conolly, November, 1837, and was thir teen years of age—so that not one of them was under 20i %ears, Downie having been upwards of ten years in their employment, and none of them under seven years ; and with regard to wages, he found that in the seven years of 1841, 1842, and 1843, they had had constant work allowed them, when three-fourths of the workers were going idle. The Messrs. Baxter had 2,500 workers in and around Dundee. They bad 1,500 in this very work, and on the evening when these girls left, because an advance of wages which they had asked had not been allowed them, thirty-four out of thirty-seven girls in the same room left in a similar manner. He would put it to Hon. Gentlemen connected with the manufacturing districts of England u n ch wechkeed. ther this state o f thin g s ou g ht to be allowed to pass On the motion being rout, Dr. BOWRING said, that although a fine-minded man might be ready to inquire into and remedy any case of distress, yet, he was bound to bearh e i h s fe _ had received a commun i ca ti on t t h es e ti w m e o r n k y in t g o e t l h a e si c e h s. Then character of the A rE Messrs. Baxter in the con duct of thei r es t a bli s h men t. Not withstanding was iconsequenceezlyetdo ton outbe and used o s n e f that com munication, that this, however , thought that e v er y f ac ility ought to be e a Lt granted eon Rhoe for tAh teohe thought it duty to in qu i re w h et h er a crimi nal of is on the Bth of Novemb e r, and in tl okjoee prosecution sho uld be instituted a gainst these parties, and it was in consequenc e of that in q uir y , that he foun gh d ahagtta t h that ut a sq t o t si h ed the able r e y againstipt nh a fa r o t t r i mt e h s a , i and his oen objectedpr t ae h re a tei t ei nienwdofthowhroiamnsggaaltvici de . o obi be more detrimental against the administration of public justice, and the Lord Advocate ; the public prosecutor, was bound to protect the parties from on the consequences of the information which they i i h n a fo d rm gi a v t e io n n . appeared l to wish f or should d the e kept gen back.eral E interests ach of these young t w n not suffered to amined, but he would be committing a dua societywomenliction of his duty if h e had been ex t anyopportunity rt parties t othis petitiont h e partiessu gh who to y b e a conviction. On that inquiry it certain ga tha v t e h pro ceed. The point to wh ich he had to direct his appeared to him attention was not as to the facts alleged to the petition, but as to whether there had been any offence a g ain st the statute. It certainly did appear to him that no such offence against the statute had been committed. At the time thiswarrant was granted, which was on the 27th of October, and on the morning of the 28th, no evidence was add uced to j ustif y the prosecution. The C our t had been held in a room which was not legally entitled to the freedom of the Court. There was another point, f or it ap peared that a sister of the party to the prosecution and the sheriff of the county had determined that she should not be heard. He was of opinion that it did fall within to issue a vote on t hat sub j ect, and to requirethe his province e attention of the officers t o th e com p laint. It appeared to him inquiry that no suf ficient grounds had been found in the in - • ry for a criminal orosecutian. It appeared that on the very night of the im prisonment, a brother of the girl hail applied for he liberation of his fitter, but bad given, no sufficient reasons for her release. The officer himself was satiat ed that there was n for criminal procee din g s. The parties wereperfectly ground at liberty to allege a petition and instit u t e pr lags. a . tie admitted that the parties might have a right of action, but he would submit to the House whether their interfering in the matter would not clash witL the claini of the one party or the defence of the other. He thought it would be much better, then; for the House not to take any step in the affair at all. Lord DUNCAN; as one of the magistrates of the district where the occurrences had taken place, wished to say a few seords. lle bad Made it his duty to inquire into the facts of the case, and in the outset he might state he had received a communication from Messrs. Baxter, who expressed their regret that any officer in their employment should have been guilty of ill-using some of their workpeople, and praying that their own conduct might be fully and fairly inquired into. Their factory had frequently been in spected by the public officer appointed for that purpose, and their mode and manner of conducting it had been frequently spoken of by that functionary in terms of praise. He was instructed to contradict many of the allega tions contained in these petitions, and he was sure if the Hon. Member who had made the present motion would make in quiry into their character, he was sure he would be con vinced that these gentlemen could never have been guilty of the conduct imputed to them. Mr. AGLIONBY neither knew the petitioners nor tke Messrs. Baxter, but he thought, as nobody who had spoken either on one side or the other, appeared opposed to any inquiry into the matter, they had better grant the Com mittee. The Learned Lord must have been mistaken when he supposed their interfering in the matter would be clashing either with the claim or the defence of one party, because on looking over the petition, he did not find any indication of the intention of the parties to have recourse to a court of law. But the parties alleged matters which a tour of law could not take cognizance of, and this, in. his opinion, was an additional reason why there should be inquiry. Without expressing any opinion whether the magistrates were right or wrong, the petitioners stated sufficient to justify the appointment of the Committee ; and he, for one, must give his support to the motion of the Hon. Member for Finsbury. Mr. DUNCAN and the LORD ADVOCATE here explained. Sir J. GRAHAM said that the conduct of the girls was entirely a secondary question. He by no means denied the competency of the House to inquire into the allegations of the petitioners, but while he admitted the right of the House to do so, he did not think that it was a proper way to deal with judicial questions.—( Hear, hear.) He would lay that down as a general rule, and he thought it would be attended to by the Hon. Member for Cockermouth. He begged the indul gence of the House, while he explained to them the law and practice in Scotland with reference to cases of this description, which was quite distinct fienn the law and prac tice of any other part of the United Kingdom. The advo cates of Edinburgh appointed a portion of their body, men of the most distinguished practice at the Scottish bar, to whom, as a standing Committee, questions of this kind were referred- For instance, if the petitions of the girls in question had been presented, complaining of the alleged injustice, and they sued in farina pauperis, the matter would be sent to the Standing Committee, who assigned counsel and agents, and those girls, humble as they were, would have ample means of obtaining justice before the Court of Sessions. But having stated thus much, he must still vote against the motion for a Committee, because he did not consider it a proper mode of satisfying the parties in question. Mr. HUME would vote for the Committee, principally on the ground that the public would conclude that the House had refused the inquiry merely on account of the poverty of the petitioners. He had no doubt of the respectability of the Messrs. Baxters, and the misconduct of the girls was admitted in their own petition, and were it not for the ground thus stated he should oppose the appointment of a Committee. Mr. DUNCOMBE replied. The Right Non. Baronet, the Secretary of State for the Horns Department, had ad vised the girls to go to law, but what funds did ss. 6d. per week afford them. The respectability of the Messrs. Baxter had been talked of, but if they attempted to do in Manchester or Stockport what they had done in Dundee, there would be little less than a revolution amongst the people. Mr. Stuart, the factory inspector, had also been quoted as evidence in favour of the respectability and kindliness of those gentlemen ; but the House and the country might judge what care they took of the education of their people, when four out of the six petitioners, who have been eight or ten years in their employment, were actually obliged to subscribe their marks instead of their names. He contended that the trial was not a fair one—that it was carried on with closed doors, and it was no wonder that the poor girl had been noisy in demanding admission into the room. The trial was not a fair one in England, if it was in Scotland. He maintained that the conduct of the magistrates, and those who acted in unison with them, had been most tyra nous and cruel towards these poor girls. He hoped that the House would show to the country that there was still a court of redress where the poor could have justice done to them ; he hoped, therefore, that the House would grant the Committee for which he had moved, and he would undertake to prove before them the truth, if not of all, yet of a greater part of the allegations contained in the petition. Strangers were then ordered to withdraw, and a division took place, when there appeared— For the motion Against it 63 Majority against the motion —2s Upon our re-admission into the gallery, we found 111 r. L. O'BRIEN moving for returns of the total amount of public money (whether derived from local funds, or from funds voted by Parliament,) which had been paid for services as a Crown witness, or for other services, to a man named Robert Reily, alias Geo+ ge Reily, alias Robert Alexander, alias George Rowan, alias Hugh O'Neil, who was sentenced to transportation as a vagrant at the late Spring Assizes for the county of Tyrone, specifying the service for which such monies had been paid, the department, and the public officer, by whom such payments have been made, and the period of time during which such payments had been made. Sir J. GRAHAM said he had no opportunity of receiving any communication from Ireland, since the Hon. Member had given notice of his intention of making the present motion, and he had no knowledge whatever of this particular case, but he would say that the Government would consider the employ ment of spies for the purpose of creating crime as a mast flag rant outrage.—(Hear, hear.) And he was fully aware that the Government bad communicated to the commanding-officer of the police, in Ireland, Col. M'Gregor, that any such em ployment of persons would be one of the gravest possible offences; and until there was a case fully established, he could not possibly believe that there was any truth in allegations made with respect to this subject. In conclusion he would say that he had no possible objection to grant the wished-for return.—( Hear, hear. ) Mr. GRATTAN said there was a very prevalent idea throughout Ireland that the Government did employ persons in the capacity alluded to. Need he remind the Right Hon. Baronet of the case of Shinrone, of the cases of Parker and Brophy. There was also the case of a dismissed policeman, who, passing under the name of Molyneaux, under pretence of papng a visit to England, was said to have gone to the west of Ireland for the purpose of swearing ribbon men. There was also the case of Casey, in the county . of Longford, who was discovered by the merest chance to be placing a ribbon docu ment in the p ,cket of a countryman. There was another point to which he would allude, namely, to the corps called the Detec. tives, who were in the habit of dressing themselves in the clothes of women, and so far had this practice been carried that rho sources of benevolence were almost dried up, for before charity would now be administered the question was "Please Ma'am are you a policeman."—(Great laughter.) Mr. B. ESCOTT wished to ask the Honourable Member for Limerick whether the law of Ireland permitted the poor to be transported for vagrancy. Mr. O'CONNELL and Mr. SMITH O'BRIEN submitted that several cases of transportation had occurred for the crime of vagrancy. Mr. HUME said he did expect to have heard from the Government some explanation of the charges which had been made, especially when charges had been made and parties names mentioned. And if such a state of facts existed, could they wonder at the social state of Ireland—( Hear, hear ) and that at a period when they were called upon to adopt coervive measures. Why, if such a state of excitement existed in Dundee in consequence of the imprison ment of a few factory girls, what ought to be the feelings of the Irish people at such conduct, no matter by whom counte nanced? If such demoralising procedings be allowed, could they, he would again repeat it, wonder at the present state of the social system in Ireland. —( Hear, hear.) He did hope that he would hear some explanation of these facts. Sir J. GRAHAM said he believed that the Hon. Member could not have heard the statement which had been made to the Member for Limerick. He would again repeat that he had received no communications from Ireland, and that he had no knowledge, as yet, of the facts which had been stated by the Hon. Member for Meath. The motion was then agreed to. Mr. O'CONNELL moved for a copy of any report sent to Government by a stipendiary or other magistrate, or by any police authority, of any attack made, or alleged, on the house of Mr. P. B. Ryan, or on himself, in the year 1845. Also of any attack made, or alleged to have been made, on the house of the said Mr. P. B, Ryan in the month of March, 1846. Also, a return of the discharge of the said Mr. P. B. Ryan by the Insolvent Court, in the county of Tipperary, and a copy of the schedule filed by him on that occasion. Sir J. GRAHAM intimated that he had no hesitation in at once acceding to the motion of the Hon. Member. Mr. O'CONNELL said that his object in moving for a copy of the schedule, filed by Ryan, was to see the return of property which he then stated he was possessed of. He had no recollection that ever his Noble Friend—(Laughter)—had been chairman of the Catholic Association in 1828. EVICTION OF TENANTS IN GALWAY. Mr. S. O'BRIEN moved that an humble address be pre sented to her Majesty, to inform her Majesty that the atten tion of this House has been directed to a case of ejectment of tenantry which has recently taken place at a village named Ballinglass, in the county of Galway, in which it is stated that not leas than 61 families, comprising 270 individuals, have in one day been expelled from their habitations, under circumstances the most cruel and most heart-rending, and to pray her Majesty that she will be graciously pleased to g ive directions that the s tipendiary magistrates, and other officers of the Irish con stabulary, who are in the habit of reporting to the executive outrages committed by the peasantry of Ireland, or such Commissioners as her Majesty may be pleased to appoint, be required to furnish to her Majesty's Government such au thentic information respecting the facts of this case as they may be able to collect upon the spot, and that such reports may be laid before Parliament at as early a period as possible. He (Mr. Smith O'Brien) said, that after the debate which had just taken place, on the motion of Mr. Thomas Duncombe, relative to the six factory girls, he hoped that the House would indulge him while he directed their attention to this case of ejectment. An account of the case had recently appeared in the newspapers, and, in consequence of the sensation which it caused, Dr. Gray, of the Freeman's Journal, who, he believed, was a gentleman incapable of doing anything inconsistent with the highest principles of honour, sent down a reporter to obtain accurate information of the circumstances. That report he would take the liberty of reading to the House. It was drawn up, he would confess, in rather strong language.—(The Honourable Gentleman then produced a copy of the Freeman's Journal, from which he read the report in question.) The cases of ejectment excited considerable interest amongst the Hon. Members present. Having concluded reading the extract, the Hon. Member went on to say that he knew nothing of this but from what he had written in the papers. He had heard much about the state of the Seikhs ; but he would ask whether they or the Irish were in a state of the greater wretchedness. The Irish people had been called bar barians ; but it would be better for them to be barbarians than to live in this state. He would ask what could be ex pected from people who were treated in this way. He would ask now, would the Government institute inquiry into this transaction, with a view to a,scertain what class of people in Ireland it is that ought to be coerced ; whether it was the peasants, or the landlords? The Hon. Member concluded by reading the Address to her Majesty, of which he had given notice. Sir JAMES GRAHAM said that the Hon. Gentleman who had moved that address, had stated that he knew nothing of the correctness of the statement he had read in a newspaper, and that he also knew nothing of a letter that had appeared in contradiction of them, and those were the grounds upon which that address had teen moved. He believed that a better order of things was about to exist in Ireland as regarded the conduct of landlords, and that, even if that statement were true, he be lieved it was rather the exception than the rule. But if the Bill now before the House should not be carried into law, he did not see how the conditition of the tenant would be rendered better, or how the deplorable clearance system could he prevented. There was an inquiry now in progress on the subject, and . it would be superfluous to make this address , as they would in quire into the real facts of the case. It would be only justice to the parties concerned that the House should suspend this ur mease. lie was in the hope that the report which had been ' ^^.n if there were some how far it just tegd was an exaggerated one ) anu truth in it. the result of the inquiry would snu.. _ might be relied on. After a few words from Mr. CALEB POWELL, Mr. S. O'BRIEN said that he hoped the Hon. Gentleman did not mean to say that lie took any unfair advantage of Mr. Gerard, because if the speech before the House were incorrect, there would no doubt be a demand for an inquiry, and therefore by bringing forward this motion he did not co'adeive that he did any injustice. With respect to the ottt• rages in Ireland, his statement had been made with no desire to obtain popularity amongst ruffians and murderers, for on more than one occasion he had exposed his life in the endea vour to suppress such crimess He wished he could impress on Hon. Members, that it was not by coercive measures that they would redress the fatal condition of Ireland. The motion was then withdrawn. HIGHWAYS IN ENGLAND. Sir JAMES GRAHAM moved for leave to bring in a Bill for the purpose of Amending the Aets relating to the Highways in England. In making this motion he was perfectly aware of the deficient state of the law upon that subject. The House was aware that the sum levied for the maintenance of highways in England is 1,600,0001. per annum, and many parishes supported their own highways. In an Act formerly passed power was given to different districts to unite and divide for the purpose of maintaining their high ways. That Act had not been attended with any general benefit, and the object of his measure tires to render certain rules and regulations compulsory in certain districts. He would not long detain the House, while he detailed the me. chinery by which he intended to work that system. For the purpose o making the Act perspicuous and particular, he had brought together all the existing laws with respect to highways, and had consulted the provisions contained in them all. He proposed to form a Board of Commissioners, to whose management all the highways in England should be re ferred, and that the present existing trusts, to the number of 15,000, should be formed into districts under the control of the Commissioners. Ho proposed that one superintending officer should be appointed in each district, whose salary is to be fixed by the board, and subject to their dismissal. Each parish or township is to be represented at the district by haywardens. These haywardens are to have the regulations of the highways in each district. This board is to appoint two paid officers, one a surveyor and the other a superintendent. These district boards are to meet four times in the year, and they are to have an annual meeting, to which the accounts are to be submitted, and estimates for the succeeding year brought forward and agreed to. He proposed, as already there were auditors appointed under the Poor-law, that those an. ditors should audit the accounts of these district boards; and that the accounts so audited should be forwarded to the En closure Commissioners, and reported by them to the Secretary of State for the Home Department, to be by him laid before both Houses of Parliament. Powers were also given in the Bill to change parish rating into union rating, but it must have the unanimous consent of every one of the hay-wardens. Otherwise the mode of laying on the rates could net be altered. The district boards had the power of appoint ing sub-commissioners, and to raise rates by an imposition of 10d. in the pound in each rate ; but that on no occasion should they have the power of levying more than three rates in the rate of 2s. 6d. He proposed that the highway rate should be collected in the same way as the poor rate. The Commissioners had also the power of sending down inspectors into the districts where im provements were proposed, in order to report on the expedi ency of such improvements. These were the leading points of the ms.,asure which he now wished to introduce, and he would conclude by stating that the Bill would not include South Wales in its operation, and hoping that the House would allow him to introduce it at once. Mr. V. SMITH did not consider that this measure would be one of what may be called pecuniary relief to the holders of ' small tenements in the different districts, because, by the pre- sent Act, they had the power of obtaining that relief themselves. The object of the Bill seemed to be to make that compulsory which was now voluntary, and he doubted much whether the farmers would not complain of the appointment of a paid surveyor. Sir J. GRAHAM—It has never been tried yet. Mr. V. SMITH—They tried to get vestries, and they re• fused to section surveys on the score of expense. He (Mr. V. Smith) had ventured to suggest the very principle which the Right Hon. Baronet was now adopting in the debate last year on the motion of the Hon. Member for Sheffield for an inquiry into the peculiar burdens of the land. There was one statement made by the Right Hon. Baronet, which he could not look on with the same friendly eye, he meant the erection of a number of fresh districts. 9 There were few districts now in which they would find persons willing to undertake the office of haywarden. Sir J. GRAHAM—They meet only four times a near. Mr. V. SMITH—WeII, the seldomer they met the less objectionable this clause would be found in the working; but, at the same time, he (Mr. Smith) would have thought that the board of guardians, who were in the habit of rating for the poor, would have beets the parsons to have made the distribution of the highway rates. He thought one of the best portions of the Right Hon. Gentleman's measure the appointment of an auditor, because there were at pre sent constant complaints that many of the charges on the highways ought to have been added to the poor-rates. He thought that the Right Hon. Baronet ought to direct his at tention to the general system of rating in England. This Bill would be attended with another considerable advantage, because it would do away with the necessity for temporary amendments. He trusted, as ha had already stated, that the Right Hon. Baronet would turn his attention to the system of rating in general, because it was at present so very defective, and because no improvement would be undertaken under it. The rating of such tenements was particularly obnoxious. He trusted the Right Hon. Baronet would introduce further measures of this kind, and, despite the very exciting topics which were at pre sent before the House, that he would carry them through in the course of the session. Mr. H ANDLEY had heard something respecting an addi tion to the usual rate of 2s. 6d. in the pound, that went to the effect of enabling the overseers to borrow money. To this he had some objection. But there was another alteration which had been proposed, and that was to assimilate the highway-rate to the poor-rate. This was such an alteration as would mate rially interfere with the general administration of the local finances, and, therefore, he conceived that it would require more deliberation than the Right Hon. Baronet was inclined to give to it. Sir J. GRAHAM conceived that the position of the Hon. Member for Oxford was quite untenable, for, instead of its being a loss, he expected to make a large pecuniary saving — in truth, of no less a sum than 1,600,0001. He had had consider able experience in the working of this principle, and in his own county had been fortunate enough to induce the parties in authority to act upon the principles which he was now propounding. The consequence was, in the course of the ensuing seven years there would be a saving of 9i per cent. in the year. According to the account of the Hon. Member for Oxford, the present rate imposed for highways was half-a-crown in the pound; but instead of there being an addition on that rate, there would be a relief for it. On these accounts he trusted the House would consent to allow him to bring in a Bill ; and as the quarter sessions would have the power to regulate any informality or irregularity, to rectify abuses, that no objection would be offered to the introduction of the measure he had proposed, especially when it was recol lected that the highway rate would be considerably reduced. Leave was then given to bring in the Bill. IRISH ELECTIONS. Mr. MACARTHY alluded to certain returns which had been presented to the House of the number of individuals thut had voted in the Irish elections. In the election for Dublin, the number polled was stated' to be 6,213, of whom 702 came under the letter N, and the whole number of electors that had polled in that election in Ireland was 17,410. He him self could bear testimony, that all that had polled in the late election for Cork was 348, although the number of the popula tion was far different. His object, then, was so to alter the law for taking the votes, as to enable every individual to express his opinion. Under the present system, so little was there a probability of fair play that most of those who came under the letter N refused to register at all. Under these circumstances he hoped the House would give him leave to bring in a Bill to remedy these defects. Leave was given to bring in the Bill. PLYMOUTH GREAT WESTERN DOCKS BILL. This Bill was read a second time, and ordered to be corn mitted. RAILWAY DEPOSIT BILL. This Bill went through Committee.—Report to-day. HIGHWAYS BILL. This Bill was brought in, read a first time, and ordered to be printed. POLLING (IRELAND) BILL. This Bill was brought in, read a first time, and ordered to be printed. The remaining orders of the day were then disposed of, and the House adjourned at a Quarter to One o'clock. PARLIAMENTARY DIVISIONS From the Votes and Proceedings of the House of Commons. THURSDAY, APRIL 2. FACTORI ES. Motion made, and Question put, " That a Select Committee be appointed, to inquire into the allegations of the Petition of the Chair man of a meeting of inhabitants of Dundee, complaining of illegal trial and imprisonment of Jane Bennet and other factory girls in October last." The House divided MINORITY-AYES, 38. • Aglionby, H. A. Duncan, Lord O'Brien, J. Bailie, Walter Escott, Bickham O'Brien, W. S. Bentinck, Lord G. Fitzgerald, R. A. O'Brien, Timothy Borthwick, Peter Fitzmaurice, W. O'Connell, Daniel Bouverie, E. P. Fitzroy, Lord C. O'Connell, John Bowring, Dr. Grattan, Henry rechell, Captain Bridgeman, Hewitt Hall, Sir Benjamin Powell, Caleb Bretherton, J. Hindley, Charles Power, James Browne, It. D. Hume, Joseph Waddington, 11. S. Browne, W. Kelly, James Hawn, J. T. Butler, P. S. M`Carthy, Alex. Clay, Sir W. M`Donnell, J. M. TELLERS. Collett, John Maher, N. Duncombe, T. Dawson, T. V. Morris, David Duncan, George MAJORITY-NOES, 63. Antrobus, Edmund Fitzroy, Henry Masterman, J. Baring, W. B. Flower, Sir J. Morgan, 0. Blackburne, J. I. Floyer, John Patten, J. W. Boldero, H. G. Forster, Mathew Peel, Sir Robert Botfleld, Bench Frewen, C. H. Peel, Jonathan Bowles, Admiral Gore, W. 0. Plumptre, J. P. Brisco, M. Goulburn, Henry Round, C. G. Broadley, Henry Graham, Sir J. Seyrster, H. S. Bruce, Lord E. Greene, Thomas Smyth, Sir H. Cardwell, Edward Grogan, E. Somerset, Lord G. Carnegie, Captain Guest, Sir John -Stanton, W. H. Chelsea, Vise. Hamilton, Lord C. Stewart, John Clerk Sir George ' Harris, Hon. Capt. Sutton, H. M. Clive, R. 11. Mayes, Sir E. Bart. Thesiger, Sir F. Cockburn, sir G. Henley, J. W. Tollemache, J. Compton, H. C. Ilerbert, Sidney Trelawny, J. S. Copeland, Alderman Ilope, G. W. Trotter, John Corry, H. Jermyn, Earl Wellesley, Lord C. Dickinson, F. A. Lockhart, W. Wortley, J. S. Douglas, Sir C. E. Lygon, General TELLERS. Duke, Sir J. M`Neill, Duncan Young, John Filmor, Sir E. Mahon, Lord Cripps, William PARLIAMENTARY BUSINESS. (From the Votes and Proceedings of the House of Commons.) THURSDAY, APRIL 2. The following Petitions for Railways were reported, and the Bills ordered to be brought in by the undernamed Hon. Members : Caledonian (Glasgow, Garnkirk, and Coatbridge Branch)—Mr. H. Johnstone, Mr. Lockhart, and Mr. P. Stewart. Caledonia:: (Mid Lothian Branches)—Mr. H. Johnstone, Mr. Lock- hart, and Mr. Stewart. Caledonian (Dumfries Branches)—Mr. H. Johnstone, Mr. Lockhart, and Mr. P. Stewart. Caledonian (Leith Junction)—Mr. H. Johnstone, Mr. Lockhart, and Mr. P. Stewart. Caledonian (Dundyvan Branch)—Mr. H. Johnstone, Mr. Lockhart, and Mr. P. Stewart. RAILWAYS. The Committee of Selection have appointed the Select Committee on the Railway Groups, Nos. 5, 13, 18, 30, 35, and 43. to meet in the week commencing Monday, the 4th May next. The Committee of Selection will meet o n Monday ne xt for the las' time before the Faster recess. SECOND READINGS OF RAILWAY BILLS. MONDAY, APRIL 6. Iralesworth and Norwich. Sheffield, Buxton, Leek, Potteries, and Crewe. wEDiggsDAY, Aram 8. Surrey Grand Junction. ICewPort, Abergavcnny, aud Hereford. - _ Sir John Pe lly had an interview with Mr. Secretary G i laditque at the Ce91911144-91E0 Yegerday. I ASSIZE INTELLIGENCE. OXFORD CIRCUIT. Hereford, Aprill. ^.size business was nearly brought to a c lose last Tim , ,:zes being left for adjudication this morning, night, only five and they present no topier; of public interest. The follo win g had not concluded yesterday, when it b eca me necessary to close and forward our dispatch : CROWN COURT.—(Before Mr. Bari's!' PLAIT.) • Benjamin Skyrnal, aced 20, was indicted for 12ring gun at William Hughes, on the 1 3 th of last Auj -rievous uuponost, the Queen's highway, with intent to do him some a loaded t r bodily harm. Mr. Greaves and Mr, Huddleston prosecuted ; the pii soner was defended by Mr. Skinner. From the evidence of the prosecutor, who is a cattle and pig dealer, living at St. Margaret's, it appeared that on the day in question he had been at Hereford, and was on his return home in the evening, when the prisoner, whom he previously knew by sight, came up to him at a place called the Slough, in the parish of St. Margaret, and entered into conversation with him, walking by the side of his horse, until they came to a garden belonging to a man of the ni2ole of Colman, when Skyrnal stopped, and appeared to be taking something out of the hedge ; meanwhile Mr. Hughes rode on about 100 yards in advance of the prisoner, whom he heard running after him, whereupon he reined in his horse, and at , the same instant a gun was fired, and his (the prosecutor's) hat fell upon the neck of the horse. He recovered it, and immediately galloped off. Very shortly after this Mr. Hughes procured assistance, and finding the prisoner still at the spot whence the shot had been fired, he charged him with havi n g attempted his life, and secured the man at the bar, who ob served that it was a person of the name of John Davis who had fired the gun. The prosecutor had sold about 50/. worth of stock in the morning, and had that amount about him at the time of the attack. Additional evidence was adduced corroborative of the prisoner's guilt; a little girl, to whose father the gun be longed, proving that she had lent Skyrnal the gun to shoot birds with about the time in question, and the gun was found the same morning after the occurrence above detailed, ten or twelve yards from the place where Mr. Hughes was fired at. The prisoner was convicted of firing with intent to do some grievous bodily harm; and a previous conviction for felony having been proved, he was sentenced to fifteen years' trans portation. As soon as their Lordships have disposed of the few re maining cases here they will proceed in the course of the afternoon to Monmouth, and open the commission for that county, where seventy prisoners now await their trial. The following is an analysis of the Monmouthshire calen dar :—Violating the person, 7 ; housebreaking, 4 ; cutting and maiming, 2 ; forgery, 3 ; sheep-stealing, 9 ; killing cattle, 1 • highway robbery, 6 ; stealing from the p erson, 5; minor Pffences, 30; manslaughter, 2; firing stacks, l— total, 70. WESTERN ClRCUlT.—Taunton, April 1. The commission for holding the assizes for the county of Some Mr. Justice w Erie.opened rrh e in l e tow b t u % IN; n n es 3 s , s a t e s rd h a a y s b a ft e e e n r a t o b o e n e , a s b y e all round y t a h non e sfel c ata i hur r lg c ey u ho i ete2,eroinsc3peer;sxi prisoners n e am m elirc e sai l or y fduoe l sr i rl g y, thlrti:a wounding,lat h . t ere being only 19 cases in the cause list. The calendar, however, is very heavy, atheeur summary n; being nmr The tem t following in6g ; t arson, i 4; mur der,burglary, ; housebreaking, 3 ; rape, 4; horse-stealing, 1; sheep-stealing, 6 ; robbery, 4 ; bigamy, 1; bestiality, 1; larcenies, 60; embezzlement, 3; entering inclosed land by night, 7 ; concealment of birth, 1. .To'in Hake and Daniel Hake were indicted for burglari oulv breaking and entering the house of William French, at s Otterford, and stealing therefrom several knives and other articles, his property. Mr. Cox was counsel for the prosecution. t'irtolg b m teheenevpidroepnecrelyit aeplopseeadredatthnaitgbtht!e pornosetbeuetofro'sllobwouinsge ba morning it was found that a panel of the door had been broken through, and that a quantity of knives, in which the prosecutor dealt, had been taken away. From some infor mation which had been received, suspicion attached to the prisoners, who were brothers residing in the neighbourhood ; they were apprehended, and the stolen property was found upon them. John Hake confessed that he had broken into the !louse. The jury found both the prisoners Guilty. Sentence-4°bn Hake, transportation for 15 years; Daniel Hake, transportatlcni for ten years. --- NORTHERN CIRCUIT. —Liverpool, April 1. CROWN COURT.—(Before Mr. Justice PArrEsort.) Kitts, of the thin of Rothwell and Kitts, cotton-s ners. of Bolton, was tried upon an indictment, charging him with the manslaughter of Peter Greenough. This indictment arose out of the explosion which occurred on the 10th of December last, at the works of Messrs. Roth well and Kitts, when several persons were killed by the bursting of a boiler. The defendant was the resident partner and resided on the premises; and the ground of the charge was that of having suffered an accumulation of steam in the boiler without any means of escape, in consequence of which it exploded, carrying away a large portion of the wall of the mill, and burying the deceased in the ruins. The prisoner, who was defended by Mr. Dundee and Mr. Pollock, was Acquitted. POLICE INTELLIGENCE. BOW-STREET. DoG-riGrensta.—Bow-street, and all the other streets in its vicinity, have been in a state of popular ebullition ever since the middle of the day on Wednesday, in consequence of the Royal Society for the Prevention of ruelty to Animals having denounced to the police a gang of dog-fighters, and their eiders and abettors, assembling at a certain disreputable house in Neale's-yard, Queen-street, Seven Dials. The police, in consequence of the information thus give n t h em by the ' Royal Anti-Cruelty Society, made a grand attack upon the place in question on Wednesday afternoon; and there they captured upwards of ninety persons, tag-rag and bob-tail and among them—so said rumour —were sundr y " noble lords," many " real gentlemen," and a genuine marquis or two at least; all of whom they marched down to the Bow-street police-station, together with a bull-dog and a dead badger with three legs, the other leg having been "gnawed off" for the recreation of the parties frequenting the pit, or place before indicated. Great was the hubbub occasioned by this proceeding. People, men, women, and children, came running from all quarters to see the show, as the offenders were marched in custody into the station; and so great was the crush throughout the night, that it required all the exertions of the force to keep a practicable thorough fare for the public. Yesterday morning there was little or no abatement of the effervescence. The front of the station house, the avenues of the Court were thronged with persons evidently all agape for something out of the common way. But they were grievously disappointed. It was a parturient montes, for instead of lords, knights, and marquises being paraded before the bench, the thing ended in four simple ordinary-looking persons being placed in that unenviable situation, viz., John Mansfield, owner of the pit; Andrew Nash, a deputy cabman unattached; John Smith, a prize- fighter past work, with a marvellously disfigured visage and fiery-coloured whiskers ; and Charles Hays. a fac• simile of George Cruikshank's " Jack Sheppard," with a grass-green cravat, a turf coat, and having his hair daintily smoothed with grease. Mr. Hall presided, and a person who attended as solicitor for the prosecution, at the instance of the Royal Anti-. Cruelty Society, intimated to his Worship that the pro ceeding was instituted not under the Police Act, 'which makes all persons present at these disgusting exhibitions equally liable with the principals, but under the 6th and 7th William IV., which considers the principals only as liable. The Learned Gentleman did not point out this distinction, nor did he say why the Royal Society had chosen to act under the milder law instead of the more comprehensive one ; but it was whispered in the Court that they did not care to have anything to do with noble and gentle amateurs of cruelty, their only object being to put such things down by punishirg the actual performers. Mr. Robinson was solicitor for the defence of the four fellows actually before the Court; and Mr. Inspector Dodd, of the F, or Bow-street division, opened the case ; from which opening, and the evidence which followed it, we deduce the following facts :—ln conse quence of information communicated to him at the station on Wednesday afternoon, that a ferocious dog fight was at that moment going on at a house in Neale's-yard, Seven Dials, he forthwith proceeded thither, taking with him as many of t he private constables of his division as were then available. They easily discovered the place, and found it surrounded by a crowd of disorderly people, from whom they learned that the fighting was at that moment going on in the room up stairs. One of the Society's officers led the way up the ladder leading to that room ; but before he could get through the trap-door at the top of it, a cry of " The police !" and " Murder !" was raised by a woman in the room below, and instantly the trap door was slammed down, and they could distinctly hear a number of people place themselves upon it, so as by their weight to prevent its being lifted again. The officer, however. who that mounted the ladder had seen enough to convince him of what was going on. In a room only 20 feet by 18 feet were nearly 150 men crowding round a place in the middle of the fiber, about three yards square, parted off from the rest of the room by a low partition of boards, and within this place he could hear dogs " snarling ewx h c i i l t s i t ng th th e e m m en to w g h r o ca h te n r dd fe l ro ecl: city. The inspector now peremptorily demanded admission, aroundandg grinding" n t d h i e n m g " w a e were e each3.ell yelling other, an d and the prisoner, John Mansfield, in a short time lifted the trap and admitted the inspector and the police. The growl ing, barking, and yelling of dogs and men had then subsided; but the prisoner Mansfield, whose shirt-sleeves were tucked up to his elbows, and his hand and arms covered with blood, acknowledged himself the proprietor of the pit, but denied that there had been any dog-fighting there, although twenty or thirty bull dogs and bull terriers were found tied up in the rooms below. Mansfield declared that they were only brought there to kill rats, and the rats had not arrived. The floor of the room was strewed with sawdust, except the square place in the centre, and that was literally covered with blood. In a box in the room the police found a large bull dog, panting and quite exhausted, with its hea d " as raa as if it had been skinned," and in another box, or rather twc boxes, they found a couple of badgers, one alive and the other dead, but quite warm, and with one of its legs gnawed or tors off. In the room there was a pair of scales for the purpose of weighing the dogs before they were set to fight, and buckets o water with sponges for the purpose of wiping the blood &on their eyes and chaps, lest it should suffocate or blind them,anc so spoil the sport. They also found the hides of two dogs, pre. served probably on account of the " pluck" their wearers latU displayed when living. The inspector and the other witnesse were furiously cross-examined by the solicitorfor the defence The inspector was asked if he did no t know that man: gentlemen kept such dogs? He replied, "I do not ; h and my opinion no gentleman wou l d kee p them, especy foll such purposes as these." Did not know whether there were any noblemen or gentlemen present or not ; but when th thl police entered the room many men were jumping out of windows, and they might be noblemen or gentlemen fo anything he knew to the contrary. The Learned Gentlem ae then contended that the case had not been proved age4l any of his clients except Ma nsfield, and that was npoenn u own confession. He insinuate d that noblemen and g e were men had been allowed to esc a p e, whilst these mere o m du n pes 0 selected for punishment, although they e for their own amusement. d B et, said he hoped tin Mr. HALL, in delivering his ju g.ra - I en, or m a station their titled companions, and led into the w crim m e by them, at all events they were not entitling them to becal was nothing at all to show the proved to be so ; and themdone his duty honestly. Had thi persons thus alluded soto `v led ; n t the inspector bad not been instituted under the Police Act, all the pet prosecution gent em sons captured must have been brought before that court, an, then it would have been seen who and what they were - but it was laid under the Act of Will. IV., the principals onl were liable, and they were now here to be dealt with. Aft a minute review of the evidence, his Worship sentenced Joh Mansfield and Abraham Smith to pay the full penalty of each, and discharged Nash and Haves, as it appeared dou.b ful whether they had acted as principals or not. [ADVERTISEMENT.] —FEMALE COMPLAINTS Ab HoLLowAv's Prus.—So extraordinary are the known virtues Holloway's Pills that a great many titled ladies and others are In chasing them in large quantities to distribute to poor families. Thi pills act in so wonderful a manner upon the system and constituti of lennles generally (even on infants at the breast), that wheti taken when centring into womanhood, or at the turn of life, or a other time, a few doses of this fine medicine will always produce I desired effect, when every other remedy has falled.—Sold by all r dicine dealers, and at professor Holloway's establishment, 3 strand, London.