The Sun. — London, England, 1846-05-08 00:00:00

of the cffices which they had vacated. Again, in the year 1822 it was deemed expedient to abolish some sinecure offices in the Law Courts. The office of prothonotary of the Court of King's Bench, and the director of the Court of Common Pleas, which offices were held by noblemen, who in vacating their offices received compensation to the full amount of the value of their situations. It would also be found that by the Act 3 and 4 William IV., sec. 81 cap. 94, and by the 2 and 3 George IV., compensation to the amount of several thousand pounds was awarded to persons whose offices had been abolished. The Act for compensation to the six clerks lied received the deliberate consent of the Legislature, and he asked if it would be fair to repeal that Act now, and to de- Prive those individuals who were receiving compensation under Its provisions of their ireeemes. His Hon and Learned Friend s aw that the Lord Chancellor had not fully investigated the justice of these Claims. He entirely denied that. The amount of Be e f ees h a d been fully a s c e rt a • ne d, an d t h e L or d Chancellorte. had exercised due caution in inquiry i n t o th e mat he. The Lord Chancellor had on eery occasion aherd to Ininimum which was aleiwed o fer compensat d ion, e and " also required a reduction to be made on account bad debts before he would make any award. He admitted th a t t h e p u bli c h a d pa id a l arge amount f or t h e aloeliti on of the offices, but not more than the justice of the s S ae demanded. T hese offices were entitled to the remunera te,- which Parliament had awarded them. The Act of Par la ment had gi ven t h e L or d Ch ance ll or t h e po ver o f appeint -I,!,'g Six taxi ng o ffi cers at 1,00.1, a year eac h . Th e L or d d-.lianeellor had ma d e t h ese appointments , an d h e ( t h e Atter neY- Oteceral believed that tho e appointments had been made "ith advantage to the public. Those officers were selected from 'he clerk.: in court. The Master of the Rolls had power , a lso, s under th e A ct o f P ar li ament , to appo i nt f our o fficers in me court, and he also selected tho-e officers from the clerks of the court. Would ihe House, then, dispassh nately and calmly consider whether they were justified in acceding to the motion of t he Hon. Member for Kiesale. These persons respecting whore the motion was made had a vested interest iu their "flees. and if they were deprivesl of those offices, it could °nly be done by giving them full and fair competition. Mr. HU NIB said it was certainly true that he agreed with the principle of the Bill which gave these compensations, but he never could have supported the &rails of the Bill which had been alluded to. It would be presumptive in him to at tempt to d raw t he line of demarcation where comp ensation anould cea , e, but he thought the Right Hon. and Learned 4 tMciley-General, having cited the only , thou g h a doubtful Precedent, which had occurred in Ireland, in justification of t hese compensations, had failed to make out a good case for the Lord Chancellor.--( Hear, hear. ) The ATTORNEY-GENERAL—I could give you many other precendents. The Irish case is by no means a solitary one.—( Hear, hear.) Mr. WINE said it did not matter to him how many prece dents could be produced, because that would not alter the state of the case ; and lie for one was convinced the public generally lo oked upon this as one of the grossest jobs that had ever been t ee PeArated.—( Hear, hear.) It might be urgod, if this case ,^,ecte to stand good, that if capital puni s hmen t . w er e a b o li s h e d i nangm en of the country would be entitled to compensation. ( Hear, h ear. ) — W e ll , h e was not oppose d to giving i t, b ut t e h t _ , the compe nsa ti on b e j us t. I t was a ll ege d, h owever , t h at • ° Compensation in the instance now before the House was un its ,~t, and he, therefore, th oug ht th ere oug h t t o b e som e inquiry .set it, in order that those persons who bad awarded it might e deterred in future from violating the confidence which had °wen reposed in them, on behalf of the public.—( Hear, hear.) S ome of these fees, it must be clear, were manifestly unjust, 'and wrongfully imposed on suirers,_ and this, in his opinion. was an additi ona l reason w hy his Hon. and Learned Friend should have his Committee.—( Hear, hear.) For it was the u „uti of the parties appointed to take these fees not to take more e 'nan the old allowed. It was no use to tell him that they had become just from usage. If the law of the land—the sta tute law of the land—did not sanction them, they had no right to be taken ; and, still more, the parties taking them had no L i ght, to compensation on their abolition.--s Hear, hear.) It was ten these grounds that he supported the motion of his Hon. il nd Learned Friend, and he hoped those who had unjustly taken f ees and received compensation on their abolition in the pro gresives of legal reforms would be held up to the public indig natib n.—( Hear, hear.) AS r. B. WILLIAMS said there had been a great deal of 15 4e'cj ial pleading on the part of the Hon. and Learned Attorney (fo eral, who had avoided the real question before the House, vosii.eh was simply this—Were these fees taken by those parties t ° whom compensation had been given legal and just ?—and it the the b oun d en d uty o f t h e H ouse t o ta k e t hi s quest i on i nto 111 earnest and serious consideration —( Hear, hear.) If the trd Chancellor had granted compensation for illegal fees, he aught to be held up to public indignation. But why was the !natter left to the Lord Chancellor? Why was it taken out of !the hands of th e T ieasury, wh i c h was the proper place for de ciding th e compensation ? Why, the fact was, the whole affair was a most palpable job. This was plain enough, for one of the parties, a Mr. Wainwright, who received a portion of this l arge compensation, drew up the Bill legalising the compensa tion, or rather, he o ug ht t o ca ll it, the job.—( He ar , h ear . ) tuti if the eomeensation were fair and just, why refuse this Mriuiry ? It was all nonsense ; the compensation was grossly t m.lest ; and Gov ernmen t, i n re f us i ng the i nqu i ry, were vir tuallye ack new l e d g i ng it to'be. so.—( Hear.) The H on . an d Learn e d Attorney-General, however, said the Bill granting the c ompensation passed through the House after it had under gone the most careful and deliberate consideration. hut this was not so. and he for one dared to say it was smuggled, in stead of cautiously passed through the House.—( Hear, hear. ) Oh. but (said the Hon. and Learned Attorney-i , eneral) if the Rota. and Learned Gentleman the Member for Kinsale had so Marty objections to the Bill. why did he not on the third reading, or attiring its progress through Committee, attend in his place in the House, and state there what his objections to this mea sure was ?—( Hear, hear.) Was it not easy enough to explain why an Hon. Member who was a member of the learned pro fession, could not be in his place on a particular occasion ? His professional avocations might be the cause of his not being pre. sent, and they had a remaikable instance of this a few nights ago, when a compensation case was under consideration: 'lhe Hon. and Learned Attorney-General, he believed, was in favour of, and took a deep interest in the Danish claims, but, from a similar cause to the one he had already alluded to, the Hen. and Learned Gentleman was prevented from being present when they were under dis cussion. —(Hear, hear.) But why need he follow the Hon. and Learned Gentleman in this train of special pleading, when everybody knew that the public had-lons ago made up their minds that this case of compensation was a most palpable job ? In his opinion it would be mote becoming ber Majesty's Government if they were to accede to, instead of refusing, the Committee.—(Heir, hear.) At all events, if they persisted in refusing it he hoped the Right Hen. Gentleman, the Chancel lor of the Exchequer, would get up in his place and tell the House whether this enormous compensation agreed with his views or not.—( Hear, hear.) He was sure if the Right Hon Gentleman spoke conscientiously, it could net, and for this and the other reasons he had stated, he should vote for inquiry. Sir J. GRAHAM was very unwilling to trespass upon the attention of the House on a question which involved legal technicalettVet, tuif after the speeches which had jest been ad. dressed ° t& ittPtilouse by Hon. Gentlemen on the opposite benches, he felt himself bound to make a few observations. There were some observations that had fallen from the Hon. Member who had last addressed the House that particularly rendered it necessary for him (Sir J. Graham) to trespass Upon the attention of the House before they went to a division. After those observations he was by no means prepared to vote for a Committee of inquiry of this sort, although he was of opinion certainly that an inquiry into the fees received in the courts of law and equity might be very useful.--( Hear, hear.) But he was bound to resist the motion after what had fallen from the Hon. Member for Montrose (Mr. Hume), and the Ron. Member who had just sat down (Mr. Williams), because they had designated the proceedings under the Act in question as the job of jobs.—( Hear, hear.) The Hon. Member for Aontrose had said that it was i m p oss ibl e, i n hi s op i nion, to ask f l or a repeal of the Act of Parliament under which these com pensations had been granted, and he went on to say that these compensations were in his opinion irrevocable. It had been Openly stated that the objection of the Ceminittee sought for was to inculpate the projectors of the Bill.. Now that ex pression showed that they had prejudged the question;_ they had said that it was " t h e j o b of jobs." He (Sir James Graham) had the greatest possible respect for the Lord Chan cellor, and he was quite satisfied that his conduct in this matter was pure and irreproachable; that had, in fact, b een proved by the speech of his Hon. and Learned Friend the At. torney-General. The Hon. Member for Coventry (Mr. Williams) had asked what right bed the Chancellor of the Exchequer, when this Bill was introduced in 1844, to antici pate that the amount of compensate in would be so great as it turned out to be ? He Sir (James Grah •m) would have given the same answer as had been given by his Right Hon. Friend. viz., that the precise amount of the fees hail not been then as certained. He certainly was not aware at the time that this Ant passed that the amount of compensation would be so large. —i. Hear, hear.) But he did not think that was the question before the House when the measure was passed. The ques tion fo r consideration was. were thes e compen sattons just io principl e ?—( H ear , hear.) This Bill came down . from the other House o f Parliament with the highest po-sib le authority. An incuiry in reference to the fees was conducted by Mr.y Master of the Rolls, the Chancellor of the Excheq ber, and Pemberton Leigh. Those Commissioners gave every attentioni to that branch of the subject ; and he was informed , and real believed, that the draft of the Bill was altered and reprinted three times before it came down from the other House. When the Bill was introduced, the Lord Chancellor was ill, and could not attend to his duties in the douse of Lords, and he, there fore, had not charge of it in the other House of Parliament. But the Bill was introduced by the Maser of the Rolls, Lord Langdale. and the question to be considered was whether the principle on which those compensations were to be granted was just or unjust. This Bill laid down certain principles. In the Exchequer case seven. eighths of the fees which had been taken for a number of years formed the basis of compensation, but in this Bill the minimum was fixed, not at seven-eighths, but at three-fourths. A discretionary power was given to the Lord Chancellor to limit strictly by Act of Parliament the amount of compensation to three-:ourths of the amount of fees that hail been received in the three preceding Years. He remembered during the progress of the Bill, and he was sure the Hon. Member for Montrose ( Mr. Hume) would also well remember, a discussion that took place about a particu lar gentleman whom the Bill would effect.—( Hear, hear. ) And if he mistook not the Hon. Member for Liskeard (Mr. C. Buller) said a clause should be inserted in the Bill for his pro tection. The Bill did not pass t h roug h t h e H ouse w i t h ou t ampletee wasr discussionnothing and consi d eration, and he wou ld aga i n say t h at of novelty in the Bill, and he would repeat that what the Commiss.ers hail to inquire into, was not the Choamount of the fees, but thei justice of the principle laid down in u Assuming ienees7 ,h he could a moment that the fees heretofore received were legal laid ou d ld not conceive anything more good than the principle brought him to the legality of the ne f . e n in the Act. Now, this Hear, hear)—and he thought that it was on that point that this debate mainly hung. Hear.) But, in the first the fees in question were' fixed by the Lord Chancellor H ardwicke e e , dl f he mistook not, in and he by the Lord Chan the year 1843. The fees were review believed that some of cellor Erskine in the year 1807, tothe state of the them were reduced. The fees reoeterrrye.d kingdomßet, greatly those courts had, increased since that period. The legal.ty Courts anne r of p_eared to him to be established ie a most remarkable fees ap. They were legal by prescription and usage in the Chancery from day to day, and their legality was placed beyond all doubt. The Commissioners that had been apeointecihad come to the determination that the amount of compensation should not be less than three-fourths of the fees that were e ceived in the three preceding years. In no case h a d the Lerrd. Chancellor a discretion by the Bill of fixing the amount of compensation to a certain extent. Ia no case did the Lord Chancellor give the full amount of the fees received ; in every case, without exception, his award was the minim um sanc tioned by the Act of Parlament. When this Act passed, if he mistook not, the fees in question amounted to 771. per year, and were rapidly increasing.—( Hear.) The effect produced by this Act of Parliament was to eradicate a great abuse—a most for• rnidable abuse—both in its magnitude and extent; and the fees were reduced trom 77,0101. to 40,l 001. per annum. The amount of compensation was certainly large, but not too large, for the fees were feeble vested rights, as he believed them to have been. The compensation, as he had clearly said, had been greatly reduced, and, in. the course of the next twenty years, thus compensation would be entirely extinguished. In effect s{ these sa l utary legal reforms, they s h ou ld ta k e espec i a l care . not to violate th e j us t r i g h ts o f any part i es.— ( H ear. ) H e would not take a lawyer's view on this subject, but he was most anxious that law expenses should be diminished. He was, however, of nie:eon, that they could not, consistent With ' • ooteitie u k ti cting effect these legal reforms by 11 4tirY whitrrit an imam partive had established rights ; and in this else the parties who were l in the receipt of compensation, were justly entitled to a reit. sonable comeensation. If the fees were large, (and, if they pleased, exorbitant), it was necessary that the principles of compensation should tie large also. In reference to the in quiry of fees generally, upon another occasion, he, for one, i should not object to the Committee.--( Hear, hear.) But if the declared object of this motion was to inculpate the conduct of the present holder of the Great Seal—(Cries of " No, no," )—he was certainly prepared to vote against them. He (Sir James Graham) denied that the conduct of the Noble Lord was anything but pure and irreproachable in this matter. He denied, too, in the most distinct terms that this was a job. He believed, on the contrary, that it was carried out on sound and righteous principles. Be was of opinion, ton, that by this Act an immense abuse had been removed, and he did not deprecate this discussion, because it would, no doubt, tend to set the conduct of his Noble Friend the Lard rightChancellor ithon before the public, although he had been dealt harshly with the present subject. He was certain that the an c d onr illustrious personaee had been perfectly pure_ear hear.) throughout the whole of the matter.—( H disinterested n ewe f th at though he did not thereby intend to He conceived that Ir. F. BARING was prepared te m v p o e t a e ch fo:r he th c e onduc Lord Chancellor in the slightest respect. to f Committee,th perfectly untenable statingG en e rthatal wasthe He check in the framing of that mea the argument of the Hon. and Learnedohe,i hesitation tAi Attorney-General Treasury was an efficient whether the eighteen compensation had clauses Exchequer, sure.—( Hear, hear.) He would ask the Chancellor of the received - the sanction o f the Treasus ry for the passing of this Bill of eighteen claus e s , brou g ht a bsurd to say that the House wa Treasury?—( Hear, hear.) It was 'on and passed in a week. T he Treasur y should be respon sible.—( Hear, hear.) The public looked at the measure with extreme jealousy, and he thought it should be a warning to the House not to interfere in compensation cases. He thought the most satisfactory course would be to appoint a Committee. Sir J. GRAHAM stated, in explanation, that the Treasury had no control whatever over the Suitors' Fund; that the whole management rested with the K, eper of the Seals. Mr. C. BULLER considered it unjust to plunder those per sons of the compensation which had been awarded to them by Act of Parliament. Lord Lyndhurst, when he came into office, acted in the spirit of true reform, and being 6sirous of placing the law courts on a bet ter footing, he referred the matter to a Committee, composed of gentlemen who reflected honour on their profes sion by their conduct—conduct which he wished to God he could see imitated by gentlemen of his branch cf the profession ...the conirnon law. They were nor actuated by any desire to benefit themselves—there was no party feeling displayed on the occasion, and he hoped there would be none upon the present. The real question for the House to decide was the amount cf compensation to be given. The only course which the Com mittee thought they could adopt in discharging their publie duty was to inquire as to the amounts usually given by tle House. They looked over all the Acts of Parliament on the subject, and they found that the usual ratio of compensation was three-fourths of the amount of salary received. They coule not, therefore, be considered as acting wrong when they awarder as a minimum this rate of compensation. This sum was not n much as had been awarded by Lord Cottenham in compensa tion to the clerks in the Court of Exchequer. The Act tipot that occaiinn stated that the compensation was to be at the rat.- of not less than three-fourths of the salary, whereas Lord Cot tenham actually awarded seven-eighths ; and in the average of salaries they threw out of the account altogether bad debts he Lord Chancellor, in the instance before the House. gave three- fourths of net profit, after deducting bad debts. ( The Honourable Merneer here entered into -ome calculations with respect to confiscations, which he 'sale thought it would be impossible for him, even though possesse of all the. mathematical knowledge of Newton himself, to mak► clearly understood by the Hon. Member (Mr. Watson ). then went on to say that it was a scandalous thing that those places should have been allowed to be saleable, and that Govern. ment should then turn round and attempt to deprive of compen sation those parties who had purchased those places under their sanction., Theie persons had a perfect right to rely on the legality of the fees they were allo•ved by the court, and no one . had ever contested their legality. The sanction of law had been given to them in as decisive a way as if they had been embodied in an Act of Parliament. He considered that if they repealed the Act—if they adopted the resolution of his Honourable Friend, they would be doing a grievous injustice. He was certainly of opinion that the levying of these fees upon the suitors in the court was most burdensome and unjust, ant , was a grievance which should hardly be allowed to exist for him to denounce in 1846. He could not see an argument for the fee system ; it was introduced first in order to pay the ex penses of work and labour, and offer an inducement that it might be done expeditiously, but as that system was done away with there could not be any pretence for continuing it longer. He was sorry for trespassing so long upon the House, but, differing in his opinions upon the subject from those on his side of the House, he thought it his duty to come forward and state his opinions frankly to the House.—( Hear, hear.) He trusted that the' time was coming when these fees would be entirely done away with, and justice would be rendered cheap and ac cessible to the people. —( Hear, hear.) Mr. B. ESCOTT bad listened to the debate with the greatest satisfaction, and esoeeially to the statement of hie Right Hon. Friend, that the Government were determined not to resist inquiry into these abominable extortions. The questiori was one of great publie importance, and he coule wish that nothing of a personal nature would be mixed up in it. He thought the Right Honourable the Attorney. General (differing as he did with him in most of his opinions) had proved one thing, namely, that the Lord Chancellor hod only acted in strict accordance with the Act When this Committee was granted the principle under which compensations were granted must be considered. Na one yet defined the legal principle of compensation. It had been stated by the Attorney-General and the Member for Lis keard that these offices were estates, and for that reason were offered for sale in the market HP never heard of such abuses as were connected with these offices, and if the judges sanc tioned the sale of them, it was high time for that House to put an end to such a system. It was said that the motion most not be granted, because it would interfere with an Act of Par liament. He would vote for it, because it repealed the Act of Parliament, and because it would have the effect of repealing many of those abuses which at present existed in the courts of law. lie denied the legality of there fees, and he would like 'hat question to be tried in a court of law. He would ask the Attorney-General, if they were legal, why were they reduced ? —( Hear, hear.) The very fact of these officers submitting to the reduction proved that they did not rest upon a legal founda tion. The Right Hon. Gentleman the Secretary of State said that it was a novel course to reconsider the question of compen eation when it had been already decided upon by that House. It was a novel practice he admitted, and it was only a novel pro ceeding which would put an end to the at.iuses which were a stain on the erm;ne of the Judges who presided in those courts. Mr. R. YORKE was now, as on former occastons,of opinion 'hat the subject was a very fit one for re-consideration. It came before the House at a period when it was extremely thin, the Members present varying from 27 to 50, and when the Go vernmont were hurrying on measures with railroad rapidity. He himself acquired all the knowledge he then obtained on the Bill from the gentlemen who were promoting it.--( Laughter.) Mr. HONIILLY said that the mode of collecting the fees in the Court of Chancery was one to which no responsibility was attached ; there was no check whatever upon the persons em ploeed in their collection. He, therefore, contended that the system was one which should be inquired into, with a view to its abolition. With regard to the other part of the motion, he thought it most impolitic. The House had decided upon it already, and though it was done hastily and wi bout due consi deration, the question could not now with any degree of justice be re-considered. It would be a monstrous thing, after the lapse of five years, to reverse that decision, but he must say that the compensation was excessive. He should, however, vote for the motion, believing as he did that it would result in alter ations with regard to the system of fees which would be benefi cial to the courts of law themselves as well as the country at large. Sir J. HA N HER. supported the motion. Sir R. PEEL said it was the wish of the Government that there should be a full and efficient inquiry into the payment of those who held such offices. an for also checking abuses in their payments. He was against that system which gave to persons a rate of compensation far greater than they were en titled to. When he was Secretary of State for Ireland, he was much struck with the very heavy rate of compensation wt icily was given to those who had leeld offices, and which were t a h in o e se d , o f f r , if froth mthuecyh were the o really sine c u res . B ut h e felt that they would be cramping very . means adop o t of suchreforminga s spirit t the s abus e would make complained whom the informatio n was to had, feel that they were b a out to be injured by any steps to be taken. This he felt to be the case, from his acquaintance with such matters while Secretary of Stat for Ireland. They received from such persons informa tion, which, if t h ey were to understand that. they were to suff e r by the inqui r y, th ey would net receive . There was a great abuse in g i ving over -compensation to those efficers They were givingeuch an amount as the House of the. would not giv e to the officers ,rewn —such as they would not give to their own Speaker. He could assure the House there part of the Governm was no obj ect i on on the ent tor a strict and se irch.ng inquiry, end they only had an e ohj &eon to the mode by which it was proposed to be made. He could not agree to any i nqu i ry into those compensations given by the Lord Chancellor, for t i e bad given them on eth d he (Sir R o b ert Peel) lu g ii ront t of an Act of P ar l iament, and the ui greatest. co n fid ence in h i s Noble and L earned Friend's fifty years previ ous to 1839 t her e j '"nent and nni2"rtialitY. Fur had been given a reustmera tion far above what the justice of the e m erited ; and the Hon. Member who brought on this Bi l li e : abuses as if they were chargeable to tldoLeorodf those ,,n great This House recorded by ar. Act the sale of those professional cellor offices, or at least passed an Act which made remuneration the right of the parties ; and this was acted upon by one of the most faultless Lord Chancellors of Ireland—he meant Lord Plun kett. The Act of Parliament provided such a compensation as would allow men of honourable characters and acquirements to take such offices. They hadabolished sinecures where there might have been some excuse found for continuing them, but they had allowed abuses to exist where there was no public him where, in fact, there was nothing like a claim to support them. —( Hear, hear.) When it was recollected that in this case the Lord Chancellor gave the minimum of what Parliament allowed, it could not be said that he had acted contrary t o what could be expected. In the year 1840 the Act .was brought in by Mr. Pemberton Leigh, and that Act was not brought in without notice, and it was not passed by that House in a partial manner ; and what was it that could be found fault with in its powers? Let them propose such an iin quiry n a manner that would not reflect upon the Lord Chan cellor, and he would promise, on the part of the Gove rn m ent, their cordial co-operation in enacting a law for the future. After a few wards from Mr. WATSON, strangecs were ordered to withdraw, when there appeared to be For the motion 65 .1. •-•• • BO Against it —l5 Majority MR. SMITH O'IEN. The Hon. PIERCE BUI'LER said, he had given notice of a motion to the same effect as that BR that u pon t h e paper from his Hon. Friend assure the House that he would not a notice of such a aware that the Hon. Baronet had R ive n he h e c b o e u e l could the Member for Galway ; have ve a don a ye committed, and motion. He was sorry for the error he had ;sobuhtad begged to apologise for it; but had he been able to bring it on, discuss it. he could assure t h e H ouse h e was f u ll y prepare d t o somewhat He would, h owever, b r i ng on a mot i on to an e ff ect similar on an early day. Sir C. NAPIER wished to know if the returns he had moved for in the early part of the session would be laid upon the table of the House ? Mr. CORRY said that the returns were in course of prepa ration, and would be ready in a few days. ORDERS OF THE DAY. The Leith Petty Customs Bill, and the Railway Companys Bill, were ordered to be read a second time. Mr. AGLIONBY wished to know what course was intended to be pursued with respect to the Salmon Fisheries Bill. It was of considerable importance to the owners of fisheries in the country to know. Mr. FORSTER wished to have a similar question answered. The Bill had already been two sessions before Parliament and nothing had been done. An Hort% Meatisaa said that be believed that the Bill would be proceeded with; its object was to give better protection and facilities to our salmon fisheries. The Bill was then read a second time, and the report ordered to be received ; to be read a third time to-morrow. The second reading of the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Aot was postponed. The Committee on the Danish claims was postponed until the 22d. The Election Notices (Ireland) Bill was read a teoond time, and tlikr,a2,o,ordered to bo rwcivei . .i. . _ Tito idolia slorned it Flinn (Mu* THE SUNs, LQNDON, FRIDAY EVBIVING, MAY 8, 1846. I , PARLIAMENTARY BUSINESS. (From the Votes and Proceedings of the House of Commons.) THURSDAY, MAY 7. RAILWAY S The Committee of Selection have nominated the following Select Committees on Railway Groups : A Committee consisting of —Viscount 3;orpeth (Chairman), Mr. Corbally, Mr. R. Scott, Mr. J. A. Taylor, and Hon. H. Lowther, to whom they have referred the Bills comprised in Group No. 2 of Rail way Bills, viz. North Devon, Taw Vale Extensien 7 ; Bideford and Tavistoek: South Devon (Tavistock elnd other Branches—NO. I), South Devon (No. 2), West Cornwall, Cornwall. The Select Committee to meet Oft Thnrsday, May 21, at one. A Committee consisting of —Mr, Deodes (Chairman), Visconnt Clements, Mr. J. ii. Vivian, Mr. Arlovright, and Mr Farnham, to whom they have referred the Bills comprised in Group No. 10 of Railway Bills, viz. : Ballochney (Shotts Branch), Caledonian (Clydesdale Junction Railway Deviations), Caledonian (Glasgow, Gariikirk, and Coatbridge Railway Branches), llonkland and Kirkintilloch (Chapel Hall Branch), Monkland and Kirkintilloch, Glasgow, Airdrie, and Monkland Junction, Kirkintilloch and Kilsyth, Lesinahagow, Wised, and Coatbridge Mineral Junction, Caledonian (Dundyvan Branch). ' The Select Committee to meet on Monday, May 18, at one. A Committee consisting of—Mr. E. Denison (Chairman), Sir E. ',Byes, Sir It. Vyvyan, Major Beresford, and Mr. Clifton, to whom I icy have referred the Bills comprised in Group No. 32 of Railway Bills, viz.:— , )xford. Worcester, and Wolverhampton. lieltenhain and Oxford, 'lorthatupton, Banbury, and Cheltenham, ,iuckinghanishire (Tring to Banbury). The Select Committee to meet on Tuesday, May 19, at one. A Committee consisting of—Mr. Ewart (Chairman), Mr. Gill, Mr. fieneage, Mr. Maher, and Mr. Pulsforu, to whom they have re :erred the Bills comprised in Group No. 56 of Railway Bills, viz.:— [:astern Counties Stations Enlargement, London and Birmingham (Camden and Euston Stations Enlargement), London and Blackwall, East London Extension, Enfield and Edmonton, ::astern Counties (Tottenham and Barnet), London and Croydon (Thanes Junction Canal), pastern Counties (Thames Junction Branches), '.ast and West India Docks and ondon and Birmingham Junction. The Select Commit' ee to meet on Tuesday, May 19, at one. PARLIAMENTARY DIVISIONS (From the Votes and Proceedings of the House of Comnont, ) THURSDAY, MAY 7 . COURTS OF LAW AND EQUITY. Motion made, and Question. put, " That a Select Committee be ap iointed to inquire into the nature and extent of the taxation of suitors by the collection of tees in the Courts of Law and Equity, and Lhe application of such fees, and the compensations paid to re fired dicers of those Courts, and into the propriety of the continuance hereof; and particularly to inquire into the orders for compeikation oade by the Lord Chancellor to the persa..s filling the offices of Llerk of the Enrolments, Comptrollers of Hanaper, Riding Clerk, Six lerks, 'Sworn Clerks, Waiting Clerks, and others, under the Act 5 lad 6 Vic. e. 103, and to inquire into the nature, duties, and emolu neuts of those officers before the passing of that Act, and their right o compensation during life and for seven years after the death of Such person." The House divided : MINORITY—AYES, 65. tglionby, H. A. Dundas, F. O'Connell, Daniel srmstrong, Sir A. E‘cott. Itiekham O'Connell, Jolla .• Caine, Walter Esmonde, Sir T. Ogle, S. C. tannerman; A. Gisborne, Thomas . Ord, William taring, F, T. Granger, T. G. . . Parker, John . .. itarron, Sir H. Grey, Sir G. I'echell, Captain 'Bellew, R. M. Hastie, Archibald Plumridge, Captain slake, M. J. Hatton, Captain V. Powell, Caleb ;lewitt, Reginald Hawes, B. Rom illy, John :ouverie, E. I'. Heathcoat, John Ste. art, P. 3f. iowes, John Heneage, Edward Strati, Edward 3rocklehurst, J. Horsman, E. Tancred, lI.X. •irotherton. J. Jervis, John Thornely, T. Browne, W. Layer d, Captain Warburton, 11. duller, Edward ' M`Carthy, Alexander Wawn, J T. 3 usfeild, William Maitland, Thomas Williams, W. duller, P. S. Marsland, Henry Winnington, Sir T. ..hristie, W. D. Martin, J. Wyse, Thomas Oolebrooke, Sir T. Mitcalfe, H. Yorke, H. R. Jollett, John Mitchell, T. A. !rawford, W. S. Morpeth, Viscount TELLEas. Divetta:dward Morris, David Watson, Henry Duncan, George Napier, Sir Charles Hume, Joseph MAJORITY- NOES, 80. .4..cland, T. D. Gordon, Captain Maunsell, T. E. .t.usten, Colonel Goulburn, Henry Meynell, Captain Baillie, Colonel Graham, Sir J. Neeld, Joseph Raring, W. B. Greene, Thomas Neville, Ralph ilaskerville, T. B. Grimsditch, Thomas Patten, J. W. itenbow, John Grogan, E.. Peel, slr Robert Berkeley, Grantley Hale, R. B. Peel, Jonathan Bodkin, William H. Hamilton, G. A. Polhill, Frederick itowles, Admiral Hammer, Sir J. Richards, Richard Bramston, T. W. Hayes, sir E. Rolleston, Colonel Crisco, M. Herbert, Sidney Seymour, Sir H. B. drupes, W. H. L. Hervey, Lord A. Smith, Abel .tidier, Charles Hodgson, F. stiiythe, George : :ardwell, Edward Hope, Sir IJ. Somerset, Lord G. 'arnegie, Captain Hope, G. W. Spooner, Richard :tielsea, Visc. Hudsdn, George Stuart, Henry :lerk Sir G. James, Sir W. Sutton, H. M. ;ockburn, sir G. Corry, Henry V. , )avies, D. A. S. I)ouglas, Sir C. • Jerinyn, Earl Thesirer, -ir F. Jocelyn, Viscount Trench, Sir I% Jot les, Captain Trotter, John Kelly, Sir Fitzroy Villiers, Viscount Lygon, General Walpole, S. 11. _ . Fdlowes, E. Mackenzie, T. eitzroy, Henry Mackenzie, W. F. flower, Sir Jame., M'Geacliy, F. A. Floyer, John Wtieill, Duncan TELLERS. laskell, J. M. Mahon, Viscount Raring, Henry Godson, Richard Martin, C. W. Young, John, ____ _ Wellesley, Lord C, Wood, Colonel T. RAILWAY SR , :RE MARKETS. BRISTOL, MAT 7. STocK EXCHANGE.—The sales are- Bristol and Exeter, New, 10% -Birmingham and Gloucester, 1254 —Bristol and South Wales Junction, 1 7-16-Caledonian, 7%—llitto, New, 2—Midland, New, 334—Newcastle and Berwick, 21 North Staffordshire, 44 p. LIVERPOOL, MAY 7. NEW STOCK Excnanox.—The excitement noticed on the 4th of May continued with increased vigour until yesterday, when the slight ,:heck given to the London market induced recent purchasers to .•ealise at the best prices they could obtain. The effect produced was a considerable decline on scrip shares, and more particularly on auch as had advanced most rapidly. To-day the market opened heavily; but holders-were much firmer at the close.. The sales are —Blackburn and Preston, 4% p. —Birkenhead, Daneashire. and • 'heshire Junction, •1% p.—Birmingham and Gloucester, 124 —Cli theroe Junction, ss. dis.—Derby and Crewe, 3 p.— Direct Northern, 251. Shares, 9s. dis.— Eastern Counties, York Extensions, 11. 10s. p. —Glasgow and Dumfries, % dis.—Glasgow and Greenock, Halves, 4% p.—Grand Junction, 226 ex d. and n. Ditto, New Quarters, 29% p. ex d.—Great Grimsby and Sheffield, Quarters, par--Goole and Ddncaster, 2s. 6d. p. —Huddersfield and Manchester, 10s. p.— Rucitterstield and Sheffield, ss. p.— Lancaster and Carlisle, 19 p.— Leeds and Thirsk, 3/. 15s. dis.—Liverpool and Bury, 81. 10s. p.— Ditto, New Sh-tres, 1% p. —Liverpool, Ormskirk, and Preston, 1% it. —London and York, 2s. 6d. dis. —Manchester and Birmingham, Quarters (A), 9 s.—Ditto, ditto (II), 9 p.—Blanchester, Bolton. and Bury, Fifths, 8% p.—Ditto, Extensions, 1/. 12s. 6d. p —Manchester and Leeds, Quarters, 9 - Ditto, Extensions, 3 p.—Manchester, Mid land, and Great Grimsby, 128. 6d. dis.—Manchester, Matlock, and Midand, 21s.—Midland Stock, 155—North Staffordshire, 3% p.— North Union (A). 212% —North Western, 2s. 6d. p.—Nottingham, Mansfield, and Midland, par—North Wales Mineral, 4 p.—Preston and Wyre, 31—Sheffield and Manchester, Qaarters, No. 1, 51. 10s. p. —Ditto, Quarters. No. 3, 1 p.—Shrewsbury• and Herefordshire, 1 IS. dis.—Shrew,thary, Oswestry, and Chester, 14 di,. —Shrewsbury and Birmingham, 12s. 6d. p.—South Eastern, 40% —Ditto, No. 1 (at 18 dis.), 4% p.—Ditto, No. 2 (at 16 2-3 dis.), 4 p. ex d. Ditto, No. 3, Consolidated, 2% p.—Ditto New Halves, p. ex d.—Ulverstone, Lancaster, and C,:tiSle, 17s. 6d. dis.— West afing Union, 2% p.— York and North Midland, 103 —Belfast and Ballymena, 4% dis.— Dublin and Cashel, 5 p. —Dutch Rhenish, 2% p. iuNe ti EsT E lt, Ni STOCK EXCHANOE.—The sales are—Birkenhead, Lancashire, and Cheshire, l 7 p. —Boston, Stamford, and Birmingham, 13s, 6d. dis.— Clitheroe Junction, % dis.—Derby and Crewe, 3% p. Direct Northern, 7-16 dis.—Eastern Counties, Perpetual (No. 2), 7 1-16 Ditto, York Extension, 1% p.—East Lancashire, No. 2,3% p.— Glasgow and Dumfries, IA dis.—Goole, Doncaster Sheffield, &c., c. p.—Huddersfleld and Manchester Railway and Canal,. % c. p. —Huddersfield and Sheffield Junction, 5% p.—Lancashire and North Yorkshire, % dis.—Leeds and Thirsk, 4 1 4 dis.—Liverpool, Orms kirk, and Preston, M p.—London and Manchester (Item.'s), dis.—Ditto (Rastrick's), dis.—London and York, % dis.—Man chester, Bolton, and Bury; Fifths, 8 p.—Manchester, Buxton, and Matlock, 5-16 p.—Manchester and Birmingham Continuation and Welsh Junction, 13-16 dis. -- Manchester and Southampton, 3-16 p.— Northumberland and Lancashire, 18s. dis.—North Staffordshire, p. —Nottingham and Mansfield, par—Oldham District, 7-16 p.— Pres ton and Wyre, Halves (11), lOs 6d. p.— Sheffield and Lincolnshire Junction, 4s. p.—Sheffield and Manchester; Quarters, No. 3, M p.— Shrewsbury and Birmingham, 11-IC p.-- Shropshire Union Railway and Canal, % dis.—South Midland, 1% p.—South Easteni and Dover. Halves (No. 4), Bs. p.—West Riding Union, 3 p.—Whitehaven and Furness, 2 dis. LEEDS, MAT 7. STOCK EXciIANGX. -The sales are -Eastern Counties, York Exten sion, 235. 6:1. p. - Great Grimsby and Sheffield, 3 dis. - Ditto, Quar ter Shares, % dis.-Ditto, Extensions, I.‘ dis.-Iltuldersfleld and Manchester, 2s. 6d. p. -Ditto, Extensions lis. dis.-I luddersfield and Sheffield, 4% p.--Leeds and. Bradf , rd. 27% p.-Leeds and Dews bury, 2% p.-Leeds and Thirsk, dis.-Ditto, New, 214 dis.- London and Croydon, 22 cash - Manchester and Leeds Extensions, 2% P.-Midland, New, 15 p.- Newcastle and Berwick, 10% p.- North British, Carlisle Branch. 26s p.--York and North ~h iland (East and West Riding), 10 p.-Ambergate, Nottingham, and Bos ton, 16s. dis.-Birkenhead, Chester, Mold, &c., 1% die. -Bucking hamshire, 2s. 6d. p.--Clitheroe Junction, I Is. 6d. dis. -Direct Northern, 10s. 6d. dis.--East Lincolnshire, par-Grand Union, 15s. dis.- Leeds, York, and Midland. 28s. dis.-Leeds, Wakefield, and Midland. 6s. 6d. dis.-Leicester and Birmingham, 14s. dis.-Leicester and Bedford. I is. dig.- Liverpool, Ornaskirk, and Preston, t7s. p.- London and York, 2s. 6d. dis.-London and Portsmonth, 10s. 6d. die. • - London and Manchester (Rem.), 355. 6d. dis.-Manchester, Bux ton. Matlock, and Midland, 275. p. Northumberland and Lanca shire Junction, 20s. dis. -North Staffordshire, 4% p.- North Western, 3s. 6tl. p. -South Midland, 38s. p.-Welsh Midlands, 225. dls.- West Riding Union, 41. 1 35.-Yorkshire and Glasgow Union, 235. disc HULL. 3IAT 7. • STOCH EXCHANGIC.-The sales are-North British, Carlisle, 2%-- Ambergate, Nottingham, Boston, Ere., 37 5.--Armaah, Coleraine, and Por. rush, 12s. 6d.-Direct Northern, 2-East Lincolnshire. I% - Goole. Doncaster, Sheffield, Sac., 21. 6s. 6d --Hull , and Barnsley Junction, 255. 3t1.-Leicester and Tamwbrth, 245. 6d.-Liverpool, o.mskirk. and Preston, 21. U.-London and York, 19s. 6d.-man- Chester, Buxton, and Matlock, 31. U.-Nottingham and Mansfield, 2% -North Western, IL 5s -North Staffordshire, 61.75.-South Mid land, 3t, 17s. 6d.-Shrewsbury and Birmingham, -Shrop.hire Union, 1295. 6c1.-West Riding Uni o n, 41. 14s. 6d.-Yorkshire and Glasgow Union, 275. MADRID AND VALENCIA RAILWAY.-Mr. James Stovold, Engineer, left London on Saturday last for Spain, to make a practical survey of the first section of the line, between the towns of Valencia and San Felipe. Abbeville, to The Journal des Chent!ns de Fer ann•iunce that the four companies which had united to form the company to which the Chamber of Deputies had conceded the railroad from Bordeaux to Cette, were respectively entitled to the following nuber of shares-namely, the Espeleta Company to EDINBURGH, MAT 5. one out of two, or 50 per cent. ; that of Baron Sarot and _Le tt s a s r a e a - d A i Mr. Mackenzie, to one 4 , ut of four, or 25 per cent. ; and the I b l e it r l d ig ee a n te, 5 2 1 1 * . other two companies (Casalle and Schni ider), having only 1 1 5 1 s s . -.2AAb:brrdoeaetnh, issued the number of shares allocated to them in the fusion, Bann, and Elgin, 1/. 10s. will effect no reduction in their promises. According to the STOCK EXCHANGE.- The ihad sent engi and Forfar, 271. -Ditto, Half Sha ri re e , to 128. 6d.-Ayr and Galloway, 11. 145.-Ayrshire'lsll°B*-Armagh and Portrush, establish a railroad between those two towns. Th e sameveers journal, the survey th e P e r n e n fe n c t t ry o f b t e h t e vre L e o n w p er ie S p e p i e n n and 21. %J.-Banffshire, 19s. 6 d.-Belfast ad C oii end Bridge of Weir, of the first section of the Paris and Bordeaux line, between receipts and Irish Union, 21. Is. Gd.-Caledonian, 121 nty Down, 21.- British Orleans and Tours, had been during the let week, -Caledonian Extension, 11. 12e. 6d.-Caledonian 1 . 05.-Ditto, New, 2/. 60c. • the 2d, 23 484 f - 0 - in the 3il, 41 ;in , .ic. , ,416 f , 13,198 f. 1/. lls.--Caledontan and Northern Direct, I ;na;i 4 and Dumbarton,;and in th -Carnwath 4th, 43,957 E-in all, 122,05.1 f. 30c. From the I stof e and West Linton, 1/. U.-Chelmsford and Bury, s. 15 6 5 d :-C1 May d sdale all the stage coaches proceeding to and from the Junction, 141.-Cornwall and Devon Central, 11. 125..6c1 155.-Clydesdale south of Railway, 41.-Direct Northern, 2 1.-Dublin and Enniskillen 11. France will employ that conveyance, and the administration 10g.-Dundee and Arbroath, 391.-Ditto, New, M.-Dundee 'and calculated on a daily receipt, for travellers al one, of 8 ion Forfar Junction, 11. IN.-Dundee and Perth, 171.-Ditto, Kinross or 9,000 f. The receipts of the Paris and Orlean R '` )°°l ' Extension, 21.-Eastern Counties Extension, 21. 55.-East Indian during the week ending on the 28: h. Ult. RRailroad Railway, 11s.-East of Fife, 11. I Is.-East Lothian Central and 170,407 f., exceedi g by nearly 16,000 f. those ° apt:tinted to Tyne Valley Junction, 11. 75.-Edinburgh and Bathgate, It. 18s. ponding week of 1845. Those of the Paris and the c rres -Edinburgh and Glasgow, 76/,Ditto, Half Shares, during the same interval, were 150,397 f , Runcti road, Ditto, Quarters, 181. 17s. 6d.-I)itto, ditto, New, 171. 10s.-Edinburgh, than last vear. • or 20,000 f. more Glasgow, and Dumbarton, 198. 61. - Edinburgh and 1 elth Atmosphe- MURDERS' IN ENGLANIL-Mr. J'hn O'Connell, ric, It. 45.-F,dinburgh, Leith, and Granton, 161.-Ditto, Preference, Me >p. and Northern, 61. 5s -Ditto, Newport, 15s. 6d.- ber for Kilkenny, moved on the 12th of February for a ret 1:13 ;; Ditto, Lochgelly, I/. Is. 6d.-Edinburgh and Peebles, it. 10s. 6d.- murders that have been committed in England since H un' of Edinburgh and Perth, 2/. 38.-Edinburgh, Portobello, and Mussel- January, 1842; specifying the county, &e , where such murder Ist of burgh, it. 125.-Forth and Clyde Junction, It. 155.-Glasgow and Ayr- been committed, with other particulars. It appears that the der had shire, 74/. 10s.-Ditto, New Stock, 301.-Ditto, Quarter Shares, 18/.- criminal returns received at the Horne•office, having referenuoordinary Glasgow Belfast Union, 11. 188.-i ilasgow, Dumfries, and Carlisle, 2/. minals, and not to the parties against whom offences are coin to cri -Bs.-Glasgow and Dundee Junction, 1/. 13s. 6d.-Glasgow and Gant- do not in any instance state the condition in life, and not in u mi l tted kirk, 401. IN.-Glasgow General Terminus, W.-Glasgow and stances the names of persons murdered or attempted to be murdered- alin Greenock, 171.-Ditto, New Stock, Si. 155.-Ditto, Preference, 1/. 15s. nor do these contain any record of murders or att, tnpte to murder further than in cases where accused parties have been -Glasgow Harbour Grand Junction, It. IN.-Glasgow Harbour a_ rebood There was therefore no direct means of nirnng th e PP Mineral, It. IN.-Glasgow, Kilmarnock, and Ardrossan, 21. 2s. 6d.- Particular cid. Glasgow, Strathaven, and Lesmahagow, 21. 55.-Granton Junction, formation required by the address, A summary e f the whole It added, showing the number of inquests, convictions, &e. 10s.-Great County Down, 1/. 10s.-Great North of Scotland, 11. 10s. From the is totals given, it is proved that the number of inquests was 4 40, of -GreatNorth and South Wales, 11s.-Inverness and Elgin, 1/.- which 228 were infanticides. For murder the convictions were 58 Lanark and Lothians, Si. 25.-Larne, Belfast, and Ballymena, for manslaughter, 51 ;for concealment of birth, 27; and under the ' 12s. - London and Hounslow, 155.-London and Manchester (East.), 3/. 5s -London and Manchester (Remington's), 11.-London term " various, 4. There were 20 . found insane ; self-destruction of the and York, Si. 15e . 6d.-Ditto. Half Shares, 21.-Midland and East-accused,;accused ascertained, and cases not total stated. ern Counties, it. 18s.-Morayshire, 11.-Newcastle and Berwick, 211. 65 190: making There Os. 6d .-Newry and Londonderry, 1/. U.-North British, 291.-Ditto, were of attempts murderto 10 i bodily , injury, and ii net attended with bodily injury, and cases in which reward or Halves. 101.-Ditto, Extension to Carlisle, 21. 145.-Ditto, Extension pardon was offered by Government and no results foliovred. There to Dalkeith, 61. IN.-North Wales Mineral, 141 IN.-Ditto were 29 convictions ; 16 of the accused found insane; 3r, cases 4 - - New, 71. la.-Perth and Crieff Direct, 11. 125.-Perth and. Inve r-, nese which there was no bill found, or the parties were in . 11. 1 le.-Scottish Central, 171.-Ditto, New, 61. 155.-Scottish acquitted, and one Central which the trial was postponed. Of rewards offered there were e : ntral and Caledonian Junction, 11. 6s -Scottis Grand 11. Junction , 28 in cases of murder, and 7ln cases of attempts to murder. 35 ' . -.Scottish Midland, 'U.-Scottish southern, 11.13 s 6d. -Shrews- I There bury and Hereford. 58.- Shrewsbury, 0 w ' * , were Bof the rewards paid, and in 12 cases convictions foll 5 estrY, and Chester, U. 108. which 11 were in cases of murder, and lin case of attempt to owed,of -South Midland 31 2s. 6 ' , . d.-stirling and Dunfermline. I/. 15s.- met to mur- Stirling and m four where convictions took plaw th Grand Janet( d. 21.-Strathearn Junction, 1/. Ins -Surrey der. In cases e rewards offered On. 101.--Tean and Dove Valley, is a ....,wi shim and do not appear lcrlaave been claimed. In one CaSe of arA tt itt a l I Coltzesa, six reward was elatmod, bat not paid. In one case of murder , ' the and four i ' keta ie r ci„,,,,,.. GLASGOW, Mix 6. , oases of attempt to murder pardon Wa3 OffiCiA WittlOU ' t PoNniaryre. --- ' 4 " 74. " 4110 taloa gav-Airtie i d a sagi a ti; Is I ward an the rest Of GlYerinnent. __ FFIE HELD, T 7. STOCK EXCIIANCII.— SA dull market, M and prices less buoyant, with a downward tenden,y in scrip shares. The sales are—Midland, 401. Shares 33— Grimsby and Sheffi e ld Q uarter Shares, 4s. die.— Leeds and Thirsk, 2Ty die.--London and York, 6s. 6d. dis.—Leeds, Wake field, and Midland, 3s. dis. — Manchester, Midland, and Great Grimsby, 10s. 6d. dts . — Northumberland and Lancashire Junction, ISs. 6d. dia.—Sheffield and Lincolnshire, ss. p.—Sheffield, Buxton, Leek, Potteries, and Crewe, 13s. dis.—South Yorkshire Coal Rail way, Is. dis. LAW - INTELLIGENCE, COURT OF EXCISE, May 7. (Before J. F. STEPHENSON, Esq., C. J. HZRRIES, Esq., and CHARLES Ross, Esq.) PROSECUTION OF A BILLIARD •TABLE PROPRIETOR. John Lambert West, or Rat hborie-place, Marylebone, pro prietor or billiard-rooms, was charged upon information with retailing foreign wines and spirits without license. Mr. Garnham, an officer of Excise, p r o v ed going to de fendant's on the 4th of March last, in company with Mr. Reed, another officer. They played at billiards, and after-. wards ordered a glass of sherry and water and a glass of brandy. A bOy who was present in the capacity of waiter went out for the spirits, and in a few minutes returned with the wine and water and the brandy: He gave the boy the money to fetch the liquor, and when he returned he handed him the change. Mr. Reed, who was present with the last witness, corrobo- rated his testimony. Two officers deposed, that they remained outside, and that nothing was taken in during the stay of their brothe r officers in the house. The Court gave judgment against the defendant A second information was then gone into for a similar of fence committed on the sth of March. The same officers proved the case, which was, however, of a very prolonged character, as the defendant's principal wit ness swore most positively that the officers were not present at all in the house on that day. Four officers reiterated that they were quite positive as to the day being the sth of March. The Court made some very severe animadversions on the conduct of the witness, and gave judgment against the de fendant iu the penalty of 100/. POLICE IN TELLIGENCE. WESTMINSTER. DESPERATE ATTACK UPON THE POLlCE.—Yesterday, John Davison, Robert Lawrence, John Wright, Richard Morris, and John Smith, five notorious thieves, were finally exa mined, charged with two murderous and desperate attacks on the police. The circumstances which led to the prisoners' apprehension are briefly these:— John Round, 210 B, was 6n duty in Orchard-street, Westminster, at about two o'clock on the morning of the 21st of April, when Davison, without the slightest provo cation, slipped suddenly out of a door-way and felled him to the ground with a blow on the jaw, inflicted with a lance wood bludgeon. The fellow again attempted to strike him with the same formidable weapon, but the constable, whose jaw was dislocated, receded a few paces and avoided it. Lawrence then suddenly made his appearance, armed with a similar weapon, and struck Round a severe blow on the back with it, which he was about to follow up when other constables made their appearance, and the fellows ran down Duck-lane, into a court, a place inhabited by persons of the vilest character. The officers followed them, when a despe rate attack was made upon them with bricks and other mis siles of every description from the window of a house, and the constables were much injured. On being joined by two or three other officers of the same division, they broke into the house and apprehended Lawrenc-, Wright, Morris, and Smith, who were the persons concerned in the outrage, and having locked them up returned to the same place in quest of Davison. On ascending the stairs one of the constables distinctly heard some person throw down a heavy l.iece of wood, and on ru, 'ling into the room found Davison there with four lance-wood bludgeons at his feet, similar to that with which the attack had been made upon Round. Davi son swore, as did the others at the time of their apprehen sion, that if he had a pistol or knife handy he would us . : it against the officers, and add d. as he was being conveyed to the station, "That he would like to serve them as he had done Brennan on the morning." As the sergeant and his men, in consequence of the inju ries they had received, were unable to attend on the former day the prisoners were remanded until yesterday, when Sergeant Bret.an stab d, that on Monday, the 20th of April, he went, at about three in the afternoon, to a house in New court, Duck-lane, where he apprehended a man coining counterfeit half-crowns. He had hardly secured the man, when he saw the prisoner Lawrence, who was in the Court, fling a brickbat at White, a constable, who accompanied him (the sergeant), which struck him a violent blow on the face, and knocked him down. A vast number of others assembled, and threw bricks and missiles - of every description, amongst whom, as most active in the attack, he recognised Morris and Smith. There were nearly a hundred persons assembled in the court, and a great many of them suddenly made a ruth at the room door, whilst others got in at the window. He was, with his brother officers, overpowered by numbers, and the prisoner was rescued. Witness made a leap down stairs after him, but was immediately knocked down, and became insensible. On partially recovering, he was staggering through the court, when he received a blow on the back of the head from a stone or a brick, and he fell to the ground. He remembered nothing else that occurred until he found himself in a baker's shop, bleeding profusely from a wound in the head. He had been confined to his bed some days in consequence of the injuries he sustained, and was still under medical treatment. The two officers who accompanied him, and who were also severely beaten, confirmed his account. It was obvious by their statements, that they had fought as long as they could against the thieves, and been fortunate in escaping with their lives. They pointed eut Davison as the fellow principally concerned in rescuing the coiner, who made his escape in handcuffs. The prisoners declined making any defence, and they were committed for trial. EXTRAORDINARY OUTRAGE AND SUICIDE. TILBURY FORT, THURSDAY.—For several days past the inhabitants of this quiet neighbourhood have been greatly excited by the following most extraordinary occurrence:— In the course of Wednesday, as a young female named Caroline Brooks, aged eighteen, living at Hendon-on-the Hill, was walking from that place to Mucking, she was ac costed by a man, who said to her, " I want one word with you, and no more." She replied, "that she did not wish to hold any conversation with him," and added that there was a policeman behind her. He then observed, " Say not a word—if you do, you are dead." She then screamed for as sistance, when he seized her and put a handkerchief into her mouth, and so held it. He then threw her to the ground, and contrived to keep her down, during which time he loaded a pistol with ball, and declared if she again attempted to scream, be would shoot her. A horse and cart approaching, however, at this period, he allowed her to get up; and, bolding the pistol before her face, sail', "You can go and give any information you like about me ; but if you tell that man (pointing to the driver of the cart), you are dead, for lam watching you." As the cart passed, he took a purse out of his pocket, and put it before her face. He said he should be dead in five minutes ; and then, taking her hand, remarked that he was sorry he had given her so much trouble. She was afraid to call to the driver; but, on freeing herself from her assailant, she ran to a neighbouring house, and the police were apprised of the attack. Two constables, named Cracknell and Hammond, imme diately went in pursuit of him towards West Tilbury, and when within four yards of him, Cracknell observed to his comrade, " That is the man ;" and, ere they could seize him, be raised the pistol, and shot himself through the head. He died in about a quarter of an hour, and on being searched, a pocket-book was found in his coat pocket, in which was the following writing in pencil:-_" Quos Deus suit perdere prius denzentat. Jacta est cam." Gunpowder, percussion caps, and bullets, were also found upon h►m, and a picture of John Tawell, the murderer, under the lining of his hat. He was identified to be John Bibby, formerly of the 46th Regiment, twenty. seven years of age, and living in Tan street, Horslydown. He left his house on Friday week, and was met by a sergeant of the. 46th, near this place, on Wed neSday morning. He appeared much excited and said he was in search of a sewant of that rt giment, who once had charge of him, to shoot him. Knowing that he had attempted to destroy himself on several occasions, and believing his mind to be impaired, the sergeant did not heed his threat, merely telling him that the sergeant was in Ireland. He was respectably connected, and gained his livelihood by teaching music. A coroner's jury found" That he shot him self while in an unsound state of mind." WORTHING. -- DISTRESSING OCCURRENCE. About two a.m., yesterday (Tuesday) morning a fire was discovered in the house of Capt. Tinling, 4, York-tet race. It was first perceived by one of the family, who immediately gave an alarm ; and on examination it was discovered to proceed from the bed-room in front of the house, occupied by Mr. Thomas Coxhead. Capt. Tinling's son-in-law. Capt. Tinling went into the room and found Mr. Coxhead lying in one corner in his shirt, quite stupified. He got him out of the room and then sent to the Town Hall for assistance to put out the fire. Harris, the officer, immediately proceeded to the house. When he arrived there the room was so full of smoke that no one could enter it. In a short time, however, he effected an entrance and found the bed clothes burning; and the fire had communicated to the floor, which was blazing. Water was procured, and he succeeded in extinguishing the flames, but not before the bed-clothes and curtains were entirely consumed, and the bed and mattresses much burned. In the meantime medical assistance had been sent for, and Mr. Harris had arrived and prescribed the proper remedies for Mr. Coxbead, who was put to bed, and at that time was thought not to be seriously hurt. He died. however, at twenty minutes past nine in the morning. When Harris first went into the room he found a silver candlestick, with the handle melted MT, by the side of the bed, as if it had dropped from Mr. Coxhead a hand ; and a book, the corner of which was burnt, was found amongst the bed-clothes; from which it would appear that the unforunate gentleman was reading in bed and fell asleep, and that the clothes caught fire. Indeed, Mr. Coxhead, be fore he died, stated that he was reading in bed and fell asleep. He was about thirty years of age, and has left a wife, but we could not learn that he had any children. The occurrence has cast a gloom over the town. —Brighton Guardian. LITERATURE. SKETCHES OF ENGLISH CHARACTER. By Mrs. Gore. 2 Yds. The I,.ver of painting. willing to avoid a laborious tmr of exhibitions and academie& can hardly find a more amusing. or more instructive ( ccupation than turning over the leaves of some artist's portfolio—and so, the lover of human portraiture, grown weary at the ordinary three-tomed reutine, will find means of whiling away an idle hour, pleasantly or even profitably, in the contemplation of these sketches, whose piquancy , attracts, and whose length does not tire. Like the con tents of the portfolio, they are more or less correct portraits and caricatures—vrai, vraisemblable, or al3_,urd, yet all, whether true or false, highly finished or ebaushi. bear impress of the designer's skill, and evidence hi 3 talent, if they do nothing more. In taking sketches of English character, Mrs. Gore has very properly drawn no invidious differences and distinctions. She has looked abroad upon the public, and, irrespective of per sons, has limned down (faithfully or not) any cm spicuous individual that may have passed her. In the dramatis persona of these volumes are arrayed together a goodly company, who rarely band together on terra firma. A varying group of many gradations, from the " lady patroness" to the " linkman," the " Cabinet Ministress" to the "body coachman" and "Lady's• maid." To sum up the merits of these volumes, they are brilliant and lively, vigorous, effective, and amusing. But these merits are not without drawbacks ; one of the most conspicuous of whi c h; an d one t h at great l y i mpe d es the .t ordinary vi vac i ty of style, is a manifest aiming after unsup d o i n re w nt o in rd n s a andsoni sometimes s e e?notmenindrgesinarae series, intro d w u ' eed in all following each other . o line after lin e , till th e ev id ent ewffeoarrtiabnenicoemesApnadinfgi,sainddeftehaetacolistant repetition g r o w s ra - n n o k t the in creaturethethese snisimilar t? of own wit i s obj l e n e s t t — . a l m t id researches and e n d eavours the spirit is o hi f el arewffiosret. attractiveA noth er a th n e d ch a ild ye o t f impulse,graver' ni chiefly r o f s o l t i a r pa c oos e rar gt a s sueo the yy e f volumes, and one spri ng i ng from on e H fo n re ly go vv ing rk is t i h r e m ve a r n y y f n r a e s q e u s e t n h t ia q 4a tio d t an t to illustrate some witticis m , or t o f urnish an o pfor.a bon mot, and_in elicit cases it is not only unbecoming but unpardonable, „ THE RHETORIC — AL READER. By J. Hindmetrsh. Fourth Edition. This work has a twofold merit and a twofold value. It instructs by example and by precept. It furniQhes a concise summary of the laws of elocution and an admirable compendium of the beauties of composition. In the latter capacity it is. invaluable. The selection is comprehensive and well assorted. Varying from "grave to gay. from lively to severe," it includes the chefs d'oeuvres of our greatest authors—poets and historians, orators and divines. Not the least inters; ting portion consists of extracts from great Paillateentary debates. Among others, we have an early'sjieech of the first Pitt, when full of Cie impetuous energy of youth, and the immortal discourse of the aged Ohatham, worn out by the ravages of disease and time. Settin g aside the valuable instructions in the important art of oratory, and the useful foot-notes which illustrate tha text, this volume is peculiarly excellent as a compendium of the British classics, and as such it should be in the hands of every Br.i•ish youth. THE HONEY STEW. A Fairy Tale. Tra'•slated from the French of Thera,, by Mrs. Cooke Taylor. A very elegant and attractive little volume, embel lished with coloured plates, and every page adorned with a delicate border of gold. the "Honey Stew of the Countess of Bertha " cannot fail to become a universal favourite with the young. The story, written by Alexander Dumas, and very felicitously translated by Mrs. Taylor, has very little in common with ordinary fairy tales ; which are for the most part of a character very unsuitable for children. It inculcates the du yof benevolence and fidelity in the fulfilment of a promise. "The Honey Stew " is an annual feast, given by the Countess Bertha to her humble tenants ; which feast she enjoins her descendants to administer to th.•irs. The various ways in which this promise is kept or violated, and its violation visited upon the offender, forms the chief portion of the tale. The work is " got up " in the most elaborate style. The engravings are all coloured ; the most striking perhaps is the one in which the fifty cooks appear heading fifty enormous bowls of the " honey stew." Their large round coun tenances absolutely beam with good humour ; and the chef marches first, holding the ladle, apparently quite conscious of the dignity of his onerous and honourable office. [ADVERTTSEMENT.]—The Atrapilatory, or Liquid Hair Dye, the only dye that really answers for all colours, ant does not require re-doing, but as the hair grows, as it never fades or acquires that unnatural red or purple tint common tt all other dies. Ross and Sons can, with the greatest confidence, recommend the above dye as infallible, if done at their esta bli•bment ; and ladies or gentlemen requiring it are te quested to bring a friend or servant with them to see bow it :. used, which will enable them to do it afterwards without the chance of failure. Several private apartments devoted en tirely to the above purpose, and some of their establishment, having used it, the effect produced can be at once seen. They think it necessary to add, that by a' tending strictly to the in • structions given with each bottle of dye, numerous persons have succeeded equally well without coming to them. Address Ross and Sons, 1 19 and 120, Bishopseate-street,London, the ce. lebrated Perruquiers, Perfumers, Hair-cutters, and Hair -dyers. A most important addition and improvement to Ross and Sons' Liquid Hair Dye. Ross and Sons must respectfully in. form the public that they have succeeded in producing a Po - made, that after the hair has once been thoroughly dyed by their Atrapilatory, will keep it in the most beautiful order, and p revent it again showing grey, with no more trouble than at • p' ying any other sort of grease to it. This most astouishir g invention is only to be had of them, as above. [ADVERTISEMENT.] SIGHT AND HEARING. 39, Albemarle-street, Piccadilly. Newly-invented Spectacles, Tele scopes,.Opeta Glasses, Microscopes, Sec. Patronised by Generals Sir Edward Paget, Sir Evan Lloyd, Sir John Keatings, Matson, Frederick Goodfellow, Clayton, Grosvenor Morrison, Dyott Robert son, Mackenzie, Galway, Biggs, Woolf, Murray, Walker, Fox, Price, Lindsay, and Thackray ; Major Generals Sir H. Elphinstone, Sir John Ross, Sir James Cockburn, Achinty, P. Fyers, D. Macleod, Bouverie, Sir J. Ma c d ona ll, Sir R. Barton, Sir T. Dallas, and Sir Wm. Eustance: Admirals Lord John Hay, Sir G. Cockburn, Sir George Monday, Sir George Martin, Sir James H. Whitsbed, Sir D. Gold, Rags, AleXander, Curzons, Tompkinson, Hollis, and Price; Vice-Admiral Sir F. Austen; Rear-Admirals Brown and Riboulea, Ste. Messrs. S. anti B. Solomous, Opticians, placed Spec tacle Lenses upon a new construction. Immediate] they Y h appear before have Inven a t re ed before imperfect vision, that mist and dullness the eyes is at once removed, every object b eco m ' e b s .h r c l i g ie h ar t a an „d d b d r l iu stin n c t t : so that the most aged imperfect sight becomes and is brought to its youthful, natural, and original state. Also, Achromatic Telescopes, Opera Glasses. f moat extreme deafness. kinds of Acoustic Instruments, tbr'reller° are not in any way Microscopes, Invisible and all Caution—Messrs. S. and B. Solontotuf, O pti cians , ,their i m mediate neigh- Obs-rve—Ozly to connected ilvith a pawn of the same name In nestakes be cautious , bourhood. vent a dmv, opposite the York Hotel. ba had at 31h y th e:e y n i7 in e f , at , the Dispatches were India 6-greswtregcri,:en trg-eanesofda Colonial.oilker'fionOth e • iftellee -Ayr and Galloway, Ms.-British and Irish Union, 425.-Cale donian, 13%-Ditto, New, Ms. -Caledonian Extension, 35e.-Cale donian and Dumbartonshire Extension, 335. 6d.-Caledonian Direct Northern, 31s.- Carnwath and West Linton, 225.-Cornwall and Devon Central, 325.-Direct Northern, 40s.- Dunblane, Douse, anti Callender, 305.-East Indian Railway, 295. 6d. - Edinburgh and Bath gate; 40s. -Edinburgh and Glasgow, 781.--Ditto, New, 201 Edin burgh Glasgow, and Dumbarton, 20s.- Edinburgh and Northern, 6 1 4 -Forth and Clyde Junction, 345.-Glasgow General Terminus, 9% -Glasgow and Belfast Union, 415.-Glasgow, Kiimarnock, and Ayr, 75% - Glasgow, Dumfries, and Carlisle, 475. -Glasgow and Greenock, 1 71.-Glasgow, Kilmarnock, and "Ardrossan, 415.-Glasgow, Airdrie, and Monkland Junction, 355.-Glasgow and Dundee Junction, 335. 6 d.-Glasgow Harbour Grand Junction, 24x: Great Indian Penin sular, 12s. 6 d.-Inverness and Elgin. 225.-Kilmarnock and Ayr Direct, 355. 6d.-Larne, Belfast, and Ballymena, 17s. 6d. -Lesma hagow, 425. 6d.-London, Bristol and South Wales, 19e.-Manches ter and Southampton, 555. -Midland and Eastern Counties, 205.- Perth anu Inverness, 11 s. 6d.-Scottish Central, 171.-Ditto, New, 74-Scottish Grand Junction, 248.- Scottish Central and Caledonian Junction, 28s. 6 d.-Slamannan and Bo'ness, 705.-South Midland, Si. 38.-Stirling and Dunfermline, 365. AMERICAN NEWS. THE OREGON QUESTION. THE NOTICE. We have received, vid Havre, most important advices from Washington, to the 16th ult. inclusive. They bring the re sult of the debate in the Senate upon the Oregon questi,n. WASHINGTON CITY (TJNITED STATES), MONDAY, APRIL 13, 1846. In the Senate this morning there was a conversational de bate between Mr. Allen, Mr. Crittenden, Mr. Morehead, Mr. Clayton, and others, which resulted in an understanding (in formally) that the vote on the resolu,ions respecting the twelve months' notice to terminate the joint convention rela tive to the Oregon territory should be taken on Thursday. Mr. Huntington, of Connecticut, addressed the Senate to-day at length in favour of a settlement of the Oregon controversy by a compromise on the 49th degree. A message was also received from the President, in reply to Mr. Clayton's resolution of inquiry, which stated that no furth :r correspondence on the subject of Oregon had passed between the Governments of the United States and Great Britain since the 4th of February (the arbitration correspondence). TUESDAY, APRIL 14. Mr. Westcott, of Florida, addressed the Senate in support of the title of the United States up to 54 deg. 40 min., but in opposition to notice, which, he believed, if it did not bring on a war immediately, would at the expiration of twelve months; and as the United States were not prepared for war, he should vote against the notice in all its shapes and forms. Mr. 51 4 Duffie, of South Carolina, said a few words by way of addenda to Mr. Westcott's speech, as that gentle man had attempted by appealing to " Hansard" to show that Great Britain had admitted the ti le of Spain to the territory in dispute. Mr. M'Duffie showed, by quotations from the following page of the same volume from which Mr. Westcott has been quoting, that Great Britain had al ways denied :he right of Spain to exclusive jurisdiction in Oregon. WHortEspai', APRIL 15.—Mr. Samuel Houston, of Texas, addressed the Senate to-day in a speech in favour of 'the American title to 54 degrees 40, and advocating the "naked notice" as it is called, or a simple resolution giving the no tice without preamble or qualification of any kind. He in timated in the course of his speech, however, th 4 a treats which settled the matter on the 49th degree would receive his vote. TnunsnAr, APRIL 16.—The Senate Chamber and gal leries were very much crowded this morning by persons anxious to see and hear the closing scenes of this long pro tracted debate, which has extended over nine weeks, and also to see to what results it would lead. --- ----- Mr. Crittenden, of Kentucky, led off in a very able and eloquent speech, in support of the preamble and resolutions which he had offered, authorising the President to give the notice at his discretion. Mr. Reverdy Johnson, of Maryland, moved the adoption, as a substitute, of the following preamble and resolution, which is the same as that offered by Mr. Crittenden, with the insertion of the word " amicable" before the word " set tlement" at the conclusion of the preamble, and the omission of the following proviso at the end of the resolution :—" Pro vided, however, that in order to afford ampler time and op portunity for the amicable settlement and adjustment of all their differences and disputes in respect to the said te rr i tory, said notice ought not to be given until after the close of the present session of Congress." hereas, by the convention concluded the 20th day of October, 1818, between the United States of America end the King of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ire land, for the period of ten 3 ears, and afterwards indefinitely extended and continued in force by another convention of the same parties concluded the 6th day of August, in the year of our Lord 1827, it was agreed that any country that may be claimed by either party on the north-west coast of America westward of the Stony or Rocky Mountains, now commonly called the Oregon territory, should, together with its harbours, bays, and creeks, and the navigation of all ri vers within the same, be 'free and open' to the vessels, citi zens, and subjects of the two powers, but without prejudice to any claim which either of the parties might ha ve t o an y part of the said country; and with this further provision, in the second article of the said convention of the 6th of August, 1827, that either party might abrogate and annul said con vention on giving due notice of twelve months to the other contracting party. " And whereas it has now become desirable that the re spective claims of the United States and Great Britain should be definitely settled, and that said territory may no longer than need be remain subject to the evil consequences of the divided allegiance of its American and British population, and of the confusion and conflict of national jurisdictions, dangerous to the cherished peace and good understanding of the two countries: " With a.view, therefore, that steps be taken for the abro gation of the said convention of the 6th of August, 1827, in the mode prescribed in its second article, and that the at tention of the Governments of both countries may be the -more earnestly and Imaiediately directed to renewed efforts for the amicable settlement of their differences and disputes in respect to the said territory; " t he Resolved Statesl e vedbv ther A o Senat ie Senate and in CongressnedHouseo of Representatives of h u assembled, That the President of the United States br, and he is hereby authorised, at his discretion,• to give to the British Govern ment the notice required by its said article for the abrogation of the 6th of August, 1827." Mr. Allen moved to amend this substitute by striking out the second and thi r d p aragrap h s of the preamble. and in serting,4Aisrdni .v.pa, whereas en e rne x ya t bs r a a i ek extract t hasefrr o , n n oof t wh Virginia, becomeirg i President's n ia, tht ea N nu l t e ry s oso a ef g , and spoke at some length in explan a ti on o f hi s reason for opposing the substitute. The question being taken on th e amendment proposed by Mr. Allen, it was decided i n the negative by a vote of— yeas `h2, noes 32. Congress," commencing Mr. Allen moved to lay the resolution reported by the Senate Committee on foreign affairs on the table, in order that the resolutions adopted by the House of Representatives might be taken up and and acted upon, which was agreed to. Mr. Breese, of Illinois, then 'roved to amend the substi tute by striking out the words '" at his discretion" in the. resolution. The question being taken, the motion was de cided in the negative by a vote of —yeas 22, noes 32. The question was then taken on the adoption of the sub stitute, and decided in the affirmative by a vote of—yeas 30, noes 24. Mr. Allen then spoke at some length in opposition to the re solution as thus modified, declaring his intention to vote agsinst it even if he voted alone. Mr. Crittenden replied to ➢ir. Allen, who rejoined, and Mr. Crittenden sur-rejoined in a strain of great severity towards Mr. Allen. The Committee of the whole having reported the amend ment to the Senate, it was concurred in. The question then recurred on Ordering the joint resolution to be engrossed and read a third time, which was decided in the affirmative by a vote of—yeas 40, noes t 4. So the Senate agreed by a majority of 26 out of 54 votes to adopt the resolution as amended, which will now have to be sent back to the House of Representatives for its con currence. WASIIINGTON, APRIL 16. Mr. Slidell has returned from his mission to Mexico with out having accomplished anything whatever, Paretes posi• tive!y refusing to receive him as a Minister Plenipotentiary, though, it is said, they are wiiling to receive a special com missioner to settle pending difficuliies. Simultaneous as it would appear with the orders for Mr. Slidell to return to the United States, General Taylor re ceived orders to march the troops under hi.- command from Corpus Christie to the Rio Grande, and they are now oppo site the city of %l a t amoras , h av i ng put the Mexicans into a tremendous fright, so that the Government official there set fire to the Custom-house, and ran off as fast as he could. It is said that the Semee will not act upon any measures of importance sent to it by the !louse until that body has acted definitely upon the resolutions of notice, which the Senate passed yesterday. The Tariff Bill, which has been riported by the Committee of Ways and Means, is-hardly expected to pass Congress this session, nor perhaps the next either. MESMERISM. The following letter, which appeared in the Dublin Evening Mail, will be read with interest by all, whether believers or unbelievers, who have paid any attention to the subject of Mesmerism : MESMERISM—THE 100/ NOTE. TO THE EDITOR OF THE DtIBLIN EVENING MAIL. Sir,—l have little doubt that many of your readers, (believers as well as unbelievers in mesmerism), are curious to learn what has become of the 1001 note which was deposited for six months in the bank of Messrs. 'Ball and Co.; which was (according to the terms of the adver• tisement in the public papers) "to become the property of any person, who, without opening the envelope in which it was contained, should describe every particular respecting the note—such as its number, its date, the bank at which it was payable, &c., and who should read three English words, plainly written on a slip of paper, which was contained in the same envelope with the note." The six months expired on the 31st of March, but the time was extended to the April 18, to mcet the conve nience of a lady, a professor of mesmerism, and the authoress of an ingenious book on the subject, who ar rived from London in the beginning of the month, and who expressed a wish to have some time longer to pre pare her clairy Tante for the test. Six months and seventeen days having expired, and no person having appeared at the bank to examine the envelope, it was opened on the 18th instant, in the pre sence of Messrs. Ball and Doyne, and one or two other persons connected with the establishment. The note proved to be a printed cheque (No. 1.) issued by the house of Messrs. Ball and Co., for 100/, payable to CEdipus, or bearer, and dated the Ist of October, 1845. The English words (written on a separate slip of paper) were, "To Edipus alone"—a translation from the Greek of the celebrated oracle delivered at Delphos, which committed to tEdipus the difficult and somewhat dan gerous task of solving the Sphinx's riddle, on the true solution of which depended th e sa f e ty o f his country, and his own life. The result is well bnown; Qdipus solved the riddle; the Sphinx in despair flung herself (or itself) from a rock into the sea, and Thebes was saved Perhaps I should add that although no person applied at the bank to inspect the envelope containing the note, I received a few communications from different parts of England, a! , d one from Americ (but none from Ireland). containing mesmeric revelations respecting:the number of the note ; and one letter (from Plymouth) inclosed a picture or (intended) fac simile of it. It is unnecessary to add, that these mesmerically-inspired persons vk ere mistaken in every particular. All the mesmeric guesses shall appeal. in a future communication. I remain, Sir, your obliged servant, SCRUTATOR. It appears rather extraordinary, that with the reliance placed in the powers of mesmerism, and the wonderful exhibition made in public of the miraculous effects it is capable of producing—that no person should condescend to claim the paltry hundred pounds alluded to in the foregoidg letter. GRAND DINNER AT THE MAN SION.HOUSE TO THE BISHOPS. Yesterday the Lord Mayor gave a splendid entertain ment to the dignitaries of the Church, and their ladies, in the Egyptian-hall Gf the Maw-ion-house. Upwards of 150 sat down to dinner, which was supplied by Messrs. Ring and Brymer in the- finest style. Perhaps there never were so many Bishops assembled under the hos pitable roof of the " Mayor's House" as appeared upon the occasion, which was the celebration of the anni versary of the Institution for the Prvprigation of the Gospel. Amongst the company were the Archbishop of Can by,Lfeiranudrafr tcheheßstiesrh,opGsloourc'eßst,e)rc,heEst:(r,tprL,iucoßiphol,n,Basngaio. r.„ Salis bury, Norwich, Hereford, St. David, Worcester, Chichester, Oxford, Calcutta, Jamaica and Barba, does, and their Ladies ; the Dean of Westminster ; Archdeacons Hale, Sinclair, Manners, Wilberforce. and Harrison ; Lord and Lady CHouigrgtneeryina;nB;irDtprhs Lopez ; Doctor Boyd ; Justice roarnd(l).l4Spßiriimacnk:enre:rtee; uthtthnenLgulyHtvol.nl;tlhGeisn“s.tst,ocisii. R D u ctie s , el i l ii, J v e h l e f, s V o iv f ia t n )x , Judkin, Lusignan, Austin, Onslow, Turner ; Aldermen Sir C. S. Hunter. Thompson, Farebrother, Sir C. M a r s h a ll, Si r W , Magnay, Gibbs, the Recorder, Thomas Wood, Si r . George Ca rro ll, Musgrove, W. Hunter, Challis, Hughes Hughes, Sidney, and 'soon ; the Rev. Charles and Mrs. Fart brother ; Sheriffs Chaplin and Laurie ; Miss Vidler (the Lady Mayoress's sister), Miss Bamber, Mr. William J o hnson (broth er to t h e Lord Mayor), and his lady, Mr. and Mrs. Delano, Mr. and Mrs. Brown, Mr. and Mrs. Michell, Mrs. Lewellyn Dr. Turner, Miss Lewis, Mr. Evans (the late Sheriff ), Mr. Alex ander, Mr. Laegridge, Mr. Thompson, Miss Green, Miss Moss, Mr. Gardner, Mr. Poynder, Captain Darkin. &c. &C.' After the round of the usual loyal toasts had passed. The LORD MA. - rou prop sed the health of the Archbishop of Canterbury, and prosperi ty to the Society for the Propa gation of thql,ospel. His Lordship took the opportu nity to speAk..ip terms of the highest praise of the cleri cal heßch.,3l4cleclarei that it , was impce-sible to have the pure Of the heart 'more completely repre senteirthAlf was by the venerable prelate.—(Cheers.) The Arehtifsti6p of CANTzautrar, to retitrni.ig thanks. referred to' th 4 (itiraordiriltry success of our missions to distant countries, and instanced the result or our efforts in China aitueoxaniple of the efficacy of the Christian doctrines, established under circumstances of the most remarktible description. The Bishop of CALCUTTA, in responding to the toast, in which his name had been included, spoqe of "the ne ' cessity of th-se who were to give relig . ious instruction in the vast empire with which his labours were con nected. The evening wasgfrualtlocfatin a pleasure, ot the andstpt didmannerßishopsex pressed their hi gh gratification in im w td hic f h or t t h 4 e e L&rd ur Mayor. ,h testified the respect he entQr m r ^ - Belts Life in London, sulidriv, M o 4 10. —Chester Races.—Full and exclusive parVculars. Every race timed and gro;- phicaiiy described. The opening of tne cricket se contained n. Price of Bell's Life (40 folio columns) , 6 d. s ell's Life of May 3, four folio columns of the flue days' Newmarket First Spring Meeting, with a table of thirty-three winners, the amount o f the stakes, the time of each race, the distance and weights--Chester meeting b y Pegasus—Paris races and steep l e chases—Florence races—No tes from Curragh — lndex e s to races, including Ireland—:.;Atzeple chases The ring, regattas , pedes t r ianism, and coursing, and a matchless variety of spurting and ge n e ral intelli g ence. Bell's Life is regularly published in time for all the Saturday lam= raihra.ya ThC AIO st Neffs Zllt exceeds 2 4,060, SPORTING INTELLIGENCE. CHASTER RACES.—WEDNESDAY (CONCLUDED). Tli E C o r.—Our last report carried the betti ng u p t o t we l ve o'clock Tuesday night; the room was crow d e d unt il a much la.er hour, but nothing was transacted tl:•1: to any material extent aff,cced the prices returned by us. Business, on the w -.le, was dull beyond all preeed nt ; indeed, of the many Ito ses quoted, we cannot select one as having been really in force; and it is a remarkable fact that on the eve of so great a race 9 to 1 should be currently offered on the field ! Last year it was only 7 to 4. Layers were not wanting, but the backers appeared resolved to abide the event of the " draw,";it being very naturally inferred that the best horse in the world, if drawn for the third rank --and a fourth ap peared by no means improbable—would have little chance of-finding his way to the front; in short, the same draw, combined - with the heavy state of the ground, gave the race the character of a lottery. The morning was dull and the appearances were all in the favour of rain, but this had no effect on the attendance, which was a' " bumper," showing, however, a decided falling off in rank and fashion as compared with last year. Both the stands were full, and there can be no doubt that had the en largement of the principal one been to double the extent, the corporation would have had nothing to regret. The weather, unfortunately, was just what might have been anticipates ; it could not have been more unfavourable. The first race came off at two o'clock, between which and the Cup an in terval of an hour and three-quarters was allowed for weigh ing, drawing for places, &c. As the last-mentioned ceremonial excited considerable interest, we subjoin a list of the horses composing the different ranks. First Rank.—St. Lawrance, Vol-au-Vent, Ruff, Roderick - , Polish, Lady Wildair, Pedometer, Miss Burns, Vitula, Billy Purvis, and Bro. to Sir Henry. Second Rank—The Baron, Corranna, Sweatmeat, Glossy, Queen of Tyne, Little Hampton, Roper's Daughter, Plaudit, The Magnet, Best Bower. Third Rank—lnheritress, ,Intrepid, Redstreak, Pettit Morceau, Mermaid, Finvaragh, Valerian, Punch, Flahow lagh, Connaught Ranger. In all thirty -one starters. It will be seen that three or four horses that had been looked upon as certain runners, did not come to the post ; amongst them were Clumsy, who is stated to have hit his leg, and was scratched at ten o'clock this morning; Hope, at twenty-five minutes past eleven, and Cataract. The scratching of Hope has excited a very strong feeling of indignation against Mr. H. B ennett, an d t h e part i es con nected with him in the ownership. She was received into John Scott 's stable with au express understanding that he never o so me r r ent t t m be e tt a e g r was to ha ve an absolute control over her ,• and although slightly washer a n ta o k w e p w er as fec p t a ly id, fit s , he in was in plated, backed by every gentleman connected with th t bl and N rse at engaged to r i de her. To the surp • h es a e, John Scott, M r . B ennett, in defiance of te,stt:j) e, John of u ation re ferred to, waited o n t h e clerk of the course this morning, of t and struck her out I It is i mpossible to h ave two opinionshis Ma flagrant proceedin g ; what is thought of it by John Scott is shown by his detertnination to send the mare out of the stable the moment his bill is paid. PARTICULARS OF THE CUP RACE. The jockeys, having drawn for places and mounted, paraded in front of the stand, and assembled at the post a little after four, and at the first signal got away. Pedometer was the first to take the lead, but, after going two hundred yards, was passed by Lady Wildair, who went on with the running, followed by Brother to Sir Henry, Pedometer, The Roper's Daughter, St. Lawrence, Miss Burns, Vol-au-Vent, and several others ; Corranna, Inheritress, Queen of the Tyne, and Valerian, bringing up the rear. They ran in pretty nearly this order once round, the pace excellent for such deep ground. • Polish, Vol au-Vent, Valerian, Sweetmeat, and Redstreak, IA ere then disposed of; at all events; they made no figure in the race afterwards. Finvaragh here showed with the lex3ing horses, hut dropped back, died away in a few strides, ant Miss Burns and Glossy took the third and fourth positions, Roderick, Intrepid, and Billy Purvis also lying forward, Corranna and the Queen Mill in the rear. * The race continued in this way to the last turn, and then the front rank rapidly lessened in number—Billy Purvis who broke down; Miss Burns, Intrepid, and Roderick died away, and Corranna passing them, was about fourth on entering the straight running. 13-fore she reached the distance post, Lidy Wildair tired, and Glossy went on with the miming, lirotrier to Sir Henry second, and Corranna third, nothing- else having a chance. This select lot ran together half way up the dis tance, where Corranna challenging, headed his opponents in two or three strides and won cleverly by half a length, Brother to Sir Henry beating Glossy by three parts of a length. Queen of Tyne by struggling on, obtained a fourth place, Intrepid was fifth, Pedometer sixth, and Lady Wildair seventh. Valerian, Polish, The Baron, (who was run against and nearly knocked down at the back of the course in the second round), Sweetmeat, Redstreak, and several others, were pulled up some distance from home. Run in four minutes, forty seconds. Her Majesty's Plate of 100 guineas, for three yrs old, 7st 21b; four, 9st 21b; five, lOst ; 6 yrs and aged, 10st 51b. Thrice round. Mr. G. H. Moore's Wolfdog, 4 yrs (Nat) 1 Mr. Mostyn's bc, by Phcenix, out of I'Hi ron d e ll e , 3 yrs... 2 Sir J. Gerard's Parthian, 6 yrs 0 Colonel Crat,lock's Jinglepot, 4 yrs 7t04 on Wolfdog. Won by two lengths. Parthian made strong running for nearly two miles a half, Wolf-dog, who bad followed him, then took it up, carried it on to the end. Jinglepot and Parthian did not pass the post. Run in six minutes and twenty-five seconds. Sixty guineas, given by the City Members, for three yrs old colts, 6st 10lb ; fillies, Est 71b; four yrs old colts, Bst 61b; fillies, Bst 31b. Heats, once round and a dis. Mr. Meiklam's Diomed, 3 yrs (Duncan) 4 1 1 Mr. Arrowsmith's Tractarian, 3 yrs 1 2 3 Mr. Haworth's Robin Burns, 4 yrs 5 4 dr Mr. Flintoff's Princess Royal, 4 yrs . Mr. W. Scott's Highfield, 3 yrs 2 dr First and second heats won very easy. Diomed won the third heat in a canter, but having carried 6st 61b instead of 6st 101 b, he was disqualified, and the i.eat given to Robin Burns; but as it was dusk before the matter was laid before the Earl of Chesterfield, the deciding heat was fixed for the first race on Thursday. CR ESTER, THURSDAY AFTERNOON FIVE O'CLOCK.—Paying and receiving for the Cup commenced this afternoon, in the apology for a subscription room,at the Bova! Hotel, but from the want of accommodation for the members that crowded into it, was not concluded when we left for the course. Until the London and Manchester accounts have been closed, it would be impossible to speak with any certainty of the settling, but as we de not hear of any great winners, except Lord , Waterford, and Mr. Moor, we may venture to predict that it will be easy. It was generally understood last night that Tractarian and Miss Burns were to run a deciding heat for the Member's Plate at two o'clock this afternoon, but it having been represented to the stewards that the rider of Diomed had carried the wrong weight from the first, the stewards went into the cases this mtirryng, and decided that Diomed was disqualified for all the heats, and that Tractarian having won the first, and run second for the next hear, was the winner of the plate. The decision made the third heat a nullity, and of course all bets made after the second heat are void. The first event, a race prolific of very interesting sport, was, The Dee Stand Cup Stakes of 10 sovs. each, and 50 added. Once round and a distance. (11 Subs.) Mr. Aloure's Votfdog, 4 yrs, Bst 21b Mr. Banks's The Duke of Richmond, 3 yrs, Gst 2 Mr. F. Onglev's The Warrior, 3 yrs, 6st 4 bo 1 on Wafting. who made all the rim/ling and won by a length. Run in 2 minutes and 16 seconds. The Marquis of Westminster's Plate of 100 sc.vs. added to a Handicap of 20 sovs each, Is ft. Grosvenor Course. (17 Subs;, 5 of whom d.-dared.) . _ Mr. Pedley's Ali,s Burns, '7 yrs, 6st 71b (A. Day) 1 Mr. Copeland's Arthur, 4 yrs, 5.t 10113 ............ Col. Ativon's Rowland Hill, 4 yrs, Est 41b...., The following also started but were riot placed :—Mr. Meiklam's Philip, 6 yrs, B , t—Mr. A. W. Hill's The Iroutuaster, 4 yrs, 7st 101b—Mr. Meeson's Fair Caroline, 6 yrs, 7st 61b—fir. Irwin's The Pride of Kildare, 4 yrs, 7st 31b—Sir It. W. Bulkele y 's Chertsey, 4 yrs, 7st 31b—Sir C. Monck's Flattery, 4 yrs, Est 91b—Lord G. Bentinek's Best Bower, 5 yrs, Est 31b. 13etting-5 to 2 agst Miss Burns, 4 to 1 agst Philip, 5 to 1 agst Flattery, 6 to 1 agst Fair Charlotte, 7 to 1 aizst Chet tsey, Bto I agst any other. Fair Charlotte made the running at a steady pace, followed by Mi s s Burns and R ow l an d H i ll, Arthur and Best Bower lying off; the race went on in this way to the Ship-yard Turn, where lronmaster and Chertsey fell, and Arthur, the rider of the former, casyery h s e e y rio t u o s o ll injured. The leading horses ran in the positionst from Fair Charlotte, followed by running away then challenged her, Hill and Arthur to the distance; Arthur mare winning in the last at starting to the lower turn, where Miss Burns Rowland aiiola beautiful race ensued. the .1 a ood third, and Best by The • MI. Derby weights. Grosvenor Course. seeond to receive Th o Bower Deea b s al t ,i f k h o e u o s e r td of f . R 2 o ß s w u:n: n i , n a . 2 each, minutes . _ with and_ 100 3 2 se added.co nd s . Mr. W. D. Cook's Fancy Buy (Templemaa) j 2 M W r. . W. F. R. R R. Price'sa n-i s a 3'' s 1a t a I sfo o ri n n .s ee s ss ho A r started:—Mr. s li t e o e n, e L L o o ( lT ' m r rd t h i e G E M . g f,r, B i . i nl n e ,v) n:t o 9 i ir n n ' t s c gh k p in ' a s: i Tobac conist, Mr. Mostyn's c by Hetman Platoff out of Thomasina, Mr. Meiklam's Alliance, Mr. W. Scott's Driffield, Mr. Osbaldeston's King Charles, Mr. E. W. Nunn's colt by Touchstone out of Sister to Joanna, Mr. E. Peel's Spithead. Betting-7 to 4 agst Malcolm, 4to 1 agst Fancy Boy, 7 to 2 apt Spithead, and 9 to 1 agst Princess Alice. Alliance made the running, followed by Sharston, all the others lying up in a ruck, Princess Alice in the rear. In this way they ran to the Bridge Turn, when Alliance declined and Sharston went ou with the running, followed by Spit head, Fancy Boy, and Ma'colm ; Princess Alice fifth. At the distance Fancy Boy, Princess Alice, and ado singled them selves out, and a tine race took place, Fancy Boy winning b by y:h t a h l r t e a e half second s . wo and a p n y e t k s . of R a tl i n e n i n g t t h w , o a n m d i D n u o t h e ) sb and n a t d i n t g h i P rt r ) i , n . t c es s Alice NEWCASTLE-ON-TYNE SPRING MEETING. MosmAv. The Welter Stakes, of 3 sous. each, and 15 added, 12at each, Gent. riders, 2 mile.,were won by Mr. Jobling's Royal Charlie, aged (Mr. Clarke). beating Mr. Caley's Beauclerk, aged, Mr. Brown's Amy B bsart, Mr. Carew's Charlie, and Mr. Smithson's Queen of Hearts. The Lark Stakes of 2 sous. each, were won in four well contested heats, by Mr. Lamb's Sunbeam, aged (Livesey), beating Amy Robsart, Royal Charlie, and eight others. Epsost RAcEs.—The " ring," during the approaching meeting will assemble in the Grand Stand enclosure, and the horses, it is official'y announced, will he saddled in front. The decorations of the Grand Stand are finished, the whole 'building has been thoroughly cleansed, and the offices for weighing, and other matters of business connected with the races, ma de: as complete as possible. The laws against de faulters, &e., will be rigidly enforced. TATTERSALL'," —Y ESTE ADM'. Only seven members present, tud not it bet laid. the eeicLuomnte and s exs j lp. li eln s 6d t si.tur b 4d e e. e oaa n t Relief of Seamen in the Merchant Service, to the 31st of December last. 'I he theme printed in a Ps .i rl f s Or T i n S w E n li ta T p E a . p — er A o r f l df i ltor , hu s 'ret 9 ml ; t( i t( ; ehr a :P s 3; l ler : t t r'l e i c 'r ei ja t 'sdi ne o 2in p i e t nta' amounted Bl l s . . " 1 1a ' 0 1 " ! l e :s ; t eg o t ° a l' l ll l . 7 l :e 7r e x si 2 s i i ) l e 6 :i . dg. , acili3ri cll benefactionsdw. a was 2i, andO 4 temporaryl /. MERC TIAN 1139. 2tl , of winch pensions relief to widows . %) d the management nbadg.e. In Se e a n Te 2 n ,3 's 2 l 3 l , !sp l6 it s al . i S od o: London the receipts were 14,308/. 17s. ld., and the 5,993/. 133. 4d. By the general accounts for the year the sum received, ineiu•ling the bal.ince in hand, was 23,191/. 19s. bd., e lc x : lei So ciete. dspi7tootir port e Oos l f. ' amt toe Eum paid '4,6741. 14s. 10d., leaving a balance in hand of 5171. 4s. 7d. An account is rendered of the Income and expenditure at the various ou ports of the United Kingdom. f A DVERTISEMENTI—CURES of FEARFUL ULCErtortel SORES IN 'MALTA, BY HOLLOWAY'S PILLS AND °INTIK:EXT.—KM Duncan, who-e husband is employed 1n her Majesty's dockyard at Malta, suffered for more than two years from ulcerous sores in her feet. She fo rmer l y res id e d a t C or fu, and was treated by the best prael fro n whom, hoivev LiOnerS there. er, she derived no benefit . 1 Rollo whatever, w en, after using five or six boxes and pots t f ruth o ritY I tb statement is so notorloas in Malta that the editor of the Pills and Ointment, a perfect cure was effected. The ~ Malta • Mail" newspaper was induced to insert the particulars of the Case in his paper of October 31 st , 1845 . — 501 d by all drtalciittel arid at Prof for Molltway'a cilabliihmanti 244, Strand, LGIMOIL L