The Sun. — London, England, 1846-09-24 00:00:00

Sifl -COURT.-(THIS DAY). (Before Mr. Commissioner BULLOCK.) DENNETT V. SIMMONS. This was an acLion brought to recover the sum of 10/. 5 5.. the balance of an account for work done. The plaintiff is a carpenter, and the defendant was described as a, " railway computist," in Westminiter. The def en d an t pl ea d e d that he was never indebted beyond 61, which he had paid. The facts of the case were these:—The defendant took a house in Sr. Ann's-terrace, Brixton, and employed a Person named Swaine to do certain repairs under a co ntract for 401., and the latter employed the plaintiff to ao the carpenter's work. The defendant, however, gave extensive additional orders, but contended, that except as respected work to the amount of 61.., he had merely given the orders to him as Swaine's foreman. Mr. IlucrrEs, for the defendant, said he would call Swaine to prove that defendant had paid him, and that he had paid plaintiff. Swaine, on being called, however, said that none of the - Work charged for in plaintiff's bill was in his (Swaine' s ) C ontract. He had paid him for the work done under the contract. A long argument ensued as to the admissibility of the contract betw, en Swaine and defendant, as it was not 8411 40, and also that it could not be received as against the plaintiff. The Learned JUDGE did not consider a stamp neces sary, and admitted the document. The defendant's son was then called, and proved that w lign plaintiff demanded the 161. defendant objected, and Plaintiff then made out another bill for 61. only, which he was paid. He could not say what a " railway corn- Mist" was, but they contracted to do the railway busi ness in Parliament. The Learned JUDGE was proceeding to sum up, but the jury said they were satisfied, and gave a verdict for the plaintiff for the full amount claimed. CRIMINAL COURT.-(THIS DAY.) OLD COURT. (Before Mr. Baron PARKE.) THE IRISH RIOT AT THE CAMDEN-TOWN STATION.— I: 1 1e seventeen Irish labourers who were indicted for a hot and aggravated assault on the persons of William Xllis and George Marshall, at the Camden-town station, Were this morning placed at the bar, and pleaded Guilty to the cffences with which they were charged. The :lock presented a curious appearance from the numbers `.penned" in the confined space; the unmistakable Mile- Ilan features, and the eager desire evinced by those in the back ground to ascertain what was going on in front. The galleries were crowded by anxious friends, Who had evidently donned their holiday dresses for the occasion. His LORDSHIP asked whether Mr. Clarkson would be satisfied if the less culpable among the prisoners were bound over in their own recognizarces to keep the peace for a certain period? Mr. CLARKSON was afraid that he could not accede to this course. His LORDSHIP then said that he must defer passing sentence until he should have read the depositions. Witnesses to character were then heard, and the pri soners were remanded until a future day. CASE OF CAPTAIN WILLIAM RICHARDSON. The grand jury ca me into Court at half-past ten o'clock, and, after presenting seve ral bills, found " No bill against Captain William Richardson for felony." The announcement did not take any person by surprise, as it had been pretty generally known in the course of the morning that such a decision would be come to. Mr. BODKIN, on the part of the Ludlow, Worcester, and Tenbury Company, rose and said—My Lord, I have to make an application to your Lordship on the Part of the directors of the company of which the pri soner was chairman. lam aware that according to the usage of the Court a prisoner against whom no bill is found is usually discharged forthwith, but the directors, have a painful duty to perform, and I am instructed to apply to your Lordship that the prisoner may be de tained until the grand jury is discharged, in order to give the directors an opportunity of consulting the shareholders as to the future course to be adopted Under the circumstances. Mr. CLARKSON—I am certain that in the long ex. Perience of your Lordship at the bar, and on the bench You have never known an instance in which a party has b een detained until the persons composing a joint-stock company shall have determined what to do with him. In this case my Learned Friend cannot complain that he has been taken by surprise; he was forewarned, he had the whole of the' depositions in his possession, and if he Was net prepared to proceed with the indictment for felony, he ought now to be in a position to determine What future course he will adopt. If my Learned Friend had indeed confined his application to the deten tion of the prisoner until the grand jury should have been discharged, I could not have opposed him, but to detain a prisoner until the company shall have made up their minds as to what charges they shall prefer is alto gether so novel a proceeding, that I confess I cannot see how the Court can entertain it. I must, therefore, oppose the application, and I hope your Lordship will not grant it. Mr. Baron PLATT—Do I understand the application to be, whether the prisoner shall be detained until the c ompany shall be consulted, or only until the grand jury shall be discharged ? Mr. BODKIN—The latter, certainly. Mr. Baron PLATT—I do not see, that because one bill is t hrown out, the prisoner should be forthwith set at feat t i y, because such a course might, in many cases , de him detained ends of justice; and as the application is to h a ve until the grand jury shall have been dis • a rged, I ca nnot see why it sho uld not be g ranted. ,_ CLARKSON—MY Lord, I feel that if my Learned eriend had applied to have the prisoner detained in Custody only until the grand jury should be discharged, that I would be unable to resist it; but to detain him until the company should be consulted Mr. Baron PLATT—Iie is detained until the grand jury shall have finished their duties; and if, in the meantime, the parties interested consult as to what steps should be pursued, it is but reasonable they should have the opportunity of doing so. I cannot shut my eyes to th e fact that the prisoner has moved in a position which gives him advantages unattainable by a poorer man, and feel it my duty, therefore, to accede to the application. POST-OFFICE ROBBERY.—Thomas James, late a letter goner in the Post-office, was indicted, that he on the 2 d of September stole a letter containing half a so vereign. The Attorney-General, Mr. Clarkson, Mr. Bodkin, and Mr. Clark were for the prosecution; Mr. Ballantine attended for the prisoner. The evidence of 'several witnesses proved that a letter vas written by James Ball, a clerk in the East India , - 0 0elts, to his brother in the country. The letter en - Closed half a sovereign, which for safety was placed in a Card s o cut as to retain it in a certain position. The letter was put in a district post-office at half-past five on the ''d of September, and reached the Post-office about • It was then handed over to the table at which the Prisoner was engaged. The prisoner was observed to enter the water-closet at seven o'clock, by a constable Who was so placed that he could see all that happened without being himself seen. The prisoner Was then observed to place his hand in front of his Clothes, and the constable heard a crumpling of paper. Ile afterwards was observed chewing some paper, and the constable descended and took him into custody. The Prisoner threw something down the closet, but a piece of Card was forced from his right hand. On further search, a purse containing two sovereigns was found in the right-hand trousers pocket,, and a loose half-sovereign Was found in one of the waistcoat pockets, while a bag, with two shillings, a fourpenny piece, and some coppers, Were found in the other. A piece of card found in the closet corresponded with the remaining piece which was left in the first witness's house ; and several fragments of the letter written by the same person were fuund in the closet also. Mr. BALLANTYNE having addressed the jury, Mr. Justice MAULE summed up ; and The jury returned a verdict of Guilty.—Sentenced to ten years' transportation. NEIV COURT. (Before the REconnun.) Henry Allen, a respectable looking man, who was de scribed as the steward of a steam-vessel, was convicted of stealing five shirts, and other articles, the property of Jessie Jane Munns, a laundress, and sentenced to nine months' imprisonment, and hard labour. William Jacobs, a labourer, was indicted with stealing 10 bushels of oats, value 31., the property of Sills, Jones, and Cu., corn-factors, of Bankside. Two ether persons, named King and Palmer, were indicted with aiding and assisting Jacobs to commit the robbery; and William Simpson, a carman, was indicted with feloniously receiv ing the stolen property, well knowing it to hare been stolen. The jury found all the prisoners Guilty. The RECORDER sentenced Simpson to eighteen months' imprisonment and hard labour, and the other three pri soners to six months and hard labour. GUILD HALL.—(T HIS DAY.) A tall elderly Frenchman, of gentlemanly exterior, who gave his name as De I?uchtt, was charged before Mr. Alderman Humphery with stealing a handsome um brella from the subscription-room of the Jamaica Coffee house, St. Michael's-at -hill. It appeared that for some time suspicion attached to the prisoner, who occa sionally pa t r onised the house, and y esterday t h ey Watch ed him, and detected him walking off with the umbrella in question from the stand, in about half a minute after another visitor had deposited it there. He was followed into the street and given into the custony of a policeman. It was also found that a stick which he placed in the stand, in lieu of the stolen umbrella, and which he carried when coming into the house, as if in preparation for an exchange, had, on a former occasion, been stolen from the same room. He was committed for trial at the present sessions of the Central Criminal Court, the police at the same time informing the Alderman that it was believed similar charges could be substantiated. CLERKENWELL.—(THIS DAY.) A young man, about twenty years of age, who stated his name to be John Thompson, but who the police knew to have several aliases, was charged with the following daring and impudent robbery: — Mr. Hunt stated that he resided next to the shop of Mr. John Lockyer, in Suffolk-street, St. James's-walk, Clerkenwell, and about seven o'clock yesterday evening, as be was standing at his own door, he observed the prt zoner, accompanied by another man, standing close to Lockyer's window, when the prisoner's companion with as little noise as possible broke one of the panes of leas', while the prisoner held his hands under it to pre vent the noise it would cause by falling to the ground. They then took two large ingots of metal from the :shelves inside the window, with which they walked away an different directions; and as the prisoner passed wit mess's shop the latter made an attempt to seize him, Ilvh.n ,ser v_ but was eventually st•op- THE SUN, LONDON, THURSDAY torEV; T t,..NING, ,EPTEMBIiIIt 24, lfl4B. ped by a constable, who found the ingot of metal pro duced lying near the door of the shop. Mr. Lockyer having identified the metal, the prisoner, who declined making any defence at present, was fully committed for trial. MARLBRO'-STREET.-(THIS DAY.) Dominic Sweenie, a shoemaker, lodging at 3G, Thomas - - street, Grosvenor-square, was charged by his wife with assault and brutal treatment. The complainant said her husband came home last night about ten o'clock, and dragged her down the first floor stairs, struck her several blows about the head, cut open her cheek below the eye, and made her mouth and nose bleed. They live on the ground floor, but when he knocked at the door she ran up stairs in terror, hoping to escape him, as he had often threatened to take her life, and bad abused her frequently. The landlord of the house corroborated the evidence of the woman. Police-constable C 56 said he was called in and saw the blood, but thinking it would soon be made up again he went out. However, screams of murder were heard before he had left the locality, and he broke into the kitchen, where he saw the woman down on the floor, the man above her with his knees on her chest, and his hands grasping her throat, in the act of strangling her. The defendant admitted he struck her. Mr. LONG said he was sorry that he could not inflict a punishment more adequate to the offence, but he would pronounce the severest sentence which was allowed him, and that was, that the prisoner should pay a fine of Si., or go to the House of correction for two months. Benjamin Squires was charged with stealing a decanter of sherry wine from Mr. Hodgon's bar, at the corner of Charles- street, Oxford-street. Charles Bonham said, he was standing at the bar between eleven and twelve o'clock last night, and the prisoner entered, deliberately bent over the bar, re moved the decanter, and walked off with it. As he was going out, he said to him, •` stop, where are you going with that?" and the prisoner immediately ran. Police constable, F 124, took the prisoner with the decanter under his coat. He was committed for trial. UNITED STATES AND MEXICO. SANTA ANNA AT VEDA CRUZ.-IMPRISON MENT OF PAREDES.-SEIZURE OF THE C ALIFORNIAS. We have just received by express New York papers of the Ist instant, brought by the London line of packet ship St. James, Captain Miser, which has arrived off Deal ; they contain most important intelligence, which we subjoin : WASHINGTON, AUG. 31. The steamer Maim arrived at New Orleans on the 23d, with dates from Point Isabel to the 17th, and from Camargo to the 13th. She brought 100 volunteers on the sink list. General W. 0. Butler was confined to his tent at Point Isabel, by sickness. The taking of China sixty miles above Camargo, by M‘Culloch and his seventy-five Rangers, on the sth of August, is confirmed. Seguin, with 100 mounted Mexicans, took flight from the town, which contains 700 inhabitants. There were 300 regulars at Camargo on the 9th, ready to start for Monterey. The volunteers were pouring in. General Taylor arrived on the 9th with his staff. Baylie Peyton also arrived on the 9th. A grand review of the troops took place, and it is said Taylor expressed himself in terms of admiration of their discipline. Duncan's battery and M'Culloch, with a portion of his men, left Camargo on the 12th, in the direction of Monterey. The steamer Arab arrived off Vera Cruz on the 15th August with Santa Anna on board. He immediately placed himself at the head of the movement in that de partment. The departments of Pueba and Mexico have declared for Santa Anna, and Paredes has been taken prisoner. The revolt at the capital was headed by Ge neral Salas. Before Santa Anna left Havannah, he took letters from General Campbell to Com. Connor, and avowed himself, in reply to some inquiries as to his in tentions, as follows :—" If the people of my country are for war, then I am with them, but I would prefer peace." News had been received in Mexico that Monterey and California had been taken by one of the vessels of the United States' squadron. Another account says that all California has yielded to the Americans! A letter dated at Vera Cruz Aug. 16, says that ad vices have been received by express of the formal an nexation of California to the United States—that is, the United States forces have taken possession of Califor nia. This news came to the British Consulate at Vera Cruz. Dispatches were to be sent to England and to New Orleans by special expresses.—Herald. THE RIVER PLATE. FALMOUTH, SEPT. 22.—The Russian brig Bustruys, Captain Schildwach, arrived off the port this afternoon, after a remarkably quick passage, from the River Plate, having quitted Monte Video so recently as the 28th of July. The master could furnish no further information than that matters still continued in an unsettled state, and there was little prospect entertained of a speedy ad ju%tment of differences between the opposing factions, who remained in the field without any decisive move ment on either side. _ _ Mr. Hood, the British Commissioner, had gone up to Buenos Ayres three weeks before the sailing of the Bus truys, and had not returned when she left, nor had any result of his mission to Roses transpired. MONTE VIDEO, JULY 27.—The Hood mission to Buenos Ayres is still a mystery ; every arrival from the other side of the river has been watched with feverish anxiety by those who feel their national honour, as well as their interests, not less than the future welfare of this country, to depend on its scope and issue. Up to the present moment, however, there is nothing known, save conflicting reports and opinions, which have, one after another, melted away as " baseless fabrics," leaving only doubt and misgiving. There is one fact from which to draw a deduction. After the lapse of 20 days, from his landing on the 3d till the departure of the Dolphin on the 23d, Mr. Hood was still remaining at Buenos Ayres ; it is therefore natural to suppose that something is doing —a conclusion supported by a contemporaneous im • provement in the Buenos Ayres paper currency. Gold ounces fell to 295 paper ; but the money market is by far too sensitive a plant to be always infallible. In this city public opinion has, within the last few days, gradually returned to the belief that there will be no peace with Rosas—an opinion forced on men's minds by the lessons of the past, and which has gained ground in spite of the blandishments of Messrs. Hood and Arena, and of the conciliatory decree of the 15th inst., wherein leave is given to the merchantmen up the Parana, and to our war-steamers, to pass the batteries unmolested—after San Lorenzo, a very cheap mag nanimity ! On the 18th of July, the grand anniversary of this country, the Government sent a flag of truce out to Oribe's camp, to propose a change of prisoners. Alas ! the appeal in behalf of poor humanity was deficient in respect to the Lieutenant of Rosas, and could not be ad mitted. " The legal President was in that camp, and no communication could be received which was not so ad dressed." The enemy has evacuated the department of Maldo nado, and marched towards the lines. Rivera is still at Las Vacas. whether information is circulated or not. 'Sir Andreas St oc kenctrom has, it is aiserted, been wit.pout a scrip of intelligence fromtogethre. , sown head-quarters for two And even three ti weeks detachment of 100 sailors from the C a p e Contingent marched this day from Graham's Town, un der the command of Lieuts. Walsh and Williams, .for Fort Dacres. SATURDAT.—Received the following information from Fort Beaufort : On Tuesday last the Kafirs succeeded in capturing a herd of cattle, belonging to the Fingoes at this place. These cattle were taken while grazing, and two of the Fingoes, who were out with them, are supposed to be killed. As soon as the report was brought into Beau fort, a number of Fingoes, and about 20 of our Beaufort mounted men, started off in pursuit, but the Kafirs having the start by about an hour and a half, and night coming on, the pursuit was discontinued. The next day it was resumed, and one of the herdsmen was found, not merely murdered, but his body dreadfully mutilated. The Kafirs, who are said to have been about 60 in number, got clear off with the booty. Field-Captain Loxton and his Hottentot Company returned here yes terday from escort duty from Retief's Post with 300 sheep, which they recaptured from some Kafirs on their route. The Kafirs, however, succeeded in making good their retreat into the bush. Information has also been received from head quarters of Mr. John O'Reilly having arrived last evening from the camp at the Fish River mouth. By this opportunity we learn that Colonel Somerset had been scouring Stock's country, or properly his location in the ceded territory, but without meeting with any resistance from the enemy. They appear everywhere on his approach to have retired into the cover of the kloofs and thickets, and except falling in with a few stragglers, three of whom, it is said, were killed, there appears to have been nothing done which it is material to record. At present the warfare, on the part of the Kafirs, has dwindled to a few petty desultory attacks ; but it is not to be inferred from this that the enemy is subdued, still less that the colonists will be justified in any relaxation of vigilance. These desultory attacks, however paltry in themselves, are in fact of very serious moment, and should be met with the greatest perseverance and energy. (From the Eastern Province Herald, July 4.) Intelligence has been received that the cattle belong ing to Enon had been taken away by some Kafirs, and again recaptured at Korhaan's Drift, near the farm of Stephanus Du Free, about two hours' ride to the left of Enon. Sixteen Burghers went in pursuit, and in a sharp encounter which took place between them and the Kafirs, at the Drift, 20 of the enemy were killed, and 36 head of cattle retaken. The casualties on our side were three Hottentots slightly wounded, and one Burgher named Christian Hartman, severely wounded in the arm. AFFAIRS OF SPAIN. (From the Times.) MADRID, SEPT. 17.—The following is the report of the commission named by the Deputies to draw up the reply to her Majesty's message : " Senora,—The Congress of Deputies have heard, with the most profound respect the communication your Majesty has been pleased to address to them, through the medium of your Ministers, informing them that your Majesty has determined to contract matrimony with your august cousin the Infante Don Francisco Assis de Bourbon ; they congratulate your Majesty, because, while regarding your own happiness, you have given the strongest testimony that you know how to reconcile it with the good and prosperity of the nation which Divine Providence has recommended to your care. " The Congress are no less pleased at learning that your Majesty has deigned to give your consent to the marriage of her Royal Highness Dona Luisa Fernanda de Bourbon, your august sister, and the present imme diate successor to the Crown, with his Royal Highness Prince Antoine Marie Philippe Louis of Orleans, Duke de Montpensier. " The Congress, who, on all occasions, have given the most unequivocal proofs of their love for the Throne, and of their respect and adhesion to representative in stitutions, cannot do less than congratulate your Majesty on the judicious combination of marriages which satisfy the desires of the Spanish people, who are deeply in terested in the domestic felicity of your Majesty and of your august sister, and in the consolidation of the con stitutional monarchy. "The Congress unite in this expression of the con soling hope, cherished in the magnanimous heart of your Majesty, and trust that, with the assistance of the Almighty, the decided will of your Majesty, the efforts of the Government, and the co-operation of the Cortes, the new era of peace and happiness, announced by your Majesty, will be as enduring as the submission to the laws will be profound; that the oblivion of past disorders will be more complete, and the union of all Spaniards will be more sincere. " JUAN BRAVO MURILLO, President. "LUIS JOSE SARTORIUS. " ALEJANDRO OLIVAN. " FERNANDO ALVAREZ. " JOSE DE POSADA HERRERA. " EMANUEL GALLARDO. " ANTONIO DE BENAVIDES, Secretary. " Palace of the Congress. Sept. 16." It would appear that the Opposition Deputies are as suming a more courageous tone than they have had for the last two or three days. A meeting was held last night to decide on what was to be done. It is said that 34—some say 44—have determined on voting against the Government on the question of the Infanta's marriage. It is rumoured that the Infante Don Enrique has written to his father and brother a strong and severe letter, reproaching them, and in particular the latter, with not having kept faith with him in the circumstance of the marriage. Some sensation has been caused here by the fact of an advertisement appearing yesterday in the Mario de Avisos, announcing the sale of the furniture of the British Minister. It is taken as an indication of his departure from Madrid. I believe, however, that at present at least there is no foundation for any such supposition. The Gazette states that the Pope has granted the necessary dispensations for the marriages of the Queen and her sister. It is expected here in the course of the present week, so that little time has been lost. The Government has received, by telegraph, the news of the disappearance from Paris of the Carlist General Cabrera. The Liberals of Seville have addressed a petition to the Queen against the marriage of the Infanta with the Duke de Montpensier. El Eco del Comercio was again seized by the police this morning. There can be little doubt of the inten tions of the Government to completely annihilate the Lo press. F P.M.—The two Chambers met at the usual the Congress is still sitting, and will pro b a bly sit for some ti me . In the Congress, the President, Castro y Orozco, an nounced that he had a most important document put into his hands for presentation to the House; nothing less uRC one, c ' hour; x than a protest on the part of the Infante Don Enrique against the marriage of the Infanta Luisa Fernanda with the Duke de Montpensier. It was dated the 7th of Sep tember, at Ghent. Senor Isturitz, President of the Council, stood up, and opposed the reading of the pro test, on the ground that he refused to recognise the right of any subject, how high soever his rank, to oppose him self to the will of the Queen. The President of the Congress declared that the document should follow the usual course of papers presented to the House. It was accordingly read. The address in reply to the message of the Queen was then . read, and put from the chair to be discussed. Pre viously, Senor Pacheco stood up, and asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs as to the fact of any communications having passed between him and a foreign Minister at this Court on the subject of the Infanta's mar riage? Senor Isturitz replied, that between him and Mr. Bulwer, the British Minister, no correspondence had taken Place on the subject ; he had received three notes from Mr. Bulwer, the tenor of which was in opposition to the marriage; but he thought it right to say that these notes were written on Mr. Bulwer's own respon sibility, and without instructions from his Government. In his last note, Mr. Bulwer stated that he should con sider it his duty to abstain from all further official com munication with him until he had received further instructions from his Government. The subject then dropped. The discussion then commenced on the address to the Queen. Senor Pastor Diaz stood up to oppose it. His speech was long, and some passages of it were ap plauded in the public galleries, in spite of the efforts of the President of the Chamber; one passage particularly, where he said "that all parties could forget each other's grievances, but there was one party that could never be forgiven or forgotten in Spain, and that was the Afran cesado faction." This allusion produced much movement in the House. The address was supported by Donozo Cortes, who continued speaking up to the hour stated in the latter part of this letter. His speech promises to last for some time, as he is an orator of the most tedious kind. His speeches are generally historical essays of immense length. He began with the history of the early ages, and had arrived at the sixteenth century when four o'clock struck. The division, in all probability, will not take place to-night, as there are three or four yet to speak on the same subject. In the Senate, the President also announced the fact of having received the protest. Armero, Minister of Marine, opposed its being read, for the same reason given by Isturitz in the Congress. Several members, amongst them Serrano and the Marquis of Viluma, demanded that it should be read. The President then put it to the House, and it was de cided in the negative. The protest, consequently, was not read. Letters from Paris received here to-day state that the journey of the French Princes to Madrid has been suspended. Other accounts mention that the representatives of the Austrian and English Governments on the marriage question have produced their effect on Louis Philippe. The Opposition Members are much animated in conse quence of the reports. The Three per Cents. have improved per cent., they were done at 36* ; Four per Cents., 22 ; Five per Cents., 22i ; Debt without interest, 6i. Coupons, 204. Exchange on London, 36k. MARRIAGE IN HIGH LIFE.--On Tuesday last, the 22d instant, the Hon. Edward Plunkett, son of the Right Lion. Lord Dunsany, was married, by special license, to the Hon. Miss Ann Constance Dutton, daughter of the Right Hon. Lord Sherborne, and sister to the Countess of Ducie. Shortly after the ceremony the happy pair left Sherborne Hall for Dunsany Castle, to pass the honeymoon. HORSE STEALING.—A daring case of horse-steal ing occurred at Catcherrt's Corner, near Wolver hampton, on Wednesday night or Thursday morning, when the stable of Mr. Tupper was broken into, and a dark brown horse, about twelve hands high, stolen. The poor animal has since been found dead, its throat being cut, on the canal bank, near the Cannoek-road Bridge.— Wolverhampton Chronicle. NAVAL INTELLIGENCE. CIIATEA3I, SEPT. 23.—The Southampton, guns, was put out of dock this day, and placed in ordinary. The Warspite, a razeed, 74 guns, built in this dock yard and launceed in the year 1807. was taken into dock this day, to he fitted fir ?ocamission. Captain Sir Thomas Bourchier, K.C.8., the newly-ap pointed Captain Superintendent, has commenced his duty at this yard. He arrived here on Monday afternoon last, and was received by Captain William Henry Sherriff, and conducted over the various offices; after which they proceeded on board the guard-ship Poictiers, when the officers and crew were assembled on deck, and Captain Sir Thomas Bourchier's commission was then read to them. The two officers then returned to the dockyard, and Captain Sherriff resigned his duty to his successors and left the yard. In consequence of considerable alterations to be made in the residence of the Captain Superintendent, the Captain has apartments at the Sun Hotel. It is currently reported that Mr. Thomas Vinall, the Captain Superintendent's Secretary, is to be removed; the cause of such removal is political. WooLwien, SEPT. 23.—The Gladiator steam-vessel, Captain John Robb, arrived from Scotland yesterday with troops, and went up the river to Deptford with them. The Widgeon steam-vessel ref rned from Woolwich to Dover to-day, and the Charron is ordered round to Woolwich from Dover. The Violet steamfpacket, on the Dover station, is to be brought round to Woolwich to be docked, as it is supposed her bilge pieces are split, the bolts appearing through her bottom. The Fearless steam-vessel returned to Chatham yes terday._ ... The Diligence transport ship is loading with stores at Deptford for the Mediterranean, and gill take home the engines of the Sydenham steam-vessel broken up at Malta. A number of convicts have been employed for several days deepening the side of the river at the north , west end of the dockyard, close to Charlton pier, for the pur pose of making a station for the Helm, converted into a depot for the single men of the Woolwich division of the Royal Marines. A gate bas been opened in the wall of the dockyard, close to the wharf, to admit the men of the Royal Marines at all times from the Charlton-road, without their having to go through the dockyard. MEMORANDUK—ADMIRALTY, SEPT. 10.—The Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty are pleased to direct that the issuing price of soap to her Majesty's ships' companies shall be reduced from Bd. to 6d. REMOVAL OF CERTAIN PAUPER LUNATICS FROM ASYLUMS BACK TO THE WORKHOUSES. , At the usual weekly meeting of the board of guardians of the parish of Saint Luke, Chelsea, held yesterday, Mr. Ryder in the chair, amongst other communications read to the board was the following letter from the Com missioners of Lunacy, on the subject of removing back to workhouses simply imbecile or idiotic paupers from asylums where, under the Act of 8 and 9 Vic., c, 126 (passed August 8, 1842), being of unsound mind they are required to be sent, but under the 9th and 10th Vic. (passed last session), it would appear they are enabled to be removed back : " No. 1,008. " Office of Commissioners in Lunacy, 19, New __street, Spring-gardens, Sept. 21, 1846, " Sir,—Your letter of the 10th inst. has been brought under the consideration of the Commissioners in Lunacy, by whom I am directed, in answer to the question sub mitted to them with reference to the power of the Board of Guardians of St. Luke, Chelsea, to remove simply idiotic and imbecile paupers from asylums to the work house,' to say that the law vests in the guardians the power at their discretion to remove their pauper lunatics, at all events from hospitals and licensed houses, and that the sanction of the Commissioners in Lunacy is not required to such removal, which must be the act of the guardians upon their own responsibility. " The propriety or legality of the subsequent residence of the insane paupers so removed into workhouses will depend upon the character of the respective mental dis orders, and upon the opinion of the medical men certify ing as to the propriety of their confinement in each case. " I am sir, your obedient servant, " R. W. S. LUTWIDGE, Secretary, " Mr. T. M. Loveland, clerk to the Board of Guardians of Saint Luke, Chelsea." *SIMS affAMME,M.morami.... TRENT VALLEY, MIDLANDS, AND GRAND JUNCTION RAILWAY. A special general meeting of the shareholders of this company was held yesterday, at two o'clock, at the com pany's offices, 19, Great George-street, Westminster. HENRY TooTAi,, Esq., deputy-chairman, having taken the chair, said his first duty was to express his extreme regret that the chair was not occupied by the chairman, the lion. Colonel Anson. He held in his hand a letter, stating that severe domestic affliction, namely,the death of one of his children, prevented him from being present. The SECRETARY read the advertisement, and after wards the report of the directors. It stated that the meeting had been specially convened to take into consi deration the proposed amalgamation of the company 1 with the North Staffordshire Company, to ratify the agreement!, dated the 23d February and 19th June, 1846, to that effect, and to confer the necessary powers on the directors for fully effectuating that object. The capital stock of the amalgamated company would con sist of 945,000/., composed of 78,750 shares of 121. each, of which 35,000 would belong to the Trent Valley Com pany, and a 121. share in the amalgamated company would be issued to each holder of one 20/. scrip. The accounts showed a sum of 73,5001. receipts and de posits up to the 22d September instant, and 12,710/. 15s. 6d. payments on account of expenses, thereby leaving a balance of 60,789/. 4s. 6d. The CHAIRMAN congratulated the shareholders, on their first meeting-after obtaining tleir Act. At an early stage of their proceedings the circumstance of another company baying been formed, which aimed at the same objects and traversed the same country, was a reason why the directors felt anxious that they should be brought together. He bad now the pleasure to tell them that the agreements for amalgamation bad been pre pared, and now all that was necessary to complete it was the consent of Parliament. Ile believed the railway would benefit the country through which it was con structed, and be remunerative to those who had invested their capital in it. He moved that the report now read be received and adopted, printed, and circulated among the members. Mr. J. W. UNETT seconded the motion, which was carried unanimously. The CHAIRMAN said the next business was the election of directors ; he wished, therefore, to state that in the terms of the amalgamation, the South Stafford shire Company appointed ten of the directors, and the Trent Valley eight. The eight retiring directors were then unanimously re-elected. Messrs. George Sanders, Wakefield, and James Dur ham, were appointed auditors, at a salary of 251. each. The CHAIRMAN said the special business of the day now came before the meeting, namely, the approval of the amalgamation of the Trent Valley with the South Staffordshire. The other company were to find of the whole capital 525,0001., and the Trent Valley 420,0002 The SECRETARY then read a series of resolutions voting the amalgamation of the two companies, and authorising the directors to carry it out. The CHAIRMAN moved these resolutions. Mr. BEALE seconded them, and they passed unani mously. A PROPRIETOR said he observed that the 20/. shares were now reduced 12/.; he wished to know when the bor rowing clause would come into operation, if at all? The CHAIRMAN said the reduction was necessary, as the capital of the two companies would have been more than was needed, and they had still the same power to borrow to the extent of one-half as before. A PROPRIETOR wished to know whether this company would make the Shewbellow Branch, or would leave it to be made by the Grand Junction Company ? The CHAIRMAN said it would be made, but by whom he could not yet say. Mr. WALKINGSHAW moved a vote of thanks to the directors, which was seconded, and carried unanimously. The DEPUTY-CHAIRMAN returned thanks, and the meeting then separated. GREAT EASTERN AND WESTERN RAILWAY. A meeting of the scripholders and shareholders in this company was held yesterday at the company's offices, 5, Gresham•street, City, for the purpose of determining whether or not the company should be dissolved. Mr. Ward, M.P., was voted to the chair. The advertisemnt convening the meeting having been read, the following gentlemen were appointed scruti neers, viz., Messrs Spackman, Huberstey, and Crosbie. The meeting then adjourned to the Guildhall Coffee house. The CHAIRMAN having made a long personal expla nation as to the occasion of his former non-attendance, Mr. COHEN said he wished to know whether the meeting was duly called in compliance with the require ments of the shareholders. The SECRETARY then read the case put to Mr. Lloyd, the barrister, and the opinion of the counsel that the present meeting was strictly legal. After some desultory conversation, The CHAIRMAN said that with regard to the delay that had occurred in the calling of the meeting, in the first place, till the passing of Lord D a lh ous i e ' s ct, they bad no power to dissolve the company. A meeting would have been called immediately after the Act had been passed had not the directors beenin negotiation with the Newport and Abergavenny Railway Company. The directors had an agreement, by which the shareholders were secured the possession of one half of the shares in that Company if they chose to avail themselves of such a power. The Hon. Gentleman then entered into an ex planation of the various meetings which had been held, and of the reasons for his not attending, and the com pulsion to which he was subjected to perform official duties at the Admiralty, &c., respecting which such severe comments had been made. Then, with regard to the subsequent notices that had been served on them (the directors), there was some informality in all of them. If the notices thus served on him had been legal, he would have attended, as he had ob tained Lord Auckland's permission to do so. From these statements, which he felt it his duty to make, it was evident that he did not intend to run away from them. He, as well as the other directors, had no intention or desire of frustrating the dissolution of the company as to the terms upon which that disso lution was to be effected.—(Cries of " Hear, hear.") An opinion was entertained that the shareholders had a claim on the directors for 40s. a share. Now the circu lars that had been issued contained a complete perversion of the facts of the case. 'As to the legal claims of any body of shareholders against the directors, it was a matter that ' must be decided by a legal test. But it had been put to them as a moral obligation to meet the views of the shareholders on this point. If he could see that that moral obligation existed he, for one, would not be with held by legal technicalities from acceding to the views of the shareholders. But he denied that such was the case. The documents to which he referred, and which con tained the statement as to the obligation of the directors, altogether omitted the words " preliminary expenses" in all their statements. Now, it was absurd to suppose that any men of sense would attempt to carry on a line of any length for los. a mile. Such a thing was never known in the railway world, and cer tainly was never contemplated by him. The simple question for the shareholders to consider was, whether or not they (the directors) had discharged themselves properly of the duties which they had agreed to perform in the undertaking in which they had embarked, with the rest of the shareholders. They were all suffering from the engineer's conduct. (The Chairman here read a letter, written by him to Air. Gravatt, the engineer, de precating his delay in proceeding with the line, and concluding with the words, " that if the line was not prosecuted it would be a disgrace.") Mr. COHEN —Why then go to Parliament? The CHAIRMAN—By adopting that proceeding they were now in a position to resist the whole demand of Mr. Gravatt, as well as to pro ceed against him for the money already paid. Having given a history of the Parliamentary battles of the company; he, in conclusion, said he had only to repeat that he only desired that there should be a satisfactory arrangement, and as far as he himself was concerned, he was precluded by his position from any future connexion with railways. A most protracted discussion ensued, after which the Secretary read a financial statement. From this it appeared that the money received was 103,231/. 4s. 9d., while the liabilities exceeded 40,0001. The balance in the bankers' hands was 42,599/., and the outstanding claims were for the solicitors, 13,142/.; the local agents, 1,7821. 15s. 2d.; to Mr. Gravatt, 7,5001., Captain liEivistnE then moved, and Mr. GRIFFIN seconded, that the company should be dissolved, which was carried. It was then moved by ➢lr. GRIFFIN that this dissolu tion should not be taken for an act of bankruptcy. Mr. Esousu seconded the motion, which was car ried, and the meeting separated. TIRE IN TIIE CITY-ROAD.—Yesterday morning, between four and five, whilst the fire was raging at the Croydon Railway station, another outbreak occurred at 11 Wharf, City-road Basin, occupied by Mr. John Mere dith, a stable-keeper. It was caused by the overheating of one of the coke ovens in the adjoining wharf, which was built against the wall. When first noticed the fire had got possession of the upper floor, and it soon after wards broke through the roof. Several of the brigade engines attended, and the firemen threw a stream of water upon the burning premises which had the desired effect, but not before the top floor was destroyed, the roof burnt off, and the lower floor damaged by water, &c. Mr. Meredith was insured in the Pheenix fire-office. EXPLOSION OF Gas.—Yesterday morning, about eleven o'clock, an explosion of gas, which created the greatest alarm in the neighbourhood of Lirnehouse, occurred on the premises of Mr. William Page, the Commercial Rice-mills, Commercial-road East. It ap pears that Miles Scatcherd, the fireman of the establish. ment, perceiving a strong smell of gas proceeding from the counting-house, suspected the gas was escaping from the pipe, and, without taking the precaution of opening the windows to allow the gas to escape, went with a lighted candle to the spot. The moment he opened the door the gas, which had been confined in a very small apartment, exploded. The counting-house was shat tered, the floor blown up, the glass broken, and a large iron, which was used for the grinding of barley, was removed and broken. The unfortunate man Scatcherd was severely burnt about the head and body. He was moved to his home, where he remains in a preca rious state. TILE CENSOR IN SPAlN.—Spanish newspapers are at the present time two-thirds blank paper ; for the Censor— " Breathes o'er the page his purity of soul, Corrects each error, and refines the whole" — by dashing out whole sentences. Thus, the Espectador comes out after this fashion:— _ All true Spaniards loved country The Infanta by her marriage our next." And thus our be- Very eloquent these blanks ! What trumpet flourishes do they give of freedom 1-I'uncli. MURDIR IN LICVER.POOI, 4 - 11/ 3 1JA:t'? WIPE BY 111 , 211 HUSBAND. On Monday evening one of the mostlibtiiiroiiszli,--Lct. ders was perpetrated in Thomas-street 'Alia,. perhais;_, ; :...\,o ever disgraced the annals of Liverpool. 17thepartienlars,1:,;g f js 2 1 so far as they have transpired, although; )of cottrse,:o . e,Niz 44 must be to some extent considered ex pdrte,':-as,tbe,pre.V.ly cipal actor in the deed of blood absconlked; die 444 4 - - 54 scene of atrocity truly horrifying. Thomas-street is s narrow, dirty thorodgekela t tAapir ing f rom S out h C ast l e - street to P ara di se - s t ree t, in vicinity of the Custom-house ; and it is inhabited almost exclusively by persons in the lowest walks of life. • At No. 42, Owen Tully and his wife, Catherine Tully, the deceased, kept a small provision shop. Tully himself was a journeyman tailor, who worked for various trades men in the town, and sometimes, amongst other shop keepers, for Mr. Willi ams , of Tarleton.: street. His wife was generally employed in attending to the business of the shop, and managing the domestic concerns of the family. Monday being an idle day with tailors, Tully took a long walk in the country, and on returning home about seven o'clock in the evening, apparently sober, he asked his wife how much money she had that day taken in the shop. She replied that she was unable exactly to tell the amount, as she had not as yet counted it, whereupon he struck her with his clenched fist in the forehead. Whilst reeling from the effects of the blow he kicked her in the lower part of the abdomen, and repeated the kicks in that dangerous part so often and so violently that at length the flesh gave way and the bowels pro truded! He seems then to have ceased from his barba rity, and to have looked for a while on his bleeding and dying victim, as she lay stretched at his feet on the ground. Three females allege that they were eye-wit nesses of the deed. Their names are Catherine Fitzge rald and Catherine King, both of whom were neighbours, residing in Thomas-street, and also Bridget Smith, who acted as Tully's servant. The uproar caused by these females attracted several persons to the spot, and in a short time messengers were dispatched in various directions for medical assistance. Dr. Moorhouse, of Cleveland-square, was the first pro fessional man to arrive, but when he came the unfortu nate female was a corpse, and her unnatural husband had fled. The latter seems not to hare remained many minutes in the house after he had given the last fatal kick. When he perceived that there was no chance of his wife's recovery, and that life was rapidly ebbing to its close, he appears, almost unobserved by the affrighted persons with whom the house was filled, to have made his escape ; and we regret to say that no trace of him has since been discovered. Much blame is attributable to those inside and outside of the premises, for not having given earlier information to the authorities of this dreadful occurrence than they seem to have done. It was seven o'clock, as we have said, or thereabouts, when Tully returned from the country and struck the first blow. The kicks were given immediately-after, and the woman was dead some time before eight. And yet it was half-past eight before the officer on duty in Thomas-street and that neigh bourhood was made acquainted with the circumstance, and it was half-past eleven (three hours afterwards) when the intelligence was reported,at the central police station. The loss of time which thus occurred will ap pear the more surprising to those elsewhere, ignorant of the locality, when we state that the distance from the central station to the scene of the atrocity is not above a quarter of a mile, if so much. _ _ _ Mr. Superintendent Brown, however, with that praise worthy promptitude and activity for which he has ever been distinguished, lost no time in making diligent search for the missing party. Ascertaining, in the first in stance, that Tully was an Irishman, he proceeded him self :to the Clarence-dock, for the purpose of searching the trading steamers which daily and nightly ply be tween this port and various parts of the sister country, thinking it most probable that the fellow would endea vour as soon as he could to reach his native land. The steamers had, unfortunately, sailed an hour before, and therefore, if he had gone in any of them, he was, for the present, beyond the reach of apprehension. It is thought, however, that he did not leave for Ireland, but that he remained in Liverpool. . _ He is described as a man about forty years of age, five feet seven or eight inches high, thin, pale face, slender make, black hair and whiskers. He is sup posed to have been dressed in a black frock cuat, vest, and trousers. Mr. Brown, on his return from the Clarence-dock, re paired to the house in Thomas-street, and his description of the appearance of the room in which the deed was perpetrated is truly appalling. He says that at that hour (half.past one, A.M.) the floor was drenched with blood, and that, although quantities of sawdust had been thrown over it, it had completely saturated the sawdust, and was visible in a coagulated state in every direction. The body had then been removed up stairs. During the whole of yesterday the greatest excite.. ment continued to prevail in the neighbourhood of Thomas-street. Great numbers of persons visited the scene, and it was with difficulty that many of them could be prevented from entering the premises. The inquest upon the body will be held to-day.— Liverpool Courier of yesterday. Instructions have been sent to the Commander-in- Chief of the Mediterranean station, Vice-Admiral Sir Willtam Parker, to retain the naval forces now under his command, with the exception of the two guard-ships of the ports of Devonport and Portsmouth, and to remain on the cruising ground of the squadron of evolution, from the Tagus to Cadiz and Gibarltar, until further orders. A QUESTION FOR THE SAVANS.—INCENDIARY INVENTION. —A new lucifer match has been invented by King Louis Philippe. It is the marriage of his son, the Due de Montpensier, with the young Queen of Spain's sister, which threatens to set all Spain, if not Europe, in a blaze.—Punch. A Cumous CLOCK.—A Parisian watchmaker has completed the construction of a clock of a singular nature. It has eleven dials. The principal dial shows the hours alone; a transparent one, immediately below the former, shows the progression and retrogression of the sun; two others, also transparent, and through which the mechanism of this immense machine can be seen, mark, the one the days of the month, the other the seconds. Eight square enamelled dials are arranged round the two sides of the pendulum, and show the hour in each of the following eities:—London, Algiers, Alex andria, St. Helena, Otaheite, Canton, New York, and St. Petersburgh. Each of these dials is marked with 24 hours, instead of 12, so as to show the hours of the day and those of the night. Lastly, the pendulum carries a large metrical scale, indicating the degree of expansion and contraction of metal. This clock cost 14,000 francs, or about 6001. The parish officers of Shoreditch are offering a reward of seventeen guineas for the apprehension of as many husbands, who have lately deserted their wives and families, leaving them a charge to the churchwardens and overseers. CONFESSION OF AN INCENDIARY.—EIizabeth Bar kitt, a native of Titmarsh, Northamptonshire, who had lived in the service of Mrs. Gray and her son Edward, at Bushmead, about ten weeks, has made a full confes sion of having set fire to the premises on the Ist instant, by which a considerable amount of property was de stroyed. A searching investigation was made by Superintendent Jebbett immediately after the fire, which being closely followed up, and the prevaricating stories of the servant, together with the difficulty of ap proach by a stranger to the spot where the fire broke out, suspicion attached to her, which she perceived, and her mind at last became so overpowered with her guilt, that she could bear it no longer, and made a confession of the whole circumstances, and said she felt much happier. She could give no reason why she had done it, and afterwards felt very sorry. She was taken before G. P. Livius, Esq., on Thurday, and committed for trial. —Bedford Mercury. _ CURRY PASTE.--We have seen a sample of curry paste, prepared by Captain White, as well as his curry powder, both of which, he tells us, are patronised by the Duke of Norfolk, a nobleman who has the r e p u t at i on of being an excellent judge in such matters. Hi s G race acknowledges the receipt of a jar of curry p as t e an d a package of curry powder in the following terms " The Duke of Norfolk present s hi s compliments to Captain White, with many thanks for his present of curry paste and powder, which is thought very good by his friends and himself." After this testimony from so high an authority on the subject of the gallant gentle man's curry paste and powder, it would be bad taste in us to offer any of our own. THE ATHENMUM SOIREE.—The grand annual soiree of the Manchester Athenmum, to be held in the Free-trade Hall, on Thursday evening, the 22d of Oc tober, under the presidency of Lord Morpeth, promises to be every way the most attractive and interesting of these reunions. Three prelates have accepted invitations to attend—the Archbishop of Dublin, Dr. Whately; the) Bishop of Norwich, Dr. Stanley; and the Bishop of Ox ford, Dr. Wilberforce ; and amongst the noblemen and gentlemen who have also accepted invitations, are the ' Welt Hon. Lord Viscount Sandon, M.P., the Right Hon. R. L. Sheil, 31. P., the Right Hon. T. M. Gibson, M.P., Captain the Hon. Henry Keppel, R.N., Mr. Mon tague Gore, M.P., Mr. J. T. Clifton, M.P., Mr. J. Iv. Patten, M.P., Mr. W. Ewart, M.P., Mr. M. Philips, l'sLY., Mr. J. Brotherton, M.P., Mr. J. Bright, M.P., C. Mackay, LL.D., Mr. G. Dawson, M.A., Mr. Douglas Jerrold, Mr. J. Macgregor, of the Board of Trade, &c. Amongt the Vice-Presidents of the evening are named the Mayor of Manchester, the Mayor of Sal ford, Sir B. Heywood, Colonel Wemys, C. 8., the Rev. C. Clifton, the Rev. J. J. Taylor, 8.A., the Rev. R. Vaughan, D.D., Mr. C. Swain, and upwards of sixty other gentleman. The doors are to be opened at six o'clock, and the chair to be taken at seven by Lord Morpeth, who will address the meeting, and to be fol lowed by other speakers. The Theatre.Royal is to be connected R ith the Free trade llall, by rooms extending over South-street, and in these rooms refreshments are to be provided. A complete and commodious suite of dressing-rooms, ladies' retiring-rooms, &c., are also to be provided, and arrangements made for the convenient ingress of the company. Instructions as to the entrances, the carriages, &c., are already advertised. We under stand that already the demand for tickets (which are now procurable at the institution) is very great, an d t h e vast hall will, in all probability, be tilled.—Manchester Guardian. FIRE AT A DISTILLERY.--Between ten and eleven on Wednesday forenoon: a fire broke out upon the pre mises belonging to Mr. J. Greenhow, distiller and rec tifier, carrying on business at 16, St. John-street, Clerk enwell. It was caused by a leak in the still, which al lowed the spirit to run into the fire. Owing to the inflammable nature of the stock, very few minutes elapsed before upwards of 100 ;gallons of spirits became ignited. The flames had just broken through the roof, when the engines of the parish, London:Brigade, and West of Eng land Company arrived. By the exertions of the firemen the fire was got out, but nut before about 120 gallons of spirits was consumed, the roof partly burned, and other damage done. Mr, Greenhow was ihsured in the Sun Firg-Sece• SOUTHWARK.-(THIS DAY.) Lewis Pelham, alias Simpson, and Henry Knowles, were charged before Mr. Seeker with being engaged in an illicit distillery, in Charles-street, Blackfriars-road. Pergeter, an officer of Excise, stated that, having re ceived information that a private distillery, on an extensive scale, was in full operation at a house in the above street, he went there the preceding afternoon, and by stratagem obtained entrance, accompanied by another officer. They discovered both the prisoners in the apartment in which the distillation was going forward, and the still contained 20 gallons of spirits, besides tubs containing 500 gallons of wash. Pelham admitted that he rented the premises of a man named Rogers ; and the other prisoner said he was en gaged by the former as a day labourer to attend the fires. When the latter, however, was brought into the presence of the magistrate he contended that as he was not actually found aiding and assisting in the illegal proceedings he was not therefore liable under the Act of Parliament to any punishment. He was informed that his presence in the still-room justified his being treated as an accomplice in the offence, a fact with which he seemed to be quite surprised. In the course of the examination it was stated that the revenue was defrauded of a ccnsiderable sum by the above defend ants, both of whom were fined 301. each, and in default of payment were committed for three months. The Count de Montemolin and General Cabrera arrived in London on Saturday, via Dover. His Royal Highness is residing for the present at the Brunswick Hotel, Hanover-square, and leads a very retired life, though be is supposed to be concerting measures for carrying out the declaration contained in his address to the Spanish people. The company we enumerated last week, with the exception of Lord Brougham, are still at Lowther Castle. The Learned Lord left by railway for Carlisle on Wednesday forenoon, and reached Brougham Hall the same evening. On Friday evening, Mr. Mills, who was expected for some days previously, arrived in the harbour in his splendid yacht, and immediately joined the distinguished party at the castle, where he is still a visitor. On Saturday, the Hon. Colonel Lowther and Mr. Lowther also arrived at the castle.—Cumberland racquet. General Baron Munchausen has left Mivart's Hotel for Hanover. THE VISCOUNTESS HARDINGE.—We are happy to state that this lady continues to improve in a satisfac tory manner. Sir Walter James arrived in town last evening, as did Dr. M'Cann, of Parliament-street, her Ladyship's medical adviser, in the early part of the day, but he will return again shortly. The Emperor of Russia has just issued an order exempting artists and pupils belonging to the Imperial Academy of the Fine Arts, who may wish to visit foreign countries for improvement, from the payment of the usual dues charged on passports, provided that they pro duce a certificate from the academy stating that they possess a proper degree of talent. This measure is one of some importance, for the duties imposed on passports under the present system is very heavy, and goes on increasing for every six months that the party remains out of Russia. A MELANCHOLY WEDDlNG.—Yesterday an inquest was held before W. Baker, Esq., at Clay Hall, Old Ford, Bow, on the body of Elizabeth Johns. The deceased, who was twenty years of age, was married on Sunday last at Poplar, and after spending the day with her husband, returned with him to her father's house, and was taken very ill immediately afterwards, so much so that her husband slept on the floor. She continued to get worse, and expired on Tuesday morning, about two o'clock. There were no marks of violence on the body, nor did she complain of anything but a severe pain in her chest. Some of the jury thought a post mortem examination ought to be made, and the inquiry was then adjourned for that purpose. Mr. Green, the son of the famous English aeronaut, made an ascent at Berlin on Saturday last, accompanied by Baron d'Ohsson, the Swedish Minister. After re maining up for upwards of an hour, they safely descended at about three leagues and a half from the capital. DEATH IN A STATION-HOUSE.—On Monday after noon Mr. Mills held an inquest at the Elephant and Castle, Camden-town, on the body of Sarah Harman, aged 38, the wife of a painter and glazier. Sergeant Shaw, 4 S division, deposed that on Saturday night last he was on duty at the Phcenix-street station-house, Somers-town. About half-past eleven o'clock the de ceased was brought in on a stretcher by some con stables. She appeared at the time insensibly drunk, and was charged on the police-sheet with having been found drunk and incapable of taking care of herself. She was placed in a cell with the door open to give her air, but no surgeon was sent for. Shortly after one o'clock she was taken out of the cell to make room for another charge, and then a great change was observed in her, and she appeared to breath with great diffi culty. Medical aid was sent for, and in about twenty minutes the surgeon pronounced her dead. It was his impression that deceased was labouring under the effects of intoxication. Mr. George Verey, the landlord of the Wheatsheaf, said on Satur day night deceased came to his house, and as she came towards the bar he observed her stagger, and thought she was intoxicated. She asked for a pint of beer, and he had scarcely served her when she fell back wards, but was saved by a mason standing near her. He carried her out of the house and left her in the care of the police, believing her to be drunk. James Harman, son of the deceased, proved that his mother went out to get the supper beer shortly before eleven o'clock. She was then perfectly sober. She had been ill some time, and was frequently seized with swimming in the head, and dizziness, which would make her stagger. Mr. T. Cooper, surgeon to St. Pancras work house, proved that he had opened the body, and found that one:of the vessels of the head had given way, and there was considerable effusion of blood over the brain, the effect of natural causes, and not drunkenness. The Coroner cautioned the police to be more careful in such cases. The jury returned a verdict of "Death from natural causes." THE BILL AGAINST CAPTAIN RICHA RDSON IG NORED BY THE GRAND JURY.—At a late hour yester day evening, after the judges had left the Central Criminal Court, it was intimated that the grand jury had ignored the bill, charging Captain Richardson, on two counts, with fraud and forgery. The grand jury examined a great number of witnesses, and it was under stood that they stated as their reason for ignoring the bill, that after looking at the whole of the evidence which had been laid before them, the majority of them were of opinion that the words " ten pounds" had never been written in the cheque, and, therefore, no forgery had been effected. They were, at the same time, satis tied that Captain Richardson had, by some means, ob tained the signatures of his two co-trustees to a blank cheque, and, as he was authosed by a resolution of the company to draw cheques, no fraud had been committed; entertaining, as the majority of the body did this view, they had no other course to adopt than to ignore the bill. THE LATE DESTRUCTIVE FIRE AT THE CROYDON TERMINUS.—At an early hour yesterday morning, Mr. Wilkinson, the chairman of the Croydon Company, ac companied by Mr. Curling, one of his co-directors, were on the spot, instituting most searching inquiries into the origin of the disaster. Nothing satisfactory, however, was arrived at. Mr. Budge, the traffic superintendent, resumed the company's inquiry in the course of the after noon, and from what transpired the cause is left in much mystery. That it broke out in the lamp-room there is no doubt. The trimmer states that after the departure of the last train on the previous night, and at the con clusion of the day's business, he is positive that he left it in perfect security, and took the precaution of remov ing a handful of waste which had collected in the course of the evening. The watchman asserts that he visited it as late as two o'clock, and neither saw nor smelt any thing that would lead him to suppose that a fire was kindling. We were informed by one of the officials that the estimated loss was 3,5001., and that the property was uninsured. There has been no stoppage to the traffic on the line, and a great number of workmen are busily employed in repairing the damage which has been done. We are happy to say that there has been no loss of life, nor accident to any individual engaged on the line. GREAT FOOT-RACE FOR ONE HUNDRED POUNDS. — The running match between Westhall, the celebrated runner of London, and Eastham, of Manchester, which was to contest 250 yards of road for 100/., was decided at Manchester on Tuesday, and after a splitting race, Westhall won by ten yards. The London fancy came off large winners. TROTTING.—The referee in the late match between Messrs. Jenks and Broome's horses, and which termi nated in a dispute, has decided in favour of the former, who has received the stakes, viz., 501. 'lbis decision will govern all bets on the race. THE KAFIR WAR. PORTSMOUTH, WEDNESDAY.—By the arrival of her Majesty's ship Plover, six guns, Captain Collinson, C.B. (which came up to Spithead this afternoon at three o'clock), from China, we have intelligence and papers from the Cape of Goad Hope fifteen days later than those last published. Her 'dates are, Hong-Kong, April 3 ; Cape of Good Hope, July 12; St. Helena, July 28; and Ascension, August 2. She arrived at Simon's Bay on the 7th of July. It appears that the marauding parties of Kafirs, who for - the last two or three months have caused so much alarm, and done so much mischief in the frontier districts, were nearly, if not altogether expelled, and that a sufficient number of men bad arrived to prevent their return, if properly distributed and kept on the alert. Whatever operations may be undertaken beyond the boundary, the colonists must be made to feel secure against such inroads, as they not only consume the pro duce of industry, but stop the machine itself. Besides the ravages of the enemy, the frontier colonists were suffering greatly from drought, followed by diseases amongst the cattle, and much loss, at a critical season, among the sheep. Another evil of a wasting nature had also fallen upon them, arising partly from the war itself and partly from the weakness and death of draught cattle, namely, the excessive high price of provisions. The President, 50, Captain Haule, flag of Rear-Admiral Dacres, Commander-in-Chief, left Simon's Bay two days before the arrival of the Plover, for Algoa Bay, where she would re-embark her marines, and sail thence for the Mauritius. _ _ The Sappho, 16, Commander Gambier, and the Snake, 12, Commander Brown, were in Simons Bay when the Plover left for St. Helena, where she arrived on the night of the 27th July. There was no man-of-war at St. Helena at that date. . Lieutenant-Colonel Ross had been sworn in as governor of the island (pro tern.), until a formal commission arrived from England, appointing the successor of Colonel Trelawny, deceased. The Bittern, 12, Commander Hope, sailed from St. Helena for Loando, on The 25th of July. Dr. Crawford has come home invalided from her. The Plover merely touched at Ascension. The only man of war there was the Tortoise, store and guard ship, Commander Morrel. _ _ _ Dysentery was still raging. Captain Manse', of the 26, had been attacked by paralysis, and was sent up the mountain to recruit. Mr. Eeles, promoted from the rank of Clerk in charge to Paymaster and urser, of the Vestal, 26. Captain Talbot came home in the Plover. We subjoin extracts from the Cape papers:— (From the South African Commercial Advertiser of July 11.) With the exception of very small parties of thieves, Lhe frontier districts appear to be clear of the enemy. This is a fact of great importance, as it may put it in the power of the Governor so to arrange his forces as to enable the frontier colonists to seize the opportunity of ploughing and sowing during the approaching season. The loss of a month now is to the agriculturist the loss of a whole year. By removing the enemy, and keeping him out, the flocks of sheep, the chief wealth and re source of the frontier colonist, are also saved, not only from the jaws of the destroyer, but from the destruction that follows over-crowding, bad pasturage, and over driving. Although Kafirland is not yet invaded and subdued, it would be unjust not to acknowledge that things have most materially altered for the better, within the last month or six weeks. The advanced posts, the villages, such as Bathurst and Theopolis, are no longer surrounded by a vigilant enemy, nor does any one think it probable that a rush will be made upon Graham's Town ! It seems to be now ascertained that no assistanee will be given to the hostile Kafirs by the Tambuokies or Creili's people. The district levies are now nearly all at hand, and next moon, if not the present one, should light the different divisions of the army to the most distant and least accessible positions between the Keiskama and the Kei. It is said that probably on the 6th instant, a movement will be made across the Keiskama into Pato's country, by a force consisting of the following troops:- 160 Dragoons. 240 Cape Mounted Rifles. 900 Mounted Burghers from George and Swellendam. 100 90th Regiment. 100 91st Regiment. 400 Hottentots. 100 Fingoes. 2,000 in all. A corresponding movement will probably be made upon the Amatola, by thedivisions under Colonel Hare and Sir A. Stockenstrom. (From the Graham's Town Journal.) FRlDAY.—Received this afternoon further information from the neighbourhood of the Kr.ga, the most important point being that Sir Andreas Stockenstrom had made a journey into the Tambookie cou'itry and had held a con ference with some of the chiefs, all of whom had made to him the strongest professions of good-will towards the colony. From the Koga to the Kei there is a large force of Burghers assembled, who are most anxious to take the field, and whose patience is almost exhausted by the long delay which has taken place. Unfortunately there appears to be but very little concert among our leaders. No regular communications are preserved, and it seems to be thought a matter of perfect indifference COURT CIRCULAR. WINDSOR, SEPT. 23.—Her Majesty the Queen Dow ager and her Royal Highness the Princess of Prussia, attended by the Earl of Denbigh, paid a visit to her Royal Highness the Duchess of Kent at Frogmore House this morning. Their Royal Highnesses the Prince of Wales, Prince Alfred, the Princess Royal, and the Princess Alice, took their accustomed pony exercise this morning in the grounds around the Castle. Tile Duke of Wellington is expected to arrive at the Castle to-day, on a visit to the Queen. The Earl and Countess of Clarendon, the Countess of Westmoreland, and Viscountess Palmerston are also expected to arrive on a visit to her Majesty. The Queen will give a grand dinner this evening. The illustrious company is expected to include her Majesty the Queen Dowager, her Royal Highness the Princess of Prussia, her Royal Highness the Duchess of Kent, his Excellency the Chevalier Bunsen, the Duke of Wellington, the Lady in Waiting on the Queen Dowager, the Countess Haack, the Lady in Waiting on the Duchess of Kent, the Baroness de Speth, the Countess of Westmoreland, the Earl of Denbigh, the Earl and Countess of Clarendon, Viscount and Viscountess Palmerston, Viscount Clifden, Lord Edward Howard, Lord Robert Grosvenor, Count Puckler, Count Witzleben, Colonel Wylde, the llon. and Rev. C. Leslie Courtenay, Sir George Couper, the Rev. David Markham, and Colonel the Hon. H. Cavendish. The banquet will be given in the Waterloo Chamber. The band of the Scots Fusileer Guards attend during dinner. Tier Majesty's private band afterwards attend in the castle. Lord Morpeth had an interview with Sir George Grey yesterday, at the Home-office. COWES, ISLE OF WIGHT. (FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.) SEPT. 23.—Her Majesty's ship Ajax was towed out of harbour this morning by the Echo steamer. She has been converted into a steam guard-ship, with a screw propeller. We noticed that she drew 154 feet water. She went out about an hour before high water, at which time there was a depth of about 19 feet water in the harbour. LAUNCH OF THE JOHN WESLEY.—This fine vessel went off in first-rate style this morning. Being for the Wesleyan missionaries, hundreds flocked from all parts of the country to witness the launch. A dinner was provided for seventy at the Vine Inn, and about that number sat down to as good a one as a prince could wish for, the Rev. Dr. Irvin occupying the chair, and the Rev. Dr. Alder filling the vice-chair. The Kestrel has not yet arrived; she put into Fal mouth on Saturday, but the wind having come round to the southward, she is now hourly expected here. It was reported this afternoon that she was in sight, and all the shops were immediately closed, out of respect to the me mory of one of the best of men. WINDSOR, WEDNESDAY ETENING.—The royal carriages were ordered to be in readiness this forenoon fOr some extended drives through the Great Park, but the rain came on so heavily, and ct,ntinued so long, that the attempt was given up, and the carriages were ordered back. A banquet for a party of thirty-seven will be given in the Waterloo Gallery to-night. His Royal Highness Prince Albert has proposed a shooting party for to-morrow, should the weather prove favourable. Her Majesty the Queen Dowager and the Princess Royal of Prussia will remain the guests of the Queen until Tuesday next. The Hon. Mr. Anson, private secretary to his Royal Highness the Prince Consort, did not reach the Castle until six o'clock this evening. The Hon. Gentleman left Osborne House on Friday last, and has been paying some private visits in Derbyshire. Her Majesty the Queen Dowager has caused to be issued cards for a grand entertainment to her Royal Highness the Princess of Prussia, on the 30th instant, at Marlborough House, the Princess having appointed the following day for her departure for Berlin. Sir Henry Pottinger arrived at Douglas's Hotel last night from the north, and takes his departure on his way south this morning.—Edinburgh Advertise? of Tuesday. We understand that, by an order in Council, the royal peculiar of Wolverhampton, which has hitherto possessed an exclusive ecclesiastical jurisdiction, will merge into the diocese of Lichfield on the Ist of October next.— Wolverhampton Chronicle. CAPTURE OF HORSE CHAUNTERS.—Last Satur day, an elderly farmer, named John Baker, from Hors ford, was swindled out of 301. in Norwich cattle market, by some strangers who pretended to be horse-dealers. They adopted the old trick of persuading him to pur chase a horse which one pretended he wanted, but could not buy of the other. As soon as the parties had secured the money they all disappeared. This is the second time Baker has been thus duped! Information having been given to the police they were pursued, and at Seaming Black Horse, about two miles beyond Dereliam, the rogues were taken into custody, when they gave their names Joseph Clark, from Leicester; William Rober son, from London; and Norman Proctor, from Bir mingham. They acknowledged having sold the old man the horse, and would fain have returned the money and paid expenses, but this of course the officers would not consent to. On searching the . officers found upon them 1261., a part of it being a deposit receipt for .50/. at the Westminster Bank, in the name of Norman Proctor. They were brought back to Norwich, and the Mayor having heard the case, remanded them to Monday. The horse which Baker bought for 30t is said to be worth 6/. Baker said thot one of them told him his name was Clark, and that he was a farmer from Wymondham.— Bury Post. THE " CLERGYMAN " OF A PRIVATE BURIAL GROUND.—A correspondent of the Times furnished yes terday an additional proof of the necessity of abolishing these nuisances. "A short time since," he writes, " I attended the funeral of a friend at a burial-ground in the Borough. I was not aware at the time that it was a private one. When the orders for the funeral were given, the man at the ground asked if he would provide a clergyman, or should the one who usually officiated attend. Supposing, of course, that he was a Minister of the Established Church, the latter proposition was ac ceded to ; but what was our surprise on arriving with the corpse, to find the same man (who appeared to be only the sexton) dressed up in a di r ty surp li ce, rea dy to receive us; and, there being then no remedy, he went through the service in his own way." The new Pontifical Government is said to be pre , paring a most important measure, that of substituting for the decree of total exclusion of foreign books into the States of the Church a system of censorship, as has fi been done is Tuscany and certain States of Germany.