The Sun. — London, England, 1846-04-27 00:00:00

LORD MAYOR'S COURT. (THIS DAY.) (Before the REcoRDBx.) VIM FREEMEN AND NON •FREEME N OF THE CITY OF LONDON. CHAMBERLAIN OF THE CITY OF LONDON V. ST(JRT AND OTHERS. The proceedings in this important case, which was before the Court on Monday last, were resumed to-day. Our readers will recollect that the case came before the Court upon an action brought by the Chamberlain of the City against the defendant, who is a wholesale warehouseman, carrying on business in Fore-st ree t, t o o bt a i n cer t a i n p e nalties to which he had subjected himself by reason of his carrying on his business in the City without taking up his freedom. The taken whole of last Monday was oc cu pi e d by objections . by the counsel for the defendant to the jurisdiction of the )udge, • the manner ef summoning the jury, Ecc. This morning, on the Recorder taking his seat, ' Sir THOMAS WILDE said, that on consideration the plain tiff had deemed it prudent to put in a counter plea, stating under what circumstances the jury panel bad been returned, andit would be for his Learned Friend, the counsel for the defendant,f to take issue, if he chose, upon the statements contained in it, and the facts must be tried ; or if an objection were made as to the legality of the proceedings, that might be argued . as a demurrer on the point of law. But he did not anticipate that his Learned Friend would do so,ftipon any one of the facts stated in the counter plea,becausehe believed that they wereiall d uly and correctly stated. If, however, his Learned Friend chose to demur, the point might be argued, and his Lordship having given his judgment thereupon, they might proceed with the trial of the merits of the question. He (Sir Thomas Wilde) wouldltherefore counter plead to the:challenge of his Learned Friend, and would contend that the panel of the jury was a true, perfect, and impartial one, and that the jurors who had been returned had not been inserted in the panel with any reference to the present or any par ticular case, but generally to try all cases that might arise during the period in which they were liable to sit as jurors in this Court. He would contend that the list was regularly made out in pursuance of a bye-law pa.ssedsby the Court of Common Council of London, the validity of which bye-law he apprehended would not be gainsaid. If his Learned Friend objected to the validity of that bye-law, the point would have to be argued on demur rer elsewhere. He concluded by handing in his counter plea on parchment, and by giving expression to a hope that his Learned Friend would state what course he intended to pursue. The Souctroe-GesfEmaesaid, he presumed that the coun ter plea contained a correct statement of the manner in which the panels were returned. He would of course demur to the counter plea; his Lordship would have to say whether that demurrer was a good one, and if he decided in the affirmative, that fact would appear upon the record, ani they would then proceed to the merits of the case. - The Clerk of Arraigns then read the counter plea, which averred the points mentioned above in the remarks of Sir Thomas Wilde ; after which The SOLICITOR -GENERAL said there must be an error in the counter plea with reference to the number of individuals qualified to serve as jurors in this Court. The counter plea averred that the names of all parties in the ward of Cripple gate who were qualified to serve had been duly returned, but the number of those persons wasonly twenty-four, which he apprehended was far from being the entire number of gen tlemen qualified to serve in the ward in question. He had no doubt that, as far as the impartiality of the case was con cerned, the averment was strictly true ; but the question - was, whether, in accordance with the supposed custom, the 'whole of the names qualified to serve had been returned? He found that.for the two branches ofthis ward, viz., Cripplegate Without and Cripplegate Within, only 44 were retu rne d as being th e ent i re list of individuals qualified to sit in the • ury•box ef this Court. He apprehended that the averment Ives not in accordance with the fact. Sir T. WILDE—That is our belief. The SOLICITOE-GENERAL--Well, I should think that that cannot be. The RECORDER was also inclined to doubt the truth of the averment. The SOLICITOR-GENERAL wished to know what was the qualification necessary to act in the capacity of juror in this Court; for he assured his Lordship that he was as ignorant of the proceedings of the Court as he was on the day when they last met. Cripplegate Without was much larger than Cripplegate Within, and yet twenty-four jurors had been returned for each branch. The counter plea stated that all the parties that had been qualified in the Ward of Cripple gate had been returned to serve in this cue. Now he very much doubted whether that document could be true, and he - would, therefore, demur to the counter plea. Perhaps Mr. Alderman Challis (who then happened to be sitting on the bench) would inform him whether there were no more than twenty-four qualified to serve in Cripplegate Ward. . The RECORDER—His mouth is shut at this moment, be cause, although this stated to be the Lord Mayor's Court, yet the proceedings are carried on before his deputy, and it is not customary for the Lord Mayor or the Aldermen to take part in the proceedings. The SOLICITOR GENERAL—They say in the counter plea that they have conformed to custom, and did return the " several persons qualified to serve as jurors in the said ward," but we say they did not. The RECORDER said, even in the event of all the persons so qualified to serve as jurors having been returned, it was possible there might have been some who would have been unable to serve from various causes. The plaintiffs might have said " the several persons so returned to serve as jurors," and so have got rid of any ambiguity in the wording of the plea; or " the several persons returned in obedience to the Act of Common Council." The SOLICITOR-GENERAL said, if this were done by an Act of Common Council, as he maintained it was, then the par ties returning the said jury, and the jury themselves, were " unindifferent." The RECORDER—There was another question which the Learned Solicitor-General would no doubt urge—whether the Act of Common Council was legal? But then this would give rise to another question—namely, what was the state of the law when this bye-law was passed by the Common Council ? It was; however, an act of the Council, and did not come under the definition of a " bye-law." .The SOLICITOR- GENERA L—There might have been a bye law of the Council, setting forth that the persons to serve on juries should only be returned by persons who were not freemen of the City. However, the objections and demurrers, which he had felt it his duty to make would not have been made if it had been clearly set forth that no portion of the penalty sought to be recovered from the :defendant would, in the event of its recovery, go into the pockets of the Corp oration of the City of London. The RECORDER reminded the Solicitor- General that the City had the government of its local matters in its own hands, and that the Common Council were empowered to pass laws for its better government. This Court, however, was not simply one for the trial of matters solely relating to the City, but actually was a court of equity, not unlike the old Court of Exchequer, with but this difference, that it was not com petent for it to grant injunctions. The SoLierrou-GENERAL said, no doubt the old Court was o f an original and public character, but he maintained that the Court was exclusively a City tribunal, presided over by a City officer, and a jury composed of freemen of the City. His Learned Friend had intimated to him that he abided by the counter plea, and did not intend to arnauji it in accord ance with the arguments he (the Solicitor-Gamaral) had ad vanced. He should take issue on that plea, amt hand in a replication. During the interval occupied in preparing the replication Mr. RANDALL read the precept issued by the Lord Mayor to the Aldermen of the various wards for electwinr_ttut,h; various officers and juries for the year, m whih ames trul y set forth they sho u ld r eturn all the names—" u such persons competent to serve s as petty juries. B y these precepts, it appeared that the Aldermen were required to return the names of all persons so qualified toakesethrve return.e . The RECORDER said the Aldermen did not m Mr, RANDALL— But he summons the inquest who make the return. The SoLIcITOR-GENNRAL then proceeded toreplyen read ot a n d e counter plea, on which he should take issue. He then the replication, which set forth " that . t he names and sur names of all persons dwelling in the ward of Cripple gate, qualified to serve as jurors in the said ward, have not been annually returned in proper . manner and form, and that the names of the jurors in the said challenge were riot returned fairly and impartially in the said manner alleged, and, therefore, the defendant puts himself on the said trial." GUILDHALL. -(THIS DAY.) (Before Alderman Sir G. CARROLL.) William Merritt was charged, upon a'summons obtained by Mr. Foster, a reporter occasionally connected with the Morning Post newspaper, and with other journals, for cruelty to a horse, the property of Mr. Young, the proprietor of The Sun newspaper. Mr. Childs, solicitor, of the firm of Wire and Childs, attended for the defendant. Mr. Foster was present to con duct his own case. Mr. Childs said—l appear for the defendant—it is a perfectly voluntary appearance. The fact is that the horse ridden by defendant is the property of Mr. Young, the proprietor of The Sun newspaper; although the summons is directed to " the rider of the horse," and therefore, informal, we have chosen to appear. Still it was the duty of the persons taking out the summons to have obtained the rider's name in the best way that he might. Henry Rumsey Foster then came forward. He said, on the evening of Friday, the 17th, about twenty minutes after seven o'clock, I was passing up Fleet-street, and when nearly opposite the end of Chancery -lane--I was passing up on the left hand side of Fleet -street—my attention was drawn to the defendant, who was riding a horse . on the off side at a very rapid pace, and the animal was proceeding upon three legs, one of his legs being drawn up under his belly. Mr. Teague, the Chief Clerk—How could he proceed on three legs? Mr. Foster—l could not believe that the animal could so proceed unless I had seen it myself. The defendant was spurring the horse, and occasionally looking back as if to see how the leg looked. I saw that the animal's leg was doubled up, and that the animal was going upon three legs, and I ran after him into the road, I think about 200 yards after passing Chancery -lane. I ran down the middle of the road and caught hold of the bridle, and said that h e should not proceed an i nc h further. Several persons came up, and said that I had acted quite right. The boy came off, and the horse, when he was stopped, put his leg on the ground- While I turned round to ask the persons about me if they would come forward as witnesses, as I in tended to proceed in the case, the lad got upon the horse, and went on again. I ran after him, and again stopped him opposite Bouverie-street. Two policemen came up at the time. I have nothing of complaint to urge against the person riding the horse, who said he must reach the Post-office, and I told him to take his bag on, but I would hold the horse till he came back. In, I think, two or three minutes, not more, another boy came up, and he stopped, probably seeing the other boy, and the newspapers he had in charge were sent on to post, and this lad led back the horse to the office. In about half an hour I went to the office, and saw the lad there. I asked his name. He appeared very sorry then, and he said nothing excepting refusing to give his name, because he did not know my reason in asking it. I said that I felt it my duty to complain, but I did not think that he was in fault. I asked the publisher of The Sun (Mr. Finch) the boy's name, but his reply was, "Mr. Foster, you seem to be making yourself very officious in this matter." I said, "That is your statement only? " The defendant went into the back shop, and I saw no more of him. The publisher then said, "You, as a reporter, I do not think it become you to appear against Mr. Murdo Young." I could not get the name, and I stated the circumst ances t o Mr. Alderman Gibb s in the morning, who directed the sum mons to be issued in the particular way you find it. Mr. Childs—You are connected with the press, I think ? Mr. Foster—l am. Mr. Childs—You have sent communications to The Sun on previous occasions? Have you not? Mr. Foster—Some years ago ; certainly not within these last three years. Mr. Childs—Do you mean to say that you have addressed no such communication within the last three years? Mr. Foster—No, certainly not. Mr. Childs —What name did you make use of in for warding these communications? Mr. Foster—l have no wish to deny an answer to your inquiry, but I do not see what that has to do with the ease. However, if you wish it, I will answer it. Sir G. Cannonn—l cannot see what the question has to do with the case, unless it to be to show an ill-feeling on the part of complainant. Mr. Childs—Precisely. That is exactly what I mean to show. Mr. Foster—Proceed to show the ill feeling. Mr. Childs--I shall proceed regularly, Mr. Foster. What was the name you used in your communications to The Sun? Mr. Foster —When I first took it on me to follow the profes sion of a reporter, I adopted the nom de guerre—l suppose you may term it so—l wrote under the name of Thorne, but i!thwe W g e o l l t h e ll o o n w ne n c t t e e d al w l i e t e h ne t e b e e t e Mingdowrintht the o n s e t w l sp d a r p o p er p s e( t l h i a t t . Fo u st r e . r c lansdStillname.msz y ouyceosmmunicated under the name o f Thorne? Childs —Some of those contributions were rejected, I believe ? Mr. Foster (with considerable heat)—Wbat a ridiculous question. What bits that to do with this ? I Mr. G. ChildsAstaoi—l did not askyou for a speech, M r. F oster. Sir C .r. -- Answer ythe question • yes, or no? . Foster—Of Course, some of them wetTerejecte. Mr. Childs—What is the name of newspaper you now honour with your support? Mr. Foster—The.2l.lorn - n g Post. Mr. Childs—Are you known as the celebrated " Jen z kins" of the Post ?—(Laugh ter). Mr. Foster —Unless the Magistrate recommends me to answer such questions I shall not do so. Mr. Childs—Oh then, I'll not press it. Mr. Foster—l understood, before I came here, that this system of annoyance would be proceeded with ; but I am determined to do my duty as a member of society-- Mr. Childs—You are, of course. You knew, I suppose, that the defendant had come from The Sun office? Mr. Foster— d.t l did . m no a t k ym no e l n v ti s o o n to th s a w t e t a h r i t s o d i e t. fend l a m nt igh is t li th a e ve s p am re ; sume Mr. Childs—This is most irregular C nc a a a l r l t ed for. But individual who was held to bail inano a t n h d ei u • in another case. I this is not the same lad who is charged Fester makes this I (addressing Mr. the Magistrate) am prepared to prove that cannot understand by what right statement. M rFosiatearu—g only asked if you Mr. Childs—l did not call you so. I h l t h er a 7 . a perfect right. you called me " Jen kins."—(were Jenkins.—(Continued laughter.) The complainant sat down. Charles Gatron, 317 City Policeman, observed complainant l seize the horse. It was lame. It went on threeegs. Mr. Teague could not conceive how a horse could possibly gallop on three legs. f re— (Laughter)—but I did see it here. gallop on three legs be 0 Mr. Foster—l assure you that I never saw a horse bute no blame to the lad, b e cause he was under a so o I think it was a decid e d case of cruelty, although I a rtf ttri-_ obligation to get to the post in time. Mr. Childs, add ress i ng t h e B enc h—Si r , th e f ac t i s thi s . The horse in que s ti on l e ft Th e S un o ffi c e i n a per fectly sound state on the same evening; but when running, I presume, and the rider also presumes, he met with some accident; touched his footlock, it might be; and although the rider did not know the extent of that accident, he was aware that the horse bad stumbled, and it is even in the testimony of Mr. Foster that it was within ten minutes' time of the closing of post, so that there was no time to stop to inquire what the injury (supposing it not a serious one, and could he suppose it so?) could be. He was aware that the horse was going on ; we must give him credit, in the absence of any proof to the contrary, that he did not et know that the hor se was seriously hurt, and he kn y ew that he must be in time for post, but immediately that he was stopped we are told that he dismounted, and that the animal placed its foot upon the ground. Mr. Foster—l beg-- Mr. Childs—l will not be interrnpted, Mr. Foster. We had the statement that when the boy dismounted, the horse put his leg down, and the natural inference which the boy would draw, looking at the animal, and seeing his leg iu this position, that the injury could not be verygreat. He said that the horse could go on. Ills suspicion was that he had only hurt his foot in a trivial manner, and this suspicion was fully confirmed by his going on. What von, Sir, want to know, is whether he was acting in a cruet manner, and of this I think there is all absence of proof. I can prove that the horse left The Sun office perfectly sound, and it is for the complainant to disprove it. Now, with reference to Mr, Foster's evidence, the object whi c h I h a d i n v i ew i n putting the questions which I did was to show that there was some little matter arising out of previous circum stances which gave a bias to his opinions, Sir THOMAS WILDE demurred to the replication, the sub stance of which was, that the panel had not been returned according to the custom set out in the counter pl ea. After reading the replication, in order to avoid any ambigu ity, he said that the defendant alleged that the names of the jurors in the said challenge were not returned fairly and impartially accord ing to the said custom, as in manner and form set forth in the counter plea. He demurred to this—he demurred to it be cause it was a departure, and an attempt to put in a different issue, from the one contained in the challenge to the array. That challenge stated that the panel was returned by two ward inquests, and at the time the said array was so returned and made the Aldermen and divers persons electing the said inquest, and each of them, and free 'lleinterestea and citizens of th e City o f L on d o n were d in the subject at issue. The challenge seas made, therefore, on the ground of want of th e qualification of those w h o made the return, but the replication to the Lon ;uthoruneterwpillea sought to rai s e a quest i on not state d i n t h e chal lawg the persons w h o ma d e t h e return were b y e i t s h ed to mak e i t , b ut whether they made it in a partiall proper manne r , and t h at they made such return unfairly and The Sy. OLICITOR-Gm/F R , I.. . read in the demu rrer . The demurrer was then ' The RECORDER sa id, then lie u n derstood that the d emurrer was on account of the persons su mmoning th e ju r y, an d b e i ng consequently themselves intereste d in the inquiry. That Sir T. Wilde's replication was, that the jury sere summoned was made according , to that although City, allowing t.the parties to b e b ite rested, the returns w ere improperly made, and se b ecame invalid. Sir T. WILDE then proceeded to address the Court, and said that he conceived that the allegations of his Learned Friend must fall to the ground, inasmuch as there was a difference between the terms of the challenge, an d those of the counter plea were different in to each, other. Now. what was the case? The allegation, in the first plac e , w as, that th e parties who hjgamtiaodne a return were objectionable. It was stated that there was an objection to the return being made by the in quest ; and when it is replied that th e return can be ' d only in this way, and in no other, according to the customs and bye 'laws in the City, it is aga i n answered that the duty is now done by parties who could be impartial in its fulfilment, inasmuch as the parties who made this return were incapable of making such a return so as to satisfy the' equity of the case. Between this chal lenge and this counter plea, then, there was in reality no difference whatever. It was never de nied that the parties who were to make the oturn were th e war d i nquests, an d i t was i mposs ib le, there re, that a n y o bj ection could be made to the parties who were called upon to make this return, and who, in fact, did make the return ; and the objection now made, therefore, fiat t unfound e d. I t was a ll owe d on all hands t the 43t . several ward inq ues t s , un d er th e di rec ti on the • aide Bfteri ff , and by the authority of the cou a ne nf the several wards, were the only persons who return jurors, and thus it had s hown that the return d been made ac c ording to the laws of the City. The law of the City was a part of the lawof that Court, an d conse quentlY, strictly, the rule by w h ic h t hi s cause must be tried. r! again, It was objected th a t t h e parties making this w urn ere free ottazens, sad it Will COMPiailled that they V difference of 13% chains between the section of the levels and could not be indifferent parties. Now it should be recollected the plans. that the parties to this return were not acting in their perso- The Committee decided that the allegation was sustained; that fore, altogether, in plain truth, unaffected by thi s challenge,nal or individual, but in their corporate capacity ; and, there the surface of the ground was not correctly shown in the section, it being marked on the section as a cutting of 22 feet, 'whereas it should have been an embankment and, if so, quite competent to try the issue of this question. Objections were then taken to some other portions of the levels of It it were necessary to adduce further reasons, he the line. adduced the bye-laws to show that the Corporation could act The remaining allecations having been disposed of, the Committee in no other way than they had done, and were consequently decided that the standing orders had not been complied with. quite unaffected in their corporate capacity. Now, what BIZLICENHEAD AND LLANO° LIMN. was the amount of the counter plea? Why, that those in- The remaing formal proof in this line were taken, - dividuals who had made the return made it improperly, Standing orders complied with. and thus, whether they were the persons who should make KENT ATMOSPHERIC (ADEZTIONAL the return of the p ane l. Si r Th oma s Wilde then went over PHOVISZ3zviS, No. 2 BILL.) r plea were the ground again of the laws and bye-laws, and then pro- Standingceeded to argue that the challenge and the cou t n i te orders complied with. pleading, The Committee then rose at a quarter-past three o'clock. really in substance the same, and that e d issible ought to be apt, p th le e a refo t r e e, vi h - a e s bad, anl and consequently i inadmissible. A with respect to a counter plea. Bu t con sistent, and perfect, and this in n w t a h s a e ls s o eat t i h n e atan ca r se e, ITea rt n e h matter ad had been been allegedbrought a te in challenge;t e counter epr the p e t J a e e t t e a: , lie conceived, be compelled to recur to his original . challenge. we fo wh re ic , h fell to the ground, and his Learned Friend must, The SOLICITOR-GENERAL understood that his Learned Friend alleged that his objection fell to the ground. Now what was the real state of the case at the present mo ment ? It was stated, and stated truly, that the returns of the several panels were to be made by the Alderman and the inquests of the several wards, assisted by certain other per sons whom he had challenged in the first instance as being parties, who, as being free citizens of this City, were interested parties, and, therefore, net unindifferent persons. Such was the substance of the challenge. But his Learned Friend had entirely misrepresented the substance of the counter plea, for it went on quite a different set of facts, and al leged beyond the matter of the challenge that even if the parties 'who made this return were the right patties to do it, it had yet been improperly made. The Aldermen and the inquests of the several wards ought to make the returns. It was on these returns that the panels were founded, and he contended, in the present instance, that the returns were insufficient, and the panel was consequently imperfect and incompetent to try the case. They had not duly set forth the return of the panel, and he contended that if he demurred to the counter plea on that ground, he did not make a departure from the point at issue. Such a course was regularly taken in the proceedings of the courts of law. Let his Lordship take the case of a common assault. The plaintiff charged the defendant with having assaulted him, and the defendant admits that he had assaulted the plaintiff, but he pleaded by way of justification that the plaintiff had assaulted him in the first instance, to which the plaintiff might reply, "I did not first assault you," and thereupon issue might be joined, and the point to be tried was, not whether the defendant had assaulted the plaintiff, but whether the plaintiff had assaulted the defendant in the first instance. And surely it would . not be said that in those proceedings there was any departure, for proceedings of that sort were of common occurrence in the various courts of law. And what was the difference in the particular case before his Lordship? He apprehended that there was no difference whatever. The RECORDERAM I to understand you this, that their counter plea alleges a fact which is the foundation of the law as necessary to your challenge, and that you take issue upon the truth of the fact so alleged? The SOLICITOR-GENERAL answered in the affirmative ; but he must beg his Lordship not to suppose that he was arguing a new ground of challenge. He had already stated a good ground of challenge, viz., that the persons who had made the return were not unindifferent. The answer to that challenge was—" That is very true, they are unindifferent persons; but, although that is so, the return has been made in accordance with a custom that has prevailed from time immemorial." Sir T. WILDR—We do not admit that they are unindiffer ent persons. (The case was proceeding when our report left.) THE SUN, LONDON, MONDA I will say that, if this had been an express from the newspapers, Mr. Foster would any other of ready ts .. tt e ctoemlisingusforwthaardt the m ni plary in his manner—th a t th ere lad det wasal lavvoeca exceedinglyte b e n o f h s u o e m x e a p i l t ai i n s t ev of iden tl t ds th i a n t te 3 r i fe r r . e F nc o e ste o r f s 0 3 h 1 j r e . et F w os a t s er t 's e , affect therefores ct n l o he em aster. He knew that this was an express rider from The Sun newspaper office, and that it was essential he should be at post before half-past seven o'clock, and it would be gratifying a little petty malice against the proprietor of. The Sun newspaper to delay the delivery of his papers. It was clearly evident that Mr. Foster had acted in this manner, not because he had humanity at heart, but because his communications had been rejected by Mr. Young. You have simply to deal with the merits of the case. I shall show that the horse left The Suss-office in good condition, but by some means or other he was injured on the way, and therefore, Sir, I contend that there is no case on which "a fine can be properly inflicted, The animal is now perfectly recovered, and the boy on the particular day in question was not to know that he had been iu any way seriously in jured. Sir GEORGE CARROLL said I wish to have evidence as to the as to the state of the animal now. Mr. Murdo Young was called, and stated that the horse was now perfectly recovered, and that on the evening in question (the 17th instant) it was in a perfectly sound condition. The boy told him on returning, that when near Temple -bar he had felt the horse stumbling ; he went on, however, but feeling tht there was something wrong, he was going to pull up the horse, but could not do so at once, as it was hard mouthed when Mr. Foster took hold of the bridle. After some further evidence, Sir GEORGE CARROLL said, that looking at all the circum stances of the case, he could not see that the defendant was in fault. There was a very heavy duty incumbent on him to be at the Post-office in time, for it would entail a very heavy grievance on the country readers if their newspapers did not arrive regularly—he felt it a grievance in his own case. The boy, knowing that the horse was sound when he left the office, and seeing when he stopped that the animal placed his leg on the ground, could not be supposed to know that he was seriously injured. and, therefore, he did not think that that was a case for punishment. Time was a most valuable consideration to newspaper proprietors, and they were bound to make the most of it. Mr. Foster said that too little time was given, for he believed that only four minutes were allowed between The Sun office, in the Strand, and th e G enera l P ost . off i ce. The defendant was then discharged. MARLBRO'-STREET-(THIS DAY.) William Mating, a young man of fashionable appearance' was charged with being drunk and causing a disturbance in the pit of the Haymarket Theatre. Police -constable No. 77, of the A division, said he was on duty at the theatre on Saturday night, and about half-past nine o'clock, a disturbance having occurred in the pit, he went there and found the defendant behaving in a riotous and dis orderly manner, and offering to fight any one. Witness re quested him to behave himself properly, but as he conti nued to annoy and interrupt the audience he took him into custody. Mr. MALTBY asked if the defendant was drunk? The con stable said he was so, most decidedly. Mr. MALTBY (to the defendant)—What answer have you to make to this charge? Defendant—l am extremely sorry for having so misconducted myself, and I am assured I should not have dune so if I had not had too much wine. I am generally very orderly, and never before got into a row. Mr. MALTBY (after consulting with Mr. Bishop, the clerk) said that, under the circumstances, he could only deal with the case as regarded the defendant's drunkenness, for which he should fine him ss. The defendant, who evidently expected a severer punish. meet, paid the fine with alacrity, and left the Court. NE W MARKET RACES (THIS DAY-BY EXPRESS.) BY THE E A.STERN COUNTIES ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH. Plate of 501. Maynooth Miss Elis 1 Fire ran. Handicap of 20 sovs. each. T.Y.C. Fidelity colt Cocoa Nut 2 Duc au Durras 3 Sweepstakes of 50 sovs. tach. Colonel Anson's lago ... 1 Duke of Beaufort's Taurina Mr. Phillimore's Side-saddle 3 Sweepstakes of 50 sovs. each. A.F. Duke of Bedford's Paragone Lord Exeter's Lebanon Sweepstakes of 50 sovs. each, T.Y.C. Ifr. Ring's Young Lochinvar, 6 yrs, 7st 51b Sir J. Hawley's Bishop of Romford's Cob, 6 yrs, Bst 71b 2 Colonel Peel's Garry Owen, aged Bst 71b 3 Match—Woodpigeon beat Oakley. PARLIAMENTARY BUSINESS. (From the Votes and Proceedings of the House of Commons.) REPORT FROM THE SELECT COMMITTEE ON GROUP (No. 29) OF 11.AILWAX RUGBY AND HUNTINGDON RAILWAY BILL. Mr. Labouchere reported from the Select Committee on Group(No. 29) of Railway Bills, to whom several petitions against the Bills comprised in the said group were referred, That in the case of the Rugby and Huntingdon Railway Bill they had heard counsel in support of several of the said petitions, end had also heard counsel in favour of the Bill, and that they had examined the allegations con tained in the ipreamble of the Bill, but that the same had not been proved to their satisfaction. Sir E. B. Lytton has joined the number of dis ,nguished Englishmen at present sojourning in Paris. An American journal informs us that a daily paper wice a week, has been commenced at Niagara Falls. ROYAL ASIATIC SOCIETY.—THE SHIER COUNTRY.— On Saturday, at a very full meeting of the members, the Right Hon. the Earl of Auckland, late Governor of India, and President of the Society, in the chair, a paper was read by Professor Wilson, on the origin and history of the Seikhs, the interest of which was considerably increased by the relation of the experience of the Noble President, when, as Viceroy of India, he visited the Court of Lahore. The Siekh nation took its rise from one of the earlier Hindoo reformers, many of whom were men of great acquirements, and for a long time they were a ;'nomadic race of inoffensive barbarians, or scattered bands of banditti, distinguished principally for their hostility both to Hindoos and Mohatnmedems. One of their laws in their sacred works was to " slay a Mohammedan wherever they meet him ; and if a Hindoo, beat and plunder him." They were governed by many chiefs, who early united in a confederacy forming a general diet, to which every one who commanded an armed band belonged. It was not until the present century that they were transformed from ill-de fined military bands into a compact body by the late Reinjeet Singh. which had never, however, the elements of solidity, as was shown by ,recent events. The original Seikhs, instead of being the hardy race which was supposed, had greatly degenerated from physical ex eesses, and the prowess displayed in the last great events was more that of the Hindoos and. ether people who were in their armies than of themselves. In the conversation that ensued, the President de scribed his reception by the members of the Court of Lahore, who were a fine manly race, of a very hospitable character, and stated that so tenacious were they of their religious rites, that although he was admitted into the chief temple of their sacred worship, he was excluded the sight of the sacred tank, in which is contained the first precepts of their religion, as given by their founder. The report was ordered to be printed. VISCOUNT HARDINGE AND HIS LATE CONSTITUENTS. — LAUNCESTON.—A highly respectable meeting, convened by J. K. Frost, Esq., the mayor of the borough, took place at Launceston on Friday last, for the purpose of presenting an address of congratula tion to Lord Hardinge on the occasion of the great victories recently won on the banks of the Sutlej. The address was unanimously agreed to after several highly complimentary speeches by the Mayor, by Thomas Pearce, Esq., Dr. Rowe, W. A. H. Aundell, Esq., and otherin fluential inhabitants. Lord Hardinge sat in the House of Commons for thirteen years as the representative of Launceston, and the con nexion which had existed between his Lordship and the borough, with equal honour to himself and satisfaction to the electors, was terminated by his recent acceptance of the high office he now holds as Governor-General of India. ROYAL ARTILLERY. —Captain MTiremau's Comn, 4th ba tau on embarked at four o'clock P.., for conveyance pa to Black wall, to proceed on board a steamer for Leith, to relieve Captain Binghanes company, Bth battalion, at Leith Fort, the latter being under orders to return to head-quarters at Woolwich. A CHILD DROWNED IN A BUTTER-FiRRIN.—On Saturday, Mr. Mills, Deputy Coroner for Middlesex, held an inquest at the Coach and Horses public-house, at Ealing, on the body of William Smith, a child sixteen months old, who met his death under the following circumstances :—The deceased was the son of a labour ing man employed in the gravel-pits, and living in the Uxbridge road. On Thursday morning, about ten o'clock, the mother of the deceased left him for a minute or two crawling on the floor of the room near an :Almost empty butter-firkin standing there, and when she returned she discovered that the child had, in the Interim, crawled to the tub, raised itself by it, and then tumbled head fore most into the tub, face downwards, into about four Inches of water. It was immediately got out, and a surgeon sent for, who pronounced life to be quite extinct. Verdict —" Accidental death"' It is said that the arrangements consequent on the death of Sir William Eoothby, Receiver. General of Customs, have not yet been completed. The salary of the late Receiver-General was 1,5001. a year. r lGair,Ea(d)h, ECLIPSE pi . 1 s i o a lu s r joined enoge Fa eager eTnr E t gf h oul e ra l ans s dc t uo L z *Tr contest : elf ! o u wh a i lia r t d liv s eso as uaf our uueCornet.ronldodan Saturday sm Sir James Graham's eldest son, Mr. Frederick Ulric the i . tators among the Kafirs, among whom a party has arisen called " Young Katr visible for a few moments. It bvue,t andon ateeermounintaotfedthaet hateavecynfemiusntrnagiteneniticonhedfuettirieest I was an eclipse of the sun, thirty-oneweather, it ntwhaws minutes past only past six o'clock. It was a partial eclipse, only diameter being covered. the greatest Obscuraetnieonfouytra-fkioll about six o'clock. taking t i te e s e u e n e 's t ACCIDENT AT MILLEANE.--TWO LIVES LOST.— An accident of a frightful character, by which two persons were killed, and several other parties seriously if not fatally injured, occurred on Friday afternoon, upon the extensive premises belonging to Mr. Sortis, stone-merchant, carrying on business at 3lillbarik, opposite the General Penitentiary. It appears that between the hours of f marble blocks. The vessel Was draughted to th e e d ge of three and four, a number of Sortis's men were e ngage d i n unloading a barge o Whilst the men were thus the wharf, and the blocks of marble were being lifted by means of what is termed a shifting crane. en gaged, a heavy block of atone, weighing several hundred weight, massive block of marble was sent flying into the barge lying at the edge of the water. As soon as it be neath made an attempt to get out of the reach o which was being drawn to the top of the crane, caused the cross bar to snap asunder, and the was perceive of the same ; but before they had time to accomplish their object, not only the pon derous mass of marble, but the machinery also, fell forward with a fearful crash. The men who were immediately underneath were almost doubled up by the great weight that fell upon them, and those who were close at hand were thrown in various directions native of Oxford, who had been employed on the works Johnson, a by the stones flying around them. A young man named William only a few days, was picked up in an insensible state; he was re moved to the Westminster Hospital, where he died in less than ten minutes after his admission. Another of the workmen namednGel a George Richards, of Dorset-street, Vauxhall-In idge-ftiad to the found Vauxhall - bridge-load , d same u hos pital, where he received every attention that h e nmanity and surgical expired in the similar state to his companion ; he was removed fellow skill could suggest, in spite of which the poor course of the evening from the effects of the dreadful Injuries he had George Holloway and Henry Burke, had their thighs broken, and were taken to the West minster received. This party, we regret to say, has left eleven children totally unprovided for. Two workmen, named G Hospital, as was an oth er man , name d Willi am Murphy. The latter is in a fair state of recovery, but the men Holloway and Burke still remain in a very precarious condition. The cause of the accident appears to have been from the rottenness of the crane, which doubtless arose from its long exposure to the weather. An inquest will be held upon the bodies. 11311 AUDI PACT:lA.—lbrahim Pacha has arrived in Paris. The royal carriages were in waiting at the station of the Orleans railroad to convey his Highness and suite to the Elysee Bourbon. Ibraham Pacha occupies the apartment on the first floor which the Emperor Napoleon inhabited during the hundred days. The distri bution of prizea in the Egyptian school, which was to have taken Place a few days ago, was postponed till the arrival in Paris of Ibra him Pacha, who had signified his wish to be present. This school, witch has now 58 pupils from Egypt, chosen by Mehemet All, 'was founded rather more than a year ago, under the patronage of Mar shal Soult. It is supported entirely by the Viceroy. Amongst the pupils are two sons of Mehemet Ali and two sons of Ibrahim. The Journal des C'henzins de Fer announces that the differences which hitherto divided the two Versailles companies had been at last aktjusted, and that no further diffioulty existed in tho way Of the aquillontlou of tho Western itsturesd. AMERICA NEWS. FOUR DAYS LATER. LIVERPOOL, SUNDAY EVENING, We have this afternoon received New York and other United States papers of the 4th instant, per the packet-ship Roscius, Captain Eldridge, which arrived here shortly after four o'clock. The news is not of an important character. Up to the time the Roscitts left, no tidings of a division in the Senate on the Oregon resolutions had reached New York. At the same time the subject was still debated. On the 31st ult. General Cass had made a very intemperate and warlike speech, in which he castigated some of the leading Senators who disagreed with his opinions, and alluded to Lord Brougham in no very complimentary terms. The fol lowing is an epitome of what passed in the Senate on the 31st ult. : WASHINGTON, MARCH 31. The President's secretary appeared at the bar of the Senate with a message, informing that body that the President had signed the Bill authorising the Secretary of the Navy to pur chase water-rotted hemp for the use of the navy. Mr. Cass took the floor in support of the resolution of no tice. His speech gave character to the proceedings of the day. He said he would not discuss the question of the Ame rican title to Oregon, as that was not properly before the Senate, and had moreover been very ably and satisfactorily examined and vindicated by the present Secretary of State and many others. He would not consume the time of the Senate in correcting the misrepresentations of his own mo-_ tives, acts, and speeches. That was a sort of tribute which was required of public men in eminent station. General Cass referred, in the course of his remarks, to the speeches of several senators who had preceded him. Alluding to the assertion of one that the debates in Congress were less dignified than those of the British Parliament, he said he knew from personal observation that this was an error. General Cass then read an extract from the speech of Lord Brougham, in 1843, in which he honours Mr. Lass with a torrent of Brummagem scurrility, for his agency in defeating the quintuple alliance. And such indecorous trash, said Mr. Cass, is a specimen of the superior dignity of the British Par liament. He next adverted to the different propositions for compromising this dispute. He could not perceive what claim the favourite parallel of 49 degrees had over any other. His own opinion was, that our claim was good and perfectly tenable up to 54 degrees 40 minutes, and such was the opinion of the President. He then turned to the subject of the necessary augmentation of the army and navy, as defen sive preparation against the hostile designs of Great Britain. He read a letter from General Scott, setting forth the neces sity of an increase in the army, and several other communi cations that have not before been made public. He said he had found no reason to change the opinion he had long before expressed that there was imminent hazard of war between the two countries. He did not attempt to conceal the immense injury that would result to our national interests from such a war, but he showed that the injury to British commerce, and all other interests, would be greater in proportion, as they were more extensive than ours. Mr. Cass and Mr. Calhoun then had a brief conversation upon the probable effects of a war, which was carried on with good feeling. Mr. Ashley then took the floor to follow Mr. Cass, but pre vious to commencing his speech, moved that the Senate go into executive session, which was done. On the day following (April 1), Colonel Benton replied to General Cass, and showed that the treaty of Utrecht, of 1713, gave authority for the extension of 49 west of the Rocky Mountains. On establishing this position, Mr. Hanne gan replied, and dealt some very unmerciful blows upon the Colonel, from whom he said he had learned all he knew as to the United States' title to the Oregon territory as far as the 54th degree. The Senate has been to-day ascene of the greatest interest. Contrary to expectation Mr. Benton came out with a full and explicit definition of his position upon the Oregon ques tion, and his manner of doing it was characteristic. The first business of general interest was Mr. Breeie's re solution, the apparent object and real effect of which would be the expulsion of the newspaper correspondents. But, after a brief though uninteresting debate upon the proposi• tion, it was laid over until a more convenient season. Mr. Speight moved that the resolution of notice be at once taken up, though the regular hour for that order of business e lia re d d n te ot m y n e k t e arr an iv e e x d p . la H n a e ti u en nd i e n rs re t g oo a d rd t t h e a u t re tr a . rk ß e en f G to e n ne d r e n - 1 Cass yesterday, about the treaty of Utrecht. Mr. Benton rose—He said that yesterday General Cass had avowed that if it could be established, that the line of 30 deg. was established between the possessions of France and u England h west et rea t of y ef t h u e t r e R e o h c t k t 3 h , e 3 w Mountains t h d t r o n w t hhei s oceanopposi tion to that line. Now he was ready to prove that such a line was run and established. Mr. Cass had said that Mr. Madison had instructed Mr. Monroe to investigate and ascer tain if that line was so run, and if so, to offer it to Great Bri tain. But, according to General Cass, Mr. Monroe never had made that examination, but bad made the offer without taking the trouble to ascertain how the matter stood. Mr. Benton went into a laboured and searching examination of time, t h a u n t d the t the liner t e h a a t y d c ea on r c ly lusion e t h f e utreeht, diplomacyanodf cameM r. M t o u n r t o h e e 's been run, and General Cass must take his pl ace among t h e 49 men. Mr. Hannegan defended General Cass with great vigour and brilliancy. The Senate went into executive session, and soon after adjourned. In the House of Representatives, the debate upon the Sub- Treasury Bill was continued, and nothing else was done. On the next day (April 2) the debate was resumed by Mr. Ashley, who made a few very important remarks, when General Cass got up and replied at some length to Colonel Benton's remarks of-the prerions - da-, and nausea to accede to Mr. Benton's principles, inasmuch as he considered the grounds upon which they were laid to be fallacious. An nexed is an outline of the proceedings of what occurred in the Senate on the subject on the day in question, from which it will be seen that Mr. Webster is still exerting himself in favour of peace : Mr. Ashley moved, in the Senate, that the special order of the day, the Oregon question, be taken up, in order, as he remarked, to give the Senator from Michigan, General Cass, an opportunity to reply t o th e . remarks of Mr. Benton, of yesterday. This was agreed to. Gen. Cass commenced by saying that he was surprised at the tone of Mr. B.'s a nimadversions upon his speech. It had been his misfortune to be twice captured by the enemy, once he had been redeemed by the people •of the country he was serving, and this time he hoped to be able to redeem himself from that captivity among the forty-nines, into which the Senator had yesterday consigned him. Gen. Cass then proceeded to answer in detail each of Mr. Benton's strictures, and began by denying that he had com mitted himself to the position which Mr. Benton had as cribed to him. The point of this controversy seems to be, that one party asserts that the line of the forty-ninth paral lel of latitude, established by the treaty of Utrecht between the possessions of France and England in America, applied to the now Oregon territory west of the Rocky Mountains, and the other denies it. General Cass also denies that this line was ever run at all, and Mr. Benton is understood to assert both propositions. General Cass spoke to-day some two hours, confining him self closely to the question, and showing most satis factorily, that the line was intended to stop at the monu tains, and had never actually been run. He read statements from the latest and most authoritative French work on the subject, that of De Mofras, who positively asserts that this line was not run. Mr. Benton rejoined. He said General Cass had now taken a position which was like jumping from the frying pan to the fire. In denying that the line of the treaty of Utrecht had extended beyond the Rocky Mountains, he had denied the existence of any title in the United States to Oregon before the treaty of the Floridas in 1817 ; for by the treaty of 1804, the line of 49th degree was adopted as the boundary between England and the United States, as far as the respective territories of the two powers extended in that direction, in the precise words and meaning of the treaty of Utrecht. He could not escape this. He had denied that we had any title but that founded on that Spanish treaty. Mr. Cass might have answered to this by saying that our Commissioners may have assumed that Great Britain had no territory west of the mountains, and that therefore the respective territories alluded to stopped at their eastern base. But Mr. C. did not go into an argument in his reply, but briefly adverted to one or two points made by Mr. B. Mr. Webster argued for the authority of the line of Utrecht ; and that if the termination of the 49th parallel was not clearly defined in the terms of the 10th article of said treaty, it was to a great extent confirmed by subse quent acts, based upon said treaty—the lines upon ce r t a i n maps, for exa m pl e ; and the line marked - upon one of them as established by the treaty, or by the Commissioners, after the peace of Utrecht, making a course from Davis's inlet on the Atlantic sea, down to the 49th degree, &c. The only thing worthy of notice that has occurred in the House of Representatives is the passing of the Sub-Treasury Bill, the first step towards the establishment of a national bank, an institution which the United States stood in great need of. The numbers were—ayes: 124 ; noes, 67. A New York paper of the 4th April has the following particulars respecting this measure : sections, and covered eighteen foolscap pages. As it t o -d ay passed the House, it provides, in substance, th at t h e rooms 'i The Bill, as originally reported, contained twenty- seven in the Treasury buildings prepared and provided for the use of the treasurer of the United States, his assistants, and the vaults oina-nlidouses in New clerks, and the fire-proof vaults and safes, are constituted and declared to be the Treasury of the United States, the s oe branch , cugt treasurer to keep the public money which shall come to his hands in the Treasury until the same shall be drawn there from according to law. The Mint of the United States at York, Bbston, Charleston, St. Louis, heretofore prepared for that purpose, shall be Places of aafe keeping. and Philadelphi a , safe s Re tli thereof ; N th e e w rooms Orlen a n t ceivers-general to be appointed by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, to be located at the places last named. The treasurer of the *United States the treasurer of the Mint of the United States, the t ' surers, and those acting as such, of the various brarecah mints, all collectors of the customs, all surveyors of branc h customs, acting also as collectors, all receivrs-general o f public moneys, all receivers of public moneys at the several land offices, and all postmasters, are required to keep safely without loaning or using, all the public money collected by ' them, or otherwise at any time placed in their possession and custody, till the same is ordered by the proper department or officer of the Government. The officers appointed to give bonds, which may from time to time be renewed, strength ened and increased ; to make trmsfers when directed, and it is made lawful for the: secretary of the Treastr— .l, to order the same. Examination of books to be made by selected for that purpose, in addition to c h ecks agents to be on the offi cers. Expenses for contingencies, tire - proof safes, &c. allowed, the whole number of clerks to be appointed not to exceed ten ; the aggregate compensation not to exceed eigh thousand dollars, nor the compensation of any clerk eight t hundred dollars per annum. If at any of or those connected with the Post office the officers Department, shall convert to his own use, or invest in any kind of property or merchan dise, or shall loan any portion of the public moneys, the act shall be deemed an embezzlement, and declared a felony, and all persons ad visi4 or participating in such act, bei n g convicted t h ereof, fora shall be sentenced to imprisonment term o f not less than six months, nor more than ten years, and to a firie equal to th e amount of money embezzled. After June 30, 1 848, all payments to be made in gold and silv er Foin nly. Drafts to be used or thrown into circulation are notas a a cur i rency, or a medium of exchange. Salary to Roc eive p r Ge per neral a t Now York, 4,000 dolls. ; at Boston, 2,44 1 d ons. . Charleston, 2,500 dolls.; a• t Si Louis, ' , dolls:.' 500 2 the Treasurei of the Mint, 500 dolls. additional ; Treasurer of Branch Mint at New Orleans, 500 dolls. additional per annum—no commissions, pay ] or pe rquisites penalty of being considered a misdemeanour, punishable by fine or imprisonment, or both. Five thousand dollars ap propriated for offices, safes, vaults, 810., and incidental ex- EVENING, APRIL 27, 18 . 46 penses. Gold and silver only to be received in payment of duties, taxes, public lands, debts, and sums of money ac cruing or becoming due for postages, or otherwise. After October 1, 1846, every officer or agent engaged in making disbursements on account of the United States, or of the General Post-office, shall do so in gold and silver coin only. The-Bill to go into effect July 1, 1846. The House then adjourned. A meeting was held at Philadelphia, on the 2d of April, on I t the e w s o u u b l j t ; e c a t p p o e f a r theth tha t rg e o n good ter r p i t e o o r p y l e , o but t h v a e t ry c i t f y e w a a r e t t enno not e d i n favour of war, and ready to compromise the dispute in ques tion. It is important that a city of so much consequence as Philadelphia should thus act, and throw cold water upon the exertions of such firebrands as Cass and Hannegan. THE MURDER TRIAL AT MUM/ORD.—The panel of jurors for the trial of Mr. Ritchie was completed on Tues day. The Court requested that the testimony should not be published until the close of the trial. The jury were sworn and the trial commenced on Tuesday afternoon. Mr. P. J. Archer, one of the seconds, surrendered himself for trial, and was admitted to bail in the stun of 12,000 dollars. Dust. BE-swEss WOMEN. Recently at New Orleans a challenge to fight a duel Passed between :hiss Mary Adkins and Miss Turner, the latter accepting and choosing pistols. Recorder Genois, hearing of it, and not appreciating the transports of virtuous and honourable souls, locked up both parties. The above journals come t o us freighted with th e intelli gence of disasters by freshets. Bridges without number have been swept away—houses carried off--railroads sub merged—embankments overthrown—thousands of acres of land deluged, and property of all kinds destroyed to an im mense amount. In fact, such injury by floods has not oc curred in that country for the last fifty years. The commercial news by this arrival is not important. The Stock Market is rather dull, political affairs keeping the market more from rising than depressing it. It was rumoured that the steam-ship Unicorn was arrived, but nothing certain was known. Nothing had been done in exchanges from the departure of the Hibernia. Quotations were—London, 109ic. to 110 c. ; Paris, sf. 26ic. to sf. 231 c. In Cotton a moderate business was done at steady prices. Flour was steady at sf. 4.3ic. to bf. 50c. Provisions, and other articles usually imported, were much the same as last reported. - LATE AND IMPORTANT FROM MEXICO. (From the New York Evening Post of April 2.) We are indebted to a gentleman who arrived here to-day from Havannah, via Charleston, in the short passage of eight days, for the following important intelligence : The Juniata arrived at Havannah on the evening of the 22d ult. from Vera Cruz, which place she sailed from the 16th ult., bringing advices up to that day, and by the captain we learn that a great change had taken place in the state of our relations with Mexico. It appears that Paredes had been induced to alter his tone, owing to strong manifestations exhibited against a war with the United States, and that Mr. Slidell, our Mi nister, had been duly notified that the Government were ready to consider propositions he had to make on behalf of our Government, and that there existed no doubt but that the matter would be speedily adjusted. Arista and the troops under his command had pronounced against Paredes and the war party. SPORTILY G INTELLIGENCE. NEWMARKET FIRST SPRING MEETING. SUNDAY AFTERNOM—The following horses have arrived since the list of engagements was published :—Green Pea, Miss Elia, Switeher, Secundus King Charles, Tibthorpe, Physalis, Lycurgus, and Draco. Chamois and one or two others are expected to-morrow. The weather continues unfavourable, and as yet very few indications of a full meeting are discernable; from the num ber of orders, however, that have been received for post horses to meet the special train at Chesterford te-morrow, we have no doubt that by Tuesday, the grand day, the town will be full. The present arrivals are the Duke of Rutland, Earl and Countess of Sefton, Lord Charles Manners, Lord Maidstone, Lord and Lady Newport, Hon. Captain Roust Hon. F. Villiers, Col. Peel, and Mr. Greville, DURHAM RACES: FRIDAY. The two-yrs-old Stakes of 10 guineas each, with 20 sous added, for colts Bst 31b, and fillies Bst. Three quarters of a mile. 4 Subs. Mr. E. R. Clark's Bendigo (J. Bumby) 1 Mr. Meiklau's Duncan 2 Mr. J. Cookson's Miss Birch, 3 Won by a neck. The Cup Stakes of 10 guineas each, for 3-yrs-old, Est 101 b ; 4 yrs, Bst 31b; 5 yrs, Bst 101 b; 6 yrs and aged, 9st ; mares, &c. allowed 31b. Two miles. 8 Subs. Mr. G. Salvin's Fiddlestring, 3 yrs (R. Longstaff) 1 Mr. R. W, Ramsay's Inglewood, 3 yrs 2 Captain Allan's•Themis, 3 yrs 3 The following also started, but were not placed :—Mr. Surtees's Lady Flora, aged ; Mr. Spearman's Duke of Kent, 4 yrs ; Mr. J. Fawcett's Comical Boy, 4 yrs ; and Mr. W. Russell's Tractarian, 3 yrs. Tractarian won at his ease, but having taken the wrong side of the post was distanced. The Hunters' Stakes .of 5 sovs. each, fer 4-yrs-olds, lOst 121 b; 5 yrs, 1 Ist 81b; 6 yrs, and aged, 12st ; half-bred horses allowed 71b. Two miles. 7 Subs. Mr. G. Salvin's Maid of Auckland, aged (Mr. R. Johnson) 1 Mr. Whitelock's Swodale Jack, 6 yrs 2 Mr. Russell's Eleanor, 6 yrs Mr. Gregson's Tocherless Lass, 5 yrs 4 SHIFFNAL RACES. We are requested to state that if the highest weight ac cepting for the Shiffnall Handicap should be under Bst 71b, it will be raised to that weight, and the others in proportion. HUNTING APPOINTMENTS. Durham County Hds—Wed. at Flass ; Fri. at Thornley—lo (RECEIVED THIS DAY:) NEWMARKET, SUNDAY NIGHT. ENTRIES FOR MONDAY. PLATE.—Switcher, Miss Elis, Lycurgus, Keppel, Maynooth, and Plantagenet. HANDICAP, T.Y.C.—Paultons, Bst 121 b; Cocoa Nut, Sst 41b ; Dac an Durras, Bst 21b; Fidelity colt, Est 21b. Two paid forfeit. The following are scratched for engagements to-morrow: —Lucetta colt, Macremma colt, Oxberry, and Toga colt. 2,000 GUINEAS STAKES.—Smuggler Bill, Martext, Pite, Whitefoot,Ginger, Birkenhead, and Titchfield are struck out. STEEPLE CHASE. A sporting event came off on Saturday for a very hand some Silver Cup (by subscription, free for all horses, 12st each), at Uxendon Farm, under the patronage and superin tendence of the liberal proprietor, Mr. Elmore, who not only most willingly permits his land to be ridden over for the en couragement of steeple chasing, but who, upon all occasions exhibits the right real true English hospitality by entertain ing his friends with a spread of every good thing the appetite can desire, and such a bottle of old port as " maketh the heart of man glad." The ground was heavy, the morning very unfavourable, and consequently the race did not come off until a quarter before four, when the following horses appeared at the post : Mr. Elmore's Will-o'-the-Wisp, aged, 12st (Mr. Philpot) 1 Mr. Fitz's The Essex Cob, aged, 12st ...... .....(Owner) 2 Mr. Poole's The Pony, aged, 19st The Hon. R. Grimston declared to ride 41b over weight. At starting they all got well together. Will-o'-the-Wisp soon began to show in front, and came to the first fence (a reaper) full a length in advance, which he cleared in gallant style, quietly followed by the Essex Cob, and The Pony ; the latter, although he cleared the fence, evidently bungled, and his rider, in consequence, lost both his stir rups, and nearly had a purl. The brook next appeared, and before the Honourable Gentleman could regain either stir rup, he was obliged to charge it, which he did, and most suc cessfully, too, a circumstance that appeared to give all the lookers-on great satisfaction. Will-o'-the-Wisp still con tinued the lead, The Cob second, and The Pony last. This order of things was kept up during the first round, having to traverse the course twice, in order to make good the dis tance (four miles). When they reached the brook the second time, Will-o'-the-Wisp, still leading, get first over, The Cob in close attendance, The Pony still last; and here, although they all got well landed, it became visible The Pony's chance was out. At this point The Cob appeared to be going well, but on nearing Philpot's-common he became dis tressed; his rider, at this critical period, proved his coolness and good judgment by taking "a pull," and the animal seemed for a time to rally, and in a great mea sure t o recover his lost ground ; but, al as ! it was no go ; he was clearly out paced by the superior strength and condition of Will-e'-the- Wisp, who, it may be fairly said, was never h eaded from first to last, and won in a canter by at least ten lengths; The Cob second. The ground selected was much the same as the last, with the addition of a stiff post and rail both into and out of Philpot's Common. The race (which is an honest four miles) occupied only twelve minutes and a quarter, and, taking into consideration the heavy state of the country, the number and formidable nature of the fences (and be it remembered with 12st. up), speaks well, not only for the game and stoutness of the animals, but also for the pluck and j udgment of the gentlemen who rode. All passed off well, and without an accident. The arrangements gave great satisfaction, and everybody appeared delighted with the day's amusement. ,It is now, we understan d , decided on th at t h e ap ed preaching accouchement of the Queen, an event to which her subjects look forward with so much affectionate interest, is to take place at Buckingham Palace.—Observer. Her Majesty and his Royal Highness Prince Albert honoured the Italian Opera with their presence on Saturday evening. The royal suite consisted of Lady Portman, the Hon. Miss Napier, Lord Byron,, the Hon. Colonel Grey, and Lieutenant -Colonel Sey mour. There were also present her Royal Highness the Duchess of Kent, attended by Lady Augusta Bruce; her Royal Highness the Duchess of Cambridge, attended by the B aroness Ahlofeldt, the Baron Knesebeck, and Mr. Edmund Mildmay. In the Queen Dow ager's box was his Serene Highness Prince George of Meiningen, attended by Captain Taylor and Mr. Bedford ; his Royal Highness Prince George of Cambridge. Amongst the company also present were the Duke of Wellington, the Marchioness of Douro, and Lord Charles Wellesley; the Duke and Duchess of Beaufort and the Ladies R. and B. Somerset; Count Esterhazy ; his Excellency the Russian Ambassador and the Baroness Brunnow ; his Excellency the Hano verian Minister, the Baron and Baroness Rothschild, the Dowager Baroness de Rothschild, the Marchioness of Worcester, the Marquis of Sligo, the Marquis of Clanricarde, the Marquis of An glesea, the Marquis of Westmeath, the Earl of Liverpool, the Earl and Countess of Kinnoul, the Earl and Countess ot Wton, the Countess of Jersey, th e Earl of Lonsdale, the Earl of Shelb il urne, the Count de Noailles, the Count and Countess de Jarnac, the Viscountess Dungannon, the Marquis of Huntley, the Viscount Beresford, the Viscount Duncannon, the Baron Koller, the Viscount Duppliti, Lard Brougham, Lord and Lady Tremlestowu, Lady Joddrell, Lady Gar diner, Lord H. Lennox, Lord W. Paget, Lady Villiers, Lady Orford, Lady Pollington, Lord and Lady Macdonald, Lord Ernest Bruce, Lord Suflield, Lady Murray, Lord W. Beresford, Lord W. Graham, Sir H. Trench, Sir P. Shelley, Sir R. Vyvyan, Sir W. and Lady Molesworth, Sir John Guest, Sir Charles Kent, Sir Ralph and Lady Howard, Sir Henry and Lady Meux, Sir John and Lady Corry, Sir A. Barnard, Sir H. Webb, Sir Thomas Hare, the Hon. R. Curzon, the Hon. Mrs. Fitzgibbon and the Misses Fitzgibbon, the Hon. Miss Foley, the Hon. Mr. Arbuthnot, Mr. St. John Mildmay, Mr. Brere ton Trelawny, Mrs. Crawshay, Mrs. Stoddart Douglas, Mrs. Peaulso toun, Mrs. S. Smith, Captain Bathurst, ice. Sco, ' ROYAL BOTANIC ScCIETT, REGE NT ' S - PARK. —A t a meeting of fellows of 'this Society, held at the gardens, on Saturday (the Duke of Norfolk, E. M., President, in the chair), the following ladies and gentlemen were added to the society :—Lady Cfweglic Townley, Lady Maria 3 lolyneux, the Duke of Marlborough, Colonel George Smith S Samuel Spry, M.P., Si r H enry Wil l oughby, Bart., Captain Sir J. R. ir Rowley, part., Pr. Thomas Heberden, Mr. James Penton, and Mr. % T. Well's Taylor. Several other gentlemen were proposed; whose election will take place at the next meeting. Some interesting presents of seeds and plants and additional denatickli; tp the conservatory building fund were reported. CONSECRATION OF THE NEW ()BURCH, WOKING RAM, BER Es. — Twnetap, EarnAt—This edifice, erected atr r e e for '- pense of J. W a l t e r , Esq., of Bear Wood, Bucks, former ly la the county, was consecrated, yesterday, by the Lord Bishop a isbo h p an o dso f Ox, ni , 6 it 2 ford, assisted b y several of the clergy of the diocese. structure, in the G o thi c s t yle, situated in th e . dye miles from the an PYI.O. o ' ' ' $6. 'Catherine, pl about 2CO yards from the donor's reST ; poc village of Twygq.4, Si4OcRINO WADER AT SRIPToN.—On 'Monday last an Inquest was held a t Skipton-in-craven, before Thomas Brow n , Esq., on view o f th e b o dy o f Mar y Rodda, about a ym and a h a lf appears that Rodd a old, the daughte r of John 4todda , a I.ablire.to V. 10s. 4 - - it been entitled is a member of a b ur i a l c l u b, an d would ave on the death of his child. U n d e r p re t ence o f killing vermin, he pur chased some oil of vitriol, which he poured down the throat of his child whi lst she was asleep in the cradle, w hi c h caused her death. ile ju r y returned a verdict of " Wilful murder" against the father, who was brought to York Castle on Tuesday, to take his trial An the horrid Wows at the next. Rohm. ___l,--7...., THE GAUGE OF RAILWAYS. (From the Commissioners' Report.) Sir FREDERICK SMITH, in the chair. Major-General Charles William Pas ley, C. 8., examined—. Will you favcur the Commissioners with any observations you may have to make upon the subject which is under their deliberation ?—Early in the year 1843 a difference of opinion took place between the directors of the Ulster Railway, of which a portion was then formed with a single line of rails, and the Dublin and Drogheda Company, respecting the gauges of those railways. The Ulster Railway had a gauge cf 6 feet 2 inches, which they considered to be the best, and they objected to the Dublin and Drogheda Railway being formed with a gauge of 5 feet 2 inches, which was then proposed by Mr., now Sir John, Macneill, the engineer of that company, and approved by the directors. It was stated that these railways must ultimately be united, because it was proposed to extend the Dublin and Drogheda Railway to Belfast, joining the Ulster Railway at some intermediate point. It was therefore admitted by both companies, that there ought to be an uniformity of gauge between the two lines, and as each party maintained their own gauge, or pro posed gauge, to be the best, the matter was referred to Lord Ripon, then President of the Board of Trade, and of the Railway Department of Government. Lord Ripon desired me to inquire into the case, and to make a report on the subject. I accordingly wrote a circular letter to a number of the most eminent locomotive engine -makers and railway engineers, to request that they would give an opinion, supposing that no railways existed in England, what, from their experience of the working of the Great Western, and of the London and Birmingham, and other existing railways, they would not apply togMathureg.e,question Brunel,andthoughtbecauseto hm that cIo it s d wo e considered would considered iibme recommend as being the best gauge for general use. I did pledged iud3e catc h to f p ee u t t li r. Stephenson and MRobert Stephenson, who first introducedl the narrow gauge of 4 feet 8 1 A inches on passenger in England, to be pledged in the same manner railways ‘ t v ll 3 at s gauge; co that it Was not ny intention at first to have ap plied to them for their opinion. But having ascertained - afterwards that those gentlemen had expressed a regret that they had adopted so narrow a gauge as 4 feet 8 1 / 2 , I wrote to them also, and they replied that they considered that gauge to be the best, although they admitted that they had at one time been of opinion that a wider gauge would have been desirable ; but they stated that the great improve ments in the construction of locomotive engines had been such as to render a gauge of 4 feet 8 not only perfectly con venient, but preferable to any other. All the other engi neers wrote, that they considered 5 feet to be the narrowest, and 5 feet 6 to be the widest gauge, that was required either for the convenience of the machinery of the locomotive engine or for speed orsafety. Several of them said that they considered some intermediate gauge, such as 5 feet 3 inches, to be the best. After I had received those communications, besides copies of a lengthened correspondence between the two railway companies in Ireland that I have mentioned, I made my report to the Earl of Ripon, dated the 10th of March, 1843, in which I recommended that the gauge of 5 feet 3 inches should be sanctioned for the Dublin and Drog heda Railway, and that all future railways in Ireland should be required to adopt this gauge, and that as the Dublin and Kingstown Railway, and the Ulster Railway, the only ones then made in Ireland, were of very limited length, the di rectors of those railways should be required to change their gauge to 5 feet 3 inches, when they became connected with other railways, which would not be attended with any very great inconvenience or expense, especially as the Ulster Railway had only one line of rails. This opinion having been approved of by his Lordship, was authorised for all Ireland ; and, I believe, that the 5 feet 3 gauge has accord ingly been int ro d uce d in all railway Bills that have passed ep e report, ed e e e to e e which e e l e have tm r, a sal andlupdti e de togetherpart efw theitohf allsin since. My correspondenc e several engineers w h om I quoted, the report of the officers of the railway department to the Lords of the Committee of Privy Council for Trade for the year 1843, and I beg leave to refer the Commissioners to that report for further details. At that time it appeared to me too late to attempt to introduce an uniform gauge in Great Britain, where at that time four several gauges prevailed, to wit, the Great Western and its extensions and branches of 7 feet, whilst the Eastern Counties Railway to Colchester, 1 1 and the Northern and Eastern Railway from London to Bishop's Stortford, were on a gauge of 5 feet, recommended by Mr. Braithwaite, but the London and Birming ham, and all the other passenger railways in England, were on the narrow gauge of 4 feet fli. This last gauge also applied to the Edinburgh and Glasgow, and to the Glasgow and Ayr, and other railways proceeding from Glasgow, whilst the 5 feet 6 gauge had bees adopted on the Dundee and Arbroath, and on the Arbroath and For far Railways. I remained of the same opinion until lately, when the appointment of this Commission by her Majesty induced me to reflect more upon the subject; and the esta blishment of an uniform gauge for all Great Britain appears to me so very important, that the advantages of it will far outweigh the temporary inconvenience to the travelling public, and the expense of establishing it. I still consider that the gauge of 5 feet 3, recommended for Ireland in con formity with the opinions of the most eminent locomotive engine -makers and railway engineers, not pledged to any of the existing gauges, is the best, and that the narrow gauge of 4 feet 8 1 ,1 might be increased to this width very easily. The same bridges, viaducts, and tunnels, and the same sleepers would answer, but new axles for the locomotive en gines and tenders would be required. In respect to the car riages, the bodies or upper part would also answer, but it would be necessary to alter the frames as well as to make new axles. In altering the frames, all the transverse parts or cross pieces would require to be condemned, and wider transverse pieces introduced; but so much of the original frames would still remain available, that I have reason to believe that this expense would be very moderate, probably not exceeding 301. per carriage. In respect to the Great Western and other railways on the broad gauge, the same remark applies. The same longitudinal sleepers would answer, as well as the transoms or cross pieces after the latter are cut shorter. The axles of the locomotive engines and tenders, and the axles of all the carriages, would require to be altered; and the frames of the carriages would require to be taken to pieces, and the transverse parts shortened. In respect to the bodies of the carriages, I consider that they would still be available for the gauge of 5 feet 3, because Sir John Macneill, who adopted that gauge, has made his car riages as wide as those of the Great Western for the Dublin and Drogheda Railway, and I believe, of the same height; and no inconvenience or danger has resulted from using those wide-bodied carriages upon the 5 feet 3 gauge, since that line was opened, nearly a year and a half ago. Several carriages on the Manchester and Leeds Railway also have been made 8 feet wide, that is of the same width as the Great Western Railway carriages, and no danger or accident has occurred, from having those wide-bodied carriages upon axles and wheels suited to the narrow gauge of 4 feet Bi. I have further to observe, as a proof of the facility with which the gauge of a railway may be altered, that on the Norfolk Railway being made to connect with the Northern and Eastern Railway, the existing gauge not only of the latter, but also of the Eastern Counties Railway, which two companies had become amalgamated, was altered from 5 feet to 4 feet Bi, under the directions of Mr. Robert Stephenson. This was done in six weeks, in a very able and effective manner, without occasioning any accident, and without ma terially impeding the traffic on those railways, which con tinued as usual, one line only having been altered at a time, and temporary sidings made, where the up and down trains passed each other. I have only further to observe, that Ido not think that Messrs. Stephenson's opinion of the sufficiency of the narrow gauge of 4 feet 8i for all purposes, has been borne out by the subsequent experience of more than two years. The gauge of 4 feet 8 does not admit of a boiler of sufficient diameter, or of a fire-box of sufficient width, to give such power to the locomotive engines as is required by the present state of railway travelling, Mr. Robert Stephen son has attempted to get rid of this disadvantage by length ening his boilers in the last engines constructed by him, which are also made with outside cylinders. The lengthen ing of the boilers appears to me to be a failure, since it has not produced engines equal in power to those of the Great Western Railway • and some of his eng i nes w i th long boilers, which I have observed by travelling upon the m , especially the one called the White Horse of Kent, used on the South -Eastern Railway, go very unsteadily, oscillating or rolling very much, which, if the speed were materially increased, I think might prove dangerous, and which must have a tendency to injure the permanent rail way. I never went above 45 miles an hour upon an engine of this description, but I consider that if they attempted a speed of upwards of 50 or 60 miles an hour, which I have seen attained on the Great Western Railway (the possibility of which speed, however, I doubt with such engines), I do not think that they would be altogether safe ; indeed my opinion is that they would roll over if they attained that speed. As a further proof of the inefficiency of long boilers to obtain the object in view, I may remark th a t th e engines made by Messrs. sharp brothers), formerly Sha r p a nd Roberts, of Manchester, as well as by Mr. Trevethick, of the Grand Junction Railway at Crewe, and by Mr. Johh Gooch, of the Smith-Western Railway, travel as quick as those lo ng boiler engines of Mr. Steph enson , an d muc h steadier. Owing to the narrowness of the 4 feet 8% gauge, Mr. John Gooch el e te has made some of his go o d s engines w i t h elliptical boilers, the transverse or longest axles being vertical, which may render them a little more top heavy than the others, but, considering that they are intended for slow trains, there is no objection diem s t construction. I have further to mention, that the boilers , of the Great Western locomotive engines, cylinders under the directio4 of Mr. Daniel Gooch have cylinders of 4 feet inter4or diameter, and it has not been found necessary Or profitable to increase the diameter of the boilers beyond that, which appears to be recognised on that railway as the maximum, though the gauge would admit of much larger ones. And I shall conc lude by observing that the proposed gauge of 5 feet 3 admits of a boiler of 4 feet diameter, or even of 8 or 4 inches more if required ; so .t that I consider this gauge sufficient for all purpose's, unless wished to travel much faster than the Great ex pressWesteirnwerecarQuenotfr;p?iliTonhethgrateatthesetbproesaskibolfe disaaurva trains now do, the speed of' which satisfies me. in Y th o e u eat evil la nte a g gr e. And you think that the best way of remedying that is by a total reform of the existin railways, do. l 80 as t° dperoubbalebdTetyr,mthaye be m trebled , le ag e of i railways course u r s n n a e 3 G ' entire harmony of gauge ? or o fe abaste certain Britain ha produce one number of of years. It certainly will be doublet] and therefore that • , is another reason for not adh • • ermg to either of the present exist ing gauges, if a better can be adopted. You think the time has now arrived for taking some decided step one way or another ?—I think it has; but it would have been better to have taken it earlier. You were understood to say that you considered the lengthening of the boilers in Mr. Stephenson's long engines to have been a failure; do you attach any importance to the lengthening of the fire-box, the defect as regards the fire-box being in width ?—I have not studied the details of locomo tive engines myself; I judge by experience of those I have travelled upon, and I consider that Mr. Stephenson's length of boiler has not produced that effect, which it was natural to suppose that it would have done. You have alluded to the unsteadiness of some of the long boiler engines, the White Horse of Kent in particular; do you consider that that is owing to the circu ms t ance t h at the White Horse of K en t h as outside cylinders, and that there is no attempt at balancing the moving weight there ?—From my observation of the effect of outside cylinders on the Grand Junction and on the South-Western Railway, where they have been adopted as the last approved patterns, I do ntt consider that their tend ency i s to produce oscillation ; i:) their axles being straight, are stronger and safer then h - cn are crank-axles necessarily used w ith i ns id e cy li n d ers , continually breaking. I am o f o pi n i on , however, that balapc.ing all the part s o f a locomotive engine Many as much as possibl e , i s o f grea t importance. are locomotive superintendents of railway companies of this opini on , an d h ave balanced their crank •axles and whom is every part on this principle. Some few, amongst Mr.abort Stephenson, have not attac hed ort auce, or any importance so much im p that lam aware of, to this point. lout it appears to me that the unsteadiness of the White Horse of Kent and some other locomotive engines made by Mr. Robert Stephenson of the same description, arises en tirely from the fore and bind wheels being placed too near together. In one engine that I measured, made according to Mr. Robert Stephenson's patent, or at his own works (I do not recollect which), the central distance between the fore and hind wheels was only 10 feet 9 inches, whilst the dis tance from the rear of the firebox to the front of the smoke box was more than 20 feet ; the former projecting entirely behind the hind wheels, and the latter being entirely in front of the for. wh 1. T _ Stephenson's long-boiler engines, which had two large pair of wheels in rear coupled, and one small pair of wheels in front. In this engine, although the same general construction prevailed, there was not that unusual and one may almost say alarming sort of oscillation, which I observed on the White Horse of Bent, and others which had only one pair of large driving-wheels, and none of the wheels coupled. At Mr. Stephenson's works I found that another construction was in progress, which was to have a very large pair of driving wheels behind and two small pairs of wheels in front, which the foreman of that establishment believed to be calculated to do away that sort of oscillation, of which I sp o k e t o hi m. Were the f ron t w h eels in a ogie frame ?—Not that lam aware of ; the engine was not finished. I have only seen Bogie frames on the American engines, used on the Glou. tester and Birmingham Railway. Do not you consider that the leading wheels on the engines you allude to on the South-Western and on the Grand Junc tion, having outside and inside bearings, is a great advan tage ?—Yes, I consider it to be a very great advantage ; and I also consid er i t an advantage to have the driving -w heels with flanges, which Mr. Stephenson leaves out. Yon see no reasoan change the opinion you gave with respect to the Irish ge 7—None whatever. Does anything further occur to you to mention 7—l am of opinion that all locontotive engines and their tenders ought to have six wheels, and that the latter ought to have powerful breaks, capable of acting upon all the six wheels at once, both in front and in rear: they very seldom have the breaks to act on both sides, which they ought to do, because it pre, vents racking the axles ; and those more powerful breaks I m eas igh se t, ri p ous erh a a n p d s, d r es en tr d u e c r tiv a c ra t am ay c a o l l so lisi o o f n, O i p f in i i t on h t a h pr it ted a desirable that the six-wheeled passengeengines of some railway companies should gradually be adopted by all. COURT CIRCULAR, The Queen and Prince Albert, the Ladies and Gentlemen way lof the C ourt , and the domestic, household, attended; Divine service y es t erday in the private chapel, Bu c ki ng h am P a l ace , Rev.erdaC. e T a h r ley Hon, l k anal e s t C. Leslie Courtenay officiated. Her Majesty and her Royal Con sor t too k the i r accustomed rSaturday was the birthday of her Royal Highness the arrinvceer eAlice. Her Royal Highness the Duchess of Kent Their Ro aly at the Palace on a visit of congratulation. 3 a Hignesses the Duchess of Cambridge and the Princess, Mary paid a visit in the forenoon. The Queen gav e a j • uvende Fete f or t h e amusement of the Royal Child ren, in the which the following Laterno9n at Buckingham Palace, to their respective families, vre s; e wLt o h n the younger members of Madame Van de Weyer, the Princoeusres liwciitil invitations . the Duchess of Buccleuch, the Marchionesos "of ElbeerhazY' Viscountess Emlyn, Lady Lyttelton, and Lady Portman. n' ' Her Majesty . the Queen DOwager was present, attended by her Lady in Waiting, the Countess Brownlow. Her Royal Highness the Duchess of Kent was attended by Lady Augusta Bruce and the Baroness de Speth. The lower suite of rooms were prepared for the reception, and the company assembled in the library. Mr. Elutes had the honour to exhibit a number of necromantic experiments for the gratification of the young assembly. Mademoiselle Bourdin attended, and performed quadrille music on the pianoforte. At half-past five o'clock the Queen and Prince Albert, the Queen Dowager, the Royal Family, the Ladies, and the youthful visitors, passed into the small dining-room, which was appropriated for refreshments. Soon after six o'clock, the Queen Dowager and the rest of the company took their departure. Saturday was the birthday of her Royal Highness the Duchess of Gloucester. His Royal Highness Prince Albert, visited her Royal Highness at Gloucester House at one o'clock. Her Majesty the Queen Dowager (attended by the Countess Brownlow) paid a visit to the Royal Duchess in the afternoon. Their Royal Highnesses the Duchess of Kent, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, Prince George, and the Princess Mary, also paid visits of congratulation on the auspicious event to their illustrious relative. During the day the Members of the Diplomatic Corps, and the Nobility an d Gentry called at Gloucester House, and left their names for her Royal Highness. The Queen and Prince Albert took an airing in an open carriage and four on Saturday. Her Majesty and Prince Albert, attended by Lady Port man, Hon. Miss Napier, Lord Byron, Hon. Colonel Grey, and Lieut. -Colonel Seymour, honoured the Italian Opera with their presence on Saturday evening. Her Royal High ness the Duchess of Kent, attended by Lady Augusta Bruce, her Royal Highness the Duchess of Cambridge, attended by Baroness Ahlefeldt and Baron Knesebeck, his Royal High ness Prinee George, and his Serene Highness the Hereditary. Prince of Saxe Meiningen also honoured the performance of the Opera with their presence. Her Majesty the Queen Dowager attended Divine service yesterday morning, in the Chapel Royal, St. James's. The. prayers were read by the Rev. J. Helmore, the lessons by the Rev. Dr. Knapp, and the communion service by the Rev. Dr. Sleath. The sermon was preached by the Rev. Dr. Sleath, from St. Matthew, e S chap. 5, verse 3 . The anthem was " he organ. 0 sing unto God"—Greene. Sir Georgmart presided at t The Queen Dowager was attended by the Countess Brown_ low and Earl Howe. Among the nobility present were the Duchess of Beaufort, and the Ladies Somerset, the Ladies St. Germans, Wilton Somers, and Vi v i an; Lords Cawdor, St. Germa ns , Hawarcien, de Manley, and W. Graham. The Duke of Wellington and Sir F. Trench attended the early service yesterday in the Chapel Royal, St. James's. The prayers were read by the Rev. Dr. Wesley. The sermon was preached by the Rev. Dr. Sleath, Their Royal Highnesses the Duke and Duchess of Cam bridge, and the Princess Mary, attended ,Divine service yes terday morning in Grosvenor Chapel, South Audley-street. The Commissioners of the Metropolitan Termini had a meeting on Friday. There were _present Viscount Canning, the Earl of Dalhousie, the Right Hon. J. C. Herries, Sir P. Smith, and the Lord Mayor. The Commissioners had another meeting on Saturday. There were present Viscount Canning, the Lord Mayor, and Sir F. Smith. The Eccleciastical Commissioners for England had a Com mittee -meeting on Saturday. Th ere were present the Bishops of Winchester, Bangor, Chester, Ely, Hereford, Lichfield, and Rochester, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, and the Earl of Bessborough. BRIDPORT ELECTION. TO THE EDITOR OF THE SUN. SIR,—To endeavour to prevent the it:patchwork legis lation by incompetent Members of the House of Commons, and particularly those who deemed the late Member for Bridport worthy of the thanks of the House for calling atten tion to the law relative to controverted elections, I beg to request attention to th e i ncons i stency of the remarks of the late Member for Bridport on Friday evening last, and those of his counsel, Mr. Austin, on Saturday last, before the Brid port Election Committee. Mr. Cochrane asks how it was possible for him to meet objections when he did not even know the witnesses that would be brought against him, and that this opp or t un i ty was given to criminals in all tri bunals of the country. On Saturday Mr. Austin states that he was quiteprepared to meet the general case of bribery, but he would not go into the scrutiny on account of the probability of an early dissolution, and he therefore could not advise the expense. Permit me to say, that neither criminals nor other parties i in any action, in any of the tribunals of the country, know what witnesses are to be brought against them, and this ex-legislator for Bridport did not know this, and it really ap pears that other Members were equally ignorant, a deep disgrace both to themselves and their constituents. Mr. Austin had the same opportunity of preparing himself, iu as well as he could have had if the case had been to be tried any other tribunal in the country. Now for Mr. Cochrane's cant; he said he mentioned this, not so much for his own sake, as for their guidance in future election cases; and afterwards, that his only intention in ris ing, was to submit his case to the House, and to show how the parties who opposed his return to Parliament were disposed to act towards him in the matter. Experience tells the people of Bridport, that until his memory is jogged he forgets very important things. It did not occur to Mr. Cochrane to mention, that he had with regard to the notices of objection, given his opp onents as much information as they had given him, and that their notices were exchanged by their agent% at the same moment —Yours obediently, Bridport, April 26, 1846. SKY PARLOUR. MR. SMITH O'BRIEN'S DEFAULT. The Committee of Selection have pre.f,ented a special re port to the House, printed with Saturday's votes, in whi c h they inform the House, that " having, on the 27th of March last found it expedient, in tae performance of th e i r d uty, to take the usual preliminary measures f or the formation of the of tw their elft h a o p f p t o h in e t res me o n i t, uti a o n ns d several Committees on rail wa y Bill s, and having given to the t h r l a e n m s ü b i e i r t s t r e d selected toeach 'a copy o d u e o e notice agreed to by the House on the 12th of I February, with blank form of the declaration therein required, and ' a that ho would return it with his Si a request to report that they have glia e attached,' have not received from Mr. Smith O'Brien,, Member of this House, appointed on th occasion to serve on the Committee to which Group Jibove was then ref erre d , the aforesaid declaration • No. 11 nor have they received from that Honourable Member any ' excuse which they can deem sufficient;' and that, therefore, in conformity with the sixteenth of the said resolutions it becomes their duty ' to report to the House the name of Mr. William Smith O'Brien as,' in respect of such omissions , ' adefaulting Member.' " But as the circumstances attendant upon the default of Mr. Smith O'Brien are of a peculiar character, the committee of Selection consider it incumbent upon them to report spe cially to the House a detail of the facts which have occurred. [Here the correspondence already given in The Sun follows.] The Committee conclude by stating, "having received from Mr. Smith O'Brien no excuse that they could 'deem suffi cient,' nor any intimation of a wish that an arrangement should be made by which his attendance should be post poned to a later period, but, on the contrary, having had im parted to them, in th e l e tt er o f the 7th inst., above alluded to, Mr. Smith O'Brien's desire that his former' communica tions should be considered as announcing his final determina tion not to serve on English and Scotch Private Bills Com mittees,' and, consequently, to decline serving upon the Committee on Group No. 11, which is wholly composed of Scotch Railway Bills; conceive that they have no alterna tive but to report to the House the non-compliance of Mr. Smith O'Brien with the orders and rules adopted by the House, in conformity with the resolutions agreed to on th e 12th of February, 146." of the ° annual general meeting THE SEEPWENCRED FillHEitll BENEVOLENT BOCIZTY.— The place on Saturday. at the London Ship wrecked Fishormens ' Society took the president, Admiral Sir George proceedings In a brief Tavern, Bishopgate Cockburn, M.I .. . ka ym g op:ned the From Its contents it appeared AN D MARINERS' speech, the Secretary read of persons relieved by the society up to th e that the total number o of which number there were—widows, 703 ; present date were 12,91 , aged parents , 398 ; 00 d 1 i . sb a u n rs d en :p i w its ard fo s r , shipwrecked persons, 9,091 ; orphans, 20 50 i of families left destitute from sterms, 568. During fishermen, heads expensesby 8001, of management have been very consider-. -street, report. the past year ably lessened , pennantnt resources of the society had been increased by an and the ling ( be e e h n eer " s. a!'"' unt 'cc ' to 5,5301. It ill:ellie,roohoal.d— -the year amounted further appeared that the Great Western, the London and B ngham, the South-Western, anti several other railway companies had handsomely granted to the 50c:Cty a free transit over their railways to the objects of the so ei.ty's bounty. The report concluded by stron 1 recommending that a charter of incorporation should be g y procured. After a few words from Captain Lamont, R.N , the deputy-chairman. and Mr. Millard, whe stated that the whole stock of the society now amounted to about 10,0001., the report was adopted. Some routine business having been transacted, a vote of thanks was passed to the president, and the meetingbroke up. WINDSOR, SUNDAY EvENINo.—The birthdays of her Royal Highness the Duchess of Gloucester, who completed her 70th born Year, and of h er Royal Highness the Princess Alice, rn_e palls* in 1843, Windsor. w ere celebrated y es t erday, at c hurch were run g a t i ntervals th roug h ou t the day. A royal sa l u t e . —— _ i was also fired at twelve o'clock from the corporation ordinance ni the Bachelor's-acre, under the superintendence of Mr. Bond, the , town-gunner. PARDON OF A CONVICT.—At the Worcester City Assizes, held in the spring of the year 1844, an aged woman, named. Sarah Rice, was convicted of uttering counterfeit coin, and was sen tenced to seven years' transportation. She was accordingly sent to the hulks, but on account of her age (upwards of 60), and her bad state of health, the authorities there refused to receive her, and she was returned to the Worcester city gaol, where she has remained ever since. Her cenduct has been good during her incarceration, and as she continues in a weak state of health the maristrates of this I 1