The Sun. — London, England, 1846-04-09 00:00:00

for Polk, while many who had stuck to Vaa Buren to the last, indisposed with the Texas agitation, and .too timid for bold movements, sided with the Conservative 'principle, as exemplified in its e mbodiment, Clay. Well, the Polk party succeeded—they selected their President, a majority of the United States Senate, and a majority of the House of Representatives. The Presi dent has administered the government in a manner sa tistactory to all moderate, sound -thinking, no-party men, but his originally warmest supporters are now breaking up rapidly into factions. The southern Polk-men go for a "masterly inactivity" on the Oregon question—the western Polk-men go for 54 50, and "no compromis, , but at the cannon's mouth"—while the northern Polk- Then go for 49, even if war be necessary, and as much more as can be peacefully secured. Out of the confiict which is thus going on among the various sections, a new party, or perhaps new parties, must inevitably spring. However the question may be decided, all can not and will not be pleased. The Whigs are equally distracted on this question ; one section of their phalanx is somewhat disposed to go to war for 54 deg. 41 min., while the other would rather lose the whole than fire a gun. No matter how the question is decided as between the nations, we must have a breaking-up, and a new or ganisation of parties. There are numbers of dissatisfied men of influence in each of the present parties who would gladly participate in such a movement, and there are two or three of the great minds of the nation, in the Se nate and elsewhere, who are preparing to lead it on. Democrat and Whig are likely to become obsolete terms. and most probably the new divisions of our political world will be classified, like those in England, as Con servative and Radical, or some such terms. - • -- ALLEGED RETIREMENT OF MR. BUCHANAN. (From the New I ork Herdel, March 14.) WASHINGTON, MARCH 12, 1846.—The, developments made in my communication in Tuesdays Herald, cone cerning the "letter. carrying " of the Hon. , Senator from North Carolina, from the '- White House 'to the only post. office, on the night of Thursday, previous to the closing of the mail for the Cambria, I have reason to be lieve have caused a commot ion in the Cabinet, the conse quence of which will be the almost immediate retire ment of Mr. Buchanan from the post of Secretary of State. Indeed, Ido not see how he could remain in his present position, whilst the duties of his office seem to be performe._ by the President himself, without a degree of self-abasement, to which I know he never would sub mit. No, Mr. Buchanan is made of sterner stuff than to remain in any position in which be may be interested, whilst others arrogate to themselves the right to control it, and assume the exercise of its proper departments, without being willing to share its responsibilities. The Secretary of State being the only 54 40 member of the Cabinet, has also taken umbrage at the private consultation of the President with the 49 men of the Senate who have, up to this time, so strongly opposed both the letter and spirit of his declarations on the Oregon question, as contained in his inaugural address and message. Mr. Buchanan's retirement, therefore, from public life will be a sort of triumph for him, as the causes that have led to it will be those that are iden tifiel with the purest and most patriotic feelings of the country. Mr. Bancroft too, goes out about the let of April. Whether any others leave or not, I have not yet ascertained ; or who will succeed those it is difficult to say. Ido not believe there is one public or private man of any character that would be willing to accept aCabinet appointment upon the same terms that those at the various departments now hold theirs. No, Sir, not one —unless, indeed, they be willing to act the part of mere clerks—machines, without any volition of their own in the appointment of their subordinates, as well as in other things. When Mr. Polk first came here, the following Cabinet arrangement was agreed upon by him ; but, owing to Mr. Walker declining the subordinate station of Attor ney-General, which was assigned him, the plan was dis ordered, and the present Cabinet agreed upon. Here is the first cast of that curious concern, which I shall now put upon record, for the first time, for the benefit of the curious in such matters:— Mr. Buchanan, Secretary of State. Mr. Bancroft, Secretary of the Treasury. Mr. Butler, Secretary of War. Mr. Fairfield, Secretary of the Navy. Mr. Johnson, Postmaster-General. Mr. Walker, Attorney-General. Mr. Walker kicked the beam, and Messrs. Butler and Fairfield were floored. Georp,e Bancroft came near suf fering the same fate by the opposition of Levi Wood bury, who kept him two or three days hanging by the eyelids, when before the Senate for confirmation. Was there ever such a state of things exhibited before as this? It has, however, this merit in it, that it fulfils to the letter, in a political point of view, what the Scriptures say in a moral, which is, " The last shall be first, and the first last ;" for it is now well understood that Mr. Walker, who was then at the tail of the list, is now at the head of the list, and means to keep himself there, too, no matter who may hereafter become his associates in office. I understand Mr. Mason is to succeed Mr. Buchanan ; but whether as an ad interim Secretary of State or not I cannot affirm. The House is still engaged in debating the Harbour Bill, which has been considerably lengthened by the opposition of some Members to a clause in it relating to the purchase, by the United States, of the stock of the Louisville and Portland Canal. It is difficult to account for such opposition, when the advantages resulting to the Government and people are at all understood. The Go vernment own virtually 5,353 shares, leaving only 4,647 owned by individuals. The Government originally owned 2,903, and the balance of 5,353—viz., 2,4 so—has been purchased by the company, with the net proceeds of the tolls, during the last four years. The 4,647 shares owned by individuals can be purchased now for about 570,000 dolls., which, if they be purchased by the collection of tolls from the public, as provided for_by the charter, they will cost about 1,200,000 dolls. This amount, by that course, will have to be levied on the commerce of the western states, in the space of about eight years to come. At the end of that time, free navi gation is to be the result, which, if the Government make the purchase now, may be brought about in less than a y ear, by the course proposed by the Committee on Commerce. In the event of Government purchasing the remainder of the stock, in which it is already the largest shareholder, a saving of 630,000 dolls. would be the result, in eight years or less. I hope the House will give the matters their mature reflection, before coming to a vote on it on Tuesday next. THE BREAKING UP OF WINTER—TREMEN DOUS FRESHETS. DESTRUCTION OF PROPERTY ON THE MERRIMAC. The Boston Advertiser of the 17th of March contains a letter, dated Haverhill, March 15, nine o'clock, P.M., which says : " Our usually quiet village is in the greatest con sternation imaginable, on account of the sudden and un precedented rise of the Merrimac. About half-past seven o'clock thi s even i ng , t h e i ce starte d an d move d f or some time quite freely; it then choked up the island below, when the water above began to rise rapidly. Ere we were aware it was flowing full tide into the cellars and basement stories i of the buildings on th e ri ver ' s a bank. lm o a t impossible p osa sudden tol a t d a a rapid was it s r i se as t o ren d er i t any of th e var i ous p ro p erty deposited there. While v l e write, all the cellars en the river side of the Water and a M err i mac-streets, for distancethe of n ear l y filled, and the basement stomriiele , are many s tores, and the kitchens of many dwell s in h7 o :h ouses are en tirely flooded. One man swaavdeidng throughchiiren, who water up were quietly asleep, only by to his waist, then taking them to a chamber, the through a window, and so upon the roof of an adjoining' thence building, escaped. Some famines have been drive n their parlours without having time to take a singleroar ticle of furniture. The firm of Montgomery and Co. said to have 20,000 dolls. worth of shoes and leather now under water. In many places on these streets men are at this moment paddling from door to door in boats, or on pieces of ice, trying to secure floating property, or transport females from the furious flood. One man in the last stage of consumption is in one of the aforesaid houses, too far gone to be moved away. He has been removed, however, to an upper room, where he will pro bably before morning embark on his last long voyage. The water still rises, though it is now higher by two feet than in the great flood of 1818. Every body is out, in. valids, as well as many who will become so by their exposure. Lanterns, over shoes, arks, life-preservers, boats, and Bangor boots, are in great demand. "10 o'clock.—The water is reported as at a stand. If so, we have hope it will drain off gradually, without sweeping away buildings and bridges that must go, it' the ice starts at this high pitch. Should we find ourselves at the mouth of the Merrimac to-morrow morning, we will add you a P. P., dated at Newbury port, describing as drily as the nature of the case will permit, the pro gress of the flood. "11 o'clock.—We are all here still. The ice• dam below has just given way, to the great relief of the ac cumulated waters and the affrighted people hereabouts. For a few minutes our two bridges were in extreme danger ; but all that is now past, and we breathe freely again. " Monday Morning.—Our relief last night was only temporary. This morning we find the water as high as ever, and still rising. The amount of damage done is much greater than we last night supposed. At present N 1: dare not conjecture h o w great it may be. Little n River Bridge is gon e c l ea r, and ma ny small wooden buildings standing along on the banks of the river were entirely crushed by the ice, and many others moved from their foundation. Two of our 1 principal business • e stre s, for nearly half a m il e are li te rally riled up with huge masses of ice an d th e ra i ns o f buildings." IPSWICH TMEATRICALS.—We perceive by the Suf folk Chronicle that Mr. Walter Shelley, who recently made a successful dcbilt at the Pavilion Theatre, has been creating a great sensation at Ipswich, in the characters of Shylock, Macbeth, and Richard. The critic of the Suffolk Chronicle speaks of him as an actor of great promise, possessing pliv sical and mental attributes of a high order. Let Mr. W. Shelley cultivate his talent, let him learn his art by an apprenticeship in the provinces, before he ventures a rhbut in the metropolis, and fame and fortune will be his; for at the present moment we have no first-rate finished tragedian, nor have we had such since the death of Edmund Kean. and the retirement of Kemble and Young. TUE ARMY.—The 17th Lancers, whose destination for Ireland was announced some weeks since in our columns, will embark at Liverpool, for Dundalk, which will be occu pied as head-quarters; one troop, however, if not more, will proceed farther north, and be stationed at Belfast. The 3d or Prince of Wales's Dragoon Guards, now in Ireland, is under orders for Scotland. The Ist Royal Dragoons, from Dundalk, move to Cork. The sth Dragoons have relieved the 10th Hussars at York, and the latter regiment has ar rived at Canterbury, prior to embarkation at Gravesend for tho East. The 11th Hussars will arrive from Newbridze, county of Kildare, on the 30th and 31st. In answer to in quiries made yesterday, it was stated that Sir George Murray was better. The E arl of Dalhousie had an interview with Sir R. Peel yesterday. POOR MAN'S GUARDIAN SOCIETY. _ A public meeting in furtherance of the objects of this Society was held last evening in the theatre of the Marylebone Literary and Scientific Institution, Edward street, Portman-square. Mr. BOND CARRELL, on taking the chair, said he thought it scarcely necessary for him to detain the meeting for any time in reference to those objects which had called them together, as there were gentlemen present who had been at the forming of the society, and who would state to them the nature of those ends for which the society had been called into existence. The present was the third of those meetings which had been held for the purpose of establishing that institution — an institution which it gratified him to say, was en tirely separate from any political feeling or party object whatever. They had before them the good of the poor—(Hear, hear)—the interest of the needy; the Society had been formed to direct such to those sources of relief which had been provided for them, and also to consider those cases requiring aid, and to ad minister the means of relief. Charity prevailed in this country to a very great extent; the exercise of it was secured by law, and he found, on looking back to the time of Elizabeth, that the poor-law provided for three cases—the protection of infancy, the administration of relief to the old, and the supply of work to the able bodit d, unemployed labourer. Notwithstanding these provisions, the meeting, he thought, must be aware that unrelieved poverty existed to a great amount through out their population. Many would work, but could not find employment, and were on that acconnt pressed with want. One main object of the institution which they were met to support, was to see that these poor laws were properly administered. He said the repre sentatives of Marylebone, Sir Benjamin Hall, and Com modore Napier, were both communicated with as to the objects of the society, and both expressed their hearty concurrence with these objects, but were prevented by other engagements from being present that evening, and occupying one or other of these places which he had been called to fill. For this reason, indeed, he lamented their absence, but he had no hesitation in saying, that it would be his greatest pleasure to aid every institution which had for its object the relief of the poor. Mr. COCHRANE was called upon to give a statement of the origin and objects of the society, which he pro ceeded to do, detailing those particulars which have al ready appeared in the columns of The Sun. Mr. Coch rane then stated that a deputation had waited on Mr. Walter, of Bearwood, in conformity with a resolution passed at the last public meeting, to request him to become the president of the society ; and that that gen tleman had approved most cordially of the object of the society, and consented to become one of the vice-presi dents. He would have been present that evening, but for business which had prevented him. The rules of the society were read, and letters from Mr. Metealfe and Sir Wm. Ross. Two outline sketches from the pencil of Sir W. R 093, illustrative of the objects contem plated by the society, and intended for engravings on the cards of membership, were exhibited to the meeting. It was thought that their intentions could thus be effectually and eloquently made known to all in a way which all could appreciate ; and it was stated that Sir William, on being applied to, undertook to sketch out a suitable design, which he had done and presented gratis to the institution. Mr. COCHRANE moved, and Captain Eveste seconded the resolution, " that the report and proceedings of the comenittes be approved and adopted." An amendment was made against the money qualifi cation for membership. The resolution was carried by a large majority. Mr. BUCKINGHAM, after adverting to the interruption which had occurred in the course of the proceedings of the evening, said that the principle had been recognised in the law of Elizabeth, that all had a right to be sus tained. He said sustained, and meant not that ex periments should be tried, as had been of late, on how small a portion of food a fellow man could live. The society had not been instituted to take up and consider the laws, for the Legislature had not given them power to alter or to make the laws. But it was a recognised principle in the laws existing, that the poor, the halt, the blind, and the lame, yea, and the healthy should be sustained. Hef saw no reason why the healthy should be excluded when they are without the means of existence, for they are the class who most feel the pressure of want and the cravings of a good appetite. It was well he thought that this ques tion was agitated, for it led to reflection on the principles which based it He thought there was no claim for one class before another on the products of the earth, for all were equally born into the world, its inhabitants, and therefore had all a claim to be supported.—(Hear, hear.) They saw societies instituted to prevent cruelty being exercised towards the brute creation, its agents and the police were on the watch that the, loirer animals should not be maltreated ; but, wherefore, he asked, were men, thinking, reflecting, beings, to be, neglected in their misery.—(Cheers.) Nowhere ,was there such an extreme of riches and poverty ;IA existed in English society, and the reason he theught that they continued to exist in the same society Was the extent over which the different classes were spread. On board of ship it would be different. In a case of calamity, double rations could not be served in the cabin while single rations were distributed in the forecastle. The officer, he was certian, who should attempt to do 80 would fail to retain the esteem of his men. At the same time he would not be understood as advocating equality of condition, for that state, if it could be realised to-night, would be found dissipated on the morrow, and men quickly returning to variety in their circumstances. But he did hold it a duty on Government to look to the poor, and the helpless, and unemployed, that none might want that sustenance to which all had a right. He con cluded by moving— . . _ " Resolved, that this meeting is of opinion that the great majority of the poor are animated with an anxious desire to avoid the humiliation of living upon the bounty of others, and seek parochial relief only from the pressure of dire necessity, and that they are entitled to the kind treatment of those who are by law appointed to dispense that relief." It was seconded by Mr. GEORGE JONES, and carried unanimously. Mr. SAVAGE, in rising to propose the next resolution, said he wished it to be distinctly understood that that society had nothing to do with the proceedings of guar dians in their localities ; their object was to aid the poor, and to instruct them as to what they had a right to get by law ; and a consequence of the existence of such a society he believed would be to put guardians of the poor and their officers upon their guard in doing their duty. He then stated that the last year's returns were 300,0001. for law expenses in litigation between parish and parish, as to which was bound to support particular paupers. But he had asked intelligent gentlemen whe ther they had ever known a case where, the guardians having been brought up before the magistrate for refusing relief, money had been spent by the parish in defending the poor man ; but the supposition was admitted to be a novelty. To do this when necessary, that institution had been formed. He then referred to practical illus trations of the present system. He said they employed the poor in working throughout the kingdom, and he thought that was well, but they had given the poor a kind of labour which degraded them, and did not call out their better feelings. He would ask, had they allowed the guardians of the poor to make their labour an article of merchan dise? He thought that ought to be put down. He had referred to circumstances at the last meeting. He had referred to bone-crushing. Whether that was healthy or unhealthy he would not say, but it did appear to him suspicious that guardians should employ the poor to crush bones at an under price to manure their own grounds with. He had made a statement as to female labour. He had stated the practice at Andover and other places. Ile knew that persons in London cut outloo dozen shirts, and sent them down to a manufacturer, who would empl o y his influence with the guardians in getting them atin done at a mu c h l ess rate th an t h e y cou ld b e d one 1 l A ° H n o d u o s ne 'ofHe had said so on the former occasion, in and hop e d that • quiry would be made into the practice b y the in the newspapers, th Co mmons. After the report appeared him e following letter was sent to S. " High-street Dear ir—W ill you , Andover, March 12, 1846. with the address and n favour me, by return of post w o e of the party from whom -- you received your lamina respecting the sale of shirts made at the Andover U nion f and sent to the London mar ket, as it is said here to t b o e alse. The statement appears have been spoken by you at a i m n e a et s i p o e g ec h h el p d ur i p o or th t eo d I n vestigation Hall, Circus-street, returnro M an' s Guardian S oc i e ty. New-road, i r o o u a r d, re fo p r ly th b e y " Dear Sir, your post obedientf will oblige, servant, " ROBERT GILBERT." In answer be sent back a copy of the following "Dear Sir, — l have not seen the report whichto : letter of the 12th inst. alludes. I made no refe rence your the sale of s hirts made at the Andover Union, to but to information I bad that a guardian of a union in Hamp shire, residing at Portsmouth and Gosport, manufac tured shirts by commission for the London market, and that he had shirts made by the poor in the workhouses, and understood that Andover was one place ; adding, I trusted the Committee of the House of Commons would inquire guardians, theractice and put a stop to a profit being rnude by or others, of the labour of the poor in workhouses. " As the object of the Poor Man's Guardian Society will be promoted by correct information, I shall feel obliged if you can inform me whether any shirt -making is carried on by the inmates in the Andover Union, other than for themselves." Mr. Savage concluded with moving—" That this meeting cordially approve of the principles and objects of the Pour Man's Guardian Society ; deem it worthy the support of the humane and benevolent of all elasses ; and hereby recommend them to aid its operations by their contri butions, advice, and assistance." This resolution was seconded by Mr. BURN, and car ried unanimously. It was moved by Mr. WHALEY and seconded by Mr, llnann--.'." That the Secretary be now authorised to re• ceive subscriptions, and to enter the names and addresses of those ladies and gentlemen desirous of becoming members of the Society." It was moved by Mr. ASLIBOURNE and seconded by Mr. JARDINE—" That this meeting has viewed with feelings of great gratification the sympathy so generally evinced by the press in favour of the Poor Man's Guar dian Society, and take this opportunity of returning their grateful thanks for the space which has been al lotted to them in the columns of the public journals in recording their proceedings." The thanks of the meeting were voted unanimously to Sir W. Ross fur the munificent present he had made the Institution. Thanks were unanimously passed to the Chairman, who replied, and the meeting adjourned. WooncocKs.—There is an unusual number of wood cocks in Sussex this spring. Last week, at Halesmere, a gentleman found nye woodcocks' nests, with three And four Ms in 'Eh' CHESTER AND HOLYHEAD RAILWAY COMPANY. An extraordinary meeting of directors and share holders in this Company was held yesterday, at their l f fi la c i e r s; i t n h M e s o p o e r c g i a a t l e- 0 s b t j r e e c e t t of , W. t l n t g t , E being,s . .P, in the c according to the circular notice, to ratify the terms entered into with her Majesty's Government, for the immediate for mation of a Harbour of Refuge and Railway Pier Head at Holyhead. It appeared, by a short report which the secretary read, that the plans for a refuge harbour at Holyhead had been approved by her Majesty's Govern ment, and that a communication had been made to the directors of this Company inquiring how far they would be disposed to subscribe towards its construction, and that the result of the consequent negotiation bad been that if the Company should agree to contribute towards the outlay a sum of 200,0001., the works should be car ried on by the Government to the full extent shown in the plans, and that they should be immediately com menced and prosecuted with the utmost expedition, com patible with good workmanship until completed. That the inner pier was to be appropriated to the Company's traffic, and the use of her Majesty's Government, and the present harbour to be deepened for the purposes of the railway, by giving accommodation to the larger class of steam packets, until such time as the new harbour and pier should be made available. The proposed new harbour according to the drawings, would embrace about 316 acres with an inner or steam-packet pier, placed in such a situation that the Company's line of railway may be extended down to and along it, so as to form a direct communication between the railway trains and the steam-vessels, the total cost being estimated at 700,0001. These being the chief points of the proposed arrangements. _ The CHAIRMAN read to the meeting the treasury minutes of the details, as agreed upon between the di rectors and her Majesty's Government, and warmly urged their adoption on the meeting, calculated as the directors believed them to be greatly to benefit the in terests of the Company. They had ample means and power under their Act to carry out this agreement, which was to the effect that the company should advance 251. for every 75/. expended by the Government, until the harbour was completed. There was no sort of diffi culty in the way of the company that could obstruct the fulfilment of these conditions, for every thing connected with their line was in a most satisfactory state towards completion, and before the end of the present year they expected to have it opened as far as Abergavenny. They had made all their contracts for the whole line with the most cele brated and substantial contractors on the most reason able ternas. Indeed, the contract for their bridge over the Menai had been made at 20,000/. less than the esti mate of their engineer. They had completed the pur chase of all their rails at 101. a ton, which was very low, and they had also purchased sleepers for the entire line. The only call to be made upon the shareholders would be that of July next, of 51. a share, for at least twelve months. So that it would be seen they were in no want of capital in hand to carry out their works, although they were at present expending about 80,0001. a month. Of the Holyhead Pier, when completed, the company were to have a perfect monopoly, although the Government could not secure them against a competing line in other re spects for all future time. The Government were to pay them 30,0001. a year for the conveyance of the mail for five years certain, and should they not realise five per cent. on their capital in that time, then the same Government con tract was to continue for seven years longer. This line and harbour once completed, the intercourse between London and Dublin would come within thirteen hours with the greatest facility. The London and Birmingham and Grand Junction Company, although not directly interested in the traffic of the line, were holders of one half of the stock of the Company, and therefore largely interested in its prosperity. The maximum of time cal culated on for the completion of the harbour and pier was five years, long before which time the line would be fully thrown open. They saw their way clearly in every view of their interest, and the adoption of this agreement with the Government was one which the directors looked to with the utmost confidence to pro duce good results. Several questions were put to the chairman by share holders, all of which having been answered satisfac torily, Sergeant STORE moved a resolution to the effect, that the terms of arrangement by the Company with her Majesty's Government be fully approved and confirmed by the meeting, which having been seconded by Mr. Tooke, was unanimously agreed to. Thanks were then voted to the chairman and directors, and the meeting separated. RAILWAY SHARE MARKETS. MANCHESTER, Aram 8. STOCK EICaANOL-Ths sales are-Blackburn, Clitheroe, and North Wales, 13; dis.-Bosten, Newark, aid Sheffield, 1% cs-Bos ton, Stamford, and Birmingham, % dis.-Caledonian, 3 dis.-Ches ter and Manchester Direct, 275. dis.-Clitheroe Junction, 4 dis.- Derby and Crewe, 225. 6d. p.-East Dancashire, No. 2, par-Fleet wood, Preston, and West Riding Junction, 15s. dis.- Grand Union, 18s. 6d. dis.-Great Eastern and Western, 14 dis.-Great North and South Wales, 12s. die.-Huddersfield and Manchester Railway and Canal, 1 dis.-Ditto, Extension. 14 dis.-Huddersfield and Sheffield Junction, 2% -Leeds, Dewsbury, and Manchester, 14 p.-Leicester and Birmingham, % dis.-Liverpool and Bury, 5% p.-Ditto, New Shares, 3-16 p.-Liverpool, Ormskirk, and Preston, % p.-London and Birmingham, Quarters, 26 p.-London and Manchester (Ras.), 1% dis.-Manchester, Buxton, Matlock, and Midland, par-Man chester and Birmingham, 764-Ditto, Quarters (A), 6% p.-Ditto, ditto (B), 74 p.-Ditto, ditto (C), 6'A p.-Manchester and Leeds Extension, 13; p.-Manchester, Midland, and Grimsby, 9-16 dis. - Northumberland and Lancashire, 1% dis.-North Staffordshire, 14 p.-North Western, par-Preston and Wyre, Halves (B), 3y p. - Preston and Wyre Extension, 3s. 6d. dis.-Sheffield and Lincoln shire Junction, 1-16 dis. c.-Sheffield and Manchester, Quarters (No. 3), 1-16 p.-South Eastern and Dover, No 2, % dis.-Ditto, Halves No. 4, 7-16 die.-Trent Talley Continuation and Holyhead Junc tion, h dis.-West Riding Union, 14 p. LEEDS, Aram S. STOCK EXCRANOR.-The sales are-Lendon and Croydon, 20% - Manchester and Leeds, Extensions, 1/. 19s. p.-Midland, New, 11 p. -York and North Midland, Extension, 164 p.- Great Grimsby and Sheffield, 6 dis.-Ditto, Extensions, 20s. dis.-Hudderstield and Man chester, 1% dis.-Huddersfield and Sheffield, 2% p.-Leeds and Dewsbury, 255. p.-Leede and Thirst, 54 dis.-Ditto, New, 655. dis.-North British, New Carlisle Branch, 7s. p.-Oxford, Worces ter, and Wolverhampton, dis. c.--London and York, 255. dis.- Boston, Newark, and Sheffield, 275. dis.-Liverpool, Ormskirk, and Preston, 7s. 6d. p.-West Riding Union, 31. Bs. 6d.-Bradford, Wakefield, and Midland, 225. dis.--Clitherso Junction, 225. 6d. dig.- Essex and Suffolk, 18s. 6d. dis.-Great Eastern and Western, 30s. dis.-Lancashire, Yorkshire, and North-Eastern, 28s. dis.-Leeds and Liverpool Direct, 6s. 6d. dis.-Manchester, Buxton, Matlock, and Midland, par-Northumberland and Lancashire Junction, 235. Gd. dis.-North Staffordshire, 13 p.-North Western, 3s. dis.-Oxford, Witney, and Cheltenham, 20s. Gd. dis.-bhrewsbury and Birming ham, 13s. dis.-Welsh Midlands, M. dis. 'KULL, Aram 8. STOCK EXCRANGI.-The proposal of Sir R. Peel appears to meet the general satisfaction of scrip holders and speculators, and has caused much life in our market ;it however, to be feared that parties will fall into the other extreme by endeavouring to prevent the passing of schemes intrinsically good, whereas last year they were anxious to promote the adoption of schemes really bad ; and it is questionable whether the Legislature might not have met the present exigency by causing the deposits on lines thrown out this session, to return the balance of deposits within a limited period (say six weeks), and rescinding the standing order of the Mouse of Lords re specting the extra 5 per cent. deposit. The Exchange closes to-morrow until Monday next, the 13th inst. The sales are-Midland Railway Con sols, 401. shares, 29 -BlackburmiDarwen, and Bolton, 31. 95.-North British, Carlisle, 325.-Ditto, Dalkeith, 5/. 18s, 6d,-Derby and Gainsborough, 12s. 6d.-East Coast, 205.-Grand Union, 10s.- Hull and Barnsley Junction, 245.-Liverpool and Leeds, 24-Lon don and Manchester (Rem.), 195.-North Staffordshire, 41. 3s. 6d.- North Kent, 195.-Sheffield, Potteries, and Crewe, 10s. 6d.-Shrews bury and Birmingham, 375. Gd.-West Riding Union, Si. 7s. 6d. SHEFFIELD, APRIL 8. STOCK EMCNIANGE.-The sales are-Grimsby and Sheffield, 6 - Ditto, Quarter Shares, 125.-Ditto, Railway and Dock, 23(-Man chester, Sheffield, and Midland Junction, 24-North Western, U.- -Sheffield and Lincolnshire, 11. lc -Sheffield, Buxton, Leek, Pot teries, and Crewe, 12s. NEWCASTLE-UPON-TYNE, APRIL 8. STocx EXCHANGE.-The sales are-Eastern Counties, 2034-Great North of England, 151. Shares, 114 p.-London and York, 1 dis.- North British, Halves (Ilawick), 1% p.-Ditto (Carlisle), ss. 6d. p. -Northumberland and Lancashire, 245. 6d. dis. YORK, Aram 8. &rem ExcnArsol.-The sales are-Leicester and Bedford, Bs, -Lendon and York, 14-Manchester, Buxton, Matlock, and Mid land, 24-Newcastle and Berwick, 174-Newcastle and Darling ton Extensions, 73; -North British, Carlisle Extension, 11. 11s.- York and North Midland, Scarborough Branch, 45%-Ditto, New (East and West Riding), 81. 3s. 6d. GLASGOW, APRIL 7. STOCK EXCHANGE.-Tho sales are-Ayr and Galloway, M.-- Bridge of Weir, 32e. 6d.-British and Irish Union, 355. 6d.-Cale donian Extension, 255.-Caledonian Direct Northern, 405.-Corn wall and Devon Central, 345.-East Indian Railway, Is. 6d.-Glas gow General Terminus, 101.-Glasgow, Dumfries, and Carlisle, 225. -Glasgow, Airdrie,. and Monkland Junction, 325.-Glasgow Har bour Mineral, 205.-Great North and South Wales, ft.-Kilmarnock and Ayr Direct, 28s. 6d.-Lanark and Lothians, 395.-Lesmahagow, 365.-North British, Extension to Carlisle, 325.- Perth and Inver ness, 25c-South Midland, M. MATRIMONIAL FACTS AND FIGURES.—In the year 1842 the number of marriages registered in England and Wales was 118,825-110,047 according to the rites of the Established Church, and 8,778 otherwise. 5,387 of the bridegrooms, and 16,003 of the brides were under age ; 13,619 of the bridegrooms were widowers, and 10,579 of the brides were. widows ; and 38,031 of the bride grooms, and 56,965 of the brides (or nearly ene-half of the total number) were unable to write their navies. The effect of " bad times" on the number of marriages is strikingly apparent in this number of the Regtstrar•General's report. In 1839 the number of marriages was 123,166 ; in 1840, 122,665 ; in 1841, 122,496 ; and hi 1842, 118,825. _ _ DEALERS IN ANTIQUITIES.—An action was lately brought by an old lady against a dealer in curiosities, for cheating her in the matter of antiques. Her taste was not limited to the oddities of the present day, and in the dealer she found a person per ob. e s f y the sTedit Alexandrian stphise . skin per fectly inclined to gratify her with wonders. He had sold her a model head of King ra librry, a specimen of the original typo lnvLnted These had g otfbCeonst Egyptian, and a manuscript of the first play acted b a y t the Memnonsie not exhausted the stock of the dealer; he pos sessed ki s., lle n d .T in u the Roman amphitheatre, the virtuoso having ordered in a verdict for tt Arthur's spear, and the breech of the first cannon fired hm es pl e e. cur T io h s e it j i a e ry s, deal n er —B LONDON HOSPITAL , —On , o l u l g or it ev tn er p , a t y ho to u r gh t t he t nt hat the broughtmeeting of the governors and supporters of ° y: h d i . s afternoon h l a specialand the board-room in the hospital. From the report ar of ty th w e E o of q" distressedt taears that during the as p h t poor have applied for and past heldT3r, honorary ra tt y : S a e cinreotraerytl, titan .üßs usual number a n t u tr n s e t r , t rtablishment, besides the ilyper a f d o nt rm it ed ted cases t he . year, l was 1,397 ; received relief and medicine from icnaulmotpwerrantifon in-patientsda of accidents, &c. accidents, 2,030; extra cases received withou t recom mendation from a governor, 28$. Accidents were also of sTuhreg without letters of recommendation. The number of casual admitted patients during the same period was 15,485. Making a teatal)rnrt ber of patients who have been cured or relieved in the course of la m s; year, 19,110. Independent of these cases, there was an average of eight patients weekly requiring the in-door treatment ; but in con sequence of the want of room in the institution, were treated as out patients. The 106th anniversary festival will be celebrated at the London Tavern, on the '23d instant, at which his Royal Highness the Duke of Cambridge has intimated his willingness to preside. ACCIDENTS ON THE NEWCASTLE AND CARLISLE RAILWAYS.—Ott Monday morning, as the first train on the above line was :proceeding eastward, and when it had arrived near to the Four-stone's station, a flock of sheep were observed to be on the line. The engine man at once blew the whistle and shut off the steam, to prevent mischief, but the momentum which the train had acquired was too great to be subdued in time, and consequently the train ran amongst the sheep, killing about nineteen, and severely in juring many others. The driver was not at all to blame, ;is lie used every means to atop the train on first seeing the sheep on the line. The sheep, it is supposed, had strayed out of a field which adjoins the line. On the same after noon another accident occurred on the same railway, near the Blaydon station. The afternoon train, which leaves Carlisle at two o'clock, had arrived at Stella, near where the turnpike crosses, when a horse and cart were observed coming down the hill towards the line, at a furious rate ; the train came up just at the time the cart was passing, and killed the horse on the spot, shivering the cart to places ; the driver, strange to say, escaped with no other injuries than a scratch on the face and a slight wound en his head, occa sioned by being thrown out of the cart against a wall. The fore wheels et the engine were thrown off the line by the concussion, but the Redheugh train being waiting, took the passengers up, and pro ceeded with but little delay. The horse and cart belonged to Mr. Smith, brewer and farmer, Winlaton ; and it is stated that the driver was intoxicated at the time of the occurrence. WINCHESTER COLLEGE.—It is intended to establish scholarships in the University of Oxford, for the benefit of scholars from Winchester College, as atribute to the memory of the late Dr. Goddard. Upwards of 1,200/. have already been subscribed. COURT CIRCULAR. The Queen and Princo Albert, accompanied by the Prince of Wales and the Princess Royal, left Bucking ham Palace, at ten minutes past three o'clock yesterday afternoon, in a carriage and four, for Windsor Castle. Their Royal Highnesses Prince Alfred and the Princess Alice, accompanied by the Dowager Lady Lyttelton, were in the next carriage and four. Colonel Bowles, Colonel Drummond, the Hon. Colonel Grey, Lieutenant- Colonel Seymour, Dr. Proetorius, were in a third car riage, and the Marchioness of Douro, Hon. Miss Murray, Hon. Miss Napier, and Viscount Sydney, were in another carriage and four. Her Majesty and her Royal Consort were conducted to their carriage by the Master of the Horse, the Vice- Chamberlain, Lord George Lennox, and Lieutenant- Colonel Wylde. A party of Light Dragoons formed the escort from the Palace to the Paddington terminus of the Great Western railway. Her Majesty and her Royal Con sort and suite took th e i r d e p ar t u re by a special train. WINDSOR, WEDNESDAY.—Her Majesty and Prince Albert, accompanied by their Royal Highnesses the Prince of Wales, Prince Alfred, the Princess Royal, and the Princess Alice, arrived at the Castle about a quarter past four o'clock, this afterno,m, from town, having travelled by a special train on the Great Wes tern railway to the Slough station. The Royal party proceeded from the station in four carriages and four to the Castle. The royal suite consisted of the Marchioness of Douro, Lady in Waiting ; the Dowager Lady Lyttelton, the Hon. Misses Murray and Napier, Maids of Honour in Waiting ; Visco un t S y d ney, L or d in Waiting ; the Master of the Household Colonel Berkeley Drummond, Groom in Waiting ; Colonel the Hon. Charles Grey, Equerry in Waiting ; and Lieutenant Colonel Seymour. Equerry in Waiting to Prince Albert. Her Royal Highness the Duchess of Kent arrived at her residence, Frogmore House, this morning from town. Lady Augusta Bruce and the Baroness de Speth also arrived at Frogmore House this morning from town. The Honourable Miss Murray and the Honourable Miss Napier have succeeded Lady Caroline Cocks, and the Honourable Frances Devereux, as the Maids of Honour in Waiting to her Majesty. The royal dinner party at the Castle this evening will include her Royal Highness the Duchess of Kent, Lady Augusta Bruce, Baroness de Speth, and the Hon. and Rev. C. Leslie Courtenay. Her Royal Highness the Duchess of Kent left her residence, Clarence House, St. James's, at ten o'clock yesterday morning, in a carriage and four, for Frogmore House, near Windsor. Captain Maconochie, R.N., had an interview with Mr. Secretary Gladstone yesterday, at the Colonial-office. The Ecclesiastical Commissioners for England had a general meeting yesterday. There were present the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Bishops of London, Winchester, Bangor, Carlisle, Chester, Hereford, Lich field, and Oxford, and the Earl of Besborough. Mr. Iligham, Secretary and Comptroller-General to the Commissioners for the Reduction of- the National Debt, had an interview with the Chancellor of the Ex chequer yesterday. The Earl of Ellenborough gave a dinner to the Cabinet Ministers yesterday evening. THANKSGIVING for the RECENT VICTORIES IN INDIA. His Grace the Archbishop of Canterbury, in obe dience to the order of her Majesty in council, has pre pared the following form of prayer and thanksgiving to Almighty God, for the repeated and signal victories ob tained by the troops of her Majesty, and by those of the Honourable East India Company, in the vicinity of the Sutlej, whereby the unjust and unprovoked aggression of the Seikhs was gloriously repelled, and their armies totally discomfited : " A Form of Prayer and Thanksgiving to Almighty God. " 0 Lord God of Hosts, in whose hand is power and might irresistible, we, thine unworthy servants, most humbly acknowledge thy goodness in the victories lately vouchsafed to the armies of our Sovereign, over a host of barbarous invaders, who sought to spread desolation through fruitful and populous provinces enjoying the blessings of peace under the protection of the British Crown. Wo bless thee, 0 merciful Lord, for having brought to a speedy and prosperous issue a war to which no occasion had been given by injustice on our part, or apprehension of injury at our hands. To thee, 0 Lord, we ascribe the glory. It was thy wisdom which guided the counsels, thy power which strengthened the hands of those whom it pleased thee to use as thy instruments in the discomfiture' of the lawless aggressor, and the frustration of his ambitious designs. From thee alone cometh the victory, and the spirit of moderation and mercy in the day of success. Continue, we beseech thee, to go forth with our armies, whensoever they are called into battle in a righteous cause ; and dispose the hearts of their leaders to exact nothing more from the vanquished than is necessary for the maintenance of peace, and security against violence and rapine. " Above all, give thy grace to those whe preside in the councils of our Sovereign, and administer the con cerns of her widely extended dominions, that they may apply all their endeavours to the purposes designed by thy good Providence in committing such power to their hands, the temporal and spiritual benefit of the nations entrusted to their care. " And whilst thcu preservest our distant possessions from the horrors of war, give us peace and plenty at home, that the earth may yield her increase, and that we, thy servants, receiving thy blessing, with gladness and thankfulness of heart may dwell together in unity, and faithfully serve thee to thy honour and glory, through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom with thee and the Holy Ghost belong all dominion and power, both in heaven and earth, now and for ever. Amen." This form is directed to be used at morning and even ing service, after the general thanksgiving, in all churches and chapels in England and Wales, and in the town of Berwick-upon-Tweed, upon Sunday, the 12th inst., or the Sunday after the ministers of such churches and chapels shall respectively receive the same. PARLIAMENTARY BUSINESS. (From the Votes and P rocee di ngs o f the H"j e o f Commons.) WEDNICSDAY, APRIL 8. The following Petiti ons f or R a il wa y Bills were reported, and the Bills ordered t o b e b roug ht i n by the undernamed Hon. Members : Northampton and Bedford—Viscount Alford and Mr. Vyse. Manchester, Bolton, an d B ury C ana l Navigation and Rail way—Mr. Ellice, jun., and Mr. Brotherton. Eastern Counties (Tottenham to Farringdon-street)—Mr. Ward and Mr. Hudson. Eastern Counties and Thames Junction—Mr. Ward and Sir J. Tyrrell. Eastern Counties (Stations Enlargement)—Mr. Ward and Mr. Hudson. Aberdeen, Banff, and Elgin Railway Bill—to be considered in Committee, on Tuesday, April 28. Kilmarnock and Troon Railway Bill—to be considered in Committee, on Wednesday, April 29. BRIGHTON, APRIL B.—The Easter recess is expected to bring us an influx of visitors. Viscount and Viscountess Hill have engaged apartments at the Norfolk Hotel, and are daily expected. Sir William Fremantle has arrived at the Albion Hotel for the holidays. Mr. and Lady Char lotte Greville arrived yesterday on Brunswick-ter race. Sir Hugh Palliser and Mrs. Lockhart have also arrived at their residence on the terrace. Sir George and Rady Rose have arrived at the Bedford Hotel. Lord and Lady Willoughby D'Eresby and Miss Burdett Coutts are among our fashionable visitors. The Countess of Lincoln has arrived on the Marine Parade. Viscount Bangor has arrived in Eastern-terrace. Mr. L. and Lady Jane Peel are shortly expected at their residence, in Kemp-town, from Paris. Lady Noel Byron has takenl a house in Brunswick-square. The Duchess (Dowager) of Roxburghe, who has been staying at the Bedford Hotel, for several weeks, is expected to take her departure this week, for town. The Countess of Malmesbury, and Sir William and Lady Medleycote, after a few days' stay at the Bedford Hotel, have taken their departure. Lady Augusta Seymour has arrived on a visit to her noble father the Marquis of Bristol, in Kemp-town. Lady and Miss Hawley have arrived at the Norfolk Hotel. The Earl and Countess of Seafield will leave Clarence Mansion for Goodwood next Monday. Apart ments are taken at the Pier Hotel for the Earl and Countess of Kinnoul, who are daily expected. The :General Steam Navigation Company's packet the Magnet, Captain Good burn, sailed from the Chain Pier this morning fur Dieppe. Among the passengers were the Marquis of Douro and Vis count Cantalupe. It is reported that two of the royal children, the Princess Royal and Prince Alfred, are to be sent to the Pavilion during her Majesty's confinement. . Yesterday a Court of Directors was held at the East India House, when the thanks of the Court were voted una nimously to Sir Henry Willock, K.L. 5.., Chairman, and James Wier Hogg, Esq., M.P., Deputy Chairman, for their great application and attention to the affairs of the East India Co mpany during the past year. t was taken ...... •... ........-. : • f six Directors, in the room of Wil- House, for the election 0 . liam Astell, Esq., M.P. ; ll' Btt WI lam u erwerth Bayley, Esq. Major-General Archibald Galloway, On Wednesday a ballot at the East India *Jenkins, G.C.B. ; and John Masterrnan, go out by rotation. At six o'clock the and delivered to the scrutineers, who re ported Char es__Mills, Esq. ; RussellcgEl.saßcis..:sl Sir i Ellice,.repr. Richard cwl ohs l i oe : d sq William Henry that the electionl had fallen on John Cotton, Esq. ; Chicheley Plowden, Esq. ; Henry Shank, Esq.; and Henry St. George Tucker, Esq. THE INVERNESS STEADIERS.— John Loch, Esq. ; The Aberdeen Steam Navigation Company's fine steamer, " North St ar ," J ames A n d erson , commander, performed the v o y age f rom London to Inverness, last week, in sixty-two hours, having called at the usual ports during its course. She sailed again a on lon. day with a great number of passengers and a caof live stock and general merchandise, for the London cargo Mr. Napier, the celebrated engineer of Glasgow, market. derstand, building a large iron steamer for sgow, is, we un which they intend to employ in th e in this Company, trade. The inhabitants of the North Inverness and London of Scotland by the enterprize of this public-spirited have thus, markets of London thrown open to their Company, had the invariably the cave in all legitimate cot produce, and, as is all parties are gainers. The London consumer transactions, supply of food, the Scotch producer gets aultiner gets a better , produce, and the Company gets a fair Profit price for his ' veyance. in the con e OPENING OF TUE RAMSGATE RAILWAY. T Eastern Railway Company have fixed Monday he South ing of the Ramsgate hue of railway, on which for the open magistrates and gentry of the town and districtoccasion the will be en tertained with a sumptuous dinner by the director F s i ve preparations are in progress to celebrate the event, jxten it is expected the company from Londonwill event, and rise'`lo The • reach Rams gate about t train 'Veiling of the Whitstable e Railway for pger c took place on Tuesday This line, it will be recollected, was last. made as long 1832 for the conveyance of coal, the waggons ten back as by ropes and stationaryasetngmes. A few months g . drawn ago it was leased by the South -E ern Railway who since had the rails replaced by h eavier ones. Company, I t branches have from the South• Eastern at .: Canterbury, within 100 oft' the station, and is about nine miles in length, yards of ROBBER Y AT THE RESIDEN CE OF THE EARL OF RIPON.—On Monday afternoon, some thief managed an entrance into the residence of the Earl of Ripon,telecfroect Csrlton-gardenr, by, it is supposed, sneaking down the stets l, of the area, and stole therefrom a silver sugar bas in, richly chased, and weigh i ng about 15 ounces, with which h e suc ceeded in getting clear Off. MONEY MARKET and CITY NEWS. CITY, WEDNESDAY EVENING. TIMES.—The speech of Lord Dalhousie has created the greatest interest, not only because it gives in full detail the plan mentioned the evening before by Sir Ro bert Peel, but because it contains a succinct summary of facts well known in the City, and briefly points oat the state of the law which prevents the unfortunate holders of railway scrip from liberating themselves and the pub lic from impending evil. The times, which he described, when the fate of a Bill before the Legislature was awaited with such intense anxiety are fresh in the recol tion of the members of the Stock Exchange ; and it is remembered what jealous suspicions were constantly awakened that some privileged party had possession of valuable information to the detriment of the general body of speculators. Now, as we remarked the other day, and as stated by Lord Dalhousie, the knowledge that a Bill is favourably progressing through Parlia ment causes a depreciation of the shares in the market. It is felt that there is less chance of getting rid of an annoyance. In the law of Joint-stock Companies the proposed rail way Bill will make a great alteration. Hitherto corporate bodies alone have had the power of winding up their affairs, but the adventurers in' an inchoate company have had no opportunity either of arresting their liabili ties or of obtaining a restitution of their property. Now, if the law passes, the shareholders of a company that has not obtained its corporate capacity may call a general meeting, and the majority of votes at that meeting will decide whether or not an undertaking is to be wound up. Still, however, a doubt has arisen among the most ex perienced brokers, whether this change, so great in theory, will be equally great in practice. Its working may be attended with a new series of difficulties. Dis putes may arise es to the formation of the general meet ings and the eligibility of the voters• and, after all, th e shareholders in most of the undertakings are a scattered body, who could not readily be brought together NI effect with promptness any practical purpose. That the Government have made a move in the right direction by this new proposition no one seems to doubt, but the opinion that it does not go far enough is equally general, and an improvement in the measure is not only desired, but the mode of amelioration is indicated. _ It is suggested here, and the suggestion is seriously discussed on the Stock Exchange, that instead of allow ing a Bill to proceed till a majority of shareholders has declared against it, it will be better to let every scheme now before Parliament die a natural death, unless a majo r ty of shareholders shall declare in its favour before a spe cified day. Where the feeling of the proprietary is really in favour of a project, the directors have all the machinery at hand for collecting the suffrages ; but, as already said, the shareholders being a scattered body, there are the greatest obstacles in the way of any action against the directors originating with them. It is necessary to consider this point fully, since on it rests the equity of the proposed alteration of the new measure. Many of the leading persons in the City are so thoroughly impressed with the judiciousness of this mode of check ing the influx of railways, that a deputation waited on Lord Dalhousie yesterday, and though there was no thing in his Lordship's speech indicative of their sug gestions, it is said that they were not unfavourably received, and that there is reason to hope they will find, after Easter, that their exertions have not been in vain. The avidity with which the proposition as defined by Sir Robert Peel was caught up and acted on by some parties yesterdays presents a singular contrast to the general apathy of the railway world. Some of the com panies who yet hope that their projects may be sanc tioned, and who therefore dread the competition of op posing schemes, at once bought largely in the latter, on purpose that they might vote for their abandonment at a general meeting. Besides these, several companies are calling meetings in anticipation of the new law, hoping to wind up as soon as possible. MR. SMITH O'BRIEN, M.P., AND THE COMMITTEE OF SELECTION. House of Commons, Committee of Selection, Monday, April 6, 1846. Sir,—Having had the honour to receive, on Friday last, your letter of that day's date, in which, " with reference to your having received the usual communica tion of your name being placed on the list from which Members will be selected to serve on railway Com mittees which will commence their sittings in the week beginning Monday, 27th April," you state reasons for " declining to serve on any Committees on private Bills except such as relate to Ireland," and of course on either of those Committees on railway Bills about to be ap pointed from that list—l this day availed myself of the first sitting of the Committee of Selection since the re ceipt of your letter to submit its contents to them ; and I am instructed to inform you that the Committee can not, in the reasons which you allege for not serving, recognise such an " excuse" as (in accordance with the spirit of the resolutions agreed to by the House ,on the 12th of last February) would justify their " deeming it sufficient" to exempt you from serving, should you be selected for that purpose from the list of Members whose attendance is required in the week commencing on Monday, the 27th of April. But as it appears from your letter that at this parti cular juncture your time and attention are engrossed by a subject of primary importance to Ireland, I am further instructed by the Committee of 'Selection to state that, adhering to their usual practice of consulting, as far as may be consistent with a faithful and impartial dis charge of their duty, the convenience of the several Members whom they may find it incumbent upon them to select, it will afford them great satisfaction to avail themselves of this timely communication with you, to make an arrangement by which your attendance may be postponed to a later period, should your convenience be thereby accommodated, provided you will pave the good ness to give them an early intimation of any week dur ing the month of May when it may be less inconvenient to you to be in attendance. _ _ _ In the event, however, of their receiving from you no such intimation, the Committee of Selection will pre sume that no accommodation would be afforded to you by such a postponement as I have alluded to, and will consider it their duty to abide by the arrangement which will be announced in the votes of Wednesday. I have the honour to be, Sir, your obedient humble servant, T. G. BUCKNALL ESTCOURT, Chairman of the Committee of Selection. William S. O'Brien, Esq. Oxford and Cambridge Club, Pall-mall, April 7. Sir,—l have had the honour of receiving you obliging letter, of yesterday's date, in answer to mine of the 3d instant. I feel exceedingly indebted for the courtesy and con sideration evinced by the Committee of Selection in sug gesting the arrangement proposed in your letter ; but since my objection to serve upon Committees on English and Scotch private Bills is founded upon the relations at present subsisting between my country and Great Bri tain, and not upon a regard for my own personal con venience, I must refer to my former communication, as announcing my final determination. I have the honour to be your obedient faithful servant, WILLIAM S. O'BRIEN. To the Chairman of the Committee of Selection. SPORTING INTELLIGENCE. WINDSOR GRAND MILITARY STEEPLE CHASES. SECOND DAY.—Match for 1001., over the four-mile course, between Lord Glamis's br h Eugene Sue, list 71b, and Mr. R. Clifton's Cornelius, list; the horses being ridden by their respective owners. Coimelieus Eugene Sue A nandicap Sweepstakes of 251. each, 151. forfeit, with 1001. added by public subscription. The second horso to save Lis stake; the winner to pad• 251. towards expenses. 18 started. Captain Powell's br g Salute, list 41b ...... --(Owner) 1 Sir H. H. Bruce's br h Evergreen, lOst 2 Lancet made the running at starting, Carlow leading, closely followed by Tramp and Pioneer, Vanguard a little in the rear. Up to the turning flag all were pretty . well to gether. In taking the east brook into the winning field, Carlow, Pioneer, Little Tommy, and Flyer fell, and thus lost all chance. Salute, passing Evergreen at the brook, came in a winner by six lengths. Betting—Cracksman was the favourite at 3 to 1, 8 to 1 agat Salute, 7 to 1 agst Golden Pippin, 12 to 1 agst Lycurgus, 7 to 1 agat Pioneer, and 20 to 1 agst Tramp. The Aristocratic Steeple Chase of 10/. each, 5 ft, with 201. added ; the second to save his stake. 5 started. (Owner-) 1 Lord b g Satan Mr. liesketh na gr g Warwick The betting was 2 to 1 agst Warwick-10 to 8 agst War wick and Satan-20 to 12 agst Satan-20 to 10 agat Resolu tion-25 to 20 on the field. Orphan took the lead, closely followed by Satan and War wick. The five arrived at the last brook within a few lengths of each other, Satan clearing it neck and neck with War wick, the other three falling, were put hors de combat. There was then a very pretty race in, Satan win n i ng b y a b out two lengths. Warwick, accerding to the articles, having won two steeple chases, carried an extra 171bs. His extra weight beat him. A Sweepstakes of 21. each, with 101. added; the second horse to save his stake ; for horses that never won a steeple chase list each. The winner to be sold for 601. Hack course. Mr. Neale's b g Laurel ... .... .. (Rashley) 1 Captain Fendall's Colleen Maid A Scurry Stakes of 11. each, with 5/. added. list each. The winner to be sold for 251. Mr. Hesketh's Stump (M'Donough) 1 Mr. A. Ricardo's Plain Jane This race closed the sport shortly before dark. The whole of the arrangements were carried out by Mr. Thompson, who officiated as clerk of the cotrrse. Captain Mountjoy Martin acted as judge. The stakes run for during the two days amounted to upwards of 1,2001. THE CORN TRADE.--LIVERTOOL, TUESDAY, APRIL 7. —There is no change in the duties to report. The arrivals from Ireland continue on the most limited scale, and likewise coastwise, with the exception of barley and malt. The trade for all free produce has continued in a very languid state, the demand being restricted to small parcels for pre sent use, without any material change in prices. There has been no demand for bonded wheat ; but a few inquiries were experienced for flour, and 1,500 barrels New Orleans were re ported to have changed hands at about 24s per barrel. After market, on Friday, 14,000 bushels handsome American wheat were sold by auction at 6s. 7d. per 701 b. At our Corn Ex - , change this morning there was a good attendance of the trade, and very small show of samples of wheat and oats, but fair of all other articles. There was a fair consumptive demand for wheat, at an advance of Id. to 2d. per 701 b. on prices of this day week. Oats were ld. per 451 b. dearer, and in request. Malt, barley, beans, peas, and Indian corn were without change, and in moderate demand. Flour met a fair sale at previous rates, but meal was dull, though not cheaper. For wheat and flour in bond there were no inquiries. BARNET FAlL—This cattle fair was held yesterday ; it lasts three days. The supply of cattle was good, but sold at prices ten per cent. lower than the quotations of last month. Fat beasts made as. 6d. per stone ; inferior ditto and cows, 38. per ditto; milch cows including a Buckler made from 12 to 16 guineas, and among which a good business was done. Fat wether sheep averaged 4s. 6d. per stone ; house lambs, 6s. to Is. per stone ; ewes and lambs were sold at prices varying from 40e. to 50e. a couple. Pigs were taught up at good rises, largo hogs making is. 6d. per stone, and porkers 4s. to p Sd. Store pigs varied from 18s. to 86s. each. Young cart-horses sold well. DEPTFORD DOCKYARD. A few years ago Deptford dockyard appeared more like a deserted village than an extensive naval depot, but considerable activity is now displayed in it, and the hammers of a thousand workmen, and the saws and tools for converting timber for building vessels for the Royal Navy, are heard without intermission during the working hours of week days. There are at present five ships and steamers of war in progress of construction in this dockyard, and two of them will be floated into the river about the 25th of the present month, as the slip on which they are building is different from those from which vessels are launched. The Sidon, constructed on a plan of Sir Charles Napier's, is one of the two that will be floated into the river during the present month; and she appears a very fine looking vessel, very strongly put together, and of the following dimensions:— Feet. Inches. Length between perpendiculars ... 210 9 Ditto of keel for tonnage ... 185 •9, Breadth extreme ... ... ... 37 0 Ditto for tonnage ... ... ... ••• 36 6 Ditto moulded ... ... ... 35 10 Depth in hold ... ••• 27 0 Burden in tons 1,328 67-94 Horse power ... ••• 560 Although only two feet longer, and two feet broader than the Odin steam-vessel building in the same yard, the Sidon is intended to carry 400 tons more coals than that vessel. The Sidon was placed on blocks on the 24th of June, 1845, and in exactly 10 months will be ready to enter her future element. All the parts of her machinery above water mark are to be constructed of malleable iron, and of great power to resist injury during actual warfare ; and every beam across her decks has been secured with strong iron kneedbolts to the powerful timbers of her sides. The Hound, a 10• gun brig, is the name of the other vessel building on the same slip, from a design by Sir William Symonds, Surveyor of the Navy, and will be ready for her future element at the same time as the Sidon. The following are the dimensions of the Hound : Feet. Inches. Length between perpendiculars ... 95 0 Length of keel for tonnage ... •.. 74 10 Breadth extreme ... ... •• • •.. 30 3 Breadth for tonnage ... .• . ... 30 o Breadth moulded ... •• • •• • •• • 29 6 Depth in hold ... ... 13 6 Burden in tons ... ... 358 18 94 The Odin steam-frigate, building at this yard, was de signed by Mr. Finch am, master-shipwright at Portsmout h Dockyard, and the whole of her frame is put together, and she will soon be ready for launching. She was placed on the blocks on the 19th of February, 1845, and the following are her dimensions : Feet. Inches. Length between perpendiculars ... 208 0 Length of keel for tonnage ... ... 183 8/ Breadth extreme ... ... ... ... 37 0 Breadth for tonnage ... ... ... 36 6 Breadth moulded ... ... ... ... 35 10 Depth in hold ... ... ... ... 24 2 Burden in tons ... ... 1,36 4-94 Horse power . ... 500 The Termagint steam-frigate, constructing from a design by Mr. White, builder, at Cowes, is a vessel of the same length as the Odin, designed by Mr. Fincham ; but 3 feet 6 inches greater dimensions in her extreme breadth, and will have engines of 600-horse power. The following are her dimensions:— Feet. Inches. Length between perpendiculars ... 268 3 - Length of keel for tonnage ... ... 181 0 Breadth extreme ... ... 40 6 Breadth for tonnage ... ... 40 0 Breadth moulded ... 39 4 Depth in hold ... ... 25 9 Burden in tons ... 1,540 40-94 The Phaeton, a sailing 50 gun frigate, constructing from a design of Mr. White's, builder at Cowes, is well advanced and will soon be ready for launching. The following are her dimensions:— Feet. Inches. Length between perpendiculars 184 11 Length of keel for tonnage l5l 111 Breadth extreme Breadth for tonnage 4B 9 Breadth moulded Depth in hold Burden in tons Two excellent new shed roofs have been constructed in this dockyard, and important improvements have taken place in these sheds for moving the weighty pieces of timber and placing them in their proper positions. This will be effected under these sheds by means of machinery placed across the extreme breadth and working on railway slides from end to end, similar to the plan adopted in the factory of Woolwich dockyard for moving the works of steam-engines, and in the foundry of the Royal Arsenal for moving large guns and other weighty materials. About 300 men are em ployed by the contractors for these works, and clearing out the basins at Deptford dockyard. A considerable number of men are also permanently employed in the victualling-yard ; and the large sums circulated in the neighbourhood is a source of profit to the inhabitants of the town, who are greatly pleased to witness the prospe rity of the place. A great number of strangers have recently visited the yard, to inspect the Sidon steam vessel, constructed by Sir Charles Napier, and the other vessels and works in progress. THE SECRET PRISON HOUSE. Some workmen lately in taking down an old monastic building in Hereford, came to a prison, in which there is reason to believe some unfortunate victim was im mured alive. A correspondent of the Hereford Times gives the following interesting account of the dis covery : " lii taking down the south-east corner the work men came to a paving -stone, which, on being re moved, disclosed to view an aperture about eighteen by twelve inches in dimensions ; on further examina tion, by removing the walls, it appeared that it was a sort of niche, five feet six inches high, capable of containing a human form, broad at the head and tapering down to the feet, where it was ten inches broad ; it had been plaistered in the interior on the front, back, and east side, on the opposite it was closed up with rough wall stone ; at the bottom was another paving -stone, and upon it the heap of collapsed bones, a glass bottle, and an earthen pan, portions of the leather and high heel of shoes, and a piece of wood which, it has been asserted, bears the marks of having been gnawed, as if in the last frenzied effort to sustain a famishing and desperate nature. The fragments of the bottle and pan, for we regret to say they were broken, and the other portions carried away, the leather and the sole, and the piece of wood referred to, are before you. Was it in refinement of cruelty that these vessels were deposited at the feet, where the wretched sufferer, from the straightness of the narrow cell, could not reach the viands they contained? What crime could deserve such awful retribution, or rather what human being might dare to visit on his fellow sinner such agonising tor ment, such accumulation of the pangs of many deaths? What else could have been the tragedy which these walls have witnessed—what other the agonies which they assisted in administering? The very heart sickens at the contemplation, and the religion of peace and mercy repudiates the deed as that of demons rather than the ministers of reconciliation, of salvation to the sinner's soul. But to proceed. The poor wretch does not seem to .have been alone in this appalling exigency; another similar niche at the south- west corner of the wall was subsequently revealed, built up in the same manner, but standing sideways to the other; at the bottom of this, too, were the mournful indications of the purpose to which it had been ap plied—a heap of bones. If a mystery hangs over the his tory of this spot as to its material fabric, much more must this dark deed elude the scrutiny of man. That such things have been, and under the most sacred pre text, is, alas, incontrovertible. I had purposed to have searched out some of the decretals which touch on this most melancholy subject; but time has not sufficed me for the purpose, and perhaps it is well. I shall content myself with reading to you some extracts from writers well known to you, and shall then leave the narrative and its accompaniments to your contemplation, until such time as fortune or subsequent discovery may throw new light upon the spot : " In Headley's Letters from Italy, it is recorded that in the church of San Lorenzo, in the town of San Giovanna, is the withered form of a man cased in a side wall. A sort of trap-door is swung open, when you are shown a human skeleton, perfect in all its parts; it stands erect and motionless among naked, jagged stones. This church had been built centuries ago, and remained untouched till within a few years, when, in making some repairs, the workmen had occasion to pierce the wall, and struck upon this skeleton. They carefully uncovered it, without disturbing its position or loosening a single hone. A narrow door has been made to awing over it, to protect it from injury and shield it from the eye of those who worship in the church. The frame indicates a powerful man, and though it is but a skeleton, the whole attitude and aspect give one the impression of a death of agony. The arms are folded across the breast in forced resignation, the head is slightly bowed, and the shoulders elevated, as if in the effort to breathe, while the very face—bereft of muscles as it is—seems full of suffering. This unhappy man seems to have died of suffocation, as he was built up alive in the wall ; it is evident it must have been a case of murder, for there are no grave-clothes, no coffin, and no mason work round the body. The poor civility of a savage was not shown here, in knocking off the points of the stones, to give even the appearance of regularity to the enclosure. He was packed into a rough wall, and built over, beginning at the feet. It is difficult to tell anything of the manner of death, whether painful or not, by any skeleton, for the face has always the appearance of suffering, but there are cer tain indications about this which show that the death was a painful one, and caused by suffocation. The arms are not crossed gently or quietly in the decent composure of death, but far over, us by a painful effort or by force. The shoulders are elevated, as if the last strong effort of the man was for breath. The bones of the toes are curled over the edge of the stone on which he stands, as if contracted in agony when life parted. He appears to have been fully six feet high, with broad chest and shoulders, and strong limbed. " Again—ln the notes of Sir Walter Scott ) exr i t t site poem of • Marmion,' we read (note x b v r i o i lle their is well known that the religious persons vows were subjected to the same Roman vestals in a similar case. A sma l l f e in the mas ionr d pittance of food sive wall of the convent , suffi cient to inclose their bodies, was e en; p v e 1 ty niche, ss utffih ds and water was deposited latter times, this punishment was al. It is not likely that, is immuring n the awful thecrim v Valle in pace were the signailnafoi bum,,among the ruins of the Abbey of often resorted to ; years ago, discovered the re mains of a female skele ton, so me the fi w g h u ic re h , seemed to shape be of the niche and positio . n , o f , that of an immured nun. THE ARCHAEOLOGICAL INSTITUTE. The third meeting of the committee and subscribing . members was held at the rooms of the Institution of Civil Engineers, on Friday, April 3 ; Lord Northamp ton, President, in the chair. The attendance was more numerous than on any former occasion. Among the presents announced, were Mr. Gibson's splendidly illustrated History of the Monastery of Tynemouth. Eight new subscribing members were announced ; among them the Bishop of Gloucester, and two :cor responding members. It was also stated th' the Earl De Grey and the Bishop of Ripon had respectively accepted the office of Vice-Presidents of the meeting to be held at York in July next. Among the objects of primeval date exhibited on this occasion, were several .strings of beads of amber and vitrified pastes; a spear-head of bronze of unusual form, and two remarkably small celts; these relics, which were found in Suffolk, were communicated by Mr. Whincopp, of Woodbridge, whose extensive collection of antiquities discovered in the eastern counties has been alluded to in our former reports of the meetings of the institute. Mr. Talbot exhibited two gold rings, discovered some years since at Terling-place, in Essex, the seat of Lord Rayleigh. These rings, which are of medieval work manship, were found in a jar at a spot Where about three hundred coins of Coastantius Valens and the late Roman emperors were found. Mr Talbot also exhibited several ancient brass and leaden matrices of seals, among which may be noticed tie meal of the bailiffs of Dunwich; date the fourteenth century. Air. Farrar sent for exhibition an elaborated deco rated monstrance of the Renaiwnce period. The de sign of it is architectural, enriched ;Fith statuettes and relievi. Mr. Farrar observed that it • - •as of German workmanship, and that three shield-like sajcets in the base, now filled with pieces of coloured glass, t h 7yeared to have been originally destined for armorial escutcheons in enamel. Mr. Buckler submitted to the inspection of the Presi dent a series of drawings by himself of Wells Ckhedrali and of the Bishop's palace there. The works iittraeted much attention among the members present. The Noble President, in calling the attention of the meeting to the subject previously appointed for discus sion and illustration—viz., " The art of design as ap plied to the illumination f MSS., and the peculiarities • which mark the !productions of each country," Welk 0 C" casion to regret the absence of any comprehensive work on this subject ; and expressed a hope that the instit might be th e means of orig i nating, or at least f ac ilit a t i ng the production of so desirable a contribution to the his tory of the medieval art. The President then alluded to the succinct treatise by Sir F. Madden, on illuminated MSS., the only one of the kind hitherto published in England, and to the works Mr. Shaw and Mr. Westwood, which had been the :nean.... 9 , of attracting much attention to thi s neglected brh: Zeec inquiry, and after a few remarks on the great work n. publishing in France by Count Bastarde, Lord Nortlfamp ton concluded by directing the notice of the meeting to the numerous assemblage of MSS. of all dates which lay on the table, and were contributed by Mr. Holford, Mr. Hailstone, Mr. Hodgkinson, Mr. Rodd, and other gen tlemen. _ _ _ v 3l. Hailstone then exhibibited a series of manu scripts from his own collection, and pointed out some of the peculiarities of style and treatment which distinguish the various schools of medieval art. He described such of them as appeared to be products of English, French, Flemish, German, and Italian skill, and dwelt upon the . i successive changes in the treatment of the bo rder o : MSS. from the pure to the mixed arabesque, n wch grotesque:figures are a conspicuous feature. Mr. Hail stone also alluded to the great value of such works, as illustrations of costume, ecclesiastical and domestic architecture, and of manners and customs. Mr. Hail stone's remarks were received with much attention, and a general conversation took place on the subject, its which the President, Mr. Holmes, of the ' British Museum, and Mr. Shaw took part. Mr. Rodd submitted for the inspection of the meeting a most valuable collection of illuminations of Italian art, chiefly collected by the late Mr. Ottley from the spoilse the monasteries in Italy, and also a beautiful MS. of t.Kc,. twelfth . century, in the collection of M r . H o lf or d, co w taming thirty-two curious paintings, representing the life and miracles of St. Edmund. Altogether the subje c t seeme d to h ave exc i ted the greatestinterest, and the tabl e was t h ronge d w i th mem bers examining the various MSS., for some time after the Noble Marquis had left the chair. It was announced that at the next meeting, on Friday, May 1, the subject for illustration and discussion would be " Fictile manufactures ; the earthenware, porcelain, &c., of all periods." SACRED HARMONIC SOCIETY. EXETER HALL Last evening Handers Oratorio, " The Messiah," with Mozart's additional accompaniment, was performed by the above society, (as is customary during pasion week,) to an overflowing audience, assisted by its power ful and efficient chorus, conducted by Mr. Surman and led by Mr. Perry. The principal professionals were Miss Birch, Miss M. B. Hawes, Mr. Braham, and Mr. H. Phillips. The sublime chorusses with which this oratorio abounds were perfection itself, we noticed pas_ titularly " For unto us a child is born," and the " lujah Chorus," which although we have heard - so many times, yet did not lose any thing in our estimation, given as they were last evening ; but all were alike excel lent, and reflect great credit on the members and assistants of this society. We must not forget the trebles, they were exceedingly effective in the chu russes above mentioned. We were glad to find Mr. Braham in good voice again ; he seemed determined to make up for his imperfections at the last concert, when ho was labouring under a hoarseness. His " ComfOtt ye " was a splendid effort, and elicited great and con tinued applause. We consider the air, "Rejoice greatly," Miss Birch's worst effort ; we wish she would pay more attention to her cadences ; they were at times urtmean ing, and marred the effect which she would otherwise have produced. There was a marked difference in the style of Miss Hawes, who gave "He shall feed his flock " in a meat chaste and impressive manner. Mr. Braham, in " Thy rebuke," %as very effective, and reminded us of his early days, " Thou didst not leave," was sung by Miss Birch, in which she was encored. In the air, " How beautiful Ale the feet !" the accompaniments west splendidly per formed by the orchestra. The air with which the Third Part opens, " I know that my Redeemer liveth," contained some fine points : Miss Birch sung it excellently. The trumpet obligate, by Mr. Harper, in "The trumpet shall sound," was per formed by that gentleman in his usual able manner. We never remember to have been more gratified than we were last evening. The Messiah was never per forme I better. _ _ _ _ A performance of Perry's Belshazzar's Feast, Men delssohn's 114th, and Haydn's Service No. 2, was an nounced for April 24th inst. In the park of Malmaison, recently purchased, with its chateau, by Queen Christina, her Majesty has erected a Gothic chapel, under the direction of M. Swede, the archi tect, in the style of the Sainte-Chapelle, at the Palais de Justice. The walls are to be covered with mural paintings, in the fashion of the thirteenth century ; and M. Henri de Gerente has just finished one of five windows which are to enrich the arch. The one completed represents SL Augustin, the patron saint of the Duke de Rianzares. The other sub jects will be, St. Christina, the patron of the Queen-Mother ; the Holy Virgin; Isabella of Hungary, the patron saint of the Queen of Spain; and St. Louis, the patron of the Infanta. Louise. The great gate will be surmounted by a rosuce of stained glass, richly executed. The arms of Castile, of Leo, . of Grenada, and of France, succeed each other on a groun d of blue.—.Ath;nzrurn. PIERS AND lIARBOURS.—It appears, from a return issued by tue House of Commons, that tolls are now autho rised to be levied for the maintenance of piers and harbours a r t e ltalinef:o—vlllh owinitgb3p,, Scarborough,laces, on the ecoa D st al o e f r, Gre lla at m ß ag ri a ta te i , n and Ireland d Bridlington. At Whitby, the receipts of tolls from sth of January, 1838, to sth January last, amounted to 21,011/. 95. 4d. ; and at Scarborough, to 4,0201. Gs. 7d. But in the latter case (according to the decision in August last at the York as sizes, in the case of " Mayor, &c., of Scarborough v. John nason") the revenue from this source is lost to the piers and harbours of Scarborough. At Dover, the receipts during the same period have been on an average of 9,3001, or 9,400/. per annum; and at Ramsgate, between 18,0001. and 19,000/. also per annum. At the Bridlington piers and harbours the receipts have been between 1,7001. and 1,800/. a year. Bentley gives us this month among its "leading arti cles," " Brian O'Linn ; or, Luck is Every Thing." The story is well sustained, and the pleasant manner in which it is narrated adds a charm to it, and occasions a feeling of regret when the author and ourselves part company. " perary Hall," is lively, clever, and spirited, and promises to be a favourite re-union for the readers of Bentley. We have also "a Memoir of Flora Macdonald," by Charles White head, with a beautiful portrait by A. Ramsay. "The Seat of War, the Sikhs and the Punjab," by Dr. W. C. Taylor, is a well-timed paper, offering to those who will not, in any other way, take the trouble to understand, the past and pre sent 'position of the Sikh people. The managers of this Miscellany deserve commendation for leading the public, as in the above instance, to a more improving style of reading than is now generally found in the host of monthly publica tions launched from the press. We confidently recommend this month's number to our readers.—Bridgewater Tones. THE HIOHLANDMAN'S CURE.—A true son of the Gaelic and the tartan, on a journey last week from his heather-clad hills to the Fair City, had unfortunately, not withstanding the well known capabilities of the Scottish mountaineer to endure fatigue, broken down when he reached Bankfoot. A Highlander must be very ill when in pursuit of a purpose he is compelled to give in, but so was the case with our present friend. Besides inward ails, one of his feet was sorely lacerated, and exhausted; crippled and sufferingise verely, he took up his lodgings in an inn in Bankfoot. • lla` g seated himself by the fire, be engaged a bed ifor theienaig ra d . had partlydoffed his habilimentsto get iP t° i s t rf Tt i he rem ; edy. membered his condition , and bethought 'muse. o than that whisky is the Higland cure for friend therefore order/4 e l i n e e n et rubbing c.ssari external as well as internal. r yur applied a, at, in aide one need ask what iet was, for nothingairs.usiaorrteopiraoi‘iieir,abnill "double." " Ihe halt he , holt' a mutchkin of ) , his sore foot. While performing. h th • his wounds wit e candle, and in (Wilk required to exanune this lf h operation, c°n t caught fire•• and in an instant the unluckily, the aqua us so, side balsam, and with th& other eg m ui o s r i e l i l n T r t e t a l s i e e d. more Ne hel Nevertheless to , D nd mute hein stoup were in a blaze. Down went f i ol'ietllnd that was rubb in g the foot t o dispel the /ow, but, alas, it too k tire too, and carried the dame u p his le g . Bot h halauisibd:cie the d at werelo nttiitili(u‘neput in requisition , flame the his labour, notwithstanding the agovy iarrnintr of fot roared dk N e v on h u i ti l I r t me y . u h r a ,di d ehri s. been Ile e ndured, with heroic fortit u d e , an d wou ld have per s iHl e a v ed e rnfeaodi not his l u hy t i i s t g i anl ight n s g p a I s ie et xo oha much.za i ' d ; o te hurried in, and in a second a couple of buckets of water were dashed upon him. These extinguished the fiank„s, but Donald's injuries were such that he had to take a conveyance to Perth next day, and has not yet been able to take the road home.—Perthshire Courier. THE IfousELEss POOR.—The asylums in Whitacross street .and East Smithfield were closed last week, having been opened but six weeks, the shortest period of any winter since their establishment. The total number admitt ; • the former was 3,471, and to the latter 2,362, being i,4). nen and 661 women and children. THE SUN, .1L ON DONS TEURSD AY EV_ENING, APRIL 9, 1645.