The Sun. — London, England, 1846-05-07 00:00:00

. , t r b 4. SUN OFFICE, Seven o' Clock. NORTH WESTERN RAILWAY.—Notice is hereby given that, In c3mpliance with the sessional orders of the Houses of Parliament, a SPECIAL MEETING of HOLDERS of SCRIP and BANKERS' RECEIPTS in this undertaking, will be bald at the Palatine Hotel, in Manchester, on SATGRDAY, the 16th Instant, at one o'clock In the afternoon precisely, and that at such meet ing a copy of the Bill now pending in Parliament, to empower the Company to construct their proposed railway, will be submitted for consideration. Parties attending this meeting 4411 be required to produce their scrip or bankers' receipt, and to furnish the Secretary with &memo randum of their name and address, denoting the numbers of the scrip produced. In order to facilitate the business of the meeting, the Secretary will be in attendance at the Palatine Hotel two hours pre vious to the meeting, to receive the scrip and take the denoting num bers thereof. THOMAS BIRKBECK, Chairman, EDMUND SHARPE, Secretary. Company's Offices, 107, Jermyn-street, London. • may 6th, 1846. RAILWAY COMMITITES (THIS DAY.) GROUP IV. The Select Committee appointed to consider the merits of the Bills comprised within thil group re-assembled at the usual hour this morning s and proceeded with their labours, Mr. W. B. Hope in the Chair. PERTH AND INVERNESS. - The business of th e d ay was commenced with the cero linexamine e, by Mr. lion of Mr. Joseph Mit c h ell, the acting engineer load Company. ith B. Andrews, on behalf of the Great North of Scotpany. The length of the line fr c m R ~ n miles, 3 furlongs, Redgorton to Nairn was 15% *lid 5 chains, and fr om N a i rn t o Inverness miles. The line ould not run right i n t o N a i rn , but tbere7 miles in length. would 'w be a short branch to accommodate the main traffic o f about From this poi n t o f j unc tion to Redgorton single line of rails, with the exception there would be only a of a short distance, Ath o l Valley, where there would be a double line of way. Thehighest elevation of the line, which was about the station at Inverness, was 1,450 feet. The Caledonian line had an elevation of 1,050 feet, and the Sheffield and Manchester art elevation of 800 feet. From In verness to a point near Nairn, a distance of ten miles, they ascended 396 feet on gradients of 1 in 84 for seven mil es, 1 i n 200 for two miles, and lin 144 for one mile. They, however, adopted the alter native line, which increased the distance. The line descended till it reached the Tinder river, where it ascended. Here there was a curve of three furlongs radius, the gradient of the curve was 1 in 100. The bridge at this point was I in 339, on a straight line crossing the river, and 1 in 100 atter crossing it of five miles, three furlongs, and ten chains in length. The total ascent from the 100th mile coming from Perth, and going northward for the first 29 miles, was 1,121 feet. From this point to Inverness they were on an ascending gradient of 1 in 147 for 6 miles, 1 in 7i for 8 miles, 1 in 104 for 8 miles. There was always a good deal of snow, rain, and mist at this point. There would be 15 stations on the whole lh.e. Between Inverness and Nairn they would not occur more frequently than at other whorls of the line. They would to equally divided throughout the whole line. From Elgin to Nairn there would be four stators. He con templated refining four passenger trains, two Sunday trains, and one goods trains each day. The mail coach from Perth to In verness was often sent round by the coast in winter, in consequence of the contractors finding it more profitable to send the bags on horse back, and sometimes in consequence of the roads being stopped up with Snow. The Edinburgh and Glasgow incline of I in 42 was worked by an exPensive stationary eneine ; and this ob-ervation applied also to the Llckay incline on the Birmingham and Gloucester. The line termi nated at Redgorton, where it joined a branch of the Scotch Midland. Ile did not know whether it was contemplated to make the Scotch Midland at this point a double or single line. He was aware that a Meeting of sharehf lders adverse to further progress of the Bill had been held in Aberdeen, but he had been creditably informed that It was got up by the Great North of Scotland Company. To make the line a double one it would require 203,561/. more than his estimate. The estimate for the Great North of Scot/and, with double lines, would be 10,562,0001., and ofthe Perth and Inverness, and Aberdeen, 'Banff, and Elgin 20,816,000 The capital of the line from Aberdeen to Perth was 1,500,000/. The Perth and Inverness, and the Aber deen, Banff, and Elgin, had 81 miles more of rail to make than the Great North of Scotland. The price of the Scottish Midland from Perils to Redgorton would be 50,000 e, which would have to be added to the 20,816,000/. His estimate for working a double line was 40/. per cent., and a single from Nairn to Elgin 331. per cent. On re-examination he said the Great North of Scotland Included in their system two branches to Frazerburgh and Peterhead, which be had not taken into consideration in snaking the comparison he had just made. He understood the Great North of Scotland line was to be amalgamated with the Aberdeen and Perth Company, whose shares were at an enormous discount, while the Great North of Scotland shares were not rateable at ail ; and he was apprehensive that, in the present state of the money market, if the two were united, it would be some time before the lines would be opened for traffic. What he meant by his gradients being favourable was that they could be worked by an ordinary engine. There were many gradients already in existence of a similar charac ter worked by ordinary engines. But many of his gradients which were considered objectionable might be avoided altogether. It was not that a coach could not get along the Highland road that the mail Was not run sometimes in winter, but because the mail contractor found they made more prod t by sacrificing the passengers and running the mails with 1e5 " , ":"..71:1417the - Y 'had in large numbers for posting in summer, v;isile in winter they would he idle we 'e it not for the mails- detail of his estimates agreed with Mr. Gibbs's. His own Prices were. somewhat higher, while they were much higher than what he was in the habit of paying. The highest point of the Great lifo'sth of Scotland was about xis hundred feet. Mr. ERRINGTON, who is associated with Mr. Lock as an engineer, was the next witness called.—lle said he bad, in conjunction with his partner, examined tee nitre of the proposed line, and he could confirm the evidence of Mr. Mitchell in every respect. From the nature of the country, the works were of remarkably small magnitude. 'The gradients were good, there were few curves and slopes, and only one tunnel of 400 yards long ; and from the experience he had with estimates made out upon Mr. Mitchell's principle for Scotch lines he had no hesitation whatever in saying the work could be completed for the sum given Inc by Mr Mitchell. There was no doubt that a sub stantial contractor could be got without difficulty to undertake the works upon Mr. Mitchell's estimate ; indeed, he had works under his control which were being executed at much lower prices. He had no hesitation in saying that the trains could run over the line notwithstanding whathad been said about the gradients at the rate of 30 miles an hour. It would not take more than 3,0001. a year to obtain the power on the Perth and Inverness, with its severer gra dients and plains, that was proposed to be used by the Great North of Scotland , while, at the same time, there would he a saving of I Is. 2d. per ton on the through traffic. In a through and a circa tious line, the one that hati,the ead, or last link of the line, would have power to decide which way the passenger traffic should go and he was afraid no regulations could be made which should insure fair play to both companies. The best way was to leave the last link in the hands of the through line, because there could not be any doubt that the local oughts to be subservient to the through line. With proper precautions, it was al most impossible that a line could be obstructed with snow, for, in fact the power of the railway was used for keeping it clear in snowy weather On cross-examination by Mr..Auvrry, he said he was decidedly of opinion that sooner or later a direct line would have to be made, and certainly thought the through line ought to be made before the coast lute. There certainly were some gradients of no ordinary character on this line, but this was all a matter of expense. They were not such as could not be worked by an ordinary powerful engine. The Committee adjourned shortly after four o'clock. GROUP V. ......-- - This Committee met to-clay at half-past twelve o'clock, Colonel Fox in the chair. PO:2TH AND CLYDE 3UNCTION. This, the last Bill in the group, was taken up this morning. There is no opposition to the scheme, the object of which is to con nect the east and west of Scotland In a diagonal direction to the north of Glasgow. Mr. LOGAN appeared for the promoters of this line, which he stated commenced-at the Stirling terminus of the Scottish Central Railway, and proceeded up the valley of the Forth, crossinz over in the direc tion of Killearn and Dryme.u, and terminating at Alexandria, in the valley of the Leven, near to the point from whence the river issues from Lochlomond.' The line was 30% mlles in length, and presented no engineering ditlirAttlties, the curves and gradients being generally of a favourable character. It would be of great service In supplying a very important and improving district of country with coal and lime, and taking their produce to profitable markets, while it would, from the fine scenery at Its western terminus, in the neighbourhood of Lochlo mond, be attractive to tourists. There was only one tunnel 240 yards long. Th.e steepest gradient on the main line was one in 100; on the branch of the main line one in 93. The shortest radius of a curve two furlongs. The estimated expense of the whole line was 350,0001. Evidence was then taken in support of the statement of counsel, When the Committee declared the preamble to be proved. The clauses were then gone through, and agreed to, when the Committee adjourned, GROUP VI. DUNDEE .EIND PERTH. (Continued trotii our Afternoon Edition.) The Lord Provost —Our intention is to give every facility in our power to this Company in the carrying out of their Bill. The Secretary, having returned front the House of Lords, informed the Committee that the clause in question would be struck out of the 31111 when it reached the Lords. Mr. Sergeant MURPUY proposed another clause to the same effect, which would avoid ihe technical objection that might be raised In the Lords. The clause was agreed to. The postponed clauses of the Bill' were then gone through, and unanimously agreed to. The Committee then adjourned until Monday. GROW.' VII. (Continued from our Afternoon Edition.) ZD27riBUR.G73 AND NOMT7Ir.'7.INT (LOCH. GELLY AND I.ESLIZ' EXTENSION) Mr. CLARKE opened the case for this Bill. He said that he would be able to prove by evidence that this line was one that would be of unquestionable public advantage. It was oily five miles in extlnt, and would afford a much shorter communication through the town of Dunferniline, as well as great facility of going to and from Kirkaldy, whence there was a great quantity of coal imported. The Learned Counsel then proceeded to call evidence. Mr. Smith, examined by Mr. CLARKE—The proposed extension would be of great advantage to Leslie, where there were from 4,000 to 5,000 tons of coal consumed annually. There were eight flax. mills in work in the neighbourhood of Leslie. Cross - examined—These milli were half a mile or less from the village of Leslie. Did not consider the road from the bridge over the Leven to Leslie as a good level road, though he understood that there had been a good deal of money expended on it. All the mills about Leslie were in the valley of Leven. Atter some further evidence in corr oboration had been b Committee adjour ne d. ean], the GROUP VIII. The Select Committee appointed to consider the merits comprised cf withinn i the chair this group met at th e usual hour this ntihoerniniiitigls Mr. B Hawes , . . ZDI433USLGIIE AND lalrirc.l 11.T111032.71M71LXC, The whole of the day was oc , upied with evidence to show that the proposed line was unnecessary, inasmuch as the existing Edin burgh, Leith, and Uranton line was amply SUMCIent to accommodate Cie traffic of the district. The Committee adjourned at four o'clock. GROUP XI. The Committee assembled at the usual hour this morning, Mr, Ileniey chairman. Ziznionxz AND SIATEGATE JUNCTION, AND EDINSUEGIE AND EAT GATE. The time of the Committee was occupied the entire day in going through the several clauses of these two Bills, all of which were agreed to. The Committee at :is rising adjourned until Monday, tho 25th lnsl GROUP VIII The Coramittee met to-clay at twelve o'clock, Sir W. Clay In the chair. * Members present, Earl Jermyn, Lent Shelburne, Mr. Cur tea, 'and Mr. P. Ainsworth. 7DITIVIrRISS, AND CARLISLE. The evidence on behalf of this line w. resumed. Mr. Blythe was recalled and briefly examined on the estimates constructing the line. Mr. Miller, civil engineer, examine,l.--ife agreed with the evi dence of Mr. Blythe. The line was laid down in the best way to suit the convenience of the country. He estimated the working of The line at 33 per cent. on the gross receipts, the Ayrshire Company agreeing to work it at the rate. The line, by this arrangement, could be worked more economica;l,y' than by independent arrange ments. Crosl. Hir examined by Mr. ors -- Ise proposed that the wh o l e schemee calculated would in the arrangements , carriages be each way daily, w i t h a b ou t s i x passcuc__ o lie could n o t g i ve t h e average width of theline traversed t o each four train. times 'scheme was subst an ti a ll y the same as last year, only throughout. shorter a at each e end, a portion having been cut off at Cumnock and Carlisle. Last year the line was classed as a competing line with the Caledonian Railway, but it was so elassekl against his w!ll. lie then admitted that the Dumfries line Would take pas enters as expeditiously as the Cale- olonian line, and, therefore, that the further was the one that ought to be made. The Committee, however, did not a , lopt this view, as it - was considered the Caledonian was better Cr, national objects, as di- Teetly connecting the north with the south. The Caledonian scheme, If perfec,tedwith the, he adm exception of the pOrtioll between Cumnock and Dumfries. The CHAIRMAN asked if the promwers had any traffic tables to put in. showing the receipts expected f rom the different parts of the line ; that was the expected traffic on the D nmfr:es and Cumnock portion. the Carlisle and Dumfries portion, an d the two branches seP arately ? - - - - Mr. TALBOT said they were mot prepared with those tables at present, but should the Committee not he satistee with the evidence already given, they had more witnesses to call, whc would furnish the details. Mr. COCKBURN said that the case of the promoters hail been placed before the Committ ee on t h e su pp os iti on of th e re bei ng , uflicient local traffic to warrant the copstruclon ~ t the lino. It had been brought forward on Its own merits. That there was such traffic as was alleged, he, on behalf of the Ca!edonian Company, totally denied, and tnaintatned that the Dumfries line could not he worked .vithout taking away a considerable portion of tho Caledonian traffic, to the great prejudice and loss of that company! It had been proved that year thEtt 03.► through traffic wonl‘ l , ‘ ue mere than sufficient to pay for the constriction of ong and give a fair interest in the capital in vested by the latter company, The 6IAIRMAN was of opinion that if the promoters of the Cale donian scheme considered that their case materially depended on the question of local traffic, and that the company on the Dumfries line must depend on the taking away a portion of the Caledonian through traffic, then the Committee would order the room to be cleared and decide upon, the point raised as to the detailed traffic tables being furnished. Mr. TALSor had not the slightest obJectoti Whatever to IMP' plying further evidence on local traffic should the Committee require it, but he was not then prepared with tables to the effect re quired. If time was given the tables would be got ready, and in the meantime he would go on with the further evidence, which, with that already given, the tables would be founded. Mr. Cocaauas trusted the tables would furnish precisely the par ticular sources from which traffic was expected, as he maintained there was no local traffic to warrant the construction of such a line, and that if it were formed it would only lead to a ruinous competi tion between the two companies, that would end in an amalgama tion, in which, from the double capital invested, would lead to rates by which the public interest would be sacrificed. He hoped the tables would be furnished by to-morrow morning, as the whole case at Issas depended on the question of traffic under consideration. After some thrther conversation pro and con. to the same effect, it was arranged by the Committee, in compliance with Mr Cockburn's application, that tables of the details of traffic should be made out, to be supplied in the morning, and that, in the mean time, evidence might be taken as to the points on which the tables would be based. Mr. AUSTIN then called Mr. Geddies, who was giving general evi dence in support of that tendered by Mr. Christie yesterday, when The CHAIRMAN interfered. This was general evidence, which they had had already before them. What was wanted were the particu lars on which o t tom he owi t t a e j b no l um es of w ,t e ha re endß t h o na b i:eth f th o o u ne n g d ht e at d b . lbeess H tp e uct th arc o ula, ag w h th t ede i n t t w aon o yp ui r d eovl t . i e e . be de t n te ce r at th e on p e r e them might be submitted. The Committee, in consequence of this, adjourned till to-morrow at twelve o'cjock. GROUP TIC'. NORTH KENT DISTRICT (SOUTH EASTERN LINE.) The Committee to which the lines traversing the North Kent dis trict are referred, met to-day at twelve o'clock, in Room No. 30 ; present, Mr. Pretheroe, chairman, Lord Emlyn, Mr. J. O'Connell, and Mr. Grogan. Mr. Sergeant lITRANnnAbc proceeded in his address to the Com mittee in support of the North Kent case. His observations referred chiefly to those engineering details which have been already fully given in Mr. Vignolles' evidence. In conclusion, the Learned Ser geant urged on the Committee the necessity of not en trusting the important district of North Kent in the hands of a Company which was impoverished by its gigantic speculations and schemes, and which having another line of access to the termini of the North Kent line, could not possibly feel so mach interested in accomodating the public as a company which possessed that line alone, and which knowing that it was their all, would leave no means untried to secure the patronage of the public. Mr. COCKBURN said, that with the consent of the Committee, he would put: in a letter from the Lords of the Admiralty, assenting to the passage of the South Eastern line through Greenwich Park. Mr. Sergeant WRRNOHAM objected to the admission of any such document, as the proceedings in both cases were closed, and more especially as he did not consider that portion of the South-Eastern line as having been actually brought before the Committee. The CHAIRMAN decided that the document could not be admitted. After some deliberation on the part of the Hon. Members forming the Committee, The CHAIRMAN announced that the Committee would give its do , cision at half-past three o'clock to-morrow. GROUP XVIII. SOMERSETSEIRE MIDLAND. This Committee resumed its sittings this morning, at 12 o'clock, Mr. B. Denison in the chair. Mr. Serjeant KINGLAKE commenced by cross-examining Mr. Hill, the engineer. On his cross-examination, Mr. Hill admitted that an original prospectus, stating .he capital of the Company fo be 150,0001., and describing the proposed route of the railway, which was then surveyed to a considerable extent, had been published without his sanction or authority, before the line was surveyed by him, or any estimates made of the probable expense. He could not remember going into any details with reference to the amount of earth-work or the number of bridges. He merely walked over the line for two days. The only report that he made to the Directors with reference to this preliminary survey was that the sum of 320,0001. (the sum proposed by the Directors), would be rather a low sum, as the gradients and cuttings would be severe. In the estimates before the Committee he had estimated the total amount of earthwork, at 1,590,194 entire yards of this quantity there were 154,525 entire yards of limestone cutting, at 3s. 6d. per yard; 98,560 yards of freestone at 3s. ; 204,020 yards of a mixture of freestone and marl at Is. 6d. per yard, of hard clay there would be 242,465 yards at Is. 3d ; marl mixed with gravel and stones at Is. 4d. per yard ; there would be 290,215, and 292,579 yards of common earth which he had estimated at Is. 2d. per yard. He had made six borings, In order to determine the several kinds of earth work. The slopes would not be more than Ito 1. There were six miles of an ascending gradient of a bed character. He did not know of any existing railway with a worse gradient considering the length, there was a descending gradient of three miles of 1 in 104. Captain Morrison, R.N., was then examined on behalf of the pro moters. He knew several lines where the gradients were more severe than the present one. The Hartlepool Railway had a gradient of one in thirty for two miless in length. There would be no danger if proper care were taken in working a single line. He was acquainted with the working of the Taff Vale Railway, which was a single line of rails. He did not consider it absolutely ne cessary to the safe working of the line that there should be an electric telegraph along it. He had estimated the cost of con struction at about 20,0001. less than the estimates of Mr. Hill, and could obtain responsible parties to complete the works for the sam which he had estimated. . Mr. Miller, C. E., had examined the section% of the line. He did not think, although of an inferior character, that they would be of serious inconvenience. He was working a line himself with a gra dient of one in forty-two, and found no difficulty. Mr. Lewis, a contractor for the construction of railways, proved the general accuracy of the estimates of earth and bridge work fur nished by the engineer. Mr. Biraoz, a contractor, also proved the same, and would be very happy to undertake the contracts on the terms mentioned in the estimates. Colonel Coles, a magistrate in Somersetshire and a director of the company, was the next witness called, who proved that the directors had endeavoured, as much as possible, to meet the wishes of Mr. Somerville by changing the route of the railway, he being a peti tioner against the Bill. This witness elosed the case of the promoters. The Committee then adjourned till to-morrow at twelve. GROUP XXX. This Committee re-assembled to-day at the usual hour. Present, Lord Charles Wellesley (chairman), and the other Members. AYLESBURY AND THAD= :UNCTION nix Sig, 1.6/4:00.: tiiiritsbAy 'EVENING,. MAY 7,04 ti! lLargeaernledandeGdenptrloepmriaen "Thofe tors, had important interests to pro individuals were not to b e scheme which was imperfect through a f ee li ng of Mr. KNOWLES, who as the represen te t c a t ti . sacrificed to a Mr. Hudson. jealousy towards maintained that the interests of private Mr. ALEXANDER next addressed the Committee o n b e h a lf of Mr. Fountain Wilson, in a similar strain to that of the Learned Counsel who had preceded him. Mr. Sergeant WILKINS opposed the objection raised by Mr. Hildyard. and adeed that if the admission of Mr. Hlldyard were accepted, all three of the lines must be thrown overboard, but he was prepared to prove, in direct contradiction of Mr. Hildyard's admission pro arva mento, that the Leeds and York line was the best of the three, he was prepared to prove that it was the worst of the three, and he had two many dealings with the emissaries of the Great King to be taken in by such a ruse. Mr. BAINES was sure the Committee would not be influenced by the threats of prolonged cress - examination, which had been thrown out by his Learned Friend (Mr. Alexander), and argued that if he shewed his line was an integral line, and involved such a degree of public accommodation as to outweigh the objections of his competi tors or of the landowners, the Committee were bound to allow him to proceed with his bill. Mr. HILDTARD contended that the point at issue for the decision of the Committee was whether parties applying for powers to construct a railway were bound to show that their line was merely a good one or whether they were not compelled to prove that it was the best that could be constructed. The Learned Gentleman further ex plained, by denying that he had, de facto, admitted the superiority of the Leeds and York line over the North Midland. The Committee deferred their decision till to-morrow, and ad journed at a quarter past four o'clock. 1,200,000 quarters, and the quantity of flour was about 700,000 or 800,000 barrels. He had also to move for a return of every hundred pounds' worth of tithe received under the Tithe Commutation Act, from the passing of that Act down to 1845. He hoped there would be no objection to such a motion. TAXATION OP SUITORS. Mr. WATSON moved for a Select Committee to inquire into the nature and extent of the taxation of suitors by the col lection of fees in the courts of law and equity, and the applica tion of such fees, and the compensations paid to retired officers of those courts, and into the propriety of the continuance thereof ; and particularly to inquire into the orders for com pensation made by the Lord Chancellor to the persons filling th• offices of clerk of the enrolment, comptrollers of hamper, riding clerk, six clerks, sworn clerks, waiting clerks, and others, under the Act 5 and 6 Vic. c. 183, and to inquire into the nature, duties, and emoluments of those officers, before the passing of that Act, and their right to compensation dur ing life and for seven years after the death of such person. In making this motion, he said he did so in consideration of the manner in which suitors in the courts of justice were so enormously taxed, and in which the most outrageous compromises often took place. Now, contrary to every principle of justice,lthere was no suitor in the Court of Chancery and no suitor in any other of the Courts who was not, subjected to very heavy taxation. There were no lets than from 300 to 400 persons who were employed in collecting fees in the Courts of Equity. Some of these fees Went to the consolidation fund and some to the officers in the Courts, but no step whatever could be taken unless the fees were paid, and it was impossible to obtain redress otherwise. The House would be surprised also to learn that there was no check or control, or scarcely any, over the collectors. Some of them were certainly bound by oath, but there were others who were not. A great many officers were paid by fees only, and the only guarantee with re gard to the collectors of these fees was the honesty of the persons. What he asked for, therefore, was a Committee to in quire into this system, which he considered a most objectionable one. The next point he wished to call attention to was, whether it was right to tax suitors at all. There might be no fear enter tained that by the abolition of these taxes law would become Lord BROUGHAM entirely concurred with his Noble Friend, and differing from him as he did on other matters, he rejoiced to be able to agree with him on this.—( Laughter.) He was undoubtedly of opinion that the result of the measure that would shortly come before their Lordships, would have the effect of lowering the price of grain, inasmuch a much greater quantity of grain would be introduced into the English market. He had no desire, however, to anticipate the dissen sion that would arise on that measure, and he would, there fore, postpone any arguments which he had on the ques tion till the proper time arrived. He would at the same time express a hope that their Lordships who were appointed to inquire into the burdens on land, would lose no time in laying their report before their Lordships, believing, as he did, that a more important report had never been laid on the table of their Lordships' House. Earl FITZWIL LIAM thought it would be desirable for their Lordships to have a statement similar to that which was asked for by the Noble Lord (Lord Ashburton), of the corres ponding periods, as far back as the time when the last Corn Bill but one (1628) passed, and he should move an amendment to that effect. GROUP XLIII. EAST AND WEST YORKSHIRE. Lord ASHBURTON said that in the last year the quantity in bond was 430,000 quarters ; the year before that 220,000 ; the year before that 245,000; then 124,000; then 132,000; then 257,000; and so on up to the year 1838. Lord BROUGHAM suggested that it should be ascertained whether corn was at such a price as to be importable the time these returns were made. The Committee on this Bill met again to-day at twelve o'clock, in Room 33, Mr. W. Miles, Chairman. Mr. Grainger, engineer to the Company, was called and examined by Mr. BAINES, Q.C. The line was easy of construction, the cuttings being very light and gradient and most favourable. The estimate for making the line was 20,0001. He was satisfied that the line could be constructed for that amount. After some further evi dence the witness was cross-examined Lord A SHBURTON said that the returns were from the months of October and December in each year, when the farmer held most of his corn in hand, and at that season tarn was exported from abroad for this country. The corn dealers on the Baltic found all the ports between their country and ours shut against them, and consequently their supplies came to the British ports. 'Earl FITZ WILLIAM said there never was so great a quan tity in bond as at the present moment. It is now better than four months since this measure was first introduced into Parliament, and he would leave it to their Lordships whether the real nature of the measure had not been well known before two months before that time ; so that there was a period of six months since this measure was first brought under the notice of the public, during which time no merc h an t i n hi s senses wou ld take a single quarter out of bond. The Duke of RICHMOND wished to correct his Noble Friend the Earl Fitzwilliam in one point. It was well known that the British farmer never brought his corn to market until it was in the best condition. Now, it was also known that English corn required some time to be laid up, and the influence of frost, to bring it into condition. The late season had beers unusually mild, and there was, in con sequence, never a greater growth of corn in the hands of the farmer, than there is at the present moment. It was always kept up in the hope of obtaining better prices, and there was in fact at this particular time, a great quantity of grain waiting for disposal. He did not think the Bill would pass, but if it did pass, he would do all he could to protect those farmers who had large stocks of wheat on hand. He must protest against those No ble Lords who said that the question was settled. He did not think so. He could not believe that Noble Lords on the oppo site side could so suddenly turn round, or that those on the other side, who had advocated a fixed duty, would now give it up in favour of the Bill before the other House. By Mr. Bniss—Had the line gone further north before coming towards Knaresborough, he did not think they could have avoided Knaresborough without great inconvenience. Could not tell how many houses they would pull down at Knaresborough. He had not taken any account of the property which would be required, that was not part of his duty as engineer. By avoiding Knaresborough the length of the line would be very much increased. After a lengtheued cross-examination of this witness, the Commit tee adjourhed to twelve o'clock to-morrow. too cheap, for in this country there was very little chance of that. In the year 1843 to 1844 the fund called the Suitors' Fee Fund amounted to 97,0001. There was also a sum of money amounting to 155,000!., which was paid in taxes into the Court of Chancery. Altogether there was from 300,0001. to 400,0001. paid in salaries to officers connected with the court, and a sum of 290,0001., which went to the Conso lidated Fund, amounting altogether to upwards of 600,0001., 400,000/. of which was a direct tax upon the suitors, and the rest a tax upon the country at large. This was a monstrous sum, but what was still more monstrous, it was collected by persons over whom there was no check, and he asked the House for a Committee, to consider whether this principle ought not to be discontinued.—( Hear, hear.) There was one individual in the Court of Queen's Bench who held a sinecure of 7,7001. a year, another who held a sinecure of 5,496/. a year; and there were numerous others, varying from that sum to 2,000/. a year. In the Lancaster Court there was formerly a , sinecure of some 2,0001. a year. The office was that of the prothonotary ; and it nas held by one individual from 1791 up to a very recent period. It was, how ever, abolished, and although the fees collected were only 2,3001. per annum at the time it was abolished, a compensation of 2,700/. per annum was awarded to the sinecurist, who was no less a person than Lord Liverpool. What was more to be la mented was, that it was a poll-tax, and no matter whether a man sued for 20,0001. or 2,00/. he had to pay the same fees. The Bill was to give compensaion to the six clerks of the Court of Chancery, who had long been considered a public nuisance ; they received enormous fees, but they were per fectly useless, and coingensatson was given to them for absolutely doing nothing. They were old officers to be sure, and some of them were in the receipt of between three and four hundred a-year. He was assured, the House would hardly believe him, when he stated that four of these persons were enjoying amongst them the enormous amount of 30,0001. a-year.--( Hear, hear.) What could then be the meaning of giving such extravagant compensation? Their business depended Solely upon eonnexten, but that connexion was like an attorney's, it might not last five days; and it might last for ever; but the business transacted was not worth six days' purchase. The country had a right to enquire and see how the funds were distributed, and whether the public money was to be wasted in such an extravagant man ner as he had detailed to the House. He would quote to the House an authority upon this subject which he was sure would have weight with the House, he would quote Mr. Pemberton Leigh, who after vainly, for a length of time, endeavoured to get a return from these gentlemen of their emoluments, they having refused them for a length of time, had at last given some lump sums without stating name, or time, or place. Mr. Pemberton Leigh designated the fees which these officers received as an iniquitous tax upon the• suitors in Chancery. One gentleman, who was eminent in the Court of Chancery, had said that when he was doubtful upon a point of the practice of the Court, he applied to the sworn clerks, and acted directly the reverse of their advice. One gentleman, in his evidence before the commission, had stated that the fees to the sworn clerks were a great tax upon the suitors and Chan cery, and the services of the clerks were useless, In fact, one of the officers was a good clerk when he was a lunatic. He would now call the attention of the House to what was called the compensation clause—a clause by which the Lord Chancellor was enabled to award compensation to officers in certain cases. At the time of Lord Erskine he had found the fees of those officers so low that he increased them ; but in 1829 the fees of those officers bad so enormously increased, that they were entitled to fees on every item on the paper; and Lord Brougham had seen the enormity of these fees to be an glaring in the year 1833 that he told them their days were numbered ; but they 'still remained the same to the present time. One of , those clerks who had been dismissed received 5,4241., and 2,000/. a-year for attending for a few hours each day in Chancery-lane. Another, who retired, was a clerk to a clerk, and he got 472/. a year; and a third, a young gentleman, only 28 years of age, received fees to the amount of 5,204/. per annum, besidss •a salary of 2,000/., mak ing a total of 7,204'. per annum. Again, there was an agent who received for compensation alone 1,7781. per annum ; a waiting clerk received a compensation to the extent of 344/. per annum ; in fact, altogether the compensations amounted to no less than 170,000/. annually. The Lord Chief Justice of England the highest dignatary of the law, received under 10,0001. per an num, and the Noble individual who now held the office refused to receive the whole salary, and only took 8.0001., and yet there were persons, without holding any office, receiving 7,000/. The First Lord of the Treasury had, on a late occasion, given to two gallant officers who had distinguished themselves in the service of their country, pensions of 2,000/. and 3,0001. while persons persons who had done nothing ror it were receiving the large salaries he had mentioned. The House ought to come to some resolution, which would submit this matter to the consideration of a Committee.—(Hear, hear. ) It was the brightest morning that ever dawned in Chancery. lane, and to all the clerks in a certain law institution there, for all the flesh and blood, and every human being therein, re ceived a good compensation; and even some of the clerks were to have one-half of their compensation paid to their friends ofr years after their death, no doubt in consequence of the loss of the influence and services of these gentlemen to the country The sale of these office., therefore, was wholly ills gal, and. tee persons who held them were not entitled to receive any com pensation. No Bill ever travelled with the same railroad velo city as the Bill in question did through that House. It came down from the Lords on the 29th of July, and was read a first time. On the Monday following —the Ist of August, it was read a second time. On the 2d of August it went through Committee, and on the 3d of August it was reported and ordered to be re-committed. The 9th of August, 1842, was a lucky day for the riding clerk, the waiting clerk, and the agents of the House of Commons, for on that day their Compensation Bill passed; and how, let him ask, was this compensation to be calculated? Why, it was calculated up the produce of the three year during which there was the most extraordinary amount of business trans acted in the Court of Chancery, and when the equity business of the Exchequer bad been transferred to the Court of Chancery. The compensation which should be given, according to the Acts he has cited, was to be only two-thirds of their former receipts. The examiner was also to inquire into those re ceipts. Now he asserted no inquiry had taken place, and how was this compensation, extravagant as it was, obtained? It was levied from the suitors of the Court of Chincery. from those who had the misfortun,e to appear there, in order to have justice done them. Why, it was monstrous.--( Hear, bear.) Four per cent. was laid upon a Bill without reference to the amount of the property sought to be obtained ; after years of anxious and dreary litigation, four per cent. was laid upon the costs of that cause before they were bound to pay a shilling. When he first brought forward his motion, a reduction of twopence a fo*io took place, which, trivial as it Ippe l f ,: i ) r n e e d o to be, amounted to '5,000/, out o f every 70,000 1, bad since been taken o ff, which also amounted to one thousand in every severy seven pounds. —( Hear, hear.) He asked for a Committee to inquire into those matters. He asked the Government to grant that Committee and if he was asked was he ready to be unjust to these indi viduals? he would say he was ready to be so, sooner than to be unjust to hundreds and thousands who would be suiters in the Court of Chancery. He wished that this Com mittee would be granted in or d er t o i nvestigate the matter." The ATTORNEY-GENERAL, in answer to the state. ments of the Hon. Member who had just sat down, said his Hon. and Learned Friend had had a great advantage over him, because he was the assaulting party; and there was always something exciting in hearing a party making a charge, while the arguments of the party in defence generally fell upon dull ears. He (the Attorney-General) could not hope to make what he had to say in answer to the charges of his Honourable and Learned Friend at all interesting as it appliedlto matters of dry law, not by any means interesting ; but still he would make a demand on the time of the Honae, but he trusted he would be heard with patiecee. His Hon. and Learned Friend proposed a Committee on the very same materials upon which the same motion was refused by the House in 1844. Now he (the Attorney- General) would say that his Hon. and Learned Friend called upon the House to do an act of gross injustice. It would be very easy to lead the House to the conclusion that the compensation awarded to those holding those offices was enormous, in order to excite in Hon. Members the notion that the motion which the Hon. Member for Kinsale prop osed to make, was well f oun d e d, an d ought to be granted. at once took the Hon. Member on that ground, and said that the question was not whether the existing emoluments for these offices were or were not abuses. It was perfectly unnatural, wh e th er t h e emolument derive s d . from those ho offices was in proporti on t o t h e services rendered by those wh o possessed them. Those offices had bee n established a great numbers ; they were v es t e d i nterests, and if they desired to re form them, they were bound to give the possessors the fullest compensation. His Hon. and Learned Friend would not consider it any disparagement if he considered that the opi nions of a better reformer were against him on this subject, In 1812 a motion was made in that House respecting the sine cure offices of tellers of the E xc h equer. The abject of the motion• was to call the attention of the House to the enormous emoluments which were derived . for services performed by deputy; and what did Mr. Horner say on that occasion ? He gave it as his decided opinion that in such cases the offices were vested interests, and however far economy was stretched, vested interests were always sacred, and therefore these offices should remain untouched. In those sentiments Mr. Tierney and Mr. Ponsonby clearly concurred, and the motion for the reduction of the enormous emoluments in the Sinecure Offices were rejected. Now. he (the Attorney-General) was willing to call for the same principle to be applied to this question. The offices of these clerks were established in 1592, and there had been no diminution in the fees from the year 1743 down to the time of the abolition of the offices. It had been said that Lord Lyndhurst had reduced the fees before they abolished the fees. That was not so. All Lord Lyndhorst'did, was to preveio the sworn clerks receiving attendance fees in cases where no attendance was required. (LEFT SITTING.) Lord 13ROUGHAIM did not think the question settled, but whether settled or not, he would give a little advice. He would strongly advise those who had large stocks on hand to bring their wheat to market as if it was settled.—(A laugh.) Earl GREY differed with the Noble Duke. He believed that the farmers were suffering greatly through this delay. They would be exposed to this deluge of foreign corn, for the importation having been dammed up for six months, instead of the market receiving gradual supplies. 'I he suffering of the farmers had arisen from the want of foreign wheat to mix up with the produce of last harvest, which was generally of an inferior quality. It could not be ground unless mixed up with old or foreign wheat, and the state of things had been such that the necessary supply of foreign wheat was nut forthcoming. In the north of England the wheat of last harvest was generally inferior in quality, and millers were pre vented from grinding it from want of foreign wheat. It would have been a great advantage to the country if the ports had been opened in November or December last. Lord BEAUMONT was anxious tkat there should be no delay in producing those returns. He hoped next week to be able to lay on their Lordships' table the report of the Com mittee of which he was Chairman. At the same time he hoped that whatever might be the result of that measure the labours of the Committee would not be altogether lost. The motion was then agreed to. RELIGIOUS OPINIONS' BILL. The Bishop of EXETER — Consented to postpone the mo tion of which he had given notice for to-day, until Monday next. MR. REID'S VENTILATION. The Marquis of CLANRICADE wished to know whether there would be any impediment in the way of allowing Mr. Gurney, to have some part of the n .w houses appropriated to him, for the purposes of ventilation, that their Lordships might be able to judge of the plan proposed. The Commissioners had not yet made ther report upon this subject. Lord CAMPBELL complained of the serious annoyance caused to their Lordships by Dr. Reid's system of ventilation ; that annoyance became worse and worse every day. When he entered their Lordships' House that morning he could scarcely breathe the air, and he only wished that Dr. Reid might him self be compelled lo breathe it for two hours. Thus he (Lord Campbell) knew that it was utterly impossible for that LORDS' SUMMARY. The Lords met at Five o'clock. Lord Astinutrrox moved for returns relating to the im portation of foreign corn, which gave rise to a slight dis cussion, in the course of which the Duke of RICHMOND pro tested against the corn-law question being considered as settled, and was replied to by Lord BROUGHAM, who admitted that the question was not yet settled, but advised the farmers friends to recommend the farmers' friends to act as if the question were settled. After which the returns were agreed to. The Bishop of EXETER postponed his motion on the sub ject of the Religious Opinions Bill until Monday. Lord STANLEY then moved the second reading of the Western Australian Bill. Earl GREY regretted that the Bill should have been brought forward, and felt bound to oppose it. Lord LrrrLEToN supported the Bill. The Duke of RICHMOND give notice that he would move for a select committee to inquire into the affairs of the Australian colonies, unless the Government brought forward some measure to remedy the present dreadful state of affairs In these colonies. Lord LITTLETow said that the matter was at present under the consideration of the Government. The Bill was then read a second time. =The Railway Deposits Bill was read a third time and passed. The Friendly Societies Bill was read a first time, and or dered to be read a second time on Monday. Lord REDESDALE moved that no select committee should be appointed to consider an opposed railway Bill after Mon day, the 20th of July. The Earl of Wici(Low opposed the motion. The motion was then agreed to. (uurr arrnwa.) THE MYsTNRIOUS DEATH AT BROMLEY.—(THIS DAY.) The CORONER, in continuation from our Afternoon Edition, said— There was nothing in the evidence to justify them in coming to a po sitive conclusion with respect to any one person, and he would, therefore, having fully recapitulated the evidence, leave the matter in the hands of the jury. . . strangers were then ordered to withdraw, and on their ro-admission The Com)Ns& announced that the verdict of the jury was " Wilful murder" against some person or persons unknown. After a few words from Mr. Hodges (one of the jurymen) the jury was discharged. MALE AND FEMALE CONVICTS.—Tbere are at pre sent three hired convict ships, moored off the Royal Arsenal, Wool. wick, embarking male and female convicts for Sydney, Ilobart Town, and Norfolk Island. The Woolwich Company's steam-packet Fairy brought down Op Saturday last 75 female convicts, and the Naiad 98 on Monday, being a total of 173, aad embarked theta in the li cl a m n convict ship, for Sydney. Th e John Calvin, for Rom t. ; Maitland, for Norfolk Island, hay, not . DS 11111 411414111 :11,19 TI M% • . _ ILAXIMJAY. Mr. W. Clarke examined by Mr.Witis—Carried on business as a carrier and farmer at Luton. There was no traffic of any importance east or west to Oxford and Cambridge. Cross-examined by Mr. WADDINGTON-This railway from Cam bridge to Oxford would not injure him. 31r. E. Chase, examined by Mr. Wit.r.s—Was a surgeon, .residing at Luton. Knew that Mr. Byce and other large plait manufacturers were of odinion that Skis line (the Cambridge and Oxford) would de no good to the town. Mr. WADDINGTON cross-examined this witness—Was not aware that Mr. Byce was a member of the provisional committee of the Oxford and Cambridge Railway. Did not know that several influ ential gentlemen of the town were members also. Mr. Francis Field was examined by Mr. CALCIUM*, and corrobo rated the testimony of the preceding witness. Mr. J. Bertram, examined by Mr. CaLcaarr—Was a straw-plait manufacturer at Dunstable, and was brought in contact with Bir mingham, London, and other large towns. None of his description of manufacture went to Cambridge or Oxford, and the opinion of the people of Dunstable was decidedly against the railway between these towns. After hearing some further evidence to the same effect, the Corn. mitten adjourned at four o'clock till to-morrow. GROUP XXVIL The Committee met at twelve o'cloc X k yesterday, Lord Seymour in the chair. SIZEWPIEZI) AND MANCHESTER. (3111.12,N5.• LEY JUNCTION). The examination was continued of witnesses to show the traffic likely to be made by the accommodation offered by the line passing over the coal-field, when Messrs. Jeffcock, Brown, and Rhodes gave evidence similar to what was elicited yesterday. Mr. Lee, resident engineer on the Sheffield and Manchester, stated on his examination that the length of the Barnsley branch was nearly eleven miles, and that it started from the Sheffield and Manchester line 29 miles from Manchester, through a junction with the Midland Railway to Barnsley. There were two tunnels of 500 yards, and 440 yaris on this branch. and the gradients were rather steep, being one in 95 for 8% miles, rising towards Pennystone, there being a difference of 515 feet in height between the two ends of the line and overcome in - something more than 10 miles; but the natural line of the country was such that aline to the west mild not be laid outwith more favourable gradients. The estimate was 330,0001. for the whole expences to the completion of the line which he considered would be valuable as a a through line between Manchester and Gooleand Hull. In giving his evidence on the Worsborough branch, air. Lee stated that this was a branch from the Barnsley Junction, nearly 5 miles in length, terminating at Worsborongh-bridge. The gradients on this branch would be heavy by going down lower than they did on the main lime, so that there would be a gradient of lin 60 for 3 miles, and 1 in 100 tor the remainder, and with heavy trains they would require an assistant engine. There was one tunnel on the line 990 yards lon4. The estimate for the branch, including land and all other ex penses would be 150,000/. In answer to a question about the ad ditional expense of working a line with steep gradients, the witness stated that on the Sheffield and Manchester line, where there was a gradient of one in 100, the cost of locomotive power was 6d. per running mile, which was one penny less than it was in Lancashire. Mr. Locke, the engineer, gave evidence corroborative of the pre vious witness. lle believed that a junction between the Sheffield and Manchester and the North Midlands would be one orthe most important line in existence of the same length, and that no other locomotive line would effect this but the line to Barnsley —a town which had a great deal of traffic, and mostly to the westward, which bad been altogether neglected by the existing lines of railway. This finished the evidence for the present scheme. The Committee arranged on taking the Midlands branch to.Elsicar to-morrow, and then adjourned. GROUP Xt, LEEDS AND YORZ RAILWAY. The Committee resumed this day. Mr. Stafford O'Brien (chair man), Lord Norreys, Mr. Bright, Mr. Sheridan, and Mr. Dugdale took their seats at twelve o'clock. Mr. Cope's cross-examination by Mr. lIILDTARD was continued, he stated that the North Midland Company were not aware until the third week of the 0 tservationS he was making, when they dis missed some of his men. If a train professed to start at a certain hour, and arrived at her terminus a quarter of an hour later, Mr. Cope set this down as a quarter of an hour lost. There was no post during these three weeks of observation, as far as his memory served him. Mr. IrTLDYARD endeavoured to invalidate this witness's statement with regard to lose of time on the North Midland, by affirming that the returns given in by the witness did not tally with Bradshaws tables of the sea date. The let of April was taken as an example, on Vidalet day qtr. Cope a ll owe d 9 h ours 19 minutes for maven not, h owe trainvers from 'fork to Le e d s . Th e Learned Counsel did , controvert this fact, but maintained that the time advertised by the Company for etarti tarring meant only the time when the doors were closed. Witness, however, urged that even that was no excuse for the Company's not delivering their freight at the time they advertised. Witness further begged to correct a statement he made yesterday. He had stated that the traffic on the Wetherby line was 50 p e r cent. greater than on the Tadcaster tine. Ile now begged to sity th a t it was 1 00 per cent. greater. Mr. lIILDTARD clesely questioned the witness as to the amount of traffic between York and Wetherby, and as to the means of convey ance, whether by public carriers, or by private waggons, but witness having obtained his information through agents, would not give any evtdene on the point. The traffic between Wetherby and York he estimated at about 3401. • between Wetherby and Leeds, at about 1 , 2501 . ; 2,550/. a s the Whole revenne from traffic of goods between York and Leeds ; 5,5251. is the result derivable from cattle . . 78,604 persons p ass b etween Wetherby, York, and Thorp-Arch Mr. Sergeant WIDKINS having put a question or two that were answered to his satisfaction, Mr. b C e o as pe si s gi td as , HARD Y ,in th re e p t l o y ta t l o a t i fr o . untol ra th m a c t R b Ei et , ,, n . : , , fairly York by way of Witherby. n Leeds and ,—... might very 3lr superintendent of police i n the Borough Called 3ir. jam gaveevi e d s ;nce corroborative of the alleged delays on the York and North Midland. He had latterly sent wit nesses by coach at assize time to ensure their attendance. To Mr. MrLDWID —Witness admitted that he was a sharehold er i n B o A f iN feed e s, who _ al the Leeds and York Railway. He had known the Court to be delay e d for half-an-hour. To Mr. RoniNsorf—Witness said that an additional train would have obviated these irregularities. Mr. Berzmax, civil engineer to the York and Leeds Railway Com pany, was next called by Mr. Baines, but his testimony was solely of a professional character. To Mr. HiLrorAan--1% itnc.ss admitted that by the powers of the Leeds and York Bill they could not unite with the Leeds and Brad ford, with the North Midland. with the Leeds and Church Fenton, nor, indeed, with any of the lines in which Mr. Hudson was inte rested, although he ban originally entertained the idea of such junctions. ~ Mr. HILDYMID now submitted to the Committee that this admis sion ought to prove fatal to the Bill before them, Inasmuch as It proved that the line was not laid out in the best way for the public benefit. Mr. MartEs urged, on the contrary, that his Learned Friend was bound to go on with hbi cross-examination of the witness. Mr. HILDTAID did not object to this, but distinctly intimated that he by no means waived the objection he had taken, and added, that he should, on the termination of his cross-examination, again request the sense of the Committee on the point he had raised. Mr. ALEXANDEIt urged on the Committee the saving of time that might be effected if they would give their decision on the point raised by his Learned Friend Mr. Hildyard. As, otherwise, he should enter upon a lengthened cross-examination of the witness on behalf of Mr. t i, h o els u yi i r i w t .e i r i e N e Vil g son, as would also his Learned Friends Mr. Sergeant Wilkins and Mr. Knowles, en behalf of the Companies for whom at r• BAINEs submitted that the line was the best of the three before the Committee,tthbiasaadgwciaedimlasn'd.iirtwahi admission, oedetistitairteolinceanadmit tha t i Mr. Cubitt to prove this fact. i tASD, to save the time of the Committee, was ready to even Ana good as it might have Baines, by the is of - the three, but contended that, in bityr t at m em us a n n s , till tha be t titehceidlinedeawgar not t o M t so r. Mr. Liildyard continued b u e e e d n to . address the Committee for some time on the subject, and was followed GROUP XLIV. LIVERPOOL, MANCHESTER, AND NEW CASTLZ—UNDER-LYNE JUNCTION. (Continued from eur Afternoon Edition.) Mr. Robert Stephenson was then called, and gave evidence corro borative of that of Mr. Hawkshaw. He had examined the plans, &c., and could speak to their correctness. He totally denied the as sertion made in one of the allegations of the petition of Sir W. Law son, that the plans were incorrect. The Committee declared the preamble of the Bill proved. LANCASHIRE AND NORTH YORKSHIRE. This Bill, it will be remembered, forms but a part of the same pro ject as the Liverpool, Manchester and Newcastle, the two being in fact but one line. The Committee, therefore, in passing the preamble of one, also passed that of the other, and it was determined to apply to Parliament for leave to unite the two, and pass them as one Bill. It must be re membered, however, that part of each 13111 has been abandoned, the two having originally been competing lines, but by uniting them and discarding parts of each, the present apparently perfect project has been formed. having disposed of these Bilis, the committee proceeded to the case of the YORE AND CARLISLE. Which, it will be remembered, was agreed to be taken next to the Liverpool and Manchester, the Bill having been read on the 25th of February, being earlier than any of the other Bills except the Liver pool and Manchester. The Bill was opposed the Yorkshire and Glasgow Union, a com peting line. There was no opposition on the part of the landowners. Mr. Murphy and Mr. Woolridge appeared for the promoters of the Bill; Mr. Talbot, Mr. Sergeant Wranghrm, and Mr. Pullen for the Glasgow Union. Mi. Pease, a large coal-owner in the district to winch the York and Carlisle will give accommodation to, gave evidence at great length on the advantages to the collieries, that would ensue from the making of this line. The examination, cross-examination, and re-examination of this witness occupied the Committee the whole day, and at four o'ciock they adjourned till to-morrow. STANDING ORDERS' COMMITTEES. HOUSE OF LORDS. Their Lordships met this day at the usual hour; present, the Earl of Shaftesbury (in the chair), the Duke of Richmond. Lords Devon and Redesdale. The business upon the paper was exceedingly heavy, but before their Lordships reached the Railway Bills, the Earl of Shaftesbury had to adjourn the Committee, in order to attend the Appeal Committee. LONDON AND SOUTH ESSEX RAILWAY COMPANY.-THE LONDON AND BLACKWALL RAILWAY—WINDING UP. (THIS DAY.) A very numerous meeting was held this day at the Lon don Tavern, of the scripholders in this Company, to con Sider the draft of a Bill to be laid before Parliament, in pur• suance of the resolutions of the Houses of Lords slid Corn mons. I. A. Daniels, Esq., in the chair. The solicitor read the marginal notes of the Bill, from which it appeared that the objects proposed to be accom plished by the Company was the formation of a line of rail way, in connection with the London and Blackwall Railway, to Burnham, on the river Cronel, in Essex, with branches to Tilbury and Southend. The capital was fixed at 900,0001., to be raised by 18,000 shares of 501. each. The greatest amount to be called for was fixed in the Bill at 101., and that there should be three months between each call. It also provided that all the operations neces.ary for effecting the junction with the Blackwall Railway at Stepney should be carried on under the superintendence of the engineer of that Company, and also contained a clause authorising the sale of the proposed • line to the Blackwall Company, if it should be considered advisable. The CalarnaraN having proposed a resolution to the effect that the meeting approved of the Bill submitted to their con sideration, and that the directors be requested to take such measures as they deemed most advisable to promote the for mation of the same, A SCRIPHOLDER inquired what security the directors would afford that the residue of the call of 5 per cent. fur defraying the incidental Parliamentary expenses would be paid, in case the Bill were to be thrown out? The CHAIRMAN replied the directors entertained uo doubt but that they would tie enabled to defray those expenses without pressing upon the scripholders. Mr. Surrox then proposed, and Mr. T. Wir..sox seconded an amendment to the effect, that the meeting desires that the chairman should state specifically from what source the di rectors propose to raise the money. A long and rather stormy discussion ensued between the supporters of the original motion and the amendment, when Dr. BOWLING rose to order. He thought if such doubts as seemed to pervade the minds of some of the gentlemen who bad spoken prevailed generally among the scripholders, the best course to fullow would be to at once abandon the undertaking. The directors were most anxious to promote the interest of all connected with the Company, but he con sidered that their efficiency would be considerably impaired if such doubts as those were to be allowed to pass without comment. Some gentleman here said, they meant to cast no imputa tions upon the directors. A shareholder wished to inquire how many applications for shares had been made to the directors, and how many had been allotted? The CHAIRMAM said, th.:A number of shares to be allotted was 18,000—the applications were 64,756, and the number allotted was 14,587, and of those latter some had never been taken up. The CHAIRMAN said one of the reasons, and the principal, was, that out of this 64,756 applications the references of a large number were found to be fictitious, and the Committee thought it better for the respectability and interests of the Company to refuse those as well as many others. The SHAREHOLDER said he considered the keeping 4,000 shares for the Provisional Committee and the Directors was rather too much. If more had been allotted generally, the expense upon the holder of each share would be only 155., instead of 20s. 6d. In reply to Mr. Wilson, the Chairman, the manner in which the directors proposed to raise the money for the par liamentary expenses, would be upon their own respon*i bility.— (Cheers. ) After a lengthened discussion, in which Mr. 'Wilson pro posed a resolution, urging in forcible term the winding up of the undertaking, which he eventually withdrew, a poll was taken, and the chairman and scrutineers retired, and after an hour's absence returned, when they declared the numbers to be— In favour of continuing the scheme Against it At the first blush this would indicate a continuance of the scheme, but the sessional orders require three fifths if the scripholders to be in favour of " going a head." The majority who voted at this meeting was less this proportion, however, by 180, so that consequently the scheme is to be " wound up.', IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT (THIS EVENING.) HOUSE OF LORDS. In the absence of the LORD CHANCELLOR, the Earl of SHAFTESBURY took the Chair at Fi►e o'clock. SCOTTISH FREE CHURCH. Lord CAMPBELL said he had petitions to present of very great importance to the country, from certain inhabitants of Edinburgh and Paisley, praying for the interference of the House in a matter in which they were deeply interested. They said that there were certain religious questions in Scotland which excited great disagreement, and that members of the Free Church were not allowed to purchase lands for the erec tion of churches for any purpose. They were quite ready to give reasonable remuneration for any land which might be required for the erection of churches; but in some cases, where one great proprietor held the whole of the land in the parish, they could not obtain any quantity of land whatever. If such were the:case, he thought it was a reasonable ground for the interference of their Lord ships, as they: had interposed and given their sanction to an invasion of p r i vate property in the case of railroads, where the companies merely sought permission for travelling with feel had n adopted, o difficulty greaterhi facility from one part of the country to the other. and w sup portinghat Phis was a ca se o f i n f i nitely greater importance, and if the pe titioners made out t h e i r ease, he should ever in assenti ng t o t h e principle they a Bill for making it law. FACTORIES BILL. Lord REDESDALE presented a petition from the Dissent ing ministers of Wigan;in favour of the Ten Hours' Factory Bill. CHARITABLE TRUSTS BILL. The Earl of CLARENDON presented a petition against the Charitable Trusts Bill. THE PORT OF LIMERICK. The Duk e of BUCCLEUCH laid on the table certain papers relative to the improvement of this harbour. The Marquis of LANSDOWNE presented a petition from the mayor, aldermen, and burgesses of Limerick, praying that steps might be taken for the improvement of the harbour of that town. Lord MONTEAGLE presented several petitions in favour of the Glasgow, Dumfries, and Carlisle, the Midland Counties, and other railways. THE OFFICE OF HIGH CONSTABLE. The Duke of BUCCLEUGH presented a petition from the city of Westminster against certain provision s in relation to that city and liberty in the Bill proposed for the regulation of the afice of high constable, and praying to be heard by their agents and counsel against the Bill. The Duke of RICHMOND stated it was not his intention to preys TRUSTS BILL. Lo presented seve ra l pet i t i ons against the Charitable Trusts Bill. Lord STANLEY petition from Lancashire t presented a to the same effect; also a petition from the same place ag a i nst the sate of spirituous liquors on Sunday. Ct that p T a E rCt N F oI H fA /.1. 1 thei . :I TBiII.Y CORN-LAWS. Lord ASHBURTON moved for the returns of some pap ers with reference to the corn-laws , which he thou g ht would facili tate the progress of that measure when before their Lordships He was not at all wishing to open up a discussion about the ex pediency of passing such a measure. If they did pass it, he wished them to do it with their eyes open, as it was one in which not only tile agricultural portion of the community was interested, but in fact every class in the country. The motion he had to make was for the purpose of ascertaining the quantity of corn in bond. The last time they had A return. the AMOtlnt of wheat was TIOUE OF COMMONS. The SrEAKER took the Chair at Four o'clock. MALTON AND DRIFFILLD JUNCTION RAILWAY. The report on this Bill was brought up and agreed to, and the Bill was ordered to be engrossed. GLASGOW AND BELFAST UNION RAILWAY Mr. DUNCAN moved, that it be an instruction to the Select Committee on the Glasgow and Belfast Union Railway Bill to hear parties, on the petition of James Ballantine, Esq , against the said Bill, presented by Mr. Duncan on the 2t3th day of April last, and referred by th e H ouse to t h e Com mittee on the Bill, and C ounsel ordered, on a copy of the petition being produced, and certified to the sati s f ac ti on o f th e Committee, the petition having been lost, and not entered in the Journals of the House. After a few words from Mr. GREENE, who objected to the motion, The SPEAKER suggested that a fresh petition should be presented, which would at once obviate any difficulty reqiect ing the motion of the Hon. Gentleman. The amendment was accordingly withdrawn. - I:EfftsTElt lAIVROVEMENT. Sir J. EASTHOPE moved the third reading of this Bill, which wag read a •third time and passed. WELSH CHARITY SCHOOL INCORPORATION. The Lords' Amendments to this Bill were read and agreed to. BIRMINGHAM AND OXFORD JUNCTION RAIL• WAY. Mr. SPOONER moved the second reading of this Bill, which was ordered to be committed. The Hon. Member also moved the second reading of the Birmingham and Oxford Junction (Birmingham Extension) Railway Bill, which was likewise ordered to be committed. ----- SOUTHA,III"TON PORT AND HARBOUR. The report on this Bill was brought, up, and agreed to, and the Bill ordered to be engrossed. SALE OF LIQUORS ON THE SABBATH. Several petitions were presented from different places against the sale of intoxicating liquors on the Sabbath. TEN HOURS' BILL. Mr. S. CRAWFORD presented a petition from the borough of Rochdale, signed by sixteen millowners, and several manu facturers of the town, in favour of a Ten Hours' Bill. Mr. BLEWITT presented a petition in favour of the Ten Hours' Bill. CATHOLIC RELIEF BILL. Sir W. CLAY presented a petition from the Tower Hamlets in favour of this Bill. GUI L I)F ° II D, CHICHESTER, AND PORTSNIOUTH Mr. Oio 2) r. ESTCOURT RAILWAY moved that t . be . an instruction to the Committee of Selection to fix the first sitting of the Guildford, Chichester, and Portsmouth Railway (No. 2) Committee for Friday, the 6th day of May, and that it be referred to the Chair man of Ways and Means, and two other Members, not being there who were ordered to bring in the Bill.--Agreed to. 11Ir. FORBES presented a petition, praying the H ouse not tointerfere with the spiritual independence of the Church of Scotland. In the purpos e o f ma ki ng CHANNEL ISLANDS. reply to a qu es ti on f rom M r . ROEBUCK Sir J. GRAHAM said that a comm i ss i on h a d b een i ssue d f or inquiries into the administration of law in th e Ch anne l I slands, and t h at h e s h ou ld h ave no objec tion to lay the Commissioners' report upon the table of the House. Dr. BOWRING said there was another island to which he wished to call the attention of the Right Hon. Baronet, and he wished to know whether he was prepared to de the same thing with regard to the Isle of Man? Sir JAMES GRAHAM,—No. Mr. AGLIONBY said that in the absence of the Hon. Member for Liskeard (Mr. C, Buller), he would give notice that that Hon. Member would, on Thursday fortnight, move for copies of corresi - to New Zealand. Tondence relating THE NELSON MONUMENT. Mr. J. COLLETT said he asked a question in the early part of the sesion of the Noble Lord opposite relative to the state of the Nelson monument, and when it was likely to be finished, and he was then told that a satifactory answer might be expected in about three months. Since that period three months and a half had elapsed, but the boarding of the monument still remained in the same state. The Earl of LINCOLN answered the question in so low a tone as to be scarcely audible in the gallery ; but he was ut der stood to say, that at the time ho gave the answer alluded to, he did expect &satisfactory answer to the question would be given at the time stated, but since then he had not been able to a , . certain what had been done ; but he had reason to expect hate he work wolld have been completed within the time star; LITERARY ASSOCIATION OF THE FRIENDS OF POLAND. The annual meeting of this excellent Institution, de signed to keep before the public mind the claims and the struggles of Poland, took place on Monday afternoon, at the rooms of the Association, Duke-street, St. James's. Lord Dudley Stuart, the vice-president of the Society, took the chair, as usual, and among the gentlemen pre sent, we observed the Earl of Zetland, Viscount Sandon, M.P. ' Lord Beaumont, Lord Foley, Lord Charles Fitz roy, M.P., M. T. Dennison, Esq., M.P., John Abel Smith, Esq., M.P., Mr. Williams, M.P., Captain Town send, R.N., Rev. Dr. Worthington, Edward Romilly, Esq., Frederick Pigou, Esq., Edmund Beales, Esq., W. Lloyd Birkbeck, Esq., J. S. Buckingham, Esq., W. Pritchard, Esq., Lennie Murray, Esq., G. Wilbraham, Esq., John Pickford, Esq., 11. Edlin, Esq., &c. The proceedings commenced by the honorary secre tary, Mr. Birkbeck, reading the annual report. This document, after an expression of regret that the case of Count Ostrowski, the gentleman illegally arrested the year before last, upon an absurd charge of threatening the life of the emperor of Russia, had not been brought before Parliament, proceeded to congratulate the meet ing upon the success of the last Polish hall, which was one of the most brilliant and the most numerously at tended which had ever taken place at Willis's.—(Hear, hear.) Although no City ball at Guildhall was held last year, it was stated that the hall would be granted to the Association for a similar purpose by an unanimous vote of the Common Councilin November next.—(Hear.) The income of the Association fer the last year was 1,7274, and the expenditure 1,461/. The annual ball at Willis's was announced to be held on Monday, Bth of June, and on the 16th of this month a public dinner is to be given to Lord Dudley Stuart on the occasion of a piece of tapestry being presented to him, worked by Polish ladies.—(Cheers.) The report went on to con gratulate the meeting on the industrious and excellent behaviour of the refugees, amounting to upwards of 500 in this country, The Minor Charitable and Lite rary Polish Association were generally in a flou rishing state. The next subject adverted to was the persecution of the nuns of Minsk, by which the narrative succinctly detailed, and the denial given by the Russian Government, fully exposed and proved to confirm rather than refute the story of the Abbess. The late outbreaks in Poland was then alluded to, and the European sympathy which it called forth was re marked upon. The Poles in London had wished on that occasion to get up a demonstration in favour of the at tempted revolution, but it was thought better rather to publish an address drawn up by Lord Dudley C.-Stuart, as expressing the views and feelings of the association upon the subject. Every point of this address has been confirmed by the subsequent accounts received from Poland. The report concluded by expressing a hope that the united remonstrances of England and France would be brought to bear in favour of the merciful treat mentof those of the insurgents who had fallen into the hands of the Austrian and Russian governments. The reading of the report was frequently inter rupted by expressions of applause. The Earl of ZETLAND shortly moved the first resolu tion in favour of the adoption of the report, which was seconded by Mr JOHNSTONE, in an able speech, in which he remarked upon the grasping and ambitious designs of Russia in all quarters of the globe, and during all ages of history. A resolution of thanks to the Lady Patronesses, in cluding the Duchess of Kent, the Duchess of Nemours, and the Grand Duchess Stephanie of Baden, of the late hall at Willis's, was proposed by Lord CHARLES FITZ ROY, and seconded hr Mr. SILK. Buexsecualt. The latter gentleman recommended means to be taken for promulgating through the country, more extensively than it was yet known, the fact of the existence of the Association, and the ends which it had in view. A series of resolutions were then moved, one of which, expressive of the necessity of the re-establishment of the independence of Poland to the general tranquillity of Europe, was proposed by Lord BEAUMONT. His Lordship stated that he dis charged this duty, not influenced so much byany feelings of partiality to Poland, as impressed with the conviction that that country had not been dealt with upon those great principles of advancing conciliation and inter national policy which ought to influence the great European family, and pledging himself to use any con stitutional means in his power to assert the claims and advocate the rights of Poland. After eloquent addresses from Mr. Beaks, Captain Townehend, Lord Foley, Mr. Edward Beaumont, and Mr. W. Adam Smith, Lord C. STUART addressed the meeting at great length. He went over the reasons which had induced the Association to di:courage the project of a public de• monstration with reference to the late events in Poland —a demonstration which Prince Czartoryski, aware as he was of the state of public sentiment in England, had expressed a strong feeling against. Although, however, no public demonstration had taken place, an address, drawn up by himself and the honorary secretary, Mr. Birkbeck, had been issued, in order to make public the opinions of the Association with regard to the outbreak. In reference to that event, his Lordship proceeded, at great length, to detail the cruelties and oppres sions of the Au4rian Government, who had fomented the insurrection by every means in their power, and, as it was proved by undoubted evi dence, had encouraged it, and rewarded the Galician peasantry for the murder of the nobles of the district. The retirement of the Austrian forces from Cracow was but a feint to induce the belief that a formidable resistance had been offered to them ; which, in fact, was not the case. It was difficult to believe the atrocities connected with Russian and Austrian rule in Poland, hut the late horrors were quite in keeping with the whole co urse of cruel policy which had been so long persevered in towards that oppressed country. With reference to the nuns of Minsk, he had strong reasons for believing in the perfect truth of that terrible narra tive. He was from time to time receiving fresh informa tion upon the subject, and he pledged himself never to let the matter drop, whatever difficulties he might have to contend with, until he had arrived at the exact and literal truth.—(Hear, hear.) The Noble Lord went on to remark on the continued highly exemplary conduct of the Polish refugees in this country—on their patience, industry, and perseverance under the most trying cir cumstances—and concluded his speech by expressing in fervent terms his conviction, although it was possible none of them might live to see the day, that the wrongs of Poland would be avenged, and that that cruelly op pressed country would be at length restored to her former high and rightful place among the nations. After addresses in conformity with the spirit of the Association from Lord Sandon and Mr. John Abel Smith, thanks were voted to the noble chairman, and the meeting separated. CROM WELL'S DESCENT. The following extract from Sir Samuel Meyrick's twenty first lecture on the History of England, delivered lately at the Hereford Mechanics' Institutio2, traces the genealogy of that remarkable m a n (Cromwellrin a light which we are sure is perfectly new to many of our readers : Oliver Cromwell was descended from a very ancient and ' highly allied family, of Welsh origin, sprung from Cadwgan, second son of Bleddyn ab Cynvyn, Prince of Powis, the founder of one of the Royal tribes of Waler, Ilis great great grand fatherwas 'William ab levan, who held an honourable office in the household of Jasper Tudyr, Earl of Bedford ; one of whose sons, Morgan ab William, was also called Morgan Williams, and he lived at a house named Cwm Castell, in the parish of .Newchurch, Carmarthenshire. This Williams married a sister of Thomas Lord Cromwell, created Earl of Essex in 1510 ; and his eldest son, out of respect to his uncle's me mory, obtained the royal licence to assume the name of Crom well. Sir Henry Cromwell, the son and heir, resided in Cam bridgeshire, and was the father of Sir Oliver Cromwell, created Knight of the Bath in 1603, who died without issue; and of Robert Cromwell, Esq., who settled in the town of Huntingdon, and relievd the scantiness of his patrimony by engaging in the business of a brewer. Robert Cromwell married the widow of William Lynne, of Bassingbourne, Cambridgeshire, daughter of Sir Robert Stewart. g Knight of the city of Ely; and they became, on the 25t1i,0f April, 1599, the parents of Oliver, so named after his uncle. Through his maternal ancestry, he sprang from the same stock as King Charles I. ; but as this fact is very curious, I shall give it in detail : Alexander Stuart died in 1286. 1. John Stuart, died in 1298. I. Andrew Stuart. 2. Walter Stuart died in 1320. 2. Alexander Stuart. 3. Robert 11., King of Scotland, died 1390. 3. John Stuart. 4. Robert 111., died in 1406. 4. John Stuart. 5. James I. died in 1437. 5. Thomas Stuart. 6. James 11. died in 1460. 6. Richard Stuart. 7. James 111. died in 1488. 7. Nicholas Stuart. 8. James IV. died in 1513. 8. Nicholas Steward. 9. James V. died In 1542. 9. William Steward, Ely. 10. Mary Queen of Scots died in 1567. 10. Elizabeth, married to Robert Cromwell. I. James VI. of Scotland died in 1626. 11. Oliver Cromwell, Lord Protector. 12. Charles 1., King of England, died 1646. Oliver received his education in the Free School of Hunting don, whence he was removed to Sidney College, Cambridge ; and is said to have studied law at Lincoln's Inn ; tradition adding , that his chambers were immediately over the gateway.lle is reported to have le d a dissolute life in Lon don, but to have been rec l a imed by marriage, which took place before he was full age, when he returned to his native town, from which he was removed to Ely, to take possession of an estate bequeathed to him by his ma ternal uncle. He was drawn from retirement by his first cousin, the well-known John Hampden, who well knew his talents, and which he had exhibited in the Short Parliament of 1628; he was therefore returned a Member to the Long Parliament at the general election. It is a curious fact, that this principal regicide had at owe time intended to go with his cousin and some of the more zealous puritanical party, to New England, and had actually embarked in the river Thames for the purpose, when they were all stopped and compelled to return ashore by an order in Council.--Th e Cambrian. PRINCESS'S J. ---- We perceive that Mr. M'L ean, rrHEATRL.—n i benefit on Thursday, May 14th. A n at tractivetention:of taking a b h e o p r w o vi el? e a cl u t p o p r o b r his edf.rienudiss, general the messenger of this establishment, has annou nce d hi s d ill trust that is. bill h of ..e f ff a o re rts w i i l l civility, and anxiety to promote the welfare of others will not., we are sure, be overlooked on the present occasion, and we feel certain that his friends will rally round him. FINDHORN.—The take of salmon on the Findhorr., which has bean rather scanty of late, is now fast improving; the lishermen below the suspension -bridge, having a few nights since taken 150 Atte salmen.—Ross-sliire Advertiser. • THE CHOLERA. —In a late number we stated that the Asiatic cholera had spread through several of the provinces of Persia, and had given rise to great mortality in some of the principal towns. It is reported to have extended from Bokhara across the Persian frontier to Herat and Meshid, thence south of the Caspian to Tehe ran, and still further south to Ispahan. Recent accounts from Odessa state that it has crossed the Russian boundary, and has appeared at Ms, taking a course northward between the Caspian and Black leas; while, according to the latest intelligence from Riga, it has broken out at Orenburg in the Uralian mining district, crossed the Volga, and appeared on the European side at Kasen, about 12,000 miles front St. Petersburgh. 'lf these accounts are to be trusted, the disease has taken a somewhat Irregular course, in a direction west by north; and it does not appear to have followed the banks of great rivers as in the former Irruption of 1828-30. l'he disease which reached 1 836. England in 1831, p reva i led in Pers:a for seven years, from Ito It appeareduarte at Orenburg for the in 1823; and was eonlined to this quart for a period of five first years. time It reappeared at Orenburg in 1829, and its prevalence and fatality in this province were So great, that upwards of one-tenth part of the inhabitants were seized with it, and one-fourth of those who were attacked died. It reached St. Petersburgh in July, 1831 ; and England on the 26th Of October of that year., At Tiflis, where it is again reported to have broken out, the mort a lity f rom th e f ormer ePidemia was ftntrt so_ great, i that three-hs of these who were attacked perished, We hall 01t6 care to report any further Information which may OE4 11.5 frigt4 %I Ma* 1 4 %1 4114441=ifeRigfif" SUGAR DUTIES. TO THE ED1T01? OF THE SUN. Sir,—The Gazette of last Friday quotes the average price of West India sugar at 365. 7d. per cwt. Sugars, quality for quality equal to this West India sugar, the produce of Cuba, Porto Rico, and other foreign possessions, may be roadily bought at 20s. per cwt., showing a difference of six teen shillings and sevenpence per cwt. (or 2 1 / s d. per lb.) by the time it reaches the actual consumer. This immense gain, this fraudulent fruit of monopoly, goes directly from our pockets to these of the British sager producers. One shilling per cwt. paid in excess of what Havannah, Brazil, and other sugars will command, is equi valent to 250,0001. ; or four millions sterling and upwards on the annual quantity, at 16s. 7d. per cwt., of sugar con sumed in the country. West India sugar is here particularised, because the planters in those colonies are the only parties who can or do set up even a shadow of pretence to a just claim to be pro tected by a differential duty, and they only can do so on the plea that they are obliged by the conditions of the law to yield to certain differential duties in favour of other British colonies in the purchase of their food and lumber. The West Indians send home about a moiety of the sugar consumed in the United Kingdom, and in order that they may receive two millions sterling we, the consumers, are compelled to pay four. Monopoly invariably operates in this clumsy and partial manner. What does the Government propose to do to abate the expensive nuisance? Why next tQ nothing! Sir Robert Peel has given notice that he means to reduce the differential duty on free labour sugar (about 10,000 tons) 3s. 6d. per cwt., maintaining the absurd fiscal distinction between free and slave labour sugars. The West Indians, who have been told to rest perfectly quiet under this attempt to impose upon us, actually chuckle in the hope that Sir Robert will be enabled to carry his project. No one knows better than Sir Robert Peel that the way to deal with the sugar question would be to abolish the ridiculous laws which oblige the planters in the West Indies, by differential duties, to purchase their food and lumber of other British colonies. Let him allow these planters to buy their supplies in the cheapest markets, and thereby sweep away all grounds to their claim to protection, especially seeing, as he must do, that in the end the home consumers of West India sugar have to pay the piper. How much wiser would it have been in the 240 Protec tionists in the house of Commons, both as relates to their own breeches' pockets and to those of their tenants and de pendents, to have insisted upon the abolition of all protecting duties, including those levied for the supposed benefit of the colonies, prior to the annihilation of the corn-laws, so that they themselves, their tenants, and others had had time to lay in their stock of necessary articles at the unprotected price, before they were either of them compelled to sell their produce on the like terms, rather than stand out, interrupting the commerce of the country, by striving after the retention of almonopoly which they must have felt months since was doomed to the tomb of the Capulets. Had they manfully stood upon that point, they would have had some degree of justice on their side, and enjoyed besides just as many opportunities of abusing Sir Robert Peel as they have had ; but it was not their good fortune to be so prudent—in lieu cf pursuing a course similar to that described, however, it is reported in Mincing-lane these gentlemen are prepared to vote for as much protection as their united energies can obtain for all colonial produce. Protection, they say, is their principle, and therefore they will exert themselves to maintain the slightest vestige of it ; to be sure, the valiant promise was made to the West Indians before the first division on the corn-laws ; that may have taught them to moderate their tone, and look more closly to their own interests and to tho s e o f ieir dependents. As the planters of the British sugar- producing settlements ship various qualities of sugar, and are likely to be placed in active competition with foreign producers, it would be but justice, as I pointed out in a previous letter, to impose an ad valorem duty on all classes of sugar; so that the West Indians, who send to market very inferior qualities to the Width Havannah, Sec., should only pay a duty according to the worth of their sugar.—l am, Sir, your obedient servant, B. S. R. RAILWAY SHARE MARKETS. BRISTOL, MAT 6. STOCK EXCHANGE.—The sales are--Bristol and Exeter, 85—Rir • minghain and Gloucester, 125%—Caledonian, 7.34—Midland, Nevr 3 3%—North British, 27%—North Staffordshire, 5% IVales, 3. MAN, ilLty 6. STOCK E XCH ANGE .. The C sales are—Ambergate, Nottingham, Boa. ton, &c., dis.—Bideford and Tavistock, 20s. 6d. dis.—Birkenhead, Lancashire, and Cheshire, 2 p.—Blackburn, Ctorley, and Liverpool, 15-16 dis.—Blackburn, Clitheroe, and North 'Wales, 5-16 dis.—Bos ton, Stamtord, and Birmingham, dis.—Derby and Crewe, 4 p.— Derby, Gainsborough, and Grimsby, N. dis.—Easteris Counties, York Extension, 1% p.—East Lancashire, No. I—Ditto, No. 2, 1 16 p.— Edinburgh and Glasgow, Quarters, 1 8%—Exeter and Exmouth, % dis.—Fleetwood, Preston, and West Riding, 6s. c. dis.—Glasgow and I)umfries, par—Goole, Doncaster, Sheffield, &c., % p.—Grand Union, 12s. 6d.—Gr ea t G r i ms b y and Sheffield, Extension, 3 ,1 dis.— Great Grimsby and Do c k E x t ens i on, 1% dis —Huddersfield, Halifax, and Bradtbrd, p.—Huddersfield and Manchester Railway and Canal, % p.—Lancashire and North Yorkshire 12s. 6d. dis.—Leeds and Thirsk, 4 dis.—Leicester and Birmingham, % c. dis.—Leices ter, Birmingham, and Trent Valley Junction, 1 1-16 dis.—Liverpool and Bury, S% p.—Ditto, New Shares, 2% p. — Liverpool, Orms kirk, and Preston, % p.—Liverpool, Preston, Manchester, and South port, 3-16 p.—London and Manchester (Rm.'s), dis.—Man chester, Buxton, and Matlock„% p.—Manchester and Birmingham, Quarters (A), 8% p.—Ditto, ditto (B), p.—Ditto, ditto (C), p.—Manchester and Hyde, % p.—Manchester and Leeds, Extension. 3 p.—Manchester, Midland, and Great Grimsby, % dis.—Manchester. Sheffield, anti Midland, 2} dis.—Manchester and Southampton, 6d. p.—Northumberland and Lancashire, 17s. dis.—North Staffordshire. 4 p.—North Western, p.—Nottingham and .Mansfield, % dis.— Oldham District, % p.—Oxford, Southampton, and Gosport, 17s. dis.— Preston and Wyre, 31—Ditto, Halves (B), 10s 6d. p.—Sheffield and Lincolnshire Junction, % c. p.—Sheffield and Manchester, Quarters, No. 3, 13-16 p.—Shrewsbury and Herefordshire, % dis.—South Mid land, 2 p.—South Eastern and Dover, 39%—Ditto, Consols (No. 3), 1U p.—Ditto Halves (No. 4), 3-16 p.—Treat Valley, Midlands, and Grand Junction, 14 dis.—Welsh Midland, 248. dis.—West Lancashire Coast, % dis.—West Biding Union, 2% p. LEEDS, - 11ai 6. STocir ExcnatioE.—The sales are—Eastern Counties, York Exten sion, 28s. p.—Great Grimsby and Sheffield, Quarter Shares, dis. —Huddersfield and Manchester, 7s. 6d. p.—lluddersfield and Shef field, 5% p.—Leeds and Bradford, 28 p.—Leeds and Dewsbury, 2% p.—Ditto, Extensions, 10s. p.— Leeds and Thirsk, 3% dis.— Manches ter and Leeds, Quarter Shares, 10 p.—Ditto, Extensions, 3 p.— Midland, 154—Newcastle and Berwick, 10W p.—North British, Car lisle Branch, 295. p.—Wilts, sotnersct, and Weymouth, lif dis.— Ambergate, Nottingham, and Boston, 12s. 6d. dis. — Birkenhead, Chester, Mold, &c., 265. dis.—Buckinghamshire, 1 i p.—Clitheroe Junction, I is. dis.—Great Eastern and Western, 28s. 6d. dis.—Leeds. York, and Midland, 1% dis.—Lancashire and North Yorkshire, dis.—Leeds and York, 1% dis.—Leeds, Wakefield, and Midland, 2s. dis.—Leicester and Bedford, I Os. 6d. dis.--Lincoln, York, and Leeds, 235. dis.—Liverpool, Manchester, and Newcastle Junction, 2s. 6d. dis.—Liverpeol, Ormskirk, and Preston, 28s. p.—London and York, 3s. 6d. dis.—Manchester, Buxton, Matlock, and Midland, 265. p.— Manchester and Southampton, ss. dis.—Northumberland and Lanca shire Junction, 18s. 6d. dis.—North Staffordshire, 4% p.—North Western, 4s. p.—Shropshire Union, 4 dis.—South Midland, 38s. 6d. p.—South and Midland Junction, 255. dis.—Welsh Midlands, 1% dis. —West Riding Union, 41. 125.—York and Lancaster, 21s. dis.—York shire and Glasgow Union, 1U dis. HULL, MAT 6. STOCK EXCAANGE.-The sales are-Hull and Selby, Half Shares, 20-York and North Midland, East and West Riding, 11-Black burn, Darwen, and Bolton, 1 dis.- Great Grimsby and Sheffield, Ex tensions, 423.-Iluddersfield and Sheffield Junction, 13N-Hudders field and Manchester Railway and Canal, 12-North British, Carlisle, 50s. 6d. -Ditto. Dalkeith, 6 -Ambergate, Nottingham, Boston, &c.. 375.-Direct Northern, 1%-East Lincolnshire, 285.-Goole, Don caster, Sheffield, &c., 21. 14s. 6d.-Grimsby, Louth, and Horricastle. 243.-Hull and Barnsley Junction, 255.-Hull and Lincoln, 243.- Liverpool, Ormskirk, and Preston, 4-London and York, 21. 6s. 6d.- Manchester, Buxton, and Matlock, 3/. 9s. 6d.-Nottingham and Mansfield, 2% -North Western, 28s -North Staffordshire, 61. 125.- South Midland, 31. 1 75.-Shrewsbury and Birmingham, 31( -Shrop shire Union, 275.-Trent Valley Continuation, 375. 6d.-West Riding Union, 4 % - Yorkshire and Glasgow Union, 275. SHEFFIELD, MAT 6. STOCK EXCHANGE. -The market has been very brisk, and many' more shares inquired for than could be supplied. The sales are- Sheffield and Manchester, Quarter Shares (No. 3 Scrip), Ife p.- Grimsby and Sheffield Extension, 2s. 6d. dLs.-Ditto, Quarter Shares, par-Ambergate, Nottingham, and Boston, 12s. 6d. dis.-Derby and Gainsborough, 13s. 6d. dis -Leeds, Wakefield, and Midland, 3s. 6d. p.-Manchester and Lincoln Union and Canal, 10s. dis.-. Nottin gham and Mansfield, 2s. 6d. p.-North Western, Bs. p.-Sheffield and Lincolnshire, 12s. 6d. p.-Ditto, Extension, 10s. dis.-Sheffield, Bux ton, Leek, Potteries, arid Crewe, 13s. dis.-South Yorkshire Coal Railway, par -West Riding Union, 3/. Os. 6d. NEWCASTLE-UPON-TYNE, MAT 6. STOCK EXCHANGE.-The sales are-Eastern Counties, York Ex tension, I l p.-East Lincolnshire, IA p.-Goole and Doncaster, p.-Leicester and Ttunworth, 7 4 dis.-Liverpool, Manchester, and Newcastle Junction, 1 4 p.-Manchester, Buxton, and Matlock, 375. 6d. p.-North Western, 14 p.-North Staffordshire, 5 1 4 p.-North umberland and Lancashire, 20s. dis..-South Midland, 3 p -West Riding Union, 3% p. YORK, MAY 6. STOCK EXCIIANGE.—The sales are—Eastern Counties, York Ex tension, 2 1 4—Grand Union (Nottingham to Lynn), 12s. 6d.—Great Grimsby, Louth, &c., Ipswich and Bury, 6—Lancashire and _North Yorkshire, 11. 12 5.—Leicester and Bedford, 10s. 6d.—Malton anti Driftield Junction, 21 4—Manchester, Buxton, Matlock, and Mid land, 3 5 4—Newcastle and Berwick, 20%—Newcastle and Darling ton Extensions, 9/. lts. 9d.—North British, Carlisle Extension, 2% —North Staffordshire, 7— Northumberland and Lancashire Junction, la—North Western,: I%—South Midland, 4%—York and North Midland, New (East and West Riding), 11. _ _ GLASGOW, MAY 5. STOCK EXCRANGE..—The sales are—Aberdeen, 6% —Aberdeen, Banff, and Elgin, 30s.—Airdrie and Bathgate, 535.—Airdrie and Coatbridgc, 514—Bridge of Weir, 458.—British and Irish Union, 425. —Caledonian, 134—Ditto, New, 418.—Caledonian Extension, 335. —Caledonian and Dumbartonshire Extension, 34s.—Direct Northern, 40s.—East Indian Railway, 14s. 6d.—Edinburgh and Northern, 6% —Forth and Clyde Junction, 335. 6d.—Glasgow General Terminus. 10 —Glasgow and Belfast Union, 395. 6d.—Glasgow, Kilmarnock, and Ayr, 71,1.—Glasgow, Dumfries, and Carlisle, 46s.—Glasgow and Greenock, 171.—Glasgow, Kilmarnock, and Ardrossan, 375. 6d. Great North of India, 4s. 6d.—Lanark and Lothians, 43s.—Lesma hagow, 42s.—Manchester and Southampton, 475. 6d.—Midland and Eastern Counties, 200.—Forth and Inverness, al s.—Scottish Cen tral, 17 —Scottish Midland Junction, 71. Scottish Central and Caledonian Junction, 29s.—South Midland, 94s.—Stirling and Dun fermline, 358.—Wishaw and Coltness, 511. THE NEW HOSPITAL AT BROMPTON.— . The Appear_ ance of the New Hospital for Consumption, as at present pro gressing daily, calls forth attention. The building stands on the wing a square of 300 feet, containing about two acres • the width of the quadrangle is 100 feet; the whole frontage' f • is 1„ acing e r i i s : t i . altdBh,oelefBenoettif.reeeb,tru;hieltchtiiiene giheight height h4 5t ofefe o tti f ; e each eestory willept h r eoat: and 7ero e feet. e h t t e h e a td a t The principal entrance is built of a very fine specimen of as oy i a o i n openingo c f o t l l l i e e ge eh nearly g of the greatest magnificence, at ther°: t C h a e e Caen o buildingr N or m a a fancyndy s f t a o i n r e a . n dO bazaar a the zaa will be held, on a scale Chelsea, which is expected to' take June next. The hospital, when place . about the middle of Gardens, the appliance of medical 'a entirely completed, with all accommodation to upward , "d practical science, will afford The Commissioners of thes of 200 patients.. a meeting yesterda Metropolitan Improvements had the Right Hon. YG I There were present Viscount Canning, Hope, the Hon. J. J . G. ferries, the Lord Mayor, Mr. H. T. ........_____.__:__ore, and Mr. Milne. BTHS On the SU' inst., a t the Rector y , Woodcharcb, the wife of the Rev. F. B. Wells, of a daughter. bourne, On the sth i nst., at Blackmore, Essex, the wife of W. T. Long- On the of Grays Thurrock, of a son. sth inst., the wife of Frederick Young, Esq., of Bromley, Middlesex, et a son. On the sth i nst., at Woodford Hall, Essex, the wife of William Morris, Esq., of a d aughter. On the sth inst at Knowl-hill, Berkshire, the wife of the Rev. S. Sterg(l, • it daughter. RIED. On the 27th o f M arc h , a t the MAR Cathedral, Bombay, Alexander Kin loch Forbes, Esq., of the Bombay Civil Service, to Margaret Moir, third daughter of Henry David Forbes, Esq., of Balgownie.; On the 16th ult., at IVareside, Herta, Charles Tween, jun., Esq., to Elizabeth, eldest daughter of the• late Randall Norris, Esq., of the Inner Temple. On the 19th ult., at Castle Bank, Perth, Donald M'lntyre, EsCt. to Sarah Robins., oniy daughter of the late Major James Todd. On the 22d ult., at Lugwardine, Herefordshire, the Rev. J. Leigh Hoskyns, M.A., Rector of Aston Tyrrold, Berks, to P. Ernras. youngest daughter of the late Commodore Sir J. S. Peyton, K.C.11. On the sth inst., at Trinity Church, St. Maryiebene, Charles' Manners, youngest son of the Right Hon. S. R. Lushington, to Hen rietta, eldest daughter of Henry Stafford Northcote, Esq., of PY" s House, Devon. DIED. On the 30th ult., at Dover, Kant, Mrs. Way, relict of the Rev. W. Way. On the Ist inst., at Irsckhurst, near Gosport, the Rev. Frederick William Ryle, M.A., incumbent of Elson. On the 2d inst., at Brighton, Mrs. Mary Fowler, aged 67. On the 2d inst., at Cheltenham, Edniund Haynes, Esq. On the 2d inst., at Brock-hall, Northamptonshire, Susannah, thi wife of Thomas peeve Thornton, Esq. On the 31 inst., Mr. Joseph Hetherington, of Connaught-terrace. Edgware-road. London: Printed and Published by IittURDO YOUNG, of No. 112, Strand, Printer, at The Sun Office, N 0.112, Strand, in the Precinct of the Savoy, in the County of Middlesex, Thursday► 313 Y Y, 11146,