The Sun. — London, England, 1846-05-15 00:00:00

~~ OF ENGLAND. Balance to go to the reserve fund... BRITISH FUNDS. . • - .. .. 264% FOREIGN ;FUNDS. Buenos Ayres Bonds, 6 per Cent Mexican Bonds, 1837, 5 per Cent Ditto, for the Account .. . _ Ditto, Deferred .. .. 15 S/ 4 .4ruvian Bomb*, 6 per Cent. .. 39X_, 40 4 uguese Four per Cent .. „ 'Pal'sh Bonds, 5 per Cent .. Ditt, 1840 Ditto, 'lssive Bonds ... Ditt o , l A=ee per Cent . . Diric.nds on the above payable in London. Belgian Four - agd-a-Ilalf per Cent .. 96 97 Dutch Two-stain-Half per Cent .. 59 Xi Ditto. 4 per Cent. Certificates • • - . . 325 A Real del Monte, Unregistered .• •• • • he mail leaves England on the 24th, and reaches Paris tthi !, . , •.• •„- A;nsterdae,, 4.)tttr,la4:, , : 41 ti 01, kite 23d at the latest. But, as delays sometimes occur on the road, it is advisable to dispatch the letters on the 22d. Care must be taken to %%lite on the cover " Overland via Marseilles." An extract from the latest accounts from the Caucacus, published by the Russian Government, says, "If we consider the principal events that took place in those countries in the courie of last year, we may hope that in a short time tranquillity and peace will be established on the right flank of our line. Soliman Effeadi, Schamyle's f: end, though he had collected a numerous band of followers, has not been able to do us any injury. The peaceful tribe of the Abasians placed itself under the protection of Ross:a. Last winter a deputation was on the way to St. Petersburgh to tender their submis sion to the Emperor. The warlike tribe of the Bascbilbayess are become Russian subjects, and the insurgent Prince Lida has submitted. Lastly, the for midable robber Alasaukin has fallen. Such a succession of favourable circumstances will tend to promote tran quillity and order in the right flank of the line of the Caucacus. Nothinz further has happened that may tend to disturb the public peace in Daghastan.—Dutch papers, May 12, 1846. NATIONAL PROVINCIAL BANK The annual General Meeting of the Proprietors of this Bank was held at the Company's House, 112, Bishopsgate street, yesterday, at twelve o'clock. Mr. MELVILLE, having taken the chair, remarked that the report which would be read to the proprietors was shorter than usual, but not the less satisfactory. The posi tion of the bank was favourable; the testimony which had been received from every part of the country was very satisfactory, and he believed that the character which they Ili I acquired would more and more contribute to the advan tage of the business of the bank. As to the operation of the late Banking Act, they had no fault to find with it. He believed that the rapid communication afforded by railways between different parts of the country enabled the business of the country to be carried on with a much smaller circulation. The . CHAntmaii then read the Thirteenth Annual Report, which stated that the business of the Bank had progressed ; that money had continued abundant till towards the close of the year, when a pressure was felt, arising from railway spe culation, which about that time raged to such an extent; that the directors, however, throughout that period tad not allowed anything to draw them aside from the proper banking business, and that the Company had thereby been saved the losses which others had been called on to sustain. The accounts showed : Jan. I,lB4s.—undivided profits in the reserve fund £59,678 Dec. 31, —Nett profits, after allowing for bad debts Amount divided £6,790 Total amount of the reserve fund ... £67,468 The CHAIRMAN moved the adoption of the report, which was seconded an 1 unanimously carried. Messrs. John Hicksman, Patrick Cruickshanks, and Chas. Heaton Ellis, the three retiring directors, were re-elected as members of the board. A desultory conversation arose concerning the local direc tors employed at some of the branches of the Bank and the remuneration which they received, but it ended without any definite result beyond leaving the matter to the discretion of the directors. An Hole. PROPRIETOR suggested for the consideration of the directors whether an alteration of the form of the annual statement to that adopted by the London and Westminster Bank, giving a detailed statement of the capital employed, &C., would not be more comprehensive and complete and more satisfactory to the proprietors? The CHAIRMAN said the form adopted was that of the Provincial Bank of Ireland, and he believed it had been, and would continue to be, satisfactory. A vote of thanks to the Cilairman and directors was una nimously passed. When a vote of thanks had been passed to Mr. Robertson, manager and agent, the meeting separated. MONEY and COMMERCIAL NEWS. (From The Sun of las: Night.) A large business was done in Cotton at Liverpool yester day, 12,000 bales being sold, of which 3,000 were American on speculation, and 1,003 for export, at an advance of - 1 4 d. per lb. The market was very firm. Shares were rather heavy again. At is present moment a very considerable degree of anx iety s felt as to the ultimate results of " winding-up "of railway projects, which were brought forward last year. Very many of the Provisional Committees (we are sorry to say) still withhold information, though they have instructed their legal advisers to proceed against allottees, as to the expenditure incurred, ;and the way in which money re ceived, has been expended. Surely, before a claim is made to liquidate expenses honestly incurred, the parties upon whom demands are made ought to have a debtor and credi tor account sent to them—or to have the opportunity of in specting the mode by which the money subscribed has been expended. Among the most prominent of the new railway companies which have rendered full accounts is the Man chester and Southampton. A fair field of discussion and no favour was shown at the late meeting of the proprietary body, and a determination was most strongly exhibited to proceed with the line. This is as it ought to be. Where the scripholders are satisfied with the conduct of the managing committees full confidence ought to be awarded to them. There are no la'e arrivals from the British Colonies to-day. Consols for the Account have been rather firm this morning at from 96% 3 / 4 , and for Money at 96 1 / a % ; Ex chequer-bills are lower, some sales having been made at 2ls. premium. Bank Stock has fluctuatad from 201% to 205%; East India Stock has fallen to 264%. In the Foreign Market but few bargains were made this morning. The Peruvian. Six per Cents. are at 40; the Dutch Four per Cents. at 97; and Mexican at 32% 3 / 4 . The settlement in the Railway Share Market is proceed ing satisfactorily. In vneral the prices of scrip are a shade lower. ONE CLOSING O'CLOCK. PRICES. Bank Stock .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 204!,4 20534 205 Three per Cent. Reduced Annuities .. .. 95% 95% Three per Cent. Consols Annuities .. .. 90 3F % 96% New Three-and-a-Quarter per Cent. Arms. 97% '/ 973 Long Annuities, Expire Jan. 5,1860 .. 10% 3-16 10 3-15 Ditto, 30 years, Oct. 10,1849 10 1-16 India Stock .. • • 267 India Bonds, 1,0001. • . • • • • • • • • Ditto, under 1, 000 /. .. • • .. .. 33 29 p Consols for Account • • • • • 96 Exchequer Bills. 1 d. %d. 1,0001... • • 24 21 24 pm. 21 Ditto. Small ...• 24 21 24 pm. 24 500/. .. 25 21 2 pm. 24 ONE CLOSING O'C Lth 'K. PRICES. PRICES OF BUSINESS CLOSING RAILWAY SHARES, PAID. DONE AT PRICES. ONE O'CLOCK. Aberdeen .. . .. • .. .. 10 .... 6 ...... —.. 6 Birmingham andGloueeste . r.. .. 100. .. 124% .. .. .. .. 124% . Birmingham and Oxford Juncti on 2 .... .. .. 2 % Bristol and Exeter .. .. .. 75 .__ . Ditto New .. .. .. .. .. 5 .... 10% IA Bristol and Gloucester .. .. .. 30 .... 50 .. .... .... Buckinghamshire .. .. .. .. 425. .... % p.... ..... _ _ Caledonian Ditto, Half Shares ..•• 2%. • 2 .. • • Ditto, Extension 2% la% • • • • • C am bridge and Oxford.. .. •• • • .. Cheltenham and Oxford .. .. 2 • • _ ••• • • . Di rec t Manchester (Rastrick's) 514 •• • • 3% • . Direct Northern . • • • •• • • 214.... 2 • Dublin and Belfast Junction .. 10 7 •. • • •• • Eastern Counties .. 141. 165..... 23%%% •• • • Ditto New .. • • • • • • 8/. 165....• 7% Ditto, York Extension 105... • . y i •• • • Eastern Union • • • • .. .. 25 .... ••••• • • • • • Do. Cambridge and Ely .. .. y 24.... 1 •••• • • • East Lincolnshire .. • • .. 14 .•• • .... Edinburgh and Glasgow . • .. 50 ••• • •• • Ditto New 4 Shares.. •• .. 12;i .... 18% Goole, Doncast., and Sheffield, &c. 425. • • • . p. • .. • • _ Great North of England . —lOO • ....217 .. Great Western .••• .. • • 50 85 •• • • •• • Ditto, Half Shares .• • • Ditto, Quarter Shares • • 5 .... 17% •• • • Ditto, Fifths .. • • 20 .• 35 ••••• • • • • • Lancaster and Carlisle .. .. 40 .... 57 . ..... • Ditto, New . .. • • .... 5 .... 1 0 ••••• • • • • • Leicester and Bedford .......... 225. .• • . 3 / 4 ; 11 s• ••• " • Liverp., Manch., & Noire. Junct. 234 ....2 34 ...... London an Birmingham . —5OO .... 227 .• •••• • • • • Ditto Quarters .. 2 .. ••••• • • • • • London and Brighton .. 50 .. C 5 1,4 , 4 14 • Ditto ditto Fifths 20 4 1 3 s London and Croydon .. 131. 15s. 9d. 224% ..... London, Hounslow, & Western .. 2 .... • •.•• • • • • London and South-Western.. 41/. Gs. 10d. 79 78 795¢ Ditto, New Consul. Eighths .. 34 .... 52% Ditto, New • • 17 ;4 .. .. 30 ... ..... • London and York .. • • ~ .... 2 34% .• . Manchester and Leeds .. • .. 82 .... .. Ditto, Quarters • • .. .. 2 .... 1014 . • • • Ditto, Fifths . • • • • • • • 3 •• • • 12 % ••••• • • • " Ditto, Sixteenths .. 64 .• .. 9 ••. • .. Ditto Extension .. 425..... 3% 3 p.. •• • • Manchester and Birmingham .. 40 . 81% .. •••• .• • • Ditto, Quarter Shares (A) 4 .... 1 ps4 .••• • • • • Ditto, Quarter Shares (ii) .. 4 13 ••..•• • • • • Ditto, Quarter Shares (C) .• 1 •• • • 9'A•••• • • • • • Manchester, Buxton, & Matlock 425. ... • 1%4 P•• • • Manchester and Southampton .. 2 •• • • 1% 2. •• • Midla-td e D w i t e t a o ; t e w .. 18 351 e 32.74 Ditto, New d Darlington Junct. 25 .... 45 41;i • Ditto, N ew. B • • • 1 10 9;e ...... Newcastle and Berwick e a rwi ng k '2 • • 25 • • 44 Norfolk • e • • • • 15 '• • • 25% Yj • ••• • •• Ditto, Tenth. •• '• • • • • .. 20 .... .. ••• • • • North British • • • • • • 2 •• .• 2y,..•• • • • • • Ditto, Half Share; :• • • • • 22 14•••• 29% 3014 •• • • Ditto, Carlisle Extension • • ' 8 .... ••• • • • North Staffordshire • .425. • • 1. Dx.fd.,Worcester , & ; • Preston and Wyre • • • • Pak. 12% ...• B , z ••• Reading, Guildford, & R e i gat. • • 25 • • •• 's 32 31 . .• Reigate • • 425. ...• • • •• • Scottish Central •• , •• 10 • • •• • • Shrewsbury awl Birmingham •• • • 16% .. ••• • • South Devon .. •• • • •• 2% •••• •• South Midland South and Midlands Junction • • 425. .• • • P South Eastern and Dovor .„ .• 33%.... 40 i 5.... Ditto. (iss. at 32/.) No. 1. 16 Ditto. Do.. N e w (do 33/. 69.8 d.) No. 2. 10 • • 1 1 9 3 % "•••• • • • • Do., N e w (do. 15/.) .. No. 4. 2% 3 •••• • • • • Sou th Wales • • • • • • • • • • 5 • ... 41 •• • •' • • Warwic k s hire and London .. 425. • • "par ••. •••• • • • • • We l s h Midland • • • • • • 2% , ••• ••• • • • W es t Riding Union • • • • • • 4'2s. 3). 1 ... •• • W i r k ea ch and S. Ives • • • • 2 • • ••• . • • York and Carlisle . • • • • • • • 21. i • ... 15 .: :: •• • • • York and North Midland .. 50 ••• _ • • ••• • • • • Ditto, Half Shares .. 25 .... 504 • Ditto. Extension .. .. 15 33 • • '' • • Do. E. and W. R idin g Exten... 1 ...• 11 % •• • •• •••• FOREIGN RAILWAYS. Boulogne and Arnicno 12 12 • Bord., Toul., & Cette (Mackenzie) 2 _ •• • • Ditto, ditto (Espelete) .. 2 .... 2 .• •••• • • • • Dutch Rhenish • • .. .. 5 •• •• 6% 7 •• • East Indian, • • • • • • • • • s s• •• • • 14 ...... Grt. North. of Fra nce Constituted 5 .... 15 14% • • • • Namur and Liege .• 6 .... 4 _ • • Orleans and Bordeaux • • .. 6 .... 10% Paris and Lyons Constituted 5 .... 7l Paris and Strasbourg Constituted 5 .... 51i Rouen and Havre . .• • • 20 •• • • 29 54 •••• • • • • MINES. dis 16 3% 33% p •• . 1 dis The Weser Gazette of the Bth has the following:— "We learn from Poland that disturbAnces have broken out among the peasants of Radom, and plat several or the uoblei have been murdered." NATIONAL LOAN FUND LIFE -, , , -,- . :~:_, :47'1 ;..,'t'')" Yei,terdity we oanual geLerai int:eting of the National Loan Fund Life Assurance Society was held at the London Tavern, Bishopsgate-street, at one o'clock ; T. Lamie Murray, Esq., Chairman, in the chair. The CHAIRMAN opened the proceedings by calling upon the Secretary to read the advertisement convening the meeting. Tile SECRETARY having read the advertisement, The CIIAIRMAN said—Gentlemen, the directors have prepared a report of the proceedings of the Society since our last annual meeting, which the Secretary will now read. The SECRETARY then rend the following report : THE SEVENTH ANNUAL REPORT OF THE DI RECTORS OF THE "NATIONAL LOAN FUND LIFE ASSURANCE SOCIETY" TO THE PRO PRIETORS. 13th May, 1846. The Directors have again the pleasure of meeting the proprietors on the recurrence of the seventh annual general meeting of the Society. The influence a remunerative industry has on the.provident habits of the general community has been constantly pointed out by the Directors as the true source of that praiseworthy inclination to avail itself of the advantages of life assurance. The financial and industrial character of the past Year, especially remarkable for its extreme vicissitudes , has been prejudicial to the progress of life assurance, inasmuch as the sudden adversity which at once prostrates the resources of provident foresight is not more unfavourable to institutions of this kind, than the sudden prosperity which too often is apt to neglect the rules of ..;rdinary precaution. It is, however. highly gratifying to the Directors, notwith startling these discouragenients, which have so peculiarly marked the past year, and so largely interfered with the bu siness of life assurance, to be able to state that the progress of the National Loan Fund Society has been uninterrupted, and its business for the last year even greater than in the three preceding years combined. Not to mention the number of life assurance offices whose institution preceded the National Loan Fund, so many new, though some of them short-lived, competitors, have sprung up since that period, that the field of exertion would appear to be constantly narrowed. There is scarcely to be found a community of sentiment, occasional association, or casual in terest that has not been seized on, and exhausted in the formation of new assurance societies. As the expenses of management, particularly where so much competition exits, must always form a considerable item in each new establishment, however economically con ducted, it is a question worthy of consideration wheth sr the assurer is benefited by the constant sectional subdivision of his patronage. In the course of the previous year the Directors have en deavoured, with care and assiduity, to extend the connexions of the Society. They congratulate the proprietors on the result of their efforts, and believe they have laid the founda tion of a stable institution, whose extensive range of fiction and public utility will nut ha without its influence on the policy-holders and the proprietors. At the date of the mat meeting, the number of policies then issued were 2,781. These have since augmented to exhibiting an increase in policies of 769, and of new pre miums within the year of 12,691/. Since the formation of the Society to the end of 1844". the decreement amongst the assured hasamourted to 30,008t'. 16s. In the last year the claims paid by the Society amortnt to 5,748/. 18s., making the total sum distributed to the repre sentatives of the assured 35,757/. 145., being less than the expected mortality by 11,0271. Gs., and so far may be consi dered a proof of the care taken in the selection of lives., The Directors, in conformity with the deed of settlement, have caused the annual investigation into the affairs of the Society to be made by the Actuary; and it is now . pre sented, together with the accounts of the Athlitors, and will be read to the meeting Following the: plan of distribution laid down in the preceding annual division of profits, of taking one-fifth of the reserve fin: d for immediate distribution to the proprietors and policy-holders of live years' standing, the prosperous position of the Society enables the Directors, after reserving 30 per cent. of this sum, to divide amongst the policy-holders entitled to this distribution a reversionary bonus, varying from 35 to 85 per cent. on the premiums; and to the proprietors a bonus of 34 per cent. on the past year, in addition to the regular in terest of 5 par cent., already paid to them. The following table, prepared by the Actuary, exhibits the amount of the four last annual bonuses, to which the holders of policies of five years' standing have become entitled,. with the options of receiving the same in cash, or by addit ion to their policies, or in reduction of annual premiums. EXAMPLES. 29 p 96% 57 1 ,2 24% 23y 2 5% 36% yi p 12js, 24% 714 p vs 1 „ addition Bonus in ~ Permanent 'Sum As-1 Annual l' " eY dd't" to, Bonus in reduction of age taken . 1 surcd. 1 Pre mium. out in SUM I Cash. As , ured annual I - -- ~ - --:1 Premiums. 1 £ IX s. d. 0 £ 11 d. .E s. d. r 1837 217 15 1 100 16 0 4 1 1838 192 3 0 87 1 4 13 10 2 60 1,000 74 34 { 1839 165 11 10 74 1 9 11 3 1 1 1 1840 116 7 6 54 010 718 10 L 1841 111 6 8 49 10 0 710 4 1814 U P 217 IA (Fs 229 79K, 524 29 1 ,& 2% 10 yi 1234 9c 2 3p 14 1% p 153 % 32 3 4 44% 9% 44% 25% 4 There are now to be elected three Directors, in lieu of John Griffith Frith, Esq, Hunter Gordon, Esq., and John Rawson, Esq., whose period of office has expired, but who are eligible to be re-elected, and offer themselves accordingly; aml also two Auditors, in place of Professor Wheatstone, F. 11.5., and Professor Graves, A.M.. whose period of office has expired, but who in like manner offer themselves fin re election. Approved by the Court of Directors, T. LAME "MURRAY, Chairman. The report and the audited accounts having been read, The CIIIITIMAN rose and said—Befors I move the adoption of the report, if any gentleman would wish to ask us any questions on the subject of the Society, we ihall be happ;r to answer him. After waiting for a short time, in order to give any gentleman an opportunity of putting questions to the directors, of which, however, no one present seemed disposed to avail himself, The CHAITOKAN continued—No gentleman seems dis posed to put any question. I suppose I may take that as an indication of perfect satisfaction, and a willingness ,o udupt th e report of the directors. ny, 2 13, ; 26 par The past year has been decidedly a prosperous one, and had we- been more dispose,' we might have taken more credit and drawn obvious conclusions from the success we• have met with. But this is quite unnecessary, as the public will not be slow in forming a correct judgment, and there fore we have contented ourselves with setting fort;h the facts as they exist. It will be seen, on a reference to the former report, that the reserve fund had reached 24,0001. In the present year, after deducting the bonus of last year, it has attained the sum of 37,0001. and upwards. It is from this fund, which has been constantly accumulating sinoe the first valuation of the Society's business, that the ')onus to the policy-holders and shareholders are derived;, 'and, although one-fifth of it becomes divisible every year, yet, as its augmentation is greater than its reduction, the annual division becomes greater and greater in; each year. A glance at the successive divisions to the p olicy- holders wi►l at once prove the justice of the e ob servations. The Society commenced its operations in the year i 837, and up to the last valuation, in D eeem- ber last, abOut eight entire years, the bonus payable on a policy of 1,0004, dated in 1837, will be this year 2171. 15s. added to the policy, should it become a claim before the next annual valuation ; 1001. as lid. in cash, should the assurer prefer to re ceive it in money, or a reduction in his annual premium of 161. Os. 4d. A policy of 1,0004 taken out only five years ago, in 1841, will be by the present division entitled to a bonus of 1111. 65., Bd. The Society has received greater support in the past than in any previous year. Those who are engaged in the business of life assurance know that the past year has not been a favourable one, by reason of those causes to which we have alluded in our report. I attribute this increase in our business to the excellent principles on which we are founded, which seems to afford a greater protection to the assured under the frowns of fortune. If tho past year has been pros perous, the present one is promising, the application for policies being even greater since December last than in the corresponding period of last year.—(Hear. hear.) I might go further—the subject , of life assurance is a wide one—l might easily be h,d into a long discourse. Ido not think that the intelligent me( et ing lam addressing will require this from me. You will find your interests set forth in the proper place, a ad Ido not think you will be disposed to complain. I may, I think, without hesitation, promiseyou the continuation of an equal, if not a greater bonus on your share 5 in each succeeding year. I will, therefore, conclude by moving the adoption of the report.—(Cheers: ) J. W. SCOTT, Esq., seconded the motion, vhich j vas carried unanimously. A resolution was then put and carried, to re-e lect the auditors and directors. W3l. STUDLEY—Gentleman, there is one thing.: 'which we ought to do in justice to the directo rs and to the Chairman, as well as to ourselves, and i hat is, to move a vote of thanks to them for their t fficient services. lam sure there is no gentleman bu t must feel highly gratified at the report which has jus t been adopted ; as for myself, I am particulaaly so, ht. wing a large interest in the concern. , • A PROPRD, TOR Said he would taka the honour qo , .nun self of seconding a inotif)n so well deserved. The ms; ion ;as carried unanimously. re turn rectors as well as of m yself, I beg to The CIIIIIIMAN—GentIemen, on the part of t he you our mo s t s i ncere t h an k s . We cc rtainly had a very ser i ous as well as anxious l a bour in exami n i ng upwards of seven hundred poli cies, which have ben taken out within the last ;`'ear. Gentlem en were aware of all the necessary log which were consequent upo n suc h an examination but• if their labour s were considerable, the Progress and suc • cess of the Society, and the approbation of the propri, , ors were their reward. I beg again, gentlemen, to rot urn you our sincere thanks. The meeting then separated. 10% 7M 29 The Duke of Northumberland has consen debt o ted 1 '#3 •l3 eg g come one of thirty subs ci ih ers to pay off the bulli nof Westminster Mechanic s I nst i tution. The subscripti n on, f he C. itY wh was set on foot by Mr. omley, M.P., and is headed by Prince Al; A rt, a,'• ready includes twenty-one noblemen and gentlemen as subset there. Westminster-briOge is In as dangerous a state a s ever. Mr Batty says, the most difficult feat his horses have to ace )mplish is crossing the mountainous paving that runs o ver the Timm ( 0, trotn his circus to the Houses of Parliament. The Alps,' he decla. cs, are nothing to it.--Pwifk THE SUN, LONDON, _FRIDAY MORNING, MAY 15, 1846. SPORTING INTELLIGENC E. l' E6TinDAY. In consequence of the absence of the members, the attend ance was not vary full, nor was business by any means brisk. Enough, however, was done to admit of the following quota tions, most of which, it will be seen, agree with those last returned from Newmarket : DERBY. 4 to 1 agst Lord E. Russell's Sting—taken 6 to 1 agst Mr. W. Scott's Sir Tatton Sikes—taken 12 to 1 agst Lord Maidstone's Torn Tullock—taken 12 to 1 agst Mr. Mellam's Fancy Boy 12 to 1 agst Sir J. Hawley's Humdrum—taken 20 to 1 agit Gene' al Shubrick's Brocardo—taken 25 to 1 agst Mr. Hall's Crown Prince 30 to 1 agst Mr. Merry's Peri colt—taken 40 to 1 agst Mr. Wyatt's Nutleaf—taken 40 to 1 agst Mr. Weatherail's Poynton—taken 50 to 1 agst Lord Eglinton's Draco—taken 50 to 1 agst Mr. Walker's Maid of Hampton—taken 60 to 1 agst Mr. E. Peel's Twig—taken 50 to 1 agq Mr. O'Brien's The Traverser 50 to 1 agst Mr. Mostyn's The Premier. OAKS. 6 to 1 agst Sir C. Monck's Vanish—taken. NEWMARKET SECOND SPRING MEETING. NEWMARKET, WEDNESDAY NIGHT. ENTRIES FOIL TIIUP.SDAY. Handicap Sweepstakes of 20 sovs. each. T.Y.C. Queen of the Gipsies, 6 yrs, 9s t; Beaumont, 5 yrs, Bst 41b ; Lyons, 4 yrs, 7st 71b; Hereef, 3 yrs, Est 21b; Sister to Per gularia, 3 yrs, Est 91b; Fugitive, 3 yrs, 6st 21b. Three de clared forfeit. Sweepstakes of 10 sows. each. T.Y C. Symmetry, 4 yrs ; Energy, 4 . yrs ; Nell Cook, 3 yrs; Fit git..ve, 3 yrs; Brainless, 3 yrs; Meths, 3 yrs; Libation, 3 yrs; Moans, 3 yrs. LATEST DERBY BETTING. 4 to 1 agst Sting 25 to 1 agst Peri colt—taken 6 to 1 agst Sir Tatton Sykes 33 to 1 agst Pyrrhus the First 11 to 1 agst Humdrum—taken 40 to 1 agst The Traverser 20 to 1 agst Brocardo 40 to 1 agst Poynton TH U RS DAY. Match, 50 sovs., h ft, T.Y.C.Z-Sir. Greville's Killi Krankie, 3 yrs, 7st (W. Abdale), beat Mr. Shelley's Hawkesbury, 4 yrs, Bst 71b, (Butler). 6t05 on Killi Krankie. Won by a head. Run in one minute and twenty-three seconds. Handicap Sweeps of 20 sovs. each, 5 ft, &c. T.Y.C. (9 Subs., three of whom declared.) Mr. Lowther's Lyons, 4 yrs, 7st 71b (Nat) 1 Lord Exeter's Sister to Pergularia, 3 yrs, 6st 91b 0 Sir J. Hawley's Fugitive, 3 yrs, Est 21b 0 The following also started :—Mr. Ongley's Queen of the Gipsies, 6 yrs, 9st ; Lord Albemarle's Beaumont, 5 yrs, Bst 41b (carried Bst 61b); Mr. Wigram's Hereof, 3 yrs, 6st 121 b. Belting-2 to 1 agst Hereof, 7to 2 agst Beaumont, 4to 1 agst. Lyons (taken), and 5 to 1 agst Fugitive. Sister to Pergularia made the running at a moderate pace, Lyons and Here,ef lying next, and the others close up. They maintained this order to the ropes,' where Lyons headed Lord Exeter's filly, kept the lead to the end, and won by half a length. A dead heat for second between Fugitive and Sister to Pergularia, and the others well up. Run in one minute and twenty-four seconds. Match, 100. T.Y.C.—Mr. W. S. Stanley's Paultons, 4 yrs, 7st 121 b (Nat) be:A Sir J. Hawley's Bishop of Rom- Cord's Cob, 6 yrs. Bst 121b.-13 to 8 on The Cob. Paultons made running at a strong pace, and, without ever being quite caught, won by half a length. Run in 1 min. 22 sec. Sweepstakes of 10 sovs. each, with 50 added for 2 yrs old; colts Bst 71b; and fillies, Bst 41b; winners of 1001. 5 lbs extra. T.Y.C. (18 Subs.) Mr. Newton's Reminiscence (F. Butler) 1 Lord G. Bentinck's Blackcock The following also started, but were not nheed :—Mr. Coape's Brother to Pawnbroker—Mr. Cheshire 's b f by Red shank, out of Delhi—Mr. Douglas's Caterii a—Lord Lens dale's f by the The Saddler, out of Barbakin—CAPeel's Isis. Bettirg-6to 4 agst. Blackcoek (t), and 6 to 4 agst Re miniscence. _ _ _ ..... Blackcock went off with a strong lead, f Bowed by the Red, shank filly and the ruck, Reminiscence alone lying off. They ran thus to the cords, where all were tailed off save Reminiscence and Blackcock; the filly then went up to Blackcock, deprived him of the lead instanter, and won in a canter by a length; Isis a bad third. Run in 1 min. 23 sec. Sweepstakes of 10 sovs, each for 3 yrs old 7st 71b; 4 yrs, Bst 91b; 5 yrs and upwards, 9st. T.Y.C. The winner to be sold for 2001., &c. (8 Subs.) Lord Albemarle's Nell Cooke, 3 yrs (Chapple) 1 Mr. Watson's Libation, 3 yrs 2 The following also started, but were not placed : Mr. G. Ongley's Symmetry, 4 yrs—Mr. Crape's Energy, 4 yrs— Sir J. Hawley's Fugitive, 3 yrs—Lord Exeter's Brainless, 3 yrs—Mr. Wigram's Meths, 3 yrs—Mr. Greville's Motilla, 3 yrs. Betting-2 to 1 agst Libation-5 to 1 agst Energy-5 to 1 agst Nell Cook-5 to 1 agst Fugitive-6 to 1 agst Mo tilla—and 6to 1 agst Symmetry. Won easy by a length, Motilla being a very bad third. Rau in. one minute twenty seven_seconds, Maich-1001., h ft. T.M.M. Mr. Shelley's Hawkesbury, 4 yrs, 6st 81b, received forfeit from Lord Glamis's Satyr, 5 yrs, 7st 101 b. Duke of Bedford's Oakley, 9st, agst Mr. Irwin's Conna ug ht Ranger, 7st 71b. T. M.M. 500/. ; 2001. ft ; off by consent. The meeting, if it di 1 not commence very auspiciously, improved as it progressed, and on the whole, as well in the character as in the extent of the racing, exceeded our expectations. It derived some importance from the Derby betting, in which the fluctuations were of a nature to shake the confidence of the Sting, Brocardo, and Traverser parties. We look for some curious movements before the day. The races terminated at two o'clock, and the directors of the Eastern Counties Railway, having, through their secre tary, Mr. Roney, consulted the convenience of the visitors, a special train was in waiting at Chesterford at a quarter before four, and by half-past five, without interrupting the regular traffic of the line, all were safely delivered at Shore ditch. The Whip was challenged for by Mr. G. U. Moore, with a sealed-up nominations. LATEST DERBY BETTING. 9 to 2 agst Lord E. Russell's Sting—taken and offered 6 to 1 agst Mr. W. Scott's Sir Tatton Sykes—t. and off. 11 to 1 agst Sir J. Hawley's Humdrum—taken 11 to 1 agst Lord Maidstone's Tom Tullock 20 to 1 agst Gen. Shubrick's Brocardo —taken 25 to 1 agst Mr. Waller's Crown Prince 30 to 1 agst Mr. Merry's Peri colt—taken 1,000 to 20 agst Lord Chesterfield's Ginger—taken 1,000 to 15 agst Mr. Gurney's Cant ley—taken 1,000 to 15 agst Lord Exeter's lot—taken 1,000 to 15 agst Sir G. lleathcote's Amato colt—taken 1,000 to 15 agst Mr. Wailer's Maid of Hampton colt—taken EGLINTON PARK RACES-TUESDAY. Match, 100, p.p.—Mr. Mytton's Volney gelding (Captain Williams), beat Mr. Robertson's Saladin, 12st each, half a mile. _ _ . The Trial Stakes of 5 sovs. each, and 20 added ; the last to pay the second horse's stake. Half a mile (10 subs.) Mr. H. Johnstone's litiora, , san, 6 yrs (Owner) 1 Mr. W. S. Crawford na. The Era, 6 yrs Captain Pettat na Secundus, 5 yrs 3 The following also started, but were not placed :—Mr. Leslie's Wooton, 5 yrs—Mr. J. H. Crawford na The Cure, 5 vrs—and Lord Eglinton's Bretwalda, 4 yrs. The Irvine Cup Stakes of 10 sovs. each, with 1501. added. Once round and a distance. Lord Saltoun na The Cure, 5 yrs (Mr. H. Johnstone) 1 Mr. Meiklam's Godfrey, 5 yrs 2 Lord Glenlyon's Ben y Ghlo , 6 yrs Won by six lengths. The Half-bred Stakes of 10 sovs. each, h. ft., with 50 added. Two miles. Mr. 11. Johnstone's Tom Touch, 6 yrs (Owner) Lord Waterford's The Roper, 5 yrs Mr. F. Nicoll's Wild Rose, 4 yrA Mr. Leslie's Wooton, 5 yrs 15 ft., and 5 only if The Wynnstay Stakes of 25 sous. each, __ - declared, with 50 added. About two miles and a half. Captain Boyd's Dog Billy, 5 vro ...... ...(Mr. P. Williams) s io Kssin Trooper, Dan, agedyrs IN ., Lord Eglinton's Britannia, 4 - yrs lior. R rdWarnatsearyfo,srd; SLIREVPSBTJRY RACES.-WEDNESDAY. The Patshull Stakes of 20 sous. each, b. ft. About a mile and a half. Mr. J. B. Minor's Augustus ..~ The Great Cleveland Handicap of 25 Boys. each, 10ft, and 5 only if declared, with 100 added, the second to save his stake. About two miles. Flr. Irwin's Pride of Kildare, 5 yrs INlr. Burton nd Dulcet, 4 yrs The following also started, but were not placed :—Mr H. Robinson's 'Morpeth, 5 yrs ; Mr. Dawson's Lord Saltoun, 5 yrs ; Mr. Ongley's Roderick, aged ; Mr. Standish's Little Hampton, 5 yrs; Mr. Mostyn's Stream, 4 yrs ; Mr. Ball's Rein Deer, 4 yrs; Mr. W. J. Clement nd Valiant, 4 yrs ; and Mr. Charlton nd Heir- at-Law, 4 yrs. The County Members' Plate of 601. for three yrs-old, 6st 101 b ; four yrs, Bst 51b ; 5 yrs, Bst 121 b; six y rs an d age d, 9 s t 21b; mares, &c., allowed 31bs. Winners extra. Heats, once round and a dis. Mr. W. Smith's Master Downes, 4 yrs .....(Sly, jun.) 1 1 Mr. Scott's Highfield, 3 yrs Mr. G. Shepherd's The Forest'Flower, 4 yrs 2O THE CROPS IN GEORGIA.—The Macon Advocate of the 20th instant says :—We learn from a gentleman who has just returned from a tour through Baker, Lee, Sumter, Dooly, and other counties in Sout-Western Georgia, that the crops of small grain, particularly wheat, were never more pru mising than at present. The corn looks well, but cotton, in consequence of the wet and cool weather experienced in that section for some time past, appeared rather backward, and in some places fears were entertained that it would die, and the land have to be re-planted. The weather having become clear and pleasant, however, with a prospect of continuing so, the plants may revive, and prove thrifty.in the end. TESTImoN IAL —The. Ottmoor, have unite . d t i l n raising of plate toct k of respect them d present to u w ri i i: i g o h l p a a s r u is b h sc i r o i n pt e lo r n s for o p f urehaslng a piece th in late curate, the Rev. Henry Matthews, as a mar Chalton-on for his good, amiable, and generous conduct to wardsiCs residence at the village. On the 28th ult., the Rev. Gentleman, ~o h n sisted of a silver tankard, was presented to done him. Mr. Matthews memorial, „s o ,s thank, d the parishioners for the honour justly entitled to the tribu• has borne an excellent character, and is ce ,:GtrE.i2v e m f A respec — t which , has been dpresented inlast t hilt).—Oxford ic/e TAE r week's Journal that the Earl of Lonsdale's property at Appleby had b een advertised for sale by auction in Juno next. Within the last few ever country, n large an Namingounc I gthe have postponement been of the circulated throughoutsale li thes v un til further notice. What is the real cause of this s udden chan g e in the intentions of his Lordshi p we are not in a position to say ; but it is confident l y asserted that the Noble Lord, fearing that In the da3 .s, event of a public sale the principal part of the property might fall into the hands of his political opponents, and thereby greatly en danger the scat of the gallant Colonel for Westmoreland, has been obliged to adopt this cautious proceeding. It is, indeed, whispered that the Colonel is about to become the purchaser himself, not wish ing to allow the advocates of free trale to gain such fearful odds.— Coeliac Journal. WHO WANTS A CHILD ?—Tho Western Times con tains a letter offering to any persOns who may be desirous ci adopt ing a child, a little boy between three and four yews of age, "whose mental and bodily developments are of the first order," but whom the parties its charge of him " cannot afford to support and educate without proper remuneration." Prompt attention will he given to any communication addressed to the editor of the Western Times, who says that " his own hands are full of email life." ELECTPIC TELEGRAPHS. —At a moment when many persons are el') ing down the electric telegraph, Re Are glad to pre sent to the public some particulars which M. Breguet has just laid before the Academie. Economical motives tended to substitute iron wire instead of the'.; Pis wire used as yet, but it was predicted that, for a direct communication Itom Paris to Rouen it would require no less than a Bunsen pile of eighty plates. Nevertheless, the ex periment was made eind M. Breguet has stated that six pl.:tes were sufficient. It, turning to the brass wires, it has been proved that the dispatches ccadd be transmitted by a single plate. It was therefore , evident th :t the electric telegraph was applicable to lines ~f much greater extent. From Paris to Lille, for example, the dis t nice is one hundred leagues; to ascertain if correspondence could be carried on at so great a distance, without an intermediate statist), the wire was tripled to thrice the distance from Paris to Rouen, and he result was ciaiwned with success. An electrical telegraph is jaeing established between Antwerp and Brussels. It is stated to be Oft SC improved a system, that a dispatch of fifty words may be re ceived ill three seconds. We do not believe that this Is possible, howeYer exae4pot the system may be: COURT CIRCULAR. 7,1)4 rt of the QIIZell yester day at Buckingham Palace. Heil Majesty and her Royal Consort took their accus tomed early walk yesterday. His Hovel Highness Prince Albert afterwards rode out on horseback, attended by the Equerry in Waiting, the Hon. Captain Gordon. Their Royal Highnesses the Prince of Wales, Prince Alfred, the Princess Royal, and the Princess Alice, took their usual exercise yesterday in the garden of the Palace. The royal dinner party yesterday included her Royal Highness the Duchess of Kent ' the Marquis of Nor manby, the Earl of Liverpool, Lady Augusta Bruce, Baroness de Speth, the Bishop of Salisbury and the Hon. Mrs. Denison, Sir George Couper, and Colonel and Lady Catherine Vernon Harcourt. The band of the Scots Fusilier Guards was in attend ance at Buckingham Palace, during dinner, and under the direction of Mr. Boose, performed the following pieces : Overture, " Cheval de Bronze,"—Auber. Waltz " Nataiieu,"—Labitzki. Selection, " Ernani,"—Verdi. Polka, " Dobranos,"—Fahrbich. Selection, " I Lombardi,"—Verdi. After dinner there was a concert. Her Majesty's private band attended at the Palace. The following was the proeramme of the performance : Overture " Konig Stephan,"—Beethoven. Duet, " Du bist die Stutze deines Vaters—Madelle. Beckholtz and Herr Pischek (Joseph)—Mehul. Lieder, " Mein Kerz ist am Rhein," " Die Heimath,"— Herr Pischek—Reissiger. Fantaisie, Violincello, Mr. Drecholer—Franchomma. Sicilians, Lied, "Warnung vor dem Rhein,"—Mademoi sells Bochkoltz—Per;olesi. Bohemian National Melodies, Herr Pischek. Duet " Liebesfruhling, "—Mademoiselle Bockholtz and Herr Pischek—Speier. Mrs. Anderson presided at the pianoforte. On Wednesday evening the band of the Royal Rep inent of Horse Guards attended at Buckingham-palace, during dinner, and under the direction of Mr. J. R. Tutton, performed the following pieces : Overture, " Stradella"—Flotton. Introduction and Trio, " Yes time will show"—Mountain Sylph—Barnett. Ist Movement and Scherzo, from the Septett—Beethoven. Selection. "La Peri"—Burgmuller. Her Majesty the Queen Dowager took an airing in a carriage yesterday. Baron Dedel, Minifter of the Netherlands, transacted business at the Foreign-office on Wednesday. Mr. C. K. Murray had an interview with the Chancel lor of the Exchequer yesterday, at his official residence in Downing-street. The Commissioners of the Metropolitan Improvements had a meeting yesterday at the office in Whitehall-place. There were present Viscount Canning, the Right Hon. J. C. Herries, the Lord Mayor, Sir Robert H. Ingli', Bart., Mr. Alderman Humphery, gr. H. T. Hope, Mr. Milne, and the Hon. C. Gore. Sir George Hayter, having her Majesty's gracious permission, left on the 12th fora tour to Italy immedi ately after the celebration of his marriage. The Judicial Committee of the Privy Council sat yesterday. The Lords present were the Master of the Rolls, the Vice• Chancellor Knight Bruce, the Chancellor of the Duchy of Cornwall, and the Judge of the Ad miralty Court. The Court was oceopied the whole of the day with the hearing of an oppeal from British Guiana, " Macrae (attorney of Campbell) v. Goodman." Mr. Parker, Queen's Counsel, and Mr. Wigram, Queen's Counsel, were heard. THE RELIGIOUS TRACT SOCIETY TO THE EDITOR OF THE SUN. Sin,—The remarks you make in your paper of yester day on some late communications between the Bible Society and Mr. Hume, are concluded by the expression of a fear that the great philanthropic religious associa tions of the day are becoming gradually, but, at the same time, totally perverted from their original charac ter. lam not much acquainted with these societies ge nerally, but there is one, respecting which as a London Missionary of some years standing, I can give you some information, which, I doubt not, the religious public at large will consider of no little importance. The Society to which I refer is the Religious Tract Society ; and the particulars referred to as follows. I have no doubt your publication of, and remark upon them, will be of signal service. 1. The materielitself, furnished by this soc i ety, is of the most inferior description. It is entirely behind the age. Sometimes the tracts are written in a spirit which is positively mischievous : such, for instance, as some of the tracts on Romanism and Puseyism. Some times their theology and logic are alike bad. Only lately I carried a tract on one of those subjects to an eminent dissenting minister, under whom I am labour ing, and asked him, after reading it to him, whether I could circulate it ? His answer was to this effect — Decidedly not. The argument has no more to do with the point argued than it has with any other point. The texts of Scripture cited have no bearing whatever on the proposition they are meant to support." If I had given the tract to a Romanist he would have laughed at me. Again, a vast proportion of the thought in them is mere twaddle. Men, used to the downright matter-of-fact ways of the world, feel it a degradation to be schooled by professors of the theology of the nursery. Having become men, and put away childish things, like the Apostle, their religious intellect will not submit to be made any longer conversant with the things of God and immortality, only through the most puerile associations. I confess, with all my in eradicable biasses in favour of men set apart to holiness and God, I often, as I look over a lot of tracts, have this notion pass through my mind—" Well, the writers of these are very good men, but really they are very silly ones." Now, Sir, you may imagine what a wretched thing it is for a missionary to have daily to penetrate through the phalaexes of i n fidelity with such weapons as these in his hands. 2. Books on religi ous subjects, of the most unequi vocal value and un i versa l ut ili ty, are kept out of sight by the Society. I n f act , i t h as exten d e d itself so widely, and is so resistless as a monopoly of the religious book trade, that I think it very questionable whether it is not really keeping down books of a vivid spirit-stirring character in religion at a cost greater than the positive gain of its labours and influences. Booksellers speak of it as a perfect nuisance. A very valuable bqok is offered them ; they would like to publish it, but dare not. This great religious book monopoly has its agents in every town, its advertisements in every room, its brokers in every pulpit. It has the market before them, and they are afraid to speculate. Men of business in Paternoster row even go so far as to say that the Tract Society watches their speculations, and if they strike out some new and lucrative idea, immediately simulates it by something of its own, divides the sale, and swamps their project. 3. Taking the authorised reports of the Religious Tract Society as evidence of fact, the governing body of the Society is too circumscribed. It ought to have a committee of at least fifty members, annually eligible or re-eligible as may be, and the right of election should be so vested as to secure correct representation of the subscribers. We know that this Society pays very handsomely for its copyrights, and there seems something very extra ordinary in their being of such an inferior description. The public wants something mare in return for its mu nificent contributions than the salarying of certain clerks and shopmen for doing the " duties" of a trade that answers its grand end in so very inferior a style. It appears to me, Sir, to have become our imperative duty to do one of these two things:—Either we ought to apply our subscriptions to securing a better materiel elsewhere, or insist upon this Society altering its pro ceedings. It was not meant to be a monopoly of trade in religious books, underselling every body, and keep ing most valuable works out of the market. It was not meant to confine itself to the mere function of instruct ing babes, or to supply to the infidel and papist a shaft of scorn against the Christian missionary. But it was want to be the vehicle of a printed course of religious instruction for certain classes, and that at least not be hind the age in soundness of sentiment and tone of expression. Excuse the hurried manner in which, no doubt, you will detect this to have been written, as I write it in a few minutes snatched from my dinner hour, and because my conscience has so long and so loudly importuned me upon 4.-1 am, Sir, yours truly. May ,5, 1846. A MISSIONARY. atre'rna,geldical..thin FACTS FOR THE of the prediction tinually transpiring which prove the groundlessness At all the markets in the that free trade will ruin the agriculturist.{an kinds of stock have for some time north of England the prices of this description applies to the sales MONOPOLISTS Facts are con been inconveniently high lace throughout Northumberland at t Horses, which were last year scarcely the May term just Pas realise twice the sum then asked ; lean saleable at any price, now avidity at good with prices; cattle are bought s emis the supply. To show that this general sheep greatly e-aggerated, we will narrate more particularly the woo , , on Thursday last. The short-horned cows sale of Mr. Johnson's stock, at Chillingham New bayecaouucnttioing notwh which have t!. ; lie 'L n P Prices given at the l r about 45/. each, some bringing nearly seventy guineas; thirty to nearly ninety guineas, the best one bulls ranged from a trifle of 30/., and the calves between 161. 5 11. 10s. ; the old queys averaged from 411. to 421., the one two year ogsold for 16 or 17 guineas, and ewes and lambs for 171. Draughtsorses averaged 36/., the best selling at 50 guineas. 90/. 165., and a year old bull four guineas. Surely these are prices high enough to cheer the hear ' before them, the Dukes of Richmond and Cleveland will of the most desponding protectionist. We cannot believe that, with for It is deserving of remark, that though several again venture to talk of the " alarmed agriculturist," still less of the yeart e these ed c s i foreign breeders and dealers were present, they failed, with only one old within exception, to outbid our native breeders. This proves that our farmers do not mean to abandon stock breedin g as a hopeless attempt to compete with foreigners. But Mr. Jobson's farm supplies a still more " telling" fact. The new tenant, we are informed, has taken it at an advance of rent over that paid by Mr. Jobson of no less than 3001. a year; and this with a certainty of free trade 1 It is gratify ing to find that our agricultural labourers participate in this pros perity. At the hirings held here and at Morpeth last week, both male and female farm servants were engaged readily at advanced wa ges. We leave our readers to draw their own conclusions.—Eew castle Advertiser. EFFECTS OF FREE TRADE ON THE FARMERS.—It is passing strange that, despite the Serious apprehensions of a consider able number, and the positive conviction of a greater portion of the agricultural body, that the proposed measures of the Government, if passed into law, will most materially affect the profits to be derived from the cultivation of the soil, there seems no lack of disposition to embark capital in the pursuit, that improved appliances are brought in aid with more earnestness than heretofore, and an increased vigour manifested incompatible with the dreary prospects which would seem to await the result of their labours,—Mark-lane Express. THE BUILDING TRADE.—BIRMINGHAM, WEDNESDAY. —At length there is some prospect of the workmen employed in the above trade, and who have been on strike, resuming work again, and some amicable arrangement being come to with the masters. 0a Monday last the carpenters waited upon Henry Smith, Esq., mayor, and requested him to take the chair at a public meeting which they inttnded to hold in th eTown-hall. The Mayor, on hearing their case, desired them to have an i nterview with their masters that evening, and try if they could not affect a reconciliation. • The Learned Gentleman also had an interview with the masters, and advised them to withdraw the declaration which they required the men to sign. Accordingly, at the meeting on Monday evening, they withdrew the declaration, but would require of the men to promthe not to support the bricklayers in their strike. The following morning a large meeting of the men was held in King-street, when it was re solved not to resume work again unless they r.iceived an advance of 4d. per day. At the meeting the men were advised to go the same afternoon and try and make arrangements with their masters, which in some instances was done, It is ex p ected. that the masters will accede to the demand, aid that they will shortly resume work again. IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT. HOUSE OF LORDS, aray 14. Their Lordships assembled at the usual hour. ROYAL ASSENT. Tho Royal Assent was given to-day by Commission to the Exchequer -bills Bill (18,380,2001. ), the Indemnity Qualification Offices Bill, the Insolvent Debtors' Continuance Bill, the Burghs (Scotland) Bill, the Great Western Railway Im provement Bill, the Monckton Navigation Bill, the Ellesmere and Cheshire Canal Bill, the Manchester and Salford Waterworks Bill, the Boston Waterworks Bill, the Glasgow Waterworks Bill, the York Waterworks Bill, the Sunderland Docks Bill, the Birmingham Cemetery Bill, the Rochester Bridge Bill, the Welsh Charity School Bill, and several other Bills. The Lords Commissioners were the Lord Chancellor, the Duke of Buccleuch, and the Earl of Haddington. SALE OF INTOXICATING LIQUORS ON SUNDAY. The Bishop of HEREFORD pre.ented a petition, praying their Lordships to adopt some measure whereby the sale of in toxicating liquors might at least be prevented on Sunday, if not entite'y prohibited on all days. LONDON AND YORK RAILWAY. Earl FITZ WILLIAM presented:a petition from the Bishop Dean, and other inh a bit ants o f P eterborough, against this Bill , SEES OF ST. ASAPH AN D BANGOR. Earl PO WIS presented a petition against the union of these two sees. Lerd CAMPPELL presented a petition from the members of a society, entitled " The Society for the Improvement of Ireland, irrespective of sect or party," and also from various religious and other bodies, praying their Lordships to alter the present financial relations between Ireland and England. CHARITABLE TRUSTS BILL. Lord CAMPBELL presented a great number of petitions from Churchmen, Wesleyans ' Independents, U n it ar i ans , an d Roman Catholics against the Charitable Trusts Bill. SITES FOR CHURCHES (SCOTLAND). Lord CAMPBELL also presented a petition from a con gregation in the county of Dumfries, praying their Lordships to adopt some measures by which they might be enabled to obtain sites for churches. CHARITABLE TRUSTS BILL. Lord ASHBURTON presented a petition against the Cha ritable Trusts Bill. Lord COTTEN HAM also presented a number of petitions from the trustees of Wesleyan property, in different parts of the kingdom, against th;s Bill. The LORD CHANCELLOR presented a petition from Cork, signed by• 9,000 persons, in favour of the above mea measure ; also a petition from the University of Cambridge— not in favour of the Charitable Trusts Bill—but in favour of the Eastern Counties Extension Railway.—( Laughter.) Lord CAMPBELL begged to move for a return of the number of petitions and petitioners for and against the Charitable Trust Bill. Lord BROUGHAM conceived that all trustees connected with charitable trusts in this country, and numbering between 3,000 and 4,000 percons, would prefer to have no inquisition into the mode in which they manage their trusts. They would no doubt petition against this Bill and every other Bill that was introduced for that purpose. The motion was then agreed to. The Earl of ELDON presented a petition from the Wes leyan body of King's-cross, Lincoln's Inn-fields, and other places in the vicinity of London, against the Bill. IMPORTATION OF GRAIN. Lord STANLEY called the attention of the Noble Lord (Dalhousie) to the propriety of laying upon the table two returns connected with the importation of grain into this country. He wished to have the fullest information on this point. A return had been made of the corn which had been imported from Ireland in the month of February last. He wished this return to be extended to the months of March and April. He also wished to have a return of the number of corn laden ships from the different countries of Europe, and America, specifying the proportion of British ships, shi - : is belonging to the places whence the corn was imported, and other lot eign ships. In addition to these returns, to which he hoped the Noble Lord would not object, he would now beg to ask for an explanation of certain discrepancies which appeared to exist in the returns already on the table with regard to this matter. The Earl of DALHOUSIE said he had no objection to the laying of the returns wished for by the Noble Earl open the table of their Lordships' House. His Lordship briefly ex plained an error to which the Noble Lord had alluded as having been made in the returns already made. Lord BROUGHAM moved fora return of the quantity of corn taken out of bond during the last two years. Earl DALHOUSIE said the motion was perfectly unneces sary, inasmuch as that return was already on their Lordships table. After a few words from Lord ASHBURTON, the motion was withdrawn. REPEAL OF THE UNION. The Marquis of NORMANBY presented a petition from a certain town in Ireland in favour of the repeal of the legislative union. DISEASES OF THE CHEST. Lord NORMANBY presented a petition, the prayer of which, he said, was rather of a singular nature. The peti tioner stated that he had invented a new medicine for diseases of the chest, and he prayed their Lordships to appoint a Com mittee to investigate the merits of his invention. That meant, the Noble Earl supposed, to try it themselves. CHARITABLE TRUSTS BILL. The LORD CHANCELLOR presented two petitions from congregations of Independents in favour of the Bill. Earl FOATESCUE presented several petitions from Wes leyan and other religious bodies against the Bill ; also petitions in favour of the repeal of the Catholic Disabilities. SEES OF ST. ASAPH AND BANGOR. The Duke of RICHMOND presented a petition from the clergy and rural deans of Chichester against the union of the sees of St. Asaph and Bangor. FRIENDLY SOCIETIES BILL. Lord PORTMAN moved that a Select Committee be ap pointed to inquire into the merits of this Bill. After a few words from Lord ITADDINGTON and the Duke of RIBHMOND, the motion was negatived. POLLING-PLACES IN IRELAND BILL. The Marquis of CLANRICARDE moved the second read ing of this Bill. The Noble Marquis expected no opposition in that House, as it had met with none in the other, and therefore felt it unnecessary to enter into any argument or detail on the subject, especially as the preamble of the Bill spoke for itself. The Bill was then read a second time, and ordered to be committed. DEEDS REGISTRATION BILL. The LORD CHANCELLOR presented a petition from the solicitors and attorneys of the city of York against the Bill introduced by his Noble and Learned Friend (Lord Camp bell). At the same time he wished to intimate that he would express no opinion either far or against the Bill. CHARITABLE TRUSTS BILL. The LORD CHANCELLOR presented a petition against this Bill from the Braziers' Company of the city of London. SEES OF ST. ASAPH AND BANGOR. The Bishop of EXETER preseAted apetition from the Dean and Chapter of Westminster against the union of these two sees. Their Lordships then adjourned. HOUSE OF COMMONS, Mayl4. The SPEAKER took the Chair at. Four o'clock. REPORTS. The following reports were brought up and agreed to, and the Bills ordered to be engrossed, viz.:— Harrogate Gas. York and North Midland Railway (Whitby and Pickering Extension). Edinburgh and Peebles Railway. Great Grimsby and Sheffield Junction Railway (Humber Ferries). Carshalton Rates. Northumberland Docks. Edinburgh, Leith, and Granton Railway (Extension and Branches). Edinburgh and Leith Atmospheric Railway. Edinburgh and Northern Railway (Branches from the Dundee and Arbroath Railway and Tay Ferry Improvement). Edinburgh and Northern Railway (Stratherne Deviation). Edinburgh and Northern Railway (Newport Railway and St. Andreies Branch ). Rye and Dement Drainage. Newcastle-upon-Tyne Improvement. Manchester M arkets. Arbroath and Forfar Railway. Airdrie Police. Salford Hundred Court. East Fife Railway. BILSTON GAS-LIGHT AND COKE COMPANY. This Bill was read a third time and passed. ST. AUSTELL SMALL DEBTS. This Bill was also read a third time and passed. LONDON, BRISTOL, AND SOUTH WALES DIRECT RAILWAY. Mr. GREENE made the following motions, all of which were agreed to : —That the order made on the 13th day of March last, referring the London, Bristol, and South Wales Direct Railway Bill to the Committee of Selection, be now read ; and that the said order be di.charged ; and that the said Bill be withdrawn ; and that the Midland Railway (Nottingham and Mansfield Branch) Bill be read a second time this day, notwithstanding the breviate of the same has not been laid on the table one clear day pre viously; and that the Committee on the Caledonian Insurance Company have leave to sit and proceed on Friday ; and that the order of the sth day of May last, referring the Birken head and Llangollen Railway Bill to the Committee of Selec tion, be discharged. That the said Bill be withdrawn. METROPOLITAN SEWAGE MANURE COMPANY. Colonel WOOD proposed the second reading of this Bill. Sir DE LACY EVANS objected because the Commis sioners of the Metropolitan Sewers had had no opportunity of opposing the Bill before the Standing Orders' Committee. He did not pretend to say that there might not be very great ad vantages to agriculture if the principle of the Bill were carried into practice. He thought, however, that an experiment of the kind that was contemplated had better be tried in some lees populated district, but instead of that the most densely inhabited part of the metropolis had been selected. The effluvia from these operations would be very offensive. And to understood it would be necessary to have a clairaney 100 feet higher than St. Paul's to carry off the effluvia. A noxious gas would be generated, which would tend greatly to injure the health of the inhabitants of the metropolis. A similar experiment had been tried at Edinburgh ; but in consequence of the numerous deaths that were occasioned, the scheme was abandoned. Other experiments had been tried, but all had been abandoned in consequence of the injury to health that re sulted from the noxious effluvia. He should move, as an amendment, that the Bill be read a second time this day six months. Sir ROBERT INGLIS seconded the amendment, and al though the promoters of the Bill contemplated conferring be nefits on agriculture, he would not he a party to benefiting the agriculturists at the expense of the health of the inhabitants of towns. The scheme was one which, if undertaken at all, ought to be undertaken by the Government, and not by a public com pany. The Bill contemplated raising a large reservoir of ma nure, and then squirting it up to the height of Highgate-hill. The effluvium would overtop the neighbouring hills of the me troeolis, and would give rise to typhus fever and other diseases. Mr. MANNERS SUTTON said it was a general rule that in private Bills Members of the Government should take no part; but the present Bill was one that interfered with public health, and therefore the Government were bound to give an opinion upon it. It appeared that the public health was likely to suffer if the princliles of the Bill were allowed to be carried into vractieal operation, from the malaria and noxious effluvia which would be generated. Colonel T. W OOD stated, in reply, that he considered Go vernment should not in'erfere in the measure—at any rate not on the second readil% Sir G. GREY thought the Government had acted quite proper'y in causing an inquiry to be instituted into the matter. Sir J. GRAHAM proposed that the consideration of the question should be postponed till Monday next, when the re port prepared for the Government would be placed in the hands of Hon. Members. _ Lord R. GROSVENOR supported the proposition. ' The further consideration of the question was then postponed till this day week. RYE AND DERWENT RAILWAY. Mr. EVELYN DENISON called the attention of the House, at the time of bringing up the report on this Bill, to the opposi tion of the Ecclesiastical Commissioners to the preamble of that Bill. The Hon. Member stated that it appeared strange to himself and other Members of the Committee that the society should have fumds to - spend in.this opposition, while it could not pay tie sums required for the carrying out of its legitimate pur poses. It was. however, accounted for by the circumstance that Mr CI arlcs R%ight Murray uas Secretary to the I.!om mision ; Air, J. Murray, his brother, AN as the solicitor who conducted the case; a nd Mr. Murray, the third brother, was the Counsel before the Committee. The Speaker was here summoned to the House of Lords to hear the Royal Assent given to several Bills. On his return, Mr. E. DENISON said, that during the absence of the Speaker from the House, a paper had been put into his (Mr. Dennison's) hands, which was addressed to himself, and which was signed White and Murray;• hut he begged to say that, until he came into the Hoe e, he had had no knowledre whatever of it. He now begged to say that it ap peared to the Committee that the Ecclesiastical Commissioners had failed to prove their case, and he appealed to several members of the Committee whom he now saw present to state whether he was correct or not. . Mr. G. PALMER said, that he, as Chairman of the com mittee, quite concurred with the Hon. Member. Mr. HASTIE said it appeared to him that no case had been made out ; from all he had heard of it, he should say it ap peared to him very like a job. Mr. E. DENISON said that he did not know now what the House would think of the paper he held in his hand. A similar case existed at the present moment in that House. The Hon. Member for Sunderland had been obliged to leave the House, and had placed in his hands two cases, which he desired him (Mr. Denison) to lay before the House. One of these cases was on the Newcastle and Darlington Railway Bill, against which the Ecclesiastical Commissioners peti tioned, and required their costs to be paid by the parties againstwhom they petitioned. He had, in speaking of this case, gone somewhat beyond what he ought to have said. He had stated that no reasons had occurred to the Commissioners, instead of which he should have said that no reason presented itself to the minds of several members of that Com mission that there was no cause for those proceedings, except the fact that Mr. Charles Knight Murray petitioned, another Mr. M urrray was the solicitor, and a third Mr. d : na y ng w d ahsi thatr n t h h e ten c t o bh u roi n un s gg e h l Mur tthfeothrsauttbh jt e ch,net ß t i in l m l ndeewr A h n teh o n t e h i e tn r owt r ain e se a n s n o e n which in fc the e s sa ry House that )hh the He Ac e ro d em i h d bm n i si lt s s op a ns y , so without great respect some reconstruction of the Ecclesiastical Commission should take pit it place.—( everyaes. — co Hear,( mmpe omseb de h r c on , a ff r tt andfor when ßst i be stated E England that and and Wales, the Lord Chancellor, the Lord Chie o f P L o st . First Lord of the Treasury, and other gentlemen of thleTi'ithe respectability, no one could doubt that they were all honourable men. There was not sufficient individual responsibility, the business was entrusted to toe few ; but if the re was a secretary in whom the public could rely; the business would be better conducted. He did not think Mr. Charles Knight Murray was a man of that description. He had been put down in va rious railways as a subscriber to the amount of 500,0001., and he wished to know whether the reports current were correct— viz., that Mr. Knight Murray had had railway clerks waiting in the office of the Commis,ior.ers while he signed scrip up stairs. He did not think that the public interest would be rro perly entrusted in the hands of Mr. Murray. Sir J. GRAHAM said that the question had not been brought under his consideration, and that therefore he would confine his observations to the report which was then under discussion. He had no opportunity of knowing the exact merits of the case. But if he was rightly informed, the whole charge consisted in the alleged improper sale of two hundred acres of ecclesiastical lands, from the cir cumstance of the secretary to the Board of Ecclesiastical Com missioners being a brother of the solicitor engaged for the Company, and a third brother being the advising Counsel. This commission had most invidious duties to perform. In behalf of the church it was their bounden duty to defend their reversionary interests. Reference had been made to the con duct of these commissioners with regard to railway Bills. Now no less: than sixty notices had been served upon the com mission, and they would have neglected their duty if they had not presented petitions to have clauses inserted in the various railway Bills for the protection of the Church. They were compelled to present petitions, because it was by that course alone that they obtained a Lees standi before the Committee ; but in no case had they opposed the preamble of a railway Bill. With regard to Mr. Murray, he could see nothing in that gentleman's conduct which should render him censurable or unworthy of the greatest confidence. Sir G. G IiEV, who was most inaudible, was understood to say that a petition was necessary for the protection of certain rights, anti, that being the case, he could not see anything wrong in presenting it. The question for the House was, whether the Ecclesiastical Commissioners had carried their powers as Commissioners out too far, He could only say, with regard. to Mr. Murray, that he had done nothing which could be blamed in the slightest manner, for he considered that he had discharged his duties with great efficacy. He hoped, however, that some arrangement would be come to so as to prevent any mistake occurring in future. Mr. STEWART said it was very satisfactory to him to see the turn which this case had taken. But it appeared to him that some Honourable Members laboured under some misapprehension as to the actual injury which the property of the Ecclesiastical Commissioners would sustain. Here was a Bill which was proposed to drain two hun dred acres of land, and in addition to that, this same property would also be most injuriously affected to the extent of 4eo acres by the manner in whieh this Bill proposed to deal with them. No doubt the wanner in which the Committee had dealt with the matter might be right, but the effect of it would be to burden these 400 acres of land, which the tenants would not have to pay, but which would fall exclusively upon the commissioners. And now let him ask, was it because those commissioners had thought proper to suggest that they could deal with those lands in a more advantageous manner than was proposed by the Bill, that therefore they were not justified in adopting this proceeding? Be should say also that he did not think that the Honourable Member who had brought the motion forward had stated the matter quite fully. He considered it was a very strange charge to make, that a brother of a barrister employed by the commissioners could not be secretary to the board ; and he understood it was made for the first time, for it was not considered as such by the mem bers of the commission. He knew the gentleman in quest ion, he was a member of the Chancery bar, and he hoped the House would forgive him for saying that he considered that it was very im proper to make charges against a gentleman without giving any notice either to him or his friends, so as to enable him to ex ' plain his conduct or even defend it. He could state that he knew the gentleman some years ago, and he knew him to be a man of honour and integrity—( Hear, hear) —and he fully deserved the commendations which he had re ceived from the Right Hon. Baronet. Mr. EVELYN DENISON said he would not take the trouble to again advert to the various circumstances of the case ; his opinion remained unchanged.— (Cries of ‘. Order, order.") Well, then, as a matter of ex planation, he would say that he acquainted the gentleman of what he intended to say in the /louse ; so, therefore, the com plaint of the Hon. Gentleman that due notice was not given was by no means well founded. Mr. SPOONER, in pursuance of notice which he had al ready given, moved that " the petition of the Company of Proprietors of the Oxford Canal Navigation, presented on the 12th of May against the Midland Railway Bill, be referred to , the Committee on the Midland Railway (Burton-upon-Trent) to Nuneaton Branch and Ashby Canal Purchase Bill." Mr. WILSON PATTEN opposed the motion. He dill so with regret, as he did not wish to interfere in any motion on private business, but he thought his friend the Member for Birmingham bad relied too much upon the Report of the Com mittee of Amalgamation. Sir G. GREY thoughtit was quite advisable that this matter should be referred to the Committee of Amalgamation. Mr. SPOONER thought that a clear case had been made out, and his impression was that under the circumstances it would be better to wait the report of the Committee of Se lection. Yet, as the matter now stood, the probability was the House would not agree to his proposition, and that the report of the Committee would be consequently of little use. Mr. W. PATTEN would wish to guard against any sup position that this petition was treated with disrespect, or had not received sufficient attention from the House. Mr. SPOONER said as matters now stood it would be bet ter to withdraw the motion, and it was accordingly withdrawn, on the motion to that effect being put from the Chair. Mr. C. BERKELEY presented five petitions against the Oxford and Cheltenham Railway. Mr. SEYMER presented several petitions against the East Cornwall Railway. Mr. MILLS presented a petition from the landowners on the line against the Oxford and Worcester Railway Extension Bill. Mr. BROTHERTON presented a petition in favour of the Manchester and Sheffield Railway. Mr. H. HINDE presented a petition against the West Yorkshire Railway. MR. SMITH O'BRIEN. Mr. O'CONNELL presented petitions from Dublin, and several other places in Ireland, regretting the detention of Mr. Smith O'Brien in custody, and stating their belief that it was unjustifiable in a constitutional view. Mr. P. SCROPE presented a petition from the poor of Ballingarry, stating that they received sixpence a day with two meals during the winter from the farmers in their district, and that they received eightpence a day during the summer, making an average of sevenpence a day, and with what they received they were obliged to pay debts incurred during scarce seasons, and for the credit which they received then they wer e obli g ed to pay a most usurious interest. The petition wassisned by upwards of 300 persons. It appeared by this petition t here were 600 families at the present momen t in a state of star vation, whom it was the bounden dut y of the Leg i slature to relieve. CORN-LAWS. Sir John Eastitope, Lord George Bentinck, Mr. Esteourt, and Mr. Hawes prevented ApYNOOT H etiiions on the corn-laws. M. Mr. P. BORTIIWICK stated that he had postponed his motion the other nigi.t on the Poor-law Settlement Bill in consideration of the debate on the corn-law, and he should bring it on this day fortnight. Mr. PLUMPTRE presented a petition praying for the re peal of the Bth and 9th Victoria, which provided a grant for the College of Maynooth out of the public funds. ROMAN CATROLIC RELIEF. Mr. B. ESTCOTT presented a petition from Richmond, in Surrey, in favour of the Roman Catholic Disabilities Re. lief Bill. THE RAILWAY MEETING'S. Sir JOHN EA STHOPE wished to ask the Right Hon. Baronet at the head of the Government, supposing a meeting of scripholders in a particular railway company to be held before the Bill passed through Committee, and the Bill after wards passed;the Committee, whether, if the Committee should materially alter the Bill, another meeting of the scripholders would be necessary ? Sir ROBERT PEEL said that his answer to that question was, that lie did not think it requisite for any further meeting of the scripholders to be held in order to obtain a third read ing to the Bill. The resolutions of the Government did not render it obligatory to hold a further meeting, and he did not think such a course at all desirable. GAME-LAWS. Mr. J. COLLETT postponed his motion on the game-laws until Monday next. FACTORIES BILL. Mr. DITNCOMBE wished to know when it would be con venient for the Government to fix a day for the further con sideration of the Factories Bill ? Sir B. PEEL proposed to adhere to the plan which he had made some time since with respect to the progress of public busine.s. lie intended, in the first place, to go on with the Corn Bill, and, immediately after that Bill was disposed of, he should proceed with the tariff; and as several gentlemen had expressed a desire to have a discussion on the Settlement Bill, it would be advisable to take the outline of that Bill before going into Committee. Ile should take the tariff immediately alter the Corn Bill, and then proceed with the discussion on the Settlement Bill. With respect to 'the Factory Bill, he was willing to give the earliett day that he could which would not interfere with the progress of the more important public busi ness. He could not name the ( xact d a y which he was willing to set apart for the Factories Bill, but it should be the earliest day possible after the Bills he had mentioned had been dis posed of. CASE OF MR. TOULMIN SMITH. Mr. SPOONER moved fora Select Committee to consider the petitions of Mr. Tou:rnin Smith, and the papers presented to the House relative to the eye stated in those petitions. Mr. WAKLEY th ou g ht it would be inconsistent for the Hon. Gentleman t o press his motion at that period, w h en th e re was public business of so great importance before the House. Mr. SPOONER said, it would not be crnsMent ' in his op i n ion, with public duty, if he did not proceed with the motion of which he had given notice. The character of a man of high respectability had been publicly aspersed, and he re; ly felt that he would tiot be doing ju,tic.e to his own conscience if he consented to postpone the motion.. It would not be neeas- sary to detain the I-louse at any great length. He had two objects in view. The first was to put Mr. Smith right with that House and with the public, and secondly he intended to call the attention of the House to the imperfect state of the law, which allowed so gross an indignity to he put on Mr. Toulmin Smith, with a ♦iew to having it altered. The member short staternent of the facts was "that a of the legal profession, at home, in the middle of the clay, had his house entered by two policemen and an excise officer, ander the pretence of searching for an il licit still. The only ground upon which the warrant to search the house was granted, was an assertion contained in an ano nymous letter, that a Mr. Smith, of a certain place, was keep ing an illicit still. The Hon. Gentleman then read some ex tracts of a statement made by the servants of the family, to prove the alarm that was occasioned among them by the en. trance of the police with the exciseman, who searched ev ry room in the house. It was conduct w hich ought not to be to lerated. There was another question which ought to be con sidered, and that was the power of the Principal Secretrary of State.—(Order, order_) He would not impute that the ma gistrate was in fault. On a full investigation . of this inquiry. he tt b mih e i oee l i syy e t v e leavedswe t oa b u, that t d nh thisge aq G nu i o den v s g e t r oi n i rnn m y e t on ought urt w gdh he o a rt u t I d i ttn o g oq r u a n rbpy t er t ?e h v a me t inquiry. Would He natd e h e. fraud, l ievled that ti h iha a et t inquiry were to be made, he felt assured that it would be granted. He asked for inquiry, and he there fore requested the inquiry, because if they brought in the Bill there would be cause of such an outcry that would altogether preclude the opportunity of an inquiry. On these grounds he should move for a Select Committee for inquiry. Mr. NEWDEGATE seconded the motion. Mr. CARDWELL felt that on the only ground on which the petition rested there was no discussion, but that which had reference to the inquiry into the character of Mr. Toulmin Smith. What actually took place was this. The Commissioner on tho 15th of March had made a report on which the report was founded. Now it happened that the Commissioner had been absent from his place of business on other business con nected with the office, and the officer acting at the time had sought he necessary warrant, and did obtain that warrant although its grounds were perfectly unjtrtifiable. That officer did obtain the warrant. He would not deny that this was unjustifiable, because he believed that it Wa , not required by the Act. The supervisor had proceeded on the authority which he derived from the magistrate, and with a policeman had proceeded to the premises, and had gone over them. In the course of this inquire the parties had found that there was a summer house in which there was a tacecleki in tention chimney, acknowledgment retiring i rt thehi n e g i rfr partp om a rotf t h t,l e ,e pr ee em m i 3 m os in th io e n r e e r c a r d r. b aot e rh e e n r :L o n : recent e la c e n. officer :e m r m engaged unica t communication ny had hde shown,Commissionerboth o th fro that, a l e t ,t letters er o h f im m s a e l l i f e a e s ly w h e a ll te a y s e f r ro i m ,ad th e a ex proceedings bring this accusation. to the r of was the n o ffi o breach of these regulaticrus iersof Excise. They tvras the rule of the office of Excise that on the Thursday every should be reported Thursday, Fiore.an r d they only did not receive that report until the then received it from the letters which his read. Mr. Card Nell then read letters to show the fa 4 C: i t e s nd hi h Th d he had stated, that the petitioner (Mr. Smith) w had ' felt the proceeding to be a grievance. The answer of the Commissioners of Excise was that in answer to the letter of Mr. Smith they felt it necessary to inquire of the officer, but that they -Comnds of the office, that no spi it would decide after they had get that information. The tor of Excise, as the Commissioners supposed, had lard infor mation before a magistrate, and if there was anything unjust or tyrannical they would revise the magistrate's decision. Mr. ° Smith by improper means got possessed of a written apo logy from Mr. Mann, and made use of it afterwards in pub lic, and refused to forego his action. The apology which he had now in his posses ion was given without prejudice. Mr. Mann had been " reprimanded" by the Commissioners of Excise for what he had done in this mat' er ; and he (Mr. Cardwell) begged to explain to the Houk the meaning of that word aMOIV'EL the officers of Excise. To" reprimand" a man in the employ of the Excise Commissioners was to deprive him of the posit;ility of promotion for three yeam. As to the question of damages, that was a case which the laws of Eng land left in the hands of the jury ; and they would decide-- not upon the mere amount of damages as claimed—but the real injury which would be sustained. The Excise had unOer it six thousand persons, and was presided. over with great ability by a Noble Lord, who was a Member of that House. The present case was one of the abuse of law ' • the person committing that ab use b a d b een pun i s h e d . So far as these things were concerned there was no need whatever for Parlia- mentary interference, and so far as he waConce;etediii; 11;2. Friend had stated that for sixty years the public had felt no in convenience whatever. There was, therefore, no need for further inquiry. Mr. IttUNTZ considered that an opinion which fell from the Hon. Member who had just sat down, at the commencement of his speech, was a very strange one. If a person were to enter his house without a warrant he would break his head. That would be the most speedy and summary way of doing justice. Sir T. WILDE said the motion of his Hon. Friend Ras founded on an act of public aggression. Mr. Smith, he te lieved, was a special pleader of considerable talent, and who bore a high character. There had been nothirv, in the nature of the visit of Mr. Mann at all exceeding what would be necessary for an officer in the discharge of his duty ; there was a great difference between a visit of that kind and a men ly complimentat y visit.—( Hear, hear.) The excuse for entering the House was certainly a very strange one. It was this, that in some houses not worse than hi s o wn h e h a d f oun d an .„. illicit still, therefore he searched Tisht.:e. --- i'Vel:.; required consideration by the House ' and he thought the Committee sh o uld b e appo i nte d. He did not think, with a view to Mr. T. Smith's case, there was any necessity for a Committee ; but the public really ought to hive some protec • lion against these unwarrantable attacks by public officers on their property. He considered that the magistrate, in issuing 'his warrant upon the application of an individual whose only ground of suspicion was an anonymous letter, had rendered himself urfit for his situation as a public magistrate. There was gross misconduct on the part of the officc , r for swearing to a cinums!arce which he did riot know to be a fact. But there was greater misconduct in the magistrate who granted the warrant upon insufficient grourds. What was the safc.ty of the public it such conduct is tolerated? Did it not deserve some severer punisl,ment than a loss of a chance of preferment? If a gentleman's house is to be searched on the authority of an anonymous letter, so much the worse for the public.—(Bear, hear.) It was at present uncertain whether the officer deceived the magistrate as to the facts of the case. But if he did not deceive the magistrate, his conduct was most reprehensible, and the public had a right to be made aware of the circumstances, and an inquiry ought to be ,oTanted. The ATTORNEY GENERAL said, that he was at a Mao to know what was the real object of the Hon. Gentleman's motion for an inquiry. No person had defended the conduct of the officer. The Government did not defend it ? What then was the object of the inquiry ? Not into the facts—they had been already admitted—but for the purpose of decid'ng whether the Commissioners had done enough for the punish matt of the officer. But the House should recollect that illicit stills had been discovered in the very same neighbors.- hood, in houses far superior in appearance to that of Mr. Smith. And his Hon. Friend should remember, that at times the only method of reaching frauds committed upon the rever ue was through the means of anonymous information. The col lector put the case into the hands of an experienced officer, one who had been employed for more than two-and-thirty years by the revenue, and had always conducted himself well. lie considered, however, that the officer had not acted cautiously in the matter, nor should the House deem that he was defend ing his conduct on that occasion, for he did not consider that persons should come before a magistrate and make or ths upon loose information ; and if the magistrate did not see that such was done, he admitted he was hardly justified in granting a war rens. However, Mr. Smith had his remedy against the officer, for he had an action against him, and could recover damages.. It was asserted that great violence had been done in the execu tion of the warrant ; but let the House remember that Mr. Smith had in his letter to the Commmissioners laid them at 101., and now he came before the House and told them that it was not a personal, but a public question. This was the way. Mr. Smith, disappointed in his personal views, made it a public question. Mr. Smith was not an illiterate man, and his con duct upon that occasion ought to be narrowly looked to. He took advice of eminent counsel, and was advised that he could maintain an action, and obtain damages for 5001. taef.de,tobud Mr. Toulmin He sought an interview with the officer, and endeavoured to obtain a written apology from him, which would implicate the magistrate, so that he might be afterwards able to put him, as a witness, into the bex, and obtain a mass of evidence. The officer offered every apology which a man could offer, but be refused to implicate the magistrate. He would ask, what was meant by asking for this Committee ? if it was called for upon public grounds, he would maintain that it was necessary for the Excise to have the extended powers which they possessed for the detention of subtle evasions of the excise-laws. f The law law was perfectly well known, and had been in opeLa r tim o number of years, and he considered it necessar y ro tection of the revenue. con duct of the excise-officer in the present case, t efe a nd wa thseac ase Smith brought his action .in a co urt justice, and this was the House to interfere under such circumstances. No public pending.,wtiiitihwhichthe House ought' one not a to t t I ra n: It would be worse than useless, therefore, for gr ounds whatever said, ha thatdbeen evsthaotewdwehr imprudentyth they should do so. Mr. might be the conduct of Mr. Toulmin Smith with regard to the pecuniary claim made on him by the Board of Excise, he considered that he was a respectable man. He would not, how ever, go into the question on account of his case alone ; at any rate, the documents were not fully before th‘m, and until they were he was not able to form an accurate ju: g merit of the circumstances. He admitted that it was necessary for the Excise to have large powers, but thise powers ought to be under due control, and such cases as the present showed that there was not that responsibility which ought to exist. No grounds whatever had been shown for the course pursued upon this occasion. There was no outrage he admitted, but the officer had evinced such zeal as to go up stairs into the bed-rooms, and he actually searched the maid servants' boxes.-- (Laughter. ) He knew of several cases of very great oppression—particularly in reference to seizures of tobacco—which worked the greatest injustice. This ought not to be permitted. Ile thought that sufficient inquiry I ad not been made before procce, jogs were taken in the present case, and under all the circumstances he was of opinion that the Committee should be appointed. e o n n . e m o e r m t i : , T e O r ma lN t l te r. n ß in ß r l e G fe H re T nee th t o o u w gh h t at i w t a d s es s i t r a a t b e l d e for Clitheroe. The charge of e xtortion made against .I%ir. b f y o th st e at H e Smith, for his claim for compensation on the Excise, was p 'na fectiv absurd, and would be scouted by all who knew him. (Hear, hear.) With regard to the apology referred to, as agi eed to be taken by Mr. Smith, from the officer, it was tat: en away by the officer, and afterwards brought back so altered that Mr. Smith could not accept it. From private let ters which he (Mr. Bright) had seen regarding Mr. Smith's character, he was perfectly convinced that all he had in view was to expose a gross pet version of the law with a view to its remedy, and he bad no sifish object to serve in making his claim on the Excise for compensation, as it was well known that he intended to hand over the amount he received to a charitable institution.—(Hear, hear.) He believed that Gentleman was incapable of anything d s honourable, and he hoped this inquiry would, in justice to lis divide.") NEWDEG A TE sa i d t ha t the thanks of the House were c ha rac ter be graeted.—( Hear, hear , and cries of " Divi .e, Mr. due to the lion. M(mber for Birmingham, for having brought this question on by a:motion, and the thanks of the House we re also due to the Hon Baronet the Member for Worcester for supporting so very groper a motion. A cliarge had been made against a gentleman, and he now wished to Lave it prope, ly inquired into. Ile considered this a case for a Committee of . ikir. WAKLE.Y should be sorry Inquiry, and he could net tee the ju s ti ce o f refusing it. for the House to divide without the result being for granting an inquiry into this nr st singular case. The Learned Gentleman the Attorney-General had adverted to the character of Mr. Smith. When parties came before this House, to seek redress for injury, at the hands of pine functionaries, charges the most despicable were brought against the complainants. Who before this case Lad dared to say a word against the character of that gentleman ? It was said that Mr. Smith had entrapped the officer into a fault. If that was the case, why dread an ir . quiry ? why refuse it? It had been complained of that Mr. smith did not conduct hors er c his case in a judicious manner. petted that he s hould ? M o r. Smith, %% a l l 3 a , vey had ' himself s t el ' f e f ' ; a client, and he his Hon. and Learned Frier d put if t lawyer . thepos sibly c onduct a case without the pleasurable excitement of the Attorney-General, a without the fse could professional u sual.—(Laughter.) He was surprised at the