The Sun. — London, England, 1846-05-08 00:00:00

A ILWAY COMMITTEES. (YESTERDAY.) GROUP IV. The Select Committee appointed to consider the merits of the Bills comprised within this group re-assembled at the usual hour this morning, and procectle I with their labours, Mr. W. B. Hope in the chair. PERTH AND iNITERNESS. The business of the day was commenced with the cross-examina tion of Mr. Joseph Mitchell, the acting engineer of the line, by Mr. B. ANDREWS, on behalf of the Great North of Scotland Company.—The length of the line from Redgorton to Nairn was 1 l 1 miles, 3 furlongs, and 5 chains, and from Nairn to Inverness 1531 miles. The line would not run right into Nein', but there would be a short branch to accommodate the main traffic of about 7 miles in length. From this point of junction to Redgorton there would be only a single line of rails, with the exception of a short distance, Athol Valley, where there would be a double line of way. The highest 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 an elevation of 800 feet. From In verness to a point near Nairn, a distance of ten miles, they ascended 596 feet on gradients of 1 in 84 for seven miles, 1 in 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 1 in 331, on a straight line crossing the river, and 1 in 100 alter crossing it of five miles, hree 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 1,125 feet. From this point to Inverness they were on an ascending gradient of I in 147 for 6 miles, 1 in 75 for 8 miles, lin 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 line. Between Inverness and Nairn they would not occur more frequently than at other partions of the line. They would be equAlly divided throughout the whole line. From Elgin to .Nairn there would be four stations. He con templated running four passenger trains, two Sunday trains, and onegoods trains eac h d ay. The mail coach f rom Perth to ce In verness was often sent roun d b y t h e coast i n w i n t er , consequence of the contractors finding it more profitable to send the bags on horse back, and someth n es i consequence of the roa d s b e ing s topped up with snow. The Edinbur g h and Glasgow incline of 1 in 42 was expensive stationary eneine ; and this ob. ervationThe line termi nated worked by an applied also to the Lickay incline on the Birmingham and Gloucester. at Redgorton, where it joined a branch of the Scotch Midland. He 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 shareholders 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 203,5611. more than his estimate. The estimate for the Great North. of Scotland, with double llnes, would be 10,562,0001., and of the Perth and Inverness, and Aberdeen, Banff, and Elgin, 20,816,0001. The capit a l o f t h e line from Aberdeen to Perth was 1,500,0001. 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 Fettle t o Redgorton would be 5 0,0001., which would have to be added to the 20,816,0001. His estimate for working a double line was 401. per cent., and a single said Nairn to Elgin 33/. per cent. On re-examination he the Great North of Scotland included in their system two branches to Frazerbergh and Peterhead, which he had not taken into consideration in making 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, vrhile the Great North of Scotland shares we re not rateable at all I; 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 he worked by an ordinary engine. There were many gradients already in existence of a similar charac ter worked by or di nary engines. But many of his gradients which were considered objectionable might be avoided altogether. It WAS not that a co ac h cou l d not get along the Highlan d roa d th a t the m ai l was not run sometimes in winter, but because the mail contractor found they made more profit by sacrificing the passengers and running the mails with horses, which they had in large numbers for posting in summer, while in winter they would be idle were it not for the mails. The detail of his estimates agreed with Mr. Gibbs's. His own prices were somewhat ligher, while they were much higher than what he was in the habit of paying. The highest point of the Great North of Scotland was about six hundred feet. Mr. Errington, who is associated with Mr. Lock as an engineer, was the next witness called.—lle said he had, in conjunction with his partner, examined tie roue of the proposed line, and he could confirm the evidence of Mr. Mitch,ll in everyjespect. From the nature of the country, the works were ofreinarkably 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 M r. M itchell ' s principle for Scotch lines he had no hesitation whatever in saying the work could be completed for the sum given la 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 flue notwithstanding what had 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 ofls. Scotland , while, at th e same t i me, there would be a saving of 1 2d. per ton on the thrott:th. traffic. In a through and a circu tious line, the one that had the end, or last link of the line, would have power to decide which way die 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 limas of the through line, because there could not be say doubt that the local ought 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. AUSTIN, he said he was decidedly of opinion that sooner or later a direct line would have to be made, and certainly tie the through line on: lt to be made before the coast line. 'f here certainly were some gradients of no ordinary character on this line, but this was all a matter of exnense. They were not such as could not be worked by an ordinary powerful engine. The Committee adjourned shortly after four o'clock. r--past twelve o'clock, Colonel CIZOUP V This Committee met to-day at half Fox in the chair. FORTH AND CLVID.II ZUNCTION. This, the last Rill 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 ❑p the valley of the Forth, crossing over in the direc tiOn of Killearn and Dryinen. and terminating at Alexandria, in the valley of the Leven, near to the point from whence the river issues from Lochlomonti. The line was 30 miles in length, and presented no engineering difficulties, 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 terininue, in the neighbourhood of Lochlo • mond, be attractive to tourists. There was only One tunnel 240 yards long. The steepest gradient on the male line was one in too ; 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. SCOTTISaI CENTRAL (PER.TH TERMINI AND BRANCHES). The Committee to which this groan is referred met to-clay at 12 o'qlock at noon, in Room 29. Present, Sir J. C. Habhcuse (chairman), Mr. Aldwrman Humphay, Mr. Dickenson, Mr. Mundy, and Mr. Neeld. The proceedings commenced by the Members going through the clauses of this Bill, which, without any exception, were agreed to. DUNDEE AND PERTH. This was the next Bill for the consideration of the Committee, and on its being called on, Mr. Sergeant Muaray proposed for insertion a clause to the effect that the promoters of this railway should be prevented from entering upon the South Inch under any powers contained in their Bill of the preceding ye-ir. The room was cleared, and on our re-admi3sion The CHAIRMAN said—l beg to say that the Committee have come to the determination o: inserting the clause, if it shall be found that it is not contrary to the standing orders of the House of Lords. The. Secretary I.ss been dispatched to consult with the secretary of Lord Shaftesbury's Committee upon the point, and he will very soon let us know the result of his com munication. I think at the same time that it is right to let you know that it is the unanimous feeling of the Committee, that you, the representatives of the town council, should give every assistance in your power to this company to establish a station upon the Waterhouse. I should like to know whether that is your intention ? 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 from the House of Lords, informed the Committee that the clause in question would be struck out of the Bill when it reached the Lords, Mr. Sergeant MURPIIIC prop, which would avoid the Lords. The clause was agreed ;e:1 another clause to the same effect, objection that might be raised in the The postponed clauses of the Pill were then gone through, tumultuously agreed to. The Com ' initieethei; adjourned until Monday. (I.:WUP This Committee assembled to-day VI twelve ,at o'clock. Present, Mr. B. Palmer, chairman, and the other Meiniters. STIRLING AND 313UNPER.D17.1NE. The conshteratiou of this Bill was resumed. Mr. 31'Nsit., on behalf of the Bill, said that he would endeavour to abbreviate the case as much as possible, and proceeded to call Air. Robert Robertson, provost of Dunfermline, who stated that he was a banker at Dunfermline, where he had lived for thirty-five years, mid with the traffic of which he was wtll acquainted. The proposed railway would be the means of affording facility for carrying the traffic of that town to Glasgow. Anothei advantage that would result from the proposed railway was the means it would give of conveying troops from Stirling, where there was a depot, to Dunfermline, which had been in a very disturbed state of la R. This witness was cross-examined at some length, but withow eliciting anything of importance. The Committee decided that the preamble of this Bill .Into proved, and then proceeded to assi,nilate the tolls, &c. to the usual standard. EDINBURGH AND NORTHEAP7 (LOCH GELLY AND ZZSLI.II 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 only live miles in extent, and would afford a much shorter communication through the town of Dunfermline, 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 or great advantage to Leslii•, where there were from 4,000 to 5,000 tons of coal consumcd annually. There were eight flax mills in work in the neighbourhood of Leslie. Cross-examlned—These, mills were half a mile or less from the village of Leslie. Did not consider ttic road from the bridge over the Leven to Lesli e as od a de good f level road, though h e understood that there had been a goal om e mills about Leslie were in th e va ll ey of Leven. xpe nded on it. All the Atter some further evidence in corroboration had been heard, the Committee adjourned. CROUP VIII, The Select Committee appointed to consider the merits of the Bills oompr6ed within this group met at the usual hour this morning, Mr. B. Hawes in the chair. ZDINBURGH AND X.ZITII ATIVZOSPECEEL/C. The while of the day was occupied with evidence to show that the proposed line was unnecessary, inasmuch as the existing Edin burgh, Leith, and Granton lice was amply sufficient to accommodate the traffic of the district. The Committee adjourned at four o'clock. GROUP XI The Committee assembled at the usual hour this morning, Mr. Henley chairman. AIRDRIE AND T3ATEGATE JUNCTION, AND Exonvnuman AND BATIIGATE. The time of the Committee was occupied the entire day in Being through the several clauses of these two Bills, all of which were agreed to. The Committee at Its rising. adjourned until Monday, the 25th ins GROUP XIII The Committee met to-day at twelve o'clock, Sir W. Clay In the chair. Members present, Carl Jerznyn, Lord Shelburne, Mr. Cur- Ids, and Mr. P. Ainsworth. GLASGOW, Dunrziczs, AND CARLISLE. The evidence on b, hail (if this Mie was resumed. Mr. Blythe was recalled and briefly examined on the estimates for constructing the Dm% Mr. Miller, civil engia.er, ex imined. —tie, , agreed with the eel. deuce of Mr. Blythe. The line was laid clomp ii i the best way to suit the convenience of the country. He estimated the working of the line at 33 per ce n t, on th e gross receipts, the agreeing to work it at the. rate. The line, by Ayrshire Company this arrangement, could be worked more econoinica l y than by independent arra menu.nge- Cross.examined by Mr. Mora—lre calculated in the arrangements he proposed that the whole scheme would tie traversed four times each way daily, with about six pa•tsein , er carriages to each train. He could not give the average width of the line throughout. The scheme was substantially the same as Ltst year, only shorter at each end, a portion having been cut off at Clunnock and Carlisle. Last year the line was classed as a competing line with the Caledonian Railway, but it was so classed against his will. He then admitted that the Dumfries line would take ptts engers as expeditiously as the Cale donian liar, and, therefore, that the former 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 f,,, nat i onal objects, as di rectly connecting the north with the south. The Caledonian sch eme, if perfected, he admitted woul:i give all the advantages of the present scheme, with the exception of the portion between Cumnock and Dumfries. The CIIAIRMAN , coked if the promo:ers had any traffic tables to put in, showing the receipts expected from the different parts of the line ; that was the expected trailic on the Dumfries and Cumnoc% portion, the Carlisle and Dumfries portion, and the two branches separately ? _ _ Mr. TALBOT said they were Rot prepared with those tables at present, but should the Committee not be satisfied with the evidence already given, they had more witnesses to call, who would furnish the details. Mr. Comostris said that the case of the promoters had been placed before the Committee on the supposition of there being sufficient local traffic to warrant the construction of the line. It had been brought forward on its own merits. That there was such traffic as was alleged, he, on behalf of the Caledonian Company, totally denied, and maintained that the Dumfries line could not be worked without taking away a considerable portion of the Caledonian traffic, to the great prejudice and loss of that company. It had been proved that year that the through traffic would be more than sufficient to pay for the construction of one line, and give a fair interest in the capital in vested by the latter company. The Crtsrastatt 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 througll traffic, then the Committee would ord e r the room to be cleared an decide upon the point raised as to the detailed traffic tables being furnished. Mr. TALBOT had not the slightest objeetoo whatever to sup plying further evidence on local traffic should the Committee require it, but he was not then prepared with tables to the effect re quired. h If time would mewas g go on w i th th e lventhtables furtherwo uldbe e, go id t enee, ready, w h ar c d h, in w t i h th e meantime that already given, the tables would be founded. trusted the traffichetable was expected, as h tables would precisel y maintainedselythpar tic3ullra.rCrouKrceßuss N tnis from which 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 W h ole case C at issue depended on the question of traffic under consideration. °c After some further conversation pro and con, to the same effect, it was arranged by the Committee, in com pli ance application, that tables of the details of traffic should be mad e oa t , to with In be supplied in the morning, and shat, the mean M time, evidence s might be taken as to the points o n w hi c h t h e tables would be bas ed. Mr. Agents 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 the tables were to be founded. He thought it would be I better at once to adjourn, and have the tables put in, when any evi dence the promoters of the Bill thought best calculated to prove them might be submitted. The Committee, in consequence of this, adjourned till to-morrow at twelve o'clock. GROUP XIV. NORTH /CENT 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 Wasnessm 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. Vignoles's 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 accommodating the public as a company which possessed that line alone, and which knowing that it was theirs 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 WRANGHAM 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 lion. Members forming the Committee, The Climax/az announced that the Committee would give Its de cision at half-past three o'clock to-morrow. GROUP XVIII. SOMEILSETSHIRE MIDLAND. - This Committee resumed its sittings this morning, at 12 ()clock, Mr. D. Denison in the chair. Mr. Sergeant 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 to 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 cubic yards ; of this quantity there were 154,525 cubic 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 earthwork. The slopes would not be more than Ito 1. There were six miles of an ascending gradient of a bad 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 Moroson, 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 mlless 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 cam which he had estimated. Mr. Miller, C.E., had examined the sections 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. Barge, 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 Somersetahire, and a director of the company, was the neat 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. TMs witness closed the case of the promoters. The Committee then adjourned till to-morrow at twelve. GROUP XX. The Committee met this morning at the usual hour ; Mr. Sotherou in the chair. WINDSOR. SLOUGH, AND STAINES, ATMOSPHERIC. This day was occupied with the cross-examination of Mr. Vignoles, on the engineering works and the plans, up to four o'clock, when the Committee adjourned till 12 o'clock to-morrow. GROUP XXVII. The Committee re-assembled to-day at the usual hour ; Sir Charles Lemon in the chair. SOUTH MIDLAND (NORTHAMPTON TO HEDPORD). The evidence on traffic was proceeded with WS morning. Mr. Raikes Currie, M.P. for Northampton, and Mr. Jay, an ac countant in the City, corroborated the evidence of Mr. Vernon Smith and the other witnesses who were examined yesterday. They were of opinion that the proposed railway would be of Incalculable advan tage to Northampton, whose population and trade were gradually increasing. Tte latter gentleman described the present traffic to amount to 23,9001., and detailed the estimated number of passen gers, &c., anticipated from the present railway. After a long discussion about the traffic tables, and the giving of further evidence, the Committee decided that they would not call upon Mr. Flood or Mr. Mellor to cross-examine the last witnesses before they examined the tables, and Mr. Austin was left to his own discretion as to whether he would examine any other witnesses as to traffic. Mr. Joseph Stockburn, a draper fir thirty years at Kettering, was then examined as to the traffic at that place. He stated that the inhabitants of Kettering were favourable to the project, and that it would be of great advantage to them. The Committee adjourned at four o'clock till twelve o'clock to morrow. GROUP XXX. This Committee re-assembled to-day at the usual hour. Preseni Lord Charles Wellesley (chairman), and the other Members. AYLESBURY AND THAME JUNCTION RAILWAY. Mr. W. Clarke, examined by Mr. WitLs—Carried on business as a carrier and farmer at Luton. There was so 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. Mr. E. Chase, examined by Mr. Wiu.s—Was a surgeon, residing at Luton. Knew that Mr. Byce and other large plait manufacturers were of opinion that this line (the Cambridge and Oxford) would de no good to the town. Mr. Wannistorosi 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. CaLenart., 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 Com mittee adjourned at four o'clock till to-morrow. GROUP MY. This Committee met to day shortly after twelve o'clock, Mr. G Bankes in the chair. They proceeded with further evidence in the case of the MBERGATZ, NOTTINGHAM, AND 210 - TON LINE. Mr. Rastrick, the engineer, whose evidence was commenced yesterday, was again examined in detail, to explain the engineering merits of the line. A discussion arose between Mr. Burke, for the Midland Counties, and Mr. Sergeant Clark, in support of the Ambergate, Nottingham, and Boston Company, in respect to as agreement entered into by the latter with the former, according to which the Midland Counties Company were to have the construction of six miles of the line be tween Ambergate and Nottingham. The room was eventually cleared, that the Committee might deliberate as to whether the Midland Counties were in a position to put in evidence of that agreement. On the re - admission of strangers, we understood that the agree ment WWI not received, and the Bill was to proceed. th w. C e h m t time oAther t:t:Ay e said wt htz t h od a p t re if zi the other was a competing line, this was wofitthheitemomzeteeconuepuorriretnhtelyqwuietsh tion, tli,lzfreirlla. amble of his Nil olonged was proved. discussion, the Committee deckled that the p re - They next called on the case of the EAST COAST LINE, the parties to which were not immediately ready, and some delay ensued. At length it was agreed that the East Coast line be postponed, and that the NOTTINGHAM, MANSFIELD, AND MID LAND JUNCTION. should be taken first to-morrow, the East Coast to be taken next. The Committee then adjourned. GROUP XXXVII. The Committee met at twelve o'clo c k yesterd the chair. a y , L ord Seymour in SHEFFIELD AND MANCHE/M=lC ( Br a LET JUNCTION). -- —." The examination was continued of witnesses to show the trffi , likely to be made by the accommodation offered by the line passing over the coal-field, when Messrs. Jeffcock, Brown, and Rh o d es gave evidence similar to what was elicited yesterday. Mr. Lee, resident engineer on the Sheffield and Manchester, stated In 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 01500 yards, and 440 yards on this branch, and the gradients were rather steep, being one in 95 for 8 1 4 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 could not be laid out with . . 1 more favourable gradients. The estimate was 330,0001. for the whole expenses of the completion of the line, which he considered would be valuable as a through line between Manchester and Goole and Hull, In giving his evidence on the Woraborough branch, Mr. 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 line, so that there would be a gradient of I in 60 for 3 miles, and I in 100 for the remainder, and with heavy trains they would require an assistant engine. There was one tunnel on the line 990 yards long. The estimate for the branch, including land and all other ex penes would be 150,0001. In answer to a question about the ad ditional expense of working a line with steep gradients, the witness DREADFUL ACClDENT.—Yesterday morning, a t half. stated that on the Sheffield and Manchester line, where there was a past two o'clock, two men were driving a Greenwich Sy over Water gradient of one in 100, the cost of locomotive power was 6 d. per 1 00 -b r i dge. towar d s the Strand, when the horse start.d, and threw running mile, which was one penny less than it was in Lancashire. both the driver and a man riding on the box with him to the ground. Mr. Locke, the engineer. gave evidence corroborative of the Pre- The driver was not hurt, but his companion was obliged to be taken vious witness. He hollered that a junction between the Sheftield and Manchester and the North Midlands would be one of the most to King's College Hospital, with no hope of recovery. The hors. then darted towards Lancaster•place. where, with the shahs only important lines in existence of the same length, and that no other lo comotive line would eff ec t thi s but the line to Barnsley —it town attached ,_ to him, he fell against a lamp post , and was left in a dying state. PROVIDENT CLERKS' MUTUAL . BE FUNDNEFIT ASSOCIATION AND BENEVOLENT i . which had a great deal of traffic, and mostly to the westward, which had 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 XL. LEEDS AND YORE RAILWAY. The Committee resumed this day. Mr. Stafford O'Brien (chair.. man), Lord Norreys, Mr. Bright, Mr. Sheridan, an d Mr. Dugdale took their seats at twelve o'clock. Mr. Cope's cross-examination by Mr. TItz.DTARD was continued— He stated that the North Midland Company were not aware until the third week of the observations be was making, when they dis missed some ofhis men. If a train professed to start at a certain hour, and arrived at its terminus a quarter of an hour later, Mr. Cope set this down as a quarter of an hour lost. There was no frost during these three weeks of observation, as far as his memory served him. Mr. ArLDTARD endeavoured to invalidate this witness's statement with regard to loss of time on the North Midland, by affirming that the returns given in by the witness did not tally with Bradshaw's tables of the same date. The Ist of April was taken as an example, on which day Mr. Cope allowed 9 hours 19 minutes for seven trains from York to Leeds. The Learned Counsel did not, however, controvert this fact, but maintained that the time advertised by the Company for starting 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 per cent. greater than on the Tadcaster line. Be now begged to say that. it was 100 per cent. greater. Mr, HILDYABD closely 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 evidene on the point. The traffic between Wetherby• and York he estimated at about 3601. • between Wetherby and, Leeds at about 1,2.501. ; 2,5501. as the whole revenue from traffic: of goods between York and Leeds ; 5,5251. as the result derivable from cattle. • 78,604 persons pass between Wetherby, York, and Thorp-Arch. . Mr. Sergeant WILKINS having put a question or two that were answered to his satisfaction, Mr. Cope stated, in reply to Mr. HARDY, that 88,4641. might very' fairly be assigned as the total amount of trails between Leeds and York by way of Wetherby. Mr, BAINES called Mr. James, superintendent of police in the Borough of Leeds, who gave evidence corroborative of the alleged delays en the York and North Midland. He had latterly sent wit nesses by coach at assize time to snsure their attendance. To Mr. HILDYARD —Witness admitted that he was a shareholder in the Leeds and York Railway. He had known the Court to be delayed for half-au-hour. To Mr. BourtsoN—Witness said that an additional train woul4 have obviated these irregularities. Mr. Bateman, civil engineer to the York and L ee d s R a il way C om . pany, was next called by Mr. Baines, but his testimony was solely of a professional character. To Mr. HiLnyAir , --WitncSs admitted that by the powers of the Leeds and York Bill they could not unite with the Leeds and Brad ford, with the forth Midland, with the Leeds and Church Fenton, nor, indeed, with any of the lines in which Mr. Hudson was int restedlalthough he had originally entertained the idea of suci junctions. Mr. HILDTAND now submitted to the Committee that this admii sion ought to prove fatal to the Aill before them, inasmuch as it proved that the line was not laid out in the best way for the public benefit. Mr. BAINES urged, on the contrary, that his Learned Friend was bound to go on with his cross-examination of the witness. Mr. BILDTARD did not object to this, but distinctly intimated that he by no means waived the objection be 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. ALEXANDER 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 updn a lengthened cross-examination of the witness on behalf of MY. Fountain Wilson, as would also his Learned Friends, Mr. Sergeaut Wilkins and Mr. Knowles, on behalf of the Companies for whi*n they were engaged.- . . . Mr. ILustas submitted that the line was the best of the three before tile committee, and wished to call Mr. Cubitt to prove this fact. Mr. HILDYARD, to save the time of the Committee, was ready ito admit that this was the beet line of the three, but contended that, even after this admission, the point must still be decided against Mr. Baines, by the admission of Mr. Bateman, that the line was not;so good as it might have been. Mr. Hildyard continued to address the Committee for some tide o Mho subject, and was followed by Mr. KNowf.Es, who, as the representative of large landed proprk tors, had important interests to protect. The Learned Gentleman maintained that the interests of private individuals were not to!be sacrificed to a scheme which was imperfect through a feeling' of jealousy towards Mr. Hudson. Mr. ALEXANDER next addressed the Committee, on behalf of Mr. Fountain Wilson, in a similar strain to that of the Learned Coumel who had preceded him. Mr. Sergeunt WILKINS opposed the objection raised by Mr. HiVyard. and added that if the admission of Mr. Hildyard was 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 argu ment°, that the Leeds and York line was the best of the three. Me was prepared to prove that it was the worst of the three, and he bad too many dealings with the emissaries of the Great King to be taken in by such a rase. Mr. llamas was sure the Committee would not be influenced' by the threats of prolonged cress-examination which had been thrown out by his Learn i ol Friend (Mr. Alexander), and argued that lhe , show:A his line was an integral line, and involved such a degre of public accommodation as to outweigh the objections of his coniprti tors or of the landowners, the Committee were bound to allow film to proceed with his Bill. Mr. HILDTAILD 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 hot compelled to prove that it was the nest 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 Use over the North Midland. The Committee- deferred their decision till to-morrow, and E ad journed at a quarter past four o'clock. GROUP MIMI. EAST AND WEST YORKSHIRE. The Committee on this Bill met again to-day at twelve o'cloc ,in Room 33, Mr. W. Miles, chairman. , , ........ it, Mr. Grainger, engineer to, the Company, was called and exam i ned by Mr. /3.4INEs, Q.C. 'The line was easy of cons t rue on , the cuttings being very light an d gra di ents most favourable. he estimate for making the line was 20,0001. He was satisfied thae the line could be constructed for that amount. After some further ,evi dence the witness was cross-examined By Mr. BLlss—Had the line gone further north before coming towards Knaresbormigh, 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 value 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 increalsed.l After a lengthened cross-examination of this witness, the CoMmit tee adjourhed to twelve o'clock to-morrow. GROUP XLIV. The Committe met again in Room 25, New Mouses of Parliareent, at the usual hour ; Lord Palmerston in the chair, and present the same Members as on the previous days. They immediately pro ceeded to the engineering evidence on the part of the LIVERPOOL, MANCHESTER, AND NEW CASTLE-UPON-TYNE JUNCTION. Mr. llawkshaw, the engineer to the line, being examined by Mr. ALATIN, gave the usual engineering evidence. The length of the line will be 47 miles, and that of the Hawes branch nine miles. There are no engineering difficulties and the gradients are all favour able. There would be a tunnel of 3,850 yards in length. The esti mate was 1,300,0001. . The witness was cross-examined at great length by Mr. MANtsrr on the part of Sir W. Lawson. The cross-examination and re-examination of this witness occupied the Committee for more than an hour. Mr. Robert Stephenson was then called, and gave evidence cbrro 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. MANCASHIIiE 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 Parliameat for leave to unite the two, • and pass them as one Bill. It must be re membered, however, that part of each Bill 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 TORN AND CARLXSILE. Which, it will be remembered, was agreed to be taken next to the Liverpool and Manchester, the Rill having been read on the 2lth of February, being , earlier than any of the other Bills except the Liver. pool and Manchester. - The Bill was opposed by the Yorkshire and Glasgow Union, a'com peting line. There was no opposition on the part of the landoi'ners. Mr. Murphy and Mr. Woohidge appeared for the promoters bf the Bill; Mr. Talbot, Mr. Sergeant Wranghatn, and Mr. Pullen ftr the Glasgow Union. . , . . i air. rea,se, a large coal-owner In the district to w hi c h the ;York and Carlisle will give: accommodation, gave ' ev i dence at jgreat length on the advantages to the collieries that would ensue trolin the making of this line. 1 The examination, cross-examination, and re-examination of this witness occupied the Committee the whole day, and at four of clock they adjourned till to-morrow. STANDING ORDERS' COMMITTEES; HOUSE OF LORDS. Their Lordships met this day at the usual hour ; present, thi Earl of Shaftesbury (in the chair), the Duke of Richmond. Lords 4.)evon 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. LAW INTELLIGENCE, COURT OF QUEEN'S BENCH, May 7, The Court gave judgment to-day in two cases of not the least public interest. The notice paper of the Court has the following an nouncement : " The following cases have been selected from the special paper, and will be hesrd on Saturday. " Cooke v. Ml:ter:son, Wilkinson v. Gaston, Day r. Harrington, Mitchell v. Johnson. " The Court will, on Saturday, the 9th, and Monday, the 11th of May, hold sittings, and will proceed In disposing of the business in the special paper, and new trial paper, and is giving judgment in cases that may be then pending." BAIL COURT, May 7. Mr ANDERSON applied to the Court for a mandamus to compel the Tithe Commissioners to make public the terms of a certain arbitra tion made under the following circumstances. It appeared that the rector and the parishioners of a certain parish in Cumberland had had some difference upon the amount of tithe to which they Were li able ; and, in consequence, an Assistant-Commissioner was sent down to arrange the disputed question. After having made the ne cessary Inquiry and examined witnesses, he made a report, upon which the Tithe Commissioners made an avowal ; but the terms of award not having been made known to the parishioners, they Applied to the Commissioners to have it made public ; but though they had made several applications to the same effect, they never received an answer, and were therefore now compelled to adopt the present course. The Learned Judge (Mr. Justice Wightman) was of opinion that this %as a question which should be argued before the whole court. WEEKLY STEAM MAILS BE TWEEN FRANCE AND AMERICA. We are cnablea to make an announcement regarding the convey ance of mai% by steam between this country and America, which will - be hailed I,n:it gratification by the whole community. The Government have entered into a farther contract with the British and North American Royal Mail Company, the effect of which is to secure a weekly communication by steam between Liverpool and the United States of America. A steamer of great power and size will be dispatched direct from Liverpool to New York every alternate sailinglattet fsreorravicLeivlsell.l p S o a rfo tur ry da to y a duj s in a g m ei ti g o ll o t almovnetyhasgtosf, th a e od ye t a r r resp . T oo lze o tri o p f s t ar he e t f o or b t e . w a i u n cli theßoston,alteration c n o 4li nti t i l l Y ue v j o tt y s a t g a e s s a t t o p li re al se i n fa t x , Pool as well as from Boston always on Saturdays, instead of a fixed asthi o; day of the month, as at present. The steamers to New York will also take their departures always on Saturday. By this arrange ment there will be a steamer from Liverpool to America every Saturday, and from the American aide also every Saturday, the only difference being that Bost and New York will alternately be the ports of departure. At present we are not enabled to state the precise time when these weekly Battings will commence, but no doubt we may look for the alteration to come into play as soon as the re quired number of ships can be got ready to undertake such a vast service. This bridging of the Atlantic by steam is one of the wisest and hest undertakings of the Government The mercantile world will reap immense advantages front it ; and who can estimate its im portance to the multitudes emigrating, and having connexions in the western world ? In thus taking this invortnnt movement in ocean steaming, the Government have anticipated the 'ashes of the merchants of Great Britain and America. Astir was about being made earnestly to press this matter on the Govenunent ; and it is a subject et greater congratulation that it is voluntarily done, and that the duty of carrying out the mighty enterprise has devolved on the parties who, from the very first, have shown themselves equal to the Royal Mail Company are a sure guarantee that any extra necessities of the case. The past d o i ngs of the British and North American service will b e carried oat In the most complete and effective manner. A public dinner took place at the London Tavern on Wed nesday, to celebrate the second election of annuitants in connexion with this institution, and in aid of its benevolent fund. The election took place in the morning, J. A. Smith Esq., M.P., in the chair, when two individuals were elected' annuitants ; the one an aged clerk, 65 years, to a pension of 251. ;the other, the widow of a clerk, to a pension of 15/. ; in neither case had they contributed more than four guineas to the association. The an of Dalhousie, President of the Board of Trade, took the chair; was supported on his right by Lord John Russell, and on his left by J. Wood, Esq., chair man of the Excise. Upwards of 200 sat down to dinner. Amongst those present we observed J. A. Smith, Esq , M.P.; W. G. Prescott, Esq.; J. Mackillop, Esq. ; C. Kerr, Esq.; M. Boyd, Esq. • J. W. Gilbert, Esq. ; Thomson Hankey, jun., Esq ; H. Davidson, Esq. ; W. Thornton, Esq. ; J. Cook, Esq. ; J. Fletcher, Esq. s • G. W. Roberts, Esq. ; W. Davidson, Esq. ; C. Cave, EBll. ; G. Pollard, Esq. ; J. Dent, Esq. ; W. Fraser, Esq ; the Rev. F. Dollman, M.A., chaplain ; R. H. Jones, Esq. ; T Price, Esq.; Thos. Alers Hankey, Esq. • S. Anderson, Esq.; J. A n d erson, Esq. &c. The following gentlemen sent letters, apologising for their inability to attend from various causes :—Sir J. Hall, the Governor and Deputy-Governor of the Bank of England, the Rev. J. Vane, M.A., Sir J. Easthope, Bart., M.P., Alderman Lucas, H D. Blyth, Esq., J. Deacon, Esq., J. Labouchere, Esq., Sir G. P. Glyn, Bart., Sir C. Price, Bart., Alderman Thompson, M.P., Raikes Currie, Esq., M.P., Sir J. Lubbock, Bart., Sir G. Larpent, Bart., T. Baring, Esq , M.P., (in con sequence of an accident), A. W. Roberts, Esq., C. G. Thornton, Esq., G. F. Young, Esq., G. G. Barton, Esq., J. Alexander Hankey, E sq ., S amue l Jones Loyd, Esq. " Benedictus" having been sung, The CHAntsiAN, who was received with the most rapturous applause, rose and said, there was one toast which, on every occasion, and in every company which could meet within the three kingdoms, commended itself without introduction and without comment to those who were invited to drink it; and he should think from that he would pay but a poor com pliment to that assembly if he seemed to suppose that it needed either hint or word from him to call forth from them loud cheers in drinking the health of "The Queen." The toast was drunk with great enthusiasm, and was fol lowed by " God Save th e Q ueen. " The CHAIRMAN then proposed, in succession, the Queen Dowager, and Prince Alb ert, an d the rest of the Royal Family, which were evally well received. He then gave the " Army and Navy, and in doing so trusted that they would drink the toast in an overflowing bumper.—(Cheers.) Under any ordinary circumstances the toast would have been passed over as a matter of course, but with the Gazettes of the last few weeks fresh in their memory—with the sound of the Tower guns still in their ears, when, in fact, they re collected that the mails of the last few weeks had brought tidings of victory after victory—he thought he should not be doing his duty to that assembly, or satisfy the expecta tion which, occupying the position which he did in the councils of her Majesty, they had a right to form of him, if he did not give them an opportunity of " doing honour where honour was due"—of paying a tribute of respect to the British army and navy.—(Cheers.) They had nothing there to do with the causes of the war and its consequences, but he did think it was a matter of high congratulation and of just pride to them to know that after so many years of profound and prolonged peace, the experienceof the last few years, above all, the experience of the last few months, had fully proved to them that the soldiers and officers of the British army were at that moment as fully endowed with those soldier-like qualities which distinguished their predecessors an'd led them to fame. It was quite needless that he should pause for a moment to say that the army with which they had to deal was no ordinary foe, but one of undoubted valour, and reared in the strictest school of discipline, by ,European officers, and well skilled in all the science of European power ; and in the face of that they had an army only partially trained in the arts of war, not of experience, lik e t h ose w h o were i n t h e serv i ce at the close of the yearlBl4; but they proved in India that the edge of their sword was not less sharp, and their hands not' less capable of wielding it, and that they were es capable of enduring hard ships as those who had preceded them.—(Cheers.) Heaven forbid that for many long years they . should be again en gaged in war, but if occasion should arise for their services they might rely with the most unswerving confidence upon them. The toast was warmly received. Duet—" The Army and Navy." • The CHAIRMAN again rose and said—Gentlemen, I have now the honour to propose a toast to you which na turally and necessarily must be one of the most im portant interest to those whom I have now the honour of seeing before me. Gentlemen, I am about to pro pose to you to drink " Prosperity to the Provident Clerks Association."—(Cheers.) It is a matter of extreme gratifi cation to me that in standing here to propose that toast I am not standing as the advocateof a falling scheme, or am I asking of you to drink the toast in tke hope of prosperity to that which might have hitherto been a falling undertaking. Gentlemen, I am not in either of these positions; on the contrary, we can say that prosperity has hitherto attended this institution, and that, its prosperity with every passing year increases in great and rapid proportion.—(Cheers.) I will not trouble you by stating any facts in detail, but will confine myself to mentioning only the several p o i n t s which the worthy and learned secretary has been so kind ea to furnish me with. It is stated in these papers that although the year 1845 was the most prosperous since the formation of the Society, 'the period from the 31st' of January to the 31st of March in this year has not only been equally prosperous, but doubly so.— (Loud cheers.) In 1845 the number of members who were added was 211, the number who joined the benevolent fund was 133, making the total number of members who joined in 1845, 344 ; but the quarter just ended, viz., from the Ist of January to the 31st of March, there were 107 new assurances, and 40 new members to the benovolent fund ; that is, the total number of members this quarter was 147. If the proportion should con tinue, during the present year, to the same extent as it com menced in the past quarter, then there will be upwards of 600 members.—(Cheers.) Gentlemen, I am sure it will be entirely unnecessary for me in a company such as this, com posed, I apprehend in a great degree of the members of the society, and at all events fully versrd in matters of business, it must, I say, be utterly unnecessary for me to pause for a moment to mention anything with respect to this portion of the business Every man in his experience, every man in this room knows, that in all the many evils which one suffers in life, "all the ills that flesh is heir to," that great anxiety is felt by every man, however high his position in life at times, and m us t h ave been felt, as to the fate of those, in the future, who are both near and dear to him—as to their fate when he is disabled or when he is gone; and if that, Gentlemen, is felt by those moving in a more independent sphere, how much more, allow me to say, must it be felt by the class of society whose claims I am advocating, whose means, though comparatively limited, may never theless afford them an opportunity of providing against the future, in however limited an amount. And I am sure, although they will not perhaps say so, if I were to appeal to the experien ce o f many of those I see ' here, as t ( the truth of what ,I have stated, that there are many thousands who, before this Society was constituted, of which they are now members, had nothing to look forward to— they would answer in the affirmative; and that this Society has been the means of relieving much of the anxiety to which I have referred, by preventing persons from suffering all the pangs of adversity. But, when these feelings are felt by persons in comparative prosperity, they must be ten thousand times more when entertained by those in adversity. This, then, shows the necessity of persons joining' the Society who might say, " My circumstances may be worse than they are now, and if anything should happen, what on earth would become of those who d e p en d upon me' ?"—. (Cheers.) Gentlemen, in that question as put there is to be found an answer. That answer is to be found in this Associa tion, of which you are members, and whose anniversary you are met to ' celebrate. He may do that which it is in the power of man to do, to anticipate and control the future, by means of mutual assurance. It will not, perhaps, raise the curtain which shows the events of that future, but it goes a great way to provide for that future. And it has this re commendation, that there are none whose means are so small but that may obtain advantage from it—no man is so poor, no clerk so humble, but may Join, in order to provide for the wants of the future by contributing towards its funds, which will be fostered and cherished and paid to the uttermost farthing.—(Cheers.) Such associations are of the greatest value in this country, whose yearly increase in wealth rivals and surpasses that of princes. It would not be well for me to enlarge on this subject, inasmuch as thi address ought not to be permitted to degenerate into a lec ture or sermon ; but I must be permitted to advert to one point. And permit me to say that that which I take the liberty of recommending to you and to others of our humbler brethren, is not that which Ido not practise myself 1 do ,ffeoerl believe value ew ith a o a f t a what ach c a " a s n t y P r s b t e e e m d a o ch n l eo s ib li i c o ' u rx l t d uhTa n un o A t lLAss estimatei prac t i s e.RAN f y the advantages which I am enabled to confer upon my children, who may perhaps be poor enough at any time ; but without such a society as this your children would not, with any certainty, be provided for at all. —(Loud cheers.) You have heard it, perhaps, said, that although this Society may put it in the power of any man, however poor, to pay something towards its funds for his own behalf in the time of need, still the pittance upon which many are called upon to subsist is so poor that they cannot afford to spare any portion of it, as it is swallowed up in his present expenses, and therefore he. trusts to the mercy of Providence for the future. Gentlemen, I am the last man who would say to you, or to others, not to trust in Providence; I would not say that it is not right to trust to the mercies of that Providence; but, gentlemen, whenever that is addressed to you in public, I would advise you to make this rejoinder, that no man has a right to trust to that Providence, which is the attribute of heaven, until he has used his utmost exer tions to avail himself of the advantages which Providence now extends to him, and whose decrees it is the duty of ev a e h ry all m n a o n t dueptoain neyaortahfrtoom drinkingsubmit to.— „ ( p e r h a e s e p r e s r l y G to en th tl e em pro en ! I vident Clerks' Association ;" but before I sit down permit me to offer one word of supplication in its behalf. If there are any here who have not followed the admirable example set us by many whose names appear upon this hat, for many of the most eminent of this great city have subscribed to pro vide the Benevolent fund, or are s ee king to attain the means of reli e f t o t h emselves and others in the time o f nee d, t h en I swtaonuely....(H ear, hear.) If any gentlemen have not followed would earnestly entreat you to induce them to become mem bers of thi s Association. And I wish to impress this upon you, that when y ou a i d those who wish to aid themse l ves you are benefitin g t h Y e ° c u om hr :rt s te l e ik w e h w o have likewise ; se;and t the youm management e s m u s e e n t t haaft thistli Inst itution will be di sc h arge d w ith i n t egr ity a nd with con e duties of this p ra i seworthy example, permit me, with every respect, to suggest how good a work they will promote if they en deavour to induce others to become members of this Society. You cannot be wrong in inducing, as far as it is in your Power, men to be provident for those that belong to them— provident for the future—you cannot be in the wrong in ad vocating the claims of a Society which has for its object to succour the poor, to aid the widow, an d t o rescue th e father less. Th e Noble Earl resumed his seat amidst loud cheers. Tnosisoy HANKEY, jun., Esq., said he had received per mission of the Chairman to propose a toast, but before he did so, he wished to explain that the Governor of the Bank of England was unavoidably absent on account of urgent busi ness, and that lie had desired him to express his extreme re gret for the circumstance, and deputed him to be his re presentative. The toast he was about to propose was, the health of the Chairman, who had so nobly come forward to aid 'them.—(Loud cheers.) They had met on no ordinary occasion. The Institution was known almost to every One present, and they knew how deep an interest every merchant in the City took in its rise and progress, and it was, in his opinion, calculated to promote the best interests of those who were in daily and constant communication with them. But, independently of the circumstance of their meet ing to celebrate an anniversary of the Institution, let him remind them under whose peculiar patronage they were as sembled. They had received that day a mark of the decided sanction of would not ray a nobleman connected with the commerce of the City—but of a nobleman tilling the highest office which any man could do in this great country, as he presided over the grea t mercantile and com mercial i n t erests of this great City.—(Hear, bear, and cheers.) He would not enter into his private virtues but he did think he should ill discharge his duty, if he were not to call atteotion to his public character, and to say that w 1 't as gm% t d e grin - lolls public cha- racter that they owed his presence on that occasion; besides, in his official capacity, he presided over, and led, and sup ported every commercial interest in the Upper House of Par liament.—(llear, hear.) How deep and responsible such a position was must be known and appreciated by men who were as intimately connected with the trade and commerce of this City as those he was addressing. He believed now the Society had taken root that it would flourish, and that it would never be uprooted.—(Cheers.) How could it be, when it was so supported, and when they remembered that the President of the Board of Trade had come down to the City to give his sanction and to express his approbation of the Institution, and to identify himself with them—a large class of the commercial community of London ?—(Hear, hear.) It was impossible it could fail to be prosperous, and if it should prosper they should look back upon that day with pleasure, and upon the conduct of the Noble Lord with gra titude—(Cheers)—because he had allotted one day from the official duties to which he was so heartily devoted in order that he might afford himself some little relief from business by assisting the Institution. He concluded by proposing "Health and Prosperity to the Noble Chairman," which was received with the most enthusiastic applause. The CHAIRMAN briefly returned thanks. He assured them lie felt himself quite unable adequately to express the ac knowledgments which he thought he ought to offer for the kind manner in which they had received the toast and drank it. He assured them that he spoke with perfect sincerity when he said that Mr. Hankey, in expressing himself as he had done, had praised him far, very far, above his deserts.— (Cries of " No, no.") He felt a just pride in the honour they had conferred upon him at his time of day, and after so short an apprenticeship in the office which he had the honour to hold. In holding that office, however, he laid no greater claim than this to their regard —a strong desire, which he sincerely believed was felt in common by every public man in this city, of whatever politics, and consisting in an in creasing desire to promote the great interests of this great commercial city in that way which they thought best, and at the same time to exert himself unceasingly to promote that object—to give every part of his time and every faculty of his mind to discharge the duties of the office which he filled, which he thought were inadequately and unsatisfac torily performed; but they would allow him also to say that he laid no more claim, nor did he desire any praise for being present on that occusion, as he derived the greatest pleasure from it. Without the zealous services of clerks in public offices, the heads of those offices, whatever might be their talents, would find themselves in a difficult position at every step they took. lie had discharged the duties of the chair wish great pleasure, and if he could feel that he had added one little to their benefit, or one member to the society who might enjoy the blessings it was calculated to bestow, he should be fully satisfied.—(Cheers.) Glee—" Maying." The CHAIRMAN again rode and said he had the h onour t o propose to them to d r i n k the healths of four gentlemen to whom that company and the City of London were under great obligations—he meant the Members for the City of London. —(Loud cheers.) He said the City of London was under great obligations to those gentlemen, and as a Member of the House of Lords he must be permitted to say that it was by no means a great joke to be a Member of the House of Com mons at the present moment.—(Laughter.) They had great and responsible duties entrusted to them to discharge, and he asked them to couple with that toast the name of Lord John Russell.—(Loud cheers.) There was one peculiar ad vantage of such meetings, that they gave to men who en• tertained different opinions on public politics an opportunity of meeting together in public without the fear of clashing opinions, or the possibility of a debate.—(Laughter and cheers.) Although he had differed during his political life from the Noble Lord, they would, he was sure, be perfectly confident that on an occasion such as that not one word should be introduced which would show such difference of opinion.—(Cheers.) He trusted, however, that they would not entertain so unfair an opinion of him as to consider that, although opposed to the Noble Lord and those who thought with him, he (Lord Dalhousie) was unwilling to do justice to his qualifications—(Cheers)—and although he and his colleagues dissented from the opinions of the Noble Lord in many respects, he and they were ready to do all credit to his undoubted abilities, unspotted character, and undoubted courage.—(Loud cheers.) There were none more ready than his political opponents to acknowledge and to admire them.—(Cheers.) He concluded by proposing the health of " Lord John Russell and the Members of the City of Lon don," which was drank with great applause. Lord Jonx RUSSELL then rose, and was received with the most enthusiastic cheering. After it bad subsided, he said— My Lords and Gentlemen, I rise to return thanks on behalf of my colleagues, Members for the City of London, as well, as myself, for the great honour you have done us. 'No doubt, as the Noble Lord has told you, the duties of the Members of the City of London are serious and respon sible; I have but a partnership in those duties. There are parts of those duties which are performed by my col leagues; but it will be sufficient for me to say that I am not altogether an inactive and ikefficient Member.— (Loud cheers.) I feel deeply the honour that has been done personally to myself, and which consists of a character not separate, but combined with that of the other Members of the City of London. I feel deeply the honour which has been done me by the speech made to you by the Noble Lord who fills the chair—the Noble Lord placed at the head of a great and responsible office, and who discharges the duties of that office with eminent ability—(Cheers) —and who, by his kind ness and courtesy, has made those duties which are often themselves irksome in comparison to ethers, at once useful and agreeable.—(Cheers.) I feel it a great honour to have been thus distinguished by that Noble Lord, and I feel like wise the honour which you have done me in the manner in which you have received the toast proposed to you. I trust by a strict performance of that which I consider my duty to the public—by never forgetting that I have to represent a great and important portion of this empire, and by duly weighing the consequences of every vote I have to give —I may, in some manner deserve that confidence.—(Cheers.) The Noble Lord told you, truly, that he and I do not alto gether agree in opinion. lam happy to think this diffe rence is not, perhaps, very wide—that in general principles we are not far distant—but of this I am sure, that I should give credit to him, as I trust lie and you will give credit to me, that arriving at the best conclusion that our under standings can arrive at, we did that which we feel for the benefit of the country, and not from personal or private, or from a feeling of party interest. The country will do us the justice to consider us faithful servants.—(Loud cheers.) Gentlemen. lam happy to have the opportunity of attending to-day on the occasion of the anniversary of a Society which is so useful to the City, and so excellent an example. I will not detain you a moment in speaking of the benefits of this So ciety, because the Noble Lord in his speech has eloquently and fully stated these advantages in a manner which leaves nothing to fill up.—(Hear, hear.) But I may, perhaps, be permitted to mention that there are collateral advantages attendant upon societies of this kind. In the first place, with regard to the individual, every insti tution which induces a man to carry his thoughts beyond the day, to look somewhat beyond the business, and when the business is done, which carries him to consider what will be the results of his labours on the comforts of himself and those connected with him, and will in duce him, for each of these reasons, to provide to the best of his ability for himself and them in the season of need—l say it tends to give sobriety to his thoughts, regularity to his conduct, and elevation to his moral and re ligious sentiments.—(Cheers.) Then let me add further, if it does this for the individual, societies of this kind do much socially for the State. They combine together the different members of society, and bring the merchant nearer to those he employs than is the habitual result of the business of the day. They tend to bind together men in the different states of life, not formally, having, sympathy with one another, to wish the individual welfare, by acting disinterestedly for the benefit of all,—( Cheers.) But it is this, gentlemen, it is this separate combination, it is the fitness of every stone in the arch to its particular place, that gives the solidity and strengh to the whole arch on which British society rests. In other countries there have been clever and distinguished men, brilliant warriors, eminent and gifted poets, and all-wise and able legislators; but of countries where all orders are combined, where the soldier and the officer, the crown and the subject, the lord and the clerk are combined together in their various relations, I know of no country to be compared to that to which I have the happiness to be long.—(Applause.) And when I say this, I am not depart ing from the subject of this night, because this great whole is made up of several particles, and every society which brings men together in such relations of charity and fellow ship tends to the welfare and to the promotion of this har mony to which I have referred. Gentlemen, you will allow ine again to thank you for the response which you have given to my health, and I trust you will allow me to give as a toast, " The City of London, and Prosperty to its Commerce." —(Great cheering.) I trust that that commerce may, from day to day, and from year to year, flourish more and more , and that the British empire may set an increase to all na tions in the world, and will tend to the example of freedom, peace, and prosperity.—(The Noble Lord resumed his seat amidst enthusiastic cheering, which lasted several minutes.) The toast having been warmly responded to, W. G. PitEscorr, Esq., rose to return thanks for the toast, as his name had been connected with it. It was the intention of the committee to have entrusted the task to Mr. Baring, who was more intimately connected with the commerce of the City of London than he was, but that gen tleman, much to his regret, and to the regret of them all, had been prevented from attending by a slight accident. If this had not occurred to him he would certainly have been present, for they all knew that from the commencement of that Association down to that period he had given both his time and money for its benefit.—(Cheers.) In his absence, therefore, he had been called upon to say a few words, and they should be few, because he could add little to the able, appropriate, and feeling speeches which they had heard that night. The Noble Lord who had proposed that toast truly said that they might look for prosperity, and he did not doubt it, because as long as British enterprise and British industry was connected with the City of London it could not fail to con tinue to advance in prosperity. Yet there were times when success gave place to depression, and consequently to want of employment, but that connected with this Association would not materially suffer during those periods, as it extended its hand to them in the season of difficulty and danger. Was not this, then, a great inducement to them all to join it, and to give it their hearty support, since this uncertainty of commerce was added to the uncertainty of health.— (Hear.) He had watched the progress of the institution from its commencement until its arrival at that point. Although they bad many principles laid down for its government, they found they had but little to do when clerks themselves gave it their support; it was, in fact, a self-supporting institution, and, besides, it made them, as individuals, and as a class, less dependent on those who gave them employment, and induced their employers, when they saw the utility of the institution, to give it their earnest sympathy and support also. He wished to say that the con duct of clerks had been watched, and, as they had been found deserving, they wished to aid them in forming a fund for those who were in reduced circumstances, and in order to prevent them from having recourse to eleemosynar y aid, which would give them th a t f ee li ng o f se lf- r espect wh ich was felt by those w h o k new th a t th ey were a ble to support them selves from a fund which they had created. He c o nc l ude d by expressing a hope that they would do all in their power to make the institution wore generally known by inducing those with whom they were acquainted to become members. Mr. R. 11. Jones then read the list of subscriptions, which _ amonnted to nearly 700/. The announcement of the majority of them, especially the larger sums, were received with great applause. J. WooD, Esq., congratulated those present on the pros perity of the Institution, and considered that those who had been entrusted with its management deserved their utmost thanks. They consisted of thirteen individuals, who were employed by:some of the first houses in the City, to whom all honour 'should be given, because, in addiiion to the duties which they had to discharge to their employers, they devoted the few hours which they could spare from those duties to ,the Association, for the Benefit of those who were not, perhaps, in as good a condition as themselves. When the Institution was about to be formed they applied to the Board of Excise to support them, but they 17eftis0, his every noterycl exceed oot a ar , erkwaaco l mpelled by Act to a t of Parliament, w.ots.h me t nt, o ifsa a. la a r did lyi per cent. to be deducted for the purpose of creating a fund for their future wants, or in case they were disabled by ill ness or age, and from the salaries of those who receive more than 1001. five per cent. At the age of sixty-five the clerks in that office were allowed a superannuation—not "pensions," a word which was much abused when applied to thos e i n the public service, because in the Atiss of t.b.ese clerks theypuly re- , PRI DAY MORNING, MAY B, 180. ceived what was taken from their salaries.—(Cheers.) This superannuation rendered themselves and their families com fortable for the remainder of their days. He then read the following extracts from the minutes of the board:— " The officers and clerks of this department have at various times applied to the Lords of the Treasury and also to the Board, praying that facilities might be afforded them for the purpose of ensuring some provision for their wives and fami lies after their decease. To one of such applications their Lordships, under date the 80th July, 1835, replied "`There is no subject to which my Lords will more readily turn their attention, or view in a m ore f avoura bl e l i ght, than any proposal which may contribute to the comfort of the officers under their superintendence, or which may facilitate their securing a provision for their families.' " "Again, on the 27th of March, 1844, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, in returning to the chairman the outline of a scheme of arrangement with the Atlas Assurance Company, stated, Everything that we can do to encourage providence on the part of our officers is a step gained in the course of their moral improvement.' " It further appears that the Atlas Company, having made certain proposals to our officers for conducting the assurance of lives and suggesting certain arrangements for carrying out the scheme, were acquainted, by letter addressed by the chairman to Mr. Geary, dated July 5, 1844, that in the address to be issued it should be stated that the proposed plan of life assurance has the sanction of the Board ; and that every facility would be given by the Board to the cir culation of prospectuses, and to the collection of premiums, as a proof of the interest felt by the Board in an undertaking which is likely to encourage provident habits among their officers, and thus add to their comfort and respectability."' He also read a return showing the number of policies issued to those in the service of the Excise, at sums varying from 100/. to 1,0001., from which it appeared that the number of policies issued to clerks with salaries varying from 801. to 150/. per annum was 233, the amount of policies 100/., and amount insured 23,3001. ; those with salaries from 100/. to 200/. 153; 200/., 30,600/. ; from 80/. to 2001. and upwards 141, 3,600/., 53,500/. : total number of policies, 527; amount insured, 170,400/. 'By the assignment of the prospective bo nuses on the policies the widows of the assured are entitled to life annuities, which are anticipated by the Actuary to be not less than 5 per cent on the amount assured by the policies. He impressed upon them the necessity of early assurance, as the amount was small, and the proceeds greater. That day the death of an officer, aged 24, was reported, who had lett a widow, who was entitled to receive to-morrow 100/., but the deceased had only paid ss. Bd.—(Cheers.) He concluded by proposing the " Board of Management," which was received with great applause. Mr. R. H. JONES, in returning thanks, begged to express the high gratification he felt at the compliment paid to the Board of Management, and most respectfully offered his thanks to the Noble Lord for his kind condescension in having taken the chair on the present occasion, and he trusted, whenever his Lordship should revert to the proceedings of that even ing, he would do so with unmixed pleasui a and satisfaction. He also felt deeply indebted to the gentlemen around him for their kind attendance there that evening, many of whom had been supporters of the Association from its commencement. Gentlemen present might depend upon it that the managers would continue their utmost exertions fur the benefit of the Society. J. W. GILBART, Esq., proposed the health of John Abel Smith, •Esq., the treasurer, whose benevolence he highly eulogised. J. A. Salim, Esq., who was received with laud cheers, said it was no new thing for him to receive, at the hands of those who felt an interest in the Provident Clerks' As socition, marks of kindness, of which he felt him self totally unworthy. He had stated that it was the Institution itself, and not those who, like him, sup ported it. When he looked back, andlthought of the difficul ties and struggles of their first years, and contrasted them with the scene he saw before him, it was indeed a stimulus to those who undertook the promotion of institutions of an useful character, and an encouragement against dissensions and difficulties in the first instance; but in establishments of that kind they must not look to charity for aid, but to them selves, and themselves alone. If they could not help them selves, nobody could" help them.—(Cheers.) He had told them, and he told them again, that it was to his interest as a merchant—he thought it was to the interest of every merchant—that his clerks should have a free, easy, comfortable mind as to their own position, because he believed that a settled state of mind was necessary for the effectual discharge of their duties. It was necessary that he shoule have their minds freed from those overwhelming anxieties as to these who were dependent upon them. He him self received a personal interest in contributing to the Insti tutien, but he disclaimed the idea of doing so from motives of charity, for he found that he thereby received the more faithful discharge of their duties.—(Cheers.) Lord Dalhousie, Lord J. Russell, and the rest of the com pany then separated. Messrs. Ransford, Sporle, Moody, Kenny, Edeson, and Barnes, sung several glees, duets, &c., in a beautiful manner. The band of the Honourable Artillery Company were in attendance, and played some delightful music, under the direction of Mr. Smithies, the band-master. The vocal de partment was under the charge of Mr. Jolly, and Mr. Harker proved a most efficient toast-master. THE LATE TRAGEDY AT BATTERSEA-BRIDGE. It Wednesday having been the day appointed for the re-examination of Eliza Clark, the woman who stands charged with the murder of her children, by throwing them into the Thames from Battersea bridge, and also for the examination of William Luff, alias William Manfield, for the atrocious outrage at Westminster, the Westminster pollee-court was crowded almost to suffocation. The prisoner, Eliza Clark, who has been before described as a person, although poorly clad, of neat and cleanly appearance, was brought into court. Her husband, who was fined at this court on Monday for drunkenness, was standing at the end of the dock, and as she ascended the steps leading to it she caught a glimpse of him, and her countenance, before serene, assumed an expression of horror, and she sank on the seat. The magistrate ordered that the husband should leave the court. The evidence which was taken on Saturday, and detailed in this paper of Monday, was read over. Perryman, the potboy, examined on the former occasion, now stated, on looking at the prisoner, that he was certain that she was the person who threw the children into the water. Mr. T. W. Wansborough, surgeon, King's-road, Chelsea, described the means adopted to resuscitate the child that was taken out of the water, and gave it as his opinion that although there was a wound on its forehead, received probably in falling, the infant bad died by drowning. Mr. Wansborough was anxious to make a state ment with regard to the unsound state of the female's mind, but Mr. BURRELL was of opinion that he had no right to kear any me dical 'evidence•excepting that relating to the cause of death. Richard Champ, of 13, Wellington-street, Chelsea, uncle to the accused, was then put into the box, and said—The child I saw dead on Saturday at the Adam and Eve was my niece's. She had three children residing with her at home. Two of these were her own. The third was a child of her husband's by a former wife. I saw them between two and three o'clock on Saturday. The prisoner called at my house at that time with the children, and remahied until nearly three o'clock. She spoke about her husband having ill-treated her. She appeared very well in her mind. Mr. Taylor—Did you find any letter left at your house? Witness— Yes, I found a letter left on my b e d. Mr. Taylor—Have you ever seen her write? Witness—No; but I have seen her writing. I have had several letters from her. Mr. Thomas Bicknell, superintendent of the V division, produced the letter, which he had received from last witness. It was written in so bad a hand, and se mis-spelt, that it was exceedingly difficult to read ; it ran as follows i— " Eliza Clark, wife of James Richard Clark. Now, my Jemmy, you need not trouble me with any more of your threats, because I don't mind, and hope that the next wife you get you'll know how to use them, and not act a brute to them, as you have to me, and bid me good bye in the morning and come home at night and knock my head through the panel of the door, and break my rest the whole of the night, and swear in the morning that you would come home drunk at night and kill me, and I'd rather prefer seeing my children go before me, and then I shall know they did not starve." On the back of the letter was written, " And if you go to Batter sea-bridge, you will rind the children there," and it was addressed to her uncle Champ. Prisoner's former statement, which was given on Monday, having been read, she was asked whether she wished to add to it, and she replied in the affirmative. Prisoner then said, in a low subdued tone of voice, " We were married in 1841, and my husband has been frequently out of work, and we have seeen a great deal of distress. In the first year he was 13 weeks out of work at one time, and when my Emma was a baby we were so badly off that I was obliged to go to service, and had half-a-crown a week, but when he got work I went home again. In the next year he was out of work tour months, and I have many a night wrapped my poor child under my shawl, and gone out into the streets and begged to support us. He has been out of work for two months this year, and last week I took off my flannel petticoat and pawned it to support my finally, and I was obliged to sell the re maining little rags of clothing belonging to myself and children, on Saturday morning, to buy the poor little creatures bread, and then we had nothing left but the things we stood upright in." Mr. Taylor—Have you anything to say in answer to the charge against you ? Prisoner—He was a good husband when he was sober ; but, like other men, when drunk was violent. lie was a good husband and a good father when sober. Prisoner was then ftilly committed to Newgate for trial. She faintly walked out of the dock, looking vacantly around her THE ATROCIOUS OUTRAGE IN WESTMINSTER. William I uff, alias William Mantleld, was placed in the dock at. Westminster Police-court, charged with throwing a woman out of window. He is a fellow of Herculean stature and ferocious aspect. Margaret M'Lean, examined be Mr. W. Taylor, the chief clerk— I live at No. 3, Pear-street, Westminster. Tuesday night, at eight o'clock, I heard a woman, who lives in the next room to me, screaming violently. I immediately went to her door and saw the prisoner with a poker in his hand. He had hold of her by the hair of the head, and I saw hint strike her on the head with the poker, and her head bled very much. I was very much frightened. I heard the woman call for a policeman several times as loud as she could. Sarah Green sworn—l am a charwoman, and live in the same house as the injured female. I heard such violent screams as in duced me to go to her room. I saw the prisoner beating the woman with his fists, and I tried to get her out. She was covered with blood. The prisoner struck me in the face, and finding I could not get her out of the room I went down stairs. As I was going down, I heard the prisoner say, " You —1 I'll throw you out of the window " And I had scarcely entered my own room, when I saw the poor woman fall past the window into the yard. Thomas Carter sworn—l heard a noise up stairs, and saw a female fall past my window into the yard. I then ran into the yard and found her lying near the waterbutt, on her back. She was bleeding from the nose; she never spoke, and I thought she was dead. I, with assistance, conveyed her to the hospital. Mr. Taylor—Did you see anything of the prisoner ? Witness—He was looking out of the window. In answer to my inquiry of how it happened, he said if she had behaved herself it would not have occurred. Police-constable Robert White, 100 B sworn—l took the prisoner into custody at a quarter-past eight o'clock. He was not sober, but knew what he did. He was sitting with a knife in his hand, and said ho wotild run it through the first who came into the room. I struck him on the wrist with my truncheon, and he let the knife fall. I then, with the assistance of another constable, gothim down stairs. 'He was very violent. Witness produced a brick covered with the unfortunate woman's hair and blood, which he found in the yard; also some crockery, covered with blood, which he found in the room. -- Thepii;;ersaid—l came home from work at the House of Lords at half-past six o'clock, but could not get in. I went out again, and returned at eight o'clock. Finding I could not get in, I then burst the door open, and in live or ten minutes afterwards she came in. I said, " These are flue goings on, Lizzy," and she was very abusive. I then hit her beside the head, when she began blaokguarding me, and I struck her again. She then laid hold of my linger and bit it. I then sat on the bed, and she made a bolt towards the window, and I fetched her back. The knife was at that time lying by my side. I next went to the cupboard to get some victuals. I turned round, and she was gone out of the window. I was going down stairs when a party knocked me down, and I became senseless. I know nothing more about it. I deny throwing her out of the window. _ Certificates frOm Nir. Wlldboie, the house-surgeon a t W estminster l'lospital, dated May 5 and 6, were then handed in. They s t ated that the poor woman was in an insensible and very danger ous state. Mr. Taylor intimated to the magistrate that an important witness, who had seen the prisoner take the woman round the waist and throw her out of the window, was not in .attendance, and asked for a remand. The prisoner was remanded until this day week. The unfortunate victim was, at a late hour last evenin less condi Jr, in e hope tion. ADELPHI THEATRE.—Mr. Worrell took his annual benefit on Wednesday to an overflowing house. Paul Bedford and Wright were as funny as usual, and Miss Woolgar played and looked as bewitching as ever. The performances gave very general satisfac tion throughout. THE FRENCH IN LONDON.—The annual general meeting of the French Philanthropic Society, founded live years ago, under the patronage of their Majesties the King and neen of the French, the Qu een of the Belgians, all the Princes and P Q rincesses of the Royal Family of France, and the French Ambassador, took place on Sunday last at the Hanover Rooms. The report read to the nu merous assembly showed, that during the ing en of May inst., th e receipts amounted to 1,0721. year 19s. end 3d. Th the 3d at relief in money, bread, or t h e means of returning to France bad been given to the amount of 1,9161. lis. 2d., and that the society had still remaining In the hands of their trustees 1,1421. 16s. Id., and in the hands of the treasurer 561. 11s. Id. After the report the subscribers proceeded to the choice of seven members in the place of those retiring by ballot. The nomination of President and Vice Presidents Mewed. The candidates for the presidence were Count d'Orsay and Mr. 1 Vouillon : Mr. Vouillon was elected President, Mr. tlautier, Chan cellor of the Consulate, and Mr. Hubert, Vice-Presidents. Thanks were voted to the chairman, and the members retiring, and the mull broke uporitb 4 tiromlae -from all priptirnt tb prqmotl the , Tfaeir OrtanknittirM. THE MYSTERIOUS DEATH AT BROMLEY. 'I he jurymen so often assembled met for, we believe, the_ldtit time, yesterday, in the Swan Inn, Bromley, for the purpose of corning to a decision on the mysterious circumstances attending the death of Harriet Monkton, who was (as our readers may remember) found dead in a water-closet attached to Verulam Chapel, in this town. The position of the deceased led to the inference that some foul play had been perpetrated, and an inquiry was consequently set on foot, which involved (to use the mildest term) some of the more important personages connected with the religious denomination to which the deceased belonged. This fact had in a great measure prolonged the inquiry, and added, in an eminent degree to the interest felt upon the snbject, which interest has been, if possible, increased by the an nouncement that another witness, who could throw some light on the matter, was to be examined, At about half-past 10 o'clock, W. J. Carttar, Esq., Coroner for the Western Division of Kent, took his seat. The names of the jail' men having been called over, Frances Williams (the new witness) said, that on the last occasion on which she saw Miss Monkton, Thomas Churcher had called on her before they had finished tea. Miss Churcher also called. and she (witness) sent Thomas Churcher out for some gin: giving- him a stone b o ttl e . Th e deceased had le ft before i" was brougot in, and Thomas Churcher left as soon as he ha d brought it. He afterwards returned, and said that he had forgotten some biscuits which he ought to have left before. Wit ness, going to post with's letter, looked at the clock, and found It was eight o'clock. He (ThOmas Churcher) did not sit down; he sai d that he was going home to bed, and wondered why the deceased did not come back. Witness did not take the letter, and Churcher did. Witness had asked the deceased to return for the letter, but she did not so return. She had a perfect recollection of deceased not return ing for the letter, and her giving it to Thomas Churcher as it was striking eight o'clock. She knew it could not be nine, because then it would be too late for post. He made no other observation than that he should not wait, as she (the deceased) had not returned. u a e nsw on er s e y d ro in in the lr r neg cA at ß i T v. ART e , The Cosorma q ues ti oned the witness as to whether she had had any communication with any p erson i n Bromley since the f i r st inq l u n ir a y n , sw an e d , to was qsti the witness said that she recollected no conversation with Thomas Churcher further than charging her (th e d eceased) with unkindness in not coming back. On an after occasion Thomas Churcher said that it was not necessary for her to mention his name. The de ceased was in the habit of going to the schoolroom to take back the books. She (witness) acted as librarian, and was therefore obliged to keep an account, and the only communication between her. cell' and deceased was that she requested her to " keep the hooka tidy." She went to the library afterwards, and found that the deceased had not kept them so. She knew Mrs. Sharpe, and if Mrs. Sharpe had stated to the jury that she (witness) had said that Thomas Churcher had asked her to conceal his name, she (witness) believed that Mrs. Sharpe had not spoken the truth. She did not remember that the deceased had gen e to the chapel on the Monday on which she was missin Th e cakes received by Thomas Churcher were fr om hi s sister. S he had never mentioned to any one that she (the deceased) and Churcher had met that day in the chapel, and if she had - thought that Thomas Churcher was in the chapel in the middle of the day, she would not have seat Harriet with the bodks there. The Coacnexa —Why ? Witness—Because the people in Bromley , as they-always do, would have talked about it. The CORONER—Why did you withhold Churcher's name 0P a former examination ? Witness said—Because she did not think it necessary to state it. He did not pos!tively request her not to state his name. She did not believe Mrs. Ilopperton's evidence, because she knew that she had in too many instances stated that which TIM quite untrue. The deceased seemed very much excited oil the Sunday evening previous to her being missed. Thoulx , Churcher remarked that she seemed to be in very good spirits. the 'had had no conversation with Thomas Churcher about the state of Harriet Monkton's mind until after her decease. She never told witness that Thomas Churcher visited her at Hackney. On recol lection, she was aware that some mention had been made of his visiting her. Thomas Churcher afterwards married Mary Madge& He had been paying his addresses to her about six months. 11° never paid his addresses to her (witness). A juryman (Mr. Hodges) suggested that the witness should till all she knew, because it might otherwise be necessary to send for her . Item the country a second time. Miss William.; said that many of the new inquiries were suggested by the tattle of the town of Bromley, and if she were to reply to all the observations made, she would probably detain the jury some three days.—(Laughter.) Nicholas Pearce, superintendent of the F division, said that he had in the year t 843 come down to the town of Bromley to make inquiry into the circumstances connected with the death of the girl Harriet Monkton, He had among other persons examined Thomas Churcher , and he had admitted that he had seen the deceased before she was missed, but he denied all knowledge of being more intimately con nected with her. John Joyce went with Mr. Field, the inspector, and Mr. Carpenter. to Mr. Churcher's house, and he refused to answer further questions than had already been put to him by the Coroner. Charles Frederick Field, inspector of police, bad, in coarse 0f,.... 1 1 examination respecting the caus es o f th e g i r l' s d eath, ascertained I.' Mr. Cranfteld had no connexion at all with the girl. The evidence having been closed, The Colim a,. proceeded to address the jury. He had had th e honour of acting as coroner for this division of Kent for some fourteen years, and this was the most lengthened and most unsatisfactory case that had ever come befere him ; and this state of things We i . arisen solely from the reluctan ce o f some four or live individual connected with the chapel to which the deceased had belonged—S o in the exercise of his public duties he felt bound to mention the name° of Mr. Verrall, M r . S wee ti ng, M r. Beasley, and Of younger Mr. Churcher—as those who were reluctant to evidence. It was impossible that he could know everything that witnesses could throw light upon, and the principal facts via, therefore, only elucidated by a sort of accident. He coneidereue however, that considerable benefit had arisen from the delay. he" cause, although is the early course of the inquiry they might 0 0 returned a general verdict of " wilful murder by some person 01 ; persons unknown," still he thought it was better that they ehould have a mere lengthened investigation, to ascertain, if possible, the real circumstances which led to the death of this girl. The Learned Coroner having given a slight sketch of the rise and progress of the jurisdic: lion of Coroner a Cou r t s , sa id th at although they bad come to a peal: on which they could mark the finger of suspicion against some Pa rt " or parties, yet they could not satisfactorily bring the fact horn° to any one, and therefore it was for them to consider whether they should return a verdict, sending some man at once Or trial, or whether they would not rather leave the question open so that at some future time the link which was at present wanting on the chain might be supplied, and the parties really culpable sent f O . trial.—(The Learned Coroner then read over the evidence, °ea' sionally commenting upon it, hut as the facts have been in the On° ofthe last three years so repeatedly before our readers it would h e . altogether unnecessary to repeat them. The Learned Coroner's 0 servations seemed pointed against the persons more intimately eon' nected with Verulam Chapel.) There was nothing in the cvidene° to justify them in coming to a positive conclusion with respect to any one person, and be would, therefore, having fully recapitulat the evidence, leave the matter in the hands of the jury. Strangers were then ordered to withdraw, and on their re-admisMon .. , The Coaoruca announced that the verdict of the jury was " W murder" against some person or persons unknown. After a few words from Mr. Hodges (one of the jurymen) the .1 was discharged. LLOYD'S SHIPPING. LONDON, MAT 7.—Wind N.N.E. at noon, light breeze and clondie, ROCHESTER, MAT 4.—Arrd. Queen Victoria, Sto c kto n , with ions (N. jib•boom and other damage, having been in contact with a a 600 030 in Ilaisborough Gulf. OFF DOVER, May 6.—Arab, Port Philip. OFF FOESESTONE.-Acrd. George, Sydney, New South Wales. PORTSMOUTH, MAY 6.—Wind S.W. to W.—Arrd. sth, Sir ROO , Sale, Loader, China ; 6th, Matilda, Nielsen, Bahia ; Christina, Wendia, ditto. Sld. 6th, Seringapatam, Furnell, Madras and Calcutta. CQWES, MAT 6.—Wind W.S.W.—Arrd. Alwina, Rowells, Val paraiso, for Hamburgh ; Onderneeming, Loeff,ltioJaneiro ; Mathilde, Nelson, Bahia; Seth, Morbery, Bahia. BAIDPOIT, MAT 6.—Wind W.—Sld. Fox, Foall, St. John's, New foundland. LIVERPOOL, MAT 6.—Sld. Mary Jane, Mason, St. John's, N. 8 .; Coverdale, Benson, Montreal. DUBLIN', MAY s.—Wind S.—Arrd. Simeon Hardy, Cook, BarbadO• CORK, MAY 4.—Wind S. s.W.—Arrd Agile, Smith, Mauritius; 1013 ' Le Patonrel, Rio de la Hache. OFF CORK.—Penelope, of Jersey, Cape Coast Castle. DROGHEDA, MAT I.—Wind W.S.W.—Arrd. Cynthia, Ballal, St• John's, N.B. LIVERPOOL, MAY 6.—The Sarah, of London, put back to VelPs. raiso, previous to 2d Feb., leaky, and would probably be condemnea• LYNN, MAY s.—The Circe, Fish, of and for this port, from Hartle; pool, got ashore on the Tory Sand, in Lynn Well, yesterday, And sunk ; crew saved. _MARKET NE WS.-(YESTERDAY). NAY NIANXIIIMIL SMITMFIELD.—Meadow Hay, 31 58 to 41 88; Clover ditto, 41 155 Si 16s ; Oat Straw, 1112 s to 11 143 ; Wheat Straw, 11 14s to 11 161 Pe i load. Supply moderate and trade dull. CUMBERLAND.—Meadow Hay, 31 6s;t o 41 10 s ; Cl over ditto, 41 D,„„ to 5/ 15s ; Oat Straw, 1/ 14s t o 11 16 ; Wh ea t S traw, 1/ 1 6 s to 11 per load. Trade tolerably steady at the above quotations. 411!! WIIITECHAPEL.—Meadow Hay, 31 3s to 41 8s ; Cl over ditto, to 61; Oat Straw, ll 12s to 11 148 ; Wheat Straw, 11 141 to 111 0 ' per load. A full average supply, and a dull trade. MEAT IVZ.A.72,IOETS. SOUTHALL, MAT G.—Notwithstanding the supplies of each kind of fat stock on sale to day were but moderate, the time of year consi dered, the general demand was in a sluggish state, and last week'S quotations were not supported. Beef from 2s 6d to 48 ; Mutton, 3 8 2d to 4s 10d ; Lamb, 5s 4d to 6s 4d ; Veal, 4s to 58 ; and Perk, 311 8d to 48 8d per 81bs, to sink the offtits. ROMFOILD, MAT 6.—We had a very dull trade this morning, 00 the following terms :—Beef, from 2s Gd to 4s; Mutton, 3s 4d to ss; Lamb, 5s 6d to 6s 4(1 ; Veal, 4s to is; and Pork, 3s 8d to 4s 8d Per Suckling Calves, 18s to 298 ; Quarter-old Store Pigs, 16 5 to 19s ; and Milch Cows, with their small Calf, 161 to 191 each. LEWES, MAT s. —Beef, from 2s 8d to 4s 2d; Mutton, 3e 6d to 50 ; Lamb, 55 44 to 6s 2d ; Veal, 4s 44 to 4E Hid ; and Pork, 4s to 48 8d per 81bs. A moderate supply and a heavy demand. NENVGATE AND LEADENNALL. We had a very dull inquiry here to-day for all kinds of Meat, and In some instances lower rates were again submitted to. Beef front 2s 4cl to 3s 6d ; Mutton, 3s 4d to 4s 4d ; Lamb, 53 4d to 68 4d ; Neal, 4s 2d to 5s 2d ; and Pork, is 4d to 5s per Blbs by the carcase. CORN AVERAGES. ' GENERAL AVERAG PRCES F BRITISH CORN For the Week ended May 2, E 1846, 1 O made up from the Roturns of the Inspectors in the different Cities and Towns in England and Wale. per Imperial Quarter. ~.... PRICE .. 1 W BALLET.' OATS. i EYE. I BEANE. I PEAS. 56s HEAT. M 29s 8d 23s 7d 32s 5d 341 10d 33s 10d DUTY... 17. Od is Od 6s Od 9s 6d Is 6d 9s 64 CHARGE OF HORSEWHIPPING A REPORTER.—Mr- Riches, reporter to the Norfolk News, preferred a charge of assault against Mr. George Thurtell, of Norwich, for horsewhipping Min in the market-place of that city, in the early part of April. Mr. Thurtell admitted the assault, and urged in mitigation of fine that he did so because the complainant had sent the death of his father to the Daily News, couched in disgraceful terms. Mr. Thurtell then read the paragraph of which he complained, and which appeared in the Daily News of April 3. It was as follows, under the head of deaths :—" On the last day of the month, Thomas Thurtell, Esq., of Harford Hill Cottage, in his 88th year. Mr. Thurtell was an Alderman under the old Corporation, and father to the unfortunate and notorious John Thurtell, who mur dered Mr. Ware 26 years ago." At the time this appeared Mr. Thurtell, sen., was alive ; but the principal reason for ,with the assault was he had received. to be found in the remark s w hi c h were appen d e d to . dthe ea death. Mr. Riches said he did not write this identical paragraph the death t show Mr. 0 he sent a brief memoir of the deceased, from which the ab ove was extracted. The Magistrates said they were bou nd provocation ; same timeThurtell that h h t at e y e h m ad us fidtly not They had determined to fine the defendant one shillbs s and costs.— h not take considered the ltahweinto his oWn hands at the Yarmouth Chronicle. (ADVERTISEMENT.] —CURES OF FIEIRIXIL UL CER OUS SORES IN MALTA, BY HOLLOWAY'S PILLS AND OINT ii MO' Duncan, whose forsworehuband is employed in her Majesty ' s " T. at dockyard Malta, suffered feet. She formerly resided at Corfu , and t ,_ svas treated by the bee t whatever, there, from whom, noWever s he derived no benefit whatever, when, a ft er using five or six hex', a's Pills and Ointment, a perfect cure w s and pots of Hollow Y. The truth of this statement is so notorloas ifs malts as effected. .._ Mail" newspaper was induced • that the editor of the " Mane to insert the particulars of the case in his paper of October 31st, 1845 Professor Holloway' s establl tun t .—Sold by a ll drugg ists, and at en ,_____...................................1 ._ , 244, Stra nd , Lo n do n, On the sth last., at the BIRTHS F. B. Wells, of a dau Rectory, Woodcharcb, the wife of th e Be!. On the sth i nst, ghter. bourne Es , at Blackmore Essex, the wife of W. T. Long' q., of Gr ays Thurrock, of r a son. Middlesex et On the sth inst., the wif e of Frederick Young, Esq., of Bromlel, , a son. On the sth inst., at W MorrisWoodford Rail, Essex, the wife of W William , Esq., of a daughter. On the sth inst., at Knowl-hill, Berkshire, the wife of th e Re• S• Sturges, of a daughter. MARRIED. On the 27th of March, at the Cathedral, Bombay, Alexander KM' 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 Wareside, Herts, 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, Zig. , to Sarah Robina, only daughter of the late Major James Todd. On the 22(1 ult., at Lugwardine, Herefordshire, the Rev. J. Leigh Hoskyni, M.A., Rector of Aston Tyrrold, Berks, to E. Emma , youngest daughter of the late Commodore Sir J. S. Peyton, K.C.U. On the sth inst., at Trinity Church, St. Marylebene, Charles Manners, youngest son of the Right Hon. S. It. Lushington, to Hen rietta, eldest daughter of Henry Stafford Northcote, Esq., of Fyne/ House, Devon. DD. On the 30th ult., a t Dover, Kent, lE Mrs. Way, relict of the Rev. Vi r • Way. On the Ist inst., at Brockhurst, 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, Edmund Haynes, FAQ On tl , e 2d inst., at Brock-hall, Northamptonshire, Susanne, the wife of Thomas Reeve Thornton, Esq. On the 3sl inst., Mr. Joseph Hetherington, of Connaught-tarsus, Edgware-road. London: Printed and Published by hitTRDO YOUNG, of N o . 112, strand,Printer, a$ The Sun Office, No. I 12, Strand, is the Preciza of the Savoy, In the County of 3114 , 11eiei, ritclay, itAY N N,