The Sun. — London, England, 1852-03-27 00:00:00

The whole merit of it was due to the late Government, and he hoped they had been enabled to frame a measure wliich would accomplish all the desired benefits, and avoid most, if not all, the ebjectioes urged against former tneesures pro posed. The 13111 dealt with chanties, whose aneuel inceitee was very nearly 1,500,000/. No less than 21,00 d of t hm. had incomes of less than 20/. a year, and upwards of 13 0,10 less than 51. a sear. With regard to t suela ch,arities, the whole of their property would be absored if they were taliea into Chancery, though for the largely endowed charities it was impossiele to conceive a trilmual better calculated to carry into effect a system of control and a dministration than the Court of Chancery. The smaller charities, however, were wholly unprotected. The law mainly depended on he a statute passed in the reign of Queen Elizabeth, giving t control over all charities to the Court of Chancery, but cctsmissions of the description authorized by that Act be came practically obsolete. Don to 1786 but in nothin tha g t year whatever the was done in the way of le w gislation, Act commonly called Giltiert's Act was passed, which required the ministers, churchwardens, and overseers of every parish to make a return of all charities in the parish. Returns were made of charitable property amounting annually to between 200,000/. and 300,0001. In 1812 an Act was passed by Sir S. Roundly, a name always to be mentioned with reverence, especially in connexion with rif)rms in the law, by which Act a summary remedy was proposed for abuses in the administration of charities by enabling parties to proceed in the Court of Chancery by pe tition. It had been well said that the word " summary must be interpreted by the glossary of the Court of Chancery, for though the course of proceeding by petition was nk :o.e expeditious and cheap than that by information, vet with the costly machinery of the Court of Chancery it was little adapted to meet the case of the smaller charities. In the same year another Act was passed compelling returns to be made relating to charities which might be created there after, as well as those then existing. 'lle provision with respect to charities thereafter to be created remained a dead letter, Rod the Act applied to charities charged on land only. He had informed the House of the whole law on the subject in 1816, when a Committee of Inquiry into charities and education among the lower orders in the metropolis was appointed, on the motion of Lord Brougham. In conse quence of the report of establishingtee, iu 1818 an Act of Parliament was passe 1, a commission of in quiry into educational charities, which, in 1819, was ex tended to charitie, throughout England and \\Taes, and an Act was also passed which empowered the companies t certify to the Attorney-General any case of abusefrom. These commissions were renewe d by Act of Pment to time, and the last was appointed on the Ist of July, 1837. The commissioners ma de 3 reports, contained in 37 folio volumes. As early as 1820 the conatnissioners pointed out the absence of any effieient jurisdiction in regard to small charities. In all the Acts of Parliament exceptions were introduced in favour of the Universities, collegiate and ca thedral charities, some of the public schools and charities, where there was a special visitor; but, from 1818 to 1830, no exception was made with reference to the gre.t London hospitals, or any City cnnpanies. In 1830 an exemption _was introduced by the let and 2cl of William IV. in favour laavineleen;llowedCo eiiStforfoitr years, was taken away the sth and 6th of William IV. Such exemption, how ever, he understood, was to be strongly contended fur on the present occasion. In 1835 a Committee of that House was appeinted to consider the evidence and reports of the com missioners, and the measures to be adopted for the purpose of completing the inquiry relating to uninvettigated chari ties, and to report in what mode charity funds could be most efficiently, promptly, and economically administered. In their report that Committee expressed their opinion as follows: — "Your Committee are inclined to recommend that the su perintendence, and, in certain cases, the administration of all property devoted to charitable uses, sh ;aid be entrusted to a permanent board of three commissioners, or som the due other i n d e p e ndent authority, on whom shou ld be imposedduty of superintendence and control over the administration of all property devoted to charitable uses; that such board should have authority to call for, from time to time, and to a return or an account of the a nnual funds and.property enforce of any charitable institution, and have power to summon before themselves, or other persons specially authorized by them, all parties concerned in the management or administration of any charitable institution or funds; in case of necessity to appoint, and, upon adequate cause clearly established, to re• move trustees; to taee care that no sale, mortgage, or exchange of charity property be effected without their concurrence, and that all funds applicable to charitable purposes be invested upon real or Government security. . . . . The board to be empowered to suggest schemes for the government of all charities, and for the ma nagement of all estates and funds be longing to such chari ties, and to correct any abuses therein, subject to the like con currence in cases where there are special visitors." The present Bill was founded on the recommendations of that Committee. The commissioners certified 386 cases to the Attorney-General, and the charities benefited by the proceedings taken in those cases to the extent of upwards of 600,0001.; schemes were established having an income of 20,0001. No attempt at legislation was made from 1837 to 1844, when Lord Lyndhurst, then Lord Chancellor, proposed a Bill to establish a jurisd iction in cases of small charities, which Bill was read a second time and dropped. Jn 1845 and 1846 similar Bills were introduced, and the last was thrown out by a majority cf two in the House of Lords. Those Bills adopted generally the recommendations of the Committee, and proposed to establish a board not merely for advice and supervision, bat for absolute jurisdiction over charities of smaller amount. The blanks were not filed up in the first Bill ; but the second applied to charities und , r 501., and the third to charities under 1091 Power was given in those Bills to impose a tax on charities to support the establishment of the board ; in 1844 3d. in the pound was proposed, in 1845 61, and in 1846 3d. in the pound on the smaller charities, and 1 1 / 2 01. in the pound on the larger charities. Lord Cottenham and Lord Campbell objected to what they deemed the arbitrary and despotic powers given to a secret and irresponsible tribunal. Lord Cottenham, who had rffered a resolute opposition to that portion of Lord Lynd hurst's Bills which provided for the establishment of a board, became Lord Chancellor in 1846, and introduced Bills in 1847, 1848, and 1849. A similar Bill was introduced by the ` Master of the Rolls in 1850. Those Bills go rid of a board, but provided that where charities existed having an income of less than 301. the judges of the County Courts should ex ercise jurisdiction; where the income NT EIS between 301. and 1001. the Masters in Chancery were enabled to do all that in respect of the larger charities the Court of Chancery alone could do. No appeal was given with respect to the decision of the Masters in Chancery, and those of the County Court judges could only be appealed against with the consent of the judge himself. That provision was objected to by the Right Hon. Gentleman the Member for the University of Cambridge ( Mr. Goulburn), but the Bill notwithstanding was read a third time. It was withdrawn, however, in the House of Lords, and in the meantime a new Commission had been established for the purpose of making inquiry into the cases of charities which had not been certified by the Attor ney-General. That Commission was issued in 1849, and in June, 1850, they made their first report, in which they stated that they had received numerous complaints of mal administration of charities, and that it was evident to them that great abuses still existed for which no sufficient remedy had yet been provided. They went on to say— ' "It appears to us that in order to apply an effectual and permanent remedy to these various abuses and defects, it is necessary to create, by legislative enactment, some public and permanent authority, who should be charged with the duty of supervising the administration of all these cho ritable trusts. • . We are of opinion that the creation of such an authority as we have described would be the means of saving a large amount of charity property by put ting a stop to many actual abuses, either of neglect or mis application, by advising a better administration to trustees who are willing to be advised, and, in many instances, by preventing expensive lineation, which would seldom be found necessary when it was generally known that any in stance of neglect or malversation would meet with a certain and prompt interference." In the second report of this Commission thew said— " Considering, as we have already stated, that some legis lative measure was necessary to secure the due administration of charitable trusts, we have, with the sanction of your Ma jesty's Secretary of State for the Home Department, p , e pared a Bill for facilitating and better securing the due administration of charities in England and Wales,' which we have submitted to the consideration of your Majesty's Go vernment." The Bill so prepared by this Commission was, in point of fact, the Bill now p resented to the House. ft was brought into the House of Lords in 1851 ; it was received with una nimous approbation, so far as the principle was concerned ; the Bill was read a third time, out it came down at so late a period of the session that it shared the fate of all its pre decessors, and no law existed at the present moment for the correction of the abuses in question. The general character of the Bill at present before the House was this :—Adopting the recommendations of the Committee of 1835, and follow ing out the precedent of the Bills of 1844, 1545, and 1840, it was proposed to establish a board, which was to con sist of five Commissioners, two of whom were to be paid. Whether these two would be sufficient or not would be a matter of important consideration for the House.—(Hear.) Lord Chancel lor to was reserved for the appoint a third paid Commis sioner, and his (the Attorney-General's) belief was, that the labours of the board, when first established, would be so considerable, in bringing matters into form, and hi bringing into operation a system applicable to all the charities throughout the kingdom, thee the proposed board of two would be insufficient. This board was not to be invested with any jurisdiction over charities at all. It was to be - a board for the purpose of supervision, of control, and of advice, and it was proposed that no suit or proceedings should be instituted in reseect to any breach of trust, or of any matter connected with these charities, wit bout the con, effect the ent of the Commis sioners of the Board . The object and of this pro vision would be to prevent a number of suits which had un fortunately from time to time been brought, notwithstanding the check and control of the Attorney-General, merely for the purpose of costs. It was a check which would be infi nitely more beneficial in the case of large than of small cha rities, because the former were more likely to tempt the cupidity of speculators for costs. With respect to charities with incomes under 301., it was proposed to give juriedic tien to the County Courts— alear)--or the district Courts of Bankruptcy ; and as to the cha ities with incomes between 30/. and 1001., to give jurisdiction to the Masters in Chan eery, not compelling parties, as now, to go by petition to the court More they could be sent to the Master. There was a I provision in the Bill upon which he laid great stress, tor enabling trustees and persons interested in charities to oh- rain the advice of the Commi-sioners of the Board as to their proceedings under the trust (Hear, hear) —and it was pro- i posed to render those persons who resorted to the Commis- sinners for their advice safe in acting under it by giving I them an indemnity. The Commissionersati would all have power if the Bill passed , t o send questions relng to charities with incomes below 301., either to the County Courts or to the district courts o f bankruptcy ; and they would have power also to interpose, and to stay any proceedings which they thought were improperly conducted. At the same time, in order to provide a check against any improper in terference on the part of the C o mmis.sionerie they were who to have no control at all over the Attorney-G, notice to them. miht proceed ex cio without g iving any When the A tt o rney - General k proceedings, no certificate was necessary from the Commis sioners; but in any other case it was absolutely requisite before any suit could he instituted either in b the fo re Ceu any nty Courts or the district co urts of bankruptcy, or e proceedings could be taken before the Muter or the Lord Chancellor. The system proposed by the present Bill would obviate soma of the objections which had been urged against former measures. In the first place, the Commis3hear ioners would be strictly a board a nd not a court —Wear, .) They would have the power of directing proceedings to be taken ; they would specify the court in which those proceedings would be instituted, subject check on of course to the the l i mitation he had mentioned; and, as a up County Court Judges, they might remove a case from those courts, and direct it to be carried before the Maßi ll ster or wasthe Lord Chancellor himself. T o one part of the he *old that he must expect considerable opposition. He meant that which proposed to tax the charities indisc at rimi- the nately to the amount of 2 d. in the pound, provided same time that the amount paid by no charity was to exceed 501. It was anticipated that this would raise a sum of s,soVlyear, which nuld, beli eyed, be eufEcient for the maintenance of the board anti the necessary :toff. He I 11.1:1 heard it call this Bill !night, ne .sleubt, I,a abeo lutely essenti el for ,the peotecii. ei of small clonities, en 1 that therefore it was perfectly right to call on them to pay for the great benefit they would derive from this mea sure ; but with rrspoct to the larger charities, the me ens Which they had of reen eying abuses were such that they would derive no advantage. He thought, however, that this was a misappreheo.sion, and that the charities in mestioa weal.' receive a benefit from this measure at least commen surate with the rate which it was proposed to impose upon them, In the first place they woul I find that provision was made by which the necessity of resorting to Perlianient for Bills to accomplish various objects, which were absolutely necessary under the existing state of law, would now he en tirely removed.—(Heas, hear.) He fund by a list before him that since 1800 there were no less than 135 private. Bills sought for by different charities. Now, the average cost of those Bills would be 6001. each, making a total expendi ture of 81,0001. He asked whether tile benefit would not be very considerable of a measure which would prevent any necessity for these applications to Parliament, and whether it was reasonable to object to pay 501. a year in order to get rid of a cost which might go far beyond what they would be called on to pay under this Bill.-4llear.) As to the question of exemption, his opinion was that any other exemptions than those proposed would disable the Bill itself. —(Wear, hear.) The only bodies which it was pro posed at present to exempt were the universities, collegiate and cathedral churches, the British Museum, and institutions I supported wholly by voluntary contributione. Upon former occasions institutions supported prineipalis,s by charitable contributions were exempted, but to this there were objec then-, and it was now stetted i the exemption Cl ;Ilse that where institutions were supported partly by charitable con tributions and pertly by endowment, that portion af the fends arising from the former source should not be liable to supervision. There would be an endeavour also made, he MIS aware, to exempt the great London hospitals from the operation of the Act, but, notwithst aiding the strong appeals made on this point, he should feel it his duty most srenuouely to resist the endeavour. He looked with considerable anxiety to the result of the Committee on the Bill. Everybod ✓ y ad mitted the necessity fur leaielatiou. — (lleer , hear.) Year after year the objections te the present system had been pointed out in the most forcible manner; year after year the subject bad been brought before the attention of the House, and the House had been asked to interfere for the protection of charities, many of which had been, he believed, annihilated, from their b ing unprotected--(Hear)-and if, after all the carious attempts which had been made, this carefully p-e -pared measure should fah like its predecessors, he should ut terly despair of ever being able to carry out any reform on the subject. When the attention of Parliament had been so repeatedly called to this subject —when so urgent a ne cessity for legislation had been proved, it world be a re proach to the Legislature to lose what he might almost descri e as the last opportunity of introducing a measure which would meet every case and obviate every objection. He did hope that Parliament would at last pass a Bill which would be - of the utmost benefit to the country. Sir A. COCKBURN said he should be happy to as re isst his stated that the income of the charities affected by this Bill' amounted tei about 1,503,0001 per annum, which at-twenty years' purchase gave 30,000,0001. worth of property; every one would see the importance of the question. The grossest acuses had prevailed in the administration of charitable trusts. 'I hey were bestowed by donors, who were about to quit the world, for the benefit of the poor and needy, who were without means to maintain their rights; so that it was no wander that abuses had sprung up. The municipal cor porations who were charged with the administration of these charities had abused their trusts in a very great degree. In other cases local jobbing had absorbed the funds of the chari ties. Since the attentlon of Parliament had been directed to this subject, no less than 600,000/. had been recovered from persons who had abused their trust. The charity of St. Cross, one of the noblest in the kingdom, afforded an il lustration of the manner in which the funds of these chari ties were perverted by individuals. A suit had, however, been instituted, and he hoped that before long the funds of the charity would he made subservient to the purposes of education, and the other objects contemplated by its founder. Some such measure as the prevent was absolutely necessary. All these charities were under the jurisdiction of the Crown, which was exercised in the Court of Chancery, and set in motion by the Attorney-General. But the Attorney- General was wholly incotnpetent to exercise any superintendence over these charities. by`here gross abuses were brought to his knowledge, as the Commissioners or by individuals, he could institute proceedings to allow his name to be used by relators. But cases were submitted to by which be was sometimes misled. The consequence was that he allowed suites to be instituted in his name fer bad purposes, and for getting costs, and in this way suits were compromised for selfish purposes. Of the existing charities there were 18,010 whose property did not exceed 101. per annum, and whose income did ~not exceed 60,c00/. Any application to the Court of Chancery relative to these charities involved au expense which rendered it utterly impossible for the trustees to move the Court. It was not intended to invest the Commissioners with judicial powers, because the parties interested would not in that case communicate. with them with that entire freedom and absence of reserve which was necessary to enable them to exercise the Ac guidanc It e, suseemed pervi sion, and control contemplated by this t. to him that this Bill d d all that could be desired. The Com missioners appointed under it would exercise no arbitrary or inquisitorial powers. Its provisions were calculated to re dress the abuses that prevailed, and he should therefore be happy to give it his supper .—(Cheers. ) Mr. Alderman THOMPSON telt the disadvantageous po sition in which he stood in opposing this . Bill. He was aware of the great amount of property involved, the abuses that existed in certain endowed charities, and the necessity of some more efficient control over them. But there was a wide difference between charitable foundations endowed in former ages and those in which the management was en trusted to respectable individuals, and which was in great part supported by the contributions of benevolent persons. He had no personal interest in opposing this Bill, but he had for nearly years taken a deep interest in the welfare and ma nagement of one if t h ese institutions.— (Hear.) He all uded to Christ's Hospital, an institution having an income t f 1 ,000/. a year, which was managed by governors n,,w living who had contributed not less than 200.0001. to its funds. — (Hear ) Were these parties to continue to have the .ma nagement of that institution, or were they to submit to the i nter f er ence of commissioners?' In the latter event he felt confident that the revenue, or a great part. of it, would very shortly disappear. There were 500 governors, every one of whom was summoned from eight to ten times a year to attend the business of that hospital Twelve auditors were elected by the subscribers, who audited and publishe er d northe accou nts in extenso , and sent a copy to every Gov. What need could there be for the interference proposed by this Bill with such an institution? It was not the paltry 50/. a year that Christ'S Hospital would contribute to the general fund that he cared about, but those distinguished in dividuals would be disgusted at the interference of the Com missioners, and would no longer feel the same interest in the management of the institution. Christ's Hospital clothed, maintained, and educated 1,400 children—the children of poor clergymen with large families, of half-pay officers in her .dajesty's army and navy, and the orphans of officers who had fallen in the defence of their country. He denied that any objection was made cn the part of the royal hospitals to the most searching inquiry by the Commissioners, For more than twelve months they have been employed examining into Christchurch Hospital, and they pub lished their report in three folio volumes. The Hon Gentleman here entered into an explanation of the manage show t several of the large hospitals of the metropolis, to the great care with which they were conducted and the very close attention paid to the administration of their funds. These inetitutions were tho pride of the inhabitants and the wonder of foreigne:•s, who were utterly astonished when told that they were supported by voluntary contribu tions. if a clause were inserted exempting from the opera tion of the Bill all estaelishments under the control of any I committee, as governors, appointed by voluntary subscribers, as wastthe, the case in previous Acts, he should be satisfied ; but he was satisfied that if they were subjected to t oe p of the Bill is would go far to stop the stream of charity in this country.—(llear, hear.), He thought, at the name d ti rmay e r , n th f a ri t an the ch e a x r p it e i n es ses id of ththeer.CaoymVsasiroant,e,insehteoaucildofb e paid being the Hon. Gentleman moved that th e Bill be sent to a Select out of the consoli dated fund.—( Hear, hear.) In conclusion, Committee upstairs. Sir R. H. INGLIS seconded the amendment. He did not deny that some legislation was necessary, but the presentnt Bill would punish those who were guiltless. It very much to the injury of the voluntary charitable esta blishments of the country i f they were to be exposed to the visits and examinations of a paid commissioner, it should be r e membered that those institutions were conducted by per s ons who rendered their services purely from motives of Christian charity. In the case o Literf some of these societies — such, for example, as the Reyal ary Fund where the recipients of relief were peculiarly sensitive, the publicity thus given to the proceedings would go far to deprive the relief given of its value.—(Hear, hear.) If societies like these were not exempted, the aid given to decayed literary men. would become almost as public as that given at the union workhouse.—(Hear, hear.) He agreed with the Hon. Alderman (Alderman Thompson) that the expense of super vising those charities that required it should be paid cut of the consolidated fund —(Hear, hear.) The sums given by in. tividuals to some of the great hospitals were perfectly astonishing in emunt, and be might state that he one heard of oral gentlemea who intended to give 5.00e1. to one of the hospitals of the metropolis, but who had refrained from doing so till be learned whether those institutions were or were not to be exempted from the operation of this measure. lie hoped his lion. and Learned Friend would not drive them to object to the bill in Coto, and that the measures of the late Government could be carried out without depriving thos administered toe charities of London and of other e who places of all personal i n t e rest in those great establishments. Mr. Alderman SIDNEY could not concur in the amend ment. He admitted the present efficacy of the administra tion of Christ',. Hospital, but how could the y be sure the "me spirit would be evinced hereafter? The foundation they intended for the sons of indigent f , eemen ; but in effect ria l iy fou u n n d de t r h ,, a to t t d he su s c o ,h ns w of nt,hobelecianseen. hlandbeen brought up there,--(A laugh, and cries (f" No !") Well it was com as monly the intentions ui not administered with the general the sheuld be included under chari ties of London were least. r gard n e d i e r r beneficent founders, and all of them hospitals, well as St. let's Hospital, the other Bill. If they excepted Bartholomew's and St. Thomas's supervision proposed by the must also be excepted from its operation. royal And yet, but a short time ago Sr. Thomas's bad a inconve nienced by the defalcation of the treasurer;eengreatly aud disorderly persons were as common in and, while idle as in the days of Edward VI., they did inn the streets now Bridewell Hospital was carrying out the purposes find that the it had been instituted. At all events, o r o e s e tor which could disadvantage in making proper inquiry into the node io be no which these great trusts had been discharged, an(le ob jected strongly to the ex em p tion of the univer sities he from the operation of the B ill in that res p ect. Provis ion had inquiry into made so far back as t he rei g n of Geor g e 11. for a iato the charities connect ed with the p risons of the city of London by one of the Chief Justices or the Chief Baron and three magistrates, but it was only within the last few weeks the first inquiry of the kind had commenced. As an instance of the abuses which had taken place in this matter, lie might observe, that the Ashton charities, which were founded 125 years ago, for the payment of 951. yearly to the pensioners, had never paid one farthing up to the present time; and it was calcAated ' that the sum due from them, taken at 3 per cent., was no less than 100,0001. The trusts were still in existence, but all that came of them was. that the respectable solicitor who wes interested in the charity stated he had now 2,000/. or 30001. to render avail able for the purpose. He thought it absolutely necessary that these charity funds should be inquired into, and ha hoped no further opposition would be offered to so excellent a measure as the one before the Mute. Mr. Alderman THOMPSON, in reply to the statement that sons of noblemen had been presented to Christ's Hos pital, expressed his belief that there was on'y one case which could have afforded ground for such an assertion, and that was the presentation, made by himself, of a grandson of the great Lord Rodney, an orphan. Sir P. WOOD assured the'llon . . Alderman that the com missioners under the Bill would have no other control over the different charities except that of examination and re porting, if they eo thought fit.. He should be sorry to see TilE SUN, NAVAL INTELLIGENCE. Commander John King (1843) has been promoted to ba captain on the referved halt-pay list. He has served 17 years on full-pay, chiefly during the war, in which he distinguished himself. APPOINTMENTS. COmmanders-Alcx , :ndpr Little, from Leith cote guard sti.tion, to Wextord district, as inspecting com mander, vice) Charles IL Douglas, whose pLriod of set.- vic,, has expired; Thomas Cochran, from Grimsby to Leith district, as inspecting commander, vice Little; ,che Power (1854), to be inspecting com mander of the Grimsby district, vice C , chran. Lieutenants—Ja-nes Irwin to command the Lyno Cobb c , ast-guard sievion, vice Mr. W. B. Stocker. su perannuated; H. A. Ciavering (1847), and C. S. Dun bar (1847) bavt , bee appoint , d t, the Excellent, gun wry ship, Portsmouth. Mtettra—Samuel Bradd,ti (1851) to the l3ritomart, 8. D,vonport; F. H. May (1844) to the Winchester, 50, l'ortsmouth. Matt —a. R.. Fitzgerald !to the Highflger, screw corvettP, Wt - Joleich ; E. S. Douglas, G. S. Dill, and T. M. F. Bum', to the Winchester; Thomas StaAhouse to the Britornurt. Second Master—S. 0. Jones to the Retribution, steam frigate, Spithead. A.l , ltstaitt-Surgeon—Julian W. Bradshaw (1847) to the Hadar Hospital, vice Henry Slade, to the Wiuchea ter, 50, Portsmouth, Clerk—C. A. Sttapcote to the Britomart. Midshipman—James Best to the Highflyer; C. Baillie to the Lesuder, 50, Devonport. Master's Assistants.—F. P. Haswell to the Dauntless; W. B. Bastion to the Britomart. Gunners—S. R. Brown to the Winchester; Richard Parkins to the Britomart. Boatswains—James Etheridge to the Winchester; J. Thou - Tien to the Britomart; 0. D. Maxwell and Thomas Flinthatn of the Monarch, 84, Sheerness, have been con firmed. Carpenter—John Gedge to the Britoutart. Ilige.flyer, 26, , screw-frigate, Captain H. J. Matson, at Woolwich, is picking up her crew very fairly. She has already some eighty or ninety of her ship's com pany on her books. The 3d of April is the day named for her completion by the dockyard. She was tried down the river on Thursday; when the average of three runs, two up and one down, at the measured mile in Long Reach, she made a speed of 9.052 knots per hour., Sirnoom iron-screw steam-ship, Captain Kingcome, which put into Devonport on Thursday, with the dis patches received from the Vulcan screw-frigate, Master Commander Penn, off Scilly, on Wednesday, will pro bably sail again to-day fur Portsmouth. the injury sus tained by the machinery being but trifling, though suffi cient to have placed the ship in some peril, from the circumstance of her being at the time of the accident in the narrow channel ist the east end of the breakwater. She was tore: l to the anchorage, inside the breakwater, by the Avon and Cenfiance steamers. Vulcan had not arrived at Devonport yesterday noon, and from the point at which the wind stands, will have some difficulty in working up Channel ' Resistance troop-ship, Master Commander Bradshaw, arrived at Devonport on Thursday, with victualling and naval stores, and has been towed into harbour to dis charge her cargo, by the Confiance. Racer, 12, Commander Beddoes, was inspected by Captain Lowe on - Wednesday, an 3 towed into Devonport harbour on Thursday, to be paid off. Falmouth lighter sailed from Devonport, with stores, .for Deptford, yesterday. Prince Regent, 90, Captain Harris, and Leander, 50, Captain Dacus, ' left Queenstown March 24, the former for Portsmouth, and the latter for Devonport, to be " paid down." PORTSMOUTEt, Faina.v. , --The Rodney. 92, Captain Graham, G. 8., wilt, according to present arrangements, go to Spithead on the Ist pros. ' The Antulope steam-sloop arrived at Spitheed to-day from the eastward, and came into harbour in the after noon. She will be paid advance previously to leaving this port. The officers and 'crew of the Vesuvius steam-elm') were turned over-to the Vixen steam .bleep, at this port, to-day. Tne Arethusa, 50, Captain Symonds, will be " paid down" to-morrow, azid her crew will b© granted a tort night's leave. The Arr,gant, 46, Csptaia Robinson, will be "paid down" on Mopday. MILITARY FORCE. We have between 30 000 and 35 000 excellent trocr u s iictually in Grem Briiiiiii, over and above some 8,000 131 f or a 10,000 Marines and Artillery, and l torausftheir way i i ' ! a i n n s ly w t be h e e nucleus ot a good military t z ( i .. z u f r ti o n m e regiments tt e‘ap e , , w m e ; y uhr b a : vh f ee o r o e ; r e t sonrces ot our regular point.the p r W i a c e i tookp tprinciple w occasion hich haa not a t 1 ,,, g • 5g 0 to sugg7:. d for the navy should be extended to leng;_h been adop _. the army, Sand , thc , „ rm y, as they now do in largo army do not sto t p or a c t t e. t t h h i a s t panic, or quittino snort service, should be em numbers, after a vory $ and acceptable conditions as that the trained soldiers disbanded after bodied urider some f•ir an army of reserve. manifest success; but the pensioners, besides and with form pres umptively more or less disabl e d, d o by no means being the whole body In the case ot the p ensioners this has been already done, of dischar ge d so ldi ers . We have been favoured with some statistics on this point from credible authority, and we s h a ll pro b a bly surprise •the reader in of soldiers annually small degr ee by stat i ng t h at t h e nu mber annually disbanded exceeds six ihousand. Many of these—and as the Li m i te d E n li stmen t Act operates there will be many more —are in the prime of life ; iu deel, it ia computed that at lea s t 1,000 men actually purchase their discharges arart from any disability for service. Now, the chief obj ec ti on to t h e nava l reserve, —that of the dispersion of the se amen i n vesse l s a t sea, —would not apply to men who wou ld b e at h an d in their several districts, exactly like militi amen or pen sioners; and, if they were indaced by any small pri vilege or bounty to render themselves thus available, we should at once possess a resery s of trained soldiers, ne cessarily more serviceable them county militias. With 40,000 troops of the line, 40,00 a more of the " reserve," and 50,000 pensioners, less robust than the reserve, but capable of home service, we co raid surely give a reason ' able account of any expedition which could slip through a chain of steamers Irons the North Foreland to Fal -1 mouth, and encounter our CIA!) mei aqudrou to boo. SATURDAY EVENING, MARCH 27, £I,~' 8 ) Ic3 1,992 645 3,563 7,517 2,140 Gl6 3,503 12,045 I,' 54 3,134 1,940 389 7,56 S 4,301 13,2u4 .126 3,773 14,43) `;35 43,11 U 1.5:3 1,531 8,"47 84-1 1,113 2,45 328 0,117 7,051 3,070 964 6 2 9,7 39 5,216 7,312 3,543 4,667 2,212 1,331 LONDON, any time lost in passing so excellent a measure as the pee sent by seuding it to a Sicct Cnminittee. FRF,SIIFIELD spoke in defence of the management of the royal hospitals, and said that the trustees of those charities were most desirous of being exempted from the operation of the present Bill. If they were liabie to any charge, let them be proceeded against, and let them take the consequenc,]s; but do not call upon them year after 3-ear to send their accounts into the County Ciurts, to be copied by the registrar, and require them to contribute, however commendable their conduct, 501. a-year out of their funds to enable those commissioners to carry out the Bill. Mr. GOULBURN said, the present Bill came before them in a very different form froth the one to which he had origi nally objected. He admitted the necessity of legislation on the subject, and was prepared to give to the Bill in its prin ciple his best support. He saw no ground why it should be referred to a Select Committee. The Bill was one well worthy of the consideration of the House itself. Mr. P. HOWARD thought it best to submit the Bill, not to the desultory consideration of an open Committee of the House, bat to a Select Committee. He should therefore support the prop )sition of his lion. 'Friend the Member for Westmoreland. Lord J. RUSSELL sai3, that after the delay that had al ready taken place, he should be very sorry that this Bill should beefaTther delayed, nad therefore he could not give his support to the suggestion of his Honourable Friend that it Would ha sent to a Select Committee, fearing that thereby fresh delay might occur, and that it might not pass in the present session. But he thought that circumstances had been stated as to the royal hospitals that deserved the con sideration of the Attoaney-General. It might be doubted whether they should be totally exempt from the provisions of this Bill; but the ceue-e enegestel by the Right Hon. Gentleman the elember for the University of Cambridge, by which they would be free from constant interference, and (abject only to the visit of the Co runissionere, might be suf ficient. It was desirable they should be under the control of the Commissioner=, but it would be a very unjust provi sion to tax establishments and charities that were well con ducted to pay for the management of those that were badly co e laceed. Mr. Alderm in TEIONIPSON withdrew his motion, and the Bill then passed through Committee. BRIBERY BILL. On the order of the dsy for going into Committee on the Corrupt Practices at Election: Bill, Lard J. RUSSE eL said he intended to reprint the Bill before the El else went into Committee upon it. Mr. WALPOLE suggested that amendments might be necessary, especially f:r the purpose of making it retrospec tive. Lord J. RUSSELL intimated his assent to such amend ments. Colonel SIBTEIORP opposed the Bill. Some rich men and Noble Lords often did nastier things than poor men.—(A laugh.) He (Colonel Sibthorp) never bribed; but when he found a fellow-stranger in distress, like the " Good Samari tan," he relieved him.—(Laughter.) Sir EL WILLOUGHBY hoped the Noble Lord would consider whether it was not possible to introduce clauses for .C7i.,;;E477h^enwinnthlifttiscutuelections; without having re might resort to : those practices for the. express purpose of ac complishing'the disfranchisement of a borough. The Bill was then passed through Committee pro forma, and ordered to be recommitted on Friday next. ENFRANCHISEMENT OF COPYHOLDS BILL. Mr. AGL - moved that this Bill be committed pro forma, for the purpose of striking out those portions of the measure which were objected to by the Home Secretary, and of reprinting the Bill in its altered shape, with the view of taking it into consideration on an early day after the Easter recess. Mr. WALPOLE approved of the course proposed to be taken with regard to this measure by the Hon. Member. He believed the Bill would have a better chance of passing into a law this session if those portions of it which he consi dered would be injurious to the copyholders were omitted altogether, and the remainder of the clauses tending to the gradual enfranchisement of copyholds were retained, with certain amendments. The Bill was passed through Committee pro forma accord ingly, and was ordered to be recommitted on Wednesday, the 21st of April. MANCHESTER AND SALFORD EDUCATION. The fallowing Hon. Members were nominated the Select Committee on Manchester and Salford education : Mr. Milner Gibson, Mr. William Miles, Mr. Peto, Mr. Monsell, Mr. Bright, Marquis of Blandford, Lord John Russell, Mr. Gladstone, Mr. Heald, Mr. Cobden, Mr. Cardwell, Mr. Fox, Mr. Ker Seymer, Mr. Brotherton, and Mr. Bankes. On the motion of Sir W. JOLLIi?FE, Viscount Newport was added to the Committee on preserved meats (navy). Mr. BELL moved for a return of the number of electors who have been convicted of taking bribes, and on whom the penalty of 500/., with the forfeiture of their elective fran chise, has been inflicted within the present century ; also, the number of persons who have, within the same period, been convic' ed of giving bribes to electors, fined 5001. or im prisoned, or both, - with the dates of conviction. Mr. G. A. HAMILTON opposed the motion, which was negatived without a division; and The House adjourned at a Quarter to One o'clock. AMERICAN NEWS. SOUTIIA;IiPTON. United• States' mail steamship Franklin, Captain J. A. Wotton, arrived off Cowes at neon to-day, and, having landed the English rnsils and passengers, proceeded to Havre- The Franklin left New York oe the 13th inst., and has encountered strong easterly winds during the whole passage. S'no brings 41 passengers (12 of whom were for Etre. * latel), specie value 170,000 dolls , for Havre , 155 bales of cotton, and 30 boxes of merchandise. The Franklin spoke the clipper ship Mercury on the 233 inst., 19 days out from New York. She brings no news of the Hermann steamship, bound to Southampton and Bremen, which left New York on the 7th inst. The British and North American mail steamship Asia arrived at New York on the 12th inst., after a run of 13 days. Beyond the usual commercial and • trade accounts the Franklin brings no news of importance. The following fracas in the House of Representatives at Washington is reported in the New York journals:— " Mr. BroNn, of Mississippi, made a party speech on the southern rights movement, which ho said went down with the first Union Convention held in Mississippi. He thought the movement originated in a . patriotic spirit. I. Brown then alluded to some remarks of his col kague, Mr. Wilcox, about the old lino Democrats try ing to sneak back into the party; but he (Mr. Brown) thought it w&.s Mr. Wilcox and his -wsociates who put themselves into the pale of democracy by forming a union peke' composed of Whigs as well as democrats. o 7: " Mr. Wilcox :re : , rted sharply on Mr. Brown. My colleague, said Mr. Wilcox, says there was no party in Mis ' lS ' i PP i in favour et secession. I had thought that the eentletnan had too high a regard for truth to make a declaration so baseless of truth. " Mr. Brown asked if his colleague charged him with ialsehoo3? " 119..ve spoken boldly. My language m -sot ne rnisund ,, rstood on that point. " Mr. Brown—Do you mean to say that what I have stated is false ?—(Leoking sternly at his colleague.) " Mr. Wilcox—lt you mean to say there is nobody in \lissisippi iu favour of seces , ,ion, it is false. Th , . lait ward was scarcely uttered betore Brown drew off and plaited a blow in Wilcox's face. Wilcox re , urnerl it, and both clinched. • " The scene of confusion that followed was most ter- rfic. Brown was dragged off to a distance, and Wilcox jumped on his desk sheutieg that he could whip him. Calls, in vain, were made fur the Sergeant-at-Arms; the Speaker rushed into the House, took the chair, and rapped to restore order, which was partially obtained slier a long effort. The chairman of the Committee re ported progress. " Both members then made very 'humble apologies to the House, asking forgiveness, atid entreating the coula tn"dlarreigilfainVllsr t disea gteftil one hour after the House shall again go into Committee. After much confusion the House'then adjourned till to morrow." There was a rumour in the south that another Cuban expedition was on the lapis, but it was not generally believed, although it had been mentioned in the House of Representatives. The paople of Georgia Alabama, and Flosida were about to memoraliso the Government to negotiate with Spain for the purchase of the island. The Louisiana Democratic State convention has, it appears, nominated General Cass for the Presidency. The Royal Mail steam-ship Americo, which was seized last week on account of a smuggling transaction, had been appraised by the United States Customs at 250,000 dollars, to which amount bonds had been given, se that she will now be enabled to leave for England on. her regular day. The expedition against Japan is much commented on. The following is a list of the vessels which will compose the squadron recently ordered to the East Indies: — The steamer Mississippi, flag-ship, M'Clung captain, having on board Commodore Perry, commander of the squadron. Steam-frigate Susquehanna, Captain Buchanan. Steamer Princeton, Commander Sidney Smith Lee. Sloop-of-war St. Mary's, Commander George A M'Gruder. Sloop-of-war Plymouth, Commander John Kelly. Sloop-of-war Saratoga, Commander William L. Walker. Brig Perry, Lieutenant Fairfax. Store ship Supply, Lieutenant Arthur St. Clair. Na poleon B. Harrison, naval storekeeper afloat, to the East India squadron. The Suipehanna, Plymouth, and Saratoga are already un the Pacific coast awaiting the arrival of the remainder of the squadron. The St. Mary's is now on the way to Japan, having on board the Japan sailors. and on reaching Japan nisi await the arrival of the squadron. The residue of the squadron will probably get under weigh in the course of April. The ohjeot3 of the expedition are well known. It is designed to eff , ?et a lending et Jedda, the capital city of Japan, at all hazards, and orders have been given to maltr various explenations on shore, and to leave no efforts untried to open commercial intercoursp with that long-sealed people. It is supposed the squad run will ti,‘ absent about 18 months. The San Augustin Herald narrates the following fiendish assassination, which occurred in Shelby county vu the 4;11 inst.:— "John and Thnry Wadkins met Captain Marvel H. (losely in the road, near the residence of Colonel John E. NI) rick, and intormed him that they designed killing him. ;suiting the - aciivn to the word, ono of the Wed kin, fired a bad into Mosely's right cheek, which caused him to fail trim his horse. Masi ly then attempted to escape by running, but was again brought to a halt by the discharge of a rifle from the other Waikins. Mosel) was now upon the ground, and apparently in the last agonies of death, but still the assailants continued to fire at him. As many as ten or a dez , n different reports were heard by persons living near the scone. Believing Mosely to be dead, the Wsdkins mounted their horses and left, since which time they have not been heard of. Captain Mosely is still alive, but his recover y is con sidered doubtful." - We take the following from a New York paper:— " A highly-respectable man named Brewer, and his wife, were both brutally mu rdered on the 24th ult., near Greenupsburg, Kentucky, by five men, w ho blacked their faces, and' thus di sg uised, proceeded to th e dwell ing of the deceased, and created a noi se amon g their chickens, which induc e d the unsuspecting victims to come out, when they were knocked down b y clubs. Mr. Brewer was instantly kill e d, and his w ife so badly beaten that she survived but a short time. John Collins, who instigated the act; his son-in-law, Reuben Clarke; his brother-in-law, John Clarke; his brother-in law, William Hood, and Turner Clarke, who lived with Collins, though not related to the others, have been ar rested, and all of them but Collins have confessed their guilt, and alleged that Collins instigated them to the horrid deed. Collins and Brewer were members of the same church, and of the same division of the sons of temperance, but recently h a d a lawsuit." COMMERCIAL NEWS. V RIDAti r, MARCH 12, P H. In stocks there was a good deal of activity to-day, and a buoyant feeling generally evinced in n e a rl y all the fancies. Long Island was an exceptiout having risen too rapidly and fell off 1 per cent., closing at 23. Erie was very active, especi a lly a t the second board, when 2,300 shares were sold closing at 85, an improvement of per cent. After the board 854 was bidd eadin had (also an upward tendency, and improved to 71. g Harlem was firm. Norwich was active, and improved 1 per cent. New Jersey Zinc was in demand, aad closed at 12k, an improvement of 37ic. per share. St. Law rence Mining was in active inq u iry at 3,3, and o ffered at 34. For Erie Securities th ere was a large de mand at improving prices. Th e sa l es ex ceed 11 5 , 000 doll ars, closing at 115 f for Ist mortgage, 105 for 2d mortgage, 24 for Incomes, 93} for 1871 Convertibles, 94 for 1862 Convertibles. Hudson River Bonds are also improving. At the second board the market was very buoyant and active. The foreign news was considered as favourable, and the prevailing impre ss i on was that there would be another expansion of prices next week. In exchange there is but little doing, and the quota tions aro heavy at 9 to 10 per cent. for sterling; 5 184 to 5 17i for francs. The supply of bills is fair. Freights continuo firm, with moderate engagements. but considerable produee offering. Some 2,000 or 3,500 barrels flour for Liverpool, at 2s. to 2s. 23.; 800 or 900 tales cotton, at 5-161, and including 360 Sea Islands at II ; grain, 70.; dead weight, 225. 6d. to 255.; 1,000 bar rels naval stereo, at 2s. 6d.; and 500 barrels oil cake, at 2s. 60. To London, 509 barrels flour. at 2s. 6d. To Havre the market is dull at ic. The Franklin has 100,000 dolls. in silver engaged at per cent. To Cali fornia there is a fair businems doing. There is some in iquity for vessels to load breadstuff,' at the South fur England. A ve.r.el was chartered at 3s. for flour and 7d for groin. One or two West India charitis were made at previous continues to be very abundant, rhot.tipeiyof rates. y and there is no new feature to note.' conceived, a right—a sacred right, to ask foi' the gene rous aid of those whom he addressed. It was im possible to overrate the power of the press; and in con nexion with that he referred especially to the "printer's ink." The uttPrapt to educate the people without the printer's ink" were idle inrleed, for it was education that toui,ht the neec•:sity of self-dependence and self respect.—(Cheers.) The Hon. Gentleman concluded a very pleasing and eloquent address by proposing " Con tinued.and increasing success to the Printers' Pension Society."—(Cheers.) Mr. CHARLES KNIGHT, in• highly eulogistic terms, proposed " The Health of the Chairman." The CHAIRMAN responded to the toast in very elo quell; terms. The" Health of the Sheriffs of London and Middle sex" was drunk, to which Mr. Sheriff COTTRELL replied. Other toasts followed, arid the total amount of sub scriptions received was announced at. 3751., which was subsequent raised by a " whip " to upwards of 4001. Mr. Higgs offl3iat: -, (1 ps toastmaster, PRINTERS' PENSION SOCIETY• The t wenty-fitth annivers!..ry of this society, which is established for the relief of aged and infirm printers and their widows, was held on Thursday, at this Lot d)n Tavern—Douglas Jerrold, Esq., in the chair, supported by Mr. Sheriff Cottrell, Mr. Under-Sheriff Hopwood, &o. The number who sat down to dinner exceeded those who had attended on any former occasion. o a s ee h ' e xris urt iuentp h sycog e emnha C ov: l ed.sue li lsbev, l tha,y e and, s A iess f aiata: g tooino a yorad v i ntals e sitet : rihwi ‘ i le r h,i r idarti t ahhe hy e ns tseeßwenosaaefi enthusiastic ecch oince Aidyge :rnacbalh:, oriwljeto:hrsaAotm. alwaysGl biurye Pr e ad built pagodas and pavilions, which were the mockery of one age, and the subject of ridicule and contempt in a succeeding age. But now it happened fortunately for the society that they had la Prince who had built his fame on a surer ground. In conclusion, he begged the company to drink " The Health of his Royal Highness Prince Albert," and coupled with his name the future hope of England, " His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales, and the rest of the Royal (Drunk with great eiv,hustiv.m.) The CHAIRMAN next . proposed th e t oas t of the even ing, "Succ ess to the Printers' Pei,sioa SJciety." It was au excellent custom in sonic parts of Csormany to the happy couplis, by their silver wedding, and i t l ili W ge es 2: a htt' c ht. u tt s w t u e rai r i n svec w r:l h tll i er c Yd h ut t . hey might adopt at this honour the the society had entered upon 1 25th year; and they were assemb:ed on this occasion p to cetliecbarlabteentenreoleenvret, Thehe triu)rsitnetde,rsb,ypetnhesioenxesrcoVeloyf raca great extent self - supporting. There were . 1,600 members now subscribing to t he funds a6troodoprc:i printers, byshowing that to , wb o vindicated their the x ebest extent claim of their t o public sympathy 0 • limited means they had done t . heir best to assist t - selves; and 10 101 wen did t h w they had, he buinbly R 5% 189! 9431 6% 17 04 2414 188 277 228 IA 93N, 304 279 152 21% 63 442% 134% 240 PARLIAMENTARY REFORM. The years pass away, Parliaments run their course, and Governments rise and fall. Here we are getting on in the last half of the century, and Mr. Hume, who was a financial reformer whoa " Lard Wellington" was fighting our battles in Spain, is once more moving the tour points of. his Charter. In the last session of a Whig Parliament, immediately afier the introthettioa end iailare of a second Reform Bill be the mover of the tirtt, Joseph Herne i 3 repeating his thee-bonehead too own in a House of which the 1-Vght Hon. Benj,inein Disraeli is the leader, and which by no extraordinary compact has bound itself to abstain from all the higher 'acts of legislation. If it be added that at this moment there is not a single constitutional Goveremeet in the world in ordinaey anti harmonious evrVion, that it, in which the Executive is in perfect harmony with the representative body, the one being responsible and the other free, we have accumulated more wonders of tlmo then even the veteran Member for Mon trose could have anticipated. His forty years' sojourn in the wilderness have not given him so much as a Pisgah's view of his promised reform; and even his Joshua, who seconded his motion last night, seems scarcely destined to enter. Should Lord John Russell, indeed, find himself in a small majority in the autumn, he may think himself obliged to secure it, as well as increase it, by a measure of Parliamentary reform, necessarily followed by another dissolution. Bat his Lordship is evidently not yet prepared to go a step farther in Mr. Hume's direction than the exigencies of party may require; and we venture to predict that the veteran's last words in Parliament will be an indignant protest against corrupt boroughs, aristocratic nominees, intimidation, bribery, and all the other anomalies and abuses of the present representative system. ..; s a• el.n• .vi.:oi. onghe fn have come off on Lord John Russell's measure. At the time of the late Ministerial catastrophe we pointed out the enormous sacrifice of material it would involve on this fertile topic. Oar own drawers were full of letters, sta tistics, reports, maps, articles—all of increasing interest and value until about a quarter peat eight on Friday the 20th ult., when they suddenly became a heap of waste paper. The same sudden depreciation affected, of course, the 656 speeches, or series of speeches, pre pared by the Members of the House of Commons; but these gentlemen cannot resign themselves to such painful sacrifices so easily as we are forced to do. When a man has composed a good speech, it haunts him till he has delivered it somewhere, some time, to somebody or other. So the occasion of Mr. llama's motion last night was eagerly seized by many Members for discharging the burdens on memory. The occasion allowed, however ; of nothing but a debate on the general principles of Parliamentary Reform; and, accordingly, we were presented with essays of the most abstract and philosophical character by Mr. H. Drummond, Sir W. Page Wood, Mr. Napier, Mr. Roebuck, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, and Lord John Russell. Whether we regard them as comments on a preposterous motion or on a withdrawn Bill, they are equally devoid of imme diate interest. They may all bo laid by for the next rainy day—if indeed we are to have any rain this year— or they may ho postponed till Lord John shall at length bring forward the improved version of his late Bill. We are obliged to give them as they are; bat as the public is not obliged to road them, it will consult its comfort, and lose very little, by taking the cream of them given in our summary. As Mr. Hume succeeded only in mustering 89 Mem bers prepared to go the whole length of his quadruple resolution, it is evident the House of Commons, on the eve of an appeal to the people, is not yet enamoured of pure democracy. But it is equally evident, from the tone of the principal speakers, that unless the new Par liament is very different from the present, it will deem it wise and necessary to give a larger share of the re presentation to the wealth and population of the country; and so far, it may be said, to raise the democrattcal as compared with the monarchical and aristocratical el,- meats. The claim of abstract right is wholly and justly repudiated by all sensible men; but rig ht is. one thing a nd wisdom i s another; and certainly nothing can be more unwise than the proud and stubbornratantenanee of a state of things by wh ich large populatione, myriads of well-informed and respectable artiz ins, and other deserving or powerful classes, instead of being i nc l u ded in the pale of full citizenship, and thereby added to the strength of the Consti tution, aro excluded from that pale and prc yoked into hostility to that Constitution. The opinion that seemed to ba ascribed to the present Government, ;hat there was no clear necessity to disturb the settle ment of 1832, we would fain hope means nothing more than a determination against Lord John Russell's lase Bill. -Whatever we do, let us not wait again till the country is excited to a reform mania. That would be to appeal from Philip sober to Pbilip drunk. Both sides of the House, and all sides in the country, except a few " Radicals," are prepared to take a moderate view of the subject. But the most moderate view, oven the view of maintaining the balance of interests established in 1832, must admit the reasonableness of re-adapting the representation to the very great changes that have taken place since 1832. The unprecedented in crease of population and wealth that has occurred in these twenty years, which have witnessed the infancy and the completion of British railways, has fallen chiefly on the towns and manafactaring districts. This has disturbed the settlement of 1832, which requires, therefore, to be regulated once more, like a machine that has gradually fallen out of order, or a calendar that no longer corresponds to astronomical facts. Since 1832 some of the metropolitan boroughs have increased not far from 100 per cent., while many of the smaller bo roughs spared by the Reform Act, and even some whole counties, show very little change. These are broad facts that are seen and felt, that speak for themselves, and will make themselves heard. At this stage of the question it is unnecessary to go inn) details, other wise we might prove to Mr. Disraeli the fal lacy lying at the bottom of his calculation that the rural population is less represented than the towns. In his rural populations, which his counties are supposed to be, there are, in fact, many towns. The question of Parliamentary Reform is clearly postponed for the pre sent. After two years of inactivity, and after a general election, it would be ridiculous to sacrifice another year —nay, the last Reform Bill occupied two years—to this very grave question, unless it ehould be re-opened by a Protectionist controversy , But in all probability it cannot be postponed beyond the third or fourth sestion of the next Parliament. Till then, hewever, it is surely premature and injudicious to make any needless decla rations ; and if any of our present Ministers are not yet convinced of the necess i ty of reform, the best thing they can do is to hold their tongue about it —7 ones of Friday. RAILWAY RETURNS TRAFFIC RETMNS FOR THE PAST WEEK. Miles opened, 152. NAME OF RAILWAY. Receipts. 1851. BRITISH. Aberdeen ...• .•....•• •••• •••• ••• •• Belfast and Ballymena •• • • .• • • • • • • • • Belfast and County Down Birkenhead, Lancashire, and Cheshire Rotten, Blackburn, and West York .. Bristol and Exeter • • .. • • • • ••• • • • •• • • Ca1ed0nian............. .........• • - Chester and llolyhead.•• .• • • .... • • • • Cork, Blackr ock, and Passage • • •• • • Dublin and Beltast Junction ...... • Dublin and Droglieda•. • —. Dublin and Kingstown • . .••• • • • " Dundee and Arbroath .... • • • • • • • • • • Dundee, Perth, and Aberdeen . Junction Dundalk and Enniskillen .• .. • •••• • • • • East Anglian....• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • East Leeet,3lllre • • • • .. • • • . Eastern Counties and Norfolk... Eastern Union • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •" • • • Edinburgh and Glanow ..• • • • •• • • • • Edinburgh, Perth, and Dtuidee• • • • • • Exeter and Creditors.. . ....... • • Furness Railway ... ••.••• • . • • • • II asgow, and South-Western. • • • • • • • Great Northern and E. L••• • • •• • • • • Great Southern and Virestern,(lrcland) Great Western •• • • •••••••• • • • • • • • • Irish South Eastern • • • • • • Lancaster and Carlisle • ... • Lancashire and Yorkshire..• • • • • • • • • • Leeds and Thirsk •• • • •••••• " • • " • • Liverpool, Crosby, and Southport.... London and North Western Loudon and Illackwall.• • . • • • • • • • " • London, Brighton, and South Coast.. London and South Western. • ..... Londonderry and Enniskillen • • • • • • • • Manchester, Buxton, and Matlock, &C. Manchester, Sheffield, and Lincolnshire Manchester and South Junction ...... Moryport and Carlisle .. • • ... Midland ••• • • ••• • • • Midland Great Western (Irin) .• Monklands • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • N ew castle and Car1i51e............ • • North British • • .. •• • • • • • • • • • . • • .... North Staffordshire .............. North-Western •••••••• • • • • •• • •• .. Scottish Central • • • • • • • • .. ...• Scottish Midland • • Shrewsbury and Birmingham Shrewsbury and Chester ••• • • .• .• • • .. Shropshire Union .... • • • • • ....• South Devon ••• • • . . `,Monti E a stern • ...... South Wales ... • South York., Doncaster, and Goole .. Taff Yale • • • • • • Ulster. • • • • • • Waterford and Limerick • • ' West Cornwall .. • • .......... • Whitehaven Junction ... • York and Newcastle, and Berwick York and North 1852. Zl,lti* 217 1,1'9 3,722 8,2()5 2,486 140 733 885 582 430 618 692 4,132 13,4CA1 1,934 3,458 2,302 518 2.,777 10,a78 5,562 15.013 4,218 15,970 257 41,86 852 8,080 9,38 629 21,312 2,013 1,03 2,367 3,353 4,828 1,705 5:43 1,*:5 GIS 1,5'35 1,450 2,370 Bb4 242 192 13,834 7,7 $ FOREIGN. Central of France Dutch Rhenish •••• •• , . Maria Antonia ..... Monterean mnd Troyes ............ Northern of France Orleans and Bordeaux.. Paris and Lyons . Paris and Orleans Paris and Rouen .. Paris and Strasburgh •• •• Rouen and Havre • • •• •• •• •• Tours aAd NallteS..ll, 4 , 0 II 04 04 00 3,677 992 15,783 4,462 8,767 6,142 8,493 2,451 2,169 1852. THE REV. J. E. GLADSTONE ON i TRACTARIANISM. On Thursday evenirg the large hell at the Free masons' Tavern wee crowded with a very numerous and I fashionable aediencee to hear the last of a series of lectures by the Roy, J.gE. Gladst one on T rac t ar i e nisin. Mr. SNITCH was unanimously called upon to preside, and on taking the chair remarked that the beet proof of the public being satisfied with any particular work was the fact of its going to a second edition. In appearing before them a second time, he flattered himself thet his services had received their approbation.—(Cheers.) They need, however, entertain no alarm that he was going to inflict upon them a volume, or even to swell out his observations to the length of a pamphlet, for ho only intended to say a few familiar things, or, asDickens would call them, a few " household words."—(A laugh.) First of all he would say that, in some measure, he had betri the cause of the disturbance which had arisen between his esteemed friend Mr. Glad stone and the Bishop of London. When Mr. Gladstone firet began preaching egainst Tracta rieniem at Long-acre chapel he was so struck by the truth and force of his remarks that he took upon him self to send an epitome of his discourses to The Sun newe paper, and he wee happy to say the editor of that jour nal thought the discourses were of sufficient importance to be placed before the public.—(Bear, hear.) It ap peared they soon caught the eye of the Bishop, for in a • ellen time Mr. Gladstone was summoned before him. Ho (sir. Snitch) went at once to Mr. Gladstone, and made a full conlessice—tireughter)—and they :yenta. be surprised to hear he gave him absolution—(Loud laughter)—though without making any charge.—(Coil tinned latighter.) Oa the contrary, he raid he was much obliged to him. It was partly from this circum stance that he took so active a part in the present move ment. His heart and soul was in the cause, and he hoped that by the special grace of God he might be enabled to do in the cause that which he had done, and he trusted with some success, throughout his professional career. —(Cheers.) When a good surgeon had an operati n to perform, and met with unexpected cLffittuniee, did not throw down the knife and run away, but called to his aid all the resources of his art, and if he possessed, es every good surgeon ought, an eagle's eye, a lion's heart, and a lady's hand, he always came off victoriously.—(Loud cheers.) He had no doubt his excellent friend would come off victoriously, but at all eveats he was not the man to throw down the knife and desert him in the hour of need.—(Cheers.) For it should be remembered that his esteemed kind friend offered himself up a living sacrifice to this great cause, and he would never desert it until the unclean thing, Tractarianiem, was cast out.—(Liaid cheers.) After a ' few more observations, the Chairman concluded by calling upon Mr. Gladstone to proceed with the conti nuation of his lecture, " What is to be done with Trac tariauism?" The Rev. J. E. GLADSTONE then came forward amidst loud applause. Having laid down some general prin ciples for the guidance of anti-Tractarians, and.recapi tulated the heads of his former lectures, he proceeded to say that though much blamed for the course he had taken, he had done or said nothing without much prayer, deliberation, and forethought; but having once made up his mind, he spoke and acted in a way which he be lieved right in the sight of God; careless altogether of the taunts, complaints, •or accusations of any party. Though he had said as strong things as any man in public, he had not uttered one word which he was not prepared to abide by.—(Cheers.) Oa the last occasion some one had been led to believe, in consequence of his alluding so frequently to the Church of England, that he pretended Dissenters were not Protestants. Now that was very far from his intention, for he believed the tune was fast approaching when good Dissenters and evangelical Churchmen would have to unite together for their own protection.—(Loud cheers.) Let it be understood, however, he had no desire or intention of leaving the Church of England.—(Cheery.) No doubt the Bishop would be heartily glad if he had.—(Laughter.) Some said that when a man resisted his bishop he ought to leave the Church, but because a bishop was unfaithful were the faithful to go out of the sanctuary? —(Cheers.) On the contrary, it was their duty to do all they could to expose the unfaithful bishop and to reform the Church.—(Hear.) There were now good signs that men in high places would soon be convicted; that Popery, wherever it was found—whether ite con nexion with the Church of England or the Roman Catholic Church, to the latter of which it properly belonged, with ail its persecution, aggrandizement and oppression, could not be trusted, and must be speedily dealt with.— (Cheers.) A notice to the following effect was pub netted in the London Gazette on the 23d of March:-- " Notice is hereby given, that the presentation to the Queen at the Levee on Thursday, the 26th of February last, of the Very Reverend Monsignore Searle, is cancelled, that title having been assumed without the required authority." —(Laughter and cheers.) Thank God, it was declared that the title had been assumed without the required au thority.—(Cheers.) The great endcat our of the Tine tariana was first to get hold of their souls, and then ail they possessed. As an evidence of their tyrannical and soul-debasing character, he had had fomented to him the report of a conversation which a Mr. W. J. Knight had with the Rev. E. G. Edouard, incumbent of St. Michael's, Barleigh- street. This Rev. Gentleman, it appeared called upon Mr. Knight to know why he ceased to attend St. Michael's, and bed instead gone to attend the ministry of Mr. Hutton, at St. Paul's, Covent-narden, and he questioned him thus:—" DJ you know that in leaving your district church you ceuimn a mortal sin?"—(Loud laughter.) To that Mr. Knight replied that if error was preached there, ha surely was juetified in seeking the truth elsewhere; bat Mr. Ed ouard answered by asking " how he could tell what tho truth was?"—(Laughter.) Now that was Popery in the bud, and Tractariauism in the bloom. Liberty of conscience was to be violated, and private interpretation of the Scriptures forbidden.—(Hear, hear.) Mr. Gladstone then adverted at some length to the answer of the Bishop of Exeter to Miss Sellon, the superior of the Protestant sisterhood at Devonport, and showed that though he had withdrawn his name as visitor of the institution, he still possessed great admi ration for the lady and her doctrines, and said he should not cease to take the same lively interest in the pro sperity of the institution, which he frankly acknow ledged had done a great amount of spiritual as well us temporal good. The reason al leged by the Bishop for his withdrawal was that the sisterhood, in violation of the original rules, were to be prevented departing with their own free will from the institution, and that on entering they were to be deprived of their property, which was to be placed in the hands of the treasurer, and was to become part of the common fund of the community. Therefore, according to the Bishop's own interpretation, a young lady who entered this so-called Protestant convent with a large fortune would, on leaving, be rendered almost pen niless, unless her sisters chose to return a portion. A worse system of disgusting chicanery and tyranny never before existed.—(Cheers.) It was nothing less than spiritual swindling.—(Cheers.)) But did the Bishop condemn it as a wicked, unscriptural, and dishonest mode of proceeding ? Nu? He only said he gracefully retired from an institution which he considered had done much spiritual and temporal good.—(Laughter.) There could be no doubt he was only induced to retire from a conviction that unfaithful bishops must soon be called to account for their conduct.—(Cheers.) The Bishop of London did not get rid of Mr. Bennett until he was almost driven out of his church by the storm which the people raised.—(Cries of " Hear, hear.") In order to show that the Bishop of Exeter entertained no unfriendly feeling towards Miss & ! lion, Mr. Glad atone quoted the end of his letter, in which he sub scribed himself thus, " Believe me, my dear Miss Scl lon, ever to remain your faithful, admiring, and affec tionate Friend. H. EXETER."—(Laughter.) The esta blishments of these convents were to be greatly feared, for the one at Devonport was only intended to be the parent of others in different parts of the kingdom. Si milar societies, under the superintendence of Miss Sal lon, had been formed at Bristol, Gosport, and recently, he believed, in London. The young lady inmates at Bristol were compelled to do all kinds of menial work, having to wash the floors and light the fires, and igo of erranos at all hours of the night and morning. When one of these girls complained of her treatment she was called before Miss Seller, who severely reprimanded her, and said that when she (Miss Sellon) spoke, she was to think it was the voice of Chriaa—(Cheers.) This was a downright system of crushing despotism when excl.- - died by bishops, priests, or mother superiors, repug nant to the feelings of the Christian Protestants of Britain, and they would not have it.—(Cheers.) If his bishop were another Jewell, no ono could obey hi o with more humility, cenfidence, and faithfulness than he (Mr. Gladstone) would; but if, on the other hand, be were an unfaithful bishop, so far from owing him - eel e iance ho considered he should betray his Master if he did not denounce him in the strongest terms, for no t gauge could sufficiently deectibe the extent of his spoeeibility, or rather culpability.—(Hear.) M stone next adverted to the trial and execratie u Arch bishop Laud for high treason, and said - Bishops of London, Oxford, Exeter, did not now take warning from the fate anß Bath ard W ete ls that if the i whose anxiety to introduce the of that Prin2a idol atries, into the worship of the Churchlnlneg Cath g oli a c d lost his head, arid quickly which was exeeneing through"the W hen his hearers sew that T they would also lea aJoet a enee Eu r l e a onduc t, the land, . and:rwegtuh l e e m n o o f t impeached i etent higho treason.— ; i for . ivo96 poison only destroy their ' pelfgleu e h o but deprive their liberties, and send discord e and wretchedness into their faudies, he felt confident they would each exert against so dsr.gerous and fatal' themselves to rouse the indignation of their countrymen t,"Y rem lined but trite to each other, they might east y —(Cheers.) .l lt sley the g t ent, land of their birth would Sala then the e Reverend still be Protestant England.--(at beehre.rules of an Anti. an e nemy. Gentlemen concluded byreading p t roposed to be formed Traetarian Association which was st in the present movement. by those who took an inter t a ct seek redress with regard to The main object of ; Ayi*WileSthe Eetablished Church; first, fre:Avian or 3 : t ` e- ge l. London, and if he refused or from the theirnib-°P ande, then from the Archbishop of evaded Shoulddeig they be equally unsuccessful with Centerhury. hen Apo were to be taken to have the Arehbilhop, t their grievances led Majesty. This her This propoe ition was well received, and the rules of the a tso 'dation were formally proposed and agreed to. The CHAIRMAN iteiavetecl that on the following dry t h e ca'e of Mr. Gladstone was to come before th e Bcelesiastical Court; but whatever was the result of the trial in that place, which ha might not inaptly call a hornet's nest—(Lh laugh)—he should always remem ber with pleasure the vivid and truthful pictures his Rev. Friend had painted, accompanied, as they were, by a degree of oratorical wit and eloquence which rarely fell to the lot of unassisted mortals. They would here after be regarded as bright visions of glory. The effect of his discourses was not to end there, for a spirit bad been kindled that would burn throughout the length and brescßh of Oie iaad. The cvmmictee 110c1 received, yr and were continuing to rsceivo letters of the kingdom; and Mr. Gladstone hr.d ,bsen aalicitet to give lectures at various places. Neeaes sintdd-soon be enrolled under their flaming banner tAat,woulritrike , terror into the camp of the Tractarians, aniftliky sStei see that the herein spirit "was not deal, but4e6katts- He heard them ask, what he meant by theAerpic fpilLrfr -- He would tell them, from a work h o bt6A Iste3flt:./ kr reading, and which teemed with eloquent aspirations:— "It is the spirit that has produced everything that is great, everything that is noble, in all ages and in all countries; since first the course of time began, since first the world revolved in ether. Its annals are adorned by s glorious company of apostles—by a goodly fellow ship of prophets and by a noble army of martyrs. It numbers in its lists of glory—it counts in its ranks of f ame , sages, posts, phtlosophers, patriots, warriors, legislators. The catalogue comprises centuries and tens of centuries—its sphere of action—the extended globe. It is the spirit that has created qll al:: immortal ones in history, in all its divisions, ancient and msdern, sacred and profane. It is the spirit that piled th e funeral pyre of Thermopylm —the spirit that that led round ht he e walls of besieged Calais—the spirit that illumined the last moments of a More, and prison of a dying Socrates." Could they have a isobier aim for their energies, a wider scope for their ex,raons? Could they look higher than to servo in the courts of the Most High? Could time be better spent than iu the dissemination of principles that should in eternitr, when time thocid be no Ynr)?e? This was v7hat the h7crolc cpald do, and grtgrhyt, and dd forgive th r e stt4ibveant:a ion no of f o thuissefroerat cause.—(Cheer:.) se h .—c on c ou h r ee a r n i, d ) The meeting thou separated. g COURT Cil - CCULAII. Her Royal Highness the Duchess of Kent visited the queen yesterday, at Buckingham Palace. Yesterday was the birthday Royal Highness the of his n o Duke of Cambridge. His Rove! Highness Prince Al bert, attended by Lieutenant-Colonel th e Honourable A. Gordon,afternoon, paid a visit of congratnlalion, at three o ' clock in the to the Royal Duke, at his residence in St. James's Palace. The Duke of Cambridge afterwards visited her Majesty at Buckiegham Palace. Their Royal Highnesses Prince Alfred and the Prin cesses Helena and Louisa, took their accustomed exer cise yesterday, in the garden of Buckingham Palace. Her Majesty and his Royal Highness Prince Albert, with the Prince of Wales, the Princess Royal, and the Princess Alice, attended by the Countess of Monnt Fag cumbe, the Earl of Morton, Captain the Hon. J. P. Den man, R.N., and Colonel Bouverie, honoured the Prin cess's Theatre with their pxesence last evening. Her Majesty's private band attended in the Palace on Thursday evening, and played the following pieces:— Overture, (Berggeist) Finale, (Martha) Her Royal Highness the Duchess of Kent visited her Royal Highness the Duchess of Gloucester yesterday at Gloucester House, Piccadilly. A deputation from the Society of Arts, consisting of Mr. Robert Stephenson, M.P., Professor Solly, and Lieu tenant Tyler, HE., had an interview with Sir John Pa kington yesterday at the Colonial-office, for the purpose of acquainting him that the Society of Arts had recently appointed a committee for developing the resources of the Colonies, and requesting his assistance and co-ope ration to enable them, in the first instance, to place themselves in communication with kindred institutions, and with influential individuals in the colonies. A deputation on the subject of the Irish Railway Grand Jury Presentments Bill had an interview with the Right Hon. J. Henley and Lord Colchester yesterday, at the Board of Trade. The deputation consisted of Lord Dion teagle, Mr. Tennent, M.P., Mr. Devereux, M.P., and Mr. 11•Cullagh, M.P. A deputation on the subject of the Passengers' Act, consisting of Sir James Duke, Mr. J. M. Gull, Mr. John Chapman, Mr. W. Philipps, and Mr. Norman Macleod, had an interview with Sir John Pakington yesterday, at the Colonial-office. The Marquis of Salisbury had an interview with Mr. Secretary Walpole yesterday, at the Home-office. Mr. R. C. Hildyard, M.P., had an interview with the Right Hon. J. W. Henley yesterday, at the Board of Trade, to present a mem irial from the shipbuilders and shipowners belonging to the port of Whitehaven. A deputation on the subject of the Hertford coal duty, consisting of Lord M.abcn and the Hon. W. T. Cowper, had an interview with Lard John Manners yesterday, at the Office of Works and Public Buildings n Whitehall place. A deputation, consisting of the Right Hon. R. A. Christopher, M.P., Mr. Hindley, M.P.. Mr. Gore, M.P,, Dr. Ryan, Messrs. Irvine, G. Barber, J. S. Christopher, Atkins, Vardy, Spooner, M.P., N. Spooner, M•Dermotr, and Newall (Parliamentary agent), had an interview with the Right Hon. J. W. Henley and Lord Col chester yesterday, at the Board of Trade. The Oxford TJniversity Commission had a meeting yesterday, at the cfficial residence of the First Lord of the Trensery, in Downing-street; present, the Bishop of Norwich, the Dean of Carlisle, the Master of Pembroke, the Rev. H. G. Liddell, J. L. Dampier Esq., the Rev. G. H. S. Johnson, and the Rev. A. P. Stanley (secretary). A deputation, including Messrs. R. Baxter, C. Few, and Blunt, had an interview with Lord John Manners yesterday, at the office of Works and Public Buildings, in Whitehall , place. Divc:tches were received at the Colonial-office yes terday from the,Governor of St. Helena. Dirpstches were sent yesterday to the Governors of the North American provinces. COWES, ISL* OF WIGHT: (FROM OUR OWN CORRESP3NDENT.) ELECTION MOVEMENTS. COWES, FRIDAY.—ANOTHER DESERTER FROM THE PROTECTIONIST RaNns.—Col. F. V. Harcourt has pub lished an address to the electors of the Isle of Wight, etating that by the wish of many of the most influential landed proprietors, he has been induced to offer himself as a candidate for the representation of the county of the Isle of Wight, at the approaching election. He says they cannot give their support to the present Member, as they are not prepared " to sanction the vote by ballot or the abolition of all endowments, and of church-rates. . If you should return me as your Member, I shall vote against any re-imposition of the duty on corn, whether for the purposes of protection or revenue; but I should trust that the Government of Lord Derby, to which on other points I should be disposed to give my support, will take the earliest opportunity of ascertain ing whether some relief may not be given to the agri cultural interests, the present depression of which I sincerely lament." BOROUGH CF NEWPORT.—Mr. Biggs addressed the electors at the Town-hall, Cowes, last evening, very successfully. We hear nothing of the old Members. We suppose they are getting their house in order. Died at Mill Hill House, yesterday morning, after a long illness, Eliza, the wife of Major Ellis, and eldest daughter of the late General Richardson. She was in her 41st year. She arrived in the island only on Sa turday last. Married, at St. Mary's Church, the Rev. Samuel Knell to Miss Mary Rose. Th . Franklin steamer, which arriv c e i d nowt h o e er r ins e i ; i h dx is dw. morn ing from Now York, brings letters and papers to the 18th instant, after dispatching which and her pas sengers, she proceeded for Havre. Captain that t t e i l e p r r al es a s n e n d , M w U h O i l s k u f r t p, N r i s e e w oynorkbe forin g days be fore the Franklin, had no: arrived. THE ARCTI C CEnSgiErAd,raCft4/.. The return his hte ex plorations along the coast of No rt h America, is another search of Sir John Franklin's ex , interesting feature in the moving Panorama which the and even improved health q u i li with his whole party add that Arctic service is far from involving v a 1 l o i s r t o , Excellent or even an e o f ;h ain er e t b o e t in h g e in th a e ny c" p e ro l unusual risk, of life , T .._. rerriMhenid that, in another returns witboo:-. or of health. One party after - any diminution of numbers, or injury to individuals. It w•ill be ~.r. li,le as iv , after the accornilishment no , ; w-- ..- , a coadjutor of Sir John Richardson i . ll —:3 " , og the search of the coast between the Alaelieuzie and Coppermine the first instance, rivers ; and that, o f this object, and the r*: ' ttirn of Sir John Richardson, he was left behind to ifthern carry on by himself the further explorations decided , upon. It is on ly to be regretted h these should have that t a rtes insurmountable w lc Peen necessarily confined to elusions of Captain Ant Franklin' from taking a osouth weststa -c l 0 s prevented Sier.Jepothed_ could not afford any success. course, b 3 anda,- floating " relics" mentioned in Mr. The drifted , s a ving been picked up by him on his re turn; Rae's litter. a . is Land to the Coppermine cannot fail from Ific&or bjezt of deep interest, and they leave roam for to ba a so . ,-, Luce It - nom little coin-e • . uPP ,,, ra to us, however, to amount a lmost to a certuiLty that, one piece of wood is fro m the wreck of the Fury, which was left high and dry ' on the beach on the west side of Regent Inlet by Sir 1 Edward Parry—but of which the remains were not to P be found on the spot where she had been so left, when : it was visited several years afterwards by Sir John Ross, ' who surmised, in consequence, that she must haae been carried off by the pressure of the ice, and broken up, " adding to the drift wood in those e3as." With respect to the piece of the fl3g-staff and rope, wi!h the red line twisted in it, they may have belonged to Captain Pul len's boat expedition, as it is perfectly well known that there is a set of the current from west to east through D: are and Simpson's Strait, or the passage between Victoria Land and the coast of America. We trust that this interesting subject will be most minutely investipted in all its bearings before Lilo de. parture of Sir Edward Belcher's squadron. The Omnibus of Naples of . the 4th stat es th at the town of Bagnara, in Lower Ca'abria, has been visited of late by such violent shocks of earthquake that the inhabitants have been obliged to leave their houses, and live in barracks of wood outside the town. [ADVERTI3EMENT.3— Holloway's Pills have Cured a Liver and Stomach Complaint of long standing ._Sergeant Wilton, late of the Honourable East I n d ia Company's' Service, and for nearly twenty- five years employed on the Bengal estab li,larnent, suffered most intensely from an affection of the liver, indigestion, and sicknes s o f t h e stomach, w hi c h a ppeared to be rapidly undermining hi s constitution: no t w ithstanding the treatment of some o f t h e most eminent o f the medical profession. On his return t o t hi s country h e w as advised to try Holloway's Pills, and thi s superior me di c i ne has elected such a perfect cure that it has astonished all that were aware of his former apparently hopeless case.—Sold by all Druggists and at Professor Holloway's Establishment, 244, Strand, London. Sir Thomas Fremantle had an interview with the Chan cel'or of the Exchequer on Thursday. Mr. Pressly had also an interview with the Right lion. Gentleman. A deputation o n th e su bj e ct of the Dorchester and Exeter I Railway h a d an interview w ith the Right Hon. J. W. Henley en Thursday, at Board 9f Trad e . the L a t. 12 ilway department Of s, 7 - 7 parts 7 cited trike; - eat?