The Sun. — London, England, 1848-03-29 00:00:00

MARKET NEWS.-(THIS DAY.) CORN EXCHANGE —WEDIsiESDAY. The present week's arrivals of English Wheat for our market coastwise, and by land carriage, have been on a moderate scale. To-day the show of samples was comparatively small, yet the demand for all descriptions was in a very sluggish state, at barely Monday's quota tions. Foreign Wheat moved off in retail quantities, at but little, if any, alteration in value. For most kinds t f Barley the demand was tolerably steady, and prices were well supported. The Malt trade was inactive at late rates. In Oats next to nothing was doing, and the heate 1 parcels might have been purchased at somewhat easier terms. In Beans and Peas next to nothing was done. The best qualities of English Flour were quite as dear. All other kinds were neglected. ARRIVALS. Wheat. I Barley. 11,•70 qrs. 6,110 gm English .. toreign Oats. I Flog, 3,760v5. 3, , 190 15,220 i -- 2,560 1 540 Stet, 4,940 qrs WELITECIIIIPEL. Although the supplies of Meat here this morning were by no means extensive, the demand was i❑ a sluggish state, yet prices were mostly supported. Beef, from to As I0d; Mutton, 33 Gd to 45 8d; Veal, 4s to sb; find Pork, 3s 8d to 5s per 816 s by the carcase. 1,760 SECONDARIES'.-(THIS DAY.) (Before Mr. Secondary POTTER.) CURIOUS CASE OF DREACII OF PROMISE OF MARRIAGE. ORANGE V. LEVY. This was action to recover damages for breach of promise of marriage. Mr. RODWELL stated the case on the part of the plaintiff. He said that the age of the parties would render it ridiculous for him to use several of the topics frequently addressed to juries in these cases, and he should content himself by briefly stating the facts, and show the comforts of life of which the plaintiff had been deprived through what he must consider the wanton and cruel conduct of defendant. The plaintiff, who is about 62 years of age, is a widow, and carried on business as a furniture dealer, in Skinner-street, Bishopsgate ; and defendant, who is somewhat older, is a commercial traveller. In June last, defen dant, through a mutual friend, a Mrs. Nathan, made matrimonial overtures to the plain tiff, and on certain terms was accepted as a suitor. The courtship was carried on through July, August, and September, and defendant wrote several affectionate letters to the plaintiff, and actually fixed the day for the wedding, and gave plaintiff money to pay the registrar's fees, and plaintiff bought the wedding dress, but after that defendant broke off the connexion. After repeated applications, which he did not reply to, an action was brought, and the defendant in person put in a most singular plea, namely, that on and before the day appointed for the wedding (the 9th of November) he was afflicted, by the will of Almighty God, with a rup ture of the intestines and partial loss of eye. sight, but should Almighty God be pleased to restore his health and eye-sight he would then marry the plaintiff. This plea was, however, objected to and set aside as a nullity, and judgment was entered for want of plea. The Learned Counsel said that in submitting the question of amount of da mages to the jury, he must state that the plaintiff had been induced by the defendant's promise of mar riage, and also the promise of 1001. (without which she would not have consented to the marriage), to give up her business, and had thus lost the means of supporting herself. He, therefore, thought the 1001. and the price of the wedding dress ought to be taken into consideration. ::The facts were proved ; and Mr. Mellor addressed the jury for the defendant, with an endeavour to show that his health was such as not to justify his entering into the marriage state, and that his income did not exceed 601. or 701. per year. Tho jury gave a verdict for 201. MIDDLESEX SESSIONS. ;(Tins DAY.) Edward Ginger was indicted for stealing four 5L notes of the Bank of England, the property of Miss Caroline Shingles, from her person on the I Ith of March last. The pros(cutrix was returning from the City in a Chelsea omnibus, when her pocket was picked; she, however, was not aware of her loss until the prisoner, who had sat beside her from the Bank to the Strand, got out at Agar-street, when Police-constable West, 106 F, who had taken a seat on the outside of the omnibus in the City for the purpose of watching the prisoner, came to the door and asked her whether she had lost any• thing? The officer ascertaining her loss, pursued the prisoner, jumped into a cab of which the latter had taken possession, and, after a severe struggle, secur ed him and brought him before a magistrate in Bow-street. None of the notes were found on him. He was Ac quitted. LAMBETH.-(THIS DAY.) A deputation from the tradesmen of St. Thomas street, Kennington-common, and the adjacent district, waited upon Mr. Elliott this morning. They repre sented that it was reported that a large meeting of per sons calling themselves Chartists was intended to be held on Kennington-common on Monday next, Iliad as the probability was that an attempt would be made by the disorderly who were likely to attend, to create dis turbances and destroy property, they, as representing the tradesmen of the neighbourhood, had called to solicit the aid of a body of police sufficiently powerful to re strain any tendency to breaking open or abstracting property by force from shops and houses. Much damage had been done and great loss occasioned during the late riots, and they were naturally anxious to prevent the recurrence of a similar state of things. Mr. ELLIOTT said that he had not heard on any cer tain authority that such a meeting was intended to be held, but in the event of such being likely to be called, the Commissioners of Police would be communicated with, and a sufficient body of men sent fur the protection of the neighbourhood. ELECTION COMMITTEE. (TIIIS DAY.) BODMIN. The Select Committee appointed to try the merits of the petition against the return of Messrs. Lacey and Wyld for Bodmin, met fur the first time this morning; Mr. Hamilton in the chair. Mr. Sergeant Kinglake and Mr. Merewether appeared for the petitioners; Mr. Sergeant Wrangham and Mr. Rowe for Mr. Henry Charles Lacey; and Mr. Edwin James and Mr. Wordsworth for Mr. James Wyld. The usual preliminaries having been gone through, Mr. WORDSWORTH directed the attention of the Committee to the circumstance of the recognisances being defeated, non applied for an adjournment till such time as the House should have, decided on Mr. Wortley's Bill for removing the objections. Mr. Sergeant KINGLARE resisted the application, contending that the Committee had not the power to entertain it, and observing that the petition having been referred to the committee it could make no difference to them, in their decision upon the merits, whether the Election Hecognisances Bill passed or not. After the room had been cleared, and the Committee bad consulted for a few minutes, the parties were re admitted, when The CHAIRMAN said the Committee had come to the resolution that they saw no necessity for their applying to the House for leave to adjourn ; and they had, there• fore, to call upon the Counsel for the sitting Members proceed with their arguments as to the validity of the recognisances, and the power in jurisdiction of the Com mittee to dispose of the point. Tii Kirto OF HANovEu.—According to the Brussels Independence, the King of Hanover is so seriously ill that his recovery is despaired of. POET.OPFICE NOTICE.—The following notice was posted at the General Post•of6ce this morning:—" Her Majesty's Government having decided to discontinue the packet between Southampton and Alexandria, which now leaves the former port on the 3d of each month ; letters intended to be sent to India, &c., via Southamp •ton, can only be forwarded, after the dispatch of the packet of the 3d May next, once in each month, namely, by the packet which sails from Southampton on the 20th of every month. The mails, however, for India, &c., via Marseilles, which leave London in the beginning of the month, will be continued, and will be dispatched, as usual, on the evening of the 7th of each month (or when the 7th falls on a Sunday, on the evening of the Bth), and all letters, if pre-paid and not specially ad dressed via Southampton, will be forwarded by the route of Marseilles." _ _ -- - Miss Emma Lucombe, the charming vocalist, has arrived in London from France, having been obliged to quit Paris, and to give up several professional engage ments, owing to the outbreak of the revolution. MERCHANT SEAMEN'S SOClETY.—Yesterday after -1:190n a quarterly general court of the governors and directors of the ‘• Corporation for the Relief of Merchant Seamen, their Widows, and Children," was held at the office of the society, 25, Birehirelane, Cornhill, Robert Barclay, Esq., in the chair. The financial report for the past year was read by W. Watson, Esq., from which it appeared that the total income, including the proceeds of the disposal of 4,000/. stock, duty from London and out port vessels, &c., amounted to 25,591/. 19s. The ex penditure of 24,767/. Os. 11d. left a balance of 8241. 18s. Id. The number of pensions in London and the out-ports, to December 31, 1847, was 1,862 men, 2,938 widows, and 2,860 children. Receivers at out-ports, under the management of the corporation, having been elected, temporary relief and pensions were granted to upwards of sixty applicants. DERBY ELECTION.—The Conservative party in this borough has two candidates in the field, both gentlemen of known character and influence. They are Mr. J. W. Freshfield, of the city of London, and Mr. James Lord, of Parkfieid. The candidates on the side of the Liberals ar• Mr. Lawrence Hey worth, .of Liverpool, and Mr. Bass, of Burton. ERPRESENTATION OR RTE.—Mr. 11. M. Curteis, who has just been unseated at Rye, is again in the field, and is at present the only candidate. We hear that he is not likely to be opposed. MONEY- MARKET —B y advices from liamburgh the price of gold is 4381 per mark, which, at the English Mint price of 3/. I7s. 141. per ounce for standard gold, gives an exchange of 13.11 i; and the exchange at Ham burgh on London at short being 13.12, it follows that gold is 0.11 per cent. dearer in London than in Ham burgh. The course of exchange at New York on London is 110 per cent., and the par of exchange between Eng land and America being 109 23.40 per cent., it follows that the exchange is 0.43 per cent. in favour of Eng land; but the quoted exchange at New York being for bills at 60 days' sight, the interest must be added to the Om difference. IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT. of Peers, but it did not go so far as his own. The Noble Lord's Bill simply gave appeals in mat ters of law, while his own Bill not only authorised appeals upon points of law, but in matters of fact too. Since he had introduced the Bill he had received many valuable suggestions, which in no way affected the principle of the Bill, and he would most readily accede to them, but before proceeding further he should be glad to know what were the intentions of the Right Hon. the Secretary of State for the Home Department as to the second reading. Sir GEORGE GREY was fully prepared to admit the importance of this question, but it was connected with many other important points of law, and it there fore required extreme caution in proceeding with it. There was every probability of the Bill introduced in the House of Lords being referred to a Select Com mittee, before whom the Judges and other law autho rities of the country would be examined, and he could not help thinking that his Honourable Friend would exercise a sound discretion in postponing the second reading till the result of that inquiry was laid before them.—(Hear, hear.) Mr. AGLIONBY was in favour of the principle of the Bill, but he thought its object would be better obtained by postponing it till the inquiry in the Lords' had been brought to a close. He trusted, however, that the Right Hon. Baronet who had just sat down would use his influence to have the whole question fully dis cussed in the House of Lords' Committee, for the time had arrived when every body felt that a law of this sort ought to be established. Mr. HUME must also join with his Hon. and Learned Friend the Member for Cockerrnouth in recommending the postponement of the Bill. Mr. EWART acceded to the request, and said he would postpone the second reading till after Easter. The second reading was accordingly postponed. ROMAN CATHOLIC RELIEF BILL. On the question being put for the postponement of this Bill till after the other orders of the day, PARLIAMENTARY BUSINESS. (From the Votes and Proceedings of the House of Comm ms.) TUESDAY, MARCH 28. STANDING ORDERS COMMITTEE. The following Resolution was reported from the above Committee : That in the case of the York, Newcastle, and Ber wick Railway (Power to subscribe to the Sunderland Dock►) petition to deposit a petition for a Bill, the stand ing orders ought not to be dispensed with.—Report to lie on the table. (THIS DAY.) HOUSE OF COMMONS. The SPEAKER took the Chair at Twelve o'clock. STIRLING AND DUNFERMLINE RAILWAY (EXTENSION, ALTERATION AND BRANCHES.) The order of the day for the second reading of this Bill was read for the purpose of being dis• charged. Mr. G. BERKELEY presented a petition from the solicitors of Gloucester for the repeal of the annual duty upon their certificates ; also a petition from the inhabitants of the western division of Gloucester, praying for an inquiry into the late interferences of the Lord-Lieutenant with the late :elections. The Hon. Gentleman gave notice of his intention to move that the latter petition be printed. Mr. A. STAFFORD presented petitions from Northampton praying for a repeal of the duty upon solicitors and attorneys' annual certificates. Sir W. JONES presented a petition in favour of the exemption of charitable suits from the payment of legacy duties. Mr. F. EGERTON presented a petition from Cheshire against some of the clauses of the Public Health Bill ; also a petition in favour of the repeal of solicitors' certificate duty. Mr. SPOONER, presented a petition against the Diplomatic Relations with Rome Bill; also a petition praying for the exemption of the payment of legacy duties upon bequests left for charitable purposes. The Earl of MARCH presented a petition from a number of distillers of Banff, praying that British spirits might be bonded in the same manner as foreign sprits. Mr. AGLIONBY presented a petition from a Mr. Packman, praying for an alteration in the County Courts Act; also a petition from Cockermouth in favour of the emancipation of the Jews ; also a peti tion from Staples Inn against solicitors' annual certi ficate duty. MEMBERS' REFRESHMENT ROOMS. Mr. A. STAFFORD gave notice that he would to-morrow move for a Select Committee to inquire into the convenience afforded by the kitchen and eating rooms of the House, and what improvement could be made in the present system of providing refreshment for Hon. Members. KINSALE ELECTION. Mr. GOULBURN moved for a Select Committee to inquire whether the oaths required to be taken at the table by Members of this House had been duly taken by Benjamin Hawes, Esq., and to report their opinion thereupon to the House. The Hon. Member said that he had not brought forward this motion with any personal feeling. He considered that the course which had been taken by the Hon. Gentleman (Mr. Ilawes) and the officers of the House, had raised a very grave question with respect to the right of any Hon. Member to sit and vote in the House, and he thought that it was extremely desirable that a Com mittee of this House should be appointed to inquire into all the transactions of the case, and to lay down sonic rule upon the subject. According to law every Hon. Member was bound to take the oaths at the table upon his return being certified by the proper officer, or be subjected to heavy penalties. The statutes imposed penalties upon those who did not duly take the oaths, the House would remember that in several cases new writs had been moved for in consequence of Hon. Members not having taken the oaths in a regular manner. There were, however, distinctions in this case, and he thought that the better course would be to adopt the course referred to in his;motion. The facts of the case were these :—The Hon. Member was a candidate for the burgh of Kinsale; he believed that that election terminated on the 11th, and on the 15th the Hon Member presented himself to be sworn at the table ; the return was not, however, interfered with until the 18th by the proper returning officer. It might be contended that as the Hon. Gentleman had the majority of the votes, that he was, therefore a Member within the meaning of the statute, and that, therefore, he had taken the oath within the period that he was acknowledged a Member of the House. Now. what were the means, and the only means, the House had of knowing if the Hon. Member was duly a Member of the House ? Why, by the return to the Crown-office, and until that return was sent to the Crown-office he contended the Hon. Gentleman was not a Member within the meaning of the statute. Added to this, the Clerk at the table had no authority to recognise any gentleman as a Member of the House or administer the oaths to him unless he pro duced evidence of his return. Now, when the Hon. Member for Kinsale presented himself at the table to be sworn, where, he would ask, was such evidence ? Why, it was totally wanting, be cause, if any one had gone to the Crown-office on the day when the Hon. Member was sworn or the day following, the answer he would have received would have been that no such return had been sent to that office. Ile thought, under these circumstances, looking at the doubt in which this subject was involved, that some inquiry should take place into the matter.--(Hear, hear.) He believed that no instance existed of a Member being sworn at the table where there was no return from the Crown office of the Hon. Member being elected.—(Hear.) In the case of the late Great Grimsby election two Members were returned, but the officer had omitted to make the return, and in consequence the Members were obliged to remain in town some time before they could take their seats, and a special com plaint was made in that case of the neg.. lect of the officer. It was admitted then, and had been admitted before, that until the return was sent to the Crown-office, the gentleman returned was not a Member of that House—(Heer, hear) — and could not, therefore present himself to the Clerk at the table and asked to be sworn.—(Hear, hear.) It might be said, on the other side, that that the return to the Crown•office was a mere matter of form, and that there was no special reason why a Member should not be sworn at the table though his return had not been made to the Crown-office. If such a principle was ad mitted they would continually have Mem bers coining by the railway, and getting themselves sworn as Members of the House before the house had any opportunity at all of knowing whether they were Members or not.—(Hear.) Now what was the course adopted by the Hon. Member for Kinsale after he was sworn ? Why, having been sworn at the table on the Isth of March, he, acting, no doubt under advice, had forborne to vote in that House on the Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday following, and he did not appear in the House till after the return had been sent in to the Crown-office, and all the acts done which were neces sary to constitute him properly a Member of the House. If the proper course had been pursued in the first instance by the Hon. Member for Kinsale, why, he would ask, did he not vote on the days he had alluded to? as on those days most im portant measures connected with the Go vernment were brought forward. The fact was, the Hon. Gentleman had forborne to vote be cause he had been advised to do so, and he (Mr. Goulburn) thought that was as strong an indication of the Hon. Member for Kinsale's conviction that he had acted wrong in being sworn before the return to the Crown-office as could well be imagined. He trusted that, if this Committee was appointed, the matter would be well inquired into, and some strict line laid down for the government of matters of this description in future, in order that the House might have some guide for its future proceedings. The motion having been seconded, Mr. lIAWES rose to address the House. He had no wish to oppose the motion of the Right Hon. Gentleman for the appointment of a Committee ; far from it, he felt bound to thank the Right Hon. Gentleman for bringing the subject forward.—(Hear, 'hear.) He courted inquiry, and did not fear the result.—(Hear, hear.) He had a very short and •plain statement to make to the House.—(Hear, hear.) He admitted that on the 11th he was returned as Member for Kinsale; he admitted also that on the 15th he had presented himself at the table, and was swarm. He did so, under the supposition that having been elected a Member, he was bound to enter upon the performance of his duties as early as possible.—(Hear, hear.) He felt bound to confess that he had never before been elected a Member of that House during a session, and he was not aware then, nor was he now, that a difference existed be tween an election during a session and one before it. —(Hear.) He had never been required before to pro duce the return to the Crown-office. He had pre sented himself at the table, as he thought properly, and was sworn, and he contended that at that time he was entitled to all the rights and privileges of a Member. He fully admitted that the return was not made to the Crown-office till the 18th. — (Hear.) Having stated thus much, he would leave the matter in the hands of the House, and say no thing further on the subject, except begging the House to understand, that in doing so he waived no right, abandoned no privilege, or surrendered any of the rights of his constituents that had sent him to Parliament ; but that, on the other hand, he was deteemined to defend those rights at all hezards, whatever might he the consequences. Sir C. GREY had no hesitation in saying that no illepiity had occurred in consequence of the course adopted by his Hon. Friend, and that his only motive in abstaining from voting as he had done, was out of deference to the House. (Hear, hear.) lie thought it most desirable that a Committee should be appointed, in order that one uniform practice might be pursued in future in these matters. After some observations• from Mr. GOULBURN the Committee was ordered to be appointed. APPEALS IN CRIMINAL CASES BILL. Mr. EWART, in moving the second reading of the Bill, said he understood that a similar Bill had been introduced by Lord Campbell in the House PARLIAMENTARY DIVISIONS. From the Votes and Proceedings of the House of Commons.) TUESDAY, MARCH 28. RAILWAY COMMISSION. Motion made, and Question proposed, " That in the opi,,ion of this House the powers, rights, and authorities now vested by the Act 9 and 10 Vic. c. 105, in the Com missioners of Railways, may be so regulated as to secure their efficient execution at a greatly diminished rate of charge to the public :"—Whereupon Previous Question put, " That that Question be now put." The House divided : MINORITY—AYES, 56. Adair, Hugh E. Fuller, A. E. Packe, C. W. Adderley, C. B. Gladstone, W. E. Pilkington, James Arkwright, George Goulbuni, Henry Pugh. David Baldock, E. li. Graham, Sir James Renton, John C. Bennet, Philip Gwyn, Rowel Raiford, Francis Bentinck, Lord G. Heald, James Spooner, R. Berkeley, Grantley Henley, J. W. Stuart, .J. Bolden), Henry Henry, Alexander Sullivan, Michael Bremridge, Richard Herries, John C. Thes;;er, Sir I'. Bruce, C. L. Hildyard, R. C. Thompson, Colonel Clay, James Hood, Sir Alexander Thompson, Ald. Clerk Sir G. Hume, Joseph Tyrrell, Sir J. Clive, Henry B. Ingestre, Viscount Vivian, J. E. Cobbold, J. C. Kershaw, James Vyse, R. 11. R. 11. Currie, Henry Lowther, Colonel Walrasley. Sir J. Davies, D. A. Meagher, Thomas Wo:Iley, J. 3. Disraeli, B. Mahon, Viscount Duncan, Lord Napier, Joseph TELLZAS. Eloyer, John Newdegate, C. N. Banker, G. Forbes, William O'Connor, Feargus Hudson, G. MAJORITY-NOES, 75. Abdy, T. N. Fox,'.R. M. Pigott, Francis Aglionby, H. A. Gibson, T. 31. rower, Nicholas Anson, Colonel Grace, 0. D. J. Price, Sir A. Armstrong, Sir A. Grey, Sir George Raphael, Alexander Arundel, Earl of Guest, Sir John Ricardo, Osmaa Baring, F. T. Hawes, Benjamin Rice, E. R. Barnard, E. G. Hayter, W. G. Sauleir, John Bellew, R. M. Heathcoat, John Shell, R. L. Boyle, Colonel Heywood, James Shelburne, Earl of Brockinan, E. D. Hobhouse, T. B. Slaney, R. A. Brotherton, Joseph Hodges, T. L. Somerville, Sir W. Buller, Charles Jervis, Sir John Strickland, Sir G. Busfeild, W. Keppel, G. T. Tancred, 11. W. Campbell, W. F. Labouchere, Henry Tenison, E. K. Clifford, Henry M. Langston, J. H. Tennent, It. J. Coke, Edward K. Littleton, E. R. Tkicknesse, R. A. Craig; W. G. Matnamara, Major Thornely, Thomas Dune's', Admiral M'Cullagb, W. T. Tynte, Colonel Dundas, Sir David M`Gregor, John 'Verney, Sir H. Dunne, Francis P. Mitchell, T. A. Ward, 11. G. Ebrington, Lord Morpeth, Viscount Watkins, Colonel Elliot, John E. Morison, General Wilson, Matthew Fitzpatrick, J W. Nugent, Sir Percy Wood, Sir Charles Foley, John H. O'Connell, M. J. TELLIII. Fordyce, A. D. Palmerston, Viscount Tnthell, Henry Forster, Mathew Parker, John Hill, Lord M. Mr. LAW urged the expediency, if not the neces sity, of postponing this important question till after Easter, when the entire day might be allotted for its discussion. _ _ . Mr. ANSTEY said he had given way in favour of the Election Recognizances Bill, which it was impor tant should be got through Committee without delay, and he could not say what course he should pursue till that Bill had been disposed of. Mr. NE WDEGATE thought it was due to the opponents of the Bill that the Hon. and Learned Gentleman should decide at once whether he could proceed with the Bill to-day or not. Mr. ANSTEY said if the Election Recognizances Bill were not disposed of till after four o'clock, he would not bring on his Bill to-day. Mr. MON SELL said the object of the opponents of this 811 l was evidently delay. He trusted the Hon. and Learned Gentleman would proceed in any event to-day. After some further discussion the Bill was post. poned till the other orders of the day had been dis posed of. MUNICIPAL CORPORATIONS (IRELAND) THE SUN, LONDON, WEDNESDAY EVENING, MARCH 29, 1848. THE REVOLUTION OF 1789. The causes which led to the first French Revolution were manifold ; among so many it is difficult to assign to one a place of pre-eminence. First in time, was the form of government under which France laboured under the reigns of Louis XIV. and Louis XV. The immorality of the social lite of those reigns, and of the regency of Orleans, bears its part ; and the gradual but certain increase in financial difficulties, which began with the reign of Louis XIV. Another cause was the aid given by France to the American rebels, as they were called ; and yet another, and though last in time, yet by no means the least, the opinions of Voltaire, and the Encyclopaedists, urged the people to revenge themselves for the attempts that were constantly making to place them under the yoke of despotism. At this time the Clergy, the Nobles, and the Tiers Etat, were the three great classes:—" The Clergy were both power ful and rich; their income amounted to above 5,000,000 a year, out of which little more than one-third was apportioned among the parochial clergy. The greater part of the rest was divided among the abbeys, the majority of which were in the gift of the King. Out of 36i abbeys and monasteries, no less thin 225 were of that nature that they could be held by the so-called Abbes commendataires. These Abt it, generally the younger sons of noble families, were in no way bound by the rules of the abbey over which they were supposed to preside, and were in all respects more laymen than eccle siastics. Such men as these were the chief leaders of those corrupt morals and laxity of discipline which dis graced the great part of the higher clergy during the reigns immediately preceding the Revolution. They had, of course, their exceptions; but, generally speaking, religion and morality were confined to the parochial clergy, whose poverty prevented them from mixing in the luxuries and debaucheries of the capital, as much as their consciences forbad them to merge their eccle . siastical character in that of laymen. The clergy , were subject to but one out of the many taxes—the acime paschaline : a tax so small that every five years they granted gratuitous loans of some considerable amount to the Crown, to be paid without interest after a short lapse of time. The French noblesse were exceed ingly numerous : every 250 persons had one noble amongst them ; for the nobility of the parent in France was not confined to the heir, but descended to every son. There were above four thousand places in the kingdom, by the tenor of which nobility might be conferred ; and the Court was ever ready to increase the list of nobles by new creations. For the young men of the most ancient families, a colonelship-en-second in every regiment was specially reserved ; and in Louis XVI:: reign, it was decreed that no one should be made even a sub-lieutenant who could not prove his nobility for four generations. They had thus a per fect monopoly of the Church and the army. Besides these advantages, their other privileges were enormous. One tax they were subject to—the capitation tax ; a mere trifle when compared to the other public burdens. The income-tax was also nominally paid by them as well as by the Tiers :tat ; but they contrived so to regulate their assessments as to contribute but little to this im _post. Add to these privileges those which arose .rom feudal tenures—a list so startling as to surprise even the most faithful adherent of that system. Lastly came the Tiers Etat, the whole population of the king dom, except the clergy and noblesse, including the rich est merchant alike with the poorest peasant. The abuses under which this class laboured were many. That of taxation was common to the whole body. Three taxes were paid by them—the taille, or land tax; the capita tion tax; and the income tax, at first a twentieth, eventually a tenth of the net income. The direct taxation previous to the Revolution produced about eight millions and a half to the Government out of this, above six millions were contributed by the Tiers Etat, the owners of hardly one-third of the soil of France. So enormous was the burden of direct taxation on the agricultural labourer, in those districts where the taille and vingtikne were levied on a strict valuation, that only one-twelfth of the produce of an acre of land was left to him after deducting the claims of the Crown and the landlord. Dividing the produce of an acre into twelve parts, seven-and-a-half of these parts went to the Crown for direct taxes; three and-a-half accrued to the proprietor, in the shape of rent and feudal fines ; and the remaining one part was allowed to the tenant, to support life. The taxes on consumption were equally unfair on the peasant. These imposts, raising between 10,000,000 and 11,000,000, were imposed most unequally on dif ferent provinces. Some districts had obtained commu tations very much in their favour; the consequence of which was, a most unequal pressure on those less fa voured. The burdens of taxation were greatly increased by those flowing from the nature of the feudal tenure in France. The preservation of forest game was one great source of oppression. In large districts enclo sures were forbidden, and heards of deer and boars allowed to wander at will over the cultivated land that bordered their woods and lairs. Hoeing and weed ing were forbidden, lest the young birds should be de stroyed ; hay must not be mown, lest the eggs should be destroyed ; or the land manured with any strong mixture, lest the flavour of the game should be injured. The fines at every change of tenure were heavy and frequent ; the corn must be ground at the landlord's mill, the grapes pressed at the landlord's press, the bread baked at the landlord's oven. The catalogue of the tenant's contributions is not yet closed. The corvees, or statute labour for the maintenance of the public roads, fell on this class alone ; a burden esti mated by Necker at nearly a million a year. Military quarters were to be provided by them for the soldiers; tree lodging, fire, light, sal:, washing, and forage for the horses of the cavalry. On them, too, fell exclu sively the compulsory military service, which drew 60,000 men a year. The indirect taxes were not less oppressive, arising from the Customs levied on goods passing from one division of France to the other, and from the monopolies of salt and tobacco. Two pound of salt smuggled across the fron tier would remunerate a man better than a day's labour. The public taxes were, in sober truth, gurdensone enough; yet this burden was greatly increased by the system of farming out the indirect taxes to private indi viduals, or companies, for a certain sum, and leaving them, to reap their advantage by oppressing the people. The power of the King had long grown to be des potic ; . he was the sole legislator of the kingdom, his Ministers and the States-General but his advisers, without a power of enacting or refusing. On the universal immorality of the reign of Louis XV. it is needless to enlarge; detail would be neither in structive nor necessary. No one will dream of deny ing the fact, or of doubting that it was one among other causes of the excesses of the revolution. When the people saw their King devoted to the most sensual indulgences; the highest nobles, the clergy, and every one who desired rank or station, humbly bowing at the throne of his acknowledged mistress, a woman of the lowest birth, the lowest character; when they saw that she was not deemed unworthy to associate with the King's own daughters, and that the wives of the highest in the land coveted her society, they might well believe that morality was but a bugbear to keep them in order, and religion a mere state machine for dis cipline. The immorality of the times gained half the battle for the scepticism and infidelity of the Encyclo pedists. The support given by Louis XVI. to the Ame rican insurgents, reduced into practice the theories put forward by the sect of the Encyclopaedists. Numbers of the young noblesse, by mixing with the American revolters, imbibed their principles of liberty and inde pendence, and brought back to their own country notions very little consistent with the theory and practice of its Government. By this rash step France gained a mo mentary step before her great rival. Did not all these causes put together justify the people in turning out into open revolution against their Sovereign ?-IVeekly Dis patch. ODE BY B EitANGER ON THE REVOLUTION OF FEBRUARY. The Democratic Pacifique publishes the following ode by Beranger, who is announced as one of the candidates for the deputation of the department of the Seine. It is addressed to Manuel, who dared to pro fess Republicanism even under the Restoration, but who died before 1830. BERANGER A AIANUEL. 0 Manuel, la France s'est lei e Sa libert4 n'a plus un ennemi. C'est bien ain si quo nous l'avions revee! Peuple scant qui n'est rien 3 demi! Puisqu'il nous mene 3 la terre promise, Dieu parmi nous aurait du to laisser. Qu'avais-tu fait pour mourir en Moise? Mon pauvre ami, je voudrais t'embrasser. Sortant vainqueur de ces luttes sublimes, Tu penserais a mon tout petit coin. C'est dans ces jours de fievres magnanimes, Que I'un de l'autre on a souvent besein. Longtemps muets, dans une etreinte antique, Puis, refoulant nos pleura dans un baiser, Nous nous disions: Vive la Republique! Mon pauvre ami, je voudrais t'embrasser. Le sait-on bien ? Depuis qu'au Jeu-de-Paume S'ouvrit l'epoque ou le peuple vainqueur, Fit affluer en notre beau royaume Le monde entier, comme le sang au cceur. Du livre d'or sanglant, sublime ou sage, Oil cheque lustre eut sa gloire i tracer, Quarante-huit est la plus belle page ! Mon pauvre ami, je voudrais t'embrasser. La royaute sterilisait l'empire, Et jetait l'ancre en ce sable mouvant ; Le foudre passe, et le trone chavire, Et j'ai cherche sa trace vainement. • Mais je retrouve une France fecond, Qu'un noble sang vient de fertiliser ; Sol gen&eux, qui nourrira le monde ! Mon pauvre ami, je voudrais t'embrasser. La Republique est grande et sera stable, Elle - remplit nos VCCUX, mais je t'aimais; Je me souviens de ce cri lamentable: Plaignons les morts, its dorment I jamais! Dormir, hetes! quand la France se love, Lorsque, pour vaincre, et pour se surpasser, Elle a besoin de l'esprit et du glaive! Mon pauvre ami, je voudrais t'embrasser. Gloire a toi, peuple, I tes succes rapides! Je t'airne mieux lorsque jc pollee a iui ; Mes bras ouverts ne rcsteront pas vides; Tousles Francais sont frires aujourd'hui. Viellard courbe, quand to courais aux armes, Comme les morts, j'ai du me reposer; Mon sang est froid, mais j'ai de chaudes larmes, Peuple Fran9ais, je voudrais t'embrasser. Paris, le Ist Mars, 1848 MUNIFICENCE. — The late Andrew Macklew, Esq., of Poulett Lodge, Twickenham, in addition to bene volent bequests left to the various Police-courts, to be applied to the purposes of the poor-box of each court, bequeathed to the Accident Relief Society 5001., and to the Distressed Needlewomen's Society 5004 CHARTIST MEETING. Last evening a numerous meeting of Chartists, con vened nominally for the purpose of t ;king measures to protect the rights of labour, but in reality to beat up for recruits to swell the intended monster procession on the 10th proximo, from liennington•common to the House of Commons, on the occasion of presenting the Chartist petition, was held at the Socialist Institution, John street, Tottenham-court-road. The building was densely crowded. A well•dressed person named VERNON, who was said to be a " new" man in the political arena, was called to the chair. He began the proceedings by giving a dole ful account of a trip to Stepney-green, which he had been induced to make at two o'clock that day, in order to be present at a Chartist demonstration. He said he had walked about until nearly half-past three o'clock, vainly endeavouring to ;find out the meeting, which was advertised to take place at two o'clock; at length a person whom he met by accident told him where he might find Mr. Magrath and the other concocters of the meeting; but he protested solemnly that he would rather " fight" at once than be -subjected to such another trial of his patience.—(Laughter.) Ile considered it a mere waste of time to dwell on the points of the Charter, or even on the point which they had met to consider— the organization of labour, for until the sove reignty of the people were established, it was nonsense to suppose that they could effect the slightest amelioration in the condition of the working classes.—(Cheers.) The petition for the Charter was to be presented on the 10th of next month, on which occasion it was intended to accompany it with a procession composed of from one to three hundred thousand persons. He saw that a dinner was advertised to take place at Ilighbury Barn Tavern on the evening of the same day, but he hoped they would have no feasting until they had succeeded in carrying the Charter.—(Cheers.) The French carried their charter without any thoughts of dining; and as they required no speechifying on the subject of the peti tion in the House of Commous, but intended merely to ask them " yes" or " no," he hoped they would Rot dream of sitting down to dinner until they went back to the House of Commons, as they in tended doing next day, to see how they were getting on with it.—(Cheers.) The modes operandi was to keep moving between the House of Commons and the Tower, and the Tower and the House of Commons; and he thought that the money which they intended spending on a dinner would be far better laid out in furnishing district refreshment houses for those who had to undergo the labour and fatigue of the procession. —(Cheers.) For his part he was disgusted at the idea of presenting a petition at all ; it was all a mockery and a farce—for they knew very well that the members of the Government would never consent to grant the people's charter, and therefore he thought that they should give the House of Commons just one hour to consider whether they would grant it or not.—(Great cheering.) If they said "yes," very well; and if they said " no," instead of going to the Highbury Barn to dinner they should retire to their district meetings and decide what they were to do next day.—(Cheers.) It was a very old saying that " what was everybody's busi ness was nobody's business," and as even the army re quired a " forlorn hope," be begged that one hundred persons at that meeting would join him in forming a compact body who would fully understand each other by signs and otherwise to conduct the business of the pro cession .—(Sensation.) As all such bodies were dis tinguished by some peculiar appellation, he thought they should call themselves the " fast boys," which would be perfectly appropriate, as their intention was to upset the " governor."—(Cheers and laughter.) After indulging at considerable length in a similar strain, Mr. Vernon concluded by saying that everything he had uttered was the result of the most honest conviction and cool reflec tion and determination. Mr. DxsoN (from Manchester) took exceptions at once to the speech of the Chairman. He had heard many fiery speeches on previous occasions, and it was all very well for them to clap their hands and huzza ; but when the " day" came, where were they ?—they were to be found in their beds fast asleep.—(No, no, and hear, hear.) He could never sanction any proposition that would lead the people into danger. It was madness to talk of organising an insurrection, and demanding an answer from the House of Commons in an hour.—(Dis approbation and cries of " Quite long enough.") The people of this country were not in a fighting posture, and it would take far more than anything they had suffered yet to make them fight. Nothing could justify an appeal to arms until every moral means had been exhausted. He concluded, by moving a resolution to the effect that, as labour was unquestionably a source of wealth, and the working man's only capital, it should form the first subject of Legislative care, and they should never cease their endeavour until labour was fairly represented in Parliament. A juvenile Chartist named ROBINSON seconded the re solution, and also preferred moral force to physical force, until it was fairly proved that the former was utterly ineffective. Mr. SKELTON also supported the moral force doctrine in a speech of great length, which, ,in order to avoid misconception or misrepresentation, he had reduced to writing. Mr. HANDLEY followed, and sneered at the moral force enthusiasts, as did also Mr. ERNEST JONES and Mr. MAGRATII, the " great guns" of the evening. Mr. JONES, during his speech, mentioned that the hostility of the military was not so much to be dreaded as was generally supposed, for eighteen of the Grenadier Guards had that week signed the Chartist petition. Ile had been to Northamptonshire during the week, where he had addressed tens of thousands of their fellow-men, who had determined that if a blow were struck at the procession by the minions of the Government, they would strike again. The House of Commons had laughed at Mr. Feargus O'Connor's notice of motion which he 'intended bringing forward when he presented the Chartist petition ; but they would remember that a motion of Odilon Barrot's was treated in a similar way by Guizot and the French Chambers, and they all saw the result. (Cheers.) Let them follow that example, and make Lord Joh❑ Russell laugh at the wrong side of his mouth.—(Cheers and laughter.) A number of resolutions carrying out the People's Charter were then adopted, and the proceedings did not terminate until near midnight.—Chronicle. CITY OF LONDON COMMIS SIONERS OF SEWERS. Yesterday a Court of Sewers was held at Guildhall, but the eminent engineers and surveyors appointed to inquire into and report on the state of the City of Lon don sewers not having yet had time to carry the objects of their appointment into effect, the proceedings were confined to the usual routine business, and nothing fur ther transpired relative to the threatened invasion of the City by the promoters of the Public Health Bill. Mr. Deputy Peacock occupied the chair. Several com plaints were entertained against various parties for net suppressing nuisances, and Mr. Gore, the eminent mud contractor, was fined 51., on account of persoas in his employment having swept the mud into the gratings, instead - of carting it off as they were bound to do by the regulations. Mr. GODSON begged to ask the chairman whether any pains had been taken by the committee to induce gas companies to lower their prices, as he observed by the printed return of the pavements' accounts that the gas lighting for the last three quarters amounted to the very large sum of 7,789/.—(Hear, hear.) The CHAIRMAN said, the question was under the con sideration of the committee, but all the information which they could collect relative to the subject would be laid before them at their next meeting.— (Hear.) A consolidated rate of sixpence in the pound was then made, and the Court broke up. QUEEN'S THEATRE, DULL.-11.1uch as G. V Brooke, Esq., might have had reason to anticipate a hearty reception from his friends in Hull, owing to his previous exhibitions at this theatre, the plaudits which took place on Monday evening, on his entree in the cha racter of Othello, must have far exceeded his most sanguine expectations. During the period of the last 25 years we have witnessed theatrical exhibitions, we never remember a performer receiving applause so simultaneous and enthusiastic as did Mr. Brooke. The house was of course a bumper, notwithstanding the at tractions of Monsieur Jullien's concert the same evening. Of Mr. Brooke's impersonation of the character of Othello we cannot speak too highly, there is not only an originality of conception, but a perfect mastery of the language of the immortal Shakspeare—in fact we never saw the beau ideal of the bard's swarthy Moor until we had the pleasure of seeing Mr. Brooke. Mr. Brooke was efficiently supported by the stock company of the theatre in their various parts, and by Miss Duret as Desdemona. Mr. Walton, as lago, if not all that could be wished, was certainly highly respectable. Melville Hill perhaps rather went beyond what was intended in the inebriation scene, but on the whole was above an average Cassio. Mrs. Turner, as Emilia, appeared to great advantage. The audience, during the whole of the performance, exhibited the most marked attention, and the approbation evinced was loud and long. Mr. Brooke and Miss Duret, as also Mr. Walton, were called for at the close, amidst the most hearty cheers. Miss Dickenson followed in the farce of The Ps oblem, and came in for a fair share of applause. Owing to several parties having previously engaged themselves to attend Jullien's concert, and having expressed their wish to see Mr. Brooke in the character of Othello, he has been prevailed upon to re-enact this character this (Tuesday evening. SALFORD, MARCH 28.—Last night a crowded meeting of the chartists was held in this borough, for the professed purpose of considering the best means of pomoting the defence of Messrs. Smith O'Brien, Mit chell, and Meagher against their impending prosecution, and of fraternizing with the Ultra-itepealers of Ireland, in order to a mutual co-operation for the attainment of the objects of both. MAZE-POND YOUNG MEN'S MUTUAL INSTRUCTION SOCIETY.— Y esterd ay evening the seventh anniversary meeting of this thriving association of young men for the purpose of intellectual advancement, was held in the vestry-room of the Chapel, Mace-pond, Southwark—the Rev. Mr. Aldis in the Chair. The proceedings were commenced in the usual manner, with a repast, of which a large number of the members and their friends par took, and the report having b:en read by the Secretary, stating the progress of the Society, the company were addressed by several gentlemen in speeches suitable to the occasion. BIRKENDEAD.—We understand that Lord Mor peth, Baron Goldsmid, Joseph Bailey, jun , Esq., M.P., William Jackson, Esq., M.P., and J. M. Bendel, Esq., were yesterday (Monday) at Birkenhead, for the purpose we believe, of surveying the present condition of the dock works there. No doubt the report which Lord Morpeth will make to Government on the subject will have a material effect on the Bill now before Parliament relating to the works.—Liverpool Standard. ELECTION RECOGNIZANCES BILL. Order for Second Reading read; Motion made, and Ques tion proposed, " That the Bill be now read a second time :" —Amendment proposed, to leave out the word " now," and at the end of the Question to add the words " this day six months :"—Question put, " That the word ' now' stand 'part of the Question." The House divided : MAJORITY—AYES, 112. Acland, Sir T. Fellowas, E. O'Connor, Fearges Adderley, C. B. Floyer, John Packe, C. W. Alexander, N. Foley, J. H. Palmer, 'Robert Anstey, Thomas Forbes, Win. Pete, Samuel Bagge, W. Fortescue, Chichester Pigott, Francis Bagot, William Fox, Richard M. Pilking,tou, James Bailey, Joseph, jun. Fuller, A. E. "over, Nicholas Bankes, George Gardner, J. D. Raphael, Alexander Barkly, Henry Gaskell, J. M. Renton, J. C. Barrington, Viscount Gibson, T. M. Sadleir, J oln Bennet, Philip Gooch, E. S. Scholefield, W. Beresford, William Greene, John Shell, R. L. Berkeley, 11. F. Grey, Ralph W. Sibthorp, Colonel Berkeley, Grantley Grogan, Edward Simeon, John Blake, M. J. Gwyn, Vowel Smith, John E. Boldero, li. G. Halsey, T. P. Smyth, J. G. Bolling, William Hamilton, Lord C. Somerville. elr W. Boyle, Robert E. Heathceat, John Spooner, Richard Biemridge, ltichard Henry, Alexander Stafford, Augustus Bright, John Hervey, Lord A. S.ephenson, Robert Brisco, M. ffildyard, R. C. Stuart, henry Brockman, E. D. Hudson, George Sullivan, Michael Burroughes, 11. Ingestre, Yisct. Turner, George Chichester, Lord J. Jackson, William Tyrrell, Sir J. T. Christy, Samuel Johnstone, Sir J. Verner, Sir W. Clay, James Jolliffe, Sir W G. Yyse, R. H. Cobbold, John C. Kershaw, James Waddington, 11. S. Cocks, Thomas S. Knox, Colonel Walmsley, Sir J. Codringtou, Sir W. Law, C. E. Westhead, J. P. Coke, E. K. Lowther, lion. Col. Williams, John Colvile, C. R. Mahon, O'Gorman Williams, T. P. Cripps, William Mahon, Viscount Willoughby, Sir 11. Davies !D. A. S. Meux, Sir Henry Wilson, Matthew Devereux, J. T. Neeld, Joseph Wyld, James Duncombe, 0. Newdegate, N. Dwieuft, John Newport, Visct. TIELLEII.B. Edwards, Henry Newry, Viscount Wortley, J. S. Fagan, William Nugent, Sir Percy Thesiler, Sir F. Farrer, James O'Brien, Sir Lucius MINORITY-NOES, 80. Adair, R. Shafto Grenfell, Charles W. Parker, John Arkwright, G. Grey, Sir G. Patten, J. W. Armstrong, Sir A. Haggitt, F. it. 'garden, W. Y. Baring, F. T. Hall, Sir Benjamin Price, Sir Robert Bellew, R.M. Hallyburton, Lord Ricardo, Osman i Bouveric, E. P. Hast;e, Alexander Rice, E. E. Bowring, Dr. Haste, Archibald Richards, Richard Bramston, T. W. Hayter, W. G. Seymour, Lord Brotherton, J. Ileathcote, Sir W. Shelburne, Earl .f Buller, Sir J. Y. Ferries, J. C. Smith, J. A. Campbell, W. F. Heywood, James Sotheron, T. H. Cardwell, Edward Hill, Lord Marcus Strickland, Sir G. Carter, John B. /lobhouse, T. B. Stuart, Lord Dudley Clerk Sir George Hood, Sir A. Talbot, C. It. Clive, 11. B. Jervis, Sir John Tancred, H. W. Cowper, W. F. Langston, J. H. Thieknesse, Ralph Craig, W. G. Lewis, George C. Thompson, Colonel Douglas, Sir C. E. Megan, W. H. Thomely, T. Duff, - (i. S. Marshall, W. Townley, R..G. I runcan, George Martin, C. W. Watkins, Colonel Dundas, Sir D. Mitchell, A. T. Wawa, J T. F:brington, Viscount Morris, David Wood, Sir Charles Evans, William Mure, Colonel Wood, W. P. Ferguson, Sir R. Napier, Joseph Yorke, Henry R. Fordyce, A. D. Norreys, Lord Forster, M. O'Connell, M. J. TELLERS. Graham, Sir James Ogle, S. C. Bernal, Ralph Greene Thomas Palmer, Roundell Inglis, Sir IL TO THE SECRETARY OF THE BRADFORD REFORM ASSOCIATION. Sir,—On Monday the 27th, Mr. Hume brought on another debate on the income-tax. Some points in it may usefully be noticed, for future use. Sir Robert Inglis made a distinct proposal for al lowing every man to deduct 1601. from his rateable in come, or, in other words, charging every man with the income-tax for the excess only of his income above 150/. The Chancellor of the ExchequTr, in reply, dwelt on the inconvenience, amounting to impracticability, which he stated to have been found, in all times and places, in levying an income-tax in any way but uni formly. But it did not appear to me that he in any degree applied himself to the proposal of Sir Robert Inglis. The objections may therefore be considered as buried for the present, in the mass of unsifted difficulties which surround the general question. As might be expected from past proceedings, the supporters of Mr. Hume were in a minority; 78 voting with him, and 284 against. On Tuesday, contrary to expectation, the Election Recognizances Bill made its appearance again. A wonderful diversity of opinions was displayed upon the subject ; no less than seven lawyers, as was remarked, to the amusement of the House, by Sir James Graham, having undertaken to enlighten the un learned public, and given almost as many different views of the question. Considerable canvassing being understood to have been made by the sitting Members, who from some turn of the game have dis covered they are interested in the Bill, the second reading was carried by 112 against 80. I am, Sir, your obedient servant, T. PERRONET THOMPSON. Blackheath, London, March 29, 1848. COURT CIRCULAR. Her Royal Highness the Duchess of Gloucester visited the Queen yesterday at Buckingham Palace. His Royal Highness Prince Albert, accompanied by their Royal Highnesses the Prince of Wales, Prince Alfred, the Princess Royal, and the Princess Alice, honoured the performance at Drury-lane Theatre with his presence yesterday. The Dowager Lady Lyttelton, Colonel the Hon. C. B. Phipps, and Colonel Bouverie, were in attendance on the Royal party. Her Royal Highness the Princess Helena was taken an airing yesterday. Her Royal Highness the Duchess of Kent, and his Royal Highness the Prince of Prussia, dined with his Royal Highness Prince Albert yesterday evening at Buckingham Palace. His Royal Highness the Prince of Prussia paid ♦isits yesterday to her Royal Highness the Duchess of Kent, at Clarence House, St. James's; to their Royal High nesses the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, at Cam bridge House; and to her Royal Highness the Duchess of Gloucester, at Gloucester House. His Royal Highness the Duke of Cambridge and his Serene Highness Prince Frederick of Hesse visited the Prince of Prussia 'on Monday evening, at the residence of the Prussian Minister, on Carlton House-terrace. Colonel R. Cannon, K.S.F., was presented by Viscount Palmerston to his Royal Highness Prince Albert, on Wednesday, at the Levee, on being appointed a Knight Commander of Charles the Third. Mr. Wyon, of her Majesty's Mint, had an interview with Lord John Russell, at his official residence in Downing-street, on Monday.. The Ecclesiastical Commissions for England had a Committee meeting yesterday, at their Office in White hall-place. HER MAJESTY'S THEATRE.—The Queen's box at her Majesty's Theatre was last evening occupied by the Earl and Countess of Granville, Viscount Sydney and party ; that of her Majesty Queen Adelaide by the Marquis and Marchioness of Douglas, Mr. Pringle and party. Amongst the general company we noticed the Duke of Wellington, the Duke of Devonshire, the Duke and Duchess of Montrose, the Duchess of Sutherland, the Marquis of Clanricarde, the Marquis and Marchioness of Sligo, the Marchioness of Douro, the Earl of Lonsdale, the Earl of Falmouth, the Earl of Munster, the Earl of A boyne, the Countess of Tankerville, the Hanoverian Minister, the Swedish Minister, the Baroness Brunnow. Mademoiselle Olga de Lechner, the Sardinian Minister, the Count de Barke, M. C. de Koudriaffsky, M. Davidoff, the Viscountess Palmerston, the Viscount Anson, the Viscount Cantilupe, the Viscountess Mahon, Lord Marcus Hill, Mr. and Madame Dellessert, Lord Adolphus Fitzclarence, Lord Elphinstone, Lord Ossulston, Lord William Lennox, Lord John Hay, Lady Webster, Sir Ralph • Howard and Lady Howard, Mr. and Lady Augusta Wentworth, Sir George Milbanke and Lady Margaret Milbanke. Sir George Wombwell, Sir Felix Booth, Sir John L , wther, Lady Clarke, &e. BILL. The second reading of this Bill was postponed till Friday. ELECTION RECOGNIZANCES BILL. On the motion of Mr. STUART WORTLEY, the House then went into Committee on this Bill. On the first clause being read, Mr. STUART WORTLEY proposed to leave out certain words and to substitute others. _ Mr. NAPIER objected to the words proposed to be omitted, upon which The Committee divided, when there appeared— For the amendment .59 Against it . 4O _ . Majority for the amendment —l9 Mr. S. WORTLEY proposed the insertion of a clause giving power to a Committee of the House to reject or receive recognizances in the place of the examin©r of recognizances. After a short discussion, in which Sir George Grey, Mr. S. Wortley, the Attorney-General, Sir F. Thesiger, and Mr. Greene took part, Mr. HAYTER said that he should oppose the insertion of the clause on the ground that it gave to the Committee the power of deciding whether the recognizances were legal, thus giving them judicial powers; it then proposed to give to the Committee the powers of a jury, and to decide whether there had been any fault whatever attributable to either of the parties, such as would warrant the rejection of the recogniaances ; and the third power proposed by the clause to be conferred upon the Committee was that of counsel, to advise to what extent the fault or neglect of either parties should affect the recognizance. After a few words from Mr. NAPIER, Strangers were ordered to withdraw, when there appeared— For the insertion of the clause.. 90 Against it ••. .. 51 Majority for the clause..... —39 The clause as amended was then agreed to, as were also the remaining clauses of the Bill. Mr. S. \VORTLEY here proposed the addition of a clause, giving to the Committee the pov er of deciding that in the cases of any recognizances which should prove vGid or invalid, but which invalidity was not owing to the Inches or neglect of the parties, or in the cases of recognizances which were not clearly void, then that such recognizances should be allowed to be received. (LEFT SITTING.) CANADIAN WINTER.-WONDERFUL PRESERVATION —On the 10th of February last, at one in the morning, as the sleigh four horse stage coach from Upper Canada was proceeding down to Montreal, with passengers and the mail, the roads being glazed over with ice, at a de clivity on the road, about 16 miles from Montreal, the sleigh with its passengers was precipitated down into the rapid stream of the river St. Lawrence, dragging the four horses along with it. The passengers all managed to scramble out but one, a Mr. Russel, from Stirling, in Scotland, who managed only to get on the top of the coach, which getting disentangled from the horses, floated down the dark freezing stream. Mr. Russel's life was given up as lost, for the wind blew very strong, and the frost was extremely severe. However, at day light the following morning the sleigh was discovered three miles below where the catastrophe happened, slowly floating down the stream, and a party of boat men with canoes were sent in search of s the mail; and on making up to the coach their attention was drawn to a large piece of ice resting on the top of the vehicle, which they began to think might contain something within it, so they began to chip off the ice with their axes, when lo I to their utter consternation, they dis covered poor Mr. Ruisel perfectly encased within the ice. Their first impression was that he had been frozen to death, but on clearing him of the icy covering they thought they discovered motion in his lips, and had him immediately conveyed to a house not very far off, where he soon acquired perfect consciousness. He was eight hours pelted with spray and water, which froze as soon as it touched him, and so completely cased him in. There are hopes of his life being saved, but both of his hands and one of his legs will require to be amputated. Mr. Russel is a native of Stirlingshire, from whence he emigrated some years ago, and by a successful course of industry has accumulated a large fortune as a road and land contractor. He is much respected by his country men in Canada, and his misfortune is deeply deplored. SOUTHAMPTON TUESDAY. The barque Broad Oak, Captain M`drath, from Pernambuco, arrived off Cowes this morning for orders ; she has a freight of 5,600 bags of Brazilian sugar. She brings papers dated Pernambuco, the 7th of February. AMERICA.—The Ocean Monarch, Captain Mur doch, arrived at the port of Liverpool on Monday night, having left Boston on the evening of the 11th, up to which time Captain Murdoch states no intelligence had reached Boston of the ratification of the treaty with Mexico. REFORM OF THE LAW Of LUNICY.—A. public meeting, " for the purpose of promoting the reform of the law of lunacy," was held at the British Coffee•house, Cockspur-street, last night. The meeting was called by the Alleged Lunatics' Friend Society, and the chair was taken by B. B. Cabbell, Esq., M.P. Mr. Luke Hansard proposed, and Mr. Percival seconded, the following reso lution, viz.:—" That the present laws of lunacy are ac knowledged on all hands to be highly defective, and contrary to every pianciple of constitutional freedom and justice, and that acts of the greatest oppression and cruelty have been committed iu lunatic asylums, in consequeece of the imperfect system in superintending the same." Several gentlemen addressed the meeting, and it was resolved to petition Parliament for an in , quiry into the subject- TriE GAME NUlSANCE.—Nottinghamshire is noto rious for game preserving (it may be called the hot-bed), and ferocious keepers and their bull-dog men using flails to beat poachers with. At the past assizes for that county a host of those gentry swore so monstrously in consistent against some men charged with night poach ing, that the judge and the jury would not give credence to their testimony. One of those worthies swore he did not know what a " flail " is! The amount of perjury which has been committed by gamekeepers and their underlings is truly shocking. To please the game mania, noblemen, squires, and gentlemen, they must have cases ; and, having got them, :swear roundly to carry conviction. Game preserving and game-laws have been the root of all this dreadful sin, and for which the promoters themselves must account.—From a Corre spondent. DIVISION OF DENBIGHSHIRE —The Gazette of last night contains an order in council directing the sub-division of the county of Denbigh, under the new County Coroners' Act, into the Wrexham and Deabigh districts.: From Marseilles we learn that Messrs. Rolland lluflio, and Co., have been enabled to resume business by the receipt of remittances from the Levant. GLASGOW, Mallen 28.—Last night a very nume rously attended meeting of the Irish residents in Glas gow, and others friendly to the cause of Irish nationality was held in the Lyceum Rooms, Nelson-street, for the purpose of co-operating with the United Irishmen in Ireland. The meeting was conducted in an orderly manner, and separated peaceably. REPRESENTATION OF AYLESBURY.---Mi. Miller has retired from the contest. The contest now lies between Mr. Dick and Mr. Houghton. The polling commenced this morning at eight o'clock. THE SEWERS OF LONDON. The public mind has been much occupied of ,late with the question of the health of towns, and in that question is involved the drainage of the metropolis. Our readers will perhaps find some amusement from the consideration of the rise and progress of The most ancient of these subterraneous works. The oldest drains in London are probably the Fleet River and the Walbrook, two natural water-courses, carrying off now the accumulated drainage of a densely populated area, as formerly they conveyed the waters of the river Fleet and springs falling into them down to the Thames. As long ago as the year 1290, we read of the monks of the White and Black Friars, with the Bishop of Salis bury, whose house was situate on the site of the present Salisbury-square, in Fleet-street, complaining to King Edward I. of the condition of the Fleet river. At this time it must be remembered that this river was of such size and depth that " ten or twelve ships navies at once with merchandises were wont to come up to Old Bourne (Ilolborn) bridge;" but a few years after the above date it was made subject of complaint that the river " had become so narrowed by the raising of wharves, but specially by the diversion of water made by them of the New Temple for their mills, outside of Baynard Castle, and by otherimpediments, that their ships could not en ter as they were wont," whereupon the mayor and the sheriffs of London were directed to amend this. Thus from time to time this Fleet river was cleansed and repaired under the direction of the civic authorities, and in 1589 the Court of Common Council raised the sum of 1,000 marks for this purpose. This river (according to Stow) was anciently called " the River of Wells ;" and about the beginning of the 14th century, that portion of it which lay north of the city boundary was known as " Turnmill Brook," from the number of mills erected on its banks; but the lower part became gradually used as a mere sewer. After the Great Fire of London, it was cleansed and repaired by the mayor and court of al dermen ; the sides were embanked with masonry, and warehouses for coals constructed on its banks, with a wharf of thirty-five feet width formed on either side; and at Bridewell, Fleet-street, and Ilolborn, handsome bridges of Portland stone were con structed, at a cost of 30,0001. The corporation have in their library at the Guildhall, a picture of the period, representing the Bridewell, the Fleet river, and the bridge over it. In 1736 it was arched over by the corporation from Ilolborn to Fleet-street, and the old Fleet-market formed on its site; but it was not till after Blackfriars bridge was built that the southern portion was arched over, and New Bridge-street formed in its present state. In 1825 Fleet-market was removed by the corporation, and the street now called Farringdon-street was formed. So much for this ancient sewer. It has long been hid den from the eye of the passenger; but the bridges re ferred to above yet exist in part, and the waters rush at times through this mighty culvert with a force and ra pidity that would alarm the inexperienced. Indeed, conveying, as it does, the bulk of the drainage of all.the country round the base of Highgate-hill, Camden-town, Battle-bridge, and places contiguous, this sewer almost equals the larger sewers of ancient Rome, and, we be lieve, it is the largest of our metropolitan arched sewers, and probably the largest in the world. The next watercourse in importance in the old city of London is that anciently forming the Walbrook, and of late years built over and enclosed within the limits of a modern sewer, now running from London-bridge through ging William-street and and Princes-street to the City boundary at Moorgate. Here is a work of the last fifteen years, constructed chiefly on the site of the ancient Walbrook—a river of great width and depth in former days, having its source about Hoxton. Few persons consider, as they travel through the streets before-mentioned, that a sewer of a sine large enough for a cab to drive through runs beneath their feet, up which the Thames flows as high up as Lothbury. Such, however, is the fact ; and this wonderful work has en abled the low flat ground of Holloway to be drained of late years. Such are the main sewers of London. The old town ditch, recorded by Stow to have been two hundred feet wide, winds still in its original track round the course of the old city wall, though now limited to a sewer va rying in size. But still it is an interesting relic of the olden time, and, with the other watercourses of London, form the main arteries in a system of drainage which now, within the limits of one square mile, counts at least forty-three miles lineal of public sewers within the mu nicipal division called the city of London. SPORTING INTELLIGENCE. NORTHAMPTON SPRING MEETING. NORTHAMPTON, TUESDAY EVENING, SIX O'CLOCK. Further Arrivals—War Eagle, Prairie Bird, Dacia, Latitat, Puffy, Farthingale, filly by Cotherstone, out of Kalmia; Embrace, Sylvan, Routh, Convict, Antler, Pic colo, Rothersthorpe, Nina, Retail, b f by Csesar, out of Emily, Goodwood, Historian, Harlestone, Consuela, Multum in Parvo, Brother to Counsellor, Elimea, Tho Judge, The Pony, Mawkstone, br f by Touchstone, out of Chapeau d'Espagne; Sword Player, and The Fiddler. Dawson's lot expected to-night. The following is the complete entry for the Queen's Plate:—Mr. Pedley's Miss Burns, Mr. Parr's Marietta, Lord Chesterfield's Lady Wildair, Mr. Bouverie's War Eagle, Mr. Irwin's Ballinafad, Mr. T. Price's Legislator, Mr. Mostyn's Sagacity, Mr. Verity's Walmgate-bar Without, Mr. Hussey's Embrace, Mr. Peck's Ellen Loraine. BETTING AT MANCHESTER—TUESDAY. NORTHAMPTONSHIRE STAKES.-4 to 1 agst Ballinafad ; II to 2 agst Enchanter, (t) —8 to 1 agst Walmgate Bar Without, (t) —8 to 1 agst Joe o' Sot, (t)-10 to 1 agst Joe Lovell, (t) 12 to 1 agst Lady Wil fair. WINDSOR STEEPLECHASES.—TUESDAY. Ilrndietip Sweepstakes of 25 sovs. each, 15 ft, and only 5 ft if declared, with 100 added; the second saves his stake. Four miles. (22 Subs., 9of whom declared.) Mr. Elmore's British Yeoman, list Ilb (J. Mason) 1 Lord Strathmore's St. Lcger, llst llb ... 2 Captain Harvey's Mushroom, lOst 3 The following also started, but were not placed :—Cap tails W. Peel's Chandler, 12st 41b—Mr. Hunter's Amea, lOst 61b—Mr. J. R. Walker's Mushroom, lOst 71b—Mr. Clifton na Young Lottery, 9st 131b—Mr. J. Anderson's Profligate, lOst—Mr. Whitfield's Gipsy Queen, 9st 91b. Betting-3 to 1 agst Chandler, 9to 2 agst St. Leger, 5 to 1 each agst Profligate and British Yeoman (taken). 8 to 1 agst Captain Harvey's Mushroom, and 10 to 1 agst Young Lottery. Won easily. The Light-weight Military Sweepstakes of 10 sovs. each, 5 ft; the second to save his stake. Four miles. Mr. H. Joliffe's Hornet ... ... walked over The Hack Stakes of 2 sovs. each, and 12 added, list each, the second to save his stake, and the winner to be sold for 601, three miles, were won by Mr. Young's The Painter (Land), beating Mr. Hussey's Gridiron, and Mr. West's Sylvanus. 2tol on Painter. Won easily. Match-100 sovs. Two miles. Captain Somerset's Twilight, list (Mr. Berkeley) 1 Mr. Joliffe's Brunette, 12st ... ••• 2 7t04 on Twilight. Won in a canter. Free handicap of 5 sovs. each, and 20 added. Three miles. Lord Strathmore's Scylla, lOst 41b ... (Archer) 1 Mr. J. Mason's Hipbriar, list 71b 2 Sir E. Poore's Pilgrim, list 21b 3 The following also ran :—Mr. Coghlan's Urchin, 9st 121 b, and Mr. Anderson's b g by Economist, lOst. Even on llipbriar, and 2to 1 agst Scylla. Won by a length. LINCOLN STEEPLE CHASE.—TUESDAY. This race, which is now established as one of the favourites, took place this day. Tho signal being given for starting, Wanderer took the lead, closely followed by the whole field; all took the first fence. On crossing near the race stand, Jenny Lind fell and lost her rider. At the fourth fence some refusals were made; Wanderer still kept the lead, and maintained it up the hill though closely watched and pushed by the Maid of Athens. Coriander fell back on rising the hill. Richard the First and Abraham Parker kept on the lurch. Forest Boy was up and at work, and all were in earnest; on reach ing the last fence, - Wanderer still kept the lead, Forest Boy gaining considerably by taking the fence lower down; Richard the First here made a push, but the Maid of Athens began to look suspicious, All was anxiety for Wanderer, who led through the whole distance, but blood will do it at a push. On nearing the last flag the interest was exciting—Forest Boy, Richard, and the Maid of Athens altogether, contending with all their speed, heading Wanderer; a race began between Forest Boy and the Athenian Maid, when on reaching the win ning post the Maid of Athens won by two lengths. The following is the order in which they were placed:— Captain Barnett's b m Maid of Athens (M`Donough) 1 Mr. Donaldson's b g Forest Boy, aged ••• ... 2 Mr. J. S. Moseley's b g Richard the First ... Mr. W. Marshall's Wanderer, aged ... .•. ... 4 8 started. The distance, four miles, was run in 12i minutes 3 seconds. THE 'lmmix RACE.—For this race, which has now become fashionable, there were thirteen entries, but only five started ; the ground chosen was round the raco course, with four flights of hurdles, over two miles ; and for a full view no better country could be found. On starting they all went off at full speed ; three took their first leap most admirably—the other two brashed the fence, and a hurdle was knocked down, all the other fences were cleverly cleared. On ascending the hill they kept well together—for although Cavendish was per mitted to have the lead, it was evident the others were politely waiting, which is a good deal to say for a " clod hopper." On nearing the last eight Clod Hopper challenged, and Dickens accepted the challenge. Fatima attempted to charm them, but they paid her no atten tion. Dickens headed at the last flight of hurdles, but was scarcely off his legs when Clod Hopper was over, Fatima:quickly on them; but it was evident the race was to be between Clod llopper and Dickens—and a good race it was, which ended in favour of Dickens. Whit worth never rode better than when nearing the last fence ; with a jockey less experienced, Clod llopper would have been number one. They were placed as follows: Mr. Snaith ml b h Dickens ••• ... (Whitworth) 1 Mr. Davis's g g Clcd Hopper. aged 3 Mr. C. Empon's ch m Fatima, aged The race was run in 7i minutes. , ed from the Lincolnshire Times. —Abridl Sir W. Molesworth paired off with Mr. Hudson in favour of Mr. Hume's motion for referring the Property tax Bill to a Select Committee. The natives of Germany, resident in Nottingham, have entered into a subscription towards t he relief o f the sufferers at Berlin, and we hope this e xample will be fol lowed by similar demonstrations in the large manufactur ing districts. IMPORTATION or ICE.—An importation of an en tire cargo of ice has just taken place by a vessel arrived in the river from Leer (Hanover). From the size and tonnage of the vessel, it may be computed that the quan tity was something .less than 100 tons weight in bulk. This is the first arrival of ice during the present season from say of the :states of Europe, , 1 1 - i ■ I