The Sun. — London, England, 1848-10-28 00:00:00

romsn BALL AT GUILDHALL. The committee for the management of this enter tainment met at Guildhall on Thursday last. In the absence of Mr. Deputy Peacock, Mr. Holt, the deputy chairman, presided. The atten dance was very numerous, and great inte rest expressed in the success of the ball. It was resolved that the ball and concert be given on Thursday, the 16th of November next, and that every exertion should be made to render it as attractive as the former one. Lord Dudley Stuart then announced that several persons of distinction had already granted their patron age, and promised to honour the ball with their presence, and that many distinguished artistes have tendered their gratuitous services at the concert, which will be under the direction of Mr. Benedict and Mr. Lindsay Sloper. Some of the members present having expressed their sympathy and offered their co-operation with the object in view, Lord DUDLEY STUART rose and said—Gentlemen, I am very happy to meet you here again, and once more to be associated with you in this good cause. The cause is a good one ; it is that of benevolence, of kindness towards min in difficulty and distress ; and, although it may want the charm of novelty, and may not be so attractive to the public as it once was, the cause of Poland is, as it ever has been, that of truth and of justice. Without, however, g oing into the merits of the Polish question at all in its political a spect--without inquiring whether it be such as to deserve our sympathy or not—it is enough . for us to know that there are foreigners here among us requiring our aid, and brought into the melan choly condition of exile by their resolute discharge of that which in their view they considered to be their duty. It is to assuage their pain, to mitigate their sufferings, and not for any political purpose, that those who promote the Polish ball combine together. We may have, we have, different political views and feelings; and the Poles, like our selves, must have different political opinions ; but our object on this occasion is not to further or assist any political designs, either of our own or of theirs, but simply to render their lot more tolerable while they are among us, and to preserve them from complete des titution. We have never had any cause to complain of the support given us by the public ; neither shall we, I trust, on the present occasion ; but was the real state of things generally known, the feeling in our favour would be still stronger and more universal. What are the facts of the case ? Some few years ago there were about 700 Poles receiving a weekly allowance from the Treasury, and about sixty or seventy whose cases did not come within the rules of the Treasury, and who formed a sort of supplementary body, and received weekly relief from the Association of the Friends of Poland. The number of the former is now reduced to about 350, and that of the latter to about 30. The weekly allowances are, however, very small; for no man, let his rank in the army or in society be what it may (and some of them are of high rank) receives more than 15s. per week, while captains and subalterns receive but 10s. a week, and privates only ss. ad. I have always felt the officers to be greater objects of compassion than the private soldiers, not because they are in themselves more meritorious, but because their position in this country is much more different from witat it was in their own, than that of the private soldier's is. •We are all creatures of habit, and that will soon be felt if any one here present should con sider what amount of means would make a day labourer feel himself immensely rich ; and then reflect whether if he himself were told that the same amount was to form his sole dependence he would not think himself miserably poor. The money collected at the ball i$ employed by the association—first, in these small allowances to those not on the Government list, and next, in furnishing extra assistance to all Poles of good ,conduct who may be overtaken by sickness, accident, or any casualty. These, surely, are proper objects ; and those who employ in this manner funds collected at an entertainment which affords amusement to a large number of persons, and occasions a good deal of money to be circulated, seem to deserve rather encouragement than censure. Some persons seem inclined to grudge to us the use of the Guidhall, and to think it would be better be stowed on some charitable undertaking for the relief of the poor of this country. But it does seem hard, when there are charities of every description for our own poor (as it is most proper there should be), when dinners, balls, concerts, sermons, bazaars, and every mode of obtaining assistance for the distressed of our own nation is continually put in practice in this metropolis, and more especially in the city of London, that when we come forward once in the year with a request to the Common Council, not fur money, but for the use of the hall, that any invidious I comparisons between our objects and those of other charitable institutions should be drawn, and that an attempt should be made to deprive us of that advan tage which has been accorded to us now for a series of years. Why has this favour been granted to us ? Because our object was recognised AS good; because our institution inspired confidence as to the management of the funds ; and because we were the first to show how the hall might be ren dered permanently serviceable to a charitable purpose. I cannot affirm that no ball of this nature was ever given before tne Polish halls began ; but it is certain, that our society is the first that has ever established the custom of having a ball annually at Guild hall. We have shown how the hall may be turned to account ; and now persons, who but for us would probably not have thought of it, come forward with an attempt to deprive us of it. Hitherto we have never applied for the ball without obtaining it ; for it was incorrectly stated in the debate in the Court of Common Council, that it was refused to us in the Mayoralty of Alderman Johnso n , i n or d er to be given to the City Ward Schools. It was not refused then ; for it was not applied for. Finding that it was required for a City charity in hands likely to make it successful, we made no application for it; but, on the contrary, we gave to the ball got up for the City Ward Schools our active co operation, and all the assistance in our power. Since 1834, when the first ball for the Poles was given at Guild hall, there has been a Polish ball here every -year, with the exception of three, one of them being the year in which the City Ward Schools' Ball was given ; in the other years, no ball whatever baying taken place, the hall was not asked for, and stood empty, a fact which affords some colour to the opinion that it is not every, charitable institu tion that can employ the hall advantageously, and that our balls, while they have benefited the Poles, have- occasioned no loss to any one. How we might hare acted with regard to the charity for which the use of the hall was asked the other day, in opposition to us, I am not prepared to say. If those who c onduct it had had the courtesy to communicate with us, and satigiy us with regard to their objects and capabilities of making the hall available, it is possi ble that we might have made way for them, as we did for the City Ward Schools. As to their conduct, I de not wish to express an opinion further than to say, that if I know myself at all, I feel convinced that if I had found a charitable institution, no matter for whose benefit, which had been in the habit of obtaining the grant of Guildhall, I should never have come forward to interfere with them by asking for it fo r the Poles, or for any c h ar it y i n w hi c h I felt a pecu liar interest ; d and that if I had f e lt b oun d by ut3, - t and fr iendly odo s?, yet that, being on ter ms o f acquaintance intercourse with th ose at its head, I sh ou ld, at any rate, have been impell e d by my own f eel i ngs of what was right and becoming to communicate with them on the subject, and amain- them I was guided by no unkind motive. But no communication of any sort or-kind was made to ua of the intention of the society in question to apply for the ball; we learnt it only from the, formal official notice, and could not be expected, under those circumstances, to waive our , claim. Whenever we come forward in behalf of the Poles some invidious comparisons are drawn between the claims of the Poles and those of our own poor. To the latter we are by no means insensible, and can safely appeal to all who are acquainted with our lives to sa y whether we are in any degree more niggardly than other men. But, while we are ready and wil— ling to assist our own people to the utmost of our power, we do not wish to see the Poles, who have come among us to seek an asylum, find here nothing but a grave. If that were suffered to happen the character for humane feelings and for generous hos pitality, which England has through all ages main tained, would be belied. It never will be so belied in this city. Some members of the Common Council in the recent discussion observed that, although they bad not a word to say against the Poles, the City had done enough for them. I could not help re• marking that not one of those who spoke against the petition', not even the most vehement, said anything in disparagement against the Poles ; but every one, on the contrary, carefully guarded himself against being supposed to ground his opposition on any dislike of those brave patriots. With regard, however, to the observation, that enough had been done for them, I think those who made it forgot that the petition was not for any money, but simply for the use of the hall. I agree that the Corporation has done enough with reference to pecuniary a ssistance. I do not forget, and none of the Poles , a nd none of the friends of Poland forget the munificence of the Common Council, which, a few years ago, voted a sum of 5001. for the relief of the Poles. That was a noble donation ; .nobecly would think of its being repeated; it was done once, and it was enough: What we have obtained now is not one farthing more from the funds of the Corporation, but simply the means of obtaining sup plies from those willing to contribute them. True it is that the Poles have been here for many years, and it is often said that they ought by this time to be able to provide for themselves ; and so a great many have provided themselves either here or by removing else where, and hence it is that their number has within a certain period been reduced by one-half. But there are others who have not been so fortunate. Foreigners in this country always find a great difficulty in procur ing employment, and particularly those not bred to any particular trade or calling ; they are also without the resources which almost all the people have more or less in their own country, that of relatives in some degree better off than themselves to afford them tem porary aid of some kind ; and if it be difficult for them to find work at all times, it is doubly so in periods of general distress. Those who once em ployed them, perhaps cannot, from a change in their own circumstances, continue to do so. Thus many Poles who once could get a living here, now cannot, and they feel the hardness of the times to the full as much as our own people. Then it is asked, and sometimes in a tone of indignation, why do they not return to their own country? If, indeed, they could do so, and they only remained here from choice, they would have little claim to our assistance. But the simple answer to the question " Why do they not go to Poland ?" is,—" they cannot." People suppose that, like Italians, Spaniards, or Germans, there is nothing to hinder their return, but that is a complete mistake. Poland being divided between Prussia, Austria, and Russia, those who belong to that part under Prussia have been at liberty to re turn any time since the accession of the present King, and they have all long been gone ; those be longing to that part under Austria have, since the new state of things in Germany, been at liberty to go to their homes, and have also gone ; but those belonging to that part under Russia, who are by far the most numerous, can no more return now than they could the year after the Polish revolution. They would be refused passports; and if they were to attempt to find their way into the country, they would at once be seized, and a dungeon or Siberia would be their fate. In the course of last month I attempted to transmit, through the intervention of a British firm, and the British consul in a Russian port, a letter from a refugee to his brother in Poland. The letter was open, and I was furnished with a translation. It related entirely to private and pecu niary affairs, yet such is the suspicion with which every person residing in the Russian dominions is viewed, who is supposed to have anything to do with a refugee, that neither the Consul nor the firm dared to transmit the letter, and it was accord ingly sent back to me. It is not many months since a young refugee, known to me, impelled by a sorfOr irresistible desire to revisit his native land, determined, at all hazards, to make the attempt ; but he had scarcely crossed the frontier, when he was taken and —hung. The Poles, therefore, who are here do not reside here-, as some seem to suppose, be , cause they find it an eligible country, but because they cannot do otherwise ; for, let it be recollected, Prussia and Austria, while they admit Poles who belong to that part of Poland, which is subject to them, do not admit Poles belonging to that part subject to Russia. France supports a large number of Poles ; bat, not choosing to augment the number, does not admit Poles coming from England.; and some who have this summer attempted to go there have been sent back. Shall we then not assist those foreigners, thus compelled to remain among us, to a bit of bread ? Shall we not care for them in their nakedness, their infirmity, their sickness, their old age ? It is for men in such condition that our exertions are made, that our funds are expended, and not for the encou ragement of revolution or disorder. Some are in disposed to assist the Poles on account of their conduct on the continent. Those who allege such a reason are bound, I think, to state what they be lieve the Poles to have done wrong; else they will be open to the charge of vague prejudice. I do not mean to say that every Pole is immaculate. But I really do net know that anything can be laid to their charge as a body. They have been grossly calumniated with regard to their conduct in Prussia; but I believe that the press of this country, which,. last summer, repeated stories about them, in vented by their German enemies, was grossly deceived on the subject ; and all those who hare taken pains to inquire into the matter are now convinced that they were guiltless of the atrocities laid to their charge, and, at all events, much more sinned against than sinning. I know that they are considered by many as turbulent, un quiet spirits. For my part, I own, I think it is sur prising they are not much more so. If you maltreat people, enslave, oppress, and studiously demoralize them, deprive them of their country, persecute their religion, proscribe their language, and take from them every motive and incitement to be good citizens, or suffer those things to be done, you must not be surprised if those people are restless, un quiet, disaffected, and reckless ; if they are filled with resentment, and ready for any change. Suppose that such a thing were to happen as that this country were to be partitioned by foreigners, and that we were compelled to pay taxes to them, to see their language used in courts and public place, and to go to mass instead of to our own service. I have a strong suspicion that we should be ready for any alternative, however desperate, that should give us but a chance of escape from such a state of things, and that we should care mighty little what foreign countries were inconvenienced or endan gered in our attempt to recover our rights. If that be so, we ought to look at least with compassion on the Poles, even when hurried into undertakings which we may disapprove cr condemn. At any rate we ought not to withhold sympathy from the many for the faults of the few, or punish the unoffending for the misdeeds of the guilty. Shall I suffer because Smith O'Brien is guilty of high treason ? Shall the Poles in England, whose conduct has been exemplary, be denied assistance because some other Poles in some other place are alleged to have done something worthy of reprobation ? The answer is obvious. The Court of Common Council have given it in granting the hall. You, gentlemen, whom I have the honour to address, have given it in offering here your services as a committee. The public will give it in crowding to Guildhall, and crowning our ball with that success which has never failed to attend it.—(Loud cheers.) The committee, after transacting some routine business, adjourned till Tuesday next. 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FOREIGN GRAIN.—The following very numero us arrivals of grain and flour took place at this metropolis on Mondayfrom the 'ports of France and Belgium:— The vessel Jane, from Dunkirk, brought 315 quarters of wheat and 24 bags of flour; the James Watt, from Havre,. 100 bales of seed; the Isabella, from St. Valery, 670 quarters of wheat; the Pirate, from Dunkirk, 427 quarters of wheat; the Soho, from Antwerp, 312 bags ' of wheat; the Ouse, from Dunkirk, 630 sacks of flour; the Thomas and Mary, from Rouen, 1,025 sacks of flour, 319 sacks of Indian corn, and 50 quarters of wheat; the Adele from Rotten, 800 quarters or. rye and 175 sacks of flour; the St. Pierre Justine, from Rouen, 625 sacks of sour; the' Eli zs; from • D un ki rk, 4 10 sac k s o f fl our ; the Jenne, :Emilie,' from 80, . 1,111 hectolitres of rye and 125 hectolitres of barley;rand the Midge, from Rouen, 830-bags of flour, 100 bags of tares, and -69 quarters.of barley. T.he following numerous arrivals from the. same countr i es took place here in the course cf the previous four or aye days : —Th e F r i en d s f rom Ant werp brought 1,348 hectoliths of wheat; the Commerce de Gand from Ghent, 130 quarters of wheat, 15 pack ticirturtaarrt%sofo- f wte h a e t r t a, the John :t e n r c s l pack ages of vetches, and . 300 bap-of flour; the Director, f A ro n m n, . Antwerp, -473 3 111 of oats, and 300 sacks of flour} _the Columbine; from Havre, 204 sacks of fleury tha.Jays, from Antwerp, 664 quarters of wheat; - the:Concord,: irtnn 'Autvierp; '476 quarters of wheat ; the Elizabeth, from: Abbeville; `bo quarters-of oats.; the Prosperity, from Antwerp,- 441 quarters of whe a t ; th e Alert, ...from Dunkirk, 672- quar-: tors of wheat; the Henry, from Dankirk,• 10 barrels of farina; the Alarm, from': Abbeville,. 400 (fanners of - wheat and 55 bags of flour; the , Jules ex-Lelia, from Dunkirk, 478 sacks of sfloun' the Felicity, (rein 'Dim kirk, 643- barrels of flour;':the : Providence, from Dun kirk, 613 barrels of flour and 100 barrels of potato flour ; the Soho, from Antwerp, 30 sacks of flour and 52 of seed; the Marie, from Dunkirk, 260 sacks of flour; the Sisters, from Dunkirk, 575 barrels of flour and 35 quarters of Indian corn; the James Watt, from Havre, 203 sacks of flour; the Elizabeth and Mary, from Dun kirk, 675 bags of flour; and the Elizabeth, frog Dun kirk, 496 quarters of wheat. RUINS Or NINEYEIL—We afterwards went to visit the ruins of Nineveh, and when beholding the large heaps of earth that cover the ruins of this mighty city, I could not but think on the striking fulfilment of prophecy respecting that city. Before my visit to this place, I read through the Book of Nahum, and up)n inspecting some of the recent excavations, made under -the - superintendence of Mr. "toss, I found some parts of Nahun's prophecy most minutely accomplished. " There shall the fire devour thee," says the prophet ; and from what I saw, there is no doubt that part of the city has been consumed by fire, and 'the gentleman ale luded to also regrets that many of the sculptures have been destroyed and altogether effaced by firc.—Jewish Chronicle. CENTRAL CRIMINAL COURT. OLD COUR7. THE CHARTIST TRIALS. (The trial of Mullins, continued from our Afternoon Edition of yesterday.) Inspector Russell, and several other policemen, proved finding in different places where some of the prisoners who were tried and convicted last session resided, a quantity of pikes, pistols, gunpowder, and balls. The Court here adjourned for half an hour. Thomas Barry, a shoemaker, of Lisson-grove, was one of the members of the Chartist Association in August last. Had seen the prisoner Mullins at several meetings, and heard him address them. On one occasion he said it was necessary for every one to prepare for the crisis that was coming, and it was also necessary for every one to make a small sacrafiee to aid the Committee of Progress in their un dertaking. On the 16th of August recollected Mullins coming into a meeting that was held in witness's locality, when a man of the name of Smith tapped him on the shoulder, and said, I was afraid • you was tuken; to which Mullins replied, " No, they will only take me with my life." A man of the name of Cruikshanks followed Mullins into the room, and laid a musket on the table; there wore several guns and pistols in the room. Smith said that they must prepare to go to the Seven Dials. A question was asked how they were to take their arms, which were called toothpicks, to which a reply was made, " in the best way they could." Witness then went to Crown street, Soho, where he saw many persons he had seen at the meeting. Cross-examined by Mr. PARRY—Did not join the Chartists to betray them. Had had 1/. a week since he had teen unable to work at his trade. Had been in pri son for the unlawful possession of a pint pot. Had also been in prison about four years ago for taking some bread out of a baker's cart for a drunken spree. He had four months' imprisonment for it, as his companions ran away. He was living at Willesden at that time. Had never been found in a wine-cellar at Willesden. When he was an apprentice, about nine years ago, he had been sentenced to a month's imprisonment for trespassing after game. Knew a man of the name of Russell, but had never been charged by him with stealing a cape. John Baldwinson, tailor, of Webber-street, Blackfriars road, proved that he was a class leader of the Chartists meeting at the South London Chartist Hall, and that on the day Ernest Jones was tried he was at the George public-house in the Old. Bailey, in company with the prisoner Mullins and others, when it was agreed that a meeting should be held of secretaries and delegates. Witness was not allowed to sit with them, as he was neither a secretary orot delegate. The prisoner Mullins wrote something on 'Separate slips of paper, which he handed to each of them, and one to_Pedley, who was then elected a delegate to the secret com mittee in Milton-street, On the following Wed nesday, the 12th of August, witness went with Pedley and Mullins to Milton-street, and in going there the prisoner took them through some courts and - alleys; - which he pointed out as good places from which to fire upon the military and police. The prisoner re marked that if the alleys had not thoroughfares, they would not do. - The vtitness detailed further proceed ing% of the Chartist body up to the 15th August, and proved that he gave information to the police on the 16th of August, after he and the others had been taken into custody at the Angel public-house. Cross examined by Mr. PARRY—Did not intend to have given up the men at the time he acted with them. Had a pike and a pistol, both - of - which he bought for himself in the month of June. Henry Jones, a police-constable, proved that at four o'clock on the morning of the lfth of August, he found a basket containing 280 rounds of perfect ball-cartridges, and 50 imperfect ones, in Clerkenwell Church-yard. After the examination of Inspector Black, and several other members of the Metropolitan Police, who gave the same evidence they did on the trials of Dowling and Cuffey, and the others tried at the last session, several chemical gentlemen were called, who proved that the dif ferent balls and articles found in the houses of the pri soners who were tried last session were of . a most dan gerous and combustible character.; --- -- Sergeant Thompson stated that he apprehended the prisoner on the 18th of September last at No. sf; Tatham's-court, John-street, East-street, Old Kent-road. The prisoner came down stairs dressed in female clothes, and witness thought he was a female, till the prisoner held up his finger and said -- "s1 surrender." This closed the case for the prosecution. Mr. PARRY then addressed the jury for the prisoner, and, after some preliminary observations, he said he must admit that the case_for She prosecution had been most fairly conducted by:the Attorney-General, and if any man bad ever had a fair trial tho prisoner at the bar had certainly had had that fair trial. While admitting this, however, he expressed his opinion that, if the jury came into the box without being prejudiced by what had already taken place, or by the circumstances of the country, or the comments of the public press, they must acquit the prisoner, upon the ground that the charge was not proved against him by fair,. proper, and legal evi dence. He would not say a word regarding the altera tion of the law, which declared this offence—which, cer tainly, substantially amounted to the crime of high treason—only to be an ordinary felony. It was the law, and it was his duty as an " aivocate, and it was their duty, and the duty of them all, to obey it ; but he would repeat that if this case was treated as an ordinary case of felony, the prisoner must be acquitted upon the evidence that had been adduced. It was perfectly clear that the evidence was not of a character to demand any favourable consi deration. The Attorney-General, in the performance of the high duty cast upon him, could only make use of the materials within his power to support the charge he sought to make out, and he bad no alternative; and he must say that the evidence which had been brought for ward on this occasion was as tainted as any that had ever been adduced upon a State trial. The jury would remember that he had cross-examined the witnesses Powell and Davis at considerable length, and that his Lordship had expressed an opinion that the facts which he had endeavoured to establish were not material, and that it was an unnecessary waste of time. That this 4 " inquiry had occupied a very considerable time, and had cast onerous duties upon their Lordships and all who were concerned in it, he would admit, and he regretted it, but it was no fault of his; it w a' s a most important and solemn inquiry, requiring serious and deliberate consideration, and with all respect for the judicial character of his Lordship he could not he lp _ feeling that in the course he had purstiedlieTbad - only performed his duty. They were at , are that a great many unfortunate persons had already been convicted of taking a share in this transaction, and he could not help entertaining an opinion that many of these men ought more to be re garded in the light of victims than criminals, and if this were the case surely it was most important to show the jury that these'men, Powell and Davis,- were goading on men to their destruction for the purpose of earning their wages—their blood money from the Government, and that their evident object was to increase their title to that blood money by increasing the number of their victims. With all due deference, therefore, to the Bench, he must repeat his opinion that the course he adopted was not only not irrelevant, but that it was perfectly relevant, and german to the question at issue, and that he should have neglected his duty if he had not adopted the course he did. The Learned Counsel then proceeded to com ment upon the course adopted by the Government in employing such men as Powell and Davis, and giving them the opportunity of going among people Who entertained perhaps extreme political opinions, and goad them on to commit the crime which the Government was anxious to punish. — The prisoner, he said, had been introduced to them by the Attorney-General as a sur geon, a man holding a. responsible position, and this was inade....an aggravation of his guilt; but what was the fact? He should show them that the prisoner was merely a - surgeon's apprentice, only twenty-two years of age, and just entering upon manhood, and therefore this topic of aggravation could hardly apply. With regard to the conspiracy, he considered he should be insulting their understandings if he were to attempt to deny that such a conspiracy as had been suggested really existed; but the question which the , jury, had to. decide was,. ' whether the prisoner 'bad taken a guilty s h are i n that conspiracy, and whether the evidence which had been -adduced made out that fact, to their satisfaction.. lie sub mitted to them that the charge rested entirely upon the evidence of the infamous accomplices who had been ex• stained, and although several of such persons had been examined to prove this fact, the•jury ought not to rely upon such testimony unless it was corroborated by in 'dependent and uncontaminated evidence. In this case he contended that there was no such corroboration, and that the only attempt at it which had been given was the production of the letter to Davis and the plan of the Seven. Dials, about which he would offer a few observa tions in the course of his address. He then referred to observations made by Mr. BarorrAlderaon, Mr. Justice Littledale, and Lord Abinger, to the effect that the cor roboration given by accomplices to each other ought not to have any weight with a jury, and that they should only give, effect to such testimony when it received corroboration in some material and essential particu lar by unimpeachable testimony. The only corrobo ration of this kind was the letter and the plan to which he had alluded-; but he 'asked them whether they could rely on the proof of the hand writing upon the evidence of a man who had only seen the prisoner write his name once ? If this had been a charge of forgery, he asked them would they for a mo ment think of convicting the prisoner upon such evi dence ? He therefore called upon them not to place reliance upon this testimony, and said:--Thus, ' then, the roborated, and; ni w ad h d ie , hb would y the evidence of the a t c h c is om he p ie li g ce t s h w e o e u as ld e, h b e e saulbtonfietttehderthuantetohre dictates prisoner, 0 f both common by n s the se law , a e and proper p h e r he feeling, ld direct the not to place reliance upon such tainted testi wo u testi mony,'would be entitled to an acquittal. The. Learned Counsel then went on at:some length to comment upon the absence of anything like direct or conclusive testi mony to connect the prisoner with' the conspiracy, and concluded a very able address by expressing a confident opinion that the jury would acquit the prisoner. At the conclusion of the speech for the defence the Court adjourned. NEW COURT. Joint Hadland, 25, porter, was indicted for intermar rying with Caroline Amelia Bassett, his wife, Lucy (4 reen, being th en an d now a li ve . Mr. Parnel prosecuted, and Mr. Ballantine defended. It appeared that the prisoner and his first wife had been. fellow -servants. and they were married in October, 1842, at I s li ngton Church. tie being unable to provide a home f or h er, they lived apart, but corresponded until January i n t h e present month, he was married to his second wife at St. Mary's, Nfortlake, Surrey; .year ; when, on the 17th of that The jury found the prisoner Guilty, and he was sen tenced to three months' imprisonment. John Hayes, 19, tailor, was indicted for stealing a handkerchief from the person of Richard Parker. r ! The case was most clearly established. The prose- Cutor, who resides in the Old Bailey; felt' a tug et his pocket, and an officer saw the prisoner throw the hand kerchief away, and then run off. Amidst much laughter, the prosecutor complained of his having been compelled to prosecute against his will, more especially as he wished the magistrate, if convinced of the prisoner's guilt, to convict him sum marily. The RECORDER said he could not help it. Prosecutor (with some warmth)—l would not have appeared against a man for picking my pocket of a hand kerchief, when I am robbed by the rich and cannot ob tain justice. I ca❑ button up my pockets against the poor, and stop them from robbing me ; but not against the rich—their position protects them. The RECORDER—It is not our province to inquire into these matters. The grand jury are now sitting. The prosecutor, with increased warmth, asserted that he was daily being robbed by the rich, and if he could not be protected it was not fair to compel him to prose cute a poor man. The RECORDER said if he could adduce evidence of the fact of his being robbed, he could bring it before the Court. The prosecutor said it would be of no use, for men in their position he could not bring evidence against: they were bankers, merchants, and other rich people. He then left the witness-box in high dudgeon, and seemed very averse to identifying his handkerchief. The jury found the prisoner Guilty, and being an old offender, he was transported for seven years. Jane Charlton, 26, spinster, and James Langley, 29, a cabinet maker, were indicted fur stealing a quantity of plate and wearing apparel, valued at 801., the property of William Wier Marshall. Mr. lluddlestone appeared for the prosecution, and the prisoners were undefended. Mr. litmiThEsToNE stated the following case to the jury:—The prosecutor is a bookseller in the Edgware road, and the female prisoner, who had lived with the Rale prisoner, had entered that gentleman's service, by means of a false character, in June last. On the let of September the prosecutor left town to meet his wife at Lewes, in Sussex, and remained there until the 4th, when he received a communication" from town stating that his house had been broken open. Ho immediately returned, and found the plate chest had been opened by means of a false key, and that the whole of the property named in the indictment Was stolen. He then learnt that the female prisoner stated that the place had bee❑ entered by some .one between the hours of nine and eleven in the evening, but by whom she did not know. The police, however, feeling convinced that the robbery• • had been effected with the connivance of some eno inside of the house, took the female into custody, and subsequently they discovered that a man named Churchill :had been employed by Langley To call at _the prosecutors after the shop was closed, and fetch a carpet bag, which was handed out at the door to him by a female. Langley having left his lodgings, information was sent to the provincial police, and he was apprehended at Warminster with a large sum of money and a portion of the stolen` wearing apparel upon him. Other portions of the stolen property were also found to have been in his possession. The prisoners, who - declined making any defence, we re both found Guilty. The police stated that at a former place where the female lived 80/. worth of plate was stolen under similar circumstances, and there was no doubt but that Langley had been concerned in that robbery. The RECORDER said that it was a most flagrant case, and he shoutd -- make "example of them, by passing th e sentence of fifteen years' transportation. The female left the dock pouring out a torrent o. abuse against the prosecutor. POLICE INTELLIGENCE. G UILDHALL. INSULT TO THE NATIONAL G 'MS.—Yest er d ay William Smith, a private in the Scetch Fusilier Guards, at present at th e , W:ellington Barrack, was charg e d be fore Alderman Gibbs with being drunk and disorderly and assaulting the police in Fleet- street. Previous to going - into- the case the sergeant of the prisoner's company reported that it was the wish of the officers of the re&Aentthat_ if he were not dealt with by the magistrate he should be handed over to be tried by a court-martial, and he should have to request the at tendance of the police at the Court to prove the prisoner's drunkenness. _ Alderman GIBBS said he would consider it after hear ing something of the case. William Price, the constable, said that on behalf of himself and brother officer he did not wish to press the charge heavily, as the prisoner, in their opinion, was so drunk, that he was quits unconscious of what he was doing. Alderman Goes said he should like to hear what had taken place. Price proceeded to state that about half-past twelve o'clock the previous day he observed the prisoner in a state of intoxication, annoying and insulting some Na tional Guards who were making purchases in Fleet. street. He was . quite - standing on the kerb of the pavement, flinging hi* cap about in front of them, ex claiming, "It's against my religion to see any of you in this country.' The National Guards took no notice of it, and witness interfered and made the soldier go on. He did so, when he encountered another National Guard, whom he assailed in the same offensive manner. A crowd of people were following the soldier, and ex citing him by their observations, and for the preser• vation of the peace he took him into custody, when the prisoner made a sturdy resistance, threw himself on the ground, kicked and struck him, and it was with the greatest difficulty he, with the assistance of some other officers, conveyed him to the station-house. On coming to his senses, he exclaimed that he had been treated by an old friend, and appeared to be exceedingly sorry. Alderman Gns3 asked if be had any money in his possession? Price replied that he had not. - Alderman Gauss wished to know whether the pri soner struck any of the National Guards? Price said he did not. Police-constable 367 corroborated Price's evidence, and said they were pelted by the lookers-on with all sorts of things while on the way to the station-house. Alderman GIBBS asked the prisoner what he had to say in defence? Smith replied that he was very sorry for what had occurred. Alderman GlMPS — Without taking into consideration what course your officers may hereafter pursue, I shall find you 10s., or fourteen days' imprisonment.—He was locked up. BO W-STREET. ROBBERY or GOLD Dus - r.—Yesterday a seaman, named James Lewis, was charged with being concerned with others in custody, with stealing five cases of gold 'dust, value 9,0001., from the ship Lemuel, at the Elmina roadstead, on the coast of Afri ca . - gentleiiiiii - froin;the office of Messrs. Oliverson and Co., solicitors, said that the prisoner was sent up by the authorities at Bristol, and as it appeared that another seaman, named Watts, and Powell, the mate of the ves sel, were on their way to this country on the same charge, he was at a loss what course to pursue with regard to the prisoner until their arrival in London. Mr. JARDINE said he was quite ready to hear the state ment of the officer who had the prisoner in custody, with a view to have him remanded, but it appeared to him the best and most direct course would be to take the prisoner before the Lord Mayor, in order that he might undergo an examination with the others when they would arrive in town. The prisoner was then removed in the custody of the officer. /11A R YL E BONE. EXTENSIVE ROBBERY BY A RAILWAY PORTER.— James House; -- a - :piitter - in the employ of the Great Western Railway Company, was charged with robbery to a considerable amount._ -- - Michael Giles, yard clerk and time keeper at the Pad dington terminus, deposed that on the previous night, between eleven and twelve o'clock, he observed a bottle of brandy lying under some grass close to the wall at the back of the porter's room. He secreted himself near at hand, and at five in th e morn i ng saw the prlsoh approach and take up the- b o t t l e i n q u es tion, which he deposited in one of the pock e t s o f hi s trow se r 5 ; he (wit ness) captured him as he w as wa lki ng w him into custody, at which peri o d he had aeala y io, an d gave When a bottle of capers concealed beneath hi s a p ron . denied h av ing a ny prop er ty o f th e kind \ in his p f o i s n s f e o s r s m i o a n : Mr. Collard stated that, in consequencet 27, !lamp-len tion which he had received, he repair ed street, Hampstead-road, where, in a b ox MOM, he found numerous bottles of wino and brandy, asin the prisoner's also a quantity of fish-sauce, " lin g a a of which had no pencils, lace, bonnets, and a va r i e tyof other articles,ers and parcels in doubt be en s t o l en from h trusted to th e compdny for deliveryamn u p i ndifferent t parts hre da o y f the count r y. He (witness) thatsaid he should be preparedwith such ev idence as would, he quite expected, clearly show that the o y Propert now pro part f the corn duced had b een a b stracte d from that pany's premises to which the prisoner had, from the nature of his situation, access- The pri soner, who seemed much dejected , 'a n d had no answer to mak e to t h e qu estion as to w be br oug h t up again on another day, was remanded for further examination till to-morrow (Saturday) week., _ NAVAL INTELLIGENCE. PORTSMOUTH, FHIDAY.—John WDonald, the marine sentenced by court-martial in July to transportation for lif e , for having struck Captain Baynes, of the Belloro phon, whilst in the execution of his duty on board the said ship, has received a free pardon, and has been set at liberty. The Driver steam-sloop, Commander C. R. Johnson, went out of harbour this afternoon, and anchored at Spithead, She is ordered to be kept ready for an imme diate move as soon as her final orders arrive, but not to get up steam. Her movement to Spithead is understood to originate in the desire of Commander Johnson to keep his crew in a state of perfect efficiency, which was sadly endangered by the cupidity of the vagabonds, male and female, who make a living by selling deleterious compounds, called spirituous liquors, to the seamen, and whose nefarious practices, in the present state of the law it is difficult to guard against. The Orestes, 14, is ordered to be commissioned at this port by Commander henry Samuel Hawker (1846), with 130 men. This officer is not re!ated to Admiral Haw ker, but has been most strenuously qualifying himself for command by study at the Royal Naval College for some time. lie enjoys the reputation of being a smart and zealous officer. The Encounter screw -sloop, tried yesterday, made 10.178 knots per hour, at the mean of six runs at the measured mile in Stokes Bay, with 71b. of steam to the square inch, making 78 revolutions, at a draught of 12 feet 1 inches aft, and 10 feet 6 inches forward, at which the slip of the screw was rather more than 11 per cent. She will be commissioned shortly. In Port and Fitting. —Victory, 22, flag•ship; Illus trious, 10, ordinary guard-ship; Victoria and Albert Royal Yacht; Excellent gunnery exercise-ship; Bien heim,s6, guard-ship of steamers; Kingfisher, 12; Orestes, 14; and Rolla, boys' exercise brig; Stroniboll,.. Sharp shooter, Rifleman, Reynard, Black Eagle, Fairy, Myrtle, Fire Queen, Bee, and Echo steamen; Fanny and Ports mouth, Admiral's yacbts. At Spithead.—St. Vincent, 120; Prince Regent, 92; Powerful, 84; and Driver steam-sloop. In the Old Basin.—Ajax, 56; Defence, 72, convict depot; Dauntless, steam-frigate; Itr.ynard and Plumper, steam-schooners. I❑ Dock—Princess Charlotte, 104 ; Collingwood, SO; Pembroke, 72 ; Malabar, coal depot ; Flying Fish, 12 ; and Fairy steam tender. In the New Basin—Centaur and Retribution, steam frigates ; Cormorant, Salamander, Phmnix, and Strom boli, steam-sloops ; Otter and Jackal!, steam-vessels. Wind, S.W. Strong breezes, and squally, with heavy showers. PLYMOUTH, OCT. 26. —Her Majesty's steam-sloop Hermes, with jurymasts and gear for the frigate Are thusa, and gear for the steam-vessel Magicienne, sails to day for Pembroke. Iler Majesty's ship Impregnable will be docked to day. Mr. James Meek, Controller of the Victualling, Board, arrived yesterday, at ten o'clock, at the It )yal William Victualling-yard, Stonehouse. Mr. Meek inspected the bake-house and mill, the Melville slop store, cooperage, and Clarence spirit store for revenue goods, and then re tired to the office of the Master-Attendant, Mr. Arm strong, with whom he was in conference all day. RAILWAY INTELLIGENCE. CELEBRATION OF THE OPENING OF THE GREAT NORTHERN RAILWAY. BOSTON, FRIDA Y.—The festival commemorative of the opening of the Great Northern system of railway throughout Lincolnshire, was celebrated here last e'en ing on a grand scale. For years the good old town of Boston has not been the scene and centre of so much at traction as on this occasion. All the shops were closed, and a general holiday was observed both here and at Spalding. Excursion trains heavily laden ran through out the day to Peterborough, Lincoln, Louth, and Great Grimsby. The mayor and corporation and gentry of Boston visited the latterplace, now a chief point of at traction in. Lincolnshire, for its port until the railway same there was comparatively obscure, but will now be converted into a great deep water harbour for the East Coast and Baltic. trade. After viewing the coffer dam and other structures they returned to dine at Boston at four, when upwards of. 500 sat down to a sumptuous banquet in the theatre, which was boarded over to a level with the stage and decorated as on the occasion of the great dinner in 1841. Besides the guests, there was a gallery full of the fair sex. Mr. James Hodges, the Mayor of Boston, occupied the chair ; supported by the Earl of Yarborough, the Hon. Oct. Duncombe Sir James Duke (the Lord Mayor Elect of London), Lieutenant-Colonel Colquhoun, Mr. Denisen, M.P., chairman of the Great Northern ; Mr. B. B. Csbbell. M.P. for Boston ; Mr. Christopher, M.P. ; Captain Straubenzre, Mr. Peto, M.P. ; Captain Laws, R.N. ; Mr. Cubitt, C.E. ; the Mayors of South and. Great Grimsby, Mr. Fowler, C.E., &c. The cloth having been removed, The MAYOR proposed, amid the most enthusiastic cheers, "The Queen, Prince Alb er t, th e P r i nce o f W a l es, and thereat of the Royal Family," which was immediately followed by a fire of artillery from the river -side, and the National Anthem. Mr. F. W. WHITE proposed " The Bishop and Clergy of the Diocese." This was responded to by the Rev. J. 11. OLDRID. " The Army and Navy," proposed by Mr. T. GARFIT, banker, was responded to respectively by Captains STRAUDENZEE and LAWS. Mr. DENISON, M.P., in responding to the toast of the evening, "Prosperity to the Great Northern and East Lincolnshire Ralways," which was drunk with all the honours, after alluding to the unparalleled prejudice and opposition the Great Northern had encountered in its progress through Parliament, its cheapness and national importance, and the promises it held out of prosperity, said that by means of its opening, a passenger from London would now be enabled, either by means of the London and North-Western or the Eastern Counties, to get to Boston in five hours, to Lincoln in six, and Hull in seven or eight. It was well known that the shares of all companies at the present moment were in an unrea sonably depressed condition. lie said unreasonably, for he would defy any man to show him any good and sufis cient reason why London and North-Westerns should be below par, why Midlands should be at 66, and why Great Northerns should be at 13 or 14 discount. He had tried to read the causes of this unreasonable de pression, and had come to the conclusion that it was owing to a sudden panic, created, he believed, by de signing persons, whose object was to drive down the share market as low as they could, in order to make fortunes from the ruin of those who were unfortunately com pelled to make a sacrifice.—(Cheers.) Under these cir cumstances he need scarcely observe that the state of the share market was no criterion, and he would advise shareholders in the Great Northern and all other lines not to despond, but do their utmost to stand by the in vestment they had made, in the confident hope that they would be handsomely remunerated for the risk they had run.—(Cheers.) As regarded the Great Northern he might state that the Government inspector, who had ex amined it, had been heard to say that "he had never passed over a line" in such good condition on a first opening." It was smoother than any other ho had ever inspected, and would take less to keep in order than any other line he had ever seen. Whether it would be as profit able as the London and North-Western it was impossible to say, but its local and national facilities could not be overrated.—(Cheers.) Mr. T. GEN, banker, in proposing " The Members of the County of Lincoln," said it was to be regretted that, owing to the interference of the Admiralty, the Boston station was not more in the town; and observed, as a practical illustration of the already developed advan tages of the Great Northern to the agriculturists of Lincolnshire, that the other day a friend of his went to Lincoln and sold SOO quarters of wheat, and returned within an hour to Boston, ready to meet any further demand.—(Applause). Mr. Custurroseuen, M.P., in responding to the toast, said that when at first so many railways were proposed to run through Lincolnshire, he felt great difficulty in deciding to which he should give his support. He ulti mately determined to give it to the Great Northern; and the sanction of it by both Houses of Parliament, and the celebration of its opening that day, was a gratifying proof that he was right.—(Cheers.) It was a duty he owed to his constituents, and a personal pleasure to himself, to co-operate in great national works like the present, believing them to beneficial to all classes in the kingdom, whether engaged in manufactures, professions, agricul ture, or commerce.—(Loud cheers). Mr. W. H. ADAMS, barrister, in an able speech, pro posed " The Eerl of Yarborough, and the Manchester, Sheffield, and Lincolnshire Railway," and after enlarg ing on the advantages of the newly-opened communica tion to the great agricultural districts, said those advan tages were calculated to be increased tenfold by the connexion of the Great Northern with its ally, the Manchester, Sheffield, and Lincolnshire, of which the Noble Earl was chairman, and which at once united the agricultural with the commercial —the great eer producing with the great consuming districts.—( Chs.)The de- pression alluded to by Mr. D enison was merely tempo rary; they had only to take courage, and hold on, for there was "a good time coming"' yet.—(Cheers.) To maintain its high position necessary that the directory of railways should have mene scale of commercial affairs, it was absolu tel y ne ssa of unimpeachable integrity, and in this respect none were more fortunate than the company that had the Earl of Yarborough fur pre sident.—(Cheers, with three times three.) The Earl of YARDOROUGII, in responding to the toast, s aid that it would al wa y s be his chief aim and object to sustain that character in the country which his family had earned before him. He had once held the high position of Member for the whole county, and he hoped he had not been an idle one.—(Cheers.) His long ac quaintance with the county had enabled him to form the best opinion of what were its necessities, and more espe cially what were its railway wants. When he saw that vessels were actually carrying cattle from Scotland to London, and that almost every other part of England had beers thought of by the promoters of railways, he felt that it was high time that something should be done for the richest agricultural county in the kingdom.— (Cheers.) Great and gigantic as the scheme of the Great Northern appeared to him at first, he felt that it was his duty, as the representative of the county, to give all his support to the measure.—(Cheers.) It was a great national project. Year by year he could not fail observing that the other great trunk lines were getting so overloaded with traffic, that it was high time to do something to relieve them.—(Cheers and laughter.) While, at the same time, he was sure that sufficient would remain to remunerate the shareholders in those lines, he felt that the public would not he adequately ac commodated unless new lines were made.—(hear, hear.) From a practical knowledge of the district that it tra versed, he knew of no line more calculated to benefit the manufacturing and agricultural districts than the Man. chester, Sheffield, and Lincolnshire. It was a project of the greatest national importance, giving as it did a direct communication from Liverpool to Grimsby and Newark to the Baltic--(Cheers)—and thus enabling Lincolnshire, the :producing county, to carry to Lancashire, the manufacturing district, its corn, beef, and mutton.—(Cheers.) A grand point not to be overlooked, was, that all this could be done so much cheaper than by' any other means. It had been rumoured that the coffer-dam at Grimsby had been falling in, but this was altogether without foundation. It was true there had been, as in every great work, such as railways, occasionally a slip; but he spoke advisedly when he said that the works were going on to the full satisfaction of those who were responsible for them._ (Cheers) As to the policy and propriety of construct , ing these docks, he would ask, was it not of the greatest importance to such a railway as theirs to have, instead o f a land station, what might be termed a great water station at the end of it?—(Lond cheers.) Such would their docks be. Docks had hitherto been constructed inland; now they were constructing them almost out at sea; and the great advantage of all this would be, that coasting steam-vessels would be enabled to enter their docks at any time of the tide. T t h h e at lo th ek e gates were so large, a n d th e wa t er so deep, largest coasting steamers would be able to enter them at half-tide; and as a convincing proof of their national im portance, he might state that the Admiralty hail insisted on the dock-gates being so large as to accommodate the largest war steamers.—(Cheers.) Why was this? Be cause they saw the importance of the station in case of war. Though the railway world was depressed, he felt perfect confidence in their undertakings. He trusted that by that time next year the whole line would be completed from end to end, and he wished that their policy would be such as to ensure friendship from al and enmity from none, and that the result would be the most friendly terms of alliance with other lines.-- (Cheers.) They had begin t o ld w h at Lincolnshire now possessed—a network.'oftrailways. Ile would tell them now what it did not possess, and which, in truth, it did not require —for it Wits no less singular than true, that al- .L(, . - - though Lincolnshire was one of the largest counties in England; it had neither rural police, military, nor yeo manry, and yet there was not in . her Majesty's dominions a more peaceable and Contented' poptilation.--(Loud cheers.) Mr. George Stephenson had stated in his evi dence before the House of Commons, that he thought the locomotive engine might be propelled at 12 miles an hour; and when asked why he restricted it to that rate, replied, " Why, if I had told them what I thought might be done, they would have put me down as a mad man."—(Laughter.) What had they succeeded in doing that day? They had succeeded in carrying the inhabi tants of Boston from place to place, at between 30 and 40 miles an hour, and enabled them to reciprocate feel ings of friendship between different parts of the country. The Noble Earl resumed his seat amid vociferous ap plause. Mr. W. GARFITT, jun., proposed " Sir James Duke, M.P., and Mr. B. B. Cabbell, M.P., the Members for the borough of Boston." Sir JAMES DUKE, M.P., said that, although not con nected with the Great Northern Railway, he had given it his support in the House.—(Hear.) The international, let alone the internal effects of railways, was really won derful, when they looked at the intet course, unexampled in the history of nations, that was now going on be• tween England and France.—(Loud cheers.) It was only yesterday that the French Ambassador had re quested the Lord Mayor of London to be pleased to re ceive a deputation of officers of the French National Guards, now in London, to express their thanks fur the cordial reception, kindness, and hospitality with which they had been welcomed in London, and in the repeated visits they had recently made to this country.—(Cheers.) This would never, perhaps, have been accomplished but for the freedom of railway intercourse.—(Cheers.) Railways were emphatically national undertakings, and as such were entitled to national support. He had that day left London at half-past ten, and was at their dinner table in Boston by four. If railways gave such facilities to members to come and see their constituents, they would give no less equal facilities for the constituents, if they came not, to look after their members.—(Laughter and cheers.) Mr. B. B. CABBELL, M.P., was glad of every oppor tunity to meet his constituents on such occasions as the present, when they met to celebrate an event divested of all political feeling.--(Cheers.) Next to that of printing, the invention of steam locomotion was one of the grandest discoveries of the age. This and the press were the right arm of our strength. It gave facilities for disseminating the broad sheet everywhere, enabling, through the medium of an independent press, public opinion to he guided and controlled throughout the kingdom.—(Cheers.) The Earl of YARBOROUGH, in proposing " the Mayor and Corporation of Boston," alluded to the subject of Sunday travelling. There were, he could not help think ing, certain works of charity and necessity, which oc casionally required that there must be some traffic on Sundays. He was one of those who thought that great moral effect was to be traced to Sunday travelling— (Cheers)—and he hoped to see that effect rdiected in the conduct of the people by being a means, he meant a restricted means, of giving to the poor, whether in town or country, an opportunity of going to see their friends at a distance.—(Cheers.) He knew that in the north,of Lincolnshire, on Sundays, the labourers with their wives and children came down to meet the trains for no other purpose than this.—(Cheers.) He held it to be a great advantage that the young on Sundays should have the opportunity of seeing their parents, so that they might not, as they otherwise would do, lose their wholesome control and advice, or be prevented seeing them in cases of emergency or sickness.—(Loud cheers.) The advantages to be conferred by this means on the poor, were, he thought, equal to any they had derived from penny postage, in being able, at a cheap rate, to keep up a cordial communication. He felt it his duty to. make these remarks upon a great public question, seeing that in some districts of the kingdom people did not seem to have considered the reasons that justified travelling in a limited manner on Sundays, but had at once blindly decided either that there was no ne cessity for it, or that it was sinful to do so. The MAYOR of BOSTON having returned thanks, The next toast was, " Agriculture and Commerce," with which was coupled the name of Mr. C. Chaplin, who returned thanks. Mr. PET°, M.P., said he had great experience in as certaining the great advantages that railways in course of construction had been to this country, and he believed there did not exist a more devoted and industrious pea santry, or one more deserving of good feeling and treat ment, than the working men connected with railways. He had recently oteasion to visit some of his works on the Midland Counties, where 5,000 workmen were en. gaged, and he was waited on by the superintendents of the men, who said, " If you want us, and these Char tists are troublesome, there are 3,000 o f us ready to make ourselves useful to the country in any way you may think proper."—(Cheers.) He had mentioned this fact to Sir George Grey, to show what a source of gra tification it must be to know that there was this tendency among such large masses of the labourinz population to uphold the institutions of the country.—(Cheers.) Other toasts then followed. The company separated at an early hour, and many attended the ball which was held in the assembly rooms. Fe .Post. A correspond en t (of rom much th in tel lige ) nce, who addresses us, in reply to remarks we have lately offered, on the subject of railways, enters into some interestine- and useful calculations, demonstrating the fact that, while this class of investment has declined to an extent that creates surprise, and, to the holders, dismay, the proprietors of other kinds of negotiable securities have at least equally felt this pressure of the times. He says, " The railway cross lines, as intimated by you, have done much mischief. Look at them still opening in all di rections, and let us ask, hare not the former, and almost unerring, guides been wholly lost sight of ? The re ply mast be, that in too many cases they unquestionably have." " Why, railways are," he proceeds to observe, "now opening on roads which could not support one ill equipped stage, or a few half-starved common carriers. For example, how many coaches ran between Brighton an d Southampton, and, now is opened, this very week, be tween Reading and Basingstoke, a cross- country line. Again, the Ilistings line never supported more than a single coach, and that 'indifferently. The Lewes por tion, however, is an exception; but, independently of the cross lines, if an- accurate account is ever laid before the public, what enormous' sums will be found in some cases to have been paid for property or privilege of way? Take the Eastern Counties line, and, if report speaks truly, one wealthy commoner•received for his share little short of 30,0001. as some compensation for right of pas sage and the surrender of a little land. A rich noble man, if, indeed, the fact be as currently ass er t e d and be lieved, received for his allowance 120,0001., and yet he sacrificed to the objects of the company only a few acres. These sums would have gone far towards making many lines of rail complete; but this capital is of course en tirely absorbed—not merely expended, but literally sunk. Many other oases of a similar kind might, no doubt, be cited. To return to the subject of railway depreciation in the market, let us take a cursory glance at the position of the holders of some 9f the foreign stocks. The in terest-paying descriptions have, on the whole, kept up pretty well. About a year ago (perhaps rather more) Russian stock (Five per Cent.) was quoted 115: it is sow less than 100. Brazilian (Five per Cent.) was 85: it is now 72. The Dutch Four per Cents. were 95, and the Two-and-a-fl a lf per C ents. 62 : they are n(owbrreee spectively 68 an d 44k. Danish stock i per Cent.) touched upon 90 : it is now 68 The Chilian Six per C en t s , stood at 105, . the Three per Cents, at 55 : they are now respectively a t 8 4 and 46. But the great and unaccount able fall — a f a ll out of all proportion to the facts influ encing the markets, for few of the number have at any time been punctually paid upon, and some of them not even a fraction —has been in some of the following stocks:—.The Spanish Three per Cents. were at 43, the Five per Cent. Indemnity bonds, guaranteed by the British Government, at 70. They are now, respectively, at 22 and 53. On these funds the dividends have, so far, been paid up. The Five per Cent. Actives, which were at 30, are now at 11; and the Passive bonds, which were at 5, are now at 2to 3. Portuguese stock, which only two years ago pushed up to the high price of 71, for the Four per Cents. is now at 23. The Three per Cents., which were at 70, are at 21. Buenos Ayres Six per Cents. have fallen from 47 to 22; Venezuelan Two and-a-Quarter per Cents. from 46 to 14, the Deterred Debt from 13 to 4; New Granada One per Cents. from 22 to 12; the Deferred Debt from 8 to 2; the French Five per Cents. from 126 (in 1844) and 118 (in 1847) to 68; Peruvian Stock from 40 to 32; English Three per Cent. Consols from 100 to 8.5 i (the price this day). Mexican Stock, just before the American war, and the last conversion, which nearly doubled the active debt (the dividend on the deferred being provided for, as on active, by the law of the Republic) was at 37 to 40, and is now 20i to 4. It should be remarked that arrears of dividends enter largely into the prices quoted in many instances: In 'the case of Buenos Ayres, the accumula tion is one of twenty-two years, in that of Peru ono of twenty years, in that of the Spanish Active Debt one of eight years, and in that of the Portuguese Four and. Three per Cents. one of two years. Mexican and Vene zuelan are equally in arrear. BRITANNIA METAL AND ITS IMPROYEIIENT.—It is now nearly half a century ago since the then Mr. Dixon took up the Britannia metal trade at Sheffield—literally " took it up," for it had fallen to so low an ebb, that meddling with it at all was viewed as a speculation fraught with danger and ruin—and its present state of prosperity is solely owing to his spirit and enterprise, aided by the important discoveries he made in the more perfect composition of that metal. The Britannia Tea pot, now so familiar to the middle classes, owes its origin to the same source, and its successive improve ments in material and shape to the well directed judg ment of the sons of that gentleman, who carry on a fac tory, of most extensive ramification, with a due regard for the tasteful requirements of the period. The ap proximation to the appearance of silver by Britannia metal has often been alluded to by the ;Solicitor of the Mint, who attributes much of the success of the coiner to the free use of Dixon's spoons —an unwilling com pliment it way be, but one which nevertheless testifies to a close imitation of a valuable ore. These cursory remarks have been induced by rumours current amongst the trade, that some attempt is being made to injure the deserved reputation of the firm of Dixon and Sons, by the surreptitious fabrication of its name to Britannia metal, and plated goods, of which they are also large manufacturers; and against so serious a purpose it be comes the journalist to call into action the powerful warning voice of the press. CHESTER AND HOLYHEAD RAlLWAY.—Traffic for the week ending Oct. 21, 1848:—Coaching traffic., 1,218/. Is. IId.; parcels, 531. 2s. I Id; goods and cattle, 217/. Bs. Bd.; steam-boats, 1541. 14s. 6d. Total 1,643'. Bs. Dispatches were sent off yesterday evening from the Colonial -office, for the Governors of the North American Colonies. RAILWAY SHAILE MARKETS. BRISTOL, %Om 27. STOCK EXCHANGE.—The_VIAIIMMiMIXCeedingIy quiet. BristiiTandMiefei'N'eVBSares, dis. LIVERPOOL, Oci. 27. STOCK Excmorc.4l3.—The share market has been much im proved to-day; a fair business has been transacted, and prices are higher. The sales are—Birkenhead, Lancashire, and Cheshire Junction, 311. Shares, 91 dis.—East Lanca shire, 6!i Preference, Is. 3d. p.—Great Northern (A Shares;, Deferred, 3 —Lancashire and Yorkshire (late Manchester and Birmingham), Fifths, 51.65. 3d. dis.—Ditto, Sixteenths. 4—Ditto, 321. Shares (late Extension), 11 dis.—Ditto (late West Riding - Union), Fifths, 6 1 A dis.—London and North. Western, 107 1 / 2 —Ditto, New Quarters, 1 3 4 c.—Ditto (Hud‘ dersfield and Manchester), 20—Ditto, Thirds, 7—Midland Stock, 73 1 , 2 —Ditto, New Halves, 12;,: i dis.—North Western, 83 4 dis.—South-Eastern and Dover, No. 4, Thirds, 6A dis. —G. N. E. Purchase, 3' dis. MANCHESTER, Om 27. STOCK EXCHANGE.—The sales are—Caledonian, Prefer ence, 1% c. dis.—Gr ea t N or th ern , 133 4 c. d.— London and North-Western, 1 07—HudderAeld and Manchester, 2014_ Scottish Central, 21—South.Eastem and Dover, No. 4, 6 5-16—Shropshire Union, 3% dis.—Sheffield and Lincoln, 14% dis.—Great Northern (A), 3 1-16—Leeds, Fifths, 5 1 ,i dis.—Manchester and Birmingham, Quarters (C), 1 15-16 p. North Staffordshire, 7 North Union (A), 198. BIRMINGHAM, OcT. 27. Sroc.'t ExcHANOE.—The sales are—Birmingham. Wolver haton, nd Stour . a Valley, B%—North Staffordshire, 7%, dis m .— p Shrc:pshire Union, 3% die. YORK, Our. 26. STOCK EXCHANGE.—The business transacted ti-day was as follows : —"Corti, British, Quarters, 23 4—York, Newcastle, and Berwick (G. N. E. Purchase), 4—York and North Mid land (East and West Riding Extension), 20. THE CORN TRADE. WAKEFIELD, FRIDAY.—This week the supplies are liberal of wheat, for which we have a steady demand, and the currency of this day sennight exceeded. Bar ley meets with more inquiry, and is per qr. dearer Oats and Shelling in fair request, without alteration in value. Beans are more wanted, at improving prices. y ew ' s WHEAT, per qr. 8 bushels 60Ib: s. Suffolk, Essex, and Kent, red ... 51 to 54 53 to 56 Ditto, white ... 53 —57 • 56 —6O Norfolk and Hunts , red ... ... 49 —53 51 —54 Ditto, white ... ... S 3 —56 54 —56 Lincolnshire and Cambridge, red ... 49 —53 51 —54 Ditto, white ... ... 53 —56 54 —56 Yorkshire, red .. ..• ... 49 —53 51 —54 Ditto, white ... 53 —56 54 —56 Dantzic and Kouigsburg, white .. 54 —57 55 —6O Lower Baltic and Hamburgh, red... 51 53 0— 55 Mediterranean, red ... •. —— 40 —SC BARLEY, per quarter of 8 bushels:— Norfolk and Suffolk... ... .. 34 —36 Lincolnshire and Yorkshire .. 33 36 Grinding per 30 stone ... ... 26 —3O Foreign ... 33 36 BEANS, per quarter of 8 bushels 631 b : Small, fine ... Foreign ... ... OATS, per stone : bleating ...11d to 12d lld to 12d Feeding —lod to lld 10d to lld Foreign ... ...—d to —d 10d to lld SHELLING, per load of 2611 b ... 28 —3O MALT, per load of 6 imperial bushels PEAS, per Imperial Quarter Blue and white boilers Grey and Feed 36 - 38 84 - 36 SO - 33 41 - 43 ;7 - 40 ARA Qrs. Wheat ... 14,503 Barley ..• ... 2,966 Oats ... 1,432 Beans... ... 534 AVERAGES FOR THE ' Qrs. a. d. Wheat ... 3,024 54 3 Barley ... 769 33 84 Oats ... ... 218 20 6i LIVERPOOL, OCT. 27.—The duty on wheat has ad vanced to 5s per quarter, • and all other kinds of grain and pulse remain at 2s per quarter. A change of wind has brought forward considerable supplies, and which amount in the aggregate to 54,035 quarters wheat; 2,724 quarters barley; 3,147 quarters malt; 6,634 quarters oats; 30 quarters beans; 376 .quarters peas; 15,471 quarters Indian corn; 261 barrels corn meal ; 5,184 loads oatmeal; 4,691 sacks and 16,188 barrels flour. The exports.in the same time are 1,161 quarters wheat; 342 quarterg beans; 9,108 quarters Indian corn; 100 barrels corn meal; 163 sacks and 832 barrels flour. The trade in the past two days has offered but few , fea tures for remark; the transactions being confined to pur • chases for consumption, at about previous rates. In Indian corn the business was more extensive than in any other article, without much variation in prices; the fluctuations of 6d to Is per quarter representing more a difference of quality than of price. .At this day's market there was a fair attendance of dealers and a large show of samples of all kinds of corn and flour. The demand for wheat was limited, without any material change in prices ; Dutch red commanding Bs, and Hamburgh and Lower Baltic 8s Id to 8s 2d per 701 b, duty paid;. best Irish new, 7s 2d to 7s 5d per 701 b. There were very few buyers of oats in attendance, and consequently few sales were effected; Id per 451 b reduction was willingly submitted to. Oat meal likewise moved off slowly, and was 6d per load lower. There was not much inquiry for barley to-day, but most of the English supply of malting bad been pre viously cleared off at our extreme quotations of Tuesday. Beans and peas met only a retail demand, and the fresh arrivals of the latter were offered on lower terms. Flour was dull, and all kinds rather easier to purchase, 31s per barrel being the extreme value of Western Canal; and Irish was very unsaleable. There were several buyers of Indian corn for Ireland, but their operations were limited, as holders would not submit to the reduction regeired. Flat American yellow was offered at 351, and mixed at 34s to 34s 6d; white, steady, at 15s per 4801 b. Indian corn meal, a slow sale and rather cheaper, 17s to 175 6d per barrel being current rates for yellow. Hula., OCT. 2 4.—The supply of farmer's wheat at to day's market was small, the condition various, and only first-rate samples taken off at fully last week's prices. A smaller show of foreign than of late, with more firm ness and improved inquiry, chiefly for best reds,_,which are scarce. A great sale for barley, especially the finer sorts, which are taken off eagerly by malsters as -they arrive, new English not generally working_kindly. Grind ing fully as dear, and in good demand. More business passing in oats at late rates. Beans rather stiffer, but peas dull sale. New foreign tares 345 to 365; old, 26s to 28s. The linseed market is unaltered; a good deal goes to warehouse, and importers show no disposition to give way in price. .• • rAI.S. •• • 34 - 36 Qrs. Peas ••• ••• ••• ••• 373 Rapeseed. ... ... 433 Shelling ••• ••• ••• 171 Linseed .. 18 N rEE. ENDnro OCT. Qrs. s. d. Beans ... 502 '3B 6i Peas .. 28 86 0 iIIDICROUS MISTAKE.—Rather an amusing inci• dent occurred at the Chinese Exhibition, on Thursday. A couple of rustics (man and wife) from Vrescot, haying heard of the great feast of lanterns, admission only a shilling, thought they could not be far wrong in taking a holiday and coming to Liverpool to enjoy the feast. Having paid the necessary fee, they were ushered into the splendid apartment, where they feasted their eyes for some time upon the many curiosities there displayed. Wearied with the sight. the gnawing' of hunger began to admonish them, and after waiting till their patience was exhausted, they at last Walked up to one of the door keepers, and asked where the 'feast was. The reply was that the feast was before them, but they were at a loss to find something to eat. They intimated, in the best way they could, that they thought a good feast, either of lanterns or anything else, for a shilling, was an excellent thing ; but as they apprehended.a large attendance, and some inconvenience, they had brought a knife and fork in their pockets to save trouble. This somewhat literal interpretation of the feast excited no little amusement, end Tummas was sadly vexed that he had paid two shil lings, and neither he nor his wife "geet out;to eyght." —Liverpool Standard. .aT How TO CHOOSE, A SHlr.—Let the emigrant use his own eyes in the matter, and not rely upon- runners, or irresponsible agents, or Advertisements. but upon him self, and he will not be deceived.. To impress on the emigrant's mind the points to which we have alluded, we will recapitulate them, as follows.-1. Beware of run ners. 2. Beware of dishonest passenger agents. 3 . Choose a ship with a good height between tlecks.l 4. Choose a ship with high bulwarks. 5. A • ship with proper water-closets. 6. A ship with proper conve niences for cooking. 7. See that the ship is properly loaded. 8. See that the captain and mates have a good character. EXECUTION EXTRA ORDINARY.—PkIrittIant to his sentence, Thomas Brennan was hanged in front of the gaol yesterday forenoon. The hangman gave him less than the usual fall—about-ten feet—but, strange to say, the jerk actually severed his• head from his body, and both fell to the ground. We do not remember having heard or read of a similar occurrence. The rope used on this occasion was of the ordinary thickness, and the decapitation in all probability was in consequence of disease.—Niagara Chronicle, Oct. 5. BIRTHS. On the 21st in s t., at Zion-terrace, Portsea, the wife of E. Waller, Esq., R.N., of a daughter. On the 24th inst., at Sundridge, Kent, the wife of Captain J. H. Rowband, Indian Navy, of a son. On the 24th inst., at Edinburgh, the wife of A. Boyle, Esq , of a son. On the 25th inst., at Queen •square, Bloomsbury, the wife of J E. Grubb, Esq., of a son. On the 25th inst., at Birmingham, the lady of Captain G. Mein, of the 13th (or Prince Albert's) Regiment of Light Infantry, of a daughter. On the 25th inst., at Clapham, Mrs. S. Johnson, of a son. On the 26th inst., at Clarence-road, Kentish -town, Mn.i W. Penny, of a daughter. SIAkRIED. On the 24th inst., at St. deOrge's, Hanover-square, S. G• Quartermaine, only son of Mr. S. Quartermaine, to Elizabeth, youngest daughter of Mr. John Morgan, Albe marle-street. On the 24th inst., at Sutton Coldfield, the Rev. R. P. Hill, eldest son of the Rev. C. Hill, rector of Broomsberrow , Glocestershire, to Ann Elizabeth, third daughter of Joseph Webster, Esq., of Penns, Warwickshire. On the 26th inst.. at Trinity Church, Captain Cowell 3 d Light Dragoons, to Katherine Louisa, second daughter orate late Captain Henry Kerr. On the 26th inst., at Lee Church, Kent, Thomas Acland, son of S. Lawford, Esq, of Blackheath, to Jessie Turing , eldest daughter of J. T. Bruce, Esq., of Belmont, Lee. DIED. On the 23d inst., at Aberdeen, aged 80, Mary, widow of the late Dr. Glennie, of Dulwich. On the 23d inst., at Jersey, Captain John Clark, half-paY 58th Regiment. On the 24th inst., at Paddington-green, Joseph Medley, Esq., aged 60. At Southend, Soutlisea, on the 25th inst. A nn a Ruth, fourth daughter o f C ap t a i n S . P . Pritchard, R.N.' On the 26th inst., at Queen-square, Westminster, Mrs. I,lvie, relict of the late G. Lavie, Esq. On the 19th inst., at Burnham, Somersetshire, aged ten weeks, Arthur Barrow, infant son of B. 'l'. Allen, Esq. London: Printed and Published by MURDO YOUNG, 0 ' No. 112, Strand, Printer, at The Sun Ofliee, No. 112, Strand, in the Predict of the Save3r, in the couotY of liatiddlool, Satur d ay October 28, 1848. .1 4 41 Ir D 7 wi yr tio d. is I Go anc der Ch to the Sac Me str Me Ba WI Ed Jot Rol Rol ~E i Fl:~i±~~ 7 4' Oil • i , • , for the; the .tegi p , bY dkv4 , 144 'life ser Bha • '9, 1 ligar 11,19* . („c a i t THE SUN, LONDON, SATURDAY EVENING, OCTOBER 28, 1818,