The Sun. — London, England, 1848-12-25 00:00:00

For Now we see through a glass, darkly ; but THEN iace to face : NOW I know ix part ; but THEN shall 1 411 OW even as also 1 ant known."—l. Cur. xiii. 12. • Speaking of the, reception of "Now and Then" by the reviewers, Mr. Warren remarks—" I feel con strained t ) say, that the almost unanimous approbation of this work expressed by the public press—overlook ing, in a noble spirit, defects of detail, while recog nising good intentions—has deeply, indelibly impressed Illy heart." It a gratification for us to reflect that the opinion we were the first to advance as to the !Merits of this remarkable fiction has been confirmed 1 1 the unanimity of our contemporaries, and corro orated by the practical approval of the public. s urely the extraordinary success of " Now and Then " Will act as an inspiration to the genius of its author ! 'HE CYCLORAMA AT THE COLOSSEUM. The proprietors of the Colosseum opened, on Sa turd ay , fur private view, a grand new " Cyclorama end Music-hall," which has just been constructed in the Albany section of their extensive edifice. This Magnificent apartment, designed, as its name denotes, for the exhibition of moveable paintings, or as a con cert room, is fitted up in imitation of the vestibule of some noble mansion, such as in times past was occa sionally appropriated to the performance of masques and play s . The style of decoration adopted is al kost exuberant in its richness. Massive pillars of Sienn a marble support the ceiling, which is painted With gaudily painted allegorical groups. On the Walls are highly coloured copies of Raffaelle's far famed cartoons, and the extensive surfaces of panelling around the boxes, &c., are occupied with the figures of a Bacchanalian procession, sculptured in high relief, and gilt, in imitation of ormolu. The spectacle with which this new theatre opened 0 4 Saturday was the exhibition of a moving series of viewS, descriptive of the city of Lisbon before and erter•the:great earthsuake of 1755. The spectator is supposed to be on board some vessel, gliding up the golden-sanded Tagus, and with, the romantic scenery on its northern bank and the splendid edifices of Lisbon alternately presenting themselves to his view. Commencing with the harbour and castle of Belem the scene gradually shifts, bringing into sight nearly the whole of the city and its environs, as they existed ! interior to its overthrow by the earthquake, until we Cause before the picture of the Grand Square and atriarchal Palace. Here the scene darkens, a fearful storm begins, and the lurid clouds, which, according to the chroniclers, accompanied the calamity, gradually lower over the convulsed earth. Through this gloo m the recorded phenomena, by land and sea, are exhibited with wonderful accuracy. The dioramic effects of shade and colour are very beautifully varied, and the moving parts of the picture contrived With, great cleverness, to re-produce the appalling scene in all its attractive horrors. The passage of the *hips across the Tagus, where the water tosses and surges without a breeze, was especially well managed. The closing picture represents a portion of the city and the Basilica of Santa Maria lying strewn in Shattered masses on the ground, with the red glare of Conflagration reflected from the ruins. IRELAND. DUBLIN, DEC. 23.—Astonishment is an insuffi cient term to express the feeling of the public this horning, when, at the sitting of the Court, Mr. Jus tice Perrin, in the face of repeated refusals at one time even to listen to argument upon the order of non-publication, and who, yesterday, made a formal decision on the point, confirming and abiding by his order, announced that the Court had come to the conclusion that the order prohibiting publication should be rescinded, and that publication of the pro ceedings might take place as usual in ordinary cases. Its Lordship intimated that this resolution had been Come to in consequence of the course the probeedings had taken. Doubtless the Learned Judge adverted' to the fact that for several days the Court has been occupied with what may be termed preliminary matter, and that the same will probably prevail for another day or two, and, therefore, that no divadvan tage can arise from publication of mere law argu ment and their judgments thereon. But then, when the trial shall really come on it will be too late to renew the order ; iand, indeed, the whole proceeding Only serves to show that the order ought never to have been made. The argument on the demurrer proceeded .this kerning, when Sir Colman O'Loghlen was heard against the sufficiency of the indictment. Having onactuded his argument, the Crown was afforded some tim e for consultation, and it appearing impossible to terminate the argument by Christmas, it was decided by the Court, both sides according, that the case be adjourned until Wednesday next. The. Lord-Lieutenant went in state to the theatre last night. The house was never known to be so crowded. In the greater portion of the pit there was not even standing room, and not a place could be had in the boxes. It is said that the party which regards Lord Clarendon with disfavour used considerable efforts to "get up" a party to proclaim it. They Were, however, not successful, and the Saunders of this morning assures us, that nothing could be more ,enthusiastic than the reception accorded to his Excel lency. The Freeman's Journal, as may be expected, magnifies the opposition. The provincial journals of this morning contain little intelligence of interest. The Nenagh Vindicator has'a long detail of a case of eviction, giving names and numbers of the victims. A shocking fratricide has been perpetrated in the north, near Enniskillen. TIIE LONDON WEATHER. TO THE EDITOR OF THE TIMES• Sir,—The_ month of December has presented another of .those extraordinary changes to which this climate is so peCuliarly subject. The first 15 days of the month exhibited an averaged diurnal tempe rature of 43 deg. 27 min. by the night index, 52 deg. 13 tnia. in the shade, screened, and 57 deg. 47 min. exposed in the S.W. aspect. On the night of the 2 0th a frost set in, and the temperature for the last three days presents a diurnal average severally of 27 deg. 33 min. 35 deg.. 33 min., and 43 deg. 83 min., Which shows a:diurnal diminution of temperature of 15 deg. 94 min. by night, 16 deg. 80 min. by day, shade, and 13 deg. 64 min. in the S.W. aspect exposed to the sun. Your readers must bear in mind that in Lond on the temperature is much higher than in exposed situations, consequent upon the rarefication of the air from the numerous fires increasing the temperature of the confined spaces adjoining. This I have tested to-day by placing a thermometer in front of my house, which faces the east, having a spacious area before it, and I found at ten o'clock A.M., that the mercury stood at 20 deg., and the screened one in the rear of the house stood at 29i deg., showing a differ ence of 9} deg. At three o'clock P.M. there was a difference of 2 deg. I consider my regular registry the truest criterion of the London air. The baro- Iteter, which was very fluctuating at the commence- Inent of the month, stood yesterday (Saturday) 'horning at nine o'clock A.M. 30.27 inches, and at three o' c l o ck P.M. this day the mercury had fallen to 2 9.92, with evident appearances of snow or rain.—l remaia r si r , your subscriber, Bermondsey-square, Dec. 24. H. P. ERRATUM.—In our first leading article of Saturday livening, we were made to speak of Odoacer descending into the frightful valleys of Italy—instead of the fruitful !alleys. We lament, with Mrs. Malaprop, over this " nice derangement of our epitaphs"—the blunder arising, We need - tcarcely say, exclusively from an oversight of the compositors. We are the more solicitous to correct the typographical error, as, otherwise, even an Acres might be induced to make invidious " reflections on our Pettit of speech." To APPIX THE POSTAGE STAMPS Or is. AND 10D. ICActi.—Wet the corner of the letter with a sponge mo derately, but not too slightly; press the stamp down carefully with dry blotting paper, continuing the pressure Until the stamp appears to be firmly attached. N.B.— At a highly-glazed surface is unfavourable to adhesion, the more glossy the surface of the cover, the more care fully should the label be affixed. CON YEsSION GP MURDER.—Thomas Malkin the Youth who was tried on Wednesday, and found guilty of the murder of Esther Inman at Leeds, has since con fessed hi s gu ilt. It will be seen by the report of the trial that the convicted youth strongly protested his in ouence, and said that he never intended doing her any harm. He also appeared to be but little affected by the fearfai, position he was in. However, since then, he has considerably softened, and shown signs of contrition; and on Thursday he made a confession of his guilt to the Rev. T. Sutton, the prison chaplain, to the effect that he was the cause of the death of his lover, and that he had contemplated the murder for some time pre viously.. Tan MURDER AT TEDBURN ST. MART.-011 Tuesday, at the Red Lion Inn, Taphouse, the inquest on the. body of the late Mrs. Grace Holman was re sumed, before F. Leigh, Esq., coroner. The only new evidence produced was the fact of 141, in gold and a 51. bank note having been found in the cushion of a chair, whilst the furniture was being arrar.ged for the auction, held by Mr. S. Day, of Culver Farm, yesterday (Thurs day). Thus it appears that the only booty which the murderers took away with them was the silver spoons and sugar tongs. The coroner having summed up, the jury returned a verdict of W ilful Murder against per sons unknown.. It appears strange that no attempt has been made to discover the murderer by offering a reward for his discovery.—Exeter Gazette. APPOINTMENTS.—The following appointments have b-en made in the Order of the Bath:—Colonel Duncan *Gregor t be K.C.8.; Lieutenant-Colonel Rowan to be K.C.8.; Lieutenant-Colonel George Buller to be C.I. James Cockburne, Esq., is appointed Stipendiary Magistrate - in the Mauritius. John Hare, Esq., is ap pointed. Clerk in the Treasurer's Office, Hong-Kong.— Observer. Mrss NEWCOMEE.—We have been informed that this highly esecomolished young lady, daughter of Mr. J. Newcombe, the much respected lessee of the Plymouth Theatre, will be one of the debutantes of the approaching saarn, as a pianiete. Miss Newcombe is a pupil of Thalberg, and we are enabled to speak in the highest eulogistic terms of her musical attainments.—Devonport Independent. .o els !ir he 126 T Itl SIT N, SPIRIT of the PUBLIC JOURNALS. FROM THE MORNING PAPERS OF THIS DAY. TlMES.—There is a passage in Mr. Cobden's letter upon Financial Reform so exceedingly untrue and un fair thnt we must confess ourselves utterly at a loss how to account for it. It is not consistent with Mr. Cobden's gravity' and straightforwardness of character to suppose that he is merely throwing out a challenge to provoke a useful discussion. We can only suppose, therefore, that in his exclusive devotion to one branch of economical science, and in his subsequent ill-health and compara tive retirement, he has not given the particular subject we refer to the benefit of his usual accuracy and research. To save our readers the trouble of a reference, we will give the passage in extenso " I would not advise you to complicate your plan by proposing any new imposts, to rouse the antagonism of interested parties, or any modifications or substitutions of existing taxes, to destroy that simplicity of object which, above all things, is necessary to the success of a pu'llic agitation. But there is one tax, from which the dominant class in this country has exempted itself for half a century, which exemption it would be dis graceful in the character .of the British people any longer to tolerate—l mean the probate and legacy duty. In the last year upwards of 2,000,000/. were paid into the Exchequer by the heirs to personal property, con sisting mainly of the hard-earned accumulations of our merchants, manufacturers, professional men, traders, and mechanics; whilst the ducal domain, or the estate of the great landed proprietor, passed untaxed from the dead to the living. This year will be memorable for having witnessed the destruction of the last re maining powers of feudalism in all the countries of the continent, excepting Russia. But I know of no privilege which the nobles of Prussia, Gallicia, or Hun gary have been compelled to surrender, as a tribute to the enlightenment of this age, more unjust in principle than that which is conferred upon our landed proprietors in the statute passed by themselves, imposing duties ex clusively upon the inheritance of personal property. Let us not boast of English freedom, or of equality before the law, whilst this injustice remains. In what form could aristocratic privilege assume a more offen sive and costly aspect than in that of a bold and palpable exemption from taxation ? Ido not think that great resistance will be offered to the equitable adjustment of this tax, provided the people speak out as becomes them. No living proprietor will be affected by the change ; and the landowners are as as conscious as you or I that these are not times for transmitting such a class of privileges to posterity. I assume that the probate and legacy duty upon real estate, entailed and unentailed, will yield at a moderate estimete, 1,500,0001. By the above plan you would have a disposable surplus revenue of 11,500,000/.:—viz., ten'millions from the reduction of expenditure, and a million and a half from the increased produce of the probate and legacy duty." Now, in the first place, it is a very gross mistake to assert, as Mr. Cobden does hero, that all real pro perty enjoys this exemption. All leasehold pro perty is liable to the duty, so also are all freehold estates directed by will to be sold and distributed in money. Nearly all the property of the Church, of the universities, and other corporations, is held for terms of years. So also is the greater part of this metropolis, and a considerable proportion of the house property and other buildings throughout the whole kingdom. This is important, as affecting not only the justice of the charge brought against the "dominant dais," but also the amount to be raised by doing away with the exemp tion. But, if it is not ignorance or haste, it is a scandalous piece of dishonesty to pick out and parade before the pub lic one fact out of a hundred facts bearing on that large and much disputed question, the burdens on land. The taxation of this country, as affecting the different classes, is a system of compensations. It is the growth of many different ages and principles, for whenever it has been necessary to increase taxation or to reduce it, it has been found more easy to add a tax or take one away, than to remodel and simplify the whole heterogeneous mass. Mr. Cobden puts this quite out of the question. He forgets, or chooses to forget, that real property is under peculiar burdens and legal disadvantages. He proclaims to millions of men that the landed pro prietors, making laws for themselves, have exempted their own property from legacy and probate duty, while they laid it on every other class ; as if they had done this ceeteris paribus, as if they had no reason whatever in justice or in convenience, but simply possess ing the power, employed it to their profit. Had they been the good managers Mr. Cobden gives them credit for, they would surely have taken care of themselves as well as their children. The exemption from the legacy and probate duty would only come into operation after their death. They had not spared themselves in what affects the living. The conveyance of landed property burdened by much higher charges than the transfer of personalty, as any one may ascertain for himself by buying 1,000/. in Consols, and an estate of that value in land. Of course it would be very desirable to simplify and equalise all the taxes on the assignment and transmission of property, whether real or personal, whether during life or after decease. An equal and just apportionment of these burdens, without favour or preference to any description of property, is the remedy which the nature of the case requires. Mr. Cobden omits to inform the people of England that real property pays more than six millions a year to the relief of the poor; personal property, nil. An estate with a clear rental of 1,0001. a year will often pay 1501. or 2001. a year in poor-rates. A fundholder to that amount need not pay a farthing, and it he lives abroad, will not. The landowner, in the majority of in stances, pays tithes, which, even in their present form, are a burden on the land, notwithstanding what is com monly urged as to the estate having been purchased or inherited subject to the charge. They have the effect of an unreedeemable mortgage, which is crippling enough. The landowner also pays land-tax. In all three instances it was the original principle of the tax to charge it on personal as well as real property. Poor rates were originally charged upon stock in trade, and an annual Act is required to exempt it. Every source of profit, including domestic service, was once held liable to tithe. Only as late as 1833 an Act was passed re pealing the " land-tax" on personal estates. Here, then, are three burdens which our !ended proprietors, whom Mr. Cobden charges with selfishness, jobbing; feudalism, and we know not what, have permitted to remain and increase upon land, while they have allowed personal property entirely to escape. The county-rate for prisons, bridges, and sometimes for roads ; for sea defences, for the maintenance of banks and water courses; for those expensive novelties, bridewells, houses of correction, and lunatic asylums; for the rural police, and a great deal more, falls on land and other real pro perty, but does not touch personal property.. In a word, all the public edifices, and all the local institutions of the country, fall on real property; churches, workhouses, prisons, asylums, bridges, and roads, are provided gratis for the owners of personal property. Nor must we forget highway rates pro bone publico ; nor the expense of frequent surveys and valuations incident to rates from land and other real property. Under the auspices of the " dominant class," these burdens have increased generation after generation, all the time being exclusively laid upon real property. If a father leaves to his son 3001. a year in the funds, the son is mulcted of a year's income by the state. Mr. Cobden calls this an extortion,—a feudal device, worse than any relic of barbarism surrendered in this happy year hy the nobles of Prussia, Gallicia, or Hun gary. He tells us the landed proprietors, being also a majority of the Legislature, have taken care to exempt their own property from this infliction. But have they taken care of themselves? On the contrary, they have been continually saddling their own property with the discharge of national obligations, till, instead of paying a year's income once in twenty-five or thirty years, they pay land-tax, tithes, and ra tes amounting to a y in come in three or four years. If Mr. Cobden will open the question of burdens on real property, we should imagine that landowners will be the first to thank him. They have nothing to lose by the inquiry, either in re putation or pocket, if it be only fairly conducted. POST.—It is our custom on Christmas Day to avoid the ordinary topics of political controversy. We prefer dwelling upon points which are more likely to evoke feelings of kindness and good-will. The political world is, more than any other, " A world whose soil Is rank with all unkindness." It ought not to be. so; but it seems to be the penalty which we must pay for a popular system of Government. The political community . is a chaos of conflicting in terests and opposing opinions. Every one is seeking for power, and no one is seeking for good. The impulses of benevolence are left to the uses of the preacher or the poet. The politician has some interest to promote— some theory to establish—some victory to gain, with which the purpose of making the people more happy or less wretched than they are has, alas! nothing to do. In our country, the amount of private benevolence is, thank God, exceedingly great; but public life seems to shrink from the recognition of those sentiments which are cer tainly of more importance to mankind than any progress of political theory or any victory of political party— " That independence Britons prize too high Keeps man from man, and breaks the social tie, Here by the bonds of nature feebly held, Minds combat minds, repelling and repelled." We do not say the results of this are wholly bad. We admit that political conflict upon important questions is one of the noblest exercises of the human mind. We have no wish for the dead uniformity of despotism; but we find that political society in this country rushes into the opposite extreme, and we lament to see that the pa rental duties of political government have fallen into desuetude. The theories of freedom are, indeed, advo cated; but the tyrannies of circumstance are overlooked. The Legislature may decree equal rights, but every one who regards the actual circumstances of society must see that the means of taking advantage of those rights are very unequally distributed. When this is pointed out to politicians, the ordinary reply is that such in equalities of power and circumstances are beyond the province of political regulation, and must exist by the natural constitution of man and society. " How small, of all that human hearts endure, That part which laws or kings can cause or cure!" This is, no doubt, true as regards the direct and imme diate action of laws or edicts, but the general tendency of them, not only upon the tone and temper of society, but upon the circumstances which mainly contribute to the comfort or discomfort of men's lives, is doubtless very important, and might be more so. this were not the case, the political discussions of the world would cease to have that practical importance which we attri bute to them. It political discussions and legislative regulations had little or no practical effect upon the cit. cutnstances which depress or gladden the hearts of the people, we should join the very numerous party of ladies and gentlemen who think the chief use of a newspaper is to inform them of the births, marriages, and deaths which take place around them, and who regard politics as an amusement or occupation of the upper classes, with which they neither have nor ought to have any concern. But we think very differently; and if po litics, instead of being a chaos of strife, were animated by that spirit of affectionate regard for the people which ought to be a characteristic of. Government, we should gnd a more general sympathy with political discussion. It would not be, its it is now, a dreaded and excluded thing in all mixed society---a thing shunned as exaspe rating, or scoffed at as tedious and uninteresting. In the present day, political discussion is not supported by those high and exciting sentiments of patriotism which for merly belonged to it. It has assumed a lamentably low and mercantile character, and too many have forgotten the possibility of associating the language of polities with the strongest emotions of the heart. How different in this respect were the days of our boyhood! " 0! who that shared them ever shall forget The emotions of the spirit-rousing time, Whe❑ breathless in the mart the couriers met, Early and late, at evening and at prime; When the loud cannon and the merry chime Hailed news on news, as field on field was won; When Hope, long doubtful soared at length sublime, And our glad eyes, awake as day begun, Watched Joy's broad banner rise to meet the rising sun. " 0! these were hours when thrilling joy repaid A long, long course of darkness, doubts, and fears! The heart-sick faintness of the hope delayed The waste, the woe, the bloodshed, and the tears That tracked with terror twenty rolling years: All was forgot in that blithe jubilee! Her downcast eye even pale Affliction rears, To sigh a thankful prayer, amid the flee That hailed the Despot's fall, and peace and liberty." Alas! what has become of that proud and grateful spirit? Why is there now no lofty aspiration connected with political events? Why is it that our politicians speak only mercantile language, and that the high senti ment of patriotism has passed away from amongst us! A clergyman, who travelled some years ago in the wilder parts of the south of Ireland, with a companion who spoke the native Irish, fell in with a peasant solitary in his hut. The man said his family had all gone to " watch mass," the day happening to be the eve of Easter. The good clergyman began to question the man concerning his notions of Good Friday, Easter Day, and so on, but was shocked to find that the peasant could not answer him a word, 'His companion, how ever, proposed to try the man in Irish, believing he should have much better luck in that tongue— " He did so, and it was quite surprising to see how the man, as soon as the Irish was spoken, brightened up in countenance, and I could perceive from the smile that played on the face of my friend how he rejoiced in the realisation of his prognostic. He began to translate for me as follows t—l asked him—What was Good Friday? It was on that day that the Lord of Mercy gave his life for sinners, a hundred thousand blessings on him for that.' What is watch Saturday? It was the day when watch was kept over the holy, tomb ' that held the incor ruptible body of my sweet Saviour.' Thus the man gave, in Irish. clear and feeling answers to questions concerning which, when addressed in English, he ap peared quite ignorant; and yet of common English words and phrases he had the use; but, like most of his countrymen in the south, his mind was groping in foreign parts when conversing in English, and he only seemed to think in Irish: Me one was 'the lanpaye of his commerce, the other of his heart." Our politicians of the present day seem to labour under the name deficiency as that of the 'clergymen in this anecdote. They are always speaking to the nation in the language of commerce, and not in the language of the heart. The result is that the people do not under stand them. If there were more sympathy and less sta tistics in the speeches of leading politicians, we should not find so much bitterness in the hearts, and no mach exasperation in the language of Chartists.' We. hope there are other victories which the nation might gladly celebrate as well as those which are achieved by the effusion of human blood. In England there is a mighty field to be won, a victory over multitudinous misery, a triumph of humble comfort over abject penury.. Let it not be thought that it is impossible. Let it not be supposed that England has done its duty—that it has behaved with proper feeling to the people in providing union workhouses, where all is blank wretchedness, except to the all-debased, Something better might be done for the well-conducted poor than there is done by our exist ing system. Let us take instruction from a Whig isoet's account of a poor-house : " There, in one house, throughout their lives to be, The pauper-palace, which they hate to see, That giant-building, that high bounding wall, Those baie worn walks, that lofty thund'ring hall ! That large loud clock which toll& each dreaded hour, Those gates and locks, and all those signs of power It is a prison with a milder name, Which few inhabit without dread or shame. Here the good pauper, losing all the praise By worthy deeds acquired in better days, , Breathes a few months, then to his chamber led, Expires, while strangers prattle round his bed." Surely the heart of the English nation might devise a plan more repressive of vicious profligate pauperism than any which now exists, and more kind to those who are des ruing but unfortunate. Glad should we be if this high festival, devoted so generally in private life to thoughts and deeds of charity, should suggest also public men the firm determination to make the national energies and resources of England more conducive to the moral and social welfare of the indigent masses. NAVAL INTELLIGENCE. The Honourable W. Cowper, M.P., has left the Ad miralty for a few days, on a visit to Lord Palmerston, at Broadlands. Captain W. A. B. Hamilton and Captain Charles Eden have also left town for a few days. We regret to hear that the venerable and gallant Admiral of the Fleet, Sir James Hawkins Whitshed, Bart., G.C.8., who is in the 86th year of his age, is dangerously ill, and that his recovery appears quite hopeless. APPOINTMgNTS. Commander Edward Littlehales to the Apollo troop ship at Plymouth. Commander Charles F. Hellyar to the Centaur steam frigate, at Portsmouth, for the pendant of Commodore Fanshawe. Lieutenant W. L. Staniforth to the Apollo. Masters—B. Simson, to the Apollo; J. G. H. Thain, to the Penguin packet brig. Paymaster and Purser—H. R. Cole to the Apollo. Assistant Surgeons—Frederick Morgan, to Penguin ; J. Sale, J. T. Robinson, and J. Bernard, to Hastings; J. Wade, and A. W. W. Babington, to Wellesley; S. W. C. Steel, to Southampton; W. H. Cameron, and T. Wil son, to Hibernia; J. Nihill, and H. H. Smith, M.D., to Asia; Dr. V. C. Clarke, to Fisgard. Second Master—H. Clements, to the Apollo. Clerk—C. C. Phillips, to the Apollo. Mister's Assistant—J. D. Switzer, to the Apollo. The Bloodhound steam-vessel, Lieutenant-Com mander Robert Phillipps, arrived at Portsmouth, yes terday morning, from Ireland.' She was ordered into harbour to be paid off. THE CHOLERA ON BOARD THE CONVICT SHIP.—It is said that three more deaths have taken place among the cholera patients from the Hashemy, now on board the Menelaus quarantine ship, at the Motherbank; but there appears to be no ground for alarm on this account,,, as the disease has not spread to any others than those previously attacked by dysentery, all of whom are now separated from the healthy. The Driver steam-sloop, Commander C. R. Johnson, returned to Portsmouth, from her trip to Portland, on Saturday, and went into harbour. Soon after her arrival, orders were received to send her to the chops of the Channel, with water and provisions for' the relief of wind-bound vessels, as soon as she was ready. With her gallant commander's accustomed promptitude, he imme diately set to work, and in less than three hours atter his reception of the order the vessel was out of the har bour again and wending her way to her destination. THE WEST INDIA. SQUADRON. The Vixen steam-sloop, Commander Jenner, arrived at Port Royal from Port an Prince, on the 16th ult.; all well. The Bermuda schooner, Lieut. Jolly commanding, and the Alarm, 26, Captain Lock, are cruising off Cuba. The Electra, 18, Commander Bouverie, was at Mara caibo at the last dates. Lieut. Gordon was in command of the ship, Commander Bouverie being ill. The Admiral (the Earl .of Dundonald) was expected at Port Royal in the Scourge steam-sloop at the last dates. PLYMOUTH. DEC. 22.—Her Majesty's frigate Amazon, 26, Captain Trodbridge, which left this port on the 10th inst., bound to the Coast of - Africa, East Indies, and China, put back this afternoon, having been nearly 400 miles to the westward, where she experienced very heavy gales from the south-west, and had one case of small pox on board. The President of Liberia, Mr. Roberts, his lady, and family, are passengers, and upon consulta tion between his Excellency and Captain Troubridge, it was determined to return, lest the sickness should in. crease and be conveyed to the stations abroad. The patient, on arrival in the Sound; was forthwith landed and conveyed to the Plymouth Royal Naval Hospital. • Her Majesty's mail packet steamer Llewellyn, having been repaired, sailed on the 20th for Holyhead. Her Majesty's cutter Netley tailed yesterday with seamen for the Superb, at Portsmouth. On her return the crew will be transferred to the guard-ship, and she will be laid up and superseded by the Confiance steam tug, lately fitted with new engines and boilers. from vir cooalmw H ei o o ih l n y , htt to -da y -e a dr d ao , yt oat the ee F Her Majesty's s t eam - vesse l D o t e r e l came in yesterday e ro , and for h a e m H ba e r l wpraielildneprobibly sail to-morrow for ge oh . o s li ff. it o b o a pff r so q t n ho e e, p A cos c rp t t i ,t f from Captain ro eLs n e a ceh, C ofo e rn t o te emr , Riofor Djiaellpepi Lima, of Southampton, from Palermo, bound to London. Wind E.N.E., blowing strong. SPORTING INTELLIGENCE. HUNTING APPOINTMENTS. Cambridgeshire hds., Tues., Potton Wood; Fri., Chil derley Gate. Lord Yarborough's hds., Tues., Fenly Wood; Wed., Kingerby-wood ; Sat., Rye Hill-11. Mr. Hellier's hds., Tues., Horsington Mill; Thurs., Burgh•-on-Bain; Sat., Welton Wood-10}. Donington lids., Tues., Manters Arms Inn, Radcliff on-Trent; Wed., Carendish Bridge; Sat., Belton Village —loi. Southdown hds., Tues., Folkington Cross roads; Fri., Hellingley Workhouse. Wheatland hds., Tues., Oldbury; Fri., Hempton. Worcestershire hds., Tues.. Old Hills; Fri., Crowle. Brighton burrs., Tues., Patcham: Wed., Thunders Barrow; Fri., Dyke-101. Brookside harrs., Tues., Newmarket Hill; Thurs., Telscombe Tye-10f. Crawley and Horsham lids., Tues., Strood Park; Fri., Norfolk Arms, Worth. GOOD NEWS FOR BucuNausxseniti.—The Ayles bury butchers are selling meat at 3/d., and prime joints it 44d. per lb.—Bucks Herald. THE REV. J. SHOW,E.—We understand that an attachment has been issued against Mr. Shore by the Ecch.siastical Court for contempt of court, and for the costs arising in the suit against him by the Bishop of Panter.—.Devonvort independent. 'LONDON, 1V1:0 N:DA ,EVEN N ,DECEM 13 E R 25, 1848. A CHAUNT FOR CHRISTMAS-DAY. The scythe of Time is mowing Another swarthe of Life, And the seed that we've been sowing— Grain of Pt ace, or tares of Strife — Has been gathered safe and fast In the garner of the Past, To lie for ever 1 Have we done.the beat we could With the ways and means we 610. Have we wrought the things we should With our judgment or our gold ? Have we played our mortal part By hand, or brain, or heart, - With fair endeavour ? The steeple pulsesTheating With rapid strokes of mirth, Loudly tell our days are fleeting, Like smolten snow, from earth ; Ar.d the fitful carol strain Is a warning once again To the soul ! Have we dozed among the sleepers ? Have we stirred among the quick ? Have we comforted the weepers ? Have we watched beside the sick? Have we dwelt in open kindness ? Or groped in selfish blindness, Like the mole? Come, let us ask our bosoms If we earnestly have sought To nurture all the blossoms In our pathway, as we ought ? Let us ask if we are giving As much love to all the living As we can? 'Tis a fitting hour to reckon "- Not only yellow store ; For passing old. years beckon Where no wealth can win the shore s 'Tis a day for Age and Youth, To sum up their debts, of Truth , To God and Man / The glossy branches twining In beauty o'er our head ; They are but garlands shining _ In a pomp that greets the dead. And a trace of holy gloom Makes a temple of the room Where they are seen. Let the feasting and the drinking Be as goodly as it may; Yet the wise ones will:be thinking— As they hail the festal day— Time is hushing us to rest As he rocks us on his breast Of Christmas green! Year after year is going, So work while there is light; • Let us keep the rust from growing, Let ut wear our spirit bright. And 'tis °illy honest labour, And the lore of friend and neighbour, Can do thilt So, while Old Time is mowing Another swarthe of Life, Let us pledge the cup that's flowing, To the heart that shuts out strife: For, amid all selfish blindness,. It is only Peace and kindness . Make our bliss ELIZA COOL . Weekly Dispatch. CHRISTMAS FESTIVITIES. The Duke of Wellington is surrounded by a select circle at Strathfieldsaye, Hants. Their Highnesses Prince and Princess Metternich and Prince RiChard Metternich, accompanied by Baron Charles Hugel, closed their visit to the Noble and Gallant Duke on Saturday, and returned to Brighton. The Duke in a few days is expected to go on a visit to her Majesty at Windsor Castle. The Duke and Duchess of Richmond will enter tain a succession of friends at Goodwood during the festive season. The Duke of Porland has a family party at Wel beck Abbey, Wilts ; the Marquis of Titehfield, the Marchioness of Clanricarde and Lady Emily de Burgh, Lord H. Bentinck, and the Ladies Bentinek being of the circle. The Duke and Duchess of Sutherland, owing to the recent demise of the Earl of Carlisle, will be precluded from seeing company, at Trentham, this Christmas; the circle at the Ducal seat being strictly confined to the members of their own family. The Duke and Duchess of Beaufort are receiving a limited circle at Badminton, Gloucestershire, where the.usual hospitality will be displayed during this festive season of the year. The. Duke and Duchess of Norfolk will receive a succession of distinguished visitors at Arundel Castle during tke holidays. The greatest hospitality will prevail at the castle for several days, and on Wednes day next a grand 'tall to the nobility and landed gentry, and many of the aristocratic residents, will take place. at the fine baronial castle. The Marquis and Marchioness of Westminster have a select party met at Motcombe House, Dorset, for the Christmas holydays. • , • - The Marquis and Marchioness of . Lansdowne are displaying their princely - hospitality at Bowood Park to a very numerous circle, among whom are the Earl and Countess of Shelburne, the Hon. Mr. and Lady Louisa Howard, the Count and Countess Flahault, &c. The Noble Marquis and . Marchioness intend to receive company up to the second week in next month. The Marquis and Marchioness of Salisbury have a select circle at Hatfield House to celebrate the Christ mas, and much gaiety will reign at the splendid man sion until the end of neat month. The Marquis of Northampton is entertaining Vis count and Lady Marianne Alford, Mr. C. S. and Lady Elizabeth Dickens, and a party of friends, at Castle Ashby, Northainptonshire. The Earl and Countess Cfaien have company at Coombe Abbey during the holidays. The Earl and Countess of Jiirsey are . entertaining Viscount and Viscountess Vil liers, Hon. F.,and Lady Eliza Villiers, Hon. Mrs. A. Villiers, and a family party, at Middleton Park, near Bicestei. The Countess Dowager of Pembroke has a large party - assembled at Wilt on H ouse, n ear S a li s b ury, where, as customary at this period of the year, the neighboUring nobility and gentry will partake of the hospitality. The Right Hon: Sidney and Mrs. "Her bert, the Earl and Counteis of Clanwillism, the Earl and Countess Bruce, and the CoUntesi of Dunmore, are staying there. The Earl and Countess Howe are seeing company at Gopsall Hall , Leiceitershire. Viscount and Via. countess Curzon, Lady Gore and Miss Gore, &c., are among the family visitors. The Earl and Countess of Dartmouth have a large family circle assembled at their seat in Staffordshire, to enjoy the festivities consequent on Christmas. COURT CIRCULAR. - - - WINDSOR, SUNDAY. Yesterday morning her Majesty and his Royal Highness Prince Albert took their usual early walk in the Home Park and Slopes, and the Prince of Wales, and Princess Royal, and the younger branches of the Royal Family took their accustomed walksand exer cise in the Park: The Royal dinner party 'yesterday evening in cluded her Royal Highness ,the Duchess of 'Kent, and her Ladies in Waiting. This morning the Queen and his Royal Highness took an early walk in the Home Park and Slopes. Her Majesty, 'his Royal Highness, and the Ladies and Gentlemen of the Royal Household, attended Divine service this morning in the Chapel, at Windsor Castle. The service was performed, and the sermon preached by the Hon. and Rev. C. L. Courtenay. There was no addition to the Royal dinner party. The Earl and Countess t.irey left town on Saturday for Doncaster, and will afterwards proceed to Howick Hall, Northumberland. The General Board of Health had a meeting on Saturday, at Gwydyr Home, Whitehall. Dispatches were sent off on Saturday evening from the Colonial-office, for the Governors of Ceylon and Hong-Kong, and also for the Governor of Malta. Tun MANSION Housz.—ln consequence of a re solution carried in the Court of Common Council con siderable alterations are to be immediately commenced at the Mansion House under the superintendence of the Committee of the City Lands. It is well known that numerous complaints had been made of the insufferable annoyance to which merchants and others engaged in transacting important business at the Mansion House have been constantly subjected on account of the con fined space of the justice room, in which they occa sionally came in contact with beggars and pickpockets. Indeed, there have been many instances of actual rob bery committed within the doors of the pl ace i n which justice is administered. In order to remedy in some degree so obnoxious a nuisanc e, Alder man Hooper, the late Lord Mayor, caused a temporary passage to be formed from the entrance hall obliquely into the room ad joining the justice-room. This alteration was certainly an improvement, but the enormously increasing business of the justice-room, in his Lordship's opinion, rendered a much more extensive change necessary, and application having been made to the Corporation through his in • atrumentality, the question was referred to the Commit tee, who recommended that a new justice-room should be built under the able direction of Mr. Bunning, the ' city architect. On Tuesday the work will b e cerne menced, and it is calculated that it will occupy the work men about six weeks. Until the new justice-room shall have been completed, the business of the Mansion-houst will be transacted in another part of the spacious build ing. It is said that about fifty men will be employed. Improvements have been already commenced in the Egyptian hall and in the corridor leading to that splendid place of feasting, so that almost every chamber in the building is covered with dust. The necessity of the alterations may be conjectured from the fact that the business of the justice-room has been nearly quadrupled within the last five years. There are at present eighty families dependent upon the Leicester Union, whose fathers have deserted them, and gone to America or elsewhere, leaving them to be supported at the public expense. CHRISTMAS-DAY IN THE WORK- HOUSES. MARYLEBONII Wouanouez,---The returns, pade up to December 22 (Friday). in the worithouse (in cluding 92 children - at the Sea Bathing Infirmary, Margate),2,222 (last Christmas 2,077), viz., adult males 566, adult fe ma l es 1 , 058, children 506 ; in ad dition to which there are 93 lunatics, making the total of inmates 2,315. Number of outdoor poor this year 7,280 (last Christmas, 8,116), viz., perma nent poor 834, widows 537, casual ‘ 5,623, Irish 149, illegitimate 132. It must be remarked that within the last fortnight there haa.been a reduction of no sees than 3,000 cases of ou t-d oo r r e lief' consequent on the stringency applied to them, all of which were Irish, and on inquiry had no claim on the parish. Christmas day fare to the poor in the workhouse : half a poupd of roast beef free from bone,,,one pound of potatoes and bread, one pint of porter, one pound of plumb pudding, one ounce of tea, and a quarter of a poundof sugar extra each adult. The children are fed in propor tion, and in the , evening have amusements provided far them, and fruit, cakes, sweetmeats, &e., at the ex pense of the board of directors and guardians. ,Tbe above return; therefore, shows that there is in Mary lebone an increase of indoor poor of 246, and a de crease of outdoor poor, as compared with the corre sponding period last year, of 1,536. Total number at present receiving 'tenet in Marylebone, 9,595. The outdoor poor have an extra allowance in bread and money. . . _ SAlrr PANCRAS.—lnmates, including 146 boys and 104 girls farmed out at Drouet's Infant Poor Asylum, Tooting, 1,462 (last Christmas in the work house, 1,671). The ; inmates are thus classified males, 28 able-bodied, 191 disabled temporarily, 190 old and infirm; boys from 7 to 15 years of age 3, from 2 to 7 years 35. Women: able-bodied 71, tem porarily disabled, 316, old and infirm, 298; girls from 7 to 15 years 9, from 2 to 7 years 17, infants 54 ; recipients of out relief 7,283 (last Christmas 6,189). . Relief given in kind arid _money to out-door poor during the week t .246/. 145. 7d. (lastyear, 1731.35.9 d.) Casual and tramps, 454 (corresponding week last year, 322). Christmas fare to inmates of the workhouse : six ounces of cooked beef (free from bone), 11b. of po tatoes, lib. of plum pudding, and one pint of porter. An additional allowance of extra strong tea, with to bacco, snuff, &c., to the adults. The children fed at discretion, and regaled - with sweetmeats, 6d. extra being allowed for . each_ child fanned ,out at Drouet's. It will thus be seen that in this point, .whilst there is a decrease in the workouse of 208, there is an in-1 crease of the out door poor of 1,094. This circum stance is attributed to the fact that the new board of guardians elected last May determined on carrying out the principle of out-door relief to a greater ex tent than their predecessors. Total increase over last year, 885, and total number now receiving relief, 8,748. ST. JAZICU'S,. WBSTMIIsGT3II.-44 the workhouse 713 (last year 676) ; viz., 238 men, 393 women, and 82 children. In addition to these there are 39 children at the parochial establishment at .Brentford, making the gross total of inmates 812. , Inmates are regaled on Christmas-day. with ~flb. of roast beef, plum pudding aid libitum, 1 pint of table ale, 1 pint of porter, 11b. of potatoes, . 12oz. of bread, butter, &c. ; and the children - have fruit, cakes, &c., on Boxing day. Number of out:-door poor 724 (this time last year 502). Increase on in-door poor 136, and on out-door poor 222 ; t o t a l increase over Christmas last year 368, and total receiving relief 1,536. Sr. MARTIN'S-IN-THS-r—lnmates of the workhouse 660 (last year 656), v i z ., 202 male adults, 360 females, ind 98 children. Outidoor poor 575 (last Christmas 435). Chriitmas fare :—lib. plum pudding, 11b. roast beef, Vb. potatoes, and a pint of porter to each adult; and half a pint to children, who also have meat and podding in proportion to their age. Increase on the . in-door poor 4, and on out-door poor, as compared with the corresponding period last year, 140. Total increase 144, and total number receiving relief 1,235. KENSINGTON URION.—IR/Dates 267 (last year 274), viz., adult males 86, females 94, hey s 33, g i r l s 54 , including 16 tramps who have been left sick, and who have the same fare as the other inmates of the house on Christmas-day, which is lib. of roast beef, 11b. of plum pudding, 11b. of potatoes, and 1 pint of Berclay and Perkins's best porter each person. Number of out-door poOr 900 (last year the same), viz, 300 males and 600 females. As it proof of longevity in this union, a woman 'lamed Ann Cousins died in this workhouse on Thursday aged 104. Thus in this union there is a decrease of 7 as compared with last, ear, and total receiving relief 1,167. STRAND ITNiosi.--4nmates of the workhouse, 611, viz., males 222, females 389 ; children faimed at Tooting 149—total 760 (last year 715) ; out-door poor 1,768 (last year' 1,539). Christmas-day fare -6 oz. pickled perk, peas pudding and potatoes, llb plum pudding, and one pint of porter. to each inmate. Increase on in-door yoor 45, and on out-door poor, as compared with kit Christmas, 229—total increase 274. Total receiving relief 2,528. Cm - or LoaDoriUxiori.—The poor of this union are divided into three classes. The males and mar ried couples are at Marlborough-house, Peckham ; the women at Stepney-freen, and the children all farmed out at Mr. Aubin s School of Industry, Wee tow -hill, Norwood. The fare on Christmas-day is either roast beef or roast pork, at the option of the inmates, with plum pudding, and one pint of good beer each. The numbers at present are—Peckham, men 217, women 83, children 29. At Stepney, women 461, children-272—total inmates 1,132. In addition to this, there are • 92 lunatics at Dr. War burton's Asylum, Bethnal-green, increasing the total to 1,224. Number of out-door poor now receiving relief 3,371 (last year 2,451). In the house last year 1,164, this year 1,132, thus showing in the house a decrease of 3 . 2, and in the number of mit-door poor an increase of 925. • Total increase of poor over last year 894. ST. MAN; ISLINGTON.—Number of inmates 485, viz., 160 males, 280 females, children 45 (last year 395). In addition to this there are 160 boys and girls farmed out at Messrs. Drouet's infant establish men, at Brixton and Tooting. The out-door poor averages 950, being an increase beyond the number this time last year of 150. Christmas-day fare-6oz. of roast beef, free from bone, bread and potatoeS as required, 11b. of boiled plum pudding, and a pint of porter each. The children at discretion of the master. Total increase, as .compared _with last year, 240. ST. MART, LAMBETH.—In the workhouse 1,035 (last year 1,200), viz., adult males 432, females 603. In the parochial establishment at Norwood : Boys ' 1 285, girls 200—total children 485. Number of out ' door 6,681. Christmas fare—half a pound of baked beef and baked potatoes, 11b. of plum pudding, and a pint of porter each, with tea morning and evening., Total number of in and out-door poor 8,191. Increase over last year 165. ST. Jesus's, CLEawww.L.—ln the house 43T (last year 444), adult Males 206, females, 289, children 24, out-door:poor, 1,365 (last year 1,310). Christmas fare, to each grown person 11b. of good plum pudding, 41b. of roast beef, 11b. of baked potatoes, loz: of tea, 4oz. of sugar, and a pint of porter. The children regaled in the evening with fruit, sweetmeats, &c. Decrease of in-door poor, as compared with last year, 7 ; increase on out-door poor, 55.; showing the total number of poor to be 1,902, and the . increase over last year 48. Wan Lorinon UNION.--In • the workhouse 450 (last year 485), men 152, women 239, children 56. Return of number of out-door poor not given. Christmas fare 7 ---roist beef,pluin pudding, potatoes, and porter for dinner ad liiituni. Increase on number last year, 35. , . EDMONTON Uritorr.--Inmates 426 (lastai 441), viz., 234 men, and,l92- women ;. the children at `the establishment at Enfield. . Christmas-day . fare-6os. of cooked beef, Vb. of potatoes, 1113. of plum pudding, and one pint of porter each. -ncrease of in-door poor over Christmas last year, 22. I-licit/off UNlON.—lnmates of the union's3B year 488), viz., 150 adult males, 211 females, and 172 children. For Christmas-day, breakfait and tea, bread and hutter ; dinner—roast pork, stuffed with sage and onions, alb., baked potatoes alb., plum pudding, lib., and one pint of ale each. Increase over \ inmates at Christmas last year, 45. '• Himnow UNION . —No return of the numbers cduld_ be obtained. Poor inmates liberally supplied with roa r. st or b L eeL plum pudding, umber al no . ; in the Workhouse 651 (last year 783), namely, men 181, boys 123, making 304 males • women 224, girls 123, total females 327. Out-door poor, adults 1,360,, children 1,000; total out-door poor 2,310. Christmas:-day fare—a good supply of - roast beef, with iegetables aid plum pudding. Wptal number receiving. relief 3;143. Increase of in-door poor over last year 132. ST. Luis, Cuatsaa.--Inniates of workhouse 541, viz., 57 able-bodied men , 26 tentporarily.disabled, 107 old and infirm, and tiOys 29 ; able-bodied women 39, temporarily disabled 40, old and infirm 197 ; girls 21, infants 25 (last year 510 inmates); 127 farmed out at Drones establishment at Tooting, for whom Gd. per head is allowed for, extra day fare on Christmas -day. Christmas fare in the workhouse—half a pound of roast beef free from bone, with a liberal supply of pota toes and bread, three-quarters of a pound of plum pudding, and one pint of porter each. Number of out-door poor 3,196, last year 2,784; thus showing a decrease of 31 on the in-door poor, and an increase of 412 on the out-doer poor, and the total number re ceiving relief, 3,864. ST. biIATTHIM, BETHNAL.GREBN.--In 7 doOr poor, as and c o m p p o porter. 951; viz., men 303 , women 374, bo y s 148, girls 1 26 ; last year, men 367 , women 403, bo ys 218 , girls 194 ; total 1,182. Christmas-day fare—a liberal sup p l y o f ro ast beef, plum pudding , , vegetables, Decrease on the in - door poor this year, with the corresponding period last year, 231. Sr., N u ar MAGFDLLIIN, BE RMONDSBY.—In'mates of workhouse this year, .684 ; v i a., males 209, females 280, boys 99, girls 96 ; last year, males 195, females 271, bays 106, girla,B9 ;. total, 661. Number receir ing out-door yelief about 900. On Christmas-day the inmates dine off pork, potatoes, and plum pudding, supplied, and one pint of Barclay's porter to each adults and the children regaled with oranges and sweetmeats in the evening. lOW number receiving in and out-door relief, 1,684. Increase, as compared with last year, in-door poor, 23. ST. SAViotfleo SourawAßK.—lnmates of union 508, viz., '165 males, 297 females, and 46 children—total 487. In addition, 190 children farmed out at • Mr. Aubin's infant asylum, Norwood. Christmas dinner, 12oz. of plum pudding, 6oz. of Nast beef, Bos. of potatoes, and one pint Of beer. No return of number of out-door poor. Increase over last year 21, and total number receiving relief 698. HOnnosue Mum—Numbers in the union work house 918, viz., 302 men, 477 women, and 139 chil dren, and 200 children at Tooting; last year 258 men, 414 women, and 83 -children; with the same number at Tooting —total, 755 in the house. Christ mas fare—boiled round of beef, 'plum pudding, and vegetables, liberally supplied, and one pint of porter each. No return of number or out-door poor. Total receiving in-door relief 1,118, and increase this year of number over last Christmas 163. ST. MART, NEWINGTOI.---IDMSteS of the , house 348, viz., men 125, boys 18, women 173, girls 32. In consequence of the number of applicants for ad mission exceeding that which the Poor-law Board had estimated as sufficient accommodation for the poor in the workhouse, the board of guardians have bad to farm out at the establishment of Mr. Drouet, Grove House, Brixton, another batch, together with 94 boys and 96 girls at the establishment of Mr. Drouet at Tooting. Total in the house 412 (last year 317). Families receiving out-door relief 1,576 (last year 1,756). Increase on the in-door poor 95, decrease in out-door poor .174, total.decrease 79, and total re ceiving relief 2,052. BROMLEY ITiciort.--Inmatee 210, able-bodied men 28, temporarily disabled 28,:aged men 60; able women 11, aged women' 20, temporarily disabled 15 ; boys 25, _ _ girls 20, infants 3 (last year 188). No return of number of out-door poor. Christmas fare— roast beef and plum pudding, as much as they can' eat The adults one pint of ale, and children half a pint, with oranges, nuts, &c. Increase 82. BRIMMED lINIck ..—lnmates of union 453 (last year 471). Men 147, women 144, children 162. Christmas-day fare—jib. of roast beef, lib of potatoes, 11b..0f plUm pudding, one• pint of beer, with snuff, &c., to the adults; fruit, &c., to the children. De crease this year as compared with last 18. ST. GEORGE'S-IN-THR-EAST.--Inmates of the work house 947 (last year 969), viz., able-bodied, disabled, eld, and infirm men 246, women 487, children farmed at Tooting 214 ; number of out-door poor 2,0 3 5 (last Christmas 2,005). 'The , inmates of ; this house regaled on Christmas-day with roast beef, plum pud ding, and potatoes ad libitum, with one pint of porter, tea, sugar, &0., to each adult. Decrease on in-door poor 22 1 increase on out-door poor 30 ; total increase 8, and total number receiving relief 2,952. ST. LEONARD, SHOREDITCH.—Inmates 870 (Dec. 25, 1847,.895), men 256, women 402, children 212 ; the out-door pour consiste . of 1,700 families, averaging about 8 in each, in all amounting to 6,950 persons. Christmas-day fare—to each adult 6oz. of roast beef, 41b. of baked potatoes, klb. of plum pudding, and one pint of ale; children Soz. of roast . ' beef, baked pota toes, pudding, &c., and one pint of ale between three, also oranges, nuts, figs, &c. Decrease in in-door poorois compared withlast year, 25 ; total number receiving relief 6,820. STEPNEY UNION..—Total inmates of the four workhouses belonging to the union, 1,314 (last year they were 1 316), 296 men, 550 women, and 468 children, - Number on the books for out-door relief 3,650 (last Christmas 2,981). The board of guardians have directed that the inmates of the four workhouses of the union have a liberal supply of good old Eng lish fare of roast beef and plum pudding, with one pint of porter for each 'adult, and apples and oranges for the children on Christmas-day. Decrease of in door poor as compared witk last year 2 ; increase in out-poor poor 669 ; total increase 667, and gross number receiving relief in the union 4,964. ST. GEORGE THE MARTYR, SOUTHWARIC.—TotaI number in the workhouse in Mint-street and at Lewisham 550 (no return of last year). In the workhouse, men 134, women 185, boys 48 , girls 37. At Lewisham, men 1, women 14, boys 78, girls 53. Fare, roast legs of pork, plum pudding, potatoes and porter; no return given of the number of out-door, poor. EAST LONDON UNION (ALDEESGATE WORK- Houss.)—lnmates 184 (last year 180). All the in mates to be regaled oa Christmas-day.with roast beef, plum pudding, and a pint of strong beer each ; in crease this year over last 4. CHILDREN'S ESTATE, ENFlELD.—lnmates 240 children belonging to the Edmonton Union (last year 200) ; adult males 4, females 20, boys 126, girls 00. Christmas fare—Breakfast : bread and butter, with tea and milk porridge. Dinner : six ounces of roast beef, .11b. of plum pudding, and one pint of porter to adults, and children proportionately; increase this year 40. INDUSTRIAL SCHOOLS, NORWOOD (A unnes).— Number of children belonging to the city of London and the other metropolitan 'parishes and unions 1,100 (last year 1,000). The children will be supplied on Christmas-day with roast beef, plum pudding, and vegetables ad libitum, with coffee and bread and butter in the evening. Two sermons, addressed to the children, will be preached by the Rev. Richard Goldham, chaplain to the establishment. Increased number this year over last 100. INDUSTRIAL PAUPER SCHOOLS (DROUET'S), TOOT.. ma.—lnmates about 1,300 children, from the following parishes and unions George's-in-the- East, Kennington Union, St. Luke, Chelsea; St. Mary, Newington ; St.:James, Clerkenwelli; Isling ton, St. Pancras,' the Strand, Holborn, Wandsworth, Fulham, Richmond, and Kingston unions (last year 1,000). The children (the extra expenses being borne by the various parishes ;and unions) will be regaled with roast beef, potatoes, plum pudding, and porter. The elder girls to have cakes, &c., in the evening. Increase as compared with last year 300. WHITICHAPEL UNiON.—lnmates of the workhouse 647, viz., men 188, women 423, children 36 (last Christmas, in the house 659, men 207, women 409, children 43). Out-door poor at present receiving relief, 374 men, 195 women, and 1,344 children — total, 2,613 (last Christmas 277 men, 775 women, 1,142 children—total, 2,194). The board of guar dians have given directions that the in-door poor be provided with a Christmas-day fare of roast beef, plum pudding, and beer. Decrease in the number of in-door poor, as compared with the corresponding pe riod last year, 12 ; increase on the number of out door poor 419—total increase, as compared with last year, 407, and gross number receiving relief, 3,272. SAINT LURE'S, MIDDLESRX.—Inmates of the work house, City-road 672; namely-160 men, 315 women, 103 boys, and 94 girls (corresponding period last year, 184 men, 314 women, 101 boys, and 78 girls— total, 677). • The out-door poor, 1,374 (last year 1,138). On Christmas-day the inmates are to be supplied with Boz. of the very best roast beef, 11b. of plum pudding, and 1 pint of Whitbread's porter to each individual ; also a distribution of oranges, to bacco, and snuff. Decrease in out-door poor 5 ; in crease in in-door poor, as compared with the cor responding period last year, 236—total increase 231. Gross number in the parish receiving relief, 2,046. WANDSWORTH AND CLAPHAM Umovt.—Number in the house at the present time 432, viz., young men 94, old men 121, boys from nine to sixteen IS, from two to nine 10, young women 37, old women 99, girls from nine to sixteen 6, girls from two to nine 19, infants 19. (On the 25th of December, 1847; 443): Christinas-day fare to adults, half a pound of roast beef without bone, one pound of pota toes, one pound of plum pudding, and one pint of porter. Children fed in proportion to their ages, and to be treated with oranges and nuts in the afternoon. All the inmates, without distinction of class, have tea. No return of the number of out-door poor. . Increase of in-dcior poor, as compared with last year, 19. By the foregoing details it will be found, in those parishes and unions enumerated, that there are nearly 10,000 of our poor fellow-creatures who will partake of the good things of Christmas?day (the actual num bers cast up produce a gross of 70,856). There has been' an increase in the number of poorin most of the parishes, amounting in the aggregate to 6,797, as compared with the numbers at this period last year, whereas there is _only a decrease of pauperism in six districts, amounting in the whole to 1,898, out of which decrease 1,536 belong to Marylebone, chiefly arising from the circumstance mentioned in the par e. graph relating to that parish.—Obeerver. [ADVIIRTISEMBNT.]-4pprehended Approach of Cholera.—lt is feared that Asiatic Cholera is again ois its way to this country. No disease attacks more sud denly, and none proves so fatal, unless proper means be promptly applied for its removal. It proceeds, in most cases, from a redundancy and putrid acrimony of the bile; and the results are heart-burn, flatulency, pains of the stomach and bowels, cramp in the extremities, pal pitation 'of the heart, faintinga, and convulsions. The Vegetable Restorative Pills, prepared by John Kaye, Esq., of Dalton-hall, near Huddersfield, will effectually cleanse the stomach and bowels from all vitiated hu mours, and restore the various functions to their proper tone. If plentiful doses of these pills be taken, and na ture be further assisted by applying bottles of hot water to the feet, the disorder will very soon be checked, and a cure completed in.a few days. And it is important to know that these pills prove of admirable use as a preven tive'of that fearful malady, by strengthening the whole nervous system, and preserving all the organs in a healthy tone. None are genuine unless Mr. Kaye's coat of arras and a fac-simile of his signature are found en the di rections for use, wrapped round each box. Price ls. 14d., 25. 9d., and 4s. 6d. each box. Sold by all re spectable Medicine Venders. " I hold,'! said a western newspaper proprietor, with dignified emphasis, hold it as a self-evident principle, that no man should take a newspaper three. consecutive years without making at least an apology for not paying for it. : SUICIDE OF - A -- LADY BY BLOW- ING OUT HER BRAINS. On Friday evening last an inquest was held upon the body of Mrs. Twynam, the wife of Dr. Twynam, of Know lr Hill, near Bishopstoke. The unfortunate lady, who had been for some time in a state of mental depression, destroyed herself by discharging the con tents of a gun through her head on Friday morning. The jury, having been sworn, proceeded to view the body, which presented a most dreadful appearance, one-half of the head being literally blown off, and the features scarcely recognisable even by those who knew her well. A more appalling sight has been rarely witnessed. _ _ _ Sarah Barber, housemaid in the family of the deceased, said her age was about 62. She has been in a bad state of .health lately, but she had kept about. She generally seemed in pretty good spirits. Saw no change in her this morning. Nothing had occurred to annoy her that she knew of. Saw her after she got up, about half-past seven o'clock. She breakfasted with Dr. Twynam ; after breakfast she went for a walk, and witness went with her. Upon their return deceased told her to send the cook fur orders for dinner. She then desired witness to go up and dust the drawing room. She was gone about two minutes. On coming down stairs she met the cook, and went into the room, which smelt of gunpowder, and there was a good deal of smoke in it. Witness was much alarmed, and ran to call Mrs. Year, who came down directly, and upon seeing the appearance presented by the deceased Mrs. Year covered her head over with an apron. They had been obliged to keep knives out of her way for some time. About a month ago she cut her left arm with a table knife, but it was not known whether by accident or not. Deceased had once tried to take poison, - but had been prevented. Sometimes she seemed lost when talking upon any subject. Witness was ordered by Dr. Twynam to at tend her when walking. She could not get along without assistance. This evidence was confirmed ley Mrs. Vear, by the cook, and by a carpenter at work upon the premises, who was called in. Mrs. Tear said the deceased had once asked her to get something that would , carry her off quickly. - • Mr. Goldstone, surgeon, deposed that he saw the body of the deceased - lying back in the easy chair, the head reclining to the right side. The left side was very much shattered. The face had dark marks, like that of gunpowder. A portion of the lower jaw was driven through. The charge appeared to have gone through the mouth; thi left aide of the head and a large portion of the .contents were carried away. The poker was close to the right hand. The gun was lying between her knees, with the stock on th e ground, and the barrels pointed towards the head. It appeared to him that deceased discharged the gun by touching the trigger with the poker. It must have caused instant death. Mr. Wilson said that Mrs. Twynam was afflicted with a disease of the brain, which subjected her to aberration of the mind. She was incoherent in her manner, sometimes more, sometimes less. It affected her whole nervous system. She had not entire control over herself. The jury returned a verdict .of " Temporary in sanity." Tan WEATHEZ.—PAaus.—The frost continued on Friday, with a slight diminution in intensity. At six in the morning the thermometer was at 5 4-10ths below zero, centigrade (2,1 i Fahrenheit), but at twelve o'clock Cit rose to 1 9-10ths C . (2$ F.). In consequence of the frost the constructions in masonry are suspended. RUSSIAN GRAIN AND SEED.—According to RD official statement just issued, the importations of Russian corn and seed into Great Britain, from St. Petersburgh, during the year 1848, have been as follows:—Wheat, 248,797 chetwerts; oats, 81,550 ditto; rye, 12,893 ditto; peas, 11,631 ditto; and linseed, 282,340 ditto. Fourteen chetwerts are equal to 10 quarters English. DISTANCE !ROM THE UNITED STATES TO:EN. LAND.—Frequent disputes as to the distances sailed by the Atlantic steamers has led to the compilation of the following table, for reference now and hereafter:— By Mercator's Sailing. Miles. Boston Dock to Liverpool Dock ... ... 2,833 Battery, New York, to Liverpool Dock ... 3,034 Boston Dock to Southampton Dock ... 2,882 Battery, New York, to Southampton7Dock 3,156 By Mercator and Great Circle. Boston Dock to Liverpool Dock ... 2849 Battery, New York, to Liverpool Dock ... 3,023 Boston Dock to Southampton Dock ... 2,849 Battery, New York, to Southampton Dock 3,087 These calculations ,allow for the detour made by the British steamers in touching at Halifax.—Liverpool SouTruatrroN, SUNDAY.--The Peninsular Orien tal Company's steam-ship Indus, Captain John Soy, arrived this morning et nine o'clock, and landed the Southampton portion of the Indian mail, in charge of Lieutenant D'Aranda, RN., Admiralty agent. The freight of the Indus consssts of 172 packages of specie, valued at 80,8001., on merchants' account ; 30 boxes of oranges ;33 bales of silk; one cask of opium ; and 84 packages of general merchandise. The Indus left at Alexandria, her Majesty's steamer Flamer ; at Malta, Ceylon, Volage, Merlin, and Medina ; at Gibraltar, steamer Polyphemus. Stations of Vessels of Foreign States :—Alexandria : Four line-of-battle-ships, two frigates, three corvettes, and two steamers (Egyptian) ; French steam frigates, Panama and Eurotes ; Turkish steam•frigate Stamboul ; Malta: Russian _brig of war, Theseus. The Indus brought home 68 first-class pas sengers, and 20 second-class. COWES, IslA OF WI•LIT, DEC. 21. Egypt House, Harriet Lodge, Busegney House, Claremont House, and several others have been let for the winter; indeed, this town is full( r of company than known for years. The air which has been very mild (even the myrtles in blossom in the law.4s) bas this morning set in frosty. Barometer, 30.00; Thermometer, 31. James Cockburn, Esq., is appointed stipendiary magistrate in the Mauritius. John Hare, Esq., is ap pointed clerk in the Treasurer's-office, Hong-Kong.— Observer. TEE CAEINET.—The Ministers are expected to assemble in town in the second week of January. Lord John Russell leaves Woburn Abbey on Tuesday next for his residence in Richmond Park. Sir George Grey returns to town in the second week of next month from his seat, Fallodou, Alnwick. Lord Lansdowne is ex pected about the same time from his seat, Bowood Park, Wilts. The Chancellor of the Exchequer returns from his residence, Hickleton Hall, Doncaster. Mr. Labouchere is expected from Stoke Park. Lord Camp bell returns from Hartrigge House, Roxburghshire. Lord Grey is expected from Howick Hall, and Lord Carlisle from Castle Howard. POSTAL COMMUNICATIONS WITH FRANCE.—The Marquis of Clanricarde, the Postmaster-General, has just returned from Paris, where his Lordship has been for the purpose of arranging the mode in which the postal communications between the two countries should be carried on after the expiration of this month, at which period the present convention will terminate. The French Government profess themselves unable to perform the mail service between Dover and Boulogne by their packets ; but, as it would be unjust towards the British Government and to our seamen to impose upon them exclusively the greater danger, labour, and expense of that route, it is intended to dispatch both the day and night mails to France via Calais after the 15th of next month. The mail dispatched from Paris in the evening will reach London just as quickly as heretofore, not withstanding the change of route; but it is to be feared that there will be a delay of at least one hour in the arrival at Paris of the night mail from London. This will doubtless be a serious inconvenience to the com mercial community of that metropolis, bat the blame must fall upon the French Government. During his stay in Paris the Noble Marquis had several interviews with the Post-office authorities of France, and dis cussed with them the expediency of reducing the present rates of postage on the letters passing between the two countries. The subject is still under consideration, but there is every reason to believe that the liberal offers made by her Majesty's Postmaster-General will be ac cepted by the French Government, although, as the Minister of Finance had not then been appointed, it was impossible to ascertain positively that the views of our Government were satisfactory to that of France. At present the cost of a letter to or from France, if it be paid in this country, is ten pence, of which five pence goes to each post-office. This rate is obviously too an highd w i thw e n thatco compared a r t ewdo panto,with t h e whichin l inland will nd rate b England, d rate of Franc e , on an d a f ter the Ist &unaryan . Observer. Slz Lxvis LOST.—g very deplorable :accident, by which six persons lost their lives, occurred at an early hour on Friday • morning, at the Bantillo Col liery, the property of Messrs. Bridgwood and Co.. situate about three miles from Hanley. It appears that about sia ' o clock, five men and one boy went to there employment, and were in the act of being lowered down the shaft of the pit, when the link of the chain to which the corfe was attached snapped asunder, and the whole of the unfortunate crea tures were precipitated to the bottom, a distance of 360 feet. They were all horribly mangled, scarcely a bone remaining ' but what was broken to pieces. It is need less to state that every person was killed on the spot. Their names are Thomas Battany, a single man ; Jo seph Jones, a married man, with one child ; William Cotton, a married man, with four children ; Charles Harlestone, a married man, with one child ; Will With cote, a married man, with three childr en ; an d J asper Derricote, a lad. ANOTHER CHARTIST Liss.nna AnscorirDED.— A fellow named James Frankland, secretary to the Preston Loan Society, has, by means of adding figures in his book to sums lent, and inserting sums as lent which were never lent at all, defrauded the society of 5001, vyith which he has got clear off to America. HO was a professing teetotaller and an ardent Chartist.— /tiewcastle Journal. A HAZARDOUS ENGAGIMEINT.—In one of the assize courts on Monday, a female, who represented her self to be a widow, was asked if she had ever been mar ried. She. replied in the affirmative. " Well," said the Learned Counsel, " and were you not told beforehand that the man to whom you were about to be married had had nineteen wives and did you not say 'Never mind, then, I'll be the twentieth?' " The woman denied that she had been so venturesome.—Yorkshire Gazette. The followingls the number of arrests made by the members of the police department in New York for the last six month:—For assault and battery, 1,442; mil• conduct, 2,143; fighting in the street, 176; intoxication ,_ 6,6l3; vagrancy, 139; grand larceny, 259; petty b ow cony, 1,474; suspicion of larceny, 238; burglary, 66; and , murder, 7; making a total 4f 14 ! 201 arrests kit crimes. eB4,V bn‘c ‘4.4at DE ►le nt or k_ rt e _ ; I `l _.~: ti ,