The Sun. — London, England, 1848-01-20 00:00:00

LITERATURE. THE DRAWING-ROOM TABLE-BOOK. By Mrs. S. C. Hull. The name of the "Drawing-room Table Book" sufficiently expresses the purpose for which it was designed, namely, to grace a drawing-room table, and afford half an hour's amusement to whomsoever may chance to turn over its pages ; and the beautiful engravings, and poems, and sketches with which it is filled fully attest its ability to carry out such a de sign. But at the same time, the name of its authoress assures us that the " Drawing-room Table-Book " is qualified to assume a more prominent position than its own title would lead us to ;imagine; and its con tents fully corroborate that assurance. In the various tales and sketches here assembled, Mrs. Hall has displayed the various powers of her entertaining pen. " The Dark Lady " is, of course, a legendary romance, and the " Old Man's Wife " is a very beautiful do mestic tale ; the " Way of the World" happily illus trates a convenient habit, which most people have, of attributing the origin of all their good fortune to themselves, and of all their ill luck to "the world." The "First Sorrow" contains some very judicious remarks upon education. "The Latest News" is one of those graphic sketches in which Mrs. Hall peculiarly excels, and it is not the only one contained in the " Drawing-room Table-Book• An engraving of " Titian in his Studio" has suggested to the editress some very interesting and truthful re flections about pictures in general, and the great in fluence which they frequently possess. She relates several anecdotes in reference to what is appropriately termed " the moral of a picture ;" among others that of an unjust and extortionate old usurer being so greatly terrified by a painting of the Lord driving the money-changers from the Temple that he—aban doned his iniquitous practices in consequence. The prose tales and sketches in this volume are all con tributed by Mrs. Hall, but the poems are by various writers, including Miss Power and Camilla Toulmin. The engravings with which the " Table Book " is bountifully adorned are many of them very beau tiful. THE LAST OF THE FAIRIES. By G. P. B. James. Parry. In " Christmas books " a profusion of illustrations and embellishments is apparently deemed indispen sable. All, or almost all, are consequently distin guished for the elegance of their appearance and the beauty of their decorations. But in the " Last of the Fairies " a more than ordinary care seems to have been bestowed upon external attractions. In addition to the usual accompaniment of numerous engravings in illustration of the story, every page of the whole volume is surrounded by a fanciful border. These borders are of various hues and various patterns, some representing graceful wreaths of flowers, others formal arabesques, others imaginary devices, but all are remarkable for extreme elegance of design and delicacy of colouring, and their combination imparts a very pleasing effect to the little volume. The " Last of the Fairies" is not, as its name would lead us to believe, a fairy tale, indeed the title appears to be a misnomer, and although not exactly told so, we are given to understand that the last of the fairies was no fairy at all 1 The narrative is divided into three " epochs." " Epoch the first" refers to the final struggles of the Cavaliers and Roundheads, and contains an account of the battle of Worcester. " Epoch the second" tells of the days of the Common wealth, and " Epoch the third" of the Restoration. The plot is exceedingly simple, but the characters are many of them very interesting, and their dif ferent peculiarities are effectively portrayed. Here and there we meet with some pleasing sentiment or truthful thought, and the whole tale is narrated in that smooth and pleasant style which characterises most of the writings of Mr James. FORTUNE AND FORTITUDE. By Thomas Miller. The name of this little book is almost a sermon in itself, at least it is calculated to awaken some be neficial reflections by thus putting in juxtaposition two words somewhat similar in sound, but very dif ferent in signification—fortune and fortitude. So apt are men to " call good evil and evil good," that, if given the choice, very few would hesitate as to which of these to prefer. The fickle goddess would be the universal favourite, although every reflecting person would be compelled to acknowledge her ina bility to afford sure happiness; whereas the possession of fortitude renders a man almost independent of cir cumstances, and superior to misfortune. Whether is it more desirable to have wealth or power itself, with the chance of losing it at any moment, or to possess the means of acquiring, and perhaps retaining, wealth and power, or at least of ensuring happiness with or without them ? Such is the question asked and an swered by Thomas Miller's Christmas book. And very effectively is it answered, and the truth of the answer demonstrated by illustrations . In the lives of Jack Hardy, the son of a poor washer woman, and of Augustus Errantdale, the heir of a wealthy family, the different advantages of fortune and fortitud e are ver y f orc ibly ex emplified. The most interesting part of the narrative is that which records the adventures of honest, persevering Jack. His gra dual rise and progress is detailed with a minuteness that gives it an air of actuality, and renders it very attractive. The successful career of Jack appears in striking contrast to the unhappy history of his " for tunate" companion. The pictures of humble life, and the incidental a ll us i ons t o rural scenes contained n this volum e , are g i ven i n Th omas Miller's usually tfelicitous manner w h en speaking of such themes. Thei llustrations, which adorn this little work a re somewhat strange accompaniments to the writings of , such an author, being a series of views of the public buildings of London, not inappropriately introduced, however, as the s tory relates to the metropolis , And were it otherwise, country scenes would be super fluous, as the author of " Rural Sketches" pourtrays them so effectively with his pen. " Fortune and For titude," b es id es being an interesting little tale, is valuable as affording an useful lesson and a most en couraging example. A PLOT AND A PEERAGE. Although this tale occupies only a single and somewhat diminutive volume, yet, from the intricacy of its' plot, and the variety of its characters, it bears considerable affinity to the ordinary three-tomed novel. However, it makes its appearance in a crimson cover along with the Christmas books, and accordingly with them we number it. The personages who play a part in this " Plot" are, as we have already inti mated, very numerous, and the whole narrative is crowded with adventures. The " Plot" for obtaining the " Peerage " is occasioned by the following cir cumstances At the opening of the tale we find that Lord Petersham, an English Peer, has recently died abroad, where he had been resident for many years; and we furthermore disc Over, that before his departure from England he had been privately married, and had entrusted the charge of an infant son and heir to a Mr. Brandon, who had brought him up w i th h i s o wn Bon.. Owing, however, to the ill-treatment of this Mr. Brandon both boys had "run away." On the death of Lord Petersham, a claimant for the " Peerage" comes forward in the person of one Staunton, a man of great cunning and cleverness, who declares himself to be the missing heir. his " plot" is almost suc cessful, and he nearly attains the desired " peerage,'' when first one and then the other of the missing youths makes his appearance, no one knowing which of the three individuals is Lord Petersham, except Mr. Brandon, a most unprincipled man, whose word can not be relied on. From this brief summary it will be seen that the "plot" is very intricate, and sufficiently interesting. It is detailed in a very lively and animated manner, but the general effect would be more pleasing were not many of the charac ters evidently caricatures. The political sentiments of Mr. Shuttleworth—a thorough democrat and libeller, who, on finding Lord Petersham turns out to be his nephew, suddenly becomes awakened to the excellence of the aristocracy—are effectively described. Unlike the other Christmas books, this work contains no illustrations, but the author happily expresses a hope that his conceptions may be welcome to his readers, although not iatroduced "by the graphic card of a mutual artistic acquaintance. /ESOP'S FABLES, Versified and Set to Music. In the history of 2Esop it is narrated that once during the time of his servitude, a merchant, on ex posing him for sale in the public slave market, placed him between two beautiful white slaves, in order that his exceeding ugliness might render their charms more conspicuous. We are irresi stibl y reminded of this anecdote by the appearance of this little volume, in which the inimitable fables of the Phrygian philo sopher appear in the fair companionship of poetry and music. We are ignorant of the result of the slave merchant's speculation ; we do not know whether he found a readier sale for his wares in co nse q uence of his cunning arrangement of show ; but w e should imagine that the happy combination of wit and wis dom, " versified and set to music," would re nder this little volume generally attractive. It possesses the higher and valuable qualifications of tending to make its readers merry and wise. THE SCIENTIFIC AND PRACTICAL AGRI• CULTURIST. We have received the first number of a new peri odical, which combines some of the features of both a newspaper and a magazine, inasmuch as its appear ance and general arrangement bears a strong resem blance to the former, and, like the latter, it is to be issued once a month. !Ike Scientific and Practical Agriculturist is, as its name implies, to be devoted almost entirely to agricultural interests. Its intro ductory address promises fair, as will be seen from the following extract : " The most prominent object of this journal is to stir up the farmers to experiments, and to communicate the result of their exertions through the medium of our pages, free of charge; and we specially invite them to do so with regard to all experiments made on crops? THE SUnT„ LONDON, TiI z URSDAY EVENINCI, JANUARY 20, 1848. stating the quantity of land on which such trials were made, the nature of the soil, the mode of cultivation adopted, the quantity and description of manure applied, the seed, its kind, and quantity, harvesting, amount of produce per acre, &c., &c. We desire, also, to facilitate an intercourse among the member of farmers' clubs, so that each society may avail itself of the experience of the rest; by which means the direction of all may be improved, and their prosperity promoted. The politics and gossip of the day are excluded from the work. It is a monthly record of everything that bears upon the science and practice of agriculture; and includes, besides a large portion of original matter on general subjects, every interesting particular relative to the cultivation of hops, and to agricultural science; such as draining, sub soil-ploughing, cultivating, cleansing, and manuring land; the most approved alternation of crops, with the best plans for their management, &c. The importance of testing soils by chemical agency, and every informa tion as to the proper adaptation of the manures suited to their natural requirements, is duly insisted on and de scribed; everything relating to farming and farm manage meat, faithfully recorded, and a review given of every agricultural publication and implement of husbandry worthy of note. No subject of importance to the agri culturist, which may appear in any other publication, is omitted; so that the journal may, with advantage, be treasured up as a valuable book of reference. " As the breeding, rearing, and management of live stock form a most important item in the economy of the farm, particular attention is paid to this department; and the most approved rules are laid down for the successful prosecution of this essential object, as regards dairy and feeding stock,—horses, cows, sheep, pigs, and poultry, Condensed, but accurate notices of the principal corn, cattle, and produce markets, and fairs, that aro held during the month are given; as also prices of foreign grain, and grain averages; reports of the meetings and proceedings of agricultural, horticultural, and kindred societies, with concise notices of the most important business transacted at the meetings of similar asso ciations; with reports of cattle and green crop competitions, ploughing matches, &c., &c. " Besides the topics already enumerated, the Scientific and Practical Agriculturist contains rural sketches of domestic life, scientific and literary information, and, as far as is practicable, endeavours to meet those intel lectual wants, which are to be found in every family: and while it seeks to combine instructive ♦ariety for the more experienced reader, it does not omit to glean for the young. Its aim is to instruct by solid truths and useful information, rather than to excite by flashes of wit, and tales of imagination; to warm rather than to dazzle; to look to the use and perfection of the fruit, rather than to the beauty of the flower. A monthly summary of the most important national and continental events is inserted, thus rendering the work the record and repository of all that is interesting to the farmer and general reader." How far these promises will be realised must be seen hereafter, but the first number begins well; it con tains, among other things, some excellent remarks on the education of farmers, and a good deal of useful advice on agricultural matters. But we are inclined ,o believe that the most valuable feature of this journal will be the reports of experiments which it promises to contain, as they cannot fail to afford both encouragement and assistance to the experimental and practical agriculturist. OUR ARTILLERY ESTABLISH MENTS. TO THE EDITOR OF THE TIMES. Sir,— The increase made to the number of men of the artillery will furnish a valuable addition of gun ners for the service of our coast batteries and our numerous garrisons : but, unless a considerable ad dition be made to the present establishment of horses, the Royal Artillery will not be able to add a single gun to its field batteries, or to carry out the system of instruction for the new raised men beyond the most ordinary standing duties of the artillery soldier. The trained artillery horse is as necessary for the service of a field-gun as the well-trained and disci plined gunner. Without horses accustomed to the work a field battery cannot be manoeuvred. Much speculation has been exhausted on the sub ject of a French invasion, and the probable strength of an army making the attempt has, by professional and non-professional writers, been estimated at 40,000 men. Forty thousand Frenchmen, landing in Sussex, would bring with them at least 60 pieces of cannon —we will suppose French 8-pounders (their usual field-gun), equal in calibre to our 9-pounder. To oppose these guns we should require a battery of fifty 9-pounders, Foot Artillery guns, each gun drawn by four horses, and to eash its ammunition waggon, also drawn by four horses. W e should require, in horses For 50 guns 5.4 4 •••• • 2OO For 50 waggons Ps 4 ... 2OO For spare carriages, one-eighth of all 50 —450 Add — Spare horses to supply accidents ..... 25 To mount officers (3 per company) being 1 officer to '2 guns •• 25 Total horses .. . - 60 500 The Horse Artillery at Woolwich (about three skeleton troops of two guns each), with the Rocket Troop, will, perhaps, make together 12 guns. If they have horses for their waggons they would be very fortunate. We have now completed our battery on paper; we oppose to 60 French cannon 62 British—about gun for gun. How many of the 500 horses required, trained, and disciplined, can Woolwich furnish ? Supposing that the Foot Artillery, with their present esta blishment, could horse 50 guns, can they horse their waggons ? It not—if they have not horses for 50 guns, letting alone the 50 waggons, spare carriages and officers' horses, then, in such an emergency, posthorses would have to be hired for the service of the Artillery. Then comes another query—Can the Foot Artillery furnish 250 drivers for the 500 horses required ?—for all the horses, regimental and hired, must be driven by artillerymen, and my estimate, as every Artillery officer will admit, is below the full field complement. We will suppose our battery exchanging fire with the French battery (a probable contingency), a line of waggons (ammunition) in the rear of the guns 50 yards, a scene of noise and necessary confusion, and that confusion increased by the unsteadiness f the horses, unaccustomed to firing—kicking and plung ing—while the drivers, unused to the horses, can scarely hold them. The Duke's letter has somewhat damped the confidence of our over-sanguine dreamers. If so great an authority considers that courage and numbers must be aided and directed by discipline, the same wise maxim equally applies to every subordinate detail in the means of averting invasion. In the emergency contemplated, the public relies upon the powerful aid of our artillery. The artillery is expected to restore the balance, to make a half disciplined army equal to the succesful encounter with the disciplined and veteran troops of an invader. Well, be it so ; but where so much is expected, some thing ought to be given. Men cannot make bricks without straw,—neither can the soldier fight without weapons. If the efficiency of cavalry depends as much on the training of the horse as of the rider, not less does the active power of field artillery depend on the perfect training of the artillery horse. The Government has given a large number of re cruits to the Artillery,—let them now add horses. Horses, in fair proportion, have been added to the strength of the cavalry regiments,—is the Artillery alone to be left in a crippled state ? Should this letter he worthy a place in your co lumns, I hope to show that the two elements of strength in which the Artillery is most deficient may be sup plied without any ruinous expense to the state. Accept this from your humble servant, AN OLD LIEUTENANT FIREWORKER. January 18. ANECDOTES OF SIR GEORGE ETHEREGE. — There was formerly at or near Charing-cross a famous ordi nary, kept by one Locket. It is often mentioned in the plays of Cibber, Vanburgh, &c., and was much frequented by Sir George Etherege. On one occasion, Sir George and his company, provoked by something amiss in the entertainment or attendance, got into a violent passion, and abused the waiters. This brought in Mrs. Locket. "We are so provoked," said Sir George, " that even I could find in my heart to pull the nosegay out of your bosom, and throw the flowers in your face." This turned all their anger into jest. Sir George discontinued Locket's ordinary, having run up a score, which he could not conveniently discharge. Mrs. Locket sent one to dun him, and to threaten him with a prosecution. He bid the messenger tell her that he would kiss her if she stirred a step in it. W hen this answer was brought back, she called for her hood and scarf, and told her husband, who interposed, that " she would see if there was any fellow alive that had theimpudence." " Pry'thee, my dear, do not be so rash," said her husband, " you do not know what a man may do in his passion."—Liverpool Albion. A JUVENILE DULL.—On Friday morning last a contours e of boys wete gathered together near Pitville circus, and, by their violent gestures, appeared to' be quarrelling. Soon after, one of the party, by name Cooke, left the group and ran a distance of about fifteen yards, when, turn in g round, he fired a pistol at a boy named Hughes. Tho latter seemed determined to have satisfaction, and proceeded a little distance along the road, apparently with the intention of performing a similar manoeuvre. When the two youths were about twenty yards apart, Hughes turned round and fired a pistol at Cooke, who received some of the shots in his shoulder and thigh. Mr. J. Russell and Mr. William Boodle happened to be passing at the time, and obseyv ing the circumstance, immediately secured the parties, and conveyed them to the station-house. They were brought up to the public office for examination on Sa turday, but they were remanded to Monday,—Cheltenham Chronicle. In compliance with their solicitation, the editors of the journals of Mithich have been authorised by the Government to refrain from inserting articles in which suppressions may have been made by the censors. Under the ministry of M. Abel they were compelled to publish every article, however mutilated by the censor , ship, under the penalty of a heavy fine. IRISH SI 'ECIAL COMMISSION. MONDA Y, JAN. 17.—The Chief Justice and Chief Baron sat th is morning at half• past 10 o'clock. CLEARY'S MURDI'3IC.- —SENTENCE OF DEATH UPON THE CONVICTS BUTL: BR AND HOURIGAN.—At the sitting of their Lord ships the two men, Michael Butler and Matthew Hourigan, convicted of the murder of Patrick ( Bleary upon Saturday, were placed at the bar, and asked by the Clerk of the Crown if they had ything to say why sentence of death and execution should not be pronounced against them. The prisoners, bo 4 ,1 of whom exhibited the same indifference as was di isplayed by all the other convicts sentenced during the Commission, remained perfectly silent, neither admitting nor denying their guilt. Their Lordships h aving put on their black caps, The CHIEF BARON proceeded to pronounce the awful sentence of the law. He said that on the pre vious Court day it was his most painful; duty to sentence two men to be executed for the wilful murder of a gentleman, who met with his death in consequence of a dispute which arose out of land; but that case was of quite a different character, for it appeared that the unfortunate deceased never held an acre of ground in his life, and was therefore bar barously mug - dered for some other motive totally apart from agrarian outrage. His Lordship havitig recapitulated the facts of Cleary's murder, concluded by imploring the convicts to make the best use of the short time left to them in this world in asking forgiveness fr om Heaven, and sentenced them to be executed upon the 17th of February. The prisoner Butler, who still retained his self possession, helre said, upon leaving the bar, " Well, thanks be to the Lord, we are innocent before God and Heaven." The other prisoner, Hourigan, who seemed slightly affected by the solemn announcement of his doom, also addressed the Court, but in a weak and trembling voice. He said, " We are, my Lord, innocent—as in nocent as the child unborn." CHARGE Or CONSPIRACY TO MURDER.--John Crowe, a man about 45 years of age, and of the more respectable class of farmers, was placed at the bar and indicted for having, on the 10th of May, 1847, at Ballycorney, in this county, wilfully and feloniously conspired with others to procure the murder of Mr. James Watson. It will be remembered that Patrick Rye (Small) and James Ilaye s were sentenced to be executed during the present commission for per petrating that crime in conjunction with Wm. Ryan (Puck), who was convicted in Limerick of a similar offence against another person, for which he is also doomed to death. The prisoner is a man holding l upwards of 60 acres of land—and the best in the county—at a very moderate rent. The utmost anxiety prevailed with regard to this trial, which was generally considered to be the most important upon the calendar. There were two other persons, named John Wil kinson and Michael Kelly, against whom bills were found by the grand jury, charged with the same offence as the prisoner; but Mr. O'Hea, the counsel for the defence, would not allow them to join in their challenges, consequently Crowe was given in charge to the jury alone. When the panel was about being called, Mr. FITZPATRICK, attorney for the prisoner, objected to the name of a gentleman which was called, upon the ground that he was one of the jurors who con victed Patrick Ryan and James Hayes for Mr. Watson's murder. The ATTORNEY-GENERAL said that this objection could not stand, inasmuch as the case against the prisoner was independent of the other case, although relating to the same murder. There was no ground to challenge the juror in question, but the prisoner was, of course, at liberty to challenge him peremp torily if he thought proper. Mr. FITZPATRICK said that in his couuty (Tippe rary) the Crown would not force jurors on tie pri soners who had convicted men of a charge very nearly similar. The CIIIEF JUSTICE having overruled the objection to the juror, a jury was sworn ; those gentlemen who acted in Ryan and Hayes's case, with one or two exceptions, being challenged [peremptorily by Mr. Fitzpatrick. The ATTORNEY-GENERAL then briefly stated the case for the prosecution, observing that the prisoner was indicted for an offence, which, if not actually amounting to murder, was equally penal, for the punishment in case of conviction was death. The indictment against Crowe charged him with conspir ing with others, and inciting others to perpetrate the murder of Mr. James Watson, of Ballycorney, who was agent over the property of Mr. Augustus Arthur, to whom the prisoner was tenant, and a tenant of a much better class than any of the men who were placed at the bar during the sitting of their Lordships. It would appear from the evidence that would be adduced for the prosecution, that the pri soner used every means in his power to screen him self from the charge of murder, or being in any way implicated in that crime; but it so happened that those very measures of precaution he used would be the strongest evidence of his guilt. As far as the case was investigated, or could be investigated, it would come out in the evidence that three or four weeks before the murder was committed, Mr. Watson, as agent to Mr. Arthur, was obliged to distrain the prisoner, and seize ten cows and a bull, which he sold for the landlord's rent ; shortly after which Crowe, with other parties charged, and parties ac tually convicted, was heard to say, " Perhaps the seizing of those cattle will be a dear act for Mr. Watson—perhaps he will yet pay for the cattle he has distrained." It would also be proved that several interviews took place immediately before the murder between Crow* and the two men convicted of the murder, and William Ryan (Puck), who was also a party indicted together with the men yet to be tried for conspiracy, in Crowe's house at Knockadereen, about a mile from where Mr. Watson resided ; and on the night before the commission of the murder the murderers slept in Crowe's house, and the owner of it (Crowe) took care to be absent. The Learned Gentleman having detailed the circumstances of the murder, which have been already published, said that the jury, if they had the slightest doubt as to the prisoner's guilt, should acquit him ; but if they had not, as he believed they could not have on the evi dence, they were bound to do their duty fearlessly. James Lacey, one of the witnesses in the case of Ryan and Hayes, was the first witness called, and examined by the SOLICITOR•GENERAL.—His evidence was similar to what he proved on their trial, and was to the effect that he met Ryan (Small) and another man he was not acquainted with, about 200 yards from the scene of the murder, on the day it was com mitted, one of whom had the barrel of a gun in his hand, the stock of which was broken. Mr. O'HEA cross-examined this witness, but nothing important was elicited, except that he did not give information of what he khew until he was made a prisoner himself. James Crowe, nephew to the prisoner, was then produced. He.detailed the facts of the murder, which he saw perpetrated, and next went on to give evidence more particularly relating to the present charge. He deposed that the prisoner's cows were seized by Mr. Watson and sold for the rent, and that after they were sold he heard a conversation as to their distraint; the prisoner, William Ryan (Puck), James Kelly, and others were present at the time ; and Kelly then said, " Perhaps it would be a dear busi ness to Mr. Watson." Ryan laughed at this, and the prisoner smiled. This occurred at his (witness's) uncle's place at Knockadereen. Shortly after this he saw William Ryan in his uncle's house, and knew him to sleep there. The prisoner did not sleep there, he generally slept in Killaloe, where he kept a shop. On the day of the murder witness found under Mr. Watson's body, the stock of a gun, which he hid in the Widow Kelly's haggard. It was stolen, but he would know it again (gun stock produced). He saw that stock before it was broken on Mr. Watson with Kelly. After the murder Kelly saw it with him, shortly after Mr. Watson's body was brought home, and saw him hiding it. Next day he looked for it, but it was gone, and he never saw it after wards until the last kw days. The prisoner never told him that he went to Mr. Watson's to get back the cows. He was offered back the bull, but he would not take it because they did not give him a milch-cow with it, as he wanted the milk. Cross-examined—l used to play cards, and often took my grandfather's money to play without his knowledge. The pistol I shot the dog with I ran away with from a boy named Garret Walsh. The pistol which Mr. Watson fired at Ryan (Puck) was lost, and was never found after the murder ; but I know nothing about it. I slept with Ryan (Puck) after the murder of Mr. Watson in my uncle's house. My brother John also slept with him. I never heard the prisoner say, "It is a bad job for Mr. Watson that he distrained me." (Counsel here read the witness's informationss to show that he did make this statement.). To Mr. BENNETT—I heard Ryan (Puck) and Kelly say that in presence of my uncle. John Crowe (a boy aged about twelve years)—l know the prisoner at the bar ; he is my uncle ; I am brother of James Crowe ; the night Mr. Watson was murdered, William Ryan (Puck), Wilkinson, and a boy named Michael Cruise, slept at my uncle's house ; Kelly, my uncle's servant, did not sleep in my uncle's house that night. My uncle came home in the morning, and was home before breakfast ; we were then all up ; the children were all there, and Ryan (Puck), Wilkinson, and the strange man ; my uncle and he came to the house mostly together. the strange man took five bullets off the dresser; after that my uncle, the two boys (Ryan " Puck" and the other boy), James Kelly and Wilkinson, went out to the cowhouse; they were there about half an hour. They all came into the house again but Wilkinson ; when they came hack I beard Ryan (Puck) ray that there were " good charges in them ;" I can't say who was then present, but I was there when this was said. and my uncle and Kelly, and the strange boy. I went with Michael Cruise for the horses to go and plough, when I brought them back, in half an hour, none of them were in the house; my uncle and all of them were gone. When I was coming back I saw Ity an (Puck) and Kelly, and the strange boy going down the field together, towards the high road. My uncle was at Ballyquin that day, at Mr. Arthur's. Cross-examined—My uncle turned me out about th3cee months after this. Andrew Quilinan—l know Ryan (Small). I re member lending him ls. 6d. I saw him at Killaloe four or five days before the murder. We went into Crowe's house, and he called for some spirits, and when it was nearly drank the prisoner came up. He asked who I was, and said to Ryan he wanted to have some words withhim. I then left the place. Before I left I asked him for the ls. 6d.; he did not pay it, but said he would have it in a very short time. After Mr. Watson's murder he showed me 51., but he had not change to pay me. I cannot read. Garret Shaughnessy --I live in Limerick; I was committed to the gaol there before last Christmas. The prisoner was in the yard of the gaol with me. We slept in the same cell for three nights. I asked him what brought him there ? He said it was sus picion of Mr. Watson's murder. On the next day he said he was glad he had a friend to speak to, and told me that when he was Coming to prison he was going to give his wife some money he had about him, but the constable told him he might want it. We slept together. He told me that there were 13 head of cattle of his canted, and that before Mr. Watson was murdered he brought his note to Mr. Watson to raise money, and that he refused him. He then said he expected " God or man would not blame him to kill that ruffian ;" after that he stated that ,he went to Glonomera on the day of the murder; he said his wife's cousin told him to be there that day, and have good witnesses, or he should suffer for all; the prisoner also spoke of his servant, James Kelly, being charged with the business, and that, " thank God, nothing was got out of him ;" we used to talk together from breakfast to dinner ; he said something about a gun ; he stated that he gave it to Hayes, and only got the barrel of it back. Cross-examined—l told all this in about three days after ; I told it to a man named Forrest—a man who is married to my own second cousin; Mr. Browne then came to me, and I made the information; I heard very little of a reward, and it had no influence on me ; I was never charged about anything but the butter; I am not tried yet; my trial stands over; I believe Forrest was convicted ; I believe the prisoner told Forrest something about the business. Michael Whelan—On the day of Mr. Watson's murder the prisoner called to see my master, Mr. Arthur; he waited there, off and on, until the report came that Mr. Watson was dead. Mr. O'HEA. addressed the jury in a most eloquent speech for the defence, and called Michael Cruise—l remember the day Mr. Watson was murdered, and the night before it • the night be fore it no stranger slept with me. I slept in a loft, my usual place of sleeping, with young John Crowe. I saw the prisoner next morning ; there were no strangers there next morning, the day of the murder. My master had no gun. Cross-examined by the ATTORNEY-GENERAL—I don't know, and never saw Ryan (Puck) or Ryan (Small) or James Hayes. I saw a man 1 heard was Hayes. I know Wilkinson. He was not there that morning. Kelly came to my master's on the day of the murder, and said he had slept with the master in Killaloe.—(Gunstock produced.) On my oath I never saw that gunstock before. I did not hear of the murder until I came to my dinner. I was work ing in a field not far from the scene of the murder. The prisoner slept in Killaloe on the night of the murder. To the Jury—This is the Michael Cruise who was in my uncle's service, and that slept with me, Ryan (Puck) and Wilkinson before the murder. Michael Cruise—l hear what this witness says—it is not true. Mary Kelly examined by Mr. O'HEI—I am sister I to James Kelly, who is in this charge; I remember the night before the murder ; no strangers slept in the house that night, nor was there on the following morning; the prisoner slept at Killaloe that night, and he and my brother came back in the morning. To the SOLICITOR- GENERAL—I know Johnny Crowe • and remember his coming into the house after the master went out; on my oath I never told him I gave his uncle and the men their breakfast in the parlour. The boy John Crowe was also confronted with this witness, and positively swore that on the morning of the murder she told him, when he came in with the horses, that she gave his uncle and the men their breakfast. Witness Kelly—On my oath that is untrue. Witness Crowe—On my oath it is not untrue ; she told me they got a breakfast of tea and bread and butter. Mary Crowe—l am daughter to the prisoner. I lived at Knockadereen. I slept with Mary Kelly. There were no strange men sleeping in the house on the night before the murder or the next morning. My father slept in Killaloe, and called in in the morning for a few minutes, and then went to Ballyquin. Cross-examined by Mr. BENNETTI have seen a man named Wilkinson. I remember the morning of the murder, because there was a cousin of mine going to America on that day. I do not know a man named William Ryan (Puck), or Pat Ryan (Small). I know Kelly. I never saw a gun with him or in the house. My father came home from Glenomera about one or two o'clock on that day. My father used to sleep about three nights in the week at Knockade • reen before the murder, and as often afterwards. The CHIMP Beams . summed up the evidence. The jury then retired, and in a couple of minutes returned with a verdict of conviction. The Court, having ordered him to be removed, ad journed at half -past nine o'clock until the following morning. TUESDAY, JAN. 18. The Court sat to-day at ten o'clock. ANOTHER CAPITAL CONVICTION.—T. 111 1 Enerney, a young man about thirty years of age, was indicted for having, on the 3d January, 1848 (since the open ing of the Special Commission at Limerick), at Car raghmere, in this county, with others, feloniously attacked the dwelling-house of Martin M`Mahon, and wilfully murdered him. There were eight men indicted with the prisoner, but as they would not join in their challenges he was given in charge to the jury alone. A person of the name of James Halloran was, it is alleged, the person who gave the deceased a blow on the head with a stick, which caused his death, and the other parties were charged with being present aiding and abetting. The ATTORNEY-GENERAL very briefly stated the case for the prosecution, as it appears in the following evidence : Teddy M'M a h on examined by the SOLICITOR. GENERAL—I remember the evening of the 3d o: January last ; about nine o'clock that night the house w as attacked ; my two brothers, Martin and Mick, slept in the barn, and I slept inside ; Martin is dead ; there were eight or n nin e men attacked the house, and all I saw had thei r faces blackened and had arms ; when my sister told me they were there I took up a s hovel and went out, and saw a man snap a gun at or.e of the children ; t o of the men presented their guns at me when Iwas w coming kitchen ; I knowout of the room to the the prisoner ; he is one of the men who presented the un at me ; I knew him before ; he lived about three g -quarters of a mile off; when I saw the child frightened I ran out and knocked down the man with the shovel who snapped the gun at him, and when down he tup his gun to save himself and I smashed the shovelonfro it ; my brother Martin then came in to assist us theym the barn, and he was mur dered before ray face - beat us all with guns and wattles most unmercifull, [The witness, who was a stout able young man, y here became deeply affected in giving evidence as to the manner in which his brother was killed.] h e prisoner desired me to give h i m m y gun, and said would shoot me with the gun he had in his hand w i a f s e l refused. To Mr. O'HEA—I alarmed when the men was n cam e in. The place not very light. There was i o b u t one candle lighting. Id not know M'Enerney by his voice, but I could not he mistaken as to him, for I saw him after th ree times in the week. I gave the first blow. To the CousT- 1 did not lose my senses ; if I did, I could not g b o to aer neighbour's house to send for a priest for my roth. To the SoLiceron-GENtR A examinedinthe ouse. L h —l could not say how long those people were Michael I\l'Mahon by Mr. BENNETT—I lived with my brother Mwarittihn when he was killed. I was 'in bed that night him when we heard a noise and got up. We found byte barn-door locked, but we got into the h the hack door, and then went into the house, n going in we were attacked and beaten most brutally by a lot of men. I was struck on the wrist, and th was not able to do any thing, so I wen t round to the window, and saw the men inside beating the deceasdl saw the prisoner there with a gun in his ha n d. The prisoner's face was blackened, but I knew him well. I saw Martin get two blows from Gearan (one of the prisoners not on trial) with a gun. To the COURT—M'Ener n e y was standing on the floor. 1. sa w eso one lyin g but my brother, who was killed. To Mr. BENNETT—I found the stock and lock of a gun in the house after the man left. I gave them to the police. I went for the police, and they arrested on th me when I met theme road ; but I told then. my story , an d went onnv t rit d h them until we met n the prisoner and Gea r an in We had a gun in the house. The p r isoner did no` get it. Cross-examined by Mr. 0'S11"—1 was great pain when I got the blow on the wrist, but Is in ‘ was not in a great fright. I had not toldthePolice who ar rested me that the prisoner was one of the party be fore we met him. Thomas M'Mahon, a boy about fourteen years of age, examined by Mr. PLUNKETT—I am a brother to the deceased. I remember the night the house was attacked. Seven or eight men lifted the latch and walked :in. I was in the kitchen washing my feet. I saw the prisoner there. Either he or Gearan pre sented a gun at me and snapped it. All their faces were blackened. I saw theca murder my brother Martin. To Mr. O'HEA—I was very much frightened, but lam sure of the prisoner. Mary Mahon examined by the SOLICITOR-GENERAL —I am sister to the deceased. I was in bed when the men came in and attacked the house. When they broke the door, I looked out and saw Thomas M'Enernev present a gun at my brother Teddy; his .-. Face was black. Cross-examined by Mr. O'HBA—I know the pri soner perfectly well. Constable Thomas Jones examined—l arrested the prisoner. I was on patrol, and saw him crossing a ditch with the barrel of a gun in his hand, and the stock hanging off. He presented the gun at me, and said he would blow my brains out, but I knocked him down and took it from him ; this was shortly after M‘Mahon's house was attacked. To Mr. O'HEA—There was nothing in the gun the prisoner was to blow out my brains with. To the COURT—The prisoner was coming in the direction of M'Mahon's house. Dr. APDermott having proved the cause of the deceased's death, the case for the prosecution closed. Mr. O'HEA addressed the jury for the defence. The CHIEF JUSTICE then charged them. They found a verdict of Guilty without leaving the box. Patrick Gearan, John Griffin, and Charles Healy, three of the men charged with the same offence, and who had pleaded not guilty, have applied for liberty to withdraw their plea, and admit ther guilt. The Court granted the application. ADJOURNMENT OF THE CLARE COM MISSION. The Grand Jury having come into court, Sir Lucius O'Brien, Bart, M.P. (foreman), asked if there was any more business to be sent before them ? The Clerk of the Crown having replied in the negative, The Attorney-General requested that his lordship would not discharge the jury at present, as the go vernment proposed adjourning the commission. The CHIRP JUSTlCE—Gentlemen, I was aware of what you have heard from the Attorney-General, and regret it is not in my power to discharge you alto gether. lam enabled, however, to let you separate for the present, and you shall have notice when your services are again required. The jury then retired. [The adjournment, it is supposed, will be until Tuesday, February 8, although it is not considered likely that any of the judges will then sit.) CONSPIRACY TO MURDER. Michael 111‘11fahon, an ill-looking man, about 30 years of age, was indicted for having conspired with others, at Claremont, in this county, on the 3d of Dec., 1847, to kill and murder Matthew Bolland, and also for soliciting one John Perry to shoot said Bolland. The ATTORNEY GENERAL stated the case very shortly. He said it not only depended on the testimony of an informer, but also of men who could not be induced to engage in crime. It would appear that a number of persons formed a plan to murder Mr. Bolland, and that the prisoner went about openly to collect subscriptions for the payment of the mur derer, and proposed to different persons to commit the crime. He would prove these facts to their satisfac tion, so that they could not have a doubt as to the pri soner's guilt. John Perry examined by the SOLICITOR-GENERAL —I know the prisoner for a long time very well ; I know Mr. Matthew Bolland; the prisoner came to me and offered me 51. to shoot him ; Mr. Bolland lived nearer to the prisoner than to me ; I told him I would do it for the money; this communication took place outside ; the prisoner asked me the time, and I named the Thursday evening afterwards to do it ; I then saw him at a house we appointed to meet at ; I tipped at the door, and he came out ; I asked him for the money; he replied, " It is in sure hands as soon as you shoot him"—that is as soon as I shot Mr. Bolland ; M'Mahon arranged between us that I was to meet him between where he lodged and the mill ; I had a pistol of my own, but it was of no use ; I would not have shot Mr. Bolland for the money, or any money; on the next Monday I went towards his place to tell him about this business, but he was not at home, he was in Limerick ; I then turned back, and told constable Hogan that Mr. Bolland was to be shot; I met him on the road about a mile from Broadfort ; Hogan came to my place, after that I made an information. Cross-examined by Mr. o'l - hi—Upon my oath I don't know that there is a greater villain in the county Clare than myself.—(Laughter.) I can't know why the prisoner thought I would shoot a man. I went for the 51., but did not get it. I had the pistol with me the day I went for the money. It was no good, and I had but the one. Counsel here read the witness's informations in which he swore he had two pistols, and did not shoot Mr. Bolland because he did not get the 51. To Mr. O'HEA—I had two, but they were of no use.—(Laughter.) To the Jury—l got the pistols from a man who went to America. I have not got them now. I threw them into the lake.—(Laughter.) John Morony, examined by Mr. BENNETT —lknow the prisoner since he was a child, and I also know Mr. Bolland. He was a farmer, and had a good deal of land. I had a son-in-lawl named Michael Hines. He was put out about three years ago of some land Mr. Bolland now has. The prisoner has a bit of land. In August last I saw him mowing in a field, and he said I was a weak man to let another man hold the farm that my son-in-law had. That was the farm Hines had and which ,Bolland got. I said I lost enough by it. I got half of it at one time from Hines, and lost considerably by it. I said, " I wish there was a lake in place of it ; the more seldom I see it the better I like it." (The witness here repeated his evidence in Irish, as he stated that his conversa tion with the prisoner was in that language, and one of the jurors stated that he repeated what he had previously mentioned exactly.) To Mr. O'HEA—I was ejected from this land. I don't know if the prisoner was looking fir this land. I know a man named Harkins ; he never wrote notices for me. (The case for the prosecution has not yet closed.) denplas close to the little room door, he asked me if Mdlle. E. was already dead. On my reply in the negative he abused me as a coward, told me he had already killed the servants, and asked me where was Maidemoiselle. It was then that we hastily betook ourselves to her room. Vandenplas told me there were two servants. I heard them groaning. I found one lying alongside the door, and the other in the kitchen, near the pump. I cut the throats of both, and dragged the body of one close to the other. Subsequently Vandenplas informed me that he had stunned the girl who had opened the door for him, and that whilst he was busy finishing her (occupe a l'aclever), he saw the other servant coming out of the cellar with a light, and heard her exclaim, probably because she had heard some noise, What is the matter ?' lie immediately ran towards the second servant and knocked her down senseless, before she had time to utter a single word." Such is ltossiers confession, but notwithstanding its positive nature, Vandenplas still persists in declaring that he had no hand, directly or indirectly, in the matter. It is calculated that altogether the house of Mdlle. E. and brother was stripped, after the murder, of property to the value of 5,000 f. The trial of the prsoners will soon commence. DIRECT LONDON AND . r.;XETER RAILWAY COPANY. M A special general meeting of the shareh^lcle's in the Direct London and Exeter Railway Compaq was held yesterday, at the Guildhall Coffee-house, foi the purpose of winding up the affairs of the concern, in accordance with the provisions of the Dissolution Act. Dr. Barnett was called to the chair. Mr. HUNTER proposed, and Mr. HARRIS seconded a resolution, declaring the company to be dissolved. In answer to questions, The CHAIRMAN stated that a letter had been re ceived from the solicitors of the trustees, appointed at a former meeting, stating that the company was in solvent at the time of their appointment, inasmuch as the assets were less than the claims upon the com pany. Mr. John Braithwaite claimed 8,500/. at the time, but the claim had been contested, and reduced to 2,5201. 15s. 10d. ; while the demand of Mr. Abra hams, the surveyor acting under Mr. Braithwaite, had been cut down from 9001. to 500/. A SHAREOLDER remarked that 1,0001. had been spent in reducing Mr. Abrahams' claim by 4001., and he wished to know who was to pay the expenses of carrying out this dissolution ? The CHAIRMAN replied—The company, of course. Several Shareholders expressed themselves not dis posed to dissolve under those circumstances. Mr. INcE, one of Dr. Phillimore's solicitors, gave it as his opinion that it would be an act of folly to proceed in bankruptcy, while, if time were allowed, the trustees would be prepared to render an account of their moyenients. Mr. VALANCE strongly recommended the meeting to proceed with the dissolution. The votes were then taken upon the resolution, when there appeared—the holders of 4,540 for it, but none against it. This number not being sufficient to entitle the meeting to declare the company dissolved, it was suggested that the meeting had better be adjourned. Mr. TIREMAN, at the request of the shareholders, undertook, on behalf of the trustees, to produce a detailed statement of accounts at the next meeting. The meeting was then adjourned till next Tuesday. SIR JOHN FRANKLIN'S ARCTIC EXPEDITION. Last evening an address was delivered at the Mary lebone Literary and Scientific Institution, Edward street, Portman-square, on the position of Sir John Franklin's Arctic Expedition, and the means of af fording it relief, by Dr. King, medical officer to the overland expedition in search of Sir John Ross. The chair was taken shortly before nine o'clock, when Dr. KING came forward and said that the subject upon which he was to address to them a few obser vations was one of intense interest, namely, the ne cessity of an immediate effort for aiding Sir John Franklin and his 121 gallant followers. The object the expedition had in view had engaged the attention, not only of England, but of Europe, for three and a half centuries—he meant the discovery of a north west passage. He had placed before them ma nuscript charts illustrating the geography of the polar regions. The northern line of the whole continent of Asia had been laid down by a systematic mode of proceeding, but the progress of discovery in North America was all that they had to allude to on the present occasion. He then proceeded to describe the various exploring expeditions in that country, and pointed out in the charts, not only the actual existing land, but what was supposed to exist. He could not suppose that Sir John Franklin had passed, or even reached the mouth of the APKenzie River. If he had, it would he a reflection upon that gallant officer to suppose that he would not have communicated the grand discovery he had made to the forts on that river. Therefore, he must have been wrecked somewhere between that point and Regent's Inlet, a tract of country full of inden tations. The question then rose as to what was the best way of affording him relief. No effort that could be made by sea would be certain as to its results, but an expedition by land could be depended upon. The probability was, that Sir John Franklin would make up his mind to winter on the Great Slave Lake, and there was no other road to reach that than the Great Fish River, which must be reached by land. Sir John Franklin had no pro visions to pass through a fourth winter, and, there fore, if any effort was to be made, it must be done in the course of the ensuing summer. There were only two persons in this country who could take charge of such an expedition with a probability of success — namely, Sir George Back and himself. No one could move in those regions without guides, hunters, and fishers, and with all these Sir John Franklin was totally unprovided. When he stated that the nets had to be placed under ten feet of ice, and that there was only one man in the expeditions he had accompanied who could ever succeed in shooting a deer, and that the Esquimau' never resided above the latitude of 70 degrees, they could form some idea of the difficulty of Sir John Franklin's present position. His prospects were gloomy enough. He thought it a misfortune that a second expedition had been sent out in a steam-vessel, when the for mer one had proved so signal a failure. It was that error which had got the expedition into its present difficulties. As long as sailing vessels were used in those seas a retrograde movement was open to them, because the same wind which carried them forward when it changed carried them the other way. But it was very different with the steam vessels. He anticipated great destruction amongst the people from scurvy; and considering the great age of the gallant Commander, seventy years, he had great fears for him. The evidence was not such as to lead them to suppose that Sir John Franklin had realised his great object, but the Government were acting as if they supposed he had succeeded. This was not merely a question for the Admiralty, but for the whole civilized world. He asked them whether the life of such a man as Sir John Franklin, with the lives of his 121 gallant men, was worth 2,0001,. which was all that such an expedition would cost ? There was still a possibility of saving them, and something should be done immediately for that purpose. He concluded by thanking them for their patience and attention. THE EARL OF SHREWSBURY AND W. A. BUTLER, ESQ. TO THE EDITOR OF THE MORNING CHRONICLE. Sir, —As the expressions to which the accompanying letter alludes have been mistaken by others as well a• by Mr. Archer Butler, I shall feel obliged by its publication at your earliest convenience.—l have the honour to be, Sir, your most obedient servant, SHREWSBURY. Alton Towers, Jan. 18, 1848. DUBLIN. TO W. ARCHER BU TLER, ESQ., six, —Though I have taken the wise resolve, as I trust it is, to eschew all controversies which may pos sibly arise out of my letter to Archbishop Bl'Hale, yet I am most willing to explain any misconception, which may appear to have been honestly adopted, of an y expression I have used. When I asserted that the existing Church Establish ment in Ireland was abhorred by the people, I had not the most remote idea of speaking of the Establishment otherwise than as a material church; that is, a church enjoying the temporalities of another by force of law, in opposition to the will as well as to the interests of the people. It never once occurred to me that the expression could be otherwise understood, or I should certainly have guarded myself against the interpreta tion you have attached to it, for I am most willing to acknowledge the good services rendered to the afflicted poor in Ireland, more especially during the late and present famine, by a large portion of the resident bene&ed clergy of tkeEstablishment. You also inquire what I mean by asserting that hundreds of thousands of the public money have been lavished—l did not say " voted"—on the churches of that Establishment; and in reply, I briefly observe that upon that point I spoke largely, carrying my observation over a large space of time (though not so distant as not to be within the memory of us all), and that I attach the epithet public to to the re venues of the Establishment in whatever form collected, or whencesoeverderived, in conformity with the prevail ing opinion, that church property is lawfully subject to the control of the public authorities of the country, provided it be justly administered, and be not alienated from ecclesiastical purposes; and here I will ventur e to add, that I never have contemplated any change in the disposition of that property not having a just and equitable basis for its appropriation, and which has not been, over and over again, advocated by the most distinguished Protestants. I have the honour to remain, Sir, . Your most obedient servant, ,SHREWSBURY, THE LATE TRIPLE MURDER IN BRUSSELS. CONFESSION OF ONE OF TILE ASSASSINS The following is the confession of Rossiel, as offi cially published in Brussels on Monday last : " It was I," said Rossiel, " who, conjointly vi ith Vandenplas, committed the murders. According to our agreement we went to the Place St. Gery, to wards seven in the evening, on the 2d of September last. I rang first, and asked the servant who opened the door whether Madame Evenepoel was at home, adding that I had come to pay her the rent which I owed her for one of the houses which I had occupied. The girl rejoined, that I must know very well that Madame was long ago dead. I said I did not, and asked her if Mdlle. Evenepoel was in the house. She replied in the affirmative. I inquired whether she was alone, and was informed that she was. I then told the servant to announce me as M. Rossiel, of the Rue d'Anderslecht, who had called to pay the rent due by him. She then introduced me into a small front room on the ground floor and looking into the court yard. I did not know that Mdlle. E. had a brother. The servant called Mdlle. E., who was on the first floor, and who bade me enter into the back little room where she was found murdered. I requested her to make out my account, and ex pressed the hope that she would not be offended with me for not paying her sooner. I said that I had been unfortunate, and that I had been four months in prison. She replied that I had certainly made her wait long for the money, but that I must see myself that she had no against me, because she had not put me to any expense to recover the debt. I carried on this conversation in order to gain time, for I had arranged with Vandenplas that if I should remain five minutes in the house, it would be a sign that there was no obstacle to the exe cution of our project, and that he should come in. It had been agreed that Vandenplas should intro duce himself into the house under the pretext of renting one of Mdlle. Evenepoel's houses in the Rue d'Anderslecht, and that whilst delivering his message to the servant, he should stun her with a heavy hammer belonging to a cow-keepe r, outside the Porte de Louise, at a place called La Longue- haie (the long hedge), where Vandenp las took his victuals, and from which he fetched away the hammer without the knowledge of the owner. We did not know that there was a seco nd servant in the house. Whilst Mdlle. E. was looking over her book of accounts, I heard the bell ring, and-I said to my self ' That is Vandenplas.' A few minutes elapsed, but I heard no noise, and not knowing what might have taken place down stairs, I made an excuse to descend, and said to Mdlle. E., Excuse me, I have an errand to perform—l have not got the money about me. I shall return to-morrow.' She replied, Very well—l have not yet found your account.' I went down, and found Vandenplas close to the d o or o f the little room into which, on my first arriv a l, I h a d been shown. We immediately went up together into Mdlle. E.'s room. On seeing Vandenpla s s h e ex claimed, What is the matter ?' in Flemish (Wat is dat ?). I replied, is my comrade, and lam now going to pay you. I put my hand for a second into my pocket, and we immediately attacked her. Vandenplas stunned her with the hammer, and when she fell on the isroulid I cut her throat with a iiolilard. She bad only time to utter two cries—the name twice of one of her servants, which I forget. When I first went down stain, and, as before stated, found Van- r.-; TT 7.1' - t • f ""•• INE ITITUTION OF CIVB4-- - --3.4 1 V - Ge - NEERS. • Sit • John Rennie, president, in OW e annual general meeting of the4tAitiftition on Tuesday evening, the 18th f o l 1.0 wing gentlemen were elected to life coffin: il' for I jte ensuing year : O - Tishmt Field, president ; W. Cubitt, J. M. Rend J. Simpson, and It. Stephenson, M.P., vice-pre si de cats; J. ,Bateman, G. P. Bidd er , I. K.. Brunel, J. Cubitt, J. latleke, M.P., J. Miller, W. C. MylLit, T Sopwith, J. It:. M'Clean, and C. May, mentberi.; AI Id J. Glutton -id T. 11. Wy a tt, assoc i a t e s of ez - .) extucil. The report of the council continues to be v sly en icouraging, and showed that the progress of the si )ciety wits steadily good. Telford medals were preseurted to Messrs. Jacks( el, I tichardson, Murray, Glynn., anti Frodsham, and to t t wo former gentlemen council 'premiums of bock• rere added. Telford premiums of books were rlo , warded to Messrs. Elliott, KeppeT, shears, mut Masters, for thei r commun i ca ti ons ma de during )ast session. Memoirs were given of the deceased members a-id associates, Messrs. Thom, Giles Lipkins, rtizsllat, Reynolds, Holtzapffel, Evans, Giles, and Ben. ' The career of several of these gentlemen had [ - tell! to varied, and possessed such points of interest, tint I the memoirs were necessarily extended beyond their usual length. The report noticed the increased tit tendance of members and visitors as evidence of odvancing career, and of the interest felt for the sok , nce of civil engineering. A pressing I:ppeal was ma d, to members of all classes to contribate papers to mj, - ce animated discussions, which are the distinc tive f ou 'ures of the meetings of the society: T principal events of the past session were touch 3el upon, and 'several private matters relative to the ternal management of the institution were fully idxs-r cussed. The council then explained the than gad form of the balloting papers, necessitated by the new by•laws and the retirement of Sir John Rennie fv)tu the post of president, which he had filled with such credit to himself and benefit to the society for the last three years. In conclusion, the report said, "Let the engineers remember also that ' union is strength, and that if they are true to each other, and rise they institution as the common centre and bond of onity, they .may set at nought all efforts to dislodge the civil engineoxs of England from the proud eminence whits:* their tale:its, their practical skill, and their probe have placed them." Before leaving the chair, Sir JOHN RENNIE, pr e sident, addressed the meeting on the selection of tl e president, and ,impressed upon them the claims ( Mr. Field—not orlly as one of the founders of dr, institution, and one who had filled for many years al positions in the society, nor because he was univor sally respected and esteemed as an upright, honou r able, kind-hearted man, but chiefly on account of h acknowledged celebrity as t 2. mechanical enginee particularly in that most imporant department, stew navigation ; and because his election would uni more firmly the two branches of the profession, whiA to insure general prosperity must ever go band ;n hand, as they had hitherto done in the stitution, in spite of all attempts to naalo• it appear otherwise. He then reviewed the position of the institution during his presidentship, offer ing his best thanks to the vice-presidents and tht• members of council, and to the secretary, for the support and assistance afforded him, and th en examined with much candour the relative position of the civil engineers and of the Government boar is and commissions, which had appeared to clash more than was desirable. This he showed not to arise fro m any of the acts of the civil engineers, who had ever been ready to afford their best assistance to the Go vernment in any capacity; and, further, that it wou Id be the interest of the Government to take advanta; of the talent, energy, and practical skill of the ci' rii engineers, by whom they had ever been well serve d, rather than incur the hazard and the expense of forn u.- ing a corps that would require more time for edit eating than could be afforded in these active times, when even hesitation was perdition. This address was responded to very warmly by fne meeting, and a vote of thanks to Sir John Rennie IN as received with cheers. Thanks were also voted to the council and the s cretary of the institution for their services. The meeting was adjourned until Tuesday, F‘s bruary 1, when the following paper would be read— " On the sewage and drainage of Bristol," by James Green, M. Inst. C. E. JEWS' AND GENERAL LITERARY AND SCIENTIFIC INSTITUTION. The anniversary of the opening of this institution, which has its " local habitation" in Sussex-hail. Leadenhall-street, was celebrated last night by s grand ball at Willis's-rooms, St. James's, under the patronage of Baron Lionel de Rothschild, MX., Baron de Goldsmid, Sir M. Montefiore, Bart., h. r. Alderman Salomons, and other Jewish gentlemen of consideration. This institute, which was establishea three years ago, is succeeding beyond the anticipations of its founders ; it has now 400 members, being at increase of 13.5 upon last year. It appears to be con- ducted upon a liberal scale. The expenditure during the past year was no less than 7701., and the catalogue of the library issued yesterday comprises 4,300 volumes, including a number of books in Jewish literature not easily to be met with elsewhere. Lec tures on subjects of this class are given. But all the usual advantages of literary societies are also supplied at Sussex-hall. The list of lecturers for the year .5608 (1847.1848) contains tl:e names of Dr. Letheby, of the London Hospi tal, Mr. Cowden Clarke, Mr. E. W. Brayley, and other gentlemen not of the Jewish faith ; and, in deed, it is stated that more than a tenth of the members profess the Christian religion. Eschewirg the graver style of anniversary adopted by some of its learned brethren, the institute determined last night to make a festival, and devoted the whole evening to the dance—an amusement of which the Jews seem to be at least as fond of as other classes of our fellow-countrymen. The great rooln at Willis's contained some 400 ladies and gentlemen, among whom were the younger members of the most respectable Jewish families in the metropolis. There were in the room Mr. 11. de Castro, Mr. Elias Davis, Mr. I. L. Miers, Mr. 11. Solomon, Mr. S. Samuel (secretary to the board of deputies), Dr. Loewe, Mr. P. Salomons, Mr. H. Guedalha, Lord M. Hill, &c. Refreshments were served in an ad joining apartment. M. Jullien's band was in at tetdance, and Mr. Corrie was master of the ceremo nies. The dancing was kept up with spirit ; up to the hour at which we left, the entertainment was pro. ceeding with all hilarity, and enough of the company were of "the mad age" to render it pretty certaia that the party would make a late night of it. LOVE AND SUICIDE IN WESTMINSTER.--Yester day information was forwarded to Mr. Bedford, the coroner, of the death of Miss Harriet Leet, aged 21, lately residing with her mother, at 28, Rocheter-street, Westminster, who committed suicide by potson, under the following deplorable circumstances : —.lt . appears tb the deceased, who was a young girl of considerable per. sonal attractions, had for a peri o d d m of s t a h y r , e t e o y w ea h r o s m be s e h n , corresponding with a man name was greatly attached. About two years ago, in conse quence of some little misunderstanding between the de• ceased and her lover, she grew despondent, and attempt( self-destruction by poison. On recovering, the deceased still continued the correspondence, and evinced the deepest marks of affection, f requen tly avow i ng to her friends that she should never be happy until she becalme united to her lover. Latterly, however, the decease'. had become exceedingly depressed in spirits, and would . wander about i n th e most disconsolate manner, no' withstanding the kindness of her friends. On Monda evening she retired to rest at the usual hour, and nex‘ morning she went out, and baying purchased some oxalic acid, she returned and swallowed off a large doF of it. A surgeon was called in, but all efforts to rest= animation were fruitless. The following letter w found amongst her papers:—" Dear, dear Alexand , ki‘Kay,—"ris you that I love, Ido confess. This your bosom your love press. One who has been true to you, all the world knows. Good bye, God bless yel —HARRIET LEET." ARRIVALS OF SPECIE.—The following arrivals specie have just taken place. The vessel FreearadF arrived from Oporto, has brought two casks of specie_ consigned to order; and the vessel Jane Boyd, arrived in the West India Docks from Cobija, has brought 1: boxes of the article, the whole of which were consign( to a firm of commercial eminence in the metropolis an, elsewhere. This is the first arrival of this nature fror the last-mentioned place during the recent influx of th article. M. Mazzini, the well-known Italian patriot, rt. siding at London, has addressed a long letter to M Guizot, through the columns of the National,, in reply certain observations on Italy in his speech in the Cham her of Peers on the 12th. M. .Mazsini declares that i P d de his opinion the immense majority of the Italian b liai:peo e p. n are t ion afdeterminedree nation , to oht a 1 andthto geeirit rid of Austria. H expresse s a firm conviction that they will succeed soon' or latet, and asserts that the Italians do not demand 0 aid of the French Government—b u t as k it t o cause pr i n ciple which it formerly supp or t e d, o f a ll ow i ng e ye nation to arrangeits internal organisation without fore; intervention, to be respected.— Galignani. COLONIAL DEPARTMENT.—A return to an ordi of the House of C ommons was i ssue d yesterday, cc taming a copy of the letter of Earl Grey to the Lords the Treasury applying for an additional Assistant-U . der-Secretary of State to the Colonial Departmei owing to the serious illness and probable final retirerof of Mr. Stephen. Attached to the letter is a Treast minute, dated December 7, approving of the arrant ment proposed by his Lordship. Lusa GAME-LAWS. January Ist Lan& shooting begins. December 31st—Landlord shoot] ends. Certificates may be had from John Arcbbisl of Team and Father McDermott. —Punch. TUB COTTON TRADE.—It is rumoured that sever mills at Ashton-under-Lyne will commence runni short time again, owing to the continued depression the cotton induces, 7 = it 4 :;}. • 7 4 • a • T a it a :a 3- d or 18 ad Id )t- -ay xt Re ISO TO as for to 'UO 311. of er, io, ed 1:1 Le no ;h( to , pl.a ;a 1 Ho nef the tho ery 'der :on. sof Un ent, lent iury Ige. lord. ting ;hop 'eras ling n in