The Sun. — London, England, 1849-05-16 00:00:00

would tend to continue a wrong impression in that House as to th e actual condition and true remedies for the 1 country. The Hon. Member concluded by moving the amendment on the paper, with the exception of the concluding paragraph. The amendment having been seconded, _ Mr. MOORE sa i d i t was w i th great pa i n that he found Irish Members neutralising each other in that House. How could they expect that they should exer cise any influence in it if they acted in this way? With respect to the amendment, it was ill-timed, ill-reasoned, and inconsistent. As to the objection that emigration was not a large and comprehensive remedy that would Cure all the evils of Ireland, he would simply say that it Was only charlatans and impostors who professed to cure 11. bad leg of forty years' standing by a universal oint ment. The simple question was, whether they should support the people as paupers at home, on outdoor relief, or give them the means of emigrating to lands Where they could support themselves. But the people had settled this question for them. They were, as far as pos sible flying from the country, end he wished to know how the Hon. diember would prevent them? Lie might as well attempt to prevent an eagle escaping from a slaver in the middle passage. The real object ought to be to assist and regulate it in the way best calculated to pro mote the interests of all parties. Whether by grants ,froth the Imperial Treasury, or by confiscation of the bankrupts' estates, something must be done to fulfil the first duty of all civilized states, namely, the preservation of life. They must nut think that anything they had yet done was sufficient for that purpose. and however much be might differ with the Hon. Member as to the amend ment, he united with him in earnestly imploring that House, in justice to its own character and to the people of Ireland, and with a view to the judgment of posterity, to come forward and discharge the duties which devolved upon them, with a due regard of the heavy responsibili ties attached to these duties.—(Hear, hear,) Sir GEORGE GREY said, the motion which had been brought forward by the Hon. Member for Lime rick (Mr. Monsell), was a most important one, and the manner in which he had dealt with it was most ju dicious. He should regret, therefore, if the few ob servations he had to make should tend to discourage that kind of emigration which would be useful for Ireland. He thought, however, that the Hon. Gentleman (Mr. J. O'Connell) had not dealt fairly with his Hon. Friend opposite, when he ascribed to him the opinion that emi gration was the only remedy for the evils of Ireland.— (Hear, hear.) On the contrary, his Hon. Friend had expressly said, that he looked upon it as one of a series of measures which were requisite for that purpose.— (Hear, hear.) He agreed with his Hon. Friend, that in some cases emigration might be beneficial. There were districts in which it might be said there was a con gestion of population, and their removal would, un doubtedly, be useful, and, in these cases, emi gration was, perhaps, one of the speediest re medies. But his Honourable Friend had, he thought, underrated the present emigration from Ireland, and also undervalued the assistance which was actually given by the Government. The Hon. Gentleman said that the emigration now was that of small farmers, who carried away with them the capital which was wanted in Ireland. He doubted, however, whether that class formed a majority of the emigrants from Ireland. Last year upwards of two hundred thousand emigrants had left this country for British North America and the United States, and nine-tenths of the emigration from Liverpool was Irish, the great proportion of these were merely labourers. In the first four months of the pre sent year the number was 120,000 (as we understood), and he believed that small farmers did not predominate; tut even if a number of that clase did emigrate, he would ask the Hon. Gentleman if that would not be a benefit to the colonies, who complained that they were overstocked by persons who had nothing but their labour?—(Bear, hear.) During the last year no less than half a million was remitted from Irish emigrants to their friends and relatives in Ireland, for the Purpose of bringing them out to that country, and he mentioned this circumstance to show that all the money necessary for the purpose of emigration was not supplied by Irish capital. With regard to the proposi tion of the Hon. Member for Limerick, that some power should be given to boards of guardians to advance money from the rates, to promote emigration, if it were embodied in a clause, and submitted to the House, when the amended Irish Poor-law Bill was under discussion, the Government would give it their best consideration. Having alluded to the several clauses of the Poor Relief Acts, which enabled boards of guardians to assist emi grants, and stated that they were found practically ina dequate, he expressed the greatest desire that they might be amended; and assured Hon. Members that he was most anxious to have practical suggestions with that view. The proposition for enabling landed proprietors to encourage emigration also deserved consideration; but he could not consent that the money already advanced as loans from the Imperial Treasury for the purposes of land improvement, could be diverted from its original channel. He thought the colonies benefited by a well conducted system of emigration. When the Honourable Gentleman's propositions came prominently before the House, as they could in the form of clauses for insertion in the new Poor-law Bill, they would meet with favourable attention from the Government. With regard to the amendment of the Hon. Member for the city of Lime rick, he thought there was much exaggeration in his statement of the extent of Irish distress. Destitution was, no doubt, very severe, and the privations the people suffered were most distressing; but the statistics of misery and starvation which the lion. Gentleman quoted were quite incorrect, especially in the case of the Balli nasloe Union. The Right Hon. Baronet then proceeded to justify the measures taken by Government for the prevention of that distress, and having alluded to the report of the Society of Friends, and quoted several paragraphs from it, to show the great exertions which, the Irish Executive had made, he concluded by reiterat ing his willingness to meet the views and wishes so ably put forward by the Hon. Member for the county of Limerick. Mr. E. B. ROCHE was not one of those who de tracted from the great value of the grants made from the Imperial Treasury; but while 119 was willing to give credit to the Government fur the exertions already made, he felt bound to state that the con dition of the labouring population was worse than ever, and that unless active measures were at once adopted, by employing that class in the cultivation of the soil, the Government would, in the words of Mr. Twisleton. become parties to the destruction of a fine and a noble nation. The landlords, although they were now doing their duty to a great extent, had formerly neglected it, and many of the evils which afflicted the worthy farmers were in a great measure attributable to their misconduct. With regard to the proposition of the Hon. Member for the county Limerick, he objected to any extensive system of emigration, because of the great expense it would entail. Besides, he did not think they could do any good by their plans with respect to emigration. Immediate measures were required, and unless they were adopted on the heads of the Govern. went would be the result. A messenger from the Lords brought up a copy of the proceedings in the case of " Smith O'Brien v. the i Queen in error." Mr. F. O'CONNOR said he had abstained from taking part in the discussion on the Rate in ALI Bill, because he did not wish to interpose any delay to the enactment of a measure of relief for the suffering people of Ireland, but when he found the subject of emigration brought before the House, and the duties of the landlords attempted to be thrown off their own shoulders, he telt that to remain silent any longer would be criminal. Was he to be told that this House, which could deal with taxation, which could deal with the property of the country, was to be called upon night after night to do that for the Irish landlords which they would not do for themselves ? Their notions of Ireland in this country were derived from the conduct of the middlemen, the representatives of the absentee landlords, who resided in this and other countries. What had been the cause of Irish misery and destitution was this, that the Irish landlord cultivated his estate accord ing to the standard of political patronage, and not ac cording to the measure of its productive power. The Hon. Member then proceeded to argue that the so-called free-trade system had inflictedgreat mischief on Ireland, and that many of those who had given their support to the measure were now so convinced of the mischief that had resulted, that if the question were again to come before them they would vote against it. He had told them, above a year ago, that they would lose Canada, and they were now about to lose that colony. And he now told them, that before another year they would lose Ire land; and if they did lose Ireland the fault would not be so much in the Government as in the landlords of Ireland. As the present was an Irish debate, and the subject was that of emig ration, he would say, God for bid that he should be a party to separating the people of Ireland from the la nd of their birth. Ireland was a country which might be great. Ireland was a country which had been great, and which would yet be great, in spite of the conduct of its landed proprietors. Sir J. YOUNG said that the Hon. Member (Mr. b O'Connor) bad stated that I reland had b een it ru i ned n free trade. Now he (Sir J. Young) thought b y would be easy to show that the miseries of Ireland were to be traced to other and very different causes.—(Hear, hear.) The Hon. Member (Mr. O'Connor) had al s o s t a ted that every Irish Member, without exception, h a d informed him that such was th eir change of sentiments rega rdin g free trade that they would now, it they had the opportu nity,io. vote against it. So far, however , from that being his (si r J. Y oung ' s ) op i n i on , h e t h oug ht that, on th e contrary, no part of the empire had benefited so muc h by the measure of free trade as Ireland.—(Hear, hear.) The Hon. Member then went into statements to show :he extent and character of the distress that prevailed in the county he had the honour to repro sent (Cavan), a county in which the landholders had done their duty ; and the opinion generally prevailed that nothing but a well-re gulated system of emigration could afford beneficial re • lief. He supported the measure of emigration because he had not much faith in many of the measures which had been proposed in that House. He had every confidence in the industry and energy of the people of Ireland, and he believed t h a t t h e only class on which the people ould place dependence was the people themselves.—(hear.) Mr. SCULLY was opposed to any measures of emi gration when there was 'so much need of the peop l e remaining in Ireland to cu l t i vate the soil of Ireland (Hear, hear.) He thought, at events, that no mea sure of emigration could be useful unless it could be made general. Another portion of the speech of the Right Honourable Member for Limerick (Mr. John O'Connell) was directed to show that means should be taken for the preservation of life in Ireland, and he (Mr. Scully) would give every support to any measure having that object in view. Mr. BOURKE supported the proposition before the Horse, on the ground that it would produce imme diate benefit to the people of Ireland. He believed that a well regulated system of emigration would meet with the support of the great body of the people of that country. The douse then divided, when there appeared— For the motion For the amendment Majority PRISON THE -33 Mr. PEARSON then rose to move for the appoint merit of a Select Committee to inqu:re and report upon the practicability of establishing an uniform system of discipline, punitive, reformatory, and self-supporting, to be applied to all prisoners convicted of crime; and com menced by observing that the prisons of England cost 400,000/., irrespective of the expenditure incidental to the punishment of prisoners by means of the huiks and transportation. He undertook to prove that the criminal class could be made to support themselves, without a shilling of expense to the nation, and that, too, without having recourse to slave labour, upon a reformatory principle, and without interfering with the just rights of labour. It was now twenty-five years since his atten tion was first directed to this subject as a member of the Prison Discipline Society. Ho was twice Under-Sheriff of London and Middlesex, and he at present held the situation of public prosecutor for the city of London. having made himself fully acquainted with the subject, he was prepared to prove his case if the Hoese granted him a Committee. His fit st proposition was in favour of a uniform system. The cost of the prisoners varied to such an extent as in itself demanded correction. He saw by the inspector's report of the northern district, that there had been recently erected a prison in this country at a cost of 1,200/. per prisoner. The Milbank Prison cost 5001. per prisoner. The New Prison, under the new system—that at Reading, for instance—cost 2201. per prisoner. The enunciation of this fact entitled him to a Committee of Inquiry. If that system of sepa rate imprisonment be carried through, it would cost the country six millions of money to erect the necessary ac commodation that would be required for the purpose. The enormous increase of crime in this country was enough to startle every considerate man. Ile had ex amined the statistics on this subject, and took upon himself to be answerable fur the truths of these figures. The number of commitments and re-commitments in England and Wales to trial on criminal charges bad in creased within the last forty years upwards of 400 per cent., whilst the population only increased within the same period 65 per cent. The committals for trial had increased, in 1846, 428 per cent. beyond what they were in 1810. He was aware that this enormous increase of crime was not to be attributed entirely to an increased depravity on the part of the people. The transition from war to peace hed its in fluence in respect to it. Then, again, the vigilance of the police had so increased that crime was more effec tually detected than heretofore. Again, the altered state of the law, by which the county was made to bear the cost of prosecutions, had an ell ct in increasing the number or persons convicted of crime. But the changes made in the law since 1810 had the greatest influence in causing this increase in respect to the statistics of crime. He begged just to mention that it had been in timated to him, that if he did not apply at once for his Committee he should lose his House.—(A laugh.) Well, he had no desire to lose his Committee; but it was necessary, in order that he should obtain it, to lay before the House the grounds upon which he claimed it—and if those persons connected with the Govern ment, whose duty it was to keep a House, did so on this occasion, he would be enabled to lay sufficient grounds before it to warrant him in asking for this Com mittee of Inquiry. The commitments to prison for lar cenies and petty offences which were punished with imprisonment varying from seven days to six months, were about 80 per cent. The committals for trial in 1846 amounted to 26,851, and the summary committals during the same year amounted to 65,992, making a total of committals of 92,843. Under the present sys tem prisoners were better fed, lodged, and cared for, than such a class of persons when out of prison. In acting in this way, they did an injury to the class of persons in question, and they inflicted an injury on the ratepayers. An Hon. MEMBER here moved that the House be counted, but there being more than 40 members present, Mr. PEARSON resumed, and said that four-fifths of the criminals were led to crime from intemperance, which was also mixed up with idleness. The point upon which he rested was, that the great body of the male criminals consisted of able bodied men, and who could, at liberty, not only maintain themselves, but five other persons. Now, there was a feeling in this country against slave labour, and the Hon. Member for Montrose regretted that they could not look this ques tion in the face. Still it was justifiable. It was de clared in scripture, he that steals should be sold in bondage, and their Saxon ancestors carried that prin ciple into practical effect. The scripture further says— if a man do not labour, neither shall he eat. The scrip ture was part of the law, and was recognised by them all. There was nothing new in the proposal he should make, that prisoners should maintain themselves. In Massachussets prisoners were enab'ed to maintain them selves and pay the salaries of the officers of the institu tion. They were also enabled to give each prisoner, on his liberation, a suit of clothes and a gift of money, be sides appropriating an annual sum towards the liquida tion of the original cost of the building. The same thing was done in Belgium and France. lie, however, objected to the American system, because it was not adapted to this country. The employment of prisoners displaced the work of honest artisans, and flooded the market of honest industry. In France and Belgium machinery was used, and as the prisoners could not, on their libera tion, purchase machines, they, of course, could not earn their bread when they came out of prison. He, there• fore, did not approve of such systems, but sought to establish a better system. In this country, however, they adopted this system with all its disadvantages without its benefit, as was the case in the Pentonville and Mil bank prisons. What was the case with regard to the continental systeni? They received the produce of prison labour in this country to displace the labour of our own free artisans. It was beyond doubt that various articles of prison manufacture were imported into this country from Belgium. He denied that Mr. Howard was favour able to the separate and solitary system. He would also quote in favour of his suggestion the names of Arch bishop Wheatley, Archdeacon Paley, and Captain Ma conochie. They should apply to prisoners the prin ciple that if a man do not labour neither should he eat. All men were stimulated to exertion by present enjoy ment and futuro independence. Why not give the same stimulating impetus to prisoners? He asked them to try the experiment, to make the period of their imprison ment and the quality of their food depend upon their industry. That would be extending to them the prin ciple of present enjoyment by the quality of their food, and that of independence by shortening the period of their imprisonment. He proposed that prisoners should be employed upon the land. He maintained that a thou sand acres of land would support a thousand prisoners and two hundred officers. He did not himself possess any broad acres, and might not be regarded as an authority upon the subject, but he had the opportunity of communicating with the mem bers of the Farmers' Club, from whom he had received a hundred letters, in which it was stated that a thousand acres would produce all that was requi site for the support of a thousand persons, estimating the food of the parties on the highest scale of allowance. He had already stated that it would be sufficient to clothe them, and to a great extent to pay the salaries of the officers. He would prefer putting the prisoners on the land, because it was a natural occupation, it was easiest to be learned, and particularly suited to these parties, who wore between twenty and forty years of age. It was also the most healthy, which was worth consideration, as it was stated as a reason for the great expense incurred for the maintenance of prisoners, that it was necessary to feed them better in idleness than if they were engaged in industrial occupations; that in fact they were, during their confinement, in a state of disease; besides, the prisoner would not be in the condition of the Belgian, who, on his liberation, would want a machine to engage in industry; all that would be required in this case was a spade, which was easily obtained. He had the certificate of two eminent architects, and was prepared to prove it before the Committee, if he got one, they could get one thousand acres of land, say at 40/. an acre, build a wall around it as high as that of Millbank Prison, and all that could be done at one-half the cost which the prisoners now imposed on the nation. He came to that House to discuss and promote that use of it, and if he were not able to prove all he asserted ho should resign his seat into the hands of his constituents. Why should not the tailors in prison make clothes for the prisoners, why not the shoemakers shoes, and the women spin —and, in fact, why not a prison community support itself? All prison discipline carried on in this country was bad, but that now in particular favour was especially bad, namely, the system carried on at Reading gaol. He should say nothing of the expense to the country in building prisons, which must amount to at least six millions; because, if a reform really took tfsrhet prisonerseh ofreadyeHouses m ee a p g . place, no expense should be spared; but the separate or silent system, he contended, was a total failure. That a should ageo :umt ; et: haunMtnommutwni treatment r a t: e y he an , eodyf o h n fto e ohwure o er system was religious instruction, amusing labour, diet, ma g istrates, ra b t u e r s s , t d uk in laduegschr)i—b -at the e L ß o de u ea d sdcirn l i g a p laughter.) description ei.r. given) THhoeef Hon. Gentleman then read an extract from the Rev. Mr. Field's work on prison discipline, describing the manner in which prisoners were treated at Reading, and which appeared in this paper during the discussions which took place in the City of London Institution in February last.) That was the description of the manner in which sheep stealers and criminals were treated, and he had no hesi tation in saying that such a proceeding would in the space of 18 months destroy the morals of the moat honest in society. It was well known that the silent system, if applied with inhumanity and parsimony, we-; id allowed i t prove P in Reading and if th a he t a wer r e isonw. _ producemittee h insanity, e w ould gaol was now a lunatic in Bethlehenl Hospital in conse quence of the treatment he nceived. The entire sys tem was a fai l u re as a mans of reformation. He wished to as that hard know from the Right Hon. Baronet, the Secretary of State for the Home Department, why it w as directed by the Ga ol Act, the 4th of Geo. IV. labour was not pro vided for prisoners in the model pri sons, calendars The number of prisoners se ntenced for .hard labour to Reading gaol, as estim ated from the printed and though sentenced t o hard labour, —being those alone discha r g ed at assizes—from 1844 to 1848, was 1,62 5 ; were subjected to the effeminate indulgence of that gaol, crime instead of being deterred from committingfurther by severe punishment. He had no w, thanks to the kind statement, and being indul g ence of the House, made his convinced that no more useful subj ect could be dis cussed; recollecting that the Noble Lord at the head of the Government had declared prison discipline to be a problem which was yet to be solved, he should persevere in bringing it forward before the House, on every occasion which should present itself. He only asked to deal with prisoners in gaols as they did with persons not imprisoned, or guilty of crime ; to act upon the principle, that if a man did not woi k neither should he eat, and believing a reformation not impracticable, he should conclude, again thanking the House, by moving for a Select Committee to inquire and report upon_the practicability of establishing an uni" SUN, LONDON, WEDNIRSDAY form system of discipline, punitive, reformatory, and self- supportieg, to he applied to all persons sentenced to imprisonment for crime. Mr. OSBORNE seconded the motion. Sir G. GREY said he should give every credit to the Hon. Gentleman for the trouble that he took in bringing the motion forward. He should also say that he agreed with many of his arguments on the matter; yet he would suggest to him not to press his motion for the present, unless it were the general wish of the House that he should do so. He should at the same time observe, that while the Honourable Member alluded particularly to the Model Prison at Reading, that ho had altogether excluded from his catalogue of prisons Millbank, Pentonville, and others, where the prisoners were employed in works of labour under the separate system, and that even much of what he had stated respecting Reading was not by any means applicable to his motion. He hoped that the Honourable Member would admit that the object of every prison dis cipline was to reform and inflict just punishment at the same time, and that such was practised at Reading he had not the least occasion to doubt. He also considered that the Honourable Gentleman had not done justice to the recent improvements made in prison discipline, for he (Mr. Pearson) stated that he was for a uniform system of discipline, but did not point out the means by which it could be universally adopted. When he agreed with the Hon. Gentleman that there should be no useless expense, he (Sir G. Grey) should inform him that the expense,of 1,2001., to which he alluded in the improve ment of one gaol, occurred 25 years ago, and that the present separate model system did not then exist. Mr. PEARSON said that he quoted the words of the inspector of prisons, who asserts that it amounted to 1,2001. Sir G. GREY—When the Hon. Gentleman alluded to the increase of committals in the several gaols in Eng land, he (Sir G. Grey) was at a loss to know whether he made a comparison with the time of Howard, or with any particular period since then, as he (Mr. Pearson) should understand that his comparison of late years with former might be true in one sense, because there were formerly very few police in the country, and that, therefore, those few did not perform those duties due to justice and society, as well as the force that now exists, and consequently there were then fewer committals; but he hoped that the Hon. Gentleman would admit that there were great improvements in society of late years, though there were more committals, and that, therefore, his opinion was, that the prison discipline was more effi cacious than the past system of other days. He did not think that he alluded to the discipline of the days of Howard, and would be therefore glad to know to what time he alluded. Mr. PEARSON said, that if the Committee were granted, he would then show to what time he alluded. Sir G. GREY said, that he was also at a loss to know, whether those 1,000 prisoners, in 1,000 acres, at a cost of 1,0001., were to have separate sleeping places, or to be together day and night, but he supposed that that too would be given in evidence before a Committee. There were three reports of the Inspectors of Prisons in 1779, and solitary confinement was strongly approved of in all of those reports ; also Archdeacon Paley concurred in that opinion, as did also Mr. Howard. He perfectly agreed with the Honourable Gentleman, that labour should be associated with the system of separate con finement, and that it would be of very great advantage that the prisoners should be employed in the open air. He should next ask the county Members whether they were prepared to afford 500 or 1,0(h) acres for those pri sons, but he (Sir G. Grey) thought that the expense would be too great, though he, at the same time, fully concurred that the shoemaker and the tailor should be employed at their respective callings, yet be subject to such sepa rate confinement as would give them a distate for pri son discipline. At the same time it should be borne in mind that the work of these men should not interfere with the labour-market, for then the honest man would be interfered with in his employment. In fact, he (Sir George Grey) did not see what the Committee could do in that matter, but at the same time that he would op pose an inquiry, but not a speculative one, if it were the general wish of the House that such should take place. But when he (Mr. Pearson) said that the present system was destructive of its object, he did not at all agree with him, for it was obvious to every one that the condition of the age, strength, and morals of prisoners should be con sidered, and that justices of prisons should have a dis cretionary power of relaxing or remitting punishment, under the sanction of the Secretary of State, according as they consider the prisoner worthy of such remission. Nor did he see what was the plan that the Hon. Member intended to substitute instead of the present one. He looked upon the plan of 1,000 acres for 1,000 prison ers, at a cost of 1,0001., as merely speculative, because it should be considered that prisons in one locality would cost twice as much as in another, through stone and other necessaries being contiguous or remote; and also that in buildings near towns, that the ground is also a much higher item than that more distant. He thought, from the opinions of the most distinguished men on that subject, and also from his own experience, that the separate system was the better one for the im provement of the moral and social condition of the pri soners, and that by it there is not now any additional expense; whereas, if the Hon. Member's plan were to be carried out, there would be a double expense; first, that those prisons already built should be kept for per sons not convicts, according to him (Mr. Pearson); and, secondly, that those buildings to which be alluded would be of such an enormous and exorbitant expense, that the country was nut prepared to meet such a heavy pressure at present. Ha also agreed with him that the dietary should be less; but should remark, that he (Sir George Grey) had for some time had to com ply with the regulations in that department which were in force on his accession to office as being established by the Right Honourable Baronet the Member for Ripon (Sir J. Graham)., and that that was now considerably altered, he hoped for the better, so as to make the dis cipline as distasteful as possible to the prisoners. He should say that Mr. Merry, the inspector of the Read ing gaol, totally disagrees with the Hon. Gentleman as to the number of recommitments, and that he (Mr. Merry) states that they are less by 10 per cent., and that the reports of the recommitments are very unsatisfactory. He had been informed by the Hon. Member for Berk shire (Mr. R. Palmer) since he (Sir G. Grey) had come into the House, that the inspectors and officers of the Reading gaol courted inquiry. He hoped, however, that he (Mr. Pearson) would not press for a division on his motion, as it evinced so much of a speculative scheme.—(Hear, hear.) Mr. R. PALMER said that he considered that the case of Reading gaol was exaggerated by the Hon. Gen tleman (Mr. Pearson), and he could assure him that Mr. IMerry and the other persons connec t e d w i t h thatestablish eat had not the slightest objection to any inquiry. From his experience of fire years, during which time he had been a visiting magistrate, he considered that there were very great improvements in that gaol. He would read two letters from persons belonging to the Reading prison confirmatory of his assertion. He explained that there was a great difference between solitary confinement and separate confinement. Solitary confinement was one of the greatest punishments that could be inflicted upon human beings, but separate confinement involved no more than the enforcement of a discipline which was es sential to the good order of a gaol. He apporoved gene rally of the plans suggested by the prison inspectors. The Hon. Gentleman made some further observations, but they were so imperfectly heard in the gallery that their purport could not be gathered with certainty. On the motion of Mr. BROTHERTON, the debate was adjourned till to-day. The Grants of Land (New South Wales) Bill was read a third time. The Grand Jury Cess (Ireland) Bill went through Committee. The House adjourned at Half-past Twelve o'clock. THE SEA SERPENT.—Many have been the state ments of late respecting this lusus natura having been seen in its natural element. Much to our surprise, we find that what has hitherto been deemed a fictional monster, is likely to be soon exhibited in our own me tropolis. We observe in the Newcastle papers, that a strange and hitherto unknown fish, nearly thirteen feet in length, and possessing many of the characteristics which the captain of the Dtedalus enumerated in his description of the great Sea Snake, has really been caught off the Northumbrian coast, by the Cullercoats fishermen, and has been exhibited in Newcastle, where it has creat e d th e grea t es t sensa ti on . Th e members of the Natural History Society of that town have duly re ported upon it, and expressed their opinion, that it is a young specimen of the genus Gymnetrus, only four of which species, and those very rare, are known to icthyologists; and described by Cuvier and others as in habiting the Indian, Mediterranean, and White Seas. To this new and extraordinary one, the name of Gym narus Northumbricus has been given, specimens of which, in their adult state, have most probably led to the astounding descriptions hitherto published of the set, serpent. The present specimen has become the prov, ety of a Newcastle merchant, who has presented it to the Museum of that town, and we hear, that in a ' Jc ordancestin with a very general wi s h o f mos t o f our 0 . Aguished naturalists, it is on its way to the metrope: i i s , pur pose of being exhibit e d. If i ts appe strange as the r e p or t o f th e Nature r eance b e rea lly as for the presents it to be, it i s lik e ly to ".ttract as much attention Nature', History Society re -../ in London as it a l rea d y has - of the gr ea t mar l .. :lone in the north, and fully to account for th e man . "je monster. seemingly fabulous descriptions M. Gi t ( n*At's TULIP Snow.—Th e p r i va t e v i ew of the i t lY. ,ual show of tulips at the grounds of the cele brate u floriculturist Mr. Groom, at Clapham, took place on Monday, and was attended by' a more than usual number of the nobility and gentry, florists, amateurs, &c. Amongst them were the Duchess of Marl borough and party, Madame Bunsen, Lords Manners, Falkland, Minto, Ilawarden, Gage, Northwich, Lilford; Lady Langdale, Miss Coutts Burdett, &c. The appearance of the filwers, about 2,000 in the bed, under cover, 'howed what art could do to counteract the niggard ness of an ungenial spring and the cutting in fluence of an easterly wind. They were of extra ordinary splendour, and amongst th em were some specimens of t he most exquisite beauty. Tho flowers in the grounds not beneath covering had suffered from the cold, and were consequently inferior to those of more propitious former seasons; indeed, it is known that in most places the labours of tulip-growers have been this year completely lost, and not only the flowers, but the roots themselves have been destroyed. Amongst the most excellent of the specimens were those known as the Addison, Duke of Devonshire, Norfolk, Victoria, Louis XVI., Michael Angelo, Catalini, Bacchus, Nourri of a perfectly new description. Ef fendi, imperatrix florum, and one unique and novel spe cimenJ F. Denham, the rector of St. Mary - morning the Rev. J . LAMB AND FLAG RAGGED SCHOOLS.—On Sunday powerful the re discourse, at St. Mark's Churc , rentonville, to a crowded congre.• gation, who responded the Rev. Henry llughes, the in cumbent 351. In the evening s ha to the appeal by the subscription le. Strand, delivered of these schools. The im pressivecon- gregation discourse in support further sum of 171. Gordon square, delivered an gra ti F,V EN LNG, MAY 16, 1849. Gracious Sovereign and the Crown of Great Britain,!and of the respect; due to her Majesty's representative in this portion of her Majesty's dominions; that this city has been the scene et violence and outrage of a most de plorable and frightful character, the public records of the province and the Parliament buildings have been burned by lawless men, priv a te prop ert y d es troyed, and serious injuries inflicted on several peaceable and loyal citiz?ns. " That this House desires to express unanimously its abhorrence and indignation at such outrageous and law less acts, destructive to the peace of suciety, order, and good government. " That this House is prepared by every constitutional means to aid the Government in the suppression of vio lence, the restoration of order, and to assert the su premacy of the law." Yeas—Messr. Badgley, Boulton of Toronto, Cayley, Christie, Galt, Gugy, Sir Allen N. M'Nab, Malloch, M'Connell, I'apineau, Robinson, Seymour, Sherwood of Brockville, Sherwood of Toronto, Smith of Frontenac, Stevenson, and Wilson -17. Nays—Messrs. Armstrong, Attorney-General Bald• win, Beaubien, 8211, Boulton of Norfolk, Boutillier, I3urrtt, Cameron of Kent, Cartier, Cauchen, Chauveau, Davienon, DeWitt, I)uchesnay, Dutnas, Fergusson, Fortier, Fournier, Fourquin, Guillet, Holmes, Ls, Ter riCr9, Laurin, Lemieux, Marquis, M'Farland, Merritt, Mediot Morrison, Nelson, Notman, Polette, Price. S au• vageau, Smith of Durham, Smith of Wentworth, Tache, Thompson, Vigor, Watts, and Wetenliall-42. lion. Mr. Sherwood moved, " That the further con sideration of the main motion be postponed until Mon day next." Yeas—Messrs. Badgley, Boulton of Toronto, Christie, Galt, Gugy, Sir Allen A;'Nab, Malloch, Nl.Connell, Ro binson, Seymour, Sherwood of Brockville, Sherwood of Toronto, Smith of Frontenac, and Stevenson-14. Nays—Messrs. Attorney-General Baldwin, Boaubien, Bell, Solicitor-General Blake, Boulton of Norfolk, Bon - tinier, Cameron of Kent, Cartier, Chabot, Chauveau, Davignon, De Witt, Solicitor-General Drummond, Duchesnay, Dumas, Fergusson, Fortier, Fournier, Fourquin, Guillet, flineks, La Terriare, Laurin, Le mieux, Marquis, M'Farland, Merritt, Nliithot, Morrison, Nelson, Notman, Polette, Price, Smith of Wentworth, Tach6, Thompson, Viger, and Wetenhall-38. Mr. Galt moved, in amendment to the main motion:— " That this House hare viewed with the most profound regret the disturbance of the public peace in the city of Montreal during the last three days, and which bas re sulted in the destruction of the Parliament building, with the archives and library—the destruction of much pri vate property, and injury to the persons of her Majesty's subjects. "That this House considers it their first duty to tender to the Government their assurance that nothing shall be wanting on their part to restore public tranquillity, and that they are ready to make provision for any future measures judge i necessary to protect the lives and pro perty of her Majesty's subjects. " That whilst this House are of opinion that the restoration of peace is the first object to be achieved, they consider that they should be wanting in their duty to the country, if they did not express their opinion that to the advice of the present Executive Government, in recommending his Excellency to assent to the Rebellion Losses Bill, and to the manner in which the assent was given, are to be attributed the disturbances which have resulted so disastrously fur the honour and prosperity of this province; and that this House, fully recognising the constitutional principle that the Administration are to be held responsible for all acts of the Government, desire to express to his Excellency their sincere regret that his advisers should have taken that course which has caused insults to be offered to the representative of her Most Gracious Majesty in this province, as well as to this House, which are calculated to diminish the respect of the people for the constitution under which they live Yeas—Messrs. Badgley, Boulton of Toronto, Christie, Galt, Gugy, Sir Allan N. M•Nab, Malloch, M'Connell, Robinson, Seymour, Snerwood of Brockville, Sherwood of Toronto, Smith of Frontenac, and Stevenson-14. Nays—Messrs. Attorney-General Baldwin, Beaubien, Bell, Solicitor-General Blake, Boulton of Norfolk, Bou tither, Cameron of Kent, Cartier, Cauchon, Chabot, Chauveau, Davignon, 1)e Witt, Solicitor-General Drummond, Duchesnay, Dumas, Fergusson, Fournier, Fourquin, Hincke, Holmes, La Terriare, Lemieux, Niarquis,NPFarland, Merritt, Nelson, Notman, Papineau, Polette, Price, Smith of Wentworth, Tacha, Thompson, Viger, Watts, and Wetenhall-37. The question being then put upon the main motion, the House divided thereon, and it was decided in the affirmative. Yeas—Messrs. Attorney-General Baldwin, Beau bien, Bell, Solicitor General Blake, Boulton of Norfolk, Boutillier, Cameron of Kent, Cartier, Cauchon, Chabot, Chaveau, Davignon, De Witt, Solicitor-General Drum mond, Duchesnay, Dumas, l Fergusson, Fournier, Four quin, Mucks, Holmes, La Terriere, Lemieux, Marquis, M'Farland, Merritt, Nelson, Notman, Polette, Price, Smith of Wentworth, Tach6, Thompson, Vigor, Watts, and Wetenhall-36. Nays—Messrs. Badgley, Boulton of Toronto, Cayley, Christie, Galt, Gugy, Sir Allan N. AP/slab, Malloch, M'Connell,Papineau, Robinson, Seymour, Sherwood of Brockville, Sherwood of Toronto, Smith of Frontenac, and Stevenson-16. A committee was then appointed to prepare the address. The Hon. Mr. Boulton, from the committee to prepare an address in accordance with the foregoing resolution, reported the draught of an address, which was agreed to, and ordered to be engrossed. Ordered—That such Umbers of this House as ar• of the Honourable the Executive Council of this pro vince do wait upon his Excellency to know when he will be pleased to receive this House with its address. TO THE 6ECRETAHY OF THE METROPOLITAN REFORM ASSOCIATION. Sir,—On Monday the 14th, the debate on the Mar riages Bill was further a dj ourne d t ill J une 13. Th ese adjournments for six weeks are a sad trial for those who are smarting under the effects of the existing law. And as such they are intended. There can be no wonder at lengthy speeches, when an orator has only to ri, e at an hour when Hon. Members are sleepy, to throw over the process of legislation for half a quarter of a year at a blow. The Parliamentary Oaths 13111 is to be subjected if possible to a similar process. Though there was a full House in expectation of a division, this was resisted and the debate adjourned till Thursday. And Thursday a Puseyite Member discovers to be Ascension Day; whereupon notice is given of a motion to adjourn over that day, and all is to be abroad again. Lord John Russell consented to the omission of what is popularly considered as the nonsense part of the Par liamentary oath, viz, that which talks of the Pope of Rome and defending the settlement of property within this realm. But why does he preserve the words "on the true faith of a Christian," which it is clear to every body are the accidental peg on which the existing wrong is contrived to be hung? The most reasonable answer appears to be, that he does it in order to demonstrate to the peasant mind the trickery and unmeaningness of the words altogether. For everybody knows that there are at least three or four different parties taking the oath on " the true faith of a Christian," who would cut each other's throats if any oue of them was enforced to ac knowledge what is called " true Christianity" by the other. The words therefore are a disgraceful double entendre; and as such the Noble Lord holds them up, by allowing them to remain. On Tuesday great interest was felt in the House, from the knowledge that questions were to be proposed to the Government on the subject of the news from Ca nada. The Minister gave a guarded reply, intimating that ho would give information to the House when he knew more. On the whole nothing appeared which should alter the conclusion to be drawn from the public prints, that the outbreak in Canada is of the same na ture as if the Orangemen had appeared in arms on the Royal assent being given to the Catholic Emancipation Bill, or the English Conservatives on the passing of the Reform Bill. The case stands thus. A Government under certain forms of representation is established in Canada. But one class submits to it only with an understanding, that if the votes go against them, they are to rise in arms. Votes are to do their work while it suits them; and afterwards the musquet. Their threat at present is, to make the country over to the Americans, who are pledged within the life of man to have an army at Windsor Castle. There can be no doubt that the whole thing has its con nexions and bearings here. It is to act upon the Bill before the Lords upon the Navigation-laws, and the Jew Bill is not to go without a portion of its influence. A party which can rise in arms in Canada, is not without terror to the timid and the time serving here. The King of Hanover's advent is promised at the same con juncture. Is he driven from his dominions, or is he com ing to vote in the Committee of the Lords ? The present Government are evidently put upon their trial, and their future character will much depend upon ' the way in which they shall call around them the adher ence of the country. I am, Sir, your obedient servant, AN OLD REFORMER. London, May 16, 1849. IIAWICK MANUFACTURES.—(From a Correspon dent.)—For nearly the period of a century the town of Hawick has been celebrated as a thriving seat of manu facturing industry and enterprise. From small begin nings in the woollen branches of hosiery and weaving, its trade has gradually extended until it has become the greatest manufacturing place in the south of Scotland In the hosiery department alone more . frame work, in the shape of hose, shirts, drawers, under-clothing, is manufactured than in all Scotland put together. In the weaving department the annual value of the manu factured goods is also very great, consisting of tweeds, tartans, shawls, blankets, and shepherd's plaids, alias mauds, which latter article is indigenous to this place, and scarcely made anywhere else. The greater part of the above articles is made from foreign wools, purchased at the London sales, and sold, to a great extent, in the metropolis, as well as in the provincial towns. Out of a population of 8,000 nearly all are employed, directly or indirectly, in the production of the above goods, and taking into account that the burgh is 50 miles from a seaport, and 30 miles from coals, much credit is due to the enterprise of its capitalists. By this enterprise several steam-engines have lately been erectod to aid the water power in the driving of machinery, which consists of 60 sets, and we have no doubt, but on the completion of the Edinburgh and llawiek Railway, a f urt h er extension will be made, : affording a powerful stimulus to other surrounding towns of the border counties, sunk into poverty for want of a spirit of com mercial e nterprise. SPOTS ON TIIE SUN.—Mr. Chalmers, of Weston super, -blare says—" That there is at the p resent t i me in the centre of the sun's disc a collection of spots of such extent that the whole may be seen as one spot w i t h o ut the aid of magnifying power, by merely pro feeling the eye by a dark glass. Of COUTSO with a good 1 telescope the spots present a very curious appearance." IN SURRECT lON TN CANADA. The Montreal Gaze Lite of the 27th ult. contains the following narrative of the sacking and burning of the Parliatnent House:— ‘. The writer of th' is report, on proceeding to the House of Assembly on Wednesday evening, at about 9 o'clock, to take his pl Ace in the reporters' gallery, fell in with a crowd of per sons marching towards the house. The crowd advanced on the house by different streets from the direction of the Placa d'Armes. It speedily surrounded the house and commenced throwing stones through the windows. The crowd was large, but not very dense; the writer was able to walk about through every part of it. The excitement appeared to be intense. A party of the more violent among the crowd proceeded to burst open the hall door, which they succeeded in doing in the space of a few moments, smashing the door to atoms. They then rushed up the main stairs into the hall of the Assembly, a few members only having , remained, among whom were Messrs. Stevenson, Galt, M'Counell, and Dr. Fortier—the first named, with great coolness, planted themselves in such a manner as to escape the volleys of stones, an I, like philosophers, coolly surveyed the scene ; the last screaming and yelling from very tear. The mob pro ceeded to demolish evervthing in the hall. O ne fellow took possession of th e Speaker's chair. and declared in a solemn voic e th at h e di ss olved the Parlia meat in the Queen's name, and that the Members had better take themselves off, or he would not answer for their lives. The remaining Ilembirs, together with other individuals and f our or fi ve l a di es , h a d in the meantime . taken refug e b e hi n d t h e S pea k er ' s c hair. One of the reporters jumped f rom a w i n d ow in the second story. This, however, was needless, for instead of hav ingl to pass thro ug h a l o bb y full of yell i ng d emons , as i on. Gentlemen anticipated, they had simply to walk out. " The writer proceeded round the House on the out side; the crowd appeared to be composed, for the most part as far as he was able to observe, of merchants and other respectable citizens of Montreal. " The number of persons inside the House was not very large ; there was a party in the lobby engaged in breaking up the Committe-rooms, clerks' offices, and knocking windows out. On the outside the writer saw five or six rough looking fellows beating in the window panes with sticks and axe handles. A few boys 'were throwing stones through the windows. The writer heard some expressions to the effect that it was not improbable that the mob in the building would set it on fire ; these expressions did not seem unnatural from the manner in which the work of demolition was going on. On arriving at the west end of the building was employed as a store-room-room ..r stationery. When the boarding (a kind of panelling) was broken through, some he saw a few men break open a woo d en ga ll ery , w hi c h loose papers appeared to have been strewed on the floor, which the writer thought were leaves of printed bills, as these were flying about in all directions. The men then fired those loose papers, and threw them about the room. The wind was high, and in a very few moments the wooden gallery and a canvas covering above it were enveloped in flames. The crowd stood at some distance watching in an apparently impassive manner the progress of this handful of incendiaries. The anxiety of the mo ment was painful. Five or six resolute men might have arrested the incendiaries and prevented the catastrophe. The writer's first impulse was to hasten for the police ; he did not take this step, as the wildfire rapidity with which the flames spread rendered it useless. " Some fire-engines were immediately in the neigh bourhood, but they did not play upon the tire. It was rumoured that the crowd would not permit them. "The writer again hastened to the hall of the House with the intention of endeavouring to aid in saving some part of the library or records. He found the hall dark and in confusion. He thought there were some persona engaged already in what he intended to do; and finding that he could be of no use, again left the hall to watch the progress of the flames. " All this occurred in the space of 10 or 15 minutes. The wooden part of the building was now blazing with intense brightness. A dense smoke was visible inside the main building. A moment more, and it belched through the windows and chimneys with awful fury. It was now evident that any power, less than the hand of God, must be inadequate to save the building, and it would have been madness for human beings to have attempted it. " All hopes of rescuing the libraries were now at an end. The centre part of the building, occupied by the library of the Assembly, in a short time fell in with a dreadful crash through the roof of the west wing of the building. In a little time more the whole building, from one end to the other, was enveloped in one sheet of he intense heat , the belching flames roof as it fell in, and the sight l t i h v e in b g u fl il a d m in e g . fo l r t t was now impossible to approach near now bursting through the y wbienadu lashedt lul tThethe fia night es was clear an Numbers of dazzlingly white flakes to maddening fury. fir se to some hei ht above of flame, like balloons of ere e,ro became awfu d lly eo a i n d , the raging flames, be caused flakes appeared to by and ma g n the iti c h e i n g t h l distance. These fire and w borne by the wind g s to some burning pieces of p a p er bein g shot u p wards b y the fur y of the flames. The whole heavens were illuminated, and the clear and beautiful blue of the firmament, with the moon and stars brightly shining, contrasting with the maddened flames and white light below—made a picture " of thrilling and awful beauty, such as it is rarely the lot of the artist to look upon, and such a one that his pencil would vainly try to imitate. " The crowd was still not dense ; it was not too much so to allow a horseman to gallop through it. The ex pressions were various. Some were execrating the Governor-General • soma deploring the outra g e ; some speculating on the loss, more particularly of the two best and most extensive libraries in the province ; and some were exulting over the ruin ; while others amused themselves with tearing to atoms numbers of bills which had been thrown through the windows. Some were making witty allusions to the warm and sudden disso lution of Parliament, comparing it to the Long Par liament. There were various stories circulating aiJout some fellows taking away that bauble,' the mare ; and of some fellow taking possession of the chalr, and de claring that the Parliament was dissolved. Some were wondering where the military were, anti some gave out that they were coming. This did not, however, create the slightest alarm that the writer was able to perceive, except that a few Canadians, catching the word, on the hint respectively said, 'je m'en vain,' which they imme diately did. The feeling of the crowd might be divided into two divisions —deep regret on the part of the re reflecting and better informed, and jesting exultation among the unreflecting and ill-informed. "In the meantime the roofs of some houses on the op posite side of Commissioner -street had taken fire, and painful fears began to be excited that it would extend to the whole of St. Paul-street, the wind being so high. The fire companies, however, performed their part well, working in an intense heat, and succeeding in putting down the fire, one or two houses only being burnt, of comparatively trifling value. The damage in the other street, on the east side of the house, was confined to some wooden railings. The writer was on the spot until near two o'clock; when the rage of the flames had abated, all the flooring and roofing had fallen in, the bare walls alone stood, and the interior, from one end to the other, presented one mass of living embers. " It may be observed that it was a late hour before the military arrived at the scene; and the writer ob. served no police until the work of destruction had irre trievably commenced. This cannot be too much re gretted, and the reason should be well inquired into; for the writer affirms that fire or six policemen might have arrested the incendiaries, while the crowd, at some dis tance, looked passively on. The greater part of the crowd consisted of men too respectable to have aided in incendiarism, and it seems wonderful that they could have stood and looked so silently on. The writer can only account for it by suppos i ng t h a t they had noidea of the sudden result. "The next morni ng th e h ouse lay in smoking rui n s. The stone of which it was b u il t being blue limestone , the walls were whit e n e d, crum bl e d, and tottering in a very dangerous state." (By Electric Telegraph.) MONTREAL, WRDNESDAY MOANING , MAY 2. We continue in a most excited state. All sorts of rumours are flying about. The Royalists from various districts are reported as marching on the:town, and that in their progress conflicts are occurring with the French habitans. Mobs of people have be mov ing in th e neighbour hood of the city during tne past night, in expectation of arrivals of French hakidans; if these should come in in an armed body we skall have sad work. It was ret:'orted yesterday that a deputation was coming frotva Quebec to present an address to the Go vernor-r,eneral. This created a good d ea l of excite ment, and a large mob, number ing some 6,000 or 7,000, u:sembled to prevent their landing, but notwithstanding their efforts to prevent them, they succeeded in e ff ect i ng a landing at the Cross, about three m i les bel ow M ontreal. Large meetings are be ing held in Toronto and Kingston, and numerous petitions are gettin g up to h er Majesty the Queen for the recal of Lard Elgin. The following are the votes and proceedings of the Legislative Assembly of Canada after the destruction of the Houses of Parliament:— BONSECOURS-lIALL , SATURDAY, APRIL 28. Hon. Mr. Boulton moved the following address to his Excellency : " May it please your Excellenz,— W e , h er M a j esty ' s dutiful and loyal subjects, the Commons of Canada in Parliament assembled, have witnessed with feelings of deep sorrow and indignation the proceedings of a mob of riotous and disorderly inhabitants of this city, who, in a time of profound peace and tranquillity, have committed several wanton and disgraceful outrages, as well upon persons as property, th e most promi nent of which i s the destruction of the building occupied by the two Houses of Parliament. At such a moment of excitement we feel it to be dud to ourselves and our constituents to assure your Excellency of the devoted loyalty and attachment of the people of Canada to the person and Government of our beloved Sovereign, and of their earnest desire to preserve the connexion with the parent state. " We further beg leave to express to your Excellency our deep sense of the justice and impartiality which has uniformly characterised the constitutional government of your Excellency, while assisted by the counsels of your former, as well as your present advisers, without refer ence to the policy of either. " While we sincerely hope that the tranquillity of the city is now substantially restored, we feel it our duty to assure your Excellency of our cordial support of any measure which your Excellency may find it necessary to take for the preservation of the public peace, and we pledge ourselves to make good any expense that your Excellency may have found it necessary, or may yet find it necessary, to incur for the accomplishment of that object." Mr. Wilson moved, in a mendment—. " That an humble address be presented to his Excel lency to express that, we. the Commons of Canada, in Parliament assembled, beg to assure his Excellency of our undiminished devotion and attachment to our most SPORTING INTELLIGENCE. TATTERSALL'S.—YESTERDAY. DERBY. 2 to 1 agst Lord Eglinton's The Flying Dutchman 9 to 2 agst Mr. A. Nichol's Nunnykirk—taken to 501., afterwards offered 7 to 1 agst Colonel Peel's Tadmor—taken to 1001. 8 to 1 agst Lord Eglinton's Elthiron 15 to 1 agst Mr. Watts's Chatterer 20 to 1 agst Sir J. Hawley's Vatican 30 to 1 agst Mr. Bowes's The Knout—taken 30 to 1 agst Mr. Pcdley's Old Dan Tucker 40 to 1 agst Mr. Disney's Montague 1,000 to 15 agst Mr. Farrance's The Old Fox—taken 1,000 to 15 agst Lord Chesterfield's Drakelowe—taken No others mentioned. Elthiron was backed for nearly 400 L at S and 9 to 1; the other investments were iu small sums. Montague was quite out of favour. It has been stated, on the authority of the Yorkshire papers, that Old Dan Tucker has joined John Day's lot; this is not the fact, as he is now at Epsom under the care of C. Peck. DERBY, 1850. 40 to 1 agst Lord Chtden's l'untifex—taken to 1001. 45 to 1 agst Lord EgHilton's Knight of Avenel — taken to 1001 50 to 1 agst Duke of Richmond's Ghillie Callum— taken to 3001. 1,000 to 20 agst Lord John Scott's Windhound—taken The Subscription Rooms will be opened every day ;his week. Mr. Wreford's Wadastra filly has received the name of W.)ollark. BETTING AT MANCHESTER.—TUESDAY. THE MANCHESTER CUP.-3 to 1 agst Joe-o'-Sot (t), 9t o2 s isigysiotk ( t to 1 10 eh.t Flying Inheritress t,o,i ( l t ) a , g s st t o , l a agst d y Hi ld Halton a (t 3 . (t ) , 7 to 1 agst DERBY. _ e9 Dutchman (t and aft offered), 9 to 2 agst Nunnykirk (t), 7 to 1 agst Tadmor, 10 to 1 agst Vanguard (t), 10 to 1 agat Elthiron (t to 100/ ), IS to I agst Chatterer, 20 to 1 agst The Knout, 33 to 1 agst Montague, 600 to 10 agst The Old Fox (t). OARS.-6 to 1 agst Glauca (t), 7to 1 agst any other. ASCOT HEATH, 1849. Handicap for the Ascot Stakes of 25 soya. each, 15 ft, and 5 only if declared on or before Monday next. If the highest weight accepting is under Bst 71b, it will be raised to that weight. and the others in proportio.n st. lb. st. lb. The Hero. 6 yrs * Peep-o'-dayßoy,syrs 9 7 Essedarius, 3 yrs 6 4 The Cur, aged Collingwood, 6 yrs Ellerdale, 5 yrs 9 0 Pius Nine, 4 yrs Inheritress, aged 8 7 Marlow, 5 yrs Flateatcher, 4 yrs 8 7 The Flea, 3 yrs Executor, 5 yrs Wanota, 5 yrs Sotterley, 4 yrs 7 10 Do-the-boys, 3 yrs ... 6 0 Brandylace, 5 yrs 7 10 Clarissa, 3 yrs Clermont, 5 yrs 7 9 Rhesus, 3 yrs Vampyre, 5 yrs Halo, 5 yrs Plaudit, aged 7 7 Miss Nipper, 4 yrs .. 5 12 Tufthunter, 5 yrs Patriot, aged 7 7 iChicaneur, 4 yrs Glutton, 4 yrs ~,1 Swiss Boy, 4 yrs Joc-o'..Sot, 5 yrs *Postilion, 4 yrs Cymba, 4 yrs Blaze, 4 yrs Antagonist, 5 yrs Sylvan, 4 yrs 7 3 dam, 3 yrs 5 8 Doctrine, 5 yrs 7 2 Strychnine, 3 yrs, 5 8 Deerstalker,4 yrs 7 2 Solon, 3 yrs Wyke (h b). 5 yrs. .... 7 2 St. Antonio, 4 yrs Mrs. Tuft, 4 yrs Newcourt,aged 7 0 Miss Flower, 3 yrs ... 5 4 Fugleman, 4 yrs *Geraldine, 6 yrs 7 0 Rodney, 3 yrs *Spectator, aged Giselle, 6 yrs Ziska, 5 yrs 7 0 Snowstorm, 3 yrs 5 0 Oscar, 4 yrs ....... .... 7 0 Raby, 3 yrs Beauclerk, 4 yrs 7 0 I'he Swift, 3 yrs Maid of Lyme, 6 yrs . 7 0 Glenalvon, 3 yrs Swordplayer, 4 yrs... 7 0 Grasshopper, 3 yrs Amazement, aged ... 6 13 Countess colt, 3 yrs 4 12 Cardinal's Niece, 5 yrs 6 13, rsflis, 3 yrs Sagacity, 5 yrs Radulphus, 6 yrs 6 12 Testator, 3 yrs..., 4 11 Tarella, 5 yrs Lethargy, 5 yrs Camphine, 4 yrs Merry Andrew, 5 yrs 6 11 *Dscotah Chief, 3 yrs 4 7 Keleshea, 5 yrs Portrait, aged Bokhara, aged 6 10 Latching, 3 yrs 4 6 Hornpipe, 4 yrs Remembrancer, 4 yrs 6 10 Durdans, 3 yrs 4 5 Helter Skelter, 4 yrs 6 9 *Bonbon, 3 yrs 4 4 Tophana, 4 yrs ... 6 9 Cheerful, 3 yrs Osterley, 3 yrs 6 7 Dark Lady, 4 yrs 4 4 Old Dan Tucker,3 yrs 6 7 Little Charley, 3 yrs Henry of Exeter, 3yrs 6 7 *The Flapper, 3 yrs 4 0 The Old Fox, 3 yrs... 6 7 Chicot, 3 yrs 4 0 Rathmines, 5 yrs 6 7 Juggler, 3 yrs .... Gardenia, 4 yrs ... .. 6 6 Francesca, 3 yrs Chapelgorie, 4 yrs ... 6 6 The Tartar, 5 yrs, pays ft. Watchdog, 5 yrs Those marked * having been entered without the knowledge of their owners, will be struck out by the time prescribed, unless especially ordered to remain in. Nominations for the Royal Hunt Cup of 200 sus., with 100 added. New mile. Valentine, 4 yrs—Wyke (h. b.), :5 yrs—The Moor, 4 yrs—Spithead, 6 yrs—Henry of Exeter, 6 yrs—lia dulphus, 6 yrs—Teflis, 3 yrs—Strychnine, 3 yrs—Col lingwood, 6 yrs—Dulcet, aged—Dark Lady, 3 yrs— Resolution 5 yrs—Susan Lovell, 3 yrs—Wanota, 5 yrs —Sir Launcelot, 3 yrs—The Seraph, 3 yrs—Eva, 3 yrs —Cosachia, 5 yrs—Ulysses, 5 yrs—Grace, 3 yrs— Slashing Alice, 3 yrs--br c by John o' Gaunt, out of Guzman's dam, 3yrs—Newcourt, aged—Reflection, 4 yrs —Hornpipe, 4 yrs—Beauclerk, 4 yrs—Westow, 3 yrs— Maid of my Soul, 4 yrs—The Fiddler, 4 yrs—Vam pyre, 5 yrs—Poulton, 5 yrs—Caricature, 3 yrs—Retail, 3 yrs—Crucible, 3 yrs—Farthingale, 3 yrs—Cymba, 4 yrs—Lady Wildair, aged—Mrs. Taft, 4 yrs—Kiss away, 3 yrs—Dolly Varden, 3 yrs—Faith, 4 yrs— Blaze, 4 yrs—The Widow, aged—Honeycomb, 3 yrs. Nominations for the Three Hundred Sovereigns, given by the Great Western Railway Company. Swinley Course. Valantinia, 4 yrs—Repletion, 3 yrs—Executor, 5 yrs —Chantrey, 3 yrs—Radulphus, 6 yrs—Teflis, 3 yrs— Latchlug, 3 yrs—Wyke, 5 yrs—Strychnine, 3 yrs—St. Rosalia, 3 yrs—Collingwood, 6 yrs—Dark Lady, 3 yrs —Resolution, 5 yrs—Swordplayer, 4 yrs—Tophana, 4 yrs—Glenalvon, 3 yrs—Gardenia, 4 yrs—Hotspur, 3 yrs—Emma Donna, 3 yrs—lnheritress, aged—The Moor, 4 yrs—Abd-el•Kader, 3 y - rs—Athelstane, 4 yrs— Maid of my Soul, 4 yrs—Newcourt, aged—Vampyre, 5 yrs—Hornpipe, 4 yrs—Do-the-boy 5,3 yrs—The Tartar, 5 yrs—Caricature, 3 yrs—gr o by Colwick, out of St. Winifred, 3 yrs—Glauca, 3 yrs—Clarissa, 3 yrs—Kiss away, 3 yrs—Mounseer, 3 yrs—Bellenden, 4 yrs—Lady Wildair, aged—Mrs. Taft, 4 yrs—New Era, 3 yrs— Faith, 4 yrs—Blaze, 4 yrs—Wanota, 5 yrs—St. An tonia, 4 yrs—Chicaneur, 4 yrs—Eugenie, 3 yrs. COURT CIRCULAR. The Queen and Prince Albert, accompanied by tho Prince of Wales, the Princess Royal, and the Princess Alice took an airing yesterday in an open carriage and four. The Equerries in Waiting, General Wemyss, and Lieutenant-Colonel the Hon. Alexander Gordon, attended on horseback. Her Majesty and Prince Albert honoured her Ma jesty's Theatre with their presence yesterday evening. The Royal Suite consisted of the Countess of Desart, !lon. Miss Murray, Hon. Miss Macdonald, the Earl of Morton, General Wemyss, and Lieutenant-Colonel the Hon. Alexander Gordon. Their Royal llighnesses the Prince and Princess Augustus, of Saxe Coburg took a carriage drive yes. terday. The Lord Provost of Glasgow, Bailie Orr, accom panied by Mr. Alexander 'Jude, M.P., had an inter view with Sir George Grey yesterday at the Home office. The Marquis of Kildare, M.P., had an interview with the Right lion. Henry Labouchoro yesterday, at the office of the Board of Trade. Dispatches were received yesterday at the Colonial office from tho Governors of the North American Co lonies. The Marchioness of Lansdowne bad an evening party yesterday at Lansdowne House, Berkeley-square. M. CLAUDET'S DAGUERROTYPE. An hour or two may be very pleasantly spent in M. Claudet's photographic rooms, at King William-street, Strand (late the Adelaide Gallery), and at the Colos seum. It is generally known that M. Claudet, who is eminent as a man of science, is entitled to the merit of having brought the beautiful inventions of M. Daguerre and Mr. Fox Talbot to their present stato of perfection. To him we aro indebted to the capability of rendering the metallic plates so sensitive that the image thrown upon them by the Camera is instantly received, and to him we are indebted for the means of fixing such images so that they remain on the plate for ever. His improvements, made With ingenuity, have been by him freely communicated wtohtohteapkueblliikce, naenssdesasbyfrteheelyd aagduoeprtreodtypbey a p l r l es t s h . e p H a e rt i i n es . vents; others have adopted; none have equalled him. M. Claudet's specimens already appear to form the nucleus of a photographic gallery of eminent persons of the pre sent day. Already have engravings been made from se veral of them. Tho very best portrait of the Duke of Wellington is that which has been engraved from the portrait by M. Claudet. The popular portrait of the late Lord George Bentinck has emanated from the same quarter. So have the engraved likenesses of l oc ' et a r r taadi Rich mond,anyl y , Scoresby n (thed ethers. Among t r a t v h e e l l most er), recent,the D u a k n e d very admirable for resemblance and effect, are the por traits of Alboni, Professor Rose of Berlin, the Hon. C. Villiers, the Earl of Bosse, an d th e Ma quis of North ampton. There is also a most striking and marked likeness of Lord Brougham, taken the day before his Lordship . quitted England for his recent visit to Paris. A morning at Claudet's may be very pleasantly profitably spent. and THE POISONING AT GUESTLING.—HASTINGS, TUES DAY EVENING.--This morning, at nine o'clock, the coro ner's inquiry con cerc i ng t h e myster i ous d eat h s b y poisoning at Guestling, was resumed at the White Hart Inn, before Mr. Kell, the district coroner, and the jury previously empannelled. As on previous occasions the greatest interest was snanifested to hear the proceed ings. Evidence of a similar character to that already given was adduced, and occupied the whole of the day; the inquiry was proceeding when the train left. fa/s aide-de-camp ). I. ,,, N ts T iQ, E cuee L et arha rumour m at 7 o d dNiT u i e a t s i t l r a o t us a in b t a e t l t l a ig li e o n n c o e f f7 t n h a e, C f v dispatched for permanent military wince. The Arrogant, screw-frigate, now at and the Ganges, 84, at Cork, could take them if re quired; but as the Marines are reduced within the number voted, and form the only real reserve for the navy that we have, it will be scarcely safe, under the present state of affairs in Europe, to diminish the avail able home strength of this gallant and ever ready corps. The Plumper, screw-sloop, at Portsmouth, Commander Nolleth, was undocked yesterday, and proceeds imme diately to North America. The Queen, 116, Captain 11. W. Bruce, was mustered and inspected in Plymouth Sound on Monday, by the Commander in-Chief, Sir W. H. Gage, G.C.H., and eras then towed into Hamoaz by the Salamander and Lucifer steam-vessels, to be paid off. PORTSMOUTH, TUESDAY.—Captain Bruce, of the Queen, 116, just arrived at Plymouth, is considered likely to have the honour of being uppointed extra naval aide de-camp to her Majesty. The arrival of the Queen and Hibernia (the latter shortly expected) together with the paying off the Alarm and Scourge, will allow of half a dozen pennants being hoisted immediately. The North Star, Master-Commander Saunders, will sail on Thursday from the Nore Kith provisions for the relief of Sir James Ross's expedition in search of Sir John Franklin, and so anxious are the Lords of the Ad miralty for her speedy transport to the scene of her use fulness, that they have ordered the Stromboli steam sloop, Commander Lord A. W. Beauclerk, to take her in tow and see her as far towards the ice as prudence may dictate. His Lordship has had the honour of an inter view with the Board of Admiralty prior to his departure upon the interesting service. The ship Euphrates, 557 tons, now fitting at Dept ford, is to convey from this port to Quebec detachments of the 23d Reserve and 2d Battalion Rifle Brigade. The unsightly out-house looking building in the Cla rence-yard, fortheuseoeirtehceted Courtas a f l r l o .o rn ya t l er h t e mi r a t i o lvi t as h y e Gosport nus station to the water's edge, is found inadequate for its purpose, and orders arrrived this day to take it down and amend such portions of it as can be conveniently altered. The Menai, 26, receiving-hulk in this harbour, has, we are informed, been lent to the coast guard service, and will lodge a number of coast guard men, one or two from each district, all of whom will be perfected in gun nery by Commander Jerningham, on board the Excel lent gunnery-ship, Captain H. D. Chads, C.B. Having concluded the course of instruction, these men will be returned as instructors of gunnery to the different coast guard districts throughout the whole service. The experimental steam-sloops Niger and Basilisk arrived to-day from the eastward. Captain IL T. Austin, in the Basilisk, after three or four trials of speed on the measured mile in Stokes-bay, proceeded to the westward, and anchored in Cowes-roads about noon. The Niger anchored at Spithead for about two hours, and weighed again at one P.m. She took several turns on the mile, and then followed the Basilisk to the westward, finally sailing from Cowes at 330 P.M. As far as opinion could be formed from ap pearances only, without accurate data for guidance, the speed of the Basilisk was considerably greater than that of the screw-propelled vessel (the Niger). As a draw back on this quality of swiftness, she appeared to steer very badly, taking a range of nearly three points each way, which is a very great deviation in smooth water. The Sphynx steam-sloop, Commanderlß. S. Hewlett (acting), sailed this forenoon for the Downs. ,LIGENCE. Is to the vacant office of. 1 ,..j •oukeznada has reviiiar: ,, 14iyel Marines will be ry -eer►ioe in that . pro• t Portemouth, The Scourge steam. sloop, Commander H. E. Win grove, was paid off to-day, alongside the dockyard. The Columbia, steam surveying -vessel, Commander P. F. Shortland, came into the harbour this morning. The Plumper screw-propelled steam-sloop, Com mander M. S. Nolloth, was undocked this afternoon. The fine packet-ship, Devonshire, from New York, reported to be 1,400 tons burden, called here this afternoon, on her way to London, and landed passengers. Wind—S.W. by W.; fresh breezes and cloudy. WOOLWICH, Mar 15.—The Stromboli steam•sloop, Commander Lord Aurelius Beauclerk, arrived at Wool wich yesterday evening to be docked, a small bolt having got into one of her valves, which it will be easier to ex tract from the outside when she is taken into dock. The departure of the North Star has been consequently de ferred, but it is expected she will be able to leave Green• hithe on Thor&lay morning with the Stromboli. Mr. Kay, late chief engineer of the Stromboli, died suddenly at Woolwich, where he had come on a visit to his wife previous to leaving for the North Sea, and his remains were interred in the parish churchyard here yesterday, the pall being borne by six engineers of the same rank as the deceased, followed by twenty-four engineers in their uniforms. The African steam-vessel, Second Master T. Gill, hay ing some defects to make good, was taken into the basin at Woolwich, and the officers and crew turned over to the Advice steam-vessel. The latter left Woolwich at four o'clock A.M., to-day, for Sheerness. Mr. James M`Callitin, late boatswain at Woolwich Dockyard, whose death was announced yesterday, had seen a great deal of service, having been pressed into the royal navy in 1803; he was present in the action at Trafalgar; he was boatswain's mate in the Bellerophon, 78 guns, Captain Warren, from June, 1808, to January, 1810, and obtained very high certificates of character from that gallant officer. In 1810, Mr. M'Callum joined the Reynard as boatswain, and in 1813 served in the Scamander. In the same year he was appointed to the Niger, in 1819 to the Atlas, and in the same year to the Ramilies; in 1828 to the Royal Sovereign, where he served with the Duke of Clarence, afterwards William IV. Mr. M'Callum was ultimately appointed boatswain at Woolwich Dockyard as a reward for his previous good service. Mr. M'Callum was most indefatigable in the performance of his duties, and his great practical know ledge was often found advantageous in difficult under takings, of which the able manner in which he bad a carriage constructed under his sole directions at Wool wich Dockyard, which conveyed the statue of the Duke of Wellington from Paddington to Hydo Park-corner, and the ability he displayed in erecting the scaffolding which enabled the workmen to raise that great weight of metal to the top of the arch at Constitution-hill, op po.ite Apsley House, affords abundant proof. LAW INTELLIGENCE. COUR r OF COMMON PLEAS, May 15. 'Sittings at Nisi Prius, at Guildhall, before Lord Chief Justice WILDE and a Common Jury.) SANDERSON V. REICHTLEY. This was an action for breach of covenant. _ _ Mr. Sergeant Channell and Mr. noggins were counsel for the plaintiff, and Mr. Mellish represented the de fendant. Mr. Sergeant CHANNEL', said this plaintiff, Mr. Charles James Sanderson, is a gentleman residing at Maids-hill, and the defendant, Mr. William Keightley, is trumpet-major in the Royal Horse Guards. In 1842, a person named Andrews, demised to ono Taylor, cer tain premises, consisting of seven houses, situate in Angel-alloy, Bishopsgato.street. Soon after Taylor took possession of the premises, he assigned them to • person named Ponder, who, in his turn, assigned them to the defendant, and the action was brought for a breach of covenant, in consequence of the non-payment of a year and a half's rent. These facts were put in evidence on the part of the plaintiff, and Mr. MELLISH, for the defendant, in his address to the jury, submitted to them that the simple question for them to consider, was whether the defendant, Was. Keightley, was the party to whom the lease in question had been assigned. In order to make him liable for the rent, it was essential that he should become the assignee of that lease. The plaintiff said some time in 1845 that lease was assigned by Thomas Ponder, who was the as signee of Taylor, the original tenant, and that Ponder assigned to the present defendant, William Keightley. By an Act of Parliament passed in 1844, such assign ment could only be by deed; since 31st September, 1844. nu assignment of any lease of that description could be made except by deed. The plaintiff had given some evidence that the defendant was dealing with the pro perty as the owner, and that might raise some presump tion prima facie that he was the assignee, but there was no evidence to show that Ponder had executed to the defendant. On the 13th February, 1844, the premises were assigned to a person named Hazlehurst, and he (Mr. Mellish) contended that it was perfectly clear that the plaintiff was well aware of that transaction. Ila zlehurst merely took an interest in the property as trustee of Adam Keightley, the defendant's sou. On the 3d May, 1844, Hazlehurst assigned to Adam Keightley, and he became the assignee. Evidence of those facts was given on the part of the defendant, and Mr. Sergeant CHANNELL was proceeding to address the jury for the plaintiff, when The LORD CHIEF JUSTICE stopped him, and intimated ground that that the plaintiff must be non suited on h anyther ew paisainnoti assignmentffwas evidence to the tode defendant. the thatn accordingly.t. P nd e t r aa , e e vE u t ii t e d). THE LAW OF LUNACY. This subject has lately been attracting a great deal of public attention, and we must own that it was high time it did so. We perfectly agree with our contemporary, The Sun, and other leading journals, that a great deal of injustice and harshness is used towards numbers of those unhappy people who are confined in madhouses. But unlike this journal, we do not stop here. We go further, and while we would introduce a more just and lenient system in a great many cases, we would, in others, extend the powers of the Commissioners, and give them full authority for summarily taking up and confining among the very worst class of madmen : I. All persons imagining the Duke of Richmond is a great man, and that he will ever restore the reign of Pro tection. 2. Every one who believes it will eventually matter, in the slightest de g ree, whether the Lords on the third reading throw out the Bill for the repeal of the naviga tion-laws or not. 3. Every parent who thinks that out of one hundred persons, particularly young men, who declare that they are highly gratified when " Baby" is brought in ‘vhig the dessert, that ninety-nine do not think it a moat A' tolerable nuisance and wish it at—the top of the hous.9, in the nursery. 4. All individuals who imagine that the circulation of the " Funetic Nuz" will shortly equal that of the Times, or Pup?c t- Show. 5. All persons who fondly c herish the idea that meri t bas anything to do with a man's obtaining a Govern.- ment situation. And 6. Each and every man, woman, or child paying for all admission, or even going with tickets, into the Strand Theatre to see Mr. 11. Farren —The Puppet Show. Earl Grey has just disposed of his fine liortod estate, near Wooler, to 'Matthew Culley, Esq., of Foie , berry Tower. for a sum little short of 50,0001.—New a castle JoursaL ~~~~