The Sun. — London, England, 1849-03-21 00:00:00

SOUTH-EASTERN AND CONTI NENTAL STEAM-PACKET COMPANY. The usual half-yearly meeting of the shareholders in the above company was held yesterday at the Bridge house Hotel. Mr. Macgregor, Chairman of the South- Eastern Railway, in the chair. Mr. G. S. HERBERT, the secretary, having read the advertisement convening the meeting, the common seal was attacbtd to the registe: of proprietors; after which the report was submitted to the shareholders, which repre - serked the undertaking to be in a highly prosperous condi tion, and statedthat negotiations were going on for selling . the boats to the Southampton Railway Company. The re ceipts of the past half-year amounted to 11,0111.105. ld., and the expenditure to 8,136/. lls. 6d., leaving a balance in hand of 2,874/. 18s. 7d., which, with the balance of 861. 13s. 10d. from last half-year, made a total of 2,961/. 12s. 5d., out of which it was proposed to pay ss. per share, leaving a balance in hand of 1811. 2s. sd. Mr. GILBERTSON made a long speech upon the state of . the company's affairs, with the simple view, as it would seem, of insinuating, a charge of jobbing a M gainst the . c hairman, because , forsooth, his brother, r. W. F. Macgregor, had been employed to build one of the boats. The CHAIRMAN, however, indignantly repelled the insinuation, at the same time calling upon the meeting to appoint a committee of inquiry if doubts were enter tained of the honesty of his management. He admitted that the engines of one of their boats had been con structed by a Liverpool firm, in which his brother had a fractional interest, but that boat had turned out to be the cheapest and best of the lot, while all the boats, which were eight in number, had cost less per ton than those of any other company whose vessels were of the same class.—(Cheers.) After the report had been adopted, and the dividend declared, the meeting, as a mark of their confidence in the Honourable Chairman, re-elected him a director by acclamation, and the proceedings terminated with the customary vote of thanks to the same gentleman, which Mr. Gilbertson seconded amidst the applause of the shareholders. BANK OF EN GLAND. The General Court of Proprietors held on Thurs day last, and adjourned to yesterday, met at eleven o'clock, for the purpose of taking the determination by note, in print or writing, of the question on the follow ing resolution, proposed at the Court, for a dividend, viz.:—That a dividend be made of Q. 10s. per cent. in terest and profits, for the half-year ending the sth April next, without any deduction on account of the income-tax. At' the meeting of the Court, Messrs. Gribble, Vigne, Cazenove, and Sullivan were appointed scrutineers to take the votes. At four o'clock the ballot closed, and the scrutineers having retired for the purpose of examining the votes, returned into court in about ten minutes, and declared that the question was determined in the affirmative. The GOVERNOR then informed the proprietors that the dividend warrants would be paid on Saturday the 7th of April next. The Court then adjourned. MORTALITY in the METROPOLIS. NUMBER OF DEATHS FROM ALL CAUSES REGISTERED IN THE WEEK ENDING SATURDAY, MARCH 17, 1849. Epidemic, Endemic, and Contagious Diseases ...*233 Diseases of Uncertain Seat ... 61 Turbercular Diseases... ... ... 196 Diseases of the Brain, Nerves, and Senses... ... 122 Diseases of the Heart and Blood-vessels 42 Diseases of the Lungs, and other Organs of Respiration •• 198 Diseases of the Stomach, Liver, and other Organs of Digestion... Diseases of the Kidneys, &c. ••• ••• Childbirth, Diseases of the Uterus, 8. Diseases of the Joints, Bones, and Muscles Diseases of the Skin, &c. Malformations... ... Premature Birth ... Atrophy ••• ••• ••• ••• Old Age Sudden ... ••• ••• ..• Violence, Privation, Cold, or Intemperance Causes not specified ... ••• DEATHS FROM ALL CAUSES ... Population Enumerated, 1841 West Districts... 300,711 North D:Aricts.. 375,971 Central Distr:cts 373,653 East Districts ... 392,444 South Districts .. 501,190 Totals... ..... 1,948,369 Male 3 Females ... Males Female 3 ... 64 ... 12 ... 25 ... 10 1,083 Average weekly Deaths Deaths, 1844-S. in the Five Winters. Week. . 170 ... 184 . 218 ... 185 . 211 177 252 ... 215 319 ... 322 ". 1,169 ... 1,083 ... 537 ... 546 BIRTHS IN THE WEEK. ... 753 Total ... ... 1,521 *ln this number are included 9 cases of death by Cholera, 43 by Scar] itina, and 46 by T)phus Fever. FROM THE LONDON GAZETTE OF TUESDAY. LORI) CHAMBERLAIN'S-OFFICE, MARCH 20,1849. Orders for the Court's going into mourninz, on Thurs day next, the 22d instant, for his late Majesty the King of the Netherlands, viz.—The ladies to wear black silk, fringed or plain linen, white gloves, necklaces and ear- rings, black or white slides, fans and tippets. The gentlemen to wear black, full trimmed, fringed or plain linen, black swords and buckles. Tho Court to change the mourning on Thurs day the sth of April next, viz.—The ladies to wear !kick silk or velvet, coloured ribbons, fans and tippets, or plain white, or white and gold, or white and silver stuffs, with black ribbons. The gentlemen to wear black coats, and black or plain white, or white and gold, or white and silver stuff waistcoats, full trimmed, coloured swords and buckles. And on Thursday, the 12th of April next, the Court to go out of mourning. FOREIGN-OFFICE, MARCH 19. It is hereby notified, that Viscount Palmerston, her Majesty's Principal Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, has received from the Lords Commissioners of the Admi ralty, the copy of a letter and its inclosures addressed to their Lordships by Commodore Sir Charles Hotham, K.C.8., Commander in-Chief of her Majesty's Naval Forces on the west Coast of Africa, announcing that war had, in the month of February last, been declared against the Chiefs of Gallinas; and that he, the said Commodore, bad established an effective blockade of that coast between Solyman Point on the South and Cazee on the• North. FOREIGN OFFICE, MARCH 16. BRITISII MARRIAGES ABROAD.— NOTICE. There being reason to suppose that in many cases of marriages heretofore solemnized in the chapels or houses of British Ambassadors and Ministers at Foreign Courts, and in the chapels of British factories abroad, the clergymen by whom such marriages were solem nized, have retained in their custody the records of such marriages, in consequence of there not hav ing been at the time any fixed office appointed in this country for registering the same ; but arrange meets for that purpose having been made in the year 1816, since which period such records have been trans mitted, through the medium of her Majesty's Principal Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, to the Re4istr3- office of the Lord Bishop of London, in Doctors' Com mons: this is to give notice to all such clergymen or their representatives, or others, who may be in posses sion of such records as aforementioned, dated before the year 1816, that they are requested to transmit such re cords to the Foreign-office, in order to their being depo sited in the London Registry-office. ADMIRALTY, MARCH 19. The following prometi: ns have this day taken place, consequent on the death of Rear-Admiral Thomas Searle, C. 8., on the 17th instant:-- Fu :r-Admiral of the Blue, Philip Browne, to be Rear- Admiral of the White. Captain William Bowen Mends to be Rear-Admiral of the Blue. Commission by the Lord-Lieutenant of Sutherlandshire. The II nourable George William Sutherland L.ve son Gower, commonly called the Marquis of Stafford and Lord Strathnaver, to be Deputy Lieutenant, March 9. Commission by the Lm•d Lieutenant of Oxfordshire. Henry Edward Francis Lambert, Esq. to be Deputy Lieutenant, March 16. Commissions by the Lord-Lieutenant of Monmouth. John Arthur Herbert, Esq., to be Deputy-Lieutenant; George Cave, EsHq.ITEHALL be Depu , ty- MLieutenallen G ant, March 16. W. The Lord Chancellor has appointed Hubert Smith, Salop,. of St. Leonard' s, Brid g north, in the county of Gent., to be a Mast er Extraordinar y in the High Co of Chancery. BANKRUPTCY SUPERSEDED. • Thomas Stafford, jun., pawnbreker, West Smithfield. BANKRUPTS. George Morris, broker, West Cowes, Isle of Wight, March 29, at half-past one , an d April 26, at one, a t the Court of Bankruptcy. Bell, offi cial assignee, Coleman street-buildings; Parker, St. Paul's-church-yard. John Waite, licensed victualler, High Holborn, March 29, at two, and April 27, at one, at the Court of Bank ruptcy. Edwards, official assignee, Frederick's-place, Old Jewry; Govett, Upper North-place, Gray's Inn-road. Charles Oswin, dentist, Harley-street, Cavendish -square, March 30, at two, and May 1, at twelve, at the, Court of Bankruptcy. Groom, official assignee, Ab church-lane; Jones, Clifford's Inn. Jocl Wilson, steel manufacturer, West Bromwich, Staffordshire, April 4 and 25, at twelve, at the Birming ham District Court. Christie, official assignee, Birming ham; Hodgson, Birmingham; Vincent, Temple. Richard Smith, tanner, Hathern, Leicestershire, March 30 and April 27, at ten, at the Birmingham Dis trict Court. Bittleston, official assignee, Nottingham ; Brewster, Nottingham. Thomas Carlill, grocer, Kingston-upon-Hull, April 4, a n d 2 5, at ten, at t h e Leeds District Court, Carrick, official assignee, Hull ; Horsley, Staple Inn; Walker, Hull; Shackleton, Leeds. John Wesson, lace manufacturer, Nottingham, March 30 and April 27, at ten, at the Birmingham District Court. Bittleston, officialassignee, Nottingham; Wells, Nottingham. James Hodgson and Joseph Hodgson, cotton spinners, Underbank, Yorkshire, April 3 and 24, at twelve, at the Leeds irii District C ourt . Hope, official as signee, Leeds ; V esworth and Co., ray's Inn, • , va _ v.: ffo, , eb a d , en• r t i d i e g Cronhelm,elones, brew Brecon, April 3 er, Thomas i3k at eleven, at the Bristol District Court. Bristol ; Baker, Abergavenny ?•-• Ma y B • I • '*". • er, official assignee, • n, Bristol. •Etiwin Brooker, carver and gilder, Cheltenham, April Mid May 1, at twelve, at the Bristol District c our t. ',Stop Qffioitti assignee, $60191; 1.41.11d0) ~' I ~t 1 George Kyrke, lime burner, Wrexham, Denbigh shire, April 3 and 30, at eleven, at the Liverpool District Court. Morgan, official assignee, Liverpool; William son and Hill, Great James-street, Bedford-row; Parker, Wrexham; Mallaby and Co., Liverpool. John Lewtas, cabinet maker, Manchester, April 4 and 26, at twelve, at the Manchester District Court. Hob son, official assignee, Manchester; Gregory, Faulkner, Gregory, and Skirrow,:Bedford-row; Bell, Manchester. Henry Ridsdale and Henry Carter Snell Chauncey, sharebrokers, Liverpool, March 30, and May 10, at eleven at the Liverpool District Court. Turner official assignee, Liverpool; Bradley and Son, Staple Inn ; Car son and Ellis, Liverpool. Charles Lee, jeweller, St. John's-wood, March 29, at two, and May 3, at eleven, at the Court of Bankruptcy. Johnson, official assignee, Basinghall-street; Crowder and Maynard, Coleman-street. George Howes, innkeeper, Northwich, Cheshire, April 2 aad 25, at eleven, at the Liverpool District Court. Morgan, official assignee, Liverpool ; Cole, Adelphi terrace; Saxton, North wich, Cheshire. rii i MARKET INTELLIGENCE. - -------- - - (From the London New Price Current, March 20.) SUGAR.—TO-day there was little desire evinced by re finers or grocers to operate in West India, and in some cases the rates accepted are rather under those of Friday. The purchases are only 100 hhds, &c. For other sorts of Sugar the demand has fallen off. REFINED.—Today no advance took place in the value of Refined Goods, still there was no falling off in the demand for home trade purposes, and the supply is scanty. Bonded Crushed Sugar 29s 6d to 303 6d per cwt. MAURITIUS.—This afternoon the market was better supplied with Mauritius Sugar, and the public sales con sisted of 6 : 563 bags 400 casks. Good and fine yellow went at 39s to 425, ordinary and middling 36s to 38s 6d, ordinary to fine grey 37s to 40s, washed and syrupy 353 to 41s 6d, inferior ditto 30s 6d to 34s per cwt. EAST INDIA.—This afternoon the supply of Bengal Sugar was upon a greater scale, and the public sales com prised 7,884 bags, a small part f which only sold at easier rates; good and fine white Benares went at 41s 6d to 435, ordinary and middling 403 to 41s, damp and washed 39s to 42s 6d, strong white 46s to 48s, superior 48s 6d to 49s 6d, strong yellow 41s to 455, brown ditto 353 to 38s, and Mauritius kind 37s to 40s 6d. Madras at auction 1,200 bags only partly found buyers; low and middling soft yellow 33s 6d to 355, middling and fine brown 31s to 335. FOREIGN.— To-day there was one public sale of Foreign Sugar, and less inquiry existed from exporters; still hol ders were firm, and refused to sell but at full rates. This afternoon a public sale of 57 hhds St Croix Sugar went at 41s to 43s 6d for middling to strong yellow. MoLlsszs. —West India, 16s 6d to 21s for low to fine; East India, 15s to 16s per cwt ; and on the part of holders firmness is apparent. Cocos.—There are several buyers of West India. Fine red is much wanted at from 45s to 47s per cwt. The market for foreign has a firm aspect, and 27s to 28s 6d per cwt is the value. COFFEE.—This afternoon the quantity of Mocha Coffee submitted to public sale was larger than for some time past, and amounted to 2;493 bales 79 half-bales. The chief portion was taken in at stiff rates; good ordinary greenish, mixed with black at 501, long berry, yellow 65s to 68s; the portion sold went at 58s 6d to 60s for middling yellow, 35s 6d to 37s for triage, and at 31s 6d to 59s for damaged. Native Ceylon 328 6d to 335. For public sale on Thursday 12 casks 1,100 bags Plan tation Ceylon, and 30 casks Jamaica Coffee of the new crop are declared. TEA.—Black cannot be purchased upon lower terms. The value of ord and good sound common Congou for cash is 8d to 9id per lb. For Green the market is in a quiet state, and prices are on the decline. At public sale 6,230 pkgs have been offered, of which only 2,000 sold at a reduction of 2d to 3el for Hyson, and 2d per lb for Orange Pekoe. Prices for both Black and Green must still be considered as moderate ; this is, however, not expected long to be the case. RICE.—To-day the demand was not better for East India Rice, and 2,182 bags Bengal at auction only in part sold at rather lower rates; good mid white went at 10s to lOs 6d, mid dusty 9s to 9s 6d, siftings 7s 6d, damaged 6s to 8s 6d, pearl barley ditto 6s, and cargo 5s 6d to 7s. _ _ _ FRITIT.—The demand for currants continues to im prove. For Patras higher prices arc expected by im porters. On Wednesday 98 butts 21 crtls old Patras were offered at public sale and nearly all sold at 33s to 345. Valentia Raisins 38s, and Denias at 30s. Red Smyrna Raisins at 395, and Elemes at 42s are in good demand for shipping►. SPICis.- 1- There has been an increased inquiry for Black Pepper; at public auction 2,440 bags of Sumatra were disposed of at 2i,id to 2id for fair black rather dusty. Malabar 21d to 34'd per lb. White is wanted, and the tendency of rates is to advance. At auction 140 bags were sold at sid to sid for good white Singapore, superior is worth from 4d to 81 Pimento, 1,000 bags at auction were taken in at 34d to 3id per lb. Brown "Nutmegs, ordinary and middling quality, at 2s 3d to 2s 10d, and better, 3s to 3s 9d. For limed the market is quiet at 2s to 2s 9d. Mace at 2s to 2s Bd, and superior at 2s 9d to 3s. 01 Cassia Lignea the supply is scanty. Cloves have been sold to a fair extent, and upon lull terms; Bencoolen, Is 4d to is 10d, Bourbon and Zanzibar, bid to lid. For Cinnamon full rates are asked. Ginger has been operated in with caution. At auction a part only of 100 pkgs were sold at 60s to 140 s fur ord and good; 590 bags Pimento were for the most part taken in at auction at 3A-d to 3id per lb, being above the value. To-day at auction 24 bags of pod Pepper were taken in at 50s per cwt. INDIGO.—On the part of holders of East India there is firmness, and the rates of the last quarterly sales are sup ported. A public sale of 100 serous of Spanish 'is declared. COCHINEAL.—To - day at auction the quantity offered was 200 bags. The biddings were languid, and the part sold went at rather lower rates; Honduras silvers at 3s 10d to 4s 4d, very ord black 33 9d to 4s 2d; Mexican silvers 3s 10d, and black 4s Id to 4s 3d perlb. SPIRITS.—For East Icdia Rum better rates are not to be obtained. The sales are nearly 1,000 casks at is 3d to is 3id proof. In Leeward Island the sales are 500 puns at is 4d to is 4id proof. Of Jamaica only small parcels have been sold at 2s 9d to 3s 6d for 30 to 35 per cent over proof, better sort 3s 8d to 4s, and choice marks 4s 2d to 4s Bd. Of Demerara the sales amount to 400 casks at 2s to 2s 3d for 34 to 37 per cent over proof. To day several parcels of East India and Leeward Island Rum were sold at former rates. TALLow.—There are sellers of fine P. Y. Candle at 40s to 40s 6d per cwt. For delivery in the last three months of the year little business has been concluded. 41s 6d is the value. Home melted is to be obtained at 40s nett cash, still few buyers are to be met with, and the supply is getting upon an extended scale. Of St. Petersburgh 66 cks of damaged at auc tion sold at 38s 6d to 39s 6d; 30 cks ditto Soap were taken in at 378 to 37s 6d for sound; 156 cks New South Wales sold at 35s to 39s for low to fine; 77 cks Odessa 37s 6d to 40s; 50 cks North American 37s to 38s 6d; 524 pipes 726 hhds, and 226 brls of South American 35s 6d to 39s 3d, and very ord 343 per cwt. For auction 1,000 pkgs of Tallow arc declared. OlLS.—Thero is firmness on the part of holders of Cod, and the rates asked are 261 15s to 271, still the sales made have been small during the last few days. Seal is held for 301 105 to 311, straw and tinged 291 to 301, other sorts 271 103 to 281 103; of fine pale the supply is still very small. Southern 281 to 331 for low to fine. Sperm—At auction 32 tuns were sold at 791108 to 80l 10s, and at 83/ to 831 5s for Head matter. Rape Oil is less in demand, and prices are not so firm; pale selling at 37s to 37s 6d, and brown 36s 6d to 37s per cwt. In the value of Lin seed Oil there is little variation. Home dealers made purchases with caution, and few export orders were com pleted, still there are not sellers on the spot under 2is 9d per cwt. The rates asked for delivery are 25s to 26s 6d. Palm is much in demand by exporters, and home dealers, and the market has a firm aspect; the best is worth 33s to 34s per cwt, and the supply is small. Only a moderate sale exists for Olive, and a desire is evinced to sell Gallipoli at 424 other sorts 401 to 421 per tun. Cocoa Nut has been in excellent request, and there is much firmness in the market—prices rule firm at 34s to 37s 6d per cwt. NAVAL INTELLIGENCE. PORTSMOUTH, MONDAY.—The Hampshii e Telegraph states that the Queen, 110, Captain Bruce, now in the Mediterranean, is ordered home to be paid off, and then sent out azain to carry the flag of the Mediter ranean Commander•in-Chief.. We cannot believe that such an act, in the face of the fact we have so recently instanced about untried old -new ships, is, or has latterly been, contemplated by the Admiralty. The Queen has been kept in commission since launched in 1839, to the exclusion of equally good, and beyond question less ex pensive hulks, and the sooner she is taken off the com missioned list to give place to some more venerable prop to tho " wooden walls," the cheaper and better for the service and the country. Of course when she comes home she will have an immediate and expensive refit, perhaps a second edition of the Chatham 10,0004 dock ing and alteration! The Briton, convict hospital ship, was removed from her moorings in Block-house Hole to-day to a berth near the Creek of Clarence-yard, to make room for the De fence. The place is to be deepened by the dredging vessel for the reception of the latter. Wind, S.E. by E.; mo derate breezes, and dark hazy wea L th y m er. p oirrit, MARCH 18.—Iler Majesty ' s ship Van guard, Captain George F. Rich, under all plain canvass, light eas terly _ breeze this mornin g a with a a and shortly after entered th e S oun d b y t h h to e ve weigeihsnt o'clock, g el p ho a tc s k sage, saluted the flag of the Port Admiral , and dropped anchor to the north of Camber. She left Gibraltar on the 4 th inst. ,, and having had light northerly and easterly winds has been as far as 19 deg. west lon gitude. Within the last three or four days the wind has veered to the southward and south-east, and yesterday, at 3 P.M., she hove to off the Lizard. The Vanguard left the St.. Vincent, 120, and three or: four steamers at Gibraltar; the Powerful had sailed for Malta. No fur ther discovery has been made of the pirates on the north coast of Africa. The Vanguard vvai commissioned on February 7, 1845, and attached to the experimental squadron until October, 1846, when she went up the Mediterranean, where she has continued till the present time. The Vanguard to-morrow goes up Hamoaze to be paid off. She will require at least six months repair, being very weak, especially in her decks. Her Majesty's steam-ship Stromboli came in this morning from Portsmouth. Her Majesty's ship Caledonia, 120, Capt. T. W. Car ter, was paid wages and inspected yesterday morning by Admiral Superintendent Sir John Louis. This morning at ten o'clock she loosed canvass, and at eleven, shortly after high water, under all plain sail, with a light easterly wind, left the Sound by the western channel; outside she held her wind, and made off the land to the eastward, and at twelve o'clock, owing to the fog, was out of sight. She was destined for Malta up to Friday, when 4 is un derstood she received sailing orders for Naples. Wind easterly, light and APY WWI" CURIOUS COINCIDENCE OF DATeS.—It is a Curious coincidence that Rear-Admiral H. D. Byng received his appointment to that rank on the 14th inst., the anniver sary of-the day on which his ancestor, Admiral Byng was " done to death" at Spithead. Lieut. Edward Heunah (1821), of the coast guard service, died on the 11th inst. at Government House, Hastings, leaving a widow and six young children without any private means of support. The Racer, 12, Commander Beddoes, was muetered and inspected yesterday, at Devonport, by Real-Admiral Superintendent Sir John Louis, after which she will sail for the Mediterranean station, first, most pro bably, relieving the Harlequin, 12, Commander Beau champ Seymour, at Lisbon, and sending her to Devon port, to be paid off. The Arrogant, 46, screw -frigate, Captain Fitzroy, is receiving her sea-service stores at Portsmouth; She victualled from the coppers yesterday about 210 men. Most of the crew being seamen from the Rodney, &c., have not yet returned from leave, so that she is compa ratively short-handed at present. The Stromboli, 6, steam sloop, Commander A. W. Beauclerk, proceeded on to Pembroke, for Plymouth, on Sunday evening. The Vulcan revenue cruiser, Lieutenant-Commander Pritchard, was alongside the coal depOt at Portsmouth yesterday, taking in a supply of fuel. SUN, ONDON, AUSTRIA. A Vienna letter of the 14th says :—" It is expected that the state of siege will be raised in a month or six weeks. Dr. Fischoff, one of the ex-deputies who was arrested, has been given up to the Criminal Tribunal, and M. Prato, another ex-deputy, has been set at liberty on condition of leaving the city forthwith. MM. Violand, Fuster, and Kudlich, who are in custody, are accused of high treason. A demonstration was made yesterday by some members of the ex-Academic Legion, but it was not of much importance. Ten persons were arrested, and groups which had as sembled dispersed peacefully on the appearance of patrols. HOLLAND. MARCH 18.--Baron Von Westcappellen, Grand Master of the Household of his late Majesty, has gone to Tilburg for the purpose of making the neces sary preparations for the funeral of his late Majesty. The proclamation issued by the Ministers to the Netherlands nation s announcing the death of William 11., and the accession of William 111. has had an extremely good effect in quieting the minds of the people, upon whom the unexpected death of their beloved Monarch fell like a thunderbolt. All the theatres and places of public amusement are closed, and the whole city bears the impress of sorrow. - Count Von Richetiren and General Klerck, who went to London to inform the Prince of Orange of the death of his illustrious father, were to urge his immediate return. RUSSIA. All the regiments have been placed on a war footing since the 15th of March, and each regiment is furnished with the equipments of war. All persons on furlough, capable of bearing arms, have been recalled, and the Landsturm is being raised. The latter are to occupy the frontier, in case the regular troops should be obliged to quit the country. The principal part of the troops are concentrated on the south of the kingdom of Poland, between Lublin and Sandomir, while the corps darnde are assembled in the environs of Kowno. The latter are to take up a position there against Prussia. This measure has probably some reference to the Danish question. Travellers state that the object of these armaments continue to be enveloped in mystery.—Cologne Gazette, March 19. MARINERS' FRIEND SOCIET Y. A numerously-attended public meeting of the above society was held in the London Tavern on Thursday last. Henry F. Richardson, Esq., F.L.S., being called to the chair, the proceedings of the meeting having been opened by prayer, the chairman stated that the meeting had been convened for the purpose of confirming the formation, constitution, and past proceedings of the society. lie entered into an interesting account of the society's progress, detailing the various objects in view, and showing the great amount of good, both spiritual and temporal, that had been and was likely to be ac complished. He announced that the Duke of Cambridge had become patron, the Duchess of Somerset and the Honourable Miss Vernon patronesses, Lord Nelson pre sident, Sir Admiral Coirington and a long list of noble men and gentlemen vice-presidents. It was ably moved by Mr. KNIGHT, seconded by Mr. BURROWS, and carried unanimously, to the effect that a society having for its object the promotion of the spiri tual, intellectual, and temporal welfare of seamen had long been needed. Mr. WILLIAM BRADFORD, superintendent of the so ciety, then addressed the meeting, and in a speech re plete with evidence of comprehensive and practical judgment in maritime affairs and heartfelt interest in the cause fully explained the operations and intentions of the society in its various departments, showing the large amount of good it had already accomplished, especially in the religious and educational departments; and explain ing the various means that were in course of preparation for preventing loss of life at sea and on our rivers, he remarked, that the recent loss of life in the emigrant ship Floridian might have been prevented, had this society been in full operation. Captain Snirra, R.N., entered into a spirited detail in behalf of the society, remarking on the seaman's reluc tance in providing any means to save life in case of ' wreck—warmly,confirming the observations of the super intendent, and concluded by a resolution approving of the society and its past proceedings. Mr. BEATTIE seconded the resolution, which was car ried unanimously. Several other gentlemen then addressed the meeting, great interest and satisfaction being displayed by all persons. A vote of thanks to Mr. Bradford, the founder and superintendent of the society, was proposed and carried unanimously; also to Mr. Arnold, the secretary, and to the Chairman. Captain Light, R.N., exhibited some improved life belts referred to by the superintendent, and explained their great utility. The meeting then concluded with prayer by Mr. R. Holder, one of the missionaries of the society. NOTICE TO MARINERS. Danish Consulate-General, London, March 16. Sir,—l beg to acquaint you that I have received a notice, issued by the Ministry of Marine, at Copen hagen on the 7th inst., stating that, from the 27th inst., all harbours and rivers in the Duchies of Sleswig and Holstein will be blockaded, except the islands of Als and E, and other places under Royal authority. The blockade of each place will be successively raised as soon as such place shall again come into the hands of the legal government, of which notice will then be given. FLETCHER WILSON. Captain G. A. Halsted, R.N„ Secretary, Lloyd's. MR. C. T. D'E' YNCOURT AND HIS CONSTITUENTS . —On Monday a numerous meeting of the electors of the borough of Lambeth was held at the Vestry-hall, Church street, to take into consideration the conduct of the Right Honourable C. T. D'Eyncourt, one of the borough Members, in absenting himself from the division upon Mr. Cobden's resolution in favour of a reduction of national expenditure. Mr. Hunt, church warden of St. Mary, Lambeth, in explanation of the ob ject of the meeting, read a hang letter from Mr. D'Eyn court, in which he protested against the manner in which his conduct in Parliament on the question of finan cial reform had been prejudged by a small portion of his constituents. He vindicated his independence from any undue control exercised on their part, but stated that he was ready to meet them at any time when he was properly invited, and to justify the votes which he had given. He concluded his letter by appealing to his long services as their representative as a proof that he still adhered to his political principles, and by stating that he had merely declined to pledge himself to a financial proposal brought forward by a private Member of Parliament because he deemed it impolitic and unad visable, althoui s h he abstained from voting against it, lest he might appear adverse to economy and retrenchment. Mr. Boult proposed, and Mr. Edmonds seconded, the adoption of the following resolution, which was carried by a large majority:—" That it is the opinion of this meeting that the frequent absence of the Right Hon. C. T. D'Eyncourt from his duty in Parliament, and es pecially on the 26th of February last, and not voting for Mr. Cobden's resolutions for a reduction of public ex penditure deeply affecting this borough; is highly inju rious to its interests, and that it would be to the credit of that Right Hon. Gentleman to retire from the repre sentation." The meeting terminated by the appoint ment of a committee to draw up a petition to Parliament n favour of financial reform. POST OFFICE NOTICE.—The letters of soldiers and seamen in the service of her Majesty or of the East India Company, when addressed to a foreign country, being subject to the payment of any foreign rates of postage, in addition to the reduced rates of British postage specified in the general instructions, all such letters addressed to the United States will in future be chargeable with the United States' inland rate of 5 cents, or 2id. sterling each, in addition to the British rate of postage of one penny. The combined rate of aid. upon soldiers' and sailors' letters, addressed to the United States, must be paid in advance. FATAL .ACCIDENT.—Mr. Truell, a young officer of the 28th Foot, was unfortunately killed whilst out hunt ing in Wicklow on Saturday last. He was one of a number of young men following the hounds of Mr. J. Parnell. Riding a young untrained horse, the animal soon tired, and, attempting to clear a high fence, the horse made a sudden stop, which threw his rider with violence against the bank, from which he fell into the dyke; the horse, springing at the same moment, missed the leap, and falling with his chest on the young man, crushed him to death. Several gentlemen came to his assistance, and dragged him from under the animal, but in half an hour he ceased to breathe. This much lamented young man had just been gazetted, and was to have joined his regiment on the 30th. What adds to the melancholy tale is that all his family are absent in Ma deira, and his favourite brother was on his way home to enjoy his society for a few days before he left finally for the army. M ATCH AGAINST TlME.—Monday morning the horse of Mr. Chartres Molony, of this town, trotted from Ennis to Limerick and back again in the space of four hours. There were many bets staked on the issue, but the . feat was accomplished in about a minute less tima the time allowed. —Clare Journal. WEDNE - SDAt EVENING, MARCH 21, 1849. IMPERIAL P iRLIAMENT. HOUSE OF LORDS, Mardi, 20. The LORD CHANCELLOR took his seat upon the Wool sack at Five o'clock. Lord BROUGHAM presented petitions from several unions in the north of Ireland against the rate in aid; also from the Metropolitan Law Society, complaining that the Bill which he had introduced for consolidating the law of insolvency was proceeding too rapidly, and praying that the Committee on the Bill should not be proceeded with until after the Easter recess. It had not been his intention to proceed with it until after the Easter recess, and he had so stated when he introduced the Bill, but he had been informed that he spoke in so low a tone on the occasion as to be inaudible in the gallery. Lord MONTEAGLE presented several petitions from various unions in Ireland against the rate in aid. The Earl of ERNE presented several petitions with a similar prayer. The hail of HARROWBY presented several peti tions against the repeal of the navigation-laws. WAR IN ITALY. The Earl of ABERDEEN gave notice that on Thurs• day he should ask for some information respecting the renewal of the war in the north of Italy. BUSINESS OF THE HOUSE. After a short conversation on the subject of the pro gress of the business before the House between Lord STANLEY and the Marquis Of LANSDOWNE, their Lord ships adjourned. HOUSE OF COMMONS, March 20. The SPEAKER took the Chair shortly before Four o'clock. PETITIONS. Mr. HENRY presented a petition from Bury, in Lancashire, in favour of international arbitration. Sir W. VERNER presented apetitinnfrOMPorta downe against the rate in aid. Mr. IitSFEILD presented a petition from Bradford, in Yorkshire, praying the House to pass a law to prevent trading in seduction. A n iloN. MEMBER presented a petition from Armagh against the rate in aid. Mr. SCHOLEFIELD presented a petition from Bir mingham in favour of international arbitration. Mr. FORBES presented several petitions against the Scotch Marriage Bill. Mr. COBDEN presented a petition from the mayor, aldermen, and burgesses of Sheffield, praying the House to take steps to reduce the expenditure of the country. Sir J. WALMSLEY presented a petition from New castle-under-Lyne in favour of international arbitration. Mr. CORRY presented petitions from various places in the county of Tyrone against the Rate in Aid Bill. Captain PECIIELL presented a petition from John Cree, Esq., a magistrate of the county of Dorset, complaining of the proceedings of the guardian of the Weymouth Union, and of the Poor-law Board in reference to the case of D. Beale, ninety one years of age, an inmate of the workhouse. Beale it would seem was once a respectable tradesman of Weymouth, and his grandson and other relatives were still in trade at the same place. The Hon. Gentleman gave notice that to-morrow he should move that the Pe. tion be printed with the view of founding a motion upon it. Mr. S. CRAW FORD presented a petition from the county of Westmeath in favour of tenant right. Several Hon. Members presented petitions from various places in Ireland against the rate in aid. THE WAR IN THE PUNJAUB. _ _ Mr. G.IIIOIIP7SON postponed his motion with re spect to the war in the Punjsub until this day fortnight. EMPLOYMENT OF THE IRISH POOR. Mr. P. SCROPE gave notice that, on this day fort night, he should move for leave to bring in a Bill to provide for the better employment of the Irish poor. FISCAL REGULATIONS (IRELAND). Mr. J. O'CONNELL postponed his motion for a fortnight. TRAVELLING ON SUNDAYS. Mr. LOCKE postponed for a fortnight his motion for leave to introduce a Bill to secure to the public on Sun days a limited and reasonable use of all railways which convey passengers on the other days of the week. ADMIXTURE OF CHICORY WITH COFFEE. Mr. ANSTEY gave notice that on this day fortnight he would move a resolution to the effect that the House view with deep concern the adulteration of coffee with chicory, in consequence of the Government having in structed the officers of the Excise not to proceed against the parties who thus contravened the law. LECTURES. TO LAW STUDENTS. Mr. E WART gave notice of his intention to move on a future day for a return of the number of lectures delivered in the inns of law. THE LAND-TAX. Mr. WODEHOUSE inquired of the Chancellor of the Exchequer-1. Whether it was the intention of her Ma jesty's Government to introduce any measure for the purpose of remedying the present inequality of th e l an d tax, as adverted to in the report from the Select Com mittee of the House of Lords (Session 1846), on the bur dens affecting real property, referring to the evidence given upon this subject by Mr. Wood, the chairman of the Board of Excise, and also by Mr. Coode, the assistant-secretary to the Poor-law Board, and ending by declaring " that it appears that the quotas in the agricultural districts are higher, in propor tion to the value of property, than they are in the mining and manufacturing districts of the country." 2. Whether her Majesty's Government intends to adopt the suggestion contained in the report above mentioned, in which the Committee say, that, " considering the changes occasioned by the creation of real property, as well as those taking place in the relative value of the different descriptions of real property, it is scarcely necessary for them to point out the advantage as well as justice of periodical and uniform valuations." The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER replied that it was not the intention of the Government to in troduce any measure of the kind mentioned by the Hon. Gentleman. With regard to the second question, he quite agreed with him that it would be desirable t 9 have periodical valuations, for the purpose of the more just apportionment of the tax; but this was just one of those cases in which the Government ought not to be called upon to interfere. It was better to leave the matter in the hands of the counties. In the county with which he was connected a valuation of the nature stated by the Hon. Gentleman had been taken twice during the last 14 years. The Hon. Member's object would be perfectly well at tained.by.the exertions of th e mag i s t rates i n th e i r seve ral localities without calling on the central government. Mr. WODEHOUSE gave notice of his intention to call the attention of the House again to this subject on an early day soon after Easter. POOR-LAW MEDICAL OFFICERS. Lord ASHLEY prese n t e d a pet i t i on from the chair man and committee of medical officers in the several unions in Wales, setting forth various grievances at great length, aud praying the House to take into their consideration a measure, with a view not only to amend the system of poor-law medical relief, but also the edu cation of the medical profession generally throughout England and Wales. CAPE OF GOOD HOPE. Mr. V. smirk" moved for a copy of any report of the Commissioners of Audit, to the Treasury, upon the dispatches referred to them by a Treasury minute of the 2d day of May, 1848, o f Si r H enry P ott i nger, re lating to the great irregul ar i t i es w hi c h , i n hi s Excel lency's opinion , existed in th e system of pay i ng and maintaining the native levies at the Cape of Good Hope, an d generally in the public expenditure occasioned by the Kafir war. The CHANCELLOR . of the RYCHEQUER said a had been received which, however, was only a pre liminary report ; a further one was to be made, and when made, he would not have the slightest objection to lay it on the table of the House. SUMMARY CONVICTIONS. Mr. LOCKE moved an address for a return of the num ber of persons taken into custody by the police, dis charged by the m a g istr ates, summarily convicted, and committed fur trial in the towns of Glasgow, Dundee, Edinburgh, and Liverpool, in the years 1846, 1847, and 1848, or any of them, similar in form to the returns fur the metropolis and Manchester already laid before the House. The motion was agreed to. GOVERNMENT RETURNS. Mr. MILES complained of the inaccuracy of a Go vernment return relating to the importation of cattle, and asked whether the Chancellor of the Exchequer had made any inquiry into the subject since he (Mr. Miles) mentioned it in the House on a former day? The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said he had made inquiry with regard to the return in ques tion, but Mr. Labouchere being out of town when he (the Chancellor of the Exchequer) called upon him to get further information on the matter, he was not then able to give the Hon. Member a definite answer or ex planation. THE STEAM NAVY. Mr. DUNCAN wished to ask the Right Hon. Gentle man whether there had been any report received re specting the collisions which bad lately taken place be tween some Government steamers, and if there had, whether ho had any objection to lay the papers upon the table? Mr. LABOUCHERE said that a very valuable report had been received from Captain Denman, and all the details respecting the collisions were in the hands of the Government. Certainly be had not the slightest objec tion to lay the papers on the table, as soon as they could be prepared. DISTRIBU PION OF CHURCH REVENUES. Mr. HORSMAN presented two petitions, one from inhabitants of Bishop Wearrn o utb, and the other f rom the incumbent of th e p ar ish, praying for a distributi on of Church revenues, so as to render them more effi ciently useful for the parish. The petitions having been ordered to lie upon the table, The HONOURABLE MEMBER proceeded to move, according to his notice, that an humble ad dress be presented to her Majesty, praying that she will be pleased to issue a commission of inquiry into the allegations contained in the petitions presented to this House from the parishioners of Bishop Wear mouth and Sunderland; and that the said commis sioners be directed to take into consideration the agreement stated in Parliament (on the authority of the patron of the living of Bishop Wear mouth) to have been entered into between himself and the present incumbent, whereby the surplus income of the living, over and above the sum of 2,0001. a year, reserved as the income of the incumbent, is to be paid over to trustees; and to report on the beat mode of ap propriating that surplus to spiritual purposes connected with the two parishes, and ot• giving legal effect to such appropriation. In doing so he said that the two peti tions which he had presented would be a sufficient expla nation of the object of the motion of which he had given notice. These petitions represented the feelings of no less than 50,000 persons. In doing this also he was happy to say that he was in no way hindered by the wishes of the incumbent of the parish ; but the re- Terelid gentlenap, 1191YOYer dennUil la alight be to use the eeelesistical revenues put into his hands fir the general benefit of the p could not by any means do so without the authority of an Ant of Parliament. No place was niece richly endowed for the purposes of religious teaching than 13ish Wearmouth, yet in no place was there a greater deficiency of the means of religious instruction. He was now in a posi tion to say that the incumbent of the town was anxiously desirous to appropriate the extra revenues to parochial purposes. It appeared from the papers put into his hands that the ecclesiastical income was about 5,000/. a year, arising from tithes worth 1,500 L, rents and surplice fees, coal dues, and other sources of trifling amount in their value. The several sums gave a return of 4.870/. a year, on very moderate computation; for, whilst the dues upon coal had last year been stated at 300/, and the year before at 3504, they had the year before last produced as much as 1,000/., and now he understood a fresh seam of coal had been opened. This was one of those cases in which the maladministra tion or distribution of the Church funds to a large extent had diminished the congregations of the Establishment. Three-fourths of the population of this parish were lost to the Church, though not to Christianity, for they be longed to Dissenting congregations. One fact of itself would show what was the real state of the parish. While there were only five churches in it belonging to the Esta blishment, there were no less than eighteen belonging to the Dissenters. In the five churches belonging to the Establishment there were only 4,200 sittings, whereas in the places of worship belonging to the Dissenters there were no less than 14,356. The sittings in the churches of the Establishment were but moderately filled, whila the sit tings of the Dissenters were densely crowded. This, therefore, was one of the many exemplifications of the tact, that wherever you had a large revenue ill distri• buted, there the Church Establishment was the weakest. and there the Dissenters were the most successful.— (Hear.) But Sunderland, which was, until the commence ment of' the last century, part of the parish of Bishop V\ r earmouth, with a population of 20,000, was probably in a worse condition than Bishop Wearmouth itself. Bishop Wearmouth was what was called the West-end of Sunderland, but the population of Sunderland itself was comprised of the poorest and most wretched of its inhabitants, and amongst them, of course, was religious teaching the more necessary—(Hear, hear)—but per haps Sunderland was worse off than Bishop Wearmouth. It was, however, anticipated by those who most deplosed this state of things, that at the death of the rector of Bishop Wearmouth a change for the better would im mediately take place. Well, in October last, the rector died, and by a singular coincidence the living of Sunder land became vacant, at the same period presenting at once an excellent opportunity for introducing a reform into the previous system.—(Hear, hear.) Of course the occurrence occasioned a considerable sensa tion in the district, and all parties, who had influence with the Bishop, addressed themselves to him on the subject. The Noble Lord at the head of the Governs went and the Ecclesiastical Commissioners, they were told, had done so too, but, unfortunately, with little effect. The memorial of the inhabitants of Sunderland to the Bishop, agreed to in the vestry, was to the effect that the spiritual provision for the parish was miserable in the extreme•, that formerly the parish of Sunderland was part of Bishop Wearmouth, but that a large proportion of the inhabitants went to the church at Sunderland; that they had their children bap- tized in it, in consequence of their residing near it. It concluded by urging upon the Bishop to make the re quired and necessary provision for the spiritual care of the parishes. At length, after much correspondence, an arrangement was made by which the incumbent was to re csive 2,000/, a year, and that the surplus was to be placed in the hands of trustees for certain purposes. In another parish it appeared that the rector was extravagantly re munerated, whilst another had been appointed, but was unable to take up his residence in the rectory in conse quence of the want of funds, and he was, therefore, residing in a humble lodging. The rector of the parish of Bishop Wearmouth was doubtless a man of high character, but he had got himself into a disagree able dilemma. Now, as he had already said, the Bishop might give or withhold the benefice from any indivi dual, but, giving the living, he could not withhold the temporalities. But in this case a proposition was made to the rector that he should give up bis title to a certain portion of the temporalities, and upon that condition he was presented to the living. Now, in the opinion of every lawyer, he would venture to say, that was a case of simony. He held in his hand a case where a living being in the hands of certain parishioners, they presented to it on a certain condition. It was held by the Court that the agreement entered into for preventing the incumbent from asserting his claim to the small tithes was simoniacal, and the presentation thereon was void. That he believed was a case strictly in point. In both instances previous to the presentation the presentee agreed that he would not assert his rights to a cer tain portion of the temporalities. Putting that aside, the arrangement was unsatisfactory in other respects. The successor of the rector on being appointed to the living might again claim the whole of the temporalities. Now it was for this among other reasons, therefore, that the patron having endeavoured to carry out a pro ceeding which by law he had no power to carry out, that he proposed the House should institute this inquiry, which he was himself prepared to institute, with the view of carrying out that arrangement which he had admitted should be carried out. The petitioners were anxious that Parliament should take that measure into their hands. If they went through the whole length and breadth of the land —if they observed the evils and abuses which met them in the different dioceses, which impeded the func tions and diminished the usefulness of our ecclesiastical and parochial system, it did so happen that there was not one of those evils or abuses of which there was not an exemplification, in an aggravated form, in this un fortunate parish of BishopWearmouth, whose wealth had been the attraction of every hind of avarice. There was a dense and lawless population, scantily supplied with spiritual instruction; there was an immense dis proportion in the income of the clergy. Then there was in very many instances a total want of all communicas tion and sympathy on the part of their diocesan; then there was the question of the use and abuse of patronage, which, instead of being exercised as a public trust for the public good, was too often exercised in such a manner as to disgrace the country and the Church. Every one of those evils and abuses were congre gated in this unfortunate and wealthy parish. The Honourable Gentleman then proceeded to cite the authorities of Chief Justice Hale, and several other eminent judges, on the subject, for the purpose of showing that the course that had been pursued was totally against all law and precedent. Now, though it was easy to multiply authorities, he did not wish to do so; but it was the law of the land that the Tontines for ecclesiastical purposes were entrusted for public purposes, and from the highest of all authorities. Having stated what was the principle and the spirit of the law, he would now turn to what was Parliamentary and practical. He would then revert to the case of the Bishop of Ely, which was a much stronger case than even this. In . that case the matter had re ference not to the temporalities but to the spiritualities of the Church. Lord Dacre, in presenting a petition upon a circumstance in which an interference with the spritualities appeared to be evidently necessary, had stated that he intended to found a motion upon it for an address to the Crown. The Bishop of Ely in reply to his Lordship's address had asserted that if they assented to this doctrine they would be opening a door to a course of p rocee di ng which woul be not only inconvenient, but would prove a fertile source of embarrassment for the future. The House of Lords did not, however, confirm this view of the Bishop of Ely, and though there was a large attendance of the Bench of Bishops, there was not one who attempted to support the principle of ecclesiastical responsibility which had been openly avowed. The Bishop of Ely was followed by Lord Holland, and he by Lord I'owis, no mean authority in the Church, and he again by the Marquis of Lansdowne, all of whom took this matter en tirely off the ground of there being no Parliamentary right to interfere with the revenues of the Church. Many speeches were made in the House of Lords, and nearly all of them against the position assumed by the Bishop of Ely, but the strongest of all those which were made were those of the nearest friends and strongest Parliamentary allies of the Noble Lord who was now the Chief Minister of the Crown. Lord Althorp, too, had denounced the system of ecclesiastical responsibility, and had asserted that it ought to meet with the utmost re probation of the House of Lords. When last year he had spoken upon this subject he had been assured that the Government would take the matter into their early consideration, and from what be had heard be fully expected that they would have entered upon a course of action. Hitherto, however, he had been disappoiuted— he trusted from unforeseen causes—but if the matter were to be further delayed, ho should be compelled at no long deferred period to bring forward two other motions which he had prepared for their consideration. Should he do so, he should then invite the House to a con sideration of every particular abuse.—(Hear, hear.) He should take them from diocese to diocese, and from parish to parish, and bring forward a mass of evidence which he should be extremely sorry to produce, but upon the greatest compulsion, and which, if it were once brought forward, would show an abuse of ecclesiastical patronage which would most certainly arouse the indignation of the whole country. He should invite the House on an early opportunity to give its opinion as to the propriety of establishing that episcopal responsibility, the want of which had produced such calamitous results, and in the meantime he had to ask the House to consider the case of these petitoners.—(Hear, hear.) Their object was simple, their prayer moderate, and a refusal of their request might lead to serious consequences. He called upon the House not to aggravate the dangers which had been occasioned by past neglect, but to accede grace fully to the prayer of these petitioners, who prayed the House to keep them within the pale of its church. If the House assented to their prayer it would strengthen them in their sentiments of affection for the Church, but if it were neglected, they would turn from them in despair, they would murmur this reproach against them, that although the House pro. leased ecclesiastical reform in the abstract, yet when an opportunity occurred for the House to give proof of the sincerity of its professions, it shrank from the test, and then it was found that the followers of the Church had nothing to hope from its sympathies, and nothing to expect from its justice; and turning away—their interests neglected—their hopes disappointed—their affections alienated—they would tell the House that in the treatment they had received from it, the House had written its own condemnation, and that so far as it might depend on it, the House had written its own judgment.—(Cheers.) Mr. MANGLES s conded the motion. Lord J. RI SSILL said he had laid down no such doctrine as that attributed to him by the Hon. G(ntleman, as regarded episcopal resposibility; on the contrary he had always mantained, and still niai:ltailled' that the Dit•tos u the Church haying liz t p 9 m r , public) Mat to perferm. were hound to exercise it io a 3 to b , n( fie that church, and preiuote the hest interests of religion. Of that there coals be n drub'; but the re wee a doubt whether trio policy souent, to be iteroeueed by the Hon. Gentleman was a sound policy, that policy being that in each case in which the patron of a living had exe -cised his right, and appointed a rector, the House of Commons might be called upon to interfere, and to pronounce its opinion whether that patronage had been rigli tly'exer eised or not. Such a course would make that House a court of appeal, and would result in the greatest incon • venience, as with respect to the present case of the Bishop of Durham, or the case of any other Bishop, which might be brought before the House, there was no one in that llouse authorised to speak with respect to the facts of the case. The Hon. Gentlemon, who had pro posed this inquiry, had not hesitated to confirm one por tion of the petition he had presented from the inhabitants of Bishop Wearmouth, which stated that they had no complaint to make as to the appointment of the rector to that parish, who they considered in all respects fitting for his office, and he should have thought that such being the case, the strongest grounds for an appeal to the House of Commons would have been altogether done away with. It he had been a bad clergyman the Bishop had appointed, there might have been grounds of com plaint; but as he was admitted to be good, in his opinion there were none. In speaking of episcopal patronage, he must oppose the doctrine laid down by the Hon. Gen tleman that whilst the patronage put into the hands of bishops was a public trust, and they were bound to exer cise it for the public benefit, individuals holding private patronage could exercise it in any manner they chose. He considered that individuals holding the right of pa tronage to church livings had imposed upon them a solemn duty in the bestowal of that patronage, and what ever might be their private rights in regard to it, if they exercised it for their individual advantage and not for the interests of the residents of the district compre hended in it, they laid themselves open to much and to just censure.—(Hear, hear.) If, then, that charge with respect to the Bishop of Durham had been done away with, what other charges were brought against the Right Rev. Prelate? It was said that the spiritual wants of the district were not sufficiently provided for by the dis tribution of those revenues ; but in relation to this there was a remarkable circumstance of which the Honourable Gentleman took some notice, but did not give it that prominence which it was entitled to, and that was, that while Bishop Wearmouth was connected with the town of Sunderland, yet the parish of Bishop Wearmouth and the parish of Sunderland were two distinct parishes. The Honourable Gentleman paid that the streets of Sunderland .were miserably bad; - that the population was destitute; that there was a great lack of religious instruction. That he believed to be the case, for he understood from parties not in any way conneeted with the Bishop of Durham, that while there were parties in Sunderland who give high interest for money to be laid out in the building' of houses, yet that the occupiers of those houses were kept in the most abject and miserable condition. But the petition from the parish of Sunderland prayed that a portion of the surplus revenue of the parish of Bi-hop Wearmouth might be given to it for the endowment of additional chapels in Sunderiaud. That he conceived was a matter the House could not interfere with. Any poor parish in the metropolis might in the same way demand that a portion of the revenues of its richer neighbours might be given to it for a similar purpose. This, however, was not the law, and if it was so it would be attended with great injustice. If there was a surplus, let it be applied for the benefit of the Church at large, but not for the benefit of any particular parish. What he understood the Bishop of Durham to have done was this:--The late rector of Bishop Wearmouth had an income of about 3,000/. a year. Ull his dying, the Bishop of Durham in appointing the new rector only allowed him 1.2001. a year, tied applied the surplus for the benefit of the chapels erected in the district. There were some other funds arising from land and coals which were mixed up with it, and appropriated for the same purpose, the whole being placed in the hands of trus tees, for the purpose he had mentioned ; and whether that was a proper arrangement was not, in his opi nion, a case that the House could go into, as all that could be said was, that the arrangement had been made with a view to give a large portion of the re venue of the former rector for the purpose of supply ing the spiritual wants of the district. But then the Hon. Gentleman said it was illegal to make any such arrangement with the present rector; but that certainly was a case for the proper courts to decide, and, upon the whole case, he thought it would be better that Parliament should make some general arrangement ra ther than fix upon one particular case; and he could with safety generally assert in regard to the present case, that he believed the Bishop of Durham to have acted in the full consciousness of the responsibility which rested on him, and that in so acting he had had in view the best interest of the Church in his district. He had known that Right Rev. Prelate long, and his belief was, that since his appointment to the see of Durham, which, since his elevation to it, had been reduced from 21,000/. to 8,0001. a year, by the Ecclesiastical Commissioners, he had always acted with great propriety and generosity, and was ever disposed to exercise the patronage com mitted to him in such a way as to benefit the Church and the community. As to the reforms in the Church, which the Hon. Gentleman had alluded to, he had no doubt that some of these—most necessary—would ema nate from the Commission on the subject now sitting, and to those which from time to time were found neces sary, he would be prepared to give his cordial support. He, therefore, must oppose the motion submitted to the House.—(Hear.) Mr. Alderman THOMPSON supported the motion. It was not many years since the parishes of Bishop Wearmouth and Sunderland were divided, and, therefore, he coiceived that it was but justice a portion of the sur plus funds of the former should be given to the latter, which was in a very poor condition. The salary of the rector of Sunderland was very limited—only 2001. a year —and it was, in his opinion, but fair that a portion of the funds of the other parish, of which it once formed a part, should be appropriated for its benefit. The best plan to do that would be for the Bishop of Durham, or the Noble Lord at the head of the Government, to intro duce a Bill for having such appropriation affirmed. Lord HARRY VANE thought it would have been better had the Bishop of Durham introduced a Bill on the subject, but he could not agree to the motion of the Hon. Member for Cockermouth. He could speak from personal knowledge of the generosity and liberality of the Bishop of Durham, and of his attention to the inte rest of his diocese, and he did not think that the animad versions of the Hon. Gentleman were merited. Mr. DISRAELI said he agreed with the Noble Lord, that inquiries of the kind proposed were very injurious, but without entering into any personal details, he wished to know why the Bishop of Durham should not be the party to introduce a Bill to settle the question, which it was agreed on both sides of the House was necessary.— (Hear.) If the Right Rev. Prelate did not choose to do so, what was to hinder her Majesty's Government from doing it 2 and if they promised to do so, he should be most happy to be spared the vote he otherwise should feel bound to give.—( Hear.) The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said that he thought that the Honourable eientleman (Mr. }foreman) and other Honourable Members should see that it was not in the power of the Government justly and fairly to interfere with that question by the introduc tion of a Bill, because the incumbent had a right to have whatever was promised to him at the time of his ap pointment; and therefore if a Bill were introduced by Government, it would be au act of spoliation to take any from the incumbent of what the Bishop of Durham had previously given him. He should add that he did not think that justice had been done to the Bishop of Durham, because he knew, on good authority, inde pendent of that of the Noble Lord (Lord Harry Vane) that he was most liberal and munificent, even out of his own private money, to the poor of his diocese (Hear, hear.) And that irrespective of any such donations, or any losses he may sustain, he hail agreed to give 2,0001. per annum to the Ecclesiastical Commissioners. He thought that the House should not deal with one parti cular portion of those ecclesiastical matters, but that a Bill applying generally would be far preferable. Sir R. PEEL said that he did not wish that any mea sure that would be disrespectful to the Bishop of Dur ham should be supported by the House, because from the manner in which he discharges his duties as a pious prelate, and as a most refined and erudite scholar, he considered that such a resolution of the House would be dealing very severely with him, as it would betray a want of confidence in him. In 1844, when the Ecclesi astical Commissioners were appointed, he, as First Mi nister of the Crown, from his confidence in the Bishop of Durham, left that incumbency to him, to be arranged as he thought proper; and he felt happy to state that his subsequent arrangement fully confirmed his (Sir R. Peel's) opinion of him. Yet he should say that he could not refrain from expressing his concurrence in the main object of the motion, for he thought it would be a good example for the Church to make a proper distribution, by the Right Rev. Prelate assenting to such a plan, now that the opportunity presents itself, and particularly as many had already come forward to divest themselves of a pa tronage of 5,000/. per annum. He did not agree with the Noble Lord (Lord John Russell) when he stated that the Crown should not interfere with Bishop Wearmouth; for, when they considered how the spiritual interests of the poor population of those districts, both Sunderland and Bishop Wearmouth, had suffered since they were disunited, Sunderland had more claim on the distribu tion than had any other place; he thought it became the Government to attend to the spiritual wants of the people. He thought that it would be very advantageous if the Noble Lord (Lord J. Husseli) would give advice to the Bishop of Durham to set the example by an Act of Parliament, so as to appropriate the suplus funds to the spiritual wants of that people who have the best claim on their notice. Mr. MANGLES said that he did not think that the Noble Lord (Lord J. Russell) did justice to the Hun. Member for Cockermouth (Mr. florsman) when ho at tacked his (Mr. Horsman's) motives. Instead of being the enemy of the Church, he believed him to be the firmest and most staunch supporter it had in that. House. The Noble Lord (Lord John Russell) said that his Hon. Friend (Mr. Horsman) had failed in making out a charge of simoniacal practices against the Bishop of Durham. Such were nut his motives, but rather to pro tect the Bishop's character against any such charges, by laying the groundwork for an Act of Parliament, which was essentially necessary. He considered that it would be a great relief to him and other members of the Church, if the Noble Lord (Lord J. Russell) would give the House an assurance that he would bring in such a Bill as would obviate the present motion.—(Hear.) Lord ASHLEY said that he regretted that a different course had not been adopted, so as to preclude the ne cessity of such a motion. He was fully convinced that the .Honourable Gentleman (Mr. Horsman) did not ob ject to a distribution, for he knew that it was a proper distribution he (Mr. Horsman) sought for. He ad mitted also that the purpose for which the Bishop of Durham deposited this yearly accumulation of money in she had. Qf trust 06 MAO kll9l7Di sad OM it 0119144 • bt: own, ss that revenue was inteniietl by the pig donors kr the spiritual wants of the pt.or, to which of pse it tv.is not applied, and s u c h a s y s t em wus tile! satisactory. He perfectly afire: d with the princiP,e a toe motion, and fr om hi s p r i vate k now l e d g e of 01 Honourable Gentleman (Mr. Horsman) he was ready 6l all occasions to bear his testimony to his zeal and ill; tegrity, and was f u lly assured that he (Mr. Horsroat was actuated by no o th er d es i re t h an to promote th° interest of the Church. He, however, hoped tlal he would allow him to make a suggestion to hire ithdraw his motion on the present occasion, as all iverd agreed that it was rigia that the matter should be se t de r d by an Act of Parliament, in whi c h t h e N o bl e L or d (P o J. Russell) and the Right Hon. Baronet (Sir R. r' e l Ei coincided; and he hoped that he (Mr. Horsman) ro, n trust to the good feeling of the Bi s h o p o f D ur ban), tm e he would introduce a measure in corr es p on d ence with ,he conscientious feelings of Parliament. ith Mr. STUART WORTLEY sa id th a t h e j o ined Y r every Member who had spoken o n th a t su bj e ct, lb w ' there was a necessity for some legislative measure the arrangement of that questi o n. H e did no t mean W charge the Bishop or the incumbent, no more than a n l other Hon. Member who had sp o k en , b ecause h e believe d that the money was laid aside for some good purpl e yet he did not think that th e ver y act o f l ay i ng it 51d would stand the test of an inquiry. H e t ruste d, that "g the House was unanimous in th e ir o pi n i on , t hat di s t feeling would be communicated t o th e Bi s h op , and that the Hon. Gentleman (Mr. Hor sm a n ) wou ld no t press a,e motion.—(Hear.) Mr. J. A. SMITH said that he fully concurred with 0 t ! the Honourable Gentleman (M r . Horsman), yet hoped that he would not press his motion, and the% he did, he should move f o r an a dj ournmen t of "' debate. Mr. J. T. WAWN said that as his Hon. Friend Ail: Horsman would not comply with the suggestion of tr. Noble Lord (Lord Ashley), he f e lt b oun d to give t". motion his support. Mr. HORSMAN said that as the House had agr ee ! in the justice of his proposition, he was placed in a ve r c f, difficult position, in being obliged to appeal to the ki n „ ness of the House, in refusing the withdrawal of his at"; tion, because the whole responsibility of the 1 10 ,, e , rested upon him, while others had only to vote on- the question. His was not an isolated case; it was one n.: a series, and in consequence of having withdral four different motions last year, •at the reque st of the House, and on the yet unredeemed pledge of the Noble Lord (Lord J. Russell), be re ; gretted that he could not comply w i t h t h e reques t of the Noble Lord (Lord Ashl e y).—(H ere Honourable Gentleman referred to his having vrit, h drawn a motion respecti ng th e f us i on o f ecor siastical and common funds, and another respecting cathedrals, on the pledge that full and comprehensiv e measures would be introduced by Government, whic h . was never redeemed.) He said th a t as many o f bps friends looked upon his motions, in consequence of bi s having withdrawn them, as mere sham motions, that h e should persist in the present one. It was for the W e. rest of the Church and of Ch r i st i an i ty t h at be bad brought them on, and he should t o t h e l as t sup p o rt thn l cause by every means in his power, fur the interests el the Established Church could not succeed while font curates, whose superiors were not in the whole Ceer nbs were to be found in that diocese, each respective l f. twenty years, at an annu a l i ncome o f on l y 9 0 / lie fel' that his cause of supporting the working clergy was 6 just and holy cause, and should, therefore, press for Lord JOFIN RUSSELL said that, having been 14 : A cusk d of what would be d eeme d a d ere li ct i on of g°,.'" faith, and of having br o k en pl e d ges h e h a d g i ven to w e Hon. Gentleman, he proposed to give a short explan; ton of the subject to the Ho use .—(El ear , h ear .)- regard to the motion of providing for the union of 0" episcopal fund and of the common fund, he had P l • wised to consult the Archbi s h o p o f C anter b ur y, ' l ' though his Lordship had only been recently appointl; He had seen the Archbishop, an d h a d converse d Wi t him on the subject, and the result of the interview wa s ' his being confirmed in the opinion h e b e f ore h e ld, tht there was no valid objection to th e arrangement . Fror that time he stated to his coll eagues t h at t h e Aro:'; bishop was of opinion th a t a measure , having 01) object in view, might be int ro d uce d.—(H ear , The Honourable Gentleman further proposed a ° 1 ferent arrangement as to cathedral churches. 'PO was a matter far more difficult, and admitted of f°,, r ; ther reforms. On inquiring further int o it h e thoeg" it necessary that the revenue should be ascertained b e : tore a measure should be introduced with respect 1 ; another application of it.—(Hear, hear.) He, senor iugly, advised the Crown t o a pp o i nt a C omm i ss i on of lit; quirt', and several M em b ers o f t h e H ouse were member' of it. With respect to the question why he had not IT traduced a measure with regar d t o e i t h er o f t h ese 8 0 ,'; jects during the pres en t sess i on , h e b a d state d to t'i n , Hon. Gentleman that he would propose a measure haviva reference to the composition of the Ecclesiastical 0 0:1 ,: o mission, and the uniting of the episcop a l f un d w ith t% common fund. The House was awar e th a t th e re only two days in the week, or eight in the ul o °l upon which Government business co u ld b e proneeu e . with, and considering the way in whi c h th e time of thi s House was taken up on those occasions, he vi° o / put it to the House, whether th ere was any chance ‘ , ' d making progress with a measure of thi s kind, if it 115 Leen introduced. They had th oug h t it nece ssary ,0 „ bring in a Bill to continue the s us p ens i on o f t h e liab e T, Corpus Act in Ireland, which wo u ld o th erw i se expire I the present month. They hadil s o brought i n measures which they thought were urgent and indispensable WO respect to the famine in Ireland; and if the navigation' laws were to be proceeded with at all in the present ser sion, it was obvious that they should be considered in an early part of it. The claims of the western districts of Ireland was another subject which demanded their prompt attention. Under these circumstances, would the House have considered him justified in postponing, any one of those important m easures , f or t h e pur p o se 0' introducing one on the union of the episcopal and coin' mon funds? Those were the reasons why the measur e had not yet made its appearance, an d h e h a d on ly state d / them to justify himself, in answer to the ch a rge of havlne broken his pledges to the Hon. Member. Mr. Alderman THOMPSON recommended the . Son' Member not to pursue the question to a division. Sir F. BARING said he had waited to the last 0 0 ' went, in the expectation of bearing that the motion ivi to be withdrawn, but not fi n di ng th e s li g h test c h a nce 0 its being the issue of the debate,ihe now begged leave t_°, proi,ose the course which wou ld, p ro b a bl y , b e deemed the most satisfactory to a ll p ar ti es , v i z ., t o mo ve the previous question. The House then divided, and the numbers were-- For the previous question 52 Against it Majority The eff!ct of this division is to postpone idefinitely the consideration of Mr. Horsman's motion. CONDITION OF THE WORKING CLASSkIS. Mr. SL A./VEY moved for the appointment of a Stand: ing Committee or unpaid Commission, to consider and report, from time to time, on practical measures to Wl' prove the condition of the working classes. The W u ' Member contended 'hat th e ri c h er p or ti on o f the pope_ Wiwi had increased very largely the amount not only (A their property, but of their comforts and luxuries, since „::dthe peace; as a proof of which, b e state d that betw ee n the years 1812 and 1841, the numb e r o f ca rriages - by them had doubled, and that in Manchester alone, between the years 1815 and 1841, property had increased 190 per cent. This increase wa s a tt r ib u ted mainly the labour and incessant applicati, n of the worki to ng classes, and that being so, it was only right that a Cora' mittee should be instituted in order to ascertain whether the increase of the comforts of the poor bad been corn mensurate with the increase of the comforts of the rich. Mr. Slaney was proceeding, when he was interrupted by an Hon. Member, who moved that the House be counted. The gallery was cleared, and 32 Members only being present, the House was declared adjourned. PARLIAMENTARY DIVISIONS• (From the Votes and Proceedings of the House of Cotanso*L ) TUESDAY, 'MARCH 20. BISHOP WEARMOUTH RECTORY. Motion made, and Question proposed, " That an humbl e R ill be be presented to h er M a j es ty, p ra yi ng th a t s he " be pleased to issue a Commission of Inquiry into the allege" tions contained in the petitions presented to this House liom the parishioners of Bishop Wearmouth and Sunderland; that the said Commissioners be directed to take into cons'" deration the agreement stated in Parliament ,(on the audio" rity of the Patron of the Living of Bishop Wearmouth) to have been entered into between himself and the present In cumbent, whereby the surplus income of the Living, over and above the sum of 2,0001. a year, reserved as the income of the Incumbent, is to be paid over to trustees; and to re' port on the best mode of appropriating that surplus to spiritual purposes connected with the two parishes, and of giving legal effect to such appropriation:"—Whereupou Ere" vious Question put, ""That that Question be now put.'' 111° House divided:— MINORITY—AYES, 39. Anderson, Arthur Heyworth, L. Smith, J. A. __,„ Ashley, Lord Kershaw, James Smith, J. Be _ Brown,1061"-- H. Langston, J. H. Spooner, Ricn i ''',., Clay, ames Lockhart, W. vi r it. L. Stanfield, Sir L obden, R. 3l'Gregor, John Strickland, Cl. '''., Cowan, Charles Mangles, It. D. Currie, Henry Molesworth,;Sir W. Thompson, Thompson, Aldermill Duncan, George Mailings, J. It. Thompson, George Duncuft, John O'Connor, Feargus Walmaley, Sir I. Fordyce, A. D. Osborne, Ralph Wawn, J. T. . Greenall, Gilbert Pattison, James Wood, W. P. Hardcastle, J. A. Raphael, Alexander Titumis. Henry, Alexander Sanders, George Ilorsman, Edward Colonel Hume, J. Ilastie, Archibald Sheridan, R. B. MAJORITY-NOES, 52. Abdy, T. N. Grace, O. D. Richards, Richard' Baines, M. T. Grenfell, C. Pascoe Romilly, Si r John Baring, Sir F. Hawes, Benj. R ussell, Lord J. Bellew, ti. M. Hayter, W. G. S eymer, H. K. - Berkeley, Captain, S. W. Hobhouse, T. B. Sh ell, R. L. Blackall Hope, Alexander S laney, R . A. Boldero, 11. G. Howard, Lord E. Somerville, Sir W. B ro therton, J. Lascelles, W. S. Tancred, H. W. Campbell, W. F. Lewis, G. C. Vane, Lord H. Craig, W. G. 31acnamara, Major Wilson, James Cubitt, William Maitland, Thomas Wodehouse, H• D'Eyncourt,T. Maule, Fox Wood, Sir Charley Dundas, Admiral Milnes, R. Monckton Wyld, James ___ Dunne, F. P. Palmerston, V. Wrill, Marnla a u " Ebrington, Viscount Parker, John Edwards, H. Peel,.Sir Robert Elliot., John Reid. Colonel Estcourt, J. B. B. Rice, ER. _ French, F. Rich, Henry TELLER.. ullirlely,,Lnor.dvig,.arcol DISCOVERY OF A )SECRET STAIR IS Gr"iiing CASTLE.—As sm. workmen :were empl l ed lately In , lammis r , pairing the flocring of one of the rooms 111 Castle, tney diseovt red a stone staircase, in old sPda• form, surrounded by a strong wall of masonry, almost as fresh as the builder left it.—Dundee Advertiser. BREWERS, &c.—From a Parliamentary PaPe r t which has just been published, it appears that the num ber of brewers in England is 2,196, and the number of persons licensed to sell beer is 58,986. The number of bushels of malt consumed in England from the 10th of October, 1847, till the 10th of October, 1848, was 17,219,390. The number consumed u{ IdOxdol2 thiring She n P 9694 MO 513971246. four 1 camp camp offeru from Th freel) west sides over I rence this nothi conce cause Confii are st Mai to ti Calc Febt AC The 1 the p burie to th, of Fl This Euro Regi of H Moo when Hem de-ca (Fro' WE the wa foi 1