The Sun. — London, England, 1849-01-15 00:00:00

MAIL ROBBERIES ON THE GREAT WESTERN RAILWAY COMMITTAL OF THE PRISONERS. EXETER, SATURDAY.—This inquiry, which was ex pected to have been commenced at eleven o clock this (Saturday), was adjourned to one o'clock, on the ap plication of Mr. Peacock and Mr. Dilountford, solicitors to the Post-office. At one o'clock the great hall, in which the examination took place, was crowded by anxious listeners, and the jury galleries were filled long previous to the appointed hour. The arrangement s for the preservation of ord er in the extensive assem bly were judiciously made by Mr. Steele, the Police Super intendent. On the bench were the Right Worshipful the Mayor (C. Arden, Fag.), S. Kingdon, Esq., Dr. Pennell, Dr. Miller, Dr. Barham, G. C. Hoiroyd, Esq., E. Woolmer, Esq., and H. Hooper, Esq. Mr. Peacock and Mr. Mountfori appeared for the Post-office, and Mr. Willesford for the prisoners, with whom he communicated at the corner of the dock in which they stood. The prisoners were well dressed, but looked pale and anxious. The first witness called by Mr. Peacock was Mr. Henry Lee, who said, I reside at No. 1, South Parade, Clifton. lam a retired gentleman. On the morning of the 2d inst. I was a second-class passenger in the down mail train from Bristol to Tiverton-road. I went to the Exeter shed at Bristol about 12 minutes past one in the morning. The booking-office door was shut. Whilst there, I saw the further prisoner (the unnamed man) coming towards me. Poole was with him, but three or four yards behind. Poole was dressed with a Jem Crow hat, and a cloak thrown over him. The other prisoner came to the office door, tried it, and finding it not open, wont back to Poole, and they both returned back and remained under the archway, about 18 feet from the , door. This was about a quarter after one. I said to the • prisoner who tried the door, " There is no admittance — it is very cold." I did not hear him reply. I continued to walk up and down in front of the station, waiting till the door was opened, and heard the sound of whispering coming from under the archway. The door was shortly afterwards opened by a porter, and I went in, but the clerk was not there then. Presently the booking clerk came in at the door—he was followed by the two prisoners. Poole continued to walk up and down by the side of the wall inside the o ffi ce. The second prisoner asked for two first-class tickets—l do not re collect to what place. Both tickets were given to the • second prisoner, and he paid for both. I remained on the higher side of the desk. I turned round abruptly towards Poole, and caught his eye. He turned his head towards the wall from me. This made me look more particularly at them. Both of them then left the book ing -office, and went up stairs to go on the platform. I followed. When I got there I saw no one. I walked straight up to the end of the platform, and then I turned to the left on the other platform towards Bristol. It was dark at the end. I went so far as the last light ; it was dark beyond that. I heard some one whispering, not talking loudly, in the direction of the dark part. I saw no one. The trains shortly afterwards came round. I took my seat in a second-class carriage. A cloak was produced and a hat, which this witness stated to be similar to the dress worn by Poole on that night. The cloak was an old blue one, and the hat a green Join Crow, or round soft hat, as sometimes worn by " gents." Mr. William Wilcncks—l reside on Pengelley's Farm, Exminster. I recollect the lit of January. I was on the Exminster-road between eleven and twelve o'clock that morning. It is a turnpike road leading from Exeter .to Exminster. I overtook two persons walking towards Exminster, from the direction of Exeter. Poole was one; I nodded to him, having known him many years. I believe the second prisoner to be the same men who was his companion. Poole was carrying a blue bag, three parts full apparently. I think he had on a dark - brown coat with pockets at the side. He had on a hat. The other person had on a dark coat. Henry Chapple—l reside at the Stowey Arms, Ex minster. I recollect the lest of January. I saw two persons—l believe the two prisoners to be the men— come into the Stowey Arms. They called for a pint of beer, with which I served them. They remained about ten minutes, drank the beer, and went on towards Stars cross. This was before dinner. I think it was between ten and twelve o'clock. That gent (Poole as I suppose him to be), was carrying a blue bag. It appeared about half filled with something. Mary Ann Southwood—l reside with my father, James Southwood, who keeps the Courtney Arms at Btarcross. I recollect the Ist of January. Two men came to our house that evening, between six and half past. They had two glasses of brandy and water each. I served them. They left just before eight. Both of them, or one, asked me what time the train would be in. I said one would be in at six minutes after seven, and the other twenty-three minutes after eight. One said they would go on by the mail train. One had a cloak on—l think a blue cloth cloak. I know there was a collar, which was up. It was something like the cloak produced. I believe if either of the prisoners is the one, it is the one nearest me (Poole). Mr. Willesford complained that before the full answer was taken down from a witness another question was suggested. Mr. Peacock (to the witness)—What answer do you wish to be taken down ? Witness—l believe the one nearest me to be the one who bad on the cloak. Mr. Willesford—But you can't swear to either. Mr. Peacock—What is your belief ? Witness—l be lieve the one nearest me to be the man who wore the cloak, but I did not take much notice. , Sarah, wife of _William Elworthy, employed on the South Devon Railway, and residing at No. 6, North street, said—l know Mr. Poole. He lodged with me. He came with me in May last. He remained for six or seven weeks. During the time •he remained with me I observed him with a scarf. I should know the colours of it again, but I have no private mark. The police superintendent produced the scarf. The witness said—lt is something like the handkerchief, but I will not swear to it. Edward Langley, sergeant in the metropolitan detec tive police—l know the prisoner who refuses to give his name. I have known him eight or nine years. I have lost sight of him for the last year and a half. His name is Edward Nightingale. I knew his father; his name was George Nightingale. Mr. Willesford declined to cross-examine any of the witnesses, and the depositions were then read over. The Mayor put the usual question to the prisoners, Whether they had anything to say previous to being committed. They made no reply. The Mayor then finally committed the prisoners for trial at the next assizes fur this city. Mr. Willesford—l suppose there will now be no ob jection to allow me to have free intercourse with the pri soners in gaol. The MAYOR— Certainly not, at all proper hours. We have heard that the father of the prisoner Night ingale was tried at Maidstone, in 1826 or 1827,' on a charge of robbing the Dover mail. He was acquitted upon an alibi being proved, a person having sworn that he was at the time in Devonshire. This George Night ingale subsequently attended Goodwood races, and was proprietor of one of the only two gambling booths, which were at that time permitted. Since then he has carried on business at Hoxton, near London, as a horse-hair manutacturer and brickmaker, and die d about two months since. The greatest credit is due to those active and intelli gent officers—Mr. Steele, the Superintendent of the Exeter Police, and Inspector Field and Sergeant Lang- ' ley, of the London Detective Police—for their great ex ertions, and the admirable manner in which the evidence has been procured.—Exeter Gazette. A Sunday paper states that the officers who had been ' sent down by the Post-office authorities, Mr. Inspector ' Field and Mr. Sergeant Langley, bad made a thorough Search over the whole of the Bristol station, where, it was supposed, the bulk of property stolen from the up mall had been secreted. It was shown there was no time for the prisoners to have gone further than the public-house, and yet nothing could be found; the search is to be continued. Among the robberies that have been perpetrated on the Great Western Railway, and which there is every reason to believe have been concocted by the guard Poole, are those of two cash boxes, each containing 2,000/., both consigned to bankers. Other robberies have taken place, of which no information has ever reached the public, it having been deemed advisable to keep them perfectly quiet, in order to their spedy detection. In the latter part of last year, the Great Western Com pany's strong box, at Paddington, was broken open and gold and silver to the amount of nearly 2,0901. was taken in an equally mysterious manner. To that robbery no clue has been obtained. The booking-office had been bcoken open in the night, and the box had been plun dered without any apparent difficulty , leading to the Presumption that the robber kne w the premises well. Soon after the discovery of Poole's connexion with the recent robbery, his house was se arched by the police, but scarcely a piece of paper containing any mcmoran- dura Was found, all such documents having evidently been destroyed. On his person, however, were found several I 0 U's for 201., 501, and and 751., showing, that since he cam e i nto the possession of his money (now accounted for) he had some extensive transactions in loans. It is a remarkable tact in connexion with the robbery, that no official notice of it was sent to the Post-office authorities, and that Mr. Peacock did not hear of it until the following day, when the prisoners were under examination at Exeter, and that, while in vestigating the particulars of the first robbery the an nouncement of the second reached him. The Cornwall Gazette contains the following para graph:....." We are requested to state, that neither Messrs. Robins, Forster, and Co., of the East Cornwall Bank, nor any of their branches, sustained a farthing loss by the recent robbery of the mail on the Great Western Railway. All the letters of the firm and branches duly reached their respective destinations." The following extraordinary statement appears i n Trewman's Flying Post :—" We are in a position to a, sert an extraordinary fact connected with these Jack Sheppard like achievements. The plan of the late rob bery of the down train was communicated to two highly respectable persons in Taunton (one of whom we have the pleasure of knowing) some four or five months since; the detail was so accurate as to give the man's name (who is now actually in custody), the description of dis -liT.„l4,4ruise, and tile manner in which the robbery was to be iiido'obtp4iehed, the whole of which has been perpetrated 17 -getter. The information was given to the riciks-7---7ta- 111" Ye r ' parties above alluded to by the wife of one of ':";:‘ ,- tr (yie l d accomplices in this and many other: rai l schem es;' the parties immediately communicated ''"; away authorities, and we trust that it may ";L" , 101 0 )o:.e capture of as formida ble a g an g of ruffians as iskVir ed any community. The persons to whom the inat i mation here referred to was given are of the 4 A hib est respectability—Mr. Eales White, proprietor of theßast Reach Brewery, and Mr. James Dyer, surgeon, 'Dalton." THE LAW INTELLIGENCE. INSOLVENT DE.131 ORS' COURT, Jan. 13. (Before Mr. Commissioner PHILLIPS) IN RR GEORGE WEBB. The insolvent was opposed by Mr. Cooke on behalf of Messrs. Keep and Hendy, lace merchants, of Wood-street, and was supported by Mr. Nichols. The case occupied, as on a former occasion, nearly a whole day, but the facts may be stated in a few lines. In October, 1846 9 the insolvent applied to the opposing creditors to supply him with goods, which they consented to do, upon some friend of insolvent's becoming security. The latter thereupon mentioned a Captain Hodson, whom be described to be a man possessed of landed and house property; a statement which satisfied Messrs. Keep and Hendy, and the credit was opened upon Hodson's becoming guarantee. The dealings continued until insolvent had contracted a debt of 1001., about which time Hodson was taken before a magistrate upon a charge of swindling, was committed, tried, but acquitted, and, immediately after, arrested upon another charge, upon which he was allowed to go at large for a day or two, under taking to appear at the appointed time ; but when that time came riodson did not appear, and had not been seen since. The insolvent said, he became acquainted with llodson through the latter purchasing various small parcels of goods from him, and that when he repre sentedi Hodson to the opposing creditors as a man of substance he did so upon the faith of statements made by that person to himself. Mr. Commissioner l'Enuars said that, even if the insolvent had not been in collusion with Hodson, he ought to have ascertained the truth of the statements made by the latter before tendering him to the credi tors as a man of substance and integrity. In his (the Learned Commissioner's) opinion the debt of Messrs. Keep and Hendy had been most fraudulently contracted ; and, therefore, the insolvent would not be discharged until the expiration of a period of twelve calendar months from the date of the vesting order. POLICE INTELLIGENCE. MANSION-HOUSE. Joseph Ady attended before the Lord Mayor upon a summons, calling upon him to appear to answer the charge of having refused and neglected to pay the sum of 101. 12s. 4d., due to her Majesty for the duty of postage, and to show cause why, upon due proof being made of the sum of money due, a war rant of distress should not be granted for the re covery of that amount, pursuant to the directions of the Post-office statute, commonly called " Joseph Ady's Act." Mr. PEACOCK, the solicitor to the Post-office, ap• peered for the prosecution ; Mr. Huddlestone for the defendant. After several technical objections raised by Mr. Huddlesone had been overruled, The defendant pleaded "Not Guilty." Mr. Peacock then stated that the Act gave the Lord Mayor jurisdiction in any case brought before him on the refusal to pay postage under the amount of 201., and that the defendant was summoned for having refused and neglected to pay the sum of 101. 12s. 4d. postage upon letters which had been sent out by him without being stamped or post-paid. The Act directed that if the persons to whom letters were addressed did not pay, the parties who sub scribed them were compellable. Of the 1,274 letters which had been transmitted by the defendant by post, 676 had been refused, and 598 had been re turned because the addresses of the parties to whom they were addressed could not be found. Mr. Huddlestone said, he had another objection. He would contend that the summons ought to show, upon the face of it, under what class the letters were comprehended, and a distinction ought to be drawn between the two classes. The LORD MAYOR—I see the summons is endorsed with these words—" The letters in respect of which the postage of 101. 12s. 4d., mentioned in the written summons, is payable, may be seen by Mr. Ady at the solicitor's office, General Post-office, any day between the hours of twelve and two o'clock." I consider that to be sufficient notice to the defendant to apply for the examination of the letters. Evidence was then called in support of the prose cution. Mr. James Hyde, 'clerk to the Dead Letter-office, produced the 1,274 letters, and said he had read them all.—(Laughter.) Joseph Ady then looked at the bundles, and said he must see whether the letters were right, and he should want to look at them all. Subsequently, how ever, he gave up this intention, at the suggestion of his solicitor. Mr. Hyde then proceeded with his evidence, and proved the number of letters returned, and the amount due upon them, as above. W. Beaumont, a letter-carrier, proved the non payment of the money demanded by the Post-office. Mr. Huddlestone then addressed his Lordship for the defendant, and said, he could not see how his client could he convicted upon such evidence, and contended that the summons was at variance with the Act, and that Mr. Ady's refusal to pay ought to have been distinctly shown by the testimony of witnesses. The LORD MAYOR said that, looking at the Act of Parliament as a public Act, he could not but consider that when a person did not pay the postage of a letter that person refused to pay it. His Lordship wished to know whether Mr. Huddlestone wished to call any witnesses ? Mr. Huddlestone—None, unless your Lordship allows m:.• to call my client himself. The LORD MAYOR—Then I decide that a warrant of distress be granted against the defendant. Mr. Huddlestone requested that his client might be allowed time for the payment of the money, and The defendant said, he would pay the amount at the rate of 2/. per week. Mr. Peacock said, the Post-office authorities could not place the slightest reliance on Mr. Ady's word, and were not disposed to extend to him any further indulgence. The defendant had asserted that one of the judges had, through his correspondence, obtained the sum of 10,0001., but he (Mr. Peacock), upon in quiring, found there was not a shadow of truth in the statement. Joseph Ady then retired, without appearing to be in the slightest degree discomposed. He must pay the amount within five days, or his goods will be seized for the amount. WORSHIP-STREET. A tall powerful fellow named William Orton, de scribed as a sawyer, was placed at the bar before Mr. Arnold, charged with feloniously cutting and wound ing a married woman named Maria Luff, residing in ISottingham-place, Kingsland. The prosecutrix, who had been confined to her bed from the effects of the injuries she had sustained, and was still in such a state of suffering and debility that she was allowed to be seated during her examination, was at one time in such danger that on the report of her medical attendant the magistrate and chief clerk were oblignd to go to her house and take her deposi tion. She now stated, that on the afternoon of the 29th ult. an angry altercation took place between her and the wife of the prisoner, arising from some unfair advantage the latter had taken of her, and that soon after it had terminated, as she thought, the prisoner himself made his appearance, and assailing her with the most foul-mouthed epithets struck her such a terrible blow over the eye that she was sent staggering backwards, and her face was covered with blood. Not satisfied with this, he immediately closed upon her, and exclaiming he would give her a Lancashire fling, flung her heavily upon the ground and commenced kicking her in the most brutal manner about the head and body, until she was rescued from further violence by the interposition of several neighbours, who assisted her into a chair and hastened off for a surgeon ; but they had scarcely left her when the prisoner burst into the room, and, advancing towards her with a clasp-knife in his hand, told her, with a horrible imprecation, that he had come on purpose to murder her, and extended the knife out to her throat, with the apparent intention of drawing the weapon across it ; but before he could accomplish his pur posedsai he was al gned n a t l l a e r mm hastily a e n d ran b s y o o t un h p e t s ao o f ; he n ir sdwooa own afterwards s o: p t Ra s r t rr e t i p my see arrived in t s a. t n h Ad e me dressed her wounds, and had been in constant attend ance upon her ever since. Mr. Finer, the surgeon alluded to, deposed that upon examining the prosecutrix he found that, in addition to other injuries of a serious character, one of her ribs had been fractured, and an incised wound inflictel over her left eye of such a dangerous nature that he was for some time apprehensive it must inevi tably result in a fatal termination. An attempt was made to show that the last injury referred to had been caused by the prosecutrix coming into contact with some clothes pegs it was alleged the prisoner had in his hand, and one of which was produced, but the testimony of the prosecutrix referring to the knife was corroborated by that of the constable who apprehended the prisoner, and who produced a knife of that description, which he had found in the prisoner's possession. Mr. Heritage, who appeared for the defence, said that he had several witnesses in attendance who would be able to give an entirely different complexion to the transaction if examined, and establish the fact that his client h been induced to act as described wider the !ittrongest feelings of provocation ; but as he presumed Magistrate'swastheofa j intention to send the case for the consideratio n to reserve hi s defury, he thought it most expe dientnce. Mr. ARNOLD con been taken by Mr.Nr c u in r r e e , d t , h a e n d e htiheef clerk, t t i h o e n s pr h i a so v n in e g r was fully committed to Newgate for trial. C ERKENWEL L William Taylor, L a fellow havin g the appearance of a labourer, was placed at the bar before Mr.Ty hitt, charged with begging under the followi ng - rawggra vated circumstances : The prisoner, on Saturday, the 6th instant, entered the Court, and made a most pitiable statement to Mr. Nesbitt, one of the ushers of the Court, saying that SUN, LONDON, he had worked on a railway, but was discharged because the works were stopped. He had been tramping the country in search of employment, but in vain, sleeping on carts, waggons, and bye places, starving and wretched. He had slept in a cart at Tonbridge on the previous night, and had walked to London, where he arrived that day in an exhausted state, and he did not know what to do. He was only anxious to get to his native home at Nottingham, and he craved some assistance in order to enable him to proceed on his journey. He was introduced to Mr. Tyrwhitt, who listened to his " distressing tale" with evident sympathy, and humanely ordered that imme diate nourishment and assistance should be afforded him ; accordingly an excellent dinner and Is. were given him, and he started off on his supposed journey. On Saturday, however, he again made his appearance in the Court, under circumstances which caused con siderable indignation. An officer of the Mendicity Society said he saw the prisoner going from house to house knocking at the doors, and begging in a most impudent manner, and insulting persons who refused to give him money ; he proceeded to take him into custody, when he resisted. Mr. TYEWHITT remonstrated with the fellow on his ungrateful and infamous conduct, which plainly showed how the public and charitably disposed per sons were imposed on by such heartless ruffians as the prisoner, who, it was evident, preferred begging to anything in the shape of work. Mr. Nesbitt was sworn, and he identified the pri soner as having been relieved with food and money on Saturday, the 6th inst., when he promised to leave London for Nottingham. Mr. TTItsvnITT asked the prisoner what he could possibly say to such conduct ? The prisoner said, he met with some companions, who induced him to remain in London to look for work, and he spent the shilling. Mr. TYRWHITT said, it was proved that he was begging, and he would commit him to the House of Correction, with hard labour, for one week ; but he might depend upon it, if ever he was brought there again under similar circumstances, the full penalty of the law should be inflicted upon him. He was then conveyed to prison. SOUTHWARK. On Friday afternoon, at a late hour, several gen tlemen connected with the North-Western Railway Company, attended by Mr. Clarkson, the barrister, applied for a warrant, at this court, to apprehend three persons residing in Bermondsey, for conspiring to extort money from the railway company by pre tending that they had received injuries on the above railway at Leighton Buzzard on the sth of Sep temer last. Warrants were immediately issued and placed in the hands of Wright and Murray, two officers of the M division, and just before the court closed on Saturday two of the parties were placed at the bar before Mr. Cottingham. They gave their names as Robert Duncan and Mary Duncan, man and wife, residing in a miserable abode in George street, Bermondsey. The third person has not yet been apprehended. The male prisoner seemed to treat the charge with the utmost indifference, but his wife was suffering severely, so much so that she was accommodated with a chair. Mr. Clarkson again attended for the prosecution, and Mr. Buchanan for the prisoners. Mary Linfield, who said that she was the wife of a ship's steward, then in China. On the 4th of Sep tember she went to Duncan's house and took lodgings there, when she saw both the prisoners. On the same evening she carried some glass to her rooms, when she again saw Mrs. Duncan, who appeared quite well. On the morning of he sth she took possession of her lodgings, when she saw them both again, and neither of them appeared to be suffering from any illness. She lived in the house for several weeks afterwards, and was positive that the female prisoner had never been confined to her bed, or had been the least unwell. On the Thursday before she left, the male prisoner told her that his wife had un dergone a surgical operation, but she believed such could not have taken place. Susanna Young, of 7, Maddocks place, Bermond sey, said, that she entered the prisoner's service in August last, and remained some time after the last wits ness hired apartments in the house. Neither her master nor mistress left the house on the 4th or sth of Sep tember. A week after witness had been in their service Mrs. Duncan told her that she had a dreadful pain in her side from having been thrown down stairs by her husband. On cross-examination by Mr. Buchanan, witness said that she never had any words with either of the prisoners, and she was certain that neither of them slept from home on the 4th or sth of September. Mr. Thomas Porter, surgeon, of Euston-square, said that the company received applications from the prisoners and another for compensation, alleging that they were seriously injured at Leighton Buzzard on the morning of the sth of September. An accident having occurred at four o'clock that morning, he was directed to call upon the parties and examine them. On the 28th of October he accordingly went to Dun can's lodgings, when he saw the male prisoner, to whom he told his errrand. Duncan replied that he did not want to see a medical man ; he expected a lawyer to call upon him and settle for the injuries inflicted upon himself and wife. He also said that the latter had miscarried through the accident, and that she was suffering from a prolapsus of the uterus. Witness questioned him further, when he said that they were both in a second-class carriage when the accident occurred, and that they had both been se riously ill for some time. Witness asked him the name of the medical man who attended them, when he mentioned a Mr. Hunt, .of Queen-street, Ber mondsey, and afterwards he said he lived in the Black friars-road. Witness went into a back room, where he saw the female prisoner on a bed. She said that she had miscarried through the accident, and that she was unable to get up. She did not appear to be suf fering from the complaint alluded to. She made a statement similar to that of her husband. In answer to Mr. COTTINGHAM, the witness said that the prisoners and a man named O'Brien wanted to extort the sum of 601. each as compensation. Mr. Harrison, solicitor, of the New-road, said, that he was employed by the male prisoner to apply to the railway company for compensation. He did so, and received an answer that inquiries should be instituted. Witness would not have taken the case up at all had he not received a letter from a person named Dark, recommending them to his notice as respectable per sons. The male prisoner wanted him to bring an action against the railway company immediately, but he refused to do so until the company was satisfied with the examination. He produced several letters from the prisoner Duncan relative to the affair, also one from a man named Dark. In cross-examination by Mr. Buchanan, witness stated that he never saw Duncan with O'Brien. The action against the com pany was brought by another solicitor. Mr. Clarkson informed the magistrate that he could not go much further with the case until the man Dark was in attendance. He had been a party to the transaction, and would be in attendance on a future day ; consequently he should call for a remand. There was at present sufficient evidence to prove that the prisoners had conspired together to extort money from the railway company, and had not extraordinary precaution been used they would have succeeded. it was, in fact, a public question, and the whole of the facts required to be sifted thoroughly. He would, however, put another question to Mr. Porter, by ask ing him whether he did not hear a shuffling noise in side the back room before he entered, similar to a per son getting into bed ? Mr. Porter replied, that such appeared to be the case, although he could not distinctly swear to it. Mr. James Berridge, a greengrocer, residing in Bermondsey, New Town, said that he had supplied the prisoners with goods for some time. On the 4th and sth of September last he took some green's to their house, and he believed he then saw both the prisoners. Mr. COTTINGHAM inquired whether there were any more witnesses that day ? Mr. Clarkson replied in the negative. He should be able to produce Dark on a future day and other witnesses, and he had no doubt the officer would be able to apprehend O'Brien. Mr. COTTINGHAM observed that, under these cir cumstances, he should remand them until Tuesda y next. In addressing the prisoners the worthy Magi strate said that it was a very serious offence, as all parties had acted designedly together to extort money from the railway company. It was a bailable offence, and he should have no objection of their taking advantage of such by finding two sureties each in 1001., and the male prisoner's recognizance in 2001., to appear at that court on a future day. The prisoners were accordingly remanded. Mr. COTTINGHAM told Mr. Harrison that, for his own sake, he had better attend on the next examina tion, as circumstances required some explanation on his part. He did not mean to say that he was con nected with the parties in custody, but still he was in a position to throw further light on the subject. Mr. Harrison informed the magistrate that he should be happy to attend and to do anything in his power to bring the guilty parties to justice. BELGIUM LOCOMOTITES, AND THE FRENCH CUs- TOMS.—One of the French railway companies recently ordered some engines to be built at a B e l g ian factory, at the price of 40,000 f. and on the completion of one it seas sent to the frontier, on its way to the line for which it was built; but on its arrival at the custom-house it was refused admission. Tho reason given for the re. fusal by the authorities was that engines cost 50,000 F. in France, therefore the Belgian article should pay duty at that rate. Protestations were made, pre-emption was demanded, but to no purpose; the authorities were in flexible, and the engine remains in t he possession of the custom-house authorities, awaiting the decision of the French Government. The other day a Frenchman was apprehended at Plymouth, who instantly stabbed himself in the bosom, by which he cut a bladder containing half a gallon of smuggled brandy. MON DAY EVENING, JAN UARY l5, 1849. TERRIFIC CONFLAGRATIONS. IMMENSE DESTRUCTION OF PROPERTY. LINCOLN'S INN.—Yesterday (Sunday) morning a m. - ,3t extensive fire broke out, shortly before five o'clock, at No. 2, New-square, Lincoln's Inn, which, for up%•ards of twelve hours, continued to burn, in spite of the many tons of water that were momentarily distributed over iz. The building in which the disaster originated was about sixty feet wide, of considerable depth, and four floors high. The discovery was made by a police constable of the F division, who was on duty in the scrt.tre. who im mediately sprang his rattle, and after some time suc ceeded in arousing Mr. Bridges and another gentlemen, who are supposed to have been the only persons in the house. The fire at that time appeared to be confined to the right hand corner of the lower floor, and there seemed every probability of preventing its extension. The engines belonging to the Honourable Society of Lincoln's Inn were soon set to work. Information was also dispatched to the several engine stations in London, and with as little delay as possible sundry Brigade and West of England engines reached the scene. By that period, however, although only the basement and ground floors were in flames, the heat was so intense that on the firemen entering the passages with their branches the stone flooring cracked like glass, and, I splitting in two, prevented the men from following the fire, and the consequence was that the flames rushed up the staircase, and fired in rapid succession every room in the immense building. The firemen, however, mounted the roofs of the adjoining buildings, and poured water down the sides of the premises, hoping by that means to prevent their ignition. Unfortunately the flames penetrated the petition walls, and fired both houses in several parts. The hose were at once carried into the apartments on fire, and the flames were extinguished in Nos. 1 and 3, but the premises in which the disaster originated continued to blase, until at length they presented a scene of awful grandeur. The front of the house contained thirty-two windows, out of each of which the flames issued with great fury, roaring like so many furnaces. At length the roof fell, and in a few moments afterwards the flames ascended to such an alti tude as brilliantly illuminated the whole district. The firs continued to rage with unabated violence until nine o'clock, at which hour it might be said to be " got under;" but, although the firemen were engaged the whole of the day, the fire was not entirely extinguished at seven o'clock last night. The loss of property must, at a mo derate calculation, be several thousand pounds. Unfor tunately the principal portion of the property consumed cannot be restored, consisting as it did of deeds and other documents of the greatest value to the parties in terested. The escapes of the Royal Society for the Pro tection of Life from Fire were early at the spot, and with the aid of one Mr. Bridges, the barrister, succeeded in returning to his chambers and saving a number of valuable documents. Mr. Bridges, states that he was sleeping in the upper part of the building, and on being aroused by the police he got up, and saw no appearance of fire until he came to the bottom of the stairs, when he saw a bright fire on the right-hand side of the area chambers. After he came down he attempted to ascend again to save some of his property, when the smoke ascended so quickly that he was nearly suffocated. Had it not been for the extraordinary exertions of the firemen the whole of that side of the square would probably have been levelled with the ground. It was currently rumoured during the morning that a gentleman who slept in the top room had been unable to effect a retreat, and had been burned to death. A police-constable named Tisdell, No. 105 F, whilst assisting at the fire, fell down one of the areas, and was so severely injured as to be obliged to be removed to the hospital. Whether any of the sufferers were insured cannot at present be ascer tained. OFFICIAL REPORT. The following is a copy of Mr. Superintenient Braid wood's official report of the damage done at this fire, obtained at a late hour last night : " butulay, January 13, 40 minutes past 4 A.M.—Call, d by police find strangers to a fire at No. 2, New-squar e, Lincoln's Inn, which did the following damage:— " Messrs. Hudson and Gaselee, solicitors. Building about sixty feet by fifty feet burned down, and contents destroyed. Insurance unknown. " Mr. R. Dean, solicitor (basement). Burned down and contents destroyed. Insurance not known at present. Mr. R. Dryden. Similar damage. Not known whether insured. Mr. R. Berens. Ditto, ditto. " Mr. W. Harrison. Premises and contents destroyed. Insured in Atlas. " Messrs. Clarke and Freeling (ground floor). Totally destroyed. Insurance unknown at present. Messrs. Kettle. Same damage. Insurance not known. " Mr. Erie. Ditto, ditto. Supposed to be insured in the Sun Fire-office. "Mr. Hatheriagton, solicitor. Premises and contents destroyed. Insured in the Placenix Fire-office. " Mr. Bagshaw, barrister. Similar damage. Sup posed insured in the Westminster Fire-office. " Messrs. Jones and Bateman (first floor). Same da mage. " Mr. Martin. Contents destroyed. Insured in the Law Fire office. " Mr. James Campbell. Ditto ditto. Not insured. " Messrs. Hallet and Earle. Contents and premises consumed. Insurance unknown at present. " Messrs. Hupley (third floor). Same damage. In surance not known. " Messrs. White, Norris, and others. Premises and contents destroyed. Insurance unknown. " No. 1, New•square, Messrs. King and Son (ground floor). Slight damage to contents by smoke and re moval. Building damaged by fire, smoke, and water. Building supposed to be insured in the Hand-in-Hand office. " Ditto, Messrs. Price and Bolton. Contents damaged by water, Sce. " Messrs. Woodroffe. Similar damage. Insurance un known. " Messrs. Bevan and Twelias. Same damage. Not insured. " Messrs. Appleyard. Premises and contents damaged by fire and water. " Mr. Fitzowen (second floor). Ditto, ditto. Not in- cured. " Mr. F. I. G. Watford. Premises and contents slightly damaged by fire, water, and smoke. Supposed to be insured in the Westminster Fire-office. "Mr. Keene (third floor). Same damage. Insured for contents in the Sun Fire o ffi ce . " Mr. B. Bunney. Contents, &c., damaged by water, smoke, and removal. Insured in the Phceuix Fire-office. "The fire was extinguished by the firemen with the engines of the London Establishment, West of England Company, and two private. " The cause of fire is at present unknown. No gas was burned in the premises. , ' At ten o'clock last night there still remained a con siderable body of fire amidst the ruins, and, owing to the strong wind which prevailed, the same repeatedly rose in a body of flame. Mr. Braidwood, therefore, ordered a couple of engines to be set to work throughout the night, in order that the adjoining property might be preserved. The crowd of spectators being so great it was found absolutely necessary to have a body of police stationed at the several entrances to keep the thorough fares clear. SPITALFIELDS.—On Saturday morning, shortly before four o'clock, a fire of a very calamitous character, at tended with a vast destruction of property, broke out in the extensive cabinet manufactory belonging to Messrs. M. and J. Mahoney, in Brown's -lane, Spica Welds. The fl a mes, when first discovered, were raging in the fac tory, a building nearly 150 feet long, immediately at the rear of the dwelling-house, which contained property of considerable value. Owing to the highly inflammable character of the stock, but few minutes elapsed ere the greater portion of the factory was enveloped in flames. The necessary alarm having been given at the engine stations, with as little delay as possible the powerful en gine from Messrs. Truernan's brewery, with those of the period h a d made most f ear f u l progress; parish, London Brigade, and West of England, arrived. a l n li d e n fi o r t only wereebythat the manufacturing premises of Mr ssrs. Mahoney completely wrapped in flames, but Gireh Chapel, with the private house of Messrs. Mahoney and Mr. L. Ogers, were also blazing The various engines were as fury work, and the mains of the East awaytr haoer London early backoawnsi possible saosgtrierbkrelsae set to h t op 3 o Company . f yielding an abundant supply of water, the firemen commenced to labour in a most vigorous manner, but it at once was manifest, that Messrs. Mahoney's factory was doomed to destruction; the firemen, therefore, conveyed the hose of their en• gines round the adjoini ng houses, and by extraordicary exertions they succeeded in cutting off, the further pro. gress of the flames in the direction of the cllapel, but not until they had burned some of the gallery win dows out, and the building was materially damaged by fire, &c. D EPTFORD.—Another fire, which was attended with a still greater destruction of property than the above, oc curred in the Broadway, Deptford. It commenced in the large range of premises belonging to Mr. Watts, a linen draper and silk mercer, carrying on business at No. 19, in the Broadway. The building was of consi• derable magnitude, and owing to the easily ignitable character of the goods, the house, in the course of a few minutes, w as i n a bl aze f ro m the base to the roof, so that the various i nma t es had the greatest difficulty in effecting a retreat. The engines of her Majesty's Dock yard, with t h ree b e l ong i ng to the London Brigade, with Mr. Hend erson, t h e c hi e f o fficer of the district, were re markably ear l y i n arr i v i ng , when they found the above range of M r . W a tt s ' s premises in one broad sheet of flame, and the adjoining property of Mr. G. Couzens, No. 18, an d M r. J. W. H ea l e y, grocer, were all on fire. The engines from the Dockyard and London were in stantly set to work, and vast bodies of water were thrown over the flames, but, in spite of the most stre nuous exertions of the firemen, nearly three hours elapsed before the fire could be extinguished, and not until the whole of Mr. Watts's premises were levelled with the ground, his stock in trade, furniture, and other effects reduced to ashes; besides which the upper part of Mr. Couzens's premises was destroyed; the front and roof of Mr. Hasley's house extensively damaged by tire and water, and the stock in trade materially in jured. Several other parties are also serious losers by the calamity. Fortunately ~ , r. Watts we, insured in the Norwich Union Office. The origin of this fire, like the Preceding one, was unknown. HADIPSTEAD.—On Saturday night, the neighbourhood of Kentish Town Common, near Hampstead, was thrown into a state of great confusion by the outbreak of a fearful conflagration in the newly erected premises termed the Hampstead Waterworks, which was attended with the destruction of several thousand, pounds' worth of property. The premises in which the fire began were of great extent, being eighty feet square, and were of considerable altitude, fitted up with costly ma chinery. An alarm was given immediately, but long before an engine had time to reach the place the vo hole building was in flames, and the reflection from the flames was visible for many miles. There was a good supply of water, and the adjoining premises, which at one time were in imminent danger, were saved. At five o'clock, when the works were closed, they appeared perfectly safe. but, from the examination matie, there seems little doubt that the flames commeocell in one of the rooms ove: the steam-engine. The damage is thus officially rep , eteci to the West of England Insurance Office:— Buildings of engine -house and works generally con :4llw ti—supposed loss about 3,0001.; machinery, steam engine, &c., partially destroyed—estirnated loss about 5,000/.; tiAal supposed loss, 8.0001. Unfortunately the whole of the pn.perty was uninsured. RAILWAY INTELLIGENCE. .tAILWAYS OPENED IN THE YEAR 1848. ENGLISH. Bristol and Exeter, Ist April, Tiverton branch, 5 miles. Bltickburn, Bolton, Clitheroe. and West Yorkshire, 12th June, portion of main line, 9 miles. Chester and Holyhead, 12th June, from Chester to Bangor, 60 miles; Ist August, Bangor to Holyhead, 20 miles, with the exception of 4 miles; total 80 miles. East Anglian, Ist Feb., branch to Wisbeach, 10 miles; 11th Sept., Swaffham to Dereham, 11 miles; total, 21 miles, East Lancashire, 27th March, Bacup branch, 2 miles; 19th June, Blackburn to Accrington, 54 miles; 17th Aug., Stubbins to Accrington, 74 miles; 18th S,pt., Accrington to Burnley, 5- miles; total, 20 miles. East Lincolnshire, Ist March, Great Grimsby to Louth, 30 miles; 2d Oct:, Louth to Boston, 19 miles; total, 49 miles. East and West Yorkshire, 30th Oct., York to Hay park, near Kuaresborough, 15 miles, worked by Mr. Hudson. Eastern Counties, Ist March, St. Ives to March, 171 miles; 15th Aug., goodi; Ist St-pt., for pa,sengers; Nlaldon, Witham, and Braintree, 12 miles; total, 291 miles. Eastern Union, 7th June, Haughley to Finningham, 3 miles. Great Northern, sth June, at Askern, 4 miles; 15th Oct., from Peterborough to Lincoln, 65 miles; total, 69. Great Western, Wilts, Somerset, and Weymouth, sth Sept., Tingley to Westbury, 154 miles; Ist Nov., Read ing and Basingstoke, 15k miles; total, 31k Lancashire and Yorkshire, Ist April, Wakefield, Pon tefract, and Goole, 28k miles; Ist May, Haywood to Bury, 4i miles; sth June, Askern Branch, 10 miles; 18th July, Cleckheaton to Lowmoor, 7i miles; Nov., Ardwick Extension, miles; 17th Nov., Liverpool and Bury, 32 miles; total, 84g. Leeds and Thirsk, Jan., for goods and coal; June, for passengers, from Thirsk to Ripon, 10 miles. Leeds and Dewsbury, August, from Leeds to Dews bury, 20i miles. Liverpool, Crosby, and Southport, 24th July, Water loo to Southport, 14 miles. London, Brighton, and South Coast, Ist July, toll from Soutli•Easitern ceased ; 14th Fab., Horsham Branch, 84 miles; 26th July, Cosham Branch, 14; total, 104 miles. London and South-Western, Feb., Chertsey Branch, 3 miles; 11th July, Extension to Waterloo-bridge, 2k miles; 22d August, Windsor to Datchet, 14 miles; Oct., Farnham and Cosham, 5 miles; total, 244. London and North-Western, 29th May, Dunstable, 7 miles. Newmarket, 3d Jan. for goods, and 30th April far pas sengers ; Chesterford to Newmarket, 18 miles. North Western, 12th June, Lancaster to Poulton, 4 miles ; Nov., Junction with Lancaster and Carlisle, 2 miles ; total 6 miles. Manchester, Sheffield, and Lincolnshire, Ist March, Great Grimsby to New Holland, 20 miles ; Ist Nov., Ulceby Junction to Brigg, 84 miles ; Ist November, Brigg to Market Rasen, 13 miles ; 18th December, Mar ket Rasen to Lincoln, 15 miles ; total 564 miles. Midland, Ist March, for coal traffic, Ist May, passen gers ; Syston to Peterborougn, 26 miles ; Leeds and Bradtord Extension, 31 miles ; total 57 miles. North Staffordshire, 3d April, goods, 17th, for passen gers ; Stoke to Norton Bridge, 104 miles ; fat Sept., Uttoxeter to Burton-on-Trent, 13 miles ; 9th October, Crewe to Burton, 5 miles ; total 284 miles. Shrewsbury and Chester, 14th October, from Reuben to Shrewsbury - , 28 miles ; Oswestry Extension, ready for opening 31st December. South Devon, 3d May, from Totnes to Laira Green, Plymouth, 211 miles; 18th December, Torquay branch, single line, 54 miles; total 264 miles. Taff Vale, 12th February, short extensions. York, Newcastle, and Berwick, 6th March, Bedale branch, 54 miles; 19th June, Extension to Wearmouth; let September, High level breech, mile, and ap proaches; October, Tweed branch, 1 mile; total 7 miles. York and North Midland, 20th July, Harrowgate branch, 44 miles; 4th July, Hull station and branches, 4 miles; Ist August, Selby to Market Weighton, 16 miles; total 244 miles. SCOTCH. Aberdeen, part of main line, from Frockheim to a point opposite to Montrose, 12 miles, the branch to Brechin 4 miles of single line, and miles of the branch to Montrose also a single line; total 17i miles. • Caledonian, 10th February, remainder of main line from Beattock to Edinburgh and Glasgow, 94 miles, in chiding 21 miles of old lines altered and improved; 7th August, Castlecary branch, 101 miles; total, exclusive of old lines re• opened, 834 miles. Dumfries and Carlisle, 23d August; Dumfries to Gretna, 24 miles. Edinburgh and Glasgow, January, Shieldhill branch, 3? miles, and Slatnanan Junction 1 mile; sth July, Campsie branch, 54 miles; total 91. miles. Edinburgh and Northern, Leith and Granton, 44 miles, March; Cupar to Ferryport-on-Craig, 17th May, 1 lf miles; and Glenburnie to Abernethy road, 34 miles; Abernethy road to Perth, 94 miles, 18th July, Dunferm line branch, Thornton to Crossgates, 11 miles, 4th Sep tember; total 404 miles. Glasgow, Paisley, Kilmarnock and Ayr, in May, the Irvine and Busbie line, 54 miles; Irvine Harbour branch, mile; Perceton mineral branch, mile; Ayr Harbour, 4 mile; 9th August, Extension to Auchinleck, 14 miles; Muirkirk branch, 104; Lugar and Gas Water mineral branches, 14; Glaston branch, 34 miles; total 364 miles. Glasgow, Barrhead, and Neilston, 26th September, main line, 84 miles. North British, 4th August, portion of Ilawick branch, from Gorebridge to Boroland, 16 miles. Scottish Central, Ist March, from Stirling to its junc tion with Edinburgh and Glasgow at Greenhill, 18 miles; May, Perth to Stirling, 28 miles; total 46 miles. Scottish Midland, 3d August, from Perth to Forfar, 33 miles. IRISH. Belfast and Ballymena, 12th April, main line, 33 miles; Itandalstown and Carrickfergus branches, 44; total 371 miles. Belfast and County Down, 2d August, Holywood branch, 4k miles. Great Southern and Western, 13th March, from Ros crea station to Thurles, 10 miles, 3d July; Thurles junction with Waterford and Limerick Railway, 34 miles; total 44 miles. Irish South-Eastern, 24th July, Carlow to Bagnals town,lo4 miles, worked by Great Southern and Western Company. Midland Great Western, 2d October, from Kinnegad to Mußulgur, 14 miles. Utiter, February, Portadown to Armagh, 11 miles. Waterford and Kilkenny, 11th May, Kilkenny to Thomastown, 11 miles. Waterford and Limerick, 9th May, Limerick to Tip perary, 25 miles. FOREIGN. Amiens and Boulogne, 17th April, from Neufchatel to Boulogne, 8 miles. Great Northern of France, 2d September, Calais to Lisle, 65 miles ; 3d September, Hazebrouck to Dunkirk, 26 miles ; total, 91 miles. Rouen and Havre, branch to Dieppe, 27 miles. Tours and Nantes, December, first section from Tours to Samur, 20 miles. Italian and Austrian, February, first section from Florence to Prato, 11 miles. Austrian, 3d December, from Prague by Teibau to Brunn, 130 miles. Namur and Liege, Ist March, first section of Mons and Manage, from Braquignies to Manage, and Louvre to I3ascoup, 131 miles. Sambre and Meuse, 30th November, first section from Charleroi to Walcourt, and branch to Morialine, 25 miles. Tournay and Jurbise, 25th October, length 30 miles. Barcelona and Mattarai, Bth October, length 16 miles. From this list it appears that the aggregate length of English lines opened in the year 1848 was 750 mils ; in 6cotland 2991 miles ; in Ireland 158 miles ; making a total length of railway opened in Great Britain during the past year of 1,207 miles. In France 146 miles were opent d ; in Belgium, 684 miles ; in Austria 130 miles ; Italy, 11 mines ; and in Spain, 16 miles. Total length of foreign railways, 371 miles.—Herapath's Journal. SOUTH-EASTERN.—It is not correct, as reported in contemporary, that four directors are to retire, to make room for four new directors. We understand that the four gentlemen named as being about to retire, Mr. Pritchard, Mr. Smale, Mr. Thomson, and Mr. Brogden, remain at the board.—Railway Gazette. GREAT SOUTHERN AND WESTERN.—The portion of the line from Tipperary to Buttevant has been inspected, but it is not supposed that it will be opened until the completion of the railway to Mallow. In the meantime judicious arrangements have been made for the trans mission of passengers by branch coaches. —Railway Re cord. NORTH WALES.—A circular has been issued to tho shareholders, under date of the 30th of December, and with the signature of Mr. Chadwick, the chairman, ap pointing certain days, namely, from the 10th to the 20th instant—when at the offices of the company a return of 20s. per share may be received. week CHESTER covered o platforms. e g r h ec t td id e es ov o e f r last the Menai Straits for carrying on the grea t works at the Britannia Bridge, where more than ordinar y exertions are being made to complete and op en the line as earl y as possible in the ensuing summer . The tides even reached Tbe hi the bottom of the tubes, which are carried so high above the water as to allow of the passing of vessels mast high. The flood water was the highest yet remembered, bat no injury was done to the works. Thu Government In spector, Captain Simmonds, has been running trains ihri,ugh the first tube, at Conway, with considerable velocity, without any sensible increase of vibration. Trains laden with stone and iron were drawn into the tubes by a locomotive and with 235 tons distributed all over the tube, but the deflection did not amount to one inch and a half at the centre of the span. The deflection of the two tubes is ascertained to be, curiously enough, exactly similer, and the coincid. nee is looked upon by scientific men as a strong confirmation of the homo geneous nature of mass of rivetted plates of iron, and as a further assurance of the success of this new species of engineering structere. The Torquay branch of the South Devon Railway is to he extended to the bay, to give facilities for the land ing of cargoes and fish from Brixham. PROPOSED AMALGAMATION OF IRISH RAILWAYS. — Meetings of shareholders in the Dublin and Drogheda, Belfast Junction, Dundalk and Enniskillen, and Newry and Enniskillen, are about to he helft, at the r( qoisition of the E,rl of Erne, Alderman Thompson, M.P., Mr. G. V. Porter, and otters, to conii: or tree heat trwst.s, under the powt.rs contained in their several Acts, of e.n stituting an amalgamation under the management of one beard. RAILW:4 Y LivEittuot)L, JAN, 12 E TS, STocz ExcmANok.—Tile mark t firm, we 17.ys - o again this morning a good demand for London New Quarter and 50, and other speculative Stocks. The sales are—Great Northern, 10/. 115.3 d. dis ex int.—Lancashire and Yorkshire (late Manchester and Birmingham), Pifths, 31. Is. 3d. dis.— Ditto (late West Riding Union). Fifths, 4i/ dis.—London and North-Western. 126—Ditto, Fifths, 5% p. —Ditto, \ew Quarters, 2% p.—Ditto, Quarters (0), 2/. 16s. 3d. p.—Ditto, Thirds, 8/. 6s. 3d.—Manchester, Sheffield, and Lincolnshire, Eighths, 5 7 / s dis. Ditto, 10/. Preference, 11:;, -- Ditto, Quar ters, 6 1 ,E dis.—Ditto (Docks), 12E4 dis.—Nlidland Stock, 87 1% —Ditto, New Ilalves, 7 dis.—North Britis`,, Quarters, 3 North Staffordshire, 3 1 ,4—Scottish Central, 26—South- Eastern and Dover, 24—Ditto, o. 4, Thirds, 71. 1 ts. 3d. York, Newcastle, and Berwick (Extension, No. I), 1a p. Ditto (G. N. E. Purchase), la. 3d. dis. ex int. BIRM 1 NGRAM. JAN 13 STOCK EXCHANGE. —The following are the day's quota tions :—North British, Thirds. 1 5 4 Sort h Staffordshire, 31. 13s. lid. dis.— Shrewsbury and Birmingham (B), 3/. 7s. Bd. dis.—Shrewsbury, Preference, YORK, JAN. 12. STOCK EXCHANGE.—The business transacted to day was as follows:—Great Northern, 8 3 / 4 —Ditto (London and York Extension), 1 4—York, Newcastle. and erwick (Original), 271—Ditto (Extension, No. 1), 14 7 4.—Ditto, No. 2 (late New Berwicks),l47 s4 —Ditto (G. N. E. Purchase), 7?1 ex int. NE CASTLE-UPON-TI NE, JAN. 13. STOCK EXCHANGE -- The sales are— Newcastle and Car isle Scrip (Red), 103 York, Newcastle, and Berwick (Es ;ension), No. 1, 15. GLASGOW, JAN. 12 STOCK EXCHANGE.—The sales are—Clydesdale June tion, 6 .t—Aberdeen, Dundee and Pc rth, 26--Edinburgh and Glasgow, 82—Monkland, 61—Scottish Central, 26 Wilsontown, Morningside, and Coltness, 46. THE CoUNTItY MARKETS. LIVERPOOL, JAN. 13.—The duty on wheat and flour has again advanced, and is now at the maximum point under the present law—namely, lOs per quarter, and 6s Oid per barrel. At yesterday's market the business was again on a limited scale. Wheat, both free and bonded, declined fully Id per bushel. Flour was held more firmly, but prices were still considered as scarcely BJ good as on Tuesday. With a very full supply of oats the price gave way lid to 2d per bushel. Oatmeal was 3d per load cheaper. Barley, beans, and p- , as were each is per quarter lower. The demand for Indian corn was very slack, and the price was fully is per quarter easier. The top price of round yellow corn was 31s, flat yellow 30s, and white 29s per 480 lbs. To-day there is no change in the value of any article of the trade, with scarcely anything doing, except in Indian corn, which is held for rather higher rates, with some business passing in it. s. d. s. d. Wheat, per 701 b : English, white .. 7 0 to 7 3, Do. rid.. .. 6 9 7 0 Irish, new 5 6 6 0 De., old • • 6 3 6 6 Dantsic•. .. 7 0 - 7 6 s. d. a. Barley,Feeding.. 3 6 to a 9' Bye, per 4801 b •• 0 0 0 • Beaus, English, pr imperial quartr 34 0 36 0 Irish and Scotch, per 4801 b.. 3el 0 31 0 Do., good mixed 6 8 7 01 Lowerßaltic,whin 6 9 6 10 Do. red.. 6- 9 6 10 American . .. 7 0— 7 2 Canadian .. .. 7 0— 7 2 Foreign, duty pd. 27 0 28 0 European, per im perial quarter.. 30 0 33 0 Peas, English, per imperial quartr 34 0 30 0 Spanish, red and white.. .. • • 0 0— 0 0 Tuscan and Bar- Foreign • .. 34 0— 46 Malt, English, per imperial quartr 54 0 68 0 letta, red .. • • 6 6 6 9 Marlanspoli • . • . 6 3 6 6 Odessa, Polish .. 6 0 6 7 Do., hard.. • . 5 0— 5 3 Egyptian •• .. 4 0— 4 6 Oats, per 451 b : English and Scotch 2 9 3 0 Welsh • • •• .. 2 9—2 101 Irish, new .. •• 2 7 2 8 Do., old . .• 2 5 3 8 Barley, English, pr imperial quarter 32 0 —35 0 Irish, Scotch, and .11anx,per 601 b .. 3 6 4 91 .. .. 29 0— 31 0 MANCHESTER, JAN. 13.—A steady consumptive de mand has been experienced for flour throughout the week, and the article being in somewhat scanty supply, prices rather exceeding the quotations of the preceding market day were realised. For oatmeal only a moderate inquiry has existed, and purchasers were enabled to supply their wants on easier terms. At Liverpool and Runcorn the arrivals coastwise continue unimportant; but from Ireland liberal supplies of oats and oatmeal, with a moderate quantity of flour, are reported. Of to re;gri wheat, Indian corn and flour, the imports are to a large amount, and fair of beans. Our market this morning, influenced by the dull accounts from London, Liverpool, and Wakefield, was exceedingly languid, and Do., Irish .. 50 0 —52 V Do., brown .. 45 0— 50 0 Flour, English, pr 2801 b 35 0 —27 0 Irish, extra fine.. 37 0 United States, per barrel .. 26 0 27 0 Canadian .. .. 26 0— 27 U Oatmeal. English, & Scoteh,pr24olb '?.5 0 26 0 Irish, new .. .. 20 6 —24 0 Do., old ~ . 22 0 23 0 Indirtn corn, per 4801 b the transactions in wheat were at a decline of ld to 2d per 701 b. Flour was more difficult of sale than during the week, but in the business passing the currency of this day se'nnight, was fully supported. Oats receded in value 2d per 451 b, and oatmeal, meeting but little at tention, must be noted 6d per load lower. LEEDS CLOTH MARKET, JAN. 13.—There was a very numerous attendance of merchants at market this morn irg, some of whom bought freely, but the morning was so extremely dark that it was difficult to judge accu rately of the quality of the cloths offered for sale. There was, however, an active business dune, and prices were rather buoyant. BIRMINGHAM, JAN. 13.—The hardware trade here continues steadily improving; the rnanu'acturers have, many of them, orders in the houses that will occupy some time to execute, and the demand for the home market is gradually be •oming more brisk. The gun trade is remarkably good, and has been so for some time; the orders are chi• fly for the continental markets. WINCHESTER, JAN. 13.—The Exchange was crowded this day by millers, corn-dealers, and farmers. Trade for all kinds of grain exceedingly dull, much remaining at the close of the market unsold. Last week's prices were not obtainable for barley, wheat, or oats. Wheat was fully is per qr cheaper; barley and oats from 6d to Is. Southampton merchants were the chief purchasers, giving 131 per load of 5 quarters for some very good white and red wheats, next in quality going at 12/ditto, some at 111 ditto; inferior offered at 81 lOs to 91 ditto. Barley—a few fine samples of malting went at 34s per qr ; grinding, at from 28s to 30s ditto; inferior, as low as 23s to 25s ditto. The top figure for oats this day did not go beyond 211 per quarter, while some inferior sold as low as 15s to 16s ditto. Beans offered at 35s to 38s per quarter; peas at 36s to 40s ditto; rye, 14s 6d per sack; tares, new, 103 to Ils per bushel; old ditto, 9s to 93 6d ditto; bread, 12d to 14d the 81b loaf ; malt, 7s 6d to 8s per bushel; flour at from 36s to 39s 44 per bag of 2801bs. Inspector's return of prices—wheat, 46s to 54s per quarter; average price, 50s ditto. Barley, 27s to 30s; average per quarter, 27s Bd. READING, JAN. 13.--The attendance of dealers and agriculturists was not large, and a short supply of wheat, but more than enough for the very languid demand. A great depression prevailed throughout, and though prices had a downward tendency, there was much difficulty in clearing. Last week's rates may be quoted as barely sustained. Of barley there was a fair supply, but only the best picked samples could be disposed of, at is cheaper, there being no demand at all for inferior descriptions. In oats, beans, and peas, the demand was also very slow, at unaltered prices. Wheat (old), per quarter, 34s to 56s ; ditto new, 35s to 565; barley, 25s co 365; oats, 16s to 21s; beans, 30s to 40s; peas, 30s to 42s.—Pig market: a short supply of stores, with a fair trade. Fat hogs, 9s to 9s 6d. Porkers, 9s 6d to I,os per score.—Poultry market: Fowls, per couple, 3s 6d to 4s 6d; ducks, ditto, 3s 6d to 4s 6d; geese, each, 5s to 5s 6d; butter, per pound, is Id to Is 2d; Eggs, 8 to 10 for Is. _ . • DALKEITH, JAN. 11.—The supply of grain at this day's market was less than last week; sales brisk. Wheat up on the top is per quarter and on the average Id; oats same as last week; barley 2s per quarter down on the top and 6d on the current price; peas and beans down is 6cl per quarter on the top, but the current price is the same as last week. The relative weight per four bushels of the three prices of wheat were 18st 81b; 18st 31b; and 17st 01b. Oats, 12st 101 b; 12st 41b; and lOst 131'o. Barley, 16st 61b; 16st 21b; and 14st 121 b. Peas and beans, 18st 91b; 18st 51b, and 18st 01b. Quarters. Best. I Current. In c erior. 219 Wheat ... 2/ 13s 0-12/ 9s 0111 16s Oil 923 Osts ... 11 Is 4d 0/ 18s 8 1 01 13s 4d 721 Barley ... 1/ lOs Od 1/ 7s 6d 1/ Os Od 56 Peas, &e. 1/ 8s 6TI/ 8s Od 1/ 7s 03 Average of wheat. 214 s 1.1 per qr. ABERDEEN, JAN. 12.—Our ma. kst to-day was well attended, there was a lair demand, and a considerable business done at our quotations. Oats, 14s to 16s, 401 b per bushel; barley, 23s to 24s Od, bear, 23s to 245, 521 b per bushel; wheat, 50s t 0,545; oatmeal, 13s to 14s per boll ; flour, 43; to 495 per sack. ABERDEEN PROVISION MARKET, JAN. 12.—We had an average supply of most kinds of produce on sale at market to-day. Sales rather dull at our quotations. Beef, 5d to 7d; mutton, 5d to 7d; veal, 5d to 7d per lb; pork, 4s Od to 5s per stone; lamb, Os od to Os Od; tallow, 4s 6d to 5s per stone; potatoes, 10d to is per peck; butter, 7a to ad per lb; eggs, 9d to is per dozen; hens, 3s to 4s Od; chickens, 2s 6d to 3s; ducks, 2s 6d ta. 3s od; ducklings, 2s to 2s 6d per pair; turkeys, 4s Od tc 5s od; geese, 4s to 5s Od each. Butter for exportation (present cure), 52s per cwt. Eggs, wholesale price, 6d per dozen. Bread, 41b loaf, 8d; 21b loaf, 4d. Pork, per stone of 141 h, 3s 6d; pork, fine small, 5s 6d; pork, large. 3s 6d to 4s 3d. Ship pork, per barrel of 204 lbs, 1003. ABERDEEN MEAL MARKET, JAN. 11.—There was an ordinary ‘ supply of meal at market to-night; trade dull and little business done. Oatmeal, is 4d to Os Od; bearmeal, is 4d to Os Od; peasweal, 2s Od to Os Od; sids, 6d to 7d; barley flour, is 5d to is 6d; barley dust, 7d to 8c1; flour,. 2s to 2s 3d; barley, per lb. lid to 2d. MONTROSE, JAN. 12.-1 A e had a very dull market to day, and prices still very low:—Wheat, 621bs, 41s to 435; barley, 53Ibs, 22s to 235; oats, 401bs, 16s to 17s; beans and peas, 621bs, 22s to 23s per quarter; oatmeal, per boll of 1401bs, 12s to 13s. BELFAST, JAN. 11.—Since the commencement of the year, we have rather better supplies, aid clearly a better demand than previously. The weather is not by any means favourable for field labour, which probably gives our farmers leisure to prepare arid bring their grain to market. Wheat comes to isiarkt t iu larger parcels, in better condition, and generally better quality, showing that the supply at present is from the better class of farmers. Fine qualities of wheat bring an advance of 3d to 4d, whilst other sorts are dull tit former rates. Parcels ex wore or ship are more saleable, at former prices. Flour has declined fully 6d par cwt. and barrel. 1 American sells at 27s 6d to 28, 6.1 p.r barrel. Bat lsy —The demand k dull, and prices ale 3d to 4,1 low( r. Oats sell pretty freely at about former rotes. Ostmt al is also a free sale at same prices as before. Indian Corn a slow sale at 7l boA to 71 15s per ton. CORK, JAN. 13.—Flour—Fir - t quality, 15s Oil to 16s Od ; second ditto, 14s Oil to 15s Od; housshold, 1 Is to 13s; third ditto 9s to lOs per cwt. Oatmeal, Ils 6d to 12s per cwt. Indian corn, 71 lOs to 8156 Od; Indian meal, 91 to j 9l 5s per ton. Bran, 51 5s to 01 Os per ton. Hay— Flrtne s', 32s to 451 Oil; average, 40s ; retail'rs, 42s to 46s p r t.o ; oid has, to 60, per ion. Straw—Far mers'. 16 , 4 to 32,; cv rage, 265; retailers', 30s to 32s per ton 1V1)1,1,y, at the Distillery, 25 over proof, 6-; 01 per itnper.at gallon. Breed, 6d to 'lid per 41bs. Fresh vut.er. 10d to 12d per lb. Beef, 3d to 6d; rant t,)r. 34-d to 5 I ; veal, 3FI to 4FI; pork. 4id to OA ; 131.0 ii, Gi iu 9 ; -us 5d p , r lb. C,,,ds—New - . 13'. Cult», 16s rer ton. Potatoes, t. li .. :1, - , ' , !/2 Elifles—Market ditto, Ils to 17b; 12s to 17s p , -.r cwt; market skins, 2d to 2-4-d; calf ditto, 2d to 2-(1; veal skins, 3d to aid per lb. Tar—Archangel, ISs p e r bl. Timber—Quebec red pine, 31 15s; yellow ditto, 31; deal, 171 to 201 per hundred ; Bang , .r Q.ieens, 31 2s 6d per ton. Scotch herrings,lB; to 00% pt.r barrel; Norway ditto, 00s. New , - ntilitild dry c , ,d fish. 11/ to 121 lOs per ton. Tallow, 465. Wool, 10- to 12s te• stone. THE TO() G DISORDER. It app. ars tr:m repons which have been received from Tooting, that the disease which has broken out amongst the raiip r ordldret in Mr. Drouot's establishment, so far from d, cluing, has ag , ,in assumed its original malig nant ehnraeter, and several new and *evere cases are added io the Mr. Popham, one a the medical genth-men, 13.-nt down from St. P.,.neras to the a,t lum, in a communication re• cived by the authorities of Sr. Pancras yestarday (Sun thy) ntornitt, says . _ _ I regret to say that since the decline of the high inch prevaded on `l.'huniday and Friday, the cholera seems to have increased here :lightly. There have been four or five fresh cases during last night, and a considerabie !lumber of deaths during the lust twenty tour h . urs. (~igued) " NV. IlomE POPHAM, Surgeon." A further report wa3 reefived trove Ar. Popham last night, which stales" that several of the children at Toot- E.g are still in a dangerous state, and I regret to say thrwe children hay" died. " The number of St. Pancras childre❑ remaining are 24 ; viz., 3 boys under treatment, 9 girls under treat ment, and 7 boys and 5 girls convalescent. (Signed) W. H. POPHAM, Surgeon. " Tooting, Sunday afternoon, Jan. 14." The following is the report of Mr. Bird, the surgeon appointed to attend the children removed from Tooting to St. Pancras workhouse : " St. Pancras Hospital, St. Pancras Workhouse, Sunday Evening, Jan. 14, 1849. " No fresh cases have occurred, and all the patients under treatment, as well as those in the collapsed state, are improving, and I am happy to state no death has oceurrt d. " Mr. Wilkinson, my colleague, Ism happy to state, is better, and so is the nurse. (Signed) " HENRY BIRD, Surgeon." HIGHLAND AND AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY. The general meeting of this society was held on Tues day, the 9th insta,t—the Earl of Haddington, Senior Vice. President, in the chair, supported by the Duke of Buceleuch, the Earl of Rosebery, the Lord Justice- General, and a large body of proprietors and tenant farmers. The first business of the meeting was the election of new members, and 51 candidates were balloted for and added to the rolls. The SECRETARY then said that the President's tenure of office was limited, by the constitution of the society, to four years. His Grace the Duke of Montrose was electk d in January, 1845, and it had therefore become necessary to nominate a successor to hi s Grace. On the motion of the Duke of BUCCLEUCR, the Duke of Roxburgh was elected President. His GRACE then moved—" That the thanks of the society be communicated to his Grace the Duke of Montrose for his conduct as President during the last four years; for the zeal and interest exhibited by his Grace in its prosperity and welfare; for his presence at its different shows, meetings, and dinners; and for the alacrity and ability with which the objects of the society had been forwarded by his Grace." The resolution was carried by acclamation. The Marquis of Ailsa and Lord Kinnaird were elected Vice-Presidents in the place of the Earl of Aberdeen and the Earl of Morton, who retired in the usual rota tion.—Lchnburgh Advertiser. DESTRUCTION OF A FAMILY.—At Penkridge, on Thursday, the coroner held an inquest at the Boar Tavern, where evidence to the following effect was given family, consisting of an aged man, named Cresswell, with his wife and two sons—the eldest an idiot, and the youngest about nineteen—resided in a cot tage near the turnpike-road. On Tusday morning last a bricklayer, who bad been engaged the preceding day setting a stove in the kitchen, went to the cottage to re move his tools. Upon going there, he was rather asto nished at not finding any member of the family up. He, however, waited at the door for nearly an hour, when he commenced knocking, but not receiving an answer, he got a ladder and made to the bedroom window, and on looking through, he saw the inmates lying in bed. He called to them, but no one answered him ; he therefore breed an entrance, when he found the mother lying 01 1 , he bed quite dead, and her husband was at her side perfectly insensible. In another bed he found the idiot boy I ) ing quite unconscious, and in an adjoining bedroom be found the youngest son dead and cold. Medical aid was instantly sent for, but the husband, who waS 80 years o. age, died during the evening without being able to relate anything respecting this very mysterious affair. The idiot has recovered, but no account can be obtnned from him as to the probable cause of the deaths. The coroner said it would be impossible at present to close the inquest. He should like a post-mor tem examination of the bodies to be made, and the con tents of the stomachs analysed. Mr. Lester, a surgeon, having been appointed to make an analysis, the inquiry was adjourned. MELANCHOLY ACCIDENT ON THE RlTlM—About four o'clock on Friday morning, whilst the storm of wind was raging wildly, a light brig, the name of which is at present unknown, ran foul of a sailing barge which was lying off Erith, and damaged her so seriously that she immediately began to settle. The only persons on board the barge were the captain, his wife, and an infant child, who were sleeping below at the time of the co l ' lision, but, roused by the shock, hastily started to the deck, which was then on a level with the water, and sunk immediately after. The poor woman and her child were carried rapidly down the river, whilst the captain, wife was no swimmer, clung to the rigging, and saw his wife and child floating away in the water. The moonlight enabled him to see them for a considerable distance, the violence of the element sustaining them, and the poor We' man holding the infant above her head with all a mother); energy, in the fruitless hope of saving it. The c aptain , when rescued from his perilous position, stated that the brig which did the damage kept on its course, without either heaving to or lowering a boat to render assist ance. lutorn, ation of the facts was immediately een" veyed to Inspector Joshua Judge, of the river polic e : who at once communicated with the authorities at Great Scotland-yard, when instructi ons were g i ven to use all due diligence in discovering the name of the brig, the owners, and master, and also the bodies of the sufferers. The people on board the brig, according to the state ment of the captain of the barge, must have been tho' roughly aware of what had occurred, as the light WI strong enough to enable him to see his wife and chile floating away for a considerable distance. [ADYZRTISEMENT.] — An Effectual Cure of a Severe Cough and Asthma, by Holloway's Pills.—Mr. Joh n Davies, of Lion-street, Milford, was afflicted for m ore than seven years with a most inveterate asthmatics' cough, which several eminent surgeons, under whose car° he had been at various times, could not eradicate; h e then resolved upon trying Holloway's Pills, and forte' nately he did, for this superior Medicine has effected perfect cure, the cough has ceased, the asthma is r e ' moved, and his respiration is as free as that of th e healthiest person. Old c , ,ughs, recent colds, wheezing° on the chest, and shortness of the breath, may also he, cured by Holloway's Pills. Sold by all Druggists, WI at Professor Holloway's Establishment, 244, Siren , ' London. MR. HARTLEY COLERIDGE.—We regret to 115" to notice the death of Mr. Hartley Coleridge. He W 0 one ..f the mo.t original and pleasing of living write Though he sadly r%a,,ted end inisu,ed his powers , h e r has left enough to determine what hi s p os ition end% better auspices might h a ve be e n. Hi s " Biographl' Borealis" (a collection of brief biographies of men boro in the north ot England) is a charming book. His 1 3 ° .. tice of Massiuger and FO2 d (written for Mr. Moxoe editions) are lull of masterly thought, and knowledge of the manners as well as literature of the Elizab,tbS u age. His poems are not unworthy of Coleridge's son. We are glad to know that he had been some time en' gaged in the composition of a series of prose essays f °t Mr. M , ion, and that these will shortly be published.' Exantiner. BIRTHS. On the 15th inst., at 47, el Russell-square, the lady of Sa Morten Peto, Esq., M.P., of a son. On the 12th of November, 1848, at Hoshearpore, N. W lct . Province, the lady of Captai n W. Elli son W ar d en , 23d A" N. 1., of a (laughter. On the 10th inst., at Eastbourne, Sussex, Mrs. John Nat e* of a son. On the 11th inst., at Westbourne-villas, Harrow - N O Mrs. R. Apsley Ranger, of a son. On the 11th inst., Airs. Burton Ravenscroft, of Serie-stree t ' Lincoln's Inn, of a daughter. On the 11th inst., at Euston-square, the wife of W. Rog , Esq., of a daughter. MARRIED. On the 9th inst.. at Cheltenham, the Rev. Outfield d Jyas., Yorkshire, to . 1 1 11 7 roper, M A., incumbent of Farnley eldest daughter of the late Rev. J. C. G reen , of N ort h Gri t stone, in the same county. On the tOth inst., at can by Church, Edwin Ley. E501...d, 0f Bosahan, Cornwall, 1 1 ;1 t o only daughter of Gr t " / thaw, Esq., of :-ct:wby. Lincolnshire. DIED. Air On the 9th of Dece m b er, 1848, at Clifton. near Bristol, Sit B. StonhousP. Bart., late of the Hon. East India C° //1- • parry's Bengal Civil Service. On the 3d in s t.. at S a l e b y Vi carage, Li ncolnsh i re, a ge-d f Elizabeth, relict of th 3 late Arthur Mackie, Earl ALP" •• Lewisham, Kt nt On the Bth inA., at No. 22, Strand, Mr. J. Allen, aged 68 „-. On the 9th i ns t., a t Cheltenham, Har r i e t, th e w ife of ‘)"1 1 ; tain Co te, N., daughter of the Right Hon. Lady Pgia t " Saunders, and nice ut tha Earl of Aldborough. On the Itlth inst., at Tu - nham-green, Major Ja"" Church. Esq., formerly of Wells-house, Act( n.w. On the 01 h inst., at Hyde, Isle of Wi g ht, C a ptain o• '.q:zalgc te, R. N. o• h On the 12th inst., at Hackney, aged 85, Argles Esq., forerly aidstone. On the m 12th o i f nst M ., Christopher Richardson, Esq., of Den' mark hill, aged 39. 01 London! Printed and Published by MURDO YOU:" No. 112, Strand, Printer, at The Sun Office, Nt tv Strand, ill the Precinct of the Savoy, hi the 0 4 'J Middlesex, blonday, January 15, 184 g.