The Sun. — London, England, 1824-03-29 00:00:00

A LASCO Tragedy, in Five Acts. By MARTIN ARCHER SITEE, Esq. it. A. excluded from the Stage by the autho rity of the LORI) CHAMBERLAIN. The rejection of a Play written by Mr. SHEE, who rnay , fairly rank with the best Poets of the day, is a circumstance to give attraction to any work from his hand, independently of the poetical merits which it might be expected to contain. We have read the work with great pleasure, and highly as we respect. the, genius and taste of Mr. Coestaar, we confess - we are -surprised that he should have proposed the anppreSsion of several of_ the passages which the Author has particularized' -its the printed • copy by Italics. If there are many passages in the Play of a republican tendency, -there are full as many, if not more, that are purely - loyal and patriotic. Loyalty and patriotism are placed in t'ae proper light, and with the most animated • effect in the character of 'Wu/gingham. The part erf Blasco, the hero of the Piece, is that of a true Patriot, who would support, at the utmost hazard, tall wise and just authority, and not " pluck the muzzle .of restraint" from the unthinking multi tude. The sentiments of the Piece throughout are•calculated to support a rational and well administered Government, and to discourage the aims of selfish ambition and the violence. of faction. There are many passages of high poetical beauty, some expressed with most impressive -vigour, and others with interesting and effecting delicacy. Several of the situations excite, a strong interest and an anxious concern for the fate of the chief characters. • The plot is regularly matured, though perhaps the dialogue in some instances may he rather too much extended, except indeed that it iS intended to devolope the characters. The language is correct,auimated,and sometimes reach ing to poetical elevation, not as the laboured effu sions of imagination, but as bursting from the vivid feelings of the characters at the moment. 'Vim. public have really lost what was likely to prove a very interesting dramatic representa tion. But though we own that the pen of the Licenser has been too freely exercised, we cannot but think that Mr. Szsee has been too hasty in not submitting to his remarks, as it would still have been in his power to present the whole to the public, as he has done, much to the gratification of Al the friends of conspicuous genius amid exem plary private worth. Welieartily approve of the erazure of all passages in which the name of the Deity occurs, however supported by dramatic precedent, as it is too awful and sacred a name for the Stage. lie has quoted', as some palliation, its retention in the play of Hamlet; but a more accurate knowledge of the state of the early impressions of the plays of SII A TES.• PRA RE RA others would have shears Air. :Nita: that, in compliance with the statute, the general text of our great Po'et and his Coetem-; poraries had been greatly purified, and the less offensive term Heaven substituted for the most sacred appellation. In our notice of this Tragedy, we have felt great difficulty as we have the pleasure of having been long intimate -with the Author and the Licenser, or rather, the Examiner, of dramatic compositions, but it has .been•our anxious wish to do justice to both par ties. Mr. SHEEN poetical works area charac terized by an ardent zeal for popular freedom, test at the same time have also been strongly marked with loyalty, and a due reverence for well-regulated and well-administered authority. On the other hand, the dramatic productions of alr..CoestAN, independently of their intrinsic ems, manifest the same principles and feelings. The Tragedy of A/usco rill certainly, in no slight degree, add to the literary reputation of the author,• while his animated Preface will also . powerfully testify his manly and liberal character in public and in private life. In reference to time latter view of; the author's character, we cannot deny ourselves the• pleasure of extracting th e following passage from the Preface, as we know it to be a just, tribute to the Lady to wh om it applies, and is therefore an interesting, hi g hly ratifyin4, an d, p e rhaps, an ex t raor di nary , in stance of domestic happiness :—" ilmantha (the .heroine of the piece), who may be said to be the only female character in the play, I leave to speak in her own - defence.—l owe too much of the little felicity which the cares -of life hare allotted to me to the influence of that amiable portiOn of our species to which s':e belongs, not to nave been ardently solicitous to show my gra titude in thii well-intended, bet weak and inade quate sketch of their virtues."—We ought not to conclude without inserting the following passage as a striking proof of the loyalty of the Author. So afar am I from believing that my pro- Auction contains a single expression inconsist ent with the just respect which is due to the hap piest system of civil policy, of which, perhaps, the. history of Civilized Man affords us any example, ihat were I, iu My humble station, aethorized to approach the Throne, I should", without hesi tatien, lay A LASCO at the feet of my Sovereign, -as a testimony of my reverence for the miid way of a constitutional King, and as a tribute of my gratitude for the generous interest which his Majesty has never failed to take in the peace, the union, and the prosperity of my native country." .DUEL.—A Gentleman of the name of M EADOWi, received a shot in the hip or. Saturday, in a meeting with a Captain B—N, on Twicxenham-commen. The dispute origi nated at the liestOn Coursing Match on Friday, respecting a dog. The ball was extracted at Richmond, and Mr. M. is out of danger. The late Sir THOMAS MAITLAND'S Will was proved in the Prerogative Court in Doctors'Coi.n mons on the 38th inst. by the Right Hon.JAMES, Earl of LAUDERDALE, the brother, one of the e;:peutors, the Right. Um). Lord Viscount MAIT LAND, and the Hon. ANTHONY MAITLAND, the uephewr, the other executors, not. having at pre &e:iit undertaken the trust. The personals within the province of Canterbury are sworn under 30,0001. Five thonsand pounds are bequeat`ied t•+ the testator's sister, Lady JANE HOUSTON, and five thousand pounds to the children of Colonel EDWARDS ; with the exception of these two sums, eve ry thing is left t o th e Earl of L AUDERDALE, the - Residuary Legat ee . Th e w ill i s dated ith of A ug ust, 1823. M. Mechin—l have the honour of observing to you, that General Fey has deposited his certificates at the Bth bureau, and that M. the Reporter has had an opportunity of perusing them. I insist, therefore, on the iannediate admission of Gen. Foy. The right side opposes the proposition by continued mur murs, and cries of " No, no, the adjournment." M. de Girardin ascends the tribune. Ido not see, says he, why we should adjourn the admission of Gen. Foy ; the do. cuments which prove his age, and the amount of his contribu tions, are at the Bth bureau ; I request, therefore, that M. the Reporter may peruse them, and report upon them imme diately.—(Murmurs.) M. the Reporter declares, that he has looked over the certifi cates of Gener a l Foy, but that there exists an omission which the law reprobates. General Foy pays the quit -rent required to rend T him eligible, but he has not proved that he has paid for the last year, the contributions required by the Charter. He has obviated partly this omission, but he has not yet proved that he has paid for the last year the personal tax which completes the sum required to validate his election. Nevertheless, the first bureau has not requested its Reporter to propose to the !louse any conclusions on the subject. It has left the care of it to the Bth b ureau , ,which is entrusted with the verification of the elec tions of the tkpartment of the Seine. M. Girardin—You are aware now of the motive on which they pretend to found the adjournment of General Foy. Ido not see why this motive should delay your decision • you must decide on the elections of the department of the Aisne, and I oppose the adjournment. }ram the right, cries for a division. " The admission." The House, after some further discussion of trifling interest on the question, pronounces the adjournment unanimously, with the exception of a few Members of the left. the Reporter of the sth bureau proposes the admission of 31. Bergevin, elected by the department of Finisterre. M. 3lechin asks to be heard—Gentlemen, says he, M. Ber gevin was opposed to Mr. Keratry, and carried his election only by one voice; therefore, if only one elector has illegally intro duced himself into the Electoral College, it is not the ministe rial candidate who has obtained the majority required by the law, but M. Keratry who has been duly elected Deputy. (Mur murs on the right side) M. Mechin, to the interrupters—l do not pretend to say that he is unquestionably elected. It will be the case, if my sup position is well grounded. What will you say, Gentlemen, if I lay on the table the proof that more than twentyiindividuals have voted without having the qualification required by the law. I could enter into more details were I not afraid of trespassing upon your time, and for which I refer you to the documents I have mentioned. The House orders the election of Al. Berge vin to be re-examined, and M. Mechin lays on the table of the President the documents relating to this election. With respect to the election of Al. de Quisonnas, M. the Reporter informs the House,' that a protestation has been entered by a certain nurober of electors, and proposes to read it.—(From the right, " No, no.") The Reporter announces briefly that the protestation, not con taining any thing capable of invalidating the election, the _bu reau has thought proper to proceed farther on. M. De Girardin—(Murmurs on the right)--This protesta tion contains the account of a fact against the liberty of the elections; an elector of the College which has elected At. o t q Quisonnas, not thinking that it was possible to vote secretly o Thethe bburaenaueb broughtordered a b and o y ; the elo i r resistedordertocenentcailn sote ; gend'armes were called for, and the elector wa s empoigne. - The protestation has two objects; the first is to denounce the fact just mentioned, and the second to complain for not having inscribed electors upon the list who had a right to it. The same contrivances have been practised everywhere ; it is very easy to create a fictitious majority by having recourse to open force.—(Cries from the right).—lt is necessary that all these manoeuvres be exposed.—(The cries of the right re double, and Al. de (iirardin quits the tribune.) de Quisonnas is admitted. The sitting is raised at half-past five. Tomorrow, meeting in the bureaux at eleven o'clock ; public sitting at one o'clock for the verification of the certificates. [From the Etuile of Saturday.] PARIS, Mancir 26.—A telegraphic dispatch from Lyon an nounces that the Duchess of Lucca died at Rome on the 13th, at five o'clock. She was born July 6, 1782, and has left one son, Charles Louis, Infant of Spain, aged 25, who married in 1820 the Princess Marie Theresa of Saxony, Princess of Sardinia. FRENCH FUNDS—PARIS, MARcif 26.—Five per Cents. opened at 103 f. 10c. ; closed at 103 f. 20c. ; Neapolitan Five per Cents. 96 in ducats, 102 in francs.—Rentes d'Esp. 24-It:x. change on London , one month, 25f. 59c. ; Ditto, three m on th s , 251. 35c.—( CoursAuthentique, March 26.) LITE:tARY NOTICE. PARIS PAPERS. CHAMBER OF DEPUTIES. PUBLIC SITTING OF TIIE 25T11 MARC/I. (PRESIDENCY BY SBNIORITY.) At two o'clock M.. Chilhaud de la Rigaudie takes the Chair. M.M. De Villele, de Peyronnet, and de Corbiere, take their seats in the box destined for the Ministers. _ _ _ The House is more full than yesterday. Several Members of the left side resume their former seats. General Foy sits next to M. Cornet d'lncourt, M. Casimir Perrier next to M. Castlebajac, ILi. Girardin next to M. Sallaberry, Rover Collard takes his seat near Mr. Benjamin Constant. The Order of the Dav was then gone into for the verification of the certificates of the Deputies. The reporters of the different bureaux proposed the admission of a great number of Deputies whose certificates are found re gular, which is agreed to without any opposition. The admission of General Foy gives rise to the following dis cussion : As to the election of General Foy in the arrondizensent of St. Quentin, M. the Reporter declares it to be regular ; but he adds, that as he has not in hand the certificates of Gen. Foy, which are deposited in the Bth bureau, lie proposes to adjourn his admission. IRELAND. ( From the Dublin Correspondsnt of March 25.) W e regret to find that the spirit of outrage is not yet entirely subdued in the South, and that the peasantry th e re are every day becoming more and more familiarised to the sheddin , ' , of blood. G rea t G oD !— w h a t must b e t h e state of demoralization, among a people who can look on such scenes with indifference, or engage in such cold-blooded mur ders and barbarities as would disgrace a horde of American sa vages. It is naturally asked, have their priests no influence over them ? The murder which has recently taken place in the county of Kilkenny, when the brother of a Roman Catholic Bishop was the victim, would lead us to conclude they have not. Yet, how can they account for the appalling state of immorality in which their flocks are found to exist. If they attempt to shift the censure from their own shoulders, it must necessarily at tach to the loose morality of the system of faith which they pro fess ; for, it seems, depriving a human bei ng ' o f li fe i s consi dered nothing more than a just retaliation for some imaginary wrong, and the perpretrators are seldom known to be discovered. The apathy displayed by the Roman Catholic Priests heretofore in endeavouring to check those atrocietics, has, however, now brought the evil almost to their own doors. They also prevent the peasantry . from being instructed, by refusing to give the slightest sanction to the distribution of the Bible among them, and by obliging Them to depend on whatever oral pre cepts they, their Pastors, may cho ose to b estow. C an we t h en wonder at the situation of degradation, moral and religious, in which the country is found ? The Roman Catholic Bishops have petitioned Parliament to have the education of the peasantry placed in their hands. though wepresume they are bound by their situation to afford such instruction themselves; and though every moral and sensitive mind in the country is beseeching them not to persevere in raising up obstacles to delay or retard a measure so called for from the wickedness and crime that are found to predominate. Ribbonism and Whiteboyism have extended themselves deeply over the country, yet could this be the case if the Roman Catholic Clergy had early exerted themselves to check their diffusion. We think - it hardly possible. But so it is; they have now acquired an ex tensive head, and every day is disclosing the fruits which have resulted from this criminal remissness. The Orators of the Associations have also not been backward in adding what ever fuel they could to supply the flame of discontent w hich is seen to yield such bitter and heart-rending results. What moral mind In the country, be its possessor Protestants or Catholic, but must be shocked at the outrages which are almost daily occurring? ExEcunolt.-.on Monday, pursuant to his sentence, Jas. Bridgeman was hanged at the drop in front of the New Coon tyGaol, for the murder of Major Going . The unhappy man seemed resigned and prepared for hi s fate; We hear that he avowed his guilt in the cell, immediately before his execu tion he confessed that he was at the murder, but that he did not fire any of the shots. The clergymen who attended him appeared in their robes. This is the third person who has been executed for this offence; and we trust that the effect his fate must have produced on an immense multitude'who were pre sent, will be productive of the best effect, and tend to let those miserable and deluded creatures see, that the vengeance of God and the laws, though for a moment delayed, is certain to pur sue the perpetrators of those outrages which disgrace our country.—( Limerick Observer.) [From the LownoN GAETTE of Saturday.] War Office, March 26, 1824. 10th Regiment of Light Dragoons, Lieutenant-Colonel H. Wyndham, from half-Pay 19th Light Dragoons, to be Lieu. tenant-Colonel, vice Sir G. A. Quentin, who exchanges, re ceiving the difference between full-pay of Cavalry and Infan try only. • 4th Regiment of Foot , Lieutenant W. Lonsdale to be Adju tant, vice Gregg, who resigns the Adjutancy only. 10th Ditto, Ensign W. IL Ad ams t o b e Li eu t. by purchase, vice Lane, who retires ; G. Crosbie, gent. to be Ensign, by purchase, vice Adams. 14th Ditto, Major C. Gardiner, from half-pay 60th Foot, to be Major, vice P. Johnstone, who exchanges. 17th Ditto, Assistant-surgeon J. W. Martindale, from half pay 67th Foot, to be Assistant -surgeon, vice W. H. Foote, who exchanges. 23d Ditto, .Surgeon E. Weld, from half-pay 67th Foot, to be Surgeon, vice John Dunn, who retires t.pon half-pay. 24th Ditto, Captain Hon. C. T. Monckton, from the Cape Corps, to be Captain, vice William Gill, who retires upon half pay 27th Foot. 34th Ditto, to be Lieutenants, Ensign J. Montgomerie, with out purchase, vice Shaw, deceased ; Ensign T. Hadwin, by purchase, vice Crawford, who retires. To be Ensign, E. Brodrick, gent. without purchase, vice Montgomerie. - 36di Ditto, Hospital-Assistant D. Scott to be Assistant-Sur geon, vice Lindsay, promoted. 44 Ditto, Major T. Kirkwood, from half-pay New Bruns wick Fencibles, to be Major, vice M. Chamberlain, whose ap pointment has not taken place. 43:1 Ditto, M. Lushington, Gent. to be Ensign, hy pur chase, vice Capel, appointed to the Ist Regiment of Life Guards. 53d Ditto, Brevet-Major J. M 4 Caskill to be Major, by purchase, vice ingleby, who retires ; Lieutenant J. Silver to be Captain, by purchase, vice M`Caskill; Ensign J. Little to be Lieutenant, by purchase, vice Little. 63d Ditto, Capt. H. Knight, from the half-pay, to be Cap tain, vice J. Marshall, who exchanges. 65th Ditto, Brevet-Colonel George Viscount Forbes, from half-pay ',neuron's Regiment, to be Captain, vice W. Ilinde, who exchanges. 75th Ditto, Lieutenant S. M'Queen, from half-pay 60th Foot, to be Lieutenant, vice W. M. Taylor, who exchanges, recing the difference. _ _ _ C3d ISitto, Serjeant-Major J. Stubbs to be Quarter-Master, vice Hall, deceased. 84th (Hit°, Capt. fit•'. L. Moberly, from half-pay 100th foot, to be Captain, vice F. B. Lynch, who exchanges, receiving the difference. _ Oath ditto, Serjeant-major L. Cartray, from the Royal staff corps, to be Quarter-master. 99th ditto, Lieut. J. Buyke, from half-pay, 44th foot, to be Adjutant and Lieutenant. i• Forbes, late Colour-serjeant in the Ist battalion Royal Artillery, to be Quarter-master. Cape Corps (infantry), Capt. J. E. Batty, from half-pay 27th foot, to be Captain, vice Alonckton, appointed to the 24th foot. HOSPITAL `STAFF.—Hospital-assistant J. Brydon to be As sistant-surgeon to the forces, vice Johnson, deceased.To be Hospital-.%ssistants to the Forces.—A Esson, Gent., vice Brydon ; and Ilennep,-M.P- -vice H. James, ceased. commission of Captain 1 4 esli e co t h Foot, has been antedated to -1 7th May, 1820, that being the date it ought to bear, but he has nut been allowed any tional pay. _ . o,ffice of Ordnance, March 22. Corps of Royal Engineers.—Breret.Major W. Reid, f r om the half-pay, to be second Captain. First-Lieutenant V. J. Discoe, from the half-pay, to be First Lieutenant. Second Lieutenant IL S. Siotherd, to be First Lieutenant. Commissions signed by the Lord Lieutenant of the County of Berks. %V. Mount, T. Gurth, and P. Browne, Esqs. to be Deputy- Lieutenants. Commissions signed by the Lord Lieutenant of the County of Ayr. Ist Corps Yomanry Cavalry. —A, Cunningham, Gent. to be Comet, vice H. Cowan, resigned. 2d, or Cunningham and Cumnock Corps of Yeomanry Cavalry.—J. Richmond , Gent. to be surgeon, vice W. Donald son, appointed to the Royal Ayreshire regiment of Militia. THE ARMY. HAL - - Three months half-pay to the reduced Officers of his Majesty's Land Forces, due 24th inst. will be in course of payment on Tuesday the 13th April next. The undermentioned services, due the 24th instant,' will be in course of payment on Tuesday the 13th of April next, viz. General Officers Unattached Pay, Royal Bounty Allowances. The undermentioned services, due the 24th instant, will be in course of payment, on Tuesday the 13th of April next, viz. : Retired Full and Half-pay; 'pay of Adjutants of Local Mili tia ; allowances to reduced Adjutants and Serjeant-Majors of Militia; foreign half-pay. The 7th Regiment of Light Dragoons (Hussars) has receiv ed orders to march, this day from Brighton to Hampton Court, where it will arrive on the 31st inst. A troop of the 15th Hussars, under the command of Captain C. R. O'Donnell, marched into Maidstone on Friday, on their route from Canterbury to Chichester, to relieve a troop of the 7th Hussars. A Court Martial will be held this day in Winchester, on Brevet Major Mitchell, of the 95th Regiment (of which Gene ral Widdrington will be President), on a charge which origi nated in his appearing in utreginaental attire. " Fifteen Officers ars to compose the Court. ROYAL NAVY, &c. PORTSMOUTII, D I ARCIr27.—Vice-Admiral Sir Grahani Moo RE R , K. C. 8., returned from the M e diterranean command in the ochefort, 80, Capt. Charles Scomberg, C. 8., last from Gibraltar, day. The in 22 days. Sir George struck his flag on Wednes- Rochefort will sail. to-morrow for Chatham, to be paid off. The Phaeton, Tribune, and Glasgow frigates left Gibraltar on the 28th ult. for Algiers. The Maidstone, 46, Comtiodore Chas. Mullen, C.B. arrived from Woolwich, fitted for th e African station. The Commo dore is expected to sail On Tuesday for Sierra Leone, to as sume his command. On Tuesday the Sparrowhawk, 18, Hon. Capt. Dundas, and Arrow, Lieut. Powney, sailed on cruises; and on Wednesday the Basilisk, Lieut. Hough, arrived with seamen from Chatham. Remain at Spithead, Rochefort, Maid sone, Grasshopper, Basilisk. In the Harbour, Queen Charlotte, Victory, Bulwark, Albion, Jupiter, Tweed, Samarang, Medina, Cyren, Terror. The Samarang, 20, Captain Sir William Wiseman, Bart. is ordered to be fitted for the N ort h A mer i can stat i on . Major- General Sir Howard Douglas, appointed to a command in North America, and suite, will go out by her. It is with singular pleasure we announce, that that highly distinguished and respected Officer, Admiral Sir J. Saumarez, Bart. G.C.8., Vice-Admiral of Great Britain, received his Commission on the .24th instant, appointing him Commander in-Chief at Ply m o u th ; and he will assume the command on the 10th of April next. John llPArthur (2), Esc . i. Secretary to the late Admiral Campbell, and Purser of his Majesty's ship Prince Regent, is to be his Secretary. - Lieut. henry Cooke Harrison, of the Gloucester, and Lieut. Wm. Robson, late of the Tyne, are promoted to the rank of Commander ; Messrs. Liardet and G. Pan spy, to the rank of Lieutenant; Mr. John Thompson, late ,Medical Officer at Ascension, to the rank of Surgeon, and appointed to the Bann. •A part of the 95th Regiment will embark to-morrow in the Royal Britain transport (2), Lieut. Ley, Agent, for Malta. On Thursday 189 male convicts were removed from thehulks at'this place, to on board the Chapman, for Van Dieman's Land. Among the convict& are the following from this,. vici nity :—JoeepeChick, Leon:aid, J. Phillips, J. lloswood, W. Shepheard, W. Cunningham, .J. Rourke, and Thonias Ware. Admiral Sir James Saumarez, Bart. G.C.B. is appointed Commander-in-Chief at Plymouth, and will hoist his Hag on board the Britannia, at that port, this week. Captain Philip Pipon is appointed Flag Captain. The Gloucester is to he stationed in the river Medway as a guard-ship. Captain Sir Edward NV. R. C. Owen, K.C.B. is appointed to command her. NORTH ERN EXPEDITION.—We stated in a for mer Paper, that the North Pole Expedition, under Captain PARRY, will be accompanied by the William Harris transport, Lietet. J. 'W. Pritchard, for the purpose of carrying out pro pelling wheels, to be used on the ships among the ice. It is now intended that another transport shall proceed at once with canoes and various necessaries for Captain Franklin's part of the service, which canoes are to be forwarded to the mouth of Mackenzie's river, to which spot Capt. Franklin will proceed early in the ensuing year, to endeavour to penetrate from, that spot westward to Behring's Straits—i. e. making the North Pole passage. The canoes are of a light description,-but as they are to be carried over the projecting headlands and promontories, they are to he inflated when used. Captain Lyon will endea vour, by the use of similar canoes, to trace the coast from Re pulse Bay to Copper-mine River, whilst Captain Parry will again pass into Lancaster's Sound, and in the neighbourhood of Melville Island renew his endeavour to make a successful passage thence to Behring's Strait#, and thus accomplish the great object of the expedition. Every care will be taken to prevent similar privations to those experienced by the former land expedition.—( Portsmouth Payer.) This was an action on the Black Act, 9 George I. c. 22., to recover a compensation in damages against the hundred for the felonious destruction, by fire, of 160,000 fir-trees, of more than the value of 2001., by some person or persons unknown. Mr. MARRY ATT (with whom was Mr. CHITTY) stated the case. The plaintiffs were trustees of the late Mr. Timothy Curtis, who had purchased a quantity of waste land on Frim.. ley Common, which he had planted with fir-trees, for profit, about twenty years since. By his will, the plaintiffs were made his trustees and executors. By the will, he devised his Frimley estate, and the trees in question, to his grand-child ren. The woods had been placed under the care of an authorised agent, who resided at Frimley. On the 6th May last, a great destruction of the wood had taken place by fire, which was willfully kindled by some . person or persons un known. It was concluded to be intentional, inasmuch as two unsuccessful attempts had been made to destroy the wood in like manner, within the preceeding fortnight. The damage sustained amounted to about 1,0001., but the plaintiff could only recover 2001. under the statute. The usual notices were given to the inhabitants of the hundred, and depositions made before a justice of the peace, respecting the mis c hi e f w hi c h had been done. Pains- were taken, by offering a reward, to apprehend the offenders, but without success. Under these circumstances the present action was brought. Mr. Timothy Curtis's will was put in, to prove the plaintiffs' title to sue. Other evidence was then given to prove the formal parts of the case. 'John Tucker, gamekeeper to the Duke of Glocester, proved that on the 6th May last he observed a fire in the woods in question, between 12 and one o'clock. He made to the fire as soon ai possible. He first saw the smoke at a distance of a mile and a half. There was no lightning or tempest at that time. Before he got to the spot he saw a man looking at the fire. It appeared that the fire had broken out at the edge of the wood. Pains were taken by himself and other persons to put out the flames. 'Witness could not say in what manner the fire broke out. _ _ _ Cross-examined by Mr. BoLLAND—CouId not say precisely where the fire began. Next day he saw the spot where he sus pected it commenced. That spot was near a frequented path, near Mr. Laurell's land. The heath was very dry. The tire had been burning to the distance of a mile before it had got to Mr. Curtis's plantation. Between Mr. Laurell's and Curtis's plantation there was a high road. The fire was strong enough to get beyond the road. Robert Gale, gamekeeper to Mr. Laurell, proved that about one o'clock on the day in question, he went to assist in extin guishing the tire; before he got there, about 300 acres of his master's woods were burnt; about 100 acres of Sir William Curtis's woods were destroyed. Next day he saw some small remgins of furze where the fire had been kindled on the heath in the plantation.—The furze appeared to him to have been brought there for the purpose of making a fire, —Tire nearest house to the spot was about half a mile off. in which a wo-kman of Mr. Lauren lived. Where the fire broke out was half a mile from any regular road. On two occasions, shortly before the 6th of May, there were alarms of fire. This was about a fortnight before, in the night time. The fire on those occasions was put out. Another tire had broken out in the middle of the day, in the park, on the Tuesday preceding the 6th of May. On that occasion, he saw a small firebrand close to the place where the tire began. He saw some dry rush grass collected there. Witness h a d been in the plantation on the morning of 6th May, when every thing appeared safe. Cross-examined.—All these fires had broken out first on Mr. Laurell's land. The country was wild and open. lie never knew of any trampers or Gipsies having been in the plan tations since he had been there. He had lived with Mr. Laurel], for 16 months. Gipsies, and other persons of that de scription, never frequented that part of the country. John Taylor, son of a farmer residing near the plantations, gave evidence to the same effect. The fire was extinguished by beating it out. Some of the trees were about eight or ten years' growth. Sir W. Curtis's trees had been pianted longer than Mr. Laurell's. Nearly the whole of Sir W. Curtis's plan tation was destroyed. In his opinion there was no doubt of the fire having been kindled on purpose. He was of this opi nion, from other attempts made before to fire the woods. He had lived in the neighbourhood 23 years, and he never saw any Gipsies there. Mr. Curry deposed that he had the charge of the wood in question. Ile resided near the spot. He had given notice of the fire to three of the inhabitants of the hundred. In his judg ment the wood had been fired designedly. He did not see the mischief done until the following day. The depositions taken before two neighbouring Justices respecting the fire were put in and proved. The defendants were also proved to be inha bitants of the hundred of Godley, in which the hamlet of Frim ley is situated. Mr. Luff, a nurseryman, proved that from 150,000 to 160,000 trees were destroyed. The damage exceeded 1,0001. The trees wer 17 years' growth. The case for the plaintiffs being closed, Mr. BOLLAWD, for the defendants, submitted that the plain tiff's' remedy, if any, should have been founded, not on the 9th Geo. 1., called the Black .Act, but on the Ist and 6th Geo. 1., which make the inhabitants of the next contiguous parish, and not the hundred, liable for damage of this descrip. Don. Mr. MARRYATT and Mr. CHITTY were beard contra, con damageot e f n t d h in e gl'itlhaact Black Act, for li fir e Iva he s l a , damage undred w within the liable. meaning The LORD CHIEF BARON said lie would reserve the point for the Court above. Mf. BOLLAND then went to the Jury, and contended that the evidence for the plaintiffs was insufficient to justify them in coming to the conclusion that the fire complained of was oc casioned under such circumstances as would bring the case within the Black Act, so as to make the hundred liable. There was no evidence, he submitted, to show that the woods in question were wilfully, maliciously, and feloniously set on fire. The cause of the fire was mere matter of conjecture. It might have been occasioned by so me m i sc hi evous boy— some tramper or Gipsy lighting his fire, and accidentally igniting the neighbouring plantation. But supposing the woods to have been fired maliciously, still it was proved that the fire commenced, not in Sir W. Curtis's, but in Mr. Laurell's woods; and the object being to injure the latter person, the de fendants could not be liable for an injury not intended against the plaintiffs. The LORD CHIEF BARON summed up the evidence for the Jury, and left them to consider whether the injury complained of was occasioned by the wilful and malicious act of some un known incendiary. The evidence upon this point was cer tainly loose and vague, but it was for the Jury to decide that question in the plaintiffs' favour before they would be justified in finding a verdict against the defendants. The Jury found a verdict for the defendants. ASSIZE INTELLIGENCE. KINGSTON, SURREY, MARCH 26. CIVIL SIDE. SIR WM. CURTIS, DART., AND ANOTIIER, V. THE IN- HABITANTS OF THE HUNDRED OF GODLET-HURST. YORKSHIRE LENT ASSIZES, MARCH 25. MA N SLAU E R.—Edmund Smith was arraigned on two indictments : the first, for killing Mr. George Sargent ; and the second, for occasioning the death of Mr. Edward Barker Lloyd, both Methodist travelling preachers. Mr. MAUnE stated the case on the part of the prosecution. It appeared that a coach full of Methodist preachers were going from Huddersfield to a Conference at Sheffield, on the 28th July, when the coach was upset at Shelly Bank, in consequence of which the deceased came by his death.— Several Methodist preachers gave evidence of the accident hav ing occurred in consequence of the too rapid driving of the coachman, and his carelessness in not locking the wheel before he descended the bill, as he was directed to do.—The prisoner put in a written defence, in which. he stated that the oversetting or the coach was caused by the restiveness of the near wheel horse ; that the distance from Huddersfield to Shelly Bank, where the accident happened, was six miles and a half, and they had been an hour and a quarter in going it. A Gentleman named Vickers, who was on the coach-box, said, the coachman had driven carefully until his arrival at Shelly-bank, when the wheeler, in coming down the hill, made a false step, and held very little of the weight of the coach. When the coach came to the grip which goes across the road, the coach ran upon two wheels, and never recovered itself. The coachman then said, " Take care of yourselves, we shall be over;" but he saw nothing to blame in the conduct of the coachman, but attributed the accident to the coach being top-heavy.—On his cross-examination, he said he saw nothing wanting in skill or attention in the coachman on this occa sion. he never suggested the necessity of lockinu, down Shelly Bank, but thought that after the horse had tripped it would have been impossible for the coachman to stop them. George Armitage, who had a fair view of Shelly Bank, and no ticed the coach, because it appeared so very black, said, in his judgment, the coachman appeared to be driving with due care ; he laid the blame upon the horse, which made two or three severe plunges, but never saw a coach lock down the hill ; he considered the coach was coming at the usual rate of trotting. Other persons gave a similar' opinion, and that they never saw a coach lock down the hill. The Jury, after retiring nearly three hours, returned a ver diet of—Not. Guilty. A Letter from Florence, da:eci 28th February, says, M. Faber, heir to. the late Countess of Albany, has presented to the Academical Library of that City, the books and works of art which belonged to her, and which were for merly the property of the celebrated Alfieri. PRICE 0. THIS DAY AT F STOCKS TWO O'CLOCIE• • India Stock ................. , shut India 80nd,............ 795. 8(4 Stock • D S O o li u tato t h Asn S mn el l t ali Bills ..................... 3 04 E L Bank for Act. ............... Bank Stock shut 3 per Cent. Red. shut 3 per Cent. Cons 95 34 per Cent shut 4 per Cent. f old shut ( New 107,E 5 per Cents. 1797 13ank Long Ann shut Imp. 3 per Cents. India for Con. Acct. ...... Cons. for Acct. ......... 95Iii PRICE OF FOREIGN STOCKS Ix LONDON, MARcll29' AT ONE O'CLOCK. French . 1 Five per Cents. 1041. Scrip, 17 pm. Six per Cents. 00. Russian Five per Cents. (Metallic) 00. . (Ditto New 971. Neapolitan Five per Cent. Bonds, 00. Austrian Scrip, 161 prem. Five per Cent. Bonds, 1820, 00. Spanish Ditto 1821, 21i. Diu() 1823,18. Prussianl Five per Cent. Bonds, 1011 a. Ditto New, 981. Portuguese f Bonds, 933. Scrip, 6A. - Danish Five per Cent. Bonds, 00. Peruvian Scrip, 00. Chili 82. Colombian Six per Cent. Bontl3, 031. _Mexican . Scrip, 7 prem. Greek 1 dis. Alliancelinsurance Shares-17. Bank Shares £24 Os. Od. Seven per Cent. 95. Six per Cent. 94-102. Five per Cent. 100-102. Three per Cent. 77. American PRICE OF IRISH STOCK, 111Atrcti 25. e f Bank Stock 9 64. G ra nd C ana l L oan , 6 p.ct. "' ....- Gov. Deb. 3i per cent Stock, 31 per ct Gov. Deb. 4 per cent. Royal Canal Stock ....:•• .. 2ai Gov. Deb. 5 per cent. • --Stock, 4 per cent. 1 Do. Deb. with G o v. Sec..- New Treasury Bills, 5 per cent 7 i6 per cent. -- Pip e.W Dd. Water Deb. 5 per ct.. ---: City Debentures, 5 per ct. Ballast Office Govt. Sec- 0 Lying in Hospital 4 per ct. 4 per cent. .................. Exchange on London, Illarc'a 24, Bi. HIGH WATER AT LONDON BRIDGE TO-MORRO I : Morning, 55 minutes after 1. 1 Evening, 16 minutes after THE SUN. SOLEM QUI . S DICEIZE FALSUM AUDEJT LONDON, MONDAY, MARCH 2o , NEW SPANISH LOAN. Sum-Ovrlcs, Two o'Clock• We have received a Private Letter from Paris, announcing the important fact, that a Loan t° Spain has actually been contracted for. Vre subjoin an extract from the Letter : 44 This moment my friend has left M. D 5 VILLELfi, who informed him that a Spanish Loan has actually been contracted for. Ile said nothing as to the terms or the parties whom the contract is taken. My friend is °C opinion that the information must havc , bee 3 received by the Telegraph. " It is rumoured that the House of CARDO are the Contractors." EXPRESS FROM PARIS. We have received by express the Etoile of yesterday. It brings the important intelligence/ that the Pacha of EGYPT has declared himself independent of the Sublime Porte. The follow' ing are extracts : (From tits Etoils of yesterday. ) In the Chamber of Deputies the discussions were entirely concerning the elections. 'On the 26th and 27th the King heard mass is his apartments, A ♦essel, which left Constantinople and.ar rived at Odessa iu the short space of 40 hours, has brought the important news, and which is very diastrous for the Porte, that Mohamed Ali Paella, Viceroy of Egypt, has thrown off the mask, and declared himself independent. It was expected for some time past at Constantinople that this enterprising man was meditating a pro ject of that kind, and this was the reason that the Turkish Government IN ished to weaken his power, and demanded of him an auxiliary corps of ten thousand men ;. but Mohamed conceived it. time to declare himself.—(Gatette d'Augsbourg.) Prince Frederick of Orange arrived at Rome on the 10th from Florence. Price of Rentes en the 27th March, at three o'clock, fa Money, 103. 25. ; end of the month, 103. 75. ; ducats, 97. Private letters bring the Itentes, after Change, at 104. 35. The Moniteur contains a long article under the head of FINANCE, on the redemption of the' Fiench 5 per cents., or the reduction of the in terest on such part as may not be redeemed. The following are the principal arguments employed on the subject : " As soon as the public funds are above par, this f a ct alone is equivalent to a public notice given to the Goverr... ment that it may immediately borrow money at a lower rate of interest than it pays its present Creditors. Such a notice cannot be neglected by an enlightened Government, whose duty it is to lessen, whenever it is possible, the burdens of those who contribute to pay the interest of the National Debt. This is also the mode adopted by pri vate persons, when their credit improves. The Government has an additional motive for such a step, since it is notorious, that had not something of the kind been expected, even before it was formally announced in the King's speech, the renter, which were at 104, would be now IN, and would not have stopped there. Such a progressive rise above par would fetter the operations of the sinking fund, since, with a given sum, it