The Sun. — London, England, 1849-05-17 00:00:00

newspaper offices, calling a meeting-in the open air. At the meeting inflammatory speeches were made. On a sudden, whether under the eiftct of momentary excite ment, or in pursuance of a plan arranged beforehand, the mob proceeded to the House of Parliament, where the Members were still sitting, and, breaking the windows, set fire to the building, and burned it to the ground. By this wanton act public property of considerable value, including two excellent libraries, has been utterly de stroyed. Having achieved their object, the crowd dispersed, apparently satisfied with what they had done. The Members were permitted to retire unmolested, and no resistance was offered to the military, who appeared on the ground, after brief interval, to restore order and aid in the extinguish ing the flames. During the two following days a good deal of excitement prevailed in the streets, and some further acts of incendiarism were perpetrated. Since then the military force has been i ncrea sed, and the leaders of the disaffected party have sh own a disposition to restrain their followers and direct their energies to wards the more constitutional object of petitioning the Queen for my recall, and the disallowance of the ob noxious Bill. The proceedings of the House of Assem bly will also tend to awe the turbulent. I trust, there fore, that the peace of the c it y will not again be dis turbed. The newspapers which I enclose contain full, and I believer pretty accurate accounts, of all that has occurred since Wednesday last. 11. 'The Ministry are blamed for not having made adequate provision against these disasters; that they by no means expected that the hostility to the Rebellion Losses Bill would have displayed itself in the outrages which have been perpetrated during the last few days is certain. Perhaps sufficient attention was not paid by them to the menaces of the Opposition press. It must be admitted however, that their position was one of considerable difficulty. The civil force of Montreal—a city contain ing about 50,000 inhabitants of different races, with secret societies and other agencies of mischief in con stant activity—consists of two policemen under the authority of the Government, and 70 appointed b y the corporation. To oppose, therefore, effectual resistance . to any considerable mob, recourse must be . had .. in all cases either to the military or to a force of civilians en rolled for the occasion. Grave objections, however, presented themselves in the present . instance to the adoption of either of these courses, until the disposition to tumult on the part of the populace unhappily mani fested itself in overt acts. More especially was it of - importance to avoid any measure which might have had a tendency to produce a collision between parties on a ques tion on which their feelings were so strongly excited. The result of the course pursued is, that there has been no bloodshed, aud, except in the case of some of the Ministers themselves, no destruction of private property. 12. The proceedings in the Assembly have been im p ortant. I enclose the copy of an address which has been voted to me by a majority of 36 to 16, expressive of abhorrence at the outrages which have taken place in the city of Montreal, of loyalty to the Queen, and approval of my just and impartial administration of the Government with my late as well as my present ad visers. Some of the Opposition approve of the course which I have taken with respect to the Rebellion Losses Bill, as appears from the speeches of Messrs. Wilson and Gait, of which reports aro given in the newspapers which I enclose. Mr. Wilson is an influential member of the Upper Canada Conservative party, and Mr. Galt's views are the more important, because he has been re turned. to Parliament only a few days ago by a Lower Canadian constituency which comprises a large British population. Generally, however, as the amendments they have moved to the address show, they desire to avoid committing themselves on this point. The votes against the address may be thus classed—Sir A. M‘N . ab and his party; my late Ministers and their party; and Mr. Papineau. The first acts with perfect consistency in voting as he has done on this question; for he has always contended that Govern ment conducted on British princi p les is unsuited to Canada. The course of the second class is less intel ligible; for, until the day on which they resigned their offices into my hands, they uniformly expressed approval of the principles on which my conduct as Governor- General vial guirt d; and these, as your Lordship well knows, have undergone no change with the change of Administration. Mr. Papinesu's vote conveys a useful lesson which will not, I trust, be lost on persons who had been induced to believe that the pers,cution of which I am now the object is really attributable to my having shown undue lenity to those who were led by him into rebellion. 13. I have now furnished your Lordship with as clear a statement of these important oczurrences as I can give, and I can conclude by assuring you that the city is per fectly tranquil, and that there is no present likelihood of a renewal of disturbances. A few days will show NI hat echo the prcceedings of the violent party awaken in Upper Canada, and to what extent they are followed by reaction. Meanwhile, it is my firm conviction, that if this dictation be submitted to, the Government of this province by constitutional means will be impos sible; and that the struggle between overbearing minorities, backed by force, and majorities resting on legality and established forms: which has so long proved the bane of Canada, driving capital from the pro vince and producing a state of chronic discontent will be perpetuated. At the same time, I think that if lam unable to recover that position of di g nified neutrality be tween contending parties which it blts been my unremit ting study to maintain, and from which I would appear to have been fur the moment driven—not, as I firmly be lieve, through any fault of my own, but by the unreason ing violence of faction—it may he a question with your Lordship whether it would not be fur the interests of her Majesty's service that I should be removed from my high effit.,e, to make way for one who should not indeed hold views at variance with mine with respect to the du ties of a Constitutional Governor, but who should have the advantage of being personally unobnoxious to any section of her Majesty's subjects within the province. I have, &c., ELGIN and KINCARDINE. The Right Hon. Earl Grey, &c. (Enclosure 1 in No. 1.) An Act to provide for the Indemnification of Parties in Lower Canada whose Property was destroyed during the Rebellion in the years 1837 and 1838. Received and read a first time, Tuesday, February 27, 1849. Second reading, Friday, March 2, 1849. Whereas on the 28th day of February, 1845, an humble address was unanimously adopted by the Legis lative Assembly of this province, and by them presented to the Right Hon. Charles Theophilus Baron Metcalfe, the then Governor-General of the same, praying " that his Excellency would be pleased to cause proper measures to be adopted in order to insure to the inhabi tants of that part of this province, formerly Lower Canada, indemnity for just losses by them sustained during the rebellion of 1837 and 1838;" and whereas on the 24th day of November, 1845, a commission of five persons was, by his Excellency the said Governor- General, duly appointed to inquire into such losses arising from and growing out of the said rebellion; and whereas, it appears by the report of the said commissioners, dated the 18th of April, 1846, that " the want of power to proceed to a strict and regular investigation of the losses in question left the commissioners no other resource than to trust to the allegations of the claimants as to the amounts and nature of their losses;" anti whereas, in order to redeem the pledge given to the sufferers of such losses, or their bona fide creditors, assigns, or ayant:droit, as w ell by the said address of the said Legislative Assembly, and the appointment of the said commission, as by the letter addressed by the Hon. the Secretary of the province, by order of the Right Hon. Charles Murray, Earl of Cathcart, the then Administrator of the Government of the same, to the said commissioners, on the 27th day of February, 1846, it is necessary and just that the particulars of sach losses, not yet paid and satisfied, should form the subject of more minute inquiry under legislative autho rity, and that the same, so far only as they may have arisen from the total or partial, unjust, unnecessary, or wanton destruction of the dwellings, buildings, pro perty, and effects of the said inhabitants, and from the seizure, taking, or carrying away of their property and effects, should be paid and satisfied; provided that none of the persons who have been convicted of high treason alleged to have been committed in that part of this pro vince, formerly the province of Low: r Canada, since the Ist day of November, 1837, or who, having been charged with high treason or other offence of a treason able nature, and, having been committed to the custody of the Sheriff in the gaol of Montreal, submitted them selves to the will and pleasure of her Majesty, and were thereupon transported to her Majesty's islands of Ber muda, shall be entitled to any indemnity for losses sus• tained during or after the said rebellion or in conse quence thereof. Be it therefore enacted, &c. And it is hereby enacted by the authority of the same, that, for the purposes of this Act, it shall be lawful for the Governor in Council to authorise the issue of deben tures, payable out of the Consolidated Revenue Fund of this province, at or within 20 years after the date thereof respectively, and bearing interest at the rate of 6 per cent., payable out of the said fund on such day in each year as shall be therein specified, provided the total amount of the said debentures shall sot exceed the sum hereinafter mentioned. 11. And be it enacted, that the said debentures may be issued in such form and foillich separate sums respectively as the Governor in Council shall deem ex pedient, and may be issued either to such parties as shall be willing to advance money for the same, or to parties to whom money shall be awarded for compensa tion of losses under this Act, or who shall demand them in exchange for debentures of like amount issued under the Act hereinafter mentioned. 111. And be it enacted, that the holder of any deben ture issued under the authority of the Act passed in the ninth year of her Majesty's reign, and intituled, " An Act to provide for the Payment of certain Rebellion Losses in Lower Canada, and to appropriate the Pro ceeds of the Marriage License Fund," may, on any day on which the interest on such debenture is payable, have the same exchanged for a debenture for a like amount to be issued under this Act, and the interest then payable on such debenture shall at the same time be paid out of the said Consolidated Revenue Fund ; and the proceeds of so much of that portion of the Marriage License Fund arising in Lower Canada as shall not be required to pay off the principal and interest of an unex changed debenture shall form part of the said Consoli dated Revenue Fund. IV. Provided always, and be it enacted, that the Go vernor in Council may, at any time, by notice in the Canada Gazette, require that all the debentures issued Under this Act be presented at a time certain, and not less than six months from the date of such notice, for payment of the principal and interest thereof in full ; and such payment shall be made accordingly out of the said Consolidated Revenue Fund, and after the time so appointed no interest shall accrue on the debentures which shall not be so presented. V. And be it enacted, that the debentures issued under this Act shall be distinguished from those issued under other Acts, and that separate accounts shall be kept thereof, and of all money expended under this Act; and that such accounts shall be laid annually before the provincial Parliament; and that the due application of all money expended under this Act shall be accounted for to her Majesty, through the Lords Commissioners of her Majesty's Treasury, in such manner and form as her Majesty shall please to direct. VI. And be it enacted, that it shall be lawful for the Governor to appoint five persons to be commissioners under this Act, and from time to time to remove them or any of them, and to appoint another or others in the place of any so removed, or dying, or resigning office. VII. And be it enacted, that each of the said commis sioners shall, before entering upon the duties of his office, take and subscribe, before any justice of the peace, the following oath : " I, , swear that I will faithfully, and without partiality, fear, favour, or affection, perform my duty as commissioner under the Act intituled An Act, &c. [insert the title of this Act], and that I will allow to each claimant under the said Act neither more nor less than the sum which he is entitled to claim for compensa tion, according to the true intent and meaning of the said Act. So help me God." Which oath shall be entered on the minutes of the proceedings of the said commissioners, and make part thereof. _ _ VIII. And be it enacted, that it shall ba lawful for the Governor from time to time to appoint a clerk to the said commissioners, and the same to remove, and in case of any such removal, or of death, or of resignation of office of the said clerk, to appoint another in his place; and the commissioners and their clerk shall receive for their services under this Act, and for their necessary expenses and disbursements, such compensation as shall be allowed by the Governor in Council, and no other fees or emoluments whatsoever; and such compensation shall be defrayed out of the said Consolidated Revenue Fund. _ I.X. And be it enacted, that the amount of the de bentures to be issued under this Act, and the amount of the said compensation to be allowed to the said commis sioners and clerk, shall not exceed the sum of 100,005/. currency, which sum shall also include the sum of 9,9351. 7s. 2d., raised by debentures issued under the said Act hereinbefore mentioned. X. And be it enacted, that it shall be the duty of the said commissioners faithfully and without partiality to inquire into and ascertain the amount of the losses men tioned in the preamble to this Act, as those for which compensation ought to be made, and to report the same to the Governor of this province. XI. And be it enacted, that the powers vested in, and duties required of, the said commissioners, or of any three of them under this Act, shall also extend, and be construed to extend, to inquire into all such losses sus tained by her Majesty's subjects and other residents within the said late province of Lower Canada, and the several claims and demands which have accrued to any such persons by such losses, in respect of any loss, de struction, or damage of property occasioned by violence on the part of persons in her Majesty's service, or by violence on the part of persons acting, or assumine• 6 to act, on be half of her Majesty, in the su pp ress i on o f the said rebel. lion, or for the prevention of further disturbances; and all claims arising under or in respect of the occupation of any houses or other premises by her Majesty's naval or military forces, either imperial or provincial, subject always to the limitations and exceptions contained in the preamble to this Act. XII. And be it enacted, that the commissioners ap pointed under this Act shall hold their sittings publicly at such places and times, and for such counties, parishes, or other territorial divisions respectively as the Governor in Council shall from time to time direct and notify to them through the provincial secretary, and shall give such public notice of their said meetings as they shall in like manner be required to give ; and at such meetings any three of the said com missioners shall be a quorum, and any report, award, or proceeding in which three of the commissioners shall concur, shall be deemed to be made or done by the com missioners ; provided always, that no sitting of the said commissioners shall be hell after the lst day of Septem ber, 1850, and no claim shall be received by them after the Ist clsy of May, 1850. XIII. And be it enacted, that the said commissioners shall have full power and authority to examine upon oath (which oath any one of them may administer) any person who shall appear before them, either as a claimant or as a witness for or 'against, any claim, or for the better information of the commissioners concerning the same; and shall have full power and authority to summon be fore them any person or party whom they may deem it expedient to examine touching any claim, and to require him to bring with him, and produce any book, paper, instrument, document, or thing mentioned in the sum mons, and suppcsod to be necessary to the determina tion of any such claim ; and if any person or party so summoned shall, after due notice, refuse or neglect to attend before them, or being so summoned and attending shall refuse to answer any law ful question put to him by the commissioners, or any one of them, or to bring and produce any book, paper, instrument, document, or thing in his possession, which he shall, by the summons, have been required to bring with him and produce, the said com missioners may cause such person or party, if not already before them, to be apprehended and brought before them, and may, in their discretion, commit him to the common gaol of the district, for a period not exceeding three months; and any person making any wilfully false statement on oath before the said commissioners, or any one of them, shall be adjudged guilty of wilful and cor rupt perjury; provided always that no claim shall be allowed upon the oath of the claimant, unless he shall be corroborated in all the important particulars by indif ferent and unsuspected witnesses, or other testimony. XIV. And be it enacted, that the said commissioners shall, on or before the Ist day of September, 1850, re port their proceedings to the Governor, stating more especially the sum they shall have allowed for such losses as aforesaid to each claimant respectively; and if the total amount of the sums so allowed, and the said sum of 9,9861. is. 2d., and the expenses incurred under this Act, shall exceed the sum of 100,0001., then the expenses incurred under this Act shall be first provided for, and secondly the said sum of 9,9861. 7s. 23., and the j remaining suns shall be distributed among the claimants in proportion to the sums allowed to them respectively, by the commissioners, or any three of them. (Enclosure 2 in No. 1.) Extract from the Montreal Gazette, dated April 25, 1849: The disgrace of Great Britain accomplished! Canada sold and given away! The Rebellion Losses Bill passed. The Governor pelted with rotten eggs! This afternoon it was generally rumoured in the town the Governor-General - would proceed to the House and give his sanction to certain Bills, but it never was sup posed the Rebellion Losses Bill would be one of them. Ashamed of the part he was about to act, and ex• pecting to steal a march upon the public feeling, Lord Elgin sneaked down to the House an hour after the time appointed, and, after it was believed he had given up his inten ion, he made his appearance ia the chamber of the Legislative Council. After assenting to several Bills of little importance, the clerk read, with as little desire to attract attention as possible, " The Rebellion Losses Bill!" And to the eternal and damnable disgrace of Great Britain, Rebellion is the law of the land ! The announcement was received with groans and stamping of feet. There were several other Bills to be assented to afterwards; but the galleries, in disgust, rushed from the Council Chamber, "muttering curses both loud and deep,"—curses which will bear effect some other day. The few persons who had collected outside, on learn ing what had passed, burst into yells, hootings, and groans for " the last Governor of Canada." When Lord Elgin—he no longer deserves the name of Excellency—made his appearance in the street to retire from the Council Chamber, he was received by the crowd with hisses, hootings, and groans. He was pelted with rotten eggs; he and his Aide-de-Camps were splashed with the savoury liquor, and the whole carriage covered with the nasty contents of the eggs and with mud. When the eggs were exhausted stones were made use of to salute the departing carriage, and he was driven off at a rapid gallop amidst the hootings and curses of his coun. trymen. The end has begun. Anglo-Saxons! you must live for the future. Your blood and race will now be supreme if true to yourselves.. You will be English "at the expense of not being British." To whom and what is your allegiance now? Answer each man for himself. The puppet in the pageant must be recalled, or driven away by the universal contempt of the people. In the language of William IV., "Canada is lost, and given away." A mass meeting will be held on the Place d'Armes this evening at eight o'clock. Anglo-Saxons! to the struggle; now is your time. MA: NCHESTER. QUEEN'S THEATUE.—Mr. George Owen, the tragedian, made his first appearance at the above 'Theatre, in. the arduous character of Hamlet, on Monday last.. He was loudly applauded, and called on the stage at the conclusion of the play; he obeyed the summons, and addressed the house with thanks for the warm reception he had received in Manchester. He was requested tc; repeat the character on Friday. Mr. G. Owen possesses youth, a fine voice, and a good figure. So great was his success in the same character at Birming ham two years ago, that the house was crowded, and he then by desire repeated the character. On Tuesday he played Shylock; Wednesday , Richard III.; Thursday, his benefit, King Lear; Friday, Hamlet; Saturday, Mac beth. In all he acquitted himself to the entire satisfac tion of the public. DANGEROUS ILLNESS OF MR. SHORE.—Although in a very bad state of health, the Rev. James Shore firmly declines liberation from prison, ifpurchasedb by payment of the costs. In answer to a letter , acquaint ing 'him with the decision of his Committee, he ob serves:—" The more I reflect upon the subject of the payment of the Bishop's costs, the more am I convinced of the propriety of my former determination in this matter. While, therefore, I csnnot sufficiently express my thankfulness for the kindness intended, I can, in no way, be a party to such payment." At the same time, a letter has reached the Committee, from Mr. George Atkinson, of Torquay, stating that, having visited Mr. Shore ' he found him exceedingly ill, and under stood from Mrs. Shore, who is now permitted to attend him night and day, that since Saturday week he had been dangerously ill. Sir Benjamin Brodie having particu larly advised Mr. Shore not to put himself under the treatment of any one for his complaint, Mr. Atkinson suggest., that the committee should immediately request Sir Benjamln to visit him. The committee, we have no doubt, have already complied with this request. It is to be hoped that Sir Benjamin Brodie's certificate of the state of Mr. Shore's health, and of the influence of im prisonment upon him, will be forthwith transmitted to the Secretary of State. Both Church and State may have much to answer for, unless the requisite measures be quiekly adopted for preventing, if possible, a fatal catas trophe.—Patriot. Dispatches were sent off last evening from the Co lonial-office, for the Governors of the West India Co lonies. NOTICE! THE N EW EDITION of BURKE'S PEERAGE AND BARONETAGE IS NOW READY AT ALL THE BOOKSELLERS. Revised and Corrected throughout to the Present Time, from the Personal Communications of the Nobility, &c., in one Vol., with 1,500 Engravings of Arms, &c., 38s. bound. This work has long maintained in ground as the best Genealogical and Heraldic Dictionary of the Peerage and Baronetage, and as the first authority on all questions affecting the Aristocracy.—Globe. Henry Colburn, Publisher, 13, Great 3larlborough-street. I=mediately, in 2 vols. post Svo., HISTORY OF THE CONSTITUENT NATIONAL ASSEMBLY OF FRANCE, From February, 1848. Comprising Personal Sketches and Notes. By J. F. CORKRAN, Esq. Richard Bentley, Ne vv Burlington-street. (Publisher in Ordinary t•o her Majesty.) HER MAJESTY'S THEATRE. GRAND EXTRA N[GIIT, THIS EVENING. It is respectfully announced that a Glt AND EXTRA NIGHT, on the scale of former seasons, will to presented THIS EVENING, May 17, when will be performed Rossini's celebrated Opera, THE SUN, LONDON, THURSDAY EVENING, MAY 17, 1849. actually chargeable under the different Acts were sufficiently onerous in themselves, that they imp, burdens of sufficient weight without the expenses of litigation being superinduced, or of severe penalties intended for the suppression and punishment of fraud being inflicted on the fair dealer, who had requested instructions as to the nature of the returns he was required to make. " Sed Diis saliter visum," The Excise Commissioners thought otherwise. It would create a greater respect for the law, a greater admiration of the system, if persons who had offended, however unwittingly, against its penal enactments were dragged into court as public delinquents, and subjected to ruinous costs and crush ing exactions, because they dared to arrive at conclu sions, different from those which " the Board" con sidered proper. The Hon. Member for Glasgow, in his admirable scheme of financial reform, adduced the strongest and most convincing reasons for the total and imme diate abolition of these iniquitous taxes, but the simple facts of the case to which we have alluded, afford arguments more practical, and even more un answerable than any general view of the subject could exhibit. Mr. SHILLIBEER, the defendant, had deserved well of the country. No private person had, during a p long series of years, done so muc h t o in crease the national revenue, or t o promo t e h indeed we muc h d ou bt w h e conveniencectice and strai ne d interpreta tions of all the Commissione rs s i nce t h e country was first blessed (!) the public whether the with a "B oar d of Exc i se " had lie sharp ra con tributed so largely to the Exchequer as the enterprize of this persecuted individual, and while the footsore and weary pedestrian, expedited in his journey through the metropolitan thoroughfares by a cheap ride in one of the thousands cf omnibuses plying in every quarter, and saved both time and labour thereby, blesses the name of " SIIILLIBEER," the inventor and introducer of the system, benedictions of a very different character are bestowed upon those who screw from the industrious tradesmen charges which a strict adherence to the letter of the law may possibly justify, but which are wholly opposed to the spirit of its enactments. When deprived by increased competition, and the almost universal adoption of his inven tion of the legitimate profits and emoluments he might reasonably have expected, and which would have been insured in a country where useful discoveries were fairly encouraged, Mr. SHIL LIBEER started " The Economic Funeral Company," in which, by means of a patent carriage which he bad invented, and by combining in himself the occu pations of a "funeral postmaster" and a "furnishing undertaker," he was enabled to reduce the charges for funerals to about " one-third" of what they had previously been, and to lessen the crying abuse of intramural interments, by bringing the sub urban cemeteries within the reach, and within the finances of the less wealthy classes. In this novel undertaking Mr. SHILLIBEER met with the encouragement to which he was so eminently entitled. The Excise Commissioners, however, are opposed to all improvements or innovations ; any alteration occasions some degree of trouble to those well-paid functionaries, and, therefore, changes are discouraged and ameliorations regarded as rank heresies, deserving"of the most stringent punishments. It is unfortunately but too notorious that improve ments in the process of manufacture are retarded, if not rendered wholly impracticable, because experi• meats are forbidden as being contrary to " Excise regulations," and calculated to disturb the old and time-honoured modes of assessing the duties to be levied on the different articles. Any invention there fore excites the utmost indignation of " the Board," and it may easily be conceived that so active and ingeniousn cu r e d the a spirit deepest as R b 'S od m y. ust have i ßut his discoveries and inventions did not form the head and front of his offending. lle had committed dis l‘ p i l l eas S u i :e lL o L f in t E h E e the deepest crime known to Excise law. He had actually dared to differ from the Board in their con struction of the statutes—and, horribile dictu, he was actually in the right I 1 They were compelled to disgorge a portion of the duties they had erroneously demanded, to repay a portion of the taxes they had improperly levied. Every person carrying on the business of a postmaster was materially benefited by the acts of Mr. SHILLIBEER, but he was an offender that should be taught how dangerous it was to ques tion the dictates of a body clothed with such enormous and such despotic powers. Accordingly when he demanded " information and instruction" from the department as to the nature of the returns , which he was required to make, under circumstances altogether different from those contemplated when the statute was originally enacted, the reasonable ap plication was superciliously and contemptuously re jected, and with that urbanity and courtesy for which public functionaries are so remarkable (civility, it appears, not coming within the scope of official duty) was informed, that " it was his own business to prepare his returns, not theirs." This application and denial were distinctly proved by the most unim peachable testimony for the defence, which the counsel for the prosecution looked upon as so much matter of course, that they did not think it worth their while either to explain or to deny. The obnoxious SHILLIBEER was thus placed on the horns of a very unpleasant dilemma. If he took an erroneous view of the law, if his construction of the statute was incorrect, he would be not only liable for enormous penalties, and for the costs of pro ceedings, where the Attorney -General and the Soli citor-General, aided and assisted by two coun sel learned in the law, being retained, would materially increase the expenses ; but were it even otherwise, and that notwithstanding the disad vantages to which he was exposed, and the opposition of four gentlemen well qualified to make " the worse appear the better reason," his interpretation should be adopted by the Court, he would still be no trivial sufferer, for he wou ld have to be ar the entire expenses o C f r on to f pay costs defence, " it being beneath th e di gn it y o f t h e oste ei n any case in which it may be concerned. Whatever be the result of the proceedings, the due punishment of his audacity was ce, thus secured in either event. We have witnessed the result. Mr. SHILLIBEER made th e re turns according to his own views. An action for no less than twentyone cumulative penal ties was forthwith commenced. If the object had been merely to obtain a judicial exposition of these obscure and contradictory enactments (however unjust it might appear), to settle the practice at the expense of Mr. SHILLIBEER, it would surely have been sufficient to have sought for a nominal penalty, or even to have enforced the consequences of one infraction of the law. But that did not suffice. The rebellion against the despotic authority of the Board was to be p un i s h ed, and these h ars h an d v i n di ct i ve proceedings were accordingly resorted to. The verdict of the jury, although returned in ac cordance with th e charge o f th e L or d Chi e f B aron , and convicti ng the defendant on two penalties, amounting togeth er to 70 1 . s t er ling, was a virtual ac quittal. They declared " that it was their unanimous opinion that the defendant had taken every means in his power to obtain the information necessary to enable him to make his returns orrectly," thus completely exonerating him from that which consti• tuted the gravamen of the charge, the desire to evade payment of the fair duties to which he was liable, to defraud the Crown of the taxes to which it was justly entitled. Under such circumstances, we cannot conceive that these penalties will be enforced. The error, if error it could be called, was occasioned by the acts of the Excise authorities, and for such Mr. SIIILLIBEER should not be punished. We may, however, ask, how long will the public tolerate a system under which such pro ceedings are even possible ? how long will they sanctioe the existence of a code that inflicts enormous pecuniary sacrifices on pereons who have not erred intentionally or delib era tely, but who have been led into mistake s b y the difficulty of rig h t l y interpreting an obscure a n d contra di ctor y Act of Parliament ? The retrospecti ve repor t was most encouraging. " Four year s ago, " The fifth ann ua l mee ti ng of the Ragged School Union was held on T ues d a y evening, at Exeter Hall. said Lord ASHLEY, who offici a t e d as chairman, "they numbered their schools by t ens and their scholars by hundred-, but now they main tained eighty-two schools, and ' there had passed through them, receiving more or less instruction ac cording to circumstance 3, nearly 15,000 of the most filthy, destitute, forgotten, and hitherto despised ~." S however, frern re:A - !ng satisfi!A with such a result, the noble advocate of this most noble charity only looked upon that success as an in citement to fresh exertions. " Had they done no thing at all," he urged, "they might plead that all was hopeless, but the great measure of success that bad hitherto attended them would be turned to their condemnation if they did not go further." And they will go further! We have too much confidence in the philanthropy, or rather let us say in the justice of our countrymen, to imagine for one moment tbat such an institution once fairly estab lished will be suffered to dwindle into insignificance for want of support. It appeals to no maudling sen timentality, its claims are based on a sense of justice, and earnestly enforced by a strong necessity. It re quires no " throat of brass or adamantine lungs," it hardly requires the use of pen or printing-press, to set forth the terrible nature of that necessity which has called for the establishment of ragged schools. It stares us in the face in every thoroughfare of the me tropolis. It speaks to all who have hearts to feel and eyes to observe, which latter class are, strange to say, of much the smallest number—as that eloquent spokesman of the poor, THOMAS HOOD, has truly shown, when he ?makes the repentant Lady in the " Lady's Dream" exclaim— " The wounds I might have heard! The human sorrow and smart! And yet it never was in my soul To play so ill a part : But evil is wrought by want of thought As well as want of heart The excuse of ignorance cannot now be pleaded; on the contrary, it is become rather the fashion of late to talk about the sorrows and sufferings of the poor. The advisability of such schemes for their ameliora tion as that of the ragged schools has never been called in question. Their usefulness, the report of Tuesday evening has sufficiently demonstrated. What obstacle now remains ? What is to prevent the generous co-operation of all who are happy enough to have the means of assisting in the good work ? Why_ should not ragged schools spread throughout the length and breadth of this land—a more glorious movement than any crusade or foreign mission. "It is well to send out missions to the heathen," exclaimed Lord ASHLEY, " and I re joice that it is so; but there are to be found instances of heathenism just- as striking in the courts and alleys of this Christian city, as in the depths of Pekin or the haunts of Timbuctoo." From this often, but never too-often, repeated observation, the Duke of ARGYLE, who took part in the meeting of Tuesday, drew a very practical and useful conclu• sion. "Some persons," he observed, " objected to missions to the heathen world, on the ground that in their own land they were surrounded by heathens, and the assertion, he regretted to say, was too true; but let all who withheld their sympathy and support from foreign missions on such grounds come forward and support ragged schools, and they would soon have a glorious union and overflowing fir ids." "In his Elegy on a Country Churchyard,' the poet GRAY," con tinued the Noble Duke, "lamented the great powers of intellect that were lost in the obscurity of poverty; but in the children whose welfare we are met to pro mote, intellectual power, instead of being undeve loped, is misdirected to the most grievous purposes of evil. They become the victims of the hangman or the inmates of the gaol. It is from such a fate that the Ragged School Union is formed to rescue them." Considered in this point of view, the claims of the union are so obvious that it appears almost a work of supererogation to recommend it to the charity of the philanthropist or the consideration of the commu nity. We do so, nevertheless, and with unhesitating confidence, for never was there a cause better de serving of support, or one that appealed more power fully to the best - sympathies of our nature. To use an Irish mode of expression, Tuesday night was a grand field-day in the House of Lords on the sub ject of that fearful night - mare—Agricultural Distress. It is known that his Grace the Duke of BucKiNoßAai has already been crushed beneath the weight of the night-mare, and from the pathetic , and vehement ex pressions of Noble Dukes and Earls under the pres sure, there is no saying how soon other prominent members of the aristocracy may be involved in simi lar results; for one of the allegations made by a Noble Lord was, that the land was going rapidly out of cultivation, as the result of free trade, that the free traders held heavy mortgages upon it, and their ob ject was to depreciate the value in order to foreclose and become possessed of it at a reduced value I That many of the broad domains attached to ducal and baronial castles are subject to heavy incumbrances, forming a night-mare much more burdensome, and from which much more is to be apprehended than from free trade, is quite true, but it certainly requires a considerable exercise of faith, not to say credulity, to believe that mortgagees who look to derive half yearly interest from investment of capital should wilfully cut off the only source from which the interest can be paid, namely the rental derived from the occupancy. However, the statement of the Noble Duke is not to be doubted, that broad lands and extensive domains are heavily incumbered ; that, in numerous cases, the nominal owners are not the real owners, but it may be permitted to differ from his Grace on his views as to the proceedings of mortgagees. It is unfortunate for the cause of which the Noble Duke is the champion, that the field-day of Tuesday night did not come off previous to the division on Lord STANLEY'S amendment against the second reading of the Bill for the repeal of the Navigation Laws. Who can tell but that the thunder from the coronet might have produced lightning from the mitres, for his Grace of RICHMOND positively threatens no thing less than a combination, if not a conspiracy, of the agricultural interest to destroy the Church, or at least to deprive it of its revenues, which is very similar to destruction. In this sacrilegious work his Grace calculates on an accession of strength from the peaceful members of the Society of Friends, and from all who " hate the Church of England." The Ilouse of Lords is, perhaps, the last place where we might expect to hear that sacrilege was publicly held forth and cheered, but the following is extracted from the report of the speech of his Grace Of RICHMOND : "If the reasonable demands of the farmers were not complied with, they would petition and would combine to get rid of the tithes, and if they did that they would be joined by all the Brights, and men who hated the Church of .Engiand.—(llear, hear.)" This conspiracy or combination for the destruction of the Church by depriving her of her revenues is not to be the work of disaffected, working manufacturers, but of the farmers of England headed by the aristo• cracy. His Grace prefaced his statements of what the object to be combined for was by explaining who were the parties to combine : These farmers lived in various parts of the country; they had not been in the habit of combining together; they had over been loyal men, and ready to aid in carry ing out the laws of the land at all times. But now they said—and he said so too, in that House—that they were injured." The leaders of the combined forces who are to attack the altar, if not the throne, are already chosen or self-appointed, and our readers will be surprised to learn that one of them is that very religious and Protestant Peer, the Earl of WlNcrimsnA, who, as the next speaker, followed up the intimation of the Duke of RICHMOND by declaring that— " At whatever risk to himself, his part was taken; and, by the God in whose presence he stood, if the people of Ergland wanted an honest though a feeble leader, in him they should find one. He was sure they would unite as one man to oppose unjust legislation." It will be observed that his Lordship founds his pretensions to leadership on two qualfications, honesty and feebleness. It is not for us to decide which of the two is most pre-eminent in his Lordship ; on this point there may be difference of opinion, but those who are inclined to doubt whether he possesses both, will surely give him credit for the possession of one of the two qualifications. It would appear that this conspiracy or combina tion has not merely its general or staff officers in the House of Lords, but its sergeants and corporals in the provinces; and it is not difficult to trace a con nexion between the speeches and the acts of the two. At the commencement of his speech the Earl of lATINcumsEA referred to his connexion with the pro vinces and " that great body of respectable yeomanry in the county in which he was born." It happens that one of the baronial mansions of his Lordship, called Burley-on-the-Hill, is situate near to Oakham, in the county of Rutland, and as lately as last week a public manifest() was issued in the local newspapers, ! pointing to the conspiracy or combination in course of' f)rm , tica io urg'-g L, prepared to join it. The manifesto is dated Oakham, and signed SAMUEL CHEETHA M. Whether Mr. CHEETEIAM is one of the Winchilsea tenantry or an agent of his Lordship, is not stated, but there is the fact of the avowal of a combination in the House of Lords, the probable results of that combination destruction of the Church by taking away the tithes, Lord WmcumsEA's off,r of leadership, his reference to this connexion with the provinces, and the mani festo, published under the walls of his own mansion in the province. The following is from Mr. CHEETHAM'S proclama tion or manifesto:— " I hope an opportunity will shortly be afforded to the agriculturists of this and other counties of redeem ing their character, by uniting themselves heart and hand with an association now in the course of formation in London, combining all the great interests of the State, which promises to become a most powerful engine to be employed on behalf of each and every class, in any press ing emergency." It is true that this manifesto shows that, although there may be generals, and captains, and corporals, ready to combine for keeping up rents, even at the expense of sacrificing the Church, there is a lament able want of privates ; for the manifesto contains the following pathetic lamentation over the apathy of the corps : " That their efforts proved unsueeessful in attempting to get up two publi c mee ti ngs i s mos t t rue , b u t su r e ly that circumstance ought to be ascribed to the quiescent state of mind of the agricultural public upon questions vitally affecting their own interests, rather than to any fault of the officers." Whether Mr. CREETHAM was selected for either or which of the two qualifications claimed by the Noble Earl—honesty or feebleness— , we are unaware, but the policy of this confession .of weakness may be doubted, as may a statement ma de by the same Mr. CHEETUAM, at the great agricultural distress meeting, held in Willis's Rooms in the month of March, wherein, according to the report of his speech in the Mark -lane Express (of the 12th March), he said— " I know many farms which :tbout fifty years ago were let at 2s. 63. per acre, which are now let at 255. n.nd 30s. per acre. One property in tho neighbourhood in which I reside was half a century ago let at 7001. a year, and is now let at 4,000/. a year." Whatever bearing this might: have on distressed tenantry, it was not exactly what; distressed landlords wished to promulgate, although it is a state of things by no means limited to the district under Mr. CHEETHAM'S cognizance. One of the grounds assigned for robbing PETER to pay PAUL, or taking from the Church to give to the landlords, was stated tp be that; the tithes were cal culated at protection rates, wit:tiout a reduction for free-trade prices, but a subsequent speaker on the same side, the Earl of MALMESII URY, showed that the fact was quite the reverse, for h e said— " The effect of the free-trade m ensures was perhaps in no case felt more severely tkan in the case of the poor working clergy in the country, as the low scale of prices materially reduced the amount of their incomes." So both hot and cold may be blown to fan the embers of discontent with free-tr sde measures ; but it is unlilrely that the announcement of the Doke of RICHMOND, of a combination to fieprive the Church cf tithes if they do not join the Protectionists, will in duce the Right Reverend Prelates to reverse the decision which they gave on Lord STANLEY'S amend ment, nor is it calculated to euh ance his Grace in the estimation of his Peers, the Lords Spiritual and Temporal. THE FRENCH REPUBLIC. We have received the Paris pat ?rs of yesterday. The Journal des Debats gives tl le following as the result of the examination of tl la voting papers for Paris, so far as the same was known yesterday. Of course, not one-fourth part of tl'At voting papers have been as yet examined. It will I c recollected that the number of Members to be returue d is 28. General Bedeau ... 313 General Lamoriciere ... 5252 Vavin 5215 Bixio •.. 5059 0. Barrot ... 5038 General Cavaignac... ... 5010 Peupin 4985 Laiteyrie 496► Coquerel ... 4948 ])utaur© 4796 Wolowsky ... 4693 Faucher •—• ... 4629 Passy ..• •„ ... 4629 Marshal Bugeaud 4608 Garnon 4560 General Rapatel 4159 Roger 4202 Felloux .„„. 415 5 Victor Hugo 4134 ••• .- • -... 4102 Montalembert .•• 4035 Chambolle 4 4(13 Moreau Fault ..• ••• Marie ... 3957 "• ••• Mole ,3783 Murat ..• ... 3622 Boissel ... 3587 Ledru Rollin — •'•• 3053 5 ▪ • 1 ▪ 18 6 8 76 7 Sergeant-Majort icho Lagrange Pyat Leroux ... 1513 Considerent • ••• ... 1316 Sergeant-Major Rattier ... 1306 Thole 1242 ••• • B G A e t a r b e p e p — L o am e nn . ai s • 1058 9 9 3 ••• ••• ••• 849 D'Alton Sh ee ... 824 Proudhon • ... 823 Perdiguier • ... 529 Demay ▪ ... 515 Madier do Montfau... 514 Napoleon Lebon 507 Ribeyrolles ... 500 ••• The great strength of the racialists lies in the densely populated districts in th( s centre of Paris, and in the Faubourgs, the returns fro m which have not as yet been examined. The result above given is de rived from the returns of the die t riots inhabited prin cipally by Monarchists, by the o L I nobility, or by the rich merchants and bankers. The Rforme says : "In the 9th arrondissement the S o cialists have obtlined 50 per cent., the friends of the Cot et taution 31, and the reactionaries 20 per cent. "In the 7th we learn from privm to accounts that the Demccrats have a great majority. "In the sth, 6th, Bth, 9th, and 12th, the Socialists have almost the whole of the votes. ' At Eure, M. Pussy and th e D. a c d e Broglie were at the head of the poll, and Dui »nt de l'Eure third. At Fontainebleau Jules de Lac . k eyrie, moderate re publican, is at the head of the poll. Drouin de L'Huys, Minister for Foreign e .ffairs, comes next. Lebouf, conservative, third. B your, moderate re publican, fourth. apon, mo 3 ?rate, fifth. Gref tulke, conservative, sixth ; and Auburge, moderate, seventh. These seven are likely • to be elected. The two sons of Lafayette are very lo von the poll. The Rouen journals, which reached Paris last night, state that the Democrl.l s had two-thirds of the votes known, and the Repi it , licans of the school of M. SENARD, who had been CA .1/ AIGNAC'S Minister of the Interior, four-fifths. No successor to M. LEON FArg :HER has been ap pointed, although it is said that t he portfolio of the Interior has been offered to M. DE REMUAT and refused. M. LACROSSE performs the duties of the office, although as yet there has been no official an nouncement of the acceptance by the PRESIDENT of M. LEON FAUCHER'S resignation An attempt will, it is said, be made to retain him i It t office, as he is far too useful to the reactionaries to be parted with lightly at present. M. DE PA! .oux and General RUCHIELLIERE have also, it is said, tendered their re signations, which have not been act' - .lepted. The National Assembly met on Tuesday and passed the budget of the War Depa .rtment. The PRESIDENT announced that at the next sitting the Assembly would proceed to e lect its president; but it appeared to be the opinion. of ' the Chamber that, as its existence was drawing so al ear to a close, that proceeding would be unnecessar3 The Moniteur publishes the following dispatch, addressed by General OUDINOT to the Minister of War, dated Palo, May 8 : " Since my last report of the 4t' a , I have executed no important operation. The 3d bri, ; ide, the 16th Light Infantry, and the 16th battery (. I the Bth Regiment Artillery (personnel) have been lit oded in the greatest order. "Being convinced that the port off Fiumicino might be of great advantage tou~ , and that it would tend to facili tate our relations with Rome, I have taken possession of it, and established the 20th Regimen tin it. "I think I informed you that c a the 30th about 200 men of the 20th, under the ore a rs of Commandant Picard, led on by their ardour and 1 y some conciliatory words which had been addressed to ) them, entered into Rome by the gate of Saint Pane r Ice, and were there taken prisoners. (The report of t: u.) 4th makes no men• tion of this affair.) " They have just returned into camp, agreeably to a decree of the triumvirs. Cons ilz'oring that France could not remain behind hand in generosity, I have given orders that a battalion of Rom! ti Chasseurs, which were taken prisoners at Civita Voce' 11 ia, should be set at liberty:. "I have had it announced to the Government of the Roman Republic, that in retur 13 , for so doing, all Fre4oh residents in J.tome, and even other foreigners of la CENERENTOLA. Angelina (under the name of Cenerentola), Mdlle. Albonl ; Don Ramiro, Signor Calzolari ; Dandini, Signor Bolletti ; and Don Mag nifico, Signor Lablache. To be followed by the principal Tableaux of the admired Ballet of FIOR ITA. By M. P. Taglioni ; the Music by Signor Digit ; the Scenery by Mr. C. Marshall. Pincipal parts by 3ldlle. C. Rosati, Mdlle. Marie Taglioni, and AI Dor. The Selection will comprise the principal Pas of the Ballet, and the admired Tableaux of the Waterfall. To be followed by the Last Act of Bellini's favourite Opera of NORMA. Norma, Mdlle. Paredi ; Poillone, Signor Bordas ; and OrOveSo, Signor Lablache. The whole to conclude with the much admired Ballet of ELECTRA ; or, the Lost Pleiad (Om'tting the First Two Tableaux). The principal parts by Mdlle. Carlotta Grisi, Mdlles. Petit Stephan, Marta, Thomassini, Julien, Aussundon, Lamoreux, Mdlle. Marie Tagliont and M. Paul Taglioui ; and comprising the admired Pas de Deux d'Action " La Lutte," Mdlle. Carlotta Grisi and M. P. Taglioni, and also the celetrated Scene of the Restoration of the Lost Pleiad to the Itcgions of Light. Application for Boxes, Stalls, and Ticke s to be made at the Box-office of the Theatre, where Pit Tickets may be obtained, as usual, price 10s, Gd. each. Doors open at Seven ; and the Opera to commence at Half-past Seven o'clock. T. JAMES'S THE Season 1849. FRENCH PLAYS and OPERA COMIQUE. TO-MORROW EVENING Me Performances will commence at Half-past Seven o'clock with LA VENDETTA. To conclude with (For the last time) LE PRE AUX CLERCS. Mergy, M. Octave; Comminge, M. Couderc ; Isabelle, Mdlle. Charton. Mr. Mitchell begs also to announce that, notwithstanding the in :reased expenses of the present entertainment, the prices of admis sion are determined as follows; — Boxes .. • • •• •• • • 6s. M• Pit• • • • .. 3s. Od. Amphitheatre .. • • 2s. Od. Subscriptions for the season may be arranged at Mr. Mitchell's Royal Library, 33, Old Bond-street ; Mr. Sams', St. James's-street ; Mr. Andrew?, New Bond-street ; and at the Box-office of the Theatre, which is open daily from eleven till five. ROYAL ITALIAN OPERA, COVENT-GARDEN. MADAME PERSIAN'. - The Directors of the Royal Italian Opera have the honour to an nounce to the Nobility and Subscribers, that they have entered into an ENGAGEMENT with Madame rERSIANI for SIX FARE WELL PERFORMANCES prior to her retirement from the Lyric Stage, which arrangement will enable them to give once more, the chefs d'oeuvres of Moz.ort and Rossini, with unprecedented casts. GRAND EXTRA NIGHT. THIS EVENING, May 17, will be 'performed Mozart's Opera, DON GIOVANNI, With the following powerful ensemble, viz.:— Madame Grisi, 3ldlle. Corbari, and Madame Pcrsiani ; Signor Mario, Signor Tamburini, Signor Taglianeo, Signor Polonini, and Signor Marini (who will appear for the first time in the character of Leporello). The Opera will be supported by a Triple Orchestra and Double Chorus. Composer, Director of the Music, and Conductor, Mr. Costa. To conclude with the Divertissement from the favourite Opera of MASANIE LLO, Supported by Mdlle. Wunder, Mdlle. Louise Taglioni, ➢lons. Alexandre, and Signor Casati. The performances will commence at Eight o'clock precisely. THEATRE 110 YAL, DR UR Y-LA NE . GERMAN OPERA. TO-MORROW, Will be performed (for the third time these eight years), Weber's Opera, DEE FREISCHUTZ Agatha, Mdlle. Romani; Anuclien, Mine. Marlow; Max, Herr Erl ; Casper, Ihrr Stepan ; supported by a Band and Chorus, each consisting of 60 performers. Performances to commence at Eight o'clock. Private Boxes and Places may he obtained at the Box-office ; and at Messrs. Jallien and Co.'s, 211, Regent street. rfitATIZE ROYAL, IIAYMAILK.ET Mr. B. Webster, Sele Lessee and Manager, Old Brompton. THIS EVENTNI, - Will be p7rformed RUNAWAY HUSBANDS. After which a Classical Extravaganza, entitled THE SPHINX. To be followed by THE ROUGH DIAMOND. To conclude with MAKE YOUR WILLS. TUEATRE ROYAL, ADELPUL Under the direction of Madame Celeste. THIS EVENING, Will be performed HIS LAST LEGS. After which a new grand Extravaganza, entitled THE DEVIL'S VIOLIN AND TILE REVOLT OF THE FLOWERS. To conclude with the Farce called SLASHER AND CRASHER. Mr. Slasher, Mr. Wright ; Mr. Crasher, Mr. Paul Bedford. lIOYAL LYCEUM THEATKE. 'under the Management of Madame Vestris.. Sots Lessee. Mr. Charles Mania ws. THIS EVENING Will be performed USED UP. _ _ To be followed by a Piece entitled lIOLD YOUR TONGUE. Cha• ratters by Messrs. C. Mathews, Selby, and Parseße; Miss H. Gil- bert, Miss Jane Coleman, and Madame Vestris. To conclude with TIIE SEVEN CHAMPIONS OP CHRISTEN DOM. Dress Boxes, 55.; Upper Boxes, Is. ; Pit, 2s. ; Gallery, Is. No waif-price to any part of the house. The New Box-office, No. 2, Welling!on•street, Is open to the ?tine every day, from Ten till Six. PRINCESS'S THEATI:E. Mr. J. M. Maddox, Sole Lessee and Manager. TO-MORROW, Will be performed a new Opera, entitled THE HEART OF MID LOTHIAN. Characters by Herr Mengii, Messrs. C. Braham, Horn castle, and Weiss; Miss Poole, Miss Lanza, and Mdllc. Nau. Alter which, Mdlles. W. and A. Neruda and their brotheriVicter will perform on the Violin. Violoncello, and Pianoforte. To conclude with the new Domestic Opera, entitled THE BLIND SISTER ; or, the Mountain Farm. ASTLEY'S ROYAL AMPHITHEATRE. Proprietor, Mr. W. Batty. Under the Patronage of her Majesty the Queen, his Royal Highness Prince Albert, &c. Last Week but One of the grand Easter Spectacle. In active preparation, and will be produced at Whitsuntide a new grand Military Equestrian Spectacle, entitled MOOLTAN and GOOJERAT ; or, the Conquest of the Seikhs. THIS EVENING, The performance will commence with a Grand Equestrian Spec tacle, by Fitzball, entitled THE WHITE MAIDEN OF CALIFOR NIA ; or, the Horse of the Ocean. To be followed by an inimitable display of SCENES IN THE CIRCLE. in which the first Equestrian talent of the day will appear. To conclude with a favourite Afterpiece. Boa-office open ftom Eleven till Four. Stage Manager, Mr. W. West. IMMENSE AND UNPARALLELED SUCCESS. Under the patronage of her Mes: Gracious Majesty, her Majesty the Queen Dowager, h's Royal Highness Prince Albert, &c. ROYAL SURREY ZOOLOGICAL GARDENS_ The Nobility, Gentry, and the Public are respectfully informed that this favourite place of fashionable resort is open every MONDAY, TUESDAY, WEDNESDAY, AND THURSDAY. Representation of the STORMING of BADAJOZ by the British Army, under the command of the illustrious Wellington ! The distinguished patronage which this establishment has for a lengthened period enjoyed, and the triumphant success of each suc ceeding spectacle, has stimulated the proprietor-to increased exer tions to maintain its envied celebrity. Messrs. Danson, by whom the present subject has been modelled, designed, and produced, have devoted many months to it, and the un sivalled skill which they possess, assisted by Messrs. Turner, Adams, and other first-rate artists, have enabled them to produce a picture unequalled for magnitude, accuracy. and beauty of execution. The ZOOLOGICAL DEPARTMENT is extensive and varied, and has lately been enriched by several rare importations, including the splendid presents of his late Highness Ibrahim Pasha. The Embellishments of the New and Magnificent ORCHESTRA are now complete. REMLNGTON'S iERIAL BRIDGE. The BAND, conducted by Mr. Godfrey, has been selected from the most talented Artists in the profession. Among others of first rate ability will be found—Mr. Baker, Messrs. Rlchanison, jun., George and Viotti Collins, Griesbach, Hardy, Egerton, Shearon, Calkln, Winterbotham, Boileau, Stevenson, and Reynolds. The VOCAL DEPARTMENT will be sustained by a succession of the most popular and favourite Singers. First appearance of Miss Ellen Rowland and Mr. George Tedder. The FIREWORKS by the Messrs. Southby, whose skill in Pyro techny has been too long established to need eulogising. REFRESIIMENTS.—The frequenters of these Gardens have long complained that Refreshments from the Confentionary-rooms only could b; procured. Arrangements have been effected, and a distinct portion of the Gardens set apart, where Refreshments may be had of the first quality, and at the usual Prices. Doors open at Nine o'Clock.—Admission One Shilling. Children admitted to the Reserved Seats and Shilling Gallery at Half-price. Feeding of the Carnivoraat Five. " The Pelicans, &c., at Half-past Five. Concert at Six o'Cieck. Pyrotechnic Exhibition at Dusk. Mons. JULLIEN will give a Series of GRAND CONCERTS dining the Season. Due notice will be given of his first appearance. THE WEATHER..—SUN OFFICE, MAY 17. TEIEBDIOMETEB, Lowest, 49; Highest, 67; Noon, 59, BAROMETER, 29 38. WIND S.W.—fresh breeze and fine. Rim{ WATER AT LONDON IsttlDoE. Tuts DAT —Mor ang, 7 min. after 9 I Evening, 39 min. after 9 To-Moaaow—Morning, 13 min. after 111 1 48 min. after 10 J 1 50, Cur M 44 4 4 • e,` , .7 iN . -1 1 k, • Mr.' S • Ob'sntillA -z)Atlt LONDON, THURSDAY, MAY 17, 1849. The case of the ATTORNEY-GENERAL v. SEILLI BEER, which was tried on Saturday, in the Court of Exchequer, affords a strong illustration of the vexatious and inquisitorial character of our present unjust and impolitic system of taxation, and of the harsh and oppressive manner in which the authorities charged with the collection of the Excise duties and assessed taxes act towards those who have the misfor tune to ba brought under their jurisdiction. It would really appear as if it were their desire to levy these obnoxious and inequitable imposts in the most objectionable and annoying manner, and to withhold all information as to the true construction of a code containing the most contradictory provisions, which even the parties charged with its administration are themselves unable clearly to understand, and the correct interpretation of which has given occasion for the nicest arid moat abstruse questions of law, that have from time to time been brought under:lu consideration of the Court of Ex chequer. A "I'4' l " , haYa been suppose 4 h ums all countries, should have passports granted them to " Our situation, in a military point of view, is good; we are in point onumbers stronger than would be even necessary to have great influence in ulterior events. "The political state of affairs is doubtless complicate 3; it is nevertheless easy to foresee, that the moment is not far distant when the capital and the Government itself will accept France as a mediator. "The sacrifices made by our Government, will, there fore, turn definitively to the benefit of humanity, and in crease the more the ascendancy of France. " I thank you, Monsieur le Ministre, for the means which you have placed at my disposal for the attainment of that object. I shall consider myself very happy it I succeed in reali,ing the generous intentions of the Go. vernment and those of the President of the French Republic. " I am, " OUDINGT DE REGGIO." (Signed) A letter from Toulon of Ora 12th inst. says— " The Christophe Colomb steamer has arrived from Civita Vecchia, which port she left on the 9:h, bringing dispatches and letters from the French expedition. " At the departure of the vesel everything was per fectly tranquil at Civita Vecchia, and the news from the French camp presents but little interest. The army had made no movement. The troops recently sent, imme diately on landing marched to Palo, where the General has concentrated all his troops, and awaits fresh instruv tions from Paris. " There was a report current when the steamer left Civita Vecchia, that the Romans had made a sortie in the night in order to harrass the French camp, but that they had been repulsed with loss, leaving a number of prisoners behind them. " General Gueswiller, commanding the first division of tha army of the Alps, has left Palo; the greater part of his division is already there, and the remainder are preparing for embarkation. " TheAsmcdt:), steamer, bearing the flag of Rear- Admiral Recaudit, has just arrived from Trieste and Naples. This vessel formed part of the French naval force in the Mediterranean. The Psychi frigate has also arrived from same quarter. " The Panama steam-frigate, which formed part of the flea which carried the last detachment of troops to Civita Vecchia, after landing her men, continued her voyage to Ancona, where she will remain until further orders as a protection to the French residents in that port. " The 4th and 6th battalions of the Garde Mobile have embarked to do duty in Corsica." _ It was rumoured in Paris yesterday that a tele graphic dispatch had been received from General OUDINOT, stating that in consequence of an arrange ment entered into with the Triumvirs, the French were to enter Rome to co-operate with the Romans against the Neapolitans. At the late general meeting of the shareholders of the Great Northern of France Railway CompanY, Mr. I3oNan, of London, was confirmed in the place of director, to which he .had been provisionally nominated on the resignation of Mr. WEGUELIN. M. LACAVE LAPLAGNE, formerly Minister of Fi nances under LOUIS PHILIPPE, died of the gout 0 0 Sunday night. General DE RUMIGNY, formerly Aid-de Camp to Louis PHILIPPE died on Monday at Laval. BOURSE.—PAIUS, WEDNESDAY, MAY 16. THREE o'CLocK.—The funds were uncommonly firm to-day, considering the disquieting reports abroad- Among others the return of Socialists for the capital gave general unea:siness, but the news was in some mea sure counterbalanced by the accounts received from the departments, where the Moderes are almost everyw'oera successful. It was generally b , lioved that a serious in' surrection had taken place at Palermo; but on the ,ether haral it was confidently stated that news lied arrived , that an arrangement was in progress for the entry Of the Fiend) troops into Pomo without any furthei• re sistance. Exchange on London (30 days), 25 35; Ditto (00 days), 25 2:4. BUSINESS DONE IN FOREIGN RAILWAYS AT THE LONDON STOCK 7 F.XCITANGE, MAY 16. Boulogne and Amiens, 71/ Q —Northern of France, 1014--' Ea , st 3Ai —N,mur and Liege, 7;'s—Tours and Nantes, 3;4. SPAIN. Madrid journals of the 11th have arrived. General LEIISUNDI left Madrid on that day for . Barcelona to join the expedition against Rome. MADRID BOMA, MAY 11.—Five per Cents. 103► Thrt , e per Cents., 251 ; both paper. Exchange oil London, 50 50. GERMANY AND THE NORTHERN STATES. INSURRECTION IN BAD N. A REPUBLIC PROCLAIMED.-FLIGHT THE GRAND DUKE. CARLSRUHE, MAY 14.—The GRAND DUKE took flight this night; ha took the direction of Germers• heim, accompanied by a regiment of cavalry and detachment of artillery. Complete anarchy prevails in the city. The infantry has risen at Rastadt, anti several were killed and wounded on both sides. The Dragoons then made a charge upon the people aria lost several of their men ; among others, Captain ROCHE, at the head of his regiment. We hear from Rastadt that General VON KLOSMANN and Colonels PPESON and IforrafANN have been severely wounded. The Burgher Guard in vain endeavoured to uphold the Government. It is said that a Provisional Go vernment will be formed, consisting of BRUNTANO, PETER, and CHUST. The disorders broke out last night. The Burgher Guards and old troops remained faithful, and fired upon the insurgents, who endea voured to gain possession of the arsenal. The troops at Carlsruhe wanted to get possession of the palace. M. HOFFMAN, the Minister of War, had extreme difficulty in making his escape from the fortress of Rastadt, accompanied by a few faithful men. STRUVE and BLIND have been carried off to Bruschasel, as they were not considered sufficiently secure here amidst the military turmoil. Another account says, "In Bavaria, Baden, and parts of Prussia, the insurrection rapidly ga ins ground. According to letters received at Frankfort on the 13th, the Baden garrison of Rastadt, consist ing of four battalions, had revolted, assassinated five officers, proclaimed the Republic, joined the insurgents, broken down the bridges, and possessed themselves of the fortress, and all the stores of arms and ammuni tion. The General commanding in the town re ceived five wounds. It was not possible, it is said, to offer any resistance to the insurrection. The battalion of Larroch joined in the movement and slew its colonel. The Landsturm and a free corps of 9,000 men had occupied Heidelberg to prevent the march of troops for the Bavarian Palatinate. The Bavarian garrison of Mannheim had joined the insurrection, and driven away their officers. All the Bavarian Palatinate is also stated to have joined the insur rection. The centre of the insurrection was Lu durgshafe.n; where aq the garrison, with free corps of 4,000 men, fr o m th e t wo H esses and Baden supported the movement. FRANKFORT. The Archduke Vicar of the German Empire has addressed the following order of the day to the troops in the service of the Empire : " German warriors! a disastrous quarrel has broken out in Germany on the subject of the Constitution of the Empire. All true friends of the country are already assembling their forces in order that this quarrel shall be settled in a legal manner, and not by a war of brothers against brothers. One party alone, which does not trouble itself about the Constitution, but vvith other criminal subjects, makes use of this difference about the Constitution as a pretext for attacking order and the laws, and for spreading dissension and civil war throughout Germany. It is necessary to courage ously defend the peace and the happiness of our dear e. , untry, and the prosperity and industry of its inhabi• tants against this party. Warriors ! the safety of the whole German country is confided to your honour. You will reject with acorn every attempt to make you waver in your duty. Whilst, at this moment, your sac' torious brethren in arms form a close harrier by their ranks against a foreign enemy, you will be united in the Lame manner against the enemy at home. If anarohY and barbarism should dare to raise their heads, you w ill prove that the unsheken fidelity, the firm courage, tura fravrruil union c.f the Gorman army, form the poweTful buckler which victoriously protects our dear country from all danger from whatever quarter it may come." SAXONY. The revolt in Saxony had not been suppressed: 00 the 10th. The insurgents, driven out of Dresden, had retired to the mountains, and were preparing; to carry on a guerilla war. AUSTRIA, HUNGARY, AND RUSSIA. The Silesian Gazette says a revolt has broken. out at Femfkirchen. The Imperial standard was pfullea down, and a tricoloured flag was hoisted. A gar' rison, composed of four companies of frontier tre,epet under the command of Colonel REICIIE, were forced to evacuate the town. The ban sent troops theme t ° force the town to lay down their arms and to pay war levy of 100 ; 000 florins, in default of which, " the expiration of twelve hours, the town woukl be bombarded. The troops arrived before Penifkimbe7 on the ev en i ng o f the 4th inst. KAPOWAR. deeisire" t himself in fa vour o f the Hungarians. It is said tha t a band of M agyars dispersed the advanced guard ° f the ban near Sexard, on the 27th ult. It is reported that Arad, the key to the operactio" against Transylvania, has fallen. - This much is: cal: taro, that the i n h a bit a bl e par t s o f th e f ortress are de stroyed, and th a t th e garr i son i s d ec i ma t e d 'by . great mortality, and that the last efforts for supplY o l s .. them with provisions has failed, the Hungarians c r a,t . ting off all commu n i ca ti on b e t ween Ar a d and L e M Generale Z lArar. 1 1) ,O E D n o c R T. Ic i d evastatinghas transferredthe s c . quarters, Beekereck, two miles further to the south' n The General PUCHNER has not yet undertaken a a Y , decided operations. is threatening the frontie " ThlelEe. l r i e p p E o lt r o t ß of ha t s he le s f u t r f r o e r nd s e e r m o o f ss A ho r f a . d i i s ) c E o l‘ n nct fl i r r i i s s i ,x e d_ ir : with 25,000 insurgents, Gallicia. There is no further intelligence 1,P 3 1 n Hungary. T il. EGAL TITLE ASSURANCE coal f'ANY. (Provisionally Registered, January 17, 1349.) Capital, 2,000,00 C/., in 80,000 Shares, of 251. each. Preliminary Deposit, 2s. 6d. per Share, Pro pactnses and Pall information may be obtained at the Tempo rary Offices of the Company, 13A, Cannon row, Westminster, on ap plication to G. F. HOWE, Hon. Sec., pro tern.