The Sun. — London, England, 1855-12-24 00:00:00

PROFESSOR LEONE LEVI'S LECTURE ON BANKERS' CHEQUES. at A very interesting and novel ceremonial took pltace King's College on Friday evening, being the formal closing for the session of Professo r Leone Levis lectures on what may properly be called the learning and litera ture of commerce. It is a curious fact that at the first establishment of the college a professorship of commerce was provided for, and a professor appointed. Lectures were given, but as no one attended . they . weriti at last abandoned, and the d e partment remained in a.beyance until the fame of 'Mr. Levi, as a commercial jurist, at tracted public attent io n to the subject, when hui services having been secured, the class was re-opened, and with such success that the learned lecturer has had an at tendance of considerably upwards of one hundred students all through his course. Much of this success is to be attributed to the warm support given to the move ment by Mr. Gilbart, beau manager of the London and Westminster Bank, who not only provided prizes for the successful students, but paid for the admission of every gentlemen connected with that great establishment who chose to avail himself of the course. Another gratifying circumstance connected with the introduction of this branch of education into King's College is, that the suc cess of Mr. Levi's lectures induced the Principal of the institution (Dr. Jelf) to establish evening lectures also on English literature and composition, the classics, ma thematics, and others of the higher branches of instruc tion ; and it was announced from the chair on Friday evening that in every case the experiment had been at tended with the most complete success. The business of the evening commenced with the following lecture from Professor Levi, on the subject of bankers' cheques, a topic to which great interest has been given by a recent decision in the Court of Queen's Bench. Professor Lzvi rose and said—Gentlemen, we have al ways had under consideration the law relating to mer cantile securities as regards bills of exchange, Exchequer bills, dock warrants, Consols, &c. There remains now one instrument of considerable importance in commerce and banking, which cannot be omitted in our present course—that is, bankers' cheques ; and at the cost of leaving what was designated to occupy our attention in the last lecture for another occasion we will explain the state of the law on the subject. A cheque is pro perly a bill of exchange addressed to a banker, and pl.ya ble to a certain person or bearer on demand, though the words "on demand " are not often inserted. Cheques are commonly made as follows : £lOO London, Jan. 1, 1856. Pay A. 8., or bearer, one hundred pounds, on account of --- C. D. Messrs. Jones Lloyd and Co. fn order that such steps be exempted from stamp duties 4hey must specify the place and date of issue, and must be drawn upon bankers having their place of business within fifteen miles of the locality where the cheques are i sued. A. cheque is al ways supposed to be drawn upon a previous deposit of funds, and is an absolute appro priation of so much money in the hands of the bank to the holder of the cheque, to remain there until called for. To illustrate this :—A cheque•was produced in court as having been issued at the Dorchester Old Bank. It was contended that the cheque was void, because it ought to have been dated Dorchester, and the words Dorchester Old Bank were not equivalent, as they only described the establishment, and aid not necessarily in; port that the cheque was drawn at Dorchester, though the bank was in fact situated there. But it was decided that the cheque did show to have been drawn at Dor chester. In another case a cheque was drawn in the f Alowing manner : October 12, 1847. Messrs. Knapp, &c., bankers, Abingdon, pay to Mr. Hicks, or bearer, one hundred and seventeen pounds seventeen shillings. 1171. 17s. THOMAS SHARPS. The same exception was made, that as no place where the cheque was issued appeared on the face of it, it was in admissible in evidence for want of a stamp ; and so it was decided that the place mentioned in the cheque was the place where Knapp, &c., carried on their business, and was not the place where the cheque was drawn. The cheque elitist be dated on or before the day on which it is issued, and it must not direct the payment to he made by a bill or note. The clause requiring a cheque to be issued within 15 miles of the place where the banker carries on business must be carefully attended to, be cause, if issued at a greater distance, if not stamped, it would be illegal, and the person issuing it, and the banker knowingly paying it, would incur the penalty of 1001. each ; and the person knowingly receiving it in payment or as a security incurs a penalty of 201. The place at which a cheque is considered as issued is that where the drawer parts with the possession of it ; and if it be transmitted by him through the post, the place of issuing is that where it is posted. An un stamped cheque drawn and issued as above may be circulated at any distance from the place of issue with• out affecting its validity. Thus, a cheque drawn in London, upon a London banker, may be sent by post from London to Glasgow, or elsewhere, and negotiated there for any period. Persona residing beyond the distance of 15 miles from their bankers, whether such residence be occasional or permanent, must of to such cheques a penny stamp. But when the cheque is issued on stamped paper it may be drawn upon any one, banker or not, and at any distance from the place where it is to be paid, and may also be payable either to bearer or order. If made payable to order, then it must be in dorsed by the payee ; but if the drawee be a banker he is not bound to inquire whether the indorsement is genuine ; and if ho be not a banker it would be suffi cient for him to be satisfied, before paying the cheque, of the authenticity of the signature of the payee. A cheque cannot he issued for any sum less than 20s. A cheque is not like a promissory note, payable on demand, which is a continuing security, but is intended to be presented speedily. In strictness, it ought to be pre sented the same day, if there be time, and the parties live in the same place, or, if not, within the banking hours of the next day at furthest. Government cheques are not payable at the Bank of England after 3 o'clock. If the parties live at a distance, the draft should be sent by the first post ; and so imperative this is, that it would not be sufficient to prove, in case of delay till the third day, that by such a course the cheque reached the drawee just as soon. A banker in London who receives a cheque by the General Post is not bound to present it for payment till the following day. The Law Merchant requires that cheques be presented with reasonable diligence, and this is till the close of the banking hours on the following day. Nor would it make any difference were the cheque to pass through the clearing-house. The clearing-house, I scarcely need to describe, is a place in Lombard-street where the bankers' clerks meet to exchange their cheques. The practice is, that each banker sends to the clearing. house the cheques upon other bankers, which he receives in the course of the day ; they are there delivered to a clerk of the fire on which they are drawn (each house having a clerk in attendance there fur the purpose), and he enters them in a book to the credit of the bankers paying them in. When the clock of the clearing. house strikes four, no more cheques are taken, and at the end of the day the clerks settle their balances. If a cheque comes too late for the clearing-house, it is usually sent to the bankers on whom it i s drawn, and they mark it with their initials, which is considered as an undertaking to pay it the next day, it not being usual for bankers to pay each other after four. It is usual that a banker receiving a cheque upon an other is bound to pass it at the clearing-house the same d a y, if there were time ; but it appears that a cheque peid in at a banker's, and requiring to be cleared, must be entered in two books at least before it is eent out. It has then to go to the clearing-hous e , and to be then en tered in a third. Under these circumstances it is but just to allow the banker till the next day to present the cheque. The number of banking firms who attended the clearing-house in January, 1855, was 26. The amount of transactions passed through the clearing by each bank ing house during 1840 was estimated altogether at 974,550,0001. Returning now to the presentment of cheques, the holder is not entitled to one day mor , e in presenting it, by passing it through his banker's. the practical mode in which the question of presentation of cheques presents itself is the effect of the diligence or ne gligence on the drawer and previous holder. For instance, a debtor paid his creditor by a cheque, and the latter on the same day transmitted it to his banker. The banker omitted to present it at the clearing-house in time for that day, when it would have been paid, and on the next it was dishonoured, the firm on which it was drawn hav ing stopped payment. In this case the drawer would not be discharged, the holder of the cheque being entitled, by the general law, to present it the day after he receives it. When the cheque circulates through several hands, the holder would still have time till the next day to pre sent it. It must be remembered, however, that the liabi lity of the first drawer would not be extended by this ad ditional circulation. To charge him, the cheque must have been presented within the period within which the payee or first holder must have presented it. The next thing respecting cheques is the duty of the banker on the presentation of the cheque. As we have already had occa'ion to observe, he is under obligation to honour his customer's c h eque, provided he has funds on hand belonging to him: And in that respect the law reiat ins' to cheques differ" f rom the general law regarding bills and notes, by whi c h the drawee is never liable on the bill till he has accepted it. A cheque differs fi on bills of exchange also in that no days of grace are allowed on it. Where a cheque is handed in to the banker, he would not render himself responsible by retaining it, provided he returns it any time before five o'clock of the day l . which it is drawn, and it would make no difference o even if the cheque had be en cancell ed by mistak e , if it be so returned on the s ame day. Cheq ues on bankers are not accented ; payment is made on presentation in lieu of it. We have already observed that thereica cus. torn among bankers in London in their dealings w i t h each other, not to pay any cheque which is presented by or on behalf of another banker after four o'clock in the afternoon, but merely to give as answer to the per eon go presenting it whether it is a good cheque or not ; and in easel the cheque is approved, a mark is made on it, either by the poraon presenting it or the person who gives the answer. A cheque so marked is considered as entitl e d to a priority of payment on the nex t d a y, the effect of that marking being similar to the accept ing of a bill, for the hanker admits thereby to have assets, and to make himself liable to pay. The utmost care needs to be exercised by a banker paying cheques, moneycheques, because if not genui ne he could not recover in c ver back from his custo mer, except he be re . o his lt fe guilty gross ne gligence. Thus Hall l ent Wa staffea cheque on his banker Fuller for 31. a b tette altered th e 31. i n t o 3001., and Fuller paid it. Fuller in s i s t e d on c l Hall with the 3001 . , o n the plea that th e forgery lar was s such that commo n observ ation could not have detected it. This was true, but yet Fuller had authority to charge against Hall such su ms onl y as Hall load order e d hi m to pay, and here Hall had only ordered him to pay 31. Ful ler thus lost the 297/. In another case, however, a cer tain Young left a blank cheque on Grote, his hankers, with his wife, duly signed by him, that she might fill it sum and date according to what the might want. She r THE SIIN, LONDON, MONDAY EVENING, DECEMBER 24 1855 by the holder of the bill taking a cheque from and de livering up the bill to the acceptor, in case the cheque were not paid. The law relating to banking cheques, instruments, must gof exchange, and other mercantile must accommodate itself to mercantile practice ; the le gislature or jurisprudence can have but little voice in it. It is always of extreme injury when rules are imposed inconsistent with the wants of commerce, and more espe cially when established customs are suddenly traversed by a legal decision. The best mode of preventing such inconvenience is to cause the customs and even the opi nion and views held by merchants to be well understood. Such opinions and views are generally found to be con sistent with what is cautious, expedient, and just. At the conclusion of the lecture, which was listened to with marked attention, Mr. Levi vacated the chair, and Dr. JELF, principal of the college, proceeded to ad dress a few observations to the audience. Having com plimented Mr. Levi on the very valuable and lucid lec ture they had just heard, the learned doctor proceeded to say that his being there was a little out of routine, as it was no part of his duty to distribute the prize 3 on that occasion, but he could not, as the chief executive officer in the institution, deprive him of the pleasure of giving every countenance in his power to the important object which his friend Professor Levi had in view. (Hear.) He attended first, because he thought the discussion of the subjects which had been brought under their notice dur ing the present course marked a new era, not only in the history of the college, but of the commercial world. For many years, he believed, the commerce of this great country had been carried on by what was familiarly known as the rule of thumb, few knowing the scientific principles by which it was at the bottom governed. Thanks to Mr. Levi, that would now no longer be the case, the subject would be thoroughly opened up; indeed Professor Levi had in his opening lecture given them an outline of what he meant to de, which, if properly car ried out, would give them all intellectual occupation for the rest of their natural lives. (Laughter.) Another rea son why he had pleasure in attending was that this course of lectures had led ti the establishment of lec tures in the college in various other branches of know ledge, and he was happy to add that all these lectures were attracting large audiences. (Hear.) He had a third reason for attending, and that was to express his cordial thanks to Mr. Gilbart for his warm interest in the course, and generally for his exertions in developing the scienti fic principles of commerce. (Cheers.) Lastly, he had been induced to attend by his respect and eeteees for their professor, whose fame as a commercial jurist had in duced the heads of the college to re-establish a professor ship which had long remained in abeyance. (Hear.) It would ill become him, in Mr. Levi's presence, to enlarge further on his merits. Suffice it to say, that their professor was a man of eontineutal reputation, and was admitted is be one of the first jurists in com mercial law that the world now possessed. (Hear, hear.) But he (Dr. Jelf) could not let that opportunity pass of thanking Professor Levi for the kind attention and ability he had displayed during the course, and also of warmly acknowledging the attention, diligence, and gentlemanly conduct of all the members of his class. (Cheers.) The prizes, which consisted of books and certificates, were then distributed to the following gen tlemen ; the first eight obtaining hooks and certificates, the remainder certificates alone—the first prize in every branch being awarded to Mr. William Hutchings :—W. Hutchings, Sweet, Forsaith, Delivalle, Sykes, Butter, Chubb, Ketchlee, Thompson, T. J. Jones, Cadmore, King, Duncan, Cameron, Bird, Clem', Hume, Osborne, Jones, and Rose. In presenting the prizes, Mr. LEVI took occasion to thank the heads of King's College, for the service ren dered to commerce by the establishment of this branch of education, and to point out that the object was not to bewilder the students with the technicalities of com mercial law, bu€to ground them in its general principles, which being founded on common sense and justice, every man of common sense could understand. With respect to the cases in which certificates only were given, he trusted that these certificates would have considerable value, and serve as letters of introduction to employ ment in the great establishments of the metropolis. Dr. JELF observed that in other branches of educa tion they had been found highly advantageous as recom mendations to employment. The prizes and certificates having been all distributed, Mr. GILBART rose amid loud cheers to propose a vote of thanks to their Rev. Principal, Dr. Jelf, for his kind attendance on that occasion. It was not every erect of his life to which a man could look back with un mingled satisfaction, but be (Mr. Gilbert) could say that his satisfaction with everything connected with the course of lectures just terminated was unmingled and ent re. (Cheers.) It was a pleasure to him to see so numerous an attendance, especially from the establishment with which he was connected, and he was quite sure that the lectures which had been delivered would have a power ful effect on all who had had the advantage of hearing them. (Hear, hear.) He trusted that our collegiate institutions generally would follow the good example set by King's College, as literature and commerce were in their best aspects intimately connected with each other. It was commerce that gave to literature its practical utility, and literature to commerce its intellectual en joyments. (Cheers.) He could not overrate the advan tage they had derived from having had these lectures established in King's College. Had they been com menced in a private building they would have attracted little attention, but when fostered by one of the most eminent of our educational institutions there was little fear of their ultimate popularity. He repeated that it was a high honour to be permitted to open this class in King's College, and that honour was much enhanced by the presence of their reverend principal on that occa sion, He had great pleasure then in proposing a vote of thanks to Dr. Jeff, for his attendance and presidency that evening. The vote was carried by acclamation. Dr. JELF briefly acknowledged the vote, and in part ing suggested to the students that although their present studies were most valuable, they might with great ad vantage extend their attention to other branches. There were many classes in the college in Er glish literature and composition—and what accomplishment, he would ask, was more valuable than thst of writing a clear, lucid, Anglo-Saxon letter ? (Hear, hear.) He could assure them that one of the most difficult things in the world was to write a good letter. There were also lec tures on the languages and on mathematics, and his hearers would find tkat if they gave part of their atten tion to those branches the effect would be to strengthen and brighten the r intellect for their favourite study. Lastly, he trusted it would not be considered out of place if he reminded them that on Wednesday evenings there were classes on the best of all studies, that of religion ; And although as occasional students their attendance in these classes was not compulsory, those who think pro per to attend would never have cause to regret having done so. He was not going to preach to them there, for he was not in the pulpit, but this he would say as a friend, that he would not give three straws for any edu cation in which religion was not the basis and principal element. In conclusion, the learned doctor took a kind and courteous farewell of all present. RESTORATION OF GAMSTON CLIURCII. (Front. the R( ford Advertiser.) HISTORIC NOTICES OF THE CHURCH. The following extracts from the roport of Mr. G. G. Scott, A.R.A., who has just restored the parish church of St. Peter, Gamston, will convey the beet idea that can be given of the original structure, and the changes which have been made in it previous to the present al terations. " This church consists of a nave with south aisle, chancel, and western tower. There has been a north portch which has been destroyed. "The pillars, and four arches, by which the aisle is separated from the nave, and also the chancel arch, are of the end of the 13th century, and of good design. The capitals of the pillars are of a peculiar and curious design. "The north wall, to half its height, is probably of the same date ; the clerestory having been added at a later period. " The aisle walls are also probably partly of the same date, though the windows have been inserted later. The north and south doorways are both walled up, but would probably be found to agree in date with the earliest portions of the church, "The clerestory and roofs are of the 15th or 16th cen• tury, as are the windows generally. The chancel is a structure of the 16th century, and of a size and height not proportioned to the scale of the church. "The tower is a remarkably fair structure, quite early in the perpendicular style —it is, in fact, much the finest tower in the neighbourhood." These are Mr. Scott's remarks. The oldest part of the church now standing is at tributed by Mr. Scott the end of the 13th century, but a church was existing here before the end of the 12th century, as may be seen in Thoroton (Irt. Mission), where the church of Gaimiton is confirmed to the Canons of Mattersey, against the abbot and canons of Welbeck, in the year 1192. The founders of the Monastery of Gilbertines, at Mat tersey, were the Lords of Gamston, though they took their name from Mattersey, and were called de Maresey, or de Morisco. They were the founders of the churches of Bolton Marishey (B a wt r y 1), an d Misson, which, as well as Bolton, they gave to the Priory of Mattersey ; oaainnd churches d m ‘ at a ce ll rs t e h y e , right which they claimed in the said isle iwasn 1192." confirmed The p t o the r y Priorsw asfounded o a u n n d d ea Canons pro bably absut 1180. From the de Mareseys were wo descended the Monbou chers, Lords of Gamaton, arms were on the monu mental effigy of a knight h lyinglying in the chancel. This knight was probably Sir w Monboucher, on whom, and his wife Margaret, were s l et 6 tl g. ed vast estates in 3 in this county, on his marriage Ho died in 1385. A son of his , Ralph Monbouchert h : the win d ow bbeenemu memorated on a piece of painted glass, i the chancel, on which m i g h t be traced " OrCtf. w e pro Bono sight, Radulphi." According to a me moran d um in the Register, in MO, by John Davies, Rector, Ralph died without issue, and the family became extinct. As Mr. Scott says, the tow er is q uite ear ly in the per pendicular style, which style commenced towards the end of the reign of Edward 111. (who died in 1376). We must suppose this part of the church was built by Sir Nicholas soon after his marriage, or in the course of 'the next 20 years, at the end of which he died. The tower itself will probably help us to determine when it was built from a peculiar trait in it. Though it is a handsome structure, and has evidently been built by skilful workmen, it seems, in one re3pect, to have been strangely mismanaged. The tower does not stand square with the nave and chancel, but is in clined to an angle of about eight degrees to the north of west, while the other parts are nearly due east and west. This deviation cannot ban been caused by accident, or carelessness, since it has given the workmen much ad ditional trouble to connect the tower with the Lave at so unconvenient an angle. Why did they depart from the original line The only answer appears to be this. They made use of the compass to ascertain what they belie ied to be the true north, and they corrected it by the error, as they conceived, of the original builders. If this be the right answer, the deviation from the true meridian will be in accordance with the variation dne at the period in which the tower wax built. The variation of the needle from the true me:'dian was first publicly noti , •ed in 1576 ; ard it appea .5, according to the best calculations that have been made about this variation, and the tables constructed from them, that two dates are attached to the period of eight degrees deviation to the north of west, or east of north (which is tl•e same thirg) : ♦iz., 1363 and 1601. Of these two the earlier agr€ ?s best with the per' -d assigned by Mr. Scott to the erection of the tower, for he says, "it is quite early in the perpen dicular style," which extends from about 1377 to 1485. We may assume, then, that the tower of Gamston Church was built towards the end of the reign of Edward 111., and, if so, it was probably constructed at the expense of Sir Nicholas Monboucher, who died in 1385. As the descendant of the original founders of the church he was more li' •ly to brae taken an interest in its restoration and improvement. When the builders of the tower determined to place it on a different line of meridian from the older part of the church, they no doubt reckoned that it would be neces sary ere long to rebuild the nave and chancel, and that the line which they had adopted would be the one to which the rest of the structure would be made conform able. Had this happened we should have had a case of orientation, as it is called, differing throughout the whole church from that of the true meridian. As such cases are not unfrequently mot with, it is very possible that the cause in all cases may have been the same. By comparing the probable age of the structure, in those instances, with a table of variations (such as has been alluded to) that question might be determined. The reasons usually assigned for these anomalies are by no means satisfactory. Aubrey supposed that the founders of our churches, having " watched and prayed all night on the vigil of the dedication, took that point of the horizon where the san arose for the east ; which is the reason of the great variation of the position of churches as to the due east, and he says that he has " made trial of some churches, and found the length of the church to point to that part of the horizon where the sun arises on the day of that saint to whom it is dedi cated." (Aut,..7 on Gentilism. quoted in Southey's Common Place Book, iii., p. 372. But this hypothesis is overthrown by "the difference of orientation in churches under the same invocation." (Hand-Book of Ecclesi ol gyo, p. 40.) Mr. Scott says—" The chancel is of the 16th century, and of a size and height by no means proportioned to the scale of the church." In the register is a memorandum by the Rev. John Davies, rector in 1669, which states that on a pane of glass in the window of the church was inscribed—" Baker, Rectoris do Gamulston, qui istum conceit= fieri fecit Ano. Dom. MD. .XVII." As there is a space between D and X, and this date is earlier than might have been expected, it is probable that MDLXVII. was in the original. Another memorandum by Mr. Davies informs us " that the broad flat monument at the upper end of the chancel, on the left hand side, is the tomb of one Mr. Thurland, who was formerly Lord of the Towne !" This was the great merchant of that name at Nottingham, who was mayor of Nottingham in 1459, and diel in 1497. Thoresby further mentions—" within the rails of the altar on the floor is a grave-stone, on which is re presented a priest consecrating the wine," This is now built into the south wall in an upright position. It is a curious specimen of a peculiar class of incised slabs. Other examples are found in this county in the ruined chapel at Houghton. The recumbent effigy of a priest, now placed on the north side of the altar, is well worthy of notice, though bearing marks of mutilation in former times. He is vested in Chasuble, Albe, Stole, and Maniple. The effigy of a knight at the west end of the aisle is supposed to be that of Sir Nicholas Monboucher, mentioned above. It seems originally to have been in the chancel, and before the Restoration was built into the north wall. Two slabs, inscribed with maltese crosses, were also discovered during the recent repairs—built up into the south wall ; these are probably as early as the 11th cen tury. This restoration originated with the Duke of New castle, the owner of the whole parish, with the exception of the Rector's glebe. The Duke has contributed two thirds to the restoration of the nave, aisle, and tower, and the rebuilding of the porch. The chancel has been restored by the Rev. John Thetis, the Rector. The whole building has had new roofs, and the walls have been put into thorough repair and renewed in many places. The windows have been new glazed by Welch, of Retfsrd. The naive and aisle have been relaid with small black and red tiles. The chancel has been floored with decorated tiles made by Minton. The sittings are open, of a plain and substantial character, and entirely composed of oak. The pulpit, of a bold and handsome character, is of oak, on a stone basement. The desk is open and placed opposite to the pulpit. The chancel seats are of a suitable character and are placed stall wise. The communion rails, made from a design by Mr. Scott, are executed by Skidmore, of Coventry, who ha also supplied the chancel corona and the standards for lighting the church. The edifice has been effectually heated with hot air by Haden, of Trowbridge, at the joint expense of the parish and the rector. A handsome crimson velvet communion cloth with an embroidered monogram, and a beautiful border of vine-leaf pattern, • has been presented to the church by the parishioners. The pulpit cushion is the gift of one of the churchwar dens (Mr. Wm. Rogers). These and the other articles of church furniture are supplied by Jones and Willis, of Birmingham. The Commandments have, with great judgment, been placed on a large space of the wall above the chancel arch, in old English character, by Cassells, of London. A text from 2 Chronicles vi. 40, runs round the chancel arch, "Now, my God, let, I beseech thee, thine eyes be open, and let thine ears be attent unto the prayer that is made in this place." The whole restoration has been conducted from the plans and designs of Mr. G. G. Scott, under the able and assiduous superintendence of Mr. J. M. Johnston, the clerk of the works. Messrs. Lee and Webster were the contractors for the whole restoration. • The whole expense has been for the church about 1,6201., chancel 4151.-2, 035 /. for the whole restoration. Divine services ceased to be celebrated after Sunday, August 20th, 1854—sixteen months being occupied in the restoration. The money is raised by the parishioners ; in church rates, of about ls. 2d, in the pound, extending over about 4 years from the commencement. THE RE-OPENING. The re-opening of the church took place l as t Th urs d ay (Dee. 20th), on a fine bright December day. B e f ore eleven o clock (the hour of morning service) the church was filled by a most respectable congregation, n um b er . ing, among , t other distinguished persons, his Grace the Duke of Newcastle, Lady Susan Clinton, Lord Albert Clinton, Lady Newark, Lady Annora. Wynn, !Mrs. Bridgeman Simpson, Hon. and Rev. Mr. Howard, Mrs. W. F. B.:ring, Mrs. Huntsman, Mrs. Dawkins, W. J. Picken, Esq., Rev. C. W. Eyre, Rev. J. and Mrs. Nlickle, Rev. C. and Mrs. Hodge, Rev. IL T. Daniel, Rev. G. W. and Mrs. B rameld, Rev . H. P. Chesshire: Rev. H. C. Mitchinson, Rev. T. Mitchinson (Curing too), Rev. E. H. Daw kins, Rev . Ar thur Brook, Rev. W. A. Plumptree, Rev. Joshua Brooke (Cotten Bassett), Rev. H. and MI s. Marsh, Rev. E. Twells, Rev.J.Ta ells, Rev. C. Postlewaite, Rev. J. Potter (Ellington), Rev. J. and Mrs. Nash (Weston), Rev. J. Cane (Perlethorpe), G. Marshall, Esq., Miss Marshall, Mrs. S. Marshall, Miss Frankland, niece of the late Sir John Franklin (Clifton near Bristol), Mrs. and J. Delman, Esq., the Misses Hurt, the Misses Hutchinson, Mrs. and H. Heming, Esq., Mr. and Miss Clowes, Mrs. Lister (011erton), Mrs. and the Misses Swan, Councillors Howe and Beeley, Mrs. and Miss King (Kingsaugh), Mrs. Rogers, Mr. and Mrs. Curtis (Eaton), Mrs. Holmes, Messrs.E.Hodg kinson, J.Wightman, J. Dennett, R. Morton, J.North, R. Baker, R. Rogers, W. Rogers, J. Roberts, J. Lee (contractor for the restoration of the church), &c., &c. Tho tower has been curtained off from the body of the church, and is used as a vestry ; and here the clergy and the East Retford Voluntary Choir assembled, and (duly vested in surplices, &c.,) walked in procession to their places in the chancel. Morning prayers were said by the Rev. E. Twells,--the lessons being read by the Reve.Ll. Daniel, and J. Brooke (of Colton Basset). The com munion service was taken by the Rev. John Twells, Rector—the Rev. Arthur Brook (of Retford) and the Rev. Joshua Brook acting as epistler and gospeller. The choir of our parish church sang with great judgment, taste, and feeling, and wore ably accom panied on a harmonium by Mr. Dixon, the organist. All praise is due to them for the able assistance they so kindly rendered in the services of the day. The sermon was preached by the Rev. H. A. Marsh, vicar of Tux ford, from Psalm xiviii. 12 and 13—" Walk about Sion, go round about her, and tell the towers thereof ;—mark well her bulwarks, consider her houses—that ye may tell them that come after." The collectfon at the Offertory amounted to GU. 149. 51d. After morning service, the Duke of Newcastle and a large party partook of lunch at the rectory. The afternoon service commenced at half-past three o'clock, and the church was even more crowded than in the morning. The effect of the lights throughout the church—especially the corona of nine lights in the chan cel, was very striking as evening drew on. Evening prayer was said by the Rev. H. C. Mitchin son ; the lessens read by the Revs. G. W. Brameld and C. Postlethwaits. The sermon was preached by the Rev. Edward Twells, from Nehemiah xiii. 14—" Re member me, 0 my God, concerning this ; and wipe not out the good deeds that I have done for the House of my God, and for the offices thereof." The collection was made during the singing of the 149th Psalm, and amounted to 331. 13s. 31d. Total collection through the day, 95/, 7s. Bd. BRITISH ANTI-TOBACCO SOCIETY.—On Wednesday evening, the 19th inst., the sonond of a course of meet ings for the promotion of the objects of this society was held in Shaftesbury Hall, Alderagate street, under the presidency of James Hinton, Esq., M.R.C.S. The t o p ic submitted for consideration was : "The use of tobacco antagonistic to the physcial and social well-being of man." The meeting was addressed by Dr. Lee, of Hartwell-park ; Dr. Carr, and Messrs. Engell, Edwards, Wainwright, Tagg, and Jackson. It was urged that the maintenance of health was contingent on the obser vance of the laws of our nature, and that by the use of tobacco those laws were infringed. The use of tobacco also interfered with the proper employment of time, ta lents, and p ecun i ary resources , an d l e d to a vast amount of intemperance in drink. Instances were given of striking benefits experienced by those who had been in duced to discontinue it. At the close of the meeting the secretary of the society announced that Dr. Lee, and Dr. Cooke, of Trinity-equate, had promised to pre side at future meetings. METROPOLITAN BOA RD OF WORKS. [A. portion of the following appeared in our imprea lion of Saturday.] The adjourned meeting of the. members of this board for the election of a chairman t 3tA place on Saturday at Burlington•house. Mr. Nicholay, chairman pro tem., in the chair. There was a full attendance of the members of the board, but few of the public were present. The list of candidates contaimad the names of 18 gen tlemen. Mr. WILKINSON (hon. secretary) read the minutes of the former meeting, which were confirmed by the meeting. A letter was read from Sir B. Hall, in answer to an application to him by the hon. , fecretary, for the pur pose of permitting the use of Burlington•house for the meetings of the board till further notice, and a vote of thanks was in accordance pass ed to the hon. baronet for his kind permission. The names of the members of the board were then called over, and but five only were found to be present. Mr. CHAS. FEW rose, and was proceeding to make some remarks relative to the proceedings of the last meeting respecting the salary to be paid to the chair. man, but was reminded by The CHAIRMAN that the first thing to be done at this meeting was to elect a chairman. Mr. FEW then withdrew his remarks till a subsequent period of the meeting. Sir J. SEIELLEY called Attention to a letter he had for warded to the chairman, retiring: from the election of the chairmanship, in consequence of the resolution passed at the former meeting, believing a, gentleman who was a member of Parliament would "not be eligible. He therefore preferred retaining his position as a member of Parliament than becoming at the expense of that seat the chairman of the board. Mr. H. L. TAYLOR said he considered Sir J. Shelley misunderstood the intention of the board. No objection would be made to a member of Parliament as chairman if he possessed the required qualification for the office. Sir J. SHELLEY said he had not canvassed for a single vote. If he bad known at the former meeting that Mr. Roebuck would have become a candidate, he (Sir J. Shelley) would not have had the presumption to have offered himself a candidate in opposition to that gentleman. A letter was then read from Sir John Shelley, M.P., addressed to the Chairman, intimating a wish that his name might not appear in the list of candidates, and as signing as a reason for that request the resolution come to by the board at their meeting on Wednesday, the effect of whisk was, as it appeared to him, that no one engaged in the public service was eligible for the ap• pointment. T Si h r e J H . So Hon. RE E s u ß EcTsr,tay thenread the aidhestil withdrew hisname. following list of gentlemen who had forwarded their names as candidates for the offize of Chairman :—Messrs. Barker, Booth, Buckton, Burch, G. F. Carden, Sir C. C. D'Crespeigny, Mr. Corrie, Deputy Harrison, Messrs. T. Hawes, R. Jebb, W. J. Neale (barriste4, G. Offer, Hon. Joseph Percy, M.P., J. A. Roebuck, M.P., A. Symonds, J. Thwaites, and T. Turner. Mr. BAKER withdrew his name, and the following gentlemen having no mover or seconder, were erased from the list :—Messrs. Booth, G. H. Buckston, Sir C. C. D'Crespeigny, Neale, and Symonds. Sir J. SHELLEY moved, and Mr. CHALMERS seconded, Mr. G. F. Carden. Sir J. SHELLEY moved, and Major LYON seconded, Mr. Corrie. Mr. HALL moved, and Sir J. SHELLEY seconded, Mr. Deputy Harrison. Sir J. SHELLEY proposed, and Mr. MORLAND seconded, Mr. T. Hawes. Mr. HUNT proposed, and Mr. PASCAL seconded, Mr. Jebb. Mr. HOWSE moved, and Mr. Stow seconded, Mr. Offer, who, however, withdrew with the consent of the meeting. Major LYON proposed, and Mr. CHALMERS seconded, the lion. P. J. Percy, M.P. Major LYON proposed, and Mr. HUNT seconded, Mr. Roebuck, M.P. Mr. DIFFANGER moved,and Mr. COLLINSON seconded, Mr. Thwaites. Captain BURSLIIM moved, and Mr. CORRIE seconded, Mr. Turner. Mr. FEW was then called on, and said it appeared to him that the feeling of the last meeting was worthy of consideration, to get a modification of the clams relative to the payment of the Chairman, and moved the following resolution :—" That before proceeding to elect a chairman, this board desires to record its opi nion that it is expedient that the provisions in the Act (13 and 19 Vic. c. 120), compelling the election of a paid chairman should be repealed, and that any candi date for that office be required to give a pledge, that if elected he will resign his position as chairman in the event of Parliament repealing the provision in question. (Cries of "Oh, oh.") The CHAIRMAN ruled that the resolution could not then be entertained. The chairman must be first elected before they could proceed with other business. The Hon. SECRETARY then read the application of Mr. Carden, and called upon the mover and seconder of that gentleman to address the meeting in favour of his claims, but those gentlemen declined ; and Mr. Cards a having been called on, addressed the meeting in support of his claims to the office. Major LYON, the seconder of Mr. Corrie, said a few words in support of that gentleman. Mr. CORRIE asked the support of the bmard on the grounds of his being a professional gentleman, b e . cause points would daily arise requiring the gen tleman who fillel the office of chairman to have a knowledge of law, to prevent mistakes from occurring. If not a qualification, they would, he trusted, be of opinion it was not a disqualification his being a lawyer. Secondly, that his present position as a magistrate and his abilities to fill that office were proof of his capacity to discharge the duties that would de volve on their chairman. He considered the act unless modifications were made in it by Parliament would ulti mately increase the amount at present paid by the rate payers. He thought the chairman should be a gentle man unconnected with the representation of the country. If they elected him he would devote the whole of his life to effectually discharging the duties of the offl.le. He valued the position the office would confer on the holder more than the salary. Mr. H. L. TAYLOR asked Mr. Corria if he were cleated whether he would resign his present office as police ma. gistrate ? Mr. CORRIE—Yes. Mr. HALL urged Mr. Deputy Harrison's claims to the office as being a useful man. That gentleman had been for years connected with public boards and had had ex - perienco as a member of that board, who had carried out considerable improvements in the City of London. He was also one of the Commissioners of Sewers for the City. He was a man of strong comet m sense and emi nently qualified for the office. Sir J. SHELLY the seconder was called on to address the meeting in his favour, but declined, stating he only seconded Mr. Deputy Harrison as a matter o f form. Mr. Deputy HABRISON said ho looked upon his no mination to that office as a desire on the part of those gentlemen to pay a compliment to the City of London. He detailed his experienoe on public works connected with the City of London, from the re•buiiding of Len don-bridge to the present time. Objections might be taken to his appointment to the chair from his being in business, but if they elected him he promised them faith fully that he would devote the whole of his time to the duties of the office, Mr. T. Hewn' (a former chairman of the Metropoli tan Commissioners of Sowers) name was next placed be fore the meeting, and a letterlfrom,the candidate, stating his qualifications for the office, was read by the hon. secretary. Mr. MORILIND, his seconder, having introduced him to the meeting in a few words, Mr. HAWES as briefly addressed the meeting, pledging himself efficiently to discharge the duties of the office. Mr. HUNT advocated the claims of Mr. Jobb, Chair man of the Metropolitan Commission of Sewers, to hie appointment to the office of Chairman of the Metro politan Board of Works. That gentleman must be better acquainted with the various schemes and plans that had been brought forward relative to the carry ing out of works such as would devolve on them than those gentlemen who had been proposed for the office unconnected with that Commission. Mr. PASCAL also advocated Mr. Jebb's claims to the appointment. Mr. JEBB, in addressing the meeting, begged to dis abuse the minds of the board from certain statements that had been made relative to who ho was. He was a distant relation of Colonel Jebb not his He was Chairman of the Metropolitan Com mission of Sewers, and repudiated having used his influence as tutor to the Duke of Cambridge to ob tain this appointment, assuring them that he relied alone on his qualifications to fill that office to obtain their suffrages. He was by profession a barrister. His special claim on them arose from his thorough knowledge of the sewerage and drainage of the metropolis. He thought it presumption on the part of any person not a son. civil engineer to put himself forward as the head of any particular party relative to the superiority of any one system of sewerage and drainage over the others. The Hon. SECRETARY said that by mistake the name of Mr. Arthur Rose had been omitted from the list. Mr. Fxw moved, and Mr. DREW seconded, the nomi nation of that gentleman. Mr. CHALMERS, the seconder of the Hon. J. Percy, M.P., urged his claims as a gentleman of ability, energy, and integrity. That gentleman was absent, not knowing the ♦arious candidates were expectel to be present to state their opinions to the board. Major LYON, in proposing Mr. Roebuck, said they wanted the best man they could find to fill the office of chairman, no matter who he was or where be came from—a gentleman possessed of integrity, honesty, last, and time to bring to the discharge of the important duties of that office. At the former meeting of the board it was considered by many that it would be a disgrace to the members of the board to go out of the board to find a chairman. He thought they had since seen that that was a mistake, and it would be an error, then, attempting to take a gentleman from themselves. It was, therefore, from no want of respect to them that he and others sug gested taking Mr. Percy, Mr. Roebuck, or Mr. Baring. The latter gentleman had declined the office. He thought it was objectionable, then, taking a member of Parliament for either of the metropolitan boroughs,or a gentleman con nected with the Government. He thought this first objection did not affect Mr. Roebuck, and with regard to the lat ter, he (Major Lyon) believed him to be less influenced by a Government than any other they could select. (hear.) It bad been said, " Take care in doing a kind ness to Mr. Roebuck you do not inflict a cruelty on him ;" but he was happy to say that that gentleman had in formed him he never felt better in his life than he did then. He believed Mr. Roebuck to be a gentleman of business habits, and capable of presiding over any public body. Mr. ROEBUCK said, that he bad not solicited this office, but had been asked to come forward, and had done so with rather bad feelings on his mind. Hitherto when he had had to appeal to the suffrages of the people, no man had been able to say that he bad had any other personal consideration in that appeal than an honest ambition to fill the office of a representative, and which should only distinguish every gentleman who aspired for such an honour. (Hear.) He bad served the country for 23 years without pay or reward, and he certainly had Mt a little hesitation at accepting that office from the pain it had given him of pay being attached to it, having hoped that his life would have been passed without the slightest possibility of any imputation being taade on him of being influenced by place. (Hear.) Still, how ever, he thought circumstances justified his making that appeal to them that day to fill the office of their chairman, because that board was a great experi ment at self-legislation. Hitherto the elective body had been confined to the legislation for the country, but here they had an executive one, and it had been always said by the enemies of the people that they were unable to govern themselves in an executive man ner. (Hear.) He believed there were many diffi culties presented themselves to them in doing so, and it seemed to him that a man who had given up the whole of his time to the business of Government was a man eminently qualified to take the lead £69 their chairman in propounding a scheme of sellgovernment in execu tive affairs. It might be said that he had not that ca pacity for business that their chairman ought to pos. sess, but it appeared to him that his education that of a lawyer and a legislator give him that qualification. Their duties would be to do certain things, but before that to weigh and understand evidence that would be brought before them, and the man who had been trained during the whole of his life to the investigation of evi dence was the man for that purpose. (Hear.) The hon. and learned gentleman then referred t• the many thorny investigations he had conducted to show his business habits, especially that relative to the corrupt compro mises made at elections (which he conducted without a division in the committee), and that of the committee on the army before Sebastopol, in the course of which the committee only divided twice. (Hear.) After alluding to some other matters, and that his health permitted his undertaking the duties of the office be said he would cheerfully devote his time to them if they elected him, but not at the expense of his seat as a representative of the people. It he were called on to give up one, he would resign all pretensions to fill their chair. (Cheers.) The various gentlemen who proposed and seconded the remaining gentlemen addressed the meeting in sup. port of their claims, after which these gentlemen ex pressed their views on the duties of the office, and the manner in which they should be carried out. Mr. TUWAITES remarked that, if elected, he would make arrangements to devote his whole time to the duties. Some difference of feeling existing whether the board 6110llid at once proceed to the election or adjourn to Wednesday, a resolution was proposed for the immediate election. The board divided, when the numbers were—For the resolution, 21 ; against it, 6. The Board then proceeded with the election, after various absurd propositions had been put to the meeting as to the best course to pursue to reduce the number of candidates to two. Ultimately the names were put singly. Each of the candidates whose name was put to the vote denied being connected with the Metropolitan Sewage Company. A show of hands was taken seven different times, and the following was the result : Ist show. 2d. 3d. 4th. sth. 6th. 7th. Final. Mr. John Thwaites 26 25 26 23 26 21 26 30 Mr. Deputy Harrison 17 15 16 16 16 16 13 Mr. J. Roebuck, M.P. 17 19 18 17 17 13 Mr. Thomas Turner 14 13 12 12 11 Mr. Richard Jebb 19 11 13 11 Mr. William Corrio 12 13 11 Mr. T. Hawes 9 8 Hon. J. Percy, M.P 4 Mr. G. F. Carden 0 Mr. Arthur Rose 0 The election of chairman therefore fell upon Mr. Thwaites. wanted 501. 2s. 3d., and by her order Worcester, one of Young's clerks, filled it up accordingly, and showed it to her, and she directed him to get it cashed by Grote. In filling up the cheque, Worcester wrote the word "fifty" with a small initial, and left sufficient space oa the left side for introducing any additional word, and he wrote the figures so as to leave space on the left side for any additional figure, and before presenting it Worcester put " three hundred and" before the word fifty, and " 3" _ _ _ _ _ _ . before the 5, so as to make it a cheque for 3501. 23. 3d. Grote paid as such. Young would not allow that pay ment, and sued for his balance. Here it was found that gross negligence was committed in suffering Worcester to have possession of the draft, and Young therefore lost the amount. And now we have arrived at the payment of cheques, and to the practice of writing the banker's name across it, and to consider its effects. The practice of crossing cheques appears to have originated at the clear inghouse, the clerks of the different bankers who did busi ness there having been accustomed to write across the cheques the names of their employers, so as to enable the clearing-house clerks to make up their accounts. Originally, therefore, the crossing had nothing to do with the restriction of negotiability, for at the time when this was done the cheques were in the course of payment or presentation for payment, and all their negotiability was at an end. Afterwards it became a common practice to cross cheques which were not in tended to go through the clearing-house at all with the name of a banker, or with the words "and Co." A custom was thus introduced that where a cheque is crossed bankers generally refuse to pay it to any one ex cept a banker, and if they do pay it to a person not a banker, they do pay it at their peril in the event of the party to whom the payment is made not being entitled to receive it. The object of this is to secure the payment not to any particular banker, but to a banker, in order that it may be easily traced for whose use the money was received. It was not intended thereby to at all restrict the circulation or negotiability of the cheque, but merely to compel the holder to present it through a quarter of known respectability and credit. The crossing is therefore a mere memorandum on the face of the cheque, and forms no part of the instrument itself, and in no way alters its effects. But it is altered where the name of a banker or the specific use for which it is intended to be appropriated is introduced, instead of the generic words " and Co. V' This was the case which created so much interest in 1852. The case was ai follows :—A certain Bellamy was trustee of a gentleman named Frank, who died a lunatic, and he had opened an account with Messrs. Coutts and Co. for the purposes of the trust. At the time a suit was pending in Chancery with reference to the trust, in which a Mr. Triston acted as the solicitor for Bellamy. The other parties to the suit were the next of kin of Mr. Frank, and a Mr. Geary acted as solicitor for them. In June, 1845, Mr. Geary brought to Mr. Triston a cheque upon Messrs. Coutte, written out by him for 2,5961. 175., to be signed by Bellamy. It was when delivered to Mr. Triston in the common form. Mr. Triston sent the cheque to Mr. Bellamy at Brighton, who re turned it signed, with the following addition of his own handwriting, namely, at the end of the body of the cheque the words, " General unpaid costs account ;" and crossed as follows :—" Bank of England, for account of Accoun tant-General." Mr. Triston then sent it to the other trustee, Mr. Foster, to be signed by him, and having received it back, delivered it to Geary. Upon the day on which Geary received the cheque he struck out the crossing made by Mr. Bellamy, by running a pen through it, leaving it, however, perfectly legible, and crossed the cheque a second time with the name of Messrs. Gosling and Co. his own bankers, and paid it into their bank to the credit of their own account. Upon the following day the clerk of Messrs. Gosling presented it for payment at Messrs. Coutts' and Co., who paid it, and charged it to the debit of Mr. Bellamy's account. The money was placed by Messrs. Gosling to the credit of Geary in his account with them. He never paid the money to the Accoun twit- General, and Bellamy was obliged to make it good. Bellamy brought an action against Coutts for the amount, and the question was whether the payment made by Coutts to Geary's banker was valid. Did, or did not, the first crossing to the Bank of England " for account of the Accountant-General" impos , e a duty on Coutts not to pay the cheque except to the Bank of England ? Could such a restriction be imposed at all ? The crossing of a cheque cannot operate as an indorsement to the banker whose name is used, because it is not written with any intent to transfer the property in the cheque to him, and it wants the essential part of the indorsement, the delivery of the instrument to the indorsee. The cross ing in the name of a banker is not, then, equivalent to a direction by the holder or drawer to the drawee not to pay to the bearer, but to a particular person only, for then the cheque would be altered in a manner which would take it out of the exception of the Stamp Act, which applies to cheques payable to bearer only. There fore the crossing of a cheque with the name of a hanker cannot have the effect of restricting its nego tiability to such banker alone. If it was so, the in strument would be no longer a cheque. It was then decided in that case that the payment by Coutts was good. Thee matters stood until lately, when a decision by Lord Campbell, in a case of a cheque of 481.175. 11d., revived the whole question. In this case it appears that a solicitor in St. James's-street intrusted one of their clerks to pay a number of cheques to their account with Dixon and Co., the whole of them being crossed with the name of that firm, though as regards the ch,que in question it is doubtful, whether the name of Dixon was at all in the cheque. The clerk retained one for 481. 17s. 11d., drawn on Masterman, and got it cashed by a tavern keeper, whose house he frequented. Out of the proceeds be deposited 151. 4s. ld. to his employer's ac count, and then absconded. The solicitor brought an action against the tavern keeper for the balance, because the cheque having been crossed with the name of Dixon and Co., the tavern keeper ought to have refused to cash it. The defence was that full value had been given, and that the tavern keeper had reason to believe the clerk to be a respectable man. Two points were at issue —first, whe ther the hotel keeper could cash the cheque through bis own banker whilst it had been crossed Dixon and Co. ; secondly, was the hotel keeper guilty of negligence in taking such a cheque ? As to the first, although some d-subt has been expressed as to the existence at all of the name of Dixon in the cheque, Lord Campbell ruled that crossing the cheque with the name of a banker did not, in point of law, affect the negotiability o f th e c h eque. In this respect Baron Parke's decision in 1812 was fully confirmed ; and it is still law that a cheque crossed with the name of a banker, or with the words "and C 0.," does not import a restriction of negotiability to any spe cific bank or account, but that the cheque shall be paid through a banker. The real ground of such crossing is this : cheques are in their essential character payable to bearer ; they are in many respects treated as bank notes, for which :of late years they have been largely substi tuted ; but like all other things they are liable to be mis laid, or lost, or stolen, and may get into the hands of persons who are not entitltd to receive payment of them. It is therefore a great protection to the real owner that there should exist the means of tracing and ascertaining for whose use the money paid on a cheque is received, and to whom the money actually goes. The payment through a banker secures this object. For instance, let us suppose the !customer of a banker to draw and to cross a cheque, intending to pay it to a person to whom he was indebted, and that afterwards, and before hand ing it over ito his creditor, he either lost it, or it was stolen from him ; if this cheque was presented otherwise than through a banker, then, according to the custom or usage, it would not be paid, but if presented by a banker it would. The mere circumstance of the necessity of placing the cheque in the hands of a banker would of itself oppose some impediments to a fraudulent holder in dealing with the cheque, and making it avail able, and the fact that it could at once be traced and ascertained for whose use the proceeds were received would give considerable aid in enabling the drawer to recover bank the money, in the event of a ,behep hisevidence presenting private si b kqe eeu e uei nnwn i riecntgtLedgonetimßagnsen individual,grueni darttt against wwn t ena rlsw e aicl dtt d shithehthe, h s ni t o mohtutth t petehi ertniphieaest d accet huyaoi presented um . racit event vemlonofueeanut custom, and nt t odnfosa l fd i nofdetohochrepni for la y t wai hdpenroeeeedurtkrfhl person lehron bearer eng a enb n ht cedoee, actuallyttoi huo f rfaeo r t ttn t h hhg gee l n p e a g y o m tia en ti t o , n an o d f timenoth cheque. This is the other point which has arisen out htha oi wasthe lastreq required of evfizt.h, ewhhoatteltethepeearminournseteoivfincg rch cheque at whicheqn e at all. Lord Campbell said that the mere want of caution would not be sufficient to disentitle a party where he had bona fide and for a valuable consideration become the holder of the cheque. This has long been held by the court. Gross negligence only would not be a sufficient answer where the party has given consideration for the bill. Gross negligence may be the evidence of mc d a f i des, but is not the same thing. The ' saying of Lord Campbell, " We have chan ged all that," re ferred to the old doctrine laid down by Lord Tenterden, that proper caution should be exercised in discounting a bill for a man whose name and residence was unknown, the new rule being that no caution need to be proved provided the transaction was bona fide. Where, then, is the great fault of the present system which Parlia ment is immediately called upon to legislate ? What law shall we have which, whilst preserving the negotia bility and circulation of a cheque, and its distinctive feature as payable to bearer, and therefore not subject to stamp duties, shall at the same time he free from the danger attending like documents ? We fear the possibility of attaining these two desiderata simul taneously. The law as it stands is distinctly under stood. The crossing only prescribes a certain method to secure caution in the ultimate payment of the cheque by causing it to be paid through bankers, who are generally persons of great respectability, and in capable of lending themselves to any concealment or suppression of the truth in order to promote or assist fraud. It has been proposed to obtain a law by which, whenever a cheque is crossed with the name of a banker, or the payment of which is appropriated to a specific purpose, the banker on whom the cheque is so drawn shall pay it only through the banker, or on ac count only of the object so designated. We need not a s a s y p t a h y a a t b in e t s o n cbheacraesre, wouldt he essential h e a laltogether g characterether altered but f it be thought so deeirable, the provision, doubtless, is very and mi g ht eas i ly b e reduced into a legisla tivesimp enactment.le And now as to the effect of payment. It is usual to cause the payee, o r h o ld er of the cheque, to write his name across the cheque, or to endorse it. The death of the drawer of the cheque is a countermand of the banker's authority to pay it ; but if the person to whom it is given receives it before the banker has notice of the death of the drawer it cannot be recalled. Cheques on bankers need not be protected. W e had occasion to notice that cheques cannot be received in payment of hills or notes. It was indeed the usage in Lon don, when the drawee was a respectable pers on i n trade, to give up the bill and receive his draft, and it was decided in two cases that the banker was not guilty of negligence by so doing, although such cheques be afterwards dishonoured. But a different rule prevails, and both the drawers and indorsers would be discharged RESIGNATION OF SIR J. SHRUM'. Sir J. SHELLEY, M.P., said the permanent chairman of the board having been now appointed, he felt it a duty incumbent upon him to resign his position as a member of the board. There was an incident connected with his election for the parish of St. J ames ' s, West minster, which made his election at least doubtful ; and after a consideration of the circumstances, and believing that it would be upon the whole better for the interests of the parish of St. James that be should withdraw from the board, he would now tender his resignation in writing. Mr. D'IFFANGRR doubted whether Sir John Shelley could resign legally before the Ist of January, as the board did not actually commence its functions until that day. Sir J. SHELLEY said, if that were so, he should con tent himself with now giving notice that on the first sit ting of the board in January he should place his resigna• tion in writing in the chairman's hands. Mr. THWAITES thanked the Board for the honour con ferred on him, promising them he would do his utmost to discharge the duties of the office. The meeting shortly after separated, arrangements having previously been made for the next meeting of the Board on the Ist of January. STATE OF TRADE. (Front the Manchester Guardian of Saturday.) MANCHESTER, Dec. 21.—As the week advanced the quietness reported in our Wednesday's publication has be come mere apparent. Spinners have found the home con sumers buying only to a moderate extent, the India mer chants disappointing their expectations, and the Germans keeping aloof on account of the frost. As to prices, we may remark generally that there is no alteration, beyond that trifling difference here and there which always accompa nies even a slight abatement of activity. The American season being closed, certain kinds of printing cloths, par ticularly 27-inch 66 reeds, are now dull and somewhat weak in price ; and this remark applies equally to mixed fabrics for the same quarter. For other quarters, how ever, 26-inch printers are in fair request at steady rates, as aro also 36 inch shirtings. The better qualities of domestics are inanimate, as indeed are most cloths just now that are more especially prepared for the home mar ket, very much because the buyers are preparing to take stock. LUC/ESTER, Dec. 21.—The advance in the wool mar ket, and especially the high prices required for skin combing, has rendered an advance of a halfpenny per lb. on worsted yarns quite imperative, and stocks being low in the spinners' bands, it must be acceded to in any new purchases made for the new year. WOOLLEN TRADE. (From, the Leeds Mercury of Saturday.) LEEDS, Dec. 21.--We have to report a considerable improvement in the woollen trade this week. There has been a good attendance of buyers. Some of the largest houses in London, SCotland, and Ireland, have had their representatives here during the last few days, and in some instances they have purchased freely. The present seasonable weather has also brought a good many small orders for heavy goods from the country drapers, which, together with the wholesale purchases, have given considerable activity to business in the ware houses. LElCEsTSll,—Considering the falling off of Govern ment orders and the near approach of Christmas, there is more doing than usual at this season, especially in the fancy hosiery branch, which the present weather coming before Christmas always improves. The advance in the wool market, and especially the high prices required for skis► coinbiug, have rendered an advance of a halfpenny per lb. on woreted yarns quite imperative, and stocks being low in the spinners' hands, it must be acceded to in any new purohase wade for the new year. MONEY ORDERS FOR THE ARMY IN THE CIUMEA. Gs}mid. POST ONTICE, Dec., 1855. The Postmaster General having authorised the officers of the British Army Poet-office stationed at Constantinople, Scutari Hospital, Head• Quarters of the British army (Crimea), and Balakava, to draw Money Orders on the several post-offices in the United Kingdom at which Money Orders are paid, postmaster. are instructed to pay all such orders whenever the neces sary ad►ice, made out in conformity with the standing regulations, and on the usual printed form, has reached their hands. This regulation is confined to the issue of Money Or ders, and, consequently, no Orders must be drawn upon, the offices above-mentioned. ROWLAND HILL, Secretary. Country fdarkets. MARKET—Dai. 21. OATS. 33s Od 30s 9d 26• Od nie•, 56. 0 474 31 454 420 qrs., 4(3 t•olc1 *l5 qrs., 843 soict 434 qrs., 421 sold 72 qrs., 67 sold HADDINGTON COIL : WHEAT. BAXLEY irirst 92x Od 4fis Od Second 778 6d 118 4d Third 6OB Od 31s Od Total quantity of wheat ia market, Pt Pt barley „ PO oats ,) PP PO beans AVERAGES PER IMPERIAL QUARTER. Wheat, 3/. 17 6 10-12ths Barley, ...21. 1 4 3-12ths Oat". li. 10 9 8 12ths I Beans, .....21. 7 8 0.12tb• DALKEITH GRAIN MARKET—Dn. 20. Qrs. Best. Current. Infez io , . 341 Wheat 82s Od 1251. Oats 32s 8d oos 011 1176 Barley 4ss Od oos Od 33• 6cl 35 Peas & beans 53s Oil oos 04 ABERDEEN—Dzo. 21. Potato oats 28s Od to 28s 6d 1 401bs per buehtl Common oats 26s Od to 27s Od Bere 3911 Od to 39s gd 1 531bs Barley 39s Od to 398 6d .. Wheat, red (spring)64s Od to 68s Od 1 6211 A , white 7Oll Od to 77s Od f Oatmeal 22s 3d to 23s 6,1 per boll. Flour tils Od to 63s Od per sack. PROVISION MARKET. Beef, per lb 6d to 9d Butter, p lb. Os 10d to ■ 11d Mutton, per lb 6d to 8d I Eggs, p doz. ls Od to le 61 Veal, per lb fid to 9d Hens, p pair 3s 6d to 4s Olt Pork, por at...5s 6d to 5a 9d Chickeno,do. 2s Od to 2r. 61 Salmon, per lb Os to Os Ducks, do., 2s 6d to 34 0.1 Grouse, per brace Os to Os Ducklings,do Os Od to 0e 0.1 Tallow, p stone, 6s6d to 6s 9d Turkeys, eachss dto 6i 01 Potatoes, pr peck, 6d to 7d Geese, do., 4s Od to 6, Od Butter for exportation (present cure) per cwt.Bos Od to 84s Eggs, wholesale price, per dozen 9d to 101 RETAIL PRICES. Flour —s Od to 3s 4d Barley flour, 141b.0s to 214 , 1 Oatmenl,l4lb Os Od-to 2s 4d „ dust, Os toOs 10dl Baronies' .... Os Od to 28 2d „ per lb 2d to 211 Peasemeal... Os Od to 28 10d Side, 4.1 b. loaf ...10d. 2-lb. 10af...5d. Cheese, per imperial stone, 3s to 3s. ed. DUBLIN---Dsc. 22. White wheat, 42s Od to 44s 6d; red. ditto, 386 to 43« Od; barley, 16s 041 to 23s 6d ; oats, 15s Od to 17s Od ; rapeseed t 408 Od to 44s Od per brl; oatmeal, 16 s Od to 1 8s Od ; bakers' flour, 25s 6d to 293 GI per awt; Indianeorn,4ssOd to 414 per 4801bs. BEABORNB MAILS. (N signifies that the malls are sent from the General Peet-elloS P*3 , the night—and M by the morning—despatch.) Day when made ill Ir ma w h a t what] COUNTRIXiii. in General Post- Port las fa Office, London.* Dispatched. crowd. .k.tmeric (by United(byllrit.packsT Every Friday .... Liverpool ... Dec. 31 mcricn packet) .. ..•••• . • N •••••• • • Liverpool .. • ,Dee. 24 +merlca (by U. States packet) ..........N —• • Southarapto , I I ee. Td Australia (via South ampton) ..........Mj ••••• ••• • • • • Southampton Oitto (via Marseilles) NI ••••• • - • •• • Dover .... Ditto (via Cape of Good Hope) ............ Nil .. N 11 3 ,1 of the month .. Plyromith .. Jan, $ tf ri extrri e ek s . t .. C .7 l .. t . ) , .. N lA. 9, 2 4. & 9 0 0 1 0, • Dover ..... k1ex , n d r i a ..........35 4th tic 20th of mon. gauthan t oon Bahamas ..... .... 31.17 th Of the month gonthaniptor Belgium ......... .. NI DetilY •••••• • • • • • • Dover .... .. Daily B raz il ~ .. ~ ~, ~ ~., 51 1 9th of the month.. g ; unn K nipton J an . it, Buenos Ayres ...... „„Jsi 9th of the month.. South amAton Jan. II Cape of Good Hope ..N - Vaelon3 port- Uneartaill Cape of Good Hope ••r I Care do Verdi ~.,N 9th of Ms month Southampton Jan. 11 Ceylon (see India) Ceylon ............ ••N Channel 151e5.... ...NlMon.,lVed.,&Frld. Southampton Ta.Th.sat f. 111111..,............. 4112 d fk 17th of mentt Southamptor China .... . [Once a month.... Jan. 4 Constantinople .... „, N '8,13,18,23,1t28 of n• Do,.ir .. . Constantinople ...... „, 4th At 20th of nr n. 83'Ith:mu • .0T. Cont. of Europe M 4 N i Twice daily :. - • Dover .... Twfcsditify Egypt (see India) Franco ........ M & NlTwiee daily Dover .... • Twirsedal Gibraltar .......... mit. 7, 17, 20. 27 •f m gotithatap' C.) Greece (see India) • • Greytown ..........m Ind & 17th 01 mon. South, enplen • liamburgh ...... ....NlTuesd a) . & Frid• , y Loudon ..... ri a , saaa n .. ~ ,„ „„„„ M 2nd of the mouth go ,Ineorprph i Jan, I. Holland .. •......... MIDAHY.• ••• • . • .... Wryer ....... i Daily r: v ' tionduras ..........31117t i t ithe month. Sontham?lonll6thefllloll India (viaSouthampt.)al i ith 20th of Men. Plym o uth .. Jam. 4 India (via Marseilles) i,3 ,9th& 25th of month Dover ......I lonian Nes (see India)l 7, 17, &27 of mot , Dover...." • Ireland ........21 & N )Tvf ice ditty ... rwieedaly L m i a sh d o ci n r . ; .... .... .... .... ......... hl 5t 9th 79' 17, fa 27 of TT,. Southampton J an . IA of the month Southampton Madeira ........ ~.. I ," 43d of month ~N 8, lA. &28 of mon. Dover ....... Jan. 4 Malta (see India) Malta ............ Mauritius (see India) Mauritius ~„. „ ‘,. „„ N 14th of the month i teitee _..........m,210 of the moot b.„lo4thampten gaa„ I Naples.. 7 .. ........N bthiAth2bthefinon.lDover ...... N ew G rana d a ...... hi 2 , 1& 17thof monthliouthampton New Zealand•• .• •• •• • .By private eip Papal states ........1 4 Athloth2sthofmon Dover ...... Peninsula ...... ~.. a t Ithi7th27thofroon Southampton • ' Peru.............. hi 2cl & 27th of mon.,B,Outhampton Port Natal ..........N By private 8111 p 1 1 4'm-ions ports Unllartaill Si c il y ~.......... ..iikth I sth2sthormon,lDover ...... Tuscany ...........,N sGllot l l2sthofmon. Dover ...... 1 Venezuela ..........7,6 216 17th ofmonth Southampton I h II row Van Diemen's Land (ser , Australia) ........ West I n di a , .... .... id — 2d tk 17th olmonth i Sonthamptan 1 Ss 1A raft 13otithianptan 1618 Mee When any of these dates fall on a Sunday, the malls will be Ce• 'patched on the following day, with the exception of the ladle (vie Southampton), and the Malta, both of which will be deepatchell tb preceding day. rADTERTIREMENT.I-SIONT AMP HEARING.—DIAMISS AID Dileiscrive Visma RELIEVED.— Messrs. S. and B. &lemons, opticians, 39, Albemarle-street, Piccadilly. Observe--op o. site the York Hotel. Deafness—New Diseavery.—The Organic Vibrator, an extraordinary powerful, small, newly invented instrument for deafness, entirely different from all others, to surpass anything of the kind that has been, or probably ever can be, produced. Being of the seine colour as the skin, is not perceptible ; it enables deaf persons to hear distinctly at church and at public assemblies ; the tin• pleasant sensation of singing noises in the ears is entirely re moved; and it affords all the assistance that possibly could be desired.—Newly-constructed Spectacle Lenses of the great est transparent power. The valuable advantage derives: from this invention is, that vision becoming impaired is preserved and strengthened, and very aged persons are enabled to employ tueir sight at the most minute occu pation-- can see with these lenses of a much less magnify ing power—and they do not require the frequent changes to the dangerous effects of farther powerful assistance. By her Majesty's Royal Letters Patent for valuable and extraordinary improvcirents in the most powerful and brilliant Telescopes, Camp, Racecourse, Opera, and Per. spective Glasses, to know the distances of objects viewed through them—of great importance to the army, navy, and others. These telescopes possess such extraordinary powers that some three and a-half inches, with an extra eye. piece, will show distinctly Jupiter's moons, Saturn's ring, and the double stars; with the same telescope can be seen a person's countenance three miles and a half distant, and an object from 16 to 20 miles. They are of larger and all sizes, with increasing powers accordingly ; while their very. ing from 4 to 6 inches enable us to discover more than ass above, and the Georgian "with his 6 satellites, Atc.—The Royal Exhibition, 1851.—Valuable, newly-invented, very small, powerful waistcoat-pocket glass,the size of a walnat, by which A person can be seen and known 1 miles distant ; they answer every purpose on the race-course, and at the opera houses, country scenery, and ships are clearly seen at 8 to 10 miles. They are invaluable for shooting, deer-stalking, yachting, to sportsmen, gentlemen, gamekeepers, and tourists. Opera, race-course, camp, and perspective glasses, with wonderful power.-39, Albemarle-street, Piesadilly. Observa....oppo s ii i , the Y.wk Hotel. BIRTHS. or• SON. On the 22d inet , at the Vicarage, Woking, the Wife of the Rev. Perceval Laurence. On the 21st inat., Mrs. Edward Moor, 8, Aye Maria• lane, city. OP ♦ DAUGHTER. On the 16th inst., at Maretimo, Black Rock, the Mar chienetia of Kildare. • _ _ On the 22d inst., at 4, Glocester-place, Portman -square, the lady of Charles Browning, Esq. MARRIED. On the 20th inst., at St. Mary's, B r y aa ston-square, Dram 11. Baillie, Esq., of Glocester-place. Portman square, to Emma, widow of the late Lieut.-Col. Baillie, of the Bom bay Army, and youngest daughter of the late Major-Gen. Sir William Douglas, K.C.11., of Timperdeon, Roxbu rg h. shire. On the 20th inst., at St. Giles's Church, Camberwell, Mr. Edmund James, of Brynmawr, Brecon, to Lacy M ar i a , socoud daughter of the late M. Oliver, Esq., of Fleet-street. DIED. On the 22d inst., at Hampstead, William Ruddick. E vi of the Paymaster - Generara-office, and principal clerk in the p a y-office at the Royal Dockyard, Chatham, aged 511. On the 22d inst., Henry, eldest son of Mr. Henry Bald win, of Albany House, Barnsbnry-park, and 101, Cheap side, aged 26. On the 21st inst., Philip H. S. Colson, surgeon, of Hask• ney-road. On the 19th inst., at Silver Villas, Isleworth, Richard Ki.ld, Esq., aged 73. On the 19th inst., at 17, Whitehead's•grove, Chelsea, Henry Robert Middleton, Esq., aged 55. On the 21st ult., at Cairo, the Rev. Edward Plaee Dewar, minister of Auchtergavin, Perthshire, and eldest son of the Very Rev. Principal Dewar, Marischal College, Aber deen. LONDON : Printed and Published by- MURDO YOUN (.I of No. 112, Strand, Printer, at The Sun (Aloe, N0.1 12 ._ &rand, in the Precinct of the Savoy, in the noun* of Middlesex, Monday. Dooonibo 24, 183. 1 Hai Th, In 1 of t trat wor ♦ice Par' ado: thei VW tim Bahl °nix clad pre/ Und yon , of es 11b01 nee! rellC tax, TIITT Gov OME " ti' Loa 111 13 in 1 111 ter 1 Ti the exp< sect] pall: Brea don, port of sl of 11 Lon per tit o vide 15e: gan the 150, diTi 15.1 join per of paic of 4 m Pai ( to t msi to 1 beJ