The Sun. — London, England, 1849-01-09 00:00:00

RAILWAY INTELLIGENCE. SOUTH DEVON. On Saturday the extraordinary general meeting of the proprietors of this company was held at Exeter, called by special requisition to the directors, to con sider and decide upon the question, as to whether the atmospheric system of traction should be finally abandoned, or be the subject of another trial. There was a very crowded attendance of proprie tors, special trains having been placed for the pumose of conveying them, both by the South D evon and Bristol and Exeter lines. At twelve o'clock, J. W. Woollcombe, Esq., chair man of the directors, entered with the following members of the board :—Lord Courtenay, Charles Russell, Esq., chairman of the Great Western Rail way ; Frederick Pratt Barlow, Esq., J. W. Buller, Esq., T. Gill, Esq. , M.Mr. Brunel, the engineer; P., Mr. Badham, secretary of the Bristol and Exeter Railway ; Mr. Clarke, manager at Bristol, &c. The CLIAIRMA,N, having read the requisition by which the meeting was convened, rose and said that, before they proceeded to the business of the meeting, be was anxious to say a few words. All that was necessary for him to remark would be to point out that every expedition had been used on the part of the directors to place before the shareholders their opinion on the great question they had that day to determine. The pamphlet by Mr. Gill, that had formed the sub• ject of the requisition, was considered at the earliest meeting of the board on the sth of December, when a committee, consisting of himself, Mr. Russell, and Mr. Buller, were appointed to investigate and report upon the subject. On the Ist of January that report was made after the first reference was made to the committee. Had the report been made at an earlier date, the committee would not have been able to do justice to the subject referred to ; for he need hardly say that a period of twenty-six or twenty-seven days was by no means too long for three gentlemen to come to a conclusion, who were living more than 200 miles apart, and who necessarily must have had to commu nicate not only with one another, but with their officers on the subject. Mr. CHILEOTT, the representative of a body of Bris tol shareholders, said he had come down to propose some means by which, if possible, the company might be put in a more healthy tone and substantial position, and thereby to restore confidence to the shareholders. The pamphlet from Mr. Gill had at last roused the shareholders from their apathy. This had produced the meeting at Bristol, at which he (Mr. C.), who had but one object in view, presided. To show the unanimity of feeling which existed in the minds of the proprietors, he had had put into his hands, in the shape of proxies, 12,338 old shares and half-shares, which were together equal to 16,051 old shares. The plan he proposed was to appoint a cotnmittee—(Long and vociferous applause)—not so much in opposition to the directors, as to assist them in gaining the confidence of the s hareholders, which they themselves seemed to think they had no power to obtain. The resolution to which the Bristol meet ing had come was, that a committee should be ap pointed to inquire into the statements contained in the recent pamphlet published by Mr. Gill; secondly, to ascertain what was the most suitable mode of working the South Devon Railway ; and, thirdly, to inquire into the financial and other affairs of the company, and to determine what measures were most expedient to be adopted, and to report to the share holderssat the general meeting in February next. He begged distinctly to state his views with respect to the atmospheric principle ; for many persons sup posed that he was its advocate, and that he wished the proprietors to risk more money in that under taking. This he distinctly denied ; for he would not spend one half-crown in any speculative undertaking connected with the atmospheric. On the other hand, if any one with security satisfactory to the company would carry out that principle at his own ri3k and with the consent of the engineer, he (Mr. Chilcott) affirmed that they would be shutting their eyes to all scientific improvement if they did not allow such a trial to be made. Mr. Chilcott concluded amid applause by proposing, " That a committee of share holders be appointed to inquire into the affairs of the company, in the terms of the requisition dated the 16th of December last, and to report thereon simul taneously with the next half-yearly meeting, with free access to all books, persons, and papers." Mr. WILLIAM Fox (formerly a director) seconded the resolutioa. Mr. HAWKER (formerly a director) coincided as to the necessity of a committee of inquiry. It would be unwise to abandon the atmospheric system all at once, without seeing if there were not some means of making the already outlaid capital productive. Mr. HurroN, of Bristol, expressed a hope that some steps would be taken by which the shareholders night be emabled to inspect the books of the company. Mr. FRT . , of Bristol, attended to oppose the con tinuance of the atmospheric principle of traction. The late meeting at Bristol did not, it must be un derstood, represent the sentiments of the whole of the proprietors resident there. He proposed an amend. ment to the effect that " the suspension of the atmo spheric system on the 9th of November was a prudent and necessary step, and that nothing had since oc curred to justify its resumption; that inasmuch as the directors stated that no offer had been mhde to perfect the system at the risk of other parties, measures should be taken to realise for the company the full value of the atmospheric property ; and finally, that the directors be requested to direct their immediate and earnest attention to the best means of reducing the charge for locomotive working to the greatest extent that circumstances may permit."—(Applause.) The anticipation of the abandonment of the atmo spheric had already raised the price of shares in the market considerably. The atmospheric, from the commencement, bad only been an experiment, and the time was now come when they might assert that it had failed. As regarded the comparative cost of the atmospheric and the locomotive, upwards of 300,0001. had already been spent on the atmospheric, and it would cost 250,0001. more to extend the sys tem to Plymouth—that was, supposing the present experiment to be successful. This would make the cost 550,0001. for the atmospheric. He calculated that 100,0001. would be sufficient for a locomotive establishment, which, added to the sum already ex pended, would make 400,0001., from which was to be deducted 50,0001. as the probable selling price of the atmospheric apparatus, which would leave 350,0001. as the total cost, including locomotives, so that they would save 200,0001. as compared with finishing the atmospheric. While he found that the cost per mile of working the locomotive was ls. 4d., that of the atmospheric was ls. 7d., and it was unne cessary to add anything more in favour of the pro position. Dr. TRIPE seconded the amendment. He con sidered the atmospheric to be a signal failure, and that it ought finally to be abondoned. Mr. SECOMBE contended, at great length, that the atmospheric system was a failure. Mr. FRANCE considered it would be unwise finally to abandon the atmospheric system without some en deavours being made to rerrler the apparatus they had expended so much money upon available. The CHAIRMAN said he held in his hand no fewer than nine projects for carrying on the atmospheric system, most of them, no doubt, very plausible, but the directors hal determined not to expend another shilling on experiments of any sort.—(Applause.) Mr. GILL, M.P., the late Chairman, then rose and said he would take that opportunity of referring to the reply of the directors to the pamphlet he had published, two or three of the sections of which he would notice. The Hon. Gentleman disclaimed all ideas of mercenary or self- interested motives in adopt ing his present line of policy, and proceeded to show, by elaborate calculation, that the figures in the direc tors' report were erroneous, that the cost of working the atmospheric was over-estimated, and also that the calculations of his own pamphlet were correct, seeing that he had since tested them by the Great Western accounts. He denied the accuracy of the directors' statement altogether. All sorts of odium had been attempted to be cast on him in the directors' report. Imputations of inaccuracy, grossly inaccurate and ex aggerated inferences—facts kept out of sight, erro ' neous assumptions, dangerous fallacies, delusive conclu sions. Whether he had been guilty of all these it was not for him to decide. Any information which he possessed with respect to the property of the shareholders he had always felt it his duty to give when he was asked, unless such information might be prejudicial to the interests of the company. He • had always acted on that principle. Since the publi cation of his pamphlet he b a d had numerous applica tions for information. lie did not mean to disguise that he had given information wherever it was desired consistently with his position. It had been said that he (Mr. Gill) had recommended them to continue to Mr. Samuda's valve, but it must be borne in mind that Mr. Samuda's altered valve was the b es t thin might be g that was before him. As Mr. Brunel, in his report, re . had said it was quite p ossible that the valve made perfect, that was his (Mr. Gill's) rea son for his recommendation, but he had cause to believe that Mr. Samuda's valve was not the best. He would not say it was not the worst, for he held in his hand no fewer than 25 projects, all of which he would put into the hands of the committee if they would have one. —(Cries of " We'll have one.") But there was one of those projects to which he wished to call special attention. The Honourable Gentleman then read a letter which he had received from the agent of Messes. Clarke and Varley, in which they stated that they were ready to lay down their system on the South Devon line for two miles, to expend 10,0001. themselves, to work the line for six months at their own cost, and if at the end of that time the experiment should be found to be unsuccessful, they would bear • the whole cost; but if it should be successful, they would agree to lay the whole line down at 9,0001. per mile a to Aeolic it at Is. per train per mile. He thogtt they 'rola-be insane if they were to refuse tom. The Hon. Gentleman, in con- _G ‘e. N. a - a r. l /04,1 S elusion, disclaimed anything like a hostile feeling, and sat down amid applause. The CHAIRMAN replied, and in the course of his address adduced other arguments to show that the calculations contained in the directors' report were correct, with this exception, that whereas they had calculated that the cost of the locomotive was ls. 4d. per train per mile, on examination it turned out that it was ls. 4d. and 1-10tb ; and that with respect to the charge between Newton and Ply mouth, they were in error so far, that instead of ls. 9d. per train per mile, it cost is. 9d. and 1-20th. He confessed he was astonished to hear a gentleman who had put forward a pamphlet to prove the extreme value of the atmospheric system now say that he did not care one sixpence about the atmospheric system. He (the Chairman) thought:that when they , investigated the proposal of Messrs. Clarke and Var ley they would find that it was not quite so favour able as had been represented. Taken at 5,0001. per mile, it would come to 250,0001., while a large por tion of the line would have to be made double, and it would be unwise policy for the company to throw its whole system of working into confusion to try an experiment, at the end of which they would have . 250,0001. staring them in the face. The atmos p heric system had been tried, and fairly tried ; and having failed, the sooner they abandoned it the better. Mr. W.A. WILKINSON, late Chairman of the Croy don Railway, entered into a lengthened defence of the atmospheric, and supported the motion for a com mittee, in the course of which he contended that the board was unfairly constituted, that there was a preponderance of Great Western influence, and that if the shareholders had not the power at present to alter the constitution of the board, he thought Parliamentary powers should be applied for for the purpose. Mr. CHARLES RUSSELL, Chairman of the Great Western, replied, and read a correspondence he had had with Mr. Gill, three years ago, in which it was shown that the Great Western directors were very much opposed to the atmospheric principle, that its adoption was carried against their wish, and that no steps whatever had ever been taken by the Great Western directors to obtain a decision adverse to that which was the opinion of the South Devon directors. Mr. J. W. BULLER, on the part of the directors of the Bristol and Exeter Railway, repudiated the im putation that undue influence had been used by the associated companies. After some observations from several shareholders, considerable confusion, and cries of " Vote," the amendment was put from the chair, and declared to be lost by a show of hands ; upon which Mr. Fuv,dernanded a poll, which was followed by great confusion, the supporters of the original reso lution contending that that should be put before the poll was taken. After considerable altercation, the original motion was put, and declared to be carried by a show of hands. Mr. FRY again demanded a poll, and again consi derable confusion was created by it being declared that the poll would be taken on the amendment. It was, however, ultimately arranged that the poll should be taken for the original motion and against the amendment. Scrutineers were then appointed, and at half-past five they proceeded to their labours, and at half-past eight returned, when The CHAIRMAN said the following is the report of the scrutineers : For the original motion — Present • • Proxies ••• .. 645 ... 1,630 -2,275 For the amendment — Present .. Proxies ••• ... 576 ... 5,324 -5,900 Majority for the amendment 3,625 Mr. CHILCOTT then proposed a vote of thanks to the Chairman, and complimented him on the urbanity with which he had conducted the business of the day in the difficult position in which he had been placed. Mr. SECOMBE seconded this motion. The CHAIRMAN, in returning thanks, complimented Mr. Chilcott on the manner in which he had con ducted the, important business that had been intrusted to him. It was alike creditable to himself, and to those whom he represented. Mr. FRY expressed a hope that the meetings of the company would in future be held in Exeter instead of at Plymouth. The CHAIRMAN said the subject should have the consideration of the board. The meeting then separated at half-past eight. THE RATING OF RAILWAY S.-011 Thursday, at the Northumberland Quarter Sessions, an appeal of the York, Newcastle, and Berwick Railway Com pany, against the rate of the Lesbury overseers, was heard by the magistrates. The overseers had rated the three miles of the line running through their township, on the mileage principle, taking into calcu lation the income of the entire line from York to Bet.- wick, a !distance of 320 miles. This, according to the weekly returns of the traffic of the line, at the average of 13,0001. per week, made the company rateable at 6661. 13s. 4d. per mile. Mr. Granger, who appeared for the company, submitted that the only way in which the company ought to be rated was on her per tentage principle, according to the actual value of that part of the line situated at the township of Lesbury ; and that instead of the calcu tion being formed from Berwick to York, it must only be based on the traffic returns from Berwick to New castle. After the case had been heard at great length, the bench confirmed the rate, stating that they were of opinion that the mileage principle, based upon the returns of the entire line, was the better course to adopt of the two, as applicable to railway cases. Another appeal by the same company was heard, in which they complained of the conviction of two magistrates, in respect of the repairs of a certain road in the township of Addison, which had been damaged and cut up by the company's carts, while forming the railway at that part of the line. Several technical objections were taken to the conviction by Mr. Otter, one of which being held fatal by the Bench, the con viction was quashed.—Gateshead Observer. CONWAY TUBULAR BRIDGE.—The deflexion which took place last week, at the testing of the second tube over the river Conway, by Captain Symonds, the; Government Inspector, was very slight, and the result highly satisfactory. Before any of the testing weights were drawn into the tunnel it was ascer tained that the deflexion then existing was 1 86 inches. The testing ballast, amounting to 235 tons, 14 cwt. and 2 qrs., caused an additional deflexion of 1-56 inches only, thereby showing that, with the whole of the above superimposed weight, the depar ture from a straight line was only to the extent of 3-42 inches. The load having been withdrawn, in less than ten minutes the whole structure regained its former deflexion. The variation in the tube, which has now been in use for so many months, does not, we believe, extend to the sixteenth part of an inch. The works of the North-Eastern Extension of the Leeds and Thirsk are progressing rapidly in the vicinity of Yarm. The Caledonian Railway Company have discon tinued one train each way from Carlisle, Edinburgh, and Glasgow. GREAT SOUTHERN AND WESTERN (IRELAND). — There was an inspection of the line from Tipperary to Buttevant this week, and it is understood that it is not intended to open this portion at present but delay until the line is completed to Mallow, which arrange ments have been made to finish early in March, and the line will be opened for traffic by the middle of that month. The company has entered into a con tract with the town coaches to and from the Mallow station to Cork, and to hare sufficient vehicles to carry any number of passengers travelling by train. Passengers will be booked in Cork to be forwarded to Dublin, and in Dublin for transit to Cork.—Cork Constitution. DUBLIN AND BELFAST JUNCTION.—It is said there is a prospect of the funds (250,0001.) required for the completion of this line being forthwith procured. DUBLIN AND DROGHEDA.—CONVEYANCE OF THE MAIL.—Mr. Wyndham Harding, the able secretary of the South-Western Railway, has been recently engaged on the part of the Dublin and Drogheda Railway Company, and Captain Williams on behalf of the Post-office authorities, in fixing the amount of remuneration for the conveyance of the mails on that line. Mr. Harding's award was 221. 9s. 9d. per day; that of Captain Williams, 91. 19s- 9d. There being this wide difference, the Recorder of Dublin, who had been selected as umpire, was appealed to, and his award was 101. 10s. per day. We learn from the Irish Railway Gazette that this is a considerable advance on the sum formerly paid, viz., in a ratio of 2,2321. to 1,6001.; and that the terms of the award are so favourable to the company, that they will now make a small profit instead of a loss.—Railway Record. Touas AND NANTES.—At the half-yearly meeting of the proprietors, just held in Paris, the accounts were passed, in spite of the opposition of M. Sebille, which prevented the discussion of either the present or future prospects of the enterprise. FOREIGN RAILWAYS.—The line from Mestre to Vicenza has b een re - o pened. Parts worksof m th a e yltabiboseunri ow ex pected ton be executed on th e P ar i s an d Lyons line, in the com mune of Vaize, have just been put up for adjudica tion, and tend ers made by then st ,i;uascstieveeiatat irl , synoinaas of what L of labourers, to whom the wor k s were adjudged. 'lts progress will for fr m om an France. Interest at th e rate of 4s system mr of being paid on the shares in th e O r l eans and Bordeaux. no s w co i t in the .ytt fi r e d l , d C is n R DOWGATE WARD. -- Yesterday, M r. Pil c h er, o f Morgan s-lane, Southwark, publicly announced his anon W-. re tirement. The onlycandidate of Carden, Esq., stockbroker, streat, who is expected to bo returned, without opposi. aim, Alderman of Dowgate ward on Thursday. THE SUN, LONDON, TUESDAY EVENING, JAN UARY 9, 1849 WHERE ARE THE POLICE ? "Sir,—They say we have a large and effective police force in London. Where are they? They are never to be found when wanted. To-day I walked behind a great sturdy filthy beast of a fellow from near Leicester-square, a considerable distance along Picca dilly, and could not see a single police•constable to point the man out to. He was a disgrace to humanity, and in a state next to perfect nakedness, and altogether the most disgusting object I ever saw in a civilized city. What are the police about, that they could permit such a naked wretch to traverse the streets of London at two o'clock in the day, to the disgust and horror of every female—numbers of whom I saw pass him, and whose feelings I will not attempt to describe. —I am, Sir, &c., A FRIEND TO DECENCY.—cIan. 3,1849, TO THE EDITOR OF THE SUN. felt much astonished in perusing this epistle in your paper. It is disgraceful in the extreme that one enjoying all the comforts of life should so far forget himself as to style a poor, miserable wretch, who is in the last stage of penury and want, and probably without a friend to succour and assist him, " a great sturdy filthy beast of a fellow." It is the delight of some persons to increase the misery of the wretched, let that wretchedness be never so abject and complete. I hope your worthy correspondent does not belong to this class.—Your obedient humble servant, JAMES GODDARD. 10, Wallbrook-street, New North. road, London, Jan. 8, 1849. MEMORANDA OF A MUSICIAN. BY GEORGE J. 0. ALLMANN. " Notes, notes, forsooth, and noting !" SIIAKSPERE• No. VI. HANDEL In 1747-8-9 produced several oratorios at the Opera house, but they were lamentably unsuccessful and but very ill•attended. One evening before the rising of the curtain for Theodora, when the paucity of the audience had dwindled down to the extremest verge, in fact, scarcely a dozen persons being assembled, some one ex pressed a regret to the Composer, that he saw so few there. " Never mint," replied Handel, as pleasantly as philosophically, "de moosic will sount to petter!" In deed he was rejoiced it any professors who were not engaged in the orchestra would accept of tickets of admission. When the stupendous, the immortal Messiah was pro duced, and created such a furore, two gentlemen who had offended Handel by not attending the performance of his previous oratorios, notwithstanding that he had sent them admission tickets, applied to bim for orders to hear it. " Ach!" retorted he, "your serfant, Meinherren! you teufelish tainty! you vould not co to Theodore, der vaas room enough to tance dare ven dat was perform!" He generously acceded to their request however. ROSSINI. It was a momentous day to Rossini when, on taking his accustomed seat in the Conservatorio to receive Mattel's matutinal instruction, that master of counter-point ad dressed his pupil, " Now that you can write in tour parts we will proceed to a higher branch of study." "Du you think I can write in four parts, Maestro?" inquired Rossini. " Yes!" replied Mattel unhesitatingly, little suspecting its result. " And that will be sufficient for an opera, will it not?" further questioned the boy, to which he received a similar answer. " Viva," exclaimed Ros sini with exultation, " Addio! I am gone!" And the voluble pupil of the renowned Mattei actually quitted the Conservatorio the same afternoon. lIAYDN. It was in his very small house, situate at one of the ends of the Vienna suburbs, and in the solitude and silence of his closet, that this celebrated German com poser laid down the plans, matured the ideas and even the minutest details of his works. Alone with his piano, scarcely receiving even a few intimate friends, from time to time he continually meditated and—laboured! Visits evidently seemed to vex him ; travelling was odious to him, and the slightest removal molested him, appearing, so to speak, to check his inspiration—in fact, seclusion was courted per se as the mode of assisting and develop ing the consummate genius with which Heaven had endowed him. A MUSICAL INSZCT. We are told by Plutarch that when Terpander was once performing upon the ICl9apx (hence our " cittern" gittern), or lyre, at the Olympic games, and had so ex cited his audience, that their delight had risen almost to absolute pain—the excess of joy becomes an agony— a string of his lyre snapped suddenly, but, miraculous to record, a grasshopper immediately hopped (only think!) on to the bridge and, by its voice, supplied the loss of the string, thereby saving the fame of the musician, because, if he had hesitated or stopped only an instant during his performance, the laws of the Olympia would have denied him any future opportunity of retrieving his failure, and deprived him of all the honours he had already won. A story so apocryphal, coming from so veracious an historian as Plutarch, exhibits a singular instance of the credulity of the age. But we are told by many of the ancient writers that the Athenians were wont to confine these insects in cages, and denominated them on account of their song, which they highly prized, the nightingales of the nymphs. The male only of the species, as in the instance of birds, possess the gift of singing it is for this reason, therefore, that Xenarchus used to ascribe their happiness to their having silent wives! MUSICAL EPITAPH. An Italian vocalist named Mire, having lost her lover, for whom she entertained a tender and most passionate affection, caused to be inscribed on his mausoleum, as a tribute of her grief, the following words in musical notation:— "La, Mi, Re, La, Mi, La," which my French readers will readily interpret. ZINGARELLI ON ROSSINI. The gran maestro upon one of his visits to the Con servatorio is related to have rather abruptly demanded of the veteran director his opinion of his music. " Signor!" replied Zingarelli, with the honest frankness that formed so remarkable a trait of his disposition, "your music may be pleasing at the theatre, but it will never do for our Schools ! and I have therefore considered it incumbent on me to forbid your scores being placed in the bands of my pupils." BEETHOVEN. When Steibelt had achieved his wonderful reputation —and perhaps no one ever had such immense fame as this great pianoforte player possessed for a little while —at Vienna, and upon his return from Paris became the idol—the Juggernaut—of the Viennoise musical circles, the partizans of Beethoven feared—yes! absolutely feared —that the name of that Mightiest Genius would "bend before the gale" of Steibelt's favour. The meet ing of these two celebres was an " epoch," and involved events of no ordinary nature. On his arrival Steibelt (fur what reason it is Impossible to account) did not pay a visit to his rival; and they unexpectedly met for the first time at a matinee musicale at the house of Count Fries, where Beethoven introduced and executed his, then new, trio for pianoforte, clarionet, and violoncello, Op. 11. It must be admitted that the work itself does not offer much scope for display of a performer's abilities, and, accordingly, Steibelt listened to it with an air of condescension, paid Beethoven a few idle and commonplace compliments in rather a patronizing manner, and considered his victory as already achieved without the shadow of a doubt. Seating himself at the pianoforte, he played a quintett composed by himself, extemporised on it, and certainly produced a vast effect by his tremolandi passages, which till that time had very rarely been heard. Poor Beethoven could not, in spite of every urgent effort, be induced to play again. A week afterwards they met at another concert at Count Fries's. Steibelt on that occasion performed first, and played his quintett with his accustomed success, and afterwards a grand fantasia, which he had but too evidently " got up" expressly for the occasion, inasmuch as its subject was the very motif upon which Beethoven's trio and variations were written (" Prid ch' impegno"). The air of assumption with which he performed its difficult passages provoked the admirers of Beethoven, and (shall I confess it?) gave birth to a feeling of envy in the gentle heart of the profoundly loved master him self. Partly by entreaties, partly vi et armis, the latter was compelled to sit down to the pianoforte. He was dragged thither and sat down in his usual, I may say, awkward manner, though it might be said he was pushed down on the seat. As he passed one of the music desks he took up the violoncello score of Steibelt's quintett, laid it (intentionally, was it?) upside down on the desk, and with his forefinger picked out the tema of the first few bars. Getting gradually excited and al most, as it were, enraged as he proceeded, our glorious Beethoven played so wonderfully, and with such mi raculous inspiration, that Steibelt took a hurried leave before be had finished, and vowed he would never meet him again—and never did! It was always a sine guil non with him, that if any one wished for his society their invitation should not include Beethoven. But did he—the noble-minded—exult over his " prostrate foe" who had dared to overstep his sphere? .N:e sutor ultra crepidam! No! It was not in his nature. Too forgiving—oh ! all too unselfish—too unassuming and true-hearted was our great, dear, illustrious, our pas sionately lamented Beethoven! GABRIELLI. This famous cantatrice was very self-willed and fan tastical, and like a froward child who is " petted" too much, would only sing when she pleased. Having re fused one dty to sing before the King of Sardinia and his Court, his Majesty commissioned one of his officers to threaten her with imprisonment in case of her still being recusant. Gabrielli burst into tears, yev, inter rupted by her sobs, posessed spirit enough to reply, "Go and tell the King that he may make me cry, but he cannot make me sing! lam ready to go to—to — prison!" GOETHE AND CATALINI. Almost entirely void of education and, s trange to re late, even in her own art, Catalani compensated for its want by the display of perhaps one of the most lovely voices with which Nature ever gifted any one. Her want of literary attainments, and her consequent ignorance of all that occurred in the ripubligne des belles lettres, allied to her vivacity in conversation and well-known proneness to join in, at once produced a scene which I think I may venture to call serio-comic. When invited to the Court of Weimar, she was, at a dinner party, placed by the side of GOethe as a mark of honour paid on the part of her royal entertainer. Catalini knew nothing of the great Poet-Philosopher, nor had, it is more than pro bable, ever heard his name; but, as she could not fail to be struck by his noble countenance and majestic appear ance. independently:of the respectful attention which was paid to him, she inquired of the gentleman who sat at her other side who he was. " The famous GOethe, Madame," Was the reply. " rray, sir, on what instrument does be perform?" she next asked. "Heis no musician, Ma dame, he is the author of ' Werter'!!" " Oh! yes I re member now," returned Catalani, bowing her thanks, at the same time turning to thelvenerable poet and address ing him, " Oh, Monsieur! what an admirer I am of Werter'!" A low bow expressed the acknowledgment of so flattering a compliment. "I never," continued Catalani quite innocently, "I never read anything half so laughable in all my life! What an admirable farce it is, Monsieur!" '• Madame!" exclaimed the thunderstruck poet, looking aghast, " the Sorrows of Werter' a farce?" "Oh, yes! ha! ha! ha! never was anything so ex quisitely ridiculous," added Catalani, laughing immo derately as she enjoyed the mere remembrance. It sub sequently appeared that she had been conversing the whole time about Werter, which had been performed at one of the minor theatres of Paris, and in which all the ultra-sentimentality (so opposite to French naional character) of Goethe's work, had been unmercifully turned into ridicule. But her illustrious neighbour did not get over his mortification and chagrin the whole evening, and the fair singer's reputation at the Court of Weimar was terribly impaired by this unfortunate dis play of her ignorance of the " Sorrows of Werter!" A MUSICIAN'S DIARY. In JANUAR I love thee* well! Nor yet in FEBRUARY less: In MARCH the selfsame tale I tell; As much in APRIL I confess. In MAY an equal flame I feel; So too in flowery-bosomed JUNE! In hot JULY thy slave I kneel Nor AUGUST stops the pleasant tune! SEPTEMBER comes, it yet exists, OCTOBER--- ' tis unlessened still It blooms amid NOVEMBER'S mists And blossoms in DECEMBER'S Chill! G. J. 0. A. * If I am compelled to admit that " thee" refers to a lady, let me also hasten to affirm, pour ravantage des dames, that it is EuTERPE, the Priestess, or rather the Patroness Saint of Music, who is alluded to. FRANCE. In the 12th bureau of the National Assembly a discussion of a warm kind took place on Saturday, relative to the right of the Assembly to pass the organic law on public instruction. M. Danjoy com bated the right of the Assembly to do so, on the ground of its mission being at an end with the pass ing of the Constitution. M. Achille Fould went still farther. He said that he was well acquainted with the sentiments of the majority of the electors of Paris, and that they were decidedly averse to the continuance of the Assembly, whose indefinite pro longation they considered as an obstacle to the re establishment of confidence. He said he was so con vinced of the truth of what he stated, that he would not take any part in an act which would prolong the period of the existence of the Assembly. NORTH AMERICAN MAILS.—The steam-ship Nia gara, Captain Ryrie, which would leave Boston on the 27th, and Halifax on the 29th ult., with the usual mails, &c., is now on her twelfth day, consequently she may he hourly looked for to arrive in the Mersey. With this vessel the weekly communication from the American side terminates for the season. The steamers will, how ever, during the present and ensuing three months, b e dispatched twice a month alternately from New York and Boston, calling at Halifax.—Liverpool Albion of this day. CHOLERA.—We regret to say that a case of sup posed Asiatic cholera has occured at Craigton, on the Ross-shire side of Kessock Ferry. The victim was a fisherman named Macgregor, who died this morning (Wednesday), after an illness of about thirty-six hours. Medical aid was called in on Tuesday afternoon, but not until the sufferer was far beyond the aid of medicine. Another case is believed to have occurred at the same place, but no medical advice was called in. For some time past a sanitary committee of the Town Council has been at work, making every exertion to im prove the condition of the houses in the poorer quarters of the town, and money was placed at their disposal by the Town Council to assist the work of cleanliness. By this means, we trust, many of the predisposing causes have been removed. Yesterday, at one o'clock, the medical practitioners met in the Town-hall, at the request of Provost Simpson, and Bailie Dallas, chairman of the Parochial Board, when a set of precautions and simple instructions, in case of attack, were drawn up, for publication, and will be circulated to• day. It was the opinion of the medical men that clean liness of house and person, temperance, and good diet, were the best preventatives, and that the very earliest symptoms of derangement of bowels should be carefully attended to.—We learn that a fatal case of cholera has also occurred at Ardrishaig, on the line of the Crinan Canal.—lnverness Courier of Thursday. An entire stoppage has been put to the further pro• gress of the railway bridge over the Tweed, at Berwick, in consequence of the men in a body having refused to work any longer for the contractors without wages. On Saturday night the arrears amounted to nineteen weeks. THE WEATHER.—Hard frost has prevailed during the week, and since Friday the lochs and ponds in this neighbourhood have been crusted with ice sufficiently strong to bear crowds of visitors. The frost has been intense, and a crust of frozen dew gives to the scenery the appearance of being covered with a thin coating of snow. Rural work, as a natural consequence, has been suspended; but the previous openness of the season has permitted the farmers to make so much progress that the interruption is of less consequence. Not only was the sowing of winter wheat well got through, but consider able preparation was made fur the spring seed time; and the benefit of a good hard frost at this season is always evident in the succeeding months. During the last week the nights have been peculiarly beauttful.—lnverness Courier of Thursday. THE WEATHER.—The wind continued to blow, though gently, from the south-east up to Friday even ing. On Monday a keen frost set in, and the cold in creased in intensity during the succeeding two nights . till the ice on the ponds in this vicinity was in that firm state which rejoices the hearts of skaters. On Thurs day evening some snow fell, and continued to descend, though not thickly, throughout the night. On Friday Might the wind veered to the south, at which point it has continued ever since, causing a slight elevation of the temperature above the freezing point and a gradual thaw. Should the wind , however, change to the east ward, we may expect a return of frost, but as the baro meter last night was falling, it is probable that we shall have an interval of damp or rainy weather. Over the h ea vy falls of snow. In the neighbourhood of country, between here and London, there have been very Preston, on Wednesday and Thursday last, the frost was so intense that the Ribble was frozen over, a circum stance scarcely ever before remembered. The ice was so strong that hundreds of skaters recreated themselves on its surface. —Liverpool Slavery has been abolished at Cayenne. The blacks assembled in thousands and thanked God and the governor for liberty. Firing of property to an alarming extent has taken place in the model province of Ulster. There can be no question that it is the work of incendiaries. Landed proprietors and extensive farmers have suffered severe losses, and great alarm prevails. The origin is enve loped in deep mystery. We are not aware of any viola tions of tenant right have occurred to such an extent as to be set down as the probable cause. Some evictions have taken place; but even these would not palliate the occurrence of the outrages. Until the cause is known, it would be idle to speculate or comment. In the mean time the Government have proclaimed two districts in the disturbed locality.—Cork Examiner. EXTRAORDINARY CASE.—On Tuesday, at the Dorsetshire sessions, Mr. Sheridan, M.P., called the at tention of the Court to a most unfortunate circumstance that had recently occurred at the Halstock Private Lunatic Asylum—a circumstance which he men tioned as one of the visitors of that asylum, and on which the metropolitan commissioners had made a special report. Mr. Sheridan then proceeded to read from the report of the commissioners, Dr. , the details of the circum sPtraincolcoarad and lloded Mr. Proctor, o. Am to rs r . was two years since admitted into this asylum as a patient, her husband being abroad. In the course of the winter she managed to escape from the asylum, but she was brought back by by a female servant before she had been away an hour. No suspicion of any impropriety had been entertained, nor was any person observed near her, yet the un fortunate lady proved pregnant, and was delivered in the asylum of a child, of whose parentage not the most distant idea could be formed. Mr. Sheridan, after read ing the report, said the justices had the power, if they thought fit, of recommending to the Lord Chancellor that the license should be revoked, but seeing how well the house had been conducted, and how much it had been improved of late, he certainly would not advise that such a step should be taken. After some conversation, the clerk of the peace was directed to make a special minute of the matter.—Sherborne Journal. TRAWL FISHING.—The Buckhaven fishermen, who are w e ll k nown f or their industrious and ad venturous habits, have latterly fitted out seventeen of their bo a t s w i t h t r awl nets, and it is grati fying to learn they have been fortunate to discover a large shoal of plaice, a little eastward of Pitten weem. These fish weigh from 6to 8 pounds each, and have been sold as low as 3d. Since the discovery was made, fish amounting in value to several thousand pounds sterling have been drawn from a narrow stripe of ground, thus verifying the conjecture of Mr. Dempster, as to the advantages of the trawl net.— Ross-shire Advertiser. MELANCHOLY DEATH Or MR. STEVENSON, THE PORTRAIT PAINTER. --Yesterday morning Mr. Bedford resumed an inquest, which had been twice adjourned, at St. George's Hospital, on the body of Mr. William Ste venson, aged 37, the well-known portrait-painter. The deceased gentleman, it appeared, on the morning of Saturday week, left his residence, in Brecknock-crescent, Camden-town, to pay a professional visit to the Earl of Cardigan, at Hounslow. He reached Piccadilly after the Windsor stage, by which he intended to go, had started, and had to run some distance before he overtook it. He then mounted to the top of the coach, but had no sooner taken his seat behind the driver than he fell backwards and died instantly. His body was taken to the hospital. Mr. Henry Potter, house-surgeon, who made a post mortem examination, found the viscera healthy, but the heart was unusually small, thin at the walls, and what is termed "flabby." Considering that the deceased had run very fast to overtake the coach, and the weak state of the heart, the surgeon thought the deceased had fainted, and died from exhaustion. This evidence was not considered sufficient to warrant the conclusion that deceased had died a natural death, and, in order to re move all doubt, the contents of the stomach were ana lysed. Nothing of a deleterious nature was, however, found, and the jury returned a verdict of " Natural death." The deceased has left a widow and several children, POLICE INTELLIGENCE. MANS/0 JOSE. William Wemevir was charged with having been con cerned in an extensive robbery committed on the pre mises of Mr. Wood, carpet warehouseman. Mr. Hobler appeared for the prosecution. Bradley (269, City policeman) stated, that, in conse quence of information which ',he had received, he took the prisoner into custody, and showing him an invoice of the sale of some carpets, asked him whether he knew anything about it? The prisoner, upon looking at the invoice, in which his name appeared as the seller, said it was a forgery. Afterwards he said he recollected something about carpeting sometime ago, when he took a piece of carpeting to a person in the Borough, and that he had had it of a man named Hoare. Thomas Cobley (K 65) was present when the prisoner was taken into custody, and asked him whether he had •ver received any money from a Mr. Wall, or had com missioned Mr, Wall to sell any carpeting for him? The prisoner replied in the negative to both questions. George Wall, commercial traveller and commission agent, stated that he had sold some carpeting for the prisoner, and the paper produced was a copy of the in• voice he had given to the prisoner on the occasion. The amount paid to the prisoner upon the sale of the article was 151. 16s. 10d., deducting the commission. Mr. 11. Wood, the prosecutor, stated that a "piece of carpeting answering the description, both in pattern and quantity, had been stolen from his warehouse. The prisoner said he had met a man named Hoare, who asked him to carry the carpeting in his cart to a party, and he had done so without eNer suspecting that it had boon improperly obtained. Henry Albert, a man who had been emyloyed by the prosecutor, was also charged with robbing the premises. Both prisoners were remanded. GUILDHALL. Yesterday Dr. Henty John M'Dougell, physician, appeared before Alderman Farebrother, to ask his advice under the following circumstances : Mr. M'Dougell said that his application was one not only involving the safety of the public against ignorance or wilful negligence, but also to protect the profession to which he belonged from errors which if they termi mated fatally would materially damiigs their reputation. The facts were these:—A short time since a patient was sent up from the country and placed under his care, when, instead of giving him opium, which the person had been accustomed to take, he ordered him a sedative of henbane and camphor water. He afterwards consi dered it proper to administer a double doss, and accord ingly wrote a prescription, which was taken to a chemist and druggist, where one of the assistants made the mixture up, and gave it to the messenger, having only written the word "mixture," without saying how it was to be taken according to what was directed in the prescription. Fortunately on calling on his patient the next day that person informed him that he had not touched the medicine, as there were no directions on the bottle, and wished him to look at it. He did so, and at once discovered that in ad dition to the henbane ordered, the assistant had mixed up a portion of paregoric, containing several grains of opium, and an ounce and a half of spirits, instead of camphoretted water, so that, had the dose been taken, he should have found his patient dead, to the great detriment of his professional character. On discovering what had occurred, he proceeded to the chemist's shop, and saw the two assistants, and on inquiring what the bottle contained, one of them replied about three parts paregoric. He then requested the party to read the pre scription which he sent; and, having done so correctly, inquired why his directions had not been complied with, when both parties treated the affair with great levity, and said that it was " only a mistake." Under these circumstances, he wished to know what course he ought to pursue to make the parties amenable to the law for such conduct, which was now of such frequent occurrence, and which, in several instances in this country, had ter minated fatally through similar negligence. Alderma❑ FAREBRuTHER asked if the prescription was legibly written? Mr. M'Dougell replied that it was, and any one could easily read it. Alderman FAREBROTFIER wished to know if applicant had been to Apothecaries' Hall on the subject? Mr. M'Dougell said that it would be useless, as the chemists and druggists had taken the place of the old apothe caries, and were not subject to any examination as to qualification. Alderman FAREBROTIIER asked what specific complaint he had to make? Mr. M'Dougell replied, that his com plaint was, first, the making up of a poisonous ingredient; second, that he sent too much ; and thirdly, that no di rection was written as to how or when it ;was to be taken. . Alderman FAREBROTIIER said that the last fault was most fortunate one for his patient, as most likely if he had taken it at night, as written in the prescription, he might have been found dead the next morning. Mr. MlDougell had little doubt about it, and then the blame would fall upon him for ordering a double dose, as from paregoric the cause of death would not be so speedily observed as from other poisons. Alderman FAREBROTLIER granted a summons against the chemist for having, through gross ignorance or criminal negligence, allowed such a poisonous com pound to be made up instead of the proper prescription sent to him. Thomas Baylis, a warehouseman in the service of Mr. Richard Parker, in the Old Bailey, carman, was placed at the bar under the following circumstances : Mr. Parker said that for some time past he had lost a large amount of property, but could not guess who was the guilty party, as he never for a moment sus- petted the prisoner, who had been in his employ be tween eight and nine years. At last his suspicions were aroused, and on Saturday last he obtained a search warrant at this office, and the officer, on going to the prisoner's house, found three sacks and some canvas made into carman's jackets. When taken into cus tody the prisoner confessed that two of the sacks were his property, and also the canvas. Alderman FAREBROTHER asked how he was em ployed so as to get at the canvas, &c. ? Mr. Parker replied that having been so long in their service he was entrusted with money to purchase canvas for the purpose of mendieg the tarpaulins of the carts, and which canvas was left in his care to be given out as wanted. Alderman FAREBROTHER—Had any one else accsss to the premises where the canvas was kept? Mr. Parker —Yes, they had. Thomas Barnes, 448, stated, that be searched the pri soner's house, and found the sacks between the laths of the bedstead and the bed, as well as the sum of 251. Ile returned to Mr. Parker's, and the prisoner was called into the counting-house, when he at once said that two of the sacks belonged to his employer, as he had taken them home over his shoulders on rainy nights, and in tended to return them. With respect to the two jackets, he admitted that he had done wrong in taking the can vas for his own use. Alderman FAREBROTHER asked if he had made in quiries respecting the prisoner's character? The officer said he had. In the neighbourhood he was looked up to with respect, as being a sober, honest, and industrious man, never spending his evenings in public-houses, but going to his home after work, and taking a pride its keeping his wife and children respectable. Alerman FAREBROTHER said he should like to know what the prisoner received per week? Mr. Parker re plied that at first he received 215., then 245., and at the present time 265. The prisoner denied having stolen the sacks ; al thouph he had done ' wrong in taking the canvas for his jacket. Alderman FAREBROTHER then asked Mr. Parker what he wished to be done with the prisoner. Mr. Parker said he wanted a remand, as ho thought the prisoner had been robbing him for some time. Alderman FAREBROTHER asked Mr. Parker if he thought a jury would convict the prisoner when, in the first instance, the only evidence against him was his own confession to having triflingly transgressed in making use of the sacks on a wet night, with the inten tion of returning them, which sacks and canvas he (Mr. Parker) could not identify; and whether it appeared likely that a man bearing the character which the po liceman had described would place himself and family in misery for the sake of 6s. or 75., at the same time having plenty of money in the house. He did not in tend to justify the conduct of the prisoner in taking even a piece of canvas for a jacket; on the contrary, it was extremely reprehensible, however small the quantity; still he did not think a jury would come to the conclu sion that there was a felonious intent, more particularly with respect to the sacks. Mr. Parker said he thought the Alderman appeared to favour the prisoner. When last at this court, against his will he was compelled to prosecute a thief who stole his handkerchief, only worth 61, and was transported for seven years. Alderman FAREBROTHER said he was not screening the prisoner in the least. He was only putting it to Mr. Parker, that if he were a juryman would he, upon such evidence, convict the prisoner of a felonious intent? Besides the cases alluded to were different. In the stealing of the pocket-handkerchief the individual might have committed fifty robberies of large magnitude, and there not be sufficient evidence to convict him; but sometimes the most trifling things sent notorious cha racters out of the country. With respect to the pri soner his was a different case, and, as Mr. Parker wanted a remand he should adjourn the case for a week, but certainly take bail, the prisoner in 40/. and one surety in 201. BENEVOLENCE.—Mr. Alderman MUSGROVE presented a donation of 5/. from the Clothworkers' Company. at the same time making an inquiry as to how the funds of the poor-box stood. The Chief Clerk said they were not in a very flourish ing condition, and the applicants for relief were most numerous. Alderman MUSGROVE said he was sorry to hear that such was the case, as had ho been aware of it he would have prevailed on the company to double their sub scription. The amount was requested to be acknowledged through the press. BOW-STREET. A person of Jewish appearance, whose name did not transpire, was placed at the bar before Mr. Henry, charged with stealing a case of jewels of the value of 701., the property of Mr. Wilson, of Bridge• court, West minster. The prosecutor stated that on Tuesday ISet the jewels in roes:lion, with other property, were in a box ontoitie of the shop, and while he turned his back for two or three minutes to go inside, the property was taken away. From information which he had received from the police he called at the shop of Mr. Attenborough, pawnbroker, Crown street, Finsbury, where he identified six rings, a brooch, and pin, value 31., as a part of the property. The case was very heavy, and would require two men to remove it. Inspector Looly said that the prisoner had acknow ledged that he had pawned the articles with Mr. Atten borough. Thomas Hughes, 52 H, said that he had apprehended the prisoner about.si2g o'clock last night at Spit?,Welds. He told that he wanted him about some - and the prisoner at once said, " Oh, I had the ar ticles and have pledged them." Upon being asked from whom he had obtained them, the prisoner said he had them of "Flash Harry." When he was asked what he had done with the ticket, he at first replied that he had torn it up, and afterwards that he had mislaid it. The prisoner also said, " This is an unfortunate business. I knew they were stolen, but, like other dealers, I wanted to make a few shillings." He said he gave 41. for them ; but as he wanted money he immediately pawned them for 31. Upon searching the prisoner's house, a quantity of slippers were found there, and up wards of 51. in money. The prisoner was a general dealer in Petticoat-lane. The prisoner said that he had bought the jewels in the public market in Petticoat•lane, for 41. 15#., and he could get plenty of people to come forward to prove that fact ; he was well known-to Mr. Attenborough and other pawnbrokers, and several respectable house keepers, who would come forward and give him a char acter. The slippers which had been found in his house belonged to his mother-in-law. Inspector Looly said that the prisoner was brought to the station at about h:ilf past iieven o'clock last night, and upon being informed of the nature of the charge, he repeated the statement which he made to the constable. The prisoner hoped the magistrate would remand the case for a day or two, that he might bring witnesses to his character. Mr. HENRY said he intended to do sr, and be would het efore remand the case till Saturday next. MARYLEBONE: RUFFIANLY OUTRAGES ON THE POLICE —Yesterday a ruffianly-looking fellow, named Henry Dodd, who has before been in custody, was placed at the bar, charged under the following circumstances:— _ _ Callahan, 134 li, deposed that on the previous night, at a quarter to twelve, he heard loud cries of " Murder," and " Police," which proceeded from the Burns Arms, Lisson-grove ; he repaired thither, and on entering the tap-room he found the prisoner and his brother engaged in a desperate fight, which the landlord was very pro perly endeavouring to quell; with the assistance of Ser geant Nifton he took into custody the prisoner, who kicked him in a most desperate manner upon the legs, and inflicted upon him wounds which bled to a consider able extent; he also called to some of his companions to bring a poker, but his attt mpts to do further mischief in the house were fortunately thwarted, and he was even tually locked up. Other evidence was gone into, upon which it ap peared that the prisoner assaulted the sergeant, and threatened to do more injury to Callahan upon the first opportunity that might offer. Mr. BROUGHTON considered that the case was one in which the infliction of a fine would not be commensurate with the offence, and sent the prisoner for a month to the House of Correction. John Mullins and James Connell were charged with having attempted to pick pockets in the Edgeware-road. ;:On Saturday night the prisoners were seen to try the pockets of numerous ladies, but did not succeed in ab stracting any property; they were ultimately given into the custody of 268 I) by a person who had watched their movements for some time, and in consequence of whose information the prisoners were captured. It was proved by Thornton, 109 I), that the prisoners had frequently been charged, and that they were' the constant associates of convicted thieves. They were both sent to the House of Correction for three months. CLERKENWELL. Yesterday W i lliam Waltham, a private belonging to the Ist battalion of Grenadier Guards, appeared before Mr. Cornbe, pursuant to his bail, charged with having violently assaulted John Haynes, police constable No. 430 G, by which his life was placed in danger. Mr. Sidney, the solicitor, attended for the defence. The complainant, who was in a very weak!) , state, was allowed a seat while he gave his evidence. He said that on Tuesday, the 26th of December, about eight o'clock in the evening, he was on duty in Chiswell-street, St. Luke's, near the King's Arms public house, when there was a fight before the bar, and several persons were turned out. At length the prisoner and another soldier were turned out. Witness went up to the prisoner, when the latter said, "If I cannot fight them. I will fight you." Witness said, " No, you will not, comrade; take my advice, and keep out of trouble." On that he up with his foot and gave him a dreadful kick in the abdomen, and he (witness) fell insensible on the ground, and he recollected nothing more until he found himself in a doctor's shop, Witness was in his uniform, and also the prisoner. He was taken to St. Bartholomew's Hospital, and be had ever since been under medical treatment, and was now unequal to his duty. In answer to questions, witness said when the prisoner kicked him he was not more than a yard from him. Had made no attempt to seize the prisoner, nor had he any intenton to take or touch him. His companion, the other soldier, held him by the arms, to prevent his violence. Prisoner was quite drunk at the time. George Webber, of Playhouse-yard, Whitecross street, St. Luke's, corroborated this evidence, and added, that when Haynes was kicked he fell down insensible, as if he had been shot with a gun. The prisoner kicked Haynes several times afterwards whilst he was on the ground, and he kicked at everybody indiscriminately, and they ran out of his way to avoid his violence. Alexander, 236 G, gave confirmatory evidence. He was obliged to strike, the prisoner several times with his staff, to prevent him kicking him and others. Another policeman gave similar evidence. Mr. Mather, surgeon, of No. 63, Bunhill row, at tended Haynes, who, he said, had received external and internal injuries of a serious nature, and he voided blood. Such injuries were, no doubt, caused by a kick. Mr. Comm asked the prisoner what he had to say to the charge?-1 - le reserved his defence, and he was fully committed for trial. SO If T 11W ARK. Henry Joseph Kelloby was brought up for re-exami nation, charged with sending anonymous letters contain ing threats agqinit the lite of Miss Ward, the governess of a ladies' school at Camberwell. On this occasion Serjeaut Kendall, of the detective police, produced several anonymous letters addressed to Miss Ward, and couched in language of the most threat ening nature against that lady, for refusing to acquaint the writer of the place of abode of a Miss Spriggs, for-- merly one of her pupils. The latter young lady, it may be remembered, was very much persecuted by the priso ner some two years ago ; and, although she never gave him the slightest encouragement, still he persevered in his efforts to form an acquaintance with her, and finding that he was unsuccessful, he then had recourse to send ing her anonymous letters, threatening her life if she still persevered in thwarting his wishes. Other letters of a similar character were also received by the mem bers of other respectable families residing in the Bo- rough, some containing poison, and a considerable degree of alarm prevailed, until, at length, the prisoner was taken into custody, and he being proved to be the author of the letters, was committed on two different occasions from this court, and being tried for the offence, was found guilty, and suffered the penalty of his offence. In reply to Mr. COTTINGHAM, Sergeant Kendall stated that only four months elapsed after the prisoner's last imprisonment before he com menced writing threatening letters to Miss Ward. Mr. COTTMIGHAM said that it was important to prove the prisoner's handwriting on the present occasion, and inquired if there was any witness present for that purpose? A Mr. Wilson, a printer, stated that he employed the prisoner after his last sentence of imprisonment expired, under the impression that the punishment inflicted on him would have had the effect of producing a reforma tion, and have made him a respectable member of society. The witness was here shown a letter addressed to Miss Ward, and dated the 21st ult. He was directed to examine the envelope and to state whether he was in a condition to give any evidence with reference to it. The witness having examined the envelope, said that the seal affixed to it in black wax had the initials of his name attached to it. He then described that on the day bearing the date of the letter he recollected having seen the prisoner write a letter in the composing-room. That on that occasion the prisoner borrowed of him his seal, and also a piece of black sealing-wax, with which he sealed the letter. The witness added that he had reason to believe that the letter now placed in his hands was the same which he had seen the prisoner write on that occasion. The prisoner was here asked if he wished to put any questions to the witness? The prisoner replied that at present he should not do so. Mr. CormscatAst —You have now heard the evidence adduced against you on this as well as your former ex amination; do you wish to make any statement in answer to the charge? You are not bound to do so, re collect, unless it is your wish to do so? Prisoner—l have nothing to say. Mr. ,COTTINGHAM—Then you are committed to the Central Criminal Court for trial. EXTRAORDINARY CASE. On Saturday Mr. Shaw, the inspector of the P division of police, made a communition to the magistrates of the Croydon district, in reference to a case which has been under consideration by them for several weeks, and the circumstances connected with which are of a very sin gular character. It appears that more than a month back an application was made to the magistrates for a warrant to apprehend Mr. Thomas Powell, a gentleman who had been residing at Burgh Houie, near Croydon, upon the charge of ob taining money by means of false cheques, and one was accordingly placed in the hands of Shaw. He was, however, unable, to meet with the defendant, but after the warrant had been granted a short time Mr. Powell sent notice that he would attend at the police-station on a certain day and be ready to answer any charge that might be preferred against him. lie accordingly attended, and, after a preliminary inquiry, the matter was adjourned until the following Saturday, bail being taken for the appearance of the defendant, at the next bench day. When the period arrived for the second examination, Mr. Powell did not appcar, but Mr. Watts, of Old Broad-street, his solicitor, attended on his behalf, and put in a certificate signed by Dr. Southwood Smith, testifying that the defendant was in a dangerous state of illness—in feet that he was in,:ane end utterly unfit to appear and undergo an examiervien, end the magistrates upon this consent- el to allow the case to stand over for a fortnight. During this interval it was ascertained that there wera several other cases in which the party accused had obtained -money by means of forged cheques, and from the information obtained by the police, there also appeared very good reason for be lieving, that, although the defendant was no doubt very ill, and that his brain was to some extent aff , eted, yet that this state had been produced by aniticial means— by the excessive use of opium and resorting to the expedient of igniting charcoal in his bedroom, the object being to produce a temporary state of deli rium, in the expectation by that means to evade justice. When t h e d a y appointed fur the second exit mination arrived, the defendant again failed to surren der; brut-lip soacitor appeared for him, and Mr. Howard, of Norfolk-street, was also present as the profes sional adviser of the gentlemen who had become sureties for the accused party. Upon this occasion, to the sur prise of the bench, it was stated by Mr. Watts, that the defendant was in a, lunatic asylum, raving mad, and the certificate .of the keeper of Miles's Lunatic Asylum at Hoxton was produced, which stated that Mr. Powell.had been admitted to the establishment upon a certificate of his lunacy, signed by Dr. S. Smith and Dr. Montaeu Gossett. al r. Adams, the chairman of the bench, ex pressed-the surprise or the magistrate at this course of proceeding, and at the same time their determination not to allow the ends of justice to be defeated. The defendant'a solicitor assured the beech that he was no party to such a proceeding, and said that by whatever means the madness of the defendent was occasioned, there could be no aeukt of his being in that state, add that he was consequentlyawite unfit to undergo en examination or to be celled upon to give any answer to the charge. Mr. Howard then made en application to the bench to d'scharae tl.e. recognizances of Dr. Ryan and Mr. Machell, the gentlemen who had become sureties for the defendant surrendering himself. He said they were quite arillineto perform the condition they had imposed openen tliainaelyes aawl, as they were prevented from doing - . • , so,by th-e - aet of God, he submitted to the bench that they were,, ureter such circumstances, entitled to be re lieved from further responsibility. Mr. Sutherland, one of the- magietrates, in answer to the application, said that the bench were not at all satisfied that the condi tion of die defendant was occasioned by the act of God; but, on the contrary, from the information they had re ceived, they had gbod reason to believe that the defen dant, by tile (tee of.opium and other means, had reduced himself to his present condition, in the expectation that he would be enabled by this proceeding to evade justice. If such were thp case, the illness would probably only be temporary, and under such circumstances they could not think .of relieving the bail from the responsibility they had incurred of producing- the defendant. After some further discussion the magistrates enlarged the recognizances of the bail, and the matter was ordered to stand over, directions being given to the police to make the necessary inquiries for the satisfaction of the bench. The inepector- now reported that he had been to the asylum where the secured gentleman was cone fined, and had seen admitted to see him, and he was evieenety at preseat in a state of insanity ; but he said he had received an assurance that the moment his condi tion improved so as .to enable him to undergo an exa mination he should be brought before the bench, and he had also taken other measures to insure this result, and prevent• a failure •of justice. Thus. the matter stands at preseut, the case h av i ng , from the singular 'nature of the proceedit:gs connected with it, and the position in lite of the defendant, created a good deui ot interest. THE COUNT itY MARKETS. CHELMSFORD, JAN. s.—We had to .day a dull trade, but wheats mtintain( , d last week's prices, few samples, however, Changing - hand3. Barleys met a still further reduction, and. must be_ quoted 1s lower: Oats, beans, and peas were similarltrfcluced in value, and but little business was done in any .description of grain. Per Quarter. s. s. Per Quarter. s. s. Wheat, White, 01d... 51 55 Peas, Partridge . • New 50 54 White ...... Red, 01d.... 41 47 Dun New 40 46 Beans, Tick (new) 24 27 Barley 27 3l 01d... 27 31 Chefalier 29 33 Harrow Ticks' (new) 25 28 Grinding 25 28 01d... 28 32 Oats l7 24 Mazagan (new) 22 25 Malt • - 56 60 Old 26 28 Chevalier ... 58 62 COLCHESTER, J AN. 6.—W ditto, 42s to 465; barley, 26s to 28s; middlp_and small di 36s per gii!trter. heat, white, 46s to 525; red, to 325; beans, Mazagan, 24s itto, 30s to 355; peas, 30s to KIRKALDIr, JAN. 6.—We had here to-day fair supplies of wheat and harley, which sold readily at last week's prices. Oats were. in small , supply, and brought 6d per quarter advance. Wheat. — -•• Barley. Oats. Beans. Peas. First 49s Od 29s Od 20s Od —s Od -5 Od second--; 47s Od '27s Od 19s Od —s Od —s Od Third 40s Od 21s Od 15s 6d —s Od —s Od Oatmeal,' per bag of 2801bs. imp., 26s to 00s. HADDINGTON, JAN. - s.—The supply to-day of wheat and beans was a little larger, and of barley and oats smaller than in last Market. Sales were rather dull. Wheat, top, ts down, and average is up; weight of top, per four bushels, 18st Ilib. Barley, top, is 6d, and average 2d up; weight of top, per four bushels, 17st 01b. Oats, top, 6d, and average Id up; weight of top per four bushels, 13st 01b. Beaus, top, same as last market, and average 9d up; weight::it top, per tour bushels, l9st 61b. Wheat. Barley. Oats. Beans. ... • 53s Od j 32s 6cl f 21s Od I bOs ocl First Second Third ... -45 s 3d .. 363 Od 27s Od l9s sd 27s id 20s Od 153 Od 25s Od Total quantity of Wheat in market 390 qrs., 367 sold Do. Barley do. 474 qrs., 442 Bolts Do. - .Oats • do. 441 qrs., all sold Do. Be4s do. 70 qrs., 69 sold GLASGOW PROVISION MARKET, JAN. Cheese, 46s Od to 52s Od per cwt; retail ditto, sid to 6d per lb. Skins milk, 00s to 00s per cwt. Country fresh butter, 10d to I Id per lb; Irish powdered, in lumps, 9d to 10d; country powdered, wholesale, 9id to 10d. Country eggs. Is per dozen; carried hen ditto, 8s 6d per hundred, or ad per dozen. Hens, 2s Od per pair; ducks, 2s Od. _ ' BERWICK, JAN. 4.—Wheat, 43s 34d; barley, 25s Old; oats, 183 2d; pea #, 00s Od, average per imperial - qr.' KELSO, JAN. S.—Wheat, old, 383 to 40s; ditto, neW, 32s to 375; barley, new, 173 to 21s Od; ditto, old, to —S; p >tato oats, —s to —s; ditto, new, 13s to 153 Od; common oats, lls to 14s; ditto, new, —s to —s; peas, 24s to 255; beans, 24s to 25s per boll of six imperial bushels. Liewicx, JAN. 4.—Wheat, new, 36s to 425; ditto, old, 46s t , ) 485; barley, new, 17s to 21s; ditto, old, —; potato oats, 156 to 17s; common ditto, lls to 14s; peas, 27s to 283; beans, 274 to 283, per b3ll of six ins' perial bushls. PERTH, JAN. 4.-Wheat, 44s to 525; barfly, 223 to 275; oats, 15s to 19s; peas and beans, 26s to 30s per quarter; oatmeal 28s to 31s per sack. FALKIRX, JAN. s..—The supply of grain in this day 's market was 619 bolls. Wheat at IBs 6d to 24s 6d per boll; barley, 17s 9d to 223 Oil; oats, 12s to 14s 9d; beans, 124 to 143 6d per boll; oatmeal, —s to —s per load. STIRLING, JAN. s. —Wheat, foreign, 26s to 295; ditto home, OOs to OOs; ditto ditto, new, 19s to 235; barley. per boll of six bushels, 003 to 00s;• ditto, new, 176 to 22s 6d; oats, common, 005 Od to OOs; ditto ditto, ne‘e• 10s 6d to 12s; iliac; Flemish, OOs to 003; ditto ditto , new, 00s to OOs; malt, distillers, 385 to 40s; ditto, heel" era, 39s to 41s; beans, per boll, 15s 6d to Os; ditto, new, lls 6d to 14s; peas, OOs to OOs. Flour, new, per seek,' 403 to 425; ditto, common ditto, 29s to 30s 6d. Oatmeal , per load, OOs to OOs; ditto, new, 27s to 295; ditto, Pe r peck of 71bs, Sid to 10d. Fresh butter per lb, lid to 121. Eggs per dozen, 9d to 10d. flay, per ton, 461 to 50s. COAL MARKET.—YESTERDAY. Buddle's W. Hartley.. 15s Odilosforth .. !lasting's Hartley l4s 9d Wharncliffs Holywell Main ... ..... 15s Od Eden Main lBs Od 'Canfield Moor d ...... _ „, fanfield Moor Butes l3s 6d West Cornforth ........ 17 5 ' .. Wylam West Hartley .... 15s Od Sidney's Hartley Ships at larket, 135. RAILWAY SHARE MARKETS. LIVERPOOL,- J. & STOCK EXCHANOR.—The sales are—Birmingham, Black burn Canal, and West Yorkshires, No. 1, 5 3 4 ex int.—East Lancashire, 251. Shares, 6% dis. ex int.—Great Northern (B Shares), 6 per cent., 2 dis. ex int.—Lancashire and York shire (late Manchester and Birmingham), 14iftbs, 3W, dis. London and North. Western, New Quarters, 2% p.—Maa ehester, Sheffield, and Lincolnshire, Eighths, 5. die. ex int.—Ditto, 20/. Shares, 10% dis. ex int.—Ditto, Quarters , 5% c. dis. cx int.—Midland Stock, 87—Ditto, New Halves, 6J dis. ex int.—South-Eastern and Dover, No. 4, Thirds/ 71. lls. Bd.—York, Newcastle, and Berwick (G. N. E. Pur chase), is dis ex, int. MANCHESTER, JAN. 8. STOOK EXCHANGE.—The sales are—South-Eastern add Dover, No. 4,7% cum int.—Ditt o , 7 5-16 ex int.—gull. and Selby, 99 3 r4—Ditto, Halves, 49718—Huddersfield, Thirds, 8 1 4 .—Grimsby Docks, 12 3-16 dis.—Sheffield and Lincoln, 12% dis.—Sheffield, Eighths, 6 3 / dis.—London, New Quar ters, 2 1 / 3 p.—Caledonian, Preference, 5 , 8 p.--.-Leeds, Fifth" 3EB dis —Manchester and Birmingham, Quarters (C) , 279 p.—East Lancashire, New, 6 dis.—North Staffordshir e, 3 11-16 dis. Mr. Hill, barrister-at-law, of the Northern Circuit , Recorder of Pontefract, died at Leeds on Wednesday' of scarlet fever. — Liverpool Albion. BIRTHS. On the 19th ult., at Malta; the wife of Captain E. I ‘ . Hughes Hallet, R.N., of a son. On the 30th ult., in William-street, Lowndes-square , the wife of R. F. Browne, of a daughter. On the 3d inst., at Hunston-hall, Suffolk, the lady of J• H. Heigham, Esq., of a son. On the 4th inst., at Upper Norwood, the lady of J. NV' Kaye, Esq., of a daughter. • of ()n the sth inst.' at John-street, 'Bedford-row, th 3 wife —it" 6 A. Henry, Esq., of a son. On the sth inst., at Upper Gower-street, the wife of G. V. Phillips, Esq., of a daughter. _ At Vere-street, Caveudish-square, Mrs. Campbell Dick ti of a daughter. MARRIED. At Minster, Isle of Sheppey, Joshua Hudson, Esq, of Low" don, C.E., to Anna Maria, eldest daughter of George 810 land, Esq , of her Majesty's Dockyard, Sheerness. On the 4thvt All Saint ' s, Paddington , by the .0,, C. Waring Saxton, D.D , his sister, Emily Mary Saxton. William H. Crichton, Lieutenant 38th _Regiment DIED. On the 28th ult., at Windsor, aged 59, Henry Edell° Dawe On t , he 2 Esq. hard Bth ult , at St. Albaia's; Herts, aged 90, Ric h ard Kentish, Esq. of that place. e ' On the 30th ' ult., at the Shield-field, Newcastle-upon -T i n aged 51, James Reid, Esq., Belgian Consul at that place- • ' On the 2d• inst., in the Old Kent-road, Mrs. Cat harm Banks, relict of Mr. S. Banks, aged•B9. • On the 4th inst.. at Sharnbrook, Bedfordshire, John Gib bard, Esq., agell 74 On the sth inst., at Highbury,ATis: Mary 'ryas, aged 77. r On th e sth inst., at 71, Pleet-stmet, ;ig ze ed 61, Mr. Eb ene Ming, youngest son of th 3 late . John Okling, Esq., et "ll hill, banker. ,eli , On the sth inst., a t Longbridhouse° near li r et v4 aged 71, Marian ne , on ly surviving ge- daughter of the late Standert, Esq. On the sth inst., at Brixton-rise, Surrey, Jane Eliztlb etb ' daughter of the late B. Drew, Esq., of B ermon dsey- On the sth inst.,at Glocester-place, Portman-square, gal' relict of the late T. Dcnnett, Esq., of Harlesford, Hants.ev. On the 6th inst., Elizabeth Oakley, the wile of the C. Fielding, vicar of Headcorn, Kent. _ o r London: Printed and Published by MURDO No. 112 yint Printer, at The Sun Offic No. o f Strand, the Proeinct of tly: Savoy, in the e, cola middle/4ex, Tuesday, January 9,1849. - . --` I