The Sun. — London, England, 1861-03-19 00:00:00

IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT. HOUSE OF LORDS.—(YRsTERDAy.) THE DEATH OF THE DUCHESS OF KENT. Earl GRANVILLE said their lordships were all ac quainted with the affliction that had fallen on her Majesty by the death of the Duchess of Kent, and he now rose for the purpose of moving that their lordships present an address of condolence to her Majesty on the sorrowful event. The noble lord then passed a high eulogy upon the late Duchess of Kent, and concluded by moving the address. The Earl of DERBY—My lords, it will be unnecessary, speaking on behalf of noble lords who sit on this side of the house, to do more than express my entire concurrence with the motion which has just been made by the noble earl. The address will be agreed to unanimously, and not merely as a form by your lordships, but accompanied by the fullest sympathy, the warmest and most heartfelt respect, not only on the part of this house, but of every class of her Majesty's subjects. (Hear, hear) Her Majesty has, during her interests of reign, so entirely identified herself with the of the people, and has so completely interwoven feelings of loyalty into the minds of all her subjects, has made their wants and wishes so much her guidance, that it would be impossible for any event which interests her Majesty in the slightest degree to occur without calling forth the warm and heartfelt sympathies of the whole people. We rejoice in any circumstance that adds to her Majesty's domestic happiness, and grieve if even a single cloud overshad ows it s brightness. Neither can we withhold the expression of our sympathy at a time when her Majesty is visited with an affliction the worst that ever has befallen her —an affliction which involves and wounds all her nearest and dearest affections. (Hear, hear.) I am satisfied that your lordships will give a cordial and ready assent to this address. If such grief as her Majesty is now su ff er i ng were susceptible of any consolation, such consolation must be found in the fact that during:the whole period of the life of the illustrious de ceased, her Majesty discharged every duty of a daughter in the most exemplary and affectionate manner. I cannot, my lords, but entertain a hope that it will to some degree assuage her Majesty's affliction to know that she enjoys not only the respectful and loyal sympathy of this house, but the commiseration and participation of a loyal and deeply afflicted people. The address was then put by the LORD CHANCELLOR, * and agreed to nemine contradicente. THE LUNACY REGULATION BILL. The LORD CHANCELLOR, in moving the second reading of this bill, said it was for the purpose of diminish ing the expense of proceedings in lunacy, and to provide more effectually for the visiting of lunatics, and for some other important purposes. By the third clause power was proposed to be given to the Lord Chancellor, where the lunatic did not oppose the application, and his property did not exceed £5OO in value, to apply it for his benefit in a summary manner, without inquisition. After a few words from several learned lords the bill was read a second time. THE GOVERNOR-GENERAL OF INDIA. In answer to Lord LYVEDEN, Earl Da GREY and RIPON said that it had been arranged that Lord Canning sheuld for the present remain Governor- General of India; though no precise time for his continu ance in that office had been fixed. The Charitable Uses Bill passed through committee. The Red Sea and India Telegraph Bill was read a second time, and the house adjourned. HOUSE OF COMMONS.—(YESTERDAY.) BANKRUPTCY AND INSOVLENCY BILL. The house went into committee on this bill, and resumed at clause 197, which was agreed to after some discussion. Clauses to 203 with some modifications were also agreed to. Upon clause 204, Mr. WALPOLE said that this clause required the after registration of the deed within 28 days after execution. He would suppose that the debtor had honestly given up the whole of his estate ; in such a case ought there not to be some protection to the person of the debtor during those 28 days, in the event of summary process being taken against him under the Bills of Exchange Act ? The ATTORNEY-GENERAL said he was afraid to give the relief the hon. and learned gentleman wished, lest it should prove a shield to fraud. The clause was finally agreed to without amendment. Clause 205 was agreed to. Upon clause 206, Mr. MOFFATT said it was extremely difficult to say where the creditors upon bills of exchange were living when the estate came under sequestration or bankruptcy. He therefore proposed after the word " creditors," to insert the words " including those creditors whose debts repre sented by such bills of exchange were bona fide creditors." The ATTORNEY-GENERAL said the amendment in question would completely nullify the clause. The inser tion of these words would render it incompetent for an un fortunate debtor to eat the consent of those persons who were bona fide holders. They might possibly be in a foreign country. (Hear, hear.) Mr. MOFFATT said he hoped the hon. and learned gentleman would devise some scheme for remedying the evil to which he referred. The amendment was withdrawn. Mr. BOVILL suggested that the court should be judge of the circumstances under which a smaller number of credi tors than three-fourths should be sufficient. The ATTORNEY-GENERAL said the debtor would be exposed to some difficulty if he had to apply to the court. After some discussion, The ATTORNEY-GENERAL consented to introduce words giving effect to Mr. Bovill's suggestion. The clause as amended was then agreed to. Mr. CRAUFURD moved in line 8, page 54, to leave out " in any case in which a deceased debtor was a trader at the time of his death." The object of the amendment was that the clause should apply to non-traders as well as to traders. Sir H. CAIRNS hoped his hon. and learned friend would consent to strike out these dead men's clauses, from 207 to 218, altogether. They had no coherence with the rest of the bill; they were not necessary, and further than that they were mischievous. At present the assets of deceased persons were administered in the Court of Chancery by the chief clerk in chambers, in a very cheap manner. Suppose an extensive trader died worth £lOO,OOO, represented by bills of exchange ; it would be difficult, perhaps, on his death to say how much they would actually realise. But three months after his death, unless it could be shown that there was enough to pay all debts it would be competent for any creditor to throw the estate into bankruptcy. (Hear.) Now, how irksome would it net be to the family to have it said that the estate of so and so after his death was wound up in the Court of Bankruptcy ? A man was a bankrupt by some act or confession of his own, but neither of these criteria could apply to the estate of a dead man. Again ; the principle of the Court of Bankruptcy was that the bank. rupt's estate sho'ild be equally divided amongst the credi tors, but no sconer did they come to these clauses than that principle was abandoned altogether. (Hear.) Besides, the Court of Bankruptcy dealt with debts only, and not with legacies, so that when a man died there might be two pro ceedings—one to determine who was to be paid the debts, and the other to determine who was to be paid the legacies. (Hear, hear.) He did not believe that the county courts, however valuable for the purpose for which they were created, would be competent to decide how the assets of deceased persons were to be administered on the principles which guided the Court of Chancery. These clauses pro posed to give the only example of administering estates without either administrators or executors. Notice was to be "given to the next of kin; but how was the Court of Bankruptcy to determine who was the next of kin or the heir? In 1849 the dead men's clauses were struck out of the bill then proposed; and in 1854 the commissioners who were appointed to inquire into the reforms that might be made in the Court of Chancery reported against the propo sition contained in these clauses. At the proper time he should move the omission of these clauses altogether ; but as they really formed no part of a bankruptcy bill he hoped his hon. and learned friend would consent to their being struck out. (Hear.) Mr. MALINS said he came to the same conclusion as his hon. and learned friend with respect to the nature of these clauses. They were not only useless but mischievous. He did not see why people should not have an option left to them between the local courts and the court in London, or why the representatives and creditors of an estate should be obliged to come up, it might be from the farther end of Cornwall, to attend the administration of a property which might be worth only £3OO or £4OO. The amendment which he moved would give the advantage of a local administration to the estates of non-traders as well as traders. Sir F. GOLDBMID objected to these clauses altogether, as they were quite opposed to the principles of our recent legislation. Nothing could be more anomalous than to in troduce into a bill which destroyed the distinction between trader and non-trader when living, a clause to affirm that distinction after a man's death. The principles on which an estate was administered in the Court of Chancery were en. tirely different from those of the Court of Bankruptcy ; and w ) en an estate was th rown i n t o B an k ruptcy it could not bedealt with accordi ng t o Ch ancery ru l es. If it were trans- In 9 county courts, the county court j u d ge wou ld con:6lto , xt — ek . e himself familiar with the principles of the and the Zancery, as well as with the law of bankruptcy on the mOn law ; and to impose all these acquirements a very heavy court Judges would be to impose on them a Mr. BRITIA N e n. sai dcruel, and wouldln,aie he thought th ese c l auses were very upon a great m any t much unnecessary pain and injury who had never c ommi us It was too h ar d upon a man that he should be s ti m atitted acteaa aa f bank ru pt a f ter b eing laid e xpenses perhaps of his la s t of bankruptcy in his life sea per in his grave, for he might b e inneard of his fun era l , which Perfe c tly solvent, but f or t h e an ta m ight exceed the amount of bi s . death to /. 11 ;tn e in that c ase i t would be cruel after his ruptcy upon him. The amendment Facedeoufblbank amount of hardship inflicted by these clause/4,831d he sh e e th id e therefore oppose it, but he ho p ed t he clauses wend notube pressed. Mr. HADFIELD said the object:of those who supportea these clauses was not to inflict pain on any person, but t o ascertain the best mode of distributing a man's effects atitotig his creditors. Those who belonged to his own branch of the profession, and who had been practically engaged in such matters; could appreciate, better perhaps than the Chancery barristers, the difficulties that arose in winding up an insolvent's estate. The opinion of the:trading com munity had been expressed very decidedly in favour of the provisions of this bill, and he could not agree to the with drawal of the clauses now wider discussion. Nothing had ever been a greater blessing to this country than the county courts, for it was quite horrible to remember the difficulties there used to be in the way of recovering the smallest debt, and the prodigious amount of machinery that had to be act in motion for that purpose. The measure now before the house would prove beneficial in the same say. Mr. BAINES observed that the Chambers of Commerce in Manchester, Leeds, Sheffield, Huddersfield, and other mercantile bodies in Lancashire and Yorkshire, had de clared strongly in favour of these clauses, and wished them to be extended to non-traders as well as to traders. Sir H. CAIRNS thought it was a very fallacious argu ment to urge that as the county courts had proved to be ' convenient for the decision of re any claims,because they were near the places where the parties lived, the jurisdiction of the county courts ought therefore to be extended to include that of Chancery. But if that was intended, let it be done directly, and not by calling the estate of a dead man bank rupt in order to bring him within the jurisdiction of the county court. He had an insuperable objection to extend ing these clauses to the non-trader, because the house had already discussed the extent to which this bill should apply to non-traders, and it was not proper to make this law extend more to a non-trader after his death than dur ing his life. Mr. MALINS said he should vote against the amend ment of the hon. member (Mr. Craufurd) for extending these clauses to a non-trader, for as he thought the clauses mischievous, he would rather restrict them as much as possible. But he would ask, did the Attorney-General feel pledged to adhere to them ? The ATTORNEY-GENERAL said undoubtedly he felt pledged to defend them as part of his bill, and especially since they had been introduced to him and strongly recom mended to him by a large body of gentlemen whose expe rience was such as to give weight to:their convictions on the subject. The clauses were originally :framed by Lord St. Leonards, and they therefore came recommended by high lezal authority as well as on high commercial autho rity. The principle of the clauses was this, that if the executor or administrator, or the person entitled to admi nistration, namely, the next of kin, found money sufficient to discharge all debts, the court would not interfere, and it would be only on the executor, administrator, or next of kin declining to interfere, that the clauses would come into operation. There were many cases in which the jurisdiction would be useful and convenient. He en tirely concurred in the representations that had been made as to the immense improvement, and economy, and expedition, which had been made in the administration of estates in the Court of Chancery. He would not be afraid to make any reasonable wager that the Court of Chancery would administer an estite quicker and cheaper than it could be done by the executor out of court with the aid of an attorney. He was not prepared for the strong opposi tion which had been manifested towards these clauses, and he suggested that the consideration of them should be post poned, in order that they might be discussed when there was a fuller attendance of members. Sir H. CAIRNS said Lord St. Leonards' bill gave no power to county courts, but it gave the power to district commissioners, and then only where a man had committed an act of bankruptcy before his death. He quite agreed in the desirability of having the discussion in a fuller house, and he should postpone his motion till the bringing up of the report. There would be two important questions on the report, and he hoped it would not be brought up till after Easter. Mr. BRIGHT said he had observed that the opposition to these clauses came from those who had a great interest in the Court of Chancery, who thought it better the business should go there than elsewhere. He was one of the unfor tunate men who had been in that court a long while, and he should not vote for any business remaining in that court if it could be taken elsewhere, After a time, if this measure passed, the disgrace hitherto attached to winding-up affairs in the Court of Bankruptcy would wear off, and he hoped the Attorney-General would not fritter away clauses which he knew were regarded of much importance by the class of persons for whose benefit the bill was mainly intended. Mr. MALINS said it was a mistake to suppose that he or any counsel practising in Chancery were interested in keeping in that court administration suits, inasmuch as those suits did not come into court, but went into chambers where counsel were not employed. Mr. HENLEY said one of the most valued clauses of this bill was to prevent the going into bankruptcy at all. He believed the feeling was strong that estates should be wound up locally. The ATTORNEY-GENERAL concurred in that opinion. The English people undoubtedly attached great value to having justice administered by the highest tri bunals, but when they were dealing with a mere question of the administration of an estate they wished to do it in the most economical manner. The object of the bill was to in troduce in connexion with insolvent estates a thing which had been demanded for 30 years, the transference to a local jurisdiction of the 111,171R2VMPnt of thr,.. ao4nte,o. 110 ...L3 not agree to the postponement of the clauses in question. His maxim must be, Carpe diem, for if he did not make the best of every day the same thing might. happen again that had occurred to his bill of last year. Besides, he was pledged to other measures this session. (Hear.) He hoped, therefore, that the house would conclude the committee to-night, and would suffer the report to be brought up on Thursday. Sir H. CAIRNS was extremely willing, for the sake of facilitating business, to withdraw his objection to the clauses, on the understanding that they should be discussed on the report after Easter. But if it were only a question between to-night and Thursday, he would rather the debate should go on at once, and he should take the sense of the house upon the points at issue. (Hear.) Mr. ROEBUCK asked the hon. and learned gentleman to state his opinion upon the question that was actually before the house. The ATTORNEY-GENERAL had personally no objec tion to the amendment. The committee then divided — For the amendment Against it l6 Majority —so Mr. HARDCASTLE then proposed to insert the words " or county court" after " bankruptcy," in line 34. Agreed to. Mr. HENLEY wished the Attorney-General to consider what would be the effect of the bill upon the affairs of per sons dying out of the country. He thought the estates of such persons required some protection. Three months was L certainly not a sufficient time. The ATTORNEY-GENERAL did not think the clause ' would affect the estates of debtors dying abroad. It was limited to persons dying within the districts of the bank ruptcy or county courts. Mr. HENLEY wished to know whether the residence of a person dying abroad would be held to have been abroad, or in the country where his ordinary dwelling had been ? The ATTORNEY-GENERAL said that if an English man going up the Rhine happened to die in itinere, his re sidence would be held to be in England, but if he were re siding permanently abroad, then it would not. Mr. HENLEY observed that the hon. gentleman's answer strengthened the feeling that be had in favour of some protection being given to the estates of persons dying under tile circumstances he had suggested. Mr. ROLT was at a loss to understand the reason of the change proposed by the (dense. It was admitted that the existing court did the business proposed to be taken from it as cheaply and as efficiently as possible. They were not asked to make any change in the law of property ; all that was intended to be done was merely to alter the jurisdiction. What were the advantages proposed to be given ? The first was the value of local administration. If, however, it was necessary that the administration of estates should be car. ried to the door of the parties, that desire ought to be pro vided for in some other way. He believed it was not for the interest of the community that the present jurisdiction should be disturbed. Mr. BARROW also objected to the clause. Under it a petition might be presented ix less than three months with the consent of the personal representative. It appeared to him this might inflict a great hardship on heirs at law whose interests might be diametrically opposed to those of the personal representatives.' nt a w d er iv e is agr ion e . ed to. TClhaeuesleaslisefromwas2oagrB toea2alBtoi::ltushoiye On clause 219, The ATTORNEY-GENERAL said he h proposeda taken to up another this clause from the Insol ven t Act. He, t however, omit it altogether now, and bring clause on the report of a more satisfactory nature. The clause was then withdrawn. Clauses 220 to 225 were agreed to. On clause 226, Mr. SCHOLEFIELD said that as the clause stood it limited the power of swearing afidav its before commissioners in Chancery. He proposed, as an amendment, that the power should be extended to commissioners of any of the superior courts of common law at Westminster. The amendment was agreed to, and the clause was added to the bill. Clauses to 242 inclusive were agreed to. On clause 243, Mr.VANCE suggested that the provision of this clause should be applied to the colonies. Clause agreed to. Clauses 244, 245, were agreed t.. Clause 246, Mr. HADFIELD objected to the clause as exposing per sons unjustly to criminal p ena lti es . - - After a few words from the ATTORNEY-GENERAL, Mr MURRAY thought, if some words to denote what a fraudulent preference was were not introduced there would be great difficulty id practice among the judges. The amendment having been withdrawn, The ATTORNEY-GENERAL proposed the omission of certain words, which conferred a preference on some ore ditors over others. Mr• lIENLE Y opposed it, believing that injustice would result. The amendment was agreed to, and the clause was ordered to stand part of the bill, • I TAE SUN, LONDON, TUESDAY. ,EVENING, MARCH 19, 18n. Clauses 247 to 250 were agreed to, as were also the re • maining clauses. The committee then proceeded to consider the postponed clauses. Clauses 13, 14, and 33 were agreed to. On clause 37, The ATTORNEY-GENERAL said he intended to pro pose as a subsikute a new clause fixing the salaries of the present official assignees in town at £1,200 a-year, and in the country at £l,OOO a-year ; the future assignees in town to have £l,OOO a-year, and in the country £BOO a-year. It was also his intention to propose the substitution of a new clause for clause 44, abolishing the fees on private as well as public sittings. Clauses 38, 39, 47, and 48 were agreed to. The AT T ORN EY-GENERAL said that it was intended to propose new clauses as to the payment of messengers. This would be done on the bringing up of the report. Several verbal amendments were made in the schedules. In reply to Mr. MOFFATT and Mr. MURRAY, The ATTORNEY-GENERAL said it was not intended to interfere with the privilege of solicitors appearing for their clients either in court or in chamber. They would be able to appear in every court except the supreme court. The ATTORNEY- GENERAL proposed the new clause fixing the salaries of the official assign ees. Mr. MURRAY objected to the proposed sum of £1,200 a-year for official assignees in London, and moved that it be reduced to £BOO a-year, the difference in their remu neration to be made up from a scale of fees sanctioned by the Lord Chancellor. Mr. WALPOLE objected to the proposed mode of pay ing the official assignees. He thought that they ought not to be remunerated by fixed salaries. They could not pay the official assignees by means of fees without perpetuating the disproportion complained of ; and, upon the whole, there. fore—though he would not say that even that would remedy the difficulties—the committee on the subject had come to the conclusion that it would be best to pay in part by fees and in part by salaries. The ATTORNEY-GENERAL said it should be recol lected that the official assignees under this bill occupied a very different position from that which they had hereto fore occupied. They had now got an express and definite duty, to be discharged under the superintendence of the Court, and the Court would virtually superintend every proceeding. The house would observe that they were re quired to make returns half-yearly of the business trans. acted, which would afford an opportunity for a comparison between the different official assignees. They had found it impossible to put any limits to their salary if they were to be paid by fees. He thought it better to give these gentle men credit for having a proper sense of the responsibilities and duties of their position, in like manner as they gave credit to judges and others. (Hear, hear.) There was no more reason to suppose that those gentlemen would neglect their duties than that the commissioners or the judges would do so. The amendment fixing the salary at £1,200 a year was then agreed to, and the clause, as amended, was ordered to stand part of the bill. A new clause was then introduced to give solicitors the power of practising in the court. Mr. MALINS said the messengers were an ancient and deserving body of public servants in connexion with this court. No body of men had more faithfully performed their duty with fewer public losses. 'The oldest of them had been 42 years in the court, and the youngest 12 years. Their emoluments had been considerable, and they now asked Parliament not to disturb all their plans for life, although they did not make any inordinate demands. They only claimed benefit for the present occupants of the offices they had so long held, and proposed that the new regulations should apply only to their successors. He moved —" That every messenger holding office at the time of the passing of this act shall receive, in lieu of fees, an annual salary equal to the amount of the fees received by him after deducting his working expenses, such salary to be assessed by the chief registrar, and to be estimated upon an average of the sums received by such messenger for a period of five years last preceding the passing of this act, such salary to be paid at the same times and in like manner as the salaries to be paid to the officers mentioned in the schedule (A) to this act." This was just what had been done in the case of the official assignees, and he saw no reason why the . same should not be done in the case of the messengers. He hoped they would lean to the side of justice to the individual rather than avoid doing so for the sake of some small amount which might be withheld on the ground of public benefit. Mr. BRISTOW thought that individuals who had done their duty for so many years with satisfaction to the country should be treated with the greatest consideration, and therefore he would support the proposition just made. (Hear, hear.) Mr. BRIGHT said one of the greatest objections to the clause was, that it did not fix a minimum. One gentleman engaged in the department referred to had £9OO a-year for some years, and he very probably would not object to £5OO a-year in future; but then there should be some certainty as to the amount of income which such public servants receive. (Hear, hear.) He would vote against the amendment. The ATTORNEY-GENERAL said it was his *Jam, Cho 4. 5t shouia receive £9OO a-year, but he intended to insert a provision that in future the salary should not exceed £5OO. Those who would be de prived of compensation fees would now be amply repaid by an adequate pension. Mr. MALINS said he was not in a situation to divide on the question, but as those officers received fees just as the judges did under the sanction of the law, they ought not to be suddenly deprived of them without compensation. The amendment was withdrawn. Mr. GARNETT moved the following clause :—" And whereas the fees and emoluments of registrars of County Courts before which any petitions under an act of Parlia ment made and passed in the first and second years of the reign of her present Majesty, chapter 110, and an act made and passed inthe 10th and 11th years of the same reign, cap. 102, have been heard, may be seriously diminished by the operation and effect of this act, and it is just and reasonable that such registrars should be indemnified against such loss; be it enacted, that at the end of two years next after the passing of this act the Commissioners of her Majesty's Treasury shall, upon the application of any such registrar, by such means and in such manner as they may think pro per, inquire into and ascertain the annual amount, to be computed upon an average of seven years immediately pre - ceding the passing of this act, of the fees and emoluments received by such registrars for their own use under the au thority of the said acts ; and the said commissioners shall, upon the like application, also ascertain, in such manner as they may think proper, the total amount of fees and emolu ments received by such registrars for their own use under this act during each year after the passing of this act, and the said commissioners are hereby authorised and empow ered annually to award to such registrar the deficiency, when and so often as the same shall occur, between the last mentioned amount and the average annual amount so as certained as aforesaid, and the sum awarded shall be paid out of any moneys which may be provided by Parliament for that purpose : Provided always, that the aggregate amount of such indemnity so to be paid to and amongst all such registrars in any one year shall not exceed the sum of £2,000. The ATTORNEY-GENERAL said that this was a most objectionable clause for compensation. It meant this —that the house was not to improve the law unless they compensated the persons in question, who were not entitled, to it. The clause was rejected. Lord STANLEY said that this bill impos e d additional duties on the county courts, and he understood the hon. and learned Attorney-General to say tiiat an opportunity would be afforded for considering tb's question of increasing the salaries of those judges en account of the increased duties imposed upon them, Now, it was clear that this matter must emanate fror. 4 the Government, for no inde pendent member coulf t take upon himself to make a pro posal of this kind, a4d he, therefore, wished to know when the opportunity would be afforded of discussing this question. The ATTORNEY -GENERAL said that he was de sirous c equalising the salaries of the county judges, but he had no fund from bankruptcy to enable him to deal with the question ; but there must be a committee upon stamps and salaries, with respect to the compensation to be granted to messengers. When that question came before the house, then the noble lord would be in a position to raise the question to which he had referred, for the increase must come out of the Consolidated Fund. Sir J. PAKINGTON expressed his approval of the pro posed addition to the salaries of county court judges on account of the increased duties they would have to perform. He should wish, however, tilt to have tho opinion of the chairman as to the mode in which that object was now to be attained. Mr. BRIGHT said he thought it was premature to vote away an increase of salary to the 59 judges of county courts before the house knew anything about the amount of addi tional work that would be thrown upon them. It was ob vious, too, that the work would bo very unequally divided, and county court judgeships were offices so much sought ' after, that if the hon. and learned gentleman had waited another year, he might have found that no increase would be r4eeded at all. Mr. CLAY reminded the committee that county court judges were new receiving £1,200 a year only, instead of £ 1 ,500, as was first intended by Parliament, and which only a few of the oldest appointed still enjoyed. Those gentle men, therefore, had a very good title to the proposed increase. Mr. WALPOLE said that the rates of remuneration of judges were extremely various. They were paying com missioners in bankruptcy £l,BOO a year, some county court judges £1,500 a year, and others only £1,200. By this bill certain duties were to be transferred f:om the Bankruptcy Court to the county courts, and as it would be impossible to give satisfaction so long as the existing anomaly prevailed, the subject ought now to undergo careful consideration with a view to its final adjustment on proper principles. H e should like to know, however, whether it would be possible to take the report and to re-commit the bill on the sam e - - day. lle doubted whether the suggection of the bon.7nd learned gentleman was practicable. Mr. DISRAELI observed that it would not be desirable to report the bill before Easter, The subject of the non traders clauses ought undoubtedly to be fairly discussed, and therefore the report had better be taken after Easter. TLe ATTORNEY-GENERAL said that the discussion on tlat part had already lasted two hours, and would not require much more time to conclude. He had promised, however, that the suggestions he had received should meet with due alteration. He hoped the committee would have the dscussion on the report on Thursday next. Mr, S. ESTCOURT thought that course would be pro ductire of great inconvenience, and suggested that the dis cussion should take place after Easter, when they would have ample opportunity of fully considering it in the month of Arcil. Lout PALMERSTON said the discussion would not take very bug, and it could be easily finished on Thursday next. Mr. HENLEY reminded the committee that a change had ttken place that evening in what was called the "deal men's clause," with which the public had a right to be informed. The amendments made ought to be printed, and then the discussion on the report could take place after Easter. The proposition was, not whether they were to finish the dente on the report on Thursday, but whether they shouh vote several thousands of pounds extra to county court ,udges in one night without due consideration. TheATTORNEY-GENERAL was most anxious to give every Etoility for discussion, but he could not consent to anything which would prevent the passing of the bill. He intended on Thursday to move that the report be brought up and the amendments considered. Mr. HENLEY protested against so large a sum of money being voted and reported in one day. Mr. BRIGHT suggested the postponement of the con sideration of the clauses which increased salaries until next week. It was impossible to discuss such a question in one day. After a few words from Mr. DEEDES and Mr. CONING HAM, The CHAIRMAN left the chair, and reported the bill to the house amidst cheers. WAYS AND MEANS. On the question that the house go into committee of Ways and Means, Mr. CONINGHAM said he wished to impress on the noble lord at the head of the Government the absolute necessity sending a vessel out to recall Sir B. Walker. The committee on the Admiralty Board would be of no use whatever. In fact Sir B. Walker was required not so much to defend the Admiralty as to account for his own want of energy aad efficiency in the department of which he had so long hadthe control. Lord PALMERSTON said that that was a question not to be discussed in the house, but was one for the committee. The house then went into committee, and The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER moved the disallowance of the items £140,000 and £ll,OOO for stores, until the report of the committee on transport service had been received and considered. The notion was agreed to, and the house resumed. POST OFFICE SAVINGS BANKS BILL. The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER moved the second reading of this bill. Mr. S. ESTCOURT objected to the haste with which this bill was pressed forward. The Chancellor of the Ex chequer had given the house no sufficient reason for its adoption, or any ground to believe that the machinery of the Post-office would be adequate to the discharge of the new duties proposed to be put upon it by the bill. It was a question which the house ought seriously to consider whether this was a responsibility to which they ought to give consent. As matters stood at present, if any fraud was committed, the Government could at once lay their hand upon the offending party; but by the proposed bill, in reference to the places of deposit, they would not have such facility of power. The risk to which he wished to call the attention of the house in the present instance was that for every £lOO deposited the Government undertook to pay the amount ; but if the scheme of increasing the places of deposit were increased in the manner proposed, and if the per centage was increased as proposed, that risk would be increased, and the depositor or the country might suffer. He would not at that late hour of the night enter into de tails, but he questioned whether it was possible to carry out such a scheme without increased risk of fraud and loss. He very much doubted whether this plan would not in some respects become popular, and whether it would not, in his opinion, in time, entirely supersede the existing savings banks, because of its secrecy, for it was well known that the labouring poor, when they had a little money saved, and when they desired to place it in a savings bank, did not de posit it in the bank nearest to them, but, in their desire not to have it known, went to a savings bank some distance from the locality in which they resided. But such was the secrecy with which all matters connected with the Post office was generally transacted that such a precaution, as to immediate localities, would be obviated, and the depositor would have no hesitation in availing himself of the Post office. There were. however, in his opinion, risks to the public int...csc in the provisians of the proposed bill which ought, while there was time, to be guarded against. He thought it would be better they should look the danger in the face, and determine upon the system which it would be expedient to adopt. What he desired was, that they should have some central body standing between the Government and the other parties. What he should desire was, that all these matters should be seriously considered in going into committee. He feared that the only place in which these savings banks could be established would be in towns, and in that case they would come into competition with the existing savings banks. He would not, however, object to the second reading of the bill. Mr. FORSTER thought the proposal by this bill would be a great boon. He believed it would not be possible to dovetail the proposed system with that at present in force. It might be requisite to provide a different sort of persons to work the Post-office savings bank system than those who have held the office of postmasters and postmistresses. Mr. HANBURY took exception to the objections raised by Mr. Estcourt, and expressed approval of the scheme, which he had hoped would supersede the existing savings banks. Mr. BAINES thought the country should feel very much obliged to the Chancellor of the Exchequer for introducing this simple measure which ho believed would prove of sub stantial benefit to the population, especially to the indus trious classes. The money order system had worked well, as was shown in its great increase during the last ten years. There was no interest in the existing savings banks to pre vent the adoption of the proposed plan. The latter, he believed, would work on a self-supporting system, and had the approval of Mr. Rowland Hill and other Post-office authorities. Mr. AYRTON reserved to himself the right of discuss ing the details of the measure when they went into corn mittee. After a few words from Mr. PHILLirs and Mr. Hop WOOD, The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said that the limits of the deposits in this new plan would be the same as in the existing system. It was intended to extend the operation of the measure to Ireland. To attach the new plan, which he believed to be perfectly impracticable, to any i p fpro ije tra s h e re:::1 local g the organisation of the existing P., led him to believe would in the attempt turn out a failv:,.o. The proposed undertaking possibly b sc an he k m s, e hi fo s r ex r p e e m n o e d n e c l_lirt might assrjine large dimensions. A great portion of the system rested in the confidence placed by depositors al managers. If the old savings banks suffered establishment of the new banks, it could only arise from the estimation of the latter in the eyes of the industrious classes. The object of the bill was to provide facilities for encouraging habits of saving and economy on the part of the people. It was not, however, intended to make at once all money order offices savings banks. These establishments would be gradually expansive, and in pro )portion to the demand made for them. Self support would be the fundamental principle of the measure, and no at tempt by a higher rate of interest would be made to draw away deposits from existing savings banks. He hoped the rate of interest would be carefully considered by the corn • mittee, but 113 was of opinion that it would be better to fix the amount of interest rather too low than too high. There was no new financial principle in the bill, but undoubtedly it would have the effect of in creasing the amount of deposits, and consequently the sum held bythe Government on call. Experience led him to believe that holding such deposits would not be attended with any danger. The system was a safe one with a mode rate rate of interest, and the disadvantages were not to be weighed against the benefits which it was calculated to confer. The present Post-office machinery was, in his opinion, admirably adapted for carrying out the provisions of the bill, and would be fully equal to any requirements that should be made for the effectual working of the .plan. He did not see any manner in which an organic connexion could be established between the Post office savings banks and the existing savings banks. The bill was read a second time. The Exchequer Bills Bill was read a second time. The Consolidated Fund 04,000,000) Bill passed through committee. The Marine Mutiny Bill was read a second time, as was also the Mutiny Bill. Mr. WHITE gave notice that in committee he would move the omission of the clauses respecting courts martial and corporal punishment. The Constructive Notice Amendment Bill was read a second time. The house adjourned at ten minutes to two o'clock. ' [ADVERTISEMENT.] Pills and medicine invariably ag g2 avate and perpetuate diseases ; their annoyance, dis appointment, and expense may be avoided by persons in indifferent health sending only their address to E. S. Barry, Esq., 77, Regent-street, W., London, and they will receive gratis and free by post the " INVALIDS' Ows GUIDE," or Natural Restorer, without medicine or ex pinse, of perfect digestion, strong nerves, sound lunge, and refreshing sleep, to the most enfeebled, insuring the remov4 of indigestion (dyspepsia), constipation, liver complaints nausea, epilepsy, paralysis, debility, nervousness, palpitatiot , cough, asthma, consumption, dropsy, flatulency, diarrhoea, dysentery, biliousness, fevers, sore throats, catarrhs, colds, noises in the ears, rheumatism, gout, impurities, eruptions, hysteria, neuralgia, irritability, sleeplessness, acidity, palpi tation, heartburn, headache, despondency, cramps, spasms, (s inking, tits, bronchitis.—" Unquestionably the safest Guide to health.", LAW IN7ELLIgENCE—(77nB Day). HOUSE OF LORDS. Peers Present—The Lord Chanceller, Lord Cranworth, Lord Wensleydale, Lord Chelmsford, Lord Kingsdown, and other Peers. APPEAL-JUDGMENT.-LORD ERAYBOOK V. THE ATTORNEY-GENERAL. This was an appeal from a decision of the Court of Ex chequer, by which they held that, under the Succession Duties Act of 1853, the appellant was liable to pay legacy duty at the rate of 10 per cent. on his paternal succession. The Lord Chancellor, in delivering judgment, was of opinion that the judgment of the Court below should be affirmed. Lord Wensleydale and Lord Kingadown were of opinion that the appellant not only came within the operation of this act to pay 10 per cent. duty on his paternal succession, but he was also within the exception of the act which de clared that 1 per cent. duty only was payable in respect of property acquired by himself otherwise than by succession. The Lord Chancellor -evaded the decree of the Court be low to this extent, and dismissed the appeal. BAIRD T. PORTIINB. At the conclusion of the arguments of counsel in this Scotch appeal this afternoon, the Lord Chancellor reserved judgment. BRITISH LINEN COMPANY V. CALEDONIAN INSURANCE UNIVERSITY OF ABERDEEN. DISGRACEFUL RIOT AT THE INSTALLATION OF THE LORD RECTOR. Mr, Maitland, the Solicitor-General, was installed Lord Rector of the University of Aberdeen on Saturday after noon, amid a scene of excitement and uproar probably never surpassed within the walls of a Scotch college. It may be remembered that at the election of a Rector for this University some months age, two gentlemen were put forward—Sir Andrew Leith Hay and Mr. Maitland. At the voting the "nations" were equal—two for each can didate—the total number of students being, however, by a considerable majority in favour of Sir Andrew, whose known feeling against the " fusion" of the two colleges, which had just taken place, and the fact of his residing in the district, made him popular with the students. But the Principal of the University (Rev. P. Colin Campbell) gave his casting vote in favour of the Solicitor-General; and as the students considered this act an improper and illegal usurpation of power, the excitement amongst them was in creased by this proceeding, and has continued to grow in strength up to the present time. It is, however, hut right to say that there is not the slightest ill-feeling on the part of the students towards Mr. Maitland personally; the oppo sition to his election rests solely on the circumstance that the majority of the youths look upon him as being in a great measure the nominee of the Principal and Professors. Hence their objection to his filling the rectoral chair—an objection which it was widely rumoured would result in a riot at the installation on liatarday, and it did so. The proceedings were fixed to commence at two o'clock, and half an hour before this time the students began to assemble in the fine hall of what was Marischal College. By way of precaution a number of police were stationed in the square of the College, and all sticks had to be given up before admission could be obtained. Shortly before two o'clock the hall was crowded by some 600 of the stu dents—a limited \ number of gentlemen of the city being also present. Without loss of time the opposing students gave indications of their future conduct during the pro ceedings. A very Babel of noise rose in volume after volume as the minutes sped on. Forms were broken, and their woodwork hurled withoUt ceremony amongst the supporters of Mr. Maitland; peas being vig,,rously and plentifully scattered about.. Yells, whistlings, in all octaves and modes unmusical, were kept up continuously ; while the " burr " of an instrument similar in sound to a watchman's " rattle " of byegone nights was heard ever and anon, when there seemed a likelihood of vocal organs getting tired or giving away. Two o'clock came at last, and with it the town serjeants preceding the Magistrates and members of Council, the Principal and Professors of the University, with Mr. Maitland. The appearance of these gentlemen, as they took their places on the platform, was, as might have been anticipated, the signal for an increase of the storm. Pieces of wood—the wreck of some ten or twelve forms —peas, barley, and other missiles, were flung without respect of person, at all and sundry of the officials —the Principal and the Solicitor-General coming in for a liberal portion of the assailing shower. All the students— opposing and non-opposing —stood up on the forms; seve ral of them holding defiantly aloft the party colours which they had worn as supporters of Sir Andrew Leith Hay. Having reached the centre of the platform, where the temporary desk was erected, Principal Campbell made in dications that he was to open the proceedings with prayer. No sooner, however, had he held up his hands—he was evidently afraid to shut his eyes—than the shouting waxed louder and louder, and peas rattled on his face and body. Pausing, the rev. gentleman looked around him as if horri fied at the wild uproar, and once more an effort to com mence. But it was in vain; the noise was deafening, and for at least five minutes nothing but wild clamour was heard. At length, amid great uproar, the Principal re newed his efforts, and this time with greater success—com parative quietness reigning for a short period. Tho rev. gentleman, however, at about the middle of his prayer, 'which was in Latin, having made a slight pause by trans posing a phrase, a voice sung out, " That's a Maxi" [a great error], and hearty laughter mingled with the Princi pal's solemn sentences—sentences which every now and then, too, were answered by " amen" intoned from the students in the opposing end of the hall. Immediately on concluding his prayer, the Principal was about to proceed to administer the oath to Mr. Maitland, when, greeted by a hurricane of cheers, Mr. Emslie, a student, attended by two of his comrades, and waited upon by a law agent and a notary public, advanced to the desk and began reading a protest against the election of the Solicitor-General as Lord Rector. The reading of their document occupied some six or seven minutes, and it was listened to most attentively by Mr.Mait land, who smiled good humouredly as the reader dwelt emphatically on the "incompetency and illegality" of the day's proceedings. The document having at length been finished, it was duly signed and lodged in the Prin cipal's hands ; after which that gentleman administered the oath to Mr. Maitland, amidst terrific cheers, hisses, and yells. The new Lord Rector then took the chair, and spreading out the manuscript of his address before him, began to read therefrom. But it was useless ; his performance was mere dumb show—not a single syllable could be caught for the clamour. Ceasing shortly, smiling at the excited crowd before him, and dodging the missiles which continued to fly in all directions, he waited for a hearing. At this moment, Mr. BURR, a student who had taken a leading part in promoting the cause of Sir A. L. Hay, stood out from his fellows, and said—Mr. Maitland, I am requested by the students of this University to inform you that they hope you will not think of addressing them, as they—[The con clusion was lost in a shout of derisive laughter from the students in favour 'of Mr. Maitland.] Again that gentleman began to speak, and this was heard—" I accept as frankly this protest which you have now offered"—when the tumult again drowned his voice, while at the same moment a splinter of wood struck him on the nose, and blood instantly flowed from the scar. Still the learned gentleman smiled good naturedly, and, indeed, looked the calmest and most contented person on the plat form. Half an hour had now passed with nothing done, and, as the excitement seemed to be increasing rather than abating, Principal CAMPBELL, advancing to the front of the plat form, with considerable energy exclaimed—"l will take other means to put an end to this disgraceful scene. I have marked two or three gentlemen who have been taking an active part in these proceedings, and"—(Cries of " Out with them 1" "Expel them 1" concluded the sentence.) But the row abated not, and a gentleman having whispered something to the Principal, he said—" Yes ; we shall call in the police." (Great shouting, and " Oh, oh I") The Principal continued—" I am sorry to say some of you have to-day . . . Your prospects in life are ruined by the proceedings of to-day; some of you are not only making use of expressions of opinion, but using dangerous missiles." In the lull which followed these remarks, Tho LORD RECTOR was heard—" It must be painful to the whole Senatus—it is peculiarly painful to myself— these proceedings," He then recommenced his address, and got over about a dozen sentences, when the tumult was renewed by the protesting students making a rush to leave the hall. Principal CAMPBELL, with energy—Lock the door. The College servants, followed by some of the Professors, hastened to obey, and after a struggle succeeded in their object. The LORD RECTOR, when silence had been thus obtained, said—A gentleman upon my left hand has kindly asked me to begin again; shall I do so? (Loud cheers, and cries of "Yes, yes," from the three or four hundred students who were still present.) Accordingly his lordship com plied, and, amid repeated applause, had read perhaps for five minutes, when the return of the students to the door, with shouts for instant admission, brought him to a stand still again. Some of the Professors, highly indignant at these repeated interruptions, proceeded to the door, and for several minutes were engaged in a personal encounter with the roused pupils, who at one time had two of the learned gentlemen apparently on the floor amongst their feet. Again the uproar ceased for a minute or two, and the Rec tor, who throughout was amazingly calm, once more re sumed reading. He had only proceeded, however, a page or two, when stones came whistling through the windows from the excluded students in the courtyard of the College. Unheedful of this—though some of the magistrates (the Provost is not at home) took means to have the throwing stopped—Mr. Maitland held on to his manuscript, and had done so for about ten minutes , when,wit with a door, com bined rush, the students return the in, and disorder again prevailed. This was too much, and closing his manuscript, The LORD RECTOR, in a lofty and emphatic tole, said— Gentlemen, I had hoped to have addressed to you SOILP ob servations which I had thought not unbecoming for the present occasion, and which I was certain were not likely to create, but were calculated to allay, excitement. But, unhappily, gentlemen —I cannot but think vary unhappily —there have been some few members of the University acting upon views which I think, on calmer consideration, they will abandon—(cheers)—acting not merely in a frank, man l y w ay to express and vindicate their protest, which protest I was here as frankly to receive as they to offer. (Cheers.) With all regard for those gentlemen—regard, let me tell them, which is unabated by the evidence I have this day seen of the excitement under which they are acting, because I am quite confident that the exhibition which we have had here is no fair index of the character and demea nour—(cheers)—to say nothing of the hospitality to a stranger—(hear, hear)—which I am sure is the characte ristic of the whole students in this University. (Applause.) These gentlemen have to-day protested, and they did right. (Hear.) I now, upon my part, protest—and I protest upon behalf of the great body of the gentlemen who voted against my election, that they have no part in this demonstration. (Hear, and loud applause.) It is impossible that they can. And I protest also, upon the part of the very demonstrators themselves, against it being supposed that this heedlessness into which, in a moment of excitement, they have been hurried, is the slightest index of what we may expect from them either here in their University career or in their professions in after life. (Cheers.) I do regret it ; but I trust that .it is a thing which, having oc curred in a moment of excitement, will be forgotten and never remembered against them at all. (Cheers and hisses.) But, gentlemen, I am afraid that 1 this excitement, in the continued determination for the present to make this demonstration, it is impos sible for me to ad tress to the assembled students of the University—those who voted against me quite as much, and in quite a friendly a spirit, as those who voted for me—it is impossible for me, I say, I am afraid, to persevere in that address without increasing the excitement—without lead ing to conduct more to be deplored, and to consequence s which none should so much regret as I, if I were in any measure accidentally the occasion of them. Therefore, gentlemen, I am at present not in the hands of those stu dents who did me the unexpected honour of nominating me and voting for me ; but I am in the hands of those who mat be present of the other body of students—equally distin guished, and entitled to .my respect—who may still be in this hall. I say lam peculiarly in their hands when I as k the question of this meeting—shall I proceed with the ob servations which I had proposed to address to you? and cheers.) It is of very little moment I believe, gentle men, whether Idoso or not—of very little moment, be cause I cannot imagine that aiy remarks which I COuli tender to you are of real or permanent value. The role ° why I should regret if it is made impossible to continue my address is simply this, that I am afraid that the breaking in for the first time in this way upon what I understand t ° have been the invariable and time lonoured usage in til ts place, will be recorded not here, gentlemen, but elsewhere —(hear, hear)—as evidence that somehow or other a than : has come over the spirit of Aberdeen and its students; that no longer will it be right, safe, or proper to hold those communications which even strangers from a greater dis tance than I have heretofore come to hold with the who le body of the students of Aberdeen, knowing that whether they take part in their election or were opposed to th eol l they, at least, would meet them with the cordiality 61 i7. frankness which belong to them. (Cheers.) Now I saY . " am not in the hands of the gentlemen who voted I° 4 me, but of the gentlemen who voted against me. they choose, they certainly have it in their povrst , for the reason which I have just explained, :to bring the present meeting to this abrupt conclusion. If, on the o gle ' ,. hand, they hold it to be consistent with the course will they have taken—a very reasonable and right course humbly think it to be of tendering a legal protest-if ° e l think it batter to call in question the illegality of that Pro test by proceedings of violence, which literally are utterly inconsistent and destructive of it—(hear, hear) —if they think that they may possibly kindly allow me to procee d : with the observations which I had intended to make--'; can assure them, if they come to that resolution, they shy not hear one single word from me which can by possibility be construed into anything deficient in due respect to tha t ' (Cheers, and cries of " Seats, seats.") Now, allow me te make another request, and that is, that gentlemen will 0 further contribute to excitement and interrupt the delivery of my short observations by cheering. Probably they w l° , see that upon the present occasion at least it is exped ient that we should abandon this practice. (Heir.) His lord: a ship then proceeded to finish his address, which he ( 1 1 with only one other interruption of importance, when he again offered to close, but amid loud cheers was called 0 0 to proceed. COMPANY. This is an appeal from a decision of the Court of Session in Scotland, by which they held that the appellants were liable to pay £4OO, &c., loss sustained by the respondents on a false and fraudulent insurance on the life of one Andrew Skeene by William Harvey, who afterwards absconded and went to Australis. The Attorney-General is now being heard for the appellants. SHERIFFS' COURT. (Before Mr. Kerr.) CURIOSS ACTION BY AN INSURANCE COMPANY.—THE PRUDENTIAL INSURANCE COMPANY V. RANGUIN. In this case the company sued the defendant, who had been one of its agents, for a premium upon the policy of his own life, and also for a premium received on account of the company from a third person. In answer to his Honour, plaintiff's agent said that it was customary to allow the agent's premium to stand over for twelve months. His Honour thought that was very improper and unfair to the shareholders. Plaintiffs' Agent—lt is allowed, so that the agent may reduce the amount of his premium by commissions. It is only to agents that we allow this privilege. His Honour—Precisely. Do you set forth in your pros pectus to the shareholders that you give credit to your agents? Plaintiffs' agent—No, but it is by no means an unusual course. His Honour—Suppose the agent dies within the twelve• month ? Plaintiffs' agent—Then his heirs would be entitled to the money of the policy, subject to the detention of the amount of the unpaid premium. His Honour considered that it was a course of business which should not be followed. The agent shoull not have any advantage over the shareholders. The defendant did not appear, and so plaintiffs would take a verdict, but there was doubt about the legality of the claim, IMPORT/NT CASE UNDER THE BILLS OF EXCHANGE ACT.- WINCKWORTH T. MORLAND. This was an action upon a bill of exchange, drawn 22 years ago, for £lOO, but paid from time to time with the exception of £l5, new . sought to be recovered. Mr. Beard, for the plaintiff, stated that the bill was lost. His Honout—l apprehend that will be a good answer to the action. Mr. Beard proposed to give evidence of an account stated, but Mr. Gant objected. Mr. Beard said the bill was not a negotiable instrument; but upon reference to the sum mons it was found that the bill was drawn by one Kars dale and accepted by the defendant, having been endorsed over to the plaintiff by Harsdale. His Honour said it was very clear that the instrument was negotiable, and that the loss of it was an answer to the action. Plaintiff nonsuited. Mr. Gant asked for costs, which were allowed. POLICE INTELLIGENCE.--(This Day) MARLBOROUGH-STREET ASSAULTTNG A LANDLORD.—"SHOOTING THE MOON." George Matthews, a coachmaker, was charged with assault ing his landlord, Mr. John Parker, of 53, King-street. It appears that Mr. Parker went home the previous night, about eleven, when he found the defendant busily engaged removing his goods, the defendant at the time owing him a month's rent. He attempted to prevent the defendant doing so, when the defendant struck him and also his daughter. A young man said he saw the defendant strike Mr. Parker; he was himself struck- and the defendant sign struck Mr. Parker's daughter in the eye and nearly stunned her. Defendant—What business had you there? Witness—Mr. Parker asked me to assist him. The defendant—Ain' t you "somebody's (evidently mean ing the daughter) young man P" A constable said he told the defendant not to remove the goods, and saw him attempt to strike Mr. Parker. The defendant said it was got up against hi m . _ _ _ Mr. Beadon said it was not got up against him. He wai found doing an illegal thing, and the constable saw him attempt to strike his landlord. Had the charge of assaulting the daughter been on the sheet, he should have committed him for three months. The defendant said he was taking the goods out to sell. Mr. Beadon—What, at 11 o'clock ! You had no busi ness to do it. It was literally stealing the goods. Fined i 5, or two months. YOUNG RUrrIA.NS-ASSAAILTMG THE CHILDREN OF ST. LUKE'S SCHOOL.-Wm. Gale and James Edgington. two rough boys, were charged before Mr. Beadon, with as saulting and robbing a little girl named Catherine Ellen Baker, an attendant at St. Luke's School, Berwick-street. The Rev. Harry Jones, curate of St, Luke's Church, was in attendance. It appears that the complainant was on her way to the Rev. Mr. Jones's house the previous afternoon, with three or four companions, and while passing through Ingestre court, the prisoner Gale jumped on her back, and putting his arm round hor neck seized it so tightly that she was unable to call for assistance. He, after two or three minutes, left go of her, and she then felt his hand in her pocket, and missed her pocket handkerchief. The other boy was looking on at the time. Some other evidence having been given, Mr. Beadon said these attacks on children must be put down, and if there were any more cases of jumping on little girls' backs and nearly strangling them, he would send them to the sessions. There was not sufficient evidence against Edgington, and he should, therefore, dis charge him, but Gale he should commit for three months for the assault. THIS DAY'S iItAREETS. HAY MARKETS. - - SiurrnytELD.—Meadow hay, £2 Os to £6 5s Od ; clover do., £3 Os to .£sl6s ; and straw, £1 10s to £1 18s per load. Trade dull. CUMBERLAND..-- Meadow hay, £2 2e to £5 103 ; clover, £3 5s to £3s 153 Od ; and straw, £1 12g to £1 183 per lead. Both hay and straw "loved off slowly, at our quotations. WILITECIRAPEL. - Meadow hay, £2 Os to £5 511 Od ; olovez, £3 5s to £5 15s Od ; and straw, £1 108 to £1 16s per load. A slow demand. COLONIAL. TEA.—The demand has continued inactive, and there is no change to record in values. SUGARS.—OnIy moderate dealings have been entered into, and prices have shown no change of importance. In the refined market, however, there has been more activity, and late prices have been well supported. COF/ER.—The general tone of the market has been very quiet, and prices are unaltered. Rios.—Moro inquiry has been experienced for the better descriptions, and slightly advanced prices have been easily obtained for superior descriptions of East India. SALTPETRE.—The dealin gs h ave b een to a fair extent, and quotations have improved about 6d per cwt. for good and fine qualities, TALLOW.—The market has continued quiet, and prices have shown a slight downward tendency. P.Y.C. on the spot 59s 6d to 60s, and 56s last three months' delivery. THE WEATHER. METEOROLOGICAL REPORTS. -. This Day, - between 8 and B. E. M. D. F. C. I. S. 9 a.m. Nairn 2i•77 38 36 .W. 3 5 e. 3 Aberdeen Leith. 28'85 43 42 E. 3 9 o. 2 Berwick 2815 40 38 S. 1 7 f. 1 Ardrossan Shields Galway... .. Scarborough 28•80 40 39 N.W. 3 7 0. a Liverpool 2 8 .93 43 41 W. 6 7 c. 3 Yarmouth 2B*BB 41 40 W.S.W. 3 7 r. 4 London 2 8 .08 44 41 W.N.W. 5 9 r, Dover 2B 98 47 44 W. S. W. 6 8 o. 5 Portland Plymouth Penzance Jersey 29•63 47 45 W. 10 5 r. 8 1 ••••••••......-......... EXPLANATION.—B. Barometer. corrected and reduced EXPLANATION.—B. Barometer, corrected and reduced to 32 deg at mean sea level ; each 10 feet of vertical rise causing about 1-100th of an inch diminution and each 10 deg above 32 d eg caus i ng near ly 3-100ths in crease. E. Exposed thermometer in shade. M. Moistened bulb (for evaporation and dew-point). D. Direction of wind (true — not magnetic). F. Force (1 to 12—estimated). C. Cloud (1 to 9). I. Initials :—b., blue sky; c., clouds (detached) ; f., fog. ' • h., hail ; 1., lightning ; m., misty (hazy) ; 0., overcast (dull) ; r., rain; s., snow; t., thunder. A letter repeated augments—thus, r.r., much rain. S. Sea disturb ance (1 to 9). The reigning Queen of Prussia has just been named Colonel of the 2d Regiment of Russian Cuirassiers, which Will in future bear. ler initials, COUNTRY MARKETS. COLCHESTER—MARCH 16. The wheat trade was flat. Dry samples realised 106 a; vance on the full prices of last week. Fine malting , ley met a dull sale, and slightly receded. Beans and P unaltered. Wheat, white 6os to 68s Beans, Mazagan.. 36s to 4V red 44s to 60s I & small 44$ to 0 4 , Barley 4os to 48s I White peas 4Be to Oats —s to --s Urey.. 42 m to 4. CHELMSFORD—MARCH 15. —a A fair supply of wheat to-day ; but business from Jiro to mouth. Best samples firm, at is per qr advance on la.. prices, and inferior parcels difficult of sale. All Sp r " corn firm. Wheat, white 3,98 to 64s 1 Peas Partridge. 44 8 to red 48s to 61s 1 White 43s to 4L„; Barley 29s to 42s i Boiling 43s to dr' Chevalier ....328 to 45s I Dun 39s to 0 3 Grinding 26s to 37s Beans, Tick ....36s to 0 AM Malt 61s to 67s Harrow Ticks 37s to ... Chevalier 648 to 69s Mazagan 30s to Oats 26s to 31s 416 STAMFORD—MARCH 16. A fair supply of wheat a t mar k e t y es terday, which 0°- at is per qr. advance on late quotations. Wheat 58s to 64s Oats.. 24s to 3 06 White do 60s to 66s Beans 42s to to 44 60 : Barley .......36s to 44s Ditto, old ........58s KIRKALDY—MARCH 16. We had fair supplies to-day of wheat, oats, and barl e l t which sold at last week's rates. Wheat Barley Oats First—. 30s Od 31s Od I 228 Od Second.. 56s Od 40s Od 28 s Od I Third .. 70s Od 43s Od 320 Od COAL MARKE (recce of Coal per Ton at s. d. T—MARcil 18. the close of the market 0 , 15 6 Wylam ..... Davison's Wools saare 6 ley ....10 Byass's Bebside West Hart Lay .l 0 Lambert's West Hart- ley 14 9 Carway and Duffryn Malting Howard's West Hart ley 15 6 Tanfield Moor l2 6 Tanfield Moor Butes —l2 6 Clark's West Hartley 15 0 Straker's West Hartleyls 6 Hastings Hartley 15 0 Walker Primrose 12 6 Eden Main ...17 3 Ships at market, Walls End. Brsddyll's Hetton... .. 17 5 Harton ........16 a n Byron 7 0 0 South Hartlepool... • ..17 6 Kelloe Hedley ..... 16 g South Hetton . ...... 19 6 Trimdon Thornley... • 16 0 South Whitworth..... 16 Thorpe .. . ..17 0 138; sold, 79. DISASTROUS COLLISION AT SEA.—the Manch , ter Guardian of yesterday publishes the following: , " Liverpool, Monday Morning.—The Joseph Fish, vib ie t sailed from Liverpool on Thursday last, for Key West, 13 , 1 t is back to Liverpool yesterday, having been in collision the ship Tuniata, bound from the Mersey to Baltin2 o i The latter vessel sunk in 10 minutes after the contact, al l , 14 of the crew are reported missing. The Joseph Fish IP' a good deal damaged." [ADVERTISEMENT.]—Among the numerous extraorail nary cures without medicine of indigestion, (dyspeP' flatulency, constipation, nervous, bilious and liver 0 ,5 plaints, cough, asthma, consumption and debility, effect by Du Barry's delicious health restoring Revalenta bica Food, the following are not the least remar kable: .. , Cur& No. 47,121.—" Miss Elizabeth Jacobs, of Na- 1 ' Vicarage, Waltham-cross, Herts ; a cure of extreme 11 1; vousness, indigestion, gatherings, low spirits, and nerv o _., fancies." Cure No. 48,314.—" Miss Elizabeth Yeonitl Gateacre, near Liverpool ; cure of ten years' dyspepsia BP': all the horrors of nervous irritability.' , Cure No. 3,90 6 ;;: Thirteen years cough, indigestion, and general debi ld , has been removed by Du Barry's excellent Revale n ; Arabica Food. James Porter, Athol-street, Peed Avoid Pills and Medicines : they invariably aggravate perpetuate diseases ; their annoyance, disappoinonet i and expense may be avoided by using Du Barry's Fo ° .., which, at a few pence per day, saves 45C times its cost other remedies, removing effectually, vt,.thout purgil constipation, indigestion (dyspepsia) nervous, bilious J o , liver complaints and all their consequence s . C e rtifit . No. 36,418. We find it the safest remedy. A n d re w ut MD., F.R.S., Dr Harvey, Dr. Wurzer, D r . Sh or l a nd, c,. ' Campell. Let invalids avoid the fea r f u l d angers o f OP- n i rious and injurious imitations offered under a variet9i 4 false pretences. Nevill's imitations are prohibited by high Court of Chancery under a penalty of £5,000 ag' Alfred Hooper Nevill and his agents ; and the preten; that Nevin has a patent for Arabica Food and that 0, Barry's are connected with such patent are utterly 0 1;4 , No canister is genuine without the name Barry Du 1 38.1 : i .', ) and Co., 77, Regent-street, in full, onthe seal and wraPP: g t Shopkeepers who attempt imposition in one article IS expect to be distrusted in all others. Packed in tins h e 2s. 9d.; 21b. 4s. 6d. ; 51b. Ils.; 121 b. 225. ; 241 b. 40s. t 121 b. and 241 b. canisters are sent carriage free on reo,e'P ew of Post-office order by Barry Du Barry and Co., 77, R: gent-street, London; Fortnum Mason, and Co. 114 6 - r . 60, Gracechurch-street ; 4, Cheapside; 63 and 150, bard-street ; 330 and 451, Strand; 49 and 60, BishopsM. street ; Batty, 16, Finsbury Pavement ; Phillips ana ee t tea-dealers; Petty, Wood, and Co., King winiam etr City ; at 127 High Holborn: and all grocers . [ADVERTISEMENT.] —Holloway's' Ointment and Fi n d are an Incomparable Remedy for Sores, Wounds, 01 _ Ulcers.—pr. James Newman, residing ne a r Enrv-rale, was a dreadful sufferer for four years from runni ng ail in his legs. He tried a ll means without effect. He 119 been in an hospital three months, and was turned out il l ; curable. He then had recourse to Holloway's ointreoil d and Pills, and by a steady perseverance in their use for is weeks he obtained an effectual ca re • an d his leg; now whole and sound, to the astonishment of his friends' It is idle to comment upon a fact of this nature. It sPe . .7i volumes. Tne medicine whi c h can pro d uce auc h rest , ' stands in no need of praise. BIRTHS. BRISTOW/L-0n the 17th inst., at Herne-hill, Mrs. T. Lb Bristowe, of a son. 1 1. KNox.—On the 15th inst., at Newbridge, R county of dare, the wife of Lieut.-Colonel Knox,Royal Artillerif of a son. WALROND.—On the 17th inst., at Bradfield, Cullorali t°l39 the Hon. Mrs. Walrond, of a son. MARRIAGES. HUDIESTON—SILEPPARD.—On the 16th hid., at Isli l t ' ton, John Nichols Hudleston , Esq. , M.D., of Hol ill gam / to Elizabeth, eldest daughter of the late Mr. Sheppard, of Darnsbury, Middlesex. JAMES—BLATHWAYT.—On the 13th inst., at Leistoll Church, Charles P. James, Esq., of Foulsata, Norfol:: son of the late W. R. James, Esq., Aldeburgh, to 14aci vt line Emily, eldest daughter of the Rev. C. J. Blather incumbent of Leistozb Suffi.lk• DUTZIS. if AUSTIZN.—On the 16th inst ., ., at Co,uselywood House, l ' hurst, Sussex, Mr. T. Austen, aged 72. BARLOW.—On the 15th inst., at Thornton . heath , Gr°l don, John Barlow, Esq., of Southwark, aged 72. DALTON.—On the 15th inst.' at her seat, TlMlnhalla 3 Lancaster, Miss Elizabeth Dalton, aged 82. the HILTON. —On the 15th inst., at Sarre Court, Ken Rev. John Hilton, aged 68. KING.—On the 15th inst. , at 13, Elmbank-place, alasg°v4 John King, Esq., merchant. -1-`°° r f Ik+ PROCTOR.—On the 14 th inst. , at Langley-park, -his Ad m iral Sir William Beauchamp Proctor, Bart., 80th year. t LONDON : Pri nd, Printer, at nted and Published E S by MURPO YOUN G ' a d No. 112, Stra TH uN Office, No. 1 12,St !!' 1, .., in the Precinct of the Savoy, i n th e C ou nty of lad dl "' - ' rruericlay, March 19, 1861. for Vr the Th