The Sun. — London, England, 1854-03-24 00:00:00

IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT. HOUSE OF LORDS—(YESTERDAY.) The LORD CHANCELLOR took his seat on the woolsack afi five o'clock. ROYAL ASSENT. The Royal assent was given by commission to the .following bills :—The Consolidated Fund (8,000,0001.) Sill, the Exchequer Bills (1,760,0001.) Bill, The Coast ing Trade Bill, the Mutiny Bill, and the Marine Mutiny 3111. The Lords Commissioners were the Lord Chancellor, Zen Granville, and Lord Monteagle. The Bishop of LONDON presented a petition from bury St. Edmunds against certain provisions in the Testamentary Jurisdiction Bill. The Earl of DONOUGHMORE presented a petition from a place in Ireland praying for the adoption of mea sures to relieve counties of the enormous expense at tending the trial of prisoners. Lord CAMPBELL presented petitions from Edin h, Glasgow, and the other principal towns of Scot ian. against the system of compulsory oaths. The of HARROWBY presented petitions from the Manchester Chamber of Commerce, and the Liver pool Guardian Society, in favour of the registration of bills of sale. METROPOLITAN INTERMENTS. The Bishop of LONDON gave notice that on Mon day next he would present a petition from c e rtain clergymen calling attention to the great ev il which re sulted from the recent measure respecting [nett opol itan interments, and the absolute necessity of adopting new regulations, with a view to social and sanatory pur poses. THE HAY CONTRACTOR. The Earl of MALMESBU RY—I wish to ask her Majesty's Government whether some error has not taken place with regard to the name of the person who at tempted to defraud the Government the . other day with respect to a contract for hay lam ir.f!irmed that in another place it has been stated h is name is not Sturges, but Sturgeon. His name and resid ence I think should be known, that all the sh ame which attaches to such conduct should devolve entirely on him, and not on in nocent persons. (gear-) The Duke of NEWCASTLE—I came down fer the express purpose of making this explanation to the house ; and I should say, that upon receiving a letter couched in the most courteous terms from this gentleman—who I feel, to a certain extent, has been aggrieved, though un intentionally—l wrote to the gentleman of the depart ment who was my informant the other evening, and he has written to say he regrets to find he was wrong in giving the name of Sturges —the name is Sturgeon. I understand that hay of more than one contractor was returned in consequ ence o f it s b e i ng of inferior quality ; but the individuals who sent in the hay which has been so grievously complained of, containing the rubbish stated by the noble earl (the Earl of Ellenborough), are—: Thomas Sturgeon and Son, of Grays, Essex. I can only express my sincere regret that a person of such high re spectability as Mr. Sturges, of Orchard-street, Portman square, should have felt one moment's pain at this trans action. Lord CAMPBELL.—I am not acquainted with the merits, or demerits, I should say, of the case. It seems a very gross one ; but, for the credit of the law of Eng land, I should be very sorry if such conduct could not. be made the subject of criminal prosecution. I have no doubt by the common law of England these persons are liable to be prosecuted, and on conviction to be severely punished. There was a case tried before me respectio,,, , the monument to Lord Nelson, in connectio❑ with which a,gross fraud was committed in the metal employed. Those persons were prosecuted ; they were tried before me, and I sentenced them to three months' imprison ment ; and a much more severe punishment awaits those convicted of the infamous conduct which has been imputed to Mr. Sturgeon, of which, as yet, he must be supposed to be innocent. Upon his conviction, I say be would merit most condign punishment. (Hear.) Lord BROUGHAM.—I am exceedingly glad to hear that my noble and learned friend has come to the conclu sion that such an offence is punishable by the law as it now stands, for it is infinitely to be preferred that we should proceed on the law as it now is, rather than make a new law with reference to that particular case. lam exceedingly happy to find that my noble friend has, I presume on due consideration of the whole matter, come to that conclusion, in which, however, he differs, I am sorry to say, from other learned friends of mine, who have well considered the matter, and come to the conclu sion that it is extremely doubtful whether the individual is liable to that punishment. This only shows how ex tremely inconvenient it is that this house—the court of criminal review in the last resort—should be on any ac count, or under any circumstances whatever, drawn into a discussion of even a hypothetical case, respecting a case which may afterwards come before us in our judicial capacity. (Hear, hear.) My noble and learned friend has most carefully and safely guarded himself as far as regards the question of fact, and it is only in the event of the party being prosecuted and convicted of the facts alleged that my noble and learned friend can be understood to have pronounced any opinion what ever; and no doubt my noble and learned friend, upo, the matter of law, when it comes before him,. will perfectly ready to hear counsel for the prisoner or de fendant moot that point, as well as argue on the ques tion of fact. (Hear, hear.) The Duke of NEWCASTLE—I think it right to repeat, as my noble and learned friend the Lord Chief Justice was not present the other evening, what I then stated—that the solicitor to the Treasury is directed to make full inquiries, and if the facts be such as to war rant a prosecution, to prosecute the party. (Hear.) THE SEAMEN OF NEWCASTLE. The Earl of ELLENBOROLTGH—My lords, I am about to present a petition to which I wish to draw the attention of the house, and especially of her Majesty's Government. It is a petition for constructing a harbour of refuge at the mouth of the Tyne, and involves matters of the greatest importance respecting the impending war in the Baltic, and perhaps in no inconsiderable degree respecting the manning of the navy. There have been various plans at various times for the formation of a harbour of refuge, and improving the mouth of the Tyne, and the latter subject has recently been remitted to the consideration of Mr. Walker, the engineer of the Admiralty, who has formed a plan for improving the entrance into that river. I have to state that one fourth of the shipwrecks which are heard of on the coast of England occur within seventy miles of the mouth of the Tyne, that during last January 110 shipwrecks oc curred in three days within twenty miles of that river, and that not less than thirty-six wrecks took place at the mouth of the river itself. There are not less than 31 million tons of shipping annually engaged and using the port of the Tyne, and there are not less than 71 million tons of shipping using the four rivers of the Tyne, the Tees, the Wear, and the Humber. Access to the Tyne is of special importance to persons who reside in the metropolis, because, in consequence of the state of the bar at the mouth of that river during the prevalence of east winds are unable to leave the port, and during three or four weeks of last winter there were not less than 1,500 vessels detained four weeks contain ing 200,000 tons of coal, all required for the imme diate use of the metropolis. It is estimated that the cost of building the proposed piers will be 350,000/ e and the commissioners of the Tyne are able to offer to pay one half of that sum. If they are left together to their own resource ' s, twenty or thirty years may elapse before the work is completed, and in the meantime in point of fact, the intended piers will be little better than artificial reefs, not improving but deteriorating the navigation of the river. Your lordships must be aware how very much the carriage of coal by railways is interfering with and diminishing the carriage of coal by sea, and it is undoubt edly matter of public interest to equalise the facilities for the conveyance of coal by sea, so as to facilitate the car ringe of coal to the metropolis. There are other reasons which at the present moment render it extremely impor tant that the Government should attend to the sugges tions of the petitioners in favour of the construction of these piers. We are involved, my lords, in a war in the Baltic, which must be carried on to a great extent, and every year will be carried on to a greater extent, by means of vessels impelled by steam, and to the port of Newcastle yon must resort for coal, by which to carry en that war, because you must go 700 miles to obtain any other coal but that of Newcastle, equally useful for purposes of steam on board men of war. If that port is altered in the manner proposed, not only will coal vessels at all times be able to leave the harbour, but all small vessels of war will be able to enter the harbour and coal within it ; and the importance of that is of the greatest possible consideration if this war continue. I am aware it may appear unnecessary to suggest the continuance of war, not actually declared, as an addi tional reason for improving the port from which the supplies of coal for carrying on the war would be ob tained. But, my lords, I confess Ido not look forward with an sa ngu i ne v i ews to the ear l y term i nat i on of th i s w ar.,_ I co ns id er if once the f oundations of the great ',Vie of nations are broken up, a long time indeed will eaPee before all the elements which compose the pre sent system—the present balance of power—will find stability. It is, in my opinion, most advis a bl e f o r th e Governm e , 4 at the earliest moment to take into view probable events, and at the earliest moment to en deavour to he prepar e d ter for all contingencies. (Hear.) Bat, my lords, e is another consideration, and on e , as it•seems to me, of very la great importance, which it wou ld be well fo r her iesty's Ministers to have in their view. These ports produce th e finest seamen i n t hi s country ; but I regret to say that hitherto the navy of has not had the advantage their a services. There has among been to a consi derabl e extent them a reluctance to quit the serv ice to w hich they are ng enter that of her M a j est y , Various circumstances, I regret to say, have occurredlate Years which havebeen o t f a somewhat untowa rd charac ter, and h ave ten d ed duce—l would rather not sa y irritation but a d o prof egee of estrangement between t hem an d the Goy ern mentorfthe country. More than one measure has been passed which has been extremely ill re ceived b y them, and has been considered to press hardly on their interests. In one instance—that of the Registration of Seamen Act—l think they took a very exaggerated and a very unrea sonable view of the provisions of that measure, but the result was great indisposition on the part of the seamen to serve at all while the law remeined unaltered, a n d that which is on all ocaasions a measure most injurious to the public and rarely beneficial to the individuals who' reso r t to it—a strike ; a measure which must of necessity i n , jure the public, inasmuch as the public wealth consists of the produce of public labour, which is interrupted and suspended while the strike lasts, and we rarely find that the persons engaged in it ultimately derive any benefit which can compensate for the loss sus , - taieed. (Hear, hear.) Another meaeuro passed throngs this house which had a very serious effect on their feelings towards the Government of the country. saiely endeavoured to caution your iorelship.s againet - , the adoption of it. The arrangement by which f 'preigners are allowed to serve in the coasting trade TWE SUN, LONDON, FRIDAY EVENING, MARCH 24, 1854. authorities of Hertford; in favour of the Poor Removal Bill. Mr. MILLIGAN presented a petition from the me dical botanists of Bradford against the Medical Registra tion Bill. Mr. BRIGHT presented a petition from the Society , of Friends in Ireland, praying for the abolition of mi nisters' money. Mr. CRAUFURD presented a petition from a place in Scotland, praying for an amendment of the law of partnership. upon by the prase in the right spirit. The Government had turned their attention to it and, after due considera tion, he thought it clear that tie cause of the constant defeat of the law was the dificulty of obtaining legal evidence. (Hear, hear.) Nthody doubted that these houses did exist; they were known perfectly well to the police ; they were known as well as the hotels or taverns in the same street, audit was notorious that they were frequented by regular ganblers and by persons who inveigled young men into thenito gamble. The keepers of them mocked the law. It vas most desirable that the law should be asserted. The first difficulty in the way was the means they used of shutting out the police. If the police could, as the act authorised them, enter at all times into these places, they would very soon detect the gamblers, and bring the keepers of such establish ments to justice. As long as this barring out was allowed they could do nothing. He proposed, therefore to make it a substantive offense wilfully to take means for excluding and preventing ;he entrance of the officers when they demanded admission on the authority of the law. (Hear, hear.) It might at first seem objeciionable even to make the barring If a man's own house an offence, but hon. members would see the distinction be tween the ordinary precautions of a householder and this absolute fortification against the law, and the ma gistrates might fairly be alloyed to discriminate between these two cases. He proposed that where an informa tion was laid, and a magistrate issued his warrant, unusual and unnecessary means employed to keep out the officers from the inspection they were entitled to should be a substantive ()fence, and should render liable to a penalty as such. (Hear, hear.) Next he extended the principles of the act relating to gam ing. By that it was provided that where any cards or dice, or other ,implements of gaining were found, it should be competent to the magistrates to suppose that the house in which they were discovered was used as a gaming house, and to throw the burden of disproof upon the persons accused. He proposed to extend that prin ciple to cases in which houses were thus unnecessarily fortified, and to make their keepers prove them not gaming houses, in spite of the suspicious circumstance of their being so defended. He also proposed to let the magistrate—who ordinarily could judge which of the prisoners brought before him were dupes and which were hackneyed gamblers, select in each case those whom it would be proper to prosecute, and those who, less culpable, might be admitted as witnesses. There were in what was called every "haul" some who would not perjure themselves, and whose evidence it was desir able and necessary, for the carrying out of the law, that we should have. Believing, also, that nothing would deter young men more than publicity; he pro posed to make it an offence to give a false name and address. (Hear, hear.) These provisions, he thought, would remedy the evil at which they aimed. The house had legislated successfully against the betting houses ; it would now be doing an equally salutary work in putting down the remnant of the gaining houses that: still existed in this country. (Cheers.) Sir J. V. SHELLEY,„as the representative of West minster, thanked 'the lion, and learned gentleman for having proposed this reform in the law. Leave was then given to bring in the bill. GRAND JURY LAWS. Mr. MACARTNEY moved that the following hon. gentlemen should be the select committee upon the Irish Grand Jury Laws :—Mr. Macartney, Sir J. Young, Lord Stanley, Colonel Caulfield, Mr. G. H. Hamilton, Mr. Wrightson, Mr. Gould, Mr. Napier, Sir R. Fer guson, Colonel Dunne, Mr. H. Herbert, Mr. George, Mr. Sullivan, Mr. Davison, and Mr. Roche. Mr. F. SCULLY mo ved, as an amendment, that the order for the appointment of the committee be discharged. After a brief discussion the amendment was agreed to. RETURNS. On the motions of Mr. ROEBUCK and Mr. ADDERLEY, returns were ordered relating to the Supreme Court of Calcutta and the Orange River Sovereignty. NA. CURALISED SUBJECTS. Mr. T. DUNCOMBE presented a petition from cer tain foreigners who had become naturalised subjects of this country, stating that they had been refused Foreign office passports, and praying the house to take their case into consideration. The hon. gentleman gave notice that to-morrow he should move that the petition be printed, with the view of calling the attention of the house to it. RAILWAY LEGISLATION. Mr. H. BROWN asked the President of the Board of Trade when he proposed to bring in his Railway Bill. Mr. CARDWELL said the bill was prepared, and he proposed to bring it in as soon as the state of public business would admit of his doing so. NEW WRIT. On the motion of Mr. H. G. LIDDELL, a new writ was ordered for Tynemouth. in the room of Mr. Hugh Taylor, whose election had been declared void. POOR LAW SETTLEMENT. Mr. HENLEY asked the President of the Poor-law Board whether the Government propose to extend the provisions of the Settlement and Removal Bill, so as to affect and abolish the power of removal of Scotch and Irish paupers from England, and of Irish and English paupers from Scotland. Mr. BAINES could not answer the question. It mu-,t be put to the Secretary of State for the Home Department. AGRICULTURAL STATISTICS. Mr. PALK asked the President of the Board of Trade, whether any steps have been or are about to be taken to obtain statistical information with regard to agricultural produce. Mr. CARD WELL replied in the affirmative. The information would be laid before Parliament as it came in. ROYAL COMMISSION. Mr. PULMAN, the Yeoman Usher of the Black Rod, appeared at the table, and summoned the house to attend at the bar of the House of Peers, to hear the Royal assent given to several acts, for which see the Lords' report. IRISH MARKET. Viscount C/STLEROSSE asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether it was the intention of the Govern ment to intro lute any measure, during the present ses sion, for the better regulation of fairs and markets in Ireland Sir J. YOUNG said, yes, but not very soon. NEWSPAPER STAMPS. Mr. CRA.UFURD,,seeing the Chancellor of the Ex cheque. in his place, was desirous of being informed when the newspaper stamp returns, and the correspondence with respect to unstamped publications in Ireland, which had been ordered by the house, were likely to be laid upon the table ? The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER—The answer which I received with respect to the subject of the honourable gentleman's question was, that the newspaper stamp return was a very simple matter to prepare—that it was in fact already prepared—and I apprehend although I speak without certainty, it is already on the table of the house. (Hear, hear.) With respect to the correspondence, on the other hand, it is very difficult, and takes a great deal of time to procure. It is necessary to mak a long and laborious search through a great heap of correspondence, and although every diligence has been used and will be used in obtaining it, I am not able to say that it is absolutely ready. Mr. NEWDEGATE said it was very much com plained by many newspaper proprietors that the publi cation of the stamp returns placed them in the same position in which they would be put by the publica tion of the income tax assessments, so far as con cerned the revelations of the condition of their trade. (Hear, hear.) They were greatly gratified two years ago at finding that the right hon. gentleman had refused to allow them to be possibly injured by the produc tion of these returns ; and they wished to know whether ' anything had occurred since then which had induced him to consent to that which he had then refused, or i'whether - they might not still hope that this publication t(f their - prejudice would not, even now, be permitted. The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER—The reason which induced me to consent to these returns was one which did not at all address itself to my understand ing, but was connected with my sense of duty to this house—it was in fact a division of the House of Com mons. (Hear.) No doubt that division took place pro forma upon a motion of adjournment made by my hon. friend behind me ; but I apprehend the clear meaning of that division was, that the feeling of the bouse was that these returns should be published ; and although I individually was of a different opinion, as I stated plainly at the time, I did not think it became me to keep up a prolonged opposition to the wishes of the house upon the subject. HAY CONTRACT FOR THE ARMY. Col. BLAIR asked which Mr. Sturges it was who had attempted to defraud the army of the East in supplying hay to the artillery. If it was not a Mr. Sturges, then, who was it ? Sir J. GRAHAM declined to give up the name. Col BLA IR gave notice that he should repeat the question to-morrow, and then insist upon an answer. Mr. B. OSBORNE saw no objection to satisfying the gallant Col )nel's curiosity now. The name of the party was "Thomas Sturgeon and Son," of Grays, Essex. Mr. ROEBUCK gavenotice that to-morrow he should ask if the case had been submitled to the Attorney-Gene ral with the view of prosecuting the parties. Sir j/GRALIAM would answer the question at once. The solicitor to the Board of Admiralty had to day received instructions to take every possible steps which the law afforded to bring the parties to justice, and if it should be found that the law did not reach the case, it would be his duty to bring in a bill to prevent a recurrence of such frauds. (Hear.) IRISH PRISONS. Lord NAAS asked if it was intended to bring in a bill this session for the better management of Government and county prisons in Ireland ? Sir J. YOUNG said such a bill would be forthcoming after Easter. SELECT COMMITTEES. Mr. EWART rose to move for a select committee to consider whether the constitution of select committees might not be improved. 1, By choosing the members through a committee of selection. 2, By ascertaining previously that they would be able regularly to attend the meetings of the committee to which they might be appointed. 3, By limiting the number of members com posing such committees, with a view to increase their responsibility. Sir J. PAKINGTON hoped this motion would not be persevered in, as the committee on public business was about to report on the subject. The motion was therefore withdrawn. GAMING HOUSES. The ATTORNEY-GENERAL moved for leave to introduce a bill for the suppression of gaming houses. (Hear, hear.) The bill in question had for its object the existing condition of the law relating to such esta blishments, and to supply its deficiencies ; and he thought hon. members who had read the police reports of late must have seen so many cases of the law being set at defiance and triumphed over by the keepers of these places as to call for a measure of the kind. Many wise and useful provisions against gaming were already in operation, and they had succeeded in putting the practice of public gaming down ; so far the metropolis presented a very favourable contrast to many conti nental towns, where, for unworthy motives, this prac tice was permitted. But, though public gaming was suppressed, all our legislation had, unfortunately, been without success for the preveetion of private gaming. Every day brought to light some fresh instances of young men of hope and promise being led into these esta blishments, to the ruin of their fortunes and the de struction of their prospects in life ; and this, though there were penalties imposed by many statutes against those who kept such houses and those who frequented them. The law permitted its officers to enter these houses by force, to seize all the persons found in them, and to take the gaming instruments they discovered ; and one would have supposed that such means, unspar ingly used, would have had the desired effect. Cer tainly no blame attached either to the magistrates or to the police, who were both active and zealous in the per formance of their respective duties. The reason why the present legal remedy was ineffectual was that these gaming establishments were conducted in private houses, from which the keepers excluded all persons likely to betray them, and to which access was only to be attained by introduction. This system enabled them always to keep out the police till they were enabled to get rid of all the proofs of gaming which were required for their conviction. He had been in communication with an officer, who had explained to him the mode in which they secured themselves from discovery. It seemed that they regularly fortified their establishments ; that either an outer or an inner door was fortified in a manner from which even the Board of Ordnance might take a lesson; and that this caused a delay of at least half an hour to the police who were endeavouring to effect an entrance, and thus afforded time to make away with the implements of gaining. As he had said, they took very good care not to admit any one in whom they had not the most thorough confidence. They admitted old hands, because they were known to them ; they admitted young hands when they came introduced by old ones ; but the police, of course, they did not admit ; they were too well known to the wary guardians stationed inside and out to have any chance of that. The moment any suspicious-look ing person appeared, these men, either by ringing a bell or otherwise, give warning ; bolts, bars, and chains were all immediately applied ; and long before the police, if it was the police, could effect an entrance, *very article used for the purposes of gaming was removed —entirely removed—for they had a convenience corn- NEW WRIT. municating with the common sewer. As soon as this On the motion of Mr. HAYTER a new writ was or- was done, the obstacles to the entrance were dispensed dared for Liscard, in the room of Mr. Crowder, Q.C., with, the police were received with great politeness, elevated to the Bench. and a party of gentlemen were found upstairs, either PETITIONS. over t h e supper ta bl e or engage d i n a h arm l ess game of Sir J. DUKE presented three petitions from the billiards. They were all taken before the magistrates, parishes of St. Michael's, St. Dunstan's, and St. Bride's, and the case was heard. At a particular point it broke against the Poor Removal 8.11. down for want of evidence, and everybody laughed, ex- Mr. G. BUTT presented a petition from, Weymouth ce c time dis,oodited p l olice. The prisoners were Clio, against the en d owment of Roman Catholic Priests for (.Is P charedrobably - on to resume their abominable prisons. g ,p . y Mr. COWPER presented a petition from the parish -- practices the same night. (Hear, hear.) This state of tignge was very objectionable, and had been commented The clause was then agreed to. On the next clause being read, The Earl of CLANCARTY observed that of late years a number of monasteries and convents, and religious houses, had sprung up in Ireland, and had been endowed, and he feared the exemptions contained in this clause, by which all paces used for charitable purposes, or for the fine arts, were exempted, would extend to tnem. Now, whether these institutions should be endowed at all was anothar question, but they were at all events Illegal and not recognised by the law, and he hoped if there was any intention to exempt them, that at least they should do it openly and in the face of day. He thought the case might be met by a proviso being added to the clause, to the effect that nothing contained in the clause should be held to exempt, any building used for the purpose of residence of persons bound by monastic or religious vows, or any land attached to such build ings, from payment of the poor or county rates. Lord MONTEAG LE suggested that if the exemption of these institutions was recognised by law at present it would be illegal to introduce the proviso. He thought it better to leave the question to the decision of the parties by whom the assessments were usually made. Lord CAMPBELL thought the proviso wholly unne cessary. The Earl of CLANCARTY contended that the law at present was not clearly defined with regard to these exemptions, but as he did not receive the amount of support he anticipated he should not press his amend ment. _ The proviso was then withdrawn and the clause agreed to. The other clauses were then agreed to, with some ver bal amendments, and the bill went through a committee. On the motion of the Earl of HA.RROWBY the Church Building Act Continuance Bill was read a first time. Earl PO WIS complained that the Parliamentary papers were not delivered to both houses simultaneously, particularly the papers referring to the Russian secret correspondence and the University of Cambridge. The Earl of ABERDEEN was not awaro of the cause of the difference as to the delivery, but would make in quiry on the subject. Their lordships then adjourned. HOUSE OF COMMONS—(YESTERDAY.) The SPEAKER took the chair at 4 o'clock. PRIVATE BILLS. The following private bills were read a third time, and passed :—Ashton-under-Linc., and Dukinfield Bridge, Nurwiclt Equitable Fire Assurance Company, Rossen dale Union Gas, Royal Exchange Assurance Consolida tion Bdis. 110 0:PW4400:19t0 Io oa . /& 6164:171&V ASSIZE INTELLIGENCE. NORTHERN CIRCUIT—LwEspooL, MARCH 23. CROWN COURT. (Before Mr. Justice Cresswell.) William Boyd, aged 35, was indicted for having at Haigh, on the 15th of December last, stabbed, cut, and wounded James Hatton, with intent to do him some grievous bodily harm. Mr. EL Cross appeared for the prosecution ; and Mr. Simon defended the prisoner. It appeared that the prosecutor, who is a shopkeeper at Aspull, was at the New Springs public-house in Haigh on the evening of the 14th of December last, where were also the prisoner and two other men, named Gibson and Ledgett. While there, the prisoner, who had an ill feeling against Gibson, struck him, whereupon they , closed, and both fell to the ground, and then the prose cutor interfered and separated them, after which the landlady turned the prisoner out of the house. About half an hour after the prosecutor and Gibson went out, when the prisoner, who had been waiting outside for them, again attacked Gibson, and the prosecutor again interfered between them, and then the prisoner and prosecutor fought until they were separated by Gibson. The prisoner then wanted to renew, the fight, which the prosecutor refused, and ran away, taking refuge in a garden, where be lay down and fell asleep for an hour and a half. When he awoke he proceeded home, and on his arrival there the pri soner darted out from behind a wall, and again wanted to fight, swearing that he would do f.,r him. The prosecutor then ran away again, pursued by the pri soner, who after some time overtook him, and struck him several times on the head and face, threatening to do for him and drag him through the canal. The pro secutor cried out, '• William, have mercy. I don't want to fight ;" and shortly after became insensible. A cor poral and private of the 34th Regiment, who were on guard at the saw-mills at Haigh, where the last part of the affray occurred, then interfered, one taking care of the prosecutor, the other walking with the prisoner, who said on the way that it was a good job they had interfered, as he would have finished the prosecutor and and put him into the canal. The prisoner was then taken to the station-house, and the prosecutor to his own home, where a doctor attended him, and it was found that he had a lacerated scalp wound, two incised wounds on the face, one of which was cut nearly through the mouth. Mr. Simon addressed the jury for the prisoner. His lordsh;p having summed up. The jury returned a verdict of guilty. Sentence deferred. Thomas Ellis, aged 48, was charged with having, at Salford, on the 21st of February la 4, feloniously stabbed, cut, and wounded Mary Ellis, with intent to kill and murder her. Mr. Wheeler prosecuted ; the prisoner was undefended. It appeared that the prisoner was a baker in Albion street, Salford, where he resided with his wife and three children, one of whom worked in a factory, and another on a railway. He had been out of work for several months, hut his wife had supported them by going out as a charwoman. They had been married 25 years, and had had 15 children, three of whom only survived. The prisoner was in the habit of getting up in the middle of the night to smoke a pipe, and lucifer matches were kept by the bedside. On the night in question the wife got up about half past three to see what time it was, and not finding the lucifers, she asked her husband where they were. He then got out of bed, saying that he knew where there were two lucifers, and that if she would get him a pin he would scratch them, and get a light. She then went across the room to get a pin, and while doing so, the prisoner seized her by the throat, threw her back on the bed, and cut her throat with a table-knife. She cried out " murder," and put out her hands to save her throat. One of the children cried out for the police, who came in ; prior to which the prisoner had escaped at the back of the house. The poor woman was then taken to a surgeon's, when it was found that she had a cut across the neck two inches in length, and half an inch in depth, and the surgeon stated that had she not put up her hand, which was most severely cut, to saveher throat, the jugular vein would most likely have been severed, and death would have been instanteneous, but, as it was, the wound was too far back to be dangerous. The knife was found by the son under the bed, and the prisoner was apprehended about seven o'clock in the morning. He stated when taken into custody that had he not been arrested he intended to have surrendered. When told the charge against him, he said that he knew he had done it, and wished it had been more fatal, and that he ought to have done it many years since. In his defence, the prisoner said that his wife had a most dreadful temper, that they were continually quar relling, and that she was an abandoned woman, in triguing with his brother-in-law, and that altogether her conduct was more than he could stand. He knew it was a dreadful and shocking thing, after having been married 25 years, but her conduct had driven him into such a state of mind that he did not know what he did. His lordship, in summing up, told the jury that they would have to say with what intent the prisoner stabbed his wife, whether to kill and murder, or to do her griev ous bodily harm. The Jury immediately found a verdict of guilty, with intent to do grievous bodily harm. His lordship then ordered sentence of death to be re corded, saying that his life would be spared, but that he would be at her Majesty's disposal. A bill is about to be preferred against the Preston conspirators, but, if found by the grand jury, they are not expected to be tried at these assizes. POLICE INTELLIGENCE. GUILDHALL.— Wm. Smith was placed at the bar before Sir Peter Laurie charged with unlawfully Inter marrying Mary Dennett, he having a former wife alive at the time of such marriage. Mr. H. F. Wood said he was instructed to appear for the prisoner. Mr. Garry said he was also engaged to defend the pri soner at an early hour in the morning, but that he was detained in the Sheriff's Court when the business com menced here, and this case was put back to oblige him ; but in the interim it appeared that his client had seen Mr. H. F. Wood, who now attended as his solicitor. If, however, Mr. H. F. Wood could show that he had not received his instructions from the prisoner within the hour he (Mr. Garry) would willingly withdraw from the case altogether. Mr. H. F. Wood said he held the written instruc tions to defend the prisoner. Sir Peter Laurie suggested that the prisoner's legal advisers should divide the case between them instead of contending against each other. Mr. Garry said he was no advocate for such half measures ; but if Mr. H. F. Wood, as a gentleman, would say that the instructions he held were received an hour ago, he would retire satisfied. Mr. H. F. Wood said he was sent for by the prisoner, and lie considered it his duty to appear for him. Sir Peter Laurie said it would not prej idice the case of either of the parties if he put a single question to the prisoner. (Turning to the prisoner)—Who did you in struct first ? Prisoner said he first spoke to Mr. Garry and re quested him to defend him ; but as he was called away on other business, and he (prisoner) understood the court was sitting, he told the officer of the court he should like a solicitor, and Mr. H. F. Wood happening to come to the cell, he gave him written instructions and an order for 1/. upon the officer, to be paid out of the money taken from him at the station. He never sent for Mr. H. F. Wood. Sir Peter Laurie asked the prisoner which of the solicitors he wished to conduct his case. The prißoner said he did not care which, he would leave it for the alderman to decide. Sir Peter Laurie declined to interfere. The prisoner said, then as he had given written in structions to Mr. H. F. Wood, and he held the order for the money, he would rather he should go on with the case. Sir Peter Laurie said he would rather Mr. H. F. Wood had been sent for than he should have gone to the prisoner unsolicited. It was an irregularity that frequently occurred in many courts, but not the less discreditable nevertheless. Mr. H. F. Wood persisted in assuring the magistrate he had been sent for, but as the prisoner positively asserted to the contrary, and Mr. H. F. Wood being unable to produce the messenger (a Mr. Beal) who fetched him, the matter was allowed to drop, and the bigamy was then proceeded with. Mary Deneett, said she was married to the prisoner about thirteen years ago, and between three and four years after that he abandoned her to live with a woman by whom he had six children. Since which he had re peatedly told her that he had been previously married, and that his first wife was alive until very lately. Sir Peter Laurie asked what business or profession the prisoner followed ? The prosecutrix said he was a railway surveyor, and that he had worked with Mr. Brassy on the Continent. She was not prepared with evidence of the first mar riage beyond the prisoner's own admission. Sarah Dennett said she overheard a conversation be. tween the prisoner and the prosecutrix on Wednesday last, and distinctly heard him say to her, " I was mar ried to another when I married you, and you knew it, for Richardson told you." Mr. H. Wood submitted this was not evidence. Sir Peter Laurie said if it was not evidence it was in formation, and he would hear it. Mr. H. F. Wood urged the inadmissibility of hearsay evidence upon the alderman's consideration. Sir Peter Laurie said if he had thought Mr. H. F. Wood was going to interfere with him in this uncalled for manner, he would not have allowed him to appear in the case. . The prisoner here said he should like to explain the circumstances of the complaint against him. Sir. Peter Laurie said he would hear any statement the prisoner wished to make. Mr. H. F. Wood advised the prisoner not to say any thing at present. Sir Peter Laurie said if the prisoner listened to the advice of his solicitor, he must feel that he thought him very guilty ; and he (Sir Peter) thought so too. The prisoner said he did not want a solicitor, but he was told he ought to have one. He confessed he had told the prosecutrix he had been married before, but he did not mean it, for it was not the case. Sir Peter Laurie said, if the prisoner came before him with a lie in his mouth, how could he believe his de nial of the charge of bigamy, The prosecutrix said he had frequently sworn most positively that he was m srried. The prosecutor denied this ; but said be would swear the prn,e,u'rix ~h ould never life un(ler the same roof with him again, nor within ten miles of him, if he knew it. Sir Peter Laurie, said he had no doubt that the al leged former marriage had taken' rplace, and he should therefore remand the prisoner. Mr. H. F. Wood contended the re was no evidence to remand the prisoner upon. Sir Peter Laurie—lf Mr. H.- F. Wood persisted in interfering with the magistrate( in. the discharge of his duties, he should be under the n ecessity of ordering him to leave the court. The prisoner was then reman( led, and an application to admit him to bail met with a I ieremptory refusal. BOW-STREET.—Frederick ,Sactidge, a youth em ployed as page at the United Ser vice Club, was charged with stealing six halfpenny piecos, belonging to Major- General Sir George Bowes, the Lieutenant of the Tower. From the statement of Mr. Bartley, the steward of the club, it appeared that a great number of members had complained from time to time of having money stolen from their greatcoat pockets, while hanging in the hall of the club. At length suspicion was directed to wards the prisoner, who was c hiefly occupied in the hall, and, with the view of testing his honesty, Sir George marked some copper pieces pri Yrs.tely, and then placed them loosely in one of his coat pockets. The boy was watehed into the hall, and a few minutes afterwards the halfpence were missing from the coat. Sir George then directed the prisoner to be searched, upon which the nrirked money was taken from him. He said nothing to the charge against him. Mr Hall said that Sir George had only done an act of justice to the other servants of the establishments, in taking means to test the prisoner's character, and to the members of the club, who might be robbed to a very serious extent if the thief had not been promptly de tected. The conduct of the boy was most scandalous. He was receiving 101. a year, besides his clothes and board, which he (Mr. Hall) corrsidered extremely hand some wages for a mere child like him. The prisoner was committed for trial. CLERKENWELL.—Among the morning charges at this court to-day were numerous cases of obstruction of thoroughfares, and personal annoyance and insult to foot pa-sengers by idle street vagabonds, generally under 16 years of age, and in many cases tree associates of thieves and pickpockets. The police constables who gave these charges described the accused as being the pest and terror of the neighbourhood they freqitented, especially Saint Luke's, Old street, and the Lower-road. They pilfered from all shopkeepers whose goi,Nds were exposed at all, awl contrived to screen one another from pursuit and capture. A. respectable female who appeared aga inst one of these prisoners, an Irish lad, stated that she N7as walk ing with her sister, a married female, near the c orner of Arthur-street, Golden-lane, after having made some pur chases at a grocer's, when another boy, who ran away and has not since been taken, was observed very active among a gang of his fellows, who were stopping up the footpath. On complainant and her sister reaching the spot at a point where the street was too narrow to allow of their getting out of the crowd, the boy seized hold of her sister, took up her clothes, and struck her. He escaped pursuit, but on the two females coming back the same way, complainant noticed the prisoner, and induced her sister to give him in charge to the police as having been in company with the fellow who had so scandalously assaulted her. Hereupon prisoner stepped up to com plainant and deliberately hit her so violent a blow on , the mouth that she had been enduring great pain ever since. _ _ _ The evuleace was fully confirmed by the policeman who took the prisoner. He made great resistance, and struck at him also. _ _ _ Prisoner, in his defence, loudly protested that he him self had been cruelly used ; that he happened to be oa the spot by the merest accident, hiving only looked in at a nelgubouring pubbc•house, because he hal once be fore worked there. That he had no acquaintance with the boy who had committed the outrage on the lady ; and that the lady's sister (the complainant) had provoked him to give her the blow in her face, by first spitting in his. Complainant (re-called) indignantly denied that she had done anything of the kini imputed to her. Mr. Tyrwhitt remarked that the daring insolence of such boys had become a nuisance perfectly intolerable, and must be vigorously put down. After a severe but suitable admonition, he sentenced the prisoner to pay a fine of 51., or to be committed for two months to the House of Correction, with hard labour. SOUTHWARK.—Thomas Matthews, llenry Thomas, and Ann Neville were brought into court by Inspector Brennan and other officers, charged with manufacturing counterfeit coin. Inspector Brennan said—About two o'clock that afternoon, from information he received, he proceeded, with Sergeant Richards and other constables, to No. 32, York-street, London-road. They found the street door open ; and on proceeding to the back room on the first floor, they found all the prisoners engaged in manufacturing and finishing counterfeit coin. They were all seized, and the female had a plaster of Paris mould in her hand quite warm, with metal in it. On the table he found a jar containing a strong solution of acid, a tea-cup with sand and water, and fifteen counterfeit sixpences ; a file with white metal in its teeth, paper bands used in plaster of Paris moulds, three counterfeit shillings, a sixpence, and a fourpenny piece. In a cupboard they found a ladle and frying-pan, to which white metal adhered ; a bottle of acid, two brushes, and other files; also a complete galvanic battery, recently used to silver the coin. He asked for a remand in this case until Saturday. The prisoners were remanded until that day, when the whole of the evidence will be brought forward against them. RAILWAY SHARE MARKETS. LIVERPOOL, MARCH 23. STOCK EXCHANGE.—The market has again been dull and depressed, and closed with a very gloomy and heavy appearance. Aberdeen, 11A ; Caledonian, 26A ; Eastern Counties, 11 11-16 ; Lancashire and Yorkshire, 61 ; Ditto (West Riding Union) 5 d. ; London and North-Western, 96j; Manchester, Sheffield, and Lincoln, 20ic. ; Ali i land, 574 ; North British, 74 ; South Eastern and Dover, 17 15-16 ; North Union (A),. 235. INCOME TAX BILL. On the motion for the second reading of this bill, Sir F. KELLY said it was not his intention to oppose the bill, but he reserved to himself and his friends the right of hereafter withholding his sanction to the pre sent financial proposals of the Government, with refer ence to any further extension of the income tax. After a few words from Mr. SPOONER the bill was read a second time and ordered to be committed. MEDICAL PRACTITIONER'S BILL. This bill was read a second tune and ordered to be committed. The house then adjourned at half-past six oclock. CHRIST'S HOSPITAL. ELECTION OF PRESIDENT. The election for president of this ancient institution took place yesterday, a special court having been con vened for the purpose. The greatest excitement pre prevailed, in consequence of the usual order of things having been interfered with—the office of president having been considered to belong to the corporation governors and the aldermen of the City of London. The candidates on this occasion for the distinguished position were his Royal Highness the Duke of Cambridge and the Right Hon. the Lord Mayor. On the part of his Royal Highness it was contended that the records of Christ's Hospital in its early days bore indisputable evidence of great mismanagement under the auspices of the aldermen of the City of London, and that the charity became at one time 8001. in debt. The chair was taken by William Gilpin, Esq., trea surer to the institution. The usual formalities having been gone through, The CHAIRMAN briefly explained the objects for which the governors had assembled, viz., the election of a president. Mr. HoARE proposed the Right Hon. Thomas Sidney, Lord Mayor of London, as president. The nomination having been seconded. THOMSON HANKEY, jun., M.P., proposed his Royal Highness the Duke of Cambridge, K.G. The nomination of his Royal Highness was seconded by Mr. Darby. The ballot having commenced, at three o'clock the glasses were closed, and the numbers were declared as follows : For his Royal Highness the Duke of Cambri(:ge 216 For the Right Hon. the Lord Mayor B7 Majority for the Duke of Cambridge The proceedings then terminated. NEW MONEY ORDER REGULATIONS. BY COMMAND OF THE POSTMASTER-GENERAL.-NOTICH TO TUE PUBLIC. General Post-office, March, 1854. 1. On and from the Ist of April next, printed forms of application will be supplied to the public at all offices where money order business is transacted, at the rate of one-halfpenny for five, or any smaller number. These forms are intended to facilitate the issue of money orders, to prevent the mistakes which arises from verbal communications, and to enable the public to take ad vantage of the following new arrangement. The use of the forms is not compulsory. 2. When it is notified in the printed form of applica tion that the money is to be paid through a bank, the remitter need not state either his own occupation, or the name of the payee ; and when the order is pre sented for payment, it will be sufficient that it be re ceipted and presented (crossed with the name of the receiving bank) by some person known to be in the employment of the bank. It is not necessary that the signature to the receipt in these cases should be that of the payee. 3. A money order not originally made payable through a bank may nevertheless he crossed by the bolder, when it will be paid under the conditions stated in the pre ceding paragraph. 4. No application can be entertained for compensa tio❑ for alleged injury from the non-payment of a money order at the expected time. When a money order is applied for it must be on the clear understanding that no such claim will be allowed, and that the Post-office is not liable under any circumstances to more than one payment of a money order, even when, notwithstanding the precautions that are taken, the order has been paid to a person not entitled to receive the money. TIIE PRESTON STRIKE. PRESTON, MIIIISDAY. Three more of the operative leaders—viz., Wadding ton, Parkinson, and Dolphin, are under examination to day, on a similar charge to that for which their col leagues have been committed, viz., conspiring to remove hands imported by the associated masters. The evi dence is very voluminous. George Cowell and others, being out on bail, addressed a large and enthusiastic meeting this morning. The Masters' Association met to-day. Their proceed ings were announced by placard, of which the following is a copy : " At a meeting of the Associated Masters, held at the Bull Hotel, Preston, on Thursday, March 23, 1854, it was resolsed unanimously,-1. That this meeting re grets that the continued unwillingness of many of the operatives to resume work has forced upon the masters the necessity of importing a large number of hands from other districts : that it approves of the course hitherto so successfully adopted, and is determined to persevere in the same until the mills are fully at work ; that it pledges itself to afford pretection and constant employment to all persons engaged. 2. That this meet ing deems it unnecessary to call the Associated Masters together, as heietofore, from month to month ; arid, therefore, at its rising, do adjourn to this day three months, namely, Thursday, the 22d of June next. By order of TEE ASSOCIATION. "Preston, March 23, 1854. THE STRAFFAN RAILWAY CATASTROPHE. —An arrange ment has been entered into between the Great Southern and Western Railway Company and the representatives of the late Nr. William Bateman, solicitor of Cork, who was killed at the disastrous railway collision at Straffan. The terms the arrangement are that the company should pay he plaintiffs the sum of 3,0001., and costs of the action already commenced. The sum is to be allocated between the widow and nine children of the late Mr. Bateman. [AnvEnTimmENT.]—The 'Earl of Aldborough and Holloway's Pills.—An astounding cure by this miracu lous medicine after every other means had failed. See extract from his lordship's letter, dated " Villa Messina, Leghorn, feb. 21, 1845. To Professor Holloway. Sir—l beg lo acquaint you that your pills have effected a cure of a disorder in my liver and aoniach, which all the most eminent of the faculty at home and all over the Continent lard not been able to effect—nay, not even the waters of Carlsbad or Marienbad. (Signed) Ald lt?rough." These wonderful pills will cure any disorders or th e liver or stomach.—Sold (also Holloway's oint ment) at Prosessor Holloway's Establishment, 244, Strand, Lorden, and by all medicine-venders through out tilt worit — tau. 1,61 was a measure which appeared to me not only gene rally impolitic but specially impolitic under the peculiar circumstances in which we then stood, anticipating, as at least I did, an impending war. This =cum.; stance has tended very much to disturb, perhaps I may say to alienate, the mi nds of the seamen i n those ports, and I think it a matter highly important to remove those feelings of distrust, as may be done in a great degree by the endeavour—which their families, as well as themselves, will est imate—to improve the ports to which they resort. There is at present ! I regret to say, a serious disagreement between the shipowners and the seamen in those ports. The seamen, acting under very evil influence and bad advice, have united themselves in associations, every member of which is distinguished by a medal ; the rule of those associations being that no person wearing a medal shall serve in a ship not wholly manned by members. The consequence is, the shipowners have been bringing seamen from other ports to supplant the seamen of the north-eastern ports; and although the whole matter of difference is only 10s. a voyage, these men, under evil advice, are walking about doing nothing, while the country wants their ser vices ; and if the country did not want them, merchants would be glad of those services. I feel the only medal it becomes a man to wear is a medal placed on his breast by his Sovereign for good services rendered to his coun try, and nothing makes men appear more effete, if not contemptible, than decorating them with distinctive medals by their own authority, which in this case is the emblem of disunion among seamen at the very moment the public interest requires to the greatest extent union among them. I hold that these seamen would, in case of emergency, be willing to come forward and take service in the fleet, I think that emergency now exists. Three or four weeks hence, when the French squadron will have joined our fleet in the Baltic, and we then have a numerical equality with the fleet of the Russians, and that degree of superiority which may arise from having vessels o' greater force and inure ex tensive use of steam, then indeed the war in the Baltio may resolve into the ordinary course of a superior fleet blockading an inferior fleet in their own harbours ; but until the fleet in the Baltic under Sir Charles Napier does obtain that superiority, by the junction of the French squadron, which it has not now—until that period, while Sir Charles Napier has the advantage of a central position between the three squadrons into which the Russian fleet is divided, while the ice is breaking up, every stratagem will be exercised in which, with well managed, well-manoeuvred vessels, he may have an op portunity of striking a great blow with decisive effect, and perhaps even with little loss. But, my lords, great chances attach to all warfare, and especially to naval warfare. There may, perhaps, by possibility —I will not admit at all the probability, but there may be by possi bility, either from the weather, or from the enemy being superior, as he is, in numbers—there may be disasters, and I believe the men of the Tyne, the Wear, and the Tees—these, the finest seamen we have, would never forgive themselves —that through life they would feel the internal pressure of remorse, if from their absence any opportunity of seizing a victory should be lost. (He r, hear.) I cannot think these men, who hold aloof from the naval service of the Crown--I cannot think they do riot participate in the general, enthusiasm with 'which the present war has been adorted by the whole country —I cannot think that they alone are insensible to the effect of those cheers with which the men proceeding to service in the Baltic are saluted by their fellow country men. (Hear.) It so happens that at a very early period of my life I was thrown very much among seamen, and I have from that time entertained the greatest feeling of respect for their generous arid noble qualities. (Hear, hear.) At a more recent period I was accidentally engaged in company with them for many months, and, undoubtedly, the experience which I then acquired only tended to confirm the previous impression I entertained. (Hear, hear.) My lords, last year I endeavoured—as I nave said, vainly—but I endeavoured, thinking I was discharging a public duty, to induce your lordships, both on presenting a petition from many thousands of these seamen, and afterwards, when the bill came before your lordships' house, not to adopt a measure which they thought, and justly thought, inconsistent with their interests. I must, therefore, when I venture to offer a word of advice to the seamen, be considered as offering it in my anxiety for their interest and their honour as a friend, and I do most earnestly entreat them, without the loss of one day, not individually, not by twos and threes, but as It body at once te enter the service of the Crown. The emergency has arisen which demands their services. I do t rus t th ey w ill not b e f oun d wanting in this hour of their country's difficulty. I do not ask them to abandon all the habits of their life—to enter , for ten years, or eve n f or fi ve y ears . H er Majes ty's s Government, in the emergency in which they now stand, have wisely, I think, abandoned that principle, and are willing to accept seamen for the year—though I may think that term inconvenient, both for Government and the seamen themselves. Let them offer themselves for the voyage—that is, for the campaign—and I can hardly think, if such offers were extensively made by large numbers of able seamen, her Majesty's Govern -mint would refuse to comply with their request, if in that manner they paced themselves at the disposal of the Crown for immediate service in the Baltic (near.) They ;nay return with a medal granted for their services—they inay return with prize money —but certainly they. will return with honour. They will return respecting them selves—they will return respected by others : they will have participated in great events, of which the fortunate termination may in a great degree depend on their co operation ; they will have seen and will have done things to remember during their lives, and may talk of in their families as long as they exist. (Hear. hear.) REGISTRATION OF BILLS OF SALES BILL. The Earl of HARROWBY moved the order of the day for the committee on this bill. Lord CAMPBELL said a few words in commendation of it. Lord BROUGHAM suggested whether, instead of compelling all parties to come to London, it would not be advisable to establish local registries in the county courts. The Earl of HARROWBY doubted whether a mere examination of the local court of registration would be qufficient, and parties would still send up to London to ascertain whether any sale had been effected elsewhere. Lord CAMPBELL assured the noble and learned lord (Brougham) that it was as easy and as cheap to consult the register in London as the local register, seeing the facilities afforded by railways and other improved modes of communication. The bill, with some verbal amendments, then went through a committee, and was reported to the house. VALUATION (IRELAND) ACT AMENDMENT BILL. The house then went into committee on this bill. On the first clause being read, The Earl of DONOUGHMORE complained that this bill would effect a change in the existing system of local taxation, by including tenements under the value of 51. The effect of this alteration would be to render it im possible to collect the county rates, and the landlords would be rendered liable for this rate as regarded all tenements under Si. He should move, therefore, the omission of such portion of the clause as referred to the rating of these smaller tenements. Lord STANLEY of ALDERLEY saw no reason why this description of property should not pay this as well as other rates and taxes. The effect of this exemp tion hitherto had Leen to encourage the erection of a small and inferior class of houses, for which the landlords obtained a higher rent. He could not, therefore, assent to the proposition of the noble earl. The Earl of CLANCARTY would support the clause, and thought it a bad principle to make exemptions with out strong grounds. Lord MONTEAGLE also supported the clause. The Earl of DONOUGHIVIORE withdrew his amend ment. MANCHESTER, MARCH 23. STOCK EXCHANGE.—There has been greater activity in the market, but prices have given way, and close decidedly lower. Sheffield, No. 1, 67- 6 ; Ditto, New Pref., par ; Leeds Stock, 61 ; London Stock, 97i ; Dovers, 17; ; Caledonians, 26 3.16 ; Sheffield', 20$ ; London, One- Eighths, d. ; Midland, 57k ; M. and B. C. Quarters, 1-16 p. ; North British, 7 . BIRMINGHAM, MARCH 23. STOCK EXCHANGE.—This market was flat again to-day. Great Northerns were done at 89 ; London and North Westerns were done at 974 ; North Staffords, at 66 dis There are sellers of Midland Six per Cent, at 134. LEEDS, MARCH 22. STOCK EXCHANGE.—We had a somewhat firmer market this morning, and in some instances a alight advance was observable, but the disinclination of holders to give way checked operations, which were consequently limited to a few lines. Midlands were done at 57i, and North Wes terns at 74. SHIPPING INTELLIGENCE. CUSTOM HOUSE, MARCH 23. ENTERED INWARDS.—The Licence, from Rostock ; Bel lona, Droback ; Mathilda, Holrnstrand ; Victor, Neu tadt ; Neptune, Emden ; Drowning Marie, Mullerup ; Apollo, Skien ; Concordia, Stettin ; Henrich and Erene, Rostock ; Wopkia, Emden ; Min Fadereminde, Christiania ; Jane, Hamburgh ; Agamemnon, Wismar ; Emanuel, Nykiobing ; Ever Hardes,Bremen ; Christian, Marstrand ; Maria, Copenhagen ; Hannibal, Randers ; Athalia, San nesund ; Christian, Wismar ; Gustava, Helsingborg ; Marie, Antwerp ; Germania, Dantzic. ENTERED OUTWARDS FOR LOADING.—The Celeritas, for Buenos Ayres ; Edward Kenny, Quebec ; Honduras, Ho bart Town ; Lady Elgin, Sydney ; Ina, Montreal and Quebec ; Chanticleer, Newfoundland ; James W. Cooper, Boston; Emigrant, Bremen; Alice Maude, Adelaide ; Loven Anita, Cadiz, kc. ; Daylesford, Adelaide, Port Philip, and Madras ; Juliano, Gluckstadt ; Preciosa, Memel ; Eole, Dunkirk ; Anna, Melbourne ; Jane Frances, Launceston ; Anne, Falkland Islands ; Vriondschap, Port Philip. CLEARED OUTWARDS WITH CARGO.— The Helene, for Bremen ; Caesar, Demerara ; Bengal, Port Philip ; Celes tial, Shanghai ; Celeritas, Buenos Ayres; Royal Albert, Madras ; Alcides, Boulogne. LIVERPOOL, March 22.—The Persian, hence to Charles. ton, which sailed Ist March, has put back, with decks swept, and loss of boats, bulwarks, stancheons, &c., having been struck by a heavy sea ; bore up from long. 19. PARIS, March 23.—The Jeune Estell, of Croisic, from Cardiff to Bordeaux, drifted (luring a calm on the rocks of Guest, near Catnaret, March 16, and sank immediately ; crew saved. Some pieces of pinewood, apparently wreckage, and two kegs of brandy, marked Nos. 28 and 34, and L.N.G.G. on the heads, had been picked up previous to March 18 on the shore in the bay of Dinan. VESSELS SPOKEN WITH. The Ormelie (ship), Jan. 11, lat. 22 S., long. 17 W. The Ar gonaut (ship), from Liverpool to Sydney, N.S.W., Jan. 16, lat. 21 S. The Star of the Union, from Shanghai to New York, Jan. 12, lat. 28 S., long. 50 E. The Mary Cannon, from Calcutta to Liverpool, same day. The Lord Auckland, from Bombay, Jan. 20, let. 33 S., long. 30 E. The Kingston, from Shanghai to London, Feb. 7, lat. 17 S.. long. 4 W. The William Stewart, from Calcutta to London, Feb. 9, lat. 12 S., long. 7 W. The Bolton, from Bombay to London, same da The Henry Winch, from Liverpool to Rio Janeiro, Feb. 24, lat. 4 N., long. 25 W. The John Moore, March 6, lat. 21 N., long 41 W. NEW COAL RAILWAY TO LONDON.—A. company is now i n course of formation, for constructing a railway from the northern counties to London, for the exclu sive carriage of coals and other minerals, bulky goods, and agricultural produce. Preliminary prospectuses have been freely circulated among the coalowners and other commercial firms in the north, by whom the project has been favourably received. The estimated capital required is 4,000,0001., which is proposed to be raised by 160.000 sli4res of 251 each. —Mining Peal. PRINTERS' PENSION SOCIETY. — Sir R. Peel, M.for Tamworth, has kindly consented to preside at the ap proaching anniversary dinner of the above society, which is fixed to take place at the London T a vern. We have no doubt that on this interest in g occasion, which is the first anniversary since the increase in the amount of th e th"t the liberal chairman will be well Slip. ported, especially by Ow pr;i;ter.s ther466vc:;, many of whose aged and infirm journeymen are now the recipients of the fund. SPORTING INTELLIGENCE 1 faragifoii 4 GRAND MILITARY STEEPLECHASES. WARWICK.— T HURSDAT. GOLD Cup, value 1001. and a bonus, added to a SII reep stakes of 10 soya. each, h ft, for horses bona fult and unconditionally the property of officers on full pi ty of the army, and that had been regularly hunted, taro. ; 12st each ; certain penalties and allowances; file second horse to save his stake and receive a bfinus ; the winner to give 201. to the third horse. Three miles. 32 subs. Captain Goff (16th Lancers) na Torrent, 12st (Mr. Wilkin) 1 Lieut. Jones's (Inniskillen Dragoons) Cervus, 12st (Mr. Hunt) 2 Lieut. E. R. King's (13th Light Dragoons) Beck bury Lass, 12st (Mr. Purcell) 3 The following also ran :—Hawk, The Recruit, Ganny mede, Kennington, Routh, Columbine, Agis, Leporello, The Admiral. Betting-4 to 1 each agst Cervus, Agis, and Ken nington, 10 to 1 agst any other. Beckb ur y L ass ma d e nearly 11 the running. In the last quarter of a mile Torrent, who had held a good position, went vigorously to work, and quickly caught Beckbury Lass. A good race ensued. After clearing the last hurdle in thestraight run in, he went a-bead, followed by Cervus, and won by three lengths ; two lengths between second and third ; Hawk a bad fourth. The others passed the post at; straggling intervals. Columbine fell at the fence next. the Lammas Land, and was with the rearward lot at the, finish. The winner was ridden by Mr. Wilkin of the 11th Hussars. A SWEEPSTAKES of 5 Bova.. each p.p., with a bonu s added, for horses the property of officers on full pa y of the army. list each. Certain penalties. 'Die winner to be sold for 100 sovs. by public auction if demanded, &c. Cup Course. &c. (25 subs.) Lieut. P. Purcell's (13th Light Dragoons) Billy (Bro ther to Farnham), list 71b (including 71bs extra (Owner) 1 Lieut. E. R. King's (13th Light Dragoons) Beckimry Lass, 11st 71b (including 71bs extra) (Mr. WiLkin) 2 Captain Webt,s's (17th Lancers) Quiffie, list (Sir W. Gordon) 3 The following also ran :—Valentine, Little Sohnny; Imogene, First Fault, Pinwire. Betting-5 to 2 agst First Fault. 4 to 1 agst Bec7s bury Lass, 5 to 1 ag'.t Pinwire, 6 to 1 agst Quiftie, at id 6to 1 agst Billy. Only First Fault backed for mone Beckbury Lass and Johnny held the lead altermately 'for about half the distance, when Valentine showed in front, but the lead was soon resumed by the Lass ; aftwr cross ing the Swan Meadow the second time, Billy, who had been lying off, drew forward, and in the race h ome frOm the last flight he caught Beckbury Lass, and at. last won very cleverly by a length and a half ; some distance be ti.v,,en second aid third. Pinwire did not pass the post, and the favourite, who was never once near the lea ding horses, fell at the last hurdles near the distance. The wi'oner was afterwards sold by auction for 190 guineas. THE WELTER STA: ICES, a sweepstakes of 10 soya. ea oh, h It, with a bonu added, for horses the property of officers on full phy of the army. 13st 71b eaoh. Certain winners extra. Cup Course, &c. (10 subs.) Captain Dickson's (10th Lancers) Peeping Tom,. 13st 71b Captain Goad's (13th Light Dragoons) Liberty, 13st 71b Captain Tower's (Inniskillen Dragoon s) Vulcan, 13st 71b <Mr. Hunt) 3 Captain Ainslie's (Royal Dragoons) Kilkenny, 13st 71b Betting -- 2 to 1 each agst Liberty and P eeping Tom. Peeping Tom led the greater portion of the distance, and won easily by two lengths, the second beating the third three-quarters of a length. Kilkenny was several lengths, behind. Refusals were frequent. The VETERAN STAKES, a sweepstakes of H soya_ each, h ft, for horses the property of officers on half-pay, or who have retired from the service ; 12sit 71b each. Cup course. (4 subs.) Capt. France's Donative Capt. Lane's The Lad Betting-5 to 2on Donative. After the first quarter of a mile D native went slick away. The Lad fell at the fence at the bottom of the hill, about a mile from home, and Donative at last trotted in full? 100 yards before him. LATEST BETTING ON TH.E COURSE,. GRAND ANNUAL STEEPLECHASE.-FRIDAY. 2to 1 agst the Trout (taken). 3to 1 agst Oscar (taken). sto 1 agst Needwood (taken). NORTHAMPTONSHIRE STAKES. • sto 1 agst Defiance. • 6to 1 agst Mr. Sykes (taken freely). 10 to 1 agst Bracken (taken freely). Such was the eagerness to back Bracken, that fr om 16 to 1 he jumped at once to 10 to 1, taken to a dea I of money. NEWMARKET CR ACCEPTANCES for the CR/ AVEN MEETING. LVEN HANDICAP. T. Yrd et lb Yra a t lb Ephesus 6 813 Eva 3 : I 0 Prime Minister... 6 8 11 Placid 4 4 ; 9 Pelion 4 8 7 Quince Orinoco Nathan Nutpecker 4 7 5 Bourgeois ... ...... 4 ii , 13 Cheddar 4 7 4 Determination ... 3 15. 11 Nicotine 4 7 1 Conspiracy 3 •5. 9 Sister to Aphrodite was struck out of all her h midi cap engagements on the 15th inst., at 9.30 a.m. • Forester and Herbert were struck out of all thei r ea gagt-ments at Northampton on the 13th inst., at 10 a.m. Paradigm was struck out of all her engagement a to Epsom Summer Meeting, inclusive, on the 15th inst., at 1.35 a.m. RACING FIXTURES FOR 1851.. MARCH. Warwick Spring 21 I Northampton Catterick COUNTRY MARKETS. DERBY SMITHFIELD—bIeRca 21. The supply of fat beasts to-day was an average one There were several lots of excellent quality, and others only of the middling sort. The demand for beef was again good, and high prices were realised. The number of sheep penned was not so large as on some previous markets, but were quite as dear. fat and store calves were again plen tiful. The supply of pigs, both English and Iriah, was again large. The following were the quotations :—Beef, 6d to bid ; mutton, 7d to 74d ; lamb, Od to Od ; veal, 7d to Od per lb. ; pigs, 9s 9d to 106 per score ; rough fat, 58 9d to Os Od per 141 b.; hides, 21d to 3d per lb ; call-skins, 3id. to CI per lb. EDINBURGH GRAIN.-MARCH 22. The supply of grai❑ in the market to-day was ;small. With the exception of barley, everything fell in price, and the sales were remarkably dull. Wheat on the top 8s sd, and the average 3s 4d, down. Barley on the top 2s down, and the average 6d up. Oats on the top same as last week, and the average is 5d down- Beans on the top Bs, and the average 7d, down. Total Supply and Sales. Wheat lB6 qrs sold 206 qrs Barley 506 qrs sold 4.43 qrs Oats 1242 qrs sold 1016 qrs Beans 225 qrs sold 168 qrs Top of Wheat . . 63 flb 81s 6d Barley. 57i lb 45s Od Oats Beans Average of wheat £3 12 6 7-12ths Ditto of Barley , 2 2 3 8-12thir Ditto of Oats Ditto of Beans . ...... ..... ..... BOSTON—MARcH 22. At to•day's market the quantity of wheat brouglat for ward by the farmers was remarkably small, notwithstand ing many of them have considerable stocks on hand. Of oats and beans there was a fair supply. Wheat declined in value is to 2s per qr. on the prices current on the 15th instant. All descriptions of spring corn sold at previous quotations. Prices :—Wheat, red, 62s Od to 73s Od ; white, nis Od to 75a Od extra, 77s Od. Barley, 32s Od to 388 Od. Oate, 34s to 30s. Beans, 42s Od to 48a Od. Peas, 44s Od to 501 per qr. NEWARK—AIAnca 22. The supply of wheat to-day was not large, but the dull accounts from Mark-lane tended to make buyers velrY can• tious. The, consequence was, that the prices receded from 2s to 5s per qr. Prices :—Wheat, white, 78s Od to 80s Od; red, 723 Od to 75s Barley, malting, 33s Od to 355 Od ; griradin4, 33s Od to 34s Od. Oats, old, 32s Od to 36s Od ; new, 21 s Od to 30s Od. Beans, 48s Od to 625 Od. Peas, 003 Od t o 00s Od. Malt, 56s Od to 70s Od. Tares, 68s Od to 72s Od, BIRTH S. OF A SON. On the 19th inst., at Boulogne-stirAter, L a dy M u i r Mackenzie. On the 23d inst., a t Homertoia, the wif e o f D av id Craven, Esq. OF A DAUGHTER. On the 20th inst., at Plymouth, the wife of Captain Wood, 20th Regiment. On the 21st inst., the lady of the Rev. H. S. Pinder, Bratton-Fleming, Barnstaple. MARRIED. On the 22d inst., at the parish church, Bishops-Stort• ford, W. Johnston, Esq., of Cavan, Ireland, to Susan, s econd daughter of Mr. G. Perry, of Bishops-Stortford. On the 23d inst., at St. Peter's, Pimlico, C. H. Hodg son, Esq., of Hackney, to Maria Anna, only daughter of the late Joseph Hyde Rowe, Esq., formerly of Exeter. DIED. On the 20th inst., Lady Jephson, Wimpole-street, Ca• vendish-square. On the 21st inat., at Churoh-street, Lancaster, John. Lodge, Esq., solicitor. On the 21st inst., at Felsham Rectory, Suffolk, Lydia, the wife of the Rev. T. Anderson, aged , 8. On the 22d inst., Montagu, youngest son of Dr. Nesbitt► of Southampton. LONDON: Printed and Published by MIIRDO YOUNG. N.. 112 -°:•::r_ : 1. it Tl:e s^m 0:1; Strand, in the Precinct of the Savoy, in the county of Middlesex, Friday, March 24, 1854. Ao be 2v4 the tram the rat , inc w -•-. the ave par ave ject tior Bri of t age Ira inn put tra two mu hit]