The Sun. — London, England, 1854-04-06 00:00:00

I MPER AL PARLIAMENT. HOUSE OF COMMONS-(YESTERDAY.) PULLIC LIBRARIES AND MUSEUMS BILL. On the order of the day for the second reading of this bill, Mr. EWART reviewed the exertions which had been made in France and the United States for the establish - ment of free libraries and museums, and reminded the house that, acting upon this experience, an act of Par liament had been passed for facilitating the establish ment of similar institutions in this country. No less than 3,000 towns, including all the large towns in the veuntry, had availed themselves of the provisions of the act to establish free libraries, and he was happy to say their effects upon the people had been most gratifying. They had served to improve their taste for reading, and the question had naturally arisen as to whether it would not be advisable to extend the provisions of the act. At present the act only .. applied to towns municipally . - governed, while it neither extended to Scotland nor Ireland. Now the object of this bill was to extend the act to towns and places governed under the improve ments Bill, or by select vestries, as well as to Ireland and Scotland, with the additional provision. that the authorities acting under the act should have power to increase the rate to a penny in the pound, and to purchase hooks and works of art. Such were the main provisions of the bill, and he hoped, as they were approved of generally, there would be no objection to adopting them. Mr. HENLEY objected to the rating clause, and thought that was a question which well deserved the serious attention of the Government. Mr. HUME reminded the right hon. gentleman that the bill was simply permissive, and before it could be put in force it must receive the sanction of the local authorities. At the same time bethought education ought to precede the establishment of these libraries, as the vast mass of the people, as the coroners' returns fully proved, were unable to read. Mr. SPOONER thought a larger limitation ought to be placed on the power of rating, and since no Minister was present to give his opinion, he should move that the debate be adjourned. Mr. BROTHERTON regretted to see this opposi tion to a bill which was very popular out of doors, and which was so much calculated to improve the social condition of the people. It was much better to prevent crime than punish it, and the effect of the establishment of these libraries would decrease crime, and consequently the local rates. Mr. MILES opposed the rating clause. Mr. FITZROY, on the part of the Government, an nounced his intention to resist the proposed alteration of the existing law which gave the local authorities power to raise the rate to a penny in the pound without the consent of two-thirds of the ratepayers. He must, there fore, oppose the bill. gr. Si. MILNES supported the bill in its entirety, and hoped it would be pressed to a division. Surely, as improvement commissioners, town councils, and se lect vestries were elected by the ratepayers, what ob jection could there be to giving them power to increase and levy the rate ? Mr. G. BUTT opposed the bill, and wanted to sub stitute another amendment for the one proposed by Mr. Spooner--viz., that the bill be read a second time this day six months. Mr. SPOONER had no objection to withdraw his amendment. _ _ Mr. HUME trusted he would not, for if they adopted the amendment suggested by Mr. Butt it would be holding out to the country that the hou se di sapprove d of the principle of this bill, when they on l y o bj ecte d i n point of fact to the rating clause. The house then divided on the amendment, when there appeared, For the adjournm en t Against it Majority -130 Mr. FITZROY then moved that the bill be read a second time this day six months. Mr. FIUME and Mr. M. MILNES hoped if the bill wag thrown out that another and a larger measure would be brought in by the Government. Captain SCOBELL supported the bill, as be had no confidence in th e professions of the Government with regard to education. Lord STANLEY approved of the principle of the bill, but he could not support the bill while it contained the fourth cl ause, transferring the power of raising the rate from the ratepayers to the town-council. Sir C. WOOD insisted that the existing act, which had only been in operation four months, had not yet had a fair trial, but the Government opposed this bill on the ground just stated by the noble lord. Mr. BRIGHT thought the town council was a far more fitting body to decide upon the rate than the rate payers, and to say they were not was tantamount to de claring that the house had no right to decide upon par ticular measures until they had been first discussed and decided on by the whole of the constituencies through out the country. Mr. CRAUFURD said Scotland was favourable to the adoption of the Libraries Act, and it was to be re gretted that the Government should stand in its way. Mr. C. FORTESCUE reminded the house that a short bill wag passed last session, extending the Act to both Ireland and Scotland. Mr. DUNCAN said the bill of last session had turned out to be wholly inoperative in Scotland, owing to the constitution of tho local bodies there. Why not strike out the fourth clause, if that was all that was objection able in the bill ? Mr. Vi. BROWN declared that the course Govern ment were taking with regard to this bill would be a great disappointment to the country. Mr. S. HERBERT said, if the suggestion of the hon. member for Dundee were adopted, it would not get over the difficulty, because then the ground-work of the bill would be wholly destroyed. Lord D. STUART said no petitions had been pre sented against the bill, but many were on the table in its favour. It was quite clear, therefore, that the rate payers did not object to it. Mr. EWART denied that the fourth clause was part of the principle of the bill, but it was only part of the detail; which could be struck out if necessary in com mittee. The house then divided on the amendment that the bill be read a second time this day six months, when there appeared— For the amendment Against it Majority The bill was accordingly thrown out. UNIFORM ASSESSMENT BILL. On the order of the day for the second reading of this bill, Mr. PETO explained the object of the bill to be to establish an uniform system of assessment, which should be applicable to Queen's taxes as well as local rates, leaving the committee on the bill to decide the basis upon which all assessments should be made imperative. He proposed, if the bill was read a second time, to refer it to a select committee. Mr. HENLEY did not think there was any necessity for this bill, as the tendency of the existinc, mode of valuation in respect of all taxe s was to render assess ments as uniform as possible. Lord PALIVIERSTON had no doubt that what this bill proposed was good in theory, but it would be next to impossible to establish the machinery for obtaining one uniform system of taxation. Mr. HUME could not understand why a tiling that was possible in the United States should be impossible in this country. Now, there was one uniform system of assessment in the United States, and now that there was a prospect of our having a permanent property tax, he could see no reason why a similar system should not be carried out here. There ought to be one principle of assessment used, that should be based on the poor rate. Mr. V. SCULLY observed that there was a general valuation in Ireland, and the bill m i g ht possibly be ap plicable to th a t part of the country, but there was quite a different state of things in England, where no uniform Government valuation had become established. He moved that the bill be read a second time that day six months. 34r. G. BUTT seconded the amendment, as the bill assumed for its basis that which was not correct, namely, that the poor-rate was levied upon a uniform scale or rate. dr ter . PETO, wi th the permission of the: house, with the bill, The motion for the second reading wa a accordingly withdrawn, COUNTY COURT EXTENSION AUT AMEND IIEN T BILL. On the order o f the day for the second :reading of this Mr. CRAUFURD explained that its object was to give a power of appeal in py cases over .5 4 0/., which had been tried in a C ounty Courtconsent cd' both parties. The power of appe a l did exist in reference to cases under 50/, but all cases abo ve that amount we re exceptional case s, and could only be tak _ e ll - to a County Court by co nsent. Mr. G. BUTT approved of the bill. Mr. PHINN asked when the report of the"'County ' Court Commission might ,be expected,ig _the costs i as charged in County Courts were so hin some courts as virtually to bring the system to a cies:. Mr. "HUGE said the house woul4 be Countsurprised to learn the costs . paid last year in y Couro amounted to no less than i 6 per neut. on the amount re covered. Lord PALMERSTON said the report had no t y e t been received, as the commissioners were still sitting. Mr. MALINS viewed with some apprehensio n the Propos&l extension of the County Court system, as the County Court judges had already quite enough to do. Mr. FITZRO 1r concurred with the hoe. and learned gentleman that too many duties were being imposed on these • judges, whose courts were origin all} established simply for the recovery of simple contract debts. The bill was then read a second time. • PROPERTY DISPOSAL BILL : Oa the motion for the second reading of this bill, Mr. PHINN said the object of this bill was to regu late the dispo sa l of property by persons who had taken religious vows. Now he did not object to place nuns with regard to the disposal of their property upon the same footing as m arr i ed women, who were required to make a discovery before a judge ; but this bill went much further than that. It assumed that every disposi tion of property by a nun was fraudulently made ; and that upon the convent or party in whose favour the disposition was made, the onu s o f proving the deed of transfer was not signed under any spiritual direction, or, in fact, on any condition. The object of this bill could be accomplished without that obnoxious provision ; but if they passed the bill as it now stood, it would have I ilia effect of forbidding-gifts to convents, and therefore tie must oppose_ it, unless a'greats, change wael-imade-insitie ,machinery and details. Mr. FAGAN objected to proceeding with the bill to day, a's it was a violation of an understanding that was come to on the first reading, that the second reading should not be taken until after the committee on con vents had been appointed, and had made their report. The hon. gentleman then proceeded to rebut the state ments which had been made with regard to the case of the Black Rock Convent, wherein it was alleged that two ladies named M'Carty had been coerced into trans ferring their property to the convent to the great injury of their own family, and concluded by declaring himself to be decidedly opposed to the bill. Lord PALMERSTON neither approved of the pre amble nor the enacting portion of the bill, because while the one contained assertions that were not necessary for the purposes of the bill, if, indeed, they had any founda tion in truth, the enacting clause did not go far enough to accomplish the object of the bill. The enacting portion of the bill proceeded upon the assumption that nuns were morally coerced into leaving their pioperties to convents. But . how was that to be proved ? Such deeds were executed by these ladies under the impression that their doing so was -essential to their spiritual welfare, and the bill, if passed, would remain a nullity, because:it would be impossible to prove coercion, while it was clear that these ladies themselves always thought and felt that they were acting with perfect.free will. - • Mr. WHITESIDE reminded the house that on a for mer occasion the objection of the noble lord was that it did not go far enough. The noble lord remarked that if ladies were coerced in convents, such institutions should ue put down, which this bill did not go the length of doing ; but now the noble lord had changed his tone, and he was opposed to the principle as well as the details of the bill. He denied that there was anything unfound ed in the preamble, or that the machinery was impracti cably or offensively inquisitive, and therefore he objected to shelving his bill until they obtained the report of a committee, which, it was now clear, would never be appointed. Nothing had occurred to change his opinion that ladies were coerced in convents for the spoliation of their families, and the records of our courts of law, which were o ccasionally resorted to for a restitu tion of the property, fully established the necessity for a bill of this nature, which rested upon no new principle, but was founded upon the rule of law which protected the child against the parent, or the ward against the guardian, or the wife against the husband, in cases where the transfer of property was concerned. The SOLICITOR-GENERAL for IRELAND cor rected the hon. and learned gentleman in supposing that the noble lord at the head of the Home Depart ment had stigmatised the preamble of the bill as untrue. What the noble lord said was, that the pre amble contained statements that were offensive to the Roman Catholics, but which were wholly unnecessary for the purposes of the bill. The effect of this bill, he agreed with the noble lord, would practically nullify all deeds of gift or wills executed in convents ; for though a lady might leave property fairly amongst her brothers and sisters, they could not take it if the bill passed without proving to the satisfaction of a court of law that no coercion had been used in the convent upon the lady. No where were they to prove that ? It could not be done, and the bill would therefore operate most un justly without accomplishing the real object which it had in view. Mr. NAPIER gave it as his opinion that the hon. and learned gentleman had put a case which could not arise, because such a disposition of a nun's pro perty would be contrary to her vow of poverty and obedience. But the case fully illustrated the necessity for the bill, for many ladies in con vents who had the wish to do so were deterred by the power of their superiors and the influence of their vows from making such a disposition of their property, and therefore, before any property should be allowed to succeed to their convent, the superioress, or other party interested, should be required to prove that they had used no undue authority in order to obtain the property. The only objection that he had to this bill was simply that it did not go far enough, and entirely prohibited vows. Mr. R. PHILLIMORE also thought the bill did not go far enough, and declared that the question it involved would never be settled until the law was revised, which held the inmate of a convent acting under vows of obe dience and poverty to be civilly dead. Mr. MALINS took the noble lord the Secretary of State for the Home Department to task for having changed his opinion on this subject, and declared his belief that the noble lord had made the change to con ciliate the Roman Catholic members who supported the Government in times of pressure. The noble lord said the bill did not go far enough, but if the bill was so altered as to dispossess professed nuns, the noble lord would turn round and say it went too far. There was no having the noble lord anywhere, and he regretted to find him so changeable and inconsistent. The debate was adjourned until next Wednesday. The other orders were then disposed of, and the house adjourned shortly before six o'clock. THE LATE POLISH DINNER. A deputation from the Polish exiles composed. of Prince L. Czartoryski, Colonel Szyrma, Major Gielgud, Lieutenant C. Szulezewski, and the Rev. E. Podoleki, waited this day upon the Lord Mayor with the follow ing address : " Lord,—lt is with feelings of the highest respect that we tender to your lordship, in the name of ourselves and our countrymen, the expression of our s in cere grati tude for the eminent service you have rendered by kindly presiding over the brilliant and important festival which took place on the 30th of last month. The participation of the first magistrate of the city of London has imparted to this festival a character and a weight which will be appre ciated far beyond the limits of this country, whilst the noble words pronounced by your lordship in depicting the wrongs inflicted upon Poland, and in proving her undeniable right to an independent existence, cannot fail to inspire every Polish heart with hope and consolation. Under your dis tinguished auspices men of the most elevated station and of the greatest political distinction joined in proclaiming that the Western Powers of Europe had, whilst permit ting the partition of Poland to be effected, committed an error, the disastrous consequences of which are now only beginning to be felt. The contest at present raging on the Danube, which threatens to involve Europe in a gene ral war, is admitted to be the natural sequel of the perfidy which was committed on the Vistula; and it is now at length evident to all that the powers most opposed in point of interest to the aggressive policy of Russia have been rendered impotent to resist her by becominc , her confede rates in the dismemberment of Poland. Nor can we but entertain the hope that those very powers will at no dis tant period be convinced that the only policy by which the machinations of the great anarchist can be defeated is to renounce all complicity in the crimes which he and his an cestors have committed. That the sentiments uttered by your lordship and the speakers on the memorable occasion of your presidency will tend to the attainment of an object inestimably beneficial to Poland, and of no slight advan tage to the rest of Europe, is our sincere belief, and in thanking you for those sentiments, no less than for the means of alleviating the hardships of exile, of which that festival became a most abundant source, we trust that the day may yet arrive when Poland, restored to her ancient place amongst the nations, shall show that she knows how to be grateful to those who, in her desolation, pleaded her cause, and who succoured her children when they were scattered in the land of the stranger." _ _ _ His lordship appeared highly gratified with the ad dress, and in a suitable manner acknowledged the com pliment paid him. The deputation, after partaking of luncheon with his lordship, left, deeply impressed with the service ren dered by his lordship to the cause of Poland. I - 67071 that shop for t/.'ios., - in the name of fames Johnson. - The ofcer who apprehended the prisoner said he had reason to believe that there were several charges of a similar kind against the prisoner from tradesmen at the west-end, who had shown much credulity in their trans actions with him. Sir R. W. Carden—l shall remand this case until Saturday next, when I dare say there will be a full at tendance of tradesmen here. GUILDHALL.—Georys Garrett, a carman in the employ of Messrs. Clark and Honeysett, 106, Fetter lane, was charged with the following systematic fraud : John Honeysett said he sent the prisoner to Messrs. Neale's wharf for two tons of the best coals, and gave hira the money td pay for them, but he brought home only seconds, for which he charged prosecutor 4/. Bs., when in fact he paid only 4/. ls. at the wharf. This was about the 24th of January, on which day another order for two tons of coals was charged for by the prisoner in the same way, the bills and receipts in each instance being made out to verify the charge. Alderman Finnis asked if he understood the prosecu tor to say the wharf people supplied second coals and gave a receipt for the price of the best, when only the seconds price was paid ? Prosecutor said such was the fact. James Jordan, in the employ of Messrs. Neale, of Old Jamaica wharf, said it was customary in the trade to do so, and it was done by Dickins, at the adjoining wharf. Alderman Finnis said it looked very like a conspiracy to defraud the prosecutor, and the coal-merchant was liable to be indicted with the prisoner for a conspiracy. James Jordan said, the prisoner represented that the prosecutor was cut down to a price, so they (Messrs. Neale) put a few shillings on the price to enable the prosecutor to sell at the price he was bound by. Alderman Finnis said, the prisoner had been guilty of a felony, and the coal merchant had been assisting him to commit the fraud upon his master. Prosecutor said, he had been defrauded of two sums of 7s. each on the same day. Alderman Farebrother inquired if it was customary to permit carmen to receive a fee from the coal-merchants to whom they took their orders. Prosecutor said, he never allowed his carmen to re ceive a fee, if he knew it ; but it frequently occurred that tradespeople obtained false bills to show their cus tomers. Witness dealt with Dickins, but the coals were so bad he left him to deal with Neale, whore coals were just as bad. Dickins had also furnished false bills. - Alderman Finnis said the prosecutor was doing a great service to the public in bringing this case forward, as there was no knowing the extent the system might be carried to. It was of the greatest public importance that the matter should be thoroughly investigated. (To Jordan)—ls Mr. Neale aware of this system ? James Jordan said he was. Alderman Farebrother remarked that Mr. Neale's signature appeared on both of the receipts produced, and wished to know if Mr. Neale was in the habit of leaving receipts signed in blank to be filled up as required. James Jordan said Mr. Neale was in the office and received the cash, and signed the receipt at the time the money was paid in to him. Alderman Farebrother asked Jordan if he gave only 4/. is., and if Mr. Neale gave him a receipt for 4/. Bs. James Jordan said that was all he paid in. Alderman Finnis said he should adjourn the case and direct that Mr. Neale and Mr. Dickins be summoned, for it was highly necessary that the subject should be inquired into. The prisoner was then remanded, and summonses is- sued requiring the attendance of the coal-merchants in question, and calling upon them to produce their books. BOW-STREET.---One of the toll-collectors at Water loo-bridge, named Eldridge, was summoned before Mr. Jardine for assaulting Mr. Weymiss Jobson. The complainant, who described himself as an author, of 252, Strand, said that he had occasion to pass over the bridge on the night of the 23d ult., when he tendered the defendant sixpence, received his change, and pro ceeded- through the gate. He had only got a few paces, when the toll-man called him back, and declared that the sixpence was a bad one. Witness replied that this trick would not do for him, he knew them too well, adding that he could swear the one he tendered was a good one, and that he (defendant) had changed it. The man then gave him a push, and called a policeman, and this was the assault complained of. Mr. Jobson went on to say, that to his knowledge the same kind of trick was being practised to a large extent every night, and that foreigners especially were re peatedly defrauded by it. He had no doubt that the toll-collector took him for a foreigner, as he wore a beard and moustache. He had since made complaints at the Bridge-office, and, not being able to get any redress, he resolved on taking out a summons against the defendant on public grounds. The defendant said that the bad sixpence was the one giv6n to him by complainant, for he had never put it away. He called two witnesses, who swore that they saw Mr. Jobson lay the sixpence down, and that El dridge, after giving the change, tried it, and found it was; a bad one. A gentleman from the Bridge-office deposed that the defendant Eldridge had been 11 years in the service of the company, and was a strictly honest, sober, and well conducted man. With regard to the statement of Mr. Jobson that a great number of foreigners had been de frauded in the way suggested, and that complaints upon the subject were numerous, he begged to say that the assertion was untrue, and that no complaint of the kind had ever been made. Mr. Jobson called at the office and left his address, "252, Strand," but it had been as certained that the gentleman did not reside there, al though letters were left there for him, it being a public billiard-room. In a letter sent to the office Mr. Jobsou demanded that a sum of 51. should be paid to some charitable institution, or else he should proceed against the toll-collector. This proposal, however, was de clined, as the employers of Eldridge had every confidence in his integrity. Mr. Jardine could not believe that the complaints alluded to by Mr. Jobson were so numerous as had been represented, for, if anything like a system of fraud was being nightly carried on at the bridge, it was cer tain that the magistrates would have heard something about it. On the contrary, he believed the servants employed at the-toll-gates were very well-behaved men. Although Mr. Dobson and Eldridge were equally cer tain, apparently, in their views of the matter, he (Mr. Jardine) was of opinion that the sixpence had not been changed, and as no violence had been used he would dismiss the summons. The complainant subsequently returned with a book, to show the magistrate who he really was, and exhibited the titlepage, but his worship d ec li ne d t o look at it. .MARLBOROUGET-STREET.—James Robert Ye men, was charged with having stolen upwards of 2,000 ounces of silver from his employer, Mr. Hancock, jeweller and silversmith, New Bond-street. George Sharp, clerk to Mr. Hancock, said his em ployer had a manufactory for silver goods in Little Bruton-street ; the prisoner had held the situation of foreman ever since 1850. The prisoner, when he wanted silver for the manufactory, applied to witness for a check on the refiner, and on receiving the silver it would be his duty to take it to some melter employed by the house, but he would not be authorised to take the silver to any other melter. On the 18th of March last witness pro ceeded to take stock of the silver, assisted by the pri soner, when it turned out that there was a deficiency of 2,000 ounces. The prisoner volunteered to make out an account of the silver he had received, and the man ner in which he had made use of it. The prisoner made out the account, dating it the year 1853. The se cond item consisted of 200 ounces, delivered to him in January, of which he could give no account. The pri soner could only account for 150 ounces out of 200 ounces delivered to him in March. There were other items in this account in the same situation, and the total of the silver unaccounted for was 860 ounces. There was only a small quantity of silver at the refiner's and in the hands of the prisoner. No account had been ren dered of cuttings and polishings. The prisoner had no authority to dispose of silver or goods, and he had never informed witness he had done anything of the kind. On cross-examination witness said that he knew that a workman under the prisoner bad been brought to that court, and convicted of stealing 10 ounces of silver on the evidence of the prisoner. Witness was not aware that other workmen could abstract silver given out to the prisoner. Messrs. Collins and Co. were not ern• ployed by the house as regular refiners. William Wood said, he was apprentice to the prisoner. He had frequently fetched silver for him from Messrs. Collins and Co. Had frequently received silver and work from the prisoner to carry out of th e manu f ac t ory . On these occasions the prisoner followed him out and got into a cab, taking away the property he had given to him. Had taken as much silver and work as 200 ounces at one time out of the manufactory by direction of the prisoner. _ On Cross-examination witness said there were about a dozen workmen under the prisoner, who might have taken silver in the prisoner's absence. John Corbett. refiner, said, on one occasion the pri soner asked him to give him a memorandum for 200 ounces of silver, and promised to send the silver the next day. He did not send it until the following year, which was a period of about three weeks. The prisoner men tioned to him he had been guilty of some neglect in not letting him have the work sooner. John Hearn, refiner, No. 11, Jerusalem-passage, Clerkenwell, had known the prisoner for some years. Had purchased since 1851, at various times, considera ble quantities of cuttings and polishings from the pri soner. Had paid the prisoner nearly 401. for this stuff. The prisoner had frequently brought large lumps of ster ling silver to him to be broken into smaller pieces. Police-serjeant Godfrey, C 5, said when he apprehended the prisoner he said he knew nothing about the charge. When shown the memorandum in Mr. Corbett's book, he said he was afraid it was true. The prisoner also ad mitted selling cuttings to Mr. Hearn. The prisoner reserved his defence, and was fully com mitted. SOUTHWARK.—Robert Gibson, formerly preacher at Ebenezer-chapel, Bethnal-green, but now the owner of a chandler shop in Gravel-lane, Southwark, charged Mr. , Sainuel Kelly, a printer, of Lambeth-hill, Doctors'. commons, and four others, with committing a murderous assault upon him in his own house. Mr. Binns appeared for the complainant, and Mr. Beavitt for the defendants. After some discussion about moving the case to the Lambeth police-court, Mr. Binns said he appeared for that honest and used man, Mr. Gibson. He was a licensed preacher and a man of education, aid was entitled to the protection of the law. The complainant was a single man, and the de fendant, unfortunately, was married and had a wife. The latter absented herself from her home and fled for protection under the wings of the compl a i nan t. Xr, Combe—What, you bay he is a Lensed preacher •-• 7 r - ye - N . , 7,3 ON. trnE • SuNi_ - A 6 , 11.4 14741.- ti nIL 8 . 155.4, STATE OF TRADE. Prom the Manchester Guardian of yesterday.) MANCHESTER, April 4.—The feeling, approaching to panic, which overspread our market throughout the greater part of last week, has now in a considerable degree subsided. The buying is comparatively insignifi cant in amount ; but there are more buyers venturing to make low offers for some kinds of yarns and goods. Prices are, however, generally found to be very de cidedly reduced. This state of things, with cotton sustained at comparatively high prices, occasions much discussion upon the necessity of restricting the hours of labour, but no agreement to thi s e ff ec t h as y e t b een come to in any part of the district. HALIFAX, April I.—The condition of the worsted trade becomes more gloomy every week. Both spinners an d manufacturers are diminishing production, and prices are almost nominal. Wool is not easy to sell, even at reduced quotations. ROCHDALE, April 3.—There has been another ex tremely slack market today in pie ces o f every descrip tion. Thereis no disposition to purchase at any price. The wool market has been much the same as t h e piece market, and prices rather in favour of the buyer. BIRMINGHAM, Monday, April 3.—At the preliminary meeting held on Thursday last, the course was adopt e d of maintaining the existing prices of iron. Although the continued activity of every department, the sus tained demand, and the inability to increase produc tion to the extent of present consumption would, under a more auspicious aspect of political and mo netary affairs, have fully justified the declaration of an advance, a sufficient inducement was found for the exer cise of caution in the actual commencement of a war, the duration, extent, and results of which are so utterly beyond the reach of human calculation. The chief diffi culty with which our manufacturers here have to con tend seems to be the unusual rates they are compelled to give for their pig-iron. FIRE IN THE BLACKFRIARS•ROAD.—Last night, about teen o'clock, a fire, attended with a considerable loss of property, broke out in the premises belonging to Mr. Fly Tin, a tailor, No. 257, Blackfriars-road, next door but one L l 4) the Albion Tavern. The proprietor of the pre mises rushed out of the house with his children in his arms ; but the upper portion was tenanted by sundry lodgers, and they bad the ,greitest difficulty in effecting a safe retreat, As it was, the police were obliged to pull the children out of the second floor, and carry them down a. ladder. Mr. BUrton, one of the lodgers, in attempting to descend the ladder, slipped and fell from the second floor, and struck upon the penthouse in front of the shop. So great was the Nveight of the man, that it broke the titn . her away, and he fell with considerable force upon the stoi le flags beneath. lie was conveyed to St. The. mas's HOspital, where he at present remains. The whole of the other residents fortunately escaped without re ceiving any p ersonal injury. The mains of the Lambeth company ha,vii ig been drawn, a good supply of water was procured, from which the engines were set to work. The 1;otal loss is very considerable, and, unfortunately, the rhole of the lodg era, who have lost their furniture, wear ing apparel, and other effects, were not insured for a single peo ny., Mr. -Flynn was protected from loss by a p o li c y in the Norwich Union Fire.office. As to the origin of the fire, no tthe leastinformationnotcouldcloned beooeb tained. It appears that the house had mores than an hour viva the discovery was miide. -ASSf2E' INTELLIGENCEr* OXFORD CIRCUIT.—GLOUCESTER, APRIL 5. CROWN COURT. (Before Mr. Russell Gurney, Q.C.) THE QUEEN V. CASTRO. Juan Antonio Castro, a Spaniard, was charged with the wilful murder of Cornelius Murphy, on the 25th of February last, at Bristol. Mr. Skinner and Mr. Matthews appeared for the prosecution ; Mr. Powell defended the prisoner. The prisoner was by birth a Spaniard, and when yes.. terday called upon to plead, he was asked whether he would'be tried by a jury of Englishmen, or by a jury of half Englishmen and half foreigners. He said he was indifferent. He was accordingly tried by -a - jury of Englishmen. The present inquiry arose out of the death of an Irishman named Cornelius Murphy, who died on the 25th of February last, in consequence of a stab in flicted by a knife in his back on the previous night, at about 11 o'clock. It appeared in evidence that, on the Saturday night in question, a number of Spaniards, of whom the prisoner was one, were at a public-house in Princes-street, Bristol, called the Hole in the Wall. In the same house there was also a number of " Highlan, (lets," viz., sailors belonging -to the bark Highlandef. The two parties were using bad language and quarrel ling, which caused the landlord to put the Spaniards in one room, and to request the others to leave the house. A man named Muir, a sailor, was at the Hole in the Wall, and he said a man, who he believed was the prisoner, struck him and knocked him down, without any provoca tion. Muir then went in to fetch his shipmates, who were at the time in the house. They rushed down stairs, and were met at the door by the Spaniards, who assembled in large numbers. A row then ensued, in which a man named Robert Hoskins was stabbed. There was fighting at the time in the street,. and Muir, seeing Hoskins fall, went to his assistance. He was on the pavement, and saw a man whom he believed to be the prisoner coming up to him with a knife in his hand. Muir endeavoured to avoid the party, and got off the pavement for that purpose. The man, according to Muir's statement, then ran along the pavement, and stabbed in the back a man who was standing on the pavement, and who had taken no part in the row. This witness then returned for ten minutes to the public house, where Hoskins was. The man so stabbed was Cornelius Murphy, an Irishman, who died next day of the wound. This witness stated that he saw the man who inflicted the wound on Murphy run in the direction of Queen's-square, where the next day a bloody knife was found stuck in a shutter. The blade was about five inches in length with a daggerpointfirmly fixed in its handle. A young woman named Jane Blake man said she was standing outside the Hole-in-the-Wall on the night in question, and saw the prisoner, whom she had seen nearly ever y even i ng , run across the street and stick a knife into the Irishman's back. She saw him run along the pavement on which the deceased was stand. ing, and then across the street towards Queen's square. Mr. Powell, for the prisoner, contended that the evi dence of Janeßlakeman, the only witness who spoke po sitively to the prisoner's identity, was not sufficient to warrant the jury in coming to the conclusion that he was the man who inflicted the wound on the deceased. At all events, considering the fight which had taken place the offence would not be more than manslaughter. Mr. R. Gurney, in summing up the case to the jury, said he thought the jury would hardly come tothe conclusion, under the circumstances, that the prisoner had been guilty of murder. There was not only the fight, but, as a fo reigner, the prisoner might reasonably suppose he was in greater danger than was, in fact, the case. The jury found the prisoner guilty of manslaughter. Sentence deferred. THE QUEEN V. BINJOI. Jose Fernandez Binjoi Wl.B charged with stabbing Robert Hoskins, on the 25th of February last, at Bristol, with intent to maim, and also to do grievous bodily harm. Mr. Matthews appeared for the prosecution, Mr. Powell defended the prisoner. The prisoner in this case, Jose Fernandez Binjoi was also a Spaniard, and he was charged with stabbing Robert Hoskins, the man mentioned in the last case. When called upon to plead, this prisoner chose to be tried by a jury of Englishmen, and was so tried ac cordingly. Acceraing to Hoskins' evidence, the prisoner and another man were pushing Muir, and he (Hoskins) ran up to Muir's assistance. In so doing, the prosecutor fell against the two men, and went to the ground. He got up, and again fell ; and as he was getting up the second time the prisoner stabbed him in the side with a knife. The wound was half an inch in depth. A knife was subsequently found in the Hole-in-the-Wall, in a place where the prisoner had been seen. (The knife was produced. The blade was about six inches in length, with a dagger-like point, and fixed in a strong handle.) It transpired in the course of this case, that the Spaniards were ¶uiet before the English sailors came in and made use of irritating language. The jury found the prisoner guilty of unlawfully wounding.—Sentence deferred. Henry Jones, 47, miner, was charged, on the coroner's inquisition, with the murder, and, on an indictment, with the manslaughter of Henry Jones, on the 11th of January, at East Dean. Mr. Serjeant Thomas and Mr. Powell appeared for the prosecution ; Mr. W. H. Cooke and Mr. Barrett defended the prisoner. Mr. Serjeant Thomas opened the came to the jury, but in the course of the opening, it appeared that the pri soner was willing to retract his plea, and pleaded guilty to the charge of manslaughter. Under these circum stances, only one or two witnesses were called, who de tailed the circumstances of an affray, in which the pri soner stabbed the deceased. A surgeon proved that on the morning of the 12th he found the deceased with his bowel protruding through a small wound in the abdomen. Witness, with the assist ance of another surgeon, enlarged the wound and re turned the bowel ; but the deceased sank under his injuries and died. ___. The jury found the prisoner guilty of manslaughter. Mr. Russell Gurney sentenced him to 4 years' penal servitude. POLICE INTELLIGENCE. MANSION-HOUSE.--A young man who refused to mention his name, but who was stated to be the son of a Mr. Woolf, an inhabitant of Leadenhall-street, was brought before Sir R. W. Carden, charged with having obtained a watch, &c., value 611.. upon the false pre tence that he was the Earl of Dalkeith, son of the Duke of Buccleuch. Mr. Henry Newton, foreman and manager of the business of Mr. Dent, watch and chronometer-maker of the Royal Exchange, No. 34, said—ln the early part of last week the prisoner came to the shop and in quired what would be the probable cost of a lady's watch with arms and crest enamelled on the back with an earl's coronet set in diamonds. I told him I could not give him that without first knowing the arms and the quantity of work, and he gave me the name of the Duke of Buccleuch. I asked him whether he was the Duke of Buccleuch. He said no, but he was the son of the Duke of Buccleuch, the Earl of Dalkeith. 1 then told him I would prepare a draught of what he required, and which would be ready in three or four days. He assented. I then asked to give me his ad dress, and he accordingly wrote in my address-book, " The Earl of Dalkeith, Mivart's Hotel, London, and East Park, near Edinburgh. I wrote " the Duke of Buccleuch" under the name he had written down. He stated at the time that he was not then staying at Mi vart's, but at some nobleman's residence at the West end, and he then left the shop. He came again on the 31st of March, and asked whether Mr. Dent was there, or to be seen in the Strand. He said he wanted a watch for his own wear, and Mr. Dent would best know the watch suited to his use. I told him I had every kind of watch, and I showed him three or four, one of which he seleoted, and a guard chain. As the watch required something to be done to it, he went away, and called in about an hour, when, in the belief that he was the Earl of Dalkeith, I delivered to him the watch and chain. In answer to a question from Sir R. W. Carden, the witness said he had not all this time uttered a word about the payment of money for the goods sold. The witness, in continuation, said,—The prisoner called again on Saturday, and asked whether the draw ing had been made, On Monday he called in the fore noon and handed in a list of things—viz., diamonds, studs, ring, and gold pencil-cases, wnich he said he should require. Yesterday morning (Tuesday) he called again, and I told him the drawing would be ready be tween two and three o'clock. He said he had an en gagement at the East India-house at 12, and he would return as early as convenient. He returned accord ingly, and I presented to him this drawing (the arms of the Duke of Buccleuch with the earl's coronet), and asked him whether it was right. I think the expression used by him was " Very nice ;" and he asked me whe ther I would allow him to take the drawing with him to show to his lady. I then gave him a letter which I had received, and asked him whether he knew the hand writing. (It was a letter from the Earl of Dalkeith to the Hon. 3lr. Talbot.) He said "No," and that the signature was not his, I said "Then you are not the Earl of Dalkeith." I then told him that I had received the letter from the secretary to the Carlton Club, who had received it in my presence from the Hon. Mr. Talbot. I told him that I could not part with him, and I must take him to Montagu-house. He asked me whether it would not do to take him to some house in the city to have him identified, and I went with him to the count ing-house of a wine merchant in Mark-lane, where he was recognized, but not as the Earl of Dalkeith. The person to whom he took me, asked me if I had the goods hack what more would I require, to which I replied that that would not be sufficient. Sir R. W. Carden—Had you and the prisoner any con versation on this subject on your way to Mark-lane ? Witness . —He told me, as we went along, that he was not the Earl of Dalkeith, and he asked me, if the per son in Mark-lane said he was not the Earl of Dalkeith, what then ? to which I answered, thatolie had got the property by personating that nobleman, and that he must take the consequences. Soon afterwards he and I left Mark-lane, and went in a cab to Montagu house, but the Earl of Dalkeith was not at home. We then went to the Carlton Club, but, not finding him there, I gave the prisoner into custody. Sir R. W. Carden—Did you get back the property? Witness —After he read the letter of the Earl of Dal keith the prisoner returned me the watch, and would have paid for the chain if he had had money enough. The price of the chain was 131. 10s, I parted with the watch and chain, believing that he was the Earl of Dalkeith, and I would not have parted with it if I had not believed his representation to that effect, and I had not made a drawing, at his request, of the Duke of Buccleuch's arms. I have seen the chain since at the house of Mr. Russell, a pawnbroker. A servant of Mr. Russell, of Fore-street, Cripplegate, preyed that the gold chain had been pawned by the pri• 7 7 - and takes poisesgiOn . of another man's wife. That's very singular for a man of his cloth. Mr. Binns said it was for her good. He was there for justice, and nothing else. A murderous assault had been committed on his client by the defendants, who lurked about to take possession of his house and property. They rushed into his house when Mrs. Kelly was offi ciating at the tea table, and the defendant without de manding his wife, rushed upon the complainant and committed the assault complained of. Even if demanded to quit the house she would not, as she loved Mr. Gib son better (laughter). Fifty persons would not take her away, as she had previously been treated with gross cruelty. • Robert Gibson said on. Wednesday evening I saw several persons lurking about the front of my shop. I was sitting in the back parlour. The police were at that time changing for night duty, and all at once defendant and four others rushed into my shop. The defendant came first, and wade use of coarse language, calling me a rogue and a thief, and burst open my parlour door. The others followed him, and struck in all di rections. The defendant then struck me several times on the breast and face, when Mrs. Kelly rushed in be tween us, to protect me, and was knocked 'down. She came to my rescue. The defendant did not say anything about his wife when he struck me. I picked up Mrs. Kelly, and received another blow from some one else, when I seized up a jug in self protection, and inflicted a blow upon one of the party's heads. I then believed that murder was about to be committed by them. I after wards took up a poker, but the defendant and his companions wrenched it from me. I then went into the shop, and seized up a knife with one hand and some weights with the other, and told them that if they came near me I should defend myself to the utmost. A per son came in, and shortly afterwards the police ; but I did not give any of them in charge, because I was afraid to leave my shop. - Mr. Beavitt—Are you a licensed parson now ? Gib son—No, lam not. lam a grocer. Mr. Beavitt—Did you not, six weeks ago, live with Mrs. Kelly (the defendant's wife), in the Waterloo-road? Mr. BirinS—l object to my client answering any such a question. The charge is for assault. Mr. Combe,LMr. Beavitt has a right to ask any ques tion that might discredit him. Gibson—l have lived in the Waterloo-road. Mr. Beavitt—Had you not then property belonging to the defendant—a pair of window-curtains to your front window ? Mr. Binns (to complainant)—Don't answer that ques• tion. Gibson—Under the advice of my attorney, I decline to answer you. Mr. Beavitt—Had you not one of the defendant's tables also near the front window ? Mr. Binns—Don't answer that question either. (Laughter.) Mr. Beavitt—Have you not in your shop a quantity of furniture that belongs to Mr. Kelly ? Gibson—By the advice of my attorney, I decline to answer that question. _ Did you not, in December last, prefer a charge of assault against the defendant at the Lambeth police court? Gibson—Yes ; I did. Mr. Beavitt—Did you not swear that you did not live with Mrs. Kelly I Mr. Binns—Don't answer that. _ _ Mr. Beavitt—Did not Elizabeth Clark, a witness against you on that occasion, swear that you were living with Mrs. Kelly ? Gibson—l decline, by the advice of my solicitor, to answer that question. Mr. Beavitt —You remember Dr. Griffith being examined then, about a miscarriage at your house ? Gibson—Yes, I do. Mr. Beavitt—You also remember Emma Robinson swearing that you then passed as Mr Kelly ? No answer. Mr. Beavitt —Was not Samuel Cunningham ex amined, and proved you were kicked out of the chapel ? Gibson—l don't recollect that, but I was not kicked out of the chapel. I remember Mr. Morgan, Mr. West, and others being examined ; but that's nothing to do with the case. Mr. Beavitt—How long have you been in the chandler's shop ? Gibson—About a month. I went from the Waterloo road there. Mr. Beavitt—Had you not a visit from the police after the defendant's goods ? Gibson—l don't know anything of the kind. I have taken none of his goods. Mr. Beavitt—How many sons came with defendant to your house on the night you complain of ? Gibson—Two ; Arthur and Samuel. I have sum moned them for assaulting me. Mr. Beavitt—Did you ask their mother for their shirts and clothes which she had taken away ? Gibson—l did not hear any question of the kind. At this point the case was adjourned. MARYLEBONE.—John Kirby was again placed at the bar, charged with having been concerned in the com mission of robberies to a considerable extent on the London and North-Western Railway. The prisoner was fully committed for trial upon three charges of robbery. SPORTING INTELI,IGENCE. CROXTON PARK RACES.-WEDNESDAY. The FARMER'S HANDICAP was won in two heats, by Mr. T. Hilton's lago, 6 yrs, 10st 101 b (Capt. White), beating Mr. B. Spriggs' Pastime, 4 yrs, lOst 81b (Mr. Scobell), and four others. The Cur, of 501. in specie, added to a Handicap Sweep stakes of 20 sows. each. 10 ft, and 5 only if declared, &c. Two miles. Twenty-seven subs., 16 of whom declared. Mr. R. Morris's Gerard, by Alarm, 5 yrs, lOst 121 b _ (Capt. Haworth) 1 Lord Clifden's Sackbut, 5 yrs, list 1 Olb (Capt. White) 2 Mr. Saxon's Cleveland, 5 yrs, list 81b...(Mr. Scobell) 3 Lord Chesterfield's Communist, 3 yrs, 96t 31b (Mr. Bishop) 4 Mr. Choyce's c. by Drayton, out of Spring's dam, 5 yrs, lOst 71b • ...(Capt. W. Peel) 5 Mr. T. Dawson's Itch, 4 yrs, 101 t 51b.. (Capt. Little) 0 Betting-2 to 1 agst Itch, sto 2 agst Cleveland, sto 1 each agst the Drayton colt and Sackbut. Gerard made the running, and won, after a good race in, by half a length. Three lengths between the second and third. Communist and the Dray - ton colt walked in. Itch bolted. The BILLESDEN COPLOW STAKES of 5 sous. each, with 20 added. 12st each ; thorough breds 121 b extra. Once round. Mr. J. King's Newman Noggs, 6 :yrs, 12st 121 b (Capt. W. Peel) 1 Mr. Roberts's Dandy Jem, aged, :12st 71b...(Owner) 2 Mr. J. S. Wheatley's Tom Jolly (II b), aged ((Count Batthyany) 3 Betting-4 to lon Newman Now. Won by a neck. Bad third. CROXTON PARK PLAIT (Handicap) , of 100 sovs., for all ages. One mile,. Mr. Megson's Georgey, 4 yrs, llst (Capt. Little) 1 Mr. Roberts's Lamartine, 6 yrs, 12:;st Count Batthyany's Captain Flash, yrs, lOst Illb The following also ran :—Welllsbourne, Scarcity, Wingenund, Newman Noggs, Why -not. STEWARDS' LIST.--For the ase •of the stewards and the fashionable visitors a list was prepared by Mr. Day, of Melton Mowbray. It was most• tastefully printed in in gold, silver, arid colours, bound with ribbon braid and tassels, an 3 correctly emblazoned •with the arms of the three stewards, the Marquis of Granby, the Earl of Wilton, and Lord Forester ; and alloo with those of the Duke of Rutland. As a graceful work of art it was unique and excited much attention. CHELTENHAM STEEPLECI %ASES.—APRIL 5. The HUNTERS' STARES were won by Mr. Johnston's Stanley, aged, list 71b (carried list 91b), (Mr. Crymes)—Keating Mr. Lindow's 1 Vlacomo, list (Owner) second ; Mr. Johnson's Louisa, list 71b (Mr. Blake), third ; and five others. GRAND ANNUAL STEEPLECHASE of 20 soya, each, h ft, and 5 only if declared, with 100 added. The second horse to Jaye his stakes. About, four miles. Mr. Moseley's Trout, lOst 71b (in.cluding 71b extra). (Tasker) 1 Captain Newman's Columbine, 9st. 71b (including 71b extra) (Weaver) 2 Mr. Evans's Teddesley, 933 t Mr. Rambler's View Hal 100, 9st alb (W. Archer) 4 Mr. Sait's Sam Hood, 9st 81b (Owner) 0 Betting-7 to 4on Trout, 4to 1 aget Teddesley, and 6to 1 agst Columbine. Won easily by two lengths. Sam Hood fell at the fence beyond the Farm the first time round, and rolled oar or his jockey, who sustained a dislocation of the should, 3r, and although he remounted, he was soon compelled to pull up. SELLING STEEPLECHASE of 5 sovs. each, with 20 added. The second to save his stake. About three miles. Mr. James's Bullfinclier (301.) 'Captain Boynton's Janus(3o/.) Mr. Walker's Tulip (3017. ) (G(R..S(jtGnseavrmeeenesi 213 Mr. Stevens's Beekbu4 'Lass Four• others ran. Betting-5 to 2 each agst Bullfincher and Beckbury Lass, 4 to 1 each agst 'Tulip and Janus. Won in a canter by ten lengths. The winner was bought in for 70 guineas. . MATCH, 501. Three miles. 13st each. Mr. W. La Terri ere ' s V a l entine (Owner) 1 Mr. S. Davis's Emigrant(Owner) 2 Betting- -2 to 1 on Valentine, who won by nearly a distance. WELTER STAKES. Robin Hood Brevet HANDICAP HURDLE-RA.OE. Free•trader Gaylad SCURRY STAKES. Westwood Battery .. [ADVERTISR MENT.]—Holloway's Pills the greatest wonder of modern times.—They correct bile, prevent flatulency, cleanse the liver, purify the system, renovate the debilitated, strengthen the stomach, increase, the appetite, invigorate the nerves, promote health, and re instate the weak to an ardour of feeling never before ex perienced. The extraordinary daily sales of these in valuable pills in all parts, of the globe astonish everbody, convincing them that there is no other medicine in ex istence equal to Holloway's pills for removing the com plaints which are incidental to the human raoe ; they are, indeed, a blessing to the afflicted, and a• boon to those who suffer from any disorder, internal or external. —Sold by all druggist, and at Prologsgr Liroll9wafg Establishunut, 214, atri4l4ll 7 L9/4411. ROYAL HUMANE SOCIETY. One of the oldest and not the least valuable of the benevolent institutions of the metropolis is the Royal Humane Society, which was founded so far back as the year 1774, for the recovery of persons apparently drowned or dead, and the 80th anniversary festival of which was last night celebrated at the Freemasons Tavern, Great Queen-street. • The minutes of the committee for the year show that 152 cases were brought under notice of the society, which cases comprised 165 persons, who had either met with accidents, or attempted suicide ; of these 153 were treated with'success, and 12 only were beyond recovery. That 24 honorary silver medals were voted for cases of rescue, attended by extraordinary courage and risk of life ; and 36 honorary bronze medals awarded. Thanks of the society, inscribed upon vellum, &c., were pre sented to 15 individuals, whose praiieworthy conduct in the cause of humanity had brought them under the notice of the committee, and 108 other claimants (in cluding landlords of receiving -houses) received pecuniary rewards. The total number of persons who bathed in the Serpen tine River throughout the year amounted to 223,250, as per the estimated and daily-registered number reported by the superintendent. Twenty-one bathers were rescued from drowning by the activity of the society's boatmen on duty during the hours appointed for morning and evening bathing, and not one fatal accident occurred. Nine other individuals were also saved, and four prp. vented from committing suicide, by the exertions and watchfulness of the boatmen throughout the day-time. During the late frost this institution may be said to have passed a trying ordeal. The watchful activity of its men, their coolness and courage at the moment of trial, and the efficiency of its establishment, were fairly put to the test. During 15 days of its duration, 50 per sons, whose names and addresses were given, broke through the ice, and were saved by the society's men, besides several others whose names could not be ascer tained, and not one fatal accident occurred. In the February and March of the previous year, during the ten days of frost, no less than 230 persons were im mersed, and 229 persons rescued, only one individual case proving beyond recovery. Of the skill, devotion, and the disinterestedness of the honorary medical assistants of the institution the com mittee speak in the highest terms, observing that the manner in which they have performed their benevolent and gratuitous duties is beyond all praise. The medic; 1 assistants of the society appointed in the several districts attend on all accidents connected with the objects of the institution without fee or reward. The Royal Humane Society has improved the state of medical science, by as certaining and pointing out the best means of restoring life in cases of suspended animation ; and numbers who were before the establishment of this institution consigned to the grave, through incredulity, culpable inactivity, or injudicious modes of treatment, might have been saved from a premature death. It has thus effected a great and permanent benefit to mankind, by collecting and diffusing information, by rewarding meritorious exertion, and by exciting earnestness and expedition in assisting persons in danger of drowning. By these measures it has been the means of preservi .g annually very many lives. The festival of last night was on a scale of unusual splendour. The number of friends and supporters who assembled was very considerable, and the distribution of medals and honorary rewardsgave additional interest to the social reunion. Lord Dudley Coutts Stuart, M.P., presided, and was supported by Captain Scobell, R.N., M.P., Montagu Gore, George Rennie, C.E., Rev. Dr. Croly, A. Ro barts, Rev. J. Woolley, Gore Langton, M.P., W. Hawes, Esq., J. Rowe, M.D., and about 120 other friends and supporters of the society ; while in the gallery facing the chairman were a number of ladies, who appeared to take a lively interest in the proceedings. The dinner and wines were excellent, and the musical arrangements, under the direction of Mr. Hobbs, added very materially to the pleasure and gratification of the guests. Miss Eyles took the leading part in the National Anthem, and several other airs, and acquitted herself most creditably ; while Mr. Hobbs obtained a whole roomful. of congratulations and compliments for the manner in which he sung a newairto the glorification ofthe French and English warriors "Gone out t,, fight the Czar." Captain Scobell and Colonel Thompson of the Engineers, made some happy allusions to the contest in which thi, country was about to engage with Russia, and the noble chairman followed up the hint with all the emphasis and energy fur which he is so remarkable. The most interesting portion of the evening's pro ceedings was the procession of men and women, boys, girls, and little children who had been rescued from drowning by the exertions of the society during the past year, and who formed the annual con tribution to the astounding number of 30,000, who, we were informed, had been saved since the society coin menced its operations. They were paraded round the room, preceded by the stewards, with wands, each of them bearing in hH or her hand one of the Bibles of the so ciety. The medals of the company were distributed to such of the persons who had saved one or more lives during the past year as were preent. They included gentle men, clergymen, sailors, working men, &c., all of whotn were addressed in words of compliment by the chair man, and all of whom expressed their gratification at having been instrumental in saving human life. A model of Mr. Parratt's tubular life raft, which has been instru mental in saving many lives, and which has met the approval of the Admiralty and the Emigration Commis sinners, was exhibited in the ante-room, and might, per haps, fairly put in its claim to one of the society's medals. The result of the festival has been a large and seasonable addition to the funds of this most useful society. HEALTH OF LONDON DURING THE WEEK. (From the Report of the Registrar General. ) The deaths registered in London in the week that ended on Saturday, were 1,489. In the ten correspond ing weeks of the years 1844-53 the average number was 1,202, which, if raised in proportion to increase of population becomes 1,322. The actual number regis tered last week is 167 above the estimated amount. Last week was the thirteenth of the quarter, and it usually happens at this period that the deaths registered derive a considerable accession from coroners' inquests, the registration of which is in many instances not com pleted until the end of the quarter. Such cases will be found chiefly in the class of violent deaths, which com prises fractures, burns, suffocation, &c. ; some are spe cially referred to apoplexy, disease of the heart, &c. ; others, vaguely returned, are classed under " sudden deaths." Last week the births of 1,015 boys and 933 girls, in all 1,948 children, were registered in London In the nine corresponding weeks of the years 1845 53 the average number was 1,548. At the Royal Observatory, Greenwich, the mean height of the barometer in the week was 30.124 in. The mean daily reading was above 30 in. on every day of the week except Sunday. The highest mean occurred on Friday, when it was 30.264 in. The reading of the barometer increased to 30.29 in. at 9 h. a.m. on Friday. The mean temperature of the week was 47.3 deg., which is 4 deg. above the average of the same week in 38 years. The mean daily temperature rose to 51.4 deg. on Satur day, which is 7.8 deg. above the average of the same day. It was above the average on every day of the week. The highest temperature occurred on Saturday, and was 71.0 deg. ; the lowest was also on the same day, and was 34.9 deg., showing a range on that day of 36.1 deg. The wind blew generally from west south west. The mean dew-point temperature was 39.4 deg. On Saturday the mean difference between the dew point-temperature and air temperature was the greatest in the week, viz., 13 deg. ; the greatest difference on this day was 24 3 deg., and was also the greatest in the week. No rain fell except on Sunday, when the amount was only 0.03 in. MORTALITY IN THE METROPOLIS. NUMBER OF DEATHS FROM ALL CAUSES REGISTERED IN THE WEEK ENDING SATURDAY, APRIL 1. Zymotic Diseases .......................................... 245 Diseases of Uncertain Seat .. 7l Tubercular Diseases ......... Diseases of the Brain, Nerves and Senses Diseases of the Heart and Blood-vessels 6l Diseases of the Lungs and other Organs of Respiration.. ..... Diseases of the Stomach, Liver, and other Organs of Digestion Diseases of the Kidneys, &c. Childbirth, Diseases of the Uterus, &c. Diseases of the Joints, Bones, and Muscles Diseases of the Skin, &c. Malformations 5 Premature Birth and Debility 43 Atrophy 42 Old Age Sudden 49 Violence, Privation, Cold, and I n t em p erance 175 Causes not specified DEATHS FRO3f ALL CAUSES 1,489 Population Deaths in cone- Deaths Enumerated. sponding week in the lisU. of IEO3. Week. West Districts North Districts 490.396 Central Districts 393,256 East Districts 485,522 ...... 259 ...... 308 South Districts -- -- --- Totals Males Females.. 829 660 BIRTHS IN THE WEEK. Males 1,015 Females 933 Total . 1,854 RAILWAY SHARE MARKETS. - `,i.--- LIVERPOOL, APRIL 5. STOCK EXCIIANGE.—The market has been firm to-day, but still without much business. Caledonian, 25i ; Lan cashire and Yorkshire, 594 London and North-Western, 94i ; Dittos . shares, 7-16 d. , Manchester, Sheffield, and Lincoln, 19$ ; ; Midland, 563 North British , 7 i ; North Staffordshire, 6 15-16 d. South Eastern and Dover, 17g. MANCHESTER, APRIL 5. STOCK EXCHANGE.—The market has been very firm, but buyers are cautions, and but few sales have been effected. Sheffield, 19a ; East Lanca shire, 15 ; Midla n d, 56a; Caledonians, 251-; London One-Eighths, 15-16 d. BIRMINGHAM, APRIL 5. STOCK EXOHANOL_The market was rathor firmer to day. liictiond4 way dorm at 561. 135, 9d, SHIPPING INTELLIGENCE. NOTICE TO MARINERS.—PILOTAGE OFFICE. Masters of vessels are informed that the pilot boat. of the port of Dunkirk stationed in the North Sea, will, in future, cruize between the Flanders Banks and the Good win Sands, in order to ship pilots on board vessels coming from the North Sea. This cruize will commence on the Ist of -May each year, and will terminate on the 15th of November. Dunkirk, 16th March, 1854. CUSTOM HOUSE, APRIL 5. ENTERED TNwARDs.—The Patrocia, from Jamaica ; Norfolk, Mauritius ; Twee Gezusters, Rotterdam ; Luzi tano, Pernambuco ; Favourite, Leghorn ; Creole, Domi nica ; Vesta, Calcutta ; Egham, Cadiz ; Vivid, Terceira; Pestjonee Bomanjee, Bombay ; Brothe rs , B ar b a d oe s ; Elizabeth Taylor, ntigua ; Nina, Ceylon ; Mignon, St. Michael's. ENTERED OUTWARDS FOR LOADING.—The Evarhardus, for Hamburg ; Malvina, St. Croix ; Louise, Hamburg; Maria Andrianan. Sydney ; Twende Brodee, Krageroe ; Edouard Marie, Melbourne and Sydney ; Hudson, Anti gua ; Hoop von Kapelle, Launceston ; Industry, Antwerp ; Juliane, Gluckstadt ; Irlatn, Grenada ; Princess Royal, Malta ; William Septimus de Septimo, Antwerp ; Johanna Maria, Yard. CLEARED OUTWARDS WITH CARGO.— The Beidon Fre dericke, for Stettin; Agnes, Oporto; Matilda Luckie, Demerara ; Plantagenet, Sydney ; Zamuda, Sydney; George Robinson, Sydney ; Sventtin Mathilda, Copen hagen ; Grand Turk, Halifax ; Ivanhoe, Bombay. LIVERPOOL, APRIL 5. The Charles Chalona, from Savannah, at this port, was struck by lightning on the 111th ult., lat. 39,10ng. 46, which damaged her foretopmasts, top-gallant and royal sails. The Europa, arrived here from Matanzas, was hove on her beam ends during a violent gale on the 13th of March from S.W. to N.W., in lat. 47, long. 80, and had to throw part of her cargo overboard to right her. The Crest of the Wave, hence to Melbourne, was spoken on the 27th Feb., lat. 6 N. long. 23 W., out 16 days, had run about 3,100 miles. The Louise, from. Barbadoes, arrived yesterday, expo• rienced dreadful weather on the 23d ult., in lat. 35, wind S.E. by E., the sea making a complete breach over the ves sel. Had part of her bulwarks carried away, sails split, cabin door washed away, and cabin filled with water. The Wannan, from this port, arrived at Adelaide in s leaky condition. VESSELS SPOKEN WITH. The Manchester of Cork, from London, Jan. 10, off Cape Horn. The St. Albs, from London to Calcutta, Feb. 27, lat. 4 N., long. 20 W. The Travancour, from London to Swan River, the same day. The Neptune, from Tricabar, March 1, lat. 4 N., long. 21 W. An English ship, from Kingstown to Port Philip, Dec. 25, lat 4 S., long. 102 E. The Castle Eden, from Oporto to Sydney, N.S.W., Nov. 21, lat. 2 N., long. 24 W. The Mary Eliza (French brig), from Melbourne, lat. 28 S., long. 106 E. The Montague, Nov. 6, lat. 31 S., long. 15 W. The Susan, from Melbourne, let. 35 S., long. 115 E. The Duke of Wellington, from Sydney, N.S.W., to Ceylon, Jan. 17, lat. 38 S., long. 149 E. The Pratt, from London to Sydney, N.S.W., Nov. 20, on the Line. The Johanna Maria, from Hartlepool to Batavia, Jan. 3, lat. 39 S., long. 79 W. The Bato, from London to Hobart Town, Jan. 15, lat. 14 S., long. 28 W. The Daniel Watson, June 20, on the Line with 300 brls. The Menam, from, Shanghai to London, Dec. 31, lat. 106 E. The Albermarle, from Ceylon to London, Feb. 6, lat. 35 S., long. 24 E. The Majestic, from Calcutta to London, Feb. 18, let. 21 S., long. 1 E. The Challenge, bound south, March 10, lat. 8 N., long. 4E. A vessel, from Gold Coast to Liverpool, March 19, let. 33, N., long 38 W The Crest of the Wave, from Liverpool to Melbourne Feb. 27, 14. 7 N., long. 23 W. The Grecia ' of Belfast, fr om B uenos A yres t o L iverpoo l March 12, lat. 26 N., long. 41 W. The Suomi of Abo, from Sandwich Islands to Cowes March 17th, lat. 31 N., long. 39 W. The Westmouth, from New York to Australia, Jan. 30 lat. 29 S., long. 30 W. The Sumatra, from London to Port Philip, Feb, 8, lat. 18 S. 31 W. The Dace of Bronte, 4th lat 3 N., long. 22 W. The Orestes, from London to Port Philip, lat. 40 S. long. 124 E. The Merlin (ship), from Liverpool to Melbourne, 30 dayg out, lat. 33 S., long. 69 E. The Washington (barque), steering west, Jan. 11, lat• 35 N., long. 130 W. The Currency, from Liverpool to Melbourne, Feb. 2 4 , lat 6 N.. long 22 W. The Washington, from Liverpool to Melbourne, Oct 23, lat. 16 N long. 26 W. The Nile, from London to Sydney, N.S.W., Nov. 13, lat. 5 N., long. i 9 W. The Queen of the Isles, from London to Sydney, N.S.W., Nov. 22, lat. 2 S., long. 27 W. The John Genge, from B om b ay t o L on d on, Feb. 10, let. 7 S., long. 15 W . The Stepaane, from the Clyde to Melbourne, March 16, lat. 1 N. long. 20 W. - - - - The Countess of Z 41.1.nd, from London to Barbadoes, March 4, lat. 17 N., long. 39 W. The American Enterprise, from New York to Liver pool, March 21, lat. 45 N., long. 27 W. The Margaret, from London to Adelaide, S.Ar, Dec. 10. COUNTRY MARKETS. - EDINBURGH HAY AND STRAW MARKET— APRIL 4. There was a large supply of straw of all descriptions in • the market excepting wheat. The prices to-day were ai follow : Oat straw, from 6s Od to 8s Od per kemple of 16 stones tron ; wheat do., 8s ./(1 to 8s 6d ; barley do.. 55 6d to 6,0 d. Hay from lid to 13d ; new ditto, Od to Od per stone. EDINBURGH MEAL MARKET—APRIL 4. There were in the market to-day, 24 sacks oa - Aueal, each weighing 2801bs imperial, which sold thus : —24 at 21. 84 00 at 0/. Os Od, and-U at 01. Os. DALIKEITII,MEAL MARKET --APRIL 3. There were in the market, to-day 35 bags a oatmeal, 14 of barleymeal, and 5 of pot-barley. Sates dull. The t o p price of oatmeal .?s 6d up ; the second was Is up; third Us Od up. Pot-barley on the top price was is up. Oatmeal, per sack of 2801bs 1 First. I Second. I Third , imperial Barleymeal, per ditto Peasemeal, per ditto Flour, per ditto Od Pot-barley, per ditto LEEDS—APRIL 4. There was a tolerable show of wheat to this day's mar' ket. Fine qualities sell a t i s per qr. advance on Friday's rates, but the trade is checked, and not much business done in other descriptions. Barley as before. Beans and oats fully as dear. Other articles without alteration. DUBLIN —APRIL 4. We had rather a steady but not very brisk market at our Corn-exchange to-day The prices of Friday last wer e generally supported for wheat. 0 Its 6d and barley 6d t° Is dearer. Indian co rn move d off in suiall quantities, an' without change in value. White witeat, 40. Od to 44s Od; red ditto, 39s to 42. Od; barley, 16s 6d to 228 6d ; oats, 14s Od to 17s Od • rapeseed; ..n s Od to (108 Od per brl ; oatmeal, 15s 6d to 17s Od ; bakers flour, 22s 6d to 27s Od per cwt; Inaiau corn, 441 Od to 48s Od per 4801bs. COAL . MARKET. —APRIL 5. Prices of Coal per ton at the close of the market : s. d. Wallsend &c. , ..,. Buddle W. Hartley l9 6, •s. u Carr's Hartley ..... 2O O'Braddyll l9 9 Davison's West Hartley 20 01Framwellgate l9" 3 Hastiug's Hartley ...... , 20 O ' Hetton 2O 6 2 , v H01ywe11...... ...... ........20 t ;Haswell Howard's West Hartley IPeusher 19 ~ Nethertou .............. 20 0 Pl ummer 2O 0 4 Old Adairs l6 O. Russell's Hetton 19 9 " Redheugh Main ............ 16 I:;Stewart's . 20 6 West Hartley ......... ...2. 1 0 Whitwell lB Willington Hartley 20 0 H eug h Hall 1 9 3 Wylam . 18 0 STees outh Hartlepool ..... _ 2 19 0 0 West Tees lB 0 3 ., Wallsend, & c . Bell and Brown 18 6 C ow p en Halton 18 6 Derwentwater Hartley. 20 _ _ --- ..18 3lGrey's West Hartley y. .19 6 Johnson _ Lawson - „ 18 01Sidney's Hartley 2O v Eden Main ...... ......19 65 THE RIVER MURRAV.—Respecting the opening up of the R►ver Murray, it is mentioned in the last advices from Australia that Captain Caddell had returned to Adelaide, South Australia, on the 29th of December , from his second successful voyage, and had set out oil a third trip, which would be to the junction of the Mur ray with the Darling. He also expected to make a fourth voyage, as far as the Wakcol, before the close of the season, after which it was his intention to proceed, via Melbourne, to Albury, Gundagai, and Seymour, for the purpose of exploring the tributaries of the Murray by small boats at the worst, or driest, period. BIRTHS. OF A SON. On the 3d inst., at the Restory, Fratnlingham, Suffolk , the wife of the Rev. George Attwood. On the 4th inst., at 109, Lansdowne•place, Brighton' the wife of Horatio Coare Brenchley, E sq., surgeon. OF A DAUGHTER. On the 4th inst., at Bolton, Lancashire, the wife of Captain J. A. Stewart. Royal Marines. On the 4th inst., at Hof sham, Sussex, the wife of CaP t ' Hadfield, of the Royal Marines. MARRIED. On the 4th inst., at Christ Church, Salford, the B el ' Frederick F. Gough, M.A., of Ningpo, Ch na, seco nd s° ll of Ralph Gough, Esq., of Gorsebrook-house, near \Volvo' hampton, to Mary Viger s , e ld es t daughter of E. B. I 4 Mare, Esq., of the Grange, near Manchester. DIED. - - On the 20th ult., at Gibraltar, Colonel Rice Jones, Commanding Royal Engineers in that garrison, On the 19th of January, at Moodlunga-vale, Adelaide, South Australia, in her 75th year, Mary, wife of Mr. MI Wiid, late of Kensington, Middlesex. At Trichiuopoly, on the 6th of February, George Gihs°. l l l Holmes, Esq., surgeon , H . E . 1 . C ., i n t h e 37 t h y ea r of b 1 age. At Wemyss-castle, on the 3d inst., Rear-Admiral J ane t Erskine Wernyss, of'Wemyss and Tonle, Lord-Lieuteu ri " of the county of Fife, aged 65. LONDON: Printed and Published by /AMMO YOU :I4 9' of No. 112, strand, Printei, at The Sun Office, No. ill Strand, in the Precinct of the Savoy, in the cola,' ° Middlesex, Thursday, April 6. 1864. ( in Ili 11,7, Da? late the co t (./ dre lar cos ~.~- _