The Sun. — London, England, 1830-01-20 00:00:00

SPIRIT OF THE PUBLIC JOURNALS. The agricultural interest, or, to speak more propsrfy, the country-gentleman-interest, goes on complaining with much diligence and noise. The Norfolk meeting would have a repeal of the Malt-Tax,—an object which, if taken alone, we have already characterized as equally useful to the brewer and. the publican. Another class, which must derive more than an honest share of profit from such a reduction of our public im posts as embraced the Malt-Tax only, is that of the proprietors of those soils which are fitted for the growth of barley. The relief of the malted grain from tax would be seized upon by the landlords as a precious opportunity for laying on some shillings snore of rent per acre. It is no great wonder, then, that a race of gentlemen who have, generally speaking, what is called " an eye to business," should put forward the Malt- Tax in the very front of their grievances, or as that especial grievance to which they are satis fied that the redress of every other should for the present be postponed, leaving it to Provi dence to distribute between brewer, publican, and people, the several vexations arising out of the beer duty and the licence monopoly, seeing that they do not affect immediately the rent of land, or the prosperity of • landlords. But why the farmers should fight the battle of the Squires who prey upon them, by - employing squire-like arguments and notions on behalf of a repeal of the malt or any other impost, is what we do not understand so readily. There have been reported to us the proceedings of a meet ing of the owners and occupiers of land in the hundred of Grimslioe, Norfolk, where vigorous resolutions were passed against the above mentioned tax, but where, also, much nonsense was talked and listened to, concerning the mis crideYous effects upon the farmer of the metallic currency, and the (falsely called) free trade sys tem. What the farmers lose by getting gold for their ccrn, instead of paper often issued by in solvents in the disguise of bankers, is to us not easily comprehensible ; or by what law of de cency the farmers drag the question of free trade into their discussion's, when that trade which they specifically carry on is hemmed round by an impudent and inhuman monopoly, it would be no less difficult to learn. This one reason for repealing the Malt Tax is valid, as it concerns the farmer, and others besides the farmer,—that a towering, or rather an abolition, of the duty, end an exemption of the making process from the annoyance of the exciseman's inquisition, would befidend the poor man in some degree, by compelling the publican to sell better beer, on pails of losing a large proportion of his customers, Mio might take to brewing for themselves with more facility and advantage than at present. Mr. Western is once more in the field ; and always, as it seems to us, without being able to satisfy any body that he would not have saved more credit by staying at home than he gains by coming before the public. The Honourable Member for Essex appears to have got but one idea in his head, and that is one which most other men have abandoned,—we mean the chi mera that the alleged decline of British prosperity has arisen from ourreturning to that metallic cur rency which was the legal standard of value and the current medium of all traffic between man and man throughout the whole history of England, whether as a Roman, a Saxon, or a Norman, a Pagan, or Christian—an agricultural or com mercial—a rude or civilized and enlightened state—with the single, and almost evanescent, exception of 23 short years ! Mr. Western thinks that money is wealth, or he means no thing; he thinks that paper, not convertible into gold, is wealth, or he means nothing ; he chinks that paper prices (the paper not being eeovertible), and prices in gold coin, would be the same, or he is the most elaborate nothing writer we have ever heard of ; at the same time that he reprobates the law making paper pay able in gold, ts one which has so diminished the amount of money, that there is not enough to carry on the business of the nation, or, in either words, to enable the landlords to screw a war rent out of their tenantry. The greatest difficulty with a letter-writer like Mr. Western ys to understand his meaning. He fancies that Bie has discovered something wonderful in the identity of cheap goods and dear money ; and complains of money being dear as pathetically as his labourers do that bread is dar—the noto riety of which fact, by the bye, puts an untimely end to the Honourable Gentleman's assumption about the actual dearness of money. We ask, isl net bread dear enough ? Is it not the most pro digious of all pretences to clamour about the fall of prices, when we import from all parts of the world the first great article of human sustenance, loaded as it is with a duty in some cases of 30s. a quarter ? But it is the peasantry ve pity,—it is for them we feel. They, with the;e wretched wives and children, are really an oppressed and ruined people ; their bodily powers are impaired, their moral qualities are degraded, innocence and cheerfulness have fled with the last vestiges of self-dependence and comfort from their humble dwellings. Begin by reviving the once frank peasantry of England, sacrificed as they have been to the rage for en elosure-bills, for game-preservation laws, for parish domineering, for petty legislating, for enormous rents, for mechanical " production ;" —restore that labouring population to its level, and you raise al above it in due proportion ; for the country gentlemen, and even the farmers,—even the latter, comparatively—can take care of them !wives. We believe the distresses of the squires, r t i, least, to be most exorbitantly over-rated. The sagacity of the late Sir Thomas Monro was not imposeel upon by the outcries of 1822. " Your agricultural distresses" (said be in a letter*, dated February, 1823, from Madras), , fc do not ;appear to me to 1.. , e very serious they rule, to consist very moth m the country gentlemen ; and farmers not liking to return to their modes of life before the French war, I should like to see a comparative statement of the rental of the land, of any one of the distressed ounlies, for 1790 and 18205" e—rimer. We have copied from Ow Western Times a report of a meeting of the county of Devon, held at Exeter, on Friday last. We rejoice to see the country beginning to emancipate itzell from the thraldom in which it has been so long held on this question. During the greatest part of the reign of the late King it was 4p under stood matter, that any man who ventured to meddle in any manner with tithes, thereby pre cluded himself from all advancement in the world. The late Arthur Young, who in the early part of his life had strenuously recom mended a permanent settlement of tithes, found that even the patronace of Mr. Pitt (to whom he was of great use in the isbnurs preparatory to the Income Tax) wes unable to ,avail him against the persecution of the Church, backed by the King ; and he had the mortification of seeing a a See an interesting life of this able statesman and Bel zer (for he ryas botb), just retblisbell. clerk, who assisted him in the labours in ques tion, appointed to a good situation, while Mr. Pitt was unable to do more .for him than giving him the Secretaryship of the Board of Agricul ture. With the known subserviency of the late King and Queen to the Church, and the known unrelenting spirit of all religious corporations, whether Jesuits or Anglican Church, or what ever other name they bear, to all who come in collision with them, the terrorism of the people of this country, with respect to the tithe ques tion, is easily accounted for. And this leads us in passing to observe how much less expensive to the nation is our present Sovereign, with all his taste for palaces, cottages, and gewgaws, than his predecessor. It is but too well established, we believe, that to the invincible obstinacy of his late Majesty, we are solely indebted for the American war, and mainly for the war with France. He was precisely the Sovereign of whom a Priesthood could avail themselves for their particular purposes. He exhibited him self regularly to his people, was assiduous in attending to the details of business, and exem plary in the relations of private life ; and any English Sovereign who resembles him in these respects may always lead the nation to the brink of ruin. We often bless God that our present Sovereign has not the taste to re-enact the Far mer George, and to exhibit himself to the mob in a Windsor uniform ; for, in that case, instead of paying for palaces and cottages—quite a suf ficient evil—we should have, perhaps, been obliged to pay for his popularity by the comple tion of the ruin in which his Father advanced so far, and have had to submit besides to the Cle rical despotism of which little more than the shadow now only remains. The domestic virtues of the late King cost the nation at least two thousand millions. We little thought some years ago, that ever we should see a county meeting called expressly on the subject of tithes. It is hoped, however, now the ice is fairly broken, that other counties will follow the ex ample set by Devonshire. Assuredly, the land owners generally have an interest in the perma nent settlement of tithes. Whenever, from any failure in the crop, we are obliged to open our ports to the importation of corn from abroad, the burthen of tithes is then thrown upon the land, and not upon the consumers. Mr. Hamlyn, who seconded the petition, went into a number of calculations, to show how completely tithes are in the way of any plan for relieving the poor when out of employment, by giving them grants of small pieces ofland. The titheholder makes his appearance after the poor man has his crop ready, and carries away more than the net produce. Many , cases have been communicated to us of recent at tempts to relieve the poor having been completely frustrated by the enforcement of the Clergyman, or Impropriator, of his claims, which, in the case of land reclaimed from a state of waste,' sweep away the fruits of the labourer's exertions. Mr. Hainlyn referred to Scotland, as an evidence of the Lenefit derived by an exemption from tithe. We have never been able to see why the course pursued in Scotland should not be fol lowed in England. The owners of land and owners of tithes came to an agreement that the King (Charles I.) should arbitrate between them, and the Decree of the king, confirmed by an Act of Parliament, fixed the tithe at one fifth of the rent, and gave to the owners of the soil a power to purchase at nine years' value.— At that time land sold in England at little more than nine or ten years' purchase, so that the nine years were probably not far short of the full value. In the present day, the market price of tithes would be considerably higher. There can •be no difficulty, however, in determining the number of years' purchase from an average of years. If any plan for obtaining tithes at less than their value be thought of, it will assuredly fail. The Impropriator cannot complain if he obtain a fair market price for his property ; and as to the Church, the tithes accruing to it ought, at all events, to be valued. We trust the Coun try Gentlemen, now that they have once begun, will follow out this matter. We may observe that the mode of paying the Clergy iu Scotland is a distinct question from that of tithes. The Clergy are paid a stipend out of the tithes, which has been augmented from time to time, except in those cases in which the stipend equals the sum at which the tithes were valued. In England the Parson le no 4 stipendiary but a titheholder.— We are not speaking of livings belonging to Col leges cr Impropriators, or such 3s are held in coinmendam.—Morning Chronicle, is stated in some of the best informed circles that the Duke of Wellington, rather than en counter the objections in a certain high quarter to the elevation of Prince Leopold to the throne of Greece, has agreed to postpone the considera tion of the measure till he has had an opportu nity of ocertaining the sentiments of Parliament and the country on the subject. There is more wisdom in this resokition than most people are a-vare of. The serious part of the joke is, that the disappointed prince is placed in the attuetion of being considered only an embryo king, under circumstances which render it extremely doubtful wile-fleet he will ever arrive at maturity. It is confidently asserted that the Duke of Northum berland is anxious to relinquish the government of Ireland, according to the express stipulations under which he accepted that high and respon sible office. His grace's friends state that when he became the sueceseeer of the ill-treated and in sulted Lord Anglesea he agsepel that he should be required to remain no longer in Ireland than till another viee,roy could be named, and the pc riod of twelve snonthe was fixed upon as amply sufficient to enable the then embarrassed Pre mier to look about for an eligible successor. The time fixed upon has consequently expired, and the Duke of Northumberland is exceedingly de sirous to exact a fulfilment of his contract. Who is likely to succeed him is, however, a question w cannot presume to answer, Soma names have beein handed about, but we fear they do not sound sufficiently well to be acceptable on either side of the water.—Morning ,Journal. Times of national peril, by ceiling forth ener gies equal to the crisis, have generally produce 4 their own means of extrication. We trust that in our case this rasa. , be so now. There never, we be lieve, was a period when a great master mind was more called for to navigate the ve4el of the State through the shoals and quicksands on whip-het - 1p has been thrown than the present. We do not say that the yniad.pf the Duke of Wellington may not be equal to the crisis ; in the present dearth of public talent it would be difficult, perhaps, to name any one individual in whom the country be more confidence. But on the other hand, it is fit that the Duke should learn that that confidence is fast wearing ppt, and that the events of the next few months, if not weeks, may destroy it altogether. But, to render the powers of his intellect available for the salvation of the country from its present difficultes, it is first necessary that his Grace should free himself from the influence of those narrow, little minds, by which, in his political career, he has hitherto been shackled, if not governed. his Grace's military career, like that of his great rival Na- N i kon, was founded upon soundness and accu racy of judgment, followed up by prompt and decisive action. Though civil affairs will not assimilate entirely with those of the field, they are susceptible of no small degree of analogy ; and we would ask his Grace's most ardent ad mirers whether they think that one atom of his military glory would ever have been acquired if, as General Wellesley, he had been surrounded by such a Staff as now appear to influence, or rather hinder, his movements; or if he had delayed coming into action with the same supine ness with which he appears to shrink from his Parliamentary campaign ? That the Duke may have difficulties and obstructions to contend with in his political capacity which were un known to him as a military commander, we can readily imagine ; hut it is one proof of a great mind to break through obstacles, and not to yield to them. If, then, the Duke of Welling ton hopes to stem the difficulties of the present crisis, he must do so promptly and from the in nate energies of his own mind. It is in vain that he should any longer wait to see how this or that measure can be made to dovetail or agree with this or that opinion of any of those with whom he may be associated. When the house is on fire we do not stay to ask whether the water from the engines may soil the draperies, or disfigure the drawing-room paper ; the one object is to put out the fire. The duty of a British Minister at the present moment is much the same.—Morning Herald. LAW INTELLIGENCE. COURT OF COMMON PLEAS, JAW. 19. 1 PALMER AND OTHERS, ASSIGNEES OF WHITE AND METCALF, BANKRUPTS, V. BEESTGN AND OTHERS. The evidence for the plaintiffs in this case was resumed this morning. Mr. Farringdon, an accountant, stated, that he had examined the bankrupts' books, and found that the cash balance in favour of the defendants was, on the oth of May, 1829, 13,1301., and that on the 29th June following (the day of the failure), there was a cash balance of .541. in the bankrupts' favour. He observed various alterations, erasures, interlinea lions, and irregularities in the books of the bank rupt): they related to the defendants' account. Applied to the defendants to see their books, and found alterations and erasures in them which cor retponded with those in the bankrupts' books.— [The various items, with respect to which altera tions had been made, were here gone into at great length, and it appeared that some of them, although not warranted by the books kept at the defendants' warehouse, were borne out by the accounts of some of their travellers ; and generally that the altera tions had reference to other books.] Witness said that the defendants were secured by mortgage to the amount of their demands on the bankrupts. Henry Pickensale, a person who had been in the employment of the bankrupts, confirmed the statement made yesterday by other witnesses as to the fact of Smith (defendants' clerk) having interfered in drawing bills on persons indebted to White and Metcalf, which hills were taken to Beeston. This was done within a few days of the failure. Cross-examined—Business was conducted in the same manner after as previously to the partner ship. The bills drawn by Smith's direction were drawn at the proper time, and were in all respects, except as regarded his interference, regular. John Riddell, a shopman in the service of the bankrupts, proved that the majority of White and Metcalf's wholesale customers were introduced by Beeston or his clerk Smith. Joseph Marsh, a clerk in the house of Cash and Co., applied to Bridges and Benton, on behalf of his employers, for information respecting the cir cumstances of White and Metcalf. This was in the beginning of June, 1829. Saw Smith, who said, " You can't do too much business with them, they are as safe as any house in London. I recom mend you not only as a tradesman, but as a gentle man and a friend, to do all the business you can with them," He added, " I have continual access to their books, and I know the concern as well as I do our own." Cash and Co.'s account with White and Metcalf was very materially enlarged shortly afterwards, in consequence of these representations. Several letters from Smith to White and Metcalf, recommending customers to them, were put in ; in one of these a wholesale customer was spoken of as "a prime man," and the bankrupts were directed " to cut fine," terms which will probably be intelligible to the trade. Another letter, enclosing a bill for ac ceptance (on the part of Beeston and Co.), and di rected to one of White and Co.'s customers, was read: it was also in the handwriting of Smith. Henry Metcalf, brother of one of the bankrupts, stated that his brother had about 5001. when he went into partnership with White. He had besides some bills, some of which are still unpaid. Cross-examined--Witness's brother was brought up as a linen-draper, in the employment of Graham, of Holborn, and Caldecott. Believed he parted from Caldecott on good terms. I- e went from him directly to White. Mr. Fox, an attorney, proved that White, the other bankrupt, had been in the employment of Graham, of Holborn, before setting up in business for himself. He was in insolvent circumstances, and could not pay a debt of 60/., for which he was con fined in Whitecross.street in March, 1827. Witness sued him for that debt on the part of a person named M'Cloud, and offered to take 15/. in satisfaction of debt and costs. White wrote to witness offering 10/. as all he could raise, and stating that if that sum were not accepted, he must take the benefit of the Insolvent Act. Witness agreed to accept the offer, but never got the 10/. It was proved that White was discharged on pe tition under the Insolvent Act. His schedule was dated 27th March, 1827; and the value of the ex cepted articles (clothing) was stated at Si. ss. Gd. The only property of the insolvent consisted of two volumes of Elegant Extracts, in poetry. (Laughter.) Mr, Anderson, assistant-clerk to the Magistrates of Ediribtegli.-,-1 knem Andrew White, in 1822, in that place. He opened shop as a linen-draper, and carried on business for about five weeks, when he fled. I was appointed one of his trustees, and entered the house. His books were mutilated.— There was about 400/. worth of stock on the pre mises, and a dividend of 4s. Dd. in the pound was paid to his creditors. A mortgage of the premises in Lamb's Conduit stre.it, granted by White to Beeston as a security for a sum, amount not stated, due on the 13th of November, 1828, and also for 'further sums to be afterwards advanced, to the extent of 4.,p001. was put in and read. The instrument was dated the 13th of November, 1828. A warrant of attorney for ,500/., dated the 11th of June, 1828, and granted by White to Beeston, as a security for money then due, or to become due, in respect of goods or bills, was also proved. Other evidence was adduced, after which, Mr. etoriEPur i for the defendants, characterized the present as a most I;arsh and groundless action. There could be no doubt that the pk;intiffs had been deceived by White; they were his principal credi tors • • but it was too much that they should turn round upon he defendants (who were sufferers as well as themselves, kind 100 had also been de ceived), and charge them, as was now done, with conspiracy and fraud in their dealings with the bank 7 ropts. He maintained that no act•of bankrnptcy had been committed by White and Metcalf previous to the issuing of the commission, which was sued out with breathless haste by the plaintiffs on the 2d of July; and such being the case, these parties could not maintain thy; present action as assignees. One of the acts of bankruptcy relied on consisted in the re- turn of certain goods to a vendor; but it should be recollected that these goods had been sent in on ap probation, and it would be too great an extension of the bankrupt laws (already too severe) to interpret such a proceeding into the commission of an act of bankruptcy. If such a principle were once ad mitted, there was nobody in business who might not be entrapped into a bankruptcy. The Jury would recollect the dismissal of six shopmen from Nevarino-house on the 18th June, and there could be little doubt that these persons, actuated by a feeling of revenge, had gone into the City and spread reports calculated to injure White and Met calf's credit. The consequence was, that several creditors came to Lamb's Conduit-street, on Satur day, the 27th of June, and by unexpectedly de mandin: payment of their accounts, caused the failure. Neither the return of the goods to James, the creditor, on the Monday, nor the fair sale of the 361. worth of goods to Mrs. Frowd, on the Tues day, constituted acts of bankruptcy; and this being the case, it followed that the action could not be maintained by the plaintiffs as assignees of sup posed bankrupts ; consequently, there must be a verdict for the defendants. The bankruptcy was the foundation of this action, and if it were not established, there was end of the entire proceeding. He contended that the wholesale transactions of the house were as fairly conducted as the retail sales, and the latter were not impeached; consequently, there existed no ground for imputing fraud to the defendants, White and Metcalf, or those who dealt with the latter. He repeated there was no reason for imputing fraud to the wholesale pur chasers,—no ground for supposing that they were instruments in the hands of the defendants; for they had paid fair prices for the goods (with perhaps the exception of a lot of carpeting, which, having been six months in the house, was sold at 3d. a yard un der invoice price) : and it should be remembered that the bills passed on account of the wholesale transactions had, in most cases, been regularly paid. As a proof that the wholesale contracts were not fraudulent, it would be observed that none of them had been set aside or rescinded by the assignees.— There was no pretence for saying that either White or Metcalf had entered into a conspiracy with Bee ston to perpetrate a fraud. They had neither of them any thing to gain by such a proceeding, but the contrary. There had been no forced sales—no attempts to raise money at a sacrifice of property; on the contrary, the heaviest portion of the sales was upon credit, and all the sales were at fair profit prices. This action was in itself a ratification of the validity of the wholesale transactions; for, so far from impugning the sales, the assignees now ratified the contracts by endeavouring to recover the proceeds of the bills passed upon those occasions : and the condition of the creditors was benefitted in stead of being impaired by the sales. Metcalf had not been deceived by I3eeston into embarking in an mprudent undertaking; for he had been three months in Nayarino-house, with daily opportunities of investigating its condition. The LORD CHIEF JUSTICE charged the Jury and said, that the first point for their consideration was, whether Messrs. White and Metcalf had committed an act of bankruptcy ? If they should be of opinion that they had, it would then be their duty to deter mine whether the defendants had obtained a fraudu lent preference over the other creditors. The Jury, at half-past eight, returned a verdict for the plaintiffs, for 14,4261. on the act of bank ruptcy, with regard to the transactions with James. The case occupied the Court from the time of its sitting till eight o'clock, and appeared to excite the most lively interest among a very numerous as sembly of commercial persons, by which the Court was crowded during the progress of the proceedings upon this and the preceding day. OLD BAILEY, JAN. 10. Henry Turner Harrington, a smartly-dressed and rather well-looking young man (described in the calendar as a surgeon),was capitally indicted for steal ing from Madame Sophie Riquice, in the house of M. Polack, five sovereigns, a gold chain, seven rings (one of them set with brilliants), a gold eyeglass, and other articles of jewellery. The prosecutrix, a well-dressed handsome French woman, gave her evidence through the medium of an interpreter. She had resided for five months in the house of M. Polack, in Charlotte-street, Mary lebone, and knew the prisoner very well, having met him at the theatres, and other places of public amusements. On the 23d of November the pri soner accompanied her to her lodgings, and re mained with her three days and nights. On the morning of the 26th, the prisoner requested her to leave the bedchamber, as he was about to dress him self. She left the room, and the prisoner having locked the door, remained in the room two hours and a half. He then opened the door, and the pro secutrix accompanied him to the street door, where he slipped a bundle of papers into her bosom, which he described as bank-notes, to the amount of 251. She declined to accept the present, saying she was not in the habit of accepting money He howe7er pressed her to accept of the notes, and then went away. Almost immediately after she discovered that the notes were what is termed " flash" notes, and upon going up to her room, she found that her et:nu - node bad been forced open, and a box, in which she had deposited a purse containing five sovereigns and the aricles of jewellery named in the indictment, stolen. The box lay upon the mantel shelf quite empty. She afterwards saw two of the rings at a pawnbroker's in Prince's-street. The prisoner, in his defence, offered a few un connected observations upon the evidence. Mr. Justice J. PARKE summed up the evidence, and the Jury found the prisoner Guilty. Samuel Pratt, a respectable-looking man, de scribed as a drysalter, was indicted for stealing four casks of bristles, value 1981. 165., the property of Henry Robert Plaw, merchant. The Jury without hesitation found the prisoner Guilty. NEW COURT. James Hook, aged 34, John Wakeley, 44, and Samuel Goddard, 40, were indicted, [look for steal itig a large quantity of rope and twine, the property of Edward Newman, and Wakeley and Goddard for receiving the same, knowing it to have ben stolen. The Jury returned a verdict of Guilty against all the prisoners. Henry Saunders, aged 32, was indicted for steal ing 19s. 6d., the property of Charles Garrett. '1 he prosecutor, a simple-looking country fellow, clad in bumpkin costume, deposed that he lived in Hampshire. On the afternoon of the last day of the last year, he was walking in Whitechape], when he met a man who said he was a countryman of his, and claimed acquaintance with him, and invited him to take a glass of ale, which temptation he could not resist.—(Laughter.)—They went together to a public-house, and soon after another man came in, and that man was the prisoner, who said to the first man," I have been to the Bank and received 800/," and pulled out a roll of what appeared to be notes. Witness said, " There are some strange chaps about these parts, you had better take care of your money.",—(BurstS of laughter.)—Prisoner then said, " Have you any money ?" I said " Aye, sure," and pulled out 19s. 6d. and put it on the table; the prisoner took np the money, and put it in his hat, and the other man called him opt of the room, and they went away together; the other man sa id, " You will not lose your money." Wit ness thanked him, and returned again to the room, when the prisoner was gone; lie then went to the doOr, and the other cyan was gone too. Mr. CLARKSON—And so you lost your money?— Witness—Yes, bad luck to 'em, but it will do 'em no good. Mr. CurtfisoN—You say the other man, who gave you such good advice, was gone when you went to the door ?—Witness (weeping and scratch ing his head.)—Ay, sure; but they " says as how" he will be" catched" before this day twelvemonth. — (Laughter.) Mr. CLARKSON—Then he was too cunning for you ?—Witness—Ay, sure; I thought I had a tidyish headpiece, but they chaps were too much for me; it's the last time, though, I'll take care of that.— (A laugh.)—Turning round to the gallery, " Ay, you may laugh; you won't catch me here again."-- (Continued laughter, in which the Court and Jury joined heartily.)—Verdict, Guilty. SURREY SESSIONS, JAN. 19. IMPORTANT TO BAKERS AND THE PUBLIC. This was an appeal from the decision of the Ma gistrates of Union-hall upon a conviction made by them, under an act passed in the reign of his present Majesty, which enforced the weighing bread at the time sold, for the purposes of protecting the public against short weight. Mr. THESIGER appeared on behalf of the appel lant, and argued that the conviction could not stand. Mr. CHAMBERS, for the respondent, called his witness, John Edmonds, who deposed that he knew the appellant, Mr. James Glasscock, who was by trade a baker, and lived in Bermondsey -street. On the day named in the conviction he went into Mr. Glasscock's shop, and asked for a twopenny loaf. A person came out of the shop-parlour and said they had not one, but had two penny loaves. Wit ness replied, they would do quite as well. There were no scales in the shop, and the bread was deli vered to him without being weighed in his presence. Cross-examined by Mr. THESIGER—Witness is an inspector of hawkers' and pedlars' licences, and was formerly a master-baker, but from circumstances he left that trade, and entered into the grocery business, in which he failed. A man named Thomas Chalks Morley, was the informer, and he (Ed monds) was witness in all his informations, for which he received stipulated wages to the amount of 3s. 6d. per day, Sundays included. He (wit ness) did not expect any moiety of the penalty, in the event of the present conviction being confirmed. He received his wages fro:n Morley. No informa tions had been laid against any bakers for baking dinners on a Sunday for the public, but perhaps it would yet be done. On the day that the appellant was informed against, there were also eighteen other informations laid against bakers, for similar offences to the present, at Union-hall. Will net swear there were not any scales in Mr. Glasscock's shop, for the purpose of weighing bread, if it had been required; nor did he ask to have the bread weighed at the time of purchase. Mr. THESIGER, in reply, said it was clear that the Act of Parliament requiring bread to be weighed, whether demanded by the purchaser or not, was merely an experimental Act. The provisions only extended to two years, and that period of time had elapsed when the conviction was made, and which was now the subject of appeal. The statute in force subsequent to that Act required that bread should be weighed, but did not specify at what time, or in what manner; the enactment merely expressed the loaf should be weighed, whether in its state of dough before baking, or as bread baked, was not specified. He (Mr. Thesiger) should like to be informed the difference in the weight of a loaf before and after baking. Mr. FLORANCE YOUNG, a Magistrate, observed that if there was a difference in the weight, there should be a difference in the price. Mr. THESIGER would admit the Learned Magi strate's observation, for the sake of argument, but what coin was there of the realm that could com pensate or allow any deficiency in the weight of the twopenny loaf? Under the statute then in force, it was required that bread should be weighed if de manded by the purchaser; but, as he had before stated, the experimental nct, enacting that bread should he weighed when sold, whether required or not, had expired previous to the alleged offence, upon which act the conviction was founded. The CHAIRMAN (Serjeant Scriven) said the Court agreed with the Learned Counsel (Mr, Thesiger) that the information could not be sup. parted. The act which imperatively called for the weighing of bread, whether demanded or not, (and there could be no doubt, from its operation being extended to two years, that it was an experimental act), had expired before the conviction appealed against had been made. Had the appellant refused to weigh the bread, or if there had not been scales provided for the purpose in his shop, the presump tion under the statute would have been against him, and conviction must have followed. The case, however, before them was different, and the Court decided that the conviction should be quashed. MARKET INTELLIGENCE. LONDON MARKETS. (From the London Price Current of Tuesday.) SuGa R.—The demand for Muscovades continued general last week, and taking into calculation the small show of Sugars in the market, the purchases were extensive, they were nearly 4,000 hhds. and tic ; the prices of strong and coloury Sugars were about Is. higher, the other qualities were unvaried. The stock of Sugar is: nearly the same as last year; the weekly deliveries are increasing, being 3,294 hhds. last week, 392 hhds. and trs. more than on the corresponding week of last year. At the close of the Market the estimated sales this day were 1,100 hhde. and ire., including the public sale of St. Lucia, which went off at full prices. In refined goods the purchases last week were chiefly the line and patent for the home consumption of the country ; the prices were is. a 2s. higher ; in the middling qualities there was no alteration ; the low goods sold at a small reduction. Molasses were dull at a small decline. In the Refined Market there is little alteration this afternoon. FOREIGN Suoans.—The only sales were small parcels of the late public sale, which were disposed of; middling white Havannah 445. ; yellow, 235. 6d. a 28s. EAST INDIA SUGARS.—About I b,OOO bags are declared for 3d proximo, which it is believed is the whole of the unsold Sugars left in the warehouses. SUGAR DUTIES. —The interview between Ministers and the West India Planters on Saturday was unfavourable as to the reduction of duty on sugar, &c. The Duke of Wel lington held out not the slightest hopes that any duties on import would be taken off, or that Ministers could relieve them in any manner whatever. COSFEE.—The Coffee Market was rather heavy last week, and the prices of Foreign and East India were a shade lower; Sumatra, 275. 6d. a 285., low good ordinary St. Domingo 31s. The parcels of Jamaica and Berbice suitable for the home consumption of the country went off at full prices. There were no public or private sales of Coffee this day; the market is steady. Rum, BRANDY, AND HOLLAND% —The Rum Market remained very firm last week, but the purchases were in considerable, as the buyers refused to accede to the ad vanced prices. Brandy and Geneva were neglected. HEMP, Frtx, AND TALLOW. —The Tallow Market has been heavy and declining, the prices are 6d. to Is. per cwt. lower; Flax is without variation ; Hemp at a small decline. Corrox.-TLe Cotton Market, towards the close of lascweek, advanced d. to 4d. per lb. on account of the favourable reports from Liverpool and Manchester. The purchases for the week ending last night inclusive consist of 2,800 Surat 3i-d. a 54d. and 70 Egyptian 6FI. lasso PROVISIONS.-In Beef there is little variation. Bacon is a shale lower. The following are the latest realised prices t-Tieree, India Beef, 32 pieces, 81bs. each, 6/. ; ditto, Navy, 38 pieces, Sib. each, none ; ditto, Mess Beef, 39 pieces, Bibs. each, 41. 155.: ditto, India Pork, 52 pieces, 61bs. each, 6/. ss. ; ditto, Navy Pork, SO pieces, 4lbs. each, Si. 2s. 6d. ; barrel, Navy Pork, 52 pieces, 41b. each, 3/. 7s. ; ditto, Mess Pork, 50 pieces, 411)s. each, SI. 2s, 6d. ; ditto, Bacon Pork, 21. 10s. a 21, 15s. Notwithstanding the severe frost there is no advance in Butter except the best Carlow, which is rather higher. Bacon is rather lower. FRUIT.-There are few purchases of Fruit, the market is dull on account of the stoppage of the inland navigation, and the late arrivals of Fruit in the Channel. This day's public sale, 150 brls. red Smyrna Raisins 375. a 381. ; 3,368 r e rn s w a o t r tl t i h r e e l p a o te rti ad ng v . ance_ drums Turkey Pulled Figs 455. a 50s. ; 850 drums Turkey Flat Figs 42■. ; only a few of the Figs sold. Hors.-In Hops there arc few sales, the prices remain nominally the same as we have lately quoted. T SlT:r e a c :l - s.- Tb S er al e ti a )e7re no is s ; l This day, by public sale, 1,064 bags very good Saltpetre, the whole was taken, being set up at 275. 6d. to Is. above the market pricoa ; by private contract, we understand, 261. 6d. has heen paid. TEA.—The T¢a Maiket is firm; there is more inquiry for Congous. INDlCio.—This day the East India sale commenced at the India House ; it consisted of 5,663 chests, of which about 269 chests were withdrawn. Previous to the eom meneement of the sale, some discussion took place respect. ing the January sales of Indigo being discontinued; we • have formerly alluded in'tfie propriety of the East India' - Company giving way to the unanimous with of both . Layers and seller s; th ey aga i n stated their wish, mention... ing the dull season of the year, and the impossibility of in specting the quality of the Indigo, on account of the dark weather, and the danger to lives in continuing in'the ware- Liuses during the inclement season. The question that • t!“! January sale should be discontinued, and one in March substituted, was carried unanimously, and the Chairman stated he would represent the strong remonstrance of all , t::e trade to the immediate attention of the Board of Di- , rectors : 559 chests Bengal have passed the sale this day; an advance is fully established of 3d. on the mid. and ord. qualities, and 3d. a 6d. on the good and decided marks, fi:r which there has been great competition; the range of the prices Si. 4d. a 7s. per lb. The sale goes off with much briskness, and was better attended than usual. SPICES.—The Cinnamon of the late sale bears a pre mium of 3d. to 6d. per lb. Pepper continues inquired ' after, and is held with much firmness. The late reduction in Pimento has occasioned an extensive trade, mid. sid., good sid. a 6d. COUNTRY CORN MARKETS DURINM THE WEEK. Wheat. Per Quarter. B. to 8. Boston — 53 Gainsborough 56 Grantham 50 60 46 56 Horncastle—.........—. 45 52 Lincoln . 44 52 Spilsby 46 54 50 68 York 4B 56 Barley. Oats. I Beans. .to 8. a. to s. a. to 8. 26 18 29 30 20 28 33 18 27 20 30 10 22 25 32 15 20 28 32 20 25 24 28 16 20 26 3 2 20 23 26 3! 20 30 43 4.5 . 24 4U 30 48 30 34 24 SO , 35 47 33 44 NORWICH. Jan. 16. Our upply of Wheat has rather fallen off, yet it is tr.- lerably good ; this article, as well as every other kind of Grain, has been readily taken off at last week's prices. No alteration iu Flour. Wheat (per qr.) 4os. 535. 625. Beans (per 26.. Barley Oats 2os 245. Ws. Flour, fine (per sack) 435. 454. CANTERBURY. Jan. 16. We had a good supply of all sorts of Grain, but oar market was so extremely dull, that, excepting for super fine quality, most articles were from Is. to 2s. per quar ter cheaper. Wheat, white s2s. to 685....... Old —s. to --e. --, red 40s. to 605....... Old ...... ... —s. to —a. Barlvy, Malting 255. to 34........ Grinding. 225. to 255. Oats Beans 228. to 3•;,e. Pease 32s. to 393. CrmsrEtt.—Wheat, per 751 b. 9s. Od. to 9s. Bd. ; Barley, 39 (pls. ss. Od. to ss. 6d. ; Oats, 491 b. 2s. 9d. to 4s. td. I , 49rwtcx.—Wlieat, per 751 b. Bs. 9d. to 9s. 9d.; Barley, 33 qrts. ss. Od. to ss. 3d. ; Oats, 501 b. 3s. 3d. to 4s. 3d. EXETER MARKETS.—Jan. 15. Beef (score) is. 6d. Bi. 6d. Wheat (bushei)...9s. Od. 9s. &I. Mutton (lb) 0 41-0 5 Barley 4 6 — , 5 0 Veal and Lamb ....0 si-0 7 Oats 2 B—3 3 Perk 0 41-0 6 I3eans 5 6._-f3 6 Geese (each) .3 6—5 0 Butter (lb) l o—l 3 Ducks (couple) ....4 o—s 6 Eas (9) 0 o—l 0 Fowls 2 6—3 6 Potatoes (peck) ...0 10 —1 U DUBLIN CORN EXCHANGE.--Jan. 15. There %vss an abundant supply of all kinds of Grain at market to-day. Wheat sold heavily at a further reduc— tion of is. ; Oats 6d. ; and Bere and Barley 6d. per bar rel, the market being very dull at the close. Flour was alao dull. Wheat, red, 268. to 31s. ; white, 308. to 335. ; Oats 10a. to 12s. 6d. ; Bere 12s. to 13a. ; Barley 13s. to 175.; Vetches 12s. to 16s. ; Rape 30s. to 31s. ; Rye 14s. to Iss. ; Oatmeal Bs. 6d. to I Is., ditto prime 15s. to 16e. ; first Flour 19s. to 221., best Seconds 16s. to 175., infe rior ditto 12s. to 15s. DUBLIN MARKET Y , TE.—FR: From 1,343 Wheat,per barrel 20 stone! 21 0 !DAY, Jim. IS. To M. P. 33 0 28 0 14 0 12 mi 16 0 14 4q 13 0 lO 634 21 0 I 16 0 ig .17 stone 12 0 16 stont 13 6 12 stont 8 6 6,241 Cwt. Flour l4 01240 I IS 1 Average price of Wheat and Flour 465. Bd. per sack. Firsts, from 20s. Od. to 245. Od. 951 ::C83524175:935481 8 13: f ze l :L d :trttmel' t e i Feyai ld lo a —ur k =7 : l y. 89 :1°°11:: 96 60 Seconds from 135 Od. to 19s. Od. fhirds, from 65.. Od. to 128. s ll u e i czi o p f ta of 1 D , 1 . 0 . ur, 192;512175 PRICE OF lIREAD. Quartern Loaf, 41b. 50z.... d. I Half.quartern, 21b. TRADE.—The tailors in this city are suffer ing their full share of the general distress, which pervades the country. There are at present from SOO to 350 un fortunate journeymen tailors unemployed in this Scotsman. From an 'authentic return of the slave popu lation of tho colony of Demerara and Essequibo, made on the 31st May, 1829, it appears that up to that period, the number of slaves of bath sexes amounted to 69,368, the females exceeding the males by about 1-sth. The mor tality in the colony during the three last years up to the date above-mentioned, wait in the proportion of one in twelve. More than 7-20ths of the slaves were under 20 years of age The average age among the slave popula tion is stated to be about 32k years. But the age under which we find the greatest number of slaves in May last, is between 40 and 50 ; it exhibits an amount of l 4,8116 of both sexes. Of the mixed race, or of colour, 992 males and 949 females have been returned. Independently of the above, 126 males and 185 females have been condition.- ally registered as belonging to the class of domestic slaves, contemplated in the Abolition Act of his present Ma.rEsTv, and 100 males and 154 females have been reported with drawn by manumission. Mauy slaves have been left, how ever, in a condition of reputed freedom, and others hare purchased it themselves for their own benefit. These, with their children, have deeds of manumission legally executed for them by the Protector of slaves, and are in amount considerably beyond what come to the official knowledge of the Registrar of slaves. In the course of the last twelve years the most considerable importations of slaves into Demerara and Essequibo from other Colonies took place between 1817 and 1820. They have since greatly decreased. Of the whole amount of slaves above specified, it appears that 26,691 are Africans, and 42,677 Creoles. It is remarkable that the number of deaths among the slaves during the last twelve years has exceeded that of births by an average of about 1,800. BIRTHS. On the 17th inst. in Woburn-place, the lady of F. N. Rogers, Esq. of a son, who did not long survive. On the 16th inst. the lady of H. Monro, Esq. of Ingsdon House, Devonshire, of a daughter. MARRIED. On the 16th inst. at Poplar, J. Masson, Esq. of Lime street-square, to Margaret, daughter of the late D. Dun bar, Esq. of Limehouse. On the 13th inst. at St. Pancras, Air. John Cundy, commander of the ship Maria, of Bristol, to Bliss Hew lingo, of Demerara. On the 12th inst. at Lambeth, John Wright, widower, ' aged 102, on the 4th of March next, to Catherine Strin ger, widow, in her 50th year. Our informant, who was present, states in addition, that he appeared healthy and active, and came to the church through a snow stanza without a great coat or umbrella. When lie stated his age, the clergyman asked him several questions. He stated he was born in Edinburgh, served in the American wars, and was present at the death of Gen. Wolfe. DIEM On the 17th inst. in Park-row, Lady Elizabeth Brick enden, lady of the Rev. R. Brickenden. On the 4th inst. aged 103 years, Francis Bryans, of Moy, in the county of Tyrone, Esq. • On the 17th inst. in Baker-street, Portman-square, after a short illness, Miss Garth, last surviving daughter of C. Garth, Esq. of Devizes. On the 18th inst. in Albemarle -street, in her 87th year, the Dowager Lady Neave, relict of the late Sir R. Neave, Bart. On the 17th inst. in Gower-street, Bedford-square, Mrs. Ann Lloyd, aged 88. On the 17th inst. in Norton-street, Mrs. Ann Maxwell, daughter of the late P. Maxwell, Esq. of Dundee. On the 16th inst. in Lyme Regis, Jemiusa, widow of the late S, Le e , E sq . o f t h at p l ace. On the 15th i nst . at t h e Vi carage , Wilmington, near Dartford, Mrs. W a ll, re li c t o f the late Rev. John Wall, Vicar of D aren t. On the 16th inst. at Long Ditton, Surrey, in the 634 year of her age, Mary, the widow of the late Alexander Urquhart, Esq. On the 17th inst. at Brighton, 'rhos. Pedley, Esq. of Huddersfield, aged 63. On the 16th inst. in S'oane-street, of apoplexy, Nep tune Blood, Esq. Captain in the Clare Militia, and formerly in the 11th Light Dragoons. On the 17th inst. at his house at Walworth, Thomas Carter, Esq. On the 31st ult. Alexander Murray Guthrie, Esq. the younger, of Craigie, and on the 14th inst. J. Guthrie, Esq. of Craigie, in his 90th year. On the 18th inst. Mr. C. Schindler, Knowles-court, Doctors' Commons. On the 17th inst. Mrs. Lendon, of the Cloisters, West minster Abbey, aged 93. PKINITD AND PUBLISIIED HY MURDO YOUNG, At THE SUN 01/10E, 112, STRAND LONDON 3 , /S- OPPICT OF I N conforn of Agreen nkants of Eng 1 3 ,41, and The P dttor s of his 1 of Tanjore, of I tinder the snit tion of th e Sc) sinners in Ind Gazette of Tt " such pen " impeach the " to do." The Comm; open to rev published in ti T HE No. LI On M, THE 0 Edited b: Thi) day wa MEMO PAIII of Merit, and Now first con spoitdenee : i Prit3ee Pute►n Printed for and Marshall This day wag Timm to au STRATION in INDIA. By Sir T 1 Published street ; Payn Fleet -street. *** Any edition, pub Allen and Q STRICT This day si Paternoster IRAC STRI describing ai tine ; and pi sary, and ge Cases ; and Stricture in By RENOU' remedy for Urinary org East, Brun each ; or Fi Tilie day wi Intlading n , With Notice of Clio Time " We kw volume s of more inteni Literary G " These classica, an the English gating. Henry C ton-street. /Priated AN HIS Siehools, wi Section. One Vol. The HI Conversati BETH 11l INSTR its Enviro One Vol. AFRIC State. B price 69. An IN] NEW Tl LL.D. F CONVI TION. 1 LETTI vasion of . BIOLAN' LETTI list Perio tie. boards A CO TORY al FORD. boards; o A BR] arranged i above. 1 GEOG Classes of L EY. 12 bound. jdOitUieTnl.l Childre n . 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