The Sun. — London, England, 1844-01-02 00:00:00

"ZILE CORN LAWS. The turn of, the year, like the turn ot the road, always seems to open a na - er prospect, and men begin to think of the meeting of Parliar:tent, now no longer at a distance of months, bu reckoned. roily by days, as the chief object of interest and attent:or,. " What will be the leading feature in the new ses sion V' " How will Ministers meet Parliament ; with firmness or 'with hesitation?" are the questions which now begin to be asked in all societies. The Whig journals, partly, no doubt, with a view to create 'alarm in the Conservat;va ranks, and partly in order to prepays for a burst of affecte , l disappointment and indignation—have been busy for some time past in assuring us, that the next ses sion of Parliament must either complete, or at least commence, the repeal of the corn-laws ; a repeal, in all probability, pro posed by Sir Robert Peel himself! "No man," said the Chronicle of December 2, " can expect the present corn-law, or anything like it, to last two years. Perhaps the outlines of is successor are already on paper, and are of such a character as to account for Sir Edward Knatchbulrs absence from the councils of the Cabinet." Such prognostics as these have been constantly made use of in the Whig journals during the last three months ; and they answer, as we have already sad, the double purpose of alaaming a few timid Conserva t ives ; and of forming an apparent ground fur vast indignation—when it shall appear, at last, that the Mi nistr y has not the slightest io- Vsntion of the kind ; and whe n thus it will be said, " the uni versal expectation" shall have been" lamentably disappointed." The plain fact, however, is, that but for these politic prog nostics of the Whig newspapers, and the clamours of the League, not a single crea ture in her Majesty's dominions would dream of such a thing as a further tampering with the corn-laws. Why should they ? Sir Robert Peel is known to be a cautious statesman : this measure, one of the chief acts of the present Administration, was carefully considered, and passed with great deliberation ; and it has entirely answered all the purpose of its framers. On what rational ground, then, should any one expect its sudden and causeless repeal, after an existence of less than two years? We say that the measure has entirely succeeded. Indeed, we may challenge any politician to adduce a case, in modern times at least, in which the objects professed by the proposers ot a measure have been so fully realised by the event. The Reform Bill, we all know, disappointed all parties; so did the Municipal Corporations Bill; so did the New Poor-law; so did the Penny Postage, which was to have augmented the Post-office revenue in theory, but which has nearly annihi lated it in fact. Nearly every nostrum of the Whig Adminis tration turned out altogether another thing from what its pro pounders intended. But the corn-law of 1842, we broadly and unhesitatingly assert, has in no respect fallen short of its proposer's views and intentions. It has done all that it was intended to do ; and the enmity shown towards it by the Whigs and the League arises merely from its not doing what no one ever supposed that it would do. No one ever supposed, for instance, that it would stop the clamours of the Leaguers. Those honourable and very worthy persons, like their great master and exemplar in Ireland, thrive by agitation, and have not the least wish or intention to give it up, so long as a grievance can be imagined or invented. It is the corn-law agitation that makes Mr. Cobden Member for Stockport, and Mr. Bright Member for Durham ; and both these respectable gentlemen have told us, that they will never cease their agitation so long as there is an iota of duty on corn ; in other words, that they will retain their present " proud position" as long as they can find adherents to follow them. All this Sir Robert Peel knew long enough ago ; and his Corn Bill was not intended to attempt what he knew to be impossible ; i.e., to persuade a vain and conceited demagogue to retire into obscurity, se long as he had the means of keeping himself at the head of a popular agitation. Nor, in the next place , was t he Corn Bill of 1842 designed to satisfy , the clients of the Times—by establishing an exten sive and a steady continental trade in corn. That large and regular imports of corn are needed, is disproved by the expe rience of the last ten years. That to import corn largely when it is not needed, must be injurious to the main branch of our national industry, is self-evident. Hence the law of 1842 did not propose to encourage a large and steady import ; and it has not encouraged it. What, then, was the object of the change effected in 1842? It was, to correct the previously -existing system, by apply. ing the results of the experience of a dozen years. It was, by a more carefully graduated scale, to obtain greater steadiness of price ; and also a rather lower price in times o f scarcity. Precisely what Sir Robert Pee l described as his object, in his speech introducing the measure, has been attained, and at • tained in the simplest and easiest manner, and at no cost of principle, or even of pecuniary advantage. We will quote a single passage from Sir Robert Peel's speech of Feb. 9,1842, and then compare it with the event : —" It is utterly beyond your power, and a mere delusion to say that by any duty, fixed or otherwise, you can guarantee a certain price to the producer. It is beyond the reach of the Legislature." . . . . " But I should say, that for the protection of the agricultural interest, if the price of wheat in this country, allowing for its natural oscillations, could be limited to some such amount as between 545. and 585., I do not believe it is for the interest of the agriculturist that it should be higher." Such was the Premier's explicit declaration of his object. Now what has been the result? Here are the averages of the year 1843: s. d. January 28 . 49 3 February 25 . 48 6 March 25 April 29 May 27 June 24 49 8 July 22 August 26 56 8 September 23 October 23 November '25 December 23 5O 3 These prices have followed two favourable harvests. They therefore naturally fall rather below the figures stated by the Premier as his maximum, A deficient harvest or two would probably raise prices fully up to that mark. But two circum stances here call for observation- - lst, The great steadiness of price which has followed the adoption of the new system— and 2d, That the price suggested by Sir Robert Peel has not, in these favourable seasons, been fully realised; though pro bably the average of three years will prove the accuracy of his calculations. And this makes the idea of further change still more prepos terous. The elamourous party is that which demands low prices . well, it turns out that Sir Robert Peel's measure gives them, after all, at least up to this time, rather lower prices than he himself intended. He has already been better than his word ; and if any rectification can be needed, it must rather be in behalf of the other party. There is, then, not the shadow of a hoi , e, on any reasonable grounds, that the Government, after eauliously and delibe rately adjusting this great question in 1842, will re-open it in 1"44. In fact, the mere desire or disposition to do so, on their part, would necessarily so shake public confidence, that the very Co,,sois themselves would waver and oscillate at the prospect. There is no such inroad upon the public credit, however, in proTeet for the chroniclers of 1844. This single question disposed of, what have the malconterfts to look forward to? In what part of the kingdom, in what quarter of the globe, can a grievance be raked up? Truly, for Whig expectants, the prospect is lamentable. The League is indeed their " forlorn hope." Peace in all parts of the earth— a restoration of our finances—a still advancing revival of trade and manufactures, would seem to promise a session of more than ordinary quietness. But these are stirring times. Much, we are aware, will be demanded of the Government , and we believe and expect that much will be endeavoured by them. Party strife may sometimes defeat their best purposes, as in the case of the Factory Education Bill of last year ; but they must labaur on in spite of disappointments; and we anticipate that the coming session will not be a barren one, of carefully-prepared and well-digested measures of Conservative reform.—Herald. STATE of the REPRESENTATION (From the " Complete Suffrage Altnanack," 1844.) It appears that there were upwards of one million electors on the register in the year 1840. It must, however, be recollected that a large proportion of the electoral constituencies, about one quarter, never exercise the franchise, so that the real effective electors of the United Kingdom could not then be estimated at more than 800,000. There is much doubt whether the number of electors has been much increased since that period, when we take into cons ders.tton the severe distress that has, for the last few years, visited all classes, except the higher, and the wholesale disfranchisement that has been going on in Ireland. If, therefore, we take the total number of electors on the register in 1840, as representing the whole of the electors who would now exercise the franchise, it will, probably, be rather over than under the mark. It will hence appear that one person out of about every seven male adults is represented in the House of Commons—that is to say, that out of the 6,736,697 male adult population of this country, 5,724,411 are taxed by the State without having a voice in the making of its laws ! By analysing the list of constituencies, we arrive at still more startling results. Thus, in England. Wales, and Scotland, which return 592 members, sixty-seven of the constituencies number less than 500 persons ; 145 less than 1,000 ; and 209 less than 2,000. Accordingly, nearly one -half the representatives of cities and boroughs of England, 'Wales, and Scotland are returned by about 100,000 constituents. Nor is this all. We find that, in the United Kingdom, 232 Members represent about 220,000; and thus it may fairly be calculated that, out of the 658 Members of thfii House of Commons, 330 of them—or a clear majority—are returned by less than 300,000 persons. The destinies of this country, therefore, are actually confided to the hands of about one-third of the elec toral body. In other words, one twenty-third part of the male adult population of this kingdom elect an absolute majority of that house, which not only ex ercises an omnipotent control over the liberties and property of all, but which is, according to the Con stitution of these realms, especially " the People's House." Much is said of our nicely balanced Constitution. Let us examine it. The Crown is a mere puppet in the hands of the aristocracy, and virtually, if not nominally, possesses no political power. The House of Lords, which, except in case of voting the supplies, possesses a power commensurate with the House of Commons, is, of course, the ready instrument of oli garchical rule. We now come to the third branch of that Legislature, in which, according to theory, op posing interests are so impartially represented that they form a counterpoise the one to the other. The Commons' House of Parliament, designed to repre sent the people as distinguished from the nobility of this country, who possess a House of their own, is chosen by the votes of one-seventh part, and a majo rity of its Members by one twenty-third part, of the male adult population. This is the House of Com mons, which, according to the theory of the Consti tution, represents the sentiments of the whole people of Great Britain ! `TILL or TILE Bisiror OF JAMAICA.—The will of Right Rev. Christopher Lipscombe, Bishop of Jamaica, has just been proved in Doctor's-commons, by Mary Harriette Lipscombe, the .e v, wid,oils The will (which is of the deceased, and sole executrix named in th extremely short) bequeatlies the whole of his property l late, and paintings (including v a luable library, Jewe s ' Receiver by the old mas t ers ) t o John Edwards, ' q" General of Jam a i ca Henry Lipscomb°, Iraq., London; and F. Mayow, Es q ., Jamaica, in trust for his "dearly beloved wife." The property within the province over which the Archbishop of Canterbury has jurisdiction has been sworn under 2,0001.; but, as the property lies in Jamaica, the will when proved there will, it is ex -I:,Wd, =bract) a very large amount of property. SPIRIT of the PUBLIC JOURNALS FROM THE EVENING PAPERS OF YESTERDAY. GLOBE.—The organs of the ultra section of the Tories begins the year with a manifesto against Sir Robert Peel, and the Ministry of which he is the chief. Retrospection supplies matter for reproach--" the future" is invested with gloom, across which frightful forms are seen to flit, inspiring apprehension of coming calamities. " Twelve months," says the Pos', " have now rolled by since, at the close of 1842, we gave sorrow ing and reluctant testimony on the nature and conse quences of the political course which, denounced on the hustings by Conservative candidates, had been supported in Parliament by Conservative legislators." . . "We allowed ourselves to hope better things for the future." But " the future"—to which the excited fears of the Post looked forward with alternate anxiety and hope— brought no diminution, much less a removal, of the causes which inspired disappointment and " sorrow" in the organ of the deceived and betrayed Tories. "When the last session of Parliament had reached its ignomi nious close," the Post " took occasion to represent how the patient expecting friends of the Government —the patient and suffering people who elected it"—had been duped and injured by " the Ministry which they had placed in office." The Post, therefore—in the name of the nu merous and influential section of the Tory party—proceeds to justify the dissatisfaction with which that party con templates the policy of the Government. The incom petency of Sir Robert Peel for the post he fills is set forth in a variety of particulars, extending to every part of the policy of his Administration. As a financier, his estimates are shown to have been erroneous. The " grand scheme of finance," by which the Minister boldly undertook to restore the exhausted exchequer, and on which he consented to rest his claims to public confidence, has proved a failure—a source of disappointment to the country, and a proverb of reproach to the charlatan who, with the confidence of a quack, propounded it as a remedy for the national maladies. 'The "Arms Bill"—which the Ministers pressed through Parliament with a pertinacity that indicated the im portance they attached to its provisions in dealing with the popular excitement in Ireland—that chef d'oeuvre of the Cabinet, is branded by the Conservative Post as a " contemptible" measure I The Premier's Church-extension scheme is designated " an ingeniously contrived illustration of the mountain-in-labour fable ; ' while " great and important measures, as the Factory Bill and the Poor-law—measures grounded on the actual pressing necessities of the poor—were muti lated, withdrawn, postponed, got rid of' in any way that temporary expediency might suggest." To the in difference evinced by the Government to the outbreaks in Wales, and the consequent inefficient means em ployed to suppress the disturbances, and then to remove the dissatisfaction which had produced them—to this want of perception and promptitude is ascribed the in surrection which ensued :—" The Welsh Rebeccaite tumults, ostensibly originating in local grievances of a subordinate character, were [thus] easily inflamed to the aspect of a semi-political rebellion." The course pursued by the Government in dealing with discontents and com motions in Ireland, meets with the same unqualified con demnation. With reference to our Indian empire, the Post remarks—" The conquest of Sinde, and the revolution and murderous massacre by which the Sikh territory has been plunged into blood and anarchy, will not fail to produce changes in the face of our empire in the East." . . . . "It is still undecided whether the Punjaub shall continue an independent ally, or be incorporated with our enormous Asiatic dominions." These changes, and the uncertainty in which they invest the future with respect to India, are regarded with ap prehension, if not with positive alarm. The in ternal condition of France and Spain is then alluded to in terms anything but calculated to inspire re spect for the foreign policy of the British Government. Had Lord Palmerston directed that department, the agents of France would have been detected, and their machinations would have been defeated. No such scenes—at once humiliating and disgraceful, would have been transacted. To the solemn imbecilities of Lord Aberdeen—no match for Louis Phillippe and his Mi nisters in statemanship—the fearful condition of Spain is to be attributed. The Post pants for the return of Ab solutism as a cure for the anarchy which now prevails. We desire the restoration of Constitutional Government, which was overthrown with Espartero, and the consequent re moval of the foul traitors who, having acquired power by treachery and perjury, use the child they have placed on the throne as alternately a puppet and a tool ; and thus insult, degrade, and endanger the monarchy they hyrocritically afected to reverence and professed a desire to uphold. Louis Philippe, the ally of England, with whom the Government is not merely on terms of amity, but to whom the Sovereign of this country has recently paid a visit of friendship and interchanged cordial tokens of royal regard—this Prince is selected as the subject of the Post's vituperation ; his person insulted—his right to the throne he fills impugned—and the speedy down fal of his dynasty predicted. And all this by a Con servative journal ! But the fortunes of foreign nations must not divert our attention from troubles and ca lamities that afflict our own. Such is the exordium with which the Post introduces a description of the condition of the national interests at home, " now we are in the third year of the official and parliamentary supremacy of the most able body of statesmen whom the present generation has seen embodied in one Cabinet." What are our gains by their wisdom and ability ? " The En"lish produ 2er" is " going headlong to beggary ;" while the,eondition of the manufacturing population is not permanently im proved. We might continue the topics of retrospective condemnation—of present dissatisfaction—and of antici p.ited ruin to each of the great national interests that were to revive and flourish under the protection and guidance of the heaven-born Minister. To his abandon ment of the policy which he gave his supporters reason to conclude would be the system of his government, is referred all the past, present, and predicted mischiefs which have, do, and will afflict the community. Through the space of four columns of mourning, lamentation, and woe, the Post describes and deplores the failure of the Peel _Administration. The topics thus dwelt upon by a Tory organ, we have, on many occasions, ful!y discussed. If we have not started from the same points, we have generally arrived at the same conclusions as our Con servative Contemporary. A growing dissatisfaction—the product of disappointment in some,and of a confirmed con viction in others, that a change of administration, as the only assurance of a change of policy, is essential to the tranquillity and prosperity of the empire—pervades all classes. Events are co-operating, with the growing dis satisfaction ; and indicate, most clearly, that the disrup tion of a Cabinet denounced by most and confided in by none, is not distant. STANDARD. —We are able to contradict, in the most distinct and positive terms the statement put for ward by the Globe and Morning Chronicle, that the Cabi net has resolved upon the recal of Earl de Grey from the Viceroyalty of Ireland. There is not one word of truth in the story, or even a shadow of foundation for it. The colleagues in office of the Noble Earl have every reason to be satisfied with, nay grateful for, the Lord Lieu tenant of Ireland's conduct in his arduous office, and he is not the man to abandon his post in circumstances like those in which Ireland is now placed. The fable which we contradict is merely one of the natural productions of the season. The least observant reader of newspapers knows that such fabrications come as regularly at this time of year as the short days—we were going to say time snow, but that has not this year kept time as regularly as the political fabulists. We repeat it, there is no more truth in the story than in the projected repeal of the corn-laws, which we had to contradict not many days since. Earl De Grey is Lord Lieutenant of Ire land, and will remain Lord Lieutenant of Ireland as long as it shall please him ; and we trust it will please him to remain to the enjoyment of that pacific triumph, in laying the foundation of which he has had so large a share. BUDE LIGHT AT THE BROONIIELAW.—According to the resolution of the river trustees, the steam-boat wharf at the Glasgow-bridge, which certainly stood very much in need of such an improvement, was last night lighted up, for the first time, with the Bude light. The light, which is calculated as equal to upwards of forty ordinary burners, stands upon a pillar about twenty live feet in height, and sheds a brilliant illumination upon surrounding objects. It has all the appearance of a lighthouse towering above the bridge, sheds, and other elevations near it, and will be seen at a great distance. Indeed, with such a blaze, accidents to vessels arriving or departing at a late hour from that part of the harbour. even on the darkest nights, must be exceedingly rare. The site is well chosen, and the light will, doubtless, prove an immense advantage to the bustling portion of the harbour where it is situate. Notwithstanding this most useful addition to the steam-boat wharf, there is still another to bo made (the want of which is much com plained of by the public), and which could he supplied at a very small expense to the trustees; we allude to the erection of a small clock in front of one of the sheds at the lower end of the quay, whereby persons waiting for steamers or hurrying to them, can gain at once informa tion concerning a matter sometimes difficult enough to be ascertained, viz., the exact hour of sailing, &c. The advantages to be derived by this addition are so apparent I that we do not need to enlarge upon them. We hope the hint will meet with due attention in the proper quarter.—Glasgow Chronicle. TIIE COAL-WHIPPERS' ACT.—Yesterday, the Ist instant, the Coal-whippers' Act came into force. It con tains 48 clauses, in eight divisions, in the following or der :-1. Government of coal-whippers. 2. Coal-whip pers' register. 3. Coal-whippers' office. 4. Coal-whip ping. 5. Regulations. 6. Legal proceedings. 7. Coal whippers' fund. 8. Miscellaneous." The Commission ers appointed are styled " Commissioners for the Regis tration and Regulation of Coal-whippers in the Port of London." It is provided that after the Ist of January, 1844, a registry shall be opened for the registration of coal-whippers on the payment of a fee of 4d., of which register public notice shall be given, as also a warning to the men to be registered, or to any other able bodied person wishing to follow the occupation. By another enactment it is declared, that after the expi ration of one calendar month after the opening of the registry, it shall not be lawful for a non-registered coal-whipper to work in the port of London, the only exceptions being actual servants of the owners or purchasers of coals, or the labourers in the docks, or in cases where an unreasonable demand is made by a gang. An office is to be established, and the men paid on board, or at the nearest office, the only deduction for the purposes of the Act being one farthing in every shil ling. There are various penalties prescribed for disobe dience. Rules are to be issued for the guidance of the coal-whippers. The Act is to continue in operation until January, 1846, and to the end of the then next session of Parliament. By the 31st section it is enacted, that it shall be lawful for any justice or justices before whom any conviction shall take place, if they or he shall think fit, to order and direct any part, not exceeding one-half, of the fines, penalties, and forfeitures, to be paid or ap plied to or for the use of the informer or informers, or other persons aiding or assisting in the appre hension of the offender or offenders, or any of them. The port of London is, between London-bridge and Gruesynd, to be axed upon. THE SUN, LONDON, TUESDAY EVENING, JANUARY 2, 1844. WINTER ASSIZES. OXFORD ClRCUlT.—Stcyford, Dec. 30. (Before Mr. Baron ROLFE.) Samuel Fellows, aged 19, Robert Purslow, 21, John Parry, 18, and Daniel Webb, 20, who were acquitted of the charge of having murdered Mary Jane Wild, on the 29th November last, were indicted for the violation of her person on the above day, at Bilston, in this county. Mr. Yardley and Mr. Huddleston conducted the pro secution ; Mr. Allen defended the prisoners. Mr. Yardley briefly opened the case to the jury, and called Ann, wife of Benjamin Willis, of Bilston, who stated that on the evening of Wednesday, the 29th November, she and the deceased went to Wolverhampton. They started about half-past four o'clock, and remained there until eleven o'clock at night. When they got to Wol verhampton they were joined by the four prisoners and Thomas Haynes. They all wont to Peter's gin-shop, where they had five pints of ale, but had no spirits. They afterwards went to another gin -shop„where they had more ale. About eleven o'clock they started back to Bilston. When they got to the Gibbet Turnpike she and Haynes went across the road from the other party and the four prisoners, with the deceased, proceeded iu the same direction, on the other side of the road. In a short time Webb came across and asked her if she would submit to him, and made use of some very improper language. On her refusing he struck her on the mouth and knocked her down, and Thomas Haynes picked her up. When Webb struck her he said he would serve the other girl the same. He then joined his companions on the other side. In a short time after wards witness asked the deceased to come to her, on which ono of the four said, " Nobody shall molest her ; I will see her righted." She and Haynes then went on to Bilston, and left the four men and the deceased together. She saw her again about half-past one o'clock when they brought her out of the pit. She was then quite insensible, and the surgeon was sewing up her head. She knew Fellows before, but not the others. Nothing material was elicited on cross-examination. Thome; Haynes corroborated her testimony. John Turner, shoemaker, said his house was on the Wolverhampton road, a short distance from Blaze's works. On the night of the 29th of November last he was called up by John Perry and Samuel Fellows. They said, " Here is a woman in a pit down below ; come and help us to get her out." He asked them how they knew it, and they both said, " We were walking up the road, and heard her shouting down the pit, and we went on the bank and answered her, and asked her if she had any bones broke, and she said No.'" Witness im mediately went down to them, and said they had better send for a policeman ; but they expressed themselves anxious to get her out themselves. He then accompanied them to the coal-pit, which is near to a footway leading out of the turnpike road. He called down, but no one answered, Perry and Fellows then procured a rope, and witness informed the police. Fellows went down the pit in what is called a " horse," and having placed the deceased in his lap, they were both drawn up, a piece of timber having been placed over the pit's mouth for that purpose. About twelve persons assisted to draw them up, and she was then removed to the Crown public house, in Crown-street, Bilston (where she died), ac companied by Perry and Fellows, who said they knew where she lived. Witness did not hear her speak ; she seemed unable, and to be very badly injured by the fall. The deceased's way home was not by the pit, gut just the reverse. The height of the pit bank from the foot road is about three yards, and the pit is about twenty eight yards deep. Thomas Tomlinson said he was a police-officer in Bil ston, on the 29th and 30th days of November last, and was on duty on the first of those days, and met the two witnesses, Haynes and Willis, who made a charge of assault against Webb, who was in company with three other men and a young woman, on the Wolverhampton road. He soon after met Purslow and Webb, who asked if they had seen four young men and a girl coming from Wolverhampton, and Purslow said " No." He then went back into the town, and met the last witness, and accompanied him to the pit. He there saw Purslow and Webb, who assisted to get the deceased out. They said, " You saw us on the road ; we were then going to get assistance, to fetch her out of the pit." Fellows brought the deceased out of the pit, and he said, " She slipped in as we were going by the pit, and I might as well have slipped in myself." The deceased's dress was much dis ordered ; she had a pair of drawers on, but they were over her heels and torn. Elizabeth Salt, the landlady of the Crown public- house, at Bilston, recollected the deceased being brought to her house on the morning of the 30th of November, where she remained till her death. In her cross-examination she said that on asking the deceased, when she came to herself, how she got into the pit she answered, in a laughing manner, " Why I tum bled in, to be sure." John Baldwin, Esq., a Magistrate for the county, said that on the 22d of December he went to the Crown public-house, at Bilston, to take the deposition of a woman who he understood to be in a dying state, from injuries received by having been thrown into a coal-pit. Ile found the deceased iu bed, and the four prisoners in custody. He took her declaration, which she said she made in the immediate prospect of death. She signed it with a cross, and his clerk witnessed her signature. The following deposition was then read by the officer of the Court :- - " I am 18 years old, and have lived in Bilston, in the county of Stafford, about six months. I never was mar ried. I went from Bilston to Wolverhampton on Wed nesday last, in company with another girl, named Ann Willis. I came back with the same Ann Willis. That we were overtaken on the road by five men, who I shall know when I see them. That four of these men ill-used me. They pulled me out of the turnpike road, and wanted to have concerns' with me, but I would not suffer them, and the same four men threw me down a pit because I would not suffer them to have concerns with me. That the fifth man never came from the turnpike-road with me, but he went along with Ann Willis. The man that was with Ann Willis never injured me at al. They pushed me into the pit, and I cannot recollect anything after that. It was late at night when this happened, and I was quite sober) and 1 make this declaration in the prospect of death soon taking place, and fully believing that I shall live but a short time through the injuries I have received. I was in ser vice until the latter end of July last, and since then I have been on the town. The men said to me, before they pushed me into the pit, that if I would not let them have concerns with me, that that should be my doom to be thrown into the pit. I did not think they would have put me in. I thought they were only threatening me. They took hold of me round the waist, and then pushed me into the pit. The four men are now present. I know them all, having seen them be fore, except John Perry. They are the same that were with me on Wednesday night. I had been with three of them previous to that night. There were four men went off the road with me, and one went back again, but I can't say which it was, I was so knocked about by them before they got me to the pit." Mr. Allen addressed the jury on behalf of the prison ers, who were all convicted of the crime imputed to them, and were sentenced by the Court to eighteen months'-im. misonment, with hard labour. SOUTH WA LE S.—Carmartken, Dee. 27. David Jones, aged 39, a farmer, was charged with having, on the 14th of October last, knowingly, wilfully, and feloniously, sent to Thomas Williams, auctioneer, of Landwrda, a certain letter, threatening to destroy the hay and corn of him, the said Thomas Williams. The prisoner pleaded Not Guilty. The witnesses called for the prosecution having fully est,ibli6hed the charge against the prisoner, the jury re turned a verdict of Guilty, but recommended the pri soner to mercy on account of his ignorance of the conse quences of sending such a letter. Bridget Williams, a poor old woman, who could neither read nor write, was charged with having, on Sunday, the lath of October, at Penrherber, in the parish of Cenarth, sent a letter to one Benjamin Evans, signed "Rebecca," threatening to pull down his house. The prisoner was found Guilty, but recommended to mercy by the jury, on account of her children, her po verty, and her ignorance. His LORDSHIP observed that both the verdict and the recommendation were extremely proper. December - 29. The Court opened this morning at nine o'clock, when Thomas Morgan and Thomas Lewis were indicted for having. on Li 17th of October last, with other persons, assembled at Dolauhirion-gate, iu the parish of Ilan din,9,Ad, and destroyed the toll-house of the aforesaid gate. The ATTORNEY-GENERAL addressed the jury, stating the facts of the case, and proceeded with the evidence. But the case was suddenly brought to a close, his Lord ship being of opinion that the charge in the indictment had not been supported by evidence, there being no evi dence that the house had been pulled down by a " riot ous and tumultuous assemblage" of people.—The pri soners were consequently acquitted. CENTRAL CRIMINAL COURT. OLD COURT. James Green, 29, — described in the calendar as a la bourer, but who was very well dressed, and wore a large pair of mustachios, was indicted, with two other persons named Arthur Hodges and Charles Parker, for unlaw fully conspiring, by means of false representations, to deprive different tradesmen of their property. Mr. Price and Mr. Ballantine conducted the prosecu tion. The prisoner had no counsel, but conducted his own defence, and cross-examined the witnesses very adroitly. Mr. PRICE addressed the jury, and explained the transactions out of which the present charge arose, and which will appear by the evidence. He also said that the two persons who were charged as co-conspirators were permitted to go at large by the magistrate on their own recognizance, and they had not thought proper to appear and take their trial. He then called the follow ing witnesses. Mr. James Findon, an engineer, residing in High llolborn, deposed that in October, 18.12, he advertised a cabriolet for sale, and the prisoner called upon him after the advertisement appeared, and when they had had some conversation he agreed to give 501. for the vehicle, but said he could not give the money then, but would give him good references. He then mentioned the names of Messrs. Hodges and Parker, 10, Austin-friars, who, he said, were his bankers. Witness remarked that he had never heard of such a banking firm, to which the prisoner rejoined that they were merchants and private bankers also. He went away, and witness proceeded to Austin-friars, 'and at the address indicated he saw a person who represented that the prisoner kept an account with them, and that he might be very safely trusted for 501. Witness saw the prisoner again on the same day, and then asked him to give him a reference to some of his tradesmen, and the prisoner laughed, and said, " Oh ! I can refer you to my coach-builder, Mr. Thompson, of Mortimer-street. Witness afterwards saw a person who represented himself to be Mr. Thompson, and he said the prisoner was a very respectable man— that his father bad been a banker at York, and he added that he was himself about to sell the prisoner a second hand cabriolet. After this he let the prisoner have the cabriolet, and he gave him a bill at two months for 501., payable at Messrs. Hodges and Parkers', in Austin friars. Witness paid the bill away, and it ws.s after wards returned to him dishonoured. He did not him- self present the bill for payment. The RECORDER remarked that there must be some evidence of the presentation of the bill. Examination continued—Witness met the prisoner two or three days before the bill became due, and he at first pretended not to know him, but he at length recol lected him, and then said he supposed witness had heard of the failure of the bank of Messrs. Hodges and Parker. Cross-examined by the prisoner—This cabriolet was not what is called a chaunt. That is to say, it was not made up by the coachmaker to be sold by me for our mutual advantage. You told me that your coachmaker had a cabriolet for sale, but that mine would suit you at 50/., just as well as the'other would at 80/. or 901. The RECORDER—I dare say that was quite true. Witness—No doubt, my Lord.—(Laughter.) Prisoner—Did you net refer some other tradesman to me to obtain an order ? Witness—Yes, you said you were going to send a Clarence carriage to India, and, believing you to be a respectable man, from the inquiries I had made, I thought I might as well give a friend a turn.—(Laughter.) - The RECORDER—So that, in point of fact, you, your self, gave the prisoner a good character ? Witness—l certainly did.—(Renewed laughter.) Prisoner—Did not I call upon you after the bill be came due, and tell you that I had my affairs seriously injured by . the failure of my bankers, and offer you another bill for a larger amount, allowing you to retain the balance if you would give up my own bill ? Witness—You did; but of course I would have nothing to do with the fresh bills unless you would let me have it to make inquiries respecting the parries. Witness—l offered to let you have 'the bill if you would give me my own bill. It would not have been a business-like transaction to have let you take the bill without. Mr. Hamilton, an agent to a firm at Sheffield, proved that the prisoner called upon him and gave an order for plated goods to a considerable amonnt, which were sent to Messrs. Hodges and. Parkers'. Some portion of the goods was paid for, but with respect to the remainder the prisoner asked for a month's credit, and this was given. He had known the prisoner many years before, and at that time he considered him a respectable man. The firm of Hodges and Parker was broken up shortly afterwards and one of the parties he subsequently fonnd was in Whitecross-street prison. Mr. Corby proved that he presented the bill for 50L, at the house in Austin-friars, and found no person there but a servant in charge of the place. Cross-examined by the prisoner—l was present when you offered to give Mr. Findon a bill on a Mr. Ferguson. I did not call you a brazen-faced monkey, or an impudent scoundrel, but something of the sort might have been said. In consequence of what Mr. Findon said, I went to your chambers in Essex-street, and offered to supply you with a carriage. The RECORDER—Did the prisoner appear anxious to come to some arrangement with you to have the car riage ? Witness—He did not ;ho declined to make any arrangement. Cyrus Alexander Elliott proved that ho had a horse fur sale, the price being thirty-five guineas. The pri soner called upon him and wanted to purchase the horse. He said he was a Parliamentary agent, and was about to remove to apartments over the Houses of Parliament to carry on his business, and he eventually agreed to give thirty five guineas for the horse, but said he could not give cash until he received his dividends. He at first refused to let him have the horse, but on the prisoner referring him to Messrs. Hodges and Parker, who, he said, were his bankers, he ultimately consented to take a bill if it was endorsed by Messrs. Hodges and Parker. The prisoner brought the bill with their names upon it, atid the horse was then delivered up to him. The bill was not paid, and witness had to pay the parties to whom he had transferred it the amount and 21. 17s. as costs. The RECORDER here called the attention of Mr. Price to the fact, that although Hodges and Parker had given the prisoner a character, so as to enable him to commit the fraud, yet there was no proof that they had taken any share in, or derived any advantage from, the specific transactions that had been detailed. Mr. PRICE admitted that this was so. Mrs. Jones, the woman who had the charge of the chambers in Austin-friars, proved that they were en gaged by Hodges and Parker, who represented them selves as bankers and merchants. The prisoner fre quently came there, and seemed to use a good deal of authority, and she looked upon him as a partner. She used to supply the prisoner and the other persons with mutton chops and other things for lunch, to the amount of 61., but was only paid 21. of the amount. When the first quarter came due she could not get any rent, and a distress was put into the chambers, and there was suffi cient goods to cover the amount found in them. Mr. Daniel Desbois, a watchmaker, in Gray's Inn passage, proved that the person Parker obtained from him a gold watch, value 351., for which he had never been paid. Mr. W. Winkworth deposed that in the month of September the prisoner, who came to his house in a car riage and pair of horses, hired a furnished house at the rent of 1101. a year. He said his name was Green, and he gave a reference to the firm of A. Hodges and Parker and-Co., who, he said, were merchant - and liarikOrs. Witness went to the house in Austin-friars, and saw Parker, who described the prisoner as a respectable man, and said he was the son of a banker. In consequence of this representation he let the prisoner have possession of the house, but he never received a farthing of rent. He afterwards received information that the prisoner was a man of bad character, and he got him out of the house. During the time the prisoner lived in his house he broke nearly all the furniture, and, in fact, almost everything that was " breakable," was destroyed. The prisoner sent him a bill of exchange, payable at a banker's in Lom bard-street, and this was returned dishonoured, the bankers at the same time saying they should be very glad to get hold of Mr. Green. The prisoner, on being called upon for his defence, made a rambling statement, in which he declared that the whole of the transactions were bona fide ones on his part, that he was in r ealit y the son of a banker, and that believing Hodges and Parker t o be respectabl e p ersons he had placed money in their hands to meet all demands upon him, and that their failure alone prevented the , bills from being duly paid when they arrived at matu rity. He declared that he had no other connection with Messrs. Hodges and P arker. The RECORDER—Have you any witnesses ? Prisoner —I have no witnesses. The REconnEn then summed up, and left it for the jury to say whether, upon the evidence, the charge of of conspiracy had been made out. The jury, after a short deliberation, returned a verdict of guilty. The LEARNED JCDGE, addressing the prisoner, said, there could be no doubt that the jury had come to a right conclusion, and he quite concurred in the verdict they had given. lie then sentenced him to be imprisoned for twelve months. Mr. PRICE applied fur the costs of the prosecution, but the Recorder said that in cases of conspiracy, the Court had no power to a ward costs. Mr. PRICE said it was very hard that no costs were to be allowed in cases such as these. The RECORDER said that might be, but he had no power to control the law Suppose he was to make an order upon the trea surer for p a y ment of costs, and he were to disobey it, whut remedy would there be? Mr. PRICE said 'the treasurer would not disobey the order if it were given. The RECORER said he would not try him. He was quite satisfied the A.ot of Parliament gave him no power to award costs. The Court adjourned soon after five o'clock. POLICE INTELLIGENCE. (YESTERDAY.) NSION-H 0 USE. The Lord Mayor having sent for some of the principa officers of the police, in order to give them directions with respect to the scavengers appointed to convey the mud from the streets of the City who might neglect to perform their duty strictly, Major Shaw, the superinten dent, waited upon his Lordship,ond stated that he should communicate with the Commissioner upon the subject. The Superintendent informed the Lord Mayor that ob jections were made by some of the inhabitants of the great thoroughfares to have the dirt and mud removed by the servants from the fronts of their houses on Sundays, upon the pretence that it was contrary to law to work, or cause work to be done, by others, on name the Sabbath. The LORD MAYO R —H ave you the of any par ticular person who refused to have the pathway in the front of his house cleaned on Sunday ? Major Shaw — Yes, my Lord. A highly respectable man in Ludgate hill has declared that there is no law to oblige him to remove dirt from his doorway on Sunday, and he has refused to comply with the order of which general notice has been given. The LORD MAyoa—Let that gentleman be sum moned. lie is just the sort of person I wish to see. The summons w as immediatelyissued for the attend - ance of the person w h o expres sed his intention of resist ing the order. The LORD MA YOR reques ted that the press wo u ld acknowledge the r ece i pt of Si. from a lady resident at Thetford for the po or -b ox • 10s. ( a nnoymons) as a New Year's gift for the p oor -b ox • 1 0/. from the Goldsmith's Company ; 101. fro m a lady of Wimbledon-common ; and 10s. (post-office order) a l s o for charity. WORSHIP-STREE 7'. Yesterday Mr. Broughton, the sitting magistrate, announced the rec e i pt o f t h e , second half of a 51. note from " J. A.," and of the sum of 15s. from " M. M.," for the poor-box, and th a t he had previo usl y received the sums sent by J. M. and " S• 9" for Ann Griffiths, the soldier's wife. A poor German girl, about 15 years of age, came be fore the Magistrate to seek redress. She was a native of Frankfort-on-the-M a i ne , who bad conic to this country to the service of one of her' cou ntrymen, who had several young persons like h erse lf itinerating in the metropolis and environs as musicians. She had to travel about with her instrument, a small piano, slung round her neck, and to give to her master all that she obtained from the pub lic, but she was constantly ill-used by her master be cause she did not bring him enough, and yesterday morn ing she was beaten also by her mistress. Mr. BROUGHTON aAted her how much she was in the habit of taking home? The girl said 35., or 45., or 55., according to circumstances. Mr. BROUGHTON—Suppose you took him 55.? The girl, in her broken English, e xplained that her master would not consider e ven that enough, for he was never satisfied. Mr. Baotrcurere—And how does he keep you? What do you get for your b rea kfast ? Girl—Bread and but ter, and cuff, - ,e. Mr. IiROUGHTON—And for dinner t The girl ex plained that the master gave them one penny a day each, to provide themselves with dinner, as they were out from morning till night, and after they returned at night they had a supper of potatoes. They had no beer, nor anything but the mere potatoes. Mr. BROUGHTON asked how many her master had in the same condition as herself ? The girl said he had two females and a boy, who played the tambourine, They all fared the same as herself, but one of the girls had that morning been taken away by her father in conse quence of the ill treatment. A foreigner, who is himself a skin dresser, and em ploy-s several young foreigners of both sexes as wander ing minstrels, came forward in corroboration of the com plainant, whose services he was manifestly desirous of securing for himself, and he set forth in glowing terms the superior treatment which his young people received from him. They had the usual breakfast of bread and butter and coffee, and a potatoe supper at night, but then he gave them twopence each for dinner, just double the allowance given by the other master. Mr. BROUGHTON wondered what sort of dinner the poor creatures could get for a penny or twopence either, but, surely, said he, you give them a little beer, or some thing with their potatoes at night. The man said that beer would not do for them, they never had it when at home, but he sometimes gave them a leelle bit of meat. The first master being sent for, attended with his wife, and alleged that the complainant had been bound ap prentice to him by her mother, who was to receive the remuneration for her services. He undertook to pro duce the indentures here at an appointed time, and Mr. Broughton directed that the other girl who had been taken from him should also be then in attendance. LONDON AND DOVER RAILWAY. The completion of the works from Abbot's Cliff to Dover, which is now so anxiously looked for, has (since the period of our last observations) been the scene of the most active and persevering operations night and day ; and had it not been for the recent fall of the cliff at the east entrance to Abbott's Cliff, we doubt not that the anticipations contained in the last able report of Mr. Cubitt to the Arectors, would have been fully verified (viz., the opening of the en tire line by the Ist of January, 1844), considering the advantages the late favourable weather has af forded. _ _ _ The tunnelling through the core of the fallen mass, however, is going on rapidly, and, taking into account the nature of the work, with much spirit, under the able management and exertions of Mr. llodges. This work, we observe, is now about two-thirds finished, and in the course of eight or ten days, we may expect it will be wholly so. It is satisfactory to observe that the permanent rails are laid to and from this un fortunate barrier, which, when it is removed, an en tire opening will be almost instantaneously effected. The works from Shakspeare Cliff to the terminus are waiting the completion of this portion of Abbott's Cliff Tunnel. The lengthened scarpment of the range of cliff adjoining Arch Cliff Fort, which protruded on the line, may be said to be finished, and the timber dike, which retains the formation of the platform in its front, is also finished. The continuation of this dike in front of the terminus is fast advancing ; and we may here observe that its construction is consi dered to be quite new in this country. That portion of it in front of Arch Cliff Fort (the severest attack ing point of the sea), having the double flanged piles and a backing of cement concrete, seems to be almost a facsimile in detail of that designed by Mr. Steward, of Dover, for the construction of his piers in the propsed Harbour of Refuge here, with the ex ception, perhaps, that Mr. Steward introduces stone casing and stone ties, instead of the timber casing and ties. We observe that a passage-way in front of Arch Cliff Fort, of several feet wide, is in progress, and that to facilitate its formation, the old sea-beaten brow of the Fort has been removed.. A distribution of cast iron and timber groins is in course of being planted in front of the terminus, for the purpose of retaining the shingle in front of the platform. This work, together with the dike and viaduct, from the immensity of the undertaking, and the manner in which it is executed, reflect the highest credit on the contractors, Messrs. Finnis and Walker, as well as on the professional merit of .Ir. Geo. Turnbull, their exe cutive engineer. We understand that the preliminary operations for the immediate erection of the splendid terminus is to be proceeded with on Monday, January Ist, by Mr. Grimsdell, the contractor, whose estimate for the work, which we have already noticed, amounts to 29,4751. We hope the people of Dover will not forget the hint we gave them some time since, to be prepared to give the Directors a cordial reception on the opening to Dover of this great undertaking.— Dover chronicle. THE QUEEN AND THE DUKE.—At the conclusion of the banquet at Windsor Castle, on Tuesday evening last, her Majesty and Prince Albert, with their distin guished guests, retired as usual to the green drawing room, - the - Queen's private- band being stationed in the adjoining apartment (the crimson drawing-room), the folding doors of which were thrown open. In the course of the evening her Majesty left the private apartment, arm in arm with the Duke of Welling ton, and seated herself with the Duke on her right hand, and surrounded by the Court, near the band. After listening to the performance of two or three compositions, the Queen rose from her seat to retire, a movement which was, of course, followed by the who!e of the Royal party, with the exception of the Duke, who had fallen into a profound nap. Her Majesty, smiling, and evidently enjoying the involun tary forgetfulness of his Grace, playfully tapped the Duke on his shoulder with her bouquet, which speedily brought him from a state of momentary oblivion to perfect consciousness, when the Queen, with a gracious smile (amidst the suppressed titterings of the illustrious guests), made his Grace a low curtesy, and taking the noble warrior's arm in the most kind and affectionate manner, and laughing the while, proceeded from the crimson to the green drawing-room, where coffee was served. When the body of Casimer Delavigne was lying in state, three women, closely veiled, were seen to ad vance, and throw holy water on the coffin. These ladies were Mademoiselles Mars, Rachel, and Plessy. Jules Janin being asked who were these mysterious mummers, maliciously answered, " that it was the grande come dienne (surname of Mademoiselle Mars), the grande tragedienne (surname of Rachel), with the young lady who was neither the one nor the other." He might more justly have said, " the lady who was both." One very elegant lady excited general curiosity and sym pathy. Hidden beneath her thick veil, which prevented the least feature to be discerned, she followed on foot the procession throughout the day. She was said to be a lady . to whom the poet had inspired a most tender passion without ever seeing her, and who followed him about for years—in all his travels present, but unknown and unseen.—Paris Letter. EXTRAORDINARY FREE TRADE DEMONSTRATION. —On Friday morning last the inhabitants of the village of Coalbrookdale, in Shropshire, and the immediate vicinity, were astonished by the announcement, by pla card, that a meeting would take place that evening, in the new Lecture-room, for the purpose of commencing subscriptions in aid of the Great League Fund of 100,0001. Notwithstanding the very short notice, the absence of many of the "Stars" of the League, and the smallness of the population, the room was comfortably filled ; Abraham Darby, Esq., in the chair. After speeches from the chairman and others, the subscrip tion-cards were handed in, and the amounts and names were afterwards read. The first was the ladies' subscription of Coalbrookdale, (anonymous), 150 Z ; then came Abraham Darby, Esq., 50/. ; Alfred Darby, Esq., 50L (these gentlemen having already given 2001. this year at the Liverpool meeting); Henry Dickinson, Esq., 501; Richard Darby, Esq., 50/. ; W. H. Darby, Esq., 51. (in addition to his donation at Liverpool) ; Joseph Robinson, Esq., 21. (besides a subscription at Liverpool) ; William F. Sim, Esq., Si. ; Edward Edwards, 2/. 2s ; ten of IZ, besides various smaller sums, making in all 148 subscribers ; the total amount being about 3501. The whole amount of last years' subscriptions, in this part was under 901. Liverpool Albion of Monday. A BACKSLIDING TEETOTALLER.—The New York papers of the 4th of December contain the following statement regarding the suicide of a temperate back slider ; but when names are not given in such matters suspicions arise. However, here is the article, and if it check one " inordinate glass" it will do good :—" We learn from the Monticello Watchman that a man named Crocker put an end to his life in the Bethel Church, in that village, on Saturday last. He had been a drunkard for twenty-five years, until about three months' since, when he became a member of the Temperance Society, and held fast to the pledge till within a few days, when he joined a hunting party, and was induced by his com panions to indulge in liquor. He remained drunk for a week, and on recovering from his debauch his remorseful feelings were so strong as to make life a burden. He shot himself with his rifle, leaving directions that his body might be prepared for burial by those companions whose solicitations induced him to return again to the maddening bowl 1" POOR-LAW VERSUS MORALITY.--A lasting memo rial of the folly, wickedness, and depravity of the Bas tardy clause in the New Poor-law Act, which exone rates the fathers of illegitimate children from any claim for their support, is yearly shown by the increase of poor-rates, and the number of illegitimate births. In the Morpeth Union, during the year ending September last, out 04476 births, 49 were illegitimate ; and in tho town itself, containing a rural population, one out of every six. The workhouse has thus been converted into a lying-in hospital, and the industrious rate-payers burthened with the maintenance of mother and child for twelve or fourteen years, while the depraved father laughs at the law, and seeks out another victim of seduc tion. It would be well if the local clergy, instead of at tempting to revive obsolete and unmeaning ceremonies, would attend to the morals and instruction of their people. We understand the guardians of the Morpeth Union are about to petition Parliament against this ob noxious clause of the Act, and we trust to see it followed up by the various Boards throughout the kingdom. On Saturday afternoon, two porpoises were ob served gambolling in the river Thames, at a short dis tance from Westminster-bridge, on the north side. The singular novelty attracted a great crowd of persons. They were visible for a long while at intervals. The Town-council of Brighton have purchased a full-lent portrait of his Grace the Duke of Welling ton, by'Siinpson, who for upwards of twenty years was the principal assistant to Sir T. Lawrence. The portrait is to be placed is the Town-hall. MANCHESTER AND LEEDS RAIL- WAY. A Special General Meeting of the Proprietors of the Manchester and Leeds Railway was convened at the Company's Offices, Oldham•road, Manchester, on Thurs day last, for the purpose of taking into consideration, and deciding upon, a proposed arrangement between the Manchester and Leeds Railway Company and the Hull and Selby Railway Company, for uniting and consoli dating into one concern the traffic and business of the said Companies, and for working the said two railways under one management, also for the purpose of taking into consideration, and deciding upon the making of pro visional arrangements with the Hull and Selby Railway Company, for the management of the traffic, and other business of the said two railway companies, in connec tion with each other, until the sanction of Parliament can be obtained ; and also for the purpose of taking into consideration, and of deciding upon the propriety of making an arrangement between the Manchester and Leeds Railway Company and the York and North Mid land Company, in reference to the traffic passing along the last-mentioned railway to or from the Hull and Selby Railway, and for giving to the Directors all such powers and authorities as may be necessary for enabling them to carry any such arrangement into full effect. The Directors also applied to the meeting for power to obtain an Act of Parliament for carrying out the above object, and others connected with them. A considerable number of Proprietors were present. The Chair was taken by H. Houldsworth, Esq. The CHAIRMAN having explained the objects for which the meeting was called together, as above, stated that the business of the present meeting was not to de cide finally upon the various measures, but to sanction the Proprietors in making application to Parliament. The opinion of the meeting on the proposed plans was taken seriatim, and the resolution authorising the Court to apply to Parliament for an Act to alter and amend the Act relating to the Manchester and Leeds Railway, was carried unanimously. PROPOSE]; NEW BRANCNES. The CHAIRMAN said the next resolution would refer co the new branches of the line which it was proposed to construct. In the Report of the Directors to the Pro prietors in September last, they stated that surveys were then in progress for branches to Ashton, Bury, Bradford, and Huddersfield; and since then they have given the preliminary notice which will enable this Company to apply for powers to make branches to Huddersfield, Bradford, and Bury, and which will enable an indepen dent Company to make a branch from this Company's line to Ashton and Stalybridge. Having, stated the general advantages that would arise from the formation of these two branches, he went into some of the details respecting them. The Huddersfield branch is 31 miles long, and the section exceedingly favourable. The gra dients and the curves are good. The expenses of the works and the station are estimated at 36,0001. to 38,000/., and the land and general expenditure at 22,0001. to 24,0001., making the probable cost of that line 60,000/., or somewhere thereabouts. These sections will be laid ou the table for inspection by the Proprie tors, or, if the meeting desire it, they will be more fully explained by Mr. Gouch. The Bradford line will be 10i miles long from the main line. With the excep tion of an incline in going over a hill which lies between our line and Bradford, that branch will be also favour able as regards gradients. The incline will be about a mile and a quarter long on each side of the hill, and the gradients varying from lin24 to 1 in 33. It will be worked by a stationary engine, and these gradients are not now unusual, and there is no mechanical or prac tical difficulty in making a line or working it with such gradients. The Bradford branch, as I have stated, is 101 miles long. The works and station and fixed engine are estimated at 113,0001. The land and station and ge neral expenses, including a very central station at Brad ford, where the land is high, the laud will be 60,0001. ; making a total of 173,0001. or 174,000/. the estimated cost of the Bradford Branch. The estimated cost of the two branches will be from 230,000/. to 240,0001., being about 16,0001. a mile. The resolution, authorising the construction of the Huddersfield and Bradford Branch, was then put by the Chairman, seconded by Mr. Pease, and carried unani mously. THE BURY BRANCH. The CHAIRMAN stated that the line resolved on for this branch was one passing through Middh.ton. It will be six and three quarter miles from Middleton, and twelve miles from punt's Bank to Bury by that route. The works generally are of a very favourable character. The estimated expense of the works and station at Bury is 76,000/., the land and general expenses come to about 29,0001. or 30,0004 making a total expense of from 106,0001. to 110,000/. No decision was come to with respect to this branch. THE ASHTON BRANCH. The CHAIRMAN, with reference to this branch, said that this line was calculated to connect Ashton and Stalybridge with Liverpool ; and that that alone would necessarily be a large and important source of traffic, which would go far towards paying the expense of its formation. In addition to that they had 750,000 passen gers a year between Oldham and _Manchester, so the proportion due to the population of Ashton and Staly bridge would be about 663,000 ; and if any considerable portion of the passengers passed along their line, with the economical mode in which we can work these short lines, we can have no doubt at all that there will be a reasonable prospect of profit. But he did not come for ward to ask them to enable them to make such a line, but simply, that if other parties came forward, and wished to snake such a branch, that they would give them every facility in their power, and that they should even go so far, if necessary, as to offer them a limited guarantee of the profits to be realised from it. If the Proprietors did not view it in this way, then, by not sanctioning this re solution. the matter will be left entirely in the hands of the Ashton and Stalybridge gentlemen to take it up or not, as they please. After considerable discussion, the resolution sanc tioning the construction of the line was carried, with only one dissentient. The CHAIRMAN then moved the following resolution: —" That the Directors be, and they are hereby autho rised to, adopt such measures, and make such arrange ments with the landowners and other parties as may appear to them expedient, in order to obtain all or any of the Parliamentary powers intended to be applied for, or which may be expedient to be resorted to in antici pation of those powers, or which may tend to facilitate the subsequent execution of the same." It was seconded by Mr. HOULDSWORTH, and carried unanimously. UNION WITH THE HULL AND SELBY COMPANY. The CHAIRMAN said they now came to the question of their union with the Hull and Selby Company. That proposition originated with a gentleman, a share holder in both Companies, residing in Hull, and well qualified, not only from his commercial knowledge, and his great opportunities for forming a correct opinion upon the advantages of such a union, but who was also calculated to influence both parties in bringing forward such a matter. When it was ascertained that there was no indisposition on the part of either party to entertain this matter, a meeting took place, and it was resolved that such steps should be taken as would be most likely to terminate in the speedy accomplishment of that ob- ject. The terms of that Union were then entered into and some difficulty was experienced in deciding what would be the best mode of union. Three different ways were proposed. The first was to amalgamate the two Companies by incorporating all their stock and capi tal in one body ; the second was that the Manchester and Leeds Company should lease the Hull and Selby line at a fixed rental ; and the third, which was the pro • posal which was ultimately adopted, was, that a union or partnership of the two Companies should be formed —in fact, to constitute out of the two Boards of Direc tors a Managing Board, to manage the joint concerns and business of the Companies ; and the first resolution that we came to in out. preliminary arrangements was, that from the Ist of January, 1844, the Manchester and Leeds Railway, and the Hull and Selby Railway should be worked under one management,for the mutual ad vantage S. both companies. That principal was subsequently adopted The agreement proposes that the Manchester and Leeds Company should lease to a new firm, and that the Hull and Selby Company should also lease to a new firm, their respective lines of railway, and that that new firm should consist of a Board of Directors constituted of the whole of the Manchester and Leeds Directors, and of two Di rectors from the Hull and Selby Company, and that that Board should conduct the business of the Joint Com pany, using the lines, the stations, and all their engines, and in fact, conducting the whole business; but that as it respects capital each Company shall remain as it is now—a distinct individual capital; and that these two Companies shall share in the net receipts of the asso ciated Company or firm in certain proportions which have been fixed upon, namely, 16 ; j- per cent. of the net proceeds, to be paid to the Hull and Selby Company, and the balance, amounting to 831 per cent. to the Manchester and Leeds Company ; that all future capital, including the capital required fin. the completion of the Hunts's-bank station, and the Halifax branch, should be provided by the two Companies, in the proportion of their shares in this associated Company, so that in fact each Company remains distinct for all purposes with respect to capital ; and the associated Company works the traffic, pays'all expenses, manages the whole of the business, and at the end of each half year pays the dividends to each Company in the proportions already named. Mr. JELLICORSE then read the agreement, of which the above is a sort of abstract. The proposition and plan were agreed to, the utmost confidence being expressed by the meeting in the arrangements made by the Directors. Some other re solutions were agreed to, arising out of the above argument. CHANGE OF THE NAME OF THE HUNT'S-BANK STATION. The CHAIRMAN said that a Proprietor had forwarded a proposition, in which he suggested that the new station at Hunt's bank should be called " The Victoria Station," on account of its proximity to the Victoria Bridge. If there was any feeling in the meeting to christen the station by any more popular name than that by which it was now designated, now was the time. Mr. PEASE remarked that it certainly was a very grand station, and ought to be crowned with majesty. J. WOOLLAM, Esq., Boroughreeve of Manchester, thought that the name of " Hunt's-bank," as applied to this station, was exceedingly undefined. It was true that it was -an ancient name with reference to Man chester, but he did not think it was an appropriate name for this station. He eoriliaLly agreed with the sugges tion of t'he Hon. Proprietor thiit the name should be changed to " Victoria Station." Mr. SIMPSON seconded the resolution. The CHAIRMAN then put the resolution to the meeting, observing, that he would suggest that this change should be made with the sanction of the Liverpool Company. The resolution was then passed, with the amendment suggested by the Chairman. Till: -01i1 Dr'';:; The CHAIRMAN then remarked that they had now completed the business of the meeting. He did not know whether any of the proprietors expected that he should to give them any statement as to the half-year's profit— (Hear, hear)—but he might observe, that in addition the 10,0001. which they had divided as profits, the last half-year they had 3,0001. more; so that at present they had a fair - prospect of dividing 13,0001. in March next, or an increase of the profits of nearly one per cent. Mr. Entwistle having taken the Chair, Mr. ROBERTS proposed, and Mr. SimPsox seconded, a vote of thanks to the Chairman, which was carried, and the meeting separated. NAVAL INTELLIGENCE. PORTSMOUTH, DEC. 30.—The Lilly, 19, Commander Baker, which recently returned from the Cape of Good Hope, is now nearly dismantled, and will be paid off on Tuesday. The Resistance troop ship, Commander C. G. E. Patey, is hourly expected to arrive at Cork with the service companies of the 30th Regiment from Nova Scotia. The 30th Regiment has been out of England since July, 1834. The Satellite, 18, Commander R. H. B. Rowley getting on very rapidly with her equipment, and will') quite ready for sea on Saturday week. It is understepl that she is to return to the Pacific. The following vessels are those which compose the squadron on the coast of Ireland, under the command of Rear-Admiral Bowles :—Caledonia, 120, flag-shi , Captain Milne ; Fox, 42, Captain Sir F. P. Blackwood; Hyacinth, 1.8, Commander F. Scott ; Iris, 26, Captain R. Mundy ; Lynx, 3, Lieutenant-Commander J. T. Nott ; Snipe, 2, Lieutenant-Commander G. Raymond ; the Flamer, 6, Lieutenant-Commander C. J. Postle Comet, 2, Commander G. A. Frazer ; Dee, 2, 'Master- Commander 'l'. Driver ; Meteor, 2, Lieutenant-Com mander G. Butler ; Pluto, 2, Lieutenant-Commander Jeayes ; Stromboli, 6, Commander Hon. E. Plunket ; Tartarus, 2, Captain H. T. Austin ; and Volcano, 2, Lieut.-Commander C. J. Featherstone, steamers. The Cyclops, Captain W. Lapidge, and the Rhada manthus, Master-Commander T. Laen, are on their passage to Cork with a body of the Royal Marines. The Magpie, 2, Commander Thomas BroCk, is on her passage home from the Mediterranean, where she has been employed surveying upwards of seven years. The Firebrand, 6, steam-frigate, is expected to be put in commission in the course of next week. APPOINTMENTS.—Commander James Paterson Bower, to the' Hecate. Lieutenants—G. H. Winlo, to the Satellite ' • 0. Cum berland, from the Madagascar, to command the Spy ; H. Stokes, to the Helena, from the Penelope ; W. P. Crozier, to the Alban ; G. Gore, to the Cyclops. Chaplain—Rev. J. W. Hind, to the Penelope. Master—E. T. Cavell, to the Satellite. Mates—W. H. Payne, from the Camperdown to the Blazer • George Kerr, to the Pluto ; G. W. Towsey, from-th e Penelope to the Pluto. Second Master—W. G. Sturgess, to the Albion. Midshipman—W. Wood, to the Penelope. Assistant-Surgeon—Henry J. Domville, to Greenwich Hospital. Masters'-Assistants—F. Inglis, to the Victory ; F. J Krable, to the Larne. Clerks —George Penfold, to the Alban, in charge ; J. Shanks, to the Nereus. PROMOTlONS.—Commanders — E. B. Tithing and Juba Adams, to be Captains. Mate—Francis H. Short, to be Lieutenant. ROYAL MARlNES—Gentlemen Cadets J. Crocketia 1 H. N. Gell to be Second-Lieutenants. EARTHQUAKE IN GUERNSEY.--Extract of' a letter dated Christmas-day:—" Last Friday, at about ten mi nutes to four o'clock in the afternoon, there were two violent shocks of an earthquake, so terrible that people were shaken in their chairs, hearing at the same time a loud rumbling noise in the earth. I had gone to the library, and by the action of walking neither heard nor felt it, but imagine my horror, when I got into the High-street, to rind it full of people, all looking up at their houses, expecting them to fall with the next shock; their windows rattled, wardrobe doors that . were locked were forced open, doors and gates of houses were seen to shake, all bottles, jars, and earthenware vessels which happened to touch each other jingled iremendously—in short, it was most appalling. I hur ried home as well as I could through the crowded street, not knowing if I should find our house standing. as it is a new one and slightly built. Thank God, r found all safe, but G— in a most awful state of ex- • I citement. He was writing at the time, and being so quiet, no doubt felt the full force of the shock. I assure ~4 you I went to bed in fear and trembling, not knowing but that we might be swallowed up in the night. how ever, it has pleased Almighty God to spare us hitherto- The general opinion here is that there has been soul , dreadful earthquake in France, and that the shock w had was the effect of it." • " BOXING-DAY" REVELRY.—Yesterday Mr. Wok- ley, M.P., held an inquest at the Western Dispensary, New-road, St. Marylebone, on the body of Thomas : llartnup, aged 25. From the evidence it appeared that the deceased was a sawyer, lodging in Miller-street, Camden-town. On Tuesday last (boxing-day) he went i to a beer-shop in the neighbourhood of his residence, -- being at the time rather the worse for liquor, and beg an " laring" with a man named Jones. Jones did the ii i same with him, and coming to close quarters they -4 struggled for the throw, which deceased gained. On getting up they again wrestled, when the deceased wag . 1 1 thrown heavily on the floor on his back, and immediately complained of being hurt, begging to be let alone. Ile was picked up, when it was found-that he was unable to stand, and he was consequently removed on a shutter tO the above instituti gin, where he died of the injudea r4r . ceived. Mr. Wellington Poole, surgeon of the Dispen.- sary, said that deceased on his admission complained of the loss of the use of his limbs. He appeared to be drunk, as did also the men who brought him. Evert thing was dune for him which his case required, but he lingered and died on Friday last—as had been subs° quently ascertained on a peat 'no trin examination being made—of a rupture of the sixth vertebra) of the back' and injury to the spinal marrow. Deceased before his death exonerated all persons from blame, and said that what had happened to him was through pure accident. Verdict, " Accidental death." FATAL OMNIBUS ACCIDENT.—Mr. Higgs held all inquest yesterday evening, at St. George's Hospital, Hyde Park-corner, on view of the body of Ann Mitchell , aged 69, proprietress of one of the Kensington omni buses. Mr. George Lucas, of No. 25, Pembroke-squarer Kensington, stated, that about seven o'clock on the evening of Thursday, the 21st of December last, he was on the outside of a Kensington omnibus, and deceased (the proprietress of the omnibus) was seated next WI witness, near the end of the seat. While passing along Kensington High-street, and coming from London on its near side the road, the omnibus suddenly overtook van. The omnibus passed the van, and pulled up close to the kerb-stone to set down a passenger. Presently went on agair., overtook the van, and stopped a sec ono time. The van then came by again , so close to the omnibus, that the tarpaulin which covered the van caught deceased, and swept her eft' the edge of her seat. She fell into the road under one of the wheels of the waggon and was run over. She was immediately take , ' to the surgeon's, and from thence conveyed to St. George's Hospital. The van belonged to a Mrs. Baker' of Church-street, Chelsea. The seat of the omnibtle where the deceased was seated projects full ten inchee s beyond the roof of the vehicle. Thomas Monk, of street, Kensington, contradicted this evidence, and state s that at the time of the accident the omnibus was e nds vouring to cut in on its near side, between the van an the kerbstone. Other witnesses stated that the driver the van was alone to blame. Mr. George Banist e 4; house surgeon, stated that on deceased's admission 51 ' 0 was found to have received a large lacerated wound 12 the lower part of the left leg, communicating With comminuted fracture of the bones. Mortification e n ' sued, and deceased rapidly sank, and died on Saturdei, last. She refused to submit to amputation until it 0 1 too late, and died from the effects of the constitutioe, irritation caused by the fracture and subsequent mort i s, cation. After a very long investigation, the jury r turned a verdict of " Accidental death," but at the 0 13 1, time censured the conduct of the omnibus driver for tempting to pass on the wrong side of the road. deceased was a very extraordinary woman. For ree'r 4 years past, in all weathers, i she had ridden " from es e ,' l morn to dewy eve," on the outside of one of hero 7 vehicles, looking carefully after the main, and tal‘ i el '- heed that her cattle were good, her machine in n rue and her servants obliging. of Since the proclamation of June, 1842, a nurobe r ro t the light sovereigns, exceeding in amount 10,000,0 u PRICE IFIEAS AT WHOLESALE JL Good Common Black 3s. Od. Fine Pekoe Souchong... o * Strong Cor.gou ...........3s. 4d. Superior ditto ............ 4s ' Fine ditto, Pekoe davour..3s. Bd. Finest ditto imported... s ' 4 COFFEE. - 16. Good Common Os. 9d. Finest Java ...•••••"„ 8 41 ' Ceylon, sound and swe e t...l s . Od. Ditt o C u b a ...... .••.'' od . Fine do., recommended ...Is. 2d. Finest Mocha ..... Finest Ceylon, rich and mellow Goods delivered iu all Country orders amounting to 51. parts of Town daily. ore, 1 ~ sent free to all parts o f lain, Bucklerebury, Cheapside. _do, MANSELL and CO., . On the 30th ult., a t St. M JameARR lED s's Church, Poole, -M l3iB ljll P - " e William Ash, of Cumming-street, Pentonville, to 111arY eldest. (laughter of the late Robert Slade, Esq., Poole DIED. P 00 . cis On the 23d of November last, Henry Alldersey. , e,.. e ff icti of W. S. Dicken, Esq., of Balasore, Bengal Medical o e " f ltir On the Bth ult , at Brighton, Mrs. Catherine N roe iti . daughter of the late Sir Lionel Wright Fletcher Van e ' di On the 19th ult., at Whitby, John Newton Bark er ' ottriP On the 28th ult. at Park Lodge, Stirling, Robert, 3 . , ..,/ son of R. Sconce, ' Esq. „.....e> ; D Tt ...W • , ANS -03 ..... .... • a ....,, --''''''' 'l9 Y tra oh London: Printed and Published by MUADO No. 112, Strand, at The Sum Office, No. 112,1 . the County of kliddleaex, Tuesday, January Si 18, - =- BIR TA S. On the 29th ult at Sholden Lodge, near Deal, the 14°)f f Edward Banks, Esq., of a son. ° On the 30th ult., at the Temple, Lancashire, th e .3 Hugh Beaver, Esq., of Glyngarth, Anglesey, of a son• (in det the 30th ult., at Merton-grove, the lady of Ale s '"" Atherton Park, Esq., of a son. On the 30th ult., at Hextborpe, Mrs. F. Ramsdell , °' f On the 30th ult., at the Cedars, Leytonstone, the lady ° Tebbutt, Esq., of a son, still-born. p. OW' On the 31st ult., in Russell-square, the wife of G. - a Esq., M.D., o f a son . 0 0 0 On the 31 s t u lt., a t Woodford, Essex, the wife of Gore, son. °' On the 31st ult. ,in Essex-street, Mrs. R. Miller, of SoSO On the Ist inst., Mrs. G. J. Lloyd, of Thorn Cottage' Brixton, of a d aug ht er . rio ts On the Ist inst., th e w ife of William Hodges, Esq, bar if ,' of a daughter. pforf ° ''' On the Ist inst., the lady of Alfred Keyser, E ,( l'' crescent, Hyde-park, of a son.