The Sun. — London, England, 1845-05-28 00:00:00

Igo i. o for Ila' f r om and :and 24• Rio rner , :Ine, S'evi a nd Jane do; St. je t°, dpa !slie, abn :an - he'/, • nue' )rto HER MAJEST):"S DRAWING The lioo3r. I. . Queen's birth-dar was celebrated yestere.ay at Court, ~,,t erawing-room held in St James's Palace. eser'lloue_atteendance of the nobility and gentry was very nu ked e. s . _ .. The company began to arrive soon after one o'clock : onerarinued settling dow n at the entrance for entree and salo ons "nnany during thesspace of two hours. '1 he state r ooms (tea;.s were soon filled with company, and also the anti- The grand baniesetiog.room, an.: a second grand fer `,n e te ehieh had been fitted up this season, were opened eile:i.n reception of the numerous visitors, and were also die e e The costumes of the ladies were of the most splen- I ter, ,' - ' e ll'ioo, and were new for the occasion. The Minis of e.PPeared in the full dress official costume, and the officers t eis ne royal household in the full dress household uniform. hoo eg vc a collar day, the knights of the several orders of knight- Th e Lord Chancellor came i res n s p tate, wearing his gold gown, 4 ,I:i attended by two of his secretaries, his mace-bearer, kesronel Perceval, and his puree-bearer, Mr. Haines. The Iti ee 7 ss ot the Rolls, the Vice-Chancellor of England, the Cor e :7 a isneellor Wigram, and the Chancellor of the Duchy of Th e L also wore their gold gowns. thee Lord Chit•f-Justices of the Court of Queen's Bench and or, ° i l l :on Plr as, and the Lord Chief Baron of the Exchequer Porteanise'r splendid collars of S. S. , with the rose and Th e e : le tat;"ght lion. the Speaker of the House of Commons came teatit.st' Ws.a,ring his gold robe, and was attended by the Ser. 'seise e i''' r r nis, Sir William Gossett, and the Chaplain to the the - "e - murnons. the j a i7 i nole of the Ladiei of the Bedchamber to her Majesty, °ll t his 3 of Honour, and the Bedchamber Women, attended Thies auspicious occasion. l a l, elsi, Z ie en and Prince Albert arrived at two o'clock from 1 - 8 4 T 4 k '' t',, a ,, rn Palace, accompanied by the Prince of Leiningen, '''clltit tt C'd bY the Mistress of the Robes, the Countess of Vie ker dgeeurnhe, Lady in Waiting • Hon. Misses Murray ,;c,V%ei,litirlr;, A'aids.of Honour in Waitin - g ' ; Lord Byron, Lord in attir,. Wain the Hon. Arthur Duncombe, Groom in i l t i t lesti,n,,Lord Charles Wellesley (Clerk Marshal), Equerry b'ges a Hong es , rs H. W. By g and G. Grant Gordon, i ' ll 'a, !tatot, r in \•Vaitng ;the - 11 e farquis of Granby, Lord in b '"'aA, ‘ rinee eat;Albt Captain Travers Seymour, Groom 1 . ; . °3a1 le",'„! and Col Wylde, Equerry in Waiting to is i uell est uness• The Lord Steward and Lord Chamberlain, V a l ' i ett s e e e r ei a y f the Horse, and the Groom of the Stole to Prince H e e ce, and e c o d . her Majesty and Prince Albert at St. James'; b y I. r e eyai irlr.lueted them to the Royal Closet.. Ba r ads' A n'ehness the Duchess of Kent arrived, attended Thee Heln.n,aolllaria Dawson and Colonel Sir George Couper, factor dress Was eat Highness wore a most splendid costume. e oela e ..l e7itaiis of t he richest . white . satin,. of Spitalfields menu train ee er erii.. -gent silver trimmings, and having the Th e h was ef oriented with diamonds and amethysts. The silv er l 'ad-e ss ' s ° ,'tiY silver brocade, of Spitalfields manufactuee. ti ne: e l l - Tess, f e composed of violet-coloured velvet, with The di et , a uierg, and diamonds. The necklace and ear bee 'r lt oyai "ds and amethysts. beck' ett Hlehnesses the Duke and Duchess of Cam lierar,(l Ale "i, n , ;I e d by Lady Augusta Cadogan, Baron Knese • ili e h h 'nee eieeenlend 11.1ildmay7 tdvseted4 riee:""a the Duchess of Gloucester, his Royal coptof S aXe 11 7 ". 4 ree, and his Serene Highness Prince Who '3'al p a ~e i niar, were present. H er r cluet ed f ; i n ' , .Y Were received by the Vice Chamberlain, I ''s due I ,ajest e e tee Illustrious visitors to the Royal Closet. • 'ortsZe.'n t he e:'°nourable Corps of Gentlemen-at-Arms were Th - ' al' e 'ate Rooms, the Presence Chamber, and the T he h , ery . A p, ,"rnen o f ,_ g l , tat r' Y O f th e t" Guard were on duty in the ante-rooms. - ale e , e titer, Life Guards, with the band of the regiment,- in the Th e el ls, was on duty in the East Court of the So o ' ni cer er Pe n's Guard of the Foot Guards was stationed to ° eft - nurt agh er tw o , • ta ut ' ' ‘ and R ev 0 close t the Archbishops of Canterbury, Ar elsad le . j r 'rwi eh, e,ree the Bishops of London, Winchester, Dur- t'et e 'lstol s I e Worcester, Rochester, Lichfield, Gloucester iloy:inoroue'tle,eldaff, Chester, Carlisle, St. David's, Chichester, Ade! elo te r' tiangor, Sodor and Man, and Ely, entered the lur e e s , of Co w hen the Archbislao of Canterburydelivered an P reiat tl e f her r,artatiulation to the P Queen on the auspicious re- Th s ther e . ' day. His Grace and the .Right Reverend pbe.ch:,3Queen,aridts.ittre:lred from the royal presence. rie, of G I ' e Albert, the Duchess of Kent, the of Sao e G eol . s oneester, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, lif ee e w ei ee, the Prince of Leiningen, and Prince Edward te4 e Ste h es , ie r, having entered the Throne-room, and her to l e ; eir e i e pi uF eteken her usual station the Foreign Diplo el4Majesteer_ introduced when the fallowing presentations Isle atne i e J.,,,"ok Place :-... e l /rar) b -uuchesse de Coigny, et Madame la Baronne de l b ler e t : ° i siee t r it,A,he..e,French Ambassadress. Ye e 4 th e 'll9a gentleman of Milan, and Captain Bog e e e aet Diets Re fi t ment of Lancers in the Austrian service, tar, Lie4eb,tein, the Austrian Ambassador. gia4.l),,;a`ina,at• General Comte Duval de Beaulieu, et Le Xll, 11 Duval de 13Iaergnies, by M. Van de Weyer, the Bel gateL' lat ntel e gea,en, a,,,,,ebastiano Moreno, Attache to the Argentine I.`' l ll . \e e '; . . s y t, :.. r. on of the Minister, by M. Moreno, the Ar 11' . prince Gl . • t esi l, l et a itzin, Coneiller d'Etat Actuel et Chambellan I„, ' , ki te MPPreur de Rus.sie, by Baron de Brunnow, the e, , e ttalt 'st et .. eic'e s ' ae se,.(l:' neiningetl Capitaine au Premier Regiment be the 's - ''.,lee de la Alaj ' estie Sicilienne, by Prince Castel rt-11:e l'orllart Ministel: 40d a"adorigl)ldornaticCircle was attended by the French 13 4k ' and , e a ild the Countess de St A ulaire, Baron de Talley ekaci:rdee I!rougt La, _Grange Attaches to the Embassy, the ksstre b la ts ie mote et la Comtesse de Flahau . lt, and the r ortibae,ronne de la Ronciere. Le Noury „le e b oil sador, the Countess Dietrichstein, and 1 7e• a . 'ffe r i ., First Secretary of the Embassy ; e " t a d b e e t s 7 . , se'',;(l.t' IC,o..ttornan Ambassador • Edib Effendi, first e i . 111 . e the Blunt Agop, Secretary' Interpreter to the uli uei elgiar t Minister and Madame Van de Weyer, lare s st e i r . eacillierre, Attaché to the Legation; the Bavarian C os • lee, ar ore , i s . "‘nt ee Lei:ters ate (es de Cetto; Monsieur Dedel, the Nether p. y ,f. k"tu ati ' rdini Minister, and Count Revel, Secre r. 4ee„ °° ; 'el an • t - , 11. 5 , At,,, ist, is. Morena, the Argentine Minister; the tie. ,an 'R . 4t; Ni eQ a 'eta lthy ii4r. dti,Baroness de MoncorvoLobo de Pe tlar ee ° bar" e., Baron de Lagos, Attaché to . the N e : - e'eret ar . e 's de li r "e Poleoza; the Russian Minister ti e l'°"tan Al' 3. l e °f t he L , un s ', ^ w, 'and M. Alexander de Berg, Pre L , ; • C °llet ' ,I , ee ° ' - e a t "°rl; General Prince Castelcicala, te r anon lii n c A , ci a man i• G. Causfari, Secretary of Lega eee-,°,° M e th '‘er ar e ! ei' e n segge, Hanoverian Minister ; the lb.. g i ll. 1:,,, -44 e A .lare e • a "atne Bunsen ; the Brazilian Minis ee et tnt ; e rett end este Lisboa; the United States Minister kl es tion ss e, he Miss Everett ; the Danish Minister and e_Yor, I ' the epee7.°tlns?, and Mr. de Bielke, Secretary of . 0 e tie Che„aiiertsh Minister and the Duchess de Soto et:taelies,a l e e Gale and de P edrorena Second Secretary, le i l lt ien • " nel t i t i• J. Antonio Lopez de Ceballos, di e s e'arrie e —e ue Crescente, Attache Militaire to the ' ti4ch, to Swedish° Gersdorff, Saxon Minister; Baron de ia: ai res o f th e Leg a e t • ha rge- d'Affaires, and Count Rosen, d im' 't' At; Teees, ands'o Mr. Ashbel Smith, the Charge k ache to e Terrell, of Texas ; Baron de L r 4 ~, al tee Wurtemberg Legation, and Count le p q Sl e t'et al ci r 1 ti,..' bathe wares the e was attended by the Lord Chancellor, the e_p,t, aptain° L°'-'1 C hamberlain, the Master of , the hsiper:n of the ,c , ,f the Hon. Corps of Gentlemen -at- A rms, Sl id, t he /, of the le eetnan Guard the Vice-Chamberlain, the e al, f a,t. reeeeiit (elsolield, the ' Comptroller of the House l'ietthe t . l 'e of th e ' 4 ' the Board of Trade, Lord Denman, 411%,eba ere chief Queen's Bench • Lord_ Chief-Justice Tin ' ' l tel r Wie " ' l lor H arou, the Right Hon. the ' Speaker, the Vks., erate s of England h oe st es se th e ci es '• epee e Right Hon. the Vice-Chan- It e t Y 8 e ste.G, , nc of the Duchy of Cornwall, the le e , e i e ne ey ~..s i (ral t h e 44 s o st Hon. J. A D. Bloomfield, her f4,findere th e '.L'_ raordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary to ert. '' e rn iteror of all the Russias Mr. S. March of State, the Treasurer ' to Prince kt ils„ e . 1Z :i o h ri e) rir e - j • e e ne u r y e s t a s a l rY S..,if .... s Henry , Wheatley, G. C. H., fee' Ni t , 'e c o 'r Edward eteY rues?, the Master of the . Cere. tizc4,l G ee ft. rPs Geeieutler, Lieutenant . of her Majesty's qr:,o,:i,c4Philip f t , t e L e t , t i l y n- at-Arme ; Sir Henry Robin -It%e) I rel ee , s enate 'Lieutenant se e soiteetenant of the Yeoman Guard; 4oet re,yreii the Atto i citor-General4the Attorney- Ge, klo r e Ale e'ener e e t rneY-General of the Prince of VVales, e tee th e 'olq e h o ° the Queen Dowager, Sir C. Youn 14, '".50,, , , , 1;„,, ,, 1t 1y A.,na;oargent.for.the Hawse Towns; the Lord . 11. Pe she 4 011atd esa , Sir George Houlton, Ensign (,Tagse re es •t' oe ; Sir Augustus Clifford, Bart., Gen ,e. the i i , c , ~,. i tslees eh it ir. sh erie ea k Rod ; the Adjutant -General of Is h is I.at e 4 r, p " kl unter, Mr. Sheriff Sidney, Mr. h, i, tt > M p a3Thaster of the Household • the Hon. h 4 ei : i sie t ' s % , el ; e ' iis I,ecorder of London, one of her Ma ieN Ch 'Y rs ' l t• Ormsby Gore, Groom in Waiting ‘- tr , 'kb -e neral s . t on a: ~e , ers to his s e ir Geo.rgeGroom ailetilai4 t° th urd ' L'ePut .' la] Highness Prince Albert ; the 4_ ; 11 ,,t . 0 h e ; lii4ueee.do-Clerk of the Closet in Waiting, and k'Nter'-'elotiel'alaiesty lager; the Rev. Dr. Foord-Bowes, tegn ee 4, 1 ,, .c al ,_ ~., e Chaplain to the House of Com kte"; s i ° Ysiei a j n aleil, Silver Stick in Waitink? ; Dr. t, i t 'a, Itee,t:. ll enj ete; t °_, the Queen, and to the Queen ,` l't , 4 ,,'', Co gel C. Brodie, Bart., Sergeant-Surgeon t 't,. i. e.,; l l ,, i lek ' i ttel fi . ts ..,. C . lark K . ennedy, Owen, Monteath, h o l e'ep t , a n ,, "'tuck, Aide-de-Camps to the Queen; 1 J itti lki .aelreeia'..n.eiezeiCi oillonel Arbuthnot, Equerries to the %el s;tleh n Nil. George • N., Equerry to the Queen. Do w, kt aiercryeeteas theDuch Couper, Bart., first Equerry•to her s l'e t ',Re ; 1 , tge "he'S of, Kent,- Major-General Sir e ti ele a ett iet 4, b lu e ,r i re to his Royal Highness the Duke of . s.. ''a tt `' ~,, Al r. ret Attaché to her Majesty's Legation f te St ei ta f.e . tle , ; It Heath, Governor of the Bank of teOp ti ),,,e kne e , t 4 s Proctor ; Sir W. C. Ross, ILA., (~, V s kao e nt f e ° t he Queen • Mr. Barge (Queen's Ol .4 ,,etto ea Capiar. Jamaica ' Mr.' Edmund Nugent, Agent tt e ' the %184.(11.,,IC•incaid, and Captain Sadler, Exons of Whit t ilt t itT2 l . l ce tt , ' -'llr. Ellerthorp Adjutant of the Yeoman o, l'rie l nn ei a Jiarbineer Si ' B 'amin Smith C. S. e ej,,, I , 3' c s S. F re e , e r , enJ ' 'to e ay ; ,!k, nat o b er . -aerie Smith, Gentleman Usher coe%-, 'Ai ir °oil , Air, Beresford, M.P., and Mr. ett or tilli Johts'„prooms of the Privy Chamber to her to t t ee s'!l ( p' Seei'c;!actiae, Bart, (in Waiting), Captain the ;. 1 , 1 %11 15 (i. (~.'her , 0,:lle West„and Mr. Alfred Montgomery, ' Vfeaee Yal h. 1 144 ' her Majesty -, Colonel Godwin and t al ,t 1 .-4 'thri e 2 P -N. (in Waiting), Gentlemen Ushers k:''4ti ti? grt. • s,,d 'ic rine° Albert ; Colonel Sir J. Morillyon ~'(;), iic.'.Qiieer.;ll.le., Gentleman Usher to the Privy e it,N tt liej, h field s''.°L v ager; the Master of the Temple ; - ''s . e: 'er C'uee, the Queen's Registrar ; Colonel be s a ', 4 ?.f hl 'ili ers i cards, Field Officer in Brigade Waiting, di 'it , 'U'i t s s 0 ho nour 4,11 01, ed a 0 "41 R, of the day were given by the prin krBt Me IPPear e ' -a t Officers of State, the distinguished ks,l 4 is 'el, ~, at all the banquets in Court dresses. 1 001 e 4 sid " F 'rst Lo I 4s e le 4 q„ene e i n ~,..:. of the Treasury, gave a grand 1 0 ' 1 \‘'ih' e l ltee t a a n ie aui, es Secret tee hall-gardens. seh, ef th I .o fd ged rh o ;r e tary of State for the Home De. t ~o,ile Queen 9haneeorovrtng at his residence in Hi!l -4N ta iiigh 4 a 13 er 'l ~ Lord Denman, Lord Chief ke. th e omens; t ei onou ' r n e. Lord Langdale, Master id the t l tl kee Q s) C oes the e. ap e le the . Speaker . of the House 17, te ale e tnoti ee,, ° _rut Chief Justice of the l itre all e ge lei ,O 1 E eeb t"as ; the Lord Chief Baron e•e eheie tor. R . e Hen nue'', the Vice-Chancellor of ,1ie4;71, the s: , th e n' i ' l 'r James Wigram, the Right Hon. qi ti Nle b ie eret ery "` ght lion. Sir Thomas Fremantle, . th h. 14 tor Ireland k rs. '' ' 'lt e lion r ' Jllsti e --; tee Hon. Mr. Baron' Al- L t it 4 \v i t41,t1 . Aloe ire Patteson, the Hon. Mr. Justice 2, i ti Rht e ,' the 'Jstice Coleridge, the Hon. Mr. Al- A' '4 ll ce te , an th re e h B th,ase,aets Er an tb H ee. A , aron . Rolfe, the Hon. Mr. L h Y.e l N tlit _ e fi c .. es Ir. Justice Cresswell, the Hon. fese e eop ee eee e „,,, th e ~;!1 1: . Baron Platt, the Hon. Mr. A, i' r r ef ,°' ter erei__lgt Hon. the Lord Mayor, the ~,, r , ' S 1. , . A l . Lond,„ 411 ", the Lo rd-Advocate of Scotland, u ll g t ,' 0 41,4t .ertri etl "' Air. Sheriff Hunter, Scotland, Sheriff I 'tti lae l o 4kte n air * LYall, Mr, S. M. Phillips, and t lis', l 4 Nue f Al; tits i'i ,, se te %te t e: e t his retr,:lieien received the whole of the Corps I.oll4lt 'stk 4Ntt° e f e h l et . 'ee N eri r o 'e' e tna - C _Y e i: 'B4-tragtelliosit•reNeVt;r and the Colo -is, ,tl.;,:e_ ate ese:gr-in-Chief, the Master-General i s ne Zal,th Gen eral, 4 1 nt 0! the Board of Control, the kle t. , e m no tt. , e Mee esAdnitant-General, the Quarter :I' , T .,, , e te, l .l oe .e y tte c a.i,astiY Secretary te the Commander-in -I.,i';Ottattl,r,,., i.ies...n'l43lsirrpi r..';ellrichkieTrAeri'eanAccliehrioCSoeloinivealnP'elellr;MFr. , Sir R. Scliom . Sti t 'el' p i lle t ti fle e 'Jill, e ; x e Al r . A. te et tee',,tti ter , t Het 4 1 1 _,.‘Vii t e j e ° a r b G atn re . eue, Mr. George ope, Mr.. te te sts, te ale e e t'', Goulburn kt esi'e Ch a "e Chi ef ~ as Chancellor of the Ex rarnaster- ' kr, th e tl i ;ello r of t`iic'enabnissioner of the Woods uchy of Lancaster, the Geueral of the Forces, the 1 THE S LONDON, WEDNEsDA MORNING, MAY 28, 1845. Part 11. Duet—" Die Schvralben and der Jager," Rupplin and Herr Oberhoffer Kucken Air—" 0 mon Fernand," Madame hlaillard (La Favorite) Lied—" Die Fahnenwacht," Herr Pischek ; harp obligato, M. Godefroid Fantasia sur des molifs des ,Bellini —Clarinet, M. Illaes Romance—" Dieu m'a conduit ver veus " Madame Blaes Meerti Aie Varii--" La Biondina"—Mad. Thillon Paer Duet—" Jetzt alter! jelzt hat es Eile"—Herr Pisbeck and Herr Oberhoffer (Fidelio) Beethoven Mr. Moscheles presided at the pianoforte. Her Majesty's private band, under the direction of Mr. Anderson, was in attendance, and accompanied the Total music, SIR JOHN RENNIE'S FIRST CONVERSAZIONE. The first conversaxione given by Sir John Rennie, the Pre sident of the Institution of Civil Engineers, took place on Saturday evening, and although we were well assured that there would not be any diminution in the hospitable recep. tion, and the interesting collection of works of art, to which we have been accustomed in former years, we were nut prepared for the tasteful preparations and brilliant Cisplay which awaited the visitors on this occasion, and more especially, for the presence of Lady 'Lennie, and a numerous assemblage of her lady friends. In addition to the ordinary suite of rooms, a large apart ment had been constructed at the rear of the house, adjoin. ing the second saloon. The walls and ceiling were tastefully decorated ita encaustic painting, by Sang, in the same deli. rate and tasteful style which he has so well displayed at the Royal Exchange, the Conservative Club, and in other places. fhe effect of the light upon the well-combined and vivid colours of the encaustic decorations, and the brilliant furni ture, was particularly striking. In the centre cf this room was suspended a magnificent chandelier, made by 111 r. Apsley Pellatt, from the prize-drawing at the School of Design. It was entirtly composed of glass, combining judiciously the effect of the prismatic colours, of cut white drops, with the Bohe mian stained glass. This chandelier, whether viewed as a speci. men of workmanship or of taste, was extremely creditable to Mr. Pellatt, whose productions we have before frequently praised. Jn the rooms were several tine specimens of Bohemian glass, also from his collection. We can scarcely attempt to particularise all the numerous works of art, and interesting models, which were profusely spread throughout the rooms; but we must notice the bronzes from Mr. Deville's collection, an exquisite carving in Caen stone of St. George and the Dragon, by Mr. Thomas ; Mr. Goadby's interesting anatomical preparations; the paintings by Boxall, Oliver, Scanlan, Kendrick, Buss, and Tomkins ; the portfolios of sketches by Gastineau, Buss, Duncan, Oliver, Kendrick, and others; a fine drawing of Mr. Walker's new graving dock at Woolwich ; beautiful speci mens of Claudet's new process of Talbotype, by which the accuracy of Daguerreotype, and the artistic effect of oil painting ap. pear combined. There were some excellent wood carvings by Ro gers, almost equalling a case of ivory carvings by Flamingo, from the collection of Mr. Vidliamy ; these appeared to excite much attention. The models were, perhaps, somewhat less numerous than usual, but they were select and well displayed. We must mention from among them, Mitchell's screw.pile battery ; the Air Point Lighthouse, by Messrs. Walk& and Burges ; Captain Boswell's plan for harbours built with arched piers; the original design, by Mr. Stephenson, for an iron bridge of two arches, each of 360 feet span, to carry the Chester and Holyhead Railway across the Menai Straits, but which is now' to be superseded by the suspended tunnel-bridge, formed of wrought iron; the Folkstone Viaduct, by Mr. W. Cubitt; an ingenious cast iron trussed.girder bridge, by Mr. Borthwick; and a good model of a stone bridge, with fiat elliptical arches, designed some years since by Mr. Rennie, to replace Westminster-bridge. There was a fine model of the " Great Britain," and several of vessels to be propelled by the screw, designed by Mr. Guppy; a steam-ft igate, with direct-acting engines and screw-propeller, by Mr. Rennie; a beautiful pair of marine engines, by the late Mr. Henry Maud slay ; Mr. Bodmer's proposed horizontal engines and screw-pro peiler ; Mr. Hick's improved locomotive engine; Messrs. Gtissell and James's combinations of a weighing-machine and crane, to as certain the weight of an object while raising it. Our limits will not permit a more extended notice, but at the next conve rsenione, which will take place on Saturday, the 31st instant, we shall hole to have another opportunity of examining ' " " _ . more minutely those objects which may have escaped our notice on this ocassion. We must, in concluding, congratulate the institution upon having, in the recent changes in its constitution, secured another president, who so literally and indefatigably devotes himself to its service; and who, if we may judge from the support of the council, and the numerous attendance of the members and his• friends, appears to enjoy no inconsiderable share of popularity. The general company included—The Marquis of Nor thampton, the Marquis of Salisbury, the Earl and Countess of Beauchamp, the Bishop of London, Reverend Sir H. Duke'''. field, Lady and Miss Kirkland, Sir J. Rae Reid, M.P., Captain Sir George Back, R.N., Sir Charles Lemon, M.P., Sir James South, Sir Edward - and Lady Head, Sir Thomas and Miss Neave, Sir W. Middleton, Sir Charles Malcolm, Sir C. Fellows, Sir George Duckett, Sir Peter Laurie, Sir George Cayley, Sir Wiliam Burnett, the O'Couor Don, M.P., Mr. Ormsby Gore, M.P., Sir It. Sitemburgb, Mr. and Miss Estcourt, Colonel and Mrs. York; Mr. G. Stephenson, Dr. Bowring, M.P., Mr. Mackinnon, M.P.; Colonel Lacy, Mr. Hutt, M.P., Mr. E. Buller, M P., Colonel Show, Colonel Colquhoun, Mr. and the Misses Garr, Mons. Delepierre, M. Abrosof, Mr. De Wint, Major Clarke, Dr. Manteil, Mr. Mauds lay, Mr. W. Cubitt, Dr. and Mrs. Paris, Dr. Granville, _ Mr. Copley Fielding, Mr. and Mrs. George' Rennie, Captain ' Vidal, R.N., Captain Schwabe, Mr. James Walker, M. Baugniet, Mr. Field, Lieutenant Pankratieff, Mr. Rendell, Dr. Ure, Mr. Robert Stephenson,. Captain and Mrs. Townsend, Cap tain Dundas, R.N., Mr. B. Cubitt, Mr. Westm _cott, Mr. John Scott Russell, Mr. M: Rennie, Dr. Mayo, Mr. Barrow, Mr. and Mrs. Cockerel', Mr. T. Grissell, Captain Lacy, Mr. Beh nes, Mr. W. Milne, Mr. Aymot, Mr. Tooke, Mr. Hallam, Mr. and Mrs. Cocks, Professor Anstead, Mr. D'Oyle, Mr. Christie, Mr. J. Colquheittn, Mr. B. Williams, Mr. _ _ Bailey, Mr. Dilke, Mr. Biddulph, Professor Donaldson, Mr. T. Irwin, Captain Boswell, R.N., Mr. Boxall; Captain Lushitigton, R.N., Mr. Klengemann, Mr. Poynter, Mr. Britton, Mr. R. R, Scanlan, Mr. Enys, Mr. Young, Mr. Grainger, Mr. Cheverton, Mr. J. P. Knight, Mr. Marlin. &c. Yesterday being the day appointed for the celebration of her Majesty's birth, was observed as a holiday at all the Government offices and other public establishments. This, with the exception of Christmas-day and Good Friday, is the only day throughout the year which is observed as a general holiday by the Customs department, owing to the very great inconvenience which is thereby caused to every branch of the import and sipping trade of the post. Even o❑ this occasion, the London and the Katharine Dock Companies St. made application and obtained permission to keep a portion of the bonded warehouses open during the day fur business purposes, in order to meet the emer gency of an, ensuing public sale on the following day. CONFIRMATION OF SOLDIERS.—SUIIday, a Very interesting ceremony took place at the Royal Military Chapel St. James's Park. The Lord Bishop of London held a confirma tion, for the tint time, especially for the army, and 160 non commissioned officers and men, belonging to the Ist and 2d Life Guards, and the Grenadicr and Scots Fusilier Guards, at present quartered in London, who had voluntarily come forward as can didates, were confirmed. Prayers were read by the Rev. R. W. Browne, M. A., chaplain to the forces, the Epistle by the Rev. H. Dakins, D.D., assistant chaplain, and the Gospel by the Rev. G. R. Gleig, chaplain-general ; and a plain, simple, and most impressive address was delivered by the Bishop to the candidates. The attention paid by the men to the service was most exemplary, and we may hope good fruit will follow this public profession, by so many brave men and Christian soldiers, of their faith and obligations as members of the Church of England. Sir William Eden, Bart., of Windlestone, and Frederick Milbank, Esq„ of Hart, have been appointed deputy Lieutenants of the county of Dnrhtun by the Marquis of Laudon. derry, Lord Lieutenant. EXTRAORDINARY INFLUX OF STRANGERS IN LONDON.—At no period, with the exception perhaps of a few days before and after the coronation of her Most Gracious Majesty, was London so full as at the present moment. The cause of the ex traordinary influx of strangers is principally owing to the present extraordinary rage for railroad speculations, and the desire to give all the principal cities and towns in the United Kingdom the benefits derivable from this great modern improvement. For one Irish line alone there are nearly fifty witnesses in attendance to be ex amined before the Committee, besides the numerous solicitors, agents, &c., to support and oppose the Bill introduced; and the benefits derivable to the hotel and tavern keepers are very consi derable. The theatres, too, are reaping a profitable harvest, as well as the various exhibitions in the metropolis, by railway witnesses. FATAL ACCIDENT IN THE RIVER THAMES.—On Saturday evening Mr. Payne held an inquest at the Vestry-hall, Fore-street, Hors;eydown, in view of the body of Martin Hogan, aged 30, who was drowned in the river Thames on the' Ist of May, off' Pickle-herring stairs. It appeared that about seven o'clock on the morning in question, the deceased was In a ship's boat with two other men, and in the act of putting a weighing ma chine of about four cwt from the boat into a ship, when in conse quence of the boat not being moored with ropes, it suddenly sheered off; by the effect of which the deceased and another man were precipitated into the water. The other man was picked up, but not the deceased, and his body was not found till Friday at noon; when his body was observed floating near the spot where the accident occured. Verdict, " Accidental death." THE CONVICT CONNOR.—The Sheriff's have fixed Monday next, the 2d June, for the execution of this unhappy criminal. hMIR►CULOUS ESCAPP.—(From a Correspondent.) •On Saturday afternoon as a lady and a little girl were crossing the street near the statue of King William, in King William_ street, they became so entangled with the various carriages crowd ing the street, that there seemed but little chance for the child avoiding being run over, as in this dangerous situation the poor little creature had become separated from its mother. A gentle man who was passing by, observing the perilous situation of the child sprang from the causeway, seized the child, and rescued it from its danger ; and whilst endeavouring to spring back to save himself, his feet slipped from under him, and he fell on his back, when the wheel of a vehicle which was going rapidly along passed right over his body, without any serious injury being sustained by him; and the moment he found himself liberated from the car riage he sprang upon his feet 'with amazing activity, amidst the warm plaudits of those who witnessed his spirited and fortunate Vice-Pretident of the Board of Trade, the Secretary to the Postmaster-General, the Governor and Deputy-Governor of the Pank of linglursd, the Chairman of the Customs, the Chairman and Deputy-Chairman of the Excise, the Chairman and Deputy- Chairman of the Stamps and Taxes, the Chair man of the Audit Office, Mr. Greene, M.P., the Lords of the Treasury, and the Seere:aries of the Treasury. The Earl of Liverpool, as Lord Steward,gave a grand ban quet, in celebration of the Queen ' s birthday, at his residence, Fife House, Whitehall, to a party of between forty and fifty of tl , :e nobility and gentry. Her 1112jesty's Hon. Corps of Gentleman-at-Arms had a full dress dinner to celebrate the day. The Queen gave a concert yesterday evening at Buckingham Palace. The following was the programme :-- Part I. Overture (Dor Vampyr) Lindpaintner Becit " Der Holle Selbst," HerrPischek ( Faust) Spohr Arie " Liebe ist die Zarte Emile" Herr Pischek (Faust) Spohr Gesang " Die Boths-chaft," Maddle. Ruppli❑ Kucken Cavatina, Madame Blaes Meerti (Catarina Cor naro) Lachner Duet " Folg' dem Freunde mit vertrauen," Madlle. Rupp'in and Herr Pischek (Faust) Spohr Air " Nina jolie et sage," Madame Thillon (Ac teon) Lied " Zaar and Zimmerman," Herr Oberhoffer Lo - etzing rtomanze de Blungini.—" Der Ab'chied des Troubadours," voice, Madame Maillard ; t Mayseder and harp, M. Godefroid ; violin, Mr. Bla- S Moscheles grove; and pianoforte, Sir. Moschiales (YESTERDAY.) from the want of a railway or Canal to Chipping Nor ton. The tram railway to Stratford was constructed for the coal accommodation. On the first day that line was opened coals fell 10s. per ton. A railway direct to Chipping Norton from the mineral districts would be of the greatest advan. tage to the traders, both mineral and agricultural. The CHAIRMAN—The promoters have now brought every de , scription of evidence in support of the superiority of their line over the narrow gauge, and the only other class of evidence they can bring forward now is that of a fox-hunter.—(Laughter.) Examination continued—llas altendtd Reading market. The price of the best wheat there last Saturday was 585., while in his district it was selling at 445. The Great Western line was far superior to the London and Birmingham, inasmuch as it went into districts left untouched by the London and Birmingham line. Cross.examined by Mr. HILDICARD—The Great Western line Would be of the greatest advantage to the mineral traffic. It was also better adapted to agricultural produce than the London and Birmingham. The broad gauge would be of more convenience to the traders, the carriages would be more roomy, and the transit would be so much better, for the 'goods would not be packed so high upon each other as they would be in the narrow gauge carriages. The CHAIRMAN—I really think we have had sufficient evidence to prove that the public feeling in the South Staffordshire districts is with the Great Western line, and I think it is but waste of time to call more evidence on that point. The Committee are all satis fied that so far as the case for the promoters can be made out in point of popularity, it has been done, and the evidence nvw ought to be on the engineering. . Mr. TALBOT—A very patient hearing, Sir, WAS given to the other side, and if the Committee are of opinien that our case must close, there is an end of it. The CHAIRMAN—ReaIIy we have been sitting here for three weeks, and we have heard witnesses on the same points over and over again, and it is high time we should draw to a conclusion. Mr. TALBOT—At least, Sir, we are not to blame for all that delay. We commenced late last week, and we surely must make out our case. The evidence which we adduce is evidence in con tradiction to the other side. Mr. E. L. Williams, examined by Mr. Tatnor—ls engineer to the Severn navigation. The traffic to Birmingham and South _ _ Staffordshire is very great, ai.d requires railway accommodation. Was decidedly in favour of the Great Western line for the mineral and agricultural traffic of the districts. It would give better rccommodation than the London and Birmingham line. From Droitwich alone comes at present 50,000 tons of salt, and that amount would be more than doubled by the railway commu. nication. Cross-examined by Mr. HlLDYARD—Attended a meeting at Worcester last September ; it was a meeting called to support the Great Western scheme. Not any one spoke in favour of the London and Birmingham. He made a speech at that meeting, and he expressed himself dissatisfied with the manner in which the London and Birmingham Company had been treated. That company was not represented at the meeting. Was not in favour of the London and Birmingham line at that meeting, but he very chivalrously !At it ought to have been represented, being a com peting interest. Had written fur some shares in that Company for the line going to Tring—did not obtain them. That was not why he did not support the London and Birmingham line in preference to the Great Western line. The latter was a better line for the die. tricts. It was known that he intended to give evidence for the Great Western line; and it was owing to that fact that he was sacrificed—meant that the shares he had written for were sacrificed. At this stage of the inquiry the Committee adjourned to twelve o'clock to-morrow. Group R. • DUBLIN AND ARMAGH RAILWAY. The Committee met to-day at twelve o'clock, Mr. Gibson Craig in the chair, when the examination of witnesses was resumed. Mr. A. Dickson, distiller and miller, of Belturbet, in the county of Cavan, was first examined. His evidence went to corroborate the depositions of the witnesses of the previous day, but beyond this there was no point advanced by him requiring special notice. He was generally of opinion that the inland line would be of much greater service to the county of Cavan than the Belfast Junction. Sir John Burgoyne said b e was one of a Commission appointed in 1836, with the obje c t o f reporting on the most favourable lines of railway In Ireland. Th ey presented their first report on the I 1 tr: of March, 1837. T he second report was presented on the 13th of J uly, 1838. Th e C ommissioners proceeded in the various directions, according to th e i nstructions of the Commission, to as certain the best mode of supplying the lines of communication, both ps to passenger traffic, and th e d evelopment of the present and future capabilities of Ireland. En g i neers were appointed, amongst others Sir John M`Neill. Besides the employment of engineers for the purpose of surveying, witness, along with his brother Commis. sioners, took an active part in the proceedings. Their attention was directed to 0 general system of railway communication, so as to connect the most important towns and centres of traffic and population in the kingdom. In carrying out this system of com munication, the only lines they laid down were main or trunk lines. A set of maps were made, and the principle they started with, was to take Dublin as a starting point, and to lead from their trunk lines through the most important districts. Having done this, the next step was to inquire into the engineering difficulties, and next to ascertain the probable amount of traffic, in order to learn the prospect of their paying for the construction. The map befo e the Committee would show the trunk lines which were then drawn out by the Commission. Among other lines they endeavoured to ascertain the best line from Dublin to the north. The Commission deemed a line going up front Dublin as far as Navan, and from thence to Armagh, would be a very excel , lent one. Finding that t h ere was an Act of Parl i amen t a l r e a dy obtained for a line from B e lf ast to Portadown they thought it the best course to take the li ne to A rmagh. It was furt h er c onsidered at that time that an inland li ne would best develope the resources of the country. They also gave attent i on to a line from Dublin to Drogheda alo ng t h e coast. At that time, how. ever, an Act had been o bt a i ne d for a li ne to Drogheda, and it had been surveyed. They had made statements in page 44 of their report, from info rma ti on d er i ved, during thefirinvestDrir . tions to the effect that the line prop ose d to be made rora heda to Dundalk and N ew ry was hat a speculation that would depend for its success alt og eth er on th e trade between the towns named, and that the Carlingford mountains, would present almost insurmountable engineering difficulties. With respect to the _ _ _ coast line witness considered that if the line inland, recom. mended by the Commission, was formed, the coast line would have to depend altogether on the traffic of the country. With regard to the best line for the wants of the northern district, suppos towns along it. He thought the inland line the best adapted to develope the agricultural resources of the from Cavan to Enniskillen would be more useful than any of th e ing only one was to be had, he thought the Great Western line Ines round, as far as opening up the resources of the country was concerned. Cross-examined by Mr. AUSTIN — He had not at any time been of opinion that the coast line should not be carried forward to Portadown and Newry. Ho believes that a line would be desirable so long as it did not interfere with the construction of the inland line. He thought the inner line should have been constructed first, but, assuming that the inland line could not be constructed, it would be advisable to carry on the Dublin and Drogheda to Belfast. To the CHAIRMAN—His dniy objection to the coast line was, it would interfere with the formation of the Inner one. He was in favour of both being constructed. Re-examined by Mr. CHAMBERS—He was not enabled to say whether the carrying of the Bill for the coast line this session would interfere with the passing of the inner line; the Committee were best able to decide that question. Calculating upon tables that had been drawn up in 1837, he was of opinion that both lines might be made to pay. To the CHAIRMAN—He would prefer the Dublin and Armagh, and Dublin, Cavan, and Enniskillen lines, to the Dublin, Cavan, and Enniskillen, and to the Belfast Junction or coast line from Drogheda to Portadown. He thought, however, there should be three lines. He h.al no objection to the coast line, but he con. sidered the great trunk lines should be first constructed. 'To Mr. ALEXANDER—He knew of no instance in which the report made eight years ago by the Commission had been acted upon, but it had been, in his opinion, departed from most irjudi. ciously. Mr. Lewis, agent to Lord Rossmore, Mid he was well acquainted with. ;:ne district through which the inland line passed. He thought that line would be of the greatest service in Conveying the agricultural produce of the country. The People of M c : hu e = were detidedly In favour of this line. The markets and fairs of Monaghan are very considerable, and a line such as the one in question would be of great service in connecting the town with the larger commercial lines. Mr. H. Lindsay, ciVil engineer of Armagh, *as next examined —He had been an engineer for 20 }tart. He had had his atten tion called to the railway between Dublin and Armagh samewhcid about the 20th of October last. He had also had his attention called to the coast line, which, in his opinion, presented geolo. gieal difficulties of a very serious character compared with the inland line. Between Johnsbnrgh the reek *ag the transition formation; in other parts of the Idle the primitive, or granite, pre vailed to a geeat extent, through portions of which cuttings would be required of from 40 or 50 feet. There were ho Such difficul ties on the inland line, as it was principally carried through the carboniferous formation. He objected to the coast line on account of the steepness of the gradients, there being a number of them running from lin 100 to lin 105. The average gradients over the whole Pine were one in 208: The gradients of the inland line were as two to one in its favour, compared with the coast line. With respect to the cuttings and embankinents, it would be about equal, leaving out of consideration the crossing of the Boyne and, the filling up of the valley at Newry; but the great 'difference would be in the soil to he cut ; the granite prevailed in the coast line, and he thought it impossible to have it cut at Is. 6d. a yard, as had been Proposed. He had known as much as 4a. paid, and on the Dublin an RAILWAY COMMITTEES. Group F. The Commit'ce met again this day at 11 o'clock, in Room No. 11. Present, the Right Hon. F. Shaw, Chairman; Mr. V. Stuart, Mr. Lockhart, Mr. Bramston, and Mr. Drummond. The Com mittee resumed the inquiry into the LONDON, WORCESTER, AND SOUTH STAFFORDSHIRE RAILWAY. Mr. W. Lewis examined by 51r. Twatas —Was mayor of Wor. tester in 1844. The meeting was convened by himself in an official capacity. It was held in the month of March, and he presided. Tne feeling was all in favour of the Great Western line. It was a line which opened up a communication to the mining and agricul. tural districts. It would cause a great increase of trade generally to the South Staffordshire districts. All the towns affected by the railway would feel the advantage of the communication. The Great Western line would be seventeen miles nearer to the southern districts than the line of the London and Birmingham. The CHAIRMAN—ReaIIy I think it would be better for counsel to examine as to the immediate bearings of their line. This makes the eighteenth witness—l think eight would have been sufficient for the purpose. I therefore hope the examination will be kept to comparisons, and not as to the general utility of railway communi cation, for we are all agreed upon that head. Examinmtton resumed—Remembered a meeting on the 14th September, and the public feeling was greatly in favour of the Great Western line. Cross-examined by Mr. DANIELS—At the meeting in March, 1844, the Great Western scheme included the town of Stratford, and it was to that part of the line that the people of Worcester gave their warmest assent. Mr. Thomas Nelson Foster, examined by Mr. Caters—ls a seed crusher at Evesham. Crushes about 6,000 quarters of seed an nually, for making oil-cake. The course of the Great Wt stern line will open up a part of the country, to which at present there was no access by canal, railway, or na vigable river. Attends the Chipping Norton market. It is to that market that the greater part of the agricultural pro duce of the country goes. The principal districts to which witness wished to get with his produce were Oxfordshire and Berk shire, which are not at present well supplied. The Chipping Norton market is not well supplied with coals. The Stratford district is well supplied with coals and other produce, in con sequence of its water conveyance. The feeling of Evesham is highly favourable to the Great Western line. Close-examined by Mr. DANIELS—At the meeting held in March, 1844, the line proposed was to go through Stratford and Banbury—oil-cake was as much required in those places as in Berkshire, and arable district s o f t h e country. Mr. Henry Webb, examined by Mr. Caters—ls a dealer in seeds and oils, and manufactures about 1,400 tons annually at Liverpool. His trade with London was very small, as the carriage was so high. A railway to Worcester by the Great Western line from Oxford would be of. great advantage to the traders of the districts. Is acquainted with the goods stations of the competing lines, and thinks the Great Western is the most preferable of the two. Dealt considerably in salt, but would double that trade if there were a railway to bring it from Droitwich. 111 r. Robert Heman, examined by Mr. TWALLS—Is a farmer in a very extensive way. Farms about 2,300 acres. Grows corn and seed. Has much more than lie can find a favourable market for; in fact, produces much more than could be consumed. Deals largely in cattle, and was subject to the greatest inconvenience Kingston .as much as ss. The bridge over the Boyne, he thought, would cost 100,0001. He corsidered the elevation of the line at l.'l'ewry so far above the quays very objectionable, and likely to be a cause of danger. The amount of population that would be benefited on the inland line ; taking ten miles on each side, was 574,560. In point of traffic, and in point of piyment and remuneration, he was decidedly of opinion that the inland line was superior to the coast line. If the coast ' line were formed, cross lines would still be required to Enniskillen, Dundalk, and other places, to the extent of 121 miles, whereas cross lines of 50 miles in connexion with the inland line would give the same amount of accommodation, thus making a balance of 71 miles in favour of the inland scheme. The Committee then adjourned till Thursday, at twelve o'clock Group K. LOWESTOFFE RAILWAY AND HARBOUR, The discussion on this Bill was resumed this morning by the con sideration of the clauses, all of which, being unopposed, were passed after slight alterations. The following important clause, however, which was carried last night in the House of Commons, compulsory on all railway companies, was inserted in the Bill :—" Be it enacted that nothing herein contained shall be deemed or construed to exempt the railway, by this or the raid recited Acts authorised to be made, from the provisions of any general Act re lating to such Bills, or of any general Act relating to railways, which may hereafter pass during the present or any future session of Parliament, of the maximum rates of fares and charges autho rised by this Act." This being the first case in which the above *nest important clause has been applied, great interest was evinced as to the spirit in which it would be met by the railway companies. The agents for the Bill expressed their perfect concurrence in the principle of the clause, and the Committee gave an unequivocal opinion on the expediency of its insertion, and its invaluable benefit to the public. A few protective clauses, suggested by the opposing parties and agreed to by the promoters of the line, being inserted, the Bill was passed, and the Committee proceeded to the discustdor. of 'rHE DIRECT NORWICH AND BURY AND IPSWICH assistance. BRUSSELS, Max 20.--This afternoon, at half-past four o'clock, a shower of hail, of enormous size, fell in this city This is a singular circumstance at this season of the year. On Sunday night the officer at the railway statien at Louvain was as. sasenated, and the chest containing the money received on the Saturday and Sunday broken open and robbed. The sum taken is supposed to be about 3,300 f. The notes were not taken. It is supposed that several persons were concerned in this crime, be cause:the iron chest bad been removed to some,. distance .from it s propei place, - thotiWit is so`ticavy that fuur perions pOtild scarcely lift it even when empty. THE THEATRES DRURY-LAN E. Madame Anna Thillon made her re-appearance at this theatre on Monday, for the first time since her la•e severe in disposition, and never did the Enchantress appear in better voice or spirits, never did she warble more delightfully, never did she act more fascinatingly. On her appearance she was greeted with shout, of welcome, which she acknowledged in the most graceful manner; and throughout the whole of the opera she was rapturously applauded, and was called for at the conclusion as a matter of course. The house was crowded to suffocation. Boxes, pit, and galleries, all were crammed, and even standing-room in the slips was at a premium before the rising of the curtain. ADELPIII. A new farce, entitled 7he Irish Dragoon, or Wards in Chancery, -from the practised and prolific pen of Selby, was produced here on Monday, with the most decided success. The Irish Dragoon is Mr. Hudson, who, having been a dra goon in the Spanish Legion, has retired with more honour than p,ofit, and is, therefore, content to officiate as light porter in the establishment of Mr. Brown Sherry (Selby), a wine merchant. The wards in Chancery are Miss Emma Harding and Miss Ellen Chaplin, and two most lovely wards they are. But to our stcry. Mr. Brown Sherry having packed off Mrs. Sherry (Mrs. F. Mathews) to Gravesend, determines to enjoy himself en garcon, and goes out to make a night of it, leaving his clerk, Fizgig (Mr. Munyard), and his porter, in charge of the establishment. They, too, determine to enjoy themselves, and accordingly Fizgig, having ordered in a dinner from the pastrycook's, invites to the dinner his lady-love, Mrs. Isloomly, a widow (excellently acted by Miss Emma Harding), and her friend, Miss Matilda Jenks, a would-be prudish young lady (whose primness, arising solely from the fact that she has not " a young man" like her friend, was given with great humour by Miss E. 4 Chaplin.) Ile dragoon forces himself upon the party, and is very soon installed in office, as Miss Jenks's young man. Just as they are about to sit down, the bell rings. Sherry has returned, and the young ladies are locked up in a book care. Sherry has received a note from a fair incognito, to whom he has been making desperate love by letter, appointing an interview at his officz, and dismisses the clerk and porter for the day, who, how ever, secrete themselves under the desks, in order to seize an opportunity, if possible, of releasing the fair pFiseners. The lady enters, veiled, and just as the con versation becomes . interestieg, a ring is heard. He secrets her in a cupboard and lets in Mr. Mellowpear (Wil kinson) an attorney, who comes with an order from the Court of Chancery to seal up and take possession of all Sherry's books in a suit instituted against him by the executors of his late partner. Mrs. Bloomly and Matilda are fairly locked in and sealed up, and he is about to seal up the third door when Sherry tells him that his wife is in that cupboard, and calls her out. To his horror it is his wife, who answers to the call, and who suspecting him of infidelity had carried on a curres pondence with him as " Arabella.' This is a capital scene, and was excellently acted by Selby and Mrs. F. Mathews. She sees the two bonnets and accuses him of having harboured the owners in the office. He stands aghast. In her search for the heads which fit the bonnets she drags Fizgig and the dragoon from their hiding places, and they confess that the bonnets belong to some ladies whom they had brought in— their aunts. Mellowpear is sent for, and releases the two wards in Chancery, who, in order to calm the suspicions of the jealous Mrs. Sherry, consent to make Fizgig and the dragoon happy. This is a lively, bustling farce, and was excellently acted by all concerned. It went trippingly off, and we have no doubt but that the Irish Dragoon will be found upon parade every night many weeks to come. In the course the piece Hudson sings a new burlesque serenade, " W ake, lady, wake," with grea t t as te an d h umour . H e was raptu rously encored. The house was crowded. THE PENINSULAR MAIL.---The Queen, Oriental and Peninsular Company's steamship, Captain Russell, arrived at Southampton on Sunday, bringing the usual Peninsular mails and 30 passengers. The Queen left Gibraltar May the 17th ; Cadiz, 18th; Lisbon, 20th; Oporto, 2lst ; and Vigo, 22d. She was de. tained on her outward passage, or would have arrived yesterday. She brings as freight, five cases of bullion, a large quantity of fruit (principally oranges), saffron, leeches, &c.; besides 25 bales of po:fatoes. The news from Lisbon is without interest. The Bishop of Levria had been appointed successor to the late Patriarch. Mr. Sheridan Knowles had arrived at Lisbon from Madeira, and was about to give some public readings at one of the hotels. Lord and Lady Cowley celebrated her Majesty's birthday by a grand dress-ball and supper at the hotel of the British Embassy on Friday. The number of invitations amounted to 1,700, and the company included the entire rank and fashion of both France and England, together with nearly every foreigner of distinction at present in Paris. With the exception of M. Guizot and M. Salvandy, absent from illness, all the Members of the Cabinet were among the the guests, as were the Presid,ents of the two Legisla. tive Chambers, and the chief dignitaries of the State. The Foreign Ambassadors, with the entire diplomatic body, were present. M. Guizot comes every day, says the Courrier Francais, from Passy, to his office, between one and two o'clodk, but remains only a short time. The Count de Salvandy is still confined by the gout. A letter from Lucerne, of the 19th instant, announces that the Grand Council has granted Dr. Steigel a reprieve, and that hopes are entertained of his sentence of death being commuted into exile. The same writer states that eight of the political prisoners confined in the tower of the Hohenrain have effected their escape, by breaking tile bars of the window, and letting themselves down by means of a rope. In the Chamber of Deputies, on Saturday, M. Dufaure presented the report on the Bill relating to the railroad from Paris to Lyons, and from Lyons to Avignon. The rest of the sitting, up to post hour, was taken up with the Juges de Paix Bill. In the Peers the discussion on the new Customs Bill was re sumed. The part under consideration was _that which speaks of Chinese and Indian silks. Baron Dumont addressed the Chamber at some length, and proposed to prohibit altogether their intro. duction into France. This was opposed by the Minister of Commerce. The Constitutionnel observes, that the report of M. Bignon on the budget of expenditure was less favourable to Ministers than .hat of last year, Among the numerous reductions proposed by 'le Committee was one of 3,000,000 f. in the supplies required for Algeria. The Courtier Francais says, " Since the armament of the forti. fications has been voted, the works are carried on with activity. The continuous wall is nearly completed at Bercy. At the extre mity of the rampart, adjoining the Seine, a Ihrmidable redoubt is being constructed, which will sink every boat that should attempt to descend the river without the permission of the commlnder. Four large barracks are, besides, building in the Interior of the fort of Charenton, which is now occupied by a large garrison. METROPOLITAN COMPLETE SUFFRAGE ASSOCIA nost.—A general meeting of the members and friends of this asso c.ation was held on Monday, at the Guildhall Coffee-house, King. street, Cheapsido, Ebenezer Clarke, Esq., in the chair, for the purpose of considering the resolutions submitted to the House of Commons by Lord John Russell. After some deliberation, a resolution was carried condemnatory of the resolutions as vague and unsatisfactory, no alteration being proposed in ,the present unjust electoral system. A resolution was also passed approving of the amendment to be proposed by Mr. Sharman CrawfOrd—."That the present state of po litical tranquillity, and the recent revival of trade, afford a favourable opportunity to g ye immediate attention to the claims so repeatedly , urged in the petitions of the ~ ,eople for an extension of the Parliamen tary Suffrage, as well as to consider of such measures as may tend permanently to improve the condition of the labouring classes," and a petition was adopted praying the House of Commons to pass such amendment._ Addresses were delivered by Messrs. Simmonds, Elt, Vincent, Dick, &c. After a: vote of thanks to the Chairman, the meeting, which was very respectable, broke up. CHEAP POSTAGE IN INDIA.—It is a positive fact, that the natives of the north.west carry the spirit of economy to such a degree of intensity, that ten letters are often sent under one cover, which do not weigh more than the tenth of an ounce. This cover, which often contains all the letters dispatched from a town during the day, is, according to the last privilege, conveyed a hum. dred miles for half an anna, of less than the tenth of a penny each. What is the penny postage to this P—Xlen's Indian Mail, May 24. THE GRAND DUCHESS STEPHANIE OF BADEN.— This illustrious lady, during her stay In England, • expressed the warmest interest in the success of the approaching Polish ball. Her Royal Highness requested that her name should be placed in the list of Lady Patronesses : and, on quitting England, she left a handsome donation towards the funds, which was transmitted by the Duchess of Hamilton to Lord Dudley Stuart. A dreadful accident occurred near Tintrim, in the county Gal. way, on Wednesday, at the house of a man named Hallinan, who had been engaged in illicit distillation. A keg of the spirits was on the floor of the house, in which there were three girls, when a man named Garvey, who was drunk, came in, and calling for a light to prove the spirits, set fire to the whole, and caused a ter rible conflagration. One of the girls was burned to death; the two others were dragged out, but were much injured. CONCERT. —A brilliant musical treat is to be, given at the London Tavern on the night of the 29th, at which Miss Birch, who has been long absent in Italy, will sing, as will likewise the Misses Rainforth, Pyne, Barrett, and Messent, aided by Herr Oberhoffer, who takes the first rank in the vocal corps of his Highness the Duke of Baden; Wetherbe, Herr Staudigl, John Parry, Handel Gear, Harrison, Stretton, &c. &c, The whole is given by, and under the management of, the ac. complished pianists, Mr. and Mrs. Schwab. CORN-LAws.—The most specific _suggestion in Lord John Russell's multifarious address last night was on the corn-laws. - The only addition he has made to the public stock of in formation on this subject is that he has descended from his Ss. fixed duty of 1841 to 45., or perhaps 55., or perhaps Gs. It is difficult to comprehend why his' original proposition should be so slightly cor rected for so doubtful a result. As his Lordship is now rather winning adherents than choosing a course, he may prefer to content himself with the least possible show of change. Let him, however, save himself the trouble of an exact decisiox of a point which evi deu fly% costs so much labour. Peel will tuiderbicl him. " The day , will come, th' inevitable day," when Peel will make a clean holo caust of the corn-laws, offering up what the Irish Catholics call " an unqualified and uncontaminated gift" to the free-traders. He will not do things by halves. Cannot Lord John Russell see this in time ? Henceforth it is his fate to be behindhand in the market. While he is haggling for his odd shillings, and thinking to allure the purchaser by the doubtful tone of his denials, a more desperate and determined salesman interposes, and throws him out of the market. —Times. PATENT CARPET.—A patent has been obtained by Mr. Sievier, the sculptor, for manufacturing the above article by power, a process heretofore unattainable. It, will entirely superseded handweaving, and, although we may deplore the loss of labou r , y e t we must feel at the same time every im provement is of importance to the country in a national point of view. The old method required two persons to weave a Brussels carpet, and that an average of 30 3 ards per week was obtained from a loom ; by the patent process one attendant will make 200 yards per week without having to exert any - labour mere than to fill the shuttle with weft. ANNUITIES. TO THE WIDOW AND DAUGHTERS OF THE LATE SIR WILLIAM Norr.--In common with all our country men, we have felt a deep interest for the family of the late la mented Sir William Nott; the bereavement which they suffered by the hand of death being aggravated by the serious pecuniary loss consequent upon it. To our readers, not less than to us, the fol. lowing announcement will, we are certain, afford pleasure The Hon. the Court of Directors of the East India Company have granted to Lady Nott, widow of the late Major-General Sir William Nott, Q. C. 8., an annuity, during widowhood, of 2001.; and to the daughters of the deceased, Letitia and Charlotte Nott, whilst un. married, annuities of 100 L each." — Allen's Indian Mail, May 24. His Royal Highness the Duke de Nemours is ex pected to arrive at Buckingham Palace in the course of the ensuing week, on a short visit to her Majesty, and it is expected that i t „ Duke will be present at her Majesty's grand bah costume, ham Palace; en the Gth of June. thrown into ATTEMPT TO :MURDER A ne : —On tineig, between nine anti ten, treatment, the unfortunate a th s a t t at p e ar e t f o ea f aside ß r l a a b c l kt e I.atement in consequence of a brutal attempt f e o r f epe No a r t t e o d n to murder his wife. It ap pmeaadrse b y that,a minazjonfstelzenntine woman snore than 30 years of age) had been separated from her r:V:e-I:beT:tirohenv,,:n'E—ltinbothUiiii3rhuocok In d B. :f husbf.:od, who had been confined in Horsemonger-lane Prison for as- Faulting her, and from whence he had been discharged only a few days, was placed by her sister In buSiness, with a view to obtain alivelihood, at No. 114, Blackfriars-road, occupying a shop and parlour only, where she sold cigars and other trifles. The husband finding this out, and,.it Is believed, know,ng of the absence of the sister, who had gone to visit some friends neer Judd-street, went to the shop about nine o'clock, and entering the parlour, seized a poker, and com menced his murderous attack, striking her violently over the temple and back part of the head with such force as to bend the poker nearly double. In his victim's eff or t s to defend her ootl'iTer as persons assisted to remove passing, he r us h ed in and grappled her self the bones of her arms and fingers were brok en, b esides otter injuries inflicted. The cries of " murder !" and " oh, save me !" having with e assailant, a person and w h the woman, who had become insensible, and Was deluged with blood, into the surgery of Mr. Smith, close by, when it was found that she had sustained such severe injuries as to render the case not only highly dangerous, but , almost hopeless, and M r. Smitl. directed he r imrrielate,rellgixa k lto,Guy's Hospital, where sire was taken i n a cab. In th meantime the fellow attempted to m a k e hi ; escape, but was s street ecures e i t a b t y i 0 n p o a i e d e - l ez e t d a b u l p e . Leiria, at; L, and Vs . en t o the Tower- LINES. Mr. AUSTIN, on the part of the Bury and Il.swich scheme, urged the ineligibility of the Direct Norwich Company to oppose, in con sequence of its allegation of competition being wholly unfounded. The lines were at right angles with each other, and be contended that their rival had no locus standi in the Committee whatever. Mr. ALEXANDER supported the opposition of the Direct Norwich Company, and founded his demand on the report of the Board of Trade, which declared the lines to be competing, and had,actUally rejected the•projcct for which he appeared upon those unquestion able grounds. - The Committee having ordered the room to'be cleared, remained in discussion for a considerable time, when they came to the de termination of proceeding with the Yarmouth and Norwich Ex. tension, and subsequently with the direct line, withholding any opinion on the disputed question of the right of the latter to oppose the Bury and Ipswich. This decision being at variance with a previous arrangement, the Counsel for the different lines expressed their inability to pro ceed, and after a few formal propositions had been disposed of the Committee adjourned. Group EE. DUNDEE AND PERTH RAILWAY. On the assembling of the Committee this morning, the room was cleared for the consideration of the spot at Perth where the ter minus should be constructed. On the admission of the public, The CHAIRMAN stated that the Committee had come to the de termination that the question should be left to the decision of the Board of Trade. Considerable discussion ensued with respect to this decision the parties on both sides proposing various ways in which the poi should be submitted to that Board. At length it was finally agreed that the course pointed out should be adopted. The remaining chutses of the Bill were then gone through seria. tim, and were agreed to with carious alterations, more particu larly with respect to the conveyance of passengers and goods. The CHAIRMAN held that the fares were more exorbitant on this line than on any other in Scotland. An HoN. 111EmBER was of opinion that the plan adopted of preventing persons from remainiug in their own carriages must be dispensed with on this line. Other suggestions for the convenience and safety of passengers, and the running of trains for the less opulent portion of the public, were made. The counsel for the promoters of the Bill stated that they would meet with due attention. The report was then agreed to ; the Chairman said he would re port their decision to the House, and the Committee adjourned until one o'clock on Thursday, when the ABERDEEN RAILWAY will be proceeded with. Group L. GUILDFORD, CHICHESTER, AND PORTSMOUTH RAILWAY; The Committee resumed this morning, when the Duke of Rich mond appeared, and stated that there was, to his knowledge, a great communication between Chichester and Portsmouth, between Midhurst and Petworth and Chichester, and indeed the intercom munication between the several places there was considerable. There were about 3,000 acres of beech timber in Charlton and Leighton Forests, and this timber • Was partially unsaleable, in consequence of the deficiency of the means of carriage to the coast. The district was also rich as an agricultural district, but an impediment had arisen from the same cause, and he thought the proposed line was the best fur West Sussex. Since the memorial which his Grace had transmitted to the Board of Trade, there had been meetings at Goodwood, in which a great desire had been manifested by the South-Western- Company to meet the wishes of the lasulowners, and a deviation line had been devised which met all their views. Pro posals at that meeting had been made by the South- Western Company to the Brighton and Shoreham Company, which he thought both liberal and equitable, but these proposals had been rejected by the Brighton and Shoreham Company. Yet, he still thought that the coast-line, as devised by the Brighton Company, was of the utmost importance, not only as opening the Southampton market to West Sussex, but also in a national point of view. But his opinion had altered as respects the Shoreham Company ever since the proposals of the South-Western Company and the county would be more benefited by the South-Western than by the Shoreham line, and the feeling now was so great in the country far railways that he thought they must be made, and so deep was this impression on his own mind, that he had offered to the South. Western Company to pass through his park, provided he neither saw nor heard the trains, notwithstanding he, as a landowner, was in some respects opposed to railways. One of these offers was to take a certain sum of money and retire from the field ; another to amalgamate, and the third to adopt a union of interests in two liaes. There was an agreement between the Brighton and London Companies and the Shoreham and Chichester Com. pany to rent the line of the latter Company to the former for ten years, but the proposal was for the amalgamation of the lines to commence at the end of ten years, unless the Brighton Company should allow it to commence at once, the line being leased to the South. Western Company at 4 per cent. in perpetuity. A coun. ter proposition had been made by the Shoreham Company, which was rejected, after much discussion, by the South-Western Company; and Lord Wharnalitra, to whom the matter had been referred, had expressed his opinion that the Shore. ham Company ought to have taken the proffer which had been made to them. Lord Egmont was still an opponent of the South. Western line, as was also Mrs. Dorien, though We believed that (the Duke of Richmond) s h ou ld which passed through his pro petty,Ce on certainlyeand nho et • Wyndhamao dteonly a s spokennnyot.He railway atthis meeting as a landowner. The latter part of this evidence was given to the cross-examina tion of Mr. Whateley, to which his Grace further reiterated his impression that the coast line was of great national importance. To the cross.examinatien of Mr. Sergeant TALFOURD, the Duke stated that there was a very strong feeling in West Sussex in favour of the Chichester line ; and he thought it best for the line to pass through the route proposed by the South-Western Cons. pany, provided the rights of private property were not materially affected, The memorial of which so much had been said, had beets drawn up by the Chichester and Shoreham Company, and its terms had not been very nicely ex amined. The only •name signed before his Grace's was that o f the Duke of Norfolk, and part of the object of that mem or i a l had been to pre tect the property of the Duke of Norfolk. He did not quite approve of the monopoly which threw several lines under line for ten years to the London and Brighton Comp an y , h e one company ; but as the Shoreham Company had leased t h e i r thought that just as much a monopoly as the other line. A s l ong as the lines were perfectly independent of each other th ey would certainly be a check upon each other, yet he saw no course which would prevent one line from purchasing shares in the other, or otherwise obtaining an influence in• the proceedings of the other mpany. To the inquiries of Mr. RAWLINSON, his Grace replied, that to effect a communication with Woolwich, Chatham, and Sheerness, he thought that the South-Western Company would be as con venient as that of any other line. With respect to timber, both Lord Egmont and Colonel Wyndham sold a considerable quantity of timber every year, but he was not aware that there was a canal near their properties to carry it to the coast. It was ne. cessary to know this, because a considerable portion of this timber was used at Portsmouth for Government purposes. To an inquiry from the CHAIRMAM, his Grace stated that there decidedly was a feeling for this line, and it was his impression that all 'ended property was improved by a railroad passing through it, and though his own opinion was not altered from what it was originally, still he waived his objection partly in deference to the feelings and opinions of those in his neighbourhood. As these parties thought that there would be greater convenience from it, they would undoubtedly use this railway more than they had at first anticipated, and several memorials had been sent to his Grace by parties who had signed the original memorial to the Board of Trade, expressive of sentiments quite opposite to those stated in that memorial, and requesting him to withdraw his op. position to the Gulidford Extension line. Sir. Horne was re-called and cross.examined by, Mr. ALEXANDER, and stated that he had never taken any traffic before to ascertain the probable returns for a railway scheme; but he had taken his data from the Stamp.office, and had included in his inquiries both Arundel and Bognor, and with those towns he had included coaches from Bognor to Shoreham and Chichestor to Shoreham. He had taken Petersfield; Lipprock, Haslemere, Guildford, and Woking; but not Farnham, nor Alton, Letherhead, or Epsom. He had taken in a Southampton and Brighton coach, anti a Mid. hurst and Brighton coach. He conceived that the passengers would go by rail to Chichester and thence to Brighton. To the Midhurst coach he had assessed six passengers to each journey. He had taken his data on about 25 coaches, and he found that there would be 82,680 passenge-s annually. He could not tell the number of journeys, but he could give the number of passengers by each coach ; the result was the aggregate we have just given. He had got his data bOth from the Stamp-office as well as from inquiries at the several coach.offices. He had put down 13,104 passengers for carriers' vans—one of these vans a van to Woking from Chichester, the distance being 364 miles! from Chichester to Shoreham it was 23 miles, being a difference of 13 miles. • The Lumber of passengers by Jenman's van to Woking was three passengers on an average per journey, four journeys per week. There were vans also between Chichester, Midhurst, and Petworth, and also between Chichester and Midhurst, which car ried on an average 48 passengers per week. Harding, Standing, and Clarke's vans, from Pet worth to London, went all the way by road. PetWoith was about 14 miles from Godahning. Most of these inquiries had bean made about six weeks ago. Harding, Stand- ing, and Clarke were three distinct persons—not a firm—and they carried 84 passengers per yveck, and for all these Conveyances he put down 13,104 passen- gers. The next was for posting passengers. .The number of oassengOrs from Portsmouth would travel on stn average 96 miles, and the whole Mileage wculd be 4,958 per week, fay inquiries, he had ascertained from Mr. 13allatd, who kept the principal inn at Chichester, that the cross journeys through the country were ten per diem. The passengers by this means were 9,624, and the total mileage was 224,700 per week. The nearest way from Bath to Brighton Would be by the new line, but he reckoned his . . pastille only to Fareham, and he calculated that those going to the east would go from Fareham to Chichester. The distance travelled being 1134 i miles, and carrying four passengers on an average, making a total mileage of 12,095 miles, From Portsmouth, by Peterstield, Guildford, and London, he calculated 100 journeys, making 400 passengers a year. From. Bognor and Arundel he ealctilated 800 passengers a year. There were upwards of 2,000 Commercial travellers, W and a total of A 1,157 local passengers. His data were derived from the number of persons passing through Goda!ming tollgate, which were 1 50 weekly on horses and gigs; - and in his calculations he had only taken one. fourth of the number of passengers as using the railroad for five miles. He had then taken the next gate, and proceeded in the same manner. lie had made no calculation of the traffic for Dorking, and had never been there, but from the inquiries he had made he had learned that there were 21,157 passengers in the dis. t ict travelling five miles each. He hid obtained his number of 602,170 passengers from Nine Elms for the books of the South. Western Company, which stated ,the .number of passcagers to- Gosport. On this number he had 25 per cent., which he anitiiht was a very moderate increase. He could not state the money taken, but the number of passengers 1;) , all the trains was 60,270, and he had no doub that the sum derable length to show that the alternative line was not so good, either in gradients or In facilities for public accommodation. Mr. Smith's case here eosed, and witnesses were then called to retut his opposition. Robert Buchanan, Esq., was then examined by Mr. WILKINS— Resided at Pontefract. Was a magistrate of the West Riding o► Yorkshire ; was chairman of the proposed line. Accompanied an engineer to see the chief d:ff►culties and features of the localities of the line. When he heard of Mr. Smith's complaints, he went himself to visit Mr. Smith's house and property, where the alleged ivjuries would be sustained. There was a common close by Mr. Smith's house, and there were also stone.quarriss. There was also a canal, on which there was a great deal of traffic and a high road, and also a blacksmith's shop. The embankment on the line opposite Mr. Smith's house would not, in his opinion, materially interfere with the view from the house, but as Chair • man of the Company he had to state, on the part of the Company, that there was every wish to obviate any inconvenience Mr. Smith might sustain, or even to compensate him for any loss he would suffer by the proposed line passing through his property. He made a proposal to Mr. Smith to submit the whole case between him and the Company to arbi tration. (The witness was then proceeding to reply to Mr Wil_ kins, to state some further particulars relative to the nezotiations that had taken place between Mr. Marsden, Mr. Smith's solicitor, and himself, but Mr. Hardy objected to this on the ground of the communications being private.) Cross-examined by Mr. HARDY—None of the objects which he had described were to be seen from Mr. Smith's house, neither the blacksmith's shop, nor the canal, &c. He did not know, but thought that the front windows of Mr. Smith's house could be seen from the bridge over Barnsley Canal. The embankment ran close by this canal. Mr. Martin, examined by Mr. KINGLAKB—Was an engineer and surveyor. Surveyed the Leeds and York line. The embank. rnent on the proposed line could be only seen by sligh glimpses through the trees from Mr. Smith's house. He explored the country net only on the line as it was at present projected, but in several other places. He did n,,t do this in con. sequence of Mr. Smith's objection to the line as projected. The railway.passed at a distance of ave-eighths of a mile from Mr. Smith's house. That was the nearest point from which it could be seen. Was perfectly confident that Sir Edward Dodsworth would sustain far more injury by Mr. Birkenshaw's alternative line than Mr. Smith would by the proposed line, as it would pas; close by his house and preserves. He had no doubt but Sir Edward would give such a line the most determined opposition. . . . Tile stations of the two proposed lines were more commodious for the public on the Wakefield, Pontefract, and Goole line than upon . the other suggested line. Mr. Hawkshaw examined by Mr. KINGLAKE—Luid out the northern portion of the London and York Railway. Had the ad _ .. . . vantage of all the sections that had been made by that Company, He considered that the advantage of the junction of several rail. ways at such an important place as Wakefield would far more than compensate for the greater facilities which the gradients might afford were the line laid down in a more favourable part of the country. It being now four o'clock, the Committee adjourned till Thurs• day, at twelve o'clock. Group FF. NORTH OF SCOTLAND DISTRICT The Select Committee on thrs group re -assembled at the usual hour this morning, and proceeded with the affirmative evidence in the case for the promoters of the EDINBURGH AND NORTHERN LINE, A scherhe got up with a view of.supplying the northern districts of Scotland with a general syqem of railway communication. Mr Wiseman, one of the Board of Directors, who gave evidence yesterday, in support of the Bill, was cross 7 examintd by Mr. AYTON, on behalf of several landholders, whose property would be disfigured or interfered with by the progress of the line, with a view of showing that, if tbe Bill were, delayed till next session, the scheme cou'd be rendered more complete in itself, and take such a course as to remove the chiff objections of the landed proprietors residing in the various tiistricts through which the line'must necessarily pass, in the event of Parliament ultimately sanctioning the sc!leme. The witness admitted that the promoters would have to come to Parliament next session for a supplemental Bill to extend and improve the line, but, nevertheles,, he thought it ad . visable that one part of the line should be constructed before another. , He denied that the main line would avoid the coal fields of Fifcshire, but admitted that the Company might be ha. rassed by the proprietor of the Burnt Island and Granton Ferry, at present in the possession of the Duke of Buccleuch; unless they bound the Duke down to certain conditions by stringent clauses. The Duke, however, was a large shareholder in the Company, and of course it would be to his interest to accommodate instead of embarrass the Company. He conceded to the Learned Cotinsel that the present coach fairs between Coaper and Dunfermline were exceedingly low, but at the same time he insisted upon the prin ciple that a railway invariably doubled the passenger traffic of the district through which it passed, and it was always to the interest of the Company to reduce as much as possible the former rates of carriage. On re-examination, Le said the Burnt Island Ferry was the most available point on the coast fur terminating one part of the line, but there were others which would be equally as conve nient, should the Ferry Company refuse to run ferry-boats cor responding with the trains on the railway. The interest however of the Ferry Company was identical with that of the Railway Company; but were it not, the Ferry-pier Bill contained a clause for the protection of•any future railway. Mr. Peter Cameron, a carrier at Edinburgh, who had este , blishments at all the principal towns of Scotland, was well ac• quainted with the traffic passing through Fifeshire. His establishment carried upwards of 8,040 tons of goods annually along the route of the proposed railway, and another firm that he was acquainted with carried from 30 to 40 tons weekly. At present the traffic was con veyed by carts, and if a railway were made it would prove a sating of nearly 50 per cent. to the towns of Perth and Dundee alone, as well as tend generally to the advantage of the trade of the other districts through which the line passed. He was a farmer as well as a currier, and knew of his own knowledge that Fifeshire ex ported great quantities of grain. It was at present conveyed by carts and such conveyances, but If a railway were made through Fife, he had no doubt large quantities of farm-produce would pass over thb line. There was only one stork market in Fifeshire, but If the present line were made, it would, no doubt, lead to If t the goods the establishment of a market at Cooper. The firm to which urn tishiaend Ferry y ig e t d o i f i e tti rr r ed , r r y c , ar b r e y c l a n u g sleh theirey across B more accommodation at the one than th e ot h er, rails were brought down to the pier, he had no doubt the carriages could be ng transferred to the steam-boats with out i n j uri • goods—indeed at present all the loaded carts on the route were the river. If there w ere a ra i l bodily carri e d over way to Perth he did not think any passen crs or goods would to that town vie Dundee. The lin e , i n f act, would have the effect of diverting all the traffic that Was at present transmitted by water to Perth ; and in his opinion it would be the best '" paying line running north of Edinburgh. It being near four o'clock the Committee adjourned, in accord. once with an arrangement matle yesterday, till Thursday at twelve. Group E. NEWCASTLE AND BERWICK The Committee, on sitting this morning, proceedel with the clauses of the Newcastle and Berwick Railway Bill. The fares weresettled at 3d., ltd., and Id. per mile in the first, second, and third classes respectively. NEWCASTLE AND DARLINGTON (BRANDLING JUNCTION). Mr. Philipson was called, and examined by Air. TEMPLa--there stated by Mr. Stovin as being received from this traffic was 44,974/. in the year, In this calculation he only gave 25 per cent:, which was lower than the average on the. Brighton and Dover lines. The goods carried from and to Gosport amounted 6,444 tons dui ing the year 1844. The coals, he calculated, would be about 18,250 tons, and these came from Hemsworth and Chi chester at 1 1 / 2 :1. per mile, those from Chichester going a distance of 23 % miles t o G o d alming. He thought that this communication would be cheaper than that by the Avon Canal, which charged five farthings for the carriage of a ton of coals. • To the cross-examination of Mr. WADDINGTON, Mr Horne stated that he conceived that the whole - of the passengers to Gosport would be abstracted from the old line to the new line, and on that he put 25 per cent. ; but with respect to goods he could say nothing. Ile had taken the whole of the traffic from Bognor, but none of that from Littlehampton ; and he expected that the coast traffic would be good, but not the most productive on the line. To the cr..ss-examination of Mr. FLOOD, Mr. Horne stated that he believed there would be but one station, Petworth and Midburst; but that would depend upon circum , tances. To the re-examination of Mr. GURNET, the witness stated that the distance from Petworth to Horsham was eiOneest miles. Mr. Wm. Tite, the architect and surveyor, stated that he had considerable experience in the purchaseand sale ofproperty, and he had been employed with Mr. Osborne to surrey and value the land required for the railway. It had been agreed upon between them that the quantity of land required for the railway was 575 '( acres, worth 114,0001., including an allowance of 10,000/. for contin gencies. He was acquainted with the extension line of the South- Western Company, which would give great facilities at Hungerford bridge for water communication, as well as prove a great convenience to the proposed railway. The terminus there was intended to occupy ten acres, and the expense of forming that branch would be 420,0001. for land and 380,0001. for works and contingencies, mak ing 800,0001. for the whole expense. To the cross-examination of Mr. Rawlinson, Mr. Tite stated that the land from Guildford was good inclosed land, and some of it excellent wheat land. In Portsea they took 14 acres, but to the inquiry how much the witness calculated as the price fur the land at Portsea per acre— Mr., Sergeant WRANGFIAM, who arrared for the promoters, ob jected, and it was overruled by the Committee. - He knew nothing of the place where the stations were to be situated, and the quanti ties of !and, as was usual in these cases, had been given to him by the engincer. Mr. Sergeant WRANGIIAM, at this stage of the proceedings, stated that they had now brought the evidence, with the exception of that on engineering points, to a close, and he therefore suggested the adjournm, nt of the Committee. After an inquiry from Mi. M. MILNES as to the time this evi. deuce was likely to occupy, the adjournment was agreed to till Thursday at one o'clock. Group W. WAKEFIELD, PONTEFRACT, AND GOOLE RAILWAY. The Committee on this line re.assembled today at twelve o'clock, Mr. Pakington in the chair. Mr. KINGLAKE stated that, before the examination of witnesses was proceeded with, he had to complain that the sections and plans, which Mr. Hardy had engaged should be furnished to him, were not delivered. The CHAIRMAN said he considered that if that had not been done fair play was not given to the promoters of the Bill. Mr. Hardy said that he had given instructions to have the sections and plans sent to the solicitor of the promoters, and he was not aware, till he heard the complaint this morning, that this bad not been done. He had no intention of withholding any plan or section. It appeared that there was a misunderstanding on the part of Mr. Birkenshaw, the engineer for the alternative line, as to the documents which Mr. Hardy engaged should be delivered. He did not consider that the section as to which the complaint was now made was one of the documents which he should have delivered. The section was then handed to the engineers of the proposed line. The adjourned examination of Mr. Birkenshaw, the engineer of the alternative line, was then proceeded with. He did not think that the line from Goole to Wakefield was one which the public necessity required. A better line might be formed joining to the Normanton station. Cross.examined by Mr. KINGLARE—Took the levels of the alternative line on Friday last. He did so when the objection to tl►e Normanton station was first raised. Mr. John Leather, civil engineer, examined by Mr. HARDY— Had considerable experience in laying down railways, but not so much as in other works. Was well acquainted with the country through which the proposed Wakefield, Pontefract, and Goole Rail way was to pass. Knew that part of it between Wakefield and Pontefract. Thought that a better line could be gOt. Had seen Mr. Birkenshaw's plans and sections of the alternative line. Thought from his general acquaintance with the country, that a line could be easily made without going to Normanton station. Cross-examined by Mr. KINGLAKR—Had not gone over the ground of the alternative line proposed by Mr: Birkenshaw, but examined the plans and sections of it. Was engineer of the Goole and Doncaster line. Was not aware that the proprietors of that line had any desire - to shut out the proposed line. Saw the sections of Mr. Birkenshaw's alternative line yesterday for the first time. Believed that surveyors were sent down on Friday last to make the levels of that line, in consequence of the evidence which had been given in that Committee relative to the inconve.• niences and delays which took place at the Normanton station. Mr. Gouch, civil engineer, examined by Mr. HARDY, stated that I • had been employed as resident engineer for 36 miles on the London and Birmingham line ; had constructed the Manchester and Leeds line, and was since engaged on the Liverpool and Man chester line. Had had c•nsiderable experience in railway matters. Heard Mr. Leather's evidence, and quite concurred with him on the superiority of the alternative line to the proposed Wakefield, Pontefract, and Goole line. This witness was cross•examined• by Mr. KINGLARE at consi After a few instances were given by Mr. lIILIWARD, in which shares were transferred from one company to another, on the eon s,nt of a much smaller majority than that Which existed in this The room was cleared, and on our re-admittance, The CHAIRMAN stated that it was the desire of the Committee to offer a suggestion to' the promoters of the Bill to insert a clause in this Bill to the following effect:—" Provided that nothing in this Act with regard to particular shareholders (here naming them) tends to take away any rizltt of a 'Um at law that may be vcorid in these sl,treholders for the recovery of an enforcement of such rights as they may be now possessed of." Mr. AUSTIN said that he would not take upon himself the re sponsibility of such a clause; he should leave it to the Coinmit'ee, and go on with the ease, as he saw that much difficulty might acise from the insertion of such a clause. If they agreed to the bargain it would be all right, but let them, if they object, have their shares valued as they were before the time they were enhanced by the amalgamation. After the room wrs again cleared for a short time, The CHAIRMAN said that the Committee came to the resolution that they felt that this preamble of the Bill should first be proved, as they had not sufficient evidence to show that they should take away their shares from these shareholders. They would proceed with the case tu-morrow morning at eleven o'clock. NEWCASTLE AND BE WICK. The Committee then went through the remaining clauses in this Bill, and adjourned. Group DD. THE CALEDONIAN AND THE GLASGOW AND CARLISLE RAILWAYS. The business of the Committee was commenced this morning by Mr. llopE resuming his cross.examination of Mr. Miller, the civil engineer; but nothing of public importance was elicited le yond what has already appeared. On reexamination, Mr: Miller said that the two forks on the Caledonian Railway would present a very great obs'acle to the pro. per working of the railway, as one train is obliged at the turn of the fork to wait until another train arrives. The Dumfries line was not intended to term a subsidiary railway to the Ayrshire line, which would be very convenient for all traffic coming from the north and south. The character of the gradients on the fork of the Caledonian would be a great hindrance to speed. It was understood that the Ayrshire line was perfectly open to the Dumfries to work at their convenience, and the rates on the Ayrshire would be moderated to suit their xates. It was possible, in case the Dumfries line were made, to maintain a branch from it through the Delvine pass. The CHAIRMAN then interrupted the examination, and said the Committee were of opinion that the suggested branch was very desirable, and had been waiting far some da,s to near whether it was intended to make a lib, in that direction. Mr. Miller said the plans had not yet been made for the branch through the - Delvine Pass, but he had carefully examined the country in that direction, and, speaking from recollection, was satisfied it was practicable to carry the line through it. The highest summit was 1,000 feet above the level of the sea, and the gradients for six miles would be from about 1 in 70 to 1 in 75. The CSAIRIUAN observed that nothing had been said in Mr. Locke's report, or had been mooted by any one else, as to the prac ticability of making a line in the proposed direction. Mr. Miller was about to explain the direction of the branch from near Thornhilf through the Delvine Pass, when it was ob. jected that as there were no plans or sections before the Com mittee, it would be difficult for him to give a sufficient explanation. The CHAIRMAN then recommended an adjournment, as a very important point had been raised, and it would be necessary, for the convenience of all parties, that sufficient time should be atTerded to satisfy the Committee as to the intended line. After some conversation between counsel and the Committee, as to the practicability of proceeding to investigate the merits of the mooted points, The CHAIRMAN said he thought it would be advisable in so im portant a matter to apply to the Government to send down some impartial and competent person to survey the country and report accordingly. Mr. Committer suggested that perhaps it would be better for the Oommittce to hear the evidence on both sides, end it might be as well to adjourn for a time to afford an opportunity of getting up the evidence and rebutting it. The CHAIRMAN said that it was the opinion of the Committee, and must also be manifest to every intelligent person, that, pro. vided the pass was practicable, it would be a great advantage to the rich districts of the west in connecting Dumfries with Edinburgh ; and there was no doubt that with the proposed branch the Dma. fries line was preferable to the Caledonian. A contieuous communication would be established with the north and • west of Scotland, and the shortest distance between Scotland and Ireland would be obtained. If these ad. vantages could be obtained, it was the bounden duty of the Committee, on a matter so importantly affecting the public in tereres, to give it their most diligent attention. In the present stage of affairs, however, the point was doubtful. The Committee had not had sufficient data presented before them to decide de. finitively; and it would not be fair to hear the evidence on one side without giving to the opposing party an opportunity of dis. proving it it it were possible. On the suggestion of Mr. COCKBURN, Sir T. PHILLIPS then proceeded with the residue of his case, and the consideration of the proposed new branch was adjourned. Sir T. PHILLIPS concluded his re-examination of Mr. Miller, and called Mr. Mitchel:, a railway contractor. He said he had constructed extensive works in various parts, and was well acquainted with the method of working. He had carefully examined Mr. Miller's estimates, and considered them . very reasonable and fair. He would have no hesitation in undertaking the construction of the railway at the prices put on the works. Mr. Vignolles, civil engineer, said he had examined the country through which the proposed lines would pass, and a portion of the districts through which the Caledonian Railway event was com paratively poor. The forks on the Caledonian ought, in his opinion, to have been made in the vicinity of Carlisle: the advantages which would result from plac ing the junction there would be to have the line carried through a rich and populous country on either side, instead of a poor country, which it now passes through ; and this was an im portant object in laying out a line of railway. He would concur generally as to what the previous witnesses had stated with respect to the benefit which the Dumfries line would confer on the country. On cross.examination, Mr. Vignolles said he considered the Glasgow Junction Railway would never answer. Mr. Brunel, C.E., stated it as his opinion that more regularity in the passage of trains might be expected on the Dumfries line than on the Caledonian, as great inconvenience would be occasioned by the forks on that railway. He corroborated the previous en gineering evidence. ', DUMFRIES; Sir T. Purwps then announced that the case for the pro moters of the Glasgow, Dutnfrces, and Carlisle Railway had c , n. eluded with• the last witne,s. At the close of the case it was sugge3ted to the'Comantke that here was a gentleman in the room who could give some informa on as to the proposed subsidiary branch through the Delvne The Committee having consented to hear his stalement, *.;r. Jardine, engineer at Edinburgh, was called and examined by the CHAIRMAN. Mr. Jardine said he was intimately acquainted with the subject, of gradients and elevations, and other matters . connected with railway affairs were familiar to him. He knew the lead hills, and bad surve)ed the country for the pur pose of making a road by the Twced to Erricks'one. From his general knowledge of the count!), he could stat . .., that the line could be made, and be considered the bc,t junction with Edinburgh could be effected through the Dclvine Pass. He was not in a c.;ndition to give any , idea of the nature of the gradients that would be required, as he had not examined the pass sufficiently to give a correct opinion. The Chairma•t did not continue the examination of the witness, as it appeared from his not having examined tt,e country for rail way purposes, he was not competent to satisfy the Committee as to the practicability of making the proposed branch. Sir T. PHILLIPS then said he appeared to support the petition of the Edinburgh and Glasgow Company against the Caledonian line. He then called Mr. Mills and Mr. Miller to show that a con. siderable degree of traffic would be diverted from the ellagow Company's line at the forks en the Caledonian Railway, and that by adopting a portion of the Edinburgh anti Glasgow line the Cale. donian would avoid the expense of constructing an unnecessary line of railway of eight miles in length. Atter Counsel had cross.examined the, witnesses in this case, which was not of the slightest public interest, The CHAIRMAN said, in reference to carrying a branch of the Dumfries line through the Delvine Pass, he begged to state to alt partie;,concerned—to those interested in the Caledonian, the Was.. gow, Dumfries, and Carlisle, and the Clydesdale Junction Rail_ ways—that the distinct opinion of the Committee was, that there were several points which referred to those lines that seemed to admit of an arrangement amongst the different companies with regard to their separate interest. It was the instruction of the Government to the Committee to lock out for the best trunk line, one that would conduce most to the public convenience and interest; and if the contending parties ceuld not arrive at some satisfactory arrangement, the inconvenience of the result would be only attributable to themselves. The intention of the Committee was to look simply to the public edvantage ; and by this determination they were hound to abide, whatever might be the sacrifice to any of the competing companies. lie would, therefore, recommend to the attention of all parties interested the necessity which existed for the protee. thin of their separate interests, by their arriving at some satisfae— tory determination with regard to their mettlel future proceedings. The points on which it had been deemed advisable to urge this course of proceeding had already appeared, and it would be un. necessary for him to recapitulate them. Sir T. Pia Wes observed that he was instructed to sty, on the part of the Edinburgh Company, that they were prepared to meet the other Companies in a spirit of fairne , s and amicability. The point WAS at.Tain• urged whether the Committee would pro. cecd to hear the evidenea fo: and against the eligibility of the Dclvine Pass, and Mr. Lecke r7.la he was quite prepared to give the Committee the result of his opinion on the stiljcct if they wished to hear it, or he would send down a c,wapetent engineer this even. ing and inspect the place, and make his report. It was ultimately resolved that the matter should stand over till Thursday mowing, till which time the Committee adjourned. Group X. LONDON AND YORK LIN. The Committee resumed t his cane to day, at t E welie o'clock. rho CHAIRMAN said he understood the evidence for the Loud in en and York line was to be closed to -day, except the engineerg eviderice.- , e eoseti to • Mr. PAGET said he hoped ft would b , clay. Mr. - The CHAIRMAN said that the committee had resolved that the evidence should close to-day. Mr. Sergeant Waalcutiam said he would take upon himself to was some difficulty in carrying out the works of the Brandling Junction Company, of which he was one of the Directors. They were obliged to rase the sum of 200,0004 over and above the sum allowed by the Act of Patliament, in order that no injury might accrue to the shareholders. Immediately preceding the time of the opening of the Newcastle and Darlington line, the shares of the Brandling Junction rose, in consequence of the understanding that such an opening would be made. There was a gradual i:nprovement up to the time of the opening, when the shares became 501. each. A committee was appointed afterwards to enter into some negotiation with Mr. Hudson on the subject of Balling or leasing the Brand. ling Junction to the Newcastle and Darlington Company. It was agreed that Mr Hudson should purchase aH the shares at 551. per share, and pay all the debts of every description due from the Brandling Railway Company, and indemnify the directors and proprietors. As the Company had not the power by Act of Parliament to purchase, they required sthe personal responsibility of Mr. Hudson. The agreement met the univers.,l ai every director of the Brandling Company, including Mr. Brandling, the head director. He was of opinion that it was very highly ad vantageous to the shareholders, and if that bargain pad gone off, he would gladly have sold his share for 20/, The CHAIIIINAN said that the Committee wished to know what line of Lbjeetion the counsel on - the opposition side wished to tal.e to this agreement. Prima fade, it appeared to be highly advan. tageous to the public. proval of Mr. Mainstre said that the principle of his case was this : his clients were shareholders in theßrandling Junction Railway Com pany, and be totally denied that any ❑umber of shareholders in that Company had a right to sell the shares of the parties whom he re presented. In August, 1844, a certain number of shareholders thought that it was then' interest to sell their shares and his clients, which they had no power to do. 'lnt if the Committee should come to the conclusion that the shares of the Lrand ling Company should become the property of the Newcastle and Darlington Company they ought not to come there to assess the value of his clients' shares, but ought to send them to a jury to get their value. Mr. TEMPLE said that the objection taken by his Learned Friend was quite different from that taken by him yesterday, and he would assert, that if Air. Greene his (Mr. Manistre's) client had been pre sent at the meeting of the directors which agreed to this proposal, be would have given his consent so to dispose of his shares.. In many cases under the same circumstances, a large majority of the shareholders had the power to dispose of the minority to the gene ral advantkre. case, .....'' agfr, iml. :ope- abs; 'liar, Lon - .rrl• A!C, t,,"5 otS r - je9, r to Act DY ns , CMS to , e 4 t, o i in of l b id he 131 it) if 7• Li f• is fr , e 1, j ; ~" d n '~~ J L ~ 1 '• . ,M 4 •,,, + ,~' ~~ .~~ , . d