The Sun. — London, England, 1845-04-02 00:00:00

SUMMARY OF NEWS AND Pulatt Optitton. " Who runs may read." FOREIGN. The Mon:teur Parisien states the number of French Government steamers now afloat, or building, is 92. Of these, eight are frigates of from 45 0 to 650 hors e- p ower, and 18 corvettes of from 220 to 320 horse-power. The Ist Legion of the Natirnal Guard of Paris met on Sunday morning, in the Place Vendome, to receive its Colonel, Lieutenant-Colonel, and other officers lately appointed. The weather was uncommonly fine, and the attendance of the men was numerous. The Prefect of the Seine administered the oath to the officers, afar which the General in command, accompanied by the Prefect, passed in front of the four battalions composing the legion, which afterwards defiled before him. Several of the Paris journals announce that petitions against the Bill for arming the fortifications of Paris are lying for signature at various places. The Eeforrne publishes a first list of the subscribers to a petition from the officers of the National Guards of Paris. It contains the names of sixty captains, lieutenants, and other officers. The Duchess of Orleans has sent, in her own name and that of the Count de Paris, a sum of 200 francs to the Committee of the English National Schools of the .Havre and Rouen Railroads. There are, at present, four , schools established at Rouen, Malauney, Barcritin, and Bolbec. The number of children who attend amounts to upwards of 500. Several cases containing plants and seeds from the different countries visited by the legation to China have been received at the Ministry tor Foreign Affairs. Amongst them are several specimens of the tea-plant, and a coffee-plant from the Malay Peninsula, which has been hitherto unknown to the botanists of Europe. The bean is small, nearly white, and highly aromatic. On Saturday the police emptied into the Seine, near the Jardin des Plantes, nearly 500 casks of adulterated red and white wines, which had been received at the entrepot, from Rouen, at the end of 1843, but had hi therto been unsuspected. The Council- General of the Moselle, and the Munici pal Council of Metz, have voted four millions of francs for the prolongation of the Frouard and Metz railroad to Sarra:buck. The department is to furnish 2,700,000 f., and the town of Metz the remainder. A portscript to a communication from Berne, of the 27th ult., says :—" I have just heard that, in consequence of the daily increasing defections from the Lucerne Go vernment's troops, the expedition of the free-corps is to take place to-morrow. At the same time the Berne Go vernment (seeing that this revolutionary attempt no longer requires its moral support) intends to issue a pro clamation prohibiting the people of its canton from join ing these free corps : their only object is to keep up some appearances towards foreign diplomacy. The Russian Minister has, according to report, delivered to the Vorort a note drawn np in harsher language than those of France, Austria, and Prussia. A letter from Athens of the 18th ult. states that the Russian Charge d'Afflores in that city had received fresh dispatches from his Coml. They confirm the declara tion of the friendly disposition of Russia towards Greece and the present Ministry. MAW AND FOS/CV. In the Bankruptcy Court, the examination of H. C. Maine, late a grocer at Poole, was adjourned sine die. 'Mr: Commissioner Fane refused to grant the bankrupt his protection. The case of John Brokenshire, the man who endeavoured to hoax his creditors into a belief that he had been drowned at Weston-Super-Mere, was again before the Insolvent Court and again adjourned At Monmouth, John Pritchard, was indicted for <breaking into the dwelling-house of George Reynolds, at 4bergavenny, on the 7tb of December, and stealing various articles of grocery therein. He was found guilty, and sentenced to three months' imprisonment, the prosecutor recommending him to mercy. William Pilling, the manager of the Warrington Branch of the Liverpool and Manchester District Bank, was tried at Liverpool on a charge of robbing the bank, .and of embezzling money. He was acquitted on both Tharges. At the Mansion-house yesterday, Elias Benfield, fore- Emu in a mercantile house, in Tower-street, was charged with having assaulted Captain Lewis, of the 2d Regiment of Guards, and one of the privates of the same regiment. The defendant refused to stand aside to let the Bank picquet pass, and when touched by one of the men, assaulted the man and also the officer, who attempted to remonstrate with him. He was held to bail upon both el - urges. James Keefe, a tailor, was committed for six weeks, from Bow-street, for dog-stealing. At Marlborough-street Mr. B. C. Willis ' of 52, Quad rant, was charged be fore Mr. Maltb y , with having stolen two bills of exchange for 5001. and 6001., the property of Mr. Hearn, of 9, Pall-mall East. The particulars which canoe out in evidence prove that a certain gang of bill swindlers, most of whom have over and over again been at the bar of different police-courts, are, notwithstand ing th e publicity given to their fraudulent practices, at present in full activity, and are carrying on their schemes in various parts of the town under differ ent names . By some means or other the bills in question, which were held by Mr. Hearn, as ha stated, for a bona fide consideration, had been obtained from the drawer Mr. Mytten, without con sideration, in fact, stol en from him,and be had em ployed Mr. Willis to vat them back. The case was a djourned till Tuesday, the defendant being permitted to go at large on bail. James Herbert, a journayman shoemaker, charged with cutting and wounding William Gurling with a shoemaker's hammer iso serious a manner that his life was committed from the Lambeth Police-court. At Greenwich, yesterday, Elizabeth George, servant to a widow lady named Melhuish, residing at No. 1, Park-row, Blackheath, was charged with embezzling several sums entrusted to her for the payment of the tradesmen's bills. After the evidence adduced, the pri soner said she had certainly used the moneys given by her mistress to pay the weekly accounts, but would wil lingly make it all good if her mistress would allow time for that purpose. She was fully committed to Newgate for trial. William Copsey was fully committed from the Thames office, on a charge of highway robbery, attended with violence. COUILT--FASIIIONABLE. His Royal Highness the Duke of Cambridge, as Director of the Ancient Concerts, will entertain the Duke of Wellington, the Archbishop of York, the Earl of Cawdor, and a distinguished circle at dinner this evening, at Cambridge House. Marchioness of Wellesley and Miss Mactavish have ar rived at her Ladyship's residence at Rutland Gate, from Paris, after a sojourn of nine months in that capital. The Earl of Carlisle continues in improved health at Castle Howard, Yorkshire, where a family circle is as sembled during the holidays. The Countess of Cardigan has hastily left this country for Rome, her Ladyship having received information from Italy of the serious illness of her sister, Mrs. Hubert de Burgh, who, when the last letters were dispatched from Rome, was alarmingly indisposed. The Earl and Countess of Powis and the Ladies Her bert are expected to arrive at the family mansion, in Berkeley-square, early in the ensuing week, from Wal cott Hall, the Noble Earl's seat in Shropshire. The Lord Chancellor and Lady Lyndhurst have ar rived in town for the season. Lady Lyndhurst would have joined the circle assembled at Belvoir Castle during the visit of the Duchess of Cambridge and the Heredi tary Grand Duke and Grand Duchess of Mecklenbumh Strelit:4 to the Duke of Rutland, but for the indispesitiOn of Miss flopley, the Noble and Learned Lord's sister. His Lordshu gives his customary dejeuner to the judges and law offiCers on the commencement of Easter term, on Monday week. Earl Fortescue, Viscount Ebrington, Sir Charles Shaw, Montague Gore, Esq., M.P., and a numerous party of the local neighbouring gentry and clergy, at tended a meeting of the newly-established Barnstaple Literary and Scientific Institution last week, to adopt measures for its immediate opening. MX3CELLANEOUS. The first meeting for the spring season of the Horti cultural Society was held on Tuesday afternoon at the rooms in Regent-street, R. W. Barchard, Esq., in the chair. There was a very good collection of flowers, the prominent of which were rewarded with prizes. Amongst sotne interesting varieties were violet and mignonette trees, which had by cultivation assumed a shrubby ap pearance, with some hyacinths and tine blown camellias. Some rare plants were also exhibited from the Royal B . otanic Gardens at Kew. The prizes awarded were Banksian medals to Mr. Loddige, of hackney, for orehidaceous plants ; the Duke of Marlborough for a Providence pine apple, weighing 81b. loz. ; and Mr. :Henderson, of Pine Apple-place, for heaths and a fine White azalea. The gentlemen belonging to the Arundel Yacht Club have just announced their intention of opening the season by a sail down the Thames, on Saturday, the 26th of the present month. The yachts are to assemble at Green wich, at four o'clock in the afternoon, proceeding only as far as Erith on the first day, returning again early in the following week. A meeting of the City of London Association of Gene ral Practitioners was held at Radley's Hotel on Tuesday evening, for the purpose of expressing their confidence in the Committee of the National Association of General Practitioners. Resolutions condemnatory of the Medical Bill were also agreed to, and the meeting separated. Mr. O'Connell, it is said, may be expected in London early next week, The pensioners of the Royal Navy and the Royal Marines, in the Woolwich district, have received notice that they are to appear before Captain John Forbes, the officer employed in the organisation and payment of the out-pensioners of Chelsea Hospital, for the purpose of being enro ll e d, an d to b e paid monthly in the same snanner as the pensioners of the ordnance corps, cavalry, and line regiments. The first monthly pay- Inent of the Chelsea pensioners, in the Woolwich divi sion, commences at Captain Forbes's office, in the Royal Artillery Barracks, to-day, April 2, commencing with the ord nance troops, an d t h e other regiments, according so their seniority. The season of the Philharmonic Society began on Mon day evening. Sir Henry Bishop has been appointed per taanent conductor. The concert was excellent and was well attended. Mr. Swinton, the violinist, who made such a favourable impression Qn the musical public last season, perform e d S po h r ' s concer t d in a fin ished and masterly s tyl e . 1.) The boiler of the steam. boat Victoria exploded on . 6 " . turday evening, while she was engaged in towing a vessel into the harbour at Shields. The force of the steam, Which w as f ortunately upwards, severely scalded John Plonapson, the engine m an , w h o was s t an di ng on d ec k, but no other person was injured. HER MAJESTY'S THEATRE. Lucia de Lammermoor was represented lust evening for the purpose of introducing Madame Anaide Castellan for the first time to an opera audience in the character of Lucia. Although last night was the first appearance cif Madame Castellan on these boards, she is not altoge ther unknown to the English musical public. She ran a very brilliant career here last season as a singer at concerts. Her success at the Ancient. Concerts was complete, and a singer who can succeed there must be in every sense of the word an accomplished artiste.—She has, moreover, achieved great triumph's in Russia and in America ; and to these, she may add the crowning suc cess of a triumphant debut before confessedly the most fastidious musical audience in the world in the audience of her Majesty's Theatre. Her voice is a pure soprano, beautifully clear, and of considerable compass. Her musical education is perfect—not the most critical ear can detect a fault in her intonation, not the most fastidious taste can discover anything whereat to be offended. The opening cavatina was beautifully given ; it was a beautiful exhibition of power refined and chastened by exquisite taste and judgment, and was rapturously applauded. At the conclusion of the first act she was called for, and received with en thusiastic applause. The duet, "Se tradismi to potrai," in the second act, was superbly given by Fornasari and Madame Castellan. It was a perfect triumph of art, both as regarded singing and acting. It is seldom that an opera audience is worked up to such a pitch of en thusiasm as they were by this magnificent duet. The applause was long and loud, and both actors were called for at the conclusion of the duet. The marriage scene followed, and was beautifully acted by Madame Castellan, who, at the fall of the act drop, was again called for. The mad scene was very fine, and the concluding aria was given with the most thrilling pathos. The success of Madame Castellat was complete, and, what is more, it was well deserved. She is a delightful actress and an accom plished musician. It is as unnecessary to praise the Enrico of Fornasari as it is to write an eulogium on the Richard of Edmund Kean, or the Coriolanus of John Kemble. It stands alone as a perfect piece of acting. Moriani was the Edgardo. It was in this character that he made his debut before an English audience last season, and his Edgardo stamped him as the p 7 imo tenor e of the world. The last scene, whether considered as a piece of acting or as a vocal effort, is unrivalled. It is the finest thing of the sort on the stage. So delighted were the audience that at the conclusion of the opera they called Moriani twice before the curtain. Thera was a third call for Moriani and Castellan, and, after a short interval, he appeared leading forward the prima donna, enveloped in a large silk cloak, preparatory to quitting the theatre. The audience seemed mightily pleased at thus seeing a prima donna en pas tieufiere, and there was some good-humoured laughter mingled with the shouts of applause with which they were greeted. The ballet of Eoline concluded the evening's entertain ments. The House was crowded to excess. His Royal Highness the Duke of Cambridge, who honoured the performances with his presence; arrived at the theatre before the commencement of the opera. COURT CIRCULAR. The Queen and Prince Albert, accompanied by the Prin cess Royal, arrived at Buckingham Palace at five minutes before seven o'clock yesterday evening, in a carriage and four, escorted by a party of Lancers, from the terminus of the South-Western Railwa at Nine Elms. The Countess of Charlemont, Lady in Waiting; Major-General Wemyss, Equerry in Waiting; and Major - Genera l S ir Edward Bo water, Equerry to Prince Albert, followed in a carriage and four. Her Majesty and his Royal Highness were received at the Palace by the Hon. Misses Stanley and Hamilton, the Earl of Hardwicke, the Vice-Chamberlain, Lord George Lennox, Captain Meynell, Sir Robert Otway, Captain Francis Sey mour, and Colonel Arbuthnot. The royal party quitted Osborne House, Isle of Wight, at a quarter past two o'clock yesterday afternoon, embarked in the royal steam-yacht, and crossed over to Gosport. Her Majesty and Prince Albert, and the royal suite, left Gosport at twenty-five minutes past four, and were conveyed to town by a special train, on the South Western Railway, in two hours and ten minutes. The Prince of Wales, Prince Alfred, and the Princess Alice, accompanied by the Dowager Lady Lyttelton, were taken a carriage drive yesterday morning in the vicinity of Windsor Castle. At three o'clock in the afternoon the Royal Family left Windsor Castle for the station of the Great Western Railway at Slough, and were conveyed to town by a special train. Their Royal Highnesses arrived at Buckingham Palace, at a quarter past four o'clock, ac companied by the Dowager Lady Lyttelton and Admiral Sir Robert Otway. The Duke of Cambridge visited her Royal Highness the Duchess of Gloucester yesterday at Gloucester House. The Grand Duchess Stephanie of Baden.—Her Royal High ness, accompanied by Prince Edward of Saxe Weimar, and attended by the Baroness de Strumfeder and Baron Roth de Schreckenstein, visited the Polytechnic Institution in Re gent-street yesterday. His Serene Highness Prince Ernest of Hesse Philippsthal visited the Grand Duchess yesterday at the Duke of Hamil ton's residence in Portman-square. Ilis Excellency Count de St. Aulaire paid his respects to her Royal Highness. In the evening the Grand Duchess, attended by the Ba roness de Strumfeder and Baron de Schreckenstein, honoured the Italian Opera with her presence. Prince Ernest of Hesse Philippstahl visited the Duke of Cambridge yesterday. A Cabinet Council was held yesterday afternoon at the Foreign-office. It was attended by Sir Robert Peel, the Duke of Wellington, the Duke of Buccleuch, Earl of Aber deen, Lord Stanley, Sir James Graham, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Earl of Ripon, Lord Granville Somerset, and the Earl of Lincoln. The Council sat two hours. Mr. John Davies, and a deputation of Sugar Refiners, had an interview with the Chancellor of the Exchequer yester day, at his official residence in Downing-street. COURSE OF EXCHAI Amsterdam CF. 12 81 Ditto, at sight l2 61 Rotterdam 2U. 12 9 Antwerp 26 20 Ramburgh M.B. 14 0 Altona Paris, 3 days' sight 25 95 Ditto, 3 months 26 15 Marseilles 26 20 Bourdeaux 26 20 Frankfort on Maine 123 Petersburgh, 3Us — Berlin Vienna, effee. fl. 3 M lO 4 Trieste, ditto Madrid 36i I GE.—(YESTERDAY .) Gibraltar..... .. Leghorn Genoa 26 20 Milan ..... ..... Naples ..... 39 Palermo, per oz llBf Lisbon s2f Oporto 53 Rio Janeiro .. 23* Bahia Buenos Ayres New York .2 2dyssight Philadelphia PRICES OF BULLION, PER OZ. Foreign +lrold, bars. £3 17 9 Portuga! Gold Coin 3 17 5 New Doubloons.-- 0 0 0 New Dollars 0 4 9; Silver in Bars 0 4 10, ......___ Cadiz Bilbao Barcelona Sevilla — RAILWAY BUSINESS IN PAR LIAMENT. TUESDAY, APRIL 1. Neweastle-upon-Tyne and North Shields Railway (Tyne mouth Extension, &c.) Bill,—Read a second time, and com • mitted, and referred to the Committee of Selection. Brighton and Chichester Railway (Portsmouth Exten sion), —Petition for Bill reported; report referred to the Select Committee on Standing Orders. Greenwich Colliery Railway,—Report from Select Corn • mittee on Petitions fur Private Bills read ; Bill to be read a second time on Monday next. NOTICES GIVEN AT THE PRIVATE BILL OFFICE. Bristol and Gloucester and Birmingham and Gloucester Railway,—postponed from Monday 7th till Wednesday, April 16. PARLIAMENTARY DIVISIONS. (From the Votes and Proceedings'of the House of Commons.) TUESDAY, APRIL 1. POST-OFFICE. Motion made, and Question put, " That this House has learned with regret, that with a view to the prevention of a political move ment in Italy, and more especially in the Papal States, Letters ad. dressed to a Foreigner, which had no relation to the internal tran quillity of the United Kingdom, should have been opened under a warrant bearing date the Ist day of March, and cancelled on the 3d day of June, 1844, and that the information obtained by such means should have been communicated to a Foreign Power." The House divided : MINORITY-AYES, 38. Aldam, William Dalmeny, Lord Rawdon, Colonel Bannerman, A. D'lsraell, B. Russell, Lord J. Baring, F. T. Duncan, Viscount Somerville, Sir W. Barnard, E. G. Forster, Matthew Stuart, W. V. Bellew, R. M. French, F. Strutt, Edward Bernal, Ralph Granger, T. C. Tancred, H. W. Bouverie, E. P. Grey, Sir George Thornely, Thomas Busfeild, William Hawes, Benjamin Walker, Richard] Butler, Colonel lleathcoat, John Warburton, H. Butler, F. S. Howick, Viscount Ward, H. G. Christie, W. D. Morison, General Chapman, B. Osborne, Ralph TELLERS. Colehrooke Sir T. Palmerston, Viscount Sheil, R. L. Collins, William Plumridge, Captain Dun cotnbe, Thomas MAJORITY—NOES, 52. Ackers, James Goulburn, Henry Pringle, Alexander Acland, T. D. Graham, Sir J. Round, John Arbuthnott, H. Greenall, Peter Sandon, Viscount Baillie, Colonel Hamilton, G. A. Smith, T. B. C. Baird, William Hamliton, Lord C. Somerset, Lord G. Baring, W. B. Hampden, Renn Somes, Joseph Benbow, John Harcourt, G. G. Spooner, Richard Rorthwick, Peter Hodgson, F. Stewart, John Browne, W. Hope, Charles Sutton, Henry Cardwell, Edward Knight, F. W. Tennent, J. E. Clive, Robert H. Mackenzie, T. Thompson, Alderman Compton, M. C. M`Geachy, F. A. Trench, Sir F. W. Coote, Sir C. H. Masterman, John Turner, Edmund Darby, George Mundy, E. M. Wood, Colonel T Escott, Bickham Newdegate, C. N. Fremantle, Sir T. Nicholl, John Fuller, A. E. O'Brien, A. S. Gaskell, J. M. Packe, C. W. Gordon, Captain Peel, Sir R TELLERI. Baring, Henry Young, John DUTCH MAIL. - The Batavier has just arrived (half-past twelve o'clock), bringing Dutch papers of Tuesday, April 1, and Ham burgh papers of Thursday, March 27. CUXHAVEN, MARCH 26, p.m.—ln consequence of the south-west wind to-day, the channel is almost wholly free from ice, which has been driven to the north side. The harbour too is now entirely clear of ice. MARCH 27.—The channel is now wholly free from ice. EXCHEQUER BILLS.—The public are indebted to Colonel Sibthorp, M.P., for a return of the number and amount of public bills that have been issued under the head of Exchequer Bills, under the authority of her Majesty's Controller-General Lord Monteagle, since the sth day of March, 1844. It is found, on an examination of one branch of this return, that from the Ist of January, 1844, to the 17th of March, 1845, the total number of Exchequer Bills, signed by the Noble Lord the Controller-General of the Exchequer, amounted to 23,916, representing a value of 38,404,3831., and that the total number of Exchequer Bills signed by the Assistant-Controller during the same period amounted to 21,378, representing a value of 7,759,080/. The total number of Bills signed, from the Ist of January, 1842, up to the 17th of March, 1845, both by the Controller-General and by the Assistant-Controller, amounted to 110,062, representing a grand total value of 138,722,596/. CHAIR or MusLc, EDINBURGH. —On Saturday, the 29th inst., the Principal and Professors of the University of L'Ainburgh elected John Donaldson, Esq . ., t 9 be professor of of music. We understand that there - Were in all the vacant chair, two of whom, however, "-mar, withdrew their names be iyere the theoi fifteen candidates Sir Henry Bishop and Mr. fore the election. None of the nated.—Calsdoxian 211"ercury. other ca&.... T tIE SUN, LONDON, WEDNESDAY EVENIN Cr, APRIL 2 1845. Captain P.ECHELL presented a petition from one hundred masters and paymasters in the Royal Navy, complaining of the manner in which they had been treated by the Board of Admiralty, in not awarding to them that portion of half pay which the late Com mittee of Inquiry into the state and condition of naval officers had awarded to them. The Zion. and Gallant Member at the same time intimated that he would draw the attention of the House to the case of the petitioners, when the navy estimates came umler discussion on Friday, on which day he would move that the petition be printed with the votes. DUTY ON MALT. The HON. and GALLANT MEMBER also presented a petition from the malsters of Brighton and Lewes, praying the House to abolish the duty on malt. NOTICES OF MOTION. Sir HOWARD DOUGLAS gave notice, that on the House going into Committee on the Army Estimates, he would call attention to the present condition of regimental staff officers, paymasters, &c., with a view to Parliament taking into consideration the expediency of extending to that meritorious class of officers the privilege of retiring under certain circumstances upon full pay. INSOLVENT DEBTORS ACT. Mr. H. BERKELEY gave notice of his intention on a future day to move for leave to bring in a Bill to amend the Insolvent Debtors' Act, passed in the last session of Parliament. The Hon. Member also gave notice that on the pith instant he would move for a Select Com mittee to inquire into the pat operation of the same law. MAYNOOTH: Sir R. INGLIS presented several petitions from places in the counties of Oxford, Cornwall, and other parts of England, against any further grant to Maynooth. Colonel SIBTHORP presented petitio ns from the mayor, clergy, and a gr e at number of the inhabita nts of the city of Lincoln, and from another pla ce in the count y of Lincoln, to the same effect. SMOKE PROHIBITION BILL. Mr. MACKINNON moved the second reading of this first brought the measure before the House he deemed it his duty to give it his most earnest and anxious con sideration. lie b: licved the Bill was ietroduced on the 12th of March—(Laughter)—and with a view to the discussion which must certainly arise on the sec and reading, he had endeavoured, with the assistance of his colleagues in the Government, to institute such inquiries as should place them in the posses sion of the fullest information respecting every portion of its details that it was possible to obtain. For that purpose he had made it his business to extend his investigations to every part of the manufacturing dis tricts of the United Kingdom. The House wsa aware that the Factory Inspectors had certain districts assigned them, in which they had respectively appointed sub-in spectors. It was the busine::s of these sub-inspectors to place themselves in personal communication with the individuals most looked up to among the indus trial classes. Into the bands of every one of these sub-inspectors a copy of the Bill had been placed. with instructions to ascertain the effects its clauses were likely to hare on the manufacturing community; and since the first reading, on March 12, he had assembled these factory inspectors, and a portion of the sub-inspectors in London, in order to get the most precise infor mation, and the fullest information which through their inquiries had been obtained. (LEFT SPEAKING.) IRELAND. REPEAL ASSOCIATION. DUBLIN, MARCH 31.—The weekly meeting of the Association was held this day in the Conciliation Hall, Caleb Powell, Esq., M.P.for Limerick, in the chair, who congratulated the meeting on the glorious demonstration in favour of repeal which had lately taken place in Kil kenny, and which, he observed, clearly demonstrated that the spirit of '43 was still triumphant. Mr. O'CoNNEnr, handed in a number of remittances, and read a mass of correspondence which accompanied them. In reference to a letter from a parish in the county Kildare, complaining of apathy on the part of the repealers with regard to the registry, Mr. O'Connell urged the absolute necessity of an immediate registra tion. It would, in his opinion, be much better to return Tories than pretended friends. For his part, he had no reason to quarrel with the Tories at all ; their measures were admirable, and he was almost afraid he would have to fall in love with Sir Robert Peel himself.—(Loud cheers and laughter.) The Hon. Gentleman then ad verted to the outrages which had been recently com mitted in the north of Ireland on unoffending Catholics, but as an investigation into the matter had been directed by the Government, he would abstain from going into particulars. Mr. SMITH O'BRIEN brought forward the report of the judges appointed to consider the essays on the repeal of the union. The report stated that there were forty eight essays sent in, each of which the judges read sepa rately, and on the termination of their labours they corn pared their notes and opinions, and unanimously awarded the first prize to M. J. Barry, Esq., (barrister), the second to M. Staunton, Esq., Alderman ; and the third to an " Irish Protestant." The judges expressed their regret that they were not at liberty to mention the name of the author of the latter essay, as the publication of it would expose him to persccution. The Hon. Gentleman announced that the Committee of the Association had determined on offering a prize of 100/. for the best his tory of Ireland down to the present time, such history to be delivered to the secretary of the Association on or be fore the 30th May, 1846. Mr. O'CoNNEnn seconded the proposition, and ex pressed his conviction that no man was calculated to write a history of Ireland unless in heart and feelings he was thoroughly Irish.—(Cheers.) He wished the his tory to be written in a manly, uncompromising, and can did spirit; that all facts should be stated clearly and dis tinctly, and that all partiality should be studiously avoided. Mr. SMITH O'BRIEN, M.P., then moved the following resolution :—" That the Committees of this Association be empowered to support the efforts now in progress for promoting the industrial education of the Irish people, and that they be instructed to report whatever mea sures they may recommend for adoption." The Hon. Gentleman dwelt at considerable length on the necessity there existed for the formation of polytechnic institu tions, and for the promotion of industrial knon ledge, and dwelt on the equity of having the public establish ments in Ireland supplied with the produce of Irish industry, Mr. J. M'IsTEvIN (barrister) seconded the resolution. M. O'CoNNEnn announced that he had received an invitation to a grand public entertainment in Dundalk, which would take place upon Ascension Thursday, and another in the county Meath on Corpus Christi. He would take that opportunity of calling the at tention of the Association to the propriety of having a grand banquet and procession at Clontarf on the 30th of May.—(lmmense cheering.) The Hon. Gentle man, adverting to the late intelligence from America, said there was much to deplore in the annex ation of Texas to the United States. He beheld with horror the annexation of another slave state to the union—it was deplorable to witness a further accumula tion of such human misery. It was i lie for the Ame ricans to talk of liberty, and practise slavery. For his part, he would repudiate any assistance from America if tainted with human blood ; and he was glad he had that opportunity of denouncing the atrocious system. The President talked likewise of seizing Oregen—he would certainly do it, and would then point to the disaffection existing in Ireland for impunity.—(Cheers.) The Spec tator had announced that the Government had only to make a few concessions pro forma to Ireland, and the Irish would rush in all their chivalry to the banner of Queen Victoria. Yes, England should have the assist ance of Irishmen, which would enable her to obtain Oregon, and prevent the annexation of Texas ; but the equivalent should be justice to Ireland, and the restora tion of her domestic legislature.—(Cheers.) After some other routine business, Mr. O'Connell an nounced the rent for the fortnight to be 473/. 95., and the meeting adjourned. THE COLLEGE OF MAYNOOTII. In pursuance of a requisition very numerously signed, a meeting was held this day at the Rotunda, for the pur pose of considering the Ministerial proposition of an in creased grant to the Popish College of Maynooth, and to adopt petitions against it. The meeting was nume rously and respectably attended. The chair was taken by Mr. Grogan, M.P., on the motion of Archdeacon MAGEE, who, in putting the pro position, regretted that he did not see more of his bro ther electors of the city of Dublin on the platform. They were taunted, he said, with having acquiesced in the grant of 8,0001. to Maynooth, and that the principle was the same, whether the sum were large or small. But their present object was to abolish the grant altogether. —(Hear.) The larger the grant, the more the religion of Popery would be confirmed ; and the baneful effects which have resulted from a Maynooth education would be extended.—(Hear, hear.) Mr. THOMPSON (who acted as secretary to the meet ing) read the requisition, to which it ;appeared there were attached the names of fifty clergymen and four hundred laymen. The Rev. Mr. PRIOR, at the request of the Chairman, then opened the business of the meeting with prayer. The Rev. H. M. EYRE moved the first resolution, which was as follows:—" That it is the opinion of this meeting that the Protestant religion, as by law esta blished, is according to the sacred word of God, and that it is but a just acknowledgment of his gracious Pro vidence to attribute to the maintenance of that religion, under his divine blessing, the many ;mercies and the prosperity which the British empire has enjoyed." This meeting, he observed, was not a political meeting, but a religious one, and assembled for a religious purpose. They were met to oppose the disgraceful proposition of enormously increasing the grant to Maynooth Coll ege . They maintained that Protestantism was true, and they called upon the Government not to depart from th at principle. We are ready, he said, to rally round the throne for it, and never to surrender in its defence.— (Hear, hear.) They were asked to multiply the teachers of Romanist error, and spread it more widely than ever. All concessions made to Roman Catholics had failed to satisfy their priesthood—whom nothing could satisfy but the destruction of the Established Church. He called upon this meeting to protest solemnly and religiously against the guilty conduct of the Minister, as calculated to bring down the judgments of God upon the nation. The Rev. SAMUEL WALKER seconded the resolution. England, he said, was about to continue, or rather to ag gravate a great crime. It was therefore his business, and that of every clergyman, to cry aloud and spare not on such an occasion. —(Hear.) Ministers were inex cusable in this business—so was England—for they knew well what Popery was. As to Sir Robert Peel— (Tremendous hisses)—if he were a truly religious man, he could not act thus. He called himself a physician ; but his system was evidently homseopathy. Ireland complained of too much Popery ; but Sir Robert Peel thought to cure her by giving her still more of it. He thought that a hair of the rabid dog must cure her.— (Laughter.) The Rev. Gentleman then enlarged with great eloquence on the iniquity as well as impolicy of the contemplated measure. The next resolution was moved by the Rev. T. D. GREGG, who was received with immense cheering, wav ing of handkerchiefs, &c. He rejoiced to see so large a meeting assembled, and to know that on this question the most perfect unanimity prevailed amongst Protes tants. The real power of the nation was its Protestant heart, and that heart was now against Sir Robert Peel. The Protestants of Ireland were three millions, and the total population being but nine millions, the odds against them were not worth speaking of. He prophe cied that Sir R. Peel's present proposition would be his downfal.—(Hear, hear.) The Rev. C. M. FLEURY supported the resolution, and maintained that the Minister was guilty of treason to the established religion of the country in entertaining his present project as reskiects Maynooth. The Rev. ROBERT M'I , HEE said he did not conceive how the Protestants of Ireland could have remained silent on such an occasion as the present, and then en tered at great length upon the general subject. He had written to the President of Maynooth College, with a view to draw from him some explanation or extenuation of the class books and di v i nit y taught in that institution, but had received no answer to his letter. He then en tered upon a long detail o f Romish errors, and denounced in the strongest manner the great national crime o f coun t en ancing and teaching such dangerous and soul destroying delusions. After ether similar displays of self-interest and bigotry the Christian assembly broke up. Bill. Mr. HAWES opposed the Bill as impracticable, and he should therefore take the sense of the House upon it. He hoped that the Hon. Gentleman would withdraw the Bill for the present, and wait for the general Bill of the Noble Lord opposite. Mr. BORTHWICK supported the Bill. Mr. ORD had but one or two observations to make in reference to this measure. The Hon. Member assumed that there existed a smoke nuisance which could be put down, and the provisions of the Bill had particular reference to the occupiers of chimneys and furnaces. Who were occupiers of chimneys?—(Laughter.) He and other Hon. Members on that side denied the practi cability of complying with the requisitions of this Bill. The Earl of LINCOLN said that a Bill should be introduced for the purpose of constituting local bodies to take into consideration the effects of smoke in their dis tricts ; it would be peremptory to appoint inspectors before that could be done If the llonourable Gentle man still persevered in his intention to refer the Bill to a Select Committee, he (the Earl of Lincoln) would vote for the second reading of the Bill. He was sure, when the Hon. Gentleman reflected upon the large amount of property destroyed by the smoke nuisance, he would not be inclined to throw any impedi ment in the way of legislation upon this subject. A short time ago a nursery-gardener in the neighbour hood of this metropolis was in the habit of raising ex pensive and valuable plants, but, from the erection of two extensive chimneys, he was compelled to abandon a lucrative occupation. Now by the introduction of some patent apparatus into the two chimneys he believed the gardener was afterwards enabled to resume his business with his former success. The experiment was tried, and the nuisance was abo lished. He did not wish to trespass longer on the atten tion of the House, but would conclude by saying that if the Hon. Member pressed his motion to a division he would vote for it, but he would earnestly recommend the Hon. Gentleman to postpone the second reading until the Sanitary Bill had been introduced. Mr. LABOUCHERE thought the best mode would be to withhold the consideration of this matter for the present, as the Government had announced their inten tion of bringing forward a measure which would embrace it. It would be a mere waste of time under such circum stances to refer the matter to a Select Committee. He would vote against the second reading of the Bill. Mr. SPOONER hoped his Hon. Friend the Member for Leamington would postpone the second reading of this Bill. Suppose the most complete apparatus were to be employed fer effecting the object which the Hon. Gen tleman had in view, there was nothing to compel the workmen to put it info effective use, and without their co• operation it would be utterly futile to at tempt to carry the Bill into effect. Besides, there was a very great doubt whether the consumption of smoke would not compel a very much larger consumption of fuel. The Hon. Gentleman oppo site (Mr. Hawes) had complained that this Bill was a mere waste of legislation, but he (Mr. Spooner) would go further and say, that if they attempted to carry this Bill into effect they would excite such an amount of op position throughout the country as would not only entirely prevent any benefit being derived from it, but which would also very greatly militate against any really good mea sure. Another inconvenience arising from the measure, as it stood, was, that every manufacturing interest was claiming to be exempt from its operation. He believed, indeed, that there was a notice on the books for exclud ing the iron trade ; and if the iron trade, why not the glass trade, or any other trade ? He trusted, therefore, that the Honourable Gentleman would not press this Bill to a division, for he believed that it was quite an impracticable measure. He did not be lieve that the smoke from manufactories was any greater nuisance than that from dwelling-houses, even if it were a nuisance at all; and he trusted that he would therefore withdraw it, and leave an opportunity for a really good measure to be introduced at a future period. Lord FRANCIS EGERTON said that he could not possibly assent to the assertion that the smoke from manufactories was no nuisance, or even a small nuisance, fur he knew that in the place which he had the honour to represent it was felt to be a great nuisance, and he conceived that to talk of this period for legislation on the subject being too early, or that discussion was unnecessary in that House, was quite beside the facts of the case. He was favourable to the object of the Bill ; but he thought there would be great difficulty in carrying its enactments into effect. Lord JOHN RUSSELL thought that after the expression of a hope by the Noble Lord at the head of the Woods and Forests, it would have been better had this measure been deferred until after the introduction of the Health of Towns Bill. He should, under these circumstances, vote against the second reading of this Bill ; at the same time he gave every credit to the Honourable Gentleman for the ex cellence of his intention, and for the pains he had taken in the details of the measure. He granted that a great nuisance existed, but he did not agree in the particular mode of remedy advocated by the Honourable Gent'eman. Mr. BROTHERTON said that the details of the Bill might be greatly modified and improved. In that case, he hoped that the Hon. Member would not press for the second reading of the Bill. He should remark that there were chimneys belonging to certain m anufactories in Manchester, where thre was a strong feeling on this subject, from which there was no more smoke than from a private dwelling-house. There was no doubt that great attention would be paid to the correction of the Bill by the Select Committee. Sir ROBERT PEEL said that no one could be more competent to make a suggestion on the matter than the impossible to Gentleman who had just spoken. It was to make any rule with resprct to the suppression of a general nuisance which would not creat e some local nui sances. The Select Committee would consider whe ther the provisions of this Bill could be safely adopted. He was very certain that the time of the Committee would not be lost. Under standing that the Bill was not to be press"d until the measure for improving the sanitary condition of large towns was before the Hous e, he thought there could be no objection to the secon d reading, and refer ring the Bill to the consideration of a Select Commitiee. Mr. HAWES was perfectly satisfied with the course proposed by the Right honourable Gentleman, but he should like to know whether the Committee would have power to take evide nce u p on certain points of the Bill ? Mr. RICARDO reminded the Hon. Member for Lambeth that the Government were going to introduce a Bill affecting the same subject, and it would be there fore all labour lost to ma ke an y inquiry into the nature of this Bill. For his part, he would rather the matter should rest with the Government, entrusted to the hands of a to say Committee. There were two parties affected by this Bill. The one was the party who was annoyed by smoke; the then, was the party who lived by smoke. Now after which he could only say, on the part of his constituents, that they would have to give up business altogether if they were not allowed to smoke. They were now in a state of uncertainty, and there was no doubt they would re main so until the intentions and measure of the Govern menta few words on this subject were before the House. few he wished w w ., s o h i. d e d s in explanation. It should be recollected that a Com mittee of that House reported that the nuisance of smoke Mr. 1. 1 N M V A I L C L K I l A N M N SO saidN said a i a d h could and ought to be prevented; and added, that if the Government did not take up the matter with a view to legislation, some individual Member ought. Was not that recommendation worthy of regard? He had merely followed the recommendation of the Committee. The Right Hon. Member for Taunton had accused him of putting himself forward on this occa s i on , w h en t h e m atter might better be left in the hands of the Govern ment. But in fact, he had done nothing more than act upon the instructio ns of the Committee. If t h e N o bl e Lord (Lord Lincoln) did not feel inclined to proceeed with his measure he ( Mr. Mackinnon) should proceed with the present Bill, but not otherwise. The amendment was then withdrawn ; the Bill was read a second time, and ordered to be r..ferred to a Select Committee. INFEFTMENT (SCOTLAND) BILL . The LORD ADVOCATE postponed the second reading of this Bill till this day week. HERITABLE JURISDICTIONS (SCOTLAND) BILL. This Bill was read a second time. CALICO PRINT WORKS, Mr. M. GIBSON, having inquired wh e th er it was the i n t en tion to proceed with Lord Ashley's Bill for the regulation of calico print works, present e d fi ve pe titi o ns from various manufacturing places against any restri tion of their labour. Mr. HAWES presented petitions from West Hum, in Essex, and other places, to the same effect. Lord ASHLEY in a petition f rom 500 opera tives at Brayford, Kent, expressing their desire that the measure should pass into law, suggesting some amendments ; and stating their wish that even a modi fied measure should be passed, rather than that the Bill should be altogether lust. On the iotion that the Bill be read a zeu.rui Sir J. GIO,IIA)St *aici that wlief; tae 'ITOWe Toni Tut., vsiDENT'S MESSAGE. The Message of an American Pr es id ent i s, under ordinary circumstances, an important political document; but the inaugural Message of a new President is more peculiarly so, while recent events in America give to it an interest of the gravest character. The very unex pected turn which the Texan question has taken, has certainly come upon this country. somewhat b f y sur prit;e ; hut ta . ole. Nye a4yett . to, this intricate, point of 60014trons tll9 I Vn.te.. States, w© shall exaMine the general features of the Message. We wish to ana- TUESDAY NIGHT'S GAZETTE. lyse it, to separate it into its component parts, to anato- ST. JAMES'S PALACE, APRIL 1, 1845. misc it in fact—in order to discover the political physio- The Queen has been pleased, on , the nomination of Lord (5 logy that is likely to form the groundwork of Mr. Forester , to a pp oint Ca p tain J. G. Ogilvie, half-pay y nat , - Pclk's administration. We may pass over without tache d, late of the 92d Highlanders, to be one of her Majesty a comment all the laudation of America, the virtue Hon. Corps of Gentlemen at Arms , v ic e Johnston, wise es . of its citizens, and the perfection of its demo - tires. cratic institutions, unequalled, in Mr. Polk's estimation, since the creation of the world. The coral lary from all these, however, deserves attention ; for he invites all the nations of the earth to follow the example of America ; that is, he tells the people of the Old World that monarchy is altogether an error of the dark ages ; and he invites them to shake it off, and to em brace the glories and advantages that are offered by de mocracy. Such is the spirit, almost the language, that pervades every part of the Message ; while among the other glories and advantages of their institutions, do mestic slavery is not forgotten ; for it is to him " a source of deep regret that in some sections of the country misguided persons have occasionally indulged in schemes and agitations, whose object is the destruc tion of domestic institutions existing in other sections ; institutions which existed at the adoption of the consti tution and were recognised and protected by it." Viewing the democratic institutions of his country as a work of the most consummate wisdom, the new Pre sident evidently thinks that America should labour to extend to other countries the blessings that she herself enjoys ; and that as the end justifies the means, this object alone would entitle her to extend her dominions without any very rigid attention to the rights of other nations. Various passages in the Message exhibit this feeling. " Who shall assign limits to the achieve ments of file minds and free hands under the protec• tion of this glorious union ?" asks Mr. Polk ; and referring to the annexation of Texas, he says, " Foreign Powers do not seem to appreciate the true character of our Government. Our • union is a confe deration of independent States, whose policy is peace with each other and all the world. To enlarge its limits is to extend the dominion of peace over additional ter ritories and increasing millions." With such views of universal philanthropy, it is easy to comprehend that the acquisition of territory, no matter in what way, will be the leading characteristic of Mr. Polk's administra tion. After stating his intention to use all the means in his power for the annexation of Texas, the new President goes on to say, " Nor will it become in a less degree my duty to assert and maintain, by all constitutional means, the right of the United States to that por tion of our territory which lies beyond the Rocky Moun tains. Our title to the country of the Oregon is clear and unquestionable ,• and already are our people pre paring to perfect that title, by occupying it with their wives and children." According to this doctrine pos session is all that is necessary to perfect a title ; where ever an American citizen thinks proper to plant his foot, the soil becomes his. The claims of England to the territory in question, the negotiations that have been carrying on respecting these claims, are not so much as hinted at. Great Britain is evidently a country beneath the oflicial dignity of Mr. Polk to notice ; and it is altogether a curious feature in the Message, that no allusion is anywhere made to the relations which subsist between the Government of the United States and any of the countries of Europe. There is, on the contrary, a sort of repudiation of these States, implied in the following passage :—" All alliances having the tendency to jeopard the welfare and honour of our country, or sacrifice any one of the national interests, will be studiously avoided ; and yet no opportunity will be lost to cultivate a favourable understanding with foreign Governments, by which our navigation and commerce may be extended, and the ample products of our fertile soil, as well as the manu factures of our skilful artisans, find a ready market, and remunerating prices in foreign countries." Although the allusion is made in general terms there can be no difficulty in understanding that England is the power designated in the first clause of this paragraph. Eng land will remonstrate against, if she does not resist, the annexation of Texas. She will exert her influence with that republic to prevent such a consummation ; and she will, therefore, in Mr. Polk's view, " jeopard the wel fare and honour" of the United States. Again, England claims a portion, at least, of the Oregon territory, to which the President says the United States has a clear and unquestionable title, which they are preparing to perfect by taking possession. Here also England " jeo pards the welfare and honour" of the Union, and he gives us timely warning that he has a rod in pickle for us ' • he will studiously avoid all alliance with us ; and we firmly believe that this will be the least offensive part of his policy towards this country.—Shipping Gazetts of last Evening. WHITEHALL, MARCH 29. The Queen has been pleased to order a conge d'elire to pass the Great Seal, empowering the Dean and Chapter of the cathedral church of Ely to elect a Bishop of that See, the same being void by the death of Doctor Joseph Allen, late Bishop thereof ; and her Majesty has also been pleased to recommend to the said Dean and Chapter, Thomas Turton,, Doctor in Divinity, now Dean of the cathedral church of St. Peter, Westminster, to be by them elected Bishop of the said See. DOWNI SG-STREET, APRIL 1. The Queen has been pleased to appoint the Honourable Ileorge Warren Edwardes to be Auditor of Accounts to the Government of St. Helena. Her Majesty has also been pleased to appoint the Reverend Thomas Eyre Poole, Master of Arts, to be Colonial Chaplain at Sierra Leone. Her Majesty has further been pleased to appoint Jules Vi rieux, Esq. to be J❑ge de Pais for the Island of Mauritius. WHITEHALL, Nlincii 31. _ _ The Qaeen has been pleased to present the Rev. Edward Robertson, Master of Arts, to the church and parish of Tib bermore, in the presbytery and shire of Perth, vacant in consequence of the Rev. eir Tulloch, the last incumbent, having deserted the cure of the said church and parish. POLICE INTELLIGENCE. MANSION-HOUSE. ASSAULT ON AN OFFICER OF THE GUARDS.—Yester day Elias Benfield, foreman in a mercantile house in Tower-street, was charged with having assaulted Captain Lewis, of the 2d Regiment of Guards, and one of the privates of the same regiment. Captain Lewis stated that as he was marching ith the Bank piquet in Mincing-lane,' the defendant stood en the pavement, and refused, upon being re quested to move aside in order to allow the guard to pass, but upon being touched by one of the men, returned the compliment by striking and pushing the soldier into the middle of the street. Witness expostulated with the defendant, who, instead of apologising, struck him and pushed him, after having used very insolent language. The soldier confirmed the account given by his cam manding officer. The defendant, in a tone and with a manner not at all calculated to make a favourable impression, said that he considered that he ought to have lodged the captain and the private in the station-house, for having as saulted him. The LORD MAYOR—Your conduct here to-day proves to me what your conduct must have been when the com plainants met me. Defendant—l was assaulted first by these two men, and I am sure I was justified. The LORD MAYOR—I shall hold you to bail for the two assaults, the one upon the gentleman and the other upon the private soldier, yourself in the sum of 100/, and two sureties in 501 each. LAMBETH. SERIOUS CHARGE OF CUTTING AND WOUNDING -- Yesterday Janes Herbeit, a journeyman shoemaker, was brought before Mr. Henry for final examination, on a charge of cutting and wounding Wm. Gurling with a shoemaker's hammer in so serious a manner that his life is still in danger. From the statement of the prosecutor, whose head was bound up, and who appeared in a very weak, sickly state, it appeared that the prisoner, who was related to him by marriage, has latterly become much addicted to drink. On Thursday midday last he returned home much the worse for liquor, when some words arose on his being backward in his rent, when witness told him he should at once pay the arrears due, or leave the house. The prisoner became much excited, and in his rage snatched up his large hammer, with which he gave wit ness two violent blows on the left side of the head and temple, and one on the right arm, and then made his escape from the house. Mr. W. H. Day, surgeon, deposed that on Thursday last, about two o'clock, he visited the prosecutor' at his house in Lock's-fields, and, on examining him, found two incised wounds on the left side of the head, one three and the other one inch and a half long, and also a con tused wound on the right arm, The wounds were such as would be produced by the hammer, which, on exami nation, was found to have some of the prosecutor's hair adhering to it. The prosecutor had been since under his care, and had been so severely injured, that he could not as yet pronounce him out of danger. The prisoner, who said he had scarcely any recollec tion of what he did, was committed for trial on the charge of cutting.and wounding. MARLBOROUGH-STREET. Basil Cochrane Willis, a fashionably-dressed young I man, about 25 years of age, was brought before Mr. Maltby, in custody, charged with obtaining fraudP.lent possession of a bill of exchange from Mr. Edmuna Lyons Hearne, of 9, Pall-mall East, under the following cir cumstances : The prosecutor stated that ho was in possession of two promissory notes of Mr. J. Mytton, one for 600/., and one for 500/., both dated March 10, 1845, payable in four months, on which he had advanced the sum of 8001. in money and cheques. A gentleman of the name of Anderson called upon him on the evening of the 25th of March, and in consequence of information received from him, complainant was induced to call upon the de fendant, who stated that Mr. Mytton was about to take up the bills, and upon that representation" complainant was induced to give up the bills to the defendant. He had not since been able to recover the bills or their value. Mr. Lane, solicitor, who appeared for the accused, con tended that it was a mere scheme to get possession of property which had been fraudulently obtained, and was therefore justifiable ; that Willis was but the agent of a Mr. Sutton who was employed by Mytten to recover the bills for which no value had been received. He called Mr. John Fox Fitzgifford Mytton, who stated that he had received a letter from Messrs. Smith and Co., of Great Marlborough-street, offering to discount bills for him ; that he called by appointment and saw Mr. Smith, who stated that he was to see the person that evening who was to cash the bills, and appointed the following day to meet him. lie called accordingly, and gave bills to Smith to the amount of 1,7001, Mr. Smith saying that he should receive the money on the morrow, but he never got one farthing value for them. He then em ployed Mr. Sutton to recover them. Had not employed Mr. Willis, and never heard of Mr. Hearne's name in the transaction. Mr. Lane called Sutton and Goldsmith, the other two parties engaged in the affair, but they not answering to BY held the d e f en d ant to bail in securities o mthe r. n amount nAls of 1,0001. to appear that d a y wee k. their THE SCOTCH BANKS.— The principal features o the contemplated measures of Sir Robert Peel, in reference to the Scottish banking system, are said to be, that the existing banks are to be limited to their present circulation, and that they will be forced to keep an amount of gold equal to one fifth of that circulation, with the option of having one fourth of that fifth in silver ; so that if a circulation of a bank be 200,0001., it must keep 40,000/. in sovereigns to meet the demands upon it, or else 30,000/. in sovereigns, and 10,0001. in silver. Any bank that exceeds its present circu lation must have gold to meet every pound of such excess.— Caledonian Mercury. RAILWAY ACCIDENTS —On Saturday last, as a pas senger train was coming up the Halifax branch, and when just coming out of the tunnel, a stone fell into one of the third• class carriages, which considerably alarmed, but fortu nately without injuring, the unprotected passengers. On Thursday morning an early luggage train coming un met with an accident from the same cause. A stone had fallen on the rail, and with the jerk of the engine running against it, the chain connecting the train broke. The carriages, laden with fine fat of ccur;ie, r4n down the steep incline, ac cluiring suCh . force in the descent that they ran (it is said) nearly to 'Brighouse before they stopped. Fortunately no frain was pas.r.iiibg at the time, or the consequences might Lave been awful.—Halifax Guardian. I' / --. I SUN OFFICE, Seven o' Clock. SPIRIT of the PUBLIC JOURNALS. FROM THE EVENING PAPERS OF THIS DAT. GLOBE.—Sir James Graham is to the Cabinet of Sir Robert. Peel what Jonah was to the mariners of Tarshish. Almost every storm that rages against the policy of Ministers is caused, directly or indirectly, by some measure which origi nates with, or emanates from, the department over which the unfortunate Home Secretary presides. If not more damaged, Ministers have been more humiliated and disgraced in the estimation of the country, by the impertinent interference and pertinacious adherence to wrong doing which seems to characterise the Right Hon. Baronet's department of the Government, than by the enormities of the income-tax, or the paltering commercial policy of Sir Robert Peel. Another of those annoying discussions which — though they end in a majority in favour of the Government in Parliament—elicit facts which generally produce deeply-seated contempt and scorn beyond its doors, came off last night in the House of Commons. Mr. Shell moved, in specific terms, " the regret of the House that letters addressed to a foreigner residing in this country had been opened without his knowledge ; and that information in refer ence to disturbances in the Papal States, obtained by such means, should have been communicated to a foreign Power." The detention and opening of letters at the Post-office, by au thority of warrants issued by Sir J. Graham, as Secretary of State, had been already the subject of long and fierce de bate, on various forms of motion, and had been inquired into by Select Committees of both Houses of Parliament. It was, therefore, scarcely to be expected that any additional facts could be imported, or new matter be introduced into the dis cussion. Mr. Sheil, with considerable tact, so shaped his motion as to exclude direct censure upon the act of de taining and opening the letters of a foreigner resident in this country; and confined the motion to an expression of regret on the part of the House, that such a course of proceeding should have been adopted. The motion was in this form of an abstract proposition, involving no ulterior proceeding. It might, therefore, have been adopted by the House of Commons without doing any positive additional injury to the Government, through its Home Secretary, than had been already inflicted on it by the exposures which had already taken place. A majority of fourteen in a house of ninety members, saved Sir James Graham from the implied censure of the motion. Thus, by implication, the House voted that the rights of hospitality, due to foreigners resident in this country, may be violated ; their letters detained ; their contents examined ; and the worst description of espionage exercised against them by the Government, without regret on the part of an English House of Commons. These fo reigners thus treated neither were, nor were they suspected to be, engaged in any conspiracy or seditious correspondence against the British Government, on whose good faith and protection they had cast themselves. But some foreign State, with the fears characteristic of despotism, chose to regard them with jealousy, and sought to entrap their connexions still within its power, with whom they might correspond. By inducing the British Government to intercept their letters on their passage through the Post office, and thus to perform the ignoble office of spies upon these exiles, the vile purpose was sought to be accomplished. No blame can be cast on the foreign Power which asked such acts at the hands of a British Minister. But what will be said—rather, what ought to be said—by a British House of Commons of the compliance of a British Minister with such au application ? Is not a refusal to express regret at the conduct we have described, very much like an approval of that conduct? _ _ _ _ STANDARD.—Mr. Sheil brought forwerd the Mazzini case once more last night, in a speech marked by the Right lion. Gentleman's peculiar style, but the House was a thin one, and the speech failed of the usual effect of Mr. Sheil's speeches; it however had one good consequence, in calling forth from Sir J. Graham not only an ample and unreserved dis closure of all the circumstances connected with the opening of Mr. Mazzini's letters, but also a very curious and interesting sketch of what is believed to be Mr. Mazzini's political his tory. This person, who has been hitherto supposed to be a mere wild political dreamer, a sort of Italian Sieyes, manufac turing, as an amusement, constitutions for his country in his resent safe retreat, was, it appears, regarded in France, in Switzerland, and in Belgium as something not quite so harm less. Sure it is that he did not favour England with his pre sence, or Mr. Tom Duncombe with his friendship, until he had found it convenient, if not necessary, to withdraw from the three free countries referred to. So long ago as in 1831, Mr. Mazzini, with other fugitives from an unsuccessful attempt at rebellion in Italy, fled to France, and domiciled themselves at Marseilles, where they soon organised a society under the name of " Young Italy," of which Society Mr. Mazzini was President. This Society appears to have kept up an active correspondence with the malcontents still remain ing in Italy, and to have maintained a hot war upon the established Italian governments, through the medium of publications at Marseilles and in the Maltese journals, This was an occasion of considerable annoyance to the Governments assailed, who remonstrated with the French Government, and, through the British Minister at Florence, Sir Hamilton Seymour, with the Government of this country. Neither the British nor the French constitution, however, al lowed the power to silence the appeals of " Young Italy," and so the war of journalism went on until some Italians, either employed by their Government, or volunteers—which is not known— entered the field against the association at Mar seilles, making the attempt fairly to write it down. This was undoubtedly a legitimate course, and one which would delight men confident in the strength of their cause. It was a course that we wish to be adopted by all despotic Governments, and there would soon be an end of despotism. The process of literary defence is a process of moral ablution, which forces those engaged in it to really purify themselves, that they may appear pure. If the " Young Italy" of Marseilles had been in earnest in pursuit of the freedom of their country, they would have rejoiced in nothing more than the opportunity of discussing the political rights which it ought to enjoy._ We have not, however, now to learn from the confederacy of Marseilles, that political conspirators are not always true to their profession—indeed, it has long been well understood that they who claim a monopoly of the love of " liberty " are lovers so jealous, that they will allow none to share with them the favours of " the mountain nymph." The confede rates of Marseilles were no exception to this general rule. STATE OF TRADE.--To-days market has on the whole been rather quiet, with a tendency to a little lower prices, and not much business done. This applies to both goods and yarn. ROCHDALE FLANNEL MARKET, MONDAY, MARCH, 31.—The market to day has been ex tremely flat, and very little business has been transacted. In the wool market there is no change to report. —Man chester Guardian. MPERIAL PARLIAMENT (THIS EVENING.) HOUSE OF COMMONS. The SPEAKER took the chair at Four o'clock. The Pudsey Gas Bill was read a third time and passed. Mr. W. PATTEN presented a petition against the Liverpool Guardian Gas BilL THE GRANT TO MAYNOOTH. Mr. ORMSBY GORE presented a petition from Wrockwardine (Shropshire) against the inereased grant to Meynooth Mr. STURT presented petitions to the same effect ; but the designations of the petitions were not heard in the gallery. Lord RENDLESIIAM presented similar petitions from Wycombe and several other places. Lord ASHLEY presented several petitions to the same effect, and also several against the sale of intoxi .. eating liquors on the Sabbath. Colonel VEItNER presented petitions from places in the north of Ireland against the grant, and in favour of he Church Education Society. Mr. STAFFORD O'BRIEN and other Hon. Mem. bers presented petitions against any increased grant to Maynooth College. Mr. M. GIBSON presented three petitions from Bury St. Edmund's, Sudbury, and another place in Suffolk, praying that no grant of public money should be given to any description of priests whatever.—(Laughter.) PROSECUTIONS FOR POOR-RATES. Sir J. EASTHOPE rose to present petitions from Ann Ward and Thomas Lukin, prisoners in the House of Correction, in the county of Leicester, complaining of their imprisonment, with hard labour, for the non payment of costs arising out of their inability to pay poor-rates. These persons were now undergoing a sentence of imprisonment, with hard labour, in the prison of Leicester for the non payment of poor-rates, and he was so convinced of the illegality and injustice of the whole proceeding, that he had requested his Hon. Friend the Member for Finsbury, in the event of his (Sir John Easthope's) absence, to present these petitions, so that not a moment might be lost in laying before the House the case of the petitioners. When he explained the nature of the petitions, he thought the feeling of the House would be so generally in favour of the prayer of them, that no impediment would be allowed to interfere with the speedy redress of the grievances complained of. John Lukin, it appeared, was assessed in the sum of five shillings to the poor rates of the parish. He could not pay it, owing to the poverty of his circumstances ; he was summoned by the magistrates at Ashby-de-la-Zouch, and a distress war rant was issued to raise the amount upon his goods and chattels. He had not, however, sufficient in his house to defray the assessment, and he was in consequence, on the 11th of July, committed to the gaol in Leicester. The inhabitants of that town, hearing of his great poverty, paid the rate, and he was released from prison. In a short time after he was summoned for the costs, at least four times the amount of the principal ; but if he had not had sufficient to pay the rate he certainly could not be expected to pay the costs. He was not heard before the magistrate, but was again incarcerated in the gaol of Leicester. The petitioner prayed that imme diate redress should be given. He (Sir J. East hope) might add that the petitioner had a wife and four children. He could refer to his employer, and all who knew him, for the excellence of his character. The next case was that of Ann Ward, and it was very nearly similar to the other. She was a widow, her husband having been killed eleven years before. She lived as a lodger with her daughter, and was assessed to the poor-rate in the sum of three shillings. She was also committed to prison, and the people of Leicestershire interfered, and paid the money. A distress warrant was afterwards levied for the costs, and the petitioner was committed, with hard labour, a second time to prison, in default of payment. It was his impression that these cases required redress, and he hoped the House would take the earliest opportunity of giving it. The SPEAKER said that according to the rule of the House, the Hon. Baronet should have previously given notice that he would move that the petitions be printed, before calling the attention of the House to his motion. He could now move that the petitions be printed, and then take the first opportunity of bringing the matter before the llouse. Sir J. EASTHOPE lamented exceedingly that he had not done so ; but he would now move that the petitions be printed with the votes, and to-morrow he would bring his motion before the House. Lord SANDON presented a petition from Liverpool, signed by 1,400 persons, praying for the repeal of the enactment abolishing imprisonment for debt, passed last session, upon the grounds of no equivalent punishment. Mr. P,C.II3DEN presented a petition from the calico printers of Stockport, prayng that the Pill brought in (as we understood) by Lord Alienijorotigh, t how pop • .)e passed into law. BANKRUPTS. John Breckels, bedstead maker, North-street, Finsbury market, Finsbury, to surrender, April 8, at half-past twelve, and May 13, at twelve, at the Court of Bankruptcy. Belcher, official assignee ; Taylor, North-buildings, Finsbury-circus. John Reay and John Richard Reay, wine-merchants, Mark-lane, April 14, at half-past eleven, and May 30, at eleven, at the Court of Bankruptcy. Trehern and White, Barge-yard Chambers, Bucklersbury. Thomas Holyland Williams, wine merchant, Chelmsford, April 15, at two, and May 13, at twelve, at the Court of Bankruptcy. Edwards, official assignee, Frederick's-place, Old Jewry ; Sheriff; Lincoln's-inn-fields. Robert Cann, shoemaker, Woolwich, April 9, at half-past one, and May 9, at twelve, at the Court of Bankruptcy. Turquand, official asstgnee, Old Jewry Chambers; Biggen den, Walbrook, London. Augustus Radcliffe, sen., and Augustus Radcliffe, jun., patent glaziers, Ile itage- place, St. John's- street- road, April 9 and May 9, at eleven, at the Court of Bankruptcy. Graham, official assignee, Coleman-street, City; M'Leod and Stenning, London-street Fenchurch-street. John Schaffer, fringeman, Clark's-place, Islington, April 9, at half-past twelve, and May 14, at two, at the Court of Bankruptcy. Johnson, official assignee, Basinghall street ; Humphreys, Newgate street. Joseph North, blanket-manufacturer, Birstal, Yorkshire, April 15 and May 3, at eleven, at the Leeds District Court. Young, official assignee, Leeds ; Chadwick, Dewsbury ; Bond, Leeds. John Atkinson Hick, carver and gilder, Leeds, April 14, and May 2, at eleven, at the Leeds District Court. Hope, official assignee, Leeds; Hawkins and Co., New Boswell court, London; Horsfall and Harrison, Leeds. John Whittaker, Druggist, Swansea, April 8, at twelre, and May 9, at eleven, at the Bristol District Court. Miller, official assignee, Bristol ; David, Swansea. William Harrington Lagoe, victualler, Atherstone, War wickshire, April 11 and May 9, at half-past ten, at the Bir mingham District Court. Valpy, official assignee, Birming ham ; Harrison and Smith, Birmingham. DIVIDENDS DECLARED. J. Drewe, t7erivener, Keynsham—first and final div. of 2E. 9d. in the pound, April 7, or any subsequent Monday, at the office of Mr. Acraman, Bristol. J. H. King, druggist, Bath—first div. of ls. 9d. in the pound, April 7, or any subsequent Monday, at the office of Mr. Acraman, J. Hilton, surgeon, Croston, Lancashire—first div. of 4s. 9d. in the pound, April 10, or any subsequent Thursday, at the office of Mr. Cazenove, Liverpool. M. Tomkinson, linen draper, Kidderminster—first div. of 4s. in the pound, on any Tuesday, at the office of Mr. Whit more, Liverpool. I'. Benson, stationer, North-place, Gray's Inn-road—first div. of 3s. 3d. in the pound, on any Wednesday, at the office of Mr. Graham, Coleman-street. .J. F. Garnett, hatter, Tooley-street—first div. of Is. 4d. in the pound, on any Wednesday, at the office of Mr. Graham, Coleman-street. I'. Pearson, wine merchant, Mitre-court, Fenchurch-street —first div. of in the pound, April 5, and three follow ing Saturdays, at the office of Mr. Groom, Abchurch-lane. J. Holdroyd, farmer, North-moor, Northumberland—fist and final div. of 7d. and one-twelfth of a penny in the pound, March 15, or any subsequent Saturday, at the office of Mr. Baker, Newcastle-upon-Tyne. M. Atkinson, banker, Temple Sowerby, Westmoreland — fourth and final div. of 2s. 6d. and one-third of a penny in the pound (in addition to 1 ls. 7d. previously declared), March 29, or any subsequent Saturday, at the office of Mr. Baker, Newcastle-upon-Tyne. J. Laidman, sea., banker, Penrith—second and final div. of Id. and one-sixteenth of a penny in the pound (in addi tion to ss. DAd. previously declared). March 29, or any sub sequent Saturday, at the office of Mr. Baker, Newcastle upon-Tyne. W. Fletcher, oil man, Birmingham—first div. of 6s Bd. in the pound, any Thursday, at the office of Mr. Christie, Bir mingham. _ DIVIDENDS. At the Court of Bankruptcy, Basingliall-street. T. Sherwood, brick maker, Tilehurst, Berkshire, April 24, at twelve—F. J. H. Muller, furrier, Addle -street, 'Wood street, April 22, at one—T. Pearce, tripeman, Bermondsey street, April 22, at one—H. E. Bellenger, licensed victualler, Great Pulteney-street, Golden-snuare, April 22, at one—T. Cornish, wine merchant, Great karlborough-street, April 23, at half past twelve—ll. Bundev, builder, Upper York-place, Portland-town, April 23, at 'half past eleven—E. and A. Rule, ship owners, Leadenhall-street, April 23, at half past two. _ _ _ In the Country. W. C. Thompson, merchant, Liverpool, April 22, at half past twelve, at the Liverpool District Court—J. and E. lierdman, jun., millers, Congleton, Cheshire, April 22, at half-past twelve, at the Liverpool District Court—R. Swain son and J. Gardner, grocers, Liverpool, April 22, at half-past twelve, at the Liverpool District Court—J. Donnelly, mer chant, Liverpool, April 22, at twelve, at the Liverpool Dis trict Court—W. Cross, lead merchant, Chester, April 23, at twelve, at the Liverpool District Court—J. Whitlow, lace man, Manchester, April 25, at twelve, at the Manchester District Court. CERTIFICATES to be granted, unless cause be shoWn to the contrary, on the day herein mentioned. E. Sedgwick, scrivener, Ilythe, Kent, April 23—C. Lewis, innkeeper, Bath, April 22—F. Fothergill and J. Mimes, lamp black manufacturers, Bell's-close, Northumberland, April 22—M. Atkinson, banker, Temple Sowerby, West moreland, April 22—J. Booth, woollen cloth manufacturer, Kirkburton, 'Yorkshire, April 23—J. Barff, merchant, Liver pool, April 24—W. Howell, jun., bookseller, Liverpool, April 22—T. Griffiths, jun., wine merchant, Wem, Shropshire, April Holman, victualler, Exeter, April 24—W. Broadbent,fl our dealer, Denton, Lancashire, April 24—W. Tydeman, timber merchant, Chelmsford, April 22—G. Jack son, jun., upholsterer, Hertford, April 22—J. G. Schott and J. C. Lavater, merchants, Manchester, April 22—H . H. Foothead, wholesale milliner, Fore-street, Cripplegate, April 22. PARTNERSHIPS DISSOLVED. J. Foweraker and T. Baker, stationers, Exeter—H. B. Ingleby and W. Briddon, cotton brokers, Liverpool-3. Drorngole and J. Linton, window glass dealers, Barbican— E. Empson and 11. B. Holman, surgeons, Crediton, Devon shire—A. Abraham and J. B. Dancer, opticians, Manchester —C. and A. B. Bicknell, school mistresses, Maidstone—R. Churchus and W. Copp, carpenters, Yatton, Somersetshire —J. Frankland and W. Cooper, coalowners, Mickley, Der byshire—J. Willmore, and J. Yapp, and J. Woodward, sil versmiths, Birmingham —D. Capran and D. C. Parker, chemists, llorncastle, Lincolnshire—J. Barrow, T. Turner, and 'l'. Turner, jun., engineers, East-street, Manchester square (so far as regards J. Barrow)—W. Cumberland and A. W. Gwyn, shipowners, London—G. Marples and W. Hub- , bert, carvers, Sheffield. SCOTCH SEQUESTRATIONS. James Clarke, printer, Edinburgh, April 4 and April 24, at one, at the chambers of Mr. Deuchar. Hugh Stevenson, mason, Glasgow-, April 4 and May 9, at two, at the chambers of Mr. Keir.;eth, Glasgow. Kenneth M‘Lennan, merPtant, Plocktoun, April 7 and May 2, at twelve, at tilt chambers of Mr. Rose, Dingwall. John Dingwall, Avoch, Ross-shire, April 4 and 25, at two, at f_ 3 ; i e Caledonian Hotel, Dingwall. James - -I " . iven, farmer, Glasgow, April 4 and 25, at one, at cho 'chambers of Mr. Burns, Glasgow. IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT. fIOUSE OF COMMONS, April 1. POST-OFFICE ESPIONAGE. Mr. SIIEIL rose and said—l rise for the purpose of moving a resolution, the purport of which I have already stated. That resolution will be found to be in the following words:—" That this House expresses its regret that letters addressed to a foreigner residing in this country should have been opened without his knowledge, and that information in reference to disturbances in the Papal States, obtained by such means, should have beets communicated to a foreign Power." Sir, I think it right, Calabria — the groun d o f mye spirit o f make the fataliti es w in the first instance, to state , t o r emove a misapprehen sion, that it is not my purpo s e — although it has been imagined nteinn n tio to complaint. Sir, in this country—in whi c h th • hic ha v toe taken be my place intention—to truth pre-eminently prevails—when a Minister of the Crown, no matter to which party he appertains, • rises in his place in Parliament, and in respect to what he has done, or what he has not done, makes a solemn asseveration, he is, n ith an instinct , honourable alike to himself and to those echo hear him, instanta neously believed.—(llear, hear.) And if this holds good with regard to every t the confidence of his Sover ei gn, satesm.tan honoured .s. with with respect to a statesman of n honour is so pecu li ar ly so and unimpeach a bl e as Lord Aberdeen.—(Bear, hear.) Sir, I will not at this time discuss the circumstances connected with th e o p en i ng o f t h e l etters o f A me li o an d Antonio Bandiera. These letters were before Lord Aberdeen ; they were written from Corfu, and they re lated to the projected descent upon Italy. Sir, I will not deny that when I consider that these documents were before Lord Aberdeen, it is still a matter of surprise to me that he should have remained in ignorance of these young men's designs. At the same time I must say there are other circumstances attending this transaction —at least they appear by the statement of Lord Aber deen, and I would be sorry indeed to utter any surmise in regard to that Noble Lord, at least, any surmise is the least degree injurious to him—but I do say that there are circumstances in this transaction which lead me to conclude that a distinction appears to have been taken between the acts that had been goin on in Calabria, and the movements taking place in the Papal States. Ido say, Sir, that sight has been lost of this distinction in the present case, though it was well re garded in former transactions. But it is true that that. may be excused by the fact that public attention had then been too much engrossed by the Parliamentary de bates, in which the Right Hon. Baronet the Secretary of State for the Home Department was so deeply engaged at home. And my lion. and Learned Friend the Member for Finsbury, by a rare combination of bravery and ability, seldom found concentrated in one individual, has won f i r himself, by the manner in which he has brought this question before the country, the most signal suc cess; but I hope he will forgive me for saying that I do think that even the opening of the letters of a Member of the British Parliament was au act which did not call so loudly for full explanation, as the same act committed towards a foreigner, who had been compelled to become an exile from his own country, to take refuge in this, where he was confined without any confederates or re soarces, or the means of levying money or raising