The Sun. — London, England, 1844-03-29 00:00:00

yestettlil eft ruc k. edbYOrd. CLOW', all Ili of tile 1 ,, Royal or Nv er 4 ass Alice and Car he Prince walktd erdlT day in tilt ' ter Ti si at Wm' ft to i vz nvollokv e a JaMTh ason g e"a fir 0 A Ban _ for of .dente and Bea yestard° bad inter' ) 61. „ ; „ g • rTeri a hteri f irt Tow;°' yord 41elopootO B. Sill b e llef,, , iirsr _ o 111 trit O. S 6 SPORTING INTELLICENCE. TATTERSALL'S—YESTERDAY. fn WEETSTA KES AT EPSOM—T 111 S DAY. fi e small su ms were l a id ou t on Akbar at 4 to 1, 3 to 1, 400 oally at 5 to 2 ; and on Emma at 7 to 2 , and 3 to 1 ; berby to 13 was l a id against Akbar winning this and the CHESTER CUP. 11 to 1 agst M r . B r i s tow's Pharaoh 15 to 1 agst Col. Cradock's Pagan 1 5 to 1 agst Mr Collett's Cattonite—taken 17 to 1 agst Lord Eglintoun's Jamie Forest 23 to 1 agst Lord Miltown's Scalteen — taken 2 . 5 to 1 agst Mr. Milbank's Sir Robert 2 5 to 1 agst Mr. Plummer's Alice Hawthorn if 3° to I agst Mr. Speed's Everton ti ,_our list had been governed by the business actually to;!!_ted, it would have been minus two-thirds of the h orses 6;l', tied m it ; our purpose in quoting the market prices is L ily to show the altered feeling with regard to Pharaoh • r agan—the latter was friendless. TWO THOUSAND GUINEAS STAKES. 6to 4 agst Mr. John Day's The Ugly Buck—t. 7to 4 • DERBY. 9 to 1 agst Colonel Peel's lot 6 i to 1 agst Mr. Crockford's Rattan—taken 6 1 to 1 agst Mr. John Day's The Ugly Buck 1 5 to 1 agst Mr. A. Wood's Running Rein 16 to 1 ggst Col. Peel's Orlando—taken 20 to 1 agst Lord Maidstone's Cockamaroo—taken • 22 to 1 agst Mr. Bowes's T'Auld Squire 2 5 to 1 agst Col. Peel's lonian • 4 0 to 1 agst Sir G. Heathcote's Campunero 5 0 to 1 agst Mr. John Scott's Sister to Gr e y Momus colt 6 6 to 1 agst Mr. J. Osborne's Mount Charles—taken „R. to 1 agst Mr. Etwall's Mainstay ILOO to 1 agst Sir G. Heathcote's Akbar—taken , to 15 each agst Mr. Scott's Sister to Grey Momus C 25 colt and Mainstay in one bet—taken. , to 100 agst Rattan, and a fraction between that and 4 0 ; 2 agst Ugly Buck (the only bets that came to our tw l edge) served to prove how very little there was be -1 :an them—a ten-pound note for a thousand even would c o „2 l ave been refused. Orlando regained his position, of fee ' to the prejudice of lonian, against whom 25 to 1, laid tak ee ' a ,. was repeatedly offered. Campunero rose to 40 to 1, )4`" , and the debateable horse in Scott's lot, Sister to Grey "'as colt, went almost out of the market. -ritOVEMENTSIN THE CITY. Those who have been absent from the " City end" of w i t * great metropolis for a series of years will be some at startled if they have occasion to pay a vis it to that krs la % Of London. " Stands the City where it did ?" 3' perhap s be their exclamation of astonishment 4 . ,;2 o ntemplating the march of improvement, which is kt Vapidly approaching its climacteric point. To say )7 ea l ug of the immense advantages obt ained some its back by th e removal of Old-London-bridge and l in e entiguuous abominations, the abolition of Crooked -4,e and the purlieus of the once famous " Boar's ' Tavern ," and the opening of a new brid g e across d id Father Thames," with handsome and spac ious ap lro' e bes, it is only necessary to make a circuit of ki " mile round the Royal Exchange , in order to be A v .. 17 in some degree acquainted with t he reforms meted from time to time in that important corn h:reial locality. Some of our more elderly readers k r t Y Perhaps have a faint recollection of old Princes sis e et, on the west side of the Bank of E n g land, which - vra e 15 years ago was n ot wider, if we rightly remem r I lk ,' than Finch-lane is at present. Now, on the other .ru , we have a fine wide street, which , co ntinued Moorgate-street, forms one grand and direct t t o ° of communication from the Mansio n House Islington. (in the eastern side of the Bank, " r tholomew-lane has been latterly most con .4niently widened, and the old ruined tower which per, reared its head at the north-western per, flanked by a boot-maker's stall (for it could irely to be dignified by the term " shop") has g iven e to a handsome facade of buildings, which very Cthily hold up their heads by the s ide of the new 3'al Exchange. Going still further, it will be found at the old and ugly little church of St. Benet Finck is T'pr on its last legs, and on the eve of fi nal extinction. t hil : ,nnsightly heap of bricks and mortar yclep t " Bank- Inge is already levelled with the g round, and the , ' jigatit portico of the new Exchang e ma y now be l th e Wed to some advantage. By the encro achment of e s edifice, two very ancient City tho rou g hfares, itstle- a n and Bank-street, have bee n utterl y a nnihilated bat, of course, without any disadvanta g e to c ct public. The alley of " chop and steak" houses, A pr sh o ps, &c., which formerly ran along the east At i fi e of the old Exchange, has also been destro y ed, 1 4 ""ongli Finch-lane still remains intact and unim p roved. th Threadneedle-street the increased width of the bicg!roughfare will shortly be carried ou t alon g its . ole le ng th by the removal of the houses and sho p s 6 front o f M e rchant Tailors'-hall ; and the " Hall of i t r i nnierce" (as it is termed) has been ere cted, since Fr ench upon the site formerly occupied b y the old h rench P ro t es t a nt chureh—as ugly a building , per , ‘Ps, as architect ever devised. It had stood, how ever, for nearly 300 years, and some curious antiqua t4 discoveries were made beneath the foundations lira it was pulled down by Mr. Moxhay. These are lira of the principal improvements recently effected, f ild it seems a pity th e y have not been extende d much t rher. Th e view of the new Royal Exchange from bee open space in front of the Mansion-house, will 7 ,s grand in the extreme, especially wh en the Welling fa' statue is erected, as no less than s ix g reat thorough fares our their stream of traffic into that central poi n t . -4 bile*. FASHIONS FOR APRIL (Prom the London and Paris Ladies' Magazine of Fashion.) „ The with make of the new spring redingotes and dresses t tight bodies, open in a lengthened cceur, some ng resembling the straig ht waistcoat ; they are either plain, without lacing or revers, or have a liar . e w 0 revers forming small chi le ; or are with small 01 , - tar forming lengthened V , with Anglaises, which eh "le not be too wide. Anoth er st y le is not quite l e high on the shoulders, but still preserving the • v Pgthened opening in front to t he waist ; this style L ll be used for demi-toilettes, co ncerts, and social Parties, and a fichu adapted to it is made in the p 'lupe style, with Brussels lace fu lled round the top ; e front formed of inlets of lace and work, wide at th e top, and narrower towards the bottom ; different 1 , -"es a ornament are used on these dresses, but the b e west is the embroidery cam6:eon, which is produced tlWorking with the four shades of silk, matching i j i se of which the most beautiful g ros de Na p les ea 4•43ris are composed; but this , of course, is con ed to the shot silks. A new a nd li g ht description ef u gimp is the passementerie byrinthe, and also Ye ' zi4i, gimp. In walking dresses , corsages A l'Ama . o n e are fashionable, with the little jackets falling 2".er the waist. In dinner and e venin g dresses many • " 1 the skirts are made open at the sides, on revers of sa tin, closing with ornaments of ribbon or guipure tt l4 l ) , or trimmed with Alencon lace ; the corsages i i a, with revers open to the waist. The loose sleeves 131 4 ‘-rrientale, kla bonne sceur, &c., with the under ones th e or less ornamented, will, it is expected,. be ~r e prevailing style this spring ; it is also pa 70sed to open them in the Lavalliire style, with ti i ' u ngs of muslin or gros de Naples, and fastening If . e ro with brides, nceuds, or gimp. Ball dresses will • 1)11 be with double and triple skirts; a novel style 4 1 ornamenting them is with small semis of tulle tb us ion. suspended from the waist to the bottom of f re skirt, where they are attached by bunches of to Pale The spring bonnets are of gros de Naples, Pale lilac, lapis, pink, and blue ; some are made white or light coloured crapes, orna mented b y n,g bouquets of flowers or wreaths , flow erin g shrubs, t i f t Lf blown lilac, field daisies , with leaves and blades gjass. Capotes of paille de riz are ornamented with pu e ues, and fancy straws wi th bouillonnts. The bonnets co ntinue small, and with deep ba volets. The ca p s worn aside f l a re o f tulle chiffonnie, with sprigs of heath or smal °wers, SI R ROBERT PEEL AND FACTORY LABOUR. (From a Correspondent of the Times.) • Perhaps the following reminiscence may not be mal (propos at the present moment. In the year 1820 the Bill for the Regulation of Factories" passed, and a • „g r eat boon it was to the opera tives ; it was called - Peel's Bill," being worked through Par liament b y the l ate Sir R. Pe e l. The whole, however , wa s the work of a • P hilanthropic individual, the late Mr. N. Gould , of Man , ceester, who spent many years and many thousands (it is s aid above 20,0001.) in accomplishing, te a small extent, an Il kieet so dear to him. To facilitate his operations, he •ell gaged a house in Dover-street. I was one evening 118 sisting him in his laborious occupat ion, when the pre • a e_ot Premier walked in; he burst out wit h, " Well, Gould, il b uly do you get on?" "Why, Robert lad , we d o g et on, b ut meet with opposition where we did n ot ex p ect tt, ""l told you you would find it h ard work ; • ho wever, I wish you success sincerely." " Ay , Ro bert, there's no doubt of our success, man ! our cause is t at, it' s righteous, it's holy, it must succeed," Well, 4 „ ° 2• 11 d, what can I do for you, though I fear you will carry all your objects Well, Robert, we •" tak.e what we can get but we'll fight hard in $o good a cause." " Well, Gould, good night." As .`" !'• Peel pa s sed me he put his hand on the table , e entl _rid y leaving something on it. " Ay, Robert." *aid Mr. G ou ld, " thou art a good fellow , " giving him It t he same time a shake of the hand. and a slap on the sh oulder, as he wished him " Good night." Mr. Gould round and took up the pap er, smiling. "What is it ? said I. " Ay, lad, it 's a 50/. note—Peel's good fellow ; but he little thinks what a drop • il. 'a . bucket this is. Never mind , lad, we'll take it's well meant,"—and he put it in his pocket. Th e _ s equel i s cur i ous ; a b ou t h a lf an hour afterwards the notorious Robert Owen walked in, proffering his services l l' the most urgent manner upon Mr. Gould to be ern ' ° Yed in any way, either the most labo rious or the test trivial ; b u t on all this Mr. Gould put a ne g ative, telling Owen he had enough to do of his own, he would not trouble him, his philantrophy had other objects , & c., 11d he was fairly bowed out. Smons.—ln the voluminous report on smoke , it o_ t elY made to th e H ouse o f C ommon s, by a Select Commit eh-, some curious facts are mentioned ; f o r example, Mr. Chandler, camellia grower at Wandsworth, states that on count of the great increase of chimneys from manufacto ries in that vicinity, plants which formerly might be handled Without any bad effect, now soil the hands to the greatest ztent. Among other plants which formerly flourished, but Will not now grow in the neighbourhood of the metropolis, are China roses, rhododendron hirsutum, rhododendron and many others of the prettiest varieties, now quite extinct. Mr. Anderson, the curator of the Physic Gardens at Chelsea, t est i f i es to the noxious effects of what he calls the • • _b,itter smoke" upon the trees of that establi s hment, parti se'early on evergreens, and on t wo magn ifi cen t ce d ar s which so long been an ornament to the gardens, and form a .!_ry c onspicuous object from the river. It appears that QtY Particles are attracted to and attached by the resinous exudations of the leaves, while the large surface of the foliage a bo ve prevents their being washed away by the rains, so at the functional action of the leaves is disturbed, if not sutirely destroyed. LITERATURE. CONFESSIONS OF A TVHITEFOOT. Ben^icy, London, 1841. These " Confessions," which are dedicated to the 1 Earl of Devon and the other members of the Irish Landlord and Tenant Commission, purport to be the revelations of a convict who has escaped from his thraldom, and who here relates all the circumstances that induced him to connect himself with one of the Captain Rock con spiracies in Ireland, together with the atrocities the witnessed during the period of his association with these lawless men. The volume is ushered into the world, under the auspices of a gentleman who de. scribes himself as being a barrister, and who, in his introductory notice, intimates pretty plainly that the " Confessions " may justly be regarded as genuine. It is by no means unlikely that they are founded in fact, and that several of the occurrences related actually took place ; but they are much too highly coloured, the language, too, is exagge rated and stilted throughout, and there is an utter want of that simplicity and unaffected earnestness which is usually the language of truth. Were the " Confessions" of a Whitefoot to be written down j ist as they were made by him, the style, though coarse and homely, as a matter of course, would be terribly impressive, and the work would possess a most enchaining interest ; but it is otherwise when all the foppery and finery of language is had recourse to, and exaggeration, both as regards description and incident, are substi tuted for the simple, forcible, utterances of nature. Who could suppose for an instant that a rude, untaught Irish Whitefoot would express himself in this inflated, metaphorical style ? " That distortion which had obliterated the very impress of humanity from his brow, denoted how truly in that moment's agony, memory had fulfilled her task, marshalling her spectre forms, and compelling heart stricken Guilt to scan the future by her lurid light." -The volume abounds in similar specimens of tawdry, tinsel eloquence. 1) INNER TO MR. O'CONNELL. The dinner list already presents a noble spectacle—not so much for the vast number of names it comprises, as for the many counties and remote districts which those names represent. The counties of Kerry, Limerick, Clare, Waterford, and Tipperary, are each represented. So are the following separate cities and towns :—Lime rick, Waterford. Tralee, Clonmel, Newcastle, Cherie vale Mallow, Mitch elston n. Liamore, Yough al , Kinsale , Fethard (county Tipperary), Bantry, Clonakilty, Ne nagh, Millstreet, Castlelyons, Newmarket, Tipperary, Macroom, Cove, Passage, Midleton, Fermoy, Bandon, Castlemartyr ; besides an immense variety of districts not immediately belonging to town, but yet comprising exclusive populations. A letter has been received, an nouncing that the Corporation of Waterford—the m,,st repeal city in all Ireland—are to attend the dinner in their robes of office. This single circumstance tells well for the popular feeling, and affords strong evidence of the influence of the " Convicted Conspirator." Mr. O'Connell has prudently declined the intended honour of a public entry, for many reasons ; but his prudent determination can scarcely heal the disappoint ment of the people of the province, who had resolved, from the first intimation received through the public press, to brave every risk and inconvenience in order to hail the man who had dared the vengeance of a Govern ment in their cause—the cause of mercy and of freedom. Never had Cork, since its first foundation, contained so vast a multitude, as it would have contained next Easter Monday, were the original intention carried out. We shall not attempt to speculate on the probable numbers that would have hailed the Liberator with a " monster welcome ;" but we leave our readers to form an opinion for themselves. when we first premise the irresistible motive that would have led the people of the Province to Cork, as to a holy city—a Mecca of the West—and next inform them that a vast body of the people were to have marched into Cork from the most northern bounds of the extensive county of Tipperary ! These facts are of mighty indication. A word or two as to the progressing preparations. The carpenters commence their operations, this day, to render the dining place as commodious and com fortable as possible. When all shall be completed, the room will be capable of accommodating about 1,000 persons, not more. It will be floored with timber for the occasion ; and every precaution taken to exclude the danger and annoyance of draughts of air, so destructive to all comfort, and so perilous to human life. A long table will run parallel with the length of the room, and will, of course, be placed near the side wall. The chair will be stationed at the centre of this immense table ; and 12 short tables are to be ranged down from the top table. This arrangement has been resolved on to enable all present to hear the speakers, which they could not do were the speakers to speak from one end of the vast room. A light gallery will be erected all round, or rather at each side ; and this will afford accommodation but to 300 ladies. The whole will be splendidly decorated.—Cork Examiner. EDINBURGH TOWN COUNCIL. THE NAPOLEON MUSEUM. We have again visited this very extraordinary and indeed wonderful exhibition, now open at the Egyp tian Hall, Piccadilly. When we consider it as the pro duction of the laborious researches of a single indvi dual, indeed our surprise has increased on each occa sion we have been to look over it, and we have found the proprietor so ready and so obliging in answering our various questions as to its formation, that we can hardly resist the impulse we feel to give our readers an outline of its origin. It appears that more than twenty years ago, immediately after the death of the Emperor Napoleon at St. Helena, which created, we may perhaps say, a sensation through out Europe, the spirited and, indeed, en thusiastic proprietor (and in using this last term we are satisfied from our own experience that nothing of consequence that requires very extensive historical research to understand, can be accomplished without enthusiasm) then decided, in his own mind, that the two greatest men who had ever existed, taken as a whole, were our own immortal bard Shakspeare and the Em peror Napoleon. It seems he had been for some time previously collecting all he could of the former, which we understand is very considerable, and in 18'21 began in earnest to see what it was possible to accomplish relative to the latter ; though at times he could not forget that himself, as well as his countrymen, had naturally been taught to consider Napoleon in any other than a favourable position. Notwithstanding, being determined to read nearly, if not quite all, that to . him appeared to be worth reading, he tells us in the preface to his large quarto descriptive volumes on the tables of his Museum " the result of his investigations has satisfied him how ground less and undeserved the accusations were, with which the Emperor Napoleon was so generally assailed; and he feels satisfied that a similar course would induce many others to form an opinion in accordance with his own, and to abandon the pre judices on the subject which they may have adopted ; for— ECCLESIASTICAL CHANGES._ What the Rev. Dr. Hook is endeavouring to effect by a division of the extensive parish of Leeds into a number of small parishes, for the improvement of the parochial ministrations of the clergy, has already been procured at Oldham by the efforts of the Rev. Thomas Lowe, the incumbent of the parish church, or paro chial district church, Oldham. By a recent order of the Ecclesiastical Commissioners, the ancient paro chial chapelry of Oldham is forthwith to be divided into 14 small parishes, or ecclesiastical districts, the boundaries of which have been fixed, and other ar rangements provided for the ministers of each, accord ing to the orders of the Ecclesiastical Commissioners. These important changes will be carried into effect with out loss of time, so that the advantages of this whole some and necessary creation of new parishes will be almost immediately felt ; for a clergyman will he shortly resident in each district, and temporary epis copal places of worship will be opened, either in school-rooms or other buildings, in all the parochial divisions, as soon as the requisite arrangements can be made for that purpose. The presentancient paro chial chapel or parish church of Oldham will cease to be in reality of greater ecclesiastical importance than the rest of the churches in the borough, except in a few respects, which relate chiefly to the solemnisa tion of marriage, and other mii or points, more of a nominal than of a substantial character. This paro chial partition will lead to the erection of eight additional churches, which, with the six already in existence in the borough, will render the number fourteen. Eight additional ministers are to take up their residences, in a short time within the new parishes, and they will ultimately derive propor tions of their incomes from the partition of the eccle siastical sees now enjoyed by the Rev. Thomas Lowe, the present minister of the parish church, and of the other clergymen at present officiating within these limits. Such a measure, envolves no slight sacrifice of pecuniary advantage on the part of the above Rev. Gentleman, more particularly than the other clergy, as he will be most affected by its ultimate operation. The Rev. Mr. Lowe is, doubtless, actuated by the sincere wish to contribute to the spiritual welfare of the great population-60,000—entrusted to his charge, and by this partition of the parish into parishes containing from 4,000 to 5,000 inhabitants each, the several duties of the clergy, religious, cha• ritable, and educational, Will he, it is to be hoped, adequately attended to ; and whatever light the sub ject is viewed in, whether as a means to promote the spread of the principles of the Established Church, or as a method of counteracting the effect of the extensive diffusion of tenets of Dissent, it must be generally ad mitted that the residence of eight additional clergy men will produce advantages of such a nature as can not fail to have a beneficial bearing on the intellectual, moral, and physical condition of the population. Measures are in progress to secure the establishment of efficient episcopal schools in each of the 14 parishes in the borough.—Manchester Courier. There is nothing either good or bad, but thinking makes it so.' During this every interesting and exciting research the author's former opinions gradually changed, and he naturally felt a deep interest in everything relating to Napoleon, which was increased by the perusal of the amusing and instructive work of the late Mr. Barry O'Meara, entitled, ' A Voice from St. Helena.' Closer investigation deepened the writer's sympathy and convinced him that the real character of Napoleon was not so well known in England as that of many other foreigners, who were far less eminent, or worthy of notice. In the selection of a subject so interesting, parti cularly as an historical point, so vast in its extent, and so fertile in every kind of illustration, connected with literature and the arts, the collector did not, even at the commencement, conceal from himself the many difficulties necessarily attendant on the execution of his task, and the absolute impossibility of attaining completeness ; but he trusts that what, under many disadvantages he has accomplished, will suffice to show, that in selecting a special period of history for illustration, and devoting constant and systematic at tention to it, collections of various kinds may be formed, each receiving additional interest and value from the other, all of them affording great gratification during their formation, and materially contributing to the better ap preciation of the subject, as well as the period to which they relate. The collection herein.described, includes many MSS., medals, and books that illus trate the French Revolution which preceded Napo leon's entry into the great field of action ; but that this could not be otherwise will be evident, if it be re membered how inseperably his history is connected with that of the Revolution of 1789. Not only was the Consulate and the Empire (the natural conse quence of the Revolution) a step onward in the great series of events which changed the dynasties of Eu rope, but Napoleon himself, in all the astonishing and wonderful features of his character, was the great off spring of the Revolution. Everywhere in his ma jestic marches the prolific seeds of change and refor mation were sown, so that the event which startled us yesterday, and excited our hopes or our fears for the morrow, will on examination, be found to have close con nection with that important period, when so many old opinions, and time-honoured institutions so generally became the subject of fierce and unsparing conflict; nor does it appear that we have any example of a reign in which the personal character of the sovereign is so distinctly and forcibly impressed upon every act of his government as in that of Na poleon. Every event, therefore, which assists our appreciation of this great man, is important to our comprehension of his policy ; though he was never greater, nor did his talents and judgment appear more brilliant and wonderful, than during the period of the Directory in France, as General-in-Chief of the army of Italy, and in Egypt—or as Consul, or Emperor. No other potentate ever reigned in France (or elsewhere) with such consummate ability, either as her ruler, her legislator, or as the head of, and di rector of her armies." We seem as if we had imbibed some of the pro prietor of the Napoleon Museum's enthusiasm, and shall take some other opportunities of informing our readers of our researches in this matchless collection, which we would most certainly advise them to lose no time in examining for themselves. TUESDAY, MARCH 26. SLAVERY IN AMERICA. Baillie Urquhart having called the attention of the Council to the case of J. L. Brown, who had been sen tenced to death by a judge in South Carolina, for helping to liberate a female slave, a short discussion touk place on the subject, in which all the members who spolsede• precated the sentence as most inhuman and unchristian. Reference was made to a meeting which had been called by the Anti-Slavery Society on the subject for Thursday evening next ; but it was thought that a meeting called under the auspices of the Corporation would have much more weight. It was accordingly agreed that, in order to afford the inhabitants an opportunity of expressing their opinions on a proceeding so very revolting to humanity, it should be remitted to the Lord Provost's Committee to make the requisite arrangements for holding a public meeting on ss early a day as possible. The meeting has since been fixed for Friday next, at two P.M. PAYMENT OF MAGISTRATES' CLERKS. TO THE EDITOR OF THE SUN. SlR,—This subject having been brought before Go vernment in both Houses of Parliament by Lord Worsley and the Marquis of Lansdowne, and it having been stated by Mr. Manners Sutton that a Government measure is now in preparation to provide for the pay ment of magistrates' clerks by a fixed salary out of the county rate, the ground for such change from the pre sent system being that the "costs" attending a convic tion in petty sessions, owing, as it is obviously intended to be inferred (for this can be the only argument from the oppressive fees paid to the clerks) are frequently most disproportionate to the penalty inflicted ; and two instances, amongst others, were cited by Lord Worsley on his motion, where a fine of one shilling was inflicted, accompanied with costs in one case to the amount of 11. 7s. 6d., and in the other to 2/. This, at first sight, appears marvellously hard. How enormous are the fees to these magistrates' clerks ! no doubt the credulous public exclaims ; whereas the fact is, and this fact for some reason or other is kept back—and it is for the pur pose of bringing it forward that I venture to crave the insertion of this letter in your columns—a very small portion of these " costs" (as is known to every practical man, but of which Lord Worsley appears not to be cog nizant) is composed of fees to the clerks in petty sessions. In this riding (West Yorkshire) their fees are more mo derate than otherwise : the maximum amount they are allowed to receive on a conviction is 7s —viz., 2s. for the information and summons, 4s. for preparing and en grossing the record of conviction, and returning and filing it with the clerk of the peace, and Is. for the com mitment. All these matters in their preparation require considerable skill and attention ; the rest of the costs, and by far the greater bulk of them (and I pray you, Sir, mark this) are composed of the constable's charges for the service of the summons, for his attendance at the hearing, and of the sums allowed for the witnesses and complainant for their loss of time. Is it intended to burden the county rate, not only with the salaries of the clerks to the justices, but with these, the heavier items in the "costs" also ? If not, how can the proposed end be obtained, and how is the professed objection to the present system to be obviated by merely paying the clerks by a fixed salary ? But I contend that there is not the slightest occasion for charging the salary of the clerks on the country rate ; the magistrates now, before inflicting the fine, invariably ascertain the costs incurred, which are as invariably considered as part of the tine in inflicting it ; and hence it is on this account that it is often small or nominal. If they wish, from the trivial nature of the charge, to inflict no penalty they can, and in practice often do, dismiss the summons, besides which, as was well remarked by some Honourable Member on Lord Worsley's motion, the clerks (whose high character is universally admitted) can issue no summons of them selves, as the magistrate hears the complainant's state ment, and he alone can issue the summons. Having some practical experience in petty sessions business, I write for the purpose of setting the facts in their true light, which I think will at once render the advisability of burdening the county rates on the grounds stated, with the salaries to clerks to justices, much more than questionable ; besides there are many other duties performed by the clerks, such as examina tions for settlements, removal orders, and overseers' business generally, which are now equitably paid for by the townships, or parties requiring them, and surely these are not to be made a burden generally on the county rates under the "improved system." If any change is made—and here I request the attention of my Lord Worsley and Sir James Graham—give the magis trates in petty sessions the power, where they think the circumstances of the case require it, to make an order for the payment of the costs of a conviction before them out of the county rate, as at present they have the power to do in cases of felony. This will effectually answer every purpose proposed, and prevent all necessity for charging the salaries of the clerks on the county rates, which measure, as I have demonstrated, would not have the effect that is contemplated, and would be obnoxious to the rate-payers.—l am, &c„ AN ACTING MAGISTRATE, VACANCY IN THE PARISH OF CURRIE. Sir JAMES GIBSON CRAIG appeared at the Board, and presented a petition from the heritors and a large num ber of the parishioners of the parish of Currie, praying the Council to appoint the Rev. Thomas Barclay, of Peterculter, in the Presbytery of Aberdeen, to the vacant charge. It was agreed to fill up this vacancy at next meeting. THE ROYAL MINT.—The workmen at this im portant establishment have been busily engaged this last week in striking off a considerable quantity of the new coin age for the Bank of England and the Government, for the payment of the approaching April dividends, and the guar, ter's pay, half-pay, and pensions of the army, navy, and the Government officials of the different departments—Post- office, Stamp, Excise, Customs, &c. A notice has been issued by the Royal Mint that the exchange of the old for the new legal money welglils will be cgll lilllE d r f t tlo? Mint Omni ing to the a nditions published in the London gi.zrgtto in May, 1843) until Saturday next, the 30th instant ; but that on and after the said day the exchange will cease, and no money weights thereafter will be received at the Mint. The 1 number of light sovereigns and half-sovereigns received at ; the Bank since the Royal Proclamation of her Majesty on the light gold currency, which came into operation on the Ist of January, has been far below what was generally expected, and the panic, which at first existed, has now spbsided. _ _ • • SLR W 414 ., OF EDINBURGH.—On Friday night a part of the old wall of Edini4prgii ? forms one side ol Leith- wyncl, fell down, owing, it is sapppsed, to thp utio4 641 the rain on Friday night on the'old and ruinous • THE SUN, LONDON, FRIDAY MORNING, MARCH 29, 1844. PARLIAMENTARY PAPERS. MAIL COACHES-POST-OFFICE-POST- AGE—FRANCE. At the close of the month of August last, various returns, under these heads, were moved for by Vis count Ebrington, Sir Charles Douglas, Dr. Bowring, and Mr. Hutt. They were presented, ordered by the House of Commons, on the 24th of August, to be printed, and have just been issued (No. 602) from the Vote-office. They are very curious : No. I. is a Return of Stage Coaches, or other Pub lic Conveyances, that have been used by the Post office authorities, as mails in England and Wales, not having been so originally, &c. From the detached list here given, it appears that the number of these coaches, &c., is 79 ; w hereof the earliest, so used (the StatnfUra and Cottersworth), was taken up in March, 1828. In 1837, also, only one (London and Bir mingham " day" mail); in 1838, eleven; in 1839, thirteen ; in 1840, eleven ; in 1841, twenty-one ; in 1842, sixteen; in 1843, five. Of these seventy-nine coaches and conveyances, sixty-four were accompanied by guards; fifteen were not. No. 11. gives a Return of the number of applica tions made at the General Post-office in London, for letters stated to be missing, as distinguished into two classes ; viz., " Containing inclosures of value ;" and " Not containing inclosures of value." In the first class, the number stated to be missing was 332, the number found 129, in the two months October and November, 1839 ; in the like months of 1841, they were 1,389, and 397 ; and in two months, ending sth July, 1843, they were 1,192, and 340 respec tively. In the second class, the number stated to be missing, 256 ; number found, 95 ;-609 and 195 ; —6OB and 180, in each of the same three periods. Thus the total number of letters stated to be missing and the number found, were for the same periods severally these: 588 and 224; 2,058 and 592; and 1,800 and 520. The number of applications " as to delay of letters ;" in October and November, 1839, 175 ; same months, 1842, 316 ; in two months, ended sth July, 1843, 260. The num ber of letters delivered in the United Kingdom, from 24th of November, 1839, to 21st of May, 1843, was 14,020,423. No. 111. is a Return in columns of the Number of Letters which have been forwarded monthly, through France to the East Indies or other countries, by way of Egypt, from the earliest period of our postal conven tions with France ; Amount of Postage paid thereon in England, and Amount paid to the French Govern ment; also similar Retur..s of Letters received from the East, through Egypt; also similar Returns of Newspapers. These accounts are stated so much in detail that an abstract of them is almost impossible. The largest number of letters " received from India" is entered in October, being in the second month of the 1839 scheme of transmission. It was 16,285 ; and the greatest sum paid to France on account of such postage, was in the year 1842, namely, 8,2961. sterling (199,124 francs). The largest number of letters " sent to India," during the same interval, was 7,398, in July, 1840 ; and the highest amount paid to France, on account of such outward postage, during the same term, was in 1840, namely, 4,4571. (or 106,972 francs). The extraordinary fluctuations in the amount of this correspondence, inwards and outwards, it seems difficult to account for. It is noted in this Return that " the amount of postage received in England cannot be ascertained." The amount of newspapers "sent to and received from India shows an equal extent of fluctuation. The greatest number sent was in 1841, viz., 100,064 ; but the largest amount paid to France, on account of newspapers (outward), was, in 1842, viz., 2201., or 5,271 francs. The account of letters out and home via Egypt, to and from India, shows us the highest number from 1826 and 1827 to 1843, in the month of April, 1843, no less than 29,772, on which the amount of postage received was 1,269/. Homewards, the greatest number of letters received by this channel, between 1827 and 1843, both inclusive (for the latter year the amount being brought down to the month of August only) was 23,473. No. IV. (1.) LONDON GENERAL PosT.—Number of chargeable letters which have passed through the London General Post-office (inwards and outwards) since the first general reduction of postage on the sth of December, 1839, dividing the time, as far as prac ticable, into four complete weeks each, and distin guishing, as to each period, the unpaid, paid, and stamped, and total number of letters; also a return of the estimated average, &c., for four weeks of the year, immediately preceding the reduction dis tinguished in like manner. This account is made up to the four weeks ending 28th January, 1843. The total estimated average for the four weeks of 1839—immediately preceding the new plan— is stated at 1,821,386. The total for the first period of four weeks after the " Stamps" had been issued for use, stands thus :—Four weeks ending May 23, 1840—Unpaid, 410,399 ; Paid, 2,630,895 ; Stamped, 419,984 ; Total, 3,461,278. The gross totals were, at the beginning and closing periods taken from each of the following years, these, viz.:— OXFORD CH?C Ul T.—Monmoeth, March 26. CROWN COURT.—(Before Mr. Baron PARKE.) • James Wynyat d, aged 22, a fellow of extremely forbidding appearance, was charged with maliciously cutting and stab bing James Berry, with intent to do him grievous bodily harm. _ Mr. Greaves prosecuted; the prisoner was de:ended by Mr. Skinner. On the 2d of last September the prisoner and same ethers were drinking at the Golden Ball, at ➢lonmouth, and after wards sat down to cards ; a dispute arose amongst them, and the prisoner made use of some opprobrious epithets towards the uncle of the prosecutor, which he resented, and a challenge to fight having been given to the prisoner, he struck Berry in the side, who fell with Wynyard upon him, and, while down, the prosecutor received so many severe kicks from the prisoner, that his chest remained black and blue for a month after. The landlordthen interfered, and separated them ; but the prisoner, watching his opportunity, struck at Berry, over the head of his mother, who was sitting at the fire, and with a clasp-knife stabbed him nearly to the heart. Fortunately he recovered, the wound not proving very serious, although at first presenting a dangerous appearance Mr. Skinner called a witness, who gave a somewhat different version of the occurrence ; but the jury did not seem to place much reliance on his story. Wynyard was convicted, and sentenced to transportation for fifteen years. DUTY ON WINES. EXPEDIENCY OF MAKING A GREAT REDUO. Weeks ending Jan. 4, 1840 2,102,281 Dec. 5 gt Jan. 2, 1841 4,355,237 Dec. 4 C 4 Jan. 1, 1842 5,207,297 Dec. 31 Jan. 28, 1843 ... .5,716,898 Note.-The fourpenny rate came into operation on the sth of December, 1839. The penny rate on the 10th of January, 1840. k 2.) A similar Return as to the London District Post, exclusive of all General Post Letters. (Note " The penny rate came into operation as respects this post on sth December, 1839.') Estimated average for four weeks, 1839, &c. (as above). Total 1,022,386. (3.) A comparative statement of the number of letters, including franks during the existence of the franking privileges, delivered in the United King dom in one week of each calendar month, from Dec ember 1839 to the present time. The total for the week ending 24th Dec. 1839, is thus stated in country offices, 764,938 ; London, Ire land, Foreign, and Ship, 229,292 ; London District Post, 256,747. Total, England and Wales, 1,252,977; ditto Ireland, 179,931; ditto Scotland, 153,065 . : Grand total, United Kingdom, 1,585,973. The last total given in this return is also the highest, and re markable, as showing the greatest increase for each division of the United Kingdom. (4.) " An Account of Gross and Net Post-office Revenue, and Cost of Management for the United Kingdom, for each of the years ending sth January, 1839, 1840, 1841, 1842, and 1843," &c., is classed as under. We give the results of the first, second, and last years :- In the years 1839, 1840, and 1843, respectively, the statements of gross revenue were severally these : -2,346,278/. ; 2,390,763/. ; 1,578,146/. 1 • and of the cost of management therein, 686 , 768 /.; 756,999/. ; 977,5041. The postage amounts charged on the Go vernment departments, pending the same years were successively, 45,156/. ; 44,278/. ; and 122,161/. Thus the net revenue, exclusive of these charges on the Go vernment departments, was for 1839, 1,614,354/. ; for 1840, 1,589,486/.•' for 1843, 478,480/. (5.) Payments by Post-office made during each of the years ending sth January 1839 to 1843 (inclu sive) for conveyance of the Mails by Railway in Great Britain, &c., 1839, 12,380/.; 1840, 52,2301.; 1841, 51,301 ; 1842, 94,818/. ; 1843, 77,5701.-Note. These " totals" include " payment for work done on preceding years" of the following proportions : viz. the total as above of year 1839, 132/. ; of 1840, 4,355/.; of 1841, 358/. ; of 1842, 9,175/. ; of 1843, 2,387/. (6.) Return of the Number and Amount of Money orders issued and paid in England and Wales in the several quarters from that ending sth April 1839 to ditto sth January 1843. (7.) Similar Returns for London. Quarter ended April 3, 1839.-Money-orders "issued," England and Wales, 28,838-their amount, 49,4961. Ditto, London, 3,891-amount, 7,1611. Money-orders "paid," England and Wales, 25,785- amount, 43,238/. Total number of Money-orders, England and Wales, " issued and paid," 54,623. Total amount 92,734/. Ditto, London, 9,423-amount, 17,402/. Quarter ended January 5, 1843.-Money-orders "issued," England and Wales, 494,757-their amount, 1,031,992/. Ditto, London, 73,520 -amount, 146,000/. Money-orders, " paid," England and Wales, 486,437 -amount, 1,023,200/. Ditto, London, 143,065- amount, 320,798/. Total number of Money-orders, England and Wales, " issued and paid" (passing through the office), 981,194 -amount, 2,055,193/. Ditto, London, 216,535-amount, 466,795/. "issued and paid." The two quarters which we have selected for the purposes of our abstract, as above, will sufficiently in dicate the sudden and enormous growth of this " mo ney-order " accommodation ; and the eagerness with which people have availed themselves of it both in the country and the metropolis. (9.) A Return as to Registered General Post Let ters, &c., states that the number of letters registered, gratuitously, in London, in June, 1839, was 7,666. Number of ditto which would have been registered in London, in June, 1843, had the plan of gratuitous registration been continued (and letters actually regis tered are not ineluded in this number), 30,880. Num her of letters actually registered in London in June, 1843, 8,112. TION IN THE WINE DUTY. (From the Scotsman.) The folly of abridging our own comforts because our neighbours abridge theirs, is well exemplified in the absurd restrictions which our fiscal laws impose on the use of wine. It is well known that wherever wine is the common beverage sobriety prevails • and not a doubt exists that if the article could b procured here nearly as cheap as in those parts of France where no wine is produced, more would be done to promote temperance than if a thousand mis sionaries like Father Mathew were kept traversing the kingdom from January to December. It is equally certain that if the obstacles created by our revenue laws did not intervene, wine could be purchased as cheaply in Britain as in Normandy and Picardy ; and its use might be even more common here than it is there, because a much larger proportion of our population are able to pay for imported articles. We do not mean that wine should be exempted from duty. Far from it. But we think that, if the duty were greatly reduced, the article might come into universal use among the middle classes, superseding spirits and ale to a large extent, to the great increase of temper ance, and to the benefit of health and morals ; and all this without any loss to the revenue. Those who are familiar with chronicles, family me moirs, and narratives, written before the union, are aware that the " stoup of claret" was common in the houses even of the smaller gentry and merchants. The light palatable French wines, which females may drink in moderate quantities with perfect safety, were then in pretty general use among the middle ranks. We learn from an excellent authority that in 1700 the wine consumed in Britain was very nearly one imperial gallon for each individual of the popu lation. In Holland where the duty is trifling, it is as much at this day. In Denmark, it amounts to three gallons per head. In Britain at present, when the number of persons able to indulge in the use of luxuries is proportionally six times greater than in 1700, the consumption is only the fourth part of a gallon !* The wine consumed previous to the union was chiefly French; and the expense of indulging in such a beverage must not be judged of by the price paid at this day for Burgundy and Chateau Margaux, since, owing to our high import duty, none but wines of a recherche quality are brought in. It was the ill-judged Methven treaty in 1703, which banished the produce of the French vineyards from the tables of the middle classes, and forced the strong, harsh, and comparatively deleterious wines of Portugal into general use. For many years during the war and afterwards, the duty on French wine was as high as 13s. Bd. a gallon. In 182.5, it was reduced to 7s. ; and on the expiration of the Methven treaty in 1831, to the present rate of ss. 6d., or 11d. per bottle. To judge of the effect of such duties, we must bear in mind that there are wines in France, purchased in the wood at ls. 6d. or 2s. a gallon, which English men do not disdain to drink when they cross the Channel. The consumption of wine in France, says Mr. Porter, amounts to 19 gallons for each individual, or more than 70 times the consumption of the United Kingdom. But Paris will afford a better standard of compari son. Its consumption in 1834 was 877,000 hecto litres, or 19,300,000 imperial gallons ; and the popu lation being then about 850,000, this is equal to 22} gallons for each individual, man, woman, and child. It thus appears that Paris alone consumes three times as much wine as the British isles with a population of 27,000,000. Some will object that the Parisians live in a wine-producing country, and obtain the article duty free ; but both objections rest on mistaken notions. The vine is largely cultivated in the vicinity of Paris, but chiefly to afford grapes for the table. The wine made is small in quantity, and too bad in quality for the dainty palates of the metropolitan citizens. The yin ordinaire of Paris comes chiefly from Burgundy, performing a journey of 150 or 200 miles; but much of the wine in common use is brought from Bordeaux to Havre by sea, and thence by the Seine to Paris, a voyage of 800 miles. Of the wines extensively consumed in the capital, the champagne is raised nearest to it; but even this comes chiefly from Rheims and Epernay, a distance of 100 miles. In the second place, the arti cle is not untaxed. Wine in cask pays an octroi, or municipal duty at the gates of 21 francs the hecto litre, which is equal to 94d. per gallon, or fully three halfpence the bottle. The duty on wine in bottles is twice as much, that is 6 sous, or threepence, the litre, which rather exceeds the contents of our quart bottle. This applies to all the champagne, and probably to some of the more choice wines of Burgundy and Bourdeaux. It is evident, then, that in everything but the rate of duty, the situation of London is nearly parallel with that of Paris. Both stand in corn-growing countries ; both import their wines; and, so far as respects the produce of the southern vineyards, those of the Gironde, Charente, Loire Inferiur, &c., it could reach London at a less expense of conveyance than Paris, by probably 10 or 15 per cent. Wine at Paris pays lid. per bottle to the municipality • wine at London pays I Id. to the Government. Need we seek any farther for the cause of the smaller and poorer town consuming fifty times as much as the larger and more opulent ? If a duty of 11d. were levied at the bar riers of Paris, it would shut out all the wine retailed at prices from 6d. to is. 6d. per bottle, that is, most probably nineteen-twentieths of the whole. " There is a great deal of excellent French wine (says Mr. Porter) better adapted to the English taste gene rally than the finest wines of Medoc, which could be sold with a profit to the importer for less than sixpence per bottle, independent of duty. If the rate of this duty were fixed so low as to admit of the sale by the retailer at one shilling per bottle, it cannot be doubted that the consumption would be very much increased, and a great addition would be made to the innocent enjoyments of the people." A small abatement of the duty would effect no thing, because there is the habit of a century's dura tion to combat. Even a reduction of fifty per cent. would be insufficient. When we consider what the consumption was in Britain 140 years ago, what it is in Holland and Denmark, and still more in Paris, Rouen, and Boulogne, which would really have no sensible advantage over London or Leith in procur ing the article, if our preposterous tax were removed —we cannot help believing, that if we had a financier bold enough to reduce the duty to something near the Paris standard, say to twopence a bottle, the con sumption would increase tenfold in a few years, while the revenue would ultimately gain by the change. In the the five years from 1789 to 1795, the wine annually imported was fully as &Teat as at present. Now, the population has doubled in the interval ; and from all we have observed and heard, we are satisfied that the habit of wine drinking has increased in a higher ratio than the population. Is it not then evi dent, that one-half or more of the stuff sold as wine, must be a factitious compound, made within the king dom, from herbs and drugs, and which probably few would taste if the ingredients were known to them ? * Porter's Progress of the Nation, vol. iii. p. 62. NORTHERN ClRCUlT.—Liverpool, March 26. CROWN SlDE._(Before Mr. Justice CourbfAN.) Thomas Cashmere, aged 20, was indicted for cutting and wounding Robert Middleton, with intent to do him some grievous bodily harm. Mr. Hutton conducted the prosecution. The prisoner was not defended by Counsel. It appeared that there had been some previous grudge be tween the parties, and meeting accidentally on the day in question, the prosecutor addressed the prisoner tauntingly by the title of Mister Cashmore. The prisoner being offended at this, addressed to the prosecutor a query, the exact applica tion of which did not appear, namely, " Who killed Isaac Cutts ?" The prosecutor, who is a much more powerful man than the prisoner, was much irritated at this, and, seizing the prosecutor by the collar, shook him violently. The prisoner, in return, threw a stone, and then ran into the shop in which he was employed in his trade of joiner. The prosecutor fol lowed and kicked him repeatedly. A struggle ensued between them, which lasted for some little time, and on its ceasing the prosecutor found that he was wounded on the left side, and waitleeding copiously, The prisoner had then a chise in his hand, but at what time of the contest he had procured it, or whether he had the chisel ;,n his hand when it com menced, did not appear. On The person of the prosecutor being examined, it appeare( l , he had received two wounds , evidently inflicted with 0-, e c hisel, which had been struck from below upwards, erne was just above the hip bone, and the other higher up. They were of a serious nature , and his life was for some tintr, i n per il. The prisoner in his defence declared the prosecutor had beaten and kicked him very severely, and that he had struck in self-defence., without reflecting that he had the chisel in his hand. Verdict—Guilty of a common assault. To be imprisoned for six calendar months. Catherin e O'Brien,, aged thirty, was indicted for cutting and woundit - ig her hus'jand, John O'Brien. Mr. Whigham conducted the prosecution. It appeared t'nat on the evening in question the prosecutor was sitting in his house half asleep, leaning his head on his hand. His, - w if e , the prisoner, came in, and he wakin g u p , thought she seemed under the influence of drink, and accused her of / Jeing intoxicated. She was at that time cutting some brewj with a knife. She retorted his accusation with some irr',tating words, and the prosecutor finally struck her. A 'o:scuffle ensued, *hen the prof ectttor received a wound in the Taxa BANK or FRANCE.—The National observes that the obstinacy of the Bank of France to continue the rate of discount at from four per cent. is producing its fruits. We have before us some returns which demonstrate• that, whilst the value of all pu bli c securities have risen, the Bank Shares have fallen in one year 220 francs per share, or 22 per cent, on their original cost, and everything leads us to believe that this fall will continue. Now , if we compare the value of Bank shares with railroad shares, we And a sensible dif ferepee, as the first have fallen 22 per cent., whilst the latter have risen from 10 to . 45 per cent. We shall have occasion to Muni to the inlbect of rulz944 ASSIZE INTELLIGENCE. 1 face. extending from the cheek-bone to the corner of tbb 14 HOME CIRCUIT, Kingston, March 28. month. He now, however, seemed very unwilling to p CIVIL SIDE. ~, e :T i l i d s 3 t d a ....:_ ted v i e t i t i o li b c e t l t iilb ,, e ,, l u ie ;i f i t;i . at the woundw a t' • -4 (Before the Lord Chief Justice and a Common Jury.) iz zi r y f o o f r causes tv-,even for tile Sa ":4;;; lfo .)"7 ( 4 BREACH OF PROMISE OF MARRIAGE.—BELSON U. and he IN e.t Derby !!st. It has be WILLIAMS. ranged that all in the , ecopd lists after No 60 except This was was an action brought by the plaintiff, to re- fend e d ca uses and s p ec i a l j ur i es, be . tried beft r cover damages for a breach of promise of marriage by Justice Coltman , after the criminal business shall have a the defendant. dis p osed of. v-f M. 1)7 Mr. Montagu Chambers and Mr. Knapp were for the v r , - plaintiff, and Mr. Thesiger and Ur. Platt for the de kndant. Mr. CHAMBERS stated the case, and said the plaintiff in the present action was a person in a very humble station of life, and she sought from the defendant com pensation in damages for one of the greatest injuries that could be inflicted upon a woman. The plaintiff and the defendant were both about thirty-two years of age, but the intimacy first commenced between them at a much earlier period of life. They both resided at Frimley, in this county, and they first became acquainted in 1831. An intimate connection and affection sprung up between them, the result of which was, that in 1835 the plaintiff gave birth to a female child. The defen dant was the son of a gentleman of some property in the neighbourhood. He always expressed great affection to wards the plaintiff, avowed his intention to marry her, and when the child was born he permitted it to be christened in his name ; and to show what his intentions were at this time, he should produce a Testament, in which the defendant had entered the words " Maria Augusta Wil liams, born Friday, July 17, 1835, half-past six, P.M ;" and, in fact, the defendant always recognised the infant as his legitimate child, and on several occasions stated to the brother of the plaintiff that he would rather the breath should go out of his body than that his sister should not become his wife. He admitted that an illicit connection had continued for a consider able period between the parties, but it was alone countenanced upon the representation of the defendant that he could not marry without disobliging his father, from whom he had considerable expectations, and that he would embrace the first opportunity of redeeming his pledges to the plaintiff. The father of the defendant died in 1843, and he then still adhered to his engagement, and expressed his satis faction that the period was at length come when he could carry out the promise he had made, and restore to the plaintiff that position of honour and respecta bility of which he had deprived her. In spite, however, of all these protestations the defendant had deserted the unfortunate plaintiff, and had put it out of his power to do her justice, by marrying another woman. The defendant, while in poor circumstances, had always professed great affection for the plaintiff, and had led her to believe that she would be raised to a station of comfort and indepen dence, but when he became comparatively rich and in dependent, he forgot all those professions, and basely deserted the woman who had sacrificed everything to him. Under these circumstances the plaintiff appealed to the jury for damages for the injury she had sustained, and he was satisfied they would give her such compensa tion as she might be considered fairly entitled to under such circumstances. The Learned Counsel then called the following witnesses: — John Belson—l am the brother of the plaintiff. She is about 32 years old. I have known the defendant for twenty years, and I believe he was thirty-three last August. The defendant used to come very often to our house at Frimley. He used to come courting to my sis ter, and was received at any time. In 1835 my sister was delivered of a child, and I had a conversation with the defendant before her confinement, when he said " I shall make your sister my wife as soon as possible." He constantly visited my sister while she pregnant,and he told me his father had offered him 50/. to give my sister, and break off the connexion, but he said he would rather lose all the breath out of his body than forsake her. The defendant's father died in January, 1843, and he then told me that he intended to make Kate, meaning my sister, his wife, and he would take a little farm in the country and live away from his brother and sister. Soon after this we ascertained that the defendant had been married, and upon my sister hearing of it she be came very ill. Cross-examined—l get my living by labour in an honest way as well as I can, occasionally by holding horses. My father never earned more than forty shil lings a week. Our cottage had eight rooms. I did not know before March, 1835, that there had been any im• proper intercourse between the defendant and my sister. He used sometimes to whistle, and at others to throw stones, and she went out to him, and they remained out for some time. Defendant was not more than seventeen when he first became acquainted with my sister. She was not in the habit of dancing at beer-shops. She has sometimes been with me to a beer-shop, but she never drank at such places with strange men. The defendant was of very dark complexion. The child was rather fair. Amelia Gurney deposed, that she took lodgings in Gravel-lane, Southwark, for the plaintiff and the defen dant who passed as man End wile ; and she said, that defendant told her now there was no obstacle to his marriage with the plaintiff, and that it should soon take place. The Testament, with the entry referred to by the Learned Counsel, was then put in evidence. Mr. THESIGER then addressed the jury for the de fendant, and commenced by entreating them not to allow themselves to be prejudiced by anything they had heard stated, but to be guided solely by the evidence, and the real facts of the case which it disclosed. He then went on say, that at the time the intimacy first commenced between the parties, the defendant was a boy of seventeen just come from boarding school ; and it was more likely that at such an age, he should have been seduced by the plaintiff, than that she should have fallen a victim to him. He then proceeded to remark upon the conduct of the family of the plaintiff in permitting the continu ance of such an intimacy for so long a period, and he considered that there was an entire absence of any proof that he had ever made a promise to marry the plaintiff, for if he had, when she was delivered of a child her father must have insisted upon the promise being ful filled. He put it to the jury whether this was not what would be expected from a father under such circumstances, and whether the absence of such evidence was not a convincing proof that no such promise had been given. The only evidence that had been adduced to prove the promise, was the evidence of the brother as to certain observations and statements alleged to have been made by the defendant, and the production of a Testament, in which there was an entry of the child's name in the defendant's hand-writing. This, however, he contended, was no proof that any promise had been given, and if the jury were to find a verdict against the defendant upon such slight grounds, it would enable parties, no matter however abandoned they might be, to get up cases of this description, for the purpose of extorting money from persons who might have an illicit connection with any member of their family. The Learned Counsel then proceeded to comment upon the evidence that had been adduced, and concluded by expressing his opinion that the jury ought not to countenance a case of such a description. The LORD CHIEF JUSTICE then summed up, and the jury, after a short deliberation, returned a verdict for the plaintiff—Damages, 2001. CROWN SlDE.—(Before Mr. Baron ALDERSON.) Frederick Fox, 50, was charged with a felonious assault upon John Hammond. Mr. Clarkson, with Mr. Locke, conducted the prose cution. The details of the case are quite unfit for publication. The offence was committed in the workhouse of the Hambledon Union, in December last, at which time it appeared the establishment was full of inmates, and in one room there were fifteen beds, all occupied by able-bodied paupers. A com plaint was made to the governor of the workhouse, but he did not appear to take any notice of it, and no in quiry took place until som time afterwards, when the most disgusting proceedings were disclosed, and the prisoner and three other paupers were eventually com mitted for trial. Mr. Baron ALDERSON remarked that the conduct of the governor, in not instituting an immediate inquiry, when the complaint was made to him, was most scandalous. The jury found the defendant Guilty, and at the same time said they thought the governor of the union-house was very much to blame. Mr. Baron ALDERSON said he quite agreed with them. Such proceedings as these ought to have been taken notice of immediately, and it was impossible to say what mischief might have been occasioned by neglecting to do so. The defendant was then ordered to be imprisoned and kept to hard labour for two years. George Elderfield, 28, was indicted for feloniously setting fire to a barn belonging to James Peto Shrubb, Esq., at Guildford. Mr. Locke conducted the prosecution, and Mr. Knapp the defence. The case was not made out, and the jury returned a verdict of Not Guilty. -- In Scotland the weather still continues very severe. Such a snow-storm has never been known before at this sea son. The Highland road between Perth and Inverness has been impassable for five or six weeks, and is not open yet, there being in many places snow to the depth of eighteen and twenty feet. FATAL ACCIDENT FROM MACHINERY.--On Tues day morning last a fatal accident occurred at Kingston-mill, near Hyde, a few miles from Manchester. It appears that just as the steam-engine was starting, one of the workers, Elizabeth Inman, discovered that the strap which turned the machine on which she was employed was off the pulley. She went to it, as is supposed, fur the purpose of putting it on, when by some means it caught her clothes, dragged her round the horizontal shaft several times, dashing her at each revolutiori, violently against the ceiling. Being early, all the hands had not arrived, and some seconds elapsed before her situation was discovered. A young man in another part of the room, discovering something on the shaft, ran imme diately and threw it out of gear, but unfortunately too late to save the young woman's life ; she was found to be quite dead, and her limbs shockingly mangled. It was some time before she could be got off the shaft, and not until her clothes had been almost entirely cut to pieces. There are many Individuals, we learn, whose annual income is beneath 1501, and who for the last year's stoppages under the Income-tax Act are yet out of pocket, though they have made the required application for return of the duty deducted long ago. OLD CHURCH VACANCY. Mr. DICK, in a few words, then proposed that the Rev. John Clark, of the Canongale, be appointed minis ter of the Old C hurch in room of Dr. Clark, translated to St. Andrew's Church—which motion was seconded by Mr. A. WRIGHT. Mr. MACK, while concurring in all that had been said about the character of Mr. Clark, moved that that gen tleman be not appointed, which amendment was seconded by Mr. WHYTE. A short discussion then ensued, when, on a division, Mr. Clark was elected by 13 to 10. Mr. Mecx said, that as the city vacancies had now been nearly all filled up, and as he had had a good deal to do with them, he begged to thank the Council for the kindness, courtesy, and indulgence he had received in the various discussions ; and if he had said anything which was calculated to give offence, he could only say he never intended it, and he most cordially trusted they would forgive him.—(Cheers.) Mr. LOGAN said that, being physically opposed to Mr. Mack, seated as he was at the opposite end of the table, and having sometimes been opposed to him in another sense, he begged, in the name of those who had acted with him, to acknowledge the uniform urbanity, courtesy, and fairness which had distinguished Mr. Mack in the somewhat difficult part he had had to act.—(Hear.) DIVINITY CHAIR. Mr. MURRAY gave notice that he would, on the 16th April next, move that Principal Lee be appointed Pro fessor of Divinity, on the same terms and conditions as the office was held by the Rev. Dr. Chalmers. Adjourned. AMPUTATION PERFORMED DUR ING MESMERIC SLEEP. The Wolverhampton Chronicle contains the following extraordinary statement, for the accuracy of which it vouches :—John Marrion, aged 45, residing in Can lane, Sedgeley, received an extensive injury of the mid dle finger inJ anuary last, and became a patient of Messrs. Thompson and Dunn. It has been since treated by those gentlemen in the usual manner, but the nature of the in jury rendered amputation necessary. With a view to test mesmeric sleep, Marrion consented to the proposal to place himself under the treatment of Dr. Owens, and on Sunday week, for the first time, he was mesmerised. The patient was afterwards daily mesmerised, and the case created in tense interest in the public mind, more particularly among medical men, who attended in numbers every day to mark Dr. Owens' progress. On Saturday the operation was performed, and Mr. Dunn's room was thronged with medical and other gentlemen, to witness the event. The patient, on being brought into the room, appeared rather flushed but Dr. Owens addressed him in a lively and friendly manner, and he took his seat evidently quite composed. In two minutes and a half deep sleep was produced, but the doctor kept his position some time longer. Dr. Mannix then felt the patient's pulse, which beat 100 per minute. Some questions were put to him while in this state by Dr. Owens, and language being excited, he said he felt very comfort a bl e . " Proceed with the operation," said the doctor ; and in one minute Mr. Dunn had per formedit very neatly; the cutting the flaps and the divid ing of . the bone by the nippers was watched with breathless scrutiny by all present, but not a muscle quivered, nor did a sigh escape, nor any single thing occur to betray the slightest sensation. During the dressing the arm, the hand was suspended over the table in a cataleptic state, without an y f ur ther support. Two minutes after the operation, Dr. Mannix felt the mans pulse —it was still 100. Dr. Owens then excited laughter, and the patient laughed evidently quite unconscious of th e re lief he had happily, undergone. Some time elapsed, during which he continued sleeping, and on being questioned in that state he was not at all aware of what had been done. Being awoke, (which was done instantaneously by Dr. Owens touching the organ of firmness, which s eemed to act almost miracul ous ly), an d ps he aid he finding his arm in a sling, he ejaci!lated—" s Thank had tbe n L o o t rd fe f l o t r it_ th E at ; ' e ' ry i g n en r t e leinn reply yatoquestio present signed the minutes, which were noted by Mr. G atis, during the operation, when a liberal subscription was raised for the man, and he Dr. Owens was warmly congratulated. Much curiosity has been excited during the last week by the commencement of the laying down of the In altdia rubber pavement over the court-yard at the Admiry, Whitehall. THE COST of FACTORY LABOUR TO THE EDITOR OF THE TIMES. Sir,—There is one consideration which appears to have been quite overlooked in the recent debates on Lord Ashley's amendment, but which, nevertheles has a very close and important bearing on the case. One of the objections most strongly urged against this amendment was the fall in wages which its adop tion must necessarily occasion. But it does not seem to have struck any one, that if the operative get higher wages for twelve hours than for ten, the labour given also costs him more. From the lan guage commonly held on this subject, one would sup pose that the strength he spends in his day's work had its source in some inherent and independent power of life, - and was a gift of God, free of all charge, to its possessor. But not in the living body, Sir, more than in the steam-engine, is force generated without consumption of .material ; and for the extra two hours' labour a proportionate addition of aliment must be taken. But to the nature of this aliment these two hours are by no means indifferent. It is the last hour or two of toil, when the body i 3 weary and jaded, which, by impairing appetite and diges tion while it parches with thirst, drives the operative to drink. It is not a matter of accident, or choice, but one of physiological necessity, that under these circumstances he resorts to what in common language is called the stimulus of spirituous liquor. The alchohol consumed is necessary to the repair of the exhausted force ; and thus, Sir, it may be clearly shown, setting aside the moral considerations to be drawn from the argument, that the last two hours' labour, by the necessity it brings of support of a more expensive kind, costs the operative nearly the full price he obtains for it. But it surely can never profit him, in the long run, even in the matter of wages, to work day after day beyond his strength. The slight excess of daily in come is sure to be wasted again in the more frequent attacks of illness that must occur. In the case of women and children, especially, this retribution must be fre quent and severe. There is no escape from it : no compromise can be made. With a fatal necessity, all infringements of the great conditions of health take their revenge on the pocket by the expenses of sickness. The blunders we have committed in our internal administration are full of illustrations of this truth. Thus, in the prisons in which a starving allowance used to form a part of the disci pline, it was invariably found that more money was spent in " extras" on the order of the surgeon than would have supplied every prisoner with a sufficient and wholesome. diet. So that it is ever found in these, as in other matters, that the right thing is in the end the cheapest ; and I have no doubt, Sir, that a profound and practical conviction of this was in the minds of those operatives who declared to Sir G. Grey that it would be better for them to take less wages than to work the present hours. If you think, Sir, these few reflections may in any way serve the cause of these people, the insertion of them in your valuable journal will deeply gratify one who would be most unhappy were a single word left unsaid that could be spoken in their behalf. A PROVINCIAL PHYSICIAN. THE HAMPSTHWAITE GHOST. • Perhaps no similar affair, if we except the Colliugham ghost, has greated greater consternation in the minds of the credulous and superstitious, nor caused more specu lative opinions among those more sceptical and better informed than to allow these remains of dark and superstitious ages to take possession of their minds, in this age of reason and refinement, than that of the Hampsthwaite ghost, as mentioned in the Conrant of the 14th instant. It has been the country gossip for many miles round, and numbers have flocked to the place from different neighbouring towns and villages to witness, if possible, its nocturnal peregrinations and internal antics. Some have been so much alarmed by this invisible visitant from t,be world of spirits, as they supposed, as to declare they would never again, while clothed in matter, seek the society of such an immaterial being. While others, of stronger nerve, and better judgment, have expressed their opinions that it was not a disembodied spirit, but the work of a biped or quad ruped, yet still without being enabled to detect the of.. fender ; and the whole matter has been enveloped in the most profound mystery until a few days ago, when we understand the Rev. Mr. Shann, who is the owner of the property, and not willing to be persuaded nor easy to be duped by such a strange affair, procured the assistance of an active and ingenious policeman, from Leeds, who by lodging three nights upon the premises, unravelled the whole mystery. And surely a more ingenious con trivance, or better conducted scheme, could not have been put in operation for this purpose than the one re ferred to. It is supposed to have been the freaks of the servant girl. She had, in some part of the house, concealed from view, a ball suspended by a string, and to that another string was connected similar to the connections of a bell-wire ; this was constructed in such a manner as to allow the ball to come in contact with a thin ceiling, or partition, when pulled by the attached string, which caused the ball to rebound with a greater or less degree of force to suit the caprices of the opera tor, which by her mechanical skill, in working either by light or strong jerks, made the noise appear either in a remote part of the house or near at hand. This was the greatest perplexity to those who went for the purpose of discovering the affair ; while at one moment it seemed almost lost in the distance, at the next, booming close in the ear. In addition to the the above mechanical contrivance, she had also others, it is said, by scratching and thumping on the floor when opportunities offered. Since the above discoveries, the girl has been dismissed from her situation, and since then this evanescent intruder has discontinued its visits. What can have been the motive of this foolish girl, or whether she has had instigators, we cannot tell, but some of the ultra-suspicious gossips in the neighbourhood, and who love to dwell upon the marvellous, assert that she is possessed of a demoniacal spirit, and that since the com mencement of these fantastic freaks, they have discovered an alteration in her general appearance, especially by a strange obliquity of vision. We understand that she is a nativo of Kirkby.Overblow, and has been in Dalby's service three years. Does it not appear strange that this affair should have been so long concealed from the inmates of the house, especially as Miss Dalby, as we are informed, was her sleeping partner ?—Correspondent of the Yorh Ootrot, Major-General Sir Robert Sale is to be Quarter master-General to the Queen's Troops in India, vice Churchill. deceased. PARLIAMENTARY INTELLIGENCE,—We understand that 1 1 014 A shloy Mitouplai6s extending his benevolent exertions to the case of the unhappy officials compelled to sit during the debates in the House of Commons. The Ten Hours' Bill for the regulation of the factories is to be followed by a measure limiting the speeches of certain long-winded Members to a duration of only ten mitinte§! Thl§ §chone is to be introclueeft ?I,§ Ts ll .l 3 111inte Pill far the regulation of the unsaiis-factories.—Punch. THE CONVICTED MURDERER,—The execution of George Lowther, who is now lying in Yorlr Castle, order septenee of death, for th@ 1 11nrtier of the gamekeeper of the Marquis of Normanhy, will take place on Saturday, the 13th of Apra, should a reprieve not be received in the interim.— York Courant. - ---- THE - MURDER AT BRIGULTON.—SOOD after his trial and conviction at Lewes assizes, John Lawrence was removed to Horsham Gaol, in front of which he is to be executed on Saturday, the Gth of April. A very large subscription is heing raised for the wife a 44 1111C1 orj l au children cif the late Cll4 1214GWe