The Sun. — London, England, 1844-12-20 00:00:00

MORE MONOPOLY. TO THE EDITOR OF THE SUIV. SIR,—In consequence of the new bastardy-law being Passed, forms for the use of justices' elerlif became ne zssary. As monopoly seems to be the order of the day, Ir. Lumley, one of the assistant-secretaries at the 14 "or.law Commission-office, has drawn the various re quisite forms, and none can be legally used except , t hose form s , w hi c h are t o b e h a d o f M essrs . Sh aw an d Tn, Fett er -l ane . Th ere f ore , j ust i ces ' c l er k s th roug h ou t the Country, must ( w i t h ou t regar d to i ncon v e ni ence o r ch arge) send to London for those forms whenever they 41te occa:,ion for a supply. A printer in the country bits actually been proceeded against for printing forms required under this new bastardy law Strange as these circumstances may appear, they are no more strange than true. I at.. &c. Dec. 18th, 1844. A JUSTICES' CLERK. LOUIS NAPOLEON. The PreasLc publishes the following letter, addressed io that journal by Prince Louis Bonaparte : " Fort of Ilam, Dec. 14, 1844. " Sir,—l am ignorant of the person, calling himself my friend, who has called at your office to attack the history, as yet unpublished, of the captivity of the Em peror which General Montholon has written under my eyes. I feel bound loudly to disavow the step taken by that alleged friend. "I regret, no doubt, that a history so serious, so tragical as that which describes the agony of the chief of my fa mily should appear in a feuiiieton ; I regret even that this patriotic publication should have been accented by a jotial nal (La Pre. , se) devoted to the Government. Never theless, I am happy that the authentic account of the last sufferings of the Emperor and his last thoughts should be at last made public. " To suppose that • man who has shared the captivity of the Emperor, and now shares mine, could write by nay side anything derogatory to the memory of the martyr of St. Helena, is to offer me a personal insult. This is the reason that has induced me to address you on the subject.—l am, &c., " NAPOLEON LOUIS BONAPARTE." ICE LIFE PRESERVER. o TO THE EDITOR OF THE SUN. ''Uti—The following simile, yet, I trust, efficacious Plan, is suggested for saving the lives of persons from Per ishing when immersed by the breaking of the ice. It 4 PPlies more especially to Li ndon, and other large cities, wh ere multit u d es assem bl e enjoy the invigorating and heal thy, amusement of skating and sliding :—Let a ,_, 7_,°ng line similar to that used for suspending clothes dry, or such as is employed in the whale fishery, be ProviProvided, and of sufficient length to extend from one ded, of the water to the other, at its greatest breadth. ti , ° one end of the line a ring is to be fastened ; it is ;",, e ,,° to be carried across the centre of the pond or lake, c7"-, to over the summit of two strong poles, twelve ca ht, feet high, secured in the ground, then strained e llu t, 5 0 as to enable persons to skate or slide without .Otis feet obstruction. A strong rope, like a waggon rope, .ntae feet longer than the line, will be required, to which * ll ook is to be attached, and,must bevery carefully coiled Placed on a light carriage, which is to be stationed near the poles. As soon as an alarm is given that an iliecident has occurred from a fracture of the ice, and that b r es are in danger, a pre-concerted signal is to be made, Y raising a hand-flag, which will be seen on the oppo tl aide • or, if the weather be foggy or misty, a loured ;amp may be substituted. The poles and line are be immediately detached, and carried towards to the t o with the utmost celerity, and at the same moment is e r°Pe is to be conveyed with equal speed. The hook n ow to be passed through the ring, and, on a signal T, ° ?n, the li ne i s t o b e qu i c kly,d rawn i n o n th e oth e r s id e . d r 'la will c arry w i t h i t t h e ro p e , w hi c h i s th en t o b e i t red over th e p ersons , in the water, who having seised ralY (which they will no doubt eagerly do), they lb 4 ", be c are f u ll y an d success f u ll y b roug h t to t h e nearest ►~; and in this mann e r their lives will, in almost h a rY instance, be preserved from destruction. To pre- IMY mistake or confusion from occurring, it may be h ;tsar to give standhe above plan a few trials, by a little i v a t rieus training ur cua, or some time before the setting in of the frost, Y • a rea a small boat containing a few persons. Two or may be directed to plunge into the water, to afford ° PPortunity for the apparatus to be tested in the er pr ev i ous l y exp l a i ne d. Th e en ti re o p era ti on ould be entrusted to the police, or icemen, with the w i l l of drawing in the rope. From its weight, it be necessary to obtain the aid of the bystanders, re :° will very readily afford their powerful assistance in dad should their fellow-creatures from a watery grave. should this invention be the means of saving but c „ e 'ire, the writer of this article will feel abundantly tiilliPensated, in the gratification and pleasure of being i tl e humble instrument of aiding the Humane Society in G rey endeavour s to do good. - re: Friars, Gloucester. H. H. 'WILLIAMS. ROYALTY IN TROUBLE. Mstout, well-dressed man of colour was taken to the arlborough -street Police-court on 'Wednesday, charged 1 ,t,,,h havin g severe l y b eaten one o f hi s countrymen . Leila def en d ant , w h en as k e d f or hi s name , i n a stentor -14,!1 voice, said, " I am P r in c e Ch r i stop h e d'Hayti, broder bQ dHine of _Hayti." ad Complainant, John Harris, of Poland-street, said itib i l iad the misfortune to become acquainted with his t Q highness at a time when his exchequer required e P l ee . h . ib lg, and feeling compassion for a fellow-coun telani of his own he was induced to take ‘ ,4 i into his house and p rovidep'him and his suite (among was a female attach 4), until a debt had been t o l i k i lett amounting to 150/. His Highness promised at ui l u itiale the amount as soon as he obtained pos -410,44 Of these revenues sacred to the scions of Hay and more particularly when he got about l l i t ; ‘ , 141 1 and a half of money which he declared his ti a „ l " 4 wiesty, his brother, had lodged in the Bank of _ e o w a nd, and left him heir to. The black Prince, hio e 'er, did not k ee p hi s wo rd, but served him as he hi tn - • er ted many others who had previously befriended eo b ei ,' he Lord Mayor last year interested himself th e "alf of fallen royalty, and got up a subscription, ebehr,°eeeds of which were handed over to the defendant. Dion ! ki nant begged to have a sovereign or two of the to t,/,,,ka he had nearly ruined hi ms elf in finding funds tueV t f,'er his board and lodgin g . His royal lodger re the %: Part with a farthin and shortly a fterwards left g, Complainant heard nothing more of the until yesterday, when walking in Piccadilly, fforit to ,` l irn from the residence of the Duke of Wel -111 ° ,, 11 : : :, ° Whom, having been an old soldier, he had sent aid t P CIwn for assistance, he met his quondam lodg , er, Pri t ,P l he asked him for a trifle off the debt. Ihe ip, - 1 ",. at first would not know him, and threatened to 'din into custody if he did not go away, but finding to Could not get rid of the complainant he lifted up his 1) 41 Umbrella and gave him a blow on the face, which d his cheek open. The " Prince" repeated his blows, ti cl Was at last taken into custody by the police. The f Ttaplainant said he had made inquiry at places where 1 7 5 defendant was known, , and had ascertained that Was no " Prince," but TOR big bagbone and OLle "Prince" was required to state why he had con -leted hi mse lf in such a plebeian manger towards his i le factor. kr ," Sure Magistraat," said the Prince, " I only speak m e,_ Inglis dat is broke. I strike him face yen he call pi Hah I dat word (gnashing his teeth r age) —very bad word in England, very bad word in pj,Yti, very bad word for gentleman, very bad word for ';ce, very bad word for broder of a king." 1 . - ; 4l plainant—Vy you nebber pay me ? q uo t e te—Dere 's de law for you in de Bench ob de hioaeroup,leainant---lla, ha, ha. Sue him beggar, catch ti b t tr • Maltby said there appeared no justification for the oneult, and he should therefore inflict a fine of 3i, or totem hard labour. to t . la 1 : 1 gh es s, being out of cash, was escorted to an liti s ...t( ' oll l until the arrival of her Majesty's royal omi pc in Which othil he was to be removed to her Majestys Tl fields. ~ IO •• q,„ I2, ER IN LIVERPOOL.—About two o'clock on tl a4 l l Y morning last, two police-officers, named Fair- Aa r k( , B), and Price (88), were . on duty in Toxteth alld went into a brothel for the purpose of sup ';',.ng a disturbance among the inmates. After they ti t ,:eoeeded in their object, and when they were again ail i 5 (111 duty on their respective beats, a fellow, named Whi, i tto Jones, ' followed them from the brothel into he ld - street, where he made a fierce attack upon 11 0 , 4 with Et large poker which he brought from the r etie Fairclough closed with him and attempted to 14 6 "e1i th e poker from his grasp, but in the attempt the a1,..41 Struck him a blow with that deadly instrument tf ir i ,, e h fractured his s k u ll, c a used the brains to protrude A r •" a tb the opening, and laid him senseless at his feet. lis h i e t in endea vo uring to render assistance to his c0m a4,21, also r e c e i ve d a blow of the poker, which ti k — C, t 'ed off a part of the bone immediately above his eyebrow ; but he was enabled to call for assist • and to punt out to the officers, who speedily ar ia'f', the b rot h e l t o w hi c h J ones h a d re t urne d a f ter lita ntl "i ng the blows. The door of the place was in a„,Y broken open, and the fellow was arrested and „ off to bridewell. Fairclough was conveyed to the %() tl Hospital, where he died yesterday. The pri• - tea, - L• r'as been brought before Mr. Rushton, and will be ~ .eated for t r i a l t o -day, o n a charge of wilful murd e r. e'er/1001 Albion. Vrt,,, lt laAanin FIRMS AT LYME REGlB.—lntelligence lia,;"ivad in the course of Wednesday at the several fire ti,„;'' a neu-offices in the metropolis, of two most destruc nikVres having taken place at Lyme Regis on Sunday occasioning a serious loss of property. The out -" itral ‘ happened between 11 and 12 o'clock, when on the b • tiai„, tan g raised it was found to have originated in an tt ith abited h ouse i n Ch urc h- s tr e et, and f rom circum fsiCee6 which have since transpired, it is too sadly a. tx t eti that i t must h ave b een th e wor k o f some incen -107. Owing to the roof of the building being thatched, 61 most of th e res t i n th e town, and a strong S.E. w i n d 141"Tg at the ti me , th e flames raged with extreme f u ry, ip th gred the adjoining houses. The engines stationed borough were qu i c kly drawn to the spot, and as liii (l alt t lY got into active operation ; but so firm a hold it ei .," ,qe destructive element of the property, that before 1i c ,„" 4 1 be in a ny wa y mas tered, four of the adj acen t by d e s had f a ll en a sacr ifi ce. O ne o f t h em was tenante d tos," of the name of Lynn, the oldest person in the th at a, wh o being bedridden, it was generally supposed es„ p ha had perished amidst the flames. It was, how -01 6; af terwards ascertained that he had been carried out N n e burning building. Scarcely had the inhabitants :treattaitvied b . .. vexed from their alarm before they were again the bursting forth of another fire in the same the w , abo ut 6 0 yards h i gher up, on t h e oppos i te side of Th e Y, at a h ouse i n th e occu p a tion o f a M r . G ar l an d. tq 14 - t remen and their engines were almost immediately ta,; : e adance, and notwithstanding the most strenuous ti 0 ,.. - "°nt on their part, they were unable to stay the t o 6 , l l :ess of the flames until three buildings, in addition Thc:e one tenanted by Mr. Garland, were destroyed. so m e 3econd calamity is also said to have been caused by W as al ia creant intentionally. The town during the summer and 116 ited by a fire which consumed tie Custom-house I, ll Pward s o f 40 h ouses. 14, 11 " P ATRONAGE or EAST INDIA DIRECTORS. — Si r % Dn r Y Willock, the Deputy-chairman of the E a at India eos o —Pall 3', has given an Addiscornbe cadetship to be 4it jeted fo r by the pupils of Kensington School, which, date 3 a struggle with many other deser v i ng candi ja N th e has Just b een gained by Mr. J. G. Medley. Thbis ar Se cond instan ce i n w hi c h this liber a l Di rec t or h as e rred this favour on the same school, and we are f, x 15 . 1 3 e Y to learn that the successful candidate on the r_,.occasion has just been appointed to the engineers. t o th di screet exerci3e of India patronage does honour °M c :. Company, and, by insuring the appointment of aa,C,,s of talent, tends to promote the welfare of our ,rirlatstern empire. tow ard e Duke of Northumberland has subseribed 50/. xiv eg the sum for the protection of the salmon in the G r weed. Thi s i s the second subscription which his Itrp c,sei t ms given within the last twelve months for this rHE SUN, LONDON, FRIDAY MORNING, DECEMBER 20. 1344. ing the charges of conducting the establishment, together with a donation of 101. 10s. presented to the Master Mariners' Asylum, South Shields, a balance remained in the treasurer's hands of 121. The attendance of the examiners was constant and regular, and their services entirely gratuitous. The applicants are exa m i ne d on tr i gonometry an d navi gation, without the assistance of any schoolmaster or other person. U p t o t hi s t i me the Society had made four donations to the Mariners' Asylum out of the surplus balances of their fund, amounting to 541.95. The board had observed with feelings of gratifica tion that a variety of good effects had been produced in the locality by this voluntary institution—the nautical schools were better attende3, a gradual and marked improvement was apparent in the seamen who presented themselves for examination, not only in the theory and practice of navigation, but also the higher branches. The young mate as he proceeds along the coast se t s hi mse l f earnestly to wor k, in order to become acquainted with its dangers and its difficult navigation, so that he may he able to obtain a certificate, and become a master. Thus a path to promotion is open to the talented and enterprising, without being obliged to wait for it from chance, or favour, or delay. The same incitement stimulates them to learn the use of charts and nautical instru ments. These are the practical results; and the moral influence which the board exercises cannot of course be ascertained, but it is certain the effect has been acknowledged by many. The report alludes to the case of the ship Earl Vane, which put back in July last, on 'a voyage to Archangel, in consequence of the master attempting to scuttle the vesse l , which, having created muc h interest in the public mind, is of importance. The master being quit e unacqua i nted with the ru di ments of plain navigation, his duty devolved entirely on the mate, who, feeling by this means his own importance, appears to have treated the captain with much tyranny and har s h ness, and brought on temporary insanity. Independent of the great danger to which this vessel was exposed under charge of so incompe tent a commander, it is easy to perceive how a master on a voyage to the White Sea, ignorant of his most essential duty, must quickly cease to retain over his crew either respect or subordination, and affords a convincing proof of the necessity that both masters and mates on such voyages should be duly qualified in navigation. The report recommends that on all occasions of loss or stranding of ships a continuation of the system of inquiry into the causes and circumstances, the same as is practised in the navy, will always strengthen the good effects sought to be obtained by the establish ment, and that whether such misfortunes be caused by neglect in the use of the lead, or other remissness of duty on the part of the officers, to punish them by suspension or dismissal from command. At the time the board presented its report the pre vious year, the shipping interest was threatened with a Bill, having for its object the compulsory erection of Parliamentary Boards for the examination of seaman intended to be masters and mates, and likewise to found and maintain schools at the expense of the shipowner. The Government, however, have since stated that it is not intended to pass that measure, but, on the contrary, have notified that all seaports desiring the establishment of voluntary marine boards will be encouraged and assisted by a legislative enactment in preparation for that purpose. This is quite in accordance with a resolution passed at the annual meeting of the managing underwriters last year, and will allay the apprehension that improper persons would obtain the situation of examiners. The report concludes by the examiners expressing their readiness during their continuance in office to carry out the objects of the institution by a strictly practical system, free from all useles s an d th eore ti ca l interrogations, and influenced by a conviction of the beneficial results of voluntary establishments, such as the present, on the seamen and maritime popula tion. They also desire to place it on record that every seaman who has obtained a certificate from the board was competent to fulfil the duties of a master mariner in the class to which he was rated, whatever his after conduct might be, and that no examiner who had not himself been actively engaged in the difficult and dangerous navigation of the coast of England, could undertake the examination of seamen intended for command in that trade, and the same in respect to many other branches of maritime experi ence and knowledge. The shipping interest is deeply indebted to the shipowners at South Shields for originating so laud able an institution, and there is no doubt it will be invaluable to the masters and mariners, and improve their welfare and general happiness. INQUEST ON MISS CLARA WEBSTER. . Mr. Wakley, M.P., Coroner for the county of Mid dlesex, and a jury composed of the most respectable householders in the neighbourhood, held an impost, at half •past ten yesterday morning at the Green Man Tavern, New-road, on the remains of Miss Clara Webster, aged 21, who, it need scarcely be said, died upon Tuesday last, from the injuries which she had z teeived, her dress having taken fire while performing on the stage of Drury-lane theatre on Saturday evening. The jury having gone to No. 54, Norton-street, to view the body of deceased, returned, and the first witness called was aewwfnht A ieetrnr n seet n ahlt e tsrhueeid.Taylor,adaosye, o'clock, ilisskageendh,nditt:l diedady of o the n T u h c o s u d s a e y , ni 54, 0 No r ni Norton-street, to g, nt shortly - se et, whenpt h r presence se l n 4 e t he decea sed o o f Dr , w . L a s i s b t o r n o u g n hs d tu o ffh t e h or e mi nr home f from injuries by burning. She was perfectly sensible . The first application used was spirits of wine, and flour and wadding. Witness continued to attend upon her till her death. She was free from pain throughout. She seemed to be recovering till the Monday evening, when, at seven o'clock, a difficulty of breathing was ob served. She got worse, and was insensible sad deli rious for some time before her death. She gradually sunk, and never described how the accident had hap pened, and did not once blame any one. Mrs. Webster, mother of the deceased lady, was asked if she herself blamed any one ? and she answered-in the negative. Dr. Robert Liston, of Clifford-street, was next exa mined. I first attended the deceased on Saturday night last. I found her much burnt in the upper extremities, about the arms and neck. I applied spirits of wine, wad ding, and flour repeatedly. She appeared to be in much pain. This treatment was not changed that night. I saw her again on Sunday, but she did not appear then to be in much pain, though suffering from low spirits. I did not ag ain see her till three o'clock on Tuesday morn ing, wheel was sent for. She expired just as I entered the room. Sho gave no account of the accident, nor did she blame any one in my presence. Mr. WAKLer —Were stimulants of any kind given to her ? Witness—Yes ; wine from time to time, and other fluids. Mr. VALLEY—You did not see her on Monday morn ing ? Witness—Oh, yes, I did. She was not then so well, and breathed with difficulty. Mr. WALLET—YOU have no doubt, I suppose, death was occasioned from the injuries she received Wit ness—Oh, none. She died from the effects of the burning. Mr. WARLET—From appearances there could hare been no hope from the first of her recovery. Mr. Taylor, the husband of the first witness, remarked that Dr. Liston had represented, on Saturday night, that the injuries were not so serious as a scald. Mr: WAKLBY—No doubt. Medical gentlemen are in the habit of saying such things to inspire hope in the relatives and friends of sufferers. Daniel Coyle, 29, Crown-street, St. Giles, stonemason, was in Drury-lane Theatre on the night of Saturday. Saw the deceased about eleven o'clock, and her clothes were then on fire. Mr. WAILLICY—Is there no one who saw her clothes take fire ? The Beadle—No one could say they saw her clothes take fire. The witness—l saw her about the time her clothes took fire. She was then supposed to be in " the bath." Mr. WAKLEY—Oh, that must have been immediately after her clothes ignited. Witness—Yes, I was standing in one of the side open ings on the stage ; the deceased was about four yards from me, and I saw her clothes on fire at the bottom part. iihe came up some steps out of the bath and on to the stage. She came towards me, and then ran across the stage, and I ran after her and caught her, threw myself on my back, and rolled over ker. Another man threw his jacket over her, and so extinguishes the flames. Some of the other ladies' dresses, Madame Plunkett's, I believe, was set on fire. There was no thing unusual in the disposition of the lamps that even. ing. There are two baths, one before the other, and six or eight glasses in each. The performers go down about three feet, and the glasses are about two feet six inches below the boards, and partly below the stage. Mr. WAKLEY—If there was a wirework to cover the glass, could this have happened ? Witness—No ; I think not. Mr. WAKLEY—It's a pity, thee, there is not some sort of wirework protection. There ought certainly to be something of this sort for the protection of performers. Mrs. Mary Webster was the next witness. She is a widow, and resides near Euston-square. Was in the theatre, but not near the stage. I heard screaming. She ran down stairs, and her daughter was then in the green-room, and quite sensible. She did not explain any circumstance connected with the accident. Witness said to her, once, " Clara, Clara, if some one had come to your assistance sooner—oh, if I had been near you I could have saved you." She said, " Yes, mamma, you could." Mr. ISrlimEr (to Coyle) —ls there no water kept near the stage in case of accident ? Coyle —There was water near, but not on the stage, as no accident was apprehended. By the CORONZR—She might have ran about 13 yards while her clothes were on fire. Mr. WAKLEY made some observations on the unfor tunate want of presence of mind exhibited by those whose clothes are set on fire. It they would drop on the burning clothes they would at once be extinguished; and the second best mode was for the individual so situ ated to lie down at length. This being the whole of the evidence, Mr. WA LEY then addressed the jury. An occur rence like this might easily be averted if simple and pro per precautions were taken. In most of the cases of a similar natare that came before him, he generally found that fatal results might have been prevented if ordinary A CHRISTMAS CAROL. (From Punch.) . To Church betimes ! The Christmas chimes Are calling high and low in ; To Church then all, bath great and small ! CHORUS OF MANY VOICES. We've not a coat to go in ! Like our old sires, with roaring fires, The fangs of winter braving, Huge logs pile high, to sit thereby. CHORUS. We've not a single shaving ! Good Christmas fare is physic rare To warm the regions inner Plum-pudding join to stout sirloin. CHORUS. We've not a crust for dinner ! Fill glass and bowl, each jovial soul, As round the hearth we close in ; Our wine is bright in its ruddy light. CHORUS. Our very water's frozen ! Right late we'll sup, and keep it up Till time to morn shall creep on ; Then sink to rest in downy nest. CHORUS. We've not a bed to sleep on 1 Loud be the song, the laughter long ; Our joy no care shall leaven ; Christmas is here but once a year. CHORUS. For that, at least, thank Heaven 1 DRURY-LANE THEATRIL—The deepest interest continues to be manifested in behalf of the benefit which is to take place here on Monday next for the family of poor Clara Webster. The Committee have forwarded 25L, and Mr. Bunn has received numerous other dona tions. ST. JAMRS'S THE...TAB.—A concert was given on Wednesday at this theatre by the Messrs. Distin and the Misses Smith. The names of these professionals are sufficient to guarantee a very delightful musical enter tainment to the public, nor were the public disappointed in their expectations. The concert was divided into two parts, according to the usual course in these times. In the first part there were a quintette by Mr. Distin and his four sons on the improved Sax horns," Fra poco a me" (Lucia di Lammermoor) ; a tersetto, " Dolce tran quilits , ' by the Misses Smith ; and a variety of other airs, &c. The duet, " The light guitar," by the Misses Smith, was sung with great taste, and was most de servedly encored. A quintette, " Robert, toi que j'aime" (Robert le Diable), arranged and executed on the horns by the Messrs. Distin (tleyerbeer), and said in the programme to have been performed, by command, before her Majesty and his Royal Highnecs Prince Albert, at Windsor Castle, on Saturday last, was very effective, and was received with loud applause. In the second part, some equally good music, both vocal and instrumental, was performed, and altogether the concert was one which deserved patronage. It will be repeated on Monday next, when some additional inducements will be in the bill of fare. The house was well attended ; the boxes were completely filled, and there was a tole• Jably good pit. ANOTHER INCENDIARY FIRE IN HERTS.—HERT FORD, TUESDAY.—Last night a very large straw rick on Highfield farm, Hemel Hempstead, in the occupation of Mr. Thomas Woodman, farmer and auctioneer, was dis covered to be on fire, and no doubt the entire contents of an extensive and valuable farm would have been de stroyed, had not the burning rick been a considerable distance from the others, an d also from the buildings, sheds, out-houses, &c. A large number of the surround ing farmers, labourers, and others were soon attracted by the reflection of the flames, and very fortunately the fire was confined to that stack in which it broke out. That which gives rise to the supposition that it was the act of an incendiary is, that the isolated position of the stack precludes the possibility of its having been acci dentally set on fire by any of the farm servants passing that way with a light. _ _ EXPORTATION or BEER.—An instance having re cently occurred at this port of a quantity of beer, entitled to Excise drawback, having been noted as shipped on two certificates issued by that department, for the same goods, and it having been suggested, with the view of preventing the recurrence of a similar irregularity, that the shipping searchers be directed, in future, to note on the shipping bill, the date of their having certified the fact of the shipment on the Excise certificate, orders have been issued for the said officers to govern them selves accordingly in future, and copies of this order have been furnished to the several departments for their information. _ _ _ A foot race came off on Pitchcroft on Monday, which excited a good deal of interest among the little sporting world. The competitors were one Albert, a vendor of nuts, and bereft of one arm, and a man named Smith, a dealer in eggs and bacon. They had to run round the whole of the course, or about two miles, and to jump over ten hurdles. Smith had a slight advantage in the starting, but they both remained together for the first three-quarters of a mile, after which the baconian fairly ran away from him of the nuts, and finished the race at a tremendous pace, accomplishing the whole two miles in a few seconds under thirteen minutes l He cleared the hurdles in capital style, but his opponent, who was completely " done up" long before the goal was reached, touched them nearly all. Four or five hundred spectators seemed greatly gratified with the scene.— Worcestershire Chronicle. A Vicious HonsE.—The National states that a waggoner, who was proceeding on Saturday last with a cart-load of paving stories along the boulevard, near the Barriere de Sevres, having had occasion to give his horse a blow of his whip, the vicious animal rushed at the m an, threw him down, placed one foot on his breast tc prevent him from rising, and whilst in that position, seized the waggoner's arm with his teeth, and broke it in two places. But the horse's revenge was not yet satis fied, and he would have strangled the man had not some travellers come to his assistance, and with considerable difficulty convey al the man to an hospital, where he lies in a dangerous state. THE HEALTH OP TIE MITROPOLIS.—The indus trious fleas were so indieposed last week, that they were confined for three days to their Witney blanket. Napo leon is still laid up with chilblains, owing to the severity of the weather. His charger, also, is suffering from weakness in the knees, in consequence of the slipperiness of the wood pavement of the pembroke table. They are not expected to perform again with their usual anima tion before the return of the spring.—Punch. ALICE HAWTHORN THE QUEEN or THE Tulip. —Alice Hawthorn was bred by, and is the pro perty of, Mr. John Plummer, who resides within a few miles of York. In consequence of Mr. Plum mer's pleasure not being in racing, but as a breeder, he did not put his mare into training as a two-years old, but sold her to Colonel Cradock, who, not liking his bargain, returned her. Mr. Plummer again endea voured to sell her, his price being 300 guineas, but not meeting with a customer he determined to put her into training. In 1841 she started three times and won twice; the following year he leased her to the late Leonard Heseltine, of Hambleton, the celebratee trainer, for 1501. for that year. Her perform ances were excellent, having won for her lessee the sum of 1,7451. in stakes. Mr. Leonard Hescl time dying, she continued to be trained by his nephew' Mr. Robert Ireseltine, who leased her for the season of 1843, for a larger sum than had been previously paid for her, but very small in comparison to what she won, via., 2,166/. G. Salvin, Esq., of Croxdale, near Durham, became her lessee this year (1844), it is supposed iu conjunction with Mr. Robert Heseltine; the sum paid for the season was 800 guineas. Her performance this year has never been surpassed, having started 23 times, won 20, and ran a dead beat. She has undoubtedly proved herself one of the best horses that ever was bred. She is now by many called " The Queen of the Turf"—well does she deserve it. Alice Hawthorn has started GI times, won 47f lost 13f times. Won 18 cups and 7 Queen's Plates, and won in the aggregate 7,4761. in four years. The celebrated mare Bee's-Witag was on the turf eight years, and won 50, lost 13; won 23 cups, and in the aggregate 6,8211. — Tyne Mercury. ENTERTAINMENT TO VICE-ADMIRAL SIR WILLIAM PARK it.--•A grand entertainment was given on Tues day evening, at the Royal Naval Club, in Bond-street. to Vice-Admiral Sir William Parker, Bart., G.C.8., or his return from service in China. Admiral Sir Byaii Martin was in the chair. On his right hand was tin Gallant Admiral and Vice-Admiral Sir G. Hamond; and on his left he was supported by Admirals Sir Ir. Codrington and Sir C. Ogle. Captains Sir C. Napier and Lord F. G. Hallyburton were the Vice -President Nothing could exceed the enthusiasm with which thi health of Sir William Parker was received by his brother officers, on its being introduced by an eloquent and v, ell deserved eulogium from the President, on his successtti career in the war with China. The dinner was serve in the new dining-room of the Club, in elegant stye from the cuisine of Long's Hotel. There were preset also Admirals D. Gould, G. Martin, and E. King ; Earls of Cadogan and Hardwicke ; Lord Edwart Russell, &c. THE STATUE OF WILLIAM THE FOURTIL—Co:_ siderable interest was on Wednesday excited in tf neighbourhood of Eastcheap by the raising upon it pedestal of the colossal statue of his late Majesty W . ham the Fourth. Three-fourths of the sculpture placed upon the plinth prepared for its reception, an d , is expected that this day the remaining portion will 4 .. COlRpletoll MEETING AT EXETER-HALL FOR THE PURPOSE OF RELIEVING FATHER, MATHEW FROM HIS PECUNIARY DIF FICULTIES. A public meeting, convened by advertisement for the above purpose, was held yesterday evening in Exeter Hall. The large room was well filled, and on the plat form were many gentlemen distinguished, some for their zealous philanthropy, and others for their literary attainments. At a quarter after six the Right Hon. Lord John Russell took the chair, amid the most hearty applause. The Secretary to the National Temperance Society, Mr. Theodore Compton, read letters from the Mar quis of Lansdowne, the Bishop of Norwich, Dr. Bowring, M.P., Joseph Hume, M.P. and other no blemen and gentlemen expressing their hearty con currence with the objects of the meeting, but ex cusing their absence in consequence of other engage ments. The CHAIRMAN then rose and said—Ladies and Gentlemen, I now appear before you for the purpose of opening the business of the evening. I have felt so deeply the merits of the Rev. Mr. Mathew, and the value of his exertions in the cause of temperance, that I was most anxious to be able to attend this meeting. I need not assure you that this cause in which we are at present engaged is connected with DO political party, and no sect in religion.—(Great cheering.) It is the common and universal cause of all religion and of all morality.—(Continued cheering.) Whatever may be the sin, and the guilt, and the folly, of intemperance among all orders of society, there is no class which is so much exposed to temptation, and at the same time suffers so severely from its consequences, as the poor est class of the community.—(Hear, hear.) I say, no class is so much exposed to temptation, because, in the midst of misery and the hardships of poverty, to be enabled to steep the senses in forgetfulness for the time, might well be a temptation to the great majority of mankind.—(Hear, hear.) At the same time, ne class suffers so severely from its consequence, because the comforts of the poor man's family depend, not so much upon his industry as upon his sobriety.— (Cheers.) It is a curse of intemperance to be obliged to leave his wife and children without the comforts of life, and without that clothing which a reform in this particular might enable him to procure them. —(Hear, hear.) It is a consequence, too, that he is obliged to fall into evil company, and is led to take a share in those broils and fights which accompany in temperance wherever it exists.—(Hear, hear.) It renders hi children strangers to him, and makes his neighbour - his enemy. If such, therefore, are some of its consequences, it requires no ordinary effort to produce a great impression on a whole nation—to bring them at once from habits in which they had ever indulged—to bring them to the practice of those virtues by which their domestic happiness is in creased, and their moral and religious conduct im proved.—(Cheers.) I say, no ordinary inducement, no common exertion, suffices for this object; but we all know that the extraordinary labours, the untiring energy, the disinterested forgetfulness of all self, did enable the Rev. Mr. Mathew to accomplish this moral miracle.—(lmmense cheering.) That change in Ire land, effected by his exertions, surprised an admiring world.—(Continued cheering.) But, gentlemen, although Mr. Mathew was endowed with that zeal and that energy, and although he felt his great reward to be the very producing of that great change in the conduct of his countrymen, yet unhappily it was, that thus, while pursuing his course with hand and with heart, and with a zeal which persons less interested in the cause could not possibly follow, that he got into diffi culties, and let me assure you, that from all inquiries which I have made, the stories which have been cir culated of the wealth being acquired by Mr. Mathew, or those belonging to him, are entirely with out foundation.—(Hear, hear.) In numbers of cases —in a hundred thousand instances—the very medals which were obtained by those who took the pledge of temperance, were given gratuitously.—(Hear, hear.) Mr. Mathew had to pay the expenses of journeys, the expenses of printing, and all other expenses of a simi lar kind, nor, while engaged in this career, did his seal and enthusiasm allow him to perceive that he was not following the rule of worldly prudence. What, then, ought to be the conduct, both of that country to which he belongs, and of this country, with which I trust it will always be closely and perpetually united —(Cheers)--what should be their and our conduct, I say ? If we have not the merit ourselves of effecting that reformation, if we ourselves have not undergone the fatigue, if we have not achieved the moral victory which Mr. Mathew has obtained, at least we may have the satisfaction of contributing something to that success by relieving him from his present difficulties—(Cheers)—and enabling him to start afresh in that most glorious career.—(Great cheering.) I feel, I think that you all will feel, that this change so sudden—a change from habits long rooted—a change so extensive that no less than 4,000,000 of persons accepted the pledge from his hands—that this change, so sudden, so extensive, re quires great watchfulness to insure its continuance. Is is not evident that if his efforts are to be entirely relaxed, many will fall again into that evil from which they had formerly abstained—(Hear, hear)—and if that watchfulness and that care be so necessary, who so likely to have a great and beneficial impression on them, and to bring them again, if fallen, into the practice of that moral cause which they had once before professed, as he, the Apostle of their conversion?—(Loud and continued cheering.) He who brought them formerly from the paths of sin, to better courses, was now oppressed with pecuniary difficulties, and he could not now continue his labours with the same disregard of worldly concerns as be fore, if not relieved by the generosity of the people of Ireland and their countrymen of England.—(Cheers) Let us, therefore, embrace this opportunity of contri buting, both in this and in the sister country— rlesamstalwl e gr s a h t a u l i l ty ha z ve ill th be e s n a e t fi is t fa a ct g io o n od of m t a h n in , king (Cheers) —to promote th e cause o f t emperance, and t tt h hh r ea o nt u oa g ut h him, our f e ll ow - men. —(lli s Lordship and, down amidst loud cheering.) Mr. BIRD read the address of the Committee of the National Temperance Society to the British public on behalf of Father Mathew. Sir E. CODRINGTON moved the first resolution, in thentnav that 'the add ress th en rea d b e circulated under the direction the proceeded y o. I ft het to w Committee.speak etahkeof u athes e effects of The almost c Gallant Admiral o f ll the acci dents intemperance by fire or falling over shipboard that occurred in the service, arid the man who had been so emi nently serviceable in reducing the evil, he hoped would soon again be enabled to resume his career of usefulness. J. S. BUCKINGHAM, Etiq., seconded the resolution, and, in a lengthened speech, detailed the rise and progress of the temperance cause ; and, at the con clusion of his speech, read the list of subscriptions, headed by the Noble Chairman, whose name was down for 25/. The total sum was 3421. 2s. 2d. JAMES POREELL, Esq., of Upper Clapton, briefly addressed the meeting, and was followed by Ewart, Esq., M.P., S. C. Hall, Esq., the Rev. Mr. Sherman, of Surrey Chapel ; L. Heyworth, Esq., of Liverpool ; and Mr. Henry Vincent, who was observed upon the platform, and was loudly called for. The latter gen tleman delivered a most eloquent and effective speech, in which, with great good taste, he forbore any allu sion to party politics. Mr. THOMAS, of Bristol moved, and Mr. POTTER se conded, a vote of thanks to the Chairman, which was carried amid deafening applause. Lord J. RUSSELL felt that he was greatly honoured in being permitted to attend that meeting, for the pur pose of promoting, humbly, but sincerely, the great cause of which Mr. Mathew was the apostle. He said again that that was no party and no sectarian question, and he was convinced there was nothing so likely to elevate the people of this country, whether as regarded religion, political opinions, literary or moral qualifications, as this great question of temperance. He returned them his thanks for the honour they had done him. The meeting then broke up. MASTER MARINERS and MATES. - - SOUTH SHIELDS, DEC. 14.—A meeting has just been held here of the Marine Board, some time since established for the examination of masters and mates, end the report made by the committee is very in teresting, and shows the exertions of the parties to be of the utmost value to the shipping interest. The report states that the examiners have not been inattentive to the duties for which they were elected ; and it is gratifying to show that the number of ap plicants who have attended for examination is on the increase : Mates passed the board, and obtained certificates, last year 47 Refused certificates:— From incompetency and ignorance of the coast and of navigation Not having been full two year s mate, and therefore 3 not examined Want of testimonials of character . Total ........................ 54 Of the 47 who obtained certifi cates, two passed, for navigation and nautical astronomy, in Class 1 ; 21 passed, for coasting and plain navigation, in Class 2 ; and '24 passed, as coasters only, in Class 3. The report refers to the six preceding years, and the result is as follows: First year—Applicants examined and granted cer tificates . 46 ..........- . ditto ..................... 4B Second year—Ditto,.... ditto 25 Third year—Ditto, ditto 34 Fourth year—Ditto, ditto 4 Fifth year—Ditto, ditto 47 0 Sixth year—Ditto, Total 240 The amount received for certificates during the last twelr• months was 681. 51., from which, deduct- Iprecaution had been taken immediately after the clothes had taken fire. It had long been known that gauzes of every description could be so prepared as to prevent their being inflammable. It was done by starching them in a particular way; and he trusted his mention ing the circumstance would be productive of good, and perhaps serve to prevent the recurrence of another of these dreadfnl occurrences. Cases of fire were really dreadfully frequent; within the last ten days there had been no less than twenty cases of this character within his district ; and he was sure he spoke within bounds, whea he said that from 130 to 140 cases of burning and scalding occurred yearly in the division of the county in which he was Coroner. He held inquests on Wednesday on two children : both of them were scalded to death from want of proper pre cautions being taken. The first was at the Free Hos pital in Gray's Inn-lane. A child while undressing herself before the fire accidentally fell, and there being no high fender, she knocked down a kettle and scalded her head so severely that she died soon afterwards. Now accidents of this nature could never occur to chil dren, if their parents would take the precaution to have wire fenders before their fires. In this case, however, danger had not been apprehended, for the jury would observe, that even Mrs. Webster had not foreseen any such until the calamity had actually occurred. Yet the means of avoiding the danger were very simple, for if a lattice of wire had been extended over the lamps the dresses of the actresses could .. . ' not possibly have caught fire, and accidents of this eha ' ratter would never happen. The precaution was a very simple one, and where the results would be so satisfac tory, it would be well at once to put it in practice. Where the dresses of performers were likely to be ex posed to flame, the gauzes, as he had already observed, might be so prepared by a solution of alumina, or alum, as to be quite uninflainmable. Impressed with this fact, he had yesterday-written a note to Mr. Gardiner, a most excellent chemist in the neighbourhood (Great Portland street), asking him if he know any person in London, who was in the habit of washing muslins, gauzes, or dresses in the solution alluded to. That gentleman returned this answer.—(The Learned Coroner then read Mr. Gardiner's letter, in which it was stated that muriate of ammonia, or a similar solution of alumina, would have the effect of preventing ignition.) It was also stated that a Mr. Hodson, of 406, Strand, had given much attention to this matter. How far that gentleman had succeeded, the in closed pattern of gauze would show; it would not light at the flame of a candle Mr. Hodson proposed to sell a starch, to be used instead of common starch, which would answer every purpose, and at the same time be perfectly safe in cases like the present. He would undertake, for a trifling consideration, to keep all theatre " property" or dresses from any danger by fire. He (the Coroner) did not know that there had been such a gentleman in existence as Mr. Hodson, but where, as in this case, the mention of his name would serve a double purpose, that of benefiting the public, and, perhaps, doing good to himself, he (the Coroner) thought it but common justice to give him publicity. (The gause was then tested at a candle, and found to verify all that was said of it, and Mrs. Webster, on ex amination, could not find any smell or other fault whi c h would make it inapplicable for dresses upon the stage.) Mr. WAKLEY—Certainly no young child of mine would be without an outer dress so prepared, and the attention of families would, he hoped, be directed to it. The witness, Daniel Coyle, whose hands were ban daged, intimated, at the conclusion of the Coroner's ad dress, that it had been erroneously stated in some of the newspapers that he was quite recovered. This was not the case, nor was he likely to be well for some time. Mr. WAILLEY told him the intrepidity he had dis played on the occasion of the accident was worthy of the highest praise. He was confident if he were to take a benefit at some place of entertainment, the public would not be wanting in their endeavours to support him. Coyle thanked the Coroner for his suggestion, and said as soon as he recovered he would take an opportu nity of appealing to the public. Mr. WALLET asked the jury if they were agreed on their verdict ? It was evidently, he said, an accident. The Foreman (Mr. Hall) replied they all concurred in the opinion and remarks of the Coroner; and a ver dict of " Accidental death" was accordingly returned. No ladies or gentlemen connected with Drury-lane Theatre were observed to be present. A gentleman, however, of military aspect, was early in attendance, and appeared to take great interest in the proceedings. EAST INDIA MOUSE. ' . A Quarterly General Court of Proprietors of East India Stock was held on Wednesday, at the Company's House, in Leadenhall-street ; Captain Shepherd in the chair. The minutes of the last Court were read and con firmed. The CLERK read a letter from General. Sir William Nott, returning thanks for the recent vote of the Court. A list of superannuations and allowances since the last Court was read. THE TEMPLE OF JUGGERNAUT. The CHAIRMAN, in reference to 'll motion of which Mr. Poynder had given notice, said he was happy to in form the Court that arrangements had been made, by which the British Government of India would in future have no connection whatever with the worship of the natives in the Temple of Juggernaut.—(Hear.).._ _ Mr. STRICHAN expressed his very great pleasure at hearing so important an announcement from the Chairman. THE GOVERNMENT OF INDIA AND THE ICING OF DELHI. Mr. THOMPSON rose to bring under the consideration of the Court the following motion :—" That he will call the attention of the Proprietors to the treatdent of his Majesty the King of Delhi by the Government of India." He (Mr. Thompson) wished to bring this sub ject before the Court in the most calm and temperate manner. He wished that justice should be done to the King of Delhi, whose father and grandfather had held sway. All that was now asked was that good faith should be observed—that engagements entered into should be strictly performed. In the line of succession the Kings of Delhi had sat upon the throne of that part of India 318 years. The Hon. Proprietor quoted the history of the Kings of Delhi and the grounds of com plaint the King has against the Indian Government, as set forth in a pamphlet entitled " The British Govern ment and the Royal House of Delhi." It was quite clear that certain lands were to be assigned to the King of Delhi, in order to enable him to keep up s proper dig nity, aid that it was the intention of the Governor- General that he should have an ample allowance for that purpose. The amount of thirty lets of rupees, which was proposed by the Marquis of Wellesley, was not the maximum of the proposed grant, but on the contrary, it was evident from his Lordship's dispatches that he intended to go further, if, on subsequent inquiries, the exigencies of the case rendered it necessary. Part of the lands then proposed to be assigned to the King of Delhi were now yielding an excess of thirty-five lacs a year. With reference to the grant proposed, the Governor-General said, "It is not, however, the inten tion of the Governor-General to fix the amount without further information which may enable his Excellency to judge of the exigencies of the royal household, and of extent of the additional resources which the British Government has acquired in the Doab and in Hindostan, by the cessious of the peace with Dowlut Rao Scindiah." In the fourteenth paragraph the Governor-General ex pressly says, that the income arising both from the assigned territories and the money payments from the British Treasury is to be "exclusively at the disposal of his Majesty." In a subsequent part of the dispatch, it was stated that the Governor-General did not deem it advisable to enter into any written agreement with the King of Delhi.—(Cheers.) The CHAIRMAN (interrupting Mr. Thompson)—How do you reconcile that with the statement of Ikrarnama ? Mr. TMoMPsoN said he never contended that the do cument was an absolute treaty entered into by the par ties. All he had said was, that it was signed by one party, and submitted to the other for approbation, the party so submitting it, of course, being willing to abide by it, provided the other party consented, and which, therefore, gave it, as far as the party proposing it was concerned, all the effect of an agreement. The Hon. Proprietor here read extracts from a variety of docu ments and dispatches, and said the question for the con sideration of the Proprietors on the present occasion was, what was the nature of the engagement which Lord Wellesley, on the part of the British Government, had en tered into with the King of Delhi? The document on that subject, to which he had already referred, was the one to which he again begged to call their particular atten tion. In conclusion, the Hon. Proprietor said, that after looking to the many favours wkich the Kings of Delhi had bestowed upon the East India Company, the assu rances that had been given by Lord Lake, the present condition of the Royal Family of Delhi—a family that had shown as little hostility to British power as any Royal Family with which the East India Company had ever had anything to do—and looking at the professions which had been made by the Court of Directors, of their desire at all times to promote the welfare of the native Princes of India, as far as was consistent with the safety of their own Government, he trusted that the Court of Proprietors would come to the conclusion that the whole question ought to be taken into consideration by the Court of Directors. He concluded by moving for the production of certain dispatches and papers with refer ence to the case of the King of Delhi. The motion having been,seconded, The CHAIRMAN opposed the motion. After some discussion, The CIIIIRMAN put the qustion, which was negatived by a very considerable majority, only four hands having been bold up in favour of it. The Court then adjourned. STATE OF THE TYNE.—The accumulation of ships, from the late contrary winds and strong sea at the bar, is now so great, that the harbour at Shields is in a very dangerous condition; and if any of our friends and neighbours in Newcastle or Shields are sceptical enough to doubt, or obtuse enough not to understand, the pressing necessity which exists for propor mooring being laid down in the river, and for a night police to be main tained thereon, we respectfully invite them, before what is termed a sea tide comes, when the ships can get out, to take boat at the high-end of South Shields, and pull leisurely down to the Low Lights, and they will see every berth, safe or unsafe, fully occupied. If another fleet of light vessels should come in before the pre sent loaden fleet be gone, they will be obliged to go up to Jarrowslake, and bring up. In many cases, twelve ships and upwards are in one tier, moored to wooden posts on the shore. These posts are all pri vate property ; and when the tides are very strong, or the flood of the oountry water comes down heavy, they frequently break, and occasion the tiers to get adrift, forcing the ships into collision, and driving them on the bank, so that considerable damage is done. Should the frost become severe this winter, and the ice break up suddenly, most serious disasters would ensue. We ear nestly trust that the conservators of the river will take this matter into their deep consideration.— Tyne Mercury. SPIRIT of the PUBLIC JOURNALS. FROM TEE EVENING PAPERS OF YESTERDAY. GLOBE.—Petty Sessions justice has passed into a proverb of reproach for its dissimilarity to that substan tial justice which under the forms and by the sanction of law, ought to be administered in a free country. The vast disproportion between the fines imposed by magistrates on summary convictions for trifling offences, and the fees demanded on those convictions by their clerks, has been the subject of frequent remark. The latter, being often from ten to twenty times the amount of the former, and, being beyond the means of payment by the defendant; have caused the petty delinquent to be imprisoned for several days or weeks, at the discretion of the ma gistrates, entailing all the consequences, personal and relative, which such a proceeding is calculated to pro duee. The evil has been somewhat modified ; and, to a slight extent, mitigated. The source of the mischiefs has, however, remained untouched. The system of pay ing magistrates' clerks, and the other functionaries— whose " expenses" press in such cases with ruinous severity on the class of persons who constitute the great mass of those who are summarily convicted—by fees, instead of by salary, required to be abolished. That system, however, was retained ; and, while it continues, will operate as an engine of oppres sion, and source of misery and demoralization on the lower classes ; while it will increase the burdens upon the county and parish rates—upon the former, for the expense of maintaining the poor defendant in the gaol; and to the latter, to support his wife and family in the union, or by an allowance in money to prevent them from going thither. This, however, is not the only form in which the system works to the discredit of justice, as administered in petty sessions. The defendant is not the only party who is made to suffer by its operation. If the convicted party be unable to pay the fine and the fees, he or she is committed to gaol ; and thus pays in person through inability to pay by purse. The Queen loses the amount of the penalty, whether it be a penny or a pound. But not so the magistrates' clerk, and the other fee-paid officers of the petty sessions court. The complainant must pay them. lie may be a poor cottager ; his garden hedge or gate may have been broken by the act of a malicious neighbour, and the growing crop of vege tables, on which he has bestowed great labour and care, may have been extensively injured by the act ; he may have been also assaulted by the person who has perpetrated the offence against his property. For the of fence he causes the party to be brought before a magis trate, who convicts him summarily, and inflicts a fine and costs—and, on the non-payment of which, to be imprisoned for a specified period. The de fendant does not pay, and is committed. And there the matter ends, so far as the complainant is concerned, would be the conclusion to which every one who, in ignorance of the law and practice in such cases made and provided, had merely watched the pro ceeding up to this point. The poor man had been seriously injured. He had obtained no compensation for the wrong ; but he had caused the wrong-doer to be punished by the law ; an d h a d th us taught him, and taught others actuated by mischief or malice, that they c‘innot indulge their propensities or passions with impunity. A person who would so reason would obviously reckon without his host. The law, in the person of the magistrate's clerk, has yet a hold upon the person, or purse, of the poor complainant. And, if he be unable to meet his claim for the fees incurred in obtaining satisfaction and protection against the party who injured him—why then, as, an illustration of petty sessions justice, he will by sum mary process be sent to keep company with the party he h as prosecuted ! We are not drawing an imaginary sketch. Our observations are founded on facts, for w hi c h we are indebted to a correspondent, to whose for nier communications respecting petty sessions practice in his neighbourhood, we have been indebted for some s t r iki n g illustrations of " Justice's Justice." STANDARD.—We do not think that by any means too much importance is attached in this country to public dinners, though it has been a fashion with many abroad, and to some among ourselves, to sneer at such demonstrations. The principle of centralisation, now contended for with so much zeal by particular schools of politicians, is neither congenial to the feelings and habits, nor consistent with the con stitution of this free country. Englishmen like to form their own opinions, and to express those opinions in their own way—like to express their personal indignation, when they think they have reason to be indignant, in their own words, and when the d e bt o f gratitue is to be paid to a great public benefactor, they will not forego the high gratification of paying their share of the debt in their own persons. The Constitution allows them this indulgence, and the effect is in the highest degree beneficial ; for the punishment of mis conduct or the reward of merit is thus multiplied in finitely beyond the force of a single censure from any authority how high soever, or the greatest fa vour in the power of the Crown or the Legislature to confer. Public dinners, however, present one of the most convenient channels for the expression of the public sentiment, and there is no danger that they will ever have the effect of perverting that sentiment, for they will be always estimated at their proper value. A dinner to Mr. O'Connell at Covent garden, presided over by Mr. Thomas buncombe, and enrictied by the speeches of Mr. Coppock (we forget the 'other speakers), is a dif ferent matter from a public dinner given to Sir 11. Pot finger, under the presidency of the chief magistrate of such a town as Liverpool, attended by a principal Minister of the Crown, Lord Stanley, and by such men as Lord San don, Mr. W. Patten, Mr. Entwisle, and the leading mer chants of the second commercial emporium of the world. Such a dinner as the latter is not inferior in interest and importance to the most serious and most dignified discussion of the Legislature ; and it presents the advantage of a gratifyini harmony, never found in Parliamentary debates. These reflections are sug gested by the proceedings at the late Liverpool dinner, a report of which will be found i n our first page. Will the reader forgive one other pre liminary reflection, before alluding particularly to the incidents of this splendid national celebration ? We are, unfortunately, old enough to remember the address of the House of Commons to the Duke of Wellington, upon his return from the Penin sula., delivered with such feeling and eloquence by the then Speaker, the late Lord Colchester. It was remarked upon the occasion, for the scene made a great impression through the whole country —" That such rewards must make heroes." " No," replied a veteran fellow soldier of the Duke's, " heroes are never made—least of all are they made by the prospect of rewards, even as precious as this. Heroes are inspired by the consciousness of genius and the con suming sense of duty, which extinguishes all selfish feel ing—when the country gives to them the meed of her approbation, she gratifies herself and honours her self. I, though not accustomed to shed tears, wept like a child at the scene in the House of COMMOAS— wept for joy, not that I was the hero's fellow soldier, but that I was an Englishman, and that as an Englishman, I too had my share in paying the debt of gratitude." A feeling of the same kind, though perhaps different in degree, will, we are persuaded, affect every reader of the honours rendered at Liverpool to our great pacific con queror. Apart from these considerations, however, the proceedings upon the occasion are full of interest. Sir H. Pottinger's speech is precisely what might be expected from so great a man. An inferior or less ingenuous per son would have magnified his service by expatiating upon its difficulties, as enormous difficulties the Right Hon. Bart. niust have had to encounter. Sir Henry alludes to nothing of the kind : he speaks warmly and generously of the encouragement and support of the Queen's Government, and of the bound less confidence reposed in him ; delights to honour the hearty and effectual co-operation of his naval and military colleagues, and takes a noble pleasure in doing justice to the wisdom and good faith of the diplomatists with whom he had to deal, whom he will scarcely allow to have been opposed to him: his own share in the negotiation is treated as nothing. In a word, according to Sir Henry Pottinger's account, Sir Henry Pottinger was a mere cipher. You may hear of his talents and labours, the difficulties he overcame, the immense service he rendered to his country everywhere except in his own speech. This is the true English spirit, the spirit that claims no merit for self in the faithful discharge of duty, however gloriously or successfully the duty has been discharged, but anxiously and gratefully devolves the praise upon all who have contributed to its success. MONEY MARKET and CITY NEWS CITY, WEDNESDAY EVENING. TIMES.—The premium on gold at Paris is 12 per mills, which, at the English Mint price of 3/. 17s. 10d. per ounce far standard gold gives an exchange of 25 45 ; and the exchange at Paris on London at short being 25 574, it follows that gold is 0.49 per cent. dearer in London than in Paris. The course of exchange at New York on London is 110 k per cent., and the par of exchange between Eng land and America being 109 23-40 per cent., it follows that the exchange is 0.68 per cent. in favour of England. But the quoted exchange at New York being for bills at 60 days' sight, the interest must be added to the above difference. We are requested to state, that a paragraph which appeared in our last paper, copied from the Perthshire Courier, having reference to the sale of the estates of the late Lord Lyndoch in Perthshire, is incorrect in several places. The sales of Lynedoch and Balgowan, to Messrs. Simpson and Thomson, are made by Mr. Graham of Balgowan, not by the trustees of Lord Lyne doch, and are conditional sales, dependent upon Mr. Graham's power to sell, which is disputed by the heirs of entail, and will form a question in the courts of law —Edinburgh Advertiser. STEAM -BOAT COLLISION OFF OSTEND.—lnforma tion has been received that the Princess Mary and the Princess Alice came into collision on Tuesday, as thi former, in a dense fog, was leaving Ostend with the mail, and the latter entering. No lives have been lost but much damage has been done to the vessels, the Princess Mary suffering the most ; a week o r t wo w ill, however, put her right. The ma i l was land e d, an d willcome over to-day. A vessel will be immediately put upon the station, to fill the Princess Mary's place until she is able to resume her post. ANOTHER CARRIAGE ROMlERT.—Wednesday infor mation was :given to the Metropolitan Police, that on Saturday while th e car i age o f D. B an k s , Esq., of 2, Devonshire-place, last, re-plice, was in the road between Dart ford and:London, some thieves contrived to detach a large box from the hind part of the carriage, with which they got clear off. The box co n t a ined a quantity of wea r i ng apparel, consisting of dresses, silk and velvet shawls and mantles, and several pairs of silk stockings, lace hand kerchiefs, articles of jewellery, and also some under elgthing• LAW INTELLIGENCE. COURT OF COMMON PLEAS, Der. 19. (Sittings in London, before the LORD CurEF JrrsicE and a Special Jury.) PARISH OF WALBROOK. GIBBS AND ANOTHER V. FLIGHT AND ANOTHER. This case, which has been looked to with great inte rest in the City, and has been kept back from day to day since the commencement of the special jury sittings, from various interruptions, came on at length this morn ing, at half-past nine o'clock. Sir Thomas Wilde and Mr. Sergeant Channel' (with whom were Mr. Cowan), conducted the ease of U.', plaintiffs ; Mr. Sergeant Talfourd and Mr. Adolphus ap peared for the defendants. Mr. COWAN opened the pleadings. This was an action of trover to recover possession of certain books, the pro. perty of the plaintiffs, as churchwardens of the parish of Stephen's, Walbrook, in the City of London, which the defendants had unlawfully seized and carried away. The defendants pleaded that the plaintiffs were not the churchwardens of St. Stephen's, Walbrook ; that they had not possessed the books in question as such church wardens; and thirdly, the defendants pleaded on the general issue that they were not guilty. The pleadings having been real, Sir T. WILDE addressed the jury for the plaintiffs. They had been informed by his Learned Friend that this action was brought by the Lord Mayor and another gentleman against the defendants, to obtain possession of certain books which they unlawfully withheld. The plaintiffs claimed the custody of these books as church wardens of the parish of St. Stephen's, Walbrook, and the defendants denied that the plaintiffs were entitled in the character of churchwardens, which they set up. The question now brought before this Court was whether, in common law, the parish of St. Stephen's was properly governed by a select vestry, or by an open vestry of the parishioners at large. It would be shown, on the part of the plaintiffs, that, from time immemorial, the parish had never been governed by the parishioners at large. Docu ments, as far back as the year 1642, would be laid before the Court to prove that, beyond all question, the parish was at that time governed by a select vestry. But the defendants thought the parishioners at large were entitled to take part in the vestry, and this cause was raised to try that question. The plaintiffs had been subjected to much animadversion on account of the course which they had thought it their duty to take in this matter; but he should be able to show the jury on what slight foundations a great deal of obloquy might be heaped up. The parish of St. Stephen's, Walbrook, was possessed of certain estates, which were vested in trustees, and, as these died oft, others were appointed, and the estates were conveyed to them. Of course. there were besides the ordinary officers of the parish ; and thus the affairs of the pariah and the estates were managed until September in the last year. In the preceding month of August, some gentle men called upon Mr. Alderman Gibbs—now the Lord Mayor of London—and asked to see the parish accounts. The Lord Mayor answered them in the most courteous manner, and told them that he would call a vestry, and consult that body as to whether he should comply with the demand or not. The vestry was called, but, instead of waiting for the result, the defendants th oug ht p roper to raise quite another question. A number of gentlemen rushed into the vestry-room, and took possession of the books, de claring that it was an open vestry. Those who formed the select vestry thought it was their duty to maintain the rights of the parish. For as it had been since the year 1200 the custom of the parish to be governed-by a select vestry, that had become a right of the parish, and it was their duty to maintain it. This first interruption took place in August. In September another attempt to hold a select vestry, for the purpose of passing the ac counts, was made, and with a like result. The church wardens then found it necessary to call in the aid of the civil force to prevent this irruption ; and at the first legal meeting of the vestry the Lord Mayor produced his accounts, and they were passed item by item. The whole of the accounts, from beginning to end, were printed and distributed at the expense of the Lord. Mayor. who had been described as so obstinate that he refused to make any such statement. A thousand copies were also printed, in consequence of the noise made in the Common Council on the subject, and were generally distributed. Since that time a bill in Chancery had been filed against the select vestry, under the mi , taken supposition that they were trustees of the estates ; and the Lord Mayor's accounts, not only as trustee, but also as churchwarden, were now under examination. He should make no allusion to anything that had occurred in the course of that investigation. In consequence of the attempt to break in upon the select vestry in the manner that he had stated it was thought that, instead of the one side continuing to insist on their right to attend, and the other resisting that right, it would be better that the question should be sub mitted to legal decision. The present plaintiffs were the churchwardens appointed by the select vestry, and the defendants had been appointed to the same office by the parishioners at large. The question now was, in fact, who were the legal churchwardens? The parish books were admitted to have been taken, and the action was brought merely to try the question whether the plaintiffs or the defendants were entitled to their possession. He did not know what were the grounds upon which his Learned Friend meant to resist the claims of the select vestry. He would state, however, very shortly what had been the course pursued in the parish from the earliest period. The parish books begun in the year 1648, and he should divide the interval from that year down to the present time, into certain periods, stopping where there was any difference or alterati on . In 1648 a certain n um b er o f persons would be found acting as the vestry. It would not be in the power of the parties to show by evidence of antecedent facts how those persons were appointed, but it would satisfac torily appear what was the subsequent course of ap pointment. The first series would be from 1648 to 1672. During that time they could find the same persons always attending, with the exception that every person who, subsequently to that served the office of church warden, or paid the fine, became a vestryman, and acted in that character. It would seem, in fact, that the ancient vestry was composed of the by-gone parish officers, who had either served the office of churchwarden, or been fined. In 1672 a document came forth which could, he supposed, be made the subject of ob servation by his Learned Friend. In that year a faculty was issued by the authority of the Bishop, which ordered that the select vestry should con sist of certain persons, embracing the old :select ves try and other individuals. It would be found that some of those persons afterwards attended, and that a consi derable proportion of them were elected to the office of churchwarden, and thus became select vestrymen by virtue of their nomination. From 1672 to 1699 the same course was uniformly adopted ; that is to say, those who had served or had been fin e d, were constantly added to the existing body. From 1699 to 1734 the same course was still pursued ; the mode of initiation into the office of vestryman continued to be what he had stated ; and the same remark would apply to the period between 1735 and 1834. In 1834, an Act of Par liament was passed which constituted church wardens and overseers a sort of corporation for the pur pose of their taking the property of the parish by sue. cession. Formerly, where property belonged to the parish, it was necessary to convey it from one set of persons to another, who represented the parish, but under this Act the property went to the successors of the existing vestry without any new instruments or deeds of conveyance. The overseers then became trustees of the parish, and that was the only addition which bad been made. Now this was the history of the vestry up to the present time. With the exception caused by the faculty, there had been one uniform system from first to last. What were the deviations which his Learned Friends would attempt to show ; or what the grounds upon which the legality of this vestry would be attacked, it was impossible for him to conjecture. It could hardly be contended that a select vestry was an unconsti tutional body, or that it could not exist. It seldom happened in this country that large bodies of men having a common interest regulated their affairs in their own persons. Such matters were usually entrusted to governors, directors, masters, or other parties, who acted on behalf of the rest. It was not remarkable, therefore, that in olden times certain parishes came to a resolution that certain parties should be chosen as a se lect vestry to manage the parochial concerns. The jury would find no instance of an open vestry in that parish. During the time to which he had referred, the vestry was always composed of a certain number of individuals, who were appointed in a particular manner to fill the office. His Learned Friend night possibly contend that the faculty had made some alteration ; but he need not remind his Lordship that a case had been decided in which that point had been ineffectually raised. He (Sir T. Wilde) thought the whole dispute would resolve it self into a question of law ; and if so, all that could be done on that occasion was to insure the trial of that question in the most effectual manner. The LORD CHIEF JUSTICE—The better course would be to turn it into a special case, or a special verdict. Mr. Sergeant TALPOURD did not apprehend that on the facts of the case there would ultimately be any dis- Fpute. It would, he thought, be desirable for his Learned Friend and himself to agree as to the effect of certain portions of the evidence as the foundation of a case. Ho believed he was perfectly correct in stating that in 1641 certain persons would be found acting as the vestry of St. Stephen's, and that they continued so to act down to the time of the great fire in 1666. Henry Phillips was then called and examined for the plaintiff as to certain entries in the first parish book, commmencing in 1648. The Learned Counsel were consulting as to certain portions of the evidence, when The LORD CHIEF JUSTICE said if there was any nice matter of account to be decided, it would be better that t should be referred to some barrister. The witness then went over a great deal of documen tary evidence for the purpose of showing how the church wardens of St. Stephen, Walbrook, had been chosen since the time of Henry 111., from which it appeared, that it had been the habit of re-electing persons as churchwardens of the parish. At this point of the argument, Mr. Sergeant CHINNELL stated that it waa his inten tion to argue that the churchwardens of the parish were elected every year. The LORD CHIEF JrsTrcE---Well, I suppose from the evidence that has been given that it may be taken that there is no re-election during the intervening years as churchwarden ? The examination of the witness was then resumed, and eoncluded in favour of the plaintiff. Mr. Sergeant TALFOTTRD cross-examined Mr. Phillips IA to the attendance of several individuals who formed the committee and churchwardens of the parish of St. Stephen, Walbrook, and for the purpose of endeavour ing to prove that the vestry, instead of being perpetual, was elected annually. From 1699 to 1734 the documents showed that there were never less than eight vestrymen at any vestry meeting. In the majority of instances th• churchwardens' accounts were audited annually, but there were PQM@ exceptions. From 1700 to 1734, nevi