The Sun. — London, England, 1845-07-31 00:00:00

........--. 1 Lly poured our Lord , irrnan." :listing ° Schrider, royal Pr e ' e read th e jest y, 011 _° ds entera l e tneselArB tunstancel ni Sunda,' DipEd Rovan ENves innunle• journs l/ ,tion, Ae ne &W I " ,st h for thi 5 .lmly 5 line, rneießt' ial esPI i T A onutniet l, the Pr & t netror I rity, be a ny infib til thid At uncle' sideratiee le pnbli A c etion an pith B • br ier wog e , rei lo / ''nt articlo here is ufficieo tl l. 1 e think • into 110 two Pr r ourol v l , s !Joe, ht to oug d' forwar to gil t : id, no d al r silo l in Egg' itset, tb: s startio; most cos . t h ar Fri erl SSell ', , mak e n, utter a nchot er ; s tated 14 a , to ecti d t the er • it is . ! stent - tb o t • own I nge• k t hl ng e"! ' 177 3111 3n or fled al 10 d 0 _ A Line, $1; Ire or n• ut ieo douv„ill the J e f e said gdi for n tha t oin tsg e ei •er b e les—b° • Bar/01, 0; 01 vaCsn ei a e 1$ 0 :00 at Ye; De co rY` 1 0 we etiog o he c ° ' " AI stter• or al 'f aP cr..; o c_ t ng t , h3t iwo r uo , , r par.' . 4 „r, , 5 Car r j tO 1106 11 ' 0 este d to ndida te ot t, a"dt Nie% ies :4 l oni i to Tit : l o ge SO 00 , th e r Dir.c o ; , mea t vi o ci tors • e , T oe, IP • r st i$ ° e ft , vet it io l) E"g'teci EuPij o „d lailopeoe, ace ted at C dr den y°. AO oolY. . I ,er. P ari' Dot t" ;j ot 1 ,15 A ; , 3 1 it be , 1 ;t g c ' o ii LibiritY .11 joritY p erso r : be " ee a ble ip r 1,1*•1 RAILWAY COMMITTEES. (THIS DAY.) HOUSE OF CO YiMONS. GROUP X. snErrxELD A:VD xazzcoxam7sy.g:itz LZ877.1. This Committee met to-day at the usual hour, Viscount Courte nay in the chair, _ _....... Mr. Greenwood's evidence, connected with the traffic tables, was resumed, and occupied their consideration some time. At the termination of this, which was but a detailed recapitulation of the evidence given yesterday, the engineering evidence was pro ceeded with. Mr. Fowler examined by Mr. BAUM, Q.C.—ls a civil engineer, connected with the Stockton and Hartlepool, Great Grimsby and Sheffield, and many others, which he either solely or conjointly with other engineers, planned and constructed. In June last was le. quested to survey the country between Sheffield and Gainsborough, for the purpose of selecting a line between these points, and ac cordingly laid out that now before the Committee. (LEFT SITTING.) THE LATE COLLISION ON THE LONDON AND BIRMINGHAM RAILWAY. The following official report from Mr. Creed, the secretary of the London and Birmingham Railway, has been forwarded to Mr. Laing, the secretary of the Railway Department of the Board of Trade:— " To S. Laing, Esq., Railway Department of the Board of Trade. " Euston station, July 29, 1845. " Sir,—The Lancashire mail, which is timed to arrive at the Luton station at 32 minutes past 5 a.m., entered the Camden station at 5 a.m., as the first goods' train from London was crossing the down line to proceed on its journey. The conse quence was a collision, which forced the engine, tender, and Parcels' van, in front of the mail train, off the rails, injuring som e of the waggons and carriages, and causing a fracture in the leg of one of the passengers in a second-class carriage, and several 'evere cuts on the face and head to another passenger, 1 1 7 the breaking of the glass of the coupe of a first-class carriage In which he was riding, with his face to the engine. It di es not appear e ar o th t at ant more passengers were injured. p r tng t hese occurrences for the information of the Lord su o f the Privy Council for Trade, I would invite their attention to the following facts Th a t t h e :nail train arrived at the Camden station fifteen minutes before its time. "2. That the goods' train, on the other hand, was fifty Minutes later than its regular time of departure (owing to the Unusual number of trains which were to be conveyed). " 3. That although the policeman at Chalk.farm-bridge had turned on the red signal, when the goods' train began to move, there was so ranch fog that the driver of a train coming out of the t unne l could not well have seen the signal, and consequently that in not going forward to communicate with the policeman at the south end of the tunnel, according to orders provided for these cases, the policeman at the bridge failed in the per formance of his duty." _ General Palley was expected down in the course of yester detenak:teot,oinset the spot where the catastrophe occurred. The lugagge van, and first carriages, were completely shat tributah,fragulents, The blame is conceived to be chiefly at ciaan, ie to the trains being " ill-timed." The signal-man at 1 f arm -bridg e has occupied that post, it appears, for the last years. THE LATE COLLISION ON THE f SOUTH-EA STERN RAILWAY. EX ANIINATION OF TIIE ENGINE DRIVER. Yesterday afternoon, at two o'clock, Captain Charlewood, R.N., the e ~,m th-Eastern Railway Company, attended the Court-house, Tunbridge, before Mr. Hare, one of the county magistrates, to prosecute Joseph Walker, an engine driver in the employ of the pUriPa nyshurst , for negligently causing the collision on that line, at the station, on Monday night, whereby the lives of nearly U9O persons were endangered. Th e defendant, w h o appears t o b e a b ou t 30 y ears o f age , wa s bro ught up in custody of the railway police, under whose surveil. lance he had been since the night of the accident. The first witness, William Marchant, was then examined.—He said e wava porter at the railway station at Tunbridge. On Monday herg last, on the arrival at that station of the half-past six o'clock . U P train f rom Dover, he was asked by the guard whether the that carriag e or truck, on which a gent l eman ' s carr i age f or k at station, was unoccupied. He replied that he did not h bu t". and w en t to ascertain, w h en he foun d i t was not, an d t h en rt aehed it. S carce l y h a d h e d one so, b e f ore a gen tl eman ca ll e d film to take his portmanteau into the waiting-room, which he did, arid returned to the platform. He then heard so:ne one call out to uaastd,, yes," and " Was it all right behind ?" The reply given es," and the whistle was immediately sounded and the train prcceeded. Witness, knowing that the signal lights were u . rt the carriage which he detached, ran to the last car riage of the train to see if they had been shifted to their proper places, but found that they had not, and that the train was °l4 °n without them. It was a very long train, comprising "note than thirty carriages, and was drawn by two engines in ad. nee. The moment h e sa w th a t the train was without the signal i l luts he g ave the alarm to the watchman, who held up his red . 11 to the en g i ne d r i vers to stop, b ut t h e tra i n b e i ng considerably advance, it was not noticed. Mr. Ha re w i shed to k now w h et h er t h ere was an eng i ne at the e_c e ? of the tr.iu propelling it, as he had heard that such was the as iThe w itness replied that most decidedly there was not. The on 1 engines th a t conveye d t h e t ra i n were i n f ron t. n cont inuation, he said that the head porter of the station, 4• h a, ntrd G oodman, ordered imme, iately a pilot engine then stand. . 1 1 be low the station, of which the defendant was the driver, to to : th e signal -lights and overtake the train. Witness took the t ik C i a ge as direeted to the defendant, who made answer that h e th °Coke. Some was directly obtained, and, being placed . e t t Coke the engine started. ih I.,,, Ca l ) tain Charlewood — The defendant was perfectly sober, not ,-;`• observed no recklessness when he left the station. He did th e - d .iit ' t that more than tire minutes elapsed from the period of Th e Patture of the train to that of the pilot engine. tak e w e defendant here asked the witness what lights he bid him nuts I ith . the engine that the train had gone without?—The wit tatl li g l ii s e ri that he most distinctly informed him that they were the The El the en.• defendant denied it He was told by the witness that it was Th a . : e 118 ht he had to take. served witness however, persisted in his former statement, and ob that other witnesses were in attendance, who told the de. fondant th at they were tail signal lights. Richard Goodman, the head porter, proved ordering the pilot It gine to o vertake the train, which had left without the tail lights. Was not dark, about dusk, the time being forty-nine minutes Past eight o'clock. The order was to go as far as Penshutst station to overtake the train. George Smithers, another porter at the Tunbridge station, said directly the train was gone he was directed by the last wit ness to desire the defendant to proceed after it with the pilot engine, as it had gone without the lights. He was positive he told him they were the tail lights. While the coke was being placed in the tender, he took one of the lamps of the private carriage truck that had been left behind, and placed it on the ten. der. He then got up, and while placing it on one side, in order that it should not be knocked over, another man brought the other lamp, and on taking it from him the engine started. Captain Charlewood asked the witness if the defendant could not have seen by their appearance that they were the tail lights ? The witness considered that he must have seen them, as they were t he very l a r ge ones, h av i ng red glass, very b r i g h t, an d s t o od in a conspicuous spot in the tender. The speed the engine was driven at he thought was about thirty miles an hour. It might have been faster. They left five minutes after the train, and Rained the Penshurst station almost at the same moment as the tr ain did. Before, however, and on arriving at the Whitepost tun nel. the defendant sounded the whistle and shut off the steam, and after a short pause, remarked to witness, " The train is not here. 'don't see it; we must go on to the station," and then turned the steam on. The station at Penshurst adjoins the Whitepost tunnel, and from the spot at the entrance of it, where the defendant said he could not see the train, to the station, is about 300 yards. A few moments had scarcely transpired before the train was seen, when the defendant shut off the steam and reversed the engine, as well as Put on the break ; the engine, however, never stopped, and dash ed into the train. lMr. Benjamin Cubitt, the locomotive engineer of the South-Eas ern Railway, was next examined at much length. He said that I.' Was in th e traits in question, and on his stopping at Penshurst, „ hic h was about nine o'clock, he was alarmed by receiving a se 'ere shock • • into behind. The train, •as if the train had been ran e Should as if had scarcely come to a stand-still, and th n . concussion was very great. Ile immediately got out, ins concussion went to the after part of the train to ascer- Z t he cause, and was surprised at finding an engine close in a tek,L st the carriages. His first object was to seek out the driver, cltuhoenriereahteidfao:uetn,d to be the defendant, and asked him how it oc th r ed that he had run into the train ? His reply was, that he, had bean sent on to overtake the train, it having bla r e without the lights. Ile, Mr. Cubitt, then examined the to see if it had got the signal lights, and perceived a t it had nOne. "1 the Hare, the Chairman—Do you consider it a judicious step he Part of the officers at the Tunbridge station to send a Pilot glee t o „ se r i heti ? -•ertake the train in the manner which has been de itrpMr. uCubitt, after a pause—l do not think it was an improper Ni r b „ t it lva , quite a new order to n our regulations. soo n - nare—Was it not likely , • in dispatching the pilot engine so alt er the train, to incur injury . 'ecti lett case is one orbs that character that I do not w a . of a similar one occurring fore. Of course, if caution hot ot M r u ed. there was danger. set'rnot e--Then what was the risk, supposing the officers had N te ."11 the pilot engine ? thej o . n (n hitt—N o r i sk at all on t h e D over li ne; b u t on reaching M eet, tehlier" of the Brighton line at danger. Reigate, where so many trains 1s e was considerable ditpa k • Pare--Then was it wrong for the officers at Tunbridge to birch the pilot engine ? hav e i,Cutett--.No, not exactly ; but certainly the lights would bee n c ee n missed at the Pensinirst station, and they would have Tuat i .ePla eed. If the g u ar d h a d done his duty before the train left fc r h rid ge he would have sen that the lights were properly fixtd, &tau: e xPeeted to examine them and the carriages at all the mr na the trains stop at. bei de. H are said he was glad to hear that the officer at Tun_ had d had hot acted wrongly in dispatching the engine, fur he mr one en to prevent mi sc hi e f. drive r Cu hitt, in continuation of his evidence, stated that the engine •rsidakeruwas bou n d to obey the order of the officer of the station. all the circumstances that had been adduced Into con. look 1'W"444 he decidedly of opinion that had a proper been- 6 b een kept b y t h e eng i ne d r i ver, th e t ra i n in advance must . n a arded ce , much greater distance than had been stated. As re. tnit i t 'Peed the en g i ne was p r op e lled at, be could not state, ten weitist have been considerable, as the collision happened within Certain) T ut es alter l eav i ng T un b r id ge, a di s t ance o f a b ou t five miles. m oo Y the e ngine -driver ought to have exercised greater judg h "'lying so near the Penshurst station, so that he could th a a v t e ,,7re prrant•tly stopped the engine. It was but justice to state of th".o defendant had been about twelve months in the service Ps4,, e o j uin PanY, durin g w hi c h per i o d h e h a d d r i ven b o th pilot and d r i ver dri 8 " tr ains, and th e y h a d a l wa y s f o und him a sober, steady 1)e- 1 tain od Charlewo, in answer to the bench, said that the num it, Persons know n to be injured were three; these were Mr. , ttiet es ' 131 , Chcapside, com p oun d fracture of the leg near . tt •e, the mother of a 4li a nd gurd, ro a talented illed on the line, 7,t,tion uf the right jaw ; paintera (a banet) f , ba t h i "jurY to the °pine. 0 .earti their n• There were a number of persons b o le t , ' e xes bruised and otherwise injured, but he had been una Or the accident. Antes, as theyhad ' the ' a re then i nqu i red if there was any further ev i dence on l s . ^ , 4e t of th e prosecution ? ?1 Culiitt r ep li ed that there was not. 'e defendant lacing called upon for his defence, remarked that hOne ~f d , ifie the witnesses ever spoke to him about tie train being ar. , .ent of the tail lights. Ile clearly understood them to say, on th u hß with the pivot engine, that the lights in question were th)se , ti e "gines, otherwise lie should have proceeded with greater statement, Ile never supposed but what the train had the tail signal. „t i s, and CLnsequency was on the look out for them. In proof ot eora, he teggcd to call the fireman who was with him. mith, train, the reman alluded to, stated that when he eti to overtake the train, the conviction on his mind was that I ,, iii ) ,were t a ki ng the engine lights, they w ere on a strict look out. and not the tail lamps, fur chilne Magistra then retired wih Captai Charleood anhe wh 't clerk of the court, an d , afters a short n consultati w on, returned, Mr. Har e o b served that, after the whole affair had had his fro, ;euntid eration, he was led to believe that the accident had arisen t the lights. nitsta ke respectin g th e order given to the defendant relative 0 lie thereto dismissed the case. ~~~ THE SUN, LONDON, THITR - SDAI EVENING, JULY 31 3 1845. RAILWAY COMMITTEE. at an early hou7, sat on the cellar stairs, and st-on heard a noise in the bar. Upon going towards the bar he saw the prisoner climbing over the top of the pair of doors, and told him that he had been su:yectett for some time. lie retell, d, " Oh, Sir, I have taken i:ut a few coppers, aid I h , po wi:l forgive me." Tbe Fri:7oller then 1c7,1; out of his pocket two shillings and tvvok.enee•half pr.,ll3- in c,- T p e r, whidi had ken oil marked. There WdS other property belonging to the prosecutor also found upon the pr:soner. A policeman ;.tested that he found in the prisoner's box some silver and copper, and brandy, screws of to bc.cco, &e. . IMPERIAL PA RL TAMEN T. HOUSE OF COMMONS, July 31. (Continued from our Afternoon Edition of yesterday.) Sir R. PEEL thought it extremely unfair to find fault with the Government with respect to the Land Commissioners. The Ant of Parliament appointing them had far different objects in view than an ireeoree-tax. They took them as they found them. They were the best machinery they could get without creating new officers, and were selected as being more likely than any other body, to give satisfaction to the country, and to prevent any jealousy that might arise if the Go vernment had taken the matter into its own hands. With regard to the assertion of the Hon. Member (Mr. Hume) that the Land Commissioners who bad levied a distress on Mr. Fielden's pi operty were actuated by political feelings in the course they took, he could not believe that any person hold ing such an office could be actuated by such unworthy motives. Mr. BROTH ERTON said, when they considered that the Land Commissioners were appointed through the instru mentality of Members of Parliament, the statement of the Hon. Baronet that they could not be actuated by political motives could nut hold god, as these persons too frequently held the opinions of those by whom they were appointed to their offices. When it was considered that Messrs. Fielden and Co. had lost large sums of money in their business, it must be evident that they were not liable for the income- tax. Captain PECH ELI. hoped that the motion would lead to it quiries into other cases equally as severe, arid cited the case of Mrs. Shuttlewood. a poor widow, wish an income under 1501., who owed three years' rent, but w ho, though in difficul ties, was compelled to pa: , the income-tax. Mr. FIELDEN replied, and said he would not divide the House if the Government would consent to the returns he had moved for. 'the CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER consented to do so and the subject dropped. RAILWAY ACCIDENTS. Mr. BERNAL called the attention of the Government to the late railway accidents, particularly to that on the South- Eastern Railway. The train after the accident was detained full six minutes by the clerks and cheque-takers in collecting tickets, though many of the persons in the train were suffering from the severe cantusions which they had received. Of late, railway accidents had [seen very frequent, especially to the mail trains on the London and Birmingham Railway. He wished to know what steps the Government had taken with respect to the accidents to which he had alluded, and whether steps would be taken to ensue more safety to those who travelled by rail ways? sir G. CLERK said that an officer had been dispatched to inquire into the accidents to whirls the Hon. Gentleman had referred. The Government had taken steps to insure a report in all cases of accidents or loss of life on railways immediately on their occurrence.—( Hear, hear.) As yet they had not re ceived any official statement with regard to the accidents, al though they had seen accounts of them in the public prints. He was bound to state that when the official report was re ceived, that it would be fully considered by the Board of Trade, with the view of affording better security to the public. Mr. CLIVE considered that the late serious accident on the South-Eastern Railway had resulted through gross carelessness. Mr. P. HOWARD trusted that the active supervision of the Legislature would be exerci,ed over railways; that such dreadful accidents might be prevented for the future, and that, in the next session of Parliament, his recommendation might be carried into effect. The way in which the Brussels and Antwerp Railway was managed showed to demonstration that it was possible to prevent acci dent. Surely the engineers of this country were equal to those of the Continent. He hoped that Hon. Gentlemen connected with railways would take the subject into their consideration, as they were surely as fully competent to manage their railway s as their neighbours of the Continent. Sir R. PEEL said he certainly was not sorry that the Hon. Gentleman had called the attention of the House to the subject, especially, as at present, they had no means of reaching those who were really the responsible parties. The responsibility which attached to those connected with the management of railways was at present in sufficient to ensure the safety of the public: He hoped, then, that Parliament would insist that better security should be given to the public by railway companies. It was no argument to say that there were a number of accidents occasioned by stage coaches. They had a right to demand that large companies should give greater security against accidents than they had hitherto given. Occurrrenees of the nature alluded to had a most injurious effect on the public mind, especially at the present moment, when railways were growing into greater favour than before. He believed that many accidents which had occurred on railways might have been prevented, and might be prevented, by proper caution. These accidents followed from not having proper arrangements, and the competition which had induced such rapid travelling on these lines. He thought that due protection should be given to the puhlic, even if it led to a reduction of profits. Nothing could be so fatal to railway undertakings, and to the interests of their proprietors, as any course that would destroy the confidence of the public in the safety of this mode of travelling. Mr. HUME said he would go further than the Right Hon. Baronet. Those who undertook a certain amount of work in matters that did not involve the loss of life were found to execute it, and, surely, in the more important matters that in volved the lives of her Majesty's subjects, at least the same rule should be enjoined. Parliament was entrusted with certain powers, and they ought to enforce them for the protection of the public. He was glad to hear that the Right Hon. Baronet opposite was to take the matter into con sideration next session. He objected going into Committee at that hour of the day, when such an important matter as voting aa ay the public money was concerned. It was a bad principle, and one, he believed, without precedent. The SPEAKER—There is one precedent for it. The HON. MEMBER proceeded to say—He bad, on former occasions, when he took a more active part in the business of the House, objected always to the course of bringing the estimates on after twelve o'clock at night, and he had been successful in getting that practice abondoned. '1 he vote ought only to be taken when there was something like a House and when it was convenient for Members to be present. He considered some arrangement might be come to, by which the necessity of bringing on the estimates at unseasonable hours would be avoided. He thought that Tuesday and Thursday night might be set apart for those who had independent motions, Monday and Friday could be set apart far Government business, and on Wednesday they might meet at twelve o'clock to settle private Bills and business of minor im portance, so as to separate at six o'clock. This would leave the evening at the discretion of Members. In meeting at twelve o'clock, it should be arranged for no Committees to sit on that day. He was sure that by this means much more business could Ise got through than at present. Members by such a course would have a holiday at least one day in the week, and the Right Hon. Baronet and his colleagues, who so assiduously attended to the duties of their office, be allowed some relaxation from the fatigues of business. Sir 11. PEEL said the present session had been a very pecu liar one, from the great amount of private business. The calls on the time and attention of Hon. Members had consequently been very hard.—( Hear, hear.) So far as the Government was concerned there had not been any disposition to delay the House, but the contrary. Very early in the session he intro duced the Income-tax Bill and the question of the tariff; also his general financial statement. All this was done to facilitate business ; and he must say, that as far as other Hon. Members were concerned, there had been no factious opposition shown to the measures of the Government. With respect to the ques tion referred to by the Honourable Member, he thought that the proposition of meeting at twelve and rising at half-past six on Wednesdays a very judicious one. Sitting in that House for five continuous nights was far too much, and any arrange ment to alter it he would very gladly support. Members ought not to be called on to sit every day for the five days the length of fourteen hours per day. Means should also be taken to bring about an earlier termination of the session. With re gard to Thursday nights, he thought it ought to be left to Members who had motions to propase. Having said an much, he hoped Hon. Members would take such steps with regard to the remaining business of the session as would bring it to an early close. Mr. HAWES said that if such an arrangement as that named respecting the House meeting on Wednesday at twelve o'clock was agreed to, steps should be taken to ensure the attendance of Members so as to make a House. He thought that at such sittings questions that, in the present session had been discussed three or four different times, might be settled at once. He complained that though Thur,clay had been hitherto un derstood as the night for independent motions since the Ist of July, there had been no certainty of any Hon. Member having the opportunity of commanding the ear of the House . Mr. BERNAL thought that next session of Parliament it would not be so easy to command the attendance of the Hon. Members as it had been in the present. He thought there ought to be some other tribunal to refer the consideration of railway Bills than such Committees as had sat upon them in the present session. He did not think it would be possible for the Government to get a sufficient number of volunteers the next session to sit upon the quantity of Bills that would be brought under the consideration of the House. Sir ROBERT PEEL was of opinion that it would be a very unsafe st .p to divest Parliament of the control which it now possessed. He was persuaded the House of Lords would do its duty, and he had full confidence that Hon. Members would also do theirs. Mr. A GLIONBY said that, having seven years' experience of the business of that House, and seen the evils of continuous sittings, he congratulated the public and the Right Hon. Baronet on the step that was proposed to be taken regarding the Wednesday sittings. Such a course would be beneficial to all parties concerned. Mr. HA WI S said that in the twelve o'clock sittings the attendance of Members ought to be enforced. Since the open ing of Parliament he never recollected such assiduous atten tion to business in any session as had been given. All general business brought before the House had been most carefully attended to. He must, however, except the private business. He thought some change was necessary in the mode in which those Bills were considered. Mr. BULLER wished to express an opinion on the way in which the private business was managed. He would take the op portunity of stating that a more injurious mode of conducting inquiries on such Bills never existed in any country. He was opposed to stand-still legislation, and wished a change. The Right Hon. Baronet had expressed himself satisfied with the present mode, hut he (Mr. Buller) was not. There were in stances of a Bill that session, which having passed through a Committee of that House at prodigious expense, was again submitted to the same ordeal in the House of Lords, hus repeating the whole expenss. But what was the result even then ? The Bill was recommitted and af terwards thrown out—thus entailing prodigous expense on the parties who were interested in the success of the- measure. There ought to be a court of appeal in which the whole inquiry could take place, and the merits of the Bills be argued. He trusted that Government would take this matter into its most serious consideration. At present these questions were generally decided by parties without local knowledge or opportunities of forming a competent opinion on their merits. He considered they ought to transfer all the powers now held by Committees to a general board, a com petently constituted tribunal, which should have the power of examining evidence, deciding the preambles of Bills, and re. porting the same to the House; the reports to be treated In the same manner as coming from C emmittees of that House. The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER thought that it was worthy of consideration whether some alteration could not be made in the present manner of conducting these inqui ries before Committees. Mr. WILLIAMS recommended the bringing forward Bills earlier in the session as a means of facilitating business. He complained that within the last month so many as eleven Bills hail been introduced into the House. Lord PALAIERSTON wished to say one word on the sub ject of accidents on railways, and on the outset he thought it necessary to state that this was not the first act of care lessness of which this particular local railway had been guilty. In November last he came by one of their trains to London ; he was in his own carriage, which was turned with its back to the engine, and had ample oppor tunities of seeing what was going forward behind the train. The train was drawn by an engine in front, and propelled occa sionally by an engine behind ; arid if an accident had happened in any of the tunnels, the engine behind must have inevitably run into his carriage, for there was only a small luggage - waggon between th e carr i age and the locomotive. Just previous to arriving at a station the engine behind dropped off, so that the passengers might not be aware of what was going forward, and after the train had passed the station, up came the assistant engine again.—( Hear, and a laugh.) He mentioned the circumstance to the Board of Trade, and he then ascertained for the first time that the company, from some false motive of economy, had had a number of engines built which were not sufficiently powerful to work the line, and they were, therefore, compelled to receive (YESTERDAY.) HOUSE OF LORDS. STA'2333Z.NG C/ZDERS CODT.MTVIMIS. The Committee met at 12 o'clock, the Earl of Shaftesbury in the chair. The following Bills passed through Committee, after EOTrIC dis cussion : The London and Croydon Extension Railway Bill, and the Bolton, Leigh, and Kenyon Amalgamation Bill. The Dublin Pipe Water Bill also passed through this Committee. HOUSE OF COMMONS. GROUP X. The prisoner —I am very sorry for it. I own to taking the e . gar. I have no father, and lam sorry for it. Committed for trial. CLERKEA IV ELL. sick.rinELD AND LINCOLNSHIRE LINE. (Continued from our Afternoon Edition of yesterday.) Mr. Thomas Rokeby Appleby, coal and iron.triaVer in the neighbourhood of the Chesterfield Canal, deposed to the insufficiency of that navigation for the conveyance of the vast produce in those districts. SEDUCTION AND VIOLENT CONDUCT OF THE SEDUCER. 7 -Yesterday Thomas Frederick Boughton, aged about thirty eight years, of respectable appearance, who was describedp the police-sh e et as a l aw s t a ti oner , residing, at No. 9, Tooke s court, Cursi:or-s'rcet, Chancery-lane, was charged by Joseph (jai ke, an elderly man, who described himself as a general dealer, residing at No 22, Hese-street, St. Luke's with having been drunk aid creat i ng a di s t ur b ance roun d hi; howe, and with making usa of threatening language, by which he went in bodily fear. . . Mr. Grissell, of the fit-in of Grissell and Peto, under examination by Mr. HOPE, spoke to his procuring the stone at present used for the construction of the new Houses of Parliament from Anston, a quarry about two miles from a point on the Sh,ffield and Lincolnshire Zinc. He is now obliged to resort to the canal for the purpose of transmitting the stone, but in consequence of the frequent inter ruptions occasioned by the scarcity of water in summer, and its being f uzen in winter, it is a most inconvenient mode of convey ance. If the proposed Lincoln line were constructed, he should send the stone by it to Gainsborough for transhipment. Mr. Hatfield, an architect, of Sheffield, corroborated this evidence. The prosecutor said that the prisoner had become acquainted with his daughter, whom he had seduce.l, and they had been living together. Witness made inquiry to trace and recover her without success until her mother met her, on which she clung to her, and accompanied her home. On Tuesday after noon the 'prisoner came to his (prosecutor's) house in a state of intoxication, smoli ng his cigar, and, parading backwards and forwards, swore most vehemently that he would have his wife. He subsequently came at intervals from that time, until half-past nine o'clock at night, continuing to knock vio lently at the door. He was accompanied by three ruffians. He exclaimed, " I will have my wife out. I demand my wife. I am determined to h ave my property. I will have my wile this night, or death w ill ensue. " Th e w i tness was ve ry much ex cited, and, poi n ti ng at t h e prisoner, exclaimed, " 1 am in fear of my life th roug h t h at monster. I w il l ca ll hi m a mo n s ter ; he has seduced m e c hild, an d I want protect i on. " Bitottc.tirrosz—W here is your daughter now? Witness I have sent her to Liverpool this morning. Mr. Bitorcirrost—W as she willing to go ?—Yes, your Worship Prisoner (to prosecutor)—Did you ever abuse your daugh ter, and tell her to come to me for protection?—never, never. l'risoner— You did ; and she came crying to me. Ity the Prisoner—l never accepted presents from you after I knew you were a married man. Henry John Leath, a lodger in the prosecutor's house, de posed th ,t he was alarmed by a great noiso and the pi isoner's exclamations outside the house. The inmates were greatly alarmed. Miss Clarke was so terrified that she fell into h)ste rics. Heard the prisoner call out, " I will have my wife." Miss flat ke begged of her father and mother not to let the Mr. Lee, assistant surveyor to the Pacing Board at Sheffield, deposed to the quantities of good paving-stone and magnesian limestone that are found in the neighbourhood of the Sheffield and Lincoln line, all of which would be conveyed by it for the use of the former town; while on the Bawtry branch there is little or no mbietal of any available utility. Mr. Turner, a butcher, being asked his opinion of the Eawtry branch, exclaimed, amidst roars of laughter, in which the mem bers of the Committee irresistibly jellied, " Oh, !or! it is not worth mentioning. It passes through a country as barren as their pigs ;it is fertile in neither cattle, vegetables, nor corn !" After this graphic burst of indignation, the witness was allowed speedily to withdraw. Mr. Thomas Greenwood, traffic-taker and accountant of Man. chester, then handed i❑ the traflie tables, from which it appeared that 100,3101. 7s. lid. was anticipated for the gross returns; de. ducting 40,1241., or 40 per cent. for working expenses, a nct an nual income of 60,1861. 7s. lid., or 81. 12s. was anticipated on the capital subscribed. The Committee then adjourned at five o'clock till to.morrow ot noon. NATIONAL TRADES DELEGATES CONFE kEN CE. The meeting resumed at two o'clock, and proceeded to discuss the next paragraph, which regulated the number who were to form a quorum of the Central Committee. An amendment to the proposal of the Committee was moved, to the effect that the quorum should consist of four mem bers from the country and five from London ; the latter to manage the routine affairs of the Society in London; and the former to express their opinions on the acts of the latter, in writing in certain cases, and by personal attendance in matters of importance, and it was carried. Mr. FLezeiNo said he looked upon that decision as one of the greatest importance, and one which would more materially, and vitally, and prejudicially affect the Conference than any decision they had yet come to; and the moment this Conference was over, he would retire altogether from any future participation in Its affairs, because he did conceive they had stultified themselves by this resolution. prison-r into the house. Witness climbed over a wall at the back of the house, and alarmed the police, who came to the spot and took the prisoner into custody. Mrs. Ann Moore, another lodger in the house, corroborated this evidence. The prisoner asked witness whether Miss Clarke was at home ? She said she was. lie told her that she lad been stolen from him on the previous night, when he was tipsy M . r. Bnon G lITON—Is Miss Clarke a prudent young woman? Witness—Miss Clarke was, till her acquaintance with the pri soner, a steady girl, and her father was kind and affectionate towards her. Dayman, 161 G, deposed that at a quarter past nine on Tuesday night he saw the prisoner knocking violently at the door of Mr C!arke. He heard the violent screams of a female in the first floor as if in fits. Two other officers came up. The prisoner said, "Itis my wife, and I will go in." He attempted to force open the street-doer. He was drunk. Mr. Clarke, on seeing► the officers, opened the door, and said he woul't give the prisoner into custody for bigamy. The prisoner said he was not married. The CHAIRM►N (who was Mr. Evans, the representative of the potters, in the absence: of Mr. Duncombe, M.P ), said he hoped there would still be left sufficient talent in the Conference to carry on its affairs, even though Mr. Fleming should retire. Here an irregular discussion took place, during which it was contended that the mode of taking the votes on the amendment was not satisfactorily understood, and that the votes should again be taken, which was eventually done, but not before a great deal of confusion had taken place. The result of the division proved to be in favour of the amendment by a majority of three. After this decision had been arrived at, the question as to the number of those who should form a general quorum was postponed. The clauses under the head of " Funds" were next agreed to, after exhort discussion. Mr. Clarke here said that the prisoner was a married man; he had two wives ; but he could not say whether he was mar ried to his daughter or not. He had four children, and he had given them an excellent education. His daughter was a pearl worker, and was employed in a most respectable way. Mr. litionanyrow inquired hew the prisoner became ac quainted with his daughter? Mr. Clarke—She unfor tunately went to work in the same house as the prisoner. lie was continually coming after her, and he introduced himself to them as a single man, when he kept her away from her home and ruined her. The next clause discussed was that comprehended under the head of " Strikes, turn.outs, and law proceedings!' Mr. WHITE suggested an amendment of a verbal nature, and the meeting having discussed it, they adjourned at five o'clock. Mr. Buouc HTON asked the prisoner what he had to say in his defence? Prisoner—l never used the threatening or violent language attributed to me by the witness. I met Miss Clarke at the west-end of the town, and explained to her how I was situated. She said her father treated her brutally. Mrs. Clarke (emphatically)—He never did. I never, on my oath, suffered him to be inside my house after I found out he was a married msn. LAW INTELLIGENCE. COURT OF CHANCERY, July 301 (Befcre the LORD CHANCELLOR and the MASTER OF THY BOLLS.) IN THE NATTER OF THE SUITORS, !lr. JittouGwrosr ordered the prisoner to find bail, himself in 40/., and two sureties in 301. each, to keep the peace towards the prosecutor and his wife for two months. WANDS WORTH. (Continued from our Afternoon Edition of yesterday.). Mr. STUART then proceeded. It Was admitted that the duties were excellently well performed, but it was said that one of the duties that ought to be performed by Mr. Whiting was performed by Mr. Wright. Now was that, he would ask, at.) , ground for presenting the present petition, containing the absurd and improper a,legations it did, and bringing forward Master Lynch before the Court as a criminal, bound to answer these allegations? As to the inquiry it was proposed to make before the three senior Masters of the Court, he contended that no ground had been shown for that inquiry. He denied altogether any irregularity in the office of Master Lynch, for if there was he would not be en titled to that high character which all accorded to him. He asked the Court, therefore, to dismiss the petition in justice to Master Lynch, and in justice also to the suitors. All the charges made in the petition had been disproved, and were totally unsupported by evidence. If such petitions were sanctioned by the Court, they could greatly deteriorate the office of the Masters, and tend to defeat the award of just ice to the suitors. ATTEMPTED MURDER.— Yesterday Thomas Curtis was charged with cutting and wounding, with intent to murder, Jane Curtis, his wife. _ _ The complainant seemed to be very weak, and the crown of her head was covered with adhesive plaister. She stated that her husband, herself, and some of the children had been haymak ing in different l arts of Surrey, and on Monday evening they stayed at Coombe Warren. The prisoner, who had been de ranged for nearly five months, was very quarrelsome, and began 014 r-eating his eldest son. Complainant interfered to protect her chill, when the prisoner struck at her with a soldering iron, which be used in his business as a tinker. Complainant escaped the blow by jumping into a ditch, but the prisoner jumped upon her, and struck her on the top of the head with the instrument. He raised his arm to inflict another blow, which must have caused her death, when her son interfered and took away the weapon. The police were sent for and the prisoner was given into custody. The complainant added, that site went to a surgeon, who dressed her head, and declared it to be a very dangerous wound. She said she did not wish to hurt her husfnutd, but unless he was confined he would murder her and her tinldren. The arguments not being concluded at the rising of the Court, the further consideration of the case was adjourned sine die. The LORD CiIANCELLOR said he could not go on with the case tomorrow, as other bEgilik ES stood for disposal. His Lordship had intended to have closed his sittings to-morrow, but as the Alaster of the Rolls had been good enough to say, if the parties wished to go on with the case he would attend another day, he (the Lord Chancellor) would consider in the course of to-morrow which day could be appointed. The regular business of the Court, hswevcr, would terminate to morrow. %Ir. PAY NTEII ,aid he should commit the prisoner for trial, where it would he a,certained if he was in an unsound state of mind or not. Mr. Campbell has to follow Mr. Stuart on behalf of Master Lynch ; Mr. James Parker and a gentleman behind the bar have to be heard for Mr. Whiting; Mr. liomilly will have to reply; and the great probability is that the arguments will be resumed in Mi chaelmas term. LATE AND IMPORTANT FROM PE It U. (From the Liverpool Times.) Letters have been received from Lima to the 19:h of May, tarouAht overland across the Isthmus of Panama, and for warded to this country by the last West India mail. Their con tents are very important. It will be remembeted that the Peruvian port of Arica was bombarded by the English steam frigate Cormorant in August, 1;344, in consequence of a quarrel, originating in a gross insult to the British Consul at Tacna, inflicted on him by some of the military partisans of the Government which has just succeeded in placing itself in power, under the lead of General Castilla. The authorities at Arica having also insulted the commander of the Cormorant on his demanding redress, and having refused him permission to take in water, he immediately fired into the toWii, arid soon compelled the authorities to apologise. Letters from Lima of the 19th May, received in Liverpool, state that the British Government is not at all satisfied with this repara tion, and that it has sent a formal demand for redress, and for the removal of the officers who ay. re guilty of the original out rage, to the Peruvian Government. They also state that it was not expected that the Government would grant the redress demanded, and that it was therefore feared that Callao, the port of Lima, would be bloAaded, if not bombardet', by the I;_nglish squadron. The Collin wood of 80 guns, the Modeste o f *2l, and the steam-frigat e Cormorant, were at Lima, under the command of Admiral Seymour, and two frigates were ex pected ft um Valparaiso --a force quite sufficient to enforce re dress, if it was refused by the Peruvian Government. Tne following is a more complete summary of the letters relating to this unpleasant event : .‘ In consequence of the 13ritish consulate in Tacna having been forcibly entered by the local authorities, in the month of May or June, 1544, Mr. Adams (her Majesty's Chargi, for Peru), demanded from that Government the dismissal and disgrace of the prefect of Tacna, General Iguani, as a repa ration for the insult offered to the British flag. This being refused by General Castilla, the acting president of the re public, the Peruvian squadron in Islay was detained by her Alajesty's steam-vessel s of war (it being assembled there fur the purpose of conveying troop s to Lima, which city was then held by a party opposed to said Castilla). Under these cir cumstances, the Cormorant British steamer-of-war arrived in Arica Bay, and proceeded as usual, to take in water from the shore, on the evening of the 31st May, which she was not permitted to do. After some discussion, and being a second time prevented from watering, she commenced firing on the town, when the authorities, in alarm, permitted her to accom plish her purpose. Mr. Adams was on board the steamer at the time. The Loan CHANCELLOR, before he rose, stated that after the House of Lords was prorogued, he would hear any cases that pressed in his private room. POLICE iN TELLIGENCE. (YESTERDAY.) MANSION-HOUSE. Richard Jarvis, toe bank cleric, who was pursued to France by .John Forrester, the officer, upon a warrant, charging hint with having stolen an Exchequer-bill for 2001., the property of the Governor and Company of the Bank of England, was brought before the Lord Mayor for final examination. Mr. Weir, of the house of Freshfield and Co., soli citors to the Bank of England, attended for the Bank, and Mr. llobler appeared for the prisoner. The following evidence was added to that which was reported upon the former examination. Mr. John Tilbury, one of the cashiers of the Bank of England, stated that he kept the book called the journal for Exchequer Bills in the Treasury-office at the es tablishment. That book contained au account of all the securities paid into the Bank on the Ist of April, but there was not in it any entry of any Exchequer-bill for that day, of the amount of 2001., neither had the pri soner paid in that sum on that day. It was witness s duty to make up the daily total of Exchequer. bills, and the total on that day did not comprehend the 2001. Exchequer-bill. The totals of the Exchequer-bills deposited every day were compared every Saturday, and on the Saturday following the Ist of April, witness found, upon examining the totals with the previous, that they agreed, but, if credit had been given for the Ex chequer-bill in question, in the prisoner's book, they should not have agreed, to the amount of that bill. Mr. George Grosvenor, clerk in the bill-office of the Bank of England, produced the Bill-office Journal. It contained an entry in the prisoner's hand-writing of a 200/. Exchequer-bill, to the credit of Alexander Wilson (the bill in question), but in the totals book that sum did not appear. Both of the books were in the prisoner's hand-writing. Mr. nobler cross-examined the witnesses, but their testimony remained unimpaired. Mr. Weir having stated that the case was completed, The LORD MAYOR desired to know whether the soli citor to the prisoner had any answer to make to the statement. Mr. Hobler—l have no answer to make here. What ever answer I make shall be made in another place, if your Lordship should determine to send it elswhere. The prisoner was then committed fur trial. The unfortunate man seemed to labour under severe illness ; and his character and habits having been known to have been, up to the time of this charge, irre proachable, was an object of general commiseration. John Davis, a seaman, was charged upon the follow ing occasion :—A policeman stated that he heard a band of music on Tower-hill, and upon going to the place s aw the prisoner pulling about a girl, who was endea vouring to get away from him. The prisoner had at the time a pistol in his hand, and witness heard the re port of it, and saw that a boy who stood near him was wounded in the arm, The boy was taken to the hospi tal, where the injury he received was pronounced to be dangerous. The LORD MAYOR—hid the boy say anything as to the person who committed the outrage ? Witness—lle said the prisoner was one of the persons who were con cerned. A man named Radford afterwards came to the station-house, and stated that he was the man who had discharged the pistol. The LORD MAYOR—And where is that man ? Wit ness--The inspector discharged him. The LORD MAYOR —You say the man declared that he was the person who fired the pistol? Witness— Yes, my Lord. But the inspector refused to take the confession a.: he was not seen to fire the pistol. Ile, however, promised to attend here. Radford then stepped forward from the crowd behind the bar, and said he was the individual who had made the confession. The LORD MAYOR having directed that Radford should be placed at the bar with the other prisoner, asked him what he had to say? Radford—l was with Davis on Tower-hill, and the band was playing up, and we had a woman with us. Davis had a pistol in his hand, and I laid hold of it without knowing whether it was loaded or not, and off it went in my hand. The LORD MAYOR—Let both prisoners be remanded until the boy, if he should recover, be able to attend. Davis lingered in the bar in the hope that bail would be taken for his appearance, but The LORD MAYOR put an end:to the expectation by stating that the lives of people were not to be endan gered with impunity either in jest or in carnet. The prisoners were remanded. A boy named Thomas Brudenell, pot-boy to Mr. Richards, of the Ship Tavern, Lime-street, was charged with having robbed his employer. Mr. Richards having bad reason to suspect the honesty of the prisoner, who had been in his employ ment about three months, he marked four shillings and sixpence, and put the money in the till . The till was in the bar, to which there was an Inst4e v.el,;.s two outside doors, which witness lecl cc (Nti) 1411 @fore he went to bed. 0* that looming 1. e i• r , The affair remained i n abeyance, and General Castilla, whosubsequently became President of the republic, re fusing any sati,faction until May last, when Mr. Adams (it is supputed under authority from home) again brought forward t h e question, demanding full satisfaction, and giving the Peruvian Government a short time to decide in, it being gene. rally understood that in case they did not act satisfactorily, the whole of the Peruvian ports would be blockaded. The British force in Callao Bay cons i sted of the Collingvrood, Cor. r norant, and two sloop s of war, two frigates being also daily expected from 'Valparaiso. The Peruvian general had gar risoned the castle of Callao, and an extraordinary secret coma.. cil had been held on tho 16th of May. The result had not transpired, but fears were ervertairied that the Governor would not make the desired reparation. The British Consulate had red frtim the several_hou-es the value of the British pro. requi perty under their charge. In this position the affairs stood at the oate of the lati advices." Since the above was written, we have seen accounts from Lima to the '_'sth of May, which stated that Admiral .eymour had sailed from Callao to Otaheite in the Collingwood. If this news is correct, the Peruvian Goverrovient u , , have given the satisfaction demanded for the outra ge at Tacna and the insult of Arica, though it ours not seem to have done Si, until nearly the whole British squadron in the Pacifi c bad assembled before Alit. WiLso:s 'S ENTERTAININ ENT S• - —This ve r y po pular vocalist has commenced his progresses in the provinces, in which he proposes to include Guernsey and Jersey, in the south, and the principality of Wales in another direction. His opening entertainment in Chichester, on Monday, was most auspicious. A very crowded audience on the eve of " Goodwood" was scarcely to be expected of the Chichester folk ; some were engaged in pre paring to victimise their lodgers ; and others, let us hope, the greater number, to entertain their friends from a distance. Nu merous, however, the audience was, and of the highest class in rank and intellect. There was a wealth of good looks too, which all England, no, nor all the world, could excel. The fair dames of Sussex mustered in some force, and the heights of Torres ledras were not mote impregnable than the battery of bright c., es, nor the troops that manned the said heights more potent than were the soul sweet and heart-subduing smiles that greeted the melodious interpreter of Burns and his brother bards of Scotland. We know, for isn't it in Lempriere ? that an accomplished son of Jupiter built the walls of Thebes by the music of his lyre, motif Amphion lopides canendo, as jolly old Horace sings ; but Wi'son has effated an exploit quite as great; for, in the south of Eng land, he has moved, .. by concord of sweet sounds," crowds of people, rocks of sense (to make the case a parallel one), who cannot be supposed to have very strong Sympathies in common with Scotland, and not one of whom, a stray " Pheesic student," and the Scotch banker excepted, know anything of the vernacular e oh; potent c h arm of son g. . of the north Yet it is not song merely that works the wonder. " Wilson is so true to nature," ray people of keen discernment and profound sense, who, though they have never seen the peak of Ben-Lomond, or sniffld a salt herring in the Broomielaw, can still recognise nature even when she meets them far away from her native hills. What Moore did for the dear, and now deathless, melodies of Ireland, when he wedded them to Immortal verse, 'Wilson has done for what were, before his day, the c omparatively little known lyrics of his native land, And, apropos of that, it were ill done to omit making some reference to the manner in which " Tam Glen," " My spouse Nancy," " Mary Morrison," and other such like gems of song, are illustrated by the graceful instrumentation of Mr. Land. MAYNoo'Ffi GRANT.—Such is the had feeling that the discussion of this question has engendered, that two gentlemen r I Omagh lately were nearly having a hostile encounter on the rt. I.trt. Hostile messages passed between them, which affair was i 5 I)settltd by the interference of friends.—Armagh Gazette. The defendant was accordingly discharged. At the close of the inquiry Mr. Cubitt complained of the ccn duct of several of the passengers, and the manner in which he had been attacked in the public prints, asserting almost to the extent that he was the party that had caused the calamity, and even while using every means to alleviate the sufferers, many of the oflic:rs were collared and roughly mei, while be was similarly treated, and designated a murderer. DUNSTABLE RAILWAY COMPANY.—A meeting of this Company wzs summoned for yesterday, at the London and Birmingham station at Euston.square, at one o'clock; but the number necessary to constitute a meeting not having attended up to two o'clock, the meeting was adjourned to the 29th August. Tim. METROPOLITAN FREE HOSPITAL.—The annual festival, in aid of the funds by which this hospital is supported, took place yesterday, at the Albion Tavern, Aldersgate-street, when nearly eighty gentlemen were regaled by the excellent fare provided by Mr. Staples, the proprietor. Messrs. Hobbs, Francis, Machin, and Bradbury contributed the aid of their vocal talents to enliven the company, and sang some excellent songs and glees. Upon the removal of the table-cloths, the healths of her Majesty, of Prince Albert, and the rest of the Royal Family were drank in the usual manner. The chairman, Mr. Gurney Hoare, then proposed the toast of the evening, " Success to the Hespital," which was responded to in a way which showed those assembled were fully sensible of the merits and claims of the Institution. Upwards of 4001. were announced by the secretary as the amount of the sub. scriptions of the evening. It appeared from the report, that the hospital has been most efficacious in the cure and in the preven tion of the spreading of disorders. From April, 1844, to April in the present year, 9,872 patients have been cured or relieved of various diseases ; and since the original foundation of it upwards of 60,000 persons hare met with cure or relief. The company kept up the commemoration of the estabUshment of the charity tin a late hour. STATE OF TRADE.—The demand for yarn both for export and for home consumption continues exceedingly good, with very firm prices; and the shippers appear generally desirous to extend their contracts. In goods there is a fair steady business, but without animation, except in domestics, which are rather higher, in consequence of the advance in the description of yarn used in their manufacture. ROCHDALE FLANNEL MARKET, JULY 28.—We have had a very brisk market; pieces hove been eagerly bought up, at better prices. There is little change in the wool market ; prices are slowly upon the advance.—lllanchester Guardian. PIGEON-SHOOTING MATCH.—Yesterday a match to shoot at 25 pigeons (double guns), between Creasy and Radcliffe, two crack shots, came off at Whetstone, near Finchley. The stakes were 101. a-side. Alter some very excellent and long shots Creasy won by two pigeons, he having killed 20 and his oppo nent 18. FIVE PERSONS DROWNED.—Yesterday morning, at about a quarter before 5 o'clock, a melancholy accident occurred on the river between Millbank and the new House of Lords, by which five persons lost their lives. It appears that a boat, con taining a number of men and women, was returning from the fair held in Battersea-fields. On arrising off Millbank some of the passengers were changing seats, for the purpose of taking the oars to row, when the boat was upset, and all were immersed in the water. The sceue was heartrending. An alarm was raised, and boats with assistance put off as quickly as possible. Some were saved ; but, unfortunately, three men and two women were drowned. The drags were procured, but none . of the bodies are as yet discovered. It is unknown who they are. We understand that Lord Mahon will succeed Mr. Emerson Tennent as one of the Secretaries to the Board of Control. Mr. Emerson Tennent will visit Egypt on his way to Ceylon, in the hope of being able to conclude with the Pacha the postal treaty, in respect to which Mr. Bourne has so lamentably failed. TILE COMMERCIAL MARINE. The Select Com mittee appointed to inquire into the condition and state of the commercial marine of the country, and to take into consideration and report on the best mode of encouraging and extending the employment of British shipping, have examined witnesses, and have agreed to the following very concise report :—" Your Corn. mittee having been prevented by unforeseen circumstances from going fully into the inquiry referred to them, submit to the House the expediency of their being reappointed at an early period of the next session.—July 28, 1845." DOVER, JULY 30.—her Royal Highness the Duchess of Cambridge, accompanied by Prince George and the Princess Mary, arrived by special train about three o'clock this afternoon. They were received at the station by Colonel Jones, commandant of the garrison, a guard of honour from the 43d Regiment, and a royal salute from the Western Heights, and im mediately proceeded to the Ship Hotel. At six o'clock her Royal Highness and the Princess Mary embarked on board the Princess Alice, Commander Smithett, accompanied by Sir John Hamilton, and proceeded for Calais. It is a squally evening, with rain, and they will have a disagreeable passage. His Royal Highness Prince George returned by train to London immediately after the dew.. ture of the Princess Alice for Calais. A guard of honour attended at the embarkation, and a second salute from the heights an. nounced the departure of their Royal Highnesses. ANOTUER • ACCIDENT ON THE LONDON AND BIR SIINGLIAM RAILWAY.—A serious accident took place on the line of the London and Birmingham Railway on Tuesday. It appears that the one o'clock up train from Birmingham, and which is due at three o'clock at the Euston-grove terminus, proceeded at its ustsa: speed up to the time of its arrival at Leyton. After passing the Leyton station, and between that place and Chaddington, the engine got out of " gear," or in some measure otherwise slightly deranged. The engine driver, Newton, perceiving this was the ea,e, slackened the speed, and descended for the purpose of reme dying the defects, and the engine was again put in motion. On attempting to ascend the engine whilst in progress, the unfortu. nate driver's foot slipped off one of the steps, and his right leg being caught by one of the wheels, caused him to fall, and the tender and carriage passed over the ancle and lower part of the calf, crashing it in a shocking manner. The train was stopped, and the poor fellow was brought with all possible speed to the L 0114.1011 terminus, where it was ascertained that amputation was necessary, and the oper.dion was at once performed. Last evening the report was that Newton was progressing favourably. ACCIIYr:NTS eex TIIE MIDLAND KAILWAY.—DERBY, JULY 29.—About seven o'clock last night a fatal accident occurred at the railway station here. George Redfern, a porter, was assist ing lo "shunt'' a truck, when the catch on the turn-table I,y some mcfris did not act, and the consequence was the truck swung round much further than it ought to have done, and crushed the poor fellow to death. Much excitement anti alarm were also occa stoned at the station by the non.arrival of the mail train, which was due in Derby at twenty minutes to seven, but which did not make its appearance there till atter eight o'clock. It appeared that two mineral trains had come into collision at the Claycross tunnel, and occasioned cacti other much damage. A stoker, who jumped off when he saw that a collision was unavoidable, had one of his legs broken in two places. DoGGETT'S COAT AND BADGE.—This very old established contest amongst watermen whose term of apprentice ship has just expired, will take place on Friday next. A con siderable number who were eligible were candidates on the present occasion, but as the race is confined to six competitors, the follow ing only obtained a lot :---George White, Custom House ; Robert W. Thurndyke, Surrey Canal; Joseph Cobb, Greenwich ; Edward Gillett, Greenwich; Matthew Weed, Bankside ; William R. Pratt, Waterloo Bridge. The start will take place from the Swan, Lon don-bridge, and the race, as usual, extend to the Swan at Chelsea, the distance being rowed against tide. To the Coat and Badge is added 71., arising from the interest on South Sea Stock, bequeathed lay the late Sir W. Joliffe, of which the second man receives 41. 75. 6d., and the third 2/. 12s. 6d. N A VY.— • lnE IttrianmENT.—The captains of the navy, with whom we hare conversed, seem satis fled with the very liberal arrangement which has been made by the Admiralty Board fcr their retirement. We have no doubt but the desired number (300) will be found that will gladly avail themselves of the opportunity of materially increasing their income. We think, how. ever, that it would be more desirable, if it could be so arranged, to allow all the captains on the half-pay of 14s. 6d. per diem, who have held that rank 3'l years and upwards, the option of retiring on the rear-admiral's half.pay of 255. per diem. This would have the eflixt of removing the senior captains off the list, without any apparent breach of faith. These officers have been all looking forward for promotion and had a right to expect it, and it may be possible that many on this grade of half-pay may still look for their flags and de cline the proposed retirement of 20s. per diem. All the other grades will be greatly benefited by the proposed plan; for, not only will their present income be materially increased, but their widows will enjoy better pensions. There is not a captain on the half-pay of 12s. fid. or 10s. 6d., arrived at the age of fifty-five or sixty years, who can, under the present system of promotion, ever expect to get his flag; therefore, the retirement will be a great boon to him. CITY STEAM-BOAT COMPANY.—A new fleet of Thames steamers commenced plying upon the river yesterday, and the occasion was celebrated by a dinner at the Tivoli-gardens, Battersea, at which the Directors and principal Shareholders in the ,Company were present ; C. L. Francis, Esq., chairman of the Directors, presided. About 100 gentlemen wete present. Upon the removal of the cloth the usual loyal and patriotic toasts were given and duly honoured. The principal toast of the evening, " Prosperity to the Citizen Steamers," was then given, and in doing so the Chairman intimated that it was their intention to build twelve boats to represent the twelve City companies ; how ever, six only were at present completed. The toast was drunk with all the honours. The Chairman's health was then drunk, followed by that of the Lord Mayor and Corporation of London. After passing an evening of great conviviality, the company separated. DIE ROYAL SEA• BATHING INFIRMARY.—A jubi lee anniversary of this Institution, which was first established in 1796, was held yesterday at the London Coffee-house, Ludgate hill, %%heir a party of 70 gentlemen sat down to an excellent din ner. The chair was taken by the Lord Mayor, who has been connected with this charity during a period of 45 years; lie was supported by Mr. Alderman Kelly, Rev. Dr. Russell. Mr. Ben jamin 11. Cabbell, and others. On the removal of the cloth the chairman proposed the usual loyal and patriotic toasts; and then proceeded to advocate the claims of the Royal Sea- bathing Infirmary to the support of the public. The aid of kind and benevolent friends had extended the benefits of this charity so far that there was now accommodation for '230 persons, and the future object would be to effect a reduction in the expense incurred for the board of patients under the establishment. Mr. Paul, the secretary, then read a long list of subscriptions, of which the whole amount considerably exceeded 6001. The health of the Chairman, who has been a stedfast friend and liberal contributor to the funds of the iltifirmary, was proposed by Mr. Alderman Kelly, and most cordially received. The proceedings of the evening were agreeably enlivened by the professional aid of Messrs. T. Cooke, C. Taylor, Young, Bennett, and Sketch ; and all passed off with entire satisfaction to the party assembled. CORONER'S INQBEST.—DEATH FROM VIOLENCE — Last night Mr. Baker held an inquest at the White Bear, Bartho lomew. square, Old.street, St. Luke's, on view of the body of John Ginger, aged thirty-eight years, a waiter, who died under the fol lowing mysterious circumstances. Mary Ann Ginger, widow of deceased, stated that on Monday morning, at eight o'clock, the de. ceased left his home to act as waiter at the Ilighbury Barn Tavern. He did not return home until five o'clock on the following (Tuesday) morning. Ile complained of his head, but was unable to explain the cause. lie lay down on the floor, and con tinuing to get worse, witness sent for a medical man, lie never rallied, and died at half-past seven o'clock the same evening. She had been unable to ascertain what had become of deceased after he had left the Ilighbury-barn Tavern. Ile had been paid at eight o'c:ock in the evening. The skirts of his coat were torn off when he came home. Mr. James Bruce, sur geon, deposed he was called to deceased on Tuesday afternoon. Found him apparently suffering from violence. He became insensible, and died in that condition the same evening. De ceased never spoke. Witness had made a post snorter's examina tion of the body. There were no external marks of violence. On opening the head he found six ounces of blood between the dura mater and the brain, on the right side of the head, corresponding with a mark under the hair, visible beneath the scalp internally. A blow or a fall would cause it. There was also a corresponding mark of a dent at that part of his hat, on which was some dirt. His clothes were dirty and torn. The appearances witness had described were sufficient to cause death. The coroner said it was a most mysterious case ; it was quite evident the deceased had died from violence, but as there was no evidence to show by WllOlll it was inflicted, he thought that further inquiries should be made, and for that purpose he should adj ourn the case. The jury coin ciding, the investigation was postponed until Friday text. REVIEW IN HYDE PARK.—It is intended, should the weather prove favourable, to have a grand review of all the troops in the London district, in H : de Park, on Saturday next, the 2,1 of August, in the presence of his Majesty the King of the Netherlands. TIIE DEKE AND THE PROVERB.—The Italians say " Every medal has its reverse." The Iron Duke seems resolved to illustrate the truth of the proverb. Hence, the Waterloo fighters have " the medal," and the Peninsular veterans " the reverse." — Punch. the aid of an assistant engine. His prineipal object in rising. however, was to call the attention of her Majesty's Government to a subject of far greater importance—he meant' the present state of the national defences of thp country.—( Hear.) Any man who valued peace, or who was at ail sensible of the advantages derivable from peace, must feel that this was a .n at. to of first-rate inKiortarece, because upon existence of peace depended tire prosperity of th trails and reten merce of the nation.—(Cries of " Hear, hear.") He had Occasion to :tate, on a former day, that France maintained a standing army of a 40,000 men fully equipped, with a large cavalry, and a large artillety, and in additioreesa ' this she had nearly a milion of the National Guards of trained, disciplined, reviewed, equipped, clothed, and accus tomed to all the fatigues and duties attendant upon a time of war. If this country were totally inaccessible, if there were impassable harriers existing between the two countries—if the Channel could not be crossed—he would admit that their present forces and means of defer - ice were amply sufficient for the na tional protection. But it was not so; the Channel could be crossed in a few hours, arid France had a navy in every respect superior to our own ; and the Chann,-1, therefore, became no longer a barrier. France had a steam fleet ca pable of transporting :290.000 men. She had harbours inac cessible to any foreign Power fur the safeguard and refuge of this fleet, and around these inaceessable harbours she had immense bodies of well-disciplined men, regularly and alwa stationed. With this state of things oil the opposite shore Of the Channel, it was impossible that this colotry could remain secure, unless Government established similar safeguards, and formed a steam navy capable of repelling any foreign intruder.—(Hear, hear.) He might be told that our present relations with France were of the most amicable nature, and he trusted they would always remain so; but it was impossible they could be sure, from month to month, that this peace would continue to exist between two such great countries, having had large interests in nearly every part of the globe. Questi ons o f th e u t mos t d e lica c y and difficulty might arise unexpectedly, and they would be quite unprepared fur averting evils which might resuit from them. When these questions arose, moreover, they could not deal with France in that spirit of independence which was consistent with the in terest and importance of this great country, if they were not in a state to convince her that cur shores were inaccessible to a foreign invader. On a former occasion he pointed out the defenceless state of our naval arsenals, when the Right Hon. Baronet told him that measures were taking for removing that deficiency, and he had no doubt it would be done effectually. He dwelt aiso, at the same time, upon the necessity of harbours of refuge, when the Right Hon. Baronet stated that the subject was under consideration, and Government intended to take a vote for the purpose of establishing serne of them. The vote, however, was too small ; but he trusted this small beginning would be vigorously followed up in the next session.—( Hear, hear.) But it was not only har bours of refuge they wanted ; their steam navy was in a deficient state. There were no disciplined bodies of men sta tioned near to the coast, as in France, and, in the event of an invasion being attempted, it would take up a considerable time in getting the steam fleet ready to be used in repelling the enemy —he was much mistaken if it could be done under three months. He contended that there was a constitutional mode of guarding against this state of things, by resorting to the practice, which, from motives of economy, had been abolished, namely, of calling up the militia. A short time ago he asked the Right lion. Baronet, then Secretary for the Colonies,lwhether it was intended to billet the militia, and the Right Hon. Baronet told him that it was not. He had therefore felt it to be his duty, before the House went into this Committee of Supply, to urge upon the Government the great importance of re organising this portion of our military force. There was no constitutional objection to this course; while it would considerably increase the army at a comparatively small expense. It was not enough for Government to have a majority in that House—it was not enough for them to pass their mea sure and scramble through the session—it was not enough for them to introduce good measures for domestic legislation, a r.d he admitted that some of their measures this session had been ex• cellent—no, it was not sufficient for a Government to do all this; there was something else for them to do. They ought to put the country in such a state of security that they should be able to set at defiance all hostile invasions and hostile threats. Sir R. PEEL said—Sir, I feel all the difficulty under which any person placed in my situation mest labour in dis cussing publicly the question to which the Noble Lord has felt it his duty to call our attention.—( Hear.) 1 totally differ from the Noble Lord as to the detencsless position et this country.—( Hear, hear.) I think I could prove that the Ni ble Lord's impression on that subject is altogether erroneous ; but I am quite sure that 1 should not be acting consistently with sound discretion if I were to state the facts upon which my own opinion is founded.--( Hear, hear.) Nothina could he so unwise as to encourage parties—a small min trity 1 trust—in other countries who may be bent on hostility to ours.—(Hear, hear.) 1 should be very sorry to furnish them with instru ments to be used against their own Government, and thus to prevent that Government, though sincerely desirous of maintaining peace, from securing that object on account of the clamour of a certain portion of the community.—( Hear ) I must say. generally, however, that the Noble Lord has greatly underrated the power which this country would pos sess, in the event of hostilities, for the vindication of its honour. —( Hear, hear.) So far from concurring in the opinion of the Noble Lord, I believe that in case there should be a necessity imposed on this country of resorting to hostilities, there never was a period when such a demonstration as would then be called forth has been made ; the Sovereign, sup ported and encouraged by the almost unanimous voice of the people, being determined in a just cause to make efforts worthy of the ancient character of this country.—( Hear.) I have a strong opinion that upon that head we have nothing to fear.— ( Hear, hear.) I think it is hardly possible to estimate what just cause be seen to be the dormant energy of this country if a cause should call it forth. At the same time, I must say that I concur in some of the principles which have been expressed by the Noble Lord. I think it would be most unwise in this country to trust altogether to present appearances, and I hold that it is most advisable that this country should be able to feel confident that, in the event of sudden hostilities, she would be strong enough, and has the means, for her own protection. 1 quite agree with the Noble Lord, that on the sudden occur rence of hostilities, as for example in the year 1793, unless you are in a state cf preparation, the cost of sudden exertion is im mense ; and that it is a most unwise econornS, which would leave you to make sudden, precipitate, and unlooked-for efforts, in order to secure your own safety. I think also, with the Noble Lord, that this country should be in such a state that. any other power may not on that account be encouraged to resort to hostilities for the purpose of obtaining advan tages. I trust, indeed, that we shall be able to preserve the friendly relations which exist between this country and France ; this, I hope, will be the case, both for the sake of England and France, and for the sake of the civilised world. So far are this country and the House of Commons from grudging the prosperity of France, that I am sure I speak the general feeling when I say that we saw the returns respectirg the commerce of Fiance with great satisfaction.—( Hear, hear.) I wish that more intimate commercial relations may be esta blished between the two countries ; but I do trust also that whilst France is increasing in her commerce, she will see that she owes that increase of prosperity to the maintenance of peace, and that there will be among all rational people in that country a deliberate opinion that the honour and interests of France may be much better maintained by cultivating industry and promoting commercial prosperity than they could be by seeking that which is perfectly unnecessary for that most gal lant country, whose reputation stands so high at every period of her history, namely, the maintenance of her glory by the increase of her territorial possessions.—( Hear, hear.) But, Sir, I must own that I am rather surprised at the Noble Lord's excessive apprehensions on this subject ; because the Noble Lord was in mlice for a period of ten years, and I ven ture to say that this country is in a better state with respect to the means of repelling aggression than she was at that time. —( Hear, hear.) Did the Noble Lord see France expend the sum of fifteen millions sterling upon the fortifications cf Paris, and issue an order increasing the army suddenly to the ex tent of 100,000 men ; arid doer the Noble Lord think that this country now stands in the same position with respect to France as it did in 1841 ?—( Hear.) There was no militia ballot at that period ; there was not near the same amount of military force that there is at present ; and I very much doubt whether there were as many sail of the line.—( Hear. ) The Noble Lord has, I admit, suggested many points deservine of serious consideration. It is impossible not to see what a change has taken place with respect to navigation.—(Hear. ) 1 think that this country has a perfect right to consult its own security. If it were proposed to increase the military or naval force of the country for the purpose of aggression, we ought most. set iously to consider the policy of such a course ; but, as to taking measures for our own security in the event of public hostilities, the last consideration which should present itself to the mind of a Minister of the Crown is, " What will other powers think ?"—( Hear, hear. ) I should certainly not hesi tate to propose to Parliament, without reference to any other powers, what I considered necessary even for contingencies.— ( Hear, hear.) With reference to the dockyards, let me ask what was the state in which we found them ? The Noble Lord does not tell us that years passed without any measures of im provement being adopted. An HoN MEMEEK—Steam was not in existence. Sir It. PEEL—The improvements which are even now going forward make it clesirabe that we should not be hurried on to the adoption of measures, lest the money which we ' expend should be entirely thrown away. We have a perfect right, however, to take precautions fir the defence of the naval arsenals and dockyards of this country. For the Navy and Ordnance we proposed this year an attention of 1,100,00 Ci. in the estimates. I am placed, with respect to this matter, between two fires.—( Hear, hear.) Every word that I say in one direction may induce other parties to exclaim, "See what the Minister said in the House of Commons ; we must now have two or three millions neore."—( Hear, hear.) I should be exceedingly sorry to see a race run between great powers—not a race in commerce and civilisation—but each increasing as far as possible its military and naval force.—( Hear, bear. ) There must be a limit to that. It is a question of the nicest discretion, whether you shall propose large sums for the army or the navy, or whether the effect will be to add to your rela tive strength. I know not a nicer question with regard to economy and to every other public object than the extent to which you will proceed. I hope, however, that this country will never depart from that policy which has secured its safety, namely, that of being strong as a naval power, mid at the same time not attempting to enter into competition with the great military powers of Europe.—( Hear, hear.) Say what you will, this country would not be satisfied with the existence of a standing army of 100,000 or 200,000 men kept within our own land. 1 admit that the amount of military force is not sufficient now to enable you, consistently with due economy, to meet the demands which may arise; but with respect to our becoming a great military power, and relying upon having a military force able at once to meet that of other countries, except for the purposes of our oeen defence, that is a competi tion into which I trust this country will never enter.—( Hear, hear.) I do hope that this country will always have such a degree of naval strength as will enable her to feel entire con fidence, in the event of hostilities. Then, with regard to the subject of local militia, let me say that 1 apprehend we have a demand, in case of necessity, upon a body of disciplined men amounting to 50,000, in whom we might repose great confidence. 1 refer to the Chelsea pensioners.--( Hear, hear.) When I was Secretary of State twenty years since, I even then felt that the militia was in an unsatisfactory state, and that there ought to be some local force constituted in this country. The Noble Lord is aware that under the Act there is no prohibition against proceeding to ballot for the militia. The Act suspends the obligation to ballot, which would otherwise be imposed on the Crown ; but, in case of necessity, the Crown would still be able to resort to this force. I would observe, that there has been that change in the state of society within the last few years which would probably rerder the present militia laws not exactly so suitable as they were, and they might, perhaps, un dergo useful alterations. It is not necessary, perhaps, that I should now enter into any further explanation on this subject, which the Noble Lord has introduced. lam bound to content myself with stating that his impression as to the defencelessness of this country is totally at variance with my own. I speak not of that which concerns the public spirit and the honour of Englishmen—( Hear, hear)—tor I ant sure that the Noble Lord will admit, that with whatever difficulties an appeal to the country might be attended, that appeal would be entirely successful.—( Cheers.) Whatever may be required fur the public service will be asked for without scruple by her Ma jesty's Government. lam sure the House will feel the ne cessity of placing this country at all times in such a state of security that it will not have to depend upon temporary and possibly delusive appearances of tranquillity, but there will be actual peace, without any anxiety as to the result of the imme diate occurrence of hostilities.—( Hear, hear.) The Noble Lord said that we had fortunately a large surplus. But who is to be thanked fur that ?—( Hear, hear, amt laughter.) We have a large surplus in consequence of that imposition of tax- atiou which, besides giving us this surplus, enables us to take precautions for the security of the country, and to remit that part of our taxation which ha; appeared to us to press most upon the labour and industry of the community. Having a surplus, we feel that w e cannot apply it better than by taking precautions against eventual anti p. ssible danger; and the increase of the votes for the Navy and Ordnance and the vote proposed with respect to the harbaura of refuge sh. , v - i that, while we attend to the claims of the people to the remis sion of taxation, we have not neg'ected the precautions which we think necessary for the safety of the eountry. With respect to the harbours of refuge, this is the first year that any pr.tpo•al has linen made. The vote is purposely small, and I hope w e shall not be driven forward too fast. Nothing can be more important than that we should take the be.t opinions a , to the proper mode of securing the object. I take it for granted that the House is satisfied of the necessity which exists lot those ' harbours of refuge which repeated naval commissions have re.„ commended The subj.-et has undergone sueh full investig.- tion that there can be no nece-sity for any further inquiry. Dover, Portland, and Harwich are the sites which, as the re sult of rep-ated inquiries. are pointed out as the most appro priate for harbours of refuge. We hare felt it our duty with inspect to each of hose places to take the oriaiens of the most eminent civil and military engineers as to the best m ale of insurin , to the catintry the ga eatest permanent advan tage as the remit of the nomey esjiended. With re poet to all these places, and especially Dover, it is of the utmost im portance that we should have the opportunity of profiting as far as possible by the opinions of tho. , e tsho a-e best floalifie% to give advice on the subject. These various matters are occupy ing the serious attention of the Government, and if my answer to the Noble Lord be not entirely satisfactory, 1 entreat the House to bear in mind that I brand in a position in witell must appeal to their confidence, because I cannot state the rat t•cular facts uj:on which my own impression, as opposed to that of the Noble Lord, is founded.—( Cheers.. ) Lord PALMERSTON said that he had not stated that the naval and military resources of the country. were in a less efficient condition than at. any former period All he con tended for, and he did it on three or four grounds, was, that such had been the improvement in steam navigation, that troop might be transported from one part of the empire to another with the utmost facility, and the economy of the military department of the country was so much improved from what it had been in times past. He had no intention of impeach ing the energy which the Government had shown in moments of danger, but he wished to prove that the previous organisa. lion was defective, and that it ought, therefore, to be amended. After a few words from Sir ROBERT PEEL, Sir C. NAPIER said that they had at present: at sea eight sail of the line ; but they, in point of seamen, were two rates below their proper weight.—( Hear, hear.) It was only the other day that the Gallant Admiral opposite found it ne cessary to increase the number of men in those ships, and he could not have adopted a wiser measure. The Seere tary at War had stated, the other night, that no difficulty was met with in finding persons willing to enlist into the army or into the Ordnance, but he could ;ware the House that the greatest difficulty was found in inducing sailors to enter the navy. The Right lion. Baronet had also spoken of the state of their steam naval force. He could tell the Right Honourable Baronet that in this respect they were inferior to their neighbours on the Continent, who built their steam-vessels fur an increased number of men and weight of metal, while they (the British) consulted only the rate of speed in their naval architeeture.—( Hear, hear. ) He (Sir Chat les Napier) was glad to hear that there were 50,, 00 efficient pensioners —men able to bear arms in the country He was glad to hear this, because they, with a huhe training, and the 30,000, the standing army in England and Ireland, constituted a sufficient defence against foreign inva,ion —( Hear, hear.) The statement of the Noble Lord had take': a great weight oil his mind.—( Laughter. ) MESSAGE FROM THE LORDS. Messengers from the Lords brought up several Bills. SU The House th en went into a PPLY. Committ ee of Supply. On the moti on that 80,3001. be v o:e d to d e f ray ihe superan nuation of persons f ormer l y employed the civil departments of the Government, Mr. HUME advocated the improvement of the natural har hours of the country, that they might .f f,, a b et lice than hitherto in the time of tsar. s thou 2 h he was a roan of peace and not of war, tine h0n•0..- 0 ant hf y thou ," ships annually entered and left our ti .r a—a number lei foot 1 y avtoni*hing when the smallness of tier Nay taken nto account—for which there was no 'hover protvetion in the its . t ural harbours of the country. He hoped tnat the Governts, lit would assist nature, and devote a sum of money to %hat he had suggested. Sir It. PEEL thanked the lion. Gentleman car calling their attention to the subject. The report of the 1 will Commi.sion, and his suggestions, should receive due attention from the Government. Mr. P. HOWARD wished to say a few words on the subject., as he had attended a deputation from the Isle of Man, whiith had waited on the Right Honourable Baronet with respect to improving the unprotected harbours of that island. The authorities of that island were ready to devote a portion of their revenues, to this o bj ec t if they were supported i n th e i r efforts by the Government. Independently of the advantages which the construction of harbours of refuge would confer on the shipping in that part of the empire, they would be im portant elements of national defence in the event of war. Mr. 'WILLIAMS said the persons who received the vote had in many instances rendered an important service to the country. They had received large salaries, which enabled them to save money, by which they might support them•elves when unfitted for active service. Their support fell heavily upon the country. The vote was then agreed to. A vote of 1,850/. wars proposed f or d e f ray i ng the expenws of the national vaccine institutions. It was agreed to,. 5,000/. was proposed for the Refuge fur the Destitute. • In consequence of a suggestion made by Mr. li L I ME, Sir J. GRAHAM proposed that it should be reduced to the usual annual amount voted, namely, 3,0001. for the bare* purpose. 'f he vote of 3,0001. was then agreed to. The next vote was one of 11,600/. for the Polish refug ees resident in this c oun t r y . Mr. BURT WICK did not wish to increase the number of refugees, but thought some additional grant ought to he made. if the Right lion. Baronet could by any remonstrance with the French Government prevent the transrnissien of refugees from that country to this, he thought it would be highly desirable. It was certainly a very heavy tax t n English benevolence, and money was expended on foreigners to which our own poor had a prior claim, but there was no alternative for these poor foreigners but starvation, if Parlia ment did not interpose. Sir It. PEEL must decline making any remonstrance with the French Government on the subject, and he thou..iht there was some compensation for the expenditure in the reasons as signed for the refugees coming to this country. England was the only country in the neighbourhood of France to which refugees would be hdtnitt ed after being expelled from France, anti .the refugees themselves preferred England to any other country, "as being able to enjoy the greatest toleration and liberty there."—( Cheers.) However, France was at present encumbered with 11,000 of these refugees—this country had 12,000, so that, in fact, the number was nearly divided. Mr. J. ABEL SMITH said, that it might not be out of place in Urn to remark upon the intelligence—the melancholy intelligence that had reached this city to-day, of another alarm ing fire in Quebec, by which 1,3410 houses were burned and thousands of poor people reduced to du tifiltion and suffering. He wished to knew whether it was in the co, t, mplat ion of the Government to alleviate the sufferings of these p peeple. Sir R. PEEL said he had learned. with the utmo-t regret, that another calamity had befallen on a previous similar occasion. The Government then hail done alt that was possible for the sufferers, and he felt c.oifid , lit that on thin occasion similar care arid sympathy would be evinced. The people of this country had exerted ifiem•elves in the most creditable manner, and he trusted that . a like benevolent anxiety would be now evinced. He thought, lio., ever, that Parliament should show its sympatli) with their suffering fellow-subjects, and he would pro, ei.s. a vote for that purpose on a future occasion—the vot e would, he th•oil:tht it right to be not so much for the pu. pi,- of raising a sum as to mark the sense of tive, House.—( Hear hear. ) The vote vca. - then agreed to. A vote of 4,932/. was proposed to pay ti,e pensions of minis ters belonglng to the dissen.ine congregain us which had been formerly included in the civil list. Mr. HINDLEY proposed an amendment. t r the effect that 5,665/. paid to Independent Alinistern be withdrawn. Sir. CARDWELL opposed the amendment and supported the original vote. The House then divided, when there appeared— For the original motion 52 For the amendment Majority against the amendment —44 A vote of 2.1461. was then proposed, to defray charities, bounties, and other charges in Scotland. W ILLIAMS objected to the vote. The vote was agreed to without a division. A vote of 1,329/. was agreed to for defraying the expenses o the House of Industry in Dublin. 2,50 W. was agreed to for the Western and Lock Hospitals. 1,5001. was voted to defray the expenses of Stephens's Hospital. _ _ 5(10/. was voted for the expenses of the Hospital of Incurables. On the vote of 35,264/. being proposed for Non-conforming and other ministers in Ireland, Mr. SHARMAN CRA WFORD. according to notice, op posed the vote on account of its smallness, and proposed that nu less than 366,000/. be devoted to these clergymen. Mr. WILLIAMS did not agree with the liberality of his Hon. Friend, and opposed the vote on the principle that nu class of clergymen should be paid by the State. Mr. HINDLEY obj,eted to the vote on the same grounds, and said that these clergymen could have very little depen dence on the effect of their religion on their flocks, when they looked to the State for provision. Mr. HUME suggested that after the passing of the vot e no new recipients should b e t a k en on the fund. Mr. WILLIAMS, said if the Hon. Gentleman would not press the amendment to a di v i s i on, t h at he would do so, as his constituents objected to the State paying the ministers of any religion. The House then divided, when there appeared— For the vote Against it Majority On the sum of :1•2,565e being proposed for the colony; f New Zealand, Mr. J. A. SMITE - I asked the Right Honourable Baronet for an explanation of the present position of the affairs of New Zealand. Sir R. PEEL said that this Ra s not the time to enter into a discussion of that subject. If the HonourableGentleman was desirous to open op the matter afresh, he could have an other opportunity ior that purpose. Mr. HOPE said that the present vote had nothing t o d o with the matter to which the flu!.ourable Gentleman alluded. Mr. ROEBUCK said that this was the last colony which should be dependant upon them for support. If a little care were taken in its management, such a vote as the present would be altogether unnecessary. It would be abl e t o ma i nta i n itself. He would recommend, in New Zealand, what he would call .1 by p rop erly political surve • appo inted per sons , an d in ever, district so surveyed, a power to be granted to every one, whether white or black, to register himself, with the view of voting, and when the country was so parcelled out into counties, and not into states, he would tecomniend a general representative syitent. Let not this great question resolve itself into a petty squabble between the Colonial Government and the New Zealand Company, but exercise a broad and comprehensive principle ; and then there would be an end to those painful discussions which had lately occupied the time of the House. Mr. HUME said that the way in which our colonists had been treated all over the world re quired that Parliament should pass an Act declaring what rights should he enjoyed ty the settlers in our colonies. Ile se. °fleeted the high hope that were excited, a few years ago, when that colony was flit settled, and he was much glieied since to find the evil• which had clouded them, and disks; pointed so many. the mischief, all the petty t i tian ening and division in the colony had arisen from the meddling of the Home -office. He thought that no good could take place until the rights of the colonists were properly defined, and a settled form of go vernment conceded. The United States of America managed their colohics in a different way. When they colonised a tract of country, they had it surveyed and sapped out, and the su tlers had a valid title given to them to the tracts of land allotted. Had this been done in New Zealand, a great deal of the evils which had overlalsen that colony would have, b eet , R ,,,:d, ( 1 . implored the Right Hon. Baronet to interfere and snake a pro- per settlement of the question, as no one trusted the N ble