The Sun. — London, England, 1845-12-08 00:00:00

LAW INTELLIGENCE. COURT OF EXCHEQUER, Dec. 6. LIBEL ON A CLERGYMAN OF THE ESTABLISHED CHURCH. JAMES t'. BOSTON. (Continued from our Afternoon Edition of Saturday.) The LORD CHIEF BARON, in his summing up, directed the attention of the jury to the fact that the Bishop of London communicated to the plaintiff the letter of the defendant con taining the {alleged libel, and the plaintiff made some answer to the charge, which must be considered to have been satis factory to the Bishop, for that dignitary did not deem it ne cessary to institute any further inquiry into the matter. It would, therefore, have been a% well, and more in accordance with the customary forbearanot of a clergyman of the Church of England, the Learned Judge thought, had the matter rested there, but such not being so, the jury had to decide Whether the defendant had sent the letter with the single ob )ect of calling his Lordship's attention to the circumstances It alluded to, or whether he had written it with the view of slandering and injuring the plaintiff's character. If they were in favour of the first alternative, the Learned Judge was /fly of opinion that the defendant had been guilty of no li lin law ; but if they adopted the latter, then a libel had been committed, and it would be for the jury to say what damages; the plaintiff had sustained in consequence of it. The jury, after a short consultation, returned a verdict for the defendant. COURT OF CONDION PLEAS, Dec. 6. (Sittings in London.) CRI3I. CON.--SPENCER V. M`DONALD. This was an action, in the Common Pleas, Guildhall (be fore the Lord Chief Justice and a common jury), brought by the plaintiff; a respectable tradesman, carrying on the busi ness of a straw-bonnet maker in High-street, Shoreditch, against the defendant, a comedian, who, at the time of the dffortunate transaction, was performing at the City of London Theatre, Norton-folgate, the residence of the plaintiff being within two hundred yards of that establishment, for criminal conversation with the wife of the plaintiff. The defendant pleaded" Not Guilty." Mr. Sergeant Byles and Mr. Aspinall appeared for the plaintiff; but, although the defendant had placed upon the record a plea of not guilty, no counsel appeared for him. Mr. Sergeant BYLES stated the case. The plaintiff was a highly respectable man, a straw-bonnet maker, living in High-street, Shoreditch. He had been married to the unfor tunate cause of this action, who was now about 34 years of age, for about fourteen years. The plaintiff was accustomed to go to a dissenting chapel, and it appeared that such occa sions were selected for the purpose of carrying on a criminal intercourse between defendant and plaintiff's wife. On a particular evening, which would be proved, the plaintiff, whose suspicions were previously excited, got two of the police to watch inside his house during his absence at chapel. They were conoealed-jeLlhe cellar, and they heard Mrs. Spencer come down at' 'Mr and let defendant in at the shop otter, when lie put his arms round her neck and gave her a M, and subsequently the adulterous intercourse took place in the counting-house, and the defendant, whose clothes were found by the police to be in disorder, was taken into custody, and charged with larceny, tried at the Clerkenwell Sessions, and acquitted. Defendant, now living at St. James's-place, Kennington, had for some time carried on a correspondence with plaintiff's wife, and he would read two letters which had been written by the latter to her paramour, the defen dant. The first letter was— " Dear, dear Charles,—What a trouble is this to me to know you are so near me every night, and I cannot see you. Was it not for the trouble that must come, I would risk everything and come to see you, and do the beat I could for myself. I think the reason this is so long about is that he cannot Dart with me, but tells me he is waiting for me to live with one that will take care of me. I have named an aunt of his, and think she will be the person. I shall care a great deal for her. lan to have 11. a week, without the child; and the one that is coming he will not have anything to do with, as he knows that to be 'ours. That I know to be true, and should not let him if be would; for, if you should forsake me, I shall have that as part of yourself to look at—to look at and to kiss; and it is my prayer, that should all leave me to the world to find a home for it, every nerve shall be strained to do so. Oh ! that the Lord will give me help, and then will I work till the pulse that now beats shall cease. I ow, dear, should he change his mind and not let me leave him—are you looking for a place near me? I hope nothing will prevent you coming on Sunday, as I must speak to you abort Madam. I cannot live any longer without seeing you, thongh it is not long since, dear. Should you not see the child, I shall send to Gun-street on Saturday night for a note, to know if you come on Sunday at a quarter before seven o'clock. Do come. Ride if it rains, and I will pay you again. " MARIA." Vie second letter had likewise no date, bat had been sent by po3t in an envelope, bearing the post mark, Nov. 9, 1844. My dear Charles,—l received your very kind letter, and cannot describe the pleasure it afforded me, for I was in de spair to know when I should see your dear face again, as I cannot bear the thought of your leaving town under such circumstances, which you have no reason to do, if you would but let me know when you are in want of money. I hope, any dear, I shall see you to-morrow (Sunday), as the time eppears long indeed to me since I saw you. I have a great deal to say that I think will be to our benefit at a future time—which ie of the greatest importance, and then I will speak to you respecting Madam. Do not fail to come, as it is " Ordinnanee" respecting until death, " MARIA." In appekling to them for damages, he was not instructed to make this case a mere matter of pounds, shillings, and ence, the anxiety and desire of the plaintiff to obtain sec` , a verdict from them as would prevent the world sup posing Le was to blame, or had in any manner, directly or indirectly, encouraged the defendant. William Cross, 04ainined by Sergeant BTLES—I reside in Nigh-street, porotiall, I have known the plaintiff and his wife for a long time. They have been married about fourteen years, during which tune, WWI within the last 14 or 15 months, they appeared to live on terms of the greatest harmony and affection. The plaintiff's wife was an indus trious and kind woman. My first acinaintanceship with Mr. Spencer was his being apprenticed with me; and. since his marriage I had been in the habit of visiting him from time to time, and always observed the most perfect harmony. Women, frcende of Mrs. Spencer, and also of Mr. Spencer, were also there at the time or his eellitig. David Robertson, examined by Mr. ASIPIN44G—I am an engineer. I am distantly related to the plaintiff, having mar ried a sister of Mrs. Spencer, The plaintiff and his wife al ways appeared to live upon the most happy and affectionate terms. James Spencer, father of the plaintiff, deposed to the uni • form kindness and affection that existed between his son and his wife until the last 13 or 14 months, since which an evi dent change took place in her conduct towards her husband, which was now attributed to her coneezion with the de fendant. James Brennan, examined by Mr. ASPLYALL—I am a ser geant of police of the G division. On Sunday, the 10th of August, the plaintiff applied to me to go to his house, he having a suspicion of some person being in the habit of visiting his house in his absence, and requested that he, together with another police-constable, would secrete them wives in the lower part of the premises so as to detect the individual; he (the witness) accordingly went in company of police-constable Tate, 136 G, about six o'clock to the plaintiff's house, and there saw him. They both, according to his directions, went into the cellar, which commanded a view of the shop door. The plaintiff went to chapel. About three-quarters of an hour afterwards, Mrs. Spencer same down stairs, and let the defendant in, who immediately shook hands with her, put his left arm round her waist, and 'kissed her. They both went into the back parlour, and the defendant began fondling and taking indecent liberties with Mrs. spencer. The next thing witness saw was Mrs. SpenCer handing the defendant a glass of spirits, but she did not drink any herself. Shortly after I observed the parties in such a position as left no doubt upon my mind that they had been indulging in criminal intercourse. I then came from my hiding-place. He ran into the yard and began arrangin g his clothes, which were in a disordered state , I was in plain clothes, but I told him I was an officer of police. I left him in custody, and I then fetched the plaintiff, and in his presence communicated what I had seen, and plaintiff said, if he had a pistol, he would blow out his brains. I then searched him, and took him to the station-house, when he gave his name and address. I knew him before ; he was a comedian at the City of London Theatre. He was indicted and tried et the Clerkenwell Sessions and acquitted. Henry Taylor, 136 G, confirmed the previous witness, and deposed to searching defendant's lodgings, and found the letters previously read, with a number of other letters. This wav the plaintiff's case. The CHIEF JesTicie, in summing up, observed that defen dant being only 24 years of age, and Mrs. Spencer 34, it was hardly probable that defendant had been the sed er, but of thi s there was no evidence. Defendant certre had not been en intimacy with the plaintiff, and so avail imself by i ik seducing the wife. The jury ha d to consider injury the plaintiff had sustained, and to assess the da ea ac cordingly. Tke Jury. after a brief consultation, returned a Verdict for plaintiff—Damages, 1001. CENTRAL CRIMINAL COURT. - _ The next sessions will commence on Monday, the 15th instant, and though an interval of only fourteen days will have elapsed since the session just terminated, if irr the siness will to very hea v y. The j ud g es on the rota are d Chief Justice Tindal, Mr. Baron Alderson , and Mr.% ustice Patteson. We subjoin the arrangements made at a meeting of the Judges on Thursday last, with respect to the rota for the sessions appointed to be holden in the ensuing year : For the session commencing Jan. 5, 1846—The Lord Chief Baron, Mr. Justice Wightman, and Mr. Jus tice Erle. For the session commencing Feb. 2—Mr. Justice Wil liams, Mr. Baron Rolfe, and Mr. Justice Creswell. For the session commencinc , Feb. 23—The Judges who may be appointed to go the Norfolk Spring Ciacuit. afor the session commencing March 30—Mr. Justice Coleridg,-, Mr. Justice Maule, and Mr. Baron Platt. For the session commencing May 11—Lord Denman, Mr. Baron Alderson, and Mr. Justice Coltman. For the session commencing June 15—Lord Chief Justice Tindal, Mr. Justice Patteson, and Mr. Baron Itolfe. For the session commencing July 6—The Judges ap posited to go the Norfolk Autumn Circuit. For the session commencing August 17—Mr. Justice Coleridge, Mr. Justice Wightman, and Mr. Justice Creswell. For the session commencing Sept. 21—Mr. Baron Parke, Mr. Justice Maul°, and Mr. Baron Platt. For the session commencing Oct. 26—The Lord Chief Baron, Mr. Justice Williams, and Mr. Justice Erle. [ADVERTISEMENT.] —DEFECTIVE SIGHT AND RELIEVED, Instruments and Spectacles sent into the eountry by pst, 3, Albemarle-street, Piccadilly, Newly-In ventedPowerful Telescopes, S i cctscles , Opera Glasses, Micro- Neves, &r.—Patronised by his Majesty the King of Hanover, her Grace the D owa g er Duchess of Bedford, their Gr aces the Arebbishops of Canterbury, York, and Dublin, the Dukes of Devonshire, Norfolk, Argyle, Marlborough, and Manchester, Bishops of Exeter, Lincoln, Cork, Elphin and Kildare. Messrs. S. and B. Solomon', Oculists and Opticians, ht. that have invented Spectacle Lenses upon a new construe. Con. Immediately they are placed before feet vision, vision, either by day nr candlelig mist and dullness which appear before the eyes is at once removed, and every object becomes clear and distinct, so that the most aged defective sight becomes bright and brilliant, and is brought to its youthful, 'lateral, and original state, Also tlic most Powerful Achromatic Telescopes, Opera Glasses, Microscopes, Invisible and all kinds of Acoustie Instruments for relief of extreme deafness. Caution—Messrs. 5, and B. Solomons, Opticians, are not in any way connected with a person of the same name in their immediate neighbourhood , zee in any part of the country. To prevent mistakes be cautions, and observe—Only to be had at 39, Albemarle-street, Piccadilly, opposite the York Hotel. BRISTOL SUGAR-MARKET, DEC. s.—We have Still a 'Ty dull sugar-market, and prices must be quoted rather easier; the sales of this week do not exceed 500 hhds. West India and a few lots of Bengals. Nothing doing in Mauritius, 4and the demand for rum is still limited.—Brietol Mercury. POLICE INTELLIGENCE. MANSION-HO USE. The LORD MAYOR apprehended that there were a great many cases parallel to that which the letter he had ust read recited, and he trusted that the provisional committe • would seethe Immediate necessity of relieving the miserable dis tress which was beginning to show itself. The following circular was transmitted on Friday morning to the Bank of England, and to the various banking-houses in the metropolis, by order of the Lord Mayor : " Justices'-room, Mansion-house, Dec. 5, 1845. " Gentlemen,—l am directed by the Right Hon. the Lord Mayor to call your attention to the Let of several well•. dressed persons (evidently forming part of an organised gang) having been recently charged at the Mansion-house with intruding themselves into different banking-houses in the City under various pretexts, but, no doubt, tbr the pur pose of plundering persons receiving money from those houses. llis Lordship is, therefore, anxious to call your attention to these facts, in order that every precaution may be used by the clerks in your establishment, to prevent the intentions of such intruders from being carried into effect.—l have the honour to be, Gentlemen, your most obedient servant, " S. R. GOODMAN, Chief Clerk." The attention of Mr. Bush, the solicitor to the Com mittee of Bankers for Protection from Felonies and Frauds, having been previously called to the subject by the Lord Mayor, that gentleman attended and expressed his entire concurrence in the proposed letter to the bankers, and said he considered that it would be of great public benefit to adopt additional precautionary measures at the present time. He also stated that some years ago, and previously to the present police arrange ments, the Bankers' Association bad employed two ex perienced and efficient police officers to patrol Lombard street and its ♦icinity exclusively, who were paid by the Committee for such service, and he had frequently urged of late the propriety of again appointing competent officers to that special duty. The way in which numbers of these robberies are committed is as follows :—One experienced thief, dressed as a gentleman, followed by a boy, walks into the bank ing -house, takes up a pen and pretends to write, bat is occupied in watching the movements of the parties who take money at the counter ; the boy watches into what pocket the cash is deposited, and both follow the victim, a third thief being outside, on the watch for the police. The thieves, then, who know where the money is to be found at once, pursue the person fixed upon for plunder, and with comparative ease effect their object, being sup plied with the many facilities which the streets and lanes through which he passes afford to them. The LORD MAYOR observed, upon hearing this account of the mode in which the robberies are con cocted, that Mr. Williams, who was, a short time ago, plundered of so much property upon leaving Ma,ter- Man's bank, had been followed up in the way described. GUILDHALL. On Saturday application was wade for a sum mons against a share agent for detaining fifty railway shares, on which 21 10s. deposit had been made. The broker invited him to sell his shares, saying he could get 2i premium for them, instead of which he alleged ho had sold them at 131 premium, and neither money nor shares could be got from him. Mr. Alderman Musgrove granted the sum mons, and said he should call in the City Solicitor at the hearing, to see whether such agents were not liable to be prosecuted for acting as brokers in the City of Lon don without giving securities for their fidelity, and being sworn and appointed by the Court of Aldermen. The Secretary to the Shrewsbury and Herefordshire Railway Company appeared to answer the complaint of Mr. John Finacan for refusing to deliver to him 25 shares, after paying the deposit-money. Mr. Finacan stated that he purchased the letter of allotment in July, with a guarantee from the seller, a Mr. Sentzneck, that he would sign the deed. He paid the deposit-money, and wrote to Sentzneck several times, making appointment to attend and sign, but he never came. Upon application at the office, he found the letter had been allotted to Wm. Egerton Oldfield, of Bishop's Castle, Salop, and he was required to produce this person, who turned out to be unknown ; the address was fictitious, and the company would neither give him the scrip nor return the money till he produced Mr. Oldfield. The Secretary said, the person who claimed the shares, or money, was of a different name to the person to whom the shares were allotted, and they had a right to be pro tected from the money being claimed again by a second party. If he would trace the party from whom the letter was purchased, the company would be satisfied. Mr. Alderman MuscuovE said there was nothing that reflected discredit on the company in this case. They had a right to be guaranteed against paying the money s second time, and they were entitled to all the assist ance that could be given by the complainant to trace the party who had imposed on the company. He discharged the summons. In a desultory conversation on the subject, the Alder. man observed that he was not one of those who thought that parties might lure the public to buy shares at a pre mium, and afterwards turn upon them and say the com pany is dissolved, and each of the shareholders may receive hack some portion of the deposit-money. There were cases in which the public had a right to look for something more from promoters who have amassed large sums from such transactions. An elderly gentleman, giving the name of Mr. Wil liam Gregory, then applied for a summons against the promoters of the Direct Birmingham, Oxford, and Brighton Railway. From a written statement which he handed in, it appeared that he applied for twenty-five shares in that company, which were granted. He paid up the deposit, 2/. 12s. 6d. per share, and was informed that the Parliamentary deed would soon be ready for s igning, when ho would get the scrip. The delay being rather long, he came up to town from Chesterfield a few days since, and was told that the deed was not fully prepared. his patience was again tried for a con siderable period, and a few days since, on calling at the offices of the company, he was told still that the deed was not ready for signing, that no scrip had been issued, in fact, the plans, sections, &c., were far from completion, and that the Company wc,uld not apply to rarlisment in the ensuing session. Thinking, therefore, that they had no right to have taken the deposit, he applied for it in return, which was refused, and he now wished that a summons m"ght be issued against the projectors of the line, for the re stitution of the money they had got from him. Mr. Alderman MUSGROVE inquired how the deposit was paid, and who was to be summoned. Applican answered, by a cheque from his bankers in the country, which passed through Smith, Payne, and Co.'s. lie wished to summon the chairman of the company, John Blunt, Esq., who, from the prospectus, appeared to be a director of the London Docks. Mr. Alderman MUSGROVE, after having a short con sultation with Mr. Teague, observed that that case was very different to the previous one, and he thought the magistrates could not interfere in the matter. The ap plication must therefore be dismissed. ILFORD PETTY SESSIONS. (Before Captain DAYIs, Chairman, and a full Bench •ol Magistrates.) DARING BURGLARY AT DAGENHAM.—Jcseph Walker and William Walden, two agricultural labourers, were charged with breaking into the house of a retired stock broker named Arnold, and stealing upwards of 85/. in bank notes, 40/. in gold, a silver watch with gold chain, and other property. Mr B. M. Rawlings appeared in behalf of the accused parties. Sergeant Crawford, of the K division of the Metro politan police, stationed at Dagenham, stated that on Wednesday morning, the 19th ult., having received information that Mr. Arnold's house had been broken open, he went there, and on going across a field found an iron chest, which had been broken open, and a quantity of paper lying about. By the side of the chest Mr. Arnold's dog was lying dead. On going into Mr. Arnold's house he found that the pannel of the street door had been taken out, the pannel being perforated with holes made by a gimlet, and broken in two.— (It was here produced. The wood was upwards of two inches in thickness.) The rooms were in great disorder, and in one he found the two sticks produced. Near the house he traced footmarks of two persons to the corner of the field at the back of the house, then across a ploughed and several other fields to the garden of the house where the prisoners lived, at Chadwell-heath. He went to the house and asked if they were at home, and was told by Walker's wife that they had gone to Romford. He went there, and found them outside the Fox and Hounds public-house. On searching them he found on Walker a knife and a sovereign, with some other articles, and on the other prisoner a few half-pence. He took them into custody, and on comparing their boots with the footmarks in the fields, found them to correspond exactly, Inspector Richardson said that, having received infor mation of the robbery, he went to the prisoners' house, opposite the mills, at Chadwell-heath, and found a knife, a chisel, and two gimlets, the latter of which corre sponded with the holes in the door He had no doubt about an entrance having been effected by means of a gimlet, the holes being afterwards cut into one another by means of a knife. Superintendent Colson, of the Essex constabulary, gave similar evidence. In answer to the Bench, Mr. Colson said, from the tongue of the dog protruding a long distance out of his mouth, he had no doubt about his death having been caused by poison. The prisoners were fully committed for trial at the next assizes for the county of Essex. As they left the bar they most vehemently declared their innocence. None of the missing property has yet been traced. WHOLESALE ROBBERY ON THE THAMES JUNCTION RAILWAY.—John Ainsworth and William Richman, two rough-looking labourers, residing at West Ham, were charged with stealing a large quantity of lead under the following singular circumstances:- - Thomas Forrester, police-constable, 29 K, stated that, on Saturday week last, he received orders from his ser geant to watch the prisoner Ainsworth's house, and continued to do so until the following Friday morning. About six o'clock on that morning he saw the prisoner Ainsworth, accompanied by Iliekman, leave home and proceed to Mr. C. W, Tanner's coal-wharf at W'e.,t Ham Abbey. They got upon one of the sheds and ripped off a great quantity of lead from the gutter, which having put into a bag they returned to Ainsworth's house. Witness having obtained the assistance of some brother constables, went into the house, when the prisons ran out at the ba c k -d oor an d t h roug h the river. They were pursued, and Ainsworth captured at that time. On searching th e h ouse, and bricks, wbich h h e ad fo b u e n en d i a de la n r i g ifi e e q d u b a y nt m it) r i of D tim ber Darby. the foreman of the Thames Junction Railway, as the property of that Compa n y. Other evidence with respect to stealing the lead hav ing been gone into, The CJIAIRMAN inquired if any one was present to prosecute the case of stealing the bricks and timber from the railway company? Sergeant Harrison, of the K division, said the company did not wish to prosecute, as they thought the prosecu tion for stealing the lead would be quite sufficient, and save them a good deal of trouble, The CHAIRMAN said it appeared to him that for a pub lic company refraining to prosecute in such a case as the present was something like compounding a felony—it was most improper. Mr. Tanner said it was most unfair that he should be put to all the trouble and expense in prosecuting in this case, and the company not. The CHAIRMAN—How can we reach these parties? Mr. Clifton, the clerk to the bench—You can summon them, and bind them over to prosecute. The CIIAIRMAN—I do not think I shall be doing my duty unless we have the parties here. After some further remarks, the prisoners were fully committed to Newgate for trial, fur stealing the lead, but remanded for the attendance of the railway people, a summons being icsued against them for that purpose. INCENDIARY FIRES IN NOTTING- HAMSIIIRE. During the past few weeks, incendiary fires have been blazing in different villages in this county, which have naturally created great excitement amongst the inhabi tants, particularly the farmers, who, as a class, have been selected as victims. It is not for us to assign a cause for these diabolical and grievous outrages, at a juncture when the nation is threatened with famine and distress; but time, perhaps, will unfold what judgment cannot penetrate. _ _ _ INCENDIARY FIRE NEAR OICTON.—On Saturday last an incendiary fire took place at Ramsdale Farm, a dis tance of fire miles and a half from this town. This farm belongs to Mr. Joseph Whittaker, and is one of the largest in the county, and is situate near to the village of Ox ton; but, happily, whatever mischief may be done upon it by incendiary acts, the occupier can sustain very little injury, as he has insured all stacks to the amount of 2,0004 The spot where this fire took place is about half a mile distant from the farm-house, and in a field at a considerable distance from any road. During the harvest Mr. Whittaker has been in the habit of having stacks put in the fields where the corn has been reaped, and in the present year he has placed upon a hill called the " Twelve Acres," three barley stacks, two of which have recently been thrashed, and the straw made into one stack. On Saturday night, about nine o'clock, Mr. Marriott, of Ilalam, while returning from Notting ham market, on horseback, on approaching within sight of the " Twelve Acres" hill perceived a tremendous glare of light, and on hastening towards it be found the straw stack all in flames. The horizon being extensively illuminated, several people were at the same moment on their way to discover the cause, and very soon on the spot. Mr. Marriott gallopped to Mr. Whittaker's, and then to Nottingham for the engines, but the fire had got so much a-head, that it soon appeared useless to at tempt to put it out, and especially as there was no water at hand. The Nottingham town engine was in a few minutes on the spot, and gallopped at an expedition which soon knocked up one of the horses, which was left by the road-side; no doubt the several high and long hills on the road contributed much to occasion this dis aster. An alarm was quickly spread, the county police, on horseback, and crowds of people, hastened to the spot, expecting to find that Mr. Whittaker's farm-yard, containing thirty stacks, was in a general state of con flagration. Fortunately this was not the case, and during the early part of the fire the wind changed, and blew the flames from instead of upon the barley stack, situate within a few yards of the burning straw. The fire being confined to the straw stack, it was allowed to burn with out further interruption, and at two o'clock in the morn ing the entire stack was consumed. This makes the seventh fire within as many weeks that we have recorded in this part of the country, and at the time (Monday) we are writing this paragraph, reports have reached the town that two other fires have taken place —one at Arnold, and the other at Sawley. We may litre remark, that the circumstances con nected with the fires in Wool-alley and Robin Hood yard, on the premises occupied by Mr. Bates, frame smith, and Mr. Baldock, grocer, in the month of October last, are still involved in mystery, and it is singular, that at the period these fires took place, a tall person in the attire of a female was seen in the immediate vicinity, not one hundred yards from the two buildings, and from the suspicious appearance that it was a man in woman's clothing ; this individual was actually traced by Mr. Brierley, governor of the county gaol, who, no doubt, thought it possible to be one of the escaped convicts. A person of a similar description was said to have been at Be: ston on the night of the fire at Mr. Walker's stack yard, and though on an attempt being made to trace out who this person was, Mrs. Harwood, a very respectable wo man, was found to have been in the street waiting fur some members of her family coming home, yet we have heard other statements to induce an opinion that she was not the individual who excited attention, and answered the description we first heard on the night of the fire. INCENDIARY FIRE AT ARNOLD.—An act of incen diarism was committed at this village, which is four miles from this town, on Sunday night last, which owning to its being timely discovered, and the speedy arrival of the Arnold engine, did very little damage. About six o'clock in the evening, a servant in the employ of Mr. Sneath, who has only lived six months at Arnold, hap pened to go out of his master's house to the stack-yard, when he found one of the haystacks in flames. He gave an alarm, and the fire was fortunately extinguished after burning between two and three tons of hay. The stack was situate more than a hundred yards from any house. The alarm created by this and Mr. Whittaker's fire, not two miles distant, occasioned all tho farmers in the neighbourhood to set their labourers and servants on watch during the whole of the night, and a report of a fire at Sae ley has awakened an excitement which will take some time to allay.—Nottingham Review. ESCAPE FROM A TIGER. The following account of a narrow escape from a tiger is contained in a letter from a townsman of Macclesfield to his parents. The position of the writer will be evident from the language of the letter, which is dated " Camp, near Deesa, September 17, 1845:—" On the 28th of July I and three more of nay comrades made up a party to get four days leave of absence to go to a place called Palempo, the residence of a native Prince. It is about thirty miles from Deesa. We got leave from the com manding officer, and hired tattoos, or horses, and bor rowed four fowling-pieces, as we were told there was plenty of game, pheasants, deer, pea-fowl, wild ducks, boars, &c. The country is infested with robbers and wild beasts. We started on the morning of the 29th of July, about three o'clock, from Deesa. We were not dressed in our regimentals, but we had on white dresses, being the coolest for the day time, with very large hats with broad brims to keep the sun off our faces. We had a man to guide us on the way, it being a very mountainous country, and jungles all about. Just about daylight we had got about fourteen miles, the guide had taken us a short cut across a mountain, and our horses had hardly room to pass one abreast, it being so very narrow. When we got nearly to the top, we saw a tiger in the act of making a spring at us. I cannot describe the fright I was in—for we had all got our guns slung to our backs, and we could not get at them in time ; and as I was in the rear about twenty yards he made a spring at my horse, but it turned on one side and he missed his mark, and tumbled over the rock into a gulph below, on the other side of the pass ; for there was a large ravine just alongside, about 200 feet, and the tiger fell to the bottom, my hat falling with him. As soon as I got my senses, for I was nearly insensible with fright, I got off my horse and saw the tiger deep below. I fired at him, and I am sure I hit him, for be began to howl most piteously. and go under a piece of rock, so that we could not get at him, and it was too steep to go down. I had lost my hat and I did not know what to do; for the sun was very hot, and in the fright the guide had run away and was nowhere to be found. I said it would be best to go back, but the rest would not; so I put my handkerchief round my head, and we went on till we got to a native village, and then we got something to eat and another guide, aild I bought a turban of one of the natives. I put it on my head, but it did not keep the sun off my head like my hat. Nothing more oc curred to us on the road, and we got to Palempo that night. We had plenty of sport at Palempo ; we shot deer, wild ducks, pea-fowl, and two wild boars." The result, however, was, that the writer was laid up with fever from exposure to the sun, and had only just recovered at the time the letter was written.—Mac• cletfield Chronicle. The general order against smoking in the army has occasioned a deep sensation in every mess-room in the kingdom, and created such a panic in the cigar market, that good cheroots were done at an unsually low figure, and the Manillas were down at a penny, which had been command. ing threehalf- pence, with a fair sprinkling of buyers, for the last eight months. The cabbage growers are in despair, for the young officers bad been the chief consumers of the hardy winter savoy, which must now be sold as food for the lower classes, instead of being packed in ivory cases f r mess room tables, as the best llavannahs, imported direct from llavannah by the Hammersmith 'bus. As to the military themselves, meetings are being called in every regiment to consider whether the officers shall coolly submit to allow the Duke of Wellington to put all their pipes out. The Duke of Wellington has blown a cloud over the whole of the army by his inconsiderate endeavour to banish the cigar from the mess room. The officers naturally ask what they are to do when they meet ; for they are to be restrained from boxing, wrest ling, leap-frog, blind-man's-buff, as well as prohibited from smoking, and they dread the possibility of being thrown upon their conversational resources, which must have a most dreary effect. Under their present trying position we can offer no consolation to the inmates of the barracks, except such as they may derive from taking it by turns to read Punch aloud to the whole mess.—Punch.. ORIGIN or NEWSPAPERS.—Mankind are indebted to the wisdom of Queen Elizabeth and the prudence of Bur leigh for the first printed newspaper. It was entitled the English Mercurie, and was, by authority, " imprinted at London by her llighness's printer, 1588." The earliest number, preserved in the British Museum library, dated July 23, in that year, contains the usual intelligence, given after the fashion of the London Gazette of the present day. In these lifercuries we meet with advertisements of books, and they differ not very much from the announcements of our own time. During the civil wars, periodical papers, the champions of the two parties, became more generally circu lated, and were edited by writers of ability ; among the principal we may name Marchamont Needham, Sir John Birkenhead, and fir Roger L'Estrango. At the Restoration, the proceeding? of Parliament were interdicted to be pub lished, unless by authprity, and the first daily paper after the Revolution took the popular title of the Orange Intefii gencer, In the reign of QueeniAnne there was but one daily paper, the DailyCnirant. The first provincial journal known in England was the Norwich Postman, started in 1706, at the price of a penny, but " a halfpenny not refused." The earliest Scottish newspaper made its appearance under the auspices of Cromwell, in 1652.-7'he Patrician. WAKEFIELD CORN MARKET, FRIDAT.—We have fair supplies of wheat and barley, and moderate of other grain. There was a very limited business done in wheat to day, and to effect sales a decline of ls. to 2s. per quarter was submitted to. Fine barley fully as dear, other sorts is. per quarter cheaper: Beans •in slow request, and prices of new must be quoted ls. per quarter less than last Week. ;Data sold at a rechigtion of id.' par stone, and shining Qt.i. or lo4d Dia:t firm, at late rates. . - . IMPORTANT OPINION OF THE SOLICITOR-GENERAL AND MR. PITT TAY LOR, UPON RAILWAY LIABILITIES. . (From the Sunday Times.) CASE. The opinion of counsel is requested on tha following case : Among the numerous railway projects we have se lected three, which we will call the A, J 3, and C Rail ways. 'The Provisional Committees, in advertising these lines, set forth the advantages to be derived, and then give the following form of request to be made by applicants for shares : " THE ' A' RAILWAY FORM OF APPLICATION FOR SHARES. " To the Provisional Committee of the ' A' Railway. " Gentlemen,—l request you will allot me shares, of 201. each, in this company, and I agree to accept the same, or any smeller number which may be alloted to me, to pay the deposit thereon, and execute the Parliamentary contract and subscribers' agreement, when required. Dated this 1845. day of Name in full.. Occupation or Professi n Residence Reference The same form of request is also given in the 'B' sand C' Railways. A gentleman named Z. filled up and signed, and sent to each of the committees of three railways, a request for fit ty shares. Shortly afterwards he received from the secretary of railway A' the following letter. " A' RAILWAY COMPANY. DEPOSIT, 52!. 108. " Ist October, 1845. " Sir,—l am directed by the Committee of Manage ment of the A' Railway Company to inform you that twenty-five shares in this company have been allotted to you, and that the deposit of 2/. 2s. per share, amounting to the above sum, must be paid t_.> one of the undermen tioned bankers on or before Wednesday, the 25th instant, or such at latent will be void. " This letter, with the banker's receipt at foot, must be exchanged for scrip certificate upon the execution of the subscribers agreement and Parliamentary eontract, which will lie fur signature, &c.—l am, Sir, &c., "N. M., Secretary." Then follows the names of several bankers appointed to receive deposits. " From the ' B' Railway Mr. Z. received a similar letter, signed by the secretary of the company, with the variation that instead of the words "or such allotment will be void," the words " in default of which this allot meet wid be cancelled, and the shares disposed of to ether applicants" are used. -4 " And from the ' C' Railway Mr. Z. received a letter from the secretary of the company as follows : " The Managing Committee of the C' Railway have, at your request, allotted you 25 shares of 201. each, on condition that you pay a deposit of 21. 2s. per share on or before Saturday the 7th instant, to one of the under mentioned bankers, &c. It will be SCCR that the last letter of allotment says nothing about the allotment being " void " or "can celled," if the deposits are not paid, but makes a com plete contract, on condition of the deposit being paid by a given day. Before Mr. Z. had paid the deposits, or signed the subscription contracts or Parliamentary deeds, a panic arose in the railway share market, and all, or most of the new schemes having gone to a discount, he has de clined to take up the shares and to pay the deposits thereon, and he has received letters from the solicitors of the company threatening proceedings to compel him to comply with the letters of request, and he now wishes the advice of counsel how far he is liable in respect of such letters. Firstly.—Have the Provisional Committees any and what remedy against Mr. Z. to compel him to take up the shares allotted to him, and to pay his deposits thereon, and to sign the Subscribers' and Parliamentary Contracts ? If you should be of opinion that the Provisional Com mittees have such remedy, must they sue in law or in equity ? Seeing that if the letters of request and the answers should be held to be binding contracts, do they not constitute a partnership between himself and the Pro visional Committee and shareholders at large ? Secondly—Referring to the terms of the letters re ceived from the A' and •B' Railway Committees de claring that upon non-payment of the deposit " the allotment will be void" in the A' Railway, and " can celled, and the shares disposed of " in the B' Railway ; and to the condition of payment in the C' Railway—is it competent to Mr. Z. to elect not to comply with the terms of the letters of allotment, and thus to make void or cancel his contract ; or, is such election in the Com mittees alone? Thirdly—Assuming that there is a sufficient contract in these several railways to bind Mr. Z., and that he cannot make void or cancel his engagements by non compliance with the letters of allotment, will it be a good ground of defence to any proceedings that may be taken against him if the names of responsible and in fluential parties have been put upon the Provisional Committees without their knowledge or consent ; or, that exaggerated and untrue statements of the profits and advantages to arise to the shareholders have been published by the Committees to induce parties to sub scribe for shares? And generally, be pleased to suggest to Mr. Z. any steps he may safely take to save himself from the con sequences of his having made application for shares, it being more than probable that neither of the said lines will be able to curry their said Bills through Parliament. THE SOLICITOR-GENERAL'S OPINION. With respect to the first question submitted for our opinion, we are unable to say how far the prospectus which bad been issued by each company may qualify or affect the contract entered into between Z. and the Pro visional Committee of each company ; but if such pro spectus be legal and conformable to, and authorise the contract, Z. is bound by his agreement. It is a contract to become a partner to the extent of twenty-five shares in a co partnership recognised by law.—See 7 and 8 Vic., c. 110, Joint-Stock Company Act. Many, and great practical and technical difficulties, however, would surround and impede any attempt to enforce the contract, either at law or in equity. At law every contracting party must be a co-plaintiff, and who are the contracting parties, or promises, must, in each case, depend upon the prospectus and advertisements, and other matters preceding and attending the contract. In equity, too, the plaintiffs must name in their bill for specific performance all the persons with whom the de fendant has contracted to enter into partnership, and must further allege and prove that all such persons are ready and willing to become his co-partners. Many other difficulties must also arise, whichever course be adopted, and we cannot see how either could be ultimately successful. Second Question—The election as to forfeiture or cancellation would be in the company, and not in Z, who would not be allowed to take advantage of his own breach of the agreement. Third Question —It would be a good defence to any action that the names of resp ons ibl e an d i n fl uen ti a l persons had been published as directors or shareholders, when, in fact, they were unconnected with the project, if it could be shown that Z. knew of such publication, and was induced thereby to apply fur shares. Whether exaggerated or untrue statements would vitiate the con tract depends upon the nature of such statements. If they were untrue to the knowledge of those who made them, and were material, and calculated to mislead, and if, moreover, the purchaser had, either wholly orin part. been induced by them to enter into the contract, they would amount to a fraud, whereby such contract would vitiated. Fourth Question—We advise Z. to remain quiescent, and if any legal proceedings beinstituted against him to defend himself. FITZROY KELLY. J. PI rr TAYLOR. Temple, Dec. 6, 1845. RAILWAY SHARE MARKETS. BRISTOL, DEC. 6. STOCK ExcitANGEl—The sales ars—Bristol and Exeter, Ditto, New, 5 3 4—Midland, New, 1 8 1 4—Vale of Neath, 31. 13s. 9d. SHEFFIELD, DEC. 6. STocx EXCHANGE.—The sales are--Grand Union, 1 3 / 4 — Manchester, Midland, and Great Grimsby, 2 %—Wakeffeld and Harrogate, DA—Sheffield and Manchester, Qu iu u r Shares No. 3., 5 3 / 4 —Sheffield and Manchester, 119—South Wales, 3%. EDINBURGH, DEC. 5. _ SA beTr°ccleKen, E l3 x a c n u fr a , N a ci n ii d .- E T lg h i e n, sa 2 l l e .- s" a-erd A re irdri A e b ana er ii n 4 a , thg '. l at e, 21. 55.-Arbroath and Forfar, 251.-Ditto, Half Shares, 151.- Armagh and Portrush, 11. 153.-Ayr and Dumfries, 21. 155.-Ayr and Galloway, 2/. 55.-Banffshire, 2/. 55.-Belfast and County Down, 31.-British and Irish Union, 3/. Bs.- Caledonian, 121.-Caledonian Extension, 3/..-Caledonian and Dumbarton, 3L-Caledonian and Northern Direct, 3/. Os. 6d. -Cambridge and Lincoln, 4/. 55.-Carnwarth and West Lin ton, 1/. 145.-Chelmsford and Bury, 1/. 12c 6d.-Clydesdale Junction, 191.-Cornwall and Devon, 21. .8c -Deeside Rail way, 5/. 10s.-Direct Northern, 21.-Dublin and Enniskillen, 4/. 7s. 6d.-Dundee and Arbroath, 35/. 10s.-Ditto, New, 35.-Edinburgh and Bathgate, 171.-Dundee and Perth, 61. 178. 6d.-East of Fife, 2/.- 3L-Edinburgh and Glasgow, East Coast of Scotland, 2/. 135.-East Lothian Central, 2/. ex new, 65L-Ditto, Half Shares, 15/. 10s.-Ditto, Quar ters, 151. 10s.-Ditto, ditto, New, 121. 103.-Edinburgh, Glasgow, and Dumbarton,lBs.-Edinburgh and Leith Atmos pheric, 2/. 55.-Edinburgh and Leith Atmospheric Direct, 1/. 155.-Edinburgh, Leith, and Granton, 211. 108.-Ditte, Preference, 181.105.-Edinburgh and Northern, 41.75.-Ditto, Newport, 1/. Bs.-Ditto, Lochgelly, 1L 14s. 6d.-Edinburgh and Peebles, ex new, 2/. 25.-Edinburgh and Perth, 4/. 17 3 . 6d.-Edinburgli, Portobello, and Musselburgb, 1/. 105.- Forth and Clyde Junction, 2/. 53,--Glasgow and Ayrshire, 70'.-Ditto, New Stock, 234-Ditto, Quarter Shares, 211. 12s. 6d.-Glasgow and Belfast Union, 2/. ls. - Glasgow, Dumfries, and Carlisle, 2/. 55. -Glasgow and Dundee Junc tion, 2/. 55.-Glasgow and Garnkirk, 45L-Glasgow a n d Greenock, 211.-Ditto, New, 10/. 155.-Ditto, Preference, 2/. 55.-Glasgow Harbcur Grand Junction, 21. 10s.-Glasgow Harbour Mineral, 2/. 193.-Glasgow, Kilinaniock, and Ar drossan, 2/. 12s. 6d.-Glasgow, Strathaven, and Lesmahagow, 31.-Granton Junction, 2/. 10s.-Great Co unt y Down, 2/ . 12 s. 6d.-Great North of Scotland, 2/. 155.-Great North and South Wales, 12s. 6d.-Inverness and Elgin, U. 153.-Lanark and Galloway, 2/. 103-Lanark and Lothians, V. 17s. 6d. -Larne and Ballymena, 2/. 25.-London and Hounslow, 2/. -London and Manchester (Rem.), 31. 55.---Lon don and Man chester (Rastrick), 5/. 105.--London and WindsUr, Louth)* and York, 4L 55.-Midland and Eastern Counties, 21. 7s. 6d.--.,Morayshire, 1/.--,Nawcastle and Berwick, W. --Newry and Londonderry, 21. 103,-North British, ex new, 221. 10s.-Ditto, Halves, ex new, W. 10s.-Ditto, Ex tension to.Carlisies, 2/. 98.-Ditto, Extension to Dalkeith, 6/. 55.-North Wales Mineral, Now, 4/. 7a.-Perth and Crieff Direct, 2/. 25.-Perth and Inverness, 1/. 195.-Scottish Cen tral, 141.-Scottish Central and Caledonian Junction, 21.-.. Scottish Midland, 3L-Scottish North Western, 1/. 155.- Scottish South Midland, 21. 45.-Scottish Southern, 2/. s s . -Scottish Western, 2/. 105.-Shrewsbury and Hereford, 173. 6d.-Shrewsbury, Oswestry, and Chester, 61.-South Midlanel, 6/. 7s. 6d.-Stirling and Dunfermline. 2/. 105.- Stirling and Midland, 21. 175.-Strathern Junction, 31. ss._ Surrey Grand Junction, 11. 2s. 6(1. - Te4 ll a d Dotre 1 1 1 )J. --Tyne Valley, 11. 184.-.Wishaw and Callum, 524 10s, GLASGOW, DEC. 5. STOCK EXCILANGE.—The sales are—Aberdeen, s—Aber deen, Banff, and Eight, 3Ss.—Airdrie and Bithgate, 555. British and Irish Union, 70s.—Caledonian Extension, 60s. — Caledonian and Ayrshire Junction, 3Ss.—Caledonian and Dumbartonshire Junction, •15s.—Clydesdale Junction, 181.— Dundee and Forfar Junction, 625. 6d.—Glasgow and Belfast Union, 435.—Glasgow, Kilmarnock, and Ayr, New, 18/. Glasgow, Kilmarnock, and Ardroesan, 635. Lanark and Lothians, 575. 6d.—Scottish Central, 131.—Scottish Central and Caledonian Junction, 36s.—South Midland, 5/.—Stirling and Dunfermline, 455. Strathearn Junction, 50s. HULL, DEC. 6. STOCK EXCHANGE.—The sales are—London and Croydon, 18% —Armagh, Coleraine, and Portrush, I%—Grand Union, 28s. 9d.—Hull and Barnsley Junction, 42s.—London and Birmingham Extension, 1 1 4—London and York, 3% —Not- Erewash, &c.. 2N—Nottingham, Belvoir, and Gran tham, 2 1 4—North Western, d. ls.—North Staffordshire, 51. 4s. ed. YORK, DEC. 6. . , STOCK EXCITAKCE.—The sales are—Midland, New, 18% —Newcastle and Darlington, Brandling, 44%—York and North Midland Extension, :25—Newcastle and Berwick, 9 3 / 4 —Ditto, New, 6—London and York, 3/. 18s. 9d.—Grand Union, PA—Leicester and Bedford, I%—North Stafford shire, s—Welsh Midland, 21. ls. THE CORN-LAWS. (From the Times.) If any doubt existed as to the emergency of the case which has forced upon the Cabinet the inevitable, but I not ungracious, capitulation which we announced on I Thursday last, its solution would be found in the number of public meetings which it has collected together throughout the country. Edinburgh, Leeds, Stroud, South% ark, Bath, and Bristol swell the cry which other great towns first raised. And this unanimity of feeling is rendered more remarkable by the exceptional differ ences of opinion. Although the speakers did not all precisely agree in their estimation of the existing law, or of the benefits to be derived from its repeal, yet the harmony of their resolutions, and the general tone of their expression, leave no room for doubting that the condemnation of the corn-laws is as strongly urged by the country as by the Government. In this case, then, the Government has acted as the exponent, or rather enforcer of the public will. It has anticipated the fulfilment, in echoing the sentiments, of a popular demand. It takes those whom it is intended to gratify by surprise; those whom it disappoints or displeases still more so. It is a great coup d'etat, subject, like other bold or unexpected manceuvres, to much criticism and dissection. It it succeed, the wisdom and statesmanship evinced in its adoption will draw heavily on the pane gyrical powers of the most Ministerial parasites. It will be pronounced the greatest, wisest, noblest, boldest mea sure ever submitted to the deliberation of a Legislature or the approbation of a people. If it fail, what terms will be strong enough to express the dissatisfaction of one, or the disgust of another portion of the community? Like a deviation from some established rule of military tactics, it will be praised or censured, not according to the vigour of conception or energy of decision exhibited in its design, but simply according to its success. And that success must be immediate, apparent. and general. The violence of party spirit and the eagerness of po pular expectation will be satisfied with no partial, distant, or impalpable benefits. This will be the se verest trial to which the Ministerial project may be sub mitted. The opposition of some country gentlemen, the sullen neutrality of others; the sulky support of pro fessed friends, the open taunts of triumphant enemies; all these the Ministry will meet without surprise and without dismay. But, perhaps, neither they nor the nation itself are prepared to meet what—we do not, and would not, predict will be—but what may be the disap apointment of the latter. No great political act as yet consummated ever satisfied the wishes or the expecta tions of the people. We need not go far back to test this historical common-place. Instances will occur to the minds of all our readers. Who has forgotten the vaticinations and auguries which ushered in the Catholic Relief and the Reform Bills? Who will say that either of them has answered the wishes, or justified the pro mises of its friends? Yet the Catholic Relief Act was a necessary one. The Reform Bill finally became so. The repeal of the corn-law bears nearly the same relation to times and events that each of these did. We say " nearly," becouse whatever may be the feeling of the country as to the present law, there has been no universal expression of opinion on the various modifi cations which lie between it and the annihilation of all corn-laws. Nor do wo think that this exception is of much importance. There seems no likelihood of any public man coming forward to interpose any intermediate state previous to their abolition. The letter of Lord John Russell and the speech of Mr. Macaulay forbid us to expect that such a proposition will be made by the Whigs. The repeated declarations of leading Conser vatives preclude the supposition that they will abandon their devotion to the sliding-scale. From the League the utmost that can be expected is the patient submis sion to a delay of a few weeks. We are therefore con strained to suppose that no effort—at least no effort con taining any element of success—will be made to retain a corn-law, even of a different character from the present. And thus, then, absolute repeal may be ranked in the same category as the Reform Bill—viz., as a measure which is made necessary by the long-continued rejection of qualified concessions. And it will be the duty of the people to remember this feature in its character. This is necessary in order to prevent their own disappoint ment, no less than to do justice to the Ministers who in troduce it. The exaggerations which all popular questions naturally provoke have been so multiplied by the de claimers of the League, and men's minds have been so mystified by the haze which vulgar ignorance and vulgar credulity have thrown around the subject, as to lose sight entirely of its real proportions. There is nothing of which men entertain such vague and flatter ing notions as the power of the Legislature to confer great and extensive benefits. They forget that it is oftener the province of Senates and Governments to correct the influences than to direct the course of events —to mitigate actual evil than to affect a capacity of open ing new sources of prosperity, or of introducing new means of happiness. In the present instance men's minds have been distracted with extravagant hopes and extravagant fears, according to their position and in terests. We have already alluded to the groundless ap prehensions of the agriculturists, who shrink back with horror from the vision of redundant importations and un remunerative prices. Another party looks forward, with hopes equally unreasonable, to a golden age of constant employment and costless wheat. We believe that both will be equally disappointed. A slight derangement may trouble the markets at first ; but there is no thing in the measure itself—nothing in the aspect of events—to justify us in supposing that the price of bread will be long or sensibly affected on the one hand, or that on the other the advantages to trade will be so general and so vast as they have been represented. There are certain known laws which govern both the produc tion of corn and the relations of trade, which are not only independent of, but superior to, all legislative enactments. The real and permanent good derivable from the repeal of the corn-law will be twofold—first, it will remove a potential cause of embarrassment from the operations of commerce: secondly, it will liberate the landholders from the painful and often unjust reproach of selfish and bard-hearted monopoly. We agree with Dr. Chalmers in believing that this moral effect will be the chief benefit attainable by so sweeping a measure ; and we should conceive it is one to which the landholders cannot be indifferent. But every great political achieve ment involves a loss or a sacrifice. Here there will be a loss and a sacrifice. We speak not of classes or cliques, but of the country. And the country, whatever it may hereafter gain in other respects, will lose altogether and for ever in point of revenue. Nor are we justi fied in expecting that this loss will be solely in the article of corn. Mr. Cobden very recently informed a French journal that the League confined its attacks to the monopoly of corn because its members knew that this being abolished the aristocracy would unite to sup press all others. This means, that if the duties on corn are once removed, all other customs' duties will follow. Is the country prepared for this? Are the national revenues such as to enable us to dispense with customs' duties altogether ? Can we afford to lose twelve or fourteen millions a-year at once? If we do, how are we to replace it? By direct taxation? 1)o the people of England then seriously prefer direct to indi rect taxation? If so, we should like to ascertain from whet time this penchant may be dated. All these con siderations must force themselves on the minds both of the public and their rulers. That which we prophesied may soon take place ; a concentrated attack will be made on all customs' duties. We trust the resources of the nation may prove sufficient to excuse their abroga tion ; but for our own parts, we confess that we look back with something of regret to the time when a more qualified concession" than a total repeal of the corn law would have at least delayed the assault, and have en riched the national treasury. THE TRUE MEANING OF " PROTECTION." (From the Derby Reporter.) The word " protection" has its two-fold meaning— its literal, and its historical sense. It may bear a kindly and a magnanimous import in the dictionary, but it has a very different meaning when read in the past or present doings of mankind. To - defend or succour, may be its lexicographical —to oppress and injure, is its veri table definition. Our predecessors, the ancient Britons, were "protected" by the Saxons; and the consequence was, that they were despoiled of their patrimony, and the badge of their protection was seen in the brass collars that were fastened round their necks by those who pro tected them. Ireland has for centuries been "protected'' by this country; and the benefit of that protection is displayed in our relieving them of their cattle, eggs, poultry, and pork, leaving them just one remove from actual starvation, to feast the whole year round on roots. India—that land of gems and spices, the very name of which is associated with all that is fertile and magnifi cent—has been " protected" by Great Britain; and the fruit of that relation has been exhibited in those mon strous extortions and monopolies which have produced famines and pestilences that have swept millions from the face of that luxuriant land. Otaheite and Algeria are now " protected" by France ; hence the confiscations and cruelties endured by the na tives in the former place, and the e.-4tiqatioe of whole tribes by fire and sword in the latter. Infortunately, the true nature of t, protection" is exhibited nearer home. We have the same principle, but under another form. The military form of protection would be un suited to the condition of things in this country in the present age ; therefore, in order to meet the genius of the times, " protection" assumes the legislative shape. To brand the bodies of the cultivators of the soil with a mark to indicate their villeinage, would be unsuited to the present state of things. The badge of their servi tude now is stamped in the statute-book ; and if not bound as of yore by galling rings of brass, they are al most equally fettered by Acts of Parliament. British farmers and farm labourers are professedly "pro tected" class, and the evidences of protection are manifest in their condition. The worst paid, and the most miserable race of men in this country, are the be friended cultivators of the soil and the only set of capitalists that are not prosperous, are the tenants who recline under the shade of lordly patronage and protection. Mr. Cobden, in his celebrated speech in Parliament during the last session, declared " protec tion" to be a system of mutual plunder, under which the growers of the different descriptions of agricultural produce rob one another. This system has undergone a very rigid examination at the hands of Mr. John Morton and Mr. John Trimmer, and the result of their elaborate and conclusive calculations is given to the world in the form of a pamphlet. They estimate on one hand the extent to which the farmers' receipts are increased by protection; and on the other, to what ex tent his disbursements are augmented from the same cause. As an instance, they take the case of a farmer holding 400 acres of light land in Norfolk. They esti mate that the price of wheat in the Channel Islands, where importation is free, is a criterion of what the price would be in this country if the corn-laws were re pealed. "By a. Parliamentary return, it appears that the price of wheat in Jersey during the ten years from 1832 to 1841 averaged 48s. 4d. the quarter; the average price in England for the same period was 565. Bd.; being a difference of Bs. 4d. the quarter. But it will at once be conceded by all who are acquainted with the subject, that a constant demand from England under a free trade would have raised the level of foreign grain at the very least 2s. to 3s. the quarter, and thus bring the price up to within ss. 0465. of our average, which corro borates our estimate of the protection at ss. 6d the quar ter." The amount of protection on barley is estimated at 4s. Bd. the quarter, and the gross amount received in consequence of protection duties by a Norfolk farmer holding to the extent already assumed, would be on his entire produce, 2261. 13s. 4d. Against this is to be set — first, the increased value of all agricultural produce con sumed upon the farm, for the farmer being a consumer as well as,a producer, he only receives the benefit of the increased price on the produce which he actually brings into the market, after feeding his horses, reserving for seed, &c. Another item to be deducted is the enhanced wages to be paid to his labourers, as an equivalent for the provisions they purchase for the consumption of them. selves and their families. To this item there possibly way at first sight be some objection. It is certain, how ever, that either the labourer has returned to him, in the shape of enhanced wages, the amount of protecting duty he pays on what he consumes, or to that extent the system robs him. Another item to the debit of the farmer's account is the increased charge on tradesman's bills. The blacksmith, wheelwright, and others, have to pay a protected price for the agricultural produce they buy, and they must charge the amount of protective duty they pay back upon the farmer, or they too are robbed of that sum. Again, the amount of protective duties on the bread, butter, cheese, &c. &c., consumed by the tenant, his wife, children, household servants and guests, must be taken into the calculation. Further, in consequence of protection, the farmer has to pay an in creased rent. Rents are calculated on the supposition that an average price of 565. can be obtained for wheat, whereas the average does not range above 50s. ; the difference must be included in the outgoings on the score of protection. Now, when these various items are carefully estimated and summed up, they are found to exceed the amount received by the farmer as the proceeds of protective laws to the extent of 76L 18s. 11d. And this is not the whole loss. On such a farm as the proposed one now under consideration, Messrs. Morton and Trimmer calculate that 2001. has to be expended in artificial manures—such as rape cake, bones, and guano. " If, by the removal of restrictions on the importation of corn, he (the Norfolk farmer) were enabled to purchase oats weighing forty pounds the bushel for fifteen shillings the quarter, the 200/. now expended on artificial manures would buy 266 quarters of oats, which would enable the green crops to fatten 70 sheep and 17 beasts more than the farm carries at pre sent. The manure produced by them would be more beneficial than the bones, rape cake, or guano, which could be bought for 2001. If we suppose only the moderate profit of three shillings each on 170 sheep, and thirty khillings each:on the 17 beasts to be made above their prime cost and the cost of their corn, it would amount to 511., which, added to the 236/. 18s. I Id. of the last paragraph, will give 2871. 18s I Id., or fourteen shillings and fourpence per acre Such would be the gain which the cultivator of 400 acres of light land in East Norfolk would derive from the repeal of protecting duties on agricultural produce ; and such would be the gain under similar circumstances upon a farm of the same size, upon similar soils in Sussex, Surrey, Berks, Wilts, Hants, and Dorset, and every county in the country where turnips are con sumed upon the ground, if the better system were adopted of drawing a portion of them to be consumed by beasts in the yard, fed largely with cakes or corn." We may probably return to Messrs. Morton and Trim mer's pamphlet again. Meantime we recommend it to the perusal of those who have any misgivings as to the fleet of a repeal of the corn-laws upon the," agricul tural interest" of this country. For our own part, we feel assured that " protection " is the " bane" of every thing towards which its influence is extended. A pro tected country is always weAk, a protected class is al ways oppressed, and a protected trade never flourishes. Agriculture forms no exception to other occupations, and we trust that when the landlords themselves see the full effect of their protective legislation, on the classes whom they profess to befriend, that they will no longer oppose the abolition of a system which, whilst it is im mediately and severely injurious to others, can produce no lasting benefit to themselves. MONEY. MARKET and CITY NEWS. CITY, SATURDAY EVENING. TIMES.—The Manchester and Leeds and Leeds and Bradford Companies have amalgamated, and the conse quence is that Leeds and Bradford, and Leeds and Brad ford Extension shares are to become Manchester and Leeds stock to the extent of their share of the capital —viz., 900,0001. The Leeds and Bradford Proprietors are also to have 75 per cent. additional on the 900,0001., which per tentage is to be issued as follows, viz. :- 300,000/. in 201. shares, which will realise, when paid up, the amount authorised to be borrowed by the Leeds and Bradford. The remainder of the 75 per cent., viz., 375,0001., will subsequently be issued to tho Share holders, subject to a call at the time of 21. per share, in addition to the calls of Si. on the original shares, and 101. on the Extension shares now due, which will make 201. paid up on each; it is intended to call for a further sum of 211. per share in the course of next year, which then make the paid-up capital 411. per share. But the old and the new shares are to remain unproductive till the opening of the railway, when they will begin to receive dividends in proportion to the extent and cost of the lines that shall be in operation. The Brighton and Croydon Railway Companies, it appears, have quarrelled with r es p ec t to t h e i r prelimi naries of amalgamation. The Croydon proprietors have held a meeting on the subject, at which the shareholders deprecated the course of conduct pursued by the Direc tprs. The Brighton shareholders are about to hold a meeting on the same subject, when there will be an op portunity of hearing both sides of the question. A breach also seems to have occurred between the South- Western and Great Western Companies respecting the Exeter projects of these lines, which is not likely to be settled before the matter is brought before the Board of Trade. An arrangement is stated to have just been effected between the Directors of the Dublin and Kings town Railway and the provisional committee of the Dub lin, Wicklow, Wexford, and Waterford Company, the latter having agreed to take a lease of the former at a fixed rent of 34,0001. per annum, and one-half of the gross receipts of the company over 55,0001. per annum, which has been the assumed gross rental for the next year, and on which all the calculations have been founded. Having stated the case of the bankers against the lawyers in the matter of subpoena, we give that of the lawyers against the bankers, from a letter written by a member of the profession. At the same time we can hardly consider it as an answer to the complaint from the other side:— " May I be permitted to question the justice of some re marks which appear in your City article of this morning re lative to the attendance of bankers and their establishments in courts of law as'witnesses ? " I cannot think an attorney would desire to subpcena every individual connected with a bank if it were net abso lutely necessary for him to do so, and I know from my own practice, that bankers, like most other persons, are very anxious not to attend themselves, or to allow their clerks to attend u witnesses; if it can possibly be avoided. Hence impediments are thrown in the attorney's way, aad being un able to learn with certainty who the party is that he n_ quires, he is driven to the unpleasant resource of surly toning the whole establishment. lam not aware that this has ever occurred in practice, but it is no doubt often held out as a threat in order to obtain information. " Plaintiffs are frequently nonsuited in actions which re late to cheques and bills of exchange, in consequence of bankers sending wrong persons to prove facts connected with these documents. " Lord Abinger, Baron Gurney, and other Judges, have recommended from the bench, that parties should summon every person connected with a bank when the bankers refuse to give such information as would insure the selection of the right individual." RUN ON THE WESTERN BANK_ Yesterday morning the public of this city were startled by hearing that a ran for gold was making on the Western Bank. Nobody possessed of the slightest knowledge and judgment hesitated instantly to ascribe the occurrence to some monstrous folly or still more monstrous wickedness, yet throughout the entire day the bank was besieged by persons hurrying to it with notes for which they demanded payment in specie. These de mands were promptly complied with, and in the course of the day somewhere about 9,0001. was paid in sove - reigns. So far as we have heard, however, not a single individual of the least mercantile standing in the partook in, or gave the slightest countenance We heard of one gent l eman, i ndeed, wt beingi),fr., the run. com parative stran ger i n Glasgow. a ';ems with the vulgar alarrr and , g: to have been affected was extremely anxious to withdraw a ,?::posit of several hundred pounds he had in the hands of the bank. But the expostulations and expla nations of his friends re-assured him, and he allowed his money to remain where it was. All other demands, we be lieve, were for sums of trifling amount, showing that the panic existed only among persons who were incapable of judging of the propriety or impropriety of what they were doing. The smallness of the amount of gold with drawn, too, compared with the circulation of the bank, which exceeds 300,0001., is an additional evidence that tho alarm was confined to ignorant and insignificant parties. The original cause of the panic, however, is a different question. Amidst the universal feeling of con fidence in our banks which so justly prevails in Scotland, and looking also at the known strength and prosperity of the Western Bank, it is difficult to conceive of any accidental circumstance which could avail to produce it. We are, therefore, naturally led to suspect malicious in tent ; and some circumstances have been mentioned to us which present indications of plan and design. We have also heard rumours of a person who had been dis appointed of certain discounting accommodation he had expected from the bank, having been very busy selling its pound notes at 17s. We cannot say what truth there may be in this. There is no doubt, however, that notes were selling here and there throughent the suburban parts of the town at a considerable discount—the pieties receiving them probably knowing very well that they were making a capital bargain. We heard of nu ingenious grocer, who took some pains to let hi!, neighbours know that he would take Western B s " notes in payment of goods, and who, in tense' quence, bad, for a night and day, the best stroke et business he ever did in his life. From whatever cause the alarm may have originated, the run, if r° there was to be, could not .have happened at a better time. To-morrow the regulations relating to Scotch banks, enacted by Sir Robert Peel's Bill, come into ope ration, and as a matter of course, every bank whose steel of gold was previously under the amount required by the Bill must have been making up its deficiency. Sur posing, therefore, that the run hail been one of a serious, instead of being, as it has been, of a trifling character! circumstances could not have b, en more favourable for successfully meeting it. Had the demand outrun th e specie of the Western Bank, the other banks would We been abundantly able as they would li ,ve been WY willing to give it aid. In the actual circumstances' however, aid was neither needed nor given. If the Tu ll has arisen from the concerted effort of any evil inter tioned persons, we sincerely trust they will be discoveret and visited with the reproach and punishment their wickedness deserves. In the mean time we Wu,' suggest to our intelligent readers the propriety of di." countenancing among their less informed neighbo ur : and dependents all such needless alarms as that * hi % we have above described. Various circumstances R ave recently occurred to weaken the general feeling deer fidence in connexion with monetary affairs, but lb ere s are undoubtedly no causes fitted to produce such an efrec connected with the circumstances of any of bur Scot ch banks.—Glasyow Chronicle. THE RIVER PLATE. — LIVERPOOL , SATUltralr' Accounts to the 27th of September inclusive bil l been received from Buenos Ayres per the Sara Jobs" est arrived in the Channel. The contemplated blockade of the port had been lir stituted on the 24th. The term allowed for the departure of neutral ye had been extended to 30 days. The British and French Ministers had addresse d, the Argentine Government a strong note, detailing grievances of which they complain. 'Es It was rumoured that the forces under .., TT rqlll bsd gone over to the Monte Videan Government. All the British vessels on the spot had been chardr ea for at 90s. per ton for salted hides and tallow, 71. to S l ' dry hides, and 70s. for bale goods. a d. Tho Calliope, from this port, had been refused mission by the blockading squadron. Monte Videan advices to the 20th had been receift A loan of 300,000 dollars to the Monte Videan cutive was contemplated. a Commercial intercourse with Corrientes and farsg il would, it was anticipated, be shortly resumed. We annex extracts from private mercantile accounts' " Buenos Ayres, Sept. 2 1 0 , " With reference to what we communicated in ° lgo last, in regard to a threatened blockade of this p?r 1, ... 4 have now to inform you, that an official no tification, copy of which we inclose—was made yesterday by Z, British and French Charge d'Affaires to the forignf;• suls establishing a blockade of the ports of the proTo of Buenos Ayres, to commence from to-morrow, 13 only being alllowed for vessels to leave the port. . 0 0 " The Ministers have not b een move d t o the adoptl,,, of this measure solely by the late decree of this Gol'ors ment prohibiting intercourse with British and R e do vessels of war, but from a general consideration 0f,.04 various grievances of which they have to complain , which have been embodied in a declaration sent W Government. The charges brought against the Goti, merit in this document are of so serious a character , 7 0 we understand, are so minutely stated, that it W il pi se hereafter almost impossible for the Ministers to r e ,, 9 c ol any amicable relations with the Government of Ge' o ei Roses. There is every prospect that a trade will, '"or be opened from Monte Video to Uorrientes and k_., na i guay ; and, as individuals in Monte Video are des o ld of chartering foreign vessels for this trade, it no appear probable that all flags will be protected 1° navigation. " September 0;e " Captain hope, of the Firebrand, landed here Ye l3 to p day morning, and, we understand, communicated ti l _t ae ll extension of 15 days' time would be granted for mid to leave the port, which term will expire on the 24 ' o p October ; but no official notification has yet been 113 of this extension." t bo We have received accounts from Monte Video tod 20th inst. A meeting of the merchants has been fol io % the house of Mr. Ouseley to hear propositions for to o° a loan to the Monte Videan Government of 3°° 'ibe dollars, Monte Videan currency, repayable froth 01 duties of the year 1848, with 30 to 40 per cent. prerel•-no repayment being guaranteed by the British and il i a Ministers. The terms were not, however, defle it ' v os settled. A question was asked at the meeting es ° h ob opening of the navigation of the river Parana, to Mr. Ouseley replied, that possibly in a fortnight's 1, `",,i convoy of British, French, and Oriental vessels of ''ol,l might be given to merchant vessels, but that be W ° o l make an official communication as soon as anythieg,,ol decided upon. There is consequently a sure Pr° s ril that the navigation will shortly be opened and efficiee, ~,A DV' protected, and an extensive trade establis hed Monte Video to Corrientes and Paraguay. Se . " There is a very general report today :aPtthenlbr a ttbe 2 f' 6-44. 0 1 under General tirquiza has gone over to the 34°1 :01 Videan party. If true, it will not be long befer e ay p hrve a satisfactory settlement of a ff a i rs . Th e re is lig dently something wrong with llosas's troops ‘ Banda Oriental. There is no popular exciten3eelto this city, and no molestation has yet been oge e " foreigners." BLOCKADE OF BUENOS AYRES. OFFICIAL NOTIFICATION. 1445. " Buenos Ayres, Sept. 22, •- " Sir,—l have the honour to inform you, that in i;01 sequence of a decision which the Ministers of Efig • * and France in Monte Video have found necessary? blockade of the ports and coasts of the pruvie ee de Buenos Ayres has been declared, and that such blot or t o! will be enforced by the combi ne d squa d rons of keg and France forty-eight hours a ft er th e d a te of We t sent notification. " * Fifteen days, however, will be allowed for th e t o parture of vessels from Buenos Ayres.—l hov e t „ honour to be, Sir, your most obedient humble seri al) " FRANCIS LEESON BALL, " Her Majesty's Charg6 d'Afli re " To —, Consul, &c." ' Since extended to thirty days. or , (From the " New York Spirit of the Tinl e ti o sio "English Sporting Intelligence.—The st eam -ship Ca', lo te arrived in Boston on Monday last, bringing our usual Peed the 19th ult. On opening that par agon o f s p or ting I n d it cals, Bell's Life in London, we were delighted to. 0' clothed in an entire new dress, and nearly d ou bled o t er of It now contains 40 closely printed columns, filled With, 00, variety of information, interesting alik e t o th e s ports fleet the general reader; but notwithst an di ng th e eolarg e s ia 0 and consequent increased outlay, th e p r i ce w ill ret2,, pi) formerly, 6d. only."—No weekly j ourna l equa l to .flei i • for Englishmen abroad. SA tilr ; DEATH BY FIRE OF A N A GED L AD y.— n —R day morning an inquest was held before William, Esq., at the residence of Mr. R ogers , o f Woodside,,ANsti on the body of Mrs. Sarah Bashford, aged 96. littt tb Carpenter, of Woodside, was swore, and deposed ..„ 3 .tdoer deceased lady was her mother. On the afternoon of 11 '00 day week, between the hours of two and three, th e y 0 0 ! sitting together by the side of the fire in the parlour , _ O OOl witness, happening to turn h er h ea d towar d s t he deec — sie discovered that the whole of her dress was in fiant e9. ; o the screamed for assistance, and M rs . Ri c h ar d s, who wa s „ , re " house, came, and as quickly as they could ttif_l clothes off, but this occupied some time, as, the u— s bel t 1 - d burning very fi e r ce ly. Th e d ecease d was suc h bur n- ti* the head and face, neck, arms, and ck- est. As well t' d pr, were able they dressed th e wound', with linseed oil a l° °` tatoes, until the arrival of M':. Bottomley, the I "'w c hsrir, Croydon, who then took tti deceased under his ow o dear,' and was in attendano ' upon her up to the per i o d of her.,;tee' which took place '",,n Tuesday. Mr. Carter asked the if she could Form any opinion of the manner in wh i e c e unfortu ter S" 7:ate lady's clothes had caught fi re . Mrs. her Ca r s ed sai'!, that a short time befo re th e d ecease d misse d (OA kerchief, which was lying inside the fender, and 5 1 1 6 . 07 t ness) supposed that while th ere a s p ar k b a d fallen that by putting it in her pocket it had smouldered_nbeh. burst into flames. The Coroner and jury e xpreen fel" s od surprise and regret at the melancholy occurrence, dict of "Accidental death" was returned. HONOURS TO GEOLOGY.—The Emperor of o f the has appointed Mr. Murchison, an effective tnember. l o Academy of Sciences of St. P e t ers b urg , w i t h the In l ce '. rank, &c., in the imperial s erv i ce , perta i n i ng to and has conferred on him the Grand Cross of Stanisla s p the recompense for his geological l a b ours i n th e empire-1 00 1r publication of his new work, "Russia in Europe, and Mountains." BIRTHS J. AO iP' On the 2d inst., at Hawl e y- roa d, Kentish-to - wilt 6- of John Neville Warren, Esq., o f a son. T a o . AO ' On the 2d inst., at West Bath- s t ree t, 'Glasgow, ..-- if. ander D'Orsey, of a son. On the 4th inst., in South Audlephtreet, the lady o f , til e Neale, Esq., of a daughter. On the sth inst., at Bryalnton-street, Portman -o g ° lady of Dr. Kelaart, Army Medical Staff, of a son. MARRIED. , i , ) 01 / . On the 41 .. a inst., at Bishopsthorpe, Colonel Ge° r vhter cohas t':, Georgiana Vernon Harcourt, youngest &tug _ A th Archbishop of York. iti°llsl On the 4th inst., at St. Margaret's, W e stminster , to ge Drake, Hammett Esq., of Brompton, to Selina , nal . ' daughter of the late Anthony Gimblett, Esq., of 241. ..,... _.. Devon. ----.- of yard' On the 25th ult., at Bla D ckheath, Mr. Edgar ShaP• , Watling-street, London, aged 25. On the 27th ult., at Buckland, B rec k no ckshire, G eergi°7 the wife of Lieutenant-Colonel Benfield Des Vocux• e d On the 30th ult., at Beverley, Mr. W. Hodgson, al ba $e o ' , ' On the 30th ult., at Knossington, Leicestershir e, Thomas Wartnaby, Rector of that place, aged 77 „,,,,..0 J 10 On the 30th ult., at Cunnin g h am -pl a ce, St. Job' Richard Burney, Esq., aged 55. , 9111.4 On the Ist inst., in Petersburgh-terrace, Bayswater cla Vines, Esq., aged 58. Cla ° On the 3d init., at Clapham, Sarah, relict of J. Nattes, Esq. t . , On the 3d inst., at Pimli c o, M r . W. Trahar, a ged t i 35- On the 4th inst., at Svdenham, Mr. G. Wattso° , ev bat'" On the 4th inst., Kir. T. Chandless, Newingt°n- rd S yurre he sth in, aged 78. gic lig On tst., at Hampton-wick, MiddleseX, Fortnum, Esq. 1 01)61' On the sth ink , Duncan, the infant son of Dani el son, Esq., Camden Lodg Peckam. And re° On the sth inst., at ' Heath- h street, Hampstead, Robertson, Esq., aged 68 11 aoseremern=z='" --- 9.f London : Printed anu P u bli s h e d by MI/RDO YOUNCIPI 2,10. 13f,f, strand, Printer, at 7714 Bent Ohio. , No. 112, Strand, in lciatwv" of the Savoy, to the County o f Zdtddlesex, Mondith es 1848„ .a 9 of It w an the claimeqs rainsu Vjaa 1 wire s 'IA re arties It yr, Throgr t lintd 1 I t , To A. v 4 8i T, N ohlitnati Vier ~ liaart!en"J le lkool (1444 1 t< theity .441 • 4 1 t c c in k Y to %yi n . 'oer n -5 " k ftto _u, ti _lt Cab hi 44blias W it 14. 147,41 he IN sti 4 :k ttes I % ? elt4 ,„,„ 4 . 41 , A-... sr / Nor. zz-b“ . xvkiu, t 1,0 mrvail.'