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

LAW INTELLIG E NCE. COURT OF EXCHEQUER, Dec. 6. LIBEL ON A CLERGYMAN OF THE ESTABLISHED CHURCH. JAMES V. 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 as well, and more in accordance with the customary forbearance 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 ject 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 clearly of opinion that the defendant had been guilty of no libel in 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 COMMON PLEAS, Dec. 6. (Sittings in London.) CRDL CON.--BPENCER V. M`DONALII. This was an action, in the Common Pleas, Guildhall (be fore the L2rd Chief Justice and a common jury), brought by the plaintllE, 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 unfortunate 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 Bylea 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 RYLES 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 intereourse 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 concealed in the cellar, and they heard Mrs. Spencer come down stairs and let defendant in at the shop door, when he put his arms round her neck and gave her a kiss, 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 bad 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 knolgyou are so near me every night, and I cannot see you. Waa it not for the trouble that must come, I would risk everything and come to see you, and do the best I could for myself. I think the reason this is so long about is that he cannot part 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 hgr. lam 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 yours. That I know to be true, and should not let him if he 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. Now, 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 about Madam. I cannot live any longer without seeing you, though 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 came. Ride if it rains, and I will pay you again. " MARIA." The second letter had likewise no date, bat had been sent by post 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, my dear, I shall see you to-morrow (Sunday), as the time appears 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 is of the greatest importance, and then I will speak, to you respecting Madam. Do not fail to come, as it is " Ordinnance" Sunday.—Yours until death, " MARIA." In appealing to them for damages, he was not instructed to make this case a mere matter of pounds, shillings, and pence, the anxiety and desire of the plaintiff being to obtain such a verdict from them as world prevent the world jpsup posing as to blame, or had in any manner, directly or indireetl ncouraged the defendant. Will Cross, examined by Sergeant BTLES—I reside in High-street, Borough. I have known the plaintiff and his wife for a long time. They have been married about fourteen years, during which time, until 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 acquaintanceship with Mr. Spencer was his being apprenticed with me; and since his marriage I had been is the habit of visiting him from time to time, and always observed the most perfect harmony. Women, friends of Mrs. Spencer, and also of Mr. Spencer, were also there at the time of his calling. David Robertson, examined by Mr. AsrurALL--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 connexion with the de fendant. James Brennan, examined by Mr. Asrman—l am a ser geant of police of the G division. On Sunday, the 10th et August, the plaintiff applied to me to go to his house, he hewing a suspicion of some person being in the habit of ♦isiting his house in his absence, and requested that he, together with another police-constable, would secrete them eSeltrea in the lower part of the premises so as to detect the individual; he (the witness) accordingly went in company of poli-constable Tate, 138 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 cams down 'airs, 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 arranging 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 at 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 was the plaintiff's case. The CHIEF JUSTICE, 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 seducer, but of this there was no evidence. Defendant certainly had not been en intimacy with the plaintiff, and so availed himself by seducing the wife. The jury had to consider what injury the plaintiff had sustained, and to assess the damages ac coydingly. The jury. after a brief consultation, returned a verdict for plaintiff—Damages, 1001. CE a TRAL 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, the business will be very heavy. The judges on the rota are Lord Chief Justice Tindal, Mr. Baron Alderson, and Mr. Justice Pattoson. 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 Erie. For the session commencing Feb. 2—Mr. Justice Wil liams, Mr. Baron Rolfe, and Mr. Justice Creswell. For the session commencing Feb. 23—The Judges who may be appointed to go the Norfolk Spring Ci4cuit. For the session commencing March 30—Mr. Justice Coleridge, Mr. Justice Maule, and Mr. Baron Platt. For tho session commencing May 11—Lord Denman, Mr. Baron Alderson, and Mr. Justice Coltman. For the session commencing June 15—Lord Chief us'ice Tindal, Mr. Justice Patteson, and Mr. Baron Rolfe. For the session commencing July 6—The Judges ap pointed to go the Norfolk Autumn Circuit. ffor the session commencing August 17—Mr. Justice Coleridge, Mr. Justice Wightman, and Mr. Justice Cros well. For the session commencing Sept. 21—Mr. Baron Parke, Mr. Justice Maule, and Mr. Baron Platt. For the session commencing Oct. 26—The Lord Chief Baron, Mr. Justic• Williams, and Mr. Justice Erle. rADVERTIS*ENT.] —DEFECTIVE SIGHT AND 11EAR' Ne fletilven. Instruments; and Spectacles sent into the country by post, 39, Albemarle-street, Piccadilly, Newly-In veiniest S i ectacles, Powerful Telescopes, Opera Glasses, Micro scopes, &c.—f etronised by his Majesty the King of Hanover, her Grace the Dowager D u c hess of Bedf o r d , their Graces the Archbishop of Canterbury, York, and Dublin, the Dukes of Dev nuihire, Norfolk, Argyle, Marlborough, and Manchester, 11;shops of Exeter, Lincoln, Cork, Elpbin and Kildare. Messrs. S. and B. Solomons, Oculists and Opticians, have invented Spectacle Lenses upon a new construc tion. lecliately they are placed before impe l ,_ sect vislPh - , either by day or candlelight, that mist and dullness which appear before the eyes is at once removed, and every object becomes clear and distinct, so that tae most aged defective sight becomes bright and brilliant, and is brought to its youthful, natural, and original state. Also the most Powerful Achromatic Telescopes, Opera Glasses, Ilicrosoopes, Invisible and all kinds of Acoustic Instruments for relief of extreme deafness. Caution—Messrs. S. and B. Solomon., Opticians, are not in any way connected with a person of the same name in their immediate neighbourhood, Iler in any part of the country. To prevent mistakes be cautious, and observe—Only to he had at 39, Albemarle-street, Piccadilly, erppoaite the York Hotel. 1311 A 8 7 ttIGAR-DetAitHET, DEC. s.—We have still a very Emir sugar-market, and prices must be quoted rather easier; the sales of this week do not exceed 500 hhds. West India and a few lota of Bengals. Nothing doing in Mauritius, and the demand for nun is still limited.—Bristol Mercury. POLICE INTELLIGENCE. MANSION-HOUSE. The LORD MAYOR apprehended that there were a great many cases parallel to that which the letter he had dust read recited, and he trusted that the provisional committee 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 fact 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, for the pur pose of plundering persons receiving money from those houses. His 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 had employed two ex perienced and efficient police officers to patrol Lombard street and its vicinity 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, but 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 Master man's bank, had been followed up in the way described. THE SUN, LONDON, MONDAY EVENING, DECEMBER 8, 1845. GUILDHALL. On Saturday application was made for a sum mons against a share agent for detaining fifty railway shares, on which 2Z 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 he had sold them at l3i 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 MUSGROVE said there was nothing that reflected discredit on the company in this case. They had a right to be guaranteed against paying the money a second time, and they were entitled to all the assist ance that could be given by the complainant to trace the party who bad 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 publio to buy shares at a pre mium, and afterwards turn upon them and say the corn pany is dissolved, and each of the shareholders may receive back 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, 21. 12s. 6d. per share, and was informed that the Parliamentary deed would soon be ready for signing, when he 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 would not apply to Parliament 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 might 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. He 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 DAVIS, Chairman, and a full Bench o' Magistrates. DARING BURGLARY AT DAGENHAM. —Joseph 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, 401. 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 bad 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 Hickman, 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 Hickman, leave home and proceed to Mr. C. W, Tanner's coal-wharf at Wost 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 back-d oor and through the river. They were pursued, and Ainsworth captured at that time. On searching the house, he found a large quantity of tim ber and bricks, which had be en id en tifi e d by M r . D ar by. the foreman of the Thames Junction Railway, as the property of that Company. Other evidence with respect to stealing the lead hav ing been gone into, The CHAIRMAN 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 proaeeu- 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 CHAIRMAN—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, for stealing the lead, but remanded for the attendance of the railway people, a summons being issued against them for that purpose. INCENDIARY FIRES IN NOTTING HAMSHIRE. 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 unfoldiwhat judgment cannot penetrate. INCENDIARY FIRE NEAR OXTON.—On Saturday last an incendiary fire took place at Ramsdale Farm, a dis tance of five 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 Oxton; 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 2,000/. 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 Halam, 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 he 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 here 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 Beeston 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 for 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 the 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 Sawley 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 ray 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 he 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, and 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•- clesfield 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 rowers are in despair, for the young officers had 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 fi r mess room tables, as the best Havannahs, imported direct from Havannah 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 OF 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 Highness'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 211 - ercuries we meet with advertisements of books, and they differ not very much from the announcements of oar 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 Sir Roger L'Estrange. At the Restoration, the proceedings of Parliament were interdicted to be pub lished, unless by authority, and the first daily paper after the Revolution took the popular title of the Orange Intelli gencer. In the reign of Queen 'Anne there was but one daily paper, the Daily aurant. 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.— The Patrician. WAKEFIELD CORN MARKET, FRIDAY.—We have fair supplies of wheat and barlay, and moderate of other grain. There was a very limited business done in wheat to day, and to effect sales a decline of is. 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 Is. per quarter less than last week. Oats sold at a reduction of id. per stone, and shelling 6d. er load Malt 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 the following case : Among the numerous railway projects we have se lected three, which we will call the A, B, 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 smaller 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 `l3' and C' Railways. A gentleman named Z. filled up and signed, and sent to each of the committees of three railways, a request for fifty 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 21. 2s. per share, amounting to the above sum, must be paid tc) one of the undermen tioned bankers on or before Wednesday, the 25th instant, or such allotment 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 contract, which will lie for 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 ment will be cancelled, and the shares disposed of to other applicants" are used. " 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 20/. 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 seen 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 th© 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 carry 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., a. 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 responsible and influential 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 for 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 or in 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 be instituted against him to defend himself. —____ Temple, Dec. 6, 1845. FITZROY KELLY. J. PITT TAYLOR. RAILWAY SHARE MARKETS. BRISTOL, DEC. 6. STOCK EXCHANGE.—The sales are—Bristol and Exeter, Ditto, New, 5 3 A—Midland, New, 18 —Vale of Neath, 31. 13s. 9d. _ SHEFFIELD, DEC. 6. STOCK EXCHANGE.—The sales are—Grand Union, 1% -- Manchester, Midland, and Great Grimsby, 2 %—Wakeffeld and Harrogate, 2%,—Sheffield and Manchester, Quarter Shares No. 3., 5 3 / I —Sheffield and Manchester, 119—South Wales, 3.36. EDINBURGH, DEC. 5. STOCK EXCHANGE.-The sales are-Aberdeen, 4'. 10s.- Aberdeen, Banff, and Elgin, 21.-Airdrie and :13athgate, 21. 55.-Arbroath and Forfar, 251.-Ditto, Half Shares, 15/.- Armagh and Portrush, 1/. 155.-Ayr and Dumfries 2/. 155.-Ayr and Galloway, 21.5x.-Banffshir e, 2/ . 55.-Belfast and County Down, 31.-British and Irish Union, 3/. Bs.- Caledonian, 12/.-Caledonian Extension, 3/.- Caledonian and Dumbarton, 3L-Caledonian and Northern Direct, 31. Os. 6d. -Cambridge and Lincoln, 4/. 55.-Camwarth and West Lin ton, 1/. 145.-Chelmsford and Bury, 11. 12s. 6d.-Clydesdale Junction, 191.-Cornwall and Devon, 2/. Bs.-Deeside Rail way, 5/. 10s.-Direct Northern, 21.-Dublin and Enniskillen, 4/. 7s. 6d.-Dundee and Arbroath, 35/. 10s.-Ditto, Ne w , M.-Dundee and Perth, 6L 17s. 6d.-East of Fife, 2/.- East Coast of Scotland, 2/. 135.-East Lothian Central, 2/. 35.-Edinburgh and Bathgate, 3/. -Edinburgh and Glasgow, ex new, 65/.-Ditto, Half Shares, 151. 10s.-Ditto, Quar ters, 151. 10s.-Ditto, ditto, New, 121. 10s.-Edinburgh, Glasgow, and Dumbarton,lBs.-Edinburgh and Leith Atmos pheric, 2/. 55.-Edinburgh and Leith Atmospheric Direct, 11. 155.-Edinburgh, Leith, and Granton, 21/. 10s.-Ditte, Preference, 18/Aft-Edinburgh and Northern, 41.75.-Ditto, Newport, 1/. Bs.-Ditto, Lochgelly, 1/. 145. 6d.-Edinburgh and Peebles, ex new, 2/. 28.-Edinburgh and Perth, 4/. 17s. 6d.-Edinburgh, Portobello, and Musselburgh, 1/. 10s.- Forth and Clyde Junction, 2/. 55.-Glasgow and Ayrshire, 701.-Ditto, New Stock, 23/.-Ditto, Quarter Shares, 211. 12s. 6d.-Glasgow and Belfast Union, 2/. ls.-Glasgow, Dumfries, and Carlisle, 21. 55.-Glasgow and Dundee Junc tion, '2l. 55.-Glasgow and Garnkirk, 45L-Glasgow and Greenock, 211.-Ditto, New, 10/. 155.-Ditto, Preference, 2/. 55.-Glasgow Harbour Grand Junction, 2/. 10s.-Glasgow Harbour 111ineral, 2/. 195.-Glasgow, Kilmarnock, and Ar drossan, 2/. 12s. 6d.-Glasgow, Strathaven, and Lesmahagow, 31.-Granton Junction, 2/. 10s.-Great County Down, 21. 12s. 6d.-Great North of Scotland, 2/. 155.-Great North and South Wales, 12s. 6d.-Inverness and Elgin, 11.155.-Lanark and Galloway, 2/. 10s.-Lanark and Lothians, D. 17s. 6d. -Larne and Ballymena, 2/. 25.-London and Hounslow, 21. -London and Manchester (Rem.), 31. 55.-London and Man chester (Rastrick), 5/. 10s.-London and Windsor, 11.- London and York ' 41. 55.-Midland and Eastern Counties, 21. 7s. 6d.-Morayshire, 11.-Newcastle and Berwick, 11/. -Newry and 'Londonderry, 21. 10s.-North British, ex new, 221. 10s.-Ditto, Halves, ex new, 51. 10s.-Ditto, Ex tension to'Carlisles 2/. 95.-Ditto, Extensiou to Dalkeith, 6/. 55.-North Wales Mineral, New, 4/. 75.-1 erth and Crieff Direct, 21. 25.-Perth and Inverness, 1/. 195.-Scottish Cen tral, 14/.-Scottish Central and Caledonian Junction, 2/.-. Scottish Midland, 31.-Scottish North Western 1/. Ms.-- Scottish South Midl an d, 2/. 4 5 .-Scottish Southern, 2/. ss. -Scottish Western, 2/. 10s. -Shrewsbury and Hereford, 17s. 6d.-Shrewsbury, Oswestry, and Chester, 6/.-South Midland, 6/. 7s. 6d.-Stirling and Dunfermline. 2/. 10s.- Stirling and Midland, 2/. 175.-Strathern Junction, 3/. 58.- Surrey Grand Junction, 1/. 2s. 6d.-Tean and Dove Valley, it 13.a.--Tyne Valley, 1/.185.-Wiaharr and Coltness, 521. 108. GLASGOW, DEC. 5. STOCK EXCIIAXGE.—The sales are—Aberdeen, s—Aber deen, Banff, and Elgin, 38s.—Airdrie and Batligate, 555. British and Irish Union, 70s.—Caledonian Extension, 60s.— Caledonian and Ayrshire Junction, 38s.—Caledonian and Dumbartonshire Junction, 45s.—Clydesdale Junction, 181.— Dundee and Forfar Junction, 62a. 6d.—Glasgow and Belfast Union, 43s.—Glasgow, Kilmarnock, and Ayr, New, 18/. Glasgow, Kilmarnock, and Ardrossan, 63s.—Lanark and Lothians, 575. 6d.—Scottish Central, 131.—Scottish Central and Caledonian Junction, 36s.—South Midland, 51.—Stirling and Dunfermline, 455. Strathearn Junction, 50s. lIULL, DEC. 6. STOCK EXCHANGE.—The sales are—London and Croydon, 18% —Armagh, Coleraine, and Portrush, I%—Grand Union, 28s. 9d.—Hull and Barnsley Junction, 42e.—London and Birmingham Extension, 1 1 4—London and York, 3% —Not- Erewash, Sec.. 2%—Nottingham, Belvoir, and Gran tham, 2 1 4—North Western, 3/. ls.—North Staffordshire, Si. 4s. 6d. YORK, DEC. 6. STOCK EXCHANGE.—The sales are—Midland, New, 18% —Newcastle and Darlington, Brandling, 44 1 —York and North Midland Extension, 25—Newcastle and Berwick, 9( 1 —Ditto, New, 6—London and York, 31. IBs. 9d.—Grand Union, I%—Leicester and Bedford, I%—North Stafford shire, s—Welsh Midland, 2/. 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 not ungracious, capitulation which we announced on Thursday last, its solution would be found in the number of public meetings which it has collected together throughout the country. Edinburgh, Leeds, Stroud, Southwark, 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 manoeuvres, to much criticism and dissection. If 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 we 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 hard-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? Do 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 niched 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 extirpation of whole tribes by fire and sword in the latter. Unfortunately, the true nature of " 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 bra n d 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 a " 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 six( ch 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. ori6s. of our average, which corro borates our estimate of the protection at ss. fid 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 asr.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 itera 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 761. 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 2001. 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 shillings eachon 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 2361. 18s. 11d. of the last paragraph, will give 2871. 18s lid., 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 OR 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 agaia. Meantime we recommend it to the perusal of those who have any misgivings as to the effect 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 ins. 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 quenee 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 centage is to be issued as follows, viz.:- 300,0001. 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 the 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 10/. 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 will then make the paid-up capital 414 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 respect to their 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 tors. The Brighton shareholders aro 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 34,000/. 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 subpoena 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 as witnesses, if it can possibly be avoided. Hence impediments are thrown in the attorney's way, and being un able to learn with certainty who the party is that he re quires, he is driven to the unpleasant resource of summoning 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 seleetion of the right individuaL" RUN ON THE WESTERN BANK. Yesterday morning the public of this city were startled by hearing that a run 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 city partook in, or gave the slightest countenance to the run. We heard of one gentleman, indeed, who, being a com parative stranger in Glasgow, seems to have been affected with the vulgar alarm, and was extremely anxious to withdraw a deposit 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 w, re doing. The smallness of the amount of gold with d, awn, too, compared with the circulation of the bank, which exceeds 300,0001., is an additional evidence that the alarm was anifined 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 n ° , tei .. were selling here and .there through , ut the sub arl l reirts of the town at a considerable discount—the p ast e receiving them probably knowing very we ll that ti' o ` , were making a capital bargain. We heard of ingenious grocer, who took some pains to letsehoi neighbours know that he would tare Weatern notes in payment of goods, and who, in 0 :1 guc nee, had, for a night and day, the best stroke ei business he ever did in his lire. From whatet 11 4 cause the alarm may have originated, the run , there was to be, could not have happened at a ~,_„t eb time. To-morrow the regulations relating to Du' banks, enacted by Sir Itibert Peel's Bill, come into erk ration, and as a matter of course, every bank whose s t of gold was previously under the amount requitad -the Bill must have been making up its deficiency. ' ll l, posing, therefore, that the run ha;'. bass one of a se rir instead of being, as it has been, of a trifling charseLf 'e circumstances could not have b, en more favoura ble the successfully meeting it. Hail the demand outruns. 0 specie of the Western Bank, the oth.-r banks woul d been abundantly able as they would h .ve been willing to give it aid. In the actual circurosie ll _ ro s however, aid was neither needed nor given. If do , er has arisen from the concerted effort of any evil irlA tioned persons, we sincerely trust they will be disc ov p and visited with the reproach and punishment their wickedness deserves. In the mean time we I° , "air suggest to our intelligent readers the propriety e' io s countenancing among their less informed Dei4h b 7lOl and dependents all such needless alarms as that - 1 ,00 we have above described. Various ci rc umstances recently occurred to weaken the general feeling 01 , 0 0 fideuce in connexion with monetary affairs, but I fe l are undoubtedly no causes fitted to produce such all„,b connected with the circumstances of any of our banks.—Glasgow Chronicle. THE RIVER PLATE. /. LIVERPOOL, SATuani.,_.d Accounts to the 27th of September inclusive P7O been received from Buenos Ayres per the SarniP liglii arrived in the Channel. The contemplated blockade of the port had 10 115 f" stituted on the 24th. $ The term allowed for the departure of neutral v e°Bl had been extended to 30 days. d The British and French Ministers had addres se the Argentine Government a strong note, detailing grievances of which they complain. It was runic , d thy - ' ;h for- l d UrqUiZa ..as rumours._ iat the forces under :(P -gone over to the Monte Videan Government. All the British vessels on the spot had been cha r a te/ s at 90s. per ton for salted hides and ta ll ow, 71 to 0 " dry hides, and 70s. for bale goods. The Calliope, from this port, had Leen refuse*" mission by the blockading squadron. Monte Videan advises to the 20th had been rene j emr °4 A loan of 300,000 dollars to the Monte Videan cutive was contemplated. Commercial intercourse with Corrientes and red would, it was anticipated, be shortly resumed. We annex extracts from private mercantile accoun;s. " Buenos Ayres, Sel ll- ,_ " With reference to what we communicated is if last, in regard to a threatened blockade of this pnr i f) have now to inform you, that an official notilicatiotro copy of which we inclose—was m a d e y e sterday 1 14 British and French Charge d'Affaires to the forign `Loi suls, establishing a blockade of the ports of the progk of Buenos Ayres, to commence from to-morrow, 15 only being alllowed for vessels to leave the port. AO " The Ministers have not been moved to the ad'Sf' of this measure solely by the late decree of this ment prohibiting intercourse with British and vessels of war, but from a general consideration °Poi various grievances of which they have to co mplailky which have been embodied in a d ec l a ration sent VA Government. The charges brought against the G ment in this document are of so serious a characterV we understand, are so minutely stated, that it 7,01 hereafter almost impossible for the Ministers to 1 • 1 ,70 any amicable relations with the G o v er nment of G., 4d ßosas. There is every prospect that a trade giliS be opened from Monte Video to Uorrientes and listd guay ; and, as individuals in Monte Video are desj of chartering foreign vessels for this trade, it ?PO appear probable that all flags will be protected 11: ' navigation. " Captain Hope, of the Firebrand, la ‘ ndedhet? ' September 1.0 day morning, and, we und e rstand, commu nicated nl e il extension of 15 days' time would be granted for , W i d to leave the port, which term will ex pi r e on the 2 o il October ; but no official notification has yet been of this extension." We have received accounts from Monte Video ° it; 20th inst. A meeting of the merc h an t s h a s been be_ti f 4 the house of Mr. Ouseley to h ear p ro p os it io ns form wi l so a loan to the Monte Videan Government of 3I dollars, dollars, Monte Videan cu r r enc y, re p a y a ble frni n o sil duties of the year 1848, with 30 to 40 per cent. pre4oc) repayment being guaranteed by the British and % f ell Ministers. The terms were not, however, defln i t r de settled. A question was asked at the meeting 05 0 ,bis) opening of the navigation of the river Parana, Woe , Mr. Ouseley replied, that possibly in a fortnight's „ convoy of British, French, and Ori e ntal vessels 0000 might be given to merchant vessels, but that he ir 1 00 make an official communication as soon as anythingneof decided upon. There is consequently a sure pr that the navigation will shortly be opened and etflelfrol protected, and an extensive trade established Monte Video to Corrientes and Paraguay. " There is a very general report to-day a; P t i h e a rn t b t e h r e! f o op °#6. ‘ S under General Urquiza has gone over to the bor,w's. Videan party. If true, it will no t b e long 3icr hrve a satisfactory settlement of affairs. There is sy deutly something wrong with Rosas's troops tat, 1$ Banda Oriental. There is no ' popular exciten 3 e n to this city, and no molestation has yet been offer ed foreigners." BLOCKADE OF BUENOS AYRES. OFFICIAL NOTIFICATION. " Buenos Ayres, Sept 2 2 , 18 10: " Sir,—l have the honour to inform you, that in p oi sequence of a decision which the Ministers of Eng and France in Monte Video have found necessarPoi blockade of the ports and coasts of the provinciede Buenos Ayres has been declared, and that such b1 0c 4 1 ,0 11 will be enforced by the combined squadrons of BW. c oe and France forty-eight hours after the date of th e sent notification. " * Fiftcea days, however, will be allowed for the i be parture of vessels from Buenos Ayres.—l bs ge u t, honour to be, Sir, your most obedient humble serve " FRANCIS LEESON BALL, " Her Majesty's Charg‘ d'Affairi"- " To —, Consul, &c." * Since extended to thirty days. . (edy (From the " New York Spirit of the TinlS s. " English Sporting Intelligence.—The steam-ship arrived in Boston on Monday last, bringing our usual ri dr i the 19th ult. On opening that paragon o f s porting P e o r ia I cals, Bell's Life ix London, we were delighted to . 00 clothed in an entire new dress, and nearly d ou bled t ol ff It now contains 40 closely printed c ol umns , filled Nrit h . n. variety of information, interesting a lik e t o the sporten i 7 l ner, the general reader; but notwithstanding the enia r gio 5 and consequent increased outl a y, th e p r i ce will re ol , formerly, 6d. only."—No weekly journal equal to B e l ! for Englishmen abroad. satt yr DEATH BY FIRE OP A N A GED On 00 0 day morning an inquest w as h e ld b e f ore William, — 4 O Esq., at the residence of Mr. R ogers , o f W oo dside, a o iialf on the body of Mrs. Sarah Bashford, aged 96. M r ' a t $7 O Carpenter, of Woodside, was sworn , and deposed th!mter deceased lady was her moth er . O n t h e afternoon of W cu lf day week, between the hours of two and three, they sitting together by the side of the fire in the pa/I°r' _,fir witness, happening to turn her head towards the de e 500 discovered that the whole of her dress was in flatn es 'in screamed for assistance, and M r s. Ri c h ar d s , who wa s re " tr . , house, came, and as quickly as they c o u ld they OV A clothes off, but thi s occup i e d some t i me , as the " — OP' burning very fiercely. The deceased was much burnt a t iol the head and face, neck, ar ms , an d c h es t. As well a s d pi t/ were able they dressed the wo un d s w ith li n seed oil An r tatoes, until the arrival of Mr. B o tt om l e y, the surg e g l ? Croydon, who then took the deceased under his own c de as o . ; and was in attendance upon her up to the period of her it ne which took place on Tuesday. M r . C ar t er as ked the W LI cle if she could form any opi n i on o f th e manner in whi e fieli tef unfortunate lady's clothes had caught fire. Mre• P i atir said that a short time before th e d ecease d missed h e r twir, kerchief, which was lying inside the f en der, and ell e .,:aor, ness) supposed that while there a spa r k had fallen on that by putting it in her pocket it had smouldered 113001 burst into flames. The Coroner and jury exprees e far surprise and regret at the melancholy occurrence, an diet of "Accidental death" was returned. f Bt l HONOURS TO GE OLOGY .—Th e E m p e ror o. °f tb has appointed Mr. Murchison, an e ff ec tive meinbeil n e e Academy of Sciences of St. Peter s bur g , with the Pri g 00 rank, &c., in the imperial servi c e, p er t a i n ing to tha t as° and has conferred on him the Grand Cross of Stanislaut recompense for his geological labours in the empire , st i l i a: t iol publication of his new work, "Russia in Europe, and t Mountains." MARRIED. On the 4th inst., at Bishopsthorpe, Colonel George, ° er of ' colui, to Georgiana Vernon Harc our t, yo u ngest doug h ' the Archbishop of York. c yr hie On the 4th inst., at St. Margaret's, Westminster, ..--ia.oo Hammett Drake, Esq., of Brompton, to Selina, Y 01113 : 6 1 91 daughter of the late Anthony Gimblett, Esq., of Barns"' Devon. DIED. On the 25th ult., at Blackheath, Mr. Edgar ShePP — Watling-street, London, aged 25. On the 27th ult., at Buckland, Brecknockshire, Georg" the wife of Lieutenant-Colonel Bonfield Des Voeux. 5 5, On the 30th ult., at Beverley, Mr. W. Hodgson, aged i` .„of, On the 30th ult., at Knossington Leicesters bi re , the Thomas Wartnaby, Rector of that place, aged 77 0h On the 30th ult., at Cun n ingham-place, St. Johns-gg Richard Brney, Es., aged 55. ag° On the l u et inst., in q Petersburgh-terrace, Bayswater, Vines, Esq., aged 58. ClOde On the 3d inst., at Clapham, Sarah, relict of J. - Nattes, Esq. On the 3d inst., at Pimlico, Mr. W. Trahar, aged 6 3 . ~ 5 5. On the 4th inst., at Sydenham, Mr. G. Wattson , ag e( 40.5, On the 4th inst., Mr. T. Chandless, Newingt on "' Surrey, aged 78. -te,10 14 On the sth inst., at Hampton-wick, Middlesex , ."" Fortnum, Esq. venbeg fr On the sth inst., Duncan, th e i n f a nt son of Daniel son, Esq., Camden Lodge Peckham. A a clrev i On the sth inst., at ' Heath-street, Hampstead, Robertson, Esq., aged 68. London: Printed lino Published by MURDO strand, Printer, at Th e B un Offi ce , No. 112, Strand. in .",„' of the Say oy, i n th e C oun ty o f Middle s ex. Monday, 8, 1845. R A I day of Deee It was re: la ,ari... the equitabi , oby, rilmous law leg a l uabui ~.4 1r es itY pro homy,: P 4 Witi who it was flu Thr_„ OgniOrtO Witted to CO. Wl lO win be It X . Al and the me , he a dein-ere, ameri ig , s 'dock, rhaents, in kr ATuos • •-•ONTfie Planefo Wanda a fa' 7°Trrt aid 1 - ka gniael i)L • ieW and Md EYIS NATA t T44 he With Salared r i m or rer gift taago • anu s 'ANTI **nu %eft s , biro t t i It* ?DILI; igilbe r of 1 " I Q 6, D C ~a t 4 w Ita the t hose ( p rop We l ] nrl3 est steo ?h t thi rd ') -''Pectu 1 )81 tab, ach) 11.41 cone tionr areh c Mb C 1 erks ot h The ati Alt Etc] t• coin ug ...7.mb Ott- el, witelaret lb, !at Ce/ II B iic 4tra Pez 1e 4 11 4: n She 11%1, 1.4 ;11Z of "the lyre peac sit i The eia„, e ,t PM( —4 ell, i E rtm , 'mu Xt4 4or d„ .. kr.4 k eftrs. E .. I TT I 441 4 BIRTHS. t h e 1 0 On the 2d inst., at Hawley-road, Kontish-tovvnt of John Neville Warren, Esq., of a son. M. AO' On the 2d inst., at West Bath-street, Glasgow, -- ' ander D'Orsey, of a son. On the 4th inst., in South Audloy-street, the lady of Neale, Esq., of a daughter. ai l On the sth inst., at Bryanston- s t ree t, Portman-sclu—, e, lady of Dr. Kelaart, Army Medical Staff, of a sot 2:____...----"'