The Sun. — London, England, 1844-12-19 00:00:00

THEATRE ROYAL, DRURY-LANE. THIS EVENING, DECEMBER 10, Will be repealed a Grand Opera Soria, called THE DAUGHTER Ot ST. MARK. Lusianano, Mr. Burdini ; Andrea Cornare, Mr. 4orrani ; Moneenigo, Mr. Weiss ; Adolphe de Ceurcy, Mr. W. arrison ; Catarina Cernaro, Miss Rainforth. To conclude with the celebrated Ballet of THE PERI. Achmet, Desplaces; The Peri, Mdlle. Plunkett; Neurmahal, O'Bryan ; Aysha, Mrs. Payne. The Box-ottice is open daily, from Ten in the Morning until Six is tie Evening, where Private and Family Boxes, Stalls, Places, 11 ul Tiekets may be had on application to Mr. Jobe Parsons. THEATRE ROYAL, HAYMARKET. Lessee, Mr. B. WEBSTER. THIS EVENING, DECEMBER 19 7 Will be performed a New and Original Comedy, in Five Acts, called OLD HEADS AND YOUNG HEARTS. Colonel Rocket Mr. Strickland ; Littleton Coke; Mr. Charles Mathe , .s ; Toga Coke Mr. Webster; Bob, Mr Buckstoge; Jesse Rural, Mr. W. Farren ; The Countess of E c.mpion, Mrs. W. Clifford ; Lady Alice Hawthorn Idadacge Vestris; Miss Rocket, Miss Julia 6ennett. After which, will be repeated a New Comic Drama, entitled SQ,MIEBODY ELSE. vans Moritz, M-. Charles Mathews; Minnie, *Mame Vestris. To be followed by a New and Original Farce, called YOUNG tryilisLAND. Major Martinet, Mr. Strickland; Mr. Joha James °alley, Mr. Buckstene ; Mrs. Peolev, Mrs. Humby. Private Boxes, Two Guineas and One Guinea and a-Half each. ndkets and Places to be had of Mr. I. T. Ar cher, at the Box-office, fl'ore Ten till Five o'Cleck. THEATRE ROYAL, ADELPHI. Under the Direction of Madame CELESTE. THIS EVENING, DECEMBER 19, Will be repeated ;by special permission of Charles Dickens, Esq.) a New Drama. entitled TVE CHIMES. A Goblin Story of Some Bells that Rang an Old Year Out and a New Year In. 'Fobs Veck, Mr. 0. Smith; Alderman Cute, Mr. Wright; 'rugby, Mr. Wilkin son ; Sir Joseph Bowley, Bart , Mr. Paul Kedford ; Will Fern, Mr. Hudson ; Richard, Mr. Selby; Meggy \reek, Miss Fortcseue; Mrs. Chickenstalker, Mrs. Frank Matthews. After which a New Drama, entitled THE MYSTERIOUS STRANGER. Cour.t Menry de Beausoleil, Mr. Hudson ; Count Vanilla, Mr Selby; The Mysterious Stranger, Madame Celeste ; Crequet, Mr. Wright; Chechore, Mr. 0. Smith. To conclude with THE UNFINISHED GENTLEMAN, in which ?desire. Wright, Selby, and Miss Woolgar will perform. Prompter, Mr. °allot ; Principal Painter, qr. Pitt; Leader of the Bans, Mr. Mellon.—Box-odice open from Eleven till Four. Private Boxes to be had at the Theatre, and at all the principal Libraries. THEATRE ROYAL, ADELPHI. Meteoric Succe!s—Enlightening and Detigting—Second Night of The Chimes. A Goblin ttory." THIS EVENIN , 4 will be repeated, by the especial permission of Charles Dickens, Ego. THE CHIMES; A Goblla litery of Some Bells tha' Rang an Old Year Out and a New tear In. - The Scenery from the Original Sketches of Darr el Maclise, Clarkson Stantiald, 8.A., John Leech, and R. Doyle. The Story Dramatised by Mark Lemon and Gilbert ATeckett. PRINpESS'S THEATRE, OXFORD-STHEET. LESSEE, Mr. J. M. MADDOX. THIS EVENING, DECEMBER 19, Will be repeated a New Comic Opera, entitled THE CASTLE OF ATMON ; or, The Four Brothers, Baron de Beamanoir, Mr. Walton Olivier, Mr. Allen; Allard, Mr. C. Horn, Jun. ; Richard, nr. Him* ; Renaud, Mr. Mattacks; Ivon, Mr. LeMer ; Herniae, Mdlle. Helen Condell ; Gertrude, Mrs. Fosisroke. To be succeeded by a New Comedietta, entitled THE WIDOW BEWITCHED. Mr. Clement FurnivaL Mr. Walter Lacy; Mrs. Lonnie", Mrs. Stirling Ts ()Dueled') wit a New Grand Oriental Ballet, callLd THE PZICALANTED SELL. Aaolla (an Hindoe Peasant), M. Roussett ; P4lmira (the Sultan's Daughter), idlle. Caroline Roussett; Naire (filar Friend) Mdlla. Teresine; Ding Doug (the Genii of the B e ll), Miss Marshall. Dress Circle, Ss. ; Boxes, 41. ; Pit, 2s. ; Gallo Is. Half-price at Nine o'clock—Dress Circle, 2s. tict. ; Boxes, 2s. ; Pit, Is.; Gallery, NI Private Boxes, Two Guineas and One Guinea and a-Half ; Prosce nium Boxes, Two duineas and a-Half. Doors to be opened at Half oast Six, and the Performances to commence at Seven o'clock. The Box-office, under the direction of Mr. W. Alassingh am. Private Boxes and Free Admissions for the Season to be had at the fbeatre. I HEATRE ROYAL LYCEUM, LATE ENGLISH OPERA. HO LAE. Uodar the Management of Mrs. KEELEY. The R♦engagement of Signor Camille Simi for Three Nights more—To-night, To-morrow, and Saturday. THIS EVENINti, DECEMBER ie, Will be repeated a New Farce, called A TRIP TO KISSINOEN. Characters by Messrs. Wigan, Ki■ och, Stautosi, Collier, Yarnold, Turner, Stoker, and Kelley, Mrs. Wigan and Mrs. Keeley. To be succeeded by Paganini's Adajio and Rondo, La Clochette, by Signor Camillo_ 'After which, a hew Farce, called TO PERSONS ABOUT TO MARRY. Supported by Messrs. F. Mathews, Meadows ,and Stoker, Miss Arden, Mrs. Wigan, and Mrs. Woollisige. To which will be added Paganini's Theme Burlesque and Carnaval deVenise, by Signor Camiilo Sivori. In the course of the Evening A DIVERTISSEMENT, in which Jullien's Mazurka and Cellarius Valse will he daaced by Mdlles. Louise and Adele, Miss James, and Mi•ii Fah - brother. To be followed by THE SWISS COTTAGE. Characters by Messrs. Wigan, Yarnold, Keeley, and Mrs. Keeley. To conclude with a New Coraesiietta, entitled WATCH AND WARD. The characters by Messrs. F. Mathews, Kinloch, and A. Wigan; Miss Fairbrother, and Mrs. A. Wigan. PRICES OF A DMlSSlON.—Balcony Poxes, 45.; Upper Boxes, 35.; Pit, 25.; Gallery, 6d. Second Price—Balcony Boxes, di. ; Upper Bouts, Is. 6d.; Pit, is. Private Boxes on the 11,1 cony Tier (holding eight persons), Two Guineas. Private Boxes on the Second Tier (holding eight persons), One Guinea and a-Half. Private Boxes on the Pit Fier (holding six persons), One Suir , ea, rho Box..):Tice is open from Ten to Four o'Clock, under the direc tion of Mr. Grogan, late of Covent-garden Theatre. Great attraction every Evening—Squire Batty's Hounds meet This Evening, at ASTLI'Y'S ROYAL AMPHITHEATRE OF ARTL Proprietor and Manager, Mr. W. BATTY. THIS EVENING, DECEMBER 19, Will be repeated a New Spectacle, entitled THE ROYAL FOX HUNT; er, The Race-Horse and Lifo's Course of Man and Steed ; Introducing unequalled National Fetes. Real Fox chase on the Stage end In the Circle by hying Fee and real Peek of Hounds, purchased by Mr. Batty of Mr Tattersall, to realise this neve' production. trrom Raeilf and other Sporting Features. ew Scenes of the Circle, and entire change in the Feats of Horse esansh ip. The First Week of the extraordinary British Vaulter and Sornersatilt Thrower, Mr. Price, and Master Charles Price, the Little Eqwestrian Wonder, and other Novelties. Acting ant stage.rn inager, Mr. W. D. Broadfoot. Box-ntlice open front Eleven till Five. Lessons in the Art of Riding ey Mr. R. Smith daily. Ur. BATTY begs to atquaint the Nobility, Gentry, and his Patrons, that, in compliance with numerous requests from the 1141Intry, and by special desire, he has formed aranrements to pre sent, during the Christmas Holidays, a &ries of EQUESTRIAN MORNING FETES and FASHIONABLE DAY PERFORM. ANCE, to commence at Half-past One, and terminate at Half-past Ttiree : con s i s ti ng of Batty ' s Splendid .Scenes of Equitation in the Circle. The first Three Mornine Performances will take place on Monday, Dec. al, eanesaay, u,d. 7 , Jan. 4. THE WEATHER.—Strs OFFICE, DEC. 19. THERMOMETER, Lowest. 38 Vligi , est, 42 ; Noon, 40. 13....u11E1TF.R, 30.13.-WIND, N.N.E. NOTE.—The figures which follow the words "Lowest" and " Highest" denote the lowest and highest state of the Thermemeter during the preceding twenty-four hours. All the other observations are made at noon. Water freezes at 32 ; 55 on Thermometers is marked "Temperate," and on Barometers "Fair" is generally placed opposite to 30, and " Rain" at 29 ; but there is no certainty of dry weather when the mercury falls below 30. Hl9l-i WATER AT LONDON.BRIDGE THIS DAY. Mond,. w 27 minutes agicr 9 ( liv ening ... 59 minutes after 9 SECOND BDITION. .. " 'l 4 - f . 4- 4 4 ~• ~ ~, .„QiNaill•.,,,, ~_.... 4.-. it 4 Y 'S '' ' . .? ..j .:ir :e 4 -• : ~...,r , ,,-___4l,-%, f* , :: 2,1t...,k , i,' - ,-;:': ez.4•7- 4M l ‘ ll. • ' 4,*4<?' - 4,,1::'' ~.., - , . „ o p.. ~.: -NIo ' 4 ... , ,.,,4,11, , ,DP -Lja i .03v '•;, P.',.;•0 .:.• met Y.:. ,:::: ; 4%6 . : ~.. (' l 4 Asiti ittito t dr LONDON, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 19, 1844. We have been favoured, from highly respectable quarters, with the perusal of some correspondence addressed to them, by influential parties in the north of Scotland, on the extreme hardship likely to be in flicted by the enactments of the 7 and 8 Vie., c. 112, for amending and consolidating " the laws relating to merchant seamen; and for keeping- a register of seamen," on the brave and hardy race of sermon who inhabit the north and north-west shores of Caithness, Suthekliand, and Inverness-shire, the remote districts of lobermory, and the yet further isles and western highlands. Under what circumstances this hardship is likely to be experienced is well set forth in the following extracts : (From the Scottish Guardian, Dec. 3, 1844.) °MERCHANT bEAMEN.—We understand that the issue of the tickets commenced yesterday, at the various custom-houses in the United Kingdom, and, to avoid any misconstruction in the intention of the new law, it is declared that the persons requiring to be ticketed, comprise all male persons (subjects of her Majesty) forming part of the crews of vessels, whatever may be their aapaci, whether as mates, or other officers ; engineers, Ofemen, &c. ; stewards, servants, &c. ; boys, or apprentices ; the only persons exempt being ras senzer3, masters of vessels, and surgeons. All open or decked boats are, foi , the purposes of the Act, considered vessels,' Whether employed in trading, fishing, or in Cleasuring, if a s r egar d s the Clyd e , th e y p ass D um b arton astle. Masters of vessels (a hatever the size may be) carrying any male person as part of the crew, except as aforesaid, after Ist of January next, without obtaining his register ticket, incurs a penalty of 101. for each person." (Extract of a Letter.) " If such a Bill has really been passed, with regard to the registration of sailors, as was represented in the para. graph I sent you by last post, it would be goo d to repre sent to the proper authorities the great hardship of carrying it into execution on the west coast of Suther land, Ross-shire, Inverness-shire, &c., &c., as the agri cultural population are generally obliged to use boats to get their manure, often to carry their fuel, and even their potatoes, from one part of their farm to another. It should be observed that the arms of the sea along these coasts are so land-locked as often to be as smooth or smoother than fresh -water lakes, so that no skill is necessary in navigating them, and that the people em ployed on them anti between them and the Isle of Skye, an our neighbourhood, are not to b e cons id ere d as sailors, but landsmen. The sails of poor fishermen are often formed of a patched blanket from their beds, which goes in this country by the name of Kintail rig. Almost all the poor people possess a boat, or a share in a boat, and it is their carriage to go to church in, to which there is often no other easy access. The application of the Bill ought to have been confined to persons navigating boats tkn or fifteen miles from land, at least in this country." (Extract from another Letter.) " It will be a most dreadful hardship for the poor people of this country, and I fear there is another grie vance still greater than any mentioned in the paragraph, that is, that the tickets can only be obtained from a custom-house. Now one of the nearest custom-houses to us is at Tobermory, the others are at Stornoway and Inverness. We belong to the port of Inverness. You know that numbers of our poor boys gain their liveli hoodby fishing, and it is monstrous to suppose that they should he required to go to Inverness to a ticket. If a ticket was to cost thena one shilli 't uld be a vast hardship a and I belieiet many go n O , t l fi w h o o i t i l if Tho are not fit to go such ajour.ey, both old and To the wisdoni.9ri .lie y of consolidatin g g . the - rims laws relatiii,z' merchant seamen, it is by I n a .; means our to except; and we can readil enter into the statistical as well as political views which may render the " Keeping a Registry of Sea men" an object of paramount importance under many THEE, sijN, LONDON, THURSDAY EVENING, DECEMBRR 19, 1844 possible exigencies. But we are satisfied that in framing the machinery of the Act before us the par ties who drew, and the Legislature which passed it, must have overlooked the extravagant injustice which its unmodified application to the most distant and inhospitable shores of the British islands, and between the most widely-separated points on those stormy coasts, their land-locked archipelago, and the wide oc casional tracks of barren country on the neighbour ing main, will inflict. From points thus remote, how ever, to the nearest port which can boast a custom house ; or from some secluded creek on the unfre quented west, across the wildest districts of the Highlands, to some luckier and more favoured locality in the east which possesses a trade and a revenue station, to look after the duties to be collected cn it, the unfortunate fisherman of the "far Lewis, or of any part of the rugged coast line be tween Far-off-Head and Loch Broom, must find his way, be it by land or by water, 60, 70, or 80 miles, to pay his hard-earned shilling and obtain his certi ficate, with which he may then return, at this the most inclement season of the year, over the same prolonged and dreary track, to the point from whence he set oat ; for the Act is imperative as to the time within which the certificate must be obtained. The preamble declares that " from and after the Ist day of January, 1845, this Act shall take effect." Clause 3 enacts, among other things, that the owner or master of " every ship under the burden of 80 tons, employed as last aforesaid, shall, before employing any seaman or other person in the serviee of his ship, receive from every such seaman or other person his register ticket ; and shall retain the same until the service of such seaman or other person shall have expired, and, at the expiration of such service, the master shall return the register ticket to the per son entitled thereto." In a subsequent clause a heavy penalty is inflicted on a master who shall fail to ex plain the meaning of such ticket and receive it, sub ject to be returned as aforesaid, from the seaman or other person so employed by him. And clause 20 expressly enacts that, " every person being a subject of her MAJESTY, intending to serve on board aay ship, subject to the provisions of this Act (except as master or physican, or sur geon, or apothecary), shall, and he is hereby re quired to provide himself with a register ticket for that purpose to apply personally at the General Re gister and Record Office of Seamen in London, or at the custom-houses of the several outports of the United Kingdom." This clause imposes a rather heavy pe nalty on the sailor or seaman for noncompliance with its conditions. Did the framers of the Act think at all of Scotland—of the Western Highlands and Isles —of their intrepid, frugal, and enterprising, though poor, fishermen ? If they did, did it never occur to them that to make their Act take effect from the Ist of January on such coasts, and on such seas, was to put to needless hazard and fatigue the lives of a noble set of fellows, whose lot has been already cast as one of laborious toil, and of incessant peril ? How are these fishermen, for example, of the Western Highlands and Isles to make their way from their rude homes to the nearest custom-house, in search of these certificates, when, for that purpose, they may have to traverse the whole distance between, say Tobermory and Stornaway, or Stornaway and Wick, or between Thurso and Inverness 11l can they afford the fee, albeit but one shilling ; but still worse can they afford the sacri fice of time and occupation entailed by such long journeys or voyages after these certificates, to say nothing of the tempestuous weather and difficult country that interpose their formidable obstacles at this season. There will doubtless be numbers whom physical difficulties of this kind, as well as others, will effectually prevent from obtaining the document required; but the Act is imperative, and they will therefore be subject to the penalty. Surely, on a proper representation of this case in the proper quarters, an Order in Council might be ob tained, either suspending the levy of the penalty until the re-assembling of Parliament and the passing of a remedial Bill, or providing a more practicable and considerate channel for the procuring these certificates, by authorising the officers of Cus fr,s always nart or other of th.. districts in question, to issue them, on applicant/Li, to fishermen or others. Such a relief is no more than is due to the bold seamen of the coasts of Ross shire, Inverness-shire, and Sutherland, of the Ork neys and the Western Isles, from whom both our navy, and our mercantile marine, at all times draw some of their best and most undaunted sailors. 'We have seen in the Liverpool Mercury a very sensible letter, conceived in terms of great moderation, on the subject of Brazilian sugars. Our readers are aware of the extraordinary interest which has been imparted to this question by some of the more ex citable opponents—(and in this country it has no friends)—of slavery. In their zeal to discourage, and if possible to punish, the States which still permit the practice of this odious insult upon humanity, these parties are for excluding from our ports all sugar the produce of Brazil, inasmuch as it is to be inferred that it must have been slave-grown. The expiration of our seventeen years' treaty with that Power, having left our hands free to deal with it a s we may see fit, we are urged to punish the sin it has committed in the toleration of slavery, but which sin we have, all that time, ourselves condoned and com promised by tolerating it, in virtue of that very treaty. For sugar was not the less raised by slave labour, in Brazil, in consequence of her consenting to abandon the trade or importation of slaves. Brazil, herself, might honestly consent to, and even fulfil, this latter stipulation (though that is not now the question), and yet have not attempted to covenant with, or coerce, her own subjects to employ only free labour in the cultivation of sugar. Why, therefore, the tardy suggestions of our slumbering morality, and the period of the treaty's decease, should be coinci dent, it does seem difficult to account for, on any broad and intelligible principles. The correspondent of the Liverpool Mercury argues rightly, that if the terms of that treaty had been capable of producing any positive effect towards attaining its avowed object (the repression or extinction of slavery in Brazil), the lapse of seventeen years ought to have sufficed to develop that effect. But since the commer cial policy of this country has been—as well before as subsequently to the existence of that compact—to discourage the consumption of Brazilian sugar, we cannot perceive how that Brazilian question is di rectly affected by the New Sugar Bill of last session. The much-complained-of admission of the sugars of Venezuela, or even of the United States, leaves that question, therefore, entirely untouched, without adding to, or taking away, a single customer from Brazil. The continued exclusion of Brazilian sugars from our markets for consumption is no novelty, but a mere perseverance in a system, long established, with a view to carry out that scheme of the universal abolition of slavery for which this country has already paid so enormous a sum. But to what extent we have achieved that vast object, beyond the shores and limits of our own colonies, is, unhappily, a point of by no means easy determination. Much less to be doubted is it, that, by attempting to enforce on other States the more than literal adoption of our anti slavery views, and to enforce our enactments in respect of those views, as if we were invoking a " lex talionis"—is a course more calculated to defea Ithan t o a d vance th e beneficial end, to the co m pl e t e accomplishment of which we have ungrudgingly made such costly sacrifices. But what hare we gained—what shall we acquire— in the shape of advantage to our own sugar consumers at home (who have some right to be considered in such a matter), by straining the law of our own country, touching slavery and the slave trade, against the commerce of foreign States, willing to enter into trading relations with us of mutual benefit, on con dition of our receiving sugars, the fact of which having been raised by free labour, cannot be certified in the manner prescribed by the New Sugar Duties Bill, to qualify for admission the sugars of Manilla and other foreign possessions ? Simply this—the vindication and unity of a great principle; namely, the principle of utterly discouraging the employment of Slave labour. But, in truth, we have made ship wreck of this principle already, by admitting Bra zilian sugars for the purposes of " refining." Will all the boiling coppers and the pans of the White chapel houses—all the chemistry and manipulation of the German refiners settled in London or at Liver pool—purify the product on which they work from the guilt of the slave labour employed in raising that raw commodity ? Will the atrocity of slavery (to which no men can be more indignantly alive than ourselves) be discharged with the scum and the im purities that are swept from its surface under the action of refining ? To give the " unity" which some parties so hotly contend for to this principle of slave labour discouragement, you should have pro hibited the importation of a single particle of Bra zilian-grown sugar, under whatever circumstanses— with whatever ostensible destination imported. Its manufacture, here, for the dealers of Hamburgh and St. Petersburgh, will not eradicate the slave-growth taint it had acquired in the plantations of Aroibe or Pernambuco. But the theory of thus utterly excluding Brazilian, as slave-grown sugars, from our own markets, in volves one enormous error, whilst its practical en forcement entails a commensurate evil. The theory falsely assumes that, in foro conscientice, Govern ments (and we will suppose the case of those which are ten times more highly organised, efficient, and powerful, than that of Brazil) are to be held as responsible, as private individuals or communities are in respect of the conduct of their servants, for the good faith with which their subjects shall discharge the obligations contracted, on their behalf, by those Governments. But there are prejudices of habit and occupation, as well as of opinion, which the most wise and the best established Government can only eradicate or defeat with the aid of time, and by the exercise of consummate prudence. The toleration of negro slavery by a civilised Christian community is one of these prejudices; and in respect of any nation wherein it exists, no other nation has a right to look too harshly or implacably at the offences of individual citizens who have an immediate personal interest in contravening the stipulations entered into between their own SOVEREIGN and any other poten tate. If French smugglers succeed in largely running contraband goods into this country, all we can expect of a French Minister is his honourable assurance that every possible means have been adopted, on his side, to discourage and disavow such practices. No man would dream of retaliating on the legitimate com merce of France with England, by encouraging Eng lish smugglers to run prohibited English goods into France. We hare done enough to vindicate our sincere anxiety for the abolition of slavery. Our anti-Brazilian policy is becoming, like Hamlet's metaphysics, apt to "deal too curiously" with diffi cult and unsatisfactory premises. So much for the theoretical error. The practical one is that which, in the letter before us, is thus succinctly disposed of; and we have nothing to add to it, unless it be to commend it to the reader's best attention : " We see England making great sacrifices in life and treasure, in her attempts—hitherto fruitless—to abolish slavery and the slave trade in foreign countries. She deprives her population of the advantages to be derived from the admission of Brazil sugars, and from an ex tended and beneficial commerce with that country; and whilst she is doing this, her rivals of the Zollverein and elsewhere are preparing to profit by her anti-slavery policy. She stands alone in her refusal of slave sugars, and unless she can prevail upon other nations to join her and to ' do likewise,' and thus succeed in closing up all the European markets against them, can there be any reasonable expectation of her ever being able, solo, to accomplish the ' object' she has in view in keeping out those sugars ?" Madrid papers of the 11 th instant have been re ceived. The report that the lives of REUGIFO and his comrades had been spared is confirmed, but we regret to find on the condition that they be banished for life. After such a mock trial, and the decision of the Supreme Military Tribunal, this sentence, so far from showing the royal clemency, is an act of savage cruelty. We placed no confidence in the reputed clemency of NARVAEZ, and have not, therefore been disappointed. MADRID BOURSE, DECEMBER 11.—There were 110,900,000 reals done in the Three per Cents. to day; closing prices, 32 3-16 cash, and 32f at sixty days. Five per Cents. 21i at sixty days. Floating Debt, 77 cash. Coupons, 26i at sixty days. Though the opening of the French Chambers will take place within a week, we find not one note of pre paration in the Opposition journals for an attack on thq t‘ Alan of Ghent " or th e di scuss i on o f any great political measure, whicn may endi... a — For many years there has not been, at this season, such a monotonous dulness in the radical and war journals. The state of Spain, !and the part which Louis PIIILIPPB and his Minister have taken in placing Queen CHRISTINA and NARVAEZ in power, will form a good subject for conteution, but even that now is scarcely alluded to. Enough is said in the National and Constitutionnel about the military execu tions, and the other atrocities of the Government, but the responsibility of France for the wretched and lamentable condition of her near neighbour is kept almost entirely in the back ground. The only question at present that appears to excite the slightest interest is the election of Pre sident of the Lower Chamber, and even that is of the most trifling description. Last year the Opposition preferred M. DUPIN to M. SAUZET, but were opposed by the Government, and SAUZET was elected. Now he is out of favour with the leading organ of the Cabinet, and with some reason. Most of our readers will remember the disgraceful scenes in the Chamber last session when the " pilgrimage to Belgrave square," the right of search, and some other political questions were discussed, and the utter inability of M. Sauzex to preserve order. The Journal des Debats admits the fact, and would, therefore, mow have a President like M. DUPIN, who though not al ways obedient to the Court and Cabinet, is a consistent and constitutional politician, and moreover has a firmness of character which peculiarly fits him fur preserving order in a popular assembly. The contrast between these two members is thus drawn by the Journal des Debates :—" The session is on the point of being opened, and the political discussions which have lately been so devoid of interest are about to be renewed. For our part, we have not been in clined from the mere pleasure of battling with the Opposition to fill our columns with eternal repetitions upon Mogadore and Otaheite. Everything must come to an end, even polemics; for when a question is exhausted, and is not revived by any new incident, the best thing that journalists can do is, in our opinion, to be silent. Why should not politics have a vaca tion ? All matters in difference will come into discussion in the Chambers. We are ready for the debate, and dread it not upon any one point. The thundering aspect assumed by the Opposition does not frighten us in the least degree. There is, how ever, one previous question upon which we wish to say a w ord, although it has not yet been broached; because, perhaps, in the present state of things it can scarcely bear the character of a party question. We mean the question of the Presidency. Who for this year is to be President of the Chamber of Deputies ? Last year we were desirous that M. DUPIN should be chosen, and we should this year have great pleasure in seeing him placed in the chair. Our motives for this preference are very simple. The Chamber has need of a good President, and we know not where it can find a better than in M. Durex —one more firm, more capable of enlightening a debate while directing it. When the Chamber is tranquil, AL. SAUZET fills the Presidency as well as any man can. lie is mild and polite towards all ; suffering the debate to go on 'without interference. Ile can never be accused of abusing the power of calling the Chamber to the question, or its members to order. But when the Chamber is agitated, these same qualities render him unfit to control the storm. lie cannot be said to create embarrassments, but he knows not how to foreseo and prevent them; and when the tempest bursts, no one can be more sur prised and confounded than he is. This could not fail to he remarked by all the world during the last session. In our eyes it appears that the presi dency of M. SALIZET has had its day ; and, perhaps, it may be thought that by keeping the same man too long in the arm-chair he may become liable to fal, asleep. M. SAITZET was put in the place of M. Durex, who, during nine years filled with difficul- ... culties, pre s id e d over th e . Chamber with honour. Why, therefore, should not M. Durex replace M. SAUZET ? We may be asked—Do you then regard 31..DUPIN as a Ministerial candidate ? We answer, no! because we know that in all times, and under whatever Ministry, M. Dims would reject this title with indignation. It is a prejudice which, ac cording to our view of it, has been fixed in the illus trious orator by hits long and glorious career under the Restoration. We can much less believe it pos sible for M. Dupe S' to become the candidate of any Opposition. We see in him only a candidate for the Chamber, if the Chamber wishes for a good Presi dent—nothing more." The following gossip about the Court and the French press appears in the Globe, another Ministerial paper : " The ignorance of peoplt not only in Spain, but even in France, as to the natureof the relations of Conserva tive journals with the Conservative Cabinets, or with the Crown, is very singular. We believe that there is not in Europe a King who pays leis attention to journals, whe ther they attack or defend him, than his Majesty Louis Philippe. The King does not ascribe to the press so great an influence as that which is generally ascribed to it. In our opinion, it is proper not only to govern men, but, above all, to govern ideas, and journalism is the most active means of propagating ideas, good or bad. We think, therefore, that the Government should govern the press like all other things. The King of the French, however, if he has always ascribed immense importance to the two other powers of the state, has only ascribed a very slight one to the fourth power, namely, the press. It is s fact, known by all who ap proach the King's person, that he does not road the journals—the Debuts and :he Globe, no more than the Refortne and the National. As to the Princes, there is more than one of them who reads the National in pre ference to the Debuts, and the Reform in preference to the Globe, and in this they show good sense, for it is better to have one's eye on one's adversaries than one's supporters. In short, we may affirm that what the Radical journals call the Court is entirely a stranger to the impulses and political direction of the Conservative press. It is the Debuts that is particularly accused of being a dependent on royalty. This accusation is wholly unmerited. There is nothing more independent, or more disinterested, than the devotedness of the Debuts to the monarchy of July." The National justly attacks the Journal des Debats for the article on the pardon of ItEuGiro and his friends, and for describing this as a proof of the courage and strength of the NARVAEZ Ministry. It says : " Clemency appeared when the Supreme Tribunal was about to quash the sentence. But see how this clemency was exercised when demanded with suppliant voice by an afflicted mother and by a whole provincial deputa tios. See how it is exercised by this pro-Consul, who, after having had twelve Arragonese shot, has had eight others put to death without the slightest appearance of trial ! See how it is used towards the Generals who have grown old in the service of their country, who are escorted even to their prison by armed soldiers ! See also how mild it is towards all who are proscribed in the whole extent of the territory ! See if this clemency has a word to say in order to deliver those suspected per sons of Tarragona, who have been imprisoned because they would not consenetokive 200,000 reals, to avoid the exile that was to be inflicted on them ! The clemency of Narvaez ! the amenity of the tiger ! Truly, that would be a curious spectacle. The Debats has seized on the first opportunity to obtain an amnesty for some severe expressions against the savage brutality of these lawless and faithless tyrants. But, if it reads the Minis terial press of Madrid, it will perceive that it has much more to do before being pardoned." THE BOURSE-TUESDAY, DEC. 17. First Highest Lowest L as t _ . • . Price. Price. Price. Price. French Five per Cents•.•... 120 65 .. 120 85 .. 120 25 .. 120 25 Three per Cents.•••. 85 05 85 10 85 85 New Loan •• • • 86 55 •• 86 bb .. 86 40 .. 86 40 Bank of France • • .•. .....3255 .. 3255 .•3255 —3255 Laftltte Bank, I,ooof. Sharealll2 50 ..1112 50 ..1112 10 —lll2 18 Belgian Bank..•. Belgian Fivea,lB4o ........ 104 .. 104 . .. 101 • • 104 1R42 1061- 106.1 .. io{;. 1061 Dutch Two and-a-1ia1f.•... 64 .. 64 .• 64 . 64 Spanish Threes • 371 • • 37i •• 371 .• Portuguese Five per Cents•. 57 •• 57 •• 57 • • 57 Neap01itan.........• •• • .• 98 60 .. 98 GO .. 98 60 .. 98 Go Ronan ....•. RAILWAY SHARES. St. Germain ..............1013 ..1015 —lOl5 —lOl5 Versailles, R. 8... •• • • • • 495 .. 510 .. 495 . • 500 L.R.. ..... 402 50 .. 402 50 .. 395 .. 395 Ronan .......... •• •• •••...1042 55 . 1042 50 ..1042 50 ..1042 50 Rouen to Havre .. 802 50 805 .. 800 .. 805 Orleans ........••• •• •• —1125 ..1130 .•1110 ..1110 Strasburg to 8a1e.......... 310 316 25 . 310 .. 311 25 Avignon to Marseilles.— 935 .. 935 .• 927 50 .. 927 50 RAILWAYS FOR THE ACCOU:N.T. T, JAN. 3. St. Germain •••••••• • • • • —1025 —1025 ..1020 —lO2O Term:Linea, R. 13... L.B 395 .. 405 .. 392 50 .. 393 75 Rouen • • lO5O ..1050 ..1036 25 ..1037 50 Rouen t0i11avre•......... 805 .. 805 .. 800 • • 800 Orleans 1127 5O ..1132 50 ..1105 ..1110 Strasburg to Bale.. Avignon to Marseilles...... 932 50 .. 932 50 • 920 .• 920 THIS DAY'S NEWS_ COMMON PLEAS.—(THIS DAY.) Sittings in London, before the LORD CHIEF JUSTICE and a Special Jury.) PARISH OF WALBROOK. GIBBS AND ANOTHER v. FLIGHT AND ANOTHER. This case, which has been looked to with great inte rest in the City, and has been kept back from day to day since the commencement of the special jury sittings, from various interruptions, came on at length this morn ing, at half-past nine o'clock. Sir Thomas Wilde and Mr. Sergeant Channell (with whom were Mr. Cowan), conducted the case of the plaintiffs ; Mr. Sergeant tz Talfourd and Mr. Adolphus ur.- "V. d jWilthi fo l giet a ihe p?-:.dugs. This was an action of trover to recover possession of certain books, the pro perty of the plaintiffs, os „:hurchwardens of the parist of Stephen's, Walbro tlLi, the defendants had unlawfully seized and carried away. The defendants pleaded that the plaintiffs were not the churchwardens of St. Stephen's, Walbrook ; that they had not possessed the books in question as such church wardens; and thirdly, the defendants pleaded on the general issue that they were not guilty. The pleadings having been read, Sir T. WILDE addressed the jury for the plaintiffs. They had been informed by his Learned Friend that this action was brought by the Lord Mayor and another gentleman against the defenda n t s , to o b ta i n possession of c ertain books which they unlawfully withheld. The plaintiffs claimed the custody of these books as church wardens of the parish of St. Stephen's, Walbrook, and the defendants denied that the plaintiffs were entitled in the character of churchwardens, which they set up. The question now brought before this Court was w h et h er, i n c ommon law, the parish of St. Stephen's was properly governed by a select vestry, or by an open vestry of the parishioners at large. It.,would be:shown, on the part of the plaintiffs, that, from time immemorial, the parishlhad never been governed by the parishioners at large. Docu ments, as far back as the year 1642, would be laid before the Court to prove that, beyond all question, the parish was at that time governed by a select vestry. But the defendants thought the parishioners at large were entitled to take p art i n t h e vestry, and this cause was raised to try that question. The plaintiffs had been subjected to much animadversion on account of the course which they had thought it their ; but he should be able to n thisb be heaped whatm att er slight foundations a great deal of up. The parish of St. S °sdi6 te umit° p )7l- h ut e Ch n e ' t s aj , mku i rgy a ihn li)rook,. was possessed of certain estates, which were -rested in trustees, and, as these died off, others were appointed, and the estates were conveyed to them. Of course, there were besides the ordinary officers of the parish ; and thus the affairs of the parish and the estates were managed until September in the last year. In the preceding month of August, some gentle men called upon Mr. Alderman Gibbs—now the Lord Mayor of .London—and asked to see the parish accounts. Ths' Lord Mayor answered them in the most courteous manner, and told them that howould , tr3, bt, , and consult that body as to whetherst al I s a a u l l vldeeds comply with the demand or not. The e instead of waiting for the vry c was he h c o result, the defendants thought proper to raise quite another question. A number of gentlemen rushed into the vestry-room, and took possession of the books, de claring that it ire :s an open vestry. Those who formed the select vestry thought it was their duty to maintain the rights of the parish. For as it had been since the year 1200 the cu„ tom of the parish to be governed by a select vestry, than t had become a right of the parish, and it was their duty to maintain it. This first interruption took place in Ategust. In September another attempt to hold a select ves'cry, for the purpose of passing the ac counts, was mad, !, and with a like result. The church wardens then found it necessary to call in the aid of the civil force to pr event this irruption ; and at the first legal meeting of the vestry the Lord Mayor produced his accounts, and they were passed item by item. The whole of ate accounts, from beginning to end, were printed and dist ributed at the expense of the Lord Mayor, who hadi been described as so obstinate that he refused to make any such statement. A thousand copies were also printed,, in consequence of the noise made in the Common Council on the subject, and were generally distributed. Si two that time a bill in Chancery had been filed against the select vestry, under the mistaken supposition that they were trustees of the estates ; and the Lord Mayor's accounts, not only as trustee, but also as churchwardon, were now under examination. He should make no &Minion to anything that had occurred . in the course of that investigation. In consequence of the attempt to br a ak i n u p o n th e select vestry in the manner that he 'nod stated it was thought that, instead of the one side c u ntin u i ng t o i ns ist on their right to attend, and the :c ther r es isti ng that right, it would be better that: the question should be sub initted to legal. decision. The present plaintiffs were the churchv rardens appointed by the select vestry, and the defends.) its had been appointed to the same office by the pari.shi oners at large. The question now was, in fact, who were the legal churchwardens? The parish books were admitted to have been taken, and the action was brought merely to try the question whether the plaintiffs or the defendants were entitled to their possession. He did not know what were the grounds upon which his Learned Friend meant to resist the claims of the sel, yet vestry. Ile would state, however, very shortly what; :had been the course pursued in the parish from the earliest period. The parish books begun in the year 1,645, amd he should divide the interval from that year down' to - the present time, into certain periods, stopping where there was any difference or alteration. In 1648 a certl dn. number of persons would be found acting as the yet itt7y. It would not be in the power of the parties to st• oolv by evidence of antecedent facts how . those persons is 'ere appointed, but it would satisfac torily appear wh at was the subsequent course of ap pointment. The firsit series would be from 1648 to 1672. During that tim a they could find the same persons always attending, with the exception that every person who, subsequently to that served the office of church warden, or paid t. as fine, became a vestryman, and acted in that character. I t would seem, in fact, that the ancient vestry was com pe t red of the by-gone parish officers, who had either seri - ed the office of churchwarden, or been fined. In 30 2 a document came forth which could, he supposed, be made the subject of ob servation by his Le arned Friend. In that year a faculty was issued bj the authority of the Bishop, which orthe ed that the select vestry should con sist of certain persons, embracing tha old ;select ves try and other individuals. It would be found that some of those persons afterwards attended, and that a consi derable proportion of them were elected to the office of churchwarden, and thus became select vestrymen by virtue of their nomination. From 1672 to 1699 the same course was uniformly adopted ; that is to say, those who had served or had been fined, were constantly added to the existing body. From 1699 to 1734 the same course was still pursued ; the mode of initiation into the office of vestryman continued to be what he hod stated ; and the same remark would apply to the period between 1735 and 1834. In 1834, au Act of Par liament was passed which constituted church wardens and overseers a sort of corporation for the pur pose of their taking the property of the parish by suc cession. Formerly, where property belonged to the parish, it was necessary to convey it from one set of persons to another, who represented the parish, but under this Act the property went to the successors of the existing vestry without any new instruments or deeds of conveyance. The overseers then became trustees of the parish, and that was the only addition which had been made. Now this was the history of the vestry up to the present time. With the exception caused by the faculty, there had been one uniform:system from first to last. What were the deviations which his Learned Friends would attempt to show ; or what the grounds upon which the legality of this vestry would be attacked, it was impossible fer him to conjecture. It could hardly be contended that a select vestry was an unconsti tutional body, or that it could not exist. It seldom happened in this country that large bodies of men having a common interest regulated their affairs in their own persons. Such matters were usually entrusted to governors, directors, masters, or other parties, who acted on behalf of the rest. It was not remarkable, therefore, that in olden times certain parishes came to a resolution that certain parties should be chosen as a se lect vestry to manage the parochial concerns. The jury would find no instance of an open vestry in that parish. During the time to which he had • referred, the vestry was always composed of a certain number of individuals, who were appointed in a particular manner to fill the office. His Learned Friend might possibly contend thtt the faculty had made some alteration ; but he need not remind his Lordship that a case had been decided in which that point had been ineffectually raised, He (Sir T. Wilde) thought the whole dispute would resolve it self into a question of law ; and if so, all that could be done on that occasion was to insure the trial of that question in the most effectual manner. The LORD CHIEF JUSTICE—The better course would be to turn it into a special case, or a special verdict. Mr. Sergeant TALFOURD did not apprehend that on the facts of the case there would ultimately be any dis pute. It would, he thought, be desirable for his Learned Friend and himself to agree as to the effect of certain portions of the evidence as the foundation of a case. He believed he was perfectly correct in stating that in 1648 certain persons would be found acting as the vestry of St. Stephen's, and that they continued so to act down to the time of the great fire in 1666. Henry Phillips was then called and examined for the plaintiff as to certain entries in the first parish book, commmencing in 1648. The Learned Counsel were consulting as to certain portions of the evidence, when The LORD CHIEF JUSTICE said if there was any nice matter of account to be decided, it would be better that it should be referred to some barrister. The witness then went over a great deal of documen tary evidence for the purpose of showing how the church wardens of St. Stephen, Walbrook, had been chosen since the time of Henry 111., from which it appeared, that it had been the habit of re-electing persons as churchwardens of the parish. At this point of the argument, Mr. Sergeant CHANNELL stated that it was his inten tion to argue that the churchwardens of the parish were elected every year. The LORD CHIEF JUSTICE—WeII, I suppose from the evidence that has been given that it may be taken that there is no re-election during the intervening years as churchwarden ? The examination of the witness was then resumed, and concluded in favour of the plaintiff. Mr. Sergeant Taneourty cross-examined Mr. Phillips as to the attendance of several individuals who formed the committee and churchwardens of the parishsof St. Stephen, Walbrook, and for the purpose of endeavour• ing to prove that the vestry, instead of being perpetual, was elected annually. From 1699 to 1734 the documents showed that there were never less than eight vestrymen at any vestry meeting. In the majority of instances the churchwardens' accounts were audited annually, but there were some exceptions. From 1700 to 1734, new churchwardens were elected for the parish of St. Stephen, Walbrook, every year ; and from 1.775 to 1843, at the different vestry meetings that took place in the parish there was seldom more than five present, in many instances only three ; and yet at these meetings rates were made for repairs of the church, a rate in flicted for the relief of the poor, and churchwardens chosen. On the 2d of May, 1833, a vestry met, con sisting of only five, among whom was Mr. Alderman Gibbs, at which a vote of thanks was voted to him, and a resolution come to that the streets should be peram bulated on Ascension Day. In his re-examination by Mr. Sergeant CHANNELL—In April, 1813, it wee.-- that . see nftiw trchwarden, Mr. Mfersi;r tsr * t ( rrb r ':iva w r requested to suffer himself to be re-elected, to which he (as ehurclivrarden) acceded, Mr. Motteux was. fined 201. for refusing to serve. From 1813 to 1824 a new person was elected churchwarden every year. From 1826 to 1840 Mr. Gibbs and Mr. Atkins were re-elected each year. In 1841, 1842, and 1843, Alderman Gibbs and Mr.W.E.Eddison were electedchurchwardens. , At each election of Mr. Alderman Gibbs as churchwar den, there was a vote of thanks to him, and request that he would continue to serve. On the 2d March, 1314, there was a vote of thanks to him, and that vote was directed to be published in the newspapers. There were on these occasions generally five persons present, exclusive of the Alderman himself. Overseers were first appointed by the vestry, on the Ist of April, 1818. The practice of appointing auditors of the churchwardens' accounts ap peared to have existed down to 1824. There had been no appointment of auditors since 1825, when Mr. Gibbs and three others had been appointed auditors for that year. In April, 1835, two gentlemen attended as vestrymen, and voted, who had not served the office of church warden, but had served the office of overseer. One of these gentlemen was Mr. Whittaker, one of the present plaintiffs. He was chosen churchwarden in 1844. Abraham Brown, one of the Lord Mayor's servants, proved the distribution of copies of the accounts to every house in the parish in January last, and the posting on the church-door, on last Easter Sunday, of a notice for a select vestry for the election of churchwarden. Mr. Phillipps, the vestry-clerk appointed by the select vestry, proved the election of Mr. Alderman Gibbs and Mr. Whittaker as church wardens, by the select vestry, on the 12th of April, 1844. Seven persons attended that meeting. Two of the persons then present had never been church wardens, but they were the o verseers f or the year, and attended in that capacity. On endea vouring to make their way into the vestry-room on that occasion, they found the room full and Dr. Croly in the chair. The parties occupying the vestry-room were requested to leave the room, which they did not do, whereupon a member of the elect vestry moved an adjournment to Alderman Gibbs's house, where the election took place. • On his cross-examination, witness said he had known Mr. Gibbs as a resident in the parish for thirty years, without carrying on any business. The Alderman was the chairman at the meeting at Alderman Gibbs's house. The question of adjournment was put by Mr, Atkins. On his re-examination, he stated that it was usual for he churchwarden to take the chair at the meetings of he select vestry when the rector was absent. There were, at the present moment, eight select vestrymen, who had served or fined for the office of churchwarden. He was present when the plaintiffs were sworn in, and also when defendants were sworn in. It was all done at the same meeting. This concluded the case for the plaintiff. Lord Chief Justice TINDAL suggested the propriety of the whole being turned into a special case for the opinion of the Court above. Mr. Sergeant TALYOURD said, undoubtedly the greater number of the points at issue must ultimately come be fore the Court above for their decision ; but there were certain points on which he wished to take the opinion of the jury. Sir THOMAS WILDE would certainly have argued the question in a very different way, if he had thought it had been intended to take the opinion of the jury on any of the points. He had understoood that it had been arranged that it should be turned into a special case. Lord Chief Justice TINDAL had also so understood it. Mr. Sergeant TALROURD then commenced his ad dress to the jury, and admitted that the custom of the parish of St. Stephen's Walbrook, by means of a select vestry, had been proved, but he wished to have the opinion of the jury as to whether that custom was not subject to two condi tions, because, if it were not, he should contend that the custom was so absurd and mischievous in itself, as to be bad in law. As a proof of the mischief of the custom without those conditions ' he would allude to th e very case of Alderman Gibbs himself. He did not mean to throw any imputation on the character of that gentle man, he hoped, nay, he believed, that he had acted ho nestly and honourably, and should so believe until it were proved otherwise; but could they be surprised when they found him re-electing himself for twenty suc cessive years, never having his accounts audited during the whole of that time--could they wonder if reports derogatory to his character got into cir culation? The mischiefs arising from such a custom were very great, and no one had bean, he believed, a greater sufferer by those mischiefs than Mr. Gibbs himself. He wished, therefore, to ask the jury whether the custom was not subject to these two conditions—first, that the number of select vestrymen should never be lower than eight ; and secondly, that each year fresh blo6d, as it were, should be infused into the select vestry by the election of some one as churchwarden from the body of the parishioners. Lord Chief Justice TINDAL—Those are purely ques tions of law, which the jury must take from me ; and I would much rather not be called upon to give an opinion at once upon such nice and delicate questions—l tell you candidly I do not like to give an opinion, until I have had more time to consider the subject. Really you had better take a special verdict ; for suppose you do take the opinion of the jury, you will gain nothing by it. It will come on again as a motion for a new trial. Mr. Sergeant TALFOURD, after a long consultation with his clients, expressed his regret at being obliged to proceed. For himself ho should strongly advise them to accede to the suggestion of the Court, but they were desirous of taking the opinion of the jury as to the condition of the election of a new church. warden. every year. Lord Chief Justice TINDAL—Why, that is a mere matter of law, and it might be a point for consideration whether the proper method of trying that question is not by applying for a mandamus to the select vestry, to compel them to proceed to such election. You should decide for yourself, Brother Talfourd, in such a case. There is not a point in dispute. Mr. Sergeant TALFOUBD would take upon himself the responsibility of acceding Co: the suggestion of the Court, at whatever risk of blame. Lord Chief Justice TINDAL—No one can blame you. Ever since Westminster Hall has been in existence, such a case would have been made a special one. Sir T. WILDE suggested the propriety of their agree ing to name some gentleman as referee, in case any dis pute should arise as to the terms in which the verdict should be drawn up, although he did net apprehend any such difference. Mr. Sergeant TALFOURD, although entertaining no apprehension on the subject, would accede to the pro position. The case, although it had excited great feeling out of doors, had not been conducted with any degree of hostility in the Court. He had cautiously abstained from saying anything that could hurt the feelings of Mr. Alderman Gibbs. No hostility was entertained towards him, and the parishioners would be inclined to address him in the words of Othello to Michael Cassio :—" Michael, I love thee well ; but nevermore be officer of mine."— (A laugh.) . _ _ Lord Chief Justice TINDAL—The books shall be open to both parties, and if there is any book or document which has not keen given in evidence, which can tend to elucidate the case, either party may put it in. The jury, under the direction of the Judge, then found a verdict nominally for the plaintiff, subject to a special case, and to be turned into a special verdict, if it should be deemed requisite. CRIMINAL COURT.-(THIS DAY.) OLD COURT. (Before Mr. Baron ROLFE.) SIIOPLIFTING.—Leah Mary Roper, spinster, aged 32, was placed at the bar, charged with stealing on the 2d of December, from Mr. Hardwick, of Holborn-hill, 48 yards of satinet, value six guineas. It appeared from the evidence of the shopman, that on the day in question the prisoner came to Mr. Hardwick's shop, and bought some articles to the amount of about Gs. When she had purchased the articles she said she wanted to go out for some time, and did so, leaving half-a-sovereign in the hands of the shopman. She re mained out for a short time, and returned to take away the articles she bought. While she was out a piece of satinet was found to be missirg, and the prisoner was arrested. The satinet was found to have been pawned by the prisoner while she was out for 41. The evidence left no doubt of the prisoner's guilt. The jury found her Guilty, and the Court sentenced her to one year's imprisonment, with hard labour. THE LATE BANK FORGERY.—TRIAL OF BURGESS. William Burgess, aged 23, lately a clerk in the Bank of England, was then placed at the bar, charged with frau dulently aiding and assisting a person unknown to per sonate an owner of a certain share of, and in a public stock, value 8,2004, with intent to defraud William Oxenford thereof. Mr. J. S. WOItTLEY (with whom were Mr. Adolphus and Mr. Clarkson), stated the case for the prosecution. He began by saying that the jury, as commercial men, would give that consideration to the case which its im portance required. He would beg of them not to be swayed by anything which they might have heard here tofore with respect to this case. The prisoner had been a clerk in the Bank of England for about four years, and that situation gave him facilities for committing the fraud for which he was now being tried. The Learned Gentleman then detailed the manner in which transfers of stock took place, and said the prisoner had made use of most ingenious means to defraud Mr. Oxenford of 8,2001. The Learned Gentleman then went over the facts of the case as detailed in the following evidence:— Wm. Smee was the first witness called.—l am the chief accountant at the Bank. I produce a copy of the ac count of William Oxenford. I took it from the ledger. On being cross-examined by Mr. BODKIN (who, with Mr. Charnock, conducted the defence,) the witness said the copy was accurate in every respect. Re-examined—The prisoner had access to all the books in the Transfer-office. He was employed for some time in the Bank. He obtained leave of absence from the 3d of September to the sth. The prisoner did not return on the sth. William Oxenford was then examined—l live in John-street, Bedford-row. I was formerly in the Cus tom-house. I had 8,2001, in the Bank on the 3d of 'Sep tember last: riiesTer tiiiiisferred or consented to transfer any part of that money. I never signed any document for that purpose. I don't know the prisoner at the bar, or a person named Joseph Elder. I never wrote this name—it is a forgery. Cross-examined by Mr. BODKIN—I always received my dividends personally. Richard Blom examined by Mr. CLARKSON—I am one of the clerks in the Consol-office. I know Mr. Sutton, a clerk in the office. I got from Mr. Sutton two tickets, which I produce. I cannot say whether I re ceived them from Sutton or took them out of the box. The i -moner was Ll,:re. lie told me to transfer two VIVEDIMPb 1 - 1. -•_•3 t them. He asked me to ...utter them immediately as Mr. Oxenford was waiting. I proceeded to do so in the transfer-book. While the prisoner was waiting I asked him if he knew Mr. Oxenford. He said he was an old friend of his. I said he must be getting an old man now. He said he was. When I completed I asked where Mr. Oxenford was. He said he was outside minding his horse. That' he had himself got an " early off" that day, and they were going down to Gravesend. together. He then went out and returned with a gen tleman. He then asked who would witness the transac tion, for that is usual at the Bank. The prisoner took the book to Mr. Ingall, another clerk in the same office. I then heard him say to the person whom he brought with him, " Come along, William, it is all right." I did not witness the act of the transfer of the stock. I after wards accompanied the officer, John Forrester, to the United States, on the 18th of September. We went to Boston. I found Elder in Federal-street, in that city. That was at the end of October. He went there under the name of Ellis. I recognised him as the person who came in with the prisoner, and represented Oxenford. Forrester asked him his name, and said, taking him by the coat, " Your name is Joseph Elder, you are a native of London." He was then taken into custody. James Sutton examined.—l am a clerk in the Consol office. I compared the two tickets with the account of William Oxenford, in order to enter them. Thomas Ingall—l am a clerk in the Consol-office. I was there on the 3d of September. I remember seeing the prisoner then ; he was a few feet from me. There was another person with him. I did not know who he was. The prisoner said to me " Perhaps, Mr. Ingall, you will see these." He had the transfer receipts in his hands. The book was on the counter. I took the re ceipts from him. The person whom he brought then signed the transfers. lie signed the name William Oxenford. The prisoner read the amount from the book while I had the tickets and the names. The prisoner signed his name, to witness the identity of "John Oxen ford." The book was turned round to me, and I found that the names were all properly signed. I then signed my name, and gave away the receipts. Cross-examined by Mr. BODKIN—I do not recollect seeing the receipt signed by any one. I witness receipts of the kind without seeing the parties sign ; that is fre quently the case. Ido not see them actually sign, but they present it as their receipt. I assumed this receipt was right, and I put my name to it. Mr. Bord was six or seven feet from me. There was nothing in this transac tion to call my particular attention to it. Thomas Tokely—l am a stock-jobber. I know the prisoner personally. He called on me in August, and stated that he bad a friend who had 8,2004 stock which he wished to transfer. On the 3d of September he brought me a ticket filled up in the regular way, for the sale of 8,2001. I passed the ticket to Clement Smith, a stock-jobber. We agreed as to the amount of the purchase ; 98i was the price of the day, that is in money 8,1071. 15s. I afterwards received from Mr. Smith the receipt. It was not signed when I received it f rom Smith. I saw him afterwards, and got the two receipts from him. They were properly signed, and witnessed by the clerk. There was a person with him. I gave the receipts to Smith to get the money. The prisoner said he would wait for the money at the Auction Mart Cof fee-room. I got the cheque banded to me from Henry Smith, the son of Clement Smith, and a 100/. note, a 51. note, and 21. odd in cash. I took the money to the Auc tion Mart Coffee-room. Burgess took the money, and the person who was with him took the cheque. Cross-examined--It appeared to me to be a fair and regular transaction. - Clement Smith—l am a stockbroker and jobber. The last witness applied to me, on the 3d of September, to purchase 8,200/. I was to pay 8,1071. 15s. for it. I know the prisoner. I went to inquire about him. I found he was not there, and was not likely to be there. Charles Cheetam Laurence—l am cashier in the bank of Lubbock and Co. About twenty minutes before two o'clock on the 3d of September a cheque was brought to me for 8,000/. The prisoner was one of the persons who brought it. , He was accompanied by an elder person, who had a carpet bag. It is usual to ask the name of the per son presenting such cheque. I did so on this occasion. The prisoner said Oxenford. I asked how they would have it. The prisoner's companion said all or part in gold. I said they had then better have large notes, which they could get changed at the Bank of England. I then gave them eight notes of 1,0001. each. I gave them to the prisoner's companion. Hickman, a clerk in the Bank of England, proved that those eight notes were presented to him on Tuesday. The person presenting them said his name was Oxen ford. He gave,the order for giving gold for the notes. He saw the person who presented the notes emptying the gold from the 1,000/. bags into two larger canvass bags, which he had with him. He had a carpet-bag ;it was like the bag now before the Court. The person was about forty-five years old, of a ruddy complexion. He had two porters who helped him to take out the bags. This was about two o'clock in the day. Thomas Agar—l am a teller in the issue department of the Bank. I got an order to get gold to the amount of 10,0001. I got it in ten bags of 1,000/. each. I was desired to pay 8,000/. of it. (The trial was proceeding when we went to press.) NEW COURT 'Before the REC O RD ER and Alderman limit Es.) John Goody, a respectably-dressed young man, was charged with having stolen, in conjunction with others, not in custody, a tub of butter, value 31., the property of H. Musselwhite. The prison Cr's participation in the robbery, which was executed with much adroitness, was proved to the satis faction of the jury, and they returned a verdict of Guilty. The prisoner, it appeared had been convicted at the •Surrey sessions, for stealing lead, and was sentenced to six months' imprisonment and hard labour. The RECORDER said he had been convicted on the clearest evidence. The Court had the power of sending him out of the country for life ; he however did not in" tend to transport him for that period, but for the ten of ten years.: With Mary Banks, an unf o rt una t e g i r l, was c harged having stolen four half-crowns, five sixpences, and a gola ring from the person of James Barrett, a private in OS f Royal Marines, s t a ti one d a t Wo o l w i c h, on the 511( °f December last. It appeared that th e p rosecu t or an d th e p r isoner bsa d been drinkin g t oge th er on th e even i ng i n question, end that, after drinking a quantity of malt liquor, of which he tho ug ht was d rugge d, h e b ecam e undb if.' scions, and acc o mp an i e d th e p r i soner to h er lodgings;, 1.1. e had produced a pur s e e o nt a i n i ng th e p ro perty in n e presence. Some o f th e mone y was f oun d on her. The prisoner, in her def ence , sa id th a t th e prosecuto r gave her the purse to take care o f, as h e was incapable °i taking care of it himself. a putts The RECORDER said the jury w ou ld h ave to consider whether he gave her the money to take care of, or *be ; titer she took it from his person with the intention (" stealing it. The jury returned a verdict of Not Guilty. • INQUEST ON MISS CLARA WEBSTER.—(THIS DAY.) . d , Mr. Wakley, M.P., Coro ner f or t h e coun ty of * L . diesex, and a jury composed of the most respects; householders in the neighb our h oo d, h e ld an inquest,_„_ half-past ten this morning a t th e G reen M a n Tavel:: .e', New-road, on the rem a i ns o f Mi ss Cl ara Webster' aged 21, who, it need scarc e ly b e sa id, di e d upon Tues . !Y:, last, from the injuries whi c h s h e h a d rece i ve d, her nrP o i having taken fire while performing on the stage Drury-lane theatre on Saturday evening. The jury having gone to No. 54, Norton-street , view the body of deceased, returned, and the first wits"' called was Anne Taylor, landlady of the house, 54, Norton 4 t; where the deceased died, on Tuesday morning, sh w ".... after three o'clock, in pres ence o f D r . Li ston an d othel - e, Witness was present when deceased was brought 101 . 12 % on Saturday night, the 14th of December, suffe;. , from injuries by burning. She was • perfectly seue ace The first application used was s pi r it s o f w i ne , and " he r and wadding. Witness conti nue d t o a t ten d upon '. l . till her death. She was f ree f rom pa i n throughr- She seemed to be recoverin g till t h e M on d a y even: when, at seven o'clock, a difficulty of breathing 10 %0. served. She got worse, and was insensible a nd rious for some time b e f o r e h er d eat h. She gratin. sunk, and never described ho w th e acc id ent had "" pened, and did not once blame any one. ked Mrs. Webster, mother of th e d ecease d l a dy, was 56tbe if she herself blamed any one ? and she answered in negative. Dr. Robert Liston, of Clifford-street, was next eats mined. I first attended the deceased on Saturday 1 1 0 , last. I found her much b urn t i n t h e upper ex tra° 0 1. about the arms and neck. I applied spirits of wine , w e b ding, and flour repeatedly. Sh e a p peare d to be in °j pain.LThis treatment wa s no t c h ange d t h at nigh bee saw her again on Sunday, but she did not apPes r . r ite to be in much pain, thou g h su ff er i ng f rom l o w ei. I did not again see her till thr ee o ' c l oc k on T ues day 113 0 r ot ing, when I was sent for. She expired just as I en t ,fol the room. She gave no ac coun t o f t h e acc id en t, 00r she blame any one in my presence. •to Mr. WAKLEY—Were stim u l an t s o f any ki n d giv en e d her ? Witness—Yes ; wine from time to time , other fluids. Mr. WAKLEY—You did not see her on Monday 01 0 ing ? Witness—Oh, yes I did. She was not tbe a well, and breathed with difficulty. do tb Mr. WARLET—You have no doubt, I suppose , we' was occasioned from the injuries she received ? t he ness—Oh, none. She died from the effects of burning. Mr. \VARLET—From ''appearances there could hs been no hope from the first of her recovery. arlie j Mr. Taylor, the husb an d o f th e fi rst witness, rig!. t be; that Dr. Liston h a d re p resente d, on S atur d ay n ighty the injuries were not so serious as a scald. re ill Mr. WAKLEY—No d ou b t . M e di ca l gentlemen L I OS the habit of saying such things to inspire hope "' relatives and friends of sufferers. ase l4 Daniel Coyle, 29, Crown-street, St. Giles, stonels r o was in Drury-lane Th ea t re on the night of Sat°, cloth Saw the deceased a b out e l even o'clock, and her oi° were then on fire. m ot Mr. WAKLEY—Is th ere no one w h o saw her oste take fire ? The Beadle—No one could say they her clothes take fire. clo d „ The witness—l saw her a b ou t th e t i me her c o ! took fire. She was then supposed to be in " the tea Mr. Wkiceee—Oh, that must h are b een ingee after her clothes ignited. oper In o Witness—Yes, I was standi ng i n one o f the at ings on the stage ; the deceased was about fotir b f otto . from me, and I saw h e r c l o th es on fi re at the doe part. She cam e u p some steps out o f t h e b a th in f o to the stage. She came towards me, and then ran r ef the stage, and I ran a ft er h er an d caug ht her, ' b ot her myself on my back, and rolled over her. An t h e man threw his jacket o ver h er , an d so ex tingaish!r o s flames. Some of th e o th er l a di es ' dresses. gla d Plunkett's, I believe, was set on fire. There e: 0 0 . thing unusual in the di s p os i t i on o f the l am ps tbst: • met,. 6e:ruse the otner' do ein or eight glasses in each. The performers about three feet, and the gla - -cs are show. tw o .e" inches below the boards, and partly below the stag e ' Mr. WAKLEY—If there was a wirework to eo r .„ T e ,, : glass, could thi s h ave h appened ? Witness ---1-`"" think not. sete s Mr. WAEL _ „ t EY—lt's a pity, th en , th ere is t o sort of wirework protection. There ought eer l 7 o „. erre be something of this sort for the protection ofPeri bge ie e Mrs. Mary Webster was the next witness.. ? i n the widow, and resides near Euston-square. t a ming' theatre, but not near the stage. I heard ,S ° ', i ll the She ran down stairs, and her daughter was the n 15113 green-room, and quite sensible. She did potions° any circumstance connected with the accident. A of said to her, once , " Cl ara, Cl ara, if some one hau l . 00 to your assistan ce sooner—oh ,t if I had been 105 los I could have saved you." She said, " Yes, mamm a '' c.iuld." waif Mr. WARLEY (to Coyle) —ls there nn ceps kept near the stage in ease of accident ? su e —There was w a t er near, b ut not on t he step as no accident was apprehended. thrtig By the CORONER—She m i g h t h ave ran a b ou t 18 i while her clothes were on fire. Of" Mr. WAKLEY m a d e some o b servat i ons on the tole tunate want of presen ce o f m i n d ex hibi te d by whose clothes are set on fire. It they would Pl e d; the burning clothes they would at once be extingu is s iee and the second best mode was for the individual s° ated to lie down at length. This being the whole of the evidence, Mr. WAKLEY then addressed the jury. An d pre rence like this m i g h t eas il y b e averted if simp l e 10 go"; per precautions were taken. In most of the ea se i o es7 similar nature that cam e b e f ore hi m, h e gener ally that fatal results might have been prevented if 0 7 0 000, precaution h a d b een ta k en i mmediately after the c o s 01 had taken fire. It had long been known that gas feet every description could be so prepared as t°2 l , c eiag their b e i ng i n fl amma bl e. It was done by ;PO; them in a particular way; and he trusted his 01 1 ing th e c i rcumstance would be productive of g ° " tbs e of perhaps serve t o prevent the recurrence of ao ° these dreadfnl occurrences. Cases of fire wer e s ore dreadfully f requent; w i t hi n the last ten der this had been no less than twenty cases °' MrS e character within his district ; and h e , esee l sure he spoke within bounds, when he said th j ii. , e seli 130 to 140 cases of burning and scalding occur / r oar th ,• in the division of the county in which he was v ,,,, c) He held inquests yesterday on two children : D rr them were scalded to death from want of prePe' Aor cautions being taken. The first was at the Free 0 4 pital in Gr a y' s I nn -l ane. A child while uncti-004 herself before the fire accidentally fell, and there no high fender, she knocked down a kettle and . wo rd* her he a d so severe l y t h at she died soon a fter , ' ch il- Now accidents of this nature could never occur t° ho ve dren, if their parents would take the precaution W o oer: wire fenders bef ore th e i r fi res . I n t hi s case , O we elo danger had n o t b een appre h en d ed, for t h e jorY, 01 observe, that even M rs . W e b ster h ad not foresleg ti3° such until the calamity had actually occurred _ means of avoidin g th e d anger were ve ry as° for if a lattice of wire had been e l Auld over the lamps the dresses of the actresses„, not possibly have caught fire, and accidents of °m a eel meter would never happen. The precaution wa s at i s eso• simple one, an d w h ere t h e results would b e so gractiffr tory, it wo u ld b e we ll at once to put i t in P b e er Where the dresses of performers were likely to, .. rf ee, posed to fl ame , t h e gauzes, as he had already <Nisbet:, might be so prepared by a solution of alumina' or is f e et as to be q u it e un i n fl amma b le. Impresse d w ith Im oat o he had y ester d ay wr i tten a note to Mr. Gardiner' rood excellent ch em i s t i n the neighbourhood (Grestr,9. o o, street), aski n g hi m if he knew any person in '', 101 ,00 who w as i n t h e h a bi t of washing mus li n * I' ThS t or dresses in the solution alluded t.e• ami ene' gentleman returned this answer .—(The •'".,in Coroner then read M r . G ar di ner 's tettetl on o, which it was stated that muriate of soniDffecl e or a simil ar so l ut i on of alumina, wou ld have th e gr. of prev en ti ng i gn i t i on.) It was also state d that tog Hodson, of 406, Strand, had given much attenti on ; matter. H ow f ar t h at gentleman had succeeded,ligbG closed pattern of gauze would show; it would not gent at the fl ame o f a candle Mr. Hodson propose d ti hick a starch, to be used instead of common staroh , ti : e be would answer every purpose, and at the see; WOU lti perfectly safe in cases like the present. the atre undertake, for a trifling consideration, to keep l Ile " property" or dresses from any danger by fi oleh (the C oroner ) d i d not know that there had het , 0 is gentleman in e x i s t enc e as M r . H o d so n, but wheer " iou biet this case, th e ment i on of h i s name wou ld serve erhiir - " purpose, that of benefiting the p u blic, and , E t it VA doing goo d to h imself; he (the Coroner) thong common justice to give him publicity. and fond fD (The gause was then tested at a candle, „ .0 verify all that was said of it, and Mrs. WebsterLy wh ieh amination, could not find any smell or other . faul t _ v „,) would make it inapplicable for dresses upon child 0 3 ; b- 103 Mr. WARLEY—Certairly no young ehu°,, an d the would be without an outer dress so prepared' e l toi si t . .. attention of families would, he hoped, The witness, Daniel Coyle, whose hand* wr° A • Coroner daged, intimated at the conclusion of the o°r°_ne oft he dress, that it had been erroneously stated some Dot be direc newspapers that he was quite recovered. This was .. the case, nor was he likely to be well for someatiztvd Mr. WAKLEY told him the intrepidity h worthy °f th e played on the occasion of the accident was 0 take s highest praise. He was confident if he wer e t ° benefit at some place of entertainment, the p 1311 5 not be wanting in their endeavours to suppo r _! ii il o l 7, anct Coyle thanked the Coroner for his sugguo O. I a