The Sun. — London, England, 1845-01-04 00:00:00

erb trb Übition THE FUNDS-(CLOSING PRICES) - - - _ BRITISH FUNDS. Bank Stock 3 per Cent. Reduced New 31 per Cent .. lO4l Long Annuities to expire Jan. 1860 121 India Bonds, 1,0001- Ditto under 1,000/. -. ..... . 76 Consols ................. - ..... ....-.. 100 i India Stock for Account , •... 289 Exchequer Bills, 1,0001., lid ... 65 pm. Ditto 5001. Ditto Small FOREIGN FUNDS. Brazilian Bonds Columbian Bonds 6 aer Cent l4l Portuguese Bonds, 5 per Cent Spanish 5 per Cent. 1840. Ditto 3 per Cent. 36 Dutch, 2* per Cent SHARES. Birmingham and Gloucester, 100 paid Bristol and Exeter, 70 paid 77 . Bristol and Gloucenter, 30 paid Caledonian, 5 paid.... Cambridge and Lincoln, 11 paid 2l Chester and Holyhead, 5 raid ..... 51 Chichester and Brighton, 5 paid 4 Churnet Valley, 2 paid 4 21 Direct Northern, 11 paid e Dublin and Belfast Junction, 21 paid... ..... Eastern Counties, 25 paid...—. ...... Eastern Union, 10 paid.... Great Southern and Westelreland), 5 paid 104 Great North of England, 1 paid 137 Great Western, 75 paid u— Ditto Half Shares, 50 paid Lancaster and Carlisle, 10 paid - l4l London and Birmingham (Stock) ... ... London and Brighton, 50 paid sl* Ditto t.oan Notes, 10 paid l2l London and South Western, 411 paid 77 Ditto S ow 'Londona t t Croydon, 131. :se. 91. r aid ... • Londonaow 1 0rk.21 paid. .... Lynn atta i •:ly, 11 paid Manchester aenl I.teds, 70 paid Dlittn. U&.l Shares, 30 paid Aliaiand. lilt paid ... N . evi coal le. and Darlington:Junction, 24 paid 6li v IS eweastte and Berwick, 11 paid 7 North Kent. 24 paid Nerwich and Brandon, 8 paid l4+ Portsmouth Direct, 1 paid Richmond and West End Junction, 1 paid 2a Rugby, 1 paid la South Eastern and Dover, 33/ paid 491 York and North Midland, 50 paid Boulogne and A miens, 2 paid 5 Lyons and Av. 4.10 n, Y.: paid Orleans a t . r to:Lon. 2 °aid ll+ Orleans an i . ), : a aux. 2 paid 74 I' aril and + ,vo 1.. 2 pkt;ll T ItE ItLVENTJE. In consequence of tha sth of January falling this year on Sunday, the revenue returns for the past q t rarter will ire made tip this evening. We rejoice to hear that the accounts are likely to be most fa vourable, and Is is show a gradual increase of pros perity in every department of the State. It is, perhar.s, generally known that the " financial" Year ends on ttk 6th of April, when the accounts can Le accurately ompared with the corre3pond'ing statement of a previous year. -And we are happy to state that it is confidently expected, when that time arrives in 1845, they will exhibit a most grati fying and pleasing aspect of increasing prosperit!, in every branch of trade and commerce in this grey country. With respect to the quarter's account, which will'. be made up this evening, we understand that it will: Fhc w.an increase, as compared with the corresponding quarter of last year (as far as the returns from the. different public departments have been received) of upwards of 600,0001. The increase in the Custom:;, as compared with eorrespondin quarter of last year, is expected to x eecil 150,0001.- Ti nc r eas i ng he Excise, that great test of the Com - _ is of the people, is most sati s f ac t or y. rrhe thre n tatters' revenne from the 6th of April last yoga' ( byyling to-day) will exhibit an increase of upwa,•di 350,000/., as compared with the three correspon quarters of the previous year, ending sth Jan..., 1S40; and-it is confidently expected that the increa: se 1 . the finnneitl year, ending on the 6th of April next, t. !der the• head of Excise, will be upwards of half :a sterling. hi the Post-office there will be an increase, calola hted at about 5,0001. or o,oeol. in the quarter. 'the Property-tax returns do not materially differ I r Jul the returns of the last two or three quarters. In Stamps, Taxes, and all miscellaneous articles td every description of revenue, there is a small ill crease. • The quarter ft account, it is understood, will ",be most favourable, :nd give the greatest satisfaction_ -to the country —31:: !.sterial paper. SPIRIT of ti PUBLIC J OURNAL3. reom THE EVENING PAPERS or THIS D. GLOI3E.—The memorable State intrigue by whiesh Pitt, in 1784, succeeded in circumventing and up setting his great rival, Fox, was effected by means of a bribe to the East India Company, which inflicted on the nation an increased window-tax to the extent of 650,0001. per annum. The window-tax had existesd previously to that time, it having been first im posed as a substitute for the hearth-tax, which was. abolished in the reign of William and Mary ; a relief which was described as " a lasting monument 0 , - their Majesties goodness in every house in the igdom." To win over the Hon. Company to his • n tia Bill, Pitt talked largely, and bribed bountiful! y. ile supplied the talk, and saddled the nation will tax ation for the substantial part of the inducensen t. *he }part of his scheme was a reduction of the to a duty from about one hundred and twenty per cent:. to twelve ,and a half per cent. To make good the revenue, thus sacrificed for the benefit ef the then existing tea monopolists, he imposed the large in crease of the windew-tax to which we have alluded. This happened sixty years ago ; so that for the famous lob of the " heaven-born Minister," the nation has :had to pay, without estimating interest, simple or com pound, a sum amounting to upwards of fifty lions sterling. We have alluded to the oriigin and increase of the window-tax, for the purls se of showing the clumsy and unequal mode of assessment by which it is imposed, and the co n sequent injustice which marks its operation. Tine inequality of assessment is so manifest that it is scarcely possible to acquit the Minister who proposed it, and the Parliament which adopted and sanctioned', it, of imposing burdens on the poor to lighten the circa sure upon the wealthy. Let any one take the table of window-duties, which is to be found in any almanac or pocket-book, and he will see that the scale of win dow-duties is formed on the principle of diminished taxation in the ratio of increased means. What a mathe matician would term " the point of contrary flexture" is observed ; for, on examining the scale, the larger number of windows pays the least amount of duty. The duty upon each window increases as the inability of the tenant to pay , is indicated by the diminished number of windows in his dwelling, until the point reaches seven, below which number the tax is not payable. A reference to the window-duty table will show that the rate per window chargeable upon the palaces of the higher aristocracy, is less than one hialf the rate chargeable on the houses of the middle classes, and above twenty per cent. leas than that charged on the house of the pet ty shopkeeper with fifteen windows. The next in stance of inequality, in the operation of the win dow-tax is found in the size and quality of the windows. Except in a few p eculiar circumstances, there is no difference between a large window and a small one, and none whatever according to their ra t p fictive value. A window of twelve panes , g lazed with ordinary crown worth therefore butglass at ls. 6d. a pane , a nd 18s., is charged the same duty as a window with the sa me number of panes of plate glass, and worth thirty guineas. The duty in the first case may be as high as thirty per cent., and in the latter little more th an one per cent. As the panes in the latter case will be •at least double the size of t hose in the former, and of course afford double the light, or be as good as two windows, the tax, put in this shape, will be reduced one-half. On ana m verage the window-tax of the aristocracy is computed at one-fourth part of what is p a id b y the middlePed classes of society. The window -tax is not of necessity a charge on the rental, even suppos ing all windows were of the same size and of tile same value. A house in Belgrave-square fetches double the. rent that a house of the same num ber o$ windows does in Russell-square. The tax on the rental is therefore double in the one case to what it is in the other. A house with the same num -oer of windows situate in the obscure purlieus of :London, it is well known will not fetch half the rent $ et one in Russell-square. The se indow-tax, therefore, is twice as heavy there as in Russell-square, and four tunes as heavy as in the fashionable locality of Belgrave-square. But settirg the value arising from locality out of the question, the amount of duty is quite unequal upon houses of differen t ren ta ls. Thus se house of 10/. per annum, with eight windows, Fa a 'duty equal to eight per cent. on the y. s re ntal; a house of 1001. rental, with thirty se itlows, es ill pay Omie twelve per cent. on the rental; but a louse of 600/. rent, with fifty windows, will only p a y fists and a halt per cent. on the rental ; a house of 500/., with sixty windows, will pay only four per cent. on the rental ; a house of 1,500/. a year, with 100 windows, will pay only two per cent.; a house of 3,0001. a year, with 180 windows, will pay only one and a half per cent. ; and the palace, with 365 windows, estimated at 6,0001. a Dear, will pay only one per cent. on its rental. `l'ls.e wealthy have other advantages arising out of the window duty. There is no window duty charged on the glass of hot-beds, hot-houses, and green-houses, TitE SUN, LONDON, SATURDAY EVENING, JANUARY 4. 1845. which either belong to these classes, or are employed in raising luxuries which are beyond the reach of the middle and poorer classes. Such is the tax which some financiers defend. It is a tax on ventilation, health, and comfort; a tax on light; a tax on archi tectural taste ; a clumsy and preposterous tax ; un equal in its operation in every way in which it can be viewed ; and one which, we hope, will be among the number of those which Sir Robert Peel, with his surplus of three millions to dispose of in the way of reducing taxation, will deem it right to remodel or remove. MR. POLK, THE PRESIDENT ELECT. (From a New York paper.) During the last summer a variety of wandering politicians visited Tennessee, for the purpose of casting an anchor to windward in the affections of Mr. Polk, and impressing upon his mind, should he be elected, an adequate idea of their immense importance and over whelming influence in carrying his election. But it seems, according to the best and most authentic accounts, that all these politicians were quite astonished by the cool manner in which they were received by Mr. Polk, patticularly in reference to political matters. On science, on religion, on all ordinary topics of conver sation, Mr. Polk would talk with fluency and interest, and discovered himself to be a well read, polite, and agreeable man. But on politics—on the tariff—on any other public question—on his views—his policy—he was as silent and mysterious as the grave itself. It is, therefore argued, from all these accounts, that Mr. Polk will turn out a much shrewder man than people have generally imagined. He was never, it is true, regarded as a very great man in Congress, but he always maintained his personal dignity and position, and discovered that the great element of his character was firmness and stead fast attachment to his political views and his friends. What effect may be produced on his mind, or what influence may be exercised by the various cliques of the democracy, it is utterly impossible to make any probable conjectures. No doubt there are many ready to punce upon him, but how they will succeed is quite another matter. . In reference to the fashionable movements in the White House (luring the next four years, the prospect is very brilliant. The lady of Mr. Polk is quite a good-looking woman, has a great deal of tnct, and a certain :mount of that genius for society which will douhtkss give a new tone to fashionable matter in 11 eshton. It is a long time since the White House was tenanted by a lady possessed of com manding poslt:o,-), talents, genius, and personal beauty, and we should not be at all surprised if Mrs. Polk were to restore to the White House the brilliancy, refinement, and gaiety which dis tinguished it during the presidency of Mr. Madison, when Mrs. Madison was the presiding genius. Mr. Van Buren was a bachelor, and could not, of course, give the tone and character and refinement of female genius to that establishment. Mr. Tyler, with all the disposition in the world, had not the materials ; and, even if Mr. Clay had been selected, we doubt whether female elegance and refinement would have presided to such an extent in Washington as under the auspices of Mrs. Polk. In fact, the accession of Mr. Polk brings with it the best prospect of a com plete restoration of gaiety, elegance, refinement, beauty, and fashion to society in Washington. DAGUERREOTYPE BANK OF ENGLAND NOTES. A friend, who has recently returned from London, assured me that he had discovered a simple method of making a permanent engraving on a metallic plate, of a Daguerreotype likeness or sketch. On making the discovery (the nature of which he explained to me), being then in London, his application for a pa tent in England was enrolled, after which, he was compelled to specify in six months, or his his.right to the discovery. When the time was nearly expired he was seized with anhemorrhage of the lungs, which prevented his specifying ; whereupon a Frenchman stepped in and secured a patent for a similar process. My friend is now about securing his patent for the United States. He showed me a finely-engraved let ter seal, copied by this process from an original en graving made by a first-rate artist in London. He says, that by this discovery he copied several Bank of England notes upon metallic plates, by merely re flecting the light from them to the plates, as is done in taking miniatures, and by a simple chemical process converted them into permanent engraved plates, and then proceeded to take impressions from them, which exhibited a striking and remarkably exact likeness to the originals, even showing the waved lines in the paper. This he did for amusement, showing this wonderful result to his friends, and deposited them in the museum, as objects of curiosity. He tells me he entertains no doubt but the process is known in France, and that the 1001. counterfeit notes offered at the Bank of England were e,ecuted by it. So exact were the counterfeits that the Bank actually paid some of them, and only accidentally discovered the second or third note by a genuine note of the same number, letter, and date, being offered at the same time. My friend thinks that when the plate is once thus accurately formed, it might be made more Perfect, if necessary, by receiving slight touches from skilful engraver. Ile thinks there is not a bank bill bra what can, by skilful management, be so perfectly cootnterfeited as to defy the detection of the bank which issued it. He supposes there can be but one probable mode of prevention, and that is, to have the bill crossed or printed transversely, with a variety of strong colours. Even in this case he does not know but the difficulties might be surmounted by ingenuity and perseverance. If this new mode of counterfeiting been so successfully practised in France, what is to prevent the same ingenious scoun drels from putting their art in operation in the United States ? Under these considerations, it may be well for our banks to keep a close look out for counterfeit bills of a large denomination, and devise some scheme, if possible, to forestal or prevent such a fraudulent operation.—New York Journal of Commerce. her child down and grappled the fellow, who struck her a severe blow on the head with a heavy stave ; notwithstanding this, she still stuck to him, and had nearly overthrown him, when an accomplice entered the house, and taking up the infant, threw it on to the Forest. The mother left the dastardly plunderers, and ran to the assistance of her child. Immediately the first man found himself at liberty, he went up stairs, where he ransacked the drawers and boxes ; as soon as the poor woman had recovered her child, she returned to the house, and had the door closed upon her by the accomplice. Fearing the approach of the husband, or the alarm of the adjacent cottagers, the man upstairs quickly descended to the house-place, and rejoined his companion at the door ; they both then ran away together, down the Larkdale. When they had arrived about half-way down, they met a man and a boy, when they turned off through the fields, in the direction of the cemetery, and escaped. They were in so great a hurry to avoid detection, that they decamped without taking away anything of value, and leaving in the house the bludgeon with which the poor woman was struck. We believe the fellows have hitherto eluded detection.—Nottingham Review. MIRACULOUS ESCAPE.—On Saturday night last a worthy ploughman, residing in Inchinnan parish, Ren frewshire, while wending his way homeward with a " wee drap in his e'e," by some chance or other lay down on the road, and fell fast asleep. A cart belonging to a neighbouring farmer, attended by a servant man, hap pened to come up shortly afterwards. The night being dark, the man saw nothing on the road, but was suddenly startled by a crash under one of the wheels, followed by a loud roar. The horse being stopped, the driver alighted, and to his great horror discovered a human being apparently under one of the wheels. Ae imme diately bawled lustily for help, but none appearing, he proceeded to a neighbouring house, and having alarmed the inmates, described all the horrors of the case. Lights being procured, the party repaired to the spot, expecting to see nothing but the remains of a mutilated human being, when, to their astonishment, they discovered their old neighbour apparently in perfect health and good spirits. The wheel of the cart had passed over his hat, crushing it in two within half an inch of his head. It may truly be said of this man that he was " within an inch of his life."—Glasgow Journal. PROJECTED NEW DOCK AT BIRKENHEAD. — It is in contemplation to turn Tranmere Pool into a floatiecr dock, and, :we understand, (application will be made to Parliament in the next session for powers. From the Parliamentary plan of the proposed docks, it appears that their position will be between the two slips of Birkenhead and Tranmere, a site which is covered with water every tide, just the same as Wallasey Pool. It is intended here to construct—suppose the Act should be obtained—one wet dock, the area of which will be eleven acres and 1,980 yards, and also a graving dock, at the point nearest the Chester Old-road. The quay to the northward of Tranmere slip will be 100 feet wide; and the dock will be entered by gates of 70 feet width. The land belongs partly to Mr. Chamberlayne, of Chester; and partly to the corporation of Liverpool; but it is understood that the Admiralty have refused to give any sanction to the undertaking. The Dock Com mittee of Liverpool have agreed to petition, so as to give them a standing to be heard when the case is under Parliamentary investigation.—Liverpool Mercury. NEWARK AND SHEFFIELD RAILWAY COMPANY. — On Saturday a deputation, consisting of the Mayor of New , ark, Mr. Thorpe, and Mr. Godfrey, accompanied by Captain Salmond, chairman, Mr. Denuiston, secretary, and Mr. Sanderson, surveyor and assistant engineer to the Newark and Sheffield Railway Company, waited, by appointment, on his Grace the Duke of Newcastle, at Clumber. His Grace inquired minutely, and with much interest, into the objects and prospects of the proposed line, more especially as to its probable bearing on the town of Newark, the best interests of which his Grace expressed himself as most anxious at all times to pro mote. After an interview of upwards of an hour, the deputation retired, much gratified with their reception, and especially with the kindness and urbanity of manner which so peculiarly distinguish his Grace on all occa sions. We understand that his Grace the Duke of Port land has expressed his intention to support this line.— Doncaster Gazette. _ _ _ The largest elm-tree that has been brought into Worcester for the last half. century was on Thursday safely deposited in Mr. William Tunk's timber-yard, Ty - bridge-place. It grew on Lord Sandys's estate, Om bersley, near Worcester ; it measured thirteen feet long, and fourteen feet in circumference at fifteen feet from the butt ; weighs from fourteen to fifteen tons ; and there is supposed to be 150 cubic feet of timber in the top, left behind on the estate. — Worcester Journal. POLICE INTELLIGENCE (YESTERDAY.) MANSION-ROUSE. James Lathbury, butcher, of Whitechapel, was summoned for having refused to pay two quarter's poors'-rate. The assessor appeared with his books to prove that the amount demanded upon the assessment of Mr. Lathbury's house at 951. per annum was due. The defendant admitted that he had objeoted to pay the sum demanded, but if he thought it was a just and legal claim, he would not for one moment have hesitated. The authorities, however, had thought proper to assess him a great deal more than his neighbours were assessed. The LORD MAYOR—Who of your neighbours are assessed less than you are ? The defendant mentioned a few names of which that of Mr. Smith, the eminent distiller, was one. It had, he said, been considered fair, for what reason he did not know, to assess the proprietor of the immense premises which cost 150,0001. or 160,0001., known as the Whitechapel distillery, at no more than 1,1001. a year, while he was assessed at 951. The LORD MAYOR—How much rent do you pay ? Defendant-1001. a year. The LORD MAYOR—You are only rated at 95/., notwithstanding your own acknowledgment as to your liability to a higher rate. The defendant said he was a tenant-at-will, and that the rating had crept up year after year until it had reached its present amount. He had stated his objection, but the board, instead of taking it into consideration as he supposed they would have done, directed that he should be summoned before the Lord Mayor. For two years he had been subjected to what he considered to be an unequal and unjust ex action. The LORD MAYOR—It is your own fault if you have paid what you considered to be an illegal claim, without inquiring into the matter. The defendant said his surveyor had assessed him at 521. a-year. • The LORD MAYOR—How was that, when you say you pay 100/. a-year for your premises ? Defendant —I only paid 60/. a-year at that time. The LOUD MAYOR then examined the parochial books, and said to the defendant, " I find that the 7th of December was the day of appeal. Now you have, by inattention to the subject, lost your appeal, so that, as far as the rates for which you have been sum moned are concerned, you will be obliged to pay. You ought to have known the process, for notices is regularly posted upon the church doors." The defendant—But, my Lord, I very seldom visit the church. The LORD MAYOR—Then, perhaps, you may put down this as one of the bad effects of not going to church. You must pay these two quarters, as it is too late for you to appeal ; but you can object to the dis charge of the next quarter's poor-rates, and I would have you do so for your own satisfaction. The defendant said that he should certainly act upon his Lordship's suggestion, and instantly pay the present demand. Hannah Haines, who was charged, on Wednesday, with having intended self-destruction, was brought up for re-examination. The defendant had mentioned, upon her first examination, some particulars about her husband's relations, and the Lord Mayor directed that care should be taken of her by the matron of the Compter. His Lordship yesterday stated that he found, so far as he had been able to ascertain, that the poor woman's statement was unexaggerated, and that she was really an object of compassion. He then handed her a sovereign, which, he said, he had received for her, and desired her to leave her address with 111 r. Goodman, and to call at the Mansion-house on Monday next. The appearance of the defendant was much altered for the better. A lad, named George Ford, was charged by Mr. Goldhain, the clerk of Billingsgate-market, with having impeded the ticket-porters in their work in Billingsgate-market. Mr. Goldham said the defendant was a most annoy ing nuisance, for it was his practice to watch for and tempt the industrious boys who laboured in the fish market to gamble away their earnings. Of late the tossing, a game at which the defendant was the prin cipal player, had become a serious evil, and the ticket porters were greatly obstructed by the crowds of blackguards who attended to gamble. The defendant said he had only tossed like others. The LORD MAYOR—I shall send you to hard labour in Bridewell for fourteen days ; and I think the knowledge of that, and the assurance from me that every one brought before me under such circum stances shall have similar punishment, will cure the evil. RAILWAY INTELLIGENCE. WATERFORD TO VALENCIA. We are enabled to state in regard to the above pro ject, announced in our journal last week, that Mr. Vignalles has been engaged to make the necessary sur reys, &c. It is considered that this will be one of the best paying lines in Ireland, and several of the most influential personages in the county of Waterford ex press their appri,bation of the plan, and have signi fied their intention of becoming shareholders, as have also the Bonmahon Mining Company, who are most anxious for its promotion. The English Great Western Railway Company have, likewise, intimated their intention of taking shares, and that to a consider able amount, in case the required number of shares should not be taken up in the several localities. It will also receive the support of the M ar quis of Waterford, the Earl of Huntingdon , Lo rd S tuar t de Decies, Ralph " &c. Should this plan b e carr i e d out, become the Kingstown of W a t er f or d, Osborne, rrr am E 0 rseq. will , and the Bonmahon Mining Company will be essentially served by it. It will pass through the towns of Tra more, Annstown, Stradbally, Dungarvan, Cappoquin, Lismore, Fermoy, Millstreet, Killarney, &c.—Cork Examiner. Main, 21s ; .Budclles's West Hartley, 20s ; Carr's Hart ley, 21s 6d ; Chester Main, 21s ; Charlotte Main, 21s ; Hasting's Hartley, 20s 6d ; Holywc..ll Main, 21s ; Jar row Low Main, I9s ; Morrison's Hartley, 218 ; Nel son's West Hartley, 21s ; New Tanfield, 19s fid ; Old Pontop, 19s ; Ord's Redheugh, 19s; Oakwell-gate Main, 17s 6d ; Pontop Windsor, 19s ; Putt's Primrose (un screened), 18s ; Ravensworth West Hartley, 20s 9d ; Shipcote, 16s 3d ; Tanfield Moor, 21s ; Taylor's West Hartley, 20s 6d ; West Hartley, 21s 6sl ; West Wylam, 21s ; Wylam, 21s W. E., Acorn Close, 22s ; W. E., Bell and Brown, 22s ; W. E., Clennell, 29s 9d ; W. E., Gosforth, 22s ; W. E., Gibson, 22s ; W. E., Heaton, 21s 6d ; W. E., Hilda, 22s ; W. E., Killingworth, 21s ; W. E., Newmarch, 21s 3d ' • W. E, Northumberland, 2ls 6d ; W. E., North Durham, 2is ; W. E., Riddell's, 21s 9d ; Eden Main, 22s ; W. E., Belmont, 22s 6d ; W. E., Braddyll's Hetton, 25s ; W. E., East Hetton, 22s ; W. E., Haswell, 24s ; W. E., Hetton, 25s ; W. E., Houghall, 22s 6d ; W. E., Hylton, 22s ; W. E., Lamb ton, 25s ; W. E., Lumley, 22s 6d ; W. E., Morrison, 228 ; W.E., Pemberton, 22s ; W. E., Richmond, 23s ; W. E.. Russell's Hetton, 23s 9d ; W. E., Sherburn, 245; W. E., Shotton, 24s •, W. E., Stewart's, 24s 3d ; W. E., Whitwell, 22s 6d ; W. E., Caradoc, 23s 6d ; W. E., Fox's Hartlepool, 21s ; W. E., Hartlepool, 24s 3d ; W. E., Harvey, 20s 3d ; W. E., Heselden, 21s 6d; W. E., Kelloe, 24s ; -W. E., South Hartlepool, 20s ; W. E., Trimdon, 23s 6d; W. E., Adelaide, 23s 6d ; W. E., Barrett, 22s 6d; W. E., Bitchburn, 22s 6d ; W. E., Brown's Deanery, 22s 3d ; W. E., Coundon Tees, 22s ; W. E., Evenwood, 2ls ; ;W. E., Gordon, 213 • W. K, Maclean's Tees, 21s ; W. E„ Seppings, 20s ; W. E., Seymour Tees, 22s 9d ; W. D., South Durham, 22s ; W. E., Tees, 23s 6d ; W. E., Tees Hutton, 20s ; W. E., Tennant's, 21s 6d ; W. E., West Tees, 21s 6d ; W. E., West Hetton, 21s ; W. E., Woodefield, 19s; W. E., Cowpen Hartley, 21s 6d; Howard's Netherton, 21s.—Ships arrived, 422. SURREY S ESSIONS. Yesterday George Hazel Fraser, a young man of highly respectable appearance and connexions, surrendered to take his trial, charged with felonious?) , stealing from the person of Ann Thorpe, wife of Richard Thorpe, one half-crown and a latch -key, the property of her husband. The trial created more than ordinary interest, in con sequence of the extraordinary nature of the alleged robbery, and from the circumstance of the prisoner being possehsed of an independent fortune, of which he had recently come into possession. The case lasted nearly the whole of the day, until a late hour in the evening. The prisoner was defended by Mr. Charnock. Ann Thorpe stated that she went into a public-house in the Borough, on the evening of the 4th of December last, to call for a glass of gin, and while standing at the bar she felt some person's hand in her pocket, and on turning round saw the prisoner take his hand away, when se immediately accused him of the robbery, at the same time saying that if he would return the money she would forgive him and let him go. He denied the robbery in the most positive manner, and, a policeman coining up at the time, addressed him, saying, " The woman accuses me of robbing her." The policeman asked her of what she had been robbed, when she stated two halt-crowns and a latch-key. One of the half crowns the prosecutrix gave a description of, stating that it was a George IV. one, and black at the edges. The prisoner was taken to the station-house, where he pulled his handkerchief out of his coat pocket. The policeman, hearing something rattle, asked the pri soner what he had got there ;to hich he replied, " Nothing." The key was, however, found in the hand kerchief, at which the prisoner seemed thunderstruck, anti said he could not account for its possession. He was then searched, and two half-crowns were found in his pockets, one of which the prosecutrix identified as be longing to her, and swore it was the same that she had lost. Mr. CIIARNOCI severely cross-examined the prosecu trix. She stated that she lived with her husband before she was married ; was from home the whole of the day in question, until seven in the evening. The robbery took place about half-past six o'clock. Never saw the prisoner before. " I will most solemnly swear that I was never in a house of ill-fame on that evening with the prisoner. I was not drunk. I am not in the habit of drinking. I again most solemnly swear that I did not invite the prisoner to go with me to a house of ill-fame in Fishmonger's-alley. I do not know where it is. I had only been in one public-house before this. I paid 2d. for something to drink, but whether it was gin or rum Ido not know. I never had any conversation with my husband about losing money. He did not say to me, I see by the papers you have lost two half- crowns.' " The Learned COUNSEL then, on behalf of the prisoner, made a most powerful address. He said it was one of the most unholy prosecutions ever brought into a court of justice, and he would unfold such evidence on the part of the defence as would at once show that the woman was one of the most wicked and abandoned of her sex. The Learned COUNSEL then called several witnesse., who proved that on the evening of the robbery the pro secutrix was turned out of the Naked Boy public-house, for being drunk and disorderly. Her dress was in the greatest state of confusion, and the skirt of the gown she wore came away from the body, and the prisoner sent for some pins to pin it together. Elizabeth Sheen, a servant at a house of ill-fame in Kent-street, stated that on the evening of the robbery the prisoner came to the house in company with the pro secutrix. Witness herself lighted the woman up stairs. They were the only parties who came in that evening at such an early hour. The prisoner was brought the next day to the house in custody of a policeman, and she in stantly identified him. On going to Union-hall, witness there saw the prosecutrix, who was the same woman who accompanied the prisoner to Kent-street the- preceding evening. Witness could not be mistaken as to the identity. The landlord of the Naked Boy proved that the prose catrix was at the bar on the day of the robbery—she had some rum to drink—she was drunk and creating a dis turbance, and witness turned her out himself. Other witnesses were called, who proved that the pro secutrix was in the habit of getting so much intoxicated that she was brought home in a state of insensibility on a shutter. She was subject to " drunken fits." The husband was unexpectedly called, and examined by, the Learned Chairman at some length, and he ad mitted that be had had a conversation with his wife rela ii+o to her being robbed. The CHAIRMAN summed up at great length, and said that the present was one of those distressing cases which we were sometimes compelled to witness in a court of justice. That there had been most wicked, wilful, and corrupt perjury on one side or the other was beyond a doubt, and it would be for the jury to decide on which. There was one startling fact in the case which he could not get over, and this was the circumstance of the key being found in the possession of the prisoner. Then again the prosecutrix identified the half-crown even be fore the policeman had seen it or examined it. The case was a very difficult one, and the jury would weigh well the evidence, and give it their most careful consideration, so as to enable them to return a righteous, upright, and t e r T fhoer pri sonerhouessttyj u ;h d a g_ d m u .re,e received v fearless most of undeniable all . charac considering evidence ba,l, t o h n e e t . r Thuverdict, Letahrenye Learned ould Counselbe s no - t the case. The against the prisoner. Such w t a searching cirose-extuni had made some severe cry th at a i t on t s he r v ela b t a i% d , e a to p t r h ei e u c d o i n ce - Court had only instituted a most : "u ue i( t le o d f bh t ) h ' e t th ß ine ench, stating Bross-exami nation order ation to into testto the their truth. w itnesses' that the y would entirely to the hands of the jury, confident 'thout fear, would return a just and righteous verdict, without 'The evid evidence tfoth woul de cdoemfemnicte,tiiine f t a h v e o ir ur s , ol o e r mn aff a e nd eti s o a n c , re i d n o a a c t c h o . rdance with the terms of On hear i ng ) b ju ea r r y i immediately ngthev erdi returned athep a v prisoner son e e r i d . i b c tof u rstNi into G o uil t 3. tears, • and was immediately surrounded by a host of friends. There was an attempt at applause on hearing the ver dict, but it was immediately checked by order of the Court. CUSTOMS. It was stated a short time since that some important alterations were about taking place in the landing de partment of this branch of the revenue; and that in consequence of the pressure of business necessarily so frequently occurring, owing to the prevalence of con trary winds and sudden change, and consequent in flux of shipping, an arrangement was in progress for forming a body of men from the inferior departments into:three or four classes of " superintendent lockers," who were to be available at all times on such occa sions to assist in the landing, weighing, and housing of the cargoes of vessels, in order to prevent delay to merchants, and inconvenience to trade. The ar rangement alluded to has within these few days come into operation, and a large body of these inferior officers have, with the sanction of the Treasury, been formed into a body for the desired purpose, at at an increase of salary beyond that which they received in their previous positions, varying from 101. to 401. per annum. This new arrangement has been a most fortunate tqing for a great many of these officers, who previously held offices at little more than half the salary they will receive in their new position, and performing a very in ferior description of duty, and who have been pro moted in consequence of their previous good charac ter and capacity, entitling them to the benefit of the new arrangement. Several of them are officers drafted from the different outports, being inferior officers of the Customs, or belonging to the Coast guard, the collectors and comptrollers at these places having been directed some time ago by the Commis sioners to recommend to their consideration such persons under their supervision as they might con sider deserving and entitled, in consequence of their merits and good character, to the benefit of a participa tion in the new appointments about to be submitted to the Lords of the Treasury for their approval. For these men the change is a great advantage, and an ; important improvement in their c ondi t ion . It is not ' intended, we believe, that this new description of landing-waiters should perform the whole of the duties appertaining to that department, but only the simple routine portion of them, leaving the higher and more important, as before, to officers of more capacity and experience. Vario th u e s other alterations and h av e recently b ee n made in of h o e ffi re ce it rs wa in s p d r iff ac e - - r se e v n e t r b al ra r n e e d h u t, c s tic e been n tlienumber nul effected, e w ticable, in order to me et the increased expenditure caused by this new arrangement, so that on the whole, t but ai l ed o a trifling ingrae(vhelnitiuce).nal expense will be th e reby en- ---- ----- GROSS OUTRAGE. made A most the attemptstviol , e o n r t est,bu t at which proved robberyh as u re n c s e u n e t c l3 e r s b sf e u. e i n , in conseq uence o f t L e courage di sp l a y e d by a female. The appended are the particulars, as we have learnt them. Last Friday evening, between six and seven o'clock, a man dressed in a blue sinockfrock, with his face blackened, and having on a " billy cock" cap, called at a lone house at the top of the Larkdale, on the Forest, occupied by a mechanic named Bowers, and asked permi ss i on to li g h t hi s p i pe . The only persons in the house at the time were Mrs. Bowers and her chi!d, eleven months old. The fellow was very inquisitive; after at-king a number of ques tions, such as " Was Mr. Bowers likely to return soon ' • I was the dog in the house ?" &c., he retir e d. U pon learning these particulars, Bowers told his wif e i n f uture • • to lock herself in the house on those evenings on which he was absent. She subsequently did so. On the next (last) Monday night, about a quarter-past eight, as Mrs. Bowers was sitting with her infant at her breast, the house door was suddenly forced open, al though it bad been locked, and a men rushed in who was dressed in a similar manner to the one previously described, except having a striped worsted cravat tied round his head, in place of the " billycock,"and with his face again blackened. The woman immediately put MARKET INTELLIGENCE (From the London New Price Current of Jan. 3.) SUGAR.—Firmness has characterised the West India Sugar market this week, the quantity on show has been small, and the quality of the principal part indifferent. Today there was a good business transacted in West India Muscovado Sugar, but merchants were, in some instances, compelled to accept rates rather under those previously quoted for brown and inferior yellow, but mid, good, and fine kinds, supported the former currently. 520 were disposed of, making the total purchases tbr the three market days 1,490 hhds and tierces. REFINED.—There has been much activity in the mar ket for Refined Goods since we last wrote, the home trade have been eager purchasers, and the Sugar houses are, for the most part, cleared. The consumption continues to be as large as ever, and refined is still much cheaper, in comparison with good and fine yellow West India ; brown lumps have been selling at 72s 6d to 735, standard lumps 74s to 74s 6d, Tittlers ord to mid 73s to 74s 6d, good 75s to 76s 6d, fine and very fine 77s to 83s, Hatubro' loaves 74s to 625, double 83s to 90s, and wet lumps 70s to 71s per cwt. Bastards are plentiful ; fine selling at 48s to 545, good 43s to 475, mid 41s to 425, and low 38s to 40s per cwt ; of the lower descriptions, the stock in particular is a heavy one. For Treacle there has been an immense demand ; boiled from West India Molasses. fetching 21s to 225, patent 22s 6d to 23s 6d, and Golden Syrup 24s to 27s per cwt. In Bonded Crushed Sugar a further advance has taken place in prices, 30s 6d to 31s per cwt having been paid, indeed, in some cases, orders have been refused. There has been a lively demand for Loaves, higher prices have been given, and they rule as follows :—Turkey, double refined if 2f to 4 lbs on board British ship 38s to 425, Hamburgh 61bs 355, 9to 10 lbs 33s 6d to 345, 13 to 14 lbs 82s, Tittlers 20 to 301bs • 31s to 31s 6d, and Prussian 40 to 45 lbs 41s per cwt. Pieces are selling readily at 25s to 275, being higher. Bastards are in good demand at 20s to 21s for yellow, and 19s for brown. For Treacle prices have risen from 123 9d to 13s per cwt. The value of Dutch Crushed Sugar is 28s to 29s per cwt. MAURITIUS.-There has been a greater desire mani fested on the part of importers to realise, and a decline in prices has taken place of 2s to 3s for good and fine yellow, and is to Is 6d for inferior, middling, and brown and grey descriptions; the supply has consisted chiefly of bright yellow qualities; the demand, however, has been good, and 5,355 bags at public sale were all disposed of fine yellow at 60s to 63s 6d, good 57s 6d to 59s 6d, good mid 56s to 575, mid 54s to 55s 6d, low 52s 6d, low heavy 49s 6d, good brown 495, ord 425, fine grey 58s to 595, good 56s to 575, low to mid 52s 6d to 555; and washed 53s to 60s per cwt. The quality of the Mauritius Sugar is decidedly superior to that of the former season, and it is now cheaper than West India or Bengal. EAST INDIA.-This afternoon three parcels of Bengal Sugar, amounting to 2,451 bags, were submitted to pub • lic competition, and sold at full rates-good mid and good yellow at 51s 6d to 595, mid 54s to 575, low 52s to 53s 6d, good damp brown 455, mid 42s to 42s 6d, low 39a 6d, damp yellow 55s 6d to 575, good sound white 665, and damp and washed 60s 6d to 64s 6d per cwt. FOREIGN.-To-day there was more inquiry for Fo reign Sugar, and 1,400 chests of yellow Havannah were sold privately at 21s 6d to 23s for good to fine quality, being full rates. The market generally has a brisker ap pearance. COFFEE.-Importers of West India have shown firm ness, and none has been brought to public sale, but by private contract purchases to a fair extent have been made, and full rates are given ; the supply of middling and good descriptions is very small, but the stock of ordinary and good ordinary is large ; the low rates that prevail for such cause merchants to supply the market sparingly, as there is a good consumption going un, and stocks in the dealers' hands are by no means large. Fur public competition 300 casks, the chief part Berbice, are declared ; the quality of this kind of Coffee is decidedly inferior to that of previous seasons. Although there is a large stock here of all sorts of East India; still the leading importers are not inclined to press sales, which may be ascribed ta the cheapness of all descriptions. With Ceylon the market has been sparingly supplied. and by private contract several purchases tis%e i.e. n made in Plantation kite's upon former terms, and this is the cheapest kind of Cuff e subject to the 4d per lb duty ; for good ordinary a fair demand has existed privately, and full rates are pqid. Only 512 bags have been offered at public sale, good ordinary pale sold at 52s to 53s ; country damaged first class 51s, second ditto 50, 6rl ; pale broken 48s ; p a berry 69s to 69s 6.1, ant country dewared, first class 65, per cwt. For public sale 1,500 haws nearly all plantation kind are &clan (1. Ilelders of M..cha are still relirefaat to reduce their price,. Company's Java is mare in esti mation, and there are buyers by private contract of good ordinary 1 aie ac 50s, but there ore no sellers uaoer 15s and some parties require 52s per cwt. For Singapore there has been a steady demand at 30s to 365, and su perior at 37s to 42s per cwt. Although prices are un usually low for other East India sorts, still few pur chasers are at present to be met with ; Padang is 24s to 28s, and Strunitra 20s to 23s per cwt. There are few orders for Foreign Coffee at present, but holders still remain firm, and purchases cannot be made but at full rates. A better demand is shortly looked for not only for Foreign, but also for common East India Coffee. Rum, BRANDY, AND HOLLANDB.-Of East India, Lee wards, and Demerara, some parcels have arrived this week. The market has still a quiet appearance fur Jamaica, and the only sale that has come to our know ledge is that of 100 puns, common and smokey, 30 to 32 per cent overproof at 3s 6d, 30 to 33 over clean quality is held for 3s 9d to 4s, good 4s 2d to 4s 6d, and fine 5s to 53 6d per gallon. In Demerara little doing, and 3s to 3s 4d is the value of strong. For Leewards 2s 21d to 2s 31d is the value of proof strength. For Calcutta the price is 2s 2d proof, with certificate. In Brandy several transactions have taken place at firm rates, and the market has a healthy appearance ; we quote Cognac, best brands of the vintage of 1838, hhds 5s 2d, puns 5s ; ditto 1839, hhds 4s 11d, puns 4s 9d ; ditto 1840, hhds 4s I Id, puns 4s 9d ; ditto 1841, hhds 4s 10d, puns 4s 8d ; ditto 1842, hhds 4s 7d, puns 4s 5d ; ditto 1843, hhds 4s sd, puns 4s 3d, com 28 8d to 2s 11d, and mid to good mid 3s to 3s 10d ; Bordeaux com 2s 6d to.2s 8d per gallon. The market is firm for Geneva, and shipping sort is in demand at is 10d to Is Ild ; fit for duty is worth 2s 4d to 3s 6d. English Corn Spirits lOs 2d per gallon cash. TEA.-An increased desire has been manifested on the part of the trade to purchase nearly every descrip tion of Tea ; for black prices are still going up, and for green they have ruled firm. There has been an exten sive demand for Cengou, and rather higher rates have again been given for all descriptions ; common and middling sorts are the most in request, common has been fetching lld to I lid, good common I lid to is id, but middling to good blackish leaf is dto is 6d, fine is 7d to is 10d; Pekoe flavour is lid to 2s 7d per lb. In Pouchong extensive purchases have been made. Twankay has met with ready purchases, at former terms, common at is 3d to is 31d, brightish leaf is 4d to is 9d, and Hyson kind is 10d to 2s sd. Hyson cannot be quoted higher, but the demand has been very good, common at 2s 6d to 2s 7d, middling to good 2s 8d to 3s, and superior 3s 2d to 4s 6d. Young Hyson is wanted. The business transacted in Imperial has been at late rates. Of Gunpowder there is not sufficient at mar ket to supply the demand, and prices keep high. For Cape there has been an increased demand, and stiffer rates are paid. Hyson Skin is fetch ing prices rather above those that prevailed of late. Orange Pekoe, fine scented is fetching 3s 4d to 3s 5d per lb. This afternoon several purchases were made in Tea, and the market has still an improving appearance; common clean Pouchong is not to be purchased under 7d, and ordinary Congou under lld per lb cash. FRUIT.-Although there have been some arrivals of Currants, still merchants remain firm, and require 47s for Zante and Cephalonia, and 49s to 50s for Patras. The price of Valentia Raisins is still kept up at 50s. but the trade at present buy with cautie,n. For fine Figs there is a good demand, but for parcels out of condition there are few purchasers. MOLASSES.-To-day there was a good trade in West India Molasses, Antigua fetching 225, good quality 23s to 23s 6d, fine 255, Nevis 225, and old Barbados 25s per cwt. The total purchases for the week are 500 hhds. RICE.-Bengal is less wanted, but the supply being still small, previous rates are supported, none has been offered at auction, and by private contract only small parcels have found purchasers ; low white at ifs to lls 3d, mid Ils 6d to lls 9d, and good to fine 12s to 12s 6d per cwt. The stock is still diminishing, but arrivals are shortly expected. The market is in a quiet state for Foreign East India Rice, but at present no reduction can be quoted in prices; white Java is lOs to 12s, yellow 9s to 9s 6d, and yellow Madras 8s to 8s 6d per cwt; there has been no public sale. Cleaned Rice is, however, wanted, Patna at 14s to 18s, and Carolina 23s to 28s per cwt. SPICES.-Importers of black Pepper are not inclined to press sales, prices ruling low, none has been offered at auction ; but at present there are not many pur chasers. Sumatra is held for lid to 24d, Penang 21c1 to 2fd, and Malabar at 2P to 34d per lb, white is not much in request, but quotation; do not give way. For Cassia Lignea the tendency of prices is upwards, the supply being small, and none has been offered at public sale ; privately ord to fine ord has been selling at 53s to 565, low mid to mid 56s 6d to 61s, good mid to good 62s to 645, and find 65s to 66s per cwt. INDIGO.-There has been only a limited business transacted in East India this week, but holders show firmness, and are not inclined to submit to any further reduction in prices. Bengal, compared with last quar terly sale, is 2d to 4d per lb cheaper, and other descrip tions are rather cheaper than they were at that period. Ores.-The transactions is common descriptions of Fish Oils have been extremely limited this week, the rates accepted are rather under those previously quoted, although the stock is a small one, and less than it was last season at this time • for Cod 30/10s to 311 has been accepted; Pale Seal 3310 s to 341; straw 321 to 321 10s, yellow 301 108 to 311, brown 281 lOs to 304 and common to fine Southern 281 to 331 per tun-none of any kind has been offered at public sale, although the stock of all kinds is only 1,400 tuns, being much less than that of last year ; still, prices for Seal are from 40s to 60s, and for Southern 70s to 80s per tun under those current at the close of 1843. The market is firm for Sperm, and a fair demand exists ; 881 to 901 per tun paid fur fine British. Linseed Oil 23s 3d to 23s Gd, Rape Oil, pale selling at 38s, and brown 35s per cwt. For Palm there are few orders; good and fine quality is 24s 6d to 255. Cocoa Nut met with little attention, and 24s to 27s per cwt is the value of low to fine. Olive Oil is cheaper than it was at the close of 1843 by 40s to 803 per ton. There has been a better demand this week, and holders are fire, TALLOW.-Since this day week the market has pre sented a quiet appearance for Russian Tallow, but prices cannot be quoted lower. This afternoon at public sale 288 casks of New South Wales Tallow were sold at 36s to 41s 6d ; 9 casks of North American 39s 6d ; and 411 pkgs South American 31s 3d to 38s 9d per cwt. COAL MARKET. Prices per ton at the close of the market :—Mair's WEST YORKSHIRE. Wauthorised to contradict a rumour that Geor ge Hudson, areon,Esq.,has " backed out" of the West Yo r k s hi re Railway. Mr. Hudson stands in precisely the same po sition at the present time towards this Company as when, as Chairman of the Leeds and Bradford Board of Di rectors, the guarantee of four per cent. from that Corn pang was given t) the West Yorkshire. And we can further assure the Shareholders in this undertaking, that on the meeting of Parliament the invaluable aid of Mr. Hudson will be rendered to obtain the Bill.—Bradford Observer. NEWCASTLE AND CARLISLE. Considerable alarm was felt on Saturday last by a report reaching the town that the short tunnel on the Newcastle and Carlisle Railway, near Corbridge, had that morning fallen in. On the managing com mittee repairing to the place, they found that a small portion had gi ven wa y , which , although it will wa s aot attended with any accident. The for a few days cause a little delay in the arrival of the trains, promptest measures were immediately to be taken, by placing omnibuses and carts, so as to render the incon venience as trifling as possible ; and it is expected that within less than a week the passage will be opened, and the traffic, which will be in th e meantime fully provided for, be resu med in the ordinary way. The public are aware that, for the safety of the passen gers and in consequence of the great increase of traffic, the Directors are having the whole line of rail way doubled, which has been done with the excep tion of this tunnel, now in the hands of the contractor. The enlarging of the tunnel is a work requiring consi derable skill, a drift above it being to be driven, by which the wider arch is made before the older one is re moved. In shifting some of the machinery by the con tractor's men, a hole was unluckily made through the present roof before the new one was finished, which let down some of the superincumbent earth and stopped the passage.— Tyne Mercury. NORTHUMBERLAND. The railway by Alnwick being now found practicable, by actual survey, Messrs. Gandell and Brunton, the eminent engineers, are preparing sections and plans to lay before the Board of Trade, with the memo rial of the inhabitants and others interested. The committee appointed at the meeting held in the Town-Hall, Ai nw ick, on the 4th of November last, having persevered and overcome every difficulty so far, notwithstanding the great opposition they have met with, there is no doubt but when the Flans are finished and presented with the memorial, they will show the ad vantage of the line, not only as commanding a greater amount of traffic, accomu existing to a much greater extent the inhabitants of the middle parts of Northumberland, but also saving a distance of two miles on the main mail line, and at a little expense.—Tyne Mercury. RAILWAY INDICATOR.—There has just been published in Paris an account of an instrument for indicating the speed of trains, and registering any undue excess ; this, it is expected, will act as a wholesome monitor to engine drivers, and lessen the risk of railway travelling, by ren dering it impossible to escape detection,where a dangerous velocity has been attained. This contrivance consists in a governor, such as is commonly used in steam-engines,and set in motion by the customary gearing from one of the axles of the locomotive. To the vertical sliding portion of the governor an index is attached, which passes along a graduated vertical scale, and, by the height to which it reaches, shows the degree of speed attained ; any excess of speed produces a further elevation, and brings into play a second index, which is unconnected wi'h the first, and which, on the fall of the governor, remains at its maximum height—a standing testimony against the negligence and recklessness of the engineer. As a further precaution, it is arranged that one of the balls of the Governor carries a hammer, which strikes a bell, and loudly calls for the attention of the driver. To prevent tampering with the indications of the instrument, the second or tell-tale index is locked up, and the key remains in the possession of some supe rior officer, who alone, at the termination of a journey, can rep:ace it in its original position, ready for a new indication. The first index, which only takes cogni sance of the speed within the regulated limit, is open to the inspection of all in it 3 neighbourhood ; and if this be neglected or concealed, the bell protests most clamorously against the danger and the wrong.— Scotsman. COAL-PIT EXPLOSION.—On Friday morning last an explosion of fire-d amp too k p l ace a t Vobster Marsh Colliery, in the parish of Malls, by which one man was illed, and five others very much burned; but it is hoped that these may all be restored. It is uncertain how the cciCent occurred, but it is supposed that one of the safety lamps was not properly secured.— Wilshire In d ep endent. FLOATING BREAK WATERS. TO THE COMMITTEE APPOINTED TO PROMOTE THE FORMATION OF ♦ REFUGE HARBOUR AT BRIGHTON, BY MEANS OF A FLOATING BREAKWATER. When I had the pleasure of meeting the inhabitants of Brighton, and of receiving their generous support and encouragement to proceed with the formation of an asylum for pleasure yachts, for steam-vessels crossing the Channel between this port and Dieppe, and for fish ing-Smacks off this exposed coast, the bject was not merely of local but of national importance - and I felt confidence in the means which I possessed of effecting it, and in the result of the experiment. This, I assure you, did not arise from theory only, however cautiously analysed, but from public practical proof of success. Having obtained permission from the Lords of the Ad miralty, I accepted an invitation from a French company to co-operate with them in forming a harbour on an importuous line of coast ; and my plans being submitted to the Board of Engineers in that kingdom, were re ceived by them with all the attention I could have de sired. On their report a grant was voted by the Chambre des Deputes for the construction of a Floating Break water Asylum at Ciotat, in the Mediterranean. Encou raged by foreign patronage, I looked with increased certainty to home ; and, on my return to England, pro posed to make a first demonstration off Brighton, where the open character of the coast would afford the severest test of my invention. With pardonable pride, I trust, I am this day enabled to state that I have completed the mooring of my sec. tions, in a manner that has elicited the approbation of competent judges, who did me the honour to become my witnesses also—the buoyancy imparted by the introduc tion of cork, added to the control exercised over the oscillation of the sections by perpendicular bridle moorings passing up through the keel, preserving a uniformity of motion which is highly desirable. The perfect shelter obtained under the lee of the breakwater, while it forms a striking contrast to the angry surface windward, has excited the surprise of many nautical and scientific men, from the completeness of the victory which is obtained over the agitation of the waters. This effect is so perfect, that I am now preparing to form a lantern, with an apartment for two attendants. on bean: ene of the sections. The necessity for a floatieg breakwater at Brighten arises froiu the . mode in which the shingle travels up t.ll, channel, one of the inevitable conseqoenee, would be a deposit so c.cat as to fill up any ;:as7n that . 2 ,0u1d he formed here by a. fixed 2;14 solid lner. Such re,eilt cannot attend the asylum I lotvo enclosed for ship. ping off a coast hide rio . The most sangtftit. parties of this f4vouri'e, this royal watering-place could lover have anticipated a greater boon far Brighton th an t h e f„ rm ation of a harbour, not so much adapted, pro bable, for commercial purposes us For the promotion of continental intercourse ; and I have the satisfacJori know that many vested iiiteres,At count cted with this, large and fashionable town are fully c.::nscious of these advantages. It may, perhaps, be hardly necessary to expatiate here on the superiority in many respects of fleeting over fixed breakwaters ; but the novelty of the des;em may be pleaded as an ttpoiogy for a few remark ' s. My system of moorings, which is simple and effectual, may be carried into effect at all seasons of the year, and com pleted within a few months. Estimates for fixed break waters cannot be relied on, because a part of the work is often destroyed by the violence of the waves before the whole is completed—the sea undoing in the hurt icane what the ingenuity of man had done during the calm. The moorings and sections of the Brighton Breakwater were laid dawn during the short dark days of December by means of a billy-buoy of 50 tons lowering over her side the centre ring and connecting chains, about lo tons weight, without the occurrence of any accident, and with the assistance of only ten bands, some of whom were landsmen. A more remarkable instance of great effects from small causes can hardly be produced, than the formation of a safe asylum for shipping constructed off a bold and bleak coast, by the simple, inexpensive, and expeditious means which I have employed in giving a harbour to Brighton. _ _ •,. And now, Gentlemen, I have the happiness to be able to tell you that the British standard, in conjunction with the arms of the town of Brighton, were this day dis played on the breakwater, and hailed by three hearty cheers. In this enthusiastic demonstration, as well as in the towing of the sections from Shoreham to their stations, we received the most valuable assistance from the crew of her Majesty's steamer African, which was most kindly placed at my disposal for that service by the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty.—l am, Gentle men, your obedient servant, &c., J. N. TAYLER, Captain R.N., C.B. Her Majesty's steamer African, Off Brighton, Dec. 24, 1844. P.S.—For the information of all who are concerned in the shipping interest, as well as all vessels bound to Shoreham Harbour, this is to give notice, that the eoat ing breakwater has been placed within the line of bearing of the Jenny Ground Rocks—Shoreham New Church within the Pier-head bearing N.W. by N.—Kemp Town Church on with the middle of Brighton Pier—Blacthing ton Windmill on with. Fisher Turnpike-gate-house, bearing N.E. by N., about one mile from the shore.— Brighton Gazette. NAVAL INTELLIGENCE. PORTSMOUTII,FRIDAY.—The works of the new steam basin in this dockyard are rapidly peogressing, and are expected to be completed for laying the foundati on - s t one on or about the 14th, when, we believe, it is the inten tion of the contractors to celebrate the event by giving a banquet upon the spot to 500 of the artisans employed in the yard, to which the Lords of the Admiralty and the chief officers of the various departments at th e p ot t will be invited. His Royal Highness Prince Albert, it is expected, will lay the foundation-stone, and presick at the banquet. The St. Vincent, 120, in dock, and nearly stripped to her keel, is found to require more repairs than was anti cipated, from the length of time she has been afloat without a refit. The Ringdove, 16, Commander Sir W. Daniell, was at St. Helena on the 10th of November, up to which date private letters state she had captured no prizes. The Aid, navy-lighter, Master-Commander Smallman, arrived yesterday with victualling stores for the Royal Clarence-yard, from the eastern depots. The Goodwill lighter sailed yesterday, with stores for the eastern yards. In Harbour—The Victorious hulk, flag, pro tem., of Admiral Sir Charley Rowley, the Victory, the Excel lent, the Vindictive, the Lily, the Sparrow ketch, the Nautilus, Portsmouth, and Fanny tenders, Aid lighter, and the steam-vessels Locust, Comet, Fearless, Dwarf. In Dock—The St. Vincent, 120, refitting; the Prince Regent, razeeing; Vengeance, Victoria and Albert, and the Athol troop ship, fitting for surveying service. In the Basin—The Britannia, 120, being stored as en advance ship, and made in every way ready for the pendant; the Neptune, 120, ditto; the Magicienne, 44, being got ready for the pendant; and the Echo, steamer, repairing damages. At Spithead—No man-of-war. The wind, at sunset this evening, shifted from the N.N.E. to W.S.W., at which point it seemed inclined to continue steady. This favourable circumstance will enable the wind-bound vessels in the Channel to proceed on their way, and will, doubtless, bring up some of the ships which have so long been expected from foreign stations. DEFONPORT.—So many pendants flying at this port (about a score) make this place exceedingly gay and animated—especially at so festive a period; we are only sorry that so many outbursts of vindictive feeling should have been manifested between the soldiers and sailors as have occurred publicly of late to disturb the peace and tranquillity of the inhabitants. We trust, however, to hear no more of such disturbances as those of last week. The Albion, 90, Captain Lockyer, has had her com plement of men and officers reduced by 100. Both officers and seamen have been distributed among the other ships fitting out. A large amount of silver coin has been shipped on board the Cruiser, 16, Commander Fanshawe, and the Osprey, 12, Commander Patten, for conveyance to Hong-Kong. The Firebrand steam-frigate, Captain Hope, is to proceed to the Rio Plata, taking out Mr. Gore Ouseley, the recently-appointed Minister to the Argentine Re public. - The Cruiser, 16, Commander Fanshawe, left the har.. bour and anchored in the Sound on Monday. The Persian, 16, Commander Coryton, was towed out of dock No. 5, on S a t ur d a y, and the Acorn,: 16, Com mander Bingham, floated in the same tide, and un docked again on Monday, when the Espiegle, 12, Com mander Thompson, was taken in to have her false keel deepened. The Daring, 12, Commander Matson ; the Espiegle, 12, Commander Thompson ; and the Flying Fish, 12, Commander Harris, we are informed, will make another experimental trial of their respective sailing qualities in the spring. The Mercury tender arrived on Monday with super numeraries fur the ships in cowniission here from Ports mouth. The Adventure, navy transport, Master-Commander N. Boskilly, sailed ou Tuesday with stores for Cork. In Harbour—The Caledonia, 120, flag-ship, San Josef Superb, Albion, Actaeon, Persian, Racehorse, Cruiser, Daring, Espiegle, Flying Fish, Osprey, Acor n , P an t a - LT)n Waterwitch Mutiue, Firebrand steam-tri ga t e ,•tho Sylph, Mercury, Netley, and Snipe tenders, and the Ro chester, Devon, Falmouth, Tortoise, Hamoaze, and Camel navy lighters. In the Sound—The Cruiser and Dordrecht (Dutch). SHEERNESS, JAN. 3. —The Trafalgar, 120, is rapidly fitting in tho basin for the flag of the Commander-in- Chief, Sir J. C. White. The Queen, 110, the present flag-ship, has discharged all her stores, and her crew will be hulked in a day or two, when she will be towed to Chatham for alteration. The Amason, razee corvette, 26, Captain Stopford, was towed out of the basin on Monday into the harbour: which she will shortly leave fur Spithead, wnere sho will be paid advance wages—an act of gross injustice to this port, at which most of her crews have contracted liabilities, more orless, which is the case at every other port under similar circumstances—a fact which ought to plead for itself in the eyes of the Lords of the Admiralty The Howe, 120, having been completed as an advance ship, was towed to her former moorings up tile harbour on Tuesday. The Raven and Skylark cutters were both re-ooninna sioned last week by their former officers. In the Harbour—The Queen, 110, flag-ship; Ocean, Amazon, Raven, and Skylark, cutters; and the African steam-vessel. In Dock—The Fferculos, Brilliant, Crocodile, and Spy In the Basin—The Trafalgar, Herald, and Vulture. first-class steamer. The Rolla, 10 guns, was commissioned on the 28th ult. by Commander J. Simpson; her masts were put on board on Monday last, she was then taken alongside the Anchor-wharf for rigging; they commenced this duty yesterday; one sergeant, one corporal, and tea privates joined this ship this afternoon from the head-quarters at Chatham. The Eagle, 50 guns, Captain G. B. Martin, is still in dock—she is completed, and is waiting for the spring tides to be put out of dock. The Comus, 20 guns, Commander Thompscn, is in dock fitting for sea, and will be put out of dock as soon as the tides will permit ; one sergeant, one corporal, and 17 privates of the Royal Marines have joined this vessel. The Fantome, 16 guns, Commander Sir F. Nicholson. is fitting for sea—the riggers are progressing fast with her ; she will soon be out of the dockyard —one ser geant, one corporal, and 17 privates of the Marines have joined her. Mr. A. A. Speed, Admiralty-clerk of the Ocean,' t appointed to be clerk in charge of the Rolla ; Mr. Tribe is appointed Admiralty-clerk to the Ocean, vice Speed; and Mr. H. Batten is appointed assistant-clerl: to the Comus. This afternoon the following parties of the Royal Marines left the divisional head-quarters, Chatham, for Sheerness, to join the respective ships at that port For the Queen, 32 privates, one sergeant, and one cor poral, under the command of Lieutenant Onsiow ; lot the Skylark, 4-gun brig, eight privates and one corporal; and for the Raven cutter, of 4 gunr, nine privates and cro corporal. There is some doubt that the Queen will oe paid off, as was reported ; the crew is only draughted to the Trafalgar pro tem. WooLwicrr, J.N. 3. —The Rattler steam-vessel, Com mander Henry Smith, will proceed down the river on Monday next on an experimental trip, having oeen tem porarily fitted with a propeller upon Mr. Sunderland's plan. The machinery was set in motion in the basin yesterday. Messrs. Langlands, Mudge, and Thornton have been appointed engineers to this vessel. When the experiments, are over she will be fitted with 7 Smith s Iwo peller. The Styx steam-vessel, Capiain Vidal, arrived on Wednesday from the Azores, and will be paid off imme diately for recommission. The Monkey steam-vessel, Second-Master Bryant. !eft Woolwich for Sheerness yesterday. The Lightning steam-vessel, Master-Commander lio , .... berts, an the , lonkey steam-vessel, will conve.. - Jatroi Spence, John Allsop, Robert Rastrick, Davi. Bowen, Alexander Caldwell, and DINH Herul.'rson, ; 1.:; - inc,tit. t,Ts, with tlir wives and families, to i'ortstlitil iii je,;;.• ard. '. 3 / 4 .(eAsrs Lewthwaitg, Eameg, and Phi!!;.pq., kii.ve been appointed !,) the Loc,nit v,ssel Portsmouth ; Lieur. Ji'nry Elen. CornirrpsbA. Mr. M‘teothio 1). , 9ppointeti he Prosporo vesiel, an,] is to b , s , borne 011 tit, i)e)oks of the Royal Sovereign. COURSE OF EXCEIA] te rd ant CF. 12 tto, at sight l2 6 rZotterdam ,! , .ntwerp damburgh M.B. 13 14 Altona l3 14 Paris, 3 days' sigh t 25 70 Ditto, 3 Tatonths 25 95 Marseilles Bourdeaux 26 0 Frankfort on Maine- 122 Petersburgh, 3Us 37 Berlin 7 Vienna, effec. 13 M 957 Trieste, ditto Madrid 36* Cadiz Bilbao 36 Barcelona 36 Seville I GE.—(YE STY. OA T.) Gibraltar... Leghorn .. 31 ') G,•noa 'A Venice ... 47 Naples 390 Palermo, . 11.9 Lisbon 72 Orto . 52 Rio po 24 k Bahia ..... ........- 24 Buenos Newyork.: dyssight pRa94.04 •IF "SULLION. PER OZ. 1 Foreign £3 17 9 Tortuga' Gesld Coin 17 5 New Don i Awns.— 0 0 0 New DO.lars 3 4 9i i Silver Nara .94 14 SPORTING INTELLIGENCE. - HUNTING APPOINTMENTS. Rufford hds., Mon., Dean Hall ; Wed., Larton Village; Sat., Mr. Bell's House, Oxton Warren-101 Quorn hds., Mon., Holt ' • Tues., Quorn House ; Th u rs., Great Dalby ; Fri., Aswarby-10/.. East Essex hds., Mon., Helion's Bumpstead ; Thurs.. Oldham Hall. Sir R. Sutton's hds., Mon., Carlby ; Tues., Tilton Wood ; Wed., Irnham Hall ; Fri., Ayston ; Sat.. Little Dalby-11. Pytchley hds., Mon., Finedon; Wed., Oxendon; Thurs.. Boughton House, near Kettering ; Fri., Brock Hall; Sat., Walcote Village. Mr. Foljambe's hds., Mon., Gringley-on-the-Hill; Tues., Darlton; Thurs., Scrooby Bar; Fri., Gateford Tell bar-10i. Earl of Harewood's hds., Mon., Bilton Banks; Wet' Bramham Cross-reads ; Fri., Thorp Arch ; sat' Beilby Granrge---10i. Lord Henry hds., Mon., Langford Lode; Tues.. T .....anton; Wed., Bardney; Thurs., Cainby Vii Sat., Normanby by Stow. Cheshire hds., Mon., Norton Priory ; Wed., Bostoelt Green; Thurs., Arley; Sat., Church Minshull-14 Thanet harrs., Mon., Sheriff's Court; Wed. Gunge& Earl Fitzwilliam's hds., Mon., Washingley; Wed-, Br thorn Toll- bar-10. Mr. Hillier's hds., Mon., Tothill; Tues., Horsingt o Mill; Thurs., Hainton ; Fri., Spelsby-11. Linlithgow and Stirlingshire hds., Mon., Linlithgo o ' Bridge ; Tues., Cockleroi ; Thurs., Castlecary ; Sat. Bangour-104. Duke of Rutland's bds., Mon., Hose Grange ; Dry Doddington ; Wed., Piper Hole ; Fri., Ropslef Kennel-101. Sherwood harrs., Tues., Two-Oaks Farm ; Frt.. Dale storth house-11. B. V. H., Tues., Melcombe Park Wood (roe dear) ; Fri' . Thornhill Obelisk. Mr. Deane's harrs., Tues., Snowdon Turnpike-gate. Essex and Suffolk hds., Tues., Boxted Hall ; Fri., Be e ' church Maypol.. Essex Union hds., Tues., West Hanningtord, ; Sa t ' Little Baddow. Badsworth hds., Tues., Ilickleton Hall ; Thurs., col • lington Bridge ; Sat., Ilavercroft, 101. Mr. Trelawny's hd44., Tu s., Luilbrook Turnpike-gst °; Fri., Slieepstone Mr. Roe's harrs., Wed., Revetstoke; Sat., KO House-10. Lord Gifford's hds„ Tues., Poulton ; Thurs., Clow caster Wood-11, DIED. On the 3d inst., aged 28, at his brother's hous e, "I i ;to • land-place, Waudsworth-road, Robert Paterson, EA '',, 0 the firm of Cu e an d P a t erson , solicitors, Size-lane , ( " I V -'%.)' On the 19th ult., at Ventnor, Isle of Wight, Capt3l/1 Williamson, late of the 93d Highlanders. - r o„ o 10' 1 On the 25th ult., in Great Russell-street. -.---11 9 James Liddall, E sq . e 1 On the 29th ult., at South Wraxali, John .4.wkir9• Notton House, e , Wilts, aged 79. Pl' On the 30th ult., at Worthing, Sussex, Henry G°r tel le late of the East I n di a H ouse, age d 80 . r ds On the 30th ult., Mr. J o h n Ashcombe, of Sew-Essex, aged 68. 011,5 tit. On the 2d inst., H anna h , w if e o f M r . B roo k. la° '.- knol g ' street, Holborn, aged 72. ~r w- On the 31st ult., at Islington, Mr. Thomas Garizfil l— ' a 7 1, seller, age 31st 84. On the t ult., at G rea t M a l vern , Mi. S Itoel,t g cn e Or licei On the 31st u lt., a t P a d d i ngton - gree n, Viriii" - Esq., aged 83. 00 4 ' ()n the Ist inst., a t C roy d on , A. H a rman, El ti-, ''..., ~..,-"' ------ ' c Lor, , s,on : :lerin . .,,, „up i-aolisiwd by MUM' 3 G Y No- l 'oi i'; v, 112, S : trand, Printer, at The .i;7l4' i 0 1 1 :° - : 0 013t1 • & ' ~u O, i ,, th 2 Pracißei o' the Savoy, 4 - the • Middlenz, Saturday s January . 48 Mak BIRTHS. On the 29th ult., at Guernsey, the lady of Captain 1 -' 1 ) 1°1 Trapaud, late of the Bth Regiment, of a son. On the 2d inst., the lady of David Scott Smith, Esti" Devonshire-street, Portland-place, of a soa On the 2d inst , ut Tavistock-place, Mrs. Lacy. of a On the 2d inst., at the Park-place-villas, Maida-hill , )- Macarther, of a son. On the 2d inst., at Beomond, Chertsey, the wife of 1 18 Malden, Esq., of a son. On the 2d inst., at Porchester-terrace, Bayswater, foe of J. G. H. Bourne, Esq, of a daughter. On the 2d inst., at Upper Bedford-place, Russell-sq the lady of Henry Horn, Esq., of a son. i 1 On the 3d in s t., a t D orse t- p l ace, D orse t- square, the W-d of William Plunkett, Esq., of a. son, el On the 3d inst., at Spring-gardens, the lady of Naths lll Beardmore, of a daughter. At Fareham, Hants, Mrs. Wetherell, of Seville, ( f MARRIED. RO I On the 30th u lt., at th e c h urc h o f St. Iberius, fr iA° Lieutenant W. K. Shoveller, of her Maj e sty's Royal 014- j e te Forces, to Georgina Lucinda, youngest daughter of the Henry De Rinzy, Esq., of Wexford. o_,e l On the Ist inst., at St. Pancras Church, Joseph, I s afo' Foot, Esq., to Rose Parker, secon d d aug ht er Cl OP Harris, Esq., of Guildford-street, Russell-square. ,000 01 On the Ist inst., at St. Mark's, K enn i ng t on , James "'ior Esq., of Millman-street, Bedford-row, to Miss Sarah An ii rett, of Denmark-terrace, Camberwell. On the 2d inst., at St. Giles's, Camberwell, Walter WI : only son of Walter B. May, Esq., of Hadlow Castle , ... to Eliza, second daughter of the late John Jackson, PA Elm House, East Dulwich. i t 0 6 ; On the 2d inst., at St. Mary Abbot's, Kensington Lord Augustus Fitzclaren ce , t o S ara h Eli za beth 11--1 the eldest daughter of Lcrd Henry Gordon. c ... d el° On the Ist iust., at Radborne, Sohn, only son c f " - „ A ' r lat f t Buller Yardc Buller, Bart ., of Lupton, Devon, to 0%011 3 '" second daughter of E. S. Chandos Pole, Esq., of l' Derbyshire. ~f r •" I