The Sun. — London, England, 1844-06-17 00:00:00

NEWS Oa' to b° AS'epe it; 33e - o f e el - o f tP: i o ioli ver e the the T te ,cb t ylt' J. '1 1 ) 5 0 10 0 e , B Ot. e 'O l5 3 e oe oP ° l - 3 0 re .ve/1 rt he tee C dtb e re e :s ic loce , e¢"bi o e b s c e resr - coe r. t hn t g 1 eP rit V jolls es det ill °I. ,iss c 1 es o • 113jeloova# let ed IP get 011 0 00 e t ac e no r li~ f t he jog . of the 01 1 d 4 , e r, boi c iao% to "" r pag e irr oe.; for. - d `~...~~ AMBLING AND USURY ° were alway s o f op i n i on t h at t h e o ld . Usury Law —admitting to their fullest extent the objections S o per severing p ly urgel against it in the House of t ,' °lllll Thos by the l a t e Lord Sy DENHA m , w h en M r . •uouLeTT TlloMsON—was precipitately repe;;l, , d, and Worse "amended." But Mr. SPRING RICE'S subse quent extension of the principle to the discount of b ills under a certain date, was a far more questionable experiment towards a free trade in money-broketing, the i con sequences of which have long s ince cea s ed t o be matters of merely speculative apprehension. There is said, in dialectics, to be " no rule without an ex e,ePti°ll." In p o liti ca l economy t hi s i s true o f a l most all general principles. That free. trade in capital, as iq other commodities, should be upheld and en couraged, is a postulate which few men, as this time ( " 3 3'1 would be rash enough to contest; yet the practical experience of every week demonstrates the necessity for its qualification to the extent of clear, definite, and even stringent, legislation for the pro tection of those who are the buyers of money from the overwhelming exactions of those who have it to In commercial dealings, or transactions of or dinary bart er , t h ere i s a l ways more or less of equa li ty Between the two parties to a bargain. In the nature of things the competition, on one side, to sell goods is always greater than it is—among those who have 124 "°Y—to advance it. But, on the other hand, the ne cessitie s of those who deal for its advance upon Simpl e iPleloan, or security, are so much greater than `heir's who consen t t o re li eve th em ; —th e i mpor t ance to the the rectification of the borrower's position of econo rnizi tr , ng time is so much more urgent than it can be ithn who is to put clown the pecuniary means for tha t purpose, that the law has hitherto wisely asgu eled that th e b orrower w ill b e p rone t o p a y th e most extravagant and ruinous price for such advances, a nd for their acceleration; and that the lender will he but t oo well disposed to take every advantage of Lis distress and of his recklessness. The restrictions, therefore, which Acts of Parliament imposed upon the I.l l l lt e of discount which could be legally taken for and bills of acceptance and promissory notes, the Penalties and disabilities of suit which it at : F e 'd to th e i n f rac ti on o f it s enac t men t s as to th e • t dtation it prescr ib e d t o th e ra t e o f i n t eres t t o b e ilt aken for th e use o f t h e money , were , i n th e ma i n , sailitary and effective. They sometimes operated with Fe at hard s hi p an d i n j ust i ce on th e l en d er , an d encou raged' coll us i ve act i ons or f rau d u l en t d e f ences. B u t re balance of good, it is very generally allowed, was I: lB t heir favour. Since they were repealed society been inc essan tly s h oc k e d an d di sgus t e d a t th e heartless avarice and guilty connivance with which profess e d money -l en d ers an d bill-di scoun ti ng attor - te Y s have aided thoughtless and improvident young m ien to anticipate, in the most wanton excesses of debauchery, or the more insidious excitement of their own patrimony or estate, or the pro rtY and expectations of their families and connec •' 6 1011 °: Ever since the money-lender has been secured 11 11 Mity in taking interest for his money, within the e nl ita only sugges t e d by hi s o wn ver y expans ibl e e o4 science, we have noted an appalling increase of , 43e8 af outrageous spoliation of young men, wh o se li nt of common sense an d or di nary caut i on h ave b een ,ecn rately pr o p or ti one d t o th e ir c ri m i na lity and dis kPation. ° O o ltistructive specimen of these was disclosed on Inesday l as t, in the Court of the Vice-Chancellor t ; P•algland—" Stratford v. Flight." .arr. HUGH tltATroitp STRATFORD, a young gentleman of four- NI - t wenty, inherited a portion of the property, with , e °11 : a fraction of the sagacity, of the late Master in h i alle ery STRA TFORD , his paternal uncle. It was t r 3rei sfortune to have been victimised by " gaming 6 44Is actions." In June, 1842, he lost, at a game " blind hookey," no less than 20,000/. ; but k i ,T i gh the instrumentality of one COOKE, of Clif- C"street, an attorney, the bills which STRATFORD given for this sum were restored to him, and the 111-- so righteous as it doubtless was—was corn 'orw r tided for the modest sum of 5,000/. The disin te:sted attorney's good offices did not stop here—he el ne his gambling companion. After this new ec ies of professional attendance had continued for li ri ttle time, in the course of which very many gamb -0,0!,11011ses were visited by them, this interesting bcPle---the d u pe an d hi s "friend"—met, (of course I , ; t be mere s t acc id en t i n th e wor ld, an d w itho u t a n y p a -vi tY or collu s i on on th e p ar t o f one o f th em ,) a Ist Y at a n i nn i n th e country , cons i st i ng o f t wo men 4 441 1. ed CoGuLara and EvAsts, and a female, who passed l 'u : r s. CoGnLast. After dinner, Mrs. CoGHLAN, as 1 100 1 r like diversion, proposed a game of " blind „,„ e S ;" and Mr. STRATFORD, who even in this pro • t ta k.- ming saw nothing, it would seem, in the least ex p cl hlinary or sus pi c i ous — w ith a s i m pli c ity ca l cu l a t e d 112 , 14 t he meridian of Arcadia, in the most innocent th e et' pastoral society—consented to make one at $ v This This was on the sth of April, 1843. The 0 1314 3'ed until two o'clock the next morning. On o v „'th, after breakfast, one of the "gentlemen" was 14: t ' i ging as to make up the score which had been h e l l ' and the results were very singular, no doubt, l Painfully disastrous for the "squeezable" Mr. k a -4 /Poito. He had lost to COGHLAN, 10,843/. (this • l oved t o b e p ar ti cu l ar , e v e n to fractions) ;to his Z -- `ne, faithful, and disinterested "adviser "—the t°ll °Y, 4,060/. Why the score should have brought .2 1 " 11 10ao • a debtor to EVANS in the paltry sum of al i , or W h at, if any, were t h e w i nn i ngs o f t h e f e - Ai en % ll l 3 on a match so admirably arranged for the lit to -e 't and delectation of the man COG H LAN, and the ,thi: 4 eY, COOKE, the report does not state. But Was the first act of the three of which this do drama consisted. th: he second exhibited the foolish victim yielding to v N , -- `Persuasions"—the " gentle violence"—of his cl l 2' good friends On the 28th of April he was in poor man ! to give his acceptances for ad er the Ea, c'tln t of his losses. Four of these bills, for 1,0001. `` e h' happened t o be drawn by COOKE, himself—who, h anxious t o accom m o d a te" STRATFORD, was so 0% as to ma k e - t h em paya bl e a t hi s (Coma: , s) own 4: e ' in Clifford-street. Presently, however, Mr. tio r , -41 Polto's friends (friends in the better accepts liff-; of th e t erm, not attorneys ) di scovere d th e w h o le thi a r : r ) and fil e d t wo "bill s " (not quite such pretty 41 0 P as 1,000/. acceptances), the one against COOKE th e t he other against COOKE and Cowman' ; and s t eclurt, on the sth of May, not being sufficiently nc t O t ened on the equity of such transactions, was so lie t f i as °llabl e as to grant an injunction restraining si ea P 'actitioners—the professional arid the unprofes close4l:"-frorn negotiating such bills. This count T i. 4 the sec on d o f thi s ser i ous f arce . third and last opened ominously. On that " the critical day," as the report terms it, ver v . lB c hurlish injunction, something else " happened" t iet; e : clcll 3T - -but the whole history is full of coinci ‘ t‘v c , -s * On that very day, it happened, then, that ),tac'r these f our bill s were en d orse d t o a M r . Trio aN I LIGHT, the defendant in the suit whereof we aN al iv ing this outline. THOMAS FLIGHT, who 14 044 tt) be • sort of unprofessionally-profes 11% di scounter, subsequently brought an ac alas f ," these bills, and obtained a verdict; but, il irn! a new trial was afterwards directed. hid e defe nce an d p l ea were mean t t o s h o w th a t deol: ) , l tici tlet on th e a ff a i r h as be e n bona fide. He has that e -`4 knowledgeof the gambling. It "happened" that t 1 •had ; brought -IcKE (not otherwise described), wh0 1 , 41 the habit of bringing him bills to discount, the him, the four 1,000/. bills to discount, about T of April. FLIGHT states that he was told 4 bou t P°4l3 l a young man of good expectations, and ads k t i .: ° , be married to the daughter of a Baronet, veo lt -t `°us to ra i se money f or hi s marr i age ; that to e t lhis attorney, had drawn three bills upon him ° I tour him to effect this object. Just the story, Will a e, calculated to lull the suspicions of a liberal, r 'hro • • • I si rA Plc, benevolent, discounting "friend to the 1, --sae ( ' 'Old; -- quite a duck of a money-lender. But ep e , s. ` h as this FL IGHT a l toge th er suc h a person— aceoll " hearted and open-handed? What is his own • L W ante li d t ;: f his Own term s ? I n the first instance he re a d van ‘doolc E to g i ve a j u d gment f or t h e amoun t t o 11 1 e deck eed to S TRATFORD _; and, on C OOKE ' S re f usal, e lti L ie d to discount.: = But afterwards, in a re ti° " 30 d, We suppose-- N ti ,. ag ree , •- • : 41 1 s ' "le at ti to discount , two of them, upon an ar hiiiie,urane lat Stratford should pay him 80/. a year as Per B ”wer e f e on his life, until the bills were paid. The ce nt or three mentl nd were discounted at 661. oil th e s 'l li a; o ld i the amount, e s s a the discount (1,78 , 0/.), was to ilthe sa me , M ay paid Eicke on behalf of Cooke, and 4 114:1 4 , aeti on ' a Y. Cooke gave an undertaking to appear th , 3tr ati . which should be brought against himself • e y be e , °r e d ( , ,i in ease the bills should not be paid when 11 ' Re." e feei,f r fr om this statement ; a vast respect for Mr. THE SUN, LONDON, MONDAY EVENING, JUNE 17, 1844. CooKE and Mr. FLIGHT; yet we venture to say, that any "arrangement," as it is called, of such singular modesty and forbearance, on the part of those gen tlemen, would never have been dreamed of whilst the wholesome restraints of the Usury Laws were yet in being. That such a bargain could be perfected is a disgrace to the age t o live in, and the law under which it can be protected. It gives to the money capitalist the power of life and death, as it were, through its sanction, to such monstrous exactions, over the lives and souls, bodies, fortunes, and rela tions in life of the miserable and imprudent fools who have placed themselves ithin his clutches. The diama concluded with a curiously contrasted charge and defence; the former rested on mere moral and equitable considerations, independent of the legal or technical bearing of the facts ; the latter based on a merely technical objection to the answer given in, utterly irrespective of considerations, equitable or moral : " Mr. Bethell contended that, according to Flight's version of his part in the transaction, he had made Eicke and Cooke his agents in discounting the bills, and he was therefore fixed with their knowledge of the origin of the bills. " Mr. Stuart and Mr. Wood, for Flight, contended that no equity was confessed upon the answer to support the injunction." His Honour reserved the epilogue—we beg pardon —his judgment, until he should have read the answer. In :the meantime, may we suggest to Sir JAMES GRAHAM that if he would turn his attention to put down such nefarious practices as these wholesale and legalised spoliations of the young and silly possessors of property, by means which are openly challenged in courts of justice (I!) to legalise the work of iniquity and plunder ; he would render a far nobler service to society and to his own fame, than in framing protocols of secret conferences with Police Commissioners, as to the means of a combined system of hostile operations against the irregular forces of thimbleriggers and roulette-table keepers on the downs of Epsom, or the heath of Ascot. HARBOURS OF REFUGE. No man can doubt, at this time of day, that private enterprise accomplishes, in England, nobler public works,—appropriates to their completion more liberal supplies of capital,—and in all points of design and execution exhibits a higher feeling and a more sus tained purpose, than are usually found associated with what are technically called " Government under takings." Our railroads are a magnificent exemplifi cation of this truth; and the accommodations secured in our provincial docks in many respects suggest a comparison little favourable to the improved science, or the enlightened experience, which has presides over similar works immediately under the control of officers of the Crown. Foreigners are disposed to attach the highest possible value to this principle of leaving to private capital the development of material and economic resources, and they run into the ex treme on the other hand, of doubting whether Go vernment aid would not mar, instead of accelerating, the march of such public works in all cases. But this is, like all extreme opinions, at once unjust and mischievous. Unjust, because its reception would operate to withheld from private speculation, under any circumstances, the wholesome and not unreason ably-expected encouragement of the National Trea sury. Mischievous, because its natural effect is, to suggest difficulties in the way of Government's step ping forward, even in cases where its assistance must be indispensable to the proper completion of a line of railway, a harbour, a bridge, already well begun and proceeded with—which difficultieA their in dolence or their timidity is but too successful in induc ing Ministers to plead in excuse for their neglect or indifference towards it. We are sorry to perceive that this is a growing fault in our chief administrative de partments. And because it is calculated to prejudice, materially, in some very important particulars, the interests of the public, we take leave to enter our pro test against its wholesale adoption in the domestic policy of the present Government. An instance occurred, in a debate in the House of Lords on Monday last, which will exemplify its ac tion on measures even of the most pressing exigency. We have, from time to time, directed attention, in The Sun, to the proceedings of the Committee on Har bours of Refuge; and we have especially commented on the able and interesting report of Mr. WALKER, the celebrated engineer, on the harbour of Holyhead. The Marquis of CLANRICARDE, on Tuesday, on the " order" beinig read relative to the Chester and Holy head Railway Bill, stated that he would postpone his motion on this Bill, until the report connected with the harbour should have been laid on the table. Other Noble Lords, who were friendly to the Bill, considered that as the harbour itself was unconnected with this Bill, the two subjects ought not to be mixed up together ; that this Bill should be allowed to be proceeded with, so that the parties to it might not incur unnecessary expense, as they must do should they be compelled to keep their witnesses in town for another week, or until the report in question could be laid on the table. The Duke of LEINSTER showed the importance of com pleting, as this Bill proposed to do, the communication between the two countries. No delay that could be possibly avoided ought to be interposed in the way of the Bill. Lord CLANRICARDE still contended that it ought first to be known how far the Lords of the Trea sury would go in recommending a sufficient grant for the completion of Holyhead harbour, and Parliament in holding the promoters of the Bill to the liability of building a bridge over the Menai, &c. The Earl of DALHOUSIE, on the part of Government, said that the result of the inquiries and surveys which they had caused to be instituted proved that Holyhead might be made a good packet harbour; that they were an xious to see such a measure introduced and adopted as would facilitate the intercourse between Ireland and this country to the utmost in point of safety and speed. "The Government, however, declined to make any pledge, until they saw what line of railroad would be adopted. When such a line was adopted, her MA JESTY'S Government would be prepared to state what sum they would recommend Parliament to grant to wards the completion of Holyhead harbour." Now, in all this there is the disinclination to take upon itself the initiative, in furthering the completion of works, the public convenience and, perhaps, poli tical importance whereof it is not possible to over state—of which we complain. Does it not occur to Lord DALHousiu, and the department to which that Noble Earl belongs, that if Government would only, at this advanced - and mature stage of the undertaking, intimate its real intentions with reference thereto, that which Government desires to see, (namely, the intro duction of the best measure for carrying out the plan proposed,) would infallibly take place ? Let it be certain that Government will improve, extend, and deepen a most important harbour at one point of the line of "a " railway, which is b connect and approxi mate, by means of locomotive power, England and Ireland, and can any one believe there will be hesitation, or difficulty, or distrust, or any holding back on the part of private capitalists, touching the suggestion and the completion of "the best line" for such a purpose ? There would be nothing of the sort. But so long as the Government follows out this shilly-shally course of making a 'demonstration in favour here, and inti timating a tardy discouragement there—to-day ex pressing itself in terms of more than hypothetical encouragement as to a plan already submitted to it, and proceeded with ; to-morrow affecting a sublime but cold impartiality, open to all parties, influenced by none, and coquetting with the last applicant,--so long it is paralysing, not fostering, the energies that would be otherwise achieving the desired object. Such a mode of proceeding is throwing the boon of Government patronage, or support, or aid, as a wild "scramble" among mere adventurers, rather than re serving it for bona fide associations of spirited specu lators, who are content, under such auspice , , to risk their capital to the full extent of their subscriptions,' and of the prospectus of the work they have embarked upon. We do not intend these remarks to apply to the case of the Chester and Holyhead Railway alone. We object to the whole of that portion of the system on which the Board of Trade in the first instance, and Parliament in its subsequent legislation, entertain Rail way Bills. A false indulgence in the Board of Trade, and in Parliamentary Committees, for the con coction of new, or more or less modified, plans for one and the same railway—the excessive. encouragement, in short, of "competing lines"—has been the main cause •of so much remaining still to be accomplished in the completion of a general scheme of railway corn munication throughout the land. Whilst hundreds' of thousands of pounds haie been sacrificed in successive sessions in vexatious opposition to Bills, and especially in the litigation consequent on "competing lined enterprises of the most pressing importance—like this of the Chester and Holyhead Railway—have been hung up, if not absolutely discarded, and the time of both Houses frivolously occupied and consumed in hearing pleas and arguments which a little common sense would have disallowed at once, where they were palpably vexatious, and infinitely shortened where the Committees were already satisfied on the general merits of the particular Bill in support of which they were offered. We were glad to observe the disap probation expressed, in the case of the Chester and Holyhead Bill, by Lord BROUGHAM and the Marquis of LANSDOWNE, of the principle of suspending the standing orders on private Bills ; and we trust that the Select Committee, to which the measure is for the present referred, as an opposed Bill, will make a speedy report upon it. The public are deeply in terested in the active and early completion of so great a work; and it is pleasant to see that the House of Lords are little inclined to occasion any delay in the matter. PROVINCIAL ISSUES of the BANK of ENGLAND. TO THE EDITOR OF THE SUN. SIR,—By the 3d and 4th William IV., c. 98, sec. 4, it is enacted, " That all promissory notes payable on demand of the Bank of England, which shall be issued at any place in England, out of Lon don, where the business of banking shall be car ried on for the said Bank of England, shall be made payable at the place where such promissory notes shall be issued: and it shall not be be lawful for the said Governor and Company, or any committee, agent, cashier, officer, or servant, of the said Governor and Company, to issue at any such place, out of London, any promissory note, payable on demand, which shall not be payable at the place where the same shall be issued." How is this clause to be brought into operation, and only one issue department of the Bank of England, and that one in London? In the new Biil there is no mention of " issue departments," but only " The Issue Depart ment," so that the banking part of the establishment using the notes of " the issuing department," will be no more than that of any other bank using Bank of England notes at the present time ; and any person wanting to cash a note will be refused, and referred to "the issue department" for cash—parties may refuse to take notes at the banking department, 'out as the issue was not made at such department, they must proceed to the issue department for cash, in case they have notes in their possession. Thus the London banking department will obtain notes from the issue department, and from thence supply all the provincial branches, and as notes paid away from the banking department will not be an issue from such department, but from another department, so will not the notes paid over the counter of a provincial branch be an issue of that branch, but an issue from " the issue department" in London. Cash will not be able to be obtained for notes in the country without some special provision be made for the purpose. According to the present Bill, the branches will be no longer banks of issue, but branches using notes of " the issue department," of the Bank of England in London—thus, these branches will be placed in the precise position of every country bank using Bank of England notes. How can the issue department be totally separated from the banking department, if the notes are made payable " at the branch in Bristol, and at the issue department in London," when the branch in Bristol forms no part of the issue department of the Bank of England in London ? Is any branch of the Bank of England tp have a se parate and distinct "issue department?" At present it is illegal for an officer of a branch of the Bank of England to pay over the counter any Bank of England note that is not payable at such place. Every London•issued Bank of England note taken at a branch must be remitted to the pa rent branch in London. It is, as far as the legal lity of the affair, but waste paper in the provinclial branch —so, that if there be not some provision made for " the issue department" to have some connexion with the banking provincial branches, those branches cannot issue any notes of the London issue department as they will not be made payable at the various branches—and they cannot issue a note not made payable at the branch were issued. As I read the Bill, neither the London banking de partment of the Bank of England, nor any of its branches can be called upon to pay cash for Bank of England notes, and the only place where gold can be demanded will be " the issue department" of the Bank of Eng land in London. I am, Sir, yours, Etc., Ilfracombe, June 12, 1844. R. W. D. EXECUTION EQUAL TO CON CEPTION. TO THE EDI7'OR OF THE SUN. Sin,—l have hitherto grounded my observations on the plan of our Laputan Minister--(Oh 1 for another Dean Swift !)—upon your reports of the debates, &c. Yesterday I obtained the loan of a copy of the Bill, and sat down to the examination of its sublime monstrosity, with a banker of above twenty years' experience. So exquisite was the confusion that we could not come to an agreement as to the meaning of the various clauses. My companion admitted that the words bore the sense which I attached to them, but could not believe that they were in tended to do so, inasmuch as in such case the results would be too monstrous to be credible. On one point we could not differ, viz., that while the ob vious purpose of the Act, is, to make the Bank of England the mainspring of the whole system, no penalty is indicated, in the event of the Directors of that institution coming to their senses, throwing their copy of the Bill into the fire, and acting in utter defiance of every one of its provisions. That this is a possible case is tolerably clear—for one of the paragraphs of that paragon of absurdities and obscurities, clause 2, secures the ultimate reduction of the circulation of Bank of England notes to two. thirds of its present amount. I observed, by-the-bye, that a clerical error in my letter in Monday's Sun, makes the fourteen millions one-third, the meaning intended to be conveyed being that the reduction amounted to one-third—nay, to the possible extinction of such circulation altogether. You will stare at the assertion (not perhaps being fully aware of the astounding talent for blundering of Sir Robert), but read these words—" And from and after such transfer and appropriation to the said issue department, as aforesaid, it shall not be lawful for the said governor and company to issue Bank of England notes either into the banking department of the Bank of England, or to any person or persons whatso ever, save in exchange for other Bank of England notes, or for gold coin, or for gold or silver bullion, received or pur chased for the said issue department under the provisions of this Act," &c. Now, let us imagine that a great demand for gold arises—a large proportion (possibly the whole) of the Bank of England notes are brought in—how is a single five pound to be got out again ? The clause says, not at all, except for gold ror bullion, and who will take the trouble of carrying gold, if he has it, to the Bank of England, begging the Directors of that Institution to accept it in exchange for their paper? believe I have before shown that, if the Bank should be emptied, the Directors cannot advance to the wealthiest merchants in the empire a single hundred pounds en the credit of their firms. Turn we to another point.—(Oh, "wilderness of sweets," when shall we exhaust thee ?) Banks whose directors may be wise ough to wish to ex change the circulation of their own notes for those of the Bank of England (tempted by •the magnificent bribe of one per cent. per annum,) are to be cut dowri to two-thirds of their prior amount (clause 5), and, of course, must make up the deficient third with gold. Now for the results.—Suppose Messrs. Spooney and Dolt wish to make the admirable exchange, and that their present circulation is 600,0001. Their first step is to collect 200,000/. of Bank of England notes, which they send in for gold—this supplies the third they will require—they then take securities for 400,0001. to Threadneedle-street—the Directors get the proper order in Council authorising them to increase their circulation to that amount, and hand over 400,0001. of their notes to Messrs. Spooney and Dolt. So far good. Now for the effect on the paper circulation of the empire.—Supposing the prior circulation of the Bank of England to be twenty-one millions, it is clear that with that of Messrs. Spooney and Dolt there were 21,600,000 afloat. But the first step of the transaction cuts down the Old Lady in Threadneedle-street to 20,800,000/., since she is bound to " draw in and reduce" just as much paper as she loses of gold. Messrs. S. and D. put out 400,0001. of her notes—this raises the total circulation • of the Bank of England to 21,200,0001., being the substitution for 21,600,0001. previously circulating Thus the paper currency of the empire is reduced 400,0001. by the operations of Messrs. Spooney, Dolt, and Peel. If the plans of our arch. blunderer be carried out to their full extent. by all the present banks of issue exchanging their circulation for Bank of England paper, what a pretty little gap we shall make in our currency !—the total paper greatly diminished—the ratio of gold in the cellars- at Threadneedle-street, to the Bank engagements continually declining,* and the gold in the hands of the public, liable-to be immensely reduced by payment for imported corn, &c., in which event Sir Blunderb ore w ill h ave t a k en care that tere shall be no possible means of filling up the vacuum. • Believe me, dear Sir, ever yours, COMMON SENSE. * Suppose that when Spooney and Dolt commenced their operation the Bank of England had ten mil ions of gold, and a circulation of twenty-one millions, the first step cuts down the gold to 9,800,0001., the second raises the paper to 21,200,0001. I Tlia COLLIERS.—During the week we are glad to learn that Messrs. Stockwell, of Grange Moor, have given the advance of wages asked by the then.— Wakefield Journal. A QUEER FISH.—The following fact has been communicated to us, on unquestionable authority. On Monday last a gentleman of Honiton, named Wills, was fishing in the river Otter, near that town, and to his great astonishment, on throwing the line, he hooked a large rat by the leg. As it continued diving and showing some good sport, he let it have several turns up and down the river. All at once he felt, as he conceived, a dead weight to his tackle, and on landing it, saw that the rat was all b u t swal lowed by a large eel, the hook and hind legs being all that were visible; the contrary motion of the fisherman must, have assisted in choking the eel; which 'being nearly thirty inches in length, would otherwise have swallowed its 'prey, and no doubt have broken the line. The fish and the rat have both been exhibited, with the permission of Mr. Wills, to numbers of persons in the neighbourhood, and have be come objects of great curiosity.— Western Luminary. To LADIES.—The great and universal celebrity which. Rowland's Kalydor continues to maintain, as an active yet mild and soothing extirpator of all impurities of the. skin, is, (luring the present season, most pleasingly evinced. This preparation, eminently balsamic, re :storative, and invigorating, is equally celebrated for safety in application, as for unfailing efficacy in re moving all, impurities and discolourations; and iinparting a healthy freshness and transparency to the skin and complexion. Its universally great demand excites the cupidity of unprincipled shopkeepers, who give the title of "genuine" Kalydor to compounds of their own manu , facture, of the most deleterious character, containing mineral astringents utterly, ruinous to the complexion, and, by their repellant action, endangering health. It is, therefore, imperative on , Ipurchasers, to see that the words :".Rowiind's Kalyd or are t 'on - the wrapper. - —All others are fraudulent counterfeits. LITERAT URE: AFLOAT AND ASHORE. 3 Vols. Bentley, London, 1844. With the exception of the apparently inexhaustible Mr. James, who must by this time have written as many volumes as would furnish am ordinary library, Mr. Cooper is unquestionably the most prolific no velist of his day. Once or twice a year, for the last twelve years and upward 3, he has never failed to bring forth a work of fiction; and it is surprising how little diminution there is of that spirit and freshness which characterised his earlier productions. The tale before us, which the author mentions in his pre face as being founded on fact, exhibits much of the graphic vigour of the " Last of the Mohicans," though it is infinitely less romantic in its tone, and less lavishly coloured in its scenic sketches. It is in the form of an autobiography, and professes to record the actual experiences of Miles "Wallingford, by land and sea, in almost every quarter .of the habitable globe. The adventures of this enterprising individual are full of variety, and are told in a homely, nervous style, without the slightest attempt at display. His account of his shipwreck in the Indian Ocean, of his subse quent visit to London, of his naval engagement with the French vessel, La Dame de Nantes, of the sudden death of his father by being entangled in the machinery of a mill-wheel of his own invention, and of the distraction of his bereaved mother ;—these various incidents are related with singular spirit in Mr. Cooper's most effective and characteristic manner. As a whole, h,)wever, the tale is somewhat heavy, owing principally to the author's well-known fond ness for dwelling too much on mere unimportant matters of detail, as in his description of the paternal farm of Clawbonmy, which is as minute and circum stantial a 3 an auctioneer's catalogue. HYDE MARSTON. 3 Vols. Co/burn, London, 1844. As a considerable portion of this tale has already appeared, if we remember rightly, in the columns of one of the monthly sporting periodical----the Sporting Magazine or Repository, we need say little more, on the present occasion, than that it is a passable story, neither better nor worse than the general run of such productions. HISTORY OF GERMANY. Chapman and Hag London, 1844. We have here a translation from the German of Professor Kolransch, executed with elegance, and we are willing to believe also, with fidelity. The work is a history of Germany from the earliest period down to the present time—a work which has been long wanted, and which has been already received with marked approbation throughout the country whose eventful annals it records. Though the author is a staunch Protestant, yet he exhibits no towards the rival faith, Catholicism ; but maintains a scru pulous and dignified tone of impartiality, even in places where it might naturally be supposed his pre judices would be actively on the alert. His work contains an immense mass of historical information carefully digested, and put forth with much luminous ness and simplicity of manner. - - --_ The Council of the Royal Society of British Artists have kindly invited the children of the St. Ann's Society's Brixton Asylum to their exhibition in Suffolk-street, Pall-mall East, on Wednesday afternoon next, at one o'clock. DEATHS BY DROWNING.--011 Friday, Mr. Baker held two inquests on youths who were drowned. The first was held at the Royal Crown, Ratcliff-highwity, and was on the body of Thomas Carter, aged 16, late belonging to the Milford trader, of Bristol. It appeared by the evidence of Robert Hutchinson, mate of the Her bert, of Scarborough, that on Tuesday he was aboard his vessel, when he heard an alarm of "man overboard." Both vessels were in the London D oc k s, an d l oo ki ng i n the direction of the cry, he saw an empty boat, and le ceased beneath the water. He jumped into the boat and held an oar out to deceased, who was too far gone to seize it. A man jumped into the water to try and save de ceased, but he failed, and became so much exhausted that he was conveyed to the London HOspital. Drags were employed, and deceased was got out in about 20 minutes' time. He was then taken to the docks' rb ceivinz-house, and promptly attended by Mr..Blomfield, but that gentleman failed to restore animation. De ceased was rowing .from the vessel ashore when one oar slipped from the rowlock, and deceased tumbled into the water. The second inquest was held at the Waterman's Arms, Lower Shadwell, and was on the body of George Hood, aged fourteen. It appeared that he was the son of a shoemaker residing in Shakspeare-walk, and left home on Sunday afternoon to amuse himself. He went down to Shadwell Dock-stairs, and got playing on the barges moored there, when he slipped off one of the e. into the water. A man named Nowland tried to safe him, but without success. Half an hour elapsed befote the body was found, when it was taken to that house, and attended to by Mr. Archer, a surgeon, who tried in- va,' to resuscitate it. Verdict in both cases—" Accidental' drowned." , SERIOUS STEAM-BOAT ACCIDENT.—O n Thursday afternoon, between three and four o'clock another painful accident happened on the river, off Greenwich, by the Waterman's steam-boat, 'No. 10, running down a boat, with a poor dredgerman upwards of sixty years of age. The vessel had but a few minutes left the pier, and was proceeding up the river with her usual speed, when just as she had arrived abreast of the Dreadnought hospital ship, moored off the lower part of the townot boat waS observed coming down a-head of the steamer, rowed by a very old man. The mate was on the larboard paddle box at the time. but his attention was directed to some conversation abaft the funnel. Hearing the cry, • h o w', ever, of ‘c A boat a-h ea d , " he b ec k one d to the person charge of the wheel to pert the helm, and shouted to the man in the boat to haul off, but by that period, although but a few moments had elapsed, the steamer had gained so much upon the boat that it seemed impossible for the dredgerman to get ont of the way, for in a few moments the steamer came in contact with the boat, which passed completely under the paddle-box, the paddles being it) motion at the time. On running to the after part of th vessel not a vestige apparently of the boat and man could be seen, butin a minut e or so the boat floated to the suO, face of the water bott om upwards, and at the same mol meet the man was observed struggling for life. Th 4 steamer was then at least fifty yards from where he was noticed, and an ord er was instantly given to turn het astern, which was promptly attended to, and in a fel mom ents came al ongs i de of him. He was then secured by a boat-hook, altho ug h i n a most exhausted condit i on, and so held until two b oats came off one from one of her, one from the shipl Majesty' of Newcastle,s cutters lyi ng at Deptford, and he was dragged) i N n V t a o l Walter former an d the other The st eamer t h en , w i t h ou t stopping td ascertain how far th e poor man was injured (blood IvaA issuing from his ears), hi s name, or what property he hal lost, proceeded on her j ourney, l eav i ng t h e b oat an d h e r c ontents floating d own with the tide. From i nqu i r i el since instituted, we have learned that the poor fellow was, taken on board the Dreadnought hospital ship, where he s till remains. PROJECTED ENCROACHMENTS IN GREENWICH PARIC. —Pursuant to public notice issued by the parish officers of Greenwich, a crowded meeting was held on Fr id ay i n t h e ves-! try-room f the church of St. Alphage, and by adjounnent in' the National Schools, to consider the propriety of opposing the steps about being taken by th e Governors of Greenwich pital to inclose a certain portion of the park. Precisely at, seven o'clock, the rector, the Rev. W. A. Soames, took the chair. , Mr. James, the vestry-clerk, having read the notice conven-' ing the the Rev. R ec t or sa id, that he conside re d th e P meeting of the u t most i mportance , no t on l y t o t h e • renmeeting, inhabitants t of the immediate locality, but to* the vast popu-; n of city in the quiet seclusi on o f t h e i r anc i en t par k. Rumours hasi longt oi metropolis, lat wh o soug ht re lief from the c r o w d e d: ed that the Governors of Greenwich Hos •! p determined cto inclose about an acre and a half of, l a i t aibh been n t h circulated u the ground facing Croom's-hill, upon which it was intendectl to erect two villas for the special residence of two of the,'' officers of that establishment. Farther, a tank was to be dug out .several yards wide, and, six feet deep round which a mound of gravel was to be thrown up, upwards of five feet. in height, by which the view would be obstructed, and the • park, confessedly the most beautiful one contiguOus to the metropolis, would be entirely despoiled, and the inha bitants, as well as the public at large, deprived of a source of relaxation and amusement. These en croachments did not now exist in imagination, for they were actually commenced. In the upper part of the park there was a collection of valuable and ancient relics; indeed, so valuable were they considered, that an attempt had been made to shield them from destruction by the members of the Archaeological Society, who had stepped forward to pre serve the antiquated " barrows," admitted to be upwards of 1,000 years old, all of which would be swept away by the construction of the proposed reservoir. Impressed with these facts, he (the Rector) had made it his business to wait upon Mr. Sydney Herbert at the Admiralty, -where he presented a memorial upon the subject. • He had also forwarded a copy of the Same document to Lord Haddingtom the First Lord of the'Admiralty, and to Lord Lincoln at th e office of Woods and Forests. Thursday was fixed for an interview, and he (the Rector) attended upon that day, and attempted to reason the matter with the scientific gentlemen present.- To all his objections on the part of the public, resistance was made by the representatives of Government. Last night he had re ceived a letter froM Lord Lincoln, to the effect that his Lordship coulclnot consistently advise that the recommenda tion of the Rector should be acted upon, as the scientific gen tleman had stated that the object of fixing the reservoir— the protection of Deptford dockyard and Greenwich Hospital from fire—could not be effected if any other part of the park were chosen for the purpose. To that communication he (the Rector) had replied , that he was of opini on the pa rishionersy, and th a t it was con -1 s in acco r d ance w i t h th e and exp ress i ve o f th e ut sss epi dneectritemadbelneNt, sec h royo a mf d r net m ohune e nt e. t ilotyyr, witht. Resolution ivos e t treatment of a la rg e an d re most determinatioit 'tii'resist -the encroachments proposed, were moved and seconded:, by Mr. F. Angerstein, late Mem ber for the bcitough,-Mr. , :C. -- Millington, Mr. A. Young, one of-the county magistrates, Air, F. Barwis, solicitor, and other gentlemen ; and ultimately it was agreed without a dissen tient voice, that a petition should be prepared and piesented to Parliament forthwith, to stay the encroachments, which yesterday morning were resumed, by order of Lord Lincoln, the Chief -oinmissioner of the Woods and Forests. LADIES IN THE 'STOCKS,—On Saturday, market tttrias ou c tced;)ty, th e a tt ent i on o f h er o the Town- h a ll, i n con sdAelaqayiti,eesantt3e'e' Ns of leiwe gp t e h osr e t;va st i o n c a k s being occupied by two young ladies, Miss Ann Bullock and. MiSs Harris, who, with a gentleman' named Jdnes, alicis Girdle!, had the pleasUre of rusticating ,in the above enviable position for six hours.--Shrewsbury Cht'onicle. • • THE LONDON CLOCKS.H-Our. •Marylebone Corre spondent writes us that the church clock in the New-road . ; is still in a very unsatisfactory state, and the unhappy time piece is said to be goißg fast:, * The pendulum, which ought to be at - sixty, is at nearly seventy, and the wind-up is despair ugly looked forward to.—Pidach, That in the midst of life we are in death, was fully exemplified on Sunday last,,in - the death of the Rev. John Alexander Lawreke; Rector-of Marnhani r who when closiiig his set-mania the afternoonovas , taken and upon being : removed to the Rectory House, almost instantly expired.— Nottinghdin Review. COURT CIRCULAR. His Royal Highness Prince Albert and his Majesty the King of Saxony, left Claremont in an open carriage and four, at half-past ten o'clock on Saturday morning, for Chiswick, to view the exhibition of the Horticultural Society of London. His Excellency M. de Minckwitz, and Major- General Sir Edward Bowater, occupied an other royal carriage ; and Count Albert Vitzth um , Ma jor de Rei c h ar dt, an d Dr. Carus, followed in a third open carriage and four. The illustrious party arrived at the gardens at Chis wick at twenty minutes before twelve o'clock, and were conducted to the conservatory, and the marquees con taining the flowers and plants. The King and Prince Albert remained in the gardens until one o'clock, and then took their departure for town, arriving at half past one o'clock at Buckingham Palace, where they were received by the Earl of Morton and Lord Charles Wellesley, the Lord and Equerry in Wait ing on his Majesty. The Queen, attended by the Countess of Gains borough, Lady in Waiting, left Claremont in an open carriage and four, shortly before eleven o'clock on Saturday morning, for town. Lady Caroline Cocks and the Hon. Miss Lister, Maids of Honour in Waiting, Viscount Sydney, Lord in Waiting, and Colonel Arbuthnot, Equerry in Waiting, followed in two carriages and four. The royal party arrived at Buckingham Palace at a quarter past twelve o'clock, escorted by a party of Lancers. The Lord Chamberlain and the Master- of the Horse received her Majesty on her arrival at the palace. On Saturday afternoon, the King of Saxony, attended by Baron Gersdoff and suite, honoured the establishment of Messrs. Hunt and Roskell with a visit, and remained nearly an hour, inspecting the plate and jewellery departments. His Majesty was pleased to express him self highly gratified with the taste displayed in the numerous work's. A deputation of the Royal Society, consisting of the Marquis of Northampton, President ; Dr. Roget and Mr. Christie, Secretaries; Mr. Weld, Assistant Secre tary; and Messrs. Murchison, Lee, Graham, and Dollond, had the honour of waiting upon his Majesty the King of Saxony en Saturday afternoon, at Buckingham Palace, when his Majesty, having been elected a Fellow of the Society, was graciously pleased to inscribe his name in the Charter book. In the evening the King of Saxony, attended by Baron Gersdorff, the Earl of Morton, Lord Charles Wellesley, M. de Minckwitz, Count A. Vizthum, Major Reichardt, and Dr. Carus, left Buckingham Palace at eight o'clock, to honour Sir Robert and Lady Peel with his company at dinner, at their residence in Whitehall gardens. Yesterday morning the Queen and Prince Albert, the ladies and gentlemen of the royal suite, and the House hold attended Divine service in the Chapel Royal, Buck ingham Palace. The sermon was preached by the Bishop of Norwich. Prayers were read by the Hon. and Rev. C. Leslie Courtenay. Yesterday morning the King of Saxony attended Di vine service at the Chapel in Wardour-street. The Royal Family were taken airings yesterday in the royal gardens of Buckingham Palace. Her Royal Highness the Duchess of Cambridge visited the Queen yesterday. Her Majesty and Prince Albert walked yesterday in the royal gardens. The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, accompanied by the Princess Mary, attended Divine service yesterday morning in Grosvenor Chapel, South Audley-street. Ba roness Ahlefeldt and Major Stephens were in waiting on their Royal Highnesses. Their Royal Highnesses the Duchess of Gloucester and the Duke of Cambridge went on Saturday morning to the: Horticultural Show, at Chiswick. Their Royal Highnesses returned in the afternoon to town. His Royal Highness the Duke of Cambridge honoured Mr. and Mrs. Mills with his company on Friday evening, at Camelford House. The Duke of Wellington and Sir Frederick Trench attended the early service in the Chapel Royal, St. James's, yesterday. The Marquises of Salisbury, Normanby, and North ampton, the Countess of Wilton, Ladies Palmerston and C. Sanford, Lords Bandon, Effingham, Wilton, Mul grave, Wharncliffe, J. O'Bryen, Vivian, Wrottesley, Ebrington, Palmerston, Leveson, and Ingestre, attended the daily service in the Chapel Royal, St. James's. The sermon was preached by the Rev. Dr. Sleath, prayers were read by the Rev. J. Horsley Dakins, and the lessons by the Rev. Dr. Knapp. The Marchionesses of Ailesbury and Westmeath, the C.'untesses Wilton and Brownlow, Lords Delawarr, Can tilupe, Sydney, and Ashley, attended the afternoon ser vice in the Chapel Royal, St. James's. A Cabinet Council was held on Saturday afternoon, at the Foreign-office. It was attended by Sir Robert Peel, the Duke of Wellington, Lorel Wharncliffe, Earl of Aberdeen, Lord Stanley, Sir James Graham, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Earl of Haddington, Earl of Ripon, the Right Hon. W. E. Gladstone, Sir Edward Knatchbull, and Lord Granville Somerset. The Council sat three hours. Messrs. Cavan, M'Garel, Barkly, and Cave, Commis sioners for the British Guiana Immigration Loan, had an interview with Lord Stanley on Saturday, at the Co lonial-office. The Right Hon. F. Shaw, M.P., Mr. Gregory, and a deputation respecting: the Savings' Banks of Ireland, accompanied by Mr. Wilson Patten, and several other Members of Parliament, had an interview with the Chan cellor of the Exchequer on Saturday, at his official re sidence in Downing-street. The French Ambassador and the Prussian Charge d'Affaires transacted business on Saturday, at the Fo reign-office. Mr. Brickwood had an interview with the Chancellor of the Exchequer on Saturday. THE WEaTuEu.-lAre were not disappointed in our expectations of a speedy change last week. On Wedneiday morning a gentle but hihgly refreshing shower fell, and it has continued to rain less or more every day or night since ; while the wind seldom varies from those points—the west and south -west—most favourable to vegetation. The effect on the crops has been talismanic. Even where they seemed to be almost wholly . gone, the freshness of their appearance indicates a thorough resuscitation. The hay crop is no doubt too far advanced to derive the same advantage that it would have dope had moisture been vouchsafed a few weeks earlier, still it would be advisable to delay cutting for a short time, that it may not Jose a chance of benefiting. Pasture has also improved considerably. As the rain has been very general over the country, and fallen without violence, unless, perhaps, in one or two instances, we may yet, notwithstanding the late backward accounts from all quarters, indulge in the hope of a plentiful harvest.— Ayr Observer. MARKETHILL.—MELANCHOLY CASE OF HYDRO PHOBIA.—A few weeks since a fine boy, about five years old, named Woods, was bit on the face by a dog which was in a rabid 'state. ' The animal attaclted the child a short distance from his father's house, in the parish of Mul laghbrack. The unhappy parents used e ver y exer ti on t o have a cure effected after the occurrence, but, we regret to say, without effect ; for, on the 6th instant, the most alarming symptoms of hydrophobia fully developed themselves. Medical aid was procured, but, of course, was not of the slightest avail. The poor child writhed in the utmost agony till Thursday night lash when death put a period to his sufferings.—Banner of Ulster. WALKING ON THE BOTTOM Or TUE SEA.—Friday evening large crowds were attracted to our quays, in order to witness the spectacle of beholding a- man descend to the bottom of the river, for the purpose of inspecting the piles of the bridge. Having en veloped himself in a waterproof dress, and placed the diving helmet on his head, he descended with the greatest nonchalance, and having remained below for nearly an hour, he came to the surface, amid the congratula tions of all present. The diving helmet, which thus affords one of the most extraordinary exemplifications of the triumph of art over nature, was, we believe, the in vention of our eminently scientific, though no less than enthusiastically patriotic friend, Mr. Steele, whose ser vices in the cause of Ireland, as the head pacificator of O'Connell, are now receiving their requital in the dun geon in which he is immured with his illustrious leader. Wexford Independent. During the past week two disturbances have taken place at Leeds, between the military and the police. The first took place on Sanday night last, for which on Monday morn ing five soldiers of the 70th Infantry (chiefly composed of Irishmen), were brought up before the magistrates, and two were fined W. each. The others were given up by the magis trates, to be punished by the laws of their regiment. On Monday night a large party of the soldiers sallied out of the barracks—several armed with bayonets—and attacked every policeman they met. Six of the police officers were despe rately wounded, and several others received some severe bruises. A number of the soldiers, and some who took their part, have been apprehended, and remanded for examination. —Doncaster Gazette. THE WEATHER AND THE CROPS.—Since our last we have had exceedingly warm, and, unfortunately for the farmers, exceedingly dry weather also. The showers which fell a week ago, and which led us to anticipate more rain, have done but very little to re fresh the earth, and a heavy fall is anxiously looked for by the agriculturists. The early-sown wheat is Very forward; in a field of Mr. I)unn's, at Aldborough, within three hundred yards of the sea, the wheat, a few days ago, was bursting into ear: it exhibits a very healthy appearace. In Cottingliam, the wheat in a field belonging to Mr. Lund, shot into ear so early as the 28th of May. In Willerby, Hessle, Ferriby, Swanland, Sunk Island, Lund, Etton, Leconfield, Bainton, and one or two other places, the ear has already shot forth. In all districts of the East Riding, however, rain is greatly wanted ; the spring wheat especially requires moisture, and, should heavy showers speedily fall, it is thought that the spring wheat will yield better crops than the winter sown, notivithstanding the present forwardness of the latter. The hay harvest has already commenced in the neighbourhood of Doncaster, but therevioes not seem any likelihood of similar operations commencing in the • neighbourhood of Hull -during the present month. The crops or hay in the East-Riding are generally to. be very light. Indeed, fears are expressectthat all kinds of agricultural produce will suffer unless - 4 plentiful rain speedily descend. A great quantity or potatoes have . been ploughed up, in consequence of the dry rot having affected them.L—HtillAcivertiser. . WILL or' TILE LATE W. CROCKFORD, ts(l.-11€1, ministration, with the will annexed (no executor being pArned therein), of the late well-known William Crock ford, of gambling notoriety, has been granted to Mrs. A. F. Crockford, his widow. The will is dated as late as last month, and gives the whole of -his property to his wife in nearly the following words :—" I give, and bequeath the whole of my property, of whatever de scription,:unto my,deir wife, and liar heirs, relying on her doing what is right." The personal property alqne. is iwarii under the lirge sum of 200,6001., and it is ru moured that his real estate is worth 150,000/. more. - THE MINISTERS. • MEETING AT THE CARLTON. A meeting of Members of Parliament, who ordinarily vote on-the Ministerial-Ae- of the House, was held in the drawing room of the Carlton Club, at four o'clock yesterday afternoon, pursuant to a requisition signed by five Members. Between 60 and 70 Members of Parliament were present, Sir John Yarde Buller taking the chair. Mr. D'ISRAELI inquired by what authority and for what pur pose the meeting had been convened ? Lord bid'ESTRE replied that he, in conjunction with Mr. Forbes Mackenzie and the other requisitionists, had thought it advisable, after the •vote of Frislay night, that there should be a meeting, and had, accordingly, issued a notice convening it.• Mr. MAcKxNziE added, •that he was authorised to state, that if the meeting then assembled would unanimously sign a declaration of confidence in Sir R. Peel's Government, he would not resign office, but continue to conduct the affairs of the country. Mr. - FERRAICD asked by whom the statement had been authorised, and whether it was expected that the sixty Conservatives who voted with Mr. Miles in opposition to the Government on Friday night were expected to rescind their votes ? • Mr. IVLicLumns declined to answer these questions. Mr. CHRISTOPHER, however, said that he was one of those who had voted against Sir It. Peel on Friday; but he was still prepared to sign a declaration of confidence in the Govern ment, rather than let in the Whigs. Lord SAIIDON professed himself willing to sign a general declaration of co n fid ence , reserv i ng to himself, however, a right of priVate judgment. ISuch we presume ache exercised on Friday.] Sir HOWARD DOUGLAS was prepared to vote unlimited con fidence. Mr. BLACKSTONE declined to support so extensive a de. claration. • Mr. BLAKESIORE said that the meeting was one of Con servatives, and he was surprised therefore at Mf.Terrand's presence. Mr. DISRAELI challenged Mr. Blaltemore to a definition of Conservatism, but Mr. 131akemore declined so embarrassing a task'. Several members expressed their dread of a declaration of "unlimited confidence, as they were quite in the dark as to the Minister's future measures, and knew not w hi c h inte restmight be next assailed. The meeting, which was very noisy, and evidently far from unanimous, closed without coming to any decision, and adjourned until 12 o'clock t o -day. Th e question, how/can we meet our constituents ? was frequently and anxiously repeated: HER MAJESTY'S THEATRE. Donizetti's opera of Lucrezia Borgia was played on Satur day for the first time this season. This opera remains a fa vourite of the second rank, and occasionally played chiefly pleases by the excellent opportunities it affords to Grisi and also to Mario, who, by the way, first appeared before the London public in the character of Gennaro. The drama having the advantage of the strong situations created by Victor Hugo, there i s room f or hi s t r i on i c power g i ven to the artists which is often denied them in works of amuch higher calibre in a musical p o i n t o f v i ew . S uc h situations as the finale to the first act (called the " prologue"), the goblet scene, and the death of Gennaro at the end, could not be otherwise than effective in the grasp of such an impassioned vocalist as Grisi, and it is said that Lucrezia is one of the characters she most loves to play. There is, perhaps, no in stance of an opera in which so much is done by the construe • tion of the drama, and therefore, when we read that on the first production of this Italian work at Paris, Victor Hugo brought his action as the author of the original, French tra gedy, we cannot doubt that he felt the value of the part of the work that proceeded from himself. There are, however, mu sical beauties in Lucrezia Borgiiz in spite of its common places. The finale to the "prologue" is well conceived and dramatic. There is a fine trio by Grisi, Mario, and Lablache in the goblet scene; and the song by Orsini, " 11 segreto per esser felice," is one of the most " taking" of the modern Ita lian stage. Grisi, as Lucrezia, of course sings and acts magnificently. Mario sang "II mio tesoro" as charmingly as it could be sung, and was admirable as Gennaro. For Alfonso we have the unrivalled basso Lablache, who, in former days, when the character was sustained by Tamburini, generally took the little no-character of Petrucci. Orsini was played by Fa vanti. This young lady gains much in confidence, and im proves greatly as an act re s s . At th e en d o f t h e " fi rst " (really the second) act Grisi and Mario came before the cur tain, as well as at the conclusion of the entire opera. THE EMPEROR OF RUSSIA. AND THE POLISH BALL. —A misstatement on this subject having appeared last week in the Standard, and been copied by several other papers, we think proper to contradict it. It has been stated that the Emperor of Russia offered a donation of 5001. to the Committee of the Polish Ball, and that this donation was declined. Upon inquiry we' find that the story is without foundation. The simple truth is, that the RuSsian Minister took tickets from the Ladies Patronesses, as any other private individual might have done, considering the Polish Ball as given merely for a charitable purpose.—Post. FRANCE AND MOROCCO.—Orders were received at Woolwich Dockyard from the Admiralty, on the night of Friday, requiring the Firefly steam- vessel, Captain Beechy; to be got ready for immediate particular service. The Firefly had not been reported ready for sea, and in the ordinary course would not have been ready for a Week ; but by dint of great exertions of the officers, crew, and the dockyard men, she was stored, provisioned, and actually sailed out of port on Saturday noon. She is ordered to Spithead,, at which place she will receive on board dis Patches omitted to be sent by the last mail-packet, instructing the British Consul at. Tangiers what course to pursue in the rupture between France and Morocco. After conveying them to Tangiers she is to return home, or be otherwise disposed of, according to cir cumstances. Great credit is due to the Commodore Superin tendent of Woolwich Dockyard, Sir F. Collier, K.C.8., who was on board the Firefly at four A . M . on S a t ur d a y, and per sonally superintended her preparations for sea. PUBLIC PETITIONS.—The 29th Report of the Com mittee on Public Petitions has just made its appearance. We find the gross total number of petitions to the House of Commons on various important public measures to be as follow, viz. :—Against the Dissenters' Chapels Bill, 2,403 petitions, signed by no less than 290,496 persons ; in favour of the same Bill, 601 petitions, signed by 136,644 persons; for an alteration of the measure, 864 petitioners; legalizing marriages in Ireland by Presbyterian ministers, 412 peti tions, signed by 159,245 persons; against the union of the episcopal dioceses of Bangor and St. Asaph, 274 peti tions, signed be 13,613 persons; against a repeal of the corn-laws, 1,878 petitions, signed by 128,093 persons ; for a repeal of the differential duties on sugar, four petitions, signed by 66,434 persons; for the encouragement of art unions, 13 petitions, signed by 704 persons ; in favour of the County Courts Bills, 13 petitions, signed by 1,049 persons; for an alteration of the Poor-law Amendment Act, 70 peti tions, signed by 3,218 persons ; for an alteration of the Poor-law Am.endment Bill, 30 petitions, signed by 10,392 persons. SIR ROBERT AND LADY PEEL'S ENTERTAINMENT TO THE KING OF SAXONY.—Sir Robert and Lady Peel gave a grand entertainment. on 'Saturday evening to his'Majesty the King of Saxony. We believe the following is an accu rate list of those persons eminent in science or literature who, - together with the members of the corps diplomatique, had the honour of meeting his Majesty:—The Marquis of -North ampton, President of. the -Royal Society ; Mr. Murchison, President of the Geographichl Society; Mr. Warburton, Pre sident of the Geological Society; .Lord Prudhoe, President of the Royal Institution ; the Bishcip of Norwich ; Rev. Dr. Buckland, PrOfessor of Mineralogy 'and Geology, Oxford ; Rev. • Dr. Whewell, Master of Trinity College, Cam bridge; Profeslsor Henslow, PrOfesSor of Botany, Cam bridge; Dr: Daubeny, Professor of Chemistry, - 4Dxford ; Mr. Airey, the Astronomer Royal; Sir John Hers chel' ; - Professor Owen, College of Surgeons ; Professor Lind ley, Professors Braude and Faraday; Dr. Paris, President of the College of Physicians ; Sir B. Brodie ; Edward Forbes, Esq., Professor of Botany, King's College; Dr. Royle, King's Col lege;' Sir Wm. Hooker • Sir M. A; Slice, President of the Royal Academy; Mr. COplev Fielding, Mr. Edwin Landseer, Mr. Eastlake, Mr. Walker, President. of Civil Engineers; Sir John Rennie, Sir Richard Westinacott, Sir Henry de la Beche, G. B. Greenough, Esq., F.R.S. ;• Sir Phi 4 Egerton, W. R. Hamilton, Esq; H. Hallam ' Esq., F.R.b., Robert Browne, Esq., F.R.S.; Sir Henry Ellis,' Librarian of the British Museum ; Rev. T. Forshall, Secretary of the British Museum ; Edward Hawkins, Esq., Keeper of Antiquities in the British Museum ;. W. Yarrel, Esq., C. Lyell, Esq. F.R.S., Mr. Mantell, C. Barry, Esq., R.A., W. Wyon, Esq., C. R. Cocke rell, Esq. R.A. Dr. D. B. Reid, James Sniitb, Esq. of Dean ston;Samuel Rogers, Esq., Rev. Sydney Smith, Lord Mahon, Sir I. Brunel, I. K. Brunel, Esq., Sir W.= Symonds, J. R. M'Culloch, Esq., J. APGregor,.Esq., Sir R. H Inglis. .FIRE AT lIICIIMOND.—Yesterday morning, between the hours of two and three, the neighbourhood of Richmond, Surrey, was thrown into a state of considerable excitement and confusion, in consequence of a fire of a very destructive character breaking out in the premises belonging to Mr. Ed wards, a pawnbroker, carrying on an extensive business in George-street,-Richmond. The police constable in going his rounds,. perceived a great body of, smoke break through one Of the upper windows in the eastern portion of. the building. He raised an alarm, and succeeded in aro u si n g th e initiates, consisting of Mr. Edwards and his shopboy. On the former '.getting up, he found that the door of his bed-room was in flames, and had but a few more minutes elapsed Mr. Ed wards would probably have perished. Engines of the neigh bouring parishes were early at the scene of conflagration, and afterwards 'from . London. The flames were eventually so far subduedtas to allay f.ll apprehension of further exten sion. The damage done is considerable. Nothing remains of Mr. Edwards' premises save the bare outer walls, and they are in a very dangerous state. The premises of Mr. Tolley, harness-maker to her Majesty, were partially injured. MEETING . OF THE TWOPENNY POSTMEN.—Yester day (Sunday) afternoon ; meeting of the twopenny post men took place in • the Assembly-roOms, Turnagain-lane, Snow-hill, for the. purpose of taking into consideration the propriety of petitioning,the Postmaster-General with respect to the 'losses sustained since the alteration of the " extra" diity; its also an increase in the amount of superannuation money. 'Thee were nearly 400 persons present. Mr. Rich mond was called to the chair. Several of the body addressed the meeting at great length, and a petition, it was agreed, should be presented to the Earl of Lonsdale , to which will be attached an abstract, showing the actual amount of pay received by each person; before and since the extra deliveries. REMOVAL OF DALMAS, THE CONVICTED MUR DERER.—On Saturday. Mr. Cope, the Governor of Newgate, accompanied by one - of the principal turnkeys, conveyed Dalnmas, the convicted murderer, in a cab from Newgate to Horsemonger-lane goal, in pursuance of the directions - re ceived by the Governor from Mr. Baron Gurney. He was delivered over to the custody of Mr. Keene. His execution on the flat roof of Horsemonger-lane gaol will take place, it is understood, on Monday fortnight. THE GOWN OF PORTSOKEN WARD.--The name of Thomas Johnson, Alderman of Portsoken Ward, having ap peared in the Gazette, in the list of bankrupts, the citizens of London expect that the gown will .be. immediately resigned into the hands of the constituency. • They are led to this ex pectation by the fact - that at the last election Alderman Thomaslohnsen promised, in the event of a failure in busi ness, or otluir incapacity; to - retire from the duties - of Alder man. • •The worthy old gentleman labours now, 'we regret to say, under a cloublOricapecity, .for his bank at Roinford will not only be'ilable to pay two shillings in the pound of. the liabilities of 'the 'concern,. but' he is unable himself, in conse, quence of herdaise of4Yearing,ta . perforin the duties of Alder- Mall'AithArlfthini. like efficiency. Already the following gentlemen . heve,deplared.their intention to: offer themselves fOr, the -oflice, gin event* of the resignation of Alderman i r lacimas Johnson i—z Mr. David Salomon; kr. Sheriff Moon, Mr. Filcher -(one of the 'late Sheriffs), Mr. Bishop, of America square; and Mr. Daniel Whittle Harvey, the Commissioner of•the City.police. • : SYMPATHY FOR IRELAND.—In the course of three days thirty-three Aldermen sand Councillors of the borough of 'Birmngham signed a requisition to the May along with acont 700 burgesses and other inhabitants, to call a town -meeting, to address the Crown in reference tb the sentence of Mr. O'Connell and his fellow martyrs in rieland. This spirited example *ill, we trnstite'speedilyfollowedthrough out England. The meeting is to. be held this day, under the presidency of the Mayor. HOW TRADE SUPERSEDES FEUDALISM. As long as war lasts ; the Nobles, who must be soldiers, rule very well. But when peace comes, the Nobles "prove very whimsical and uncomfortable mas ters ; their frolics turn out to be very" insulting and degrading to the commoner. Feudalism grew to be a bandit and brigand. Meantime trade (or the mer chant and manufacturer) had began to appear : trade, -a plant which always grows wherever there is peace, as soon as there is peace, and as long as there is peace. The luxury and necessity of the Noble fostered it. And as quickly as men go to foreign parts in ships or caravans, a new order of things springs up; new ideas awake in their minds. New command takes place, new servants and new masters. Their information, their wealth, their correspondence, have made them quite other men than when left their native shore. They are nobles now, and by another patent than the king's. Feu dalism had been good, had broken the power of ; the kings, and had some very good traits of his own ; but it had grown mischievous, it was time for it to die, and, as they say of dying people, all their faults came out. Trade was the strong man that broke it down, and raised a new and unknown power in its place. It is a new agent in the world, and one of great function; it is a very intellectual force. This displaces physical strength, and instals computation, combination, information, science, in its room. It calls out all force of a certain kind that slumbered in the former dynasties. It is now in the midst of its career. Feudalism is not ended yet. Our Government still partake largely of that element. Trade goes to make the Governments insig nificant, and to bring every kind of faculty of every individual that can in any manner serve any person, on sale. Instead of a huge army and navy, and exe cutive departments, it tends to convert Government into a bureau of intelligence, an intelligence office, where every man may find what he wishes to buy, and expose what he has to sell, not only produce and manufactures, but art, skill, and intellectual and moral values.—The Young American, by R. W. Emerson. CROMARTY.—THE DAINES.—On Saturday last the, Danish corvette that has fur the last fortnight enlivened Cromarty, sailed out of the bay to continue her cruise in the North Sea. Short as is the time she has been amongst us, her departure creates a strong and uni versal feeling of regret in the neighbourhood, for a finer set of youths never reflected honour on any coun try. Cromarty has been the scene of much gaiety since the coming of the Danes, and we think they will carry away with them a favourable im pression of the hospitality of its inhabitants. Major and Mrs. Ord, at Cromarty House, we understand, have made many of the strangers happy by their kind ness and attention, and on Thursday a farewell fete was given to them at Braelangwell, the residence of Sir Hugh Fraser. The, commodores and captains, with some of the senior officers, were at dinner, and were joined in the evening by a large party of younger officers and mid shipmen from the Flora, together with as many of the neighbouring gentry as on so' short a notice could be assembled. A more agreeable evening was never passed, and it was the source of general remark how thoroughly each one seemed imbued with the spirit of enjoyment. Some Danish songs and dances contributed to aid the zest of novelty and were much admired. The facility with which all these Danes speak English is remarkable, and their invariably courteous and gentlemanly de meanour will secure.a hearty Highland welcome to any of their countrymen who may henceforth visit our shores. The following morning, at the request of Commodore Garde, a large party went from Braelangwell to visit the frigate Gefion, of 48 guns, where they were met by the captains, and some officers of the Flora, in addition to those of the Gefion ; and Sir Hugh Fraser received the salute due to his rank as a general officer. After in specting the vessel, and partaking of the hospitality of her officers, the party dispersed with interchange of many good wishes.—lnverness Courier. The opening of the Great Northern line from Lon don to Newcastle deserves to be regarded as an event of no ordinary magnitude in the history of railway communica tion. A distance of near three hundred miles performed in twelve hours and a half ! the longest continuous line in the country will be opened throughout A passenger may take his seat in London, after breakfasting comfortably at Euston square, at nine o'clock, and in the same carriage,• without change of baggage, or any other disturbance, will find him self transferred to Newcastle-on-Tyne by half-past nine on the same evening, in time for a late dinner or au early supper ! Yesterday the usual notices were posted on the dif ferent church doors for persons qualified to vote at elections to send in their claim. FIRE IN FlNSDURY.—Saturday night a fire, at tended with considerable destruction of property, broke out in the extensive range of workshops belonging to Mr. Rey nolds, bookbinder, Eldon-street, Finsbury-square, within a short distance of the Roman Catholic Chapel. The premiSes were composed chiefly of timber, and the flames had gained possession of the roof before many minutes had elapsed. Se veral engines were very soon on the spot, and a plentiful sup ply of water was readily obtained, and the fire was subdued by twelve o'clock. FATAL TERMINATION OF THE ACCIDENT AT THE ZOOLOGICAL GARDENS, WAKEFIELD.—On Sunday morning last, Mrs. Ilaselgrave, the sister-in-law of the proprietor of the gardens, whose injuries from the attack of a bear were de scribed in last week's Mercury, terminated her miseries in death. The unfortunate female's recovery was thought all but impossible from the first. Verdict—Accidental death. Mrs. Haselgrave, the wife of the proprietor, is recovering.—Leeds Mercury. _ _ THE MAILS.—SOUTHAMPTON, JUNE 16.—The Oriental Company's steam-ship, the Pacha, Captain Wilson, arrived in the docks, from Gibraltar, yesterday, at noon, and landed the Peninsula and Mediterranean mails, which were transmitted to the General Post-office by train, so as to enable those for the north of England to be forwarded by the last night's mail from London. Her dates are—Gibraltar, 7th; Cadiz, Bth; Lisbon, 10th; Oporto, 11th; and Vigo, 12th. The Paella has thirty-eight passengers, among whom were the Duchess of Manchester and family, who proceeded last evening to London by the six o'clock train. The Royal West India mail-packet, the Tweed, Captain Sharp, will sail on her outward voyage With the mails for the West Indies, to-morrow, at three o'clock. She has about twenty-three passengers, and an average number of parcels. The Avon, Captain Sturtt, is due on the 20th, with the West India mails ; she is expected to have a full cargo of passengers. INAUGURATION OF THE WELLINGTON STATUE. — In consbquence of the arrival of the splendid granite blocks, some weighing upwards of two tons, and the marble base ment, for the equestrian statue of Field-Marshal his Grace the Duke of Wellington, the chef d'ccurre of our late cele brated sculptor Chantrey, a great number of men were hard at work yesterday in preparing the pedestal to receive the bronze cast of the Hero of Waterloo. It was very doubtful whether it would be possible to have it erected by Tuesday next, the 29th anniversary of that glorious battle, which was the downfal of the ambitious and immortal Napoleon, and restored peace and commerce to Europe; but by the greatest exertions the statue will be placed up to-morrow, on the site opposite the-portico of the New Royal Exchange, where once stood old Bank-buildings, and will be inaugurated with dee ceremony, on Tuesday, the 18th instant, by the . Lord Mayor and Corporation of the City of London, in honour of the great warrior of the age, who is the only one of the Holy Alliance who now survives the scythe that has sent monarchs and heroes - to the tomb since June, 1815.—Sunday.Times. • SUDDEN DEATH.—On Saturday last, between eleven and twelve o'clock, Mr. Webb, an independent gen tleman, residing at Langley, Bucks, entered the Uxbridge Bank. He appeared in good health and spirits, and was con versing cheerfully with the cashier, when he suddenly fell to the ground without an' exclamation or groan. Mr. Collins, • • the cashier, was, unfortunately alone in the Bank at the time. He immediately went round and endeavoured to raise and re-animate the unfortunate gentleman, calling loudly for assistance, but before he could get round the pay-table the breath had departed. An inquest was held in the evening. The deceased has left a widow and four or five children to lament their sudden bereavement. The widow has been in a most awfully frantic state ever since she heard of the lamentable occurrence. She had walked a mile on her way to meet Mr. Webb, who had promised to return in an hour, whentheitheir e s y f l r v o e in company, m re, sehool livery p p r r o e c p p a e r d a t to io n W i t i n a ds d obreetno made for a family festival on the occasion; and after the unfortu nate lady had. waited until her fears were becoming over whelming, the messengers of wee at last fell in with her. Tom THUMB.—It appears that the exhibition of the General positively closes on Thursday next, the 20th instant. He is exhibited on Friday and Saturday at Greenwich. He is_jhen to take various tours, proceeding to Ireland, Scotland, and Paris; and will then return the Czar's visit ,to this country. STRIKE OF THE LANARKSHIRE COLLIERS.—A strike as sudden as it is extensive, has just taken place in this counts-. Regarding the immediate cause of this sudden movement we have not been able to ascertain the particulars. The strike has not extended to the iron stone miners.— Glasgow Chronicle. STATE or TRADE.—The hand-loom weavers in this city are at present all fully employed, and so great has been the demand for their labour, that an advance of wages ha a taken place upon several fabrics manufactured in this place.—Carlisle Journal. • It is now decided that Louis Philippe is to pay her Majesty a visit in the month of September. The 15th is g N I nba G eel I tf s : :tu titernPa E , E ga i t nw a de G r E ee v . : onn l i s N; O, h r e we n e - of t Henry 3t,. VII. called the day mentioned for his a rr i va l i n London.—Court Journal. r h se i e s a ' e r t i rs n ' s a E r il l tl E i oe a n e n n e . took temporal their for they had been attainted. Of those twenty-nine not five remain, and they, as the Howards for instance, are not Norman nobility. We owe the English 'peerage to three sources—the spoliation of the Church, the open and flagrant sale of its honours by the elder. Stuarts, and the boroughmongering of our own times. Those are the three main sources of the existing peerage of England, and, in my opinion, disgraceful ones. 7---Coningsby. Fanny Elssler has arrived in town, and appears to-morrow night iu the beautiful ballet of Le .!eintre. A JOKE CONTRARY TO EXPECTATION,—Foote, the dramatist, having in ene of his entertainments caricatured an actor named O'Brien, that gentleman waited upon Foote, and complained very indignantly of the injury his character had sustained through his being taken. oft' upon the stage. The comedian, having vainly endeavoured to laugh his visi ter into good _humour, .-at length observed—" Well !as you • seem displeased at inv taking, you off, you shall immediately see me th - ke - my§etf Ott!" The enraged actor was pacified, and ; Foote, .taking up 'his hat, walked out of the room ; and O'Brien, after.waiting an hour in expectation of his return, - was compelled to console himself for his previous affront-by' - a joke contrary to expectation. OIX:B.ULL AGAIN IN TROUIII.E.--4NOTHER FLARE.. up.—Ole Bull, the great violiaist, arrived.here on Wednesdix "- night, on his way to Boston, and put up at the.:Astor-Heuse, where there are always nearli 300 traqllers—A great many . of them beautiful women. 1 esterday, s. he was preparing to go to Boston, he was arrested at the - suit. Of his former se etary, Julius Schubert, and has to remain - .penned up in New York like a canary in 'a cage, because he cannot give bail for 10,000 &Bins to the .Court Of - Gbhncery. In this dilemma what Is to done ? We advise the great artist to give a magnificent concert in the Tabernacle, and endeavour, by_the power of his glorious violin,-to soften the heart of the - possible. Chancellor, and to wile away the ti m e as pleasantl ) : as le High genius is always in hot water,—New I'o4 L Herald, .